Reviews by Friends of Staceys1

Bryan-Carey says "American Diabetes Association: Advocate for the Diabetic " about American Diabetes Association

Bryan-Carey — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:34:47 GMT

Do you know someone with diabetes? Chances are you do. More than 25 million people in the United States alone suffer from this annoying and sometimes fatal disease and the numbers continue to grow each year, due in part to the obesity epidemic and poor eating habits among Americans of all ages. The foremost charity that works on behalf of diabetics everywhere is the American Diabetes Association, a non- profit health organization.

Charity Commentary:

The American Diabetes Association mission is threefold. First, this organization wants to assist those who presently have diabetes and help them live a normal life. Second, the American Diabetes Association wants to educate the public and help prevent future cases of diabetes. Third, this health organization wants to search for a cure. Its annual spending budget is divided among these three key areas of support.

I have been an active contributor to the American Diabetes Association for many years and what first drew my attention...

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Bryan-Carey says "Playskool Cool Crew Talking Vacuum Encourages and Amuses" about Playskool Crew Dusty The Talking Vacuum

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:03:03 GMT

Little kids like to help mom and dad. They usually learn how to help through imitation and they will often observe adult activities and then repeat what they see and hear. Kids will follow this process with most anything, and that includes household chores. One toy that lets children feel part of the household cleanup process is the Playskool Cool Crew Dusty Talking Vacuum, a small toy complete with sounds and sayings.

Toy Commentary:

Playskool Cool Crew Dusty Talking Vacuum is a small, plastic, upright vacuum. It features two friendly faces: One on the front of the vacuum and one on the brush attachment. It also has sounds and visual appeal. All it takes to get it activated is to roll it across a floor. As it rolls, the eyes move around and the make- believe lint swirls around on the inside, visible through the clear, plastic viewing area. The vacuum even talks to kids as they push the vacuum cleaner, with several different sayings.

My girls have been enjoying the Playskool Cool Crew Dusty...

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PattyTherre says "Nothing magic about this air freshener. Didn't last long at all." about Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener (227 Gr.; 8oz)

PattyTherre — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:54:49 GMT

Quick View: This product is natural which is clearly a plus but not only is it big and ugly, it doesn't last long at all. For $6.00, I expect a solid freshener to work for at least a few weeks. I am not at all impressed with Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener.

My Take on Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener

This product comes in a round, white plastic tub with slits in it for the solid freshener inside to release its scent. It's big and ugly so I hide it behind things or put it near the litter box but it doesn't have the power to destroy tough odors like litter box type ones.

I bought the Citrus fragrance. There two others as well. It smelled orangey and decent when I opened the package but it soon faded. It was only fresh smelling for a week or two and then I smelled nothing at all. Now, this is a natural product and does contain charcoal to absorb odors so it could have been doing so without a scent but I didn't feel the house smelled fresher after a couple weeks of using the Citrus Magic Solid...

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PattyTherre says "Tastes great and good for you too. Eat em up, yum!" about Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins

PattyTherre — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:13:15 GMT

Quick View: My family calls me a fiber freak. And I am. I believe fiber fills you up and keeps you full and it aids in good digestive health. I don't get nearly enough fiber for the most part so I am always on the lookout for foods that boost my intake. Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins have 5 grams of fiber per muffin and taste great. They really are a better start to anyone's day!

My Take on Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins

These English muffins look exactly like regular ones. They come six to a package and need to be sliced into halves to toast. Each weighs 1.8 ounces which is just about what other English muffins weigh.

They taste exactly the same as English muffins at a restaurant or that you buy in a store with little or no fiber in them. At just 100 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 4 grams of protein, the hefty 5 grams of fiber in every muffin is an added benefit to these low cal, low fat muffins.

I toast them and add fat free cream...

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PattyTherre says "Adidas Tropical Passion is fruity but best for young women." about Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray

PattyTherre — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:45:29 GMT

Quick View: I adore fruity fragrances, especially lemon, lime, and orange scents. When I saw Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray (1.7 ounce) for under $10.00 while shopping online, I added it to my cart. It does smell nice but it's very unsophisticated and the scent fades fast.

My Take on Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray

This fragrance comes in a glass 1.7 ounce bottle and is tinted slightly orange. It has notes of tangerine, melon, pineapple, magnolia, orange blossom, cedar and musk. It sounded like an amazing light scent that I would enjoy. And I do. But the fragrance is very ... unsophisticated for lack of a better word. It is straight up fruity with orange notes being the strongest.It doesn't change as it dries down. In fact, it smells much more like a body mist than an eau de toilette. And it lasts about as long.

Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray is strong to start. It is almost overwhelmingly fruity. It then dries down...

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Jo says "It may be hard to find your jewels at YardSaleTreasureMap.com" about YardSaleTreasureMap

Jo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:23:26 GMT

I was elated when I read about www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com. I love to go to yard sales. Before we moved I would plot out my morning by streets and spend several hours at yard sales.

Not knowing the area quite so well I have limited my hobby to yard sales on one long street in my town. www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com is simple to use. I just put in my starting address, the maximum miles I want to drive and the day I want to go treasure hunting.

When I saw a red balloon I clicked on the listing and found the specific time of the yard sale and where it was. There were details of what would be for sale as well.

There are two problems with www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com.

The listings are taken from www.craigslist.com. That is very limiting for someone like me who lives in a suburban area 50 minutes from Boston. Yard sales are posted in local newspapers or just via signs on the trees. I found one yard sale in my town. I put in Boston and found a few more but not enough for me to rave about YardSaleTreasureMap.com....

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Bryan-Carey says "Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews Reduce Acid Fast" about Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:10:37 GMT

Heartburn sufferers know that nothing feels quite as nice as an end to the pain and plenty of over the counter drugs exist to help with this problem. Most ordinary antacids are fine for small bouts of discomfort but when heavy duty relief is needed, one product that outshines the rest is Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews, an antacid/acid reducer.

Stomach Relief Commentary:

Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews are small, chewable tablets that can be taken without water. These chalky tablets are available in two flavors: Berries & Cream or Cooling Mint. They break down quickly, thanks to their small size, and can be consumed in a matter of seconds. They can be taken immediately, when heartburn or indigestion strike, or taken before a meal, when stomach discomfort is anticipated.

I have occasional bouts of heartburn and I am also prone to the disgusting and painful experience of acid reflux. When these serious problems arise, ordinary antacids will not even put a dent in the pain and discomfort....

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PattyTherre says "A very good clarifying conditioner that also adds moisture." about Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Conditioner with Shea Butter & Babassu Oil

PattyTherre — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:53:17 GMT

Quick View: I love Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter and bought the conditioner to accompany it. This lemony conditioner adds moisture to dry hair yet keeps build up and weigh down away. My only small gripe is that it doesn't detangle as well as I would like but otherwise, my hair loves it.

My Take on Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Conditioner with Shea Butter & Babassu Oil

This 11 ounce bottle of white conditioner smells as great as the shampoo,. It has natural lemon extract and smells of fresh lemons. There are no parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or other harsh preservatives or chemicals and no synthetic fragrances or colors, It is 100% vegetarian and cruelty free.

The conditioner is of medium consistency and comes out of the flip cap easily. I need quite a bit because my hair is very long but most people will only need a small amount to cover their hair. The scent is great and stays in my hair after drying which I love.

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Bryan-Carey says "Old English Lemon Oil Conditions and Protects" about Old English Lemon Oil

Bryan-Carey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:21:15 GMT

End tables, kitchen tables, and other furniture needs to be kept clean and if the material is wood, the challenges are unique due to the more delicate nature of wood and the potential for disrepair. Many people clean their wooden tables with ordinary aerosol polish, but wood benefits from an occasional oil treatment and one product designed for this purpose is Old English Lemon Oil, a protective liquid cleaner for wood.

Wood Cleaner/Protector Commentary:

Old English Lemon Oil is a moisturizing product with special oils that clean and condition wood to bring out its natural beauty. This product can be used on any wood surface, and that includes wooden tables, cabinets, wood paneling, and more. Old English Lemon Oil offers a pleasant, lemon scent with an oily texture that penetrates the surface, leaving a smooth shiny surface behind and protecting against stains such as fingerprints, crayons, and various foods.

Much of the furniture in my home is composed of natural wood and most of...

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PattyTherre says "Does Schweppes Club Soda taste like soap? This balm does!" about Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick

PattyTherre — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:59:46 GMT

Quick View: I am kind of hooked on the Schweppes lip balms that are out now. I like the Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set I recently purchased so, when I saw that Sephora was selling a Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick for $6.00, I decided to try it. I love club soda and like sticks better than tins. This does hydrate but it tastes like soap. Club soda does NOT have a sweet, soapy scent and flavor!

My Take on Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick

This stick comes in a lipstick tube and is an off white color. It smells soapy. Club soda really doesn't have a taste per se and I was wondering how they would flavor something that really isn't flavored. I guess they decided to go with soap...

The balm does slick on my lips nicely and is creamy. It gives my lips a light sheen, nothing too shiny. I can feel the moisture and it does add hydration. The SPF 15 is a plus.

But the taste is really soapy. It is like a combination of sweet and soap. I don't sense any club soda...

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Bryan-Carey says "Habitat for Humanity: Helping Others to Help Themselves " about Habitat for Humanity

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:41:51 GMT

December is the season of giving and besides offering presents to friends and family, it is also a time to consider giving to your favorite charities. I have a long list of organizations to which I make financial contributions each year and one of them is Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to serving the housing needs of lower- income families.

Charity Commentary:

Habitat for Humanity is a non- profit charitable organization with its operations headquartered in Americus, Georgia with regional offices around the country and the world. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller and its mission is simple. This organization feels that every human should have a safe and affordable place to live and it offers its services to anyone who can demonstrate need, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Today, Habitat for Humanity can claim to have built more than 350,000 homes for needy families, across the United States and around the world.

Many...

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PattyTherre says "I honestly can't think of a use for the Cozy 2 Heated Blanket." about Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt

PattyTherre — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:36:31 GMT

Quick View: I am always cold. Obviously my family members know this, even distant ones, because I received a Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt as a gift last Christmas. I thought I would love a car blanket but I don't. I never use it.

About the Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt

This blanket is 40" long x 56" wide. It is made of polyester fleece and is thin and lightweight. Attached to the blanket is a 6'3" cord that plugs into a car, RV, or boat cigarette lighter. The blanket takes 10 minutes to "heat up" and should only be used for an hour at a time. It should not be used when the vehicle is not running as it will drain the battery.

We travel fairly often by car and I thought the blanket would come in handy when we traveled in the cool weather. The problem is that we always have the heat on in the car since I am not the only one who gets cold and I am usually very comfortable. Still, now and then, a blanket is a nice extra.

The Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket is quite wide. It seems to be...

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Bryan-Carey says "Absolut Mandarin Adds a New Dimension of Taste" about Absolut Mandarin Vodka

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:05:24 GMT

Flavored liquors continue to grow in popularity and nowhere is this more evident than with vodka. Given vodka's neutral profile, it makes sense that it would be the liquor most likely to be flavored and one of many examples is Absolut Mandarin Vodka, a orange- enhanced vodka from Sweden.

Vodka Commentary:

Absolut Mandarin Vodka is an 80- proof, flavored vodka made from winter wheat, grown in the native Sweden, and it is made using Absolut's patented continuous distillation process. This flavored vodka features the aroma and flavor of orange, with orange peel being the dominant characteristic, along with a small amount of tangerine. The flavor of alcohol is obvious and the aftertaste is very orange- like and pleasant.

I'm a purist by nature and because of this, I generally do not like flavorings added to liquor of any type. However, with vodka, I have made an exception more than once. I have found that many of these flavored varieties not only match up nicely with the taste and character...

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PattyTherre says "Clarifies and moisturizes hair to bring out its best qualities!" about Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter

PattyTherre — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:49:16 GMT

The Dilemma: Your hair has a lot of build up from styling products and the elements. But if you use a deep cleansing shampoo, it will dry out your hair and be too harsh for it. The Solution: Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter. Deeply cleanse your hair and scalp and ADD moisture at the same time. And the scent is amazing!

My Take on Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter

I read a review about this shampoo and conditioner and wanted to try it. I use lots of styling products and love to get my hair and scalp deep down clean. However, having very long hair that has been highlighted and heat styled kept me from using clarifying shampoos more than very rarely. Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter adds moisture as it deep cleanses so I can even use it everyday with no damage and no drying out of my hair.

The shampoo comes in an 11 ounce bottle. It is cruelty free and free of parabens. It has 100% vegetable ingredients. It has no harsh...

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Jo says "Sarah's Key should be on a high school or college reading list" about Tatiana De Rosnay - Sarah's Key

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:53:12 GMT

After two people recommended Sarah's Key I bought it. This is a must read book. Although the subject matter is heavy, the book is easy to read and flows well. Sarah's Key was a New York Times Bestseller written by Tatiana De Rosnay, a French woman in 2007.

Sarah's Key is a wonderful book to read for book clubs not just because of the nature of it but also in the book and online you can find questions to ask and discuss.

The author has the voices of both Julia Jarmond, an American who has been living in France and is married to a French man for 25 years, and Sarah, a 10-year old Jewish girl from Paris.

The year is 1942 and the subject is France's involvement in the Holocaust. De Rosnay alternates voices from chapter to chapter with Sarah starting first and then Julia introducing herself as an American journalist investigating the happenings in Paris during that time. During her research of Sarah, Julia learns of secrets which change the course of her life. Toward the end we just hear from...

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Jo says "Thanks to Gabby Reece Bra Tank by Danskin I don't eat my t-shirt" about Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:33:50 GMT

I love to buy new clothes for my yoga class. I was in Walmart and saw Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank. At the time it was only $10.00 but now on Walmart's website it is $7.00. On line there are various colors and sizes for the colors. I chose purple.

There is nothing I don't like about Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank. It is seamless except for seams where there have to be such as on the raceback.

I love the inner bra. I wouldn't run in this sleeveless tank but for yoga or low impact aerobics it would be fine if you are well endowed. The support is good for that kind of activity.

Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank runs true to size so if you buy it online whatever size blouse you would wear would work.

In the picture you can see what they call body mapping. This is a type of design that give a slimmer look to the body.

It is a tight fit but not uncomfortably tight. In fact it is probably the most comfortable of all my...

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PattyTherre says "Smashbox got the shade right but the formula's just average." about Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara - Black Violet

PattyTherre — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:15:52 GMT

Quick View: Purple is far and away my favorite color. I adore anything purple. I guess it stands to reason that I have been looking for a good shade of deep purple mascara. I don't want a light purple but something with more of a purple tint. When I saw Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara in Black Violet on sale, I bought it just because the shade was what I wanted. It is a great shade but the mascara is ehhh.

My Take on Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara - Black Violet

This mascara comes in a typical mascara tube with a straight brush. It promises not to clump, flake, or run and says it will add length and volume to even wimpiest of lashes.The color is great. It is a very deep purple, indeed a black violet. It doesn't look immediately purple. It has purple highlights that show up in the light. This makes the mascara much more user friendly - at least for me. It looks great with deep purple liner and light (or dark) purple eyeshadow. It's not overwhelming at all.

As far as performance goes, the mascara...

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Bryan-Carey says "Orbitz.com Takes Care of Your Travel Needs" about Orbitz

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:16:32 GMT

If you like to travel, then there is a very good chance you have utilized the internet and its many travel- related web sites. I have used most every travel site in cyberspace at least once, or so it seems. But there are a few I use more than others and one is Orbitz.com, a full- service travel web site.

Travel Site Commentary:

From the home page, Orbitz.com is ready to launch you into the flight search function. This is the standard default, since most people use this service for flights. However, you can quickly click the appropriate place and search for a hotel, car rental, cruise, and even activities, as well as a combination of the above (flight plus car, flight plus hotel, etc). If you have other travel plans or would like to see more options first, you can go to the appropriate tab for vacation packages, flights, hotels, cruises, cars & rail, etc. The rail option will link you to Amtrak, but the other options keep you right at Orbitz.com, to complete your travel purchase.

Flights...

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PattyTherre says "Duwop, whose lips are you adjusting to? Certainly not mine..." about DuWop Private Red Lipstick

PattyTherre — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:39:27 GMT

Quick View: I adore DuWop Lip Venom Lip Plumping Gloss in Tulip which is a red shade.It seemed to be the only red I could wear. But this time around, I decided to try DuWop Private Red Lipstick because the claims were that it self adjusts to your individual lip color to give everyone a perfect red lip color. It plumps like all DuWop's lip products and it looked to last much longer on the lips than the gloss. I figured I had found another winner.

I didn't. This lipstick is too dark and garish for me. It doesn't really seem to change colors at all.

My take on DuWop Private Red Lipstick

This lipstick looks deep red and applies deep red. It comes in a silver tube with a bullet type stick. It does apply evenly and nicely and it stings my lips to plump them. It's much less harsh than DuWop Lip Venom products though and I actually kind of like the sting and the following plumping action of the Venom products. My lips do plump a bit but not as much as with the Venom Gloss.

When I applied DuWop...

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Jo says "Yankee Candle Sparkling Snow: fresh scent of pine and patchouli" about Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle

Jo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:04:45 GMT

I love Yankee Candles but usually dismiss them because of the cost. I got Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle as a gift. This is a Medium Tumbler Candle. There are other sizes and types that Yankee Candle makes. My Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle is in a glass just with a metal top that seals like the glass tops do. The medium size in the tumbler run around $20.

Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle has two wicks, is 12 1/2 ounces, and will burn for about 50 hours.

The scent

I now know why I love this scent so much. It has patchouli in it, one of my very favorite aromas. My Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle also has some aromas of pine and fruit. It is really a very pretty and pleasant scent.

When I burn it the scent covers a very large area but even when it is not burning and I have the cover off the scent is still in the air!

My experience

I am a candle burner and have so many that I am on a moratorium; however, I am now convinced that in the case...

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