Looking to sell or buy stuff here in the local Lehigh Valley area? Check out this great FB page! It allows people to list things they have for sale, or things they are "in search of"-often abbreviated ISO. I have completed one transaction with a person who is part of this group and it went great! The moderator does a good job, and according to the rules if you don't show up for a meet (to buy or sell something), or otherwise act shady, you get removed from the group. This helps weed out the riff-raff you might find on sites like criag's list. Always be safe if you do choose to use this service! Consider meeting in a neutral, well populated location!
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I got a free sample of these products to try from Loreal. This is perfect because I have been having major issues with staticy hair all winter! I used them both during the same shower since they are meant to be used in that manner. Here are my thoughts:
Shampoo: It lathers well, but smells like a cross between soap and hairdye. Very unappealing, AND the smell stayed with me for a few days afterward (despite having used several other scented hair products!). I didn't notice any difference in my hairs smoothness after rinsing this product out. I seriously doubt I would ever buy more due to the smell. Conditioner: It has a creamy consistency, spreads evenly on hair, and is thick enough that it doesn't drip off. Unlike the shampoo, this conditioner has a clean fresh scent that I did not find objectionable. My hair was noticeably smoother after I rinsed this product out! I am seriously considering buying more of this conditioner. First impression of the results was quite positive, I had NO STATIC after applying two leave in products and letting my hair air dry as usual. I have since gone back to my usual hair products (since I only had enough samples for one shower) but continue to experience less static. Could be because winter is coming to an end, but it might also be lasting effects of these products, its hard to tell. I do want to warn you that this product line has a similar name to another product line of Loreal's. The other line is called Ultimate Straight and it also comes in black and pink bottles. I have no idea who decided THAT was a good idea! So be careful you buy the right thing if you are interested in trying this! PS-someone once suggested I spray static guard on my hairbrush and then brush my hair for the static. Turns out there are pretty flammable ingredients in static guard (like propane), so I really don't recommend that! If you need help with staticy or dry hair, comment below and I will get back to you! In honor of World Water Day, I have decided to compile a list of ways to conserve water! Water is such an important resource, and its actually getting more expensive, especially for those of us on metered sewer! So, read over the list and institute what works for you!, no judgment!
Save Water: -Fix leaky faucets. Apparently, 20 gallons a day can be lost to a simple drip! -Installing low flow everything (toilets, shower heads, faucets) can help save water. -Plant plants that thrive in drier conditions, so they require less watering! Also-don't water mid day as some will be lost to evaporation! -Hubby showers quickly (and he turns off the water while he's sudsing), and then he fills the tub with clean hot water to soak his sore bones and muscles in. I often will then use that water for my bath. -Many people shower more than they need to (typically due to societal norms). If you showered yesterday, and you didn't sweat and aren't particularly greasy, you probably don't need to shower today. This doesn't work for people who work out daily, or in summertime, or for people who are on the greasy end of the spectrum. It can, however, make a big difference for people who have dry skin or hair! I shower about 2 times a week in winter. it really helps with dryness that has come about due to aging for me. In summer, I will often wash my body (because I sweated), but not my hair. I put my hair up in a top knot and then get in the shower. As well, sometimes wetting a towel and then wiping down my face and body is enough to get me through another day. I would never begrudge someone a shower that needs one...but I also don't want to see people bathing daily just because "that's what people do". Bonus-you will also save money on shower products (shampoo, soap, etc,) and after shower products (hair and skin products you leave on)! Have any more simple solutions to save water? Let me know in the comments below! I got this product free from Venus to try in exchange for my honest review.
Trying this new 5 blade Venus Swirl razor has opened my eyes to the fact that, although the original 3 blade Venus razor is great, there is so much more available in the world of Venus razors that have the potential to be even better! My review is as follows (In a hurry? Scroll down to my quick pros and cons list!): As far as the handle is concerned, I like my original Venus handle with the hard plastic where you place your index finger better than the Swirl handle-my old one makes me feel like I have firmer control. The swirl handle has soft rubber where you place your index finger, and I feel like I have less control as it wiggles under my finger. As well, the way the rubber is shaped, it digs up under my fingernail-which I find painful! The FLEXIBALL on the handle of the Swirl doesn’t impress me either. Frankly, it just makes me feel like I have less precise control over the razor. I can’t apply exactly the right pressure because it moves. As well, the way it moves (slight rotation from side to side) doesn’t really make sense to me for the areas I shave (legs and underarms). Up and down would make more sense I think, but I still wouldn’t want that either-as I prefer precise control. As it stands-I fell like the FLEXIBALL might allow the razor head to slip sideways and cause a slice. The razor head on the Venus Swirl is AH-MAZING! I always thought that 3 blades was all you need, and any more is just a way to make you pay more money. I am here to tell you how wrong I was! The 5 blades on this razor head make shaving so much faster and simpler! I only have to go over each area once to remove hairs (compared to twice with my old 3 blade original Venus) and if I want a super close shave, I only have to go over each area twice (compared to 3 or 4 times with my old 3 blade razor). I don’t feel like I have to apply too much pressure to get a close shave. The MoistureGlide serum on the head is also amazing! When I shave, I do so by simply running water over my legs. I never use any kind of shave gel or cream. Since the MoistureGlide serum is water activated, this is perfect for someone like me. Not sure how long the serum will last, I have seen it decreasing and the shave quality degrades slightly. As a warning, don’t wrap the razor in a towel, it ends up soaking up some of the serum if you do. As far as the Swirl razor head/blade is concerned, it is one step to success! This is really helpful to someone like me with disability and chronic pain. Bending over to shave my legs is difficult and painful, so the quicker the process goes, and the fewer strokes I have to make, the better! I highly recommend anyone with pain or disability consider getting a 5 blade razor for this reason. I was also given Violet swirl shave gel to use with this product, but found it unnecessary, especially due to the MoistureGlide serum. I also found out that all Venus razor heads are compatible with all Venus razor handles, except that the Swirl head isn’t compatible with the Simply Venus handle. This is great news! It means I can get the benefits of the Swirl razor heads, and still use my preferred original razor handle! I am also excited to try other Venus razor blades now! Up next is my quick pros and cons: Pros: -Close, smooth, quick shave -Water activated MoistureGlide serum on razor head means shave gel is unnecessary -Razor head is good for the disabled and those with chronic pain due to its efficiency -Swirl razor heads may be used on all Venus razor handles except the Simply Venus handle -5 blade razor head outperforms original 3 blade Venus razor head Cons: -FLEXIBALL handle makes precision control impossible -FLEXIBALL doesn’t move in a way that is intuitive for a woman’s curves -The rubber grip for the index finger position on the handle wiggles as you shave, further reducing precision. It also pokes under the fingernail painfully. -These blades seem like they might wear out faster than the original Venus blades. -These blades don't feel like they are as exfoliating as the original Venus blades-which is key to a close, lasting shave! -Shaving in a bubble bath, makes the handle on the Swirl MUCH slipperier than the original Venus handle. Final verdict-I will be getting more of these blades since I got a coupon. I will use them on my old original Venus handle for better stability. I may also try other Venus razor heads, especially ones with serums and/or 5 blades. Swirl razor head/blade=YES! Swirl razor handle=No thanks I recently learned about the fact that they are considering demolishing Wehr's Dam at the covered bridge park in South Whitehall Township. I have fond memories of leaning to fish here with my dad. We caught a sunfish who we took home with us, named Sunny, and he lived in our pond at home for over 15 years. He loved eating worms right out of our hands! BUT-I can see the other side where having the dam might be harming the ecology of the area (including possible negative impact on fish like Sunny). IF that is true-then I would rather see whatever is best for the ecosystem done. Here are some articles if you wish to read further on this issue:
-Article one from The Morning Call 9-13-14 -Article two from The Morning Call 10-9-14 -Article from WFMZ relating the events at a SWT meeting on this issue In other news-I had recently been musing that I wondered what was going to happen to the King George Inn. Turns out that the SWT commissioners created an ordinance protecting it and so it cannot be demolished! I am gladdened by this news! Here is an article with more info on that. So-what do you think should happen to Wehr's Dam? Comment below and let me know! Went to the Subway on American Pkwy in Allentown PA on Mon evening...there was only one woman working (the others were all CLEARLY gabbing away in the back), and so it took forever to get our sandwiches. The others emerged as our sandwiches were being wrapped and one of them decided to ring up our order. Man was she terrible-we had to repeat what we had ordered several times (as she giggled and laughed distractedly), and then she was trying to figure out which sandwich was which "because they like to sign their work" (even though she didn’t make any of them)--and we just said it doesn’t matter we'll figure it out at home but she was rudely insistent! Then she realized that my husband’s cold cut combo didn’t feel warm through the package-and said that was wrong and that all bread must be toasted? Who toasts a cold cut sandwich? It was on white (not the flatbread), so what’s the problem? This woman was being “fake friendly” and it showed.
THEN-when we got home I bit into my sandwich (that was made with flatbread) and it was CRUNCHY! That’s how stale the bread was-it was actually crunchy! So much so-that the woman who made it should have been able to tell that even through the gloves they wear-horrendous! This wasn’t my first experience with stale flatbread there either-but it certainly was the worst example of it! I ate what I could, but threw half of it away it was so terrible. Something needs to be done about quality control with flatbread at these stores. I also tried the new subway vinaigrette on half of the sandwich (I usually get the sweet onion dressing), and I really don’t recommend that either. It had a sort of “vomity” taste to it. I do like the sweet onion dressing, except for the poppy seeds that get stuck in my teeth-could do without those in there. I am getting really tired of subway and how they treat people. They stopped the loyalty card program, AND raised their prices this past fall. Then there is how stingy they are with cheese (super tiny slices and not very many of them to boot). I think I’ll patronize Wawa instead. Never had a bad sandwich from there! I MIGHT come back to subway in the summer if they have the orchard chicken salad available again (it’s really good)…but that would be the only reason. Anyone know of other good places in the area of west Allentown/Dorneyville/Trexlertown to get subs? Comment below if you do! UPDATE: SO-on FB subway responded by passing the buck, saying I needed to fill out this ridiculously long form and re-write a bunch of stuff I already wrote here, so the store manager could handle it. Half of the problems here in are CORPORATE problems....I have NO CLUE why the social media person can't fwd that info to the correct dept! Sick and tired of excuses...sorry subway-you lose! I received a free sample of this shave gel from Venus to try, and here are my thoughts- (In a hurry? Check out my quick pros and cons list below!). First, I want to say that I do not ordinarily use shave gel or anything other than water while I shave, so this was a new experience for me. I found that the gel comes out of the container very fast and so you may end up with way more than you need. On the plus side, a little bit of gel does lather quite well! So-if you can get a small amount to come out, I believe you could get many uses out of one container. I did not find this product to be moisturizing in the least, and it seems to leave a sticky residue behind. The shave I got when using it, was subpar compared to my usual routine of using just running water over my leg as I shave. The gel seemed to clog the razor. I let hubby try it on his face as well and he also did not like it compared to his usual use of shampoo as his shaving product. As well-the accompanying razor that I got (Venus Swirl), has MoistureGlide serum on the head making shave gel even less useful. The scent is mild and pleasant-I think it smells like cucumber. Here is my quick breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros: -Cute purple colored gel -A little goes a long way -Mild, pleasant cucumber-like scent Cons: -Clogs razor -Drying to skin -Comes out of can very fast -Seems to leave a little sticky residue Final verdict-I will definitely not be purchasing this Violet Swirl shave gel (or any other shave gel for that matter). To me it is an unneeded product under any shaving circumstance for women, but especially with the moisturizing serum on the razor head! What are your favorite shaving products (razors and soaps)? Tell me if you are male or female and share below! Giant food stores often offers free store brand products, when you buy the name brand product. They do this so you can run a side by side test of your own to compare their products to the national brands. This week (thru 3/7) they are offering: crab cakes, canned pineapple, chicken broth, and tortellini. You MUST use your BONUSCARD (store loyalty card), and both the store brand and name brand products must be purchased in the same transaction.
-Here is where you can find some basic info on this promo. -Here is the store circular-this gives complete details on page 6. If you want to know when they run more promos like this, you can follow Giant on FB. Also-Click here to see my review of Giant Brand apple cider! Recently, I received my copy of the 2015 Lehigh Valley area visitors brochure. In it is a center section with a bunch of coupons, including one for a free order of Pub Pretzels from Tilted Kilt. The Tilted Kilt has been on our list of places to try for a while so hubby and I decided to give it a go. For those who are unaware, this restaurant is similar to hooters in that the servers are mostly pretty girls in skimpy clothing, which may be offensive to some, but I don't personally find objectionable. We visited the Allentown location, but a location in Easton was recently opened.
Firstly, the decor in this restaurant is a bit odd. It is Irish themed, but isn't exactly like a cozy pub...its more like a dimly lit warehouse. There is some sparse Irish decor and lots of TVs, but it isn't homey at all. There are only high and low tables, no booths. The ladies room felt somewhat dingy, BUT I did appreciate that there are paper towels (not just a blow drier) and that the door opens outward (I appreciate not having to touch door handles when leaving a restroom!). Our server was friendly, but only moderately attentive-despite it being mid afternoon on a Sunday and not too busy (and there being seemly tons of staff). We got our free pub pretzels, which consisted of two soft pretzels and some cheese dip that I believe had a slight mustard flavor. I am not a fan of mustard but this dip was good. I wish the pretzels were softer, but they were very filling and a great deal for free food! I got the margherita pizza, which was larger than I could finish after having the appetizer so I took half home (which hubby finished pretty promptly after returning home). It was well balanced, with lots of cheese and the tomato slices added a nice acid. However, it was a little...soggy-for lack of a better term. I honestly don't think it was grease, I think it was just condensation from how warm it was. I have never experienced pizza that was soggy before, so again...odd. Surprisingly, not inedible though. I had the pizza and a shirley temple, and hubby had an entree salad (no meat on it) and our total came to $20, which I consider somewhat expensive. The free app helped offset that, but I will certainly not be treating myself to this place very often-more than likely only if I have a coupon. Click this link if you are interested in getting your own free copy of the LV visitors brochure. Here is another place to find the free app coupon for the Allentown store also from Discover Lehigh Valley. Have you been to the Tilted Kilt? What did you think? What is your fave food from this restaurant? Comment below! Since Valentines day is coming, I thought I'd share how Auntie Annie's has been a tool for hubby and I to share our love. Hubby uses Auntie Annie's kits to make me pretzel bites (or more like "rocks" they are so big!) When I had to travel out of town for surgery, he had to stay behind and work, so he sent some of them along with me to eat the night before in the hotel as what we affectionately refer to as my "last meal". It was really nice to have his love with me-even if he couldn't be! He also makes them when I don't have to travel, but am having surgery, so I can come home to a snack I love! You can find out about their baking mix here. What are your plans this Valentines Day? Share in the comments below!
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