I was really excited about these Alink airtight storage containers. When I received them they seemed perfect. I really liked how the airtight lid was easy to work, just turning the handle like a big switch and they pushed in easily. After checking... +
I was really excited about these Alink airtight storage containers. When I received them they seemed perfect. I really liked how the airtight lid was easy to work, just turning the handle like a big switch and they pushed in easily. After checking that they were dishwasher safe (both on the listing and the dishwasher symbol on the containers themselves), my love affair with these storage containers ended.
After dishwashing the first thing I noticed was the lid issue (also mentioned by Jason R). Water gets stuck inside the lids and is difficult to drain, leading to mold concerns. This wasn't the worst of it though. One of the containers was completely warped in shape and no longer square, so the lid wouldn't fit. Ok, I thought, just let everyone know not to dishwash them, but they are still usable.
The next day I decided to fill them. When opening the lid, the parts of the lid flew outwards, almost breaking my glass jars on the counter. Luckily it hadn't been pointed at my face. You see, the lid mechanism is basically a spring inside attached to the flip handles. My hypothesis is that the dishwasher weakened the plastic tabs holding these panels on, so the spring pressure simply snapped them and the while lid flew apart.
Out of seven containers, I have three left with usable lids, even though it's only been a day. I'm aware that they could break at any moment, forcing me to transfer the contents to something else. So these are actually NOT dishwasher safe. It makes me worry about what else is a lie. It's possible if you don't wash them they will be just fine, but given the high price point, shoddy quality and straight up lies printed on the package, listing and actual product, I would not trust these to hold a single grain of rice.
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This lemon juice with added garlic flavour is exactly what it sounds like: your traditional ReaLemon lemon juice with a splash of garlic oil for a stronger flavour. I was surprised at just how strong the garlic flavour was, so I would definitely use... +
This lemon juice with added garlic flavour is exactly what it sounds like: your traditional ReaLemon lemon juice with a splash of garlic oil for a stronger flavour. I was surprised at just how strong the garlic flavour was, so I would definitely use this in small doses. I tried it in a stir fry where it brought out a very nice flavour in the recipe, with just a hint of garlic and lemon by the time everything was done cooking.
I've also used it in salad dressings and curries. It's perfect for adding more of a flavour to healthier foods and making them delicious, keeping you on track of your plans to improve your health! Since there's no added sugars and stuff, you don't need to worry about impacting your family's health either.
The bottle itself is quite small but the top of the bottle does not have any kind of special nozzle to prevent you from pouring a lot of the lemon juice out, so be careful when pouring.
One aspect of the bottle’s design that I thought was really smart is the small strip on the front which has been left transparent. This allows you to see clearly how much liquid is left in the bottle, and they’ve even made little marks to show you when it’s 3/4 full, half full, and then almost done. This way you never have to guess how much is left in the bottle. There’s even a helpful suggestion for when to buy more so you don’t run out.
Overall I think this ReaLemon Flavour Infusion is a good addition to your fridge. It’s not a replacement for keeping normal lemon juice on hand, as the garlic flavour is a bit too strong for some things, but you can add it to any recipe to give a zingy garlic flavour that was popular with my whole family.
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The Hifold Adjustable Booster seat by Mifold is a great example of something that seems complicated, but once you use it it’s very simple and clear. If this is your first booster seat, you’ll want to dedicate some time alone to figure out how to... +
The Hifold Adjustable Booster seat by Mifold is a great example of something that seems complicated, but once you use it it’s very simple and clear. If this is your first booster seat, you’ll want to dedicate some time alone to figure out how to adjust it, outside of the car, but there’s a huge benefit to Hifold over other booster seats and that’s the fact that it is so adjustable.
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Design
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The Hifold Booster seat design is exceedingly clever. Each of the sections can be expanded, folded or unfolded or widened in some way, which allows it to be made bigger as your child grows. Which means, you only need to buy this one booster seat for all the required ages (depending on local law). It also doesn’t LOOK like a baby seat. So older kids won’t be as annoyed at having to sit in it.
This cool racer red design is actually similar to the style of popular Gaming Chair, so if they’re at the age where they don’t want to sit in a booster anymore, but it’s still required by law, it’s going to be easier to convince them with the look of the Hifold.
It’s a bit tricky to figure out how to use it at first and while the guide is clear, I feel it is still a bit confusing. Just take it slowly and try one adjustment at a time and once you’ve done it once, you’ll easily remember how as it’s actually quite intuitive, once you notice the guides for the straps and the levers to pull.
Another thing I liked is that they’ve thought of everything, there’s space under the seat cushion for the instruction booklet, so you’ll never be stuck and confused. As well as that, the fact that it folds up and becomes transportable is a big boon to parents on the go. If you don’t have your own car, or frequently need to take ubers or lifts from friends, the Hifold Booster Seat can come with you. It’s not super light, but it’s not unbearably heavy either, it weighs about as much as a laptop bag with the laptop inside or a heavy bag of groceries.
It’s a shame that it isn’t rated for air travel or Australia (there’s been delays on the certification there), but being allowed in most other countries and situations means that Hifold travels really well.
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Quality
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The quality is impressive, it’s not just good looks, but great functionality as well! The Hifold Booster Seat is quite sturdy, especially given its adaptability. The covers are all well-made and look fantastic. They are thick and rough enough that I don’t foresee a problem with durability and I’m thrilled that the covers are machine washable, given the amount of spillages (and sometimes puke related issues) that happen in a car.
The only thing I didn’t love was the carrying strap, which I felt was a bit cheap and rubbish feeling compared to the otherwise high quality of the rest of the seat.
It gives the impression and feel of a product from a professional company and I’m not surprised that Mifold has received a lot of praise about the Hifold Booster Seat. I’m happy to add to that praise with the positive experience I’m having with it.
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Value
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While the price point of $199.99 (at time of review) is higher than some booster seats, it’s lower than others that aren’t adjustable. I’m impressed with the value, given that it is so versatile, great quality and functionally works really well. Tons of the value lies in the portability of the Hifold, but I also can’t discount how valuable it is to have something that will last through the years. On top of that, the design being more stylish and less child-like really appeals to kids of a certain age.
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Summary
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The Mifold Hifold (It’s a bit of a mouthful!) Adjustable Booster Seat has it all. It can travel from vehicle to vehicle and even country to country, it looks cool, it’s durable and it’s safe. The negatives are incredibly minor and given the reasonable price point and high value, it’s the best Booster seat I’ve tried so far!
Pros:
+ Extremely portable (move from car to car, travel with it etc.)
+ Not too heavy (Laptop bag or heavy grocery bag is comparable.
+ Cool designs that don’t look as ‘babyish’ for older kids.
+ Easy to use once you know the trick.
+ Manual is good (but could also be dumbed down a lot for ease of use).
+ Storage for the manual under the seat cushion.
+ Adjustable and can ‘grow’ with your children.
+ Washable covers.
Cons:
- Not yet rated in Australia.
- Can’t use on planes.
- Shoulder strap feels a little cheap.
Recommended: Yes! If a Booster seat can have it all, the Hifold is it.
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I loved a different Instachew product and was really excited about the Rover Travel bottle, but I was shocked at just how ineffective it was, especially given the higher price point. The quality was very good, but that's probably the only positive... +
I loved a different Instachew product and was really excited about the Rover Travel bottle, but I was shocked at just how ineffective it was, especially given the higher price point. The quality was very good, but that's probably the only positive for me. When trying to get the water to come out, it comes out so slowly in a trickle that it's difficult to fill the bowl. You have to tip it all the way up to get the water to start flowing and then it will spill out quickly before it's even part way full. On top of that, when it's locked water still drips out when the bottle is tipped.
I loved the idea of dual compartments because I wanted to use it fully for water, but because each compartment is separate there's no way to get the second water section without taking a section out and attaching the second directly to the bowl. It's annoying and you risk spilling it instead of a simple channel system like from the bowl to the first compartment. It won't matter if you're using it for kibble, but for more water, it doesn't work well.
Thirdly, the hole for putting the carry strap through is tiny, so the carry strap doesn't fit. When forced, the wire came out of the carry strap and couldn't be put back in.
The designs needs a rethink to match the quality and look of the product, because with an item like this, function is the most important thing.
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At some point in the last few years I have started to notice that roasted peas are becoming a much more popular snack option as an alternative to potato chips. I’d never tried them until now, and I find that they have a great crunch and a very... +
At some point in the last few years I have started to notice that roasted peas are becoming a much more popular snack option as an alternative to potato chips. I’d never tried them until now, and I find that they have a great crunch and a very nice taste. I tried the ranch-flavoured Pea Pops and was initially a little worried about the ranch flavour being too strong, but it turns out the flavouring is light and not at all overwhelming.
Roasted peas are light and crunchy with very little flavour on their own. They don’t really taste like peas, and they’re not too hard, so you don’t feel like you’re crunching on something really tough. They’re a great snack because they’re filling but not heavy on the stomach. Because they're not greasy or coated you can eat them while doing something else or watching TV without getting your hands dirty. Each pack of pea pops is a small snack-size portion of 28g, not quite enough to keep you full between meals but an easy snack to have when you feel just a little peckish.
Nutrition-wise there’s just 100 calories in each pack, with 18g of carbohydrates (4 of fiber and 1 of sugar). One pack has about 9% of your daily sodium and 6g of protein, and they’re vegan and GMO-free.
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I'm mostly happy with this butter dish. The only negative is that it does not hold a full block of 454g Canadian butter. However, it does an admirable job. I prefer the butter dish turned 'upside down' with the butter in the tall section and the... +
I'm mostly happy with this butter dish. The only negative is that it does not hold a full block of 454g Canadian butter. However, it does an admirable job. I prefer the butter dish turned 'upside down' with the butter in the tall section and the small section as a lid and with this dish you can rest the lid on top, as the block of butter is only a tad too big. Within a handful of uses, you can fit the lid properly, so it's not super too small, just a little short. I removed a star for that.
I'm from the UK and always struggled to find a UK style butter dish at a reasonable price after my husband broke our last one, so I was thrilled to see that just flipping this upside-down did the trick. The glass is thick and ridged and great quality. As long as you don't have a clumsy spouse, this butter dish will last you years. I wish the design was more interesting, but it's classic and un-offensive and it does a pretty good job overall.
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If I compare this to other kid’s coding toys I’ve used, I feel it’s definitely aimed more to the higher ages and for children who already have an interest in electronics or coding. That being said, it is accessible to beginners, but parents... +
If I compare this to other kid’s coding toys I’ve used, I feel it’s definitely aimed more to the higher ages and for children who already have an interest in electronics or coding. That being said, it is accessible to beginners, but parents will probably need to lend a helping hand. It could definitely be more clearly laid out. It’s simple, but with complex stuff like this, dumbing it down even further makes it painless for even those who struggle with this stuff, to be able to try it. It also would allow younger ages to be able to access it as well.
The benefit of it’s complexity is that it has a lot of features and potential that the simpler kits I’ve tried didn’t have. You can follow the simple tutorials or you can continue off book, adding elements and accessories and creating a rather complex machine. Kids can teach themselves a lot using the online community.
The other thing I really liked was that you can work in Coding Blocks, or Python. So it’s still super accessible even for those past the beginner stage and can stay with them, as they continue to improve. Even if the user doesn’t enjoy it and decides they won’t continue down a coding/electronic play or hobby path, the simple setups are really fun and help them to understand if/then scenarios and how electronics can be built and made. I’d recommend it to any kid for that reason alone, especially if you’re willing to help them out.
Using the online software (you can use it on the web, download it or use the app), the Halocode can be used to control a series of on screen sprites and scenarios. Or you can simply have it perform tasks on the Halocode chip itself. It comes with a series of project card ideas that vary in difficulty (Example: Make a smiley face when lifted) and teach new lessons and uses for the software and hardware.
The only negative I have is that I did struggle with something to the degree that it may be faulty. I couldn’t get the microphone to work! I copied the code exactly as shown in the example (replacing the wifi with my wifi details) and yet it did not work when I spoke the code word. The microphone didn’t seem to read me or my partner. I do feel like the microphone is faulty, but there’s no way to tell. I contacted them and am awaiting any response, but nothing so far.
It would be brilliant if there was a ‘diagnostic’ centre that would check if the entire Haloblock was working as intended, as despite all my problem solving skills I couldn’t figure it out. I took a star off for this.
Overall, this is a nifty piece of Tech that’s best for kids that have shown an interest in Technology. For beginner’s, a parent's guidance will probably be necessary to get the most out of this (at least at first), but it’s awesome that it can be as complex or as simple as the user wants it to be. There’s a ton of potential in the Halocode computer to continue onto some really advanced coding and even build machines.
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I was impressed with how cute these boxes are and while they are good quality, it's important to note that they are fabric boxes in the style of those foldable ones you put in cube shelving, they're not hard or made to last through... +
I was impressed with how cute these boxes are and while they are good quality, it's important to note that they are fabric boxes in the style of those foldable ones you put in cube shelving, they're not hard or made to last through generations.
With that in mind, the one complaint I have is that I find the price point a bit ridiculous for three fabric boxes.
I like that they have a base stiffener and a flap that closes, as often fabric boxes don't have that closure. The designs on the front are so cute and really stand out as bright and child-like. I think the best use for these would be extra toy storage, especially for soft toys, but they really are versatile. If you like them and budget isn't an issue, they are cute and work well. Make sure you pay attention to the sizes as they are quite small.
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As someone who has switched to purely using wireless headphones in recent years, I was surprised to find these headphones were actually very comfortable despite having a wire and a band which connects them and sits on the back of your neck. I’m... +
As someone who has switched to purely using wireless headphones in recent years, I was surprised to find these headphones were actually very comfortable despite having a wire and a band which connects them and sits on the back of your neck. I’m still not a huge fan of the look, as it’s much more obvious than a small pair of wireless headphones, but comfort-wise there’s no problem unless you hate having something on your neck.
The active noise cancelling (ANC) features seem to be a big selling point for these headphones, even though nothing on the product box or in the manual does a good job of actually describing what the ANC is supposed to do. Basically there are two levels of ANC you can toggle between: level 1 is what I call “light” noise cancelling, where most background noise is tuned out but you can still hear louder sounds. This is ideal for commuting, as you wouldn’t want to miss an emergency announcement or someone shouting while walking to work or taking public transit. Level 2 is “heavy” noise cancelling, and basically filters out everything. This is great if you really need to focus, such as when you’re working at the office or at home. In both cases the ANC does a good job working as intended, though it’s not quite as good as the ANC you might find in over-the-ear headphones.
Sound quality was very good, no static and good bass. They work just as well watching a movie as they do listening to your music, with no issues at all. The headphones were very comfortable in my ears even for hours at a time (and they have various earbud sizes you can switch in) and the back of each earbud has a magnet which allows them to sit together rather than flopping all over the place when not in use. The carry bag is also very useful if you want to store the headphones somewhere while on the go, like on your way to work, and the bendable nature of the band that sits on your neck makes it very easy to fold up the whole headphone unit and store it in a small place. Having a USB-C charging port is another big plus for me, as it’s MUCH faster and reduces the number of devices in my house still relying on old micro-USB cables.
My biggest problem with these headphones at first was the Bluetooth connectivity, which would disconnect or skip very frequently when connected to my phone. After a few days I was very frustrated with how serious the connection issues were, until I saw someone else online with the same problem talk about the need to download the 1MORE app and install a firmware update to the headphones. I didn’t see anything about that at all in the manual, but sure enough that’s exactly what I had to do. Once I downloaded that update everything was totally fine, but before that they were borderline unusable.
Overall these headphones are a good match if you don’t mind not having wireless bluetooth headphones (and many people don’t prefer those), but make sure you find and download the firmware update or they may be almost unbearable to use.
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I've used a lot of lower-end makeup brushes and I think it goes without saying that despite the description you're not getting a professional set at this price point. What did surprise me was how much I really liked these brushes. For anyone who... +
I've used a lot of lower-end makeup brushes and I think it goes without saying that despite the description you're not getting a professional set at this price point.
What did surprise me was how much I really liked these brushes. For anyone who wears makeup less than daily, they would be completely suitable. One thing that happens quite a lot with cheaper brushes is the bristles falling out or the ferrule (little metal part) breaking and the head falling off of the stem. Neither has occurred with these Coshine Unicorn Brushes and they seem really sturdy and well-put together. They are also sooo soft and nice on the skin!
They work as well as my more expensive brushes (I don't think there's much difference between these up until mid-point brushes). Looks are a big selling point here and these really bring me joy every time I use them. They make me smile, I particularly like the geometric indents and dip-dyed colour. I think these would make a fantastic gift for a young girl as well, or one who loves fantasy at any age!
I've washed and sanitised them several times and they're holding up fine, though I'll update if it changes. At this time, I would definitely recommend them, especially given the great price point!
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