Another one of my favorite products is Lipton™ Decaffeinate Diet Iced Tea mix with Lemon flavor. It’s got real tea taste, lemon flavor and is refreshing, as opposed to being too sweet. I very rarely drink sodas anymore; this hits the spot.
In the interests of conserving bandwidth and time, I will not actually post the million thank yous that you deserve for this information. Let me just say that this is how I feel about it:
No need to do so and you are most welcome. You have already made my day. Please come back into this thread and post what you ordered and how you liked it.
PS: I too detest mint in nearly any form it may take.
I’m taking pause to specify some generic home hardware that really improves the quality of my life. I do not have the manufacturer’s names for all of these items but will provide sufficient descriptions of them.
KITCHEN
Plumbing:
Sidespray:[ul]This one single addition to a sink’s installation makes the biggest difference in how effective your kitchen cleanup is. If you are upgrading your current sink, be sure to get one that has extra penetrations for a sidespray. It helps clean sieves, colanders and other hard to wash items plus rinses down the walls of your sink quickly and efficiently. Safely installed, a faucet will not (by design) rinse your sink’s walls, the sidespray will. It permits fast removal of soap suds from a washed object as well. While there are many new faucet designs that include a pullout sidespray from the spout itself, I am not yet convinced of their value. If you are upgrading only your kitchen faucet and do not have a position available for a separate sidespray, then by all means, use this alternative. I have never had a sidespray before and always viewed them as somewhat frivolous. Now I do not.[/ul]Sink Racks:[ul]These rubber footed chrome wire mesh platforms that protect the bottom of your sink are worth their weight in gold. I have a white porcelain sink and knowing that my cast iron and enameled metal pots will not transfer rust stains to the porcelain is priceless. These racks allow you to place a hot pan into the basin for cleaning without any risk of overheating the enamel surface and cracking it. It also prevents food debris and grease from accumulating on the surface of other dishes and pans that are already in the sink. These simple racks have improved my kitchen operations beyond measure. Most of the same reasons for buying these racks apply to metal sinks as well. Beware of sink manufacturers’ accessories sold in the purchasing brochure. While they are precisely designed for the item in question, had I bought the five various in-sink cutting boards, strainers and fitted wire racks the ultimate cost would have exceeded the sink’s $200.[sup]00[/sup] price tag. Caveat Emptor[/ul]
Refrigerator
Slimline Water Dispenser:[ul]If you chill drinking water in your refrigerator then you want to know about one of these dispensers. They are only 3" wide and stand 9" tall and are deep enough to fully utilize their spot on your refrigerator’s shelf. They hold one or two gallons of water efficiently and sanitarily. Because it has a small tap for dispensing the water, no one can drink directly from it. This is a big plus when you do not want people drinking out of the storage container. More over, the form factor of this design minimizes the space consumed in your refrigerator while maximizing the amount stored. A single drawback manifests in how you must be sure that nothing can contact the dispenser’s spigot when your refrigerator’s door is closed. Bulky items can press upon the tap and force it open, spilling the water. This minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for the incredible ease and refreshment provided. [/ul]
Rolling Soda Can Dispenser:[ul]While I currently use this item in my cupboard it is also well suited to the refrigerator. This gravity powered dispenser allows multiple soda cans to be offered up by its chute. It reduces the time you spend searching for the last can of soda that has been pushed to the back of the shelf. Since they are stored horizontally no drippings or residues accumulate on the topside of the can’s mouth. The fixed area consumed by this small rack ensures that there is always space to load up your latest purchase. No shuffling about whatever bottles and containers to make room.[/ul]
Utensils:
Jar Funnel:[ul]When glass containers are square in shape on a routine basis they’ll be even more valuable. Until then, I will still reuse Mayonnaise and pickle jars to store my cooked food. This funnel is made by Norpro and it’s the bee’s knees. It looks like a small bowl with a somewhat large and short vertical downspout at the bottom. The funnel’s outlet fits a large Best Food’s Mayonnaise jar perfectly. The bowl’s top edge is 6" in diameter and the bottom outlet is a little over 2" around. Made of stainless steel, it assists in the transfer and storage of food stuffs so well that it paid for itself with just a few uses.[/ul]Flint Utensils:[ul]These old riveted phonelic handle ladles, spatulas and serving spoons are timeless and nearly indestructable. I have collected dozens of these pieces and would not trade them for anything made by the competition. Manufactured by Ekco, they stand up to abuse without blinking.[/ul]
More products that work:
Cascade Plastic Booster - use this in your automatic dishwasher to COMPLETELY remove tomato sauce stains and the like from your Tupperware, Rubbermaid or GladWare dishes. I couldn’t believe how well it worked. Only drawback - it’s kind of expensive for the small amount you get. Save all your tomato-stained stuff for one big load.
Downy Wrinkle Reducer - the fragrance is a TAD too sweet and perfumey for me, but it really works. I wouldn’t throw my iron out, but when you’re short on time, you have to shower and GO, you can remove closet wrinkles from a shirt in record time.
Old English Scratch Cover Furniture Polish - as a furniture polish, eh, it’s only fair. As a scratch cover, it’s GREAT. If your furniture isn’t priceless antiques, and it gets gouged, I highly recommend this stuff. It will at least keep you from killing your kids until they’re old enough to know better than to use ballpoint pens on the coffee table. Comes in both light wood and dark wood shades and a bottle lasts forever.
Reynold’s Release foil - I don’t know how it works, and I’m afraid to ask. But baked goods slide off this stuff, melted cheese won’t stick, even caramels and rice krispie treats came off it with NO trouble - in fact, if using this to line cookie sheets, be extra careful not to tip the sheet as you pull it out of the oven, because things can and will slide off back into the oven or (much to my dog’s delight) onto the floor.
Shoes
Ecco from Denmark. Always comfortable, expensive but well worth it.
Bicycle hubs
Chris King. Simply the best. Not only the lightest hubs on the market, at the same time they are the most durable and longest lasting[sub]well the Sturmey Archer hubs have the best track record, but I fully expect the Kings to be there in 100 years like the S-A[/sub] – what a combination, eh?
Staplers
I know what you are thinking, stapler? Yawn, how prosaic. Let me tell you, the Ace Cadet Junior Model #302 is the ONLY stapler that works so well. Check the prices on Ebay, they go for between 25-40 bucks and are worth every penny. I have my personal brown one at work and my coworker was so jealous that we ended up getting three for the office. The new ones are alright but the old ones from the 30’s are just incredible.
Ok, I’m getting tired of typing, these are the prodcts which I feel excel in their categories…
Grand Prix knives
Copeland Tinwhistles
Patrick Olwell Flutes
the Honda H22B engine (mid 90’s Accords and newer), Benchmade pocketknives
Coach leather wallets
Lamy pens
Durex Ultra sensitive condoms
Estwing Hammers
Porter Cable cordless drills
Bostitch nailers
Mentadent toothpaste
Altoids Citrus sours [sub]seconded[/sub]
Old Chatham Cheeses
and Guinness.
Simple Green Cleaner - This stuff works on everything from engine grease, at full strength, to countertops. It smells good and it is not harmful or poisonous.
Craftsman Tools - These are the best hand tools made. I have used all kinds (Snap On, Kline, Matco) and have broken all except Craftsman. I even had the front end of my old 77 Suburban 4x4 fall off the jack stands and land on a rachet head. The rachet survived with only minor scratches.
Excedrin Migrane - This is the only thing that will stop a hangover headache for me. Two pills and twenty minutes later, it feels like I never had a headache at all.
Levis - I agree with Zenster. Levis make the most comfortable and durable pants. Either denim or Dockers, nothing wears better than Levis.
Wolverine Work Boots - If you work outside or in nasty conditions, these boots are the one’s you will want. They take anything thrown at them and last. They are slightly expensive, but they are more than worth it
Chevy 350 small block - The engine for bang for the buck performance. This engine has been around for decades. It is the standard V-8 performance engine. It can make 400 + H.P. and still pass emissions and get decent mileage. Parts are cheap and easy to replace. I have seen these engines run strong for twenty years (with the proper maintanence of course).
Tide w/Bleach Laundry Soap - Nothing gets dirt and crud out better than this. Worth the extra couple of dollars.
I will add that no other jean comes close to gracing the feminine form, as a pair of Levi’s. Many denim pretenders have come and gone, but a shapely young lady clad in faded Levi’s borders on epiphany.
I’d like to add seconds to Odo-Ban, Ecco shoes, Land’s End jeans (at least the fat-woman sizes), and Lipfinity.
Burt’s Bees makes two kinds of diaper cream–the one that is supposed to heal diaper rash is really good; always cleared up my son’s rashes very quickly. I love all of Burt’s Bees products and I am sure the other diaper cream is fine, too–but as a “specialty product” that healing cream was a lifesaver.
Neutrogena’s line of “norwegian formula” moisturizers and lotions work well on dry skin. I have severely dry skin in winter and have tried many kinds of lotions. This works well and lasts for 24 hours or more.
As for woodworking hand tools, my husband would want me to endorse Lie-Nielson planes. Expensive, but made like they used to make them. For that matter, he doesn’t own a single Craftsman and doesn’t know any serious woodworker who does. Are you talking about mechanic’s tools rather than woodworking and carpentry tools?
I generally have to avoid inexpensive shoes, but I’ve taken a chance on the “Cherokee” brand sold at Target. They have have held up well and seem to be sized sensibly.
My oxo potato peeler is the bee’s knees.
If you’re looking for a new bed, get a Select Comfort. Adjustable firmness, extremely comfortable padding, easy to set up (I assembled mine by myself in just over an hour, and you can get the compay to set them up for you if you’d like).
There a tad more expensive then your standard bed, but believe me, they’re well worth it. I bought mine about a month ago, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Yeah I’m talkig about mechanics tools. Crafstmans woodworking tools are OK for the once in a while home repair. Heck, I’d choose Stanley handtools over Craftsman any day. For serious woodworking I like Delta Power Tools. DeWalt is pretty good too.
Another vote here for the OxyClean. A must-have for houses with light carpets. (The only problem is that the cleaned spot might be cleaner than the rest of your carpet… not bleached out or anything, just reverted to the original color and therefore less dingy.)
Dansko shoes are too wonderful. You can wear a pair all day and not feel a thing. The initial sales-pitch I received for them was, “Every waitress in Ithaca wears a pair of these.” I wouldn’t be surprised. I never think twice about my feet and pain until I put on some non-Dansko shoes. They’re a little pricey (50-100 a pair), but so worth it.
A friend who worked at a chocolate shop recommended Safeway brand chocolate chips to me, and I thanked her profusely. Apparently Safeway buys consistently from the same… uh… cocoa bean plantations, or wherever chocolate comes from, and uses a really solid manufacturing process. All I know is, they’re good.
Anything from Aveeno is worth it. I especially recommend the foaming facial cleanser, the scrubbing cleanser, and the daily moisturizing lotion.
Where did you buy your jar funnel? I was looking for one last year when making jam and I could not find one anywhere!
YMMV. Levi’s just don’t fit my “feminine form”. They seem to be built for the less curvy among us. I, and several other women I know, swear by Lee jeans.
In the children’s shoes category, I have to say that I really like the “Smart Fit” shoes at Payless Shoe Source. They’re inexpensive, and yet well made, with a lot of cushion. They take a lot of kid abuse. You have to look for the ones that say “Smart Fit”, though–their other chidren’s shoes are generally POS.
Oh, and I absolutely agree with Zenster about the sidespray. I also use mine to fill the mop bucket so that I don’t have to try and cram it in under the faucet (or fill it in the bathtub, which is what I did at my old place).
Another thing that came with is house that I once considered “too frivolous” but is pretty darn nice is the central vacuum cleaner. All the noise and dust end up in the garage. You can vacuum an entire level of the house without having to unplug anything. You don’t ever have to change bags, and the canister in the garage could probably hold about a year’s worth of dust! We’ve also got a hookup out there so that you can vacuum out the car. Very nice indeed.
Oh my! Is there really a problem with people who misuse WD-40 and cause damage with it? I have used WD-40 for years and I’ve never used it in such a way, nor have I seen others do so. Maybe I was just raised differently, but I’ve always understood that WD-40 is not for everyday use. It is NOT a lubricating oil, it is a PENETRATING oil. To use it on a bicycle chain if the chain isn’t rusted solid is simply ludicrious. Are there people who do this? WD-40 is for loosening that rusted bolt, opening that rusted lock, all those rusted things that you just gotta get working one last time before you replace them. I’ve also used it to jumpstart the recovery process so I could open a pair of rusted pliers and take the rust off with some steel wool. To restore these pliers to working order will take a real lubricating oil, not a penetrating oil.
Honestly, what are we teaching kids these days if they are using WD-40 to lubricate working parts instead of to penetrate and free up nonworking parts?
Enjoy,
Steven
TVeblen said:
“Yeah, yeah, things you’ll never read in Beauty Tips Of The Stars”
Just a quick note: one of the reasons Bag Balm’s become quite popular is Shania Twain’s recommendations of it.
MAC Cosmetics. They are wonderful, especially their compact base makeup and loose powder. So much better than any drug-store bought base makeup. Their eye shadows come in great colors and go on very nicely. They are pretty expensive, but totally worth it!
Eucerin Gentle Hydrating face cleanser–THE BEST face wash for someone with problem, senstivie skin!!! And I have tried all of the face washes on the market. This is the best.
Infusium 23 moisturizing conditioner. Great for long damaged hair.
Any Safeway store brand products. Safeway brand products are in many cases better than the name-brand products! And much cheaper!
[drew carey]
Stay up and get drunk all over again - Buzz Beer [/DC]
**Big Ticket Item **
Honda Generator - $5000 for a generator might be a bit much, but this one has paid itself off in the 8 years that we’ve had it with the loverly little power outages that seem to happen here. vIt starts up every time w/o fail and runs about 8 hours on 5 gallons of gas.
(BTW, it’s the FIL’s, so, it’s price tag is even better…it’s a permanent loaner. 
)
**Econoline’s ** I could write ode’s to my van, but I think I’ll spare you. It is more than a full size van, it is a mobile living room/storage center. Well built, durable and just wonderful.
Oh, and how could I resist:
**The Keeper ** - Menstrual Cup.
Highly recommend it to anyone who will listen. Paid itself off the first year alone.
OK, guys. Just saw an ad for Sally Hansen spray-on makeup!!! I’m not likely to pay $10.00 or so to see if it’s any good (certainly seems like it might save time. . .or it might just be that you spend so much time trying not to get it in your hair, etc. that it’s not worth it), but is it any good? If anyone has tried it, please post!
Meanwhile, I’ll vote for Lancome Definicils mascara. The only mascara that makes me look like I have eyelashes! And, no, I don’t buy department store makeup at full price. I always wait until the Bon Ton has its Lancome “gift with purchase”, and buy it then!
Just the other day I was thinking to myself that Bounty really is the quicker picker-upper.
Also, Advil. I once had a toothache that was so bad that not even codeine could touch it, but a couple Advil did the trick. I guess any ibuprofen would do; doesn’t have to be the Advil brand.