They fought together as brothers-in-arms.
They died together and now they sleep side by side.
To them we have a solemn obligation.
-- Admiral Chester Nimitz
May God bless every one of them.
30 May 2016
24 May 2016
Product Review - Nivea In-Shower Smooth Lotion
A few blog posts ago, I mentioned this:
and said that I would write a review soon. Then, more than two minutes went by, and I forgot anything and everything that I did, said, ate, wore, etc. that day. Welcome to my life.
But then the other day I remembered as I was actually using this product, and so here you go. Some background first, so that you know where I am starting out.
As I have gotten older, the skin on my person - particularly on my arms and legs - has become drier. As in, scaly, crepey (also creepy), and flaky. I always had problems in the wintertime, as I think lots of people do, but in the past 10 years or so, it's a year-round problem. I've tried different things, some being more successful than others. My biggest issue was often remembering to put any lotion on after drying off from a shower or a bath. I'd go to get dressed, and then think, "Oh crap I forgot." And then usually just keep getting dressed. (Particularly during the week, when the morning routine is on autopilot, and deviating from it can throw me off for the entire day!)
So when I recently read a magazine article that recommended Nivea In-Shower Smooth Lotion Skin Conditioner (needs a shorter name!), I figured it might be worth a try. I had a coupon from CVS, and then it was on sale one week, so I bought some and tried it.
The directions say to use it in the shower after you have washed and rinsed off. You rub some on, wait a few minutes and then rinse it off. It also warns that it can make the bathtub slippery, so rinse it off the tub floor as well once you are out of the shower, WHAT?
Anyway, here is how I use it. Because of course I have my own "rules." Most of the time, I use it only on my arms and legs, because they are the parts that are ridiculously dry. I only put it on my entire body once a week, because, again, RULES people! (Just work with me here, I know it's weird.) I always check before I get out of the tub to see if the bottom is slippery, and at least in our tub, it never seems to happen (and The Tim has not slipped and hurt himself, so it's either that our tub is so old and messed up that it doesn't ever get slippery, or I don't use enough of the stuff ...). What I like best is that once I'm out of the shower, I'm done - no more forgetting to use lotion or cream!
The bottom line, regardless of my rules and other weird commentary, is that this stuff is really nice. It feels good on your skin, has little to no scent, and doesn't leave you feeling greasy all day. My legs and arms have shown improvement, and are not nearly as flaky as they were before. It's not an expensive product (here's a CVS link, showing it for $7.99), and you don't need to use a lot at any one time, so it will last a while.
I'm very pleased with this product, and would recommend it to anyone who has dry skin issues. Like I said, it's not very expensive, and at least at the drugstores near us, if you keep your receipt you can always return products that you don't like/can't use (within a reasonable time frame, of course).
Let me know if you do try it, and what you think. I hope you get a good result like I have.
and said that I would write a review soon. Then, more than two minutes went by, and I forgot anything and everything that I did, said, ate, wore, etc. that day. Welcome to my life.
But then the other day I remembered as I was actually using this product, and so here you go. Some background first, so that you know where I am starting out.
As I have gotten older, the skin on my person - particularly on my arms and legs - has become drier. As in, scaly, crepey (also creepy), and flaky. I always had problems in the wintertime, as I think lots of people do, but in the past 10 years or so, it's a year-round problem. I've tried different things, some being more successful than others. My biggest issue was often remembering to put any lotion on after drying off from a shower or a bath. I'd go to get dressed, and then think, "Oh crap I forgot." And then usually just keep getting dressed. (Particularly during the week, when the morning routine is on autopilot, and deviating from it can throw me off for the entire day!)
So when I recently read a magazine article that recommended Nivea In-Shower Smooth Lotion Skin Conditioner (needs a shorter name!), I figured it might be worth a try. I had a coupon from CVS, and then it was on sale one week, so I bought some and tried it.
The directions say to use it in the shower after you have washed and rinsed off. You rub some on, wait a few minutes and then rinse it off. It also warns that it can make the bathtub slippery, so rinse it off the tub floor as well once you are out of the shower, WHAT?
Anyway, here is how I use it. Because of course I have my own "rules." Most of the time, I use it only on my arms and legs, because they are the parts that are ridiculously dry. I only put it on my entire body once a week, because, again, RULES people! (Just work with me here, I know it's weird.) I always check before I get out of the tub to see if the bottom is slippery, and at least in our tub, it never seems to happen (and The Tim has not slipped and hurt himself, so it's either that our tub is so old and messed up that it doesn't ever get slippery, or I don't use enough of the stuff ...). What I like best is that once I'm out of the shower, I'm done - no more forgetting to use lotion or cream!
The bottom line, regardless of my rules and other weird commentary, is that this stuff is really nice. It feels good on your skin, has little to no scent, and doesn't leave you feeling greasy all day. My legs and arms have shown improvement, and are not nearly as flaky as they were before. It's not an expensive product (here's a CVS link, showing it for $7.99), and you don't need to use a lot at any one time, so it will last a while.
I'm very pleased with this product, and would recommend it to anyone who has dry skin issues. Like I said, it's not very expensive, and at least at the drugstores near us, if you keep your receipt you can always return products that you don't like/can't use (within a reasonable time frame, of course).
Let me know if you do try it, and what you think. I hope you get a good result like I have.
13 May 2016
Retro Fitness Friday
Hello there! Do you have exciting plans for the weekend? I don't have anything specific as far as time is concerned, which is nice because I can just enjoy being on my own (The Tim has to work both days). I'm hoping tomorrow to clean up some things around the house, and then on Sunday, venture over to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Fine Art Fair in Rittenhouse Square.
I'm also hoping to get back into my exercise routine, even if in baby steps. Which made me think that if only I had some decent exercise equipment to use, I'd probably be so much ... healthier?
Well, OK a kickboxing gym just opened not far from my house. But I don't think I have the right dress for it.
But then again, why do that if I could have "Dramatic New Bosom Beauty" ... (I mean, she seems pretty happy about the whole thing, right? And you can't beat the price!
Everyone could probably stand to increase their flexibility, and obtain the "keen relish of a healthful existence," because well, the whole keen relish part.
Whereas, if I had this piece of stellar equipment, it wouldn't even matter if it was too rainy to go horseback riding outside.
Or for the manly among us, The Bullworker might be the answer!
I tell ya, that Peter Shilton is something else, no?
Or, you could take what I'm sure is a more comfortable route.
Of course, as we all know, before starting any exercise program, it's good to check with your own physician.
Whatever you do, enjoy your weekend! (And do take care of yourself.)
I'm also hoping to get back into my exercise routine, even if in baby steps. Which made me think that if only I had some decent exercise equipment to use, I'd probably be so much ... healthier?
Well, OK a kickboxing gym just opened not far from my house. But I don't think I have the right dress for it.
But then again, why do that if I could have "Dramatic New Bosom Beauty" ... (I mean, she seems pretty happy about the whole thing, right? And you can't beat the price!
Everyone could probably stand to increase their flexibility, and obtain the "keen relish of a healthful existence," because well, the whole keen relish part.
Whereas, if I had this piece of stellar equipment, it wouldn't even matter if it was too rainy to go horseback riding outside.
Or for the manly among us, The Bullworker might be the answer!
I tell ya, that Peter Shilton is something else, no?
Or, you could take what I'm sure is a more comfortable route.
Of course, as we all know, before starting any exercise program, it's good to check with your own physician.
Whatever you do, enjoy your weekend! (And do take care of yourself.)
06 May 2016
Maintenance Level
Before I say anything else, I have to tell you that I am SICK of rain. This entire week it has rained every single day, and today I felt like I just should have tried to swim to work rather than attempt to walk! I know rain is needed for plants, flowers, the planet, etc., but I enjoy it more when it is occasional and not constant. And when it is not pouring as it was this morning. I've spent the entire week longing to feel dry instead of damp ...
OK, now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's proceed.
A couple days ago, I read this blog post, and it got me to thinking about my own thoughts and ideas about beauty, aging, appearance, etc.
I think I've stated more than once that I enjoy fooling around with makeup, and that I like to try new things from time to time. There are times when I think I spend too much time reading or thinking about it. At those moments, I consider myself High Maintenance.
Then I'll read an article with a title like "How Supermodel Pretty McLovely Looks Natural" and realize that maybe I don't even *have* a level of maintenance, compared to others! To me, using approximately 15 products on your face and/or person before you go out the door with your "everyday" look is nuts. Granted, I don't rely on my looks to make a living, but it's amazing to me how many different things some people use on a daily basis.
My sister Nancy, for instance, never leaves the house without a full face of makeup. I mean, lipstick, eye makeup, mascara, the whole thing - even to go to the gym! WHAT? And I know that she longs to get Botox, cosmetic surgery, etc., but cannot afford it. Don't get me wrong, she's a lovely woman who always looks nice and extremely fashionable, but when she visits or I visit her, just watching her get ready to go to the grocery store is exhausting, you know? And I have no idea what Nancy's actual hair color is, or if she has gone gray at all, since she has colored her hair since she was in high school and I was a little girl. I assume she has gray hair, but couldn't swear to it in a court of law. ;-)
Then there is my other sister, Mary Ellen. Who has worn mascara to each of her daughter's weddings, and that's it. A few summers ago, her daughters talked her into getting her eyebrows waxed and she said, "I had no idea such a thing could make such a difference." She has that lovely gray hair that everyone wants but so few are lucky enough to get. She enjoys seeing her daughters try different makeup, hair color, etc., but is just not interested herself. She finds even just the mention of something like Botox offensive.
All of my nieces love makeup, hair products, clothes, etc. in various degrees. None of Mary Ellen's daughters understand her disinterest in such things, though to their credit, they find it more amusing than anything else. I know that at least two my nieces get Botox injections pretty regularly (one is in her early 40s, the other in her mid-30s), which always surprises me.
So clearly, I'm not even has high maintenance as members of my own family!
I guess I'm at medium level, and even then, it depends on the day and what is or is not happening. Theoretically, I would love to look great and put together whenever I leave the house. In reality, if it's not a work day or I'm not going anyplace special, I look clean and neat, and that's it. I've never been interested in cosmetic surgery or Botox, mostly because I cannot imagine why anyone would voluntarily have surgery or want someone to put needles into their face. Admittedly, I used to look disdainfully at people who did either or both. I have become slightly more forgiving, having convinced myself that a) it's none of my business what others want to do with their appearance, and b) they don't care what I think anyway.
I enjoy makeup. I have colored my hair in the past, and may do so again the next time I go for a cut; I haven't decided. I think it's important to be neat, clean, and have a good overall appearance. And for some occasions, I'll spend a lot of time and effort before leaving the house to look my very best. But I cannot imagine devoting a large chunk of every day to just getting ready to walk outside.
What about you? Where do you fall on the maintenance scale?
OK, now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's proceed.
A couple days ago, I read this blog post, and it got me to thinking about my own thoughts and ideas about beauty, aging, appearance, etc.
I think I've stated more than once that I enjoy fooling around with makeup, and that I like to try new things from time to time. There are times when I think I spend too much time reading or thinking about it. At those moments, I consider myself High Maintenance.
Then I'll read an article with a title like "How Supermodel Pretty McLovely Looks Natural" and realize that maybe I don't even *have* a level of maintenance, compared to others! To me, using approximately 15 products on your face and/or person before you go out the door with your "everyday" look is nuts. Granted, I don't rely on my looks to make a living, but it's amazing to me how many different things some people use on a daily basis.
My sister Nancy, for instance, never leaves the house without a full face of makeup. I mean, lipstick, eye makeup, mascara, the whole thing - even to go to the gym! WHAT? And I know that she longs to get Botox, cosmetic surgery, etc., but cannot afford it. Don't get me wrong, she's a lovely woman who always looks nice and extremely fashionable, but when she visits or I visit her, just watching her get ready to go to the grocery store is exhausting, you know? And I have no idea what Nancy's actual hair color is, or if she has gone gray at all, since she has colored her hair since she was in high school and I was a little girl. I assume she has gray hair, but couldn't swear to it in a court of law. ;-)
Then there is my other sister, Mary Ellen. Who has worn mascara to each of her daughter's weddings, and that's it. A few summers ago, her daughters talked her into getting her eyebrows waxed and she said, "I had no idea such a thing could make such a difference." She has that lovely gray hair that everyone wants but so few are lucky enough to get. She enjoys seeing her daughters try different makeup, hair color, etc., but is just not interested herself. She finds even just the mention of something like Botox offensive.
All of my nieces love makeup, hair products, clothes, etc. in various degrees. None of Mary Ellen's daughters understand her disinterest in such things, though to their credit, they find it more amusing than anything else. I know that at least two my nieces get Botox injections pretty regularly (one is in her early 40s, the other in her mid-30s), which always surprises me.
So clearly, I'm not even has high maintenance as members of my own family!
I guess I'm at medium level, and even then, it depends on the day and what is or is not happening. Theoretically, I would love to look great and put together whenever I leave the house. In reality, if it's not a work day or I'm not going anyplace special, I look clean and neat, and that's it. I've never been interested in cosmetic surgery or Botox, mostly because I cannot imagine why anyone would voluntarily have surgery or want someone to put needles into their face. Admittedly, I used to look disdainfully at people who did either or both. I have become slightly more forgiving, having convinced myself that a) it's none of my business what others want to do with their appearance, and b) they don't care what I think anyway.
I enjoy makeup. I have colored my hair in the past, and may do so again the next time I go for a cut; I haven't decided. I think it's important to be neat, clean, and have a good overall appearance. And for some occasions, I'll spend a lot of time and effort before leaving the house to look my very best. But I cannot imagine devoting a large chunk of every day to just getting ready to walk outside.
What about you? Where do you fall on the maintenance scale?
29 April 2016
Friday Frippery
Hello and Happy Friday! It's hard to believe that the last day of April is tomorrow. And even harder to believe that May begins on Sunday. Maybe it's because the last week has been really chilly around here - we've been lucky if we hit 60 during the day - so it feels more like November than April.
I am not complaining though. Hot weather will be here soon enough. I can wait forever.
Anyway, my brain has had various things going through it this week, and I just thought I'd share some of the them.
- Earlier in the week, I came across an article about a local personal trainer/nutritionist, who offered packages to clients so they could save on her services if they couldn't afford one-on-one. I thought, "Well that's cool," and checked to see the cost. An 8-week program where you met with her twice a week was $2600.00. Decision: It's cool for someone else.
- This past Tuesday was the primary election here in Pennsylvania. On my way to work after voting, I stopped to get a coffee and the barista gave it to me for free since I had my "I Voted" sticker on my coat. Decision: Voting is a good thing for many reasons.
- Last weekend, I finished listening to an audiobook. I forgot how enjoyable it can be when you have the combination of a good reader with a good book. Decision: Try more audiobooks.
- Twice this week I have gotten dressed only to feel like a stuffed sausage in my clothes that seem overly tight. Decision: Get going again Bridget!!
- A young, attractive woman was walking ahead of me to work this a.m. She looked very nice, though she was wearing leggings as pants. Decision: Leggings as pants do not look good on anyone, even those who are attractive with lovely figures.
- Recently I bought this product when it was on sale at Walgreens, after reading a positive review of in a magazine.
Turns out that it was a good purchase. Decision: Write a review of it here and share the good, bad, and my thoughts about it (stay tuned).
- This weekend is supposed to be half-and-half. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, and Sunday is supposed to be chilly and rainy. Decision: Do things outside tomorrow, and work on things in the house (finally!) on Sunday.
- I have an appt for a haircut at yet another salon this weekend. Decision: I'll let you know.
Have a good weekend, and be sure to enjoy it however you can!
I am not complaining though. Hot weather will be here soon enough. I can wait forever.
Anyway, my brain has had various things going through it this week, and I just thought I'd share some of the them.
- Earlier in the week, I came across an article about a local personal trainer/nutritionist, who offered packages to clients so they could save on her services if they couldn't afford one-on-one. I thought, "Well that's cool," and checked to see the cost. An 8-week program where you met with her twice a week was $2600.00. Decision: It's cool for someone else.
- This past Tuesday was the primary election here in Pennsylvania. On my way to work after voting, I stopped to get a coffee and the barista gave it to me for free since I had my "I Voted" sticker on my coat. Decision: Voting is a good thing for many reasons.
- Last weekend, I finished listening to an audiobook. I forgot how enjoyable it can be when you have the combination of a good reader with a good book. Decision: Try more audiobooks.
- Twice this week I have gotten dressed only to feel like a stuffed sausage in my clothes that seem overly tight. Decision: Get going again Bridget!!
- A young, attractive woman was walking ahead of me to work this a.m. She looked very nice, though she was wearing leggings as pants. Decision: Leggings as pants do not look good on anyone, even those who are attractive with lovely figures.
- Recently I bought this product when it was on sale at Walgreens, after reading a positive review of in a magazine.
- This weekend is supposed to be half-and-half. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, and Sunday is supposed to be chilly and rainy. Decision: Do things outside tomorrow, and work on things in the house (finally!) on Sunday.
- I have an appt for a haircut at yet another salon this weekend. Decision: I'll let you know.
Have a good weekend, and be sure to enjoy it however you can!
15 April 2016
Retro Beauty - Men's Edition
The other day, The Tim and I were talking about how both of our fathers used this aftershave.
And we got to thinking of other men's products from our childhood and teen years and the ads for them. I remember Vitalis commercials on TV from when I was a little girl, and this print ad cracks me up.
I mean, do those girls think he's a hunk of burning love, or what?
The Tim dredged up the memory of Hai Karate!
My sisters were teenagers when this was out, and they kept trying to talk my father into wearing it because it was "so cool." I think they even bought it for him for a birthday, or Father's Day or something. He probably wore it because he hated to waste anything, but I don't recall my mother or any other woman ever falling into his arms ...
I remember these ads:
This was long before Brooke Shields ever told us that nothing came between her and her Calvins, and I can recall people thinking this was so borderline SCANDALOUS! My middle sister said this was what she wanted her husband to smell like.
As I recall, this was the more reasonably priced aftershave that a lot of people bought:
Of course, the name is also quite manly, so you couldn't go wrong.
Finally, I remember my oldest sister thinking this stuff was the end all and be all, and saying that she would only marry someone if he wore this forever.
It was considered quite modern. Especially since you didn't pronounce the name like you would a canoe, meaning a small water vessel that you row. Nope, this was - according to my sister, knower of all things fashionable - pronounced "Cah-know-ay." So of course it had to be amazing, right?
I wonder what the Vitalis guy would think?
And we got to thinking of other men's products from our childhood and teen years and the ads for them. I remember Vitalis commercials on TV from when I was a little girl, and this print ad cracks me up.
I mean, do those girls think he's a hunk of burning love, or what?
The Tim dredged up the memory of Hai Karate!
My sisters were teenagers when this was out, and they kept trying to talk my father into wearing it because it was "so cool." I think they even bought it for him for a birthday, or Father's Day or something. He probably wore it because he hated to waste anything, but I don't recall my mother or any other woman ever falling into his arms ...
I remember these ads:
This was long before Brooke Shields ever told us that nothing came between her and her Calvins, and I can recall people thinking this was so borderline SCANDALOUS! My middle sister said this was what she wanted her husband to smell like.
As I recall, this was the more reasonably priced aftershave that a lot of people bought:
Of course, the name is also quite manly, so you couldn't go wrong.
Finally, I remember my oldest sister thinking this stuff was the end all and be all, and saying that she would only marry someone if he wore this forever.
It was considered quite modern. Especially since you didn't pronounce the name like you would a canoe, meaning a small water vessel that you row. Nope, this was - according to my sister, knower of all things fashionable - pronounced "Cah-know-ay." So of course it had to be amazing, right?
I wonder what the Vitalis guy would think?
07 April 2016
Retro Beauty - Thanks But No Thanks
I love looking at old ads for products, or reading booklets with "helpful" advice. I mean, who doesn't want to use Lysol for feminine hygiene so that her husband will "still want to embrace her"?
Am I right?
Here are some recent favorites of mine.
Am I right?
Here are some recent favorites of mine.
Who needs plastic surgery when you can just buy a Dimple Machine??
Wonder why this never caught on?
The roommate isn't feeling her excuse. (And I love how in the bottom
corner, it says "Photo specially posed ..." who'da thunk it?)
Puh-leeze! Trust me, if I was married
to this guy, my menstrual cramps would
be the LEAST of his worries ...
Having said that, I wonder how people from these times would feel about some of the ads that are common today?
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