1/16/2023

Habee$avers XV245 Tailors Chalk 4 in A Tub White Blue Red and Yellow

I bought this set to use the chalks on thick watercolour paper in my mixed media projects. They are great for the price and very versatile. The flat shape makes them perfect for scribbles and fine mark lines. The container box is really lovely and keeps them all tidy so I can put them anywhere without fear of them being damaged.

Sakura Pigma Micron 6 Fineliner Set (01/03/05/08/10/12) Black

bought this set of Microns not only to have good-quality permanent archival liners, but also because I wanted markers with bigger nibs than the usual. These markers go from size 1 to 12 (no fine or micro point nibs) so they're perfect for my mixed media projects as liners, fillers and mark making tools. They are precise and don't smudge. See my swatch photo to get an idea of the nib thickness. I love these markers design, which is immediately recognisable and also perfect to read the text on them; the size number is clearly visible both on the cap top and on the pen body, something that I love as I can easily find the size I want no matter the markers are stored vertically or horizontally. I bought this for a good price, so this is a bonus.

1/15/2023

Jomico 2-hook Bra Extender (Beige, Black, & White)

I'm utterly disappointed with this set, especially because the straps seem to be good quality, they're nicely packaged and the price is good. As sizing was not mentioned anywhere, I took for granted that these straps were standard strap width. However, that's not the case (see my photo). They're perfect for small girl bras or for bras holding an A cup, which usually have skinny straps, not average adult bras. I have different bra brands and sizes and these extenders don't fit any of them. As I unwillingly broke the packaging box, I cannot return the items. So, the value for money is none.

12/28/2022

Maped Study Compass Universal

This is a good quality compass. it comes with a small lead pencil that has a pressure screw to adjust it. The pencil can be easily adjusted up and down and, other pencils can be inserted instead. I've tried others I have, and they fit without problem as long as they're a similar short height; otherwise, It's difficult to use. The storage case if very good. However, the compass is very small, even for my very small hands, and I find it difficult to use naturally; like I struggle to use it. I guess it will be OK for children's hands, but not for mine for sure. I regret not having paid for something more expensive and getting something that I can easily use and move around.

12/19/2022

IZE Seminyak (Bali, Indonesia)

IZE Seminyak

Jalan Kayu Aya No. 68 Seminyak, 80361
Bali – Indonesia

P : +62 361 8466 999 E : bliss@ize-seminyak.com

 
Trendy hotel in the heart of Seminyak, very modern and fairly new when I first visited. 

THE GOOD BITS
 > In the heart of Seminyak, walking distance to plenty of shops, spas, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Plenty of taxis go around all the time. 
> Very modern, stylish hotel. Spacious, well-equipped trendy, elegant and comfortable room. 
> Very friendly staff, from reception to security guys and cleaners. 
> Free mini-bar! Only frizzy drinks and water inside, but that was enough to make me happy! 
> The upper floor pool. People complain about the seats being in the shade, but I think that is really smart if you don't want to get burnt, or if you get easily burnt. So, I was happy with it! 
> Good fast free Wi-Fi. 
> Sixty TV channels, local and International, different languages. 
> Extensive set of toiletries (besides the bottled body wash, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner). Mind, they are inside the drawers.
> Very good quality towels. 
> Complementary bottled water, coffee & tea facilities (Mind, they are inside the covered drawers) and snake skin fruit plate. 
> I was given an upgraded room, something that always makes me happy. 
> Walking distance by plenty of awesome cafes and restaurants.
> Well communicated, and easy to get a taxi from/to to the main sights in the area.

THE DOWNSIDES
 > Surrounding area is crowded, as expensive as Australia, too Westernized and touristy for my liking. 
> Signs on flooring. (Mind, reception is on floor 2). There are signs around, but not immediately visible. I expected them to be beside the lifts, where they would have been most helpful, but they were a bit far from them. 
> Lobby, apparently, had limited air-conditioning, so it was a bit 'stuffy'. 
> I was given wrong information about walking distance to Seminyak Square, postage fees for postcards, date of release of the 500,000 rupiah deposit demanded upon check-in and timing of room payment.

12/17/2022

Watercolour Paper Art Sketch Pad, 140 LB/300 GSM, 20 Sheets/40 Pages

I have this as a warm-up exercise pad to do mixed-media projects. I use a lot of liquid supplies: flow acrylic, inks, water drops, etc. and I've also pre-gessoed the pages before use. The paper is thick enough to withstand most of the media without bleeding and holding the painting pigments quite well. The paper texture is smooth and the colour white. For the price, this is an excellent watercolour and mixed-media paper pad.

My main disappointment is with the binding system. It 's supposed to open and close easily so that one can extract the page, paint on it and then put it back. I haven't been able to open the rings no matter how hard I've tried. Leaving the pages in the pad makes them prone to medium and paint transfer on the edges, even if I use some baking paper behind the sheet I'm using.

For the rest, very pretty cover, very good paper and very handy size to store away and do small projects. I'll buy again