Reviews by Friends of MellaView

Jo says "Where's all the protein in Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake? " about Herbalife Shakes

Jo — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:49 GMT

I am doing a 12-week weight loss program sponsored by Herbalife. When I enrolled I didn't know that they were sponsoring it. I have bought quite a few of their products. The first one I bought was the Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix. It is for "healthy nutrition and weight management".

The flavor I chose is french vanilla, which is delicious. I add soy or almond mix to two scoops and ice cubes and have a yummy snack. The program suggests that we have one or two shakes a day. I normally have one and stick to the amount of calories per day I should eat.

I paid about $35.00 for a 26.5 ounce canister. This makes 30 servings per container.

It has 19 essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients; however, you will get these in a multi-vitamin. For example, you'll get 35% of Vitamin A when you add milk and 50% of Vitamin D, which you will get if you go outside for 15 minutes a day. Yes I am skeptical because I haven't seen results and I think it is over priced.

The "wellness coaches" say that...

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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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PattyTherre says "A great value but I wish the primer wasn't so chalky colored." about e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

PattyTherre — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:58:31 GMT

Quick View: e.l.f.'s studio line is a little pricier than their dollar cosmetics but by only a couple of bucks. This dual use product is just $3.00 and works fairly well. I don't love the nude color of the lip primer though. It is a bit chalky looking.

My Take on e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

This little stick costs $3.00. One one side is a natural/nude lip primer that you apply before using lip color to help make the color cling and last and to fill in little lip lines. On the other side is the nearly clear plumper than can be worn over the primer, alone, or over lip colors.

The plumper has cinnamon in it which boosts circulation, giving lips a temporary look of fullness and a flush of color. I like the cinnamon scent and taste and don't mind the slight burning sensation I get when I use the plumper. It's very common for plumpers and this one isn't nearly as bad as many other plumpers.

I often will use the primer, apply the plumper and then color or do it the other way around and...

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Jo says "I watch TV; my husband works. Thank you Sony Infrared Headphones" about Sony - Infrared Cordless Headphones MDR-IF240RK

Jo — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:45:15 GMT

To the Point

The problem isn't new but the technology to fix it seems to be new - at least new to us. The problem was that our house has an open floor plan meaning my husband's office and our living room are connected. I got used to reading the closed caption wording but sometimes my reading was slower than the words on the screen.

In comes wireless headphones. I tried out a pair of Radio Shack brand headphones at our daughter and son-in-law's but my husband ended up buying me the Sony Infrared Cordless Headphones MDR-IF240RK.

A Closer View: The features

The Sony Infrared Cordless Headphones

come with a transmitter. The transmitter is placed near the television and comes with an AC power adapter.
come with a connecting cord. The box says that the connection to the TV, Audio, or PC equipment is easy. It probably is. For some reason it took us awhile to figure out what plugs went into what holes.
a range of 24 feet depending on the angle of your head.
will last for 60 hours using regular...

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LisaCarey says "Lining and filling makes lips plumper and lipstick last longer " about Mary Kay Lip Liner (All Colors)

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:37:54 GMT

I keep it simple when it comes to caring for my skin and using makeup. I admit that while I am willing to pay more for skin care products like cleanser and moisturizer I usually skimp of make up products. After all, all I wear on a regular basis is foundation, lipstick and mascara. and in the summer I don't even do all that. I have full cupid bow lips anyway, so usually don't even bother with lip liner but my friendly neighbor (and Mary Kay consultant) reminded me that I would have to buy long wearing lipstick that can dry my lips out if I would add a lip liner to my make up routine. Here's three Mary Kay Lip Liner's to try so let me know what you think.

Mary Kay Lip Liner is available in almost 12 colors and you can easily find one of them to match your lip color from almost natural to deep dark colors. It is $10.00 a liner which to me is a bit pricey, but with careful application could last you a really long time.

Mary Kay Lip Liner is easy to use. You simply twist the "tube"...

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LisaCarey says "Glowing skin all day and all night " about Lancome AQUA FUSION CREAM Continuous Infusing Moisturizer 1.7 oz

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:15:47 GMT

I really do try to find greener products to use in both my home and for my health. Unfortunately sometimes when i try a new product it's not very good for me and that was the case with something I borrowed from a friend since I had no moisturizer. It stung when I put it on, and continued to sting and get worse throughout the day. Stopping at the Lancome counter to do my gift with purchase the sales lady cleaned my skin and recommended Lancome's AQUA FUSION CREAM for my skin. I had tried a sample before and liked it but needed to finish my other products before making any other purchases. However this was an emergency, red angry looking splotches had made their way to my face.

First she cleaned my skin and then added a sample of Aqua Fusion Cream Continuous Infusing Moisturizer. My skin actually said, "Ahhh" in relief. I had actually already purchased this but they were nice enough to fix my red skin before I left the counter. Within about 30 minutes my skin was looking much better...

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LisaCarey says "I wanted my little monkeys to like the barrel, but they didn't " about Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:59:12 GMT

My children love finger playing out the song "Five little monkeys jumping on the bed." I thought that my little monkeys would also love playing with Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys. I was wrong.

Angela LaFon's review reminded me of all the fun my little brother used to have with the Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys, and I remember my son playing with them much like she describes in her review. But my two girls were just not interested in the barrel, the monkeys, the linking, or the swinging.

Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys are cute and I agree with other reviewers that a bigger barrel and more variety in colors is needed. Who knows maybe then my girls would play with it. But when offered this toy, my girls shrugged their shoulders, walked away and went on to play another game, any other game. My three year old while having excellent hand eye coordination finds linking them together frustrating and just wants to dump it out and place on on another. The 4 yr old isn't even...

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LisaCarey says "I won! You broke the ice! My daughter giggles and exclaims" about Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:44:19 GMT

Rainy day at the beach and on vacation it's time to get a little creative to keep the kids entertained but since it's day two I don't want to break the bank quite yet. Roaming the aisles at the grocery store the toy section the game Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game is on sale for $5.00! I remember this game from when I was a kid. My brother loved this game! My husband loved this game when he was a kid! Sold!

Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game comes home and the game is quickly set up. We don't even need batteries! Within minutes, my daughter giggles and squeals, "I won! You broke the ice daddy!" After about 5 quick games she decided to take a break and hit the Barbie Princess coloring book we also bought (1.00) and I am relieved that my daughter loves this game, since she also says, "Can we play again later?"

Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game is easy to set up, easy to play. The kids enjoy it and even mom and dad can have some fun. It doesn't take...

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LisaCarey says "No bells no whistles just brew " about Mr. Coffee Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:23:17 GMT

The Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13 is about as basic as it gets. I admit, I am not much of a coffee drinker and when I do drink coffee I usually like the flavored ones, heavy on the cream and sugar (ok milk and sugar substitute now). Anyway, recently I needed the extra morning jolt of caffeine that coffee can bring and pulled out this coffee maker. I only wanted to make about 5 cups or so, thinking that my husband would want to drink some too since I was actually making it.

Using the Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13 is easy and I do like that there is only one lid I need to flip to fill both the coffee and water filters. The coffee was ok, once I turned it into something that most coffee drinkers would scoff at. It was easy to clean out the pot afterwards and there was no spilling over during brewing. There is a side measure to double check the water amount and an extension cord with storage room in the back when not in use.

But what I didn't like about the Mr. Coffee...

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Jo says "My Silicone Grid saves burning or scratching surfaces" about Highly Evolved Housewares Silicone Zone The Grid

Jo — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:44:37 GMT

My Highly Evolved Housewares Silicone Zone The Grid Trivet was an inexpensive ($2.00) impulse buy. You can find the company's website here: http://tinyurl.com/ybywr84 where you will see the assortment of silicone products made.

The Grid comes in red, blue, and black. I bought a black Silicone Grid Trivet. This was my first time using anything like this though if I see potholders and other items I could use I would for sure buy more items by Highly Evolved Housewares.

The Grid is a non-skid counter mat and it truly does not skid. I love the feel of it - soft and rubbery. I don't have to worry that it will scratch my oven, table, or counters.

The Grid is made with InSILate Technology making any thing up to 675 degrees alright to put on the Highly Evolved Housewares Silicone Zone The Grid Trivet.

It is dishwasher safe and made in China. The Grid has a hole so you can hang it or just a place for me to hold on to it.

Highly Evolved Housewares Silicone Zone The Grid Trivet literally is a grid...

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PattyTherre says "Helps protect sensitive teeth and precious tooth enamel." about Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

PattyTherre — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:58:33 GMT

Quick View: I have a few teeth that are super sensitive. I like Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste very much but I also worry about brushing away the enamel on my teeth which, at 45, is a concern. I switch my use of toothpastes fairly often but I do like Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth. It helps keep my teeth stain free, reduces my sensitivity and protect my tooth enamel.

My Take on Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

This toothpaste comes in a few fresh flavors and all are great for freshening my breath. A four ounce tube is around $5.00 so this is pricier than usual toothpastes but, if you have sensitive teeth, you know it is worth the extra cost.

The toothpaste is not abrasive so it doesn't cause tooth enamel loss which is really important as we age. It has ingredients to gently reduce tooth sensitivity and it truly works. My dentist says it is only brand made that actually works for sensitive teeth and I believe...

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LisaCarey says "Snoop around before you hit forward and send " about Snopes

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:42:47 GMT

I have been using Snopes every since I can remember getting emails. A few short months after I started using the internet and email daily of course I was hit up with email "chain" letters, scams, hoaxes and sob stories by everyone from a Nigerian who had a million dollars they wanted to give me to free gift cards from Applebees for forwarding this message. A friend suggested using this site, and now, not only am I older and wiser when it comes to recognizing the email equivalent of junk mail, but I am also armed with one of the best scam detectors out there.

Snopes.com is fast and easy to use. You simply type in the subject line or a few keywords of content from your message (or even a story that someone has told you) and find out if it is fact or fiction. You can also find out details about how this so called story started and when. I admit now I work for a consumer protection website, and one of the first things I do before writing about a bogus email message is start my fact...

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TaraLee says "Need a better mousetrap as this is a very smart mouse!" about Microsoft Wireless Optical 3000 Wireless Mouse

TaraLee — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:36:36 GMT

I travel a lot for my job. When I am at work I rely upon my docking station and my wired mouse. But with the power cord and brick, the removable disk drive (I have a tablet laptop and there just isn't room for a disc player), the charging cords for my black berry, cell phone and kindle, I just cant handle an more cords.

Enter the Microsoft Wireless Optical 3000 Wireless Mouse. I was skeptical that it would work. Would it roll, would I have to put my had at an odd angle to make sure the optical eye had the correct contact with its receiver... on and on I worried that this would be a disappointment and I would be stuck in track pad hell every time I traveled.

I was wrong. This wireless mouse is awesome. It comes with a receiver that you simply plug into your USB port and away you go. No software, plug and play even on a windows system! Fantastic, responsive and sensitive. I could not be happier.

Oh yeah, it is also pink.

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LisaCarey says "Sit back relax and enjoy the show " about hulu.com

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:29:46 GMT

I first found hulu.com when searching for a place to watch an episode of "Super Nanny" that sounded interesting. I tried to watch it online, but for some reason my computer just wouldn't work with the site. Doing a search I found hulu,com, but not Super Nanny.

Interestingly enough I DID find the second part to a television show that I had given up on. I DVR'd the first episode, not knowing that it was a two part movie. Here I was hanging in the wind about how the television movie ended and I was able to watch it online for free at hulu.com.

I admit, I enjoy hulu.com and every once in a while visit it to find something unique for my children to watch (they have veggie tales on there) or just to see what is available. I am not exactly as thrilled with it as many of the other reviewers out there. I am much happier just DVRing my shows and planning the week ahead of time.

I find it is easy to get lost on hulu.com, and that it is hard to find what I am looking for. There is...

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TaraLee says "Removes all of the M.A.C. and other makeup you wear" about MAC Makeup Remover Wipes

TaraLee — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:19:36 GMT

I first came across the MAC Make Up Remover Wipes at a MAC store. I went to the store to try on make up, and had to remove what was on my face before I started. They brought out the plastic pack, with the hard oval enclosure (brilliant for keeping the wipes moist from the first wipe to the last wipe in the package). Having sensitive skin I am careful about what I use on my face. The make-up artist (all of the people who work at MAC stores are artists, make-up as well as a few traditional artists) promised me that the wipe was mild enough to protect my skin, but effective enough to remove the make up.

She was correct. I used several wipes that day all over my face, including my lips. I did not break out, and the bright vibrant colors I was playing with were removed completly before I ventured into a different look.

MAC describes their wipes as:

Oversized, luxurious, super-saturated with special M·A·C cleanser infused with protective vitamin E. Hydrates and nourishes highly efficiently....

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LisaCarey says "Who was that? Oh now I know I looked on IMDB " about IMDB

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:17:58 GMT

I am so bad with names. I can remember faces and people (so other Viewpoints writers please don't change your photos too much) and it is so annoying to be watching a movie and think, "I've seen them before, now who is that?" Followed then usually by, "Now what movie did I see them in?" Since my husband is a walking wikipedia, I can usually turn to him for the answer, but when I can't IMDB is the first site I visit to find out about movie credits, actors, story lines, plots and all the other trivia I need for both personal and professional use.

IMDB (the Internet Movie Database) is overflowing with information from both the knowledgeable and the fanatical. It is true that much of the information is accurate and helpful, and quite often far more than I want to know. But one of the most entertaining features about this site is finding out all the other television shows and movies that some of my favorite or just memorable actors have been in.

Visitors can contribute their own trivia...

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LisaCarey says "Pregnant and cruising sickness better than nothing " about Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:08:47 GMT

The very first time I used the Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands I was not only 6 months pregnant but also taking a cruise (don't ask!). Since any sort of medication was out of the questions the Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands were really my only option.

I didn't think that they would work, so "toughed out" my morning and sea sickness the first day. Upon arriving in Grand Cayman I literally wanted to sit down and kiss the earth that I was walking on.

The next day I thought, I bought them may as well try them. They did alleviate much of my nausea but I found that the longer I wore them the less they worked. I would occasionally have to add pressure to the pressure points to get me through the five star dinners on the cruise - not eating them all mind you but at least keeping my husband company.

Since then I have tried them again from time to time on simply stomach sickness, nausea and vomiting in an effort to avoid using medication. The Sea...

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TaraLee says "These wipes work but they are not at all special" about Pond's Cleansing Towelettes - Original Clean

TaraLee — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:07:14 GMT

Since I work out in the middle of the day during the work week, I like to have facial cloth to use before my work out to remove makeup. I picked up the Ponds Cleansing Towelettes to keep in my gym bag.

It is important to me that before I start working out that my face feel clean. I am not as concerned with moisturizing before a work out because I sweat a lot, and I always do a very thorough cleaning post work out. But I have found that if I dont clean off the makeup before a work out I regret it later due to breakouts and melted makeup.

When I read the description of these cloths on the Ponds Site:

A mini-spa treatment each day. No leading cleanser is better at lifting away make-up and removing impurities than these soft, textured cleansing cloths. Infused with Chamomile, Vitamin E and Triple Tea Antioxidant Complex, they nourish, soothe and pamper, leaving skin perfectly clean and make-up free. No rinsing necessary.

I though I found the answer to my facial challenge. I was quite...

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PattyTherre says "It's a Miracle that I like this pink frilly, girly scent!" about Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

PattyTherre — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:40:17 GMT

Quick View: I am not a fan of floral fragrances and shun most classic scents. However, after trying Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray, which was given to me as a gift by a friend, I realize that a little bit of a frilly scent can work for me. This is a sexy, very feminine scent that I like for a nice change of pace.

My Take on Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

My review entitled My Top Fragrances: Fresh, Clean, and Sexy! really says it all about my preferences. I don't like florals and I prefer fresh, clean, or citrus scents. When I was sent a 1.7 ounce bottle of Miracle, I didn't even like that the box was pink. That, to me, seemed like the scent would be very floral and maybe even a rose scent. I like roses but hate wearing their scent on me.

I was mistaken though. Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray really doesn't have a marked floral scent. More, it smells sweet and feminine. It's definitely a girly scent but not at all classic or overwhelming. It's hard to describe the actual scent...

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LisaCarey says "Does your travel search here there and everywhere " about SideStep

LisaCarey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:27 GMT

I was first introduced to SideStep when it was in it's "infancy" about 8 years ago. My supervisor loved using it to make travel plans and found it very helpful in finding and comparing quickly and easily airfares from many major and not so major companies. But Sidestep isn't just for airfare, so I feel it needs it's review broken down into different sections I have used.

SideStep for airfare:

I like that I can quickly and easily compare airfare and check out even ones like JetBlue and Frontier. I like that it tells me how long my search will take. However, rarely do I find that their search provides me with any airfare that is lower than the other sites except by dollars. Not exactly helpful in that way. But good searching tool and fast too.

SideStep for hotels

Although I have searched for hotels on sidestep I have never booked. The prices just aren't that great especially when compared to Priceline, Hotwire or Expedia.

SideStep for car rentals:

Great for searching and the...

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