Review This Reviews!

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Growing The Beautiful And Useful Evergreen Rosemary Shrub Reviewed

One of the most useful and lovely plants in our garden is the Rosemary. All year it delicately perfumes the garden with its gorgeous aromatic scent as you brush against it. Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant with fine needle-like but very soft leaves that emit a beautiful aromatic scent when handled or brushed against.

In summer it is glorious with its pretty flowers, delicate leaves and lovely aroma and even in the depths of winter I can stroke the leaves and smell the delicate scent on my hands.

Being evergreen it provides structure and something lovely to look at when nothing is flowering and many shrubs have lost their leaves.

Beautiful Aromatic Rosemary In Flower. Photo By Raintree Annie

Ways To Grow Rosemary

We grow it as a decorative shrub on its own as a single plant where we enjoy its beautiful scent and its pretty tiny bluish flowers.
It is also grown as a low hedge with several plants spaced about a foot apart growing into each other to provide a loose hedge that can be clipped to the desired height and width.
We keep young plants in pots near the house for clipping new shoots for cooking and baking.
It is always a lovely idea to grow Rosemary where you will be walking close by. So by a path or a seating area where you get the benefit of the aromatic scent every time you or your visitors pass.
It is evergreen and takes very little looking after. It is easy to propagate and simple to grow. We grow it in the garden in the ground and we also have it in pots.
Rosemary has its individual needs and likes just as any plant but I feel it is a very straightforward herb that most people can grow in their gardens, patios, or even when young, on a window sill.
Whether you have a large garden or a small garden, whether you incorporated it into your garden with other shrubs and flowers, or grow it in a herb garden as in the photo below, it is a very versatile and lovely plant.

Herb Garden Barnsdale Garden Geoff Hamilton. Photo By Raintree Annie

Care Of Rosemary

We should plant rosemary in the Spring or Autumn/Fall. I always do it in Spring in my clay soil garden so they get a chance to establish themselves before the winter hardships start. If you have more suitable soil you could do it in either season.
Add some bark compost or leafmould or simply fine gravel or grit to the planting hole in order to break up the soil structure and improve the drainage if you need to.
Each year we should give Rosemary a gentle prune once she has finished flowering to prevent her from becoming woody or spindly. Watch for any damaged or dying branches as well and prune those out.
Pruning Rosemary is one of my favourite jobs in the garden as it is so fragrant and easy to do. Apart from those few jobs, there is nothing much else to do regarding regular maintenance.
The only pest that bothers Rosemary is the Rosemary beetle. The small metallic-green and purple-striped beetles can be found on the underside of the leaves. I am lucky that we have never been troubled by it, but it is becoming more common. The beetle itself was once thought to be a severe problem to Rosemary, but it has since been found that it usually doesn't cause too much damage.

Rosemary Flowers Photo By Raintree Annie

Soil And Water Conditions For Rosemary

Being from the Meditterean, Rosemary loves to bask in the sunshine, so a sunny spot is a must for this plant. It likes free draining soil and a sheltered place in the garden.
Having said that I currently have three very healthy Rosemary plants growing in full sun and a sheltered position, but in heavy clay soil, which is far from ideal. I do worry about them each year in winter when the soil becomes a claggy, heavy, cold and wet place to be, but so far they have coped admirably with this. They have managed because I grew them in pots for a couple of years before I planted them in the garden. So they were bigger stronger plants when they had to cope with the less than ideal circumstances.
I do however take cuttings every year and have some Rosemary growing in pots of well-drained soil in case I lose the bigger plants.
If you have anything but well-drained soil I would recommend you take cuttings every year. I do not think Rosemary will live as long in heavy clay as it would in ideal well drained soil but they are healthy. If I was starting the garden again I would grow Rosemary in a raised bed so that I could give it ideal conditions.
In terms of watering, I never water the shrubs in the ground. Even in last summers heatwave Rosemary was perfectly happy. I do water the rosemary in pots and the cuttings when they become dry.

Last Years Rosemary Cuttings Photo by Raintree Annie

Propagation Of Rosemary Cuttings

I take cuttings every year from the Rosemary bushes I have and so always have an abundance to keep or give away.

Taking cuttings is very easy. I have never grown Rosemary from seeds and understand that can take a very long time. So it is best to buy your first Rosemary, then take cuttings to make more.

Before you prune the rosemary for cuttings have everything you need handy. Cuttings can dry out very quickly and if they do they will not grow, so act quickly,

You require gritty compost, pots preferably terracotta but plastic will do, hormone rooting powder if you can get it, a pencil, a watering can full of water, a sharp knife and secateurs.
Cut stems of about 4 to 6 inches long using your secateurs and gently remove the lower leaves. Lay the cutting down on a hard surface and using a sharp knife cut just below a leaf node (the point where the leaf has been growing.)
If you have hormone rooting power dip the ends of the cutting into it. I often do not have it so skip this step.
Place the stems into pots already filled with free draining gritty compost. You may need to make a small hole with a pencil first depending on how dense the compost is.
It is best to place the cuttings around the edge of the pot so they are not touching each other.
Then simply water well and place it where it is sheltered and shaded, not in direct sunlight, until they have rooted.
After about 4 weeks check to see how they are rooting. If they are rooting well you can at this point pot them on into their individual pots using a loam based compost.
If not give them another few weeks. Keep watering well so that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Once they are in their own individual pots we start them on a feed of liquid fertiliser.

Rosemary Spring Photo By Raintree Annie

Rosemary Uses In Cooking And Baking

I like to incorporate Rosemary into cooking and baking wherever possible and as I grow it we have an unlimited and fresh, organic, pesticide-free supply year round.

It can be used for so many dishes including potatoes, meat and baking. Also in soups and stews, bread, stuffing and roasted vegetables. We love the extra flavour and aromatic scent.

I always prefer to strip the leaves off the main more woody stem and wash in clear, cold water before using.

For ideas on how to use Rosemary in cooking/baking please take a look at the links below.

Reviewing Baking Irish Soda Bread With A Twist by Raintree Annie

Grilled Rosemary Ranch Chicken by Sam Monaco

If you are interested in cooking with herbs you may like this book The Herbal Kitchen from Amazon.

Rosemary Benefits To Wildlife.

Bees love Rosemary! This plant has tiny blue flowers that appear irresistible to bees. All summer they are so busy flying from flower to flower and so intent on their work that it is completely fascinating to watch. It is mesmerising watching bees and I would, if I had the time, watch them for hours, but even a few minutes is such a relaxing pastime.

Personally, I find the scent of Rosemary very soothing and relaxing. I love those little bags of Rosemary leaves to put under my pillow and in my clothes draws to give them a lovely scent.

We give Rosemary in terracotta pots as gifts dressed up with a bow or other trimmings. It makes a simple and quite lovely little gift that the person can keep for a long time.

We cut stems of rosemary and bring them into the house to put in vases like we would fresh flowers. I also buy Rosemary oil to scent our home in diffusers.

I enjoy growing Rosemary and would not want to be without it in my garden. For such a lovely, easygoing, low-maintenance plant it has great beauty and benefits.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Reviewing Miracle LED Grow Lites for Small Space Indoor Growing Areas

I am not an experienced gardener. Especially when it comes to starting seedlings and growing plants indoors. I often kill more plants than I grow successfully. But I recently purchased the Miracle LED Grow Lite bulbs for my setup and I'm having excellent results with growing starts and plants indoors. I have a very small space to use for plants so I wanted to share what I've learned so far and encourage anyone - even people limited in space - to try growing indoors.

I previously used two high lumen, daylight CFL light bulbs to help keep plants alive in my apartment. I thought they worked well. Since then, I've moved to a home with a wonderful south-facing window. But during the winter and early spring months, my plants still need additional lighting. A friend suggested that I purchase grow light bulbs with red and blue spectrum. I didn't even know what red and blue spectrum was so I did some research. While I am still using the CFL bulbs I believe that the addition of the Miracle LED Grow Lite bulbs have made a significant improvements in my ability to grow indoors.

Miracle LED Grow Lite Bulbs

I started to do some research when my friend suggested that I purchase grow lights with blue and red spectrum. I was familiar with "daylight" bulbs with high lumens. But I had no clue what blue and red spectrum meant. I learned that there are MANY options to choose from. There are grow lights on stands, hanging grow lights in one large fixture, and shelves with built-in grow lights. I already have a shelf and a small area so I chose Miracle LED Grow Lite bulbs.

I purchased 3 separate bulbs: The ultra daylight white, the Absolute Daylight (TM) max flowering with red, and the Absolute Daylight (TM) max grow with red and blue LEDs.

The online description of the Ultra Grow white bulb states:

"Miracle LED Commercial Hydroponic Ultra Grow Lite - Replaces up to 150W - Daylight White Full Spectrum LED Indoor Plant Growing Light Bulb for DIY Horticulture & Indoor Gardening"

Advertising for all of the bulbs states:

Nearly zero heat output
up to 10x longer life than standard bulbs
contains no mercury and emits no UV
replacing 150W flood
based on NASA Color Spectrum Technology
UL listed
runs for $1.44 per year

The description on the box for the Absolute Daylight Max Flower with Red states that the bulb is "ideal for plants and vegetables. Promotes flowering and fruiting"

The description on the box for the Absolute Daylight Max Grow with Red and Blue LEDs states that "red, blue, and daylight spectrum light for intense plant growth."

Previously, I had no idea that different spectrums of light are helpful for different plants or plants in different stages of their life (growth versus flowering). I had no clue that red spectrum light promotes flowering. Now I know the very basics and my plants have clearly benefited already.

My Small Space Growing Shelves

As I mentioned above, I now live in a home with a wonderful south-facing window (southern exposures provide the most light). However, with the shorter days, I need to provide supplemental lighting. The pendant light cords and Miracle LED Grow Lite bulbs allow hours of additional light.

My home is small so I have to keep my growing area small. I had an old shelf given to me that I repurposed and use for my indoor garden space. I am able to wrap the pendant light cords around the frame of the shelf and add the grow bulbs. The pendant light cords allow the height and placement of the bulbs to be adjusted as the plants grow.

The growing zone for my area is 6a. However, I live on a ridge and that higher elevation seems to put me in 5b at times. I am learning how to garden here on the ridge and hope to start most of my own seedlings in the future. Because I live an a colder climate, starting seeds early helps to lengthen my growing season. I am also experimenting with growing vegetables to harvest indoors. I've recently started squash plants indoors and I've successfully gotten them to the stage of blooming. If I can successfully grow indoors, I'll have fresh vegetables year 'round.

I am currently having excellent success with this set-up and am very excited about learning to grow indoors. This is a short video of my indoor garden update thus far.

I am quite sure that the Miracle LED Grow Lite bulbs are major part of the reason I currently have green, healthy plants growing in my little window garden.

FOLLOW US ON:

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

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.

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.

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!

*See the email subscription box in the sidebar; if you are viewing on a mobile device and don't see the sidebar in your browser, click on "View web version" at the bottom of the page.

Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus Product Reviews 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

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Book Review of 'Love You More'

Who do you love and how far would you go to save her?

A D.D. Warren novel by Lisa Gardner

Image of a mother & daughter walking in the woods

Synopsis

The Massachusetts State Police are called to the residence of Tessa Leoni, a young State Trooper from their barracks. Her husband lies dead on their kitchen floor and Tessa claims she has shot him in self-defense. Her bruises and injuries appear to back up her tale. But the worst part is that her six-year-old daughter, Sophie, is missing.

Because the state police cannot investigate one of their own, Detective D.D. Warren of the Boston Police Department is called in to handle the homicide investigation. Bobby Dodge, investigator for the State Police (and D.D.'s former lover) is assigned as liaison to work with Detective Warren. Bobby's input is helpful in seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper's mind. Would a trained police officer shoot her own husband and would a mother harm her own child?

Tessa is hospitalized for her injuries and is represented by her Union Rep and a lawyer and is not immediately available for questioning. The investigation into how and why Tessa's husband, Brian Darby, was shot three times mid-torso with Tessa's own police revolver is nearly stalled while they wait for Tessa to be able to answer their questions.

An Amber Alert is put out state-wide for Sophie while D.D. And Bobby try to sort out the crime scene.

Meanwhile, for Tessa Leoni, the worst has yet to happen. She has nowhere to turn and trusts no one even as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. Tessa has one goal in sight and uses her training to do what must be done. Because ~ a mother knows who she loves!

Summary

Love You More is Book 5 of 11 in Lisa Gardner's D.D. Warren suspense novels series.

This story features two very believable female protagonists. Trooper Leoni tells us her own story in the first person while Warren's investigation is narrated in the third-person. Tessa Leoni's motives are discovered as the story continues, but her passion and conviction draw us in even before we know whether she is guilty or innocent. The reader roots for Warren and Dodge to make sure justice is done, but we cannot argue with Tessa's absolute drive to find her daughter.

Fans of Gardner's D.D. Warren series will definitely enjoy reading Love You More.

*Love You More Book Review is written by Wednesday Elf.

Available on Amazon

FOLLOW US ON:

Friday, March 17, 2023

Reviewing How the Printing on Zazzle Mugs Stand the Test of Time

Photo by Lou16, image created via Canva

I was making a coffee the other day and I looked at one of my favourite coffee mugs and was struck by how vibrant it still is as I feel like I've had it forever. That mug was one that was created on Zazzle and I won it in a competition on a content site that closed down in June 2015.

I can't remember if I received the mug in March of 2013 or 2014, but either way, as you can see from the photo it really is as vibrant today as it was then. I couldn't tell you how many mugs of coffee or hot chocolate I have enjoyed in this mug during that time (I use a different mug or cup for my tea). It also survived the year of the mug cake which was delicious, but my waistline didn't appreciate it!

I should note that although the mugs are dishwasher friendly I actually don't have a dishwasher so it has always been hand-washed, even so, many other graphic mugs that we've had over the years don't look nearly as bright and vibrant a decade later.

Zazzle's mugs are available in a number of different designs so whether you need a new mug for yourself or whether you're looking for a gift idea, mugs make great gifts. Whether you're after a mug for the holidays or another occasion why not check Zazzle out? You can either go straight to the site and search or you can share the love and check out some of our contributor's stores.

Have you ever brought a Zazzle mug before? I'd love to hear about your purchase in the comments.

FOLLOW US ON:

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Easter Window Clings Recommended and Reviewed

Window Clings for windows to help avoid having birds fly into windows

Window clings with Easter designs are an awesome way to protect your backyard birds while also adding a touch of holiday decor to your home.

Last March, my mom lamented that her Easter clings were fading. Since I am always looking for little gifts for my mom, I promptly went home and searched for some replacements. I was thrilled with the Easter designs I found online for window clings. I was seeking a set that included bunnies and Easter eggs. As it turns out, the set I selected also had chicks and flowers included. She loved them!

Both of my parents feed their huge variety of backyard birds. They enjoy watching the birds and looking up a new visitor for identification. We have all learned a lot about birds thanks to their care and hobby.

They have a large bay window in their kitchen with the kitchen table placed in the inside area. The whole family loves sitting there and watching the constant activity. What we don't love, is having a little bird strike one of the windows when trying to join us inside. Mom started using the window clings to avoid bird strikes decades ago. She likes to change them periodically with appropriate holiday or seasonal designs.

I know we are not alone in our desire to protect our backyard birds. A fellow contributor here on Review This Reviews, Dawn Rae, previously reviewed her Experiences with Bird Strikes and how she started using window clings to help avoid them. I know you will want to read her thoughts too by clicking here.

Easter Design Window Clings

The Easter window clings I gave my mom last year included brightly colored spring flowers, colorful Easter eggs, chicks, bunnies and carrots. They are all absolutely adorable! However, mom did tell me that when the hummingbirds arrive, they do try to eat from the flowers, therefore, she takes the flowers down.

CCINEE 500pc Easter Window Cling Stickers for Home DecorCheck Price

Facts about this set of Easter Window Clings

Images show on both sides (not true for all clings)
Brightly Colored & Fun Images
Pre-cut Images
Removable
Reusable (Amazon states single use, but Mom has reused hers)
Hundreds of clings included with several designs
Clings to windows, glass or mirrors without additional products
Inexpensive
Size varies but all are at least 2½" (bunnies approximately are 6" - 8")

Easter Window Clings Recommended and Reviewed Written by:

FOLLOW US ON:

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base White Glove Delivery and Setup

In my previous post about in this series about my experience as a first-time Saatva mattress shopper, I reviewed the luxury organic cotton sheet set and mattress pad that my husband and I ordered for our upper-flex king Solaire mattress.

Today I’ll share our experiences with Saatva’s free white glove mattress delivery & setup service, which included setting up our new Solaire mattress and adjustable base and taking away our old bed foundation.

Saatva's free white glove mattress delivery & set-up - an in-depth personal review

Recap: The Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base We Chose

After conducting exhaustive product research on Saatva mattresses, my husband and I ultimately chose a king size Solaire adjustable firmness mattress that would allow us to adjust the firmness on our respective sides to our individual preferences.

Since I often sit up in bed reading after my husband falls asleep and he usually wakes up earlier than I do and enjoys reading in bed before starting his day, we decided to try the “upper-flex” option for our king Solaire, which has a center split along just the upper part of the mattress, and two joined, twin XL adjustable bases that would allow us to raise and lower our respective sides of the head of the bed independently when we paired it with a Saatva Adjustable Base Plus (previously called the Lineal adjustable base).

Scheduling the Delivery of our Mattress and Adjustable Base

We placed our online order for our mattress, adjustable base, quilted organic cotton mattress pad and organic cotton sateen sheet set on April 24, 2021. All Saatva mattresses are handcrafted to order, and thanks the pandemic-related major disruptions to the global supply chain at the time, it was June 29 when we finally got the eagerly awaited call notifying us that our mattress and adjustable base were ready and offering us a choice of dates for the delivery and set-up. We scheduled the delivery for Saturday, July 10, when both my husband and I could be home.

The young woman who called us was very nice, although she wasn't as proactive as we might have liked in providing information. I had to ask her exactly what the delivery team would be doing when they arrived, such as setting up and configuring the twin XL adjustable bases to work with our upper-flex mattress and removing our old mattress, and what type of preparation my husband and I needed to do, such as moving (or removing) large pieces of furniture from the room to give the delivery team easier access in and out. She also didn’t ask any questions about access in and out of the house, such as which doors to use, whether there were any stairs, narrow hallways, sharp turns, etc. that might make it difficult to get the king-size mattress from our front door into our bedroom, so I volunteered that information.

When I asked what time to expect the delivery team, she explained that we would get a call from the delivery company the day before our scheduled date to give us a four-hour time window for the following day, and that the delivery team would also call to let us know when they were about an hour from our house.

Delivery and Set-Up of Our Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base

The delivery company called on July 9 as promised and gave us an early morning four-hour delivery window. The next day, however, the two-person delivery team did not call us when they were an hour away, so we were quite surprised when they rang the bell unannounced.

From that point forward, however, Saatva’s free white glove delivery and set-up not only met but exceeded my husband’s and my expectations!

The delivery team consisted of a leader, who clearly had a lot of experience, and a rookie whom he appeared to be training. When my husband offered to help them carry our old mattress and frame to their delivery van, they explained that their instructions didn’t say anything about taking away our old bed. They had been instructed only to deliver and set up our new Saatva mattress and adjustable base.

I immediately pulled up Saatva’s Free Mattress White Glove Delivery & Set-Up page on the website, which clearly states “Free mattress & foundation removal.*” It was then that I noticed the asterisked note: "*Select free mattress & foundation removal option at checkout." I didn't recall seeing that option during checkout when I placed my mattress order online, so I realized the mistake might well have been mine, not that of the delivery company.

Free Mattress White Glove Delivery & Setup page on the Saatva website

The Free Mattress White Glove Delivery & Setup page on Saatva.com has an asterisked notation I must have overlooked while placing my order

Even so, the leader called them and got the go-ahead to remove and dispose of our old mattress and foundation after installing our new ones. You can imagine our relief at not having to find an alternative way to dispose of our old king size mattress and foundation, since there was no room in the house for them!

The leader did a fantastic job of both directing and working with his assistant. He gave directions to his junior teammate (who appeared not to speak or understand much English) in a foreign language. He also conversed with us in accented but extremely fluent and easy to undertand English.

We were delighted by how quickly, efficiently and smoothly he ran the entire delivery, setup and removal operation.

Two delivery people unrolling a mattress onto an adjustable bed base

A Saatva white glove delivery team unrolling an upper-flex king Solaire mattress like ours onto a pair of twin XL adjustable bases

After the men set up and connected our two twin XL adjustable bases, they placed our Solaire mattress on top and used the remote controls to start filling the air chambers. As they waited for both sides of the mattress to reach the maximum firmness setting to ensure there were no issues, we chatted with the team lead and offered both men both glasses of cold water.

During this lull, we chatted with the team lead, who gave helpful answers to our questions about the features and functions of the remote controls for the mattress and the twin XL adjustable bases. At our request, he also configured the joined twin XL bases to work properly with our top-split, upper-flex mattress configuration, even though it wasn’t part of the delivery and set-up instructions he had been given.

Our Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base Were Consistently Handled With Care

Even though both men on our delivery team members worked very quickly and efficiently, they also were very careful not to nick or damage the mattress or any of the adjustable base parts as they were cutting open and removing the shipping cartons and protective materials. They continued to treat our purchases with care throughout the assembly and set-up process.

We also appreciated their neat, organized way of working and their removal of not just our old bed but also every scrap of packaging detritus from our new Solaire mattress and adjustable bases.

The fact that they were able to remove the old mattress and foundation; bring in, unwrap, set up and synchronize the two adjustable bases; carry in, unwrap, unroll and inflate the mattress; test the operation of the bases and the mattress controls; exp!ain to us how to use the remotes to customize the mattress firmness on each side and raise and lower the head and foot of the bed; answer all our questions; and remove all traces of the wrapping and packaging, in addition to calling the delivery company and resolving our issue about removing our old bed, in roughly an hour was impressive.

All in all, we were extremely pleased with Saatva’s free white glove delivery and set-up, which lived up to its “white glove” name. After the team left, all that was left for us to do was to put on the quilted mattress pad and organic cotton sateen sheets that had been shipped to us earlier and try out our new bed!

Next Time: My In-Depth Product Reviews of the Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus

In my next post in this series, I’ll share my in-depth product review of the Saatva Solaire upper-flex king mattress (and ultimately exchanged for a solid Solaire) and Adjustable Base Plus we ordered.

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!

*See the email subscription box in the sidebar; if you are viewing on a mobile device and don't see the sidebar in your browser, click on "View web version" at the bottom of the page.