Reviews by Friends of TheBard

lilsquibb says "Softsoap Hand Soap in a Body Wash Bottle" about Softsoap Nutri Serums Body Wash Moisture-Retaining Omega 3 & 6

lilsquibb — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:10:31 GMT

I'm not usually a body wash person, but when I was able to get some samples of the new Softsoap Nutri Serum Body Wash from Bzz Agent, I was more than interested in signing up. At the least if I didn't like it I could give it away to my friend who loves body washes. In my campaign package I received the two versions of the Nutri Serum (the Moisture Retaining and the Restoring w/ Vitamin E). As of yet I've only had an opportunity to try the Moisture Retaining version.

What is this Nutri Serum?

According to the product description the Softsoap Nutri Serum Body Wash is "The first body wash made with softening serum pearls to give you soft and healthy-looking skin." The Moisture Retaining version is in the pink bottle and is made with Omega 3 & 6. The body wash comes in an easy to grip bottle and the sample size came with a flip top. The pictures of the full size bottles look like it has a similar top.

The New becomes the Old

As a clear body wash, (with the floating pink pearls)...

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pitcherday says "Awesome on my super sensitive teeth!" about Sensodyne iso-active Foaming Gel

pitcherday — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:09:30 GMT

My teeth are really really sensitive due to a medication I am on. I have always used the Sensodyne line of tooth care products. Even though my teeth still were painful during brushing, there was much less pain compared to other toothpastes, even the all-natural ones and plain baking soda (bleck!).

Last week I decided to try a new toothpaste in the Sensodyne line. Previously, I was using Sensodyne Pro-Namel, which worked fine, but I decided to try out Sensodyne iso-active foaming gel toothpaste with whitening. I am never going back to any other toothpaste, including the other Sensodyne products.

This tooth gel comes in a metal can with a nozzle on top similar to shaving cream. It looks like normal tooth gel, but when you start brushing, it turns into a light foam. I can brush my teeth as hard as I want and they don't hurt using the Sensodyne iso-active foaming gel. Another *great* feature of this is the taste... there is hardly any taste to it!

I never thought I'd have an easy time brushing...

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this2shallpass19 says "Cheesy Chive Warm Dip Mix is bursting with cheese flavor!" about Tastefully Simple Cheesy Chive Warm Dip Mix

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:09:21 GMT

Tastefully Simple Cheesy Chive Warm Dip Mix is one of the many dips that Tastefully Simple offers, but only a couple of those dips are "Warm Dips". Which means you heat them in the microwave and serve them warm.

Warm the Oven Warm Dip Mix used to be my favorite Warm Dip, but Cheesy Chive is quickly taking first place. I love it because it is so easy to make and because it is delicious! It has a great, creamy cheese flavor with a hint of mild chive in the background.

To make this dip, simply add the dip mix to 8 ounces of cream cheese and a couple tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese. Heat in the microwave until hot. When you take Tastefully Simple Cheesy Chive Warm Dip Mix out of the microwave, it will be all melted and gooey! It has to be hot though, if you serve it at room temperature, you don't get the wonderful flavors of cheese and chives as strongly.

When I make this dip, I like to serve it with tortilla chips, but I look forward to trying it how a customer of mine...

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busycharles says "Great fun for the whole family!" about Disney Scene It? The DVD Game

busycharles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:44:54 GMT

It was alot of fun playing this game with the kids and because the game is not just for the young kids, adults can play and be challenged just as much as the kids are! Some of the movie questions are about movies I've not seen in ages! If you happen to get a questioned that was already asked then you can just click the next button and it gives you a new questions so that your almost guaranteed to not get bored with the game. You get to watch video clips and are asked things like what was in the picture or who played this person, etc... It seems like you could play it forever! There is a board that you can open all the way to play a long game or keep it folded up for a shorter game. Since I have a real young one we often times like to just answer the questions on there and not even bother with the board part.

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busycharles says "Still bright after several washings!" about JCPenney Bed in a Bag

busycharles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:30:38 GMT

For my 4yr old daughters birthday I got her a Bed in a bag from JCPenneys. It was a complete bedding set for a very reasonable price. The colors are very bright and after several washings (due to a few night time accidents) the colors are still true!

It came with a comforter that reverses from print to solid, 2 pillow shams (because she has a full size bed), coordinating 200 thread-count sheet set with fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 matching pillowcases, and a bedskirt with 14" drop that fits footboard and coordinates with both sides of comforter! It was everything I was looking for and so much more!

It's not super soft but it is comfortable, and seems to be getting better with each wash! It has matching curtains and accent pillows that you can add to make the room complete.

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dmlichnerowicz says "Keeps track for you while you're waiting for your BFP!" about Countdown to Pregnancy

dmlichnerowicz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:24:03 GMT

My husband and I are trying to start a family, and I have been using Countdown to Pregnancy for about the last year. A free website, Countdown to Pregnancy offers a variety of resources that can be accessed by anyone who visits the site. By setting up a free membership, you can get your own personal profile page and track each cycle and symptoms. More on the tracking in a moment...some of the main items on the site include:

Pregnancy test statistics
Most common symptoms
Success stories
General information about fertility aids and pregnancy symptoms
Ovulation and Due Date calculators

The section I have utilized the most is the Symptom Tracker. For each cycle, you track any symptoms you experience on a daily basis that are out of the norm. The site gives a list of over 65 symptoms that are commonly experienced during pregnancy...some you might not even think of! Who would have thought a stuffy nose was common during early pregnancy? The great thing about tracking is that even...

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busycharles says "Super soft and comfortable!" about Essential Jersey Sheet Sets

busycharles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:02:36 GMT

I bought this sheet set for my daughter then had to go out and get a set for me too! They are like flannel sheets but a bit thinner. They don't get the pile that flannel sheets get so that's a plus!

If you have a favorite Jersey shirt then you will love the sheets. They are just so soft and comfortable. They are warm enough to compare to flannel sheets in the winter yet light weight enough for you to use them in the summer and feel comfortable too!

Jersey Sheets come in lots of colors so you are almost guaranteed to make a match to your style and they fit the deep pocketed beds!

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busycharles says "If you like sleeping on an air mattress then you'll love this!" about Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed 5000

busycharles — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:51:35 GMT

My husband and I have different ideas on what a comfortable bed should be. Personally I love my old mattress, it's firm with a pillow top. He prefers something softer. So we figured the sleep number bed would be great for us...WRONG!!!!

The best way to describe what it's like and even give you a chance to try it out for much less is to sleep on an air mattress (you know, the ones you sleep on while camping!) the more you spend the more padding you get to put on top of the air mattress so to test this out add lots of foam and fluffy blankets to see if it helps. However when we first called in to complain about the feel of the bed they told us to put the foam padding UNDER the air pads!!!! OK, we did and it did NOT help. Sure when your trying it out in the store your on the best product they have and there is someone there telling you that "This is your number!" Our numbers were not comfortable in our own home!

Also, the machine pumps air in the bed all night long to keep it at your number...I...

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busycharles says "For a small box this thing sure warms the house!" about Edenpure gen3 1000

busycharles — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:34:44 GMT

The furnace went out last winter while my husband was away on a business trip. I didn't notice it until 2am when it was too late to call anyone. I turned on the EdenPure heater on the main floor (where the temp at 2am was 60 degrees) and by 8am, when I got up, it was 70 degrees in the house! I was so surprised in the morning by how comfortable it was in the house. Normally we use it along with the furnace so that the furnace won't have to run as much, I never really paid much attention to how much the EdenPure does to keep the house warm VS the furnace!

After that we are even more pleased with our purchase. Yes they can be spendy but they are worth it!

They don't get hot to the touch so pets and kids can touch the thing and not get burnt!

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dmlichnerowicz says "Deep, rich, and luxurious scent for the holidays" about Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Triple Moisture Body Cream

dmlichnerowicz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:26:11 GMT

At the top of my Bath and Body Works favorites list is Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Triple Moisturing Body Cream. This highly scented, rich and creamy body cream provides long-lasting moisture, especially for dry winter skin. The key fragrance notes include red pomegranate, anise, patchouli, blackberry, and cassis...spice, berries, and earthy tones blend into a luxurious and sensual fragrance that is perfect for the winter season!

I love the body cream...it's much thicker than body lotion and comes out of the tube as thick as toothpaste. I have severely dry skin in the winter, so this lotion keeps me from itching and flaking from the time I put it on after my morning shower until the next time I bathe. The price is extremely reasonable. One tube typically lasts me through most of the season, although I do alternate with other lotions if I'll be wearing perfume during the day.

The only drawback to this product is that once you get down to the last of the cream, it's...

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busycharles says "Keep warm in the winter even when the furnace is out!" about Sunbeam Sunbeam Imperial Haven Matress Pad

busycharles — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:24:50 GMT

My feet are always cold and I generally like it warmer in the house than my husband does so at least at night I can be super warm with my controller set to about 5 and my husband can be comfortable and have his set on Lo. It's like the Sleep Number Bed...only better if you ask me!

Just last winter the heated mattress pad was a life saver, the furnace went out while my husband was on a business trip. I didn't notice it until 2am! I couldn't call anyone and I had no clue how to relight the pilot light. Luckily I had this lovely heated mattress pad to keep me warm in bed and as for the rest of the house...we have an EdenPure Heater that worked great too!

You can feel the box at the end only if your feet seem to rest in the middle of the bed, and you can feel the warming wires with your hands if you are trying to. Otherwise all you feel if the great warmth that it provides!!

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dmlichnerowicz says "Delish...and I don't normally like vanilla!" about Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Lotion

dmlichnerowicz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:58:39 GMT

I normally don't like the scent of vanilla unless it's in food. Unfortunately, my staff members didn't know this and purchased a Bath and Body Works gift set for me...Warm Vanilla Sugar. My first thought was that it was going to nauseate me and I'd have to fake a smile while thanking them then return it later. Boy, was I wrong!

Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Lotion is a creamy, smooth, cozy-smelling lotion that soaks right into my skin. While it smells like vanilla, it's a very deep aroma, not the shallow sweet vanilla that is in many other products. I feel just like I've stepped into a cashmere sweater in my grandma's kitchen when I use this lotion!

Like their other lotions, this one is relatively inexpensive...usually around $10.50. There is a whole line of the same scent, from bath gel to conditioner to antibacterial hand gel. While I only have the lotion, so I'm not layering the products, every time I use it, I get compliments and questions about what I have...

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jonbonjovious says "not your traditional wand but the results are dramatic" about L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

jonbonjovious — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:31:31 GMT

While I love Maybelline's Collosal Mascara, I'm constantly seeking one that makes my eyes more sultry and works "magic" on my thin, puney, short lashes. I jumped at the chance to try L'oreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara.

The packaging isn't going to jump off the shelf at you. It's red and black and a smaller version of that 80s mascara where you dialed your number for the amount of mascara you wanted (just no dial on this one).

I was shocked when I saw the wand. It's like a cocker burrell stuck to the end of a flexible wand. I first tried to apply it the traditional manner (horizontal). I was not impressed. This led to clumps and mascara on my face. The combs are not where they typically are as this is a sphere rather than a straight or curved edge.

Once I tried applying it vertically, this mascara captured every single lash, no matter how tiny. My lashes fanned out more than they ever have. It also lengthened my lashes, but did absolutely nothing for volume. I did appreciate the...

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ChrisJarmick says "Worst of the Worst Movies ; Stinkeroos to avoid." about Worst Movies, Bad Films Part 13 of 16

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:39:55 GMT

Part 13 of the Worst Movies at your service. These are movies that are worthless wastes of time. If any of them offer a few minutes of entertainment, consider that there are many movies that you probably have not seen, that offer much more. Your investment of time has value...more value than any of these movies will return to you.

Avoid the following:

Shanghai Surprise (1986) Director: Jim Goddard
Starring: Sean Penn, Madonna, Paul Freeman, Richard Griffiths, Philip Sayer, Clyde Kusatsu, Kay Tong Lim

Madonna plays a missionary nurse in 1937 China who hires a dim-witted American fortune hunter (her then-real-life-husband, Sean Penn) to find a stash of stolen opium. She wants the drugs so she can help her patients and get out of China. There's no chemistry between Penn and Madonna and the pacing of the movie is awful, and the dialogue is terrible. George Harrison who was the executive producer of this film said working with the very spoiled Madonna and on this movie was the...

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busycharles says "My dream hair in the morning!" about Avon Advance Techniques Intense Repair Overnight Elixir

busycharles — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:51:39 GMT

Your dream hair is just a nights sleep away!

I love Avons Overnight Elixir! It's so true about being just a sleep away. I have long hair and the ends dry out and get frizzy on me, especially in the winter! I add a few squirts to the palm of my hand and rub it into my hair concentrating on the ends. Then I brush my hair to spread out the product and go to bed. In the morning my hair is soft and no longer dried out or frizzy!

I just want to touch my hair all the time now! It's so soft and it looks so much healthier than before. It has a nice shine and...I just love it!

In the morning you can wash it out or leave it on longer for your nighttime shower.

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ChrisJarmick says "Rotten, Lousy, Worthless movies to avoid." about Worst Movies, Bad Films Part 12 of 16

ChrisJarmick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:08:09 GMT

Worst Movies Part 12. Here are several more movies to avoid. They might look like something worth watching but don't be fooled, these movies are a waste of time. Choose something else or read a book, instead. These are not worth your time.

The Postman (1997)
Director: Kevin Costner Starring: Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel Von Bargen, Tom Petty, Scott Bairstow, Roberta Maxwell

Postman is a very very long movie that Costner directed himself. You'd think after Waterworld he would stay away from these post-apocalypse tales.. but no.. In this lousy film he's a survivor who passes himself off as a postman in order to give hope to the ravaged communities left alive in the world. Why didn't he give hope to movie audiences and not make this movie? Story has it, the project was falling apart until he signed onto it originally just to act in it, but then he took on directing the movie. Let's assume Costner had the best of intentions. ...

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this2shallpass19 says "This shower gel smells just like freshly cut oranges!" about Yves Rocher Florida Orange Shower Gel

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:06:46 GMT

I love all things with a citrus scent, so when I placed my first order at Yves Rocher a couple months ago, I definitely had to add Yves Rocher Florida Orange Shower Gel to my order.

Yves Rocher describes this product as: "Florida oranges are renowned for their sweet, abundant juice. This delightful gel forms a lush lather, bursting with the energizing freshness of sunkissed oranges."

What I like about Yves Rocher Florida Orange Shower Gel is the amazing scent. It smells just like freshly cut juicy oranges mixed with orange candy. If you like citrus scents, or orange in particular, you would love the way this smells! What I don't like about this product is the fact that it is made with not-so-great ingredients. The Yves Rocher website does not include an ingredients list for their products, so when I purchased this, I had no idea what was in it.

It does lather nicely in the shower and it smells amazing, but I would not have bought it had I known what it was made out of. ...

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Jo says "Where's all the protein in Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake? " about Herbalife Shakes

Jo — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:49 GMT

I am doing a 12-week weight loss program sponsored by Herbalife. When I enrolled I didn't know that they were sponsoring it. I have bought quite a few of their products. The first one I bought was the Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix. It is for "healthy nutrition and weight management".

The flavor I chose is french vanilla, which is delicious. I add soy or almond mix to two scoops and ice cubes and have a yummy snack. The program suggests that we have one or two shakes a day. I normally have one and stick to the amount of calories per day I should eat.

I paid about $35.00 for a 26.5 ounce canister. This makes 30 servings per container.

It has 19 essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients; however, you will get these in a multi-vitamin. For example, you'll get 35% of Vitamin A when you add milk and 50% of Vitamin D, which you will get if you go outside for 15 minutes a day. Yes I am skeptical because I haven't seen results and I think it is over priced.

The "wellness coaches" say that...

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RudiXeno says "Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill: Enough for most homeowners" about Ryobi Variable Peed 3/8ths inch Drill

RudiXeno — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:49:54 GMT

Unless you do none of your own work at home, one of the most valuable tools you can own is a power drill.

A trip to either The Home Depot or Lowe's might convince you that unless you have the latest, greatest lithium powered portable drill you are seriously challenged. I say no.

Now if you're among those of us who seem always to have a next project on the board you probably can benefit from the latest cordless drill. But for the overwhelming majority of homeowners and apartment dwellers, your needs can be more easily addressed with a simple, inexpensive corded drill.

Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill

The Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drillis a basic yet totally serviceable alternative to the cordless drill for most homeowners. For most projects around the home, other than drill bits, you might need an extension cord. It has a key-less chuck so you won't even have to search for a missing chuck key.

Ask Yourself

How often are you really going to need to use this tool. If not on a frequent...

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njangel says "There are much better places for Italian food" about Bensi Italian Ristorante - Hamilton, NJ

njangel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:28:28 GMT

My foodie friends and I are always on the lookout for new places to try. A new place opened up at the Shoppes of Hamilton on Route 130, called Bensi Italian Ristorante, so upon a recommendation from someone that worked there, we decided to check it out. It is a local chain Italian restaurant found only in the local tri-state area.

The decor is more Asian-inspried, something you might find at Kenji Fusion or PF Chang than you would in an italian restaurant. It was all dark heavy colors with dark wood. There are two doors to enter - one leads to the restaurant and the other to a little take out counter.

We were seated in a booth in the bar area, we were not given a choice, but the place was relatively empty for 8 p.m. on a Thursday night, so I guess they were trying to conserve where messes might be made.

Our server was the bartender, a very nice young man who poured very large, but slightly weak drinks (I had a vodka tonic because it had been a rough day, and another foodie had a gin and...

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