My first would be my KitchenAid Mixer, it is actually my second one. My first was a classic and is still great but when we redid our kitchen almost 10 years ago, my husband bought me a bigger, badder one that matched our stainless steel appliances. I have the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl Lift Mixer in liquid graphite.
I never use anything else to mix up dough, cookie batters, cakes, frosting and so much more. It is definitely at top of my kitchen essentials list.
Number 2 would be a good set of knives. I have a Wusthof Knife Set with Knife Block. However, in our new kitchen we have a knife block that is built into a cabinet and a drawer with knife storage so we will be storing our knives there. With or without the block they are a great set of knives and tools.
I use it to make all kinds of smoothies, soups, frozen treats and more. It works so well and I love the retro look. If you are considering one, just go for it, you will not regret it. I just found out they now make a low profile VitaMix with a wider 64 oz container that fits under most cabinets. I am still confident I did the right thing because these blenders are workhorses that last forever. I also like the retro appearance of mine better that the low profile models.
My Electric Tea Kettle as a tea drinker is my best friend. I can bring it almost anywhere like in my office and have my tea without any hassle. There are all kinds of electric kettles, my daughter loves her Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle and has it at her desk at work. She says it is the best and can have her tea at the perfect temperature any time.
Well, that is my top 11. It was hard to pick and I could go on for at least another 11 that I feel are essential to the well performing kitchen. I will do that another time.
In the meantime, tell me what some of your top kitchen essentials are? I would love for you to share your answers in the comments.
Welcome to a brand new, weekly feature on Mommy Ramblings. You probably do not know that in addition to the reviews I do right here on Mommy Ramblings, I also do quite a few Amazon Reviews. I come across lots of great product every week and thought I would do a weekly roundup of some of the awesome items that I have the chance to review. So let me show you some favorites I have reviewed recently.
The Huixinda 2-in-1 Gooseneck Flexible Cell Phone Holder is a great product that works with most smartphones and devices. If you take video with your smart phone or want to view it from various angles, you will love the flexibility and positioning options you have with this holder. It clamps firmly to most surfaces and would make a great gift for just about anyone! Sold by Boom Shop on Amazon. Check it out!
This Norcho Anti Slip Safety Bath Mat is a nice full-length bath mat that has 93 suction cups on the underside so it attaches securely to you bathtub or large shower base. I plan to use this in the tub my little ones use. It has a texture that feels nice on your feet and helps you not slip on slick wet tub and shower floors. You can also use it on your bathroom floor to prevent slips when getting in and out of the tub or shower. There is no odor to this mat. It is made of soft TPR that cleans easily and can be rolled up when not in use. The size of the mat is 34″ by 23″.
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for review from Giveaway Service website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Reference ID b2b8a6e7d6d1 c1b8f6f7a6d1 f7d9b0b7c7a1 b3f8b6b7a6f1 Reference ID d1f3b2c5a6c1
This travel pillow comes in its own travel bag and since it is memory foam it can be squished and fit in tight places and emerge from the travel bag as good as new. This pillow is contoured and very substantial so it will support your head and neck helping to alleviate pain and stiffness if you have to take a nap during your journey. The memory foam will allow it to fit to your needs for maximum comfort.
This travel pillow has a luxurious velour red cover that is so comfy and soft. The cover unzips and is removable so you can wash it. The unique design of this pillow gives you the maximum lower neck support which is so important. There is a snap closure on the front that keeps the pillow securely in place. It is a nice memory foam with cooling gel so you will not get sweaty or uncomfortable wearing it.
You can purchase this pillow right on Amazon. It comes with a money back guarantee and a 2 year warranty. I know mine is going with me when I travel.
I received a Enzo Travel Pillow to facilitate my review. As always my words and opinions are 100% my own. pmee59edb1290ec2ae2dd85a795ae9e8f4
If you want colored glass rollers they are available too in a variety of shades like cobalt, green, amber,pink, black even multi color packs. See the selection HERE.
Another super deal I got was 12 Amber 15 ml bottles with dropper tops that are awesome for storage, mixing and sharing your oils. The handy dropper top is perfect for dispensing and mixing. Best of all $6.99 with free Prime shipping!
Diffusing oils is a great way to benefit from the health and healing these oils are known for. The Riverrock Diffuser from Deneve is whisper quiet and so easy to use.
You just fill the chamber with water you can easily measure and pour using the included plastic beaker. You use room temperature water, that is very important. Then add 3-5 drops of you favorite oil or oils and replace the cover.
Turn the unit on and immediately the unit’s LED light band starts changing colors and dispensing the aromatic The diffuser is whisper quiet and has the faint sound of a distant, babbling brook to relax you. Without oil the unit functions as a humidifier. This diffuser covers about 250 square feet for best results.
The diffuser purifies, sterilizes, moisturizes and ionizes by producing the finest, lightest droplets of water and essential oils without degrading the true essence of the oils, allowing micro droplets to disperse more widely. Using your essential oils in a diffuser like his can help with relieving tension, relaxation, coughs, colds and skin conditions. The changing LED light band is a mood enhancer and accent light but if you want totally darkness, you can turn it off. The river rock sleek shape of the diffuser compliments nearly any decor in the home, office or spa.
There are so many free ebooks on using Essential Oils HERE!
Please let me know if you have tried these products or are going to. I would love to hear your thoughts, just leave them in the comments.
Formaldehyde, which has been identified by government scientists as a carcinogen, is released over time by preservatives, like quaternium-15 and 1,4-dioxane is created during a process to make other ingredients mild but is also linked to cancer in animal studies. Johnson’s Baby says that the products were always safe and that they reformulated the products for the peace of mind of parents. The company also states that parabens were removed from most of the new and improved baby care line, ahead of their 2015 commitment to do so. For more information on this and Johnson & Johnson’s policies and timeline, visit safetyandcarecommitment.
A new video was just released by the company to mark the debut of the reformulated products. You can view the video below.
In the video Johnson’s Baby states that they were inspired by a Japanese legend when making the commitment to children to reformulate the products. The legend says that when you make 1000 origami cranes that it signifies a hope granted and a promise fulfilled. The company brought their employees and even the employee’s children together to make the cranes or storks to deliver their promise.
I think the origami storks are a beautiful way to show the fulfillment of a promise and I have never before heard that Japanese legend, but will now share it with my children. As a parent this reminds me of the promises we make to our kids to keep them safe, provide for their needs and to love and nurture them. I would never want to use a product with ingredients that are unsafe or questionable on my children and as the mother of a cancer survivor this is paramount to me! It’s a step in the right direction that Johnson’s Baby is removing these ingredients. What do you think?
Little Remedies® are unique because they contain only what’s needed to make your child feel better. That means no dyes, no artificial flavors and no alcohol, ever. If your little ones have sniffles, coughs, colds or flu symptoms you might want to try helping them feel better with Little Remedies. There is no need for dyes and artificial colors in products that are supposed to be helping to relieve your child’s symptoms. Do you want to give your child products with alcohol? With Little Remedies you will find products to help reduce fever, help little noses, tummys, coughs, colds, sore throats, dry skin, cradle cap, teething pain, cuts, scrapes and stings. Little Remedies has everything they need and nothing they don’t.
Little Remedies is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win an assortment of Little Remedies Products! Thank you Little Remedies for the review products and for sponsoring this soothing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Little Remedies Product Assortment Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Babo Botanicals offers a full range of natural and safe skin, hair and suncare products for newborns, babies, kids and the entire family! Babo products are made on a certified organic farm in upstate New York and are ultra-rich in vitamins A, C and D delivering maximum nutrients, protection and moisture to your child’s hair and skin. Babo’s mission is to provide the perfect balance between optimum results, natural ingredients and family fun.
Right now you can get 50% off all Babo Botanical’s Products with the Promo Code HOLIDAYBABO. Offer available from Dec 11th to Dec 18th. Coupon does not apply to VIP Gift Basket.
One thing I tend to hear over and over, is people telling me how lucky I am that I get such a wide variety of products at no charge for review. First of all, I am extremely blessed in that I work very hard at something I love and offer a valuable service in exchange for the products I review. Many people have written to me and asked me for advice on starting a review blog and it is because many are focused on the “stuff” but really have not given much thought to the work that is involved and required to be successful, and an asset to the companies who are sponsoring your reviews.
I was blogging long before I ever started doing sponsored reviews. I am the kind of person that will research any purchase to death before I buy something. Then, when I find the right product and I am happy with it, I shout it from the rooftops. For instance, when I was purchasing a twin stroller when I was pregnant with Luke, I researched for months on strollers, watched videos, read reviews, etc. I kept a journal about my search on CafeMom and when I finally selected my stroller I journaled about that. So I was doing reviews online for years, because I am the kind of person that loves to share my experience and my knowledge to others who may be looking for similar products. Same thing when I was choosing countertops for my kitchen, appliances big and small, baby products, building materials and much more. My passion for photography just added a new dimension to my reviews and when we were purchasing a cedar swing set a couple of years back I documented everything from the delivery to the many days of set up on my own Facebook page and journals. I shared with everyone looking for a swing set the result of my days and weeks of research. Prior to the Internet, I was always telling friends and family when I had found a great product or service. So, when I look back I have always been doing reviews and what has changed is technology, now I have the ability to share with hundreds of thousands of people, instead of just family and friends.
The first thing I will tell someone asking me for advice, is that they need to love to write. Second, they need to have an established blog, have good content, start tracking their web stats, and be consistent with posts. Once they have achieved that, they might want to start with reviews of products they already use and love. They should include original photos of them, their family etc. using the product. One thing I hear from sponsors over and over, is how much they enjoy seeing original photos on my reviews. I see so many blogs out there churning out review after review, using stock images, and copy and pasted product information without any personalization to even suggest they used the product themselves. I am not interested in being that type of blogger, and I think most sponsors now are more aware and more selective in choosing bloggers who actually use the products they are reviewing. For instance, I see so many reviews for bakeware and cookware, that does not even show the blogger used the product. How can you evaluate a cake pop mold if you don’t use it? I don’t want to buy a cake pop mold because it looks good, I want to know if it works as it is advertised. I will not review bakeware or cookware without using it. How would I have any integrity to my readers and sponsors if I was not actually using the products?
I am often asked how many hours I put into blogging and the real truth is, that I have never added my hours up. It is a lot of work and time but I love it and so to me, it flies by. I spend hours in the studio, hours writing, hours using and evaluating products, communicating with sponsors, finalizing reviews, working out the details on giveaways, following up with winners and so on. I have seen many want to be bloggers start their blog, only to abandon it and declare that they never knew how much time it really takes, and that they just can’t seem to find content to write about daily. Some people are so focused on starting the blog, they are investing lots of money on premium themes and servers before they even know if it is right for them. I often check back on people who have asked me for advice and see that they have given up on their blog. Truth is, blogging is like anything else, where you get back what you put in. Blogging is not for everyone, and review blogging is certainly not for everyone. You have to go into it for the right reasons. If you are just interested in starting a review blog because of the “free stuff” you are almost certain to fail.
Great review bloggers offer their sponsors a service, great advertising for their product. It is a business and I have over 20 years of real experience and degrees in marketing, sales and management. It is that experience and knowledge that give me a leg up. For instance before my blog, I remember posting pictures on Facebook when the little kids went to see Santa. The little boys were wearing matching outfits and had the cutest matching red and white Bowler shoes by Pedoodles on. Well, it was not long after that photo was posted before my friends with kids started commenting, asking where I got the shoes, what kind were they etc. I commented like I would in person, letting them know how great they were, that you can bend them completely in half, and on and on about the attributes of these shoes. It was then that a friend of mine from high school with a son about the age of my little ones said that she was totally sold on these shoes now and that I should consider selling for the company. I laughed, but when I look back, it just reinforces how long I have been doing what I do. Marketing, sales and advertising is a part of me! I can’t run from it but I can embrace it. That is what I am doing and I love it!
Blogging has enriched my life and introduced me to great people, many who I feel blessed enough to call friends. I have learned so much and it has led to some great things for me, including my position as a staff writer for a baby and children’s trade publication that presented itself to me in a very unusual way, and would never have happened if I was not blogging. I have great relationships with many of my sponsors and public relations agencies that I am so thankful for. I have met so many great people, deal with so many truly wonderful companies who are working to make a difference in this world, how can I not feel blessed?