Reviews by Friends of AWESOMEMOM88

PattyTherre says "mark's On the Edge Hook Up Eyeliner isn't edgy enough for me!" about Avon mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner

PattyTherre — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:09:10 GMT

Quick View: This eyeliner is cute and compact but isn't dramatic enough for me. It's also pricey for the amount you get. It's OK but I prefer deeper shades.

My Take on Avon mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner

I am a self proclaimed beauty diva. As such, I tend to try everything even if I don't need a beauty product. I must have 20 eyeliners but I liked the idea of a compact little tube that "hooked up" with another product (mascara, lip gloss, lipstick, eye shadow, etc.) and that I could carry easily with me.

I bought Avon mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner along with a Hook Up eyeshadow. The connector piece was free. This eyeliner is a small black tube with a screw on/off top. That top slides into a plastic connector and another Hook Up product can be attached to it so I can carry one tube that really is two tubes hooked together. Saves space.

The eyeliners have stupid names like Callisto, Cleo, and Medusa so you really don't know the exact shade except by looking at the little...

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PattyTherre says "I don't smell the sea or cotton. I smell a strong floral scent." about Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton Fragrance Mist

PattyTherre — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:28:05 GMT

Quick View: I love fresh scents and can't get enough body mists and sprays that smell fresh, clean, and airy. During a buy 3, get 3 free sale on signature scents at Bath & Body Works, I picked up several items and one was Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton Fragrance Mist. With a crisp name like that, how could I go wrong? Well I did. It's very floral. It's fine for those who tolerate floral scents but I can't. Bummer.

My Take on Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton Fragrance Mist

This spray comes in a 8 ounce clear plastic bottle. The spray is also clear. When I read the notes, I was excited to try it. I figured all the clean ingredients would certainly overtake the floral accord....

# Fragrance Top Notes: Fresh Bright Floral Accord, Clean Cotton Accord, Drenched Air Accord, Fresh Linen Effect, Wet Green Pear, Blood Orange, Tangerine
# Fragrance Mid Notes: White Muguet, Crisp Orange Flower, Watery Cyclamen, White Freesia, Cotton Blossom Headspace, Dewy Jasmine
# Fragrance Base Notes:...

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BayouBengal says "Beyond BodiHeat Delivers Heat to Sore & Aching Areas for Relief" about Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pad

BayouBengal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:42:21 GMT

When it comes to aches and pains, I have my fair share having both Fibromayalgia and arthritis. I've learned to live with both and the pain that they bring. I have several prescriptions for pain relief, but I prefer to deal with the pain in other ways if at all possible. Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads have proven to be one of the products that I can count on for non-prescription relief from aches and pains.

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads come in various size packages. I picked up the 4 pack which had a bonus pad inside. They were also on Rite Aids rebate list for the month of November so this was a pretty good deal with a discount and also an extra pad! The 4 pack normally retails for around $8.99 a package.

Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads claim to sooth and comfort sore muscles and also relieve pain in backs and joints. The pads have an adhesive backing which attaches to clothing so you can adjust the pad for the exact area that needs the warmth and pain relief....

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TheBard says "Quality Costs and These Headphones Are Worth the Price" about Sony MDR-V6 Professional Headphones

TheBard — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:03:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: I am very pleased with my new Sony MDR-V6 Professional Stereo Headphones, so much so that I might just purchase a set for work.

From the Manufacturer: The Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone is a large diaphragm foldable headphone designed for professional studio and live/broadcast applications. These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed-ear design, and a 40 millimeter driver unit for clean, clear sound reproduction. The closed-ear design provides both comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises. The included Stereo UniMatch plug allows use in both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch applications. A soft case for protective storage is included with the headphones.

My Viewpoint

I am very pleased with Sony MDR-V6 Professional Stereo Headphones. They have met all of my criteria nicely; they cost under $100.00 ($70.95 at Buy.com); they are light weight, and; they reproduce sound across the entire musical...

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PattyTherre says "Fakery at its finest. This Ugg boot site LOOKS legit but is NOT!" about bestuggsell.com

PattyTherre — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:24:52 GMT

Quick View: I have written a lot about Uggs and Ugg-Alike boots. I have an obsession with them. Imagine my delight when I saw that Ugg Australia website was having a great sale on the most popular styles of Uggs! Then I discovered a very sneaky plot to make people BELIEVE they are on the Ugg Australia website when, in fact, they are on a Chinese site that claims nowhere that the boots they sell are authentic.

My Take on bestuggsell.com

I clicked on an ad that showed a pair of Uggs at a great price. I was delighted to see some great sales on the Ugg Australia website. I decided to splurge and buy a pair of classic cardy Uggs since the price was discounted so much. Then I decided to go through a cash back site to get even more savings.

I went to Bing's cash back, logged in, and clicked on Ugg Australia. It took me to the exact site but the prices were different. Hmm. I went to the site I had been looking at and, sure enough, it was exact -- same logo, same photos, same everything -- but the...

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BayouBengal says "Graveyardmall.com is a Great Online Site for Bargains" about Graveyard Mall

BayouBengal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:45:58 GMT

It has been some time since I ordered anything from www.graveyardmall.com and today I decided to visit the site to see what they had to offer. I was surprised to see many high end items for the kitchen and also name brand lighting fixtures added to the site since I last visited. All of these items will be of interest as we start to remodel our house we moved out of last year. And yes, the project is way behind with my dad's illness.

Graveyardmall.com

In case you don't know www.graveyardmall.com is a discount online store that sells closeouts and other discontinued items. You can find some hard to find items here and some good buys. There are other deals that just make you want to say, "that is junk!" So visit the site with an open mind.

I've always enjoyed surfing the site to see what is available. Stock changes often, sometimes even daily. If you see something you want, you should buy it NOW.

The site is easy to navigate and the pages load quickly. All items are shown with...

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JovialCougar says "Finish Dishwasher Detergent gets the job done" about Electrasol Finish Quantum

JovialCougar — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:32:33 GMT

I recently tried using Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent and have been happy with the results. Not only is this product very easy to use, it really gets your dishes as clean as a whistle.

This dishwashing detergent comes in the form of little blocks - about 1 inch X 2 inches. There is a red dot in the middle with Jet Dry gel for shinyness. The rest of the detergent block is a combination of bleach and enzymes, The block is small enough to fit in any dishwasher cup (according to the manufacturer).

What I like best is how easy it is to use this dish detergent. Just toss the pre-measured block in the dishwasher cup, close it, and turn on the machine. Presto - your clean dishes will be ready when the machine is done running. They dissolve completely and are biodegradeable. The packaging says this brand is recommended by Maytag, Whirpool. Bosch, and Kitchen Aid.

The only drawback is that there was quite a bit of packaging with this product. The tabs are in a somewhat rigid plastic tray and...

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BayouBengal says "ProAir HFA is Not as Good as Albuterol" about ProAir HFA Asthma Inhaler

BayouBengal — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:21:12 GMT

I discovered that I had asthma several years ago. I had no idea that I had it but started having allergic reactions to certain things quite often and was sent over the edge with chemical pneumonia when someone decided to do some painting indoors at work without ventilation the building. After that episode it was all downhill. I developed a bad case of allergy induced asthma and was prescribed an inhaler, Albuterol. This past fall when I got my new prescriptions I found a new drug, ProAir HFA, which is the good source of Albuterol sulfate so I was told.

The ProAir HFA Inhaler is smaller than the inhaler I was accustomed to but other than that, it was made the same way. There is a small canister and a mouthpiece with a cover. To use the inhaler you should first shake it up well, remove the cover, place in mouth and make sure your mouth is closed completely over the mouthpiece and press down on the canister to administer the medication. Hold your breath for 10-12 seconds before...

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JovialCougar says "Rival Crock Pot: The Original Slow Cooker" about Rival Crock-Pot 6 Quart Slow Cooker

JovialCougar — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:49:21 GMT

I recently bought a Rival Crock Pot to use at pot luck dinners and similar events. I went with the Rival brand because they are the ''Original Slow Cooker'' and still make them right. It also helped that the price was really reasonable.

My Rival Crock Pot is a 6-quart size. The exterior is stainless steel with black handles. The pot inside is a round, heavy-duty ceramic, 10 inches across and topped with a glass lid. It has black plastic handles and the lid has a black plastic knob on top. There are three settings: Low, High, and Warm. Overall it looks decent.

I've used this crock pot several times to take cooked foods to an event. I was very happy with how it kept the foods warm enough on the low setting for many hours. Nothing burned and I didn't have to go turn it on and off throughout the day. The higher setting is definitely a lot hotter so is best used when really cooking a meal.

Rival makes quite a few different crock pots and this one has few bells and whistles. The three...

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PattyTherre says "Save Money and buy Ugg-Alikes. A Guide to the Best Imitators." about Ugg-Alikes - Which Brand is Most like Uggs?

PattyTherre — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:31:40 GMT

I love Ugg boots. I have a few pairs but, with the economy what it is, I just didn't want to sink so much money into more Uggs although I wanted more.

This winter, I bought four different Ugg-Alikes of varying quality and found one that I can now say is almost identical to Uggs in every way. Let's compare the four brands I bought and see which is the winner!

Which Brand is Most Like Uggs?

I started with Xhilaration Electra Suede Boots, moved to Unionbay Cozie G Boots, then to Bearpaw Women's 10-inch EVA Boots, and finally to EMU Australia Women's Bronte Hi Boots. One of these brands mimics Uggs to a T. The others vary in quality.

First, let's just toss away Unionbay Cozie G Boots. They are cheaply made, ugly, and uncomfortable. They really don't look like Uggs and they're just awful. Ugh. They're cheap but they look and feel even cheaper. No comparison to the others so I won't even compare them.

I am left with three brands.

When I first tried the Xhilaration Electra Suede Boots, I was very...

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CyndiA says "Classic flatware with a lifetime warranty - very pretty " about Oneida Paul Revere Flatware

CyndiA — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:06:03 GMT

I picked Paul Revere flatware by Oneida back in my 20s, and I'm glad I did. The flatware pattern is timeless, and I've never regretted my pick. Granny wanted me to pick a silver pattern, but I knew, even back then, that I had no interest in polishing silver. The brushed stainless with nickel requires no polishing or special care. It's even dishwasher safe.

The pattern is very plain but with a nice balance and eye pleasing finish. When I mentioned that I like my pattern, my son said, "Well, I don't think it has a pattern." I did get a laugh on that.

Good stainless is expensive. I think these run $20 and up per piece but priced better in sets and also when on sale. I just added a 4 piece full set to round out, since I only had 4 full sets. Now I have enough to use when we have company. I'd been meaning to do that for years and finally did.

If you want a classic look in nice stainless steel for your flatware, give Paul Revere a look. Tastes vary, of course, but these pieces don't go out...

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LoveisJoy says "Soft Enough to Sleep In; Bouncy Curls in the Morning" about Goody Satin Covered Foam Hair Rollers

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:05:11 GMT

Even with all of the advances in hair care technology, sometimes the old-school ways work the best. I'm not suggesting that you roll your hair with frozen orange juice cans, but I am going back to the basics; namely, the much maligned pink foam roller.

Goody Satin-Covered Foam Rollers are available in Jumbo and Large sizes and is a definite nod to the past, while adding a new twist in this update. The classic foam rollers are updated in black satin, which means the end of tangled tresses, damaged strands and frizzy ends. The satin wrap helps to provide a smooth curl and the rollers are comfortable enough to sleep in. I don't need to fuss with a blow dryer or sit under a hood dryer to style my hair with soft, bouncy curls. The large size is perfect for my length of hair, but it would be nice if Goody offered these in small and medium sizes for women who have shorter 'dos.

These satin-wrapped foam rollers work best for me with hair that is slightly damp after shampooing and conditioning. ...

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PattyTherre says "12 times more impact? I think not, L'Oreal! You're flaky!" about L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

PattyTherre — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:58:57 GMT

Quick View: This mascara promises all kinds of things but only delivers a few of those things. It certainly doesn't give me 12 times the impact, whatever that is. it doesn't even explain what "impact" is. It does darken and lengthen but that's about it.

My Take on L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

This mascara comes in a typical black tube and the brush looks fairly typical as well. It is a straight brush with multi-level bristles. L'Oreal claims the mascara has "revolutionary lash-plumping technology with hydra-collagen for breathtaking volume and incredible wear."

It does go on well. It adds some length and darkness to my lashes and it doesn't clump or give me me spider lashes. I see very little volume though and I really need thicker lashes.

The mascara was average but throughout the day, I noticed little flakes under my eyes and on my cheeks. Ugh. The mascara also tends to transfer when I so much as touch my eyes.

I battle dark circles as it is and, to have dark flecks of mascara...

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JovialCougar says "A perfect skillet of omelets" about Rachael Ray 8" nonstick skillet

JovialCougar — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:35:45 GMT

I needed a decent skillet for making omelets and finally found one - the Rachael Ray 8'' Nonstick Skillet. This skillet is just the right size for cooking up an egg breakfast or a small meal like a grilled cheese sandwich or one hamburger.

The skillet is made of stainless steel which will be durable over the long haul. I also like the non-stick surface inside the pan. Eggs slide right out! If you keep the stove's heat at a reasonable temperature nothing will burn either.

The handle is made of silcon, which I am seeing more and more of in kitchenware. It does not get hot up to 400 degrees (F) so you can even put it in the oven. Also, the handle is firmly attached with two riveted-on bolts. I'm not crazy about the orange handle color, but can live with it, especially since it has ergonomic qualities.

I've heard that Rachel Ray has a full line of cookware but this it the only piece that I have used so far. Another reviewer mentioned flaking on their skillet, but I have not experienced...

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LoveisJoy says "Tall Ladies Rejoice! Comfy Fleece Pants That Don't Flood" about Old Navy Women's Micro Performance Fleece Pants

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:39:27 GMT

I'm not ashamed to admit that I spent a great deal of my high school years trying to avoid the dreaded "high-waters" pants (also known as "floods"). At nearly 5 ft 10 inches tall, most women's pants were about 4 to 5 inches too short for me. Back in the day, it was common practice for me to iron out the hem of all of my pants, wear only flats, and pray that any shrinkage was minimal. Even now that jeans in tall sizes are more easily attainable, casual lounging pants are still scarce. That is, until I found Old Navy Women's Micro Performance Fleece Pants online at oldnavy.com. I was so happy I thought for a moment that I heard angels singing.

Okay, so the fleece pants are not really anything to sing about. Quality-wise, the fabric is soft but thin, there are no pockets, and currently there are only three colors available. Still, they come with a 35-inch inseam! That's even a bit long for me--they'd probably even work for a woman in the 6-ft tall range.

The drawstring...

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ladym33 says "Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 Reverb is a Cool Car" about Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 Reverb

ladym33 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:33:49 GMT

My son recently received a gift from his aunt from the Hotwheels collection, but it is not only a Hot Wheels toy it is a toy based off of a kids show called Battle Force 5. They are a band of super heroes who fight crime along with their awesome vehicles. I had never heard of this show but apprently my son has. So he was very excited to get the Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 Reverb car.

The Reverb car is driven by a character on the show called Stanford Isaac Rhodes IV. He is a sweet talkng Brit who claims he is from royalty. He is an acoustical exper with advanced sensory perception.

The car itself is bigger than most hot wheels cars. The car is actually about 6 inches long and about an inch and a half tall. The car is purple and is quite modern and sporty looking. It has black details and a silver front end. It is not made of die cast like regular hot wheels it is made of plastic. The plastic seems ok but not super stron. The wheels are made of plastic and have silver...

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LoveisJoy says "You Practically Need to Be an Engineer to Install These Rods" about Kirsch Valance and Traverse Rod

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:55:20 GMT

I bought two of these drapery rods at JC Penney to cover a large picture window and a patio door. Both times, the drapery rods were difficult to install. Although the Kirsch rods come with instructions, they are so unclear as to be nearly useless. However, now that the rods are installed I must admit that they do function quite well and my drapes open and close smoothly. The picture window draperies open from the center, and the patio door curtains open from the right. The combination of traverse and valance makes the Kirsch rods a good choice for both my window and door. Some highlights:

Kirsch Valance and Traverse Combination Rod

Perfect for layering a valance over pinch pleated drapes
Sturdy steel construction with a baked-on enamel finish
Wall-mounted cord control
Cord control can be mounted on left side or right side
Traverse can be set up to open drapes from left, right, or center
Both traverse and valance rods are adjustable
3 sizes (30" to 48"; 48" to 86"; and...

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TheBard says "Logitech Deleivers Again!" about Logitech (920-000914) Keyboard

TheBard — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:04:55 GMT

Bottom-Line: Logitech delivers again with this sleekly designed illuminated keyboard.

The Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is a full sized ultrathin keyboard that is relatively simple in design and function; i.e. there is no USB hub, no scroll pad or dials, or separate specialized multimedia keys. What the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard does offer is quite a minimalist keyboard with softly illuminated, but bright keys that are easy to see day or night.

As the name implies, the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is designed with embedded microlens reflectors under each individual key that produce an adjustable soft-white backlit effect under every key, except the function keys, where in the illumination is orange. The intensity of the light can be adjusted via a key in the upper right hand corner of the keyboard and there are three predetermined settings including off; I prefer it on at all times.

Underneath the keyboard, you will find two small plastic feet that extend down from the base, which...

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TheBard says "Like Titanic, This Movie should be seen over and over again!" about Avatar (2009)

TheBard — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:04:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: Avatar is a visual and emotional feast that should be experienced as often as you dare.

Story-Line

Written and directed by James Cameron one hardly knows where to begin to tell the tale of Avatar, but I'll give it a go. It's the 22nd century and the human race has depleted the Earth. Green, as in trees, grass, plants, and forests, are gone and man is looking for a new place exploit. They have found the Earth-like moon of Pandora some five months space travel from the Terraforma.

An unnamed private corporation is mining an invaluable mineral known as "unobtanium," on the planetoid that fetches a tidy sum on the open market back home. Pandora is a beautiful lush planetoid populated with diverse wildlife and a race of 10 feet tall forest dwelling blue humanoid creatures called Na'vi. They are a primitive race of people, by human standards, but very in touch with every living creature on their moon.

My Viewpoint

As the credits rolled on Avatar there was...

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TheBard says "Epiphany skips the Sophomore Blues in style" about Epiphany by Chrisette Michele

TheBard — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:26:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: No matter what your favorite track turns out to be, Epiphany contains a little for everyone.

Ms. Michele is back with a brand new CD, entitled Epiphany, released in the spring of 2009. Epiphany debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell 83,000 copies in its opening week. To date the CD has sold some 363,000 + copies and has hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts and spawned the singles Epiphany (track No.1), track No.3 What You Do (featuring Ne-Yo), Blame it On Me (track No. 4), and track No. 9 a remixed Fragile (featuring rapper Wale).

Superbly engineered and produced, Epiphany pulls together the best of the genre and entertains without insult; the music is evocative and at times moving and reflective. Throughout this CD Ms. Michelle seems to be telling a lover goodbye; track after track she proclaims her strength and independence (and fragility) through superbly performs songs.

Epiphany is a CD that I-and my wife-can and do listen...

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