Reviews by BonMom

BonMom says "No more big bags under these aging eyes!" about Soleil Skincare Intensive Eyebright Anti-Puffiness Gelee

BonMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:43:30 GMT

This product is an anti puffiness eye gel formulated to reduce the visible signs of aging around the eyes. It specifically works on decongesting under-eye puffiness, reducing or eliminating under- eye bags. The under eye area feels tighter and looks firmer immediately after first use and improves with repeated use.

I don't buy expensive cosmetics, in fact am "quite the cheapskate" when it comes to such products. I was at the tanning salon, however, when they happened to be demonstrating this line of cosmetics. I took a few minutes to let them show me the difference under my eyes with just a drop of this gel smoothed under one eye. I could see it right away and was quite impressed.

I decided to get the .5 oz tube of this product even though it went against the grain to pay more. I have no regrets.. When used consistently, it really does flatten and firm the under eye area and makes me look and feel younger. Only a drop is needed so it really lasts a long time. And, by the way,...

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BonMom says "Favorite shampoo + conditioner + shine & hold" about YVES ROCHER Phytum Hair Care Energy

BonMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:30:19 GMT

I rarely appreciate the shampoo + conditioner combinations which are found almost always in hotel and motel bathrooms. They leave my naturally curly, thick and healthy hair TOO conditioned and flat.

I have purchased products from the French company, Yves Rocher, for years but always got my shampoo and conditioner, as separat products, from my salon--at a hefty price, I might add.

I got this shampoo as a buy one--get one free item on one of my orders. It was so reasonably priced thatI felt I had little to lose. To my surprise, I really like this stuff! It lathers up great, does not leave an overload of conditioner in my hair, and works just as well as my more expensive combo of products. In fact, I have to remember to use less because it lathers up so well.

It has a wonderful citrusy smell to the product without leaving a strong shampoo scent in my hair. I can add styling products to assist my curls without overloading my hair with too much gunk. I will definitely purchase this...

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BonMom says "Awesome machine and what a bargain!" about Brother Sewing Machine - Computerized - CS6000i

BonMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:17:16 GMT

I have been wanting a new sewing machine for many years. I stopped sewing around 1990 when my son was born and sewing no longer saved money. My old machine was 35 years old and just didn't look worth fixing up when I dragged it out of the closet this summer.

I researched sewing machines for several months, both online and in consumer research magazines. This machine perfectly fit my needs. I wanted a machine that I could sew, learn to embroider, and also learn to quilt, all with the same machine. I did not want or need the top of the line machines rated best by Consumer Reports, nor could I afford them!

I got this machine on sale online for nearly 70% off. My only challenge was realizing I had never set up a machine for use on my own. Fortunately my husband is a whiz at such things and I got my new machine up and running. It is smooth, has many options for me yet to learn, and the instructions are easy to follow.

I do need to clarify that I have only done basic sewing so far...

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BonMom says "Healthy way to increase mental/physical performance" about Nutrilite Rhodiola 110

BonMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:07:28 GMT

This product, Rhodiola 110, was introduced to me by my son, Chris, who is a freshman at college. Because of the heavy load he has in design school, including all-nighters, he was drinking coffee with creamers to stay awake and alert. He had never been a coffee drinker and I was much surprised when he asked for coffee to be his first care package from home.

Recently, he became an Amway Global business owner and got a packet of these supplements to try. He had never heard of Rhodiola. I had since I am big into supplements and alternative health options but had not seen it packaged in this way. He tried it and is now using it often, cutting back on his caffeine intake significantly. He gave me some to try, as I can really overdose on the coffee when I am short of sleep yet need to be sharp for one of my jobs (as a national trainer.)

This dietary supplement does have 75 mg. of caffeine from green tea extract, which is significantly less that caffeine drinks would contain....

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BonMom says "Great printer for the price" about Canon MP240

BonMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:54:55 GMT

After many years of service, our old printer just wasn't compatible with my new Hewlett Packard laptop. Since we did not want to spend a great deal after having just purchased the laptop, we looked for an on sale quality printer. This one is easy to use and has photo capability along with fax, scanning, and copying. It is easy for this not very handy tech-challenged right brainer to use.

I have had to replace the printer cartridges and managed to do this without too much difficulty. There is great information about the printer, its use and trouble shooting, downloaded on to your computer when you register the product. I have found the copies clear and have had no problems with paper jams or other difficulties.

I have not used the fax, but appreciate the scanner and copier so I don't have to use my husband's for these functions. My only complaint is that the ink cartridge information is hidden somewhere in all this great information. All they need to do is add this,...

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BonMom says "Great laptop at a good price" about Hewlett Packard G60-247GL

BonMom — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:59:32 GMT

Love my HP laptop! It is compact, easy to learn (am not a geek), and has the best keyboard I have ever used. The silver keys have a soft touch yet are securely attached to the laptop. That became important to me after having 3 (yes three, count 'em) keyboards lose a key from the same brand of very popular, reasonably priced computers.

Not being a geek, just a previously dissatisfied customer of another brand, I really like my HP computer and plan to stick to this brand in the future. What I need is a laptop that works well, is easy to understand, and holds up to daily use. This is it....

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BonMom says "Inexpensive but durable rice cooker & veggie steamer" about Rival Automatic Steamer

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:20:49 GMT

My mother-in-law gave us this automatic rice cooker/steamer about 8 years ago for a Christmas present. She had been using one just like it and found it was reasonably priced and worked well. We use it for steaming vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower as well as for cooking rice. The steamer comes with two easy to clean baskets, one with slots for steaming veggies and the other solid for cooking rice. Both take about the same time you'd use on a stove top steamer or cooker but more conveniently done with no timing or pots to watch.

We use it a lot for cooking rice, but I will say our favorite rice, brown and wild both, does not cook well according to the directions that came with the appliance. Once I learned to add more water for the brown and wild rice we prefer, however, I got tender flaky rice,with no sticking every time.

Eight years and going strong--somewhat impressive for an inexpensive model primarily made of plastic!

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BonMom says "costly but lasts a long time" about Aquage Aquage Hydrating shampoo

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:12:05 GMT

This shampoo, Aqua Hydrating Shampoo with Advanced Color Protection, is the latest recommended by my hairdresser. I thought it was expensive for the 8 fl. oz. bottle, but with the pump on top and its 'latherability,' it is lasting a long time.

I am not a connoisseur of shampoos, so all I can say is the shampoo does a good job on my graying hair, not stripping it or drying it out. It lathers well without using a lot of the product. It has a neutral smell and lotion-like consistency.

What more can I say? Well, it isn't anything exciting. It doesn't smell great and I do not rhapsodize about how it leaves my hair like the women in commercials. At the same time, it gets my hair nice and clean, is very convenient to use with the pump top, in either shower or bath, and does not dry my hair out.

I still use a conditioner after the shampoo but if I forget or don't have time, my hair is not as flyaway and dry as heavier, harsher shampoos have let it. It's worth trying it--unless you want...

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BonMom says "Quality that lasts, no problems" about KitchenAid Dishwasher

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:00:53 GMT

I was away on a business trip when my husband bought our KitchenAid dishwasher to replace the old one that came with the house. This dishwasher has been efficient, effective and fairly quiet to run. We don't have a large family, there's only three of us, so I admit it does not get the workout that could happen with more frequent, higher usage.There's no doubt, however, that the dishes and glassware come out clean, it keeps running with no clog-ups or overflow, and has been a reliable appliace for us.

My husband is a careful researcher before he buys. He is practical and likes great ality at a reasonable price (who doesn't?). When I returned home to see the KitchenAid dishwasher already installed and in use, I knew we'd have a good product that would last a long time. We have the black front model and find the electronic push controls easy to keep clean. Plenty of room at top and bottom, no difference in ability to clean the dishes on either rack. This does come with a side basket...

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BonMom says "it's an oldie but a goodie!!" about Vita-Mix 5000 Variable Speed Blender

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:45:22 GMT

I have had my Vitamix 3600 for at least 25 years, if not longer. The most recent model is a 5200, more powerful and attractively built. I'd love this new version, but my old Vitamix is lasting and lasting! We use it as our primary blender, for cooking as well as making drinks. Our family favorite use is to make smoothies with frozen fruit and ice cubes and our favorite add-ins.

I also use the Vitamix to make hot and tasty soups. My husband is a gardener and we often have an abundance of those great home grown tomatoes. I will put them in the Vitamix along with seasoning and maybe a little milk and let 'er run. It is not a quiet machine, (though the newer models seem to be less noisy) but it will soon have a steaming cup of tomato soup ready to eat. It does anything a blender does and more.

I used to use it to grind grains and knead bread until I got a breadmaker. I do notice the blades are not quite as sharp as they used to be, but come on, I am not as sharp as I used to...

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BonMom says "Strong in academics and research, beautiful campus!" about Iowa State University

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:31:00 GMT

There are three public state universities and this is the one I haven't attended. My son, a senior in high school, however, is heading to Iowa State this fall to enroll in their 5 year architectural program. I been surrounded by Iowa State grads and fans, living 50 miles away in Des Moines, and have always heard great things about ISU. My son chose Iowa State several years ago and has never wavered. As he said in one of his scholarship applications, "Where can I get a top ten ranked education for architecture at such reasonable cost?" For him, being close to home is not necessarily a plus, but it sure is for his mom and dad!

I had never visited the campus until we took the toor and attended a general orientation this past year. Was I impressed! Extremely organized, both on campus and in all the application, financial assistance, and housing communications; an efficiently run campus unified by one of the 'most beautiful campus grounds in the US' I was told--and I believe it!

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BonMom says "HP is top quality at an affordable price" about Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard Laptop G60

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:19:50 GMT

I had to go shopping for an emergency laptop replacement after I "fried" my last laptop, a Gateway that I absolutely loved. I was in the middle of a project and HAD to have a laptop asap. I was going to be picky as I thought nothing could beat the one I had just ruined by spilling. Yes, yes, I know it was stupid and I will never do it again, but what an expensive lesson!

For these reasons, my husband (a self taught computer techie who's saved us $$$$ in repair bills) and I went out one Saturday to replace my poor dead Gateway. There were no Gateway laptops like the one I'd had, at the price we had paid.

This laptop, the HP G60 was the top pick for me online and in the stores. It is as good as the Gateway and nearly as good of a price. I like the keyboard even better than my last one. The keys are silver and have a soft feel, seem installed very securely. This became an issue for me on a formler laptop where the N came off on three consecutive keyboards. This one is sleek,...

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BonMom says "cosmopolitan competitive public university" about University of Iowa

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:08:19 GMT

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1977 (yes, that long ago!) with my Masters in Social Work. Since that time, I have remained an avid Iowa Hawkeyes sports fan--football, wrestling, and basketball. While I enjoy the sports, my primary reason for giving the University of Iowa top ratings is its academic competitiveness and cosmopolitan feel. Check out the rankings and you will find the University of Iowa is right up there, particularly in medicine, law, and writing/flim. The university community sprawls over Iowa City, integrating college students and events within the local community. It is, in my opinion, broadly liberal, with a diverse international student body.

For the last 22 years I have been affiliated with the University as part of a national resource center housed as a part of the school of social work. I continue to see top scholars and cutting edge research being produced by the university and a quality education for those who choose to enroll. Check it...

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BonMom says "Fast, reliable, and efficient" about Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal 10-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:58:14 GMT

I got this grind and brew thermal coffee maker for my husband. I prefer whole beans ground and used in a French press, but at the time he would only use pre-ground coffee. He wanted to be able to brew a pot of coffee and keep it warm for the morning. Since he wore out our last old style electric percolator, I wanted to update his options and avoid reheating his mugs of coffee in the microwave.

This Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal makes very good coffee in a short amount of time. It's easy to use and really nice to program it so that we can wake up to the smell of coffee. The built in grinder works fine and I did get him to switch to the beans after a while. The only reason I did not give this five stars is that the thermal pot just didn't keep the coffee hot very long. He still used it, but had to heat the last half of the pot again.

I got the stainless steel/white model and it was easy to keep clean except for the usual stainless steel finger prints. It's an earlier model...

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BonMom says "a slow cooker that changes size with family or function" about Hamilton Beach 2-4-6 qt slow cooker

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:01:34 GMT

I have always loved slow cookers and use them regularly. My son is an athlete, so I have been using a seven quart crock pot. It has the large size to feed hungry guys, a band to hold the lid on, and a traveling case, for the many team potluck dinners. Life changes, however, and he is a senior, leaving for college in the fall. Since he is our only child, I absolutely know I will not be needing the large size crock pot to make regular meals for my husband and I. At the same time, I want to be able to make a big pot of chili or soup or a large quantity for the occasional potluck at work or other occasions.

The Hamilton Beach slow cooker, with three size bowls, 2, 4, and 6 quarts, are the perfect answer. The base of this slow cooker is solid and the controls easy to use. I also prefer the round shape of the bowls, so there is no problem with scorching or burning on one side. My old crock pot was oval and sat crooked in the base, cause a hotter tempurature on one side than the...

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BonMom says "Best detox supplement I have ever used" about ThioGel-L Triple Antioxidant Liver Formulation

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:42:17 GMT

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BonMom says "build your own Asian grill--healthy, hot, and great variety" about HuHot - Des Moines, IA

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:32:48 GMT

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BonMom says "reasonable prices, straightforward agents, quick claim response" about Farmers Insurance

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:31:50 GMT

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BonMom says "Best purchasing and rewards points site I have ever used" about Chase - Rewards Cards

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:30:57 GMT

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BonMom says "pretty red, solid metal, easy to learn and use" about LG - Mega Cell Phone

BonMom — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:18:57 GMT

volume of ring could be louder...