Reviews by Friends of Chicagofungirl

AnnaBanana says "For when it is important to see through a glass clearly ..." about World Optical Products Anti-Fog Lens Cleaner

AnnaBanana — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:02:03 GMT

Several years ago, during another frigid Midwestern winter of the past, I was trolling the tides over at Dominick's trying to see where I was going through the mist which had accumulated on my glasses when I had entered the warm store, when a man asked me if I would like him to clean my eyeglasses for me. At first, I was a bit offended until I realized that he was selling something. Patiently, I waited as he used some sort of pale green cream to scrupulously spark up my spectacles. After cautiously peering through them again and bracing myself for the "spiel" which was sure to come, I had to admit that it had made a big difference, all to the better. Then the sales rep began to tell me about World Optical Products Anti-Fog Lens Cleaner and what he said was destined to make an even bigger difference to my life during the cold weather months. Buying a couple of jars that day was one of the best investments I have ever made.

WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT IT DOES

World Optical Products...

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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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AnnaBanana says "The 97 Cent Solution!" about White Rain Shampoo

AnnaBanana — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:46:11 GMT

Those of you who have eagerly (or maybe NOT so eagerly?) followed the saga of my shampoo adventures know that I have experienced mixed results with a variety of products. I had to give up shampoos or conditioners which contained Yellow Dye #10 because they were "yellowing" my white hair. I tried Aveda Sap Moss for a while, which worked alright, but was a tad expensive. I switched to Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions which fulfilled its promise of leaving my hair shimmering and bright -- alas, it reached the point where it wasn't leaving my hair at all as I noticed what seemed to be abnormal hair loss during shampoos, brushings and stylings. Shampooing one's hair is an indispensable part of life so I plodded on through the jungle until I came to a reunion with an old friend from the 50's ... White Rain Shampoo now manufactured by the Sun Products Corporation of Wilton, CT.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

When I was in high school, White Rain Shampoo was manufactured by the Gillette Corporation...

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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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AnnaBanana says "Holy SMACKERS! Good news for all of us snackers!" about Jolly Time - The Big Cheeze Microwave Popcorn

AnnaBanana — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:41:07 GMT

Usually in my reviews, I try to concentrate on foods with redeeming features -- low fat, whole grain, less calories, etc. -- but sometimes for something special I will leap the fence and take a chance on reviewing something that is only notable because it is so much fun to eat. Such is the case of Jolly Time The Big Cheeze Microwave Popcorn. My doctor would probably wake up screaming in the middle of the night if she knew I was eating this sort ot stuff (and rightfully so) but for a now-and-then treat, Jolly Time has outdone themselves.

In my first excited forays through Alice.com, I noticed that they had several types of popcorn for sale and took a chance on this one. I always think the winter months are an ideal season for fresh hot popcorn made at home. Last night, as I was watching "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," it occurred to me that if I had seen it in the theatre when it was first released, I probably would have been snacking on popcorn so I stopped the disk for...

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AnnaBanana says "Sears brightens up another corner!" about Grandrich Ceramic Table Lamp Model No. G2084 WHT

AnnaBanana — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:55:22 GMT

It is the start of another new year and who knows what the future will bring? Well, here is one safe bet -- as we each get older, we will probably feel less enthusiastic about scaling ladders or perching on chairs and reaching up to change bulbs in overhead lighting fixtures. It stands to reason that most senior citizens depend more and more on table lamps, night lights, or lighting fixtures which can be reached from a safe standing position on the floor.

Alas, my dear Auntie's beloved milk glass bedstand lamp finally gave in this year and it turned out to be hard to replace. Aunt Tatty didn't want something breathcatching and dramatic -- she just wanted a nice little lamp to brighten up the corner where her bed is. Sears had the answer and it was something we were able to find on line -- the Grandrich Ceramic Table Lamp Model No. G-2084 WHT.

This little lamp is perfect for a bedroom oriented to either gender and would also serve well in many other rooms. It is just 12 inches...

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Matt says "The Four Seasons in Costa Rica is serene and beautiful" about Four Seasons Costa Rica

Matt — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:20:12 GMT

Our extended family of 14 people recently went to the Four Seasons in Costa Rica over the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a fantastic time. I would highly recommend this Four Seasons to anyone looking for a fun and adventurous luxury resort.

The Setting
The Four Seasons Costa Rica is set at the end of a Peninsula about an hours drive away from the Liberia airport. The best word to describe the surrounding area is lush and green. The first day we got there is was really hot and muggy but it quickly got better. But make not mistake it is hot in Costa Rica in November. The lobby of the hotel is pure Four Seasons. Modern, clean, sleek and calming. Immediately on the other side of the lobby there are the restaurants and pools. To the right and left there is an ocean beach on one side of the resort and a very short three minute walk up a small hill and around the pool, there is a beach on the bay. We went swimming on both sides with the kids. The waves are not overly strong. ...

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Matt says "The Ritz Carlton Maui is near perfect for families" about Ritz Carlton Maui - Kapalua, HI

Matt — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:35:29 GMT

I am writing this review from the porch of our 1 bedroom unit at the Ritz Carlton Maui. Although I will go into more detail later in the review, let me lead by saying we have been here for 7 days and the time has flown by. The weather has been near perfect, the natural beauty of Maui breathtaking and the grounds of the hotel have been great for three boys who love to run around. Although I will be critical of the Ritz at times during this review, all in all we have had an amazing vacation that compared favorably to many other five star resorts we have stayed at.

Basis of comparison
As a point of comparison we recently stayed at the Four Seasons Costa Rica and are regulars at Esperanza in Los Cabos. I would consider the Ritz Carlton to be a peer hotel of these other five star beach resorts.

My wife and I first stayed at the Ritz Carlton Maui fifteen years ago when it first opened. We fell in love with it then, and then last year when we were staying in a house in nearby Kanapali...

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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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Matt says "The Lenovo T500 Review - so far so good!" about Lenovo ThinkPad T500 (20564RU) PC Notebook

Matt — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:12:47 GMT

This is my first impressions review of a Lenovo T500 laptop I started using a few days ago. I will add to the review as I gain more experience with the machine.

First, a bit of background. I am a demanding laptop user. I rely very heavily on my laptop for both constant e-mail web surfing, and office applications such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. I am not a gamer and don't care that much about the high end graphics features of some gaming laptops. My priorities are: a) a long battery life, b) a nice screen, c) fast and worry free and d) a nice solid well built feel. I use a computer 12 hours a day so it I have no problem paying a premium.

For the last year or so I have used a Dell XPS 1330. It performs like a champ and I am a big fan. However, Dell recently discontinued the XPS in favor of their Studio line but I was still interested in upgrading to Windows 7. My reasons for wanting to upgrade were: a) I had read that the Lenovo in particular had very fast boot up and...

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AnnaBanana says "It's still not the REAL thing but it's pretty good." about Dean's 2% Reduced Fat Holiday Egg Nog

AnnaBanana — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:53:51 GMT

When I was a little kid, no year-end holiday season was complete at Grandpa Bowen's house until some hero among us adjourned to the kitchen in the evening and whipped up a bowl or pitcher of egg nog. The formula was simple -- according to some old family recipe, you beat up a few raw eggs with an egg beater (Remember egg beaters!) before adding in a quart of whole milk, some sugar, and a touch of nutmeg. After apportioning my share to me, the adults may have spiked what was left before they divided it among themselves. We toasted each other with our glasses of nog for a festive moment destined to become a memory which I will always treasure.

If you have never tasted fresh, foamy homemade egg nog, you really missed something and alas, it looks like a lot of people have missed the boat on this permanently. Not only is a bowl of egg nog a lot of trouble to make but the authorities have warned us about the danger of eating anything made with fresh (raw) eggs which now present a...

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AnnaBanana says "It's made with Whole Grain but ..." about Cheez-It - Baked Snack Crackers made with Whole Grain

AnnaBanana — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:46:05 GMT

Alice.com has among other things a wide variety of Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers manufactured by the Sunshine Company. Several of us have reviewed the Cheez-It products, including my own review about Cheez-It Reduced Fat Baked Snack Crackers. Now something new has been added to the line: Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers made with Whole Grain ... to be more specific, 5 grams of Whole Grain per serving. I am a Cheez-It fan from way back but the fact remains that there are OTHER things besides whole grain in these crackers.

STATS:

Twenty-seven crackers constitute a single serving which contains 150 calories with 70 calories from fat. There are 8 grams Total Fat, 2 grams Saturated Fat, 4 grams polyunsaturated Fat, 2 grams Monounsatured fat, zero each Trans Fat. Cholesterol, and Sugars, 250 mg. Sodium, 17 grams Total Carbs, one gram Dietary Fiber, and 3 grams Protein. Also included are 6% (D.V.) Iron, and 2% each Vitamin A and Calcium.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers made...

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AnnaBanana says "It's delicious and YES, it is all natural, but ...." about Minute Maid Limonada Limeade

AnnaBanana — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:06:00 GMT

Peapod was having a sale on Minute Maid juices to salute the onslaught of the holiday entertaining season and so I decided to take a chance and try something different -- Minute Maid Limonada Limeade, one of the famous company's "Latin-oriented" products. I must say that this beverage has a delightful taste and is also a potion with a great potential for blending into smoothies or mixed drinks. That said, I must add that once again we find that "All Natural Flavors" do not necessarily mean that this is as good for you as the limeade you would make for yourself if you felt like squeezing a dozen fresh limes in your own kitchen.

STATS:

Eight ounces of this juice beverage are considered to be a single serving which contains 120 calories, zero fat, 15 mg. Sodium, 33 grams Total Carbs, and 31 grams Sugars. There are zero vitamins and minerals.

MY VIEWPOINT;

Minute Maid Limonada Limeade contains lime juice from concentrate and less than 1% each Natural Flavors and Citric Acid. Alas,...

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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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