Reviews by Friends of TouchOfLace

awlafon says "Queen & King get Royal sleep on Tempurpedic ClassicBed" about Tempurpedic Classic Mattress

awlafon — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:10:49 GMT

Tempur-Pedic Mattress

ClassicBed

I am quite sure that if the royal family had put the pea under a Tempur-Pedic mattress then the Princess from the "Princess and the Pea" would have never felt it, never married the Prince and would be still be wandering around bed hopping.

The King in my fairy tale had surgery several years ago followed by complications and long term therapy. We had a fairly new King size Sealy mattress that we both really liked just fine but several helpful folks in the medical field suggested considering a Tempur-Pedic mattress. With the 90 day money back guarantee, we decided to try one out and may I say that we have slept happily ever after.

It is important to know that there isn't one Tempur-Pedic mattress. Tempur-Pedic has a whole line of mattresses with varying details that all feature the unique Tempur foam material.

Tempur-Pedic Sleep Systems:
GrandBed
BellaSonaBed
AlluraBed
CelebrityBed
RhapsodyBed
BellafinaBed
DeluxeBed
PrimaBed
ClassicBed
AdvantageBed
OriginalBed
ClassicBed......

AnnaBanana says "What a great place!" about Office Depot

AnnaBanana — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:48:10 GMT

Well, here it is -- January again and time for another bonanza "trip" to Office Depot, one of my favorite places. Of course, they are open for business all year long and I'll probably be back for something else before long, but it has become a tradition for me to stock up on paper, ink cartridges and other desk supplies when ordering my new annual TurboTax software each year.

I first discovered the Office Depot website through MyPoints and I have been hooked ever since (although I have found that Staples is also a good place and a better bet for Lexmark Printers). Sometimes I print my own greeting cards and was able to find card stock and special envelopes for them through Office Depot, in addition to fine inkjet paper, cartridges, business envelopes, pens, scissors, Crayolas (for my kiddie friends), floppy disks, a desk lamp and even the very computer chair on which I am sitting as I write this review. Last year, I even invested in a two-drawer file cabinet made of...

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AnnaBanana says "A safe little place to leave something valuable!" about PayPal

AnnaBanana — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:59:27 GMT

I don't know how many Louisa May Alcott fans we have here but if you loved "Little Women", you may remember the mail box that Laurie gave the girls. It was part way between his house and theirs and provided a safe place where they could leave letters, notes, and small gifts for each other.

Well, that's what PayPal is like ... a safe place halfway between you and someone else where you can leave money for each other. I opened my PayPal account years ago but used it mostly to pay money to people I bought merchandise from on E-Bay. (PayPal's dispute option offers great protection to E-Bay buyers.) Recently I began receiving payments also and it has worked out just as well. In fact, PayPal offers an ideal venue for receiving small payments (such as rewards for surveys, etc.) and other types of income. You can either leave the money you receive in PayPal or transfer it to your checking account. This is not an immediate transfer -- for some reason, it takes two or three days...

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AnnaBanana says "The Big "O" is the way to GO!" about Overstock.com

AnnaBanana — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:51:03 GMT

After finishing my review for Contempo Kitchen Towels, I realized that I had never reviewed Overstock.com which is where I bought the towels. How could I have slipped up like that?!!!

Of course, everyone has their own frame of reference and experience to draw on and it may be that some people have been disappointed by the "O" but I have enjoyed shopping there and have found some great deals ... and even some luxuries. If it weren't for Overstock, I probably would have never been able to buy sets of genuine black pearls for myself and a friend's daughter. I've bought sheets, pillowcases and pillows there, a beautiful set of kitchen knives, even new living room floor lamps a year ago.

Standard shipping seems to be $2.95 whatever or how much you order, the website is usually easy to use, and a shopper can get either ten MyPoints or 4% (sometimes more) Ebates cash back on each dollar spent. I must say that I would hesitate to buy a major appliance or really big piece of furniture from...

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AnnaBanana says "Not a planned purchase but very nice!" about Contempo Kitchen Towels Model No. 4759T

AnnaBanana — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:51:48 GMT

How did my holidays go? Well, consider this "Bah, Humbug" moment ...

Armed with the ruthless determination to get at least some laundry done, I stuffed one of my old laundry-bag pillowcases full of dishtowels to be washed and promptly lost the whole thing. Two frustrating weeks later, I still haven't found them. It just isn't possible for even someone like me to accidentally throw something like that away (and I don't live with anybody else whom I can blame for the mysterious disappearance) so eventually, they will show up. In the meantime, I could see that my three remaining raggedy-worn dishtowels weren't going to be enough so I ventured out into cyberspace to buy a few reinforcements.

I just wanted something simple, undramatic and absorbent. If you want those qualities in a kitchen towel nowadays, good luck! Everything seemed to be in wierd colors and "designer" prints. I thought I had struck gold in the Sears site but had to give up after more than a few frustrating moments...

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LauraBelle says "Writing, a Great Cast, and an Adorable Dog Make for a Great Film" about Marley & Me: The Movie

LauraBelle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:08:17 GMT

I fashion myself sometimes more of a storyteller than a writer, and some of my favorite stories are the ones about the dog we had when my husband and I first got married. We were saving the marriage of my in-laws by taking this destructive dog off their hands, and in the process she nearly ruined ours, and we were newlyweds. I couldn't not think back through all of that while watching Marley & Me.

Maggie was a gorgeous English Setter mix, and I never thought about writing a book about our life with her, but watching Marley & Me, I'm realizing that I definitely had the same material. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson star as Jennifer and John Grogan in the film version of Marley & Me. They're newlyweds, too, and she has a defined plan of how their lives will go, from marriage on down. To avoid the next natural step of starting a family, John gets her a puppy which he names after Bob Marley, but what he doesn't realize is that he wasn't avoiding anything. He was starting a family.

Jen is away......

AnnaBanana says "Not bad at all ... it's Butterball!" about Butterball Grilled Chicken Breast Strips

AnnaBanana — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:05:04 GMT

Here is another healthy alternative which was on sale at Peapod ... Butterball Grilled Chicken Breast Strips. I was hungry when I opened them and immediately gave them the ultimate taste test -- just pulled a couple right out and ate them then and there by themselves with no condiment or other food. This handy fully-cooked lean white meat tastes delicious and couldn't be easier. The box contained two servings -- one I used as a filling along with Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes for a whole grain toast sandwich and the other serving I saved until later for use in a Caesar salad.

STATS:

A three-ounce single serving contains 90 calories with only 15 calories from fat. There are one and a half grams total fat, one gram saturated fat, zero trans fat, 60 mg. cholesterol, 760 mg. sodium, two grams total carbs, zero each dietary fiber and sugars, 18 grams (36% D.V.!) protein and 2% Iron.

TASTE TIP:

Butterball Grilled Chicken Breast Strips are good just the way they are...

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awlafon says "Tervis Tumblers: 5 Star Drinkware Gift that can be Personalized" about Tervis Tumbler Drinking Glass

awlafon — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:27:41 GMT

Tervis Tumblers

www.tervis.com

1-866-TUMBLER

The Tervis Tumblers we were blessed with as a Christmas gift are a big hit at our house.

These were really a surprise gift. I had called a local kitchen shop and ordered a gift for my husband, paid by phone and requested gift wrap. Next I called dear ole' Dad and asked him if he could please pick this gift up for me so that it would really be a surprise for my husband. A while later I got a "mission accomplished" phone call from Dad and he added, "You got him another gift too. It's wrapped and he's going to love it." The surprise gift was a set of Tervis Tumblers with a University of Virginia emblem. Go Hoos! Knowing that my husband carts his family to the Hill all spring to watch UVA lacrosse, my Dad couldn't resist. Since I have yet to pay him back for this gift, I don't know if this was really a gift from me to my husband or a gift to us from my Dad but either way it is a welcomed gift at our house. Thanks Dad!

What is a Tervis......

AnnaBanana says "Like Christmas, this ice cream only happens once a year." about Edy's Slow Churned Pepperment Light Ice Cream

AnnaBanana — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:40:47 GMT

Just before Christmas, I found a sale on Edy's "Limited Edition" seasonal flavors. TunefulGal had mentioned that her favorite ice cream flavor was Peppermint and that had gotten me thinking about the cool minty delight so ... to make a long story short ... I bought a quart and a half of Edy's Slow Churned Limited Edition Peppermint Light Ice Cream. It was delicious and may I add that thank God it is a limited seasonal item as this treat could get to be very addictive.

This frozen dessert has half as much fat and a third the calories of regular ice cream and I must admit that ... even though Edy's Slow Churned Limited Edition Peppermint Light Ice Cream is billed as being "rich and creamy" (which it is), it tastes like a "light" ice cream which is not quite as rich, creamy or sweet as the regular Edy's stuff. However, I found that this "light" quality actually enhanced the cool, refreshing peppermint taste.

STATS:

A paltry one-half cup serving contains 110 calories with only 30 calories...

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AnnaBanana says "Something new to start the New Year with!" about Kellogg's Special K Red Berries

AnnaBanana — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:52:09 GMT

I started off the first morning of the New Year with something new -- or at least it was new to me ... Kellogg's Special K Red Berries a/k/a crunchy rice and wheat flakes with strawberries. Special K was an old friend of mine from way back although now it seems that the flakes are bigger and a little more crisp than they used to be, which produced dramatic results. As I struggled to pour milk on my cereal from a gallon-sized bottle (a size which I am not used to handling), somehow the stream of milk hit a flake which was apparently so big and hard that it deflected the whole stream of descending milk, causing it to arc right up and out of the other side of my bowl! I'm not kidding -- if someone had paid me a million dollars to repeat this stunt, I could have never done it deliberately.

Fifteen minutes and four paper towels later, there I was all set for another adventure in healthy eating. Kellogg's Special K Red Berries really is special although this may not be a breakfast food...

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AnnaBanana says "These hit the spot for me!" about Perdue Italian Style Turkey Meatballs

AnnaBanana — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:28:09 GMT

If at first the thought of a turkey meatball doesn't strike a responsive chord in you, I understand. That's how I first felt about Perdue Italian Style Turkey Meatballs ... but they were on sale and are said to contain 50% less fat than the leading beef and pork meatball. I have been trying to work at least one healthier alternative into my so-called food agenda each month and the first day of the new year brought a chance to try this stuff.

According to package information, Perdue Italian Style Turkey Meatballs contain "... the finest turkey, herbs, spices, specially aged Parmesan and Romano cheeses" and are fully cooked and couldn't be easier to fix, just heat for a few minutes in the microwave.

STATS:

Four meatballs are a generous single serving containing 180 calories with 100 calories from fat. There are 11 grams total fat, three and a half grams saturated fat, zero trans fat, 55 mg.cholesterol, 660 sodium, eight grams total carbs, zero fiber, one gram sugars and 13 grams protein. ...

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AnnaBanana says "A perfect way to celebrate without alcohol." about Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice

AnnaBanana — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:34:22 GMT

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve. Mine was quiet and informal and we celebrated at Midnight with something even the designated driver could imbibe in ... Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice. We enjoyed the "red" flavor which I prefer to the "white" but both types of this juice are lovely -- very bubbly and festive and something even children can toast with.

STATS:

An 8 oz. single serving contains 160 calories with zero cholesterol or fat of any kind, 45 mg. sodium, 40 grams total carbs, zero dietary fiber, 38 grams sugars, zero protein and zippo vitamins or minerals. This is a special treat beverage added to the Welch's line of grape juices in 1981. Peapod was selling 25.4 oz. bottles on sale for $2.47 but it is never prohibitively expensive and can even be bought in bulk cases from warehouse clubs, etc. (Visit Welchsinternational.com for further details on how to order Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice in bottles wearing custom labels for holidays or special events.)

TASTE TIP:...

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AnnaBanana says "This tasted good but wait until you hear this!" about Sabra Hummus To Go

AnnaBanana — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:13:51 GMT

Yesterday, whilst in the throes of working up another Peapod order, I noticed that Sabra Hummus was on sale. Ever the adventurer, I decided to try something new -- Sabra Hummus To Go Roasted Red Pepper with Pretzel Crisps ($2.29 for a 4.3 oz. pkg.) I must confess that in my rush to complete the order before the wire came down at 7:59 p.m., I did not check the nutritional information closely enough.

I didn't check that vital input either today when the order arrived because after all the product consisted of a scant half cup (if that) of Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with maybe 20 small thin Pretzel Crisps. I could toss this product up and catch it again in one hand easily. How much of anything could be in a product that size?

STATS:

A single serving contains 70 calories with 50 calories from fat. There are five grams total fat, half a gram saturated fat, zero trans fat and cholesterol, 115 mg. sodium, four grams total carbs, one gram dietary fiber, zero grams sugars, and two grams...

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awlafon says "Progressive Ramekin Set: Ready, set, serve!" about Progressive Ramekin Set

awlafon — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:28:10 GMT

Progressive Ramekin Set

What is a ramekin?

A ramekin is a like a small, individual sized casserole dish. I have owned two sets of four ramekins by Le Creuset and Emile Henry France. I originally purchased them to create individual creme brule desserts for my family and guests. Over the years I have found that they are also the perfect size for a scoop of ice-cream, a side of applesauce, or a side of anything that doesn't do well on a plate like peas or bean salad.

So with eight ramekins in my cabinet, why did I want to purchase the Progressive Ramekin Set?

The Progressive Ramekin Set came with not only four ceramic ramekins but also with a chrome wire caddy and plastic lids for storage. The photograph on the box showed the caddy with ramekins filled with salsa, grated cheese, jalapeno peppers and guacamole. I immediately thought of taco night, which is very popular at my house, and how I could carry all of my toppings to the table at once in the caddy and then put the lids on......

AnnaBanana says "How to live well and save money too!" about Our Family Products

AnnaBanana — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:23:58 GMT

President Elect Obama has gone on the record as saying that our economy ".... is going to get worse before it gets better." I totally agree with that, in fact I will add that I think things are going to get a LOT worse before they get better. I live in a town where people usually don't go hungry but this year traffic has picked up considerably at the local food bank. Cutting back a little on Christmas gifts was one thing but hunger howling at the door is serious. At times like this, it may be a good idea to check out an old friend a lot of us don't even know about ... the Nash Finch Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota which has been pumping out Our Family Products since 1904.

Nash Finch, originally established in 1885 and incorporated in 1921, today is the second largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the United States with annual sales of approximately $4.6 billion. Currently, they are supplying as many as 2,000 products which are much more economical than other...

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LauraBelle says "There's a Freakout In My House When It's Gone" about Kaukauna Cheese Sharp Cheddar

LauraBelle — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:08:21 GMT

There's a new freakout in my house, and that's when I run out of my cheese. Not just any cheese, but my spreadable cheese, my Kaukana Cheese Sharp Cheddar. I'll occasionally put it on some crackers, or maybe even some thick chips but what I really crave is to have it on baby carrots. It's honestly my favorite snack, and sometimes I'll have just that for lunch.

Yeah, I know, it sounds incredibly odd. It was something I got into in a local restaurant that used to be here when I was little. I'd go to the restaurant with my family, and the restaurant would set on the table as an appetizer of sorts, carrots, celery, crackers, cheese, and a liver spread. Oddly enough I liked the liver spread, too, as it was like "braunschweiger," but what I always ate up was the carrots and cheese.

Years later, a single girl living on my own, I began taking my carrots and cheese to lunch every day, although it was different in those days, as I had to get up and slice carrots into sticks every morning. I got away......

AnnaBanana says "Okay, THIS is different!" about Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Rotini & Zesty Marinara Sauce

AnnaBanana — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:59:03 GMT

Just yesterday, I reviewed Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Sweet and Sour Chicken in which I voiced my disappointment with that product. For reasons stated in that review, I could not in good conscience recommend it for anyone else. Because of my initial enthusiasm which had been stoked by artful television commercials, I had bought TWO of these Fresh Mixers lunches so there I was, stuck with another similar product. Tonight I bit down on the bullet and scarfed down Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Rotini & Zesty Marinara Sauce. In all fairness, I have to report that this was as delicious and filling a hot meal as I have had in a long time. Cooking the pasta a half a minute less than the instructions said may have made a difference. The strainer lid also made it quick and easy to drain the pasta before adding the truly delightful and ZESTY Marinara Sauce. (This is a great meatless dish, by the way.)

STATS:

This hot lunch amounted to nearly two cups which is considered to be one serving...

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Jolie says "Meet my Granddaughter Lexi, an American Girl Bitty Baby " about American Girl Bitty Baby

Jolie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:41:35 GMT

My daughter asked Santa for a baby doll for Xmas. That was all that she wanted and nothing more. When she got her American Girl bitty baby she was an instant mommy and I was an instant Grandma to baby LEXI (yes, that is what my daugher named her American Girl bitty baby.)

The bitty baby is blond and blue eyed, just like my daughter, and made of sturdy construction. She is also small enough to carry around easily.

Since bitty baby came into our family, bitty baby has been to the movie theater, out to dinner, Xmas dinner, her Great-grandma's house and more. She is a full member of the family now and is with my daughter 24 x 7.

I, (I mean Santa), had originally picked out a baby from Target for $30. But, I have to admit, for $10 more, the American Girl bitty baby was so much nicer. She is actually normal looking with a cute little face and a button nose. Some of the babies look a little demented. But, the American Girl biddy baby is actually pretty cute!!!

Now, if I can just avoid buying the......

Jolie says "I am not a huge Brad Pitt fan, but he was good and "hot"" about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jolie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:19:25 GMT

Yah, what Mike said! That was a thorough review!!

I liked Benjamin Button and I even cried during the movie a few times. The acting was good, the story line well developed, and it was such a touching love story.

I did think that the movie was a little slow going for the first hour, but when Brad Pitt turned into a man and he was courting his "love", it captured more of my attention. Hehehehhe. Again, I am not a huge Brad fan, but his acting was good, he looked good, and the storyline was touching.

I would consider seeing Benjamin Button in the theater but dont read too much-- it is a little over-hyped in my opinion.

For whatever it's worth, I thought Angelina did just as good of a job in Changeling. They are quite the duo.

My rating: a solid B
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LauraBelle says "The Nano, All Grown Up " about Apple - 8GB iPod Nano Chromatics

LauraBelle — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:37:59 GMT

The Nano, All Grown Up

A few years ago I got my first iPod and my kids were extremely jealous, as they had Shuffles, which to them didn't seem nearly as cool as the new Nano I had gotten which had a screen and a few other options over their Shuffles. Then I got an iPhone, and I didn't think they were ever going to forgive me. For Christmas this year, I gave them each their own 4th Generation Nano, and I have to admit now I'm the one that's just a little jealous.

My iPhone still does more than the newer Nano, but still I have to admit it's pretty cool. I don't think they've left my kids' hands since they opened them on Christmas morning. My son had been looking for an XBox instead, but he hasn't seemed like he's been missing that too much. The Nanos have been their constant companions during this Christmas break.

While my old Nano was squarish in shape and seemed slim to me, it's practically bulky when compared to the 4th Generation Nano with its even slimmer shape that is sightly rounded.......