Life in our Shoes

Archive for the ‘Products I use’ Category

As a parent that loves to read, I am constantly on the lookout for books that my kids will enjoy, and that they can relate to. Whether it be moving, losing a tooth, starting a new school. *insert any life event here*.

I have had fantastic luck finding things for Thing 2 through the Scholastic Book Club that his school offers. In fact, I challenge myself each month to spend less than $50 per order. That buys a lot of Scholastic books. There isn’t much for Thing 1 in them, simply because she is older and most of the books are beneath her level. I have scored a few, but not many. I really wish her teacher would get on the ball and offer Scholastic in her class. But, that might just be asking way too much. Add one more thing to her plate and she just may forget all the kids names. Heck, she already spells Thing 1 wrong.

OK, so I got off track. I’m good at that.

I would say “the other day as I was walking through Target”, but that would be a complete lie since it was more like the other month (I’m a slacker, so I’m just posting now). So, the other month when I was walking through Target, my eyes fell on the cover a book called “Amy Hodgepodge, All Mixed Up”. The little girl on the front had brown skin and curly hair, so I grabbed it to read the back. Turns out, Amy is part Japanese, part Korean, part African-American, and part Caucasian. This? Was something Thing 1 could totally relate to (minus the Japanese and Korean, of course). One of Amy’s friends is African American and Caucasian, and my memory is failing me right now as to what her other friends are. There was no way I couldn’t buy this book. And it’s part of a series of chapter books. I love series and Thing 1 is just getting into Chapter books. Perfect.

We finished the first book which tackled some hard issues, such as bullying, disappointing friends, and being made fun of for being different. Just the back cover alone sparked a huge discussion with Thing 1. As I had hoped, she loved the book, so we bought #2 in the series. It’s titled “Amy Hodgepodge, Happy Birthday to Me”. We are only three chapters in, but so far, it is just as good as the first one. Score!

I’m not usually one to run out and buy (or order as the case may be) the latest hair or skin product based on the claims that your hair will be smoother! shinier! and your skin will be softer! less lines! I find those claims are generally a whole load of crap. All you really end up doing is spending a boatload of money on something that achieves the same exact result as your generic drugstore variety. This time, though…I let myself be talked into the hype. But, just this once.

I researched and researched the new hair products WEN. I read reviews forward and backward until I couldn’t read anymore. Then I bought it. I chose the Sweet Almond Mint to try, because it sounded good to me. Although, I do generally judge based on appearance and the fig did have a prettier bottle. Perhaps I will try that one next.

When the box arrived, I promptly did what I always do (yes, even in stores). I twisted off the cap and smelled it. It didn’t blow me away. In fact, it smelled kind of like toothpaste. I was iffy about trying it, but I was still excited to see the results anyhow. Since we were in the car, and I wasn’t driving, I had some time to leisure peruse the brochure and instruction booklet that came in the box. I found it odd, since it was filled with half naked people and very detailed instructions on how to use it. I mean, it is, after all shampoo. Right? We all know how to use it. OK, it isn’t actually “shampoo”. The correct term, I believe is “cleansing conditioner”. Whatever, I wash my hair with it.

Since it was my first time using it, I followed the directions exactly by the book. That involved roughly 40 pumps of the stuff. 40!! Do you know how quickly a bottle of that stuff will disappear at 40 pumps a use? I’ll tell you. Very. I later modified it 24 pumps achieving the same result as 40.

My first impression was not a good one. While using it, the toothpaste smell went away. It was replaced by Ben-Gay. And, that, is definitely worse than toothpaste. I waited the required 5 minutes with it soaking in my hair and rinsed it out. Let me just tell you, I could feel the difference. Immediately. It was like silk. Lovely, lovely silk. My hair never feels like silk. It usually feels kind of knotty and hard to comb through after a shower. Not this time.

After rinsing I added in the WEN styling creme (only 2 pumps so it will last much longer), then I walked away. I didn’t blow dry my hair since I never do. I just let it air dry. I have straight hair, but it frizzes quite a bit when I don’t blow dry it. And even when I do, I have to put a bunch of hair product on it to get the frizzies to go away. I have to say I must have checked the mirror 50 times while waiting for it to dry. And I kept touching it. It was so soft. If my hair looked as good as it felt, I was hooked. And do you know what? It did. It looked like I had blow dried it to perfection. There were no frizzies, it was soft, and the smell? It was actually slightly sweet with only a touch of the mint.

I’m in love. With my shampoo. *ahem* I mean cleansing conditioner. It’s not cheap, but I will be buying it again. And again. And probably again.

WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner – 16 oz