So fresh & so clean.

I just bought a 2-pack (not to be confused with 2Pac) of Reach Fresh & Clean toothbrushes (now with bonus tongue cleaner!). Normally I wouldn't blog about a toothbrush (well, maybe I would)... but seriously, this thing feels like it's giving your mouth a HUG. I give it eight thumbs up and fifty gold stars. 

The Wedgie Epidemic

I am a typical girly girl. I like lacy bras, body butters, and I own about 20 different shades of pink nail polish. I love cute underwear... but sometimes, the cute ones can be uncomfortable. A thong is fine at first... but don't wear one to an all-day work thing (I'm just saying). Ruffles, strings, frills, latches (I have said too much)... they look cute on the tushie, but after about an hour I'm dying for my comfy cotton undies. But even the most comfortable of underpants sometimes produce... (slight pause as everyone nods knowingly)... the dreaded wedgie. Yuck.

When I first saw the commercials for the new Hanes "Wedgie-Free" underwear, I giggled. Mostly because I love Sarah Chalke and think she is hilarious. Also because the word "Wedgie" is pretty funny. But I decided to give them a try. First I bought the briefs, which my husband promptly dubbed "the granny panties." Um, no thanks. The next time, I bought the bikinis (with the ComfortSoft waistband)... wow. That's all I have to say is... wow. They are SO comfortable, it feels like you're wearing nothing! And they come in all colors and patterns, so you can still be your cute self (even my hubby likes 'em!). I bought one pack and went back for another soon after (yeah, they're that great). And I'll definitely be buying more. They offer the cuteness that we girly girls need, but with the comfort of a "granny panty." And the "Wedgie Free" guarantee? Totally legit. No pickin' here, girlfriends!

Hanes.com offers a lot of other options, too. Next time I'm totally going for the Low Rise String Bikinis or the Low Rise Hipsters.

Don't get me wrong- my sexy underwear are still around, and they will be worn on those special occasions. But for everyday comfort, pass the Wedgie-Free undies!

Verdict? Fresh!
Damage? About $6 for a 3-pack at Wal-Mart or Target... can't beat that!

Electrolux--A Must Have

This vacumm came as a wedding present. I had never seen one before and honestly didn't use it a whole lot until I moved into an apartment with ceramic tile. It is a light sweeper vacumm with a detachable mini handheld.

It works great for the everyday cleanup! It plugs into a base, but the actually vacumm is cordless. I love not having to worry about a cord and it picks up nicely.

Verdict? Fresh

Damage? $99.00 at Bed, Bath and Beyond

My Opinion? It is totally worth the $100 bucks!

Let Me Talk To You "Straight"

I'm not a snob at ALL! I pride myself on being the Queen of Off Brands! I mean COME ON does it really matter if it's Charmin or Hill Country you wipe your tush with? As long as it's soft, save yourself a few bucks, right? With this attitude, I walked down the aisle of hair products in Wal Mart. Looking at the hair straighteners, I scoffed to myself, I could have 10 Revlons for the price of 1 Chi! The bad part is, I did. Maybe not 10, but on about my 6th flat iron I decided ENOUGH is ENOUGH! I could have almost purchased a Chi with all the cheap straighteners I have, dead or dying, in my bathroom cabinet. The next day I walked out of my hair salon, I had traded my $140 for this tiny little black box. I held my receipt tight, (all Chi's come with a lifetime replacement, IF you keep your receipt) somewhere in the back of my mind I just KNEW it wasn't going to be THAT great. Well, I stand corrected. I am one of those, one of the women who now swears by Chi. In 30 minutes, I can turn my Leona Lewis locks into the softest, shiniest hair you've ever seen! It's healthier for your hair, faster for those of us with busy lives, and even though I can't believe I'm admitting it - it's worth the cash! Quit wasting your money on the knockoffs, the original is much better!

Verdict - FRESH!
Damage - Close your eyes and hand over the plastic!

Starbucks Travel Mug

I am sold on the Starbucks travel mug without handles. It is a simple, silver travel mug with the logo, but it rocks!

Steve and I love to go to Starbucks, but more than that we just like coffee. We have a coffee pot that grinds the beans so it is possible to make a pretty authentic cup of coffee. Pour the homemade coffee into that Starbucks travel mug and you are ready to go.

It seals up nicely and keeps the coffee hot. My favorite part is you get the classy feeling of brand recognition without ever having to wait in line at a drive through. I definitely recomend this item!

Damage? Around $20

Benefit? It's going to last a long time and save you lots of money.

Just an idea: It makes a fabulous gift!

bareMinerals

I love makeup. The people at Ulta know me personally. I could play with eyeshadows, brow correctors, eyeliner brushes, lip glosses, and bronzers all day long. Not to mention, I have tried every thickening / lengthening / separating / waterproof / black / very black / blackish brown mascara out there (although my current fave is Voluminous, but that's another blog entry). However, despite my love for all things cosmetic, there are three types of makeup I've always had problems with: foundation, concealer, and powder.

Until I met bareMinerals.

Here are a few complaints I've heard from the makeup-shy/foundationally challenged:

-Complaint: I have sensitive skin. It needs to breathe.
-My response: Well, I wasn't aware that skin had a respiratory system, but that's not a problem with this makeup. Your skin will get plenty of fresh air- and sunshine, but not too much, since it has an SPF of 15. "But I don't like sunscreen," you may whimper. Trust me, it'll keep you from looking like an old handbag by the time you're 30. And as far as sensitive goes- this makeup is pure. No preservatives, fillers, binders, talc, oil, fragrance, or other potential skin irritants. None of the stuff that makes your skin break into hives. Just pure minerals and goodness.

-Complaint: I don't think it will cover well.
-My response: Have you tried it? Can you say flawless complexion? Just try it. You'll never go back to regular makeup. It's not a powder, even though it looks like one. It has a creamy texture that buffs right onto the skin. You can apply as little or as much as you want/need. You'll love it.

-Complaint: I don't want to look too made up.
-My response: Um, that's why it's called BAREMinerals. It looks like your skin- but way better. It will cover anything and everything. And you'll never get that cakey look like you might with liquid foundations and powders.

My advice: Buy the starter kit. It comes with:
-2 shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation. Works as foundation AND concealer. Once you find your perfect shade, you can buy the bigger size at Ulta.
-Mineral Veil finishing powder. Once you buff on the foundation, use this as a finisher to lock everything into place and do away with any shine. It's so light it's practically see-thru, totally unlike pressed powder, which can look chalky.
-Warmth All-Over Face Color. Kind of a brownish-red color. Don't let it scare you. It's awesome, and looks good on everyone. (Believe me, I've put it on at least 10 very different looking people, and it looked great on everyone.) Use it to highlight cheekbones and add "warmth," literally, to your complexion. I use mine like bronzer, even though the lady at Ulta told me not to. :)
-Glee All-Over Face Color. This is more pinkish than the warmth. I use it as blush, and apply just to the apples of my cheeks. Unlike regular blushes, which can be hard to match and harder to blend, this color also looks good on everyone, and is very easy to blend.
-Flawless Application Face Brush. You can use this to apply foundation, mineral veil, or face colors.
-Handy Buki Brush. Use this to apply foundation to the areas where you would like more coverage.
-Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush. Use this with your foundation to cover any and all imperfections. This brush is my favorite. It's like a magic wand.

As time progresses, you might want to try some of their other products, but these 7 are my old faithfuls. Try bareMinerals, I promise you'll love it- and if you don't, it has a 60 day money-back guarantee.

Verdict?: Fresh...faced. :)
Damage?: $60 for the starter kit (which, if you add up the individual cost of everything, is a bargain). However, the makeup containers in the kit are smaller than regular size, so you will have to replace them sooner- but you will still have your brushes, so it's worth it to buy the kit. Purchased separately: regular-sized foundations: $25, mineral veil: $19, all-over face colors: $20. Keep in mind that each regular-sized container will probably last you a good couple-few months, depending on how much you use. I have to buy a new foundation every 2-3 months, but my mineral veil lasts about 6, and my face colors last for a year or so.

Fuller Lips

I have always wanted to try a product like the one shown above. It's not that I hate my lips, I just like trying new looks. There is something inspiring about a new hair color or in this case fuller lips.

I tried this product the weekend of a good friend's wedding and loved it! After applying the gloss, which I tried the clear one, my lips felt moisturized and tingly. The tingly feeling convinced me it was working--not just another ordinary gloss.

This product is great for people like me who just like trying something new. I felt like I saw results and I really liked wearing it over another lip color.

Verdict? Fresh
Cost? Around $5 at Walmart

Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength"

I have been trying to grow my hair out for awhile now. It was mere desperation that drove me to buy a product by Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength." You see, I had tried this brand in High School and it made my hair start falling out. Yikes!

Apparently, there are products with the same purpose out on the market. I was reading Aussie has a line of products for desperate people like me, and I have been seeing commercials for an Herbal Essence hair growth product line.

Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength" is not the answer for long hair. My opinion, just take a good multi-vitamin and make sure your hair is properly moisturized at all times. Damaging hair with straighteners and highlights is fun, but it is to blame for hair that won't grow.

Verdict? Fusty (in my opinion)

Damage? Less than $10, but it will haunt you because you won't throw it away.

Nike Women's Air Pegasus Plus Running Shoe

Right after we got married, my husband took me shopping for running shoes. He was horrified that the closest thing I owned to an athletic shoe was a pair of pink Converse. I have been (trying to start) running again, and these shoes make it so much easier. Besides being really cute (as far as running shoes go), they fit my foot perfectly. I don't know what it is about them, but not only are they super-comfortable, they literally feel like they're propelling me as I run. I also wear them when I go grocery shopping. :-)

Verdict?: Definitely fresh.
Damage?: Around $70.