Dove Damage Therapy Color Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

By request! A review on budget-friendly hair care for colored hair.

As you have seen by now, I am a bit obsessed with hair care. I do not mind spending money on quality products. However, a friend pointed out that not everyone wants to shell out big bucks to have good hair. If that sounds like you, and you have color-treated hair, meet your new friends!

At under $5/each for a 12 0z bottle, this product is a steal. I have been using it for a week now and my hair looks great-healthy, shiny, but not weighed down. I have tried other drugstore brands and had poor results. Many will coat the hair follicles, making it hard to hold a style. This is especially true of those green bottles that start with a G, and the other well-known drugstore brand that starts with a P. I am sure you know what I am talking about. STAY AWAY!

I have also had Dove recommended to me by two wonderful hair stylists. They wouldn't go on the record, but one confessed she used this when she wanted her hair to smell good for her honey, and the other whispered that this is the only drugstore brand worth trying.

Dove claims this shampoo/conditioner combo is superior because they contain micro-moisture serum and fiber actives, which reportedly "penetrate to help reconstruct hair from within". Although I haven't tried any complicated hair styles since using these, my everyday blowout looks good and I am happy with the results. I do find I have to use a bit more of this product than salon brands, because salon brands tend to be more concentrated, but still, this is a bargain and I would recommend it to anyone with color-treated hair.

Have any of you used other Dove hair products and enjoyed them?

Bumble and bumble Mending Shampoo and Conditioner

Inhale....ahh, bliss.

Shower happiness, thy name is Bumble and bumble Mending shampoo and conditioner.

IF, like me you regularly blow-dry, curl, flat-iron, or color your hair, it probably needs a little extra love.

IF you are not on a tight budget....splurge and try the newest from Bumble and bumble.

The shampoo is very concentrated and one only needs a little for rich lather that smells heavenly and doesn't strip the hair. The conditioner is not too slippery but nourishes. I like that I can use this and not weigh my hair down, while knowing I am getting enough conditioning for my stressed-out hair.

After using the Mending shampoo and conditioner, I still use my favorite post-shower maintenance products, Redken Anti-Snap and Moroccan Oil. Read more here:

http://dishfromtrish.blogspot.com/2010/04/shining-streaming-gleaming-flaxen-waxen.html

I am still loving my Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, and alternately use Biolage Color care and Redken color products.

What shampoo and conditioners do you swear by?

Steak and Broccoli Stir-fry

Another awesome recipe from Cook's Country!

I cooked this for my friend Shannon's visit last night. I wanted something I could do most of the prep for in the morning, and then just throw in the skillet when we returned from our zoo adventure. I liked it, but wasn't sure if she would be down for stir-fry. Guess what? She had seconds!

You can do all your veggie chopping in the morning, as well as cook your rice. Then, when you get home, it is just a matter of whisking up the sauce and cooking everything together. This dish is great for people who like the steaks and sauce of traditional stir-fry, but maybe not all the funkier vegetables. The first few ingredients are easy to find in the "ethnic" section of most major grocery stores.

Did you know....if you don't have a big enough non-stick skillet for stir-frying, you can use a bigger regular pot, just increase the oil by 1-2 more tablespoons to keep everything from sticking. Remember, get that oil really hot, it will make everything cook quickly and get a nice brown on the steak. Also, keeping the veggies cut into similar size pieces helps everything cook evenly.

Photo courtesy of everyday health, since I don't photograph food very well.

(also, my kitchen gets MESSY :)

Cook's Country Steak and Broccoli Stir-fry (serves 4)

Recipe courtesy of September 2010 issue

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Asian chili-garlic sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds), sliced thin*

1 pound broccoli, florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems peeled and cut into 1/4 inch rounds

2 carrots ( I used 3), peeled and cute into 1/4 inch rounds

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 in chunks ( I added this, yay me)

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (this is really important, use FRESH not dried)

1 tablespoon sesame seeds**

1. Cook your rice and toast your sesame seeds

2. Combine hoisin, water, soy and chili-garlic sauce in bowl; set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook half of steak until browned, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with additional 2 teaspoons oil and remaining steak.

3. Add remaining oil, broccoli STEMS and carrots to now-empty skillet and cook, COVERED until nearly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add hoisin mixture, broccoli FLORETS and any accumulated beef juices and simmer until sauce is thickened and vegetables are tender, 3-5 minutes. Stir in beef and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

* Slice the beef with the grain into three long strips, then cut each strip across the grain into 1/4 inch thick slices. For easiest slicing, freeze the steaks for 15 minutes beforehand.

** Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning.

Quick Chicken Pad Thai

The Dish from Trish can't be just make-up! I will keep including fun recipes as I experiment in the kitchen.

Lately, I have been loving the 30-Minute Supper recipes from Cook's Country. I would highly suggest getting a subscription if you love food but don't have a lot of time in the evenings. Given the choice, I would gladly spend an hour in the kitchen each night, because I love to cook, but that is just not realistic for me. Since I started using these recipes, I am still able to cook from a variety of cuisines and feel like I am eating healthfully and frugally!

This recipe is super easy since it uses an already cooked rotisserie chicken. If you keep some basics on hand, you just have to pop to the shop for chicken and cilantro, and maybe bean sprouts. Because asian food items are so readily available now, you shouldn't have any trouble finding ingredients.

You can enjoy a 14-day trial subscription by clicking here:

http://www.cookscountry.com/pwlogin.asp?did=4170&area=recipe&iseason=

Last night we had Quick Chicken Pad Thai.

For my kitchen novices--did you know you should read through a recipe a couple of times before you start cooking? I have found with these quick-cooking asian-inspired dishes, having all the ingredients measured and ready to go means I don't panic when I have a skillet full of hot oil! We are not all those show-off chefs at Big Bowl, ok?

Cook's Country Quick Chicken Pad Thai (serves 4)

Recipe available courtesy of May 2007 issue

8 ounces dried rice stick noodles, about 1/8 inch wide*

3/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup fish sauce**

1/4 cup juice from 2 limes

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)

4 garlic cloves, minced ( I used 6 cloves, Ialways add more garlic than is called for)

1/4 cup bean sprouts ( I omitted these, mine smelled funny!)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

lime wedges and additional cilantro, for garnish

1. Cover rice sticks with hot tap water (I just boiled water in my tea-kettle while I started shredding the chicken, I live with an Irishman so we use the tea kettle alot!) and soak until softened but not fully tender, about 20 minutes. Drain noodles. While noodles are soaking, whisk 3/4 cup warm water, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar in bowl until sugar is dissolved.

2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking***. Add chicken and garlic and cook until lightly browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add noodles and fish sauce mixture and cook until noodles are coated with sauce, about 3 minutes ( I tossed the noodles with rubber-ended tongs). Scatter bean sprouts and cilantro over noodles and continue to cook, tossing constantly, until noodles are fully tender. Serve, topping with chopped scallions and peanuts if desired. I also garnished with additional cilantro and lime wedges.

*I used Golden Pak Rice Vermicelli

**I used Kikkoman Oyster Sauce

(You can also substitute 4 minced anchovy fillets in 1/4 cup soy sauce)

***This is CRUCIAL! Get that skillet hot so you can really brown the chicken!

Clean up is quick! Chopping board, some bowls, skillet....not too bad! And we ate all of it-no leftovers. This will definitely go into regular rotation!

Let me know what you think!

CoverGirl LashBlast and other drugstore mascara reviews

Two confessions:

First, I am currently putting off making a video post until I fix my hair. Mama needs a touch-up!

Second, you DO NOT need to spend a ton of money to get a great mascara!

THERE---I SAID IT!

Videos will be made, hopefully soon, but this mascara review just could not wait. I do lurve high-quality make-up, and my collection proves I don't mind spending money on it, but seriously, you do not need to fork over big bucks for a great mascara. Keep reading and learn about my favorites as well as some to avoid!

CoverGirl Lash Blast

I have a crush on this mascara. It is perfect for everyday use. The brush allows you to build volume and length equally for beautiful lashes. As with all CoverGirl mascaras, this comes in a variety of colors. I like the Black. If you are very fair, opt for the Black/Brown.

My friend used the waterproof version on her wedding day, and it really lasted, without flaking or clumping. I am looking forward to trying the fusion option, with brighter colors and shimmer.

If you need a perfect mascara for daily use, check this out. It retails for around $7.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum Express Waterproof

Perhaps the most disappointing mascara I have ever used!

I wanted the look of false lashes. Somedays, I feel like I just want huge, long, gorgeous lashes, and I thought this would be the ticket. WRONG! Clumpy, clumpy, clumpy. Honey, if I can't make a mascara look good, it ain't good! The formula doesn't work for me, and I found the brush cumbersome. I cannot WAIT to throw this one away.

I have used the regular Volum Express and found it to be satisfactory. Not amazing, but ok.

Maybelline Great Lash BIG Mascara

Meh.

Maybelline Great Lash has long been a favorite of make-up artists, and the basic Great Lash is good. It's a classic. For $5, you simply can't go wrong. I don't love the BIG though. I think it is trying to be Benefit's BADgal Lash, but it's not as luxurious. I could survive with this mascara, but I am not in love. If you crave a really big brush and can splurge, go for the Benefit-it's the original, and retails for $19. If you want to stay under $5, go for the Maybelline, but don't say I didn't warn you.

CoverGirl LashBlast Length

Ok, I know I already said I love the regular CoverGirl LashBlast. But this mascara is SO GOOD! The nylon in the formula is what is credited for keeping it from flaking. I have found my lashes keep that soft, flexible look, so they appear real, not caked-on and gross. The skinny long brush distributes the product evenly along the entire length of each lash. You can layer this one on and not get clumps.

If you want to go for a bit more length, this is the mascara for you. I am using the Black, but think when I stock up, I am going to get the Very Black as well, for ultra-glam nights out. Retails for $7-8 bucks, and absolutely worth it. As with the other CoverGirls....if you are very fair opt for Black/Brown.

I hope you found this helpful! Let me know what you think!

New Make-up!

I applied for my MAC Pro card last week! This is big news! It means I get to purchase MAC products at a discount....an advantage of being "in the field". I am so excited. I will get my card in a few weeks, but I did get to purchase items that day, with the discount. I exercised restraint, but did pick up a few brushes I have been coveting...

The 217 Blending Brush

The 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

And I am also now obsessed with the blush recommended by one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Amy, at http://www.makeupandbeauty.ie/

She recommended M.A.C.'s Springsheen, and I have been loving it this past month. I layer it over Benefit's Posietint, and am constantly asked what I am wearing on my cheeks. I love it because it looks good whether or not I have a tan.

I am still searching for the secret to taking better self-portraits so that I can share different looks with you. I don't know if it's my camera, the way I hold my giant head, or the fact that I have small eyes, but I never can take a good shot! So, until I figure that out.....here goes nothing!

Once I get the hang of better pictures, I start posting some how-to tutorials!

My other current favorite product is Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl! It came out last month and I am sooooo enjoying how it gives my skin a glow!!

It is a "liquid pearl for face", basically, a golden-pink highlighter that I have been using on cheekbones and cheeks, and down the center of the nose and a bit on the forehead. So pretty and girly!

I am just starting to get excited for fall make-up....a return to jewel tones and smooth, matte luminous skin. I will have to think up some fun new looks!

Too Hot in the Kitchen

Meet my favorite summer dinner!

A new take on the caprese salad, this is delicious and unexpected.

Mango-Mozzarella Salad

1 ripe mango

1 bocconcini mozzarella ball

5 basil leaves (I chiffonade them)

extra virgin olive oil

white wine vinegar

Slice mango and mozzarella.

Chiffonade* the basil.

Sprinkle basil over salad.

Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar.

Finish with a dash of freshly cracked black pepper and a bit of sea salt.

So delicious and dinner is ready in 5 minutes!

I ate it tonight with crusty, sourdough bread.

Is anyone still wondering the easiest way to cut a mango?

*chiffonade: stack all your basil leaves, biggest on the bottom, roll them up tight. Slice your little bundle into 1/8"think sections. Now you have little ribbons of basil!

Scrub a dub dub...

Ok, I am going to share my enthusiasm for another Benefit product. For those of you who like a really gritty exfoliator, this scrub is for you!!

"Honey, Snap Out of It" can be used as a scrub, or my favorite, as a mask. Benefit's website claims it is "An a.m. cleansing scrub that gently exfoliates and vacuum cleans your skin with soft almonds, natural honey and Vitamin E, leaving your skin simply sumptuous." I like the oat kernel protein that's in it, which I really feel helps pull gunk out of your pores. I apply a thin layer all over my face, let it dry for 10 minutes, and then SOFTLY massage it off with a warm, wet washcloth. I like to do this at night, and then apply my night time skin care...

This actually does what it claims to do! You use two drops over clean skin at night, and your face looks fresher and restored in the morning.

This is basically a combination of essential oils, is paraben free, and 99.8% natural ingredients. I also love that Kiehl's does a great job of using recycled materials, and collects their empty bottles from customers. They are one of the more eco-conscious beauty brands out there.

After the concentrate, I apply either my Neutrogena anti-wrinkle cream (see older post) or an acne treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. I am still searching for the best ones of these, but as a rule, favor Neutrogena. For drugstore products, they work well, and are affordable.

Don't forget eye cream!! What are you using? WAIT, you don't use one! You better start! It's never too early!

Thanks to TiffanyD, http://www.youtube.com/user/MakeupByTiffanyD I gave Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream a shot. I like it for morning, under make-up use.

At night I still like my Kiehl's Abbyssine Eye cream. It is more moisturizing.

I am looking for everyone's feedback on what they do when their skin gets hormonal, I still have one week a month where my skin doesn't behave!

Ooh, Morocco!

So glorious. I am loving this shampoo right now!

And of course, the conditioner! Wow. My hair is so shiny and full! I am surprised at how it can have such healthy volume. I am trying to let it air dry a few more days a week, since I could see how the heat styling was starting to really wreck the ends. If you haven't tried Moroccan Oil products, they really are worth it.

I rotate these with Redken Color Extend products, and the Enjoy Sulfate-free Luxury line. Every once in a while, I will try a drugstore brand. Garnier was the most recent one, since I like the smell. I can't stand how they make my hair feel though! I know, I sound like such a snob. I have heard good things about the Dove color line, so that might be up next. Do you have a favorite shampoo/conditioner pairing?

Moving on from hair, new lip glosses from Benefit came out this week! I can't lie, one of my favorite perks is the freebies we get!

These glosses are far superior to our old ones. The colors are gorgeous! The texture is sheer with no gloppiness, and the smell is light watermelon. I think the brush applicator is better than the old sponge ones, too!

Even the colors that look neon go on the lips super sheer and flattering. I haven't blogged much about my new job, as I am not sure how much I can legally say! But I do like it, challenges and all, and will share more soon!

Shining, streaming, gleaming, flaxen waxen!

Can anyone name the song I quoted in the title?

It's taken a long time, but I finally love my hair.

Those of you who have known me for years may remember some of the following:

• The never-ending spiral perms of the late 80s
• The ill-advised short-cut in 3rd grade
• The worst hair cut of my life in '95 RIGHT before I started high school
• The streaky highlights of early college years
• The self-administered maroon hair that appeared every so often

Really, I should be posting pics with this! I will have to dig up some oldies and scan them

ANYWAY....this is all just to say that, while I have had some HORRIBLE hair in the past, I actually like my hair now, AND, I am often asked how I get it to stay so healthy. It's simple. I credit the following two products with allowing me to grow my hair out, color it, heat style it almost every day, and still look shiny and full.

Ladies (and some gentlemen) meet my dear friends:

I use a nickel-size amount of moroccan oil after every washing--I just rub it between my hands and pull it through my ends. AMAZING! This changed my life. It keeps your hair shiny and conditioned, but is not greasy. I really this this is what lets me heat style my hair so frequently, yet have minimal split ends.

My other fave:

I use 3 pumps of this after every shampoo as well--rubbing it between my palms and spreading it through my hair starting at the roots. This prevents that awful breaking off of hair that can occur when you wear frequent ponytails or pull your bangs back off your face. It also helps keep my color-treated hair stronger as the roots grow out.

For styling, I typically use Bumble and bumble products. I will do a separate post about those.

What are your hair care secrets?

I am trying a new mask tonight! I have read about Queen Helene for years, but have never tried it. Maybe this will end my quest to banish blackheads. I will post my feedback!

While I let my mask work, I will be soaking in a new bathbomb from Lush! Have I mentioned my new obsession with this store and product line? My favorite bath bomb so far is Avobath

It is amazing and made my bath water so slippy and fun.

Tonight, I am diving into Big Blue!

In addition to the eye cream I blogged about below, which I cannot recommend highly enough, I am also loving this:

It has taken years off my face! Now, to find the solution to the never-ending problem of blackheads. Any suggestions?

A Red Lipstick Day

Today I did a Sandra Bullock inspired make-up look.

Sadly I did not take a picture.

Doesn't she look fabulous, though?

If I do the look tomorrow, I will grab a shot of it!

Did anyone else watch the Oscars? I wanted Meryl Streep to nab Best Actress, I LOVE "Julie and Julia", but now I am dying to see "The Blind Side."

What was the most unexpected moment of the show for you?

Motivation, one lipstick at a time

Today is Day 5 without drinking soda. This is HUGE for me.

If I make it a full week, I get to go buy this!! This is the newest addition to MAC's Viva Glam line, the proceeds from which go to AIDS research. I just kinda wanna try a totally different kind of lipstick, and I do admit to liking Lady Gaga a bit!

I must admit I love the texture and smell MAC lipsticks. I am not saying that I will buy a new lipstick for every week I go without soda, but I am not saying I won't, either.

This will change your life...

...if you wear eye make-up.

I am hooked on this eye make-up remover from Target! It is their store brand, Up & up, and it costs less than $5.00 Takes off all eye make-up, without tugging at the delicate skin in that area. Rinses easily with water, but really, you should be washing your whole face anyway.

After you wash your face (and stay tuned, I am searching for a good cleanser) this is great for the eye area:

Worth every penny! And you can get a HUGE sample just by asking!

I wish someone had made me start using an eye cream at age 20. Now I can only play catch-up.

Minestrone!

I just made a pretty freakin' sweet soup!

I am not good at taking pictures of food, although I do try, so here is the photo of Better Minestrone from Cook's Illustrated!

P-Funk got a subscription to the amazing magazine from my parent's for his birthday. So far we have both enjoyed recipes from the issues! You can check out the recipe in the link below.

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/article.asp?docid=21480

Today was my day off, and I had been planning on making this Minestrone for awhile. It was a grey, slushy day in Chicago, and this soup was the perfect antidote. (That and the airbrush tan I got today!) I think I could have soaked the beans for longer, although they did get about 18 hours in salted water, and when I simmered them tonight for an hour, I probably could have had the heat higher. I have to be honest, I love the trial and error aspect of cooking.

This week is going to be hectic at work, for a number of reasons I won't go into detail about here. I need to carve out time to write, and more importantly, to work out. I was supposed to go join the gym today. I have been saying that for months! At this point, I am the biggest obstacle to my own success. Hopefully acknowledging that will inspire me to shut up and just do something!

Well, here is to a mostly successful day off, and to finally getting back to blogging. Now, I just need to get back to Pilates and that good ol' treadmill.