Purchases Made Simple

The heavy black resin umbrella stand mimics the appearance of wicker but the resin is incredibly heavy metal keeping this duo from losing traction and blowing over at any time. Though these are not considered a set, they make a beautiful set with the incredibly heavy, sturdy umbrella base in black. (Order URL: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sundale-Outdoor-Bliss-Wicker-Resin-Black-Patio-Umbrella-Base-Metal-Heavy-Duty-Stand/353038933) The gorgeous umbrella in which I chose red, though available in khaki and coffee, is an enormous sun-coverage umbrella wonderful for sitting by the pool. (Order URL: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sundale-Outdoor-8-11-Ft-Rectangular-Patio-Garden-Outdoor-Umbrella-with-Crank-220g-Polyester/976215250 ) Perfect with a picnic table or other outdoor lawn furniture, this huge 8-rib, 11 ft. umbrella is an enormous coverage and great for basking outdoors and not wanting to be directly in the sun. The fabric is a heavy canvas-like polyester that is fade-resistant, easy to h...

I know my mother has always shopped for these for various reasons but having bought an older home, we have virtually no closets and this is an absolute necessity. The ones I’ve had in the past, however, were so flimsy, wobbly and would hold next to nothing before tumbling over. This holds so much and with two rails, both telescoping, I can hang all my clothing and slide this away into a slender space to be pulled out when needed. The bottom has rails for shoes making this an all-in-one closet that can be transformed from a personal use clothing rack to one I can use for yard sales. I find when having a sale, if things aren’t hanging but folded in boxes, no one tends to look. I could use several of these now that I have found this one. I’m amazed how well made this double rail steel clothing rack is, for use on the commercial casters or not. We will want one for every room but the only one that actually has a closet. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #Proaid #Proa...

My knee was hyper-extended and has been just excruciating pain on which to walk and I am on my feet all day. I admit to trying many compression knee sleeves and this one appeared to have the features I need to support my knee as I continue to apply the pressure of my weight on a concrete floor. The snugness of a small is better though it does still inch down (I tend to think they all do throughout the day) but I find I do have to tug this one up less frequently than the ones I have had in the past. I didn’t think this would, though, having ordered a small. But without constant tugging, this one wrinkles as it inches down my leg. It does have good compression and relieves some of the pain of being on my feet all day long. I’m afraid I am facing surgery but until then, this is the most comfortable knee sleeve I have found. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #EngloSports #ENGLOSPORTSKneeSleeves SOURCE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYZPLNI/ref=oh_aui_detailp...

This set of three lights are impressively bright for their size. They are triggered by motion so they’re perfect for a closet, one in the kitchen to avoid a high electric bill, or space them on a set of stairs that are otherwise extremely dark. My stairs are not yet completed but once they are, that is where these are going. I think the three will be plenty to light my way going up and down the stairs. These each take 3 AAA batteries (not included) and I’m using rechargeable so I don’t have to constantly be changing and buying batteries to keep these operable.  These are LED and will light at a distance of 10 ft., stay on as long as necessary but shut off after 15 seconds if no movement is detected. They come with 3M sticky pads to adhere wherever you plan to use them or have a built-in magnet if where you’re placing them can accommodate a magnetic attachment. These would also make  terrific night lights if you have someone not only afraid of the dark but that needs to be able...

I realize men’s shorts and swim trunks are getting shorter in style this season but am not used to wearing such short shorts that you can see in my photos there is nearly a foot of what, tan-less leg showing. I did just buy lime green glasses and a lime green phone case and really wanted a pair of lime green swim trunks so decided to go for it. Now, I am truly embarrassed! I didn’t expect them to be quite this short! I tan well so lime green is a good color for me but I would truly rather have the old fashioned board shorts with which I grew up rather than revert to the styles from the year I was born. These are a quick-dry material, though, and I was a tad nervous they would be see-through when wet, they’ve worked out fairly well so far. If you wear a size M in US sizes, order the Chinese XL  as I did in order for these to fit appropriately and these fit great. They are lined with mesh like any swim suit I have ever owned, come in a choice of 6 colors made of a quick-drying Tech f...

These are my favorite Blue-tooth headphones for my athletic needs including yard work and mowing. I can stream music as well as handle calls all while going through exercise routines or working in the yard; riding the lawnmower, running the weed-eater, and all other activities that cause me to sweat. These are sweat-proof and hook around my ears as well as have a band around my neck to keep them from falling off at the worst possible times (like in front of the mower). They take only 1 - 2 hrs. to charge and have a range of up to 33 feet. If you’re getting these for a teenager, beware. These are so loud, they could be dangerous to someone who doesn’t care about their hearing. They have very clear sound no matter how high the volume is turned. With the long battery life of 7-9 hours, I can use the headset all day long. These, are my new favorite Blue-tooth headphones since I am usually on the move, these will go with me. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #Alfway #...

I got the cover for the Fire 7 for a friend  and the more I looked at it, the more I thought I would prefer the same cover for my Kindle Fire HD 8 for the same reasons, the cover looks tasteful and has the appearance of carrying a regular black leather-bound book. At about 1/2” thick it has the appearance of a thin journal than a tablet. It is easy to carry, to create a stand or use one-handed by holding the elastic handle inside.  The cover is a perfectly sized fit, very secure and has an elastic band to hold it closed when not in use and also features a built-in space for a stylus or ink pen. I chose the basic black one. That the case has a lifetime warranty is another good selling point. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #Ztotop #ZtotopFolioCaseforAllNewAmazonFireHD8Tablet SOURCE:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072FPS5TC/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

I thought houses were built with doorbells particularly those built in the 1930’s but obviously not and if we’re anywhere in the house other than in the immediate upstairs, we cannot hear knocking at the door. If we’re out in the yard or by the pool but no where we can see the front door, we have no way of knowing we have visitors. This is the ideal door bell as the receiver requires only an A/C outlet with which to work. The remote has to be set to the right of door (I’m accustomed to seeing them on the right) as the house is brick and this was the only place there is a strip of wood on which to place it. When we’re moving throughout the house or going to be out in the yard, we can move the receive to be heard from wherever we happen to be. The doorbell has a range of up to 1,000 ft. and plays 36 optional ringtones. It is also waterproof and has a 1 yr. warranty. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #Toplus Inc. #ToplusIncAdoricWirelessDoorbellWaterproofwith1Renose...

These shower sponge poufs are even masculine looking though many think these are just to be used by women, I find them to be an excellent way to stretch the use of various shower gels and liquid hand soaps. I keep one in the kitchen to use with liquid hand soap as it does the same, making the soap go much farther than it otherwise would if just applied to wet hands, lathered and rinsed. With the sponge pouf, I can scrub my hands and nails and in the shower, I can scrub my entire body with very little shower gel. Since learning of these, I’ve saved so much on shower gel stretching the bottles much farther than they would normally last. The black trim on these make them good for either men or women and the loop handle easily hangs on the spigot, your shower organizer or the sprayer handle. The price for four of these is also a very good deal. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #JCMaster #JCMasterBathSpongePouf SOURCE:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KM...

Mom only has one type of ear-bud she enjoys using and then will only when driving needing to be hands free on the phone. She says she doesn’t like her ears to be stopped up or her hearing to be impaired by buds or headphones of other types. This mini is ideal for what Mom is after and we’ve finally found one that stays in her ear. She has had two or three but all invariably eventually work their way out of her ear into a glass of liquid ruining the ear bud. This seems to fit well and she says the sound quality on it is good. This tiny ear-bud is so far better than others she has tried. It has 2 magnetic chargers, one for the house & one for her car, as well as multiple-sized ear pieces. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #YEMENREN #YEMENRENMiniBluetoothEarpiece SOURCE:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYYDTVG/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

This little camera operates on wi-fi with a Smart phone. Easily concealed, the video quality of this tiny camera is clear with great detail. I got this little motion-activated camera for a couple of reasons. First, someone is draining our cars of the gas not long after we fill up the tanks and must be doing so late at night. We hope to determine the culprit, but also, when we are both gone from the house, the two dogs, with such separation anxiety reek havoc. I am just curious to see who is instigating causing the bulk of the damage. One acta far more guilty and runs to his time out spot but the other acts guilty, as well, unsure where to hide.  This is not only out of curiosity but to learn more about the dog’s behavior and how to better teach them that though left alone, someone will always return. I hope I never need the camera for any more serious issues than these. For indoor use but with the lighting I have placed outdoors, I am certain mounting the camera in a window I will ...

I got this tablet cover for a friend who owns the Amazon Kindle Fire 7 because this one in particular doesn’t look like something made for a child but rather is tasteful and has the appearance of carrying a regular black leather-bound book. At about 1/2” thick and about the size of a thin paperback novel; it’s easy to carry around, easy to create a stand for reading or if you prefer to hold it, use the elastic handle in the inside with which to hold it to read.  The cover is a snug fit, which is good because the tablet should fit securely into the case. It also has an elastic band to hold the case closed when transporting. Called an origami-style stand due to all the ways it will fold, it comes in a variety of patterns and colors but the black is so classic and professional looking, it is the one I chose. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #Ztotop #ZtotopFolioCaseforAllNewAmazonFire7 SOURCE:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VX36BR/ref=od_aui_de...

I have favorite ear-bud styles for various uses and this type are what I prefer for listening to music through my phone or car stereo. Pairing nearly simultaneously, these were the easiest wireless set of two I have ever paired together and had no issues. They are very comfortable and stay in my ears with no feeling they will slip. Available in black, which I got, but also a pearlescent pink, these are perfect for the lady in your life. My sister is begging for a pair! Her birthday is coming up so we will see. These have excellent sound quality and up to 33’ of range. They are sweat-proof, though they aren’t the type I prefer for exercise they are great when driving around in hot weather, such as now, with the top down on the car. They channel not only my music but my calls directly to my hearing making them ideal for use with a convertible. I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking for comfort, quality sound, and a terrific price when shopping for ear-buds. #McNeilGraphix #...

I am very picky about all my devices not getting scratched or seeing damage that can easily be prevented without much additional expense and at the expense of an iPad, the cost of further protection is, to me, a necessity. This iPad Pro tempered glass cover seemed the smartest answer to protecting my new iPad. Of all the shatter-proof glass screen protectors I have purchased for other devices, this is the thinnest, clearest and the easiest to install of any I’ve come across before. The cover is smooth and the cut-outs go exactly where they should. It is also compatible with the Apple Pencil whic is very important and  seems very strong. While I don’t plan on taking a hammer to it, I am impressed and think my iPad is as well protected as I can make it. While there are many products on the market claiming to be the best, I am very happy with this one, the packaging, and pleased overall with this tempered glass screen protector. #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime...

This dining room light fixture has needed some zest for awhile and these light bulbs do the trick as a change from the same old boring chandelier-type light bulbs plus these are only 6W, equivalent to a 60 watt with an E12 base. For a six pack, these can’t be beaten price-wise and are so attractive. The lights are beautiful and are dimmable. The chandelier in the dining room has a dimmer switch so these can be as dimly lit or as bright as we need them when serving dinner in the dining room. These are so economical, they have a 20 year or 25.000 hours if used approximately 3 hours per day and are much a nicer glow of light than ordinary bulbs not to mention the savings in electricity. Though I won’t need these again for a long while, I’m certain to purchase them again.  #McNeilGraphix #PurchasesMadeSimple #Amazon #AmazonPrime #LIGHTSTORY #LIGHTSTORYLEDCandleabraBulb SOURCE:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU368AH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ...

I am a huge fan of tomatoes and while it is now summer time and I can grow my tomatoes outdoors, I am collecting equipment to begin growing hydroponic tomatoes indoors throughout the fall and winter months. I’ve been averse to purchasing tomatoes out of season as hot house tomatoes have, in my opinion, absolutely no flavor. Even the ones that can be purchase still on the vine have very little flavor and are just not appealing and certainly not worth the price. While I don’t intend to invest a lot into this effort, I do plan to grow enough in my home for myself and my family to have to eat when tomatoes are out of season and the only options are hothouse, flavorless fruit. While I may not produce enough to be able to have cooking tomatoes or just enough to enjoy a fresh salad throughout the winter months remains to be seen as this is an undertaking that is all new to me. This 45 watt grow light is my initial investment and will be vital to making this endeavor successful. The make and b...

My mother had a juicer years ago and I loved using it for my own concoctions. With the price of juices steadily on the rise and the fact most juices contain little to no juice at all, it just makes more sense to buy a juicer, my own fruits and vegetables and create my own recipes for yummy, vitamin enriched juices. Commercial juices often contain little to no juice at all including the ones that claim to have 100% juice actually only have juices derived from concentrate and contain additives as well as an abundance of sugar and food coloring. Shown in the photos are two of the juices I made upon receiving my new juicer (one is apple & grape and the other is mango & kiwi), though they may not be pretty, I guarantee they contain far more nutritional value and no added sugar, preservatives or other nasty ingredients my body doesn’t need. When one juice in particular claims to be 100% juice and is $15.00 for a 48 oz. bottle, for example, my little juicer will pay for itself in no t...

This is the most comprehensive screen protection I have ever purchased. It comes with 2 pieces of the clear, thin protective sheets cut to cover edge to edge, the liquid solution made for making adjustments during placement, a cleaning cloth and an instructional video that must be watched to get this cover on your phone correctly and accurately and it manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. It is the only screen protector I’ve seen I can goof while placing it on straight or any other issues, and it can be removed and reset. Watching the video is the only way to really know exactly how to use the kit. The liquid is a unique addition I’d never used but it leaves my screen completely clear and bubble-free, just as it says. It not only allows for adjustment but also reduces the risk of dust, lint, smudges or fingerprints while working with attaching the cover to the phone. Worth every bit of the effort it takes to apply correctly and necessary for when my nephew has sticky hands playing on my ph...

These are beautiful lights that are a bit tricky to install whether as recessed lighting or as surface mounted so I’ve only placed one so far to use in a recessed area in the wall of my living room. I surface mounted this one because it isn’t there permanently. The room needs painting and until I get that done, I don’t wish to go to all the trouble of getting them inset until I plan to keep them up. They can highlight a painting or a specific area much like gallery lighting only these are LED and dimmable. They give uniform light without any dark areas so they illuminate an area as broad as you can spread the lights using the connectible cording. The only thing I would like is a way to purchase additional power adapters so I could use them separately. They give off enough light that in a small area, one is enough but with only one power adapter, they either have to all be used or use the one or two you’d like and waste the other as there is no way to plug and adapt it to electricity. A...

You don’t know how many times I wish I had this pillow for riding in the car. Sleeping in the car has always been impossible for me and I have tried other such pillows that wrap around my neck only to feel strangled by them or suffocated and claustrophobic. Not so with this pillow! This is the single most comfortable neck pillow I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning and can almost dream of a day I will once again need it in the car on a long trip where I could never sleep before, as this will enable me to sleep soundly and comfortably in any vehicle.  It is so simple to inflate to the hardness or use less air if more comfortable with a self-sealing opening; the strong PVC material is covered by a removable fabric that is terrific for cleaning is so soft next to your skin. The pillow comes with a matching eye shade with an elastic strap to hold it in place and a disposable pair of foam earplugs. I got mine in dark blue (shown), but it is also available in gray, royal blue, and  ...

I haven’t alternated brands of coffee in quite awhile as I’m nervous to spend money on something only to learn I don’t care for it and be stuck with some way to use it up. Not so with this Barzini as every cup is delicious. I’m usually somewhat nervous to get too dark a bean as some can be bitter when dark roasted so I got the medium roast but I believe the next time around, I’ll get a darker roast bean. I think in this brand of coffee, the darker roast will be just that much more robust and flavorful. I grind my coffee each morning as I have found coffee to be of a totally different flavor when made freshly verses using pre-ground coffee. It somehow loses much of the strength and gusto after having been ground and stored. Varying measurements produce various strengths, as with any coffee, and I find I like this a bit stronger than I first made it, hence the decision to purchase a slightly darker roast next time around. That this is a UTZ Certified product makes it all the more attract...

This small soft light in a mini-spiral design in a compact fluorescent bulb that is ideal for your bedside lamp or other locations where bright lights are not necessary and softer lighting for relaxing is the goal. The 13 watt bulb is a very energy efficient way to light my night time reading equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb and is the standard E26 so it fits all standard fixtures and lamps. The only trouble I am having with all the spiral bulbs is I have many antique lamps and shades, the shades being the type to connect over the top of the rounded bulb. Since the bulbs are no longer rounded, the shades no longer work so I am having to find an alternative to affixing the shades that customarily go on the lamps where I am now using the spiral bulbs. Purchasing the interior metal fixtures to correct the problem and affix the shade under the bulb or the type that fit directly onto the lamp rather than the shade itself will get expensive quickly though not as expensive as replaci...