Home Product Reviews, Electronics Reviews, Home Decor and Furniture Reviews

Your home reflects who you are. Make it special, warm, and inviting with products reviewed by Katherines Corner.

I will be happy to provide home product reviews, home decor reviews, electronics reviews, and even furniture reviews.  Please  CLICK HERE for details on submitting a product for review. Disclosure and legal information regarding reviews and Katherines Corner, in general, can be found HERE

——————————————————————————————————————–

Okaysou Advanced Medical Grade Air Purifier, Model AirMic4S          Available at their official website

and on Amazon $88.98

Hubby and I suffer from seasonal allergies so I was very happy to accept the invitation to review the AirMic4S air purifier.

It arrived wrapped well and with the HEPA air filter included. It is very easy to set up. There was a strong plastic odor when it was removed from the packaging. I’m sensitive to these types of smells but my hubby said he couldn’t smell anything.  I let it sit for 24 hours until the odor was gone.

The AirMic4S uses only medical grade H13 HEPA filters, Changing the flter is ultra easy. It has 3 fan speeds that allow you to use an option that works best for you. I like the customizable timer setting. You can schedule it to stay on for 2/4/8 hours whichever suits you best. It also has a sleep setting and it’s so quiet you can barely hear it operating.
It has a blue “night light” which is a great idea especially if you put it in a child’s room. Of course, you don’t have to use it, but it is a nice option.

We haven’t had it long enough to verify the filter alert. But it is a nice feature. Filters cost about $22.00 and are easy to replace. It is made to remove up to 99.97% of Airborne Particles As Small As .3 Microns ( and that is small).
It comes with a five-year warranty which is awesome. So many other manufacturers only have a one year warranty.

So how do I know if it works to rid the air of allergens and odors? I haven’t noticed any significant difference yet. But I plan to update this review in 60 days. If the filter is showing signs of darkening it indicates it is trapping the particles within the filter.

For now, I give this air purifier a solid 4 stars for its ease of use, cost, options and sleek design.

---

Photowall.com Framed Print Product Review
Prices vary depending on selection and options
Available at Official Website

This is my second review of a product from Photowall.com. It’s a pleasure to share my review of their framed print artwork. I am a fan of their products.

This beautiful print came wrapped extremely well. Add looked exactly like the image. It arrived ready to hang with two mounting brackets already attached.

Their website is user friendly and the shipping was very reasonable (it’s coming from Sweden). You are provided with options and visual inspiration for all their artwork/home décor. Just follow along and you will create just what you want.

There is also an option to use your own photo. But their selection is amazing, and I enjoyed looking through them all.

The print and frame are lightweight so there are no worries about the weight of the print and frame on the wall. If you have any concerns I recommend using screw anchors in the walls.

This product review inspired me to write a post about ballet. I invite you to read my blog post Ballet here.

It is my pleasure to give this lovely framed print and Photowall.com a five-star rating! You can buy with confidence and fill your home with products you will love.

Photowall.com Canvas Product Review
Prices vary depending on the selection
Please see all their products on their official website.

You don’t have to be an interior decorator to appreciate the beautiful canvas’ that Photowall.com sells. They have over 18,000 designs and in every style, you could imagine. This review is specifically for the Ivory White Double Tulip Item number: e23729 Wrapped Canvas.

The website is user friendly, click a category, or search for a design or style and you will have plenty of options. Be sure to use the arrow to see the inspiration for the different styles.

Ordering was a snap and shipping was extremely quick. It shipped from Sweden to my door in less than a week!

The package had been a victim of rough handling, but the contents was fine. So, it was packed well.

I selected the wrapped canvas, which meant there was a bit of assembly required. No worries though, they have a step by step video to follow as well as written instruction. Also included were all the pieces you need to wrap the frame onto the wood (full disclosure: you need a pencil, ruler and scissors).

This is important— lay your canvas face down on a hard flat surface. Hubby and I laid it out and got started. The scissors were needed because the corner notches were not cut out on all four corners. Was a quick fix. You’ll need the ruler and pencil to mark 12mm (0.47 inches) from each corner for wrapping the corner pieces.

We went merrily along and hit a snag. One of the pieces of wood wasn’t cut properly and was too long. I suggest measuring the wood frame pieces before you get started. We had already stuck them in place. So, we had to unpeel (a sticky and difficult task) the canvas from the wood and change the size. We also had another hiccup. One of the screw holes was not cut out. Another fix was needed. It did take a bit longer than anticipated and a lot more time than the demonstrator in the video (wink). But it turned out beautifully. You can see the before and after post HERE.

Since I don’t give half-star ratings I gave Photoweall.com five stars and the lovely Ivory White Double Tulip is perfect for above our bed.

DESIGNCAP Online Graphics Website Product Review
Official Website
Price varies depending on your selection
Free, Basic 4.99 a month, Plus 5.99 a month

I create graphics, etc. for my blog and shops regularly so I was very intrigued when the fine people from DESIGNCAP asked me to review their online graphic design software website. I thought it was perfect timing as the holidays season has arrived.

DESIGNCAP has a three-tier membership option. Free, Basic and Plus. I used a Plus membership to create my projects for this review. The site loaded quickly. I suggest clicking the learn tab to get started. They have a user-friendly way to teach you how to create terrific graphics for your life or business using their templates.

They have over 1000 templates to choose from. You can create a poster, flyer, logo, business card, greeting card, Pinterest pin, social media headers and more.

The only thing I found a little bit frustrating was there is no search in the text area. So, you have to scroll and search for your font, if you need to use it again on the same project. But overall the ease of use is terrific.

I enjoyed creating cards and invitations so much I had a giveaway to win a plus membership! You can see more of my designs HERE. I don’t give half stars, so I am giving DESIGNCAP a 5 star review. Check it out, set up your account, and get creative.

FlexClip
Their Official Website
Prices vary from Free to 7.99 a month

I had been planning on creating a few videos for YouTube this holiday season. Unfortunately, I don’t have any video making software on my computer, so I was excited to try and review the FlexClip video maker and editor online.
The website loads quickly and is user friendly. There is a variety of music to choose from and you can even download a photo from their stock of photos to use in your video.
The process is easy to follow. But, make sure to click the Learn tab before you start your project. You will find step by step information. Ideas and edit tips as well. You will find a great deal of English, grammar, and spelling errors throughout the website. But don’t let it discourage you, you can figure it out.
You can load still photos, or video, or both (which is what I did). You can use FlexClip for making personal, business, wedding, tutorial videos, family videos, and more. They have several pre-made templates to work with. If you prefer to work from scratch, you can do that too. I made one video using a template and one from scratch. You can see them both HERE.
One of the options available when creating your video is where to clip the music. For example, you have music in the background but when someone speaks you want the music to stop. I tried multiple times to get it to stop where I wanted it to (using the slide as instructed) But I couldn’t get it to work. I tried to add text to a few images on the video and many times it wouldn’t click on.
Be sure you save your work. I did have to leave my projects and come back to them. When I came back to continue editing, I would get an error message to resync an image. I’d have to reload the photo.
Okay bottom line, it gets 4 stars even with the little quirks, making the videos were very easy, and I recommend you give it a try. Videos make nice gifts. I’ll be using this website to create videos of DIY holiday crafts and other DIY projects.

Tenergy LED Torchiere Floor Lamp Review
Available at Amazon with more details available at their Official Site
Price 70.99

Late night trips down a dark hallway can be dangerous, so having the right lamp means a lot. We have tried several different lamps in our dark hallway, and we’ve been dealing with a very bright lamp for a while now. It shocks you awake! When the opportunity to review the LED Torchiere Floor Lamp came my way, I was happy to accept it.
Tenergy’s LED Torchiere Floor Lamp arrived well packaged and had easy to follow assembly instructions. I had it all put together within 15 minutes. When you think of Torchiere floor lamps you are probably like me and pictured pole with a bowl on top. Not true of this lamp, it has a modern design and a clear flat glass top that won’t allow for anything to fall into it.
The base is heavy so chances of it toppling over are very slim. But, like most things, watch for small children ( they see a pole to climb). Its attractive design and energy-saving rate of only 30W of power fits our style and lifestyle perfectly. Bonus, you can tilt the lighted top (head) in any direction, it would be great for reading. That is a unique feature that can be used in a variety of ways.
This versatile lamp came with a surprise, it has a remote control. Use it to set the brightness, or to turn it on and off. Side note-the battery for the remote is covered with a “very hard to see” clear plastic film. Remove it before putting it into the remote.
One of my favorite things, about the LED Torchiere Floor Lamp, is the touch sensitivity. I set the dimmer to low by holding the sensor down until the dimmer has reached the brightness I prefer. It stays there no matter how many times you turn the lamp on and off, it has built-in memory. A single tap on the touch-sensitive lamp’s pole turns it on and off.
By now I’m sure you have ascertained that I like this lamp and all its features. I am very happy to recommend this lamp and give it my highest rating of 5 stars.

Lumi Bloom Lamp by Tenergy Product Review
Available on Amazon, with additional details at their official website 
$36.99

My hubby and I live as green as possible and we do our best to leave a small carbon footprint on Mother Earth. Providing product reviews for products that also lean towards energy savings and use BPA free materials are always welcome.
Is it a lamp? Is it a sculpture? Is it art? Yes, yes and yes to all. When you find something so fun that provides comfortable white Led lighting you must go for it! The Lumi Bloom lamp arrived well packaged and allows for very, very easy setup. Our 9-year-old grandson put it together.

There are numerous ways to create and shape this functional piece of art for your desk, nightstand, or anywhere that needs illuminating. Our grandson (under my supervision) created a variety of shapes from tall to short and left and right. We decided on the one pictured.

It’s the perfect addition to my art room/ extra bedroom and provides comfortable light with its 8 LED white light bulbs for reading. It comes with a spare bulb too!

You don’t have to have a contemporary style room to enjoy this lamp. It is sure to be a conversation starter, so bring it out and use it on a hall table, in your den or reading nook too.

Tenergy Life guarantees its products and has extended warranties available. Parts for this lamp are available at Tenergy’s website.

I don’t give ½ star reviews so this terrific lamp gets 5 stars, note the ½ star is a result of parts not being available at local stores. I recommend this lamp for you, or for a gift, either way, it will be a fun addition to your home or office.

American Shield Granite 25 Backpack Product Review
Available at their official website, Amazon and stores everywhere
$245

It doesn’t matter if you are going hiking, camping, to school or on a trip you will have the stuff to carry. The easiest and most comfortable solution is often to use a backpack (called rucksack in England just a little tidbit to share). I admit I spent a little bit of money on my old backpack (it was pleather). I took it everywhere when we traveled. But…it wouldn’t stand up on its own and didn’t have enough pockets so I would end up carrying a big tote or purse too. When the fine folks at American Shield asked me to review their backpack I was pleased to do so.

My new backpack shipped from Amazon and arrived well packaged. It is made of very sturdy canvas fabric and has a gusseted bottom so it can stand up on its own. It has pockets! Lots and lots of pockets. Can there be too many pockets? Nope!

It is generously sized 16.5 inches high, 13 inches wide and 8 inches deep but expands to 10 easily. The adjustable padded shoulder straps are very comfortable and guess what there’s a zipper pocket on one of them!
It doesn’t look to “sporty or utilitarian” at all. It’s very attractive and has a fun accent fabric. It has a velvet inner 15″ laptop compartment that is an unexpected upgrade, that I love. A drawstring closure inside keeps your things out of sight, and don’t forget.… the pockets!

I wish all reviews were so easy to write. In all seriousness, I highly recommend the Granite 25 Backpack, it is worth the money and sure to be your “go to “for many adventures ahead. I happily give it five stars!

Minted Holiday Photo Card Review
Available at the official Website
Price varies depending on your selection

Minted.com offers a variety of photo card services for any occasion as well as art, home decor, stationery, greeting cards, and more. Everything is just gorgeous. When you arrive at their website you will be gobsmacked! There are so many beautiful things to make, keep, send, decorate with, and even more wonderful things for the holidays, every day and special occasions too.
The hardest part was picking the Christmas card design. I selected the Wonder Collage design. I created the Christmas photo card using their user-friendly website. It takes you step- by- step through the process of creating your card. After you make your purchase. You have final proofs and the opportunity to make changes too.
The photo cards arrived packaged beautifully with little extra touches that made opening the box experience on its own. The quality of the cards and envelopes is top-notch and the overall finished photo cards are perfect. To read my featured review please click HERE. I can’t give 10 stars but Minted gets my highest rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend the personalized creative services they provide.

Household Wonders Bamboo Tray Product Review
Available at Official Website
Price $39.95

When I was contacted by Household Wonders to review their first product (I can’t wait to see what else they will have). I was over the moon excited to learn they are a new family business. I love reviewing products for new businesses, especially family-owned businesses.

I use a lot of trays, for serving breakfast in bed, to creating vignettes for home décor. I found this generously sized (outer dimensions are 18.9 x 13.8 x 1.6 inches and inner dimensions are 18.1 x 13.0 x 1.2 inches) bamboo tray especially attractive and easy to carry. It arrived boxed well and true to its appearance on their website. It is made of strong and sustainable, bamboo. This lovely tray is guaranteed. Household wonders offer an extended 30-day replacement warranty on top of the original 30-day replacement warranty and 15-day refund warranty. Household Wonders strives for 100% customer satisfaction. They also have free shipping for US customers! Hello…we love free shipping!

Household Wonders also has a referral program where you can earn a free bamboo tray of your own. What can I say about this attractive 5-star bamboo tray, it’s a winner! I like it so much I even used it in a blog post, you can read the post HERE. It is my pleasure to give Household Wonders my highest rating.

Enchante Home Gracious Design Turkish Towel Review
Available at Enchante Home Official Website
Prices vary depending on the towel set size

These pretty lilac towels arrived packed well and sealed in plastic. Generously sized and true to their appearance on their website. I am familiar with Turkish towels, so the appearance of thin towels didn’t mean much to me as I know they fluff up a lot after washing. But, for those who aren’t aware of the Turkish towel “magic” I think a little note letting the consumer know how much they fluff up when washed may be a nice touch. Just as expected the towels are fluffy and very absorbent. In addition, they dry very quickly so hang them on a hook or knob and they will be dry in no time, made of 100 percent Turkish cotton I saw no shrinkage at all and very low lint too. The lilac color and generous size of these towels is wonderful. They are very absorbent and make an attractive accessory to any bath. Enchante Home has a nice selection of colors and a variety of ways to create just the right set amount of towels for your home. It is a pleasure to give Enchante Home a five-star rating and my recommendation.

Join their mailing list and you will receive a discount.

To see how I used these towels in my home please click HERE

Enchante Home Turkish Throw Product Review
Available at Enchante Home Official Website
$149 but on sale at time of review for $59

The throw arrived packaged well and true to color and design on the website. After washing and air drying, the generous size of the throw, 83″ L x 93″ W will impress you! This throw is lightweight but a great way to keep a chill off. Or to wrap around you while you snuggle on the couch. It fits perfectly on a twin bed too. You can use it as a bedspread, add a little boho charm to your bedroom, or dorm room. I love the fringe on the throw it adds a bit of authenticity to a Turkish throw essential. This throw is very pretty and versatile. But it is a bit thin. I do recommend it and love that it can be used in a variety of ways, it is not thick enough to be a “blanket”.

eFaucets.com Product Review
Online shopping for a variety of quality, faucets, fixtures and home décor
Prices for products vary depending on your selection
Purchase from their official website

Let’s face it, shopping on the internet is an easy and comfortable way to make purchases. I have two online shops myself and I encourage you to shop with your morning coffee while still in your pajamas. Some websites can be difficult to navigate and may not present themselves well. The efaucets.com website is very user-friendly, attractive and provides a large variety of DIY faucets, fixtures, and home décor too.
They provide free shipping for all orders over $35 (we all love free shipping). They have a very liberal return policy and best of all they have product experts and support 7 days a week. If you need a little help or a lot of help, there is someone you can speak to. You can contact them on the phone or use their live chat so you can get to someone quickly either way. This is a HUGE plus!
I placed an order for the California Faucets T6401-PC Mendocino 4″ Centerset. I love the elegant swoop of the handles.
It arrived quickly and well packaged. Click over to my faucet installation post here. I am happy to give eFaucets my highest rating of 5 stars, for website quality, customer care, product variety and ease of use! Well done eFaucets, like the terminator, says, “I’ll be back”. 

Stencil Revolution Product Review
Price $5.99 – 54.99 price varies by size
Available at their official website

Creativity comes in many forms. Patterns, templates and stencils are often used. When I was asked to provide a review for stencils I was very excited knowing it would nudge me into a bit of craftiness. I received a variety of stencils and used three for my home and garden projects. You can see the blog post HERE.
They arrived in a rigid mailer and were each separated by a paper to ensure the stencil arrived ready to use and without damage. The stencils are made from plastic which allows for wash and re-use, which is an excellent quality in a craft or design element.
Each stencil is meticulously created with no flaws or difficulty of use. Stencil Revolution has a wonderful selection of affordable templates. Like a certain potato chip we all love, you can’t eat get just one! As you have no doubt surmised, I am very pleased with the Stencil Revolution stencils and happily give them my highest five star rating.

Canvas Factory Photo to Canvas Review
Price varies depending on your size and style selection
Available at their official website

Many of you have seen advertisements for companies that can take your photo and put it onto canvas. Some of them are quite expensive. I was happy to discover that the prices at Canvas Factory are very, very reasonable. The process of taking your favorite photo or design and putting it on canvas is very easy with their step by step prompts.

I selected the peacock design I created for pillows in my shop. A little secret, I actually sent in the wrong photo! But, we’ll blow past that and get to the process. Upload your photo,a favorite holiday picture, vacation or portrait is always nice. But, you can also pick a photo from their gallery too. Truly the most difficult part is deciding which photo to use. Make your canvas size selection, make your finish selection I chose the wrap around canvas ( no frame needed). Then you just click to create. You’ll receive an email letting you know it’s time to review your image. When my review email arrived ( I still didn’t notice I was using the wrong photo) the crown at the top of the peacock’s head was very close to the top.  I asked for a correction. They fixed it for me and sent me the updated canvas for review. I clicked the confirmation and less than one week later my new peacock home decor arrived.

I was very surprised to see how my new precious home decor was packaged. Just a simple box with some raised cardboard held this precious cargo. I opened it up, a bit nervous that it may have had a rough ride and…taa daa, it looks awesome!  So there you have it,  now taking your favorite family, vacation, pet or any photo and bringing it new life on canvas can be part of your home decor with just a few clicks.

My final star review is my highest five star rating.

Don’t hesitate to ask them for help if you’re not sure. You will also love the selection of canvas styles to use. Split canvas ( one photo created onto three canvases) collages and more.

Serena and Lily Westwood Quilt Review

Price varies depending on your size and style selection
Available at their official website

When we are transitioning from winter to spring most of us change our bedding. We are no longer in need of overstuffed duvets or heavy comforters. I find a well-made quilt or blanket is just enough to keep the nights chill off when we leave the window open. The luxurious Westwood quilt at Serena and Lily can be used as an extra layer or just as it is on its own. It has lovely quilted stitching and it is true to the size advertised. It has a simple French edge all of the way around.  It was delivered promptly and packaged well, with a ribbon for an extra touch of customer care. The quilt is 100% cotton with cotton fill and machine washable too. You can read my Making the Bed with Serena and Lily HERE. This is an excellent must have quilt. I am happy to provide a full five star rating.

Taiwan Present, Ceramic Color Changing Mugs Review
Available on Amazon

A product review request for a set of two color changing mugs. The mugs arrived well packaged and were delivered promptly. Each mug is adorned with gibbon monkeys from the Ten Gibbons art series by Pu Xin-Yu. Recreated with permission from the Natural Museum of History, they swing from vine to vine across the mugs.
The color changing mugs are a fun way to enjoy a hot or cold beverage. The mugs are perfect for hot cocoa. When our grandchildren come inside after playing in the snow, they can determine if the cocoa has cooled down enough to drink. It really is a clever design.
The colors change and the gibbon monkeys design changes too. A great novelty item and a nice gift also. They are the perfect size for children to use. But, it may be bit small for those in need of a big cup of coffee in the morning. Although these are NOT marketed directly for children, I do think they are the perfect size for small hands or young ones. My hubby is 6’4″ and it won’t fit his hand. Of course you should be very careful with any hot liquid around all ages .The only thing that you need to know is, you can’t heat them in the microwave, wash them in the dishwasher or leave them in a soapy sink for very long. So it is a very minor inconvenience. The price on the other hand is much, much, much too high! But, I am happy to give a solid 4 star rating based on everything except the size and the price, which must be an error 70.00 CNY = 10.16 USD

Tree Classics Venetian Elegance Christmas Garland Review
Available at their official website
Price varies with size

How do you write a review for a classic? Tree Classics is recognized by the Chicago Tribune’s “Top Shelf Brand for Trees”. A quick tour of Tree Classics website and you will surely agree. This review inspired me to put my own twist on their classic lighted Venetian Elegance Christmas Garland you can read the post HERE. You will find their website is very user friendly and there are several ways to contact them if you have a question too.

Tree Classics has a stellar reputation and I had high expectations. When you have been in the Christmas tree business for 40 years you must be doing something right. Tree Classics has been featured in numerous ways throughout public media and you will certainly recognize some of them straight away. HGTV, Hallmark Channel, People magazine and even the Dr. Phil show. The list is quite impressive and you can find it HERE . They have a large variety of artificial trees wreaths and garlands to choose from. They also have a  5 year foliage warranty!

The garland arrived promptly and was packaged well. But, it had a bit of a bumpy ride in transit, so I did need to hot glue a few pieces that had fallen off. Some may find this to be frustrating. It was a minor inconvenience and fortunately, they were all in the box. I wonder if they wrapped the garland like a bolt of fabric if that would help. I couldn’t believe the “heft” of this lovely bit of holiday magic. Once I had it unrolled I did notice a few bare and thin spots. I “fluffed it” , (wear gloves) and it looked great. The garland has evenly distributed  lights throughout and they accent the garland beautifully. A few pine cones, flowers and leaves add a bit more to the garland. I may add a few of my Christmas picks to it next year. The whole experience of this review has been a positive one. I believe you can purchase from Tree Classics with the confidence of fully meeting your holiday decorating expectations. I do not give half star ratings so I am bumping my Tree  Classics Venetian Elegance Christmas Garland Review up a bit from a 4 1/2 star rating to my five star rating.  I invite you to visit their website and take advantage of their generous sale. Tree Classics is on social media and you may want to follow them to be aware of any specials and discounts too.  Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest

Taiwan Present 12 Assorted Chinese Zodiac Square Drink Coasters Review
Available at Amazon

Price is quite high as I am writing this the sale price is $138.49

We all like to keep our furniture from damage, especially wood furniture. I always have coasters in every room. But, my coasters are very boring in comparison to Taiwan Present’s Chinese Zodiac coasters. They are beautiful and reproduced using hand painted designs by a Taiwanese artist. These unique coasters are great conversation starters.
The coasters have a soft rubber bottom to keep from slipping. I sprinkled water on the stoneware tile side and let my drink sit for a while. The drips of liquid made the coaster appear to have spots. But, it evaporated before I could wipe it down with a paper towel. These would be great for both cold and hot beverages. The coasters arrived promptly and they were packaged well. Each coaster is generously sized 4.25 inches square.
Each animal has symbolic meanings given to it by the ancient Chinese. The 12 animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. These coasters absolutely met my expectations of quality and design. I give them my four star rating. If you can look past the price. I think you will find that they are like own some beautiful art work.

Oriental Trading Company, Thanksgiving Home Decor Review
Prices vary, available at Official Website and printed Catalog
Subscribe to receive their newsletter or purchase from the Catalog Quick Order
Request Free Catalog, Gift Cards, Oriental Trading Coupons,
Email Sign-Up

Most of you are familiar with the Oriental Trading Company, they are well known for their party decorations and supplies. But, did you know they also sell home decor? I was asked to review some of their lovely home decor for the Thanksgiving holiday. I ordered a three piece set of white wood candle sticks, 3 flameless candles, 2 lanterns ( 2 colors, white or silver) and 2 strings of LED lights. Perfect for creating a Thanksgiving vignette or centerpiece. The tiny string of LED lights can be added in a variety of creative ways they are 33 feet long! Everything arrived just as pictured and packed well. Prices are affordable and they have ongoing sales too. I incorporated several of their products into a variety of Autumn vignettes. You can also use them for Christmas or Hanukkah too. Simply switch out the pumpkins, add some pine floral picks and holiday ornaments and Bob’s your Uncle, a Thanksgiving vignette is now a Christmas vignette or centerpiece. Scatter some of their Autumn leaves for an added touch to the vignette or Thanksgiving centerpiece. They also have plenty of favors, crafts and ideas for the children’s table too.

The candles have a wax texture and are heavy enough to keep from tipping over, they do use batteries, which eliminates having to search for an outlet a on/off switch is on the bottom. The white metal lanterns have some minimal assembly and the glass is packed securely to protect from damage during shipping. Pay close attention when assembling the glass, it is sharp on the edges. The wood lathed candle sticks ( candle holders) are finished well and consistent in color and appearance. Overall a nice selection to decorate for the holidays. Everything comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you don’t see that very often these days. I liked these products so much I am giving away a set of candle sticks and flame-less candles  HERE.  You are only limited by your own imagination.

I give them my top rating.

Canvas Factory Photo to Canvas Review
Price varies depending on your size and style selection
Available at their official website

I had the pleasure of reviewing my experience creating a 16 x 20 inch photo to canvas print using Canvas Factory’s website. The website is user friendly and the instructions really are easy to follow. I had intended to create a print using my photo on the left. I took it on a beautiful autumn day not far from our home.

My photo is on the left.

Unfortunately I received an email (within 48 hours) from customer service informing me the photo quality was not good enough to enlarge and put to canvas. I was surprised but created a different resolution and sent it in again. I received another email still not good enough. But this time recommending I consider one of their photos. I looked through their approved photos and I created this lovely autumn scene, rich in warm reds and orange colors (right side in photo). I selected the gallery wrapped style. It is printed and then the canvas is stretched onto a wooden frame ready for display or hanging. It will be a welcome addition to the decor in the den. The colors and details are a true reflection of the photograph.

It arrived within a week’s time. Packaged well and it is a very pretty piece of art work. But, I can’t stress this enough, you must have a very high quality photo for transferring to canvas in order to receive a quality canvas art print. I would have preferred my own photo. I’m not sure if this is something they can fix with their software. I still think the overall experience was satisfactory. I’m giving one away, fingers crossed the winner will be happy with the result. I do not give half star ratings so this review is bumped up to a four.

Savisto Luxury 2 Person Wicker Picnic Basket with Full Picnic Set review
Available at Official Website
£35.99 ( $46.52 USD)
I received the Savisto Luxury 2 Person Wicker Picnic Basket with Full Picnic Set for review. The basket arrived quickly and was well packaged. The wicker basket is attractive and true to the photo. The attention to detail is evident in the construction. Leather straps hold essentials in place leaving plenty of room for two cold storage bags. Inside you will find- two insulted bags (frozen ice packs are not included) and an insulated wine (or water bottle) bag with a comfortable strap included. The basket I received for review is 16 inches Width x 12 inches Depth x 8 inches Height it has 2 reusable ceramic plates, little stainless steel salt and pepper shakers, a set of two stainless steel eating utensils ( 2 knives, 2 forks,2 spoons) and a muti-use gadget complete with cork screw. The product description includes 2 wine glasses. But, unfortunately they were not inside my basket. There is a 2 year manufacturer’s guarantee on this lovely picnic basket and I do think that shoes pride in their products. . Because I don’t give half star reviews. This luxury picnic basket gets 4 stars. This is a new Savisto product and rolling out something new can have its challenges. But, I believe quality control should have not let this picnic basket leave the factory without the full contents as listed on the box and website. Savisto was founded in the North East of England and they sell everyday home and kitchen essentials with a variety of products, excellent customer service and a superb 2-year guarantee on all products. Parts of this review can be found in this blog post HERE

Perfect Linens Second Skin Sheets Review
Available at official website
Price varies depending on size

The Perfect Linens Second Skin sheets arrived beautifully wrapped in tissue paper, it was a lovely presentation. There was an added bonus too, laundry soap. I chose the double blue stripe pattern. This pretty detail is subtle and resembles hand embroidery. I put them on the bed and surprise! They fit perfectly over our pillow top mattress. 100% Egyptian cotton, 400-thread count sateen, 4 piece queen sized set (included a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillow cases.) The generously sized top sheet is a bonus for my 6 foot 4 inch husband.
According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post the “average” person spends 26  years of their lifetime (78 average years) sleeping. You need to be comfortable; the soft feel of the Second Skin sheets is the perfect way to end the day. They cannot guarantee sweet dreams, but they can guarantee comfort. I like these sheets so much I gave a set away in the Perfect Linens Giveaway. Sweet dreams friends.

Dezignable .com Review
Priced varies depending on service
I am pleased to share my review of Dezignable.com an online Interior Design Service. I was very enthusiastic about having a professional guide me through a mini makeover of our den/home office. I had a small budget to work with so the designers were challenged.  The whole process is rather simple. I strongly advise you to read my den makeover post HERE for details. Dezignable.com launched in February, 2015. Alison Andrews Reyes and Marty Collins partnered when they both had major renovations on their own homes and they were frustrated in the process. They wanted to build something that would help the everyday home enthusiast create great design for their home.

The Process-
• Create a Pinterest board with things I would like for a cozy den office.
• Create a Drop box account (I already had one) and invite Dezignable to join in the Cozy Den Makeover folder.
• Establish budget
• Provide a drawing of the den and include the size of the room, sizes of furniture, location of doors windows, etc.
• Notes on what you are willing to give up for the makeover and what to keep.
• Upload your information to drop box.

I went through the step by step process to makeover our den. I enjoyed it and learned a few things too. I found the website to be very user friendly. Start to finish time is a bit long, it took a month which I think is a bit long for one small room. I think communication with the designer I selected could have been better. But her design was lovely. In the end I combined my layout with the designers in order to make everything fit.

I do not give half star ratings. So I am giving Designable.com four stars.

Canvas Pop Review
Available at Official Website
Price varies depending on your choice of size, finish, frame

Like most of you I preserve my memories with photography. When Canvas Pop asked me to review their custom canvas printing I was happy to oblige. I love finding new ways to decorate our home and a custom photo canvas is a unique personal touch. I chose the 16″ x 20″ with 0.75″ wrap style. Putting my photo on canvas at Canvas Pop was an easy process; you just -upload your photo, choose the size, wrap style, framing options, and you can even add one of their amazing photo filters and effects to make your image truly unique. They also provide a digital proof so you can make sure your canvas print is just as you want it. Canvas Pop also has a 100% “Love it” guarantee for life!

    
My canvas arrived packaged securely and I was impressed with the quality, colors and wrapping of the canvas. I think they stayed true to my original photograph. An extra bonus was when I looked on the back and saw the hang wire already in place! Now I can enjoy my lilacs all year. Canvas Pop is my new ‘Go To Place’ for custom photo wall art, next time I will have it framed too.
I liked this product so much I gave a gift certificate to create a canvas as a prize in the Hang It Up Giveaway June 12, 2015

Home Products Reviews, Electronics Reviews

Rejuvenator Microbubble Shower Head Review

Available at Official Website
$95
In our busy lives we often take quick showers so we can rush off and get our “to do “ list done. This shower head from Rejuvenator products will keep you lingering in the shower with no need to rush when you feel the microbubble water drops hitting your skin. We installed this shower head in our guest bathroom.This showerhead was easy to install and has a nice appearance. It has patented Microbubble technology that cleans deep within your pores. Its self-cleaning jets offer a full coverage spray and it has a diverter that allows for your regular shower head to be switched on as well. The only thing I would change about this fine product is the length of the shower hose.

PostBoredom Art Review
Available at official Website
Prices Vary
Being and independent artists and designer myself I am always ready to jump at the chance to promote independent artists. I was happy to oblige when Post Boredom Art asked me to write a review. Art is personal and reviewing art can be a challenge. But, I believe Indie art comes in all forms, shapes and degrees of awesome! Postboredom provides a variety of quality Modern and Urban style art pieces, perfect for decorating and inspiring. I am not reviewing thew actual artwork but instead reviewing how it was received, etc. I received this Urban Art Original Watercolor 8 x 10 print for review. I am fond of impressionist art and this particular piece reminded me of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s (French Impressionist) painting the Beach at Guernsey. It arrived promptly after ordered, printed on glossy photo paper, covered in plastic sleeve, in a cardboard envelope, ready for framing.  Post Boredom, its “Where Indie Art Lives”.

CardStore Website Review

Available at Official Website
Price varies depending on selection 3.00 and up

The simple joy of receiving a card in the mail just got even better! CardStore.com asked me to try their easy to use card making website. You have a lot of choices; cards, stationary, calendars, and more for any holiday or occasion. You create and personalize it and then they mail it for you. Yes, they mail it. You make it, add photos and fill it with love. Then fill in the address and they print it, put it in an envelope, add a stamp and mail it out in plenty of time to get to its destination. Their website is very user friendly and you will find a variety of options styles and choices. I made this film strip card or our anniversary. I love it! My husband was intrigued when he saw the post mark and return address from me. He loved the card and it is a sweet keepsake of our recent anniversary celebration.  Let your creativity run wild and never forget another birthday or occasion again.

Storables Microfiber Cup Saver Review

Available at Storables stores and  Storables .com

Many of you know I collect teacups and keeping them stored neatly and safely can be a challenge. Stacking them on top of each other causes chips and breaks. My buffet was getting so over filled with my lovely collection that I wasn’t certain how best to organize them. When the kind people at Storables asked me to review their Microfiber Cup Saver I was thrilled and hopeful it would help me keep my organizing gene in check. Success, this easy to use and attractive cup organizer is just what I needed. Made of a strong and lightweight microfiber, it holds 12 cups individually each one separated by sturdy locking dividers. I liked this product so much I did something I rarely do. I bought two more and I also purchased their 4 piece microfiber plate saver set. Each of the organizers has the added bonus of a sturdy zipper closure all of the way around and each has a content label on the front, so you know what is stored inside. This product gets my highest rating. 

Google Nexus 7 16 GB Tablet Review

Available at Staples and other fine stores.
I am often slow to dip my toe in the water when it comes to learning new tech goodies. I am thankful Staples gave me a little nudge with a request to review the Google Nexus 7 Tablet. I opened the box and loved the sleek look of it straight away. Once I turned it on I was sincerely impressed with the picture clarity. I was happy to learn that it works a lot like an android phone (minus the phone). Very user friendly.

My husband was quick to point out its blue tooth capability. I like the 7 inch screen and how comfortably portable it is.  The representative originally suggested I use it for storing all of my recipes. I was storing my recipes on my computers and it was truly inconvenient at times. This tablet allows me to see the full recipe or zoom in. You can read my blog post about organizing recipes HERE.

I am pleased to share that the Google Nexus 7 16 GB tablet performs well. There are a lot more functions to this portable device, apps and other things you can add. I have used it for several other things as well as recipes. I can access facebook, pinterest, read blogs and hang out on google plus. Or watch a video or play a game. It has a 10 hour battery life which allows you to use it with confidence. If I could change anything about it, I would change the back; it is very sleek so you must hold it firmly by the sides. I can recommend this product with a smile. 🙂

Home Products Reviews, Electronics Reviews

Sanyo LCD DP19649 19 inch Television Review

The La Shop 8 Foot Sun Shading Umbrella With Firm Solid Wood Pole review

Available at TheLaShop. com

Price $59.99

It’s a scorcher this summer and the desire for shade is at a premium. Fortunately we have this umbrella from The La Shop. It is 8 feet in diameter (they have bigger ones) and is supported by a solid wood pole. It is attractive and functional but does not allow for adjustment ( straight up only) It is exactly as it appears on their website. It has a unique pully system for opening and closing so no pinched fingers! Even on the sunniest days you will have some shade. Made from UV protective, waterproof and anti-fade polyester, I have the added bonus of knowing it should stay true to its color for a long time. However, the fabric is very thin, so I am an not sure about longevity. You can place the pole in the center hole of your picnic or patio table. It is sturdy but definitely needs the additional purchase of the umbrella stand. It is a good product .

Bumblejax Review

Available at BumbleJax. com

Prices Vary from $59 and up

We all want our homes to represent “us”.  We decorate with sculptures, portraits, photos and knick knacks. Well, I do  (wink) . At the Seattle business, Bumblejax you can also decorate with personalized one- of- a- kind art.  Beautiful custom art pieces replicated onto acrylic, bamboo, aluminum or gatorfoam. They create handmade, gallery quality wall art using just your digital photos. Amazing! I absolutely love my acrylic piece. It’s unique and a true one of a kind piece of artwork using my photography. I love it.

Ordering your custom piece is easy, just upload your high quality digital photograph and fill in the information. They do the rest. It arrives ready to mount and packaged well. I highly recommend Bumblejax for your next piece of artwork.

 

Hallmark Magic Prints Review

Available at Hallmark. com and Hallmark stores across the country

Price $24.95

When I was contacted by Hallmark to provide a review I thought it might be for one of their beautiful commercials. I knew I would need a box of tissues, because typing through a stream of happy tears can be difficult. Instead they requested a review for Hallmarks new Magic Prints, You Touch My Life Designed Frame . The Hallmark Magic Prints frame comes with a mess-free Crayola® magic ink applicator so a child can add their handprint on one side fo the frame and a photo on the other . It is a truly unique gift. The idea of this is, well, “genius”!

I gathered four of our five grandchildren  9 one lives out of state) and we used the easy magic prints a little differently than it was intended. Instead of hand prints ( it will only fit one, maybe two) We did thumbprints. I had each child turn the thumbprint into a stick figure of them. It was easy, fun and made a wonderful Mother’s day gift for my daughter (their Mother). There is a space in the center for my other granddaughter. She will add her print when she comes to visit.

Leave it to Hallmark to find a wonderful and unique way to say I love you. I loved this so much I gave one as a prize in the April Showers Giveaway.

I only gave this product a four out of five rating, because I don’t use half stars.  As promised, it is mess free. But, the residue left behind on their little fingers was a little tough to get off. Plan for some extra scrubbing, but it is all worth it for the end result. Side note, I still had happy tears when I saw how happy this unique gift made the children ( and their Mother).

Home Products Reviews, Electronics Reviews

Hot Coffee Art Review

Available at HotCoffeeArt.etsy.com

Prices $16-$18

Reviewing artwork may seem like a difficult task. But I assure this was not. The original artwork from Hot Coffee Art is terrific. Each original print is unique and made with care. Some are reminiscent of days gone by and all of the art prints are a lovely addition to your home décor. The prints arrive wrapped well and are shipped promptly. Each one is easily mounted and framed and true to the image provided in the shop.

I liked this product so much I offered it as a prize in my Time For Tea Giveaway. 

 Create My Walls Review

Available at CreateMyWalls. com

Prices vary according to size and style

 I am always happy to review products that helps you decorate your home. Home decorating reflects you. Finding the perfect accents for your home is easy at CreateMyWalls. You can fill your home with beautiful printed canvas art made from your photography. Each piece is a professional canvas print. Upload your photograph, family portrait, a favorite landscape, your wedding, your beloved pet, the possibilities are endless. They provide a variety of sizes and styles as well as suggestions and ideas to help you get started. I created this lovely canvas from a photograph I took on the Oregon coast using the gallery wrap finish. With the gallery wrap finish no frame is needed. My art arrived well wrapped and is absolutely beautiful. I have had comments asking if I painted the image. I liked this product so much I gave one away in my April Showers Giveaway.what are you waiting for? Go create your walls, you will be happy that you did 🙂

Apple and Bee, Apple Of My Eye Eco Shopping Bag Review

Available at Red Envelope

Price $21.95

I don’t use plastic at the market or shops. I have a pile of plain cloth and canvas bags in my car. I take them with me when I go shopping. When I used this Sweet Apple Of My Eye eco shopping bag I received several compliments about its appearance. I told everyone who asked that they could get one of their own at Red Envelope. Apple&Bee creates durable, reusable items that help reduce landfill pollution and helps to keep our planet cleaner. They are proud to be a carbon neutral company . This bag is made of eco jute and has a biodegradable lining  that wipes clean  easily it measures approximately 15 inches x 13 inches

It is the perfect size for a quick trip to the market. The only thing I would prefer is if I could put it in the washing machine with my other bags. This bag is true to the picture on the Red Envelope site and I have used it several times. A great gift too.

Home Products Reviews, Electronics Reviews

Scentsy Warmer and Fragrance bar Review

Available at Melissa’s Scentsy Shop

I was thrilled when Melissa from mbmelissa.scentsy. us contacted me to review a scentsy warmer and fragrance, we all want our homes to smell nice. I received the bride warmer . It is perfect for the style of my art room. It looks lovely on the table and the room smells amazing thanks to the My Home fragrance bar with its mix of spicy cinnamon and floral scents. There are numerous fragrances and warmer styles available through Scentsy and they also have an exciting new program called sincerely scents. I encourage you to ask Melissa about it.

Scentsy began with a simple idea. A safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. It quickly grew into one of the most successful direct selling companies in the world. These wickless  and decorative ceramic warmers are found in homes throughout the country. That’s right, this wonderful decorative warmer uses no flame, so you can leave it on for an hour, or all day if you like. It warms the scented wax with a light bulb!

I’m sure you have figured out by now that I think this is a terrific product and a wonderful alternative to burning a candle.

Classic Exec  Lap Desk Review

Available at Lap Gear

My husband bought me a laptop last year. I was thrilled. Although he said it was as much for him as it was for me. Because it meant I would be downstairs on the computer rather than upstairs in the den. I used to spend the majority of my time sitting on the couch with my laptop computer resting precariously atop a fluffy pillow. I am happy to say those days are long gone now that I have my Lap Gear.com lap desk. It is a wonderful and very comfortable solution to my problem.

It rests comfortably on my lap with its micro bead padded underside and it has an attractive large flat top work area contoured to fit comfortably in front of you. It holds my laptop computer upright with plenty of room for a mouse too.  An easy to use handle makes portability a cinch and it has the patented lapshield heat barrier as well. I have already used my Lap Gear lap desk to write letters, read magazines and books and soon I will use it for writing my holiday cards. I happy to provide a five star ratings for the Lap Gear Lap Desk gets a high score from me! It’s made well, light weight, attractive and functional. I recommend it for all ages.

    

Bella Vita iPhone Wristlet and iPhone Wallet Review

Available at Bella Vita and Amazon.com

Bella Vita means Beautiful Life in Italian. Bella Vita is also the name of a company run by two beautiful women. Katie and Julia. They created Bella Vita with a goal  to forge original designs in fine leather, providing a colorful twist on super-affordable luxury. They draw inspiration from the beauty of life. A double espresso. A fine bottle of wine. The warmth of sunshine and even waves crashing on the beach. Being a HUGE supporter of small business and particularly Womens business, it is an honor to review the Vita Bacca iPhone 4 Wristlet for women and the Vita Ciocolatto iPhone 4 Wallet for men .

Bella Vita! Life is beautiful, and so is this iphone wristlet. It is a beautiful combination of style and practicality. Made with rich leather and in a luscious warm pink color, it’s very feminine too. Pride in workmanship, attention to detail, and excellent quality is evident from the moment you untie the ribbon covered box.
Keep your not so attractive phone perfectly safe with room for credit cards, driver’s license and some cash too. It’s great for on the go. It is a an attractive substitute for carrying a purse too. No need when you have what you need in hand ( on your wrist). under $100 too.

Bella Vita! Life is beautiful, and so is this iphone wallet. It is a beautiful combination of style and practicality. Made with rich leather and in a luscious chocolate brown color. Pride in workmanship, attention to detail, and excellent quality is evident from the moment you untie the embossed box.
Keep your not so attractive phone perfectly safe with room for credit cards, driver’s license and some cash too. Easily slips into a purse, briefcase or into your jacket pocket. Keep your phone safe in style. This wonderful iphone wallet can be used for a man or a woman and it’s less than $100.I do not hesitate to give a five star rating two both of these fine products!

Home Products Reviews, Furniture Reviews, Electronics Reviews