CSN Stores- Le Creuset 1.8-Quart Whistling Teakettle ~review

When our family moved into our new house in December, we purchased all new stainless appliances for our kitchen. Even so, as much as I love my appliances, the rest of the kitchen leaves so much to be desired! First, it’s too small. Second, the countertop is old and black. The floor is laminate {not bad, actually}, and the walls are yellow. There is no pizazz to my kitchen. No flair. No fun.

The best I can do to add some oomph to my small kitchen space is to spice it up with colorful touches here and there. So, I added some fun dish towels, but I still needed something more. CSN Stores provided me with the perfect opportunity to bring a colorful little something to my rather boring space. Enter the Le Creuset 1.8-Quart Whistling Teakettle in Flame.

{Website Description}A whistling reminder that it's teatime! Decorate your stovetop with the Le Creuset Whistling Teakettle. It performs on all heat sources and has a unique locking handle for easy lifting and pouring. The Phenolic knob, handle, and whistle are heat resistant for safer use. The enameled interior is easy to clean and will not absorb odors. Creates a lovely serving piece!

Features:
• Attractive Flame color
• Locking handle for easy lifting and pouring
• Enameled interior won't absorb odors or flavors
• Phenolic knob, handle, whistle are heat resistant
• Glazed with hard glossy enamel
• Works well on all heat sources

I have been using my new teakettle for about two weeks now, and I must say that not only is it absolutely fun to look at, but it work great too! I did read some mixed reviews about the enamel rusting easily, so I just wipe mine dry once it cools to avoid that issue.

{What I like most about the Le Creuset 1.8 Qt. Whistling Teakettle}

• Boils quickly


• Comfortable handle


• Tight fitting lid


• Loud whistle


• Solid construction


• Fantastic color
  

{About Le Creuset}
From start to finish, Le Creuset is the ingredient that brings every evening together. In kitchens around the world, from acclaimed European eateries to family dinner tables, Le Creuset has been trusted for over 80 years for its legacy of style and quality. Their brilliant colors and user-friendly cookware pieces have created an unforgettable dining experience. The ease of cooking, serving, and storing leftovers in one dish is truly wonderful! Le Creuset has been trusted by those who appreciate every subtle complexity of flavor. Trusted by those who want only the best for their guests and who enjoy food - and life - to the fullest!

Since 1925, Le Creuset has designed and manufactured their Enameled Cast Iron cookware at their foundry in Fresnoy-Le-Grand, Northern France. It began producing Cast Iron by hand-casting molten cast iron in sand molds, still the most delicate stage of the production process. Even today, after casting, each mold is destroyed and the cookware is polished and sanded by hand, then scrutinized for imperfections. Once declared good for enameling, the items are sprayed with two separate coats of enamel and fired after each process at a temperature of 1472°F. The enamel then becomes extremely hard and durable, making it almost completely resistant to damage during normal use. Since much of the finishing is done by hand, each Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron cookware piece is completely unique!
{Buy It}
This teakettle retails for $90. With CSN Stores, you can purchase it for only $74.95 with FREE shipping! That’s a fantastic deal!
Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

E-Cloth Review and Giveaway

My husband and I remodeled our very outdated kitchen about a year ago. Updating to stainless appliances was at the top of our list. We loved the way they looked- classy, and figured if we were going to splurge on the kitchen, we might as well do it right.

So, when all was said and done, we were the proud owners of a brand new stainless fridge, stainless microwave, stainless stove, and stainless dishwasher. We absolutely loved the new appliances....for the first day only.

After that brief one-day honeymoon period with our new stainless appliances, we realized what a BIG mistake we made!

We have kids, for crying out loud! Kids who love to touch EVERYTHING. Oh sheesh! Can you see where I am going with this?

Oh yes, our classy new stainless appliances were covered in little boy fingerprints (and splatters from liquids and food), and I could not for the life of me figure out how to remove them! I tried everything I could think of, but those fingerprints and water marks were there to stay. (I was able to remove the grease and food splatters, but the stainless just smeared then.) I quickly grew to dislike my new appliances.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Nicole from Mom Fuse asked me if I would be interested in reviewing a cleaning product by E-cloth. I did a bit of research and discovered that they made a special eco-friendly kitchen pack that would work on my stainless appliances! Woo-Hoo! I was so excited to give them a try!

Product info. - E-cloth, a chemical free cleaning method that uses water to clean at a deep microbial level.Using tiny specialized fibers, E-cloth can be used to clean everything from mirrors and windows to wood, automobiles and stainless steel appliances. Since E-cloth can be washed in the laundry and is guaranteed for 300 washes, it can reduce the average family's paper towel usage by 40 rolls a year (saving $40-$80 a year plus chemical cleaner savings).

Kitchen Pack - includes E-cloth’s Glass & Polishing Cloth which is engineered and knitted thin to handle hard to remove light grease and dirt with no scratching. It is ideal for getting clean, streak-free windows and mirrors, and eliminating smearing and fingerprints from stateless steel and chrome. The Kitchen Pack also comes with the General Purpose Cloth which has a thick woven weave for removal of thick grease and dirt capturing bacteria. This has exceptional performance on stainless steel, granite, laminated countertops, glass, chrome and wood.

My E-cloth Kitchen Pack arrived, and after reading the instructions, I gave it a try. Oh. My. Goodness! It works!!! Those fingerprints and water marks are GONE! This is a miracle cloth, if you ask me. :)

I dampened the cloth, wrung out the excess water, and wiped down the appliances. That's it. It is honestly that simple. I did have to repeat the process a couple of times, some the stainless steel was really covered in fingerprints, but after a couple of wipe-downs, my appliances look new again. It is amazing!

The cloths are soft, and leave no residue. Better yet, they do not scratch the stainless steel either.

I am sold. I need to buy the bathroom pack next!

Read on for more information about the amazing E-cloth:

TADgreen Inc., brings an eco-friendly European cleaning method, E-cloth®, to the United States. E-cloth® is proven to clean more effectively and offers greater environmental benefits than other cleaning solutions.
E-cloth® may look like an ordinary cleaning cloth, but it is so much more. A cleaning method in itself, E-cloth® has been developed using a specially engineered and fabricated fiber that produces uncommon cleaning results faster and easier than conventional cleaning, resulting in a healthier living and work environment.
E-cloth® is ideal for cleaning windows, mirrors, kitchen counters and appliances, showers, bathtubs, toys, patio furniture, cars and many more cleaning tasks –all with just water!
E-cloth’s® microscopic texturing cleans at the microbial level to remove dust, grime, oil, grease and bacteria from any hard surface using just water. Leaving no unhealthy chemical residue, it can be washed hundreds of times and virtually eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals and paper towels, dramatically reducing the burden on the nation’s land-fills.

Buy Now:
E-cloth offers several different options for purchase. Visit their site now to find the right product for your needs.

WIN IT:
E-cloth has generously offered one living life one day at a time reader a chance to win an E-cloth Kitchen Pack.

HOW TO WIN:
• Post here and tell me why you need this prize. :)
.• If you are not a blogger, email 3 of your friends telling them about this giveaway, and cc me at colleenstearns@gmail.com.

ENTER DAILY!!!
Once you post your initial entry, you can come back daily and tell me you want another entry by
telling me you want another entry!

SCORE EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site and E-cloth (be sure to post your link here so I know where to find it). 3 entries
2. Subscribe to my blog via email.
3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar.
4. Add my button to your blog- leave me a message with your blog address so I can check it out. :) 2 entries
5. Tweet about this contest on Twitter (Be sure to follow me on Twitter too- see link in my sidebar.). Make sure to leave a link to your twitter message in your comment. You can do this once a day. Please make sure to come back each day and leave another comment with your new twitter message link.

IMPORTANT:
Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. If you earned two or more entries for a specific item (such as #1 and #4 above), be sure to leave me a comment for each of the entries you've earned.

*Enter by 9pm (EST) on Friday, February 20, 2009.

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If she or he does not respond within 48 hours, a new random winner will be chosen.

Mystic Wonders Inc. Review and Giveaway

*This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering!*

Mystic Wonders Inc. (MWI) was born 1-01-01. MWI is the result of two small Iowa companies combining their years of knowledge and ability to design, formulate and enhance safe everyday products. With their concern for the environment MWI concentrated on perfecting the laundry ball to the best laundry aid possible that would work through physics and at a price the consumer would appreciate. The cost is only $1.11 per month to use. The Consumer Protection Group of Omaha NE subjected the original MWI formulation to a thorough 3-week testing program in 1998. The results of testing the laundry aid were very positive. “Yes, the laundry ball does treat the water; you still need to pre-treat stains as claimed.” It is the science of tomorrow here today.

The above atatement was the first thing I read about Mystic Wonders Inc. Curious, I looked a little more closely at the rest of their website. I was surprised to see that they sold 19 environmentally-friendly products. I knew I had to try some, and I was hoping to give you the opportunity to try the products as well. I contacted Mystic Wonders Inc., and they asked me to review the Complete Laundry System, Prill Beads, Wonder Balm, Lip Wonder and the Ayate Cloth.

Here's a little more information about each of the products:

The Complete Laundry System-
Contents: Wonder Ball For your washing machine and Wonder Dryer Balls for your Dryer!

Wonder Ball Instructions

1. Simply place the Wonder Ball in your machine, pretreat spots *, loosely put in clothes and turn machine on using your favorite water temperature in any style of washing machine.

2. When machine shuts off, take clothes out, keeping Wonder Ball in machine for next use. Good for 3 plus years of use.

* Once all the layers of old detergents / softeners get out of your clothes, most stains will not be a problem. It may take several washings to get out all these layers. KEEP IT SIMPLE. Ms. Gunderson dilutes hair shampoo for ring around the collar and personal stains. For kitchen & outside stains, she uses diluted dish soap.

The Wonder Ball works through physics. The frequency enhanced mineral blend within the ball creates an energy field when agitated in the machine. When this energy meets with the water, the water is in its best cleaning state. It is the water that does the cleaning. No detergent needed. Do not put Wonder Ball in dryer

Wonder Dryer Balls

Simply place the two balls in dryer with wet clothes, turn on dryer. Working together in balance, the balls keep your clothes separated. The nubs keep redistributing the heat; cutting drying time.

Engineered for a lifetime. No fabric softeners or sheets needed.

Prill Beads-
Precious Prills are magnesium oxide infused with Life Force. Originally created to clean up nuclear waste, they are from a new technology that allows us to make very fine "vital water" from virtually any source. This water measurably hydrates the body, and has a favorable oxidation-reduction potential (reduces free radicals in the body).

Precious Prills do not dissolve in the water, but seem to last forever. They contribute no minerals. When Prill Water, which is much like dew, replaces the energy of common water, the new liquid is technically just water. However, these molecules are smaller and do not occupy as much space as other energies. Therefore, this water is far easier for living cells to absorb, and is a much better moisturizer. It works with magnesium to help the body heal itself. Pets, plants, and people really love it.

The light energy emitting from the Prills and the prill water has been seen as a blue color. For those who can see this, it also travels. It has been seen spreading across the floor and up walls and ceilings, making a blue web-like structure, connected with blue dots. Some of you will recognize this as "fourth seal" energy: love.

Even if a regular tap water source is used, this water will be as vital as the best glacial bottled water. A single package of Precious Prills can save the average family about $1,000 a year when compared to purchasing bottled water. If your water has either chlorine or fluoride, leave the lid off the jar so these chemicals can escape. Since they are heavier than air, they tend to sit on top of the jar. You may need to stir the water some and blow or fan it off the top. Some people just prefer to use water that has already had these chemicals filtered out. Prill Water can be stored in plastic containers, but we are told it tends to eventually corrode plastic and metal.

Wonder Balm-
An Old-Fashioned Healing and Soothing Agent for all Skin Conditions and Disorders

This is an Amish formulation made for Mystic Wonders Inc. Wild-crafted and processed by cold infusion.

Suggestive uses: chronic diaper rash, any problem areas as fungal disorders, poison ivy, burns, cuts, any abnormal skin condition.

Lip Wonder-
Lip Wonder is so special with the "Shea Butter"! It is a known fact that Shea Butter has natural sun blockers. This is the best you can find, it does not just set on your lips, and it actually goes in where needed. This great product is excellent for use on dry cuticles.

Lip Wonder is made of all natural ingredients: Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Olive Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter & natural flavor.

Ayate Cloths-
Ayate Cloths are an open woven cloth.
High quality, HAND woven from the Agave (cactus) plant, by Artisans using traditional pre-Columbian methods.
*Revitalizes the whole body.
*Sheds impurities.
*Exfoliates dead skin cells.
*Cleanses pores.
*Stimulates circulation.
*Improves the complexion.

My Impressions:
I have been using these products for a month. I am most impressed with the Complete Laundry System. It truly works! I rub a bit of stain stick, and use nothig else. My clothes come clean every time! I have also noticed that my clothes really do dry faster with the Dryer Ball! The Ayate Cloth has been great for my skin. I love the fact that it is gentle and reduces the amount of cleanser I actually need to use on my face. The Wonder Balm was tested on my husband's dray, cracked hands, and he is thrilled with how much softer the balm has made them. My older son uses the Lip Wonder daily. He reports that it has been wonderful on his chapped lips. The Prill Beads are still being tested. I was hesitant at first to use them, but since we have, we've notices a change in our water. I will update you again once we have been using them for awhile longer.

BUY IT:
Visit Mystic Wonders Inc. and see all of the amazing products they have to offer.

WIN IT:
Mystic Wonders Inc. has generously offered one living life one day at a time reader a chance to win one of each of the products mentioned above. This is over a $100 value prize!.

HERE’S HOW TO WIN:
• Visit Mystic Wonders Inc., and then leave a comment here telling me what other product (one I haven't mentioned in this post) that you think you would like to try and why.
• If you are not a blogger, email 3 of your friends telling them about this giveaway, and cc me at colleenstearns@gmail.com.

SCORE EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site (be sure to post your link here so I know where to find it.)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar.

4. Tweet about this contest on Twitter (Be sure to follow me on Twitter too- see link in my sidebar.).

IMPORTANT: Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

*Enter by 9pm (EST) on Saturday, January 3.

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment.

The Couponizer Review and Giveaway

*This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering!*

It's not breaking news to tell you that our economy is fairly bad at the moment. I don't know about you, but it certainly has changed the way I shop. In the past, I used coupons here and there at the grocery store, but only when I found a great one. I never really spent time looking for coupons, and I certainly didn't have them organized in any particular way. Perhaps if I would have known about The Couponizer then, I would have put more of an effort into using coupons to save money when I bought groceries.

I was sent The Couponizer to review a little over a month ago. Since using this amazing system, I have managed to save my family a great deal of money. I was surprised at how easy the system is to use. The website even offers coupons to print and links to wesites that offer coupons as well, so I had a terrific start in using The Couponizer.

From the website:
The Couponizer Company introduced The Couponizer® in 2002. The Couponizer® is an organizing and shopping system for coupons and other discounts and was created by Amy Bergin, the company President and CEO who is a stay at home Mom with three children. She developed this tool because she realized that overspending diminishes or stops progress towards family financial goals and that spending money is a skill that is heavily tested as a new mom. The Couponizer® is the first shopping system to offer more than just a holder for coupons, but it is instead a whole system to enable consistent savings.

As a former corporate training manager at The Coca-Cola Company, she came up with her system that enables maximum savings through efficiently organizing grocery coupons and other savings opportunities. After developing these tools she noticed her spending stabilized and her spending skill improved and therefore set out to share and teach others what she had discovered.

With more attention than ever focused on inventions making it to the marketplace through television contests and reality TV shows, Amy forged the same road all on their own. She made her television debut on QVC’s 2005 Decade of Discovery Product Search Tour. She sold out in her first airtime and has successfully been on the air several more times.

To date, it has been locally distributed in the Atlanta area through tradeshows and workshops and is offered for sale on the company website as well hundreds of affiliate websites.

Here are the components of The Couponizer® System:

The Couponizer™ - wire bound booklet
Your Guide to Smart Savings
CoupStacker - presorting mat
Shopping List
CoupTracker - record monthly savings
Scissors
Carrying Bag

I highly recommend The Couponizer to any family wishing to save money!

BUY IT:
Purchase The Couponizer and start saving your family money right away!

WIN IT:
Amy has generously offered one living life one day at a time reader a chance to win The Couponizer.

HERE’S HOW TO WIN:
• Visit The Couponizer website, and then leave a comment here telling me what you like best about The Couponizer system.
• If you are not a blogger, email 3 of your friends telling them about this giveaway, and cc me at colleenstearns@gmail.com.

SCORE EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my site (be sure to post your link here so I know where to find it.)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar.

4. Tweet about this contest on Twitter (Be sure to follow me on Twitter too- see link in my sidebar.).

IMPORTANT: Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

*Enter by 9pm (EST) on Saturday, January 3.

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment.