January 2023

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

What Sold on eBay? The Best eBay Sales of 2022

Check out my best eBay sales of 2022 in this the fifth installment of my What Sells on eBay series.

Next up in my What Sold on eBay series, is a review of the five best sales that I had last year, 2022. The word best has many definitions so I will make it clear that these are my five largest dollar value sales. If you are curious about what is valuable on eBay and what you might sell or even if you are just curious as to what people are selling, you will enjoy my review of 2022.

GEBRUDER BING GERMAN TEDDY BEAR

A sweet little previously loved Gerbruder Bing German teddy bear from the 1920s.

My largest and definitely most interesting sale of the year was of an antique teddy bear that I listed in April and, after generating quite a lot of interest, sold in June. It was a German bear manufactured in the 1920s by Gebruder Bing. Even though she was much-beloved and showing it the fact that she is antique made her sought after and valuable despite her condition. click here to see the Bing bears available on eBay now.

If you are interested in reading more about my bear, click here.

BOUCHER PEACOCK BROOCH AND EARRINGS SET

This beautiful Boucher set was my next highest priced sale and was worth more because it was a set rather than individual pieces and, of course, because it was in perfect condition. I sold it for a friend who thinks that her mother would have been quite surprised at the value of her vintage costume jewelry set. Sought after, it is available from time to time from sellers on eBay. Click here for a Boucher Peacock set for yourself on eBay.

MONTREAL OLYMPICS POSTER

I sold quite a few Montreal Olympic-themed posters over the course of 2022. The most valuable one showed the Canadian beaver with rainbow stripes across the middle of his body. It was worth the most because it is one of the rarer posters from the series and because it was large in size. If you are in the market for such a poster, do beware that there are two sizes. The 33-inch poster is much harder to find and, as a matter of fact, when I looked on eBay today, there were no large ones available with the beaver on it. If it matters to you, be aware also of reproductions and of new posters.

Click here to see the Montreal Olympics posters available today on eBay.

LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE SET 70632

Next up was the Ninjago Lego movie set number 70632 called Quake Mech. With 1,202 pieces, it is a large set that is now retired and harder but not impossible to find. Fans do have to pay more for new, sealed sets, that are no longer in production.

Click here to see what Lego's Ninjago Set 70632 is selling for on eBay.

If you are really curious about Lego value, check out this page of Rare and Hard to Find Lego sets.

BERG CAT TILE

Love this Berg, Danmark (Denmark) mid-century modern art tile! So pretty.

This final sale was the most eye opening one for me. This pretty cat-themed wall tile was manufactured by Berg in Danmark or Denmark in a lovely glossy blue color. The cat versions of Berg tiles seem to fetch a higher price and I think that this tile was especially popular because of the current craze for all things Mid-Century Modern (MCM) and, of course, because of the popularity of cats.

Click here to check out the Berg Danmark tiles on eBay but note that today, I can see none!

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I hope you enjoyed this peek into the best of 2022 in my corner of eBay. If you would like to see more, visit my store, Treasures By Brenda, by clicking right here.

You never know

what I might have

in store for you!

Brenda

QUICK LINKS:

What Sold on eBay Fourth Edition.

This edition included Steiff, movies, bugs, pewter, Play-doh and the royal family.

What Sold on eBay First Edition.

This edition included quilts, bowls, chimney sweeps and cheese boards.

Find more eBay stories from my blog, Treasures By Brenda.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Monday, January 30, 2023

Cookbook Review - 5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver

I recently purchased a cookbook that I'm very excited about. It is 5 Ingredients Quick and Easy Food by Jamie Oliver.

Sometime during the past year I have seen Jamie Oliver on his cooking shows on television. He was a new name to me and I only had the show on as background noise. But he caught my attention during one episode when he ran tomatoes across the shredder leaving behind a seedless, skinless tomato pulp. He added his resulting tomato sauce to small pieces of crusty bread. I don't recall now what else he added to his tomatoes, perhaps cheese and herbs but I had to try it. I used the tomatoes as a dip for my bannock bread. It was so easy, fresh, and delicious that I looked forward to more new ideas from Mr. Oliver.

5 Ingredients Quick and Easy Food Cookbook

5 Ingredients Quick and Easy Food is exactly that; a collection of recipes that require only 5 main ingredients. I am adding the word "main" because it ends up that you still need things like salt, pepper, cooking oil. But the shopping list truly consists of 5 ingredients.

For example, I had the Sausage and Apple Bake this morning for brunch. The shopping list was apples, red onions, parsnips, small pork sausages, and honey. The prep was exceedingly easy, the aroma coming from my kitchen was wonderful, and I had a delicious one skillet meal.

I was unable to find parsnips. After a quick internet search I found the recommended parsnip substitutes and chose carrots. The recipe also used salt, pepper, olive oil, and a tablespoon of red wine vinegar (which I did have but in previously years I wouldn't have had on hand and I would have been irritated that this item wasn't listed more prominently in the ingredients list). Other than the parsnips (which are available here at certain times of the year), I can easily find all of the ingredients in the recipes that I've bookmarked for later.

Tomorrow I will make the Peachy Pork Chops which includes adding bourbon and lighting it. This will be my very first attempt at flambe. Wish me luck! Fortunately, Mr. Oliver gives a super easy meal to try which includes only garlic, rosemary, porkchops, a can of peach halves, and bourbon which gives me the confidence to try.

The book itself is beautiful. The recipe is on one page and a photograph of the finished dish is on the facing page. It is full of recipes (approximately 300 pages of recipes) and a gorgeous photo for each dish.

The introduction states:

"Quick & Easy Food focuses unapologetically on genius combinations of just five ingredients that work together to deliver an utterly delicious result, giving maximum flavor, with minimum fuss. These are dishes you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less; or that are ridiculously quick to put together with just 10 minutes hands-on time, while the oven or stove then does the rest of the work."

There is no false advertising in that statement. The meals are quick and easy. Just my style. Yet, flavorful enough to feel as though I am eating something completely new from my usual weekly menu.

I was fortunate to find my copy on deep discount at a discount store. But the book is widely available on Amazon and in book stores. Personally, I would not have spent the original $35. However, now that I own the book I believe it is worth every penny. If you are on a budget I think you can find it in your price range.

As I mentioned above, the "5 ingredients" seems to include the main ingredients. You will also need salt, pepper, oil, and other small items that seem to be in most pantries. This is addressed in the brief introduction.

Are these meals as complex and flavorful as the multi-star, multi-course restaurants I've been to? No. And that's not the goal. But they are different and delicious flavors that are super easy for the most busy home cook.

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Sunday, January 29, 2023

15 Ways You Can Decorate Your Home for Valentine's Day

15 Fun Ideas on How to Decorate for Valentine's Day

Hey there! Are you getting excited about Valentine's Day? I don't usually go overboard, but lately, with the stress in the world, a little extra love around the house may not be a bad idea.

If you're looking for inspiration on decorating your home for the occasion, you're in the right place. There's nothing like adding a touch of love and romance to make your home feel cozy and inviting.

From candles and flowers to homemade crafts, there are many ways to make your home feel festive for Valentine's Day. So, I've got some great ideas to try out if you're planning a romantic night in with your significant other or want to add love-inspired decorations. Let's make your home the perfect place to celebrate the year's most romantic day.

Here are 15 Ideas on How to Add a Little Valentine Funk to Your Home:

Romantic ambiance is always calming, so how about using candles, soft lighting, and dreamy music.
Add red, pink, and white accessories throughout your home.
Fill vases with red and pink flowers, such as roses or peonies.
String and fairy lights look beautiful all year 'round; place them in a setting with other love-related accessories.
Use heart-shaped decorations, such as garlands or balloons.
Create a romantic photo wall with pictures of you and your significant other.
Make or purchase a homemade Valentine's Day wreath for your front door.
Set the table with a romantic tablecloth, candles, and flowers.
Cook a romantic dinner for two and set a special table setting.
Add romantic accessories in your bedroom in red and white.
Create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom with candles and rose petals.
Make a homemade dessert, such as chocolate-covered strawberries.
Put some love notes around the house for your loved one to find.
Make a romantic gift basket filled with your loved one's favorite things.
Create a movie night setup with romantic films and snacks.

If I had to choose which of the 15 ideas would be my personal favorite, it would be to put up a Valentine's Day wreath on the front door. A wreath is simple and delivers a positive message about love.

After scanning the above 15 suggestions, which would be your favorite? Or add another idea in the comments!

_______________________________________________

More Valentines Day Love:

A Fun Valentine's Word Scramble Book for Adults

The Evolution of Valentine's Day - A Bit of Interesting History

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Saturday, January 28, 2023

Book Review of An Enemy Like Me

I found this book to be totally captivating on many levels. First of all, the author made the characters so believable that you couldn't wait to turn the page and find out what was going on in their lives. Secondly, for me the storyline and characters sounded like they stepped right out of my family history. The similarities include: my father growing up in a German Lutheran community, my parents eloping, and my father and uncles going off to fight in World War II.

The Characters

An Enemy Like Me is seen through the characters that make up the book. There are three main characters that bring the book to life.

Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller is a second generation German American. He was brought up by his mother, a widowed immigrant. Although they were poor they had each other and she instilled into Jacob a strong sense of patriotism for America.

Jacob meets Bonnie Phillips and they work to make ends meet after the depression. They are starting to get comfortable and buying their first home to bring home their son William. Then the unthinkable happens, the country they love is drawn into the war in the Pacific and in Europe. Jacob is torn, he is very patriotic and feels he must help the war effort and yet he has a new young family that he loves and does not want to leave. Add to that part of the war is being fought against people from his parents homeland and he is even more torn.

Bonnie Phillips

Bonnie's family were once very wealthy and that is the background she brings to her marriage with Jacob. During the depression her family loses much of their wealth. Bonnie falls deeply in love with Jacob and they elope and begin their live together. What they don't have in money they make up for in their love and desire to carve their place in America. Although Bonnie is also a strong patriot she does not want Jacob to leave. She can't imagine life without him.

William Miller

William is Jacob and Bonnie's son, who is 4 years old when Jacob feels the call to join the fight. The story is told through alternating chapters of Bonnie, Jacob and William. William's chapters are also told in the present time where we find him on Veteran's Day 2016 visiting his father's grave and reminiscing about his memories of the war. We see how those years when Jacob was gone made a difference in William's life.

This book brings to life the joys and perils of German Americans during WWII. It made me think of my own family and how their time during WWII shaped their lives.

The Book on Amazon

About the Author

I always find it interesting to learn more about the author on books that I enjoy. Here is a bit about Teri M Brown taken from her media kit. Take a few minutes to also look at her website where she recommends other books of historical fiction.

Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards for How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Business and for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award for Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and published Sunflowers Beneath the Snow in January 2022. Her second novel, An Enemy Like Me, launches in January 2023. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Learn more at www.terimbrown.com.

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Friday, January 27, 2023

Disposable Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves - Uses & Review

Nitrile Gloves are an essential product in our home. Long before the pandemic, my husband and I always used disposable powder-free nitrile gloves for a variety of jobs.

Because Nitrile gloves are made of thick vinyl, they are more durable, puncture resistant, and more resistant to chemicals than plastic gloves. They are almost like wearing a second skin since they stretch over your hands.

I wear nitrile gloves for any housework that requires the use of cleaners or chemicals. I wear them when I clean bathrooms, cleaning the kitchen sink or spots on rugs & carpet, changing linens when someone has been sick, cleaning my stove top, cleaning inside my refrigerator, and many other daily tasks.

We love animals and our dogs have always lived indoors. With pets, come accidents. While these are rare incidents, it is necessary to be prepared for the inevitable. Pets can't always get outside when they have upset stomachs. Thus, we keep a ready supply of Nature's Miracle and nitrile gloves for the cleanups.

We also use them for applying ointments or creams on humans or pets. The nitrile gloves protect hands and help prevent the inadvertent spread of a rash.

Plus, my husband wears Nitrile gloves when he is picking up after our pups in our backyard or on walks. That is a job he has primarily taken on, but I certainly perform the task as needed. It is definitely unpleasant, but would be exponentially worse without the Nitrile gloves.

Once we use the gloves, we throw them away.

Uses for Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves

There are so many uses for Nitrile Gloves around the house that I doubt I will be able to list them all, simply because I might not recall them all as I am writing this article.

Starting with the uses above, here are some of times we reach for our disposable Nitrile gloves.

MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam GlovesCheck PriceCleaning Bathrooms
Cleaning Kitchens
Cleaning Appliances (not to be used when appliances are hot)
Cleaning Floors, Carpets & Rugs
Changing Linens (especially after illness)
Picking Up After Pets
Applying Ointments or Creams
Attending to Cuts or Wounds
When Pumping Gas into the Cars
Changing Oil in Cars
Cleaning Glass, Windshields in Cars & Home
Cleaning Outdoor Furniture
Painting
Picking Up Litter, especially from unknown sources

Whatever has a potential for germs or exposure to chemicals, we use the disposable Nitrile gloves. Because skin is absorbent, we choose to protect it from anything we would not willingly ingest.

Can you think of other ways you would use disposable Nitrile gloves?

One more note: They do come in sizes. My husband wears the X-large and I wear the small or medium, depending on which is available. I am wearing a medium size glove in the introduction picture. You can see it doesn't fit my hands quite as well as the small, but it works!

MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, Medium, Box/100Check Price MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, LargeCheck Price MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, X-LargeCheck Price MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves - CaseCheck Price

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Book Review of Reckoning

An FBI Thriller by Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter is an American author who has written 89 books in the genres of romantic novel, historical romance, and contemporary suspense thrillers. Her suspense genre includes her bestselling FBI Thriller series. Reckoning is #26 in that series.

The Plot of Reckoning

FBI Agents Savich and Sherlock are back. This time they are enlisted to help a woman and a twelve-year-old prodigy with traumatic pasts, both of whom are now in mortal danger.

Two plots are intertwined throughout the book.

First we have Kirra Mandarian whose parents were murdered when she was just 12, and she barely escaped with her life. Her uncle takes her back to Australia, where he leads challenging treks into the Outback for his company Extreme Australian Adventures. Uncle Leo adopts Kirra and keeps her safe a world away from those who wanted her dead.

Now it is fourteen years later and Kirra has returned to the United States where she is a commonwealth attorney in the Virginia town she grew up in. She is determined to find out who killed her parents, as the case has never been solved. She begins to gather information and secretly turns it over to law enforcement in the form of Lieutenant Jeter Thorpe, the young detective in the local police department who saved her life all those years ago. She also enlists the aid of Agent Savich, who brings in Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith.

Meanwhile, Emma Hunt, a twelve-year-old piano prodigy, the granddaughter of powerful crime boss Mason Lord, also has a traumatic past. She was abducted when she was only six years old and later saved by her adoptive father, federal judge Ramsey Hunt. When Emma saves herself from another abduction attempt at Davies Hall in San Francisco after a rehearsal, the would-be kidnapper escapes.

Emma is scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Even though her family is worried for her safety, they still decide to travel there with promised protection from their friends, Savich and Sherlock of the FBI, plus protection from Metro.

But.... things don't turn out as planned.... nothing turns out as planned.

Summary

Reckoning is another suspenseful and exciting novel in Coulter's FBI Thriller series. Two plots which flip back and forth with two interesting main characters and multiple supporting characters. The plots have surprising twists, and even includes a sweet romance. Coulter fans will find this latest Savich and Sherlock mystery a fun read.

Links to More Coulter Book Reviews:

For more Book Reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Book Review of “Reckoning”, written by Wednesday Elf

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Did You Miss it? Jan. 22nd, Chinese Lunar New Year ~ A Holiday Review

Don't fret if you missed the first day of the New Year in the Chinese Calendar. You still have a few more days where you can celebrate it! Truth be known, you can celebrate the New Year of the Rabbit right now until the 1st of February 2023! It is the longest holiday in China with a whopping 16 days to celebrate! Most of the country celebrates only the first 7 days (no one could afford to be off work for that long!)

Chinese New Year is always celebrated somewhere between January 20 till February 21st on our Gregorian Calendars. So it's always nice to look forward and have something to celebrate during those winter months.

The Chinese have adopted the Gregorian Calendar as their norm from day to day, but still rely on the Chinese Calendar for special events like the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festivals. Many of our Chinese immigrants love the idea of holding onto some of their traditions and honor their past with celebrations during these special days.

If you were born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011 and now in 2023, you are under the sign of the Rabbit. The only exception would be those born before Jan. 21st. They are part of the group with the Tiger as their animal sign.

Chinese calendars have a 12 year cycle similar to Horoscopes, but they last a year where Horoscopes change every month. People born in the year of the Rabbit have certain characteristics attributed to them. Do you know what your "animal" is?

If not, just check out this chart:

But the Chinese zodiac is a little bit harder to understand than our regular monthly horoscopes, because not only are there different signs for the years, but there are also 5 different elements (water, fire, earth, metal and wood) that each animal passes through too. So 2023 officially is the year of the Water Rabbit!

You can read more about this at https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/rabbit/

There are many does and don'ts for Chinese New Year Celebrations! You can never go wrong with the color RED for this celebration! You will find it everywhere, in home decorations, clothing, and those great little envelopes given to children (with money inside)!

So what do you do for a child born under the sign of the Rabbit? Well if you know someone who is having a baby this year, then a lovely gift instead of the requisite Bear, would be a lovely Bunny! Pat Austin (one of our writers) has a lovely shop on ETSY! And there is a lovely bunny that is handmade and special of it's own accord, but would make that special gift for any newborn in 2023!

I don't know about you, but I love bunnies as much as I love bears and I'm sure that any child would be happy to receive this little critter as a gift!

In the meantime, you can learn more about Chinese New Year and Chinese Celebrations, do some reading and some games with this lovely book!

So much to learn and some fun while understanding a different culture!

Gong Hei Fa Choi

(Happy New Year in Cantonese)

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Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Do House Plants Make Good Gifts Reviewed

I love to give Houseplants as gifts. I find they are a personal and living gift that shows you have given some thought to the person you are giving them to.

There are many occasions that are suitable for giving a houseplant. They are perfect for a housewarming gift, Birthdays, anniversaries and to mark special occasions and are very memorable.

They also last a lot longer than cut flowers, lovely as they are if you wish to give them as a Thankyou or get well gift.

Houseplants do so much to clean and purify the air and beautify our homes. Whether it is a fern-like plant, a flowering plant, a cactus type, one with an interesting or unusual habit or form or a beautiful leaf shape, it will be a gorgeous gift for any style of home.

You do not need to know the person's decor and the houseplant will be suitable however they change the decor over the years. House plants are very popular, even trendy now, so for people of all ages, your thoughtful gift will be well received.

What To Bear In Mind When Giving A Houseplant As A Gift.

There are just a few things to bear in mind when giving an indoor plant as a gift.

They are living plants and do need to be treated with care.
If you know the person is good with indoor plants but it's a new plant to them please include a short note to let them know how to look after it along with its common and Latin name. That way if they want to learn more they can.
If it's a person who knows little about houseplants then a brief sheet of care instructions will be helpful.
When giving a houseplant it is also always useful to provide a pot to put the houseplant in and if they are very new to indoor gardening a small watering can and a bottle of houseplant feed is always appreciated to get them started.
You do need to be aware if the person you are giving the gift to has young children or pets as you need to be careful the houseplant you choose is not toxic to them.
If you know the person has allergies it is best to avoid flowering plants or those with strongly scented flowers, to be on the safe side.
Avoid very spiky plants where there are young children or pets to avoid any accidents.

Things To Bear In Mind For the Plants

If you know the house the person is living in try to buy a plant that will suit the conditions.
So if it is a shady basement flat choose a shade loving plant rather than one that needs sunlight.
If their main room faces south and gets sunshine all day long avoid ferns and other shade loving plants.
Purchase a plant for them that will not outgrow the available space. A big plant can look amazing in a small room but not if in a couple of years they will be struggling to get through the door because of it or the plant is squashed in a corner.
I do tend to avoid buying houseplants as gifts in the depths of winter just due to the transportation of them from shop to car or delivery to my home and then onto the person I am giving the gift to when it is freezing cold is not really great for the health of a plant that likes to be warm.
My other caveat is that if you know the person is short on time and has a hectic life or that they will not be able to devote much energy to looking after a plant choose a very easy care one like a spider plant or mother in laws tongue or an easy care cactus type.

Examples of Easy Care House Plants

Always give a learner an easy-care houseplant, even one that can take some inconsistencies, neglect, or be easily revived.

Likewise, if you are gifting to a busy family or someone with a hectic lifestyle or who travels away a lot easy care forgiving houseplants are best.

The Asparagus Fern As A Houseplant Reviewed

Swiss Cheese Plant Or Monstera Reviewed As A House Plant And Fashion Trend

Reviewing Growing And Care Of Dracaena As A Houseplant

Caring For Mother In Laws Tongue As A Houseplant Reviewed

The Spider Plant As A Houseplant Reviewed

Examples Of More Advanced Care House Plants

These beautiful and amazing plants look great but do need a little more knowledge and care.

They do however make beautiful gifts for anyone who would be willing to learn or who loves houseplants already.

As a child, I remember being given a living stone plant that I knew nothing about and was completely fascinated by and I learned to care for it.

Care Of The Intriguing Carnivorous Venus Fly Trap House Plant Reviewed

Reviewing Caring For The Stunning Polka Dot Begonia House Plant

Reviewing The Care Of Living Stone Flowers or Lithops As Houseplants

Reviewing the Care Of Beautiful Anthurium Or Flamingo Flower House Plants

Useful Care Of House Plant Reviews

Here are a few articles that are useful to anyone looking after houseplants.

Reviewing How To Take Care Of Your House Plants On Vacation

All House Plant Reviews On Review This Reviews

I have house plants that were given to me many years ago and they are so treasured and always remind me of the person who gave them to me.

I think given the caveats above that houseplants can be a beautiful, thoughtful gift for many special occasions and there is a gorgeous houseplant for most people and situations.

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Monday, January 23, 2023

Spysee Shoe Sizer Review

Online shopping has its' positives and negatives. The number of consumers purchasing shoes and clothes online for the past few years has skyrocketed and through all the online shopping done in the past few years I have found shoes have been one of the toughest items to purchase successfully. And so began my search for an easy to use and affordable shoe sizer to use at home.

Spysee Shoe Sizer (Foot Scale)

When looking for shoe sizers online I simply chose one of the most affordable with good reviews. The SPYSEE fit the requirements. It was also very convenient for storage as the Spysee came with its' own storage bag. The sizer has worked flawlessly and helped me figure out the proper sizing for online shoe purchases. Rumor has it that shoe sizes change through the years and yes, the rumor is true!

Replacement Of The Tried And True

This is exactly where online shopping for shoes shines with the ease, convenience and ability for quick price comparisons at different stores. If the design of the shoe has not be changed then I highly prefer to shop online for its' replacement. Fortunately or unfortunately for consumers just like any fashion item shoe manufacturers change shoes quickly and often whether it be the design, color or the last of the shoe.

And so comes in the problems of buying replacement shoes online! Especially with athletic shoes manufacturers tweak the designs of the shoes frequently and that change can cause a great deal of discussion and likes or no likes of their existing customer base. I have found the same where shoe 4.0 is a shoe I love and when it s time to order a replacement the company is now on shoe 4.8 and when ordered you find the shoe does not fit the same as the 4.0. Very frustrating for the consumer.

Return Policy

This is key I have found is to only purchase shoes online with a company that offers free returns and easy free returns. Easy free returns are what I term the most user friendly where a pre paid label is provided and free pickup at your door.

Carefully review the return policy prior to purchasing to ensure a hassle free return process. This is very important if the online company offers merchandise from a third party seller: many times the seller must be contacted for a return through the shipping/online company and then approve the return. It can be cumbersome and very unuser friendly.

Vintage Silver Foot Scale

Remember heading into the shoe department of a bricks and mortar store and finding the sparkling silver foot sizer? Ah the memories of shoe shopping old school with Mom at the iconic department stores in the area. It was always a special event to purchase new shoes! And always helped that shopping included a stop at the iconic ice cream shop for hot fudge sundaes...

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Sunday, January 22, 2023

Unscramble Your Love: A Large Print Valentine's Day Word Scramble Book

A Review of Valentine's Day Word Scramble Activity Book - Be My Valentine

Looking for a unique and fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day?

Hot Off the Press - An Introductory Review of a Fun Valentine's Day Word Scramble Book With a Twist

Look no further than this original, full-color Valentine's Day Word Scramble Book! With 500 words to unscramble and thought-provoking prompts centered around the theme "I Love You Because...", this book is the perfect activity for couples or a fun way to unwind for anyone.

Be My Valentine's Word Scramble Activity Book

Added Value With A Fun, Full-Color Interior

Unscramble your love in style with this Valentine's Day word puzzle book featuring colorful backgrounds on every page, adding a splash of brightness to your reading experience.

Each puzzle is set against a different vibrant background, making the book more interesting and engaging.

Double the Fun: A Puzzle Book & Game

Challenge your loved one to a puzzle showdown, race against the clock, and see who can unscramble the words the quickest.

Keep track of your progress with the designated time-tracking section on each puzzle, perfect for a fun and exciting Valentine's Day activity. There's also a place for notes to help you think it through in written form.

500 Words To Unscramble With 50 Different Love-Related Prompt Chapters

Each of the fifty puzzle pages features ten word scrambles per page. Each of the pages represents a different love-related topic.

Be My Valentine Word Scramble: For Couples, Family, and Friends

This Valentine's Day Word Scramble Book makes a perfect gift for your loved one, friends, or family. Whether you're looking for a unique gift for your significant other or a fun activity to do together, this book is sure to be a hit. It's a great way to show your love and appreciation while having fun and spending quality time.

Valentine Word Scramble Book Sample Interior

A Book That's More Than Just a Pretty Cover: A Fun Activity and a Coffee Table Must-Have

It is a great activity and makes a beautiful coffee-table book, gift book, travel activity book, and waiting room book. So, don't miss out on this Valentine's Word Scramble Book; it's something to do, and adds a lovely decor piece to any room.

There's More!

There is a mix of medium, challenging, and a few easy word scrambles to solve
Thinking of proposing? The last puzzle is "Will You Marry Me" <----Yep.
Large print and measures 8.5 by 11 inches, making it easy to read
Answers included at the back
Only two puzzle answers per page, making the answer pages easier to read as well

Whether we know the history of Valentine's Day or not, it is now known as the day we show our love with cards, gifts, or maybe just a hug.

Here's a gift idea; flowers, chocolates, dinner, and an activity book for the one you love.

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Saturday, January 21, 2023

Figge Art Museum of Davenport, Iowa – A Travel Review

The Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa serves as the major art museum for eastern Iowa and western Illinois. It opened in 2006 and is the renamed successor to the Davenport Museum of Art which dates back to 1928. The museum has its roots in The Davenport Art Association which was founded in 1878. Thus, it is one of the oldest art institutions in the United States.

Figge Art Collection

*Image By NateWoolsey - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

There are over 4,000 works of art in the Figge art collection. The works range from the 16th century to the present time. Figge has an extensive collection of Haitian, Colonial Mexican and Midwestern art, for which it is best known.

It also has a substantial collection of American art and European art, plus an important collection of pieces by the Midwest American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright.

Additionally, the Figge Art Museum currently houses the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection, after the University of Iowa's gallery was flooded in 2008.

And, this museum offers a Master of Arts degree in various aspects of museum management through the Western Illinois University's graduate program in Museum Studies.

Our Visit to the Figge Art Museum

A couple years ago my Kansas City family visited me in Iowa and we spent an interesting afternoon touring The Figge (as it is known to locals).

In addition to the numerous rooms dedicated to particular collections, such as The Stanley Collection, the American West paintings and various exhibition galleries, the museum has several studios, an auditorium, a café, and a museum store where souvenirs can be purchased.

Since we had my two young grandsons with us, we were especially excited about the Family Activity Center on the second level. The boys (and mom, dad & grandma) spent an enjoyable hour creating our own 'art works'!