Category Archives: TWIN

Then vs. Now – The Toyota FJ

So, do you remember that time I was loaned a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser for 5 days?

Yea…that was just earlier this week.

You guys? It was SO cool.

When I put in the request, I told them I’d be happy to try any vehicle from Toyota’s fleet, but when they told me I was getting the FJ Cruiser I was stoked. You see, the FJ has a special place in my heart because it’s modeled after the FJ40 Land Cruiser…and remember? We happen to have not one, but two of those. {and by “we” I totally mean Andy}

I’ve wanted to test drive the FJ Cruiser since they were first released a few years ago.

Not only was it a ton of fun to drive for a few days, it was really neat to compare the 2012 FJ Cruiser directly to Andy’s 1978 FJ40 Land Cruiser.

I’ll go into my time behind the wheel more later on, for now I wanted to share some of the photos I snagged the night before Toyota came to pick up the FJ. And while the FJ40 Land Cruiser I took photos of isn’t stock {Andy’s stock Cruiser still isn’t at our place}, I think you get the idea.

The first thing you notice is the front of the rig…the FJ Cruiser’s grille & headlights are reminiscent of the FJ40 as are the hood and fender contours.

Interior side-by-side…there’s obviously been a lot of technological advancements since 1978, eh?

As a family full of Cruiser lovers, I think it’s safe to say Toyota knocked it out of the park with this one!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

When my real life & my e-life collide

So I’m sitting here feeding my baby for bed {real life} tapping away writing a blog post {e-life}.

My phone has been buzzing with text messages {real life} from women I’ve never even physically met before, but I have a fierce connection with {e-life}.

In the last two days I’ve checked the mail {real life} and found mail from two of the aforementioned women… a birth announcement from Brandy and a whole pack of goodies from Alicia {e-life}.

Tomorrow I’m driving up to Seattle for a tradeshow for work {real life}. I’m driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser that Toyota is loaning to me for 5 days {e-life}.

While I’m in Seattle for work {real life} I get to have a girl’s night out with a few of my favorite ladies on the interwebs…Brandee, Mandy and Mae {e-life}.

Then on my way home from my work trip {real life} I’m swinging in to have dinner with Tracy, the mind behind Liberating Working Moms, the other blog I write for {e-life}.

I just requested time off of work and will be leaving my family for 4 days {real life} for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Charlotte, NC getting VIP/behind the scenes action at a NASCAR race and Toyota’s race team {e-life}.

I guess I should just get used to calling this my life, but it still seems so unreal to me that because of my little corner of the internet I’m being given so many amazing opportunities.

Because really…my real life colliding with my e-life is a beautiful thing…


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Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

When it all really started…

Over the last 7 months or so I’ve been privileged to be partnered with Toyota and their TWIN program {Toyota’s Women Influencers Network}.

When I applied to be a part of the program, I figured it was a long shot…not to mention I didn’t really know what it would entail.

While I’ve learned so much about Toyota as a company over the last 6-7 months, and their vehicles, obviously, my admiration for Toyota and their marketing actually started more than two years ago.

And no, I’m not talking about my husband’s obsession love for his FJ40 Land Cruisers.

I was working at the bow company. We were in the midst of product launch and marketing campaign planning. I’m not sure how I cam across it, but I stumbled upon this video from Toyota on YouTube…

Yep, the Swagger Wagon…all I could think was BRILLIANT!

Then!? I found all of the other mini-webisodes they continued to roll out. I loved everything about the campaign…not enough to get me to buy a mini-van, but you get the idea. I immediately went to the office of our president to show him the videos. We spent the next hour and a half watching every single video and replaying a lot of them for different people that came in and our of his office.

It’s always nice to glean ideas from larger companies in other industries. It’s always good to have a company you admire. Toyota has long been that company for me. From the Swagger Wagon campaign to their Prius Family and the different ways they are marketing each of them, depending on their target market. Everything they do is well thought out and planned.

Since the inital shock of “you’ve been chosen to be a part of TWIN!” email wore off, I’ve had the opportunity to fly down to Toyota Headquarters to learn more about their company and drive some of their vehicles. I’ve been connected to an amazing network of women. Outside of just their marketing that I’ve admired for the last few years, I learned more about their philanthropic efforts…100 Cars for Good…their partnerships with the National Park Foundation, the National Audubon Society…their contributions to education and teachers {close to my heart for obvious reasons}…their efforts in teen driving education.

There’s still so much to learn about them. I’m really looking forward to seeing where things go from here. And I’m still really looking forward to doing some new car shopping in the next year or so!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

Let’s Talk Car Seat Safety

There’s nothing like bringing home a fresh baked baby to bring car seat safety to the top of your mind!

Car seat installation can be completely intimidating to some while others think it’s no big deal and end up missing some major safety points. Either way? Car seat safety is a HUGE deal to me, so I wanted to shares some tips and info about car seat safety that I think EVERYONE needs to know.

First of all, bottom line is this…if there is EVER any question about whether or not the car seat is installed correctly and or the physical integrity of the seat? DO NOT USE IT! We’re talking about the safety of your child…why risk it!?

Now, lucky for you, I happen to personally know a certified car seat safety inspector! {he’s a cop too, so don’t screw with me, got it!?} I asked what the most common mistakes he sees when inspecting car seats. Here’s what he had to say…”Most common mistake I see is probably improper securement to the vehicle (usually too loose or using the wrong straps in the wrong place.) The seat should have <1″ sideways movement @ the belt path, using normal hand pressure. A close 2nd place is not cinching the kidlets in tight enough. You should be unable to pinch the shoulder strap between your thumb and finger.

He also said that you should read your instruction manual. And while my first thought to that was DUH! (I read mine cover to cover), it seriously makes me wonder how many people just toss it to the side when installing their child’s seat. Common sense? Not always so common any more.

Most CAR SEATS EXPIRE 5 years after their manufacturer date (different from the purchase date!) This was something I recently learned…and to be honest, was shocked when I heard it. Once I thought about it though, it makes sense. First of all, safety standards change. Second, after time, materials start to break down. Even if the seat looks fine, bottom line is you just don’t know. Our infant carrier doesn’t techinically expire until September, but we figured, It’s been stored in the rafters of the garage for the last 3+ years so why risk it? and bought a brand new one for Sister.

Curious to know more? The location of the expiration date on your car seat will vary by manufacturer and seat type, but look for a sticker like this…

{I took this one from Rylee’s Britax Marathon seat. It was super easy to find, right under the seat cover on the outside. On our new infant carrier, the actual expiration date (not the manufacturer’s date) is physically molded into the seat.}

Educate yourself on EXTENDED REAR FACING! It’s now recommended that instead of turning kiddos forward facing the minute they turn 1 and/or 20 lbs, to keep them rear-facing up to 3 years and 30 pounds. ERF was just becoming a recommended “thing” when Rylee turned 1. Her pediatrician just sort of breezed over it and at the time of her 1 year well-check, I had already moved her to forward facing. Looking back? Why was I in such a hurry!? For Baby Sister, we will most definitely practice ERF. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics website, “A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body”

If your car has the hardware, use the LATCH system! Seat belt types can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Instead of trying to figure out whether or not your car has a passive lap belt, a lap belt with emergency locking retractors, lap belts with automatic locking retractors or a combo lap/shoulder belt with locking latch plate? And wait, where I am supposed to install the Locking Clip on the seat belt? Just use the LATCH system. The LATCH system also makes it much easier to get the car seat cinched down tight enough to move less than the 1″ side-to-side as recommended.

ALWAYS replace a car seat after any kind of car accident! Even if you can’t physically see anything wrong with it.

NEVER use a car seat if it has damaged or missing parts.

NEVER buy a used car seat without knowing the history of the seat! What if it’s been in an accident!?

Improperly installed car seats can cause injury even if you’re not in an accident! If the seat is installed incorrectly, sudden braking and sharp turns could injure your child.

NEVER put an infant carrier on a shopping cart! Seriously…it’s NOT made for that and a bump could send that seat (with your baby in it!) flying! Don’t believe me? Less than a year ago, a mother lost her 3 month old son due to an accident like this.

If you’re ever unsure about whether or not your car seat is installed correctly, GET IT INSPECTED! Most fire stations and police officers are certified car seat safety inspectors. To find a local inspection station in your area, you can search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website HERE.

Speaking of the NHTSA, they’ve developed an entire website that is a fantastic resource for all things car seat safety (and more!). They have info on child safety laws broken down by state. They’ve got installation videos to view. Pregnant? Yep, they’ve got tips for car safety for expecting moms too!

Anything I missed? Have questions? Feel free to leave me a comment!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

Exit the Highway. Get Outdoors.

We love spending time outside. Camping. Fishing. Hiking. Or even just hanging out on our property. With Baby Sister due so soon, we knew we wanted to get out to our favorite spot in the woods for at least a day trip. And with the nice, long holiday weekend, we figured that’d be the time to do it!

We loaded up and headed out bright and (not too) early. The sun was shining. The windows were down. We had lunch and drinks packed up. It was the recipe for a perfect day!

Between casting lines in the creek and taking aim at pop cans, we found cool shaped rocks, played some I Spy and just did some general 4-year-old-type exploring. We enjoyed a back-of-the-car picnic in the shade. We even did some litter patrol picking up some of the junk that previous campers had left behind. {seriously disappointing that people would do that, but a fantastic teachable moment.}

{“Rocks are sooo ‘tool’!”}

{Cheesin’ with Baby Sister by the creek.}

{One of my very favorite places on earth.}

On our way back home, we pulled off at a campground and did a bit of hiking around to some great waterfalls that Rylee was absolutely enamored with.

{Hiking with Dad by the falls!}

I love that we are so close to so many great places to explore and I can’t wait until we can do it as a family of four!!

It was so nice to get away and get outdoors, even if it was just for a day.

Do you have any plans to Exit the Highway this Summer??

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Want a chance to win a brand new Toyota Prius v just by getting outdoors!?

Toyota and the National Audubon Society are teaming up this summer to ask Americans to Exit the Highway and pledge to spend more time taking scenic roads to nature. For every initial pledge and for every photo of a nature stop shared online at ExitTheHighway.com, participants are entered to win a Toyota Prius v, a new evolution in hybrid vehicles with more cargo space and Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy.

Exit the Highway is a beautifully simple idea. Take an hour, change your routine, and spend a little time with friends and family outdoors,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. “You may discover something that will touch your heart or teach you something new, and you’ll find out who’s working to save it. And then you’ll be back for more.”

To start planning a nature adventure, take the pledge at ExitTheHighway.com, or Causes.com/Toyota. In addition to taking the pledge, the Exit the Highway website also allows travelers to:
  • Earn bonus entries into the Toyota Prius sweepstakes by sharing photos tagged with #exitthehighway via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts or manually uploading photos at ExitTheHighway.com.
  • Explore nearly 100 nature destinations (70 of which are free to the public) along with a link to details and hours of operation.
  • See itineraries that utilize Google Maps for point-to-point directions.
  • Recommend favorite nature stops in your area to other nature seekers.
  • Get personal recommendations from local leaders with a passion for caring for the environment.

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.