Reviews by Friends of CrystaBush

NattScatt says "A Show About Cats For Those Of Us Who Like Cats" about Cats: 101

NattScatt — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:04:29 GMT

I have a cat named Que Sera. She is about a year old. She is a love. I also collect cats. Cat figurines, glasswear, knick-knacks etc. I think this qualifies me as a cat lover. I just think they are so pretty. So funny and mysterious. Since I work ful time and Que Sera is often left alone, I switch on a TV to the Animal Planet and turn the volume down on my way out the door. I don't think the cat watches this, mind you, but I feel better thinking I left her with entertainment.

One evening when I came home, I sat petting Que Sera while absently watching whatever show that was on Animal Planet at that time. I saw a commercial for a show called Cats: 101. It said it was a new series about cat breeds, their origins, habits, health and how well they would work in certain families. I immediately set up a series recording for the show and then turned the channel and went to take a shower.

The first episode of Cats: 101 I caught was about three different cat breeds. ...

...

Taffypull says "Martha Stewart Craft Supplies are amazing " about Martha Stewart Crafts

Taffypull — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:39:02 GMT

I just recently got to use of the items from the Martha Stewart craft line and I fell in love with all of them.

I've used many different craft supplies before but Martha's is fun and easy to use.

The hole punches that you use have helpful guide lines on them to make it easy to make sure all the punches line up just the way you need them to, to make a border or corner just right.

The adhesive rollers are amazing. They allow you to glue your projects together by just applying a tiny bit of double sided tape without the hassle of getting your fingers stuck all over the tape.

The stickers she has available are all very cute and fun. I used the cupcakes and the flowers and really loved the way they applied to the project I was doing and they stuck well.

I also got to use some of her glitter and although it was messy it made a great project for holiday ornaments. It added an extra spark to them. The colors she has avialble are endless and the possibilities on projects are endless too.

Another...

...

this2shallpass19 says "The Ortega Taco Kit is a fast, easy way to make crunchy tacos!" about Ortega Taco Kit

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:30:17 GMT

I usually cook everything from scratch when I make dinner, but I saw the Ortega Taco Kit at the commissary for under $2.00, so I had to take a chance and try something new. Since all I needed to buy was ground beef and taco toppings, I thought it would be worth buying even if it sucked.

The Ortega Taco Kit makes 12 tacos and includes the following:

Ortega taco seasoning packet
Packet of Ortega Taco Sauce
12 crunchy taco shells

I liked how easy this kit made it to prepare crunchy tacos. Simply brown ground beef with the taco seasoning packet and bake taco shells to get them crispy. Then top with your favorite taco ingredients. I added shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese.

I thought the ground beef tasted great. It was well seasoned and flavorful. The Ortega Taco Sauce was too mild for my liking. My husband and I like spicy food and this taco sauce didn't have enough flavor for us. The shells were good and we didn't think they needed to be baked to be good. We liked them...

...

onwaytozion says "Smile! Look at the Olympus Camedia C-700 Digital Camera" about Olympus - Camedia C-700 Digital Camera

onwaytozion — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:40:05 GMT

Used to using an SLR (Single Lens Reflex camera), I wanted a digital camera that took comparable quality photographs. There was a slight learning curve to get used to the Olympus Camedia C-700 Digital Camera, but now I don't want to part with it.

I was used to carrying a bag full of filters and lenses, but with the Olympus Camedia C-700 Digital Camera, I really didn't miss them. It boasts an optical zoom of 10x and a digital zoom of 27x. It has 2.1 megapixels and a built-in flash. There are optional settings on the control disc for portraits, scenery, and action, among others, or it can be left set to AUTO to let the camera focus appropriately. There is a timer option and a tripod mount (great for those family photos during the holidays when you want to include everyone). It uses a SmartMedia memory card which, depending on size, holds a various number of photos.

The camera takes four batteries, and we usually use rechargeable batteries. However, on more than one occasion the batteries...

...

this2shallpass19 says "Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap is organic, but..." about Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:27:30 GMT

I normally buy baby bath products that have a nice scent because I like my son's hair to smell nice when he gets out of the bath, but my friend bought him Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap, so we needed to use it up.

I love that this product is made with all natural ingredients and organic, but since it is fragrance-free, it imparts no scent on my son's hair. Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap is supposed to be great for babies and adults with sensitive skin since it is fragrance-free and contains nothing but all natural oils, water, glycerin and vitamin E.

This soap is also a multi-purpose product. As with all Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soaps, you can clean the kitchen & bathroom with it, rinse fruits & veggies or use it for the body. I have this product in a Citrus scent and use it to clean my kitchen sink. Although this product is called Baby Mild Liquid Soap, nowhere on it does it say that it is tear-free. My son hasn't cried from using this, but it would be nice to know.

Ingredients...

...

Katrena says "Plackers Flossers Are OK But Not Very Environmentally Friendly" about Plackers Dental Flossers Mint 75 Ea, 2 Packs

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:38:34 GMT

Plackers Dental Flossers come in packs of 50, are mint flavored, and are advertised that people can clean all of their teeth with just one flosser.

What I Like About Plackers Dental Flossers:

They are convenient.
My kids are better about flossing than with traditional dental floss.
They were $1 at Dollar Tree.
They are packaged in a resealable pouch.

What I Don't Like About Plackers Dental Flossers:

They don't list whether or not they are gluten free on the package.
They are not very environmentally friendly.
They work well for my kids' teeth, but I'm not sure that they would do well if teeth were really tight.
They are made in China--I prefer to buy products made in America, if possible and affordable.

My Viewpoint:

Plackers Dental Flossers are convenient, a good price compared to many other brands, and have encouraged my kids to floss. They could also be helpful to people who have a hard time holding dental floss. My biggest issue with them is that they are disposable. I think it would...

...

onwaytozion says "HP Photosmart is a versatile printer that also scans and copies" about Hewlett Packard Photosmart C3150 Printer

onwaytozion — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:32:57 GMT

My old printer got a mysterious error code and refused to print, so I needed an inexpensive replacement, fast. I got a Hewlett Packard Photosmart C3150 Printer and haven't regretted the decision.

I wanted a printer that made high-quality prints. What I got was a printer that printed photo-quality prints AND a printer that also scanned AND a printer that made copies! The HP Photosmart C3150 Printer does it all. I didn't realize how much I would come to depend on those extra features. No more sneaking things to work to use their copier machine. And now that I've become involved with mystery shopping, I need to scan receipts and/or business cards as proof of visits all the time.

I've learned to live with the minor downsides, since the pluses far outweigh the minuses. My biggest inconvenience has been the ink cartridges: they just don't last very long. Luckily, they can usually be found in multi-packs, containing both black and color cartridges. The cartridges are easy to replace.

Also, this...

...

Katrena says "Disney Magic Towels are Cute Idea But Need More Quality Control" about Disney Magic Towel

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:21:31 GMT

Disney Magic Towels are washclothes that are packaged very tightly with plastic around them. After removing the outer plastic covering, just place the washcloth in water and watch it slowly open into a washcloth with a beautiful design.

We actually bought several of these for $1/each at the Dollar Tree. I thought they might be a good reward for good behavior, and my girls really enjoy pretty pictures on washcloths. I purchased:

High School Musical for the 7-year-old, who was not particularly impressed because the package had a picture with lots of kids but the washcloth did not.
Cinderella for the 5-year-old, who was disappointed because hers had two cut places in it.
Winnie the Pooh for the 23-month-old, who was thrilled and wanted to carry it everywhere for quite a while.

My Viewpoint:

I think these Disney Magic Towels are a cute idea and have pretty designs, but two out of three daughters were disappointed with them. My kids enjoyed watching their washcloths unfold in the water. Actually,...

...

Katrena says "Waiting for Wings is Vivid, Colorful, and Fun" about Waiting for Wings

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:13:39 GMT

Waiting for Wings [2001, Harcourt, Inc., ISBN: 0-15-202608-8], by Lois Ehlert, is a 36-page children's picture book about butterflies.

The story:

The book begins with eggs and continues through the life cycle until butterflies emerge amidst the beautiful flowers until they have eggs to lay. The story rhymes and the pages are interesting in that part of the pages are only partial pages and several portions of illustrations are used for multiple pages.

The end of the book shows four different butterflies and how to identify the caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly, and food for that type. The four butterflies identified are:

buckeye
painted lady
monarch
tiger swallowtail

It also shows the basic parts of a butterfly, a summary of the butterfly life cycle, how butterflies eat, and a guide to identify flowers on which butterflies like to feed.

This book is a little larger than a regular sized book and would work well for small groups if you wanted to read it to several children at once. Its short...

...

Katrena says "Just My Style Messenger Bag Is a Fun Craft and Unique Handbag" about Just My Style Messenger Bag

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:10:47 GMT

Just My Style Messenger Bag is a handbag that has a large fold-over flap with a design that can be colored and decorated. My 8-year-old got this for her birthday, and I think it's one of the cutest and most original ideas for a gift I've seen. My sister, CyndiA, is really good at picking out cool gifts. It is advertised for ages 6 and older.

Because this was a gift, I'm not sure on the price for this product.

What I like about Just My Style Messenger Bag:

It is a fun craft that can be used as an accessory.
It comes with 5 bright permanent markers and 20 peel & stick sparkling stones.
It allows for my child to express herself and create something all her own.
It seems to be made well and looks like it will last.

What I don't like about Just My Style Messenger Bag:

Babies and permanent markers don't mix very well.

My Viewpoint:

Just My Style Messenger Bag is a great gift idea for a child who love to color. It can provide a unique accessory that seems to be durable. I recommend that if you...

...

Katrena says "Woolite Foam Carpet Cleaner Gets a Lot of Mileage at My House" about Woolite One Step Foam Carpet Cleaner

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:00:29 GMT

Woolite One Step Foam Carpet Cleaner gets a lot of use at our house. I have three children. They all have holes in their chins. Food and drink goes in and comes right out the hole. Then there's the artist in the family. Markers show up quite nicely on carpet. You don't even need to try that out...just take my word for it.

Here's what I like about Woolite Carpet Cleaner:

It's easy--just shake the can, point the nozzle and squirt. The can says to let it dry and then vacuum. We just use an old towel and scrub because foam is a great play thing around my house.
It works well on new stains and water soluble markers. I feel your pain if you have old stains or permanent marker artwork on your carpet.
It works quickly.
The bottle says it does not contain CFCs, which deplete the ozone layer.
It has an odor eliminator but doesn't have a strong scent.
Quite a few stores in my area carry it.

What I don't like about Woolite Carpet Cleaner:

It's not cheap but not the most expensive carpet cleaner out...

...

Katrena says "I'm Quite Impressed with Dolgencorp Trowel from Dollar General" about Dolgencorp Trowel

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:58:41 GMT

People who have flower beds usually have a trowel. It looks like a little shovel with a blade about as long as one's hand. It's very hard to find a good trowel at any price. The ones with a handle that is attached to the blade tend to come apart and bend when putting much pressure on them. I happened to see this Dolgencorp Trowel at Dollar General and it only cost $1. I've bought numerous other trowels for more money that weren't nearly the quality that this one is.

What I like about Dolgencorp Trowel:

It's made in one piece so it won't come apart.
It feels quite sturdy and I've put it to the test quite a few times.
It's lightweight--my two-year-old loves this thing and I often have to make a deal with her in order to use it (she isn't impressed with my older one that looks different).
It was a great price at Dollar General.
It is not green. When you leave a green item in a garden that has lots of green foliage, it's not easy to find. This one is primarily black with a little bit of blue....

...

Katrena says "Krinkles Truck & People are Fun and Entertaining to Kids" about Krinkles Truck Blocks & 4 People

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:32:58 GMT

Krinkles Truck Blocks & 4 People comes as a set of 40 interlocking blocks and 4 figures (man, woman, boy, girl) with a krinkle pad on the bottom. These are interesting blocks because they can be stuck together fairly easily and pulled apart to redesign over and over.

What I like about Krinkles truck blocks/people:

Easy to use
Colorful
My kids loved having people to go with it
Cute to have tire-type blocks

What I didn't like about Krinkles truck blocks/people:

My kids like to put people in items and the people would stand on the vehicle but you couldn't have them to sit down
They seem sturdy but they are only recommended for children over 3. If a baby tried to chew on these blocks, the small pegs would probably come loose.
Tires didn't turn

My Viewpoint:

We actually checked this toy out with a toy kit at our Smart Start office. The kids were all drawn right to this particular box and loved to play with it. The 8-year-old and 5-year-old seemed to be able to fit the pieces together pretty...

...

jessalexander says "Hungry Hungry Hippos is not the game it used to be." about Hungry Hungry Hippos By Hasbro

jessalexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:06:28 GMT

My son had received $10 to purchase something from the store. His lack of understanding about money was expected since he is only 2 1/2. At first he pointed excitedly exclaiming, 'I want that!' at every toy $30+. I eventually tired of pointing to the cheaper toys and asking 'How about this one?' to his obvious disappointment, so we moved on to the game aisle. His face lit up when he saw Hungry Hungry Hippos by Hasbro. He had seen commercials for this game, and was very excited to see it on the shelf. The original price was $15, but I happened to have a coupon for $4 off, so I was okay with chipping in $1 for him to be able to get it.

We purchased the game with high hopes based on my memories of hours of fun chomping marbles during my childhood...I was quite disappointed after we assembled and began to play. He, having no clue what the original was like, was beyond gleeful.

I'm not positive that my memory is totally correct, but I believe the original was quite a bit bigger, made...

...

onwaytozion says "The Yard Vacuum cleans up leaves quicker than a leaf blower" about Yard Man by MTD Yard Vacuum

onwaytozion — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:34:50 GMT

Our house has a 3/4 acre yard, surrounded by woods. We love it here, but in the autumn leaf pick up is a real chore. My husband would spend hours with a leaf blower trying to keep the lawn clear, several times per season.

Once we discovered the Yard Man Leaf Vacuum, we fell in love with it! It is pushed like a lawn mower, shreds and collects the leaves in a bag, ready for us to add to the compost pile. It is much easier and faster than using the leaf blower. We still keep the leaf blower around for hard-to-reach areas like the garden and the driveway, but the yard belongs to the Yard Man Leaf Vacuum.

We used to have to blow the leaves into a pile and transport them to their destination, otherwise they'd just blow back again. We live in a tick-prone area, so it is a big plus that the Yard Man Leaf Vacuum limits the contact we have with the leaves that sometimes harbor the nasty bugs. We also appreciate that the leaves are shredded before they go into the compost, quickening the compost process....

...

Bryan-Carey says "Don't Break the Ice: Simple, Quick Family Game" about Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:55:14 GMT

Most every child likes to play games and many great memories are formed when families take time to play games with their children- even if the game is short and simple. One game that fits this definition is Don't Break the Ice, a simple, quick game from Milton Bradley.

Game Commentary:

Don't Break the Ice is a game consisting of multiple pieces that have to be assembled each time the game is played. There are a total of thirty- eight pieces: 32 small "cubes" of ice; one large cube that is equal in size to four of the smaller cubes; one red- colored person wearing skates; and two interlocking sides that form the base in which the pieces of ice are placed; and two mallets. The base has to be snapped together and the pieces of ice squeezed inside the base (while inverted) in order to prepare for play. The last step is to place the plastic skating figure on top of the large block, pressing the skater into place. Players than tap the blocks of ice, one at a time, while trying to avoid having...

...

ApriBambino says "Yummies Candies & Nuts of Maine is a candy lover's dream " about Yummies Candies & Nuts

ApriBambino — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:25:44 GMT

Yummies Candies & Nuts

Their motto is: "If you can't find it at Yummies, they probably don't make it", and if you check out their website you'll find this to be very true.

Yummies Candies & Nuts is located in Kittery, Maine.They carry a humongous selection of assorted goodies that's really mind boggling. I order candy from them for the holidays as I like to make sweet-treat baskets to give out to friends and family.

When you visit the site you'll find that it's pretty basic,nothing fancy but it is easy to navigate and there's lots of treats to check out.

The list is long and includes: Chocolate Novelties, Better Chocolates,Christmas Treats, Dried Fruit and Mixes, Fun Stuff like wax lips and flying saucers. There's Gummies and Jellies, assorted Hard Candies, Jelly Beans, Licorice, Lindt Truffles, Liquor Fulled Chocolates, Maine Jams and Jellies, Maine Treats, Memory Lane treats like Candy Buttons, Necco Wafers and Candy Lipsticks. There are oodles of Mints like Violet Squares and...

...

TaraLee says "Add this oil to any other moisturizer or use alone, its great!" about J/A/S/O/N Vitamin E Oil

TaraLee — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:23:52 GMT

In my never ending quest for a natural moisturizer I decided to give J/A/S/O/N Vitamin E Oil a try. I few drops warmed in my hand and patted onto a moist face provides me lasting moisture for a full day. It absorbs very quickly and does not leave a greasy shine on my face.

I have sensitive skin, dry in some patches, oily in others so naturally I was a bit heistant to put oil on my face. I was afraid that I would end up breaking out. I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded. Instead I have radiant smooth skin after a week of regular use. You have to use on your face with care, a little too much and you will be oily, but if you can get exactly the correct amount, soft glowing skin will be yours.

In addition I have taken to putting this oil in other lotions and creams that I use on my skin elsewhere on my body. I put it in the body lotion, the foot cream the hand cream etc. for that extra boost. It has a light pleasant smell, mixes well and is positively dreamy when applied to moist...

...

this2shallpass19 says "Crayola TaDoodles are cute, but not what I thought they'd be." about Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles Washable First Marks

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:54 GMT

My son isn't very interested in coloring or using crayons, so I wanted to find something fun for him to try to get him more involved in arts and crafts. When I saw Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles Washable First Marks at Target, I knew they were exactly what I was looking for. I excitedly brought them home for my toddler, only to find out that they aren't as great as they first seemed.

Crayola says: "TaDoodles Washable First Marks are the right size and shape for a child's first palm grasp to help in developing gross to fine motor skills."

Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles Washable First Marks are designed to be a child's first marker. They are easy-to-hold markers in the shape of animals. The set I bought for my son included a frog, dog and bear. They are bottom heavy so that they sit up properly when not in use. The top of the animal's head has a flat sponge "marker" that is where the color comes out. Turn the animal over so that the marker area touches the paper and the marker will...

...

MommyLisa says "Regular Yoplait or Yoplait Whips have MUCH MORE FLAVOR!" about Yoplait Delights Parfait Lowfat Yogurt

MommyLisa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:57 GMT

I tried both the chocolate raspberry and creme caramel Yoplait Delights - and I was NOT delighted with either of them.

I try to review only the things I like, but this was such a marketing device - so much more than an actual treat - that I had to speak up!

Buy Yoplait Fat Free flavors like Boston Cream Pie, Cinnamon Roll, White Chocolate Strawberry, etc. if you want real enjoyment. Yoplait Whips in Chocolate Raspberry Mousse??? YUM, the Yoplait delight? I could barely tell it was chocolate and did not even taste the raspberry.

For the price it comes to 74 cents per 4 oz cup at suggested retail - you can regularly find coupons for regular Yoplait and get it on sale for less than 60 cents for a six ounce container. You do the math.

Yoplait Delights are not worth the money - or EFFORT in actually finding them!

...