Clear Spot Bandage Review

I was looking for those round, like spot, adhesive bandages and stopped at my local Publix. I didn't find what I was looking for so I used what I had. You know, the normal strip adhesive bandage. Since I had to stop by the post office the other day, I decided to try Walgreens. Nope! I didn't find the old-fashioned, round adhesive bandages so I opted to purchase the Walgreens brand of clear spots.

Walgreens Clear Spot Bandages

I paid $2.99 for a package of 50 clear spot adhesive bandages, all one size. The package states "transparent coverage, seals on all sides, not made with natural rubber latex." I don't think I have a latex allergy, but since I was using this bandage on my face, it was important that it didn't have latex.

#1 - Walgreens Clear Spot Bandage on Face - As Is

You know, I can't remember the last time I had to use a bandage on my face! Seriously. So, I was welcoming the idea of a small circular bandage that provided transparent coverage so that it wouldn't be conspicuous to others that I had a bandage on my face!! Like, I didn't want everyone in my senior park asking, "what happened to your face?" Or, "what IS THAT on your face?"

In that first photo of the applied clear spot, you can pretty much see that the outer edges are fairly transparent, blending in with the skin. However, that 7/8" square gauze center is rather obnoxious! It doesn't resemble the photo which gives you more of a natural skin color. To me, the square is white and very obvious.

#2 - Walgreens Clear Spot Bandage on Face - With Makeup

In the second photo, the clear spot bandage is less obvious or conspicuous although you can still tell it's there. I took a dab of my Clinique Even Better Creme Chamois 04 liquid foundation and applied it to the entire spot bandage. It definitely helped the bandage to become less obvious with the color blending a bit more to my skin.

Since I had to run some errands and go to the store, I combed my hair so it wasn't pulled back or behind my ears, in an effort to try and hide that bandage. Luckily, nobody made a comment about it being there.

At the end of that first day, I applied a facial cleanser and washed my face in the shower. It is now the next day, and the clear spot bandage is still on my face like when I originally applied it. I am happy about that and since I will not be going out today, I'll leave it as it is.

I would say the adhesive quality is excellent at this point. I'll report back when it is time to remove the bandage.

#3 - Walgreens Clear Spot Bandage Removed

About 24 hours after first applying the bandage, I removed it. There wasn't any difficulty lifting the adhesive edges although you can rather see the bit of residue left.

Oh, why did I need a bandage in the first place? You wouldn't believe it. It happened in my front yard garden when I was removing the expired pink powder puffs from my powder puff, Calliandra surinamensis plant. This pretty plant attracts a host of insects from bees and wasps to butterflies and hummingbirds. The bees seem to drill into the puffs, so I've got to be extra careful when I pull off the expired puffs.

Calliandra surinamensis pink powder puff plant

I've already had a bee sting to the base of a finger when I didn't see a bee buried in the puff. That's quite a surprise to have that happen. I didn't expect that I would have a bee sting me on the side of my face!! I suppose it could have been worse.

Bee Sting on Finger - March 14, 2019

SUGGESTION: This is a design opportunity for the bandage manufacturers! I was thinking of drawing a smiley face on that 7/8" square center of the bandage. Then, aside from trying a natural colored makeup, I wondered what else could be there that would make this artistic? What about a tattoo bandage or maybe emoji or smiley face? You know, like all those little avatars of social media? That I could pick an emoji for how I'm feeling that day?

I couldn't find the old-fashioned round bandages which are all one color ... I might buy a package that I find online. If I found that old-fashioned round bandage in assorted colors, I would probably buy that. At the very least, I think the manufacturer should do something to make that 7/8" square center not white. I am pretty fair-skinned with a bit of a tan. What if my skin was super dark?

Awful Tasting Coffee Review

I recently purchased two different packages of ground coffee from my local Bealls Outlet that turned out to be some awful tasting coffee -- Dark Chocolate Decadence 100% Arabica Coffee by Coffee Masters and Michael's Gourmet Coffee Hawaiian Kona Blend Arabica Ground Coffee.

Michael's Gourmet Coffee Hawaiian Kona Blend Arabica Ground Coffee
Dark Chocolate Decadence 100% Arabica Coffee by Coffee Masters

Both of these ground coffees cost $4.99 a package with compare at prices of $8.00 and $7.00. I guess I am happy I didn't pay the compare prices.

What the package says about Dark Chocolate Decadence - "Our fine coffee is wonderfully flavored with buttery rich dark Belgium chocolate." I would agree that the package of coffee does have a distinct chocolate fragrance that smells like a Hershey's chocolate bar. And, the brewed coffee definitely has a chocolate flavor.

Reading further on the package, "if your tap water is distasteful due to hardness or treatment, consider using bottled water." Ah, that must be part of the problem?? I should have tried brewing a cup using some bottled water.

The chocolate taste of the hot coffee was interesting. I wouldn't say it was bitter, but I had an odd after-taste. With each sip, I kept thinking that I would prefer a hot chocolate and not a hot chocolate coffee. I more appreciated sniffing the package than drinking a cup of this brewed coffee.

What the package says about Michael's Gourmet Coffee - "Michael searches the world over for the finest Arabica beans from the premier growing regions of the Americas, East Africa, Arabia and the Pacific Tropics."

When I first brewed this coffee, I had just finished off a package of Kauai Coffee Coffee, Ground, Dark Roast, Koloa Estate that I purchased at my local Publix. The Michael's Gourmet Coffee Hawaiian Kona Blend did not even come close with the flavor. It had a more awful taste than the Dark Chocolate Decadence.

Checking the package, it also suggests bottled water for best results! Who knew? I don't think I've ever used bottled water for my coffee unless maybe while on vacation in Mexico?

The flavor of this brewed coffee fell flat for me. The package says to use 2 tablespoons for 8 ounces of water which is what I did. Interesting that the Dark Chocolate Decadence suggests 1 tablespoon for 6 ounces of water.

My final taste test was to try half and half of these two coffee blends when brewing that cup of coffee. I definitely tasted the Dark Chocolate Decadence over the Hawaiian Kona Blend in that cup of coffee.

In my taste-testing, I also varied the creamer to try Coffee-Mate vs a Publix non-dairy creamer. It didn't seem to make any difference on the type of taste ... all cups of coffee I brewed had an awful tasting coffee.

The type of coffee that I normally drink is Seattle's Best Coffee Level 5 which is a dark and intense French roast. I don't do Maxwell House or Folger's coffees, but if those are the types of coffees you like, you might like the Michael's Gourmet Coffee.

There was an episode on the Today Show reviewing the best-tasting coffees. A variety of coffees from Ethiopia were touted on having the best tastes. Those packages of coffee were definitely a lot more expensive than $4.99 -- up to 3 times more a package! I've tried an Ethiopian coffee bean in the past and been satisfied with the taste. I think that will be the next "exotic" coffee I try to find locally.

I just went shopping at Publix and bought a package of Seattle's Best Coffee Post Alley Level 5, a dark roast that is smooth-roasted. It is a 100% Arabica coffee smoky and intense French roast with a "wonderfully smooth" side. That's what I had this morning with my Coffee-Mate. Now, this was a wonderful tasting cup of coffee.

Hard Apple Cider Review

I felt compelled to pen my review of hard apple ciders after taste-testing 4 different kinds recently. I've always liked a tart apple cider that we used to usually get in the Fall and at Halloween and Thanksgiving. I waited until I was a senior to try my first hard cider!

Stella Artois Cidre - Premium Hard Apple Cider

Ranking the four hard ciders, there is no question that Stella Artois Cidre comes in on top, in first place! Only recently have I seen the TV commercial with the three young people promoting the three different types of apples that go into Stella Artois Cidre. I normally drink Yuengling Light beer which seems to have a color profile much like Stella Artois Cidre. After tasting the other three hard ciders, it was instant love when I tried my first sip of Stella! It's tangy and seems to have a taste that bounces off the back of your mouth and back sides of your tongue. It is quite appealing.

Strongbow Gold Apple - Hard Apple Cider

The very first type of hard apple cider I sampled was Strongbow Gold Apple. Not knowing what to expect with the taste, I liked this one right out of the bottle. Comparing the color and body of the liquid with Stella Artois, it seems similar although Stella Artois seems more full-bodied. Strongbow Gold Apple gets my second place ranking. I would readily buy it only if my number one favorite is not available. On their website, you will find drink recipes which makes me want to try this in a martini!

Angry Orchard Crisp Apple - Hard Cider

My third favorite of the hard apple ciders is Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. I tried two varieties of Angry Orchard after I had sampled the Strongbow. It was probably a week or more between the tasting of this hard cider. Finding this variety in a dark bottle raised my expectations for the taste. I was satisfied with the Crisp Apple, but did not like it as much as the Strongbow offering.

Angry Orchard Tapped Maple - Hard Cider

Without any doubt, the Angry Orchard Tapped Maple was my least favorite of all the hard apple ciders. I guess I was happy to note that this is supposedly a seasonal offering. It was obviously the maple flavoring that did not agree with my taste buds. It actually had a very rotten top note that came with the first few sips. I thought, "ew, what the heck is that?" when I tasted it every time ... it was rather a chore to finish all six bottles. I probably should have returned it to Publix, but I thought maybe it would taste better when I got to that sixth bottle. At most, I would drink two bottles at a time and more usually just one.

Have you tried any hard apple ciders? Got a favorite? I'm wondering why I waited so long. I think I was almost there many times earlier when drinking my favorite hard drink, an appletini. My apple of choice is the Granny Smith as I like tart over sweet. If you've not had the chance to try a hard apple cider, may I seriously recommend you start with Stella Artois Cidre!