Fan-fare

It feels like we're getting a little break from the scorching summer temperatures, but the heat is supposed to pick up again next week.  I'm so grateful I've had my nifty convenient fan to get me through it.

To be honest, I'd really love a Dyson fan.  I've seen them in stores, and they look and feel like they'd be a blast (apologies for the pun)!  But they are on the pricier side - although Amazon has sales on Dyson products going on now if you've been in the market for one.


For those with a lower budget, like me, I've found a decently strong fan in Lasko's Oscillating Tower Fan with Remote Control.  I like tower fans because they cover a larger area.  After all, it's my whole body, not just my face, that needs cooling.

I really love this particular fan because it has a full-function remote control.  How many times have you gone to bed with the fan on only to wake up in the middle of the night and have to get out of bed to turn it off because it's gotten too cold?  With the remote, I can turn the fan off/on, change the wind strength, start/stop fan oscillation, and set a timer for how long I want the fan to stay on - all without lifting my head from the pillow.


This Lasko fan is effective and convenient when it's hot and the last thing you want to do is waste energy setting up and adjusting a fan.

Un-wrinkling skin problems

Having dealt with skin issues for most of my life, I've tried many different skin products.  Some don't work for me and others do for a while, but then my skin changes, and I have to go through the process of finding new products again.

In my experience, there isn't any product that gives your skin the perfect appearance promised/desired.  Products don't change your DNA.  But about a month ago I started using a product that has noticeably helped my skin from the first use.  It's not a miracle product, but it's effectiveness for me is impressive enough to share, and maybe it will be even more effective for people who don't have as problematic skin as me.

Peter Thomas Roth's Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads are designed to help improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, pores, and even skin tone.  For me, the most noticeable change is in the reduction of acne, softening of skin texture, and a general healthier appearance.  The peel pads contain alpha, beta, and gamma hydroxy acids that exfoliate the skin.  After applying, you may feel tingling that's usually associated with those ingredients, but after rinsing with water, you can feel that your skin is smoother.  I notice even more of a difference after waking up the next morning and washing my face.  I can't help but touch my skin and marvel at how much healthier it looks and feels.


These pads retail for $45 (for a 60 count container) at Sephora, which isn't cheap, but like many skincare products, you can find them for cheaper on Amazon.

PTR's Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads haven't completely fixed my dermatological issues (no product can), but they have made me feel better about my skin.

My Truthiness of Stephen Colbert

In just three and a half weeks, Stephen Colbert will be returning to our screens on a daily basis as the new host of the Late Show.  It's been a long time since his last episode of the Colbert Report in 2014, so it might be a good time to revisit some of his past work.

I first saw Stephen Colbert on his show, the Colbert Report, a parody news program where he portrayed a character also named Stephen Colbert.  Colbert the actor could make Colbert the character hilarious, thought-provoking, mocking, poignant, and sentimental all at the same time.


I so loved that character that I refused to watch any interviews or programs where I might see the real Stephen Colbert, for fear of shattering the illusion.  Luckily, a friend of mine convinced me to watch an interview he did with Larry King.  I saw that as himself, Colbert still had great humor and charisma, which is why I know the Late Show will be in good hands.

The writing for the Report and his character development was so well done that when Colbert published his book, I Am America (And So Can You!), I bought it right away.  As I was reading, I realized I missed hearing the character deliver the words.  My imagining of the character speaking could not have been as good as how he would have delivered it.  I should have bought the audiobook.

At that time, I was still in the mindset that audiobooks were "cheating," but I wasn't in school anymore, and this book was for my enjoyment.  Of all the books to listen to rather than read, surely this would be the one.  So when America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren't came out, I did the smart thing - I signed up for a free Audible trial and downloaded that audiobook as my free book.  (Tip: Now Audible is giving you 2 free books instead of just 1 during the free 30-day trial!)

Hearing the book read by the Stephen Colbert character was definitely more entertaining than reading it myself in my head.  So in addition to the hundreds of hours of entertainment Colbert provided me through his show and books, I also have to thank him for opening my mind to audiobooks and realizing that sometimes it can be preferable to reading myself.

The world will be watching with anticipation on September 8, as Stephen Colbert walks onto the stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater.  As a long-time fan of the David Letterman, it will be odd not seeing him, but based on his past work, I am excited about how Stephen Colbert will carry on the torch.

More free coffee and treats

If you frequent Starbucks, you really should sign up for their loyalty program, My Starbucks Rewards.  I just earned another free drink today.  I think I've probably had as many free drinks as I've bought drinks from them this year.

All you have to do to sign up is register a Starbucks gift card with your information, and you'll get a free drink or food item on your birthday.  You don't even have to make any purchases, just register the gift card.  Make sure you opt-in for emails to get promotions.  You'll see why later.

Once you reach the green level, which requires earning 5 stars in a year (an equivalent of 5 purchases but could be less if there are promotions), you also get free refills on hot or iced brewed coffee and tea.

When you earn 30 stars in a year, you reach gold level.  Gold gives you all the same benefits as the lower levels, plus you get a free drink or food item for every 12 stars you earn.

Reaching gold is actually not that difficult, especially if you're a regular Starbucks customer.  I started the program when I was working for a company that required having a lot of "coffee chats" with co-workers, so I was having to buy coffee several times a week.  I figured, I was spending the money anyway, so I might as well get some free drinks now and then.

Loading a gift card and using it to make a purchase doesn't cost any more than using cash or credit card directly at the register.  And I was still getting my cash back benefits (see my post on Discover) because reloading of Starbucks gift cards usually counts as a restaurant purchase.

The best part about earning stars after reaching gold level is it's incredibly easy.  If you sign up for their emails, every now and then, you'll be notified of a promotion where you can earn bonus stars for your purchases.  There are some really good ones like earning 4 bonus stars for a certain type of purchase.  I've also had a deal where if I make 3 purchases in a certain time frame, I get 10 bonus stars.  That means those 3 purchases alone get me a free drink.  Note that a "purchase" means a "swipe" at the register, so buying 20 coffees in one transaction counts the same as buying just 1 cake pop.

As a special, if you sign up through this referral, you get a free drink without having to wait for your birthday.  Enjoy the buzz!

Care Bears and other 80s toys

It seems like toy brands hit their peak in the 1980s, back when parents had to line up around a store, hoping to be able to bring back that special doll.  Of course, being a child of the 80s, I may be biased.  Here's a list of some of my favorites.  Let me know what you think.

• Care Bears
• Rainbow Brite
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Glo Worm
• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Transformers
• My Little Pony

Not too shabby, huh?  Many of these toys have been resurrected and made a comeback.  Perhaps it's because they were great toys and can't help but be a part of mainstream society again, or perhaps the kids that played with them are now in positions at various companies to bring them back.  Either way, they made an impression, triggered something sentimental, and I'm happy they're available for another generation.

Sure, the toys and games today are pretty impressive, and I'm sure kids love them, but it's hard for me to grow an emotional attachment to them, probably because they're not made for someone my age . . .  At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old person starting a rant about how things were better back in the day, I'll just say, the great thing about these revamped 80s toys (even though they're not exactly the same as they used to be) is that the parent and child can both appreciate and connect over them.

So for those of you about to have or that already have young children, yes, go ahead and get the latest toys and useful equipment.  But also make room on your registries for something you had also wanted as a child.  The great thing is nowadays, it's all available and easy to get without having to line up around the store.

In-N-Out Burger is in

The west coast doesn't have Wegmans, but it does have In-N-Out Burger.  I don't often miss living in California, but when I do, it's usually because I'm craving In-N-Out.

Even if you've never been near one, you've probably heard of it at some point.  People love In-N-Out and its not-so-secret secret menu.  I'm boring and usually just get a regular cheeseburger (lettuce, tomatoes, raw onions, no spread) and fries, but the cheeseburger and fries aren't boring.  Everything is fresh and you can actually watch them cut the potatoes for the fries while you're waiting for your order.

When I feel adventurous, I will order off the In-N-Out secret menu.  My go-to are animal fries with spread on the side.  Anything "animal style" consists of having grilled onions on it, and some other stuff depending on if you're getting a burger or fries.  Animal fries are their normal fries with cheese, grilled onions, and "spread" (In-N-Out's sauce which is similar to thousand island dressing).  For burgers, you can get them animal style, and you can order different patty/cheese counts:

• double-double - 2 beef patties, 2 cheese slices
• 4x4 (pronounced "four by four") - 4 beef patties and 4 cheese slices
• 8x8 - you get the idea
• And I'm sure more.  But you have to wonder why you're getting so much meat and cheese.

For those on a bread-free diet, you can get "protein", which means the burger is wrapped in lettuce instead of bread.  And for the vegetarians, you can get grilled cheese, which can have the same ingredients as a cheeseburger minus the beef.

I'm not a milkshake fan, but people who are seem to like them.  In-N-Out serves vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, but you can ask them to combine flavors if you'd like.

Why I like this place is not just the good food, but also it was a fun place to go in my college days.  It's usually open until 1am or so, and I actually think I didn't go there during daylight until after I graduated.  When you go during peak times (lunch, dinner, or late at night if you're near a college) it can be tough to get a table.  But sometimes it was fun to stake out different corners of the restaurant with your friends, so one of you could claim a table for the group as soon as someone finished eating and stood up.

These days, I usually go through the drive thru or get my food to go, but every time I bite into one of the "ketchup and mustard instead of spread" burgers, I am brought back to my college days and soothe my craving.