A great company for your bathroom and kitchen needs: Loban on Amazon.

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If you are doing renovations, and have been walking the home improvement stores, you know how pricey everything can be. It’s a shock really. I have a love/hate relationship with HGTV, because I swear these shows help raise the cost of these type of products. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune just to replace a faucet or shower head.

I’ve had the pleasure of being able to test out some of the Loban store products on Amazon. They have products that cover the kitchen and bathroom arenas in regards to faucets, shower heads and systems, brackets, shower arms, water hoses and adapters, accessories, and more.

They offer products in many finishes: Oil Rubbed Bronze, Brass, Antique Finishes, Brushed Nickel, Chrome, and Gold Tone. They have very modern, classic, and what I call Fancy designs, to choose from. They even offer hands free faucets on their storefront as well. Hands free sounds very exciting to me. I have tested out a few featured in this review. One taller, 12” waterfall faucet. It can be used with both a vessel sink and a regular sink. A shiny gold 10” shower head, that has LED lights in it. That is really fun by the way. 2 Shower arms at just under 16”: Chrome, and Stainless. The last item I just reviewed is what I call a modern throw back to a tub filler, set up.

This particular tub filler has a waterfall effect to it, in regards to how the water comes out. The tub spout actually swivels side to side as well. It has two separate knobs for hot and cold, and a switch that moves it from tub filler, to spray nozzle. With this particular tub filler, you have to have a separate control installed for your shower head, if it is a tub/shower combination. The spray nozzle, and this tub filler, reminds me of an old fashioned telephone. This set up is great to wash your pets with, your kids with, or even your feet, if that is all that needs washing.

The shower head arms are made well, and have a very modern look to them. Since these extend out further, and straight, they can handle rain shower, shower heads, easily. They come with a square deck plate, that really gives it a polished, modern look. The Gold shower head I received is also available in their shop in other finishes, and sizes. I love, love, love, the added touch of LED lights. They go on only when the water is running. I didn’t realize how fun they were to have until I saw them in person. It’s a great feature. They use brass construction in their faucets, as well as ceramic discs. These really help keep them drip free, and working well.

Out of the ones I have just tested, and the ones I have tested in the past, I have had great luck with them. I’ve only had one leak at a seam, and it was an obvious manufacturing booboo. It was a bronze version of the Gold shower head, which works beautifully by the way. I haven’t had any odd noises associated with the products I have tested.

We have a few installed for daily use in our home now, and have had no issues at all. In fact, the faucet at the home we are renovating runs better than my moms’ name brand one. We haven’t had any dripping issues, or have had any products stop functioning like they should. They sell towel holders, and soap dishes and more. The prices are great, and they have been very pleasant to deal with. Overall, I am really happy with these products. They are made well, have sturdy construction. I am comfortable recommending these products.

 

I received these for free. I was under no obligation to leave my honest and unbiased review.

(I’ve also included a few photos of products that we have reviewed in the past.)

Loban Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/s?marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A127DSHWJFYLQN&merchant=A127DSHWJFYLQN&redirect=true

Products featured in this blog, and links to purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/Votamuta-Waterfall-Bathroom-Lavatory-Faucets/dp/B01JG2589A/ref=sr_1_5?m=A127DSHWJFYLQN&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1476072838&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/Votamuta-Brushed-Bathroom-Telephone-Handheld/dp/B01HES21ZW/ref=sr_1_11?m=A127DSHWJFYLQN&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1476072838&sr=1-11

https://www.amazon.com/Votamuta-Mounted-Rainfall-Shower-Square/dp/B01IN0ST56/ref=sr_1_1?m=A127DSHWJFYLQN&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1476073663&sr=1-1&keywords=B01IN0ST56

https://www.amazon.com/Votamuta-Polished-Bathroom-Accessories-Mounted/dp/B01H4PJ7C0/ref=sr_1_1?m=A127DSHWJFYLQN&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1476073430&sr=1-1&keywords=B01H4PJ7C0

https://www.amazon.com/Votamuta-Stainless-Bathroom-Accessories-Mounted/dp/B01H4PJ540/ref=sr_1_1?m=A127DSHWJFYLQN&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1476073470&sr=1-1&keywords=B01H4PJ540

 

One fad that stands the test of time. -Perfect Life Ideas’ Pin Art.

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I have wanted one of these since I was much younger, lol. I remember when they were the biggest phase, and even businessmen had them on their desks. But, sadly enough, I never had one, lol. This one is a little different than the original. But, it still has the cool factor to it. The pins are not metal, but made out of plastic, so children are less apt to hurt themselves, or you, with it. It currently is only available in the blue coloring as well. It is still a great size for a desk. Its measurements are only: 5″ x 3.75″ x 2.25″. So, it doesn’t take up a lot of room. This is great for inspiration, to spark your creativity, or even to help you relax. You can just play around and make your own creations, or you can push an object into it to emulate its shape. My son is big at fidgeting. This is a huge win for a fidgety person. They can just sit and push away, even without a purpose. I have known children with sensory disorders, and one thing that would help them handle a bunch of external stimulation was to hold, and do something with their hands. Be it a rubbing stone, or something they can fidget with. This could be great for some of those children and adults. It’s a pretty silent way for them to keep too much stimulation in check. Of course, as a parent, I love that no batteries, or electricity are required. Your children can actually be amused without power. Imagine that. My son absolutely loves this thing. He plays with it non-stop, while at his computer. He has a lot of fun creating with it. Overall, it’s a fun way to be creative. It’s made well, and runs with no store bought power. I’m glad I finally got my hands on one. It brought back a lot of memories.

I received this, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Perfect Life Ideas’ Pin Art – Make Incredible 3-D Pin Impression Sculptures and Fascinating Shapes of Objects by Impressons of Push Pins.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L2M0POU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Secure it with Groovy Baby Products’ Furniture Wall Straps with Metal Buckles for Extra Safety (2-Pack).

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Years ago I did in home day care. I also have raised 3 boys. I so wish I had owned straps like this back then. I was always worried about furniture toppling over. These are so easy to set up. No measuring and thinking necessary, like it you are trying to make your own mounts. These are set to go out of the package. When my oldest was little he immediately pulled a bookshelf down at my sisters. My second child climbed everything and used to freak me out. Straps like this are so important to have. They can literally save your child’s life. I am pretty happy with this set up too. They include everything but the tools needed to install. You will need a mixture of a larger flat head bit, to a couple different sized Phillips Head bits for this project. You get 1 complete set to secure 1 TV or piece of furniture to a wall, or the TV to its console table. There are 2 straps in this package, so if you have a large wall unit, you may need more. The straps are made out of what appears to be Nylon webbing, like you see on your backpack or some belts. The mounting plates are metal, and quite durable. The straps are threaded through a tough metal buckle with a lot of teeth on it. It will not move on you at all. You have to press it in order to move the strap through. The straps are 34 inches long, each. They even included several sized screws to help suit your mounting needs. You can mount your TV to the console or wall. Our house is on stilts, and we have the Marines fly over all the time. The TV shakes a lot, lol. So between that and my 8 year old bouncing around, Grandma has been very worried about the TV. These straps have come in handy with easing her mind. I love how light the TVs are, but they sure don’t stay put like the older box like ones, that’s for sure. I’m very happy with the quality of these straps.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Groovy Baby Products’ Furniture Wall Straps with Metal Buckles for Extra Safety (2-Pack), at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon. – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018E8TOO2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Such a versatile shirt. – PrettyGuide s Women OL Bow Tie Neck Button Down Shirt Blouse Tops.

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Dress attire, work attire, play attire, etc.., can get you into the same old, same old routine. It’s fun to try new styles. This particular shirt is a little unique with its built in collar tie adornment. It has a beautiful drape to it as well. This is a very feminine shirt. I think it’s simple and pretty. You can let it hang out or tuck it in. The material is not see thru, so you don’t have to worry about wearing a camisole underneath it. I find it to fit true to size to their size chart. I feel that this shirt looks great with jeans to dress pants. I love pieces like this. This is soft against the skin, yet has that smooth, crisp texture to it. This shirt is made out of 95% Polyester and 5% spandex. All of the stitching on my shirt was done tight and on point. My button holes on the cuffs were a little tight at first though, but loosened up quickly. There was no odor to my shirt upon arrival either. It arrived in perfect condition. I picked the green color for the shirt. I just thought it was so different and fun. It is also available though, in white and black. It measures 25 inches from shoulder to outside he. It measures 28 inches over all in length. The bottom is gently rounded, which make it a pretty look left to hang loose as well. It’s a great work, play shirt.

I was afforded the opportunity to review PrettyGuide s Women OL Bow Tie Neck Button Down Shirt Blouse Tops, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019XUOC1A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Be prepared! – Heimdall’s Mini Size Led Headlamp Flashlight with Red Light.

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Headlamps are good for work, play, and emergencies. They are a great source of light, because they allow you to have light while keeping your hands free. My guys wear them a lot for work as commercial electricians, and we make sure we have at least one per person in our home, in case of emergency. The size of this one is small, and very lightweight. It only requires the one head strap, and 1 AA battery to operate. My headlamp arrived with 1 Duracell AA battery. No tool is necessary to access the battery compartment. It’s part of the headlamp, and opens easily. The band is a soft and comfortable, and easy to adjust. Both the housing of the light and the links on the strap are made out of plastic. This is a 6 mode light: High, Medium, Low, SOS, Red, and Red flashing. It can take a little practice to move through the modes. If you go slowly, you are only going to get: High, Medium, or Low. To get to SOS, you need to move through the modes without stopping. If you go slowly, you will just get off, and low mode. Now, to get to the red lights, which are the two lights on the left and right side of the main, white LED center light, you need to press and hold. You can do this anywhere in the cycle. This light does not have memory. It will come back on it bright mode. On high, this is a 115 lumen light. The beam comes off from center for the white light. It’s not a tight beam. I know that matters for light junkies, like my older son. However, he did state that overall he liked the light due to its modes and size. It’s highly convenient for easy usage due to its size. Also with this headlamp, you get a very convenient storage case. Most headlamps do not come with cases like this one. It really makes it highly portable. It can be banged around while in this case, and you’ll be hard-pressed to hurt the light. It has a carabineer on it as well, so you can clip it to your belt loop, pack and more. It also has an IPX6 water resistance rating. Getting caught out in the rain will be ok with this headlamp. You can also adjust the lights angle. The headlamp can be pulled from the base plate, in a down ward motion only. So, for example, if you are working on your engine, you can tilt it downwards to light up the area you need to. Overall, it’s a solid working light. It’s compact, and comfortable to wear and use. My favorite part is the storage case.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Heimdall’s Mini Size Led Headlamp Flashlight with Red Light, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown

If you would like to purchase this light, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A5P1PRG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Adults can color too! – Vanilla Colorings Adult Coloring Books.

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Adult coloring books are the new craze. It really is relaxing. I’ve always enjoyed coloring with my kids, so it’s nice to be able to do something adult. Even as kids get older, they still like to draw and doodle as well. My son enjoys it, but at age 8, he finds most coloring books very babyish. This book is a great size. It measures out at 8 ½” x 8 5/8ths inches. It can fit into your bag on the go, and is an easy size to work with on a tray or your lap. Each page only has a picture on one side. You do not have to worry about bleed through from the picture on the back this way. The pictures are so highly detailed it’s amazing. I will say, you will need a pencil sharpener, lol. There is so much tiny detail to color in, that you will definitely need a sharpened pencil to do it. The pictures are printed in black, on white paper. They have it done, where you can use an Exacto knife, to remove a page out of the book, so it can be framed. The square pages are great for this. The designs are animal and flower inspired. There is one page with Bald Eagles built into the design too. Other animals are Butterflies, Owls, Pandas, Elephants, Birds, and more. There is something for everyone in the family this way. This is a great quality, and very affordable adult coloring book. I feel very comfortable recommending it.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Vanilla Colorings Adult Coloring Books: Stress Relief Coloring Book: Animals & Flowers Inspired Mandala Coloring Book (Amazing Adult Coloring Books) (Volume 1), in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. I was sent this book directly from the seller.

If you would like to purchase this book, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Adult-Coloring-Books-Animals-Inspired/dp/1523872489

Become a photographer with Aukey’s 3 in 1 Clip-on Cell Phone Camera Lens Kit.

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It’s amazing how so many people, including myself, have switched to having their cell phones be their main camera for picture taking. No more the days of missing photo ops because you forgot to bring your camera with you, or had the batteries in your camera die. To enhance the phone camera, companies are coming out with add on lenses to be used with their cameras. This set from Aukey includes a fish eye lens, a wide angle lens, and a 10X Macro lens. You also receive a microfiber lens cleaning cloth and drawstring storage bag. I did not think both lenses and clips would fit in the small bag, but they definitely do. This set of lenses actual fit my Galaxy Note 5. The clip is long enough to go over my Otterbox Defender case and cover my lens sufficiently. I’ve had many others that would not work well with my phone.

You may only think you have two lenses in your package, but the smaller lens, which is the Wide Angle lens, is also the 10X Macro lens as well. To utilize it as the 10X Macro lens, just unscrew the top lense off of it. Make sure you put the lens cover on it before placing it in the bag to make sure it doesn’t get scratch. To use it as the 10X Macro lens, make sure you are only 0.4 to 1 inch away from the object. Otherwise all you get is a blurry screen. The Fish Eye lens is a lot of fun to play with. It is a full screen image. You do not get any black areas or lines off on the sides of the picture. The Wide Angle lens is also great. It’s amazing to see the difference. It’s like all of a sudden your camera grew peripheral vision.

The lenses are made out of professional optical coating lens, made of upgraded HD glass. I am very happy with them! The lenses slide and lock into the included clips. The clips gave a rubber clip on the back end which helps to hold the lens in to the position you set it. The backside of the lens is also coated so as to not mar your phone. I have not had any issues with these on my phone. You can also use these on your tablets. These lenses are clear, and work very well. It’s a great and easy way to enhance your photography skills on your phone.

I was afforded the opportunity to review AUKEY 3 in 1 Clip-on Cell Phone Camera Lens Kit, 180 Degree Fisheye Lens + Wide Angle Lens+ 10 X Macro Lens, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives nicely packaged as shown.

If you would like to purchase this set, they can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fisheye-Samsung-Windows-Smartphones/dp/B014CXK9FQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453716624&sr=8-2&keywords=iphone+lens

Keeping it dry with Be Dri Waterproof Storage Dry Box.

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Living by the coast equals water related activities. But, even when we lived 3 hours from the coast, my guys were always enjoying the lakes and streams. I am not new to dry boxes. They are really invaluable. I think they are also great to have in an emergency. Our cell phones are our life lines now, and they do not mix well with water, be it rain or lake. I don’t think I’ve seen a public telephone in years. This Dry box is pretty large. I’ve tested this box out, and I have not had any water leakage into it at all. This box interior measures out at 6.25 long x 3.5 wide x 2.75 deep. My Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phone fits in this case, in and Otterbox Defender case. It doesn’t lie flat in the case, but it fits, and I’m happy about that. This case is really sturdy. It’s beefy in regards to the thickness of materials used. They did not skimp in this regard. It has an easy entry with 2 clips on one side of it. So, even if you have arthritis, you should be able to access this box easily. The color is bright, and visible, incase it goes overboard. It will float for you. You can clip your own carabineer to the lanyard, and then clip it to your kayak, boat, etc.. I really like this dry box. It meets my needs, and dry box standards that I am used to.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Be Dri’s Waterproof Storage Dry Box, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157DKXRO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

It’s Drone Time! – Top Race’s TR-Q511 4-Channel Quad Copter Drone.

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My husband is such a Drone fan. In reality, if it flies, he loves it. His pension for this hobby has rubbed off on the rest of the family. My 21 year old is now a convert with this Drone. He has had a blast with it too. He crashed this drone everywhere, and it keeps on flying. I love, love, love how user friendly this drone is, as well as, how beginner friendly it is. We crashed it of our house, more than once, as well as letting it fall from about 35 feet, to the ground. This thing just keeps going and going. We just love it. It is lightweight as well. With the battery, camera, blades, and guards on it, it only weighs 0.26lbs. So, if you are flying this on your own property, it does not have to be registered. I can say though, because of the weight, it can’t really be flown on windy days. It gets blown around easily. That was part of our problem the day I did the video of my son. Even with him pressing to the right all the way, the wind would take it way to the left, for example.

toprace drone 1

This drone comes with an extra set of guards and blades. Also in your package you will get a 2gb micro SD card already installed into the camera, 1 remote control, 1 instruction booklet, 1 small screwdriver, 4 screws, 1 charging cable, and 1 micro SD card reader. They really do include everything with this drone. The only improvement I would make to the set, would be to include a second battery. But then, that is what we wish of all our RC toys, lol. The battery compartment is located under the camera. When your drone arrives you will first need to attach the guards to the drone. Then, you will need to charge it, just open the compartment, and carefully pull out the cable. The charging cable attaches easily, and it is a USB cable. Your controller needs 4 AA batteries; they are not included. You will need a small Phillips Head screwdriver to access the battery compartment. I used a separate, slightly larger one, from the one that was included. Once both items are ready to use, they are easy to hook up to each other. When you turn your drone on, you will notice that the LED lights are flashing green and red. You need to take the throttle, or stick on the left, lol, and push it slowly all the way down, and then slowly back up to the middle. You will hear a beep, and the lights will stop flashing and be solid on. It is now connected and ready to fly. This controller has an LCD screen with the flight direction on it. You can take pictures, or record. The 6 Axis Gyro System really helps stabilize this drone; it’s quite impressive. You can hear it too. We were testing it while holding it. If you have it going slightly, while still being able to hold onto it, tip it from side to side. You can hear it trying to stabilize it. This Drone can also go around 300 feet from you, which is pretty good for a smaller drone. It is a 2.4ghz drone. Some of the fun features are a 1 key return. I’ve used this, it really helps. It also has a headless mode feature. This feature is great if you let the drone get too far away from you. If you pull the lever toward you, it will start to bring it back in your direction. It states you can use it indoors, but I would have to beg to differ with that. It has a really powerful motor. The blades may be thin plastic, but they could hurt someone, and break a lot of things, lol. This drone is really responsive to the controller. My house is up on pilings, and is 10 feet off of the ground. We then had the drone flying a good distance above the house, and it was following directions really well. The battery last about 45 minutes on a full charge, which is also very comparable to my other drones this size. If you plan on a doing lot of video or pictures, then I suggest getting a larger micro SD card, and at least a class 10 for clearer resolution. The video I took was stable, but dark. It does not have the highest quality photos and video. This was with the 2gb card that was included. You will also need to plug in the camera. I forgot to do this the first time though. There is a teeny tiny port to the side of the battery door for the camera. Just plug it in there.

Overall I am very happy with this drone. It is responsive, highly durable, comes with spare parts, and very stable to fly. It is easy enough for a novice to be comfortable with up to an experienced flyer.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Top Race’s TR-Q511 4-Channel Quad Copter Drone with Camera, 1 Key Return & Headless Mode Option, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014LHZLVK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Cook with ease with Ozeri’s Green Earth Frying Pan 3-Piece Set.

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When I cook, I pretty much have to cook everything from scratch. I have insane food allergies, so there is no lazy way around it. Because of that, I’m a little intolerant of poor quality cooking tools. I have become a fan of these Green Earth Frying pans. The quality is top notch all around. This set of 3 covers all the main sizes you will need as well. In this Ozeri set you get 1 – 8inch, 1 – 10inch, and 1 – 12inch pan. These pans are so versatile as well. They are ceramic pans, and have the ability to be used on induction top stoves as well as regular stoves. The materials used are eco-friendly. These pans have a “GREBLON ceramic – an ultra-safe ceramic coating from Germany which is 100% PTFE, PFOA and APEO free (no heavy metals or chemicals).” I haven’t ever had a pan work for me like the Ozeri Green [ans. I have a couple other of their ceramic pans, and they are amazing to cook on. The cooking is even across the pan. I really do not get any hot spots. I can cook tomato based food in these, and not have it splatter everywhere. These pans have a beehive pattern to the interior surface of these pans. This beehive pattern really enhances the heat distribution that I had mentioned. It really helps with even cooking. You need to use nonabrasive utensils as well as cleaners on these pans. Make sure you use a degreaser soap, and get all of your food residue off of the pan. Otherwise, if you have buildup, you won’t have the nonstick surface work as well for you. Just because your food rinsed out with ease, doesn’t mean you don’t have to really clean it, lol. Unfortunately, so many people do this and then blame the pan. I clean my pans, and even with my older ones, I have had no changes in the great cooking surface. These pans are also constructed out of a dual gauge die cast aluminum. No heavy metals of harmful chemicals were used in these pans. These are not lightweight pans. They were built to last. The handles are on very securely. If over time they loosen, they were built in a way, that they can be tightened up. Half way up, the metal handles are coated in a heat resistant silicone covering. The handles are both comfortable to grip, and afford a solid grip. The bottom was done to accommodate a magnetized induction stove. We have a single burner induction travel stove, so we can use these pans with it.

I have had fun testing this set out. I cooked both breakfast and dinner dishes in them. I can actually fit two slices of bread for French toast in the 10 inch pan, and it came out yummy. My tomato based dinner, cooked evenly. I had no burning or splatter at all. They performed up to the high standards that I am used to with these Green Pans. They clean easily as well. They also store easily. With each pan, you get a thick felt insert. That way you can safely stack these pans without scratching the ceramic coating of these pans. The do not come with lids, but they do sell them separately.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Ozeri’s Green Earth Frying Pan 3-Piece Set (8″, 10″, 12″), with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating from Germany (100% PTFE, PFOA and APEO Free), in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this set, it can be found here on Amazon: https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=5f6hf4vb9ikru#3095419858

ozeri set 18