Flowers -- Holidays or Everyday

This is my periodic reminder to YOU, dear reader, to BUY FLOWERS FOR YOUR MOTHER.

Go to Trader Joe's.  Pick up a poinsettia if they still have some in stock.  Get one of those sweet little Christmas trees in pots.  Get a bouquet of pretty colored blooms.  Get ANYTHING - just GET FLOWERS FOR YOUR MOTHER!

Sure, she may say, "I don't need flowers,".  She might say, "Oh, you shouldn't have...".  But trust me, you SHOULD.

And you might think, "But I can't afford flowers!  I mean, it is the holiday season, I have spent so much on gifts already, I am strapped for cash".  But flowers at Trader Joe's are very, very reasonably priced, and your mom will SMILE when you give them to her.  

Don't wait for a special occasion-  do it today.  Think of all she has done for you - all of the "gifts" she has given over the years (some that came in boxes and some that were gifts of time and love).  Gift her back!  Show her you care.  Do it today.

Do it while you can still look her in the eye as you hand them to her.  Tell her how thankful you are for all she has done for you.  If you are 6, 16, or 50 - if your mom is still here on earth, GIVE HER FLOWERS.

Because someday, you won't be able to hand them to her.  Sure, you might still buy them in her memory, but trust me, it is not the same.  Give them to her NOW, while she can appreciate them.

Happy holidays one and all.  And God bless us, every one.  

Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio

A terrific holiday product is BACK, and this is your alert to get some NOW before they are gone!

All of those boxes of magic, just waiting to go home with someone!

The ultra moisturizing hand cream trio quietly made its way back to Trader Joe’s shelves.  This stuff is the bomb!!!  As I said in my original review of it, it is exactly like tubes of hand cream at L’Occitane, an ultra chi-chi expensive store.  I mean, it is just like that stuff, only more reasonably priced! 

Here is the original review:  Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio review 

Goes on so smooth.  Has a very delicate scent, not overpowering at all.
And not greasy!  What more could you want??

As you can see in that review, I rated this stuff a 4.75.  But because I am an equal opportunity reviewer, I averaged my score with my nephew Jordan’s, and that brought the overall score down to a 4.5.  However, THIS YEAR Jordan is not here as I am writing, so I get to pick the rating all by myself!  Hence, it is getting the 4.75 it deserves!!!

This is what the box looked like in 2015 - I THINK it is the same now.
If not, it is very similar.

Go get yourself a box.  And get another box to give as a gift.  It would be a perfect present for a teacher.  Or a friend.  Or you can open the box and give individual tubes to 3 different people!  Just make sure you keep at least 1 for yourself, cuz you are gonna love it.

Price in 2015

Price in 2017 - not a penny more!

   

Plus, HELLO, it is the same exact price it was 2 years ago!  No inflation!!!  Seriously, go get some soon.  They won’t stock it for very long, and when it is gone, it is gone.  Your hands will thank you for it.

Price:  still the low low price of $7.99 (for 3 tubes!)

Rating:  4.75

Chocolate Chai and Almond Bar

I snagged this product at the Annapolis, Maryland store.  I think it was made in Maryland – a kind Trader Joe’s employee was helping me hunt around the store to find some local products to try and, though the packaging doesn’t SAY this is made in the area, he thought he had been told it was.  So in my cart it went! 

The ingredients list a spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom.  My take on it:  it is TOO BIG for what it is.  If it was 1/3 of the size it would be a better product.  It is TOO THICK – it is not a chocolate bar you could just sit down and munch on.  And trust me, we munch on some chocolate bars (big non-American ones – Lindt and the like), but this Chocolate Chai Almond Bar one just didn’t do it for me.  This puppy is bigger than a Ritter Sport bar!  It is more like a hunk of BAKING CHOCOLATE (David correctly my language here and said it is not a HUNK, but rather a SLAB). 

See, it LOOKS good, doesn't it??

The packaging says it is milk and dark chocolate – but sadly the dark chocolate functions more as a decoration than a taste.  The best part in my opinion are the almonds, which are big hunks (slabs?) of almonds – like half almonds, as opposed to other chocolates that put in slivers of nuts.  Overall – the bar is just TOO THICK.  The chai taste is also too strong, as is the cinnamon.  Everything is competing for my taste buds and nothing ends up winning with this product.  The outer packaging is cool – it is a funky looking recycled cardboard looking cover, but inside of that is just a simple plastic bag (with the slab o’ chocolate).  I think this is Trader Joe’s attempt at making a good, artisanal, fancy chocolate.  But sadly, the attempt does not succeed.  I would give this product a 2.5.

It's new, but it is not tasty

David:  “When I first bit into this it tasted a bit like a gingerbread boy cookie.  I agree with Susan’s review above  – all of the specifics she mentioned are precisely correct.  I would say that the chocolate tastes like really good quality chocolate, but the CONCEPT itself…  The chai-ness…  And it is a bit GRITTY in the chai-ness, which is not good.  The almonds are great, and like I said the chocolate itself seems to be good.  But I am not a fan.  I will give this a 2.0.”  (Editor’s note: this is a shockingly low score from David for a chocolate bar.  He loves most any chocolate, but apparently not this chocolate…)

Never have I seen David less excited about chocolate.  Never.

When you see this on the shelf, you think it is going to be something special.  It is new!  It looks like it should special!  You think, “Oh, this would be a nice stocking stuffer!” or, “This would be a sweet gift for Larry in Accounting!”.  But don’t.  Don’t gift it.  Or be like David, who says, “YES!  Give it to someone!  That way YOU don’t have to eat it!”.  It looks like something special, but it is not.  It is not worth the calories, let alone the price.  The serving size listed is a third of a bar, but you would have to be a big ass person to get through a 1/3 chunk of that slab!  Plus, you would have to not have a lot of taste buds…

Give presents, for goodness sake GIVE PRESENTS!  Just don't give
THIS CHOCOLATE CHAI AND ALMOND BAR as a present

We do not take many things back to TJ’s, really we don’t.  But we took THIS one back.  I think more than getting your 3 bucks back, it is worth returning it to “vote” and let Trader Joe’s know that this one is not a winner.  I am glad the guy showed it to me, and I guess I am glad I tasted it, if only to let you know not to buy it for anyone on your holiday list.  (And if you have already bought it and wrapped it, well, I hope you don’t really like whoever you are giving it to…)

Price:  $2.99

Rating:  2.25

Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio

Guys - it is THAT time of year.  The special time when all of the "secret" fancy stuff arrives quietly at Trader Joe's.  The stuff that is in super limited quantities and is priced amazingly well.  The time that YOU NEED TO GO SHOPPING both for yourself and for holiday gifts!

I was reminded of this yesterday when I popped into the Bethesda, Maryland Trader Joe's to see if they had any more Valhrona Advent Calendars (which are the bomb and you can and should totally get one if you can still find it - reviewed here:  Valhrona Advent Calendar ).  My local Trader Joe's was already OUT of the fancy advent calendars and said that they were not getting any more in, so I was desperate.  I mean, I HAD to be desperate to be willing to shop at the Bethesda store - that place is NUTS right now.  The parking lot has been under construction for over a year and is a m-e-s-s.  The elevator from the parking lot is turned off (with no "out of order" sign on it so morons like me (and the family who was there at the same time as me) stand there waiting for a "lift" that will never come...).  And the store itself is pretty darn messy and so crowded that you can't even navigate around with a cart.  Let's just say - this is NOT a relaxing TJ's right now...  But I neeeeeded a couple more Valhrona calendars, so I braved the mess and went, and boy was I glad I did!  They had calendars left (some people on my shopping list are lucky!!).

Cuz guys, guess what else they had???  ULTRA MOISTURIZING HAND CREAM TRIO!  And it was such a top secret item that they had just hid it amongst the regular toiletries instead of putting it in the "New Products" display.  And they hadn't even put up a price sign for it!  Nope, there were just a few boxes quietly hidden on a hard to see shelf!  But see them I did!!!  As should you!  Go get yourself a box, and a box or two for friends.  They are super nice and oh so cheap - same low price of $7.99 as last year!

The hand cream feels exactly like something you would get at L'Occitane, which is a fancy ass toiletries store.  Only, at L'Occitane you would pay double the price.  This hand cream smells fantastic and feels amazing.

You.  Need.  Some.

Here is the complete review from last year.    Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio

Read that review quickly, then change out of your pajamas and into street clothes and rush out to Trader Joe's and get some.  If you do not see it, ask, cuz maybe your store is keeping it on the down-low, too and has it squirreled away somewhere!

Price:  still only $7.99
Rating:  still a bright shiny 4.5 star rating

Day 337 - Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio

I ran into TJ’s the other afternoon while David waited in the car for me (the parking lot was FULL at the Clarendon store and the attendant was telling everyone to leave, that was a first!).  Anyway, I was supposed to just be running in for a bouquet of flowers for our friend’s birthday (happy birthday, Irma!) but man oh man – they had tons of new holiday products!  Like – GIFT products!  I was, as you may have guessed, more than a  little excited… 

One cool product on the table of amazing stuff was a box of 3 silver tubes of hand cream.  One is Argan Oil, one is Olive Oil, and one is Kukui Oil.  ONE of those is part of a Christmas present for a relative – I will not disclose WHO at the moment in case he/she reads this blog (I am not too worried, I do not think this particular person follows it). 

Such a sweet little gift box of hand creams - how could I NOT stand around in TJ's and drool over them while
 David waited patiently in the car outside??

Each tube is 1 oz and they all contain 20% shea butter.  I grabbed a box and then packed one of the tubes for my recent trip to Omaha.  I busted it out and shared with my nephew Jordan, who was happy to be a guest reviewer.  Thanks, J!

Let me first tell you what I thought of the Olive Oil hand cream – ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  It was moisturizing without being greasy, easy to dispense from the tube, stayed closed in my purse, and smelled light and fresh.  The lady at the store told me she thought it was a little oily for her but I disagree.  Especially during the cold winter months my hands need cream like this.  An sometimes with hand creams or lotions the scent is so strong that you can’t wear a perfume without feeling “clash-y” but with this light fresh scent you can.  It is a gender neutral scent which I like, too.   it doesn’t make you smell too “girly” or too “manly” – you just smell nice.  I LIKE IT!  I give it a 4.75.

My hands love lotions and creams.

Now let’s get Jordan’s take on it:  “I think this is very nice.  It is creamy, but not too oily.  The scent is something that I am a big fan of.  It is not too feminine, but not too manly either.  It is a nice fresh scent.  It seems to be soaking into my skin quite well.  I would give it a 4.25.”

Jordan examining his hand after applying the Olive Oil Hand Cream.  You can tell by his shirt that the Huskers were playing that day.  But don't mention it to anyone from Nebraska, it was quite a sucky game I am told.

At $7.99 for the trio of hand creams, these work out to only $2.67 per tube.  I think that is WELL worth it.  They remind me of hand creams at L’Occitaine – same sort of packaging and quality, but much cheaper! 

Yes - if your TJ's has these you should grab a box.  Or two.

I believe these gift sets are just for the holiday season, so if you want to GIFT them (or keep them for yourself!) you best rush out and pick up a box soon!!  I am gifting one tube (not Olive Oil, obviously, since I have already used some of that one…) and keeping two.  Oh my, does that not fit the holiday spirit??

Price - $7.99 (for 3 tubes)

Rating – 4.5 (average of 2 raters)

Day 333 - Montezuma's Chocolate Truffle Collection

Every holiday season, especially around Hanukkah and Christmas, Trader Joe’s has new, unique products.  They seem to have an inordinate amount of them this year.  One such product is MONTEZUMA’S CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE COLLECTION. 

I cannot be the only one who thinks this product name is a fail…  The one and only thing I think of when I hear “Montezuma’s” is…  Do I have to say it?  I mean, you are thinking it, too, right???  Ok, ok, ok – I think of MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE!!!

And it was because of that negative association with the name that I didn’t even want to taste any of these.  I was afraid one bite twould send me running to the bathroom.  So I let David eat them.  J

LOVELY truffles

This collection is billed as “innovative british chocolate” (all lowercase theirs, apparently spelling british without capitalizing it is innovative!).  The collection contains truffles that go by these lovely names:

·         Columbian Cappucino

·         American Idol

·         Sweet Summertime

·         Tiger Tiger

·         Eclipse

·         Secret Squirrel

·         Milking Maid

The box is gorgeous.  It has a lovely design, great colors, and is tied with a fat, black grosgrain ribbon.  Very classy!  All of the truffles are also beautiful and very well displayed.  And I love that they come with a little guide that has the names, descriptions, and photos of each truffle on it.

Here is what David, who normally adores chocolates, thought:  “I ate one that had white bits around the top and wasn’t too happy with it – it was too hard.  (I think he must have meant Columbian Cappuccino.)  They all seem too hard to me, they should be a bit more yielding.  This one (Tiger Tiger) has quite a nice truffle on the inside – a deep, dark, rich truffle.  This one is not so bad.  But they all could do with being a bit more yielding.  And a bit buttery-er would be nice.” 

(I asked him if he would give this item as a GIFT, as that is what it looks like it was intended for to me):  “It depends on who the gift recipient WAS and how I felt about them…  If they were the kind of person that loves pretty packages then I might give it to them and presume to think that because it looked so nice that they were enjoying the chocolates.  If it were someone who really appreciated chocolates I probably would not.”

Pretty cool logo, but the name....

I decided that I owed it to you, the readers, to taste one of these, even though I feared it might result in Montezuma’s Revenge…  So I ate a Columbian Cappuccino.  Surprisingly, I like these more than Mr. David Chocolate Lover!  The outside was hard, so when I bit it I lost a few bits.  Be warned – do not bite these over a white rug (especially if it is not your white rug!) cuz chocolate bits are going to falls.  But the truffle was nice.  And fancy.  Not to mention, pretty. 

I give bonus points to any truffles/chocolates that come with a KEY.
Seriously, it makes the whole experience so much more fun.

I checked out website of the chocolatier in the UK – company website here  I see you can buy the same box of truffles directly from them for 11.99 British, which when I convert it at today’s rates equals $18.22 US!!!  Yowsa, even after shipping these little chocolate balls to the USA, adding what must be a mark-up, and putting them on the shelves, Trader Joe’s STILL MANAGES to give us an amazing bargain at 8.99!!!!  Go Joe!!!

I did a bit of research to see how this all came down, and I see that this is Montezuma’s first foray into America.  They inked the deal in August 2015 with TJ’s and shipped 20,000 boxes of those truffles.  So if you want one, you best grab it soon.  article about Montezuma working with TJ's here

These truffles would make a fine gift.  But I really do think that they really should go back to the drawing board on the name. 

P.S. - TODAY IS MY DAD'S 80TH BIRTHDAY!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD.  I LOVE YOU!

Dad holding me in 1966.  Neither of us look QUITE like this any more.  :)

Price – $8.99

Rating - 4

Day 299 - Tangerine Juice

Before I start this review, let me express my happiness and appreciation.  Another reader sent me a TJ’s bag and honey!!!!!!!!  Can you even believe it?  Peoples’ generosity really makes me smile!! 

  

LOOK!!!  Another box in the mail from a blog friend!!

This one came from Robert, a reader who also has a Trader Joe’s blog (something I didn’t know existed until I was well into this project – note to self:  Google before starting huge projects!!!).  He got me a bag from the Ashville, NC Trader Joe’s store and it is SO CUTE!  We have used it several times.  The other night our cashier, Carole, at the Clarendon VA store noticed it and loved it!  Carole had a great idea:  people should be able to buy and collect the TJ’s bags from all the states!  She said that she for one would start a collection.  Hey, it would be more useful than those Disney collectible pins, my collection of squished pennies, or some of the other things people collect, wouldn’t it??  She thought the NC bag was awesome, and so do I!  We have not tasted the honey yet, but it came in a delightful jar that made it look as if your Great Aunt Tilly made the honey for you instead of a store.  As soon as we finish one of the honeys we have open this one is next on deck!  Robert’s blog also reviews Trader Joe’s products and is very fun.  You can find it at: Exploring Trader Joe's blog

Look!!!  An adorable NC bag and a jar of HONEY!  

Robert recently reviewed TJ’s Tangerine Juice.  Here is his review that I saw, which piqued my interest in this product:  Exploring Trader Joe's Tangerine Juice review .  Tangerine juice was something I had not tried before, and Robert liked it, so I figured, “Let’s give it a go!”. 

Here's the bottle - 32 fl oz of straight tangerine juice

Ohhhh Robert, Robert, Robert…  What path did you lead me down???

OK, so at $3.29 for a 32 oz bottle, this was not a cheap drink.  It was more of a “splurge” for a bit of excitement, or a health food splurge if you will since the ingredient (singular) is just TANGERINE JUICE.  I thought this would be a nice treat.  I was wrong.

It is very BITTER.  The first drink was horrible.  Bad, bad, bad….  The second drink (this is going to sound weird I know, but I am being honest here) tasted like colonoscopy prep stuff…  If you have ever had a colonoscopy you KNOW the taste I am talking about.  I must have had orange or tangerine flavored prep one time because when the second drink of this tangerine juice hit my taste buds I had a colonoscopy flashback!  (Note:  this is not really a flashback you want to have.)  I was a bit afraid I might have to excuse myself to the bathroom if I continued to drink this juice, but I convinced myself that this was not, as my sisters and I like to call it, “Go All Nightly” (colonoscopy prep stuff).  I steeled myself to take another sip.*

Looks pretty in our juice glasses, eh?

The 3^rd and 4^th drinks got a little better.  Not GOOD mind you, but BETTER.   To me it tastes like Tang.  I don’t remember ever having Tang at our house growing up but I must have had it at a friend’s house, because this makes me think TANG!  To me, the only thing cool about Tang was the idea that actual real live astronauts up in space might have drank it.  The taste, to me, is not cool…   I wasn’t sure what the actual FLAVOR of Tang was, so I Googled it.  Consensus seemed to be that it was supposed to be ORANGE, and I was going to go along with that.  Only, in the middle of the night I had an “Aha!” moment – HEL-LO!  Tang?  T-A-N-G…  Tang.  Umm, those are the first four letters of TANGerine!  Obviously the flavor of Tang is tangerine, it is just tricky in that we pronounce it differently than you would expect!  So Tang is basically a covert astronaut drink.

First taste

Reaction....

Of this TJ’s Tangerine juice, David says, “I agree.  The taste is very bitter at the beginning.  It gets better – I guess you get used to it.  The tangerine taste itself is nice – it is very “tangerine-y”. It’s just I think they made the mistake of squeezing the tangerines a bit too hard so you get a lot of the rind taste, which is a bit bitter.”

The color of this juice is unnaturally bright orange.  It is a very pretty color!  We have a wall this color.  But I would rather see this color on a wall I guess than in my juice glass.

See, our wall is the same color!  New Year's Eve tradition - eat 12 grapes in one minute at the stroke of midnight!  (As you can see we were drinking an excellent Beaujolais Nouveau reviewed waaaaay back on day 2 of this blog!  Review here )

We both gave this juice a 2.5 rating.  The upside is that it quenches your thirst.  Then again, water can do that, too, and it is not as expensive or nearly as bitter.

If you WANT Tangerine Juice, get it at TJ's - it was much
more expensive at Safeway

Sorry Robert, we need to agree to disagree on this one.  J  It is a good example of how some things taste great to some people and “meh” to others.  But THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the gifts!  I love them!

*Note from David:  Susan has a bit of PTSD about colonoscopy prep, so expressions of her feelings on that issue may appear larger than in your rear view mirror.

Price - $3.29

Rating – 2.5