Reviews by Friends of JenniferCossel

RudiXeno says "TRESemme Moisture Rich Conditioner: Effective & Affordable" about TRESemme European Conditioner, Vitamin E Moisture Rich, Dry or Damaged Hair

RudiXeno — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:37:54 GMT

"Oh, and don't forget to pick up some hair conditioner", the lovely Mrs. Xeno calls after me as I leave the house to pick up a few small items at the store. So, I realize that this $10 - $15 trip could easily reach $30 or more. Veronica and our daughter Jenna really do love their conditioners. In fact, 12 year-old Jenna can empty a bottle of conditioner faster than any female I have ever known. If only I had left the house a few moments earlier!

Given my druthers, I'd return from the store with a bottle of Suave or White Rain for about $2 or less. Having a background in chemistry and being very familiar with the ingredients of shampoo and conditioner I can assure you that the difference between the $2 bottle and the $20 bottle is largely in your head, not on your head. But this is not an argument I've often been successful selling to either my wife or 3 daughters.

But then there's TRESemme

For some reason, if I return with a 32 oz. bottle of TRESemme (about $4) I receive no...

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RudiXeno says "GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp: Not quite there yet" about GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp

RudiXeno — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:48:07 GMT

Over the last few years I've converted most of our lamps and lighting fixtures over to Compact Fluorescent Lights. With the exception of a small number of ornamental lights and lights controlled by dimmer switches, the conversion is almost complete. The savings, in terms of our electric bill are both noticeable and impressive. And, of course there is that intangible reward knowing that I'm doing something good for the environment.

So several months ago when I got the opportunity to try convert the few remaining R40 Floodlamps with GE's Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Floods I didn't hesitate.

GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp

Theses CFL Floods appear virtually identical to any other and comfortably fit any high-hat meant to accept an R40 bulb. At 1300 lumens, they provide just a bit less light at full brightness than the 100W bulbs they are replacing. They consume just 26W of electricity rather than the normal 90 - 100W of a conventional incandescent flood.

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RudiXeno says "PowerShot Forward Action Heavy-Duty Stapler: Easier on your hand" about PowerShot Forward Action Heavy-Duty Stapler

RudiXeno — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:08:17 GMT

One of the most useful tools for any homeowner to have is a heavy duty stapler. Chances are you can find one in your garage or basement. For many years, Arrow Brand has led the market in this type of tool. Big and chrome plated, I have a couple hanging on the wall.

My only complaint about the Arrow model is that it's awfully tough on your hands after a couple hours of use. Following an accident a few years ago in which I hurt my hand I knew I needed an alternative.

On a trip to The Home Depot I found what I was looking for in the PowerShot Forward Action Heavy-Duty Stapler. It featured an updated design that promised to be less fatiguing. The trigger mechanism was forward-action rather than the usual rear-action mechanism utilized in the standard Arrow design.

This design is considerably easier on your hands since you have the weight of your body to help firing a staple. If you look at the product photo, this advantage is immediately obvious.

PowerShot Forward Action Heavy-Duty...

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MRSverret says "These are Oh So Good!" about Archway - Frosty Lemon Cookies

MRSverret — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:12:29 GMT

Anyone that knows me knows I love to snack. You will always find cookies, crackers, ice cream, snack cakes, something to eat in my house. When my husband and I were in Texas about six months ago, I picked up Archway Frosty Lemon Cookies. They were so good. While I was at the grocery store yesterday I noticed they sold them so I picked a pack up.

Archway Frosty Lemon cookies are so good! I purchased the pack for around $3. There are 10 BIG cookies. The cookies are a flower shape and are around 4 inches in diameter with a small hole in the middle. The top doesn't really have a frosting it's more like a glaze.

With your first bite you notice the cookies soft baked texture. And then you get the lemony goodness. The cookie isn't overly sweet. It has the perfect balance of flavors. This has to be one of my favorite lemon cookies.

Of course, with most any cookie, these aren't for someone who is dieting. One cookie contains 4.5 total grams of fat, 1.5 g of saturated fat and 1 g of...

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RudiXeno says "Husky Extension Ladder Bumpers: Protects your walls and siding" about Husky Extension Ladder Bumpers

RudiXeno — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:38:01 GMT

Most homeowners that do any of their own work around the house probably own an extension ladder. When you need to get up high they are indispensible.

But, while it's hard imagining doing without an extension ladder, they all seem to suffer from one common drawback. They can damage your walls or siding.

When using an extension ladder, its base is generally placed a few feet from the wall and the ladder is allowed to lean against the wall. that of course means that as you climb the wall, all the weight is beared by the base, and the top of the ladder resting on the wall. Although most ladders have plastic end pieces, they are usually a hard plastic and not very protective. One very practical solution to this problem is the use of removable bumpers that fit over the top ends of your extension ladder. For years I've used Husky Extension Ladder Bumpers.

Husky Extension Ladder Bumpers

These bumpers are simply thick, durable plastic covers that slip over the top end edges of your...

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RudiXeno says "Zep Pro 1 Reusable Spray Bottle: So many uses around the house" about Zep Pro 1 Reusable Spray Bottle

RudiXeno — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:46:24 GMT

I'm not certain where I read this, but in one survey or another I remember hearing that the average homeowner has 3 empty spray bottles under his or her sink. It makes sense to me. You know, those empty spray bottles of Windex, Glass Plus, etc.

Most of us know that these bottles can be rinsed out and used for general purposes. We've been doing it for years and I bet many of you have been too.

What could be better than a free spray bottle to use when you need something to mist your indoor plants, moisten your clothes when ironing. Let's face it, they come in handy.

So why would you go out and spend almost $5 for a reusable Spray Bottle like the Zep Pro 1?

Zep Pro 1 Reusable Spray Bottle

Certainly you can use the Zep Pro 1 Reusable Spray Bottlefor the uses mentioned above. But, the chief virtue of the Zep Pro 1 Reusable Spray Bottle is its resistance to the effects of caustic and acidic ingredients.

Where harsh ingredients such as bleach or oxalic acid would quickly render you...

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RudiXeno says "Zep Driveway, Cleaner Concentrate; Effective on oil stains" about Zep Driveway, Concrete & Masonry Cleaner Concentrate

RudiXeno — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:12 GMT

Down here in South Florida, where the sunshine is relentless, most of our driveways are made of poured concrete instead of the much more common ashphalt used in northern locations.

In a climate such as ours concrete offers advantages. Regardless of the temperature it doesn't soften and it doesn't require annual sealing. for the most part it is maintenance-free.

If it has a drawback at all it is that it shows stains prominently. Chief among these stains are oil drips from the bottom of your car. Look at virtually any S. Florida driveway and you immediately notice this dark stain.

In our particular case we also have a problem with leaves dropped by our Black Olive Trees. The Black Olive is one of S. Florida's prettiest trees (not saying much), but they do have the ability to stain concrete driveways and walkways badly.

At least twice a year I can count on receiving a notice from our Home Owners' Association that our driveway and walkways look pitiful and that if we don't clean them...

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RudiXeno says "Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane:Maximum protection for wood" about Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane

RudiXeno — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:27:36 GMT

Living here in South Florida, I know how harshly the elements can treat wood. The rain soaks it while the unrelenting sun bleaches and warps it. Unprotected, natural wood surfaces degenerate quickly in this sub-tropical climate. To keep them looking new and fresh requires that they be treated with a urethane/polyurethane finish.

My Product of Choice

After experimenting with a number of different finishes I've settled down with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. Available in either cans or sprays, Helmsman Spar Urethane can be counted on to keep your natural wood looking, well....natural.

Maybe up in New England the look of weathered wood is desirable, but here in Florida, new is supposed to look like new. And, Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane will accomplish that.

This Urethane finish, most often used for maritime purposes comes in a variety of sheens, from high gloss to satin.

Most recently I used the Satin finish on a number of natural maple serving tables we bought for our screened...

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MRSverret says "Bendaroos are AWESOME!" about AllStar Products Bendaroos

MRSverret — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:23:40 GMT

My six year old son has taken after me with his love for arts and crafts. He loves drawing, coloring, sculpting, just creating things. Well about a week ago he picked out AllStar Products Bendaroos. We had been seeing the commercials on TV, so when he saw them on the shelf, he went for them.

For $15 the set we purchased came with 500 Bendaroos, 250 rainbow colors and 250 neon colors. The set also comes with a guide to make things. The Benadaroos are six inches long, which I think is the perfect length. I think if there were any longer they would be a little more difficult to work with. The Bendaroos are waxy strings. They are sort of like a thin flexible candle. They are recommended for children ages 3 and up.

With Bendaroos you can make just about anything. They flex really easily and retain the shape you put them in. The only problem I had with the Bendaroos not holding their shape is when you "draw" with them. When you make a 2-D picture instead of 3-D ,like a sculpture. But my solution...

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RudiXeno says "Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill: Enough for most homeowners" about Ryobi Variable Peed 3/8ths inch Drill

RudiXeno — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:49:54 GMT

Unless you do none of your own work at home, one of the most valuable tools you can own is a power drill.

A trip to either The Home Depot or Lowe's might convince you that unless you have the latest, greatest lithium powered portable drill you are seriously challenged. I say no.

Now if you're among those of us who seem always to have a next project on the board you probably can benefit from the latest cordless drill. But for the overwhelming majority of homeowners and apartment dwellers, your needs can be more easily addressed with a simple, inexpensive corded drill.

Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill

The Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drillis a basic yet totally serviceable alternative to the cordless drill for most homeowners. For most projects around the home, other than drill bits, you might need an extension cord. It has a key-less chuck so you won't even have to search for a missing chuck key.

Ask Yourself

How often are you really going to need to use this tool. If not on a frequent...

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MRSverret says "One of the best pizzas that has came out of my oven!" about California Pizza Kitchen Four Cheese Pizza - For One

MRSverret — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:17:08 GMT

I always buy quick and easy frozen meals to eat for those times when time is not something on my side. I am usually picky about the brands that I buy. For a while I have noticed California Pizza Kitchen pizzas but never bought one. Then I saw the California Kitchen Pizza Four Cheese pizza for one. I am a cheese lover so this was right up my alley.

The Four Cheese pizza is loaded with cheese, cheese and more cheese! A blend of Mozzarella cheeses, Fontina cheese, Smoked Gouda cheese and tomato sauce top a thicker crust pizza. The pizza is around 7 or 8 inches in diameter which is a good portion for me.

To cook the pizza just pop it into the microwave for 2-4 minutes or cook it in the oven for 16-19 minutes. I always use the oven instead of the microwave. Personally I like my pizza with a thick soft dough. So instead of following the directions that tell you to stick the pizza directly on the oven rack, I used aluminum foil. I just placed the pizza on the foil then folded it up to cover the...

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MRSverret says "Do NOT buy this sippy cup!" about Sesame Street Insulated Sippy Cups Baby Bottle

MRSverret — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:45:51 GMT

While I was at Walgreen's yesterday I decided to pick up a couple sippy cups for my youngest son. They didn't have many cups available, including the Playtex ones I use the most.

I picked up a 2-pack of Sesame Street insulated sippy cups for $7, which is a great price. There were a couple designs to choose from. The ones I picked up were blue and red with a picture of baby Cookie Monster and baby Elmo. They are cute cups. Each cup holds around 9 oz of beverage. The cups have a double-wall to keep drinks colder, longer. And yes, these cups are BPA free.

After I washed the cups out I decided to test them out. My son can be picky when it comes to his cups but initially he seemed to like this one. That is until he started crying, I didn't know what was wrong. I checked him and the cup out and everything seemed to be fine. Well, I gave it back to him, same thing. I finally decided to try the cup for myself. To my surprise nothing was even coming out. I checked the valve and wiggled it around...

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RudiXeno says "Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster: Finally!" about Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster

RudiXeno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:24 GMT

I've long had a love/hate relationship with Black & Decker DustBusters. I loved their portability, but always found them underpowered and nasty to to clean.

So, when we were looking to replace our ancient and failing DustBuster DB200, I was inclined to look at several different brands. For one reason or another, portable vacuums by Euro-Pro, Bissell and Dirt Devil didn't appeal to me.

Then I spotted the Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster. It had a substantial look to it. I was impressed immediately to learn that it was powered by a 14.4V battery.

More Power, More Run-Time

By the time we were replacing our older unit, its run-time was no more than 5 - 6 minutes. This new DustBuster claimed that fully charged it would provide 15 minutes of continuous run-time. That seemed more than adequate to me for routine use around the house.

But what really got my attention was its relative suction power. Measured in air watts, the new model was rated at 25, while our...

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RudiXeno says "Dremel Cordless Multi Tool: More uses than you can think of" about Dremel Cordless Multi Tool 7700

RudiXeno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:25:43 GMT

For as long as I can remember I've had an infatuation with Dremel Rotary Tools. What's hard to understand? I'm a male, the Dremel spins fast and it grinds, sands, cuts, drills and polishes. Case closed.

Background

I remember watching my uncle using his Dremel. I was always impresed with what he could do with this versatile tool.

At the time I was really into AMT 3-in-1 automobile models. I would always opt to customize my new model. So, I would take out the included putty and customize away. It wasn't long before I realized that with the Dremel Rotary Tool I could really refine my designs. Before you knew it I was winning local modeling competitions. So, my dad, the least handy person I know (barring my brother) got me my own. To this day I still own it.

Time Marches On

These days, the tools de jour are cordless. So, when I saw the Cordless 7.2V Dremel Multi Tool, I just knew I had to have it. Never mind that I still had two perfectly good corded Dremels in my...

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MRSverret says "I know exactly what I'm getting in this cereal " about Bear Naked 100% Pure and Natural Cereal - Banana Nut

MRSverret — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:57:51 GMT

I was at a website for free samples recently and noticed that Bear Naked was offering free samples of a few products. I really like banana nut bread so decided to go with the Bear Naked 100% Pure and Natural Cereal - Banana Nut. There is also a Cranberry Raisin cereal too.

In 2002 Kelly Flatley began making the first Bear Naked products. Not long after, her high school friend, Brendan Synnott, joined in the business too. Bear Naked produces high quality natural food. What started as a business in Kelly's parents' home in Connecticut is now a booming company providing Bear Naked products to people across the country.

The day after I received my free sample, I ate it for breakfast. The banana nut cereal is made with whole grain flakes, banana chips, rolled oats, oat clusters, dried apples and walnuts. The website says the ingredients are, " all-natural, bearly processed and utterly naked ingredients...that you can pronounce!" And it's true, I can pronounce everything and I know exactly...

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MRSverret says "It's good but not great" about Tom's of Maine Natural Whole Care Anticavity & Tarter Control Plus Whitening Gel Toothpaste

MRSverret — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:00:53 GMT

In my order from drugstore.com I was given a free sample of Tom's of Maine Natural Whole Care Peppermint toothpaste. The first time I had heard of Tom's of Maine was here at Viewpoints so I had never tried their products.

Tom's of Maine produces a variety of natural hygienic products like deodorants, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss. Their toothpastes are made for all sorts of purposes. The Whole Care line comes in five flavors - peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon-clove, wintermint and orange-mango. The tube that the toothpaste comes in isn't like your typical Colgate or Crest, it's a soft mailable metal tube. That makes it a little difficult to squeeze out all the toothpaste.

As soon as you take the cap off you can smell the peppermint. When I brush my teeth, the flavor is a little overpowering. Since I only received a travel size sample I'm not sure if all of the claims are true, like it whitening or controlling cavities or tartar.

The price for a 5.2 oz tube is around $4...

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MRSverret says "Smells so good I want to eat it!" about Candle-lite Entenmann's Butter Pound Cake Scented Candle

MRSverret — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:03:29 GMT

About a week ago I went to Rite Aid to pick up a few things. As I was headed to grab the stuff I needed I spotted a display with candles. I had to stop, I'm always needing new candles.

I scanned the shelves looking for tempting aromas, I checked out quite a few scents. Ultimately I decided to go with the Candle-lite Entenmann's Butter Pound Cake. It smells exactly like butter pound cake. I had never heard of Enenmann's before but they are a company that produces bakery treats. The candle says this-

" For over 100 years Entenmann's has been committed to quality sourcing only the finest ingredients to bake delicious treats. That same commitment now extends to Entenmann's scented candle selections proudly made in the USA. We have chosen the perfect fragrance and formulated it into a highly fragranced candle to fill your home with the scent of a freshly baked treat."

Candle-lite and Entenmann's now have a line of bakery treat scented candles. The candles come in a variety of sizes but do...

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