Reviewing Why the Sitivien ST139 Knife is a Great Gift Idea

 I recently gifted myself with a Sitivien ST139 knife and immediately wondered why I let "knife" languish at the bottom of my to-buy list for so long. I know little about things such as blade material (what makes a knife sharp versus durable) so I finally accepted help and recommendations from others who know knives. As soon as I began sharing my experience with this knife there were others that said this would be a great gift; hint-hint.  

As I said, I am not a knife afficiando. Quite the opposite.  I only recall owning 3 or 4 folding knives before this. Most recently, two of those were Kershaws that I really liked. And two others prior were really cheap knives - one of which I kept clipped to my kayak life vest because I had a terrible fear of capsizing and becoming entangled in some underwater mess.  I know, I know, a somewhat irrational fear and yet I felt better having a blade handy in case I wanted to cut myself from my vest or my 'yak leash. Since that specific knife was junk, it didn't take more than 2 seasons to corrode.

The Sitivien ST139 Folding EDC Knife

In order to educate myself about knives, and stay within my very low budget, I began listening to people who know much more than I about the subject. Of course, being knife collectors and daily users, they have their eyes on high quality knives and carry knives with a smaller price tag than their "next" knives. That smaller price is still out of my range. One day I was brave and asked point blank for a recommendation for someone with with a very tight budget. Sitivien was the answer. 

The ST139 was my choice because it looked like the handle would be the best for my weak hand grip. And I chose the yellow and black handle so I could find it more easily if I drop it in the woods.

In the description online it states:

• Knife dimensions: Overall length: 7.48" inches(19cm); Blade length:3.15" inches(8cm)
• Handle length: 4.33” inches(11cm); Weight of Knife: 4.37 Ounce OR 124 grams
• Blade: Sandvik 14C28N Steel Knife : Durable 14C28N steel blade hardness 60-61 HRC, provides a perfect balance of edge sharpness, edge stability and corrosion resistance. 
• Handle: Micarta Handle Ensures a secure and confident grip during use and comfortable in-hand feel.
• Ball Bearing knife can open extremely smoothly on its ball bearing pivot,
• Lock: has a simple and reliable Liner lock [that] is resistant to dirt and prevents unexpected closure.

I did NOT verify the dimensions but overall length sounds right.

I do know that the Amazon description was wrong about 2 things; a leather sheath was not included and the clip isn't (in all the research I've done since getting my knife) interchangeable from right-handed to left-handed.

I am a lady in my late 50's who just moved to my land and is homesteading. I need a knife for many reasons.  Just a few I can think of at this moment are:

• I could have used it with garden plants, pruning, and cutting tomato stake ties.
• Harvesting... if I had veggies to harvest this year (it wasn't a good gardening year for me).
• Building my chicken coop and similar projects (cutting paracord and zip tie ends).
• I needed a good knife to cut that Black Gorilla tape I needed to use (that was a nightmare with dull scissors and tin snips).
• I've used it for opening boxes. 
• I've used it for cutting up meat (it was FANTASTIC for that purpose as the handle did not become slippery).
• I desperately needed a sharp knife last year when I installed my water line heating cords under the house.

I think that others who could use this would be people who:

• do simple or emergency household and/car repairs
• go hiking
• go camping
• live/work on a farm or homestead
• people who hunt and fish
• are crafters or artists (whittling, trimming, sharpening, and who need a sharp cutting tool larger than an Xacto blade)
• collect knives
• and people who have the skills to use it for self-protection and/or emergency situations
• perhaps in medical kits - I imagine it would be good for cutting those large band-aid wraps

Why Did I Choose to Review a Knife on Review This? 

I believe that our readers are more females than males. So why would I review this here?  I almost didn't. Then I changed my mind.  Women also need quality tools that suit their needs. I think we tend to overlook that. Also, buy gifts for our fathers, husbands, and sons. I'll never forget when my dad had started to down-size and he had many new shirts to get rid of. And I wondered if that pile of shirts were many of the shirts that he had received as gifts over the years. And that it was too bad we didn't have a better idea of what to get for him.  When he was elderly and in an apartment he might not have appreciated the knife but when he was a builder and a farmer he sure would have put it to good use (if only for cutting bale twine).

If you'd like to see more, you can see my personal video review and how the knife fits in my hand you here:

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Don't Buy This Fudge - It's Too Good!

 

Warning! If you're a fudge-a-holic, this fudge will be completely impossible to resist!

My Mom's Homemade Fudge Was the Best! Store Bought Fudge Couldn't Come Close to Her Fudge

Until now.

I rarely enjoy bakery fudge, or any store-bought fudge for that matter, because it doesn't taste right to me. 

After having my mother's homemade fudge for a lifetime, store fudge just lacks something.

The other day, my hubby showed up with a box of fudge. My first thought was, nope, it's going to suck. 

Well, I ate those words and the whole box of fudge too! So much for my low-carb life last week!

It was so good that I told my husband to NEVER buy it again because I could not resist it.

He Purchased This Fudge at Costco, But It's Also Available via Amazon Canada (I Can't Locate it on Amazon USA, Though)

You Can Find it Via Amazon Canada Here

This fudge is the closest to my mother's homemade fudge I've ever tasted. Being French Canadian, she called her fudge as per the box above; Sucre a la Creme; we just called it fudge. 

My mom's fudge was so good that my friends would request her to make it or ship them a box! So to my friends who loved her fudge, try this one.

This Laura Secord Fudge has a buttery, brown-sugar flavor. 

Mom would make her fudge two ways, either hard or soft. I preferred the hard fudge. 

The creamy fudge above is more on the soft side (medium texture). Each piece is individually wrapped, so you'll absolutely eat six at once (lol) ... it's that good!

If you're looking for a nice treat to bring to someone's home, I recommend this incredible Laura Secord Fudge.

On second thought, don't buy it! Resist it!

Happy Holidays :)

P.S. I haven't enclosed my mom's fudge recipe because fudge is all about boiling, stirring, timing and cooling - it's more of a technique. After making her fudge a few times, I managed to get the technique down. Not sure I could even explain it!

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Christmas is Coming ~ A Lovely Gift Idea for All the Ladies in Your Life!

The Holiday Season is on it's way already.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner and you know that after that Christmas shopping will be on everyone's mind.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a lovely gift for all the women on your shopping list.  This gift is one that will fit all sizes and even all ages!  

It is a great gift for those office gift exchanges or makes a great teacher's gift that won't break the bank.  

It will fit into an envelope or stocking and is sure not to be duplicated!  

What could it possibly be?

If you have never heard of Color Street Nail Strips, then you are in for a great surprise.  I am a Color Street Lover and Stylist.  What does that mean?  Well Color Street Nail Strips are only sold through home parties or on-line parties that are hosted by a Stylist.  

These nail strips are like nail polish, without the mess and fuss that nail polish application requires.  It is also so much easier and less time consuming than sitting and waiting for nail polish to dry!  

I love nice looking hands, it's one thing I notice right away when meeting new people.  When you take the time to care for your hands it shows.  

Color Street Nail Strips are easy to apply.  Each package comes with `16 different sized nail strips.  JJust clean you nails with the alcohol wipes to make sure no greasy residue is on your nails before application.  Then one at a time peel the preformed nail strip and place it on your fingernail.  Press it down firmly and trim off the excess with a quick rub with the emery board.  Start at the baby fingers and work your way to your thumbs.  

With a little practice you can get this done in less than 10 minutes!  That's all it takes to have nails that look well groomed and cared for.  These polish strips once applied, can last 2 weeks or more depending on how quickly your nails grow out!

When I do my nails they last and last with no chipping or peeling!  Two weeks and my hands always look nice.  I even do my dishes, laundry and cleaning without using rubber gloves and my nails still hold up!  I find this product to be amazing.

If you'd like to get something "different" and really inexpensive for a special lady in your life feel free to use the link to my Beauty Social that is currently running till the 23rd of December!  

Color Street has nail applications for every season, holiday and even special commemorative times like Breast Cancer Awareness.  They also give back to many different organizations with percentages of sales from these special nail sets.  So you get beautiful nails and do a good turn at the same time!  It's a "Twofer" and a winner at the same time!

If you have family and friends that live far away, this is a nice way to send a greeting for the holidays and a gift in the same envelope!  That is a win-win for everyone and I'm sure the recipient will be pleased as punch to get such colorful mail.  

Happy Holidays to all and may your hands look beautiful this year as you are enjoying the holidays!  

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Reviewing The Benefits Of Battery Motion Sensor Lights

 

 

We have had these portable battery-operated motion sensor lights for about a year now and I can say that we are so happy to have these useful lights. We have the Beams ones which we are happy with, but there are many choices depending on your needs. 

Essentially they are battery-powered lights that come on automatically when they sense movement. They stay on as long as movement is detected then quickly go off if all is still. 

They have a bright white light and for their size do give out a surprisingly useful reassuring beam of light. 

Palm-sized battery Motion Sensor Light

We have found the batteries to last a very long time with our usage.

They only come on when motion is detected and go off again quite quickly if there is no movement detected so they do not use up the battery quickly. 

They are not large and easily fit on a table, sideboard, kitchen sink, or window ledge.

We find them very light and easy to carry around in the palm of your hand. 

You can easily move them from place to place and comfortably carry one or two around with you to light the way.

 

We are used to having electrical lights whenever we need them. However, there are many potential occasions when these electric lights may fail, for example, a power cut or outage whether it is planned or sudden, storm damage or simply running out of replacement bulbs for the main light.

Some of these lights are designed for indoor use only or indoor/outdoor and some are especially suited for outdoor use and can be fixed securely to buildings so do check descriptions carefully so you get the right ones for your needs. It is probably best to have a variety to be prepared. 

Some lights you can place on a surface or stick onto a surface or have the option to be fixed more permanently, so check what suits you best. 

Keeping a few battery-powered lights around can be a real help when electrical lights fail for whatever reason. We can use candles of course but while they are lovely for a romantic meal,  I do question the safety of flames in a blackout situation and especially where older people, children and pets are around.  So we prefer to use these portable lights. 

 

Photo showing size of motion sensor lights against a coffee mug

Uses For Portable Motion Sensor Battery Lights

We have personally found many uses for them including the following.

In the hallway so that at night we do not need to switch on the main lights just to walk to the bathroom.

In the garden patio in order to light up the garden area near the house.

On the floor by the skirting board when we thought we had mice to see if any were actually around! If they ran past the light it would come on. 

On the porch where we do not have an electrical light to help when we returned home in the dark and for the postie and milk delivery to be able to see better in the early dawn 

They were very handy when there was a power cut as we had them on the stairs and hallway, living room, kitchen and bedroom to easily light our way and keep us safe from trips or falls. 

We also had a couple to carry around in the power cut as they are much safer than candles and more effective with a good strong beam of light. 

In event of a power cut or if you do not have outside lights it is useful to position a couple so that if you need to go to the bins or let the dog/cat out in the dark there is some useful light. 

Keep one or two in the car so that in the event of a breakdown or emergency, you will have some light. 

Energizer Motion-Sensing LED Nightlight, Battery Powered, Wireless, Stick-Anywhere, White, Energy-Efficient, Ideal for Bedroom, Stairs, Kitchen, Hallway, Night Light, 2 Pack, 47268

 

Further Benefits Of Motion Sensor Battery Operated Lights

We also think they are very useful and have real benefits for the following situations. 

For Elderly relatives or vulnerable people to position around the home permanently so that even if the lights are not on or they forget to turn lights on or have a power cut or outage they have light automatically. I do feel this is crucial to help prevent trips and falls and the worry that comes with darkness. 

Children to have them in their rooms or in the hallway so that if they do not turn the lights on or there is an outage during the night they can still move around safely and have some light.

Pets. If your home is in complete darkness it is all too easy to trip up over a dog or cat or any other pet that may be around. With these lights just position a couple on the floor and you will see where your pet is so you can safely avoid him or her. 

 

In a dark closet or wardrobe, cupboard or larder so you can instantly see better. 

Security- A wired-in electrical security light system is great when you have electricity. However, if you do not have any installed or if there is a power cut it is good to have a backup system. You can place a portable motion sensor light on a porch or in the patio or window box where it will detect any movement.  I would advise they are kept away from heavy rain though unless they are sold as fully waterproof. Ours which are sold as indoor/outdoor have been fine on a porch and when positioned in a large container and covered by a large waterproof plant pot so just the sensor part is visible.

However, if you want a more permanent backup system or instead of electrical security lights outside, I would think it's best to go for ones that are designed especially for outdoor use and bad weather and can be securely installed. 

Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights,Sunenvoy Battery Operated Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights Weatherproof Battery Powered Motion Spot Lights for Garage Pathway -8W 600 Lumens 4 LED Security Lights (2 Pack)

 

Where I live we are being advised that there may be periods of blackouts or power cuts this winter and they are expected to last for 3 to 4 hours at a time so these lights will be essential during those times. We are going to set them up in key areas around the home so it is all ready. This will take the stress out of searching for candles or torches when it is pitch dark! 

We do not like to be without lights and I think it can be very dangerous to either try to move around in the dark or equally to carry candles or other light that may be easily flammable. These lights are so portable and give a very useful beam. 

I think these portable battery-operated sensor lights are a very useful household item, but especially if you have older people, children or pets living in your home I think they are essential. 

Mr. Beams MB532 Motion-Sensing LED Step/Stair Light, 2-Pack, White, 2 Count

 

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Lightweight Acrylic Cake Plate with Dome Lid Reviewed

Let me start by saying, I absolutely love my new acrylic cake plate!

I rarely buy anything for myself.  I usually keep a running wishlist for special occasions. Normally, if I want something new for my kitchen, I add it to the wishlist and try to forget it.  That way, my family can select things they know I will want and I can be surprised by a new gadget, utensil, or cookware.  

For some time now, I have been searching for a lightweight, pretty covered cake plate that I can easily move from the refrigerator to the table.  For decades, I have used my domed glass cake plate, but in recent years I have noted that it is heavy for me to carry.  

I hate the way wrap or foil messes up cake frosting and much prefer the domed cake plates, so I have continued to use the glass domed cake plate in spite of the weight.  My glass cake plate is also footed, which makes it rather tall.  I have to move my refrigerator shelf to accommodate the height, which is another inconvenience.

When I found this footless acrylic domed cake plate on Amazon, I thought I would try it.  I wasn't sure it would work well for me and I didn't want to wait for Christmas to receive it.  With several birthdays to celebrate in October & November, I really needed the cake plate now.  Therefore, I bought it for myself.  

Because it turned out to be exactly what I wanted and needed, I wish I had waited for a beloved family member to gift it to me so it would have that memory attached to it.  I'll have to settle for the memories of the birthday cakes that were first served and stored in it.

 

The Lightweight Acrylic Domed Cake Plate

This cake plate is perfect!  It is very lightweight, almost feather light.  Because it is not footed, it easily slides into my refrigerator without having to adjust the shelf height, even with the handled tall dome.

 

I was concerned that the dome would not be tall enough, however, it easily accommodates our two layer lemon cake (shown below) or chocolate cake without touching the frosting.

I use a glass plate under my cake because they turn easily on the table when frosting a cake.  The dome is tall enough and the plate is wide enough to accommodate the plate and the cake together.  As you can see in the picture below, my husband used a dinner plate for the lemon birthday cake he made for me.  The cake is not touching the lidded dome on the top or the sides, and there is plenty of room for the dinner plate underneath the cake.

 

The diamond pattern of the plate itself is very pretty on the table and compliments any dessert. 

I am thrilled to have a lovely domed cake plate that will protect my frosted cakes and that I can easily move from the fridge to the table.  The dome does get fogged between fridge and table, but that is easily wiped away with a paper towel, leaving the cake in a clear and lovely domed display.

 AVLA Acrylic Cake Plate with Dome, 13 Inch Cake Stand with CoverCheck Price

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Lightweight Acrylic Cake Plate with Dome Lid Reviewed by:

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Review of Suet Nuggets for Birds

 

Nuthatch waiting turn for Suet Nuggets 

One of my favorite wild bird foods to use in our backyard feeders are Suet Nuggets.  These little pellets contain a blend of suet and other high oil content ingredients.  I find them easy to use, less messy than other feed, and the birds love them.  I find them easier to use then the suet cakes and there is less waste with the nuggets.

In my yard they are particularly popular with the Downy woodpeckers, but I have also seen other woodpeckers, nuthatches and even sparrows feed on them.  I have seven different types of bird feeders in my yard, and the one that is most popular is the suet nugget feeder.

In this photo a female Downy is getting the last bits of the nuggets out of the feeder.  Below is a male Downy enjoying the nuggets in the wintertime.

The suet nuggets are designed to attract a wide variety of wild birds.  They are formed into soft nuggets so that they are easy for beaks to break apart.  They may be served alone (as you see I have done in the feeder above) or combined with other feed.  These nuggets are ideal for year-round feeding.  I always have a feeder full of these nuggets in my backyard.

The nuggets are available in a variety of flavors.  I have tried the sunflower, bluebird and woodpecker varieties but the one I use the most often is the peanut variety.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

As you can see in the photo above even the sparrows enjoy the nuggets.

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Long, Lined Leather Gloves — A Luxurious, Affordable Gift She'll Love

With the winter holidays fast approaching, many of us are starting to think about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas gifts for teachers, friends, family and other loved ones. Gloves are traditional and practical gifts, but not always exciting. A gift-worthy pair needs something special, such as a pretty color or luxury materials, to make the recipient's eyes light up when they unwrap their present.

The long lambskin leather touchscreen gloves I bought myself a couple of years ago are beautifully made, have a soft, plush lining, look and feel much more expensive than they are and keep my hands and arms toasty warm during the cold winter months.

I'm sharing my in-depth product review of these yummy, extra-long, warm winter gloves that would make a luxurious and surprisingly affordable gift idea for the women on your holiday shopping list.

Beautiful VIKIDEER long leather lambskin gloves with a soft, warm, plush lining that are also touchscreen compatible to work with your mobile phone, tablet or Kindle

Here in New England, winters are long, snowy and bitter cold. Even when I lived in New York City, I always purchased warm winter gloves that extended several inches above my wrist. However, once I moved to the Boston area I found that they weren't long enough to protect my forearms from the bite of the arctic winter wind, which forced its way inside my coat sleeves every time I bent my arms to take something out of my purse, such as a tissue or bus fare, or use my phone.

I have always had a weakness for high-quality, cashmere-lined lambskin leather gloves. I had several pairs, purchased when I still lived in Manhattan and long before I got my first mobile phone, that were still in great shape. However, in addition to not being long enough, they also weren't touchscreen compatible. So, when I used public transportation to get from our house in the suburbs into Boston and back, every time I wanted to check the status of the bus I was waiting for, listen to my audiobook, check my email, text or phone messages, call a taxi, etc., I had to remove my right glove and expose my hand to the freezing cold.

I tried a pair of long, knitted cashmere gloves similar to, but a bit shorter than, these long cashmere blend touchscreen gloves. Although they were long enough to protect my forearms when I bent my elbows and allowed me to keep my hands covered while using my phone, they weren't warm enough for my needs.

Eventually, however, I found my current pair of well made, very warm, long leather gloves with touchscreen compatible fingertips. Jackpot!

What I Love About VIKIDEER Long, Lined, Warm Lambskin Leather Gloves

Here are some of the reasons I recommend these excellent quality, surprisingly affordable VIKIDEER lined, long, warm leather gloves for yourself or as a gift.

Buttery Soft, Supple, Genuine Lambskin Leather

These feel deliciously smooth, soft and luxurious from the moment you take them out of the box.

The silky soft, plush polyester fleece lining of these winter gloves keeps hands toasty warm

Warm, Plush Lining

The genuine leather shell, silky soft polyester plush lining and windproof, close stitching keep even my temperature-sensitive hands toasty warm during our cold, snowy, windy New England winters.

Long Enough To Protect Forearms Against the Wind

I bought these luxurious leather gloves in the three-quarter length (15.5" long), which covers most of my forearms, so when I bend my arms there's no gap where skin is exposed to the cold or wind. These warm winter gloves are also available in a longer elbow length (19.6" long).

Even when I bend or raise my arms, my forearms stay warm covered by these long winter gloves

Choice of Four Colors

Both the 15.5-inch and 19.6-inch lengths are available in Black, Brown, Champagne (which I would call tan or saddle brown) and Red. I bought the 15.5-inch long gloves in the rich, dark chocolate brown to go with my faux fur-lined microsuede hooded coat. I'm also planning to buy a black pair to go with my nearly ankle-length, black, hooded down coat, which I wear on the coldest days.

High Quality, Made to Last

The materials and workmanship make them durable and wear resistant. The lambskin leather also becomes even softer and more supple with wear and gradually conforms to the shape of your hands over time.

After wearing mine frequently throughout two frigid Massachusetts winters, the leather as well as the fleece lining and stitching have all held up beautifully.

Touchscreen Compatible

These may look like traditional, high quality, warm leather gloves, but there is a hidden feature (probably conductive thread stitching or fabric between the lambskin leather shell and the soft, cozy plush lining) that also makes these touchscreen gloves. I love being able to use my mobile phone, tablet or Kindle while I'm on the go without having to remove my gloves (especially since it is harder to put a long glove back on while wearing a long-sleeved winter coat).

True to Size

These are sold in small, medium, large, extra-large and extra-extra large sizes rather than numerical glove sizes. I ordered the medium, which equaltes to my usual glove size 7, and found that the fit is true to size. At the time of this post's publication, 88% of Amazon buyers who rated the fit of these gloves also said they fit true to size.

Here is a size guide to help you choose the best fit for yourself or your gift recipient:

Small (6.5)

Medium (7)

Large (7.5)

X-Large (8)

XX-Large (8.5)

Attractive Gift Box

These beautiful, warm winter gloves arrive in an elegant tissue-lined gift box with gold embossing, ready for holiday gift giving. Just add wrapping paper and a bow!

A Fantastic Value

These plush lined, genuine lambskin leather gloves look, feel and last like pairs that cost much more. The gift box is a lovely, unexpected bonus.

Luxury Gifts for Her at An Affordable Price

You won't find more elegant, luxurious, well made and affordable gifts for women for less than $37 for these 15.5-inch, three-quarter-length lambskin leather gloves. Even the longer, 19.6-inch elbow-length gloves cost less than $40.

They would make excellent Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas gifts as well as birthday or Valentine's Day gifts that the lucky recipients will enjoy and appreciate for many years to come.

Consider a Pair For Yourself

These high-quality warm winter gloves are as practical as they are pretty. If yours don't have touchscreen compatible fingertips or you're tired of having cold hands in the winter, consider treating yourself to a pair of these beautiful, long-lasting, affordable, long leather gloves. You deserve to have warm hands this winter, too!

Long, Lined Leather Gloves — A Luxurious, Affordable Gift She'll Love by Margaret Schindel

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Christmas Wreath Storage Containers

Christmas Wreath Storage Containers Reviewed

Halloween is over and that means the Holidays are now in full swing. It's time to think about getting all of those Thanksgiving and then, Christmas decorations out of storage.

Soon Fran and I will have our basement floor lined with the dozen or so totes where we store all of our decorations.

Call us old-fashioned, but we really don't decorate for Christmas until Thanksgiving is over.

 It seems that the retail stores begin earlier every year. Our Wal-Mart store had Christmas decorations out before Halloween.

We decorate all of our windows and doors with wreaths. We have several different sizes of wreaths, from 24-inches to 36-inches. Our Christmas wreaths are one item that doesn't seem to store very well in totes.

 Every year when the Holidays are over and it's time to pack it all up, I found myself battling to store the wreaths in plastic bags.

A couple of years ago I finally broke down and bought these handy Christmas wreath storage containers. Now it is so easy to get them out and store them every year. No more fighting pulling them out, and putting them back in plastic bags.

These wreath storage containers are made with tear-resistant plastic, and feature heavy-duty sturdy handles, with dual zippers and a card slot.

They are large enough to also fit garland and string lights on top of the wreaths for easy storage. These containers come in different sizes to easily store and protect all of your seasonal wreaths.

Zober 2-Pack Christmas Wreath Storage Bag 36Buy Now

 

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Extra Bed Space with an iDOO Self-Inflating Mattress - We Bought it, We Love it

A self-inflating mattress is a practical, convenient item to have on hand for sleepover guests.

When all the bedrooms are filled, and you at least need a comfy place for someone to crash for the night, a self-inflating mattress solves the problem.

Here's the iDOO Mattress Available Via Amazon (This is the Latest Model - The Newer iDOO Model):

What Are the Benefits of a Self-Inflating Mattress:

• If storage space is tight in your home, you can easily flatten this mattress out and slide it under a bed. That's exactly where we store ours.
• It comes with a storage bag as well.
• The self-inflating aspect is an absolute must! We used to have mattresses that we had to inflate with a manual pump; What! No thanks. We've long switched to a self-inflating version for our guests.
• Simply plug the mattress in, and watch it quickly inflate within two minutes! Easy, peasy.
• This mattress deflates as quickly as it inflates.
• It's made of non-toxic material and has a non-slip base.
• We purchased the original model (older model iDOO) twin size from Amazon Canada, which measures 75"x 39"x 15" -  there's a link to that one below. The newer model is slightly bigger at 76" x 39" x 18". Both accommodate a weight of up to 550lbs.
• Although it's a twin size, my very tall son had no problems sleeping on it; there's plenty of room.
• The raised edges make for a nice, flat bed.
• It's designed to be puncture resistant and has a waterproof layer on top.
• Initially, I stated that twin bed sheets fit this mattress - (and they may) - however, I remembered that I used full bed sheets. I haven't personally tried twin bed sheets. I figured full bed sheets would be better, given the depth of the mattress.

5-Star Rating Recommendation From Our Family - If You're Expecting Sleepover Guests for the Holidays, Be Sure to Check This Product Out

I highly recommend this self-inflating mattress; it's affordable, practical, and easy to store away when you don't need it.

What I like about having an inflatable mattress in our home is the ease at which I can pull it out for unexpected overnight stays.

The best part about an inflatable mattress is being able to use it in any room in the home!

Set it up in the family room, a bedroom, a rec room, an office ... essentially any place you prefer to have your temporary sleeping area. I love that flexibility.

We've used our inflatable mattress for overnight guests in our bedrooms and the family room.

We purchased the older model, which is a tad smaller, measuring 75" x 39" x 15" versus  76" x 39" by 18" for the newer model. 

You can read more about the newer version here on Amazon. 

The older version that we purchased is here on Amazon Canada. 

The equivalent of what we purchased on Amazon USA seems to only offer the 18" high model. If I was buying from Amazon USA, I'd go with the new model.

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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Reviewing Warm, Wearable Oversized Hooded Blankets.

 

I absolutely love my warm Kudd.ly oversized hooded blanket!! I have never had one before but this year with energy bills rising fast and watching how much we put the heating on this autumn and winter we needed other ways to keep warm. 

We bought the Kudd.ly hoodie brand which I would recommend,  but there are many different companies selling them now. So it is best to see what is available to you and what is important to you. 

These hooded blankets are really great. They are generously oversized and have a hood and arms with plenty of room. The length for an adult, clearly depending on height, is generally mid thigh to around knee length or a bit longer. 

You simply pop it over your head and it is a massive cosy, warm cover-up. This means that it is easy to relax on the sofa with it on and also you can easily move around the house while wearing it and keep warm, unlike a blanket that slips off or trips you up.  

Our Kudd.ly is made of plush soft polyester on the outside and sherpa lined and thus very warm and soft to wear. The hood goes right over my head so plenty big enough if you find you need that extra warmth.

We mainly wear them first thing in the morning when having our breakfast and coffee and in the evenings once we settle down to watch a film or read or go on the internet. I do wear it when I am working from home though probably not for a work Zoom Call although I have come close when I forgot I was wearing it!! 

Once it gets much colder in winter I can see us wearing them during the day when we are at home. 

Sizing Of The Wearable Hooded Blanket

Ours is one size fits most people. Most of the hooded blankets I have seen are one size fits most. They are not designed to be form-fitting or even neat fit but rather a great big oversized cuddly wearable blanket. 

As an example, It fits both me at 5 foot 8 inches tall and my 6 foot 2 inches, tall husband, with room to spare and is plenty big enough in all measurements. 

If you are buying a different brand it is just best to check how big it is and how it fits.  

Many brands also do children's sizes so best to check what is the most suitable for your child. 

Benefits Of Wearable Hooded Blankets

• It really does keep you very warm. It can be worn over anything so day clothes, dresses and PJs or just over a vest top or T shirt.
• It is long enough on most people to either wear with trousers, joggers or PJs or leggings or if you are warm enough on its own.  
• It is not size specific so once you have one it doesn't matter if you gain or lose weight and is especially useful when buying for teenagers who can wear the adult versions and still wear it as they grow taller.
• Clearly, it will depend on height but for many adults, an adult size will probably be around mid thigh to knee length or slightly longer. So for most adults you are not in danger of tripping up over it when walking around or going up and down stairs like you would if walking around with a blanket around your shoulders with the danger of it slipping off.

KFUBUO Wearable Blanket Hoodie for Kids Sherpa Patterns Oversized Sweatshirt Blanket with Pocket 6-10YR

•   On children it will depend on their height and probably best to buy a child size specific hooded blanket. I would probably aim for no longer than just below the knee or maybe mid calf length for a child to be safe walking around in it. Many older teenagers would be fine in an adult version. 
• It looks good and covers you up, so you can certainly open the door to delivery drivers or neighbours without worrying you look like you are in your night clothes at 7pm!

• These hooded blankets come in many different colours and designs for both adults and children so it is matter of choosing your favourite. There are block colours, patterned designs, tie dye designs, children and teens designs in fun and funky designs or with animal features. The Sherpa fleece inside is very soft and usually white. 
• The massive kangaroo-type pocket at the front is great for carrying around all those little bits and pieces! It's also great for keeping your hands very warm. 

• I think they are suitable for everyone from men to women, older children to elderly people. 
• On a cold day or night, you just feel so warm and cosy and cuddly which is a great feeling! 
• If you don't need to wear them for example in the warmer weather, they come in a great bag that they can also be stored in. 
• As you are so warm and they are much warmer than normal jumpers or sweaters, you won't need to have the expensive heating on so much so over time they will more than pay for themselves. 

Care Of A Wearable Hooded Blanket

Our Kudd.ly hooded blanket is fully washable on a gentle cycle. To dry either hang to dry outside on a washing line or inside over an airer or a gentle tumble dry. It has washed and dried beautifully. 

Personally, I think you need at least two each, so one to wear and one in the wash. Once you have one you never want to be without it for a minute!

  

KFUBUO Wearable Blanket Hoodie for Adults Sherpa Glow in The Dark Oversized Sweatshirt Blanket with Pockets Cute Birthday Gifts for Women

 The Oversized Hooded Blanket As A Gift

They make wonderfully thoughtful gifts and the only decision really is whether it's a child or adult size and which color to buy and will suit everyone from older children to elderly people in the family! 

Any gender can and do wear these hoodies, it is just a choice of which colour and design! 

You have no worries about what size the buy as this garment does fit most people. 

I do think especially for winter Birthdays and for Christmas gifts these wearable oversized hoodies are a very thoughtful and fun gift. As it is so huge it also really feels like a substantial gift and can be tried on straight away. 

Different brands do vary in price and quality so do check out before you buy. 

As for negatives I really cannot find any. I just wish I had bought them for us and for gifts years ago.

Degrees of Comfort Wearable Blanket Hoodie for Women Adults, Cozy Oversized and Warm Sherpa Lined Hooded Sweatshirt Blankets, Purple, 38x32 Inch

If you want to feel toasty warm from head to toe in the colder months, consider buying a Warm Wearable Oversized Hoodie Blanket and also Women's Warm Winter Sherpa Lined Pants reviewed by Sylvestermouse Cynthia.

KFUBUO Dinosaur Wearable Blanket Hoodie for Kids Sherpa Patterns Oversized Sweatshirt Blanket with Pocket 6-10 Year Old Boys&Girls Birthday Gifts

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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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