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6/27/2018

Say Cheese

I wish I could say I have a good excuse for why I haven't blogged in so long, but anything I tell you will sound... cheesy.

You know the drill: work, more work, life, blah...

I did make time for a Cubs game at Wrigley with my fam and a Bon Jovi concert at MSG with my best friends. Super funtimes!

But mostly, it was work.

Typical.

Anyway, a few months ago, a little birdie told me that Planter's Cheez Balls were coming back this summer (this Sunday, to be exact). Well, I have eaten them, and I can tell you...

They're perfect! As good you as you remember from those family roadtrips to The Shore when you were a kid.

And I'm pretty sure a whole can is still a single serving, right?  Yes, just like Pringles.

In honor of this snack comeback, here are my cheese, glorious cheese Top 10:

  1. CHEEZ BALLS:
    Thanks, Mr. Peanut! These are nothing but crispy, cheezy goodness.  For the record, I also love Nacho Cheese Doritos, Cheddar Cheese Chex Mix, Cheetos, Cheez Waffles and Cheddar Cheese & Sour Cream Ruffles, but these are a hands-down nostalgic fave. Welcome back!
  2. CHEEZ-IT:
    The classic kind is a tasty snack. I like them better than Cheese Nips, I wish Big Cheez-Its were bigger, and I don't like any of the new flavors or shapes, except Extra Toasty.  Those are pretty great too.
  3. CHEESE & CRACKERS:
    I seriously think I would have starved in grades 4-6 if I couldn't have this for lunch. Every day, my mom would make 6 of them with Wispride spreadable cheddar cheese sandwiched on a Ritz cracker, wrapped in tin foil.  It was perfectly aged by lunchtime, and I washed it down with an iced tea Ssips. In other news, I still eat them today. On Wheat Thins.
  4. MAC & CHEESE:
    The homemade kind is pretty awesome, but it takes time. Which I don't have. So, for me, it's Kraft Deluxe or Stouffer's. Both are creamy, comforting and made better with a liberal coating of French's Fried Onions.
  5. GRILLED CHEESE:
    This is the only thing I order when I go to a diner. Unless I want breakfast for dinner, then it's pancakes. But otherwise, it's this. Always with bacon, usually with onion rings. Never disappoints.
  6. CHEESE FRIES:
    Another diner classic! Disco's not my style, but Cheez Whiz cheese fries can't be beat. Especially late night. Even more so when the fries are tater tots. Tots for the win!
  7. CHEESE PIZZA:
    There's literally nothing better on the planet than a NY slice. I could eat one for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cold or hot. It's all good. When I can't get the real deal, I'll bake up a Stouffer's French Bread, or make English muffin pizzas (Thomas's Sandwich Size + Kraft Mozzarella with a Touch of Philly + Ragu Pizza Sauce = Happiness).
  8. CHEESE BURGER:
    A few summers ago, I started grilling, and I make a mean cheese burger! But I don't always feel like cooking, so it's Five Guys for me. I wish they'd put a Shake Shack in Hoboken, then the Guys would have a run for their money. (Are you listening, Danny Meyer? We have a Drybar, a Sephora & a West Elm -- bring your bougie burgers here, stat!)
  9. CHEESECAKE:
    It's well-documented that this is my birthday cake of choice, and there's ONLY one kind: New York Style. If I'm feeling fancy, it's Juniors all the way, but for a quick pick me up, Sarah Lee frozen cheesecake with strawberry topping does the trick.
  10. ACTUAL CHEESE:
    I'll admit it, I like my American cheese yellow. Tastes better, especially when it's Land O Lakes freshly sliced THIN from the deli counter. It's worth the wait. But I've also never met a Brie, Blue, Feta, Gouda, or Goat cheese I didn't like. The same cannot be said for Cheese Curds. I've eaten them in Wisconsin & even tried them fried. They're squeaky and awful. Like if a cheddar cheese cube and an eraser had a baby. Chewy? You betcha.

So, enough about health foods!

Imagine if I were lactose intolerant? That would suck. Sorry if you are.

I will leave you with a lame joke: What do you call a cheese that's not yours?

Leave your answer in the comments... (if you still read this!).

3/17/2018

So Thrifty

We're still a month away from Earth Day, but I've been in a recycling state of mind.

I'm not talking cans, I'm talking clothes.

A few times a year, I dig through my closets & drawers and round up a couple bags of things to donate. It's all nice stuff -- some even brand new -- but in a size that doesn't fit (anymore), or I no longer like the style, or I never liked it in the first place (but was too lazy to return).

Shitty, I know.  But my careless spending is Goodwill's gain.  And I've given some great stuff over the years -- once a pair of Uggs, never worn still in the box, and a JCrew winter coat with the tags still on!

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, I'm thisclose to becoming the old woman who lived in her shoes.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was watching TV (what?!), and I saw a commercial for The RealReal, a luxury consignment shop.  It got me thinking: There are probably others out there who have nice stuff that they don't want or need.

So I gave it a Goog, and it seemed pretty legit.  People who have nice stuff sell it.  People who like nice stuff -- and discounts -- buy it.  And inbetween, somebody checks it out to make sure it really IS nice stuff, and didn't come from a basement in Chinatown.

Now, the sharing economy is nothing new. Think eBay, ZipCar, AirBNB, Rent the Runway or Uber.  Whether it's for a night or forever, it's just peer to peer selling with a tech middleman to handle the transaction.  And consignment is even older -- from Goodwill to used bookstores (which, for the record, are booger books and are totally disgusting.)

Could this be good?

I wasn't sure. So rather than sending my nice stuff into the abyss, I decided to try it out by buying something instead.  Here's how it went...


Item: Stella McCartney Falbella Foldover Tote
Condition: Very Good
Savings: 63% off (!)
Shipping: $11.95

The Verdict: Love it!  I've wanted this bag for ages, but spending $1000 on "vegan suede" seemed nuts -- even to me.  But there were all the high-end brands on this site, and they say everything has been verified for authenticity.  I also liked that they had a store in NYC. Shipping wasn't free, but it came quickly -- just 4 days after I ordered. And it looks new, it feels luxe, it doesn't smell or have anything funky going on in the lining.  It's just a really nice bag. I've got 4 words to sum up my experience: This. Could. Be. Dangerous. Somebody lock up my Amex.


Ok, so after that good experience, my mind was open.  I happened to be on Instagram and I saw a social media influencer promoting a site called thredUP, where she got a pile of secondhand clothes for a steal.  

Let's just say, I was influenced.

So, I browsed around the site, and picked up a thing or two... you know, for Science.


Items: Michael Kors sweater & Rachel Roy shirt
Condition: Brand new with tags
Savings: 75% off (each!!)
Shipping: Free

The Verdict: Really good! There were thousands of things to choose from, and you could filter by clothes with tags. My order took 8 days to arrive, but that was still a day sooner than the estimate. And the box (pictured above) was really adorable.  I'm a sucker for good marketing so the email & letter that I got from James Reinhart, their "Chief Knitwit," was a really cool touch as well. And the clothes are... nice! Really no different than what I would have picked up from Lord & Taylor, Macy's or Nordstrom, but at significant savings.


If you're still reading this -- and you know me well -- you might be shocked to hear I bought ANYTHING used.  I mean, sometimes it even grosses me out to buy clothes at a STORE if they look picked over!  Which is why I never buy clothes at Marshall's or TJ Maxx.

I might be scarred from my days as a 16 year old working the fitting room at The Gap. People are nasty (and they steal).

But this was different!  Everything was refurbished, either like new or it WAS new. And it was crazy cheap. So, my eyes have been opened to a different -- more economical and eco-friendly -- way of shopping. 

Hope yours have been too.  Happy recycling! 

(Oh, and if you've ever sold anything on these sites, let me know how it went.)

2/10/2018

Here's to Your Health

This might be the longest I've ever gone without posting. So Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy (almost) Valentine's Day.

Now that's out of the way, I should prob explain why I've been MIA!

About a week ago, I produced a huge event for work -- #BlogHer18 Health, where about 1,000 health & wellness social media influencers joined us for 2 days.  And it has been ALL consuming.

It's extremely hard for me to do anything a little bit. If I'm going to spend my time on something, I'm generally all in.

So by the time this incredible experience was over, I was sick (isn't it ironic?), my feet were full of blisters, I'd neglected my friends and family (and YOU), there was zero food left in my fridge, and my apartment was in a shambles.

The good news is it was a really great event, and I'm SO proud of my team who pulled it off.

But one thing is clear: I need some balance.  I think they call it "self care" -- that phrase makes me barf.  But there's def a middle ground that I'm missing.

Do YOU have any suggestions for still having a life while making a living?  I'll take whatever tips or tricks you've got in the comments below.

And while you think, take a look at these pretty pics... I wish you could have been there!

Pretty cool kickoff ringing the closing bell at the Nasdaq.

Acoustic performance by super-talented Brynn Elliott.

(Non-alcoholic) rose for days...

The calm before the storm.

Selfie wall, inspired in part by an Old Navy commercial.

So proud of the Hatch Kids, who gave an award to Chelsea Clinton.

Dance moves with the sweet, petite Julianne Hough.

Keynote speaker and total badass, Jillian Michaels.

The lovely Kate Walsh played a doctor on TV!

Camila Alves McConaughy & Pitch winner,
Bethany Edwards who invented a flushable pregnancy test!

The iconic Arianna Huffington.

Blue & green smoothies? Don't mind if I do!

Raise your glass.

A venue with a view.

A friend of mind posted this -- made me laugh.

12/10/2017

The Essentials


It's been awhile, huh?  I'm the WORST.  

Not sure what I've been so busy doing? (Working, eating, breathing, decking the halls, and, of course, watching TV.)  

I am kind of loving my new TV site.  I feel like a couch potato for Science. At least, that's what I tell myself mid-binge.

Anyway, for the most part, actual actors haven't noticed anything I've posted about them -- except for the crazy talented stars of Crazy Ex Girlfriend

They're crazy awesome.

Reality stars have been delightful. I've hit the radars of people on Below Deck, Real Housewives of the OC, Big Brother, The Challenge and most recently, Floribama Shore (which you need to watch, like, now).

I even got a like from Byrd the Bailiff on Judge Judy!  

It was life-changing.

Anyway, there's this new show on Bravo called Stripped -- is anyone watching this thing?  It's nuts. They take EVERYTHING from you -- even your clothes -- and every day for 3 weeks you can take a single item back (from a storage shed a mile away -- which you walk to naked or covered with leaves or pizza boxes from the neighbor's trash).

Once you get past the floppy pixels, it's actually an interesting social experiment and it got me thinking: If I could only have 21 items -- one per day -- what would I take and in what order would I take it?

Keep in mind, on the show, you do get your empty house as shelter, you have a sink/shower/toilet, packaged food, water, and toiler paper.

They're not monsters!

But you still have to go to work and see people.  Ok, maybe they ARE monsters.

I'd never actually be on this show, but here's my list of items I can't live without. One for each day:
  1. Maxi dress -- The MVP. I just can't be naked. This will cover my whole body with a single item.
  2. Sleeper sofa -- A two-in-one for sleeping and sitting - genius!
  3. Toothpaste -- By day 3 my breath will peel the paint off walls. I will use my finger to brush.
  4. Cell phone + charger -- iPhone is life.
  5. Sneakers -- My feet will be disgusting and I've prob been using couch cushions as shoes.
  6. Antibacterial soap -- To scrub my filthy feet, pits & hands. I will use it as shampoo too.
  7. Blanket -- I can wear it while I air out my stinky dress AND it doubles as a towel. Comforting.
  8. License -- Because I get carded at bars. Kidding. Because I'm about to get my car back.
  9. Car + keys -- Will make it far easier to go back and forth to storage. And to get to work.
  10. Amex card -- There's honestly nothing an Amex can't do.
  11. Deodorant -- Before my coworkers are certain that garbage stench is me.
  12. Sweater -- I'm probably freezing in that dress. 
  13. Leggings -- Because the dress is unraveling and downright funky by now. I would burn it but... no matches.
  14. Lamp -- I'm afraid of the dark. I hope it comes with a lightbulb.
  15. Refrigerator -- It might be nice to have some fruit so I don't get scurvy.
  16. Microwave -- Now we're cooking.  Two words: Hot. Pockets.
  17. Laptop + power cord -- Mainly because I'm going cross-eyed watching Netflix on my phone.
  18. Lip gloss -- This seems dumb, I know, but I REALLY love lip gloss. Might be addicted.
  19. Comb -- With shiny lips, my hair will look worse.  Make it wide tooth -- knots will be v bad.
  20. Fork  -- Eating like a caveman for 3 weeks was getting old. 
  21. Pillow -- To silence the screams when I finally look in a mirror.
So that's my list of essentials.  Know what I didn't pick?  

No toothbrush, no razor, no socks, no undies, no bra (guard your eyes), and oddly, no TV!  (Technically.)

So what are YOUR essentials? List them below... and watch Floribama Shore.  It will not disappoint.


10/29/2017

7 Lazy (Not Lame) Halloween Costumes

I seriously can't remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween.  For sure, it was back when I was young and fun.

I do remember being Raggedy Ann, Wonder Woman, a Rockette, a bunny, Madonna, a farmer (don't ask-- Guess overalls were all the rage), a flapper, an angel, a dude, and (inexplicably) a member of a lady gang.

Not terribly creative.

You know what else isn't creative?  Cats.

No doubt you will see a minimum of 13 people dressed as cats on this and every Halloween.  Don't be that girl.

Finding a great costume doesn't have to be hard!  Let's face it: Nobody's ever successfully recreated a Halloween makeup tutorial from YouTube anyway.  So being a SnapChat filter, or a sparkly unicorn, or Harley Quinn, or that Dragon Queen from Game of Thrones is off the table.

Looking for costume inspiration?  Never fear!  Here are 7 EASY & FREE things I would be for Halloween, if I got dressed up for Halloween (which I don't).

ALL these things are just laying around my house, and probably yours too...


ROSÉ ALL DAY
Why? To appear cooler than I am

What you'll need:
- A pink top & joggers
- Metallic heels
- Pink lip gloss & polish
- Shades & other accessories
- Wine bottle & a wine glass





A STARBUCKS VAMPIRE FRAPPUCCINO
Why? To be trendy & cuter than a zombie

What you'll need:
- Tight black pants & a black top
- Leather jacket & boots
- Red lips, red nails, and a clutch
- A hair straightener
- A Starbucks cup





BETTY COOPER FROM RIVERDALE
Why? To be a retro icon that isn't Wonder Woman

What you'll need:
- A sweaterset (bonus if it's pink) & white pants
- A matching headband & ponytail
- Ballerina flats
- A hair curler
- A black lacy bra (for Dark Betty)





WOMAN LAUGHING WHILE EATING SALAD
Why? To seem like an ironic hipster

What you'll need:
- A gray sweater & jeans
- Cute flats
- Nail polish (I like Bitter Bitch by Tom Ford)
- A bowl & fork
- A nice salad





A FORMAL APOLOGY
Why? Because I'm punny like that

What you'll need:
- A fancy top & skirt (or dress)
- Black heels
- False lashes
- A sign that says "sorry"






A SUPERFAN
Why? Because I'm extremely lazy

What you'll need:
- A jersey & hat from your fave team
- Leggings
- Socks & sneakers
- Nail polish in your team's color for spirit fingers
- 2 pony tail holders for pigtails or braids





PIZZA RAT
Why? Because I can still use cat ears AND eat pizza

What you'll need:
- A gray sweater & black jeans
- Black boots
- Black lipstick & liner for eyes, whiskers & nose
- Cat/Rat ears
- Pizza (improvise if you don't have a slice)





So there you have it.  7 looks you probably already have that won't make you look just like everyone else this Halloween. Or at least not like a cat.

You're welcome.

What are YOUR non-cat costume ideas?

10/22/2017

Refried Potatoes


Ok, so everybody knows this tater loves her TV.

Reality. Comedies. Dramas. Documentaries. Mysteries. Game shows. Talk shows. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

Give me all of it!

I've also been busy on a side project called... Jen Loves TV.

Any clue what it's about?

Of course, I'll still be writing here about all sorts of random things.  But that other site, Twitter and Instagram will be for my totally healthy, normal and casual interest in all things televised.

You may be wondering if this new site is for you. I suggest you take this quiz to know for sure.


Ok so back to our potato.  This fall season she was ready to serve up a slew of new shows, but guess what?

The world has officially run out of ideas because a lot of new shows are really just old potatoes.

Think potato croquettes. Potato soup.  Potato salad.  Tater tots.

There were SO many leftovers that I had to add a category below -- Refried Potatoes.  Like always, I -- that is, the Loveseat Potato -- watched at least 2 episodes of each show (30 in all!) to sort the spuds from the duds.

Grab a bag of stale chips and munch on this...


BEST NEW COMEDY
SPUD: Young Sheldon (CBS)
WHY IT'S A SMASH: This is a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, a show I don't actually watch. But I'm a sucker for a nerdy kid, and this one's pretty cute.

Honorable Mention Goes To: The Guest Book (TBS), The Mayor (ABC)

REFRIED POTATOES: Will & Grace (NBC), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), Kevin Can Wait (CBS -- not 100% recycled, but they killed off the wife so they could recreate the chemistry from King of Queens so it counts)

DUDS: 9JKL (CBS), Me Myself & I (CBS), Friends From College (Netflix)


BEST NEW DRAMA
SPUD: Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (ABC)
WHY IT'S A SMASH: I loved John Ritter, and I love Jason Ritter too -- he's cute and likable, just like his dad. Seems like a sweet show.

Honorable Mention Goes To: The Deuce (HBO), The Sinner (USA), Ozark (Netflix), Glow (Netflix)

REFRIED POTATOES: Dynasty (CW)

DUDS: Ten Days in the Valley (ABC), Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders (NBC), I'm Dying Up Here (HBO), Wisdom of the Crowd (CBS)



BEST NEW REALITY
SPUD: Celebrity Big Brother (CBS)
WHY IT'S A SMASH: It hasn't even aired yet, but the rest of the new reality lineup is crap. This UK hit is coming to the US this winter and I can't wait.

Honorable Mention Goes To: Siesta Key (MTV), Beat Shazam (FOX -- it's basically Name That Tune, but I like it)

REFRIED POTATOES: Battle of the Network Stars (ABC), Love Connection (FOX), Joker's Wild (TBS), TRL (MTV), My Super Sweet 16 (MTV)

DUDS: 90's House (MTV), American Beauty Star (Lifetime), A Night With My Ex (Bravo), Real Estate Wars (Bravo)


Disagree? See anything I missed?  Pass the onion dip, put the DVR on pause and comment below...


PS: I gave the blog a facelift -- what do you think?


9/27/2017

Nine

What do these things have in common?
-- Clouds
-- Cat's Lives
-- Circles of Hell
-- Justices on the Supreme Court

If you guessed the number 9, you're super smart and my favorite person in the whole wide world!

You know what else is 9?  This blog.

I've legit never done anything consistently for a 9 year span besides be a daughter, sister, friend, and toothbrusher.  No job, relationship, or hobby ever lasted this long.

I guess I must like it.

Not enough, of course, to find the time to do it as much as I should, buuut... ya know.

Anyway, as we've done in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 let's take a look back at the last year...

Total Posts I've Written (including this one):
302

Average Number of Posts I Write Per Month:
0.7 (down from 0.9 last year -- UGH... I really suck)

Average Number of Unique Visitors Per Month:
619 (up from 402 last year)

Average Pageviews Per Month:
3,140 (up from 2,705 last year)

Most Traffic Comes From:
Tie between Google Search and Pinterest

Most-Read Blog Posts Ever (in order of popularity):
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Pinterest (December 2012)
Farewell, Crawleys (March 2016)
Which Christmas Cookie Are You? (December 2015)
Grease Is the Word (January 2016)
Dear Stores that Close on Thanksgiving (November 2015)
A Gluten-Free Holiday Feast (December 2014)
Freedom (July 2016)
Election Eve (November 2016)
New View (September 2014)
20 Apps I Adore (January 2012)

Most-Read Blog Posts This Year:
Elf on the Shelf Is My Homie
All Lathered Up
Choose Your Words

Post Nobody Gave a Crap About:
Women Who Rock

Most Comments:
All Lathered Up

Most Popular Poll:
I didn't do any this year.  Poo.
Up in the Air (all-time)

Most Frequently-Used Tag for the Posts I Write:
Pop Culture

Most Popular Search by Visitors:
Dating

Lastly, I think I'll add a NEW category...

My Favorite Post I Wrote This Year:
My Rock & Roll Hall of Fame -- it was really fun going down music memory lane


Next on deck will be the Loveseat Potato's annual review of new Fall TV shows (warning: pickins are slim), I think I'll give this blog a facelift, and I just might share a secret...

Thanks (as always) for reading!

9/10/2017

Back to School

Sorry...I went on a little writing hiatus.  But I'm back!

Let's get caught up: I turned 44. I miss Coke Zero. I liked Ozark, but didn't love it.  I'm psyched about Amazon & Whole Foods.  North Korea is giving me hives. Irma gave me 100 gray hairs. And I'm pissed Equifax leaked all our data.

Ok?  Ok.

So it's been a minute since I've been a student.  Or 11,563,200 minutes, but who's counting?

I was recently asked to give some advice to a graduating high school senior.  Over the years, I've given a lot of advice to students graduating college, but this was a first.

Oh, and she was born in 2000.  Just let that soak in for a minute...

Anyway, when I think about my own experience at her age, I was a pretty serious about school.  I was decently popular, but I do feel like I missed out on life because I was so wrapped up being the perfect student and daughter.

I was in mostly honors and AP classes.  I made the National Honor Society.  I tracked my grade point average down to the hundredth of a decimal point.  I kept a list of every book I ever read.  I graduated in the top 10% of my class.  I did well on my SATs, was accepted early decision to college, and started with a few credits in the bag because of my scores on the AP English test.  I never cut school, never drank, never snuck out at night.  I lived a very G-rated life.

College was a different story.

I didn't go crazy, but I definitely relaxed.  A lot.  Pretty early on I realized I didn't have to work all that hard and I'd still get grades of the A and B (and occasionally C) variety.

I worked my way into the classes I wanted so my roommate and I could have the same schedule (that was back when nothing was online so you could tell the professor that the registrar signed you up and tell the registrar that the professor signed you up -- and no one was the wiser).  I went to class regularly, but didn't study much.  I wrote every paper the night before it was due.  I slept through a French final (and still somehow got a B).  We went out 4 nights a week.  At least.

And I did just fine.

I graduated college with a 3.45.  Looking back, I wish I pushed myself just a tiiiny bit to make Dean's List at 3.5.

But I'm sure there was a happy medium between my high school and college self.  So when it came time to give that advice, here's what I said:

  • Go to class -- seriously, just go. It's why you're there. And you won't have to study as hard if you just listen and take notes.
  • Use the buddy system -- college is so much easier to navigate with a friend.
  • Figure it out -- you are in a giant safety net, use this time to learn what you like and what you don't about school, subjects, activities, relationships & life.
  • Be smart -- nothing is private and social media lives forever, so watch what you say and do or your parents will disown you and no one will hire you when you graduate. Kidding.  (Not really.)
  • Take naps -- preschool and college are the only times this is acceptable until you're 70, enjoy it.


So, how'd I do?  What would YOU have said?  Give me some advice below...


tags: jersey, rants


7/24/2017

All Lathered Up

Do you remember that Friends when they were in the steamy Caribbean at Ross' dinosaur conference and Monica's hair got bigger in every scene?

That's me.

Now, don't get me wrong.  This Jersey Girl loves big hair.  What I don't love is the fuzzy halo that surrounds it.

I have combination hair.  Is that a thing?  You can see its true identity when I let it air dry.  Somehow I have ringlets underneath, with wavy strands on top, and a few straight chunks in the front.

The frizz is just a bonus.

I guess I could have just gotten a keratin treatment and called it a day, but I feel like that makes your hair sooo flat.  I need volume.

And since I can't do anything a little bit, over the past few months I tried 17 different brands to tame my mane.  Each time, all I did was use these products and blow dry or air dry my hair -- no flat irons or magic hair wands involved.

Here are my findings in the People vs. Frizz...from best to worst.

Or just skip down to the bottom for the top 8 products I can't live without.

(And since it's weird to see my giant head over and over and over again, I'm using Snapchat pics because... filters.)


ALL TIME BEST:

FEKKAI: Brilliant Glossing

Cost: $20.99/ea
Good Smell: YES!
Rich Lather: YES!
Key Ingredient: Olive Oil

Did it Work? Yes -- this is my all-time fave and I've been using it for many years. I buy it for myself every year for my bday.  I always get compliments on my hair when I use it, and people tell me I smell good.  Honestly, what more could a girl (or mouse) want?





BEST BEAUTY STORE BRAND:

LIVING PROOF FRIZZ

Cost: $28-$59/ea depending on the size you buy
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredient: A bunch of chemicals I can't pronounce

Did it Work? Shockingly, yes!  I like it so much I bought the jumbo size.  I think the key is that it makes the texture of my hair better. It's quite a process with the cream & spray, but it helps.  Take THAT humidity!






BEST DRUG STORE BRAND:

AUSSIE: Total Miracle

Cost: $3.99/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredient: Australian Aloe, Jojoba Oil & Sea Kelp

Did it Work? I actually think it does! I let it air dry and my hair was wavy not frizzy. It claims to have 7 miraculous benefits in every bottle.  Cool.  I'll let you know if a genie pops out and grants me 3 hair wishes.






THESE 3 ARE WORTH A TRY:

PANTENE PRO-V: Smooth & Sleek

Cost: $4.99/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredient: Argan Oil

Did it Work? Sure. I've used Pantene forever and it always has a place in my shower.  I just think my hair needs a fling with some other shampoos from time to time.  But I always find my way back home.



TRESEMEE EXPERT SELECTION: Keratin Smooth

Cost: $5.99/ea
Good Smell: Sorta
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredient: Keratin

Did it Work? Actually this one is pretty good, super affordable -- and smooth!  The only weird thing is they say you'll have 7 days of straight hair, but I'm not sure who could put it to the test and go 7 days without washing it.  Certainly not this little piggie!


MOROCCANOIL: Hydration

Cost: $48/kit
Good Smell: No, smells musky like bad cologne
Rich Lather: Sorta
Key Ingredient: Moroccan Oil

Did it Work? Ok the smell is funky to me but I definitely have smoother hair when I use it. So hold your little pink nose and jump in.








THESE 7 ARE SO-SO:

WHOLE BLENDS: Smoothing

Cost: $3.49/ea
Good Smell: Maybe
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter

Did it Work? The fox says no. It does have a super strong smell that really sticks with you.  This is great if you don't mind stinking like suntan lotion while you're sitting in a meeting.



GARNIER FRUCTIS: Sleek & Shine

Cost: $4.49/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather:  Yes
Key Ingredient: Argan Oil & Apricot

Did it Work? In a word, no.  No sleek.  No shine.  No bueno.  It does smell really good though.  And I'm a sucker for good lather.






OGX: Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco

Cost: $7.99/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Sorta
Key Ingredient: Argan Oil

Did it Work?  Ish. This wants so badly to be Moroccan Oil.  But it isn't. So my hair was as fuzzy as this photo.





NOT YOUR MOTHER'S: Curl Defining Shampoo

Cost: $8.99/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Sorta
Key Ingredient: Mango butter

Did it Work? Not really. But to be fair, I wasn't going for curly, just for not frizzy. That might be why my hair looks so stringy. At least it smelled good!



BED HEAD TIGI: Small Talk

Cost: $20.99
Good Smell: No -- smells like a fruity stripper
Rich Lather: No, but it's not supposed to
Key Ingredient: Chemicals

Did it Work? It might but I hate the smell. It's like a blueberry died on my head.  I do love the one with the giant S on it though.  That one smells like papaya heaven and is a good leave in conditioner.



IT'S A 10: Miracle Leave-In

Cost: $33.29
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: No, but it's not supposed to
Key Ingredient: Keratin

Did it Work? Unclear. I used to think this worked to make my hair smooth.  Then I tried all this other stuff.  And I realized, it kinda doesn't. Woof.





DRYBAR: 100 Proof

Cost: $36
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Yes
Key Ingredient: Some Kind of Oil

Did it Work? Not really. It smells a bit incense-y and I think I just don't like hair oils.  They make my hair floppy. The shampoo & conditioner are ok, but for $36 apiece, this bunny needs more.







THESE 4 LEGIT GAVE ME A BAD HAIR DAY:

JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ EASE: Beyond Smooth Frizz-Immunity

Cost: $6.99/ea
Good Smell: Yes
Rich Lather: Sorta
Key Ingredient: Coconut Oil

Did it Work? No. But they say it works gradually. If they mean decades, then maybe I'm on the right track.  But so far, this brand never works on my hair. Frizzy.  Fuzzy.  Fooey.



BUMBLE AND BUMBLE: BB Straight & Hairdresser's Invisible Oil

Cost: $31/ea
Good Smell: NO
Rich Lather: Sorta
Key Ingredient: A bunch of chemicals I can't pronounce

Did it Work? No. I'm pretty sure the shampoo/conditioner made my hair MORE frizzy and that invisible oil should be called Highly Visible Oil That Gives You Weird Shiny Patches And Does Not Come Off Your Hands.

NEXXUS: City Shield Sheer Frizz Resistance

Cost: $13.99 - $19.99/ea
Good Smell: No
Rich Lather: No
Key Ingredients: Lotus Extract & Wheat Protein

Did it Work? NO! In a catfight between my frizzy hair and the so-called frizz resistant city shield, my hair won.  Grrr.





KERASTASE: Nutritive Masquintense

Cost: $31.99-$51.99 depending on where you get it
Good Smell: NO-- smells like a guest soap at your grandma's house
Rich Lather: No, but it's not supposed to
Key Ingredient: Natural Lipid Conditioning Agent and Emollients with Irisome Complexe

Did it Work? Nope. I think Irisome Complexe is code for super greasy hair.  This dumb jar costs a fortune and it stinks in every sense of the word.





Ok.  Let's end on a high hair note!

Here are 8 hair products I can't live without -- fancy shampoo, daily shampoo, 2-1 for lazy days, dry shampoo for lazier days, hairspray, styling cream, leave in conditioner & sea salt spray.



What can I say?  The hair wants what it wants.

List YOUR go-to hair tips & tricks below...


tags: beauty, shopping, taste tests