12/31/2021

Mavala Switzerland Mini Color Nail Polish - Pink Cosmic, 5 ml

Let me tell you, the Cosmic Pink colour you see in the pictures and the colour you get on the nails is quite different. The bottle looks a bit purpleish or cherry-ish, but it is not. This is a very girly, festive and Cinderella-ish pink. I guess the glitter bits distort the colour in the photos because even in the photos of my hands, the colour doesn't look as prettier as in real life .

The polish spreads easily and evenly. One coat is nice enough and has decent coverage, but two coats make perfection. Despite the glitter, one coat dries off quickly

This polish has a rugged textured finish not a smooth one, which can be expected from any glittery polish. It smoothes out a bit with a clear top coat, but the textured finish won't disappear despite this. Beware, as with any glittery polish, it takes a bit of more effort to remove it. The polish chips off but not overly so, so a new spot application is enough as the polish is thick enough to cover the spot without needed of a full coat.

This is a travel-size tiny size (see my photo beside an average polish bottle), and, this being the case, it's a bit pricey for what it is. This explains the four stars not the five. On the other hand, as I have small hands, I find this sizing perfect for my DIY manicure and the brush is perfect for my nails size.

The brand is vegan and cruelty free, something that's really important to me. This is my first Mavala polish, and I will repeat.

12/30/2021

Dehub Ice-Cream Popsicle silicone Moulds Set of 8

Very good quality flexible kitchen silicone lollipop molds in vibrant colors. The package contains 8 molds with its correspondents sticks, plus an extra spare stick. The first impression is that these would be a bit too wobbly to hold anything upright in the fridge. However, after using them, there is no issue, whether the mold is empty or full. They do what they're supposed to do. As the silicone is flexible, it's super-easy to remove the ice-cream from the mold by putting each individual mold under running warm water for like 5 seconds, and the ice-cream comes up in one piece and very easily. The sticks don't break or deform with use. Super-easy to clean, too.

GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker Moka Pot 6 Cup - 9.3 oz, White

Overall,this is a good beautiful percolator that makes good coffee, but it has a design issue and it's the messiest coffee maker I own.

THE GOOD STUFF
> Beautiful, trendy and elegant, this caffettiera looks great anywhere.
> Plenty of capacity. I don't use it for espresso but for my daily milk coffee, yet it gets me three generous cups.
> Despite the size, this percolator is quite light.
> The handle is comfortable and has a comfy grip. Also, as the handle is off the percolator body of the, it doesn't heat up as much as other stove coffee makers.
> The silicone seal is quite tight and allows perfect percolation. I've found that this is really important, as I own other stove coffee makers, and the seal is the culprit for the bad quality of the coffee as the water doesn't go through the coffee properly.
> The spout pours beautifully.
> The upper body rolls on the lower body without difficulty, without getting stuck and without having to force it.
> Easy to clean, just wash it out with clean water; that's it. Despite the dripping, the white coating is not stained.
> The ethical/charitable scope of the company is something important to me. I've spent my money on a caffettiera that funds Grosche's Safe Water Project. Also, the company is carbon neutral, environmentally friendly, it's managed by women, and ticks all the ticks you want companies with a social conscience to tick on.

NOT SO GOOD.
> Aluminum, not stainless steel, which I would expect for the price I paid for this coffee maker.
> If you put the stove burner a bit high, the coffee will spit out profusely. That happened to me the first time I used it and, it dripped over the caffettiera itself, and all over my stove and bench even though the upper container wasn't even super full. I learned the lesson, now I put it on a medium heat and no problem.
> If the container is full of water, like below the screwing ridge and on or over the valve, the coffee will still spit out and drip all over the stove and kitchen bench. No inner line mark to indicate maximum height of water allowable. You have to learn the lesson by trial and error.
> You have to wait for the percolator to cool down so the spitting inside has finished; otherwise, you'll get a mess in your kitchen as the inner spout is too big and, as it keeps spitting coffee not only inside but also outside. This is a design problem. I don't have this problem with other similar percolators, as I prepare the coffee and pour it immediately without a mess. So, this one is quite annoying.
> You can call it Milano, you can point to the made-in-Italy vale and mention Italy many times, but except for the valve this is a made-in-China product as per the box (see my photo).

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer An Affair In Red Square

I've been using OPI An Affair in Red Square for several years now and it's my fav red shade on the nail polish stratosphere. OPI is also one of my fav nail polish brands. Yet, there are some issues with this specific shade that I want to mention:
> This shade is one of the thickest OPI polishes I own, and I own many. One coat over a base coat and under a top coat suffices to have full coverage and to look spectacular.
> Two coats of the polish look great, but, when I apply two coats, the polish takes a lot of time to dry off (more than other OPI shades) and it tends to smudge easily even when it's almost dry.
> This shade polish starts to thicken when the bottle it's mid way, in a way that makes it difficult to apply without resorting to adding acetone to clarify it.
> This being the case, and despite this being of one those polishes that I always have in my beauty case, it is pricey, because I usually bin the bottle midway.
> This red, as most red shades, chips easily, that's why I reserve the second coat for when my nails are totally dry but I need to cover the chipping.

Beyond that, this is just a classy wonderful red that never goes out of fashion and I never get tired of.

12/28/2021

Skittles Sours Chewy Lollies Snack and Share Party Bag 190g

If you, like me, have a sour teeth, skittles will make you soar to the sour. I love the crunchy coating, the chewy core, the fun colors and, most importantly, their level of sourness. The flavors in the package are lemon, orange, strawberry, green apple and grape. The flavors are very good and they taste of what they are meant to taste plus the sour punch. The initial coating is sweet, although not overly so, and the sourness comes after you chew them. On the flip side of things, these lollies are loaded with artificial colors and thickeners, so that's why I buy these now and then to appease my sour yearning. The package size and amount of skittles in it are considerable for the price, so this is good value for money.

Kilimazart Coffee Tamper Press Chromed (49 mm / 1.9")

This is a good solid tamper, quite heavy for the size. The base and handle can be unscrewed, so I can replace the handle for something different in the future if I feel like it; like a metallic colored handle or a wooden handle. The size is a bit odd for the two stove coffee makers I have, as it's a cm large for one, and a cm short for the other. However, I use it no problem with the latter, while I use the handle flat top as press with my small cafetiere.

12/23/2021

The Sugarless Company A Casino Fruit Jellies, 70 g

Sugarless jellies are indeed sugarless, gluten free, artificial colors and artificial flavors free but they still have several chemicals in them.

Like with any sugar-free product, I expected the flavor not to be as good as those that have it. However, these gummies flavors are too light to be fully noticeable to be labelled as yummy or appetizing. Besides, there is no extra punch, like a bit of acidity or a bit of extra sugarless 'sugar' sprinkle or something that would enhance the eating experience. The packet still makes a nice snack if you need/want sugar-free snacks, but I won't order them again.

The packaging is misleading as the gummies, as per my photo,don't look like those on the package photo. Not much product for the price either.

Fei Festive Christmas Tree Pop Up 3D Card

This is a beautiful fun large Christmas card, made out of good card stock, beautifully presented and printed. The card as an insert pouch/sleeve where the cute greetings note is held, so you don't have to ruin the card scene. The front is also movable, and you can slide Santa left to right and vice versa. The envelope is plain but very good quality paper, too.

My only criticism is that the scene is too central, in the joint between the two card sheets, so it's a bit stiff and the card doesn't sit totally flat on any surface, something that might have been prevented if the scene had been divided in two sections, one on each card sheet. This is me just being picky, as this is a great card that will delight the addressee. Perfect for kids.

Mentos Mini Rainbow Bag, 120g

These mini rainbow rolls are a hit with me and with anyone I've shared them with in the last month. It isn't just the colorful packaging and the mini size, which makes me feel less guilty at eating anything sweet, but also the chewable flavors: strawberry, grape, orange, watermelon and yuzu. Sweet, but not overly so. Flavors are totally different between each item but I'm not sure if they fully correspond with the names given to them. Very lovely overall. Ingredients are not too chemical for a lolly, something that I always appreciate.

12/20/2021

Aphrosmile 100% Pure Rosehip Oil for Massage, 30ml

This is a wonderful oil that spreads well, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin hydrated and nourished without any greasy residue. In a way, it is a dry oil not an oily oil.

I use this oil instead of my regular hand/arm cream when I notice signs of irritation or redness in my skin, I had some cuts or wounds that I want healed, to rub my cuticles when doing my DIY manicure, and also to remove hair-color stains after DIY tinting my hair.

I love the vintage-look bottle and the branding. The drop dispenser is great to prevent using too much product and using the right amount.

The smell is nothing I would use in aromatherapy as it is the oil natural scent and it isn't especially aromatic, not bad but nothing that I would put my nose to it, if you know what I mean.

Mind, the oil can stain your clothes if falls on them, as it has the oil natural yellow-orange color.

Good product but a bit pricey.

Jergens Ultra Healing Hand & Body Cream, 100 ml

This is a good cream overall. It spreads evenly, it's absorbed quickly and leaves my hands moisturized without any residue or greasy feeling. The mouth dispenser is well designed to prevent wasting product, something that it's really important as this cream is not such, but more a body milk. I have sensitive skin and I haven't noticed any reaction to this cream, which is great. The tube has a considerable size and it's good value for money.

On the downside, although I like this cream, I don't find it especially healing or really not better on my hands than other creams or oils. I have mixed feelings about the scent, too. On the one hand, it's subtle, but on the other, it's also odd. I would say that it has a wax/honey-ish sort of scent, but the scent is quite peculiar and it's one of those that polarize people. In my case, I find it odd but not unpleasant and it doesn't clash with my perfume, yet I don't find it appealing either.

Overall a good cream, but not intensive or really healing and it is not especially natural. No indication on whether the cream is cruelty free or not, or tested on animals or not.

Chupa Chups Best of Lollipops, 8 Lollipop Bag

Yummy selection of Chupa-Chups. This was a hit with my co-workers an with me. It has four popular flavors: cola, watermelon, strawberries and cream, and strawberry. To me, the cola and watermelon flavors are the best of the lot. The other two are yummy but also a bit too sweet for me. Overall a great taster bag

12/16/2021

Burts Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment, 7.08 g

This is a good quality lip treatment, that spreads evenly and leaves my lip moisturized if I use it overnight, giving it time to do its job. A tiny amount of product is enough to cover my lips, and the tiny container can fit even in a wallet. I love the brand and the fact that the product is cruelty free, too.

However, t I find this treatment as good as any other lip treatment out there if you leave it overnight, but it's more expensive. Flavor is minimal. As the product has peppermint oil in it, there is a slightly hint/after-taste of it, something I dislike.

To be fair, this is a good product, does the job and is not glamorous, but does the same job as cheaper products I've used in the past.

12/12/2021

DermaVeen Extra Gentle Shower and Bath Oil, 1L

I have been using this body wash for several years now as I have irritation-prone skin tat gets really itchy with other body washes in summer.

This isn't an oil per se, but an oil-ish body wash mostly made out of paraffin and colloidal oatmeal.I don't use this on a sponge, just directly on my skin. It spreads evenly despite not foaming, and leaves my skin supple and moisturized without any itchiness. I have tried other sensitive-skin washes by the same brand and by other brands and this is the best for my skin.

I love the marzipan-like smell of the product, something that puts off some people. The most important thing is that this is my fav body wash when my skin is showing signs of irritation, rash or itchiness.

The 1L bottle is great value for money, not only because it's does wonders for my skin, but also because it lasts me for months.

I love the fact that the product is vegan and non tested on animals.

Chupa Chups 3D Fizzy Drinks Lollipops, 6 Lollipops, 90g

I bought this packet to sample the three flavors. By far, the cola flavor is my favorite. It really replicates the taste of any main bubbly cola drink out there, and the balance of flavor and sweetness is great The tropical and orange flavors are true to the flavors of known brands fizzy drinks, but, this being the case, they are also very sweet or too sweet for me These lollipops are bigger than the average Chupa Chups and are flatfish not round. Value for money.

28/10/2022 CHUPA CHUPS CHEWS
These chews are really addictive, in a good way, and they've been a hit with my coworkers. The bag has a good amount of lollies. They come in three flavors and I love them all, but my pals have their own preferences as some of them prefer just one of the varieties in the package. I love the fact that they aren't overly sweet and that the flavors are what they've meant to be. They don't stick to my teeth as badly as others do, which is really great. On the other hand, the individual wrapping is not the best as it tends to stick to the lollies and they are sometimes difficult to open. Also, the amount of the three flavors is not equal, and some of the flavors are over-present in some of the bags. I wish they did this in other flavors, too. I've already bought 4 packages of these, and a bag disappear as soon as I share them, which doesn't always happens with other sweets my pals and I share. I will buy again.

Samsonite Wheeled Backpack Black/Charcoal (17896-1053)

I've been using this trolley backpack for several months now and, overall, I'm very satisfied with the product.

GOOD
> I have carried this during raining or drizzle days, the bag was really wet outside, but the water would not go inside or penetrate the fabric.
> The wheels show no signs of deterioration despite the fact that I use the bag every weekday to walk to/from work, average 80 minutes per day, minimum 40 minutes, over flat but textured rugged footpaths.
> I love the structure of the outside, with 2 side pockets and 3 front pockets in different sizes. You can fit tons of stuff in. The top one is small and perfect for your phone, or small items of make-up or a glasses case plus cleaner bottle for example. Second pouch is quite large and I can put, comfortably, an average umbrella and a small cardigan with room for more small items. The third pouch is medium size but, due to being closer to the ground, I use it to put hard cases (pen case for ex.), shopping folded plastic bags, batteries, charger, tissues, anything fabric. Side pockets are also very spacious and I put there tons of stuff, like deodorant, sun-block, tissues, make-up, muesli bars, small items of food or candy, etc.
> The handle has its own zipped space to keep all safe, and you can put extra stuff in there, too. This is specially good when I'm travelling and put the bag horizontally on a travel compartment, as it prevents the handle to protrude and get damaged or hit anyone.
> I love the fact that the shoulder straps are protected by a zipped coat, so they don't get out when walking. If you want to carry the bag on shoulders you can safely velcro it to the bottom of the bag.
> The structure inside is also good, especially the padded laptop pouch. Plenty of room for me to put my lunch container, coffee cup, water bottle, plus any other thing to add for my breaks.
> The fabric handle on the top of the bag is really strong and nicely padded, so it's very comfortable to carry and lift when the bag is full without the fear that it's going to break
> Excellent stitching all over.
> Good quality zips.

DOWNSIDE
> The main downside is that this bag is heavy even when empty, so I think that a child would struggle with this. I usually carry my umbrella, water bottle, coffee cup and lunch box as the bigger items there and the bag is heavy. If I put my laptop and electronics inside, it is really heavy.
> The handle shape. Bar is square shaped and a bit annoying to carry for long periods of time, as I do. The handle per se is supposed to be ergonomic but I don't find it as comfortable as others.
> The fine inner separator. It's too thin to hold anything strongly (perhaps small bunches of printed paper or a notepad), but it really annoys me when putting bulky things inside because it impedes natural insertion without you having to look inside and hold it.

OVERALL
Overall, this is a good-quality bag and good value for money.

12/10/2021

NLR 3D Pop-up Greeting Card Lovers Dance on Moon Boat

This is an utterly beautiful pop-up 3D card with an insert containing a blank note card to write your message on if you don't want to ruin the card. It is made or really sturdy card stock, and the colors, scene and filigree are stunning. The card is quite large and has a good quality envelope. The only downside is the hanging heart from the star, which tends to detach and fall, and the front of the card, albeit beautiful, it is a bit too red. For the rest, this is one of those cards that won't pass unnoticed. I bought it for a co-worker who's getting married and she loved it.

12/05/2021

Hancook Pop-Up 3D Merry Christmas Card

This is a very lovely quite large 3D pop up Xmas card. It's printed on good quality card stock and it has good printing quality. The blue envelope is luxurious and elegant. The separate beige-grey note card is equally elegant and allows me to write a separate note without having to ruin the Xmas card per se. The Xmas card colors are vibrant and fun. Most pleased with the product. I'll buy it again.

Revlon PhotoRead Concealer, Light

I have been using this inexpensive concealer for over a year now and it has become my fav on-the-go concealer as well as my preferred eye primer. I use this to neutralize and cover reddish spots on my face (pimple-ish or hair plucking red spots for example) , as an under-eye foundation to cover signs of tiredness and irritation, and as an eyelid primer. Although not an eye primer per se, I use it as such. The results are fabulous as it doesn't irritate my eyelids, it settles/dries quickly, covers the area perfectly and my eye-shadow colorful palette colors are noticeably enhanced. The product spreads easily and evenly and perfectly matches my skin tone. It's thick enough to cover any area perfectly but without being greasy or too thick. I have sensitive skin and I haven't had any problem with it so far. Despite the item being quite small, the quantity of product is considerable for me to use it, on a daily basis, for months.

11/27/2021

Segolike Vaveren Nail Polish Storage bag caseTravel Organizer, Grey

GOOD POINTS
> Elegant and good looking case so it doesn't clash with my bathroom decor.
> Compact.
> The double decking allows me to put plenty of stuff inside.
> Easy and safe to carry.
> Sturdy material.
> The polish bottles are safely stored within the foam inner structure.

BAD POINTS
> Bad quality stitching. Some threads were already out upon opening the parcel. See photo.
> The inner foam last row is stitched too tightly so it cannot be opened and I cannot put any polish bottle inside, which defeats the purpose.
> The number of nail polish bottles I can comfortably put in is NOT 30 unless you use polishes from a brand with tiny bottles. I use different brands of nail polish and you can see in my photos that the bigger bottles, which are standard size by the way, somewhat protrude out.
> Smaller than expected. See photo beside a small packet of tissues.

11/21/2021

HASK Argan Oil Vial Repairing Hair Oil for All Hair Types, 18mL

I have been using the argan oil vial for several months, applied to my long colored dry hair after shampooing and conditioning and the results are great.

Despite being an oil, it is not greasy and it spreads easily. A tiny amount of product is enough to make my hair shine and look super healthy. The vial looks small (see my photo beside one of my mascaras), but it actually lasts me for 5+ uses, more or less depending on whether I use it just on the upper layers of my hair to add shine and smooth out or all through all the hair.

It smells wonderful, like a sweet orange sort of scent.

The vial cap is really tight, so you can safely put the vial horizontal and the oil won't spill out. Great size for traveling, too.

I am a devotee of this product because it makes wonders for my hair.

MONOI COCONUT VIAL
The Monoi coconut oil vial, which I also use, is equally good and long lasting. It smells beautifully but not as nice as the argan vial. I apply this after shampoo + conditioner, while my hair is still wet but I have removed excess water with a towel.

Aullex Kakadu Plum Care Hand Cream-50ml

I have mixed feelings about this product. I love that is an Australian brand, the minimalist elegant packaging, the lightness of the product, how fast it absorbs, and the true herbal smell. However, despite this cream being lovely, it is more a milk than a cream, quite liquid-ish, the scent is pervasive so it can clash with my perfume, and it it is OK n my dry hands. The bottle runs out of product quite quickly due to the fact that I need to use more quantity of this product than with other hand creams.

11/19/2021

Hicarer Duck Bill Hair Clips Metal 3.5" (24 Pieces)

Good quality old-style hair clips, perfect for DIY hair coloring, styling or just to hold on dangling bits of hair when applying make-up. These clips have a nice length, so they can hold a bit amount of hair. Although they can snag hair they do so lightly and I cannot complain on that regard. The amount of clips is generous and, even if you have thick hair, you'll have more than enough with half the quantity. They are flexible, which is good, but they can also deform easily.

11/14/2021

Body Tools Tint Brush, 22 cm Length, Black

This is a great DIY tinting brush. It is on the long/large side (see my photo of the brush on a A4 sheet). Truth be told, it looks like a cheapie and it's not fancy by any means. However, this is a good brush overall. The length and pointy shape of the handle are great to separate strains of hair without difficulty, while the brush width and the flexible bristles are good enough to spread the tint easily covering a considerable amount of hair. Overall, a good product for the price. I wish the bristles were more flexible, though. This is not fancy , but it gets the job done and costs little.

Platinum tinting bowl

This is a cheap convenient bowl for DIY hair coloring. It looks like the one my hairdresser has. It is made of sturdy good-quality plastic, and it is easy to handle even if you don't hold the handle, easy to clean, great if you need to measure product, and very affordable. The only downside is the large size and the fact that is not collapsible or flatable. so it takes a bit of room in my bathroom drawers. For the rest, you get what you see and what you paid for.

11/07/2021

TRIXES Black Full Length Cape Unisex Professional Barbers Hairdressers Gown

I paid about four bucks for this cape so I didn't expect this to be a super-duper cape, but it is good enough for coloring your hair at home if you DIY. It is an open long cape that closes at the back with a Velcro fastener and laces, so it can be adjusted as tightly as you want. It is quite long and the shoulders are completely covered, but not the back. If will fit both men and women. It is plastic, so it protects clothes from staining when DIY hair tinting. The only thing I miss is the cape having hand slots so that DIY tinting is more comfortable. For the rest is quite good for the price.

Peripera Ink Velvet #16 Heart Fuchsia Pink

This is the first product I buy from the brand and I'm very pleased with it, but also a bit disappointed.

THINGS I LOVE
> Original and fun container.
> The bottle color is very close to the lipstick color, so you'll know which color you're getting by looking at the bottle.
> It smells divine, in this case of strawberries.
> The texture of this lipstick is creamy, velvety and semi-mate.
> It dries off quickly.
> It fully covers your lips with just a stroke.
> Very moisturizing, so my lips look supple and yummy.
> Beautiful rich color.
> Good priced.

NOT SO GOOD
> The name of the color, fuchsia pink, made me think that this would be a fuchsia pink. It is more a wine color with a hint of strawberry.
> It is not semi-permanent, so it stains glasses and cups even when dry. Also, it doesn't last all day. If you eat anything, it will disappear. It is true that the stain, a pinkish color, will stay on your lips for longer, but it's not the original color you put on the lips.
> Unclear whether this is cruelty free, tested on animals or not, something that's important to me.

11/06/2021

Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under-Eye Patch Collection

This is my top product in the Skin Republic range of masks, and my favorite eye treatment of the last year. It is not only inexpensive, not tested on animals, but also a great product that works beautifully on my under-eye skin. It visibly irons out fine wrinkles and leaves the area glowing and moisturized. These eye masks are solid silicone-ish patches that stick to the skin and you don't need to lie down to have them on.

11/01/2021

Rope Storage Baskets

These are two good quality rope small baskets with a wonderful ivory and black colour that goes with anywhere. They have gazillion uses and they come with a hanger and also with sticky wall hooks. Really good value for money.

Unfortunately the two baskets were vacuum sealed before packaging to fit them in the box, and, because of that, they arrived totally deformed, the round shape lost forever. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to reshape them, because they would really look great if they were perfectly round. Yet, they are not.

The promotional photos are very pretty, but, as you can see in the photos I've uploaded, they don't look as pretty in real life.

10/30/2021

DU'IT Tough Hands intensive hand cream 75g

I have very dry hands due to the frequent use of sanitizer and because I do my dishes by hand most times. I've used most hand cream brands out of there. I bought this as my usual cream wasn't available. The tub design looks like designed for traddies but I thought that, if this can help a man's hands why not mine?". I've used this cream for a couple of weeks and it's fantastic. It absorbs quickly leaving no greasy feeling, and it has really made a difference to my hands. I don't like the smell. It is not bad, just odd, not a  nice fragrance, so that's why it's not 5 stars.

10/17/2021

Plugable USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Speaker-Headphone and Microphone Jack

Small USB adapter, color marked, so plugging the audio/microphone pins is hassle free. This is a Universal self-installable device so the only thing you have to do is plug it to your USB port.

I have tried it with my headset and sound quality is good, but it gives it a background zooming noise that affects the quality of the recordings. If you want it for personal use this does the job beautifully, but if you want it for professional use this might not be your item.

The item was dispatched and delivered at record times, despite the lock down, so I am very grateful for the service.
One person found this helpful

Logitech HS-LOGI-H110 Stereo Headset with Mic, Black/Grey

The item took ages to be dispatched despite being in stock when I purchased it. Due to lock-down, it took forever to get it delivered. And when it was, the disappointment was enormous, as I wanted this item to do some freelance work and it is not usable for that.
 
The only photo available, conveniently, doesn't show the jacks, and this is a problem as they won't fit most computers unless they are old models where these 2 jacks were the standard. This being the case, you'll need to buy an adapter to fit it in. This being the case, the item ends being expensive for what it is - an average home-use headset. Also, the cable is a nuisance, as it is too long for a laptop. It might be good for a desktop computer, though.

You cannot control the volume via the headset cable but through the computer sound.

Quality of recorded sound is OK with regards to the recorded sound per se, but due to having to use an USB adapter there is background zoom noise that ruins a professional recording. Quality of sound when listening to a video-clip or watching a movie in my laptop is decent.

The headset is a bit tight on the head even for small heads like mine.

I am a fan of Logitech, but this model is prehistoric and not worth the money.

10/10/2021

Weddingstar Washable Cloth Face Mask w/Dust Filter Pocket - Music Notes

The mask is really as photographed, something I don't take for granted as many photos are really misleading. This mask is cool and very elegant, looks good on men and women, and is large enough to cover a man's face but not too big to look huge on a small face like mine. Light to wear. Silky-light texture. The only downside is that it doesn't come with any filter, so that might be an issue for some people I appreciate the speedy dispatch and delivery in these lock-down days, especially this being a necessity Most happy with seller.

9/24/2021

OPPO VOOC Flash charger/sync 1M micro USB Cable, white

This is a replacement to a cable I had for my Oppo phone. The other one has lasted me about 5 years. This cable allows super-fast charge, it's sturdy yet flexible and very good quality. Very fast dispatch and delivery, something that I really appreciate during lock-down because the other cable was totally not working and waiting for a staple like this for more than 2 days would have been a hassle.

9/21/2021

TOLL Australia

 
Every time I have to deal with TOLL I end being upset, frustrated and my issues are never solved. Inflexible and not customer centred. They don't listen to customers. They expect customers to chase the parcel. Customer service is not good either, not because CSOs are bad per se, but because the company is dreadful and they have to follow procedure. As a customer, every time I made a purchase and the store I buy from sends a parcel via TOLL, I know there is going to be an issue. Like right now.

8/02/2021

7/25/2021

PokeHome Candle Luxury Scented Soy Jar Candle, Small 3.6 Oz (Daisy, Mars)

I'm in love with this candle container, so sculptural, classy and beautiful in itself Candle inside is small and the scent is sort of lavander-ish/daisy-ish. Once the candle is consumed, you still have this awesome mini-sculpture jar to use with another candle, as a container for small rings or earrings, or just as a decorative element. Packaging is really good as it has some double-mold foam inside the box that holds and protects the sculptural top and the candle container. I wish they had more variety of candles, because this candle is really elegant. The candle per se is on the small size, but the jar and the top are still medium sized. Good value for money.

6/24/2021

Beserk (Online Store)

I've purchased from Beserk online many times, especially small homewares, incense stuff, Hot Chocolate flat shoes, and alternative cruelty free make-up (Lethal Cosmetics, Medusa Cosmetics, Lime Crime, Starrily etc.). My experience has always been fantastic.

Their website looks quite bad, outdated and fit for weird 15yos., and it could be a bit more polished so that doesn't mislead first visitors. Beserk is much more and you'll find plenty of cute items of clothing, imported shoes (from the uber-sexy to the uber-comfy) and vegan cruelty-free fantastic makeup bands. For sure, if you are into witchy Wiccanish stuff, this is also a place for you.  

Price is just OK, taking into account that many of the products they sell are from imported cult brands.

Shopping from their website is really easy and straightforward. They have a fab rewards program that can save you a good amount of money (you get 1 reward point for each dollar spent, and when you have 50 you get $2.5 off, 100 = $5 and 200 = $10.

Dispatch is decently fast, and parcels are handled by  AuPost, so you'll be super-informed of when your parcel is leaving or arriving.  

Many people ask me about my shoes and makeup, especially, and they're surprised that they come from Beserk, so that says a lot about the need of the store to better think their homepage and whole design.

One of the things that bothers me is that, to get free shipping, you have to spend $99, but that's a bit high taking into account that this is a big store and that shipping via AuPost is quite cheap for large businesses with many postal transactions. I think 50 bucks would be a more reasonable benchmark for free shipping.

Also when you have some rewards point to use, you cannot use them with any other discount code, so that means that you can qualify for free shipping because you've spent over $99 but applying the rewards takes you out of it. It is a bit dodgy and loses them money, if they made their accounts they'd realise just that.

They don't publish honest reviews that have less than 4 stars, so that's dodgy and unprofessional. So, that being the case, I ignore their reviews as they're cherry-picked for sales purposes. Dodgy!

6/03/2021

Succulent, Hobart Botanical Gardens

This place is in the middle of the Hobart Botanical Gardens in a killer location, surrounded by wonderful views and greenery. Very close to the exit, it's a perfect place to finish your visit or have a mid-day rest between exploring different areas in the gardens.  
 
This is an all-rounder cafe with everyone's favourite food in the menu. The balcony facing the city is really an spectacular place to sit. The indoors eating area is, on the contrary, poorly arranged, decorated and prepared; it looks more a place proper for a small country town than for a city botanical gardens location. 
 
Service was fast and the staff was courteous but the food was not worth the money. My fish & chips were subpar with a dry tasteless fish, no crunch fries and average salad.
 
Not recommended unless you just want to sit have a sip of wine and some nibbles and enjoy the view and don't mind paying a disproportionate price for average food.  

 

3/27/2021

ArtStyle Nylon Watch Band

This is an awesome quality, great looking blue watch band. I bought this slip-thru to use it with my Timex Weekender, to mix and match with different spheres. Unfortunately, the band is too long for my wrist and, and due to the fact that there are two sets of buckles, it ends looking bulky and odd on me. I was going to return it but, due to the fact that the product was sent from Amazon US and not Au, Australian customers pay the return package fees, so I'd lose money in the return.

2/26/2021

Yunoun Chakra Stones Healing Crystals 7 -hakra Set

Beautifully packaged, this is a lovely set of polished healing stones and a lovely boho necklace. Stones are lovely, and really pleasurable to touch, but also tiny and not especially good quality. Easy to carry around or use with your tarot decks. I love the necklace but the cord length is not adjustable. The booklet is really informative, but lettering is too small, and I need to use a magnifying glass to read it. This makes a nice present, as it comes ready packaged.

1/30/2021

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sea-Salt Body Scrub

This is a great natural scrub that does a wonderful job at leaving your skin clean, super-soft and supple, smelling of lemon granita. The combination of thick salt and lemony oils make wonders for my dry skin. It is all natural and ethically sourced, so that's a double thumbs up from me. Price is fantastic. Update: the product is no longer sold by Amazon Au but it's imported from the US, and pricing has doubled up since I first posted this review.

iMucci Color-Changing Butterfly Auto-Open UV Umbrella

This is a very easy-to-carry umbrella, with a sturdy structure and not bulky or too heavy. The automatic opening works well. Fanciful classy print; the white butterfly shapes auto-color upon contact with the rain. Very girly. Very good price for the quality.
 
18/06/2023
I still have this umbrella and it's one of the best I have ever owned.

1/05/2021

Kunany-Mt Wellington Explorer Bus 2-Hr Return Tour (Hobart, Tas, Australia)

This is a must if you are staying a few days in Hobart. Just the road trip to the mountain top is scenic and picturesque on its own, with really breathtaking views and some wow moments as the bus ascends through the very narrow forestie meandrous road.

There are walking and biking tracks in the surroundings that you can follow. You'll be provided with a map and can hop on/off at any of the stops. Let the drivers now that you'll be walking/cycling and when approximately you're going to go back and where you'll be catching the down bus. The bus can carry your bikes up/down if you intend to do part of the trip cycling.

The views of Hobart from the top are spectacular if the day is clear or not too cloudy. It is quite cold, so take an extra jacket.  


I wish the time at the top was a bit longer and that the latest bus departed from/to Mt Wellington a bit later, especially in summer, when there is daylight till about 8:30pm if not longer.

All the staff are really friendly. Our driver was a lovely chap, and he was truly informative without being overwhelming with his talking.

Good value for money, especially if you hop on/off.
 
A very enjoyable trip.
  

1/03/2021

Jackman & McRoss Bakeries, Battery Point, Tasmania

I wish I had discovered this charming little cafe and bakery earlier during my visit of Hobart. The place is a wonderful location, a few metres away from the Salamanca Markets and the ferry to the MOMA. The space is small but very cozy and cute. The coffee, pastries and pies are wonderful. The service was super friendly. Most recommended.

Mezethes Greek Taverna Tasmania, Hobart

I had dinner with friends here and the food was really average, overpriced and I don't think it's authentic Greek food. Menu is also very limited. Ambience was cozy, the staff friendly and service was fast, but neither my friends or I thought that would want to go back any time soon. Heap in Hobart but would consider average in Melbourne. I would not recommend.