A consumer guide to gadgets, gizmos and domestic bliss - MomGadget.com

Soirée: Wine Aeration with a Touch of Elegance

Susan Warren Utley — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:06:50 +0000

A Wine Connoisseur I am not. You might even say I am somewhat intimidated by wine and the wine culture. While I do enjoy a glass of wine now and again, I tend to rely heavily on the knowledge of my friends to choose the wine. I play it safe when purchasing wine for home and stay within my comfort zone gravitating toward the sweeter, lighter wines and sticking with a few tried and true favorites. My dining experiences with darker wines caused me to avoid them for fear I wouldn’t enjoy the stronger tasting flavors.

When I was given the opportunity to review the Soirée bottle top wine aerator, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to expand my horizons. The Soirée promised to help improve the aroma and flavor of any wine. Maybe it could help me develop a bit more confidence when selecting and enjoying a darker wine.

My first stop was the Soirée website to read a bit about the product and the importance of aerating wine. Two sections, Why Decant and Soirée Science, provided me with valuable information. I learned that oxygen actually stimulates wine bringing out flavors and smells that are lying dormant. Did you know the aroma of wine actually changes as it sits in your glass? The longer it sits, the more oxygen it is exposed to, the better it smells and tastes. A few swirls in the glass actually aerates the wine even more. The Soirée eliminates both the wait time and the need to swirl. Pouring wine through the Soirée aerates the wine and infuses it with oxygen as it pours into your glass.

Before addressing the actual testing of the Soirée, I want to talk a bit about the product itself. First, it is stunning. Elegant hand blown glass is not something that you would typically associate with the term “gadget.” While beautiful to look at, it is a fragile object and care must be taken in the use and cleaning of this product. An included stand doubles as a drying rack so this helps to avoid breakage while storing and drying your Soirée. Unlike traditional wine aerators where the wine is poured through the aerator, the Soirée actually fits directly into the opening of the wine bottle. It does come with two sizes of gaskets which fit most bottles, but it does not accommodate all bottle openings. A larger size or a more universal gasket would be a nice addition.

My experience has always been pour the wine, drink the wine. Perhaps this “from bottle to glass to lips” method contributed to my apprehension towards dark wines. The wine was never given the opportunity to win me over with its true flavors.

To test the Soirée, I selected a 2008 Alamos Malbec from Argentina. After reading up on the 100 point system for evaluating wine, I chose this wine as it consistently rated 87+ and earned a 90 from Wine Spectator. I also selected it because of its reasonable price and availability. Using my customary pour and drink method, my first sip was a little too bitter and aggressive for my liking. Despite the bite, I expected more taste and depth from such a dark wine.

I then fitted the bottle with the Soirée and slowly inverted the bottle above my glass. I loved watching the Soirée in action as the wine swirled within the glass ball and tumbled into my glass. Surprisingly enough, I did not experience any splash effect. Every drop went into my glass and when I finished pouring, the wine in the Soirée slid right back into the bottle. My second sip of the Malbec was much more satisfying than the first. No longer did I detect the bitterness from the first sampling and there was a lot more flavor and depth to the wine.

My overall impression of the Soirée is that it lives up to its claims and delivers on its promises. While I may not be completely in tune with the science of wine and what makes one wine rate higher than another, as a novice wine drinker, I can truly appreciate the fact that wine tastes better when aerating with the Soirée.

To learn more about the Soirée, please visit the Soirée website.
Or to purchase a Soirée for yourself or as a gift, visit the Soirée online personal shopping cart.
This reviewer is not compensated for purchases made from links in this review.

Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

isABelt - A MomGadget Review

Marna — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:34:00 +0000

Over the last couple weeks, I have been trying this hot new item isABelt and while I could just tell everyone how much I love it - I’m going to expand on that a bit and tell everyone why they need to add one or two to their own wardrobe and accessories collection.

Once I put on my isABelt, not only does it keep my pants up, it also keeps my underwear in place and prevents me from appearing as though I am in the running for some sort of repairman role on a stereotypical bit complete with plumbers crack making it’s grand entrance. I’ll spare you the gory details and description on that little issue.

Like most people, I’ve been saying I am going to lose weight and tone up since the first of the year - but that’s yet to happen. One problem at a time, right?

If this ABelt interests you, you should check out the entire line of items they offer.

And guys, they didn’t leave you out - they have a isABelt that is unisex! I particularly like the fact that there is a span between sizes so even if I don’t manage to lose those extra pounds I don’t have to feel like a hoss. The one I am using says it fits up to size 14 and the one below fits to size 10 so with a little isABelt magic - I can feel smaller.

isABelt comes in black or clear. They have a nice selection of small, medium, large and plus size. isABelt provides a great fix for your teenager that is having the “ lowrise slippage” and for the even younger crowd, there’s one for children6/6x to JR size 12. There are some really cute designs that come on the belts such as skull-n-bones, cupcakes, cherries and of course smiley faces and peace signs.

You may also appreciate the boot toppers or their versatile body & apparel tape … wow what a nifty idea!

I would also like to comment that the site is very nice and user friendly. Visit them at www.isabelt.com -

Check it out you may even find something for that certain special someone this Valentine’s Day

Jill-e designs Camera Bags for Women

denice — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:40:37 +0000

I recently received a great camera bag from jill-e designs. This bag comes in a variety of designs and colors to match any taste or mood. The bags were designed to appeal to women but there area a few that men would like also.

I was told to pick the bag of my choice and I chose the Small Bone Leather Camera Bag. This bag is stylish and functional with removable dividers inside and several pockets on the outside for cables and accessories. Also included is a small pouch that will hold personal items if needed. I personally think that’s a great place to put your wallet, ID or whatever else you need to keep at hand. After all with a bag this stylish why carry an extra bag in the form of a purse when this will do double duty.

Another bag I received was the Messenger Style Camera Bag. This bag is so versatile it can be used for more than a camera. With it’s heavy duty magnetic closure on the front flap and large outside pocket that’s hidden by the flap this would make a great carry-all for everything from books to small baby items for mom’s on the go. A few diapers, wipes and extra bottle and you’re good to go. This bag I think I’m going to give to a 20 year old cousin who is constantly on the go with work, friends and family. It’s got the colors most young women would like and will work well in almost all situations.

The Messenger Style Camera bag also comes with removable dividers so using only 1 divider you can use 1 section for your camera and the rest as a purse. This way you’re not having to hunt through your purse for your camera and you get the added protection of not scratching the lens or view finder.

Anybody who’s into photography knows protecting your camera is your number 1 goal since a scratched lens will not make for good photographs and there is only so much you can do with digital editing software.

If you’re looking for extra insurance to protect your camera as well as a versatile bag that’s both stylish and functional I’d go with a camera bag from Jill-e designs.

A product was received for review. I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. The opinions expressed are my own and were NOT influenced in any way.

Newcastle DraughtKeg: A Smart Choice

Susan Warren Utley — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:28:42 +0000

Newcastle DraughtKeg

Back in 1928, in Northeast England, if you heard a man say he was “Going to see a man about a dog,” you could be fairly certain he was off to the pub to have a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale. Known by Newcastle locals as “Dog” or “Broon,” Newcastle Brown Ale is America’s No. 1 imported ale. Now with the Newcastle DraughtKeg, you don’t have to leave your own kitchen to enjoy the deep bodied, crisp taste of this fine draught ale.

If you are a stranger to Newcastle Brown Ale or if you aren’t a fan of darker beers, you should really give this ale a try. I thoroughly enjoy the refreshing taste with no bitterness or unpleasant aftertaste. You will be pleasantly surprised by the unique flavor. With just a hint of sweetness, Newcastle Brown Ale offers a smooth drinking experience and it goes perfect with your favorite pub fare.

The Newcastle DraughtKeg brings home the pub experience by dispensing a cool draught beer. Easy to follow directions allow you to tap the recyclable steel keg in just two easy steps. It’s small enough to carry to a neighborhood party or over to a friend’s house to watch the Super Bowl. Holding five liters of ale, the DraughtKeg is just the right size for a small group gathering or the perfect size for one. Of course, I am not going to drink five liters of ale in one sitting, but with DraughtKeg’s patented technology, I don’t have to. Once tapped, the DraughtKeg keeps beer fresh for up to thirty days, giving me a cool draught beer anytime I want one.

The Newcastle DraughtKeg fits nicely on the shelf inside the door of my refrigerator and I don’t have to remove it until it’s empty. I just open the door, place my glass under the spout, and pour. After pouring, I make sure to give the dispensing spout a couple taps with the glass to catch any ale remaining in the spout. I also keep a folded paper towel under the spout to catch drips and avoid a sticky mess on the shelf. I have heard if you pair the DraughtKeg with the Beertender by Krups, you no longer have to store the DraughtKeg in the refrigerator. Although I have not tested the Beertender myself, I would be interested in hearing from my readers who have tried it. The thought of enjoying a cool draught beer right from my kitchen countertop is intriguing!

Overall, the pairing of Newcastle Brown Ale and the DraughtKeg is a smart choice. It allows you to enjoy a superb draught ale while drinking responsibly from the comfort of your own home. Off to the kitchen to see a man about a dog!

Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

Pizza Hut to the Power of 10, Plus a $10 Pizza Hut Card Giveaway!!

julie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:50:09 +0000

Can you believe it? The Super Bowl is THIS weekend! Although my team isn’t in it this year (and hasn’t been for many, many years…sigh), I am still watching the big game and do so every year. It’s the Super Bowl!

Even if you are not into football, I watched the Super Bowl commercial special last night where they give you some sneak peeks, and it looks like we have some very funny ones yet again this year. The commercials are the best!

When it comes to the Super Bowl, what comes to mind food-wise? Chips and dip, beer and…PIZZA!!

I’m working with Pizza Hut to let you guys know what their current specials are, so that your Super Bowl get-together can be as inexpensive as possible.

Here are the details:

They are currently offering the limited-time deal of Any Pizza for $10, which means that you can order any size, any crust and any toppings for just $10 (Stuffed Crust $1 more). This deal allows you to feed all your guests their Pizza Hut favorites without breaking the bank. Additionally, you can order WingStreet wings, and with eight delicious sauces and three different varieties, our wings will satisfy any big game appetite! And whether you are watching with your family or a large group, Pizza Hut Tuscani pastas are the perfect crowd pleaser!

Pizza Hut has heard their customers loud and clear that they want value, and they are excited to begin two new weekday offers: Every Tuesday, you can order any of our Tuscani Pastas for just $10; and every Wednesday, WingStreet wings will be just .50 each!

Okay, I am seriously hungry now!!

Along with this great deal, I have some fun stats for you:

Football’s Biggest Day is Pizza Hutt’s Busiest:

* With Super Bowl being our biggest ordering day of the year, we plan to see a 55% increase in orders over any typical Sunday. Take these statistics, for example:
* Pizza Hut will sell enough pizza to cover more than 50 football fields.
* Pizza Hut employees working this day would cover all 32 football fields lying head-to-toe.
* If each slice of Pizza Hut pizza sold were laid end to end, the pizza trail would stretch halfway across the United States.
* Pepperoni is the most requested pizza topping, followed by Italian sausage and extra cheese.
* Honey Barbeque is the most popular Wing Street wing sauce, followed by Buffalo Medium and Buffalo Mild.

Cool huh?

So, are you ready to hear about this contest? I thought so! I have 5 $10 gift cards to give away to 5 lucky MomGadget readers. These will be perfect to use for that next get-together or movie night. Here are the rules of the contest:

* One entry: Just leave a comment on this post!
* One entry: Tweet about this contest on Twitter!
* One entry: Blog about this contest on your blog!
* Contest starts today (February 4th) and ends on February 11th.
* Contest only open to U.S. residents.

Good luck and a special “Thank you” to the people at Pizza Hut for being so awesome and providing the contest goodies!

A Gorgeous White Smile is Possible with Opalescence Treswhite Supreme

julie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:20:45 +0000

Have you ever looked at someone and thought “Wow, they have a gorgeous smile”? A smile, a white one to be exact, is important and it really can boost your confidence level. And Valentine’s Day of all holidays, is a day to smile about right!? I think so!

Let’s say you don’t have a significant other to spend Valentine’s Day with and you are feeling a little down. You should do something special for yourself! Pamper yourself. Get a great haircut, go to the spa or treat yourself to a sparkling white smile.

Or, let’s say you DO have someone to spend this special day with. A beautiful dazzling white smile would go great with that red dress.

I had the chance to review a fantastic teeth whitening system. It’s called Opalescence Treswhite Supreme. I am not new to this teeth whitening thing and have not really had a good experience with it in the past. I have tried the strips and the brush on creams and once tried a product (who will go unnamed) that actually made me sick. Blech!

Opalescence Treswhite Supreme is an over-the-counter treatment which is Ultradent’s latest teeth-whitening product and it features new improved comfort and flavors. I received the mint to try and let me tell you, I love the tray system! It is so much easier and I feel gives greater results than the ones I have tried in the past.

Whitening with this system is super easy. Each time I used it, I started with the upper tray, positioned it, sucked in a little to make sure it adhered to my teeth and then removed the green outer tray. I then repeated with the bottom and went about my morning routine of showering, getting dressed, doing my hair and putting on my makeup. They recommend you leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes and I found leaving it on for 30 minutes was not only doable, but it got me the results I wanted and fast. After about 3 treatments, I already started noticing a difference.

Here are some more details about the product:

* Ideal for people on the go (since it’s worn for only minutes a day)
*Easy to apply: you don’t even need a mirror;
*Available in enjoyable flavors like mint, melon and peach
* Comfortable to wear with thinner custom trays and less excess gel
*Purchased through dentists for as low as $75

Maureen McCormick from The Brady Bunch

Opalescence Treswhite Supreme is also used by many celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kellan Lutz, Taylor Lautner, Susan Sarandon, Mario Lopez, Maureen McCormick (pictured above) and the list goes on and on.

If you are looking for a fast, cost-effective way to whiten your teeth that really works, I would definitely recommend this system. I personally will never go back to the strips and creams that I’ve tried in the past.

Source & Image Credit: Ultradent

MyGraphite Online Diet Journal – A MomGadget Review & Mega Giveaway

Gayla Baer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:53:11 +0000

It doesn’t matter what Puxatony Phil says, Spring is on it’s way, is going to be here much too soon and I am growing anxious to get in shape before she arrives.

Like any girlie girl, I want to be in shape before my family begins making our weekend trips to the lakes. As well, being a girls girl, I know what a jumping jack and treadmill are – but when it comes to combining exercise and diet to make a daily regimen that works, my health intelligence goes right out the window.

Earlier today, I signed up for a website MyGraphite.com – Graphite is an online journal that allows me to enter all the data from my daily dining and computes it into recommendations of exercise required to help me burn off the necessary calories to achieve my target weight by my chosen target date.

Once I created my login, I filled out a personal profile by selecting my activity level from Desk-bound/Sitting - Lightly Active – or Very Active. A thorough description is provided of each to ensure you list your activity level properly. You might be surprised at just where you fit in.

I went on to provide my personal and health information such as height, weight and age. Once all my personal data was listed, I clicked a button and Graphite calculated my daily calorie baseline.

I went on to set my my personal goals of how much weight I want to lose each week. what I want my target weight to be and by what date I hope to reach that weight. Based on this information I am then given a target caloric intake target along with sample activities and levels necessary to burn those calories in order to meet my set goal.

After the initial profile is set up – I am able to login throughout the day to log and track the foods I eat and liquids I drink.

Graphite genuinely takes the guessing out of weight loss and fitness. By logging your food intake throughout the day, you’ll be able to leverage off where necessary to make sure you stay within certain boundaries.

Along with my membership, Graphite provides a number of tools and resources to help me eat smart, balance energy and make the necessary changes in my lifestyle.

Ultimately we all can all try those trendy diets – but unless we are willing to make true and long-term lifestyle changes, we can’t expect the weight we lose on trendy diets to remain at bay.

So who will join me?

—————- MomGadget Giveaway —————–

To help kick off our Spring Fling Campaign and get MomGadget readers geared up for getting in shape, Graphite has generously donated 10 lifetime memberships. LIFETIME people! These memberships are worth $50 per year!

Now - The winning doesn’t stop there though - Graphite is currently running a free 7-Day Trial so everyone who wants to try it out, can.

The Winner will be selected and notified via email on February 15th. Please be sure that the email address that you enter with is one that you check regularly, and also check your spam folder. If winners do not respond with the required information within a set time frame – another winner will be drawn in their place.

ONLY COMMENTS MEETING CONTEST RULES WILL BE ELIGIBLE

This MomGadget prize package is open to residents of U.S. and Canada

Manischewitz Gluten Free Products

Fabgrandma — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:56:05 +0000

I have been eating a gluten free diet for three years now, so I am always looking for new and different gluten free foods. When I was asked to try some products from the Manischewitz company, I really was surprised to learn that they have so many gluten free items in their line.

If you’re like me, you have probably seen their products on the shelves in grocery stores and never given them a second thought. After all, I’m not Jewish, and I am not restricted to a kosher diet.

Manischewitz has been in business for 120 years, and are the largest manufacturer of processed kosher food products in the country. “Today, a growing number of consumers are buying kosher products, not for religious reasons, but because they perceive these products to be “healthier” like organic and natural food.”(* from the Manischewitz website). Their Health Corner page has a long list of not only gluten free items, but several other allergens free items as well.

They sent me samples of some of their products, and I have to tell you, all of them that I have tried are really good.

The Potato Pancake Mix was very easy to prepare-just add an egg and water, let sit for five minutes, and fry up. They were quite tasty as a side dish for either breakfast or dinner, and needed no additional seasonings

The Chicken Broth made a delicious batch of southern style chicken and dumplings. And the Chocolate Chip Macaroons were divine!

Because they were so generous with their samples, I am having a give away to share them. I would love to keep them all for myself, but I live in a tiny RV trailer and have no room to store them all. If you would like to win a gift pack consisting of 1 of each of the 10 items I received, here is what you need to do:

Check out the Manischewitz website, and then come back here and leave a comment, telling me what item in their product line you would like most.

And for a second chance to win, check out the review of Manischewitz products at FabGrandma Reviews, and leave a comment there. I’ll be giving away three prizes in all, open to United States residents only. Last day to enter will be February 14, 2010.

Recipe Book for the Elm Creek Quilts Series

mea — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:34:32 +0000

For anyone following Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts series, or for cooks in general, I hope they find as much pleasure as I did in reading The Quilter’s Kitchen.

This is Jennifer’s first recipe book, yet it ties in the Elm Creek story, past and present, as the new cook and Sylvia Compson, main character of the series, clean out the old kitchen in preparation for remodeling. Each piece of memorabilia they discover has its own story along with Sylvia’s recollections of recipes. Then everything is tied together, recipes and memorabilia, at the end in a delightful way.

Quilters and non-quilters have been following this series since Jennifer’s first book. All the books tie in with Elm Creek Farm and family in some fashion, whether past or present.

Step Out in Sculptz: Tights, Sheers and Leggings Oh My!

Susan Warren Utley — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:19:04 +0000

Looking for some sexy tights, sheers, or leggings to dress up your Valentine’s Day outfit? Try stepping out in Sculptz. The slimming and smoothing features of Sculptz Shaper Tops and Control Tops will help you look your absolute best.

Sculptz Animal Pattern Opaque Tights with Shaper Top

For my review of Sculptz Animal Pattern Opaque Tights with Shaper Top, I could not resist quoting the Sculptz site: “Wild thing, you make my heart sing and legs swing!” This is the most fun I’ve had in a pair of tights! The animal pattern is flirty, sexy and makes you feel like you really did step on over to the wild side. Again, I can’t say enough about the shaping qualities of the Sculptz Shaper Top. It offers smooth shaping to eliminate bulges and panty lines, gives you lift in your rear, and slims your hips and thighs. It makes me feel so good it even gives me a spring in my step.

For more information or purchases visit the product page at Sculptz.

Sculptz 1 Carat Diamond with Shaper Top

Easily my favorite, 1 Carat Diamond Sheers by Sculptz again brought back a flood of memories from high school. This time it was the dance teams days. As soon as I slipped into the sexy diamond pattern I pictured myself wearing a top hat and tails and fishnet stockings dancing to some tune from All That Jazz or A Chorus Line. Now that I’m all grown up, I really don’t have a place for fishnet stockings in my wardrobe but 1 Carat Diamond Sheers by Sculptz offer the sexy appeal of fishnets in a sheer full coverage stocking. Suitable for day or evening wear, these sheers offer all the Sculptz trademark shaping, lifting and slimming features with its unique shaping control panel. It even has a run guard at the upper thigh!

For more information or purchases visit the product page at Sculptz.

Sculptz Opaque Legging with Control Top

In 2009 I discovered the comfort and versatility of leggings. They have become a staple of my wardrobe. I wear them under skirts, dresses, and long sweaters. Until having the opportunity to review a pair of leggings from Sculptz, I had never thought to venture far from colors like black and brown. Then along came Apple of My Eye Red just in time for the Sweetheart’s Season! Sculptz leggings come in other fun colors like All Spiced Up Copper, Shaken Not Stirred Emerald, Purple Passion, and Plum Pickings! Caution: If you are looking for the “WOW” factor then I would recommend staying with the Shaper Tops. However, if you are looking for a comfortable legging that offers gentle slimming of the tummy while still hiding those panty lines then the control top in Sculptz Opaque Legging will do the job.

For more information or purchases visit the product page at Sculptz.

For more information please visit Sculptz online.

To read more Sculptz reviews check out Sculptz Spacer Technology Body Briefer and Sculptz Shapely Perfection Shorts.

Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.