Smelly Washers - Be Gone!

Being the mother of boys, I am quite familiar with the odors and smells that come along with them. Laundry is a never ending drama in this Lassie's house. Did I mention we live on a lake and that one of the boys plays football. You can smell where I'm coming from can't you?

Well, between the football stench and the moldy smell in the towels because no one seems to remember to hang them to dry, *ahem*, I am often at a loss as to how to get things smelling fresh around here.

Enter Smelly Washer!

Smelly Washer is an all natural way to remove mildew in your towels as well as all those nasty smells in your washing machine. You know the ones..... the ones no one likes to talk about. You can achieve all this freshness with only one Tbsp! Smelly Washer is also the only all natural washer cleaner available. But could it tackle the nasty smell which is the football uniform?? This Lassie had to put it to the test.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. While it did take longer to complete the load of laundry, it did get rid of the smells. The only downfall you ask - you have to run it through the wash twice; once with the smelly washer and then again with detergent. You also have to let the clothing soak for two hours and have already completed the 'two day cleaning of your washer step', so you have to have your day planned around de-mildewing your laundry.

The perks - no more mildew smell in my beach and bath towels and no worries of the repercussions of trying to get rid of the smell with bleach. You also get a whole year supply when you buy one 12 oz. bottle. Now that is definitely worth it!

So what are you waiting for? Go check out Smelly Washer's website for more great tips on eliminating all the odors you!

Beauty Tip Tuesday!

Ok, I really wanted to save my 666th post for this Saturday but how is a Lassie supposed to not post ALL week? Well, I know it would be pretty easy to do but I'm dedicated, I'm ambitious, I'm.... are you buying any of this yet?? Yeah, I didn't think so.

So in honor of my 666th post I am going to tell you one of my favorite beauty tips and offer you a treat - a box of beauty - from Unilever! No tricks here I swear!

One of my new favorite beauty products is Pond's Original Clean towelettes. This all in one wash cloth cleans your face while removing even the toughest make-up. Can you believe it can even remove water proof mascara!? Amazing! It removes all the impurities from your skin - even deep in your pores. What girl doesn't need that? I love the fact that it gently cleans my face and removes my make-up in one easy step. Cause let's be honest, by the time I get around to washing my face I am exhausted. This is the perfect product for this lazy tired lassie.

With Pond’s towelettes, you can grab-and-go for quick, easy beauty maintenance! They even come in three different formulas: Original, Micro Dermabrasion and Age Defying. Plus they made Allure Magazine's list of BEST beauty products of the year!!

Ready for your treats? Leave a comment and you will be enetered to win a box of treats from Unilever including products from Dove, Vaseline, Pond's and Q-Tips. You even get a treat if you don't win the prize pack! Just go to Pond's website you can get a $1.50 off coupon to try them for yourself!! Now go on... treat yourself!

Brandi Carlile Review

I made it! Ever have weeks where you feel like that? This week has definitely been one of those. Thank goodness Ann is hosting her weekly Virtual Girl's Night Out!! This Lassie needs one!

As part of this week's blog hopping extravaganza, I am hosting an uber fabulous giveaway. You know I am a HUGE fan of music. Love, love, love it. It is a trait that I have happily passed on to my boys. While none of us can sing worth a lick, we can dance and jig like nobodies business.

This week I am happy to introduce, thanks to One2One Network, a new up and coming musician. While her music isn't the type to get down and shake your booty too, it does have a great folksy sound. May I introduce you to Brandi Carlile and her new record Give Up the Ghost! My favorite song on the CD you query? Why it is definitely THIS SONG - Dreams.

When I first heard her latest CD I was immediately reminded of the Indigo Girls. Well no wonder! She worked with Amy Ray on the song 'Looking Out'. Brandi also had the opportunity to work with Elton John, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers multi-instrumentalist Benmont Tench and drummer Chad Smith.

While I am not sure this CD will be a daily regular play, I can definitely see it as a road trip CD or played to help mellowing out after a long day. Of course, it's the perfect fit for tonight while I veg out in front of the fire with my large glass of Merlot. Mmmmmm, I can feel the relaxation now!

Want you own chance to win Brandi's latest CD, 'Give Up The Ghost'? Leave a comment with your email and you will be entered. I will pick and post the winner at next week's VGNO! See you then!

The Diamond Princess Has Evolved!!

I met this amazing guy who works for Eden Fantasys at BlogHer in Chicago this summer. I loved his personality, his honesty, his humor. I could have easily hung out with him all night shooting the stuff over drinks. He asked if I do reviews. Why yes, I do. And so it all began.

I have to admit I was a bit leery to do a review on something so... personal. We are all human, have human urges and act on them according to how comfortable we feel about ourselves and out partners. I thoroughly love my Hubby and we tend to look for, shall I say, adventure? But not too adventurous because, in all honesty, some of those vibrators really scare me. They are all pink, sparkly and have a bunch of moving parts. That's a lot for this girl to try and digest in the moment. I don't like to think too much when it comes to that area of my life so I was very pleased when he sent me something simple - the Diamond Princess.

I loved that it wasn't pink and sparkly and quite honestly... I am a fan of the bling. It has a soft velvety texture - not plasticy. It is also very user friendly. I also like that on Edens website, you can see the actual size of the vibrator you are looking for. This leads to no surprises when you get the uber discreet box in the mail. I knew just what I was expecting. I also love that they have various other thing like lingerie, massage oils and edible puddings! They even have books - a girl's gotta have her books!

So with the holidays right around the corner why not add some adult gifts to your list. I am sure on that list, it doesn't matter if you were naughty or nice. In fact, it is probably better if you were naughty!

Between Me and the River

It has been a long time since I have read a memoir. It has been an even longer time since I read one that I could not put down. Of course, I have never read a memoir from Harlequin!

Between Me and the River: Living Beyond Cancer - A Memoir is a beautifully written and heartfelt book about the trials and triumphs of a patient with Carcinoid Cancer. Author Carrie Host offers a more then honest view into her daily life and the emotional struggles she faced while being diagnosed with such a deadly disease. She demonstrates through her writing that hope is a powerful thing:

"Cancer takes you to places that you'll never really completely come back from/ Sometimes, while all is still but the rustle of the leaves, I'll hear that angel's wings brushing the ice....."

This is one of my favorite samples of her amazing writing ability. Throughout the book, Host shares her fears, her discussions with God, her love for her husband, family and friends. With the love of her family and the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, Host overcame some of the most unbeatable odds. Host learned to put aside her pride and rely on others, even with the hardest of all tasks, raising her ten month old son. It was also through this struggle that she rediscovered a long lost love - writing.

This book really made me think about how I (and my family) would react to this situation. I guess one never ever fully knows how they would react but I do wonder if I would be strong enough, would me faith carry me through? This book is definitely getting passed on to fellow friends and survivors. It also makes a great book to give to those in the trenches of cancer. What better way to soothe the body then feed the mind?

tuesday tunage - rock of ages

Are you ready to rock?!? I was all about 80's rock and hair bands. Warrant, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake..... sigh. I could go on and on.

Did you know that New Line Records has releases a CD off the Original Broadway Cast Recording of five-time Tony Award nominated "ROCK OF AGES." For those of you not in the know, Rock of Ages is the new Broadway musical starring American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. Want a sneak peek at some of the recording action? Check it out!

Here is the background: The musical is set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip rock club. As fate has it, a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80's. The musical is an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx,Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar and more.

You won't believe what songs are on this album! Here is a list of just a few of the hits:

Just Like Paradise / Nothin' But A Good Time

We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands

We're Not Gonna Take It

Waiting For A Girl Like You

Wanted Dead Or Alive

Cum On Feel The Noize / We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)

Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night

Here I Go Again

The Final Countdown

Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Can't Fight This Feeling

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Don't tell me you aren't already singing along after reading some of those titles! And, I have to admit that I have a few favorites. First - let me warn you that Constantine Maroulis singing "I Wanna Rock" will instantly having you banging your head and rocking out. My other favorite is Amy Spanger and Constantine Maroulis singing a medley of "I Hate Myself For Loving You" and "The Heat of the Moment". Oh to be back in the 80s again!

So come on! Feel the noise, get the CD and rock on!! With that I am off to pull out my leather pants and tease my bangs!

A special thanks to One2One Network for making another Rock of Ages groupie!

i need a spendervention!!

As you know, economic times are tough and with two mortgage payments I was living under the tight grip of The Budget Nazi, aka: Hubby. Now that we sold the house, the grip has been loosened... just a wee little bit. So where is this lassie headed you ask? Why Marshalls and TJ Maxx of course! I can get the same products sold in expensive department stores for a fraction of the price. What's not to love?

I am embarrassed to say that yes, these are my kitchen towels. Yes, they are ripped, stained and bleached and yes, I was using Christmas towels all year. Consider this the BEFORE picture. Now, feast your eyes on the after!

Aren't they purty?? Instead of paying $20 for high end kitchen towels, I paid a mere $10. Goodbye ratted and nasty kitchen towels.... hello dreamy new ones! Thanks TJ Maxx!!

I have been trying to find something to go in this little nook above the stove. Nothing I had looked right. It was either too small, too big or just not suited for the kitchen. What's a lassie to do? Go to Marshalls of course!

This little plaque works perfectly and incorporates all the colors of the kitchen. This new look only cost Hubby me $15 instead of $35. Sweet!

This was our mantle before I mandated a little 'spendervention'. It is large and definitely lacking color.
Here is the after product. Can you believe I found the same color green that we have in the adjoining kitchen?! I was so excited!

See how easy it is to make just a few easy and inexpensive updates. All you need is a quick spendervention trip to TJ Maxx and Marshalls. So go on, get out there and treat yourself to a little something. You'll be happy you did!