Reviews by Friends of Kirsib

PattyTherre says "Does Schweppes Club Soda taste like soap? This balm does!" about Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick

PattyTherre — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:59:46 GMT

Quick View: I am kind of hooked on the Schweppes lip balms that are out now. I like the Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set I recently purchased so, when I saw that Sephora was selling a Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick for $6.00, I decided to try it. I love club soda and like sticks better than tins. This does hydrate but it tastes like soap. Club soda does NOT have a sweet, soapy scent and flavor!

My Take on Schweppes Club Soda SPF 15 Lip Moisture Stick

This stick comes in a lipstick tube and is an off white color. It smells soapy. Club soda really doesn't have a taste per se and I was wondering how they would flavor something that really isn't flavored. I guess they decided to go with soap...

The balm does slick on my lips nicely and is creamy. It gives my lips a light sheen, nothing too shiny. I can feel the moisture and it does add hydration. The SPF 15 is a plus.

But the taste is really soapy. It is like a combination of sweet and soap. I don't sense any club soda...

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RudiXeno says "Swiss Army Officer's Watch: A Casual yet Dressy Classic Design" about Victorinox - Swiss Army Officer's Watch

RudiXeno — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:20:57 GMT

As I was saying just the other day, I've always loved watches, always!

Over the years I've collected quite a few. Some, like the Timex I wore while I served in the Army were quite inexpensive. On the other hand, some like my Rolex Submariner and Omega Speedmaster were very expensive. And finally, my Concord Delirium was in a price-class of its own. Truly, its purchase was an extreme act of ego and folly back during the days when I might have been given to that behavior.

But ordinarily I've always liked watches that were moderately priced and classically timeless. That's just what you get when you slip a Swiss Army Officer's Watch on your wrist.

Features

Precision Swiss Quartz Movement

Stainless Steel Case & Bracelet

Bracelet has Push-button Safety Clasp with Diver's Ext.

Screw-In Caseback

Sweep Second Hand

Sapphire Crystal - Extremely Scratch Resistant

100 Meters Water Resistant

Date

Luminous Hands and Hour Markers

Swiss Army Brand insignia at 12 o'clock

The case measures...

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RudiXeno says "Degree Invisible Stick - Cool Rush: Anyone can use it" about Degree Invisible Stick - Cool Rush

RudiXeno — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:24:09 GMT

For years our entire family has used Mitchum Clear Gel Anti Perspirant Deodorant in the Rain Forest scent. It worked for me as it did my wife and daughter.

But recently when at the store it was missing. I hate that! And so of course rather than going to another store I looked over the alternatives. While I wanted something that all of us could use, I'll confess. I was mostly thinking about myself. Typical guy huh?

Degree Invisible Stick Anti-perspirant & Deodorant

Although I had never tried Degree, something about the packaging appealed to me. Living here in steamy South Florida I liked that it was both a anti-perspirant & deodorant. When the temperatures climb into the 90s and the humitity hovers around 100 I like staying as dry as I can while smelling fresh.

Degree Invisible Stick is of course a solid that is advanced by twisting the bottom of the dispenser.

Goes On Invisible

They claim that it is invisible and I've found that their claim is correct. It doesn't seem...

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PattyTherre says "I honestly can't think of a use for the Cozy 2 Heated Blanket." about Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt

PattyTherre — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:36:31 GMT

Quick View: I am always cold. Obviously my family members know this, even distant ones, because I received a Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt as a gift last Christmas. I thought I would love a car blanket but I don't. I never use it.

About the Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket - 12 Volt

This blanket is 40" long x 56" wide. It is made of polyester fleece and is thin and lightweight. Attached to the blanket is a 6'3" cord that plugs into a car, RV, or boat cigarette lighter. The blanket takes 10 minutes to "heat up" and should only be used for an hour at a time. It should not be used when the vehicle is not running as it will drain the battery.

We travel fairly often by car and I thought the blanket would come in handy when we traveled in the cool weather. The problem is that we always have the heat on in the car since I am not the only one who gets cold and I am usually very comfortable. Still, now and then, a blanket is a nice extra.

The Cozy Car 2 Heated Blanket is quite wide. It seems to be...

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PattyTherre says "Clarifies and moisturizes hair to bring out its best qualities!" about Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter

PattyTherre — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:49:16 GMT

The Dilemma: Your hair has a lot of build up from styling products and the elements. But if you use a deep cleansing shampoo, it will dry out your hair and be too harsh for it. The Solution: Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter. Deeply cleanse your hair and scalp and ADD moisture at the same time. And the scent is amazing!

My Take on Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter

I read a review about this shampoo and conditioner and wanted to try it. I use lots of styling products and love to get my hair and scalp deep down clean. However, having very long hair that has been highlighted and heat styled kept me from using clarifying shampoos more than very rarely. Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter adds moisture as it deep cleanses so I can even use it everyday with no damage and no drying out of my hair.

The shampoo comes in an 11 ounce bottle. It is cruelty free and free of parabens. It has 100% vegetable ingredients. It has no harsh...

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CyndiA says "Boys love these snack bars - I'm more the Plain Jane type." about Quaker - Chewy Granola Bars

CyndiA — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:48:45 GMT

I have teen boys, so I buy lots of food and snack foods including Quaker Chewy Dipps. Chewy Dipps are snack bars with granola in the center and then coated in chocolate. They have various flavors, but the peanut butter go over well here.

Personally, I do like the granola bars, but I like mine rather plain. I go more for the granola and with nuts or fruit only. The boys, on the other hand, like the extras like the chocolate chips, chunks, and dips.

These Quaker bars are tasty. The center is, as they say, kind of chewy. Not as hard as some of the snack bars. This makes for a rather packed taste versus some of the looser ones that I generally go for.

With chocolate on the outside, these Dipps are messier. But, the boys eat them fast, so that's not such an issue. With little kids, I would expect some mess.

The Quaker Chewy Dipps bars are small as with most snack bars, and they rack in at around 150 calories. That, to me, seems kind of high for a snack. But, I'm an adult female. My boys can...

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CyndiA says "Barbie gets in shape on her pink bike with her boucing puppy. " about Barbie Beach Party with Bike and Puppy

CyndiA — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:30:09 GMT

Barbie is going to have a blast on her new pink bike, and so is her little puppy who bounces up and down in the basket that fits on the handlebars of the bike.

Beach Party Barbie is a set with a blonde Barbie who is wearing, of all things, a mini skirt dress in blue, pink, and lavendar. But, do not fear. She has on pink tights with her rather ugly blue tennis shoes, so I guess that's OK. Her pink sunglasses and lavendar bike helmet are cool. So, she is styling while getting some exercise. Not that she looks like she needs it.

Her little dog in the front basket is fashion focused too. He or she (could not tell) has a pink collar and lavendar sunglasses. OK. That is probably a she dog then.

The bike is not super sturdy, but what Barbie accessory is these days? The Barbie bike is pink and plastic. The wheels roll, so Barbie or any of her friends should be good to go. Now, Ken might look funny on the bike, and it is girl style with the dropped bar, but . . . well . . . Ken probably wouldn't...

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CyndiA says "Like the smaller sized Grands Jr but not so much the sweet taste" about Grands Jr Honey Butter Biscuits

CyndiA — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:36:12 GMT

I usually make biscuits from scratch, but I do buy Grands canned biscuits from time to time. For canned biscuits, they've very good. But, they are large.

I was glad to see these Grands Jr biscuits which are less than half the size of the usual Grands biscuits. While the boys knock out the big biscuits, I've always found the Grands size awfully big for the bread part of the meal.

The texture is like the regular Grands with the Grands Jr Honey Butter being the flaky type. They kind of have layers and do flake apart if you pull. The Southern style is more like other biscuits but a bit fluffier. We all like either style, but I think the flaky comes out a bit ahead.

My youngest son loves honey, so I decided to try out the honey butter version of the Grands Jr. The rest of us like honey as well, but he's the really big honey fan.

The flavor on the Grands Jr honey biscuits is rather like honey. Probably as close as you'd get with canned. But, it is awfully sweet.

One honey Grands biscuit each did...

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Jo says "Sarah's Key should be on a high school or college reading list" about Tatiana De Rosnay - Sarah's Key

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:53:12 GMT

After two people recommended Sarah's Key I bought it. This is a must read book. Although the subject matter is heavy, the book is easy to read and flows well. Sarah's Key was a New York Times Bestseller written by Tatiana De Rosnay, a French woman in 2007.

Sarah's Key is a wonderful book to read for book clubs not just because of the nature of it but also in the book and online you can find questions to ask and discuss.

The author has the voices of both Julia Jarmond, an American who has been living in France and is married to a French man for 25 years, and Sarah, a 10-year old Jewish girl from Paris.

The year is 1942 and the subject is France's involvement in the Holocaust. De Rosnay alternates voices from chapter to chapter with Sarah starting first and then Julia introducing herself as an American journalist investigating the happenings in Paris during that time. During her research of Sarah, Julia learns of secrets which change the course of her life. Toward the end we just hear from...

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Jo says "Thanks to Gabby Reece Bra Tank by Danskin I don't eat my t-shirt" about Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:33:50 GMT

I love to buy new clothes for my yoga class. I was in Walmart and saw Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank. At the time it was only $10.00 but now on Walmart's website it is $7.00. On line there are various colors and sizes for the colors. I chose purple.

There is nothing I don't like about Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank. It is seamless except for seams where there have to be such as on the raceback.

I love the inner bra. I wouldn't run in this sleeveless tank but for yoga or low impact aerobics it would be fine if you are well endowed. The support is good for that kind of activity.

Danskin Now Women's Gabby Reece Seamless Shelf-Bra Tank runs true to size so if you buy it online whatever size blouse you would wear would work.

In the picture you can see what they call body mapping. This is a type of design that give a slimmer look to the body.

It is a tight fit but not uncomfortably tight. In fact it is probably the most comfortable of all my...

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CyndiA says "Nice place when we finally found it - close UNC Chapel Hill." about Hampton Inn - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

CyndiA — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:30:50 GMT

It took us a while to find the Hampton Inn on Fordham Blvd in Chapel Hill. It wasn't just us. the TomTom didn't know either. It told us we were at the hotel when we were right at some woods. Hum. I know Hampton Inn does not have camping spaces.

You want to get on the service road off Foardham right at the McDonalds. This is all right bewteen the Sheraton and the Holiday Inn which can be seen better from the highway with the Hampton back off the road and with a small sign.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn the last time we stayed over to see my kid in college, but it was booked up. So, they told us the Hampton was about the same price, and it was. It came to $110 for a weekend night which is good for Chapel Hill, NC.

Both these hotels are old style with balconies rather than halls and with outdoor pools kind of in the center. The rooms are a little newer looking at the Hampton Inn but are also a little smaller.

Hampton Inn has free wireless. It says the code is on your key package, but you really...

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PattyTherre says "Smashbox got the shade right but the formula's just average." about Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara - Black Violet

PattyTherre — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:15:52 GMT

Quick View: Purple is far and away my favorite color. I adore anything purple. I guess it stands to reason that I have been looking for a good shade of deep purple mascara. I don't want a light purple but something with more of a purple tint. When I saw Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara in Black Violet on sale, I bought it just because the shade was what I wanted. It is a great shade but the mascara is ehhh.

My Take on Smashbox Muse Bionic Mascara - Black Violet

This mascara comes in a typical mascara tube with a straight brush. It promises not to clump, flake, or run and says it will add length and volume to even wimpiest of lashes.The color is great. It is a very deep purple, indeed a black violet. It doesn't look immediately purple. It has purple highlights that show up in the light. This makes the mascara much more user friendly - at least for me. It looks great with deep purple liner and light (or dark) purple eyeshadow. It's not overwhelming at all.

As far as performance goes, the mascara...

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RudiXeno says "Invicta Automatic Pro Diver 8926: Excellent Watch, Bargain Price" about Invicta 8926 Automatic Pro Diver Stainless Steel Watch for Men

RudiXeno — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:44:49 GMT

As long as I can remember I've loved watches and timepieces in general. It probably started when I'd watch my grandfather fiddle with his gold pocketwatch.

I used to love those John Cameron Swayze Timex commercials on early TV. "Takes a licking but keeps on ticking!" OK, so maybe only a few of you will remember them.

Over the years I developed a collection of watches. Yes, I started out with very inexpensive watches, but as the years went by I started picking up more expensive watches as well. Rolex, Omega, Concord were my favorites and predictably I started spending more money on my watches.

A not so unique problem

One of my problems with regard to watches is that I'm left handed and have never learned to wear a watch on my right hand. And, being the physical guy I am, I'm hard on my watches. I've come to realise that a good, rugged, handsome everyday watch is a must for me. During these trying financial times an attractive price is a good thing too.

Invicta Pro-Diver 8926A...

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PattyTherre says "Duwop, whose lips are you adjusting to? Certainly not mine..." about DuWop Private Red Lipstick

PattyTherre — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:39:27 GMT

Quick View: I adore DuWop Lip Venom Lip Plumping Gloss in Tulip which is a red shade.It seemed to be the only red I could wear. But this time around, I decided to try DuWop Private Red Lipstick because the claims were that it self adjusts to your individual lip color to give everyone a perfect red lip color. It plumps like all DuWop's lip products and it looked to last much longer on the lips than the gloss. I figured I had found another winner.

I didn't. This lipstick is too dark and garish for me. It doesn't really seem to change colors at all.

My take on DuWop Private Red Lipstick

This lipstick looks deep red and applies deep red. It comes in a silver tube with a bullet type stick. It does apply evenly and nicely and it stings my lips to plump them. It's much less harsh than DuWop Lip Venom products though and I actually kind of like the sting and the following plumping action of the Venom products. My lips do plump a bit but not as much as with the Venom Gloss.

When I applied DuWop...

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Jo says "Yankee Candle Sparkling Snow: fresh scent of pine and patchouli" about Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle

Jo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:04:45 GMT

I love Yankee Candles but usually dismiss them because of the cost. I got Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle as a gift. This is a Medium Tumbler Candle. There are other sizes and types that Yankee Candle makes. My Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle is in a glass just with a metal top that seals like the glass tops do. The medium size in the tumbler run around $20.

Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle has two wicks, is 12 1/2 ounces, and will burn for about 50 hours.

The scent

I now know why I love this scent so much. It has patchouli in it, one of my very favorite aromas. My Yankee Candle Company Sparkling Snow Candle also has some aromas of pine and fruit. It is really a very pretty and pleasant scent.

When I burn it the scent covers a very large area but even when it is not burning and I have the cover off the scent is still in the air!

My experience

I am a candle burner and have so many that I am on a moratorium; however, I am now convinced that in the case...

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PattyTherre says "Tarte 4 Day Lash Stain: When you need super longwearing mascara!" about Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology

PattyTherre — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:54:38 GMT

Quick View: Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology lengthens, curls, and darkens lashes and it really does stay on or days. It doesn't flake or clump and always looks fresh. And it's waterproof!

My Take on Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology

True story: Last night I knew Fed Ex was coming very early in the morning but not exactly when. I needed to sign for a package. I had missed the guy twice so it was imperative that I be up and ready to answer the door whenever the guy knocked. But I'm a night owl and usually sleep until around 10 or 10:30. The Fed Ex guy had come at around 8:30 the previous morning. So, I decided to sleep on the couch where I could be near the door. I also decided to put some Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain and a bit of all natural under eye concealer on that night. When the guy knocked this morning at around 9 a.m., I jumped up, signed for the package, and didn't look like instant death when I did.

It's 29 hours later and I still have the...

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Jo says "Coco Coir Collections Mat is great for inside or outside." about William F. Kempf Cocomats Coco Coir Collections

Jo — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:49:12 GMT

I love mats. I have mats and rugs over the rugs in my house, which drives my daughter crazy when she comes home. I like to have a nice welcome mat in the front and in the back of my house.

I liked the way the Coco Collections Coir Rubber Mat looked. This particular one is in my house right at the entrance way. Some Coco Collections mats I have put outside. They do fade after awhile and since I live on the ocean the salt water does a number on everything. In general these are quite durable.

"Coir (From Malayalam kayar, cord) is a coarse fiber extracted from the fibrous outer shell of a coconut. (wikipedia)"

Amazon has a whole host of mats which you can see here: http://tinyurl.com/ykq5tb6.

My mat is really pretty with an attractive design. It is 18 inches by 30 inches which is the perfect size for an outside or inside door mat.

The back of the mat is made of rubber. The care instructions warn us to keep the mat out of direct sunlight so it won't fade but for around $7.00 I just replace...

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PattyTherre says "Petlettes are decent in-between bath wipes for Fido or Fluffy." about Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes

PattyTherre — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:47 GMT

Quick View: I have a little white dog and two cats who always seem to find messes to get into. They don't take well to baths and I try to limit them to when my pets truly need to go through the trauma of a full bath. For in between baths, I use Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes. They help clean my animals and leave a nice scent behind but are NOT bath alternatives as advertised.

My take on Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes

These wipes are 8.5"x11". They come in unscented but I bought the orange mango scent. I want my animals to smell fresh! These wipes are just like baby wipes only for pets although I assume one could use them on a human. There is no alcohol in them but the packaging doesn't list the ingredients so I have no idea what is in them.

They are just moist enough to clean up a dirty pet without making them wet although they will be somewhat damp. The wipes do clean my cats and dogs after they have encountered cobwebs, dusty areas, or dirt as long as it isn't a major issue. If they just have dingy...

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CyndiA says "Love these little mini 5 x 7 inch legal pads in pastel colors." about Tops Docket 5 x 7 Mini Legal Pads

CyndiA — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:04:49 GMT

Legal pads are convenient but bulky, but these Tops Docket 5 x 7 inch are just perfect for most situations. I can even stick one in my purse which comes in handy for so many times when I want to write down a quick note.

I first ordered these at work through Office Depot, and I continue to do so. My boss found out that he liked the little pads better than the big ones too - or for most things.

They are, as I said, 5 x 7 inches - a nice size.

These little notepads are lined which is nice. They may have unlined paper pads too. I've never checked. I personally like lines on my paper.

The colors that I get here are yellow, blue, and my favorite - lavender. They call them pastels. They have a bit of color but not enough to make it hard to read over them. It's very easy to read my black and blue pens over these colors.

I do use full size legal pads from time to time, but these 5 x 7 inch writing pads are my "go to" now. I really like the size.

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CyndiA says "Yay - Found Rainbo Rolls so can make little ham cheese snacks." about Rainbo Dinner Rolls in Foil Tray

CyndiA — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:35:21 GMT

Remember those little ham and cheese roll sandwiches that always got gobbled up at parties? Well, maybe they were not big all over, but they were super popular in the South.

For some reason, the grocery stores around don't carry the little Pepperidge Farm rolls now, so that knocked out these appetizers. Until . . . Rainbo started selling a similar type roll in the foil tray.

And, yes, it is Rainbo with no w and not Rainbow rolls. Bet that will confuse a lot of folks huh.

Rainbo rolls can just be heated up as bread, but I usually make the ham and cheese sandwiches. The whole tray of rolls are split like one giant sandwich. Then just put ham and cheese in there and pour butter with mustard and poppy seeds (though I used parsley this last time).

I'm glad I was able to find this brand making the tiny rolls. It had been ages since we had ham cheese appetizers, and they went over great at our family gathering this past weekend.

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