7/29/2026

UnionSine HD2510 500GB Ultra Slim Portable Hard Drive

I bought this portable HDD drive just to store my artwork photos, so the size fits the purpose. I use it only with my laptop, so I cannot comment on how it works with a gaming console. Although the product page says that has ultra fast data transfer, my experience is that the transfer speed is average. It's also true that my laptop is getting to the end of its life and the processor isn't the faster. Transfer isn't noisy at all. It's a light non-bulky drive, therefore, easy to carry and put away. I love that the drive is coloured as this helps me distinguish this drive from any other. I bought this during a Prime Day promotion and a great price; currently is sold for an average price for a hard drive of its capacity. 

MIND =
> Plug and use.
> USB 3.0.
> Max transfer speed 125MB/s-137MB/s, and write max speed 103MB/s. 
> Three-year warranty.

DFYAN Korean Grill Pan Kit (11D in)

This is  a totally-flat small grill that can be used directly on the stove (electrical in my case) or on an open fire. I have still to try it on a barbecue or portable campfire, but my experience with my kitchen stove is good. On the stove, it heats up quickly, and a few drops of oil are more than enough to do a couple of burgers, or three or four skewers. Said differently, this allows cooking for one or two people maximum. Personally, I wouldn't  put anything liquid in it.
 
The pan comes with a set of complimentary barbecue tools (wood handles, spatula, thongs and two silicone holders). It has an acrylic sleeve that can be used as carry and protective bag as well.  
 
TO IMPROVE 
> The wood handles are  a necessity for this pan, but they are too loose and come off easily. 
> I would rather have one good tool than 3 bad ones.  
 
MIND
Compatible with gas and electric stoves, open fire, and barbecues. 

JBL Tune 520BT (Blue)

I purchased this wireless headset and colour because it was the cheapest one and the price is great. I've had this for several months already and I can only say good things about  this headset.
 
I use it mostly for commuting and for listening to music or videos on my laptop. The sound quality is great. The headset pairs easily with my mobile and with my laptop, and it auto-switches off when not in use. I love that it comes with  human-voice automated prompts advising of pairing, connecting, and when the device is on and off, which makes such difference. In fact this is one of my complaints about other devices. As the ON button is also the OFF button, and the button responds to pressure, sometimes I don't know if I'm switching in on or off. The voice prompt makes things really easy. 

This headset is very comfortable on my head, not too big or too small. I have a small head, so it might be tight for a large one. I love that the headband is padded. The pods padding is also firm but comfortable to wear.

The battery charges in full in just two hours and lasts for a long time (up to 57 hrs).  The indicator light goes red when the battery is low or the battery is charging. 

The instructions booklet recommended downloading the JBL Headphone App, so I did. You need to switch on your Bluetooth and connect your device, then add it to the app. Once you do, you can customise it. As this is a basic headset, the features options are also basic. However, you can customise:
> The Equalisers (you can choose between presets for bass, club, extreme bass, vocal, jazz, and sound).
> Adjust how much of your own voice your hear during calls through VoiceAware.  
> Adjust it for smart audio or video (not for both).
> Adjust the right/left balance.
> Set a max volume limit. 
> Use auto power off. 
> Change the human prompts language (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Deustch,   Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and  Russian are available). 

FULL SPECS Can be found HERE. And the Start Guide HERE. 
 
MIND = 
>  Battery Life and Speed Charge (5mins = 3H).
> Wireless 5.3 Blootooth.  
> It has a matching app.  

Kame Stamp Shape Super Punch KM-5810 (1")

This is a good quality 1-inch punch that creates clean postage stamps cutouts that then you can use in different craft projects. It works smoothly with most papers I've used it with, but it got stuck with a very thin paper I tried it with and it took me a while to get it back to functioning. Lesson learnt. This puncher is large and a bit heavy, as the cutting part is made of stainless  steel. The plastic part is made of sturdy material.

MIND = Perfect for printing pager (80-500mgsm) 2mm-thick EVA sponge paper, 1mm-thick cardboard, corrugated cardboard, PVC sheet, 0.1 thick aluminium or copper sheet. 

VATTENKRASSE Plant Mister (35 cl)

I couldn't resist this vintage-looking mister. I have several plastic plant misters, but I bought this mostly for decoration purposes. I have it indoors as part of my indoors artificial garden and looks fabulous. I've used it to water some plants and the mist that it produces is just OK, not the finest out there.  

Many reviews mention that the mister doesn't work perfectly and that the nozzle breaks easily or stops working soon, but I use this mostly as decoration so I haven't experienced this.
 
Designer = Mia Lagerman.
Materials = Bottle: Galvanised steel, Powder coating. Pump: Stainless steel, Polyamide plastic, Silicone rubber, Metallised. 
MIND = 
 > Indoors use only.
 > Hand wash only.

 

 

 

Nutrawave 50 Billion Daily Probiotic (15 strains)

I've already used several jars of  these Canadian probiotics and they make a great difference to me. Some of the medication I take affects my digestive system, so these capsules have been a great help to keep everything working as it should. They work for me because they have a high dose of 15 strains of probiotics; it isn't as much the billions but the many strains what make them work for me. They're gluten and soya free, odourless and tasteless. 
 
They don't need of refrigeration, so I haven them stored both in my pantry and my office drawers. They're perfect for my medical travel kit as well. 
 
They are well-priced for a 60-capsule jar. However, beware  that they're sold at different prices in different Amazon listings. 

TRÖSKNING Bin with Lid (Light grey-blue) (25 L)

These bins are quite large, very good looking and stackable. They're made of sturdy plastic material and hold lots of weight. I have three of these vertically stored and they're a space saver. I love this colour as well.

They were designed as recycle bins for dry waste (paper, cans, glass, metal, etc.) but they're great for storage as well. The lid is easy to put in and out, and the bin has two inbuilt handles that makes easy to carry. It also has a large opening, covered by a flap cover, which makes them ideal for recycling. In the past, I've used them to store shoes and Xmas decorations. At this stage, though, I'm using them as temporary storage bins, to put some of my art supplies in. They can be used to store garden and shed tools  as well

It's a pity that the bins weren't designed for outdoors purposes, as they're such a great storage solution. If you just use them to dispose of your dry waste, it might not be important, but the lid isn't the best to have the bin locked, something that matters if you want to use them as storage bins or you're are moving houses.  
 
Designer = Christina Halskov.

Materials = Polypropylene plastic (min. 50% recycled).

Measurements = 30H x 30W x 42D cm.

MIND = 
> Indoors use only.
> Not approved for food contact.  
> Max stacking height 90 cm.  

 

 

 

BLOMNING Tin withLid (Off-white) (10x10x10 cm)

I love these boxes. They're so stylish and classy, and they look great inside my Raskog white trolley. They look great anywhere I've place them. They're e designed to store coffee, tea or spices, but I use them as storage boxes in my office/studio. Things I've put inside are, among others, Crayola crayons, Ikea spare parts (like those that you've left with after assembling a flat pack), used batteries, and push lamps. I love they're are lightweight and stackable, as save me space inside the trolley. . The lid locks hermetically but it's easy to get it up.

Designer = IKEA of Sweden.
Materials = Tinplated steel, Tinted clear polyester lacquer, Clear polyester lacquer, Paint.
MIND= 

> It holds about 300 grams of ground coffee or 200 grams of loose-leaf tea.

> Hand wash only.   

IKEA 365+ Stainless Steel Scoop set

I love these stainless steel scoops. I use the large scoop for garden purposes and the small one to measure pulses, grains, flour, rice and other dry edible goods. Easy to wash. Not the thickest steel but I wasn't expecting a professional quality scoop for the price.  
 
Designer = Henrik Preutz.
MIND = Dishwasher-safe.

Kmart 4-Pack Felt Drawer Desk Organiser (1L, 1M, 2Sm)

This pack is made of sturdy felt material (Ain't sure whether the material is real felt or acrylic look-like felt). I've spread the drawers inside one of my wardrobe drawers and has helped me to have everything tidy and at hand. I've stored small items in them: glasses cases, hand fans, watches, and other small items that I never know where to put. Very economic and very good looking. 
 
Measurements = 
  • Large drawer: 4cm (H) x 37.5cm (W) x 28cm (D)
  • Medium drawer: 3.6cm (H) x 26cm (W) x 18cm (D)
  • Small drawer: 3.6cm (H) x 18cm (W) x 13.5cm (D)

7/24/2026

Bamworld Bamboo Corner T5 Indoor Plant Stand (Tea Brown)

Although technically a 5-tier stand, the first tier is actually on the floor, so it's more a 4-tier one.  It is made of  tea brown coated bamboo, and it goes perfectly with the furniture in my living room. I love anything made from bamboo as the material is always sturdy, durable and light to carry. It holds medium sized plants quite well, saves spaces and really enhances my living room. 
 
I had trouble putting this together mostly due to the poor assembly leaflet. The printing font and photos are tiny and the printing quality terrible, so some of the elements were not clearly printed. I had to take an enlarged photo of each section and proceed from there. I wouldn't have been difficult at all if the leaflet had been printed properly.  
 
MIND = Load capacity 9 kg per shelf. Max plant diameter 18 cm.  

Oshhni Ceramic Stackable Paint Palette with cover (10H x 8.5W cm)

This is a very good quality ceramic palette, slightly wider than others I own. It's a great tool to have when I'm painting small pieces and I'm using small quantities of a specific paint or ink, and  to separate colours that I don't want to mix. Ceramic palettes like this keep the paint fresh for longer, something that is enhanced if you cover any leftover paint with the lid or using another tray.  It can be easily washed and stored. 
 
MIND = Hand-wash only.  

ANKO Egg Cooker (12 x14 x 23cm)

I saw this at an office kitchenette and I thought I needed one for me as I boil eggs all the time. This cooker is not only cheap, but also quicker at boiling six eggs than the traditional pot I normally used. It halves the cooking time and the eggs come out perfectly cooked no matter the setting I choose (soft, medium or hard). 
 
The cooker comes with a mini measurement cup with clear water level indicators, which vary depending on the number of eggs you're cooking and how you want them cooked. Follow it to the letter, and you'll get eggs perfectly.
 
Before placing the eggs on the holding tray, you need to puncture the flatter part of the egg using the pricker at the bottom of the measurement cup. Press it a bit against the egg till "clicks", but not too hard or you'll break the egg. The puncture prevents eggs from exploding or bursting. 
 
The machine will switch off automatically, but you need to turn the beep manually. You can use the warm setting if you are going to eat the eggs soon and don't want them to cold down. 
 
Overall, it's a great product at a great price.  
 
DOWNSIDES

> The finishing beep sounds like a fire alarm and you have to turn it manually or it will continue with its annoying beep. 
> I understand that this is a cheap cooker, so I didn't expect a professional quality cooker. However, I found that the inner stainless-steel heating tray looks a bit plasticky, and it can get iron mould (rust-like).      

 
MIND = 
> 12-month guarantee.
> Sometimes,  the eggs burst out, especially if they aren't fresh, in the same way that you would get if cooking them in a pot.

CAUTION = 
> Don't let children use this cooker without supervision.  
> Use the measurement cup with caution as the needle at the base needs to be covered by its protecting cap or you might hurt yourself.  
> Wait a couple of minutes to get the eggs out or use a protective element to do so. 

KALLAX Shelving Unit, white, (146.5H, 76.5W x 39D cm)

This is a great looking, easy to assemble shelving unit that looks great anywhere and holds tons of stuff. I use some of the shelves to store things that I don't mind being visible, like nice folder files, or books, and others to insert cube boxes with stuff I want out of sight.  It looks clean and polished, once finished. I found that the panels are not that heavy, but sturdy the same. It can be used as sideboard as well, but, in my case, the  vertical position suits me more.

I dreaded assembling this unit on my own, as the leaflet recommends two people to do so. However, it was pretty easy to put it up as you assemble one panel at a time, so you start light. It's definitely heavy once it's fully assembled, but not that heavy that prevented me from moving it to the position I wanted it to on floorboards.

Designer = Tord Björklund.
Materials = Particleboard, Fibreboard, Paper foil, Honeycomb structure paper filling (100% recycled), Plastic edging. 
Care =  Wipe clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner.
MIND =
> Max load on top is 25 Kg.
> Max load per shelf 13 Kg.  
> Tipping hazard, so wall securing is recommended, especially if you have an uneven and/or have a surface that is not solid and flat.  

 

 

TALENS Amsterdam Acrylic Paint (Greenish Blue) (500 ml)

This greenish blue acrylic paint a mix of Phthalo blue and Phthalo green pigments and resembles a Phthalo deep turquoise colour. Isn't a Phthalo blue with green shade, as the colour is different. This Amsterdam paint has medium body viscosity and a high degree of lightfastness.  I mix it with ivory black or Payne's Grey to get darker values or with different kinds of greens to get a multilayered blue. As this colour has a high degree of  transparency, I tend to mix it with a similar but opaque paints when I want this colour to be less transparent. I can also dilute it to make washes. 
 
This format of Amsterdam acrylics are great value for money and, for whatever reason, this colour is always cheaper than others in the same line and size range. That's great for me as I use this colour in my artwork often. The only thing I dislike about these large bottles is that the pout is too big, something that doesn't makes easier transferring the paint from this bottle to a small bottle or when you want to dosage the paint with precision. For the rest a great colour and paint at an affordable price. 

Bosch Kneeling Mat

I trust Bosch products because of their quality and affordability. I also love that they have a specific look that's immediately recognisable and easy to found around my place. This kneeling mat is quite large and perfect for garden or household purposes. I mostly use it when something falls on the floor and I have to look underneath furniture or when I'm assembling flat packs. It has the right mix of firmness and  softness and it really cushions my knees. So far, so good.

Celimax Noni Bubble Face Cleanser (155 ml)

This Celimax bubble Cleanser is a mild facial soapy foam that leaves my skin super clean with no creamy or oily residue. It has a green refreshing rosemary scent, which I find enjoyable as it is very light. This Noni line targets people with combination, oily and acne prone skin but it's gentle enough to be suitable for people with sensitive skin. One pump push is enough to clean my face. 
 
This is a green plants and flowers formula, the main ingredient being extract of Noni (Indian Mulberry, from the coffee plant family, 35.51%), ACZERO complex (Bergamot leaves, pine leaves, green tea leaves, Centella Asiatica leaves, coffee beans, white willow bark and Cladosiphon Okamuranus) and other plants and flowers extracts listed at the back of the packaging. Finally it also contains salicylic acid, which is perfect for oily and acne skins, which is perfect for oily and acne skins, and calms skin irritation due to those.    .    

7/22/2026

Bamboo and Plastic Vertical 3 Drawers (3.6H x 17.1W x 24.1D cm)

I have a couple of these units in my office's shelves sitting beside my horizontal desktop drawer unit made of the same good-looking quality bamboo and white sturdy plastic. This unit looks small, but it holds lots of stuff. I have my portable hard drivers stored in one of the drawers, as well as punches, pens, markers, a small portable radio and  other random art supplies and stationery items. It can easily be used as bathroom storage unit for makeup and cosmetics as well. The unit weights about 1.5 Kg, so it can handle weight very well. The only thing that I dislike is that the heights of this and the larger unit are slightly different; the small one is about 0.5cms shorter, something that personally I notice. It would have been great if  they had had identical in height.  

OXX Bodycare Back Scratcher (Lilac) (23.5-61H x 3.9W x 2.4D cm)

This is such a simple tool but it's designed to perfection so that you get right to the itch that is right there on that little unreachable spot. It has an extensible telescopic handle, which makes it ultra convenient to reach the farther regions of your body. The fork-like scratcher is sharp enough to scratch your itch, but not too harsh, so it doesn't damage my skin. However, caution should be exerted with children, as this is not a toy, even though it looks like something you would use to play at the beach. It's made of sturdy plastic and metal.   

KLYNNON Handmade Bamboo Plant Pot (13Hx 12D cm)

This is a mostly decorative handmade bamboo weaved planter with a plastic insert. If you use it with a real plant, the insert will prevent any leakage into the outer shell. If you use it with an artificial plant, it will give it an air of reality. I love the rustic organic feeling of this pot and it goes great with any neutral and/or Scandy space.
 
Materials = Pot, bamboo and clear acrylic lacquer. Insert, PET plastic.
MIND =  Mostly for indoors use as bamboo needs of even cool dry environments.