Review: Easy Canvas Prints

I recently had a chance to review the company Easy Canvas Prints and order a "Photo to Canvas" print.  The site is very clean and easy to navigate.  It actually “walks” you through the ordering process.  First you choose your canvas size.  For this review, I ordered an 11x14x.75” standard wrapped canvas.  Next, you are directed to upload your image.  The site includes an image quality indicator, which will let you know whether or not your image has the right resolution for a canvas print.  You can even adjust the image size in order to crop out any unwanted space or fluff in your photo.  In the next step, you select from three border options, which include a mirror image, an image wrap or a simple border color.  I chose the image wrap. Next you have the option for Color Finishing and Image Retouching.  No need for those, so I went on to the next step, which was Checkout.  One thing that kept making me nervous throughout the ordering process was that every time I got the image just the way I wanted it in the preview screen, it would shift and go way off center.  

It only took about 10-15 minutes to complete the transaction, and I think the most time consuming part of the entire process was just choosing which photo to use.

I received the finished product just 7 days after ordering it.  I was very pleased with the turnaround time.  The canvas was decently packaged within a plastic sheath, wrapped with “butcher paper” and contained in a cardboard box.  There was nothing within the box to prevent the canvas from sliding around and bumping against the sides of the package, but no damage was apparent due to this.  

The finished product was off in color from the online order proof.  The photo I uploaded was a professional quality high-resolution black and white image and reflected as such in the order proof.  The canvas we received had very yellow tones.  There was also a blemish on my forehead which was not present in the photo.  I was able to rub/scratch off most of the blemish with my fingernail.  Although an exchange could have been made, I decided not to bother with it, since the canvas took on a more black and white appearance in different lighting.

This is the photo I ordered.  Don't I have an adorable family?

All in all, I thought the ordering experience was quite easy, the shipping turnaround time was extremely fast and the quality of the canvas was good.  I would definitely order from the company again.

Disclosure: I was contacted by a representative of EasyCanvasPrints.com and offered a promotion code that covered the cost of the canvas I ordered as well as the cost of shipping.  I am writing this review of the ordering experience and the finished product, and providing the company with a link on my sidebar in exchange for the promotion code.  All stated opinions are my own.

Bottoms up!

Baby bottoms that is. 

Mungee and I recently had the chance to try the newly relaunched Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers.  These diapers are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions.  The packaging size was also reduced, so there are no bulky cardboard boxes to deal with (to my slight disappointment since I typically use the boxes to store clothes that Mungee has outgrown).  I opted to try the Stage 5 diapers, which are meant for babies/toddlers 27+ pounds.  Mungee had been wearing the size 5 diapers in our everyday brand, so I assumed these would fit them same.  They actually ran smaller. 

While I was pleased with the environmentally-friendly aspects of the diapers, I found that they did not fit as well, nor did they hold as much liquid waste as the other brand diaper that we had been using.  Not that I keep my child in the same diaper for hours at a time, but they did not hold up well overnight and Mungee typically woke up with damp pajamas, as well as a damp sleep sack (wearable sleep blanket).  For our family, these diapers were better for daytime use, when they could be changed every 2-3 hours.

Have you tried Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers? What do you think?  

What are some of your favorite environmentally-friendly baby products?

Disclaimer: Seventh Generation provided me with a free package of diapers and information about their product through MyBlogSpark.  I received no additional compensation for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Review: NOVICA

Because we lack space in our house, I don't get the chance to collect treasured knickknacks during our travels.   When I think of souvenirs, I think tacky refrigerator magnets and shot glasses.  Face it though, I'm 11 years post college not in college anymore.  I'm an adult with a husband and a toddler and a mortgage and my taste in memoirs and collectibles needs a touch of sophistication.  Enter NOVICA.

From their website:

Our Mission

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.
NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

Basically, from wherever my laptop is currently residing in my house the comfort of my tidy and orderly home office, I can browse the globe for unique gifts, home decor, jewelry and more by artisans worldwide.

The NOVICA website is fairly easy to navigate - I am able to browse by category, and further break down my choices by style, material, color and even price.  I especially appreciate that last option - it allows me to avoid even looking at anything too expensive for our budget.  I have a feeling it's going to be difficult to choose just what to order from among my favorites.

 

If I wasn't a Florida girl (where it's perpetually 1,000 degrees) and it didn't make me so itchy, I might purchase one of these gorgeous wool scarves.  I certainly wouldn't be able to make one on my own with the Knifty Knitter.  Okay, I might be able to make one, but it wouldn't look like this.

Hand knit Alpaca wool scarf - Andes

I typically don't wear any jewelry other than my wedding ring, however the simplicity of this sterling silver charm bracelet really caught my eye.

Sterling silver charm bracelet 'Angel Heart' - Mexico

I do have a bad habit of collecting handbags, but sticking with the same one for daily use.  This one inspires me to switch things up.

Cotton batik shoulder bag - Chocolate Bouquet - Bali & Java

NOVICA has recently launched a new home-based selling company, NOVICA Live.  Just like me, I'm sure you find it difficult to press the "confirm order" button during online shopping when you don't have a product in front of you to see with your own eyes or fondle handle to get a feel for the quality and craftsmanship.  NOVICA Live solves that problem by "bringing handcrafted items into homes across the nation, creating a unique, interactive shopping experience through fun, lively home parties".  Consider becoming a NOVICA Live consultant if you're looking for an innovative way to earn or supplement your income.  Starter kits are only $199 and include more than $400 worth of samples and $150 of business and presentation materials.  If you choose to apply, please be sure to indicate that you heard about NOVICA Live through this blog - http://mungeeandme.blogspot.com - in the 'additional comments' section (Thank you in advance!)

To keep up with NOVICA, “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: I received an online gift code to shop at NOVICA and share my experience.  No further compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.

Product Review: ChicoBag Produce Stand Collection

We're attempting to be more environmentally conscious in our household. We purchased a new Energy Star High Efficiency washer and dryer, we recycle whenever possible (I'm sure I even try to recycle items that aren't recyclable), and I've replaced my disposable nursing pads with reusable ones.  I also do my best to remember to take reusable tote bags to the grocery store.

According to ChicoBag™, the average number of plastic bags used yearly by Americans is 500.  I moved out of my parents house when I was 18, so let's assume I started doing the majority of my grocery shopping at that time.  Since then, this would mean I've used approximately 7,000 plastic bags (I'm going to assume this also includes retail shopping bags).  Either way ...

:::Shudders:::

Please stop doing the math to try and figure out how old I am.

When it comes to grocery shopping, while I do actually get a few extra uses out of typical single-use plastic bags (bathroom garbage can liners, recyclable rounder-upper, husband smotherer), eventually they wind up in the landfill. The thin, flimsy produce bags, however, don't have much of an afterlife and typically go straight to the trashcan. Mungee's Pa suggests not to use them at all, but I don't want an army of apples rolling around or a head of broccoli getting decapitated in the cart. Luckily, I recently had the chance to put the ChicoBag™ Produce Stand Collection to the test.

Image courtesy of ChicoBag™ 

This collection features three reusable bags, each constructed from a different fabric designed to maintain freshness.  The bags fold compactly, are secured with an attached elastic strap, and can be stored in the included apple pouch, so they're easy to tote around.  The apple pouch features a drawstring and a clip, so you can attach it to your purse, belt loop, or even the grocery cart. I wish the drawstring would close a little tighter around the bags, as I was worried they might slip out.

The generously-sized (16” x 12.5”ish) bags are designed to be paired with specific produce.   I think it would be helpful if the ideal type of produce for each bag was listed on the care label or at least pictured so I would know that I was making the best match, because I certainly didn't remember when I was at the store. I'm sure the proper pairing would become a habit with repeated use.  I bought bananas, avocados, squash, zucchini, onions and peppers and there was more than enough room for everything.















Aside from the mesh bag, the other two bags are not transparent so the produce needs to go on the conveyor belt and scale apart from them, which is a bit inconvenient and begs the question: do I leave it loose in the cart after all or put it in the bag and take it back out when I'm waiting in line?

Overall, I am happy to have found an alternative for those pesky flimsy, landfill-clogging single-use produce bags.  The next time the cashier asks "Paper or plastic?", I'll proudly exclaim "Neither" as I hold up my ChicoBags with a smile.

Win your own Produce Stand Collection by ChicoBag™!
ChicoBag™ is hosting a Produce Stand giveaway and will be selecting 10 winners to receive the new Produce Stand Collection. Please visit ChicoBag's Blog, Bag Monster, to enter. The contest ends June 4, 2010 at noon PST.

Disclosure: ChicoBag™ provided me with the Produce Stand Collection for this review. All opinions expressed are my own. I have received no monetary compensation for this post.