For our 5th wedding anniversary, I let my husband choose the restaurant.  Given his love for the golf course, it didn’t come as any real surprise he chose Prime at Saratoga National.  For those unfamiliar, the space previously occupied by Sargos reopened its doors in May 2008 under Mazzone Management, which also operates, Angelo’s 677 Prime, the Glen Sanders Mansion, and the Hall of Springs.  Since it’s reopening, Prime has quickly become known as one of the best (and priciest) restaurant in and around Saratoga Springs.  Over the years, my husband and I have frequented numerous steakhouses.  Having lived in Boston for several years, we’ve been spoiled by the likes of The Capital Grille, Abe & Louie’s and Grill 23.  We’ve also been to both Flemming’s and Morton’s, and plan a trip to Peter Luger’s in the near future.  My point is this; we both love a good steak.  And for a good steak in Saratoga, there’s really only one place to go.

Atmosphere

We made our reservation for a Friday night just at the start of the Saratoga track season.  As expected, the restaurant was busy.  Music was playing outside on the patio and there was an energetic vibe.  With lots of dark wood and noise, the atmosphere at Prime is typical of any good steak house.  There is a main dining room, but we were seated in the lounge area near the bar.  On some nights, seating in the lounge might not be ideal, but for us, it worked out extremely well.

The lounge where all the entertainment is – it’s a great place to see the sights.  While we ate, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings made the rounds.  At first, my husband wasn’t completely sure if that was Mayor Jennings, but when Governor Patterson showed up, the puzzle sort of fell into place.  In a moment right out of Saturday Night Live, Governor Patterson entered the room with two men (who I assume to be bodyguards or some such).  At some point, however, the two men left the governor standing at the bar by himself next to a group of people, including some dude in jeans and black tee shirt who remained totally oblivious to the fact that he was standing next to the Governor of New  York.  For his part, Governor Patterson stood, hands interlocked at his waist, looking a bit lost and confused until one of his guards returned to usher him upstairs (some big Democratic Party event was taking place above the restaurant).  To top off our evening, a gentleman wearing a trilby hat, navy blue sports jacket, and shorts kept walking through the restaurant and out the patio doors.  He must have walked through a half a dozen times during our meal.  What was amusing about the whole episode is that we never saw him reenter the restaurant through the patio doors.  It was one way journey, like he was running laps or something.

The one downfall about being seated in the lounge area was that we were also close to the bar where groups of people congregated, talked, and laughed.  Normally, this isn’t an issue, but while we ate there was one woman at the bar who had a voice that could only be described as nails on a chalkboard, or perhaps an ice pick stabbing your brain through your eyeball.  Not to be overly unkind, but I really wanted her to go away, or at least stop screeching.

Service

We had a team of waiters, along with busboys and runners, all of whom were friendly and attentive.  Our waiter was knowledgeable and guided us through the Prime menu, pointing out feature items.  They checked on us often.  The service was quick (but not rushed) and efficient.  We were left unattended for a spell while waiting for the dessert menu after our dinner plates were cleared.  We waited for about 10-15 minutes before one of our waiters finally stopped by to offer us dessert and coffee.  This was really the only service gap during our visit, and for what it’s worth, it gave us time to do some digesting, and watch the guy in the hat run a couple more laps.

Food

The menu offers a raw bar, a selection of appetizers, and caviar service.  The potential downfall of the menu is that if you are not a seafood eater (like my husband) you’re left with a somewhat limited set of options.  Since Prime is a steakhouse, the menu does feature an extensive choice of, well…beef; including Prime USDA cuts and Kobe beef (at $15 per ounce!).  If you’re not a steak person, the menu includes veal chops, rack of lamb, free range chicken, and pork chops.  If meat isn’t up your alley, then you can choose from a selection of seafood like Ahi tuna, seared diver scallops, or Chilean sea bass.

The specials menu also featured a Seafood Stuffed Lobster (2.5 or 3.5 lbs) .  My head was spinning and I was totally overwhelmed.  I could have ordered almost anything on that menu had would have been more than happy.  I love seafood, and order it almost every chance I get, but since we were in a steakhouse…well, when in Rome…

For starters, we shared the Heirloom Tomato and Burrata salad with Fresh Basil.  Although it’s a very simple stack of tomato, basil, and mozzarella, the flavors are amazing.  The tomatoes were fresh and sweet.  The burrata, described as a purse with your standard mozzarella on the outside and with curds and the equivalent of a cream on the inside, is without a doubt the best (and creamiest) mozzarella I’ve ever had.   The entire stack is topped with a drizzle of vinegar and olive oil.  It’s really quite delicious, and was the first time I contemplated licking my plate.

For our entree, we both ordered the Filet Mignon (cooked rare).   Before I met my husband, I used to eat my meat well done.  Over the years (last 12), he’s slowly pushed me towards shorter cook times.  Now, like my husband, I enjoy a nice steak with a cool red center.  Both of our steaks were thick cut, and cooked to perfection.   Our filets were seasoned just enough to allow the flavor of the meat to shine through.  Cliché as it might be, our steaks were so tender we could have cut them with a fork.  As all steaks at Prime are, our steaks were served with a side of their house steak sauce – not that it need it.  The sauce is flavorful, but definitely sweeter than I expected.

Like most steakhouses, the menu is a la carte, so you have to order the sides separately (it ain’t the Outback).  Prime offers a large selection of potatoes, vegetable, and grains (kinda like the Outback).  We had a hard time deciding between the lobster mac n’ cheese, parmesan and white truffle oil steak fries, and gnocchi with bleu cheese.  We finally decided to share an order of the creamed spinach with crispy shallots and a tasting of 3 mashed potatoes.

Sharing the sides is definitely the way to go.  First of all, the portions are far too big for a normal human to eat by himself.  Secondly, you probably won’t be able to decide on just one dish, so it makes sense to order a few and share them.  The creamed spinach was very good, and I would compare it favorable to the creamed spinach we’ve had at other elite steakhouses.  While there is plenty of fresh spinach flavor, the crispy shallots add a nice contrast to the texture, and crunch to the creamy greens.  The tasting of 3 mashed potatoes were smooth, rich, creamy, and heavenly (that’s because I’m sure they use real cream and butter).  The trio includes generous portions of their Sour Cream and Chives Mashed, Lobster Mashed, and Roasted Garlic Mashed.  The Sour Cream and Chives mashed had a nice tangy flavor topped off with fresh chives.  The Roasted Garlic Mashed featured a nice (but not overpowering) garlic flavor.  The Lobster Mashed had pieces of lobster mixed in, topped off with a lobster claw. My husband enjoyed the lobster mashed, which is surprising since he generally refuses to eat seafood.  I may visit Prime again and dine exclusively on sides.

You would think that we’d be full after all this food but we had our minds set on dessert long before we set foot in the restaurant.  We ordered the Famous Chocolate Gooey, which is a molten chocolate cake baked to order  When we placed our order, we were told that it would take approximately 12 minutes to make.  Since we were in no hurry (and since we decided long ago on this dessert) we were okay with the wait.  The cake was well worth every minute of that wait.  As the name suggests, it is warm, rich, and gooey.  The cake is complimented by vanilla ice cream and raspberries.  As we devoured the cake, my husband wondered, why do they always use vanilla ice cream. Why not chocolate?  I think he makes a great point, why not chocolate?  Once again, I thought about licking my plate, but the sight of our friend in the jacket and shorts brought me back to reality.

Price

Our entire meal for two at Prime cost just over $180 including tax and tip.  The tab included 1 glass of wine, 1 salad, 2 entrees, 2 sides, and 1 dessert.  No doubt Prime offers one of the more expensive dinners in the Saratoga area, but there’s also little doubt that it’s worth every penny (not that we’d eat there every night).  That baked stuffed lobster I didn’t order starts at $60, and don’t forget about the $15 per ounce Kobe beef!  Bring your wallet.

Overall Quality

We couldn’t finish all the food so we had to take home a doggy bag.  The mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and steak heated up nicely and tasted every bit as good the following day.  Our recent dining experience at Prime ranked as one of the best we’ve had since we moved from Boston.  Unless you’re a lottery winner, or a master at picking the ponies, chances are Prime at Saratoga National isn’t going to be your regular dinner spot, but for special occasions it is well worth it for the atmosphere, service, the food, and of course, the golf course itself (my husband made me add that).

Find out more about Prime at Saratoga National by visiting their website.

Our posture is a big part of how we carry ourselves.  When you have good posture, you stand taller, you appear more confident and comfortable.   Not only appear this way to others, but you feel this way too.

The iPosture is your personal posture coach.  It’s a device that uses WINS (Wearable Intelligent Nano-Sensor).  Basically, it’s a microchip that monitors your stance every few seconds.  It’s about 1 inch in diameter and operates on a coin battery.  It will send a warning if it detects a deviation greater than 3 degrees for 60 seconds or more.

For the maximum benefit, wear the iPosture for four hours a day for the first two to four weeks in order to improve your posture.  It is recommended that you wear the device two or three times per week thereafter to maintain the improved posture.  The idea is that once you train your body on the correct posture, it will become second nature.

Given it's relatively diminutive size, it's amazing how effective the iPosture is at detecting the slightest slouch.

Here’s how it works:

• Wear it close to the skin by the chest
• Stand at a good comfortable posture and press the button to set
• Once you press the button to set, it memorizes that posture
• The device will vibrate once if you slouch for more than 60 seconds.  If the slouching persists for another 60 seconds, it will vibrate twice.   If you correct your posture, the vibrating stops.  If you do not correct your posture after the second warning, the iPosture will go into sleep mode for 15 minutes.  When it wakes up, it will vibrate twice and the cycle will continue.
• To turn it off, hold the button for 3 seconds and then lay it down flat.
• You can clip the iPosture to your bra strap or form fitting t-shirt.  It can also be threaded through a necklace (not included) and wore and a pendant.  If none of this works for you, it can be wore directly on the skin using some double-sided tape (included).

I wore the iPosture for a few days and here’s what I found:

In the car

It definitely works better in the car for me when I’m the driver, not the passenger.  As a driver, I normally sit taller with both feet flat.  I wore it to and from work with no problems.  As it’s supposed to do, it corrected me a few times when when it caught me hunched over.  As soon as I sat up straight, the buzzing stopped.  After a few car rides with the iPosture I found that I had to readjust my seat and mirrors in order to accommodate my new and improved posture.

For me,  the iPosture proved to be less effective when I was a passenger.  When I’m not doing the driving, I tend to be in a more relaxed position.  I may sit with my legs crossed or I maybe leaning towards one side.  I know that I should correct my posture, but I didn’t really want to.  After a 2 hour car ride as the passenger, I just took it off.

At the office

While sitting on a backless stool for an hour and a half long meeting, I found myself slumping over a few times.  Each time, I got a little buzz and quickly adjusted my position.   What I found is that even if I cross my legs, it throws my body off alignment and after a minute, I got another quick buzz.  The sound and vibration are very gentle and not noticeable to anyone around me.

At the gym

I wore the iPosture during my workouts.  It’s not really effective when I’m in my abs class where I spend a majority of the time on my back or on my stomach.  It’s also not that effective during my Gravity Class when I’m at a 45-60 degree incline the entire time.  However, I did find the iPosture to be helpful when I was in my sculpting class doing kickboxing and lifting free weights.  The iPosture kept me in check while I was lifting weights.  It helped to ensure proper form and balance.

At home

Wearing the iPosture at home proved to be less beneficial.  Mostly because I don’t tend to sit up straight in a chair at home.  The iPosture does not work quite as well when I’m lounging, lying on the couch, or generally being lazy.  I also found that the iPosture didn’t stay on quite as well when I was lounging at home.  It actually fell off my bra strap two times while I was wearing it around the house.  It buzzed constantly for a while, but I was not quite sure why.  I tried to correct myself and thought I was doing it right, who knows.

The iPosture can also be worn as a necklace.

Final Thoughts

The pitfall of this product is that it depends on the user to be able to set it correctly.  If you have poor posture and don’t have any sort of feel for what good posture really is, the iPosture can certainly help you learn and improve.

I clipped the iPosture directly to my bra strap.  For the most part it stayed put and did the job. On several occasions, it slipped off and fell down my shirt.  No big deal.  I just fished it out and put it back on.

After wearing the iPosture, for several weeks I noticed a few things about myself…I tend to hunch over a lot while seated at the table, during lunch, and while on my computer.   I never really thought about the fact that sitting with my legs crossed can actually throw off my posture.  I’m not sure if the iPosture has improved my posture, but it has certaily made me more aware of it.

For more information, or to purchase your iPosture, visit iPosture.com.  You can also download the free iPosture App from iTunes.

As an Asian woman, I have the great fortune of being blessed with incredibly straight hair. Unfortunately, this also applies to my incredibly straight lashes.  In fact, they’re more than straight.  They actually grow in a downward direction.  So needless to say, the eye lash curler and I have grown to become close friends.  We’re not in any way good friends, because more than a few times, I have been a victim of my eyelash curler.  I’ve pinched my eyelids and brought tears to my eyes.  But since I have not found a better solution to my straight lash problem, I have not been able to fire my traditional eyelash curler.

In order for me to get even a slight curl to my lashes, I have to use a hairdryer to heat up the metal clamp style curler before using it.  I actually have to repeat this 2-3 times for optimal effect.  After the lash curling torture, I then apply a coat of mascara.  Choosing the right mascara is not as easy as it sounds. Having ridiculously straight lashes, I have to find mascara that will hold the curl and not fall immediately upon application.  I’ve tried a number of products, from lower priced drug store brands (i.e. Revlon, L’Oreal) to higher priced department store brands (i.e. Cliniques, Lancôme, etc.). For years now, I’ve relied on Maybelline New York Full ‘n Soft Waterproof Mascara.  I have tried other products in the Maybelline family (Great Lashes, Intense XXL, Volum’ Express) and have not found the same success. At a price point of about $7.29, the Full ‘n Soft does the job.

Recently I was getting a haircut at my salon and when a display product caught my eye. It’s called “Kiss Me Mascara” by blinc.  The idea selling point of this  product is that this mascara does not simply “paint” color on your lashes, it builds “tubes” around them.  The tubes bind to lashes and you can actually see when you wash it off.

Here’s what Kiss Me Mascara offers:

• Will not run, smudge, clump, or flake
• Will add volume and length
• Can be washed off with water and gentle pressure (like washing your face)
• Ideal for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
• The product comes in an array of colors: black, dark brown, medium brown, dark blue, dark purple, and dark green

Going hand in hand with the Kiss Me Mascara is the blinc lash curler. As you might infer from the name, this is a heated lash curler that is certainly not your traditional metal clamp.  The blinc design will certainly appeal to anyone whose every pinched their eyelids while curling their lashes The beauty of the blinc design is that it eliminates the need to provide pressure and possibly damage your lashes.  The curler heats up in 30 seconds, using one AAA battery (included).  It has a built in guard that prevents contact with your skin and eyes and delivers a precise amount of heat to set a long lasting curl.

Putting them to the test

The blinc lash curler does indeed heat up quickly.  There is an indicator light that turns yellow when it’s ready.  It is a strange sensation to put a heated brush to your eyes, but I have to say that while you can feel the heat on the brush, it’s definitely not too hot.  It doesn’t burn the skin or lashes.

I followed the directions that came with the lash curler, but to my disappointment, it was not able to curl my lashes.  What it did to do was curl my lashes from the downward position to the straight out position.  Unfortunately, it was not able to take it to the next level and curl my lashes upwards.  Perhaps if my lashes were straight to begin with, it might have worked.

My theory was that the blinc lash curler just wouldn’t work for Asian girls, so, I passed it along to my caucasian friend to see how it would perform for her.  I’m disappointed to report that my friend didn’t fare any better.  She found that the blinc curler was only able to curl her lashes slightly beyond straight.  I guess my friend and I will continue to use our traditional clamp style curler and hairdryer combination.

The Kiss Me Mascara, on the other hand, was a much better experience.  I love this mascara!!!  My biggest problem is that I have ridiculously straight lashes.  I need a mascara that will hold the curl and not fall immediately after application.  In most cases I have to re-curl after applying the mascara, but not with the Kiss Me Mascara.  Once I curled my lashes (using my traditional curler and hairdryer combo) and applied, it held the curl beautifully and they didn’t fall!  Better yet, the curl lasted all day long.

As blinc promised, it did not run or smudge at all.  With traditional waterproof mascara I usually end up with some runny smudging by mid-morning.  With the Kiss Me Mascara, that didn’t happen, even after I took a nap.  It looks just as good at 7pm as it did at 7am when I first put it on.  It definitely washes off very easily with water and gentle pressure.  You don’t have to use any kind of makeup remover which is nice benefit.

Both the Kiss Me Mascara and Blinc Lash Curler have a suggested retail price of $25, but can be found for less at Folica.com .

I’ve tried a lot of different mascaras over the year.  I found the Kiss Me Mascara to be one of the few that does exactly as it promises.  I would definitely splurge on the mascara, because it’s well worth the extra money.

The blinc Heated Eyelash Curler and blinc Kiss Me Mascara are available from Folica.com.

I have a spice cabinet in my kitchen.  Correction, I had a spice cabinet in my kitchen.  My husband took it down one weekend while I was out of town.  That was fine because it was mounted pretty high up and it was useless unless I scaled my countertops every time I need something. So in the absence of our spice cabinet, I took over a drawer to store our spices.  It’s not perfect, but it does the job.  My husband, however, hates our spice drawer.  He can’t ever seem to find what he’s looking for.  I have to admit that he’s not totally wrong.  We do have an inventory control problem.  There also has been some spills.   In addition to specs of assorted dried herbs, a bottle of yellow food coloring leaked so we run the risk of getting orange fingers (did you know yellow food coloring is actually orange?) whenever we reach in to retrieve a spice.

So when the makers of the Spice Stack Organizer offered the opportunity to empty my spice drawer, I took them up on it.

Prior to the Spice Stack we had a "spice drawer". My husband was definitely not a fan.

Here are the features of the Spice Stack Organizer:

• Constructed of white plastic.  No assembly required.
• 3 drawers that slide out and lowers to a resting position so that the spices can be in full display
• Can accommodate up to 18 large bottles or 32 small bottles.  You can mix and match them too.
• Hides away easily in most kitchen cabinets
• Comes with 48 preprinted and 48 blank spice drawer label

I basically unpacked my Spice Stack and put it in my cabinet.  I was able to put the organizer in a cabinet right next to the range which is much more conveniently located than my spice drawer.  I found the top row in each drawer is better for the larger bottles and the bottom row can accommodate 2 smaller bottles together.  I was able to accommodate jars and bottles from a variety of brands and store most of my spices in one 3 drawer unit.   For some reason, I have 3 bottles of cinnamon (2 unopened), 2 bottles of paprika, and 4 bottles of Cajun seasoning.  (This is the inventory control problem I mentioned earlier.)

I really like the preprinted labels.  I labeled almost all of my spices with them.  I like being able to see what I have and find what I need without fumbling around in a drawer.  Each drawer pulls out and drops down to a resting position so you can easily see everything in each drawer. Hopefully, by organizing my spices, I will be able to avoid any future inventory issues.

The Spice Stack fits neatly into our kitchen cabinets. My husband couldn't be happier.

The Spice Stack’s simple white plastic construction makes clean up easy.  It’s not the most beautiful or fancy kitchen accessory I’ll own.  It’s not something I’d necessarily display on my kitchen counter, but it works beautifully inside a cabinet.    I only wish that I could purchase a single drawer in order to customize my own Spice Stack.  I do need some additional storage, but not 3 drawers worth.

The Spice Stack retails for $24.95 and is not available in stores.  You can purchase it by visiting www.spicestack.com.

My husband and I finally took our “honeymoon” this past summer;  a 2 week cruisetour to Alaska and the Yukon Territory.  Between the two of us we took over 1,500 pictures of the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.  Walking through our house, however, you’d never know we’ve been anywhere.  We have empty wall after empty wall (which goes well with the empty rooms), screaming for some art or photographs, or something.  So when the opportunity to custom frame some of our Alaska pictures online, I jumped right on it.

Real Memories takes the extra leg work out of custom framing.  With Real Memories you can forget about annoying trips to the drugstore for prints, followed by another annoying trip to the frame store.  The Real Memories online frame shop allows you to upload your favorite photos, choose a custom frame, and personalize a mat in the comforts of your very own home.  They also offer a selection of readymade items such as frames, mirrors, cork boards, and memory boards.  If you’re stuck for ideas, or if you’re creatively challenged, they also have an idea gallery to get you started.

Depending on the size and number of pictures you select, your choice of frames will vary.  Prices can range in $20 for framing a single 3×5 picture to $100 and up for framing 10 pictures on a 21×20 frame.  Whatever your taste, you can find a frame to fit your home’s decor.  I am a modern contemporary kind of girl.  I like simple frames with sleek lines (Think Pottery Barn).  However, if you like prefer the more ornate styles with swirls and designs, you’ll still be able to find exactly the right frame to fit your personal style.  The glass is museum quality, which will prevent your photos from fading.

The Real Memories interface is exceptionally intuitive, easy to use, and surprisingly robust in its functionality.

How it works

• Upload your photos
• Choose the number of pictures and size you want per frame
• Make modifications to contrast, brightness, etc.  You can even convert your photos to black & white, or sepia tones.
• Select your frame from a variety of color and finishes
• Choose your mat color and personalize a message (if you want)
• Add to your cart and check out

The Pros

• I found the website to be very user friendly.  It really was easy to customize my frame in minutes.
• I love being able to personalize the mat by adding a description of the picture.  The letters are embossed (in your choice of font)  in either silver or gold so it really gives it a custom, high-end feel.
• Once you have created your custom frame, you can set it against a virtual wall (you chose the color) so you get an idea of what it may look like on your wall.
• You can create as many frames as you want and edit them as often as you like.  This is a great way to get an idea of what your pictures may look like before making a commitment.  You can try doing this at a traditional frame shop, but they may throw you out after a few trips.
• You can earn Loyalty Points which credits you back 10% of every purchase so you can use it towards your next purchase.
• You can save your photos to your account and send custom frames as gifts directly.  This definitely beats framing your own pictures, finding and packing  a glass framed photo, and standing in line at the post office.

The Cons

• Since it’s a custom frame, you can’t change the pictures.  They are affixed to the frame.  Also, if you personalized the mat, you’re stuck with the description.  So make sure you really like it before moving forward.
• They only offer a choice of 3 mat colors: white, cream, and sand.  Neutrals are all well and good but everyone once in a while you want to add a punch of color.

The Verdict

My order arrived very quickly.  The package was exceptionally well protected for its journey.  I ordered a custom frame holding 2 – 5 x 7 pictures.  The frame I received was exactly what I expected.  The picture and description of the frame was very detailed and right on.  I chose the Thomas Frame which fits right into the modern contemporary decor of my home.  My husband and I were both impressed with the picture quality and overall look of the frame.  I really like the personalized description embossed in silver on the mat.  To our surprise, the frame also came with hooks, nails, and a foldaway ruler so we can easily hang the frame without having to go out and buy additional hardware.

As it turns out photographing framed photographs is no easy task, but the bottom line is that we couldn't be happier with the final product from Real Memories.

Would I use Real Memories again?  I absolutely would, but I’d save it for special occasion pictures (like weddings, new babies, or my Alaska trip).  For everyday pics that I may want to swap out on occasion, I’d stick to the pre-made frames you can pick up at Target.   The custom frames make great gifts for family and friends.   Real Memories allowed me to take the memories of my Alaskan vacation and bring it to life with a few easy clicks of the mouse.

Things you may or may not know about ceramic (Before this, I only knew that I liked tile)

• Harder than metal (who knew?)
• Won’t rust, stain, or dull
• Easy to clean
• Lightweight
• Won’t brown food or stick
• Will not leave behind a metallic after taste on food

The marketing folks at the Slice were kind enough to send us the Y-peeler, safety cutter, letter opener, and precision cutter for review.  After using these products for a few weeks, I am ready to share my thoughts.

Y-Peeler

This is a vegetable peeler but it’s kinda shaped like a giant hand held razor.  The Y-peeler is definitely lightweight.  The handle is kinda squishy, but not in a weird way.   It’s actually a little like holding nothing at all.  To look at the “blade” you may be inclined to think the same thing.  It looks like the kind of cheap plastic that wouldn’t survive an aggressive cleaning.  But looks are deceiving, because the Y-Peeler had no problems slicing through carrots, potatoes, apples, and even a block of Parmesan cheese.  It makes precise slices without a lot of pressure.  The handle is comfortable feels good in my hands.

I eat an apple during lunch everyday.  I peel my apples and yes, I do get mocked daily for it by my colleagues.   People say that apple skin is good for you, but I don’t care.  I don’t like the way it tastes.  And since I’m an adult, it’s my prerogative to peel the apple.  But I digress…  I did find the Y-Peeler to be a bit cumbersome for something like an apple.  It did the job but I would imagine that the slimmer shaped vegetable peeler  would have worked better.  Cleanup is definitely easy.  I just rinsed and let it air dry.

Retail Price: $14.99

Safety Cutter

This is the most intriguing item I received, and in the words of my husband, “my new favorite thing ever”.  You hold it between your thumb and index finger and slide it along what you want to cut.  There is a ity, bity recessed ceramic blade at the tip, but I barely notice it’s there.  If you touch it by mistake, it’s finger friendly, but I wouldn’t press too hard.  It’s effective in cutting that  plastic wrap packing stuff that is usually a real pain to open.  We’ve used it to cut boxes, packages on food, etc.  It’s magnetic too so you can stick it to your fridge for easy access (not our fridge though, who knew that magnets don’t stick to stainless steel).  There’s also a built in hole for your keyring so your safety cutter can go wherever you go (I’d check with the TSA before trying to travel with it).  Very neat little tool.

Retail Price: $5.99

Letter Opener

I was dying to try this one…actually I was dying to have my husband try this one.  You see, my husband has a habit of opening envelopes by ripping them in half.  I’ve never seen anyone open mail quite like he does.  I’ve never been a fan of the traditional knife-shaped letter openers.  It’s kind of a dangerous weapon for a clumsy girl like me.  The letter opener by Slice is small and flat and the blade is well contained.  Just hold the opener between your thumb, middle, and index finger and guide the envelope through the ridge which houses the blade.  You don’t need to put any pressure on it or pinch anything together.  Just guide the envelope through the opener to make one quick slice.  It’s very neat because it only cuts open one side of the envelope.  What I mean is that you’re not left with little strips of paper all over the place.  No more paper cuts or mangled envelopes.

Retail Price: $5.99

Precision Cutter

It’s shaped like a pencil with a sharp ceramic tip on the end.  This makes it very easy to use and maneuver when making small cuts for crafts and other project.  I’m not a creative or artsy girl by any means.  So I struggled to find an everyday use for this item.  For the purpose of this review, I used the cutter to cut all sorts of fun shapes out of a variety of paper and card stock.  I even used it to cut envelopes.  It definitely works like a charm.  It can easily make small, precise cuts.  If you can use a pencil, then you can use this tool.  Just make sure you put something (like a mat) underneath what you are cutting because it is quite sharp.

When not in use, it comes with a cap (as my husband explains, there’s still a blade in there).   Even though I like this product, I really can’t find a use for it in my daily life.  I think I will pass it along to Jill, our resident scrapbooker, to see if she can put it to better use.

Retail Price: $6.99

In addition these four items, Slice makes ceramic veggie peelers $14.99 and cheese graters $14.99.  These were actually the two products I was most intrigued with in the entire Slice product line.  The veggie peeler does about the same thing as the Y-Peeler, but  is shaped more like a long skinny cone than a giant razor.  The grater uses small ceramic teeth to grate cheese, carrots, lemon zest, chocolate, and nutmeg.  With no holes in the grater, nothing will get stuck.

This is definitely a unique collection of products that does what it claims to do.  If it lives up to its claims about its durability, it’ll be the last peeler I own.  The entire Slice product line comes in a bright lime green and white color combination.  Who doesn’t want a lime green peeler?  You can buy Slice products at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, the Container Store, Sur La Table, and other fine retailers nationwide.

Probably one of the neatest thing is that portions of all Slice product sales helps fund autism resarch.  As an educator, this is a cause that is near and dear to me.  Any company that does their part to find a cure defintely makes the cut.

Visit www.slicehome.com for more details.

Christmas morning, my husband asked me (actually demanded) that I make him some eggs before we headed off to his mother’s house for the whole unwrap the presents thing.  Needless to say, I was a bit annoyed because we were already running late, and it’s not like there wouldn’t be a a ton of food at his mother’s house.   But my husband kept insisting, and me being the nice girl that I am, I decided to indulge him (it was Christmas after all).  So imagine my surprise when I opened my cabinets to find our old pots and pans replaced with the Calphalon One set that I’ve had my eyes on for months.   I didn’t actually making any eggs that morning, but I have put my new pots and pans to lots of good use since.

The best part about going to a high end steak house is getting a piece of filet that’s been seared perfectly.  The steak is juicy on the inside with a nice crust on the outside.   With Calphalon One, you can get that same steakhouse sear at home.  The key is to leave the meat alone for a few minutes after it hits the pan.  The Calphalon One cookware will actually release the food once its properly seared.  Do it too soon and you’ll have a mess on your hands.

I was also very excited to be able to “deglaze” for the first time.  What exactly is deglazing?  Well, it allows you make your own quick and simple pan sauce after you have cooked your meat.  And since the deglazing is done in the same pan you just cooked your steak in, you don’t dirty another pan, which is nice, because it’s not like my husband is going to help out with the dishes.  After you sear your meat, you’re left with a collection of caramelized brown bits.  It’s not inedible burnt stuff (like toaster crispies), but rather a byproduct called fond.  By using a liquid (either wine or broth)  these bits can be scraped off to create a flavorful sauce.  (In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I spend a lot of time watching the Food Network)

Here are the features of Calphalon One that caught my attention:

• Revolutionary infused anodized service
• Metal utensil friendly (a huge improvement over non-stick)
• Cleans in a flash
• Deglazes beautifully
• Oven and broiler safe
• Lifetime warranty

Calphalon One carries two lines,the Infused Anodized and the Nonstick.  I chose the infused anodized set over the nonstick for several reasons.  First of all, have you ever seen a professional chef cook with nonstick cookware?  The answer is, No!   If you watch cooking shows as much as I do, you’ll find that nearly all of the professionals say that you really only need one good nonstick pan.   An entire set is overkill.  Also, I like a pan that can go straight from the stovetop to the oven or broiler.

Are you now wondering, what exactly is “infused anodized”?  The gist of it is that they do some sort of Calphalon magic to the interior and exterior of the pans to make them ultra smooth and non-porous for increased durability.  I don’t really know what this means either.

So after extensive research, I chose the 10 piece set which includes the following:

• 10″ & 12″ fry pan – These are my most used, everyday pans.  They’re great for cooking just about anything.  I’ve made everything from seared scallops and salmon to filet mignon and stuffed chicken breast.  I can sear an entire pork tenderloin on the stovetop and then finish it in the oven.
• 3 qt. covered chef’s pan – It’s a decent size pot with a lid but to be honest, this is not a pan I use often.  I think I’d rather have a 2.5 qt. covered sauce pan instead.
• 4.5 qt covered sauce pan – Great for sauces, soups, and boiling small amounts of pasta.
• 11″ covered chef’s skillet -This is similar to the fry pan, but it can be covered.
• 8 qt. stock pot – Like the name suggests, great for stocks, soups, and pasta.  I have the pasta insert which is useful for more than just noodles.  I use the leftover carcasses from a roasted chicken along with fresh vegetables to make my stock.  With the pasta insert I don’t have to worry about straining my stock.
• On my wishlist: the Flat Bottom Wok.  I am Asian, and I do like a good stir-fry.  All kidding aside, this is a great offering from Calphalon because the traditional round bottom woks are a pain on the stovetop, unless you have a special stand that goes over your burner.

The Pros

• It really works.  You can get a great sear on your food and make delicious pan sauces, just like the pros.
• The pans are well made.  They have just the right weight and feel to them.  They’re not too heavy, not too light.  In the words of Goldilocks, they’re just right.
• The stainless steel handles have the perfect contour and stay cool during the cooking process (but not if they’re in the oven people).
• Calphalon One offers a variety of pots and pans in different sizes, so you can basically get anything you want.
• For nonstick pans, you have to use nylon utensils, but with the infused anodized you can use anything you want, metal, nylon, wood, etc.
• Oven and broiler safe.  Go straight from the stovetop to the oven without missing a beat.
• Easy cleanup with hot soapy water.

The Cons

• While the infused anodized technology is great for most foods, it does not like eggs (or eggs don’t like it).  You will need to buy a nonstick pan.
• It’s not dishwasher safe so it must be cleaned by hand.  In the words of my husband, “you don’t put nice pots and pans in the dishwasher!”

Final Thoughts

Calphalon One is available in either an 8 or 10 piece set.  You can also get specialty items such as dutch ovens, fajita pans, chef’s skillets, etc.  Suggested retail price is $599 at most department stores, such as Macy’s and Bed Bath and Beyond, but you can find it for a little bit less at Amazon.com.  Williams-Sonoma carries a unique line of Calphalon One sets.  They offer exclusive 8, 12, or 16 piece sets.   The combination of pots and pans available at Williams-Sonoma is different from what’s available everywhere else, so do your research and think about the kind of cooking you do before making the investment.

For anyone who enjoys eating, cooking, and entertaining, the Calphalon One Infused Anodized pans are a must have tool.  You can have a restaurant style  and quality dining experience without leaving the comforts of your own home.  Since my husband is the ultimate homebody who almost never leaves the house, this investment is worth every penny.

Shameless Plug

We rely heavily on ad revenue and our affiliate relationships to keep Qwowi.com up and running.  If you do decide to purchase any Calphalon One products (or any other kitchen items), we hope you’ll consider purchasing through one of our handful of kitchen partners.  Calphalon One products are available from Chef Giant, Chef’s Catalog, and of course, Amazon.com.

Purchase $400+ Calphalon One or CS Cookware get Utensil Set & Soup Pot
Purchase $300+ Calphalon One Cookware & Get FREE 7-Piece Utensil Set ($49 value)

Carrie Bradshaw and I would’ve been good friends or at the very least shopping buddies.  While we both share a love of shoes, I can never bring myself to shell out hundreds of dollars for a pair of Manolo Blahniks.   Practicality aside, my husband would kill me – and rightfully so.

I grew up in NYC and even though I now live in the “country”, I’d like to think that I didn’t leave my city style behind.  Like most women I want to be able to get that great designer look on a everyday budget.   I do love a great sexy stiletto, but what I love best is finding that hot shoe at a great price.  Everyone and their mother (and brother, and uncle) knows about Zappos.com.   I’ve been a loyal customer for years; long before it most women were willing to buy shoes online.  Over the past few years, a handful of stores have followed in Zappos model; great shoes at a great price, with no hassle returns.

With all the shoes websites out there how do you decide where to go?  Quite by accident one day, I found Endless.com.  I was at  first skeptical, having never before heard of Endless.com.  I was curious, however, so I decided to do a little bit of research.  It turns out, Endless.com was built by Amazon.com and launched over 2 years ago.  While you can still buy shoes and handbags through Amazon,  the Endless.com site offers features and benefits not available on Amazon.com directly.

Like Zappos, Endless.com offers competitive prices and a great selection of name brands.  Nine West, Guess, and BCBG just to name a few.  They also boast a designer section featuring higher end shoes and handbags.   You can basically find any style of shoe you want.  The site is incredibly user friendly and I find the search features to be superior to those found at Zappos (although if you’ve browsed the Zappos Zeta site you know that improvements are on the way).  You can search by shoe category, brand, size, width, heel height, color, and price.    While its competitors offer similar search features, I found Endless.com’s layout to be much easier to use and more informative.

You can modify any of your search parameters without having to go back a page on your browser.  With Endless.com you can search multiple brands at once; an option that is not currently available at Zappos.   The heel height search on Endless offers a 3″-3″3/4 and an over 4″ option.  Compare that to Zappos’ relatively vague “2 3/4 and up”.

Why is this important you ask?  Well as a girl who usually wears 3 1/2″ to 4″ inch heels, it makes my searches much, much easier.  You can also focus your search within a specific price range by using an adjustable slider to narrow (or expand) your range.  It’s another feature that is think is superior to Zappos, which limits you to pre-set price ranges.  Once you’ve found the shoe, like Zappos, there is a multi-view option.  You’ll also find product details and customer reviews.  Taken right from the pages of Amazon, there is also a “customers who bought this item also bought…” section which can help you identify similar items.

Checkout couldn’t be any easier.  Your Amazon.com
username and password work perfectly on Endless.com.  Endless.com also accepts Amazon gift cards, as well as its own promotional codes.  At checkout, if you have a balance on an Amazon gift card, Endless.com will ask if you want to apply it to your purchase.

Perhpas best of all, Endless.com offers free overnight shipping on all orders.  Like Zappos they also offer free return shipping for 365 days.  One additional plus is that Endless.com offers 100% price guarantee.  If you do find a better price (for the exact item, including size and color) within 14 days of your purchase, Endless.com will refund you the difference.

So are you wondering what I bought?  My first purchase at Endless.com was a pair of the GUESS Women’s Carrie Stiletto Pump.  This has got to be the most perfect pair of shoes for work or play.  They look great with pants or skirts.  They have a pointed toe and a 4 inch heel.  As high as these shoes are, they are incredibly comfortable with no break in period.  It’s available in leather, patent leather, suede, and fabric (animal print) in array of colors.   You can basically find the color and material combination to fit your wardrobe.   But enough about my new favorite shoes…

Zappos is no longer the only place to go now for shoes and handbags.   There is a new kid on the block.  Along with great customer service, Endless.com offers great products at competitive prices.  Their website is easy to use and the search features are the best I’ve found on any shoe site.  Next time I’m in the market for new shoes, Endless.com will be my first stop.

I’ve tried out a couple of the different options for iPhone screen protection, and while both have their pros and cons, for me anyway, there is a clear winner.

Invisible Shield by Zagg

At the time I bought my iPhone, on the recommendation of the salesman, I also bought the Invisible Shield by Zagg

Here’s a quick rundown of the features of the Invisible Shield:

• Scratch-Proof, patented film
• Military Grade
• Lifetime Guarantee
• No added bulk
• Improves grip
• Invisible protection

Installation:

Installing the Invisible Shield is in itself a little bit of a production.  With your iPhone powered off, you have to first wet your fingers first with the included spray, peel back the film, spray the film itself (front and back) and then carefully lay it over your phone.  It takes some time and maybe a few attempts to perfectly align the film on the phone.  Then you need to use the included squeegee to remove any excess spray and to iron out any air bubbles that might have formed under the shield.

Once it’s on, you have to let it set up for a few hours or overnight before it’s fully set.  Removing the Invisible Shield is a bit interesting too.  If you plan to reuse it, you should wet your fingers with the installation spray again.  Basically, the film peels off like a sticker, but you have to be careful because the Invisible Shield can stretch out during removal.

The girl test:

The Invisible Shield has a high gloss finish.  On the plus side, the reflective screen can double as a mirror when the screen is black.  On the down side, however, the finish is overly-prone to fingerprints, grease, and makeup build up.   By the end of the day, I have to wipe off the makeup that has built up on the screen (It’s not like I cake the stuff on.  I do use BareMinerals afterall.).  It’s gross but at least it’s easily remedied with glass cleaner and a paper towel.

The clumsy test:

So does the Invisible Shield pass the clumsy test?  Sort of.   While the shield is scratch proof, it’s certainly not dent proof.  A few weeks after a bought my phone, I was horrified to find a small dent on my screen.  OK, so it wasn’t the screen itself, but rather the Invisible Shield.  At the very least, it meant that the Invisible Shield did its job.

Zagg offers a lifetime guarantee on it’s product so if your shield is damage, you can get a new one.  I contacted Zagg about my replacement shield well over a month ago.  After  an exchange of emails, and faxing of my receipt, I still have not heard back from Zagg, and more importantly, I’ve yet to receive my replacement.  So while they offer a lifetime guarantee, it appears that it might actually take Zagg a lifetime to honor it.

Overall, the Invisible Shield did its job and protected the screen.   Pluses include the fact that the glossy finish did not change the resolution or sharpness of the images on the screen.  The downside include a lack of resistance to fingerprints, grease, and makeup.  Suspect customer support, including the difficulty (perhaps impossibility) in getting Zagg to honor their guarantee are also problematic.

The Zagg Invisible Shield for iPhone 3G is available from Amazon.com for $19.97.

Power Support Anti-Glare Film for iPhone 3G

When I ordered the Incase Slider case I discussed in Part I, I also ordered an alternative to my damaged Zagg screen protector.  This time around I chose the Power Support Anti-Glare Film for $14.95.

Here are the features of the Power Supply Film:

• Provides traction for improved responsiveness
• Advanced static cling for stay-put adhesion
• Films can be easily cleaned and reapplied after use
• Resists smudges and fingerprints
• Keeps LCD screen free of scratches, dirt, and dust

Installation:

Unlike the Zagg, the film goes on without a lot of pomp and circumstance. There is no special spray or squeegee involved, and you can use your phone immediately after installation.  You do have to clean off the screen, remove the film and carefully align it with your phone, but all of that sounds pretty standard to me.  You then use your fingers and a lint free cloth to push out the air bubbles.  If you mess up, the film can be removed very easily by using a piece of scotch tape to lift up the edge, and then reapplying.

The girl test:

The matte surface of the film makes it less than ideal for use as a mirror.  In fact it’s pretty much useless in that regard (not that it’s supposed to be a mirror anyway).  So if plan to have your iPhone double as a mirror, you may get lipstick on your teeth.  On the upside, the surface is totally immune to fingerprints, and does a much better job resisting grease, and make up.   With the Power Support protector, I don’t have nearly the foundation buildup at the end of the day that I had with the Zagg.  I haven’t had to take the glass cleaner and paper towel to it yet either.

The clumsy test:

The Power Support film also passes the clumsy test.  It is doing the job so far in protecting the screen from scratches and dents.  The Power Supply Anti-Glare Film definitely has more of a “feel” to it.  It feels thicker compared to the Invisible Shield, and has it’s own texture, but touch sensitivity is not impacted at all.

Overall, the Power Support Anti-Glare Film definitely delivers as promised, and you get 2 films for just $14.95.  The upside includes easy installation, and resistance to fingerprints and makeup transfer.  The downside includes  the matte finish, which definitely changes the appearance of the screen; albeit ever so slightly.

Power Support also offers a Crystal Film alternative, which offers traction without the anti-glare features, as well as the Air Jacket, which is designed to be nearly invisible to both sight and touch.

A 2-pack of Power Support Anti-Glare Film for iPhone 3G is available from Amazon.com for $14.95.

Using the Case and Screen Protector Together

I finally decided on the perfect combination for me.  I have the Incase Silicone Protective cover (although I’m a bit miffed I couldn’t get it in a true red) with the Power Support Anti-Glare film.  I tried the Power Support Film with the Slider case, but was unable to get them to play nicely together (air bubbles formed where the two parts of the slider come together).  I tried several times, as did my husband, and neither of us was able to get it configured in an air bubble-free way.

I’m known among my friends and family as being a bit accident prone.  I dropped an entire bottle of red wine on our new hardwood floors and carpet.  I’ve falling up and down stairs and I’ve broken my fair share of dishes and glasses.  I’ll admit it, I’m clumsy.  My husband actually says it’s the reason why we can’t have nice things.  So when I got my new iPhone, I knew that the chances of me dropping and breaking it were very high.   I figured it was a good idea to invest in some accessories to protect my new toy.

Incase Protective Cover for Apple iPhone 3G

I purchased the Incase protective cover, available at Best Buy for $31.99.  Unfortunately, the color selection was limited.  I only had a choice between black and rose.  Since I’m prone to all things pink and girly, it was a no brainer.

Here are the features of the Incase:

• Complete iPhone 3G protection
• Form-fitting, injection molded material provides added grip
• Signature gloss inlay topographic pattern on matte exterior
• Easy access to all controls including dock connector
• Direct access to wide screen and device features
• Custom cutouts for easy access to camera lens, speaker and microphone openings
• Allows charging while in case

I chose the Incase protective over other silicone type cases mainly for the way it fit and felt.  As advertised, it is very slim fitting.  It doesn’t add much in the way of  extra bulk to the phone itself.  It fits nicely in my little Coach purse and even in a little evening clutch I bought at Ann Taylor Loft.  The matte exterior and slight pattern on the case gave it a bit of  texture which makes for an easy grip.

The protective cover is easy to put on.  Basically, you just have to stretch the silicone cover over the phone and you’re done.  The only complaint I’ve read about is that the silicone can stretch out over time.  Unless you are constantly taking it off and putting it back on, I don’t think that will be an issue.  The other thing is that since the silicone is flexible, there is opportunity for dirt and stuff to get underneath the cover and scratch some of the metal on the iPhone frame.

As far as being clumsy-proof goes… Like I said earlier, I drop things and my iPhone was no exception.  I’ve dropped it on carpeting, hardwood floors, in the parking lot, and in my office.  Every time, it bounces a little and that’s all.  The Incase protective cover totally did its job.  It’s just about Flora-proof, and that’s quite an accomplishment for such a relatively inconspicuous add-on.

Overall, the Incase protective cover delivers as promised.  My only beef with it is that I can’t get it in hot pink or red.  While Best Buy only offers  2 color choices, there are 12 different colors available directly at the Incase website…but a true red is not among them.

The Incase Protective Cover for IPhone 3G is available from Amazon.com for $29.99.

Incase Slider for Apple iphone 3G

In my search for a red iPhone case, I stumbled upon the Incase slider when my brother-in-law was over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Both he and his wife use the Slider, and I was intrigued by the sleek and lightweight design.  I decided to check out the website.  The slider boasts 5 different colors in a metallic finish and 12 colors in the gloss finish.  Best of all, it came in metallic red so impulsive as I am, I ordered it.

Here are the features of the Incase slider.

• Durable iPhone 3G protection
• Lightweight hardshell plastic construction
• Direct access to widescreen
• Easy access to all controls and device features
• Allows charging while in case or bottom cover slides away for docking
• Matte finish

The slider case is hard plastic.  There are 2 small strips of rubber which help protect the phone.  The slider was definitely harder to uninstall than the Silicone Protector.  The issue isn’t so much putting it on, its more like taking it off.  The bottom did not slide out as nearly as easily as I would have expected.  It took some time and muscle.  I actually flung the thing across the room (the clumsy thing again) while trying to take the bottom off.  On the plus side, it is very slim fitting and light weight, both of which are pluses.  The hard plastic is fits snugly against all sides of the phone, which means that unlike the silicone version, the possibility of dirt getting underneath the case is very slim.

So how does this case hold up against my clumsy test?  When I drop my phone, it doesn’t quite bounce like it does with the Protector, but nevertheless, my phone survived.  Personally, while I love the color of the slider, I did not feel as comfortable with it as I do with the silicone case.  For whatever reason, the bounce of the silicone makes me feel like my phone is a bit more protected from my frequent drops.

A Story of Protection

Let me finish this half of the review by sharing a true story.  My sister-in-law (an Incase Slider user) , who while not as clumsy as I am, does have her moments of absent mindedness.  Somehow she managed to drop her iPhone on the edge her driveway while leaving her car (She had it on her lap and forgot about it before she got up.  I can’t fault her on this because I’ve done this too.).  This probably wouldn’t have been an issue, but not for a couple of other fairly significant factors.  First and foremost, she failed to notice that she dropped her phone.  Secondly, she happened to do so during the middle of a fairly large snowstorm (upwards of a foot when all was said and done), before the plows went by.

Long story short, when she and her husband went to find it the next morning it wasn’t sitting in a dry spot next to the car.  In fact, it was nowhere to be seen.  My brother-in-law tried calling the phone, but they weren’t able to hear it ring.  In his frustration, he gave the snow a big kick and out flew the phone!  After a cold and snowy night,  they were able to retrieve the iPhone from a fairly substantial snowbank, and the phone itself was none the worse for wear.

Maybe it’s the construction of the phone itself, maybe it’s the case, maybe it’s the screen protector (covered in Part II).  Likely it’s a combination of all 3, but the point is, if an Incase Slider can help protect a phone while it’s being buried in a snowbank by a city plow, imagine how well it works when pitted against your average clumsy girl.

The Incase Slider is available from the Incase website for $34.95