Reviews by Friends of MellaView

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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Buggheart says "Debbie Meyer Green Bags keeps my husband's arm fresh." about Debbie Meyer Green Bags

Buggheart — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:41:06 GMT

Wow, that's quite a title. It might lead one to believe that I'm some sort of ghoul who is preserving my husband's severed arm in a Debbie Meyer Green Bag. Well, kind of, but not really.

I don't buy tons of produce but when I do, I want it to last. I especially dislike when I buy strawberries and they start to mold the next day. I love strawberries I so I want to be able to enjoy a few a day for maybe a week. Or at least 3 - 4 days instead of having to wolf them all down overnight. So one day I was shopping and found a box of Debbie Meyer Green Bags. They were expensive but when I consider how much food I throw away because it doesn't last as long as i need, I figured they were worth a try.

So I bought the box of 20 Green Bags and gave them several tries with strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, and broccoli. I unfortunately noticed not a bit of extended life to any of my fruits or veggies and all the bags did was produce additional, unwanted condensation on my produce. I gave them...

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TunefulGal says "INFO ON THE FLY: Old Farmer's Gardening, U.S. Capitol calendars" about The Old Farmer's Almanac Products 2010 Gardening Calendar

TunefulGal — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:00:12 GMT

On my way out the back door to garden, I'm less interested in the day's date than I am in the wisdom, tips, poetry and humor of my Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Calendar.

Once again, I've hung this year's calendar in the back hall where I can scan for info that is folksy -- "If you find a red-tailed bumblebee in your home, expect a visit from a male stranger".

Or pertinent to outdoor projects -- "...to kill mosquito larvae in rain barrels, add one tablespoon of vegetable oil to the water... [to] form a barrier... that prevents larvae from surfacing to breathe.

Or simply collectible as fascinating trivia -- Milkweed "seeds floss is so buoyant that it was used in United States naval life preservers during World War II".

This is education on the fly with vivid art that further explains gardening issues. Your rewards?

There are possible conversational entrees here.
You can have good feelings about stimulate your brainpower with new information.
You may even delve further into...

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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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TunefulGal says "Kohler's Forte Pull-out Kitchen Faucet makes my day. Every day!" about Kohler Forte Faucet

TunefulGal — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:00:03 GMT

Finally! I've abandoned my no-good, brand name, leaky-squeaky kitchen faucet for a different faucet that makes sense.

Bravo! The Kohler K-10433 Single Handle Pullout Kitchen Faucet from the Forte Series (whew!) brings efficiency and versatility to washing my dishes and my hair. I actually look forward to using it every single time.

The Forte Faucet boasts a wow of a guarantee. Kohler warrants this faucet "leak and drip free during normal residential use for as long as the original consumer purchaser owns his or her home". If the Forte Faucet should leak, Kohler will mail you a cartridge free of charge in order to "put the faucet in good working condition".

Having recently struggled with stage after stage of parts-removal in order to perform my no-good faucet's washer repair, I vow now to track down washer/cartridge issues before buying a faucet of any kind. Kohler states up front that its ceramic disc valves "exceed industry longevity standards two times for a lifetime...

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Jo says " Quick Top Can Cap: best invention under $2.00" about Compac Industries Quick Top Can Cap

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:22:27 GMT

To the Point

Although the Quick Top Can Cap is an "as seen on TV" product, I picked it up in Wal-Mart. I was looking for inexpensive soda can tops but found the Quick Top Can Cap instead. I hesitated because it was over $2.00. I thought that a lot for what seemed to be a plastic top but it is so much more and really worth the money.

A Closer View

The Quick Top Can Cap was really a necessity for me. We are on the road traveling so I can put the cap on my soda and not be afraid of taking a drink and having it all over me. We also pull a travel trailer. I made the mistake of putting an open soda in the refrigerator.

I love using the Quick Top Can Cap on the beach or outside. I put the can in the arm of my chair and feel as if a bug or bee won't fly in my can.

The Quick Top Can Cap is amazingly versatile. The cover acts as both a cover and a coaster. The can seals into the cover so it stays put. The cap can also be used as a cup.

The Can Cap is dishwasher safe though I have only washed...

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RudiXeno says "Executive Choice Pop-Up Foil Sheets:Instead of Reynolds Wrappers" about Executive Choice Pop-Up Foil Sheets

RudiXeno — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:22:20 GMT

Yesterday I wrote a review on Reynolds Wrappers, pre-cut aluminum foil sheets that among other things are ideal for wrapping sandwiches and leftovers.

My only reservations about the Reynolds product were that they came in only 2 size packages (25 & 50 per package), they are getting increasingly hard to find in stores and even when found in the dollar store, their cost was relatively high at 4 cents a sheet. When originally purchased in the supermarket they were sold for $2.59 for a package of 50 ( a bit over 5 cents a sheet).

Having attended many a sporting event where hot dogs and hamburgers were sold wrapped in foil sheets I knew that this was hardly a brand new product concept. Surely they must be available through a food service supplier.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

A couple of months ago, I was attending the Softball League Fall Championship game here in Boca Raton. My daughter had volunteered to work in the food concession as part of her annual Community Service requirement...

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RudiXeno says "Reynolds Wrappers: Convenient in kitchen, but try to find them" about Reynolds Wrappers

RudiXeno — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:03:23 GMT

About a year ago I opened the drawer we keep our wraps, baggies and the like in. It was early in the morning and I was making sandwiches for my daughter's and wife's lunch bags before they went off to school; my daughter, of course to study, and my wife to teach. It's kind of a morning ritual for me once I put up the pot of coffee.

Ordinarily I find a roll of Reynolds Wrap there and I tear of two sheets to wrap their lunches. But, on this day, instead I found a box or Reynolds Wrappers. I knew I hadn't bought them so I took a closer look. The box held 50 individual wrappers of 14" x 10¼" that are kind of self dispensed "tissue-style". And, since there was a foil sheet already popping out of the side of this box, I was now certain that I hadn't bought them.

Popping two sheets from the box was easy. The weight of the foil was slightly less than our usual rolled Reynolds Wrap, but heavier than some of the bargain brands I've come across. I quickly wrapped the sandwiches...

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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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Jo says "Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser Sparkles in the Snow or Sun" about Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser- all scents

Jo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:31:06 GMT

Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser was my first diffuser. I was always afraid to buy one because of the warnings of not putting them on fabric, etc. I have the Sparkling Snow scent which was a gift.

It wasn't until I started this review that I realized why I like the scent - it has patchouli in it - one of my favorite smells- along with pine and fruits.

The Pros

Unlike some fragrance dispensers the Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser gives off the same smell for a long time.
The reeds are put into a beautiful decorated glass piece. The Sparkling Snow has a hand-decorated (really?) white snowflake on it.
The aroma is subtle unless you are sitting right next to it.
There is no flame.

The Cons

It takes 24 hours after putting in the reeds for the fragrance to come about. It can be quicker and these can be refressed by inverting them and then re-inserting the reeds.
The Yankee Candle Company Reed Diffuser is made in China.
You have to be careful with the oil.
The price is $12.00.

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Caprig says "The Lady in Ulta Said I Made A Kid Scream" about MAC Amplified Lipstick in Show Orchid

Caprig — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:18:48 GMT

When you live in an area that is considered one of the top five darkest areas of the US on a regular basis when studies are done, you have to find ways to make the seemingly endless days of winter pass with more excitement and amusement.

One of the ways I like to do this is to dress brightly from January on until about March or April. Bright clothes, makeup and yes, even hats.

My favorite color in the whole world since I was a kid is the color FLAMING magenta Hot Pink and any derrivative of it. I got a brainstorm this past fall when I saw a crazy Hot Pink wig for a really low price. I was going to make a hat that was different. A hat that would be a great way to make it through bad hair days and I would feel all bright again.

I bought the really low priced wig and then spun up some really fun yarn from wool fiber that I had dyed with kool aid and various other dyes. What I got was a really fun midwinter hat.

The opportunity came to wear my hat when I was given a gift card to Ulta...

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Caprig says "Hey, That Vampire is Wearing Vincent Longo Coralo Red!" about Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil Red Coralo Red

Caprig — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:43:02 GMT

I just got done saying that I did not think that I would ever need to get another makeup item which made my dear husband quite happy. I don't think that makeup is among is favorite topics of discussion.

Well, that night I went into my makeup cabinet to apply some beautiful lipstick that I had not worn in a while, and then I realized- the reason I had not worn it is that I did not have a lip liner that went well with it.

I like a liner that lasts and does not smear or feather, and I just did not have one in a bright red that I liked.

That night I made do with what I had, but I was not happy with it.

When I saw Sephora offering a great deal on the VINCENT LONGO DUO LIP PENCILS, I jumped for joy- they had a duo tipped lip pencil and both side were RED!

WHAT IS VINCENT LONGO DUO LIP PENCIL in RED and CORALO RED LIKE?

Having a cap on both sides, the VINCENT LONGO DUO LIP PENCIL in RED and CORALO red has two different red cores- one on each end.

VINCENT LONGO DUO LIP PENCIL in RED is a lovely...

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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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RudiXeno says "TRESemme European Shampoo: Works nicely for us" about TRESemme European Shampoo, Vitamin E Moisture Rich, Dry or Damaged Hair

RudiXeno — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:59:24 GMT

When you live in a household with a bunch of longhaired, oh so style and fashion conscious women as I do, an almost omnipresent item on the shopping list is shampoo and conditioner. Yikes! This can leave a huge hole in the wallet, especially if you've fallen for the "salon brand hype".

I have a pretty fair degree of training in chemistry. I produce my own soaps and skin care preparations and even manufacture specialized high performance cleaning products. So, I'm pretty much at home with the ingredients that typically grace the label of shampoos.

But it seems no matter how much I try to impress my family with the virtues of brands such as Suave and White Rain that can be purchased for the mere value of the products, it's a tough fight.

Interestingly, the most costly ingredient in a 32oz. bottle of a Salon Brand shampoo is the plastic bottle and the dispensing cap! The ingredients inside the bottle rarely exceed 50 cents. Now that's just plain pathetic.

TRESemme European Shampoo,...

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RudiXeno says "Polar 24 oz. Insulated Water Bottle: Gentler on the environment" about Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle, 24 Oz

RudiXeno — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:49:46 GMT

A few months back, my daughter returned from school announcing that she had just joined a project to design an effective campaign to reduce the use of single serving plastic water bottles in favor of re-usable insulated bottles by her classmates.

As a result of her participation, we paid a visit to Sports Authority and purchased a Polar 24 oz Insulated Sports Bottle.

Some Interesting research

In 2007, Americans consumed approximately 50 billion single serve bottles of water. That's about 1 billion bottles a week. Although this water is transported in a combination of ships, trains and trucks, imagine a weekly convoy of almost 38,000 18-wheelers needed to transport this water.

While almost all water now comes in totally recyclable polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) bottles, it is estimated that over ¾ escape recycling and end up in landfill. Since most of the bottled water we drink is consumed outside the home most bottles are simply trashed. This certainly has the ring...

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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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TunefulGal says "Try Ponds Cold Cream and say 'Piffle' to aging." about Ponds Cold Cream

TunefulGal — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:08:56 GMT

Pond's Cold Cream brings back some of my earliest memories re "comfort smells". My mom used it to remove stage make-up in her younger, show business days. As she got older, I still remember her smoothing it on at night, her face glowing as the cream liquified. A little massage, then Mom used a damp, warm washcloth to remove the cream and, with it, the day's accumulation of impurities.

Mom stayed young looking well beyond most of the people her age. She maximized skin care and minimized make-up. Part of her youthfulness was genetic and, I believe, part of it was her religious use of Pond's Cold Cream.

Until just recently, I've preferred soap and water. But dry skin is catching up with me and I'd like to avoid deep and profuse wrinkling if I can. Pond's remains as hypoallergenic and gentle on smooth skin as ever -- a "cool classic," manufacturer Unilever calls it. I'm especially grateful that it doesn't clog my pores as some, supposedly non-comedogenic, contemporary cleaners...

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RudiXeno says "Bosch Nexxt 500 Plus: The Right Front Loader" about Bosch Nexxt 500 Plus WFMC5301UC Front Load Washer

RudiXeno — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:35:34 GMT

A couple of years ago, when our house saw its 20th birthday, several of our major appliances were growing long in the tooth. For the past few years we have noticed that they needed more frequent repair. But now they were beginning to fail. First to go was our GE Dishwasher. After careful research we settled on a Bosch Evolution 500 Series as its replacement.

Next came our washing machine. Our Kenmore Top Loader had served us well. It's no longer common to find washing machines that will last for 2 decades. But now it was beginning to rust out and the time had come to replace it.

Perhaps 10 years ago we might have marched into Sears and purchased an updated version of the top loader we owned. But we were looking for something that was more efficient both in terms of water usage and energy consumed.

The Search

Over the last several years I've read and rated over a thousand reviews of washing machines. With all that experience I found that information has a way of sticking....

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RudiXeno says "Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant: A Family Choice" about Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant - Rain Storm

RudiXeno — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:03:32 GMT

Recently, when I was at the market I found our Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant nowhere to be found and so we "settled" on Degree Invisible Stick - Cool Rush. We liked it, but still our Antiperspirant & Deodorant of choice remains Mitchum Clear Gel in the Rain Storm Scent.

Living in South Florida, we find that a deodorant itself isn't enough. We prefer a combination deodorant/antiperspirant. Ideally, it should be a product that the whole family both can and want to use. For us that product is Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant.

Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant in the Rain Storm scent goes on as a light gel that is quickly absorbed into the skin. The active antiperspirant ingredient, Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate, is mild and temporarily fills the pores through which you would ordinarily perspire.

What We Like

The alcohol-free, quick drying formula is mild enough for the Xeno women to use the product soon after shaving underarms. Unlike many...

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PattyTherre says "This foot soap doesn't live up to any of its claims. A dud." about Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap

PattyTherre — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:33:33 GMT

Quick View: I am all about soft skin year round and I use a variety of foot scrubs to keep my feet supple. When I saw this bar soap, it seemed like an easy way to exfoliate and soften my feet without the mess that foot scrub makes. It was very disappointing!

My Take on Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap

This soap is light blue with little dark flecks of shells in it. It's a nice size at 4.2 ounces. It hardly has any scent which is unusual for a foot product. Generally they are more strongly scented to deodorize and leave feet fragrant. The scent is a barely there fresh one. Nothing special comes to mind when I sniff it.

Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap lathers but I don't feel those little flecks of shells exfoliating at all. It is a very, very gentle soap and doesn't do the job or even half the job or the least potent foot scrub I own.

My feet don't feel hydrated after use, which Avon promises, and they don't feel smoother. They simply are clean which I can get with any cleanser...

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