Product review: L'Artiste by Spring Step Women's Libora Flat - cute but no arch support

 

I had my eye on these L'Artiste by Spring Step shoes 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.

The Lebora flats were cute, and the size 7.5 fit my 7.5 foot perfectly, but they did not have the same good arch support as the L'Artiste by Spring Step Chino clogs. Even though I liked how Lebora flats looked, I left them behind because I wanted more support.

The Chino clogs were the winner and came home with me. They looked good and had a great arch support.

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

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆    

Review of L'Artiste by Spring Step Women's Libora Flat  

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: Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit case for the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Case (2026)

 This listing combines multiple different cases made by Spigen. I am reviewing the clear Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit case for the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Case (2026). The phone arrived yesterday, and I have had one day of using the case in various situations.

I have been buying Spigen cases for my Pixel cellphones for many years, and they usually fit like a glove. This one fits well too, with no gaps between the case and the phone edge.

All openings are in the right places, and the case works well with a wireless charger. The case extends about 1 mm above the screen and above the Pixel 11 Pro XL camera, which extends quite a bit from the back of the phone.

My previous phone was the Pixel 9 Pro XL (2024), and in my photos I include the old Spigen case and the new one. You can see that the old case did yellow around the edges, although it was not very noticeable while it was on the phone. But my video shows how these clear cases age in just two years.

Overall, happy with the case.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit for Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Case (2026)

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: Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 60

 

I like that this sunblock goes on invisible and gives me SPF 60 protection. I also like that it is unscented.

It is pretty pricey, since $17 is for a very small bottle, just 1.7 oz. The small size is a plus when I need to take it with me because it easily fits into my purse.

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

Review of Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum  

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