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He Said/She Said – A Real Life 2013 Honda Accord Review

March 6, 2013 By 8 Comments

I fondly remember my very first brand new car, don’t you?  It was a 2002 Honda Accord and I was in love.  That is why I couldn’t turn down the luxury of test driving a brand new 2013 Honda Accord EX-L from Ken Garff Honda of Orem…for 10 fabulous days.  You may have seen us using the #HondaTestDrive (hashtag) on Twitter and Instagram documenting our (okay… MY) hijinks.  Which may or may not have included adorning the car with unicorn-a-plenty.

 

2013 honda accord unicorns

We are currently owners of one mid-size SUV, that is my primary mode of transportation, and a mid-size sedan that my husband drives for his daily commute.  For me to switch over to a sedan for 10 days was a bit of a change.  And while I only have 2 kids… I may not be ready to switch over to a sedan quite yet, even if it is as sweet of a ride as an Accord.  It may be a mental block but I like the extra space in an SUV.  However, my husband definitely has the Accord in his vision for our next commuter car purchase.  And trust me…that says a lot.  He’s pretty loyal to his current brand and for him to have second thoughts means the 2013 Honda Accord EX-L really made an impression.

2013 Honda Accord EXL

Isn’t she pretty?  I didn’t name her because she wasn’t mine to keep.  I hope her forever home gives her an awesome name like “Candy”.

And hopefully “the car possibly known as Candy” will remember the time we took an epically awesome day trip and captured it on video.

And we not only went a little video crazy…I got pretty snap happy with the camera when documenting how gorgeous the interior and exterior features are.

Pretty Interior

2013 Honda Accord Interior Features

Pretty Exterior

2013 honda accord exterior features

And while this is shaping up to be the world’s longest post…I just can’t stop without telling you about the things we truly enjoyed while driving the 2013 Accord.  Because we drove it as real people…not mechanics…or professionals…just a family using a car.  And I know when I am looking for a car that’s who I want advice from.

2013 Honda Accord Features

These are all the features that we loved… and possibly not their technical names.  Granted my husband wishes he were a MotorTrend car reviewer… As you will see in the video.  And it has many more features that I haven’t listed but I am sure that Ken Garff Honda of Orem would be happy to fill you in on those details.

  • Push start ignition (No more digging for keys in your purse or pocket…you just have to have them with you.)
  • Dual memory driver’s seat (Perfect for the tall and the small.)
  • 8 inch information display (It’s really big.  Bigger is better.)
  • Cup holders (We all know I am addicted to Diet Coke.)
  • XM Radio (I am a radio snob… No commercials up in here.)
  • Pandora interface  (This gets a big Thumbs Up.)
  • Bluetooth (Safety first.  Safety first.)
  • USB and auxiliary connections (I love being able to charge my iPhone without a 12-volt adapter.)
  • Backup camera with different view options (Maybe even I could back into the garage…or maybe not.)
  • Blind spot camera (It’s awesome.  I sometimes turned on my right blinker just to see it.)
  • Heated leather seats (Sometimes your “seat” needs a little heat in these cold Utah winters.)
  • Real time gas mileage tracking (My hubby tracks every tank of gas and mileage…this was seriously one of his FAVORITE things about the car.)
  • Leg and head room (Surprisingly my teenage boys fit comfortably in the backseat.  Which is not common for all sedans.)
  • Steering wheel audio controls (Sometimes you just need to drown out the background noise.  Or the sound of your own voice singing along to Taylor Swift music.)
  • Large trunk (We were able to fit an entire cart load of Costco goodies into the trunk… granted there was no more space for my Wal-Mart run.)
  • V6 engine with “eco” mode (Power when you want it…gas savings when you don’t.)
  • LED Headlights (The husband found this to be so cool.)
  • Plenty of room for unicorn displays (I found this to be so cool.)

In the end if I could make one suggestion to Honda or Ken Garff Honda of Orem…maybe it’s time for a little logo change.

2013 honda accord unicorn emblem

***I was given a 2013 Honda Accord to test drive for 10 days.  All opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: family, reviews, Utah Tagged With: , , , ,

Air Quality… It’s Not The Unicorns Fault

February 14, 2013 By 2 Comments

If you’ve live in or have visited Utah (most specifically the Wasatch Front) in our coldest winter months you may have noticed something.  The INVERSION.  It’s a not-so-lovely sheet of pollution that blankets some of our most populated cities.  The air being colder in the valley (you may have noticed we are surrounded by mountains) than it is above the mountains above creates the inversion.  It’s like an epic battle between temperatures and the smoggy pollution gets trapped in the middle.

Photo from Kennecott

Photo from Kennecott

It looks awful doesn’t it?  It can cause issues for people with breathing problems… It can actually contribute to breathing problems.  Allergies, bronchitis, asthma, and a list of other ailments can be affected by the inversion.  This year has been particularly bad.  Especially in my household.  My normally healthy kids (I’m talking 1 sick day per year kind of healthy) both have been riddled with sinus issues, coughs, and colds.  It’s been miserable.  So naturally, when I was asked to participate in a conversation about Utah’s air quality with Kennecott, I jumped at the chance.  Because really… Something’s gotta give.

kennecott copper mines

Photo from Kennecott

You’ve probably heard of Kennecott… And if you are like me you know them for:

  • Copper
  • Copper
  • Copper
  • Daybreak
  • Driving herds of field mice into my neighborhood when Daybreak was first being developed.
  • Oh… And Copper.

So you are probably wondering why a company like Kennecott wants to spread the word about air quality?  I’ll be honest, I was a little curious too.  I had questions about their contribution to the poor air quality.  Because really… That’s what was on my mind.  (I know some people have issues with mining and refining of minerals and their effect on the land.  But I am a loud and proud Ziploc and bleach user… I’ll just tackle the air quality first before I move on to “greener” pastures.)

ziploc

I had heard so many different numbers about how much pollution Kennecott actually produces each year from it’s operations.  I was surprised to learn that their PM2.5 + precursors (not to get too technical but that is the crappy pollution type stuff… If you want an actually technical explanation on particulate matter… Here you go. )= 5.8% annually… And during the winter they average 3.8%. Not too mention they are constantly coming up with innovations to reduce their emissions.  They even go above and beyond in a lot of cases.  So that leaves about 94% of the nasty stuff left in our air.  Where exactly does that excess 90 some percent come from?  Well a good chunk of it comes from US… You know the people who live along the Wasatch front.  Makes you feel a little squirmy huh?  So now that I have you all queasy about how much you are polluting our air and stuff… Let’s talk about what we can do.

  • Carpool… Going to lunch with a friend?  Why not pick them up on the way?
  • Public Transportation… Taking TRAX is actually the BEST way to get downtown.  Parking is a nightmare.
  • Drive less… Get all your shopping done in one trip instead of eleventybillion.
  • Car maintenance… Not only will it keep your car running longer it helps keep the air clean.
  • Use a shovel… Or even better have you kids use the shovel.  Keep the snow blower off.
  • Maintain your furnace… I mean who would ever go like a year without changing their filter??? (cough cough cough… oopsie)
  • Get more tips on the Utah Clean Air website.

In the end we can get rid of industry… Lose all the pretty copper and precious metals and oil and gas and all the things that make life awesome.  And we would still have pollution and an inversion.  So it starts with us… The PEOPLE of UTAH.  Let’s get this clean air party started.  And of course we will all carpool, walk, or ride our unicorns to the party.  Just a side note… Unicorn glitter is a non-pollutant.

***I was compensated for my time… But all thoughts, feelings, and opinions are my own.  Trust me.  Unicorns HATE liars.

Filed Under: unicorns, Utah Tagged With: , , , ,

All Shook Up… Censorship Style

January 29, 2013 By 8 Comments

<begin mostly non-coherent rant>

I have always wanted my boys’ high school to gain national and even world notoriety.  But I was hoping it was for something epic… Like highest test scores in the nation, or even some sort of sports stuffs… or HOPEFULLY for the art teacher rescuing a herd of wild artic penguins from a pack of rabid hyenas… But instead, Herriman High School recently became the subject of news outlets for censorship… Of the high school musical (Zac Efron does NOT approve) All Shook Up.  And well… that has me ALL SHOOK UP. (Because of my current state of shook uppedness by ramblings will be even less coherent than usual.)

all shook up

Right before Christmas ONE “concerned community member” took a complaint to the Jordan School District about the musical that my son had auditioned for, got a part in, and had been practicing for. And the play was CANCELLED by the school district because it could not be changed due to copyright issues.  The musical is a twist on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Knight” set to the songs of Elvis Presley.  You are pretty offended so far… RIGHT?  The main complaints were that the play contained offensive material, did not represent the morals and values of our community, and promoted homosexuality.  I Googled it and… I am not sure how one actually “promotes” homosexuality.  After a little research I found there were no picket signs or posters in the musical saying “Gay is the Way” or “Hate the Straight”.  So, as you can see I was a bit confused.  But, instead of the blatant promotion I expected… I found the complaint was over a major plot point in the play/musical.  A young woman dresses poses as a boy to evade detection and eventually finds herself falling in love with boy.  And the ENTIRE time you (the audience) knows she is a female. And she also reveals herself as a woman to everyone before admitting her love. HORRIFYING… right?  I almost had to scrub my fingertips just for typing such filth (I am obviously taking a LOT of sarcastic liberties).

Thankfully (okay… only because the play is back on but I am NOT thankful) the school received permission to revise some key points in the musical and it was un-cancelled just as quickly as it was cancelled.  All is right in the world… NOT SO FAST.  All is NOT right.  My parental rights have been violated.   I am OFFENDED. And I am angry… Bullet point angry.

  • I am capable of deciding what play or musical is appropriate for my child to view or participate in.
  • I consider it to be offensive to assume that anyone’s “morals and values” are the only ones that matter.  ( Isn’t being a judgmental, condemning, a-hole more than a little morally questionable?)
  • As a parent, I feel awful that my son had to be subjected to something truly offensive… Not the promotion of homosexuality… but you know… the CRAZY censorship (does anyone else feel like they are going to start burning Mark Twain books in the courtyard).
  • Seriously… if someone doesn’t want to see or their children to see or participate in a musical… MORE POWER TO YOU!  But, why does that need to effect my and my childrens’ life?
  • Believe or not… You can still have morals and values even if they are different from someone else’s.  My moral compass is set to “be an awesome human”… And as long as you don’t set your’s to “kill everyone”… have at it.

I have more bullet points but they just make me seem more crazy than I actually am.  In the end… maybe I should thank the morality police.  Because it gave us the chance to have a great and open dialogue about right, wrong, censorship, tolerance, and morals and values with our kids.  So while I am still “all shook up” and will never truly understand this one person’s complaints.  I support their right to have them.  And their rights to decide what their family values are.  I just want them to keep them out of my kids’ classroom, high school musical, and most of all… my household.

<end only partially coherent rant>

Filed Under: family, Utah Tagged With: , , , ,

The One Where I Go To Disney On Ice Without Kids

November 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes you get awesome tickets to go see Disney On Ice’s 100 Years of Magic for your family.  And sometimes 2 of your family members (that happen to be of teenage sort) have school and work obligations that prevent them from going with you.  So sometimes you and your husband decided to make the best of it and go with the “creepy weird couple with no kids at Disney on Ice“ stigma.

Disney on ice is fun for adults too

And every time… You have an awesome night filled with the magic of Disney.  Because you never are too old to be enchanted by Mickey, Minnie, and the whole Disney on Ice gang.

***Compensated post.  All opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: family, feature, just for fun, reviews, stephanie hansen, Utah Tagged With: ,

Pay With Isis, It’s Almost as Magical as a Unicorn

November 21, 2012 By 4 Comments

It’s time to admit it… My purse is a disaster and Brian’s wallet rivals that of only the great George Costanza himself.  My problem; hoarding old grocery lists, spilled tic tacs, and half a bottle of Unisom that somehow was dumped into the bottom of my purse.  Well that and at least 3 old Costco coupon books, some random empty gum boxes, several pairs of scratched sunglasses… I could keep going.  To put it “nicely”, my purse is a disaster of epic proportions and it is a miracle if I can even find my keys.  This is why when I learned about Isis Mobile Wallet I was pretty excited.  Because my phone is one thing that is quite possibly surgically attached to my body.

isis mobile wallet

It’s a new and innovative way to pay… That is the easiest way to explain Isis.  I had the chance to use Isis immediately after setting up my new phone and Isis account at the AT&T store.  Because every new phone needs a pretty new outfit (or phone case).  That is where I learned just how simple it was to tap and pay with Isis.   Now I know what you are thinking… “How and where can I get this magic on my phone?”

isis

Isis is currently available in Salt Lake City, Utah and Austin, Texas using NFC enabled devices with select cell phone providers, like AT&T. (Time for a little phone anatomy lesson… NFC stands for “near field communication”.  It’s basically a little chip inside some cell phones, like the Samsung Galaxy III.)  The NFC chip is what allows you to “tap and pay”.  Several credit card and debit card companies also embed this type of chip into their cards.  This concludes the learning technical stuffs aspect of this post.

free money with isis

How about the awesome “get free stuffs” part of this post???  When you download the Isis app you automatically get $10 cash card loaded on your device (after setting up an account and a pin).  What’s even cooler than that?  When you choose to make your card “reloadable” you get an extra $15 loaded.  Then you can add money as needed… After you spend your FREE $25.  The Isis mobile wallet can also store some of your credit cards (like Chase) and you can use them anywhere Isis is accepted with the tap of your phone.  Companies like Jamba Juice, UTA, and Whole Foods also after discounts and offers when you use your Isis mobile wallet.  And I’ve taken my mobile wallet for a virtual spin at all of these places.  In fact… Just check out what I got at Whole Foods for my Thanksgiving appetizers  (or charcuterie board for all my sophisticated peeps).

Charcuterie board supplies

Now… I just have to use some of that unicorn magic to turn this into something AMAZING.  Don’t worry… I’ll share it with you next week.

***Compensated campaign with AT&T. All thoughts, opinions, spelling errors, and grammatical catastrophes are my own.

Filed Under: I Love Technology, reviews, stephanie hansen, Utah Tagged With: , , , , ,

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic Discount

November 9, 2012 By 1 Comment

Just because my giveaway for Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic is over doesn’t mean you can’t still score an amazing deal on tickets. You can use the discount/coupon code below to save on seats to one of the most Mickeytastic shows on earth. Trust me, this is one show you don’t want to miss.  Mickey, Minnie, and a host of other favorite Disney Characters will be on hand to create a once in a lifetime experience for you and your family.

Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic Discount/Coupon Code Utah

Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic Comes to Utah:

When- November 14-18th, 2012
Where- Salt Lake City, Utah (EnergySolutions Arena)
Show Dates and Times-

  • Wednesday and Thursday November 14th and 15th: 7:00pm
  • Friday November 16th: 3:30pm and 7:00pm
  • Saturday November 17th: 11:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm
  • Sunday November 18th: 1:30pm and 5:30pm

Ticket Pricing-

  • Select opening night tickets available for $12 (not for premium seats)
  • Tickets start at $16 and go up from there ($23, $37 for VIP, and $50 for front row seats)
  • All seats are reserved and can be purchased at Smith Tix online and at their in person locations, EnergySolutions Box Office, and by phone at 801 355-SEAT or 800 888-TIXX.

Utah Disney on Ice Discount/Coupon Code:

MOM

***Can only be used on $16 and $23 price level for the following shows:

  • Thursday November 15th: 7:00pm
  • Friday November 16th: 3:30pm
  • Saturday November 17th: 11:00am
  • Sunday November 18th: 1:30pm and 5:30pm

 ***Compensated post

Filed Under: discounts, family, reviews, Utah Tagged With: , , ,

Be a Kid Again With Tinkertoys at Discovery Gateway {Plus a Giveaway}

November 8, 2012 By 4 Comments

You have arrived.  The Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum giveaway is at the bottom of this post.

Let’s take a journey.  Back to our youth.  The days when you rode your bike all over town.  Stayed outside all day in the summer and only came home for dinner.  When toys were simple and just plain old fun.  The days of the Tinkertoy.  You are getting all misty eyed and nostalgic aren’t you?  It’s okay… I will give you a second to grab a tissue before I talk about the awesome GIANT Tinkertoy: Build Your Imagination Exhibit at Discovery Gateway in Utah.

Tinkertoy Exhibit

Now that you have had a chance to recover from that amazing trip down memory lane… Lets explore the fabulous world of Tinkertoys at Discovery Gateway.  You don’t have to be a kid to let your imagination be carried away by this amazing traveling exhibit.  Thanks to some fabulous sponsors, like GE and Energy Solutions, Utah is lucky to have access to tinker around until January 6th, 2013.

Discovery Gateway Children's Musuem

Some of the hands on features you and the children in your life can enjoy in the Tinkertoy: Build Your Imagination exhibit are:

  • Invent – Children are encouraged to think about where ideas come from, and to explore the emerging field of biomimicry – nature’s influence on design. Visitors can match real inventions with their natural inspiration and create a design of their own.
  • Collaborate – Dual-sided panels allow visitors to work independently or with a partner to create TINKERTOY designs.
  • The Tinker Tank – A walk-in size replica of a TINKERTOY canister is the starting point for the exhibit’s challenging scavenger hunt, a must for those with an eye for detail and a nose for knowledge! The Tinker Tank contains a variety of educational materials that attest to the impact of unconventional ideas on some of the world’s greatest – and strangest – inventions, and serve as a reminder that “If at first you don’t succeed…”
  • You can read about all the amazing hands on learning here.

Don’t worry about cost.  This exhibit is included with your regular admission or annual pass.  In fact that isn’t the only activity that is included in your admission cost:

  • Time for Tots- A parent and child literacy program for children 18 months-3 years.  Tuesdays at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm
  • Science Saturdays- Every Saturday, families will explore evidence, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions with different scientific themes. Saturdays at 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm
  • Studio 444- Led by DG’s Arts Educator, little ones, older children, and parents create masterpieces of art together using a wide variety of media. Sign up for this class at the Info Desk. Fridays at 4 pm and Saturdays at 11 am, 1 pm & 3pm (They were making the coolest sugar skulls when I was there.  I wish I could have stayed longer
  • Read about some of the other amazing programs offered with your admission here.

Of course Discovery Gateway Musuem still has all of the hands on learning exhibits that you have grown to love.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum Givaway

Like the “hive”.  I may have stayed and played in there for a few minutes… or more.

Water ExhibitAnd what little kid (Or grown up Steph) doesn’t love to play in the water?  One of the coolest hands on water play displays I have ever seen.

Discovery Gateway Utah Giveaway You can even take a shot at being a serious newscaster… Even if your co-host has the giggles.

Really… There is just so much fun, learning, exploring, and awesomeness to be seen I could just list pictures ALL.NIGHT.LONG. (Mostly because it’s the middle of the night as I write this.)

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum Exhibits

 Now… What are you waiting for???  Go visit Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum and the Tinkertoy: Build Your Imagination exhibit.

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum:

444 West 100 South
Salt Lake City, UT  84101
801 456-5437
www.discoverygateway.org

Get Social:

Twitter- www.twitter.com/DGChildMuseum
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryGatewaychildrensmuseum

There’s an app for that:

DGPlay App- Available for FREE on iTunes

And don’t forget to BEE a HERO

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum Giveaway

  • 1 Family Pass that admits up to 6 visitors to the Discovery Gateway ($51.00 value)
  • Entering is easy just fill out the form below.
  • Giveaway will end on 11/21/2012 at midnight MST
  • Winner will be notified via email.  If no response within 48 hours new winner will be chosen.

***Compensated giveaway. All opinions, photos, and amazing newscasting skills are my own.

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Filed Under: blarg, blogging friends, discounts, family, Giveaways, reviews, Utah Tagged With: , , ,
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