Reviews by Friends of slenkey

PattyTherre says "Works for plunging styles but the girls feel lonely so far apart" about Vassarette Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra

PattyTherre — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:36:44 GMT

Quick View: I am a bit of a bra snob. I expect my bras to fit well, have good support, give me a great looking silhouette and, most of all, be comfortable. I really am not brand loyal and will wear cheaper brands and well as pricey ones ifd they give me what I want. This bra was a "necessary purchase" in that I needed a plunge bra right away and had little time to choose. It is OK but not as flattering as I would like.

My Take on the Vassarette Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra

I must have at least 10 plunge bras but of course when I needed one, I couldn't find the right one. I was on my way to an event and put on my new designer cowl neck top and the cowl part plunged too far in the middle for me to wear a regular bra. I needed a deeply plunging one so I went into my big ole bin of bras and started searching. I gave up and went to KMart, rushed in, saw the Vassarette Women's Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra and picked my size in nude, and left all within a few minutes.

The bra is a...

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CyndiA says "French's spicy brown mustard - nice taste with a little kick. " about French's brown mustard

CyndiA — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:31:54 GMT

My son just discovered French's spicy brown mustard which made me laugh, since I've always had some on hand. I'll eat the regular hot dog mustard, but I like the little extra zip with the spicy brown. The kid didn't touch it, since it said "spicy." He's not big on hot foods.

I grilled brats, and we were out of yellow mustard. So, the kid decided to try French's spicy brown, and it was love at first bite.

Don't let the name fool you. French's spicy brown is just a nice balanced mustard with a bit of extra flavor but not enough to put anyone off. If it had much kick, the kid would not have eaten it and sure would not be using up all my French's spicy brown mustard now.

Looks like I can cut way back on plain yellow mustard and double up on French's spicy. My son likes it on burgers, sandwiches, and on fried Spam or Treet meat. It's his new favorite condiment.

If you've hesitated to try French's spicy brown due to the spicy name, give it a try. It really is not hot at all. It just packs a bit...

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CyndiA says "Grill Floss - best barbecue grill cleaning tool I've ever owned." about Grillfloss - Barbecue Cleaning Tool, GFLXL, Stainless Steel

CyndiA — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:06:00 GMT

I looked at GrillFloss a long time before I bought one, and I was blown away by how well it worked. It's one of those products that I should have bought long ago. It makes cleaning a barbecue grill so much easier.

Grill Floss has a hook on the end. The hook can be flipped over for larger sized grates. I generally use the smaller end with charcoal grates, since I cook over charcoal most often. And, those grates tend to be the thinner wire types. But, Grill Floss works well on the larger gas grill grates too.

With the little hook design, this just slides right up and down the grate and into the corners and does a great job in getting the gunk off. It takes hardly any elbow grease at all especially if you use GrillFloss when the grates are still warm.

I was so impressed with Grill Floss that I added it at my Open Sky Yes You Can Grill barbecue store online. I just carry top picks for outdoor cooking, so this is definately a thumbs up and a grill cleaning tool I'd recommend to anyone who grills...

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CyndiA says "Acer Aspire netbook - great "on the go" computer in a mini size." about Acer Netbook Aspire One

CyndiA — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:54:45 GMT

One of my students showed up with an Acer Aspire, and I was amazed at how small the little netbook is compared to a full sized laptop computer. I'm not tall enough to actualy use a laptop on my lap, but the Acer looked like it might work. And, it did. The Acer Aspire fits right on my lap with room to move my elbows out and type. Yay!

Now, I have an Acer. It's red, but the red color is not fire engine. It's more a burnt red color. They have pink like in the photo as well as blue, black, and white.

Mine is the 10 inch, since they are phasing out the 9 inch. The only difference is screen size. You don't get a smaller netbook with a 9 inch. You just get a little more plastic around the edges.

The main difference with the netbooks is that they have less storage space, but I do an heavy duty computer work on my desktop computer. A netbook is not designed to hold big programs like PageMaker, but it does fine with MS Word and a few other smaller programs loaded on there. You do need a portable...

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PattyTherre says "I look like I have rabies when I use this. TOO much foam for me!" about Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

PattyTherre — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:37:27 GMT

Quick View: I received a full sized container of Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste in the Fresh Impact flavor from a program called "She Speaks". It was not sent for me to review, just to use. They send lots of free stuff. I thought I would like this new toothpaste but I don't. It's messy and the dispenser is tough to use. Plus it's pricey and I don't see any difference in the whiteness of my teeth from when I use Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste or Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste and they help my sensitive teeth as well as cleaning and whitening my teeth.

My Take on Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

This toothpaste comes in an plastic standing tube with a big plastic push down top. The top is tough to manipulate and, when the paste comes out, it's hard to meter how much comes out of the tube. Sometimes a little releases, sometimes a lot. Also, I can't see through the packaging to see how much toothpaste I have left and that bugs me. The dispenser also gets foamy and...

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PattyTherre says "Not enough hydration, weird tint, and wears off too fast!" about Blistex Lip Tone

PattyTherre — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:34:54 GMT

Quick View: i have a load of lip balms but always pick up more. I have dry, often times chapped lips so I need a good balm that heals as well as protects. I don't feel Blistex Lip Tone heals at all and it is so thin that it only lasts minutes on my lips. And the tint? Weird!

My Take on Blistex Lip Tone

This balm comes in a Chapstick-like tube and has a brownish tint to it. I think it is supposed to be lip color but my lips are very pink so the tint makes them look brownish. I don't like or need tint in my balms and didn't realize I was buying a tinted balm when I bought this one.

Moving past the color issues, this balm does have SPF 15 in it and the only active ingredients in are sunscreens. It's a nice plus as our lips can and do burn in the sun - summer or winter.

The balm is very thin and somewhat sweet. It smooths on fine but, if I don't look in a mirror when applying, I get that weird tint on the skin around my lips and I look like a kid who has playing in her mother's makeup kit.

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TheBard says "Love The Rise, the Price,and the Taste" about Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix

TheBard — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:48:11 GMT

Nothing goes better with BBQ ribs and baked beans than freshly baked cornbread coated in rich, creamy butter. I sometimes make my own from scratch, sometimes whip up some Jiffy, but I recently discovered the 15oz. box of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix made with real honey.

My Viewpoint

The flavor of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread is not surprisingly, tasty. The honey flavor (honey powder is listed as an ingredient) is mild and not overpowering. The cornbread's texture is moist, not dry like cheaper brands, and almost cake-like. Of course I added my own ingredients to the mix: a teaspoon of nutmeg, and a hint of allspice.

Krusteaz Honey Cornbread is a simple cornbread mix making it easy to prepare. To make the basic recipe, add to the mix is 2/3 cups of milk, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 Lg. egg. On the side and back of the box are two more recipes to spice up the cornbread and turn the mix into a full meal; Bacon & Cheddar Mini Corn Loaves anyone?

I highly recommend...

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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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PattyTherre says "A great value but I wish the primer wasn't so chalky colored." about e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

PattyTherre — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:58:31 GMT

Quick View: e.l.f.'s studio line is a little pricier than their dollar cosmetics but by only a couple of bucks. This dual use product is just $3.00 and works fairly well. I don't love the nude color of the lip primer though. It is a bit chalky looking.

My Take on e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

This little stick costs $3.00. One one side is a natural/nude lip primer that you apply before using lip color to help make the color cling and last and to fill in little lip lines. On the other side is the nearly clear plumper than can be worn over the primer, alone, or over lip colors.

The plumper has cinnamon in it which boosts circulation, giving lips a temporary look of fullness and a flush of color. I like the cinnamon scent and taste and don't mind the slight burning sensation I get when I use the plumper. It's very common for plumpers and this one isn't nearly as bad as many other plumpers.

I often will use the primer, apply the plumper and then color or do it the other way around and...

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PattyTherre says "Helps protect sensitive teeth and precious tooth enamel." about Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

PattyTherre — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:58:33 GMT

Quick View: I have a few teeth that are super sensitive. I like Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste very much but I also worry about brushing away the enamel on my teeth which, at 45, is a concern. I switch my use of toothpastes fairly often but I do like Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth. It helps keep my teeth stain free, reduces my sensitivity and protect my tooth enamel.

My Take on Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

This toothpaste comes in a few fresh flavors and all are great for freshening my breath. A four ounce tube is around $5.00 so this is pricier than usual toothpastes but, if you have sensitive teeth, you know it is worth the extra cost.

The toothpaste is not abrasive so it doesn't cause tooth enamel loss which is really important as we age. It has ingredients to gently reduce tooth sensitivity and it truly works. My dentist says it is only brand made that actually works for sensitive teeth and I believe...

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TheBard says "These Are Seriously Delicious" about Pillsbury Grands Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls

TheBard — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:58:54 GMT

It's the weekend and in the Bard's household that usually means some sort of decadent high calorie, high fat desert pastry for Saturday morning breakfast! Sometimes I pick up something fresh from the local supermarket, or sometimes I pop something into the oven. Today, that something was a fresh batch of Pillsbury Grand's Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls, made with "Cinnabon" cinnamon and cream cheese icing.

My Viewpoint

I am pleased with my choice for this weekend's breakfast pasty; these cinnamon buns are seriously flaky and delicious! I prepared the cinnamon buns per package instructions; sixteen minutes in the oven at 350 degrees and they were ready to emerge; browned, hot, moist, and yummy.

The package contains a small container of cream cheese icing, which is just enough to cover the (5) cinnamon buns.

I highly recommend Pillsbury Grands Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls; for about $3.79 a can (in the dairy section) they are a bargain compared to the $3.99 I would have...

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PattyTherre says "It's a Miracle that I like this pink frilly, girly scent!" about Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

PattyTherre — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:40:17 GMT

Quick View: I am not a fan of floral fragrances and shun most classic scents. However, after trying Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray, which was given to me as a gift by a friend, I realize that a little bit of a frilly scent can work for me. This is a sexy, very feminine scent that I like for a nice change of pace.

My Take on Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

My review entitled My Top Fragrances: Fresh, Clean, and Sexy! really says it all about my preferences. I don't like florals and I prefer fresh, clean, or citrus scents. When I was sent a 1.7 ounce bottle of Miracle, I didn't even like that the box was pink. That, to me, seemed like the scent would be very floral and maybe even a rose scent. I like roses but hate wearing their scent on me.

I was mistaken though. Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray really doesn't have a marked floral scent. More, it smells sweet and feminine. It's definitely a girly scent but not at all classic or overwhelming. It's hard to describe the actual scent...

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CyndiA says "Love Softsoap Pomegranate and Mango - Yum - So Sexy. " about Softsoap Pomegranate and Mango Moisturizing Body Wash

CyndiA — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:13:50 GMT

I like Softsoap products in general, but I really LOVE the new pomegranate and mango scent. Whew boy. It's a wonderful scent both in the bathroom and all over the house when it's shower time for anyone around here.

Softsoap brand is inexpensive for the bottle soap, and I've found the squeeze soap works better around here. The bars get so messy, and I'm not even convinced the boys use bar soap when I put that in the shower.

I've always just grabbed any scent of Softsoap. One is about as good as another . . . until this pomegranate and mango. They just really knocked it out of the park with this scent.

I thought it just might be me, but my son in college mentioned that the last soap I sent was really great. Yep. It was the pomegranate and mango scent. He has a girlfriend now, so that may be part of the reason he noticed, but this Softsoap really does smell wonderful.

This week I found Softsaop pomegranate and mango at the Dollar Store in town. The manager taught me piano lessons, so I...

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RudiXeno says "Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster: Finally!" about Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster

RudiXeno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:24 GMT

I've long had a love/hate relationship with Black & Decker DustBusters. I loved their portability, but always found them underpowered and nasty to to clean.

So, when we were looking to replace our ancient and failing DustBuster DB200, I was inclined to look at several different brands. For one reason or another, portable vacuums by Euro-Pro, Bissell and Dirt Devil didn't appeal to me.

Then I spotted the Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster. It had a substantial look to it. I was impressed immediately to learn that it was powered by a 14.4V battery.

More Power, More Run-Time

By the time we were replacing our older unit, its run-time was no more than 5 - 6 minutes. This new DustBuster claimed that fully charged it would provide 15 minutes of continuous run-time. That seemed more than adequate to me for routine use around the house.

But what really got my attention was its relative suction power. Measured in air watts, the new model was rated at 25, while our...

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PattyTherre says "Your face will look better if you start with a Tarte Clean Slate" about Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

PattyTherre — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:57:21 GMT

Quick View: I rarely apply makeup without using a primer first. I have a few faves but wanted to try a natural one so I chose Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer to try. I like it! It gives my face a great canvas to apply makeup and doesn't clog my pores at all.

My Take on Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

This primer is clear and is propylene glycol free, preservative free, phthalate free, dye free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, fragrance free, and dermatologist tested. It has a load of good for your skin ingredients in it such as avocado oil, echinacea root extract, rosemary leaf extract, and Tarte's exclusive t5 complex which is a blend of five anti-oxidizing fruits.

All that is great but not if the primer doesn't work or causes breakouts. I pretty much stick to just a couple of primers that I know work for me so I was a little leery of what Tarte could do. The primer is clear and has a silicone base. That makes it slide over my skin and fill in little lines...

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RudiXeno says "Dremel Cordless Multi Tool: More uses than you can think of" about Dremel Cordless Multi Tool 7700

RudiXeno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:25:43 GMT

For as long as I can remember I've had an infatuation with Dremel Rotary Tools. What's hard to understand? I'm a male, the Dremel spins fast and it grinds, sands, cuts, drills and polishes. Case closed.

Background

I remember watching my uncle using his Dremel. I was always impresed with what he could do with this versatile tool.

At the time I was really into AMT 3-in-1 automobile models. I would always opt to customize my new model. So, I would take out the included putty and customize away. It wasn't long before I realized that with the Dremel Rotary Tool I could really refine my designs. Before you knew it I was winning local modeling competitions. So, my dad, the least handy person I know (barring my brother) got me my own. To this day I still own it.

Time Marches On

These days, the tools de jour are cordless. So, when I saw the Cordless 7.2V Dremel Multi Tool, I just knew I had to have it. Never mind that I still had two perfectly good corded Dremels in my...

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PattyTherre says "Very good results but way too runny and I need too much!" about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

PattyTherre — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:45:59 GMT

Quick View: I like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo and I also like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner but this somewhat pricey conditioner is very watery and I need a load of it to cover my long hair. I like the results but it's not worth the price when I run out so much sooner than I do the shampoo.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

This conditioner comes in an 8 ounce flip top plastic bottle. It looks exactly like the shampoo and it is really hard to tell in the shower which is which, the ONLY difference is the word Conditioner on the label.

Made with real pressed olive oil, this conditioner smells heavenly. It's a nice change from floral conditioners and very unisex. The consistency is almost like water though. It has a weird kind of blue green tint and it is super thin and runny. When I pour it into my hand, it leaks between my fingers and I lose some of it. I need a lot...

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PattyTherre says "Olive oil isn't just for cooking. It makes my hair shiny & soft." about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:43:42 GMT

Quick View: I use olive oil products from The Body Shop, Wei East, and Serious Skin Care. I actually stumbled across a bottle of Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo in my big bin of shampoos and conditioners last week and started using it again. It is a good shampoo that makes my somewhat dry hair silky, soft, and shiny.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

I found a bottle of this shampoo and conditioner and it looked like I had only used it a few times. I like The Body Shop Olive Glossing Shampoo so I decided to give the shampoo another try. I had no idea if I liked it before or not but I have so many different hair care products that they get rotated often and sometimes even forgotten about.

The shampoo comes in an 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip open lid. It's green and lathers richly. The scent is like olive oil. It's rich, bold, and unisex. I really love the scent. It's a nice change from the frilly floral shampoos I...

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PattyTherre says "Closest thing to real Uggs I have found and under $25.00!" about Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:57:06 GMT

Quick View: I have two pairs of "real" Uggs and love them. I wanted at least one more pair this year but my budget's tight. I couldn't justify spending so much on more boots. I tried lots of different "Ugg-alikes" but they all fell way short of the real thing. However, Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots are VERY similar to Uggs in many ways. They are closest thing to the real thing I have found and I only paid $22.00 for mine on sale at Target.

My Take on Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

Thse 8" shaft suede boots look very, very similar to Uggs. They come in Gray, Chestnut, Sand, Brown, and Black that I saw. Online, they are selling out and only have Chestnut and Gray left at Target.com. I bought the gray pair at first. They were on sale for $22.00 and it was an impulse purchase.

However, I soon realized that these boots were super warm and super comfortable. Uggs has sheepskin lining whereas these boots have faux fur. Otherwise, it's almost impossible to tell these apart from real Uggs....

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PattyTherre says "I really don't see much whitening with Crest Vivid White Night." about Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

PattyTherre — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:52:46 GMT

Quick View: I am a tough case when it comes to whitening my teeth because I drink loads of tea every day and have since I was a teen. On top of that, I enjoy Diet Coke and Pepsi daily as well. They stain teeth badly and getting those stains off is no easy task. It doesn't appear that Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste is going to do more than other whitening toothpastes for me.

My Take on Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

This toothpaste comes in a 4.1 ounce tube, smaller than typical toothpaste tubes. It promises to loosen stains at night so that you can brush them away in the morning. I love that concept but then on the tube, it says to brush teeth morning and night with the toothpaste so is it a night product or an anytime one?

The toothpaste tastes fine. It is minty and fresh and does a good job cleaning my teeth and freshening my breath. After I brush, I do seem to have slightly whiter teeth but I think that is just because I do a really thorough job brushing at night and my teeth...

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