Art 101 Review

As a mother of a budding artist, it seems like I can never keep enough art supplies in our home.  It seems like he is always losing colored pencils or running them down to where they have to be sharpened daily.  He really enjoys art class at school where he has had the chance to try out other mediums of art.  I really love that he is an artist, because I am extremely unartistic. He did not get the art gene from me.  I am great at coloring but that is about it. I took ceramics in high school thinking I would be good at it, I was not.  I really want to foster and embrace his love of art and implement some of the techniques that he has been learning at school.  I think in order to be a great artist you have to have talent, and the proper tools to succeed. There are a lot of art sets out there. I know, I have been looking for a while to get one for Noah. Most of them are just crayons, colored pencils and markers.  We have so many crayons that they fill a medium sized plastic box. I wanted to find more than just the standard stuff he was already used to and possibly starting to grow bored with.  We had the opportunity to work with a company called Art 101.  Art 101 sells really cool quality art kits for children and adults.  They have artist sets, and even a kid’s line called Art 101 Kids.

I finally found the art set I had been looking for. It has some of the basics and some not so basic items in it.  We received The Art 101 179 pc Double Sided Trifold Easel Art Set to try out. The Art 101 179pc Double Sided Trifold Easel Art Set comes with 48 crayons, 48 oil pastels, 24 color pencils, 19 watercolors, 12 markers, 10 sheets of paper, 4 large clips, 3 paper clips, 1 Art 101 Painting and Drawing Guide, 1 sketch pencil, 1 paint brush, 1 ruler, 1 eraser, 1 color wheel, 1 palette, 1 pencil sharpener, and 1 sponge with a double sided easel in a trifold organizer case. This set is every artist’s dream. Noah really likes the easel because he can draw and paint at different angles.  He says you can never have too many colored pencils which have been his tool of choice lately.  I was never really big in to colored pencils. I liked crayons.  He is also a great painter so we will have fun painting on our balcony with the watercolors.  I don’t really know too much about pastels so we will learn together. I forgot to mention that I am taking Art Classes. Noah is teaching me at art class. We have so much fun together. I try really hard but even then he thinks some of my creations are silly looking. Hopefully through the extra art lessons and the new set we received from Art 101, there might be hope for me after all.

This is a great gift if you have an artist or artists in your family. It is a great set because like I said, it is more complex than a hand full of crayons, colored pencils and markers.

For more information please visit Art 101. You can find Art 101 products at Amazon, Toys R US and Target.

Thank you to Art 101 for providing the sample for our review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ultra Bouncing Bubbles Review

Most kids love bubbles. I still enjoy blowing bubbles at 32. There is something therapeutic about it. I remember the first time I blew bubbles with Noah, he was mesmerized.  As he got older he would chase after them and try to catch them. I could tell he was frustrated when he touched them they would pop.  I learned quickly that you can’t really catch bubbles but it is also fun to pop them. He started popping them chasing them. Secretly, we all wish we could hold bubbles and carry them around.  Noah and I still blow bubbles all the time together. There are a million types of bubble wands, guns, fans and other toys. We have owned a lot of them.  We like to make bubbles while we wash our hands.  I showed him how to blow bubbles with his hands. He hasn’t quite mastered that skill yet, but we are practicing. 

So, when I had the chance to receive some Ultra Bouncing Bubbles I was so excited.  Ultra Bouncing Bubbles are bubbles but you get a special glove where you can hold the bubbles and bounce them in your hand.  We really love this product and are having so much fun bouncing the bubbles together.  It is fun to see how many times we can bounce them before they pop.  Sometimes we drop them and then they splat on the ground.  We just laugh and start again.  I think blowing bubbles with Noah is one of my favorite activities because it never gets old. We can do it for hours and still laugh and act silly together.  Ultra Bouncing Bubbles would be a great stocking stuffer for any child. They would also be great gift for your child’s friends.  I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love bubbles. I am sure if you gave the strongest most macho man bubbles he would blow them.

For more information please visit the Ultra Bouncing BubblesWebsite. 

I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

KOOLIO Personal Beverage Cooler Review

Noah and I love to go to the beach and to the pool. Thankfully we live in a place where it is pretty warm most of the time. Even if we can’t get in the water at the beach we like to walk on the beach, collect shells and play in the sand. We also go for walks around town and go to the park to play. Like most people who do a lot of activity we always are thirsty.  There aren’t too many places to buy something to drink so we always bring our own, it is cheaper that way too.  However I either have to do three things because we do live in a warmer climate.  Number one: drink it really fast, which makes me thirsty later on.  Number two: drink a not so cold drink, which when you are hot and thirsty that doesn’t really help.  Number three: I have to carry a cooler.  Now, if I were going to a picnic, I wouldn’t mind bringing a cooler along. However when Noah and I go to the pool. We have so many other things to bring like noodles, towels, and his snorkel and mask. A cooler is just one more thing to carry and they are heavy. We are normally not at the pool for too long. A cooler would pretty much be pointless.   Another thing I have noticed when Noah and I are walking and we have beverages is that I end up carrying it, because it’s too cold for Noah to carry at first.  So, I am double fisted with drinks freezing my hands off until the sun inevitably warms it up. 

I received a really cool product to try out. It is called KOOLIO Personal Beverage Cooler. We all know about the standard drink holders, usually with some business’s name on it.  They are usually made out of foam or cheap fabric. While they do keep your hands from getting cold, they don’t really keep your drink cold. In theory you would think they would, but we all know they don’t.  KOOLIO came up with an awesome product that enhances the typical drink holder. Instead of just putting your drink in a foam thing, you open up the system and insert a freezer pack.  The freezer pack keeps it cold. It’s like you have ice in it, without the melting and watering down.  They give you two freezer packs with each KOOLIO Personal Beverage Cooler so when the first one is no longer cold you can use the other one. I tend to forget to put Noah’s lunch ice pack and his ouchie pack back in the freezer right away. So it is great to have a backup just in case. It also comes in ten colors.  My favorite color is the green one while Noah likes the red one. You no longer have to worry about drinking out of someone else’s drink. All you do is remember your color. This is great if you have parties or picnics with many people.  

Here is some information from KOOLIO:

• Holds most standard 12-ounce cans or bottles
• Colorful band for comfort and grip
• Non-slip ring on bottom so your KOOLIO  stays in place
• Hole in bottom of base unit for easy removal of empty cans or bottles
• Easy twist-off lid to keep your gel pack secure
• Non-toxic gel that does not freeze solid to provide a secure fit and maximum cooling effect
• Does not contain BPA, Lead or Phthalates

KOOLIO would be a great gift for anyone who does a lot of entertaining, lives in a warm climate or really anyone who likes to drink cold drinks. I use them around the house too.  I keep my soda cold with them, I usually don’t chug a soda, I tend to drink it over time and I don’t want to keep running to the refrigerator every time I need a sip. It also works for my beer drinking readers. It will fit glass bottles of beer or Twisted Tea, which is my best friend’s drink of choice. We are also in football season and it would be perfect to take tailgating or even to watch the game. It is also an affordable gift. It’s only $9.99 even though it is worth so much more than that. Think about how many warm bottles of beer you have ended up throwing away. KOOLIO will help you save money by not wasting expensive beverages.

For more information and to purchase KOOLIO, please visit the KOOLIO website.

Thank you to KOOLIO who provided me with samples to try out in order to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oneida Sure Grip 12 Piece Set w/Bamboo Block Cutlery Review

I was afraid of knives for a long time; I would have someone else do all the cutting for me because I was really scared. I finally learned the proper way to use knives although I still will not peel anything where I have to hold it in my hand like an apple. I am left handed and well it scares me. I think that every chef or the occasional cook needs a great set of knives, so when I had the opportunity to review a cutlery set from Oneida, I was really excited. I had some knives but not a whole set, they were just random ones, I didn’t even have any steak knives. Oneida is a great company that makes all kinds of dishes and silverware and even cutlery sets. My silverware is Oneida so I am very familiar with and trust the brand.



I received Oneida Sure Grip 12 Piece Set w/Bamboo Block. I love my cutlery set. It is a 10 piece set with a gorgeous bamboo block. I love the way it looks in my kitchen, even if it is on top of the refrigerator. I don’t want any accidents with Noah, after seeing another child walking around with a butcher knife like it was a toy. I make sure he can’t reach anything dangerous. The set includes 8" Chef Knife, 7" Santoku Knife, 6" Boning Knife, 5" Utility Knife, 3" Paring Knife, 6 - 4 1/2" Steak Knives, Kitchen Shears, Sharpening Steel and Bamboo Block for storage. The knives are really easy to use. I love the Sure Grip handles, it helps me cut, chop and mince with ease and peace of mind. I use the shears all the time. I love that in the block I can just grab them and put them back with ease without having to search for them. I wouldn’t grab the knives like that though. I think that this set is a great set for the beginner cook or the most experienced chef because it has such a variety of knives. I know it would be a useful gift for anyone who loves to cook. I have gotten quite a few compliments about how pretty it looks. I really like the bamboo block because I know that it will last a very long time.

There are so many things I want from Oneida. I love it all. I am one of those people that would love to have a professional kitchen with all the bells and whistles and equipment. I have always been this way, from my first cooking equipment from my Cooking With Cricket spatula and toast cutters, which I still have by the way. I still have the cookbook too. I will be buying some more Oneida products in the future.

For more information and to order, please visit Oneida’s Website.

Thank you to Oneida for sending me a complimentary sample of the I received Oneida Sure Grip 12 Piece Set w/Bamboo Block. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wine Diaper Review

When my family visits St. Pete Beach, we go to a place called John’s Pass. They have a store that sells wine from the Florida Winery. They also have things called wine freezes. I love them; they are like daiquiris but made with wine. They don’t sell anything like this here so I like to bring home some Florida wine and wine freeze mix. Since you can’t bring liquids in your carry on anymore, I had to pack them in my suitcase. I was nervous the first time and I wrapped the bottles in Noah’s diapers, I wish I would have known about the Wine Diaper instead of wasting Noah’s diapers.

Now that Noah is older diapers are a thing of the past. I wanted to share with you about the Wine Diaper. It is a safe way to transport wine or anything in a glass bottle in your suitcase. This would be a great gift for someone who loves to not only travel but loves wine. The Wine Diaper is not only made out of a material that cushions it, it also is very absorbent if the bottle does end up breaking. It will quickly absorb the liquid to help protect your clothes and other items in your suitcase. As long as there is not a spill you can reuse it again and again. Think of it like a dry diaper. It has handles for easy carrying and a closure that helps you put your mind at ease while you are flying. I worry a lot about silly things and I could see myself worrying if I was not using the Wine Diaper.

For more information please visit the Wine Diaper Website
The Wine Diaper comes in packs of 3 for $15.00. You can purchase the Wine Diaper HERE

Thank you to Wine Diaper for sending me a complimentary sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grandma Ruby's Fudge Review

I love fudge. My favorite fudge is definitely peanut butter. I consider myself as a fudge connoisseur. I am so excited to have the opportunity to feature Grandma Ruby’s Fudge in my holiday gift guide. Grandma Ruby’s makes it possible to have delicious gourmet fudge delivered to your door. They sell all kinds of flavors. They make it all themselves homemade just like your Grandma would make. I had the opportunity to sample some fudge. The fudge was sent priority mail and it was so creamy, it melted in my mouth. It was as if Grandma Ruby was in my kitchen making the fudge it tasted that fresh. I can tell that the fudge is made with care and love. Grandma Ruby’s will also send fudge to our soldiers to give them a sweet treat that reminds them of home. I think that it is amazing that Grandma Ruby’s would offer to send their products so far away.



I was able to sample 8 different flavors. I tried the Peanut Butter, which was the best peanut butter fudge I ever tasted and that is including the fudge I had previously bought from the Cheese Store. I also tried the Peppermint, it was also really good, I love that it has pieces of peppermint on top to give it a little extra crunch. The chocolate fudge was Noah’s favorite. He thought it was so yummy. Grandma Ruby’s has such creative flavors. A Cookies and Cream fudge? Yes it is as tasty as it sounds. Of course they have the more traditional flavors too, like chocolate peanut butter and Tigers Eye, which is vanilla and peanut butter fudge. I am getting hungry thinking about all the great fudge I had the chance to sample. I can’t say enough good things about Grandma Ruby’s Fudge. They went above and beyond my expectations, and I am so glad I was able to sample it, I have a new go to fudge shop. The best part is I can order it in my pajamas and it comes right to my mail box.



I am kind of picky when it comes to ordering food from the internet, because some things can be very expensive. I am happy to report that Grandma Ruby’s Fudge will fit into anyone’s budget. I love that they make such a delicious gourmet fudge that doesn’t have a high price tag.

For more information and to order some of Grandma Ruby’s Fudge please visit the website. You can also follow @GrandmaRubys on Twitter. They have occasionally have fudge giveaways.

Thanks to Grandma Ruby’s for providing me with some fudge samples for my family to try out.

Capresso Froth Pro Review

I love hot chocolate, there is just something about a nice cup of delicious hot chocolate. I used to want a Cappuccino machine just so I could have the steamed and frothy milk in my drink. You see I used to work at a place that had a Cappuccino machine and I would make hot chocolate all the time. If you are looking for a holiday gift for a Cappuccino or hot chocolate lover you should check out the Capresso Froth Pro. It makes delicious steamed or frothy milk for hot chocolate or those coffee drinks. I love it. I have made hot chocolate with it quite a few times. It is really easy to use. You just select which disk you want based on if you want steamed milk or frothy milk. You just snap it in. pour the milk in the pitcher and turn it on and you will have heated milk for your beverage in a couple minutes. It will froth in hot or cold. You can also steam the milk in hot or warm which is perfect for kids. I grew up drinking hot chocolate and so will Noah. You can use whatever hot chocolate recipe you like. I use the kind in the box.

It is a great price too. It is also small and it wouldn’t take up a lot of room in your kitchen like a full sized Cappuccino machine. I know that Capresso also sells full sized Cappuccino machines too if that is something you are in the market for. I personally can’t afford a full sized one so I am really excited that Capresso came up with the Milk Froth Pro. I know I will have many cups of hot chocolate.

It is definitely something you should have in your home. You can purchase it for $59.99

For more information please visit Capresso’s website.

Thanks to Capresso for sending me a sample of the Froth Pro for my family to try out.

Garlic Twist Review

Everyone knows I love garlic. I will only use fresh garlic. With fresh garlic that means I have to chop it which can be very time consuming. I thought I would be smart and buy one of those garlic cutting gadgets with the wheels. It didn’t work very well, it made the garlic in to paste, it was hard to remove the garlic, it was hard to clean because there was a blade that made me nervous as it could do some serious damage. The garlic smell was almost impossible to get off of it. I only used it twice and decided it was more trouble than it was worth and went back to chopping or mincing.

I learned about a gadget called the 3rd Generation Garlic Twist or the GT3 for short and I just had to try it. The GT3 is made by NexTrend Products. I love this product because it has little teeth instead of a dangerous blade. All you do is whack the clove twice to remove the skin and then put in 2 or 3 cloves of garlic in and twist it. It is really easy and fast to use. I had my garlic minced quickly. It is really a time saver in my opinion. I was able to get the garlic out easier since it is circular. I was able to run my fingers on the teeth to help remove the garlic, which is something I would have never done with the one with wheels. The garlic was perfect, it minced it smaller than I could which was a good thing because it brought out the garlic flavor more. I really recommend the 3rd Generation Garlic Twist for the chef in your life. My favorite part is that you can put it on the top rack of the dish washer! As some of you know I hate doing dishes, so I love things that I can just put in the dish washer and not have to worry about it.

For more information please visit The Nextrend website.

Thank you to NextTrend for sending me a sample of the GT3 to try out and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.