Reviews by PattyTherre

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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PattyTherre says "Your face will look better if you start with a Tarte Clean Slate" about Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

PattyTherre — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:57:21 GMT

Quick View: I rarely apply makeup without using a primer first. I have a few faves but wanted to try a natural one so I chose Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer to try. I like it! It gives my face a great canvas to apply makeup and doesn't clog my pores at all.

My Take on Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

This primer is clear and is propylene glycol free, preservative free, phthalate free, dye free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, fragrance free, and dermatologist tested. It has a load of good for your skin ingredients in it such as avocado oil, echinacea root extract, rosemary leaf extract, and Tarte's exclusive t5 complex which is a blend of five anti-oxidizing fruits.

All that is great but not if the primer doesn't work or causes breakouts. I pretty much stick to just a couple of primers that I know work for me so I was a little leery of what Tarte could do. The primer is clear and has a silicone base. That makes it slide over my skin and fill in little lines...

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PattyTherre says "Very good results but way too runny and I need too much!" about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

PattyTherre — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:45:59 GMT

Quick View: I like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo and I also like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner but this somewhat pricey conditioner is very watery and I need a load of it to cover my long hair. I like the results but it's not worth the price when I run out so much sooner than I do the shampoo.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

This conditioner comes in an 8 ounce flip top plastic bottle. It looks exactly like the shampoo and it is really hard to tell in the shower which is which, the ONLY difference is the word Conditioner on the label.

Made with real pressed olive oil, this conditioner smells heavenly. It's a nice change from floral conditioners and very unisex. The consistency is almost like water though. It has a weird kind of blue green tint and it is super thin and runny. When I pour it into my hand, it leaks between my fingers and I lose some of it. I need a lot...

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PattyTherre says "Olive oil isn't just for cooking. It makes my hair shiny & soft." about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:43:42 GMT

Quick View: I use olive oil products from The Body Shop, Wei East, and Serious Skin Care. I actually stumbled across a bottle of Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo in my big bin of shampoos and conditioners last week and started using it again. It is a good shampoo that makes my somewhat dry hair silky, soft, and shiny.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

I found a bottle of this shampoo and conditioner and it looked like I had only used it a few times. I like The Body Shop Olive Glossing Shampoo so I decided to give the shampoo another try. I had no idea if I liked it before or not but I have so many different hair care products that they get rotated often and sometimes even forgotten about.

The shampoo comes in an 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip open lid. It's green and lathers richly. The scent is like olive oil. It's rich, bold, and unisex. I really love the scent. It's a nice change from the frilly floral shampoos I...

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PattyTherre says "Closest thing to real Uggs I have found and under $25.00!" about Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:57:06 GMT

Quick View: I have two pairs of "real" Uggs and love them. I wanted at least one more pair this year but my budget's tight. I couldn't justify spending so much on more boots. I tried lots of different "Ugg-alikes" but they all fell way short of the real thing. However, Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots are VERY similar to Uggs in many ways. They are closest thing to the real thing I have found and I only paid $22.00 for mine on sale at Target.

My Take on Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

Thse 8" shaft suede boots look very, very similar to Uggs. They come in Gray, Chestnut, Sand, Brown, and Black that I saw. Online, they are selling out and only have Chestnut and Gray left at Target.com. I bought the gray pair at first. They were on sale for $22.00 and it was an impulse purchase.

However, I soon realized that these boots were super warm and super comfortable. Uggs has sheepskin lining whereas these boots have faux fur. Otherwise, it's almost impossible to tell these apart from real Uggs....

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PattyTherre says "I really don't see much whitening with Crest Vivid White Night." about Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

PattyTherre — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:52:46 GMT

Quick View: I am a tough case when it comes to whitening my teeth because I drink loads of tea every day and have since I was a teen. On top of that, I enjoy Diet Coke and Pepsi daily as well. They stain teeth badly and getting those stains off is no easy task. It doesn't appear that Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste is going to do more than other whitening toothpastes for me.

My Take on Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

This toothpaste comes in a 4.1 ounce tube, smaller than typical toothpaste tubes. It promises to loosen stains at night so that you can brush them away in the morning. I love that concept but then on the tube, it says to brush teeth morning and night with the toothpaste so is it a night product or an anytime one?

The toothpaste tastes fine. It is minty and fresh and does a good job cleaning my teeth and freshening my breath. After I brush, I do seem to have slightly whiter teeth but I think that is just because I do a really thorough job brushing at night and my teeth...

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PattyTherre says "For $1, I get the same results as with pricey pet odor sprays." about Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray

PattyTherre — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:42:08 GMT

Quick View: Until very recently, I probably went into any type of dollar store a total of maybe five times ever. I didn't think they had anything but junk. However, times are tough and I'm bargain hunting these days. I was at my local Dollar Tree store when I saw a bottle of Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray. I bought it for the heck of it but found it's a very good product for the price. It works as well as pricey odor neutralizers and has a fresh scent that lasts.

My Take on Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray

This spray comes in a 13 ounce plastic bottle. It says it is safe to use on furniture, fabrics, and in the air. The scent is billed as "clean and fresh" which it actually is. It smells like fresh laundry right out of the dryer only stronger.

I have a dog and two cats. Along with the pets comes odors from two litter boxes (I have a girl's litter box and a boy's litter box and the cats never use each other's.) and odors that a little, messy dog cause. I have been buying brands...

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PattyTherre says "After being a Poser, I decided to Dress 2 Impress. I look hot!" about JK Jemma Kidd Air Kiss Shine Lip Gloss - Dress 2 Impress

PattyTherre — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:46:15 GMT

Quick View: I liked JK Jemma Kidd Air Kiss Shine Lip Gloss in the shade Poser so much that I bought the shade Dress 2 Impress and like it as much or even better. This gloss is really good stuff and worth the $16.00 a tube.

My Take on JK Jemma Kidd Air Kiss Shine Lip Gloss - Dress 2 Impress

This lip gloss is available only at Target stores and target.com as is the whole line of JK Jemma Kidd cosmetics. There are some of her cosmetics online at one high end site but they are different than what Target carries. Jemma Kidd is a British makeup artist who brought her line to the US and I have to say, so far everything I tried is really, really good! And pricey.

After I tried JK Jemma Kidd Air Kiss Shine Lip Gloss in the shade Poser, which is a super flattering deep pink, I started getting the urge for the deeper red hued shade, Dressed 2 Impress. I had seen it at Target and it looked too red for me but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to try it and, like any cosmetics junkie, I...

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PattyTherre says "Michael Jackson proves that this should NOT have been it. " about Michael Jackson: This Is It

PattyTherre — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:34:27 GMT

Quick View: I am walking out the door to see the Michael Jackson rehearsal film This is It at a local theater. I am going without blinders on. Is there a body double in the movie as his father Joe Jackson alluded to? Was Michael Jackson able to perform to the standards we all expected of him? Is this movie manipulation or reality? When I walk out after 1 hour and 51 minutes, I will hopefully have those answers. I will then give you the lowdown on this film.

Stay tuned.

Back Home After the Movie

As I sit here trying to figure out how to review a movie that wasn't a movie, I will start by answering a few questions I had before I went to the theater.

Body doubles, what? NO. This movie was 1 hour and 51 minutes of the real Michael Jackson. There were no body doubles. Joe Jackson is a crack pot.

Was Michael really forced to do this tour and was he lethargic and drugged up? Absolutely not. I don't know if he was "forced" to do the tour but at no point did Michael seem anything but mentally sharp,...

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PattyTherre says "Nature's Choice isn't MY choice. The bars are too sweet for me." about Nature's Choice - Multigrain Cereal Bars, Apple Cinnamon

PattyTherre — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:50:12 GMT

Quick View: I have bars of all types at home. I eat protein bars, meal replacement bars, granola bars, you name it. I bought Nature's Choice - Multigrain Cereal Bars, Apple Cinnamon thinking they would be great for a light breakfast or nighttime snack. They have a lot going for them but they are just way too sweet for my taste.

My Take on Nature's Choice - Multigrain Cereal Bars, Apple Cinnamon

There are plenty of good things about these bars:

* Low Fat
* 100% Natural
* Real Fruit Filling
* Wheat Free
* Fruit Juice Sweetened
* No Hydrogenated Oil
* Kosher
* Vegan
* No Preservatives
* No Artificial Flavors
* No Artificial Colors
* Low Sodium

The ingredients are all natural but I did note that pineapple, peach and pear juice were the first ingredients which is why they are so very sweet. Apple flavor comes in a bit further down the list. Still, there isn't anything really weird in these bat and that's always a good thing.

Nutritionally, they don't offer much in the way of vitamins and minerals,....

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PattyTherre says "Charles comes through again with shampoo that adds shiny volume." about Charles Worthington London Big Hair Salon Shine Shampoo

PattyTherre — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:31:08 GMT

Quick View: I had good luck with Charles Worthington London Results Moisture Seal Conditioner so, when Charles Worthington hair products were selling at Rite Aid for but one, get one free, I did just that. I bought Charles Worthington London Big Hair Salon Shine Shampoo and the conditioner. I really like this shampoo. It adds body and shine and isn't harsh on my long, highlighted hair.

My Take on Charles Worthington London Big Hair Salon Shine Shampoo

This shampoo comes in an 11 ounce bottle and lathers nicely. It smells great and leaves a nice scent on my hair. I need a shampoo that will cleanse well yet not strip my hair of its natural oils and one that adds body and shine gently. It's not easy to find a shampoo that can do all that.

This one can. I used it several times now and, each time, my hair looked shinier than usual and had nice bounce and body. It wasn't BIG hair but it did look fuller. My hair is really long and tends to be weighed down by its own weight. Add to that styling...

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PattyTherre says "I am so glad I caved and bought this mascara. It's AMAZING!" about L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

PattyTherre — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:07:55 GMT

Quick View: If you have been wondering is the hype surrounding L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara was true, let me assure you, IT IS! I bought this mascara after discussing it with fellow beauty divas on the discussion boards and saying I would "take one for team" and try this mascara. I am so glad I did. It is amazing. VERY dramatic!

My Take on L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

Hot on the heels of Givenchy's mascara with a little ball brush, L'Oreal made their own drugstore version. I thought the little ball brush looked ridiculous and could never give me the type of results I like. I have straight, thin lashes and I like drama. I want my lashes to be long, dark, full, and frame my eyes in a flattering way. Only a few mascaras have truly lived up to all my preferences. And truth be told, L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara doesn't completely live up to them either. It can clump after a couple of coats.

This mascara has a tiny ball-like brush the likes of which I had never seen before...

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PattyTherre says "My favorite anti aging hand creams that keep my age a secret!" about My Top Anti Aging Hand Creams - Five Hand Creams to Keep Your Hands Looking Young!

PattyTherre — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:46:56 GMT

Our hands show age just as fast - or faster than - our faces and necks. Many celebs who have had a lot of cosmetic surgery give themselves away with old looking hands. I have tried dozens of hand creams and have a few favorites that I feel hydrate well and help keep my 45 year old hands looking youthful. Here's my list of favorites in particular order. They each do great things for my hands!

My Top Anti Aging Hand Creams

BeautiControl Regeneration Extreme Repair Hand Therapy

This hand cream is amazing! Made with alpha hydroxy acids to slough off dead skin gently, my hands feel silky smooth, never greasy, and look younger after use. While the 3 ounce tube is a bit pricey $13.50, a little goes a long way and the results are worth it! It's very unique and works immediately and long term to keep hands supple and youthful.

Sally Hansen Age Correct Retinol Hand Crème

This citrus scented hand cream contains retinol which is a non prescription youth dew as well as collagen and antioxidants. The...

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PattyTherre says "Recreate your skin with Tarte's anti aging foundation! " about Tarte ReCreate Natural Anti-aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Ttechnology SPF 15

PattyTherre — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:42:52 GMT

Quick View: Finding a good foundation that looks natural and doesn't irritate my skin has been a struggle. I have found a few that I like but most are chemical laden and I worry about the effects that all those chemicals could have on my skin.

Tarte ReCreate Natural Anti-aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Ttechnology SPF 15 is free of many chemicals and really does make my skin look more youthful!

My Take on Tarte ReCreate Natural Anti-aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Ttechnology SPF 15

This pump bottle of foundation is dermatologist tested, fragrance free, petro chemical free, paraben free, phthalate free, GMO free, clinically tested, sulfate free, dye free, and talc free.It has a ton of natural ingredients including antioxidants and other good for the skin stuff. It also has wrinkle rewind technology which has been clinically tested to give the following results:

* Significant increase in skin elasticity, firmness and resiliency an average of 22% after 2 weeks of use and 43% after...

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PattyTherre says "Works well but be sure to choose the right size for your needs!" about Thermipaq Thermionics Advanced Therapeutic Hot & Cold Pad

PattyTherre — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:24:09 GMT

Quick View: Everyone in the house has muscle and joint aches due to exercise or overwork. It's my husband's turn this time. His lower back is stiff and very sore. He bought a Thermipaq Thermionics Advanced Therapeutic Hot & Cold Pad the last time his back hurt and got it out again this time. This pack can be heated in the microwave or stored in the freezer. My husband uses this pack hot. It's effective and easy to use but the heat does tend to wear off quicker than I would like.

My Take on the Thermipaq Thermionics Advanced Therapeutic Hot & Cold Pad

The manufacturer describes this pack this way: "Each size includes a pliable ThermiPaq pad filled with all-natural, clay-based materials. This compound is non-toxic, biodegradable and environmentally safe. Also includes a soft, washable cloth cover and Velcro strap to secure pad to treatment area for better overall pain relief."

There are a few sizes. My husband bought s appears a medium sized one that is good for lower backs, knees, elbows...

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PattyTherre says "Garnier holds a style and smooths frizzies without helmet hair." about Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong

PattyTherre — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:29:49 GMT

Quick View: I have long, straight hair that I often style simply. I tend to have limp hair even though it's thick so I hate to use products that weigh it down. But I need hold. What to do? I tried Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong and liked it. It really isn't THAT strong of a hold but it works well for my casual style.

My Take on Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong

This spray contains bamboo extract which is supposed to strengthen hair. It also has anti humidity ingredients that help control frizzies in humid weather. The can is 8.5 ounces and costs around $4.00. It has a traditional aerosol spray top that tends to clog now and then. I have to run it under hot water to get it going again.

The spray smells nice and goes on cleanly with no flakes or residue. It doesn't make my hair super hard although it does make it a bit stiff which is OK as long as it isn't hard like I'm wearing a helmet. I hate that feeling...

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PattyTherre says "Skechers managed to make Shape Ups the perfect exercise shoe." about Skechers Women's Shape Ups

PattyTherre — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:39:22 GMT

Quick View: I have all the exercise shoes made, I think. I love buying new shoes and I love to get benefits from them. I have FitFlops, MBT's, Power Diet Sports Sneakers, Shape Up Shoes (Flip Flop style killer shoes), Tony Little's Cheeks Exercise Sandals, and more. All of them have benefits.

But when I bought my Skechers Shape Ups (Strength), I knew I had found THE exercise shoes for me. These shoes are a little FitFlop, a lot MBT, and a little extra that make them comfortable, effective, bouncy, and not so ugly that I can't wear them in public with ease. Skechers Shape Ups are what I have been looking for since the original Dr. Scholl's Wood Exercise sandal came out. (I have them too still!)

My Take on Skechers Shape Ups - "Strength"

First, the name "Strength" only refers to the color and style combo. Each style and color has a name but all of Skechers' Shape Ups have the exact same sole and benefits. All that changes is the name and the color or style so don't be confused by the names....

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PattyTherre says "Like eating Alli in a chip. Same side effects. Olestra is evil." about Lay's - Light Original Potato Chips

PattyTherre — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:19:45 GMT

Quick View: I eat 1200 calories or less daily and under 30 grams of fat. I am at a weight I want to be and I try to maintain that by eating healthy and staying away from fatty foods. My husband brought me home a bag of Lay's Light Original Potato Chips and happily declared, "They're fat free!" And he was right. BUT they are not Olestra free and that fake fat has side effects all its own. Plus these chips coat my mouth with grease. Well, I mean fake grease.

My Take on Lay's Light Original Potato Chips

Don't get my wrong. Fat free potato chips are much better for people than greasy, blood vessel clogging fatty chips. I actually haven't had a real potato chip in years. I love pretzels and I eat baked potato chips on occasion.

Anyway, my husband bought these for me and was happy apparently that he found chips with no fat in them because he is all too aware that I never eat high fat foods. But like sugar free products, there's always a trade off.

The Good

These chips look like regular potato...

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PattyTherre says "Dennis Miller's rants are as relevant today as they were in '97." about Dennis Miller - The Rants

PattyTherre — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:28 GMT

Quick View: Dennis Miller has always been one of those comedians that you either really liked or really didn't. I really like him. I enjoyed him on SNL and I watched his HBO show. Loved it! His wit is just amazing. The stuff that comes out of his head should be written down. Oh wait! It is. In this book, is a compilation of Miller's best rants from his HBO show seasons 1-3.

My Take on Dennis Miller - The Rants

Dennis Miller has a kind of smart humor that some just don't like. My good friend hates him. He thinks Miller is a jackass. I, on the other hand, find him riveting. I loved when he would start out slow and just whip himself into a frenzy of a rant and make points that were not just worthy of a chuckle but true, real, relevant points.

In this book, is a compilation of Miller's best rants from his HBO series. They are written word for word as he delivered them and they pack a punch. This 224 page book will likely offend Republicans because Miller leans heavily toward being a Liberal...

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PattyTherre says " Hey Mickey! He likes it! Vita Gravy plumped my old dog up!" about Health Pro Nutrition Vita Gravy for Dogs Food Topper

PattyTherre — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:46:22 GMT

Quick View: My dog, Mickey, is almost 14 years old. He's in good health overall but he had been getting super finicky about eating and was losing weight. When you're only 13 or 14 pounds, a pound or two matters! My vet suggested I try Health Pro Nutrition Vita Gravy for Dogs Food Topper. This gravy was a Godsend! My dog loves it and he gained back his lost weight and seems peppier and healthier.

My Take on Health Pro Nutrition Vita Gravy for Dogs Food Topper

This gravy comes in bottle and in pourable pouches. I have used both and they are equally as easy to use. The gravy has a lot of vitamins in it and it doesn't contain artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, animal by-products, or added chemicals or preservatives. It's better than people food!

You are supposed to give dogs one tablespoon per 10 pounds of body weight over their food daily. I was told to give Mickey two tablespoons a day until he gained weight, then scale back as needed.

Vita Gravy comes in several flavors....

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