Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

OHM Beads Tea Bag Bead

I was so excited to receive my first purchase from OHM Beads! When I saw the gorgeous Tea Bag bead I knew I couldn't let this limited edition charm pass me by. I had been a lurker on the OHM website for quite a while, admiring the fantastic detail in these edgy, miniature pieces of silver art. While Pandora is known for its hearts and sweet sentiments, the Seattle, Washington OHM features "quirky, provocative, and whimsical beads". Some might not be SFW but most are simply exquisitely beautiful little charms creatively crafted in (primarily) oxidized silver.

Being of British heritage, tea has always played a big part in my life. Cup after cup have been consumed starting from very early childhood. Whether it be a fancy tea party at auntie's in England, complete with Battenburg cake and petit fours, a mug of tea on the sofa, or a decadent afternoon tea at a countryside manor house, we as a family have relied on tea for hydration, comfort, and pleasure for generations. Pandora doesn't have a tea bag charm so OHM snared me with its gorgeous representation.

The package arrived in very short time and I was delighted to uncover my bead within the most thoughtful presentation. First, there is a wee metal tea canister emblazoned with the OHM name. Nestled inside is a full-size, totally functional metal tea ball stamped with the OHM symbol. Inside that infuser is a wee paper tea bag holding the lovely little charm.

The bale is a rounded tea leaf and has an OHM logo dangling next to the tea bag. The tea bag itself hangs from a small chain, complete with visible staple to seal in the flecks of tea settled at the bottom. It is just so cute and unique and I love how it encompasses all the elements of an actual tea bag.

Take a look at this excellent video by Emily at Fashionstoryteller. She shows all the amazing details of this charm much better than I can!

Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Review

One great bonus of having daughters is that they let you know about awesome new beauty products! My daughter was determined to get a Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer. She'd heard great reviews from a friend at work as well as on YouTube and couldn't wait to try it on her very thick, wavy hair. The dryer is incorporated into a round brush so it both dries and styles (and volumizes!) at the same time. This particular Revlon Pro Collection model was always out of stock due to such high demand but she kept checking and finally snagged one.

Once it arrived we all tried it and were just as convinced as the online testers. It definitely smooths and styles and the ceramic coating and ionic technology help to reduce damage (our hair was so smooth, shiny, and really soft!). There are two heat & speed settings as well as a cool option. The brush is really large and the tangle-free bristles really hold the hair well (so you can pull it taut and help straighten) and the shape of it just gives the most gorgeous results. Depending on which way you position the brush (pulling under towards your neck or outward, flipping up the ends) you can get two different looks. You can also use the brush to dry and straighten the hair by simply brushing normally while drying.

I was so impressed I started checking on-line daily so I could get one for myself and another for my other daughter. Finally, after a couple of frustrating weeks of 'sold out' messages I just happened to refresh my Wal-Mart shopping cart and there it was, the 'limited quantities' disclaimer! I was able to get 2 (I was SO excited to quickly place the order to make sure they were mine!!!) and am so happy to have one of these amazing dryers in my bathroom (daughter #2 was as well!). I don't use it all the time (since I love my ponytail for at-home days!) but when I do, I love the results. The box says it's 'lightweight and ergonomic for maximum comfort and ease of use' but I find it a bit of a beast! It is also very, very hot on the high setting (something I knew from the many YouTube videos I watched prior to purchase), so I use the low setting on my fine, thin hair. The dryer is also quite loud but luckily, it doesn't take long to dry my hair at all! I am very happy with this purchase and if you're interested I would recommend watching the many excellent review and demonstration videos online for more information.

Crest Whitestrips Review

I had no interest in teeth whitening until I saw a summer selfie and thought my smile could use some brightening. After years of tea drinking, red wine, and blueberries, it is no wonder my teeth are stained. Regular dental appointments and a fancy toothbrush mean no cavities for me but obviously, even professional polishing doesn't whiten.

I did a little research and picked these Professional Effects strips. The kit contains 20 packets with upper and lower sticky strips (for a total of 40). For some reason I was really nervous to actually use them since I'd read about teeth and gum sensitivity and the warning is even written on the box. My family members assured me it wasn't that bad and to give it a try.

I did watch a YouTube video of a young girl applying the strips and found it very helpful to see someone actually going through the process. A couple of useful tips were to pre-fold each strip before adhering to the teeth (so as to centre the strip evenly) and to use the edge of a fingernail to press the surface of the strip into the space between teeth. This allows the gel to make contact with the whole, visible front tooth surface.

I'd read about drooling too but after the first time, realized if I just sat still reading or watching t.v., I could forget about the strips in my mouth and not swallow or talk. I definitely set a timer to make sure it was over at exactly the recommended 30 minute mark. If distracted it goes fairly quickly.

Pulling the strips off is very simple and a quick rinse and brushing leaves the teeth feeling clean and smooth. I really didn't experience any extreme sensitivity although my mouth felt a little achy afterwards, similar to how I feel after visiting the dentist. Subsequent applications got easier and easier and now don't bother me at all.

I definitely notice a difference after only 5 applications. My smile seems brighter and less yellow. It is suggested to use the entire box of 20 treatments for full results that should last 12 months or longer. Apparently, according to the website, the product contains the same enamel-safe ingredients dentists use. I will finish the remaining strips and hope to see lasting results. If I only need to do this every 50 years, it's not so bad! If I like what I see I might consider little top-ups now and again. There are many different varieties of these strips to choose from so I doubt I will need to do another full treatment for a few years.

Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush

I recently had the easiest, fastest, most comfortable dental check up ever and it is because of the Phillips Sonicare electric toothbrush. I've had it for just over a year and it's a life-changing way to take care of your teeth. I bought mine at Costco and while it was pricey (I can't remember exactly but way over $150??), the big box offering was a complete kit of charging/cleaning base, extra brushes, travel cases, and a travel charger...so a very well appointed toothbrush!

It feels a little strange at first, especially if you don't already use an electric toothbrush, but you get used to it within a few days. Our model has different settings, including a gum massage and a quick-clean cycle. The amazing thing is that all the options have a subtle timing feature to encourage brushing for 2 minutes. It goes even farther by alerting you when it's time to move on to a different section of your teeth based on quadrants of your mouth.

If you don't relish the time spent getting a cleaning in the dentist's chair, it is totally worth every penny to invest in this fabulous toothbrush. I gifted all my kids their own Sonicare and they absolutely appreciate the difference in the feel of their teeth - and their check-ups. I used to take a pain reliever before going to my appointment to combat the ache after the hygienist's picking and scraping. This time I was in and out of the chair in less than 25 minutes and there was practically zero actual work done. I was even praised by my hygienist for the excellent "work" I was doing keeping my teeth clean! My appointment was a breeze and such a wonderful relief. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops that Sonicare is the best thing you can do for your dental hygiene!

I am in no way affiliated with Phillips and this blog is not sponsored by anyone. I truly want to share with you the good products I find that make life easier, better, healthier, and more efficient. A toothbrush may not seem like a big deal but this one is a game changer for me and my family. Teeth are meant to last a lifetime and I intend to do whatever I can to keep them healthy and clean :) 

Nivea In Shower Body Lotion

Oh my gosh, I love Nivea In Shower Body Lotion! My daughter told me about it and I was skeptical at first because you apply the lotion after washing but while you are still in the shower. Then...you just rinse it off! It sounded a little like washing money down the drain but I was willing to give it a try since I get very dry skin in the winter and daughter insisted.

I chose the cocoa butter scent (there is shea butter too) and it smells divine. At first, daughter said to apply with a shower puff but I thought too much product was 'lost' in the layers of mesh and they can harbour bacteria. So I tried just dispensing a tablespoon amount into my palm and applied as if I were simply using lotion on dry skin. That worked very well, if I worked in sections. After applying you immediately rinse it off and get out of the shower to towel off.

Skin is soft and silky with no sticky feel. It's so fast and really works - no winter scales on my skin this year! I think of this as a first line of defence against dryness and since I love the fragrance, I'm actually sticking with it (I usually get lazy and give up on traditional moisturizers). I am a believer now and will continue to stock this lotion in the shower. I just wanted to let you know it does work and it's not expensive.

Featherweight Sterling Silver Earrings & Pendants

Are these not the cutest little vintage Featherweights you've ever seen??? They are the delightful Sterling silver creations offered by my favourite April 1930's Featherweight Specialty Shoppe. The darling miniature machine is available as a pendant or a pair of dangling earrings and the detail is exquisite. (They are hard to see in a selfie so go to the website to see them close up!) They are even more amazing in person and are exact replicas of the 221 Singer sewing machine - right down to the wee stitch length lever, hand wheel, tension knob, and even the scroll faceplate!!!

As a Featherweight collector it is just fun and special to be able to wear tiny versions of a truly remarkable machine and show my passion for sewing and Singers. April's also offers a pendant, post earrings, or danglers that look like the wonderful 221 bobbins. They are so charming as well and are being snapped up. 

I'm so excited to have a beautiful pair of these small sculptures commissioned by April and Carmon, owners of the Featherweight Shoppe. They found a very talented silversmith and he created the lovely pieces just for us. I know that everyone who loves Featherweight machines and shares that obsession with our group appreciates having this specialty jewelry available. April 1930's has always provided us with exactly what we need to maintain our treasured vintage machines and now they have something special we can wear with joy to showcase our hobby. Thank you so much, April and Carmon!!!

If you'd like to own your own silver Featherweight jewelry, head over to April's soon. Some items are already out of stock so definitely let them know if you want to order and I know they will do their best to get it to you. They are seriously the most gracious and accommodating company I've ever dealt with and I am so thankful to have their store to order from!

Press * for Silver OPI Polish

I think I hit a record wearing that "Bernina Red" 'Long Shot' for a straight 4 weeks. I wanted to enjoy it while my nails were all looking good but now it's time for a change. I picked up this classy OPI shade, Press * For Silver, after my friend chose it for her pedicure and I loved how it looked. It looks gold in the photo but it's actually a mauve-y silver i.r.l! Isn't it funny how different light can make a polish look completely different!?

I always love metallics and this looks like a champagne sparkle on my nails. I'm sure it will prove to be long-lasting because of the finish and I did use my Revlon Gel top coat. I am curious how it will work with regular nail polish. I have been stitching away on a Christmas present project (which I will share after it has been gifted!) and I'm loving how my manicure looks as I hold the fabric under the needle. It's almost distracting and a few of my seams are off as I am mesmerized by having my nails look decent again!

Other than sewing and wrapping, I haven't had time for much else. My regular holiday baking is way behind schedule but I did just manage a batch of mincemeat tarts for the hubby (his favourite). It will be a sad Christmas without my mum and I was very melancholy yesterday as I always gave her some of those first tarts from the oven (her favourite too!).

I can't believe how fast Christmas is coming this year. Next week I will have to get in the kitchen and started preparing all those lovely treats. Please feel free to check out these recipes for my tried-and-true 'classics'!

Rum Butter Balls

Molasses Crinkles 

Millionaire's Shortbread

Classic Shortbread

My New Favourite Polish!

I have worn this beautiful polish 3 weeks in a row! I love Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy because it is so long-lasting and shiny. I totally feel like I've had a salon gel manicure when I use this lovely nail enamel. I borrowed this shade (#630 Long Shot) from my daughter and I don't think I'm giving it back!

I have always loved red polish but just not on me. It always looked like I was playing dress-up but this colour is perfect! It's not too bright, too red, or too orangey. I adore it and I think it will be my signature colour from now on. Sure, it's called Long Shot but I call it my Bernina red. I'm currently in a Bernina sewing machine obsessed state and this shade of polish is a wonderful match for my vintage Bernina 830 Record case and accessory box. I can't stop looking at my nails!

Last week I was on vacation and Long Shot was the ideal colour for my tropical getaway. It worked so well with my outfits and looked vibrant poolside. It lasted all week and I didn't get any chipping...until I got home! Back to real life (laundry, dishes, housework) and wear and tear on my manicure. Even with all that, this stuff lasts all week. I'm happy re-doing my polish every Sunday and thrilled when they look good for 7 days...especially when my glossy nails make me think of my gorgeous Bernina machine I'm so lucky to have! The other thing I appreciate? Not having stained nails. The Gel Envy comes off easily with regular polish remover and there is no nasty red staining or smearing.

I started cutting fabric for a new mini project which I will sew on the Bernina. I will share that later this week and the really fun inspiration for my latest stitching.

This Color's Making Waves O.P.I. Mani

Here is the next pretty O.P.I. polish I have from the Hawaii Collection. It's called This Color's Making Waves and is a shimmery lagoon blue. My daughter was all over this one and she said she felt like a mermaid. The blue shade is perfect for me too because it's sophisticated and metallic (which I love) and not cartoon-ish (I can't pull off those candy solids at my age).

All 12 shades in the collection are now available at salons and did you know that 8 of them have been made into paints for Ace Hardware in the States? I think that's pretty cool! I guess I won't be painting my workshop 'Lost My Bikini In Molokini' purple here in Canada but it could be a fun option for a funky salon or studio paint job in the U.S. of A.!

Revlon 915 Creme Brulee

My all-time favourite brownish O.P.I. nail polish (so old there's no name or number on the bottle any more) is getting really difficult to apply, despite using polish thinner and a good shaking. I am so sad...but I went to the store and compared my nails to all the bottles of metallic-y browns to find a new one.

The closest I got was this Revlon 915 Creme Brulee. Bottle next to bottle it didn't look too different, just a bit lighter. I was very excited to do my mani and see if it could become my new replacement fave. While the polish went on great and is very pretty unto itself, I was a little disappointed in terms of a dupe for my O.P.I. It came out quite a bit lighter and looks more like a gold polish than a brown. It's like a light tan gold - very wearable and goes nicely with my skin tone. (It looks really gold in the pic but it is actually not a true gold).

I will keep an eye out when I find an O.P.I. salon and see if there is anything closer in shade to my old bottle (I guess I will have to carry it around with me) but for now I will definitely keep Creme Brulee in my rotation.

When I was a teenager I had beautiful, long nails. My secret back then was vitamin e cream (or ointment) and it really worked to moisturize my nails and allow them to heal and grow stronger. I don't know why I suddenly remembered that product but I promptly bought a pot of it at the drugstore to give it a try once again. The harsh winter temperatures, cold, and dry air have really taken a toll on the condition of my nails. I've only been using the cream twice a day for about a week and I already notice a huge improvement. The cream goes on a little greasy but quickly absorbs in a couple minutes. My nails are looking much better when I take the polish off - healthy and pink, with white tips and no dryness. It has been a long while since I've had any length beyond the tips of my fingers but I'm hoping the vitamin e cream will do the trick. It's also helping with my very dry hands!