Archive for Product Reviews
April 8, 2009
· Filed under Product Reviews, Swimming, Travel, Uncategorized · Tagged customer service, hotel, Oklahoma City, review
THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO www.fromthemom.com. Please leave comments at the new site.
We recently traveled to Oklahoma City for a swim meet and had a great experience staying in a SpringHill Suites by Marriott. The price point on this particular hotel is about $109, which is certainly reasonable. It’s even more reasonable when you factor in the size the room, the breakfast, the amenities and the service.
SpringHill Suites, South MacArthur, Oklahoma City
There were four people in our party — my husband, my 10-year-old son and our 16-month-old daughter and me. The room was so large that we were able to put the portable crib (provided by the hotel at no extra charge) in the little cubby area by the sink, creating a perfect “out of the way” place for naptime and bedtime.
The living area provided enough room for the toddler to run around a little and for the rest of us to relax and watch TV. I was able to work on my laptop, thanks to the free Wi-Fi, but the lobby also sported two updated computers with large screens and a nice printer.
Computer/printer in upper left corner
Our swim team also stayed at the hotel, and the complimentary breakfast was perfect for them. There were the usual eggs, waffles and pastries, but there was also a steaming pot of oatmeal with brown sugar, raisens and chopped walnut toppings, a vast array of fruit, yogurt and several healthy cold cereal choices. I was particularly fond of the multiple flavored Coffee Mate liquid creamer choices and the high-quality coffee that was available around the clock. And the employee who worked the breakfast was eager to help and kept everything fresh and refilled.
The desk staff was equally helpful and friendly, and Ryan was particularly courteous and efficient as he helped us remedy a slight mix-up with our reservations. Then, the staff went above and beyond in the customer service department after we checked out. We left behind a bag FULL of dirty clothes and didn’t realize the clothes were missing until about four days after we returned home. We called the hotel and they had found the clothes in the room and were waiting for us to contact them. We received our stale, smelly laundry in the mail less than one week later.
This stay — which was our first at a SpringHill Suites — definitely put this hotel on our radar for future travel.
March 10, 2009
· Filed under In the News, Product Reviews, Safety, Uncategorized · Tagged children, handbag, Justaposie, prostitution, purse, Purse of Hope, sex crimes, sex trafficking
I remember getting my first Coach bag. I really felt like it was a life-changing experience. And I still love my Coach bags with the special kind of love women feel for their handbags. But now I’ve got a handbag that is literally life-changing.
My new handbag is a Juxtaposie handbag. Founder Kristen Hendricks made a decision that part of the profits from the sale of her handbags will go toward providing hope and healing to children who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation. “As fun and fabulous as our handbags may be, we recognize purchasing one may not dramatically change your life, but it may change someone else’s. Thank you for helping us make a difference,” Kristen says.
Kristen recently founded a not-for-profit called Purse of Hope. The initial mission of Purse of Hope is to rescue and rehabilitate 100 girls in Uganda who are the victims of sex-trafficking, forced prostitution, rape or other sexual crimes. The organizations long-term goal is to expand this program to include several other countries and rehabilitate more than 1,000 girls worldwide. A portion of Juxtaposie profits go to this organization.
Now, check out my cool purse:
One of the really cool things about these Juxtaposie bags (besides the amazing quality and attention to detail) are the beaded handles. Incorporated into each handle are several hand-rendered beads created by Northern Ugandan refugees that were forced to flee their homes due to a 21 year civil war. Plus, the handles are detachable, so you can buy several different versions to go with one purse, totally changing the look.
Juxtaposie also offers women a career opportunity to sell these fun bags. One of my friends, Dot Vision, is a sales director in the St. Louis area, and she’d love to tell you how to earn a Juxtaposie bag for yourself for free. You can reach her at dot.vishion@juxtaposie.com. Or, if you want to shop online, you can do so here, and then enter Dot’s consultant code, #001007.
Now, I need to go play with my new purse some more.
February 21, 2009
· Filed under Blogging/Social Media, Giveaways, Product Reviews, Uncategorized · Tagged cabinets, Granite Transformations, kitchen remodel, St. Louis Home & Garden Show, ticket giveaway
I mentioned previously that I’m blogging about the St. Louis Home & Garden Show. In addition to giving away tickets to the show here, I’m going to tell you about my favorite exhibitor — Granite Transformations-St. Louis.
I used Granite Transformations for my kitchen remodel in September and I couldn’t be happier with the WOW results of these “countertops that fit on top.” Here are a few “before” pictures:
old, Formica countertops with old sink and faucet
My home was built in 1990 and my countertops were original, as were my cabinets. I couldn’t afford to replace the cabinets, but the owner of Granite Transformations-St. Louis, Chuck Wintermute, assured me that using his product to cover my existing countertops would revitalize my kitchen and improve the look of my cabinets. And he was so right! Here are a few “after” pictures:
Check out the beautiful mosaic back splash, cool black sink and deluxe faucet, also purchased from Granite Transformations.
Granite also helped us raise part of our island countertop to create a new "eating area" bar.
Needless to say, I was really pleased with our remodel and with the cost of the project . Using Granite Transformations saves 15 to 20 percent compared to the installation of quality granite. You also save money because these countertops go over your existing countertops, eliminating any demolition costs or resulting problems from tearing out counters and cabinets. And there are no ongoing maintenance costs that are associated with ordinary granite. Granite Transformations surfaces are maintenance free and come with a lifetime warranty.
Granite Transformations was founded in 1995 in Australia and came to the United States in 2001. Granite Transformations-St. Louis was founded in 2004 and is locally owned by Chuck Wintermute. Chuck used to be my neighbor and I’ve known him for almost 10 years. He’s as upstanding of a guy as you’d ever want to meet and he really wants his customers to be happy with the remodeling projects with which they trust him and his company.
Granite Transformation’s booth at the St. Louis Home & Garden Show will be booth No. 5045, located in the Edward Jones Dome kitchen and bath center, across from the speaker stage. Chuck will be offering specials for all appointments signed up at the show, including a free, high-end Blanco Silgranit or Artisan16-gauge stainless steel sink with optional under-mounted installation. In addition, any customer who opts for the Bevel edge treatment will qualify for a matched faucet credit of up to $300 towards Moen, Blanco, or Hans Grohe plumbers line faucets. Chuck also is offering specials for customers who contract for cabinet refacing and countertops.
In case these deals don’t grab your attention, check out a few pictures of other kitchens Chuck’s company has remodeled:
Now, back to the free tickets. Go to my giveaway here and enter to win two free tickets, good for any day of the St. Louis Home & Garden Show March 5-8.
February 3, 2009
· Filed under Giveaways, Product Reviews, Uncategorized · Tagged contest, custom car decal, family car decal, giveaway, product review
Check out my very cool custom car decal, which depicts my family’s makeup: Professional Dad, Super Cool Mom (hee hee), Swimmer Daughter, Basketball/Sporty Son, Toddler Daughter.
I had been admiring these decals on the cars of other people for the last couple of years. So I was very excited when Grafxdosgueros.com offered me one to review, and one to give away to one of you. (See details below).
I have to say, customizing my decal was a ton of fun, and it was really easy. You just go to the site, click on “Create Your Own Decal” and get started. There are dozens of “characters” to choose from in each of the categories: Dads, Moms, Boys, Girls, Babies, Grandparents, Pets and more. Of course, I chose the Mom with the thinnest waist, an action which has brought much ribbing from my DH. And, my 13-year-old competitive swimmer is put out on a couple of fronts: she’s says she wears goggles, NOT a mask, and she is taller than me in real life. Plus, if you’re 13, it is apparently uncool to have a family car decal. Oh well. Back to the review.
If you want, you can put names on your characters (I didn’t) or a header on top (I did). When you’re done, you order your decal and then you get an emailed proof that you can approve or make changes. Grafxdosgueros.com even offers ideas and a how-to video on the decal application, although I thought the instructions that came with the decal were easy to follow.
The cost of these custom decals is very reasonable and based on the number of people in the design. One character is $6, two cost $10, three cost $12 and four to eight characters cost $15. Each additional character beyond eight costs $2. However, one lucky reader is going to get a custom decal with up to eight characters for free by entering my giveaway.
To enter this contest, you must:
- Go to Grafxdosgueros.com and pick your favorite character (i.e. Mom 22 or Dad 19)
- Come back here and comment on that character and why you like him/her.
- Leave a valid email address in your comment so I can contact you if you’re a winner.
For additional entries, you can:
- Tweet this contest with a link back here – one entry.
- Blog about this contest with a link back here – one entry.
- Subscribe to my feed – one entry.
- Make sure you leave a separate comment for each additional effort you make for an entry.
The contest runs through 11:59 p.m. Feb. 9. The winner will be chosen and asked to respond within three days or a new winner will be chosen.
NOTE: I DID wash my minivan before taking this picture — twice actually. You see, I received my decal when the weather was below freezing in St. Louis, and I couldn’t apply it during those weather conditions. Then it snowed and remained cold. Then in warmed up into the 40’s and I got my car washed and applied the decal — but the snow was melting and the car got dirty again from the road spray. So I washed it again, and it got dirty again from the road spray and I gave up and just took the picture and wrote my review already!
January 30, 2009
· Filed under Product Reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized · Tagged 7 jeans, boutique, designer, J Brand, jeans, sale, Shopping, Tag+
I’m so excited. I went to the 2-Day Cash and Carry Boutique Warehouse Sale on the Boulevard in Clayton by the Galleria tonight. It was insane by 6:30 p.m., as you can see from the picture below.
But the deals were absolutely worth the hassles of the the crowds. I broke down and got a pair of J Brand pencil leg jeans, pictured below, for $40. They retail for $161.
Of course, they don’t look like this on me, but I do like them and my friends thought they looked decent. Plus, I got a pair of Tag+ jeans for my daughter, pictured below, for $40, too. These retail for $174.
They probably WILL look like this on my lean and toned swimmer girl. She hasn’t tried them on yet, so I don’t know if she’ll like them. I hope so because they’re non-returnable.
I also got a Romeo & Juliet Couture sweater for me, and a darling Teenie Weenie Ballerinie tutu decorated with rose buds and ballerina t-shirt for DB. I plan to have her picture taken in it very soon. At one point, I sent a text to my husband telling him NOT to buy me a Valentine’s present. “Oh #%@^” was his return text message. Exactly. But think of how much money I SAVED!
My friends scored too, with 7 jeans, Lilly Pulitzer outfits for kids and a host of other goodies.
The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. For more information, call 314.872.5600.
January 24, 2009
· Filed under Product Reviews, Weight · Tagged chocolate, pecan crowns, snacks, Weight Watchers, Whitmans candies
Chocolate is a food group. I really believe this. But when I began really sticking to my Weight Watchers program a little over a year ago, I had to make some adjustments to my chocolate intake. I’m now a lifetime Weight Watchers member (which means I hit my goal weight and have maintained it), and I owe part of my success to these:
Weight Watchers Whitman's candies pecan crowns
These chocolates, made by Whitman’s Candies, are prepared to fit into the Weight Watchers program. They are 1 point per piece, and they are sold in 3-ounce bags that have six pieces at
Walgreens for about $3. I’ve also seen them at all the major grocery stores in my area and I’ve occasionally found them in packages of two in the candy bar aisle. They’re really tasty, and they don’t seem to have some of the negative side effects I’ve discovered with some of the other “diet candies.”
I like to throw a couple of these into my purse when going to the movies so that when my kids are munching on Junior Mints or M&Ms, I’ve got my chocolate fix, too. I also try to keep one or two in the diaper bag for chocolate emergencies.
You should try them.
January 23, 2009
· Filed under Baby stuff, Giveaways, Product Reviews · Tagged baby product, contest, giveaway, winner
Congratulations to Danielle, winner of the Wee Baby Hat Giveaway. Danielle told us in Comment #16 that she will be giving the hat set to her sister-in-law who is due next month. If you didn’t win and would still like a Wee Hat for yourself (or a friend), be sure to visit Wee Baby.
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. Keep checking back, as I’ve got an exciting new contest coming up that involves winning something that will help you personalize your car, minivan or SUV.
January 18, 2009
· Filed under Baby stuff, Giveaways, Product Reviews
I received a boxed set of the Wee Hat to review over at New Baby, and now I’m going to give the set away here.
These hats were inspired by Paige Brown when she could not find stylish hats ot fit her newborn baby’s head. The Wee Hat is the perfect size for a tiny newborn and it fits a baby up to about two months old. Plus, it’s much more stylish than those pink and blue striped hats everybody gets at the hospital.
The Wee Hat is made from a cashmere-like cotton sweater yarn that is very soft, and it doesn’t have any scratchy seams or tags.
The hats come in pink, green and blue box sets that sell for $35.
The Blue Box Set that I'm giving away
You can also buy the hats individually for $12, but you have to go to the product index on the site to find that option.
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below as to why you’d like to win and whose head you would be keeping warm and stylish with the Wee Hat. You can get an extra entry by subscribing to my feed. Be sure to leave an extra comment when you do that. And also make sure you leave a valid email address so I can notify you if you win.
This contest is open to continental U.S. residents only and it ends at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 22. The winner will have two days to respond to the email notification with an address where I can send the hats or a new winner will be chosen.
January 9, 2009
· Filed under In the News, Older children, Product Reviews · Tagged Amazon music, Apple, Flip video camera, free music, Ipod, Itunes, news, Wall Street Journal
I was very encouraged to read this story in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. We have four Ipods in our family. The two older kids have the swanky square Nano’s that play video, and my husband and I have the old rectangular Nano’s. I got mine about four years ago and still love it. My husband inherited his when the kids were “upgraded” to the newer Nano’s via their Nana.
With four of us using Ipods, we’ve spent plenty of money at the Itunes store. Therefore, it is incredibly frustrating that we can’t use any of those songs, which were legally purchased and belong to us, with other software programs like my slideshow program in Adobe Photoshop or my Flip movie-making program. I’ve had to download music from Amazon.com to do that. And I love the fact that Amazon has a bunch of songs you can download for free that work with ANY software program. In fact, the video in this post is utilizing one of those free songs.
But now it looks like Apple is going to lift its copyright protection from eight million songs immediately and from the remaining two million songs by the end of March. Plus, you can pay to “upgrade” any existing songs in your Itunes library to the copyright-free version. I doubt I’ll be doing that unless there is one I just have to have for a slideshow or video. But I am glad to hear that anything purchased going forward will be more user-friendly.
Oh — and Apple is implemeting a new pricing structure, with some songs costing only 69 cents, some remaining at 99 cents and some songs costing $1.29. Apple says the vast majority of songs will cost 69 cents. Whatever. I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m more excited about the copyright issue, because I think this new pricing plan will probably be a price increase.
December 30, 2008
· Filed under Product Reviews, Uncategorized · Tagged cell phone, cell phone coverage, T-Mobile, Verizon, wireless carrier comparison
Shopping for cell a cell phone carrier can feel as slimy as shopping for a used car. That’s why I’m grateful that my DH manages both of these duties. But I’m compelled to share this moronic story from his recent adventures in the wireless world.
Our current carrier is Verizon. We’ve got three phones with them (mine, my husband’s and my daughter’s). We’ve got our minutes and our texting plan, and we’ve been fairly satisfied with their service (except at the Lake of the Ozarks). Our two-year contract was up with them in December, so my husband began shopping around because I’d like an email option with my “upgrade” and my daughter would like more texting. After doing quite a bit of research into plan options, my husband had our selection narrowed down to Verizon and T-Mobile, and we were leaning toward T-Mobile. Until today.
We had heard that there are some coverage issues with T-Mobile in our neighborhood, and when you check it online, it’s questionable. I use my cell phone for work, and I work from home, so that would be a deal killer. My husband went to one of the local stores and told them he is ready to sign the two-year contract with them, but first he wanted to bring a T-Mobile phone to our house and make sure it would send and receive calls.
The sales rep said no.
My husband said he’d leave his driver’s license and a credit card, and we only live a few miles, and we’d be happy to use the sales rep’s phone, etc., etc.
The sales rep said no. He said we’d have to sign up, ink the two-year contract and then we could bring OUR new phone home and try it. How generous of him! That’s some serious diplomacy.
My husband told him if we couldn’t try a phone from our home first, we’d take our business back to Verizon.
And the sales rep let the sale walk right out the door.
I guess this economy isn’t affecting T-Mobile. Good for them.
These people, and this person, and these people experienced T-Mobile coverage problems, so maybe that sales rep did us a favor.
NOTE: I feel compelled to to pull the punch I threw at the used car industry. It was strictly for literary purposes. 
In fact, we recently purchased a used Honda Odyssey from Bommarito Honda in Hazelwood, MO and the entire experience was a good one, including the follow-up service we’ve had thus far. Maybe the cell phone industry could take a few lessons.
