Stuff that works

In her Good Stuff post, Carolynn inspired me to share a couple of my favorite . . . what? . . . products.  I'm borrowing her disclaimer, too, because it seems prudent so to do:  I don't work for these companies, have not been approached to advertise or promote these products, nor am I receiving any compensation of any description. This is unsolicited information, freely given, based on my own personal experience using these products. 






Out The Door topcoat for nails.
I'm old; I've tried a lot of these things. This one works. Dries fast, dries hard, lasts. You can get it on eBay or elsewhere online. One caveat: make sure the polish underneath is good and dry because once it's sealed underneath Out The Door, it has no chance to dry and harden.



Whatever you use to clean stainless steel pots with cooked on stuff and the grills on your gas range or the drip pans on your electric range, or the barbecue grill, throw it away and start using spray on oven cleaner. Put the dirty things in the sink, spray 'em down and let 'em sit overnight. Then put 'em right in the dishwasher or wash them by hand the next day. This is one of the many lessons I took from working in restaurants.


You know those nice cast iron steamers for the tops of wood stoves?  They look like this...
...and cost the earth. I got one on eBay for cheap because the seller said it was all yucky from having steamed potpourri in it. It arrived all crusty and coated with . . . perma-residue. Oven cleaner and the dishwasher made it all shiny and new.

I've raved about Wool Wax before, but it's so good for winter hands that here it is again. I put it on before I load wood into the wood wagon and it somehow keeps me from getting splinters. (I don't use gloves because I have to feel what I'm doing.)

Two weeks ago I got my hair cut. I have stopped using hair color, probably haven't used it for a year. My hair is nicely salt-and-peppered and I like it. So that day the hairdresser says to me, she says: It's time to start using purple shampoo. You're getting that platinum, and purple shampoo will keep it from discoloring and turning yellow.

So I comes home and I jumps online and I checks the Avon website on accounta cawz I loves me my Avon. And what did I find me but some purple shampoo and a purple conditioner. The shampoo is $1.99! I have become blindingly sparkly. That picture I posted a few days ago was one that I took to show off my sparkles.

Here's my all-time favorite: a real winter necessity.  

I call it Husband-With-Tractor-Attachment.