Review - GIANI Granite



Featuring:

 Since we moved in to our home in 2006 we have made many changes and upgrades to make our house a home for our family. However, one thing has remained the same...the hideous pepto pink counter tops in our kitchen, thank you 1987 for that special gift!

We have always talked about changing them, but a "counter top" budget is just not a priority when you have little kids. My sister got new granite counter tops a few years ago and she got a killer deal...$450 for her huge kitchen, but still $450? No way! We looked around the Home Depot at all there different options, but to be honest we didn't want to deal with the hassle of removing are set in sink and the glue. They also offer counter top paint...but it is flat, and comes in a number of very light muted colors, which is just not us!

A few months back I was visiting a wonderful friends blog Homemade Mom! She was doing a review on something I had never heard of "Giani Granite". I went to their website, for first look I was so excited! Giani Granite is EXCATLY what I had been searching for and the price was right!!!

For $49.50 you can buy Giani Granite Paint for Counter tops! One kit will cover approximately 35 square feet of countertop space. For our Kitchen we need 2 kits. When I first opened the package, I was a little uncertain that the small cans would be enough to cover my counter tops, but the directions assured me that it would be more than enough. There are and number of different kits/colors that you can purchase. I decided on the Chocolate Brown. That kit came with:

-12 Oz. of IronCoreTM Primer-Base Coat

- 6 Oz. of Brown Feldspar Mineral
- 6 Oz. of Inca Gold Mineral
- 6 Oz. of Chocolate Brown Mineral
- 16 Oz. of Automotive Polyurethane Topcoat
- 6" GIANITM roller arm and two roller pads
- 4" GIANITM granite paint sponge
- 2" Foam Brush
- Black Practice Poster Board
- 'Paint-by-Number' DVD for beginners
- Illustrated Instructions

BEFORE and AFTER...I just couldn't wait until the end of the review!!!

BEFORE...

and

AFTER...

Do you see the AMAZING difference??? I was totally shocked when I looked at the before and after photos!!!

Tile Removal!

The Giani Granite Package arrived via UPS on a Wednesday. We started our "Kitchen Revamp" that night. I decided if I was going to have a beautiful new counter top, I need and new back splash...not the matching pink. Wednesday night we knocked out all the pink tile.

 This ended up taking a longer that expected so we didn't primer (Step One) until Thursday. The next morning Friday I sponged on the Brown Feldspar Mineral, Inca Gold Mineral and Chocolate Brown Mineral.

Black Primer!

I was very surprised at how truly easy it was, and how beautiful it looked. Late Friday night I finished up the counter top with the Clear Top Coat! Saturday night I placed all the tile and grouted Sunday Morning. The kitchen was COMPLETELY different! I was concerned about how easy or hard for that matter it would be with the kids under toe. I was able to do everything while the kids were in bed or napping! Giani Granite is perfect if you have a busy family!

Watch a Giani Granite video

Giani Granite boosts 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! I am here to say that My husband and I are 100% Satisfied!

two colors!

Now with the brown! Beautiful!

How About a few more photos...I love my "NEW" kitchen!!!!

You might be thinking "It's paint, not actual rock or granite, so how strong could it really be?" Well I have the answer!

How Durable is GIANI?
The GIANI polymers are automotive grade resins that are used in the manufacture of car bumpers, so your countertop is extremely durable. Like most new water-based resin technologies, the cure time for GIANI is approximately two weeks to achieve its full hardness. So even though you may use your counters in forty-eight hours, don't aggressively scrub on them for two weeks.

1) Can it be scratched?

Yes, just like granite and Formica -its not recommended for cutting or chopping. The difference - is - if ever necessary - you can renew GIANI quickly and easily.

2) Will it stain?

It can if strong contaminates are allowed to set for a long period.

3) How long will it last?

As long as any conventional countertop.

4) Will it show fingerprints?

No, unlike mined granite, GIANI will not fingerprint because the clear resin surrounds the minerals.

5) Is it heat resistant?

Yes, GIANI is heat resistant up to 250F. As with Formica - it is not designed for pots or pans directly from ovens or ranges.


6) Can it be used outside?
Yes, GIANI is an automotive grade resin so it performs well outside. Note, GIANI is not designed for surfaces that will be submerged in water.

 If you need a counter top change, weather it be in you kitchen, laundry room, or a bathroom, and you don't want to break the bank...You NEED Giani Granite! You will LOVE it, I Guarantee it!

You can head over to the GIANI Granite website to buy a kit of your own!

This Giveaway is now Closed! I hope you enjoyed the Review!

Wanna win a kit? GIANI Granite is offering one kit to a ALSNS reader!

If you've never entered a ALSNS giveaway, or need a re-fresher, visit the ALSNS Giveaway Guidlines

Mandatory Entry:

Follow ALSNS via GFC AND Like Giani Granite on Facebook

Extra Entries:

• Visit Giani Granite and tell me which Kit you Love
• Like ALSNS on Facebook
• Follow ALSNS on Twitter
• Tweet this Giveaway and leave me the link--- copy and paste “Giani Granite Giveaway at A Little Sugar n Spice! Enter Today for you chance to win!! http://ow.ly/4UdTe”

**The Giani Granite Giveaway will run from May 13, 2011 until May 17, 2011 at 6pm pst! It is open to US residents only. The winner will be announced May 17th by 9pm pst. Winner will be selected using Random.org**

Good Luck!!

Review - ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer!

Featuring:

So many new parents are over-whelmed, over-tired and have a difficult time recalling simple tasks when dealing with newborns. When the twins were first born, I could barely remember if I had taken a shower...and I know I am not the only one.


Don't worry my friends, the ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer (soon to be Pocket Nanny) has come to 'our' rescue!

About ITZBEEN -

The ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer is a multi-purpose tool that helps you remember the basic details of baby care. ITZBEEN has four timers that count up with the touch of a button…so you will always know how long it's been! ITZBEEN™ Baby Care Timer was developed by a new mom and dad who found themselves sleep-deprived and needing help to remember baby care details, such as when their baby last ate or napped. They tried charts and journals, but thought there had to be a better way. So, they created the ITZBEEN™: a multi-purpose nursery tool that helps new parents remember the basic details of baby care. The ITZBEEN™ has four timers that count up with the touch of a button, and a host of other helpful features, all designed with the needs of a new parent in mind.

Three Great Colors!!

The ITZBEEN (pronounced "it's been"... as in it's been two hours since the baby A nursed) is a multi-purpose little monitor designed to help new parents learn, remember and communicate the basic details of baby-care. The ITZBEEN goal was to develop a tool that would help first-time moms and dads become better parents, and to make the job of being a new parent a little easier.
The ITZBEEN has four different task settings for - diaper change, nursing or feeding, sleep or awake and medication or other task. Simply press the button once after the that task is completed and watch the timer count up, letting you know how long it's been since the baby-care task was completed. Another helpful feature on the ITZBEEN, is the Nursing Reminder. By sliding the switch from "L" to "R", you will be reminded of which side baby last fed from. I would have love this feature when the twins were newborn.

The focus has been on how great the ITZBEEN is for Newborns and small babies, but I would like to share how fantastic it is for Toddlers, Kids and even Mommy!

ITZBEEN in Blue!

My ITZBEEN arrived in the thick of Spring sickness...horrible cold and flu going around our home, including me, UGH! The ITZBEEN was awesome to have. I use the three top buttons (the diaper, the bottle, and the Zzz) for each of my children and their cough meds or whatever they needed. This way hours later when my husband arrived home we knew exactly what time doses where given! It is fantastic for night time as well, it lights up VERY bright and is very clear! If I took meds I used the bottom (* button) for me!

In additon to keeping meds and three kids organized. Now that we are all better, the bottle button is perfect for my girly twin. She has dropped some weight due to a iron deficiency. Because of the iron deficiency we have to make sure that she in addition to getting a specific amount of food, she has to get 10oz. of whole milk...enter ITZBEEN bottle button, After each 2oz. bottle I just press that little button to keep track. I Love the ITZBEEN! I even push the little 'Zzz' button when they fall asleep...hey! guess what? The twins nap 2.5+ hours everyday!!

All Lit Up!

Ok, so my favorite part! When my older son was almost 2 he started wanting to go potty in the 'Big Boy' potty. He was potty trained super fast. I would take him potty ever single 15 min for 3 days, on day 4. He went all by himself!! I was so proud of him. Now, the twins are just about there. The Diaper button on the ITZBEEN is and has been my best friend. When I'm busy working and they are playing I can clip the ITZBEEN to the screen of my laptop and know exactly when it's 'potty time'

I will be recommending the ITZBEEN to everyone who is expecting, nursing, potty training...ect:) I have a number of friends who are expecting singletons and twins and I will tell them that from One mom to another the ITZBEEN is a MUST!!!

Bright Nightlight!

I have no cons to share. The only issue I really had was only having one ITZBEEN, since I have twins I would really like to have a second one, Especially when it comes to the serious potty training, it would just make things a little easier!

**I'd like to Thank ITZBEEN for letting me Review and Share this awesome product! It was a life saver! I LOVE it!

Easy to use! My Itzbeen in Blue!

The ITZBEEN can be purchased at Itzbeen.com for $24.99 for One or $48.99 for a Twin Pack.

This Giveaway is now Closed! I hope you enjoyed the Review!


One lucky reader will win an ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer! It's easy to enter!!


Mandatory Entry -


Follow ALSNS and Head to ITZBEEN and tell me your favorite color!!


Extra Entries -


Grab my New Button - Please leave me a link where I can find it!


Like ALSNS on FACEBOOK


Like ITZBEEN on FACEBOOK


Follow ALSNS on TWITTER and TWEET the ITZBEEN Giveaway (2 entries)


"ITZBEEN Giveaway @ ALSNS! You want this! Hurry 4/14-4/17 Go Enter NOW!! http://ow.ly/4A9y3"
 
*The ITZBEEN Giveaway will run from Thursday April 14th, 2011 thru 1pm pst Sunday April 17th, 2011. A winner will be selected through Random.org and announced by 9pm pst April 17th 2011!
 
Good Luck!