REVIEW: Angel Baby Car Seat Travel Bag- Durable

I currently own the Angel Baby Lightweight Stroller Travel Bag for our stroller and it has been a success.

I needed one for our car seat because I know the straps could get caught in the baggage screening systems or it could fall off the cart on the way to the place on the tarmac (I've seen this happen to other people's luggage and items especially in the rain).  This Angel Baby Car Seat Travel Bag is very compact yet the material is sturdy.  It can not be easily torn and protected the car seat against being stuck in the machine and getting dirty.  It can't really protect the car seat from a drop but it will keep it clean and everything in place.  However, if you gate check it, it has this carry-on strap that is really convenient.  I kind of wished it came with two straps--like how you would wear a backpack--carrying a baby and a diaper bag isn't always an easy feat with a one-shoulder car seat bag (gotta balance the weight of everything).  I highly recommend this bag for your travel needs and although I received this item at a discounted price in exchange for my honest and unbiased review, it does not affect the validity of my actual experiences.  I own an Angel Baby stroller bag that I did pay full price for and am highly satisfied.

PROS:
*  Compact
*  Easy to unfold and fold back
*  Keeps car seat clean and straps from getting caught in the machine
*  Easy to carry with the handle or shoulder strap
*  Bright red color to easily identify your car seat at baggage claim
*  You can also add a few more lightweight items inside
*  Sturdy and tear-resistant

CONS:
*  Could use two straps to wear like a backpack for even weight distribution when traveling solo with child
*  Takes patience in folding it back in the zippered pocket but it's not hard--just gotta move fast and get use to how to fold it

This is our Safety 1st Convertible Car Seat with the brand new bag--not opened yet

The bag after I folded it back into it's pocket. Very easy!

Buy it now here on Amazon-->>>>Angel Baby Car Seat Travel Bag- Durable

REVIEW: Xpassion Stainless Steel Barbecue Tongs

  Get yours today!! Silicone Xpassion Stainless Steel BBQ Tongs

I literally received my kitchen tongs about three hours ago and decided to use them right away. My main purpose of buying these is for handling meat or dealing with fried foods.

Tonight I made a hamburger/Salisbury steak and needed my tongs to lift and flour the meat, add it to the cast iron skillet filled with hot oil, and then lifting it out of the skillet.

The tongs are made with a high heat resistant silicone with silicone grips on the stainless handles.  I like the little stands that are on the handle when setting it down on the counter (or like my pic on the pan itself!)  The inside is hollow-ish…not sure how I feel about that because it can mean it may not last as long or food items can get stuck in the crevices.  We will see later on down the road. It also can be stored on a hook or magnetic bar.  When I used it for my beef, the silicone took the heat very well and the handles did not get hot at all unlike my old stainless steel tongs. 

I do not really have any dislikes about it yet...I did receive these at a discounted price in exchange for my honest and unbiased review but this does not discredit my experience or review with this item.

PROS:

·         High heat resistant silicone

·         Heat-safe grips on the handles

·         Easy to handle and adjustable

·         Can be stored on a hook or magnetic bar

·         Grips food items securely without dropping

·         Sits on the countertop without actually touching the tongs on the counter

·         Can also sit on the side of a cast iron skillet!

CONS:

·         Hollow on the inside—could trap food particles or makes it harder to wash

  Get yours today!! Silicone Xpassion Stainless Steel BBQ Tongs

REVIEW: Queen Bee Leather Conditioner

 

The Queen Bee Leather Conditioner treatment is really a great alternative to those stinky, messy, and sometimes short-lasting leather polishes that I have used in the past.  I decided to try this conditioner on my daughter’s boots.

 

The conditioner has no strong fragrance or smell; There is a smell but it’s not a wake-up-your-senses type of smell.  It’s a clear liquid and a little goes a LONG way—I found that out the hard way by having to polish a little longer.  There is an enclosed applicator pad—which I think needs a handle to make the circular motions a little bit easier.  It went on very easy and was very easy to use. The instructions were simple and to the point.  It said leave on for 30-60 minutes depending on how old the leather is. I left it on for about 60 minutes to get the full effect. 

Left is BEFORE; Right is AFTER

 

It can be used on any leather surface/items.  I am going to try it on a leather belt and handbag and see how that works out. I will provide an update at a later time.

 

PROS: 

• Clear
• Non-fragrant
• Non-greasy
• A little goes a LONG way
• Easy to use
• Doesn’t stain
• Multiple uses such as boots, shoes, belts, car interior, handbags, etc.

 CONS:

• None!

I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

 

Try it now for yourself! It's only $9.95 through Amazon and if you have AMAZON PRIME, it's free shipping!

REVIEW: Art Naturals Daily Organic Argan Oil Shampoo

I recently tried this shampoo and I normally wash my hair every morning. In the "before" photo, is a photo of my hair, the next morning using my regular shampoo and conditioner that I am usually loyal to--a brand that can be bought in any major retailer store. The after photo, is the following morning--using NO CONDITIONER!





Upon arrival, the bottle is slimmer but taller than what the photo depicts. It says "organic" but please note that it's *not* USDA-Certified Organic and some of the ingredients are hard to pronounce--doesn't bother me but may make a difference to others.

The smell is light and pleasant--reminds me of being in the salon. It lathers up really, really, well with only a quarter-size amount. I have super long, fine-medium, straight, Asian hair and that quarter-size amount went a LONG way. I followed the instructions completely by lathering from scalp to ends, waiting 2-3 minutes, then rinsed.

It rinses it clean and even starts to feel soft while I am rinsing! Some shampoos rinse clean but still leaves my hair feeling tangled or rough so that is why I use conditioner. I opted not to use conditioner after the Argan so that I can truly assess and review it and surprisingly, I didn't even need it! Even throughout the day, my hair felt soft, didn't get tangled as much, smelled good, and looked good--I usually need a good conditioner to have this long-lasting effect!

I highly recommend this shampoo. It worked for me and could work for you!

I received this product at a discount in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

You can purchase this product here: Art Naturals Daily Organic Argan Oil Shampoo 16 oz

Richardson, TX: Shuck N' Jive (REVISITED)

Another visit to Shuck N Jive becaues it was close by. We decided to do take-out instead.

We both ordered the Catfish and Shrimp Dinner for about $30.00 total. Let's just say, NEVER AGAIN and we will only stick with the crablegs and maybe the oysters.

Catfish- One (1) big fillet --we would've let this slide but the breading slid (no pun intended) right off as I was breaking a piece off plus the fish was kind of tough. Epic Fail. I am from the South, home of the catfish (Mississippi) and this was TERRIBLE. I had a catfish-fillet-shaped piece of breading on one side and a rubberry fish fillet on the other side of my plate. The breading wasn't even good...didn't even look like cornmeal to me...

Hushpuppy- that's right, hushpuppy singular. One whole, normal-size hushpuppy and it was mediocre.

Shrimp- Okay, the 6 shrimp were good..not bad but not OMG delicious but good. They had a good crunch and was seasoned well.

Fries- I didn't think french fries could be ruined but it tasted really weird---not like potatoes but like something old.

Slaw- They refer to this as "Cajun Slaw" --nothing was cajun about it and it was bleh. The serving size was small, the slaw dressing was not seasoned very well and it did not taste like "cajun".

Okay, now the Red Beans and Rice were pretty good and I'll give them that.

And that was it. We substituted one RB&Rice for the slaw. All of the above for about $15.00 per plate....NOT WORTH IT!!

 

Why Do I Love DASANI DROPS?

Hello World,

It's been awhile since I've written anything so let's bring you up to date!  We are expecting our first baby girl in September and we are also now married!  Yay, us!

Okay now on to business.  I've been an "Influenster" for quite some time now. It's a great site where you can sign up and try new products and submit awesome reviews.  Great thing is, you get to keep the products!  If you would like an invite, send me an e-mail at ChroniclesofMarti@gmail.com!

I recently received Dasani Drops, Dasana bottled water, and some awesome coupons from Influenster and I am writing a review today about them.

I love Dasani Drops because it's sugar free and zero calories.  No artificial sugars either--i.e. aspartame.  Okay you are thinking sugar free and zero calorie must tastes BLAH! However, it doesn't!  You can control the amount you want to put in your water and I like to put lots.  It gives it this nice flavored water without having to drink Kool-Aid! 

I received Strawberry Kiwi and Grape in my box.  I really want to try the other flavor such as Pineapple Coconut, Mixed Berry, and Pink Lemonade.

The drops by itself taste concentrated so that is a good thing.  The only con is that it stains your fingers for a day.  Not a bad trade-off!

Try it out for yourself and post your comments here!

Disclaimer:  These items were received complimentary from Influenster.  Make sure you visit:
DASANI™ Facebook Page.
DASANI DROPS™ Twitter Page.
DASANI™ Review Page.

Indian Cuisine: Compliments of Sunil

Our dear friend, Sunil or "Sunny" decided to cook for us one weekend.  We all met up at the Galaviz's (as usual!) and waited semi-patiently for the Goat Masala (Goat Curry) and Grilled Indian-Spiced Chicken to finish cooking.  Unfortunately, the goat masala was the first thing to finish cooking so we had to conduct quality control with the chapatis (wheat flatbread) while we waited on the chicken.

The Goat Masala was very, very good.  I've never had goat before and you couldn't even tell it was goat. It has the same consistency as chicken, a little more tender.  The spices were all there and it was soooo delicious.  The chicken drumsticks had a nice grilled touch to them and the spices reflected throughout the entire drumstick.  We always love it when Sunil cooks.  (It gives me a break, lol.)


I found a similar recipe here if anyone wants to try out the Goat Masala:  http://indianfood.about.com/od/meatdishes/r/Goat-Curry-Mutton-Curry.htm

Plano, TX: Zander's House

Menu:  http://www.zandershouse.com/
Hours: 
Monday:  11:00 a.m.- 3 p.m. | 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Tuesday:  CLOSED
Wednesday & Thursday:  11:00 a.m.- 3 p.m. | 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. 
Friday:  11 a.m.- 3 p.m. | 5 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Saturday:  12 p.m.- 11 p.m.*
Sunday:  12 p.m.- 10 p.m.
*Please check the Calendar Page or call ahead on Saturday nights as they sometimes are close for private parties*

My fiance and I are foodies and decided to check out Zander's on our designated "date night".  We try to pick a different place every week.

I am Vietnamese so of course, I will be slightly picky.

Appetizers:

We ordered the Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp which are always (at every Viet restaurant I've been to) are skimpy.  It was tasty.  I didn't really care for the "crunchy" that they added inside (which isn't traditional) and they could have offered more meat inside like the traditional pork and shrimp.  Most places have been known to cut one shrimp in half and make it look like it's two.

The Beef Carpaccio was excellent!! The herbs, spices, and beef were prepared to perfection.  I've had the "rare" beef version before and this one was actually slightly seared.  We used the reserved sauce with our dinner.









Dinner:

The entrees we had were the Spicy Basil Beef, Salt and Pepper Calamari, and Mixed Greens.  The calamari had a nice crisp and flavor to it.  Spicy Basil Beef could have used a little more basil but it was still good. Mixed greens were my fave!!!  It had bok choy, brocolli, peppers, and snap peas.

Everything we ordered tasted great.  The Jack Daniels on the rocks wasn't skimpy either, lol.

Next time, we'll sit at the family-style table and have them bring us whatever that's off the menu-- off-the-menu items are always great!

The only gripe I would have is that they didn't offer Pho, Banh Xeo, or some other traditional Vietnamese dishes and the prices are a "tad" expensive.  However, the serving sizes of the entrees were plentiful.

For two appetizers, 3 entrees, green tea, and one Jack on the rocks, our tab was about $82 and that includes tip.

Plano, TX: UrbanRio

Menu:  http://www.urbanrio.com/Menu.aspx
Hours:  Monday through Saturday- 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

My friends and I were sitting at Filmore's Pub and decided to cheat a little and go check out this new place called "Urban Rio".

We walked passed the antique shops and approached a very attractive and inviting UrbanRio.  The set-up, atmosphere, and building reminded me of Urban Crust/32 Degrees.

We were welcomed by friendly and helpful hostesses and decided to go upstairs to the bar area.  The decor is beautiful, contemporary, and trendy.  They have the glow-lighted ambiance and several tv's throughout the bar area.

We went outside to the patio area and it's very spacious and the bar is also connected to the outside area.  I love this place already!  The menu itself was short and sweet, it wasn't too wordy-- they weren't killing any fonts! The cedar wood used as the backing was a nice touch and "UrbanRio" was branded on the back of the wood.  Had a very nice selection of food and was unique.

Warm, fresh chips and cold salsa came out promptly.  The chips were the traditional yellow corn and they even had green chips.  The salsa had a nice spicy kick to it.  I think it could have been a tiny bit more flavorful.

Our waitress was nice and very knowledgeable. She did forget one thing but that's normal.  She even tried to get us a sample of some beans that we requested to taste but was not successful.  ::sad face::  It's okay, our overall service experience was great.

We ordered the Tropical Ahi Tuna Ceviche which has fresh ahi tuna, avocado, and GRAPEFRUIT pico de gallo.  It was very tasty and I love ahi tuna too.  They even have apricot pico.

What we also love is that their specialty and house margaritas which were made what I consider the "real" way.  No generic-pre-mixed laced with sour at all!  They even have tequila on TAP!

We all ordered the La Verdadera Margarita and it was made just perfect.  The right amount of tequila, a hint of sweetness, and not too much ice. They are served in colorful hand-blown glasses. They could have used a garnish or something to make it more presentable.  Maybe even a lime.

Next, we ordered the appetizer, Smoked Brisket Quesadillas.


Smoked Brisket Quesadillas with La Verdadera Margarita

 It was EXCELLENT!  It was double-layered (maybe triple?), yummy cheese, seasoned pork, and topped with a flavorful "crema" with cilantro and roasted corn kernels.

We will definitely be back!

Coppell, TX: Mua Sushi

Menu:  http://www.muasushi.com/menu/
Hours: 
Lunch- Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner- Sunday through Thursday 5:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. & Friday through Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

I decided to venture out of the office and get lunch one day.  I normally bring my own lunch so luckily this turned out pretty good.

I tried the Beef Teriyaki Bento Box from Mua Sushi located in Coppell, TX.

It consisted of beef teriyaki over grilled onions, steamed rice, California roll, a fried dumpling, various pickled veggies (oshinko- Japanese radish- is my favorite!), miso soup, and ginger dressing salad.  It was definitely worth $10!

The order was prepared very quickly, the staff was nice, and my food tasted awesome!  This will definitely be a repeat!