A Formal Apology to Simple Human

Dear SimpleHuman,

Thank you for the stuff you sent me.  I'm sorry I haven't written about it even though it's been a year.  It's not personal.  It's just that I usually write up the reviews about the stuff I either really love or really hate.  It just makes for a much more "Mommy Lite-ish" story.

Your stuff is good.  Don't get me wrong.  I like it.  Not all of it.  Some of it. 

However, last night a blogger set me straight for getting a free dishrack and not writing about it.  She yelled across the table at me "You took free stuff and you didn't write about it??!!!  Did you tell them you weren't going to write about the stuff?! 

I tried to casually explain that I liked the stuff they sent.  That I e-mailed them to say I had planned to talk about it, but that I wanted to wait for the right story to work it into.  I tried to explain that Mommy Lite is a humor site - not a review site - and I try to have a consistent thread throughout my content.  I tried to explain that I'll do a review if I love or hate the stuff and I can work it into a story that's funny, or weird, or disconcerting so that it's consistent with my site content.

And while I was casually explaining my position to this woman I hardly knew she delivered a line that turned this review into a story.  "CAN YOU JUST FOCUS ON WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU!!!!!  CAN YOU FOCUS???!!!!  ARE YOU FOCUSING??!!!  DID YOU TELL THEM OR NOT!?"

I was beside myself.  And a little afraid.  "Er...no."  I don't think I actually did anything wrong.  After all, Mommy Lite is my site.  I am in charge of my content and have a right to say what works and what doesn't.  I also don't think mediocre reviews of anything do anyone any good.   But, I said "no" to end the conversation.  Fast.

"WELL THAT'S JUST WRONG!"  She shouted across the table and group of people who all looked like they had just stumbled across a naked married couple fighting.  Awkward...

Honestly, I'm not greedy, and I was so grateful to be invited to the event.  Again...I like your stuff.  I just had no idea that a follow-up review (whether or not the blogger liked it) was such a touchpoint. 

So anyway, SimpleHuman, thank you for sending me some of your items to try and here's the review I owe you:

I like my automatic soap dispenser as long as it's clean.  When they get stopped up from the soap coming out, the dispenser reads it as you asking for MORE soap and it continues to pour out whether a hand is there or not to grab the soap leaving a big gloopy pile of soap that needs to be cleaned by hand on your counter.   I also don't think I need so many options for soap dispensing.  Just give me a bit of soap.  I'll ask for more if I want it.  The settings aren't necessary.  Final thoughts:  I think the engineering still needs tweaking, but the concept is good.




My 2-piece recycling trash can:  I love the look.  I HATE how small the recycling bin is though.  I can barely get 3 cartons of milk into it.  Final thought: I would GLADLY take a larger can to have more recycling space.  This one is just useless to me.

Hmm...then there's the dishrack.  I DO like the dishrack.  I like that the bottom pulls out and the little funnel on the bottom that siphons the water off into the sink.  I like the wooden knife compartment that safely holds knives and I like the way it looks.  Good job on the dish rack.  Final thought: "Hey, you moms out there!  If you're looking for a good dishrack, SimpleHuman has a great one."


Oh - and the metal storage containers are good.  The inserts come out so you can wash them.  You need to buy a lot of them though...and they're expensive...to get the look right.  Final thought: They work well, but you need at least 4 for them grouped together to look stylish.

The Shower Rack - Okay, that was almost in three other stories.  I knew one day I'd work it into a fun story but now this blogger chick has spoiled it and I have to talk about it here.  I LOVE my shower rack.  It changed my life.  It is on the floor so I don't have shampoo and other stuff jutting out at my head.  It is spacious without taking up too much space and I love the thoughtful little razor holder and wire soap dish.  No more razor on the floor or mushy soap.  Final thought: GOOD job Simple Human. 

There, blogger chick...focused enough?

BEST Shopping website EVER- Gilt Group

It's not just shopping - it's COMPETITIVE shopping! What takes place on this site should be an Olympic Sport.

You sign on the moment the sales starts (you can get e-mail alerts or automatically get an iCalendar alert via the site) and start shopping!

Gilt Group is an invitation only site that sends you daily alerts to exclusive clearances from the best and loveliest designers.  They get items from the best designers (Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Gucci...) PLUS items for home, men and children.  All at @ 80% off or more.  It's seriously too good to be true.  (I won't lie - It's soooo good I had to temporarily mark my e-mails from them as "junk" so I wouldn't be tempted!)

Like I said, it's invitation only, so if you want to be a part of this, just use the link I'm providing you with here:  Click here for Gilt Group Membership E-mails.

It's the best of deal hunting without the worst of shopping with other women looking for deals (shoving, scowling, general unpleasantness...)


Here's the catch - if you live in LA you need to BE on the site AT 9am when the sales starts or you miss it.   In NY?  BE there at noon!

Seriously - it's SO good, it's a problem!!!!!

Enjoy and let me know what you buy there so I can live vicariously through you!

"Kick-Ass" Movie Review

You may not have heard the buzz...maybe because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of it for some reason, but this movie TOTALLY KICKED-ASS!

It's the hilarious story of a teenager who decides he wants to be a Super Hero.  It's that simple.  He has no powers, no gadgets.  He just says "Yeah.  I'm doin' it!" dons a wetsuit and work boots and he's off.

The results of this inspiring but incredibly stupid decision makes for some of the funniest entertainment and most "ouchy" violence (without being gratuitous like in horror-porn) you've ever seen. (*see definition of "ouchy" below) It reminded me of the action in Zombieland.  Another amazing movie.

When he hooks up with a father/daughter team (Nick Cage as he should be and a nervy and adorable Chloe Moretz) driven by vengeance, you are treated to some of the best ass-kicking in history.  5 Stars alone for the BEST father/daughter scene ever filmed! (you'll know it when you see it)

What's "ouchy" violence?  It's when you literally spend the entire movie screaming out "HOLY CRAP"; "OWWWW!; "JESUS CRIST!" OH MY GOD!" and "OUCH!" while gripping your seat arms or pulling your sweater up over your head (at least that's what I do).

You can't help but enjoy this movie.  It's funny, heart-warming and inspiring and impossible to look away.  You'll be rooting, cheering, and saying "ouchy" all the way through!!!!

What to Expect When You're Expected by David Javerbaum

I just used a little of my "me" time to read "What to Expect When You're Expected: A Fetus's Guide to the First Three Trimesters" by David Javerbaum.


Have you seen this book?

It's FANTASTIC!!!!

David Javerbaum, the writer, is the Executive Producer on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and you wouldn't naturally think that would qualify him to understand the POV of an embryo, but apparently it does.

The birth "plans" of Peggy and Ted Bradley made me spit out my seltzer.

Whether you're pregnant, an "empty-nester," or just like to make fun of people with children, this book will entertain you and keep you giggling.  I haven't had such a good time reading a parody since "The Preppy Handbook."

So, if you need a laugh, want a laugh, or are willing to consider a laugh...check it out!

The view from inside a uterus has never been so entertaining.

(Apparently, I have to disclose that I got a free copy of this book.  I did.  And I'm not embarrassed to say that I grabbed it and tucked it away like an old woman and Sweet n' Lows at the diner.)

AGON by Scott Burn

The BEST comic book ever!  Don't believe me?  Here's a review from someone who knows.   Okay, this was written by my boyfriend, but it IS amazing and I am so proud of him.  I hope you and any comic book lovers you know will check it out...if you can find it...it's sold out here in LA!

Click to read AGON review @ ThePullbox.com