Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Trendy Bag - 13 Inch Floral, Vintage Suitcase/Purse Review

Trendy Bag "13 Inch Floral Vintage Suitcase"

















Contents:
  • 13 Inch Floral Suitcase
  • 1 Adjustable Bag Strap
  • 1 Short Leather Strap (Looks like a clutch/wrist strap)
  • Instructions for Combination Lock

Pros:
  1. Good quality hard case.
  2. Has a convenient and easy combination lock.
  3. Large interior space
  4. Optional, adjustable, shoulder strap
Cons:
  1. The company has only one other choice for this line of vintage suitcases. I would have liked more variety of patterns and colours since I loved this purchase so much!
  2. If you plan on using this as your main purse, then sadly, there aren't many pockets nor compartments.
Full Experience:

I've found myself obsessed lately with rose gold apparel and anything vintage. So when I saw this purse/mini suitcase on Amazon, I had to have it! I admit, it is a bit pricey, but if you're able to splurge it is totally worth it. I've searched Pinterest, Google, Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, you name it, and I've not been able to find any other companies offering vintage suitcases with a classy-floral or shabby chic look that make my heart jump.

I was a bit nervous before ordering since the company, Trendy Bag, had no reviews and is not a popular brand. However, once I received my bag, I was completely ecstatic. As soon as I pulled it out of its box, I could tell how well made it was. It had a nice weighty feel and seemed quite durable. 

The Exterior

The metal pieces are beautifully coated in a smooth rose gold finish. The metal, itself, feels dense and durable.
The combination lock is a great example when being opened - once the correct combination is rolled and the button is pushed, the lock instantly snaps out of its mouth (Unfortunately, I keep forgetting how much force it has, so my finger has been smacked repeatedly during this review process lol. Make sure your finger isn't too close to the lock when opening!).
I love how real the decorative straps look from the outside but secretly they open and close with an easy magnetic snap underneath. The factory definitely didn't skimp on parts because the magnets in these snaps are not those cheap kinds that constantly open when you look away or make sudden small movements. This bag will actually stay closed!



The white leather and floral fabric used seem to be glued and sewn together quite well, in my opinion. I've pulled a bit at different parts and everything is still perfectly in place. The decorative, leather bag straps and handle even feel thick and indestructible. The optional, leather, adjustable, shoulder strap is a little narrower than the decorative straps, and therefore, feels a bit thinner than any of the other parts.

I'm still unsure what the shorter strap is for exactly. It looks like a clutch/wrist strap, but I have no idea where to put it. I may use it to hold or attach small things to my purse in the future, or for a DIY matching wallet/clutch.



The Interior
Inside of the bag is lined with fabric and leather, similar in feel to the exterior.

There is a lot of space inside the case, and a nice bonus zipper compartment. I would have liked more pockets or rearrange-able compartments. 

Video Review


I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. I am not affiliated with this company in any way. I'm just a shoppaholic who loves to test and share products I enjoy! Hope I was helpful!


Sunday, June 26, 2016

KitchenBoosterz - Sushi Making Kit Review



Kitchen Boosterz "Sushi Making Kit"
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Piece-Sushi-Making-KitchenBoosterz/dp/B01DAIZT8G?ie=UTF8&keywords=kitchenboosterz&qid=1464691477&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1




Contents:
  • 8 Sushi Molds
  • 2 Chopsticks
  • 2 Soy Sauce Bowls
  • 1 Sushi Knife
  • 1 Serving Fork
  • 1 Spatula
  • 1 "Sushipedia" Step-By-Step Sushi Guide


Pros:
  1. The sushi molds allow you to cut the sushi into perfectly equal slices.
  2. The sushipedia is a perfect guide for sushi-making beginners.
  3. Kitchen Boosterz has great customer service.
  4. The molds are easier to clean than bamboo rollers.
  5. This kit can be a fun group activity if you host a sushi party!

Cons:
  1. The set does not include the chopstick rests seen in their Amazon photo.
    NB: Kitchen Boosterz apologized and removed it from their main photos of the kit. 
  2. The knife could be better quality.
    NB: But for their price, I guess it's reasonable quality.



Full Experience:
When I first received my sushi kit, it looked a bit banged up from its travels. I imagine the box hated being out in the Arizona heat, especially since it was probably jam packed in the UPS truck. Once opened, it was exciting having to pull out numerous pieces from the box. I just love getting presents (even if they are from myself =P)!


Chopsticks & Bowls
The first things I was drawn to were the chopsticks and bowls. As I picked them up, they were noticeably heavier than what I expected from the Amazon photos. They feel like good, hard, thick plastic; and they have a nice smooth, matte finish to them that make me think of a ceramic Japanese tea set. The chopsticks have a simple wavy design made by long, shallow dents; the bowls also have a shallow dent design on the inside-floor, creating a wave/row design. 



Serving Fork, Spatula & Knife

The serving fork and spatula are your typical short, smooth, glossy kitchen tools easily found at a dollar store or in a $1-$2 deals bin at Biglots, Target, etc. They're not horrible quality, nor are they anything to brag about. If I push too hard on them they bend, but why would anyone do that while making sushi anyway?
The knife is the same quality-wise, minus the bending. It definitely needed some sharpening to be prep ready, but all-in-all it's not bad. It has a black, plastic handle, and several holes along the edge of the blade, for easier cutting - the holes reduce friction and the sticking of rice.



Molds

I was completely overwhelmed by all the different molding pieces, especially since they can be mixed and matched. They're made out of plastic and are a little stronger than the serving fork and spatula, since they do not bend. However, they do not feel as thick and strong as the bowls (this in no way affects their abilities. It's just a comparison to give you a better image and feel). If you're bad at making rolls with the bamboo rollers, or just bad at keeping rolls from falling apart when you cut them, then these molds are a MUST for you. Basically, you pack the molds with your chosen roll ingredients, like a sandwich - seaweed, rice, ..., rice, seaweed. Then you use the slicing guides to make perfect cuts to show off your amazing knife skills! 



Sushipedia
I'd love to learn the history and origins of everything but sometimes it's such a hassle to google when I'm excited and don't even know where to start! I need structure or I bounce from information to information, feeling like everything I absorb is just jumbling together. The sushipedia has an easy-to-read layout and includes bits of history, fun facts about sushi, lots of pictures, directions on how to make sushi, and of course, how to use the provided eight molds (See the last two sentences under "Molds").





I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. I am not affiliated with this company in any way. I'm just a shoppaholic who loves to test and share products I enjoy! Hope I was helpful!