Reviews by Friends of TracieFadian

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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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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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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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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PattyTherre says "I can't drink this but it's an effective throat soother for you!" about Yogi Tea Throat Comfort Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

PattyTherre — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:55:09 GMT

Quick View: I discovered this tea while browsing around online and, because I have sore throats a lot in the winter, bought a box. As it happens, I got a sore throat soon after and tried the tea. It's not bad and does sooth my throat. I can't drink it though because it lowers my potassium level. However, in general, this tea is safe and effective.

My Take on Yogi Tea Throat Comfort, Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

This tea comes16 bags to a box and is naturally caffeine free. It has natural sweetness to it and it tastes like black licorice. I don't like that taste very much but, with a little honey and lemon, the tea is just fine. When I drank it, my throat was coated and soothed. My mucus membranes opened up and my sinuses drained which relieved my stuffy head.

This tea can be drank as often as one wants and kids can benefit from it as well. It contains nothing artificial and has a blend of many herbs and spices to coat, soothe, and relieve sore, scratchy throats. Singers and speakers often...

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Bryan-Carey says "Excedrin Extra Strength Offers a Good Level of Relief" about Excedrin Extra Strength

Bryan-Carey — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:16:28 GMT

I don’t suffer from headaches very much, but when I do, I will usually reach for one of an assortment of over the counter pain relievers to stop the pain. I usually pick Aleve or one of a few others, but another product that generally works well is Excedrin Extra Strength, an inexpensive pain reliever.

Pain Reliever Commentary:

Excedrin Extra Strength are used to relieve multiple types of pain. When it comes to pain, I generally experience nothing but headache pain but Excedrin Extra Strength is good for body aches, arthritis, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, and more. Whatever type of pain you have, Excedrin Extra Strength is ready to get to the core of the problem and lessen the discomfort.

Excedrin Extra Strength contains aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine in its list of active ingredients. The dosage of caffeine is good because it prevents drowsiness and some people even claim they feel more wide awake than usual when they take this product. The caffeine dosage...

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PattyTherre says "Watch out Carmex, you have stiff competition from ChapStick!" about ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

PattyTherre — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:57:44 GMT

Quick View: In New York, you need lip balm. Period. The summers parch your lips and the winters dehydrate and chap them. I have a tin of so many balms, you'd think I was ... a lip products junkie! And I am. However, I sometimes need more than a pretty color or flavor on my lips. I need deep hydration. I get that and more with ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint. And it's inexpensive!

My Take on ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

This lip balm comes in the traditional stick form and is clear. It glides on easily. It isn't waxy like the original ChapStick. It's quite thick and immediately starts working. I can feel it tingle like crazy! The mint is strong and actually wakes up my senses. Although there is no flavor in this balm, the scent is great. I love tingly balms like Carmex and ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint rivals even Carmex's tingle.

My dry lips feel protected and hydrated and the balm lasts for...

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PattyTherre says "I believe in fish oil but I don't want to taste it constantly!" about PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

PattyTherre — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:57:35 GMT

Quick View: I strongly believe that fish oil is a necessary supplement for nearly everyone and I take them daily. When I ran out of my Natrol Fish Oil Softgel Capsules, I asked my husband to pick me up another bottle. He came home with PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules. They were the same as far as active ingredients, milligrams, and even how they looked so I took them. Ugh. Every time I belch or even hiccup I taste fish. GROSS. Back to Natrol for me!

My Take on PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

My Natrol Fish Oil softgel caps have lemon oil in them so I never have a "fish burp" which, as anyone who takes fish oil knows, is a side effect of this very healthy supplement. It's a gross side effect.

The PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules come in several bottle sizes and my husband got me the large 180 count bottle of these things. I usually take two a day but I have been taking one because the fishy taste and even SMELL of these softgels is just too much for...

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PattyTherre says "Sweet & tart lemon body butter hydrates skin and lifts spirits!" about Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

PattyTherre — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:13:40 GMT

Quick View: When fellow Viewpointer ApriBambino wrote about all of the Avon mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Scented products, I knew I had to try them. I love citrus scents, lemon especially, and was in the mood for something new. I had never tried any of mark's (Avon's "younger" products) body products and would never have even known this body butter existed. I am so glad I bought it and the spray. It is light, tart, sweet, and just what I needed to boost my spirits and hydrate my skin.

My Take on Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

This body butter comes in a 6.7 ounce squat tub. It is thick and rich but not quite as thick as body butters from The Body Shop and Bath & Body Works. Still it has plenty of richness and a little goes a long way. It is a creamy white color and smells divine. It has definite lemon notes with a sweet sugary fragrance as well that makes it both tart and sweet at the same time.

Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter hydrates my skin well with no greasiness....

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PattyTherre says "May work for mild dark circles but can't tackle my tough ones!" about Freeman Professional Vita-K Solution for Dark Circles

PattyTherre — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:43:45 GMT

Quick View: Vitamin K does help dark circles and other skin discolorations and this serum is inexpensive at $15.00 for a one half ounce jar. It didn't help my very dark inherited circles but I have a feeling it will be effective for those battling mild or even moderate ones. Nothing will REMOVE shadows and circles but this product at least doesn't cost a fortune to try to lighten them up some!

My Take on Freeman Professional Vita-K Solution

Because I have battled dark circles since I was a kid, I quickly can spot things that give away how effective a product really will be even before I buy it. Of course, that often doesn't stop me from trying new products in case they actually DO work. This serum's packaging and advertising says: "Light diffusing properties help reduce the appearance of Dark Circles."

Reduce the APPEARANCE OF dark circles. In other words, this doesn't actually work to remove the circles, just make them less noticeable by reflecting light away from them. But even that would...

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Bryan-Carey says "Prilosec OTC Provides Long Term Stomach Acid Relief" about Prilosec OTC

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:05:22 GMT

Excess stomach acid can cause great discomfort. Heartburn is one common problem associated with out of control stomach acid, but GERD/acid reflux is even worse because it can lead to lesions in the throat and other health issues. To stop heartburn and associated problems, I sometimes reach for Prilosec OTC, a remedy for stomach pain.

Drug Commentary:

Prilosec OTC helps relieve stomach acid problems by blocking the production of stomach acid. This makes it a little different from other antacids, which usually work to neutralize the stomach acid already present. Prilosec OTC accomplishes its mission through the active ingredient Omeprazole Magnesium. This ingredient is released on a delayed basis, and this means that Prilosec OTC can help relieve problems associated with stomach acid for a full day.

I have the occasional bout with excess stomach acid, usually the result of overeating or consuming foods and beverages that are either spicy or high in acid. I have an assortment of antacid...

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PattyTherre says "Smashbox O-Gloss: Pricey, confused color adapt gloss." about Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss with Goji Berry-C Complex

PattyTherre — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:47:06 GMT

Quick View: Smashbox products are very hit and miss with me. This clear gloss is supposed to adapt to your natural lip color and enhance the shade. It does. Sometimes.

My Take on Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss with Goji Berry-C Complex

This little pricey tube of clear gloss goes on smoothly and does feel lightweight and glossy. It starts out colorless but very quickly develops into a pink shade which is supposed to change on everyone's lips depending on their color. I have fairly rosy lips to start out with and I expected this gloss would enhance that rosiness and look natural.

Well, the first time I tried it, I got a gross super bright pink shade. Not good. The second time, though, I got a very subtle, warm pink shade that did look nice. The gloss didn't last all that long and when it faded, left behind a slight ring around my lips.

I didn't taste anything nasty and the scent is decent. The gloss CAN look quite pretty but I never know when that will be. I either get neon pink, pretty...

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TheBard says "Vampires Come in From The Cold" about Dead Until Dark

TheBard — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:29 GMT

Bottom-Line: Dead Until Dark brings to life in a new way one of the oldest myths in human existence, one that refuses to die an honored death.

Dead Until Dark revolves around the life of a small town waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, who makes her home in Bon Temps, Louisiana. The book and series is a first-person account of Sookie's life as a barmaid, who also happens to be a telepath, after she starts dating a local Vampire named Bill Compton.

In Dead Until Dark, Bill and the rest of the Vampire community have come out of the proverbial closet so-to-speak and into the light around the world seeking to become part of the human world. Though they can only come out at night, Vampires have made their presence felt throughout society and dating the "undead" has becomes almost fashionable. And drinking their blood can bestow super-human abilities, or drive the consumer mad.

My Viewpoint

Catherine Harris has woven together a pretty compelling story in Dead Until Dark. Sookie Stackhouse...

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TheBard says "An All Too Familiar Human Story" about Precious

TheBard — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:34:30 GMT

Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious. Few movies have garnered as much attention, derision, and critical acclaim as the just released Precious the depressing (could be anyone) story of a 15-year-old African American girl growing up in Harlem during the latter part on the 1980's.

Story Line

Directed by Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer), and adapted from the novel Push by Sapphire, Precious centers around the life of Clarice "Precious" Joans portrayed by new-comer Gabourey Sidibe. Clarice is dark, obese, illiterate, unloved, unwanted, and pregnant with a second child sired by her father. She gave birth to her first child (also sired by her father) at age twelve and refers to the child, who has Down's syndrome and lives with her Grandmother, as Mogul.

Clarice lives with her verbally, physically, and sexually abusive mother, Mary, portrayed by Mo'Nique. Mary doesn't work and instead collects welfare checks and food stamps for Precious and her...

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PattyTherre says "Hydrating but doesn't come close to living up to its hype." about Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

PattyTherre — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:57:54 GMT

Quick View: I was sent a jar of Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream from a group called Vocalpoint that I belong to. I was excited to try this cream because, at 45, I want to stay as youthful as possible and this cream made promises of being AS EFFECTIVE as Retin A (although they can't say the name. They use "prescription wrinkle cream" when making comparisons). I was disappointed in its performance.

My Take on Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

This cream is thick and very rich. It has a subtle fragrance and smooths on nicely. My face always felt soft and hydrated when I used the cream - and I used it every night for about 4 weeks. It did tend to pill a little for some reason but I used it at night so it really didn't matter.

As a smoothing, hydrating cream, Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is great. It works well to add moisture to dry skin and to plump parched skin. I have no issues at all with how this product hydrates.

What I have issues about are the claims that this cream will rid...

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PattyTherre says "It kept rollin, rollin, rollin. Just rollin, rollin, rollin..." about Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube

PattyTherre — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:52:11 GMT

Quick View: I'm thin and I practically kill myself to stay that way with a low fat, low calorie diet and plenty of exercise. But I still have times when I feel like shapeless. I bought a dress that was all about clinging and accentuating the waist. The one I feel I don't have. I am boy shaped and rather straight up and down. I bought the Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube for that little bit of waist nipping I needed. Well, it was a disaster. It worked fine if I stood completely still. Otherwise, it would roll from the top or bottom and look terrible and drive me crazy. It was off and in my purse within 90 minutes!

My Take on the Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube

This nipper is basically a tight tube top that slides on over the hips and wraps the torso in nylon and spandex. It comes in sizes medium to 2X. I bought the Medium. You can wear your own bra and panties with it or wear a shaper over it for double the control. I wore my own bra and panties then slid the nipper...

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TheBard says "Quick, Easy, and Good for Me, or so they say!" about Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans

TheBard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:25:12 GMT

During the week I leave the house fairly early, so most mornings I don’t eat breakfast until I get to work. And then I want something filling, but quick, and oh it has to taste good and be good for me. A tall order indeed and Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan certainly fit the bill.

Sold in 11.8oz boxes with eight 42g packages per box, Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan is cost-effective winner. Checking in at $2.99 box, (at my local Super Target) one box can last a week (two packages per day)more than pays for itself.

Quaker, worry not it looks as though you have a hit on your collective corporate hands; the Simple Harvest/maple brown sugar with pecans instant multigrain hot oatmeal is a hit with me. According to Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan "is a great tasting breakfast option you can feel good about. Made from only natural ingredients like whole oats, whole wheat...

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Bryan-Carey says "Fisher Price Sing and Strum Guitar: Good, but Less than Perfect" about Fisher-Price Sing 'n Strum Guitar

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:38:12 GMT

My girls love to play music. They love toy instruments and they enjoy creating their own unique songs and lyrics. Their enjoyment of music has led to my purchasing of several different toy instruments and one of them is the Fisher Price Backyardigans Sing ‘n Strum Guitar, a toy guitar without the strings.

Toy Commentary:

The Fisher Price Backyardigans Sing ‘n Strum Guitar is a child- size guitar that measures about seventeen inches in length, ten inches in width at its widest point, and two inches in thickness. The front side of the guitar features Backyardigan cartoon characters, with two characters occupying the area around the "strings" and three other characters in the area that forms the neck of the guitar. The guitar is powered by three AAA batteries.

This toy guitar offers a few different sound effects and one tune. The sound effects are activated one of three ways: By pressing one of the three characters on the neck of the guitar, by pressing the blue tab underneath the...

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PattyTherre says "Jemma Kidd does color adapting right with this beautiful blush." about JK Jemma Kidd Cheek ID Colour Adapt Blush

PattyTherre — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:43:42 GMT

Quick View: A quick scan of JK Jemma Kidd reviews here on Viewpoints will probably tell you that I am a big fan of this British makeup artist's new line. Well, new to the US line. Everything I have tried has been superior. This blush is no exception. It really does adapt to my skin, is natural looking, and super long wearing.

My Take on JK Jemma Kidd Cheek ID Colour Adapt Blush

This blush, and the whole JK Jemma Kidd line, is sold only at Target stores and target.com. It's a fairly high end brand and this little blush will set you back $18.00. The blush is in a small plastic compact with no unnecessary packaging. It's funny. When I got it home, it looked kind of dusty pink in the container. Now that I have used it several times, it looks much rosier. I have no idea why.

At any rate, the blush is NOT clear like many products that claim to adapt to skin tone. It is a rose color. But when you put it on, it becomes the color that you would blush if you really did blush. A little more and you'll...

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