Reviews by Friends of Babygrls2

CyndiA says "Invest in quality and have great meals and no replacing pans." about Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes

CyndiA — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:58:25 GMT

My Granny got me a set of Le Creuset pans when I was in college which I still use and love, so when I broke a favorite baking dish, I decided to splurge on a Le Creuset stoneware baking dish. I say "splurge," because the Le Creuset line is expensive. But, when you use them for a lifetime, it makes sense to pay more and get good cooking gear.

My pots are the hunter green which I love, but thy now have lime in the green. I'm not so fond of that color. So, I went with the red. Online it looked more orange, but it turned out to be a true red. I was glad. I really like the red in the baking dish with the beige inside. Nice color combo. It looks fine to put right on the table for serving or to take to a pot luck dinner.

As far as how this pan bakes - excellent. Le Creuset is known for products that heat up well and even, and the casserole dish is no exception. This can make a big difference in how dishes come out. I don't get burned edges and soggy centers with this high quality bakeware.

I hope...

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CyndiA says "Wild n Mild is a great grilling marinade and mop style BBQ sauce" about Wild n Mild Grilling Marinade & Sauce

CyndiA — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:42:16 GMT

Wild n Mild barbecue sauce is one of my favorites. It doubles as a marinade for meats or can be brushed or mopped on throughout the grilling process, since it does not have a ketchup or tomato base.

This grilling sauce can be used on basically anything. We use it on steaks, pork chops, chicken, and vegetables. It adds an interesting flavor - kind of sweet but with a bit of zip. The hot version has more kick than the mild, of course.

For any hunters out there, Wild n Mild is very good on game meat. It helps pull the gamey taste out when used as a marinade and adds the nice sauce flavor.

We also use Wild n Mild for stir fry. Neither of my sons really like the taste of soy sauce. This is similar in terms of the texture, but the flavor is nicer in stir fry dishes. Wild n Mild adds the moisture and then sauces up so that stir fry meats and veggies are very good over rice.

I have a grill site called Yes You Can Grill, and I try out lots of barbecue marinades and sauces. Wild n Mild is one of...

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njchicaa says "Freshen up your counters with this Norwegian Angelica Spray." about Caldrea Norwegian Angelica Countertop Cleanser

njchicaa — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:20:44 GMT

I've been a big fan of the Caldrea line of cleaning products over the past 10 years now, so it wasn't a surpise for me to find their Norwegian Angelica Countertop Cleanser in a Christmas gift from my ssiter.

According to the label, Caldrea Norwegian Angelica Countertop Cleanser contains essential oils of lemon and parsley. The name of this product comes from the name of a plant, Garden Angelica, that has an herbal fragrance. The actual scent of the product is very herbal, fresh, and clean. If you gave me 4 or 24 hours to try to figure out exactly what the scent components were, I wouldn't be able to do it. To me, the scent is just a bright and fresh herbal-type aroma.

As with all Caldrea Countertop Cleansers, this one is highly-scented spray cleanser that can be used on walls, woodwork, tile, laminate, porcelain, fixtures, sealed wood floors, and sealed stone. It is great for light clean-ups and freshening up the scent of a room, but this Norwegian Angelica Countertop Cleanser...

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njchicaa says "Cran Slam is a nice holiday candle scent!" about Yankee Candle Beanswax Cran Slam Candle

njchicaa — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:24:53 GMT

I never really got into the soy wax candle thing, so I had no experience with it until a few days ago when I received a Yankee Candle Beanswax Cran Slam Double Wick Candle as a gift from my cousin's fiancee. I'm all about candles, so I was eager to try it out.

According to the Yankee Candle company web site, Beanswax candles contain 100% soy wax, no artificial colors or dyes, and are made from a renewable resource. The Cran Slam candle that I received was completely opaque white in color and with a wooden lid lined with some kind of metallic foil layer to prevent it from catching on fire.

I've been burning my Beanswax Cran Slam Double Wick Candle for a few days now and I just love it. The scent is a lovely combination of sweet and tart cranberries. Despite the fact that the wax melts and the wicks become exposed quickly, there is no black smoke or soot produced by this Beanswax Candle. One of the biggest turn-offs for me about the regular Yankee Candle Housewarmer Jar Candles...

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njchicaa says "Goodbye Grind and Brew! I love my new Keurig Platinum Brewer!" about Keurig Platinum B70 Keurig Brewer

njchicaa — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:29:24 GMT

We received a Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker a few years ago as a Christmas present from my sister. I hated it from the get-go, but we were stuck with it because it was a very expensive gift that family members expected to see in the kitchen month after month and year after year. I expressed a desire for a Keurig Platinum B70 Brewer many times over the past year to my husband, and wouldn't ya know? Santa left one under the Christmas tree for me this year. He's good like that!

The whole point of the Keurig Platinum Coffee Brewer is that you simply put a pre-measured package of coffee into the machine, put a cup under the dispenser, and then simply hit "brew". You'll have a piping hot cup of coffee in 30 seconds! There is no messing around with measuring beans, grinding beans, cleaning out filters, etc. You just pop the K-Cup into the Keurig, hit brew, and voila! Coffee! There are also K-cups to make several varieties of tea, hot chocolate, and even chai. K-cups average...

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njchicaa says "If you like red licorice, check out this philosophy shower gel!" about Philosophy Red Licorice 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath

njchicaa — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:41:29 GMT

I used to be an equal-opportunity licorice fan until one very bad night back in college involving Black Sambuca. I stick to red licorice these days and was thrilled to find a bottle of philosophy 3-in-1 Red Licorice in a Christmas present from my sister.

philosophy Red Licorice 3-in-1 is a combination product that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath. It is a transparent but deep red in color and smells SURPRISE!!! like red licorice. If you had someone blindfolded and wafted the scent of this stuff under their nose, they would bet their life that you had a bunch of Twizzlers in front of them. The smell is THAT dead-on.

As with all of the philosophy shower gels, Red Licorice works exceptionally well as a shower gel. A dime-sized amount of a mesh sponge produces enough bubbles and lather to completely wash my whole body. As a bubble bath, it does produce some bubbles and fill the tub area with the pleasant licorice scent, but the bubbles disappeared fairly quickly. ...

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njchicaa says "Jodi Picoult's Vanishing Acts is not her best work." about Vanishing Acts

njchicaa — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:04:49 GMT

Jodi Picoult's Vanishing Acts is a novel that was first published in 2005, but I am just getting around to reading it thanks to my sister's loan of several Picoult paperbacks. I recently had 3 unplanned days off from work due to a major snowstorm, so I tore through Vanishing Acts in some of that free time.

This novel centers around Delia Hopkins, a woman who works with her bloodhound to perform search and rescue missions for local police, county, and even federal agencies. She is engaged to be married and has a gorgeous daughter... life is good for Delia until her father, the only parent she has ever had, is arrested for kidnapping her as a child. Her life is turned upside-down and the fact that her fiance is representing her father (and not sharing information about the case with her) doesn't help the situation.

There are many subplots in Vanishing Acts. Aside from the obvious kidnapping trial, there is a prison story, a sisterly story, a relationship story, a friendship story,...

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njchicaa says "Ooooooooooooh I love my Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw!" about Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw

njchicaa — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:58:04 GMT

I'm always cold during the winter... I keep an electric blanket on my side of the bed to keep me warm and cozy while in bed. Sitting on the couch at night after the automatic thermostat has cranked down the heat has always been problematic, but I recently bought myself a Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw to deal with the situation.

Basically, this product is a mini electric blanket that you can keep by the couch or office desk to keep you warm and comfortable if room temperatures are chilly. The suggested retail price is about $65 but I bought mine for only $35 which is a much more reasonable price in my opinion. The Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw has a 3-level heat controller (low, medium, high) and an automatic turn-off after 10 hours. It is supposed to be machine-washable, but I've never had luck with washing my electric blankets so I'm not going to start with this one.

I love the convenience of having this Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw Blanket. I can take it downstairs...

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njchicaa says "This Iowa Pine Lquid Hand Soap simply smells like Christmas. " about Mrs. Meyer's Iowa Pine Liquid Hand Soap

njchicaa — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:23:22 GMT

I've been a big fan of the Mrs. Meyer's line of cleaning products for several years now. They used to sell a lovely gingerbread-scented hand soap each Christmas, but this year they are featuring Iowa Pine as their holiday scent. The company describes it as an "aromatherapeutic" and festive blend of pine, clove, and cedar.

I picked up a 12.5 fluid ounce bottle of Mrs. Meyer's Iowa Pine Liquid Hand Soap at the local Target for about $7. I love the fact that the company doesn't test on animals and uses biodegradable ingredients. This is a fairly thick liquid soap, so you only need one pump's worth of product to completely and thoroughly wash your hands. It produces lots of bubbles and lather as you use it, it rinses away quickly and easily, and leaves hands smelling lovely without completely stripping skin of moisture. The scent is complete and total "Christmas": spicy fresh pine with a hint of cedar and spice. LOVE IT!

I'm very happy to have found Mrs. Meyer's Iowa Pine...

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LisaCarey says "Definitely not on the customer's side" about Nationwide Insurance

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:38:26 GMT

We used to have Nationwide Insurance for our homeowners insurance. We purchased it when we relocated to Houston from Knoxville. Over the three years we had it they had bad customer service, shoddy business practices and changes or increases without contacting policy holder to tell them.

Let me give you a few examples:

My dishwasher broke and flooded my downstairs kitchen area which is an open floor. When calling to find out my deductible I received three different answers - all of them equaling that it is a percentage of the value of my home. I said ok, well the taxed value is this, no it's according to Nationwide standards. if they say your house is worth x dollars then it is. They increased the level of the value of my home by $50,000 causing my deductible to be almost 1000.00 more.

Constant disagreements between the contractor and claims adjuster. It took over 4 months to make the repairs and get my new dishwasher. The payment schedule was hit or miss and to this day I still...

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LisaCarey says "Dusts, protects, moisturizes and smells great too!" about Old English Lemon Oil

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:27:14 GMT

A new dining room table reminded me that I need to start buying Old English Lemon Oil. I probably should have been using it before, but with a new table, chairs and china cabinet it is absolutely necessary now (and a good excuse to have it in the house.

What I like about Old English Lemon Oil

cleans woods
conditions, protects and moisturizes
smells great
easy to use
polishes - makes even old wood look new again
versatile

What I don't like about Old English Lemon Oil

can't use it on everything so it's one more cleaning product to carry around the house
it is oily - but if it wasn't it wouldn't work so well would it
have to go over the wood twice - once to use Old English and once to buff it

Some of this is a pain, but it is SO worth the work because my table and other furniture looks great and I love the way my house smells when I am done cleaning. I like the shine on the wood and the fact that Old English Lemon Oil takes good care of my woods so that they can last...

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LisaCarey says "Absolutely my favorite flavored vodka " about Absolut Mandarin Vodka

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:20:30 GMT

One of my favorite activities is to have some friends over, have a few drinks, enjoy a good meal and watch our children play. One of the alcoholic beverages that I like to have in my home bar is Absolut Mandarin Vodka for it's ability to make just about everyone happy.

What I like about Absolut Mandarin Vodka

tastes great on its own or mixed (if drinking alone be sure it is chilled)
great mixer
versatile
smooth
80 proof

What I don't like about Absolut Mandarin Vodka

a little bitter aroma
expensive

While I don't mind paying for quality, the expense of this bottle means that it better last a long time, but Absolut Mandarin Vodka doesn't stick around long, once it is opened many enjoy it.

My suggestion, drink chilled on the rocks, with tonic and a twist, or mixed with 7 up. And if you use diet guess what - no carbs! So it's almost good for you too!

Consider Absolut Apeach too as a nifty drink to add to your bar - it tastes great mixed with 7 up or orange juice. ...

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LisaCarey says "Nothing select about this beer except maybe the calories" about Budweiser Select 55

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:06:03 GMT

Normally I leave the beer reviews to the experts like AleConnor and BryanCarey, but I have to say in this case there is something to be said for a woman's point of view on Budweiser Select 55.

Let me start by saying, I am not a big fan of Budweiser, but it will do in a pinch and I won't turn one down if you are giving it to me, but I'm not going to actually pay for it. But the idea of a beer with only 55 calories made me at least give it a try.

First, let's start with the pour. Even I know a good beer requires a good head. Forget it, this one falls flat.

Aroma, normally I associate skunky smell with beers in green bottles but in this case the award goes to Budweiser Select 55 in a clear bottle.

Color, caramel "ish" sort of a light golden brown - but who cares when you got all those other things NOT going for it.

Taste, yuck, and double yuck. Even those among my friends who aren't beer snobs like me didn't care for it. One even committed the ultimate offense - poured it down...

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LisaCarey says "Overpriced but fun in its own unique way " about Houston Downtown Aquarium

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:58:18 GMT

I have actually had several opportunities to visit the Houston Downtown Aquarium and am now finally getting around to writing a review. One of the nice things about living here means you have all kinds of fun things to do - things that you may take for granted and forget to share with others.

What I like about the Houston Downtown Aquarium

cool - as in everything is inside and even on a hot day you can enjoy your visit
set up nicely I like having the gulf and the ocean, and the rainforest
unique opportunities - for example you take a train ride to see the shark tank and there are usually some type of performance in the square
outdoor boardwalk atmosphere - with games, ferris wheel, train ride and carousel

What don't I like about the Houston Downtown Aquarium

it is small
it is seriously over priced
the restaurant is so over priced we haven't eaten there
valet parking?
and not enough parking for regular (btw it's $6.00 to park)

So, while Houston Downtown Aquarium...

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LisaCarey says "There is light at the end of my tire " about Accutire MS-4357B Programmable Tire Gauge with Light

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:41:41 GMT

While I may be a "techie" when it comes to cars and repairs I admit to being at the mercy of a repairman. My idea of checking the air in the tires is eye balling them - since I have children in my car and also had a driving trip coming up this is something I worry about a lot (I got a flat on the interstate once in 100 degree heat and was pregnant so this is one of my biggest fears). Instead of eye balling or having to borrow one at a station my husband decided to make my life and his a little easier with the Accutire MS-4357B Programmable Tire Gauge with Light.

What I like about the Accutire MS-4357B Programmable Tire Gauge with Light

everything!
the ergonomically correct curve to the handle makes it easy to hold into place to measure tire pressure
light display
big easy to read numbers
programmable - I don't have to remember what the pressure in the front and back tires is supposed to be

If like me you don't have a DIYer when it comes to the car the Accutire MS-4357B Programmable...

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LisaCarey says "Strikes hard at computer viruses and spam " about vipre AntiVirus

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:45:51 GMT

I admit, that considering what my husband and I do for a side business antivirus protection is not only essential but we quite often have to change to another program based on our needs or a clients needs. Right now I am using vipre AntiVirus which I had no real knowledge of until I read about it in some trade magazines.

What I like about vipre AntiVirus

easy to install
sort of easy to configure my preferences
runs in the background (most of the time - see what I don't like)
catches a lot more than I think Trend did
constant updates and scheduled
notices about new threats
works on email too (only specific ones)
$36.95 for three home computers - 1 yr
no useless emails about new products or services

What I don't like about vipre AntiVirus

I have to stop using my computer when the virus scan runs it makes mine too slow, however, my husband doesn't have the same complaint
no notices when it catches something - I would like to know so I don't visit a website Trend did...

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LoveisJoy says "Tea Stains are no Match for Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash" about Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash with Fluoride, Fresh Mint

LoveisJoy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:40:49 GMT

When I'm not drinking tea, you can find me with a cup of coffee or a glass of Diet Pepsi. Since I want to keep my teeth looking clean and fresh without giving up my favorite drinks, I'm always looking for over-the-counter whitening products that are both affordable and effective. My favorite new mouthwash is Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash. My teeth stay reasonably white, and my dentist no longer frets about stains on my wisdom teeth.

Rembrandt is made with peroxide--a proven tooth whitener. The mouthwash comes in an opaque, white bottle which makes it stand out from the other rinses on the store shelf. Another difference is that Rembrandt is a clear, colorless liquid as opposed to the minty green-blue-red colors that you typically find. I poured about two tablespoons of liquid into a cup and began to swish. The taste is not anything to write home about, but the mouthwash felt different from others I've used. There is considerable foaming action--I imagine bubbles reaching into...

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LisaCarey says "Getting business with these easy to use self print cards " about Avery Clean Edge Business Cards, 2 inches x 3 1/2 inches, White, 80 Cards (28878)

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:34:14 GMT

You may wonder why a SAHM would need business cards. Guess what I sort of wondered the same thing too until I started meeting other mothers at playdates, the library and the park. I was a little surprised the first time one of them handed me a "business card" with her contact information on it but found that where i live it's pretty normal. My husband and I also have a second business and occasionally need a card quickly so Avery Clean Edge Business Cards, 2 inches x 3 1/2 inches, White, 80 Cards (28878) come in handy.

What I like about Avery Clean Edge Business Cards, 2 inches x 3 1/2 inches, White, 80 Cards (28878)

don't smear when I print
easy to use Windows to create
no need to wait for professional ones in the mail (even if I only paid for shipping)
easy to tear cards
handy
can do my own design and choose the information I want to share
don't get caught in my printer - as long as I follow directions one sheet at a time

What I don't like about Avery Clean Edge...

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LisaCarey says "A pretty complete resource guide for traveling with children " about Brigitte Barta - Lonely Planet Travel With Children

LisaCarey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:17:57 GMT

Travel can be fun - it can also be a lot of work. Add to the work of planning and packing for a trip the additional needs of children and now you may feel that sometimes you are better off at home with a stay-cation instead of off in the wild blue yonder of a vacation. Lonely Planet Travel With Children is a resource guide that offers parents some interesting and creative ideas for safely traveling with children and having family fun.

What I like about Lonely Planet Travel With Children

the divided sections that make finding details on a specific topic easy
the organization of the book is helpful and useful
offers important information and ideas for places you may (or may not) want to visit with your children
ideas on safely traveling with children
ideas for games and activities to make the travel time pass more quickly
short "stories" of travel

What I don't like about Lonely Planet Travel With Children

some of the advice is either so obvious I wonder why it would be in a...

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njchicaa says "Everyone loves Christmas Vacation!!!" about National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

njchicaa — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:46 GMT

I've never been a fan of silly, obvious, and slapstick humor which is why I refuse to watch movies by Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Mike Meyer, Steve Carell, etc. I really am a huge movie snob when it comes to watching holiday films. I hate most of them but I absolutely adore National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation once again follows the Griswold family as they prepare to celebrate the holiday. Clark has decided to host both sides of the family for a "fun, old-fashioned Christmas". He starts by getting a tree that is entirely too large for his yard, let alone his living room. He follows that up with several tens of thousands of lights all over every exterior surface of his house. Most people would consider such a spectacle to be, well, a spectacle... but after watching Christmas Vacation a house completely illuminated by tiny white lights seems reasonable.

Simply put, there is no funnier holiday movie than Christmas Vacation. Chevy Chase...

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