I think that title says it all, really.
Of the many As Seen on TV products I covet, I thought I'd try the Ped Egg first because I'd heard such good things about it. I ordered mine from Amazon.com, where prices vary widely, but average at about $10 once shipping costs are factored into the mix.
The thing about the Ped Egg is that it's not some miracle breakthrough in pedicure technology, but people seem to love it (and I'm including myself here) because it just makes sense. It's so simple, it's a wonder no one thought of this before.
The Ped Egg fits in your hand as neatly and comfortably as a computer mouse. I'm pretty clumsy and I didn't drop my Ped Egg at all while I was using it; yay for ergonomics. The other neat feature of this product is that it contains all the debris that results from filing away at the dead skin on your feet. Other users have noted that some shavings do escape, but that's due to the fact that the business end is essentially a grater with little holes in it. If you hold it out and shake it, a little something's bound to come out, but the bulk of the ... er ... waste is contained inside the Ped Egg while you're using it. Clean-up is very easy.
As for usefulness, the Ped Egg definitely works. The fact that it's so comfortable to hold not only makes using it easy and fast, it also makes it hard to over-do. I've injured myself with other foot files (clumsy, remember?), mostly because I had to keep stopping and starting in order to get the right angle, and the tools were so awkward to hold that my hand slipped several times. (If there's one thing nastier than crusty feet, it's bloody feet. Ew.) I didn't injure myself with the Ped Egg, and it left the skin on my feet smoother than ever. I'd definitely recommend the Ped Egg to anyone who'd rather DIY than pay for a pedicure.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lip Service
I picked up a tube of Blistex Lip Infusion on a whim. I was barreling through the aisles at Target when I remembered that my lip balm had apparently vanished. Those of you familiar with the brand know that they have about a million varieties of stuff to slather on your lips. (Okay, so maybe it's only 18. Yes, I checked.) I reached for the Lip Infusion with Moisture Splash because the price was right, I didn't need anything medicated, and ... well ... the tube was kind of sparkly.
When I went to open the tube, I got the first surprise. Rather than a tube of cream you control with a little dial, this product has a roller ball application. Okay, no big deal. Then I put it on. Oh! (I actually said that.) The little metal roller ball is nice and cool, and as the product goes onto your lips it's rather pleasant. Actually, I had the thought that it felt like a tall glass of water would to a parched throat. Then I wondered if I'd started working for Blistex and I just didn't know it yet.
Seriously, though, Lip Fusion works. I wasn't expecting any kind of amazing results, but after a week of using it off and on I decided to wear some long-lasting lipstick. I usually stay away from the stuff; despite what it claims to do, I usually have to apply a top coat excessively, only to end up with cracked, flaky lips anyway. Pretty! This time, however, I only had to reapply the top coat once -- after eating -- and my lips were fine at the end of the night. Sold!
There is one thing. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I'm hesitant to use my Blistex despite the fact that it does a great job. There's a bit of a chemical taste and smell about it that I'm not too keen on enduring. If the manufacturers did something about that, they'd have a near-perfect product on their hands.
When I went to open the tube, I got the first surprise. Rather than a tube of cream you control with a little dial, this product has a roller ball application. Okay, no big deal. Then I put it on. Oh! (I actually said that.) The little metal roller ball is nice and cool, and as the product goes onto your lips it's rather pleasant. Actually, I had the thought that it felt like a tall glass of water would to a parched throat. Then I wondered if I'd started working for Blistex and I just didn't know it yet.
Seriously, though, Lip Fusion works. I wasn't expecting any kind of amazing results, but after a week of using it off and on I decided to wear some long-lasting lipstick. I usually stay away from the stuff; despite what it claims to do, I usually have to apply a top coat excessively, only to end up with cracked, flaky lips anyway. Pretty! This time, however, I only had to reapply the top coat once -- after eating -- and my lips were fine at the end of the night. Sold!
There is one thing. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I'm hesitant to use my Blistex despite the fact that it does a great job. There's a bit of a chemical taste and smell about it that I'm not too keen on enduring. If the manufacturers did something about that, they'd have a near-perfect product on their hands.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Make No Mistake
Pay attention. This is Crystal Light On-the-Go in natural lemonade flavor.
What it is, is a little packet of powder you add to a bottle of water. It's tasty, and has nowhere near the calories of a bottle of soda. It is perfectly lemony and perfectly sweet without the funny aftertaste you might associate with most artifical sweetners. Now then, THIS is Crystal Light On-The-Go Hydration in "lightly lemon" flavor.
You may mistake the latter for the former. You may think it is just different packaging. You, however, will be wrong, because somewhere between the "lightly" part and the "hydration" part, it ended up tasting like fresh hell. Maybe it's the electrolytes, maybe it's the B vitamins. Whatever it is, it's disgusting. I can't even describe the flavor, except to say that there isn't even anything particularly lemony about it. Drinking it is like getting a mouthful of chemicals. I couldn't take more than a sip of it without retching.
Just thought you'd like to know.
What it is, is a little packet of powder you add to a bottle of water. It's tasty, and has nowhere near the calories of a bottle of soda. It is perfectly lemony and perfectly sweet without the funny aftertaste you might associate with most artifical sweetners. Now then, THIS is Crystal Light On-The-Go Hydration in "lightly lemon" flavor.
You may mistake the latter for the former. You may think it is just different packaging. You, however, will be wrong, because somewhere between the "lightly" part and the "hydration" part, it ended up tasting like fresh hell. Maybe it's the electrolytes, maybe it's the B vitamins. Whatever it is, it's disgusting. I can't even describe the flavor, except to say that there isn't even anything particularly lemony about it. Drinking it is like getting a mouthful of chemicals. I couldn't take more than a sip of it without retching.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sew What I Needed
I know if I had a bad customer service experience somewhere, I'd probably rant about it online, so why shouldn't I do that for a good experience? I've been teaching myself to sew, and part of the learning process is making sure I have the right tools and materials. While searching online for quality thread, I stumbled onto Quilting-Warehouse.com. While their inventory seems aimed more toward quilters I was able to select several spools of highly recommended Coats & Clark thread and a container to store my thread neatly, all at very good prices. Plus, Quilting-Warehouse.com offers flat-rate shipping for $5.99 and --- here's the best part -- they get your stuff to you fast! My order arrived so quickly I was honestly confused about what was in the box, not expecting it for at least another few days.
Everything in life should be so easy.
Everything in life should be so easy.
Friday, July 25, 2008
A Tale of Two Dish Detergents
In this corner: Cascade Complete liquid dishwashing detergent: "Cleans so well, there's no need to pre-wash!"
And in this corner: Electrasol Advanced automatic dishwasher detergent: "Sparkling Power Clean"
Well, I may be a bit biased, since I've always used Cascade brand dishwasher detergent to begin with, but I'm always on the lookout for something better. I wasn't brave enough to test Cascade's "no pre-wash" claim; the plumbing in my kitchen is already a little, shall we say, temperamental.
When it comes to cleaning power, both brands work equally well at getting my dishes clean. I used each on a full load of dishes and was pleased with the results both times. I do like Electrasol's flip-top design (I'll admit it: I'm lazy), but I imagine households with little ones might be better off with Cascade's squeeze-and-turn safety cap. Also, Electrasol's bleach and lemon-scent formulation left me feeling it might be better suited to cleaning a bathroom. Your mileage may vary.
I think I'll be sticking with Cascade for now.
And in this corner: Electrasol Advanced automatic dishwasher detergent: "Sparkling Power Clean"
Well, I may be a bit biased, since I've always used Cascade brand dishwasher detergent to begin with, but I'm always on the lookout for something better. I wasn't brave enough to test Cascade's "no pre-wash" claim; the plumbing in my kitchen is already a little, shall we say, temperamental.
When it comes to cleaning power, both brands work equally well at getting my dishes clean. I used each on a full load of dishes and was pleased with the results both times. I do like Electrasol's flip-top design (I'll admit it: I'm lazy), but I imagine households with little ones might be better off with Cascade's squeeze-and-turn safety cap. Also, Electrasol's bleach and lemon-scent formulation left me feeling it might be better suited to cleaning a bathroom. Your mileage may vary.
I think I'll be sticking with Cascade for now.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Breath of Fresh Air - To Go
Since I've been working out (and we don't have our own washer & dryer - cue sad face) I like to spray my workout clothes down with Febreze and let them dry before I throw them in with the general dirty laundry. I love Febreze, as I may or may not have stated on this here blog at some point. It really does kill tough odors on fabric if you get to them in time, and the fragrance (at least the regular scent) is not so heavy that it aggravates my allergies.
If I didn't feel so weird about exercising in front of other people, I'd probably use the gym facilities at work, and it'd be nice to be able to carry some Febreze with me so my clothes aren't irreversibly funky by the time I get home. Enter Febreze To Go, which I recently had the oppotunity to sample. Actually, it's not so much a sample as it is the "full-size" 2.8 oz. bottle, which is the perfect size for throwing in a gym bag. It's also good for keeping in your desk at work or in the glove compartment of your car.
In other news, I worked out three days last week, and I'm only a little bit sore. I'm going to see if I can make it at least four days this week. Ciao!
If I didn't feel so weird about exercising in front of other people, I'd probably use the gym facilities at work, and it'd be nice to be able to carry some Febreze with me so my clothes aren't irreversibly funky by the time I get home. Enter Febreze To Go, which I recently had the oppotunity to sample. Actually, it's not so much a sample as it is the "full-size" 2.8 oz. bottle, which is the perfect size for throwing in a gym bag. It's also good for keeping in your desk at work or in the glove compartment of your car.
In other news, I worked out three days last week, and I'm only a little bit sore. I'm going to see if I can make it at least four days this week. Ciao!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Ensnaring the Senses
Recently I had the opportunity to try out a couple of products for free, and who doesn't like free stuff? No one, that's who. There's this new product called Dawn Simple Pleasures that is a dishwashing liquid and air freshener all in one. I am all about products that do double duty. I received the Lemon & Tangerine scented version, and at first I was disappointed. Normally, I hate citrus-scented cleaning products, but I have to say this Dawn is really growing on me. Every time I go in the kitchen, I'm all, "Hmm. Why does it smell nice in here? Oh, yeah." (Not that my kitchen normally smells like South Philly or anything, I swear.)
I have a tiny little apartment kitchen, so I don't know how effective Simple Pleasures would be in a normal-sized room, but it works for me. It's not overpowering, but it does cut down on pungent odors that tend to linger, like raw onion. I've only been using it for a week, so I have no idea what kind of staying power it has, but I can't wait until it runs out so I can try the Apple & Pear scented version. (It also comes in Water Lily & Jasmine, but I have exactly zero desire to have my kitchen smelling like perfume.)
***** ***** *****
Another product I tried, this time through BzzAgent, is 5 Gum. It comes in three flavors: Rain (spearmint), Cobalt (peppermint), and Flare (cinnamon). I believe Wrigley's is targeting teens with this product: the lettering on the packaging is supposed to glow under black light (at ... a rave? I guess? Are the kids still doing that?). The box itself, done in a distinctive black, is designed so you can pop it open and pull out a stick with one hand, and there is just no way to phrase that without sounding vaguely naughty, is there? Also, when they say "you" I assume they mean a young person with dexterity enhanced by frequent text messaging sessions, and not a gym class dropout who couldn't open anything one-handed except maybe a door. A lightweight door.
So, the gum itself. It comes in sticks, which I'm not a big fan of these days, and the flavors are a little ... intense. Again, maybe I'm just not the target audience. The flavor does last quite a while, though, so it's got that to recommend it. Also, I'm willing to admit that I think the packaging looks cool, even under normal lighting. There, I said it.
I have a tiny little apartment kitchen, so I don't know how effective Simple Pleasures would be in a normal-sized room, but it works for me. It's not overpowering, but it does cut down on pungent odors that tend to linger, like raw onion. I've only been using it for a week, so I have no idea what kind of staying power it has, but I can't wait until it runs out so I can try the Apple & Pear scented version. (It also comes in Water Lily & Jasmine, but I have exactly zero desire to have my kitchen smelling like perfume.)
Another product I tried, this time through BzzAgent, is 5 Gum. It comes in three flavors: Rain (spearmint), Cobalt (peppermint), and Flare (cinnamon). I believe Wrigley's is targeting teens with this product: the lettering on the packaging is supposed to glow under black light (at ... a rave? I guess? Are the kids still doing that?). The box itself, done in a distinctive black, is designed so you can pop it open and pull out a stick with one hand, and there is just no way to phrase that without sounding vaguely naughty, is there? Also, when they say "you" I assume they mean a young person with dexterity enhanced by frequent text messaging sessions, and not a gym class dropout who couldn't open anything one-handed except maybe a door. A lightweight door.
So, the gum itself. It comes in sticks, which I'm not a big fan of these days, and the flavors are a little ... intense. Again, maybe I'm just not the target audience. The flavor does last quite a while, though, so it's got that to recommend it. Also, I'm willing to admit that I think the packaging looks cool, even under normal lighting. There, I said it.
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