Novica offers everything from furniture to kitchenware. Knowing that we needed some unique items for the kitchen led me to looking at everything from salad bowls to drinking glasses. I had $75 to spend, which is often not a lot of money when you’re buying for the home, but Novica does have a nice variety of lower priced items, so if you’re looking for something small or practical you can often make your money go a long way.

After much deliberation about what was going to make our new living space shine, we decided to go with some drinking glasses and a glass pitcher. To be more specific we ended up choosing, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue and the Glass Pitcher in Aqua.

Javier and Efren are the artisans that made our Spirals of Thought Glasses. These glasses are far more beautiful than the picture gives these men credit for. You really do need to see them to fully appreciate them. Each glass is slightly unique due to the fact that they are actually hand blown. The glass is quite thick, which I enjoyed as I am used to the standard sets bought in stores that are plain and often break quite easily due to being lightweight. These two men have been working together since the 1990s and offer excellent products. We received a six glass set for $39.99, which was an incredibly fair price for the thickness and the beauty of the glasses. We couldn’t be happier with them.

Since we have had them, they have been put to the test. They have been used daily for our family and when we have guests. My big worry with them (as with any glasses) had to do with the staying power of the glasses. I don’t know how many times I have purchased a set of glasses only to see them break during washing or after daily wear and tear. We’ve had these glasses for quite a bit and so far we have only lost one. It actually had more to do with a pan slipping out of my hand while washing dishes, as opposed to actually breaking the glass for other reasons.

Javier and Efren also make the Glass pitcher in Aqua. Unlike the Spiral glasses, which have a blue rim and spirals of blue running along the clear glass, the glass pitcher is clear with the exception of a thick aqua colored rim. I cannot say how invaluable this has been to me. We tend to make a lot of frozen juice and this pitcher is the perfect size for that. It sits in the refrigerator with no problem and it makes any flavor juice we want with room to spare. We’ve had friends comment on how much they like it, and we have to agree, we are big fans of it, too. The pitcher was available for under $30, though the last time I checked the website it was not currently available.

With every purchase you make, the artisan that creates your item includes a story card so you can learn more about them and the process behind making your items. This was a nice added touch that I enjoyed seeing in the package. Due to the fact that most items are handmade, shipping can take between one and three weeks. While this could be seen as a deterrent for some, the quality is certainly worth the wait. It’s safe to say you won’t find anything like what you can find at Novica during a local shopping trip! So, if you’re in the market for a great holiday gift or need some unique home furnishings you should give Novica a look, chances are you’ll find just what you’re looking for and a whole lot more.

Technorati Tags: Novica, Hand Blown Glasses, Moving Feature, Product Review, Kitchenware, Drinking Glasses, Artisans, Unique Gifts, Spirals of Thought, Javier and Efren

I was sent three main products, one from each brand, to test out and help keep my bathroom and kitchen neat and clean. The one I was most excited about was the Swiffer Sweeper Vac. Accompanying the new sweeper vac came the Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner and Febreze Set & Refresh Room Deodorizer. All of the products except the Febreze Set & Refresh were used in the bathroom and kitchen. The Set & Refresh was used in the bedroom.

In addition, my mom purchased us some of the Limited Edition Febreze fall scent canisters. I believe the scent is cinnamon & sugar. If you can find those in your area, I highly recommend picking them up because they smell divine and they are only around for a short time.

SweeperVac

I was thrilled to receive a Swiffer Sweeper Vac for this review. While I did not know what the PR team would be sending, in my teaser post I specifically mentioned that I was hoping for one of these. The thing that I was most fond of is that you can mop up small messes like with your normal Swiffer, but after a brief charging session you can use this as a vacuum, as well. This comes in handy when you just want to give the floor a quick and efficient sweeping.

The Sweeper Vac spends most of the time in our kitchen. We have small tiles in our bathroom and are more inclined to mop it, but find that the Sweeper Vac is perfect for use on the smooth tiles in the kitchen. When you take it out of the box, it needs to charge for about 12 hours, but after that you’re good to go without a charging for quite some time (assuming your house isn’t huge/mansion-like). I use the SweeperVac almost daily and am always amazed at the gunk that it picks up. It has become an invaluable cleaning tool for me since we’ve moved.

The standard Swiffer pads are required to use the Sweeper Vac. Two come in the box to get you started. From there, standard pad refills will work out. This is especially nice if you have more than one Swiffer, as the pads are interchangeable. As for the stuff that does not stick to the pad, that collects in a vacuum pod that you can remove and clean out so that it is clean for the next time you need to brush up your floors.

You can pick the Sweeper Vac Starter Kit up for around $35, which is well worth it considering how much use you will be able to get out of it. This is one of those products that takes the work out of cleaning.

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is a multipurpose cleaner that can be used on any hard or tile surface. We use it in the sinks, to clean the tubs, and when I mop the bathroom floor or clean the tile walls. When we moved into our apartment, I found out how glad I was to receive this Mr. Clean product. You see, unfortunately, our apartment was not very clean when we moved in. I am not sure what the people were like that lived here before us, but at best, the cleaning crew did a slight surface clean and nothing else. This left soap scum on the tile in the bathroom and on the walls. Needless to say, the bathroom really needed to be clean.

The cleaning process with Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is similar to any other disinfecting cleaner on the market. You spray the area that you would like to clean and after a few minutes you wipe the area until the soap is gone and the area is clean. It’s as simple as that. When wiping up the soap we used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Thanks to the addition of the Febreze there is no chemical cleaning smell like you might receive with some bathroom cleaners.

The best thing about this Mr. Clean product is that a little goes a long way. A few squirts cleaned one entire wall. So, you pay a few bucks and this will last you months. Again, this is well worth the purchase. You should be able to find Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner wherever household cleaning products are sold.

Febreze Set & Refresh

This was my favorite décor product of what we received. I was not sure if they would send anything that qualified, but I knew of the Febreze at Home line, so I was hoping that they would. The Set & Refresh sits upright on a desk or other flat top surface. We have ours sitting in our bedroom on an end table. Before placing it where you’d like it to sit, you just pop in the fragrance stick and pull the bottom of the Set & Refresh open. That’s it. Once it’s open a nice, subtle scent (depending on the scent you purchase) will remain in your room.

This isn’t going to be so powerful that it is all you smell. Instead, it will waft around you occasionally and you will get pleasant hints of the scent. Of course, it’s working even when you can’t smell it in abundance. It always manages to block any unpleasant odors whether it’s noticeable or not. We’ve had ours sitting in our bedroom, open, for about a month and can still smell it as much as we could the first day. Considering what these types of air fresheners usually cost, the Febreze Set & Refresh are definitely a good, cost effective option for someone looking to spruce up their home in style and smell.

Final Thoughts
All in all, I was incredibly happy with all of the products that I tested from Mr. Clean, Febreze, and Swiffer. I was already a customer of those brands, but having experienced these new products just reiterated in my own mind why I shop these brands in the first place. All items are beating my expectations in keeping my home clean and smelling great. I couldn’t be happier!

Technorati Tags: Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Sweeper Vac, Febreze, Set & Refesh, Moving 2010, Home Review, Product Review, Cleaning Supplies

The 5-in-1 Toy Story Tasty Baker has its name because you get to make tasty treats in five shapes. The shapes include Woody, Buzz, Rex, the Alien, and Lotso the Teddy Bear. Toy Story fans will love these shapes because not only are they Toy Story and some of the most popular characters in the series, they also come through beautifully. The nonstick baking surface allows you to slide the cakes/treats right out off of the baking area and onto the plate in perfect condition, looking just as they should.

Lil B definitely had the most fun with this. We made some videos with us using the Tasty Baker that he called “Cooking Show.” It’s been a while since we have used the Tasty Baker to play Cooking Show, but every time he sees the Tasty Baker he asks if it is time to play.

The best thing about the Toy Story Tasty Baker is the versatility factor. You have five slots to make whatever you want. If you have two kids and they both want something different you can mix and match what you are making. Of course, just about everything you make in the Tasty Baker is made in between five and eight minutes, so you could really make two batches of whatever you wanted in no time at all.

A list of recipes comes with the Toy Story Tasty Baker, though I have to admit, I have yet to try any of the ones that they have included. Lil B insisted that we make cake for Cooking Show, so I used a Duncan Hines boxed mix and whipped it up so that we could get cooking! The kids agreed on an orange swirl cake that would end up being iced with a cream cheese frosting. The cakes were a hit and honestly, they ended up tasting good enough to eat them warm out of the Tasty Baker without any frosting. I liked them warm the best, though the kids wanted them cooled down a bit because they were all about the frosting.

When cooking, you have the option of four different temperature settings via a dial that sets the heat for the Tasty Baker. The dial not only sets the heat, it also determines how light/dark your treats will end up. Once you set the dial (I use setting four for baked goods like cakes) there is an indicator light that will turn green to let you know that it’s time to get cooking. You can add any batter with the included batter scoop, which makes things easy and ensures you won’t pile up on the dishes. After the batter is in, you close the lid and wait a few minutes. Make sure you fill the molds up enough otherwise it will be harder to see the awesome design of your Toy Story baked goods.

Since we did Cooking Show I have made other cakes, pancakes, and muffins in the Tasty Baker all with great success. It is such a fun item to use. CT is a picky eater and normally isn’t a fan of shaped foods (he loved Burger King chicken tenders until they came out with the crowns and then he picketed), but he really enjoyed the shapes in the Tasty Baker. He thought they were fun and was not at all offended at the idea of eating them.

In the end this turned out to be a hit with the kids. The folks at Pop Art Toaster (home of the Tasty Baker) even report that children with Autism have responded incredibly well with their Tasty Baker line. Apparently kids that are picky eaters are really stepping out of their shells and eating loads of things that they really like thanks to this product. You can get in touch with them for more information if you have a child that has Autism and would like to learn more.

In any case, the kids loved this and while we probably wouldn’t use this without them, if you have kids this will definitely be a cooking tool that you get your money out of. The $35 you pay is comparable to other, similar cooking devices that aren’t as kid friendly (design-wise), which makes the Tasty Baker even better as kids will love it. This is well worth the purchase, especially if you have kids that love Toy Story!

You can see more “Cooking Show” videos with the Tasty Baker on The Literary Illusions YouTube Channel

Technorati Tags: Tasty Baker, Toy Story, 5-in-1 Tasty Baker, Cooking Show, Product Review, Cakes, Pancakes

We received the stand the day that we were set to move. The next day, after the dust had cleared and some of the smaller things had been unpacked we set to the task of building some furniture. Beyond the Ming Media Stand, we had several items that needed to be assembled. After putting together a small bookshelf and a computer desk, we set to the task of getting the stand set up.

I should point out that I am notorious for putting things together wrong and finding out they are wrong three quarters of the way through. Unfortunately, Dominick (who is much savvier with these things) is in a wheelchair so the only help he can offer (he’d be putting things together if he could) is to read the instructions and check each piece before I screw it in on the wrong side!

We took everything out of the box and about half-way through an incredibly easy assembly process we realized that one of the main pieces (the “D” piece which stabilizes the middle of the stand) was missing! After a few minutes of back and forth with Dominick asking me if I was sure I didn’t throw it away, we contacted Southern Enterprises and told them what happened. Within four or so days (we had to get through a weekend) the “D” piece arrived and we were back in business. The entire assembly process took about an hour, if that. I put the majority of it together on my own with no administrative help from Dominick and managed to put it together the right way! That should show you just how easy it is.

We have received compliments about our Ming Media stand from everyone that has come into our house. People love the glass doors and the shelf space, which allows us to store things under the television as opposed to adding another shelf or placing things around the television. This works great for us because we have hundreds of movies, video games, and all of the major game consoles. Naturally, with this many items that go with our television some extra space was not only wanted, it was necessary.

Each shelf holds roughly twenty pounds which would easily hold a DVD player or game system and some movies or games. Our shelves include a shelf filled with video games, another filled with DVD box sets (part of our television collection), and two shelves contain a selection of our DVDs. This still gives us plenty of room for a few game controllers or game accessories, as needed. Everything fits perfectly and looks fabulous.

Depending on where you purchase the Ming Media Stand you can find it in the $400 range. Considering the fact that it holds up to a 52′ television plus includes space for additional items, this is not a bad deal at all. Southern Enterprises is actually a wholesaler, but you can purchase Southern Enterprises furniture at a host of stores, including EA Distributors.

I absolutely love the Ming Media stand and hope to review other Southern Enterprises furniture pieces. I have no doubt that every piece offers something fashionable, functional, and affordable depending on your taste and budget. The dark, espresso wood goes well with a range of decorating options and the shelves are sturdy enough to hold a fair amount of weight (about 20 pounds per shelf). Add in the fact that it’s easy to put together and you have the sure sign of a winner! I highly recommend checking their furniture and accent pieces out. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

Note: Pictures of our stand will be up shortly. Due to some unforeseen Internet problems while moving we have been unable to upload anything until now. Stay tuned for them though as they will be up soon.

Technorati Tags: Ming Media Stand, Southern Enterprises, Furniture, Wholesale, Furniture Review, Product Review, Television, Moving 2010

This was until the one-cup coffeemakers came around and changed my mind about needing an in-house coffee option. The folks at Keurig were nice enough to offer up the B31 Mini Plus for review. I made a point to mention that regular coffee isn’t my thing and the company was nice enough to send along some variety packs which include flavored coffee rather than just the traditional blends. I was still a little nervous, but I am happy to say that Keurig made a coffee drinker out of me (even if it is all flavored coffee).

The Keurig B31 Mini Plus is simple to use. In fact you can get it up and running in minutes once you’ve taken it out of the box. You can choose between three cup sizes (depending on how strong you’d like your flavor). You just add the water, pop in your K-cup, place your cup in the holder and turn the unit on and hit the Brew button. The indicator light will shine red once the water has been warmed up and within seconds of this occurring the coffee, hot chocolate, or tea will begin dripping into your cup. It’s seriously that simple.

I kept this in the box until we moved though my brother kept trying to convince me to leave it with him. I’m thinking about picking up another for Christmas to send him as I know he will probably use his more than I use mine. Considering I use mine on a near daily basis I figure buying him one would be worth the price. Of course, if I was picking out anything for me, I think I would be rushing towards the Keurig Cafe One-Touch Milk Frother for those fancy style cafe drinks and the seasonal yet amazingly delish Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice Coffee.

My one concern is that most boxes of K-Cups cost around $14 for 24 cups. This can be a bit on the expensive side depending on how much coffee you consume. Of course, for someone like me that would buy a coffee a day at Starbucks, a Keurig coffeemaker, which makes comparable coffee to what you’d find at Starbucks, could save you considerable amounts of cash. In fact, I was paying roughly $4 per coffee at Starbucks. If you do the math, 24 cups would cost me $96. I am almost ashamed to admit that I would spend over $100 a month at a coffee shop. However, using the Keurig I can spend $28, which buys me about six weeks worth of coffee and still save $68 to spend in more productive ways.

You can pick up the B31 Mini Plus in Platinum, Black (this is the color that we received) or Red. Each color will be a beautiful compliment to any kitchen. The smaller size is perfect for apartments, dorm rooms, or in kitchens where there is limited amounts of space. The Keurig B31 Mini Plus is available through the Keurig website or at such retail stores as Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Bloomingdale’s.

This is a must have for those winter days when you want some delicious hot chocolate or if you’re just a coffee fan no matter what time of the year it is. $100 is more than fair for this machine. After all, it made a coffee drinker out of me. I cannot recommend the Keurig B31 Mini highly enough. This machine is just fabulous. I highly recommend picking one up for yourself or checking Keurig out for holiday gifts or to help make your older kids life easier during mid-term and finals weeks (trust me, they will get plenty of use out of a Keurig in college).

The B31 Mini Plus comes with a 12 cup starter pack, but make sure to visit Keurig.com for all of your K-Cup needs including coffee, hot chocolate, and tea.

Note: Stay tuned for video and pictures of our Keurig experience. Our move has caused some unintended Internet issues that are being worked on. The uploaded extras that go with this review will be up shortly

Technorati Tags: Keurig B31 Mini Plus, Coffee, One Cup Coffee Maker, Pumpkin Spice, Moving 2010, Product Review, Kitchen, Space Saver

The idea behind the Flip It is simple. On one side of the pan there is an adorable flag design (which comes through beautifully) and the other side is a flat, griddle surface. I admit I am not the most flag-happy person, so I probably would have went with another design if I had the opportunity, but this wasn’t terrible as far as options went. You place your sandwich, omelet, or whatever else you’re making on the flag surface as that is the deeper dish part of the pan. When one side is cooked you just flip the pan over and cook the other side. It’s as simple as that.

While you can use it for omelets or something like pancakes I will admit that I am a little nervous about using for that. I am going to try it, but so far this has been my go to sandwich pan. It makes a mean Grilled Cheese, and a fabulous Patty Melt (or similar style burger). Another thing I am interested in trying it out for is French Toast. I have a feeling that the Flip It would make some fabulous breakfast foods beyond omelets.

I was actually surprised at how much I like the Flip It. That’s not because I thought anything would be wrong with it, because I didn’t. It’s more because I love the newness of getting gadgets and cookware, but eventually the excitement fades and it ends up being a pan or gadget in a drawer. I’ve had the Flip It for a few months now and I have to say, I use it at least three times a week.

The biggest con here is that there is a small gap where the pan doesn’t completely shut. Obviously this isn’t a big issue when cooking a sandwich or French Toast but if you’re making anything with batter or eggs you’re going to want to make sure you don’t fill the pan too much. This is the biggest complaint I have heard with pancakes, but I honestly never even considered trying it for that because I am semi-chicken and I did notice the gap, so I wondered how that whole process would work.

In some respects, I feel kind of odd writing this review for the mere fact that the Flip It is not sold in stores. Apparently it is just a promotional item that was made for fun. That being said, while I cannot recommend you buy one, I can help you win one. Leave us a comment letting us know your favorite cooking gadget and I will automatically enter you for a chance to win a Flip It pan. If you want extra chances, just follow the rules below and we will add them to your chances.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:
To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible.

GET AN EXTRA ENTRY:
Want an extra entry? Twitter about this contest! Just click the Tweet button!

You can post the URL to your Tweet in your initial comment for this contest.

To find out about all our latest contests feel free to add us to your Twitter:

@dominickevans
@ashtynevans

You can also get extra entries (one entries for each) into our contest by:

-Posting on your blog/website about out contest with a link back to LI Reviews (please let us know where to find said link so we can give you an extra entry)
-Digging or Stumbling this post (list your Digg/Stumble username in your comment)
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CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE:
Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three days, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

ENTRY DEADLINE:
We will begin emailing winners for this the week of October 16, 2009, which means you have until October 15, 2009 at 11:59 to enter.

Good luck to those who enter!

Note: We plan to add extra video and pictures of the Flip It in use. Our move was a little more exciting than we planned and we’re having some Internet issues that our slowing us down. Those items will be up shortly though, so stay on the lookout for them and other great reviews!

Technorati Tags: Moving 2010, Teflon, Dupont, Flip It, Frying Pan, Breakfast, Grilled Sandwiches, Novelty, Cooking, Giveaway, Contest

The thing I was most excited about was the various grill plates that are available with the Evolve grill. Each grill comes with four plates. You get your top plate, which is a cross cut grill plate (making steaks and paninis with that nice cross cut), a bottom grill plate for steaks, burgers, and other meats, and two other plates that will vary based on the unit that you purchase. We received a deep dish plate that allows you to make baked goods or casseroles and the muffin insert, which handles all of those delicious muffin options.

We’ve only used this once since unpacking it about ten days ago. We made burgers for some friends. We had burgers and hot dogs and surprisingly enough, almost everyone, except the three year old that was visiting, wanted a burger. The burgers came out crisp around the edges and grilled to perfection. The burgers had virtually no grease on them thanks to the Foreman drip tray and sloped design that removes most of the grease/fat from your meat, ensuring that your food is juicy, but not sitting in fat. I would put these burgers up against any burger joint or family restaurant we’ve been too lately.

This week we will be testing out the deep dish baking tray to make some Rocky Road Brownies and I am sure it won’t be long until we attempt some lasagna. As far as the muffins go, it’s getting to be fall and I cannot wait to try out something pumpkin or perhaps something caramel apple. I’m even considering seeing if these might work for some mini-cheesecakes that our guests can personalize during parties. As for the grill plates, between chicken, burgers, steaks, and grilled sandwiches I think we will be all set. I have to say that I am quite impressed with all of the things that you can do with the Evolve Grill. It’s so versatile that it vastly cuts down on the need for cooking on the stove or in the oven. This is not only healthier for you, it also cuts down on energy as it takes more to power up your oven than it would the much smaller, George Foreman Healthy Cooking Grill.

Even though I say it’s smaller, the cooking space is actually impressive on the Evolve Grill. We put down four nice sized burgers and they weren’t touching. You could also fit a nice sized Porterhouse or two smaller Strip steaks on the grill or possibly three nice sized chicken breasts. There is plenty of room to cook for the family. It’s no longer a grill just for one or two people.

One of my favorite things about the Foreman Healthy Cooking Grills is the non-stick feature. So often, even with non-stick surfaces, I have gotten used to using cooking spray, butter, or something else to make sure that whatever I am cooking doesn’t stick. This isn’t an issue with the Evolve. Granted, I have only made burgers with this grill so far, but with my past experience I have never had anything stick. I will be sure to amend this after our brownie experience, though something tells me I won’t need to do that.

Cooking with the Evolve Grill is amazingly simple, so even if you don’t know how to cook you will be able to cook with this grill. On the other hand, if you know how to cook you will love it even more! The instruction booklet included with the grill offers common cook times and temperatures for a variety of foods. You can also find this information on boxes (if you’re making baked goods) or from the recipes you’re using to make the things you’re cooking. Once you use it once or twice you will get the hang of it and learn how well it cooks and if it cooks a little faster or slower than the suggestions in your recipes. This will make cooking easier for future meals, though I am going to guess that thanks to the temperature settings and timers that things are pretty on the money.

You can pick up the George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill through the George Foreman website for $129.99. You can also find this in stores or in other online marketplaces such as Amazon.com. I highly recommend the Evolve grill just for the versatility that it offers. I couldn’t be happier with mine and I am sure that I will get tons of use out of it.

Next up on my George Foreman Healthy Cooking wishlist is the Panini Grill and the Smart Kitchen Multicooker. Of course, I can’t wait to get my hands on the other Evolve plates too!

Stay tuned for more personalized pictures of our Evolve Grill and videos of us showing the cooking process!

Technorati Tags: George Foreman Healthy Cooking, Evolve, Evolve Grill, Muffins, Deep Dish Pans, Moving 2010, Grill Plates, Healthy, Drip Tray, Product Review, Cooking Review, Healthier Meals, Burgers

I fell in love with the Ming Media Stand from the moment I saw it. Living in an apartment means that you have to be creative about what you’re keeping in your home and how it offers you space. Add in the fact that you’re a reviewer and receive packages on a daily basis you need some extra shelf space and it just means that the Ming Media Stand was made for my family.

Prior to our move we purchased a 50 inch plasma television. As soon as we bought it I was on a hunt to find a fairly priced stand for it to sit. The folks at Southern Enterprises were nice enough to send a Ming Media Stand over for review and we will be eternally grateful to them for that. The Ming Media Stand offers four shelves that offer plenty of space for movies, DVD/Blu-ray players, video game consoles and any other technological devices that you wish to add to your television. You will be able to keep everything organized and the connecting wires together so your television set up looks fabulous instead of looking like a mess!

You can purchase this and other Southern Enterprises products through the EA Distributing website. To learn more about the Ming Media Stand you can visit this direct link for the Ming Media Stand on the EA Distributing website.

Specs from Southern Enterprises:
Stylish and elegant, this black windowpane media cabinet is the perfect companion for a flat screen TV up to 52″. Each door slides side to side to access a large storage area with adjustable shelf on each side. The oversized cabinets provide ample room for all of your media players, receivers, game consoles, media, and accessories.

54″ W x 16″ D x 24.25″ Tall
Satin Black Finish
Each Cabinet – 24″ W x 13″D x 21.5″ Tall
Two adjustable shelves
Tempered glass doors
Assembly required

Within the next month we will be posting reviews, a Moving Guide, and several videos and photos of the new items we’ve received in our new living environment. So stay tuned for some new Moving posts.

Technorati Tags: Moving 2010, Teaser Posts, Ming Media Stand, EA Distributing, Southern Enterprises, Furniture Review, Big Screen Television

When I found out I would be working with George Foreman Healthy Cooking I was so excited! Just the other day, I was in the store looking at small appliances and I was checking out the George Foreman grills. When they first came out we had one years ago and we used to make steaks and other meats with it. We loved that grill.

I haven’t used one in quite some time (we didn’t have a lot of counter space in this house), but I have noticed what amazing changes they have made to them and the thought crossed my mind that it would be nice to have one in our new apartment. So naturally, when I was contacted about George Foreman Healthy Cooking being part of our Moving 2010 event, I was more than willing to hear them out.

The product that we will be receiving/reviewing is the Evolve Grill. I have not received it yet, but once I do I will pack it up in preparation for the upcoming move. If it works as good as the specs say it does then I am sure that I will get tons of use out of this amazing sounding grill.

Specs from George Foreman Healthy Living:

With a large variety of meal options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack times in between, the George Foreman Evolve(tm) Grill paves a time-saving and healthy path to eating right without sacrificing good taste. What makes this grill different is the option to add plates and customize the grill based on individual preferences. Now it’s easier than ever to create healthy, delicious meals with one versatile appliance.

CROSS-HATCH GRILL PLATES (2) – Perfect for grilling chicken breasts, fresh fish and more.
MINI-BURGER PLATE – Serve up low-fat turkey sliders in minutes.
GRIDDLE PLATE – Cook up breakfast, lunch or dinner without adding extra oil or butter for healthier meals.
CUPCAKE/MUFFIN PLATE – Whipping up six muffins or cupcakes is a snap with this easy-to-use plate.
PANINI PLATES (2) – No need to butter bread when making panini in the George ForemanEvolve(tm) Grill.
DEEP-DISH BAKING PLATE – From lasagna to veggie-packed casseroles, the deep-dish bake pan provides another versatile usage for the George Foreman Evolve(tm) Grill.
OMELET PLATES (2) – Flipping omelets used to require lots of butter or oil to prevent sticking, however, with the George Tough(tm) nonstick coating, making omelets is simpler and healthier than ever.
WAFFLE PLATE -The waffle plates makes preparing golden, delicious waffles on the grill easy and convenient.

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES:
George Tough(tm) nonstick coating for oil-free cooking
Patented slope for fat to drip away
Drip tray that is dishwasher safe for collecting grease drippings
84 square-inch cooking surface
Precise Digital Time and Temperature Control
Removable dishwasher-safe plates
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $129.99 (Includes grill and 4 grill plates, varies by retailer)
Additional plates retail for $14.99- 27.99

I cannot wait to receive this. I am wondering if they will eventually put out a deluxe version of the Evolve Grill that includes all of the available grill plates. I cannot wait to find out which four arrive. I already know that I would use all of them, so I am sure if we cook on it a lot that I will end up buying the ones that are not sent to me for this review.

We will have more teaser posts up shortly and once were in Dayton, OH next month, you can expect to see plenty of videos, reviews, and an awesome Home Buyers guide. In the meantime, tell us your favorite healthy cooking gadget or piece of cookware

Technorati Tags: Healthy Cooking, Moving 2010, George Foreman Healthy Cooking, Grill, Evolve Grill, Moving 2010, Teaser

Speaking of dining tables, Dining Rooms Direct offers hundreds of tables for any possible dining situation. Whether you are looking for a kitchen table or one for the dining room, there is a good chance that Dining Rooms Direct has just what you are looking for to enhance your family dining experience.

For most people, the hardest part of any furniture shopping is finding a price that you can afford. I know this is especially true with a lot of the dining room tables that we have looked at recently. With that in mind, I visited Dining Rooms Direct to create the top 5 under $400. These are the top five tables that I like for under $400.

Please note, these tables were chosen on style alone. I have not used any of them personally so I cannot speak of the fabulous nature of any of them. I chose them because if I were in the market for a table, I would choose one of the following.

Wildon Home West Hollywood Dining Set in Cappuccino:

The West Hollywood Dining Set by Wildon Home is small enough to fit into any nice sized kitchen or apartment dining area, but trendy enough to add to your home in the simplest of ways. The darker wood allows it to blend with a majority of settings and offers a more classic, sophisticated look to it. The lighter fabric on the chairs also offers a nice contrast from that of the table. This would be a great choice for any apartment dweller.

Standard Furniture Brentwood 5 Piece Leg Dining Set in Honey and Black

I love the darker finishes so it’s no surprise that the Brentwood Dining Set in Honey and Black made my list. The honey wood offers a gorgeous finish and it looks great with the black on the chairs. The set is a perfect size for a small family or for anyone living in an apartment. This would work well for small groups and for those days when you want to have friends over to play cards. It’s big enough to get the job done, but small enough to remain versatile.

TMS Virginia 5 Piece Dining Set in Black

This Virginia set is the only set I picked with a lighter wood. The light finish reminds me of a summery, warm day. It provides a feeling of warmth and would go perfect in lighter, airier kitchens and dining rooms. If you want to create a more open, comforting space this would be a great option. It would also work well for small families or people sharing a small living space, as it seats a few people, but extends if needed.

Wildon Home Peyton 5 Piece Retro Dining Table with Black Cushion Dining Chair in Chrome

I am an absolute sucker for anything retro and diner inspired so this table fits the bill on every single level for me. The white table-top with the black chairs and the chrome surrounding all of the surfaces just makes me giddy. I have always wanted to have a dining room that was reminiscent of a diner. When I start designing that room, I am certain that I will be picking up a table just like this one to complete my motif.

Linon Michele Corner Nook with Table and Chairs in Walnut

Beyond the retro look, I love the comfy appeal of the nook. When I was in high school a friend’s parents redid their kitchen and had a nook-style corner table with bench in their kitchen. We had some great times hanging out and eating at that table. I love everything about this model. I love the darker, walnut finish and the family-style setting that it stirs with the design. This wouldn’t be effective for most apartments but if you have a larger dining area and want a homey feel to it, this would be a perfect choice.

So now that you’ve seen my top five picks for inexpensive dining furniture why don’t you check out Dining Rooms Direct and tell me what your favorite piece is?

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