Best Dessert in Raleigh

We have found the best restaurant for dessert in Raleigh: Hayes Barton Pharmacy.

This 50's themed, close-knit eatery oozes retro charm. Walking on a checkerboard floor, we were greeted by a black and white TV playing the Andy Griffith show. The cherry red walls and bar stools sealed the deal: this place has got spunk! The people are friendly and they serve a full menu of items, including a terrific meatloaf.

After dinner, you must visit the cake case: the best display of high calorie eating around.

We have been twice and ordered the Heath Bar cake and the Double Pecan Chocolate pie.
Both were delicious.

The Heath Bar cake has chocolate pudding layers with a terrific chocolate frosting. Don't order two slices! Four people could easily munch on one slice. Pete and I took home a good portion of it. Believe me, they are generous with their slices.

The owner said they sell about 180 slices of dessert each week! I believe it.

Tonight we ordered a slice of Double Pecan Chocolate pie. Delectable to its very core. Be sure to heat it and get a scoop of ice cream on the side. The inside of it tastes like the best brownie you've ever had with surprising spring and moisture. An absolute winner.

The diner is small though. It is probably better to go on a weeknight to really soak up the atmosphere.

Easy Walk Harness Review

We have a 7 month old puppy named Henry. He is 35 pounds and has recently become harder to control on leash. While we are working on our loose leash walking, it is difficult to get him the exercise he needs without him pulling and tugging on the leash.

Verdell has a Gentle Leader Head Halter. This product worked wonders with him as he stopped pulling 5 seconds after he had it on. The Vet made sure it properly fit him. A big downside of this is that people think he has a muzzle on and give us strange (and sometimes mean) looks. I tell people, he can still bite you if he wants.

So I was wandering in PetSmart and saw a new product (to me): Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness.

From the site:

"Unlike traditional collars, the Gentle Leader® Easy Walk™ Harness never causes coughing, gagging, or choking because the chest strap rests low across the breastbone, not on the delicate tracheal area.
Why it works:

Traditional harnesses can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the “opposition reflex.” That’s the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do. The Gentle Leader® Easy Walk™ Harness redirects the pressure through the front leash attachment. And, our patent pending martingale closure tightens slightly across the chest and shoulder blades when your dog attempts to pull forward.

Quality features:

We included a quick snap buckle on both the shoulder and belly straps to make it easier to get the harness on and off your dog.
Our soft-but-strong nylon and 4 adjustment points provide maximum comfort and a reliable fit.

The complementary color of the belly strap makes it easier to identify each strap, while keeping the overall look pleasantly color-coordinated. You can quickly see which strap goes over the shoulders, and which goes under the belly."

This produce is a must-have for pullers. Henry stopped pulling immediately. If he tried to pull, a very gentle tug on the leash brought him right back to my side. It has really made my life easier in the 24 hours I have had it.

In fact, tonight I was able to take Verdell and Henry on a walk together! At my own pace and with no pulling. I am very impressed with this product and highly recommend it.

More Hair Pics

At first I wasn't completely sold on the short hair, but now I am really starting to get comfortable with it.

Today I put in John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Wave Spray.

From the site:

"A blend of seawater and light conditioning oils designed to give your hair that fresh from the beach look. Volume, curls, and a shimmery shine are only a spritz away. Perfect for blondes and all other shades of hair."

Pete is experimenting with black and white shots.

Get 6 Percent Interest from FNBO Direct!!!

From Clark Howard.com/shownotes/2007/05/09

"Over the past two years, online bank accounts have become the new phenomenon in the banking world. It’s the modern banking equivalent of the credit union advantages Clark often mentions. And the latest deal is unbelievable! FNBO Direct is now offering 6 percent on FDIC-insured savings accounts. It stands for the First National Bank of Omaha and it’s available through September. That is the highest interest rate on a savings account Clark knows of at the moment. FNBO is an existing bricks and mortar bank, and the “direct” entity is an offshoot. But the deals offered at the “direct” versions of the banks are not offered at the traditional banks. That’s because the company doesn’t have to pay for the branches. Don’t miss out!"

The rate is valid until 9/08/2007. Before the 6 percent offering, their rate was 5.25 APY. This is better than my 4.5% APY money market account at a credit union.

It only takes $1 to open an account.

You don't need to change banks and "may keep your existing accounts at other financial institutions. You can link up to three external accounts to your FNBO Direct Online Savings Account. You may transfer money between those external "linked accounts" and your FNBO Direct Online Savings Account. The FNBO Direct Online Savings Account is a supplementary account that enables you to receive the benefit of a high yield."

Your money is insured and you have 24/7 access to it.

This is easy to do and you can enjoy 6% interest until 9/07. Take advanatage of it!

The following is a link to FNBO Direct's Frequently Asked Questions:

https://www.fnbodirect.com/01d/html/en/personal/faqs/index.html

Fracture: Does Pete Look Like Ryan Gosling?

We saw Fracture last night. It's a great movie with a better than average plot and above average cast. Anthony Hopkins does a great job and the movie keeps a good pace. Well worth the price of admission. I don't want to spoil the plot, so I won't go into details. It's almost 2 hours, so be prepared.

Does Pete Look Like Ryan Gosling?


Pete



Gosling

UVA Rays and European Sunscreens

Everyone knows how important it is to wear sunscreen. What everyone does not know is that U.S. labels are misleading and while you think you are being protected, you are not.

Here's why. U.S. sunscreen labels only have UVB ratings. SPF refers to the amount of UVB rays it is blocking. SPF mostly refers to the probability you will get sunburned. But there is no scale for UVA rays. Therefore you could be wearing SPF 40 sunscreen and only blocking out half of the UVA rays.

Why is this important?

UVA rays cause wrinkles and sun spots. These are the rays that will make you look 70 when you are 50. There are many suncreeens that are broad-spectrum, meaning that they protect against UVA and UVB rays, but U.S. lables give no indication of the level or wavelengths of UVA protection.

European manufactuers in particular use the PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) rating system to measure how well the suncreen protects you from UVA light.

Since UVA light is what causes you to tan, these are the rays we definitely need to protect ourselves from. To recap, U.S. sunscreens do not offer a reliable or obvious measure of UVA blockage.

European sunscreen makers do using the PPD rating.

Below are European sunscreens and their PPD ratings. If you are extremely sun-sensitive with issues such as freckling or melasma, the higher the PPD the better. If you are worried about these issues, you should be looking at a PPD of 15 or higher.

Bioderma Photoderm AKN Spray SPF 30/PPD 26
Bioderma Photoderm Max Fluide SPF 50+/PPD 35
Avene Emulsion Ultra PRotection for Sensitive Skin SPF 20/PPD 10
Bioderma Photoderm MAx Tinted Cream PPD 41
Vichy Capital Soleil Kids Multi-Surface Mild PPD 22
La Roche Posay Anthelios XL sunscreen PPD 30 (this one has been reported to be effective at combating freckles and melasma).

All of these can be ordered off internet sites and even ebay. They will be more expensive, but they are also doing more to protect your skin. What you pay now will decrease dermatologist visits later.

I noticed that Neutrogena advertises UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70 as the "latest breakthrough in UV protection...offer the best UVA/UVB protection there is." They use PFA, a UVA protection factor, and measure is at 23.3 I don't know what this means, but it seems worth researching.

Check out makeup alley and type in the screenname sunscreen to get more information.

Save face and use broad spectrum sunscreen.

Verdell Arm Wrestles

Shake on it.

My First Poll

For the second time in my life, I have short hair.

What do you think?

Please vote in the poll!!!

Dressed to Impress

These are pics of me in my new Ann Taylor dress. I've worn it to two events and have gotten lots of compliments!







With my handsome husband.



Check out my patent-leather heels!

Sunscreens...Which to pick?

As a fair-skinned female, I dread summer months. While I enjoy being out in the sun, my skin does not. As I tend to freckle, I am obsessed with sunscreen products and hats.

I recently bought a broad-rimmed hat that makes me look 80 years old. Whatever. It was at Eckerd's for $8.00 and keeps out the sun.





Here are some things I have found that work:

Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 for fair skin tones.

This product rocks. It gives me a hint of a tan while keeping the real tanning rays away from my body. So I can run and know I am being protected from UVA/UVB rays and come back darker (artificially of course). So it's like a self-tanner with great sunscreen. The smell is okay. Not great, but smells better than I do after a run!

Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30

I use this when I am lazy and don't want my hands dirty. It goes on easily and you don't have to rub it in. The only thing is it can wear off so you have to apply it more often. But it's easy, so it doesn't really matter. My husband is a fan.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55

This is an ultralight and clean sunscreen. Blocks both UVA/UVB rays. IT isn't sticky or greasy and goes on really smooth. I have used this on my face and had success with it. You can even wear it under makeup if you are going to be in the sun and want to wear foundation or powder. I think it is the best feeling sunscreen out there.

Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15.

I use this on my hand everyday all year. Your hands can really show your age, so it's important to use SPF on them all of the time. This is easy and makes them feel really soft, not chalky.

Blue Lizard SPF 30+

I use this when I am running, playing tennis, walking dogs, etc.
More for when you know you will be outdoors.
It is chemical free, fragrance free with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Designed for sensitive skin, this stuff works!
Awesome UVA protection.
It goes on a little white, but I'll take a little white over a little old in a few years.
The white fades after a while too.

Blue Lizard Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer Face SPF 30+

I use this when I'm going to be outside as well. It goes on white, but you can mix with with a tinted moisturizer and the color is not a problem. It has antioxidants green tea extract, caffeine, and Vitamin E. Oil and fragrance free. Known as an anti-aging sunscreen. It says you can use it under makeup, but I haven't tried. I just got it a few days ago, so I am still experimenting. I think this has great potential.

Banana Boat Sun Wear Daily Sunblock SPF 50

This has great UVA/UVB protection and says it has an ultra silky feel. I find this to be somewhat greasy. But it smells good and has anti-aging extracts of bamboo and pea to help skin elasticity. It also boasts antioxidants and AvoTriplex technology that maintains broad UVA coverage over time. It is also photostable.

The jury is still out on this one. I'm not sure if their claims are backed up by anyone except their scientists, so I don't know much about AvoTriplex technology.

So I have spent a lot of time trying NOT to get a tan. Well, I'm like most females and understand that a tan looks better than no tan.

So I have used many things on my face:

Olay Complete Touch of Sun Daily UV Facial Moisturizer plus a touch of sunless tanner

I like this. The color is believable and it has SPF 15 when you put it on. Doesn't smell too bad and doesn't make you look orange at all. I don't suggest putting this on your face every day though. Maybe every other day.

Neutrogena Micromist Tanning sunless spray

After several uses, I finally got a good tan. This is definitely an aquired skill and if you don't use it in a well-ventilated area, you will surely get high or pass out.
But, if you can hold it 6 inches from your body and contort your body to get all of the angles, you can get a great fake tan.

Loreal Sublime Glow daily Moisturizer for dark skin tones

Yes, I know I have fair skin, but this give me more color. Hard to mess up and smells pretty good. Not a lot of mica, so not much shimmer, which I prefer. THis is a staple for me. I always look for it on sale at a drugstore.

The Rod Stewart Concert

My mom and I went to the Rod Stewart concert on Friday. It was a lot of fun for both of us. Mom had never been to a concert and for a combination birthday/Mother's Day gift, we went and had a great time.

We purchased identical T-shirts, a program, nachos, Mountain Dew, and mint choc. chip ice cream. We were right behind the floor seats. At one point Rod sang about being better than 15 men and my mom screamed "Yeah!!!". We wish we could go to more.

We were going to throw our panties on stage, but we weren't quite close enough.

Here are some pics of our experience.


Shaking our tailfeathers.

Showing off our t-shirts and program.

Swaying to the music.

Showing off our assets.

Mother and daughter.

You wanna piece of us?