Hamilton Beach Liquid Blu 5 Speed Blender Review

i needed a workhorse of a blender to crush ice and make truly blended fruit smoothies.  i read all the reviews before taking the plunge and am i glad i did! this baby is used almost daily and i use frozen fruit and six ice cubes for my daily smoothies. i have discovered that any negatives have to do with operator error. if you are blending frozen fruit, cold liquid and ice, the contents can sometimes become so cold that they cling to the sides of the blender and the blades whir without blending. just add more liquid and/or use a wooden spoon to push the ingredients back toward the blades, or better yet wait a moment or two and let things thaw slightly. you will only have to do this once and then be prepared for a frozen, frosty, fab concoction. always make sure you have enough liquid--milk, yogurt or fruit juice is best depending on the type of smoothie. the glowing blue light on the machine adds to its stylish profile.  the base is clear plexiglass with black/silver button indicators.  style and function in one setting.