This giveaway is now closed.
Photo by Kaarin Swan
It’s probably no surprise to you that I’m a minimalist. I shudder at clutter, and I much prefer having one high-quality item than several mediocre versions of something similar. My idea of a heavenly wardrobe is 10 pieces that fit me perfectly and won’t ever wear out.
So when Epson wanted me to give their latest printer a whirl, I thought sure, it might be nice to have one gadget that does a lot of things well. And while I’m not much of a gadget fiend, my husband is, so he was more than a little excited to try it out. Let’s just say that it didn’t take me long to truly appreciate the gift I’d been given.
I’m impressed with the thing. It’s cool. And because it does so much so quickly, it really does make life at home simpler and more productive.
Here’s why I love the Epson Artisan 800 printer:
1. The high-definition photo-quality is outstanding.
We’ll never have to order photos with an outside source again. I can even edit our photos from the printer – eliminate the red-eye, restore old photos, add text, and more. The plus side for me is that now I actually get around to developing photos, instead of just burning them straight to a disc, probably never to be seen again. (And since we’re currently staying with my parents while we’re stateside for a few months, it’s satisfying the never-ceasing grandparent’s thirst for photos.)
Oh, and it prints photos quickly – we’re talking 10 seconds. So if you think you might order (or still win!) your Christmas photo cards from Chickpea Designs, you can print them at home as high-definition photos.
2. It’s wi-fi.
Yep, I never have to connect my laptop and mess with a tangle of cords. This keeps my workspace cleaner, more organized, and more functional. And because it’s wi-fi, anyone who brings their laptop to your home can easily print without having to connect (which yes, means you should password-protect your internet connection so that your neighbors don’t start randomly printing their family photos – wouldn’t that be weird?).
3. It’s pretty.
The LCD keypad is sleek and easy to use, and the printer is unobtrusive, so I don’t mind having it out on display. A big deal for me.
4. It does lots of things.
It scans, it copies, it faxes, it prints double-sided, it creates coloring book pages, it prints ruled and graph paper for school, it prints directly onto CDs and DVDs, it brings you coffee in the morning. Okay, not the coffee, but everything else. And I have this suspicion that it does even more than I’m aware of. We’ll see.
5. One of you will win one. Seriously.
Epson and One2One Network is graciously giving one Simple Mom reader the new Artisan 800 printer. Are you as excited as I am? I wasn’t lying when I said November is a big month of giveaways over here!
Here’s how to win:
1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question: What gadget can’t you live without?
2. For a second entry, email me at simplemomblog (at) gmail (dot) com with the secret code in the email’s subject line (no need to write anything in the email’s body, as it won’t be read). To find the secret code, make sure you’ve subscribed to Simple Mom’s feed either via RSS or via email, and look in the footer of any post. I promise you – the code is there.
3. For a third entry, mention this giveaway on your blog, and make sure I somehow find out about it.
This giveaway will end on Wednesday, November 12, midnight CST.
I hope you win!
I can’t live without my garage door opener! We just moved to an old urban house with NO garage (hence, no garage door opener). But we built a garage and had the opener put in on Monday. It’s so good to have a garage (and automatic opener) back!
Mary’s last blog post…On THIS day, at this singular moment…
I can’t live without my camera. I love taking pictures. I could do without the cell phone, though. I get tired of always being connected.
I think my Bosch mixer is so wonderful, I told my husband I should have a shirt that says “I love my Bosch!” It mixes 12 lbs of bread dough every week. I would never get around to making bread by hand.
My iPod. I can’t imagine not getting to listen to all of my podcasts!
The only gadget I couldnt do without is my phone.
Its my phone, alarm clock, entertainment, lifeline to the world.
trish’s last blog post…Once upon a time…
computer and camera.
I can’t live without my digital camera….now if I could only win this awesome giveaway to share my pictures with others (I never seem to get around to printing either!)
-Kristy
akwallace4@yahoo.com
The gadget I can’t live without is my iPod. I would seriously melt down if anything happened to it. This is a gorgeous printer! And I’m sending you an email with the super secret code for an extra entry. Thanks!
I love my ROOMBA (robot vacuum cleaner)….thought it looked like the most frivolous thing in the world, but when we got a dog I thought I might lose my mind from all of the hair everywhere. Found one at a steal…I program the Roomba to sweep our hardwood floors at 2am every day – we sleep upstairs so we don’t hear a thing and I come down in the morning to clean floors!!
I can live without a lot of tech gadgets, but not without my cell phone. I live 4.5 hours away from my family (and most importantly, my 4 year old niece) and use it daily to communicate with them. It also holds most of my pictures of my niece.
I couldn’t live without my Nintendo DS Lite. As a busy mom of three, I find that I’m constantly waiting to pick kids up and taxi them around. I love playing puzzle games during this waiting time. It’s relaxing and makes the wait time fly by!
Jen’s last blog post…Guess who got her braces off?
I cannot live without my iphone! When my laptop died for 3 weeks, my iphone handled my email.. yay!!
I’d have to say my fave gadget would have to be what I use the most – my laptop. Although my digital camera and blackberry also come very close.
Kathy
My Zyliss Garlic Press is the gaget I cannot live without! It immediately popped into my mind when I read the question. Though most people are going the technology route, I must remain faithful to the press! It makes mincing a dream and adds to my family’s culinary delights. It effortlessly minces fresh ginger too! If you don’t have one, quick, stop what you’re doing and go get one! Relieve yourself of the arduous process of mincing with a knife! Bon Appetit!
I’d have to say my laptop, but if that doesn’t count then it’s my digital camera!
Thanks for having a giveaway!
Shilo’s last blog post…It’s All Comin’ Back to Me Now…
The gadget I can’t live without is my printer. Being a homeschooling mom it is under alot of stress. It does not do nearly as much as this fancy one you are showing but I can’t live without it. A new one would be great is ours is on it’s last legs.
My favorite gadget is my flip video recorder. It has been so much handier than whatever my hubby got before my son was born. It is even smaller than our camera and fits in my pockets!
Definitely my computer with internet!
I would not want to live without my laptop!
My laptop, Sally, would be hard to live without!
stephaniesmommybrain’s last blog post…I love you, Sweet!
Definitely my laptop! It keeps me plugged in with all of our friends and family on the other side of the US! I will definitely have to put that printer on our dream board
jmrolfsen @ gmail (dot) com
I can’t live without my digital camera. I am constantly taking pictures of my kids. In fact, sometimes I have to force myself to put it away so I can just enjoy the moment!
Tracie’s last blog post…Election Day
Can’t live without our Flip video camera – am in love with it! So easy to share videos online with family that’s far away.
I’m a college student so I use my laptop a LOT. I love that I can do homework or write papers pretty much anywhere.
Definitely my ipod. Running has become such a joy without lugging a bulky radio or CD player. It’s great.
My new laptop. I can take it anywhere in the house and do a little surfing, work, watch a tv show I missed or snippet of SNL or just read an ebook.
I’ve been a big fan of Epson’s printers in the past and have recently been thinking about upgrading my old Epson R300. Your glowing review of this printer makes me excited! I’m curious, how much does the ink cost? That’s always been one big pain for me…ink is so expensive and gets used up so quickly.
In any case, the answer to your question about one gadget I can’t live without is my camera…it’s glued to my hand!
Sarah H.’s last blog post…I’ll Be Homemade for Christmas – An Introduction
Gadget I can’t live with out: my camera!
(Close 2nd: my computer!)
What an awesome give away. Tell Epson they rock!
Definitely my laptop is the one gadget I cannot live withough. My Outlook is on there and I am a digital scrapbooker, so all of my photos, and scrapbooking supplies are on there. And, the fact that it’s wireless is just an added bonus!
Can’t live without my camera, take it everywhere. Taking a class and finally learning a little bit. New grandson and another on the way so hope to get some good shots…..
Does a crock pot count as a gadget? I love mine.
Julie’s last blog post…Classic Boy Toys, ages 2-4+
My camera..definitely! Now–if I could just use it to actually shoot my own family more:)
The gadget I can’t live without is my laptop!
my laptop. I feel naked without it.
Oh goodness, I want that printer more than I can articulate!
I never thought I would say it, but I can’t live without my cell phone. Between being able to text my hubby about anything anytime or knowing that day care can find me no matter where I am, I feel weird when I don’t have it with me.
The gadget I couldn’t live without is definitely my camera. We’ve got a baby in the house, and that camera has seen more use this year than ever!
Wow! I really need one of those! If we could get that coffee option figured out it would be perfect!
Ooops! I thought the internet ate my first post but there it is at #293!
My favorite gadget is my garlic press! I have a really nice one.
My favorite electronic gadget is my PalmPilot that has photos, Bible (in 2 languages), and lots of Word documents on it. And of course calendar, addressses, etc.
And I CAN live without a printer–as mine has been broken for over a month and I’m still alive, though it drives me crazy!
Lymeade Lady’s last blog post…A "Normal" Breakfast
Not sure if it’s a gadget, but I cannot live without my computer. It’s my main source of communication and is the centerpiece of just about everything else I do.
Of course the gadget I can’t live without is my sewing machine. Mine is 26 years old and runs like a charm (it’s a Kenmore). Other than a new sewing machine (and serger), the best other ‘gadget’ would be an Epson Artisan 800 printer to print out the photos of all those things I do with my sewing machine.
Like others have commented, I wouldn’t want to live without my camera, cell phone, and laptop. I’ll add my broadband internet connection to the list. Because we live in an isolated area we only had dial-up until 2 years ago and I really would not want to go back to that!!
My cell phone.
Definately my computer and the internet. With the wealth of information, and also the ability to keep in touch with friends and family that I moved away from.
Shannon’s last blog post…Halloween in Adrian, MI
Oooh. Well, I have two things I can’t live with out. My cell phone as it is my everything phone and my new computer. I wish I could sleep with my computer, but my husband thinks its weird.
Nicole’s last blog post…What happened to October??
The gadget I can’t live without is my computer, I use it everyday for inspiration, recipes, keeping in touch with friends and blogging!
Christina’s last blog post…I Used To Be a Democrat
Call me a simple girl, but my favorite gadget is my apple corer/slicer! I eat so many apples, and always appreciate the fact that I don’t have to slice them by hand for myself and my little son!
This is a fantastic giveaway, I posted it on my blog at http://www.FamilyStyleLove.blogspot.com!
Lynn’s last blog post…SimpleMom
I would say our DVR. We are too busy to have a set schedule, but i love to decompress a bit to a few of my favorite TV shows. This allows me to catch the shows when it is good for me and skip the commercials!
After thinking long and hard, I would say my computer. This is how I am able to connect with all of the sites I am interested in. Like Simple Mom.
I definitely could not live without my laptop. Well, actually I could LIVE but I surely wouldn’t want to!!!
I’ve never been a huge gadget person, but our new digital camera has really been awesome. I love being able to take hundreds of pictures and then delete the junk w/out worrying about wasting film!
My laptop…I often surf the net while putting my baby to sleep on my lap…so it helps me keep in touch with friends and news
Sorry if I double up here, but my favorite gadget is actually very low tech! It is my apple corer/slicer! With as many apples I eat by myself and with my little man, it sure does save me a lot of blood sweat and tears!
I posted a blog about your giveaway on my site! Yippee! Long Live SimpleMom!!
Lynn’s last blog post…SimpleMom
Sounds fabulous! I want one!
mine would be my laptop! I love being able to take it with me – even just to another room if I need to work in peace and quiet!
Jenni
Jenni’s last blog post…Chloe’s Party!
To tell you the truth, I can’t do without my printer. I go crazy if it has problems. I just do soooo much printing with my business.
I would LOVE to win this!!
It’s my cell phone! When Hurricane Ike rolled through Central Ohio it became a necessity! Thanks for the great chance at the Epson printer! I really enjoy reading your blog.
I can’t live without my FLIP Video. It has been so nice to take small videos during the day so my husband can see what our daughter is up to everyday. It is small easy to take with and most important easy to up load. Even I can do it.
Carrie Lim’s last blog post…To The Fowl Mouthed
I can’t live without my camera. It keeps such a wonderful document of the life around me, I just love it and would be super sad to be without it!
Oh, and I linked to your (totally awesome, rad) giveaway: http://whitesparrow.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/blog-lovin/
tara’s last blog post…blog lovin’
My iPhone!
Karen’s last blog post…So much for Vicodin
I can’t live without my digital camera. It goes everywhere with me, even though it is bulky. I LOVE IT!
Oh, and I mentioned this giveaway on my blog. Thanks!
arah’s last blog post…manito and dr.appointment.
For me it is my cell phone. I love that friends can reach me anywhere I am…Thanks for the giveaway.
my cellphone. each time I leave it charging on my desk at home, I inevitably have an urgent need for it…
The computer. Reading blogs, printing coupons, emailing, Facebooking, searching, buying on line.
Thanks,
Jessica Y.
Definitely my laptop. I would be lost without it! Thank goodness for wireless internet… Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love a good camera! I’m looking for one for my b’day. This printer would be a GREAT addition!!!
I cannot live without my digital camera! Whether it’s our cats doing silly things, flowers that my hubby surprises me with, or capturing my nephew in his first public singing performance at church, there are too many moments that I don’t want to miss! I carry it with me almost everywhere!
Carissa’s last blog post…At least it’s over . . .
hey simple mom!
the one gadget that we cant live without at our house is crock pot.
not as interesting as the Epson that i hope to win….but still the thing at this moment that i would be lost without.
i use my crock pot for everything from heating up taco meat or meatballs for the boys’ game nights at the house to cooking up main dishes while i am at work. it has proved to be a life saver many times since my husband and i both work full time.
i am getting ready to start my own business from home and i would love this new printer extroidinaire : ) to help me be a little more prepared for all the needs that will arise as a small business owner!
thanks for a chance! see the website for my new business below…
http://pamperedhomemaidservices.goods.officelive.com/default.aspx
I so can not live without my camera phone. Needless to say I take a lot of pictures for ideas and then email them to myself.
Definitely my digital camera. It used to be such a bummer to spend a small fortune to get a roll of pictures of my (then) baby only to find out none of them were any good.
TiVo! I love our TiVo. I wish I had TiVo for everything…the radio, my husband…
Thanks!!
My laptop, it’s a MacBook and I only wish the hard drive was bigger. It’s my baby, I take it to work every day as my personal jukebox, I’m online in the morning and evenings, I upload my photos on it… everything.
Right now it’s my computer, since I’m taking online classes. I couldn’t live without it, but now I really want a laptop! That printer looks mighty nice though too! I love the idea of printing graph paper, since I’m taking a math class (& my husband is too) & we both have to keep borrowing graph paper from our oldest daughter.
My cell phone..it takes pix & video I can send to my husband at work! : )
Sonja’s last blog post…Halloween was a sweet success!
I can’t live without my cell phone. I hate to say it because I didn’t get one for years., but now it has become a useful, and necessary, gadget to have around.
Elizabeth’s last blog post…WFMW: Toys We Love
Oh so many gadgets to chose from….probably my camera b/c it is what I need to do so many things I love to do – scrapbook, craft, blog. The memories I capture on it fuel my creativity and help keep us in touch with family and friends all over the world since, as a military family, we cannot always be close to hom.
Jenny’s last blog post…Coffee Time
I can’t live without my cell phone. I hate to say it, because I didn’t get one for years, but now it has become a useful, and necessary, gadget that I have to have around!
Elizabeth’s last blog post…WFMW: Toys We Love
The gadget I cannot live without is my digital camera. I am an avid scrapbooker and so I’m always looking for photo opportunities. I don’t have a printer, so I’m the one downloading to disc to take to Sam’s club. This would be fabulous. Scrapbooking is my passion so having a printer that would print beautiful pictures would be just delightful. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Kellie
Not much of a gadget person, but if I had to choose it would be my digital camera. I love to take photos and going digital was the best thing we ever did. No more unwanted photos, less clutter, and easier to share photos with family. This printer would be a wonderful addition!
It’s a toss-up between the keypad entry system for my garage door (I forget my house key a lot!) and my digital camera. I’m able to catch so many candid moments of my kids… I am lost when I forget to put it in my bag!
My favorite gadget is my kids’ MP3 players. I love to fiddle around with it and listen to their favorite music.
I have to say that I wouldn’t be able to live without my digital camera…how else am I supposed to document all of those wacky and crazy moments that life throws at us? Thanks for a great giveaway!
Meredith’s last blog post…{Wordless Wednesday}
What gadget can’t you live without?
My iPhone. It’s replaced my laptop, GPS and iPod with one gadget plsu there are so many awesome applications to download! I love it and it was well worth every cent spent.
Anna’s last blog post…
I couldn’t live without my digital camera. I have some health issues that really affect my memory, so I take pics of absolutely everything. It really helps to jog things along.
Now if I could win that super cool printer, I could actually print up some of the pics I take. My printer sucks, and the kids are always using it (not WiFi) to do stuff for college.
Hope that you are enjoying your visit with the family in the US. If you need to get away for a bit, come on up to Peterborough Ontario for a visit.
Trudy
Wait, did I mention that I wanted to be entered into the contest????
Trudy’s last blog post…Happy 21st Birthday to my little one Jessica!
I simply can’t live without my digital camera:) With my two kiddos doing something loveable every moment I want to capture it all!!
Oh my.. well I just got it, and it is already my second brain: my iPod Touch!! I do wish it were an iPhone.. but it’ll do! Can’t live without it!
I will post a blurb about your contest after ice skating lessons!! Hold me to it!!
i can’t live without my wacom tablet. i love it so much more than a regular mouse! much less wrist stress and a lot more control. i love your blog, by the way, even though i’m not a mom. you have great tips on simplifying life. thanks!
I’d hate to say I couldn’t live without a gadget – I mean, if I was on a desert island, then certainly I could do it. But I sure would hate to lose my laptop. My calendar, many recipes, all my photos, my writing, etc, etc, etc. What a handy tool to help me keep all the plates spinning!
allie’s last blog post…We Voted!
I can not live without my Mac Laptop!!! Didn’t realize how much I use it until i had it.
For my professional (WAHM) life, I would say my laptop.
For my personal (family) life, I would say our digital camera.
Did this not go through last time? I’m sorry if it did and I’m posting twice!
My laptop would sure be hard to live without – between photos, writing, my calendar, etc, it is the handiest home management tool I know.
allie’s last blog post…We Voted!
I couldn’t live without my computer! I’d feel so disconnected from the world & my creativity.
Jen Borley’s last blog post…Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!
My digital camera – my one means of preserving the happy blur that is toddlerhood, and ensuring that some of those precious moments are forever archived away in my little treasure trove.
It’s not so high-tech, but for me it’s my oven thermometer. It tamed my wild beast of a finicky electric oven.
Thanks for such a great giveaway, and great blog!
I have many gadgets I love and need – my cell, my computer, my kitchen appliences, but if I had to choose one gadget to have for the rest of my life, and my personal favorite, it would be the camera my husband gave me before the birth of our first son. I have always been a bit of a camera freak (I was historian for my sorority, and for my other campus organizations) but with the additions to my family, my camera is either in my hand, or only two steps from me. I could not live without it’s visual history it gives me!
I have to agree my digital camera is my most used item with children 9,7 and 16mo. Always something to capture.
Can’t live without my laptop!
The one thing I can’t live without is my laptop. I work from home (or wherever I may be) so it comes with us everywhere. I get my news on it, we watch movies on the airplane and in hotel rooms on it, I have itunes loaded with my and my daughter’s favorite music including the lullabies she falls asleep to.
And I’m sure there is so much more I could be doing but haven’t figured out yet!
The computer is my must have gadget. How did we ever live without them??
Tyffany’s last blog post…Happy and Sad