It is my usual form to lampoon the heck out of "As Seen On TV" infomercial stuff.

It comes down to the fact that most stuff on infomercials doesn't really work like it does on TV.

For some background and context, feel free to revisit Snuggies and Mr T and the Flavor Wave Alien Incubator.

But here's something wacky, I bought something featured on a TV infomercial (ok, I didn't see the infomercial before I bought it)....

....and I LIKED IT.

Whoah.

Let's get one thing out in the open: I clean when needed, I try not to do it excessively.

I don't particularly like to clean but I enjoy mess less than I enjoy cleaning, if that makes sense.  (huh?)

So, basically I like things that are easy to use and quick to set up.

When I read the instructions and managed to work out which bits went where, it was pretty easy.   

Fill up with water (from the water filter jug in the fridge), plug in, wait for the light to go green and PRESS BUTTON...

Claim #1:  The H20 mop is supposed to steam clean carpets.

Reality:  What the hey?  This crazy crap actually works!
You have to vacuum first of course.  But afterwards it looks pretty much like it did when it was steam cleaned professionally.  The only thing you have to make sure about is spot cleaning first (I use orange oil).
It makes everything much easier.

The attachment used for carpets is the triangular-shaped cloth thingy.  It has velcro on it so it just sticks on and stays there.  You have to try really hard to get it wrong.

Claim #2:  The H20 mop steams sinks and shower heads and stuff
Yep, sure does.  It gets rid of creepy germy gunk in the plug ring.  I don't normally think about stuff like this, but when this stuff came out of the plug and tried to make my acquaintance, I took notice.  Ewwwww!!

Shiny!  Sparkly!  Happy!  Lucky!

Claim #3:  The H20 mop steam cleans bathroom and kitchen floors.

Reality:  Wowee!!  It cleaned the bathroom floor in no time.  This is something that used to take me absolutely ages (at least an hour), mopping, cleaning, drying, going over bits.  The H20 mop cleaned faster than that crazed, speed-addled lady on "There's something about Mary".

Yes.  I do mean Magda.  

Other things I have steamed:

Couch
Curtains
Bath
Shower tiles
Shower head

That was enough for me, everything is all clean and sparkly new!  Yay!


Another wacky fact, it costs over $100 if you get it directly from the infomercial but I got it for under $70. Hahahaaaaa!!!

BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!!!!

You get a free set of soup knives,
an automatic muffin grater
and an electronic llama clipper!!

Actually, you don't.  You just get the mop.  But it's pretty good, amazingly.

technorati tags: H20 steam mop, h20 mop, microfiber mop, microfibre mop, steam mop, steam cleaning, carpet steam cleaner

I must admit I do absolutely stuff-all with my hair.  I sometimes wash it, I sometimes dye it, but most of the time I pretty much let it take care of itself.

I do like the "grunge look" in hair - which mainly consists of not washing it very often and letting it get a bit of character buildup.  At least, I think that's what you call it.

So I went off for a quick trim at the hairdressers last week and the hairdresser washed my hair.  Big deal, I thought, shampoo and conditioner don't really do much.  However a strange transformation occurred within the space of about 5-10 minutes.

I went from this:

(Minus the zombie eyeshadow!)


To this:

To be honest, it was a little disconcerting, looking like a L'Oreal ad all of a sudden.  I liked it though, and I'll probably get some more of this stuff to use when I can be bothered washing my hair.

My hair has gone grunge again, by the way, in case you were wondering.

I believe you may have to use it more than once!

technorati tags: matrix total results, hair care, shampoo, conditioner, salon, grunge hair, shiny hair

I don't live in the US but if I did, and even though I don't, I want humans to be safe from guns.

And that means stopping other humans from having guns. Sorry but it does.

You can't legislate against people snapping or being secretly off tap. The US Government needs to stop the madness and get guns under control. THEN maybe we can start working on the humans. Not the other way around.


The "Right to bear arms" (2nd amendment) was passed in December 15, 1791.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


So, in the spirit of the time, here are some wacky and fun facts from the 1700s:

• Lynch mobs were commonplace
• It was not particularly frowned upon to kill native Americans.
• You could take part in a duel... and die.
• It was ok to own another human as a "slave". (slaves were considered "property" until the 13th amendment was passed.)
• Public executions were family events
• Many doctors believed bathing was "unhealthy"

It's 2013.  Sign the petition here:

 Gun Control Petition


 Take the Gun Control survey (US readers only)

technorati tags: gun control, 2nd amendment, second amendment, right to bear arms, US policy

Garnier BB Cream - Oil Free

For me, this is the holy grail of skin products.  It goes on matte but not cakey, turns out dewy and stays looking natural and glowy all day.  

Garnier BB Cream Oil Free has all the benefits of the original Garnier BB Cream but without the slide-off factor.  The coverage is better than the original and the consistency is just right.  

This is my pick of the BB creams, foundations and tinted moisturisers.  It stays on, looks natural, provides great coverage and is good for your skin.  Perfect.

technorati tags: garnier, bb, bb cream, tinted moisturiser, makeup, cosmetics, beauty, mineral makeup, mineral pigment, spf 15

Garnier BB Cream - Original

BB creams are growing in popularity over foundation.  The craze started in Korea and has finally made its way over here.  The BB creams moisturize, provide coverage with mineral pigments, give SPF 15 sun protection while also providing nutrients for the skin such as vitamin C.

I tend to prefer these over tinted moisturisers simply because the coverage is better.  Also, tinted moisturisers tend to get oily during the day and coverage tends to thin out.

The Garnier BB cream is great, it does get a tad oily though for those with oily/combination skin.  The medium shade is best for those with olive and medium skin tones and looks quite natural.  The shades seem darker than they actually are on the skin.  The colour is not flat, it looks multi-toned and extremely natural, like a "no makeup" look.  You can layer a bit for extra coverage if you need more in certain areas.

In summer, it may not be the best choice, but for the colder months it will hydrate and create a "dewy" look.

A little bit goes a long way so the bottle lasts for ages and ages.  Overall, the coverage is very good and if you tend to have drier skin, this will probably be a great all-in-one skin treatment.

technorati tags: garnier, bb, bb cream, tinted moisturiser, makeup, cosmetics, beauty, mineral makeup, mineral pigment, spf 15