Light and Sound from LightingEver

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LightingEver Lamp and Speaker 5

LED lighting and Bluetooth speakers are everyday items in our household. Bluetooth speakers are great for home, work, vacationing, poolside, and more. There is also always a need for a backup lighting source, be it for emergencies, camping, vacationing, work, and convenience. This product from LightingEver fits the bill for both. Not only is it a convenient source of light, it also has fun lighting options, and a built-in Bluetooth speaker. It has an internal 2200mAH battery, which allows for many hours of both music and light. It can go all day on low, for lighting alone. This light is so usable. It can be placed on the table, or hung with it’s built in hanger. It comes with both an Aux cable, and a micro USB cable. Don’t forget to pull the plastic off of the silicone ring on the bottom of the speaker. It really helps to keep the speaker/light in one spot on your table.

This product is very easy to use. My husband and I both have Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phones. It comes up as LE Lights01 to pair, no code needed. It states paired, so there is no guessing with this speaker. You can use both separate from each other. You do not have to use both the light and speaker together. You tap the center of the light to make it turn on, and to go through the colors. The last choice before off, is a beat to the music mode, which is pretty cool to watch. It’s very disco that way. You can even use this to answer calls.

There are 6 different colors to choose from: red, blue, green, purple, light blue, then the disco mode. Tap and hold the center area, to go to the white color mode. It comes on in low, tap again to go to medium, and again to go to high. The fourth tap has the white light in flashing/beat mode, and the 5th tap is off, for the light. You can just listen to music, audio books, videos, or anything you want via the Bluetooth speaker.  The sound and volume are pretty nice on this speaker. All types of music have been pretty clear, and enjoyable to listen to. The controls are on one side of the light, and the ports are on the opposite side of the speaker. You can listen to music, etc.. via an Aux cable, Bluetooth, or Micro SD card. You need to supply the micro SD card. This unit charges via the included micro USB cable. The Aux cable is also included. It does hold a pretty good charge with it’s 2200mAh internal battery, but can be used while plugged in. I like that feature. Not all Bluetooth speakers can be used while plugged in, I have found. I love the hanger option. You can hang it from your hood while working on your car. You can hang it in your tent for lighting, or from your umbrella at the beach, or backyard patio. It does not get hot to the touch, so it’s safe for your children to use.

LightingEver Lamp and Speaker 6

Overall, this is a fun, and very usable light/speaker. It has so many benefits, and can be used in many different ways. I have found it to be well made and durable. I, as usual, have dropped it quite a few times, lol. So, if you are slightly clumsy like me, you should be good with this product. It is a fun product to use. 

This product is available here for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS3LOXW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I received this product at a discount. All opinions are my own, and very honest.

 

 

Let there be Light – iTLTL’s Creative LED Desk Lamp & Night Light

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Lighting is an important feature for any home. I’m not talking about just regular overhead lighting, or even regular table lamps. One should always be prepared for emergencies, or just plain unplugged, fun. This Creative LED Desk Lamp & Night Light from iTLTL, fits into that category. This portable light can be used both plugged in, or plug free. It arrives with a USB power cord. So, first thing, charge it up. You will have to provide your own adapter.

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You can use it plugged in, or without, once it’s charged up. It doesn’t take long to charge enough to use it without the USB cord. I received the pale yellow lamp, but they have it in all white, too. It is such a simple light to operate, but it is very useful. I was a tad skeptical when I first pulled it out of the box. It seemed too lightweight, which was equivalent to being cheap, in my mind. I was quite wrong, and I am happy I was. With this light being so lightweight, it can easily be used for camping. If you used your own clip or cord, you could easily hang this from a tree, or from your tent. I weighed the lamp, and it only weighs 0.4lbs. One pound equals 16 ounces, so this light only weighs 6.4 ounces. Definitely light enough to pack out with. Another lightweight aspect of this light, is the power it uses. It only uses 2W of power. You really can’t go wrong with LEDs nowadays.

This light does not get hot to the touch when in use, at all. So, it is safe to have around your children and pets. This is a 3-function light. You can have the base illuminate like a lantern. You can use it as a desk type lamp, and you can dim the light to your desired brightness, in both settings. On the top of the light, there is a turn nob. You just turn it to your desired brightness, that’s it. When used as a lamp, just unhook, and pull up the arm. There is a diffuser on the LEDs, so it is eye friendly. This part gets only slightly warm to the touch. The head of the lamp is actually the light source for the entire light. When the arm is in the down position, the LED side rests flat against the body, which is the lantern portion. It illuminates the entire base as the lantern, when turned on. This design is what keeps it so lightweight, and portable. On the lowest setting the light can last around 40 hours on one charge.

My youngest has a real fear when it comes to the dark. So, we like to be prepared in our home for any power outages. We also, always, travel with a backup light source. We have been in a hotel before, where the power went out for a bit. Boy, did those backup light sources come in handy for us. This one will definitely be one we take on vacation this year. I love that it can stand on its’ own as both a lantern, and a desk lamp. It really makes it so much more useable than a regular flashlight. The neck of the lamp is very bendable, so you can really position task oriented light, really well. But, since it clips into the base firmly, it then becomes a great handle to both hang it, and carry it from. We are overall, realy pleased with this product.

If you would like to purchase this product, it is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ5GMV4

I received this as a sample, but all opinions are honest and my own.

LED Lighting from AglaiaDirect

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I love LED lighting. Be it solar, decorative, holiday, security, or regular indoor house lighting. It is leaps and bounds better then compact fluorescents. Compact fluorescents have powdered mercury in them. You cannot legally throw them away in your trash, and if broken, you actually have a hazardous situation on hand. My son broke one once in his room, goofing around. What a nightmare. You can’t vacuum it up, it goes airborne. Everything has to be done right. It was a good week, if not longer, before he was allowed o go back into his room. They even emit radiation. You can hold a Geiger counter up to one and will pick up a reading; very scary indeed. I still can’t believe that I put them in my kids’ rooms. So, as LEDs emerged on to the market, we were all scared off by the insanely high price. Now that more companies are involved in their production, the price on LED products, has come way down. They are so affordable now, and save you so much on your electric bill. I was shocked to see the difference, but I love it.

I was sent two lights to review from AglaiaDirect. Two LED lights. One is a clip-on task oriented, work light, and the other is a desk lamp. Both lights arrived nicely packaged, and in great working order. I was pleased to see that neither of the lights had any imperfections to them.

The desk lamp, Aglaia LT-T16 LED Rechargeable Desk Lamp, is a 3W lamp. It is definitely a must have to have in home, if only for an emergency too. It is a rechargeable lamp, with an internal 1000mAh battery. If your power goes out, this light will still work for you. It has three settings: low, medium, and high. The touch sensor, to operate it, is on the base of the lamp. First touch brings I on in low, the second moves it to medium, and the third ouch to the high setting. The fourth touch turns it off. I love how the light holds its charge, and can be used unattached from its USB power cord that is included. The one negative is that they did not include an adapter with this product. You can bring this light anywhere to work, and I really love that flexibility. The light can barely be adjusted to its side, but can really be adjusted in the up and down motions. The LED covering is frosted, so this light is very eye friendly. It emits a cool white light, rated 5500 – 6000K. I am not too fond of the cool white light in home. It can be too stark, and remind me of morgue lighting, lol. Since It has the nice covering over the LEDs, the light is actually user friendly. The bottom of this lamp has a soft, foam like material. It stays put pretty well, and won’t mar your furniture. There are actually 20 LEDs in this lamp, with a max output of 220 lumens. Up close and personal, as a able lamp, 220 lumens is quite bright. The average height of this lamp, with the neck bent over, is 13” tall. If you place the neck of the lamp straight up and down, then its’ max height is 18” tall. It’s a very usable size.

The Aglaia LED Desk Lamp with Clamp, is a 4W lamp. Another energy saver. My husband and older son are both commercial electricians and carpenters, wood workers. Having a work light is always needed. This is great task oriented lighting. The base of the light is a clamp. It is a very sturdy clamp indeed, and holds in place perfectly. The clamp is a durable, thick metal, and the inside of the clamp is lined with a foam padding to help keep it from marring your furniture. This light requires a regular outlet to be used. The power cord is separate, but attaches to the part of the cord that is attached to the lamp. The cord has a built in on/off witch. The lamp is a touch lamp, for operation. If you turn it off on the switch on the cord, then touch will not activate it. This is great for people with pets, and or kids. When the light is turned on via the switch on the cord, there is a red ring that turns on, on the base. I like that touch, very sporty, and has a cool factor to it. This entire base is ouch sensitive, so you can ouch it at any point to turn the actual light on. The first touch turns it on low, the second touch turns it on in medium mode, and the third touch turns it on in high mode. The fourth touch then turns the light off. The entire casing of this light is metal, and durable; Aluminum and Iron to be exact. The neck is very flexible, and makes it so easy to direct the light to where you need it. The light given off on this lamp falls into the 4000-4500K color temperature range. It has a fine diffuser on it, and is actually pretty comfortable to work with. It’s still in the cool range, but warmer than the other lamp. MY light meter, about a foot away from the light, had this lamp at 5500 lux, on average. It did move around, and my hand moved. They do not give a specific lumen count for this light. I have not had any issues with the gooseneck failing on me. It has been holding pretty well in the positions I set it in. Overall, I really like how user friendly this light is, as well as the low energy usage of 4W. It does function really well as a task oriented work light.

 

I received these two lights for free, in exchange for my unbiased and honest review. My opinion expressed is solely my own. I did not profit in any way from this review, or from any future sales of this product from my review.

These lights are available here from AglaiaDirect:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY95XGU

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYKZLPX

Snowflake simplicity. – SolarDukes’ Snowflakes Solar Powered Garden Stake Lights.

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The winter season is coming fast. Instead of just thinking of the ice cold weather that is coming, it’s fun to think of the decorations that surround the months, and the beauty and intricacy of the snowflake. Snowflakes are so beautiful. As children we are taught how to cut them out of paper, and to draw them as best as we can. They are just so beautiful. These particular solar lights from SolarDuke are really pretty too.

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I am loving how sensitive the newer solar panels are, for something so small. The solar panels on these lights are only as big as my palm, yet, I was actually able to charge one in my window, during Hurricane Mathew. We needed something bright and cheery with all the darkness, wind, and rain. These lights are actually yard stakes that you put together easily. They are fully weatherproof as well. They stand about 32” tall, and will go on by themselves at nighttime.

These are LED lights as well, and are rated to last about 100,000 hours. Fortunately, the internal battery is replaceable, because it won’t last as long as the LEDs, lol. They rotate through 7 beautiful colors, and because of the clear plastic snowflake design, really glow in such a mesmerizing way. Under each solar panel, you will see a switch to turn it on and off, as needed. Otherwise just slide the stakes together, to assemble them, and place them out in the sun. They will go on at night and be off by morning.

The snowflakes are made out of a clear plastic. But they are actually pretty thick, and a little bigger than my fist. This is a set of two, so they would be really pretty flanking a doorway, or a garage door, walkway, gateway, and more. You can order more than one set, and then place them in pots along your deck. I love that no electricity is required. Your electric bill will not go up. They are not hot to the touch, and they are not too bright, and shouldn’t keep you awake at night. I love, love, love them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, I’m sure you can tell by all of my gushing about them. These are a win, win for the winter season. They were a big hit in my household.

I received this at a discount. I was under no obligation to leave my honest and unbiased review. – Snowflakes Solar Powered Garden Stake Lights Color Changing Outdoor Decoration Lawn Patio Deck Yard Decor by SolarDuke

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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/B01LXZGT4A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#Elite1Reviews #AtADiscount

Yes, LEDs! – Innovative Goods’ Lux LED 60W Equivalent Light Bulb 6-Pack.

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750 lumen LED lightbulb set 6

Yea, LEDs. This lady loves LEDs, lol. Ever since we started switching over, and saw how much the electricity bill actually came down, I was hooked. That, and the fact that a while back, my older son, while goofing around with his friends, smashed a CFL bulb, in his room. Those bulbs have Mercury in them. Wow, did that freak me out. I threw so much stuff away. It took forever to clean, and he was banished from his room for over a week. Regular bulbs cost a lot to run, and shatter and make a dangerous mess. CFL bulbs are dangerous when broken, and can’t just be thrown away into the regular trash. That right there is a giant red flag not to own one. It turns out that they emit radiation also. I mean, geez, what were we thinking. The only logical bulb to have, is a LED bulb. Fortunately, they are finally coming down in price. I love this set I just received from Innovative Goods. It is their Lux LED set of 6 bulbs. Each bulb gives off 750 lumens of light, and is a 60W equivalent. These bulbs use 9W of power, which is a little more than some other 60W equivalent bulbs, but the light output is very, very bright! And, it is 51W less than a regular 60W bulb. That is a huge difference. Each bulb is also rated for 10,000 hours of usage. I removed two 60W bulbs from my fan, and placed these 2 bulbs in their place. The other lightbulb I have in my fan is a Bluetooth bulb, lol. Anyhow, I was so shocked at the difference in light. These are sooooo much brighter. They are truly 750 lumens. Thank goodness these bulbs are done with the white plastic covering. This light is easy on the eyes. The light is a warmer light. Not that stark morgue, looking light. On the Kelvin scale, they are rated at 2700K, which means it’s at the warmer of the white light scale. Another great benefit to these bulbs, at this price point, is that they are dimmable bulbs. Now, just because they are dimmable bulbs does not mean you will be able to dim them in your home. If you have an older dimming switch in your home, it is not LED compatible, and it won’t dim your bulbs. You’ll need to go to your local hardware store, and purchase a new LED dimmable switch. Those can dim regular bulbs as well. It turns out, a lot of people do not know this. These bulbs are plastic, not glass. So, not only won’t they shatter if your kid hits it with a toy, but they also do not have dangerous chemicals in them as well. I really like this set. My camera can’t do the light output justice. It immediately dims the light down to take the photo, unfortunately. That’s what happen with an automatic camera, which happens to be my phone, lol. 

I received this, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Innovative Goods’ Lux LED® 60W Equivalent Light Bulb 6-Pack – 750 Lumen Energy Efficient & Dimmable.

750 lumen LED lightbulb set 7

If you would like to purchase these bulbs, they can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GIPP3SY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The best pans! – 8″ Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri.

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Yes, I love Ozeri pans. They are absolutely fantastic. I have been using them for about a solid year now, if not longer, and they are fantastic. I received this 8” Green Earth frying pan to review. It is perfect for a single person, or if you are just cooking for one that day. But, I love to use this pan for omelets. We make small ones at a time, per person, in our family. These have the most unique finish on them, that seems to be taking off with copycats nowadays. It has a ceramic, nonstick coating. So not your usual, not good for you, nonstick finish. They use what is called Greblon Ceramic. It is from Germany, from nature, and is 100% PTFE, PFOA and APEO free. So, it is very healthy and eco-friendly as well. The pan is also made out of a heavy gauge die-cast aluminum. There are no heavy metals involved. You also don’t have to worry about any chemicals as well. These are extremely important qualities to me. I suffer from extreme food and more, allergies and suffer frequent, frequent, anaphylactic reactions. I also have to cook everything from scratch, and do the majority of cooking in our home. I really can’t tolerate inferior cookware because of all of this. These pans are truly a joy to cook with. They have a real solid feel to them. They are not thin, lightweight pans that will burn half your food, while the other have is raw, lol. I think we have all owned pans like that. These cook very evenly.

However, if you stove is not level, and your burner has issues, this pan is not magical, ok. The handle is also a thick metal, and has a silicon covering over most of the handle. It has great heat resistance, and affords a really great grip. A good enough grip to attempt the omelet flip. The handles is riveted onto the pan, and very firmly done. The inside of the pan has a beehive pattern texture to it. This helps afford the even cooking this pan gives you. Another key feature is the base of the pan. It’s pretty high tech looking. The bottom of the pan is a magnetized bottom. It allows for rapid heat transfer that an induction stove offers. So, yes, these pans are even induction stove friendly. So, if you can’t afford an induction stove, but have splurged for a single burner induction stove for traveling, and back up. Then, you can use this pan on that. That is what we have, lol; the single burner. They do offer these pans in other sized besides the 8” I just tested.

They have something for everyone. This is really a great quality pan. I can’t say that enough. Even though cleanup is a breeze, make sure you use a degreasing top of soap on it. If you have buildup, you will minimize the awesome nonstick feature. Also, you want to make sure you use nonabrasive sponges and soap on this as well, to protect the cooking surface. The pans I have had for around a year now, are all in perfect condition. I hand wash everything, and haven’t had any break down in any part of my pans. I use Dawn dish soap on mine, and that works great. Overall this is a very sturdy, well made pan. It offers great, even nonstick cooking. I really can’t say enough positive about it. I absolutely love it.

 

I received this, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – 8″ Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri, with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating from Germany (100% PTFE, PFOA and APEO Free).

If you would like to purchase this great pan, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005470CB6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fresh brewed at your table. – Cucina Tools’ ilFiltro Premium Stainless Steel Pour Over Coffee Dripper (2cup).

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I have definite coffee nuts in my home. They definitely prefer fresh brewed too. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to get that, and especially if you travel and work. We have and use a pour over coffee drip, on occasion. So, I know what I’m looking at. This particular product from Cucina Tools is a pretty stable product to use. This one in particular, is a 2 cup drip. They do also have it available in a 4 cup, if that’s what you need. This one is made out of 18/8 stainless steel, and the quality of construction is pretty sturdy. It’s thicker than the one I already have and use, so I am impressed with that. I love stainless in the kitchen. It is the material of choice of professional kitchens. It is durable, and easy to clean. It does not naturally harbor bacteria, fungus, or mold. And in case you are not used to dealing with stainless. It won’t alter the flavor of your coffee at all. You also don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your coffee with stainless. To use this coffee drip, you will need a stable mug to rest this on. You will also have to have access to hot water. For example, a microwave or hot water dispenser. After you get your mug ready, and place the coffee drip on top of it, add your coffee grounds to the drip. Then, slowly pour your hot water into the drip. It won’t all fit at one time, since it has to move slowly through your coffee. Even though metal picks up the temperature it’s introduced too, they have a silicone cover on the handle, so it’s safe and easy to remove the drip when it’s finished. Then, just knock the grounds into the trash, or compost bin. Wash it, and you’re done. It only takes a couple minutes for the coffee to be ready. If you grind your own grounds, do a coarser ground. The holes are real tiny, and you don’t have a large risk of grounds making their way into your coffee anyhow, though. It has a double layer of ultra-fine, stainless steel mesh. It really lets the flavor of the coffee be the show. Your cup of coffee will be more favorable then a regular coffee machine. But then, I do grind my own coffee too. The one con this coffee drip has going for it, is also a benefit. The silicone ring around the base that rests on your mug, comes off easily when washing it. That is the negative. It is really, really hard to get back on. The base is circular, so it wants to constantly pop off, as you are working it back on. But, it really allows for a stable position of the coffee drip, which is really important. They need to tweak the design a little. Overall, it’s a great working coffee drip. It’s durable, and makes a great cup of Joe.

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I received this, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Cucina Tools’ ilFiltro Premium Stainless Steel Pour Over Coffee Dripper (2cup).

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon. – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I0GVTE6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Shopping in style – No. 1 Supplements’ Trolley Bags Pack Of 4 with Insulated Cooler Bag.

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I have been seeing those really cool shopping cart organizer bags for a while now. They are really an organizers dream. I have been wanting to see one in person. Get my hands on one, myself, to see what they are really about. So many things look great in ads, but then when you see them in person – meh! Well, now that I have one to try out, I still think they are so cool! They really are. This is a set of 4 bags. When they arrive, you need to unroll them, and ten just organize them. They have the handles all tucked into the Velcro, to make it a tighter roll, easier to ship. Once it’s organized, you can roll it up, and Velcro it shut. If you do it right, then when you get to the store, you can just open it up, and roll out the bags onto the carts’ sides. It really is that easy. The 4 bags are all pretty large, and one of them is an insulated bag for your frozen, and perishable goods. The bags are not all the same size. The Orange is the largest, and wraps around all of the other bags, when you are done with them. Then comes the green bag, then the red bag, and last but not least, the blue insulated bag. Each bag has Velcro along its’ sides to connect them to each other. They all have their own handles as well, for carrying them into the house, after your shopping is done. The only bag that velcros shut is the blue, insulated bag, that is to help ensure that your goodies stay cold. However, it can only be shut for the trip home, if you do not have that much in it. Unfortunately, they did not incorporate a flap closure, to allow more product in the bag. Maybe, with feedback, they will alter that. If you are handy, you can also make one for the bag. The material is thick and sturdy. It’s not a natural fabric at all, but since it reduces the waste, by alleviating the need for so many disposable bags, is still highly eco-friendly. The bottom halves of the three, non-insulated bags, is made out of a mesh material. Very reminiscent of beach bags. This helps to keep the weight down of each bag, and allows airflow to the food, which is important for produce. As it is, since the bags are pretty large, they will not be good for those with physical impairments, where it’s harder to handle a heavier bag. For example, my older mother, could not carry these larger bags full of food.

          Orange bag is 21” wide, 20” long, and 11” deep

          Green bag is 19” wide, 19” long, and 9 ½” deep

          Red bag is 15 ¾” wide, 8” deep

          Blue Insulated bag is 13 ½” wide, 15” long, and 7 ½” deep

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I measured the bags, and got these measurements myself. For example on how much can fit in the orange bag: 6 2 liter Diet Coke Bottles and 1 large 3L bottle of Cranberry Juice. All of the plastic dowels, sewn into the bags, are 26” long. They are weatherproof, and sturdy, and rest along the basket sides, really well. If you break one, they are replaceable. They left the underside of the bar area open. So, you could easily remove the broken one, and replace it with another. You can always at least find wood dowels at the hardware store. I am very happy and impressed with these overall. The company even offers a lifetime money back guarantee! That’s pretty impressive. You do not always have to use these bags as a set, either. Just un-velcro one, and use it at will. They store so easily in home and in car. They are just too handy. FYI – My husband was actually stopped leaving the store using these, by someone who was in awe and in love with these Trolley Bags.

I received these, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – No. 1 Supplements’ Trolley Bags Pack Of 4 with Insulated Cooler Bag.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EUDRB4A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

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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 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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