I purchased this for my husband not because I thought he would like it, more so because I knew I would LOVE it.
As I have stated in previous reviews elsewhere, my hubby is a Paco Rabanne and Patchouli kind of guy and I am the fragrance lover.
After being married for over 15 years, I thought it was time to introduce him to some changes. He is hesitant but thankful and willing to please, luckily for me.
I was introduced to this fragrance as I was window shopping through a local department store and was drawn to it, not merely by the over-zealous sales clerk reminding me fervently that Valentines Day was approaching and there "just MUST be a man in YOUR life!..", but also by the rather attractive packaging.
The bottle was sleek and reminded me of those old pictures that when you look at them, your eyes get out of focus - I know, it's these odd ideas that attract me!
I was completely unwilling to purchase another cologne for my husband who is still struggling through the delightful La Perla fragrance in our vanity, but the crazed look in this girls' eyes and the manic smile emblazoned across her face made me fearful to NOT stop and at least smell this creation she was waving as though it were burning her hands.
THE VERDICT
Where had this been all our lives? This is a scent I would have created myself had I only the knowledge of how to do so. ALL, or at least MANY, of my favorite scents combined and it DIDN'T smell like a cheap brothel!
This was the perfect combination of aromas: Iris, Amber, Vanilla made less floral with the distinct tone of Cardamom and Cedar! It was perfect!
DID I PURCHASE IT?
No, well, not then. I took a 'free sample' - I'm Scottish and frugal okay? - only because the price was unaffordable to a window shopper at $63.99 and Valentines Day is a Hallmark holiday, right? I thought that at this price, I should test drive it on my hubby first and then decide if he was deserving of such an expensive treat!
SO WHAT, SCOTLASS, WHAT DID YOU DO NOW?....
Well, I took it home and did the obvious - I rubbed a little on myself!
It was met with rave reviews from my husband who thought that it was a little "heavy" for me (meaning masculine) but that he may like to wear it himself - he had NEVER offered to wear expensive cologne - he's always just forced to. After scraping me off the kitchen floor, he looked at the sample bottle and realized that I had tricked him, but all was well, we both liked this VERY much.
I returned and purchased a bottle for Valentines Day! He is quite happy!
THE MAN TEST
This passes the "man test" in that it is a very masculine and sensual scent. It is not overpowering and smells the same at 8pm as it does at 8am. It has a name that is difficult to pronounce so that gives the male an excuse to ignore the question, "What are you wearing?" and answer, honestly: "I don't know". No lies there! Think about it, what man wants to admit to wearing "Pepe Le Fru por Homme"?
BREAKDOWN OF THE INGREDIENTS
Besides the tones I have listed previously, there are one or two that I was unfamiliar with and I thought I would take the time to make this review as informative (and educational) as possible by researching a couple online. Here are my findings:
Cardamom - this is frequently used in fragrances and I love it, but I don't know much about it: Apparently, this is in the ginger family and is commonly used in cooking and medicine (so you can feel well while you wear it). Its plant is also a food source for Moth larva (not so nice?.)
Lemon - I'll give you enough credit to know what a lemon is.
Vetiver - This is a grass native to India and the root is used for its scent. This is supposed to give a fresh, cool scent. Also used in medicine, so this cologne will make you very healthy!
Tonka Bean - I always though Tonka made toy trucks, I was wrong again, the Tonka Bean emits a scent similar to vanilla, cloves, almonds and cinnamon. According to my research (thanks Wikipedia!), this bean can be quite deadly if absorbed in large doses - perhaps that is why there are so many medicinal ingredients in this cologne! Although banned for use in food in the US, it was once used as an additive with tobacco in cigarettes!
Musk - I love "musky" smells and was rather horrified to read that it comes from the gland of the Musk Deer - somewhere between the stomach and the genitals! I ceased reading at that point!
MY OPINION
If you haven't already guessed, and if you have been patient enough to read to this point, I would highly recommend this cologne.
Cologne, as with Perfume, is a personal choice of taste and everything smells differently on each individual, but I can't imagine this smelling poorly on anyone. My personal opinion is that I like this - I like this a lot.
My thanks to the crazy lady in the department store for introducing me - I wonder if they ever hid the coffee maker from her?
Aug 20, 2009
Got2b In Your Face: Pure Intent Face Masque
Its a terrifying scene in my household every week when I indulge in pampering time. No, not because I turn into a diva of extreme proportion, but because I turn into a clay monster!!
This clay masque is wonderful! Scary to look at, but wonderful in its de-toxifying and smoothing properties.
Let me explain..
How to Use...
As with all clay masques/face packs, you just start with a clean face and apply a thin layer of this creamy smooth clay. It applies almost white in color and tends not to darken unlike some that turn a darker grey shade once dry. Take care not to get too close to ones eyes and lips while being certain to cover all other other areas, crevices around the nose and chin etc., Sit back in front of the TV or a good book for about 10 minutes while the clay hardens. You will feel a gently tingle and tightening of your skin as this occurs and that's great - it's working and it's not uncomfortable at all.
After 10 minutes, wash your face thoroughly and you are done!!
Just as a tip, this is a great time to pop a couple of tea bags on your eyes to give them a little rejuvenation while tending to your skin! Yes, I know the visual is incredible, but I warned you - I was a scary clay monster!
Pros
Does not leave your skin feeling dryWashes off easily
Does not tighten your skin to the point of any discomfort, unlike some I have tried
Will not break off your face should you have family members who like to make you laugh hysterically while in mid treatment! (Although best to try to keep your face still).
20ml bottle lasts for about a year if you only do this once or twice a month!
Not tested on animals!
Cons
I remember this being a little pricey at the time, but I purchased it on sale!
In certain temperatures this may take a little longer to dry so may need a little longer than 10 minutes to complete the treatment.
Finding 10 minutes in a day where I can do nothing!!
Overall
I recommend this product on the basis that I have tried many variations of face packs/face masques in my 38 years and find this the least abrasive, least heavily scented and most pleasant to use.
I have attached a photo of me in "mid masque", although I feared it may be too terrifying for the site. I apologize......
WWE Crash and Bash Cage Match Playset
Being the mother of an " 8 and 3/4 and a half" year old (as my son will tell you), I have discovered that there is nothing more important to life than the WWE... We could easily live without air or water as long as some form of wrestling is on television at least 4 times a week with reruns on Saturdays and Sundays - no, it doesn't matter that they are in Spanish, what matters is that it is the WWE!!
Don't get me wrong, this is not necessarily my personal opinion but it is that of my 8 and 3/4 and a half year old son!
It came as no suprise that after receiving his first official paycheck for mowing our neighbors lawn, that he was instataneously spending it in his mind on some wonderful WWE licensed merchandise....
The Choice
He was immediately drawn to the "Micro Aggression - Crash and Bash Playset and Cage Match" - sounds peaceful and educational doesn't it!
At $23.95, it looked like a good deal as it comprised of a travel case that, upon opening, became a WWE arena with some neat little accessories such as: an announcers desk that can come apart upon impact, breakaway doors and walls, a foldable "steel chair" (which is plastic) and 4 mini wrestling figures (our figures came as Rey Mysterio, Kane and oddly 2 Triple H's). How could he resist it? He couldn't!
Assembly
Game Play
Quality and Design
As fun as this is, it is not - in my opinion, the greatest quality and contains not only a few "fiddly" parts that children may struggle with - especially if they need to keep re-attaching parts during a brutal match! - but I fear that a couple of the little plastic clips (especially on the break-away doors - may snap if forced in place too roughly. There is no warranty on this product, so only time will tell...
Features
Overall
4.5 / 5 stars
Logitech QuickCam Pro
Thousands of miles away, my mother sat in Glasgow, Scotland with her eyes squinted while she tried to make out the cubelike, shadow images that were eminating from her computer screen. Here, I sat in front of my computer, dressed in my finest robe (you could only see my head), stunningly applied make up (I had to look my best for my mum) and was grinning and chatting into a little orb that sat procariously atop my computer monitor. Wow, this is awesome... technology at its finest....
My incredible hubby decided that, for my birthday, he would give me the gift of a webcam!
Upon looking around at all the brands with all the bells and whistles, I came across this Logitech QuickCam Pro. It was affordable but not cheap, so I knew it would be good, and came equipped with a nice software bundle that would allow me to conduct netmeetings, play reality fusion games and last, but not least, install this gadget onto my computer!
Installation was a breeze and soon I was making video emails to my hearts content, not to mention inviting my mum for a wee afternoon chat online.
The quality (for the time) was decent, but at todays standards extremely poor. The sound and picture never quite synched making my videos appear somewhat like a Japanese movie (the one where they talk for 5 minutes and the "voice over" guy says "hello"...?). The picture in picture screen set up meant that I spent half my time looking at myself instead of my mums image - just to see what she was seeing.... okay, odd, but that's just me okay?
I loved to put the webcam in my livingroom and shoot footage of my son - who was an infant at the time - then run the footage through my movie making software to cut it into a short clip, just large enough to be interesting but small enough to email - I have HOURS of video still stored on my computer thanks to this webcam! The problem with this was however, that the cables were rather short and, although very easy to extend thanks to adapters and cables, the image quality decreased as the cables extended.
As far as a recommendation...
Logitech is a great brand and offers a large selection of good quality webcams, you have to bear in mind that this one was bought many years ago and by now, is defunct! I would suggest that should you find one of these older versions at a thrift store, you purchase it as, although nothing close to the newer cams, this will meet all your needs and will last for years!
Stop squinting and just be grateful that I typed this and didn't post a review via my webcam :-) Although I DID wear my best make-up for this :-)
The photo I have attached is a still shot from a webcam video I took some years ago, just to show you the quality of the images :-)
Healthy Homestyle Cooking - by Evelyn Tribole
I love to cook but rarely follow recipes, therefore my kitchen is often described as a science lab (oh, no, sorry - that's my fridge!) yet I have a vast collection of cookbooks. I believe I collect cookbooks more for inspiration than for the actual recipes!
So Why Review A Cookbook?
Good question... because this one is really good! Healthy Homestyle Cooking is not really my forte - cream, red meats, potatoes etc., are more my niche - but don't be fooled by the title. This book is not an "eat healthy and stay starving" genre of book.
Hot Beer Cheese Dip... Does not sound very healthy, but it can be found on page 51 under the category "Appetizing Tidbits".... Have I piqued your interest yet?
The Book
This hardcover book is filled with 303 pages of delicious, hearty and easy to concoct reciped that will warm the heart of any hungry soul. Although the book itself is 342 pages deep, the first 25 focus on tips and suggestions on how to cut down the calories in most dishes and how to repair dishes that go wrong - tres helpful! The final several pages are occupied with the usual easy to follow alphabetical index.
Amidst the pages of delicious recipes are some beautiful full color, glossy pictures showing what your meal should look like - note SHOULD!
From appetizers, and entrees to desserts and side dishes, this book is a great addition to any kitchen, although I would suggest that vegetarians avoid this one - it's rather carnivorous! It's easy to follow instructions and clearly listed ingredients make this one fool proof and I particularly like the cover as it is "kitchen friendly" in that it is very easy to wipe down should you be a little messy in the preparation ....
Recipes Include (but are not limited to.....)
Chicken a la King, Turkey Tetrazzini, Beef Stroganoff, Savory Three Cheese Ball, Layered Raspberry Bars, Hummus, Cocktail Party Meatballs, and my personal favorite.....Sole Stuffed with Broccoli and Cheese.
Are You Hungry Yet?
If so, don't rush off to McDonalds, rush online or to the local bookstore and pick up this book. There are no ingredients in here that you can't buy at a reasonable price from your local grocery store, so no need to worry about finding truffle or sapphron at midnight!
Get Cooking!
So Why Review A Cookbook?
Good question... because this one is really good! Healthy Homestyle Cooking is not really my forte - cream, red meats, potatoes etc., are more my niche - but don't be fooled by the title. This book is not an "eat healthy and stay starving" genre of book.
Hot Beer Cheese Dip... Does not sound very healthy, but it can be found on page 51 under the category "Appetizing Tidbits".... Have I piqued your interest yet?
The Book
This hardcover book is filled with 303 pages of delicious, hearty and easy to concoct reciped that will warm the heart of any hungry soul. Although the book itself is 342 pages deep, the first 25 focus on tips and suggestions on how to cut down the calories in most dishes and how to repair dishes that go wrong - tres helpful! The final several pages are occupied with the usual easy to follow alphabetical index.
Amidst the pages of delicious recipes are some beautiful full color, glossy pictures showing what your meal should look like - note SHOULD!
From appetizers, and entrees to desserts and side dishes, this book is a great addition to any kitchen, although I would suggest that vegetarians avoid this one - it's rather carnivorous! It's easy to follow instructions and clearly listed ingredients make this one fool proof and I particularly like the cover as it is "kitchen friendly" in that it is very easy to wipe down should you be a little messy in the preparation ....
Recipes Include (but are not limited to.....)
Chicken a la King, Turkey Tetrazzini, Beef Stroganoff, Savory Three Cheese Ball, Layered Raspberry Bars, Hummus, Cocktail Party Meatballs, and my personal favorite.....Sole Stuffed with Broccoli and Cheese.
Are You Hungry Yet?
If so, don't rush off to McDonalds, rush online or to the local bookstore and pick up this book. There are no ingredients in here that you can't buy at a reasonable price from your local grocery store, so no need to worry about finding truffle or sapphron at midnight!
Get Cooking!
Olympus FE-230 Digital Camera
Yes, it is true and I will be the first to admit it.... I am a flasher! I have been flashing for a while now and this little gadget is making it easier to do so in so many more places!
What?
What? You didn't think that I... Oh my, perhaps I phrased my opening statement incorrectly!!
Olympus FE-230
I am far from an expert in photography, although I do declare myself fairly adept at taking a photo or two, however, cameras are not something I know a lot about, so this will not be a review filled with technical jargon and greek mythology!
I purchased this camera a couple of years ago at K-Mart as I thought, at the time, the price tag of $129.99 was fairly average for the 7.1 megapixels this Olympus model offered. I realize that now, 7.1mp's is far from the desired pixelage (is that a word? Well, it is now) but to be honest, I find that it provides a crisp and clear image with a printed reproduction that really doesn't need to be any better!
It's small, lightweight design makes it the perfect fit for slipping in your purse or pocket - no not for stealing it!!! - After you buy it, you can take it everywhere in either of those places - my goodness, what are you thinking today?
The Features
It doesn't have a tremendous amount of bells and whistles, although enough to keep amateur paparrazzi - or flashers - happy. It offers several setting options such as: photographing through glass, document shots, candlelight, firework, sport and portrait settings to name a few. A timer allows you to set the camera and frantically run into position before it automatically takes the photo - now you can even flash alone!!!
It has a decent LCD frame of 2.5" although, as with all digital diplay screens, should you not be staring directly in front of the screen, you won't be able to anything but black, shiny shadows!
The 3x optical zoom is nice and keeps the shot crisp even at the largest zoom - I guess this is good if you don't want your subject to know you are photographing them - but isn't that illegal? I love this when taking pictures of the firepit in full flame - no, that's not odd - hey you were the one who thought I was a flasher!
I would enjoy the video feature if I were able to film longer footage, but with only 2 minutes of capture time per clip, your subject needs to be on their toes! It does produce nice images and crystal clear audio which is a plus and the built in anti shake feature is great if you tend to enjoy filming after a couple of stiff ones :-)
Pros
* Price
* Size and weight
* Image Quality
* Ease of Use
* Date and time stamp that can be formatted to either side of the "pond"
* Nice software included for uploading and editing on your computer
* Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery, Case, Cables and Charger included
Cons
* Video drains the battery within 2 clips
* Allows only 2 minutes at a time of filming capability
* Pre-set image size is huge for uploading, so I strongly reccommend using the included software to resize the images to a much smaller size for printing and sharing online.
* You have to be aware that each setting alters the image size so with some settings your memory may hold over 220 pics, whereas with others, you may only be able to hold 30 pictures!
Overall
I am very pleased with this little camera and have taken some great shots with it - especially during lightning storms - NOT that I suggest running into a storm brandishing a shiny metal object, THAT would not be safe nor wise! - I do so because I am a storm junkie and regard it as a photo op!
It seems to be well constructed although I have yet to drop it on a hard surface (I actually did this with a co-workers camera with dire results!) and I feel quite secure in handling it. It is easy to use and the battery recharges without issue.
A great buy if you would like to be a flasher too!!
What?
What? You didn't think that I... Oh my, perhaps I phrased my opening statement incorrectly!!
Olympus FE-230
I am far from an expert in photography, although I do declare myself fairly adept at taking a photo or two, however, cameras are not something I know a lot about, so this will not be a review filled with technical jargon and greek mythology!
I purchased this camera a couple of years ago at K-Mart as I thought, at the time, the price tag of $129.99 was fairly average for the 7.1 megapixels this Olympus model offered. I realize that now, 7.1mp's is far from the desired pixelage (is that a word? Well, it is now) but to be honest, I find that it provides a crisp and clear image with a printed reproduction that really doesn't need to be any better!
It's small, lightweight design makes it the perfect fit for slipping in your purse or pocket - no not for stealing it!!! - After you buy it, you can take it everywhere in either of those places - my goodness, what are you thinking today?
The Features
It doesn't have a tremendous amount of bells and whistles, although enough to keep amateur paparrazzi - or flashers - happy. It offers several setting options such as: photographing through glass, document shots, candlelight, firework, sport and portrait settings to name a few. A timer allows you to set the camera and frantically run into position before it automatically takes the photo - now you can even flash alone!!!
It has a decent LCD frame of 2.5" although, as with all digital diplay screens, should you not be staring directly in front of the screen, you won't be able to anything but black, shiny shadows!
The 3x optical zoom is nice and keeps the shot crisp even at the largest zoom - I guess this is good if you don't want your subject to know you are photographing them - but isn't that illegal? I love this when taking pictures of the firepit in full flame - no, that's not odd - hey you were the one who thought I was a flasher!
I would enjoy the video feature if I were able to film longer footage, but with only 2 minutes of capture time per clip, your subject needs to be on their toes! It does produce nice images and crystal clear audio which is a plus and the built in anti shake feature is great if you tend to enjoy filming after a couple of stiff ones :-)
Pros
* Price
* Size and weight
* Image Quality
* Ease of Use
* Date and time stamp that can be formatted to either side of the "pond"
* Nice software included for uploading and editing on your computer
* Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery, Case, Cables and Charger included
Cons
* Video drains the battery within 2 clips
* Allows only 2 minutes at a time of filming capability
* Pre-set image size is huge for uploading, so I strongly reccommend using the included software to resize the images to a much smaller size for printing and sharing online.
* You have to be aware that each setting alters the image size so with some settings your memory may hold over 220 pics, whereas with others, you may only be able to hold 30 pictures!
Overall
I am very pleased with this little camera and have taken some great shots with it - especially during lightning storms - NOT that I suggest running into a storm brandishing a shiny metal object, THAT would not be safe nor wise! - I do so because I am a storm junkie and regard it as a photo op!
It seems to be well constructed although I have yet to drop it on a hard surface (I actually did this with a co-workers camera with dire results!) and I feel quite secure in handling it. It is easy to use and the battery recharges without issue.
A great buy if you would like to be a flasher too!!
Bath And Body Works - Aromatherapy Sleep Soap
I am still trying to figure out what genius came up with the idea of a hand soap that makes you want to sleep... As bizarre a notion as it may sound, it was actually quite a commendable idea!
Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla Sleep Hand Soap does not have a name that naturally rolls off your tongue, but just remember Lavender Sleep Soap and you'll be on the way to a soothing and truly relaxing cleansing experience, one that I must admit, does not need to be limited to ones hands. I have used this as a body wash regularly in the shower before bed and frankly, I find it better suited and more effective in that situation.
The intent behind this remarkable and wonderful product is that you would wash your hands and thereafter relax by inhaling the aroma emitting from your palms. The explanation on the bottle suggests: "... helps to calm feelings of stress that can keep you from falling asleep." However, I think the image of wandering the house with ones hands cupped against ones nose may raise a few eyebrows, and I wonder: "How can I sup my cocoa if both my hands are so enticingly aromatic that I can't peel them away from my face?"....
This visual scared me so much so that I now ONLY use this as a nightime shower product!
How Do I Really Feel?....
I really enjoy this soap. I do find that it has great relaxing properties but have yet to fall asleep any faster after using it! The scent is a beautiful, warm yet fresh fusion of Lavender and Vanilla that clings to your skin leaving you with a very long lasting fragrance.
As it is not intended to be used the way I choose to use it, it does not offer a very rich lather. In fact, it barely lathers at all. Although it claims to have gentle cleansing properties, I would rather not use it solely for that purpose, keeping it as an "after cleansing aromatic supplement" - why didn't THEY think of that, eh?
Pros
* Beautiful scent
* A 12fl oz bottle lasts forever as you only need apply a small amount
* Not tested on animals
* Natural ingredients with essential oils
* Very relaxing
Cons
* No lather
* Odd concept
* TOO relaxing!!!
In Closing
Having just emerged from my nightly Lavender/Vanilla shower, I am too relaxed to type any more, so just do yourself a favor and try this - you will LOVE it!
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla Sleep Hand Soap does not have a name that naturally rolls off your tongue, but just remember Lavender Sleep Soap and you'll be on the way to a soothing and truly relaxing cleansing experience, one that I must admit, does not need to be limited to ones hands. I have used this as a body wash regularly in the shower before bed and frankly, I find it better suited and more effective in that situation.
The intent behind this remarkable and wonderful product is that you would wash your hands and thereafter relax by inhaling the aroma emitting from your palms. The explanation on the bottle suggests: "... helps to calm feelings of stress that can keep you from falling asleep." However, I think the image of wandering the house with ones hands cupped against ones nose may raise a few eyebrows, and I wonder: "How can I sup my cocoa if both my hands are so enticingly aromatic that I can't peel them away from my face?"....
This visual scared me so much so that I now ONLY use this as a nightime shower product!
How Do I Really Feel?....
I really enjoy this soap. I do find that it has great relaxing properties but have yet to fall asleep any faster after using it! The scent is a beautiful, warm yet fresh fusion of Lavender and Vanilla that clings to your skin leaving you with a very long lasting fragrance.
As it is not intended to be used the way I choose to use it, it does not offer a very rich lather. In fact, it barely lathers at all. Although it claims to have gentle cleansing properties, I would rather not use it solely for that purpose, keeping it as an "after cleansing aromatic supplement" - why didn't THEY think of that, eh?
Pros
* Beautiful scent
* A 12fl oz bottle lasts forever as you only need apply a small amount
* Not tested on animals
* Natural ingredients with essential oils
* Very relaxing
Cons
* No lather
* Odd concept
* TOO relaxing!!!
In Closing
Having just emerged from my nightly Lavender/Vanilla shower, I am too relaxed to type any more, so just do yourself a favor and try this - you will LOVE it!
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
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