Reviews by Friends of JGubbins207

AngelaWLaFon says "Le Creuset: Nothing but the best for my Thanksgiving stuffing" about Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:31:11 GMT

Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes

Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes aren't your grandmother's casserole dishes! My Grandmother's cooking is fabulous, and I think I am a pretty good cook too but one thing I have going for me is my Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes.

I have Le Creuset rectangular baking dishes that are perfect for:

Thanksgiving stuffing

Casseroles

Sheet Cakes

I have Le Creuset smaller oval baking dishes that are perfect for:

side dishes

downsizing left overs

appetizers like crab dip

I have Le Creuset small rectangular baking dishes that are perfect for:

gift loafs of zuchinni bread

rice pudding for two

small sides like cranberry sauce

And oh so much more. These are just a few examples to get the wheels turning.

Le Creuset baking dishes come in a variety of colors. I have deep reds, bright blues and classic pea greens. (I am sure Le Creuset has their own fancy names for their colors. This are just my own take on the hues.)

I like Le Creuset baking dishes because...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Vera Bradley Paprika Tote: I love this new Vera tote bag!" about Vera Bradley Paprika Tote

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:30:19 GMT

Vera Bradley Paprika Tote

I really like the look, feel and design of Vera Bradley bags. I think her fabric patterns can work for both classic or trendy looks. I have a Vera Bradley cosmetic bag that was a gift for Mother's Day- sweet! I also have a knock off back pack style bag but as far as Vera Bradley purses and totes go, I've just admired other people's- a lot.

True story:

I saw the Vera Bradley Paprika Tote in a magazine. Love the look, loved the color for fall and even loved the name since I am a big time Paprika user in the kitchen. Macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs - they all need a little Paprika.

Still, would I have put this at the top of my wish list when I have more practical needs? Who knows now because... I won it! Yes, I won it at a fundraiser for the library which I am sure was some good karma for accrueing and paying my library fines without quibbling.

Now that I have a Vera Bradley tote, what do I really think of it?

I love it!

It's an almost square design...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Carter's Just One Year Blanket: 2 sides, oh so soft & oh so warm" about Carter's Sweet Baby Blanket

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:29:28 GMT

Carter's Just One Year Baby Blankets

Baby blankets are just one of those baby items that are a most have all year round but they can be oh so sweet too.

Our prized baby blankets were hand made, whether crocheted, knitted or quilted but some of our most practical and enjoyed were either from Disney or from Carter's Just One Year. Carter's makes many styles of baby blankets but my favorite is the Carter's Just One Year 2 sided fleece blanket.

What does 2 sided fleece mean?

This Carter's Just One Year blanket has a soft, soft plush fleece on side and a warm, warm pile fleece on the other. One reminds you of a soft plush toy and the other reminds you of the fuzzy and warm fleece jackets by Patagonia.

Of course we want all blankets to be soft to baby's skin but this soft blanket feels great on the parent's or caregiver's arms too.

If I am just swaddling for comfort, I use the plush side next to baby but if I need to keep baby warm, I put the pile fleece inside. Either way, baby and I both...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Clore Dining Room Chairs: Made in the U.S.A., last 4 generations" about Clore Dining Room Chairs

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:14:13 GMT

Clore Dining Room Chairs

eaclore.com

E.A. Clore is has been making furniture right here in Virginia since 1830. We've been slowly upgrading our furniture, one room a year and trying to buy furniture that is made in the U.S.A.

When it came time to buy dining room chairs and bar stools, we wanted Clore chairs. They are classic and so well made. We'd visited many homes that had Clore chairs that had been owned and used for decades and they still had an amazing look and function too.

Clore chairs are custom made from hardwoods. You can choose from walnut, cherry, oak or mahogany. These are not wood finishes. They are real wood chairs.

We chose: 2 captains chairs for the "heads of the table" with arms, 6 traditional ladder back chairs and bar stools, 4 with backs and 2 without for versatility. My favorite addition from the Clore dining room chairs is the youth chair.

What is a youth chair?

Parents well know that the point in time that comes when a child no longer needs a high chair...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen: It STAYS so apply carefully!" about Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:32:52 GMT

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen

I guess when you've been wearing make up for two decades you go through phases. Black liquid eye liner, often applied with something that looked like a tiny paint brush was popular in the eighties. I was turned off for two reasons. A) So many people OVER did it. B) I didn't seem to have the coordination to apply it correctly.

Maybe I have a steadier hand now. Maybe I am just no longer in a rush. Likely, it is the improvement in the applicator that makes this liquid eyeliner a success for me.

I am not an everyday eye liner wearer. In my makeup bag, I have one Revlon eyeliner pencil, one Mary Kay eyeliner and one Clinique eyeliner. This seems like over kill but they are all different colors with different features but what none if them were was BOLD. A few months ago we were headed out for big time celebration with many friends old and new. A new dress and a babysitter and this mama wanted something a little more dramatic for the evening. ...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Bath & Body Works Cool Citrus Basil: I like this scent a lot!" about Bath & Body Works Cool Citrus Basil Body Lotion

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:38:28 GMT

Bath & Body Works

Cool Citrus & Basil Body Lotion

I am a big believer in moisturizing, especially this time of year when we are using wood heat that just sucks the moisture out of your skin. I like to keep lotions on my desk, in my car, in my purse, in the bathroom, in the bedroom... everywhere I might be. I am also a scent lover but I tend to shy away from sweet and fruity or heavy floral scents.

Cool Citrus Basil isn't a name that just jumped out at me as being a must try scent. I do love the scent of fresh basil when I am preparing a homemade pizza or tomato sauce but in a lotion? Really? I was surprised. The scent of basil is there but subtle and the combination with the fresh citrus scent is really appealing to me.

I like Bath & Body Works body lotions in general. They are rich and never greasy but they are not a healing dry skin lotion. I use them as a general lotion when I want to moisturize skin that is already in good shape and enjoy a nice scent.

Bath & Body Works...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Best Christmas Movies: Have yourself a merry little movie..." about Best Christmas Holiday Movies

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:13:23 GMT

"It's the most wonderful time of year!" (for a movie!)

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and it's a great time to make some popcorn or hot chocolate or both and curl up on the couch with your family. There are many great Christmas movies for families, including the classics It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947) but here is an eclectic list of our favorite Christmas movies in no particular order.

Best Family Christmas Movies: Our family's favorites

The Polar Express, 2004

I loved the book, The Polar Express and I love what Tom Hanks did with this movie. Join a brother and sister on The Polar Express on Christmas Eve for a journey through the magic of Christmas. Do you believe? Can you hear the Christmas bells?

A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965

Just hearing the music to this one makes me smile. A Charlie Brown Christmas still has it. Kids still love it and it is just as good as you remember. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holdiays...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Green Toys Recycled Tea Set: Have a true "green" tea party." about Green Green Recycled Tea Set

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:17:23 GMT

Green Toys Tea Set

Tea sets are a classic toy enjoyed for pretend play and real tea parties as well. We've had several different tea sets from the Fisher Price musical tea set to china tea sets and we've enjoyed them all but this Green Toys Tea Set is extra special.

The Green Toys tea set is made from recycled milk jugs so it is an eco-friendly toy. It was neat to be able to show my kids the rewards of their recycling efforts.

The Green Toys Tea Set:

The Green Toys tea set has 17 pieces. There are cups, saucers and spoons for serving four and plus the sugar and creamer. The tea set pieces are really a nice size. They are child sized but not minis. The set comes in attractive muted pastel colors. It's simple and not so "girly" that little boys will shy away from it.

The best part is that the Green Toys tea set is food-safe for real tea parties. We are having lots of fun together as a family having tea parties with real mint leaves and slices of lemon. There really is...

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AngelaWLaFon says "I finally found a good spray on sunscreen: Aveeno 70 SPF" about Aveeno Sunblock Spray Continuous Protection SPF 45 5 oz

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:01:56 GMT

Aveeno Continous Protection Sunblock Spray Active -New!

Aveeno Continous Spray comes in SPF 45, SPF 55 & SPF 70.

I love to be outdoors. I'd rather play tennis than on-line games, I'd rather pull weeds than sweep floors and I prefer a good hike to an aerobics video. However, I am a skin cancer survivor who takes no chances with sun damage. I wear hats and SPF 70 sunscreens.

Because of the convenience of reapplication, I've tried to like spray on sunscreens but I haven't had a lot of luck. Hard to spray, sticky icky, stinky, blotchy... you name it and there's a sunscreen spray out there that lives up to it. Aveeno Active really is different.

The package says that Aveeno Continous Protection Sunblock Spray Active has beeswax to form a sheer protective layer over the skin.

Here's why I like Aveeno Active Sunblock Spray:

It sprays in any direction, even upside down. It's important. Think about trying to spray your ankles.

It's not greasy.

Sprays on evenly.

Smells pleasant.

Doesn't...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Maybe she's born with it, Maybe she got Maybelline at drugstores" about Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick

AngelaWLaFon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:07:59 GMT

Maybelline moisture extreme lipstick with SPF 15

I haven't tried a variety of Maybelline make up products but I have tried several of the Maybelline "moisture extreme" lipsticks and I am was pleasantly surprised. Most days are lip-gloss only days for me but when I want some color, I can't seem to go wrong with Maybelline moisture extreme lipstick.

Maybelline lipsticks are easy to find at any drugstore and are usually under five dollars.

What I like about Maybelline moisture extreme lipstick:

1. It has SPF 15 to protect my lips.

2. It really is moist and keeps your lips soft and supple. It had jojoba seed oils and shea butter in it.

3. The color really is long lasting for a drugstore lipstick. Maybe not as long lasting as high end brands but certainly superior to most drugstore lipstick brands.

4. Maybelline moisture extreme lipsticks are made in the U.S.A. I really like to buy American made products but when it is something that is going on m mouth, it's really important to me.

The...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Starbuck's Barista Bar Blender: Smooth sailing to make Smoothies" about Starbucks Barista Bar Blender

AngelaWLaFon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:09:04 GMT

Starbuck's Barista Bar Blender

I have to give credit where credit is due. I am not a frequenter of Starbuck's for coffee drinks and I actually returned 2 Starbuck's coffee pots that were design nightmares... but the Starbuck's Barista Bar Blender is awesome.

Starbuck's Barista Bar Blender

Stainless steel

Powerful motor

Exceptional grinder

Three Speeds: high, low or pulse

Heavy glass canister with lid, handle and a measurement markers

I make a fruit smoothie mid-morning almost everyday. We call it a fruit smoothie because that is a lot more salable but it also has some vegetables too and lots of ice cubes. The ice cubes are key. In the same way that chocolate chip cookies are even better warm, fruit smoothies are even better really cold.

The Starbuck's blender is really simple- pulse, low or high. I put it on low for 10 seconds followed by high for 10 seconds and it is all done. The bananas are creamy, there are no ice chips, the kale is pulverized beyond detection and...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Ecover automatic dishwasher tablets: green & clean" about Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Tablets, 17.6 Ounce Box (pack of 6) (Ecover)

AngelaWLaFon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:36:52 GMT

Ecover automatic dishwasher tablets

Ecover is a Belgium company that makes a variety of green cleaning products. I've been using Ecover dishwasher tablets for over a year and I am happy with them. I have no complaints nor any miracle stories of the cleanest dishes ever. Simply put, I like that they are eco-friendly and that they are easy to use. Like other dishwasher products I've used, whether tablets or gels, in the end the only difference I see is in whether or not I use a rinse agent like Jet Dry.

About Ecover automatic dishwasher tablets:

One box has 25 tablets.

They are phosphate free, biodegradable, have no chlorine beach and are safe for septic systems.

The box is made from 95% recycled paper and is recyclable.

I like that the box of 25 is small, maybe 2 inches by 6 inches. I buy them in bulk 12 boxes at a time and they are easy to stack in my cabinet unlike bottles or bigger boxes.

Each tablet is wrapped in plastic and fits in your dispenser. (The box says that if it...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Little Castle Furniture offers quality children's furniture." about Little Castle Furniture Children's Chairs

AngelaWLaFon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:48:47 GMT

Little Castle Furniture

The reality is that most furnishings are made to fit adults. On the other hand, many specialty children's furniture options are... cheaply made and/or tacky. O.K. I said it. I wanted some child sized furniture for kids but I wanted it to be durable and classy too. I wanted to find some child sized furniture that looked like it belonged in my home. I found just what I wanted with Little Castle Furniture.

I'd seen Little Castle Furniture in a local furniture boutique. I loved it but boy was the price steep. Then I found it in a quality children's clothing store (think smocking dresses) and it was on sale!

I chose two pieces of children's furniture. I chose a plump chair covered in a jungle print with muted greens and neutral colors for "him." I chose a chaise lounge in muted green checks for "her." At times I have incorporated each piece into the children's rooms but recently I moved both to an area rug in the living room, added a rocker for mom and...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Americangirl.com: My American Girl loves it. Mom approves too." about American Girl

AngelaWLaFon — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:58:24 GMT

American Girl Website

americangirl.com

My daughter has two American girl dolls, Kaya and Felicity. She's enjoyed reading the American Girl doll chapter books and she's also very fond of the American Girl magazine. (Mom loves the American Girl magazine too because it has zero ads.)

When our daughter recently was introduced to going on line under supervision whether for research or play, she at first really didn't really know where to go and found many popular websites for kids too frustrating or uninteresting after a few minutes.

Features of the American Girl website:

Characters

Characters features a chance to learn more about all of the American Girl dolls including the historical dolls.

Games

Here's an example of one of the games, Kirsten's Honeybees.

Earn money by planting and watering plants and collecting honey. Spend the money to buy more fencing materials, bees and supplies.

Featured games are updated such as Halloween theme games and so on.

Activities

Examples of activities...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Pooh Edition of Candy Land has perks and irks too" about Milton Bradley Candy Land Winnie the Pooh Edition

AngelaWLaFon — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:47:17 GMT

Candy Land Winnie the Pooh Edition

My son arrived home into a nursery with a grat collection of A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books, a Pooh blanket with his named monogrammed on it (and misspelled, long story) and a welcoming Pooh bear that said "It's a boy!" He developed a fondness for the silly old bear and when we were shopping for the classic Candy Land game, he choose the Winnie the Pooh edition.

The object, structure and rules of this board game are the same as in the traditional Candy Land board game. Players draw a card that has one or two colored squares and move up accordingly on the rainbow road to the win. Occasionally, players will draw a special card like cupcake and move forward or backward to that picture space.

Playing Candy Land doesn't require reading, only requires color matching (not even naming really although it is a good time to work on it) and only requires counting up to two. This makes Candy Land a fabulous first board for ages three and up.

How is...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Mary Kay Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub: Satin never felt so good." about Mary Kay Satin Hands Pampering Set

AngelaWLaFon — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:44:40 GMT

Mary Kay Satin Hands Satin Smoothie Pampering Set

The old Satin Hands set from years ago came in a white tube (remember that one?) and honestly I didn't like it. The scrub felt pasty and sometimes dried out my my hands. I didn't like the smell either. It supposedly had no smell but to me it smelled like cement. Yuck. I moved on.

I found the all new and much improved Satin Hands set by the sink at a friend's house and with her blessings used it. This one I liked a lot. Now I have my own.

The Satin Hands Pampering set comes with three products, the Satin Hands Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, the Satin Hands Hand Cream and the Mary Kay Emollient Night Cream.

The set comes in peach. It is both peach scented and peach colored. It makes no big difference to me but really I am a lavendar scent fan and peach is not my favorite color. I think we had so much orange in our house in the seventies that I am opposed to any hue in the orange family. Either way, the scent is nice and the...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Blackberry Curve: Much more than a phone" about Blackberry - Curve 8330 Cell Phone

AngelaWLaFon — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:41:50 GMT

Blackberry Curve 8330 Cell Phone

I had been using/sharing a Blackberry with my husband for his home based business. I really liked it a lot but I need a Blackberry? When it came time to renew my cell phone plan, we decided I did and went with the Blackberry Curve.

Blackberry Curve:

-comes in pink, black and silver (Mine is black.)

-is about 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches (Larger than what I was used to but still doesn't seem big.)

-the thumb ball lets you move fast

-has a nice size screen

-has a keyboard style set up that I like (It's called QWERTY.)

-has raised keys (They looked really small to me but are surprisingly easy to use. I think it is because they are raised. Even my husband, who has much larger figners, has no problem with typing on the Blackberry key pad.)

-has voice command options that really work

-has so many applications that I really use (calendar, note recorder, alarm clock)

-has a surprisingly great camera (Holds limited photos but they are quality)

Battery Life: ...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Fropper: The Fropper is a winning riding toy!" about Ropper Side by Side

AngelaWLaFon — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:29:52 GMT

Okiedog Fropper by International Playthings

Have you seen this new riding toy called the Fropper? This is too cool. It kind of reminds me of the "Caterpillar" riding toys that were around decades ago that "inched" their way forward while they went up and down as well but it's even better.

The Fropper has a seat, four legs with wheels and two handle bars. It has a spring load sytem so kids can bounce and ride. The handle bars go forward and back and the seat goes up and down. No pedaling is required.

Features of the Fropper:

-caster wheels that are non-abrasive for riding inside or out (we haven't tested this inside on hardwood floors)

-easy to steer with the dual handle bars and caster wheels

-folds up (amazingly small) for easy storage

-curved seat is raised in the back for balance

-comes already assembled

-attractive and gender neutral bright green and red colors

We found ours in a toy store for around $90.00 but but I've seen then online and in mail order as well for less,...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Can't say enough good stuff about Mozart Magic Cube" about Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

AngelaWLaFon — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:54:42 GMT

The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

My brother and his wife bought the Mozart Magic Cube for our oldest baby's first Christmas. It was one of her favorite toys on through the toddler years and the same with her brother. As parents we loved that it played "real music" by Mozart and that we could use it teach kids the names of instruments and to distinguish the sounds of instruments.

How the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube works:

There is a picture of an instrument on each side of the cube. Babies can push the button to hear one instrument or keep pushing buttons to add more than one. Baby can also push "orchestra" to hear all of the instruments. If baby pushes a lit up and playing button a second time, that instruments stops and the light goes out. Oh the power!

More about the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube:

-Plays 8 different Mozart so there's no annoying or constantly repeated song to drive parents crazy

-Plays 5 different instruments: violin, flute, french horn, paino, harp plus an...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Don't Break the Ice: Fun for some, frustrating for others" about Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game

AngelaWLaFon — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:53:43 GMT

Don't Break the Ice Game by Milton Bradley

Don't Break the Ice is a simple and yet unique game. There's a frame in which ice cubes are arranged until a floor of ice is formed. Each player takes turns tapping out ice cubes but trying not to let the whole floor fall. If you break the ice, it's game over. The whole idea of banging (kids will quickly learn that tapping works better) is such a kid attractive idea.

This game doesn't take long to play and there aren't any tiny little pieces so it's a great family night game, with some exceptions I'll address below.

The good news is that this game is really inexpensive, often found for just $7.00. The great news is that some kids will just love this game. The bad news is that others will just "fall apart" as quickly as the ice does.

Don't Break the Ice is recommended for ages three and up and that may be the issue. Often game recommendations are made based on safety rather than age appropriateness. Playing it as a "game" it is difficult...

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