This posting doesn't fall into my blog theme, but I figured that it could be useful...

I recently purchased Braun's 5270 Silk-épil X'elle Body System Epilator on Amazon and I must say that I am quite delighted with the results.  I am the type of person that shaves in the shower with a Venus or Intuition razor, but on occasion, I do use my Remington electric shaver as well.  I absolutely hate having to shave my legs all the time, but what I hate even more is the tiny hairs that grow back within the next two days!

So...  I was in the market for a new shaving tool, and Braun's epilator popped up in my search results.  I saw nearly 400 impressive ratings and reviews for this thing on Amazon, so I went ahead and ordered it.

It arrived and I was ready to try it out, so I opened the box and checked out the device, which also comes along with some additional add-ons and a storage pouch.  The device/epilator tool itself appears to be some type of rubbery massage-rolling thing.  At this point, I was being skeptical and I was wondering how on earth this unit would be equivalent to 40 tweezers.  I honestly didn't even know where to begin...

After reading the manual, I tried it on a spot on my legs and my first reaction was "Ouch!!".  I didn't expect this thing to hurt!  After a while, it wasn't too bad --you get used to it.  It's a very similar experience to being tattooed, but the motor itself is so fast that you start to not feel much.   

In regards to the pain meter, it's probably a 3 out of 10 on your legs when you get used to it.  I also tried using the device on my underarms and oh boy...  let's just say the pain meter for that is about an 8 out of 10!

What impressed me the most was that it actually did feel like 40 tweezers at the same time.  Surprisingly, it really did take the hairs out by the roots.  The light tool is also very useful and it's pretty nifty! :)

I must say that it was quite time consuming.  It took me about one hour to go through both my legs (I didn't even have a lot of hair on my legs at the time either).  In addition to that, it doesn't pick up all the hair immediately --you have to keep repeating your strokes until it finally picks it up.  If your hair length is very tiny, the epilator will not pick up your hair at all, so you would have to switch to the shaving/buffer blade, which is just wonderful and smooths out all the stubble that the epilator didn't catch the first time around.

Oh, and another negative thing about this is it's extremely loud.  It sounds like a freakin' lawn mower.  No joke!

In conclusion, I can honestly say that I've never had such a smooth "shave" until now.  It's not exactly smooth as butter, but I guess it's sort of like the texture of creamy mashed potatoes.  Hah!  It's not perfect, but it sure does beat the regular shower razor and electric shaver.  I am very satisfied with my purchase and I give it two thumbs up! :)

I'm usually the type of person to cringe at sappy "lovey-dovey" stuff, but I fancy this matchstick necklace a lot.  It's called 'You're My Match" and it comes in a adorable matchbox.  The necklace is designed by a New Yorker named Laura Lobdell, and it's made out of sterling silver and copper.

I truly adore it.  It makes my heart feel all tingly and mushy, which rarely happens.  It's a simple everyday item turned into something precious and meaningful.  It's the perfect gift for your "match" or for someone who lights your fire.  It's also the perfect gift for someone who lives life on the edge and likes to "play with fire". 

I might consider buying this --$175.00 sounds ridiculous for a matchstick, but I'll probably just hold onto it until I meet someone that I have a burning desire for.  Perhaps I can give it to someone special, in the near future, who can create enough friction to ignite and spark that needed flame in my life.

MOVE OVER, OPI!  It's Essie's turn to shine!  "Bahama Mama", "Bass Fiddle", "Golden Nuggets", "Guchi Muchi Puchi", and "Pouf Daddy"...  These are the names of some of the different colors that are offered from Essie's nail polish line.  Seriously!  How clever is that?!  Essie totally has their messaging nailed down --literally!  I have to admit that Essie was the brand that got me all excited about nail colors; they inspired me to go and get my "nail's did".  There are some colors that I would not dare paint on my nails, but the adorable names of each polish makes me want to buy it just for the heck of it.

Jumpin' Junkanoo!  Isn't this color rad?  I normally wouldn't even consider buying this kind of color but something about it really does make me yearn for it.

Despite that cute names and color selection, the quality of Essie nail polish is top notch!  It's chip-resistant and when applied, it looks like hard candy glistering on your finger tips.  I know that totally didn't make any sense at all, but that's the best way that I could describe it!

The pricing of one bottle of polish ranges from $8 to $10.  It's a bit on the pricey side for nail polish, but it is well worth it --at least, I think so.

Now...  Who is up for a "bikini with a martini"?

Farah Malik and Dana Arbib, two colleagues of mine, just released their Spring/Summer '08 scarves line for their brand, A Peace Treaty.  These scarves are unique in the sense that they are all finely woven or hand-loomed in Pakistan.  I adore these scarves, not just because of the awesome colors, designs or versatility, but because of the message and aim behind the brand;  A Peace Treaty promotes the awareness of artisans in places of socio-political strife to bring their products to the luxurious fashion marketplace. 

I am just in love with the "Niani Handkerchief scarf"!  The colors are truly amazing --who would've known that charcoal, plum, coral red, yellow and teal would mix so well together?  The tassels on the "Niani" totally kicks donkey butt...  I just want it so badly!

I've got to say though, these scarves are pretty pricey, ranging from $88 to $109 for each one.  They are limited edition and only a certain amount is available for purchase for each design.  On the plus side, they do donate a percentage to Darfur for each scarf that is purchased. 

The first release of scarves that they had completely sold out within a few weeks!  I definitely wouldn't sleep on it...  It's totally something unique and original --and it's for a good cause!

I used to absolutely hate skinny jeans, but I ended up eating all my words.  In the past, I can recall making fun of girls who wear skinny jeans, so I guess what goes around comes around.  I'm neither rich or skinny, but I am in love with Rich & Skinny jeans!  I bought the exact same pair of bright blue Rich & Skinny jeans pictured above a few weeks ago, and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. 

The fitting is excellent and true to size.  It's unbelievably soft and comfortable to wear!  In fact, I feel so comfortable in these jeans that I can do flips and twirls when I wear them.  Rich & Skinny is kind of on the pricey side ($176.00), but I really do think it's worth it. These jeans match perfecty with my oversized tank tops ;)

I've got to say that the color is a bit on the intense side because I feel like I'm Blue's Clues when I put these jeans on, but I actually dig the blinding bright colors.  I'm actually planning to get as many different colored jeans as I can, except for hot pink and red.  I can't pull those two colors off!  I know that colored jeans sound ridiculous, maybe even hideous, and it's probably a trend that's not going to last very long, but something about them intrigues me.  It's ugly, but it's hip --sort of funky,  but tacky.  I guess that's just the type of look that makes me, somewhat, unique.

I'm just too cool for regular jeans.  I need some color and variation in my life!  It's now the time to end the jean-cist and love them all...  Yes, even the overall shorts that are making a comeback.

I am addicted to spectacles!  In particular, I love huge eyeglasses that are oddly shaped and hard to find.   I'm talking about the good stuff --the vintage stuff!  I know I look like a total nerd with eyeglasses on, but that's the style that I opt out for.  I swear, I get made fun of so many times by people because of the hugeness of my frames, but I think of these remarks as compliments, really.  I'm often looked at oddly by those who do not know me, but it's all good!  I like the attention. :)

I'm not sure what it is about the 'nerd' look but I fancy it a lot.  I guess this sort of represents the type of people that I date as well --I usually go for the nerdy types with the thick and black rimmed eyeglasses.  I know that all of you have heard of Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)!  Rivers Cuomo = Perfection. I swear, Rivers Cuomo makes me melt like a slice of jack cheese pressed between a panini grill. ;)

So...I really want these funky green 1970's eyeglasses!  They're 'far out'! --literally.  I'm blind as a mule, so I actually do need a new pair of eyeglasses (as if I didn't have enough already).  I wouldn't call them rare, but they are definitely worth it and the price isn't too shabby. 

I'll take some time to ponder about it, but man...I do love green --it's my favorite color ;)