shopyack

Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter Review

2010-03-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

How did the Topsy Turvy tomato planter do?

I got a good crop of cherry tomatoes late last summer with the Topsy Turvy. I thought it was a little strange the way the tomato vines emerged from the narrow opening of the lantern-like container, but I have to say it did grow a nice number of tomatoes in a yard which does not get a lot of sun.

You can of course also position it as you need to in your yard and find a zone that gets more sun than others. Because it's tall and narrow, you don't need a big swath of land to set it up in.

I give the planter two thumbs up and I may use it again this summer. One decision I've definitely made is to stick with cherry tomatoes, the smaller tomatoes, and not the large varieties -- the limited amount of sun in my yard simply won't support it.

Somewhere on one of my computers I have photos of the tomatoes grown with the Topsy Turvy -- unfortunately I could not locate the pix from last summer so for now you are stuck with the picture of me, below.

Ready to write another review.

Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter Review

2009-06-08T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Topsy Turvy upside-down tomato hanging planter: the answer to all your tomato growing problems or an overpriced paper lantern?

Yes, I purchased the Topsy Turvy, not just because I have a thing for "As Seen on TV" products, but also because I've had a tomato-red devil of a time getting those buggers to grow in my shady yard. I needed something that I could set wherever, and that wasn't too wide, as I don't have many patches of sunlight.

On opening the box, I was surprised and a bit worried to see there weren't any paper directions inside. Just the incredibly simple instructions, "Put the plant in the bottom, soil in the top, and you're done!"

There was, however, a paper sheet of tomato recipes. OK. That's nice, but still.

So, all right, you put the plant in upside down, I figured, so the leaves and stem are poking out the hole in the bottom.

You have to be careful threading the fragile stem and leaves through that hole. And there was a white round spongy thing covering the hole that I wasn't sure what to do with. were you supposed to thread the leaves thru it?

I left it out, and now the plant is in place, with soil on top. We'll see how it grows.

Watch this space for the tantalizing results.

InStyler: Will It Live up to the Hype?

2009-05-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

I've just ordered the trial version of "The Instyler," a rotating hot iron with an attached brush. Purported to be the greatest thing since frizz-free sliced bread, it's supposed to make your however frizzy hair smooth and shiny.

This skeptic will believe it when she sees it..but if it works as well as the RevoStyler, which I used to love until it broke, it should be pretty great, actually.

Oprah Endorses Amazon Kindle: Where You Can Get it Cheap

2008-10-30T15:21:00.001-07:00

Yes, Oprah Winfrey has endorsed the amazon Kindle. The screams of the women int he audience ripping open their foil-sealed devices was only second to those I've heard on her "Favorite Things" holiday show. One women even had tears in her eyes.

Her Oprahness has announced this her new fave gadget, even life-changing. But with its retail price at a not-so-cheap $359, is it possible to get one for less?

I trolled eBay (as I am wont to do), and found a range of from $107.50 for a kindle with a broken screen, to $369 with free overnight shipping.

There are several around the $310 - $315 range, including one in "mint condition" that went for $321.08.

If you want to poke around the amazon Kindle listings, check it out below:

Tide to Go on eBay

2008-10-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

I meant to say this on my previous blog post about Tide to Go - but here is how you can buy Tide to Go sticks on eBay:

Tide to Go - It works on rugs, too

2008-10-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

OK, one of my latest fave products is the lil' "Tide to Go" stick. You know the one that had those funny commercials when it was introduced..with the soldier erasing his stain and yelling "Sir, what stain sir???"

This does work like a charm on stains on clothing. I even got out old stains that were on a Santana knit white St. John skirt. It was good as new.

Here's something you may not know about, tho...it works on rugs, too. Well, it would be hard to use on *big* stains on rugs, but I did get out a small coffee stain on our white carpeting in the bedroom. And we are talking dark coffee!

Check it out. It's a good idea to keep one in your purse. (No, they are not paying me to say this, but I am open for endorsements). :-D

Hydroxatone Face Cream Consumer Review

2008-10-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

OK, I'll admit I was sucked in by the mesmerizing animated ad...I think it was on AOL. It showed a woman with a wrinkled face, morphing through several less-wrinkled versions of her face, until she loked about 20 years younger.

I thought about taking the bait until one day, a radio ad clinched the deal. (Hey, I'm human!). It featured a woman talking about how much younger her husband said she looked. I figured, how much could it hurt to try the thing?

So I went ahead and ordered it one day, when, as usual, I had about five minutes to spare before heading out the door. The problem was, the lady on the other end of the phone seemed determined to not let me off in five minutes. She wanted to engage me in conversation, ask about wrinkles, etc. etc., and then explain the many benefits of the Hydroxatone product, how it "goes on like silk," etc., etc. (And more etecteras).

I finally cut to the chase and said "I just want to order the product, please; I have to go somewhere," but after saying she would have me off very soon she proceeded to try to upsell me on some other subscription-based products.

You know, the kind that keep coming unless you specifically ask to cancel them..and usually you don't get around to that until after you've spent more than you wanted.

Well, I finally ordered the thing, after politely but exasperatedly declining the other stuff.

So how did it work?

Well, I must say it comes in nice packaging...a lovely round green glass jar. And it is a smooth cream that goes on "like silk" and blends nicely, similar to Oil of Olay, of which I am a fan.

But I can't say that, for me, my face underwent that dramatic transformation that those animated ads depicted. It may have smoothed things out a little.

I'm going to continue to use it until my supply is used up, but at this point, unless I see a big change in the third month, I don't plan to order a new stash.

If you do buy it, I do recommend you take a "before" and "after" picture so you can compare them if you want.

O Organics Yogurt Rocks

2008-09-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

It's not all about shoes here at shopyack. We really like O Organics brand yogurt...esp the raspberry variety.

It has a wonderful flavor and just the right consistency. Not too sweet, not too bland.

I..I mean we...couldnt't find it at Safeway the other day. Please, say it isn't going the way of Fortified Oat Flakes, Big Buddy gum, Corn Bran, Choco-Lite, and all the other great foods that went bye-bye after I decided I really liked them.

The Best Flip-Flops: Goodbye for the Summer

2008-09-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

I finally had to say goodbye to the best flip-flops ever. I've worn them nearly every day of every summer since buying them about six years ago, and they've held up amazingly. But they finally snapped the other day, one of the straps pulling away from the top.

They are super-soft and mold to your feet. I'm going to post a photo of the worn-out flip-flops soon.

I couldn't find them aty any major online store, but you can buy them via their company's website, Island Slipper, at http://www.islandslipper.com.

(They're not paying me to say this. I just really think they're great flip-flops).

Well, I ordered another pair. :-)

Shopyack

2008-07-05T17:31:00.001-07:00

Coming soon...shopyack moves to blogger!