Anyone for Coffee? (no boys allowed)

[Scheherazade]

I forgot do you have a bag or bagless?Bagless.

I have emptied it and sort of cleaned but no luck.

Will open it properly tomorrow and see what is going on.

Geno> I have always wanted to steam clean my carpets but never dared on my own (as opposed to hire someone else to do it).

Might hire one those vacuums one of these days and give it a try.

[papayahed]

My last vacuum was bagless. After about two years it stopped working well. I cleaned and changed every filter I could but it just wouldn't pick anything up. I'm currently loving my bagged vacuum.

[Scheherazade]

My last vacuum was bagless. After about two years it stopped working well. I cleaned and changed every filter I could but it just wouldn't pick anything up. I'm currently loving my bagged vacuum.What make/model is yours?

Got mine only couple of months ago! :(

Today, I pulled it apart and cleaned every single crevice with a pastry brush. It got a little messy but now it is working nicely.

To celebrate, I even pulled the sofas and vacuumed under/behind them!

:banana:

We need more domesticated smileys here! :p

[papayahed]

What make/model is yours?


The Boss Smart Vac by Eureka. It's got a hemi.:goof:


Got mine only couple of months ago! :(

And it's already getting weird??


Today, I pulled it apart and cleaned every single crevice with a pastry brush. It got a little messy but now it is working nicely.

To celebrate, I even pulled the sofas and vacuumed under/behind them! :banana:

I've always said you know how to party!!:party:

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

My last vacuum was bagless. After about two years it stopped working well. I cleaned and changed every filter I could but it just wouldn't pick anything up. I'm currently loving my bagged vacuum.


Remember this?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW2jO4TbmJ4&feature=related

Ok, I'm leaving.

[Genocide]

Well now I want to watch The Brave Little Toaster... PERFECT! :P




Geno> I have always wanted to steam clean my carpets but never dared on my own (as opposed to hire someone else to do it).

Eeeeeh, I just borrowed it from a friend. It was surprisingly cheaper! ;)

[Scheherazade]

And it's already getting weird??It was the British Gas-man, who did it actually. When he came for the annual check-up, he asked to use the vacuum to clean up the mess (they usually bring their own heavy duty one but this one did not) and all the soot clogged up the veins on my gentle domestic one!
I've always said you know how to party!!:party:Aww, you are not just saying that, are you?

:smilewinkgrin:
Eeeeeh, I just borrowed it from a friend. It was surprisingly cheaper! ;)Cost aside, is it worth the hassle?

[Paulclem]

I can see them making a great lure for catching mackerel too.

:lol:

Henrys are good vacuum cleaners. They last too.

[Genocide]

Cost aside, is it worth the hassle?

Well whenever I emptied out the tank thingy the water was seriously gross. It was all murky and dirty. For ME it was worth it, for others who don't have pets and might not mind a little dust, it's probably not. Plus I did it for the 'rents.

Why does it feel odd to be talking about vacuum cleaners in the girls thread? :-/

[Scheherazade]

Why does it feel odd to be talking about vacuum cleaners in the girls thread? :-/Can't see this being a popular topic in Gents' thread...

[papayahed]

Remember this?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW2jO4TbmJ4&feature=related

Ok, I'm leaving.

haha I've apparently always had a thing for vacuums.:ladysman:

[Genocide]

Can't see this being a popular topic in Gents' thread...

I meant it feels stereotypical?

[Scheherazade]

haha I've apparently always had a thing for vacuums.:ladysman:Well, now I know what to get for you for Christmas.
I meant it feels stereotypical?I consider myself a rather stereotypical female and, *gasp* am proud of it, too.

Papaya, how's the skating going?

[Genocide]

Well, nowI consider myself a rather stereotypical female and, *gasp* am proud of it, too.

Fair enough, to each their own. :)

[papayahed]

Well, now I know what to get for you for Christmas.I consider myself a rather stereotypical female and, *gasp* am proud of it, too.

Papaya, how's the skating going?






Skating is going good. I've been on the hunt for some good skating socks, you know those 70's tube socks with the stripes. Anyways last time I was in Detroit I found a pair with the Motown logo that fit the bill. I'm a pair of hot pants away from completing the ensemble.

[Scheherazade]

Skating is going good. I've been on the hunt for some good skating socks, you know those 70's tube socks with the stripes. Anyways last time I was in Detroit I found a pair with the Motown logo that fit the bill. I'm a pair of hot pants away from completing the ensemble.We will require a photographic evidence once it is completed!

Would you not consider 50s' look? I love it!

http://pics.rubylane.com/graphics/shops/toinetterl/pat7299.1N.jpg?94

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Would you not consider 50s' look? I love it!

http://pics.rubylane.com/graphics/shops/toinetterl/pat7299.1N.jpg?94

Then you might enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBDBkhceQWw&feature=related



Gilliatt

[kasie]

Scher, you would love a steam carpet cleaner - they are easy to use, if a little hot at times, and you will be amazed and delighted at the amount of gunk and gunge they pull from your (apparently clean) carpets. If you have pets (or children - or men, come to that) they are an essential. I had a Vax, used it until the back told me it would give up completely if I tried that sort of thing any more.

Papaya - I second Scher - we definitely need photographic evidence.

[Scheherazade]

Then you might enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBDBkhceQWw&feature=related



GilliattThanks, Gilliat! It was brilliant!

It's so nice to see at least some musicians are taking their job seriously!

Either that or someone had chained them to the stage!
Scher, you would love a steam carpet cleaner - they are easy to use, if a little hot at times, and you will be amazed and delighted at the amount of gunk and gunge they pull from your (apparently clean) carpets. If you have pets (or children - or men, come to that) they are an essential. I had a Vax, used it until the back told me it would give up completely if I tried that sort of thing any more.Hey, Kasie! Nice to see you posting again :)

Yes, I think I will give the steamer a try... It's possible to hire one from Sainsbury's so maybe I will do that before buying one myself.

I always get this fuzzy feeling inside whenever I open my vacuum to empty all the rubbish gathered inside. I cannot imagine how it'll feel like with the steamer!

:goof:

Yesterday, I did some of my school clothing shopping; feeling good. :D

[prendrelemick]

I can't believe no one has posted this here before now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8CTscW3dpI

[Paulclem]

I can't believe no one has posted this here before now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8CTscW3dpI

Nightmare!!!! I'll be singing the damn song all night now....again!

[Sapphire]

Vacuuming... this is the song which jumps to my mind:
Queen - I want to break FREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaEvw_KQL0)

[Paulclem]

Vacuuming... this is the song which jumps to my mind:
Queen - I want to break FREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaEvw_KQL0)

Freddie in a mini and with a tache is great. I still remember the first time I saw the video.

[Sapphire]

:lol: Me too. I just sat there in front of the TV, wondering what the hell was going on :rofl: And humming along, for I knew the song long before I ever saw the music video :nod:

[Genocide]

I can't believe no one has posted this here before now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8CTscW3dpI

Ahahah! I've never seen that before. That's perfect.



Vacuuming... this is the song which jumps to my mind:
Queen - I want to break FREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaEvw_KQL0)

This would make vacuuming so much more epic.

[Sapphire]

Apparently, you SHOULD sing/dance/listen to music while vacuuming...
Electrolux Lab Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjHIqZ1l44I)
Somehow I think this might work for me, but not for my neighbours... I would have to crack up the volume of the radio so much that they would not be amused :blush:

[Scheherazade]

I can't believe no one has posted this here before now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8CTscW3dpIOh, I only found out about this commercial after watching "Top 100 TV Commercials" (Channel 4). Agree with Paul that it stays with you.
Vacuuming... this is the song which jumps to my mind:
Queen - I want to break FREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaEvw_KQL0)When I watched this video for the first time, I did not understand spoken English that well so I was VERY confused (but loved the song regardless).
Apparently, you SHOULD sing/dance/listen to music while vacuuming...
Electrolux Lab Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjHIqZ1l44I)
Brilliant! I usually listen to my Ipod while doing housework. Should pick livelier songs from now on.

How many cappuccinos a day are too many?

[papayahed]

I cooked today and I forgot to turn off the oven, it was on for a good 3 hours before I walked in the kitchen and wondered why it was so hot. :blush2:

[Sapphire]

:eek: I have done that too :banghead: Several times actually: the cost of multitasking :p.
I even have done that with food still in the oven :redface: Not 3 hours though, but the food was spoiled and the burned smell stayed in the house for another 2 days ...

[prendrelemick]

In the shake and vac ad the woman has accepted her domestic role, she makes the best of it, finding hidden joy in such unlikely places as a packet of carpet de-odourizer. She understands the satisfaction of a job well done, and finds it a cause for celebration. She is at one with the role she has chosen. She a has positive mental attitude. The result is happiness.

On the other hand Freddie sees the act of hoovering as a burden and a symbol of womens servitude. Its a chore, drudgery, a job that is never done with - next day it will need doing again. His solution is to run from it, leave it behind and search for something else. But he knows he won't, its just a dream . A dream he relies on to keep going.

[*Classic*Charm*]

In the shake and vac ad the woman has accepted her domestic role, she makes the best of it, finding hidden joy in such unlikely places as a packet of carpet de-odourizer. She understands the satisfaction of a job well done, and finds it a cause for celebration. She is at one with the role she has chosen. She a has positive mental attitude. The result is happiness.

On the other hand Freddie sees the act of hoovering as a burden and a symbol of womens servitude. Its a chore, drudgery, a job that is never done with - next day it will need doing again. His solution is to run from it, leave it behind and search for something else. But he knows he won't, its just a dream . A dream he relies on to keep going.

Ever tried vacuuming your sheep, Mick? :smilewinkgrin:

[prendrelemick]

Which nozzle would you recommend?

[Niamh]

Ever tried vacuuming your sheep, Mick? :smilewinkgrin:

:brow:

[papayahed]

I almost walked out of the house this morning with red shoes and a green handbag.:eek6:

[Scheherazade]

I almost walked out of the house this morning with red shoes and a green handbag.:eek6::shocked:

And how was a disaster of such magnitude averted???

[Lulim]

I almost walked out of the house this morning with red shoes and a green handbag.:eek6:
One of my favorite color combinations ;)

[JuniperWoolf]

You should only wear red with green during Christmas, is my opinion. Then there are some color combinations that are never, ever to be tolerated - like purple and red. Just don't.

[papayahed]

You should only wear red with green during Christmas, is my opinion. Then there are some color combinations that are never, ever to be tolerated - like purple and red. Just don't.


Like that:

http://image59.webshots.com/659/3/86/76/2497386760029020669ioLxJw_ph.jpg


I don't really mind purple and red so much, I really dislike purple and yellow but that has more to do with a college football team.

[papayahed]

:shocked:

And how was a disaster of such magnitude averted???

I switched to a gray bag. The real issue is a good travel bag. I need something to fit my airplane essentials* but still be mildly cute.




* airplane essentials include at least one book, one puzzle book, one pen, two cell phones, 2 mp3s(you never know when one might give up), a bottle of water, and a small snack.

[Scheherazade]

I switched to a gray bag. The real issue is a good travel bag. I need something to fit my airplane essentials* but still be mildly cute.Luckily, all my bags are more or less big enough to carry those listed on daily basis (throw in a Eee PC and a very large pencil case too). I have never had a gray bag, though; mildly intrigued now.

PS: And you promised not to share that photo of ours with anyone!!!! :mad:

[papayahed]

PS: And you promised not to share that photo of ours with anyone!!!! :mad:

Well if you wouldn't have spilled the beans nobody would have known it was us!!

[Scheherazade]

Well if you wouldn't have spilled the beans nobody would have known it was us!!Well, the link you posted said "photobucket/papaya.scherandpapayawearingredandpurple".

[papayahed]

Yeah, I always forget that part.

[Sapphire]

Anyone interested in cup of coffee? :D

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/PicPocket74/coffee%20art/Copyoflady.jpg

I don't think I'll ever order "art-coffee". It seems like such a destruction to drink it :)

A song to go with that: I alone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyNjay5-hzQ) I really like that cover :D

[Scheherazade]

I wouldn't like a cup of cappuccino right now but that face reminds me too much of Morgan Fairchild's somehow so find it a little creepy.

[Genocide]

Anyone interested in cup of coffee? :D

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/PicPocket74/coffee%20art/Copyoflady.jpg

Hmmm I don't know. I think it looks kind of cool. I wouldn't drink it, though...

Though it got me curious... (http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS289&q=coffee+art&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=685)

[Sapphire]

Amazing, isn't it :D I myself really like to drink coffee, but I've never visited a place where they serve it like this :nonod: I guess it is not that big where I live :lol: I wonder whether there are special bars for this kind of art, or "just" an extra service at some restaurants...
Probably both.

[Niamh]

I discovered the greatness of a new instant coffee recently. And surprisingly enough its a nescafe! Parisien Blend. Smooth like a filter coffee.

[kiki1982]

instant coffee, yuk :sick:.
At home, we drink Polish coffee since we visited Poland a year ago. Coffee and sugar (if wanted) in the bottom of the cup and put boiling water on it. A little like Turkish coffee (don't say that too loudly ;)), but less strong. It stays hot for a very long time due to the boiling water and it has a different taste to normal filter coffee. Though you do have to remember not to stir too vigourously just before drinking and not to drink too deep or you have a mouth full of ground coffee. For the rest, though, it is great. Never anything else. :)

[Sapphire]

I do like instant coffee :nod: I do drink less of it than of normal coffee - but then again I drink a lot of "normal" coffee :lol: Not sure why... I think I just don't like instant coffee that much - though I don't think it's "yuk" :wink5:

[kiki1982]

Then it is probably because I need a proper strength in coffee to be satisfied. Instant coffee is always too weak for me. It must be that. ;)

[Sapphire]

Then why don't you just put more powder in the cup? That makes it stronger... Not sure what the saturation point is though...
I do think there is a difference in taste :nod: not just in strength :wink5: But then again, every brand is different :crazy: I don't always taste that difference though :blush:. Expensive coffee isn't really something I can appreciate...

[OrphanPip]

Instant coffee? Ugh, it's like drinking dirty water.

I'm sadly one of those people who stops by Starbucks 2-3 times a day, I'm obviously addicted, and too lazy to brew my own.

[kiki1982]

Oh, believe me, I have tried to put more powder in the cup. Still came out too weak, and I put in nearly half a cup! :crazy: Just didn't want to become any serious coffee...

Starbucks :sick:. Ugh.

The secret to cheap, good coffee, is looking whether it is 100% Arabica. That is the same as those Italian brands like Lavazza, but from a house label it is about a third of the price, yet totally the same. You wouldn't know it was any different. And then they pretend to sell some coffees that are essentially mixed crap for double the price. For the people that have access to Kaufland in Germany or Eastern Europe: Kaufland coffee Classic is very nice. And it is only 1,49€ for 500g. (sorry, am I allowed to say that here? :redface:)

[Sapphire]

Starbucks... They've recently opened some shops here (I think there are about 5 in our country) and I ain't crazy about their coffee. I did like to put shots in it (hazelnutsyrup for instance), but for some reason they've taken that of the signs?! You know, those signs above the counter where they list all the coffees you can choose from? Now there is just a choice of standard coffees (latte, cappucino) and if you want to customize your own you just have to know what they have. I do not understand why they do not list their syrups anymore :crazy: So since they've changed that, I'm boycotting Starbucks :p. Plenty of other coffee shops here, with better tasting "regular" coffee :D

[kiki1982]

Just out of curiosity: where is 'here'?

In Belgium, my native country and coffee country, Starbucks recently (I am thinking about 1 year ago) opened a shop in Antwerp. I read a hilarious article about it. The journalist admitted to going there to meet friends and to surf the net (free hot spot), but admitted also that he absolutely loathed the coffee. Yet he went there for hours, afternoons sometimes. Living in a coffee country, he wondered why then he went there. He in the end admitted that is was just the brand 'Starbucks' that attracted him and not the coffee, i.e. the free hot spot, the 'trendy' stamp it has, friends you run into who are also Starbuck people, the cups you get your coffee in, the fact you can customise your coffee, the fact that you can get Starbucks cakes (muffins and what-not), but in the end he sad, 'I always ask myself, after a few hours of Starbucks why I always give in to this temptation.' :lol:

Still, Starbucks is great in countries where most coffee is crap. Like Germany or England. You can always go to Starbucks where you are sure the coffee is that tad better than anywhere else.

[dafydd manton]

Coffee rubbish in England?? But...but... but... our coffee's not rubbish, it's DREADFUL. Please can I go back to Germany. Aaahhh!! Tchibo!

[Sapphire]

In Belgium, my native country and coffee country, Starbucks recently (I am thinking about 1 year ago) opened a shop in Antwerp.
Well, that's right next door :) 'Here' to me is the Netherlands :wink5: I much rather go to a Kaldi or a Coffee Company when I want a good cup of coffee. I also like the coffee we get at the train stations (Kiosk), I know untill recently it was the Douwe Egberts brand - but I think they've changed that... Not too sure... They're using different cups and I think the taste has become a bit more bitter.

As for "coffee country", here's an interesting list:
Coffee cunsumption per country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_coffee_consumption_per_capita )
I learned/started to drink coffee while I lived in Norway :) Notice how Belgium and the Netherlands are in the top 10 and THE Starbuck country (United States) "only" on number 26 - while the UK is number 48.

I once asked for coffee on the ferry from Calais to Dover. I got some brown liquid, 1/2 coffeeish, 1/2 milkish. Taking a nip of that is not an experience I'd like to repeat :lol:

[kiki1982]

Well, that's right next door :) 'Here' to me is the Netherlands :wink5: I much rather go to a Kaldi or a Coffee Company when I want a good cup of coffee. I also like the coffee we get at the train stations (Kiosk), I know untill recently it was the Douwe Egberts brand - but I think they've changed that... Not too sure...

As for "coffee country", here's an interesting list:
Coffee cunsumption per country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_coffee_consumption_per_capita )
I learned/started to drink coffee while I lived in Norway :) Notice how Belgium and the Netherlands are in the top 10 and THE Starbuck country (United States) "only" on number 26 - while the UK is number 48.

I once asked for coffee on the ferry from Calais to Dover. I got some brown liquid, 1/2 coffeeish, 1/2 milkish. Taking a nip of that is not an experience I'd like to repeat :lol:

oh, hello! I didn't know that you were Dutch!

In Belgium, Panos coffee is quite alright actually.

I see what you mean about the 'coffee' on the ferry... I always drink tea in that country. You never know what you're going to get, unless you are in such a typical Starbucks-like coffee house... And still... In Germany, when we moved here, we started to drink coffee like we did in Belgium, i.e. any time we fancied a 'cuppa' (it could be a little weaker or a little stronger, but generally alright). Bad idea... Half of the time it was undrinkable. They still have that percolator coffee would you believe it! So, our strategy has changed. We now know a few places where the coffee is nice and we go there to have a cup of coffee. We remember which one is good and which one is crap and then we don't get a very bad cup of coffee. Sometimes, though, we are wrong ;). I generally am not prepared to try in an unknown establishment unless they are Italians. Though in bigger cities the coffee tends to be better... (We live in the Trier area, really godforsaken place of Germany. Not even foreign food apart from a very odd Thai and a few pizza places have got here...)

At any rate, my experiences in Poland are quite good, as you have read, I suppose... It is a strange way of drinking it, but it's got such a nice taste and is very economical! Try it once.

[Sapphire]

:wave: Yes, born and bred :D That's why my profile says "below the sea surface".

I've been in Belgium quite a couple of times, but I can not remember Panos. But then again, I hardly ever remember the name of a restaurant cafe :blush: Your idea of "just try the coffee and remember where it is good" would only work for me if I kept a diary of some sort :rofl:

Percolator coffee... From what I read on wiki about it, I think my sister has such a machine: it is "see through" - which is quite cool :) Gives you something to look at while it is being brewed :wink5: She never drinks coffee so she hardly ever remembers to have some when I visit, but from the last time I remember the taste was quite alright :nod:.

I've never been to Poland, but if the coffee is good that's one great reason to go there :p.

[OrphanPip]

Everyone in Canada drinks Tim Hortons coffee, which is the weakest coffee you can find, it's terrible. It's also dirt cheap though.

Anyway, being a guilt ridden socialist, I go to Starbucks and I buy fairtrade or organic Mexican coffee.

My aunt Bernie's coffee farm in Costa Rica sells its beans to Starbucks too, so maybe there's some familial loyalty in there.

[Scheherazade]

I stopped drinking coffee when I moved to the UK. I still cannot understand why they have pour milk into everything; I think milk spoils a good cup of tea or coffee.

I enjoy having a cup of cappuccino when I am out, though, and since last year, I have been visiting a nearby Starbucks regularly because it is a convenient meeting place at that location.

I cannot get myself enjoy Costa, though. Their coffee and other coffee drinks are unpalatable to me.

Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos to make at home?

Sapphire> For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!

:goof:

[Niamh]

I see Ireland is actually ahead of the UK on that list. Understandably because we do have some fantastic coffee here. Bewleys for example. What to give for a Bewleys coffee right now! Even there Decaf is... words cant discribe how good it is!

Starbucks replaced Bewleys in Dublin Airport and its a sin! A SIN! As Bewleys coffee is nice and starbucks coffee is horrible... but not as bad as their tea. their tea is tar. gross. Bewleys also makes the best tea. I really love Bewleys Fair Trade Special Reserve Tea. Quality.


Everyone in Canada drinks Tim Hortons coffee, which is the weakest coffee you can find, it's terrible. It's also dirt cheap though.


You can get Tim Hortons coffee in Places over here. :nod:



Sapphire> For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!

:goof:

I always thought Sappire was from South Africa...

[Sapphire]

Anyway, being a guilt ridden socialist, I go to Starbucks and I buy fairtrade or organic Mexican coffee.

Yes, that is one thing I really do like: Starbucks supports fair trade :)

Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos to make at home?
I do like coffee-flavoured ice, but I am not sure whether I would like a frappuccino - I'm not crazy about milkshake. I do wonder what it tastes like though :) I guess I should try it sometime :D.
:nonod: No instand cappucino, but I do tried some of the different tastes Nescafe has for instant coffee: I really liked the Irish Coffee, but they took that out of the shelves! I think that's the only time in my live I wrote a letter to the manufacturer :lol: So when I buy it now, I always pick Hazelnut. I like Mocha cake, but I do not like Mocha flavoured coffee.
The brand Douwe Egbert once did a test for which they made a coffee with orange flavour :eek: That was so bad... so bad... I guess they thought they could combine the two breakfast drinks: orange juice and coffee. Not a good idea :nonod:

Niamh, that sounds like Ireland would also be worth a trip :D. I've always had the idea in the back of my mind to go cycling in Ireland one day... One day :p



Scheherazade: "For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!"
Niamh: "I always thought Sappire was from South Africa... "

:) No, just that little country below sea level :D We have some connections with South Africa (colonial past), but I've never been there. I listen to music from that country sometimes - I like the language, but I do not really understand it. It is a strange kind of Dutch, mingled with all sorts of influences :). I've never been to Australia or Asia either, and I do not think anyone in my family can trace their heritage back to either places :nonod:

Edit Hey, that's interesting. In the first 2 quotes the text is in italics (when the quote origin is mentioned), but not in the last :crazy:

[Scheherazade]

The instant Cappuccinos are hillarious. You need to keep stirring the drink so it keeps its texture. We ended up laughing so much at our efforts that could not drink it!

I often get the urge to buy one of those coffee makers (one of my good friends has one and make me fresh coffee for breakfast every time I stay over at his place) but I am worried that if I have one, I will end up drinking too much coffee so I am trying to resist the temptation.

[LitNetIsGreat]

The instant Cappuccinos are hillarious. You need to keep stirring the drink so it keeps its texture. We ended up laughing so much at our efforts that could not drink it!

I often get the urge to buy one of those coffee makers (one of my good friends has one and make me fresh coffee for breakfast every time I stay over at his place) but I am worried that if I have one, I will end up drinking too much coffee so I am trying to resist the temptation.

Oh man, I was thinking of getting one of those. Cafetieres just don't have what it takes. Drinking coffee is a good thing - don't resist. I think it will be my Christmas present - go fetch.

[Delta40]

.Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos

I buy the nescafe instant cappuccino tubes for work and you're right - that they fizz out pretty much straight away unless you keep stirring them. When I visited vietnam, I found coffe was served as a short black with sweetened condensed milk sitting at the bottom. ugh! I lived off nescafe 3 in ones the whole time I was there....a narrow minded tourist

[LitNetIsGreat]

I buy the nescafe instant cappuccino tubes for work and you're right - that they fizz out pretty much straight away unless you keep stirring them. When I visited vietnam, I found coffe was served as a short black with sweetened condensed milk sitting at the bottom. ugh! I lived off nescafe 3 in ones the whole time I was there....a narrow minded tourist

The trick is to never buy anything ever that is "instant" as it is guaranteed to be rubbish. Only ever make do with what is best quality. Refuse anything else completely.

[Delta40]

I agree but like Scheherazade said, I'm worried I'll be clicking over at 10 000 mph on the best coffee beans in town if i indulge. Already gave the last percolator away...went on a herbal tea journey but lets not go there....

[Scheherazade]

went on a herbal tea journey but lets not go there....*raises her mint tea cup to Delta*

http://www.emofaces.com/en/smilies/z/zimmer-frame-smile.gif

[Buh4Bee]

I'm from the land of Starbucks. I don't particularly care for coffee, each day, but I do enjoy a fresh brewed cup.

After work on Friday, a group of teachers like to get coffee at McDonald's. The fastfood chain has a whole new line of caffeinated beverages (McCafe). Oddly enough, I have had the Mocha Frappe, and actually liked it. Of course it was good- McDonald's make all their food with pure XXXX. I recommend this line as a treat.

[Delta40]

I have heard of Starbucks but I don't know if they are really popular in Australia. I think there might be one in the city but I am not too sure. I believe Gloria Jeans coffee is very popular

[Buh4Bee]

My husband likes the dark French roast. They do make decent "specialty" coffees. These beverages are so full of fat that you could make a meal substitute out of them.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

The trick is to never buy anything ever that is "instant" as it is guaranteed to be rubbish. Only ever make do with what is best quality. Refuse anything else completely.

Sorry to intrude gals (and Neely), but I had to chuckle at the instant coffee comments. I recalled Saturday Night Live with the late great Chris Farley and his "Coffee Crystals" skit:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/237136/

I recall brands "Sanka" and "Brim" "fill it to the rim with Brim" yum yum.

Gilliatt

[Sapphire]

McDonalds... I can not recall they have different types of coffees over here. :crazy: Probably, but as I automatically go for "ordinary, black coffee", I probably just miss it. I don't study the signs above the counter anymore :blush:. I go to McDonalds for coffee when I pass it on my way to the train station: it is cheap (main reason) and tastes good. :) Actually, it is the only reason why I ever go there :nod: :lol: Wait... in the summer I do get a McFlurry every now and then :D. Mmmmm.

That sketch is funny - of course that is how they make those commercials :angel: How about this:
Coffee flavoured Coffee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxgv4QtKM8)
Watch out: some people might be offended by his choice of words (he sure knows how to curse). I think he has a good point though.

[kiki1982]

Haha, that's like me. I will also always have just a black coffee...
I actually can't stomach coffee and milk. It upsets my inner parts. Not sure why... And I so love a capuccino. :(

Never tried the coffee in McDonalds because it was neevr convenient...

[JuniperWoolf]

In Canada we're more about Tim Hortons than Starbucks.

[Sapphire]

I'm having senseo-coffee for 3 days now and I would really like to have some "regular" coffee for a change :lol: I do like senseo, but nothing beats the ordinary "cup of coffee" :D
Cup of Coffee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uzuNt2XImc)
See? It's a comfort :p
BTW, I've got a whole playlist on youtube with songs about coffee (or just with coffee mentioned in them) :) For some reason, I like to listen to one hour with coffee filled music sometimes :crazy:

[OrphanPip]

McCafes are pretty hilarious, they decorate them like Starbucks, but then just next to them there's a bunch of screaming children scarfing down happy meals. They just can't pull off the atmosphere. I've heard from others that their coffee is good though, and cheaper than the chains known for coffee. Starbucks isn't really that common in Canada, as Jun says it's mostly Tim Hortons. Even so, they have mostly been out-competed by the Canadian Starbucks knock off, Second Cup.

[Helga]

there aren't any coffee chains here on the ice, we don't even have McDonald's anymore... but I did try Starbucks when I was in London and liked it. the closest thing to a chains here is the two biggest speciality coffee brewers and they have a few cafes but mainly just make coffee for stores, but they sure are good.

Only this summer I tried Americano and loved it, now my favorite is triple americano, oh that is the best!

[kiki1982]

there aren't any coffee chains here on the ice, we don't even have McDonald's anymore...

Oh, what a country! I'll have to go and live there! Paradise :drool5:

[papayahed]

How can I shop for winter clothes when it's 93F (34C)??

[Helga]

Oh, what a country! I'll have to go and live there! Paradise :drool5:

haha, yes it can be good living on the ice ;)

[Scheherazade]

Need perfume suggestions. Any favorites?

[dafydd manton]

(Scuse a bloke jumping in, but I had to - Dolce and Gabbana is spectacular!)

[Helga]

Need perfume suggestions. Any favorites?

I usually prefer the ones in body shop than something expensive, at the moment I love Neroli jasmin, though I have been told it's similar to the naomi campell scent, I think it's better... I even buy sometimes the body spray instead of the perfume, don't see a big difference but maybe that is just my ignorance.

[Scheherazade]

Thanks for the replies!
(Scuse a bloke jumping in, but I had to - Dolce and Gabbana is spectacular!)Which one? They have different ones.

I love their Light Blue (both for men and women).
I usually prefer the ones in body shop than something expensive, at the moment I love Neroli jasmin, though I have been told it's similar to the naomi campell scent, I think it's better... I even buy sometimes the body spray instead of the perfume, don't see a big difference but maybe that is just my ignorance.I'm looking for a gift so not sure they'd like the Body Shop one.

I will give try it when I go shopping next, though. There is a Body Shop not too far away from here.

[dafydd manton]

Good question, I don't know, I just get letters soaked in it!!!! I'll find out and let you know. Poison by Dior is another favourite - although not on me, you understand!!!

[papayahed]

I like:

Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture

Be Delicious by DKNY

I tend to go for the fruitier fragances oddly enough..

[Nightshade]

Need perfume suggestions. Any favorites?

Kenzo- Flowers
but a bit on the expensive side.


Question... will washing my feet in viniger hurt them? Only my shoes stink and then my feet stank so I washed them in vinger ( antiseptic anti bacterial and hey it worked) but now my feet prickle!

[Annamariah]

Need perfume suggestions. Any favorites?

I love Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel.

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/ca/cacharel-anais-anais-eau-de-toilette-natural.jpg

[OrphanPip]

Question... will washing my feet in viniger hurt them? Only my shoes stink and then my feet stank so I washed them in vinger ( antiseptic anti bacterial and hey it worked) but now my feet prickle!

It might dry your skin out, but it shouldn't cause any direct damage.

As to the question of perfume, I hate the stuff! Worse of all when men wear feminine fragrances, gah, tacky.

[dafydd manton]

(Sorry, bloke invasion). Washing your feet in vinegar is standard practicve for those who choose to march long distnaces. Beware, it does harden the feet, which you might not want - unless you are planning on doing the Nijmegen Marches. Also when the feet get hot, it is....shall we say.....interesting. Like living next to a Burger bar!!

[Scheherazade]

On Friday, I will go and try out all these perfumes!

Thank you!

:D

[Sapphire]

The Nijmegen Marches :hurray: I've never participated, but I've gone there to cheer a couple of times :D I have an uncle who has walked it a couple of times. I had never heard of that trick with the vinegar though... I do know about terpentine on the hands for rowers :nod:

As for perfumes... no clue :blush:

[Shalot]

I'm late on the perfumes thing, but I like Cool Water for Women. I was also always a big fan of Elizabeth Arden's Sunflowers. The Body Shop used to carry an oil that I liked called Dewberry but they don't have it anymore and it makes me so mad. I like the perfumes that smell clean and light but I want to be able to smell the perfume. Oh, and Estee Lauder Pleasures is nice - it's almost too heavy but I like it. And one other one came to mind but I forgot. Oh yeah, and Chanel Chance and Coco - like those. They are too heavy for me personally but my coworker wears one of the Chanels (not No. 5 - I don't like that one) and it is awesome. She's also older than me so that might be part of it. I'm not a big fan of most heavy perfumes like White Diamonds.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Burberry Brit!! It's my fav perfume. It's sweet without being really fake smelling.

[papayahed]

Hey, what was the outcome of the perfume shopping?

[JuniperWoolf]

I missed the shopping cutoff, but I like Black by Kenneth Cole. It smells kinda weird, but nice. Works well as a signature scent:

http://www.perfumezilla.com/images_product/kenneth-cole-black-perfume-kenneth-cole-eau-parfum-spray-women597915.jpg

[Madhuri]

I recently bought the perfume 'Love, etc' from Body Shop, it smells really nice.

[Sapphire]

I'm stumped that the shops around here do not sell this perfume:


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc53/PicturesToLinkTo/house/Ilaya20Bottle.jpg

I would go for it! :D That is, after I actually smelled it. I heard rumours the coffee smell isn't that sharp ...

[Niamh]

I love perfume! I've so much but am in the market for something new. :D
These are ones i own.
I love Hypnotic Poison By Dior. Its my favourite.
Also Deep Night by Ghost.
And Eden by Cacharel...
Flowers by Kenzo but i'm almost out.
Also L'eau Par by Kenzo
Black XS by Paco Rabanne.
Noa Pearl by Cacharel
mini Lou Lou, Lou Lou Blue (discontinued), and Annais Annais by Cacharel.
Poison by Dior
L'eau D'issey b y Issey Miyake
Surreal by Avon
i've a few squirts of London by Paul Smith left. Saving it for good occassions cause I just cant by it anymore! Cant get it in Ireland :(
Think there might be one or two others...

[JuniperWoolf]

Do you guys have any weird, seldom-known beauty secrets?

Here's mine: in order to get your legs ridiculously soft, smear conditioner on them when you're in the shower/bath. Just condition your legs in the same way that you would your hair, wait a couple of minutes then rinse it off. A girl told me that when I went to summer camp in grade school. I didn't believe her, but it really works. Prevents razor burn, too.

[Helga]

that is a great advice juniper! gonna try that. I don't think I have any beauty secrets though...

[iamnobody]

For your face: Mix a spoonfull of pumpkin(plain, not the pie ready kind) and plain yogurt. Use mixture like a mask, leave on for about 5 min. Pumpkin is full of antioxidents and the lactic acid in yogurt is a natural and gentle exfoliant. Not to mention WAY less expensive than face creams.
For very dry skin, especially during the harsh winter months, add a little honey to mixture for super soft skin.

Just wanted to add something.Not a secret, but warning. The beauty market is flooded with things that 'instantly plump/fill'. BEWARE, this plumping/filling is due to irritation and swelling that causes wrinkling.(Imagine a balloon that has been inflated and deflated several times) This applies to all those that claim to 'instantly plump' from eye creams to lip gloss. They contain ingrediants that irritate the skin(lavender,cinnamon etc) in order to induce swelling, hence instantly plumped. BEWARE

[Scheherazade]

Kenzo- Flowers
but a bit on the expensive side. Kenzo really did not do it for me.

I'm late on the perfumes thing, but I like Cool Water for Women. I used Cool Water for 3-4 years until last year when a good friend gave me two bottles of Femme by Boss (the second bottle came because I said it was nice the first time and I did not hurt their feelings by not using it). Now that it's almost finished, I would like to try something new.
I would go for it! :D That is, after I actually smelled it. I heard rumours the coffee smell isn't that sharp ... As much as I love a good cup of coffee, I am not sure if I would like to smell like one! :D
I love perfume! I've so much but am in the market for something new. :DPhew, that is a lot of perfume. :D

I am a one-perfume gal. I choose one and use it for 2-3 years. So far, it's been Cabotine, Boss Woman, Hugo Pure Woman and Cool Water. People usually begin to associate these with me because of my regular use. There is always the risk of being bombarded with the same perfume as gifts, though, when you use only one!

More and more I realise that I do not flowery smells much and I am more inclined towards fresh ones (somewhat aftershavish). After spending an hour at sniffing bottles, I am inclining towards Eternity and Light Blue at the moment but I will go back to make my final decision. Hopefully, Santa will drop a bottle in my stocking, come Christmas! :p

[papayahed]

I used to make a honey/oatmeal face mask. The honey would leave my skin sooo soft.

[JuniperWoolf]

I've heard that about honey. I get pimples really easily if I don't keep my skin really clean, I don't know if honey has any oil in it or if sugar clogs pores. Anyone know?

[iamnobody]

Actually, honey is an antimicrobial and so may help with the pimples.

[JuniperWoolf]

Nice.

[papayahed]

And honey is water soluble. Don't leave the honey on your face it's pretty sticky. I slather some on in the shower, do my cleansing ritual then rise the honey off and viola! silky smooth.

[papayahed]

Has anybody tried or use one of these?

http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic-cleansing-system-mia.php

Is it really better then just a wash cloth?

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...Don't leave the honey on your face it's pretty sticky. I slather some on in the shower...

I had the same "silky smooth" results as you, but I would advise against the honey slather if you intend to participate in outdoor activities, such as a blanket picnic. (ants)


Has anybody tried or use one of these?

http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic-cleansing-system-mia.php

Is it really better then just a wash cloth?

The missus was looking into one of those devices. I suggested she use these. (Much cheaper)

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLkVi2llHgKugQ-kn46IdvAkFKr69WmrSMY0lpTsZkfVLEu5ba




.

[iamnobody]

Has anybody tried or use one of these?

http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic-cleansing-system-mia.php

Is it really better then just a wash cloth?

I've never used one as it seems a bit harsh. I'll think I'll stick with a cloth.

[papayahed]

The missus was looking into one of those devices. I suggested she use these. (Much cheaper)

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLkVi2llHgKugQ-kn46IdvAkFKr69WmrSMY0lpTsZkfVLEu5ba


and her response?

[Nightshade]

SO I am molting by the handful... I hadn't really noticed but My flat mate by a comment about the amount of hair around the flat and then I actually paid enough attention to look in a mirror and volia lost LOADs of hair...flat mate reccomended zinc supplements... but does anyone else have any bright ideas? My grandmother is bald and I really really don't want to go that way ( mind she has a thyroid issues )

[papayahed]

Is it way more then normal molting? I'm amazed by the amount of hair I have to dig out of the drain.

[iamnobody]

SO I am molting by the handful... I hadn't really noticed but My flat mate by a comment about the amount of hair around the flat and then I actually paid enough attention to look in a mirror and volia lost LOADs of hair...flat mate reccomended zinc supplements... but does anyone else have any bright ideas? My grandmother is bald and I really really don't want to go that way ( mind she has a thyroid issues )

Hypothyroidism does cause hair loss. Have you had yours checked? I read somewhere that low iodine can cause thyroid problems. Maybe look for a supplement that contains both zinc and iodine.

[motherhubbard]

I just started taking medication for this very thing. My hair used to be so thick it was hard to get the shampoo out. Now It's hard to hold it in a hair barette (not sure it that e should be on the end)

[Sapphire]

Same here: loads of hairs go every day. I do not understand I ain't bald yet :crazy: I do get those bald spots on my forehead though - I could have sworn only guys had that problem but it seems like my hair thinks otherwise :eek:
I am pretty sure my iodine level is OK - I eat quite some bread and over here there's iodine in bread. I wouldn't know how to check my iodine level though ... is there a test for stuff like that? Or should you just go to the doctor? It seems so trivial, going to the doctor because of hair loss ...
As for zinc: no clue. What food has zinc in it? I'm not a big fan of pills.

I wonder about wigs sometimes. :) But that is probably too much trouble every morning, and clumsy me would manage to loose it :nod:

As for volume: my hair has none (not thick, not curly). Anybody a clue what might work there - I have tried quite some volume sprays and cremes but I think I get ripped of every time :lol:

[faithosaurus]

I lose a hefty amount of hair as well, but it's still terribly thick. I have thick curly hair, and it's the worst thing to try and manage. I practically wear it in a braid everyday (unless it decides to be nice).

[kiki1982]

You see, I have long straight hair which will not suffer anything that has been done to it. I once had it specially cut down the bottom so there was more volume. 1 WEEK and it grew and grew and grew and then there was no volume anymore. And it looked so nice :(.

I have always wanted a bit of curl... The only thing my hair will do is be a little wavy if I put it in a braid for about 48 hours after washing. I also sleep with a braid, because otherwise I'm combing for ages in the morning. I have always wondered why because in my teens I could go a whole week without combing and now even after a day it is knotty.

I gave up going to the hairdressers a few years ago now. I mean, just to have it washed and cut in a straight line and to be charged the earth because my hair comes lower than my shoulders (that's a new thing). As I said, the hairdresser can't do anything with it anyway. My hubby cuts my hair now. :)

Has anyone else seen their hair change over the years?

[kasie]

Stress can make you lose hair. It usually grows back when the stress eases.

kiki - some people spend a fortune trying to get long straight hair like yours - think of the money you are saving! And yes, hair texture changes as you get older - something to do with hormonal change, I think. White hair is an entirely different texture from young, (naturally) coloured hair, it's wiry and strong and has a will of its own.

[faithosaurus]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure my hair loss is from stress.

Kiki, have you ever thought of getting layers? Perhaps it would help with the volume.

Also some good volumizers to try: Tri Aero Body Infusion, AG hair products (bigwigg, spraybody soft hold volumizer), and Vavoom Glam volumizing foam.

[kiki1982]

Yup, tried layers. As I said, they went within a week.

And I am useless at blow-drying. Hate it because my hair is so thick and long that it is more trouble than it is worth.

I'll try some of those voluminising things then. Maybe they'll do something :).

[motherhubbard]

Has anyone else seen their hair change over the years?

Before I had kids my hair was so thick it would sour if I didn't blow the roots dry. Now it's so thin I can see scalp. not bald spot kind of scalp, but I used to never see it under my hair. The hairs themselves are thinner, too.

[faithosaurus]

I have not had kids yet (thankfully, being 17 and all) but I'm wondering if my hair will do that. My mother used to have super thick hair like mine, but now it's pretty thin, though not fine.

The problems with my hair is it always gets super tangled, no matter what. Brushing doesn't help and I can only brush it before showers or when my hair's wet since it's super curly and I don't want a fro.

[motherhubbard]

My sister had that problem. Her hair is crazy and amazing. It's hard to believe that curles like that are found in nature, but you could never get them artificially. She used to fight the curl, but now she just goes with it and it's so beautiful.

[faithosaurus]

Yeah, I try to tame it as much as I can since I usually don't have the time to straighten it and whatnot. I use some Moroccan Oil and some mouse (that actually doesn't make my hair all crispy) and I can usually wear it down, but if it isn't cooperating (most of the time) I just put it into a braid or messy bun.

[motherhubbard]

I bet it's beautiful

[faithosaurus]

Haha thanks. You know how people are with the curly hair, though. We all hate it, haha.

[motherhubbard]

I know, the grass is always greener. My hair is curley, but not that nice look how curley I am kind of curley. It's more the crazy half curley half straight so that I always have to do my hair. Instead of being the best of both worlds it's really the opposite.

[MystyrMystyry]

Forgive me for the intrusion, sisters, but I appear to have inadvertently overheard a discussion about female hair loss, and if you will allow me a second to bring to your attention a couple of recent observations concerning the 'beauty industry' and certain harmful chemicals innocuously added to the ingredirents list of shampoos, soaps and toothpastes.

One in particualar referred to as Sodium Laurel (or Laureth) Sulfate appears to be the 'magical' secret for reducing natural hairgrease, but is actually a highly toxic substance that is easily absorbed into the skin (think of nicotine patches) and thence enters the metabolism to produce not yet fully understood side-effects.

I post this anonymously in the interests of you all having luxurious hair for as long as possible. Your further research will assist you in discriminating companies that are a subsidiary of the Atomic Death-Ray Corporation, and those that actually care about your well-being.

There are plenty of natural shampoos and conditioners on the market that do the job as efficiently as the 'big guys', but don't run the risk of hair loss, birth defects, brain damage, heart failure etc

A bit of grass roots action should force them to change their evil ways

[motherhubbard]

I hadn't thought of that. I make lie soap and for a while I was washing my hair with that. I can't remember now if my hair was thicker then.

[papayahed]

I haven't heard of the carcinogenicity of Sodium Laurel (or Laureth) Sulfate, but it is an irritant at high concentrations.

The curly girls are big on "no poo" shampoo, it is suppossedly very gentle on the hair and scalp. It doesn't contain certain things, Sodium Laurel (or Laureth) Sulfate being one of them and I don't remember what else. I've tried it but it is difficult to rinse out, needs a little surfactant in my opinion. The curlies also suggest baby shampoo because it is gentle.

[qimissung]

I don't have thick curly hair problems. My hair is baby fine and lacks body. I always have to wash it and curl it every day, and even then it just looks OK. Sigh. I use a lot of strong mousse, and of course I blow dry it. But even though I'm (cough) older, and my kids are grown, or nearly grown, my hair hasn't gotten noticeably thinner. Thank goodness for small mercies!

I'll have to check the ingredients, though. Have no idea what's in them. Usually I just use Suave products because they're pretty good and so cheap.

[faithosaurus]

An easy and fast trick to boost your hair is to lift up parts of it and spray underneath near the roots. I use this on my sister sometimes.

Also, take a look at this:

http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/articles/hair-volume

[qimissung]

Thanks, Faith. I'll try that and the blow drying trick in the article.

[faithosaurus]

No problem! :)

My mother and stepfather had my brother and sister, and my sister's hair is super fine and thin. I often try to get it to have some shape, but it's incredibly hard. Me having super curly and thick hair and such, I have no idea how to do it. Like when I try a braid. It always falls out because I can't do it tight enough for her hair.

[Scheherazade]

Santa decided that I should indulge in Light Blue this year.

Light Blue for Men is awesome as well... Makes me want to purr.

(That is if I purred... I would never do that, of course!)

:D

[faithosaurus]

Ooh! I have that stuff :) It smells soooo good.

And you're right, the men's smells great as well.

[qimissung]

I read a description of it and it sounds awesome. I got myself (no need to bother Santa) some Acqua de Gioia (I don't think that's spelled quite right). It smells like a spring day.

[faithosaurus]

I freaking LOVE Aqua di Gio. Armani is awesome.

I love the men's stuff, haha. They get to smell good!
I might start buying cologne...

[papayahed]

Hey Ladies, what's going on? Anything new?

[*Classic*Charm*]

Hiya Papaya!

Man, I'm sad I missed the curly hair convo :(

[qimissung]

So what is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast on a weekday? On the weekend?

Do you eat breakfast at home, work, or in the car?

[TurquoiseSunset]

I'll bite...heh.

Mostly I have a blueberry muffin at work with coffee. On Fridays me and a couple of colleagues have a Sausage and Egg McMuffin with a hashbrown and hot chocolate. We take turns at buying. And then occasionally, if the mood strikes me, I'll have an egg and a slice of cheese on toast down at the cateen.

[JuniperWoolf]

I love oatmeal and then a thick slice from a french loaf of bread with butter and strawberry jam and a vanilla coffee for breakfast, any day of the week. If we have none of those things, I usually settle for a banana. :( I eat it outside in the garden or in my room with the door open, since I had to give up my car last month because the oil pump left (it was like losing a favorite family pet) and I don't have a summer job yet (they don't want me at the mill :()

[qimissung]

Those sound like good ways to start the day, TurquoiseSunset and Juniper. Yours in particular, Juniper, sounds kind of idyllic.

I usually eat in my car (I manage to eat at may desk a few times a week) and I am thoroughly sick of it by this time of year. I get pancakes at McDonald's one day a week, an egg mcmuffin one day a week, oatmeal or yogurt from Starbucks one day a week, etc., etc., etc. My son likes kolaches from the donut shop. I don't like to cook in the morning. I have a thirty minute commute, so I don't like to wait until I get to work to eat either. I get tired of the whole feeling of being rushed in the morning, but I know enough about myself to know I am not going to get up any earlier than I have to.

Anyway, my plan is to try to find a few things to make that are very simple, (maybe blueberry muffins!) that I can take with me. As it happens, very few of my plans work out, but we'll see. I am always optimistic about them, and I always have another one lurking on the horizon. :lurk5:

I'm sorry they don't want you at the mill, Juniper, but don't fear. Someone is going to want you.

[JuniperWoolf]

I'm sorry they don't want you at the mill, Juniper, but don't fear. Someone is going to want you.

:D Thanks, Qim.

[Delta40]

So what is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast on a weekday? On the weekend?

Do you eat breakfast at home, work, or in the car?

I love poached egg on a crusty loaf with avocado slices

[TurquoiseSunset]

I love oatmeal and then a thick slice from a french loaf of bread with butter and strawberry jam and a vanilla coffee for breakfast, any day of the week.


I usually eat in my car and I am thoroughly sick of it by this time of year. I get pancakes at McDonald's one day a week, an egg mcmuffin one day a week, oatmeal or yogurt from Starbucks one day a week, etc., etc., etc. My son likes kolaches from the donut shop. I don't like to cook in the morning. I have a thirty minute commute, so I don't like to wait until I get to work to eat either. I get tired of the whole feeling of being rushed in the morning, but I know enough about myself to know I am not going to get up any earlier than I have to.

[B]Anyway, my plan is to try to find a few things to make that are very simple, (maybe blueberry muffins!) that I can take with me. As it happens, very few of my plans work out, but we'll see. I am always optimistic about them, and I always have another one lurking on the horizon. :lurk5:

I forgot about oatmeal. It's autumn here now, so I've only just started having it for breaksfast - it's way too hot in the summer for oatmeal. I keep instant oats at work. I have a cup of coffee and a glass of milk (for my vitamins) before I leave for work, so that keeps the hunger pangs (is that right?) at bay for a while. Also, besides a muffin you can also take a tub of yoghurt to work...


I love poached egg on a crusty loaf with avocado slices

That sounds delicious!

[kasie]

My usual day-to-day breakfast is porridge (oatmeal) made with water, with dried fruit - prunes, or apricots or sultanas - stirred in with a spoonful or two of yogurt or cream, if I'm feeling extravagent. Or I have a bowl of muesli with the fruit and either yogurt or milk. If I'm pushed for time it will be a banana and yogurt.

But on high days and holidays I love fresh fruit salad followed by scrambled egg with smoked salmon (the cheap off-cuts!) with toasted seeded batch. Oh, and tea - several mugs of tea.

[papayahed]

I usually eat breakfast in the car. This morning I had a salami sandwich, tomorrow I plan on making a mixed berry smoothie.

[faithosaurus]

On weekdays (since school starts at 7:45am - which I'm done with completely after tomorrow!) I will sometimes get a bagel at the school since they're super good, or I end up skipping over it entirely. For the weekends it's usually cereal and fruit. But really, I will eat cereal for any time of the day. I love cereal.

[papayahed]

But really, I will eat cereal for any time of the day. I love cereal.



I know right? Last night I had cereal for dinner. Corn Pops.

[Shalot]

I went to a spa today. Well, it was a spa trip after work. The place was more than a spa - they also cut hair and give manicures, in addition to the massages and facials and mud baths you'd get at a spa. It was like the Wal-Mart of spas. They had a large flashing sign outside - it wasn't neon but it was close. It was more like a sign you'd see at a sporting event. The place smelled like a nail salon more than anything and Delilah was on the radio. Does anybody else know about Delilah? It could just be a regional thing, but it makes me feel better to think that the Delilah show is broadcast everywhere. If you don't know about Delilah, all you really need to know about it is that you're likely to hear a Richard Marx song when she's hosting.

I went to this spa for a "Detox for Life" treatment. I'd never even heard of it, but someone else made the appointment for me and I had to try it.

I got the detox for life treatment in one of those pedicure chairs with the massage function that you can adjust with a handheld device. Something was clipped to my wrist and it was also hooked into a box that looked like an old fashioned computer (it was beige like a computer from the 80's or early 90's). I also had a belt around my waist that was hooked into the same machine. My feet were in a bucket of water with this black thing that was also hooked to the same strange, beige machine.

She added salt to the water I had my feet in and then she turned on the machine. The point of all this was to draw the toxins out of my body through my feet and into the bucket of water.

By the time the treatment was over, my feet were in a bucket full of dark orange bubbly water with an oily surface. There was also a bit of white substance floating in the water and some black specks. I got a chart explaining what each funk in the water represented.

So I guess those were the toxins in my body. Or, there could have been something in that black device that was slowly dispersed in the water and it was all a hoax. Anyway, that's what I did tonight.

[qimissung]

@papayahed-sandwiches are very good in the morning. Although I don't do that very often, I once ate a tunafish sandwich for breakfast and, God, it just tasted so good.

@kasie, I adore real oatmeal with dried fruit. Tasty!

@Shalot: Sounds like fun. Do you feel cleaner, lighter, purified? :D

[faithosaurus]

I went to a spa today. Well, it was a spa trip after work. The place was more than a spa - they also cut hair and give manicures, in addition to the massages and facials and mud baths you'd get at a spa. It was like the Wal-Mart of spas. They had a large flashing sign outside - it wasn't neon but it was close. It was more like a sign you'd see at a sporting event. The place smelled like a nail salon more than anything and Delilah was on the radio. Does anybody else know about Delilah? It could just be a regional thing, but it makes me feel better to think that the Delilah show is broadcast everywhere. If you don't know about Delilah, all you really need to know about it is that you're likely to hear a Richard Marx song when she's hosting.

I went to this spa for a "Detox for Life" treatment. I'd never even heard of it, but someone else made the appointment for me and I had to try it.

I got the detox for life treatment in one of those pedicure chairs with the massage function that you can adjust with a handheld device. Something was clipped to my wrist and it was also hooked into a box that looked like an old fashioned computer (it was beige like a computer from the 80's or early 90's). I also had a belt around my waist that was hooked into the same machine. My feet were in a bucket of water with this black thing that was also hooked to the same strange, beige machine.

She added salt to the water I had my feet in and then she turned on the machine. The point of all this was to draw the toxins out of my body through my feet and into the bucket of water.

By the time the treatment was over, my feet were in a bucket full of dark orange bubbly water with an oily surface. There was also a bit of white substance floating in the water and some black specks. I got a chart explaining what each funk in the water represented.

So I guess those were the toxins in my body. Or, there could have been something in that black device that was slowly dispersed in the water and it was all a hoax. Anyway, that's what I did tonight.


Oh my goodness, that's sounds wonderful haha.

Spas are fun.

[kasie]

Spa treatments? Ha! I wish...

My good friend decided we should have a day at a spa as my birthday treat - we turned up looking forward to a day of pampering, hot stones, swimming, massage, lunch, manicure, the works. We were shown into the changing room but before we had time to do more than ooh and aah at the thick white robes, an immaculate young lady turned up with forms for us to sign. Did we have any implants? Er, yes - how about two hips and a couple of vertibrae for a start? Hmm....had we had surgery in the last twelve months? Yes - see answer to above question. Hmmm.... did we have low or high blood pressure? Yes, both, see if you can guess which one of us suffers from which. And yes, we were on medication for teh above and yes, both were under control as far as our doctors were concerned. Very sorry, ladies, we can't accept you, Health and Safety, Insurance etc, etc. You can use the pool and stay and have lunch. Oh, and you can have your manicure but the manicurist won't be here until this afternoon. My friend, usually a placid sort, went spare, why wasn't she told about these restrictions when she booked? She hadn't asked. She didn't know there was anything to ask. We decided it would be an expensive swim/lunch/manicure so she asked for (and got) a refund and we were forced, but forced, to go to Marks and Spencer to console ourselves. Alas, I shall die wondering -as far as spa treatments go, that is.

[Annamariah]

Hello everyone, I'm back! (Though no one probably even realised I was missing for several months... well, anyway :D)

Before my doctor told me I'm allergic to wheat, rye, oat and barley, I used to have oatmeal (usually with raisins) or a few slices of bread for breakfast. I really miss oatmeal and Finnish rye bread (100 % rye flour, it's dark and hard, something you really have to chew). I'm hoping I'll be able to eat them again eventually, I don't want to live the rest of my life without all my favourite foods.

http://feed.ne.cision.com/wpyfs/00/00/00/00/00/0F/F9/DA/FB_Oululainen_Juhla_Jalkiuunileipa_mood_090707.jpg

Is anyone else suffering from pollen allergy? This spring hasn't been half as bad as last year, but it's still giving me a hard time.

[kiki1982]

I used to have a variety of things: muesli and yoghurt, bread and jam, knäckbröd and jam or anything sweet, frappè, cold chocolate etc

Now I have sometimes nothing, sometimes bread and jam, and coffee (Polish style).

Coffee is always on the menue though.

[qimissung]

@Annamariah, welcome back! I'm sorry to hear that you have a food allergy. I think it would be terribly difficult not to eat a food I loved. I adore oatmeal with raisins. What do you eat for breakfast now?

@Kiki, what brought about the change in your eating habits? Bread and jam is an excellent breakfast, especially a really good bread. I think I might hear the sound of music while eating that. :)

@Kasie, I'm sorry. At least you had some consolation. Could you treat yourselves to a massage?

[Annamariah]

@Annamariah, welcome back! I'm sorry to hear that you have a food allergy. I think it would be terribly difficult not to eat a food I loved. I adore oatmeal with raisins. What do you eat for breakfast now?

Usually either fried eggs or some gluten-free cereal (which is three times as expensive as the regular kind...). I'm allergic to pretty much all fruit and vegetables as well, so my options are few. I used to eat rice porridge too, but I got so sick and tired of it that I haven't had any for a while. It's Christmas food, anyway :D Some days I don't have actual breakfast but eat an early lunch instead.

The biggest problem of this diet is that because of having so many allergies I'm sick and tired with most of the things I can eat, yet I'm constantly hungry. I also don't want to go to strange places or travel, because finding something I can eat is pretty difficult. And grain-free special products are hideously expensive, yet most of them taste rather bad!

[qimissung]

Your allergic to most fruits and vegetables, too!!!! That seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?

When I think of it, my own diet is fairly limited, but it's by choice. I'm looking to expand it this summer by familiarizing myself with an understanding of places to buy and simple recipes. They have to be simple. I don't really like cooking, and I find complicated recipes confusing.

Maybe we can contribute some ideas or recipes for you that will broaden your choices a little.

[kiki1982]

From when I was a child to the time I left home at 19, I had to eat something in the morning because it was policy at home ;). Then I left home and I still had breakfast out of habit, until I figured that bread was a bit stupid to buy for myself as it got bad earlier than I could eat it and my husbnad took breakfast on the way to work. Then I figured I wasn't exactly hubgry in the morning but just ate because... so I decided that I would eat when hubgry. Sometimes I am hungry, sometimes not, so I eat what I want when I want. Even if that is at 11 o'clock and it is spaghetti from the day before, cold... :) Actually I am not that strange because for centuries, people have lived like that.

We make our own bread in our bread machine too. Sooo nice. ;)

[Scheherazade]

For years I did not have breakfast because I was always in a hurry leaving the house but now I try to have something even though only a cereal bar... And I think I feel better for it.

No more mid-morning hunger attacks or big lunches.

[Annamariah]

Yeah, qimissung, being allergic to pretty much everything seems unfair. Since I haven't been able to eat most fruit and vegetables for over 15 years now, I've gotten used to it. It's the grain-free thing that's driving me nuts, because it means no bread, no porridge, no pasta, no pizza, no cookies... Except for the grain-free special ones that are hideously expensive and don't taste half as good as regular ones :P

At least I'd rather skip lunch than breakfast. I don't feel good if I don't eat something in the morning (though especially now that it's hard to find anything to eat, that happens every now and then, yet I always regret it later).

Kiki, I felt like that about bread too at first when I moved out and started living alone, but then I realised that I could always put most of the bread in the freezer and only leave as much as I would eat in a couple of days. After eating all those I'd take some more out of the freezer before going to bed so it would be unfrozed in the morning :)

[TurquoiseSunset]

Kiki, I felt like that about bread too at first when I moved out and started living alone, but then I realised that I could always put most of the bread in the freezer and only leave as much as I would eat in a couple of days. After eating all those I'd take some more out of the freezer before going to bed so it would be unfrozed in the morning :)

I also freeze bread, as well as muffins and hot cross buns. When I feel like having a muffin I just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

[kasie]

Gimmisung - thanks for your sympathy!! Yes, we consoled ourselves with blueberry pancakes in M&S's cafe (with a particularly dishy waiter - we never behave when we're together..) and a browse round the ladies' wear dept. My friend bought me a special 'going out for the evening' top which is nice because whenever I wear it I think of her and remember our disastrous day with a smile. It had started with us having hysterics because she was having her driveway re-laid and the heavy overnight rain had flooded it and we couldn't get out of the house: she could, because she had wellies but I couldn't until the workmen arrived and laid a series of stepping stones through the flood water and chivalrously led me by the hand to the road which was dry, all the water having drained down the drive. I bought wellies later in the day - flowery ones because I was feeling really frivolous and light-headed with laughing by that time. And yes, I've had massages, one while I was in China, from a tiny lady who looked as if she might fly away if you blew on her but who had fingers of steel - I felt sooo good after her ministrations! And I have a good friend who is a masseuse (and accupuncturist - that's - hmm- an interesting treatment, and it works, too) and she has given me both lower body massages which do my poor old hips and knees a power of good and upper body massages which help my shoulders and leave me wonderfully clear-headed. Think I might book myself a session with her - just thinking about it makes me feel the need!

Annamariah - I'm more than a little puzzled about your diet - if you can't eat fruit, veg or cereals, what do you eat?? Dairy and meat? No wonder you are bored by food!

[Annamariah]

Annamariah - I'm more than a little puzzled about your diet - if you can't eat fruit, veg or cereals, what do you eat?? Dairy and meat? No wonder you are bored by food!

Well, yeah :D I can eat dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, rice and corn. I can eat boiled potatoes too, but I can't even touch them when they're raw, because I'll get awful blisters on my hands if I do.

[faithosaurus]

Well, yeah :D I can eat dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, rice and corn. I can eat boiled potatoes too, but I can't even touch them when they're raw, because I'll get awful blisters on my hands if I do.

Oh man. That must be hard!

[Tournesol]

Annamariah, I really feel it for you!

Since I got pregnant [I'm now at 15weeks] I haven't been able to eat much, if any, meat. Dairy and eggs are alright, but highly seasoned foods are off the list. Most times I just have a microwave potato.

But fruits are my one craving - now I feel extremely blessed to be able to eat fruits.

Most days I have absolutely no appetite whatsoever to eat, and I feel so upset, plus with the acid reflux - I never want to eat, but then I know I must for the sake of the baby.

And knowing that you can't eat all these things jsut makes me sad.

I hope and pray that you find a reprieve from your allergies.

[Shalot]

And I have a good friend who is a masseuse (and accupuncturist - that's - hmm- an interesting treatment, and it works, too) and she has given me both lower body massages which do my poor old hips and knees a power of good and upper body massages which help my shoulders and leave me wonderfully clear-headed. Think I might book myself a session with her - just thinking about it makes me feel the need!



I want to go to an accupunturist...I'm curious. And if it works, well that's a bonus. So you said it was interesting...does it hurt or sting or anything?

[Tournesol]

I had acupuncture done once...on my ears of all places!

And let me tell you, if you suffer from tension ehadaches or migraines, it does wonders for it.

What I realised afterwards is that if you have a headache, or neck pain, you can always massage your ears, ear lobes, and the bones behind your ears, and this relieves the tension and pain. [and take it from me - a woman who wears the scarf and who gets earaches all the time - the ear massage works! You can do it yourself, or better yet, get someone to do it for you]

My husband had had a terrible knee injury, with which he could not kneel down. He got acupuncture done, and he was able to use his knee well after that. That was last October, and up to now he is able to kneel to pray.

Also, depending on the problem area, it will take a couple sessions of the acupuncture.

[Shalot]

Now I have to try it. Will report back when I find one around here. My husband got in a car accident and he often has pain in his shoulder now, and he started getting massage therapy for that, and it helps. He also noticed that he had fewer headaches - in fact, he realized that he was just sort of living with constant aching. I wonder if accupuncture would help any of his problems. It's strange - usually we reach for a pill, but it's interesting to find that just taking an hour or less to get a different kind of therapy, like accupuncture or massage therapy can be helpful (and maybe not as dangerous as some of the medications).

[kasie]

I want to go to an accupunturist...I'm curious. And if it works, well that's a bonus. So you said it was interesting...does it hurt or sting or anything?

No, it doesn't hurt at all (at least with a good practitioner is doesn't) and I'm needle-phobic, so that's saying something! My friend talked gently the whole time she was placing the needles (down my leg, it was to treat a knee problem) and I suspect she was partly hypnotising me because she said 'Don't be surprised if you fall asleep' and I did. I admit I was a bit sceptical but something, the acupuncture or the massage or the hypnosis, really helped and while the problem didn't disappear - it's arthritis rather than an injury that will heal - the pain certainly lessened and I had more movement in the joint. My friend was impressed that I had already found some acupressure points to relieve pain for myself - gripping the wrist to relieve thumb pain (more arthritis), pinching the bridge of the nose or massaging behind the ears to relieve headaches, massaging the side of the knee to help hip pain. She taught me some more but the only one I remember is pinching the fleshy part between finger and thumb, another headache one.

You're right about seeking cures other than a pill, Shalot - I'm a great believer in alternative therapies. An osteopath gave me huge relief from hip pain for something like ten years because I was too young to be considered for joint replacement ops.He also worked wonders on my aching feet because, he said, I had once sprained my ankle and had not recognised the fact so had not sought treatment, so he worked away - and that did hurt but, oh the bliss when I stood up and there was no more pain in my feet!

[Tournesol]

Hey Kasie!

It's good that you're getting alternative treatment for the arthritis, and decreasing the cause for medication.

My aunt has been suffering from arthritis for years, and she's a firm believer in tablets - I think she probably took every medication that there is for arthritis.

Unfortunately, for the past month she's been in the hospital, suffering from all the side effects from those tablets. She needed blood, and blood platelets, just so that her body could now respond to the new medication that they're giving her.

My advice to everyone out there - man or woman - of you can prevent an illness, it's the best thing, or if you find an alternative treatment for it, please try it, as long as it's not fishy business.

The massage is really good for the arthritis. You can even try aqua-aerobics, or pilates, or tai-chi.

[qimissung]

Annamariah, I really feel it for you!

Since I got pregnant [I'm now at 15weeks] I haven't been able to eat much, if any, meat. Dairy and eggs are alright, but highly seasoned foods are off the list. Most times I just have a microwave potato.

But fruits are my one craving - now I feel extremely blessed to be able to eat fruits.

Most days I have absolutely no appetite whatsoever to eat, and I feel so upset, plus with the acid reflux - I never want to eat, but then I know I must for the sake of the baby.

And knowing that you can't eat all these things jsut makes me sad.

I hope and pray that you find a reprieve from your allergies.

Congratulations, Tournesol, on your pregnancy. Fortunately you will feel better soon and will be able to eat more normally. It's all for a good cause! :)

[kasie]

Sorry to hear about your aunt, Tournesol - hope she is on the road to recovery now. I am not allowed anything with ibuprofen in it as I am (mildly) asthmatic so I guess I have never become dependent on tablets for that reason but when everything throbs in the middle of the night, it is very tempting to reach for the pill bottle. If I move house, I plan to join my friend at her tai-chi group.

Congratulations on the baby - please keep us posted.

[papayahed]

Any recommendations for a waterproof eyeliner?

[qimissung]

I haven't used eyeliner for awhile, but when I did I used a pencil, usually in green or blue. Also, I found these reviews:

http://www.makeuptalk.com/forum/thread/12152/best-waterproof-eyeliner

[TurquoiseSunset]

I have also heard about MAC Fluidline (which you apply with a brush), but I haven't used it myself. Then somewhere I read about Chanel having one, but that might be a bit expensive.

[Annamariah]

Annamariah, I really feel it for you!

Since I got pregnant [I'm now at 15weeks] I haven't been able to eat much, if any, meat. Dairy and eggs are alright, but highly seasoned foods are off the list. Most times I just have a microwave potato.

But fruits are my one craving - now I feel extremely blessed to be able to eat fruits.

Most days I have absolutely no appetite whatsoever to eat, and I feel so upset, plus with the acid reflux - I never want to eat, but then I know I must for the sake of the baby.

And knowing that you can't eat all these things jsut makes me sad.

I hope and pray that you find a reprieve from your allergies.

Thanks :) I'm hoping I'll be able to return to normal (well, not "normal", but at least less limited) diet within time. If my skin is in a good condition in the autumn I can get proper allergy tests done and then MAYBE start trying to add some grains in my diet little by little. It would make my life so much easier if I could eat bread and all the normal stuff like that.

Congratulations! It's always nice to hear someone's going to have a baby :)

[JuniperWoolf]

I don't use eyeliner, I'm a mascara girl.

[papayahed]

I always manage to get mascara on my glasses.:crazy:

[faithosaurus]

I have also heard about MAC Fluidline (which you apply with a brush), but I haven't used it myself. Then somewhere I read about Chanel having one, but that might be a bit expensive.

The Chanel one's a bit expensive, but it works like a charm!

I'm more of an eyeliner person myself now - I used to be for mascara but somehow I just went out and stopped using it. Also, brow pencils are godly.

[Shalot]

I always manage to get mascara on my glasses.:crazy:

Ha..it's an odd sensation to accidently bat your eyelashes against the lenses of your glasses. (if that's how you get mascara on your glasses


Speaking of mascara, I have a lot of mascara. I don't use mascara much. Hardly ever in fact. But I do go for "Bonus Time." You get free stuff (the bonus) with your cosmetics purchase of $21.50 or more (or however much it is now). There's always mascara in a bonus...I wonder why that is. And a the bonus always comes in a cosmetics bag. So I have a lot of mascara because I don't throw it away and I have a lot of cosmetics bags. I used to always go for Clinique Bonus time. And with that you always got Dramatically Different Moisterizing Lotion, which I never used but I kept it too. I have a box full of make-up that I don't use. Some is stuff that I buy outright, and then hate or it doesn't work that well. And some is stuff that I got in a bonus and never used. Every once in a while, I do toss some of the stuff. But it amazes me that I keep it so long before I do end up tossing it.

[Annamariah]

Usually I only wear make-up on my eyes (my skin can't handle full-face make-up, so no foundation or powder for me). I "have to" use mascara and eyebrow pencil, because I'm blonde and look like I don't have any eyelashes and eyebrows if I don't :p

I often use some eyeshadow and eyeliner too. I like to play with different colours depending on my mood, clothing and accessories :)

[kiki1982]

I never wear make-up. I'm a natural girl :smilewinkgrin:. It is a nuissance, can't rub your eyes or there are black marks and that's a poblem when you're tired. Not to mention when something has flown into your eye...

I only make an exception for parties, but I have recently discovered that my eyelashes tend to fall out if I have used mascara. Very inconvenient. And buying a special brand, which I understand exists, just for occasional use is a bit stupid. No no mascara any more for me.

But, now a new situation has presented itself. How does one put make-up on if one has glasses? I mean, not 'how' (take the glasses off and put it on, although that may be a challenge :D), but to what extent? Less colour, no? Because otherwise eyes start to compete with glasses and that may not be such a great sight.

[TurquoiseSunset]

But, now a new situation has presented itself. How does one put make-up on if one has glasses? I mean, not 'how' (take the glasses off and put it on, although that may be a challenge :D), but to what extent? Less colour, no? Because otherwise eyes start to compete with glasses and that may not be such a great sight.

Well, it depends on your glasses. If they magnify your eyes your makeup should be soft and subtle, but if they make your eyes look smaller then you can use darker or brighter colours and emphasise your eyes more (with eyeliner and mascara).

Also, don't use waterproof mascara. It's very difficult to remove which will make your lashes fall out. Even when you wash off normal mascara don't rub to much and make sure to use warm water. Usually people lose lashes because of rubbing and not the mascara itself.

[Annamariah]

I never wear make-up. I'm a natural girl :smilewinkgrin:. It is a nuissance, can't rub your eyes or there are black marks and that's a poblem when you're tired. Not to mention when something has flown into your eye...

Haha, that's actually the reason why I started wearing make-up :lol: I mean the fact that you can't rub your eyes when you're wearing mascara. When I was sixteen, I realised that wearing mascara was the only way I could keep myself from rubbing my eyes, which really made a big difference during the pollen allergy season, because rubbing one's eyes only makes the itching much worse.

[Tournesol]

Hey Kasie!

It's good that you're getting alternative treatment for the arthritis, and decreasing the cause for medication.

My aunt has been suffering from arthritis for years, and she's a firm believer in tablets - I think she probably took every medication that there is for arthritis.

Unfortunately, for the past month she's been in the hospital, suffering from all the side effects from those tablets. She needed blood, and blood platelets, just so that her body could now respond to the new medication that they're giving her.

My advice to everyone out there - man or woman - of you can prevent an illness, it's the best thing, or if you find an alternative treatment for it, please try it, as long as it's not fishy business.

The massage is really good for the arthritis. You can even try aqua-aerobics, or pilates, or tai-chi.

Hey all.

I just wanted everyone to know that my aunt who was in the hospital succumbed to her illness, and she died two weeks ago. She was 47.

She'd had RhA all her life, and the medication that she'd been taking had a side effect of lymphoma. The chemo did nothing for her. She was too weak and frail.

She left behind her husband, her 21-year old daughter, and her 11-year old son. It's hard for all of them.

[qimissung]

I am very sorry, Tournesol, for your aunt and her family.

[kiki1982]

oh... my condolences too, Tournesol to you and your family.

[faithosaurus]

I'm very sorry Tournesol :(

I do hope things get better for all of you.

[papayahed]

Does anybody know how to get nail polish off leather?

[Niamh]

does the remover not work?

[kiki1982]

I wouldn't try remover on leather, somehow... If you're unlucky, you'll take the shine off... Unless it's in a discreet place, of course.

I'll have a look on the net.

[edit] So... There are a few entries for for nail polish remover or acetone (eHow.com), but one also mentioned taking the residue off with water and leather cleaner.

There was also one for a sofa, and that mentioned hairspray.

I would find the hairspray thing the safest.

[papayahed]

does the remover not work?

I afraid to try it, I don't want to ruin the leather.

[JuniperWoolf]

I once spilled silver nail polish on my favorite black pants, a lot of it. I kept them in my closet for almost a year afterwards in mourning, I knew that I would never be able to get the polish out. *despondent sigh*

[kiki1982]

I afraid to try it, I don't want to ruin the leather.

I would be afraid of that too, but why don't you try it on the lining (failing the hairspray)? There is bound to be a small piece of the same leather your jacket is made of turned inside or something. Then you can try to put some on it, wait about 24 hours and then have a look. If nothing much has happened, go ahead.


So you don't end up like Mr Bean and Whistler's Mother. ;)

[papayahed]

I would be afraid of that too, but why don't you try it on the lining (failing the hairspray)? There is bound to be a small piece of the same leather your jacket is made of turned inside or something. Then you can try to put some on it, wait about 24 hours and then have a look. If nothing much has happened, go ahead.


So you don't end up like Mr Bean and Whistler's Mother. ;)

I'll give the hair spray a shot when I get home tonight.


Which leads me to my next issue, what color are you guys wearing on your nails? I can't find a cute summer color to save my life. I tried this minty green but the polish is crap, it goes on all streaky. Next, I tried this yellowish greenish color with looks like puke on, now I have on a lime color which is ok but quite honestly it isn't knocking my socks off.

[kiki1982]

I don't colour my nails anymore, but I sued to as a teenager.

If it goes on streaky and you don't want that, you'll have to put on two layers. some nail polishes don't cover properly, so, like paint on the wall, another layer.

[papayahed]

If it goes on streaky and you don't want that, you'll have to put on two layers. some nail polishes don't cover properly, so, like paint on the wall, another layer.

Two coats doesn't cut it and any more and it just looks gloppy. Good thing it was on sale.

I just picked up this color, we'll see:

http://karlasugar.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Zoya-Caitlin.jpg

[papayahed]

It's a little more purpley in person.

[JuniperWoolf]

That is a nice color. My favorite, grey-ey purple.

[kiki1982]

Oops, two layers and still streaky. That's bad.

Nice colour, though. :)

Anyone ideas for incredibly dry finger skin so that it continuously peals off, also nail rims are a problem. I stay kind of off my nails, but I can't really do anything nice to them as my skin comes of horribly.

[kasie]

Can you get Body Shop products where you are, kiki? They do a Hemp Hand Protector which is rich and nourishing for hands without being sticky. They do a hemp hand cleanser too which is very effective if you come back from a litttle 'light weeding' with half the garden under your finger nails.

[papayahed]

When I remember I put a few drops of cuticle oil on my nails at night.

I econd the hemp hand lotion.

[Shalot]

Toenail Fungus --- I know that I have posted about this topic before but i feel that I must post again. My mother is convinced that she has a nail fungus. She has three weird white spots on her big toe nail. So, instead of getting a pedicure at a "salon" I painted her toe nails tonight. It was a process...

She wanted me to use that foot file thing. It was okay with the whole painting part - I just used a real light, forgiving pink polish. But the foot file thing and the rough skin was just yuck. It's one thing to do your own, which i do quite often to keep them from looking crusty, but to file someone else's feet is another thing. She had this flourescent flashlight thing right up next to her toes so that I could see what I was doing and feet are gross looking up close. They're just gross. And my mother doesn't have nasty looking feet, at least not a normal distance, noticeably in public. And I've seen some grody foot situations and I wonder why those people don't just put on shoes and socks because I would. But up close, under neon light, feet are a whole different story.

Anyway, the point of this post is - what does a nail fungus look like? I've googled it and the return images are horrifying. Hers didn't look like that. It was three white spots. Will that condition eventually turn into what I see on Google, or does anyone else have any idea what those 3 white spots might be?

I heard soaking your feet in peroxide helps can help with fungals as can tea tree oil. I put some tea tree oil drops on her nails anyway.

[JuniperWoolf]

I remember that nails get white spots on them all the time if they're bumped. Something about the nail itself breaking away from the cuticle bed. It might be that, unless the spots raised (or *eugh* fuzzy).

[kiki1982]

Or somepeople just get those white spots for some reason, even without bumping them (as far as I know).

But nail fungus looks totally different. I think it should itch, but the most common one just turnes the nail yellow, untransluscentt and crumbly. I suppose there are more kinds that have other effects, but this would be the most likely.

oh, and thanks for the tips!

[papayahed]

I'm not sure about the fungus but I do have to commend you on doing your Mom's toes. I don't think I'd have the fortitude to touch my mom's feet.

[qimissung]

Like that nail color, papaya. How did that work out?

[papayahed]

Like that nail color, papaya. How did that work out?


I like it very much.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE69jBxZuXg

.

[Tournesol]

Hey girls!

Thank you all for your condolences on the passing of my aunt. It means a lot to me.

On a brighter note, I found out the sex of the baby - we're having a boy! I'm so excited, now I can finally get all the baby things!

I'm at 27 weeks - the end of the second trimester; so, I don't have much longer again!

[Shalot]

Hey girls!

Thank you all for your condolences on the passing of my aunt. It means a lot to me.

On a brighter note, I found out the sex of the baby - we're having a boy! I'm so excited, now I can finally get all the baby things!

I'm at 27 weeks - the end of the second trimester; so, I don't have much longer again!

Congrats! Don't know you too well, (don't think I've interacted with you much on the forum) but babies are exciting. So many congrats!

[kiki1982]

Yes, congrats!

But, my, the last of the second trimester! I am used to people knowing at round about the third month or so. Certainly at the latest at about 20 weeks.

[Tournesol]

Yes, congrats!

But, my, the last of the second trimester! I am used to people knowing at round about the third month or so. Certainly at the latest at about 20 weeks.

I know! We've been wanting to find out earlier, but the little man kept hiding his identity! Lol!

[qimissung]

So, is this your first baby, Tournesol?

[iamnobody]

I know! We've been wanting to find out earlier, but the little man kept hiding his identity! Lol!

My boy did the same. Hidden right up til the day he was born.
Congrats! And..Sleep all you can NOW!:biggrin5:

[Tournesol]

So, is this your first baby, Tournesol?

Yes, this is my first! It's very exciting! I can't wait to hold him in my arms!

As for the sleep, *sigh*...a few weeks ago I had severe insomnia. It's a good thing that school is out for the summer vacation, I was able to sleep in in the mornings, from about 8 - 11am. But now I seem to have gotten over it, thank God, cause I return to work tomorrow!

I'm hoping very much for a natural delivery, I want to avoid doing a C-section at all costs!

[Annamariah]

Congratulations and good luck, Tournesol! :)

[papayahed]

Congratulations Tournesol!!

OK, Ladies another question:

Where/how to you dry your "delicates"?

I have a bad habit of hanging my delicates on the the dining room chairs to dry. It's not bad when I don't have visitors but sometimes I forget to put them away and the exterminator comes every two weeks . I often wonder if he ever tries them on.

I was over a friends house and she had hers hanging from doorknobs.

[kiki1982]

haha!

Until 1 year ago we used to live in an apartment with communal laundry room. I just couldn't bear to hang them up down there for all the other ladies to see what macy and skimpy underwear I have under my clothes..., :blush:.

So I hung them on the side of the bath. Fortunately, we didn't have too many visitors, so that was alright, but from time to time I forgot too... :blush: again...

Now I have a laundry room, so as long as people don't come in the cellar, it's ok. Come to think of it, the chimney sweep may have seen them when he came last week, but I suppose he sees more of those. Although maybe not so nice and colourful :D.

[qimissung]

I have a clothes drying rack in my bedroom that I use, but I occasionally use a towel rack in the bathroom, and I too, occasionally forget! :blush:

[hoope]

Hi guys .. !

aaa.. i will be away .. for a quite a period.. i know though i have just tried to reconnect with everyone here. !
But am going though a hard days.. and i need to be far for a while !

Wish u all the best. and take care :)

[papayahed]

Take Care, Hoope

[kiki1982]

yes, take care, we'll miss you...

[papayahed]

I just read somewhere that washing your face with raw honey does wonders for your complexion. Anybody every try it/do it?

[Scheherazade]

I have read/heard that honey is good for your complexion but what is "raw honey"?

[papayahed]

So what exactly is the difference between raw honey and the perfectly golden, liquid honey that you see often bottled in a squeezable hive?
First of all, raw honey has not been heated excessively through pasteurization. The only way to get that perfectly clear look of most commercial honeys is to heat it and then filter it excessively.

http://www.bee-pollen-buzz.com/raw-honey.html

[iamnobody]

I don't know about washing with it but applying honey to a clean face then rinsing is helpful. Honey makes your skin feel nice and soft and it has antimicrobial properties wich can help with acne-prone skin. What I like is to mix honey and plain yogurt and use like a facial mask. You only want to leave it on for a few minutes.

[Scheherazade]

What I like is to mix honey and plain yogurt and use like a facial mask. You only want to leave it on for a few minutes.How much of each?

Where can you get "raw honey" from, I wonder...

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Where can you get "raw honey" from, I wonder...

Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NitBpJaom5k

.

[JuniperWoolf]

I went to a bee farm when I was a kid. It was cool.

[Scheherazade]

Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NitBpJaom5k

.Now all I need is a balloon big enough to carry me!


(Love the book :))

[kasie]

Honey isn't 'pasteurised', as such - it is heated to dissolve the sugar crystals that can form when it is stored in too cool a place. Some honeys crystalise more readily than others - it depends on the source of the nectar, honey from oil seed rape crystalises in the comb overnight and is the bane of beekeepers (unless they are specifically harvesting from that source in which case the hives are set up accordingly), as it can't be spun out of the combs and can only be cut out and pressed.

If you have a jar of honey that was clear but has gone solid and opaque, you can restore the viscosity by putting the jar in the microwave (minus the lid, of course!) for short bursts of heat until it goes clear again.

Commercial honey is often blended from several different sources (and possibly heated to give it a consistent viscosity) so perhaps what was meant by 'raw' honey was a honey from a small producer who doesn't blend the product. Support your local beekeeper for a clearer, softer skin!

[Scheherazade]

I hear there is a farmers' market not too far from here (my neighbour goes there every week)... Probably I can get it from there but who's to get up at 6 am on a Sunday to get raw honey for the skin?

I am thinking sleep is more important than honey for healthy skin... Yes?

[kasie]

Is there such a time as 6am on a Sunday? :yawnb: Do you have a healthfood shop near you, Sher? Not one of the chains but an independent one? They sometimes act as an outlet for local beekeepers. Or sometimes independent pharmacists keep local honey because it is said to be good for allergies, as is the pollen, if you can get it.

[papayahed]

I get raw honey from the grocery store. It's usually either in the ehalth food section or with the rest of the honey.

[Scheherazade]

Is there such a time as 6am on a Sunday? :yawnb:There isn't? Now I am suspicious of my neighbour... :sosp:

Tomorrow I am going shopping so I will check Sainsbury's first.

[Annamariah]

OK, Ladies another question:

Where/how to you dry your "delicates"?

Just like all the rest of my laundry - I set up a laundry rack and hang them to dry. The only place in this apartment where the laundry rack fits is right in front of the door - so basically it's the first thing you see when you step into the apartment :D Well, there's only two girls living here and we don't get much visitors, so it's alright :rolleyes:

[Tournesol]

Luckily, I don't have the problem of drying delicates. As I live in the tropics [Caribbean], we have heat all year round. I have one of those umbrella racks with the hanging clothes pegs, so I jsut hand wash the delicates and hang them up in my spare bathroom...which again luckliy I have.

On a more serious note though. THis week I'm 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I went to see the Dr yesterday, and so I'M GOING IN THIS SATURDAY TO HAVE LABOUR INDUCED!

I'm a little of everything: excited, anxious, impatient, scared, worried, numb..lol.

Any advice from anyone?

[kiki1982]

Ooh, good luck then. I hope everything goes well.

Why induce? Or too difficult to talk about it sorry in that case)...

[qimissung]

Oh, wow, that is exciting news, Tournesol. I know you and the baby will be just fine. All you really need is a little bit of time to drink each other in and become a family. :)

Good luck!

[kasie]

Every good wish for Saturday, Tournesol.

[cafolini]

Luckily, I don't have the problem of drying delicates. As I live in the tropics [Caribbean], we have heat all year round. I have one of those umbrella racks with the hanging clothes pegs, so I jsut hand wash the delicates and hang them up in my spare bathroom...which again luckliy I have.

On a more serious note though. THis week I'm 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I went to see the Dr yesterday, and so I'M GOING IN THIS SATURDAY TO HAVE LABOUR INDUCED!

I'm a little of everything: excited, anxious, impatient, scared, worried, numb..lol.

Any advice from anyone?

Don't forget to push.