Reviews by Friends of Kaimania

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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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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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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dmlichnerowicz says "How my husband keeps me happy" about Ferrero Rocher - Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut Chocolates

dmlichnerowicz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:33:48 GMT

Every year for Christmas, my husband gets me a box of Ferrero Rocher for my stocking. Frankly, he could get me absolutely nothing else, and I'd be happy. Well, not really, because I love presents, but you know what I mean!

Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut Chocolates are a delicious combination that starts with a whole hazelnut buried in creamy chocolate filling, surrounded by a crisp wafer, all of which is then dipped into a milk chocolate and chopped hazelnut coating. Every candy is wrapped in gold foil for a beautiful presentation.

These chocolate candies are fantastic! The blend of crunchy, crisp, and creamy textures keeps them interesting, and the flavor of hazelnut and chocolate just can't be beat! Ferrero Rocher is available in various package sizes, from little rolls with just three candies to an entire pyramid or holiday-themed boxes containing 24 individual pieces. In my opinion, the small package of three is just enough to get you craving more, so buy in bulk! Five...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Share your faith and brighten your home with Blessings Unlimited" about Blessings Unlimited

dmlichnerowicz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:19:08 GMT

I have become a fan of Blessings Unlimited recently, after receiving several gifts from their collection. Blessings Unlimited, a company that functions as home-based businesses, markets inspirational home decor and gifts. The company's motto is, "Be inspired. Be connected. Be blessed." As much home-business as ministry opportunity, Blessings Unlimited offers people the opportunity to share their faith along with building financial stability for themselves. Their website has a catalog that can be viewed, but purchases have to be made either by calling the company or by hosting a gathering.

My take: The products that are offered are absolutely beautiful. I own several different types of products, from tea towels to serving platters to figurines (see photos, but view their catalog online at blessingsunlimited.com for better images). While their prices are a little steep, every item I have purchased or received from Blessings Unlimited has been well worth it. Fabrics are...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Amazing little gadget!" about Pampered Chef Dripless Pourer/Stopper

dmlichnerowicz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:00:29 GMT

We typically don't polish off an entire bottle of wine in one sitting when it's just me and my husband. I have broken off more corks trying to shove them back in the neck of the bottle to store it for later use! So my mother, the Pampered Chef diva, gave me the Pampered Chef Dripless Pourer/Stopper for Christmas. What a perfect little gadget!

What it is: The pourer/stopper has a double-lipped and tapered pour spout, to catch extra liquids and points the beverage in a more directed stream, so you end up with no drips down the side of the bottle. The black stopper can be pulled up and pushed gently back down to seal with bottle, either just to keep it on the table to avoid spills or for storage after it's been opened. It can be washed in the dishwasher without risk of damage to the seal. And if you do run into problems, there's a 3-year extended manufacturer's guarantee.

What I like about it: This is a nice-looking and simple-to-use product. It doesn't require any effort...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Amp up your hot cocoa and coffee with a splash of Bailey's" about Baileys Irish Cream

dmlichnerowicz — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:48:32 GMT

I'm not normally into "foo foo drinks," preferring a simple beer or glass of wine. But when the cold months roll around, I love a little added kick to my hot chocolate and coffee, especially in the evening, sitting in front of the Christmas tree or watching snow fall outside. Bailey's Original Irish Cream is one of the most versatile drinks to keep on hand. A delicious combination of cream, whiskey and spirits, and chocolate, Bailey's Original Irish Cream can be consumed by itself or added into other beverages. Not only can you get the original flavor, but Bailey's also sells three other flavors: with a Hint of Mint Chocolate, with a hint of Coffee, and with a hint of Caramel.

I love the flavor of Bailey's Original Irish Cream all on its own, either on the rocks or hot and buttered (see their website for additional recipes.) If I want just a hint of the flavor and aroma, a dash in my hot cocoa or latte gives just a hint of sweetness and warmth to make it even cozier!

Bailey's...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Stave off your sweet tooth with a cup of this tea" about Lipton - Vanilla Caramel Truffle Tea

dmlichnerowicz — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:19:26 GMT

My office is always freezing, so I consume a ridiculous amount of hot beverages at work. So one of my lovely staff put a box of Lipton Vanilla Caramel Truffle Tea in with a gift she purchased for me for Christmas. Each box contains 20 individual pyramid tea bags filled with a blend of black tea and caramel, vanilla, and truffle flavorings, as well as cornstarch, and sunflower lecithin.

My take: Aside from not being quite sure what lecithin is or why it's in my teabags, this is a lovely drink. The shape of the teabags is a lot of fun and seems to steep better than regular flat teabags. The tea has a fantastic aroma...soft vanilla and caramel. I have no idea where the truffle comes in, because I don't smell or taste any cocoa, but it's still a great flavor. It brews to a decent strength, which is good, since I detest weak tea. While not very sugary, there is some sweetness and less bitterness than plain black tea. Because I'm trying to be healthier and lose weight, I've...

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dmlichnerowicz says "This is what ice cream is SUPPOSED to be like!" about Haagen Dazs 5 Brown Sugar Ice Cream

dmlichnerowicz — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:21:15 GMT

Not normally being a big ice cream eater, I only understood how people can LOOOOVE ice cream after trying Haagen Dasz Five Ginger Ice Cream. At that point, I became a convert, but only to the Haagen Dasz Five line. Since they're not cheap, I picked up two more flavors during a sale 2/$5 at Kroger and grabbed their coffee and brown sugar flavors.

Haagen Dasz Five Brown Sugar Ice Cream is the simplest concoction: sugar, cream, milk, brown sugar, and eggs. No preservatives, no coloring, no unpronounceable ingredients...just a natural, delicious, simple combination of flavors. Because it's not cluttered with extra and unnecessary other ingredients, this ice cream is just amazing. You can taste each individual component, and the brown sugar flavor stands out beautifully. Haagen Dasz describes it as "a rich brown sugar flavor, with light caramelized notes." It's sweet but not overpowering. Like their other flavors, I can only eat a little at a time. Each container is about...

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dmlichnerowicz says "High-quality chocolate from historic Lebanon, Ohio" about Golden Turtle Chocolate Faactory - Lebanon, OH

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:14:47 GMT

Having lived in and around Lebanon for almost five years, one of my favorite little haunts is in the historic downtown area: the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory. About fifty feet from the Golden Lamb, Ohio's oldest continuously functioning inn (dating back to the early 1800's), the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory is a small shop that sells an enormous variety of high-quality milk, dark, and white chocolates, both in their local store and online.

I have tasted many of the confections they make, and my absolute favorite are the dark chocolate-covered candied orange rinds. They look a little like cat poo, but they taste absolutely amazing! The chocolate is delicious, not at all waxy, and any order you place is neatly packaged up for you in white boxes with their gold logo embosssed on top. Prices are comparable to other chocolate speciality shops I have visited, and it is certainly worth it. The Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory products make beautiful gifts, additions to carry-ins...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Not even worth a dollar" about e.l.f. Eye Widener

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:58:12 GMT

My opinion of el.f. products has been progresively dropping, and the e.l.f. Eye Widener didn't help. E.l.f. Eye Widener is a white eye pencil designed to create "an illusion of bold and beautiful eyes that sparkle" and "help to awaken tired eyes for a more youthful and vibrant look." E.l.f. advises customers to appply the eye liner along the upper lash line and waterline for a wide-awake look. The new design of the pencil supposedly has a softer formula and a sharpener in the cap.

My take: Frankly, I thought it sucked. The pencil was really hard, and it was so difficult to apply to my eyes! Along my upper lid, it pulled my skin, didn't show up, and actually hurt a little! I had a really hard time even getting any color to show up on my waterline, and within minutes, the color was gone! It made my eyes water from all the pulling and rubbing, just to try to get some of the eyeliner onto my face.

I am so unimpressed by this product. Even the new, improved formula wouldn't...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Lush colors that go on forever...but you'll know it's there." about American Beauty Super Plush 10-Hour Lipcolor

dmlichnerowicz — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:46:54 GMT

In my search for long-wearing lip color, I purchased American Beauty Super Plush 10-Hour Lipcolor in Plum Whisper at Kohl's. Sold for $16.50, this lipcolor comes in 12 gorgeous colors, including Creamy Caramel, Blushing Rose, Cashmere Cocoa, and Velvet Peach. The tube contains two products: on one end is the lipcolor that you apply to your lips and let dry for one minute before applying the gloss from the other end of the tube. Some of the ingredients that make this "super plush" are aloe, lycopene, and vitamin E.

What I like about it: The colors are absolutely to die for!!! Prior to buying, I tried on several different colors with the store's testers, and every one of them was beautiful! The color sets quickly, and the gloss gives it a much nicer feel as soon as it's applied. The packaging is really pretty. When they say 10 hours, they're not kidding! I don't know that I get ten hours out of it without needing to touch up, but this is an incredibly long-wearing product. ...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Not so "light"..." about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Women

dmlichnerowicz — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:58:03 GMT

At Sephora, the sales representative graciously gave me a sample bottle of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Women. I love getting perfume samples before purchasing expensive brands, because if it doesn't mesh with my personality and skin, I get really annoyed wasting money on it! Well, I'm definitely glad I got the sample on this one before buying...

The notes of citron, granny smith apples, bluebells, white rose, jasmine, amber musk, and cedarwood don't really smell anything like that at all! To me, this perfume smells like baby powder crossed with soap meets a flower garden. I have read numerous other reviews in which the spray is described as "light" and "fresh," but I actually find it very heavy and overpowering. I actually don't find it a very creative perfume...it seems I've smelled it somewhere before and it's not very original. It may just be me, but I am not a fan! After hours of wearing thsi perfume, it still burns my nose a little, even though...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Gorgeous color that lasts and lasts and lasts!" about Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal

dmlichnerowicz — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:41:01 GMT

In my search for a new long-lasting lip stain, I tried out several stain/gloss combinations. Unimpressed with the drying quality of the stains and the tackiness of the gloss in several brands I tried at drugstores and department stores, I ran to Sephora for help from one of their representatives who always look great and have been helpful to me in the past when I needed advice. Sure enough, struck gold with them again! The first product the rep pointed me to was Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal, which she uses herself. After trying it in the store, I didn't blink twice at the $20 price tag and snatched it up.

Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal is two products in one: the lip tint with brush at one end and a clear gloss with applicator at the other. Benefit very nicely gives a reminder to carefully open the container with the tint pointing down, since it's very liquidy and I'm sure some people may have had mishaps with the stain spilling if opened improperly. The tint does have methylparabens...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Cookies in a flash!" about Pampered Chef Cookie Press

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:25:37 GMT

As a kid, we baked hundreds of spritz cookies around Christmas time, gave them in gift exchanges, took them to every holiday party imaginable, and froze them to pull out whenever we needed them. My mom's old press was a metal one, that is still working. Pampered Chef makes a new version, which is an improvement even on their original cookie press design.

Pampered Chef Cookie Press, sold for $29.50, is made up of a dish-washer safe, plastic, see-through case, with 10 metal disks for different patterns, and a twist-top plunger. In addition to 9 cookie shapes, there's also one disk that can be used to rice potatoes! This baking tool comes with a one-year guarantee, so even if you run into problems, you can get a replacement. The old model that PC made was a ratchet press, which they received a lot of complaints about, so it was re-designed to be a twist-top press. (See photo to the right for the old design.)

What I like about it: I love the different disk designs. In addition...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Love my Plan B in case my computer crashes!" about SanDisk Cruzer Micro (4 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:30:10 GMT

One of my biggest fears since switching over to my digital camera is that my computer will crash and lose all my photos. Not being technologically inclined, I knew that I could get a little flash drive that was portable and would put my mind a little more at ease, so I purchased the Sandisk Cruzer 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive for around $15 at Walmart.

What I like about it: This is so easy to use! No software to install, just plug it into the USB port, and load any documents or photos on. It has a little thumb grip that slides forward to expose the connection, and then retracts to keep it protected. No cap to lose! I also like that it lights up when plugged in, so you know it's working. There's even a little metal ring so you can attach it to your keychain for portability! The whole flash drive is only about as long as my finger and is really light, so it won't weigh you down. When you plug the flash drive in to your computer, it gives you the option of transferring the...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Keep your paper bag puppets...I'll wait in line for tickets." about Fandango

dmlichnerowicz — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:31:51 GMT

We rarely go to the movies. And when I say rarely, we average about once a year. But since I had two Fandango coupons to use, courtesy of Viewpoints, we made a date of it to see The Blind Side.

What I like about it: I have to admit, the Fandango commercials at the theater with the crazy paper bag puppets do crack me up. The convenience of being able to buy tickets online and then just go into the theater without the hassle of waiting in line really appealed to me. But frankly, my love for it stops there. Because that's not exactly how it works...

What I don't like about it: I had $10 in savings, and two tickets ran me $20. Not bad...half off! However, the $2 "convenience charge" was an additional $2 that they don't even tell you about until you're checking out. Please! I'd wait in line to save two bucks! I printed off my receipt, but I still had to check in with the ticket window to get into the movie, so I'm not sure what "convenience" they're talking about! I...

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