Spider Vein Treatment - Laser vs. Needle

I started getting spider vein treatments about two years ago with the needle injections. Earlier this year I bought a groupon for spider vein treatment by laser. I had my first laser treatment a few days ago. I am NOT happy. 


Sure the thought of a needle may freak some people out but the vein dies right away. They also hit so many veins in a short period of time. With the laser they have to numb the area and it takes just sooooo much longer. I would have to say one 30 minute treatment with the needles is equal to four to six 30 minute treatments with the laser.


Now there are some benefits to the laser. There is no massive bruising if you are going for the deeper veins. The small purple ones on the surface do not bruise. The deep blue veins do sting afterwards for a few hours. With the laser there is no stinging afterwards. However I just cannot justify the amount of time and money for the laser. Going forward I am only going with the needle injections.

Botox

I finally tried Botox...and I love it. 

So if you never had Botox before here is what to expect. The injections do not hurt. If anything there is a little stinging which does not last very long. When you leave the office there will be lumps on your faces that quickly go away. The muscles do not start paralyzing until 3 to 5 days after the injections. It was kind of fun trying to move the muscles and I could not. I no longer can make a mean face so Tony does not know when I am mad at him. I can't make that face no matter how hard I try. Full effects of Botox show in two weeks which is this coming Friday for me. The wrinkles in my forehead really have disappeared. Tony...every birthday, Valentine's Day, and Christmas, please get me Botox!

Thirty-One Is Awesome!

http://www.mythirtyone.com/Lbrantley3/


Last fall I was introduced to Thirty-One products. Honestly when I first looked at their catalog I thought to myself, this stuff is just not my style. At a party I ordered their large utility tote. Once the consultant told me about using it for trips to BJ’s or Costco I was sold on it. I also ordered a large make up bag that looked like it would be great for traveling and a lunch bag for Tony; just the right size to fit in his saddle bag and large enough to hold all the food he takes to work.

After I received my order I was very pleased with what I bought. My friend who hosted the previous party decided to become a consultant. At the next party I bought the jewelry pouch for traveling (which as you all know I do a lot of), another utility tote, nail file, and received three free large zipper pouches for my purchases. Which I also use for traveling. I just cannot get over how useful their stuff is. They really put thought behind the design of each item. You also can get items embroidered.

Once I saw the Spring/Summer catalog in January I had to host a party to earn free stuff. I held the party last Saturday and made out pretty well. I also placed an order at a friend’s party. Their February special was for every $31 spent you get one item 31% off. Even though I was having my own party I just think it is the right thing to do to place an order at your friends. It is a way of helping friends out. Anytime I am invited to a party, no matter what type, I always try to go and if I cannot I will at least place an order. It is friends helping friends out and it is fun to get together with a group of girls and chat.

My show was $500 and here are my rewards. $100 in free product, purchase the Cindy Tote for $20 (a $68 value), one hostess exclusive item, three items half off, free shipping, and 10% off anything else I ordered. Now what did I all buy recently? Here it all is.

- Cindy Tote: This is a great bag for taking to work.
- Apron: Gift for mom, I really want this as well for myself but am going to wait to see mom’s before buying one. Very cute but not sure about how it ties.
- 2 nail files: their nail files are awesome, not too hard and not too soft.
- Skirt Purse w/ two skirts: These are awesome. You buy different skirts and change up the look. Nice size purse too.
- Large Thermal Cooler: Great for keeping food cold in your car when grocery shopping. It is square so also great for stacking.
- Thermal Tote: Bought this one for myself. Zebra print – Fun!
- About a Town Blanket: Gift for sister in law. Bottom is waterproof. Perfect for picnics and concerts.
- Rolling Tote: Carry on size for traveling.
- Organizing Utility Tote: I am going to use this for my Tastefully Simple parties to keep organized…if I ever get someone to host a party for me.
- 2 luggage tags
- Flat Iron Case: Also fits curling irons. You would not believe how many Marriott hand towels I have because I had to curl and go when checking out.
- Rosetta clips: For dolling up my purse.
- Jewelry Pouches: I am adding these to my jewelry roll bag to store extra earrings and rings.
- Coin Purse Wallet: Have not seen this one in person yet but it looks nice.
- Card tote with 30 cards: You will not find a better deal than this. It comes with 30 cards and the tote to store your other cards in. Since when do you pay a $1 for a card any more and get a small tote?
- City Weekender Tote

I am so excited about my Cindy Tote, City Weekender Tote, and Rolling Tote. These three pieces are going to be so nice for weekend get aways, which Tony and I take every few months. Along with my other travel pieces, Flat Iron Case, Jewelry Roll Pouch, Cosmetic Bag, and Large Zipper Pouches it is the perfect traveling set!

Even after listing all of those items there are still more I want to get but I had to stop somewhere. Other items I see a huge use for are:

- Collapsible Cube: I really could use this in my car. I have CD’s and other things laying everywhere.
- Fold and Go Organizer: Very cute for writing down grocery lists or anything that comes to your mind. They have a large and small one. Unsure which one I would want.
- Manicure Kit: When my manicure items need to be replaced this is top on my list.
- Laptop Case: I love this for traveling but the pattern out this season is not my style.
- Square Utility Tote: Perfect size for when I do not have enough to fill the large utility tote.
- Garment Bag: This is another hostess exclusive item. I would have to host another party to be able to earn this item. Would be perfect to finish my traveling set.

There are two items I would like to see them make; a passport holder and a holder for vehicle documents so my glove box would not be such a mess.

To top all of this off I have the most awesome Thirty-One Consultant. She is such a fun person and as sweet as can be. If you live in the Raleigh area and want to host a party look her up. For all my friends outside of the area please visit her website for shopping. You can access their PDF catalog as well online. I honestly never thought I would be so obsessed with their products. If they can convert the Tattooed Modern Wife – they can convert you!

http://www.mythirtyone.com/Lbrantley3/

March’s special is for every $31 you spend get a purse half off!
April’s special is for every $31 you spend get the All-in-One Organizer half off.

Olay Has Been Removed from the Suck It List

Olay responded to my email yesterday about my disappointment with the Olay Pro-X Cleansing System. Even though I did not save my receipt they are still going to send me a check for the full value of the system. Since they took the right steps to correct the problem they are not removed from the SUCK IT list. They really went above and beyond what other companies do. Weight Watchers did nothing when I complained about my disappointment with the points plus system and said I was switching back to the old system on my own. Maybe I need to add Points Plus to my SUCK IT list.

Product Review - Olay Pro-X Cleansing System

About a week and a half ago I bought the Olay Pro-X Cleansing System hoping it would reduce the wrinkles I have. Well it did not reduce my wrinkles (did not expect it to in less than two weeks) but it did break my skin out. I have six huge red pimples on my face. I do battle with break outs from stress but NOTHING like this. It is clearly from using this tool. The bristles dig into the pours and aggravate them. I am so incredibly disappointed and I spent $30 on this miracle kit! I emailed my complaint to Olay and doubt they will even respond to it. They are now on my SUCK IT list.

My review: Product is crap if your skin is sensitive to pimples.

My FAVORITE Diet Food is Back!!!!

Nearly two years ago my favorite diet food was discontinued. I love MorningStar Farms Veggie Corn Dogs. They have an amazing taste for not being meat and on the old Weight Watcher point system they were two points each. I was so mad when I found out they were discontinued that I wrote a letter to MorningStar begging them to bring these back. I only found one substitute from Trader Joes but they were not nearly as good and also higher points.

Today I was at Kroger and there they were. My heart skipped a beat. I grabbed three boxes and quickly threw them in my cart. I even called Tony to tell him what I found. Never have I been so excited about a food.

I made them for dinner tonight with french fries baked them in the oven. Tony does like the MorningStar brand. He always gave me crap for eating fake meat until he tried it. As I was putting the corn dogs on the plate I said out loud, "oooohhhh, how I've missed you." Tony laughed at me and for a brief moment thought his wife went crazy. They were just as good as I remembered and ate two of them in probably under two minutes. Now I have a stomach ache.

Just when I was about ready to type this blog post up I went to MorningStar's website to see if there was a press release or some other information about the return of the beloved corn dog. They do not even list the corn dog as a product! WTF? I ran to the box to check the expiration date. I was praying this was not something Kroger found in their back room. Date was OK. So again, I wrote MorningStar wonder what is up. Tomorrow I am going back to Kroger to buy out their stock.

Computer Problem Solved!

After over five hours of trying to fix the problem with my new Gateway...two of those hours on the phone with Microsoft support...they told me something was wrong with the computer and I would have to go through the reinstall process. Forget that! Way too much effort for a computer I just bought. I took it back to Best Buy with only moments to spare before they closed and traded it in for an Asus. I love this computer. I got it home and it did not take long to setup and there was no problem downloading Microsoft Office 2010. Gateway was just added to my Suck It list. Now hopefully I can get my days back on track and go back to being the 1950's housewife.

Suck It Samsung!

I really dislike Samsung products. They have come a long way since they used to be a low budget brand but still need some work. I used to only buy Sanyo but wanted to give Samsung a try since I was reading about them in one of my text books when I was in grad school. Three years ago I bought a new Samsung cell phone and after about two months it started taking pictures and video on its own. The thing was possessed. I sent it to Samsung for warranty work and they sent it back voiding the warranty claiming it was water damage that is not covered. I argued with Samsung for a while since my phone had never come in contact with water. I finally asked the guy on the phone what he considers water damage. He said if the phone goes from an air conditioned building to humidity outside it causes condensation which is water damage. I was flabbergasted. What the hell are you doing selling that product in the south? My next battle was with Sprint. It would cost the same amount of money to buy a new phone through Sprint to cancel my contract and go to another provider to get a free phone. Since I am a loyal customer and a great negotiator they did allow me to get another phone with the discount. And yes, my new phone was a Sanyo.

Two years ago Tony and I were TV shopping for a new flat screen in our living room. My number one rule. No Samsung. What does Tony buy, a Samsung. The speakers are shit on this TV. I hate it. Oh but it has a swivel base, Tony argues. (Samsung was the only brand that did swivel base at that time). That swivel base makes it so unstable.

Fast forward another year. Tony is due for a new phone through Sprint after he put his through the washing maching. Now that is what I call water damage. I told him over and over again so it was drilled in his head…do not come home with a Samsung. What does he come home with…a Samsung. Today, a year later, what happened? Condensation and a possessed phone. I took the phone apart and put it in rice to soak up the moisture. Going to try it out again tomorrow to see if it works and if not Tony is going to use my old phone. I always save our old phones when we get new ones in case something happens. So now that this finally happened to his phone maybe he will listen to me when he gets a new phone. Which will not be for a year so he gets the $150 discount over the $75.

Closing Statement: SUCK IT SAMSUNG!