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Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sayings to Write in a Get Well Card

Funny Sayings to Write in Cards

One of my personal 'crazy skills' is the ability to quickly create lists of 'sayings' - Yes It's a bit strange

If we were face to face and you gave me a 'Topic' and 5 minutes to come up with 20 quote-sayings about it, I would most likely be able to get it done. In fact, here's an entire section I've created on original sayings you use to write in cards.

So onto today's challenge:

Review a List of Things to Say in a Get Well Card

Finding just the right thing to say in a get well card can be challenging, so I've put together a collection of things to say according to the emotion you want to convey: humor, sarcasm, or inspirational. You'll find things like, 'If you're really sick, I'm sorry, if you're faking it, you're my hero!'

Yes it's always easy to get a card that has something written inside of it, and then just sign your name, however even if you select a pre-written card, it's makes for a lovely personal touch to add some words in your own handwriting.

Humorous Get Well Sayings you Can Choose from:

Getting well is hard work, being well is harder work - so milk it!
Don't be a baby when you're sick, I heard you do that when you're well !
The world found out you were sick today, and the whole planet was given the day off !
I was so upset to hear you were sick today, that I held a party in your honor (too bad you were sick)
When you're sick, I'm sick - because I have to do your job!
You need to get better fast, I can't take the pressure!
You don't look sick, you don't sound sick, those Acting Classes are paying off
You're probably the best looking sick person I've ever seen in my life
You look better sick than I do well !
Natural healing - it isn't fun is it
So you thought getting sick would keep me away from you, well you thought wrong there pumpkin
Here take these two Heal-Me Pills - possible side affects; your nose will fall off, your ears will turn green, your house may get termites, you could wake up with four flat tires on your car, and your eyeballs could end up on the side table when you're sleeping - other than that, you should feel better by 6am (OH! and you're dog might hate you)
If being sick is some sort of a grand plot to get the attention of everyone at work, well congratulations you little genius it's working! In fact I think you've received a raise and a promotion while you've been off!
As long as you're sick, I was wondering can I borrow $1000 bucks to buy you the best present ever!
Did you get sick to just give us all a break ... well we all got together to thank you and to say that you would be happy to know that NOTHING is getting done while your sick!
Don't worry, nobody is stealing your glory while you're sick, 'cause everyone refuses to do your job! (apparently your job makes people sick)

Inspirational Things You Can Say In a Card to Someone's Who Isn't Well:

If someone you know is quite ill, often times it's hard to know what to say when you want to say something nice. So below you'll find some ideas. Feel free to use them as is, or simply as an idea to expand upon with your own words.

You deserve a medal for perseverance and fortitude; the way you've handled this illness is an inspiration to all of us and we're very lucky to be in your life
You always carry yourself with dignity and grace no matter what challenges come your way
We want you to know that you can count on us to be there for you because you've always been there for everyone else
Time takes a hold of our heart and with a gentle squeeze it reminds us why we're here - to love deeply, and to live with purpose
We've all signed a petition and asked God to help you through your illness because we all love you and need you here with us
When we face a severe challenge, we are given an opportunity to re-evaluate ourselves, but everyone agrees you're the only exception to the rule - you've lived with honor and are a rare bird; a triple A person in every aspect of life
Good health is a gift you deserve more than anyone we know
When you're at your best, all of us are at our best - you're an amazing inspiration to us all

Sarcastic Funny Things to Put in a Card for Someone Who's Not Well and Appreciates a Laugh

So you decided to get sick to avoid me right!
You are the sunshine in my life, the reason I am who I am - what a load of garbage, just get well ok!!
You're really sick right? Really right? really honestly and truly right? Darn 'cause I needed you to paint the house!
Give me six reasons I shouldn't be mad 'cause you're sick, go ahead...I'm waiting...see NOTHING! I'm mad that you're sick, 'cause I miss you
In order to get well you have to actually be sick, so this card is a 'stop faking you're sick card' so you can actually get sick so I can get you the right card..a get well card. Gheesh you frustrate me!
There's a chance you're just faking sick to avoid responsibility right? You better puke soon or you're done!
Not everyone is scared to touch a sick person - hope those people can visit you 'cause I sure the h*ell can't !
You want to know why you're sick, it's because you do too much, talk too much, help too much ... the only cure is to become totally selfish and useless like me
If I could find the answers to life itself, I would be able to become the kind of person who writes extremely profound diatribes in a card - aren't you glad I'm a selfish tool now!
Give me three reasons you became sick...never mind allow me....(1) You needed an excuse to get some time off, (2) You're looking for payback by making me do all the work now, or (3) You're really sick and I'm an A-hole.

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

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Friday, February 28, 2014

Romantic Movie: The Bodyguard, 10 Things I Hate About You, & More

I absolutely love watching romantic movies! Recently, I have spent a lot of time and had a lot of fun reading reviews of the best romantic movies. I have found myself grabbing my own old copies of the movies to watch them again.

In a few cases, I have actually been introduced to new romantic movies by our review authors. I really do love that! Having a movie reviewed and recommended, truly helps me find entertainment that I have previously missed, but that I am sure to enjoy.

Recommended Romantic Movie Reviews

The Bodyguard review written by ThanksDevine, is a perfect example of an older movie being brought back to mind by an excellent review.

Just reading his words filled my mind with memories of the scenes from that movie and made me want to relive the experience of watching Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner fall in love on the silver screen.

This movie is filled with passion and I was reminded of looks of longing and desire these two exchanged with each other as I read this review.

DaisyDixon reviewed 10 Things I Hate About You and I was, once again, swept back to the past.

I had not even realized Heath Ledger was the male star in that movie. When the movie was originally released, Heath was new to Hollywood. As a matter of fact, since reading this review, I did a bit of research and found that "10 Things I Hate About You" was Heath's first movie.
This was such a tender movie about first loves and discovering romance. I had to watch it again and, of course, my heart cried for both actors as their relationship developed.

I will admit, I also cried at the realization that the real man, Heath Ledger, was taken from all of us way too soon.

While You Were Sleeping is one of my personal all time favorite romantic comedies.

Crystalwriter wrote an excellent review of this fabulously fun movie. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman both have a way of making you feel like you know them personally.

The two of them together in any movie is bound to be a hit, but this really is The Best Case of Unexpected Love.

There are several quotes from this movie that you are apt to hear me reference on a daily basis. I might mention "leaning" or "pencils" and if you have seen the movie, you will definitely grasp the implication.

Romantic Movies by Special Request

WhiteIsland88 suggested that I include Anne of Green Gables. I immediately applauded her movie suggestion. In less than 24 hrs, she had written an outstanding review of the movies.

The romance part of the story comes more into focus in the second movie, but we chose to add and review the trilogy.

While there is no question that you could enjoy the second movie without having seen the first movie, the trilogy is simply more complete with the beginning and end. They are all worthwhile and highly recommended.

Brief EncounterCheck PriceSince I have never personally seen the movie Brief Encounter, karen1960's review was especially intriguing to me.

I do love the older movies and the beauty of black & white. I always enjoy the close up look at historical places, architecture, clothing styles and political references of what would have been current day when the movies were originally made.

I have added this movie to my list of must sees. I am certain there is a rainy Saturday in my future when this will fit with my desire of the day.

The Anniversary of a Romantic Movie Classic

I had not realized that it had been 40 years since I first viewed this movie until I read this review written by Serendipity831.

Talk about a flood of memories! I definitely experienced flashbacks as I was reading this review. It is so hard to believe it has been 40 years. I can easily remember exactly how I felt when I first saw The Way We Were.

Many of us grew up with the golden voice of Barbra Streisand setting the tone of our days and "singing" our lives. When she was teamed with the beautiful "golden boy", Robert Redford, to make this movie, it was bound to be a smash hit!

Happy Anniversary to "The Way We Were" !

Future Romantic Movie Reviews

If you would like to share your romantic movie review with us, simple leave the link to that review in the comment section at the bottom of the list.

I look forward to reading and sharing your review!

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Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper: The Journey Begins

Sleep plays a vital role in our physical and mental health and emotional and psychological wellbeing, so it’s important to choose a mattress that will help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up rested, refreshed and ready to make the most of the day. Luxury mattress models are usually more comfortable, offer better support and use higher quality materials and construction, so they won’t break down as quickly and won’t need to be replaced as often. Some models are compatible with an adjustable base. Others have air chambers that can be inflated or deflated to make the mattress firmer or softer to suit your preference and sleeping positions.

Saatva manufactures and sells high-quality luxury mattresses directly to consumers for significantly less than comparable models from big name brands sold in department stores and mattress stores. In 2021, my husband and I ordered a Saatva mattress and were extremely impressed with the entire customer experience.

This is the first in a series of detailed reviews in which I will share our customer experience shopping for, choosing, ordering and sleeping on a Saatva luxury mattress, bedding and adjustable base, as well as the white glove delivery and set-up, exchanging the first mattress we chose for a different configuration, and in-depth product reviews of the Saatva Solaire customizable firmness air bed mattress, Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (formerly Lineal adjustable base) and bedding we ordered.

Adventures in Mattress Shopping: An in-depth, personal review of my Saatva customer experience

Disclosure: I have joined the company’s affiliate program, which means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the links in this post I may be eligible to receive a commission, at no cost to you. I highly recommend the Saatva company and its products for their excellent quality, performance, price and customer service. The opinions, product reviews and recommendations in this post are my own and are based on my personal experiences. The decision to click on those links to learn more about the company’s products or make a purchase is greatly appreciated, but entirely up to you.

Why We Chose a Saatva Mattress

I first heard about Saatva in 2017, about a year after our previous mattress purchase, when my friend and former boss joined the company and asked me to do some freelance marketing research for them. In the process, I gained a valuable and eye-opening education about the mattress industry’s marketing and sales practices as well as mattress types, materials, construction, quality and pricing.

My husband and I had always bought good quality, moderately priced mattresses. We couldn’t justify spending a lot more money on a high-priced luxury mattress. We thoroughly researched product reviews before making a mattress purchase, and they all felt comfortable and supportive after we brought them home…for a while. However, John and I are “spooners” and after two or three years, each mattress would start to sag around the edges and develop a trough in the center. After I shared with him the new insights into mattresses and mattress shopping I had gained from my research project, we agreed that we wanted our next mattress to be a Saatva and started saving up for one.

Not long after our last mattress started breaking down and we were waking up more and more tired and with muscle aches, I got a call from my friend Joe at Saatva. His timing couldn’t have been better.

Joe and I had worked together closely for many years and conducted many customer experience audits for clients, and he also was familiar with my product reviews here on Review This Reviews. He asked whether I might be interested in ordering a Saatva mattress of my and my husband’s choosing, which we could keep, in exchange for providing detailed and candid customer feedback on my Saatva purchasing experience that he could share with his team. If we had a good customer experience and were pleased with the mattress, I also would write an unbiased, in-depth product review to share on Review This Reviews. If we were disappointed by the mattress or our customer experience, I would not publish a review, but Saatva could use the candid feedback I provided to improve their products and customer experience. Either way, the mattress would be ours to keep.

Our Must-Have and Nice-to-Have Mattress Requirements

My husband John and I agreed on the following priorities for choosing our new mattress:

King size
Excellent neck, hip and back support

Areas where we are both prone to joint pain and muscle aches

Durable materials and construction

Will resist sagging and furrowing, especially around the edges and in the center, where we sleep in the spoon position

Good for multiple sleeping positions

We both are side sleepers for the most part, but John also likes to take naps on his stomach.

Comfortable

Preferably cushiony enough to contour to our bodies, especially for side sleeping, but also firm enough to provide good support in any sleeping position

Compatibility with an adjustable base preferred, but not essential

An adjustable base had been on our wish list for many years, since one or both of us often need to lie on our backs with our heads elevated (because of my bad seasonal and indoor allergies and John’s mild sleep apnea) or to elevate our lower legs to relieve back pain. If we did end up getting one, we knew we would make good use of it.

Minimum 15-year warranty

This wouldn’t be a problem for any Saatva mattress we chose, thanks to the remarkable Saatva Friends for Life Lifetime Warranty. “From the moment our white-glove crew delivers it to you, fresh from the factory, we guarantee that it will be free from defects for as long as you own it. And if you ever have a problem, we’ll take care of it hassle-free.” Product warranties, especially for big-ticket purchases, don’t get much better than that!

Generous in-home trial period

At the time we ordered our mattress last year, Saatva’s in-home trial period was a generous 180 days. It has since been increased to a full year, giving customers 365 nights to sleep on their new Saatva mattress at home before deciding whether it is right for them! As a Saatva customer, if you decide to return or exchange your mattress for another Saatva mattress during that home trial period, you can just call the company and have them pick up the used mattress and refund the purchase price, less a $99 processing fee (to cover the cost the company pays to the carrier to have your mattress picked up and transported from your home).

How We Decided Which Mattresses to Consider

Since we hoped to be sleeping on our new Saatva mattress for many years to come, I wanted to be very thorough in my due diligence to make sure we chose the best model for our needs. Armed with our requirements list, I decided to start by refreshing my memory about the different types of mattresses Saatva makes and the sleeping positions and preferences each is best suited to, as well as learning about the newer products the company had added since I worked on my research project for them in 2017.

At the time (February 2021), There were eight mattress models available (the new Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress had not yet been introduced). Three of the mattresses were easy to exclude from consideration: The dual-sided Saatva Youth (for kids), the Crib Mattress and the Saatva HD mattress designed for larger/heavier bodies.

That left five potential candidates to explore.

Saatva Solaire Precision Adjustable Air Mattress

I asked Joe which mattresses he and his wife had chosen Joe for their own home, and he said they owned two Saatva Classic innerspring mattresses (one “luxury firm” and one “firm”) and one Zenhaven all-latex on an adjustable base, which let them elevate the head or foot of the mattress (or both). He also suggested that John and I look at the Saatva Solaire mattress, a newer model that I was not yet familiar with and the one that Saatva’s president and CEO and his wife had chosen for their bedroom, along with the “upper-flex” configuration and an adjustable base.

The Solaire's key feature is a layer of individual air chambers that can be inflated or deflated with the remote control to make the mattress firmer or softer. There are 50 firmness settings so you can fine-tune the firmness to your precise preference if you wish. On a king Solaire each side can be adjusted independently, so spouses or sleeping partners can customize the firmness to their individual preferences on their respective sides of the mattress.

In the “upper-flex” option (available for queen and king sizes only), the upper part of the mattress is split down the center to allow the head of each side to be raised or lowered independently when paired with a compatible adjustable base, such as the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus, that has been configured for a top-split mattress. (“Upper-flex is Saatva’s term for this upper-split configuration, which is more commonly referred to as split-head, head split, split-top or top split).

In the "upper-flex" configuration of the Saatva Solaire mattress, the uppr portion is split to allow each side of the head of the bed to be raised and lowered separately, when paired with a compatible adjustable base

Since John and I often go to sleep and wake up at different times, the ability to elevate the head of the bed on our side without disturbing the other’s sleep was very appealing. Our only hesitation about getting the split-top, upper-flex king Solaire instead of the standard, solid king was whether one of us might end up with an arm stuck in the narrow gap along the top-center split. In addition, since we had never slept on an adjustable air bed type, we had no idea what it would feel like or how comfortable or supportive we would find it.

Loom & Leaf Memory Foam Mattress

John and I preferred the feel of a memory foam mattress to any other type we had tried, so we were pretty sure we would be comfortable on a Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress…at least, until the sagging and furrowing started, if it behaved like our previous memory foam mattresses. We liked that, unlike our previous memory foam mattresses, the Loom & Leaf has a high-density foam base underneath the memory foam layers, which are topped with a cooling gel-infused foam layer for added comfort and spinal support.

Given our chronic joint pain and backaches, reading that the Loom & Leaf’s ultra-premium 5-lb. memory foam, which adds durability and support, “conforms to your body and helps to relieve joint and back pain while keeping your spine in neutral alignment” definitely struck a positive chord. Maybe the combination of this denser memory foam and high-density foam base would resist sagging and furrowing better than our less expensive memory foam mattresses?

The Loom & Leaf mattress’s comfort level is described as “Relaxed Firm,” combining “plush comfort and contouring support” with a medium firmness, making it “a great option for solo sleepers or couples (especially ones who snooze in different sleep positions).” So, the Loom & Leaf seemed to tick several boxes on our wish list. It was also compatible with an adjustable base.

Saatva Classic Innerspring

When we were kids, John and I slept on traditional innerspring mattresses. We’ve also slept on them together during various hotel stays over the past 27 years and never found them to be particularly comfortable. However, we have never tried a hybrid innerspring. I knew that the original, flagship Saatva Classic innerspring mattress introduced in 2011 remains the company’s best-selling mattress and had earned many thousands of rave customer reviews. So, we decided to keep an open mind and learn more about this hybrid innerspring.

This cutaway section shows the layers, materials and construction of this Saatva Classic luxury hybrid innerspring mattress, from the heavy-gauge tempered steel coils to the plush, 3-inch Euro pillow top

The Saatva Classic’s dual-coil system includes a support base of heavy-gauge, tempered, recycled steel coils that provide stability and resist sagging and a second layer of individually wrapped, pocketed coils that conform to the body, relieve pressure points and reduce motion transfer (so turning over or getting out of bed is less likely to disturb a partner). John and I both have back problems, so the pairing of the company’s patented spinal zone active wire with premium high-density memory foam for enhanced lower back support and pressure relief in the center of the mattress sounded great for us. The memory foam and the 3-inch, organic cotton, quilted Euro pillow top layer filled with a mix of plush fibers and comfort foams would likely make this hybrid innerspring a lot more comfortable than the older, traditional innerspring mattresses we had tried.

The Saatva Classic also offers a choice of two heights (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) and three comfort levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm or Firm). Luxury Firm, the most popular firmness level choice by far, was “designed to replicate the comfort level used in luxury hotels” and provide “a perfect balance of comfort and uplifting support,” which made it suitable for any sleep style and a good option for couples like us who prefer different firmness levels.

The 11.5-inch Saatva Classic is compatible with an adjustable base, although the thicker 14.5-inch model is not.

Zenhaven Natural Latex

John and I tried a latex mattress (the one we were sleeping on at the time) because latex is supposed to retain its resilience and supportiveness longer than memory foam. Although ours had, indeed, held up a couple of years longer than our previous mattresses, it was much less comfortable and didn’t provide the contoured support of its memory foam predecessors and we were tired of waking up with sore muscles and aching joints. Initially, I hadn’t planned to include it on our list of potential candidates, but I decided to refresh my memory about this model.

I remembered that, unlike our old latex mattress, Saatva’s Zenhaven natural all-latex mattress is dual-sided and can be flipped with either the softer Luxury Plush side or the Gentle Firm side facing up. There was a good chance that at least one of the sides would be more comfortable than our old latex mattress. Better yet, if we found the other side reasonably comfortable as well, when the side we were sleeping on eventually started to sag we could flip it to the other side, effectively doubling its useful life.

In addition, natural latex is naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites, mold and other common indoor allergens, and the natural latex used in the Zenhaven is also certified free of harmful chemicals. Since John and I both suffer from a plethora of allergies including pollen, dust and mold, that was an important consideration that earned this natural all-latex mattress a place on our list of models to consider. The Zenhaven was also compatible with an adjustable base.

Saatva Latex Hybrid

The last option we considered was the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress, which pairs a support base of individually wrapped recycled steel coils, like the Saatva Classic hybrid innerspring, with a 3" layer of 5-zone natural latex that conforms to and supports the body and provides enhanced lumbar support and pressure relief. According to the product description, the Saatva Latex Hybrid’s “luxury plush” feel and firmness make this mattress a good choice for any sleeping position, which was one of our key requirements.

Even though we weren’t big fans of the latex or innerspring mattresses we had slept on, we had never tried a latex and innerspring hybrid, so I decided to keep this one on our initial list of options. It was also compatible with an adjustable base.

Next Step: Culling the Herd

In my next post in this series, I’ll share the factors we considered, the steps we took and our interactions with customer support that helped us narrow these choices and, ultimately, finalize our decision on the best Saatva mattress for our needs.

Be sure to subscribe* to Review This Reviews to be notified when new posts in this Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper series (and my popular keto diet success series) are published!

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Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper: The Journey Begins by Margaret Schindel

Posts in This Series

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 1: The Journey Begins

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 2: How to Choose the Best Saatva Mattress for Your Needs

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 3: Ordering a Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Bed Online — A Candid Review

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 4: Saatva Organic Cotton Mattress Pad and Sheet Set Product Reviews

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 5: Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base White Glove Delivery and Setup

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 6: Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus Product Reviews

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 7: Exchanging a Saatva Mattress: My Personal Experience

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 8: Which Queen or King Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base to Buy

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Aging and Safety in the Home ~ A Product Review

Aging gracefully is much easier if you have the tools to make aging easier. There is no doubt that we age quietly and sometimes don't notice the changes until an accident happens. Then we shake our heads and wonder what the heck happened and how it happened so quickly.

Now if you've been looking after an aging relative for a while you might notice those changes in them quicker than you realize those changes are also happening to you too! Your focus is different when there is an elderly person in your own home.

Somehow we focus all our efforts on making them comfortable and safe. We forget about making ourselves comfortable and safe too!

When my mother was living with us, we invested in night lights so that she would be able to get to the washroom and back to her bedroom without any troubles. They worked great and we were very happy that it solved a problem that we had not thought of before. She loved that they stayed on all the time as well. So long as she was happy we were happy too!

Now, my mother is no longer living with us(she is in long term care), we are the ones that seem to be aging quicker. Or it could be that we are noticing the changes when we don't have anyone else to concentrate our efforts on.

The point is that we are in need of extra help in the night time now as well. Our needs are a little different than my mother's were. Our aging journey seems to be more focused on extra mobility needs. So while we still have the night lights in place, we needed some light that would actually illuminate the surrounding area so that we could get our bearings easier.

My husband has a problem with balance and waking in the middle of the night for a potty break was very difficult for him. Putting his feet on the floor was not enough. Balance can be helped with visual aids. Hence we were on the look out for something that would illuminate without waking the partner still sleeping. It had to illuminate enough so that walls and other obstacles would be clear and yet not such a glaring light to interrupt his sleep pattern either.

We found a night light that is rechargeable, motion detecting, and cordless! Recharging is done with a USB cable and each time it's charged it last a few weeks (3-4) depending on how often it is needed through the night.

We bought a two pack of these motion detecting lights, but I see now that they are available in a 3 pack as well. For less than $20.00 you are able to give yourself and your other half some well needed peace of mind and a clear path to that washroom. I love that the light only stays on for a few minutes and then goes off. Unlike nightlights that are plugged into the wall that stay on all the time.

Peace of mind when you are aging is priceless and there are many tools to make the transition easier. This in my books is one of them!

The picture shows you what the light looks like off and on. We have them mounted on the wall above the doorway to the washroom so that both the floor in front and the floor of the bathroom are well illuminated when needed. The light is not so glaring that it wakes your brain up. So a quick trip the loo and back into bed, close your eyes and continue sleeping. It is working very well for us and I'm sure it would work for you too.

Pleasant dreams everyone and may you never trip on your way to the loo at night.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2022

A Review Of Blackout Curtain Liners

About two months ago we bought a pair of blackout curtain liners. Our bedroom faces full west and especially in summer, we get the sun shining in the room all afternoon and well into the evening. In some ways this is lovely, however, it does mean that this room gets very hot for sleeping.

I need a cool room to sleep in these days or I simply cannot sleep. It never used to bother me but now it is essential to be cool! Without a good night's sleep, I simply can't function very well the day after. Deep peaceful restful sleep is essential for our good health and I was just not getting enough sleep week after week.

We do not have air conditioning, it is not a routine thing to have in the UK and would be really expensive to install for the sake of one room.

My original solution was to have a fan going pretty much all night but now with rising energy costs, I am not keen to spend money on an electric fan going all night for months every summer.

We had a beautiful curtain up but it is not thick and so even when drawn the sun and the heat still got through. Also, the sun has the ability to fade some furniture and fabrics so it is useful to keep the sun off those items of home decor. The added problem was that we were routinely woken up very early with the dawn as the light comes in.

We did not want to change the curtains as we love them and it is expensive to buy new curtains as it is a large window. Equally, we do not want to spend a lot of money on installed fitted blackout blinds or shutters. So I wanted to find a quick and easy solution.

Curtains with blackout liner attached

Blackout Liners For Curtains

I knew about blackout blinds but we did not want blinds up at that window. I then discovered that you can buy blackout curtain liners. These fix into your existing curtains on the inside and provide a layer of material that blocks out the light and the sun.

We have pencil pleat top curtains and so I looked for blackout liners that would fix to them. I found some, ordered them and hoped they would do the job.

When they arrived neatly packed I unpacked them and proceeded to fix to our curtains. While there were a few creases I did not feel they needed ironing and since they have been hung a few days the creases dropped out anyway.

I found the best way is to take the curtains down and lay on the bed. Then lay the liner on top of the curtain

You simply use the curtain hooks to fix the two curtains together. Once I got the hang of it it took only a few minutes per curtain.

Then we rehung the curtains. One or two of the fixing hooks did come off during the hanging process but it was an easy fix to simply re-hook them and they have since stayed on with no issues.

I would say I could have done with a few more joining hooks than I had as they were a bit too spaced apart, so it is perhaps a good idea to buy a few more to give a better closer fit.

Fixing liner to curtain with hooks on pencil pleat curtains

Material For Blackout Curtain Liners

Our curtain liners are truly blackout. When up against the curtain they do not let any sunlight in. They do block and reflect sunlight very well. I have noticed on a hot sunny day if I put my hand behind the curtain and onto the liner that the liners are very warm but the curtain is not.

Our blackout curtain liners by Hachette Ltd are made from deluxe polyester and it does feel very smooth and soft to the touch with a slight sheen. They are also quite substantial and heavy for a liner.

Although there were some creases when first hung up they did drop out quite quickly. I did not feel the need to iron them and in fact would consider that a waste of time and effort. We decided to go for a light grey colour and are happy with it.

Curtain blackout liner material

Tips For Buying Blackout Curtain Liners

1. Measure your curtains and choose liners that are the same size width-wise as your curtains. However, for the length, you need only buy the drop of a few inches below your window. The reason for this is that you only need the liner to cover the actual window pane so if you have full-length curtains that drop well below the frame you can if you wish only buy the drop for the window itself and save some money.

2. Choose the best quality blackout liners you can afford. They do vary in quality and the ability to actually blackout the room. Not all are made equal so do check the materials and reviews so that you do get what you need.

3. Choose liners that are washable. I always think it is a good idea to wash curtains and liners and dry cleaning is more expensive.

4. Have a few more joining hooks that you think you need as this will give a better fit.

5. Don't try to fit them while the curtains are up, it is so much harder that way. Lay the curtain on a flat surface and lay the liner on top then once fixed together hang both.

6. Do be careful to buy the correct liners for the style of your curtains whether they are pencil pleat or another fitting.

Sunlight through curtains with and without blackout liners

Were Blackout Liners The Solution?

The outcome is much better than I hoped! You can see the difference easily in the photo above. Part of the curtain liner is drawn back and you can see the light easily coming through while on the other side it is very dark. This photo was taken at midday midsummer with full sunlight flooding in the window.

When the curtains are drawn the sunlight does not get through at all and it is now so dark in there so we are no longer woken at 4am. Even better the heat in the room is reduced.

It is the height of summer now so it is not cold in the room, but now is a more comfortable temperature and I no longer have to keep the fan going for hours.

The curtains still draw well and although heavier, do now look better.

While no substitute for full-on air conditioning, for when you want to keep your existing curtains and do not want to spend a lot of money on having blackout blinds or shutters installed, blackout liners are in my opinion a great solution for keeping the sun out of a room.

Another real bonus to these curtains is that while they certainly do block summer sun and heat, I am advised they also keep the heat in the house during winter. This is wonderful news in a time of rising energy bills, anything that will conserve heat in winter is excellent. As I have not yet used the liners during winter I cannot say from my own experience but will report back.

Showing the blackout liner behind the normal curtain

NICETOWN White Blackout Curtain Liners for Window - Noise Reducing Light Blocking Liner for 84 inch Curtains (Set of 2, Each is 27" x 80", Hooks Included, Greyish White)

Rose Home Fashion Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain Liner 2 Panels Per Set-Ring Included- Blackout Liner for 84 Inch Curtains, Curtain Liner 100% Darkening: 50"x80" 2pieces-Ring

26%

DriftAway Thermal Insulated 100 Percent Darkening Blackout Curtain Liner 2 Panels Each Liner Size 50 Inch by 80 Inch Rings Included Off White Panel

Melodieux Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain Liner for 84 Inch Long Curtains, Off White, 50 by 80 Inch, 1 Panel, Rings Included

So in my experience blackout curtain liners are a simple and easy relatively inexpensive solution to the problem of too much sun in any room.

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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus Product Reviews

My husband and I ordered our first Saatva mattress nearly two years ago. This is the sixth in my series of detailed reviews of our customer experience as first-time Saatva mattress shoppers.

I have already explained our product research process and reasons for choosing the king Solaire mattress and Adjustable Base Plus, why we opted to try the upper-flex configuration and our first experience with Saatva’s white glove mattress delivery service, as well as my review of our Saatva organic cotton sheets and mattress pad.

In today's post I’m sharing my candid feedback on what my husband and I loved about our new Solaire mattress and Adjustable Base Plus, as well as a couple of things about the upper-flex (aka head split, split-head, top split or split-top) configuration that didn’t work for our needs and led us to exchange our upper-flex mattress for a solid, standard king Solaire, which we have been sleeping on for nearly two years and absolutely love.

Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus detailed, candid product reviews

Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress Product Review

As I explained in a couple of previous posts in this series, my husband and I aren’t always on the same sleeping schedule. I often read in bed after he has gone to sleep, and on the weekend, he often reads in bed while I sleep late. So, the upper-flex configuration of the king Saatva Solaire mattress and Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (formerly called the Lineal adjustable base), which allows each sleeper to raise and lower the head of the bed on their side only, was very appealing.

Since we always gravitate to sleeping in the “spoon” position (even subconsciously, in our sleep), we had concerns about whether one of us would end up with our arm getting stuck in the center split along the top portion of the upper-flex mattress. However, since the mattress topper we purchased would fill in most of the split, we decided to give it a try, knowing that we could return it or exchange it for a solid king Solaire mattress, if we wished, thanks to the very generous Saatva in-home trial, warranty and return policies.

Saatva Solaire mattress in the split-top "upper-flex" configuration

The upper part of the upper-flex Saatva Solaire mattress is split to allow the head of each side of the bed to be raised and lowered independently

What We Loved About the Saatva Solaire Mattress

Very comfortable and supportive. Both my husband and I have back problems and joint issues, and we appreciate waking up with no aches and pains.
Individually customizable firmness for both sleeping partners. We love being able to set the mattress firmness for our respective sides to our individual preferences, and to quickly make it softer or firmer on the fly, if desired, when changing sleeping positions. Having 50 firmness settings that can be adjusted incrementally with the touch of a button on the remote gives us both true, precision customization!
Thoughtfully designed, six-layer construction.

The countouring 3-inch Euro pillow top with Lumbar Zone Quilting provides more support in the center. It is covered in a breathable, hypoallergenic organic cotton, treated with Saatva's exclusive Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment. Saatva uses a Paladin flame barrier made of a poly & rayon blend instead of fiberglass or toxic chemical flame retardants.
Next is a 1-inch layer of ergonomic 5-zone natural latex that provides enhanced lumbar support and pressure-point relief. This natural latex is naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to mold, mildew and dust mites and doesn't off-gas.
Under that, a CertiPUR-US certified 2-inch gel-infused memory foam helps disperse body heat away for cooler sleep and contours to your body to relieve pressure points.
Moisture barrier layers protect internal mechanical components to prevent bacterial growth.
No-sink vulcanized air chanbers with multi-directional box baffle design provides consistent, edge-to-edge comfort by maintaining even firmness and support throughout the mattress, from side to side and from head to toe.
Underlying it all, a reinforced power edge enclosure provides a stable base and houses the quiet air inflator and hoses out of sight.

Each layer of the Saatva Solaire adjustable firmness mattress contributes significant benefits to the sleeping experience.

Doesn't feel like sleeping on an air mattress. The adjustable firmness layer with its inflatable vulcanized air chambers is the fifth layer down from the sleep surface. And, unlike an air mattress, the Saatva Solaire has firm, supportive edges.
No center dip. Even with each side of our king Solaire adjusted to different firmness levels, the center of the sleeping surface is level all the way across.
Remote controls with large, easy-to-read buttons. We love being able to adjust the firmness without having to put on our glasses or accidentally pressing the wrong button.

Solaire mattress remote control instruction card

Surprisingly quiet firmness adjustments. The firmness adjustments on the Solaire mattress are made by inflating or deflating the reinforced, vulcanized air chambers via the remote control. The air inflator and hoses are enclosed in the bottom layer of the mattress, which not only keeps them out of sight but also muffles the noise of the motor, making the process of adjusting the Solaire’s firmness surprisingly (and delightfully) quiet.
Made in the U.S.A. from eco-friendly materials. This straightforward statement about the company’s values (from the Specifications/FAQ section of the product page) is one of the things that make us proud Saatva supporters: “Every Saatva mattress is made to order and handcrafted in America with care and pride, using only the highest quality, consciously sourced materials. We could have settled on cheaper materials and produced our products elsewhere for higher profits, but we've never wavered in our commitment to quality. We believe it's the right thing to do for our customers, our American workers, and our economy.”
Generous in-home trial period, pressure-free sales support and customer service, and hassle-free returns or exchanges. Here’s what the company promises: “At Saatva, we never pressure you to make up your mind quickly. All of our mattresses come with a 365-night home trial, so you have plenty of time to decide whether it’s right for you. If at any point during your home trial you’re not satisfied, just give us a call and we’ll come pick up the mattress and refund your money, less a $99 processing fee to cover our cost of gas and labor for the pickup. That’s it.”

Based on my personal experience when my husband and I decided to exchange our upper-flex king Solaire mattress for a standard king, I found that promise to be sincere. In fact, the customer service representative who helped me arrange our mattress exchange and schedule the new pickup and delivery was terrific. (More about that in my next post.)

What We Didn’t Love

While we loved most aspects of our new king Saatva Solaire mattress, there were two issues with upper-flex option that turned out to be deal-breakers for us.

Top-split mattress issue for couples who like snuggling or sleeping in the “spoon” position. Our concerns about one of us ending up with a shoulder in the gap while snuggling together in the spoon position turned out to be justified.
Top-split bedding challenges. My husband and I found that it took both of us to successfully wrestle the mattress and bedding into submission when we wanted to put on or take off the split-top mattress pad and sheets. In addition, there are far fewer options on the market for split-top vs. standard, solid fitted sheets and sheet sets, and we weren’t able to find any high-quality flannel split-top sheets, which we prefer during our cold New England winters.

For those reasons, after sleeping on our upper-flex Solaire for more than a month to give it a fair in-home trial, at the end of August 2021 we decided to exchange it for a standard (solid) king Solaire mattress.

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus Product Review

Most standard queen or king Saatva mattresses, including the Saatva Classic Luxury Hybrid Innerspring (11.5-inch height only), Loom & Leaf Ultra-Premium Memory Foam, Saatva Latex Hybrid, Zenhaven Latex, Memory Foam Hybrid and Solaire Adjustable Firmness mattresses, are compatible with any standard queen or king adjustable base.

If you don’t already own one, the company now offers two models.

The Saatva Adjustable Base allows you to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed. The simple wireless remote has a built-in flashlight (handy for nocturnal trips to the bathroom or kitchen). The zero-clearance design and removable legs allow it to be used on most platform bases, if desired. However, it is not available in the upper-flex option.
The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (formerly Lineal Adjustable Base) adds more advanced features, including full-body wave, leg and head massage with three speed options, an anti-snore preset that elevates the sleeper’s head to open up airway passages, a Zero-G preset for “weightless support” and under-bed lighting. It is available in a full range of sizes, including the upper-flex option for queen and king sizes. It also features a wall-hugging design in the standard configuration (but not upper-flex king or queen).

Side by Side remote controls for the Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus

The wireless remotes for the Saatva Adjustable Base (left) and Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (right)

An upper-flex queen or king Solaire mattress with a top split needs to be paired with an adjustable base that allows the head of each side of the bed to be raised and lowered independently. For an upper-flex king Saatva Solaire mattress like ours, two twin XL adjustable bases (each with its own wireless remote) are joined side-by-side, sync’d with a special cable and configured to make the lower part of both bases respond in unison to either remote control, while the head of the bed on each side responds only to the remote assigned to that twin XL base. (The upper-flex queen base is configured the same way with two narrower adjustable bases.)

If you purchase a compatible Saatva mattress and adjustable base at the same time, you also get a nice discount on the base.

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus upper-flex king configuration

If you buy a Saatva Adjustable Base Plus to go with an upper-flex (split-top) queen or king Solaire mattress, you get two twin XL adjustable bases (king) or two narrower bases (queen)—without the wall hugger feature—that are connected and sync’d with a cable so the head of each base operates independently while the lower parts move in unison

What We Loved About the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

User-friendly remote controls with large, easy-to-read buttons. The buttons are also spaced far enough apart so we rarely press the wrong button by accident, as often happens on remote controls with small, hard-to-read buttons that are crowded together.
Ability to raise the head or foot of the bed to the desired angle. The Head button on the remote lets us raise or lower the head of the bed to whichever angle we find most comfortable for different activities, such as reading, watching TV or working on a laptop. When we had the upper-flex Solaire, we also really liked being able to raise or lower the head of the bed on our side without disturbing our peacefully sleeping partner (which is why it took us more than a month to decide whether to keep it or exchange it for the standard king Solaire).

After a long, active day, it’s so nice to be able to lie down and put our tired, swollen feet up just by pressing the up arrow on the Foot button. There’s also a button for raising the head and foot of the bed simultaneously.
Customizable Snore and Zero-G presets. The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus remote has dedicated Snore (anti-snore) and ZG (zero-gravity) buttons with preset adjustments. Both buttons can also be reprogrammed to your personal preferences (and then reset to the original factory defaults, if you wish).

Pressing the Snore button elevates the sleeper’s head above their chest to reduce pressure on the airway and help increase airflow. Since my husband snores loudly (according to him, my snoring is much more “ladylike”), we find this preset comes in quite handy. (Elevating your head may also help mitigate acid reflux-related sleep disruptions.)
The Zero-G preset slightly elevates both the knees and the head while raising the feet to the same level as the heart. According to Saatva’s website, this preset “mimics the position astronauts take during liftoff, which eases the stress on their bodies as they escape Earth's gravity.” Both my husband and I have old back injuries that act up from time to time and the zero-gravity preset helps relieve the pressure on our spines. It’s also good for just relaxing and unwinding at the end of a stressful day or taking a quick, restorative break in the middle of one.

Return the bed to the Flat position at the touch of a button. Whether you have made manual adjustments to the head and/or foot of the bed or used one of the presets, you can use the Flat button to return the bed to its default, level position and shut off the massage (if it’s on).
Surprisingly quiet motor. The motor for raising and lowering the head and foot of the bed is much quieter than we had expected, which was a very welcome surprise! While not as quiet as the motor that inflates and deflates the air chambers in our Solaire mattress, we especially appreciated being able to raise or lower the head of the bed on our side (when we had the upper-flex Solaire) without the motor’s noise rudely awakening our sleeping “better half.” The constant hum of the motor when using the vibrating massage options can be a bit annoying, but since we rarely use those features, it isn’t a problem for us.
Under-bed lighting and remote controls with a built-in flashlight. The top left button on the remote control turns on (or off) an array of LED lights on the underside of the base that are bright enough to illuminate the few steps to our bathroom in the middle of the night, but not bright enough to awaken whichever of us is still asleep. If I decide to make a cup of herbal tea to help me get back to sleep, I can press the top middle button on my remote to turn on the built-in flashlight to light my way to the kitchen and back.
Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A. Choosing a Saatva adjustable bed base, like choosing a Saatva mattress, supports American workers, jobs and companies.
Sturdy materials and construction. It was obvious at first glance that our new adjustable bed base was made of robust, high-quality materials and was built to last.
Excellent manufacturer’s warranty. Since the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus is a final sale, it’s reassuring to have such a good full 5-year/limited 25-year warranty [https://www.saatva.com/warranty/saatva-adjustable-base-plus/] in case anything ever goes wrong.
Compatible with most bed frames. Both of Saatva’s adjustable bed frames are compatible with most bed frames that are designed to accommodate an adjustable base. This includes all but one of the bed frames Saatva offers, which come in a wide variety of elegant styles that would look great in our bedroom. We’re hoping to purchase one in the future.

What We Didn’t Love

Vibrating massage. The remote control on the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus lets you select a full-body wave, head, or leg massage. Although my husband and I both love getting a massage, neither of us is a fan of the vibrating base “massage” features. However, many people love them and find that the vibrations relax their muscles, especially after a workout.
No wall-hugger technology in the upper-flex configuration. When we made our decision to try the upper-flex Solaire mattress and Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (then called Lineal), we understood that we would be giving up the convenient wall hugger-technology, which simultaneously lifts the head of the bed and glides it back toward the wall, so that your nightstands remain within easy reach. That technology wouldn’t work for the upper-flex setup, where the joined Twin XL bases operate independently at the head but in unison at the foot, so it isn’t included in the upper-flex configuration.

Since all Saatva adjustable bases are final sale, when we exchanged our upper-flex Solaire for a standard king we couldn’t do the same with our Saatva adjustable base. We knew that when we decided to try the upper-flex, so it was a calculated risk and the only thing we regret about that decision.

Next Up: Exchanging Our Saatva Mattress

In my next post I'll share our experience with exchanging our upper-flex king Solaire for the standard king Solaire.

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