#Lebice Popsicle Molds

I received the Lebice Popsicle Molds for free in exchange for my review, but the thoughts here are my own honest opinions.

I've had this ready to write for almost 2 weeks now, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to sit down and WRITE. I'm not really sure why, either, so far, these Lebice Popsicle Molds are my favorite product I've had the chance to review! Call it writer's block, if you want, but it's not that I haven't had ideas, it's that I haven't been able to bring myself to get those thoughts into written text.

But, I'm here now, and as I said above, this has been my favorite product to use and review to date! It's been a lot of fun to mix together juices, smoothies and fresh and frozen fruit to make our own "Popsicles." The best part: since I know EXACTLY what goes into these popsicles, I don't mind letting the girls have (nearly, since they'd eat all 6 in one sitting, if I let them) as many as then want. (It probably also helped, that popsicle stick molds were another product that was already on my shopping list, that I was able to review for free. 🤗)

4 sides of the Lebice box (bottom right cut off the leak resistant, FDA approved, BPA free and dishwasher safe circles) 

Right off the bat, the Lebice Popsicle Molds sport a bright, festive, summery box featuring fruity colors of oranges, strawberry/raspberry pinks and a kiwi green. I totally didn't realize the fruity-ness of the colors until sitting here trying to describe them. Talk about subtle/sub-conscious marketing! 😉😊 My first impression was how bright and summery the box is. Definitely indicative of a great summer treat--or really anytime in our local, Florida heat.

Also important to note: the molds are leak resistant, FDA approved, BPA free and dishwasher safe. I can't believe I didn't realize until now that I cut these points off when I took the picture. Of course it's just AFTER I decide I don't need the box anymore and recycle it. [Facepalm]

Opened Lebice box with all contents individually wrapped

My first disappointment came when I opened the box. Part of the reason I wanted reusable popsicle molds is because I was tired of buying and throwing away the popsicle sticks and wrappers--though we usually bought Outshine bars or Chloe's Soft-Serve fruit bars rather than Popsicle brand. While I know 9 little plastic baggies are insignificant compared to what we were doing, the individual wrappers still seemed unnecessary.

Closed Lebice box, individual wrapping removed, and popsicle molds assembled

Once the plastic was removed and disposed of, the Lebice Popsicle Molds looked a lot higher quality than they did in the baggies, which look tacky to me. (Probably because I think it's a completely unnecessary waste.)

Lebice mold picture instructions

I just thought it was too funny that there were instructions at all, seems pretty simple: add juice/fruit/whatever to mold, freeze, eat. but it was nice to have the picture that suggest warming the edges to removed the frozen popsicle easier.

Juice and fresh and frozen fruit ready to blend in Vitamix blender

The next several photos are the process of making the smoothie I used as the first sample of popsicles. The instructions came with a couple of recipes and a QR code to more recipes and video instructions, but I just sorta made my own thing. For the first try, I used fresh and frozen strawberries and frozen pineapple, mango and papaya with orange juice and a touch of honey, blended in our Vitamix 5300. (If you want my review of the blender, check out my 30 Day Vitamix Challenge.)

Vitamix on and contents blended into a smoothie

Vitamix pitcher removed from base next to prepared lebice molds

First Lebice mold filled using collapsible funnel

When filling, the funnel filled 1/2 to 3/4 of the way left just about a half inch from the top of the popsicle mold. In future popsicles, I filled them just below the top ridge, but in this first sample, I used 1/2 to 3/4 of the funnel as a measurement.

Filled Lebice molds with 3 yellow and 3 green sticks/lids in place; lebice logo visible

Filled Lebice molds in the freezer

Frozen, ready-to-eat popsicle with mold removed and in background

With the gap left in the popsicle mold, there was a subsequent gap from the lid to the edible portion of the popsicles. When I filled the molds to just under the ridge, there was virtually no gap between the lid and fruity/edible portion, but, of course, I forgot to photograph any future popsicles we made.

Overall, I would totally recommend the Lebice Popsicle Molds to anyone who wants control over the ingredients in their popsicles and/or anyone who wants to limit their waste from traditional popsicles--even though they did come wrapped in the unnecessary individual wrappings, just keep that in mind. They are easy to fill, easy to wash, easy to remove, and my girls LOVED getting to eat popsicles that they helped make.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this review, and this post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a small commission on purchases. For more information, see my Disclosures page.

#EZHome_EMT_026 Digital Thermometer Review

I received the Easy@Home Digital Thermometer free in exchange for my review, but the thoughts here are my own honest opinions.

Our thermometer got dropped and broke the last time one of the girls were sick, and it's been on our shopping list since then. The theremometer's been one of those items that I always think, "oh, I'll get that next time,"  every shopping trip, and next time never really comes, so I was really grateful when I saw this review offer, it meant I never had to force myself to just buckle down and buy the new thermometer. (It came at a pretty good time, too, since there's an outbreak of Hand Foot Mouth disease at FSU, nearby, and it will be nice to have a working thermometer if the virus reaches us.)

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer box, front

My first thought when I saw the package is that is was a no-brand knock-off that didn't seem worth the $13 the company is asking.

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer box, back

The back of the box is still pretty simple, and I'm glad it listed the features, since the <10 second read time and fever alarm started to reassure me of the price.

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer in storage case

I was surprised at how accurate and full-size the photo on the box was, and ultimately the size of the display in hand. Our last thermometer got no taller (oriented as pictured above, top being top of photo) than this display screen total, making this screen about twice as tall. The digital display on the Easy@Home Digital Thermometer screen was also a little wider (left to right) than our past thermometer, but not nearly as noticeable of a difference than the thermometer height.

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer under arm test, with results

The instructions say, "from a medical viewpoint this [the under arm] method will always provide inaccurate readings. and should not be used if precise measurements are required.". For this test, a precise measurement wasn't really needed, and it was the only measurement Big Sister would tolerate so I could take a photo. The digital display was very clear, and large, filling most of the display area. You can't see it in the photo, but there was a small triangle under the green area, indicating it wasn't a fever. (Green for no fever, yellow for mild fever, red for high/severe fever.)

The large display and flexible tip surprised me by being very easy to take a measurement on my 3yo, who is normally fights having her temperature taken, even as an under arm measurement.

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer, no battery

I went to test myself for an oral test example, but I was disappointed to discover the low battery warning, after only one test. I pulled out the battery, put it back in, and then tried turning on the Easy@Home Digital Thermometer, again.

Easy@Home Digital Thermometer oral test results

It worked. I waited about a week, to try again, and I haven't had a problem with the battery, since. (And you can even see the triangle temperature indicator under the green area.)

Overall, I'm still a little shocked at the price, since our last one was a $5 thermometer, but a quick search on Amazon shows that $13 isn't too far off for the quick read, large screen, flexible tip, fever alarm, and temperature color indicator. I would recommend this especially for someone who needs the large display and multiple alerts, or someone (like me) who wants the super quick read and flexible tip to take the temperature of someone wriggly, like a toddler. The $5 version is probably sufficient for a single college student, or anyone who just needs a simple, accurate, thermometer with a 60 second read time. (It's amazing how 60 seconds feels like an eternity when trying to take a sick toddler's temperature.)

Disclosure: I was compensated for this review, and this post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a small commision on purchases. For more information, see my

 Disclosures page

Review: #TeethingDroolPadsandBib

This is my first compensated review, and I received these Teething Drool Pads and Bib (or what I would call "suck pads") by BabyPreferred for free in exchange for it; however, all thoughts are own, honest opinion.

My first impression when I saw this offer was, "Aw! How cute!" Seriously, I love the little bird pattern. I'm such a fan of classic, simple, non-gender-specific patterns and colors, and the ivory background and simple navy birds combination really hits that mark!

BabyPreferred Teething Drool Pads & Bib in a simple, cute packaging 

In person, it's no different. Even the packaging was simple: Sealed in a basic plastic bag, with a brown cardstock or paperboard wrapping. The logo actually caught my attention first. The bp looked a little like an elephant or a dragonfly to me, until I figured out it was the letters touching. The little hair wisp was an added touch, too. Just now, while fiddling with the wrapping, did I notice that the care instructions were on the back with the bar code: "Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not iron the back." Simple enough. (See, I like that. simplicity is great!) There was also a business card that I almost ignored in the package, but turns out it's a 20% off discount on one side, and the instructions on the other.

The 3 pieces included; Top: the bib; Bottom: 2 "wrap around drool pads," one of which has elastics to attach toys to

The bottom two pieces are what I would call "suck pads," but BabyPreferred calls them "wrap around drool pads." The snaps and rounded rectangles made it pretty clear how to attach to the carrier, but I had to look at the instructions to figure out how to attach the top, or bib piece. I also didn't know what the 3 elastic pieces (not well pictured) on bottom of the second/right suck pad were. Turns out the elastic is to attach teething toys with a clip or one of those toy linking chains.

Drool pads attached to Ethos ConvertiBu™, with the bib in postition + Baby Sister trying to steal the carrier.

The Teething Drool Pads and Bib are designed for an Ergo Four Position 360° carrier, but my carrier is a semi-custom from EthosBabywearing.com: Ethos ConvertiBu­­™ in charcoal twill. The drool/suck pads fit great, but the bib did not attach properly. On an Ergo 360°, there are buttons to attach the bib to, but the Ethos ConvertiBu™ doesn't have a froward facing option, nor buttons to attach to. I don't mind, though. Having Baby Sister forward facing in the front hurts my back, so I wouldn't ever use that feature, and thus wouldn't necessarily need the bib. I had planned on checking out an Ergo 360° from my local lending library, but I've been unable to contact them since Hurricane Hermine hit the area. I'll definitely update if/when I get my hands on a 360°! But I don't think it would change my review much.

Drool pads attached to Ethos ConvertiBu™ without the Bib

I didn't like the snaps against my shoulder, so I attached them facing the top, as shown in the picture below.

Baby Sister using the drool pads in the Ethos ConvertiBu™

Overall, I would recommend the BabyPreferred Teething Drool Pads and Bib to anyone with an Ergo 360° carrier, or any of the recommended carriers, as the product description says, "Designed for ERGObaby Four Position 360 Carrier, but also fits other carrier, car seat & stroller straps like Chicco, Jeep, Tula, Lillebaby, Beco, Boba, Babybjorn, Infantino, Evenflo & more." I also think the drool/suck pad portion will fit over almost any standard SSC (soft-structured/buckle carrier), and possibly over some Mei Tais.

If you want something to protect the straps of your carrier, I think these Drool Pads are great for you, and bonus, Baby Sister liked cuddling the bib portion that didn't fit our carrier.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this review, and this post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a small commision on purchases. For more information, see my Disclosures page

"Alexa" the Amazon Echo

Here's our "Alexa" unit as part of our Family

I wasn't going to share this, because I thought it was tacky, but of all the Amazon purchases we've made in the last year, I think the Amazon Echo, "Alexa" has been my favorite. When we purchased it, back in November or December (It was Mario's big Christmas present to himself) I thought it was a frivolous waste of money, and quite honestly, it was a frivolous purchase.

HOWEVER! It has made grocery shopping SO much easier. I am notorious for making a list (even whole menu plans) and leaving the list at home when shopping, and "Alexa" has made it so that I actually take the list with me, since it syncs to an app on my phone. I've tried other shopping apps--and even the Reminders app that comes standard on iOS devices--but for whatever reason, I don't input the item to the list right when I think of it. Because the Echo is voice activated, I simply say, "Alexa, add ______ to the shopping list," and she adds it right then and there. The app syncs nearly instantaneously, and wallah! Forgotten grocery items are nearly non-existent! Plus, since I know my grocery list is a lot more accurate, I'm confident that I've listed everything I actually need;  I am a lot less prone to impulse buys, which equates to $$$ that stays in our pockets. (I haven't done the math, but I would guess that the money saved from fewer impulse buys either completely or nearly paid for the Echo.)

The other big feature of "Alexa" that I use, is the voice activated bluetooth speaker. She (yes, we have personified the Echo in our home) is linked to Amazon Prime Music (here's a 30-day Free Trial,) which has a lot of free music for Amazon Prime members. (Did you know that students get 6mo Prime Student free with a .edu email account, and then half off on Amazon Prime after that? Check out Prime Student) Mario started saving a lot of his favorite music on when we were first married, plus all the free music already in the cloud, there's very little that's not available through "Alexa." I never really had music going until after we purchased "Alexa," but now I can say, "Alexa, play 'Eye of the Tiger'" anytime Big Sister asks.

There are lots of other skills and features (here's the Alexa Skills Guide) that Mario uses (especially the ability to add events to his Google Calendar,) but other than the shopping list and music, the only other skills I regularly use are the voice activated timer and weather, and occasionally I'll use the 7 Minute workout skill. For a little while, we had the Amazon Shop feature enabled, so we could just have "Alexa, order _____ from Amazon," but after Big Sister almost ordered a second Echo unit, we disabled that feature.

Overall, I would recommend the Amazon Echo to anyone who likes voice activated devices or who are a bit scatterbrained, like me. It is a little expensive, so I can't wholeheartedly say "Everyone needs one!" It's definitely a want, but now that we have it, it would be hard to go back as it really has made grocery shopping much more effective. So, if you like to listen to music regularly (or you would like to more easily) and/or you would like a little help with remembering your shopping list, then I think the Echo is definitely something that would benefit you.



Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review, and all thoughts are my unbiased, honest opinion, but this post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a small commission on purchases. For more information, see my Disclosures page

Personal Statement: This post contains affiliate links; however, I have received no compensation for my review. Everything here is my honest opinion of a product we purchased.