Reviews by Friends of LaMargaret

LisaCarey says "I can breathe again- boy this is fast acting!" about 4 Way Fast Acting Nasal Decongestant Spray 1 Fl.oz

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:29:38 GMT

It's winter time, which means I have sinus trouble. Between the wonky weather in Houston (one day it's 70 the next its 55), travel, dry air from furnaces and the cold weather when I travel the months of November, December and January are tough on me. Desperate for fast relief I sent the husband out (my hero!) to pick up a sinus spray that would really work. He came home with 4 Way Fast Acting Nasal Decongestant Spray.

4 Way Fast Acting Nasal Decongestant Spray is easy to use, and only takes a couple of puffs of the applicator. The applicator actually is the right size for me, not too big and not too small. It is important to follow the directions as using this product too many times or using too much of it can really damage your sinus passages and cause nose bleeds.

That being said, if you follow the directions and just want quick relief then 4 Way Fast Acting Nasal Decongestant Spray is a good nasal spray to use. Within about an hour I was able to breathe freely and get...

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LisaCarey says "Takes off a days worth of makeup and more " about Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:12:01 GMT

My mom likes Clinique (and Lancome) in that order. I like Lancome and Clinique - in that order. The good news is that when we visit each other we don't have to pack our entire skin care regime but borrow from each other to take care of our skin. During my week of borrowing one of the products I absolutely had to use of her's was Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover.

I am not big on makeup, but when I put it on I use products that are meant to last a long time, all day and most of the evening too, so I use waterproof mascara's and long wearing lipsticks. This makes removing make up at the end of the day a little tough, so I need something that can "take the day off" and be gentle enough on my skin. Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover does a very good job of both.

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover is easy to use, but I do suggest using only cotton balls. I was out, and used a tissue and ended up having to use far more than I normally do. so invest in some cotton...

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LisaCarey says "Great for moisture - not so much on wrinkles " about Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:55:55 GMT

Thanks to my membership with Vocalpoint I received a full size jar of Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream to give a try. Now, I am willing to pay more for a quality product, (like Lancome or Clinique) but was so glad I had the chance to try this first.

Let me start by saying, I don't really have any wrinkles. I do have one along the top of my forehead, but around lips and eyes I am pretty lucky. I think it's genetics because my mom still has beautiful skin and she is over 60. The first week that I used Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream the very first thing I noticed was that it was very smooth to apply, only took a little bit to handle my face and neck and that there was no "yucky" scent to deal with. It was also extremely moisturizing, so much so that I had concerns about my skin turning oily.

The next week I used Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream my skin was softer and smoother, but still no discernible difference with my wrinkles.

After a week traveling (and...

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LisaCarey says "I feel pretty oh so pretty - and romantic and I smell good too?!" about Michael Kors Fragrance

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:11:46 GMT

Most people are very selective about the perfumes and fragrances they use. It's a very personal thing. For example Angela feels Beautiful when she wears Estee Lauder's fragrance every after many years of use. I feel the same way about Michael Kors perfume.

What do I like about Michael Kors perfume?

it's sexy, every time I put it on I feel like I am attractive
it's romantic
I like it so much I put it on just for me!
subtle tones, but "load" enough to stand out
every time I wear it someone asks me what I have on
the sales lady laughs when I buy it - saying you have to have a certain type of personality to go with this one - and I guess I got it
long lasting
florals, musks, spices

What don't I like about Michael Kors perfume?

it is expensive

Michael Kors perfume is not so subtle, or soft but it is brilliantly beautiful to the senses. It evokes romance and a feeling of being beautiful, not to mention gets me noticed. What more could a girl ask for in a fragrance? ...

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LisaCarey says "Makes me a Picasso with photos " about Google Picasa 3

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:59:11 GMT

I am a frugal person by nature, and if I can find something for free that will do a job as well as something I have to pay for then I am all for giving it a try. Google Picasa 3 is one of those free things that works as well if not better than many other photo enhancement and publishing tools.

What I like about Google Picasa 3

it's free
it is easy to use simply download and start using it
stores my photos for me
allows me to safely and quickly share them online (without any need to have ads to buy something like Snapfish does)
easy to use correction and enhancement tools - zoom, cut, crop, red eye
and best of all - easy to do export

For example, I took hours trying to figure out how to make a picture the right size pixels using other tools. I really need pictures as part of my service writing articles and since I can't afford a professional photographer - it's all up to me. In order to make a photo the right size I simply go to the photo choose the short cut for export...

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Bryan-Carey says "Dawn Hand Renewal: Good Cleaning Ability and Scent " about Dawn Hand Renewal With Olay Beauty Dish Soap

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:22:39 GMT

Are dishwashing liquids all the same? Most are effective at cleaning dishes, but others offer extra ingredients or extra abilities that supposedly set them apart from the competition. One such product is Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Pomegranate and Splash, a dishwashing liquid and hand softener.

Dishwashing Detergent Commentary:

Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Pomegranate and Splash is one of several dishwashing liquid varieties sold under the Dawn label and one of four varieties sold under the Hand Renewal series. This product is orange/pink in color with a scent that is very much like air freshener, combining soap with citrus. It is unique among dishwashing liquids in that it includes special Olay hand- softening ingredients that, according to the manufacturer, will make your hands softer after five uses. The texture of this dishwashing liquid is somewhat like thin lotion, and a little bit sticky; which, again, sets it apart from most others.

Washing dishes is one of the few household...

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LisaCarey says "Helps this family save on entertainment, dining and more!" about The Entertainment Book

LisaCarey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:12:40 GMT

I love to save money, but don't we all. One of the best ways I found to save money many years ago (when I was a single parent) was the Entertainment Book. Now, many moons later, I am older, wiser, still a parent and still using the Entertainment Book just about every week. To be honest, the only time I didn't use it was when we lived in Knoxville because there wasn't one available there.

What I like about the Entertainment Book:

easy to buy online
pays for itself in just one use
used for dining, fast food, entertainment, dry cleaning, car washes, oil changes, travel plans, hotels,
helps me find places I may not have tried without the book
helps me save money wherever I go
savings with both coupons and the card
registering my book means I can use extra printable coupons from the website
coupons grouped according to usage
coupon index in alpha and neighborhood order

What don't I like about the Entertainment Book:

that this year I don't have two of them and...

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PattyTherre says "A cheap product that really does condition and thicken lashes!" about Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener

PattyTherre — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:29:02 GMT

Quick View: I don't buy into the hype of all of those expensive eyelash lengtheners and thickeners and I really don't like that they can be dangerous if they get into the eyes. While I do want longer, thicker lashes, I wouldn't compromise my eyes for them. I picked up some Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener for under $5.00 at Sally Beauty Supply only looking for a lash conditioner. This turned out to be actually quite a good product!

My Take on Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener

This product comes in a mascara-like tube with a brush like a mascara brush. It's clear and has no odor that I can detect. You are supposed to use it twice a day in clean lashes but it can also only be used once at night if you choose.

When I apply Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener to my lashes, they become a bit shiny and slightly damp but for just a short time. They then simply look and feel the same as always. I can't tell that I have it on. I could immediately feel a difference as far as conditioning goes. I wear...

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steve9631 says "Deep in the Zimbabwean savanna" about Victoria Falls Safari Lodge - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

steve9631 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:38:35 GMT

Deep into the Western quadrant of Zimbabwe along the border with Zambia lies one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls. Mosi-oa-tunya, "the smoke that thunders". The smoke refers to the incredibly high clouds of mist that come from the falls crashing into the Zambezi Gorge that can be visualized from miles away. The falls can be felt from as close as a mile away. A constant aire of mist surrounds the area, and the "smoke" is quite visible from the town of Victoria Falls and the countryside. The falls lies within Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side, and abuts the Zambezi National Park.

Several miles to the south of the falls, set high on a natural plateau, the westward facing Victoria Falls Safari Lodge borders the Zambezi National Park nestled in a wildlife preserve, and is just three miles from the thundering Victoria Falls. The Lodge offers views of spectacular African sunsets, year round game at its on-site waterhole, and is ideally...

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TunefulGal says "Get a grip on Ikea's great Pokal glasses. Unbelieveable prices!" about Ikea Pokal Drinking Glasses

TunefulGal — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:52:05 GMT

WHY I'M OBSESSED WITH DURABLE GLASSWARE

My hands have always been "sacred". The daughter of musicians, I grew up playing the piano, frequently warned to "be careful of your hands". As a softball outfielder, I always prayed no one could hit the ball into right field. In basketball, I approached everything knuckles first. (No wonder the captains always chose me last for their teams!)

Now, my hand obsession pretty much confines itself to anything that breaks in the dishpan. Delicate wineglasses and champagne flutes seem perilous. And, breakage aside, I've experienced my last boredom with plastic glasses. So... my latest discovery... ummm... plays right into my hands!

SKIP TO HERE IF YOU JUST WANT THE BARE FACTS

The Ikea's Pokal Drinking Glasses work for hot drinks as well as cold, seem ultra durable (though not with the stated assurances of www.viewpoints.com/Duralex-Classic-French-quot-Picardie-quot-Glasses-review-2fa6), and feel good in the hand.

Ikea's Pokal Drinking Glasses...

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TunefulGal says "Good gift! Slender price! Comfy, Dreams & Co. sleepshirts." about Dreams & Co./Woman Within Tag-free Knit Plus Size Sleepshirt

TunefulGal — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:35:18 GMT

My 100% cotton, satin-trimmed Sleepshirts by Dreams & Co. impress with me their comfort, washability (even in hot water) and current steal-of-a-price, $9.99 each for the short-sleeved version. (If you buy two shirts, take another $2.00 off of each item.)

Tag-free, this knit is a plus size. In my case, the medium/large generously covers my regular, sized-16 bod. As with so many WomanWithin.com garments, the sizes go up, in this case quite far up, to 7X/8X. So... if there's a large woman in your household or on your list, this might be a find of a gift for this holiday season.

I ordered my Dreams & Co. Sleepshirt in French Lilac and the Heather Grey you see in the photo of the model. For my next order, I'm thinking of Pink and of the Classic Red/White Snowflakes. I may get them in tha long-sleeved style with the 46-inch hem with slits. That ups the price to $16.99 ($24.99 for 2X and up).

You can also order this Sleepshirt in a in a full-length, Henley style with buttons...

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Bryan-Carey says "Resolve Eliminates Many Carpet Stains in Minutes" about resolve Carpet Cleaner

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:11:08 GMT

Carpets are bound to stain at some point. Even when the utmost care is exercised and pets are kept out of the house, accidents are bound to occur and when they do, I reach for Resolve Triple Action Carpet Stain Remover, a liquid carpet cleaner.

Carpet Cleaner Commentary:

Resolve Triple Action Carpet Stain Remover is manufactured for the purpose of cleaning small stains on most types of carpets. This carpet cleaner is liquid and offers a pleasant, citrus like scent. A few pumps of the trigger sprayer are all it takes to penetrate stains and break them apart. This product can be used to clean common food and beverage stains as well as ink, oil, pet stains, dirt, and more.

My home includes only a limited amount of carpet, in the bedrooms, game room, and hallways. However, all of the carpet in my home is light in color and thus prone to show any stain, however small. Add to this the fact that we have two little girls and two dogs and you have all the ingredients for stained carpeting. When...

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PattyTherre says " I found a new favorite BBW scent. White Citrus is delicious!" about Bath and Body Works White Citrus Fragrance Mist

PattyTherre — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:48:26 GMT

Quick View: Bath & Body Works had a buy 3 get 3 free sale on many of its signature scents and I indulged...a great deal. I bought several scents I never tried before, buying the mists, creams, shower gels and some body butters. By far, my favorite scent that I have tried is White Citrus. It's light, fresh, and exactly what I look for in a scent. Amazing!

My Take on Bath and Body Works White Citrus Fragrance Mist

This fragrance mist comes in a clear eight ounce plastic spray bottle. It has just the words "White Citrus" on it. Simplicity at its finest. The mist is intended to be sprayed all over and is very light. They have an Eau de Toilette which I ordered that is heavier.

White Citrus is described as:

* Fragrance Top Notes: Lemon Zest, Sparkling Grapefruit NP, Juicy Tangerine
* Fragrance Mid Notes: Mandarin NP, Ginger Flower, Waterlily, Apricot Nectar, Lily of the Valley, Freesia
* Fragrance Base Notes: Clean Woods, Sheer Musk (Captive)

The top notes are my favorite scents so I'm not...

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Meri says "Whoa! Foam overload-" about Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

Meri — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:47:01 GMT

I have used Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste for a couple of years now. I like the way it makes my teeth feel after brushing. When I saw commercials for the Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste I thought it was a no-brainer. The foaming concept made sense; that being that the foam would whoosh up into small crevices, nooks and crannies, cleaning where no toothpaste had gone before.

The toothpaste comes in a can that dispenses the toothpaste through a pumping system. When pumped, it looks like normal gel toothpaste. Start to brush and the fun begins. The once tame toothpaste starts to foam. The more you brush, the more foam grows in your mouth. It is almost like it is alive- The toothpaste is supposed to foam up and work its way into hidden areas in your mouth, claiming it cleans better than ordinary toothpaste and can remove 3X more bacteria while it is doing its thing. Oh, did I mention it is supposed to whiten teeth as well?

Bottomline:

The Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste does foam up as...

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TheBard says "An Affordable, Reliable Network Adapter" about Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card

TheBard — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:03:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: If you need an affordable, reliable, easy-to-install and configure 32-Bit NIC look no further than the Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card.

For the past few months the unthinkable has been happening, my Intel Pro 100/1000Gbps desktop-class Network Interface Card (NIC) had been failing. I didn’t want to believe it, but the last few days it has been none too obvious.

The problem: every time I restarted the (file) server the NIC was installed in, the adapter flapped, that is the link was dropping for long seconds, then come back for a minute, then dropping the link again.

The solution: the Linksys LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card

The 411

The LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card is a high performance NIC designed for desktop computers with 32-bit PCI expansion slots. Right out of the box, the LNE100TX EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card is ready to run on both 10BaseT and 100BaseTX networks. The 10/100Mbps NIC can automatically detect your networks maximum speed and adjusts...

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PattyTherre says "Obey Your Body Lotion is oh so average and expensive!" about Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion - Passion

PattyTherre — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:26:44 GMT

Quick View: I bought two bottles of Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion, one in Passion for me and one in Almond for my sister on sale because the claims were that the lotion was made from rare dead sea minerals and lasted a full 12 hours. My skin is dry and I love hydrating products, especially long lasting ones. I am disappointed in this product and darn glad I didn't buy it at full price!

My Take on Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion - Passion

This lotion comes in an 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip open lid. The Passion scent is very subtle and slightly citrus which I like. I can hardly smell it though and once it is on my skin, the scent is gone. The lotion is fairly thick and a light creamy orange color.

When I apply it, it seems to sit on top of my skin and I have to rub it around then let it sit there before it absorbs. It's slightly greasy but not overly so. It does eventually absorb and softens my skin a little but certainly not for 12 hours! It lasts for a few hours...

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Meri says "protects and seals without fail" about Krylon Workable Fixatif

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:44:30 GMT

I love crafts and painting. For years I have created personal projects for friends and family members but after going to all the work I want my projects to be protected. That is why I use Krylon Workable Fixatif.

Fixatif is easy to use. It comes in an aerosol can so it sprays on. The product comes out in a fine mist so it is hard to get too much of it on the item you are spraying. It works on charcoal drawings, pencil, watercolors, India ink and crayon projects. It prevents charcoal and chalk drawings from smudging and allows easy reworking of the project.

The Krylon Workable Fixatif makes colors "pop" off the page. It is the perfect product to finish a project. Maybe one of the best things about it is that it is acid-free and archival safe.

To use:

Shake the can for two minutes. Hold the project 6-9 inches away from the can and spray in a sweeping motion. The product dries fast so it is easy to apply several thin coats without risking running and ruining the project.

The Fixatif dries...

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Meri says "Foams away disposal grunge- whoosh!" about Magic American Products Disposal Magic

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:13:46 GMT

I am always looking for a way to deodorize my garbage disposal. I have tried real lemons, little balls of lemon scent and a citrus cleaner that claimed to do the trick but, I really haven't been sold on any of them.

The Disposal Magic product is a cut above the rest but I am still on my quest to find something that will take my breath away! [not literally, of course]

The package I bought contained 8 packets or pouches of cleaner. Although the bag says it is easy to use, I found that one time it did not foam away anything. I had to use a second pouch for the foam to rise up and act as though it was cleaning.

To use the Disposal Magic, simply turn on the hot water and let it stream into the disposal for at least a minute. Turn the water so it becomes a trickle. The disposal should be off at this point.

Continuing with the disposal on off, insert one of the packets into the disposal. You don't have to unwrap it or anything- just put the whole thing in.

Now, turn on the disposal. If it works...

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PattyTherre says "A professional curling iron for professional results." about Helen of Troy Troy Hot Shot Tools Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

PattyTherre — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:24:10 GMT

Quick View: I have bought so many really cheap curling irons in the past that I can't begin to count. When my last one just stopped working, I went to a beauty supply store and spent a little more on the Helen of Troy Hot Shot Tools Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron in the one inch size. I'm glad I did. It's a great styling tool.

My Take on the Helen of Troy Hot Shot Tools Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

This curling iron has a one inch barrel which, for my long hair, is what I need. I want gentle waves, not little curls. It has variable temperature settings to 450 degrees and the barrel is made of tourmaline and ceramic to protect and shine hair. It has a swiveling eight foot cord, heats up very fast, and has a nice cushioned handle and a long thumb area to open the spring grip.

I generally just want to curl the ends of my hair toward my face but I have issues keeping the curl or wave in my long, fine hair. This curling iron does a great job easily curling my hair and locking the curl in....

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LisaCarey says "Doesn't get my shoes under anywhere " about Shoes Under Shoes Under

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:23:46 GMT

Usually I am very hesitant to purchase most "as seen on TV" items, but I have had some success lately and honestly was getting desperate to find a way to store my daughter's shoes so that we could find them later. After much begging by my daughter to purchase the Shoe Under (she saw the commercials) her dad and I agreed and put through our purchase.

First, let me start by saying the site is awful. Sure I can get lots of them for less dollars (the more you buy the less they charge sort of) but then I had to pay extra for shipping. The doubled my order and never gave me a chance to correct it (no check your order function before submitting). You put in the number your credit card information and hit submit, there is not way to check anything to make sure there is no mistakes. Whallah! A screen pops up and I now have 6 of them coming in the mail and my credit card was charged for it. Next I find out that it's almost impossible to find their customer service number on the site. Once I had...

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