Total Pillow

I really don't watch much TV and most of what I do watch is on my DVR, yet somehow, I always seem to catch the infomercials. And, when I do, I watch way too much of them. I am intrigued by many of the products that are offered through infomercials. I find it interesting that no matter the item, it can always be sold in enough units or the payments broken into enough payments to be $9.95, $19.95 or $29.95 (I'm sure there are more options, but you get the idea). It's amazing how great an offer can sound when they tell you it can all be yours for only 4 payments of $29.95 each, until you do the math and realize that really is almost $120.

Of late, you can find many of these great things at your local stores - clearly marked "As Seen on TV". I know I have seen them at CVS and at Bed, Bath and Beyond and probably a few other stores that aren't coming to mind right now. Mostly, of course, these are the items that were only one payment items. My favorite "As Seen on TV" purchase has to be my Perfect Pancake Pan. It was the perfect size pan - I need to replace it and really should just find a small fry/saute pan to replace it - I can't find a Perfect Pancake anymore. Maybe that is why sometimes on TV, they want to "send you not one, but two (insert product name here), if you respond in the next 2 hours, operators are standing by".

Recently, through MamaBzz, I have had the chance to try a few As Seen on TV items - like the Wonder Hangers. This time, I got the chance to try the Total Pillow. Have you seen this thing? You can fold it, twist it or leave it round and use it in so many ways.
Here's what the company says:

VERSATILE TRANSFORMING PILLOW Cradles you with Comfort While Asleep and Awake

Most people spend approximately one-third of their lives asleep on their pillow, however the new Total Pillow has uses for the two-thirds of time spent awake.

There are pillows for all types of issues but no one pillow that bridges all conditions, until now. The Total Pillow™ is for use overnight, on the couch, sitting at your desk, driving, while on a plane or train, in college dorms, or just while watching television. This donut-shaped pillow transforms in just seconds to more than five supportive shapes for customized relief. The patent pending locking technology enables the Total Pillow to support the neck, lower back, ankles and knees.

"Consumers own many different pillows for different applications, identifying the need for a multipurpose pillow solution." said Steve Heroux, CEO of Hampton Direct. "The Total Pillow transforms into five different shapes to answer a wide range of conditions."

The Total Pillow's ergonomic design allows your body to be cradled in support whether you're a side sleeper and like support between your knees and/or ankles or are a frequent traveler. It's also great for the businessperson, who needs lumbar support for the long periods of time spent seated.

When I first received it, I spent awhile following the pictures on the package, trying out different ways to configure and use the pillow. I tried it as a neck pillow, I tried it as a seat, I tried it as a support for my knees and ankles. Initially, it seemed a little awkward to me. My husband shared my sentiment. But, we both kept playing with it and maybe it just needed a little bit of breaking in so that it would move better/easier.

My thoughts:
as a seat cushion - I can myself using the pillow as a seat cushion in to applications - for me when I sit on the floor and fold my laundry and at a soccer/football/baseball game where you are otherwise faced with cold, hard bleachers. It provides great support and since you aren't putting the pressure directly on your tail bone makes it easier to sit longer (plus it would be nice not to sit directly on that cold bleacher on a dreary Saturday morning).

as a neck cushion - I used it as a neck cushion the other night while watching TV. My biggest concern is that it gets hot quickly, which resulted in an on again off again use throughout the show. It worked well, although it wasn't until I took it off the first time when it started to get really warm underneath it that I felt the lack of having it there.

folded as a cushion for lying on the floor - Seems a little awkward, whether on my back or my stomach, it just didn't give me the height/angle that I would have wanted for talking to others in the room or watching a show. Perhaps if my TV were console or otherwise lower to the ground, it might have been better.

as a cushion for knees or ankles - I like putting it under my ankles to get a little elevation when I am lying down. I frequently will use a pillow or a the arm of the sofa to accomplish this, this is another good option and it stays in a place. Again, it can get a little warm, but not as warm as around the neck. I also could see this as a between the knees pillow that I would have used when I was pregnant and had to sleep on my side. I'm not sure about it being too warm, but I know the pillow I used (down) got warm anyways and this would have been more compact and covered less skin than my pillow did.

as a lumbar support - maybe it is just me, but I can't seem to get the same twist that they do and it felt awkward. Maybe if I watch the video here, I can figure it out, because I couldn't from the picture on the package.

Total Pillow
Available for $19.99 plus S&H, The Total Pillow and can be ordered online at www.buytotalpillow.com.

Hampton Direct, Inc. is a leading international importer and distributor of consumer products. The Vermont-based company's offerings include common household problem solving products that includes the As Seen On TV Wonder Hanger®, Twin Draft Guard® and Total Pillow®.

Giveaway

Would you like to try out the Total Pillow for free? One lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader can win their own Total Pillow.

To enter: Where/How do you think you would use Total Pillow? You can see more usage suggestions here.

After completing the main entry, you can also complete these additional entries:

· Follow @ABusyMomofTwo on Twitter. Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet. (this can be done daily)
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· Include my button on your side bar or a link to A Busy Mom of Two in your blog roll. Leave a comment with a link to your site.
· Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook.
· Write a post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.

Giveaway will remain open until August 16th at 6pm. Winner will be selected using the Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I did receive a complimentary Total Pillow, so that I could try it out with my family and so that I might share my experience. In addition, one Total Pillow is being provided for the giveaway.