web analytics
You are here: Home / Archives for Lifestyle / Shopping / Reviews & Giveaways / Household

Products and equipment to make your home run smoothly.

NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker Review

December 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

ice cream makerI was recently sent a NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker for review.  This ice cream maker is much different than the one my parent’s used when I was a child.  Memories of packing salt and ice into the sides of the old style ice cream makers , and waiting for hours to have any ice cream to eat, didn’t draw me back to the process, as an adult.  This ice cream machine is far different from the set-up my parents used though.

homemade frozen yogurtThe NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker has a built in compressor, so making ice cream becomes as simple as mixing your ingredients, pouring them in, setting the timer, and pressing the button.  I made some frozen yogurt in the machine, and it was ready in just 40 minutes, with minimal cleanup.  My daughter loved the yogurt, and it is a great way to try out something unusual.   Our frozen yogurt concoction was made with vanilla frozen yogurt, milk, chocolate Slimfast powder & a banana.  I figured my daughter and I both liked this combination as a smoothie, so why not a frozen treat.

I will certainly be having some fun with this next summer, making ice cream and frozen yogurt featuring fresh fruits and berries.  I might try a couple wacky recipes I have seen online, like bacon ice cream, as well… why not.  The Newair AIC-210 would make a wonderful gift for the foodie or ice cream lover in your life.   It is quicker and easier to use than most ice cream makers , so I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Product sample provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household Tagged With: , ,
Pin It

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker Review and Giveaway

December 12, 2011 By

Bialetti Moka ExpressLove espresso, and don’t want to spend a small fortune on one of those expensive boiler models?  This simple stove top espresso maker may be just the solution for you.  The Moka Espress is made in Italy, and is the same design commonly found in European households.

The Bialetti Moka Express espresso maker is available in a wide array of sizes.  There are 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 cup models.  The 6 cup model featured here sells for just $29.95, quite reasonable compared with the counter top brew models, many of which produce lackluster espresso.  If you entertain a lot, the 9 or 12 cup model would be a good investment even if you have a high end counter top model.  They generally don’t brew more than 2 cups at a time, not good if you have several dinner guests who would like a cup.

I found this maker easy to use, and it is foreseeable that the aluminum body could  last a lifetime.  A Bialetti Moka Express espresso pot would make an excellent gift for the foodie or coffee fiend in your life.  Pair it with a bag of fine quality espresso and some demitasse cups for a truly outstanding gift.

Disclosure: Product sample provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Bialetti Moka Express Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a Moka Express espresso pot of their own.

Entry Options (do as many or as few as you like, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

            • Tell how you like to drink your espresso.
            • For 2 entries! Follow this blog via email or RSS . (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
            • For 2 entries! Like Blommi on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
            • For 2 entries! Like Bialetti on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
            • Share or “like” this giveaway on Facebook
            • Follow @TwiMommi  on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, can be done 3x per day at least 1 hour apart (account must be public and have at least 50 followers).
            • Follow me on Stumble Upon , Pinterest or Google + (one entry each, leave your user name in comment).
            • For 2 entries! Grab my ad button (available here), or add Blommi.com to your blogroll -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends December 27, 2011 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household, Misc. Tagged With: , , ,
Pin It

Ninja Kitchen System: Review and Giveaway

December 9, 2011 By

ninja kitchen system 1200I received a Ninja Kitchen System about a month ago and have been using it regularly since it’s arrival.  This sturdy well-built appliance has a wide array of functions.  It is the 1200 model, which seems to essentially be pretty much the same as the 1100.  The system comes with both a  40 oz and a 72 oz pitcher.  Five tool shafts are included: 2 bladed shafts (one for each size pitcher), a whipping paddle (great for dessert preparation), dough paddle (good for cookies, cakes, etc.) and dough blade (pizza & breads).

This is not a fragile piece of equipment.  I really appreciate it’s sturdiness, after my last multi-use system (from a different company) had two  two essential pieces break, making it virtually useless.  It is also easy to use.  I don’t know about you, but if a kitchen appliance has more than about 3 pieces to put together for use, or are difficult to clean, I just won’t be bothered.  They become space wasting dust collectors.  The Ninja Kitchen System is no more complicated than a blender, and this thing chomped right through full size ice cubes without whining at all.

A few notable features:

  • BPA free
  • suction feet, with locking lever
  • 1100 watts of power
  • easy -twist lock in
  • motor will not activate unless cap is properly attached

The Ninja Kitchen System Retails for $159.99, and can be bought right off their website, as well as, from most major retailers.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Ninja Kitchen System Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a Ninja Kitchen System 1200 of their own, courtesy of Ninja.

Entry Options (do as many or as few as you like, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

      • Tell me what you want to make in a Ninja!
      • For 2 entries “Like” Ninja Kitchen on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
      • For 2 entries “Like” Blommi on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
      • For 2 entries Follow this blog via email or RSS  (pick one).
      • Follow  @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway can be done 3x per day at least 1 hour apart (account must be public and have at least 50 followers). feel free to use this tweet: ” Win a Ninja Kitchen System from @TwiMommi  http://blommi.com/?p=24565 #Giveaway  ”
      • Follow me on Stumble Upon , Pinterest or Google + (one entry each, leave your user name in comment).
      • For 3 entries! Grab my ad button (available here), or add Blommi.com to your blogroll -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 3 separate comments)
      • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post  -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. (be sure to leave 3 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends December 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household Tagged With: , , ,
Pin It

Vtech Multi-tasking Phone System is a Great Gift for Busy Moms

November 21, 2011 By 2 Comments

As a blogger who frequently features recipes, I am often in the kitchen preparing a dish for publication, while watching my daughter and recording the ingredients as I add them.  Several other things are probably happening at the same time as well.  I simply can’t hold a phone and get things done efficiently, but I still want to keep in touch with my friends and family.  Answering the phone, when I have my hands covered with flour or just touched raw meat, is just not going to happen. I assume most busy moms can relate with that scenario.  We don’t want to miss important phone calls, but dropping everything to check who is calling, is inconvenient to say the least.vtech ls6475-3 review

These issues were a constant annoyance for me, so when Mom Central, was looking for bloggers to review the Vtech LS6475-3 phone system, I jumped at the chance.  The feature list was quite impressive, and would solve most of the phone issues that had been troubling me.  I have not been disappointed.

Upon opening the box, I was immediately impressed with the sturdy sleek well thought out design.  The handsets while thin, still have a decent weight and length to them, making then comfortable to hold.  They seem like they could readily handle being dropped, which inevitably happens.  I also like the ample size of the push buttons.  The buttons on my old phone were far more difficult to press accurately.  The audio is a bit clearer too. The answering machine has an effective simple design.  The primary functions are toggled across from each other on a large circular button, so I barely have to look to play, skip, delete or repeat a message.  A vast improvement on my old system.

The Vtech LS6475-3 has already beat my old system in all the functions they share, but the Vtech has many additional convenient features:

  • Voice Announce Caller ID  The phone announces who is calling.  This saves me from dropping what I am doing, for telemarketers and such.
  • Push -to-Talk  This handy walkie-talkie feature will avoid the need to holler to family members from different sections of the house.
  • Handset Speaker Phone  Put the phone down and continue your conversation, even let other family members join in the discussion.
  • Cordless Headset  Continue about your business, while having a conversation.  You are completely hands free to do household chores or projects, while talking on the phone, anywhere in the house.

I am very pleased with this multi-tasking phone system, and have no qualms about recommending it.  I actually have no complaints so far with using it.  It has made having phone conversations while dealing with daily household activities far easier.

This would make a terrific gift for the busy mom in your life.  The set comes with two handsets and one headset, but is expandable up to 12 devices (two of which can be cordless head sets), and retails for $99.95.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of VTech and received a product sample to facilitate my review.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household Tagged With: , ,
Pin It

Everyday Exotic: The Cookbook – Review

November 11, 2011 By 1 Comment

everyday exotic cookbookIf you want to experiment in the kitchen a bit, but have trouble integrating exotic ingredients into your menu, or just want to zing up traditional fare, this is a great cookbook for you.  It would also make a lovely gift for the foodie in your life, especially if they are a fan of the Everyday Exotic show on the Cooking Channel.  Since the cookbook is a new release, so it is unlikely they have it already, and some of the recipes in this book are quite interesting, even for more seasoned foodies.

The Everyday Exotic Cookbook has large colorful pictures depicting the completed recipes, as well as some nice ingredient shots.  Pictures are important to me in a cookbook, and I was not at all disappointed with this title by Roger Mooking & Allan Magee.

Everyday Exotic: The Cookbook has a suggested retail price of $29.95, but is currently available at Barnes & Noble for $19.57 (Free shipping on orders over $25).  Why not pair this book with a few of the exotic spices and other ingredients used in it, and make a gift basket no foodie would be soon to forget.

Media copy provided.

Filed Under: Books, Food & Beverage, Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household
Pin It

Bialetti Aeternum Eco-Friendly Non-Stick Pan Review and Giveaway

October 27, 2011 By

Bialetti LogoI received a Bialetti Aeternum 10″ non-stick saute pan for review about a month ago. It has quickly become my go-to pan for making omelets.  The eco-friendly nonstick nano-ceramic interior surface, has performed outstandingly well.  Not only have my omelets slid smoothly out, but I have been able to brown meats, and caramelize vegetables successfully in this pan as well, and clean-up was a breeze.
bialetti aeternum cookware reviewAs someone who frequently photographs food preparation for blog posts, I also like that the interior surface is white.  My kitchen is poorly lit, and my dark colored and stainless pan are hard to photograph.  The white reflected the light, but not as harshly as stainless.  It also makes it a little easier to monitor how much your food is browning.
making an omelette in nanoceramic panBelow is a graphic showing the layers of the pan.  As you can see, there is a scratch resistant exterior.   The bulk of the pan is aluminum, providing great heat distribution, and the interior coating in nano-ceramic.  This coating can withstand temperatures up to 750°, anything higher than that would be insane to cook with anyway.  I have found it to be very scratch resistant, much more so than typical non-stick coatings.  The pan is also PFOA, PTFE and Cadmium -Free.

nano ceramic coating

I have no problem whatsoever recommending Bialetti Aeternum cookware to my readers. My only complaint would be that they didn’t send me more pans… hint, hint…lol

The Aeternum is Italy’s number one selling nanoceramic nonstick cookware line. The highly advanced and easy to clean nanoceramic coating paired with the heavy-weight coined base provides excellent thermal properties and even heat distribution, so dishes are cooked to perfection every time. Users also love that it is eco-friendly– PFOA free, and its nonstick coating is applied at a low temperature, leading to a lower emission of C02 into the atmosphere. With pans available at $39.95 and under – they are a great value!

 

aeternum cookwarePan Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a Bialetti Aeternum pan (particular pan to be determined by stock on hand).

Entry Options (do as many or as few as you like, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

            • Tell what you want to cook in a pan like this.
            • Like Blommi on Facebook
            • Like Bialetti on Facebook
            • Share or “like” this giveaway on Facebook
            • Follow this blog via email or RSS  (One entry each).
            • Follow me through Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)
            • Follow @TwiMommi  on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, can be done 3x per day at least 1 hour apart (account must be public and have at least 50 followers).  Feel free to use this tweet if you like: “ Win a Bialetti Aeternum Eco-Friendly Non-stick Pan from @TwiMommi http://su.pr/2Bgds0 #giveaway “
            • Follow me on Stumble Upon (leave your user name in comment.)
            • Stumble Upon Thumbs Up any of my non-giveaway post that appeal to you. (Good for one entry per day).
            • For 2 entries! Grab my ad button (available here), or add Blommi.com to your blogroll -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends November 10, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Filed Under: Household Tagged With: , ,
Pin It

Get the Vintage Halloween Look in Your Home with these Great Finds from Pottery Barn Kids

October 21, 2011 By 1 Comment

I recently received a couple lovely vintage look Halloween decorations from Pottery Barn Kids.   I must say they blend in wonderfully with the vintage items I already owned. I actually prefer having these vintage-look holiday decorations, over the genuine thing for display in my home. I have a curious 4 year old, and I don’t have to ban her from touching these. They are not delicate, and I know the paint used on them is not hazardous.
replica vintage halloween luminariesOne of the pieces I received was the antique style Halloween Cat Luminary ($17.99) above.  It was larger than I expected, around the size of an adult head.  The luminary was well constructed, and has an authentic look.  While it is intended to hold a light, it is also perfect for a dried flower or gnarly branch arrangement.  I adore it.

halloween countdown calendarThe Halloween Countdown Calendar ($44.99 )is fun for the kids, while still working with a vintage look.  The graphics are wonderfully crafted from felt.  Since, hanging it I have gotten many compliments on it already.  This wall hanging is sure to become a family heirloom.

Below are a couple pics of some other items that I really liked off the website.

vintage look halloween treat bucketsThese little treat buckets come in a pack of three.  They are too cute.  I may just have to order some of these. Just $11.99 now!

skeleton candlesThese Halloween silhouette candles, would go with most any decor, including the vintage look that appeals to me so much.

There is still time to order some great vintage look Halloween decor from Pottery Barn Kids.  Since there are only a couple weeks left until the holiday, all the wonderful items above, as well as, the rest of the kids Halloween decor and costumes, are on sale now.  Hurry, items are selling out quickly at the discounted prices.

Disclosure: Product samples provided.  All opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Home & Garden, Household Tagged With: ,
Pin It
« Older Posts
Email Feed Twitter Facebook