Adriennes House Reviews

Customer Service FAIL and fixed

2009-07-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

You can have the best pillows, the most gourmand food, even the lowest rates, but what it all comes down to is - Is the Customer Happy?

I worked for many years in retail management, and while I never subscribed to the bs that is The Customer is ALWAYS Right, I do ascribe to What can I do to make the Customer happy or at the very least APPEASED?

Unfortunately, Starwood Hotels (more specifically the W Lakeshore hotel in Chicago) doesn't feel that way.

I am attending an event before BlogHer that has me staying at the W for one night. Unfortunately, those arranging the event did not arrange transportation service from the airport to the hotel, so I tried to do that myself. I called the 888 number and was told that the hotel would arrange it for me to contact the concierge. I was also told it would be $28 round trip or $15 one way. Since I will be using the car service of Erika for my return to the hotel I was pleased with the $15 charge.

When I contacted the hotel direct and spoke with the Concierge Claudia, her response was, "No, we don't do any of that, but I can give you a phone number for a local shuttle service." But why then Miss Claudia would the 888 number say you do? Perhaps you could check again for me. "No ma'am they are giving out wrong information, I don't know what you want me to do about it." Notice the quotation marks? Yeah you only use those when you are QUOTING what someone actually said. Yeah she said that.

Because I just can't believe what just transpired I called the 888 number again just to make sure that is what they told me and again I get the exact same quote. I explain to the rep what the concierge said and she agreed to call her herself. I held on, she came back, assuring me that she would transfer me and that the concierge would work with me to a solution. When she transfers me I hear a distinct click and without looking I realize I have been disconnected. Sigh.

Call the hotel and ask to speak to Claudia, she's busy but they take my number and she will call me back. Half an hour later she calls and reiterates what she said before, I am dumbfounded. But, but, but "you spoke with the 888 number and they explained that you were going to help me" I stammered. "I can give you the number to the shuttle service, that is all I can do, I don't know why the 888 number tells people things that aren't correct." As I am hanging up I tell her thanks for being ever so helpful.

Back to the 888 number we go, where a new person, poor Willy gets to hear the growl of my voice. He in turn reiterates the 888 spiel about the transportation being available contact the concierge $15 blah blah blah. Guess what Willy?! Your concierge? She isn't very congiergeish (get over it, I can make up any word I want to when I am angry). he couldn't help but chuckle at that and put me on hold to speak to his supervisor. I got a better idea, how about I speak to your supervisor.

Hold music ensues and Stephanie asks how she can help me. "I assume you have been appraised of the situation?" I inquire. "Yes" is all I get in return. ok, well if you have been appraised then what are you going to do about it?

She claims to call the Airport Express shuttle company that is supposedly who they contract with. Now, that is the name of the company that the Concierge was giving me, but when the 888 operators before would tell me about transportation, they would simply say the hotel. SO she comes back and says well, "they neglected to update us on their rate change, I have filed the necessary paperwork to change our information so this mix up will not happen again". "Ok, that's good, I appreciate the fact that you have done that, and that the next person will not have to go through what I have gone through. However, we still have the little matter of you quoted me one price, and are now telling me a price that is double that. I apologize if my quibbling to you over $15 seems like a pittance to you, but as a parent I equate $15 with being 5 gallons of milk. That is a lot of money for many people and I am one of them." "Ma'am the shuttle company didn't tell us about their price change it is their responsibility to do so."

At this point I am spent. this is when I went into my speech mode "So according to the concierge it is your fault because you gave out wrong information, but according to you it is the fault of the shuttle company because they didn't inform you. Where does the buck stop? When does someone say, hey we messed up, I apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused you, how can we make it up to you? No one at your company has apologized sincerely, nor have they tried to make me happy. I am staying at your hotels next week not by my choice but it will be my choice to never stay in them again. I should also inform you that I am attending a Blogging event and will indeed be giving you a negative review on my blog (HI!) as well as letting the event coordinators know about the implorable customer service you have provided." I hung up, not giving her a chance to respond.

I can not believe in this day and age, when people are travelling less and everyone is under such economic restraints, that a company would so blatantly and insincerely treat a customer this way.

I have sent an email to the General Manager of the W at Lakeshore hotel in Chicago, and will update you if I receive a response. I am obligated to stay at the W on Tuesday due to a blogging event and the Sheraton Chicago Towers for BlogHer. I can guarantee you now that unless the general manager makes some great strides in appeasing me, I will never stay at another Starwood Hotel again.

UPDATED:
The General Manager called me back, and has offered to reimburse me the difference in cost for the shuttle. That is all I wanted in the first place. $15. $15 is a lot of money to someone like me, who is not working full time. But most of all she apologized for my troubles and was understanding, empathetic and truly let the buck stop on her desk. Thank you Ms. Steenge. You have redeemed my faith in your hotel.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-07-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

PartSelect is hosting a Paint Your Appliance Pink Sweeps to help raise awareness and $10,000 for Breast Cancer Research. The sweepstake runs from July 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009.

It’s easy to enter! Contestants simply have to paint a pink ribbon on any major household appliance and send us a photo of the artwork. For each entry received, PartSelect will donate $25.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, up to a maximum of $10,000.

What’s in it for you?
Everyone who sends in a photo will be entered to win 1 of 3 Pink Prize Packages valued at $369.97, which includes a Pink KitchenAid Stand Mixer, Pink Mixer Cover and much more.

If you would like to help us reach our donation goal of $10,000, just check out our Paint Your Appliance Pink page for more sweeps details and enter for your chance to win!

Advice

2009-07-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

The bloggers writing reviews at The Product Review Place were tasked with coming up with the most useful product review tips.

These tips are designed to help those just starting out but can help even the most seasoned reviewers. Read on to learn what the product review experts had to say:I always try to get the company to realize the added exposure by offering a giveaway!If a giveaway is tied into the review ask sponsor to direct ship.

I HATE going to the post office and it takes me FOREVER to ship winners their things. Not only is it time consuming, but it can be VERY EXPENSIVE! I am going Saturday to the PO to send off things and I know it is going to cost me about $50! Two words: direct shipLisa from Mom of 2 Boys, Wife of 1
Be extremely organized. You need to keep track of items that come into your house and when you are going to post. I use outlook to keep everything organized. I organize all my e-mail into sub-folders and place everything I review on my calendar.Louise from Momstart
Don't be afraid to ask! The worst they can do is tell you no, right?Angie Knutson from My Four Monkeys
When I offer a giveaway along with the review, I always seem to get more hits on the post.If your not organized you won't know what product goes where or find your notes of what you planned on saying. Take notes on the product you are trying to review. Note everything, even if you don't think its important..you can always weed out your notes later.Ask the company if there is anything that they want the readers to know about the product..you never know what they might say.Jo from Jo's Blog Spot
I think stats are important. They might want to know: how many people are viewing your blog? your google page rank or how many followers you have? Be prepared with this information.Jaqueline from My Lil Guyz
Be detailed in your review. If your review is just 3 lines long with nothing more than general information in it, you're not helping your readers at all. Readers want to know more than what they can just read on the product's website. Plus, companies and PR folks will come back to you with other items in the future if they see you took the time to write a good review.Also, don't be afraid to post a negative review. Make sure you mention that it's your opinion only, but don't be afraid to say why the product didn't live up to your standards. Moms want to know if it is really worth buying, or if it is just going to gather dust or be thrown away!Storm from Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. My first giveaways came from my persistence. I simply asked and I received.Keonte from The Verdict: Parenting on Trial
When approaching a company, include why you're a good match for their company in your pitch. Include specific references to their company and products in your request so that it doesn't seem like a form letter.Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot
Request a giveaway and explain that it improves visits to their site.Ask what link(s) the company would like for me to direct my readers to visit. I am always sure to send a link to the company once my post is up.I never, ever ship my giveaways unless I'm running them myself. I once did a week worth of them on my newest blog and let me tell you, I spent way too much money. The other issue I have now, but will soon be over, is that I don't have business cards. Sending items without them seemed so cheesy to me.Connie of Brain Foggles
My best advice (and this may not be too popular with the PR people) is to be honest. If you didn't like the product, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do the review. Just give your open and honest opinion. Your readers are intelligent and can decide for themselves if they like it, especially if there is a giveaway attached.Adrienne of Adrienne's House

Product Review Tips from the Experts courtesy of The Product Review Place.

The Product Review Place connects bloggers and consumers with PR.The Product Review Place *** The Search is Over *** Reviews. Defined. Refined.

SLACKER ALERT!

2009-07-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Carefree and Mom Central sent me a package of Carefree Ultra Protection and asking me to do a review and let you guys know about their great giveaway.

I received the Pads while the family was all in town and then I was away for a few days after that, then the whole fiasco with my car's transmission happened and now here I am telling you about their Fresh Start Fund contest on the LAST day available to enter. GO NOW!

Whether it is to change jobs, start a new relationship, lose a few pounds or even just get a makeover, who hasn’t wished they could make a fresh start?

Apply for a chance to receive $10,000 from the CAREFREE® Fresh Start Fund to help make that wish become a reality.

Tell us why you want to make a fresh start and how we can help for the chance to receive $10,000 in funding, a consultation from change expert Ariane de Bonvoisin of First30Days.com, and a trip to New York City to recieve your funding and be honored at the CAREFREE® Fresh Start event held in partnership with Step Up Women’s Network.

Carefree Panti Liners are something all girls have heard of, but did you know they make pads as well? I didn't. They have the necessity of a pad but the thinness and feel of a liner. It is refreshing to not have all that extra bulk where you don't want it.

They've asked me to write about a fresh start I have made in my life, to go along with the refreshing theme of the pads/liners. Where should I begin? I have made so many "fresh starts" in my life, I think perhaps I need to find a mechanic for myself to change my starter.

I hope one day to make my last fresh start, why couldn't I get it right the first time? Like Carefree did.

Mangerial Responsibility

2009-07-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

I just picked up my car from the mechanic.

Short Story? I do NOT recommend AAmco on Colorado in Glendale. I have not had the car back long enough to review them on their actual "work", but their overall customer service is teh suck!

Long Story? Have a seat.

I left you in the saga with me dropping off my car and them telling me it would be almost $3000 to fix. Fine. I was also told that it should be ready Friday but possibly Monday. Fine.

Friday comes, I call and they tell me the transmission is rebuilt but they need to install it and they won't be able to do that until Monday because they don't want to rush it to get it done before closing. But that it will be ready Monday afternoon. Fine.

Monday comes

"Sorry ma'am but we put in the wrong convertor and had to redo the rebuild and now the car won't be ready until Tuesday".

I offered some not nice words that revolved around "Why the fuck didn't anyone call me to let me know this?"

And was offered no response other than, "I didn't realize you were expecting it to be done today, I don't know what someone on Friday told you, I can't be responsible for them."

Me again, "I'm sorry, you're the manager and yet you don't claim responsibility for your employees? You need to lay the responsibility of the entire store at your feet and own up to it."

Him "Ma'am, I was not here n Friday, so I have no idea what was said. It is not my fault you are not satisfied".

I couldn't believe my ears and instead of going off on him with everyone reason why it WAS his fault, I simply hung up.

Today, I arrive at the shop to pick up my car. I expect him to have thought it over and to possibly even be contrite to offer me some compensation for my tribulations. I expect way to much obviously.

I am handed the bill and it is the amount he quoted, I ask for compensation for the extra time, and he offers me a car wash coupon. WTF?!

I am raging inside, I want to make a scene, but I just don't have it in me, I am so flabbergasted that he would justify his actions with a car wash coupon that I am pretty much rendered speechless.

So once again, I implore my local readers to NOT patronize Aamco on Colorado in Glendale. The emotional cost is way higher than the monetary one.

Oldie but Goodie

2009-06-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

DO TO A TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY I AM RE-OPENING THIS CONTEST FOR ONE WEEK. WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON JUNE 24 BY RANDOM.ORG

How many of you remember this commercial?

I remember it. We never had Mr. Bubble our bubble baths consisted of dish soap from the kitchen. It bubbled up ok, but I just knew deep in my heart that if I had Mr. Bubble it would have been so much better.

Image by adriennevh via Flickr

Mr. Bubble has updated their product a bit, with liquid instead of the boxed form, but other than that everything is pretty much the same. Same mascot, same cartoonish look, same quality. How do I know the quality is good? Because they sent me some to try with Caitlyn, and she loved it. I even took a video but the batteries died on the flip and I need to go buy more (whoops).

We used the Bubble bath (of course) and she made beards and planted flower gardens and played for almost 45 minutes in bubbles that never diminished. then I whipped out the Foam Soap (think shaving creamish) and she was just amazed. It came close to being squirted in her mouth since we had just done that before bathtime with the whipped cream. I didn't care too much for the foam soap. It really did have the feel of shaving cream and didn't lather on the body, so it didn't look to be cleaning anything, just kind of smearing around. To round things off we washed her hair with the 3 in 1. Now, to make things easier I could have just used this for all 3 stages, but I really wanted to try everything. This product worked well on her hair, nice lather and easy to rinse with minimal screaming about her EYES BLEEDING.

My favorite part of all these products is that they contained no frangrance, no dyes, no nothing. I am hyper sensitive to most frangrances with my allergies and Marisa and Caitlyn both have developed it as well. So Frangrance and dye free are very important to us.

Wanna know the best part? They want one of my readers to have some Mr. Bubble fun as well. All you need to do to enter is leave me a comment with a bubble bath memory. One reader will win all 3 product pictured and mentioned above. The contest will remain open until midnight June 4 Pacific time. The winner will be chosen by random.org and notified via email.

Ready? Set? GO!

Seal of Approval

2009-04-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Image by adriennevh via Flickr

Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval means alot to alot of people, me included. So when I found out that Build-A-Bear was receiving it, I was happy to be allowed to join in the fun. I mean really who could resist when they offer to send you this adorable little guy?

The Mini Good Housekeeping Seal is available at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores for only $8, and 50 cents from each is donated to the World Wildlife Fund to protect endangered animals and their habitats. Plus, each Seal comes with a free 1-year subscription to "Good Housekeeping" magazine. $8! That's less than you would pay for a subscription to any magazine and you get an adorable little Seal as well.

But wait! There's more! With a purchase of $15 or more on May 2nd and 3rd, you get a cool HOT PINK and black tote bag that comes with a $15 gift card to Shutterfly. So you actually get your money back (in a sense).

And that's not all! If you act RIGHT NOW and leave me a comment you can win a $25 gift card to Build-A-Bear. That's right, all comments received before Sunday, May 3 will be enetered to win the $25 gift card to Build-A-Bear.

Photofiddle Winner!

2009-04-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS GRETCHEN!

White Cloud

2009-04-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Walmart sent me some products to test and I immediately let the household know.

I wanted to make sure that you get the opinions of more than just me. Funny thing is, I got the exact opposite opinion from two. Kathy liked the fact that the towels were perforated in smaller pieces, while that was what Adam disliked about it.

So maybe getting everyone's opinion is not always the best way. Let's stick with MY opinion. Afterall that's my name on the Masthead up there.

I have to agree with Kathy about the sizing of the paper towels. I like being able to only use a small piece if that is all I need. However, the perforations were tough to separate and were nearly impossible to do with one hand. Carrying a baby around and getting a piece of paper towel turned into quite a process and I ended up grabbing a dish towel instead. When I am not carrying a baby around using these White Cloud Green Earth Ultra-Asorbent Paper Towels live up to their name. I didn't go so far as to stick rival towels in glases of water but on a day to day basis of wipes and swipes they did what I needed them to do.

I also received a package of White Cloud Green Earth Soft Comfort Bathroom Tissue. I put this into the rotation without telling anyone, because really, do you want to know the wiping habits of everyone in my household? Yeah, me neither. What I can tell you is that we have an old sewer system and may times Moe's Plumbing has been here with their snake cleaning us out. I have switched to single ply and am more conscious of how many squares get used. (remember the nuns at St. Gabe's telling us to only use 1 square?)

"White Cloud Green Earth premium tissue products are made with 100% recycled fiber from everyday recyclables such as office paper and magazines".

"It uses 15% less packaging than an equivalent pack. Plus the paper, tube and packaging materials are all recyclable."

Bottom line? These are products I would use. But only if the price were comparable to other brands and probably only if I had a coupon. I love the fact that they are Green and I wish I could afford to be able to pay more for Green products, but that just isn't the case. It is unfortunate in our world that being Green is more expensive, just as eating healthier is also more expensive. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

A picture is worth a thousand words

2009-04-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Are they not the cutest kids you have ever seen? Ok, I may be a bit biased but still, c'mon, you have to admit they are pretty damn cute!

When PhotoFiddle contacted me about doing a review of their stretched canvas photo product, I jumped at the chance. They take a favorite photo (i.e that cute one up above) tinker it up in photoshop and they put it on stretch canvas and get it ready to mount on your wall.

I am certain that Adam could have done the effects here at home with his mad Photoshop skills (if I could get him to do it), but then what would I do with it? Photofiddle then puts it on to the canvas and makes your photo a painting. I chose Fantasy Art for my photo and it turned out fabulous!

Something like this would make an amazing Mother's Day Gift (especially for a grandparent)! A 15% discount code has been set up by the accounting department to share with my readers. The code adrienne15 just needs to be entered on the shopping cart page in the promotion code box and click apply.

Photofiddle has also offered for one lucky reader to win a $50 gift certificate!

Rules, regulations and all that jazz.......
Head over to Photofiddle and then come back here tell me which effect you like.

For extra entries you can:

tweet about this giveaway and leave an extra comment with the link.
share this on Facebook and leave an extra comment with the link.

stumble this and leave a comment with your stumble id.

digg this and leave a comment with your digg id.

leave a comment on any post on my main blog Adrienne's House and then leave a comment here telling me which post.

This contest will run until April 22 at which time Random.org will choose a winner.

Birthday Balloons

2009-03-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

About a month before my birthday, I found Free Birthday Treats. This website links you with all the wonderful businesses in your rea that will "treat" you to a special gift for your birthday, for the week leading up to and the week after my birthday I did not pay for a single dinner. I also got a free car wash and half priced oil change and many many other treats.

One of my dinners (actually the one for Tony Roma's you can use more than once and I used it 3 times) turned into an interesting experience. I was shown to my table (I was eating alone), and just after I sat down I heard the most annoying sound. Squeak squeak, scritch squeak. I nonchalantly turned to see what it was and noticed a gentleman fashioning a balloon animal across the aisle from me. I could see the formings of a teddy bear and was fascinated, of course by now I was beyond the point of a non-calant glance and was downright staring at the man. Another diner got up the nerve to ask "What are you gonna do with that?" WIth the underlying tone of, hey can I have it? The gentleman replied "I am leaving it with the waitresses tip".

Isn't that the cutest thing?! The tip is in the bear's hand and the flowers have such beautiful detail!

Meet Harvey Simpson of Squeaky Clean Productions. He was ever so gracious in answering all my questions: yes he does private parties, yes he does kids birthdays, yes he showcased at the South Pasadena Farmers Market on Thursdays, yes of course I can take a picture. Even more gracious was his ever so patient dining partner, she said sometimes their kids are not so patient when he does this at the end of dinner as they are ready to go by then, but she too fielded questions from other diners and together they presented a couple of kids with amazing creations. I was too shy to ask the parents of the little boy who got the alien hat to take his picture, just trust me it was out of this world (Ba dum bum). As they were leaving they even presented me with a beautiful springtime daffodil. (my pic didn't come out)

If you are in the So Cal area and decide to hire Harvey for an event, please please please invite me.

He's Just Not That Into You

2009-02-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

I never watched Sex in the City. It is from there that the phrase "he's just not that into you" originated. And from that a Book was born. And out of any good book comes a Movie. And any movie worth it's salt breeds a great soundtrack, and that is what I am here to talk to you about.

New Line Records sent me a copy of the soundtrack to listen to and since I told you when I began this blog I would never lie, I have to tell you, it took a couple of listenings to grow on me. I think it is because I haven't seen the movie yet. The songs are kind of eclectic and I think would need the movie to piece them together. However, on their own they are each really good.

The Song List includes:

1. I'd Like To (Corinne Bailey Rae)
2. I'm Amazed (My Morning Jacket)
3. Don't You Want Me (Human League)
4. Supernatural Superserious (R.E.M.)
5. Madly (Tristan Prettyman)
6. This Must Be The Place (Talking Heads)
7. By Your Side (Black Crows)
8. I Must Be High (Wilco)
9. You Make It Real (James Morrison)
10. If I Never See Your Face Again (Maroon 5)
11. Can't Hardly Wait (The Replacements)
12. Fruit Machine (Ting Tings)
13. Smile (Lilly Allen)
14. Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
15. Love, Save The Empty (Erin McCarley)
16. Friday I'm In Love (Cure)
17. Last Goodbye (Scarlett Johansson)

Even before I got the CD I was anxious to see the movie. Now I am even more so.

The best part about this is that not only did New Line give me a cd they are giving one to you as well! Not only that but you will get a Hoodie to go with it!

Personally I would wear something underneath this hoodie, because, well, let's just go with the fact that I have had children and I am probably 3 times this models weight.

All you have to do to win this combination is comment. That's it! Easy peasy! The contest will close on February 20th and a winner will be drawn by random.org.

You can earn an extra entry for tweeting or adding this link to your facebook page.

Good Luck!

Bloggy Giveaway

2009-01-25T23:12:00.001-08:00

What I have entered so far:

$245 Kate Spade Bag http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/01/and-this-is-where-i-give-away-something.html

Toys R Us FTW

2008-12-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago, Marisa and I went to Toys to buy a kitchen and/or a toy box for Caity. I had seen the toy box I wanted earlier but wanted her opinion on the kitchen. We hmmmmmd and hawed about each one until we noticed that one was on sale that day only for almost half price. Bingo! We have a winner. There were 3 tickets in the pouch so we grabbed one and headed to the cashout with our find. (for those unaccostomed to shopping for large items at Toys they use tickets to represent their inventory level, you bring the ticket to the register, pay and pick it up around the back or they bring the item to you.)

The cashier rang up the toy boxand the kitchen then called back to the warehouse to let them know what we needed. As we are waiting for the items to be brought up, she receives word that there are no kitchens available. I immediately ask for a manager. The person that respond to my request (she was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans and did not act in a professional manner, making me question her managerial status), seemed unfased at my concern that there were multiple tickets in the pouch for an item that was out of stock. She tried to tell me that the tickets were not of importance that they were incidental. Um NO! I spent 3 years as a manager of the second largest Toys R Us in Southern California. I know how they run, and how they work their ticket system. Grant it, it has been over 10 years since then, but really, I have also been a faithful customer throughout the years. I dismissed her opinions and asked for the Store Manager's name, the Warehouse manager's name (Warehouse, in my time was in charge of Ticket Desk) and her name (which I found out later she LIED about!). Then I had Marisa go back and pull all the tickets so no one else would have to go through the same thing.

I called the store manager the next day and he was apologetic and told me he would help me find that kitchen for that price, took my name and number and said he would get back to me before the Holiday. Good, I'm happy with that result.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve.......I have not heard a PEEP out of him, so I call and remind him of the situation, he lets me know that kitchen is not available anywhere in So Cal and offers me anything else in the store for 50% off. Again, Marisa and I hightail it over there to finally get a kitchen. FAIL! They have none in stock except for those that are bigger than MY kitchen. One helpful employee mentions that there is a small Disney one in the back that I may be interested in. Show me anything at this point. I like it, Marisa will tolerate it and off we go to the register. I inform the cashier that we are to get 50% off as per Bill and she is questionable (as she should be) so she calls a manager over, GUESS WHO?! Yep, Miss I don't know what my real name is! She says it is already on sale and looks to be thinking of a way to not give me my discount, when another cashier sees me and says "Your the one who called right? Bill told me she gets 50% off whatever the item/price is". Thank you angel cashier.

So for their transgression we were able to buy this beautiful Princess Kitchen which is regularly $69.99 but we paid only $14.99!

The Store Manager Bill Boyd truly understood Customer Service and the Holiday Spirit.

Good on ya Toys R Us. Now do something about the other one please.

Straight No Chaser

2008-12-23T19:44:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Isabel of Alphamom asked if anyone would be interested in a free Holiday CD.

I immediately jumped at the chance. Direct Messages were exchanged and the deal was done. With my stellar memory I swiftly forgot all about it within minutes.

Two days ago the lovely Tina from Send Chocolate blogged about this great Acapella Group that had a viral video on You Tube last year but it was removed when they were signed by a major recording studio. SHe included this great video of them at ta recent Christmas at the White House performance.

I enjoyed it so much I immediately emailed Erika knowing how much she loves Acapella and Christmas Music and here the two together would be a win win.

Monday morning in the mail, what arrives but my cd from Alphamom. It is the same group! I am estatic. I have listened to nothing else since it's arrival. Streisand? done. Bing? nope. Rosie? pah! I have loaded it on my computer and inserted it in my car. I can't get enough.

The group is called Straight No Chaser. They are an acapella group from Indiana University Bloomington, who until this group was formed had no acapella group which is an oddity among major universities.

I realize it is a little late to give you a review for Holiday music, but perhaps you can get it on sale after the holidays and save it for next year. And who knows, maybe we will be lucky enough to see another cd from them without holiday music and they can be enjoyed all year long.

Batter Blaster

2008-12-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

No your eyes are not decieving you, yes that is an aerosol can (think ready whip)with a picture of pancakes on the front.

This is amazing stuff. It is organic (as if I care about that but I know some of you do), it is simple (ding ding ding) and I can use as little or as much as I want and just put the can back in the fridge for next time.

The downside is it takes a few doings to get the right amount squirted into the waffle iron to know how much you should use, but experimenting tastes good!

Snarly

2008-07-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I lost my brush.

If you have hair like mine you know that losing a favorite brush can be drastic. When I was a kid I was compared to Shirley Temple. As a teen it was referred to as a rat's nest. And as an adult it is usually a frizzy mess. I recently cut it short and am happy with the curls that came back from the long frizz. But I still need to brush it once in a while.

I looked online at Goody.com to find a replacement for my long lost brush. Not finding my exact brush I took a chance and emailed the company asking for help. The next day I recevied an email asking for pictures of my brush and offering search assistance. Cool! Could you look under my bed and behind the dresser? Oh! Not that kind of search assistance? OK, I emailed the pics and I could hear the Rep laughing in her reply. "This is a very old brush, I'm certain we no longer carry it". I know it's old, but I love it. The bristles actually go through my hair and detangle it.

She graciously offered to have me look at pictures of their products and she would send me whichever one I chose free. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I eagerly accepted. But when I looked at the pictures nothing appealed to me, everything had plastic nubs instead of bristles! ugh. I replied with my concern and she sent me more choices. Seeing a couple with actual bristles I asked for either of the 2. She sent me both!

The customer service by Goody has been fantabulous. The rep that has been helping me is Mary McKorkle and she has been a doll.

Unfortunately I can't say as much for their products.

The one brush with Bristles (style 88181) boasts that the bristles are 100% Natural Boar, which means they are soft and pliant and instead of going through my hair they flatten when they touch my hair. It claims to be anti-static and good for finishing off a frizzless style, but what I would rather is a tangle free style.

The second brush (style 17135) is a round brush (I have always had an aversion to round brushes, I don't know why), I suppose if someone is to blow dry their hair and take the time to get rid of their curls, then a round brush would be handy, but that's not what I am looking for. I do not blow dry, I do not use product, I wash my hair and walk away. Anyhoo, this round brush has a combination of plastic nubby things and bristles, but again all I want is to get rid of the tangles.

Thankfully during all this back and forth I found my brush and although it is missing a few tufts of bristles it still works better than the others. I will treasure it and hold it close because I don't think I will find another like it for a very long time.

Special K

2008-06-30T19:41:00.001-07:00

CROSS POSTED AT VOCALPOINT

My mom always ate Special K. She was never a breakfast person, but when we travelled together she knew that I am a breakfast person, so she would concede to eating Special K. She didn’t eat it to help her lose weight or help her with the pains in her back and legs, she ate it because it tasted good.

I never tried it before and why would I, it is healthy! Well, ok I eat Wheaties and Cheerios and those are healthy, but Special K SOUNDS healthy, so uh, no! What a dummy I was.

The wonderful people over at Vocalpoint sent me a box. I have eaten it every day for a week and it was yummy, go figure. Something can sound healthy, be healthy and even taste good. It was beyond the realm of my imagination. Will it make me slim and trim? Probably not, unless it induces exercise while sitting. Will it make the arthritis go away? Again, probably not. But will it satisfy my need for a good healthy breakfast? Absolutely!

If you would like to enjoy this as well leave me a comment I have 4 coupons for $1.00 ANY Kellogg's Special K product.

Snack Time

2008-06-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

My favorite at home snack is Popcorn. Usually doused in butted and then drowned in salt. No one every wants to share my popcorn and I'm quite ok with that.

Recently while at Costco, I came upon a large box of Orvill Redenbacher microwave popcorn on sale and there was a coupon (I love coupons), so I picked it up. When I got home, to my dismay, I noticed it was a variety box. I am not usually big on variety, I like butter popcorn and that's that.

With trepidation I opened the box and the first one out was Salt and Cracked Black Pepper. Um, maybe I can do this, I do love me some black pepper but never would have thought to put it on my popcorn. I popped a bag and warily tasted. YUM! Of course for me it wasn't salty enough but nothing ever is (yes my blood pressure is just fine thank you), but the peppery taste was very nice. It had a sharp bite to it that made you know you were having fresh cracked black pepper.

A few days later, I reached in for another bag and out came Buttery Garlic. I am a great lover of Garlic flavor but on my popcorn? What can they be smokin over there in Orvilleland? I thought what the hell, if I don't like it there is a food drive coming up and I will just donate it. As it was popping I noriced the wonderful scent of garlic coming form my microwave. Not heavy like Italian restaurant but light and enticing. Again after I piled on the salt, I ventured into my first bite. The garlic is subtle enough that you don't really notice it until you finish the entire bag (the bags are all snack size). And it didn't give me the horrible heartburn that garlic usually does.

Both flavors are part of the Naturals line so they are 100% whole grain. Which makes them totally a health food right? Ok except for the salt mines that come on mine.

To enter to win some of this popcorn goodness head on over to From the Land of Monkeys and Princesses to enter her contest.

Auto Glass ***** (five stars)

2008-06-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

This isnt exactly how I wanted to start this blog, but really how often does anything in life go the way you want it to?

As you may have read over here, my car had an unfortunate incident.

Since I had so much time waiting for the PD to show up, almost 3 hours (you can read more about my adventures with the Glendale Police Department here), I googled looking for glass repair people. I have been fortunate to never have the need of having a car window or windshield replaced, so was unaware of the process. There is a glass company at the corner of my street ( a couple of blocks down on that corner actually), but they do buildings not cars.

AutoGlass99 is the first one on the google out put so I clicked. I called the number, it went directly to a guy, who said he was out with his kids (it was a Saturday evening), but that if I put my info in the computer he would be out first thing in the morning - SUNDAY! I was stoked, he would come to me, and he would come on a SUNDAY! I typed my info in, it gave me a quote not including tax. I got a confirmation email and phone call. And bam he was here at 10:55 am Sunday morning.

When the bastard that did this broke my window, he did it really well. There was glass all the way in the back back (station wagon). Not only did this nice window man replace my window but he vacuumed my car. He did suggest that I take it to the car wash (or he noticed that I really needed it washed and figured this was a nice way of telling me), which I did and they vacuumed it again.

His service was exceptional, he stuck to the quote on the internet and he was pleasant and presentable. All in all a horrible experience was smoothed over by a nice guy.

Thank you Mr. AutoGlass99

A New Beginning

2008-06-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

I have been receiving samples from different sources and writing reviews for them on their sites. But now I have decided to branch out and make my own review site.

This will consists of reviews of foods, products, magazines and sny thing that comes my way.

If you are interested in having me try something email me, or leave a comment.