Protect that table! – MJH Innovations’ Picnic Time Bamboo Coasters.

One of my sons quickly found out one day, why you have to use a coaster. As soon as I bought him a new desk a few years ago, he immediately places his mug of coffee down on it. It left a white ring on it within seconds. You should have seen his face, lol. So, if you have wood furniture, coasters are a necessity. I received this set of 12, 100% bamboo coasters from MJH Innovations. They also have them available in a set of 6, and a set of 24. The coasters are exact replicas of themselves. These are all wood, and there is no backing on them, like felt, or silicon, to keep them from sliding. So, in regards to little kids using them, they probably wouldn’t work. I can picture the coasters flying off the table due to little hands, lol. These coasters are great for adults, who carefully place their drinks down on them. They do have cuts down the center of them. These are flat to the surface, so there is no rocking of the coaster, unless your table is uneven. The coaster top and bottom are perfectly flat. There is a total of 7 cuts down the center of each coaster. If your cups sweat, the fluid will enter these grooves. This helps keep the top of the coaster non slippery. When you are done using them though, make sure you dry off the coasters, to ensure their longevity. Otherwise, water will eventual dry out these coasters. The set arrives plainly wrapped in a cellophane wrapper. I wish these had a coaster holder. It would have made these a really nice set. You can always add your own backing, or those peel and stick felt feet sold at your local hardware store, if needed. I love the two tone color scheme with the dark and light bamboo. Bamboo is also a very eco-friendly material as well. The coasters have no chemical odor to them. You can actually just smell the nice scent of wood. I was happy to see that they didn’t heavily treat these with chemicals. It’s becoming a common practice nowadays. Mine arrived in great condition. Only one had a stray cut down one of the grooves, but it doesn’t deter from the function or beauty of them. They measure out at 3.75” in diameter, with my ruler, and 5/16^th of an inch thick. They have a warning label on the back of them as well that states to only wash with a damp cloth, to help prevent cracking and warping of the wood. I have had no issues with various styles of cups on these coasters. I usually drink out of my Yeti cup, lol, bit I tried others: glass, plastic. I’ve had no issues. My home is air conditioned, so I haven’t had big sweating issues, where water would run from the grooves onto the table.

Now, on another note with these coasters, we love their look. We plan on doing something artistic with them. Be it, including them into a cabinet build, as part of a door facing. We are still thinking about it. We love them lined up together, in a square configuration. They have a really dramatic look that way. If incorporated in the door, of a center door of a cabinet. That would be a great focal point, and very eye catching. You can have the kids make decorations with these as well. Drill little holes in them, and make incredible gift tags around the holidays. You can make these part of a gift basket that includes wine, wine glasses, and cheeses. Be creative, have fun. This is a well-made, beautiful product.

I received this, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – MJH Innovations’ Picnic Time Bamboo Coasters, Beautiful, Entertaining Tabletop Wine and Hot and/or Cold Beverage Coasters (12).

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGQYU6W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Introducing The Hog. – SES Limited’s THE HOG 30oz Stainless Steel Tumbler.

Yesssssss, another stainless steel tumbler enters the arena. Please welcome The Hog! There are so many brands going head to head now. I love it. I am a huge fan of this tumblers. I heavily rely on my icy cold drinks throughout the day, to help keep the swelling in my throat down. I have frequent anaphylactic reactions. So, if the cup doesn’t live up to my expectations, I won’t use it anymore. I do own and use the original 30oz Yeti tumbler, so I know what the name brand does, and I expect the competition to live up to the Yetis’ level. This cup even arrives with some goodies. It comes with a stainless steel straw, and a splash proof lid. The splash proof lid has the slider that you can push shut to cover up the mouth/straw opening. This further helps to maintain either the coldest level, or heat level, depending on your drink. Even if you pour hot coffee into this tumbler, your hands will not get hot holding this double. You can thank the double walled and vacuum sealed construction. It is always comfortable to hold. The cup will not sweat and make rings on your wood table. My cup arrived in perfect condition. The top has a nice seal on it. It fits and seals very well. I love that they include the straw. I always use one, and the longer stainless steel straws have been harder to come by in the past. Stainless steel is the material of choice in a lot of professional kitchens. It does not naturally harbor fungus, mold, or bacteria. It’s a healthy, eco-friendlier material to use. This cup is quite durable. Mine arrived in perfect condition. The straw has a lip on the bottom edge, and this helps keep the straw from falling out of the cup, as long as you have the lid on it. Do not try to pull the straw out of the cup through the lid opening. I tried it, and the second time I did it, it sounded like I was cracking my lid. So, in that respect, I do not know if the lid will be as durable around the opening as other lids I have used. If you do not attempt the straw pull, you should be more than fine. The lid is clear, and seals so well onto the cup. You can actually hold the cup by holding onto the lid only. It did not budge for me. There is a tiny air hole in the lid. This allows you to have a carbonated drink in your cup, and allows you to maintain that vacuum seal. There is also a double gasket on the lid. They did use food grade stainless in the construction of this tumbler. It is BPA free as well. They state that the entire tumbler is free of all toxins, so it is healthy to drink out of. The lid is made out of BPA free Tristan plastic. The included straw has a large enough diameter, to allow smoothie drinking.

(These are the photos of the ice test over a period of 24 hours)

I filled the cup with ice, and I did have some ice and icy cold water in the cup 24 hours later, as promised by the manufacturer. It fits into my car cup holder perfectly. I can also use my add on handle that I use with my Yeti. The top diameter is also the same as the Yeti. You can interchange lids on it. I have used 30oz tumblers in the past, where the secondary lids you can order, would not fit on it. So, since the lids all eventually get fine line cracks in them with use, this is an important feature. Overall, I love the name of this cup. They have it proudly displayed with a raised texture on the stainless steel side wall; The Hog. I also find it to be reliable in keeping my drinks icy cool. Overall, it’s a true competitor that can hold it’s own.

I received this at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – SES Limited’s THE HOG 30oz Stainless Steel Tumbler, with Splash Resistant, Clear Lid & Stainless Drinking Straw.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ45H1W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

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.

We 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

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

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

Makes it easy to carry your tumbler. – K3 Brands’ 30 Ounce Yeti Tumbler Handle.

My mom and I use our 30oz Yeti Tumblers every day. She had a handle like this for her Tervis, so she was so happy to see this handle for the Yeti. This handle is from K3Brands on Amazon. It is made to fit the 30oz Yeti Tumbler, and their competitors as well. It fits like a glove too. Just slide you cup into it, and it holds on perfectly. It doesn’t slide down at all when you place your cup down on the table. It does make it easier to grab and go. You can actually carry more things since you have a firmer hold on your cup. It may sound weird, lol, but it’s true. The handle is made out of a thick, black plastic. This plastic is a “Food Grade Polypropylene”. The handle does not bend on you at all. It is a very sturdy, and reliable handle which is a great relief. I know I do not want to spill my icy drink all over me. I always have a glass full of ice, and a nice cool beverage. My mom always has her large ice coffee with her. We discovered that this handle does add a little weight to the lot, but not enough to make it too cumbersome; even for an older person like my mom. She even has some arthritis in her hands. The handle does make it easier to carry. The handle does not bend under the weight. It’s just very reliable and sturdy. It’s really easy to keep clean as well. The material doesn’t show fingerprints. It seems to always look nice and clean. I am very happy to see that it is just as useful as I hoped it would be.

I received this at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – K3 Brands’ 30 Ounce Yeti Tumbler Handle.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GCPAW1I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Another great tumbler. – Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated 30oz Stainless Steel Tumbler.

Let me tell you, we had been converted Tervis people. Then, my son moved us over to the Yeti stainless cups. We have officially been converted over to the Yeti side, lol. I have tried other competitor brands, but this is my first 30oz competitor cup. I use my 30oz Yeti every day! I just love it. So, I was very, very curious and excited about testing out this competitor. I love the challenge. This mug looks just like my Yeti. It has a smaller bottom area, so it can fit in my car cup holder. I will not use a cup, if it doesn’t fit in my car. My throat swells shut all of the time due to numerous life threatening allergies. My throat is always swollen and sore. I always have a cup fully of an icy drink to sip on, 24/7. My throat wakes me up during the night, and I sip on the icy drink. It really helps. So, it is very important to me that my cup can keep my drink cold for an extended period of time. I did an ice test on this cup first thing. I filled it to the top with ice, and then placed the top on. The top has silicone rings around it, and it creates a great seal. Mind you, there is a drinking hole in the lid. You can fit a narrow straw through this. I have thin stainless steel straws that we use with these cups. After 25 hours, there was actually still some ice left in the cup. It performs as well as my Yeti, which makes me very happy!!!! It even comes in 8 different color choices, for no additional cost. It is made out of 18/8 stainless steel, and has the double wall construction. It is toxin free, chemical free, and safe to drink both hot and cold liquids out of it. My husband took his coffee to work with him. He had a 3 hour drive to the office, too. He is very happy with how this cup is performing with hot liquids. The double wall construction is great. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The cup never sweats. It is comfortable to both hold and drink out of this cup. You can put steamy hot coffee right from the Kuerig in here, and not feel the heat through the cup. We haven’t been able to find any negatives with this cup. It has held its own against our Yeti. Enjoy.

(The 2nd picture here is after 12 hours of being in the cup.)

(This last photo was after 25 hours of being in the cup.)

I was afforded the opportunity to review this product, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.: Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler – Double Walled Travel Mug – – 30oz.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Modern-Insulated-Stainless-Tumbler/dp/B01AINHTH0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Fresh coffee when you want it. – YINGMO’s French Press 3 Cup 12oz Coffee, Espresso & Tea Maker.

I am pretty fond of the French Press. They really do enable you to have fresh brewed coffee, and so quickly too. This particular one from Yingmo is a great personal French Press. If you are single, or are the only one that really drinks coffee, this is great for you. My guys work on the road a lot, and a French press can be carried with you. You just need a microwave or hot pot, to heat up your water. This particular press is a 12oz press. It’s great for a single person that enjoys a large cup of coffee. Everyone in my household sure does. This unit is made out of 18/8 Stainless Steel, Plastic, and Borosilicate glass. This is the type of glass used for beakers, and much more. It can tolerate high temperatures, and is more durable than regular glass. The plastic parts enable you to hold it with such hot water in it. The stainless will not rust on you, and is so durable and long lasting. It will not leach chemicals into your yummy coffee either. Either will the Borosilicate glass. First, pour your coffee grounds into the French Press. Then, pour in your hot, steamy water. Let it sit for approx.. 4 minutes, and then, slowly press the plunger down. Do it very slowly, and it compresses your grounds down to the bottom of the French Press. You want to make sure you use course grounds. This will eliminate little grounds in your coffee. When you pour your coffee, make sure you leave the plunger compresses. You leave it compressed the entire time there’s coffee in it. You can brew your tea in here as well; just compress your tea leaves. Any specialty drink really. This is a great way to carry your pot outside on the porch with you, to be able to enjoy a fresh refill at your table. You can sit outside and chat with a friend, and not have to leave the table to refresh your yummy cup of hot tea or coffee. It’s small and so portable for travel too. Since it’s not a plugged in appliance, you can use it at your desk at work, or in a hotel room. It’s so easy to clean as well. I hand wash everything, but it is dishwasher safe! This is a great single serving press. It has not let our grounds into our coffee. If you do a specialty, strong coffee, or tea, you can fill a few shot style glasses with this press. Once you use a French Press, you’ll love it. We certainly do.

I was afforded the opportunity to review YINGMO’s French Press 3 Cup 12oz Coffee, Espresso & Tea Maker for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/YINGMO-Espresso-Stainless-Resistant-Borosilicate/dp/B01DKJPHS2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1462599038&sr=8-5&keywords=yingmo

The fun way to keep your drinks cool. – Kollea Drinks’ 6PCS Stainless Steel Chilling Reusable Ice Cubes.

Adult drinks are yummy, but are not usually chugged on down. I love my drinks cold, but regular ice can and does, water my drinks down. Adding stainless steel ice cubes, a.k.a., Whisky Chillers, can really be helpful. They help keep your drink cooler, for a longer period, without watering your drink down. The stainless steel version, is the new updated version from the soapstone ones. This particular set arrives in a great storage case with 6 stones and a pair of stainless serving tongs. I store mine in the freezer, but if you don’t want to do that, just remember to place them into the freezer about an hour before using them. When my gorgeous set by Kollea Drinks arrived, it came with a plastic storage case, 6 stainless steel chilling cubes, and a pair of stainless steel serving tongs. I washed my cubes and tongs, and placed the entire set into the freezer. Now they are perfect anytime I want to use them. These can be used with any type of drink. Even with your children and their apple juice. First off, these do not add any chemicals to your drinks. They do not add any weird flavor to your drink either. Each ice cube has a nontoxic gel inside of it, which is what freezes and keeps your drinks cooler. These are not ice cubes, and won’t cool your drink as much as they do. They definitely help keep your drink cooler than without them though. It’s a fantastic alternative. To really cool and keep your drink cool, I recommend using 4 -6 of the cubes, depending on your drink size. I am really happy with this set overall. They work perfect in my glass of wine. Overall, I love this set. I already had one set, and now I don’t have to share, lol. This are perfect for pulling out when company is over. They are definitely attention getters.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Kollea Drinks’ 6PCS Stainless Steel Chilling Reusable Ice Cubes for Whiskey Wine Drinks, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kollea-Stainless-Chilling-Reusable-Whiskey/dp/B00EWAWZAC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Loving my Copper Moscow Mule Mugs from Kangaroo!

I love Copper Moscow Mule Mugs. I love the look, and we are copper fans. These are a little different than some on the market. They state 100% Copper in their name, but they are not copper, nope. These are stainless steel mugs, plated with real Copper. The handles are solid brass though, and quite handsome at that. It annoys me when labeling is misleading. Their real product description is on their packaging though. These mugs are 16oz mugs, and are a great size for a traditional Moscow Mule drink, or any other drink you would like. Just remember, with all metal mugs, they pick up the temperature of the drink you put in them. So, unless you like holding hot mugs, like me, I would stick to cold drinks in these mugs. I also recommend hand washing them with a non-abrasive soap and sponge. They do give you the Moscow Mule recipe on the packaging. I tweaked it a bit for what I am used to. They do not give an amount for lime juice, and I stated one. Here is it:

1oz lime juice

Ice

2oz Vodka

4-8oz of Ginger Beer they state 4 – 6, but most recipes say 8.

Then garnish with a lime slice.

These mugs are very handsome. Aesthetically, they are spot on. I do not feel that the metal alters the flavor of my drink at all. I use stainless steel straws all of the time as well. The rim is rounded, and comfortable on the lips. The inside opening of the handle is on the smaller side, but is comfortable to slide your fingers through it, and cradle the mug in your hand. Overall, I like these mugs. There are no chemical worries with these mugs. Copper is actually healthy for you, and is recommended to drink water out of one daily for health benefits. They will need some gentle care to them to make sure the plating doesn’t come off. These style mugs always impress. They are perfect for entertaining.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Kangaroo’s 100% Copper Moscow Mule Mug; Copper Mug; Hammered, Stainless Steel Interior, Brass Handle (2-Pack), at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase these, they can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A97XCTO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage