Reviews by jnoshields

jnoshields says "Pure yumminess in a tub." about Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cheesecake Filling Tubs

jnoshields — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:33:03 GMT

I first encountered this product while grocery shopping with a friend for some party snacks; she pointed it out and insisted we buy some, along with some potato chips with ridges (e.g. Ruffles or Wavy Lays) for dipping. My first reaction was somewhere between "yum" and "ew," not really sure whether I should be delightfully anticipating this deliciousness or disgusted at myself for choosing such an unhealthy snack. Upon trying it, "yum" definitely won over. It does make a pretty good salty-chip dip, but I found something even better to dip in it: cinnamon-sugar pita chips (like Stacy's). The great thing about using this is a snack dip is that you really don't have to feel guilty about it, since the amount you actually use for dipping doesn't even equal half a normal serving of cheesecake. Plus, pair it with something that's not junk food (like the pita chips) and it's a delicious, indulgent snack you don't have to punish yourself for. Another benefit: I don't give in to cheesecake cravings...

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jnoshields says "Turtle Chex Mix is only half a chocolate bar away from perfect!" about Chex - Chocolate Chex Mix Turtle

jnoshields — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:28:29 GMT

I tried this because I had a coupon for any of the Chex Mix Chocolate varieties, and I very much liked the idea of chocolate with my snack mix. (What girl doesn't?) With the general good reputation Chex has, and the fact that it can include chocolate in this mix while still being able to boast "50% less fat than regular potato chips" on the bag, it's a guilt-free snack that leaves me feeling okay with myself. The mix includes caramel-coated popcorn, caramel-coated and chocolate-powder-sprinkled Chex squares, small M&M-like chocolate candies, honey-roasted peanuts, and chocolate-powder-sprinkled pretzels (sans salt). I have one very strong recommendation that I believe would make this snack ideal. If they had just dipped the pretzels in chocolate (instead of dusting them with powder), it would all be perfect--though probably a little higher calorie. I'd even settle for a bit of salt on the pretzels and keep the chocolate powder. The problem is that the pretzels are bland and a disappointment...

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jnoshields says "I can't imagine life without my Magic Bullet." about Magic Bullet Blender - High Speed Mixing System

jnoshields — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:16:16 GMT

I always make fun of infomercials--don't we all?--and the Magic Bullet was no exception. When my best friend's parents gave me and my husband a Magic Bullet for our wedding, we laughed and wondered if we'd ever even use the thing. Four years later, I can't even tell you *how* many times we use it, every week, for so many things. I've discovered this thing can make just about any fruit-yogurt-juice combination into an excellent smoothie (and a healthy, quick, on-the-go breakfast--which, by the way, I can blend right in the cup I'll drink it out of), milkshakes made at home are way better than what I can get at a drive-thru, and large bulky food processers that take up tons of counter space are no match for this powerful little blender! We leave the base on the kitchen counter for easy access since we use it so often, and it takes up so little space. For us, it's replaced lots of other gadgets we received as wedding gifts--like a fancy smoothie blender that leaked and didn't blend well, a...

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jnoshields says "Stock up on B&BW shampoo at the next semi-annual sale!" about Bath and Body Works Moisturizing Shampoo

jnoshields — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:26:05 GMT

I am J, and I am a Bath & Body Works addict. I can't even tell you how many shelves and drawers in my home are filled solely with products from this store. So when B&BW started selling shampoo a few years ago in their signature fragrances, of course I had to try it. I'm pretty particular about my hair care products for two reasons. First, I have hair that tends to tangle when it's too squeaky-clean, so I need something moisturizing and smoothing; but my hair also gets easily weighed down with too much moisture from a hair care product, so it has to have a delicate balance. Second, I want the fragrance of my shampoo and conditioner to complement my body wash and other body care products--fruity with fruity, flowery with flowery, etc. This shampoo (and its coordinating conditioner) absolutely fits the bill for me. There's only one problem: they discontinued it! But, thankfully, B&BW brings it back for the semi-annual sales in January and June. Stock up--I bought about 12 bottles at the last...

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jnoshields says "Pretty good--I'm waiting to see if I notice long-term results!" about Mario Badescu Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream

jnoshields — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:10:41 GMT

I'm only 24 and seeing premature signs of aging that are freaking me out. About a month ago, I had to take a couple of difficult tests to be certified for a job, and I stressed, didn't sleep, cried, you get the picture. I looked in the mirror after the tests were over, and the skin under my eyes was red and puffy, below the usual dark circles. I began to panic and have since tried every eye cream I can get my hands on. Among those I've tried, this one ranks pretty high as far as I can tell. I received it in a free sample pack from Mario Badescu's website (definitely order samples if you can find a link; the last time I rechecked, they had stopped giving them out), along with usage directions I wouldn't necessarily follow to a T. I was instructed to use this morning and night... well, it's perfect for night, but I wouldn't try it during the day. (It's a very thick moisturizing cream, so I don't think makeup would stay on top of it.) It cools and soothes, and I haven't noticed any bags under...

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jnoshields says "I haven't smelled anything this good in years!" about Herbal Essences Body Envy

jnoshields — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:53:44 GMT

I have thick hair that I have to flatten down with a straightener, so needless to say, I don't actively seek out volumizing hair care products on a regular basis. But I got to try this through a product test program, and I'm incredibly glad I did. I don't think I fully understood what having body in my hair meant until I tried Herbal Essences Body Envy. First of all, the fragrance is divine. It's called white nectarine and pink coral (I didn't know coral had a scent), this unique and scrumptious blend of fruity and flowery smells that seems to complement all my other body care products very well, which is hard to do. (To me, that's pretty important; I'm picky about using shampoo and body wash that "go together.") Next, it lathers up really richly and gives my hair a deep clean, which feels great. Finally, it leaves my hair soft, shiny, and full of bounce--almost a springy feel to it. And it's very inexpensive! I recommend everyone try this, whatever your hair type.

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jnoshields says "Strap Perfect definitely keeps the straps in place!" about Strap Perfect Strap Perfect 6 pack bra strap solution

jnoshields — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:10:09 GMT

Like most women, I've been watching the Strap Perfect infomercials for a couple of years now and wondered over and over whether the darn things actually work. Thanks to a promo going on at one of my favorite online retailers, I was able to buy these and get a rebate, so I bought them (thinking, hey, if they turn out to be crap, I didn't lose any money). They actually do work pretty well! The Strap Perfect is not quite as easy to put on as they show in the commercials, at least not for me, but once it's on, it definitely holds the straps in place so you don't have to worry about them sliding down your shoulder. Also, it keeps the straps pulled tight, and that helps you keep good posture (also perks things up a bit!). The only downside: you need to have straps that are very much adjustable in order for this to work. I tried it with one bra that didn't have much wiggle room in the straps, and pulling the straps to the middle of my back made them so tight that they were basically cutting into...

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jnoshields says "This may be on its way to replacing Splenda in my house!" about PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

jnoshields — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:42:47 GMT

I was both excited and apprehensive to try this product. I'm a big fan of natural non-sugar sweeteners; at the same time, there was a scary point in my childhood when my mother was really into health food (overly so) and Stevia was a part of that, so I don't have the fondest memories of that particular sweetener. However, I was really impressed by the PureVia sweetener packets. They had no aftertaste (big improvement over saccharin and aspartame) and are about double the strength of Splenda (we used half the amount we usually use). Great in coffee; I'd like to try it in tea as well.

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jnoshields says "Oh, Gamehouse... you keep me idly occupied" about Gamehouse

jnoshields — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:58:49 GMT

Soooo let's face it... one of the fun parts of being an adult is getting to find ways to escape from adult responsibilities. : ) I have discovered that I absolutely love "time management" games (the ones where you play a cartoon character who runs some sort of business and has to help customers, multitask, etc.) and hidden object games, not to mention your classic arcade and Mah Jongg stuff. The only problem with a lot of the really good computer games is that you have to pay for them--who wants that?!? Then I discovered Gamehouse.com, which has a different free game for download every day--all you have to do is provide an email address (and I haven't gotten any spam from it). Hooray! I check this thing every day and normally download the daily, even if I don't know anything about it. They're virus-free, and most of them are a ton of fun (occasionally you get a ****** one, but you can remove it if you don't like it). Bookmark it--you'll thank yourself when you're looking for something to...

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jnoshields says "I keep a Wallflower in every room--and in my closet" about Slatkin & Co. Odor Eliminating Wallflowers : Clean Mist

jnoshields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:39:18 GMT

I love my pets... but let's face it, having them in the house often causes a not-so-fresh smell. Thankfully, I also love Bath & Body Works products. So, when I saw the new Odor Eliminating wallflowers from Slatkin in the store, I had to try them immediately. And they work! They have the same potency and life as regular Wallflowers, but they really do work to neutralize odors of all kinds. The Clean Mist fragrance keeps things smelling like my house has just been thoroughly cleaned each day. I have tried them in the bathrooms, rooms of the house where we keep litter boxes, and my closet, and they work well everywhere.

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jnoshields says "I swear by Bigelow's Orange Mentha" about C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lips

jnoshields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:24:37 GMT

I'm sadly addicted to anything from Bath & Body Works, but when I met Bigelow's Orange Mentha, it was a different level of hooked. I'm not a gal who's into lipstick or stain (too dry/chalky) but I feel naked without something on my lips. I like the look of something with a strong shine, and the forever-teenager in me loves something with a hint of yummy flavor. I tried just about all the Menthas, and orange fits the bill for me. It has a bit of fresh citrus flavor, a mintiness that almost "filters" your breath to keep it fresh, and a non-sticky, smooth, moisturizing shine. It's easy to apply (no wand, just squeeze and glide) and easy to find in my mess of a purse. I bought some extras to keep on hand for when my current tube runs out!

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jnoshields says "Brain Age gives adults an excuse to play video games!" about Nintendo - Brain Age 2: More training in minutes a day!

jnoshields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:05:34 GMT

When my manchild husband tired of his Nintendo DS, he passed it along to non-video-gamer me and helped me pick out a couple of puzzle games I might enjoy. He recommended Brain Age 2 because it includes Sudoku puzzles (of which I am a fan). I was almost instantly addicted! I had to go out and buy a cutesy carrying wallet for the DS because I was taking it everywhere, just to play this game. The puzzles really do make me feel like I'm doing something good for my mental acuity, and the extra games (like Virus Buster and Sudoku) are great relaxers after a stressful day. Feel good about playing video games as an adult--do yourself a favor and buy Brain Age!

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jnoshields says "I am in love with my new Civic!" about Honda Civic EX (AT) - 2009

jnoshields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:13:20 GMT

After driving the same gas-guzzler since high school, I was relieved that the Cash for Clunkers program came along to help me get a new car. I chose the 2009 Honda EX (automatic) in atomic blue. I couldn't be happier with the fantastic gas mileage, the smooth ride, the sleek body style, the spacious trunk (for a small car, it's quite good), and the ease of seeing out of the windshield (I'm a shorty so I had that problem in a lot of cars I test drove). Even my husband, who made it a point to stay neutral in the car-buying process, can't stop telling me how much he likes my car!

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jnoshields says "LG EnV Touch just gets better" about LG - EnV Touch Cell Phone

jnoshields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:05:13 GMT

I recently purchased the LG EnV Touch, finally upgrading from my archaic KRZR. Upon first trying the phone, I was easily frustrated with the touch screen, particularly with scrolling through a list. I'm here to tell you, though--it gets better! I'm getting more and more used to the phone and am loving the convenience of the touch screen, rotating keypad, and flip-open QWERTY keyboard. The phone requires a bit of patience and work at the beginning, but it's worth it for the convenience and phone quality. The camera is great, the screen has super clarity, the layout is very appealing, and the automatic speakerphone (which activates when you open the phone during the call, as I figured out by chance) is awesome. Great phone!

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jnoshields says "Don't bother making dip--just use the new Philadelphia flavors!" about Kraft - Philadelphia Sundried Tomato and Basil Cream Cheese Spread

jnoshields — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:29:17 GMT

I use cream cheese as a key ingredient in cheeseballs and many other types of dips. My first instinct when I heard about this product was that it would probably be really good as an ingredient in a dip. Here's the good part: you don't need to mix it with anything! The Sundried Tomato & Basil Philadelphia is flavorful and delicious on its own; I felt a bit improper dipping crackers directly into the tub, but it's that good! I would definitely put this into a bowl and serve it with crackers at my next dinner party.

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jnoshields says "The Inspiron Mini is a great super-portable computer!" about Dell Mini Inspiron 9 Laptop

jnoshields — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:32:03 GMT

I assumed all mini netbooks would be difficult to adjust to, since they are so small. I figured the screen size would drive me crazy, and my fingers would be too big for the keys. Not true with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 series. I don't even really notice the difference in screen size when doing my everyday online activities. Also, the computer keys, by comparison to my other laptop, are actually not any smaller--just spaced more closely together. And even though the hard drive doesn't have as great a capacity as a normal laptop, if you have a good flash drive with some extra space, you can realistically use this as a primary computer. It's a great lightweight, portable option for the computer user on the go.

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jnoshields says "Keep Instant Mental Clarity in your purse/pocket at all times!" about Bath and Body Works Instant Aromatherapy Mental Clarity

jnoshields — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:19:01 GMT

I bought this roll-on aromatherapy oil among a pile of others, each for a different purpose, all on sale at Bath & Body Works. I chose this one, Mental Clarity, because I tend to get a bit scattered with many things clouding my mind. I first tried this stuff out on the day of a very important, career-defining test. The scent alone, a pleasant and light mix of rosemary and lemon, began to calm me down. I was quickly able to focus on the task at hand. I began carrying this around in my purse and pulling it out for a quick fix whenever I felt myself going a bit off-track mentally. I even found a use for it with a group of students I was working with the day before spring break began, when we were all a little loopy and mentally worn out--it worked like a charm. Buy one of these and keep it with you for those mental lapse moments!

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jnoshields says "Instant Headache Relief is not the best, but it works!" about Bath And Body Works Aromatherapy Headache Relief

jnoshields — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:07:38 GMT

I'm a big fan of Bath & Body Works products, so when I found this product on sale during sinus headache season, I jumped at it. It was okay. I have used similar products previously that worked a bit better. This has a not-so-strong peppermint smell, which is mild and pleasant enough to wear all day, but not really strong enough to tackle a strong headache. It is good for light head pains or just-coming-along headaches. However, if you enjoy the scent of peppermint, it's really nice-smelling and great just to wear around! Also makes a great holiday fragrance.

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jnoshields says "The Wii Fit is a real motivator!" about Nintendo Wii Fit

jnoshields — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:54:10 GMT

I am not usually able to keep up with a regular workout regimen, but the Nintendo Wii Fit has come the closest to getting me excited about working out. The options for activities start with the basics so you don't overdo it at first; you can unlock new and different workout activities by earning "tokens" for the minutes you have worked out. And, since it encompasses everything from yoga to strength training to aerobics, there is something for everyone's taste. I like that it focuses a lot on balance and posture as well--I never realized I put more weight on one foot than the other before using Wii Fit! This is definitely worth the money, and I look forward to seeing what additional software Nintendo releases for this sytem.

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jnoshields says "The Olympus Stylus is the best digital camera I have ever owned!" about Olympus - Stylus 820 Digital Camera

jnoshields — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:48:16 GMT

When I went digital-camera shopping, I visited the "camera bar" area at several electronics stores several times, trying out different models and eventually deciding on the Olympus Stylus. I couldn't be happier with my choice. The camera has an excellent variety of features, including an amazing Scene Selection tool that optimizes the camera's settings for the type of photo you're taking--anything from self-portrait to beach/snow to an awesome "behind glass" setting. It even includes a Smile Shot setting that snaps the photo as soon as the subject smiles. I just returned from a long trip on which I took several hundred photos with this amazing camera, and thanks to the camera's optimal settings for my photos, I'll be able to enjoy these photo memories for a long time!

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