Reviews by Friends of nandpmommy911

Meri says "It's a Keeper!" about Walnut Hollow Creative Versa-Tool

Meri — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:22:22 GMT

As a young girl I was given a wood-burning kit. I spent hours making plaques and wooden animals covered with my "art". When I had a daughter I introduced her to the craft as well. She made an incredible panda bear plaque worthy of display. I recently pulled out the old wood-burning tools and noticed that they were missing the interchangeable tips so anything I made would be limited to the use of one tip. I decided to purchase a new tool.

I couldn't find a duplicate of my old tool. What I did find however was much better. It is called the Creative Versa-Tool made by Walnut Hollow. This tool is a smaller version of the old wood-burning tool. It comes with a comfort grip and a heat protection shield so you can't burn your fingers while using it. It also came with a stand so that it can be safely stored and not burn counter-tops, tabletops, etc. It also came in a plastic storage case [so next time I look for the tips they will all be in one place]. I like that!

The tool comes with eleven...

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PattyTherre says "Tarte 4 Day Lash Stain: When you need super longwearing mascara!" about Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology

PattyTherre — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:54:38 GMT

Quick View: Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology lengthens, curls, and darkens lashes and it really does stay on or days. It doesn't flake or clump and always looks fresh. And it's waterproof!

My Take on Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain with Polyflex Technology

True story: Last night I knew Fed Ex was coming very early in the morning but not exactly when. I needed to sign for a package. I had missed the guy twice so it was imperative that I be up and ready to answer the door whenever the guy knocked. But I'm a night owl and usually sleep until around 10 or 10:30. The Fed Ex guy had come at around 8:30 the previous morning. So, I decided to sleep on the couch where I could be near the door. I also decided to put some Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain and a bit of all natural under eye concealer on that night. When the guy knocked this morning at around 9 a.m., I jumped up, signed for the package, and didn't look like instant death when I did.

It's 29 hours later and I still have the...

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this2shallpass19 says "What's the point of a pocket if it doesn't catch anything?" about Circo Baby Bib

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:28:31 GMT

My son has been trying to spoon feed himself lately, and we've been making a mess! His baby bibs don't fit anymore, so I went to Target looking for a toddler bib. I bought the Circo Baby Bib because it is made out of a plastic-like material that can be wiped off and it has a pocket to catch food that might fall down. It also has a dinosaur on the front, and my son is in a major dinosaur phase right now!

This Circo Baby Bib was $5.99 for only one bib, so I was a little hesitant to buy it at that price, but I bought it anyways. The bib has a velcro closure around the back of the neck like most bibs have. The front of the bib is made out of polyurethane, so you can easily wipe food off of it. There is a pocket at the bottom of the bib that is supposed to catch crumbs, chunks or whatever. I find the pocket to be almost totally useless.

The first time I put this bib on my son, I gave him a muffin to eat and excitedly looked inside the pocket afterwards to see what it collected. ...

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this2shallpass19 says "Pomegranate Pizzazz is a fruity tea that's not too sweet or sour" about Bigelow - Pomegranate Pizzazz Herb Tea

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:13:51 GMT

Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz Herb Tea is a nice change from the horrible Tazo Wild Sweet Orange Tea I just bought. Pomegranate Pizzazz is a great tea that is made with all natural ingredients and comes in individually wrapped tea bags for freshness.

What makes Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz Herb Tea different from other teas I have had is that it is made with real fruit juice. The fruit juice must be what gives this tea a beautiful, dark cranberry color. They really put the best fruit flavors together in this tea because it is slightly sweet, not too "fruity", and just a tad bit tart. The pomegranate is detectable, but I also taste a little cranberry.

The tea bag wrapper states that since this tea is made with real fruit juice, it would make a great cold tea too. I have to admit, that sounds like it would be amazing. I think the fruit juice adds a great element to this tea that might not otherwise be obtained. If you enjoy fruit flavored tea, you should definitely love this!...

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PattyTherre says "Petlettes are decent in-between bath wipes for Fido or Fluffy." about Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes

PattyTherre — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:47 GMT

Quick View: I have a little white dog and two cats who always seem to find messes to get into. They don't take well to baths and I try to limit them to when my pets truly need to go through the trauma of a full bath. For in between baths, I use Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes. They help clean my animals and leave a nice scent behind but are NOT bath alternatives as advertised.

My take on Petlettes Pet Bath Wipes

These wipes are 8.5"x11". They come in unscented but I bought the orange mango scent. I want my animals to smell fresh! These wipes are just like baby wipes only for pets although I assume one could use them on a human. There is no alcohol in them but the packaging doesn't list the ingredients so I have no idea what is in them.

They are just moist enough to clean up a dirty pet without making them wet although they will be somewhat damp. The wipes do clean my cats and dogs after they have encountered cobwebs, dusty areas, or dirt as long as it isn't a major issue. If they just have dingy...

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this2shallpass19 says "I really wanted to like this eco-friendly product but....." about Scott Naturals Napkins

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:03:45 GMT

Whenever I have options, I always try to buy the eco-friendly version of something as long as it isn't unreasonably priced. For Thanksgiving this year, I went to the desert with friends. As I did my shopping for the trip, I was searching the paper towel aisle for napkins made from recycled paper. There weren't very many to choose from, but Scott Naturals Napkins were both reasonably priced and made from recycled ingredients, so I chose them.

I like that you get 120 napkins in a package, and I also like that these napkins are made from 80% recycled fiber. Unfortunately, those are all the positive comments I have for Scott Naturals Napkins. Not only are these eco-friendly napkins one-ply, but they are unbelievably thin. They are so thin, they require several of them to do the job that a regular napkin can do in one. As soon as they get wet, they shrivel up and become totally useless.

I'm all for eco-friendly products, but if they don't work well, I won't bother. Unfortunately,...

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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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this2shallpass19 says "Badger Cheerful Mind Balm smells so good!" about Badger Sweet Orange & Spearmint Cheerful Mind Balm

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:44:06 GMT

I recently purchased several citrus-scented Badger products online and experienced mixed results. I absolutely loved everything about their Tangerine Breeze Organic Lip Balm. The scent was perfect and so was the feel of it on the lips. As great as the citrus scent was of the lip balm, I was totally disappointed in the scent of the Fresh Citrus Body Butter. Instead of smelling like fresh citrus, it smelled like lavender. I have a major aversion to floral scents, so I had to throw it away.

One of the employees of Badger contacted me and wanted to make up for the bad experience with the Fresh Citrus Body Butter. She mailed me a couple of products to say sorry, and Badger Sweet Orange & Spearmint Cheerful Mind Balm is one of those products. It is supposed to be an aromatherapy product, which means it can enhance your mood as well as your body. Badger says: "Just rub a little on hands, temples, forehead, or anywhere that needs soothing. Breathe it in."

What I love about...

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this2shallpass19 says "An average diaper rash cream with mediocre ingredients." about Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:18:27 GMT

I am a member of BzzAgent, so I receive free products or samples in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. My latest campaign is for two Aveeno Baby products: Aveeno Baby Essential Moisture Shampoo and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream.

I thought the shampoo was pretty average and I think the same of the diaper cream. I might be a little biased though, because I prefer baby products that are made with all natural ingredients.

What I do like about Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream is that it is nice and thick. It coats the problem area very well and provides a nice barrier. I also like that it is made with oat kernel extract, beeswax and a couple other natural ingredients. After several applications, it did help the beginning of my son's diaper rash.

What I don't like about this product is that it contains mineral oil and two types of parabens. I don't buy any products for my son that contain either of those ingredients, so naturally, I'm a little...

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PattyTherre says "A cheap product that really does condition and thicken lashes!" about Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener

PattyTherre — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:29:02 GMT

Quick View: I don't buy into the hype of all of those expensive eyelash lengtheners and thickeners and I really don't like that they can be dangerous if they get into the eyes. While I do want longer, thicker lashes, I wouldn't compromise my eyes for them. I picked up some Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener for under $5.00 at Sally Beauty Supply only looking for a lash conditioner. This turned out to be actually quite a good product!

My Take on Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener

This product comes in a mascara-like tube with a brush like a mascara brush. It's clear and has no odor that I can detect. You are supposed to use it twice a day in clean lashes but it can also only be used once at night if you choose.

When I apply Claudia Stevens Eyelash Thickener to my lashes, they become a bit shiny and slightly damp but for just a short time. They then simply look and feel the same as always. I can't tell that I have it on. I could immediately feel a difference as far as conditioning goes. I wear...

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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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this2shallpass19 says "This soy-based candle smells amazing and burns a long time!" about For Every Body Holiday Memories Sugar Cookie 22-oz jar candle

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:43:11 GMT

While shopping at my second favorite store, Ross, I came across a deal that seemed too good to be true - For Every Body Holiday Memories Sugar Cookie Candle, which is a 22 ounce, soy-based jarred candle for only $4.99. Anyone who buys candles knows one, how expensive soy-based candles are and two, that 22 ounce candles of any variety usually cost a lot more than five dollars. Soy-based candles last longer and burn cleaner, so it was a real bargain.

I didn't expect much from this candle simply because it was so inexpensive. Lucky for me, this candle is absolutely perfect AND only $4.99! I have been burning this candle for a while now and can barely see an indentation of burned wax. I can tell this candle is going to last for a very long time. Besides how long-lasting this candle is, the best thing about it is the delicious Sugar Cookie scent. The scent is nice and strong and permeates the air nicely. It smells like a wonderful combination of butter, sugar, crust and vanilla. ...

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PattyTherre says " I found a new favorite BBW scent. White Citrus is delicious!" about Bath and Body Works White Citrus Fragrance Mist

PattyTherre — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:48:26 GMT

Quick View: Bath & Body Works had a buy 3 get 3 free sale on many of its signature scents and I indulged...a great deal. I bought several scents I never tried before, buying the mists, creams, shower gels and some body butters. By far, my favorite scent that I have tried is White Citrus. It's light, fresh, and exactly what I look for in a scent. Amazing!

My Take on Bath and Body Works White Citrus Fragrance Mist

This fragrance mist comes in a clear eight ounce plastic spray bottle. It has just the words "White Citrus" on it. Simplicity at its finest. The mist is intended to be sprayed all over and is very light. They have an Eau de Toilette which I ordered that is heavier.

White Citrus is described as:

* Fragrance Top Notes: Lemon Zest, Sparkling Grapefruit NP, Juicy Tangerine
* Fragrance Mid Notes: Mandarin NP, Ginger Flower, Waterlily, Apricot Nectar, Lily of the Valley, Freesia
* Fragrance Base Notes: Clean Woods, Sheer Musk (Captive)

The top notes are my favorite scents so I'm not...

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Meri says "Whoa! Foam overload-" about Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

Meri — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:47:01 GMT

I have used Aquafresh Extreme Clean toothpaste for a couple of years now. I like the way it makes my teeth feel after brushing. When I saw commercials for the Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste I thought it was a no-brainer. The foaming concept made sense; that being that the foam would whoosh up into small crevices, nooks and crannies, cleaning where no toothpaste had gone before.

The toothpaste comes in a can that dispenses the toothpaste through a pumping system. When pumped, it looks like normal gel toothpaste. Start to brush and the fun begins. The once tame toothpaste starts to foam. The more you brush, the more foam grows in your mouth. It is almost like it is alive- The toothpaste is supposed to foam up and work its way into hidden areas in your mouth, claiming it cleans better than ordinary toothpaste and can remove 3X more bacteria while it is doing its thing. Oh, did I mention it is supposed to whiten teeth as well?

Bottomline:

The Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste does foam up as...

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this2shallpass19 says "Tons of veggies in this Gerber Graduates Meal!" about Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees - Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:44:42 GMT

I do cook a homemade dinner on most nights, but there are those days when we are eating something spicy, or I just don't feel like cooking that Gerber Graduates meals really come in handy. My son is a very picky eater, so I am making my way down the varieties seeing which ones he'll eat. The most recent variety is Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce. He ate it, but it wasn't exactly like eating pizza!

Some of the Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees can be a little bland, but I think this variety was more flavorful than most. This meal comes in a tray with two divided sections. One side is the pasta, veggies and tomato sauce, and the other side has peas and corn. To my son's dismay, this meal is loaded with veggies, so I mix the corn and peas into the other side. By the name of this product: Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees Garden Vegetables & Pasta in Tomato Sauce, I was thinking it was a meatless meal since there is no mention of meat in the title,...

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this2shallpass19 says "Thin, low-fat Pretzel Crisps with the flavor of Buffalo wings!" about The Snack Factory - Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:18:48 GMT

Knowing I love all things with a Buffalo wing flavor, my husband brought me home a snack he thought I would enjoy: The Snack Factory Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps. My husband knows me well, because I love this snack for several reasons: it's crunchy, healthy and it tastes great.

The Snack Factory Buffalo Wing Pretzel Crisps are thin, flat pretzels baked to a perfect crunch, then dusted in Buffalo wing seasonings. The end result is...delicious. The package says that they started with their snack-size pretzels, then removed the middle, leaving a thin, crunchy, pretzel-like snack. I like how crunchy they are; they have the appearance of a pretzel, but crunch like a thin cracker. The Buffalo wing flavor is slightly spicy with notes of vinegar and hot sauce.

What I love about these is that they are not only delicious, but very low in fat and calories. One serving consists of 18 pretzel crisps and only has 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. If you're a snacker like me, you know those...

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PattyTherre says "Obey Your Body Lotion is oh so average and expensive!" about Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion - Passion

PattyTherre — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:26:44 GMT

Quick View: I bought two bottles of Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion, one in Passion for me and one in Almond for my sister on sale because the claims were that the lotion was made from rare dead sea minerals and lasted a full 12 hours. My skin is dry and I love hydrating products, especially long lasting ones. I am disappointed in this product and darn glad I didn't buy it at full price!

My Take on Obey Your Body Rich Hand & Body Lotion - Passion

This lotion comes in an 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip open lid. The Passion scent is very subtle and slightly citrus which I like. I can hardly smell it though and once it is on my skin, the scent is gone. The lotion is fairly thick and a light creamy orange color.

When I apply it, it seems to sit on top of my skin and I have to rub it around then let it sit there before it absorbs. It's slightly greasy but not overly so. It does eventually absorb and softens my skin a little but certainly not for 12 hours! It lasts for a few hours...

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Meri says "protects and seals without fail" about Krylon Workable Fixatif

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:44:30 GMT

I love crafts and painting. For years I have created personal projects for friends and family members but after going to all the work I want my projects to be protected. That is why I use Krylon Workable Fixatif.

Fixatif is easy to use. It comes in an aerosol can so it sprays on. The product comes out in a fine mist so it is hard to get too much of it on the item you are spraying. It works on charcoal drawings, pencil, watercolors, India ink and crayon projects. It prevents charcoal and chalk drawings from smudging and allows easy reworking of the project.

The Krylon Workable Fixatif makes colors "pop" off the page. It is the perfect product to finish a project. Maybe one of the best things about it is that it is acid-free and archival safe.

To use:

Shake the can for two minutes. Hold the project 6-9 inches away from the can and spray in a sweeping motion. The product dries fast so it is easy to apply several thin coats without risking running and ruining the project.

The Fixatif dries...

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Meri says "Foams away disposal grunge- whoosh!" about Magic American Products Disposal Magic

Meri — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:13:46 GMT

I am always looking for a way to deodorize my garbage disposal. I have tried real lemons, little balls of lemon scent and a citrus cleaner that claimed to do the trick but, I really haven't been sold on any of them.

The Disposal Magic product is a cut above the rest but I am still on my quest to find something that will take my breath away! [not literally, of course]

The package I bought contained 8 packets or pouches of cleaner. Although the bag says it is easy to use, I found that one time it did not foam away anything. I had to use a second pouch for the foam to rise up and act as though it was cleaning.

To use the Disposal Magic, simply turn on the hot water and let it stream into the disposal for at least a minute. Turn the water so it becomes a trickle. The disposal should be off at this point.

Continuing with the disposal on off, insert one of the packets into the disposal. You don't have to unwrap it or anything- just put the whole thing in.

Now, turn on the disposal. If it works...

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this2shallpass19 says "This lip balm had potential, but didn't quite find it." about J.R. Watkins Natural Beeswax Lip Balm

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:44:18 GMT

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am addicted to lip balm. Anytime I see an all natural fruity or minty lip balm, I buy it. My latest purchase is J.R. Watkins Natural Beeswax Lip Balm. It met all of my requirements: all natural, minty and paraben-free, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.

What I did like about this lip balm is that it is made with 100% natural ingredients, it's paraben-free and it has what J.R. Watkins calls "a hint of pure peppermint oil". On paper, this sounds like the perfect lip balm, but unfortunately, it isn't.

What I don't like about this lip balm is the way it smells. It smells like plastic or wax, not peppermint. When you apply it to your lips, it smells even more like wax, with the tiniest hint of mint. They weren't kidding when they said there was a hint of peppermint oil in it. Ironically, it does make your lips tingle like peppermint lip balms do. The texture of this product on your lips, isn't too bad, but isn't as soft and silky as...

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