Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Some helpful websites

So today I'm not sharing a review. Instead, I have some helpful websites you might be interested in checking out. Recently my mom shared an article with me that came from Family Circle. They were talking about making purchases online. Here are some that you should check out:

https://lish.com/ by Payvment creates a storefront based on feedback for hundreds of thousands of sellers. It uses social medi/a like Facebook to advertise by posting on people's Timeline about items they like and bought. You use PayPal for a secure transaction.

https://www.zaarly.com/ is like an online yard sale for goods, services, and experiences.

https://www.taskrabbit.com/ has a service that allows you to hire trusted folks to run errands, do household chores or perform repairs for a fee. The "taskrabbits" go through background checks and video interviews before being approved.

http://www.swap.com/netcycler.html is a service that you have to sign up and provide a valid payment method in order to use. Once you do that, you can then search for things you want and list things to "swap". Only payment expected in the swap will be shipping. In return, they ask you swap things of equal value.

Remember to look for https in the address bar and certificates such as the Norton Secured Seal!

Friday, December 14, 2012

DaVinci Gourmet review

Everyone may not be gourmet in the kitchen. But with a little help, they can still make a gourmet treat. DaVinci Gourmet provides specialty syrups to add that yummy element to so many things.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, deserts and even entrees can be transformed into something to excite your taste buds with just a little something extra. They have tons of recipes you can check out on their website. For those looking to keep on the healthier path they offer the sugar-free syrups.
DaVinci Gourmet sent me several flavors to try. Sugar-free Caramel was so good in my hot chocolate! It adds a rich flavor and I only put about a teaspoon in my cup. My kids and husband were drinking up my hot chocolate as soon as I finished stirring it! The delicious smell that rose with the steam drew them in.

Then for breakfast one morning we decided to make pancakes. As a treat, I added about a tablespoon (or two) into the mix. We had yummy caramel pancakes that my boys wanted seconds and thirds... and fourth and fifth helpings of.
They also sent Vanilla, Hazelnut, Sugar-free Chocolate, Zero calorie Kahlua. They have so many flavors to choose from! I plan to dazzle up my brownies next... So check them out and tell me what you think about the products and recipes.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Sonic Alert review

Being married to a deaf guy, I've spent the past 6 years or so learning about and seeing different products that deaf people use. The technology they have made for deaf and hard of hearing (HoH) devices is getting better all the time. One of the most notable devices is a signaler.
I was given the chance to test the USS360 Universal Sound Signaler from Sonic Alert. It's a small device that you plug into the wall then you plug a lamp into it. Put it in a room you spend a lot of time in and any time there is loud sound - knocking on the door, baby crying, alarms, etc. your lamp will begin flashing. This is so helpful for our family. I have hearing issues as well but I'm able to hear my daughter cry or someone knocking on the door. However, when I'm not home my husband needs to be able to know what's going on too. This USS360 works with all other Sonic Alert receivers. Once plugged in, this device will submit a signal via the power lines in your home to any other Sonic Alert Receivers you have plugged in as well. 

Devices like these are great not only for deaf but also for those who have other degrees of hearing loss. Or maybe for those who tune everything out and drift into their own minds and need a reminder to come back to realty...


There is another awesome thing I should mention about this device; it has various degrees of sensitivity to sound. It catches my son whispering across the room just as easy as my daughters cry depending on the setting we pick.
Now as a warning, you should not use power strips or surge protectors with the Sonic Alert Signalers or Receivers because they block the signal that is transmitted from the signaler to the receiver. They must be plugged directly into a working outlet without any adapters getting in the way.
They have other things as well. Alarm clocks, other types of signalers, amplified clocks and phones as well as listening devices.
Want to learn more about their technology? Check them out on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonic-Alert/ or at their website http://www.sonicalert.com/.

This technology is called X-10 technology. I found a link where you can get a little more info about what that means.  http://www.smarthome.com/about_x10.html



If you are looking for more specific information about this particular signaler, check out this link: http://sonicalert.com/products-signaling-systems-USS360.html
The other receivers they have available can be viewed here: http://sonicalert.com/signaling-systems-receivers.html

I'd love to hear what you guys think about this. So leave me a comment below!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Emerson Creek Pottery review and giveaway

As I've mentioned in some of my other reviews, I love companies that make and sell products right here in the United States. I also love pottery. My grandmother had a beautiful set of pottery dishes on display in her china cabinet the always impressed me. I found a company that not only sells pottery but they are made and sold here in the US. Emerson Creek Pottery makes some beautiful pieces and sets. With the holidays here, these pieces are even more appealing for all your holiday gatherings and family sharing. They have so many things that make great gift ideas as well.
I was sent a Peony Pitcher in the Copper Clay color. It's so cute. I love the deep, rich color (that goes so well with the ranch theme we have) as well as how smooth the surface is. It's the perfect size for a small bunch of flowers to make a centerpiece. I'm sure too when my daughter is old enough to have "tea parties" this is will be something she goes for first. It reminds me of a miniature size of a pitcher my mother used to have. Remember the pitcher and bowls households would keep in the rooms of their farm house so guests could wash their hands and face? Just like that!

Emerson Creek Pottery also has some lovely appetizer plates, dinnerware, bakeware, baby dishes... The list goes on. They have various colors and designs to choose from as well. You can check out their website
http://www.emersoncreekpottery.com/ to see everything they have to offer. My favorite design they offer is the Field of Iris. I like that they make pottery that is not only beautiful, reminiscent of antique-like pieces, but its also made for modern life.
These dishes are safe to use in your microwave as well as your dishwasher. There is no lead in them and you can cook with them in your oven. Being heavy duty and made to last everyday makes them worth every penny compared to the cheaper imports most folks buy that break or shatter or might even develop cracks over less than a years worth of handling. As a bonus for those who love historic facts, the building that houses their showroom has a rich background going back to the 1800's.

So now for the fun part! Enter below to win a Peony Pitcher in your choice of design. As a bonus, they are also giving my readers a coupon code 867, good for 20% off, $25 or more, until 1/7/13. So check them out, enter to win, and happy holidays!


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