Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Being a Captain is Hard Work by Carole Roman


On my first read through, I honestly felt like this was a four out of five for one reason only: it seemed too long for a kid's book. Considering that I was reading it to my four year old and being asked "is it over?" more than once, I didn't feel that was a good sign. However, we kept on going through and when we read it now, he doesn't ask at all. I think he is starting to remember the details of the story and so he's better equipped to be in it for the long haul.

The story and illustrations are both incredibly good! Captain No Beard and his crew find themselves in a few different predicaments that don't exactly go as smoothly as they could. Captain No Beard tends to do what he wants against the suggestion of his crew and this helps to show kids hows decisions have consequences. It also helps to show them that it's important to listen to those around you and to take the suggestions of others into consideration. The illustrations are beautiful and they really remind of books I read when I was a kid so it sort of delivers a warm and fuzzy feeling for me as well!

Overall, this book is really good and helps to deliver some really good life lessons that kids can look back on their entire lives. The great story and the beautiful artwork really help to paint a comprehensive picture that will allow kids to connect and get lost in the pages. Even though the first time through was difficult to keep my son's attention, each subsequent read hasn't been a problem!

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: https://goo.gl/8HFofx

Monday, June 27, 2016

NuBryte Touchpoint All-in-One Smart Home Console

My apologies for my son and dog along with any shakiness of the video!
A couple of questions to ask yourself before you buy this product:

1. Do I need to have any other smart-home devices to make this useful to me?
- No, but additional NuBryte terminals will increase the capability of this and I think they are integrating Z-Wave devices soon.
2. Do I need an electrician to set this up?
- No, if you're comfortable replacing a light switch on your wall, you'll be able to handle this.
3. How long will it take to set up?
- I pulled my light switch and swapped for this one in about five minutes.
Alright, so like I said before you don't need any sort of smart home device to make this useful. All you need is a light switch you want to replace (as it will control the light just like your old switch but on steroids) and the app then you're off to a good start. You'll also need to decide if you're replacing a single or dual switch as there is a model to do each.
This is a really cool product for a variety of reasons, most of which I think I outline in my video. First and foremost, it's obviously a light switch. You tap the screen and press the on-screen button and you can turn your light on or off. If you have a dimmable bulb, this can accommodate that.
Also, make sure you get the app so you can control your NuBryte system while you're away. Not only can you control the light by turning it on or off in the app, you can also enable or disable the built-in alarm and see a live video stream if the alarm system is going off. You also get an app notification if anything actually trips the alarm.
The alarm portion is easy to set up and seems similar to your typical big boy alarm system in that you get a 30/60/90 second window to activate the alarm and leave the house. The same is true for deactivation. But like I mentioned before, if you forget to do this at the terminal you an always enable/disable from the app. The alarm is rather loud but I don't think anyone outside of your home would hear it. Fortunately, it also flashes the light so your neighbors may see a visual distress signal should an emergency really happen.
Other cool features that I highlight in my video include a built in weather app that gives you detailed enough information about the current indoor and outdoor state. You also have an awesome intercom feature (that I'm not able to try with just the one terminal) that can work between all terminals in the home. This is also true with controlling all lights that are connected as well.
Overall, this is a really cool way to get your feet wet with home automation and is incredibly simple to use and very intuitive. If you own a smartphone, you can work this unit easily. All the features allow for a robust package that has great current features and possible future additions!
Rated: 5/5
Find it here: http://goo.gl/ZwYQRl

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

MaxBrew 24K GOLD Keurig Accessories

If you're interested in trying this out yourself, follow the link at the end of this post for 40% off your purchase!

Every time I threw out a K-cup pod, I felt guilty. I knew the pod would go into a landfill and I knew it would sit there for years. Considering that I mainly use mine to drink tea, I decided that it it would be pretty painless for me to switch to reusable pods and to use loose-leaf tea. I'm so glad I did it because not only do I feel better about using my Keurig, I feel like my tea actually tastes better too. There was always something a little off when I used the standard pods, but this clearly seems better to me.

I really can't speak on behalf of the filter for the carafe, but I can say that the filter for the K-cup fits perfectly, it's easy to use, and it's easy to clean as well. This gave me no trouble at all and it feels like they sourced high quality components to make these. They don't feel cheap, they don't feel flimsy, they don't feel like they're going to break anytime soon.

I really enjoy this pack overall. The reusable K-cup filter is so great and it makes me feel better about not wasting those pods. If you're an avid Keurig user, I'd recommend checking this out.

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: 40% off your order!

Friday, June 17, 2016

Mileagea - MechanicalEagle X-7300 Keyboard

Coming from my Logitech MX5500 Revolution wireless mouse/keyboard combo (which is not mechanical) this is such an improvement. When you get it out of the box you can immediately tell that it's a high quality product made with great components. It has quite a bit of heft to it...it's definitely heavier than I was anticipating! The design is sleek, the keys are well made, and it's an immediate conversation starter.

There are quite a few things that I really like about this keyboard. The first is how well the keys respond. They're are immediate and hard to mistake they have been pressed over the clear and audible *CLICK* with each keystroke. The lights are bright and fun to look at. Something I forgot to mention in my video is that the lights are dim-able. If you were to hold the FN key and tap the up/down arrow you'll notice they get softer or brighter. I thought this was very convenient and well thought out. There are a multitude of light based patterns for the keyboard that are shown off in my review and each one is really unique!

Overall, this keyboard has been a God send. It feels great to type on and makes me feel like I have an unfair edge over my competition because of how quickly these keys respond. The lights are great and fun to watch, but I would honestly spend the money on this keyboard without them being included.

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: https://goo.gl/mHFsYY

#Keyboard

Monday, June 13, 2016

TeaBook Premium Tea Gift Box Set


I wouldn't call myself a tea connoisseur by any means, but I absolutely love a good glass of tea so I was very excited to try this out. I'm a guy who gravitates toward Earl Grey tea, but I'm open to experiencing new kinds. When I received this box, it came in a nice little package that had the tumble separated from another box that housed the tea. When I got the tumbler out, I was pleasantly surprised to feel the weight of it. It has obvious heft and is clearly well made. The double wall glass is basically flawless and keeps my tea piping hot for a couple hours.

The teas were all delicious! I'm still new to loose leaf tea, but so far this is the best traditional tea I've come across. I like that it's not chock full of over the top flavors or additives. This is clearly fresh and high quality tea. What I really appreciated the most was the inclusion of the teas origin along with the ideal brewing temperature of each kind.

Overall, this seems like it would be a great gift for any avid tea lover or anyone who is just starting to dabble in the various kinds of teas. You can use the tumbler to hot or cold brew your teas as well! Even if you decide to get this one and never get loose leaf teas again, the bottle alone is pretty much worth the purchase.

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: https://goo.gl/8x4REs

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Sportly Iron Cargo Heavy Duty Bike Carrier Rack


This is something that I never really knew I needed until I actually got it. If you're someone who likes to bike to work and needs somewhere to store your lunchbox or if you want somewhere to put a bag or two as you go for a long bike ride, you should really consider this mount. It was easy to install (did it in under 10 minutes) and came with everything you should need minus an alan wrench or a phillips head screw driver. The mount is very sturdy and is rated to hold 110 lbs and I do not doubt that rating at all.

It has a nice little spot in the back to hold a reflector or if you're real fancy, a vanity plate with your name on it. Don't lie, you know you have one. It also has this spring-loaded arm that can help secure cargo in place. If you wanted, you could even get a bungie cord or two to help keep larger items locked down.

Overall, this was a good idea to mount to my bike. I can more easily ride to the grocery store or other places when I need to just get an item or two. Saves me from buying extra fuel so obviously I'm happy!

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: https://goo.gl/livqL8

Friday, June 10, 2016

Easy@Home Bluetooth Scale EBW-102

This is a really neat addition to any home gym or bathroom because it doesn't just tell you your weight, it tells you your BMI and can give a per-user trending data set. So you and your significant other can each have your own independent ability to track your weight and BMI progress. What really made this stand out to me was the tempered glass base and the high visibility of the LCD display. The app was easy to use and simple to set up. If you're having trouble getting it to connect, please watch my video and you should be good to go.

The measurements seem pretty accurate and consistent with showing almost no discernible variance from one weigh in to the next within an hour period. I've had scales in the past that would show a certain weight when I step on, then an hour later it's 2-3 pounds different. That hasn't been the case with this, it's been consistent throughout.

Overall, I'm please with this scale. I really like the ability to review trending data and see your progress over a given period of time. I also love the the sleek all black look with the high contrast red LCD screen. If you want to get some weight accountability in your life, this scale and app pair will help you get on the right track!

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: https://goo.gl/KBPgNZ

Thursday, June 9, 2016

ViewTV Flat HD Digital Indoor Amplified TV Antenna

I live about 35 or 40 miles away from our local broadcast stations and non-amplified antennas weren't really cutting it for me. I was getting a few channels but they would get pixelated now and again so I decided to try this amplified one instead. After running the channel scan from my TV menu, I was up and running with about 12 channels total now! They come in high definition and most are either 720p or 1080i (depending on how it is being sent from the station of course).

The set up was a breeze. All I did was connect the coaxial cable on the antenna to the included amplifier then plug the included power cable into the wall, ran the channel scan on my TV, and I was ready to go. They include a small stand and some double sided tape as well to give you the freedom to set up this antenna how it best suits you.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this. I'd rather spend a couple bucks up front and get free local TV forever versus spending money every month in perpetuity. Considering how easy this was to set up and install, along with the quality of the image provided, I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to cut the cord!

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.

Rated: 5/5
Find it here: http://goo.gl/DopPmf

#tvantenna

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Kids Imaginative Dinosaur Toy Figures

I absolutely could not be happier with the quality of these dinosaur toys! My son is four years old and needless to say, he can get a bit rough with his toys. I think he was just showing off for the camera in this video, but he does like to make them fight and he has been known to toss his toys now and then. These toys are very durable and were obviously constructed with the knowledge that kids will be playing with them. I've picked up a couple dollar store dinosaur toys in the past and they were garbage fodder within a week or two. These are undoubtedly the opposite and will last a long time.

The colors are bright and vibrant which I believe will help keep the attention of little ones. I like that they took this route rather than more realistic (read boring) colors you may find with other dinosaur toys. The various bumps and curves of the toys make it easy for little hands to grab onto the dinosaurs and have no trouble manipulating them around. My son loves to play with these and they often get incorporated with various battles of other toys that he has.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this set and believe the current price tag ($17.76 at time of writing) is well justified after noting the quality of this play set. This isn't a junk batch that you'll throw out in a couple months, I anticipate you'll get years out of these. The fact that they're BPA free as well makes me even happier with this set.

Although I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my personal experience with this product. Feel free to ask me questions about this review and I'll respond within 24 hours.