Where The Heck Have You Been???

And to answer that question, I present you with a link to my new blog. One that will, for about the next 18 years, take up most of my time:

thecountdownisonhere.blogspot.com

Since this info is very private, and since - in this day and age - the world can be a scary place, if you'd like access to my new blog after Oct 1, 2009, please either email me, leave a comment here, or PM me on Facebook with your email so that I can add you to the approved users list. After Oct 1 the blog will, unfortunately, be set to "Private - Authorized Users Only" status.

I've enjoyed my time blogging here - and may start up again from time to time - I'm sure there is a whole world of new Mommy shopping that needs to be discussed and reviewed - but for now most of my attention will turn to our new blessing.

Thanks for your support and following over the past year(s). It really has meant more than you know! I hope you are all blessed each and every day. Sincerely, Kristi

Holey Donuts

Ok so a while back I mentioned I went on a "research" spree. I've already reviewed my new friends the Bumpits below. The other purchase was a number of flavors of Holey Donuts (www.holeydonuts.net). They purport to be much better for you - in some cases 4x less fat - than typical donuts. AND they're not made with fake out ingredients (no tofu here folks!) - just good old fashioned normal stuff. I was not hopeful upon ordering but still couldn't help myself.

On my first round I ordered the Boston Creme Oreo, the Assortment #4, the Original Glazed, and the Cinnamon Rolls. The first one I had was the Boston Creme Oreo. The directions say to microwave them (they come frozen - packed in dry ice) for 15-20 seconds. I ended up having to do that plus another couple of 10 second hits. The down side was that all the frosting melted and ran all over the little plate the donut was on. Not that I couldn't scoop it all back on, but it didn't look as pretty and darnit I'm a sucker for packaging.

I am happy to report that the donuts were delightful! The fact that they are lower in fat/calories means they will not be 100% identical to a Krispy Kreme people. But for me that's a-ok - those double K donuts just are toooo cloyingly sweet for me anyway. The Holey Donuts I've found are still plenty sugary to satisfy a donut craving but aren't so sticky sugar filled that they mask the great flavors inside.

I've since had the basic glazed and the cinnamon rolls. Both get two thumbs up. I have not tried any of the others but considering its my duty as a blogger (and there's a holiday weekend ahead of me) I plan on it.

If there is a downside here its price. A six-pack of donuts (without shipping included) is almost $12.00. Yeah that's $2.00 a donut. And they won't ship any order under $35.00 so buy in bulk and save em in your freezer. But since these are hand made, and are a rarity (a good donut that you can feel good about) I say the price is worth it. BIG HINT: get on the mailing list right away before placing your first order. Quite often they run specials and sales that will include either free shipping or free-with-purchase donuts.


And in the "to be continued" column, I've recently made a new purchase that is winging its way to me. Its from the COMO Shambhala spas. I'm on a major kick lately to stop putting artificial chemicals in my body. To that end, I'm trying to locate products from make up to laundry detergent (and of COURSE foods) that don't have anything in the ingredient list that I can't identify! I read about the Shambhala bath gel in a famous mag and decided I couldn't live without it! I also got sucked in on the website and ordered a soap bar and some massage oil as well. With the tricky EU exchange rate I ended up paying about 1.5x what they "cost" but hopefully my body and mind will thank me for it! When they arrive from across the pond I'll give an update!

The Amazing Bumpit Review

Ok so maybe the review won't be that amazing - but it will be a review of my new Bumpits!  Ok, the technical:

• Price:  $18.95 + shipping (normally around $19.95 - $24.95 for a full set - you can get cheaper "partial" sets for around $10-14)
  
• What you get:  5 "Bumpits" - 2 regular, 2 mini, 1 rockstar/hollywood
• What they are:  pieces of plastic - we like to call them my "hair scaffolding" - in an arch shape with teeth all around to help you get that great "hair bump" at your crown without teasing your hair within a inch of its poor little life.

Here is what they look like:

Whe I got my box I opened them anxiously.  I used the brunette though they do also come in blonde, redish, and black.  I HIGHLY suggest matching then to your hair color as closely as possible.  That way if they end up peeking through a bit over the day's wear, it won't be so obvious.  But I'm getting ahead of myself....   In case you are wondering, the tiny Bumpits are apparently if you want to pull just your front bangs back and pouf them up.  Not an issue for me since I just cut fringe about a week ago.  Oh well.

Figuring there was no time like the present, I decided to use my Bumpits the next morning and see how they would hold up through an entire work day.   I pulled my hair straight up, teased just a bit at the base, put the Bumpit in and pulled my hair over it firmly (they suggest you do this very firmly so that the hair sticks to the little arrow-like teeth).  I also wiggled and jiggled my hair into place just to be safe.

I quickly realized that one Bumpit would not do the job.  It left a drop-off shelf-like appearance on the back of my head.  So I left the first one in where it was but repeated the process with the second Bumpit about an inch or so behind the first.  I made sure I kind of wiggled each Bumpit in place when I was putting it in to get it really snarled into my hair and also sprayed a bit of hairspray on each one.   After I got both into place, (and I had to re-do each a couple of times) I pulled my hair into a low ponytail at the nape of my neck.  The pull of the ponytail made the second Bumpit pull downwards and I ended up with  a leaning tower of Bumpit.  I had to remove it and put it in a little closer to the first and with a little more teasing at the base.  Once situated I put my hair back into my pony.

Overall it actually took longer to do all of this than it takes me to do my normal dry and style.  However to be fair, I think once I got the hang of it, it would become pretty quick.  It did take some wrangling and my arms got tired from being up in the air for so long!  But I was happy with the end result.  I wore them all day and even some into the evening (put them in around 6:30am and took them out around 7:00pm) and they held up fine.  They take some getting used to - they itch a little while they're settling in and at first you can feel them move ever-so-slightly when you walk (after an hour or so I stopped noticing it).   I also did feel self conscious about  them - wondering if the teeth or the strips were showing.  I found myself touching my hair ALL the time just to check and that got annoying throughout my work day.  I'm not used to worrying about my hair around others.  And since you can always feel the little jabby teeth when you touch your hand to your head, you get scared they're showing.  I did have a couple of co-workers do some spot checks for me and one time they could see the Bumpit showing so they had to help me fix it.  She did say that it only looked like a few bobby pins showing or something so I'm assuming what she was seeing were the teeth poking through.  

Here are my photos - I will say that when I put it in I felt like my hair was 2 stories tall.  Now looking at the photos it barely looks like it has any height.  Funny.  But of course I'm not a big hair teaser so maybe that's why.  And yes, I'm an Internet-photo-phobe, so sorry for the "edits".

So the final verdict is that they do work and I'm pleased with them overall.  I haven't used them again since last week.  I'm sure I will use them again, but not sure I would use them again for work.  For work, a standard pony is probably fine.  But for nights out and fun time, I've seen a lot of bloggers who have found really neat and creative ways to use these (french twists, helga braids, etc) so I look forward to experimenting.

The Pros: They do what they say they will.  They are wearable for long periods of time.  They come in many colors to most closely match many hair shades.  They appear to be quite sturdy and long lasting.  With time I imagine they will become easier and quicker to use.  They don't hurt your head even after long wear and surprisingly weren't hard or "ouchie" to take out.

The Cons:  There is definitely a learning curve.  They are better suited to thick hair - those with fine hair have to really work to get the Bumpits covered and concealed.  They can take some getting used to (itchy and feel odd for a bit until you get used to them).  I wish they were just a smidge shorter - I felt they were too long and almost hit my ears which made the ends harder to cover (not as much hair there).

So there you have it.  Go forth and Bumpit!

I'm back.... I think.

Ok so for the first time since starting to blog (I think) I've missed an entire month - the entire month of April.  Ooooops.  Ryan and I have had a lot going on and life has just seemed to keep us busy enough that my "on-line" time suffered a little.  

I also realized I was getting away from the original focus of my blog.  SHOPPING and all things FABULOUS.  :)   So... purely to support the blogesphere (as far as my husband knows) I have ordered two new buzzworthy items and will review them for you as soon as they arrive on my doorstep.  What have I procured you ask?

#1 A set of Bumpits.  Yes Bumpits.  No, nothing to do with armpits, these little contraptions claim to get you a great Brigitte Bardot poof at the top crown of your head with little to no teasing.  The Bump.  I've never been good at teasing to get the right amount of poof. Ask my bewildered stylist.  And with fine hair, even if I can get it high and mighty it falls flat as a pancake within minutes.  I've read a bunch of online reviews of these and the majority do seem to love them.  There is a strong vocal minority who think they're horrid however so we'll see.

#2 Holey Donuts.  No, not kosher or religious donuts.  Apparently these treats are super low fat and low cal.  To the point of being about 1/4 the fat of a normal donut!  People do the math - that means you can have FOUR for the fat of one.  Yum.  And with flavors like Banana Cream Oreo Cookie and Apple Graham Cracker as well as lemon-filled donut holes or even cinnamon rolls how could I not be sucked in?  In the name of reliable and impartial blogging it was my duty to order as many flavors as I could reasonably handle (i.e. as many as I could before my husband pitched a fit).  

So dear reader I will post photos, reviews, and perhaps even some video if necessary to drive a point home, once my lovelies arrive!  And I promise to never leave you all alone for so long again.  I hope.

Things I Want Before I Die

While there are many, here are currently 10 things I want to have before I die hat I currently do not possess....

1) Judith Leiber Crystal Clutch (in some great whimsical shape)  Like this one; Or this one, Or this one,!

2) Shoes that cost over $500 and look great on me.  For instance, these.  Or these.  Or maybe these.

3) One pair of really great expensive jeans (a la True Religion, Rich & Skinny, etc)

4) A staple pair of flower diamond earrings (don't ask - I just need them) to be worn at all times.  These would work.  Or these.

5) An almost-gaudy diamond necklace.  Like this one.  Ok maybe this one is a tad too much.  Maybe not.

6) Either an old two-tone pickup truck in decent condition.  This one would work.  I like this one too.  Or an International Scout.  Like this one!  

7) A Ridley motorcycle.  This one please.  But perhaps more in this color scheme.

8) A photo session with Annie Leibovitz with makeup/hair/fashion done by the best of the best.

9) A classic Chanel suit.  Something like this.  Or this.

10) Something with blue or green diamonds in it - all the better if its antique Tiffany jewelry.  This is quite frugal really.   This is not.

So there you go.  Will I ever have any of them?  Likely not.  And if I could afford them, would I really spend the money on it?  Again - likely not.  But its still nice to have the list... just in case!