Fashion, Mother's Day

MadMade Design Aprons Review

The wife life! Between making school lunches because it’s chili day at school, putting together yet another dinner, mopping the floor when the muddy dogs run through and finishing breakfasts dishes in the sink all I have is my apron. The apron keeps messes off me, is my constant ‘hand towel’ and little piece of fashion I can feel proud of. I have all boys so being in a pretty and practical apron by Madmade with sudsy hands is as exciting as it gets some day.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

The apron hangs on the fridge and when my husband gets home it can stay there. He is a helper. He washes the dinner dishes, folds the laundry I couldn’t get to and keeps the yard and cars in shape.

But it is pretty! Yes, my Madmade apron symbolizes countless meals and messes, but I love it. I love the way it pulls on over my head so it covers all of me in the front and back.

My apron is reversible, has practical pockets, comes in fun prints, is made from 100% premium quality cotton and is made here in the USA.

Aside from my chores at home I also manage our local high school kitchen so I also love the fun patterns and colors to wear to work.

With Mother’s Day nearby these aprons are a great gift. They really have all the features you would want in an apron.

Home, Mother's Day, Reviews

VIDBOX Video Conversion and Audio Conversion Suite Review

Video Conversion and Audio Conversion Suite

This is so exciting and what a great Mother’s Day gift! This is the VIDBOX Video Conversion and Audio Conversion Suite. This little box takes your old VCR (VHS, Betamax, S-VHS), camcorder (8mm, DV, mini DV, HDV, AVCHD) home movies and converts them to digital files.

I grew up in the 80’s and my younger siblings were into the 90’s so all of our home movies are on VHS and a few on 8mm. Do you even know what I had to go through to find someone who still has a VCR? That’s how long it has been since we saw our tapes and without owning a VCR we don’t get to sit and organize them or share.

The first 4 VHS tapes I played were taped TV shows, which was comical, such as ER, Will and Grace and even some old Fit TV episodes which I assume are my sisters recordings. I could just ignore those and not record.

Then I got to a stash of my youngest sister. Katie’s ballet show from 1996, her Middle School and High School choir and talent shows. Some Christmas family video and even one with my brother’s beloved dog he lost in a car accident (Shaft was in a Christmas video-such tears)! The memories are so fun!

Converting was so easy! You simply use the USB to plug in the VIDBOX to your PC or laptop (mine is the Mac version). Second, you use either RCA (composite) and/or S-Video outputs to connect VIDBOX to your VCR or video player/console. Then you will get a screen asking you length of the video you will record and then you get the actual record screen.

Here is the record screen (a bit blurry but that was my camera taking a moving photo on auto and not a reflection of VIDBOX quality). You simply get the video to the spot to record and hit RECORD. Then hit STOP and the NEXT arrow. At that point you can choose where to download to such as iTunes folder, file on computer, iMovie to edit and more.

The blur was my camera taking a moving video-VIDBOX conversions quality is great!

It’s that easy! TIP*** I recommend as converting these VHS tapes is a hefty file size that you record in 10-20 minute increments. That worked best for me in all formats of converting.

Father's Day, Food/Beverage, Home, Mother's Day

City Maps Barware by Uncommon Green

It is the end of March and we all know what that means! Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and more entertaining for Memorial weekend and summer grilling parties. When I am hosting a dinner or event, I like to pick up something new and fun to offer my guests. So, getting barware and serveware gifts is what I love best! I also love gifting barware for the hard-to-shop for.

These Maps Barware by Uncommon Green make great entertaining pieces and gifts. Living near Seattle I have our city map, but they offer choices of other popular cities all over the nation.

The Maps Barware can be ordered as rock glass, pints, stemless wine glass, masons and stemmed glasses. There is a gift for anyone who loves to enjoy a drink or serve them at gatherings.

When I pull out the Maps Rock Glass it always becomes a fun conversation piece. I don’t know if I can pull it out around anyone without them questioning where it came from and examining the stunning etching design of streets, landmarks and neighborhoods.

Fashion, Gift Guides, Mother's Day, Reviews

Mama’s Jewelry NANA “Infinity Love” all White Mother & Child Necklace – Review

I have partnered with Mama’s Jewelry with US Family Guide for feature

 

Did Mom or Wife appreciate their Mother’s Day gift? You are not done yet, you still have birthdays, the holidays and perhaps a ‘just because’ gift to go this next year! Perhaps you have a grad or daughter that deserves something special. No matter who you are shopping for, if they like jewelry they will love a personalized piece from Mama’s Jewelry and prices start at only $69!

Mama's Jewelry NANA "Infinity Love" all White Mother & Child Necklace - Review

I am one of 4 siblings so with my Mom’s birthstone and the 4 of us we all fit in the 5 stone, NANA “Infinity Love” all White Mother & Child Pendant/Necklace. It arrived fast and very well placed in the little black box. The stones look great and seem very secure in the pendant. It hangs on an adjustable box chain and comes in sterling silver, 10k or 14k gold.

Connect with Mama’s Jewelry at their website and on Facebook. And shipping is free!