Reviews by Friends of ashb915

this2shallpass19 says "This soy-based candle smells amazing and burns a long time!" about For Every Body Holiday Memories Sugar Cookie 22-oz jar candle

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:43:11 GMT

While shopping at my second favorite store, Ross, I came across a deal that seemed too good to be true - For Every Body Holiday Memories Sugar Cookie Candle, which is a 22 ounce, soy-based jarred candle for only $4.99. Anyone who buys candles knows one, how expensive soy-based candles are and two, that 22 ounce candles of any variety usually cost a lot more than five dollars. Soy-based candles last longer and burn cleaner, so it was a real bargain.

I didn't expect much from this candle simply because it was so inexpensive. Lucky for me, this candle is absolutely perfect AND only $4.99! I have been burning this candle for a while now and can barely see an indentation of burned wax. I can tell this candle is going to last for a very long time. Besides how long-lasting this candle is, the best thing about it is the delicious Sugar Cookie scent. The scent is nice and strong and permeates the air nicely. It a wonderful combination of butter, sugar, crust and vanilla. If you enjoy...

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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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Meri says "Whoa! Foam overload-" about Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

Meri — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:47:01 GMT

I have used Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste for a couple of years now. I like the way it makes my teeth feel after brushing. When I saw commercials for the Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste I thought it was a no-brainer. The foaming concept made sense; that being that the foam would whoosh up into small crevices, nooks and crannies, cleaning where no toothpaste had gone before.

The toothpaste comes in a can that dispenses the toothpaste through a pumping system. When pumped, it looks like normal gel toothpaste. Start to brush and the fun begins. The once tame toothpaste starts to foam. The more you brush, the more foam grows in your mouth. It is almost like it is alive- The toothpaste is supposed to foam up and work its way into hidden areas in your mouth, claiming it cleans better than ordinary toothpaste and can remove 3X more bacteria while it is doing its thing. Oh, did I mention it is supposed to whiten teeth as well?

Bottomline:

The Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste does foam up as...

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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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this2shallpass19 says "Tons of veggies in this Gerber Graduates Meal!" about Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees - Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:44:42 GMT

I do cook a homemade dinner on most nights, but there are those days when we are eating something spicy, or I just don't feel like cooking that Gerber Graduates meals really come in handy. My son is a very picky eater, so I am making my way down the varieties seeing which ones he'll eat. The most recent variety is Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce. He ate it, but it wasn't exactly like eating pizza!

Some of the Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees can be a little bland, but I think this variety was more flavorful than most. This meal comes in a tray with two divided sections. One side is the pasta, veggies and tomato sauce, and the other side has peas and corn. To my son's dismay, this meal is loaded with veggies, so I mix the corn and peas into the other side. By the name of this product: Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce, I was thinking it was a meatless meal since there is no mention of meat in the title,...

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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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this2shallpass19 says "Thin, low-fat Pretzel Crisps with the flavor of Buffalo wings!" about The Snack Factory - Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:18:48 GMT

Knowing I love all things with a Buffalo wing flavor, my husband brought me home a snack he thought I would enjoy: The Snack Factory Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps. My husband knows me well, because I love this snack for several reasons: it's crunchy, healthy and it tastes great.

The Snack Factory Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps are thin, flat pretzels baked to a perfect crunch, then dusted in Buffalo wing seasonings. The end result is...delicious. The package says that they started with their snack-size pretzels, then removed the middle, leaving a thin, crunchy, pretzel-like snack. I like how crunchy they are; they have the appearance of a pretzel, but crunch like a thin cracker. The Buffalo wing flavor is slightly spicy with notes of vinegar and hot sauce.

What I love about these is that they are not only delicious, but very low in fat and calories. One serving consists of 18 pretzel crisps and only has 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. If you're a snacker like me, you know those...

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jasyjen says "A fun game that the whole family likes to play together" about I Can Do It Games The Grinch Christmas Bingo Game

jasyjen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:29:31 GMT

I stumbled across The Grinch Christmas Bingo Game at Target and as soon as I saw it, I grabbed it up. I love Christmas, I love The Grinch, and I like playing Bingo, so this game had a lot going for it. I was attracted right away to the packaging of The Grinch Christmas Bingo Game because it comes in a brightly colored tin container with 3D lettering and graphics. The game is approved for children 4+, so I was pretty safe in the age department.

As soon as I showed The Grinch Christmas Bingo Game to my two children (boys, ages 8 & 13) they wanted to play. OF COURSE THEY DID! It's the Grinch! When we opened up the game, there were a lot of "oohs" and 'aahs' from us, as the game is has a 3D piece that sets up to look like part of a living room with Christmas tree and a chimney! HOW COOL!

The directions were very easy to follow, and this Bingo game has a little twist that makes it different from other Bingo games. We all liked the twist a lot. Here is how you play The Grinch...

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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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Meri says "protects and seals without fail" about Krylon Workable Fixatif

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:44:30 GMT

I love crafts and painting. For years I have created personal projects for friends and family members but after going to all the work I want my projects to be protected. That is why I use Krylon Workable Fixatif.

Fixatif is easy to use. It comes in an aerosol can so it sprays on. The product comes out in a fine mist so it is hard to get too much of it on the item you are spraying. It works on charcoal drawings, pencil, watercolors, India ink and crayon projects. It prevents charcoal and chalk drawings from smudging and allows easy reworking of the project.

The Krylon Workable Fixatif makes colors "pop" off the page. It is the perfect product to finish a project. Maybe one of the best things about it is that it is acid-free and archival safe.

To use:

Shake the can for two minutes. Hold the project 6-9 inches away from the can and spray in a sweeping motion. The product dries fast so it is easy to apply several thin coats without risking running and ruining the project.

The Fixatif dries...

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Meri says "Foams away disposal grunge- whoosh!" about Magic American Products Disposal Magic

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:13:46 GMT

I am always looking for a way to deodorize my garbage disposal. I have tried real lemons, little balls of lemon scent and a citrus cleaner that claimed to do the trick. I am impressed with any of them. The Disposal Magic product is a cut above the rest but I am still on my quest to find something that will take my breath away! [not literally, of course]

The package I bought contained 8 packets or pouches of cleaner. Although the bag says it is easy to use, I found that one time it did not foam away anything. I had to use a second pouch for the foam to rise up and act as though it was cleaning.

To use the Disposal Magic, simply turn on the hot water and let it stream into the disposal for at least a minute. Turn the water so it becomes a trickle. The disposal should be off at this point.

Continuing with the disposal on off, insert one of the packets into the disposal. You don't have to unwrap it or anything- just put the whole thing in.

Now, turn on the disposal. If it works correctly, a...

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this2shallpass19 says "This lip balm has potential, but didn't quite find it." about J.R. Watkins Natural Beeswax Lip Balm

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:44:18 GMT

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am addicted to lip balm. Anytime I see an all natural fruity or minty lip balm, I buy it. My latest purchase is J.R. Watkins Natural Beeswax Lip Balm. It met all of my requirements: all natural, minty and paraben-free, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.

What I did like about this lip balm is that it is made with 100% natural ingredients, it's paraben-free and it has what J.R. Watkins calls "a hint of pure peppermint oil". On paper, this sounds like the perfect lip balm, but unfortunately, it isn't.

What I don't like about this lip balm is the way it smells. It smells like plastic or wax, not peppermint. When you apply it to your lips, it smells even more like wax, with the tiniest hint of mint. They weren't kidding when they said there was a hint of peppermint oil in it. Ironically, it does make your lips tingle like peppermint lip balms do. The texture of this product on your lips, isn't too bad, but isn't as soft and silky as...

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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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this2shallpass19 says "It supports during exercise, but it's hard to get on!" about Victoria's Secret VSX Sport Body-Wick Natural Crossover Bra

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:40:26 GMT

I was recently in a Victoria's Secret store taking advantage of a great sale they were having. One of the items I bought was the Victoria's Secret VSX Sport Body-Wick Natural Crossover Bra. It was on sale for only $12.99 instead of it's normal price tag of $30.00. I needed a new sports bra and I love Victoria's Secret products for their high-quality, so I decided to buy it.

The Victoria's Secret VSX Sport Body-Wick Natural Crossover Bra has the following features:

Removable padding
Body-Wick technology moves moisture away from the body
Racer-back
Support for medium impact sports like yoga, hiking and cycling

I didn't read the tag well enough to realize that I was buying a sports bra for a medium impact sport and I needed it for running (high impact). Luckily, this sports bra worked out anyways and provided the support I needed. I do have to say that the plunging neckline is very exposing. It looked like I had a push-up bra on, so there's no way I would wear this by itself,...

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this2shallpass19 says "I can't believe Trader Joe's sells this stuff!" about Moskovskaya Russian Vodka

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:47:57 GMT

I shop at Trader Joe's pretty frequently and it's very rare that I am totally disappointed in something I bought there, however, Moskovskaya Russian Vodka is a total disappointment!

The majority of the alcohol I drink is either wine, vodka or tequila. Trader Joe's has excellent prices on beer, liquor and wine, so I tend to buy the majority of my alcohol there. The last time I was at Trader Joe's, I decided to try a new bottle of vodka they had, Moskovskaya Russian Vodka. It was only $8.99 and has a label that looks like a knock-off of Stolichnaya, my favorite vodka, so I decided to give it a shot.

Moskovskaya Russian Vodka is 80 proof, 40% alcohol, made with 100% grain and imported into the USA from Russia. The label reads: "Moskovskaya is the most distinctive vodka in the world. Distilled from rich grain and finished with pure glacial waters, Moskovskaya is imported from Russia, the birthplace of great vodka."

I have made several drinks with this vodka, and each and every time...

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Jo says "Dell on Call- call anyone else! " about Dell Service plans/Warranties

Jo — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:39:06 GMT

To the Point

There are a couple of things I've learned over the years. One is when the warranty on my car is up, it's time to trade it in. The next thing I've learned is when the warranty on my computer is up it is time to get a new computer.

A Closer View

Back in October my computer was very sick. I found "The Dell On Call" support system from the website and called.

From the website dell.com

"We provide solutions that help you Setup, Maintain and Protect your PC. We are here to help with your "how to" questions and we'll diagnose your common PC problems like spyware.

Why Use Dell On Call?

Who better to help you get the most out of your system than the ones who built it? Dell is here for you every step of the way - from helping you set up your system out of the box and to walk you through the different needs that can come-up along the way. Don't face those problems on your own - Dell is here for you

Clean/remove unwanted Internet files
Clean/ remove temporary file
Enable automatic Windows...

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Jo says "The Agile Fitness Core Block is just right for my yoga practice" about Agile Fitness Core Building Block

Jo — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:43:20 GMT

My newest addition to my Yoga collection is a block by Agile Fitness. The Core Building Block is larger than any I have although at the Yoga studio in which I go there are two sizes of blocks and this is one of them.

The block makes some exercises easier and some harder according to the tag that came with The Core Building Block by Agile.

Like any block I have or use there are three sides for different poses. When the block is face down it is closest to the floor so I will use it if I don't need much boosting or if I want to stretch more. In that case that position will make using the The Core Building Block by Agile harder.

I stand the block up to make poses easier. On its side - well that's a compromise and probably the position I use for most of my yoga practice specially standing postures and postures like lunges (Ardha Mandalasana).

I have found the The Core Building Block by Agile very durable. Like any foam block if I dig my nails into it there will be a dent left so using...

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this2shallpass19 says "Huggies Little Movers Diapers are perfect for your little mover!" about Huggies Supreme Little Movers Diapers

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:57:41 GMT

I received a free sample of Huggies Supreme Little Movers Diapers in the mail the other day from one of the online sites I visit for free samples. I currently use Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers, so I was interested in seeing what the difference was between these two kinds of Huggies diapers.

My son's regular diaper, Huggies Snug & Dry, has a pretty straight line from the front to the back when you spread the diaper out flat. The Huggies Supreme Little Movers Diaper has a more hour-glass shape to it so that it is tailored to fit the baby's body better. This diaper has stronger, more durable tabs than my regular diaper and I definitely like these new tabs better.

Besides the contoured shape, I also love that it is nice and thick. My son wore this diaper while playing and also while he was taking a three hour nap and when he woke up, this diaper performed great, just like the Snug & Dry Diapers do.

Basically this diaper has strong, sturdy tabs and a contoured shape to adhere to a moving...

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