Best and Worst Products of the Year

Before you go and buy anything else for your home this year, you must check out ShopSmart Magazine's Best and Worst list!

I had the chance to talk with one of their editors who tested more than 60 products from from coffee makers and crock pots, to vacuums, treadmills, even chocolate! And now that I have your attention - CHOCOLATE - you may be surprised to discover, at least I was, that one of the least expensive generic brands on the planet Kirkland  (Costco) Signature  Belgian Chocolate was rated as every bit as yummy as those fancy high end chocolates, like Godiva and the like.

Here's the list of stand outs - and below you can listen to my interview with ShopSmart Magazine.

Coffee Grinder - Cuisinart Supreme Grind - $50 -Best-priced and really crushes coffee beans like the barristas at your favorite coffee joint.

Coffeemakers -  Kalorik CM25282 $80 One of the best brewers in testing and easy to use.

Black & Decker DLX10508 $20 - Great deal and brewed almost as well as the Kalorik in testing.

Iron - T-Fal Ultraglide FV4370 $50 - Flattens stubborn creases and plastic cord extender to keep cord from dragging across your clothes.Washer - Electrolux WaveTouch EWFLW65H(W) $1600 - Pricey yes, but ShopSmart found it scored high in genetleness and overall performance. Plus it's a frontloader making it more efficient and saving you around $125 a year on your energy and hot-water costs.

Vacuums - Dirt Devil Feather Bagless M0855845 $60 -- Great on pet hair, light and easy to use.

Hoover Platinum Bagged UH30010COM $400- Top scores for cleaning and has a canister mini vac.

Sewing Machine - Brother Innov-is 40 Project Runway Limited Edition $400 - Can't see Heidi Klum using this but who knows! And ShopSmart found it's ease to use stick selector and preprogrammed options great.

Cook pan - EarthPan with Sand Flow - 10 Piece Set $190-  Coated with special sand anti scratch and eco friendly coating, beat all the other sets they tested. 

Paint - Behr Premium Plus Interior Satin Enamel $24 - Half the price of many brands and is ShopSmart's top choice in stain and eggshell. Best at hiding darker colors in just one coat.

Rival Crock-Pot SCVC604H-SS $60 - IT can be programmed so dinner will be ready when you get home~ IT's also oven safe!

Treadmill - Bowflex Series 7 - $1500 - You've seen the infomercial, and ShopSmart says they tried it and found it sturdy and solid unlike other fold-up treadmills they tested.

Chocolate-Kirkland (Costco)Signature Belgian Chocolates - 1 lb box $12 - A third the price of other fancy schmancy chocolates and according to tests, just a yummy in the tummy~!

See the entire list at www.shopsmarmag.org.

And now for the duds or "L" Loser List - - ShopSmart found these to be not so much.

The Snuggie $14.99 - It may have a cult-like following but when you wash it, the blanket with sleeves gets bald spots.

ShamWow $19.95 - Spokesman Vince Shlomi may be laughing all the way to the bank, but in testing, it dieesn't absort better than a sponge and is far more expensive!

Hercules Hook $15- Go with a plain old regular hook instead for those heavy items!

Get a Grip handle $12.99 - It yanked tile off walls!

Ikea Sparsam CFL bulb E26 GSU111 $13  Five of 10 they tested fizzled before claimed lifetimes.

Listen to my interview here!

Good luck and happy shopping!

Cindy

Cindy@cindydole.com

Cool Innovations for Your Garden

I’m always looking for easy ways to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to my garden and I think these new products and innovations will brighten your outdoor spaces.

Click to read more ...

Goodbye Smith & Hawken ~ "Boo Hoo"

If you love your garden as much as I do, I'm guessing you love shopping for things that will make it more beautiful, and more fun! Plants yes, but all of the accessories that pull it together. My favorite place to do that is saying goodbye - Smith & Hawken! I was NOT paid to write this but compelled to share how I truly feel.

It makes me sad to lose a store that has become part of my routine as long as I can remember. It's been a go to destination and solution for anything from a great garden related gift for a friend, to summertime garden lights, patio furniture, or around Christmas their Amaryllis and Hyacinth bulbs. Even their Christmas decorations with little birds and bulbs have been amazing.

I remember when I bought these copper torch lights I still have outside. I lost the rope wick in a wind. I called their customer service and they sent me 5 for free. I still enjoy my patio furniture Smith & Hawken teak set which was actually from Target as they have shared a partnership. This is the kind of quality they represent:

Since 1979 Smith & Hawken had beautiful things and has become a candy or toy store for the garden lover. Until the end of the year we can still shop and explore at their 50 plus stores around the country until the end of the year. But their online store www.smithandhawken.com is no more.

It's hard to see any business we care about close its doors. When it's a business that stands for such quality, customer service and feels like the local country store, it is heartbreaking. I'll miss you Smith and Hawken and hope someone fills the void soon. In the meantime, I'm sure we'll all find great deals thru their closeout sales.
Boo hoo.

Cindy
Cindy@homewizards.tv

Turn Old Silver into Vintage Candle Holders

Do you have sterling silver anything sitting around the house, perhaps it's packed away and not being used that often, if at all? One of my favorite things to do is to repurpose stuff you have and make it really shine with a new personality!

Here's a great way to use those old, antique silver goblets, vases, and baby cups you may you have stashed in storage and turn them into a beautiful candle you'll actually use and enjoy for years. If you don't have silver you can also find a nice assortment at yard sales and antique stores of course.

What is especially fun about this is with the miracle of the microwave it's really an easy and inexpensive thing to do! Thank you microwavable wax!

Sure you could buy a gorgeous candle already made for you in a silver vessel, but for 10 dollars you have the wax and you suddenly turn something nostalgic and memorable into something new and on display!

Here's how you do it:

1- Find your silver container(s) and polish them up if needed.

2- Get microwavable soy wax for containers-Check the one made by Yaley available at stores like Jo-ann's Fabric and Crafts or other similar stores. It comes with the wicks.

3- If you want a lighter white shade wick, Yaley makes those too. Secure it so it stays in the middle before pouring the wax. Try wrapping the wick around a pencil and lay it across the top of the silver container. You may want to tape it in place.

4-Melt the wax in a microwave- safe container -I suggest a heavy duty glass measuring cup-for 30 seconds, no more than about 1 minute.

5- Careful this is hot!--Fill 2/3 of the container with the melted wax and let it cool for half an hour. Then you'll go back and add more until it's filled to nearly the top. Note you may also want to add a fragrance. Check here; http://www.wholesalecandles.org/fragrances.php

6- Let it cool for a couple of hours and you are set! You will want to trim the wick so it looks picture perfect!

Enjoy!

Cindy

cindy@homewizards.tv