Reviews by lilaichee

lilaichee says "Attracted the bugs." about Off Insect Repellent Smooth and Dry

lilaichee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:01:04 GMT

I got this because it got good reviews here, but it seemed to actually attract mosquitos. Maybe it was because we happened to be in an area where the ratio of mosquitos to humans seemed 100:1, but a good repellent should repel mosquitos anywhere, any amount. I'll keep trying other sprays, until I find one mosquitos can't stand, period. Also, a small bottle is $5. Not worth it....

lilaichee says "A shallow, immature romance for the middle-school girl audience." about Twilight: The Book

lilaichee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:22:15 GMT

Twilight is a story about Bella, a clumsy, average-looking high school girl, and Edward, an irresistably handsome and charming vampire who "falls in love" with her. I don't like the book because I felt the love between them was shallow and based on physical desires (he "falls in love" with her because she "smells so good" and the only reason he doesn't suck her dry is so he can smell her as long as possible), Bella is a weak, sometimes annoying character who's clumsiness is supposed to make Edward's physical strength that much more appealing, and Edward is too perfect to be believable (gorgeous, seductive, strong, loving, brave, malisciously playful, flirty, his whole being revolves around HER); personally it was annoying. I felt this book was for the middle-school girl audience, and that older, more mature women might have a hard time finding the romance stirring, if not silly. Also, the writing isn't great, with too many cliques and repeated phrases (he's always "smiling at her......

lilaichee says "A beautiful book about God's love that helps heal the heart." about Francine Rivers - Redeeming Love

lilaichee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:29:51 GMT

Redeeming Love is a beautiful book about God's unconditional love. It's about a young woman who seems unsavable, yet is ultimately healed. If you've ever been hurt, if you've ever felt unlovable, unworthy, uncared for - this book is a reminder that God goes beyond anything that could ever be done to you or by you, and that through Him we can all heal and be restored to our true selves. That no matter what ugliness or pain has been in our past, we can find happiness and love and beauty.

This book stirs my heart as a woman, and gives me hope that someday I can be a truly beautiful daughter for Him. It is truly a "redeeming" romance novel in comparison to shallow/lust-based romance novels, and is the kind of romanctic novel every woman should be reading instead....

lilaichee says "The best milk out there." about Rice Dream Non-dairy Rice Milk

lilaichee — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:04:42 GMT

Rice milk is better than cow's milk AND soymilk. The taste is light, sweet, and oh so delicious! You've got to try it because it tastes unlike anything else. Unlike soymilk it doesn't have an earthy taste, and of course it's great if you're lactose-intolerant. The only con is that it's expensive. Anyway, all my friends who've tried it love it. A great product to splurge on every once in a while, for the taste as well as for it's unique health benefits....

lilaichee says "Drags on, doesn't suck you in." about Flightplan

lilaichee — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:24:48 GMT

If you want to see a movie about a girl that disappears on an airplane...and a frantic mother who looks for her for an hour...then great, watch this. But there's not much else. Sure, it's a little interesting - where is the little girl? Or is that the wrong question? The story idea is good but the ending doesn't deliver, so it's kind of all for nothing. Jodie Foster may be a great actress, but there's just not much more to her character in this movie than a panicked, desperate mother who annoys everyone on the plane....

lilaichee says "Funny fantasy adventure with the works." about Stardust

lilaichee — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:11:28 GMT

I didn't expect much - I'd hardly even heard of this movie. But this movie is great! Great characters and actors (Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro, Peter O'Toole), an interesting, full-of-unexpected-twists fantasy-adventure (a boy promises to bring back to his "love" a fallen star which turns out to be a woman in danger because her jewel is saught after for immortality, and their conflicting interests start off a crazy adventure), humor...everyone I know who's seen it loves it....

lilaichee says "Oh my goodness, healthy chocolate heaven." about Silk Light Chocolate Soy Milk

lilaichee — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:12:05 GMT

Great for people who are lactose-intolerant or just don't like milk, and who lovelovelove chocolate but are still health-conscious. Silk is natural and healthy - even the chocolate and sugar they use is the healthy kind. And the thing about Silk Chocolate milk is that it tastes so good, even people who don't like Plain or Vanilla Silk soymilk usually love the chocolate milk. It's rich, creamy, sweet...if it was a bit cheaper, it'd be in our fridge always....

lilaichee says "My all-time favorite lotion. " about Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion

lilaichee — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:34:42 GMT

I suffer from dry hands, and have looked many years for a lotion that truly moisturizes, and that leaves my hands feeling soft even after a long night - most lotions leave my skin feeling tight, if not dry, every morning. However, this lotion is almost 100% natural, and works. It's creamy, not greasy. It could be a little thicker, though. It smells AMAZING - soft, comfortable, homey, sweet, relaxing and warm. Usually I get tired of a smell by the end of the bottle but I never tire of this smell.

The lotion I depend on every night. I don't know how it is for babies, but it's great for hands, especially before bedtime.
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lilaichee says "It's everything I'd want a small digital camera to be." about Canon - PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70 Digital Camera

lilaichee — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:32:32 GMT

We have a small digital camera and a big $1000 digital camera. The small one takes great videos - but poor pictures. The big one takes AMAZING photographs - but doesn't take videos, and...is huge. What was I to do for my three-month trip to Russia? Luckily a friend had this camera and I could see how great it was. It's really everything a small digital camera should be. Long battery life, 12x zoom, bright colors, clarity, high-quality video where you can zoom in & out while you're recording, fun settings such as having only one color show up and everything else be black & white, or switching up one color with another (so you can turn your friend's pick shirt green), large LCD screen but also a manual viewer, and more...plus, it's so tiny and slim. Not to mention it's possible to get a 4GB SDHC memory stick for it, which - if you don't know much about gigabytes - is H U G E. So you can record videos away without worrying.

I've seen a lot of digital cameras - and for a $200......

lilaichee says "Simple, cheap comfort for everyday wear." about Hanes Women's Bikini - 5 Pack

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:50:00 GMT

I have looked for underwear everywhere. They're always either too thin, or too skimpy, or itch, or give me wedgies, or are just plain expensive.

Finally I found Hanes cotton bikinis.

They're are great because they fit snugly, but not too snugly, and aren't tigher in one spot or another, the way some are too tight at the top.

Usually I don't like Hanes - but I got the bikini pack without any strap, band or fancy frills on top - those stretch out fast. THOSE I hate. The ones I like are plain, one-stretchy-fabric bikinis.

They can be washed and dried like all other cotton clothes.

If you're a simple girl who just wants classic cotton comfort, visit Walmart and snag a pack of Hanes bikinis.

Oh, and don't go for Hanes boxer shorts. Can you say "wedgie"?
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lilaichee says "Great for on-the-go." about Audio Books Opinion

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:40:38 GMT

Audio books are great on road trips, on walks, or anywhere your thoughts might start wondering because there's nothing for it to focus on but it'd be impossible to read an actual physical book. Of course you could just listen to music on your MP3 player. But don't you have a whole list of to-read books that you can't seem to get around to reading?

If you like to read and...

drive long distances,

or

take long walks to get places,

or

often cook, iron, etc.

Then audio books will make those boring routines something to look foward to, and will enrich your brain as well.

Not to mention there are sites where you can download the audios of classics for free.

Take the time, if necessary the extra money, to get some audio books. They'll add richness to your life.

PS: Audio casettes are preferrable because it starts exactly where you last stopped it, whereas CDs start all over from that track....

lilaichee says "Makes you forget you're in the bathroom." about Reader's Digest Magazine

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:26:06 GMT

My family loves this magazine. It's got everything - humor, inspiring articles, helpful tips, news, recent studies, interviews with celebrities, health advice, and much more.

It has unique information other magazines don't, and almost everything in the magazine is interesting - it has to be, because it's so small. Whereas other magazines can get away with less-than-interesting or helpful information, this magazine has ONLY interesting articles and subjects. It's probably the only magazine I read cover-to-cover.

Plus, the humor in Reader's Digest is unbeatable. No other magazine has such witty, family-friendly humor.

True, it's got a lot of ads, but what magazine doesn't nowadays?

Anyway, keep this magazine in your bathroom and you and your family and friends will definitely stay entertained during those long...well, you know.
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lilaichee says "Another sweet story by Nicholas Sparks." about The Wedding

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:06:44 GMT

Another cute, sweet, romantic book by Nicholas Sparks.

This story is about an ordinary man (the husband of the daughter of Noah and Allie from the Notebook) doing his best to win back his wife's love and affection and rekindle the passion in their marriage.

It's not a book I couldn't put down, but when I did read it, I relaxed and became absorbed in this simple, down-to-earth story. The characters are real and sincere, the ending is happy and unexpected, and the writing is wonderful.

It's not Nicolas Sparks's best work, but it's enjoyable.
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lilaichee says "A cloud from heaven disguised as a bathrobe." about Bath and Body Works Bath Robe

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:21:29 GMT

My mom got this as a gift - as soon as I saw it I knew I needed one. It is one of the softest things I've ever felt, and it's warm and thick.

In the wintertime it keeps me warmer than anything else - more than my coats, even. Sometimes I start sweating. It usually comes in white, light pink, or red. At other times there are other colors, too, I think, like blue.

It's big, so it fits most people. The sleeves are long so I have to fold it over. It has a good long length but not too long, and is easy to wash - and it stays as soft even after washing.

Perhaps my robe isn't as soft now as it was when I bought it, but I wouldn't know without touching them side by side, because to me it still feels as soft as ever.

Only catch is, it's expensive (originally $80) But Bath & Body Works always has bargains, such as getting it for $35 when you spend a certain amount. In the end, it's worth it....

lilaichee says "If you want dull, waxy hair, here you go!" about John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Luminous Color Glaze Chestnut To Espresso

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:58:00 GMT

I got this product because it was highly approved by the Oprah magazine. It was a huge disappointment.

You use it in the shower after you've shampooed and conditioned. The dye is strong, so if you don't wash your hands quickly, they'll be dyed too. You let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, when you rinse...and pull your fingers through your hair...your hair feels...gross! Waxy, heavy, just gross.

You have to do this process every time you shower, and you start seeing results towards the middle of the second week, or depending on how often you shower. The color becomes more visible with continual use. But as your hair color is slowly changing, so is the smooth texture of your hair...

It dries out hair too. More frizz and flyaways.

But maybe all this is worth it if you get awesome color. Right?

Maybe...but it doesn't give awesome color. My hair just became duller and darker.

It definitely wasn't like in the commercials.

The only reason I give this two stars instead of one......

lilaichee says "I've tried everything, and this is it." about St. Ives Apricot Scrub

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:37:27 GMT

I have oily, bumpy skin with frequent pimples. Well, I did. Now it's only occasionally oily, I hardly ever get pimples, and it's much smoother.

I have tried everything - but nothing worked longer than two weeks. That's not the case with St. Ives.

I'd seen this stuff everywhere. Friends used it, strangers had it, even guys liked it. So I finally figured, why not? Maybe there's a big deal about it for a reason.

Turns out there IS! This stuff really, truly scrubs away dead skin with natural ingredients. Yes, it dries out my skin - that is, if I don't use a moisturizer. Why give this scrub a low rating because it dries out skin? That's what moisturizers are for. See, the reason my skin is better off now is because this stuff washes away dead skin, whereas weaker facial soaps I don't need to use a moisturizer with don't wash away dead skin.

There are many different kinds of facial soaps made by St. Ives if this particular one isn't for you - I use the St. Ives Apricot......

lilaichee says "Celebrity makeup for those who can't afford celebrity makeup." about e.l.f. - EyesLipsFace.com

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:14:20 GMT

E.l.f. sells ALL THEIR MAKEUP for $1. When I first heard that I thought, "Well, that must mean their ingredients are cheap, and don't work well." I mean, you can buy $1 makeup at the dollar store. But I was wrong!

Their philosophy is to provide high-quality makeup to those who can't afford expensive makeup. Somehow (business-wise) they're able to. Just browse the site and you'll see how many celebrities also love e.l.f. - for me that's enough to tell me that if people who love (and can afford) high-quality designer makeup like e.l.f., there must be a reason.

They've got great lip products, eye shadows, facial shimmers, blushes, and much more. Because each item is only $1 you can "splurge" and try out many items! Their products can also be found in Target. Also now they have new natural, mineral makeup, but each product is $5. Still a steal.

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lilaichee says "A man-made miracle not enough people know about." about Icy Hot Extra Strength Pain Relieving Balm 3.5oz

lilaichee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:51:38 GMT

Ever have a backache? Maybe you walked too much one day, and now your legs are sore?

No matter what muscles are hurting, this product will relieve the pain away like nothing you've ever felt. Like the name, this cream is icy and hot at the same time. It feels like peppermint oil, if you've ever tried that. It's relaxing, refreshing, and invigorating. The feeling lasts at least thirty minutes, and helps make the pain go away too.

Originally my family got this for my dad's bad back, but now the whole family uses it whenever someone has a sore muscle. My friend who works at a pharmacy says this product is highly recommended by many customers.

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lilaichee says "Can't beat Ikea." about Ikea - Schaumburg, IL

lilaichee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:25:00 GMT

I'm surprised Ikea (right now) has only a 3.5 rating. I'm bring it UP because Ikea is AMAZING.

Affordable, ultra-modern, stylish furniture in a fun-to-shop, family friendly store with a huge selection, from plants to children's toys to frames to fabric for curtains, pillows etc. As well as every type of furniture, of course.

Did I mention there's two awesome restaurant on the first and third floor? On the first is hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, coffee etc., on the thirt, lunch dishes, cake, etc. All affordable.

The second is set up so with example rooms. The college dorm, the playroom, the family living room, the teenage girl's room...it's awesome. If you've never been here, it's a must. Even if you don't plan on buying anything, it's the funnest window-shopping shop you'll ever visit.
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lilaichee says "Disappointment." about Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm

lilaichee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:07:44 GMT

I usually love Burt's Bees. But this...was a disappointment. Smells terrible, probably because honey doesn't have much of a fragrance, and they didn't want to add fake fragrances. I understand, but...this product smells too strange. Also tastes terrible and is sticky.

There's honey in it - big deal. Almost all Burt's Bees products have honey.

I'll stick with the original Burt's Bees chapstick, thanks. ...