Month: August 2016

Serving it up in style with Virginia Kitchen Boys’ Large 1 1/2 Quart Ceramic Casserole Dish.

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I have been lucky enough to be able to review Virginia Kitchen Boys’ ceramic cookware in their Lavender theme. This is the 4th piece I’ve received. It’s their 1 ½ quart casserole dish. I absolutely love it. It is also such a useable piece. As like the other pieces, this product is handcrafted here in the USA. It is made out of “100% lead free, cadmium free, non-toxic, all natural sustainable clays and paints.” It is microwaveable, oven, and dishwasher safe as well. You can cook with this in the oven up to temperatures of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be picky about drastic temperature changes. For example, do not take it out of the oven, and put it straight into the sink to wash. Also, don’t take it from being wet from washing it, and place it into the oven. Even though it is dishwasher safe, and has a hard finish on it, I like to hand wash my ceramic wear. I’m afraid of other items in the machine chipping my cookware. This casserole dish has the beautiful lavender decoration going all the way around the outside if it. It is really pretty to serve it. The slick ceramic coating goes around all of the dish, except for the underside, on this one. Since you can cook and serve in this same dish, do not forgot to place a trivet down on the table. Then, when you are done serving from it, when it cools of, you can wrap it and place the leftovers in the fridge, in the same casserole dish. I love convenience like this. You can do so much with this dish. You can just serve cadies, or snacks in it. You can make hot dips, casseroles, salads, baked omelets, and cook meat dishes in it as well. You can make your yummy fruit crisp dessert in this dish, and be proud to serve it to your guests. Hummus is the new craze, and you can definitely serve it proudly in this dish. I love baking brie with fruit preserves, and that can be done easily in this casserole dish. You really can’t go wrong. I love cooking in stoneware like this, because it heats up so evenly, this cooking your food dish so evenly. I am absolutely loving their line of lavender themed ceramic cookware. This casserole dish is going to get a ton of use.

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own.”– Virginia Boys’ Kitchens’ Large 1 1/2 Quart Ceramic Casserole Oven-to-table Deep Baker and Serving Dish with Decorative Hand Painted Lavender Design.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016V9SWTO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Silicone bling. – Mens’ Silicone Rings by Rain Alley.

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rain alley silicone rings 1

Silicone has become such a wildly used material, and not just for plastic surgery, lol. It has made its’ way into all venues, and fashion is one of them. When I think of jewelry, I never really think of silicone. But, low and behold, silicone has really made its’ mark in the ring arena. My husband is a commercial electrician, so These rings can be a great, safe alternative for him and his guys to wear on the job. Women never really like it when their guys take their wedding ring off for activities and work, so this set could alleviate that anxiety. These are great if you are heavy into sports or water related activities as well. You won’t have to worry about ruining your jewelry wearing these. This is a set of 5. The colors included are red, blue, grey, green, and black. They are currently offering them in sizes 8 – 12; no half sizes currently. They are very soft to the touch, like I am used to with silicone. They are thick and durable though. You will be hard pressed to hurt these rings unless you actually try to. Silicone is great around electricity, for electricians. It’s a much safer alternative to a metal ring, for sure. It does not naturally harbor fungus, bacteria, or mold either. A great over all material choice. I like the fun vibrant colors. You can even throw them on a chain and wear them on a necklace. The rings are not marked on the inside with what size they are, but they do have the name Rain Alley, on the inside of them. I ordered the size 10, but they are definitely smaller. I have a ring sizer from a Jewelry Store, and the set I received actually are a sz 8. So, they did not fit my husband in the least, unfortunately. The rings arrive in a nice jewelry box, so they would make a nice gift, in that sense. Unfortunately, I do not know if I was sent the wrong size, or if they just run small. Since I received them for review, I did not return them. I would suggest ordering up, and then go from there if the size was off. Fortunately these are fulfilled on Amazon, and they are very easy to work with.

I received this product for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Mens’ Silicone Wedding Ring by Rain Alley, Premium Quality Silicone Material, 5 Rings Pack.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IFCKAYA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In wall outletsModernize your home with Top Greener’s Enerlites 6200048 24W 4.8A Ultra High-Speed 4-Port Smart USB Charger In-Wall Outlet.

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I am not new to Top Greener’s electrical products. We use them and really like their reliable and durable quality. My husband is a commercial electrician, and he is very happy with these products. We even went online and did price checks against their products, and equivalent products from our local big box stores. They can really hold their own in the market, and with several products in their line, were a lot less money. This particular product, really brings your home into the modern age. Our home is run by electronics. We use them throughout our daily lives, as do most families. I have charging hubs everywhere, lol. So, when I can install an outlet like this, and alleviate the over usage of hubs everywhere, sign me up. My husband got so excited when he saw this particular outlet. He immediately blurted out that this was perfect for a kitchen. And he’s right. I think installing it by the kitchen counter is a perfect location. You can have an electrician either swap it out or add it next to a regular outlet already installed. This is a 24W 4.8A smart charging USB outlet hub. You can actually plug in 4 USBs at the same time, and it does not slow this baby down. You really get great charging speed with this outlet. They even include two plate covers with this product. A flat one with no screw holes, and the traditional one we are all used too. This outlet will sit a little deeper than your average outlet, but you shouldn’t have any issues. The depth into the wall is 1 ½”. It arrives with the newer styled top plate attached. Just use a flat top screwdriver to separate them. The have a little pictograph attach to it telling you to do so. The first time I tried this with a new plug, I thought I was going to break it, lol, but you won’t.  Being a smart charger, it can detect what your particular product needs, and it will only deliver that much. I can charge my tablets and my smart phones with ease. You can charge up batteries for your camera and more from these. Whatever you charge from USB can be charged from this outlet. This is a regular UL listed outlet and accepts #14-#12 AWG wire. It’s an easy swap out if you have up to date wiring in your home. They even include great, easy instructions to follow, if needed. Quality wise, this is a very well made unit. I love the modern look, but I also like the option of having a regular plate with it. That is perfect if you want it to match up with a nearby outlet. The charging is quick and reliable. We are really happy with this product.

I received this at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Top Greener’s Enerlites 6200048 24W 4.8A Ultra High-Speed 4-Port Smart USB Charger In-Wall Outlet , Two Wall Plates Included, White.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I5DII8O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Serve it up in style with Virginia Boys kitchens’ Large Ceramic 2 Quart Pasta Serving Bowl.

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Wow, this is my third stunning piece from the Lavender line of ceramic cookware, from Virginia Boys Kitchen on Amazon. I absolutely love it. This is a 2 quart serving/cooking bowl. You can do so much with it too. The quality lives up to my high expectations. My piece arrived with no imperfections. I am always so relieved when pottery arrives in perfect condition, lol.  I also love the fact that this piece was handcrafted here in the good ole USA. That is something I love to get behind and support. Especially when the product is so wonderful. Cooking in ceramic wear like this is so wonderful. It heats up evenly and cooks evenly. The cooking quality is worth the little extra care you need to maintain it. Now, that said, this bowl is highly user friendly. It is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s so great that you can cook in it, then bring it to the table to serve in it. Just remember to use a trivet. I love how the Lavender design wraps around the entire bowl. The entire bowl is ceramic coated, even the underside. Always avoid extreme temperature changes with this ceramic wear. Do not take it from stove to sink, or from sink to oven. The drastic change will make it crack, or split in half. You can do so much with this bowl. You can cook casseroles, vegetables, desserts, and more in in. It’s a great pasta serving bowl of course. You can serve soups, salads, fruit salads, and snacks as well in this bowl, too. A large bowl is one of the most versatile pieces you can own in a kitchen. You can even cook a cake in this bowl. I would grease it down with butter, before cooking the cake in it, so it’s easier to get it out when you flip it over. Overall, this is a wonderful piece. I have absolutely no complaints with it, except that I only have one, lol.

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own. – Virginia Boys kitchens’ Large Ceramic 2 Quart Pasta Serving Bowl with Decorative Hand Painted Lavender Design.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BCCJR4E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Just hanging around with Bomber and Company’s Tree Swing Hanging Kit Set.

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We own a parachute hammock, and hammock swings. I love them, but they are not always the most convenient things to hang. Having straps like this, really is convenient. This product is military grade, and they stat that each strap can hold up to 500lbs. The included carabineer clip is a real carabineer clip. It is climb worthy, and made out of industrial strength stainless steel. It has a 5500lb test strength to it. It is a locking carabineer as well. Only one strap comes in a package. Remember that when you order, in case you need two. The strap is 2” wide and 5” 8½” long. The carabineer clip adds another 4 ¼” in length. This is one thick and durable strap. The stitching that was done on it is heavy duty and not going anywhere any time soon.  You can use this to tie up goods when camping. You can hang a hammock swing with this, and not have to worry about it not being well supported. If you are going to use this strap for a hammock, you will need to order two. The carabineer is really thick, and heavy duty. It’s easy to open and close. It really hurts when it hits your ankle, so don’t swing it around while holding it, lol. Yes, I did that. Some of the suggestions this company gives for this strap are: “Tree Swing, Hammock Strap, Boxing Bag Hanger, Camping/Boating, and Slackline Brace.” They actually have these suggestions printed right on the packaging. All very good ideas, too. Since this strap comes with a climbing rated carabineer, the price is actually very, very good. I’ve priced real carabineer clips and they can cost more than this setup. You can get creative with it, and even just use it to help you lift things, up and over railings, or into the rafters or ceiling, if you are a working man/woman. For those of you who like to hike and camp, and try to limit your footprint, these straps are supposed to be tree friendly. They are wide, which limits the stress put on the tree branch. This will lessen the chance of damaging the tree. Some straps are real narrow, and when you apply weight to the strap, it actually digs into the branch, sometimes causing it to die. So, that is another benefit to this company’s strap setup. I am really happy with this set up overall. My husband still can’t believe the price.

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own.”– Bomber and Company’s Tree Swing Hanging Kit Set for Adults and Kids 6 Ft. Long – 100% Waterproof and USA Certified Safe.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EITI62M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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A beautiful way to cook. – Virginia Boys Kitchens’ Large 8 Inch Ceramic Deep Bread Loaf Baking Pan

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I do a lot of cooking from scratch, and that includes bread, and cakes. Both of which are perfect for this stunning loaf pan from Virginia Boys Kitchen. I love this Lavender Series they have going right now. I already have their Lavender baking tray, and now this loaf pan. It is a substantial piece capable of holding a 2lb loaf. This product is made here in the U.S., which is a fact I absolutely love. I love to support products made proudly here in the U.S.A. It is made out of “100% lead free, cadmium free, non-toxic, all natural sustainable clays and paints”. You don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaching into your food with this product. I have cooked with stoneware for years now. It really does distribute heat evenly throughout, which allows for even cooking. It is so worth the little extra care needed for its maintenance. This loaf pan was handcrafted. It is pretty thick, and very well made. The ceramic covering encompasses the entire pan. The very underneath does not have the smooth shiny finish to it. This stone can be used in the oven, and microwave. It can be washed in the dishwasher too. I always hand wash my stoneware though. I always worry about other dishes banging into it, and thus chipping it. It can withstand temps up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit too. You want to make sure that you never take it from oven to sink without letting it cool off first. You also don’t want it to go from wet sink to the oven, as well. Extreme temperature changes will cause it to crack. It is pottery. Try to remember that. It has the pretty Lavender design on both sides of it. You can use it as a serving dish too. You can serve side dishes in it, desserts, and candies too. It’s a beautiful piece that can go from oven to table, and in style too. I absolutely love my new loaf pan. It is definitely a quality piece.

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own. – Virginia Boys Kitchens’ Large 8 Inch Ceramic Deep Bread Loaf Baking Pan with Scalloped Edges and Decorative Hand Painted Lavender Design.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found her on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F9MFUIU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Serve in style. – Quality of Life’s Hiware 68oz Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe.

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If you like to entertain, or enjoy your coffee and tea, then you might really enjoy this Stainless Steel Carafe from Quality of Life. It can also be used to keep cold drinks cold, longer too. This is a 68oz carafe. It is pretty easy to fill, and will help keep your beverage hot, a lot longer. Aesthetically, I think this is a gorgeous piece. It is very sleek, and modern looking, while still holding a traditional flare, in case you like to have the ladies over for tea. It is made out of 18/10 Stainless Steel, and has double wall construction for an insulation factor. It not only is double walled, but there is also a vacuum seal, which creates the great insulation factor everyone is getting to know and love with the Yeti Tumbler. This Carafe is very well made. Mine has no imperfections, and feels quite solid in hand. When you close the lid, just double check to make sure it’s pushed down all the way, to ensure the utmost insulation of your beverage temperature. The opening is large enough for me to pour boiling water into it from my kettle. I was concerned about the size at first, but I had no issues the first time I tried it. I tried it while holding a camera in one hand, so I could film it, lol, and the boiling hot water in the kettle, in my other hand. If I can pour the water into the carafe like this, successfully, and without a stray drip, then anyone can. Now, even though it is double walled, it still gets hot to the touch when you fill it with hot water. It doesn’t get hot enough to burn you, but it still gets hot. The handle stays cool to the touch though, so that is all that matters. The bottom doesn’t get hot either, so you can place it down on the table. About 2 ½ hours after I filled it with boiling hot water, the carafe was getting cooler on the outside, and the top portion was still a little hot to the touch. It really retains its heat. I was happy to see that this carafe is actually dishwasher safe. I wasn’t sure because of the seal, but it is. It is definitely restaurant quality too. I hand wash everything, and it’s easy to reach down into the bottom of this product, with a bottle brush. Stainless doesn’t naturally harbor fungus, bacteria, or mold, so it’s a great material to be used in the kitchen/food environment. Now, I did a long term test on the carafe with hot water. It is great for casual dining, and entertaining. It will not by any means keep your water hot, like coffee or tea hot, for a long span. I let it sit for 7 hours, with never opening it up. The water was tepid at that point, and I had to microwave it in my coffee cup, to make a cup of tea. I think it’s perfect for social entertaining. You can get your coffee, or tea, or pitcher of cold drinks ready, and be able to set the table and sit down and enjoy with your friends and family. It’s perfect for that.  

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own. – Quality of Life’s Hiware 68oz Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe, Double Walled Vacuum Insulated Carafe with Press Button Top.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XTOB6UW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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