Reviews by Friends of Jolie

aegifford says "The Insignia 42" 1080p Flat Screen LCD TV is amazing!" about Insignia - 42" 1080p Flat Screen LCD Television

aegifford — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:49:15 GMT

My fiance and recently purchased the Insignia 42" 1080p Flat Screen LCD television at Best Buy. To say the least, we were absolutely thrilled with our purchase! I was nervous about buying the house brand for an electronic (especially one that's several hundred dollars!), but it turns out that this TV has better reviews than most of the ones that are priced hundreds higher. Now, I can see why! First of all, the in-store display gives this TV no justice as far as its size goes. We brought that bad boy home and it felt like we just planted a movie theatre in our living room. Even better, the TV has an amazing quality. We don't have digital cable, but the picture quality is still way better than our analog TV. I can only imagine how great the picture will be once we invest in digital cable! Another great aspect of this TV is that I can connect my laptop to the TV via a VGA male-to-male connector cable. These are about $10-$16 depending on where you get it (I think you also need some type of...

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ewilson says "Great Looking Crock Pot for Your Money!" about Rival Six Quart Stainless Steal Crockpot

ewilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:44:56 GMT

This is a great crock pot. We don't use the crock pot very often in our family, so it's important it also "looks" good in our kitchen because it often is on display.

For some reason, we opened the box to find we had a hinged lid. I am not sure why or if we accidentally bought this kind, but we like it. I don't think all of them come this way, but we happened to get one that had this feature. I would research that if you're interested.

The outside is stainless steel and the pot is a really hearty black container we also use as a serving dish. It looks quite nice on the table. There aren't a ton of settings, but if you don't use a slow cooker that often, it really doesn't matter. It also comes with a really helpful book on tips that has been of great use in our house. We've bought the same one for other people and it seems to be a great gift.

If you're looking for a bargain and a relatively nice looking machine, this is a good one to choose. It's under $50, a trusted brand, and works well....

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enwr says "UVERSE & AT&T COMPLETELY SUCKS" about AT&T - UVerse Service

enwr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:37:05 GMT

Frequently shows are interrupted at our house because UVerse freezes, locks up and skips segments of shows. This is the worst, most frustrating service we've EVER had. We NEVER had problems like this with Comcast. We can rarely watch a recorded show because it's constantly interrupted and it skips, so you never quite know what you missed.

If we dare call for help, we're sure to speak with a rep in another country and definitely are guaranteed to sit on hold or if we are able to speak with a rep, we have to continuously repeat our issue-mode for at least an hour. We'd love to have any of our technical issues resolved, but my husband is a vp with a large company and I am a teacher.. leaving us zero time to devote to the required hours of wasted time on the phone.

The only reason we got AT&T was that I wanted an iPhone, which I love, it's the carrier and service that I completely loathe.

Installing the service was a nightmare because the tech spent 8 hours installing wires & cables...

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TunefulGal says "Here's a great mattress for platform beds! Newer models now in." about Ikea Sultan Forsbacka

TunefulGal — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:34:04 GMT

Go to Ikea and lie down on a Sultan. Take 90 days and try one at home. Ikea will exchange it if you don't like it.

The favorites at our house are the latex and latex/foam models we bought several years ago. Mine is a single Forsbacka, placed on a box spring. My husband Pal's is a queen size set on a platform bed. Both have very sturdy covers which you can clean with upholstery shampoo. They also come with handles for turning them around or flipping them over. Best to invite a couple of muscle men over to help though. Foam/latex mattresses weigh a ton!

I think Pal has the best deal. His Sultan Mattress rests on the platform and supports, supports, supports his often-tired back. My Sultan on the box spring has taken a few dips since I usually cozy up in one position. That said, I'm glad it's my single-bed size that needs the occasional turn-around or flip. But I continue to look for a platform bed I like.

The latest Sultan foam and latex mattresses have removeable...

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gayleb-1963 says "The Playtex Breast Pump is good quality for the price." about Playtex Breast Pump

gayleb-1963 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:07:42 GMT

We bought the Playtex breast pump after our son was born. We couldn't afford a Medella or a Lansinoh so I did extensive research on the mid-priced pumps. After reading many reviews and comparing features, the Playtex was the one I chose. Some of the features I like are the silicone breast cups, the variable suction and being able to use the same bottles and liners for pumping and feeding.
One of the things I don't like about the pump is that the connectors that attach the air hose to the pump are easily broken. You can attach the hose directly to the pump but then you have to set it up on something so the hose doesn't kink. The pump is less efficient when you try to pump both breasts at once. It takes about the same amount of time to pump one and then the other as to pump both at once.
All things considered, I am pleased with the pump and would buy it again if something happened to the one I have now.

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TunefulGal says "Surprise a guy with one of these Classy, Sassy Beau Ties! " about Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont Tremendous variety of bow ties & other neckwear.

TunefulGal — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:18:48 GMT

DOES YOUR DOCTOR WEAR A BOW TIE?

Medical experts recommend them since regular ties are highly likely to be contaminated by and further spread germs. Many pediatricians already wear them so they won't be strangled by their little patients.

So... if you have a favorite male medico, you might try one of the great Beau Ties from www.beautiesLtd.com. My favorite is the abstract (but not unrecognizeable) stethoscope design found under Career Bow Ties. Come to think of it, this tie would look cute on a gal, too.

YOUR NAME IT, THEY'VE GOT IT -- in the hundreds!

You'll find other special interest bow ties in categories including Animals & Pets, Birds & Insects, Boating & Nautical, Great Outdoors, Scholarly, Party (check out the Pink Martini), Music, and Military. Since music is my specialty, I'm fond of the Chopin tie and, yes, the music on it is really Chopin (the "Military" Polonaise, in fact). Need directions? Read the How to Tie One On instructions. Or see the head photo on this...

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Katrena says "I Feel LIke I Got Hosed at Lowe's With 12 Hour Green Snap Light" about Snap Light 12 Hour Green Glow Stick

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:14:36 GMT

I purchased this Snap Light 12 Hour Green Glow Stick at Lowe's just before Halloween for $2. It is a green colored glow stick that is packaged separately. Take it out of the package and snap it like you would try to break a stick. This allows the chemicals to mix and produce a green glow. We thought glowing magic wands would work really well with our Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather costumes. In case you haven't heard, they are the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty.

What I like about Snap Light Glow Stick:

It's convenient.
It produces a pretty cool green glow.
It does last for a pretty long while.
It was easy to attach to the wands with a rubber band.
The package says it is safe, non-toxic & non-flammable, but we didn't decide to drink it or place it over a flame to test those claims.
My kids had a blast with them!

What I don't like about Snap Light Glow Stick:

I feel like I got hosed at Lowe's. This thing cost $2. It only lasts for 12 hours. Wal-Mart had another brand in packs of 10 for $4,...

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kccmyp says "One of my favorite moisturizers." about Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

kccmyp — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:49:27 GMT

This is hands-down one of my favorite moisturizers. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't have sunscreen in it. I like everything else about it, though. This moisturizer makes my skin feel smooth without feeling too oily. I like the consistency of it-- it's not too watery, thin, and fluid like some moisturizers, but it's not too thick and creamy. It's just an overall light moisturizer. It absorbs well and makes your skin feel smoother. From a poor college student's perspective, it is a little pricier than a few other moisturizers I've tried. But the results I get with this moisturizer are worth the slightly higher price (and if I buy it on sale, it's not bad). I generally use the aveeno clear complexion moisturizer in the fall and winter as it is a little more hydrating than my other moisturizer that I use in hotter weather. I live in southern California so I don't really like heavy duty daily moisturizers because they just don't feel comfortable in hot weather, but the...

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kccmyp says "Gentle, smells great." about Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

kccmyp — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:34:00 GMT

I love the entire Aveeno clear complexion line (and their other 'skin brightening' line). Can't say that it actually clears your complexion, though, because I've been using the products for a while now but i don't think I've seen much improvement in that aspect. However, the cleanser works great if you just need something to gently clean your skin everyday. I don't like cleansers that dry out my skin too much. This product cleans without leaving my skin dry and I like the smell. It does not leave any residue or film, and when you wash it off, you can feel how clean and smooth your skin is. I compare this to other acne washes, and the other acne washes are too harsh and drying and make my skin even more oily during the day as a result because my skin tries to compensate for the lack of oil I guess. I personally use this wash every night-- it's a nice way to end the night, having a clean-feeling face and smelling something pleasant before going to sleep.

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brandywilson says "For the most part, I'm pleased with this purchase!" about Calphalon Calphalon Contemporary Non-Stick (JR12A / 16853004850)

brandywilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:33:06 GMT

While I live for quality in my kitchen appliances and products, I always cringe at the price of cookware sets. I manage to get good deals and shop where there are giveaways... but it still makes me uneasy looking at the prices.

This set I found to be a happy medium. I'm not an expert chef, although a decent one. I lead a busy life and didn't want to deal with the issue of pans without non-stick... but I still wanted a sleek design. These to me... were nice looking and appeared to be durable.

I have two complaints... and only two (otherwise these are perfect): The small sauce pans are SO expensive. WHY? I can never find a good enough deal. I bought a set and supplement with extras I want, but I just can't fork over the $80+ for another small saucepan (those get used a lot in my house). My second complaint is about the lids. They are not very easy to clean... and beyond that, they rust in small parts near the screws. That bothers me a little.

For the most part, these are great pans for their...

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Birdsy says "Franks is hot" about Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce

Birdsy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:18:53 GMT

I love spicy foods but the recipe that is requested most often is from Franks hot sauce. The recipe can not be made with other hot sacues just doesn't taste as good. Its basically a buffalo chicken dip with 1 cup of the hot sauce and other ingred; mixed, heated, and serve. Its so funny that every time I make it, I'm asked for the recipe and requested to make again.

The other good thing, is that BJ's carries the brand and I can buy it in large bottle sizes. I generally don't like to buy such large proudcts, but with Franks, I tend to go through it often enough to make it worth while.

The other good thing about the sauce is that its so flavorful you don't need to prepare much else with what you are cooking. I can mariante some chicken; grill and vioila, done! My friends family uses it like kethcup and keeps it on the table. I think they even use it for breakfast.

Price is reasonable as well.

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kccmyp says "Easy to use. It works." about Garmin - Garmin NUVI 260

kccmyp — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:18:53 GMT

The Garmin nuvi 260 is a little outdated now, at the time I am writing this-- I think there's a newer model out now. BUT it still works and works well enough that I have no plans to upgrade. It's pretty entry-level for a navigator. But it does have text-to-speech, which is useful. It has a small screen (which is perfect for my small car), basic user interface, etc. The point of a navigator is to get you from point A to point B, which my nuvi does fine. I used to get lost all the time, but ever since I got the nuvi, I have no problems getting to where I want. The only time it's ever gotten confused on me is when I was driving in`some random hilly community where all the streets (single lane dirt roads, really) curve around each other and across each other. I like that the nuvi tells me my next turn with enough time for me to change lanes or look for the upcoming signs. Once I plug the Nuvi in and start driving, I rarely look at the screen again until I get to my destination. On a side note,...

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brandywilson says "It's cheap, and makes consistently great waffles!" about Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker (WMR-CA)

brandywilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:04 GMT

We don't eat waffles everyday in my house. Actually, we have them maybe once a month or every 6 weeks. It's something that we think takes awhile to consider...

So that's why we didn't purchase a waffle maker with a million bells and whistles. This maker is your standard, trusty, consistent, and durable maker. I have only one complaint: It's hard to clean... but aren't they all hard to clean?

I would complain that it only makes one large waffle at a time, but I could've purchased one that was larger. It's not like I didn't know what I was getting. I wanted cheap, but good quality. That's exactly what I got.

It's a heavy little monster, but that makes no difference. It works well, has a red-to-green light that changes to indicated "doneness" and you've got yourself a good waffle.

I warn against being "cute" and making chocolate chip or blueberry waffles. It's a million times harder to clean. I also recommend spraying the pan (despite the non-stick) because any new appliance needs to earn...

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Birdsy says "Garmin; don't get lost without it" about Garmin - Garmin 205

Birdsy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:12:21 GMT

I constantly get lost; even in my own hometown. I have had the Garmin 205 for a little while now and LOVE it. I use it for simple directions to my children's activites to long distance outings. I recently took a road trip to Ohio for college planning for my daughter. I brought along the GPS and it made the entire trip so EASY. We plugged in everything and never got lost in a new state!!!

I also use the favorites site on it to find gas stations, movies, etc. I'm not sure whey people would use maps or not have one when the price is right and its farily easy to use. I do want to change the voice of mine but that is a minor problem. I also think it should come with a stylus but they are easy to find around the car when you need them.

My screen could be a bit larger due to the increasing need for reading glasses. But... the fact that it talks to you makes it that much easier to get around!

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brandywilson says "This appliance is only second to my blender!" about Cuisinart Cuisinart 8-cup Rice Cooker (CRC-800)

brandywilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:08:25 GMT

It appears I like expensive products. Not really, but I like the ones that are durable and will stand the test of time and produce great food quality.

After buying this rice cooker, I have almost forgotten how to make rice on the stove! I don't just use the cooker for plain white rice... I also create other rices in there (some favorites include: chopped veggie rice, spanish rice...) by just throwing in all the ingredients and pushing the "cook" button. It's a timed machine based on weight and water density that automatically turns the red (cook button) to green (warm buttom) when it's done. You can hear the "click" and should notice it's complete as well.

I use this a few times a week and it cooks rice faster than it would on the stove, it's never burnt, and always consistent. It cooks up to 8 cups too! And you can cook your veggies on the top!

A few pieces of advice:

1. Even if you aren't steaming veggies, keep the insert in during a cook session. This is because (with practice, I've...

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brandywilson says "It's so easy to use and great on your teeth!" about Sonicare Elite 9500

brandywilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:56:56 GMT

I love my Sonicare for three reasons:

1. It times my brushes exactly right.

2. Gives me a clean feeling everytime.

3. Uses a soft brush head (recommended by my dentist) to save my poor gums!

I originally bought this brush because I had a gift card from a friend and it was on sale. I figured... it's something I would never buy from my own wallet (I'm a thrifty shopper) unless I had a seriously good coupon. It's what I consider a luxury item. Anyhow, I bought it and have loved it ever since (about 4 years).

A few things I dislike (but am willing to tolerate for such a good brush): It's bulky and I don't travel with it-- while you can, I prefer to be a really light packer and just buy disposables in that case, it's loud, and it needs to be charged-- like all appliances.

If you have had teeth concerns like me (mine are sensitive and I have sensitive gums), this may be a good option for you. Traditional brushes in the stores are just not soft enough for your mouth and wear away at the enamel....

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brandywilson says "If there were a fire, I'd save my Blendtec Blender!" about Blendtec Blendtec Home Total Blender Tabletop Blender TB-621-20 (black)

brandywilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:39 GMT

I've never been so pleased with an appliance in my life. I searched and searched for a blender for our wedding registry and was disappointed at the limited options found at retail stores like Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Crate & Barrel. Nothing was reasonably priced and still reliable. There were some "good looking" options, but I don't care about looks if the power isn't there.

I'm a lover of smoothies and margaritas. I use my blender at least 3-4 time per week. I wanted something I could throw whole ice cubes in and it would crush them instantly. Well, I found the machine I was looking for! This baby packs some power!

Originally, my husband found the blender online after hearing my complaints and commenting that Jamba Juice and other smoothie places never seem to have a problem with clogging... having to stir the contents with a spoon, opening the top to have the contents splash all over you... if you're a blender-lover like me, you know what I'm talking about! So, he scoured...

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sleepysmiley says "Great product. I really like it." about Panasonic SD-YD250

sleepysmiley — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:26:19 GMT

I love this breadmaker. I didn't expect to keep this breadmaker for myself. This was purchased as a toy and expected to be sent to my sister's place after a tryout. It ended up sitting on my counter and never leaves. My whole family loves the smell of fresh baked bread in the morning. With the timer feature in this machine, we can put all the ingredients in the pan at night and expect a fresh baked bread for breakfast. For a family of four, 1.5 lb is just right for us. Clean up is quite easy. After popping the bread out from the bread pan, simply submerge the pan paddle with water will do. Not much clean up is needed. This bread machine can also do pizza dough, bagel, crossaint and so much more. If you have young kids at home and do not want to feed them with extra ingredients that you have no idea of, give this a try. Making a loaf of bread only requires bread flour, sugar, salt, yeast and dry milk.

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grenmse says "Breezes through ice and makes super smoothies!" about Chris Freytag Personal Fitnes Blender

grenmse — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:46:47 GMT

I really love my Chris Freytag Personal Fitness Blender. I looked for several years for a blender that would chop ice and make smoothies and such but most I found were huge turbo blenders that you had to lug out every time I wanted to make something. Or little budjet blenders that wouldn't even cut through frozen fruit. This blender is amazing. It has a 350-watt motor and ice crushing blades that can mix fruits, veggies, and ice. It has two speeds and a pulse dial and measures about 13 inches high by five inches in diameter. Just big enough to leave out and lightweight enough to bring out again after holiday guests are gone. It won't sit and collect dust like that monster in the back cupboard you never use!

The mug on the Personal Fitness Blender has its own lid and detaches after you make your drink so it is designed to be taken along with you. It fits in nearly every style of car cupholder and cleans up easily. One full mug of smoothie could actually serve two but if you want to make...

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KatieT2588 says "Washington Mutual is not a different kind of bank or credit card" about Washington Mutual - Wamu Platinum Matercard

KatieT2588 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:31:53 GMT

I am a college student and I have been very good about paying my bills. Recently with all the economic problems I got laid-off. However, before I got laid-off I was making all my payments on time except for one. I missed on payment out of two years worth and my interest rate shot up to 27.99%. Now that I am unemployed I can't pay the minimum balance and called to see how I could pay on-time but less and was informed that the only way I could get help with my minimum balance and interest rate was if I was employed. Now that I haven't been able to make full minimum payments my interest rates are up to 37.99%. I orignally signed -up for this card because they offered 0% interest for the first 6 months. At the time tat I signed up for this credit card I had a high credit score. It was almost 800. Now, this is one of 5, I have. All the others are paid off except my WaMu and my score is now way below 700. I also had bank accounts with WaMu and closed them because of their excessive fees. This...

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