Product review: Spring Step L’Artiste Women’s Chino Leather Clog - Lovely and comfortable

 I had my eye on these clogs for a while, but I was afraid to buy them without trying them on first. This weekend I took a trip to a large shoe store that carries Spring Step L'Artiste shoes. When I first stepped into them, I was blown away by how comfortable they were. The sole had soft foam padding, and the arch support felt strong and comfortable. I could not believe such attractive shoes could also feel this good. It was the best first impression ever.

I also tried the Lebora flats, which looked cute but did not have the same good arch support (you can see them on left of the photo). Even though they were cute, I left them behind. The Chino clogs were a winner, though. I wear a 7.5, and the fit was exactly right.

You can find these clogs on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★    

Review of Spring Step L’Artiste Women’s Chino Leather Clog  

Product review: JBU by Jambu Women's Mavis Comfortable Flats

 

This weekend I took a trip to a large shoe store that carries Spring Step L'Artiste shoes, because I wanted to try them on before buying. Before I even got to the Spring Step L'Artiste section, I saw these JBU by Jambu Women's Mavis flats. They looked super comfortable, so I decided to try them on.

I loved them right away, and even though I had come to the store to try a different brand, I ended up buying these as well. I see that Amazon has a better price than what I paid at the store, but I guess I can think of the difference as a surcharge for being able to try them on first. I wear size 7.5, and they were true to size.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★    

Review of JBU by Jambu Women's Mavis 

Product review: Alfalfa Seeds – Non-GMO Organic Sprout for Growing, Resealable Bag, Homegrown Sprouting Seeds

 

 

I bought this bag of alfalfa seeds for my home sprout-growing kit. I have grown three batches so far, and the seeds have been doing great. I do not see any seeds that have not germinated.

I use one tablespoon of seeds and follow the instructions I found on the internet for growing sprouts: one overnight soak, followed by three days of twice-a-day rinsing while keeping the jar covered, followed by 2-3 days of keeping the jar uncovered but out of direct sun, with twice-a-day rinsing.

Once the sprouts are ready, I dry them and store them in the refrigerator in a covered plastic box lined with a paper towel to absorb any moisture. They remain fresh and crisp for a week.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Nature Jims Alfalfa Seeds  

Product review: Seed Sprouting Jar Kit. Jars with 316 Stainless Steel Lids, Drip Tray and Stand (video review)

 

I have been using this kit for about a month and have harvested 3 sprout crops. I selected 316 steel because it stands up to rust best, and I also wanted a kit with blackout sleeves.

I purchased the alfalfa seeds separately. I use one tablespoon of seeds and follow the instructions I found on the internet for growing sprouts: one overnight soak, followed by three days of twice-a-day rinsing while keeping the jar covered, followed by 2-3 days of keeping the jar uncovered but out of direct sun, with twice-a-day rinsing.

Once the sprouts are ready, I dry them and store them in the refrigerator in a covered plastic box lined with a paper towel to absorb any moisture. They remain fresh and crisp for a week.

I found that I actually do not need two jars. I use one jar and start growing the next batch when I know I am close to finishing the previous batch.

Everything fits and works perfectly. I have only one minor complaint: the neoprene sleeve has a smell, which I can still smell a month later despite washing the sleeves several times.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of SBMKK Seed Sprouting Jar Kit

Product review: FALKE womens Tk5 Short Women Socks, thin wool socks

 

This is my first experience with FALKE socks, but it will not be the last. I wear size 7.5 shoes and got the 6.5-7.5 sock size. They fit perfectly: snug, but not too tight or too small.

These are super comfortable socks for warm weather. Ruby 8830 is a beautiful deep color. I am very happy with this purchase.

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

Review of FALKE womens Tk5 Short Women Socks 

Product review: Scotch Wrinkle-Free Glue Sticks, 2 Pac

 

 

I am using this glue stick on paper. It works as expected: holds well and is easy to apply. It is exactly what I expected.

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

Review of Scotch glue stick  

Product review: Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper w/Luxury Cover - Soft - 3 Inch - Sleep on Latex

 I purchased the soft 3" Sleep On Latex topper with the luxury cotton cover to go on top of a brand new 100% latex mattress. The mattress had been rated medium firm and felt comfortable in the store, but turned out to be a bit too firm once we started sleeping on it. The topper softened the surface nicely without changing the overall feel of latex that I like—supportive and springy, rather than the sinking sensation of memory foam. It's soft enough to make the bed more comfortable, yet still easy to roll over and get out of bed.

Queen-size 3" topper weighs 34 pounds, so it is pretty heavy. The cotton cover makes it a bit easier to move around, which is needed for rotating it.

The luxury cotton cover is the same one they sell separately for $90. It zips all the way around, and the fabric on the bottom is different from the top. Even though it is different, it does not have a non-slip surface like some toppers I've had in the past, but the weight of the topper seems to keep it from sliding around.

It arrived compressed and wrapped in plastic film. The plastic film doesn't need to be cut open, so there's no risk of damaging the topper, just unwrapped. Once opened, it had no odor and expanded quickly to about 2" thickness. Overnight it reached the advertised 3" thickness.

Overall, the topper is comfortable and solved the problem of my too-firm mattress.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper w/Luxury Cover 3 inch soft

Product review: Kitchen Aid Blender Repair Kit - Coupler replacement

 

My trusty KitchenAid blender was still running strong, but the coupler on the base had worn out and crumbled. Instead of buying a new blender, I found a replacement kit that came with two couplers and a thin wrench. This kit worked perfectly!

To replace the part, I first had to remove the old coupler. I used the skinny wrench included in the kit to hold the old coupler in place and I used a 10-inch pipe wrench to grip the metal base and turned it clockwise to loosen and remove it. The channel lock wrench did not open wide enough to do the job, but the pipe wrench made it much easier.

Installing the new coupler was a breeze. I placed the new part on the post and turned it counter-clockwise to tighten it. I used the pipe wrench to finish tightening, but was careful not to over-tighten. My blender is now working like new!

9704230 Blender Coupler with Spanner Kit Replacement Parts Compatible with KitchenAid KSB5WH KSB5 KSB3 Driver available on Amazon for under $8!
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★



Review of Kitchen Aid Blender Repair Kit

Product review: Bosane Waterproof Queen Mattress Protector Breathable Cooling 3D Air Fabric Mattress Cover

 

I like:

1. The elastic goes all the way to the edge of the skirt and tightens well around my 8" mattress.  It even works well with just a 4" topper. I put the protector and sheet just on the topper, not both the mattress and topper, since it’s easier with our deep platform bed. The strong elastic still tightened well around the topper despite the long skirt.

2. The textured top feels nice. I like it more than the terry-cloth ones I’ve used before. The fabric is 38% Bamboo Rayon and 62% Polyester.

3. It’s completely waterproof. I tested it by pouring 1 cup of water on it, and nothing got through.

4. I machine-washed it in cold water and dried it on a cool setting (122℉) per stated instructions.

5. There’s no crinkling noise when I move on it.

6. It had no smell when I opened the box.

7. It is priced competitively when I examined many different options.

I do not like:

Nothing so far. I’ll post updates if anything changes.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Bosane Waterproof Queen Mattress Protector

Product review: Ergonomic Lower Back Support, Office Chair Cushion, Posture Corrector, Mesh, Black by Mind Reader

 

While wandering around Rockport, Mass, I spotted four chairs with these mesh back supports and a sign saying, "Sit, relax your back." I gave one a try, and wow, it felt amazing! I grabbed my phone, used the "Lens" feature to figure out what they were, and ended up on the Amazon page that sold them.

I just got my set of back supports, and they're just as comfortable as they were on that first try. The box comes with four supports: two pairs tied together, each pair in a separate plastic bag. I initially thought I only got two supports, but I quickly realized that the two were just nestled into each other, and I got all four, as stated in the description.

These supports have a wider and narrower side, so you get two different angles to play with. Some chairs feel better one way, others the opposite, depending on the backrest's angle. It's super handy for switching between chairs and keeping that comfortable vibe wherever I sit!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Mind Reader Ergonomic Lower Back Support

Product review: LSK Metal Sunglasses Organizer, round organizer, fits 16 sunglasses

 

The sunglasses stand lived up to my expectations. It holds 12 to 16 pairs, depending on their width, and has been a great space-saver compared to laying my sunglasses flat. I like matching the color of my sunglasses to my outfits, and this stand keeps them organized and accessible.

Putting it together was simple, just screwing in two screws, and I was glad to find an extra screw included in the package (just in case). I noticed that rotating the stand loosens the screws, which makes it wobble. Instead, I lift and turn the whole stand by hand, which keeps it stable. This stand works well for organizing my sunglasses collection.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of LSK Metal Sunglasses Organizer

Product review: Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles

 

I've been using grow bags for my tomatoes and cucumbers for about six years now. They work very well, draining well even during the wettest summers. While my neighbors struggled with poor tomato growth due to excessive rains two years ago, my plants thrived. I use a drip irrigation system to water them, so dryness hasn’t been an issue either.

One lesson I’ve learned is to steer clear of grow bags with canvas handles, as they tear after a single season outdoors. Instead, I choose bags with handles made from the same material as the bag itself. These have proven durable, lasting for years without breaking down. That’s why I opted for these particular bags.


You can find these bags on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags

Product review: Worx Zipsnip Cordless Electric Scissors Cardboard Cutter Plastic Cutter

 

I chose the Worx electric cutter for several reasons:

    1: I watched several comparison reviews that showed the Worx cutter requiring less effort to cut than other brands. Its strong motor significantly reduces the force needed for smooth cutting.
    2: Blade Quality: Worx is a well-known brand that offers replacement blades. The high-quality, sharp blades make cutting take less effort.
    3: Unlike some cutters with rounded guides, the Worx features a flat guide at the bottom. This allows me to rest the cutter on a cutting mat and slide the cardboard into it, producing straight, accurate cuts. While it’s possible to hold the Worx cutter in the air, I find this less secure and prone to cut lines that curve.
    4. Reasonably lightweight: The cutter weighs 14.65 oz; I find it easy to handle, even during extended use.
    5: The cutter comes with a spare blade, a carrying case, and a charger. However, the charger uses a proprietary round connector with an 8W output, which is less convenient than a universal USB-C port used by some other cutters. However, this is a minor drawback.
    6: The handle is comfortable to hold. To operate, you must press both a lock-out switch and a trigger switch simultaneously, preventing accidental activation. As someone with smaller hands, I can’t reach the lock-out switch with my thumb while holding the trigger. Instead, I hold the cutter with my right hand, pressing the trigger at the bottom of the cutter, and use a finger on my left hand to briefly press the lock-out switch to start. Once the cutter is activated, I don’t need to hold the lock-out switch. This was not clear to me from reading the instructions before purchase, and I worried a bit about how exactly it would work. It turns out that this extra button push is not a problem.

The cutter needed to be charged before first use. It took four hours for the red charging indicator to turn green.

I purchased this cutter to break down cardboard boxes for my composter. It glides through cardboard effortlessly, like cutting through butter. I used to use regular manual scissors. Let me tell you, this is a lot easier.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★

Review of Worx Zipsnip Cordless Electric Scissors

Product review: Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss, Dentist-Designed Oral Care

 

My dental hygienist recommended Cocofloss, and I was amazed by its performance. After using my regular Glide floss, I tried this product and was shocked to see it remove significantly more plaque, even when I thought I'd already done a thorough job with Glide floss. I'm now a convert.

This floss is marketed as "expandable" floss. I thought it should be called "contractable" instead because it actually contracts to slip between my tightly spaced teeth without threading. Then it hugs the teeth closely, providing a superior clean compared to Glide.

However, not everything is rosy. The floss is expensive, and while it comes in a large container, the spool itself is only one inch in diameter, containing 33 yards (1,188 inches). I use 15 inches per session and floss twice daily, totaling 30 inches a day. This means one spool lasts approximately 39 days.

I was also disappointed by the flavor. I chose the orange option, expecting a citrus taste, but the floss is essentially flavorless, the only thing that is orange is the color. This wasn't a dealbreaker, as I'm fine with unflavored floss, but it was not what I expected.

Despite the cost and lack of flavor surprise, the exceptional cleaning power makes this floss worth repurchasing. It's now a staple in my dental routine.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss

Product review: Square Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids, 32 oz, 4 pack

 

I’ve been using these containers for two months now, and they’ve proven to be highly effective. Their square shape makes them ideal for efficient storage in the freezer, maximizing space with ease. The 32-ounce capacity is perfect for my needs, and the set of four containers is just right for storing leftover soup from my Dutch oven. I love that they’re made of glass. It feels safe for food storage, lets me see what’s inside at a glance, and allows me to reheat the soup directly in the container.

Ali Julia review of Square Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron & Ceramic Stoneware Care Kit

 

The cleaner solution does an excellent job removing stubborn stains, especially at the top around the rim. The brush works well not only on enameled cast iron but also on the grooved surface of my Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro. The scraper is comfortable to hold.

The pot protectors are the same as those that came with the original Lodge Enameled Pot, so these are "backups" in case I lose some.

Overall, very nice - it helps me keep my cookware clean.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Lodge Enameled Cast Iron & Ceramic Stoneware Care Kit

Product review: Scotch-Brite Gentle Clean Delicate Scrub Sponges Pink, no scratch, enameled Dutch oven

 

I  like Scotch-brite pink scrubber. I use it on an enameled Dutch oven, stainless steel frying pan, and Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro frying pan. It is doing a great job on all surfaces, getting the fried on food off without damaging the surface of my cookware. Note that Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro has grooves, and I typically use a brush with bristles to get into the grooves, but this sponge also worked decently.

I have been using the scrubber for several weeks; it is staying together. I am happier with it than the yellow/green Scotch-Brite scrubber I used in the past.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Scotch-Brite Gentle Clean Delicate Scrub Sponges Pink

Product review: Mr. Scrub All-Purpose Sponges, Non Scratch for enameled Dutch oven

 

Excellent scrubber. I use it on an enameled Dutch oven, stainless steel frying pan, and Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro frying pan. It is doing a great job on all surfaces, getting the fried on food off without damaging the surface of my cookware.

The scrubbers are shipped compressed, and are revived with water. They puff up after being watered.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Mr. Scrub All-Purpose Sponges, Non Scratch

Book review: America's Test Kitchen cookbook, The Skillet: 200+ Simpler Ways to Make Just About Anything

 

As I've come to expect from America's Test Kitchen cookbooks, this collection of recipes is excellent.
It's well-organized, and the instructions are very clear, making it easy to follow along. Each recipe has at least one photo, sometimes more. I appreciate that they explain the science behind each recipe, which adds a layer of understanding to the cooking process. I've picked up a few new techniques along the way, and the index is a real time-saver for finding recipes based on what I have available. Overall, it's a solid addition to my cookbook collection.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of The Skillet: 200+ Simpler Ways to Make Just About Anything

Product review: Luggage Tags for Suitcases-Suitcase Backpack Handle Wrap

 

These handle wraps are a perfect match for my cross-body strap. I am very pleased with how they look and feel. They are about 5" long and 4" wide. The Velcro is one inch wide. The back side has a paper label to write down your contact info. I am using it both for a handle wrap and on a shoulder straps to make both feel nice and soft.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Gowraps Handle Wraps