Reviews by Friends of ChadFitzgerald

AngelaWLaFon says "Burt's Bees Lip Balm: Superior Protection for Kisser in Winter" about Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:49:03 GMT

Burt's Bees Lip Balm

We've had 17 days straight here of sledding so you can imagine the cold temperatures we've had but throw in the wind and then the indoor dryness of keeping a wood-stove going all of the time and you've got a recipe for dry, chapped lips. Not here.

We've used Burt's Bees Lip Balm for several years and this winter we stocked up on some of the Burt's Bees Lip Stash Mixed Packs.

Each Burt's Bees Lip Stash Packs- Mixed has a tube of:

Beeswax Lip Balm

Replenishing Lip Balm

Honey Lip Balm

Burt's Bees Lip Balms are made in North Carolina, USA! They use natural ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil, sweet almond oil, peppermint oil, honey and rosemary.

Burt's Bees has eco-friendly packaging. Burt's Bees using soy ink and recylced post consumer waste paper in their packaging.

We found the three packs of Burt's Bees Lip Balm for under $10.00.

I believe that these lip balms are truly superior to other brands. They go on smooth, have a minimal taste and smell and keep...

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Jo says " Quick Top Can Cap: best invention under $2.00" about Compac Industries Quick Top Can Cap

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:22:27 GMT

To the Point

Although the Quick Top Can Cap is an "as seen on TV" product, I picked it up in Wal-Mart. I was looking for inexpensive soda can tops but found the Quick Top Can Cap instead. I hesitated because it was over $2.00. I thought that a lot for what seemed to be a plastic top but it is so much more and really worth the money.

A Closer View

The Quick Top Can Cap was really a necessity for me. We are on the road traveling so I can put the cap on my soda and not be afraid of taking a drink and having it all over me. We also pull a travel trailer. I made the mistake of putting an open soda in the refrigerator.

I love using the Quick Top Can Cap on the beach or outside. I put the can in the arm of my chair and feel as if a bug or bee won't fly in my can.

The Quick Top Can Cap is amazingly versatile. The cover acts as both a cover and a coaster. The can seals into the cover so it stays put. The cap can also be used as a cup.

The Can Cap is dishwasher safe though I have only washed...

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Jo says "Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser Sparkles in the Snow or Sun" about Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser- all scents

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:31:06 GMT

Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser was my first diffuser. I was always afraid to buy one because of the warnings of not putting them on fabric, etc. I have the Sparkling Snow scent which was a gift.

It wasn't until I started this review that I realized why I like the scent - it has patchouli in it - one of my favorite smells- along with pine and fruits.

The Pros

Unlike some fragrance dispensers the Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser gives off the same smell for a long time.
The reeds are put into a beautiful decorated glass piece. The Sparkling Snow has a hand-decorated (really?) white snowflake on it.
The aroma is subtle unless you are sitting right next to it.
There is no flame.

The Cons

It takes 24 hours after putting in the reeds for the fragrance to come about. It can be quicker and these can be refressed by inverting them and then re-inserting the reeds.
The Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser is made in China.
You have to be careful with the oil.
The price is $12.00.

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dmlichnerowicz says "Get your aggression out with a Terry's Chocolate Orange!" about Terry's - Chocolate Orange - Dark

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:05:31 GMT

Wanna smash something? Get yourself a Terry's Chocolate Orange! Available in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and toffee, this ball of chocolate, typically available around the holiday season, requires a solid whack on your counter before you open it. Don't be a sissy...give it a good thump!

Every piece of "fruit" comes wrapped in orange foil to look like the real deal. This chocolate orange is a good quality dark candy flavored with orange oil, and is divided into 20 orange segments, much like the real fruit, each with the Terry's emblem and pulp design pressed into every piece. The whacking process is what breaks each piece apart. If you just tap it gently, you'll still have a solid ball of chocolate that's much more difficult to eat. The taste is excellent...just the right amount of orange flavor to delicious rich dark chocolate, best eaten by allowing the chocolate to melt in your mouth rather than being chewed like a candy bar.

Terry's Chocolate Oranges, especially in...

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dmlichnerowicz says "It's not coffeehouse quality, but it saves me a TON of money!" about Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker - ECM91

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:26:21 GMT

My sweet husband bought me a Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Makerfor Christmas this year. This inexpensive (around $30 at Walmart) espresso/cappuccino maker is designed to make 2-4 shots of espresso and has the steam foaming attachment for frothing milk for speciality beverages. The model is black with stainless-steel look accents, and it comes with everything you need except a frothing pitcher. The carafe is glass, and a coffee scoop is included.

What I like about it: First of all, the directions are very clear and easy to understand. It makes a good strong cup of espresso. It takes a minute to start brewing, but once it does, the coffee is ready really fast, so if you're foaming milk, you need to be ready to go as soon as the coffee starts dripping into the carafe. The lid seals tightly, and no steam comes out of the top (which was a HUGE safety hazard in a different brand I used to own). I wash everything in the dishwasher, including the removable drip tray, and...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Carry bottles almost anywhere with Gund Baby" about Gund Baby Single Bottle Bag

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:10:02 GMT

I purchased the Gund baby Single Bottle Bag for $2.00 at T.J. Maxx. Online, it sells for $10.50, so I got a great deal. The bottle bag comes in a sturdy sage green fabric with complementary striped fabric at the top and a cute little baby carriage emblem. It cinches at the top with a drawstring and clasp. Inside, the vinyl lining keeps bottles cool and can be wiped clean with a wet cloth. The strap has a Velcro attachment so it can be attached to diaper bags or strollers for easy tote-along and keeping hands free for the baby.

My take: I really love this bag! The blue-striped fabric on the "boy" version is gender-neutral, and I think the shade is much prettier than the pink version. The cloth is sturdy, and the whole bag is really well-made. My only issue is that the top doesn't cinch shut as tightly as I would like, so if you plan on long outings in warm weather, keep your bottle in more than just this bag to be safe. It is easy to clean and doesn't wrinkle, so...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Keeps the binkies and my sanity together!" about Gund Baby Pacifier Pod

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:49:28 GMT

Keeping things organized and clean is a huge priority for me. Often sitting for a little one, I go nuts trying to keep track of her pacifiers and then, once I find them, worrying about what kind of bacteria is crawling all over them! Enter the Gund Baby Pacifier Pod! Made of sturdy fabric in a sage and blue vine pattern with matching sage green edging, this pod holds 2-3 binkies. The inside is made of white vinyl for easy wipe-clean maintenance. The Velcro tabs make it easy to attach the pod to belts, strollers, car seats, my purse straps, or any other place that I'll actually remember to check when I need a pacifier.

I purchased the pod for $3.00 at T.J. Maxx, and it was regularly priced at $5.99. Either way, it's worth its weight in gold. I have no problem keeping two bulky or three small pacifiers in the pod, and it really is easy to keep clean just by wiping the inside out with a washcloth. The Velcro is holding up well...as is my sanity! I love the colors of the fabric,...

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JovialCougar says "Finish Dishwasher Detergent gets the job done" about Electrasol Finish Quantum

JovialCougar — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:32:33 GMT

I recently tried using Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent and have been happy with the results. Not only is this product very easy to use, it really gets your dishes as clean as a whistle.

This dishwashing detergent comes in the form of little blocks - about 1 inch X 2 inches. There is a red dot in the middle with Jet Dry gel for shinyness. The rest of the detergent block is a combination of bleach and enzymes, The block is small enough to fit in any dishwasher cup (according to the manufacturer).

What I like best is how easy it is to use this dish detergent. Just toss the pre-measured block in the dishwasher cup, close it, and turn on the machine. Presto - your clean dishes will be ready when the machine is done running. They dissolve completely and are biodegradeable. The packaging says this brand is recommended by Maytag, Whirpool. Bosch, and Kitchen Aid.

The only drawback is that there was quite a bit of packaging with this product. The tabs are in a somewhat rigid plastic tray and...

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JovialCougar says "Rival Crock Pot: The Original Slow Cooker" about Rival Crock-Pot 6 Quart Slow Cooker

JovialCougar — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:49:21 GMT

I recently bought a Rival Crock Pot to use at pot luck dinners and similar events. I went with the Rival brand because they are the ''Original Slow Cooker'' and still make them right. It also helped that the price was really reasonable.

My Rival Crock Pot is a 6-quart size. The exterior is stainless steel with black handles. The pot inside is a round, heavy-duty ceramic, 10 inches across and topped with a glass lid. It has black plastic handles and the lid has a black plastic knob on top. There are three settings: Low, High, and Warm. Overall it looks decent.

I've used this crock pot several times to take cooked foods to an event. I was very happy with how it kept the foods warm enough on the low setting for many hours. Nothing burned and I didn't have to go turn it on and off throughout the day. The higher setting is definitely a lot hotter so is best used when really cooking a meal.

Rival makes quite a few different crock pots and this one has few bells and whistles. The three...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Not quite as cupcakey as I was hoping..." about Avon Vanilla Frosting Bubble Bath

dmlichnerowicz — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:34:53 GMT

I'm not normally a bath-taker. One of my friends put it well..."I don't like soaking in my own funk." However, sometimes, I'll slow myself down enough to soak for a while after showering. My mother-in-law purchased my husband (who doesn't mind "soaking on his own funk" on a regular basis) a bottle of Avon Vanilla Frosting Bubble Bath for Christmas. This white creamy bubble bath is scented to smell like vanilla icing with a hint of sweet orange. Each 24 ox. bottle typically runs somewhere around $8.

My take: The nice thing about Avon bubble baths is that they have a good amount of foam that stays in the water for the majority of your bath. It also doesn't leave any residue along the side of the tub after your drain the water. The scent is strong enough, but it doesn't really smell like vanilla frosting to me...it smells more like the "hint" of orange that is in the aroma. I don't get images of cake in my head when I smell this, which is what I expected from the name.

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mindyvol says "A great toy for children learning to spell" about LeapFrog Word Whammer Fridge Phonics set

mindyvol — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:41:35 GMT

The Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builder by LeapFrog is the perfect educational toy for children who are ready to move up from the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set.

The recommended age range is from ages 3-6, which my children fall into, however my six-year old son prefers to write his letters on paper and only plays with this when he is helping his younger sister. My daughter, age four, is the one who uses this the most and she really enjoys it.

The Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builder can build over 325 words (a printable list is available on the LeapFrog website), comes with 29 lowercase magnetic letters, and also includes batteries (woo hoo!). The extra magnetic letters are included so that your child can spell such words as mom and dad, which require two of the same letters. The vowels are color-coded red so that you can also teach your child vowel sounds.

There are three modes of play including Load a Letter, Word Building, and Word Play. My daughter prefers...

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mindyvol says "A terrific learning toy that grows with your child" about LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

mindyvol — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:13:39 GMT

I purchased the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set when my son was just a toddler. He is now six years old and technically would still be using this toy if we hadn't upgraded to the LeapFrog Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builder. Both my son and my daughter (age four) grew up with the Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set and I attribute much of their knowledge of the alphabet to this product.

The Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set is a must-have for any household with young children and is fast becoming (or may have already become) a classic toy. Just about every parent that I know has one of these and it's a rarity when we visit a house that does not.

Like most moms, much of my day is spent in the kitchen, which is why having this toy on the refrigerator is a perfect spot for both mother and child. I could tend to my kitchen duties while my children played with it.

The LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set truly is a product that will grow along with your child. ...

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mindyvol says "Glenn Beck - anything but COMMON but he does make SENSE" about common sense

mindyvol — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:11:00 GMT

Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine

It seems that most people who are familiar with Glenn Beck either love him or hate him. I fall into the former category and a little embarrassingly admit that I even have a bit of a mom crush on him. I was first introduced to Mr. Beck when I read his book, An Inconvenient Truth, which I really enjoyed.

I wouldn't call myself a political junkie but I have found myself pursuing a higher level of knowledge in politics in the past few years. I was too busy daydreaming about boys to pay much attention to politics in high school, but now that I'm a married mom to two young children, I have a vested interest in the future of my beloved country.

When my harried life slows down on occasion and I remember to tune in, I watch Glenn Beck's program on cable news television, and aside from hawking his books, I feel like he really does care about our country. Hence my decision to read one...

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JovialCougar says "A perfect skillet of omelets" about Rachael Ray 8" nonstick skillet

JovialCougar — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:35:45 GMT

I needed a decent skillet for making omelets and finally found one - the Rachael Ray 8'' Nonstick Skillet. This skillet is just the right size for cooking up an egg breakfast or a small meal like a grilled cheese sandwich or one hamburger.

The skillet is made of stainless steel which will be durable over the long haul. I also like the non-stick surface inside the pan. Eggs slide right out! If you keep the stove's heat at a reasonable temperature nothing will burn either.

The handle is made of silcon, which I am seeing more and more of in kitchenware. It does not get hot up to 400 degrees (F) so you can even put it in the oven. Also, the handle is firmly attached with two riveted-on bolts. I'm not crazy about the orange handle color, but can live with it, especially since it has ergonomic qualities.

I've heard that Rachel Ray has a full line of cookware but this it the only piece that I have used so far. Another reviewer mentioned flaking on their skillet, but I have not experienced...

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mindyvol says "Lego City Police Headquarters is fun for both kids and adults!" about LEGO City Police Headquarters

mindyvol — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:08:38 GMT

My son, who recently turned six years old, started playing with Legos this past year. He began small and built things like a Racer car or a Star Wars vehicle. I was fortunate to find a huge container of various Legos at a garage sale that kept my son busy for hours each day (and still does months later).

Now that my son is getting older, he is able to follow the basic Lego instructions on his own and has requested the larger (i.e. more expensive) Lego sets. While he hasn't received any of the large sets yet, his older cousin just got the Lego City Police Headquarters (#7744) set and WOW, is it ever neat!

The Lego City Police Headquarters is for ages 6-12 and contains a whopping 953 pieces! The set consists of different sections which can be re-arranged (there are three pictures on the box) for several modes of play. The headquarters is divided into sub-models including two jail cells, a watch tower, a booking area, office, coffee break room, and a two car garage with doors...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Pretty sure the name just came from the movie..." about Bath and Body Works Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods Body Lotion

dmlichnerowicz — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:28:53 GMT

I like Bath and Body Works' body lotions, mostly for the fragrance, since they're not the most hydrating lotions I've used. With one of my Christmas gift cards, I decided to try out their new Twilight Woods collection. The description of the fragrance on the back of the bottle reads, "This hypnotic fragrance was inspired by a romantic walk in enchanted woods." Most woods smell like musty, grassy dirt to me, so I was intrigued.

My take: The bottle is really pretty. It's shaped like their regular body lotion bottles, but the cap has been redesigned and is much better quality. The fragrance, fortunately, does not smell like a forest. It's a very sweet, not quite floral, not quite sugary scent that's difficult to describe. Very feminine and soft without being baby powdery. The lotion, just like the remainder of their signature lines, is not as hydrating as some other creams and lotions, but it is very pleasant, soaks in quickly, and doesn't feel greasy at all. The fragrance...

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AngelaWLaFon says "MK Signature Eye Color Duets Color Me Happy" about Mary Kay Eyeshadow

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:12:24 GMT

Mary Kay Signature Eye Color Duets

Mary Kay Signature Eye Color Duets makes choosing compimentary eye colors easy. Each eye color duet comes with two sections with two shades of one hue. MK consultants can also give you a helpful eye color application guide that shows you how to apply you're duets eye colors.

Why I like MK Eye Color Duets:

-Complimentary colors are already paired.

-Lots of colors to choose from.

-Can be applied "wet" or "dry."

-Stays put and doesn't crease.

My latest favorite MK Signature is "Blue Moon." The name is misleading because it's not exactly "blue" but rather one is smoky and the other silvery. It's been my go to eye color fo the holidays. Blue Moon looks really good on people with "Spring" or "Ocean" coloring like blonde hair and blue eyes.

A lot of Mary Kay makeup is made in the U.S.A. I noticed that this eye color duet is made in Italy.

With any eye shadows I think a eye color primer is helpful for longer lasting color and I think good applying...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Variety is the spice of life and I like the Aramis Life variety." about Aramis Life Eau de Toilette Spray

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:29:57 GMT

Aramis Life Eau de Toilette Spray

I like it! My husband has been a Estee Lauder for Men cologne wearer for a long time and I love the scent. He occassionally also wears Royall Lymn which is a winner with me too. It's easy to get comfortable in our ways and in our sprays but recently my husband tried out some Aramis Life Eau de Toilette. I like this one too!

Aramis Life has been described as "woodsy" and "spicy." I don't disagree but to me the scent is really soft. I don't mean "baby" soft. It's a very manly scent but many men's colognes start out soft and end with an edge and this cologne is just really smooth all the way through.

Yes, the bottle is attractive too. It's a bright blue with a silver top.

Aramis Life is very reasonably priced. It's smells clean and manly but yet very smooth and soft. It's more of a casual scent. It's easily an every day scent because it's in no way overpowering but to me anyway, it's very attractive. It makes you snuggle up a little closer...

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jasyjen says "We laughed so hard from this movie, my husband almost threw up!" about The Hangover

jasyjen — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:19:53 GMT

OH-MY-GOD! The Hangover is one of the FUNNIEST movies I have ever seen in my life. If you have ever, even just once, drank much more than you should have and have been unable to remember the night before, you will find this movie absolutely riotous!

NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW---

The Hangoveris a 2009 film that is about four men that head to Las Vegas, as one of the men is about to be married. The trip to Las Vegas is supposed to last just one night, and is a bachelor's party of sorts that goes horribly wrong. To quickly sum up the worst of it, when then men wake up in the morning, there is a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet, and the groom-to-be has gone missing. The remainder of the movie is the other men's attempt at locating their lost friend and trying to piece together what happened that they cannot remember.

Honestly, The Hangover was so hilarious, there were parts in the movie that had my husband and I laughing so hard, we had to rewind the movie to see what...

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jasyjen says "These night vision goggles really work! VERY COOL TOY." about EyeClops Night Vision Infared Stealth Goggles V2

jasyjen — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:51:13 GMT

My eight year son asked for a pair of spy glasses that would work in the dark for Christmas. I had no idea what he wanted, so I went to the store looking for something that matched the description. I saw a pair of Spy Gear night vision goggles, but in all honestly, they looked like they were made really cheap and I refused to buy them. I went to a few stores before I found these goggles that cost about $ 45.00. They were made by Eyeclops, and they looked a lot more durable than the Spy Gear brand. I was a little turned off by the price though, and didn't buy them right away. After about a month of looking, I broke down and bought the Eyeclops Night Vision Infared Stealth Goggles, and I am SO GLAD that I did! These are one of the coolest toys I have ever purchased! THEY REALLY WORK! I mean they REALLY work! You can use them in complete darkness and see as clear as a bell with them. The Eyeclops Night Vision Infared Stealth Goggles look a lot like a bulky pair of binoculars.......