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Anyone up for product rants and raves?
I love posts like this! Highly informative.
Raves:
Coconut Greek Yogurt. Sooo good! And I usually hate yogurt of all kinds.
Method Tub Scrub. It was a $1.00 a bottle at my Target last week (label misprint I think..the words aren't in a sensical order on the back) making it cheaper than my usual SoftScrub. The container is cute, works as well as Soft Scrub but rinses cleaner IMO. I'm not a fan of the smell (too herbally for me) but it's not intoxicating/bad so I'll deal.
Suave 24 Hour deodorant. Pretty sweet for cheap deodorant. Works great.
Glass baby bottles. I will never use plastic again. Those things are indestructible and sturdy. (all my plastic ones cracked but these are great). I have some covers for out and about just in case.
4 compartment soap dispenser for the shower. It's very industrial as I just got white (the ss was expensive and I didn't want to splurge on something I wasn't sure about) but it works! My shower is also clutter free and so much cleaner...less drips...less mess. $29.99 on amazon.
Rants:
Dove deoderant for men. It wasn't supposed to be scented. But it totally is. Obnoxiously so. I can smell H across the room. He's so scent sensitive it makes him wheeze-y.
That's all I got. Do share.
Happy Sunday.
Re: Anyone up for product rants and raves?
Rant: I splurged for Tide a few weeks ago. It was ok for getting stains out, but my towels and wash clothes smelled musty when I used it. Strangest thing ever. I've NEVER had that issue with other detergents, even the cheap stuff. And no I do not leave my laundry in the washer for long periods of time, and the lid is always up when not in use. What am I missing? I don't know if I'll buy it again.
Rave: Bota Box wine. We bought a box of Shiraz which equals 4 bottles for $16. Awesome.
WOP! That is weird. I love Tide. It's all I buy. Everything else leaves a weird film or musty smell on my stuff. Your towels aren't like having a "detox" from previous detergents are they? Are you using enough? Maybe try a vinegar rinse a time or two and see what happens. It's hard to say though...detergent is so water specific
I'll play!
Raves-
Hampton Bay's ceiling fan cleaning brush. Best $11 I ever spent. Seriously beats dragging out the step ladder to reach the fans (and probably makes it more likely that I will actually clean them).
Hoover's Floormate I am amazed and appauled at how much dirt it gets off of my tile and wood floors. I seriously wish I had invested in this while DD was still crawling. I am a little OCD about my floors being clean and this totally feeds my obsession
Bissell's Big Green Machine- I rented it last weekend for $20 from Lowe's (they have a $5 coupon on their website). I am so, so amazed at how clean my carpets look now. I had spilled a glass of red wine on our off white carpet. I had tried numerous solutions to get the stains out, but it seriously looked like someone had died on our carpet. The Bissell got it all out!! My carpets looks almost as good as new. I am hoping that since they look so good we won't have to replace the carpets before putting our house on the market.
Rants-
Kraft's Milk and Granola bars. I want to like them, I really do. However, I just can't get past the texture. It reminds me of the Slim Fast bars with their dense, chewy consistency.
Quaker's Oatmeal to Go bars high fiber. I accidentally grabbed the High Fiber variety at the store. Every time I eat them, they make my stomach hurt and make these awful growling noises.
I actually did the vinegar rinse a few times to get the must out, and it helped, but it never fixed the issue completely. I even tried washing the towels twice back to back. I was definitely using enough, because I thought that was my issue the first time and upped the amount. It actually made all the clothes a little musty, but the towels the worst. I thought it was my washer too, and did an empty bleach run, but no dice. So weird. Maybe I need the stuff with febreeze in it too? I'm not opposed to trying that. It was great for getting stains out.
Did you buy a scented Tide? They have a Mountain Breeze or something like that...it smells like mildew to me....like damp mountain dirt...lol.
There's an Ocean Air or something too....and it smells like seaweed to me. I always make sure to buy plain.
Whatever though. If you hate it, you hate. I'm just bored and being helpful.
Rave:
* Mr. Clean with Febreeze - I use this to clean in every room
* Finish Powerball Tabs - leaves my dishes clean and without water spots
* LEMONS - I always have fresh lemons to drop in my water, make lemonade, use to get off hard water spots, and many other natural cleaning remedies
* Nature's Valley Thins with pnut butter or chocolate on the bottom. I keep a box of these in my classroom to add to my lunch or eat one in the afternoon
Rant:
* Scentsy Tarts - I still buy them from a friend that is a consultant but I feel like they don't last very long
* Off Brand Disinfectant Wipes - they leave a film and the surfaces sticky
Love -
Dr. Brohnner's liquid castile soap. I get it in the peppermint scent. You only need a few drops and it can clean anything from your hair to your car - I just use it to make all purpose and floor cleaner. Love that stuff!
Burschetta mix from Costco, that someone from here told me about. It is so yummy and fresh tasting!
Hate
-Bumble and Bumble's cream product for curly hair. I paid $30 for a bottle thinking it would be amazing and no matter how much I use, my hair is limp and frizzy. What a waste of money!
The new three musketeers movie with Orlando Bloom. We rarely watch a movie we have to pay for, and we rented it last night. What a joke. It was the worst movie H and I have EVER Seen, we only watched it because we felt like we wanted to get our money's worth and we spent the entire movie mocking it and predicting what cheesy line was coming next. So, so bad I have no idea how it was ever made. WORST MOVIE EVER.
I hate these too! Clorox for me only from now on. The Target ones aren't half bad...no film for me but they leave lint everywhere!
The eco-friendly ones (ironic I know) are worse yet. Overpriced, smell weird and linty as can be!
Raves:
Shark Navigator Liftaway - I bought this yesterday ay BB&B (+20% off) and am in LOVE! I did the whole, vacuum with the old vacuum then the new and it was amazing how much it picked up. It is lightweight, easier to manuver, easy to lift off, use attachments and empty the canister (the bottom just drops out and voila; empty!). We had considered the Dyson, but I am so so happy with it, I am glad I saved the extra $200-300.
Professional Easy Off - Oven Cleaner - This is a $10 can of magic! The condo we rent out's oven is not self cleaning, and this stuff cleaned areas to look brand new that I couldn't clean when I bought the thing used a couple of years ago. Best $10 spent.
Lowes Blinds Clearance Corner - I guess my Lowe's levelor bling cutting machine wasn't calibrated correctly so they have literally dozens, upon dozens of miscut 2 in wood blinds for $5-10 (normally $40-100). Since they cut to size, I've been able to get matching 2 in wood blinds to fit my windows perfectly for my kitchen, craft room, living room, workout room/ future nursery, 2 garage windows, and laundry room for $70 total. I only have 3 rooms left to go until the whole house is complete and have spent less than I would have for one window
.
Rants: I am pretty happy with most products right now, but am frustrated with NTB. I had my tires rotated and balanced a week ago and noticed today that one of my tires is really low. I have no issue going to a gas station and blowing it up, but if a tire company is working on my tires, you would think they would notice an issue with the tire and/or blow it up.
After 31 cycles and two losses, we've been blessed with a healthy baby girl!
Congrats to both of my amazing TTC Buddies, tdmd09 and sb2006!!
Life of Amberley
I love these posts. I've gotten some great recs before.
Rave:
- Ezekiel bread from Trader Joe's (available at other places too.) I have a mild gluten sensitivity and this bread doesn't bother me. It's also only a 36 on the glycemic index.
- Mrs. Meyer's lemon dishsoap. Smells good, cleans well, and not chemical-y!
- I made my own laundry detergent after seeing it on several blogs and I can't rave about it enough! Cleans better than anything I have ever bought and was SUPER cheap to make a ton. I used 2 cups of Borax, 2 cups of washing soda, one grated bar of soap (I used an orange blossom scent) and a few drops of grapefruit essential oil for fresh scent. It's awesome. I don't know if I will ever buy detergent again!
I am sure I have some rants but I can't think of any right now. I'll edit when I do lol
Rave:
409 Natural Stone Cleaner--this makes my dark granite so shiny, but its really hard to find!
Birchbox-I signed up for this company and you get a box of mini size beauty products every month. I just got my box yesterday and its so fun to get everything!
Rant:
Bounty paper towels at costco--they switched so they don't have the "select a size" ones anymore. They are HUGE and I end up having to rip them in half. I am sure its intentional so you use more.
TTC since Feb 2012
Diagnosed with PCOS and anovulation
2 round clomid 1 round femara--no response
1st round injectables/IUI 1/31---BFP!
:butting in: I used Born Free for my glass bottles and loved them!
I'm mostly a lurker but I'll play.
Raves-
Shark Navigator. I got mine for super cheap based on reviews, and I'll admit I was a little skeptical. I vacuumed the living room with my old vaccum and then went over it with the shark, and I was simultaneously horrified and impressed with all the crud it picked up that my old vacuum missed.
All free and clear oxi-active. I just recd this on another board. It is seriously awesome and even gets out my kids' set in stains.
Nature's valley granola bars. I just tried one yesterday and it was seriously yummy. I'm not really sure how I went this long without discovering these.
Rants-
Finish powerball tabs. We have an ancient dishwasher and very hard water, and the powerball tabs left water streaks and deposits on my dishes even with lemishine. I think I will go back to using regular old cascade powder with lemishine.
Raves:
Makes my teeth sparking and white, even with all the coffee I drink.
Smells like banana, SPF 20, and adds just a hint of color. Great for the beach.
Gets out stains like a champ, doesn't bother my sensitive skin.
Rant:
Not even close to waterproof, didn't provide "colossal" lashes for me at all.
Raves:
Martha Stewart Dish/Hand Soap comes in a cute pump, is sulfate free and suds very nicely, I paid $24 for a case of 6.
Purex Laundy Crystal Detergent Booster, smells yummy, DH's allergies aren't affected, and it makes the entire bathroom smell good.
Rant:
Killz Interior Paint, has to be the nicest paint I have ever used, went on quickly didn't drip at all, one coat coverage, and now unfortunately impossible to find. I'm still a devotee to the primer and coverall, but I would kill to find that paint again.
I had a box full of handmedowns from my SIL that were the basic Evenflo ones. I have no problem with them at all and wish I'd use them sooner. They're just the run of the mill 6 for $10.00 ones or whatever.
I couldn't see shelling out a ton more for a "name brand" glass...glass is glass to me.
They sell it at Walmart.
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
Raves:
Rant:
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
I was gifted B&B "straight" gel when I was straightening my curly hair. I no longer straighten it but use the same gel for my curls and it's quite amazing. I wouldn't pay for it but...
Which model did you get? I am looking for a new floor cleaner.
I'm a little late to the party here, but great post. What is the brand of the coconut greek yogurt? I must know!!
Raves
Dyson Multi floor cordless vacuum cleaner. I didn't believe all of the hype until my MIL surprised me with one while she was visiting last summer and our vacuum broke. Worth every single penny!!
Redken Velvet Geletain blow dry gel. Makes my hair so smooth and soft and the smell is great. Not super perfumey.
Kelloggs Krave cereal. I've been losing the battle over crappy breakfast cereal for years. My oldest likes the worst breakfast foods and would rather skip breakfast all together if she can't eat Fruit Loops, Coco Puffs, etc. Drives me nuts because I would make her anything but she won't eat eggs, bagels, grits, oatmeal, etc. NOTHING. She loves the new Krave though and it has less sugar and sodium and more fiber and protein than anything else she usually eats.