Every week we find the best eclectic products and services around. Each review is clearly marked, letting you know if we bought it ourselves, want it real bad, or were given it for free. With Love it, Want it, Got it!, you'll always know you're getting an honest review.
LOVE IT:
an objective review of something we own
iRobot Roomba
Yes it is pricey but it's so worth it!
I put the Roomba on [1] when I'm doing other things. I will be upstairs putting away clothes or giving the kids a bath and the entire time my Roomba is downstairs vacuuming my entire main floor. It does take a little longer than if you were to sweep the floor by hand but the fact that it's vacuuming on its own while I'm getting other things accomplished makes it great!
(Let's just hope it doesn't cause a Roomba Poopocalypse like this poor family experienced [2]....)
Natalie Romero [3], Rumblin' with the Roomba
WANT IT:
we're pining for this
Little Blue Flowers on a Wide Leather Wristband
I don't like conventional jewelry in that I often find it fussy and too cutesy. I like big, chunky, imperfect pieces (consider it self-reflective) that resonate with my personality, and my personality does not say "tiny drop gem on a thin gold chain." This cuff is handmade [4], so I'd be supporting an artisan, and the blue flowers make the relief work stand out and make it a perfect match for the bulk of my wardrobe which consists of primarily demin and blue tunics or peasant blouses. Plus, cuffs look tough and the juxtaposition of the leather and prairie flower is a winner. I think I just talked myself into taking this from a want to a got.
Jeni Marinucci [5], tough-as-leather Editor in Chief
GOT IT:
an objective review of something we own
Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer
I received a sample of this bronzer [6] in a gift bag a year ago, and it's become a staple in my makeup arsenal ever since! If you want a pretty glow that's neither orange nor offensive, this is it!
Ashley MacInnis [7], i-can't-believe-it's-not-real-tan fashionista
LOVE IT:
an objective review of something we own
Housekeeping help
Okay, so I don't really "own" my housekeeper Leona but if she ever wants to be adopted, I'll keep her.
I wrestled with this for a long, long time. It feels like it's really hard to justify getting help when you work at home and you're there all the time. But having to put in nearly full time hours at my desk and then find the time to cook the supper, do the laundry, do the dishes, sweep the floors, entertain a bored kid on summer break, dust, mop, etc. etc. was making me pretty bitter, angry, exhausted and causing marital angst on top of it. It was about all I could do to keep just the kitchen from exploding into a firey disaster, much less make any progress on cleaning those annoying little things that you don't think about but once a year (or until you realize there's an inch of dust on them).
It's totally worth it. Don't feel guilty. YOU WILL LOVE IT.
Anne Radcliffe [8], living the clean life (and it's frigging awesome)