Reviews by Friends of TaraLee

Meri says "Olivio makes me feel better about my butter addiction." about Olivio Premium Products Olivio Spread

Meri — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:50:21 GMT

If I was keeping a life time-line, 2009 would be the year of the olive oil. This year I have discovered olive oil soap and olive oil moisturizer to go with the butter substitute made from olive oil I've used for over five years now. Olivio was recommended by my Father's doctor and then my Father recommended it to me. The butter substitute is called, Olivio.

Olivio has a rich, buttery flavor that tastes great. You can buy it as a premium spread in a large tub made of light olive oil, a spreadable butter that combines real butter with canola and olive oil to make a healthier butter and a buttery spray that is perfect for diets because you can control the amount you spray.

All of the Olivio products can be frozen so I always make sure I have an extra in the freezer- just in case.

What makes Olivio unique?

all products- no trans fat

premium spread & spray- no cholesterol

spray- has zero calories per serving

spreadable butter- half the saturated fat and 1/3 the cholesterol of butter,
400...

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this2shallpass19 says "Surprisingly good meatless meal!" about Weight Watchers Smart Ones Broccoli and Cheddar Roasted Potatoes

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:53:08 GMT

I normally wouldn't buy a meatless entree, but my best friend said that Weight Watchers Smart Ones Broccoli and Cheddar Roasted Potatoes was really good, so I took her word for it. As it turns out, I can enjoy a meatless dish, but I do wish it had a little more texture.

This meal is very simple; just russet potatoes and broccoli florets covered in a cheddar cheese sauce. I have seen this entree in the freezer section many times, but it looked too plain and simple, so I never bought it. I'm glad I took a chance on it, because I do like it.

Although the cheddar cheese sauce isn't very authentic, it is still good. The potatoes are in small, bite-size pieces and nice & soft, the broccoli is a good addition, but I would like more texture. The potatoes are soft and so is the broccoli, so it would be nice to have some other kind of texture too. I'm not crazy about the processed, chewy meat that is in most frozen entrees, so this meal just might be good enough as is. It is surprisingly...

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PattyTherre says "Nine tasty soda flavored lip balm tins to keep or share!" about Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

PattyTherre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:55 GMT

Quick View: This gift set of ten soda flavored lip balms is tasty, hydrating, and fun. Keep some and give some away or keep them all! I got a great deal on these at HSN.com. They were on sale for just $10.00 a set. They're incredibly tasty in flavors i remember as a kid.

My Take on Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

This set comes boxed and has nine separate time of old school Swhweppes soda flavors. The balms are tinted in the tins but have very little color on the lips. Although they have a novelty look to them, they contain good ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, rosemary and Vitamin E. And boy do they taste great!

You get the following:

# .35 oz. Schweppes' Cider SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Dry Grape Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Raspberry Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Black Cherry Seltzer SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Sarsaparilla...

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onwaytozion says "Peddler's Village is a fun place to shop, dine, or just hang out" about Peddler's Village - Lahaska, Bucks County, PA

onwaytozion — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:40:20 GMT

If you're used to malls and chain stores, Peddler's Village is a breath of fresh air. There are winding brick pathways through the open air taking you from one delightful store to another in barn red buildings, with an abundance of park benches along the way amid waterwheels and ponds. The stores aren't cut from a cookie cutter: They come in different sizes and different levels. The well-landscaped grounds give you a countryside feel. The stores aren't all trendy high-priced boutiques or stores you could find anywhere else. It's definitely a place to linger.

I visited Peddler's Village the weekend before Thanksgiving, but Christmas was definitely in the air. The Village Gazebo already housed the entries to the annual Gingerbread House contest, which awards cash prizes to winners in several age groups and categories. Each store was gearing up for the holiday season. As we exited a store as dusk fell, we were greeted with the sight of a glorious light display. Each tree and shrub was covered...

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this2shallpass19 says "A really nice soy candle that burns for FOREVER!" about Archipelago Lemon Eucalyptus Soy Candle

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:38:05 GMT

There are a couple things that I have an addiction to and candles are definitely one of those things. I love having a selection of candles to choose from when one burns out, so I always have a whole bunch in my "candle cupboard". Archipelago Lemon Eucalyptus Soy Candle was my most recent selection from my candle cupboard. It seemed like it would be great because it smelled really good in the jar and is made of soy wax, but I wish it smelled a little stronger while burning.

I don't normally like botanical fragrances like eucalyptus, but the combination of that with lemon is very refreshing. For some reason, I also pick up a slight cinnamon note too, but it seems to work out perfectly. What I like about this candle is that it is made with 70% natural soy wax, which burns longer and cleaner than traditional paraffin wax. This candle has an approximate burn time of 50 hours and I do have to say that it really does burn well. I have burned it for hours and hours and it burns...

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TheBard says "You'll Never Need Another Mathematic/Scientific Calculator" about Texas Instruments - TI83

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:04:36 GMT

Bottom-Line: The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is probably the last calculator you will purchase in your academic career, it is just that powerful.

Texas Instruments released the first TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator, and upgrade of the TI-82, in 1996, and it has gone to be one of the most widely used graphing calculators for students across a broad range of educational levels. In addition to the functions found on normal scientific calculators the TI-83 Plus includes graphing, polar/parametric/sequence graphing modes, statistics, trigonometric, calculus (the Plus) and algebraic functions. Texas Instruments released the TI-83 Plus in 1999 as a replacement for the normally aspired TI-83. The TI-83 Plus also ships with flash memory, which would enable the devices’ OS to be updated as needed.

Powered by (4) AAA-sized batteries (plus 1 CR-1616 or CR 1620 lithium battery for backup), the TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is large unit ideal for advanced mathematics students...

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onwaytozion says "What time is it? Time To Eat!" about Time To Eat Diner & Restaurant - Bridgewater, NJ

onwaytozion — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:32:34 GMT

Whenever we drove by this particular diner, no matter what time of day, it was always packed. So on a recent Friday night we decided to stop at the Time To Eat Diner & Restaurant to discover it for ourselves.

We weren't disappointed! As usual, the parking lot was crowded, but the dining area of the Time to Eat was only 3/4 full and we had no trouble in getting a table. Our only trouble was in deciding what to order! The menu was pages long. Breakfast was served all day so there was a breakfast menu, a lunch menu, a salad menu, a menu for the Chef's specials, and sections for senior citizens, children, Greek specialties, a 'Polish corner,' Italian specialties... I'm sure I'm leaving out entire sections.

The Time To Eat Diner and Restaurant is a fine example of what a New Jersey diner should be. If you go to the left of the entrance, it looks like a traditional diner with booths along the windows and stools at a welcoming counter. To the right, there is a large dining area. The '& Restaurant'...

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Jo says "Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Program didn't leave me Cleansed" about Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

Jo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:15:54 GMT

I am buying into the Herbalife life while doing a 12-week weight loss program. They are the sponsors. I bought the Tea and like it a lot.

Another product I bought is the Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program. This is not the first cleanse I have done. I guess in general they don't work all that well for me.

What is Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

For about $27.00 I got two bottles. One is for the morning and one is for the evening. The products are herbal blends which I like rather than a bunch of chemicals. The morning formula is called the Replenishing Formula and the evening one is called the Cleansing Formula. Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program is called "An internal cleansing system for digestive health."

According to the box the benefits are to helps the body eliminate toxins; to improve nutrient absorption, and it may support weight management. Of course none of these statements nor the product is monitored by the FDA.

I do believe that cleaning out my digestive...

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TheBard says "Most Costly Than Others, But It Brings The Goods" about Kaspersky Kaspersky Internet Security 2010

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:31:25 GMT

Bottom-Line: Overall, Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is more than adequate for both power users and those users who take a more set-it-and-forget it approach to their computer’s security.

Even if the antivirus program cannot clean the infected file, most can at least isolate it and keep from doing harm the rest of the computer system. One of the antivirus programs I trust is Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 a program I recently downloaded and installed on a laptop running Windows 7 Enterprise Edition.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 supports Windows 7 (32/64-Bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), and Windows XP Home Edition (SP2).

The 411

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 ships with all the usual suite of protections found in most of its competitors with the exception of a data backup utility. That means you’ll antivirus protection for files, web browsing, e-mail, applications and various processes.

And of course Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 include auto-protect and e-mail...

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PattyTherre says "A VERY sweet soap that doesn't strip my hands like the others." about Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:55 GMT

Quick View: I like Bath & Body Works' hand soaps and I recently bought nine different scents and types (I had a great coupon!). One that I bought was Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple. Normally I'm not a fan of the deep cleansing soaps and go for the moisturizing ones but I didn't see this scent in the moisturizing hand soap area so I bought the deep cleansing one. It is VERY sweet but doesn't seem to dry my hands out like the other deep cleansing soaps from BBW.

My Take on Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

I never smelled this scent but I knew candy apples are very sweet. I guess the name intrigued me. Winter Candy Apple. Is there a difference between summer and winter candy apples? I had to know so I bought the hand soap.

When I first tried this eight ounce pump soap, I was overwhelmed with the sweet candy scent. I smelled no apple at all, just the candy coating that the apples are dipped into. It...

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Meri says "a Christmas Tradition for over 50 years..." about Wrigley Life Savers Sweet Storybook

Meri — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:52:56 GMT

Yesterday I was in Target looking at the Life Saver Storybooks. I couldn't help but smile and wondered if I should get a few to include in my grandchildren's packages.

From my earliest Christmas memories, Life Saver Sweet Storybooks have been a consistent tradition. Every year Santa always put a book in my stocking as well as a book in my little brother's stocking. The variety of flavors in the rolls were a total adventure to us and we would wheel and deal with each other to end up with two rolls of our favorite flavor. Neither one of us liked the Butter Rum rolls so our Dad got a treat as well.

Since I was a "cruncher" with a sweet tooth my storybook would be finished long before my brother's. Sometime before Valentine's Day I would talk him out of whatever he had left. For me, Christmas came twice in those discarded rolls of candy.

When I became a Mom the tradition continued. Santa always remembered to include a storybook in each of my kid's stockings. Sometime along the way, Life Saver...

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ApriBambino says "Clinique All About Eyes Rich cream comforts & hydrates eye area" about Clinique All About Eyes Rich

ApriBambino — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:48:35 GMT

Clinique All About Eyes Rich

I received this as a generous size sample when purchasing Clinique Happy fragrance as a gift for a friend. I've been using it mostly at night and it's doing a great job of moisturizing my eye area without any residual oily or greasy after-feel.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich is just that, a very rich gel-like cream. When applied to the eye area it feels cool and comfortable leaving skin looking a bit brighter, hydrated and refreshed. It's like a drink of water for the skin. As with all Clinique products, this is fragrance free and non-irritating. yes it is rich but It's also lightweight and absorbs quickly.

The company claim is: "This moisture-rich eye cream diminishes the look of undereye circles, shadows, fine lines-instantly and over time. De-puffs and calms with botanicals. Helps boost natural collagen production. Strengthens skin's moisture barrier against common irritants and is Ophthalmologist Tested".

With continued use I've noticed my eye area...

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this2shallpass19 says "I get the raspberry, but where's the buttercream frosting?" about Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:11:47 GMT

I think Jaqua needs to fire their scent specialist. I am experiencing the same problem with Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme that I experienced with their Pina Colada Hand Creme - scents that don't smell like their name.

As with Pina Colada, Raspberry Buttercream Frosting doesn't smell like Raspberry Buttercream Frosting. It smells like tart raspberries, and that's it. Buttercream Frosting (to me) implies a sweet, creamy and buttery scent. There is none of that in there!

This hand creme is a bright pink color. I mean you blended raspberries in the blender, bright pink. The texture of Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme is interesting. I like it because it is moisturizing and leaves your hands soft, but it is very greasy and takes a long time to fully absorb. I really don't like it's ingredients. Although it does contain some good ingredients, it is loaded with parabens. I won't buy anything that contains parabens, so even if the scent was...

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PattyTherre says "Everything's better when it's baked - even blush! " about Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:08 GMT

Quick View: I have been a fan of Laura Geller's line of cosmetics for years. Her line of baked products is great. I have TONS of blushes but tend to stick with rosy hues. I decided it was time for a change so I picked up Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact in Golden Apricot. I thought I would look orange it doesn't at all. I love this shade and the formula is really great. I'll be buying more shades soon.

My Take on Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

This blush is baked and has a somewhat uneven texture. It isn't one color throughout. There are shades of deeper apricot and lighter all swirled within the compact. I like that because blush really shouldn't be one flat color. A little variation makes skin look better and the blush look more realistic.

This compact of hard packed blush looks peachy but also has deeper apricot hues. I was totally afraid that my pale olive skin would look like a pumpkin when I applied the blush. To the contrary, the shade actually...

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this2shallpass19 says "If you like spicy orange flavors, you'd love this Bigelow tea!" about Bigelow - Orange & Spice Herb Tea

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:04:39 GMT

When the seasons change and it starts to get cold outside, my morning cup of tea gravitates from regular fruit flavors to spiced fruit flavors. I recently bought Bigelow Orange & Spice Herb Tea and although it isn't as good as other teas in my assortment, it is a nice addition to my regular flavors.

A box of Bigelow Orange & Spice Herb Tea comes with individually wrapped tea bags for freshness. This tea is all natural and caffeine-free. I like to steep my tea bags the whole time I drink my tea, not just for a couple minutes. With that being said, this tea comes out very strong when doing so. With green tea, I could steep it forever and the flavors still aren't very strong. With herbal tea, especially Bigelow herbal tea, the flavors are very pronounced and strong - but I like that.

Orange & Spice is slightly tart and sweet. I can detect the flavors of the "spice" more than I can the "orange", which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I really like citrus flavors and I...

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ApriBambino says "MoxieGirlz dolls are hip, cute & make a perfect holiday gift." about Moxie Girlz Moxie Girlz Art-Titude Doll - Sophina

ApriBambino — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:39:23 GMT

Moxie Girlz Art-Titude Doll - Sophina

Back in early September I gave a Moxie Girlz doll (Avery) to my 5 year old niece as a birthday present, she absolutely loves and plays with it all the time. Christmas is at our heels so I've added Sophina to the gift mix.

Moxie Girlz are very cute and come with adorable accessories that will vary by doll. Sophina comes with a cool pink bike and a fun fashion dress. She has beautiful long hair that every little girl will love to brush. Doll measures approx. 12.6 inches tall, she has big bright eyes and and a really cute face. These kind of remind me of Bratz dolls (which, in my opinion were not cute at all) but are more age appropriate and made better.

I know my niece will love to get this as a Christmas gift, If I were 5 I know I would. I have a feeling this is the beginning of what is sure to be a growing collection. They're also very reasonably priced at around $20.00 but have been on sale at many store locations and online for around $15.00...

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LoveisJoy says "Caress Bathes My Skin in Silky, Soapy Bubbles " about Caress Daily Silk Soap

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:46:27 GMT

In general, I have committed myself to Olay soaps because of the great lather and soft-as-butter feel. Still, I can't turn my back on my first love, Caress. Let's just say that I love the way Caress Daily Silk Soap makes me feel.

In addition to the amazingly fresh fragrance of a bar of Caress soap, the fact that the bar is made with bath oil lets you know that you're in for a moisturizing experience. Caress lathers up incredibly well and the bubbles just seem to last and last. At first I was afraid that the soap wouldn't rinse off easily, but actually it did with no problem and no drying residue. After my shower, my skin felt soft and moisturized--even before using my regular lotion. I also noticed that my skin doesn't get dry even when using Caress during the cold winter months. That's high praise for a simple bar of soap.

I do enjoy the boutique body soaps and more expensive shower gels, but you don't always have to spend a fortune to get a great bathing experience. Caress...

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LoveisJoy says "So Soft, So Flattering, and So Affordable" about Old Navy Women's Stretch Tanks

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:26:14 GMT

I found the Old Navy Women's Stretch Tank Top by accident. I was at the Old Navy website looking for something else, and I happened upon the item while I was browsing. Like most women, I always have room in my wardrobe for a sleek tank top to wear under other pieces. At first, I was skeptical about making the purchase because I was afraid that the material might be too casual-cheap looking. To my surprise, the tank top is nice enough to either dress up or dress down, making it a very versatile option.

The Old Navy Women's Stretch Tank is made of a cotton/spandex blend giving it a flattering fit over your curves. The hand of the material is soft, and the straps are wide enough to hide bra straps if you want to wear it alone or as a camisole under a sheer blouse. It has a scoop neckline, is long enough to hit at the hips, and is tagless (thank goodness).

The tank comes in both Petite and Tall, as well as regular sizes. There is an assortment of available colors from Brights (Radiant...

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LoveisJoy says "Learned Some Spanish in Spite of Software's Many Flaws" about Individual - Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe 10 Software

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:06:07 GMT

The only reason I didn't rate Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe Software lower is because I did learn a few more things that I didn't come across in Rosetta Stone. That said, this software program probably has as many things going against it as it does going for it.

Pros:

Speech Analysis: Practice speaking, and the gauge will rise and fall depending on how well you pronounce the words. I'm always excited when I manage to talk like a "native speaker."

Beginner to Advanced: Instead of paying for different levels, Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe is designed so users can begin instruction at the level they feel most comfortable.

Simulated Conversations: Each lesson takes you through a simulation of real world experiences, like meeting new people at a party or speaking to a clerk at a currency exchange.

Incredibly Affordable: I paid $14.99 when I bought Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe; a mere fraction of the $200+ cost of Rosetta Stone Level 1. If you're curious about learning Spanish,...

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ApriBambino says "O-Cel-O Scrub Sponges put the FUN in functional." about O-Cel-O by 3M No Scratch Scrub Sponge

ApriBambino — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:42:24 GMT

O-Cel-O by 3M No Scratch Scrub Sponge

I may be one of the few people out there who doesn't mind doing dishes, especially when I use O-Cel-O No Scratch Scrub Sponges. They feature a cello-sponge side and a scrubby side so there's no need to use two separate pieces.

Made by 3M, with their trade mark "StayFresh" technology. The yellow sponge side is Antimicrobial which is a great idea to help keep it fresher longer and helps to resist odor and mildew, surely there's nothing worse than a smelly sponge. The scrubby side provides enough scrub-ability to easily remove stuck-on food without scratching metal or glass surfaces.

"O-Cel-O sponges and scrub sponges are long lasting and durable, as well as strong, soft, and flexible when wet. They're ideal for washing dishes, glassware, tabletops, appliances, and countertops".

You may not think a sponge can be fun but, these have unique and colorful prints on the scrub side that add a touch of whimsy and takes the boring out of doing dishes.They...

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