Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Things I'm Loving Right Now


L'Occitane Shampoo and Conditioner - When hubby and I spent a night at the luxurious Heathman Hotel in Portland, we were treated to L'Occitane bath products...and I've been hooked ever since. When I found a 50% off special on their shampoo and conditioner, I decided to splurge! Truly, I can tell a large difference between their products and my usual L'Oreal and Pantene - my hair is smoother and softer, with a soft sheen. It looks so good that a quick blow-dry is all it needs - no curler, iron, etc. To stretch out my enjoyment (and mitigate the $18-per-bottle price pain), I alternate it with my normal products.




Verde handmade soap by Bonghinatura - I've reviewed this soap before on my blog so I won't go into too much detail again, but just had to include it! It's a rich glycerin soap that lathers incredibly well, leaving my skin soft with no residue. Best part for me, however, is the crisp mint-and-lime scent. Like combining a mojito with a margarita! I think it's the perfect "welcome summer" scent, refreshing and light - and I'll enjoy it all summer and into the fall.



Benefit's Hello Flawless powder foundation - A new pressed-powder foundation that people seem to either love or hate. Me, I love it! I previously used Bare Escentuals foundation, but found it too light a coverage at times - and the powder didn't travel well. However, with my oily skin, I hate using liquid foundation as it just doesn't look natural (and applies oddly). So Benefit's formulation is great for me. The powder glides over my skin and absorbs oil well. The compact travels without mess. Best of all, you can change the coverage - a light dusting with the brush, or heavier application with the sponge, or somewhere in-between. Like Bare Escentuals, it's not cheap - thank goodness I have a hookup for a discount!



My BlackBerry Curve - Yep, I'm officially a CrackBerry addict. The convenience of checking email and surfing the web anytime, anywhere...how can you not get hooked? As a small business owner, however, I've truly found it invaluable; I can make buying decisions on the fly, and never have a "get home and regret it" moment again! I can check real time resell values on eBay while holding an item in a store, I can research an unusual brand name (is it an up-and-coming designer, or some dead-end line from Target?), and I can respond to customer questions within minutes, rather than hours. All of this is greatly helped by the Opera browser I added (for free!) - the standard BlackBerry web app being rather lackluster.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Men of the US: You've been insulted


So I'm at the on-site fitness center at lunch today, elliptical-ing my way towards summer. The TV is tuned to ESPN, of course - 95% of users are men, so that means we must watch sports of some flavor. I usually tune it out, but today I forgot my iPod. And hey, did you know we're in countdown to Mother's Day?


Based on the frequency of flower-delivery commercials, I'm guessing the average Guy doesn't.


This wasn't just frequent ads, however. This was downright insulting. For those with a developed frontal lobe, this was the subtext:


Are you a guy?


Do you think you should buy your mom something?


Are you inept at everything?


Buy flowers from us, moron!


This was a ProFlowers commercial, with men talking about how satisfied they are with the flowers from ProFlowers. (Ok) Followed by commentary from an actress-mom saying "when I get flowers, I feel remembered and appreciated." (Cue gagging) Then, to top it off....


"Go to our website

Click on the microphone icon

Type in the keyword MALE for your special savings. "


That's right gentlemen! Admit that you are a guy to save on obligatory flowers for mom! Thinking not required! Heck, you don't even have to turn off Sportscenter to make her feel 'remembered'! If I'd had the breath to laugh, I probably would have fallen off my machine.