April Prize Draw at My Real Life Reviews (and March WINNER!)

It's time for another prize giveaway here at My Real Life Reviews!


For April (Earth Month) there are two prize packages to be won. 

To enter to win a Nature Clean gift set containing:
                          
Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo, Conditioner and a Nature Clean Calm Bath Bar (retail price approximately: $28. for the set) leave a comment for this post/contest.

That's it. That's all. Easy peasy! :<)

One entry per person. Open to readers in Canada and the U.S.

Please, no anonymous comments/entries. A comment/entry via a blog account (Blogger, WP....) is preferred to keep this as fair as possible.

The winner will be chosen at the end of the month, by a random generated system.

                                 
*** I know a lot of people aren't comfortable sharing their email addresses on sites/blogs (me included!) so I'm just going to post the winner of each draw, the first week of the following month. Check back then and if you are a prize winner you will have one month to claim your prize. If not claimed, I'll pick another winner. ***




   You can read my full product review: Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner.

***


And the winner of the March Giveaway for a CreaClip haircutting tool was: Brian Miller.

 Congrats Brian! I hope you and your family enjoy the CreaClip as much as I do.  

Please email your mailing address to: MRLR at myway.com and I'll get your prize sent out.


***


Good luck to everyone this month and Happy Earth Month!

Last Week to Enter the MRLR March Giveaway!

If you haven't already, there's still time to enter to win a free (click to enter) CreaClip haircutting tool  in the  March Prize Giveaway at My Real Life Reviews.

There will also be a new contest coming up the first week in April, with an Earth Month theme, so stay tuned!

Good luck! :<)

Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel (for strong hold)

I've been searching for a better option when it comes to hair gel for a long time.

I recently tried: Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel for Strong Hold and I'm so glad that I did!

Unlike the "chemical soup" that is the norm for most hair gel products, Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel contains these ingredients:

Aqua(purified water),Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Rosemary(Rosemarinus Officinalis)Oil, Nettle(Urtica Dioica)oil,Thyme(Thymus Vulgaris) Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary)Leaf Extract, Chamomile anthemis nobilis flower)oil,Lavender(Lavandula Angustifolia), Coltsfoot leaf(tussilago fargara),Yarrow Achillea Millefolium)oil,Mallow(Malya Sylvestris),Horsetail(Equisetum arvense)oil, Soybean Protein(Glycine Soja),PVP/VA Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcelllulose(plant derived), Tocopherol(Vitamin E),Phenoxethanol,Citric Acid(corn), Grapefruit Seed(citrus derived), Fragrance (includes Essential Oil)

Note the first two main ingredients in particular: purified water and aloe vera leaf juice...followed by several organic source botanicals and plant-based preservatives. 

 Impressive!

Compare this to a mainstream popular "herbal" hair gel brand ingredient list:

Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Hair Scrunching Gel:

Water, PVP, Laureth 23, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract (Flower/Leaf/Stem), Crassula Argentea Leaf Extract, Fragrance, VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, Triisopropanolamine, Carbomer, PEG 12 Dimethicone, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA

Yikes, I know what my preference is!

It's so gratifying to see that there are now companies who are tackling products like hair gel and other styling products and creating formulas that don't make a consumer cringe reading the ingredients; let alone applying them to our hair. I also wonder just how flammable some of these mainstream products could be! I'm guessing that could be a concern as well.

Of course, being a more natural product is great ingredient/health-wise but it still has to work! And Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel works just as well, maybe even better than any other mainstream hair gel that I've used. And I've tried a lot of them over the years.

My hair looks smooth, not sticky or crunchy after applying a small amount of this product and allowing it to dry. It also washes out completely and doesn't seem to leave any build-up which can be a problem with similar products.

Giovanni is a cruelty-free company; again that's important to me. You can read more about their product standards and also check out their complete product line at their website. Yes, there is a little "sound-off icon" on their homepage if you prefer quiet browsing, like I do. LOL

I also found a great price for a 3 pk. of this hair gel over at Amazon. A little does go a long way, but if you want to stock up, this is a real bargain at less than $24. currently for 3 full- sized tubes (6.8 oz/200 ml each). Packaging (as photographed on Amazon) is different but this is the same product/ingedient list.

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner

                                      

I've tried a lot of shampoos and conditioners over the years. I recently tested: Nature Clean: Pure-Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner and I have been happy with the results.

My hair tends to be frizzy when the humid or rainy days arrive. With Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive it's been "behaving" a lot better, even when the weather isn't LOL. I've also noted that my hair tends to stay cleaner for a day or two longer now. Easy to style. And there is no scent (at all!) in these two products; I appreciate that too.

I switched to  "natural" types of shampoos and conditioners (whenever possible) many years ago. Some are better than others when it comes to ingredients, performance, scent...On all counts, I feel good about using Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner. One addition I would like to see: a line of "organics" for their skin and hair care products.

The natural cosmetic/hair-care industry is growing by the day. Consumers ARE questioning not just what they are eating now but also what they are ingesting through their skin, hair, lungs...it all adds up. It all impacts our health.  At the same time, products still have to work well and get the job done!

In terms of ingredients for Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner and the 99% plus claim of "natural"; I did some research online recently. One by one, I checked the ingredients in the shampoo. All acceptable (some very good) from what I read in terms of safety, biodegradability... and without the use of parabens,sulphates, fragrance, dyes and other questionable ingredients.

Stop by the Nature Clean website to read more about their complete product line that includes household cleaners, personal care, laundry care and much more.

I don't think there is such a thing as an absolutely "pure" shampoo or conditioner that would actually work. But from what I've found out about Nature Clean products, they are doing a good job of providing both. Products that are free of so many of the ingredients that consumers are being advised to avoid without compromising on how they perform.

By way of comparison, here's the ingredient list for:

 Nature Clean Pure-Sensitive Shampoo- "Ingredients: Water/Eau/Aqua, Cocoglucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sapindus Mukurossi Peel Extract, Chondrus Chrispus (Carageenan), Citric Acid, Beta-Glucan, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate."

                          

And for another popular and top-rated  "pure and natural" shampoo:

 

L'Oreal EverPure Smooth Shampoo Rosemary and Juniper-"Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glycereth 26, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum/Fragrance, Polyquaternium 7, PPG 5 Ceteth 20, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium 10, Methylparaben, PEG 55 Propylene Glycol Oceate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, C11 15 Pareth 7, Benzophenone 3, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexylcinnamal, Glycerin Trideceth 12, Laureth 9, C12 13 Pareth 23, Linalool, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), C12 13 Pareth 3, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil (Rosemary), Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid"

 

You be the judge.

Lovely name, L'Oreal but....I'm not impressed! 

 

This is just one of many examples of questionable "pure and natural" haircare products that I've checked out online. I'm so thankful for ingredient lists and the Internet too. Companies and their products have to be accountable now if they expect to survive and grow.

As is usually the case: Buyer beware. It's so worth it to be an informed, savvy shopper.

We send a clear message to companies with every dollar spent!

Overall rating for these products: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt

Salt. The salt of the earth...

...and such a basic staple seasoning/food for most people.

But the types and quality of culinary salt varieties available is growing by the day. Salt in recent years has been taken to a whole new level for many "foodies" and food-lovers in general.

I recently found out about Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt. I've been using sea salt for many years. I gave up using regular commercial "table salt" a long time ago. Regular commercial table salt is often heavily processed/mined from land-based areas and has "free-flow" anti-caking ingredients added to it, so that it will...flows freely. LOL

Sea salt is the result of a water-evaporation method of extracting salt from sea water. But again, how that process is accomplished varies quite a bit. Some definitely better than others.

I was impressed with what Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt had to say about their own method of processing salt. Also the addition of alaea (an edible Hawaiian red clay) to their salt, results in a higher mineral content and adds a beautiful coral orange color. The photo above doesn't do the color justice but it was the one I found on the company's website.

You can read the background of Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt here and also check out the company's complete product line. I also want to try their Margarita Gold Salt! Wow, what a color boost that would add to any dish.

As far as taste Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt has a pleasant, mild flavour. I have it in a grinder set to medium-fine grind and a little goes a long way in terms of perking up the taste of various foods.

Yes, I know. Too much salt is not good for any of us. But when salt is part of a recipe or for enhancing the flavor of foods, I want to use a good quality salt that I can feel better about ingesting. And I feel good about using Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt!

Reasonably priced too. The 16 oz. bag shown above is available at the company's website for $ 7.99 . There are also sample sizes for all their products available. I like that! So it's possible to try several and taste-test before buying a larger bag. 

The 16 oz. bag lasts a long time even for a salt- lover like me! LOL

Another interesting site I found with a lot of information about various salt types is SaltWorks. Fascinating reading actually, especially if you love cooking as much as I do. Saltworks also sells Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt as part of their product line.

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Midnight in Paris DVD

I've been a fan of Woody Allen for a long time. He never fails to surprise and delight me with the range of talents and ideas that he brings to his work. And there are so many movies that he's directed, written and/or starred in to enjoy!  

                            

 Midnight in Paris is no exception. I loved (almost) everything about this movie.

It has a story with a timeless message. We can be happy wherever we are. Life is what we make of it, right here and right now. Seeking happiness in other places (and in the case of the main character in this story: other eras) never really lasts. But what a fun trip it was to go on, watching this story unfold.

Visually, this movie is such a treat. The beauty of Paris portrayed in the present and from the perspective of the 1920's is breathtaking. There is a dreamy quality to this film throughout.

Loved the costumes and the mesmerizing musical score too. My kind of music....classical jazz and Cole Porter, play on! 

Life is but a dream for the lead character Gil (Owen Wilson). Night after night... wishes granted. Visiting legendary haunts with some of his literary idols from the past, Gil is transported to another time and place. And a place in time that he doesn't really want to come back from to face the problems in his own 21st century life including a fiancee and in-laws that leave much to be desired.

There is also a sadness to this story. Not just the voice but also the heart and soul of Woody Allen come through the main character's thoughts and words. It is obvious that there are personal memories woven into many scenes of this film. Maybe some "could have beens" and perhaps regrets for him too. It made the movie even more memorable and touching for me. I teared up a time or two watching and considering Woody Allen's mindset as the final cut rolled. 

The only negative for me. Some of the acting was a bit "stilted" for lack of a better word when it came to present-day interactions between Owen Wilson and his fiancee in the movie Rachel McAdams. I found some of the dialogue and interaction between these two characters a bit over the top at times, tedious...I was always happy when the story slipped back into the world of the 1920's and Gil's vivid imagination.

This is an escape and "feel good" movie of the very best kind.

I could imagine seeing this movie in a big old theatre. The kind that still has chandeliers, velvet seats and heavy drapes on the stage. For a matinee performance, even better. Stopping in for a break from a busy city street and day. That would really enhance the experience. It's just that kind of film.

                          

From the Amazon product page:

"Paris is a city that lends itself to daydreaming, to walking the streets and imagining all sorts of magic, a quality that Woody Allen understands perfectly. Midnight in Paris is Allen's charming reverie about just that quality, with a screenwriter hero named Gil (Owen Wilson) who strolls the lanes of Paris with his head in the clouds and walks right into his own best fantasy. Gil is there with his materialistic fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her unpleasant parents, taking a break from his financially rewarding but spiritually unfulfilling Hollywood career--and he can't stop thinking that all he wants to do is quit the movies, move to Paris, and write that novel he's been meaning to finish. You know, be like his heroes in the bohemian Paris of the 1920s. "

"At age 75--with more than 40 films under his belt--Allen has created a film that literally glows. Its dazzling cinematography, inventive plot, and Parisian score, combined with the top-notch acting and set-design, makes for an almost-perfect film, one that's not only clever and thought-provoking, but also entertaining and accessible--even to mainstream audiences."

"Refreshing break from melting buildings, crumbling sidewalks, 50 car pileups, crude, rude humor and stacks of shot up bad guys. A breath of fresh air."

Here, here on that last quote!!!

If you enjoy romance and nostalgia at it's best. Perhaps dream of Paris now and from days gone by? And if you love to be transported by a story (sans the guts and gore!) you won't want to miss: Midnight in Paris.

It is a departure from most stories/films created by Woody Allen, but in a good way.

And if you've never been a Woody Allen fan, this might be the one that changes your mind.

Overall rating for this DVD: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie

I was browsing over at Amazon the other day and happend to click my way to the product page for Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie. I had written a review of this book at my poetry blog, a couple of years ago. You can read that post at My Poetic Path: Embraced by the Light.

What surprised me when I checked out this book again was the fact that it is still a very popular book (first published in 1994) and continues to be either "loved" or "highly suspect" when it comes to many readers/reviewers. At least that's seems to be the case, based on the 200 + reviews at Amazon. And some of those reviews written as recently as a few days ago, I noted.

I can't really add anything to what I've already written here in my previous review of this book. I still think it's "hogwash" of the very worst kind. And I still find it hard to believe that anyone would find the author of this book credible, after reading this book. And if they also researched the author's bio in more detail as I did at the time.

If you've already read this book, I'd be curious to know your opinion of it? Did it ring true in your opinion? Or did you also share my opinion that it was a work of fiction being touted as a near-death, true experience, by this author? And a very lucrative experience $$$- wise too.

Overall rating for this book: BAD. 0 out of 5.

March Prize Draw at My Real Life Reviews

For the March prize here at My Real Life Reviews; I am so pleased to be able to offer one of my absolute favorite products as my first prize in the monthly giveaways: the CreaClip!

The CreaClip has been very well-received by millions of fans from around the world and for good reasons.  This innovative hair-cutting tool can save you and your family hundreds of dollars every year! Visit the CreaClip site to see more testimonials and watch helpful instructional videos for dozens of hairstyles. Makes a wonderful gift too.

Speaking of gifts, I can only imagine what some parents "shell out" every month or so, for kid's haircuts, in addition to their own. The CreaClip can easily put an end to that "cash-drain". A savings of mega $$$, in no time at all!

And SO easy to use; the CreaClip actually makes cutting hair at home a fun experience. I know, because I've used it many times already!You can read my full review with photos of the CreaClip here. I'm not surprised that this review is in my top 5 read reviews, week after week.

                                                  

To enter to win a free CreaClip (retail price: $29.95 and includes free postage and handling ) leave a comment for this post.

That's it. That's all. Easy peasy!  :<)

One entry per person. Open to all readers, wherever you live!
                                

The winner will be chosen at the end of the month, by a random generated system.
                                 
                                     

**I know a lot of people aren't comfortable sharing their email addresses on sites/blogs (me included!) so I'm just going to post the winner of each draw, the first week of the following month.Check back then and if you are the winner, send along your mailing info. to my email address: MRLR at myway dot com and I will get your prize sent out! **

Winners will have one month to claim their prize. If not claimed, I'll pick another winner.

And DO spread the word on your blogs,Facebook, Twitter, site pages... Stay tuned for next month's prize draw too. Just in time for Earth Month!

Thank you for your continued support and readership, here at My Real Life Reviews. It's been very gratifying to see the continued increase in monthly visitors and from all over the world.

Good luck with the draw! G :<)

Upcoming Prize Giveaways at My Real Life Reviews!



Starting in March, there will be monthly prize giveaways here at My Real Life Reviews!

Some of the companies I have worked with in the past year (and hopefully more from this coming year too) have graciously offered to supply prizes for the upcoming giveaways.

Stop by the first week in March to see what the prize is for the month and enter to win!

 

I love freebies and prizes! And I am so happy to be able to start hosting a monthly contest at My Real Life Reviews to share some wonderful product goodies with my readers!

Stay tuned and do share this contest information at your own blogs/sites if you can!

Good luck and Have a Wonderful Week, G :<)

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Lion Brand Yarn company vs Knitting Warehouse

As I blogged about recently here and here; I've been on a bit of a knitting binge lately and lovin' it!

As we have no LYS (local yarn store) in our oh so small city; I usually order yarn online when I need some.

I've ordered from the  Lion Brand Yarn company several times in the past few years and planned to do so this time. The yarns I required were all Lion Brand. Well, I did place the items I wanted in a shopping cart at the Lion Brand site. But when it came time to check-out, I was shocked to see what my order ended up costing!

I then went over to Goggle and did a search for Jiffy Yarn. I found a link to the  Knitting Warehouse site  and was pleasantly surprised by their much lower prices and yes, they did ship to Canada too. Several yarn sites based in the U.S. do not offer this service.

Please see the two comparison orders at the end of this review.

Wowsa, that's some difference in total price!
                                        

And even more surprising was the fact that this was Lion Brand yarn I was ordering! Is it not usually the case that the company that makes a particular product is also the company that can sell it at the best possible price? I always thought so but not this time.

Lion Brand Yarn also annoyed me (big time) by not allowing me to request/receive one of their catalogues with my order, due to the fact that I live in Canada!

Come on...I'm placing a sizable order with a company and they can't even throw in one of their catalogues? No extra postage required. Just a good way to tick-off this potential customer.

And a customer who went elsewhere and probably won't order from them again.

Knitting Warehouse provided a order notification immediately after placing my order, via email. They also let me know when the order shipped, which was prompt too.

They also provide excellent prices on many other brand name yarns, tools, books. A very good selection of free patterns too.

The only complaint I did have with Knitting Warehouse was the fact that the tracking number link they supplied for my order, did not work when I clicked it. I then emailed their customer service department and they replied saying the link hadn't worked for them either (words to that effect) and that I should phone DHL to follow up on my order.

I thought they should have been the ones to "follow-up" not me. After that, I did visit the DHL site and finally found the correct page for DHL Global Mail to track my order; which arrived a few days after that.

I won't be ordering from the Lion Brand Yarn again, any time soon. I still like browsing their selection of free patterns but I was NOT impressed by this recent experience with their company.

I WILL be ordering from Knitting Warehouse again and probably many times in the future.

It really does pay to do your homework when it comes to buying online and at retail stores too. And don't assume that a company brand  name item is being offered by that company, at the best possible price. As was the case with this order, it isn't always the reality.

My actual order with Knitting Warehouse:

Items: Qty Each Price Line Total DUSTY PINK-YARN JIFFY 6 $2.89 $17.34 APPLE GREE-YARN JIFFY 1 $2.89 $2.89 AVOCADO -YARN JIFFY 1 $2.89 $2.89 LIGHT PINK-YARN JIFFY 1 $2.89 $2.89 FIESTA -YARN HOMESPUN 1 $4.79 $4.79 EGGPLANT -YARN WOOL-EASE CHUNK 1 $5.99 $5.99 CLIP STRIP-YARN CUTTER 1 $4.99 $4.99 Retail Subtotal 41.78 (Via DHL)Shipping 9.75 Tax 5.00  Total 56.53

Additional info. re: Knitting Warehouse order: I was not charged any additional charges for duty. The cutter is a bit different but I liked it better than the one from Lion Brand.


The same items IF I had ordered from Lion Brand Yarn:

Items:	Qty	Each Price	Line Total
DUSTY PINK-YARN JIFFY	6	$4.17	$25.02
APPLE GREE-YARN JIFFY	1	$4.17	$4.17
AVOCADO -YARN JIFFY	1	$4.17	$4.17
LIGHT PINK-YARN JIFFY	1	$4.17	$4.17
FIESTA -YARN HOMESPUN	1	$7.83	$7.83
EGGPLANT -YARN WOOL-EASE CHUNK	1	$9.19	$9.19
CLIP STRIP-YARN CUTTER	1	$7.84	$7.84
		Retail Subtotal	62.39
		(Via DHL)Shipping	28.58
		Duty and Tax	11.23
		Total	102.20

Overall rating for Lion Brand Yarn: Unsatisfactory. 1 out of 5.
Overall rating for Knitting Warehouse: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Conair Infiniti Model CS54C Hair Curler/Straightener

A few months ago, I ordered the Conair Infiniti Model CS54C (hair curler/straightener tool) using up some of my oh so slowly earned AirMiles in the process. With my recent hair "snips" I thought this would be a helpful tool in keeping my hair styled, quickly and efficiently.

When the package arrived here, I took the time to read over the instruction booklet and check out proper usage suggestions for this product. I know a lot of people don't bother with instructions, safety guides etc, but I think it's a good idea, always.

What I was really surprised by was the large tag, attached directly to the cord of this product which read in big bold text:

WARNING: NOT FOR HOUSEHOLD USE- MAY CAUSE BURNS

                                    

That one stopped me in my tracks.

 Yes, I could understand a caution about being careful when using any kind of hair care appliance that involves heat. Of course they can cause burns if not used properly.

But.... NOT FOR HOUSEHOLD USE?

                                                        

I decided to go to the source and contacted Conair directly.

Here's the email correspondence:

My initial inquiry:

"I recently ordered this item from AirMiles and when I received it I noted that it is NOT FOR HOUSEHOLD USE. I'm assuming its due to the electrical source x28;as in a salonx29; that is recommended for use. I am returning this to AirMiles, after they agreed to accept it as a return. Im wondering why this product is being offered on their site as a reward if its not safe for household use? I read the label but I know a lot of people who wouldnt bother. This looks like a lawsuit just waiting to happen, if there is an injury due to this product. Please let me know.

Reply from Conair:

Subject: Re: Product inquiry from conaircanada.ca

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email inquiry and for your support. Hair Straightener in order to be overall effective has to operate at a Salon high temperature. To achieve this the product must have a commercial rating and bearing the statement, based on the CSA Standard. The product is perfectly safe to use at home. Like any electrical appliance please review and follow the instructions that come with the product before initial use.

Best Regards,
CSR/PB

                            

My reply to their email:

                                                
If it is perfectly safe for household use it should not be marked NOT FOR HOUSEHOLD USE. You are contradicting your safety warnings. If it's not a safety hazard, then why have this warning on the cord sticker?

                                                             

***

Well, I still wasn't convinced this was a product I wanted to use at home, with a normal electrical household current as a power source so I contacted AirMiles  (they are still offering this product as a reward btw) who did return the AirMiles I had used to buy this item and apologized for my inconvenience. A big waste of time for me and still no curling iron to use.

                      

My question: If we have to start second-guessing safety warnings on tags, in instructions etc, then what are they good for? If this curling iron is safe for household use, why does it have a tag saying exactly the opposite, attached to the cord?
                                 

I think this is a very poor policy on the part of this company. I would be wary of buying anything else from Conair in the future, based on this experience. I want to feel confident when I am using any kind of appliance that it is safe and obviously for household use too!
                                                          

As I didn't actually use this product, I can't say whether it worked well or not. At least I'm not out of pocket any cash or AirMiles, just my time. It was an eye-opener though.

As for this curling iron, I guess it's headed for the recycling bin!

                                   
                                                

Overall rating for this company/product: BAD. 0 out of 5.

Jiffy Yarn from Lion Brand Yarns

              

I've been on a knitting binge lately, after a long hiatus from the craft. I have 3 projects on the go right now: My first Fair Isle project (a cardigan), a patchwork throw and a cable headband. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed knitting and how relaxing and de-stressing it can be.

It's good to be clicking again! :<)

I have also been trying to transition away from animal fibers like wool and silk due to the cruelty aspect of some production of these types of yarns. I recently went on a search to find a substitute for the mohair-wool blend, chunky weight yarn suggested for this cardigan I'm making (click to read more about this fun pattern) and found Jiffy Yarn from Lion Brand Yarns.  It sounded like a good option and I liked the extensive color choices that were available.

Well, it's been great! I've never been a real fan of any synthetic yarns but Jiffy is changing my mind about how they can look and how nice they can be to work with. This is one viable option if you are looking for a yarn with the look and feel of wool but without any guilt attached. And a much lower price point too.

Jiffy Yarn is currently on sale at Knitting Warehouse for only $ 2.89 for a 3 oz. ball. The yardage is great too. Solid shades: 135 yards. Multi-colors: 115 yards.

This yarn has the look of mohair. It is soft and smooth and has a nice sheen. And no problems with splitting that can happen with wool fibers.
                                      

I love the colors I got for my cardigan. The (flash) photos don't do them justice:

                                     

The main color is Dusty Pink and it's a gorgeous dusty rose shade that blends perfectly with the accent greens and pale pink in the pattern work section of this sweater.

The yarn costs for the complete project was just over $25 plus tax and shipping from Knitting Warehouse! The same cardigan made in a comparable wool yarn would have cost at least $ 50. or more. And I am really happy with how the cardigan looks so far. I've got 2 sleeves completed and am now working on the body of the sweater.

Speaking of Knitting Warehouse, I will be writing more about this company in the future here. Suffice to say, I was impressed by the very good prices they offer on many brands of popular yarns in addition to offering a full range of yarn-crafting supplies and resources.

Jiffy Yarn comes in a very good range of colors. Check out all the choices at Knitting Warehouse. I plan to make another one of these cardigans in winter colors too.

                   

Fair Isle can be addictive! LOL. ;<)

If you have been looking for a good alternative to mohair-type (chunky weight) wool yarns  Jiffy Yarn is definitely one to try.  

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Now Senior & Weight Management Cat Formula

Mr. Cheddar here....



As they say in Vegas, I hit the JACKPOT big time recently. The kibble jackpot that is!

 In case you missed all the exciting and yummy details about this recent win, you can read about it here.Suffice to meow, I was one happy dude. You can tell by that glazed look above, can't ya???

There was only one surprise in the bunch that I was not expecting.

 Lo and behold, a bag of the dreaded SENIOR/WEIGHT-MANAGEMENT type of kibs was part of the mix! Of course, I immediately planned to throw THAT particular bag out and fast. But wouldn't you know it, Meowmie managed to stopped me, just in the flick of the tail time! She mumbled something about taking care of it herself so I left it at that. After all, I don't make a habit of doing menial tasks like taking out the trash! Far from it.

Well, it turns out that the humans were smarter than I thought, this time. Much, much smarter!

 Did this bag of kibble actually land in the trash? Or was it perhaps given to some geriatric fat-cat in need?

Nooooo....this kibble ended up being part of the menu here!

And ultimately, ended up inside the Cheddar-barrel tummy!!!

How did this miscarriage of cat-justice happen, you ask? Well, as I don't actually pour my own kibble each day, I'm not always aware of what is being served at din-din time. I leave that to the humans. After all, what do they really have to do with all that time on their hands? Don't answer that if your human is reading this right now but... snort, we felines know!!!

The evidence that I had actually eaten this bag of Now Senior & Weight Management Cat Formula was made abundantly clear when I noted the EMPTY bag in the recycle bin.

Alas and alack...I had been slickered!!! And not slicker-brushed either.

And now for the real surprise in all this. This cat food tasted oh so yummy! :<)

All my precatceived ideas about what a weight-management dry cat food would taste like got chucked faster than a furball! I mean this stuff isn't just good, it's greeeeeeattttt!

Of course, we all know that I am NOT overweight. And of course, I am only on the outer cusp of being considered a senior cat at 8. And even that number is debatable as my birth certificate got lost somewhere along the way. So this is of course only a guessitimate made as usual by the imperfect and oh so often incorrect humans who call the shots, more often than not.

 In reality, I am probably only about 4!!! So young and youthful looking am I. Do you not agree? Look at that firm jawline in the photo above. I know Meowmie is oh sooooo jealous!!! Snort. Oops, digressing...

But for those cats and humans they live with out there who are of a certain age and/or might have a bit of a bag-belly problem to work on, I can highly recommend Now Senior & Weight Management Cat Formula. Full of yummy turkey, veggies, oh even fruit....how clever. But it's a long list so here's the scoop from the people who actually make it.

Ingredient list for your perusal from the Petcurean Website:

De-boned turkey, potato flour, peas, pea fibre, whole dried egg, potatoes, tomato, flaxseed, apples, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), alfalfa, de-boned salmon, de-boned duck, natural flavour, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), lecithin, carrots, pumpkin, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, papayas, pineapple, grapefruit, lentil beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa sprouts, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, phosphoric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, DL-methionine, taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), niacin, inositol, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, beta-carotene, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate , ferrous sulphate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulphate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), dried kelp, L-lysine, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, yucca schidigera extract, yeast extract, L-carnitine, marigold, dried rosemary.

There's also a whole lot of other info. over at their website about all their products and how to choose the best for your own particular needs. Get your human to check it out and DO have them write down your final choices. They are so easily distracted at times! Sigh...

I give this cat food (after getting over my initial shock that it was a senior/weight-management formula!) the Cheddar Paw's UP!!! It's A-OK, I just don't like the name of it. And now, I'm off for another nosh!

And Meowmie's rating (yeah, like she actually tried it, snort):

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Erzulie Clarifying Liquid Mineral Foundation

                                           

I've been searching for a good natural liquid foundation for quite some time. I recently tried Erzulie Clarifying Liquid Mineral Foundation (warm light shade) and I am very pleased with this product.

I only wear liquid foundation in the winter time, to off-set some of the effects of drier air, colder temperatures and "winter white" skin LOL. When I do, I don't want to use a product that feels cakey or heavy. Or worse, one that dries out my skin.
                           

                                     

Erzulie Clarifying Liquid Mineral Foundation has:

-A very pleasant texture.
                   

-Goes on smoothly and dries quickly to a slightly-matte finish.
                      

-Moisturizing, vegan formula.

-No shine, greasy feeling or heavy scents here!

-Coverage: leaves a sheer finish with just enough coverage to even out skin tones.
                                           

                                                         

I have very fair skin and the Warm Light shade is just right for my skin tone. Unlike some other "warm" shades of makeup I've tried in the past, this foundation has no bronzy or orangey look. Just a nice, fresh color that blends perfectly with my skin.

I was amazed how much better my skin looked after trying this product for the first time!

I've used some "high end" foundations over the years, some of them selling for $40...or more for a small bottle of product. And most with very questionable ingredient lists too.

At $12 (on sale right now) for a one ounce pump bottle; Erzulie Clarifying Liquid Mineral Foundation is a real bargain, in every sense of the word. And yes, sample sizes of all of the foundation colors are also available so it's easy to try before you buy a full-sized product. I like that a lot too!

I previously reviewed the Erzulie Eye Depuffer Balm, which I also love. Looks like I've found another "keeper" from this company.

The only way this product could get any better would be to have organic ingredients included in the formula. Hopefully, that will be something available in the future. Still a much better choice right now, than any other "natural" foundation products that I have checked out, with other companies. And at a very good price too!

 

From the Erzulie Etsy page/site:

"This flawless finish formula has a light feel and soft matte finish(nothing greasy or heavy about it!). It evens out your complexion with superb coverage.It perfectly matches most skin tones.

All Natural and good for your skin, moisturizing without being greasy and blends perfectly!
You don't really need anything but blush with this formula.

                          
Great for mature skin. Doesn't look like a mask over your skin. Enhances the beauty of your skin! Clarifies and keeps skin clear.LIGHT SPF 20 ACNE SAFE!! Non-Comedogenic. Vegan formula."

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.