• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Moment With Franca

A Family, Lifestyle & Travel Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Family
    • Family Events
    • Family Life
    • Family Days Out
    • Birthdays
  • Lifestyle
    • Home & Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Garden
    • Kitchen
    • Health
  • Travel
    • Days Out
    • Things To Do In London
    • Holidays
    • Press Trips
  • Reviews
    • Toys & Games
    • Days Out
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
  • Seasonal
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Easter
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Giveaways
  • Show Search
Hide Search

AO.com Gifting Challenge for Valentine’s

amomentwithfranca · 17 February 2018 · 27 Comments

Last year we took part in a really cool gifting challenge with AO.com for Black Friday? Well this time, we got the opportunity to do it all over again, but this time for Valentine’s! I absolutely love these type of challenges, especially if we get to choose a lovely gift for someone else! AO.com asked me to nominate another blogger to be part of the challenge, so I asked my lovely friend Tracey from One Frazzled Mum.

As soon as I asked Tracey, she was on board straight away. This is always a fun challenge to do, so I was really looking forward to doing this with her. The challenge was to pick something for her from a list of products that are trending at the moment and that I think Tracey would like to have.

This is always hard to do because you can get it wrong. I guess if you pick something that you love so much that you would love to have it too, then the picking becomes easier! Tracey would do the same for me. The beauty of the challenge is that neither of us knew what we were getting so it was going to be a surprise for both of us which is always a lot of fun. I was very excited to see what would turn out at my door, LOL!

The idea behind this is that this is the time of year that we have a lovely excuse to show someone special how much we care about them. Perhaps also, we want to just say thank you to someone for being there for us. As you know it was Valentine’s this week and we sharing lots of love and celebrating friendship!

The list of products was amazing. There were vacuum cleaners, food processors, coffee machines, etc to choose from. I remembered that Tracey was complaining about her existing vacuum cleaner and that she needed something better. She also mentioned that it would be great to get something that would help her to clean her car. After seeing the list I chose the Dyson V7 Handheld Vacuum. I was certain that Tracey would be over the moon with this item!

On the day that she received her Dyson v7, she couldn’t believe it! She was so happy which obviously made me happy too! You can read all about my surprise gift for Tracey.

MY GIFT

OMG, I was quite anxious to find out what Tracey had chosen for me! When my item arrived, I was so excited! Well, I literally had the biggest smile ever! She had chosen my gift really well because I was actually looking at this not long ago. She got me a vacuum cleaner too but mine was a different brand. I was glad she chose this one because we already have a handheld Dyson vacuum which we absolutely love but I was actually looking for a new upright vacuum cleaner to complement the Dyson.

We received the Shark Lift-Away NV601UK Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner. I really want this vacuum cleaner for the days when I am doing a big clean at home as I was using the Dyson for everyday little dirt. It is very good and we love it!

What is included in the box

  • 1 x Main Unit
  • 1 x Upholstery Tool
  • 1 x 2 in1 Duster Crevice Tool
  • 8m Flex
  • Quick Start guide
  • Instruction Booklet

Main Features

  • Bagless cleaning – easy to empty and no bags to buy
  • Gives great results on both hard floors and carpets
  • Lightweight cylinder lifts away to clean awkward spaces
  • Bright LED lights on floorhead illuminate dirt and dust
  • HEPA filters remove allergens from the air in your home

The Shark is a powerful vacuum cleaner. You have the option to change between hard floor and carpet which is very handy. I love a lot the option of the LED lights. It helps you to see better the area you are trying to clean.

The Lift-Away feature makes vacuuming so easy. You can go from upright to portable vacuum mode in seconds for convenient stair and perhaps above the floor cleaning. This lets you detach the cylinder from the base, giving you a more versatile option for vacuuming tricky spots and hard-to-reach areas.

It also has anti-allergen complete seal technology which captures and holds over 99.9% in the vacuum. This is fantastic and the swivel steering works amazingly with very easy brushroll access. It is very easy to empty the cylinder too.

OUR THOUGHTS

Nick and I have both tried it and we think it is pretty good and powerful. It is easy to use and with the Lift-Away feature, you can reach everywhere. We both love the LED lights too. It makes a huge difference. The carpet mode is very strong. It really takes a lot without you even realising. Overall it is a fantastic vacuum cleaner and we highly recommend it.

Do you shop at AO.com too? What do you think of the gift that Tracey chose for me? Have you heard of the Shark vacuum cleaner? 

*Disclosure: We were part of a gifting challenge organised by AO.com for the purpose of this blog post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

Linking up with:

Related

Filed Under: Gadgets & Technology, Home & Interiors, Review, Reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lydia C. Lee says

    17 February 2018 at

    Looks like a great cleaner but not sure I’d want it as a gift…#KALCOLS

    Reply
  2. Ann fr Rainbows are too beautiful says

    17 February 2018 at

    Our stain ball is on its last legs and I’ve been thinking about both of these so thanks a bunch #kcacols

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      17 February 2018 at

      You are welcome Ann. I am very pleased with the Shark. X

      Reply
  3. Becky @ Educating roversi says

    17 February 2018 at

    I don’t know how id feel if someone got me a hoover as a present! Ha ha! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      17 February 2018 at

      A present is always a present! Lol xx

      Reply
    • Maria says

      18 February 2018 at

      My husband bought me a cordless Dyson a few years back for my birthday and it was the best gift ever! I’ve heard lots of good things about the Shark ones though, it’s one I’d like to try out too! #KCACOLS

      Reply
  4. The Mummy bubble says

    18 February 2018 at

    I’ve never shopped at AO.com but they clearly have some amazing products and a good variety too! Love the idea behind the gifting challenge and I think you both chose really well. Both products look so fab, off to read Tracey’s post now! #kcacols

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      18 February 2018 at

      Thank you Vicky! Yes AO.com has lots of great products. I love them! 🙂 x

      Reply
  5. Natasha Mairs says

    18 February 2018 at

    I often prefer practical gifts like this than chocolates, although I wouldn’t ever turn down a box of chocs #KCACOLS

    Reply
  6. Emma Me and B Make Tea says

    18 February 2018 at

    we have a shark and we love it! very light and super easy to use 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Reply
  7. Kelly-anne says

    18 February 2018 at

    I would just buy this for those cool lights! #kcacols

    Reply
  8. Carol desjard says

    18 February 2018 at

    Looks really good, easy to use. Even better being lit up to see the dirt better. Would love one.

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      18 February 2018 at

      Yes the light is super handy! X

      Reply
  9. Five in the hive says

    18 February 2018 at

    I was ‘lucky’ enough to receive a new hoover for my 30th birthday! I wasn’t sure what to think but it was a good hoover haha! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  10. Cassie Parish says

    23 February 2018 at

    Oh I want a shark so badly. I’ve always thought they are out of my budget but I shall check on AO now you have recommended them. With 3 cats and a toddler and lots of visitors in our tiny two up two down, I do a lot of hoovering lol. Fab gifts x

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Kayleigh Watkins says

      1 March 2018 at

      I got my shark from Curry’s for £150 on offer xxx

      Reply
  11. Ali Duke says

    24 February 2018 at

    I love my hand held Dyson, I would love it if someone got me a new one! Both vacums look great.
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  12. natalie says

    24 February 2018 at

    This looks fab! What a treat – I am in desperate of the hand held dyson so will check out AO!! #kcacols

    Reply
  13. Sarah | Digital Motherhood says

    24 February 2018 at

    What a great idea! As much as I wouldn’t particularly want a hoover as a gift it’s also the kinds of thing I hate spending my own money on! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  14. Malin - sensational leraning with Penguin says

    25 February 2018 at

    Looks like a great vacuum cleaner! I hadn’t heard of Shark before, as far as I can remember. Then again haven’t really been looking at vacuums for a good while either. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  15. Tracey says

    25 February 2018 at

    I did put a Dyson on my Christmas list a few years ago but I didn’t get it as a gift so I bought one myself, was so excited when it arrived, was like a new toy! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  16. Amie says

    28 February 2018 at

    I would love it is somebody got me a vacuum! I’ve been needing a new one for ages, and I really like the idea of the little handheld one for the car, mine is filthy and definitely needs doing! Haha #KCACOLS

    Reply
  17. Kayleigh Watkins says

    1 March 2018 at

    I have this shark lift away hoover, isn’t it a great hoover, I was so excited when I turned it on and realised it had lights on the front lol, I’ve had it for nearly a year old now, I love the fact you can remove the roller brush to clean it as Megan and I have long hair and my VAX was always jamming and breaking belts xXx

    Reply
  18. mainy says

    1 March 2018 at

    This hoover looks great and it’s given me some good ideas because our hoover is not very good at all and I need something powerful for our carpets which are quite small pile. thank you:)
    Mainy
    KCACOLS

    Reply
  19. Nicola | Mummy to Dex says

    3 March 2018 at

    The vacuum looks amazing! What a sweet idea to gift your friend for Valentines Day

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  20. Acorn Books says

    3 March 2018 at

    How funny that you both picked a vacuum cleaner for each other! I haven’t heard of a Shark one but I do have a cordless Dyson and it is really good.
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      3 March 2018 at

      I know! I have both and I can say they are both fantastic! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

HI THERE, I’M FRANCA!

Hi, I'm Franca, a lawyer mum of 2 gorgeous girls married to my best friend, living in London. Award nominated parenting & lifestyle blogger. Read More…

Family Days Out

  • The Best Light Trails In London 2022
  • The London Transport Museum At Christmas
  • Monopoly Lifesized Review

Collaborative Videos

Popular Videos





AWARDS

BritMums



BritMums

Tots100

Tutora Best Parent Insight Blog Award Shortlist

RANKING

Tots100
Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2020

Flea Network Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2018

MEMBER

LINKY

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
✨ Cat Cafe In London✨.📍Bella and I went t ✨ Cat Cafe In London✨.📍Bella and I went to @javawhiskersuk , a cat cafe located in @westfieldlondon . This was my present for Mother’s Day from her🌸.🌟 Before we went inside, we had to go to a separate room to wash our hands and remove our shoes..🐾 They have 2 different rooms: the Cat Lounge and the Kitten Lounge and you can choose to stay from 55 mins to 1hr 55 mins. The prices vary depending on the room you choose and the length of time..🍰 When we stepped inside the room we were greeted by a group of gorgeous kittens. We ordered (before we went inside the room) a latte and a delicious chocolate muffin with chocolate melted inside that was so good. This was served to us in the room while we were surrounded by these adorable kittens..🐱 We spent 55 mins playing and petting the kittens. They were so cute. We loved interacting with them..🥰 Their cafe is also a foster home for homeless cats so if you are looking to adopt one, this is the place to visit! They have had 230 successful adoptions already! 🙌🏻.🚨 The only downside is that you have to be over 10 years old in order to be allowed inside the rooms 😬.🐈 If you are a cat lover like us, I highly recommend you visit Java Whiskers! It is the perfect place to unwind and relax with these beautiful kittens! 🙌🏻.Have you visited a Cat Cafe before? 🐈‍⬛ .#javawhiskers #catcafe #catcafelondon #londoncafe #westfieldlondon #londondayout #daysout #thingstodoinlondon #newplaces #londonguide #lovecats😻 #catsofinstagram #catloversday #londonthingstodo #whatsonlondon
✨ Happy Mother's Day✨.If you are in the UK, ✨ Happy Mother's Day✨.If you are in the UK, I hope you are having a lovely Mother's Day! 🌸🌸.We actually started the celebrations yesterday as Bella took me to @javawhiskersuk a new cat cafe in Westfield as a present for Mother’s Day. We spent 55 mins arround gorgeous kittens. I had a great time! I am a cat lover so this was a fab present for me! I will talk more about this experience on another post but if you swipe left you can see a little peak of our time there! 🐈😉.Today, the girls and Nick took me for the actually Mother’s Day celebration 🎉 to @cafejackss in Queen’s Park where we had brunch. It was a yummy treat. Swipe left to check it out! 😋 .After that we went for a walk. There was a small market nearby so it was nice to have a little look around 😍. We then went back home and spent the rest of the day chilling which is something, I’m not going to lie, I love doing! 😉😂.How was your day?#mothersdayuk #mothersdayweekend #mothersday2023 #motherofdaughters #mumoftwo #mumofgirls #mydaughters #lovemydaughters #daughterslove #mummydaughtertime #daughtersarethebest #daughtersrock #spendingtimetogether #happyfamilytime #familytime💕
✨My Girls✨.Due to the strikes we had Sienna ✨My Girls✨.Due to the strikes we had Sienna at home yesterday and today, and Bella only today. I thought it would be very chaotic but despite it always being louder when the girls are at home, especially my youngest one, lol, we did well..Bella did school work at home today and had the afternoon free. Sienna didn’t do school work. We only asked her to carry on doing Spanish and Maths via Duolingo. She also had Spanish lessons this afternoon (every Thursday she has lessons) so both days were manageable thankfully 😍.How was it for you? Did your kids stay at home or did they go to school? .PS: let’s hope things get better for teachers. I fully support the strikes. .#sistertime #sisterlylove #sistersgoals #hermanas #sistersforever #sistersforlife #sisterslove #siblingslove #lovemydaughters #raisingdaughters #mydaughters #londonkids #WembleyPark #wembley #londondesigneroutlet
✨Happy Weekend✨.How is your weekend going so ✨Happy Weekend✨.How is your weekend going so far? I am finally feeling more normal after the massive jetlag I had after my trip to South America. I am not sure why it hit me so much this time but it has taken me about two solid weeks to properly be back to my routine without feeling right. Waking up in the mornings was the worst. It was very hard, especially when I had to be on time for the school run! 😩.Anyway, everything feels better now! 😊.How long does it take you to be back to normal after a jetlag? Do you have any tricks or tips to speed this process? .📸 Selfy taken in Barranco, a lively district in Peru considered to be one of the most romantic and bohemian places to visit and being the home and working place of many Peruvian artists, musicians, designers, photographers among others 😎.#thisisme #selfie #instaselfie #smilemore #brunettehair #greeneyes #over40#over40blogger #overforty #overfortystyle #over40andfabulous #over40mom #outandabout #barrancolima
✨The Costa Verde✨.Lima, the capital of Peru ✨The Costa Verde✨.Lima, the capital of Peru is located on the coast. Walking along the sidewalk of the Malécon in Lima’s picturesque seaside district, Miraflores, you can admire the most beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. .The “Costa Verde” is a coastal road. It runs along the south-central part of the Lima coast. You can visit in the morning for a jog or in the evening to enjoy a relaxing walk. It is a very lively where people have fun in the open air..This is one of the best attractions on the coastal road. You will see several parks with sculptures of famous artists that make this walk even more unique and enjoyable. Along the route, you can find numerous recreational activities such as surfing and paragliding..If you keep walking you will arrive at “Larcomar” which is a shopping centre and has many restaurants and cafes so you can enjoy a coffee or a meal with the gorgeous ocean view too. .Pictures explained below:1. Start of my walk with the view of the ocean showing one the most gorgeous restaurants in Lima “La Rosa Nautica” where you can walk along the pier and then seat down for a meal with a sea view. Very scenic 😍2. 📸 Greater view of the coast showing the Pacific Ocean3. 🎥 Parque Chino (Chinese Park)4. 📸 Parque El Libro (The Book Park) showing a colorful sculpture, “Silencio” created by Peruvian artist José Tola.5. 📸 Parque del Amor (Love Park) showing its larger-than-life sculpture of two lovers in a deep embrace called “The Kiss”. The monument to love was created by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. 6. 📸 Faro de Lima (lighthouse)7. 🎥 View of the Pacific Ocean from Barranco area where you can see Lima Marina Club, a members only club. .If you visit Lima, I highly recommend you to have a walk along this gorgeous area. You won’t regret it! (Save this post for later 😀).Do you enjoy walks with a coastal view? When was the last time you did a walk with a scenic view? .#oceanviews #oceanview #costaverde #costaverdelima #miraflores #lima #visitlima #limaperu #mirafloreslima #limacity #cometoperu #limaperu #beautifulviews #beautifuldestinations #perutravel
✨Peruvian Suspiro Limeño✨."Suspiro Limeño" ✨Peruvian Suspiro Limeño✨."Suspiro Limeño" is one of my favourite Peruvian desserts. When I was In Peru, I of course, made sure to have it not only once but several times 😉.This dessert is made of manjar blanco (milk, sugar, almond flour, egg yolks, vanilla) and meringue (egg whites, port, cinnamon) 😘.The history behind this dessert starts with Amparo Ayarza who was the creator. Her husband, José Gálvez Barrenechea was a poet and was the one who gave it its name. The poet called it "Suspiro de Limeña", which means, 'Sigh of a Lima lady', because it is soft and sweet like the sigh of a woman. Love this 🥰.Have you ever tried "Suspiro Limeño"? Or have you heard of it before? Would you try it? .📸 Picture taken @panchitasazoncriolla in Lima that has one of the best versions of this dessert 🙌🏻.#suspirolimeño #peruviandessert #meringue #merengue #desserttime #dessertlover #dessertpic #dessertgram #peruvianfood #cocinaperuana #gastronomiaperuana #perufood #peruviancousine #whatisfordessert #dessertsofinstagram
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Copyright © 2023 · A Moment With Franca · Privacy Policy