10/13/2024

Elephtree Fish-Shaped Pencil Case

I bought this super-cute fabric pouch heavily discounted on a Prime Day. I just wanted something light to put it several some of my left over markers. The pouch design is playful and original; the colours are muted, close to pastels, and perfectly captured by the product page photos. I was able to store 9 average markers and 2 size-5M Posca markers. There is still room for two or three fine ones, a small eraser or a small sharpener.
 
I would use this for a getaway trip for either some markers/pens/pencils or small items of makeup. Despite the photos showing large items of makeup in the product page, this pouch would not hold anything large and round, mostly linear pencil-like items and small eye-shadow or lipstick containers.
 
Both the outer and the inner lining are made of plain fabric, no canvas or a strong material. That being the case they aren't liquid or spill proof; the material can be easily stained outside and, destroyed if any of the markers leaked inside. Also, the pouch has limited capacity as the fish tail is just decorative and does not hold anything, and the fish mouth has limited storage space.

10/06/2024

Shary Freeze Dried Strawberry Crisps 20 g, Small

This mini bag of strawberry crisps is just a great snack with no artificial ingredients added at all. Just dried frozen crunchy flavoursome whole strawberry pieces with a bit of sugar added. Just a bit, not overly sweet and it's also low calories. I would have loved the product au natural without sugar added to be honest. The description page fails to mention that the product has 3% sugar cane, as per my photo, which is important to know for diabetics or people with high sugar levels in blood. For the rest a natural healthy (or healthier than most) snack. A bit pricey for what it is. 

9/29/2024

Amscan Plastic Rectangular Tablecover, Frosty White

I wanted something simple and inexpensive to protect my work table from paint splashes and stains, so this seemed befitting.The tablecloth is XL size, so I decided to use it double to add an extra layer of protection.
 
I was re-arranging my stuff on the table after placing the cover, and it got damaged by bare friction. I am very conscious about my plastic footprint. I don't have a problem with plastic as long as it's durable and good quality, but this is is neither. The material is paper thin and terrible quality. More like one-use cloth for parties and functions and something temporary on my table until I buy a good quality cover. It got torn and broken on the first day of use. 
 
I guess you get what you pay for.

9/21/2024

EYmann Jar, Bottle and Can Opener

The product I got doesn't look like stainless steel but more like a chrome-like metal product. Definitely not the refined product you see in the product page pictures. It opens beer bottles well.  It also opens jars, but you have to be careful not to put your finger under the black slider. I have tried it with cans, and I find it unnecessary unless you have some problem with your fingers or not enough strength. In all honesty, it takes me less effort open a jar or a can with my own hands. I needed it mostly for beer can opener than anything but the price is low so the other features might come handy in the future.

Higher Living Organic Cinnamon Tea 15 Teabags

This is a healthy organic clean delicate tisane that doesn't taste of any of the particular ingredients listed on the packaging. It does not taste or smell of cinnamon at all, even though the tea is sold as Cinnamon Tea and the packaging says it has 35% of cinnamon in it. So this is a tisane with some cinnamon in it not cinnamon tea. Also, the scent and flavour of this tea are totally lost and the tisane tastes more like a chamomile than of anything else, but there is no chamomile in it.
 
I won't buy this again. I will stick to my Celestial Cinnamon and Apple Tea, which is more expensive but one teabag brews two mugs of tea and tastes and smells of cinnamon. This one of example why tisanes should be called tisanes unless the majority of the ingredient in a tea bag is the product mentioned on the packaging.

The Happy Snack Company Roasted and Lightly Salted Fava Beans (6 x 25g )

I confess that I had a favourable bias towards toasted/roasted fava beans (broadbeans) because I grew up in the Mediterranean where this has always been around.
 
This is one of my favourite healthy snacks. Unlike many other healthy packaged stuff that I've tried, this snack is actually terrific regarding flavour, crunchiness and health ratings. Too many healthy snacks are tasteless, have too much sweetener, or still have sugar in them, or are not pure ingredients. Instead, this is a yummy crunchy flavoursome snack that is all natural, has no sugar, no gluten, no fats, vegan and, to top it all, it's made in Oz. Best thing, it's tastes great. I've also noticed that when I am hungry at work and have one of these mini bags as snack, it curves down my appetite for good.
 
I love this packaging with individual bags, as it's perfect to control portion size and to carry around in my small handbag, or to put in my lunch box or stock it in my office drawers.