Snow Day in DC means Brunch, Star Wars & Fun with Costco Bears!

The D.C. metro area does not do well when snow falls and we become particularly incapacitated when it happens to snow hard and fast during rush hour on a school day. We have a unique combination of too many vehicles on the road, not enough underground public transportation and a lot of out of state drivers who aren't familiar with the routine to begin with. But when you add snow on top of that already volatile mix the whole area pretty much collapses under all the pressure. (Also, it doesn't help the situation when we get more snow than what was originally forecasted, but hey until we perfect time travel what are you going to do? The meteorologists do the best they can.)

Anyway so although I was successful in making it down our very long driveway this morning several accidents made the roads from my house impassible so I ended up calling it and just taking a snow day. Now some of you who live in the area may work for the government and have the option to telework (i.e. work from home) but I, unfortunately, do not have that luxury so, unable to work even from home, I decided to have fun instead :)

First I made a wonderful brunch; staring of course several wonderful Costco products!

While thick slices of Farmers Applewood Smoked Center Cut Bacon cooked in the oven, (yes I have discovered cooking bacon in the oven and it has changed my life), I made blueberry pancakes with Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix and KS Whole Frozen Blueberries. As the pancakes cooked I chopped up some fresh fruit, then while the KS Maple Syrup warmed in the microwave I quickly scrambled a few KS Organic Eggs. Throw in a mimosa and a cappuccino and before you know it I had a gourmet brunch on my hands.

Oh did I forget to mention I have Star Wars pancake molds? They add a little whimsy to the meal don't you think? (And it wasn't all about the Dark Side, I had Yoda too.)

Never one to pass up a good photo opportunity with my Costco Bears, I'll admit I did play with my food a little before I sat down to eat... 

That's Glenn Bearnie (aka the little 53" bear). I tried to take a picture of my big bear but I couldn't get him and brunch in the same frame LOL.

After enjoying my over the top brunch I cleaned up the kitchen and headed outside to shovel the front walk. Before the sun completely set and in what proved to be even more of a workout than shoveling snow, I dragged both of my Costco Bears outside for a little more photo fun...

That's Jebeardiah Springfield (aka the big 93" bear) with the shovel. Moving him around is a feat in and of itself but moving him without dragging his arms or legs through the snow was near impossible LOL! For a little perspective here are both Costco bears together making snow angels.

I hope you enjoyed my Costco inspired snow day shenanigans!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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Jennifer Adams Bedding at Costco!

Happy New Year everyone! At long last here is my review of the Jennifer Adams Home Eternal Collection bedding that I bought at Costco.

After missing the Jennifer Adams Bedding roadshow again when I was in LA last spring, I finally had a chance to get my hands on her coveted sheets when the roadshow came to the DC Area by way of the Leesburg, VA Costco in late May. My best friend has Jennifer Adams sheets and raves about them so I couldn't wait to experience them for myself. 

The roadshow display at Costco had pillowcases and blankets hanging up in each color and quilt pattern so you could touch and feel the actual items you were buying instead of that tiny square swatch of fabric you find on most sheet displays. The sheets and blankets are all made of the same microfiber fabric and they really do feel silky smooth and buttery soft to the touch. The bedding collection includes sheet sets, pillow cases, duvet covers, pillow shams and blankets available in four solid colors (White, Ivory, Silver Grey and Whisper Blue) through Costco. 

The pillow shams and blankets come in two different quilt designs (a rectangular pattern called Madison or a Diamond pattern called Hailey). 

The Eternal Sheet Sets are available in the following sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King. (Costco.com also has split-king sheet sets for adjustable beds.) All sets include one fitted sheet and one flat sheet. The Twin & Twin XL sets include one standard pillow case, the Full & Queen sets include two standard pillow cases and the King & California King sets each include two king size pillow cases. Extra pillow cases in standard and king sizes were also available for purchase (in sets of two) at the roadshow and online. The packaging stated that the fitted sheets fit mattresses from 12" deep to 18" deep.

One thing I noticed right away was that the sheets didn't list a thread count on the packaging which I thought was a bit odd, it just said extra fine weave & 100% combed 120gsm microfiber, but the sales rep told me the brushed microfiber is equivalent to 800 thread count Egyptian Cotton sheets. After taking in the display and feeling the sample sheets and blankets I jotted down a few of the Costco prices and jumped on my phone to JenniferAdamsHome.com to see how much I would really save buy purchasing a sheet set at Costco. I have to say I was literally speechless by what I found, a king size Eternal sheet set at Costco cost $99.99, but the same exact king size Eternal sheet set purchased from Jennifer Adams website cost $415. The Costco price was 75% LESS than the retail price! Seventy five percent less!! I was so thrilled with the amazing deal that in addition to the sheet set and shams I got for myself I also grabbed a set of sheets for my mom; (I bought Whisper Blue for myself and White for mom).

When I got home I headed straight to the laundry room and followed the care instructions on the packaging which stated to wash the sheets separately from other items and to use your regular (bleach free) detergent with med-hot water. While the sheets were washing I sat down and did the math for all of the products the Costco roadshow had and compared them to the retail price on the Jennifer Adams Home website. I was blown away by the results, each and every item came in at least 75% less than the retail price! I checked on Costco.com too and the prices for Jennifer Adams bedding online were the same as the roadshow prices in the warehouses and Jennifer Adams Bedding purchased on costco.com ships for free.

My sheets came out of the dryer without wrinkles and I put them on the bed immediately. The fitted sheet has a nice wide band of elastic that runs all the way around (not just elastic at the corners like some older sheets). Our mattress is 14" deep but with the plush mattress pad we have on it, its probably closer to 15" deep now; but the fitted sheet fit perfectly snug across our mattress (and it stayed snug all week long).

When I crawled into bed that night the first thing I noticed was how slick the sheets were, I literally felt like I glided into bed, it was so wonderful! They weren't slippery like satin or silk sheets though, they were just unbelievably smooth and soft and felt almost velvety at the same time, (I guess thats the brushed technique used in the manufacturing process). I was in heaven! That is until about half way through the night when I woke up hot and sweaty. I threw off the covers and flipped my pillow over and was able to eventually fall back to sleep. I slept through the rest of the night but when I woke up in the morning I still felt a little warmer than usual. However as I divulged in a previous post, I'm pretty hot natured so I didn't think much of it especially after the husband said he didn't notice feeling any different sleeping on the new sheets. But the same thing happened to me several times throughout the following week, yet I still shrugged it off thinking maybe I was just coming down with something. It wasn't until the weekend when I changed the bedding that it occurred to me that the new sheets might be why I was waking up hot and sweaty. While the Jennifer Adams sheets where in the wash I put regular cotton sheets on the bed for the week and when I crawled into bed that night the very first thing I noticed was how cold the cotton sheets felt to me compared to how the Jennifer Adams sheets felt. When I awoke the next morning without feeling hot or sweaty I really starting thinking it had to be the sheets so I jumped online and started doing some research.

Much to my chagrin I discovered that microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is most often made from polyester, which you may or may not know is made of polypropylene which is a petroleum byproduct. 

According to the internet microfiber is quite popular in upholstery due to its strength, wrinkle resistance and durability, and it's also very popular in athletic apparel for its moisture wicking properties. (Wait, so if microfiber wicks moisture away from the body then why was I waking up in the middle of the night all hot & sweaty!?) I also found out what 120 gsm means- GSM stands for grams per square meter and essentially measures the thickness of microfiber, the higher the GSM rating means the more fibers there are in the sheet and the thicker and more durable the sheet will be. But just as high thread counts in cotton sheets don't always mean higher quality, higher GSM ratings don't always mean higher quality for microfiber sheets. The manufacturing process (i.e. how the fibers are woven together) is a better indicator of a higher quality microfiber sheet.  Further online searches also revealed testimonies from both people who loved their microfiber sheets and claimed they would never go back to cotton sheets, and people who despised microfiber sheets. Some posts claimed microfiber sheets kept them cooler at night than regular sheets, while other posts claimed just the opposite! One website I came across stated that as a synthetic fiber, microfiber does not have that "cool crispness" that cotton sheets have so if you like to flip your pillow over to the cooler side steer clear of microfiber bedding. Oy! Finally I turned to my trusty friend ConsumerReports.org but I was disappointed to find that they have not tested any microfiber sheets. CR's only comment about synthetic sheets was that polyester or polyester blend sheets are not as porous as cotton sheets therefore you may feel warmer while sleeping. 

Since it was summer time on the East Coast (i.e. hot and humid) and because I'm already hot natured, instead of returning the sheets to Costco I folded them up and tucked them into the linen closet determined to give them another try once the weather cooled down.

It is now January 1st and I have been using my Jennifer Adams microfiber sheets regularly for the past two months and I am over joyed to report that I am completely in love with them! Since the weather cooled down and I brought them back into rotation I have not woken up hot and sweaty a single time! They have held up quite well to multiple washes and remained wrinkle free. To me they feel comfortably warmer like flannel sheets do when I crawl into bed every night, (a feeler a welcome in the cold winter months). In late November I did notice some odd stains/streaks on the sheets and after washing them a second time which still did not remove the spots I tweeted to Jennifer Adams asking if she had any advise on how to remove the stains. Not only did she reply back, but instead of offering up cleaning tips she gave me a customer service reps contact info stating they could replace the whole set for me. Wow, talk about awesome customer service! I ended up washing the sheets one more time but with a little baking soda applied to the stains after it occurred to me that the spots may be from the Egyptian Magic Cream I sometimes apply to my hands and feet before bed or from going to bed with wet hair that has Moroccan Argan Oil in it... (Oops!) I don't know if it was the baking soda or just the third washing that did it, but my sheets finally came out stain free and looking good as new.

Overall I have been very pleased with my Jennifer Adams Home Eternal Collection sheet set since I started using them again in the cooler months and I feel comfortable recommending them to anyone looking for new sheets. The price you pay for them at Costco is a practically a steal compared to the retail price so even if you are worried about them being hot I think they are worth trying and with Costcos amazing return policy you aren't stuck with them if you aren't fully satisfied. I'm so glad I gave them another shot because I really do love how these sheets feel.

Here is a quick pro/con list I put together to recap how I feel about the sheets:

Pros:
-they really do feel buttery soft
-they really are very wrinkle resistance
-they are quite durable
-there is a thick elastic band all the way around the fitted sheet for a secure, tight fit on most mattresses

Cons:
-they are made of microfiber which is a synthetic fabric that doesn't breathe quite like cotton and can feel hot to some people (especially in warmer climates or seasons)

The Jennifer Adams Bedding Collection is currently only available through Costco warehouses in the US, Canada and the UK. (Sorry Mexico & Australia!) The Collection is available any time on Costco.com, Costco.ca, Costco.co.uk. (Selection and variety may vary by country.)

To find her bedding products in your local US Costco warehouse though you'll have to wait for a roadshow to come your way. You can check out the Jennifer Adams upcoming Costco roadshow schedule by region here on Costco.com, or you can see a state by state schedule on her website here.

Oh and for tips from Jennifer Adams herself on how to properly launder your sheets, how to fold a fitted sheet, and a very efficient way to insert a duvet into a duvet cover, scroll to the bottom of this costco.com page and check out her short videos!

If you try them leave me comments and let me know what you think of them :)

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S.

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Living Social Deal for New Costco Members!

If you're not already a Costco Wholesale member or if you know someone who isn't a member yet then Living Social has a deal for you!

For $55 you get a Gold Star Membership for 1 year

AND all these extras:

a $20 Costco Cash Card

(Can be used towards any purchase in Costco warehouses or on Costco.com.)

Exclusive coupons good for 3 Free Kirkland Signature products

(Kirkland Signature products are awesome and highly rated!)

One Apple Pie

(These apple pies are HUGE and so delicious!)

One Rotisserie Chicken

(A classic Costco item perfect for a quick dinner.)

One 30-pack of two ply bath tissue

(You won't have to buy toilet paper for the rest of the year!)

and 3 months of free identity protection service from Identity Guard

(I don't know anything about Identity Guard but between the Target, Home Depot & Apple hacking scandals recently everyone could benefit from some identity protection!)

Go to LivingSocial.com and search Costco to find this deal. 

Hurry, there is a limited quantity available!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

P.S.

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'Tis the Season at Costco!

It may only be mid September but the Holiday Season is in full swing at Costco. Check out these awesome holiday themed items that are in warehouses now.

The Harvest Wreath (item #865865) is a great way to welcome Autumn and celebrate the changing of the seasons. Hang it on your front door now and enjoy it through Thanksgiving. The Harvest Wreath is currently sold out on Costco.com.

This adorable 'Bear in Tree Trunk' (item#850850) will liven up your porch or family room.

And whats more Fall-like than Halloween!? Costco carries a wide variety of quality licensed and non-licensed costumes for girls and boys in sizes for infants, toddles and children. (Selections and sizes vary by warehouse.)

This Halloween themed Lantern (item #913830) includes a battery operated candle so there is no need to worry about open flames.

Decorate inside or outside with these LED Halloween Lights (item #866590). Choose from a set of orange or purple lights.

This 60" Pose-N-Stay Skeleton (item #915602) is made of durable plastic and has pose-able arms & legs and a hinged jaw making it a perfect for any haunted house or Halloween party. This item is also available on Costco.com.

For Trick-or-Treaters or for lunches the 70pk Utz Halloween Pretzel Barrel (item #389226) is sure to please kids and adults alike. After all the pretzels are gobbled up the large plastic barrels, available in orange or purple, can also be repurposed as storage containers or for crafting. 

Halloween wouldn't be complete without Candy, and Costco doesn't disappoint, these Kirkland Signature bags of candy include everyones favorite brand name sweets.

Assorted Dowdle puzzles (item #888584) celebrate the seasons with the "Witchfest," "All Hallows Eve," and "Santa's Workshop" puzzles. Other featured puzzles include cities & monuments from around the world. Selections vary by warehouse.

Start your Christmas shopping early at Costco with their huge assortment of quality Wire Edged Ribbons (item #1755904) at a price that can't be beat. Your Holiday packages and craft projects are sure to shine.

 Bring a little winter wonderland inside with these LED Color Changing Glitter Trees (item #915732). They are battery operated so you won't have to fiddle with wires or hunt for outlets.

Deck your halls with Lighted Glitter Gem Garland (item #843425), constructed with flexible wire makes decorating banisters and mantels quick and easy. This item is also available on Costco.com.

This beautiful hand painted tabletop Nativity Set (item #915694) is also available on Costco.com. 

Dress up your dining table or mantel with this set of 3 Glass Candle Holders (item #913631) adorned with festive poinsettias and holly leaves.

 These elegant white Decorative Deer (item #915730) would make a beautiful addition to any holiday center piece or mantel.

This jolly 25" Santa (item #915630) is sure to bring joy to your Christmas decor. This Santa is also available on Costco.com.

This cheerful Decorative Snowman (item #867758) delicately shimmers and will keep you smiling all winter long.

This darling 40" Fabric Snowman Greeter (item #915741) will happily welcome you and your guests throughout the season. This item is also available on Costco.com.

This cute little pre-lit 29" Black Bear (item #915631) can be used indoors or outdoors.

This whimsical set of 3 Lighted Stacking Gift Boxes (item #915640) can be used inside or outside and is also available on Costco.com.

Standing at 5' with 300 lights this happy Snowman (item #915610) will brighten any indoor or outdoor space. May also available on Costco.com.

Disney up your holiday decor with Mickey & Minnie Decorating the Snowman (item #915670). This 3-piece lighted set can be used inside or outside and is also available on Costco.com.

Add some whimsy to your holiday decor with this 60" LED-Lit Stacking Snowmen Sculpture (item #915865). For indoor or outdoor use, this item is also available on Costco.com.

Light your walkway with this adorable Snowman Pathway Lights Set (item # 915845). For outdoor use only, but up to two sets can be linked together.  This item is available only on Costco.com.

And last but not least, Christmas cards are already here! These beautiful premium cards with matching self-sealing envelopes are a bargain at less than $.40 per card! Check your local warehouse for the full assortment of cards including those shown below.

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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Sisley Paris skincare available at Costco!

No joke, you can really buy the high-end botanical skincare products by Sisley Paris at Costco.com and in select Costco warehouses!

Started in 1976 based on the idea of using technological advancements to utilize the best aspects of plants and essential oils in creating beauty products, Sisley has thrived for over four decades and become one of the most prestigious cosmetics companies in the world. 

Usually found only in high-end department stores and day spa's, you can now find nine of the top Sisley Paris skincare products on Costco.com for up 42% off the retail price!

The Sisley Paris Sisleya Global Anti-Aging Day and Night Cream (item# 754116) is touted as the ultimate anti-aging product for visibly firmer skin and a more radiant complexion. According to the product description on Sisley-Paris.com, the non-comedogenic cream makes a clear impact on the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, leaving your skin appearing more toned, hydrated and protected against free radicals. The 1.7oz jar retails for a whopping $490, but Costco.com offers the exact same size jar for only $289.99; that’s 40% off the retail price!

The Sisley Paris Ecological Compound (item #794636) is formulated with a synergistic compound of plants selected for their stimulating and revitalizing actions. The compound hydrates and restores your skin while also fighting environmental stress from pollution, smoke, etc. The fluid, non-greasy texture leaves your skin with a matte appearance.  The 4.2oz bottle retails for $250, but Costco.com sells the same 4.2oz bottle for only $149.99.

The Sisley Paris Hydra-Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration (item #260375) is a non-comedogenic intensive moisturizer designed to fight skin dehydration. The matte gel-cream fluid restores your skins natural moisture balance. The 1.4oz bottle retails for $255, but Costco.com carries the same size bottle for only $149.99, saving you 41% off the retail price.

The Sisley Paris Sisleÿa Eye and Lip Contour Cream (item #754122) is a powerful anti-aging cream that fights wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness. The rich, plant based extracts and vitamins make this cream gentle yet effective at maintaining your skins hydration, elasticity and toned appearance. The 0.53oz jar retails for $210, but Costco.com saves you 42% off the retail price by selling the exact same product for only $119.99.

The Sisley Paris Confort Extreme Night Skin Care (item #754128) is a rich and creamy moisturizer designed for very dry, sensitive skin. It contains shea butter, phytosqualane and wheat proteins that nourish, hydrate and protect the skin. The 1.6oz jar retails for $205, but Costco.com offers the same size for only $119.99, saving you 41% off the retail price. 

The Sisley Paris Crème Collagène et Mauve Night Cream with Collagen & Woodmallow (item #260377) is a firming  night cream that helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The high concentration of soluble collagen works to prevent skin aging while the softening woodmallow enhances the effectiveness of the collagen and soothes the skin. The 1.6oz jar retails for $200, but Costco.com sells the same 1.6oz jar for $119.99, saving you 40% off the retail price.

The Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask Instant Youth (item #755085) is a soothing, plumping and brightening mask that leaves your skin looking youthful and energized. A 2.1oz  tube retails for $162, but Costco.com sells it for only $99.99, saving you 38% off the retail price. 

The Sisley Paris Express Flower Gel Hydrating, Toning & Firming Mask (item #362722) is a an exceptional concentration of moisturizing active flower extracts that regenerates, hydrates, and tones your skin while removing traces of fatigue & stress to smooth and even your complexion. The 2.15oz tube retails for $140, but Costco.com carries it for only $84.99, which is 39% off the retail price.

Last but not least, Costco.com carries the Sisley Paris Eye & Lip Contour Balm (item #754126). A combination of tomato phytostimulines and vegetable proteins gives this balm potent stimulating benefits to treat under-eye puffiness and reduce fine lines. The 1oz jar retails for $140, but sells the exact same size jar for only $79.99, saving you 42% off the retail price!

While I personally have yet to try this line myself, I have heard great things about Sisley Paris and the online reviews of their products are stellar. Knowing that I am saving up to 42% off the retail price by buying these at Costco.com I may have to splurge to check them out ;)

For more information about Sisley Paris and their full line of products check out their website: http://www.sisley-paris.com/en-US/.

Some Sisley Paris products are also available in select Costco Warehouses, look in the pharmacy/beauty section of your local Costco. All of the Sisley Paris products sold on Costco.com include shipping & handling in their prices.

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S.

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