Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Introducing Charlotte and Verdell
Charlotte looks on...
Looking cute.
Preparing to play.
Let me see that!
Looking insolent.
My mom swore up and down this bed was too small for Verdell. But Verdell can snuggle in the tightest of places!
Charlotte and Verdell are buddies and play partners. Charlotte is an 8 year old Cairn Terrier rescued from Colonel Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue.
Charlotte's passions include: Food in general, but specifically chicken breast jerkey, peanut butter apple.
Charlotte's dislikes include: Her Vitamin B pill, Too much cuddling, closed doors.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Doggy Dental Hygiene: Brushing, Chewing, Fragaria Vesca
His favorite toothpaste!
Verdell loves his finger brush!
Verdell loves his toothpaste even more!
His front choppers...looking good!
Back ones...not bad, but just a bit of "stuff" on them.
The other front chopper also looks good.Everyone has heard of doggy breath. It can be painful not only for humans, but for dogs too. A complete lack of attention to your dog's dental hygiene can lead to loose and abscess teeth, expensive vet bills to pull or clean Fido's teeth, or a bacterial infection that can spread to the kidney, heart, and brain. If your dog suffers from bad breath (and he hasn't just eaten cat poop), it is very possible he has periodontal disease. However, according to a study by the American Veterinary Dental Society, oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats and periodontal disease affects approximately 80 percent of dogs over the age of three.
According to the Gallup Target Market Report on Dental Care in 2001, only 20% of dog owners said they had brushed their dog's teeth. The survey of more than 1,000 pet owners, conducted by The Gallup Organization on behalf of The Iams Company, found that two-thirds of pet owners understand dental health is important to their pets' overall health. Yet, only one in five has ever brushed their pets' teeth. According to the survey, 63 percent of pet owners have never had their pets' teeth professionally cleaned. The poll finds even more room for improvement with brushing. Of the 22 percent of pet owners who ever brush their pets' teeth, only one in 10 brush daily, four in 10 brush weekly, and 20 percent say they brush only a few times a year.
Brush your dog's teeth! This might sound over the top, but if you want your dog to lead a pain-free dental existence and learn to love those well-timed, sweet-smelling dog kisses, you will commit to a dental program. You can purchase doggy toothpaste and doggy brush from any pet store. Verdell prefers beef flavored toothpaste. One thing to remember: you cannot give your dog human toothpaste. As humans, we can brush and spit the excess into the sink. Dogs will not do this and if they ingest the human toothpaste, they could be sick.
Start small if you have never brushed your dog's teeth. Let him smell the toothpaste. Brush just one tooth the first time. If he is reluctant to open his mouth, simply start with smaller steps. Maybe just lift his mouth with your fingers. Do what works best for your dog. Try this site for more tips:
Once you are in the groove, keep brushing his teeth at least 2 times a week. Remember that a six month span in a dog's life is the equivalent of several years in ours. You try skipping brushing your teeth for that long. See how happy you feel!
Another option to improve dental health is hard bones. I suggest the dog bones from Harris Teeter. Both you and your dog will be happy with the results.
An even less known option is Fragaria Vesca. It is used in many berry flavored human toothpastes. Fragaria vesca is a cousin of the wild strawberry. It is found in woods and grasslands in Europe, western Asia, North America, and temperate areas in Chile. The word straw in strawberry comes from the verb to strew, referring to the tangle of vines with which the plant covers the ground. Cultivated strawberries were developed from the wild ones.
Fragaria Vesca is used for removing tartar and dental plaque off teeth. For your dog, just put 3 pellets in water dish or in food. To brush onto teeth, place 10 pellets in 1/2 cup of water and let sit for 5 minutes, then remove pellets and brush liquid onto teeth. Do a new batch for each dog. Brush on teeth after each meal for problem teeth.
Verdell is 5 years 3 months old. During his annual exam last week the dentist asked if he recently had a dental because his teeth were in "amazing" condition. I have included some pics of his teeth at the top.
Verdell's Toy Story: The Movie
This is a movie of Verdell picking up his toys. We apologize for its darkness.
Pics of Verdell, Sunglasses, and an Elon T-shirt
Verdell worried about a truck?
Verdell's mugshot.
I recently visited the new Business school at Elon and picked up a new t-shirt. Also, my new 100% UV Polarized Sunglasses from Costco. I paid half price!
Eye Cream Review...Getting Those Peepers to Shine!
A good eye cream should be a staple in your beauty regimen. The skin under your eyes can be one of the first thing to give away your age. The constant squinting, concentrating, frowning, smiling, or general rubbing can take its toll. And especially if you wear contacts. After all, you must take them out!
With all of the eye creams out there, I thought I would share my thoughts on three: Clinique All About Eyes, Kiehl's Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment, and Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme with SPF 15. Each does something different and that is why I have all three!
Clinique All About Eyes does what it says it will do; it diminishes the look of puffs, circles, shadows, and lines. My grandmother started me on this and it really does give my eyes a lift when I feel they need it. I don't generally have issues with puffiness or dark circles, but when I feel my eyes need a pick-me-up, I turn to this eye cream. It's also allergy tested and 100% fragrance free.
Kiehl's Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment is what I call my "caviar eye cream". I suppose I call it that because the name seems very high-end. I feel this cream also does what it advertises: it firms and rejuvenates the eye area and all with algae extracts! Now it's true that I don't know why algae extracts matter, but it definitely sounds impressive doesn't it? It also seems to firmness and elasticity (econ!!!). What it claims to do that I don't agree with: I don't think it helped with the few under eye circles I had and I really didn't think it hydrated the under eye area as strange as that may seem. Overall, a good cream that I like, but I don't know that I would buy it again.
And last, Estee Lauder's cream with SPF 15. I love this one! I love that it makes my eye area so smooth and soft and I love even more that it has SPF 15. More creams should include sun protection. It just seems smart. My under eye skin feels firmer and I think it minimizes lines, even though it doesn't claim to. I would definitely buy this again.
I do know that Neutrogena makes an under eye cream with SPF in it and I am sure it is cheaper than Estee Lauder's ( I got mine in a free gift). When I run out of cream (which will not be soon), I think I will try Neutrogena. If anyone has tried it, please let me know!
The Cosmetic Cop's Drugstore Doubles: Are they really substitutes
I am a huge fan of Paula Begoun. She runs a great website with a host of down to earth reviews and is not a person to push a product simply because it costs a fortune. If you are debating on whether to purchase a product, I would recommend visiting her site just to get her opinion.
www.cosmeticscop.com
She wrote an article entitled "Drugstore Doubles: The best in beauty". Today I will offer my thoughts on her review of tinted moisturizers.
The expensive tinted moisturizers she recommends are:
Tinted Moisturizer with SunscreenAveda Inner Light Tinted Moisture SPF 15 ($25) and Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer ($36).
The drugstore doubles are Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20 ($10.99) and Revlon Age Defying Light Makeup SPF 30 ($12.99).
My previous tinted moisturizer was Estee Lauder daywear plus with broad spectrum SPF 15. Ladies, make sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum. This means it should block UVB (burning rays) and UVA (wrinkle maker) rays. To make sure it has UVA, look for titanium dioxide or avobenzone.
I ran out of my Estee Lauder (which I absolutely loved) and found no one had it because they are reformulating it. So I decided to try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20. I purchased it for $8.
This is NOT a double of the more expensive products!!!!!
My face did not feel moisturized. In fact, it felt very dry and seemed to cling to some spots more than others. The product didn't do much in the way of tinting and if I had chosen a different color I would have looked even worse. While it does have SPF 20 (UVA and UVB), it doesn't offer the same moisture level or color as Estee Lauder or Aveda. It is simply not a comparable product.
My suggestion: don't use this stuff if you like tinted moisturizer to give you a bit of color and moisture. After using this, I felt like I needed more moisture!
While it didn't cost much, it didn't do much either.
Review of Kiehl's for Men Products: How to make your man's skin kissable
After developing a rather extensive skin regimen for myself, I then turned my attention to my husband. His previous skin regimen included getting his face wet in the shower and then drying it off later. No lotions, creams, scrubs, or washes. Frankly, I was shocked.
The skin aisle is full of things marketed for suckers just like me. But it is noticeably thinner in the men's section.
I stumbled across Kiehl's products for men after using their lip products for years. I bought him
Kiehl's Facial Fuel and Energizing Scrub.
According to Kiehl's, Facial Fuel does the following:
Wakens and uplifts dull, fatigued skin
Can be used in conjunction with your regular facial moisturizer
Vitamin enriched and energizing non-oily moisturizer
Helps improve skin’s look and texture
Helps skin resist the effects of environmental stress
Not tested on animals
Our vitamin-enriched and energizing non-oily moisturizer wakens and uplifts dull, fatigued skin. This "facial recovery accelerator" helps skin resist the affects of environmental stress for a healthy, invigorated appearance. The formula, with Vitamin C and E, Chestnut extract and Soy, helps waken tired-looking skin and helps improve skin's look and texture. With use, your skin will feel refueled, re-energized and revitalized!
I was obviously impressed with this description. We all know how important vitamins are to skin health.
Here is the description provided by Kiehl's for their Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash:
For all skin types
Removes dirt, surface oil, and impurities
Keeps skin from over-drying and tightening
Prepares skin for closer shave
Easily rinsed off
Not tested on animals
Our efficient and energizing facial cleanser thoroughly removes dirt, surface oil, and impurities without an over-drying effect. Formulated with Caffeine, Menthol, and Vitamin E - as well as invigorating extracts derived from Lemon and Orange Peels - its unique blend helps o refresh and waken skin, preparing it for a less irritating, more comfortable shave. This effective "refueling facial cleanser" further helps skin resist the effects of environmental stress and gives even dull, tired-looking skin a fresher, healthier appearance.
Again , another impressive description.
So we started simple: Wash your face in the shower and put this stuff on when you get out.
He seemed to like it right away (though admittedly he is somewhat impressionable.)
Then our experiment was put on hold as he left it at a hotel in Charlotte and refused to call them and ask them to mail it to him. But he did use Facial Fuel throughout and I really have noticed an improvement in his skin. It looks and feels much smoother and his kissability factor has increased.
In an interview with Pete, he had this to say about the Kiehl's products:
J: How did you hear about Kiehl's?
P: My wife brought it home to me one day after I was playing golf and she said the stuff was good.
J: What Kiehl's products are you currently using?
P: Facial Fuel and Energizing Scrub.
J: What were your thoughts after you used it the first time?
P: I hope I don't get any of this stuff in my eyes. It feels good. It tingles.
J: How long have you used it?
P: A couple of months.
J: What keeps this in your regimen?
P: My wife will be mad at me if I don't. It's healthy.
J: What do you mean it's healthy?
P: It promotes healthy skin.
J: How so?
P: Good for your skin and it is a skin treatment.
J: Well, no details there. Have you noticed a difference in your skin?
P: Yes.
J: Could you be more specific?
P: It's cleaner, less oily, smoother. I have not noticed a difference with the lines on my forehead.
(Wife's note: I have. They aren't as deep.)
J: What's the best part about using it?
P: It makes my wife happy and I know my face is clean.
J: Would you recommend this product to other men?
P: Yes.
J: Do you feel the average man should take better care of their skin?
P: If the average man is like me, they should. I did absolutely nothing before this.
J: Have you received a spike in the number of kisses since beginning this?
P: I have only accepted them from my wife and dog, but I had the feeling a lot of people wanted to kiss me.
We would like to thank Pete for his time.
For more information on Kiehl's, please visit their website.
http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/catalog/category.aspx?CatCode=Axe_Men
And now for the canine portion...Verdell "Little Brown Dog" Treme
Since the blog is called beauty and the canine, I suppose there should be a post about dogs!
Let's start with Verdell Sidewinder Treme. A lovely and unique canine mix of Rat Terrier and Redbone Coonhound. What's that you say? You've never heard of such a mix? Well, that is what makes Verdell so special. While he is the size of a beagle (maybe a bit taller), he has big brown eyes and the cutest puppy picture you've ever seen. As I was perusing through www.petfinder.com, I came across Verdell (his puppy pic is at the top of the page) with the following description:
msBreed: Terrier/HoundSex: Male Weight: 30 lbs adult Born: Oct 2001
Color: Tan with Black Highlights
Verdell is as cute as they come, with liquid brown eyes, sure to melt your heart and extra skin on his head to give a pouting. Verdell's favorite game is: you chase me, I'll chase you. And he always wins! Verdell will do well in a home with other animals, he has never not had company. Verdell is quite content to be held, but when the moment occurs he is off like a flash. You may remember his namesake from "As Good As It Gets". Verdell is as good as it gets and will expect the same from his new guardian. Exercise is something Verdell gets lots of and will require in his forever home. If you are looking for a personality plus pup, Verdell is your man. Verdell is current on all vaccinations and will be neutered and ready for adoption on January 2.
I adopted him January 6, 2002. Seriously, how could you resist those eyes?
Verdell is very serious and earnest and his big brown eyes contribute mightily to that description. He is also purposeful. When moving from room to room, he seems to always have a purpose. No wandering for Verdell; he is a dog on a mission to find the best seat in the house.
My dog described him as a little brown dog when he first met him. The name has stuck.
His legs are surprisingly long and this is what makes him just slightly taller than a beagle. He has perfect white feet and what has been described as a "perfect ear set".
Just like people, Verdell does not like everything. In an exclusive interview, Verdell Treme takes time out of his busy day to answer a few questions.
J: Verdell is such a unique name. Where did it come from?
V: While my lineage is somewhat questionable, I was named after a famous dog in a great movie. Maybe you've seen it, As Good As it Gets. The star of the movie is named Verdell. I still think the movie would have done even better had it been called, Verdell's Story. The movie dog's pic is to the right of mine. I would just like to point out that the dog's real name is Jill. I am the only Verdell I know. For more information on the dog in the movie, please refer to the following site. What's your next question?
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:PCkt6HOEJFoJ:www.thepoop.com/verdell/default.asp+verdell&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
J: Well, moving right along. What are your favorite foods?
V: I love my Sweet Potato dog food by Pinnacle. My parents feed me the best! Outside of dog food, I must say I enjoy a bit of time with a jar of peanut butter. If my daddy forgets and leaves the peanut butter jar on the coffee table while he is gone, I have the best time. My tongue is fairly long, so I estimate that I have a good 45 minutes until I can't reach anymore...that's only if the jar is full though.
J: What other activities do you enjoy?
V: I enjoy running and walking. My mom used to take me to agility until she got mad when I started running the obstacle course the way I thought was best. Humans don't always know how to set it up so I can have the most fun with it.
J: Is there anything you do not enjoy?
V: Well, several actually. I hate riding in a car if I know we will be going on the highway. The trucks seem like they will veer into my side of the car and I simply can't get out of the way fast enough. I also don't like it when rude dogs invade my personal space. A fellow needs his own space to think and go about his business! I don't mind showing my pearly whites if necessary.
J: What do you think of Caesar Milan?
V: Caesar-Schmaesar. Pack-leader, yada yada yada. I don't worry with him. That's all the time I have for today. My daddy's coming home soon and I must prepare.
I would like to thank Verdell for his time. I hope we can secure another interview with him soon!
The first time my dad saw him he said, "Well he's just a little brown dog!" And that he is.
Seacret Products for Nails and Skin
My mom and I were shopping in the Concord Mills Outlet Mall and a tiny girl asked us if she could see my finger. Well, I suppose I have been asked stranger things. I hate walking by those free standing mini-stores in the mall. You know you will have to politely decline and then I always feel guilty because I could not imagine having to do that myself. If I see too many of them, I pretend to window-shop to avoid making eye contact.
But I let her see my nail. She proceeded to use a small block to buff my nail to perfection. My nail looked shiny and healthy when she was finished. No ridges. The nail felt so smooth! I was very impressed. She transformed an average nail in less than a minute!
I bought the kit from her (and one for my mom as well) and have been very happy with it. The kit includes the buffing block, cuticle oil, and Wild Kiwi body lotion.
I really only bought the kit for the buffing block, but I absolutely love the body lotion. It makes my skin feel so soft and I really can see a difference in my hands when I use it. It makes my skin look so healthy and smooth.
All in all, I highly recommend this kit. I have never had anyone comment on my nails one way or the other, but after one time using the buffing block, I heard "Your nails look so nice!"
This is a keeper!
I will say this: you can purchase this cheaper on ebay than from a small kiosk in the mall. When I order another, I will go this route.
Kinerase C Peptide Intensive Treatment
Kinerase is a well-known brand. Several years ago my mom used the Kinerase lotion. As I head towards 30, I am now very concerned with what products to use to minimize wrinkles and sun damage. Of course, sunscreen is the best thing, but is there anything else that might make a difference?
I began using C Peptide after reading http://www.skin-sage.com/ and several reviews online.
Skin-sage claims "C6 Peptide once-a-day anti-aging treatment uses state-of-the-art peptide technology (more advanced than StriVectin) plus vitamins C & E, green tea extract and Kinetin to make skin look smoother, more radiant, refine pores and diminish wrinkles."
According to Kinerase,
C peptide provides advanced synergistic technology to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face and reduce visible signs of skin aging. Vitamins C, E, and green tea extract provide additional antioxidant protection.
Sign me up!
I have been using this product for about a month and I really do like it. It packs a good punch with its mix of vitamins and antioxidants and when used in conjunction with Kinerase Lotion, my skin looks and feels good. It is lightweight and has not led to any acne breakouts. I do not think you can use this without a moisturizer if you are at all dry. I have normal/oily skin and I still need to use a moisturizer in the morning.
I feel good adding this to my morning regime and I will keep you posted as to whether it remains there.
Review for Loreal Sublime Glow: Bronzed in the Winter...Is it Possible?
My answer is...yes, if you can tolerate a little mica.
I am not a fan of lotions that make people look twice at me for the wrong reasons. I don't want to blind anyone with the little pieces of glitter-like elements on my skin!
But...
I love L'OREAL's Sublime Glow. Sublime glow is a daily moisturizer with natural skin tone enhancers. I use it in Medium even though I have fair skin. What is different about this moisturizer is its inclusion of mango butter, Vitamin E, and Sweet Almond oil. The combination of these ingredients makes the smell very nice. Some other tinted body moisturizers smell a little funny, but this one makes you feel like you are not putting foreign chemicals on your body. If you are concerned about mica (which this product has), make sure the product you choose has mica far down on its list of ingredients. The higher it is, the more "sparkle" it will have.
All in all, my skin feels good and I get good color. For $9.99 at drug stores or grocery stores, this is a good deal.
AC/DC Anyone?
One of my best memories of the wedding. My dad and I danced to "You Shook Me All Night Long". An unlikely event I won't forget.
Let the Dancing Begin
Our friend Chad gets down.
Too bad Coach Parham wasn't out there with his favorites.
Friends and Mom
Here are my bridesmaids (left to right): Erin, Mary Cameron, Darice, and my Mom on the end. My Mom served as my Matron of Honor.
Whitley Chapel, Elon University
We both attended Elon University (near Greensboro, NC) and got married on campus in Whitley Chapel.
My Husband and I
This is my husband, Pete, and I at our rehearsal dinner. We were married June 18, 2005.
About Me
Hi. My name is Julianne and this is my first attempt at a blog. I plan to post about the two things my mom, Karen, and I talk about most: Beauty products and dogs! We have tried a plethora of beauty products and would like to share our experiences and hear about yours. As far as dogs go, I have one dog, Verdell. Verdell is a five-year-old Redbone Coonhound/Rat Terrier mix. My mom has a Cairn Terrier, Charlotte. Whether it be training issues, food, oral hygiene, or dog beds, we have discussed it all!
Until we get a digital camera, I will post pics from my wedding.
Welcome to our blog!
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