Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Smartdoo Waterproof Dry Bag w/ Shoulder Strap 10L & Bonus Free Waterproof Phone Case w/ Armstrap




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DURABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT?

The Smartdoo dry bag and the bonus waterproof phone case you get with it when you purchase the first are both very lightweight and seemingly durable! I didn't try and destroy either but the material they are made from and the quality of both items seems they would hold up well and serve finely over the years. The stitching is sound and the nylon straps that come for both items are light and tightly made so unless you cut them or set them on fire, I don't see these breaking down any time soon. 

EASY TO USE?


Both were very easy to use. The dry bag itself...while it was easy to twist and then buckle, I feel twisting five times is excessive and unnecessary (It's what the company suggests for sealing the bag). I twisted mine three and then four times. The strap to the phone case works well as does the lightweight shoulder strap for the actual dry bag.

DOES IT KEEP DRY?


No and yes. The phone case definitely does keep dry. Twist the two "locks" at the top and go! For the dry bag, it KIND OF keeps dry. 98% I would say. 

I brought both bags and let the shower run on them (I did not fully submerge them) and kept the paper phone display in the phone case and a roll of toilet paper in the 10L bag. The paper  in the phone case stayed completely dry. The paper in the 10L dry bag did get some water on it but I think it was what collected around the opening. I even tried the bag off as much as possible and there was quite a few water drops that made it's way through to the inside of the bag, whether through opening it or if it was in there while it was being showered on, I don't know. Because of this, though, I gave it a rating of four. I would trust my clothes and towel and other fabrics withing the bag and for me it was OK if a few water droplets got on them but I would not store my phone or any other electronics or water sensitive items within the bag because enough water DOES reach the items inside. 

I will be using these items for camping and they will both serve me very well for what I need them for.

The price is awesome too! $16.99 is a fantastic price for just the dry bag but you also get the phone case with it, so even better!!


I will definitely be recommending the Smartdoo Dry Bag to my family and friends!! 


***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product ***



Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Pureland Track350 -12 C / 10 F Mummy Sleeping Bag




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I was unable to fully enjoy this sleeping bag because it didn't fit. I was able to zip the sleeping bag up to my hips and no further which was really disappointing. I so wanted to love the bag because of the simple yet stylish design and the promises of being warm!

While it looks just as described and pictured I cannot fully say how warm it is because I was not able to test the sleeping bag out because it seems to be made for a less common body frame. I think of myself as having a normal female body and was unable to fully enjoy this sleeping bag. Even my husband who is in even better shape than myself was able tp zip the bag up to about halfway up his chest and then no further. 

I am giving the Pureland Track 350 Mummy Sleeping Bag two stars because the stitching did seem sound and what little it did cover on my body did stay warm. It does look as pictured as well. 

It's hard to comment further on the product because of the size, it was very hard to fully test it out.

***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product ***



Thursday, April 21, 2016

Mind Dimensions Omnibus by Dima Zales





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I feel I have to be delicate with this review because while I did not enjoy this book, I can see the appeal for other readers. 

I really like that Darren can freeze his surroundings! I also like that he uses his ability ( I mean who wouldn't love to be able to basically freeze frame your surroundnings?) to do what he does but honestly, the book was a little too sci fi for me to enjoy. 

I also thought the character progression (which I like in a book) was lacking and kind of...magoo. However I also think that readers who enjoy a more simpler, plot driven series would enjoy Mind Dimensions. 

I was not a huge fan of the dialog...Something was missing...I don't know...it just didn't seem to flow very well and I feel that hurt the story for me but I don't know if I feel this way because I didn't like the book or if it was because there really was substance lacking from the books. 

Because of these reasons, I lost interest quick and could only read about 3/4 of the way through the book. 

Would I recommend the Mind Dimensions Omnibus to other readers? Yes, I would because I think for the main part, the only reason I wasn't able to connect with the book was becuse the topic was a little too far out for me.


***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product ***

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Lamoo Single Camping Ultralight Camping Hammock w/ Tree Ropes & Carabiners




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So, honestly, I have some mixed feelings about this purchase. 

The hammock is very lightweight; way lighter than my Youphoria Outdoors hammock (check out my review HERE) actually. Even though it is extremely light, I cannot really complain about the quality of the actual hammock. I chilled in it all day for a couple days (soooo relaxing) and it did hold up. I do however, fear that, for the long haul, it will not last. I feel this way because when I was in it (and then my husband when he wanted to try it out) it would occasionally creak or sound like just a tiny little rip...but I couldn't find anything. So I guess time will tell. I will update my review if I feel, over time, the quality is not what it seems. The color is nice (I got grey/red). It is comfortable for the most part...it's just a little small for my preferences. However it IS single person hammock where the Youphoria Outdoors hammock is a double (but oh my so much roomier)! So the hammock itself is pretty sound...

...it's the darn tree ropes....

I hate them. I truly cannot for the life of me figure out why they are in the unit. Some people have aid they stretch but i haven't seen that so far. I don't like them because the ropes slide a little when you set it up and when you get into it. At least until they catch on the tree. I would definitely recommend (if you don't replace ropes for better tree straps) to loop the ropes over branches to stop them sliding down the tree when your in or out of it. If not, you may end up with your bum scraping the ground. Not for sure...but maybe. I myself love the tree straps from the Youphoria Outdoors hammock, so I'll be getting me a a couple of those for this hammock!


While this hammock was comfortable while laying down, it was NOT comfortable while sitting up. I can't even quite explain why except maybe it was because the material felt like it was cutting into under my knees and just above my neck. 


I WILL say that it kept me nice and cool. The day was warm and yet when the breeze blew, it blew just enough into the hammock, that it kept me cool and comfortable.

Would I recommend this hammock to others? Yes I would but with an opinion. This hammock, I think would do fine short term...but one might want to invest in another one in the future and would DEFINITELY want to get some better tree straps!


***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product *** 





Monday, April 18, 2016

Surfun® Waterproof Dry Bag w/ Shoulder Strap - 55L





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I was very pleased with this purchase! The Surfun dry bag is exactly as described and I'm looking into getting more bags in different sizes. I used this bag to go to South Carolina this past weekend and it held up well and stayed waterproof. It didn't rain while we were there so I filled the hotel bathtub up and submerged the bag under water and it did indeed stay dry. I packed it full of clothes and some smaller electronics and while it was heavy, it held up, no problem. 


You pack it, roll it and clip it and DONE! 


The adjustable shoulder strap can be clipped to either side of the top buckle or one on the top and the other on the bottom of the bag. Honestly though, when you clip on either side of the top of the bag it makes it awkward and really heavy on the shoulder because the weight is focused in one place, so I recommend clipping one on the top and one on the bottom of the bag. The clips on either side are really cheap feeling but they are definitely holding up and did so from NY to SC. 



What I really liked about the dry bag is it folds up nice and you can stow it away almost anywhere. I myself just put in int he TV stand in the hotel room and bing, bang, boom, it was out of the way! My husband's luggage was in the way all weekend and mine wasn't, lol. 




I would think the 55L would be too large for hiking and camping if you're going the lightweight route. While it's not super heavy when empty, it would take up some unnecessary room in a pack where a smaller bag would not take up as much room. That's simply a preference though. I do like how the bottom flattens out...it makes it easier to pack!



I would definitely recommend this bag to others looking for a waterproof dry bag for many purposes. 



***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product ***


Click HERE to order!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Youphoria Outdoors Lightweight Hammock w/ Tree Straps




👍👍👍👍👍




IS IT DURABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT?


I was super excited to get my new hammock in! I literally checked the tracking status several times a day, lol! All this excitement wasn't for nothing too, because this hammock is awesome! I loved it so much, I'm thinking of getting another one for my nephew for when he comes hammock camping with my husband, Robert, and I!


This hammock (which I got in yellow) is very lightweight! Somewhere around a pound in weight, this hammock is great for lightweight backpacking. It won't weigh you down and would fit easily into a pack, leaving room for other essentials you'll need on your hike! The straps are also lightweight and the stitching in them are consistent and makes for a super durable, non stretch tree strap,adding to the durability to the whole set up. The carabiners, you would think wouldn't do well under weight because of the weight of them...feather light for real, but I was paying close attention to them and they held up like aces!


The parachute material used to make the hammock is also very durable and lightweight. I know this because at first I set it up a little too close to the ground where a thick stick rubbed on it when I was in and it didn't cause any damage at all which I feel (for durability) is important because you never know right?


IS IT COMFORTABLE?


Suspended in the air, with the walls of the hammock cocooning me, the Youphoria Outdoors hammock is extremely comfortable. I tried side lying and laying on my back and I LOVED it! 




I would have stayed out longer in it but the weather was cold and I didn't have the proper gear with me to keep me warm. (I live in the Catskills in upstate NY and there is still snow on the ground...grrr). I felt safe and not exposed to the elements and animals (I thought I would). The bag that the whole hammock is stored into is sewn right into the outside and is useful for your flashlight or any other small items you may need to keep close at hand! Maybe some bear pepper spray or your keys or something!



IS IT EASY TO SET UP?


Put it this way...IT COULDN'T BE EASIER TO SET UP!

Imagine hiking for several miles and you're tired, sweaty, thirsty and you just want to relax for a few before you fully set up camp...Well with this hammock you're halfway there in 3 minutes flat...maybe even sooner! First time setting this hammock up it took under 90 seconds and packing it back up took about the same time...and yes, that's including stuffing it back into the bag it originally came in! After figuring out the best height for me it was up in a snap and I was chilling in no time! Packing it all back up is just as quick!

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT...


Honestly, I am in LOVE with the hammock. Even with my five star, glowing reviews, I try and find SOME kind of con to the product I'm reviewing, but it was hard with this purchase! 

On Amazon.com it claims to hold two people (or one) with a weight of 400lbs. The weight limit holds true but the double part, I'm not so sure. While sleeping in this hammock is the most comfortable Iv'e ever been sleeping outdoors but I don't think it would be comfortable with two occupants. I imagine with two people, you'd be smooshed together and be really awkward. Just my opinion though. Also, I wish I was able to cram the tree straps into the main bag for keeping the hammock but there wasn't room. I was just trying to cut out another piece of gear to carry separately and get rid of the bag holding the straps all together. 

WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE & SHIPPINNG?


At the time of purchasing the Youphoria Outdoors hammock, Amazon is offering it for $49.99 and I feel this is a fair and fantastic price! Quality is top notch and the shipping was FREE and on time!

So would I purchase this hammock again? Absolutely! I am already thinking of getting my nephew one for when he camps with us! I love this hammock and would recommend it to anyone wanting to go lightweight, wants easy set up/take down and looking for a great deal! 


***I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest and unbiased review. I myself have tested this product and the opinions in my review are my own based off of my experience with the product. In no way has my receiving this product for free or at a discount effected my review of this product ***





Monday, April 4, 2016

WiWi Nail & Spa - Service Review!




I got my nails filled today and I just HAD to review the service and finished product because I am in love with them! I went with my mother to WiWi Nail & Spa by accident and now I will not be going anywhere else to get my nails done from now on! 

I used to go to Davi Nails in the Walmart in town and THOUGHT they were doing a good job until last week when I was looking at my nails and noticed a few things...

  1. Almost each nail was a slightly different shape
  2. Each nail had what I can only describe as a bump atop each nail
  3. Each nail was super super thick
  4. It had only been two weeks and 2 nails had popped off (and during winter especially, I'm not too rough on my nails

So I thought to myself, when my mom and I get our nails filled next time, I will give Davi Nails one more chance before I think of looking somewhere else to get my nails done. I came to this conclusion because at first I was thinking of not getting my nails done anymore because if this is what good nails look like, I don't like them anymore.

Anyway,we went to Walmart and Davi Nails was still not open by 11:20 am and they were supposed to open at 11am. The other customers waiting said they do this a lot; not honoring their business hours. 

How can a business run this way successfully? 

We went to the mall to see if there wasn't a nail salon there and it had closed but someone referred WiWi Nail & Spa to us! 

OMG, we LOVED this place!

We went and I asked if they could fix my nails to look more real etc...I sat down and the guy who did my nails did such a wonderful job that both my mother and I will only be going there from now on! The decor in the place was simple yet calming. There were more than plenty stations to accommodate a large amount of customers and let me tell you they were pretty busy too! They had a different section of the building for massages and other services! They were friendly and efficient! I sat down and was offered a bottle of water while our nails were prettied up and a wonderful massage while my nails dried!


They offer all kinds of services too! Several different massages, acrylic, gel, and several other kinds of nails! Manicures and pedicures (in super nice massage chairs)! They have facials, waxing, and eyelashes! Honestly,They may have more services but this is what I could remember while I was in there for about an hour. I thought the time in there wasn't too long either either!

Another cool thing I liked was that next to the pedicure stations (I think they had ten chairs and when we were there eight of them were filled) they have this box thing that sterilizes all the metal tools used for manicures and pedicures!

The only thing I wasn't a fan of was in the sterilization box, they had the sponges and pumice sponges in there and I thought that was super gross. In my mind that's just going to breed bacteria in the sponges. Granted they were separated within the box from the metal tools but when I do get a pedicure there, I'll bring my own pumice for my own minds settlement, lol.

The prices for their services are awesome and very competitive! For a fill, we paid $15 each! 

All in all I am a HUGE FAN of WiWi Nail & Spa and I cannot wait to go back in two weeks and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting quality nails/etc in a kind and friendly environment for a fantastic price!

Don't forget to tip if you love them too!



If you live in or around the area, I highly recommend you give these guys a call and make an appointment (not required) and then check out their Facebook page and leave a review if you've experienced them!



Do you have some pretty nails? I'd love to see everyone's nails, so feel free to post your pictures in the comments!