Reviews by Friends of lbeckley

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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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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CyndiA says "Classic flatware with a lifetime warranty - very pretty " about Oneida Paul Revere Flatware

CyndiA — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:06:03 GMT

I picked Paul Revere flatware by Oneida back in my 20s, and I'm glad I did. The flatware pattern is timeless, and I've never regretted my pick. Granny wanted me to pick a silver pattern, but I knew, even back then, that I had no interest in polishing silver. The brushed stainless with nickel requires no polishing or special care. It's even dishwasher safe.

The pattern is very plain but with a nice balance and eye pleasing finish. When I mentioned that I like my pattern, my son said, "Well, I don't think it has a pattern." I did get a laugh on that.

Good stainless is expensive. I think these run $20 and up per piece but priced better in sets and also when on sale. I just added a 4 piece full set to round out, since I only had 4 full sets. Now I have enough to use when we have company. I'd been meaning to do that for years and finally did.

If you want a classic look in nice stainless steel for your flatware, give Paul Revere a look. Tastes vary, of course, but these pieces don't go out...

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LoveisJoy says "Soft Enough to Sleep In; Bouncy Curls in the Morning" about Goody Satin Covered Foam Hair Rollers

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:05:11 GMT

Even with all of the advances in hair care technology, sometimes the old-school ways work the best. I'm not suggesting that you roll your hair with frozen orange juice cans, but I am going back to the basics; namely, the much maligned pink foam roller.

Goody Satin-Covered Foam Rollers are available in Jumbo and Large sizes and is a definite nod to the past, while adding a new twist in this update. The classic foam rollers are updated in black satin, which means the end of tangled tresses, damaged strands and frizzy ends. The satin wrap helps to provide a smooth curl and the rollers are comfortable enough to sleep in. I don't need to fuss with a blow dryer or sit under a hood dryer to style my hair with soft, bouncy curls. The large size is perfect for my length of hair, but it would be nice if Goody offered these in small and medium sizes for women who have shorter 'dos.

These satin-wrapped foam rollers work best for me with hair that is slightly damp after shampooing and conditioning. ...

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LoveisJoy says "Tall Ladies Rejoice! Comfy Fleece Pants That Don't Flood" about Old Navy Women's Micro Performance Fleece Pants

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:39:27 GMT

I'm not ashamed to admit that I spent a great deal of my high school years trying to avoid the dreaded "high-waters" pants (also known as "floods"). At nearly 5 ft 10 inches tall, most women's pants were about 4 to 5 inches too short for me. Back in the day, it was common practice for me to iron out the hem of all of my pants, wear only flats, and pray that any shrinkage was minimal. Even now that jeans in tall sizes are more easily attainable, casual lounging pants are still scarce. That is, until I found Old Navy Women's Micro Performance Fleece Pants online at oldnavy.com. I was so happy I thought for a moment that I heard angels singing.

Okay, so the fleece pants are not really anything to sing about. Quality-wise, the fabric is soft but thin, there are no pockets, and currently there are only three colors available. Still, they come with a 35-inch inseam! That's even a bit long for me--they'd probably even work for a woman in the 6-ft tall range.

The drawstring...

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LoveisJoy says "You Practically Need to Be an Engineer to Install These Rods" about Kirsch Valance and Traverse Rod

LoveisJoy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:55:20 GMT

I bought two of these drapery rods at JC Penney to cover a large picture window and a patio door. Both times, the drapery rods were difficult to install. Although the Kirsch rods come with instructions, they are so unclear as to be nearly useless. However, now that the rods are installed I must admit that they do function quite well and my drapes open and close smoothly. The picture window draperies open from the center, and the patio door curtains open from the right. The combination of traverse and valance makes the Kirsch rods a good choice for both my window and door. Some highlights:

Kirsch Valance and Traverse Combination Rod

Perfect for layering a valance over pinch pleated drapes
Sturdy steel construction with a baked-on enamel finish
Wall-mounted cord control
Cord control can be mounted on left side or right side
Traverse can be set up to open drapes from left, right, or center
Both traverse and valance rods are adjustable
3 sizes (30" to 48"; 48" to 86"; and...

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CyndiA says "Invest in quality and have great meals and no replacing pans." about Le Creuset Stoneware Baking Dishes

CyndiA — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:58:25 GMT

My Granny got me a set of Le Creuset pans when I was in college which I still use and love, so when I broke a favorite baking dish, I decided to splurge on a Le Creuset stoneware baking dish. I say "splurge," because the Le Creuset line is expensive. But, when you use them for a lifetime, it makes sense to pay more and get good cooking gear.

My pots are the hunter green which I love, but thy now have lime in the green. I'm not so fond of that color. So, I went with the red. Online it looked more orange, but it turned out to be a true red. I was glad. I really like the red in the baking dish with the beige inside. Nice color combo. It looks fine to put right on the table for serving or to take to a pot luck dinner.

As far as how this pan bakes - excellent. Le Creuset is known for products that heat up well and even, and the casserole dish is no exception. This can make a big difference in how dishes come out. I don't get burned edges and soggy centers with this high quality bakeware.

I hope...

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CyndiA says "Wild n Mild is a great grilling marinade and mop style BBQ sauce" about Wild n Mild Grilling Marinade & Sauce

CyndiA — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:42:16 GMT

Wild n Mild barbecue sauce is one of my favorites. It doubles as a marinade for meats or can be brushed or mopped on throughout the grilling process, since it does not have a ketchup or tomato base.

This grilling sauce can be used on basically anything. We use it on steaks, pork chops, chicken, and vegetables. It adds an interesting flavor - kind of sweet but with a bit of zip. The hot version has more kick than the mild, of course.

For any hunters out there, Wild n Mild is very good on game meat. It helps pull the gamey taste out when used as a marinade and adds the nice sauce flavor.

We also use Wild n Mild for stir fry. Neither of my sons really like the taste of soy sauce. This is similar in terms of the texture, but the flavor is nicer in stir fry dishes. Wild n Mild adds the moisture and then sauces up so that stir fry meats and veggies are very good over rice.

I have a grill site called Yes You Can Grill, and I try out lots of barbecue marinades and sauces. Wild n Mild is one of...

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Jo says "New Green Acres RV Park, SC: A great overnight stay" about New Green Acres RV Park, Walterboro, South Carolina

Jo — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:59:27 GMT

We left Massachusetts several days ago heading south. The first campground in which we stayed one night was New Green Acres RV Park in Walterboro, SC.

Information you may want:

www.newgreenacres.com
396 Campground Road, Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 538-3450
The longest and widest pull-thru sites east of the Missisippi. That is according to the website; however, the sites were very long and although we are used to backing, in most of the sites were pull-throughs so we went with that.
Electric hook-up (30 and 50 amp)
Water and sewer
Cable- but note: it is an additional $2.00.
Laundry
Swimming Pool
Children's Playground - Note: I wan't all that impressed with the playground. All in all I consider New Acres a great place to stay for a night of two but it is not a destination campground- especially since it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere!
Dog Playground
Wireless Internet Service though we didn't use it so it either wasn't available or it was to hard to use.
Restrooms...

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LoveisJoy says "Tea Stains are no Match for Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash" about Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash with Fluoride, Fresh Mint

LoveisJoy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:40:49 GMT

When I'm not drinking tea, you can find me with a cup of coffee or a glass of Diet Pepsi. Since I want to keep my teeth looking clean and fresh without giving up my favorite drinks, I'm always looking for over-the-counter whitening products that are both affordable and effective. My favorite new mouthwash is Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash. My teeth stay reasonably white, and my dentist no longer frets about stains on my wisdom teeth.

Rembrandt is made with peroxide--a proven tooth whitener. The mouthwash comes in an opaque, white bottle which makes it stand out from the other rinses on the store shelf. Another difference is that Rembrandt is a clear, colorless liquid as opposed to the minty green-blue-red colors that you typically find. I poured about two tablespoons of liquid into a cup and began to swish. The taste is not anything to write home about, but the mouthwash felt different from others I've used. There is considerable foaming action--I imagine bubbles reaching into...

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LoveisJoy says "Just What The Doctor Ordered After Surgery" about Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges 18 Lozenges

LoveisJoy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:08:42 GMT

When I was discharged from the hospital following thyroid surgery, my nurse gave me the remaining box of Chloraseptic lozenges that I had been given for 2 days. My throat was still quite sore and my nasal passages were congested from an unrelated bout of sinusitis. As my doctor told me, there's really nothing completely effective for sore throat pain, but Chloraseptic is the best you can get over the counter.

Benefits

Active ingredients - Menthol and Benzocaine act as oral anesthetics for pain relief.
Taste - Pleasant cherry taste; not too medicinal and not too sweet.
Convenience - The round lozenges easily pop out of the foil-lined packs. There's no messy liquid to spill, or sprays that miss your throat and numb your tongue.
Helps clear nasal passages.

Cautions

Original Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges do contain corn syrup and sucrose. If you are diabetic or just want a sugar-free alternative, skip this one. There is a sugar-free Chloraseptic throat lozenge that would...

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LoveisJoy says "Dollar Store Quality - I Expect A Little More From Avon" about Avon NATURALS Pomegranate & Mango Refreshing Shower Gel

LoveisJoy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:11:00 GMT

I bought a bottle of Avon Naturals Pomegranate and Mango shower gel mostly because the description sounded delicious. It's described as a fruity, tropical scent with a coordinating lotion (reviewed here) to go with it. Since it is much less expensive than Bath & Body Works products, I was hoping that I could find a similar quality shower gel at an affordable price.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. The shower gel smells nice, but it is thin and doesn't lather especially well. Unlike Bath & Body Works products that have pomegranate scents that are sophisticated and a little sexy, Avon Naturals smells like it was made for kids. It's a very sweet and simple fragrance that probably won't appeal much to a mature woman.

As noted above, the consistency of the shower gel is much thinner than what you get from similar products. It lathers okay, but doesn't feel particularly moisturizing. It does rinse off cleanly, without any residue. However, you're definitely going to need a lotion...

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Jo says "It may be hard to find your jewels at YardSaleTreasureMap.com" about YardSaleTreasureMap

Jo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:23:26 GMT

I was elated when I read about www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com. I love to go to yard sales. Before we moved I would plot out my morning by streets and spend several hours at yard sales.

Not knowing the area quite so well I have limited my hobby to yard sales on one long street in my town. www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com is simple to use. I just put in my starting address, the maximum miles I want to drive and the day I want to go treasure hunting.

When I saw a red balloon I clicked on the listing and found the specific time of the yard sale and where it was. There were details of what would be for sale as well.

There are two problems with www.YardSaleTreasureMap.com.

The listings are taken from www.craigslist.com. That is very limiting for someone like me who lives in a suburban area 50 minutes from Boston. Yard sales are posted in local newspapers or just via signs on the trees. I found one yard sale in my town. I put in Boston and found a few more but not enough for me to rave about YardSaleTreasureMap.com....

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LoveisJoy says "Please Don't Spend 7 Bucks on this Thin Lotion" about Avon NATURALS Pomegranate & Mango Moisturizing Hand and Body Lotion

LoveisJoy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:36:44 GMT

Avon is well known for offering affordable body products that moisturize and soften. However, most of their lotions don't really offer much in the way of a memorable scent. I do love juicy, tropical scents so I thought I'd try it. I wanted to see if Avon finally paired a good quality lotion with a truly fragrant scent. In my viewpoint, they still have a long way to go.

Avon Naturals Pomegranate & Mango Lotion

The Promise

"A sparkling blend of lush pomegranate and juicy mango to delight the senses and refresh the body and soul. Deliciously nourishing. Soaks in quickly; moisturizes for 24 hours. Leaves a subtle scent."

My Reality

The blend of pomegranate and mango is a sweet treat for the nostrils. Unfortunately, the initial blush of fragrance quickly turns into a cheap, kiddie smell. There aren't enough complex notes in the fragrance to create the depth of scent that you find in similar products (i.e., Bath & Body Works). It's a nice smell, but a very simple one in...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One honey Grands biscuit each did...

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

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:53:12 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

Jo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:33:50 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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