Reviews by Friends of AprilTaylor89

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

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

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

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

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

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

...

this2shallpass19 says "I love all the coupons, but the magazine itself is just okay!" about All You Magazine

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:32:20 GMT

I am a big coupon user, so after hearing that All You Magazine is loaded with coupons, I decided to order a subscription. Not only is it filled with coupons, but it provides recipes, articles for women, info and practical solutions to family and life problems too.

All You Magazine has the slogan: "Enjoy life for less". That's true. The majority of the magazine is for the frugalista woman who wants to pay less and get more. It offers suggestions on how to save money at the grocery store, beauty tips, health advice, recipes and loads and loads of coupons. There are coupons for everything from diapers, make-up, Slim-Fast, vitamins, cleaning products and food.

I gave this magazine a 3 star rating because although the massive amounts of coupons are a major bonus, I don't really find the articles helpful or entertaining. I have yet to see a recipe that interests me or catches my eye, and most of the advice seems to be commonsense to me. It's rare that I find an article worthy...

...

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

Jo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:23:26 GMT

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

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

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

There are two problems with www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com.

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

...

this2shallpass19 says "This is the best eyeliner I have ever tried!" about Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof Eyeliner

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:12:00 GMT

I needed to buy something inexpensive at Sephora to meet the free shipping requirement, so I ordered a Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof Eyeliner for $8.00. I don't have a need for a waterproof eyeliner, but it happened to be the cheapest they had in black.

I normally use Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liners because they are inexpensive and work great. I have been using them for the past 12 years or so and never had a reason to even try another brand. That is, until now. My serendipitous, last-minute purchase of the Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof Eyeliner is my new favorite eyeliner!

Sephora sells this eyeliner in a beautiful array of colors, but I chose black. What makes this eyeliner special, is that it is not only waterproof, but the color is supposed to be bold and metallic too. When I apply this eyeliner, it just glides on with no effort at all. There's no pulling or tugging! The black color isn't metallic, but it is a really bright, bold color of black. It's the blackest...

...

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

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

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

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

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

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

...

TunefulGal says "Yardley's Fresh Aloe is gentle on your skin AND your budget!" about Yardley of London Fresh Aloe with Cucumber Essence Naturally Moisturizing Bar

TunefulGal — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:17:35 GMT

I love freshly-scented, moisturizing soaps. When a student gives me an expensive bar, I'm delighted. But when expense is my issue, I am equally as happy to use Yardley of London products.

In a brand new package, Yardley's Fresh Aloe with Cucumber Essence Naturally Moisturizing Bar, is a scented bar I missed in the past. Compared with another favorite, -- Yardley's Lemon Verbena with Shea Butter -- Fresh Aloe is saucy to Lemon Verbena's seductive and peppery to Verbena's warm floral scent. Fresh Aloe looks like jade and lathers very well. Yardley viewpoints.com/Yardley-of-London-Lemon-Verbena-Soap-with-Shea-Butter-review-091c1

This reminds me again that Yardley Soaps have very distinctive personalities and, for some of us, can even cater to our moods. Aloe with Cucumber, for example, is great for face-splashing when you need a wake-up call.

AND NOW FOR A MUSICAL DIGRESSION...

Yardley of London started business in 1770 with lavender-scented products. Beethoven was...

...

AnnaBanana says "Childhood revisited!" about Classic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color

AnnaBanana — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:43:48 GMT

A couple years ago, a friend who knows about my interest in antique toys gave me something really cool ... a copy of Classic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color edited by Grayce Piemontesi. This book,published by Dover Publications, consists of 16 beautiful colored "plates" which combine to form a republication of rare authentic paper dolls originally published in 1935 and 1936 respectively under the titles "Shirley Temple Standing Doll No. 1727" and "Shirley Temple, a Lifelike Paper Doll Cut-Out / 34 Inches High." Included are three paper dolls of various sizes and poses to be cut out, along with paper outfits which can be attached to the dolls in various ways.

The price on this book says $3.50 (although it may have gone up since my friend bought it for me.) There are many fine Dover Publications including coloring and paper doll books available at Barnes & Noble. My guess is that they might have this book and offer a pretty good deal on it too.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Shirley Temple's...

...

this2shallpass19 says "Love the lip gloss, but not the gingerbread scent." about Philosophy Gingerbread Lip Shine

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:35:24 GMT

I have tried several Philosophy Lip Shines and loved them, including my absolute favorite, Spicy Pear Cobbler, so I decided to try a new flavor - Gingerbread. Unfortunately, I don't love it very much at all. It is still the same high-quality lip gloss I know and love, but you lost me on the scent.

Philosophy Gingerbread Lip Shine in the tube is a sparkly brown color, however, it is a sheer hint of brown with no sparkles when you apply it to your lips. It happens to be the perfect hint of color for my pale lips. When you remove the lid, it smells nice. I can pick up the scents of butter, cinnamon, ginger and a strong spice. When I apply it to my lips, the only thing I can smell is the overpowering scent of a strong spice and a little cinnamon. I don't know if it's ginger or what, but I'm not a fan of the scent outside of the tube at all.

I do like that this lip gloss wears for a long time, has a nice hint of color and gives my lips a luscious shine, but the scent is too...

...

brenviewer says "Decent camera for on-the-go picture taking" about Canon - PowerShot A480 Digital Camera

brenviewer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:14:37 GMT

Canon's Powershot A480 digital camera is a decent point-and-shoot. It has the standard amenities and setting of a digital camera and will fit snugly into a purse or pocket. The A480has is fairly simple to operate if you understand how the menus work on digital cameras. This Canon model seems designed for a younger person just wanting something to take a quick picture here or there, as it comes in 4 different colors and has pretty basic functions.

The 10-megapixel Powershot A480 produces quality pictures, although the 2.5-inch viewscreen doesn't always show them the way they'll look on your computer or in print. The A480 also records video, making it versatile, capturing those moments to remember and the ones to play back.

Canon's Powershot A480 is also compatible with Windows 7, important as newer computers come with that operating system. It takes 2 AA batteries, which is nice because you don't have to pay a premium for specialized batteries.

Personally, I prefer my Pentax...

...

brenviewer says "Water kids like drinking" about Aquarius Spring Fluoridated Spring Water

brenviewer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:35:11 GMT

Aquarius Spring Fluoridated Spring Water doens't really taste different than other non-flavored bottled waters. So why do my small children like it? Honestly, I don't care. Theyr'e drinking water, requesting it even, so I'm glad to have Aquarius Spring bottles on hand.

Aquarius Spring 8.5-oz water bottles have twist nozzle tops which control the flow (very important when I hand a bottle to my two-year-old. It also gives it the sports drink feeling that my six-year-old likes.

The 8.5-oz Aquarius Spring water bottles are small and lightweight enough that the kids don't have trouble holding them while drinking. And we usually don't have to worry about the bottle going to waste, like a 16- or 20-oz bottle. It seems obvious that this size is designed for children. Don't get me wrong, anyone, any age can drink Aquarius Spring Fluoridated Spring Water. In fact, there are various-sizes, but the 8.5-zo works especially well for young children. I try to drink a gallon of water a...

...

this2shallpass19 says "These mittens do their job, but they're nothing special." about Toby N.Y.C. Infant Mittens

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:03:09 GMT

I got excited a little while ago when I found a three-pack of Toby N.Y.C. Infant Mittens at Ross for only $2.99. At one dollar per pair of mittens, that's a bargain!

Each pair of mittens in the pack are a different color scheme. One pair are five-finger mittens and the other two pairs are the traditional mittens with a thumb in one part and four fingers in the other part. These mittens are made from: 86% acrylic, 13% polyester, and 1% spandex.

Although these mittens fit my son's hands pretty well, I wish the wrist part went up a little higher. When you put them on, it seems like you should be able to pull the mittens up more, but you can't. I guess that isn't exactly a problem, but an annoyance. Overall, Toby N.Y.C. Infant Mittens aren't a poor-quality product, but I don't feel there is anything special about them either. Since they were so inexpensive, I would probably buy them again.

...

brenviewer says "Makes a home remedy even simpler." about Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo

brenviewer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:41:06 GMT

Aveeno's Baby Wash and Shampoo is a little pricey, but you pay for what you get. In this case, you get a quality baby wash that soothes the skin and helps moisturize. The oatmeal formula Aveeno is known for no doubt stems from the home remedy of soothing poison ivy irritations with an oatmeal bath. Aveeno's Baby Wash and Shampoo modernizes that remedy so you don't literally have to dip your child into a bath filled with oatmeal.

We've found that Target's Up & Up line has a similar product, the Up & Up Baby Wash and Shampoo with oat extract.

I'm sure the home remedy--oatmeal bath--works, but i can't imagine the mess i'd be facing if i put my kids in a tub of oatmeal. It's hard enough getting up all the water they bring outside the tub with them.

Seriously though, my son and I both have eczema--excessively dry skin. And bathing dries us out even further. Aveeno's Baby Wash and Shampoo helps retain the moisture during baths/showers.

...

AnnaBanana says "This may not be everyone's cup of tea." about Hellmann's Mayonnaise with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

AnnaBanana — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:35:51 GMT

For years, I have loved extra virgin olive oil and also mayonnaise, especially Hellmann's. A while back I took a chance and tried Kraft Mayonnaise with Olive Oil and was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to be a healthier option and tasted very similar to the "regular" version of this famous sandwich spread and salad dressing. My favorite mayo continued to be Hellmann's though and so I was glad to finally try Hellmann's Mayonnaise with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

STATS:

One tablespoon is considered to be a single serving which contains 50 calories with 45 calories from fat. There are 5 grams Total Fat, half a gram Saturated Fat, zero grams Trans Fat, 2.5 grams Polyunsaturated Fat, 1.5 grams Monounsaturated Fat, 5 mg. Cholesterol, 120 mg. Sodium, less than one gram Total Carbs and zero Protein.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Since I love the taste of extra virgin olive oil and also Hellmann's famous signature product, I expected the blend of the two to be a sure winner in my book. For some reason,...

...

AnnaBanana says "Definitely, one of the GOOD things!" about Green Giant Healthy Heart

AnnaBanana — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:50:03 GMT

One of the good things about being retired is that you don't have to go racing off to catch the bus or train every day. Except for occasional errands, appointments or shopping, there is no more commuting for you. That's the GOOD news. The BAD news is that you may be getting less exercise than you used to when your daily routine included rushing up the El steps to catch a train.

Don't get me wrong, I love being retired but I have also been trying to find light, lean options for lunch to accommodate my less active lifestyle. Here is one of the good things out there -- the collection of Green Giant healthier entrees and side dishes, especially Green Giant Healthy Heart. This blend of "pearled barley, sugar snap peas and Julienne carrots in an herb-infused extra virgin olive oil sauce" is something I would not have thought of on my own and it was delicious. I especially enjoyed the wonderful snap peas which are one of my favorite vegetables. This dish has earned its moniker...

...

this2shallpass19 says "Kirkland Signature Cibo Naturals Fresh Basil Pesto is perfect!" about Kirkland Signature Cibo Naturals Fresh Basil Pesto

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:31:14 GMT

Even more than I like to cook Italian food, I love to eat it. Pastas and pasta sauces are among some of the best comfort foods in my opinion. I really like pesto, but haven't quite mastered making it from scratch with fresh ingredients, so that's where Kirkland Signature Cibo Naturals Fresh Basil Pesto comes in. It's a fresh pesto that is made with all natural ingredients. I bought it at Costco for around $10 for a large, 22 ounce container.

I love that this product is made with all natural ingredients, but I really love how good it tastes. It tastes really fresh! The blend of basil, garlic, parmesan cheese and olive oil is absolutely perfect. I have served it over ravioli and even used it as a dipping sauce for bread. This is definitely one of the best pestos I have ever had, if not the best.

Ingredients: fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil, non-GMO and rBGH-free parmesan cheese, pine nuts, fresh garlic, rice vinegar, salt and black pepper.

If you are a fan...

...

LisaCarey says "Dress up dolls in the bathtub? " about Alex Tub Fashion

LisaCarey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:41:02 GMT

Do you remember playing with paper dolls and changing their clothes? My daughter's have moved on to Melissa and Doug dolls, a twin set that gives them lots of clothes and accessories that are magnetic to dress their not so paper dolls. Since they had so much fun with dressing dolls that way, one friend purchased the Alex Tub Fashion set for them to use in the bathtub.

Bathtub time is a big deal at my house. It includes bubbles and playtime long before we get to the business at hand. My girls only a year apart are still where they like to do everything together which includes not using their own bathtub but using mom's instead so that they can have more space to be mermaids. Alex Tub Fashion toy was immediately sent to its room.

What do I like about the Alex Tub Fashion toy?

there are two dolls - and I have two girls
there are plenty of dress up items
the easy to store bag allows them to drip dry
the girls enjoy them
easy to use - just stick the doll to the side of the...

...

LisaCarey says "A few suds, no surprises but the girls love it because it's Dora" about Fisher-Price Suds and Surprise Dora

LisaCarey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:23:13 GMT

I was a little surprised with the girls were shopping for their birthday gift and they actually chose the Fisher-Price Suds and Surprise Dora. It didn't seem all that exciting to me but the price was right (on sale for $14.99) so I thought if they really want it that bad, sure let's give it a try.

The Fisher-Price Suds and Surprise Dora is a Dora doll that sits on a "tray' that is attached to the side of your bathtub and is removable. Dora's "head" is like those dolls that you can do their hair and put make up on their faces. The Dora head has longer hair than in the cartoon and when wet with cold or hot water it changes color adding stripes. It comes with a little bucket to pour water out and a sponge which causes tattoos to appear on Dora's face when used.

What I like about the Fisher-Price Suds and Surprise Dora

not too expensive
the tray attaches to the bathtub and really does stick
the girls enjoy it
still fun to play with even after all this time
good for ages 2 and...

...

LisaCarey says "A cool mist that helps my family breathe easy at night " about Holmes Humidifier - Cool Mist Humidifier - HM1746

LisaCarey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:14:18 GMT

Who would have ever thought living in Houston I would need an humidifier? But two of my daughter's suffers from seasonal allergies and for some reason, as soon as the heat comes on the one has a stuffed up nose, even with the worst cold symptoms. Both my husband and I have seasonal sinus trouble too. My pediatrician recommended that she sleep with a humidifier in her room so needing one that didn't add to the Houston heat we purchased the Holmes Humidifier - Cool Mist Humidifier - HM1746.

What I like about the Holmes Humidifier - Cool Mist Humidifier - HM1746.

not too expensive
lightweight - I can take it from the bedroom to the family room so we can use it all day
once it is filled it lasts a long time
several different settings - from lots of humidity to little as well as three settings for how the fan functions
safety feature on the fan to keep little fingers safe

What I don't like about the Holmes Humidifier - Cool Mist Humidifier - HM1746.

it's noisy - it is not really...

...

LisaCarey says "Soft on the nose and the blow " about Kleenex Facial Tissue with Lotion

LisaCarey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:56:12 GMT

I purchased Kleenex Facial Tissue with Lotion because it was less expensive than the Puff's brands with Aloe or Lotion. I wasn't disappointed but sometimes they just don't hold up to a good hard blow of the nose.

What do I like about Kleenex Facial Tissue with Lotion

softens my skin when I need a tissue
less expensive than other brands
works well - most of the time
easy to find at any store
variety of boxes for any decor
soft and smooth
helps with the pain and redness your nose can get from blowing too often

What don't I like about Kleenex Facial Tissue with Lotion

can't use for anything else
the lotion tends to give me a pimple or two on and around my nose
have to use two or more tissues sometimes for a good blowing of my nose

i admit, I have sensitive skin and when I have to use a tissue a lot (usually in the spring and again the entire month of December) the redness, drying and irritation that regular tissues give my skin is a real pain. At least when I...

...

LisaCarey says "Tried and true remedy for congestion " about Vicks VapoRub

LisaCarey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:44:58 GMT

Here is how it works in our household (and probably yours too). One daughter gets sick. Then the next one, then mom (dad never gets sick lucky dad). Mom is now sick and caring for two or more sick children. Everyone has chest or nose congestion, stuffy noses, runny noses and coughing going on. I know that when all this starts happening whether it's the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, I can grab the jar of Vicks VapoRub and rub it on chests (Mommy that tickles) and back and that within a few minutes all of us will be able to breathe, even those who didn't need any help!

What I like about Vicks VapoRub

inexpensive
tried and true remedy for most cold and flu symptoms
versatile (use in the shower, place some on your chest and back, also leave some on the vaporizer
the scent
it works!

What I don't like about Vicks VapoRub

the sticky feeling - after I apply it it sticks to your clothing yuck!

But this is the most important thing, it is tried and true....

...