Smooth Away-some dead skin maybe

Disappointment finally struck this week in my quest to try everything that's "As seen on TV." While picking a few groceries up from Meijer, I grabbed my weekly vice. The $9.99 price tag shocked me a little bit this time. I hadn't had a price complaint about any of the products I had used until now. How could something in such a small box cost so much? After reading the packaging, I realized Smooth Away came with two applicators, 10 refill pads and a carrying case. I did say I was going to try this one after all, and it is under $20, so I purchased it and raced home to give it a whirl.

Like all the items I try, the first thing I do is spread all the parts out before me and read the directions. Clean, dry, unlotioned, semi hairy legs and under arms were all I needed-Check.

I started with my legs, working the area from my knees to my ankles-three buffs clockwise and three buffs counter. I went over every section about three times and to my surprise, my legs felt pretty smooth. I had to use a separate pad on each leg, making this product start to become even more expensive. I tried to only use one but it just wouldn't do it. Now I know why it comes with so many refills.

Now there is a bit of disclaimer here. I am one of the lucky few women who was blessed with leg hair that grows back super fine, soft and blond, making it a little easier to remove. Why the disclaimer...well the coarser hair on my underarms wasn't going to budge. (The bikini area was another failsome attempt.)

The larger pad worked great for the legs but was too large for the underarms. The smaller applicator was not only awkward but not quite large enough for this area. (or the other)

After 15 minutes of buffing my body with what appeared to be super fine grit sandpaper, they call it European crystals, I thought it may be a good idea to moisturize my ashen skin. When I started to apply the lotion, I noticed that my legs were still hairy, the Smooth Away had merely buffed away my dead skin, making my legs feel smooth but leaving them fuzzy nonetheless.

Immediately after I took my photos and finished my notes about Smooth Away, I returned it to Meijer where I received a full refund. Now I would like to say I went home to shave my legs with my trusty Schick Quattro, but come on, it's winter, and I like many women don't shave unless I have to.We'll call it insulating myself for the cold. We'll also call Smooth Away a giant fail.

Next: ShamWOW!

PS: Taking close-ups of your own legs is no good. Mine look odd, like the way you look in a circus mirror.

A pet egg? Oh the PedEgg

A quick trip to CVS, and I had the small plastic egg in hand ready to wage war with the rough bottoms and heals of my petite feet. A quick read through of the instructions, and I was on the front line, making the first move.

At first sight, the PedEgg looked like a small, hand held cheese grater. As a matter of fact, it crossed my mind to grate some Parmesan with it for my spaghetti. Okay, so not really-I have a cheese grater that I use for food-and now I have one for my feet.

My feet didn't look too terrible. They were a little rough and cracked, casualties of the dryness winter brings. I crossed one foot over the other knee and began to run the little egg across the bottom of my heal, careful to only go in one direction as a back and forth motion would leave my heal looking like it was beaten with the egg shaped planer. Speaking of the egg shape, it made the PedEgg easy to maneuver and hold onto.

I rubbed the PedEgg across the rough areas of my foot for less than five minutes before switching feet. I wasn't sure I was that impressed at first. My foot looked worse than it did before and felt like I dragged it across rough pavement. I thought this was supposed to smooth the rough not accentuate it.

I opened the egg to see if it was in fact doing anything. To my surprise, the egg was full of a fine white powder, a powder made of my nasty, dead and rough foot skin. Yuck!

The PedEgg came with two small adhesive, oval shaped papers. the papers were gritty like a very fine sandpaper. The instructions said to pull the backing off and stick the gritty paper to the grater on the PedEgg. I decided to just hold the sandpaper sheets in my hand and rub over the still rough parts of my feet. This way I could use the paper more than once, where as sticking it on the PedEgg would make it a one time use. (I think you can buy refills, but I'm a little cheap.)

After the second step, my feet actually began to feel smoother. The grit took all the flaky, hard skin off. I followed this up with a quick foot massage and lotion. Although I could still see some cracks on my heals, my feet were completely soft and smooth. They felt as wonderful as they did after a $30 pedicure.

I keep my PedEgg on the nightstand next to the bed. To maintain my softened feet, I use the PedEgg for three minutes about every other night before bed. The real test will be this summer when my feet become gnarled from wearing sandals. Come on ladies, you know

what I am talking about. Flip flop foot-dry, cracked, flaky and permanently black.

As for the icky foot war. I think I may have won the first battle.

Next: Can rubbing sand paper crystals on my legs really work better than shaving? Smooth it Away.

It's a robe. It's a blanket. It's a Snuggie.

I cannot even begin to say how excited I was when I saw them. I walked in the door at PetSmart and three people asked me if I had seen them

yet.

"Seen what?" I asked.

"We have the dog Snuggies."

No further explanation was needed except to tell me where they were stocked in

the store. I bought one that day. Most of my co-workers were surprised I hadn't

already ordered one off the television.

When I arrived home, I dropped everything I had, tore open the box and called for Zoe.

The bright pink fleece engulfed my little dog. Disappointed, I exchanged it the next day for a smaller

size. Again, I was disappointed. The size small wouldn't even go around her neck. I decided to exchange it for the one I previously had. For whatever reason, the dog Snuggie jumps from Chihuahua size to Boston plus. The medium is exactly twice as large as the small, a problem many customers would complain about in the days to come, but I decided too big was better than none at all.

Zoe wears her Snuggie when the house is a little chilly. It makes a great robe for after baths. The light-weight fleece doesn't absorb a lot of

water, but keeps my damp little dog warm until she completely dries. She especially enjoys her Snuggie thrown in the dryer for a few minutes to get it extra toasty.

A few weeks buying Zoe a Snuggie, I found myself in Dayton opening Christmas presents with my family on Christmas Eve. I had asked my brother for a calendar. As he passed presents out to everyone, he handed me two gifts wrapped in bright green paper. I knew the flat 12 inch by 12 inch gift was the calendar but was

puzzled by the larger wrapped box.

I opened it and to my surprise found an Ohio State Snuggie. All I could do was smile and laugh. My brother told me he had to get it when he saw it, something that was very hard for him considering he is a huge Michigan fan.

That evening, I curled up on my parents couch to watch a movie. Three small dogs forced their way under the Snuggie as well.

The Snuggie has become a staple on my couch at home. I use it daily and so does

Zoe.

The Snuggie does allow for the mobility of my upper body while keeping me warm. It truly is great for reading a book.

It's a little long for my short stature, not allowing me to walk through the house with it on. The extra length does allow me to tuck the bottom of the Snuggie under my feet, keeping my toes a little less frigid. It's a win-win situation.

Wearing the Snuggie backwards like a robe has it's perks too. I can lean over the table and eat or work at my computer and remain wrapped up and warm.

Growing up, I remember having the blankets that snapped up, but never had a blanket with a name having so much pizazz.The Snuggie is a brilliant invention. I can't believe it took this long for its creation.

There is nothing special about the Snuggie. It is merely a light-weight fleece blanket with sleeves. A simple blanket that I find myself wrapped up in almost every day. If I am not using it, Zoe makes herself a covered nest with it. I think she is attracted to the soft fleece and of course, the warmth she will receive.

If you don't have a Snuggie, get one. If you need a unique gift idea, buy one for a friend. Snuggies come in many colors and prints. I believe you can now get them for children, and I don't mean the furry ones.

Be on the lookout, my Snuggie will be making appearances camping and tailgating.

Next: PedEgg...Is that like a Pet Rock?