Ozeri Green Earth 10" Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick Frying Pan

I cook every day. Sometimes twice a day. So I need tools that will keep up with me, and not give up the ghost in a few weeks time, but stick around for the long haul. It's not easy finding products that meet these metrics, but so far, this Ozeri Green Earth ceramic-coated frying pan is up to the task.

Some people will try to convince you that there's no place for a non-stick pan in a serious kitchen. Well, I take my kitchen very seriously and there's always a place for a good non-stick pan. From quick scrambled eggs, to a bag of asian-style fried rice, to some frozen veggies stir-fry style, the times you want a quick, good, home cooked meal but don't want the hassle of stainless steel or anodized aluminum and the cleanup involved. Ozeri has utilized an "ultra-safe ceramic coating inspired by nature which is 100% PTFE and PFOA free". So it should be a "healthier" alternative to traditional non-stick pans and the fumes they can release. But it has the same drawbacks as traditional non-stick, in that searing (and really, all really high heat cooking) is just not possible, because it will break down the non-stick coating quickly. It does still brown very nicely without drying out the food, and glazes with a high sugar content didn't burn at all. And preheating the pan is a no-no. Which, depending on your preferences is a plus or a minus. And no metal tools either. But, if you're like me you have a drawer full of plastic and wood kitchen tools so that's not a big problem. And the coating on the Ozeri Green Earth pan stands up to those plastic and wood tools just fine. The base of the pan is even magnetized for induction cooking ranges too! The Bakelite handle feels flimsy and has some give in it, and even though Ozeri boasts heat-resistance for it, though I can't readily find what temperature it's safe to, so I'd not use it in the oven out of an abundance of caution.

So far, after 2 weeks of nearly every day use this pan has held up to all the meals and concoctions I've thrown at it. Nothing has stuck, or even given a hint that it will. All it needed was a light coating of peanut oil before the first use, and a teaspoon of so of oil when cooking for browning or flavor. It cleans up quickly, with no residue or scrubbing at all. Did I mention the Ozeri Pan Protector included at no additional cost? Yeah, that's just awesome. So stacking any future additions to my Ozeri Ceramic pans will be a breeze! And it's competitively priced with competitors, all backed by Ozeri's stellar customer service. I can see no reason to not add this Ozeri Green Earth Ceramic Coated Non-stick Fry Pan to you kitchen.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ozeri. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Tantino Gold-Framed Classic Aviator Style Sunglasses

Spring is almost sprung in Southern California and with it comes a lot of bright, sunny days. Sunglasses are almost a necessity out here, and I'm always on the lookout for an affordable pair to match with outfits. When Tantino put up a pair of sunglasses in a the classic aviator style, I was intrigued. Let's just say I'm not anymore.

To start, Amazon did them no favors by carelessly throwing them into the box with no protection and a much larger item along with it, which essentially beat the holy hell out of them for the duration of the trip. Amazon did replace them, and what I had ascribed to damage from shipping is actually mostly really poor quality control and poor materials used. My lenses were not optically correct, which will lead to a great deal of eye strain and headaches. The frames were so thin they bent just opening them. The nosepiece needed a lot of adjustment to rest straight on my face. But, in their defense, the amber lenses didn't cast too much tint on everything, more of making the world sepia-toned.The big 56mm lenses cover the entire field of view, the plastic lenses seem pretty sturdy, and they claim 100% UVA/UVB protection for your eyes.

Lastly, as I was browsing my local Target, I saw a bunch of aviator-style sunglasses in a bin for $3 each. They were identical to these from Tantino, except the Target ones I picked up were optically correct, and these were a third of the price. I know I was probably expecting too much from sunglasses costing $10.99 (the price they were asking at the time I checked out. It's since gone lower), but I've bought hubby $10 sunglasses at the supermarket and had better results. Do yourself, and your eyes, a favor and spend a little more for a better pair of sunglasses.

Visit In Touch with Style's website to take advantage of their "Halloween Sale". I kid you not:

This is the internet equivalent of leaving your Christmas lights up too long. Get it together, people.

I received the above product(s) free of charge from In Touch with Style. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

We do a fair amount of grilling around here, especially since the weather tends to lend it self to extended outdoor times. And while our usual standby's are always top-notch, one never wants to end up in a rut. When I got a chance to try Top Mates' Aussie Finishing Sauces, I said you betcha!

A finishing sauce is a thing that can make a mediocre cut of meat into a masterpiece. Different from a marinade or grilling sauce, it's best to use them right at the end of cooking to not burn them, and be a "top-note" flavor that compliments the dish as opposed to really permeating it. The good ones are like magic, and Top Mates makes some of the best I've ever tried. We got to try our choice of two flavors, and I chose Caramelized Garlic and Onion and Shiraz. And the are both 100% awesome. The Caramelized Garlic flavor right away knocks down your expectations by being at once herby, tangy, and rich. Want simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients? How about this: Sugar, Garlic, Lemon Juice, Onion, Water, Olive Oil, Sundried Tomatoes, Canola Oil, Lemon Peel, Pectin, Spices, Salt, Citric Acid.That's it. No science experiments, just real stuff, real food, real good. We used it to top a freshly grilled tri-tip roast, by brushing it on the top and closing the lid for about 5 minutes on a Weber Kettle. After that, we let it rest for another 7 minutes and sliced to serve with a little more sauce on top, and the compliments we got we stellar. The Onion and Shiraz  (Ingredient list: Red Onion, Sugar, Onion, Shiraz Wine, Red Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, Port Wine, Pectin, Green Peppercorns, Mushrooms, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt, Spices. So simple!!) went on top of a grilled leg of lamb in place of our usual pomegranate reduction. With just the right amount of sweet with a rich, bold onion finish, this made our usual lamb a mouth-watering masterpiece. I can't wait to mix it up and try these sauces on other foods. I've been told they pair well with cheeses on an appetizer platter, but so far, as a finishing sauce, we haven't messed with perfection. I want to try every flavor!

Made from top-quality ingredients and easily paired with a variety of dishes, a little of these sauces go a very long way, because they are just packed chock-a-block full of flavor! Available directly from Top Mates shipped for free or even on Amazon (Free shipping for a limited time!), and only $11.99 per 10.2 ounce jar, I can see myself picking up the entire line and taking all our usual dishes from familiar to "Yowza!". Top Mates even has a special running where you can mix and match two jars of their amazing finishing sauces, shipped to your door, for only $19.99. There's literally no excuse to not give them a try. And Top Mates believes in their product so much, they offer a 30-day 100% satisfaction guarantee. Not to worry, I'm satisfied!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Top Mates. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Shoeslulu 3-Pack (Black, Brown, Red) Boot Laces, 63"

Swaggable: Kala Beautiful Beans Snacks #Review #KalaBeans #KalaBeautiful...

Zitriom LLC's Six-Pack of Packing Tape and Dispenser

House Autry Mills Seafood Breader, 8 oz. Box

Ohuhu's Adjustable Vented Laptop Desk, with USB-Powered Cooling

One of the biggest misnomers of our generation is the term "laptop". Meant originally to convey the differences between the larger, non-portable "desktop" computer, the "laptop" quick morphed into something you really couldn't and shouldn't put on your lap. From the heat, to the vents, to the touchpad, using a laptop on one's lap became almost an impossiblity. Enter Ohuhu's Adjustable Vented Laptop Desk. All the problems of using your computer on your lap just got whisked away.

Not only is it made from a lightweight aluminum alloy, but the "legs" articulate to accommodate almost any position imaginable, lock securely into place, and they even included a mouse pad that attaches on the side to eliminate the hassle and inaccuracies inherent to a touchpad! And the best part, the part that will probably give your laptop a few extra years? It's vented and actively cooled buy twin USB-powered fans! I'm....in.....heaven! No more cooked thighs, no more Hubby asking "Are your vents blocked?", and no more strain on my processor from excess heat! And you can easily switch the fan off and on from the toggle switch beneath the desk. I've been able to move my "workstation" from the counter and a lightly padded barstool chair to almost anywhere in the house. My laptop is secured and safe, and I have no worries about balance, or my laptop falling. In fact, in the few weeks I've had this Ohuhu Adjustable Vented Laptop Desk, I can't imagine going back to my life before I had it!

A few nits to pick here. One is the price. You can get identical products at much less than the $34.99 price point, and while after using it I'd gladly pay that, they can be found for $10 or more less. The next is the plastic "joints" in the aluminum armatures. I try not to reposition the "arms" too much for fear of these failing. I would like to see them beefed up a bit, perhaps to a heavier gauge ABS plastic. But these are minor concerns that should in no way take away from this spectacular product. Anyone who spends a significant amount of time on their "laptop" (there's that word again!) should really do themselves and their computer a favor a pick one of these up, like, today.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

X-Chef 100% Silicone Basting Brushes, 4-Pack

There are some kitchen tools you can never have enough of. Spatulas. Spoons. Bowls. And basting brushes. When I got offered the opportunity to test out a four pack of 100% food-grade silicone basting brushes from X-Chef, you better believe I said yes with a quickness! And am I ever so glad I did.

You see, despite the advertisements to the contrary, silicone does hold scents and can transfer them between dishes. And up until recently, I'd been keeping my one smaller silicone brush especially for sweet and neutral dishes, or for egg washes, and a separate one for my savory dishes in a separate drawer so they never got confused. Now, thanks to X-Chef, my brushes can all go in the same drawer because they came in four bright colors to easily tell one from another. The clear lucite handles means I can even label them with a Sharpie if I so desire. The handles are long and sturdy, and the heads can slip right off for easy washing. And being that the silicone brushes are dishwasher safe, I can just toss them right in after use. They're also temperature safe for foods up to 500°, so basting right out the over or right off the grill is no problem. What I especially liked was that the silicone on these brushes was softer than my other brushes, which means I no longer had to brush very slowly or just dab, because the silicone bristles won't whip or fling marinades or sauces all over the counter, stovetop or oven door.

As if all that wasn't enough, X-Chef guarantees their silicone brushes with a 1-year, "No-Hassle" money back guarantee. It's not just convenient, it's essential to have multiples of some tools in your kitchen. A silicone basting brush in and of itself is very essential, but having a few on hand at all times will make a day's worth of cooking and baking a little less of a mess and hassle. At $8.99 shipped from Amazon, I don't see any reason for your kitchen to be without them!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from X-Chef.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Valentine's Gift : Pirouline Sticks, Chocolate Heart Scented Candle

eightyFive Multi-Purpose Collapsible Storage Containers

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm always grateful for more storage solutions. Hubby is a bit of a pack rat and I tend to keep things in anticipation of future needs, so we both are guilty of keeping more stuff around than we use or really, truly need at any given time. So when I got a chance to try out these nifty collapsible storage boxes from eightyFive, I jumped right in with both feet.

These eightyFive storage boxes are fabric over cardboard, so they're lightweight but still sturdy enough for my plethora of beauty samples, my crafting supplies, or just my collection of fuzzy slipper socks.They have handles on the side to make moving or carrying them a breeze, and they "latch" closed in the from using velcro tabs. I wouldn't put anything terribly heavy in them, because after all they are only thin fabric and cardboard, but as a temporary or disposable storage solution you could really do a lot worse. You get a three pack with various sizes: Small 10" x 8" x 5 ½", Medium 12" x 10" x 4 in", and Large at 13" x 12" x 7 ½", approximately. There's some give int he fabric so you could plus or minus a 1/4" here and there. And you get all three for only $16.99 shipped, which is a steal. And when not in use, the boxes fold back down easily and store flat, taking up virtually no room at all. If I had to take issue with anything, it would be I would like a few less, shall we say, garish, color selections, and that while this type of fabric is what keeps the three pack affordable, dusting it is a headache. Best to vacuum them with a wand and fabric brush attachment.

Perfect for your kids, or your pets, or even just for little old me, these three eightyFive Fabric Storage boxes are a hit in this house. They hold everything I need them to, store safely away or stacked in a corner, and fold away when not needed, and all for just over $15? Yes please! I recommend these highly, if you can get past the bright blue and orange!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from .  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

XtremePowerUS's Mini Electric Washing Machine

Washing the clothes can be a real pain in the butt. Especially with the new "H.E." machines that, try as we might, don't get clothes really clean anymore. They might save some water per cycle, but having to repeatedly wash the same stuff to get clothes clean negates any savings. So it was with "Xtreme" delight that I found myself picked to review XtremePowerUS's Mini Washing machine, mostly because finally, I had an agitator again.

Unfortunately, while it's compact, lightweight and seems perfect for small loads or delicates, the underpowered motor and anemic pump render the machine almost useless for all but the lightest and most delicate of clothes, the ones that don't get too dirty to begin with. For starters, the instructions leave much to be desired. Thankfully Hubby and I are pretty good about figuring out how stuff works. The controls are very straightfoward, and easy to use. I started off with a simple outfit: Pants, a shirt, and undies, which barely filled the wash tub 1/3 of the way. The water inlet hose doesn't truly connect to any faucets or spigot in the house, so we used the pull-down kitchen faucet. When the machine started making a humming noise but nothing happened, I lifted the lid and picked up the clothes and the agitator went nuts and spun like crazy. Once the clothes were put back down, the agitator refused to spin again. Imagine this repeating itself for the 9 minutes I set the timer for. Not how I want to do wash, because after all, it's usually a passive endeavor. So okay, time to spin the clothes mostly dry so that you hang them out to dry the rest of the way. But the "pump" failed miserably, and hubby had to lift the machine higher than the counter to get the "pump" to work. Lesson learned there, the "pump" only works with a ground-level drain, such as in the tub or shower. Sadly, the distance to our outlets on the walls preclude this being a feasible place to use it. Even at that, there's still a considerable amount of soapy water in the machine that the pump just doesn't have the power to remove.

I wanted to like this machine, and for $100, if you want access to a washing machine that doesn't need to run on a steady diet of quarters, or wait for the communal apartment machine, this might be for you, so long as you understand you may be limited to washing one thing at a time, and constantly have to assist the machine with every step in the process. The irony of the company name isn't lost on me here. If XtremePowerUS would put pumps and motors with a little more power, these machines would be selling like hotcakes. Even with my full-sized machines, I would have one for delicates and for Hubby's yardwork clothes, but as the machine stands now, it has more limitations and drawbacks than positives. It's almost there, and with better internals, I'd recommend the machine highly.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from XtremePowerUS.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

PMD: Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device #Review #PMDPretty #PMD...