{Review} Online Shopping Experiences

I have done quite a lot of shopping online this Christmas, helping out Dad, Katie and getting my presents without the hassle of parking and crowds.  (With that said, I'm also a firm believer in shopping at locally owned stores and did some of that, too).

I definitely noticed major differences in how my online shopping experiences went, so I thought - why not share them here! Maybe it would help someone make a better choice.

1.) www.Walmart.com :  This was actually pretty good!  They have a lot of selection online not available in stores.  Many things, however, you can have shipped to store for free and it eliminates the need to wander about and find dozens of other things you "need" causing a huge Walmart bill.  The shipping (I had it shipped to the office) was quick, everything looked good, nothing was too badly damaged.  Even the books, which are easier to dent and ding up, were in good "giftable" shape. Hooray!

Really? This is how I received my order from Amazon? And this isn't unusual.  

This looks like poop.  But I'm giving it anyway. :)  - Amazon

2.) www.Amazon.com : I'm a little frustrated with Amazon. I ordered the absolute most from them, so several boxes came into the office.  Every one was CRUSHED. Is that a problem with Amazon or UPS? I think Amazon is using crappy boxes that end up smooshed. We had to send some items back and re-order because the product boxes were so damaged we wouldn't gift it. This requires serious advance planning if you have to do this! In this box above, the product box on the bottom is slightly damaged, but I'll roll with it.  Thankfully, the rest were clothes. And for some reason. Amazon hasn't

been speedy like everyone brags about.  

3.) www.OfficeDepot.com :  I know, Office Depot, who orders from Office Depot for Christmas?  I did. And I love them.  They had super fast shipping in these great boxes with not a single dent.  The packaging inside protected everything nicely. So fast - the fastest of anyone! Thankfully it was the priciest one, too. Go Office Depot!

4.) www.Zulily.com : For the love of Pete, this is the slowest shipping on the planet.  I ordered on November 14, 2014, and I still don't have all my stuff.  Some of it is in Mississippi.  Seriously - today is December 11! Got some super cute things, I feel like we got good deals, but... I WANT MY STUFF.  Also some damaged packaging.

5.)  www.EasyCanvas.com Got a great deal via Groupon - I'll talk more about this after I give the gift.  But their shipping was Super Fast, just a little less than desired.  One of my canvas prints was kinda tossing about loose in the box? But it wasn't damaged.

6.) www.CanvasOnDemand.com This is a company that did it right.  Took a hair longer for me to receive (also another Groupon deal woop woop!) but they did a great job packaging it up nicely.  No damage to the box or product. Wrapped their box and gifted it because it looked good and fit the canvas perfectly.

---- Let me also review UPS for a moment, who delivered my boxes not to the government building I work at, but to the nursing home two doors down.  Thankfully the nursing home people are nice - they brought it over to me. I went online to chat with UPS.  They said you are not promised a reimbursement if your packages are not received. And when I explained the destroyed boxes and damaged product boxes, I just kept getting "We are sorry. We are sorry." I finally asked where she was located - Pacific Asia. They don't know anything specific about me, so nothing will be done. I'll call my local office tomorrow and make sure someone understands how to read shipping labels. (No, this isn't a snarky remark - I want to make sure the new guy understands what he is doing).

---- Adding to this - FEDEX, who shipped out my package from NV and had it meandered across the country in various random states before dropping at my local post office and my mail carrier delivered it.  Interesting concept, but this took an insane amount of time.

I don't know if that will help anyone out there or not.  Just my observations on the companies I ordered through in the past 6 weeks or so.  :)

Adios 2013...

Holy cow, Batman, where did 2013 go?? It's just crazy to think the entire year is G.O.N.E. I mentioned before, I'm not sad to see 2013 go, but there have been some really wonderful moments that I wanted to remember. 

January: Pinned It/Did it - Love canvas.  This was made for my sister from the kids for Valentine's Day.  The baby's feet and the preteen's hands.  :)  I thought it was cute! 

February: I am going to toot my own horn about the racing scrapbook I made for my friend, Paulene.  It was an honor to be part of her racing memories! :)  

March: 500th post!!!   And it just happened on a Muffin Monday. :) 

April:  Friday's Letters in April.  What can I say, I was boring in April.  But here is Sweet Niece and she's adorable. :) 

May:  I blogged roughly "Every Day in May."  - my Favorites and my Struggles. 

June:  Sweet Niece #2 turned ONE and I lost my sidekick - Muffin. :(

July:  The annual Family Beach Trip! WOOP WOOP!  And lots of scrappin'. 

August:  A Monday Muse on a Wednesday with lots of pics pics pics (and one picnic). 

September:  It's My Birthday!! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the USO! 

October:  The NOTEBOOK: It's not what you think, it's better! 

November: Friday's Letters - just a snippet of my life. Love it. 

December:  My column for YC Magazine.  

So there you go! :) A review of 2013!!! Thanks for reading, for being my "imaginary friends," for commenting and caring (because I know some of you do!).  Happy 2014!!! 

{Review}: CampusBookRentals.com

I was approached by Angela  of Campus Book Rentals to partner with www.CampusBookRentals.com  by posting something on my blog.  I would be compensated.  First - I don't think I have many college aged kids reading this blog, but maybe some parents? And Second - I've never done this and heck if I know how legit it is, but I'll give you my review of what I learned through some research. 

1) Campus Book Rentals is a partner with Operation Smile. I'm big into supporting non-profits, having a non-profit background myself and knowing what beneficial work some of these organizations do within our local communities, and throughout the world, such as Operation Smile is doing. 

A little bit about Operation Smile from their website:  

• Every 3 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. One in 10 children born with a cleft will die before their first birthday. 
• During FY 12, 73.2% of all donations went directly to programs, while 20.6% was spent on fundraising and 6.2% for administration expenses. 
• Operation Smile and its more than 5,000 medical volunteers are working every day around the world to provide safe, effective and free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgery for children all over the world.  We are an international medical humanitarian organization that works in over 60 countries that is dedicated to raising awareness of this life-threatening issue and providing lasting solutions. 

Please feel free to learn more about Operation Smile on their website.  Their focus is on the Philippines at the moment (understandably!).

2)  From the www.CampusBookRentals.com website - They are one of the original companies with the concept of renting college textbooks instead of purchasing them, then trying to sell them back to the campus book store at the end of the semester.  They been in business since 2007 and have over 1 million folks renting books from 5,800 colleges across the nation.  

If I understand it correctly, you can either rent books from them, or if you own books, you can rent your books to other folks via their website.  As a student renting a book, you may highlight in the book and treat it as if you own it.  (Down side - that means if you rent a book, it may be really marked up from the people ahead of you, as one person complained). However, for the cost savings over purchasing the books may be worth it to you.  Shipping is free both directions! 

So I asked someone who has one graduate and one still in college to help me compare this program to what she's been doing on Amazon.  She purchases the books used from online Amazon vendors. Once she is done, she sells the book on Amazon to recoup some money back.  We pulled two books from her recent inventory to see how it compares to www.CampusBookRentals.com. 

The Human Record Vol1 Sources of Global History to 1700. 

www.CampusBookRental.com:                      

To Rent for 130 Days:  $58.49                     

To "Lend/rent" this book to other students:  $36.15 - $19 for their expenses = $17.15 in your pocket  

(Expenses: $11.70 in shipping, $3.30 markting, $2.20 Labor & Processing, $1.80 Profit for Campus Book Rentals)

The Human Record Vol1 Sources of Global History to 1700.
Amazon
Purchased used: $48 + 3.99 ship = $51.99
Amazon Trade-in program:  $43.67 + free shipping = $43.67 (which she received as Amazon Credit for ANYTHING)
Total money spent to use the book: $8.32 

I personally think the Amazon deal is a better deal, however, if you don't want to deal with all that, maybe the www.campusbookrentals.com is the way to go.  I have no idea what it would cost in your local campus book store.

I did try to check on other recent ones, not wanting to get too far out of date with the comparasions, but Campus Book Rentals werent accepting those from students for rent at this time.  My guess is there isn't a demand for them, but it doesn't allow me to compare. 

BOTTOM LINE: I think if you use your noggin, there are less expensive ways to get the books you need for college, however, I don't feel like this is a bad program.  And I'm glad to see companies partnering with non-profits to help give back and make the world a better place.  Who knows if they'll pay me for this review or not; regardless I have to be honest in how I feel. 

Do you have any dealings with college book programs like this or others? Feel free to comment below, I'm open to learning more about the process. :)  Thanks Ya'll! 

{Review} Minute Clinic... and other fun stuff.

Find the closest Minute Clinic to you!

Monday I was in such a great mood! Then Wednesday I ended up at the Minute Clinic with this ... whatever this is. The crud? The evilness? You know, the coughing, hacking, sneezing, feeling like you've been run over by a truck... yeah. That. I must say, I love the Minute Clinic! In and out quick, no waiting, no appointment needed, Ohhhh Yeahhh. AND they are running it through my insurance and billing me. Since my regular doc runs about $97 a visit, this should be cheaper and quicker! Let's all cheer! She was very knowledgeable, thorough and

A bright popcorn treat! 

How wonderful of a friend do I have that sends random gifts for no reason - and I receive it on my Doc Day!? LOVE IT! :) I thank God for my friends over and over because it's such a blessing to have these people in my life.

(On a side note:)
I gotta tell ya'll, right this minute I'm watching my co-worker go bonkers trying to run away from yet kill a spider at the same time. It's awesome entertainment (but I'm so thankful it's on her side of the room and not mine.)  Oh my, she has found success and is now celebrating the squished spider. Teehee!

OK, I'm hoping ya'll can help out a fellow blogger - her daughter needs at least 100 people to take a quick Google Survey - like 5 questions? - as part of her 8th grade science project.  Who wouldn't want to help out for that? You'll stay anonymous, so no worries. Just click the link below and help a chap out.  Thanks!

CLICK HERE TO HELP THE KID WITH HER SCIENCE PROJECT

Consider this the good deed of the day.  Her mom's blog is Mice in the Kitchen, so check her out, too. 

I'm off to write letters (I know, real letters with stamps and everything!) and do some work.  I hope ya'll have a great Thursday and are getting ready for FRIDAY! WOOP WOOP!

How Was I Supposed To Know?

Donna and I headed to see Les Mis after a tasty dinner tonight. (note here about our size 0 waitress who kept saying she was fat and was going to the doctor. Really wanted to gag her, snatch her bald headed, you get the idea. Now I'll return you to the story.)

I loved the music of Les Mis in high school and really wanted to see it on the big screen. I knew it was long, I heard mixed reviews, but I rrreeeaaaallllllllyyy wanted to see it. So, how did I miss the entire storyline when I listened to this music 20 years ago, because I did NOT know it was sad. Dang, everyone and their uncle's cousin twice removed kicks it in this film! If I hadn't been with Donna, who I knew who laugh at me, I would have bawled! (My friend Emily pointed out the title should have given me a clue...)

Donna leaned over and said, are they singing through the whole movie? Yes and no... They are all singing except Russell Crowe, he is trying to sing...

 So I now understand the music better and I'm not sure I love it quite as I did 20 years ago. It's so sad! But still good. Glad I watched it in the theater, otherwise I would have fast forwarded through some of the singing and missed the plot.

Ta DA! My review of Les Mis! Everyone dies and Russell can't sing. :)

{Review} Influenster Holiday VoxBox

I signed up for Influenster late in 2012 and was chosen to receive a complimentary Holiday VoxBox of goodies to checkout and review with you. So... I'm going to give very honest evals on each product.


1)  Quaker Real Medleys Cherry Pistachio Oatmeal
NOTES: I am not an oatmeal fan. However, read on.
PROS:  Take only 45 - 60 seconds in the microwave. Just add water and zap. Love the handy bowl, making this easy to eat at work. Tastes really good. I have since went out and bough 8 more, picking up all flavors (Summer Berry, Peach Almond, and Apple Walnut).  All have tasted great. I did add a little more water and zap a bit longer. But it keeps me full for HOURS and tastes really good!  In my grocery store for $1.79, which is cheaper than my usual McDonald's run and healthier, too!
Cons:  I haven't found any. It took me a few tries to get the water where I wanted it, but seriously, I love this stuff.
BOTTOM LINE: I'm buying more and gobbling it up!

2)  Goody QuickStyle Brush
NOTES: I am not a hair diva.
PROS:  I really think this brush reduces the dry-time for my hair! I have super thick hair and I feel this shortened my time frying my head with a blow dryer! Awesome! The blue you see at the left are microfiber bristles that absorb water from your hair as you brush it. I feel the wide-spaced normal bristles also allow more air to circulate, speeding up the drying time, too. The microfiber bristles fluffed back up well with just a tap to the back of the brush.
CONS: This brush is large and I found it difficult to style my hair like normal with it.  I wanted to curl it under but my hair is too short with this large of a brush. After visiting their website, I see they have a smaller half-round brush that I believe would work better for me.
BOTTOM LINE:  I'm actually considering spending the $11+ on the smaller brush because I do find it beneficial!

3)  NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine 
NOTES:  Gave this to my sister after trying it myself. Too sticky for me! This is more her style, she loves lip gloss.
PROS:  According to sister, easy to put on. And I have to agree. The color was beautiful in the tube - I was very excited when I first saw it because I thought it was lipstick and I was gaga for the color!
CONS:  According to sister, the color wasn't there once you applied (and I totally agree).  And it disappeared too quickly.  I say too sticky, but she didn't mind that part.
BOTTOM LINE: While we appreciate the opportunity to try it, we wouldn't buy it again.

4)  Kiss Nail Dress
NOTES: Gave this to my 10-year-old niece
PROS:  So easy the 10-year-old could figure it out and do it all by herself. Even with her bitten-off fingernails, they seemed to stick well.  Seven days later, when I took this picture, they were holding up pretty good (considering she wasn't going easy on them, if you know what I mean!)
CONS: Just not my style. But she loved them. I could have wrapped them up as a present and she would have adored it!
BOTTOM LINE: I won't buy but not because of any problem with the product, just personal preference.

5)  EBOOST - flavor, Pink Lemonade
PROS:  Maybe the convenient small carry-sized pouch. I was excited at the thoughts of getting an energy boost from it.
CONS:  I love pink lemonade and I use several types of drink additives but I didn't enjoy this. The bubbling water made a froth on top and the taste wasn't enjoyable. I will admit to eating a chocolate kiss just before drinking and thought maybe that was the problem. However, I usually do have food with drink, so I need the two to "get along."
BOTTOM LINE:  Not purchasing again.


6)  Coupon to SoleSociety.com
NOTES: I'm totally not a shoe diva.
I did go online and check out their shoes.  I think it was so nice of them to include $25 off!!! I never wear fancy shoes, though, so I'll stick to my YellowBox flip flops and whatever "warm" shoes I can find in the winter. :)

If you think you'd like to join Influenster, just drop me a line and let me know. I'd be glad to send you an invite.  I've enjoyed posting reviews of products I already know about, answering questions online and receiving this first box in the mail.  :)

{Review} My First Soft Nativity Toy Play Set

(When I purchased this item, it had no reviews which always makes me nervous.  I decided to review it for anyone interested in purchasing it! See Below:) *** UPDATE! See the update at the end, please. Thank you!***

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Please DO touch the nativity! We couldn't find a baby-friendly creche, so we created our own. Made of soft, fabric, with beautiful embroidery and appliques. Many of the figurines double as finger puppets, inviting kids to play. The take-along stable is also a storage tote. This 15-piece baby nativi...

My First Soft Nativity Toy Play Set

Stable looks rough...

By Beth from South Carolina on 11/27/2012

3out of 5

Pros: Easy Assembly, Complete Set
Cons: Not Exactly As Pictured, Poor Quality Construction
Was this a gift?: Yes

I purchased this as a gift for my 6 month old niece as a keepsake for years to come. I debated between this and the Christmas Tree sold here, which has GREAT reviews and this one had none… but I wanted the Christian aspect of the holiday to be highlighted.

My thoughts on the product: When I opened the box and saw the stable crushed and wrinkled, I pretty much decided to send it back. The stable is very cheap, flimsy and the star - it looks NOTHING like what is pictured. My star is facing down towards the ground and is metallic copper-colored threads that are already worn looking and the white stuffing is showing through. (see pics!) The roof looks like it's caving in. Not impressed.

When I pulled out the people, however, I loved them. They are bright colored and have the sweetest faces. The finger puppet part in the back is what makes them stand up (it kind of tents out), which I was impressed that they would stand. The characters included are: Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Angel, Three Wise Men, a Shepard, a cow, camel, donkey and two sheep.

Would I buy it again? Hm... maybe. I might would just pick up a Fischer Price one in the store for less money. Not as keepsake oriented but still a good thought. But, I have decided to keep it and gift it this Christmas. It's just a lot of money (especially when shipping is included) to be disappointed in part of the gift. So understand what you are getting and you'll probably be OK with the purchase.

This is my first purchase from One Step Beyond… not overly impressed and hope any future purchases will leave a better impression.

Puppet, stable, star and group picture

Tags: Picture of Product, Puppet, Nativity

(legalese)

(To post this to my blog was an option - I thought, why not?)

***UPDATE: *** 
I contacted the company through their website customer support to let them know I was disappointed. I also contacted them asking why my review was never posted.
1) I heard back immediately that they would send me another set to see if I liked it better, and sent a return UPS sticker so I wouldn't have to pay for the return. The stable looks the same, the star is in better shape but it still the copper threads so no, I'm not any more happy with it. But, I am impressed with their customer service!!
2) I never heard back from the folks about why my review was never posted, as far as I can tell. Today when I checked, the item was gone! Crazy.