Product review: AZGIANT Wine Stopper

We are not big drinkers and tend not to finish a bottle of wine in one sitting.  I've used quite a few wine stoppers and this one is one the nicest I have tried.  It is metal and has a nice heavy fill to it (2.8 oz on my digital scale).  It flairs out at the top, making it easy to remove when it makes a tight seal because it is easy to grasp.

It comes with a spare seal.  The white seal is already on the bottle, and if it wears out I can replace it with the black spare seal.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Bluetooth Headset by Srhythm

Srhythm headphones can be used both as wired headphones and Bluetooth wireless headphones. I thought the sound was equally good in both modes, and I could make the loudness as loud in both modes. I normally listen to the headphone with the sound down about halfway. Otherwise, it is too loud for me.   The Bluetooth range is very good with the phone resting on the desk. I can walk away about 20 feet until the sound starts breaking up occasionally.  I use them at work and able to walk to the bathroom and back with music playing all the way.

The headset is very comfortable, the cups are made out of soft foam and they fit over my ears. It can be adjusted in so many ways, and it feels very comfortable for both my husband and me, even though our heads are shaped very differently. I am able to wear computer glasses and earrings with headphones.  Some days at work I wear it all day long. If the headphones are heavy, my head/neck gets tired from the extra weight, but these have been working just fine they are not heavy.

While being super comfortable, sound isolation is not 100% without music. The comfort is comparable to my husband's Bose headset, but not the sound isolation in Bose is better (but at a much higher price).

To test the sound, I listened to several pieces of music I use to test headphones. Using the same piece of music allows me to compare different headphones in "apples to apples" comparison. As a stress test for the base, I use Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. There are several sections in Toccata which some headphones cannot handle they crackle or sound muddy.  Srhythm headphones did very well. The sound was crisp, and the base was impressive.

I had no problem pairing the headphones with my mobile devices for listening to music. To pair I needed to push down the on/off button until the light began flicking red/blue. Then the phone detected "NC75 Pro" and connected.  It also worked well with my laptop's Bluetooth.

I am using the phone in an office environment to cover up the noises from loud neighbors so sometimes I wear these headphones all day long and they feel comfortable, and the charge lasts all day long.  I recharge them every night.  The headphones have voice confirmation for power on, power off, and Bluetooth connection.

Overall, they do an excellent job, and I have been very pleased.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm, Pomegranate with Beeswax and Fruit

Burt's Bees Pink grapefruit is my favorite lip balm, so when I saw Burt's Bees pomegranate (new to me flavor) I was eager to try it.  It did not disappoint.

Burt's Bees lip balm is colorless moisturizing lip balm and it combines everything I was looking for - taste and longevity.  The pomegranate flavor is subtle, not like earing a candy, it is just hint of the pomegranate flavor.

The content is soft enough to make it easy to spread, but not too soft that is smeared too much balm on the lips.

Ingredients:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut), Beeswax, Ricinus Communis Seed.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Burt's Bees Kids Toothpaste, Natural Flavor with Fluoride, Fruit Fusion

I do not like the flavor of mint, so I purchased "Fruit Fusion" by Burt Bees.  This is the first Burt Bees product I did not like.  The flavor has a mint flavor with a sweet undertone. Very disappointing.

The desing of the tube is nice: it can stand on its cap and closes well.  It comes sealed.  It contains fluoride.  But if you looking for mint free toothpaste, don't buy it.  This toothpaste has an unpleasant flavor, not fruity at all.  It is minty and slightly sweet.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: La Sera stainless steel pot with glass cover

I found La Sera stainless steel pot in TJ Maxx. It has a glass cover with a vent and a totally flat bottom that works for any cooktop.  The handles (top and cover) have silicone covers, but they still get hot, and I cannot lift the pot without gloves.
The TJ Maxx price is $24.99. Precisely what I was hoping for - a large stainless steel pot at a reasonable price.

Note: Interestingly enough, this pot is NOT sold on Amazon (at least no under La Sera name).

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Kotex Security Regar Size U Pad

I have been a Kotex user for many years.  In the last few years, I have been less satisfied with it because adhesive did not come off cleanly; it left goo on my panties, and often the tears when I try to remove it. 


The local CVS store did not the long size of Kotex Security pads I prefer, so I got the regular size.  The regular size pad is 9 inches long.  In the attached photo, I show it on 1/2" grid for size reference.


This pad is comfortable with good absorption, and it is reasonably priced.  CVS often has really good coupons for Kotex pads.  However, the adhesive is not as good as other brands and needs to be improved.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Digital Alarm Clock + Power Strip + USB Charger

I got this hub for work, where I have limited desk space.  This hub gives me three things I need: AC extensions, USB outlets, and a clock. The ANCEO hub is 4.5" x 4.5" in size. It has three AC outlets and four USB outlets.  The front of the hub is a digital clock and alarm.

The clock can be dimmed or totally turned off if the clock functionality is not needed.  This hub has a battery compartment if one desires to have a backup for time settings if there is a power outage. It takes two AAA batteries. Batteries are not included. Batteries are only needed during a power outage to preserve time settings. I use the hub without the batteries.

USB port specifications: 45V/Max 2.4A per port

Overall, a pretty nice hub, especially if space is at a premium.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Rogue Lawyer: A Novel, by John Grisham

I am a big John Grisham fan and enjoyed many of his books.  I thought this book was a fun read, especially because it unpredictably does not end with a positive outcome.

The author takes us through several cases each one a mystery of its own, the action is fast-moving, and the main is a defense attorney who represents clients who are bad guys and he himself sometimes pushes ethical boundaries to defend his seedy clients.

I listened to the audio cd of this book with Mark Deokins narrating.  I thought he did an excellent job giving each character in the book their own voice.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Powerslife Dimmable Eye-Care LED Desk Lamp

I won several LED lamps; most of them have touch control switches where just touching them turns the light on and off.  This one is a little different, it actually requires to hold the on/off button for a second or so. Once it is on changing the brightness requires just a touch.  The light is fairly bright (bright enough to read under); with that said, it is not the brightness desk lamp I own.  In the attached video, you can see the brightness level, especially when I zoom in on the text in a book.

This is medium-size task light.  It has 4 levels of brightness from very dim to fairly light, as you can see in my video.  This lamp does not cast a very large spotlight, it does not cover my entire table, but it does light up my entire large-format book shown in the video.

The lamp has a black glossy finish, which attracts fingerprints. It has a nice diffuser, and looking at the lamp even on the brightest setting does not hurt.  It does a nice job preventing ghosting (i.e., preventing showing multiple shadows).  In my video, you can see a pen directly under the light and just one shadow. Many of my other LED desk lights show multiple shadows.

The base of the lamp is 6" x 5". The neck of the lamp is 13" tall, and the length of the panel is 11.5".   The neck has a lot of flexibility in from being horizontal to the desk surface, to be able to title backward about 8 degrees.  My lamp did not stay in the position I put it in, it slowly went down.  However, tightening the screws in the base of the neck fixed the problem.  AC cable is 79".

The lamp is powered by a detachable USB cord that has an AC plug. But because it can run on any USB cord, it means I can also run the lamp from a power bank, which is often very useful because I can use the lamp without having an AC outlet nearby.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.
Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Tiny Flashlight + LED

Thanks to the other reviews I paid attention to the permissions this app required and even though I liked the application I uninstalled it. Why does the app that just turns on the light need full internet access, the right to read & write to sd card, and monitor the phone? To gather information about you...

No thanks.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Book review: False Impression Audible Audiobook by Jeffrey Archer

This book kept on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  The story is about art theft but has events of 911 in incredibly realistic and breathtaking details.  Jeffrey Archer made me feel I was there better than any other account I have read.  The story takes many twists and turns, and I was riding the roller coaster the entire way.  What a great book!

Jeffrey Archer is one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint.

I listened to the audiobook and I thought Byron Jennings did an excellent job.  His narration brought the story to life.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★



Kane & Abel
1. Kane & Abel (1979)
2. The Prodigal Daughter (1982)
3. Shall We Tell the President? (1977)


Year of Short Stories
The Grass Is Always Greener (2000)
Cheap at Half the Price (2011)
Christina Rosenthal (2011)
Clean Sweep Ignatius (2011)
The Queen's Birthday Telegram (2011)
In the Eye of the Beholder (2011)
No Room at the Inn (2011)
One Man's Meat (2011)
The Endgame (2017)
The Man Who Robbed His Own Post Office (2018)
Caste-Off (2018)
Too Many Coincidences (2018)
Charity Begins at Home (2018)
High Heels (2018)
Crime Pays (2018)
Don't Drink the Water (2018)
Members Only (2018)
Other Blighters' Efforts (2018)
The Luck of the Irish (2018)

Clifton Chronicles
1. Only Time Will Tell (2011)
2. The Sins of the Father (2012)
3. Best Kept Secret (2013)
4. Be Careful What You Wish For (2014)
5. Mightier Than the Sword (2015)
6. Cometh the Hour (2016)
7. This Was a Man (2016)


William Warwick Chronicle
1. Nothing Ventured (2019)


Novels
Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less (1976)
First Among Equals (1984)
A Matter of Honour (1986)
As the Crow Flies (1991)
Honour Among Thieves (1993)
The Fourth Estate (1996)
The Eleventh Commandment (1998)
Sons of Fortune (2002)
False Impression (2005)
A Prisoner of Birth (2008)
Paths of Glory (2009)
Heads You Win (2018)

Product review: True Lemon Bulk Dispenser Pack, 100 Count by True Citrus

I love lemon in my tea, but somehow often those lemons turn into a moldy mess before I use the entire lemon.  I have tried lemon juice in a bottle but was never satisfied with the taste.  True Lemon came up as Amazon's recommendation when I purchased something else and given the strong reviews I tried.  Yes, I agree. It tastes very natural. One package is just the right amount for a large cup of tea.

I purchased the Bulk Dispenser. The box has an opening from which the packages can be removed.  Each package is foiled lined.  The expiration date on my package is  2 years in the future.

The list of ingredients on my box shows three things: citric acid, lemon oil, lemon juice.

The package has only the lemon flavor, it is not sweet.  I add sugar to my tea just the same as if squeezed some lemon into it.  The content of the package is small crystals, less than a tablespoon. In the attached photo, I show the content of one package in a teaspoon.

Overall, I am very pleased. Nice natural taste.  I recently made my fourth purchase of the 100 count pack.  Good stuff!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence by Bill O'Reilly's

I found this book interesting and educational.  I learned small details I did not know before.  The author does a great job of making history as exciting as a modern-day thriller.  The story follows many of the people who are part of our history (Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, Jefferson, LaFollette, Marion, Arnold...) and I had a hard time putting it down.

I listened to the audio version of the book where the narrating duties are brilliantly shared by Robert Petkof and Bill O'Reily.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: YOOWL Winter convertable Gloves Mittens with Thinsulate Insulation Unisex

I got the black tweed gloves, size small.  They are true to size and fit perfectly.  The gloves have open fingertips that can be covered with a flap to convert them into mittens and keep my hands warm.  The flap stays open by being held down by a Velcro strip to the top of the glove. Inside the glove is Thinsulate thermal insulation, which is soft and pleasant to touch in addition to adding warmth.  Thinsulate is made by 3M. The gloves are knitted out of wool, so they are not waterproof. The palm is covered by pseudo suede material, so the grip is pretty good.

Here are the measurements of the small size gloves:
~ the width of the glove measure just above the thumb on the outside of the glove is 4"
~ the length of the thumb of the glove is 2 3/4"
~ the length of the flap at the center is 4"
~ the cuff is 2" long

So overall, very nice gloves.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector (USELESS!)

If you are looking for a product to remove dark spots (sunspots), this product does not help. It is pleasant in texture and odor-free. It is absorbed well and does not leave the skin shiny as some other preparations. The skin is left softer after the application. However, it has no effect on dark spots.
After using the serum for many months with no visible results, I saw a dermatologist and asked her if there is any chance that this serum will work. She said no. She said, freezing the skin where the spots are however is very effective. I went ahead and told her to do the freezing. Several weeks later, my spots were totally gone, there is not even a faint mark where they were. It cost me $25 per spot (insurance does not cover it since it is cosmetic). For a week it looked like I had a couple of pimples until the skin totally healed. If any spots appear again, I will do the freezing again. I can't tell where the old spots used to be.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: MOSFiATA 8" Chef's Knife with Finger Guard and Knife Sharpener

This is an excellent knife!  The handle has a nice shape I am finding it very comfortable to hold.  It is sharp, cuts well and is easy to handle. It has a nice feel overall, and a good weight; not to heavy and not too light

This knife had been used every day, cooking for almost two weeks. I use it to cut everything: vegetables, meat, fruit. It remained sharp, I do not see any imperfections or dents.  I am quite pleased with it.  In the attached video, you can see it in action.

The knife has a beautiful pattern on the blade. This is because the knife's blade is made out of laminated stainless steel. German stainless steel that resists rust and discoloration. The use of laminated steel improves the strength and rust resistance of the blade (and it looks beautiful).

The package includes a finger, a blade guard, and a blade sharpener.  I never had much luck with blade sharpeners, but I like having a blade guard and plan to learn how to use a finger guard.

A note on the packaging. I don't often comment on packaging unless there is something special about it. This knife comes in a beautiful packaging, the box packing is sculpted to the knives shape and is made out of red velvety material. The presentation of the knife is suited for a gift.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: GUM Super Tip Toothbrush, Full Medium Bristles with Bonus Proxabrush Go-Between

My dentist has been recommending and giving Gum toothbrushes for years... until this year.  This year he switched to another brand and I realized how much I love my Gum toothbrushes.  For the first time in many many years, I went out and bought a toothbrush even though he gave me another brand for free.  I like the shape of the brush, the texture of the bristles, and even how the brush's handle feels in my hand.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★