For the Kitchen

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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Cooking and serving in style with Virginia Boys Kitchens’ Large Flat Rectangular Ceramic Serving Platter.

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I first became hooked on cooking on stones years ago with Pampered Chef. They really do make a difference with cooking. Then the ceramic coated ones came out, and they are so much prettier and are great to serve with as well. This serving tray from Virginia Kitchen Boys is so pretty. I love the lavender design on it. Lavender is such a great flower to begin with, so I am really enjoying the theme of this cookware. This serving tray is 9”x14”. It has a nice, smooth, flat surface. You can make pizza on it. Cook appetizers on it, and then serve from it, and so much more. You do not have to worry about what you are cooking on either. This tray is made in the USA. It is also 100% lead and cadmium free. It is made out of non-toxic, all natural sustainable clays and paints. They state it is an eco-friendly product. You can use this tray in the oven, dishwasher, and microwave. You can heat the tray up, and serve foods on it, to keep the food hotter, longer. Just remember to place a hot plate underneath of it, if you choose to do so. The entire tray is ceramic coated, even underneath. At first glance, your company will think it’s only a tray, not cookware too.

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Since it is pottery, it has some weight to it. Make sure you don’t throw it under cool water when hot. It has a higher chance of cracking that way, since it is stoneware. They also suggest not cooking in it over 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though it’s ceramic coated, you do not want to soak it in water before cooking in it. That can also cause it to crack. It may seem, from what I am saying, that this stone is fragile, but it really isn’t. It just has some basic instructions. I have stones that I’ve had for years. They cook so evenly, it’s amazing. Because it’s pottery, the heat really disperses evenly throughout it. I absolutely love cooking on stones. They include a great sheet with care instructions. The instructions never change, so if you already cook on a stone, the instructions are the same for this one. I absolutely love this product. It’s perfect for both cooking on and serving on.

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own. – Virginia Boys Kitchens’  Large Flat Rectangular Ceramic Serving Platter Tray with Curved Scalloped Edges and Hand Painted Decorative Lavender Design

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016X3OTX6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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A formidable opponent in the tumbler industry. – Greatness Lines’ 30 oz. Tumblers Value Pack.

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Here is another cup that has entered the Stainless tumbler arena. I like how strong it came out to the market. It arrived with all the bells and whistles. I have the original 30oz Yeti Tumbler, and I love it. We also have quite a few of the competitors now, lol. Let me tell you, I compare them all to the Yeti, and against each other. I am very picky now, and demand that my ice not melt quickly. I always have a glass filled to the top with ice, and then I add my drink. With my constant anaphylactic reactions, I always have a swollen and raw throat. An icy drink all day, and I mean 24/7, really helps. So, I do not hold back if the cup doesn’t live up to my expectations. I am very, very happy to say, that this cup does indeed, keep my ice, ice, for a long time. I can take my cup, fill it with ice to the top, pour in room temperature soda, and then sip on it, like I usually do. When I go to refill it, I only have to add a couple cubes to keep it filled to the top with ice, lol. The cup measures out at 4” in diameter, at the top, and 8” tall to the top of the lid. It is just slightly more narrow at the top than my Yeti. I have a black carry handle, and it fits this tumbler by Greatness Line, but it just fits. It slides up to almost the top of the cup. But, the accessory is still quite usable and I am using it. Leaving my cup sit over night with ice and water, I still had a lot of ice left in the cup in the morning. It really works like my Yeti, so I am very happy with it. It’s made well. The tops seal very well. I love the straw and extra top that come with the cup. The stainless steel straw is thick and durable and long enough to really fit the cup. The diameter is large enough too, for a smoothie. The You can never really feel the temp of the drink inside of it, when holding it. It is always a comfortable temperature to hold. It is made out of 18/8 stainless steel. It will fit into my cup holders in my Honda. I’m sure due to the size, it might not fit into some. I have large cup holders in mine, fortunately. I really like everything about this complete set. You really can’t beat the price it’s at. Currently it’s at $19.95 for everything, which is great. It’s a formidable opponent in the tumbler arena.

I received this at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Greatness Lines’ 30 oz. Tumblers Value Pack with 2 Lids and Extra Stainless Steel Straw.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H42XZDU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Green with Envy? – Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated 20oz Cruiser Tumbler with Lid.

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green tumbler 1We have entered the age of the stainless steel tumbler, lol. They are popping up everywhere and from anyone, it seems. I love that too! These cups are amazing, amazing, amazing. We all use them daily in my household. They truly keep the cold drinks colder, longer, and the hot drinks, hotter, longer. I only have boring silver in my home though. So, I was beyond excited to be able to review this awesome bright green 20oz tumbler from Simply Modern on Amazon. I ordered the Candy Apple Green, but they do have it available in plain stainless steel, and 7 other powder coated colors. The finish of my green color is vivid, and smooth to the touch. So far so good with durability. The tumbler is constructed out of the 18/8 Stainless Steel I am used to seeing with these type of tumblers. The top does create a very tight seal, which is important for the insulation factor. It has the small mouth opening that I am also accustomed to. My thin stainless steel straws fit into it perfectly. My guys use this size all the time. They work on the road as commercial electricians, and depend on quality cups to carry their drinks. This size is great for cars. It fits into our cup holders without issue. The construction of this cup is the double walled construction, with a vacuum seal in between. That is what makes for the great insulation effects. I love that no matter what the temperature of the drink inside of the cup, the outside of the cup is never uncomfortable to touch and hold. Steamy hot drinks, no problem. Icy cold drinks, you can’t even tell. We do have the 20oz Yeti cup to compare this cup to, and it performs just as well! This cup is dishwasher safe, but I always hand wash everything, anyhow. Everyone always says, is the cup leakproof. Well, no, duh, lol. There is a whole in the lid. That always cracks me up. The seal itself is fantastic, and we have no leaing from around the seal. Fortunately, the drinking hole is small, and down from the edge. With regular walking, your fine and dandy. If you bend over to pick something up, and your cup is in your hand, it will leak out, lol. Yes, I have done that, and more than once too. We really love the bright green color. We call it Zombie Green, haha. It’s easy to spot, so hopefully, you won’t leave it on top of your car, or behind on your outing. You’ll be able to tell if a family member or coworker tries to claim it as theirs. We absolutely love it, and have no complaints. It’s a formidable challenger on the Stainless Steel Tumbler market.

I received this, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated 20oz Cruiser Tumbler with Lid – Double Walled Stainless Steel Travel Mug

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GNPRE0Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Slice and dice with Moderna Housewares’ Ozeri OZK1 Elite Chef Ceramic 3-Piece Knife Set, Black.

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I remember when my husband bought me my first ceramic knife. It had that white blade that they all came out with. I wasn’t sure what to expect by a ceramic blade, and was quickly awed by how sharp they were. I am still in awe. They really are sharp, and they really do maintain their sharp edge for a long, long time. I absolutely love this set from Ozeri. It is not only gorgeous, but it functions just as great as it looks. The three knives are done with gorgeous black ceramic blades. They look like regular knives. They are really eye catching! In this set you will get one 3” Paring Knife, one 5” Slicing knife, and one 6” Chef’s Knife. Basically a knife to meet all your cooking needs. One thing that I cannot reiterate enough, is that these knives are beyond sharp. Be careful using them. I have sliced myself so many times with ceramic knives. Much, much more so than regular knives. The handles on these knives are great to hold onto. They have what I call, a finger guard on them. This keeps your hand from sliding down the handle on to the blade, if the blade slips. The handles are firm, but coated, so they feel soft and comfortable in hand. I’m actually very happy with the handles. They title these handles, Ergonomic Handles. I would have to agree with that. The ceramic blades are thick. They do not bend side to side from the handle, even if you push on them, to test them. These are not metal, and will not rust, or break down any metal into your food. Ceramic blades are stated to keep their edge about 10 times longer than regular metal blades. The finish on these blades look like metal. It’s pretty amazing. My older son, who loves knives, still looks at these in awe, since the blades are sleek and shiny like metal blades. He always says they are lying about them not being metal, lol. These really are great for slicing, chopping, mincing, and cutting. I can’t say enough positive, and I really have no cons about them. The only con I have is that these highly sharp knives should come with plastic sheaths, or blade guards, as some people call them. Be very careful if you just throw them into your utensil drawer. Also, if you chip these blades, they are not easy to sharpen like regular knife blades. You could use a knife block, or the storage box they come in to store them. The foam they arrive in is really, really thick, and reusable for storage purposes. They also recommend only hand washing these knives, to ensure the blades fine edge. Since I hand wash everything, that is not an issue for me. This set of Ozeri ceramic knives are a great addition to my kitchen.

I received these for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Moderna Housewares’ Ozeri OZK1 Elite Chef Ceramic 3-Piece Knife Set, Black

If you would like to purchase this set, they can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-OZK1-Elite-Ceramic-3-Piece/dp/B016BLNQIY/ref=sr_1_42?m=A3FUY11FKEN472&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1468804839&sr=1-42

Time to up my game with Royal Classique’s 15 Piece Professional Grade Stainless Steel Russian Piping Tips (Large).

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Cake tips 9We love to bake in our home. I make everything from scratch, including my icing. I, however, have never really done any piping, or cake decorating. I really didn’t even know there were different sizes of tips available. Low, and behold, there are, lol. This set of stainless steel icing decorating tips comes in the Large size. Let me tell you this, they are large; very substantial, I must say. You get 15 tips in this set. They do require a Large Coupler to be used. It is not included in the set, but I was able to find one easily. Unfortunately, the named brand coupler I ordered in size Large did not come close to fitting these. It turns out you need to buy one specifically in size Large for Russian tips. The shape is different. I found this website where you can order one. ( https://jazzypicks.com/shop/piping-nozzle-coupler-fits-russian-nozzles). I used the no coupler method, and watched a video on YouTube, lol.  They arrived stacked in one box, but individually wrapped inside the box. They are really easy to store since they stack together. I’m sure the box won’t last long, and then I’ll probably use a sandwich bag, or small container to store them with the bags I bought. They are made well. The metal is pretty thick. They are not bendy at all. These are called Russian tips. They are FDA food safe certified. Here are the dimensions: “Upper Diameter: 0.9 inch, Lower Diameter: 1.4 inch, Height: 1.5 inch”. My husband saw these and said they look like something professionals would use. His mom used to make wedding cakes years ago. Lol, I’m still trying to figure out how to attach the disposable bags, and not get icing all over myself. I’m loving and highly appreciate the quality. They should last a long, long time, if not a lifetime. Since I make everything from scratch, I’m looking toward to learning how to decorate my desserts at a fancier level. Due to insane food allergies, I can never, ever, purchase store bought, so this may make my family members desserts more special for them on special occasions. Clean up is easy with these tips too. Not only are they dishwasher safe, since they are so large, they are really, really easy to clean out. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up narrow, hard to reach crevices with these. I really have nothing negative to say about this set. They are well made, and a great variety of patterns. I can’t wait to learn and grow my decorating skills. I never use low quality cooking tools since I have to do everything from scratch, and these are definitely professional quality decorating tips.

I received these, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Royal Classique’s 15 Piece Professional Grade Stainless Steel Russian Piping Tips (Large)

If you would like to purchase these, they can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G9FHYWG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Stands up to the competition. – Buy Chiefs’ 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler with 4 Straws Bundle.

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My family and I all use these new double walled stainless steel cups. I would feel bad about not using my Tervis cups, but these cups really help keep my cold drinks cold, longer, and our hot coffee drinks, hotter, longer. You really can’t lose with these. This is another brand (Chief) that has entered the competition among the stainless cup industry, lol. It is a 20oz stainless steel insulated cup, with a lid. The lid is just like the lid on our 20oz Yeti that we have. The seal is nice and tight, and holds very well. There is that usual small opening to drink out of. I like that they included the stainless steel straw that will fit into this cup. They actually include a set of 4 stainless steel straws, and 1 straw cleaning brush. This is definitely the eco-friendlier way to go over disposable straws. I have been using a stainless steel straw and cup for a very long time now, and I do not ever taste a flavor difference with the metal. This tumbler has been able to hold its’ own amongst its competitors that we own. I always have an ice cold drink with me, even bedside, so it’s important that my ice last as long as it can. If you just place ice in here, you will have some ice left in it the next day. My throat is always swollen due to frequent anaphylactic reactions, so this is a must have feature for me. I think that’s pretty wild that ice will last so long in this cup; I love that. This cup will not leach chemicals into your drink either. It is obviously BPA free. It will not shatter or crack on you, if you drop it. Your hands will not get cold or hot when holding this either, due to its’ great insulation. Since stainless steel doesn’t rust, you will not have to worry about your cup not lasting for you. We use a Keurig to make our coffee. This will not fit, but if you brew a large cup of coffee, that will fit in here perfectly, and allow enough room for milk. So, the large cup setting is a perfect match for this cup, if you add milk to your coffee. If you drink it black, it still fits, and there will be some room left over in it. Another great to go benefit, is that it will fit into your car cup holders well. It fits into all of my cup holders. This is another must have feature for us as well. This has held up to our testing, and our must haves. They even have it available in the 30oz size as well. It’s a welcomed addition to the stainless tumbler market.

I received this at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review: Buy Chiefs’ 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler with 4 Straws Bundle.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DXMJPLQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stays put, and quite comfy to stand on. – Chef’s Design Memory Foam Kitchen Mat.

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We have always had a kitchen rug, ever since I can remember. It just seems like the thing to do. I wash all my dishes by hand, so I appreciate a comfy rug to stand on. This one from Chef’s Design on Amazon is pretty comfortable, too. I ordered mine in the Espresso, coffee theme, but they do have five other themes to choose from. This rug is a standard size for a kitchen rug. It measures 18” wide by 28” long. It’s a great size to place in front of your sink area. It’s also great to have a rug there, in case you spill some water while cleaning. Then your tile floors won’t be as slippery. Hopefully, keeping you from falling. This is a memory foam mat. It’s not extra thick or cushy, like some are. It definitely helps with keeping leg fatigue at bay with a lot of standing though. The underside is coated with nonskid dots, and they really work. I even tried jumping and sliding on it. It did not budge. My husband looked at me like I was crazy, lol, but I did this more than once. It doesn’t look like enough nonskid elements, but it sure is enough! My mat arrived folded up, but it unfolded quickly, and the crease lines disappeared almost completely in about 30 minutes. By the next day, you shouldn’t see any more creases. All of the stitching was done tight and on point. And, there was no odor to my new mat upon arrival either. The topside is a woven material, almost like you see on upholstery and pillows. In other words, it’s a pretty durable material. Yes, this is machine washable. I personally wouldn’t put it into a machine with a large agitator. The newer machines that really don’t have a tall agitator should be fine though. Then just tumble dry on low, or air dry. My rug looks just like it’s shown on their ad page. The colors weren’t different in person. If you have a narrow galley kitchen, then this may not be the carpet for you. It is not flat, and if you are a feet scooter, lol, you may trip on it. If you have a more open area in your kitchen, then this should be of no concern. Overall, I have no complaints with this kitchen rug. I like the design, quality, and how it stays put. It is comfortable to stand on, and my feet are much happier for it. 

I received this product at a discount, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are 100% solely my own.

– Chef’s Design Memory Foam Kitchen Mat – Tapestry Designs – Anti-Fatigue Non-Slip Floor Mat 18″ x 28″ Kitchen Rug (Espresso).

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If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GD4UT2A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Boost the flavor of your wine with this KCP Products’ EDGY Wine Aerator Gift Set.

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We like to drink our occasional glass of wine in our home. So, we are not new to wine aerators. I like this set. It definitely makes a nice gift, along with a bottle of wine. This product arrives in a bright red box, which is nice because wine products tend to arrive with the black color scheme. The red adds a fun twist. The metal label on the product itself, was also done in red. The first time we received a wine aerator, we kind of laughed, and figured it wouldn’t do anything noticeable to the wine. My husband and I couldn’t wait to disprove it. Fortunately, we were wrong. Wine aerators do actually benefit the wine. We only buy cheaper wine from the local grocery store, lol. That’s what fits into our budget. We normally purchase Moscato, too. We notice that wine aerators bring out the fruity flavor in the wine. It really does bring out the flavors in your wine. We were totally shocked the first time we used one, and this one is no different. Wine aerators are easy to use. I like the little mesh strainer that comes with this one. If any bits of your cork fell into the wine when you were opening it, the strainer will catch it. All you do to use this is hold it over your wine glass, and then pour the wine through the aerator, into your cup. That’s it. It’s so easy to use. It makes a silly little sound when the wine is working it’s way through the aerator. Just rinse clean the aerator when you are done, and let it dry. They include in the set, the gift box, 1 drawstring storage bag, 1 aerator with strainer, and 1 stand. This aerator comes with a nice stand, so you can set it up in your kitchen or bar area. It holds it really well, and is a very stable base. The storage bag is small and is just for the aerator. The stand isn’t fitting. But, if you want to take it on a picnic, or to a friend’s house, that will definitely work. It’s great to add some life back to your previously opened wine too. We will get the bigger bottle, so there’s some for another day. You can pep the flavor up just by pouring it through the aerator. I’m a real believer in the product. My Edgie aerator is working very well. It’s well made, and I have no flaws in mine. The strainer basket is removable, so if you know you have no cork bits, you don’t have to use it. I am very happy with this product.

I received this product for free, in exchange for a unbiased and honest review. – KCP Products’ EDGY Wine Aerator Gift Set with Stunning Red Box, No-Drip Stand, Travel Pouch, and Cork Filter.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AWV6Q8G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1