Reviews by Friends of west757

Bryan-Carey says "Hayneedle.com: More than 200 Stores to Keep you Busy" about Hayneedle

Bryan-Carey — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:25:28 GMT

Finding the right gift can take some time and shopping online can often involve jumping from web site to web site as you seek out the right item for the occasion. One web site that offers a large variety of merchandise in a sngle place is Hayneedle.com, an online store that sells home- related products.

Online Store Commentary:

Hayneedle.com is an online store that offers goods in categories like patio & garden, home accessories, babies & kids, sports & games, and more. Hayneedle.com is unique in that it combines multiple “web sites” into a single online shopping experience. As you click the links and search for something to buy, you will notice that the screen changes names to another web site, such as cribs.com, musicboxes.com, birdcages.com, etc. However, the Hayneedle.com logo remains at the top of the screen and this is because most all of these web domains are part of Hayneedle.com. There are a few exceptions, but most of the stores you find while shopping at Hayneedle.com...

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Bryan-Carey says "American Diabetes Association: Advocate for the Diabetic " about American Diabetes Association

Bryan-Carey — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:34:47 GMT

Do you know someone with diabetes? Chances are you do. More than 25 million people in the United States alone suffer from this annoying and sometimes fatal disease and the numbers continue to grow each year, due in part to the obesity epidemic and poor eating habits among Americans of all ages. The foremost charity that works on behalf of diabetics everywhere is the American Diabetes Association, a non- profit health organization.

Charity Commentary:

The American Diabetes Association mission is threefold. First, this organization wants to assist those who presently have diabetes and help them live a normal life. Second, the American Diabetes Association wants to educate the public and help prevent future cases of diabetes. Third, this health organization wants to search for a cure. Its annual spending budget is divided among these three key areas of support.

I have been an active contributor to the American Diabetes Association for many years and what first drew my attention...

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Bryan-Carey says "Playskool Cool Crew Talking Vacuum Encourages and Amuses" about Playskool Crew Dusty The Talking Vacuum

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:03:03 GMT

Little kids like to help mom and dad. They usually learn how to help through imitation and they will often observe adult activities and then repeat what they see and hear. Kids will follow this process with most anything, and that includes household chores. One toy that lets children feel part of the household cleanup process is the Playskool Cool Crew Dusty Talking Vacuum, a small toy complete with sounds and sayings.

Toy Commentary:

Playskool Cool Crew Dusty Talking Vacuum is a small, plastic, upright vacuum. It features two friendly faces: One on the front of the vacuum and one on the brush attachment. It also has sounds and visual appeal. All it takes to get it activated is to roll it across a floor. As it rolls, the eyes move around and the make- believe lint swirls around on the inside, visible through the clear, plastic viewing area. The vacuum even talks to kids as they push the vacuum cleaner, with several different sayings.

My girls have been enjoying the Playskool Cool Crew Dusty...

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Bryan-Carey says "Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews Reduce Acid Fast" about Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:10:37 GMT

Heartburn sufferers know that nothing feels quite as nice as an end to the pain and plenty of over the counter drugs exist to help with this problem. Most ordinary antacids are fine for small bouts of discomfort but when heavy duty relief is needed, one product that outshines the rest is Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews, an antacid/acid reducer.

Stomach Relief Commentary:

Pepcid AC Maximum Strength EZ Chews are small, chewable tablets that can be taken without water. These chalky tablets are available in two flavors: Berries & Cream or Cooling Mint. They break down quickly, thanks to their small size, and can be consumed in a matter of seconds. They can be taken immediately, when heartburn or indigestion strike, or taken before a meal, when stomach discomfort is anticipated.

I have occasional bouts of heartburn and I am also prone to the disgusting and painful experience of acid reflux. When these serious problems arise, ordinary antacids will not even put a dent in the pain and discomfort....

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Bryan-Carey says "Old English Lemon Oil Conditions and Protects" about Old English Lemon Oil

Bryan-Carey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:21:15 GMT

End tables, kitchen tables, and other furniture needs to be kept clean and if the material is wood, the challenges are unique due to the more delicate nature of wood and the potential for disrepair. Many people clean their wooden tables with ordinary aerosol polish, but wood benefits from an occasional oil treatment and one product designed for this purpose is Old English Lemon Oil, a protective liquid cleaner for wood.

Wood Cleaner/Protector Commentary:

Old English Lemon Oil is a moisturizing product with special oils that clean and condition wood to bring out its natural beauty. This product can be used on any wood surface, and that includes wooden tables, cabinets, wood paneling, and more. Old English Lemon Oil offers a pleasant, lemon scent with an oily texture that penetrates the surface, leaving a smooth shiny surface behind and protecting against stains such as fingerprints, crayons, and various foods.

Much of the furniture in my home is composed of natural wood and most of...

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Bryan-Carey says "Habitat for Humanity: Helping Others to Help Themselves " about Habitat for Humanity

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:41:51 GMT

December is the season of giving and besides offering presents to friends and family, it is also a time to consider giving to your favorite charities. I have a long list of organizations to which I make financial contributions each year and one of them is Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to serving the housing needs of lower- income families.

Charity Commentary:

Habitat for Humanity is a non- profit charitable organization with its operations headquartered in Americus, Georgia with regional offices around the country and the world. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller and its mission is simple. This organization feels that every human should have a safe and affordable place to live and it offers its services to anyone who can demonstrate need, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Today, Habitat for Humanity can claim to have built more than 350,000 homes for needy families, across the United States and around the world.

Many...

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Bryan-Carey says "Absolut Mandarin Adds a New Dimension of Taste" about Absolut Mandarin Vodka

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:05:24 GMT

Flavored liquors continue to grow in popularity and nowhere is this more evident than with vodka. Given vodka's neutral profile, it makes sense that it would be the liquor most likely to be flavored and one of many examples is Absolut Mandarin Vodka, a orange- enhanced vodka from Sweden.

Vodka Commentary:

Absolut Mandarin Vodka is an 80- proof, flavored vodka made from winter wheat, grown in the native Sweden, and it is made using Absolut's patented continuous distillation process. This flavored vodka features the aroma and flavor of orange, with orange peel being the dominant characteristic, along with a small amount of tangerine. The flavor of alcohol is obvious and the aftertaste is very orange- like and pleasant.

I'm a purist by nature and because of this, I generally do not like flavorings added to liquor of any type. However, with vodka, I have made an exception more than once. I have found that many of these flavored varieties not only match up nicely with the taste and character...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Wii Outdoor Challenge provides indoor fun & exercise!" about wii - Outdoor Challenge

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:28:13 GMT

Active Life Outdoor Challenge for Wii

I would always rather be outside hiking or playing tennis but there are those cold and wet days that just aren't cooperative and I have found that Active Life Outdoor Challenge for Wii is a fun way to get some exercise indoors. The games are fun so the time passes quickly and if you make the right combination of choices, you really can get a good workout from Outdoor Challenge.

Outdoor Challenge comes with the Wii game and the Active Life mat. The Active Life Mat looks alot like the "dance mats." <br>

The Outdoor Challenge has 12 different games includes log rolling, see saw, jump rope, water trampoline, mine cart, river rafting and more. <br>

You can play Outdoor Challenge games alone or with a partner. You can play Outdoor Challenge games as a team or as competitors.

Here are some examples:

In see-saw two players (on screen) are sitting balanced on a sea-saw. Players are kneeling at the Active Life mat and watching for symbols on the screen...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Leatherman: Every man & woman needs a Leatherman" about Leatherman Kick with Leather Sheath

AngelaWLaFon — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:28:03 GMT

Leatherman Kick

What is a Leatherman Kick? A Leatherman is a hand held multi-tool that has many tools in one. There are a several versions such as the Leatherman Blast or Leatherman Kick. The Leatherman Kick is a smaller, lighterwieght version. The Leatherman Kick measures about 4 inches and weighs just over 5 ounces.

Features of the Leatherman Kick:

Needlenose Pliers

Regular Pliers

Wire Cutters

Lanyard Ring

Hard-wire Cutters

Knife

Large Screwdriver

Small Screwdriver

Phillips Screwdriver

Ruler (8 inches)

Bottle Opener/Can Opener

In my opinion, the only thing that it is missing is a wine cork. I use a Leatherman all the time from changing the batteries in electronic toys to cutting floral wire to holding hooks while I heat stain-glass. The Leatherman really is a multi-purpose tool.

All of these tools are folded inside of a streamlined, handheld tool. The Leatherman comes with a belt sheath if you are so inclined. It's available with either a leather sheath or a nylon sheath. ...

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Bryan-Carey says "Orbitz.com Takes Care of Your Travel Needs" about Orbitz

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:16:32 GMT

If you like to travel, then there is a very good chance you have utilized the internet and its many travel- related web sites. I have used most every travel site in cyberspace at least once, or so it seems. But there are a few I use more than others and one is Orbitz.com, a full- service travel web site.

Travel Site Commentary:

From the home page, Orbitz.com is ready to launch you into the flight search function. This is the standard default, since most people use this service for flights. However, you can quickly click the appropriate place and search for a hotel, car rental, cruise, and even activities, as well as a combination of the above (flight plus car, flight plus hotel, etc). If you have other travel plans or would like to see more options first, you can go to the appropriate tab for vacation packages, flights, hotels, cruises, cars & rail, etc. The rail option will link you to Amtrak, but the other options keep you right at Orbitz.com, to complete your travel purchase.

Flights...

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Bryan-Carey says "Dawn Hand Renewal: Good Cleaning Ability and Scent " about Dawn Hand Renewal With Olay Beauty Dish Soap

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:22:39 GMT

Are dishwashing liquids all the same? Most are effective at cleaning dishes, but others offer extra ingredients or extra abilities that supposedly set them apart from the competition. One such product is Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Pomegranate and Splash, a dishwashing liquid and hand softener.

Dishwashing Detergent Commentary:

Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Pomegranate and Splash is one of several dishwashing liquid varieties sold under the Dawn label and one of four varieties sold under the Hand Renewal series. This product is orange/pink in color with a scent that is very much like air freshener, combining soap with citrus. It is unique among dishwashing liquids in that it includes special Olay hand- softening ingredients that, according to the manufacturer, will make your hands softer after five uses. The texture of this dishwashing liquid is somewhat like thin lotion, and a little bit sticky; which, again, sets it apart from most others.

Washing dishes is one of the few household...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Still feel (like I wanna wear) Beautiful after all these years." about Estee Lauder Beautiful

AngelaWLaFon — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:22:14 GMT

Beautiful perfume by Estee Lauder

Many moon cycles ago I fell in love with Estee Lauder's Beautiful perfume. I asked for it as a Christmas gift and got it and ended up happily receiving Beautiful perfume as a Christmas gift for several years. As time went by I have tried many scents. I've tried Clinique's "Happy" but it just doesn't make me happy. I love dream angel's Heavenly Bloom (Victoria Secrets) but it is more of a frangrance mist for everyday that isn't long lasting. For an all evening long scent that smells like me, just better, I keep coming back to Beautiful. It's not an everyday perfume for me but it is my special event go to scent.

Beautiful has floral undertones but to me it smells more like "white" flowers that are crisp and clean and strong and not "pink" sweet flowers. One spray is all you need of the long lasting scent of Beautiful.

The Beautiful Collection by Estee Lauder:

Eau de Parfum Spray 1 oz. (usually around $48.00)

Eau de Parfum Spray 2.5 oz. (usually...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Clorox Greenworks: My fav detergents need not be green with envy" about Clorox Greenworks Free & Clear Natural Dishwashing Liquid

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:31:31 GMT

Clorox Greenworks Free & Clear Dishwashing Detergent

When I think of Clorox I usually think of Clorox bleach, the bleach product that I use as a last resort for cleaning and laundry as bleach is by no means a green product. Clorox does make other products though and Clorox has jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon by making a line of greener cleaning products called "Greenworks."

The Clorox Greenworks Free & Clear dishwashing detergent is made from essential oils and coconut-based cleaners without unnecessary added ingredients. I am very interested in green cleaning products but I am also interested in effectiveness, not creating extra work for myself and of course price.

I received several coupons for Clorox Greenworks Free & Clear Dishwashing detergent that made the price just right so I bought several bottles. It smells clean but there really is no scent.

My Viewpoint: Clorox Greenworks gets fairly sudsy and is effective at cleaning dishes. It rinses just fine and doesn't leave...

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AngelaWLaFon says "JVC Flats headphones: functioanl & comfortable headphones" about JVC - Flats Stereo Headphones

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:57:44 GMT

JVC Flats Stereo Headphones

I have yet to get comfortable with "ear-buds" or to introduce the idea to my children. Headphones however are a must around our house. We use headphones for many applications at our house:

-playing educational computer games

-listening to books on CD or tape

-using a mini-recorder for violin lessons

-using Story Reader

- an iPod

-watching movies on the computer

(-watching movies in Grandma's car on the DVD player since Mommy refuses to have one in her car)

Headphones mean that everyone can be busy in the same room together without interrupting each other. Little brother can listen to the same book on tape like Arthur Babysits over and over without driving big sister crazy and big sister can listen to Foggy Mountain Breakdown over and over without driving all of us crazy.

With our lists of techno applications growing and our youngest child joining in on many techno adventures, we needed to add more headphones to the collection. We chose the JVC Flats Stereo...

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Bryan-Carey says "Resolve Eliminates Many Carpet Stains in Minutes" about resolve Carpet Cleaner

Bryan-Carey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:11:08 GMT

Carpets are bound to stain at some point. Even when the utmost care is exercised and pets are kept out of the house, accidents are bound to occur and when they do, I reach for Resolve Triple Action Carpet Stain Remover, a liquid carpet cleaner.

Carpet Cleaner Commentary:

Resolve Triple Action Carpet Stain Remover is manufactured for the purpose of cleaning small stains on most types of carpets. This carpet cleaner is liquid and offers a pleasant, citrus like scent. A few pumps of the trigger sprayer are all it takes to penetrate stains and break them apart. This product can be used to clean common food and beverage stains as well as ink, oil, pet stains, dirt, and more.

My home includes only a limited amount of carpet, in the bedrooms, game room, and hallways. However, all of the carpet in my home is light in color and thus prone to show any stain, however small. Add to this the fact that we have two little girls and two dogs and you have all the ingredients for stained carpeting. When...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Ben 10 watch: Easy gift makes young Ben 10 fans happy." about Ben 10 Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix Watch

AngelaWLaFon — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:16:10 GMT

Ben 10 Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix

Usually when I write a toy review I can tell you all of the educational benefits, why I like he toy and what makes it attractive to kids. This is no such review.

We had never even heard of Ben10 when my son went to a Ben10 birthday party and saw all of the cool Ben10 loot and became a fan. I've learned that Ben10 is a cartoon on the Cartoon Network and there is a new Ben10 movie, Alien Swarm as well.

For his birthday my son asked for what he called the Ben10 watch. Even though it is often marketed as a watch, there is actually no time telling device on board. The package actually calls it the "ultimate omnitrix."

The Ben10 Ultimate Omnitrix is a rubber and plastic super cool extravaganza for the wrist. Although there is no time telling device, the omnitrix moves, lights up and talks.

You can attach the mini figures to activate the Alien Voice and Glowing Lights. Swampfire mini figure is included. Others are sold separately.

The Alien Collection...

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Bryan-Carey says "Discovery Channel Meets E-Commerce" about The Discovery Store

Bryan-Carey — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:02:31 GMT

If you like the subject of science, then chances are you are a fan of the many science- oriented television channels and you likely enjoy the educational aspects that make this type of viewing more worthwhile than other channels. And, chances are, you probably count the Discovery Channel among your favorites. If you do, then you might also enjoy The Discovery Store Online, the online store for the popular cable channel.

Online Store Commentary:

The Discovery Store offers items for sale in several categories, including toys and games, dvd, books, telescopes, fan gear, and more. Along with the merchandise available in these categories, visitors to The Discovery Store can also purchase gift cards, request a catalog, and sign up for e-mail alerts when specific items of merchandise or events become available or known.

I first visited The Discovery Store looking for items for my two girls and I did find some good, educational toys and games for sale- items that help to expand knowledge...

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Jolie says "buyuggsboot.net is a scam! Ugg Boots from China that are fake." about www.buyuggsboot.net

Jolie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:22:46 GMT

Background on Buyuggsboot.net

A friend of mine at Viewpoints recently passed along a site called www.buyuggsboot.net. She found it online. www.buyuggsboot.net is a web site that sells all styles of Ugg Boots at discounted prices.

We werent certain if www.buyuggsboot.net were the real or not. But after a thorough review of the site, we thought it was legit. Buyuggsboot.net looks like a reasonable reseller of Ugg Boots. The page is designed well, the pictures look authentic and they make claim to having the real deal. They also consistently site throughout the web site having customer satisfaction commitments.

To add to the thought it was authentic, the pricing seemed good but not amazing. As you probably know a typical pair of Ugg Boots cost about $110. On Buyuggsboot.net the cost was $89.00- approximately a $20 savings. Seemed like a good deal, but they werent so cheap that I thought it could be scam. As an aside, last year Nordstrom had a similiar sale on Ugg boots so the pricing seemed...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Cuisinart Waffle Maker Makes Homemade Waffles Easy & Yummy" about Cuisinart Waffle Maker - Classic Round Waffle Maker - WMR-CA

AngelaWLaFon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:09:56 GMT

Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker

I am a big believer in starting the day off right with breakfast. As a homeschool family, we enjoy making and eating breakfast together. It may be as simple as some yogurt with granola or scrambled eggs with rosemary but waffles are always a hit. I admit I've been a frozen waffle buyer for years but last year we traveled across the country and the kids discovered fresh waffle makers in hotels. It's just hard to go back to frozen waffles after enjoying freshly made waffles.

The Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker:

Comes in stainless steel

Easy to use with a "Ready to Bake Light" and "Ready to Eat Light"

3 settings for your waffle preference

Heats up fast

Wipe clean baking plates

The Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker really is easy to use. I have a couple of tips though. Spray with Pam. Follow the directions and don't fill the waffle maker plates all the way or else it will run over. Fill about 2/3 full and you'll have a full size waffle after you close...

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Bryan-Carey says "Gladys Porter Zoo: Small, but Very Memorable" about Gladys Porter Zoo

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:29:08 GMT

Family time at the zoo is a regular occurrence in my household, thanks to our membership at the Houston Zoo. We visit several times per year, for educational and recreational purposes but even though we have a membership, we still like to check out other zoos while on vacation. And one zoo we visited recently and enjoyed very much is the Gladys Porter Zoo, a small zoo located in Brownsville, Texas.

Zoo Facts:

The Gladys Porter Zoo is located near downtown Brownsville, Texas. This small zoo opened to the public for the fist time on September 3, 1971, the result of a private donation to the City of Brownsville, which now owns and operates the zoo. The zoo is smaller than average, with only about 31 acres of total space.

Gladys Porter Zoo includes exhibits of animals from all of the major continents and the animals are allowed to roam freely. This zoo divides itself into four main sections: Tropical America, Indo- Australia, Africa, and Other. In addition to the animals, the Gladys Porter...

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