Reviews by Meri

Meri says "Great idea! Motion sensored..." about Glade Sense and Spray (Automatic Spray)

Meri — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:27:52 GMT

I am always in search of fragrance. It doesn't matter whether it is a laundry detergent, perfume or room fresheners. I love fragrance- at least some fragrances. I had tried the Glade Wisp Air Freshener when it first came out. It was a good idea and was the first [that I know of] air freshener that worked around the clock spitting out little wisps of fragrance at timed intervals. The thing I didn't like about the Wisp Glade unit is that it worked continually so it used up battery life and fragrance even when people weren't home.

Someone else must have had the same thought because, "Presto, Chango"- out came the Glade Sense & Spray. It operates in the same manner only it has a tiny little motion sensor built in. This is fantastic! It saves battery life and only dispenses the fragrance when it detects motion. It has a built in 30 minute timer as well so once it puffs a little scent into the air the motion sensor is locked out for 30 minutes unless you override it. Fabulous idea!

My experience...

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Meri says "Takes my breath away- literally." about Bare Escentuals Rareminerals Skin Revival Treatment Night Light By Bare Escentuals

Meri — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:54:52 GMT

I have used Bare Escentuals Mineral products for over fifteen years now. I love most of the products so when I saw the RareMinerals Skin Revival Night Treatment for sale and read the glowing comments from satisfied customers I decided to fork over the nearly $60 to try this miracle product.

The product is advertised to reduce the size of pores, even out skin tone [including rosacea], increase firmness and improve hydration. Sounds too good to be true? Read on. The night time skin renewal treatment is made of all 72 natural micro and macro minerals. It comes in several colors but I purchased clear. It is to be used on clean, moisturized skin before retiring for the night. It doesn't rub off on your pillow so don't worry about mess.

When the product arrived I was surprised at how small the product was for the price. I was still, at this point happy to try it while dreaming of my soon-to-be beautiful skin. That first night I washed my face, applied moisturizer and let it dry. Then, I tapped...

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Meri says "worth the read..." about Uncle Tom's Cabin

Meri — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:47:35 GMT

My son has shelves of books that he has read or was assigned to read in school. Many of the titles I am acquainted with as I had to read them when I was a student; others I've never heard of. One day while packing some of his things away I decided to catch up with reading some of the classic books I've missed reading along the way. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is one of those books. I chose to read it first because of the author. Harriet Beecher Stowe was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, moved to Ohio where she married and later moved back to Connecticut. I've even been in her Hartford home, yet never read any of her books. I felt I owed her that.

My perception of slavery:

I was born near the Cape in Massachusetts. My husband and I lived in Connecticut for over a decade and with that experience gained a "New England" perspective. Some of my friends owned old homes that still have secret rooms that were used as part of the underground railway. Now, in Upstate, NY I have had...

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Meri says "Poof! Clean Carpets..." about Bissell proheat select 2X pet ProHeat 2X Vacuum

Meri — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:33:24 GMT

I like a clean house. I like everything to have a place and everything to be in its place. With four kid and all of their friends I was lucky to have one room that met that standard. I thought that once the kids were grown that the "always clean house" would be easy. Ha! Just when we got the house to ourselves, in moves a little Yorkshire Terrier. Now, don't get me wrong; I love her. I just don't love her fur or little dark spots on the cream colored carpet from her outdoor escapades.

So, when my old carpet cleaner bit the dust I purchased the Bissell ProHeat 2X. I chose it because it has a heater that keeps the water warm and warmer water pulls out more dirt. I also liked the idea that the water tank keeps the clean water separated from the dirty water. There are two power brushes that help get the dirt out of the carpet and a long hose to get to those "hard to reach" areas of carpet or upholstery. This model comes with accessories that include a power brush head [cool, uh?] for stains...

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Meri says "Average Shampoo with a wonderful scent!" about Organix Coconut Milk Nourishing Shampoo

Meri — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:20:41 GMT

My daughter was using the Organix Coconut Mousse while I visited with her this summer. I loved it so when I went to purchase it I noticed the Organix Coconut Shampoo and bought it as well. I couldn't wait to try it out. I don't know why.

How it performs:

The shampoo smells heavenly [if you like the smell of coconut- which I do] and is very thick. It is white with a satiny sheen that makes me think of pearls.

Price vs. Value:

A tiny dab of cleanser goes a long way which is a good thing because the 13 ounce bottle is not as large as many shampoos. The $6.99 pricetag seemed a bit steep for a non-salon shampoo but I have found that it lasts a long time.

Ingredients:

The shampoo is made of organic coconut milk and whipped egg white proteins to nourish and strengthen the hair. Coconut oils are included in the shampoo to help hydrate the hair so that it doesn't get dry and frizzy.

Bottomline:

I like the shampoo but, I am not overly impressed. It seems kind of average to me, but I will...

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Meri says "Chocolate to die for..." about Moser-Roth Fine European Chocolate

Meri — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:58:54 GMT

As a little girl I lived over a bakery and confectionery store in Southern Germany. Everyday my family would wake up to the smell of fresh baked bread- and then, as if by magic, a bag of fresh brochen appeared at our door. Heaven!

The bakery was always busy as housefraus stopped by to purchase bread for the day. Baskets of braided bread, rolls, loaves of rye and pumpernickel decorated the glass shelves under and behind the counter. During the holidays breads were pushed together to make room for the array of scrumptious chocolate creations. Easter bunnies in the spring and St. Nicolas and Christmas Trees during December's chilly days. These chocolates were not hollow nor were they made of the waxy chocolate like those in the States. These chocolates were solid and made of the most delicious chocolate in the world. It was creamy, smooth and melted in my mouth for a childhood memory that would last a lifetime.

Recently, I have discovered Moser-Roth privat chocolatiers. Moser-Roth...

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Meri says "They had me at "Customer Service"" about UWantSavings

Meri — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:06:40 GMT

I LOVE this site. Although the selection is smaller than many discount sites, UWantSavings.com excels in customer service, making it my first choice to check out before going to any other sites. I found the site quite by accident- I was googling for some discontinued dishes and came to it. The dished were sold out [sigh!] but I was impressed enough to sign up for email notices. I also signed up for the weekly raffle. I won that week's raffle, a Laptop Backpack that rocks! My experience with customer service with that transaction made a believer out of me. I had no use for the backpack and asked if it could be sent to my son in Virginia. They went out of their way to accommodate my wishes and refused to let me compensate them for any additional shipping it would have caused them.

Shipping is always free at UWantSavings.com. That is a great deal in and of itself. Since signing up for the email notices I have gotten notices for private sales, end of the month yard sale reminders...

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Meri says "My son says good-bye to Monkey Butt!" about Anti Monkey Butt Corporation Anti Monkey Butt Powder

Meri — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:47:49 GMT

This is my first review by proxy. Let me explain.

I will never forget the first time I saw a monkey in heat..in fact, I remember that moment as though it was yesterday. That is significant because I don't remember too much from that period of my life.

I was at the zoo and thought something was horribly wrong with one of the monkeys because it had a large, swollen, red bottom. In my mind red and swollen spelled PAIN. After pointing out the affected monkey to one of the zookeepers I was told that it was normal and not to worry. In time I learned that it was all part of the monkey reproductive cycle. No matter, it still looked painful!

Fast forward to today:

My oldest son lives in Florida where it is hot and humid. Hot and humid spells sweat. Hot, humid and friction of two skin surfaces spells irritation; if those two skin surfaces are around the buttocks area then hot, humid and friction spells human monkey butt! Sound painful? I hurt just thinking about it.

My son [the one in Florida-...

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Meri says "This laptop backpack rocks!" about Andiamo Bravo Backpack Tote, Black

Meri — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:43:07 GMT

I discovered a new discount shopping site called UWantSavings.com. I signed up for email notifications and entered a raffle for the week's giveaway. Imagine my surprise when I got an email saying that I had won! The item was a laptop carrier: Andiamo Bravo Backpack Tote, Black.

My laptop has a 17 inch screen and is hard to find a carrier for it and so I asked one of my sons if he could use it. He has about a one and one half hour commute each day into DC. He said he needed one so I contacted UWantSavings.com and asked them if they could send it directly to my son. "No problem!" I was told. I offered to pay any difference in postage but was told, "Don't worry about it. This one is on us." They sent me the tracking number and I waited to find out how nice it was.

The website stated that the retail price of the backpack is $285. It is currently on sale on this site for $75. The description on the site is:

"The Backpack Tote from Andiamo is ideal for those who travel to...

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Meri says "just a little dab will cover under eye circles with ease..." about Mary Kay Signature Concealer

Meri — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:11:45 GMT

I have been using a mineral concealer but I have found it doesn't seem to last as long as I would like it to. I have resorted to the "set aside" box of make-up. Here I put anything I have tired of or tried and set aside to try once again before tossing it out. In the drawer I found several concealers- mostly ones in a tube that have a built-in brush or sponge applicator.

Trying them again, I remember why they were in the drawer- poor coverage, color mismatch or just didn't like it.

I had been tempted to try the Mary Kay mineral foundation and with the order I ordered the Mary Kay concealer. [A .3 ounce tube was $10.]

I don't look too closely at the ingredients of concealers as I have never had a problem with sensitivity with any of them. Honestly, I couldn't tell you what is in this formula either. What I can tell you is that the coverage is amazing. It lasts and doesn't crease as the time goes on.

I ordered the color ivory 1 and it seemed to blend in well with my skin and didn't...

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Meri says "I won't put this on my skin..." about Mary Kay Mineral Foundation Makeup

Meri — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:55:49 GMT

I used Mary Kay for about ten years back in the 70s and into the 80s. I loved the simplicity of the skin care regime and the way my skin looked with the makeup. I do believe my skin had a "glow" and I loved the compliments that I got with using the products. Then, they changed the formulas. I broke out so bad that I had to be under a doctor's care for a few months.

I eventually tried other brands and settled into a well-known green department store brand. I was somewhat happy but still longed for my old Mary Kay glow. Several years passed and more formula changes came along. With the changes an oil-free liquid foundation was created and I leaped at the chance to try it, but it looked cakey and cheap. I returned it.

Since then, I have been using mineral foundation and makeup for over a decade. I like it so when a friend started selling Mary Kay and mentioned they now carry a mineral foundation I was once again sucked in for nostalgia sake. I ordered a package. The $18 price...

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Meri says "fabulous clean for my electronic screens..." about Scott's Liquid Gold - Clean Screen

Meri — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:35:52 GMT

Up until I discovered Scott's Liquid Gold Clean Screen I only dusted my electronic screens. With time I noticed little flecks of who-knows-what beginning to appear on my screens.

I love playing around with image manipulation software but sometimes when I was in photoshop I would find myself trying to rub out a spot on the picture only to find out that the spot was on the computer monitor screen. I knew that I should be cleaning the equipment somehow but after trying some not so efficient wipes I was reluctant to shell out any more money.

I discovered Clean Screen quite by accident- it was on the shelf in a red box. I am a sucker for the color red but that still wasn't enough for me to buy it. Then, I saw who made it.

I first tried Scott's Liquid Gold Clean Screen for the sole reason that it is made by Scott's Liquid Gold. I have used the wood cleaner for years and would consider it one of my cleaning essentials. The Clean Screen product comes in a handy-sized spray bottle that holds 6.5...

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Meri says "these wipes are made for traveling..." about Honeywell Blink Mess Lifters

Meri — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:48:30 GMT

I keep a container of Honeywell Blink Mess Lifters in my car all of the time. I bought them on a whim as I rarely have a need for car wipes but thought it would be good "insurance". I am so glad that I did. I have used these once when the dog got sick, a couple of times when my husband spilled soda in the car and numerous times after visits with the grandkids...

They are convenient to use and make short work of an occasional spill or mess.

The auto interior wipes are unique in the fact that they come in a handy container that has a clip on the back to hang the wipes out of the way. [I have a Honda that has deep side door pockets that are perfect for the wipes to hang on.] They dispense easily and have a resealable label on front. I have had this packet for over a year and they are still fresh and moist as the day I bought them.

The wipes come 20 to a package and not only clean up any spills but keep stains from setting in as well. I love this product and consider them a car necessity....

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Meri says "keeps my car fresh..." about Bahama Bag Company Car Scents

Meri — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:04:04 GMT

After a few years of my dog riding in the car all the time, it was beginning to smell like dog. I preferred a different smell so I purchased a few items over a period of about a year. I went through the hanging trees, the vent fans and scented cutesy figures but nothing lasted very long. Then, I tried the Bahama Bag Company Car Scents.

This product is a gel fragrance that comes in a tin can. I like that because it keeps the scent inside the can until you are ready for it. Once opened, you will notice a plastic cover that has the company logo [a palm tree] cut out on it. This allows the scent to disperse without debris falling into the gel. Since the gel fragrance lasts for a very long time, this is a good thing!

I like the tin can packaging because if the scent becomes overpowering you can simply put the lid on it and wait until you need more fragrance. The gel will eventually evaporate but until then, happy air.

It is easy to use this product. Place it anywhere there is a flat...

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Meri says "keeps ants out of Hummingbird Nectar..." about Perky Pet Nectar Feeder Ant Guard (242)

Meri — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:07:34 GMT

I recently purchased a hummingbird feeder as a thank-you gift for a neighbor who has never fed hummingbirds. I wanted to purchase a Perky Ant Guard for the feeder and looked all over for the "moat" type guard I've used for years. I couldn't find one. I finally found a Perky Ant Guard but it didn't look the same. Instead of using water as a barrier between the feeder and the ants, it uses a chemical.

This new contraption makes short work of those little pesty ants that climb up into many hummingbird or oriole feeders and ruin the nectar for the birds. It replaces the old style "moat" ant guards. The advantage of this over the old style is that there is no standing water to breed mosquitoes or worry over the water evaporating and leaving the feeder exposed.

The guard works with a disc that has been laced with the chemical, permethrin. This repellent is said to be safe around birds, pets and people. One disc lasts for one season so place it on the feeder and forget it until next...

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Meri says "Make Australia's favorite candy bar your favorite candy bar!" about Nestle - Violet Crumble

Meri — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:15:19 GMT

Years ago my husband brought back a few Violet Crumble candy bars from Australia. I fell in love with them. We lived in Connecticut at the time and a little store carried them. I would buy them out whenever they would get them in. Then, we moved.

Enough time has gone by that I had almost forgotten about them until my brother moved to Australia. One night we were talking and I mentioned the candy. He said he loved them as well and would send me some. Sometime went by and the candy had not arrived. His wife spilled the beans and said that they had bought a case but that my brother had eaten them all. She let me know that a new batch was on the way. I couldn't wait.

I left for a two week vacation in Utah before they arrived. Several times I thought of the package and wondered if it had arrived. I picked up the mail this morning and "Ta-da"! the bars were there. As soon as I got home I opened the box and sank my teeth into a Violet Crumble. Yum! It is as good...

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Meri says "keeps my eyebrows neat..." about Zadro 15x Spot Mirror

Meri — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:36:33 GMT

I have always plucked my own eyebrows but as I have gotten older my eyes have had a harder time seeing small details. Many years ago I bought a 5x magnifying mirror to help with that project. After a few years I bought a mirror with a 10x magnification. Recently, I have bought the Zadro 15x magnifying spot mirror.

This is NOT a mirror if you want to see a pretty reflection.The high magnification of the mirror sees every nook and cranny in your skin. That can be a frightening experience! Even the youngest, smoothest skin may seem less than desirable.

It is a great mirror if you are need of seeing your skin "up close and personal." The mirror allows me to see every stray eyebrow hair and tweeze them easily. Now, I can keep them under control and always look well groomed.

Zadro mirrors are made in the United States of America and comes with a 90 day warranty.

The spot mirror is small enough to be portable. I keep one on the side of my garden tub for daily inspection of my eyebrows......

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Meri says "the key to my prize winning Violets..." about Miracle-Gro African Violet Food

Meri — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:12:25 GMT

I have been fascinated with growing African Violets since, as a little girl, I saw my great grandmother transplanting her violets. I asked her a million questions that day but the one thing that I remember her telling me was that, "They don't like their feet crowded or wet." She would keep them in a long dish with their pots sitting on gravel. Over time I found out my own secrets to growing African Violets. I always have a window sill or two full of violets in bloom.

One secret I have found is planting smaller plants in specially designed violet pots and adding a drop or two of Miracle-Gro African Violet Food to each water change.

Miracle-Gro African Violet Food comes in liquid form with a formula of 7-7-7 that is the perfect recipe for healthy, happy violets. The squeeze bottle is simple to use- just take off the small white cap to unveil the dropper and squeeze.

Although African Violets have a reputation for being difficult to grow, they don't have to be. The secret is in the...

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Meri says "I LOVE these dishes..." about Corningware Traditions- embossed white

Meri — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:56:50 GMT

I recently bought new dinnerware, Corningware Traditions- embossed white pattern. I fell in love with them the first time I saw them. They are classy and substantial all at the same time.

It was a bonus to find out that they are dishwasher safe, oven safe and microwave safe. They can't be used under a broiler though- or in a toaster oven or stovetop. A warning comes with the dinnerware that says not to put liquid in a hot dish or heat in a microwave empty. I thought that was all self explanatory but apparently not.

The stoneware is easy to clean. It is dishwasher safe and a non-abrasive cleaner can be used on stains. Stoneware is not to be soaked for extended periods of time however.

This pattern is suitable for everyday use and would be especially lovely in a Shabby Chic home.

The dinnerware set comes with huge 11 inch dishes, 9 inch lunch plates, substantial cereal/soup bowls and good sized mugs. I bought matching pie plates to use as pasta dishes. Additional serving pieces...

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Meri says "What's a Jackfruit? delicious..." about Danielle - Sweet Jackfruit Chips

Meri — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:38:08 GMT

My son and I like to try new things- just for fun. We recently came across the Danielle Sweet Jackfruit Chips at the Christmas Tree Shops and decided to try them. Before we ate them we did research on our question, "What is a Jackfruit"?

It seems that the Jackfruit is the largest edible fruit grown on trees in the world, Some can get as large as 36 inches in length and weigh as much as 80 pounds! They grow in South and Southeast Asia, preferring tropical lowlands. [I guess that is why we don't know what they are]

We did not fall in love with the Jackfruit Chips in one bite- in fact, we did not fall in love with them at all but the mild pineapple and banana flavor of the fruit wasn't bad. We found that the more we ate them the more we liked them.

The Danielle Chips are made in small batches and contain no trans fat, preservatives or additives. The ingredients are simply: Fresh Jackfruit and palm oil. I can live with that!

They are a bit pricey though; at $1.99 for a 2 ounce bag...

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