Entries by Janet
In the mood for a campfire?
Try "The Campfire Candle" by Hotwicks! I've had this tin open on my desk at work all day; every now and then I get a whiff of it...ahhhh...it smells SO good! If you have fond memories of sitting around a campfire out in the woods at night, after a hot day when the smell of the evergreen sap is strong, maybe making s'mores, maybe having a drink, definitely reveling in being outdoors, then this is the candle for you! Mmmm...makes me want to go camping right now!
Hotwicks also has other scented candles...but they're not your typical flowery scents! Their goal is this: "...to make one of a kind candles that remind you of cool things." Like their Hippie candle - I'd like to smell it, just for old time's sake (no, it's NOT patchouli!). Check them out! Also nice to know, these candles are made in the USA!
Posted by Janet on April 17, 2008
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Just breathe :-)
Recently a friend gave me this beautiful necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs. Lisa's got some gorgeous pieces; I particularly like the My Heart necklace... I've always had a thing for hearts!
You want something else stamped on it? No problem! Lisa does custom designs. If you like sterling silver, check her out; you'll be glad you did!
Posted by Janet on April 14, 2008
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Free Grocery Tote from Earthbound Farm
If you're savvy about conservation, try taking this quiz — get 9 out
of 10 questions right, and they'll send you a free reusable (and
recyclable) Earthbound Farm shopping tote that you can use to reduce
environmental waste whenever you shop. (If you get stuck, just follow
the links to pages with the answers you're looking for.)
Offer good for US and Canadian residents only, while supplies last. Quiz must be completed before Midnight PDT, April 30, 2008. One bag per mailing address. Bags will be shipped to recipients in June, 2008.
Posted by Janet on April 9, 2008
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Fool 'em with Toasted Notes
Here's a great April Fool's Day gift: Toasted Notes!
It looks like a slice of toast with butter on your desk...or your boss's desk, but it's really post-it notes!
Better than filling the sugar bowl with salt or the salt shaker with sugar ;)
Posted by Janet on April 1, 2008
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LUSH -- Personal Care Products: Deodorants
Since I want to get away from aluminum based deodorants, I took a trip to LUSH to give their deodorant line a try. 
Aromacreme Deodorant was the one I tried first and I absolutely LOVE the smell! However...it DID irritate my underarms, possibly because I'd just shaved...or maybe it was from the chlorine in the pool. But it smells so divine, I'm willing to give it another try. Like one of the reviewers said: "The best thing about you is your good smell, which drives me to attempt to discreetly smell my own armpits throughout the day." 
Aromaco: When I went back to Lush and said I'd tried Aromacreme but that it was a little harsh for me, the saleman suggested Aromaco. It's got patchouli, baking soda, chamomile vinegar and witch hazel and while it doesn't smell as amazing as Aromacreme, it does smell good (don't be put off by the fact it has patchouli as an ingredient; it's not an overwhelming, dirty patchouli smell at all). Plus it's cooling on the skin, rumored to sharpen the wits
and even acts as an insect repellent. I'll be trying this on my skin during mosquito season!
Both Aromacreme and Aromaco are solid deodorants. 
Last up is Coconut, which is a deodorant powder that the salesman recommended and gave me a sample of. I tried Coconut and it does have a lovely smell, not overwhelming at all. I found it works best with an application of Aromaco first, but it makes a damn fine dusting powder on it's own.
Posted by Janet on March 31, 2008
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Urban Botanics lets U.B. You!
Urban Botanic offers a line of custom fragrancing products; you use their pure perfume oils to blend a one-of-a-kind fragrance to add to their unscented lotion, shower gel, bubble bath, parfum spray or home fragrance. They also offer six U.B You Signature Fragrance Collections (Floral, Fruity, Spicy, Herbal, Leafy, Woodsy) which include everything you need to get started creating custom fragrances at home.
I tried this myself; you simply mix and match the six oils that come with the collection you chose until you're happy with the scent and then add it to the unscented lotion, spray and shower gel which also comes with the collection! It's fun and easy :-)
They even have a site where you can take a Personality Test to see what fragrance suits you best!
Give them a try...I know you'll enjoy this!
Posted by Janet on January 4, 2008
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What did you get for Christmas?
Since I'm into photography, many of my gifts had to do with that. For example, I received an Canon EF 25 II Extension Tube for EOS Digital Cameras
I also received an Original Lensbaby Canon EF Mount SLR Camera Lens (LBOC)
Another gift was a Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch
As for non technical things, if you can get your hands on Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, you'll taste true heaven in a box! The caramel inside isn't your typical chewy caramel (see their Fleur de Sel Caramels with a bit of sea salt in the middle for that), but soft and melty. So good!
Posted by Janet on December 31, 2007
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Wintery keychains from Coach
I am in love with this keychain from Coach!
They also have a snowman, a penguin and a snowflake...and for a non-winter theme...a skull and crossbones (it's my favorite!). You can find matching cell phone lanyards, as well!
Posted by Janet on December 15, 2007
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Think spring with daisies from Williams-Sonoma
While browsing the Williams-Sonoma sale section recently, I discovered this Daisy Maryanne Pan. First introduced in the US in 1921, it was designed to bake light cake shells for everything from fresh berries to creamy custards to delicious puddings!
With all the snow we're been getting lately here in the Northeast, I saw this and had visions of Spring cakes :-)
It's on sale for $19.99...makes a perfect gift for daisy lovers!
Posted by Janet on December 18, 2007
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It's peanut butter jelly time at the Violet Gumdrop
On the way to Boston last Saturday night, Megan said she had a present for me and handed me these necklaces.
Do you have a friend who's the peanut butter to your jelly? This is the perfect gift for her (or him!). It's whimsical and adorable and oh so cute, definitely for the young at heart. I wore my half of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I was the PB) with pride! Megan shall be evermore known as Jellah!
Check out Violet Gumdrop; they also have a Milk & Cookie Best Friend Necklace, but I'm a peanut butter kinda gal. There's also a cute ice cream cone necklace, and the ice cream is sparkled with swarovski crystals.
I love that both sides of the sandwich are smiling :-)
Posted by Janet on December 13, 2007
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Everyone deserves to feel beautiful, pampered and satisfied!
So say two sisters from
We learned at a young age that beach sand
mixed with salt water, mildly abraded our skin and removed the surface layer of
dead cells, leaving our skin smoother and softer. Because of this, and
the rate at which our cuts and scrapes healed, we believe in the therapeutic
and rejuvenating affects of the ocean’s salts.
I noticed this to be true last September when I was
photographing a wedding on
The after shower body mist and the lotion, which contains chamomile and aloe and absorbs quickly have the same delicious scent. And I'm can't wait to try
their candle! If anyone on your list is a scent freak like me, or just
loves the smell of cinnamon, orange & balsam, put this on your list of
presents to buy!
Posted by Janet on December 11, 2007
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Giving you a little extra light...
That's the motto of the Royal River Candle Company. I'm happy to have a little extra light, especially when it's coming from their beautifully scented and packaged candles, which incidentally, make GREAT holiday gifts. I like to support smaller companies, and did I tell you? Their candles also come with a recipe (pertinent to the scent of the candle) on the side! 
The one I tried, Wild Maine Blueberry, smelled like the most scrumptious blueberry pie! These candles are made in the USA by Todd Green of Freeport, Maine and come in 17.5 ounce, 9.5 ounce and 3.5 ounce sizes. They'll burn for approximately 100 - 110 hours, giving you hours of wonderful fragrance.
Posted by Janet on December 12, 2007
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Curl-Ease makes drying curly hair easy!
I love mine, although I have to pay for them (bone straight hair, don't you know). The only thing I DON'T like is having to wait forever for my hair to dry! 
Wait no more! Curl-Ease to the rescue! This ultra-thin towel is also ultra-absorbent; wrap it around your head after shampooing, wait 15-20 minutes (you know, while you're putting on makeup or getting dressed), and voilà! Ready for styling...or just ready to go if you're like me and often need a wash, comb and go morning.
I love this towel and am SO glad to have been able to give it a try. Do you have any curly haired friends? Give this to them for Christmas, they'll love you for it!
Posted by Janet on December 6, 2007
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Lemon Daisies popping through the snow
I was shopping at Whole Foods the other day and noticed these adorable cookies called Lemon Daisies. 
Among my other favorites at Dancing Deer are their Maple Leaves & Gingerbread Acorns, Snickerdoodles, Molasses Clove, Chocolate Peppermint, and Sugar Cane Lime; it's the next best thing to baking your own!
Posted by Janet on December 30, 2007
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Warm the cold winter with Harpoon Winter Warmer!
I had the BEST beer last night, Harpoon Winter Warmer. Listen to this description:
When you bring a glass of this dark copper ale to your lips to take
your first sip you will notice the aroma of cinnamon. There is no
aromatic hop added that might overpower the distinct spice scent. The
medium body of this beer is formed from caramel and pale malts. These
create enough body to support the spices without making the beer
excessively rich. Bittering hops are added to counter the sweetness of
the malt and spice. The finish of the beer is a blend of cinnamon and
nutmeg. The combination of these two spices results in a balanced,
pumpkin-pie flavor.
It's being offered at the Macaroni Grill, but I'm sure you can also find a six- or 12-pack for that special someone on your list at any store that sells beer in the MA area. Oh, and hurry; it's only available from November to January.
Makes a great grab gift, too! I can already see the guys fighting over it at the yankee swap this year!
Posted by Janet on December 10, 2007
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Vosges Caramel Toffee
If you have a sweet tooth this season, Vosges Caramel Toffee will be sure to satisfy it! Great for a gift or to have on hand for serving guests, this is some delicious stuff! Another good idea--their Red Fire Pecans; just a little spicy, a little salty and a little sweet...and a LOT delicious!
Their caramel marshmallows look great, too and their exotic caramels, for the adventurous at heart, are sure to please! Mmm I'm hungry now!
Also makes a great hostess gift. You'll be the hit of the party!
Posted by Janet on November 26, 2007
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The Gardella Vampire Chronicles: Rises The Night
In Rises The Night, the second book in her Gardella Vampire Chronicles series, Colleen Gleason amps everything up a notch! Intense passion, fierce battles, scarier vampires and lots of suspense kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read. I must admit I have a weakness for bad boys, and the character of Sebastian fits that bill very nicely. The way he helps Victoria end her mourning period over her husband, an intensely erotic scene, made me tingle! Victoria goes through many changes in this book, although one in particular is quite tragic.
Here's an excerpt from Rises The Night found on the author's website.
The sea of chanting, bright-eyed faces was at her eye level for only a moment before she was dragged to her feet. Victoria had an instant to grope for her vis before she swung out at the vampires who came at her.She kicked and dodged and punched, had the satisfaction of meeting one of them in the face, and was reaching back to pull a stake from her hair when her arms were grabbed and pulled down to her sides. Dimly aware that it had taken two vampires, one at each arm, to do so, she ducked and tried to twist free.
The grip was too strong; she couldn't break it. She couldn't get to her stakes, her holy water, her crucifix ... hands were on her everywhere, pulling at her dress, her arms, her legs, her breasts. She felt her head being jerked to one side by the hair, felt her coiffure loosen and her neck bare to the sweet-smelling room. The dull, pasty smell of blood on the breath of the vampire nearest her filled her nose, pushing away even the hypnotic scent of the incense.
When his teeth sank into her neck it was almost a relief.
, to
be released February 2008.
Posted by Janet on October 31, 2007
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Stash this tea!
We've talked about licorice flavored tea here before (9/21/06: Make Tea Time Into "Me" Time With Aveda Comforting Tea Bags). I still love this tea but it's quite expensive, so I've kept my eye open for something a bit less expensive, and last week I found it!
Stash Licorice Spice Herbal Tea...ooh my! I was a bit apprehensive about the "spice" part, but my fears were unfounded. This tea is GOOD, caffeine free and delicious; it's naturally sweet from the licorice and needs no additional sweetening. I picked it up a local grocery store. Check out the list of retail stores or pick up your Stash online. If you like Aveda Comforting Tea, give this a try. You won't be sorry!
Posted by Janet on November 2, 2007
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Bumble and bumble's Curl Conscious Conditioner delivers lots of curls!
Bumble and Bumble's Curl Conscious Creme for Fine to Medium Hair is an amazing product! I got a sample from my hairdresser and... you know how it is, you put it with all the other samples and maybe forget about it, or grab some when you're going on a short trip.
Well, recently I was searching and searching for a product that would help to define my (permed) curls and had forgot all about the sample. I tried one kind (made my hair crispy feeling) and another kind (smelled nice, but didn't do a thing) and one day I tried the Bumble and Bumble's Curl Conscious Creme sample. WOW! It has a patent pending curl enhancing ingredient that actually does what it claims to!
The box includes directions easy to use directions if you want to make your curly hair even curlier; if you just want to define what you've got, put a dollop (about the size of a dime) in your hands and work it well through your hair, from the roots to the end. Air dry or use a diffuser and voila! Soft, frizz-free curls!
Posted by Janet on October 30, 2007
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Arcona Pumpkin - THE scent for the season
Recently, I tried Arcona's Pumpkin Body Lotion; and I adore the scent! The product is "infused with pumpkin extracts and glycolic acid," comes in two strengths:10% and 20%, and is said to "improve tonal quality and elasticity in the skin. Excellent for regenerating and repairing sun damaged skin; it should be used sparingly and once a day."
I'm on my third day of it, and I do notice a bit of a tingle...feels good! I'll keep you posted. But for now...I'm enjoying the smell :-)
Posted by Janet on October 25, 2007
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Oh, Doctor Perricone, you're wonderful!
Recently, I had a mini facial with products from N.V. Perricone MD. As the woman who was performing the facial and I were talking, I mentioned that I had recently turned 50 and had noticed significant changes to my skin tone but that I wasn't interested in using Botox or under going plastic surgery. She told me that these products were developed specifically for this reason.
We started off with a delicious power drink made from Super Berry Powder, a mixture of blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries and acai (ah-sigh-ee) which is the high energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree and tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. This drink contains high amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Then the esthetician put some Synergy, An Anti-Aging Aromatic on my finger and asked me to dab a bit under my nose. This product claims to increase your sense of well-being thereby counteracting the negative by-products of stress. Well...I was photographing a wedding that evening and I have to say, it was so much less stressful than normal. I felt much more at ease.
Next up was Firming Facial Toner, which helps reduce excess oil and debris on the skin's surface, while helping the skin appear more firm.
After the toner, she applied Neuropeptide Eye Area Contour, which hydrates, contours and firms the eye area.
She followed this with Amine Complex Face Lift, which increases firmness and tone and gives a healthy radiant glow.
She also applied some Lip Plumper, which is applied not only to the lips, but to the skin around them.
To finish up, she applied some Ceramic Skin Smoother, which prepares your face for makeup.
These products are all pretty expensive, but...they're MUCH less expense and less intrusive than surgery, and I have to say, they really DO work! At the wedding I went to, my friends all said, WOW! You look great! Did you do something new, new makeup, what?
Give it a try, if like me, you're aging but don't want to look your age!
Posted by Janet on October 5, 2007
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Vosges strikes again with chocolate-y tortilla chips!
Yum! Vosges Chocolate Tortilla Chips...why didn't WE think of this? Vosges, a company we've mentioned here before, takes organic tortilla chips, coats them with deep milk chocolate, and dusts them with just a hint of ancho and chipotle chili powders. Oh my! Just perfect with a nice glass of red wine...or perhaps a margarita?
Our model certainly enjoyed them!
Posted by Janet on September 26, 2007
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It makes scents to shop at The Perfumed Court
I recently stumbled upon a site that offers decants of your favorite perfumes - and probably some of your soon to be favorites as well! The Perfumed Court, has literally thousands of perfumes, some not even available in America!
My tastes always seem to run to the incredibly expensive (champagne taste on a beer budget is what my Mother used to say to me) and really, who wants to spend over $100 on a scent that you're not sure you're really going to like?
For over a year, I've had Tea for Two by L'Artisan, on my wish list, but at $125.00 a bottle and given the fact it's not generally easy to find, I hesitated to commit without at least trying it first. Thanks to The Perfumed Court, I was finally able to test Tea for Two, and was right in thinking that I would love it! I also purchased a decant of Aqua di Parma's Profuma, which retails for about $225.00. Luckily for my finances, I found that I didn't love it as much as I thought I would!
So browse their list of scents...your favorite(s) is sure to be there!
Posted by Janet on September 12, 2007
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Another great shampoo/conditioner combo by Fresh!
Megan recently posted about Fresh Soy Shampoo and conditioner. I was intrigued and clicked on the links she provided. While there, I read about Rice Shampoo and Fresh Meadowfoam Cream Treatment Conditioner
and thought my hair could really use them; I permed AND colored my hair awhile back and let's just say it needs some help.
I used those two products yesterday morning and all I can say is WOW! My hair is soft and shiny and looks so much better! I do believe my hair just sighed. Thank you,
Fresh, for your amazing products!
Posted by Janet on August 24, 2007
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Sweet Heat spices from tsp spices! Handy and yummy!
I read about tsp spices in Gourmet Magazine; you must try these! These spices are organic and each teaspoon of spice is packaged in it's own little sleeve! Stays fresh and delicious! Katie and Sara, co-founders of tsp spices, nicely sent along their "Sweet Heat" twin set - cinnamon and ancho chili - for me to try and try I did in the following recipe:
Barbecue Roasted Chicken
1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 chicken breast halves (or 2 breasts and half them yourself!)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons ancho chile powder
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon true (Saigon) cinnamon
Cooking spray
Lemon slices (optional)
Put chicken breast halves between sheets of waxed paper and gently flatten to an even thickness, between 1/4 and 1/2-inch thick.
Combine chicken with pineapple and lemon juice in a zip-top plastic bag; seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 400°...or better yet, get your grill ready!
Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Combine sugar through cinnamon in a bowl. Rub over chicken. If using your oven, place in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray and bake for 20-25 minutes; if using your grill, start grilling!
You can also use salmon in place of the chicken. Use four 6-ounce fillets, and cook in oven for 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, or on your grill. Serve with lemon slices and some roasted asparagus...YUM!
Next up will be spicy fudgy brownies...stay tuned!
Posted by Janet on August 23, 2007
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Mangosteen leaves my skin soft and smelling Fresh!
In a recent order from Sephora, I received a sample of Fresh's Mangosteen Bath & Shower Gel and also the Body Lotion. It smells of citrus (I detect grapefruit), flowers, peach, and soft woods...heavenly! And it makes your skin feel so soft!
What's a mangosteen? According to Wikipedia
The mangosteen ... is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The rind...is deep reddish purple when ripe and the fragrance is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Often heralded as the "Queen of Fruits", mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen.
Don't forget - get free shipping on ANY purchase (no minimum, ladies!) at Sephora with coupon code WELCOME2. I think it's still valid. Feel free to let me know if it's expired.
Posted by Janet on August 22, 2007
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Try Alcyone Tannat Dessert Wine, you'll never forget it!
I took the ever lovely Megan (this site's founder), out to dinner for her birthday last Monday night. Our first stop was Ivy, a lovely new casual Italian place near Downtown Crossing in Boston. Unfortunately, Megan and I have been spoiled by a most delicious cheese plate at Todd English's Tuscany and by Cobblestone's macaroni and cheese, so what we ordered, while good, wasn't "as good as"!
Never fear, we headed to The Four Seasons Hotel for drinks and dessert at The Bar at Aujourd'hui and, as always, were warmly welcomed (and we weren't dressed to the nines either). The service is no less than spectacular, as you would probably expect AND it's quiet, no annoying ringtones (except, unfortunately, mine, but only for a second!) or loud voices.
The birthday girl ordered a Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé, accompanied by Grand Marnier Crème Anglaise, with a glass of Alcyone Tannat Dessert Wine. Oh, were we in for a surprise! That wine has the most incredible taste!!! It's sweet, yes, but not cloyingly so. It tastes of cocoa, honey, cinnamon, cloves and herbs; after you have a glass, you will feel calm and content! We both immediately fell in love with it and in fact, I'll be off looking for a bottle of it tonight! Order a bottle of it online at corpwines.com
Do give it a try if you can find a bottle...if you don't like it, you can mail it directly to me :-) For those of you lucky enough to live near Boston, give The Bar at Aujourd'hui a try, if you haven't already...you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Editors Note: I just had a brilliant idea - an A Girl Must Shop get together at The Bar at Aujourd'hui! Who's in?
Posted by Janet on August 20, 2007
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A Feast For Your Skin!
The nice folks at Lavender Farms sent us some products to test...and I was happy to do so! First up was the Rose-N-Rhassoul Oat Cleanser that came with the Calmez Vous Package for Sensitive or Rosacea-prone Skin Care from the Soul of the Rose .
I threw caution to the winds and not only tested the Rose-N-Rhassoul Oat Cleanser on my face...but tried it as a body scrub! Oh my goodness, it smells (and makes my skin feel) heavenly!!! I barely need to use a moisturizer afterward. I've stopped using my rosacea medicine because these products most definitely do what they claim to!
They also sent a bottle of Lavender Essential Oil in Jojoba Oil. It is very soothing to my skin...I smooth some on my face with my fingertips before using the Rose-N-Rhassoul Oat Cleanser. It smells oh so good, too!
The third item I adored was this: Plump It Up. I have *ahem* older skin which is somewhat sun damaged in places, and this stuff helps tremendously. You can use it for eyes, lips, neck...anywhere you want to get rid of some wrinkles! Works amazingly well!
They make a wide variety of wonderful products for all age groups. I'll be purchasing these products again!
Posted by Janet on July 19, 2007
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Sometimes it's good to be "Too Faced"
I have absolutely fallen in love with this new mascara called Lash Injection from Too Faced. Here's the description from the web site:
Thisexclusive, 3D formula actually builds tubes around each lash. This "Lash Injection" has unique elastic polymers that curl, fatten, and stretch far beyond the natural lash. This adds extreme volume, curl and length for that costly lash extension look without any of the hassle, pain or commitment. . You will no longer see clumps and lumps - but long, gorgeous, fluttering, new and improved eyelashes.
And it's TRUE, well, for me, maybe not the "fluttering", but definitely improved eyelashes! This stuff is fantastic! I don't wear much makeup, but since I purchased this, I've worn it every day! No need to curl your lashes first, just swipe and go!
Posted by Janet on June 14, 2007
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Grilling Season is Here
I 
It reminds me very much of the hibachis used in Japan. In fact, there's a whole bunch of restaurants there that just serve Yakitori; which is basically any type of grilled meat on a stick. Paired with a nice cold beer on a hot summer day - heaven!
Click below for a typical Yakitori recipe:
Continue reading "Grilling Season is Here" »
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Posted by Janet on May 24, 2007
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A Worthy Cause: Minna's Ride
My brother, who fixes/rebuilds/sets up computers on the side, recently told me about a family he met while doing this; the daughter, Minna, has cerebral palsy & Reiger's syndrome and is wheelchair bound. She's 24, lives with her mother (her father passed away from cancer in 1999) and they don't have a lot of money. Minna's trying to raise enough money to purchase a lift van so that she can get around more easily and take care of herself. To read more, click on Minna's Ride.
Posted by Janet on May 18, 2007
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An entirely different type of Chocolate chip
While shopping at Whole Foods the other day, I pointed out a bag of chocolate tortilla chips to Megan, a self-avowed chocoholic. I must admit I was scoffing a bit. Chocolate flavored tortilla chips? Yuck! But! I decided I must try them.
Boy am I glad I did! Um, not yuck at all! Extremely yum!!! These tortillas chips are made with Dutch cocoa, cane sugar and sea salt, as well as stone ground white corn, non-hydrogenated canola oil and sugarcane fiber. They have no trans fat, no cholesterol, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors...and man are they good! Just plain, out of the bag, chocolately, salty crunchy goodness.
Check them out the next time you're at Whole Foods. You won't be disappointed!
Posted by Janet on May 2, 2007
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The Gardella Vampire Chronicles
While 
I do admit to a love of the horror genre, vampires in specific, but I don't care for romance novels in the least nor did I think I cared for vampire hunter-type books (let the poor things live!). So I was quite surprised by how fast I was taken in by this story; I couldn't put it down and finished it in one weekend!
I recently received a copy of her second book (thanks Colleen & Megan!), and I'll review that in the near future! In the meantime, if you like a good vampire novel, please do yourself a favor and pick up "The Rest Falls Away
This is the description from http://www.colleengleason.com/pages/books.php Colleen's website:
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil... .Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.
And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
Posted by Janet on April 16, 2007
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I confess: I'm a pen junkie!
If you're like me, you're choosy about your pens. You probably have a specific favorite that you love to write with, correct?
Well, let me introduce you to the Sakura Pigma Micron
I use them for writing on the matting of photographs I sell. It's truly an amazing, colorful pen!
Now I know I'm not the only one with an addiction to pens. What's your favorite?
Posted by Janet on April 12, 2007
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Natura Pet Products: The healthiest pet food in the world
If you haven't heard already (who couldn't!?) there's a big pet food recall going on. I thought I'd share information about my favorite pet food, which has not been affected by the recall.
When I went shopping for dog food, I needed two things: a brand that I was comfortable with AND the dogs had to like; which seemed like an impossible combination. Then I discovered Innova dry dog food, made by Natura Pet Products, that is available in regular and large dog-sized bites. My dogs LOVE it! Natura also makes biscuits called HealthBars that, I swear, have doggie crack mixed in it!
The best thing about Natura, is that they only use US Suppiers. From what I hear, the pet food that has been recalled seems to be originating from foreign countries. The culprit is wheat gluten; what I've heard is that arsenic was put into the wheat fields to kill rodents. Unfortunately, the poison also got into the wheat.
For more information on the recent pet food recalls, please visit the following links:
- Foods that have NOT been recalled and are SAFE to use
- Recall facts about the recall
- Latest Del Monte recall
"As a precautionary measure, Del Monte Pet Products is voluntarily recalling select product codes of its pet treat products sold under the Jerky Treats, Gravy Train Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels brands as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands."
Do be careful what you feed your pets. I know that the dogs and cats I had as a kid got supermarket pet food, but perhaps the things that go in pet food today didn't go in back then.
Posted by Janet on April 4, 2007
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He's always up to sneaky tricks!
He's always up to sneaky tricks. I love the design of this, as well as the saying (in French!). It's roomy and has a matching laptop case. They also have some amazing luggage tags; this of the Eiffel Tower one is my favorite! I'd be afraid, tho, to use it on my luggage cause people would fall in love with it and take it for their own :-) There's even a bag with my name on it! Browse around this site, you're sure to find something to tickle YOUR fancy!
Posted by Janet on March 15, 2007
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By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea!
I'm crazy for sea glass! It brings back fond memories of walking along the beach; finding pieces of sea glass were like finding treasure...I still have a collection.
White Light Productions makes beautiful sea glass earrings, bracelets & necklaces; some glass pieces are square shaped, others rectangular, still others triangular. They come in a variety of colors and styles...check them out!
I know I'll be wearing the earrings I got to work tomorrow...and I fully expect to get many compliments!
Posted by Janet on February 6, 2007
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This Gorilla won't eat your camera
Finally, 
There's even another model
Posted by Janet on December 19, 2006
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Smell Like the Italian Version of Yourself
Acqua Di Parma Profumo ($166.00) is a fragrance that was created in the 1930s specifically for women; today, it's considered a unisex scent. The salesman told me that 300 flowers go into the making of this fragrance yet it's not incredibly floral at all! In fact...there's a certain smokeyness that piqued my curiosity. It certainly costs a bit more than most of the perfumes we showcase here on A Girl Must Shop but I'm compelled to share it with you, that's how much I liked it!
My companion was equally enthralled by Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile ($40.00 - $118.00), a much newer scent that is a tribute to the Iris flower.
Miniature bottles of these scents can be found for a lot less at various sites, like the following link from amazon: Acqua Di Parma by Parma Profumo Edition - 0.17 oz Miniature Collectible
Posted by Janet on December 12, 2006
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A Fashionable Hound or Two!
Max and Wolf were happy to model their new collars, courtesy of Fashion-Hound! They have many different collars and leashes to choose from, and get this...you can design your own! The workmanship and colors are fantastic...and the owners are wonderfully helpful! Check them out :-)
Max is seen here modeling the lovely Christmas themed collar, and Wolf is wearing an awesome purple/green combo!
Posted by Janet on December 10, 2006
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Black Friday Tip: Don't do it!
I love shopping (Duh!), so when I go shopping I want to enjoy it, therefore I don't usually shop on Black Friday. I don't give into the madness; I go on-line.
Here are some things (under $25!) that I found at Sephora recently...and I LOVE them! Great idea for gifts!
Carol's Daugther Love Butter: If you like cinnamon, you're sure to love this! I use this on my feet at night and fall asleep with this gorgeous scent enveloping me!
Bare Escentuals Liner Shadow Compact Quad: For those of us that have discovered Bare Escentuals, this eyeliner set is amazing! I particularly liked Quad III :-)
L’Occitane’s Harvest Soap Set: Something nice to bring as a hostess gift to the holiday parties you'll be going to! Lather up with this set of twelve mini guest soaps in four of L'Occitane's top-selling scents: Verbena, Honey, Olive Oil, and Lavender.The honey scent I particularly enjoy.
Two Faced’s Lash Gems: Interesting gift for those free spirits on your list! Just like jewelry for your lashes, Lash Gems add twinkle to the tips of your lashes.
Sephora’s Indulgences Whipped Body Delights: On a cold winter's night, what better remedy for the blahs than to soften your skin while wrapping yourself in the delicious scents of Peppermint Mocha or Hot Apple Cider or Eggnog!
Posted by Janet on November 24, 2006
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Munch, crunch, crunch... *grin*
There is NOTHING I don't like about Moose Munch Confection by Harry and David! A friend gave me a box recently--she thought I needed some cheering up. I opened it then and there and had a few pieces and thought...oh, my, this is FAR better than I thought it was be! It's a combination of dark chocolate coated popcorn, caramel corn, almonds & cashews. RUN, don't walk, to wherever you can get some and give it a try. You will NOT be disappointed...and you'll be cheered if you need it! They also have a bunch of Moose Munch Gifts that would perfect for any chocolate-lover on your list.
Posted by Janet on November 23, 2006
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Plump it up!
Haven't we all tried those lip plumping serums? Haven't we all been disappointed with the results? I thought so! I had just about given up on them until I got a free sample of Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme...and all I can say is WOW!!! Not only did it plump them up, but it reddened them just a bit too! You can even put lipstick over it after letting it sit for 5 or 10 minutes!
Now, they claim it's "formulated to Increase lip volume and plumpness permanently with continued use." I don't know about that, I've just started using it. But I'll surely let you know! In the meantime, try it for yourself. I'd suggest putting it on at bedtime the first time as it really is strong and really tingles!
Posted by Janet on November 9, 2006
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It was a dark and stormy night...
When I was in Portland, ME recently, I popped into a pub for a pint...of pumpkin ale! It was by the Shipyard Brewery, quite delicious AND was served in the most awesome pint glass! On the front is the pumpkinhead, on the back a VERY scary jack-o-lantern...and the bottom of the glass is orange, to give the pumpkin ale a nice glow. I forgot to pick up a couple of the glasses while I was there, so I ordered some on Monday. Tuesday, they arrived at my house in the mail! Great customer service, and quick too!
Posted by Janet on October 28, 2006
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Ohhhh, that tingles!
I've finally found a shampoo and conditioner I love - the scent, the bubbles, and even the way the conditioner feels cool on my scalp!
It's by a company called Pureology; their products are 100% vegan, completely biodegradable, made especially for coloured-treated hair and boy do they smell good! I love the Hydrate shampoo and conditioner; it has an AntiFadeComplex, which extends and provides protection for my hair color.
They also have shampoos and conditioners for Volume
I find it a bit on the expensive side for shampoo, but my hair is totally worth it! Give it a try...you'll be glad you did!
Posted by Janet on October 26, 2006
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What do you think greed smells like?
As a follow-up to my recent entry on a different kind of perfumerie, I wanted to share with you my experiences with the fragrances from the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which specializes in "formulating intriguing, compelling body and household blends with a dark, romantic Gothic tone."
Tuesday, I wore Laudanum (the essence of the most debauched hunger encapsulated into a perfume. Desire beyond love, anguish beyond sanity. Nutmeg, sassafras, black poppy and myrrh.) to work. The first thing I (and others, whom I asked to take a whiff of it on me) smelled was cinnamon, then an smoky, incense-y type scent followed.
Wednesday, I tried Greed (base and earthy, yet glittering with golden notes: patchouli, heliotrope, copal and oakmoss). This one generated some great unsolicited comments! The patchouli is VERY weak in this...you can smell it, but it's mixed nicely with the flowery scent of the heliotrope; that's not to say this is a true sweet flowery scent, tho. Again, there is a slight smell of incense, which I believe is the copal, the definition of which I had to look up (Copal is a more mature form of resin. The word copal comes from the Spanish word copalli which means incense.)
Thursday, it was Lust (red musk, patchouli, ylang ylang and myrrh), which I thought was particularly appropriate, as I went to an adult toy party ;-) This smelled sweeter than Greed, I'm sure from the ylang ylang. I like the darkness the myrrh gives to it.
Friday, Les Infortunes de la Vertu (...blend of leather, oakmoss, orange blossom, amber, and rose with a breath of virginal French florals and a hint of austere monastic penitential incense): When I first put it on, it smelled JUST like English Leather, an inexpensive men's cologne from back in the day. But after it settled, the incense in it really came through. My first thought was YUCK; my thought after a bit was ... not bad, not bad at all, but more for a man than a woman.
Saturday was Verdandi (Deep herbs and apple with black amber): I was looking forward to trying this one, and I liked it, but in addition to apple, I smell...bubblegum? It reminds me of a car freshener I had when I lived in Japan LOL!
Sunday, it was Calliope--she is the scent of creative inspiration, and it is a boon to writers, poets and arbitrators (lavender and bright mint with bergamot, verbena, thyme and a touch of sweet orange and warm almond): It smells a bit musty, not musty, but...old bookish smelling, if that makes sense. Ahhh, it smells like something, it's right on the tip of my tongue...PLAYDOUGH!!! hahaha it smells like playdough, too funny!
The company also hosts a trading forum; so if you don't like something you ordered, even if it's just an "imp"; you can trade it for something else!
I really liked Laudanum, Greed & Lust. The rest are up for grabs...anyone interested?
Posted by Janet on October 24, 2006
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A Different Kind of Parfumerie
A friend of mine was talking about scents recently; specifically the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, a company which I'd never heard of, which specializes in "formulating intriguing, compelling body and household blends with a dark, romantic Gothic tone." I clicked on the link and was happily immersed in reading about all the different scents these people put together!
Being the 'unique' person I am, the scents that most appealed to me were of the darker, spicer type:
Les Infortunes de la Vertu: ...blend of leather, oakmoss, orange blossom, amber, and rose with a breath of virginal French florals and a hint of austere monastic penitential incense.
Laudanum: The essence of the most debauched hunger encapsulated into a perfume. Desire beyond love, anguish beyond sanity. Nutmeg, sassafras, black poppy and myrrh.
They even have The 7 Deadly Sins made into perfume, of which Greed (base and earthy, yet glittering with golden notes: patchouli, heliotrope, copal and oakmoss) and Lust (red musk, patchouli, ylang ylang and myrrh) intrigued me (the description of the scent, not the actual sin!).
For those of you that enjoy a lighter, cleaner or more flowery fragrance, they have those as well! In fact, a friend thought this perfume sounded fantastic: "...a light, pure scent: white musk, green tea, aloe and lemon."; she laughed at the name...Embalming Fluid!
In closing, any place that features a Dorothy Parker quote is ok by me:
I like to drink martinis
Two at the very most.
Three, I'm under the table,
Four, I'm under my host.
Posted by Janet on September 7, 2006
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What's your signature scent?
While in Newburyport, MA recently, I stumbled upon John Harding's Frangrance Bar. where they mix and match scents and help you find your perfect scent. It's a fantastic place; the store is bright and clean and filled with bottles of every scent you can imagine!
The owner's son Nantucket Natural Oils runs the place, and he has an incredible nose! Not only will he work with you to design your perfect scent, he'll file your special recipe so when you run out, all you need to do is give him a call.
During my visit, I created a scent which, in essence, named itself Snape. It's a bit smoky, a bit sweet, and never ceases to generate a ton of compliments! Recently, I went into the shop, spoke to the woman who was there, telling her I wanted to get another bottle of Snape. She pulled my record, mixed up the scents, and voila! Took about 5 minutes :-)
Posted by Janet on August 31, 2006
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