When you finish spring cleaning, what could be more enjoyable than sitting back in your favorite comfortable chair with your most favorite mug or glass and enjoying your favorite cup of coffee or glass of iced tea along with a fresh slice of homemade baked bread?! That's tough to beat! Or, if you're looking for the perfect gift for someone special who's getting married, graduating from high school or college, having a birthday or anniversary or even for Mother's Day, the following reviews should give you many fabulous ideas!
Coffee machines -
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Home Café Manufacturer - Black & Decker |
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- Favorite Features -
- makes 1 cup of tremendous tasting coffee at a time
- able to make 7 ounce, 9 ounce, and 14 ounce cups of coffee
- includes travel mug and Tupperware pod holder
- easy to follow directions
- holds up tremendously well to multiple users
I had this coffee pod machine tested by students in a dorm setting - they absolutely loved it! Students can make their own specialty coffee for a fraction of what they would spend in a coffee shop. Big plus not having unused coffee left in a pot in a dorm room! Home Café makes a tremendous gift for graduation and wedding or bridal shower gifts or Mother's Day or just because! Tremendously well done, Black & Decker! I'd love to see this machine in some really fun colors!
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Senseo Manufacturer - Phillips |
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- Favorite Features -
- makes 1 cup of tremendous tasting coffee at a time
- able to make one four ounce cup, two four ounce cups, or 8 ounce cup at a time
- easy-to-follow directions
- holds up tremendously well to repeated and multiple users
- available in three colors - black, white, and blue
- unique, frothy top to coffee
I love the Senseo! A perfectly brewed, absolutely delicious cup of coffee is what you can be assured of receiving every time you use your Senseo! Again, this makes the truly perfect gift for graduation, wedding or bridal shower gifts or Mother's Day! It also makes an absolutely delightful, "just because" gift for any coffee drinker! Tremendously well done, Senseo! I'd love to see this machine be able to brew a larger cup of coffee.
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Melitta 1:1 Manufacturer - Melitta |
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- Favorite Features -
- makes one cup of tremendous tasting coffee at a time
- makes one cup of tremendous tasting tea at a time
- able to make 5 ounce and 8 ounce cups of coffee or tea
- easy-to-follow directions
- available in five colors - black, white, red, mango and kiwi
My reviewers absolutely loved this machine! For the home where you have only one coffee or tea drinker, this is the perfect coffee machine! The 1:1 is the only pod machine that also brews a perfect cup of tea. As with the other pod machines, this makes a perfect gift for any occasion! Tremendously well done, Melitta!
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Brew 'N Go Manufacturer - Black & Decker |
- Favorite Features -
- includes two travel mugs
- includes a permanent filter
- has auto-shut-off
The Brew 'N Go makes a great graduation gift, gift for a home with only one coffee drinker, or for the home with one or two commuters - you can make your coffee to take with you and not leave extra coffee in the pot at home for the day. Extremely well done, Black & Decker!
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BrewStation Manufacturer - Hamilton Beach |
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- Favorite Features -
- unique, single serve cup dispenser - no heavy pot to pour
- makes up to 12 cups at a time
- available with timer and filter
- tremendously easy to use
I absolutely love this coffeemaker! Hamilton Beach clearly put a lot of thought into the design and quality of this machine. It is the absolute perfect coffee "pot" for anyone, but especially for anyone with MS or Lupus. I have MS and Lupus and not having a pot to carry and pour from is significantly better for me. I love the design and on top of all that, this machine makes a truly, tremendously delicious cup of coffee! Tremendously well done, Hamilton Beach! I'd love to see this machine in some fun colors!
Iced Tea Machines -
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Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker Manufacturer - Mr. Coffee |
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- Favorite Features -
- able to brew iced tea and iced coffee
- includes 3qt thermal pot
- auto-shut-off
- adjustable brewing strength
- easy to use
- able to brew tea bags or loose leaf tea
Iced tea is the perfect beverage, year round, but especially in the summer and with the Mr.Coffee Iced Tea Machine you can be sure you will be able to enjoy the perfect glass of tea, every time! This makes the perfect wedding, bridal shower or Mother's Day gift! Tremendously well done, Mr. Coffee! I love the blue features you worked into this machine!
Bread Machines -
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58-Minute Expressbake Breadmaker Manufacturer - Oster |
- Favorite Features -
- 58-minute express bake option for bread in under an hour
- can make, 1lb, 1.5lb and 2lb loaves of bread
- 13 hour delay bake so you can wake up or come home to freshly baked bread
- 18 settings allow you to bake a variety of breads, jams, cake, pasta and more
- easy to use
- includes a number of delicious recipes
- compact size is nice for smaller kitchens
I like this machine - it is easy to use, attractively designed and truly makes a delicious loaf of bread. I'm concerned a bit that 3/4ths of the bread I've baked with this machine, fall before the final bake, but I would still rate this machine as Extremely well done, Oster!
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Breadman Twin-loaf Breadmachine Manufacturer - Salton |
- Favorite Features -
- makes two 1lb loaves of bread at one time
- easy to use
- flexible - you can make one or two loaves of bread
- you have the option of making two different loaves of bread at the same time, as long as they both use the same bake cycle
- delay bake allows you to wake up or come home to freshly baked bread
- includes a number of delicious recipies
Perfect breadmachine for families that enjoy more than one type of bread or for the person who likes to make one loaf to enjoy and one to give away! Extremely well done, Salton!
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Breadman Corner Bakery Manufacturer - Salton |
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- Favorite Features -
- able to make a 1lb, 1.5lb or 2lb loaf of bread
- Fast-bake allows you to bake bread in under one hour
- 13 hour delay allows you to come home or wake up to freshly baked bread
- 19 programs allow you to make a variety of breads, jam, cake, fudge, cheesecake and more
- includes a number of delicious recipes
- only breadmachine that allows you to make your own butter
- easy to use
This is an excellent breadmachine! It makes a perfect loaf of bread every time! Truly a thoughtful and fun gift for anyone who loves to bake as well as the person who loves homemade bread, but doesn't think they can make it themselves! Tremendously well done, Salton!
Coffee/Tea Mugs/Glasses -
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Bianca Coffee/Tea Mug Manufacturer - Trudeau |
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- Favorite Features -
- unique design with a mix of white ceramic cup and brushed aluminum handle and base
- attention to detail and quality with a classy look and comfortable weight
This mug is certain to make your coffee more enjoyable! I love the design and quality - Tremendously well done, Trudeau!
| FiestaWare Mugs | ||||
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Java Mug |
10 1/4 oz mug |
Embossed Pedestal Mug |
3/4 oz cup |
Jumbo Cup |
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White Cinnabar Rose Cobalt Turquoise Periwinkle Seamist Persimmon Sunflower Plum Shamrock Tangerine |
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Manufacturer - FiestaWare
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- Favorite Features -
- wide variety of colors and styles -
- comfortable weight
- simple, everyday design
You can't go wrong with FiestaWare - whether it is just a cup or mug or an entire set of dishes! Part of the fun of FiestaWare, is you can mix and match the colors and pieces to make your own, unique set of dishes or develop an "eclectic" set of mugs - a different one for each day or mood! Tremendously well done, FiestaWare!
| Pfaltzgraff | ||
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Sphere mug |
Rio Mug |
La Rochelle Mug |
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Napoli Mug |
Napoli Iced Tea Glasses |
Red Mug |
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Manufacturer - Pfaltzgraff
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- Favorite Features -
- wide variety of colors and styles -
- comfortable weight
- wide variety of colors and styles ranging from simple, to unique designs - something for everyone
Again, just like with FiestaWare - whether it is just a mug or glass or an entire set of dishes, you will be absolutely delighted with any item you purchase for yourself as a little indulgence or as a thoughtful gift certain to be used over and over on a daily basis for years to come! Tremendously well done, Pfaltzgraff! I so appreciate the attention you've given to quality and detail!
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Heart of Joy Mug Manufacturer - DaySpring |
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- Favorite Features -
- excellent design - I like the weight of the cup, the comfortable size of the handle as well as the colors and hearts - this could easily be a favorite mug for a coffee/tea drinker you know!
- the verse and hearts are great day "brighteners"!
I would love to see DaySpring design a complete line of cups - it's much more fun to have an "eclectic" collection of coffee mugs rather than a set all the same! Definitely consider this mug as a gift to someone special in your life! Tremendously well done, DaySpring!
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Bob Siemon Mugs |
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Mustard Seed |
I Love Mom |
Cross/ Be Still |
Blue Angel |
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Red Cherry
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Jeremiah 29:11
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Yellow Bubble |
Blue Bubble |
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Manufacturer - Bob Siemon
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- Favorite Features -
- creative, unique designs
- each mug carries a message - Scripture verse
- I really like the mugs with artwork on the inside - nice touch
Truly an excellent collection of mugs! I really like the Bubble Mugs - great design! It is clear Bob Siemon gives considerable attention to detail and design in their mugs! Tremendously well done, Bob Siemon!
Okay, so now you have a wonderful
coffee/tea maker/brewer,
home baked bread and your favorite mug or
glass to enjoy your coffee or tea in . . .
lets take a look at some truly quality
Coffees and Teas!
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Octavia Tea |
- Favorite Features -
- variety of teas - Green, White, Red, Herbal, Black, Oolong and Yerba Mate
- teas come in tins for freshness
- www.octaviatea.com
Octavia Teas have a truly delightful flavor - these teas make completely enjoyable iced tea and work very well in Iced Tea Machines. Extremely well done, Octavia Tea!
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Stash Tea |
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- Favorite Features -
- literally hundreds of teas available - in loose leaf and tea bags
- for every three bags of the same tea you purchase, you receive one free
- on-line site has a variety of specials, sales and close-outs - you can find some great buys!
- www.stashtea.com
I have enjoyed Stash Tea for a number of years - it's loose tea works wonderfully in my Iced Tea Machines! For a three quart container of tea, take 3 to 4 tablespoons of loose tea - your choice, mix it up for your own, unique, special blends! I'd love to see Stash reduce their shipping costs, but their tea is completely enjoyable! Tremendously well done, Stash Tea!
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CoolBeanPod Coffee |
- Favorite Features -
- excellent coffee - available in a number of flavors/types
- each pod individually wrapped for freshness
- www.coolbeanspods.com
Easy to use and great taste! The variety of flavors allow you to make your coffee just as you like it without extra coffee in a pot going to waste. Extremely well done, CoolBeanPod Coffee!
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Pod Head Coffee |
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- Favorite Features -
- individually wrapped pods - for freshness
- absolutely no bitter taste to any of the coffee varieties
- wide variety of flavors and varieties
- www.podhead.com
These are truly great coffees! I absolutely appreciate how there is no bitter edge to the coffee. If you have a Senseo, you may want to put an extra bit of coffee filter on the bottom of each pod before you make your coffee, otherwise the pod tends to tear and clog your coffee maker with coffee. However, in spite of that, this is truly Tremendously well done coffee!