Rainey’s Favorites - Sons Michael and Jonathan and Dyson

2/1/2009 - Well, my first favorite thing is my new Dyson vacuum!  What a machine.  My son, JonBoy, bought one sometime ago and was an immediate convert.  Dyson this, Dyson that, vacuuming everyday.  Well, since we have two cats, one dog and live in the country, i.e., no paved road, no paved driveway, no sidewalks, we burn wood to supplement our heat, our environment calls out for a Dyson.  So… one fine Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago we headed off to Sears to “buy more vacuum bags.”  Truth is, I’d already scoped out the Dyson online, knew which model we NEEDED (DC17 Animal), and knew they were available at Sears.  Once there we got a great demo from another Dyson convert.  SOLD!  I’ll admit they are pricey, but sometimes it’s important to invest in the very best.  Today my house is cleaner, it feels better when I clean, I can see the results.  Today my other son, Mikey, bought his own Dyson!  We’re hooked, you will be too.  Vacuum on!

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Rainey’s Favorite - Grandma Flax and Chantilly

2/11/2009 - I wanted to share with you another of my favorite things, Chantilly perfume.  I’ve been wearing Chantilly for many, many years.

I discovered the fragrance while  hugging my Grandmother, Lillian (side note:  I didn’t call her Lillian).  She  smelled so sweet, always.  I don’t know if I ever told her so, but I proclaim it to her now, “Grandma you always smelled so sweet.”  I was her “housekeeper” during the early 1970’s and must admit I should have done a better job for the $10 I was paid.  I remember dusting her dresser, a 1960’s whitewashed style, four-drawer with a mirror on top.  Chantilly was always there with her lacy doilies, a brush and mirror set plus other ultra feminine frills.  Grandma was petite, elegant and feminine, a real lady.  Her long finger nails always impressed me - I am a nail biter.  Always polished and manicured, professionally!

I didn’t know her well.  I don’t think anyone of us did.  She was the master of elusiveness, keeping her feelings and outward declarations of affection to herself.  We’ll never know the reasons why she remained so guarded, what of her history made her that way, but we loved her and love her still.  So each morning when I get ready for work, I’ll spritz on a little Chantilly and think of Grandma.

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Rainey’s Favorite - Grace and Oil of Olay

I want to talk a little about dry skin today. Now before you men out there decide to exit this page, be put on notice that dry skin isn’t just a “girl thing.”

Since I’m now over 50 (when did that happen), I’m paying a bit more attention to advertising that promises - younger looking skin, reduced wrinkles and antiaging secrets. Those are big promises and I’m all ears. In spite of my Plaid is King philosophy I still possess a little bit of vanity and if slathering on some cream will do the trick - well sign me up!

Now I do realize that all these claims are really empty promises, but one morning recently, as I got ready for work I looked in the mirror and thought, “Who is that old women in my bathroom?” That’s when I decided maybe I should reconsider and try some of these magic potions or avoid mirrors for the duration.

For years my favorite moisturizer has been Oil of Olay and it’s been great. I still prefer it above all others, but as I’ve gotten older my skin has become much drier. I could have just upped the ante and purchased one of the “industrial strength” moisturizers OoO has to offer, but they are a bit pricey. I decided I’d shop around for that miracle at a bargain price.

I tried “dermatologist recommended” antiaging creams that have no fragrance and I realized after trying them that I enjoy the fragrance - that’s half the attraction. I did nibble and buy a Dove cream. I had to they feature real women, young and old, fat and thin, in their advertising. Plus they offer a cream that promised to tighten the skin. Cool - I have plenty of skin that needs tightening, “I’ll take a drum.”

Then there was the Vitaman E cream, and the Ann Lorraine cream (had to try that one - it’s good) and many more. No major transformations happened. No tighter, wrinkle-free, twenty-something skin appeared in my house. Not unless it was being worn by my niece, who is indeed wrinkle-free and twenty something.

After all this “scientific” research I’m convinced that unless they come up with a special cream and that will give you the body of say, Angelina Jolie with plump lips and big boobs, I think I stick with my old favorite Oil of Olay.

Truth is there is no magic potion for getting back your twenty-something skin and the only antiaging secret I can think of would eliminate the need for creams, lotions and potions of any kind. So my suggestion to you is try Oil of Olay Beauty Fluid (Original), use a heaping helping and embrace your wrinkles as a badge of honor. I am proclaiming with confidence that Oil of Olay Beauty Fluid is “Rainey’s Favorite (like Oprah, but affordable).”

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