Product Reviews

Before the days of GPS I sat in the passenger seat with a map unfolded on my lap.. I’ve always been a big fan of maps and have happily adjusted to Waze. And I’ve been known to enjoy an adult beverage. So how fun is it that the two are combined on the Map Engraved Barware collection from Uncommon Green?

While I like my friends and family far too much to inflict my singing voice on them, others with a bit more talent can have a blast with the Karaoke Microphone from EverythingTechGear.

If you’re heading to any destination or accommodations where the quality or condition of the sheets may not meet your comfort or cleanliness standards, take along the Brave Era Silk Travel Sheet.

When my kids were in diapers we didn’t have changing stations in bathrooms. I recall the days of reluctantly setting blankets on the floor, then throwing them in the wash as soon as we got home.

Luckily, I have zero allergies or food restrictions. But I would still buy treats from MadeGood. Their granola bars and vanilla crispy squares have none of the eight most common allergens. They are organic and contain the nutrients of a full serving of vegetables.

No matter what ingredients you choose for your smoothies or shakes, they taste best fresh from the blender. Keep that taste longer with SANS, a glass bottle with a vacuum pump to pump out the air that causes your smoothie to loose its freshness.

If you can’t be with your loved ones for Easter, send them the next best thing – Easter goodies delivered to their home. Choose from several sizes of Easter baskets complete with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps and enough sugar in various forms to keep them hyped up until Memorial Day.

As a wine drinker, I get unattractively irritated when I go to an event where the only choice is beer. Now I’ll keep smiling because I’ll take my PortoVino bag.

Just last year I joined the Yeti tribe, thrilled with how my tumbler kept my coffee warm for hours. As the warmer weather approaches, it’s time to think picnics, dining al fresco and outdoor concerts. So how do I keep my white wine cool?

With this lightweight tablet holder, eniTAB360 from Filofax, you can prop your tablet or e-reader at any angle you’d like as it has multiple positions to choose from. The holder attaches to the back of the tablet firmly, but is easily removed when you aren’t using it. It’s only 1/2” thick so packs nicely in your suitcase or briefcase.

I hate parking garages. It’s not just about getting dizzy circling around, forgetting where my car is, or losing my ticket. (All of which I’ve done.) I don’t feel safe in them when no one is around, even in the daytime.

There are more than 20,000 arrests for DUI in metro Atlanta annually, with the average DUI costing a driver $10,000. How do you know when you’ve had too much to drive safely?

Ever nod off during a TV show, but then when you go to bed, you can’t fall asleep? Your mind is racing with thoughts of what you need to do or you can’t shake the stress of the day.

Songa Designs’ goal is to empower Rwandan women by giving them jobs making hand-crafted items. Its newest product is the Unity Sarong, which is dyed and tasseled by hand.

I took a 14-hour flight and the woman at the window seat didn’t get up once. Selfishly, I was glad I didn’t have to move for her, but it’s dangerous to stay still at 35,000 feet. You need to keep your blood circulating by doing calf lifts or getting up.

If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, pepper spray is an easy item to carry with you. The Finders Keep Her Safer Pepper Spray comes in a small 1/2-ounce size with a keyring to attach to your keys or backpack. Use it for one five-second burst, or for five one-second bursts. It can incapacitate an attacker for up to 45 minutes.

When we moved a few years ago, I found a drawer of old slips that I hadn’t touched for years. They were made of synthetic materials, wrinkled easily and were too hot to wear in the summer when I needed them for coverage.

“A little of each product goes a long way. And I really like the way the products smell.” That was the review by Chris Schroder of the new Elements line of products from Dove Men+Care.

We were packing up at the end of a family trip one year and my son said, “Mommy, is that your toothbrush?” I said yes, and he said, “I used it to kill a bug when we first got here.”

One item I always pack is a portable tote. I use it during the trip for hikes, bike rides and for bagging items at a store. On the way home I use it if I have too many items to fit in my suitcase. Last week I used one to carry my hiking boots on the way home from Montana.

My husband was packing for his music festival camping trip and had something else to add. “Can I take these?” he asked, holding up two bourbon-flavored Lollyphiles.

This new little gadget is a portable Bluetooth speaker with Alexa built in, with claims that anything Alexa can do, it can do as well. So you can play music, order items online, ask about the weather and even order an Uber. Although rather than being voice activated, you touch it to activate it so it’s perfect for homes with a family member named Alexa.

I love to drink water flavored with mint, lemon and cucumber, but don’t enjoy the pulp and getting mint leaves stuck in my teeth.

As an event and celebrity photographer, I recently purchased the new Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. I want to provide the best possible images to my clients and the people I photograph.

I love water sports, but don’t love dragging a bulky beach towel around with me, which is especially inconvenient on a kayak or canoe trip. Now I’ll be taking along the Matador NanoDry Shower Towel.

This product is targeted for traveling with kids, but I’m a grown-up woman (most days!) and will be using the Diono Travel Pal car seat organizer.

Relaxing in the tub just got easier with the SipCaddy. That is if your bathing ritual involves drinking a glass of wine, like mine does.

You want to take a dip in the ocean or pool but don’t want to leave your cell phone and wallet unattended. Take SAFEGO, the portable safe, with you on your next trip.

I keep a Kamee sport blanket in my car for those impromptu picnics or any venue where you need a blanket. It doubles as a tablecloth as well, with ties on the corners to anchor it down.

If your spring break plans include a trip to the beach with the kids, keep those sand toys, food and small items organized with Beachmate.