Reviews by Friends of mysticstarfish

PattyTherre says "Nine tasty soda flavored lip balm tins to keep or share!" about Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

PattyTherre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:55 GMT

Quick View: This gift set of ten soda flavored lip balms is tasty, hydrating, and fun. Keep some and give some away or keep them all! I got a great deal on these at HSN.com. They were on sale for just $10.00 a set. They're incredibly tasty in flavors i remember as a kid.

My Take on Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

This set comes boxed and has nine separate time of old school Swhweppes soda flavors. The balms are tinted in the tins but have very little color on the lips. Although they have a novelty look to them, they contain good ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, rosemary and Vitamin E. And boy do they taste great!

You get the following:

# .35 oz. Schweppes' Cider SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Dry Grape Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Raspberry Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Black Cherry Seltzer SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Sarsaparilla...

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Jo says "Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Program didn't leave me Cleansed" about Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

Jo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:15:54 GMT

I am buying into the Herbalife life while doing a 12-week weight loss program. They are the sponsors. I bought the Tea and like it a lot.

Another product I bought is the Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program. This is not the first cleanse I have done. I guess in general they don't work all that well for me.

What is Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

For about $27.00 I got two bottles. One is for the morning and one is for the evening. The products are herbal blends which I like rather than a bunch of chemicals. The morning formula is called the Replenishing Formula and the evening one is called the Cleansing Formula. Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program is called "An internal cleansing system for digestive health."

According to the box the benefits are to helps the body eliminate toxins; to improve nutrient absorption, and it may support weight management. Of course none of these statements nor the product is monitored by the FDA.

I do believe that cleaning out my digestive...

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PattyTherre says "A VERY sweet soap that doesn't strip my hands like the others." about Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:55 GMT

Quick View: I like Bath & Body Works' hand soaps and I recently bought nine different scents and types (I had a great coupon!). One that I bought was Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple. Normally I'm not a fan of the deep cleansing soaps and go for the moisturizing ones but I didn't see this scent in the moisturizing hand soap area so I bought the deep cleansing one. It is VERY sweet but doesn't seem to dry my hands out like the other deep cleansing soaps from BBW.

My Take on Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

I never smelled this scent but I knew candy apples are very sweet. I guess the name intrigued me. Winter Candy Apple. Is there a difference between summer and winter candy apples? I had to know so I bought the hand soap.

When I first tried this eight ounce pump soap, I was overwhelmed with the sweet candy scent. I smelled no apple at all, just the candy coating that the apples are dipped into. It...

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Katrena says "The Emperor's Egg is an Amazing Story About Penguins" about The Emperor's Egg

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:51:48 GMT

The Emperor's Egg [1999, Candlewick Press, ISBN: 0-7636-0557-3], by Martin Jankins and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a 29-page children's book about Emperor penguins.

The Story:

This book gives lots of information about Emperor Penguins. It gives the information in simple terms and has colorful and engaging illustrations that compliment the story nicely.

I actually found this book to be quite informative since I know very little about these amazing birds. I didn't realize that Emperor Penguins can be about three feet tall and that they are the only ones the breed in mid-winter in Antarctica. I find it amazing what these penguins must endure just to ensure that their one egg will survive to hatch.

My Viewpoint:

The Emperor's Egg would be a great book to read at home or to a group of kids that are learning about penguins or how animals protect their eggs. This simple story and colorful illustrations can help to educate children and adults on the interesting world of the Emperor Penguins....

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Katrena says "Bear Feels Sick is Cute Story Especially if Child is Sick" about Karma Wilson - Bear Feels Sick

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:41:32 GMT

Bear Feels Sick [2007, Margaret K. McElderry Books, ISBN-13: 978-0-689-85985-4], by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a delightful story of a sick bear and his friends.

The Story:

Poor Bear is feeling sick, but his faithful friends decide to help him and offer all sorts of help. Each of his friends tries to assist Bear, but it is quite a while before he is ready to play again. Finally, Bear wakes up feeling ready to play, but what's wrong with all of his friends?

My Viewpoint:

Bear Feels Sick is a nice story about friendship and how friends can help one another. Maybe the author should have put something in there about hand washing or should I say paw washing? In the midst of the flu season, I'm sure that kids who are sick might find this book helpful and fun to read, but hopefully the same thing wouldn't happen to anyone who is helping the sick one at home! The illustrations are colorful and the characters are likeable, and the story flows nicely and quickly from one page...

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Katrena says "Vegetarians Will Like Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" about Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:31:56 GMT

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving [1990, Orchard Books, ISBN: 0-531-08505-8], by Dav Pilkey, is a story of a children's field trip to a farm on the evening before Thanksgiving.

When the children arrive, they are delighted to see lots of beautiful turkeys at the farm. Then they discover that these turkeys are going to be the main course for the big holiday the next day. The children decide to do something about the situation, and each child decides to stuff a turkey up his or her shirt, but the book doesn't really say what they do--the reader has to figure that out on her own. They are quite comical walking out to the bus.

The end of the book shows that the turkeys are actually a part of Thanksgiving dinner, but not in a way that most people would suspect. The story flows well with rhyming sentences that are short and the illustrations compliment the story nicely.

My Viewpoint:

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving is a cute book that incorporates humor and an interesting side to Thanksgiving....

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Katrena says "The Adventures of Laura & Jack is Exciting But Sad at End" about The Adventures of Laura and Jack

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:14:37 GMT

The Adventures of Laura and Jack [1932, Harper Trophy, ISBN 0-05-442045-0], by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Renee Graef is a 71-page juvenile fiction chapter book.

The Story:

Laura is a young girl growing up in the day of covered wagons and simple family life. As her family travels from place to place, the family's dog named Jack is a faithful friend that is spunky and fun. Although the odds are stacked against the little dog in many of the adventures, Jack seems to be able to survive anything. Yet, at the end, the family must move again and Jack is now old. Pa decides that Jack will ride in the wagon the next morning, but will the faithful dog be waiting with wagging tale in the morning?

My Viewpoint:

I remember watching Little House on the Prairie as a child. That show really appealed to me, and I remember Laura and her dog Jack on the show. My 8-year-old is now reading chapter books, and she really enjoyed reading The Adventures of Laura and Jack.

It is hard for me to imagine...

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Katrena says "Find the Teddy Engages Kids With the Story" about Find the Teddy

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:56:43 GMT

Find the Teddy, [1999, EDC Publishing, ISBN: 0 7460 3825 9], by Phil Roxbee Cox and illustrated by Stephen Cartwright, was based on an idea by Claudia Zeff. This 16 page children's board book features a teddy bear on each page.

The Story:

A little girl has lost her teddy bear and begins a search. Each page has a short sentence and the bear can be seen on each page. The main character continues to look for the bear until the very end, but what happens once she goes to sleep?

My Viewpoint:

Find the Teddy is a cute, fun, and engaging board book. My two-year-old had a little bit of a hard time finding the teddy on several pages, but her eyes absolutely lit up when she recognized a picture inside the book that resembled the front of the book. The teddy is hiding in a big red boot. My daughter loves to talk about and look at boots and shoes but hates to wear them.

The story is pretty predictable. The sentences are short, which to me is appropriate for a board book since they are geared toward...

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PattyTherre says "Everything's better when it's baked - even blush! " about Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:08 GMT

Quick View: I have been a fan of Laura Geller's line of cosmetics for years. Her line of baked products is great. I have TONS of blushes but tend to stick with rosy hues. I decided it was time for a change so I picked up Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact in Golden Apricot. I thought I would look orange it doesn't at all. I love this shade and the formula is really great. I'll be buying more shades soon.

My Take on Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

This blush is baked and has a somewhat uneven texture. It isn't one color throughout. There are shades of deeper apricot and lighter all swirled within the compact. I like that because blush really shouldn't be one flat color. A little variation makes skin look better and the blush look more realistic.

This compact of hard packed blush looks peachy but also has deeper apricot hues. I was totally afraid that my pale olive skin would look like a pumpkin when I applied the blush. To the contrary, the shade actually...

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PattyTherre says "I can't drink this but it's an effective throat soother for you!" about Yogi Tea Throat Comfort Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

PattyTherre — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:55:09 GMT

Quick View: I discovered this tea while browsing around online and, because I have sore throats a lot in the winter, bought a box. As it happens, I got a sore throat soon after and tried the tea. It's not bad and does sooth my throat. I can't drink it though because it lowers my potassium level. However, in general, this tea is safe and effective.

My Take on Yogi Tea Throat Comfort, Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

This tea comes16 bags to a box and is naturally caffeine free. It has natural sweetness to it and it tastes like black licorice. I don't like that taste very much but, with a little honey and lemon, the tea is just fine. When I drank it, my throat was coated and soothed. My mucus membranes opened up and my sinuses drained which relieved my stuffy head.

This tea can be drank as often as one wants and kids can benefit from it as well. It contains nothing artificial and has a blend of many herbs and spices to coat, soothe, and relieve sore, scratchy throats. Singers and speakers often...

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PattyTherre says "Watch out Carmex, you have stiff competition from ChapStick!" about ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

PattyTherre — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:57:44 GMT

Quick View: In New York, you need lip balm. Period. The summers parch your lips and the winters dehydrate and chap them. I have a tin of so many balms, you'd think I was ... a lip products junkie! And I am. However, I sometimes need more than a pretty color or flavor on my lips. I need deep hydration. I get that and more with ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint. And it's inexpensive!

My Take on ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

This lip balm comes in the traditional stick form and is clear. It glides on easily. It isn't waxy like the original ChapStick. It's quite thick and immediately starts working. I can feel it tingle like crazy! The mint is strong and actually wakes up my senses. Although there is no flavor in this balm, the scent is great. I love tingly balms like Carmex and ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint rivals even Carmex's tingle.

My dry lips feel protected and hydrated and the balm lasts for...

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Matt says "Craft Steak delivers on food, wine and ambiance!" about Craft Steak - Las Vegas, NV

Matt — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:47:21 GMT

Last night I went to Craft Steak in Vegas at the MGM Grand. I am a big fan of Tom Colicchio who is the owner of Craft and arguably one of the most famous celebrity chefs since his role as the head judge on Bravo's Top Chef. Tom is known for his attention to detail and fresh ingredients. I have been to Craft in NYC and just fell in love with the wide assortment of fresh vegetables and family style approach.

I was not disapointed with my experience at Craft Steak in Vegas. We orderd the 12 oz Kobe Skirt Steak and the assortment of mushrooms, roasted asparagus and a great avocado salad (pics to the right) and buffalo mozerella to start out with. The steak was really amazing: tender, flavorful and overall mouth watering. I had a margarita to start with, followed by the Resiling (which was a little tangy but ultimately very nice) and then the Zifnandel with the entree. I finished it off with a butterscotch pudding (pics to the right) and a nice port.

HEAVEN!!! If you are...

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OldHippie says "Grade "F"" about President Obama

OldHippie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:18:37 GMT

Everything stated here will be backed up with FACTS! First of all, the National Debt has tripled under the Obama administration. "The National Debt has increased about $1.6 trillion on Mr. Obama's watch." "It gets worse. The same document projects that by the end of the decade, the National Debt will hit $24.5 trillion - exceeding the Gross Domestic Product projected for 2019 of $22.8 trillion." wellsy.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/national-debt-now-over-12-trillion

Let's talk pork: As ABC reported - the newly designed web site, recovery.gov cost 18 MILLION to redesign. "ABC News' Rick Klein reports: For those concerned about stimulus spending, the General Services Administration sends word tonight that $18 million in additional funds are being spent to redesign the Recovery.gov Web site." So 18 million of your tax dollars are being spent to redesign a misleading web site.

Misleading?: From the Associated Press... "A Colorado company said it created 4,231 jobs with the help of...

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PattyTherre says "I believe in fish oil but I don't want to taste it constantly!" about PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

PattyTherre — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:57:35 GMT

Quick View: I strongly believe that fish oil is a necessary supplement for nearly everyone and I take them daily. When I ran out of my Natrol Fish Oil Softgel Capsules, I asked my husband to pick me up another bottle. He came home with PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules. They were the same as far as active ingredients, milligrams, and even how they looked so I took them. Ugh. Every time I belch or even hiccup I taste fish. GROSS. Back to Natrol for me!

My Take on PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

My Natrol Fish Oil softgel caps have lemon oil in them so I never have a "fish burp" which, as anyone who takes fish oil knows, is a side effect of this very healthy supplement. It's a gross side effect.

The PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules come in several bottle sizes and my husband got me the large 180 count bottle of these things. I usually take two a day but I have been taking one because the fishy taste and even SMELL of these softgels is just too much for...

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vivasuzi says "Now this is what I call Cheese and Crackers!" about Keebler - TownHouse FlipSides Pretzel Crackers

vivasuzi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:41:46 GMT

I would never had heard of Townhouse FlipSides Pretzel Crackers if it weren't for an offer I got when I was clipping coupons. The coupon didn't say much except that they were "pretzel crackers" so I was certainly curious!

Now that I've bought them, ate them, and loved them, I know these crackers will be a staple in our house and something I bring anytime I need to make a cheese and cracker plate for a party. With one side tasting like a pretzel, and the other side tasting like a cheese cracker, these things are delicious right out of the box. However, as you can see from my pics I really like to eat crackers with cheese so I added some sliced Kraft to my cracker and it was 10x better! I can't wait to tell my sister about these crackers so she can serve them with her famous Cheese ball! They are just so good and I bet they would go great with a whole variety of dips and spreads.

The best part is, the crackers are strong and can easily be used for dips without worry of them breaking....

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Jo says "Clinique Quickliner for Eyes may not be for seniors" about Clinique Quickliner for Eyes

Jo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:20:03 GMT

To the Point

I am not an eyeliner person. In fact the only eyeliner I have ever used I've had for years and it is liquid. I threw it away. Wanting to treat myself, one of my Clinique items was the Clinique Quickliner for Eyes. I asked the clerk's advice about color and she suggested moss. There are 14 colors which can be seen at www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY4897/PROD516/Makeup/Eye_Liners/index.tmpl.

A Closer View

I am so new to this that I didn't understand why nothing was coming out of this very thin pencil-type tube. I was told I was using the smudging side. Ok so back to the mirror in the store and I used the correct side which has a very small crayon type point - well it isn't pointy like an eyeliner that you would sharpen with a pencil. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes is more rounded.

Each side has a different cap. If you accidentally put the clear cap on the color side you'll squash the color and lose some of the Liner. I looked at the price and since I was in a rich mode I didn't...

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Katrena says "Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong Tissues Great Product for Picky Buyer" about Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong Tissue

Katrena — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:40:19 GMT

Puffs Ultra Soft & Strong Tissue is actually quite soft and strong. I bought some of these when the generic kind that I usually buy were out. Frankly, I usually go for the cheapest tissues I can find. It's not like they can be re-used or that they will increase in value with age or anything!

What I like about these Puffs:

They are very soft--my kids especially like them when I have to go running after them with the tissues. They aren't as likely to make their noses as sore.
They are strong--Well, I wouldn't try to carry a watermelon on one or anything, but they do tend to hold up well.

What I don't like about these Puffs:

The price--I'm going to go with the best value I can find for the lowest price. Give me tissues in a white box. Don't make me pay for a name brand or cute pictures. I can cover up a boring box with a cover that I have in my bathroom. My nose doesn't really care about a brand.

My Viewpoint:

I guess I go for function over form. I'm not very picky about tissues (yes, a bit...

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cmohr80 says "AH HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing when watching!" about Modern Family

cmohr80 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:04:25 GMT

I love sarcasm and satire. The new ABC sitcom Modern Family delivers! Wednesday night is mine and my hubby's new night of comedy. It is such a funny and realistic portrayal of normal living of, well, modern families.

The new ABC comedy Modern Family is a raw and funny look at challenges of every day life of three modern families whose lives intertwine as relatives. This comedic satire is created by Steven Levitan (brilliant Writer/Director of "Just Shoot Me" and "Wings") and Christopher Lloyd (talented Writer/Director of "Frasier" and "Wings"). Starring Ed O'Neill ("Married With Children"), Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen ("Boston Legal" and "Ed"), Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.

Ed O'Neill plays the patriarch, Jay Pritchett, who, together with his sexy latina trophy bride, Gloria (Sofia Vergara), deal with challenges of their own while raising a pre-teen stepson who is discovering himself, his ethnicity and dealing with a dad that is rarely around....

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PattyTherre says "Sweet & tart lemon body butter hydrates skin and lifts spirits!" about Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

PattyTherre — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:13:40 GMT

Quick View: When fellow Viewpointer ApriBambino wrote about all of the Avon mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Scented products, I knew I had to try them. I love citrus scents, lemon especially, and was in the mood for something new. I had never tried any of mark's (Avon's "younger" products) body products and would never have even known this body butter existed. I am so glad I bought it and the spray. It is light, tart, sweet, and just what I needed to boost my spirits and hydrate my skin.

My Take on Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

This body butter comes in a 6.7 ounce squat tub. It is thick and rich but not quite as thick as body butters from The Body Shop and Bath & Body Works. Still it has plenty of richness and a little goes a long way. It is a creamy white color and smells divine. It has definite lemon notes with a sweet sugary fragrance as well that makes it both tart and sweet at the same time.

Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter hydrates my skin well with no greasiness....

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VixenViewTreasures says "Well written and entertaining!" about Sherryl Woods - The Inn at Eagle Point

VixenViewTreasures — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:47:39 GMT

The Inn at Eagle Point is the first book I have read that Sherryl Woods has written. I found it very well written, great characters, lots of helpful details and a warm story that while this was part of a three book series stood well on its own.

Abby has to return to her home town after a long absence. She has moved on in life and has become quite successful where she currently lives in the city. She has two small twin daughters and an amicable divorce, or so she thinks. Upon returning home an old flame is also in the area. Her life becomes turned upside down as she struggles to help her sister and maintain her current life. Eventually, changes come about that she did not see coming, and as a result, she comes to find that which she belived-in to be not-quite-so.

Trace has returned home to help his father and more than that - to prove to his father that he's not the right person for the job. What he doesn't count on is running into a long lost love and have the old feelings return...

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