InstaHang: Product Review

Things got a little crazy what with the holidays but I've got some great products lined up to review. The first up is InstaHang. The spot sold me. Hanging things is a headache. Is it straight? Too high? Too low? Is this the right nail or hook? I hate hanging things. The problem is, InstaHang doesn't really solve any of these problems. Sure, it inserts your nail at an angle but that's the easiest part of the whole process right?
The first time I hit the dispenser I didn't do it hard enough, so the nail didn't go all the way into the wall. The second time I tried, I hit it hard enough but I moved the InstaHang in the process and missed my mark. So yes, my problem with this product could chalk up to user error, but isn't the whole point to make the process easier for the user?

Needless to say, my recommendation is to pass on this one.

Sobakawa Cloud Pillow: Product Review

This picture does not exist because this never happened. The first night I tried the Sobakawa Cloud pillow I threw it on the floor after about 15 minutes. The second night I tried this pillow I slept on it all night, woke up a couple hours before my alarm, realized my neck was super uncomfortable, and threw it on the floor before going back to sleep.
I gave it to my husband to try it out for the next two nights to see if a different style sleeper liked it better. He hated it. So then I gave it to my brother and sister-in-law. Because I wanted to make sure that we conducted a highly scientific experiment to ensure maximum quality results. They both tried it for one night each and neither of them made it through the whole night. Then my 5-year-old nephew found it the next day, proclaimed it to be his and the rest is history. Congratulations Sobakawa, children love you. The same children who fall asleep in car seats with their head hanging awkwardly to the side, so really they are terrible judges of what is comfortable.

Recommendation: Don't buy!

No Mess Kitchen Board: Video review

I'm going to come right out and say it. I like this one. The demonstration won't blow your mind. It's a cutting board with holes in it. But the problem it's solving, I can relate to. Meat juices running off the board and onto the counter, down the cabinets, and onto the floor. It's happened to me, it's happened to my mom, it's happened to my father-in-law, and if it hasn't happened to you, you must be a vegetarian.
I like that not only does it prevent spilling, it also makes it super easy to make gravy.
But wait! There's more!
You can also use it to clean fruits and veggies before you cut them up. (That's where you vegetarians can appreciate this product too! The No Mess Kitchen Board doesn't discriminate.)
BUT! While I might appreciate this product if it were already in my kitchen and make good use of it a few times a year, does it move me enough to pick up the phone and buy it right now?     No.

Stretch Genie: Product Review

I don't think I can put into words how excited I was about this product. And because I want you to get excited with me, here's how it works. You spray the Stretch Genie spray into your shoes where they feel a little tight, you insert the expanders into your shoes, and then you wait a few hours (I waited 24. I wasn't messing around). After you remove the expanders, your shoes will be a little wider and a lot more comfortable. I was sold. And here's why. On three different occasions I have scheduled foot surgery to get rid of bunions that were a result of years of dancing and wearing heels. They cause tremendous pain. And on three different occasions I have wimped out because recovery time for foot surgery is a little ridiculous, and I'd have to wear sneakers for over 6 months. Sneakers! Ew! 

I kid, I kid. 

As an alternative to surgery, doctors have recommended that I stop wearing heels. To which I said, I'm 24 years old and my husband is a foot taller than me. That is just not going to happen. 

My point is, foot pain is a very common occurrence for me. So you can understand my excitement when I heard there was a product out there that would stretch my shoes and make them more comfortable. 

Obviously, I set this poor little sucker up for failure. My expectations were waaay too high. But here's the deal. This product actually does work. Just not as well as I had hoped. And I gave it ample opportunity to succeed. I stretched each shoe at least twice for 24 hours. I stretched my nude pumps four times but those guys just wouldn't give. My Sperrys stretched the best, followed by my black wedges. I'll probably continue to stretch them to get them nice and wide. 

One important thing to remember with this product is that it works best on leather and suede. It's really not intended for artificial fabrics as they have less give to them and will possibly show visible cracks due to the stretch. 

So here's the breakdown:

- On a scale of 1-5, 1 being a "This product is a scam" and a 5 being "This product is the greatest thing since sliced bread," I give it a 4. I'd give it a 3 but that is sooo non-committal, and maybe if I give it a 4, it will start acting like a 4 should. Really, I just want this product to work for me.

- You may have to go through the stretching process a few times.

- It will work better on some fabrics better than others. Unfortunately, it won't fix all of your shoes.

My recommendation: Buy It. It will work really well for some of your shoes. And it's pretty inexpensive. So it's worth the try.

Forever Lazy: Video Review

Looks like the Forever Lazy is still kickin. When I first saw this infomercial, my initial reaction to this spot was, "You would never catch me out in public in that thing!" Though, my second reaction was, "But it looks sooo warm and cozy!" Visions of warm fires, freshly baked cookies, and cinnamon hot cocoa danced through my head. And while I would die before going outside in it and am appalled that they think I would ever make use of that ridiculous buttflap, I am extremely tempted to get my hands on my own Forever Lazy as the temperature continues to drop. Do it for the cookies people. For the cookies.

P.S. Also, the "while dad does what he does best" line at 0:53?? I don't know about you, but the men in my life never fall asleep during the big game.

Get toasty warm from head to toe with Forever Lazy

Change In the Air

While this blog has been a little inactive recently, that is about to change.

The look has changed.

The blog author has changed. (Hi! I'm Rebecca!)

AND, the content is going to change... a bit. While we will still review our favorite DRTV spots, I'm also going to start reviewing the products themselves. I've been testing out some of the most popular As Seen on TV products and can't wait to tell you which ones are destined for greatness and which ones are destined for the garbage.

This should be fun!

The Trendy Top

Just say no to muffin tops everywhere with the Trendy Top. Because one and a half tops are better than one, or two for that matter, now you'll always look oh so fashionably layered with the Trendy Top. And you'll sleep easy at night knowing you'll never have to fear bended and sitting again!

Sell On TV

You all know I'm a big fan of finding the best and worst of As Seen On TV spots. From the bad acting to the "Oh that's actually a really good idea" products, I welcome them all. And there is never a shortage of entertaining commercials.  It seems like in this economy people are more encouraged than ever to come up with the next big idea. But once you've come up with the big idea, where do you go next? Sell On TV by Jon LaClare may be just the thing you need to understand how the process works. From concepting and research, to how to hit it big and make a profit, this book is the guide you're looking for. So go check out Sell On TV and keep those fabulous products but even more fabulous infomercials coming!

Vince Offer and the Schticky

Well it looks like Vince Offer is back. And things are about to get a little Schticky. Do you think the ShamWow guy only aligns himself with successful products, or do you think they are successful because he teams up with them?  ShamWow and the Slap Chop were old, stale versions of shammy towels and food choppers yet he somehow brought them back to life in a HUGE way! The Sticky Wicky came out and was a flop, but with Vince on its side, The Schticky may be a huge success. And this infomercial also succesfully makes light of Vince's infamous mug shot. He looks his best in this one, which if good since his last one wasn't so pretty.