Dr. Brown’s Breast Pump Caryall Tote Review

This breast pump tote is a great carryall for new moms.


Dr. Brown
has hit the market with another new product to add to a mom’s arsenal. With a baby to carry or push and all the items we need to take care of our little one’s needs, hands are at a premium. Good storage and mobility is a must, both of which are provided by this Breast Pump Carryall.

The name says it, carryall. With a section sized to fit most electric breast pumps and a bottle cooler bag this tote is prepared to handle what you need to carry. There is plenty of room for other items too that you will need for a day out. The bag has a nice neutral gray color that matches most outfits or at least doesn’t stand out and scream diaper bag. It can easily be carried into any professional environment discreetly for moms that need to pump at work.

The tote has comfortable straps with a softer feel to keep them from digging into your shoulder. There is also a zippered compartment inside the bag so you can store smaller items while keeping them handy and easy to reach since the main section of the bag is large. It is well organized while still having the issue all sizable totes do, or mine anyway, which is items go in and then seem impossible to get back out. For me the internal pockets have made all the difference when I remember to use them! Even so most of my bags jingle with some loose change.


Dr. Brown’s Breast Pump Caryall Tote
is a versatile piece that works to carry your breast pump, bottles, or any other baby item you want to store away and carry. You can find out more about this item or other baby products on their site, drbrownsbaby.com. You can also check them out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

ciao! baby Portable High Chair Review

Easy to Carry Baby Gear

Innovation has come to the table in the form of the exciting ciao! baby portable high chair. This product is as easy to carry as any collapsible pop chair with all the benefits of a traditional high chair making it a perfect package. The five point safety harness secures kids up to three years of age for a safe snack time and the chair comes all in one piece, no assembly required, which makes an instant set-up expert of anyone. Whether you are on the road traveling with your family or looking for an option suited to compact apartment living the ciao! baby portable high chair is a great match.

My favorite part about the high chair is the quick set-up and clean-up. With an easy to clean tray, cup holder, and ultimate transport capability the outdoors are an easy destination from the beach to camping trips or in my case just the back patio. For sunny spots there is even an umbrella that you can add on to protect against the afternoon rays.

There is a great selection of colors and patterns to choose from to match your home or any style you prefer. For hardcore sports fans you can show your team spirit wherever you go with the College logo design line. Collegiate logos are on the front headrest of chair and also on the carrying bag. Heading over to a friend’s place at meal time is drama free with the portability of the high chair. The major bonuses are mobility and the ability to store this chair away without any hassle. Light and compact gear does not always go hand in hand with baby packing so any versatile product like the ciao! baby portable high chair is a huge asset to parents on the go.

Find out more about ciao! baby and their portable high chair on their website: theportablehighchair.com or on Social Media with Twitter, Facebook or Instagram

Taste McCrea’s Caramels

Caramel lovers, McCrea’s is a must!

On apples, in desserts, or solo, caramel tops the charts as a fan favorite. McCrea’s Caramels take your expectations on what this sweet gooey goodness can be to a whole new level. The smooth creamy texture that melts in your mouth is just the beginning. The flavors offered are exciting and give these caramels an extra kick.

Ginger Fusion, Dark Roasted Mocha, Tapped Maple, and Black Lava Sea Salt are just the beginning of the options offered by McCrea’s Caramels. Each bite packs a punch as all of the caramels are truly infused with flavor. Classic options like the two salted caramels, Black Lava Sea Salt and the Cape Cod Sea Salt, are a perfect balance of sweet and salty while having subtle distinctions in flavor from the different salt sources. A side by side comparison is a fun activity to try.

The newest addition to the “Flavor Family” is Anisette to join the liquor-infused options like Irish Coffee and Single Malt Scotch. Inspired by the anise infused liqueur, Anisette caramel is a great combination. The result is a smooth treat that brings this unique taste to a new form.

If you have a friend or family member with a passion for any of these flavors they make a great gift or addition to a gift basket. My mother LOVES ginger and McCrea’s Ginger Fusion Caramels are at the top of my list for her holiday presents. With a company like McCrea’s where the goal is to make the best caramels science and nature can come together to create there is no going wrong with any choice. I say science since Jason McCrea who develops these caramels has a background in chemistry that brings a new level to this classic.

Find out more about McCrea’s on their website – mccreascandies.com

Follow McCrea’s on Social Media – TwitterFacebookInstagram 

Summer Drinks with Award Winning Vodka

An Icy Addition to Summer

The last days of summer are here so celebrate a season well spent with a cocktail. Two great Award Winning options are LEAF Organic Vodka and Khortytsa Platinum Vodka. Both offer a refreshing kick to your dry martini or mixed drink.

LEAF Organic Vodka comes in two varieties, Alaskan Glacial Water and Rocky Mountain Mineral Water. The difference is actually the source of Vodka’s main ingredient, Water! I was amazed that such a subtle difference can have so much impact on flavor. An in home tasting comparison was a fun evening with friends. Both varieties were popular with an even split of favorites for each. Rocky Mountain mineral water lends crisp clean taste while the Alaskan Glacial has a bit of sweet. Another plus is the fact that both products are organic, quality products from quality ingredients.

LEAF Organic Vodka – Find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Khortytsa Platinum Vodka goes through an extensive and unique filtration process which gives the product its clear and clean flavor. Distilled in the Ukraine with a filter enhanced with birch and alder-tree charcoal and quartz sand the results are unique and delicious. You can almost taste the cold, which is a wonderful feature on a hot summer day. 

Khortytsa Platinum – Find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Summer Spice Vodka Lemonade Recipe 

Ingredients:

1 & 1/2 Cup Lemon Juice – Approximately 6 Fresh Lemons

6 Cups Water

3/4 Cup Agave Nectar – you can also use sugar

3 Jalapeños Peppers – Sliced

Dash of Salt

Vodka to Taste

Start with your lemons. If you have fresh, cut them in half and juice them by hand or if you have a juicer until you have a cup and a half of lemon juice. Any extra lemons can be sliced to add in as a decorative element to your drink.

Mix water, agave nectar, salt, and lemon juice together and mix until dissolved. Add sliced jalapeños, more or less depending on the level of heat you enjoy. Finish with ice, lemon slices, and vodka to taste.

 

Roni Macaroni Food Truck

Comfort food and cheesy goodness.

Their slogan is “For the love of Mac n’ Cheese!” and their food lives up to it. Roni Macaroni serves exactly what you might expect, Mac and Cheese, but they do it in ways you might not expect. Their menu also goes beyond this crowd pleasing favorite. If noodles aren’t calling your name try the fries, or order up one of their stacked high sandwiches, a cheese burger, or a Roni Kosher Beef Chilli Dog.

Roni Macaroni’s menu has options within the Mac and Cheese category as well. The Buffalo Ranch Chicken Mac is one, a mix of their classic mac with shaved carrots and celery, Frank’s Buffalo Sauce, ranch dressing, and diced chicken. Beef more your style? How about the Steak Mac & Cheese with sliced rib eye, mouth watering grilled onions, and toasted bread crumbs. The floor reminded me of a Philly Cheese Steak in a bowl with a extra cheesy finish that had my mouth watering.

My favorite is the L.A. Street Mac & Cheese which includes a beef hot dog, bacon, grilled onions, and bell peppers. What could be better than two childhood favorites mashed and mixed in just the way I love. Bites of delicious and juicy hot dog coated in cheese sauce is a delight that made me smile while the onions and peppers raised the level of taste beyond what my mom cut up on my kiddy plate. This is a great mix of nostalgia and quality food in a bowl.

If you want an order you can wrap your hands around Roni Macaroni’s BBQ Pulled Pork Melt stands out with their house made pulled pork, mac and cheese, and more sweet, sweet grilled onions. Using mac and cheese to add another level to this sandwich is a skillful move. A thick melt on perfectly toasted bread is a texture treat as well. The buttery crunch of the bread, the smooth cheesy elbow macaroni, come together to compliment the BBQ and tender onions in each delicious bite.

This is not the mac and cheese you make out of a box and “For the love of Mac and Cheese” give it a try!

Want to learn more or track Roni Macaroni? Check out their website for more details – ronimacaronifoodtruck.com

On Social Media – TwitterInstagramFacebook

Brew Wings Food Truck

Wings and Waffles will make your mouth water!

Brew Wings has kicked it up to a whole new level with their take on the now classic chicken and waffles. Wings and Waffles adds spice to the sweet salty goodness that has attracted eaters to the original pairing. If you like Buffalo wings at all, you will love this food truck.

Chicken is a major feature, but the Brew Wings menu goes beyond what their name implies. Yes they have wings, great delicious ones that come in your choice of sauce, Stefano’s Original Buffalo or Brew-B-Q, and chicken tenders too. For those that want to keep their fingers clean there are options like the Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich or the vegetarian grilled cheese. You can also go sweet all the way and enjoy some crisp waffles in syrup. Add a few tatter tots and you have a meal that will hit all your tastebuds.

Wings and Waffles was a new experience and as a wing lover this new spicy element adds to my general craving for the lip burning goodness of Buffalo sauce. The wings are lean and large which makes for a healthy bite without dealing with tiny chicken pieces. The Brew Wings sauce is also a perfect blend of flavors that left my tongue and lips tingling in the best way. If you can’t handle a little heat definitely go with the Brew-B-Q sauce.

The waffles that accompanied those wings were light and fluffy with a great crispy outside. As someone that makes a lot of waffles I was really impressed with Brew Wings. You might be thinking the spicy Buffalo sauce and maple syrup wouldn’t mix but it is a surprisingly great combo that I am already craving more of. In a line up of food trucks this would be a top pick for me.

Now I love my tatters in tot form on any day but when you can get them fried to golden deliciousness then smothered under chicken, cheese, and I poured on the BBQ sauce, the combo is divine. The BBQ sweetens up the savory tots, which are tossed in garlic salt to give them a nice depth.
In the case of the Brew Wings Food Truck the line might be long, but that is because what they are serving inside is worth the wait!

You can find out more about Brew Wings on their website brewwing.com

You can also follow them on Social Media – TwitterInstagramFacebook 

Samurai Burrito Food Review

A new sushi adventure!

Exciting things are happening with familiar ingredients again in the world of sushi and Samurai Burrito is leading the charge from their food truck based out of Orange County California. First there was sushi, then the sushi roll, after came deconstructed sushi bowls, and now inspired by the form and concept of our neighbors to the south we have sushi nachos and burritos! You won’t find any flour or corn tortillas, but why not embrace the “easy to eat on the run” burrito wrap?

Food Trucks like Samurai Burrito offer high quality food in unexpected locations. Sometimes it is hard to chose what to try, in which case I usually pick the most unusual and new. I have come across sushi burritos before, but the Samurai Super Nachos… they were a discovery.

The wonton chips are reminiscent of those found on the table at a Chinese restaurant. They make an excellent base for the overflowing flavors in this dish. King salmon, spicy tuna, eel, masago, and three house sauces are complimented by fresh cut onion to give the Samurai Super Nachos a real kick. Absolutely an item for sharing as it is very rich and the portions are generous.

There are a lot of options for burritos, tacos, bowls, or salads or you can mix and match your favorite ingredients for a personalized experience. Even the selection of wraps for burritos is extensive with traditional options like seaweed and soy paper, or more exotic ones like togarashi and shiso. Some of the items are imported all the way from Japan.

This truck is a refreshing option on a hot summer day so I definitely recommend keeping your eyes open for it. You can also track them down online for their scheduled appearances.

You can find out more on the Samurai Burrito website – Samuraiburrito.com

Or on  FacebookTwitterInstagram

 

Spa at the Oaks in Ojai

A Day at The Oaks Spa!

The Oaks at Ojai is a resort and getaway for a few nights stay or for those that just have the day drop in and enjoy their Spa. This is the spot for anyone looking to pamper themselves. The Oaks Spa offers every service you could want in a historic and comfortable setting. Right in the center of Ojai and in the renovated mission style hotel this spa gives off charm and invites you to spend time reaching complete relaxation.

The Oaks Spa covers all of your needs from body and skin care treatments, to the hair and nail salon all in one place. Leave with loose muscles after a full body salt stone massage with pink toes and trimmed hair if that is your ideal day. Or for facial enthusiasts there are a number of options to get your skin glowing!

Body Treatments – The Oaks Spa is a wonderful mix of the traditional Swedish Massage, Deep Pressure, and Aromatherapy with innovative techniques to target joints and the Hot Himalayan Salt Stone Massage. My favorite part is that for the indecisive like myself they have the Ultimate Massage Package that feature six of the massage styles in one 75 min. treatment.

Skin Care Treatments – Some of these might sound like they come out of the kitchen, but you will enjoy every second whether you choose the Ojai Olive Oil Body Soufflé, Seasonal Sugar Scrub, or Aromatherapy Body Salt Glo. The another popular option is the Vita D Brightening Body Treatment or Facial.

The Vita D facial was a new experience for me as a facial first timer, but my esthetician was amazing. When she wasn’t working on applying natural products to exfoliate my skin or wrapping me in Vitamin D, she was gently massaging my hands and feet to relax me. In the end my skin was glowing and so smooth I was shocked.

The entire experience, including all of the lovely people I met in between their treatments, was one worth repeating. In fact some of the women I met in the sitting area were on their regular ladies outing, driving in from all points in Southern California to spend the day at the Oaks Spa. Others were staying at the resort and it was easy to see who had just left a massage, they were walking through the lobby in their robe with mussed hair and a blissed out look on their faces. Ojai is a great place to visit and the Oaks Spa should be on your “To Do” list.

Learn more about The Oaks Spa at their site – Oaksspa.com

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