AerWo Black Spider Halloween Lace Lamp Shade Cover - Review

I purchased the above lampshade topper off Amazon as a Halloween decoration.   The current price is $10.97 and shipping is free if you have Amazon Prime.  I like the way it looks on my lamp - gives it sort of a creepy elegance.

From the ad (picture with link below), I had figured it would have some sort of elastic at the top, but it turned out to be a flat piece of fabric, 60inx18in and a long ribbon, which is probably better as it makes it easier to adjust to fit whatever size lamp you want to fit it around.

 

The top and the holes where you put the ribbon are finished nicely and it has a spider web look with spiders on it with bats at the bottom.  The bats at the bottom appeared that they might fray when washed, so I used black nail polish around all of the edges to keep it in place. 

It is made out of polyester and indicates you can machine or hand wash in cold water with no bleach on a gentle cycle, but from experience with similar fabrics I would recommend if you put it into the washer that you put it in lingerie washing bag first and air dry over a plastic hanger placed over your shower head or someplace outside it dry overnight..

The ad indicates it can also be used as a window or door sway or a mantle scarf, but as it is a and open ended piece of fabric with ribbon as a lace it could also be used as a skirt topper, a scarf, a caplet or even a veil.

The company that sells it, AerWo, also has a 3-month money back guarantee.  I would say the finished top and holes that the ribbon goes through is a little higher quality than similarly priced items I have seen and I also like that it has the combo of spider webs, spiders with the uneven bat hem and will be keeping mine:) 

Pros:

• Adds creepy elegance to a room 
• 100% Polyester fabric
• Comes flat (60inx18in) and comes with a long ribbon
• The top and the holes where you put the ribbon are finished nicely
• Spider web look with spiders on it with bats at the bottom
• Could be used as a window or door topper, skirt topper, caplet, scarf or veil.
• Comes with a 3 month from date of purchase money back guarantee from the company. 

Cons:

• Bats on bottom edges do not have a finished edge - might fray (I used black nail polish).
• Care should be given if washing in the machine or should be hand washed.

Bag Front

 Bag Back

 Topper out of the bag it a flat piece of fabric with a ribbon

Top of the topper with finished edges for laces and closeup of spider

Bats at the bottom.  While the top has finished edges, it did not look like the bottom did, so  I used black nail polish to ensure the bats at the bottom would stay intact.

Luxe by Mr. Bubble - All Buttered Up Body Butter in Original Scent - Review

As a kid I used to envy my cousins that got to use Mr. Bubble every night in their tub as it was not a luxury my Mom could afford so I was excited to find there is a grown-up version of a few items such as the above body butter.

I purchased online at Ulta  where it was listed for sale for $10, but purchased when they had a "Buy One, get 50% off" sale.  This Body Butter is an 8 oz container in a cute retro themed container with a metal lid and plastic tub.

The body butter in the tub is less like butter than others I have used and goes on lighter and feels more like a cream. The product contain Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil.

It is scented and it has a clean fresh scent.  A family member thought it smelled a little like strawberries, but Mr. Bubble's website indicates it is a "Bubble Gum" scent with coconut, banana, and peach with notes of Wintergreen and Hawaiian Jasmine.

I like to use it on any dry areas after a bath. It does easily glide on and absorbed without being too oily feeling and the scent lingers for a few minutes but is very subtle.

I did notice if I use it on my hands and wash them within about 20 minutes, unless I scrub a lot with soap and water, it does seem to bring the emollients to the top and can feel it.   Also, I would not recommend using on the face if you use makeup as it does seem to interfere with the foundation or other products sticking to your skin as it has created a barrier.

I really enjoy this product had within a few month I have used the product up and do plan on repurchasing this product during a sale.

PROS:

• Fun retro packaging
• Clean, fresh scent
• Glides on easily and absorbs without being too oily
• Condition dry skin
• Lighter and less buttery than most body butters, if  you like a lighter product
• Is less expensive than many body butters on the market

CONS:

• Not as "buttery" or waxy as other body butters; if expecting that might be disappointed
• Not good to use on hands or any area you wash frequently as it brings up the emollient
• Not good to use on face if you wear makeup as it creates a barrier and foundation and other products don't stick.
• Is more expensive than thick lotions you could purchase at a drug store that would do a similar job (but would not be as fun as this product).

Body Butter up close


Body Butter on back of hand

Fazoli's - Feed The Children - Pasta With A Purpose Promotion - Donate $1 Get $50 in Savings

Fazoli's currently has a promotion called "Pasta With A Purpose" to raise money for Feed The Children and 100% of your $1 donation will go to benefit the organization and in return Fazoli's gives you a book of coupons with over $50 in saving if you used all of them.

Below are some examples of coupons in the booklet.

I can say with all honesty Fazoli's is my family's favorite pasta place even over higher end places in our town or even other towns we have been to, especially since they started serving good in real plate ware and actual forks and our service has been better than when we have dined at The Olive Garden or when I went to the Spaghetti Factory in Indianapolis.

Even if you are not a pasta fan, if you hit the drive-thru at your local Fazoli's you can get a couple of books where the donation will be made to the fund and put them on a bulletin board where you work or maybe provide them as option in your Trick or Treat bowl if you have a Fazoli's in your city and you would not only be donating to a good cause, but also paying it forward.

Note:  I have no affiliation with Fazoli's or Feed The Children, I am just a consumer that thinks    
           Fazoli's is a great fast food place and Feed The Children is a good cause.

Burger King - Cheesy Tots - Review

 Burger King has a limited time promotion of Cheesy Tots, which they currently sell as a side for $1.99.   It is small potato bits formed around a cheese product, coated in a batter and deep fried.

My guest said they were too "Cheesy" and needed a smaller amount of cheese as it overpowers the potato, but he is a tater tot purist and doesn't like anyone messing with the original tater tot form.  

It is crunchy on the outside and has hot potato bits on the inside with melted cheese type product; kind of like a Kraft American processed slice cheese taste.

I could see what he meant though and found the tots needed a sauce of some kinds to try to bring cheese and potatoes together and the cheese product was a little overpowering in places.

I got some packets of Mayo and used them and enjoyed them then.  They was also good with the Honey Mustard Dipping sauce, but it will cost extra to purchase unless you are buying Chicken Nuggets as well.

Anything deep fried of course is not going to be something good for you and should be eaten in moderation.  

While it  is something I might purchase again, my guest only took one bite and said it is not something he liked or would order again.

The nutrition information from Burger King's website indicates the following - it doesn't specify if the serving size it the 8 tots are in the box, so assuming it is for the box of 8.

• Calories

  310

• Protein

  9g

• Carbohydrates

  34g

• Sugar

  0g

• Fat

  15g

• Saturated Fat

  0g

• Trans Fat

  0g

• Cholesterol

  0mg

• Sodium

  780mg

Allergens: Wheat, Milk, Prepared in fryer used for products containing wheat.

LISTERINE® COOL MINT® ZERO AND TOTAL CARE ZERO ALCOHOL MOUTHWASH - Review

I was sent a free trial of this product through PINCHme, a site where you can join for free and once a month or so they offer free samples based on your profile and request that you review the product on their site within 30 days.

I normally do not use mouth washes as I can't stand the burning sensation and alcohol taste that is left in my mouth, so I was excited to try this product as it contains no alcohol.

The dosage on the back of the bottle is 2/3 of an ounce or 20ml, which is a little over a tablespoon; I just used filled the small cap twice and think it was plenty.   The bottle recommends using twice a day.

After swishing around the requisite 30 seconds it did have more of a cooling, tingling sensation instead of a burning one of mouthwashes past.  I also like that it did not taste like I wouldn't pass a breathalyzer test after using but left my breath smelling minty fresh.

I will continue to finish off the trial bottle and may add this product it to my morning routine.

If you are interested in joining PINCHme click here to use my referral code

Ashley Nell Tipton for Boutique Sleeveless Lace-up Maxi Dress - Plus - Review

Photo:  J C Penney

This is a design by Project Runway Winner Ashley Nell Tipton for the Boutique line.

During at 30% off promotion (they are having another one today) I purchased  the above Ashley Nell Tipton for Boutique Sleeveless Lace-up Maxi Dress - Plus that was originally $75, on sale for $29.99, so I purchased the dress for a little of $20, but after getting it I am so happy with it I bought the other color it was available as well.

There are two colors and the one pictured here is "Midnight Petals".  

Pros:

• An underlining has been sewn into the dress - no need to wear a separate slip
• Is maxi length and hide a multitude of figure problems from head to toe
• Lace up can be loose, like above or tighter like below.
• It has an elastic waist that is slightly higher than your natural waistline and I think it helps give it a more slimming appearance.
• The skirt has permanent pleats in which gives it a classier appearance and also give you lots of room to move around.
• The material is a woven 100% polyester and machine washable and you can wear right out of the dryer - no ironing required!
• Has a short cap sleeve so can still wear it in an office that doesn't allow sleeveless garments.
• Runs true to size to slightly large.
• Is cool and comfortable to wear on a hot Summer's day.
• The majority of your look is polished even if you get ready in a hurry and don't have time for to do you hair and makeup properly (like my five-minute hair and makeup job below).
• Plus size available from a 1X-5X
• Would be a great dress to wear to a Summer Wedding or party.

Cons:

• If you are shorter than 5'6" you are going to need to wear heels with it so it doesn't drag the ground.
• The arm hole is a little larger than average and the armhole in the back about an inch more open - is ok if you are wearing a regular bra, but if you are wearing a sport/minimiser bra it will stick out the back. (To solve this I wore a thin black tank top underneath to hide the bra).
• Is not available in smaller sizes.

Although we are now entering Fall, I would recommend buying this dress to anyone to put back for next Spring and Summer.

This is what the top looks like laced up tight in the front. 

Pie Crust Hacks

I love how creative people are with food these days and thought I would share

Although I haven't baked a pie from scratch probably since high school, I did go through a pie baking phase for a few years between Jr. High and High School where it was a passion and I made one about every week and when it gets cooler outside might try to get back into and take them to carry-ins at work instead of buying something.

So Yummy also has written instructions on their website, but in this case, I think the video makes it much easier to understand.

My go-to recipe for a pie crust is the one from an older Betty Crocker Cookbook and it is the oil-based pie crust and I did find a version of it on Food.com both here and here 

Although it is a less flaky crust than one made with shortening, it is almost impossible to under work or over work like a shortening pie and it is much less messy with minimal clean up.

What I recall for a pie with a top an bottom layer was:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt.
• 1/2 cup vegetable, canola oil or corn oil
• 3-4 TBSP Cold Water
• Optional - would put in a pinch or two of nutmeg or cinnamon

You mix the flour, salt and oil in a bowl with a fork until little dough balls about the size of peas start to form.  Then you mix in the water, a table spoon at a time and work through until the dough is not sticking to the sides of the bowl.

Divide dough in half, form into a ball and place on a sheet of wax paper (larger than the crust will be), place another sheet of wax paper on top, flatten with your hand then begin using a rolling pin to roll into a circle.  

Once the right size remove take off the top of the wax paper, flip it onto the pie pan to form your crust leaving about a half inch over the sides typically and what you do from there would be depending on the type of design you would want.  

If you get a hole or tear in it that is fine, just push the pieces together with your fingers.

Be sure to poke holes in the bottom and if  you are not going to be cooking the filling in a pie but put a pudding or cream filling instead, put dry beans in the pie to weight the crust down while baking (425 degrees for 10-15 minute - varies by oven) so it doesn't puff up anywhere.

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Forever 21 - Plus Size Bell Sleeve Dress - Review

Photo: Forever 21 website

Up until this year, I had passed entirely on Forever 21 as I have perceived it as clothing for young girls under 25 and their clothing very bare and revealing, and for the most part, I am still of that opinion.

However, a few blogs I read (and I wish I had bookmarked them) indicated that it is a good place for gals of any age to add a few on-trend pieces to their wardrobe at an affordable price and things to look for are:  Dresses, boot, jackets, and accessories.

I have never been into one of their brick and mortar stores, and never plan too as I am sure I would get strange looks as I am middle aged, but perused their site occasionally and I found the following Bell Sleeve dress on sale (currently on sale for $10.99).  It indicated on the website the color was "Mauve"...my understanding to "Mauve" is that it is a pinkish purple and the color in the picture looked more like "Peach" to me.

The website also described it as a:

  "Ribbed knit swing dress featuring long bell sleeves, a scoop neckline, and     princess seams."

-  93% rayon, 7% spandex
-  Hand wash cold
-  Made in Vietnam

For the price. I decided to gamble and give it a try.  When I got it, it looked a little lighter than the picture, but still think it is a "Peach" color, not "Mauve".

Although it looks like texture in the picture below looks like it might be a t-shirt weight solid material, it is not; it is very thin, ribbed material that almost looks like a light gray in the ribs (pic below).

It is very lightweight and stretchy, although if you are busty it is a bit snug in that area and very thin material that although flowy at the bottom, left nothing to the imagination at the top and not really wearable for work.  

Also, as I am average in most ways, it had what I would call "Monkey" length sleeve as it would have best fit a Chimpanzee with very long arms; I am talking the sleeves came down below my knuckles.

Although I could have sent it back or taken it back to my local brick and mortar store, I salvaged the "Peach" not "Mauve"dress by chopping off the sleeves (which will go in my stash to use on a future project, as already know I have plenty of room at the sleeves for a seam allowance) and it is currently my favorite around the house dress/nightgown, although it could also be used as a beach cover up.

One more thing to add is if you get a credit card from the company, they do not have an auto-pay plan that you can set up for the minimum monthly payment, which I like to do with all my charge card to ensure there are no late fees in case I get busy to ensure I don't miss a payment.

I guess the final question would be would I buy from the site again, and the answer is yes; just would need to find the right item to try.  I have seen some very pretty dresses and jackets that were fun, not too out there, not too bare and not exceedingly expensive.


Close-up of Ribbed fabric