Product endorsements!

I am really rocking the Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color. I use it to paint my toenails and this color (red, red, red) has stayed looking like I just applied it (even on my pinky toes!) for two weeks. Usually the color chips off after a few days. This is still shiny and pretty after all this time. I also used the Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat and it worked great as well. It's possibly the best $8 I've spent at Target in a while.

Wednesday morning I woke up with the most irritated and angry skin on my cheeks, forehead and nose. I wasn't sure what happened overnight, but my skin was blotchy, patchy, scaly, burning and itching. I used my expensive sensitive skin Bliss cleanser and moisturizer that I've used for more than a year, and my poor face, y'all. It was awful. I kept cleansing and moisturizing and nothing was helping. I went home this weekend and told my grandmother I wasn't wearing makeup (my grandmother is the type that she has to have her hair and face done to go to the mailbox) because my face was so irritated. She told me to try some of her Pond's cold cream and sensitive skin cream and y'all. Angels sang. My face was instantly soothed and I could tell the dryness and blotchiness was getting better. I don't think my face has ever been happier.

She told me about a little old lady who always came into the store (my grandmother worked as a bookkeeper for a grocery store for 25 years) every Saturday to buy her groceries who had the most perfect porcelain skin. She always purchased Pond's cold cream and swore that was all she used.

The Da Vinci Code #1

I know some of you over at geekjul's haven't read The Da Vinci Code and I hope that you will join us.

I've just ended Chapter 54 which looks to be about halfway through.  I don't know if I like this book.  I think primarily what I don't like about it is Dan Brown's writing style.  Every break does not have to be a cliffhanger.  I'm intrigued by the subject matter, I don't know if all of his "facts" are facts or if they are convenient to make the story fall together better.  I find myself reading and itching to google some of the things he discusses.  I think I may read Holy Blood, Holy Grail to get a better idea of the facts surrounding the fiction.  I have to say that I feel nothing for the characters except maybe Mr. Curator.  I feel more for the mystery and what it all means (which may have been what Dan Brown intended? for the mystery to be the central character?).

I suppose one of the things that will come up in a discussion of this book is what a person's religious beliefs are (or are not).  I would think that your beliefs will shade how you accept and receive the book.  Like I said in the previous post, I know nothing of all the hoo-ha over the book, why people hate it, why people love it, but I have a pretty good idea now.  

I'd be interested in how many people are reading with us and your thoughts.  I'm also interested in those of you who hated it, why you hated it when we get to the overall discussion.  Please feel free to comment.