Goodies

Move Over, Handi-Wipes!

As part of The World's Weirdest Swag Bag EVER (TM) - a bag which included, but was by no means limited to: sex toys, a clown nose, a pet hair de-linter, and a coloring book - I received a tassel of green cleaning products from Scotch-Brite.

Now, I'm no clean-freak, but I do like to keep things from venturing into scary-land.  Well, no, that's not fair.  I keep a clean house.  Considering.  Considering the overwhelming work schedule, two kids, and disappointing economic outlook.

Where was I?

Oh yes, bad-ass kitchen wipes!  I grew up in a Handi-wipes household.  My mom's sink perennially sported (and still does) a yellow (or blue, in later decades) handi-wipe.  They worked well, they dried quickly, and they were even washable for a few rounds before being retired to the trash.  So frugal was our home that we cut them in half, before using them, thereby doubling our expected usage.

I continued the tradition in my own home, and have never ventured out to try anything else, aside from the occasional honest-to-goodness wash cloth or dish towel. 

So when I opened my Random Bag of (Confusing) Goodness (TM), I thought, "Hmm.  Worth a try."

The only item I've tried thus far are the Greener Cleaner Bamboo Wipes.  This things rock!  Lemme tell you why:

1. WAY cuter than my old standby.  WAY.
2. Dries just as quickly, thereby minimizing "stinky sink" syndrome.
3. A softer side and a more scrubby side (try not to get confused by my technical jargon).  The scrubbier side works really well on countertop goo... should you have some.
4. Better for the environment.
5. Did I mention how much more attractive they are?

How 'bout you?  What's in your sink?  Any tricks-of-the-trade I should know about? 

I'll let you know what I think of the other Scotch-Brite items, as I have cause to use them.

Unsolicited Product Review: Burt's Bees Sunscreen

Have I mentioned I'm pale?  Nay, porcelain.  Alabaster.  Alright, fine: blue.  Fair skinned or not, all of us should be concerned with our skin and the best wrinkle fighter is always a great sunscreen.  For the past decade or so I've been wholeheartedly loyal to Skinceuticals Ultimate Defense sunscreen.  It's got "transparent" zinc-oxide and my acne-prone skin never once broke out.  In fact, it almost felt a little drying.  Which I think is good thing in sunscreen if you're going to put it on under makeup every single day.  My makeup never budged and it never left me feeling greasy.

But.  But, but, but.  It's expensive.  Muy expensivo.  Granted, one tube lasts forever, but these are trying times and our household budget could no longer afford my sunscreen habit.  So I went looking for an alternative.

When I saw Burt's Bee's sunscreen at the grocery store, I was pretty excited.  I've been as addicted (if not more so) to Burt's lip balm as I am Skinceuticals.  And I love their baby body wash (though I've had to forgo that in lieu of less expensive options, too).  At $15, it was considerably less expensive (really, exponentially less), so I through a tube in my cart and went on my merry way.

But I'm sorry to say, I don't like it.  I gave it the good college try - a couple of weeks, applied under a variety of circumstances - and it just isn't good.  To begin with, the "non-whitening" label misses the mark.  It's quite visible.  I was only able to make it less geisha-inspired by using absolutely miniscule amounts and rubbing it in for minutes.

Then there was the grease factor.  It never really felt settled in.  It felt like a pool-side sunscreen.  Like something you wouldn't mind if you were in a bathing suit and flip-flops, but certainly not something you'd like to feel under your makeup during a board meeting.

And my makeup did not stick.  I became increasingly shiny as the day wore on and my makeup wiped right off with the slightest touch.

The final deal-breaker was the resurgence of pimples.  I'll be the first to admit that break-outs come from a variety of sources and it's nearly impossible to pin the blame on any one source.  But it seemed too coincidental. 

I hate to say it, Burt, but you missed the mark.  The good news?  I did find a good alternative!  I'll share more later.

Gearing Up: Poken

I'm beginning to gear up for BlogHer '09, which is a mere week-and-a-half away.  Last month, I heard from a company that makes these nifty items: pokens.  They're little digital business card buddies.  Instead of exchanging cards and then having to manually input all your contact information, social networks, etc., you simply let your poken "shake hands" with another poken.

I just received mine in the mail yesterday. I opted for the Geisha.  It's teeny!  I'll be reviewing it here soon.  I hope other BlogHer attendees will be bringing their pokens so I can give this one a thorough road test.  Stay tuned!

Welcome! And Help Yourself to Some Goodies!

C'mon in, sit a spell.  Welcome to Uncommon Goodies!  In the past, I've done all of my reviews, both solicited and un-, within my main blog, Uncommon Misconception.  But I'd like to take advantage of the opportunities that come across my inbox - opportunities to review neat products or services, and chances to spread the love to you, my devoted readers.  So I've set up camp over here, where I'm free to give the thumbs up or down and include you all in whatever nifty stuff comes my way.