Jennifer Garant Dollnation Serving Plate

What makes the Dollnation Serving Plate so adorable is of course the artwork on the plate. It features a large woman in a polka dot long coat, with a large crew of matching dalmatian dogs that she is walking.

The woman is peering right smack at you as if she was caught by a stranger in a photograph unaware that her photo was being taken.

The artwork is adorable, and is gives us an impression that big is beautiful, and Jennifer Garant pulls it off marvelously in her artwork.

The subject of the plate has a lovely matching polka dot border that matches the dalmatian theme going on. The plate itself is serving size, and is 8 inches in diameter.

It's meant to serve smaller finger foods such as pies, cakes, crackers, and anything else you could come up with. The plate itself is microwave and dishwasher safe.

I personally suggest you hang it from the wall though alongside the rest of the Fat Lady Serving Plates. The plates will only go up in value as they become more and more scarce, and believe me, they are adorable enough to sell out quickly.

The plate feature the artwork of Jennifer Garant, but the plate itself is made by Roscher.

Where To Buy:
Dollnation Serving Plate can be found at Marshall's for $2.99. If you cannot find it there though you can pick it up online at eBay for much more money (starting at $9.99), so definitely see if you can find it at Marshall's first.

-My review also on AC

Jennifer Garrant Dollnation Mug

Dollnation is one of my top favorite pieces of artwork by Jennifer Garant. I originally fell in love with the artists works a year ago when I came across a note set that featured fat ladies just going about their everyday lives.

The fat lady featured in Dollnation wears a polka dot long coat, with a large hat. She is walking a bunch of dalmatian dogs, and peers right smack at you with her small beady eyes. It seems to me as if she was caught walking dogs, and someone snapped her photograph.

Jennifer Garant was able to capture big as beautiful in her artwork, and her collections are not only unique, but they are very, very beautiful.

Dollnation sells in numerous forms, you can buy the artwork as place mats, prints, framed prints, plates, or as in my most recent find, a coffee or tea mug.

The mug features the Dollnation work of art on it, and on the inside lip of the cup a small dalmatian dog is drawn in for added extra fun. The polka dot borders are also added to match the dalmatian theme perfectly. The Dollnation mug is the perfect must have match to the Dollnation Serving Plate. You can purchase other Jennifer Garant Serving Plates for a matching set as well.

The Dollnation mug features an elegant shaped long handle that actually resembles an ear. The handle is big enough for even the largest fingers.

Where To Buy:

I was lucky enough to stumble upon the entire Fat Lady collection of serving plates and mugs at my local Marshall's.

The mug came to only $2.99. I have so far been unsuccessful in locating the mug online for sale, but I am sure in due time it will be found for sale on eBay for much, much more than what I paid, so if you have a Marshall's nearby I highly suggest you check it out to see if you can scoop up some of these mugs for a low, low price. In time the mugs will rise in value just like Jennifer Garant's Fat Chef plate set.

(The mug can be used for any hot beverages and is dishwasher and microwave safe. The artwork is by Jennifer Garant, and the mug was made by Roscher).

Review Of: Elizabeth Arden, Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner

My post is also on AC.

I fell in love with Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance years ago. I was given a small perfume vile of the scent and forever found a fragrance soul mate. A scent so thirst quenching, mouth watering, refreshing, and natural.

The scent however did not gain much recognition until more recently. Now you can find the addicting juicy fragrance being sold as deodorant sticks, shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.

My most recent find was Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo came in a large set which contained shower gel, conditioner, and a nice 1 ounce bottle of the perfume. Most perfumed shampoos and conditioners usually dry out my hair, but do a wondrous job at leaving behind the scent. I'm here to discuss how well Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner panned out.

First is the scent. The shampoo and conditioner has the same sense striking scent as the perfume does. It's refreshing, natural, and has a very slight tint of what reminds me of mint mixed with tea. The mint refreshes the senses without overpowering it, while the green tea scent creates a calming mood. For me the scent is more like aromatherapy.

The shampoo itself came in a small trial sized squeeze tube. You are capable of seeing through it, and clearly the shampoo is a light green see through color. The conditioner comes in a see through tube as well, and the conditioner is a creamy white color.

The lather works up really well as far as the shampoo goes, and the scent fills the air as you are working it into the scalp. After rinsing the shampoo from my hair though I realized that it left my hair feeling quite parched and thirsty for some moisture.

Rinsing with the sister conditioner however did not provide much moisture at all. I had to actually add some of my own moisturizing conditioner to my hair in order to lift the dry feeling from it.

Results:

As far as results go, I would say that the shampoo smells wonderful, as does the conditioner, unfortunately though it does nothing when it comes to moisturizing hair. Had I not paired up with one of my conditioners my hair would have been left dry and frizzy.

Overall:

Although I love the scent, the shampoo is one to skip on. The conditioner is no better. It's pretty unfortunate too, because they smell fantastic.

Skip Those, Get These:

A Beautiful Find! Jennifer Garant Faux Paws Serving Plate

I smile every single time I come across artwork by Jennifer Garant. The artist manages to put together some of the most beautiful and unique images I have ever seen. What I love about her work though is how she is able to portray big, as beautiful.

I came across her work last year, and have since been a fan. I have also searched out her collections online, and in stores.

My most recent find was a set of Fat Lady serving dishes. One of those serving dishes is called Faux Paw. The dish itself is 8 inches in diameter, and is dishwasher and microwave safe. I however placed the dishes on the wall, because they are far too adorable to be used to serve food on. Not to mention the fact that they will eventually become collector's pieces like her Fat Chef kitchen collection.

The Faux Paw Serving Plate is one of my favorite plates in the set. It features a larger than life woman wearing a leopard fur coat. Her large unique hat matches her fake fur coat, and a bunch of little black dogs follow her at her feet. The small dogs also are wearing little dog coats, which of course match her coat. Fake leopard.

The plate just makes me smile because it looks like a woman being caught on camera unknowingly going about her everyday business. As if the paparazzi are following her; and why wouldn't they? She is fantastic!

The border of the plate matches the theme of the large woman and her little dogs. It features a clever border with a leopard design to match her coat and her dogs coats. The warm hues of amber, and yellow give the classy serving plate a nice fall feel, which I love.

The Faux Paw artwork can be found sold as prints, place mats, serving plates, and more. Finding them though is the tough part, and a google hunt will take you to what you need.

I found this particular plate at Marshall's for only $2.99. The same plate however is being sold online for nearly $16.00, so if you have a Marshall's nearby, make sure you stop in to get these plates while they last.

The Faux Paw plate was made by Roscher, and the artwork by Jennifer Garant.

The plate is a must have for any Jennifer Garant fan, and it would also make an excellent gift for dog lovers or those who like leopard themed decor. My opinion though is that anyone who gazes upon the artwork on the plate will want it.

More Jennifer Garant Fun:

Best Eyeliner? You Bet! L'Oreal Infallible, Never Fail Eyeliner

I absolutely adore wearing eyeliner. I cannot step out of the house without having my lids classically lined in the black stuff. One thing though that I don't like about most eyeliners is that they smear, smudge, and by the end of the day I find I have to touch up my eyeliner, otherwise it will just melt all over the place, creating the dreaded raccoon eye.

When I came across L'Oreal Infallible, Never Fail Eyeliner I was skeptical. Many eyeliner pens promised the same thing, to last, not smudge, not smear; then by the clock hits noon, the eyeliner is smudged, especially in the corners of my eyes, and outer lids.

The eyeliner stick works like any other, except it has 2 little secrets that most eyeliner twist up pens do not have. First it comes with an eraser built in to the pen. You can use it to fix up any errors you make while applying it.

The best secret about the Infallible Eyeliner though is that it has a built in sharpener. As you twist the eyeliner up out of the application tube, it will sharpen the liner into a nice point for more precise application to the eyelid! This is a little something, something that I find to be so simple, yet so fantastic. The eyeliner sharpener is hidden underneath the eraser. You simply pull it out and place it on top of the eyeliner, next twist up the eyeliner, and it will sharpen it for you.

So the pen is neat, the pen has secrets, the pen is gnarly. I bet you are wondering how the actual eyeliner works. I bet you're thinking so much effort went into the tube design, that the eyeliner itself sucks.

Think again!

L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner promises 16 hours of smudge free wear, and 16 hours is what you get.

The eyeliner goes on smoothly like butter making it easy to apply it in a single stroke with little to no effort. The sharpened tip will allow you to make cat eye designs with ease, and the smudge free formula keeps the eyeliner where you put the eyeliner. It will not bleed into your upper eyelids, nor will it smudge or streak near the inner more wet part of the eyelid.

L'Oreal Infallible, Never Fail Eyeliner has won me over, and I will have no reason to ever switch brands. I have never in my life found a more perfect eyeliner than this one.

Where To Buy:

I picked this one up on a whim at my local Target for nearly $10.00. I will say that it was $10.00 well spent, and I am a forever customer of the liner.

The Trick to Making as Seen on TV Bumpits Work for Women with Curly or Frizzy Hair

I bought Bumpits after watching the really neat infomercial on them. The unique Bumpit hair products worked like a charm on the commercials, and I watched as women simply pulled up half of their hair, inserted a Bumpit, and wallah, they had really beautiful classy looking bumps in their hair! The Bumpits not only added volume, but they could be worn for formal events, casual events, or simply be used every day for a quick, easy salon quality style.

I however have very thick hair, with a unique wave to it. My hair can also get very, very frizzy in humid weather. As much as I wanted Bumpits to work for my hair type, I knew it would be impossible.

After picking up a set of Bumpits at my local Target for nearly $20.00, I was excited to give them a try. I tried parting my hair as directed, but as soon as I placed the Bumpit into the part, it would stick like glue due to the unique teeth built into the Bumpits, and it would then knot my hair.

I knew what I had to do in order to get the Bumpits to work with my hair type. I knew I had to dedicate an hour to ironing my hair straight. I figured getting the Bumpits to stay in my hair properly, without knotting it up would only work if my hair was finer, and straight.

I sat for the next hour running the straight iron through my hair till it was pin straight and silky. I then went for my Bumpits. I parted my hair as directed and inserted the medium sized Bumpit to the part. I then let my hair fall loose and to my amazement, the Bumpit had worked. It stood in its place, while creating a very nice bump at the top of my head.

I was then able to tie my hair back if I wanted for a very salon like style. I like letting my hair loose while wearing Bumpits for the added volume it gives to my straightened hair.

Many women pay top dollar to get their hair done like this in salons for weddings and proms. However if you have the time, straighten your hair, and add a Bumpit, the look will cost you a heck of a lot less, and will turn out looking just as fabulous as it would had you spent big money at a salon.

If you already have straight hair, you do not need to dedicate any time to using Bumpits. If you have thick, frizzy hair like mine though, take the time to straighten your hair, and then add the Bumpit. It will work, and you will be surprised at the results.

Finally an As Seen On TV product that actually does what it is supposed to do.

Nexxus Maximum Super Hold Styling & Finishing Mist

I picked Nexxus Maximum Super Hold Styling & Finishing Mist up this past weekend because I have grown to really like Nexxus hair care products in general. Normally I use cheap $2.00 White Rain hair spray because it works really well.

I had a few spare dollars though and splurged on the bottle of Nexxus Maximum Super Hold Styling & Finishing Mist, which came to a jaw dropping $10.59.

For the money it cost though I was expecting it to work wonders. I was expecting it to do as promised. To add shine to my hair, while keeping my style in perfect place.

Unfortunately the spray only keeps hair in its place for a few short hours. It did add a nice high gloss shine to my locks, but I needed it to hold my hair in place, and it failed to do the job right.

Its unfortunate too because I love the extra added shine.

For the money it's not worth it ladies. Stick to your cheap stuff, or try White Rain.

These Work Better:

Tigi Catwalk Oatmeal and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have ever smelled Lush's Honey I Washed The Kids Handmade Soap, than you already know what to expect TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner to smell like.

That's right, it has a rich, creamy honey caramel scent to it that is both strong and delicious. For me it is also a nice long lasting fall scent that I think anyone would appreciate.

As far as how it works on hair, let's just say the price is well worth the results. Hair is left smooth, silky, and frizz free. Mostly what I love about it though is how it leaves my hair smelling. The scent will last, and last for hours. Every move I make, I am able to smell the creamy honey goodness.

If you are looking to add moisture and shine to your hair this fall season, look no farther. This one is a pleaser!

Review: Dazzle Critter, Dish and Bottle Set

- A Review from my mouse- he too is a Diva

I know I should consider myself one of the luckiest field mice in the world. Last winter I crawled into a warm cozy basement. I tried being quiet while I would sneak around the house at night stealing Hershey kisses, and leaving behind wrappers in any nook and cranny I could find.

I made the dire mistake one night of leaving one of my wrappers behind in a human shoe.

I figured it would be only a matter of time before the horrible traps got set up, only a matter of time before they trapped me like a rat. I hate rats, too!

The traps were never set though, so I felt I had free reign of the entire house. My favorite hunting grounds for food was in this humans large bedroom garbage pail. Once in awhile I'd come across some fruit, or some chips. This one night though, I hopped into the pail, only to realize that it did not have its usual can bag inside of it. I tried to hop out, but I was stuck. Trapped like a rat.

It was not long before I had become a pet to a very lovely human. When she caught me, I thought I was a goner. Yet here I am, alive and well, by the way, my name is Mr. Bubbles. She called me that because of my big black round eyes.

She gave me a house, a home, and even a bed. Yes, like a bed a human would sleep in, only my bed is plastic, and the colors are sort of girly, but who am I to complain?

However, after she set up my bedroom, lamp and vanity set included, she placed something else into my house that I would really rather not talk about. I am a boy I say, a boy...yet her feminine style is shining through, and it is taking over my house!

You see...tweak...tweak...(thats how field mice cry by the way), she placed in the most ridiculous plastic heart in my home, no ordinary plastic heart, a big glittery purple plastic heart, with a big girly princess crown with even more hearts, that sits on top of the big heart. The package said Dazzle Critter, Dish and Bottle Set. I am not a 'Dazzle Critter' though. I'm a refined field mouse!

I know I should not whine, because you should see what she makes her male dog wear! Hahaha!

Anyway, I tried to ignore the thing, and hoped she would take it out, but as it turns out, this heart served a more lethal purpose. It served love juice! Yes, that was what she said when she placed it into my tank. Love juice!? What the hell is love juice?

I was afraid to drink from the thing, but she didn't give me any water so I was left with no choice.

The heart has a dispenser that dispenses this 'love juice'. I walked up to it, and took a little sip. Ahh, love juice tastes just like water, so there is nothing to fear.

She removed the hearts ridiculous crown, which now is used as my food dish. I think it would be neater though if it were like, an army cap, and a bomb shaped drinking fountain, but no....I got the heart one! I bet they were out of the army stuff. I am sure she would have gotten me that one.

Although I find the entire place to look like a girl lives here, my home is quite comfortable. My love juice holder does not leak on my floor, and my princess crown food bowl is sturdy and does not move around for when I hop in. The place is pretty nicely coordinated, and everything is functional and 'pretty'.

For those of you interested, she got the Dazzle Critter, Dish and Bottle Set at Petco, for $3.50. She gets everything at Petco. I wish I could go. I hear it is the place where pet's go.

The Best Eye Shadows Are Also The Cheapest! Pearl Ex!!!

The Best, and Lowest Priced Pigments Can Be Used as Eye Shadow
Gone are the days when women had to spent $15 on single eyeshadow colors. Gone are the days when buying a set of pigment eye shadows would cost close to $80, gone are those days.

Many years ago I discovered a little something that I never shared with anyone else. My cousin and I used to steal pigment powders from the art classroom, and use them as eye shadows. These pigment shadows not only lasted forever, but they looked absolutely stunning on the eye lid.

They had a shimmer of 2 tones, and such a small amount went so far. These powders were perfect.

I have had my small 3gram pink/purple pigment powder jar for nearly 4 years, till I began to run slightly low. I decided to seek out pigment powders again. Pigment powders are usually used for arts and crafts, but a creative soul knows that there are many uses for these spectacular powders.

I came across a set of 12 colors made by Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments. I picked up the Series 2 Set, because it had 12 colors that I was primarily attracted to. Their however are many, many other colors that you can pick from. You can buy them alone, or buy them in large sets.

I was going to buy the largest kit they had, but seeing that I had never used Pear Ex Powdered Pigments, I wanted a sampler first.

In the series 2 set there is a lovely 3gr jar of Aztec Gold, which is a beautiful, beautiful golden shimmer pigment. On the eyes it looks like gold metal, and is gorgeous. Mixing it up with other colors in the series 2 set allows for some really unique looks for your eyes.

Next is Sparkling Copper is a burnt orange shimmer with a thicker glittery consistency to it. However the glitter will actually stick to your eyelids, and stay in place. It makes for a beautiful topping to your eyeshadow, as the color itself will not drown out the colors beneath it.

Antique Copper resembles Aztec Gold, but it has a much more burnt orange iron color to it. The shimmer is gorgeous, and pairs wonderfully with Sparkling Copper.

Antique Silver is simply beautiful, and reminds me of pixie dust. It has a very beautiful crushed diamonds shimmer to it, and the color looks fantastic on the upper brow to highlight the eyelid.

Duo-Green/Yellow is a mixture of 2 different pigments, so when you move your eyelid will look alive. It is a spectacular color that fades into green and into a shimmery yellow gold.

Bright Yellow is one of my least favorite colors in the series 2 set. It is a more white powdery pastel yellow, that lacks the same shimmering metallic effect that the other colors have.

Flamingo Pink is another one of my top favorites, with a very girly hot pink color to it, but with a very nice shimmering light pink undertone. This one can be blended with Misty Lavender for a gorgeous effect on the eye.

Spring Green is another color that I completely have fallen in love with. It has a very light bright green color, mixed with such a high gloss shimmer that the effect is like the wings of a firefly. A rainbow like waterfall of green spring time shimmer, and it is beautiful.

Turquoise is equally as beautiful. It has a much deeper blue hue to it than the Spring Green color does. Turquoise though seems more like a duo of green and blue shimmer, and it is fantastic looking.

True Blue is a little like Bright Yellow. Its a nice color, yes...but it lacks the high shimmer that the rest of the colors have. True Blue though shines on like a bright star when it is paired with Antique Silver.

Misty Lavender is a color that you could likely use on the eye everyday. It has a very light purple sheen to it, that is not too dark nor overpowering in shimmer.

Blue Russet is a color that will shock you with how beautiful it is. It is like a mixture of a beautiful bold blue mixed with purple. Really an excellent color for creating a stormy smoky eye.

The Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments are used for many other things besides just eyeshadow. Painters use them to mix colors, and they are used in arts and crafts. They are pretty universal in what you can do with them, and why so little people know nothing about them is sad.

The set of 12 came to only $18.89 on Amazon, and it was worth every cent. Normally 1 pigment eyeshadow tube would run $15.99. With this set you get 12 gorgeous, gorgeous colors that blend like silk, and stay put all day long. They are non-toxic, and I cannot recommend them more, especially to women looking for a cheap, yet very high quality product to use as makeup.