Reviews by Friends of RachaelsView

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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njchicaa says "If you like cooking and/or the Food Network, buy this magazine!" about Food Network Magazine

njchicaa — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:13:01 GMT

I'm not the best cook in the world, but I've been buying cookbooks over the years and trying to make new appetizers and dinners. I've gone from the greenest, most clueless person in the kitchen to someone who can whip up fairly impressive meals given enough notice. I recently discovered the Food Network and have become addicted to watching several hours of their programming each evening. When I saw that there was a Food Network Magazine, I decided to pay the full news-stand price and check it out.

Unlike other most other magazines, Food Network Magazine focuses on cooking. They feature new trends, quick tips, fresh ideas for using ingredients or updating dishes, Food Network stars at home/giving parties, and many new recipes and meal ideas. I used to really like Martha Stewart Living for the cooking information but over the years the focus has changed and now includes makeup spotlights, wine lessons, health information, etc. I don't want to read a magazine for health or makeup...

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Jo says "Arranged: a story of an Orthodox Jew and a Muslim" about Arranged

Jo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:16:49 GMT

Arranged is an amazing movie. It is an independent film which runs 90 minutes and is not rated; however, it is suitable for all ages but just because of the topic I would rate it PG-13. Having said that, Arranged is a wonderful teachable moment for you and your children.

Two young teachers who are unlikely friends become the best of friends in this story of friendship, loyalty, duty, and tradition. Rochel, played by Zoe Lister-Jones, is an Orthodox Jew. Nasira, played by Francis Benhamou, is Muslim. They both seem out of place in the school in which they teach and the principal does nothing to encourage their cultural diversity.

Arranged is a tale of two families both of whom do not waiver from their faiths. Both families are adamant about arranged marriages. Both young women struggle with how they fit into the modern world though one struggles more. It is interesting to note that the one who struggles more is the one whose parents will not let the other young woman in their house!

We...

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Jo says "A must see movie: What's Eating Gilbert Grape" about What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Jo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:49:02 GMT

An oldie but greatie is the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape which I recently saw. It was made in 1993 and earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Academy Award nomination.

The film is set in a rural town in Iowa where the terrific actor, Johnny Depp, playing Gilbert Grape, is caring for Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Arnie is challenged mentally and a handful.

It seems that Depp cares for everyone but has forgotten himself.

His morbidly obese mom, Bonnie (played by Darlene Cates), was once a pretty woman but has done little except eat since dad's death.

All the chores and cooking go to sisters, Amy (Laura Harrington) and Ellen (Mary Kate Schellhardt).

The love and caring between the brothers is wonderful to watch. The line "nobody touches Arnie" is heard through out the movie.

Another character, the married Betty Carver played by Mary Steenburgen, is having an affair with Gilbert.

Finally Becky, played by Juliette Lewis, comes into the picture and she, among other things, changes the familiy's...

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lilsquibb says "Nutri Serums Nurtify My Skin, With a Little Help" about Softsoap Nutri Serums Body Wash Restoring Vitamin E

lilsquibb — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:42:02 GMT

As a Bzz Agent I was able to receive a couple of samples of a new body wash from Softsoap. Though I’m not normally a body wash kind of person I thought “what the heck I’ll try it.” So in my package came a sample of Softsoap Nutri Serum Restoring Vitamin E Body Wash in a cute mini-body wash bottle. After trying the Nutri Serum Moisture Retaining Body Wash, I wasn’t even going to try the Vitamin E version, but I figured to be fair I would check it out. Plus knowing that Vitamin E is good for the skin, I was hoping it would be of a little assistance to my ever increasing belly.

So opening up the green labeled bottle of body wash this time, I could definitely smell something more than the Softsoap scent that dominated the Moisture version. It was some sort of flowery scent that I can’t really place, but I’m thinking Gardenia for some reason. This isn’t exactly my favorite scent, but I only smell it while in the shower then it wears off. Creating a nice lather,...

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njchicaa says "This classic mix is a must-have in your kitchen pantry." about Lipton Onion Recipe Soup & Dip Mix

njchicaa — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:51:21 GMT

Lipton Onion Soup Mix is just one of those things that I always keep in my kitchen cabinets. It is supposed to be a dry soup mix but, in all honesty, I don't know of anyone who has ever actually used it to make onion soup. You can find it in every grocery store on the planet for less than $2 for two packges.

Everyone seems to have their own special use for Lipton Onion Soup Mix, including onion dip, meatloaf seasoning, hamburger seasoning, potato seasoning, marinades, etc. Personally, I use it for onion dip and mealoaf seasoning.

To me, there is nothing better than the lovely blend of sour cream and salty Lipton Onion Soup Mix. I actually get angry when I go to family and friend's houses and they serve the pre-made and completely white French Onion Dip with green specks scattered throughout. It is nowhere even close to how yummy the traditional onion dip made with this soup mix.

I've also used this soup mix to make meatloaf. I normally make my meatloaf like a giant meatball:...

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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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njchicaa says "Yummy appetizers that you simply heat and serve. " about Pillsbury Savorings Artichoke and Spinach Bread Bowl Bites

njchicaa — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:03:05 GMT

I'm becoming quite the foodie and can be really snobby when I go to a friend or family member's house and am served all pre-prepared appetizers, sides, desserts, etc. My mother-in-law is infamous for using that kind of stuff which is how I first encountered Pillsbury Savorings Artichoke and Spinach Bread Bowl Bites. I enjoyed them enough on Thanksgiving to buy and serve them myself last night when we had friends over for dinner.

As the name implies, Pillsbury Artichoke & Spinach Bread Bowl Bites are bite-sized bits of spinach/artichoke dip in miniature bread bowls that can be served as appetizers or snacks. You simply preheat the oven or toaster oven to 400 F, spread them out on a baking sheet, and then bake for 14-16 minutes until golden brown. You don't have to thaw them before heating them which makes them a perfect thing to keep in the freezer for unexpected or extra guests and you are scrambling to make sure you have enough food for everyone.

There are good artichoke and spinach...

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Fardreamer says "Up is a heartwarming film by the animators at Pixar Studios!" about Up

Fardreamer — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:57:45 GMT

Although I have watched, perhaps, hundreds. if not thousands, of movies of all types (ranging from adult films to Z-grade Westerns) since the mid-1960s, I've never really been a fan of "family fare" or animated movies.

Perhaps this reluctance to like anything that smacks of kid-friendly fare stems from the razzing I suffered when, in the fifth grade, I remarked that I had gone to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarves when Walt Disney Pictures re-released it in theaters in one of those "once in a blue moon" Special Engagements. I, like many others before and since, had loved that first of the Disney classic animated films, but lots of my friends considered Disney movies "baby stuff" and totally uncool.

So even though I've seen some of the last batch of 2-D Disney Classics (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King), I tend to ignore tons of movies which are animated or are produced/released by Walt Disney Pictures.

For some reason, though, I've liked quite a few of...

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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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lilsquibb says "Transform your baby into a big boy with Transformers Underwear" about Fruit of the Loom Transformers 3-Pack Underwear

lilsquibb — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:11:17 GMT

Underwear is sort of a family tradition. At least someone receives a package of undies as a gift. Two years ago was my son's year to get underwear for Christmas and he thought it was the coolest thing. Since he had become a huge fan of Transformers, grandma decided to get him some Transformer underwear.

More than Meets the Eye
Designed after the Transformer animated series cartoons, this 3 pack of Fruit of the Loom underwear comes in sizes as small as Toddler 3T and as large as boys 6. The front of each pair displays the Autobot symbol and each pair depicts on the back end one of three Transformers - Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Bulkhead. My son received his love of Transformers from daddy so he was already well aware of several of the characters. Bumblebee and Optimus were already fan favorites in our house but at the, my son had no clue who Bulkhead was. Afterward we started watching the series and he instantly became a fan of Bulkhead.

Fit for the Transformer Lover
For being...

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PattyTherre says "A proessional 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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Jo says "Tick tock says Bella Cucina 4 slice toaster over 13407" about Bella Cucina 4 slice toaster oven 13407

Jo — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:35:52 GMT

To the Point

Our last toaster oven lasted a few weeks. Although I read that toasters might smoke at first, WeatherWorks started smoking later! The review has been updated. I bought and returned two other toasters and then finally decided that the 4 slice oven toaster by Bella Cucina might be good. I thought buying it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond might be better than Wal-Mart. Having spent $60.00 on one that was way to huge for our counter, I bought the 4 slice oven toaster by Bella Cucina for $30.00

A Closer Look

The features:

15 minute timer with auto shut off

temperature control dial

audible tone when toasting is complete

indicator on light

baking pan and broiling rack

crumb tray underneath

limited one-year warranty

The 4 slice oven toaster by Bella Cucina is made in China.

It measures approximately 8" High x 16" Wide x 8 1/2" Deep.

What I like

It fits perfectly on our counter.
It is attractive.
It is inexpensive.
The crumb tray though it is not a tray. The bottom opens up which is just fine...

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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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LisaCarey says "Nothing fun about the fandango " about Fandango

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:09:52 GMT

Once upon a time I could go to the theater and enjoy a good movie. Now, with young children in the house I have to be much more picky about when I see a movie and which ones I take time for. I first started using Fandango many years ago after moving to help me find cinemas and get information about movies but recently I also gave it a try for a Fandango gift certificate that I won from a contest right here on Viewpoints. (Thanks viewpoints!)

I wanted to take my children to see Toy Story 1 and 2 the double feature in 3D. While some of the online information was helpful such as the cinema and times some of it was confusing and I ended up having to call the cinema anyway. I did like that I could see a quick review there about the movies, but of course nothing that could rival the reviews here on Viewpoints.

Next I attempted to purchase my tickets and use my gift card. There were several things about this process that I didn't like. First, there are service charges - so much...

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LisaCarey says "Dora saves Swiper from the naughty list " about Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:56:54 GMT

My daughter's love Dora the Explorer and as soon as the commercials started for Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure they started asking me if they could watch it. I had every intention of letting them watch it - on television -- but a trip to the movie store and a tired mom expected snow over the weekend gave in.

In Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure Swiper actually gets caught by Santa swiping toys on Christmas (apparently it's ok to do this on other days) and gets put on the naughty list. Dora decides to save Swiper and they go through a series of Christmas Carol moments in an effort to get Swiper off the naughty list and onto the nice list.

Back in time they go, to see Swiper as a baby. They also visit the future, when Swiper is surrounded by toys but has no friends.

Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure is a typical Dora adventure. Tico and Isa, Boots and Benny the Bull all make an appearance. There is some Spanish words...

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LisaCarey says "Fountain of youth in a cream" about Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Targeted Line Concentrate

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:46:50 GMT

I have always thought that one of the most important things for a woman to take care of is her skin, maybe because I have always admired my mom's beautiful, youthful looking skin. I admit that I don't have many lines or wrinkles and put that down to genetics more than anything else, but I do have one or two so I decided to try Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect.

I admit that I have used Clinque and Mary Kay in the past. Avon just never really worked for me. I currently love the results I get from Lancome products but when you get a chance to try something that felt the way that this lifting and firming moisturizing cream did in the store you definitely want to bring it home, even if Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect in the very smallest jar is $60.

I experienced amazing results in just a few applications of Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect. I admit to only using it at night but it actually is a day cream and includes SPF 30. However, I was afraid to give up my...

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LisaCarey says "Go where no movie has gone before and I didn't want to come back" about Star Trek

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:33:55 GMT

I admit it, I am a "Trekie." Having grown up watching Capt. Kirk and Spock as well as the rest of the crew of the Enterprise, to become an adult and parent watching each of the new "generations" as well as each movie (and even owning them) I was sure that Star Trek was coming to an end. Honestly after ST: TNG I was pretty much over it as many of the newer shows and movies may have had better sound effects and more technology on the ship the story lines just didn't cut it.

But WOW! You can read in all the other reviews about the amazing cast of characters and IMDB.com can give you a list of them on the newest Star Trek (2009) . I have to say that Bruce Greenwood (Capt. Pike) and Zachary Quinto (Spock and most well known from Heroes) gave stand out performances. The cast and the crew of the newest and oldest Enterprise really have it all. They are amazingly smart (geniuses all), sexy, and daring. The ship itself offered more bells and whistles and while this may have been the oldest...

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LisaCarey says "Not good for dishes, dishwasher or the environment " about Palmolive eco+ Gel Dishwasher Detergent - Lemon Splash

LisaCarey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:44:12 GMT

I was thrilled when my husband brought Palmolive eco+ Gel Dishwasher Detergent - Lemon Splash home when I sent him to the store for dishwasher detergent. We have been trying to "go greener" cleaning more environmentally friendly for both our home and the environment- even going so far as making many of my cleaning supplies as I need them.

Unfortunately Palmolive eco+ Gel Dishwasher Detergent - Lemon Splash doesn't live up to my expectations, the name of Palmolive or the description of a eco friendly dishwasher detergent. I have used it several times, even included using Jet Dry in my energy star dishwasher and each time my dishes come out with white dirty dusty streaks on them - especially the plastic products. I have to spend a great deal of time washing my dishes by hand to get rid of the white gunk which has built up so much on some of them I can't remove it and have ended up having to throw some things away!

Palmolive says that this is an eco friendly product, but in this...

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njchicaa says "My Sister's Keeper is a mostly-faithful version of the book. " about My Sister's Keeper (2009)

njchicaa — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:58:44 GMT

My Sister's Keeper was the first of many Jodi Picoult books that I've read over the years. Reading it blew my mind and cemented the book up in my Top 10 Books Ever. I had heard that the movie adaptaion of the book was simply awful, but I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised by it.

Of course, the movie follows the main plot of the book. A daughter had leukemia and couldn't find a bone marrow match, so her parents went to a fertility clinic to create a "perfect match" child that would be able to give blood cells, bone marrow, etc. as the older daughter needed it. By the time she is 11 years old, her older sister is in kidney failure and her parents are trying to force her to donate one of her kidneys to her sister. Anna has decided that she is DONE donating body parts to save her sister's life, and both hires a lawyer and files a suit for medical emancipation from her parents to ensure that she won't have to unwillingly donate a vital organ. As the case winds through the...

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