Garden Products Direct: Premium Goatskin Leather Gardening/Rose Pruning Gloves #Review #GardenProductsDirect

 

Having a large amount of rose bushes is wonderful and the blooms in Southern California are well enjoyed into December and even sometimes beyond, if the temperatures remain warmer. The one thing that always makes a task easier, is having the right tools to perform it. I have used many garden gloves and one thing many gloves do not provide, is enough support and protection where a thorn from a stem could penetrate. I end up getting stabbed and poked with even gloves on the first use. I have used all materials from the self-curing rubbers, to nylons that have extra thread support. Most I end up using for digging and planting when they fail against even protecting me when I trim the dwarf citrus trees. If they can’t protect me against those thin thorns, my roses are better trimmed bare handed than having to deal with ill forming gloves.

I was sent a pair of rose pruning garden gloves from Garden Products Direct. These are different to those I have found in the “big box stores”, which tends to think ladies just plant pansies and daisies, so we need zero protection from those thorn-less varieties. Most gloves in stores are thin with beautiful designs and colors, however they really just may keep your hands and nails clean when a manicure is not the only thing I am trying to save. I’m looking for overall protection and finally found a pair that may just be up for the tasks I complete. The premium gloves from Garden Products Direct have:

• Heavy-Duty but still remain soft so you can bend digits and be able to grasp everything from thorny stalks to soft blooms you want to save to create a vase arrangement.
• Made with 100% goat grain leather and extra long sleeves, which are made from cowhide. This sleeve/cuff provides extra protection when having to trim between branches.
• The gloves are designed for working hands, so they remain smaller along the fingers and wrist, but still provide enough dexterity to be able to grasp tools from shovels to clippers.
• The glove’s material also produces lanolin, which keeps hands hydrated and soft when worn and used.

Retail Price Point: $23.99 and that is the same price point for sizes small through large via Amazon.  The gloves are Unisex and I found the size small fit my hands and arms perfectly.  Due to having short and smaller arms, the glove is loose and longer (goes past my elbow), but I can easily fold the cuff at the end to provide a form fitting that is customized to my size.

 

 

Verdict:

The gloves being made from natural leathers/hides will have a odor but nothing out of the norm, and I pretty much associate it with the scents you get from leather-goods, like from wallets, purses, and jackets made of such materials. This is to be expected and it’s not a chemical laden scent, so that was welcoming and was easy to air out by leaving them out overnight in the garage. I ordered a size small because my biggest gripe with gloves has been fit. The fingers are always too long and wide with my former gloves and this ends up frustrating me when I am trying to grasp because I lose that “real feel” when it comes to gardening. I end up over manipulating plants when planting because I lose dexterity when fabrics remain stiff but too thin to even prevent dirt granules from entering and soiling both the inside of my glove and hands. The gloves from Garden Products Direct fit perfectly and allowed my fingers to bend with ease while still remaining protected from dirt and sand. Nothing seeps in because your hands and arms remain protected. I was able to trim bougainvilleas, that tend to be bushy and full of thorns with ease. When I removed the gloves, my hands were spotless and soft. No dirt under my nails and nothing even made it through where the stitching meets, because the gloves are well stitched and made with quality in mind. I shop many stores from nurseries to garden centers and have never been able to locate gloves of this kind. I have found many that look like these, but once you feel them and see how they are stitched to the materials used, they are just gloves that are not made with manual labor in mind. I don’t walk around with a basket filled with flowers to plant and just need protection from soft dirt. I’m the kind of girl that trims palm tree branches, fights with the seed pods Sago palms produce, trims back over 35 rose bushes every winter and the type that does not let rose blooms die on the branch. This means every 3 days, I am even out past sunset trimming roses because even though I love nature, I have the worst seasonal allergies, so I trim when the winds die down a bit. The last thing I need, is frustrations caused by the tools I use and this includes protection type products like gloves. The gloves from Garden Products Direct came with zero frustrations and I must admit that the perk of having zero thorn pokes, jabs, scratches, and punctures is a nice thing that I am not use to experiencing. I admit the gloves not only kept my digits clean from dirt but it was nice removing the gloves and not finding dirt under the fingernails of the fingers I use more when pruning. Even my palm had no abrasions from the clippers because when you start cutting branches, poor fitting gloves cause rubbing, which causes calluses and even blisters. I had none of that, so these work just like they should!

Connect with Garden Products Direct at:

• Online
• Amazon
• #GardenProductsDirect

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Garden Products Direct.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Pine Tree Gloves Bamboo Gardening Gloves

Aside from my latest spurts of artsy-fartsy-ness, I love to garden. I love the outdoors, I love my flowers and my plants. The butterflies, and bumblebees and dragonflies. But what drives me bonkers, though, is completely destroying my manicure digging in the dirt. Hubby always tells me we have gloves, and I’ll occasionally use some nitrile ones, but anyone can tell you those aren’t made for gardening. When Pine Tree Gloves offered me a pair of their bamboo gardening gloves, I was more than eager to try them.

I’ve used “dipped” gloves like this before, and I was (and still am!) a huge fan of them. Ideally, they are lighter and less cumbersome than Hubby’s leather outdoors gloves, offer decent finger and palm protection as well as grip, but fit the hands much better for fine motor control and manipulation. Pine Tree Gloves bamboo gloves seem to tick off all these important metrics. But they fall a little short for me and I’ll explain why this might be my situation and not yours.

See, I don’t mess around gardening. When I’m done I’m usually covered in dirt. Digging up bulbs, planting new shrubs, reclaiming decorative rock…It’s no “Martha Stewart” stuff with me, all dressed to the nines with my hair and makeup did. No, no, no. So I need tools (and let’s face it, gloves are tools)  that can keep up with me. Pine Tree Gloves Bamboo Gardening gloves were saying “No mas” by about hour 4. While the back are a light woven bamboo fabric, it’s not a tight weave and dirt gets in. It collects in the fingers that are not porous and since I have short-ish fingers, there’s some space at the front of the glove for all that dirt. And it grinds into your fingertips something fierce. Then, at the very end, I noticed that the plastic coating they’re dipped in started to break down, kind of crack apart. Little pieces were lost to the dirt and one finger ended up “exposed”. So, after one use, they were pretty much toast. At $8.99, that’s a little steep for a single-use product. Now, granted, I probably used them a lot harder than maybe was intended. Digging out old bulbs in rocky, densely packed soil is not my every day gardening activity, and probably not yours either. But I’ve had some others last at least a few uses before being tossed, so I’m not entirely sold on these for my needs.

In the end, if you do light gardening or just need some gloves on while you use a tool or two, these might just fit the bill. But if you have heavy, hard work that needs doing, you’re probably better off with some split leather and canvas gloves for a couple of bucks a pair.

Connect with Pine Tree Tools

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Pinterest
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Pine Tree Gloves.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Leather Nova Cleaners and Conditioners Review

 

I have quite a few leather goods in my home. From furniture, to purses and wallets, jackets and shoes, to even nick-nacks. Caring for leather goods properly isn’t always easy. Every knows someone, or has experienced it themselves…the sticky leather. The greasy leather, the cracked, stiff, dried leather. It can be heart-breaking. Enter Leather Nova and it’s trio of superb products. Never greasy, never sticky, and always on point.

I started with the Leather Nova Spray Cleaner. A pH balanced, no-rinse cleaner made of the highest grade, non-toxic polymers, and free from harsh detergents and chemicals. Made in the USA and even comes with a free microfiber towel to apply. It has a pleasant, leather-ey smell and isn’t harsh on my hands, either. I know this because I have a habit of applying these types of cleaners with my bare hands. It quickly brought up all the little bits of dirt and grime on hubby’s favorite chair, and wiped clean away with a towel. The surface felt smooth, clean and smelled fresh. So far, so good.

Retail Price Point: $17.96 via Amazon

Next up is Leather Nova’s Ultimate Leather Protector Conditioner. Also made in the USA for non-toxic, high grade polymers, and like the cleaner, free from harsh detergents and chemicals. It goes on thick (using the included microfiber applicator and, again, my hand) but spreads easily. It was very shiny and had me quite worried, but a careful reading of the directions says to leave it on for an hour and then buff the excess away. After a hour I buff with a soft cloth. Hubby’s chair didn’t look this snazzy when we brought it home from Krause’s! And the smell is almost showroom new. No little cloth fibers left behind from buffing, just a soft, smooth, supple leather chair that even I can now enjoy sitting in. It even lessened the appearance for the two surface scratches in the seat cushion. Two for two!

Retail Price Point: $19.77 via Amazon

Last up is the Leather Nova Cleaner & Conditioner. Made to the same standards of the stand alone cleaner and conditioner product, it was, sadly, my least favorite of the the three. I followed the directions to a tee, but felt that the two separate products did a far superior job of both cleaning and conditioning the leather. I could see this being used as a “touch up” or follow-up treatment after using the other two products first to deep clean and condition, but as a stand alone product it felt lacking. It worked well on Hubby’s wallet, and an old purse of mine that had seen better days (it may even work it’s way back into the rotation again!). But where it really shined was an old leather jacket I’d given hubby back when we were dating. He’s used and abused it, even one year where it was used to take our little dog out to do her business. In the rain. And then left in the garage to dry. After an all-over treatment from Leather Nova’s Cleaner & Conditioner, it felt better than the day I gave it to him. Many, many, many (like, a lot of) years ago. And now with many more years to come. So while it wasn’t my favorite of the three, it still did an outstanding job on it’s own.

Retail Price Point: $15.97 via Amazon

Leather Nova seems to have a passion for leather (not like that, dirty birds), and takes it’s products serious. It offers a 90 day, no questions asked guarantee, too. Use the product for up to 90 days and if you’re unsatisfied for any reason at all, contact them for a full and prompt refund. Environmentally friendly and manufactured in small batches to ensure quality, I am impressed with the dedication and devotion shown to their products.

Get in touch with Leather Nova via:

• Their website
• Facebook
• Google+
• Amazon.com

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Leather Nova.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

iGotTech: Texting Gloves #Review #gloves

 

 

Cold weather sucks. Cold weather and touch screen devices make for some frosty paws. And that, my friends, is no bueno. So when iGotTech offered me a pair of texting gloves to test and review, it way perfect! And let me tell you, I was skeptical, but these little gloves WORK. And, with every dang thing we own having some form of touch-sensitive surface on it.  It was nice to not have your fingertips feel like ice every time I need to answer the phone, send an email, or browse the web.

These are well stitched, stylish in black with grey colored touch-friendly tips, and made in a size that fits my normal sized hands. Thick enough to keep you warm, thin enough to work our remote control’s buttons. A 100% satisfaction, full refund guarantee. There’s practically no downsides. Except one. At $12 they’re as much as 4 times the cost of similar items. The other would be a lack of label listing materials used. Some people are sensitive or allergic to certain materials and it’d be nice to know if these are hypoallergenic. Other than that, I have no issues with these gloves, and in fact, they are a must use for me this winter.

iGotTech, makes several products, and their service is top notch. Followed up with me right away, a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction. I would cautiously recommend them, but this kind of product is a must have for those of us who don’t do too well with the cold.

Connect with iGotTech on:

• Their Website
• Their Facebook page
• Twitter
• Google+
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #gloves

 

 

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from iGotTech. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

AYL® Silicone Heat Resistant Grilling BBQ Gloves Set #Review #AYLsiliconeGlove

It’s no big secret I cook. A lot. So handling hot dishes and pans is pretty much an occupational hazard. What you may not know is hubby also grills. A lot. Except grilling can be messy, even more so sometimes than normal cooking and baking. Gloves are a must. So these AYL silicone grilling gloves are a product long overdue for this house. Made from heat-resistant (Up to 425°!), BPA free silicone, dishwasher safe, and one size fits most. Let’s dive right in.

And To start, these grill mitts do indeed fit most. Both hubby and I fit into them with no problem when we tried them on.  While they are “heat resistant”, you will still feel the temperature through the gloves. So I wouldn’t hang onto hot things for very long. And while they did fit, don’t expect to be terribly dexterous while wearing them. A plus AND minus is the little grippy nubs surrounding the mitts. They are little heart shaped, which while timely and adorable, might be off putting to overly manly-men types. They also get BBQ shmutz stuck in between them due to being so deep. But, a little soap and a dish brush and you’re good as new. The pair have little hanging holes for storage/drying, and the bright red color means even Mr. Distracted, Hubby, can find them in the dark. Another big plus of the silicone is that it won’t hold scents or smells easily. And if you’ve ever handled smoked meats, you know those scents seriously linger.

Retail Price Point: $19.99 via Amazon

Lest you think these are good for outdoors only, they are winners inside the house too. With normal oven mitts, you’re lucky to have a thumb. Which makes grabbing some pans, lids or dishes a game of “Do I really have a hold of it?”. Anyone who’s found out they didn’t knows how much fun that can be when it’s all down the front of your clothes or all over the kitchen floor. A thing of the past with these mitts. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and with a “free premium lifetime guarantee” included, you can’t go wrong here. I’d say grab a pair and try them on for size.

 

Connect with AYL:

• On their Website
• Buy from Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from AYL®.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

BeautyBox5: Monthly Subscription Beauty Box 5 Review ; Beauty in a Box

I have been interested in subscription box programs and have committed to some from Allure and especially their seasonal (quarterly) boxes. I wanted to try something on a smaller scale because that also means a smaller price point, which is welcoming on a monthly basis.

BeautyBox5 costs just $12 and that includes shipping. No surprises or fluctuating price points, just $12! I already love this part because it takes a bit of the fear away from committing.  You also get added perks, like exclusive discounts from the brands featured, so if you like an item….you will be able to purchase it at a special price. That again falls in the “love-it” category!

So let’s get started in opening this already pretty on the outside turquoise colored box…..

Item #1: H2O+ Plus, Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash

I received a generous sample of 1 fluid ounces making this a nice deluxe sized bottle. The scent is Sea Spa Lotus and advertised as uni-sex. I quickly get my guinea pig (hubby) and ask him to test it out with me because very few products come to this house that I can share. The product’s fragrance is strong but welcoming because it has a pleasant scent. I washed my hands and notice as my Husband did, you are left with a nice scent but most of all, you do not lose your skin’s moisture like you do with hand soaps. Lathers up nicely and no film is felt on the body and hands. Definitely an item I would purchase and the standard bottle from H2O Plus, retails for just $17.00 for a 12.5 fluid ounce size.

• Visit H20 Plus at- http://www.h2oplus.com #h2oplususa

Item #2: Nubar Cuticle & Nail Oil

Included is a green colored bottle measuring 0.25 ounces and you know nail and cuticle oils tend to go far. I am glad I received this because I am not happy with my current brand. I tend to dehydrate my nails by using acetone to remove those glitter based polishes and my cuticles…….well, I pretend I don’t have any so I do not have to address their issues 🙂 My denial is not working out. Now even sleeping with lotion drenched hands in cotton gloves is not fixing my dilemma overnight. I also have been informed that sleeping with a “mime” is not something my husband appreciates. At-home manicures are something I do not want to skimp on and especially after Santa brought me so many nail polishes, so I give Nubar a try. The elixir is advertised as having Jojoba oil, Vitamins A, D and E, so I am liking the natural approach already. My green colored bottle is labeled as Green Apple and you get a very faint smell of the fruit, but mostly the oil just smells clean/fresh. The brush is on the stiff side, which is smart because I can apply oil to target areas without wasting or making a mess. The oil is thin but stays where you apply, no dripping off or travelling anywhere. I treat both my cuticle and nails by just applying small amounts and I like that the brush does not even waste a drop when it travels from the bottle to my nail, and back and forth….sort of makes me wonder how easy this is and why I did not do it sooner. One of the reasons has been that my former oil was messy and left a residue on my actual nail. Nubar has more than just oils and gorgeous nail colors, so I definitely added them to the “buy list” because I’m loving this cuticle and nail oil! A 0.5 fluid ounce bottle retails for $10.00 and they have other scents like Vanilla, Passion Fruit & Grape.

• Visit Nubar at- http://www.bunubar.com #bynubar

Item #3: Swissco Bath and Body Shower Exfoliating Gloves

These are pink in color so I can’t be called a mime in the shower! The gloves are easy on the skin while making the job of removing dead skin cells a breeze. I love that you can target areas like the ankles easily and because my fingers curve better than my shower poof, I can exfoliate between my toes!!! They also stay on and I find I use less shower gel than I did with the mesh poof, so I waste less! I make sure to rinse them off well, hang them, and they are dry and ready to use the next time I shower. Swissco, has so many products from these gloves to beauty items so get ready to spend some time on their site. I also like the price point of just $5.00 for a pair.

• Visit Swissco at- http://www.swisscollc.com #swisscollc

Item #4: Jergens Daily Moisturizer

Jergens is a brand that we always have in the home from their body moisturizers to their specialty lines, like products for dry skin to target areas like hands and feet. Included was a 1 fluid ounce bottle of their Daily Moisture lotion for dry skin. My skin tends to not retain moisture in the colder months, so I go through lotion quicker and especially if it’s not formulated to fit my needs. I used the Jergens Daily Moisture and found the formula lasted very close to the 24-hour hydration they advertise. The moisturizer soothed my skin and calmed irritations well after shaving, plus it costs less than my current brand. The scent is light and undetectable once applied and this bottle is the perfect size to have by the sink. Jergens retails the lotion at $6.99 for a 21 fluid ounce bottle. Add a coupon and you are golden!

• Talking about coupons, get a $1.00 off here- http://www.jergens.com/promotions/default.aspx
• Visit Jergens at- http://www.jergens.com #jergensus

Item #5: Epic Blend Hemp Coconut Lip Balm

I love coconut and I have owned hemp based products in the past but have never tried a lip balm. First, I must share that when I opened it, the balm smells like coconut but not the type they use like in car fresheners…..real coconut. I wanted to bite it! Now that I got that part out of my system and I applied the lip balm, it goes on silky and smooth and yes, I smell that coco-licious scent that is heavenly. I would say I miss the sun if I did not live in California! The product covers well but feels light, so you do not feel like your lips can’t breathe. It works and nicely moisturized my lips and when it wore down, my lips remained soft and replenished. Epic Blend labels this as an organic balm and that’s important with all the unhealthy stuff we tend to put on our lips for beauty’s sake. It’s nice to be able to treat my lips nice for once! It get’s better, petroleum free, non-GMO, gluten free and they are even kind to bunny rabbits…..not tested on animals. The product retails at a friendly price too of $3.99 for .15 ounces of balm.

• Save here- By using Code BB5 before 03/31/2014, to get 25% off sitewide
• Visit Epic Blends at- http://www.epicblend.com #epicblend

**Bonus** Item #6: That Awkward Moment Compact Mirror

I know I said 5 items but then BeautyBox5 added more so I am not complaining!  The compact encourages you to check out the movie trailer for, That Awkward Moment Movie.

• Movie Trailer- http://www.thatawkwardmomentmovie.tumblr.com

I highly recommend BeautyBox5 because I rarely find subscription boxes a positive experience when it comes to item selections, but you can see that this one not only included new products, but products that work well.  Yes, I have lip balms, lotions and nail products but I can say that I found new items to buy because they performed better than what I currently use.  BeautyBox5, helps broadens your brand experience because tunnel vision with anything is not such a good thing to have, so give them a try today!  It’s just $12.00 and that includes shipping….no funny stuff with them!

Connect and Subscribe with BeautyBox5 at:

• On-line: http://www.beautybox5.com/
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/BeautyBox5
• Twitter- https://twitter.com/BeautyBox5
• Pinterest-  http://www.pinterest.com/beautybox5/
• YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/beautybox5

I received the above product free of charge from BeautyBox5.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.