Reviews by Friends of btwd

kt047 says "The first and last time I will ever fill my scripts here" about Rite Aid Pharmacy-New Martinsville, WV

kt047 — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:55:18 GMT

Yesterday, I had to go to a Rite Aid Pharmacy near my family's home in WV. Normally, I am not someone that criticizes a pharmacy/pharmacist because I've always been treated with respect at a CVS in PA. However, I couldn't help but share my experiences with the most rude, perhaps discriminatory pharmacy staff I have ever encountered.

It happened immediately when I handed the prescriptions to the tech along with my I.D. (if you have read any of my earlier posts, I do take a controlled substance for ADHD). Instead of handing the prescription to the pharmacist, she looks at me and says "Is this medication for you, or a child?" Pretty rhetorical, given my NAME along with DOB is clearly written on the script. Additionally, she is also staring at my ID. I'm also not married, and have no children.

Anyway, I reaffirm the prescription is mine, and she hands it to the pharmacist. As I'm standing there waiting, the tech keeps looking at me and then has the nerve to say, "I've never seen a female come...

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PattyTherre says "If you're gonna do purple eyeliner, be HIP and do it right!" about L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner, Eggplant

PattyTherre — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:08:12 GMT

Quick View: I'm obsessed with the color purple and have been buying purple eyeliner and mascara but have generally not liked the color. I am brunette with brown eyes and I like a very deep purple as opposed to a violet shade. I tried L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant and wow! The liner is dark, deep, and very dramatic. I like it!

My Take on L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner, Eggplant 960

This cream eyeliner comes in Black, Teal, Navy, Brown, and Eggplant. I bought the Eggplant because I wanted a dark purple liner and this one looked very deep. The brush included is not great. I can use it but I prefer to use my Smashbox eyeliner brush for a much more even line.

The cream is very thick and only a bit is needed. It does glide on well and looks very intense. It is almost a black purple shade which is exactly what I wanted. Anything less would look kind of weird with my skin coloring and at my age (45).

The liner is super pigmented as all HIP products are. It is intense...

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PattyTherre says "Nothing magic about this air freshener. Didn't last long at all." about Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener (227 Gr.; 8oz)

PattyTherre — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:54:49 GMT

Quick View: This product is natural which is clearly a plus but not only is it big and ugly, it doesn't last long at all. For $6.00, I expect a solid freshener to work for at least a few weeks. I am not at all impressed with Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener.

My Take on Citrus Magic Solid Air Freshener

This product comes in a round, white plastic tub with slits in it for the solid freshener inside to release its scent. It's big and ugly so I hide it behind things or put it near the litter box but it doesn't have the power to destroy tough odors like litter box type ones.

I bought the Citrus fragrance. There two others as well. It smelled orangey and decent when I opened the package but it soon faded. It was only fresh smelling for a week or two and then I smelled nothing at all. Now, this is a natural product and does contain charcoal to absorb odors so it could have been doing so without a scent but I didn't feel the house smelled fresher after a couple weeks of using the Citrus Magic Solid...

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PattyTherre says "Tastes great and good for you too. Eat em up, yum!" about Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins

PattyTherre — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:13:15 GMT

Quick View: My family calls me a fiber freak. And I am. I believe fiber fills you up and keeps you full and it aids in good digestive health. I don't get nearly enough fiber for the most part so I am always on the lookout for foods that boost my intake. Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins have 5 grams of fiber per muffin and taste great. They really are a better start to anyone's day!

My Take on Thomas' Better Start High Fiber 100 Calories English Muffins

These English muffins look exactly like regular ones. They come six to a package and need to be sliced into halves to toast. Each weighs 1.8 ounces which is just about what other English muffins weigh.

They taste exactly the same as English muffins at a restaurant or that you buy in a store with little or no fiber in them. At just 100 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 4 grams of protein, the hefty 5 grams of fiber in every muffin is an added benefit to these low cal, low fat muffins.

I toast them and add fat free cream...

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PattyTherre says "Adidas Tropical Passion is fruity but best for young women." about Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray

PattyTherre — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:45:29 GMT

Quick View: I adore fruity fragrances, especially lemon, lime, and orange scents. When I saw Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray (1.7 ounce) for under $10.00 while shopping online, I added it to my cart. It does smell nice but it's very unsophisticated and the scent fades fast.

My Take on Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray

This fragrance comes in a glass 1.7 ounce bottle and is tinted slightly orange. It has notes of tangerine, melon, pineapple, magnolia, orange blossom, cedar and musk. It sounded like an amazing light scent that I would enjoy. And I do. But the fragrance is very ... unsophisticated for lack of a better word. It is straight up fruity with orange notes being the strongest.It doesn't change as it dries down. In fact, it smells much more like a body mist than an eau de toilette. And it lasts about as long.

Adidas For Women Tropical Passion Eau De Toilette Spray is strong to start. It is almost overwhelmingly fruity. It then dries down...

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PattyTherre says "A very good clarifying conditioner that also adds moisture." about Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Conditioner with Shea Butter & Babassu Oil

PattyTherre — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:53:17 GMT

Quick View: I love Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo with Shea Butter and bought the conditioner to accompany it. This lemony conditioner adds moisture to dry hair yet keeps build up and weigh down away. My only small gripe is that it doesn't detangle as well as I would like but otherwise, my hair loves it.

My Take on Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Conditioner with Shea Butter & Babassu Oil

This 11 ounce bottle of white conditioner smells as great as the shampoo,. It has natural lemon extract and smells of fresh lemons. There are no parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or other harsh preservatives or chemicals and no synthetic fragrances or colors, It is 100% vegetarian and cruelty free.

The conditioner is of medium consistency and comes out of the flip cap easily. I need quite a bit because my hair is very long but most people will only need a small amount to cover their hair. The scent is great and stays in my hair after drying which I love.

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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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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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expecting325 says "My Favorite Shampoo " about Dove Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo

expecting325 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:37:13 GMT

Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo is my favorite brand by far. I've tried the pricey salon brands and still always come back to this shampoo. The later is nice and foamy. Shampoo rinses out easily and leaves a great scent. I bought this product with a salon pump that makes it easier to dispense the right amount everytime. Vibrant Blue bottles allows it to easily be noticed in my shower (without my contacts in).

Shampoo claims to Repairs Sever, Accumulated Damage By Penetrating Into The Finest Lines and Breaks of Every Hair Strand For Intense Hydration. Strengthens Each Hair Strand, Reducing Hair Breakage and Split Ends.
This great smelling shampoo leaves Hair Looking Healthy and Strong from Root to Tip.

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kt047 says "Completely amazed by the results!" about Crest Advanced Seal Tooth Whitening Strips

kt047 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:46:49 GMT

Crest Advanced Seal Tooth Whitening Strips is the best product I have found for whitening my teeth. According to the advertisement, you should see results in three days. For me, I saw results in only two days. I was shocked!

Another reason why Crest Advanced Seal Tooth Whitening Strips are the best for whitening teeth is because the strip actually stays on your teeth. I've used other products before, only to find that I have wasted time and money attempting to have a brighter smile. You can even drink water with them. I will admit that drinking water can make the strips feel loose, but both the top and bottom strips will stay for 30 minutes.

After seeing results in such a quick amount of time, I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a whitening product that actually works. I say most because the strips can be sort of painful if you have sensitive teeth. According to one of my friends in dental school, the small amount of pain you might feel is not going to cause any...

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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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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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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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gaelkm says "Acer Aspire One - fantastic!" about Acer Aspire One

gaelkm — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:08:21 GMT

Acer Aspire One AOA150-1435 (LU.S040B.214) Netbook.

I feel extremely fortunate to have found one of these great little computers at Costco recently. This computer is perfect for commuters or students because the size is so portable and yet, it is capable of most of the standard computer functions we have come to use in our daily lives.

It weighs just under three pounds (more like 2.2 pounds actually)! It looks and feels solid, not cheap or flimsy at all. My Acer One is a sleek, shiny onyx black color. The keyboard is very close to regular size (in fact it is 89% the size of a regular keyboard), so my fingers don't feel cramped. It comes with a long life battery, that is easily clamped onto the back of the computer. The Acer Aspire One Computer Netbook costs $300, it's a price that is much more affordable. For example, I take it along now when I stop in at my favorite local coffee hangout. It works great in places that provide wi-fi connections. Taking it on a plane was so easy too;...

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gaelkm says "loving our memory foam mattress topper" about Memory Foam Memory Foam 2.5 in mattress topper

gaelkm — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:16:27 GMT

Memory Foam...ahhh, those are like words of magic.

Overstock.com advertised this "memory foam" and showed a photo of a hand which has just been lifted off the memory foam leaving a "memory" print.

I received my order in about 10 days, which was fine. It arrived in a fairly large and long box. When I opened it up, the memory foam was rolled and wrapped in plastic. I read the brief instructions before carefully unrolling it. Last thing I wanted to do was tear it. The directions recommended unrolling it and letting it "air out" from 24 to 72 hours in order to regain its full shape. I placed it on top of my mattress in the morning so it could "relax" for the day.

That evening I was really looking forward to my first night sleeping on my new Memory Foam pad. I carefully centered it on top of the mattress and after put some fresh sheets on the bed. It is a fairly cumbersome object to maneuver, which is why I didn't want to tear it while moving it. When I was finished, I tried it out. One word:...

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gaelkm says "Eucerin Dry Skin Calming Cream" about Eucerin Dry Skin Calming Cream

gaelkm — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:08:21 GMT

I was standing in line at the local Drug Store Pharmacy one day recently and was glancing around at the products on the store shelves. I noticed something that was new to me: it was Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Calming Crème on the shelf. I had never heard of this product. I do enjoy several other Eucerin products, but a CALMING CREME? What is this? Having had eczema my entire life, I am always on the look out for anything to relieve the constant itching and flaking associated with eczema.

This product is excellent. It comes in a fairly large tube with a flip cap and you squeeze it out. It is rather thick, but glides on easily and doesn't leave a greasy or heavy feeling at all. It is also not sticky. I noticed that it felt as if my skin absorbed it quickly, which is a good indication. To me, it means that it is working for me, not just sitting on the surface of my skin. I didn't have to use too much either. A little goes a long way. And yes, it is just CALMING. I like the name too. Eucerin...

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gaelkm says "I love MagiX Face Perfector from Avon!" about Avon MagiX Face Perfector

gaelkm — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:59:18 GMT

I was recently introduced to this product called Avon MagiX Face Perfector. I had never heard of it but was impressed with this lightweight gel-powder. Avon made it to "keep shine away for up to 10 hours while it visibly smoothes the look of pores and fine lines". I have to admit, it does seem to create a lovely translucent finish to my skin while leaving it feeling soft. When I occasionally check the mirror during the day, I can see that my face still looks (and feels) fresh and with no shine.

The squeezable, plastic container is a small tube with black pointed cap. Simply twist the cap off and squeeze a small amount of Avon MagiX Face Perfector onto your fingertip. It doesn't take very much of the gel-powder to make a difference in how your skin looks and feels. The gel-powder is a soft white color, bordering on clear, and it is not too thick and not too thin. The consistency is perfect for the job it does. It adds no color at all, but somehow evens out your complexion.

After applying...

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gaelkm says "You can't go wrong with Olay" about Oil of Olay olay complete

gaelkm — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:52:26 GMT

OLAY COMPLETE is a new product to me. I had used Oil of Olay for years and somehow got away from using it when I started discovering other products. I recently saw OLAY COMPLETE while browsing at the drugstore.

Curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up.

"...Hmmm, I thought; I had always liked Oil of Olay quite well back when I had used it 10 years ago. Maybe I should give this new OLAY COMPLETE a try."

My sister was with me at the elegant boutique known as Walmart, and we discussed the advantages and disadvantages (what disadvantages?) of buying this beauty product. I read the box, along with the claims of younger-looking skin and before I knew it, the decision was made. After just a matter of minutes, in talking with my sister and reading the box, I tossed it into my shopping cart.

Well, when I got home later that evening, I have to admit, I couldn't wait to try it. My skin is very , sensitive, dry and combined with some small patchy eczema areas on my face, I have to be very...

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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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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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