Review: Roots Lunch Bag

It occurred to me that I’ve been sitting on this gem (figuratively, natch), and sharing could help others.

This is my son’s soft-sided lunch bag. Both of my boys are rough on their belongings. This particular lunch bag has served stoically through the 2013-2014 school year, and is currently serving the 2014-2015 school year.

And it’ll likely serve the 2015-2016 year, too.

No joshing. These Roots bags are the most durable lunch bags I’ve ever seen. I have no plans to shell out for a new lunch bag anytime soon.

If I recall, it was less than $15 CAD new at Costco. Recently I saw some with different colours still stocked in a corner of Costco near the snowshoes and bread (you can’t make this up).

They come with a stainless steel water bottle (that apparently people keep gifting unused to second hand stores, if you’ve got a kid like mine who constantly loses water bottles...), with a wide enough mouth to toss in an ice cube or four during the summer months. 

They also come with a clip on strap that we’ve never bothered to use, I’ve just lost them, put them aside for future use.

Now these lunch bags aren’t in perfect condition after 18 months, but they might as well be. They have a couple stains (is that pink crayon? Jello?). But the only items that have fallen apart are negligible ones, in my opinion: the mesh on the bottom of one bottle holder has let go, and my youngest son’s bag has lost the bungee cord to secure his bottle (but it still works fine). The stainless steel bottle that hasn’t been lost is dented up the wazoo, but is functional.

Overall importance in usability and durability:

- These lunch bags don’t smell. They have a plastic zip-out liner to ensure leaks are contained, but I preemptively put the boys’ refillable drink boxes in an empty bread bag because I’m OCD like that. And whenever the boys have a break from school I wash the entire bags themselves and hang to dry, so they get a good wash 4-6 times a year, and that's on top of the daily wipe out.

- The silver insulating lining has not cracked or gotten caught in zippers.

- The fabric has not frayed. The handle is padded and comfortable.

- The zippers are tough: they zip smoothly and haven’t begun catching on anything.

- It’s roomy. Since it's soft-sided there's some wiggle room on the dimensions listed below. Daily I pack the lunch bag’s main compartment with multiple items/containers, specifically: a sandwich container, two small containers (a serving each of apple sauce and Jello), a medium container with a muffin, and/or an apple, a refillable drink box, an ice pack (held in place by mesh), and two spoons (because using the same spoon for both apple sauce and Jello is just gross, Mom). In the past the main compartment has also held a small Thermos for hot lunch instead of a sandwich container. There’s another narrower compartment on the outside to hold snacks (a tub of crackers and a granola bar or two. And I have boys who appreciate crackers that aren’t cold).

Dimensions:
Main compartment: 25cm/10" tall, 20cm/8" wide, 10cm/3.5" deep
Smaller compartment: 22cm 8.5" tall, 20cm/8" wide, 5cm/2"deep

These Roots lunch bags are available at Costco on and off during the year, and—being Costco—it’s one of those hit or miss things to watch for in off seasons. If you see them grab them quick, you never know when they'll be back. They’re usually promoted next to matching Roots backpacks (another great buy I’d highly recommend—$20 CAD and extremely durable, with multiple pockets for proper weight distribution and gadgets my kidlets don’t possibly need).

No, I’m not receiving any compensation from Costco, or Roots, or anyone else for this review (if only). This is a case of simply walking into my laundry room, seeing these bad boys hanging to dry, and thinking they were one of the best buys in a long time. 

So I had to share.

Dear Kindle Touch: I love only you.

I didn’t want a Kindle.

Nope, I really didn’t. I’m one of those souls who enjoys the feel of a book in her hands, the smell of old books, the memories that flood the mind when you recall the first reading of an old book you pull from your shelf.

I didn’t want you, Kindle.

But with this on the horizon, I needed a solution. Mostly because my plastic surgeon laughed when I said I’d get lots of reading done post-op, because I wouldn’t be allowed to use my arms but there’d be nothing wrong with my mind, and I envisioned plowing through the backlog that is my To Read shelf.

She laughed and pooped all over my parade because, well, not using my arms meant I wouldn’t be able to hold open a paperback. And not because of some arbitrary rule—no, it was because I’d be physically unable to do it.

As in: my arms would go numb and I'd drop the book, regardless of intention.

Suffice it to say, you sir, Mr Kindle Touch, became a shiny, happy, lightweight solution.

Yes, I researched which e-reader I wanted to pick up.

Yes, I realize the Kindle is not compatible with my local library’s e-book lending formats.

No, this post is not a debate about comparing technologies.

But it is me weighing in after a year of using an e-reader.

I bought you, my Kindle Touch, and recently discovered that your model has since been discontinued. And while I love you to bits, I don’t think I’d buy another e-reader if you croaked on me.

In fact, as much as you travel everywhere with me and I’m loathe to be without you, I’d put in just as much research going forward with a new model if something were to happen to you.

Well, the thing is, the major feature that sold me on Mr Kindle Touch is the very reason why you were discontinued...

I love your text-to-speech function.

Yes. I love it when you read to me.

Even books that aren’t audiobooks. Your voice is robotic, but what it lacks in appeal it makes up for in grammatical charm (you lovingly conform to punctuation). And besides, you have a huge practical benefit: I can walk to get the kids from school, putter away at housework or gardening, and even work on refinishing furniture with my earbuds in, all while listening to your robotic yet resonant voice read me whatever book I’m working my way through.

Yes, my To Read list has received a major hit this past year. It’s glorious, and all thanks to you, my dear Kindle Touch.

And you read everything—or at least everything I’ve put on you so far. Yes, our time together has become a mental life-saver, allowing me to catch up on the chores and To Do list while still being able to absorb that book that's so desperately calling to me.

Of course, there was more appeal to you than simply your text-to-speech function...

Notoriously the inability to use my arms came in—being lightweight and only needing a tap to turn your page was a big win.

And I’ve come to the age when conclusion that my eyes become tired far quicker than my brain, and thankfully with you the days of reading blurred doubled words are gone—I can increase your font size until I can read (erm) loud and clear again.

Having multiple titles at my fingertips is a bonus, too. Gone are the days when I choose my purses based on their ability to house a novel (or two). I’ve even added a few titles for the kids so if we’re stuck somewhere they can read on Mr Kindle if they’re bored (and careful).

It’s true. I let them touch you. Hard to believe, I know.

So. Back to the discontinued thing, though. Apparently (and I’m going to admit I’ve only read a couple articles about the why, so please don’t take this as gospel), Amazon’s Kindle Touch’s text-to-speech function has been considered competition with audiobooks, and an infringement on copyright for audio rights.

So your fabulous speech function has been discontinued on the latest models.

Craptacular, yes?

And that’s the crux of this review love letter. As much as I love you, my Kindle, I think some people are still going to balk at the e-reader jump, and I have nothing to dissuade them.

After having lived (and loved) my Kindle for the last year, I’m not sure I’d latch on to another model with the same fervor if it was lacking your text-to-speech function. And I’ve built up a (ahem) hefty collection of e-book titles by this point—titles which aren’t exactly tangible copies to grab off my actual-really-truly-real-life shelf. Titles which would be lost if for some reason my current Kindle were to crap out on me and I didn’t choose to replace it with another.

Shh... I don't mean to speak ill of you. I know you'll never let me down. Even constantly using your text-to-speech function I only need charge you once a week or so, you are so reliable and good to me.

Yes, I find your text-to-speech function a mighty sexy quality, my beloved.

And I’m writing this review love letter as a testament of one reader’s experience. I’m assuming everyone knows the arguments for and against e-readers (better for the environment, increased digital piracy, loss of the physical experience of reading). If every e-reader had your text-to-speech function, I’d be at the head of the e-reader argument, waving my pro e-reader banner and rallying folks to the cause...

(Seriously. My son can read along on your screen while your voice reads a chapter book to him, following the words and learning at the same time. This can definitely be considered a literacy tool in our house, even though he’s now outgrown that need—the novelty of it kept his attention, and I was grateful he was interested in "big kid books.")

And poor Mr Lannis—not only have I become obsessed with my sexy technogadget, I’m also slowly culling our bookshelves, getting rid of anything that isn’t a favourite or signed by the author. The physical collection is slowly being depleted overall—I’ve added a couple of titles I've read on my beloved Kindle and enjoyed enough to want to own a physical copy, but for the most part our books are dwindling.

I guess the good news is he’s left with the best of the best? Heh. (I never thought I’d see the day where he thought we didn’t own enough books...::snort::)

So no worries, Mr Kindle Touch. You are going nowhere. And as long as you are steadfast in your durability and quality, I will not shun you. Whether I'll date any of your relatives should you dump me, well... that's yet to be seen.

Until our next rendezvous,
Lannis

Rant and Review: Sharpie and Zazzle

As I've stated on my bio page, the name Lannis originated in part from a Tor.com handle—specifically for the Wheel of Time Reread, led by Leigh Butler. The community she's helped create over the last four years is quite remarkable—the quick and dirty description I use is that we're a glorified online book club... it's the easiest way to get the point across, but our group is so much more than that.

Since Leigh's the Toast Master (Toast Mistress?) of JordanCon this year, and since it's kind of a big deal for us Rereaders attending, some of our talented members pooled their ideas and designed a shirt for us to wear. This shirt was posted on Zazzle for customization and purchase by anyone interested.

Of course I picked one up. (Go Light!)

Immediately after I'd purchased my shirt—like, within the hour of my hitting the "confirm order" button (or whatever it says—I don't remember. It's online shopping—it gets hazy until the product shows up at the door) someone mentions customizing the shirts to have our Reread handles on the back.

Oops.

I was too quick on the draw. (That's what I get for being gung-ho I guess...)

So what do I do?

Well, first I waited, because Zazzle decided to jerk me around—yes, Canada's considered international shipping and obviously will take longer (I can be patient when I want to be), but COME ON! Zazzle didn't ship my shirt out until TEN DAYS after I placed the order!

WTF?!

I ordered my shirt on the same day as many folks, and my American friends had received their shirt before mine was even shipped, according to Zazzle's tracking notification. GAH!

And I sent Zazzle an inquiry email—because some folks had had a snafu or two with their order, so I wanted to make sure mine wasn't in the same category—and instead of replying, I received an email requesting I review a product I had yet to receive.

Not cool, Zazzle. Not. Cool.

Yes, I get that it's an automatically generated review request. But perhaps if a particular order number shows up in your inbox, you could—oh, I don't know—put a flag on the order?

Or, hell, maybe reply to the inquiry email previously sent?

Oy.

Other than that, the product itself is great. The design I already knew was fun, and I'm pleased with the quality of the screening. It fits well and is comfortable.

I referred to the sizing chart and ordered an XL based on my measurements, which makes me scratch my head, because I'm usually a medium, so all I can conclude is that Zazzle hates big people.

Way to go, Zazzle.

But enough of them, because I doubt I'll be using their services in the future (it ended up taking five weeks from the order date to receive my product, and I have yet to receive a reply from my inquiry email and it's been a week... five whole business days).

How to get my name on my shirt?!

 
To solve the problem of lack-of-handle, I bought a package of Sharpie Fabric Stain Markers (I love me some Sharpies). It's a package of four and I only used the black (obviously). I drew out what I wanted on a separate paper and traced the design onto my shirt.

These fabric markers? So pleased!

They've got a firm brush-shaped tip that allows for thick and thin lines—great, except you have to watch out for accidentally touching the fabric on an angle and creating a smudge. It took some getting used to, and in order to be precise it took a while to fill in the design carefully.

While I haven't tried out the other colours, I've already decided to use these again, probably to let my kids attack some plain shirts this summer.

When I went to the store I was looking for iron on letters (which weren't in stock), and had no clue that Sharpie even made this product, so yes, I'm more than pleased with this alternative. It was $7.46 CAD for a package of four (black, red, green, and blue).

It's fun, and far more personalized than stock letters, and I don't have to worry about them peeling off with wear.

Some tips:

Use a template and trace your design if you're looking for an even result—sometimes freehand can get away from the best of us.

Go in the direction of the weave of the fabric to fill in spaces—the ink absorbs more evenly.

Use a clean piece of paper to cover any ink your hand will touch as you finish your design to prevent possible smudging of wet ink.

Place cardboard or some other barrier between the layers of your shirt to prevent possible bleeding of ink (I didn't see this happen on my own project, but you want to be careful for a good result).

For fine lines, keep the pen perpendicular to your project.

Occasionally check the marker tip for accumulated lint that might drag ink where you don't want it (I only had two fine cat hairs over the course of my project, but that's an expected hazard in this house).

Check the Sharpie website for design inspiration.

Not sure yet how this will stand the test of time after a few washes, but I guess that means I get to revisit this review, yes?

This opens up a whole world of doodled-on shirts. My neighbours will have more reason to roll their eyes.

Awesome.