Hot legs

OK, I am willing to admit that I have a little bit of an obsessive tendency about the whole body hair thing. My eyebrows will testify that they have suffered overplucking in the name of this obsession, and my legs will certainly attest to numerous abuses they have endured as I have tried to figure out how to best control the misery that is stubble. BUT--life has gotten significantly easier for both my legs and me, as I have discovered the Venus Breeze!! A friend recommended it, and because I was starting to feel a little guilty about all the disposable razors that were going into the landfill because of my obsessiveness, I gave it a try. I have to admit I was skeptical--I have not been thrilled with the results of past razors with replaceable blades. They seemed to dull quickly and then the bleeding would commence. However, the big advantage of this one is that it has these solid shaving cream strips on the top and bottom of the blades, so you just wet it and glide it over your skin. No shaving gel or cream and somehow, not a single cut! And I have been able to use each blade refill multiple times (five or six) before replacing. Here's the link to the website:

www.gillettevenus.com/us/

Even better--they sell it with twelve refills at Costco (or at least they did a month ago). I am smooth and stubble-free for the warm weather. Now if I could just find a self-tanner with no funky smell to it, I could actually wear shorts! Read more!

Frontera Salsa

When I moved to San Antonio, there were plenty of competitors vying for the title of ‘best Mexican food,’ both in restaurants and the grocery aisles. Moving back to Dallas, I have been surprised and a little frustrated with the lack of authentic, flavorful salsa available in grocery stores. In moments of desperation, I have even fallen prey to buying salsa made in (gasp) “New York City!”

I have found a few gems though. HEB/Central Market has a great fresh salsa in the refrigerated produce section (Roasted Medium is my favorite), but the store near my house only carries it sporadically.

For those without either of these stores, or who live outside of Texas, I am happy to suggest a great substitute. I found this salsa, made by Rick Bayless. He’s the goatee sporting chef who has several restaurants in Chicago, and has had a cooking show on PBS since pre-Food Network days.


The website describes it as, “A combination of dried and fresh sweet red chiles with fire-roasted tomatoes, onions and garlic.” I say, “It’s full of smoky salsa deliciousness.”

Check it out at SuperTarget. Read more!

Taming the Beast

All the books promised me that after I had my son the massive amount of hair that erupted on my head would fall out, but it didn't. All that hair moved in with the massive amount I had before. I have been trying to find a way to keep it tame ever since, especially after I straighten it. Not an easy task in the summer. I finally found two great products that work with each other, but also just as effectively alone. The first is Shine Shock from John Frieda. I use the brilliant brunette, for obvious reasons, but it is also made for blondes and redheads. I find it works best on dry hair that has been styled already, kind of as a finisher. It keeps my hair straight without looking greasy. And it holds the frizz at bay. The other product is Silk Drops Smoothing Serum. It does basically the same thing, except it's in more of a liquidy form. It's great for quick touch-ups. I just squirt some in my palm and run it through my hair. When it is really humid I use both and my hair never looks greasy.

Read more!