Reviews by Friends of jazzybean01

AmyA says "Hours of fun and laughs with Fling-ama-string (a toy for cats)" about Moody Pet Fling-ama-string

AmyA — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:17:34 GMT

This is not only a fun toy for cats and pet parents, but it has also won awards for Product Excellence (Gold Retailer Select), Editor's Choice (Cat Fancy), Best New Cat Product (Global Pet Expo) and Best in show (Global Pet Expo).

It was the awards that sold me when I was shopping for something new for my girls and it's was my girls reactions that made me happy I made my choice.

This is a battery operated (3 AA batteries) toy that is a simple multi colored string that goes around on an elastic belt...pulls the string up and when it gets to the front the string drops and my girls were pouncing, jumping and trying like crazy to capture the string. They both were having a blast. Scrappy (three years old) and Snickers (one year old). Doesn't matter what age...it gets them off their furry little tushies and keeps them going.

A snap to put together. place batteries in and turn it on (so easy). This two has two speeds and it hangs on an ordenary door knob so you don't have to worry...

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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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RudiXeno says "Magic Jack: It worked for me" about Magic Jack

RudiXeno — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:35:39 GMT

About a year ago a friend and business associate was over with his wife for a Sunday evening dinner.

After dinner we were talking about his business when he asked if I might be able to help him out by making some Public Relations telephone calls for him. So we discussed what the message would be and got that all squared away. He went out to his car and when he returned he tossed a little silver gizmo to me and said, "use this to make the calls."

It was a Magic Jack. His business is in Ft. Lauderdale and of course I live in Boca Raton (another County). It'll look better on the caller ID he claimed. He plugged it into my laptop, we spent just a few minutes setting it up and we plugged a corded phone into it. To test it I called my daughter in New York. She heard me loud and clear and her caller ID identified the call as originating in Ft. Lauderdale.

VOIP on the cheap

Magic Jack is basically a VOIP device that permits you to make free calls over th Internet. I'm not sure what...

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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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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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Matt says "Chimney Rock Cabernet was not a crowd pleaser but I liked it" about Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon

Matt — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:35:37 GMT

We held a wine tasting in our office yesterday with all of our employees. All age ranges and all different tastes in wine. I thought the Chimney Rock Cabernet was plesant, smooth and packed a punch in the back of your mouth. I would describe it as having a medium body with a hint of plums. I like a nice full body red wine without a lot of tannins that make your mouth pucker. Apparently a few other members of the staff thought the Chimney Rock Cab was a little boring and light for what they expected from a Cab.

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aleconner says "Wonderfully complex fruit-infused beer" about Van Honsebrouck Kasteel Rouge

aleconner — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:10:39 GMT

* Ruddy brown liquid appears scarlet red when held to the light. Light tan head dissipates quickly.

* Candied cherry aroma dominates (think Luden's cough drops). Subdued caramel malt in background.

* Sweet cherry-malt foretaste is immediately ameliorated by lightly sour cherry flavor. Sweet-sour interplay through midtaste is intriguing.

* Finish is complex and well-balanced. Suggestion of warm brown spices adds to complexity.

* Body is medium; carbonation is soft and finely beaded.

Synhopsis:

As Belgian fruit beers go, Kastel Rouge is very tasty and enjoyable, and priced a bit more moderately than its competitors in this class. Having said that, this beer is not quite as complex as some of the more acidic fruit Lambics that Belgium is known for and, perhaps, lacks that added dimention that might nicely contrast the sweetness in this beer.

Kasteel is a well-respected brand of secular Belgian beer brewed in a small variety of styles, but it doesn't get the same attention as...

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aleconner says "Another great beer at an incredibly low price " about Trader Joe's * 2009 Vintage Ale

aleconner — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:52:32 GMT

Consumer Note #1: the beer label says "Dark Ale on Lees", this means there is yeast contained in the bottle.

Consumer Note #2: this beer contains 9% alcohol by volume; drink with care.

* Dark mahogany colored, topped by a towering, creamy light tan head. Impressive intricate lacing.

* Sweet-sour nose boasts of bubblegum, citrus, ginger and brown spices. Yeastiness is also evident.

* Palate is sweet malt coupled with light coffee-like roastiness. Citric tang kicks in late. Hints of bubblegum and brown spices linger.

* Finish focuses on citric tang and yeastiness -a bit of an odd combination.

* Body is medium-full with minor warming notes. Carbonation is soft.

Synhopsis:

As in previous years/vintages, this beer is brewed for Trader Joe's by the Canadian brewer Unibroue. Unibroue is well-known and well-repected for their Belgian-inspired beers, and this series of Vintage Ales produced for Trader Joe's. Unibroue beer sold under its own label cost considerably more

I didn't enjoy...

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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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RudiXeno says "Swiss Army Officer's Watch: A Casual yet Dressy Classic Design" about Victorinox - Swiss Army Officer's Watch

RudiXeno — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:20:57 GMT

As I was saying just the other day, I've always loved watches, always!

Over the years I've collected quite a few. Some, like the Timex I wore while I served in the Army were quite inexpensive. On the other hand, some like my Rolex Submariner and Omega Speedmaster were very expensive. And finally, my Concord Delirium was in a price-class of its own. Truly, its purchase was an extreme act of ego and folly back during the days when I might have been given to that behavior.

But ordinarily I've always liked watches that were moderately priced and classically timeless. That's just what you get when you slip a Swiss Army Officer's Watch on your wrist.

Features

Precision Swiss Quartz Movement

Stainless Steel Case & Bracelet

Bracelet has Push-button Safety Clasp with Diver's Ext.

Screw-In Caseback

Sweep Second Hand

Sapphire Crystal - Extremely Scratch Resistant

100 Meters Water Resistant

Date

Luminous Hands and Hour Markers

Swiss Army Brand insignia at 12 o'clock

The case measures...

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RudiXeno says "Degree Invisible Stick - Cool Rush: Anyone can use it" about Degree Invisible Stick - Cool Rush

RudiXeno — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:24:09 GMT

For years our entire family has used Mitchum Clear Gel Anti Perspirant Deodorant in the Rain Forest scent. It worked for me as it did my wife and daughter.

But recently when at the store it was missing. I hate that! And so of course rather than going to another store I looked over the alternatives. While I wanted something that all of us could use, I'll confess. I was mostly thinking about myself. Typical guy huh?

Degree Invisible Stick Anti-perspirant & Deodorant

Although I had never tried Degree, something about the packaging appealed to me. Living here in steamy South Florida I liked that it was both a anti-perspirant & deodorant. When the temperatures climb into the 90s and the humitity hovers around 100 I like staying as dry as I can while smelling fresh.

Degree Invisible Stick is of course a solid that is advanced by twisting the bottom of the dispenser.

Goes On Invisible

They claim that it is invisible and I've found that their claim is correct. It doesn't seem...

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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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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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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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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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