Reviews by Friends of nicki2442

TheBard says "A Guilty Pleasure Three Season In" about Entourage - Season 3, Part 1

TheBard — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:23:35 GMT

Bottom-Line: Entourage: The Complete Third Season is not for those under the age of 17; this is strictly adult fair, pretty much like anything HBO produces; YES!

Entourage chronicles the life of one Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), an up and coming A-list movie actor, and his posse of two friends and one brother from Queens New York as they party their way through the jungle that is Hollywood California. Purportedly Entourage is loosely based on the experiences of Executive Producer Wahlberg and his gang when he first appeared on the Hollywood scene.

Ari Gold, played to hilarious over-the-top perfection by Jeremy Piven, is Vincent's high-powered always on the edge agent, while Mrs. Piven (Perrey Reeves - The Lyon's Den) and Shauna (Debi Mazar) round out the regular cast membership.

Entourage: The Complete Third Season DVD drops us into the four childhood friends lives just after Vinnie become an A-list star, and the "Entourage" is living large. ...

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TunefulGal says "My Oreck XL Classic Power Team: still sucking after many years." about Oreck XL Classic Power Team Vacuum

TunefulGal — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:41:35 GMT

For more than 15 years, I've been sweeping my way through the clutter with my eight-pound Oreck XL Classic vacuum. The cats have scratched the outer bag. The handle falls backward if I don't park my Classic carefully. I've replaced cords twice. And I've learned that generic bags work as well for me as Oreck's more expensive bags.

If you've missed all the Oreck commercials on TV or all of the full-page ads in magazines... well... I'm surprised! Oreck products are among the most-hyped items of their type.

This hype, however, actually works for me (the hater of hype). I carry my old Classic XL in one hand and change bags fairly often (the XL loves animal air). I can maneuver it in places where most vacuums simply don't fit -- under the piano bench and the bed and the armoire; between the clutter of desks and bookcases, etc.

I like the fact that the Oreck XL self-adjusts when going from carpet to bare floor. I appreciate the direct suction design (how basic can you get?) ...

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KaciOhio says "Magic Reveal is cute but doesn't always work. " about Master Heaters Magic Reveal Toaster

KaciOhio — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:08:20 GMT

Magic ReVeal Chef's Toaster set. The toaster is sturdy, durable and nice looking. You take the toast and place inside the toaster. The toast goes in plain and white and comes out burnt! lol! Theres a little sponge inside the toaster that makes the toast change when it pops out. You do have to get some water on the sponge first or it will not work. Can get messy with the water. Comes w/toaster, toast, butterknife, plates. No batteries required. 2+ Age. This toy is only a few dollars and keeps the young ones busy for awhile. Many Magic ReVeal Sets out there. Sometimes the toast doesn't want to fit right and won't stay down in the toaster. Can be tough for a little kid to do. Frustrating! And the sponge doesn't stay moist/wet long enough and you have to keep rewetting it unless you get it super soaked and then you have a drippy wet mess.

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KaciOhio says "ZhuZhu Pets!! Hot Holiday Toy of the Year............." about Cepia Zhu Zhu Pets - Three Hamsters

KaciOhio — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:53:51 GMT

ZhuZhu Pets....Well I bought them..My 8 year old and 6 year old played with them a whole minute and have not played with them since! I however played with them and had to stop after a few minutes also...They roll around and make cute and crazy noises....Thats it. lol To be quite honest I don't know why this is such a great toy!! It doesn't do anything that a toy mouse from the pet department of Walmart can do...you put in batteries, push a button and they turn on and roll around...I could actually go buy a Cat Toy Mouse that rolls around and draw something on it and say...LOOK KIDS zhu zhu pets!!! lol

Takes 2 AAA batteries

Zhu Zhu Pets has a special code reader equipped on the pet that when in a zhuzhu pet environment it knows to go different directions and etc. Add on sets and environments are sold separetely.

Modes:

1. Talk Mode. This is the nurturing, loving mode. When you want to give your pet special attention w/out it scurrying away from you. Press the head button to make the pet...

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KaciOhio says "My daughter has a blast with this cool kid camera!" about Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera

KaciOhio — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:41:04 GMT

Kidizoom Camera by VTech has 2x Zoom, takes 400 digital photos and has lots of built in games!! You can edit photos and add awesome special effects to pictures like turning someone into a snowman, warping and distorting peoples faces and adding cool frames and stamps around your pictures!! My daughter absolutely loved this present!! Its organe and very durable, if they drop it its still fine! The hard rubber shell keeps it protected. 3+ years and easy to navigate. My 8 year old navigates the options on the camera with ease. She can save pictures and hook the cord up to the computer and download her pictures right on the computer! The pictures are okay quality. Some are crystal clear depending on how close you get to someone but most are kinda blurry and faded but still very cute for your young photographer!! Includes: Computer connectivity for photo storage or photo printing, 64MB internal memory and USB cable for computer connection. My daughter opened this up and had it taking pictures...

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TheBard says "Is This Supposed to be Christmas Music?" about Brand New Year by SHeDAISY

TheBard — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:16:24 GMT

Bottom-Line: When all is said and sung, Brand New World is a worthy effort, but for a traditionalist like me the CD just doesn't work.

I have been a fan of Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn, better known as the Pop-Country group, SheDaisy, since 1999 when I saw the video for the single Little Good-byes from their debut album The Whole SHeBANG (1999). To this day Little Good-byes typifies what SheDaisy's music is all about; the song is fun, whimsical, full of energy and highlights the trio's harmonizing acumen.

In between The Whole SHeBANG and Knock on The Sky the trio released the obligatory Christmas CD, entitled Brand New World in the fall of 2000. However, the CD was less than I expected. Now I like my Yuletide music traditional, thank you very much and with one, okay two, exceptions, Brand New World fails to deliver.

Yes, the trio put their own new-age country-contemporary spin on wintery seasonal favorites like Deck The Halls (track No.1), Jingle Bells (track No.4), and

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this2shallpass19 says "I've never eaten red velvet cake, but this smells good!" about Philosophy Red Velvet Cake 3 in 1 Shampoo, Body Wash, and Bubble Bath

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:53:01 GMT

Lately, I have been on a Philosophy kick. It's an expensive habit to have since their 3-in-1 bath products are $1.00 an ounce! I bought this online even though I've never even eaten red velvet cake to know what it smells like. It was one of the products in my Philosophy The Recipe Box gift set, which also included a Sweet Creamy Frosting 3-in-1 Shower Gel.

Philosophy Red Velvet Cake 3-in-1 Shower Gel is a multi-purpose product. It is a shower gel, bubble bath and shampoo in one bottle. Philosophy is known for their delicious, food-inspired scents, and this scent is sure to please fans of bakery scents. I've never eaten red velvet cake, so I don't know what it smells like, but this product smells like cake, butter, cinnamon, sugar, chocolate and something fruity. I have to admit the title of the product helps with scent association, because had I not known what they called it, I would have no idea what I smelled! It's not my favorite Philosophy scent, but it is nice.

I haven't...

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Susie-34668 says "Dry Idea Powder Fresh works as good as any other deodorant" about Dry Idea Powder Fresh Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant

Susie-34668 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:56:25 GMT

Dry Idea was on sale for 99 cents, in our local drugstore, and then I got it back in coupons. For free, I will take any product.

It is a basic roll on anti-perspirant & deodorant, with no frills. The bottle is white and very plain. Upon unscrewing the cap, you can see the ball of the roll- on.

I just put it up to my underarms and rolled it three or four times, so it covered all the area. I loved the powder fresh smell.

I checked under my arms a few minutes later and I felt wet there. The tips of my fingers were wet, but within a few seconds of them touching the area, my fingers were totally dry, and had a silky feeling to them. I left the deodorant for 15 minutes and felt under my arms again, and I still had a little wetness there. Again the tips of my fingers dried to a soft silkiness. My under arm area did indeed dry, and felt silky soft.

On their website it states:

This formula put 'dry' into Dry Idea. It contains no water for a drier application, and it is time released...

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dmlichnerowicz says "Amp up your hot cocoa and coffee with a splash of Bailey's" about Baileys Irish Cream

dmlichnerowicz — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:48:32 GMT

I'm not normally into "foo foo drinks," preferring a simple beer or glass of wine. But when the cold months roll around, I love a little added kick to my hot chocolate and coffee, especially in the evening, sitting in front of the Christmas tree or watching snow fall outside. Bailey's Original Irish Cream is one of the most versatile drinks to keep on hand. A delicious combination of cream, whiskey and spirits, and chocolate, Bailey's Original Irish Cream can be consumed by itself or added into other beverages. Not only can you get the original flavor, but Bailey's also sells three other flavors: with a Hint of Mint Chocolate, with a hint of Coffee, and with a hint of Caramel.

I love the flavor of Bailey's Original Irish Cream all on its own, either on the rocks or hot and buttered (see their website for additional recipes.) If I want just a hint of the flavor and aroma, a dash in my hot cocoa or latte gives just a hint of sweetness and warmth to make it even cozier!

Bailey's...

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this2shallpass19 says "Artificial taste & it's not creamy enough. No thanks." about Nestle Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Packets

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:42:25 GMT

I recently went on vacation and stayed in a rental home in Big Bear Lake, California. I like to be as simple and practical as possible when on a road trip, so I bought Nestle Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Packets because I didn't want to bring perishable half & half, my regular coffee creamer.

I thought these single serve packets would be perfect since they can be room temperature and they come in a small box instead of a huge, plastic container, like other powder coffee creamers. Unfortunately, I don't like the way they make my coffee taste, so they were almost a waste of money.

Nestle Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Packets come with five, .42 ounce, single serving packets to a box. These are not the liquid creamers, they are powder. I do admit that these are very convenient since they are pre-measured, but what's the point if they don't cream my coffee enough? I understand they can't possibly make single serve packets that satisfy everyone, but I'm...

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this2shallpass19 says "7-Up flavored lip balm? Yep, and I like it!" about on10 7-Up Lemon Lime Lip Balm SPF 15

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:22:06 GMT

Not that I need another lip balm, but I recently purchased some new ones online from Sephora. They were all on sale, came in scents that appealed to me and came in vintage-looking tins that I thought looked really cute.

I really love the on10 Schweppes Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm I bought, so I was looking forward to trying this one because of the unique 7-Up scent. on10 7-Up Lemon Lime Lip Balm SPF 15 is a unique lip balm because it actually smells like 7-Up, the lemon/lime soda. Unlike my Schweppes Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm, this one comes in an easy-to-open tin. Instead of having to try to pull the lid off the small tin, this lid slides across, making it very easy to open and close.

The scent does smell like a solidified version of 7-Up, and I like it. I also like that it contains sunscreen. Most of my lip balms don't contain any SPF, so the fact that this one contains SPF 15 is a plus. I also like that this product is free of petroleum and parabens. It's actually made with...

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this2shallpass19 says "I'm sure I'll be breathing garlic for five days!!" about Trader Joe's Garlic Fries

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:15:20 GMT

Making my way through all the delicious products at Trader Joe's, I decided to try something new - Trader Joe's Garlic Fries. I have liked just about everything I have purchased at Trader Joe's, so I didn't even hesitate when I threw these fries in my cart. Unfortunately, these are one of the few products at Trader Joe's that I'm just not crazy about.

I did like how easy these fries were to make. Just bake them in the oven until they are crunchy and then mix them with a packet of garlic sauce. Unfortunately, the end result is a soggy french fry with an extremely strong flavor of raw garlic. Don't get me wrong, I love garlic - even a strong garlic flavor, but these are way too strong to enjoy. They have that spicy bite that raw garlic gives, but worse because you are getting so much of it. After eating a couple of fries, I just couldn't eat anymore. Thank goodness my husband ate them too, or I'm sure he wouldn't come near me for a while!

The packet of garlic sauce includes:...

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RudiXeno says "ForceFlex Quick-Tie: Not quite ready for prime-time" about Glad Forceflex Quick Tie Kitchen Trash Bags

RudiXeno — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:02:41 GMT

Not too long ago I tried Glad's ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Trash Bags. This was the variety that came with the familiar drawstring. Having previously pretty much stuck with the Publix store brand, I had to say I was impressed. In fact I tested them for their strength and found that they could easily hold four 1 gallon bottles of water weighing just over 32 lb. My Publix bags couldn't.

So it wasn't long before I found Glad ForceFlex bags on deep sale in the local BJ's Wholesale Club. A box of a million or so bags (actually "only" 140) for a very reasonable price.

All Glad ForceFlex Bags are not created equal

Had I looked carefully I would have noticed that these bags had no familiar red draw-string. Sure they had the signature criss-cross pattern from which they derive their incredible strength, but no draw-string. In its place were four elongated flaps that could be tied together in order to seal the bag closed. As far as I was concerned, I didn't think it was going to be much...

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PattyTherre says "If you're gonna do purple eyeliner, be HIP and do it right!" about L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner, Eggplant

PattyTherre — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:08:12 GMT

Quick View: I'm obsessed with the color purple and have been buying purple eyeliner and mascara but have generally not liked the color. I am brunette with brown eyes and I like a very deep purple as opposed to a violet shade. I tried L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant and wow! The liner is dark, deep, and very dramatic. I like it!

My Take on L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner, Eggplant 960

This cream eyeliner comes in Black, Teal, Navy, Brown, and Eggplant. I bought the Eggplant because I wanted a dark purple liner and this one looked very deep. The brush included is not great. I can use it but I prefer to use my Smashbox eyeliner brush for a much more even line.

The cream is very thick and only a bit is needed. It does glide on well and looks very intense. It is almost a black purple shade which is exactly what I wanted. Anything less would look kind of weird with my skin coloring and at my age (45).

The liner is super pigmented as all HIP products are. It is intense...

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BayouBengal says "Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow -- It's Moussey!" about Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow

BayouBengal — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:15:26 GMT

I'm not a morning person but I'm also not one to go out of the house without makeup! And that goes for eye shadow too on most mornings. One of my new finds is Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow. I picked it up because I found it at Dollar Tree and I knew my daughter loved the foundation. So I decided to give it a try.

I bought the pastal lilac shade of Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow for only a buck at Dollar Tree. I picked up two different shades if I recall. I have opened and have been using the lilac shade for several days now.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow is a whipped formula of eye shadow that is very lightweight. The shade I have is a pastel lilac and it has a shimmer to it that is barely noticeable.

I love the way Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Shadow applies. It dries quickly, and will allow for you to add another dab if you need the shade to be a bit darker. It is not sticky nor greasy. The slight shimmer is just enough to catch the light and add a bit...

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Caprig says "Mom! The Cat Won't Stop Licking My Hair!" about Tarte Cheek Stain in Blissful

Caprig — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:42:42 GMT

"MOM!"

I ignored the shout of my daughter trying desperately to concentrate on the paper that I needed to write.

"MOM!!! HEEELLLPPP!"

I walked into the living room quickly to see what the problem could be only to find my daughter stuck to the couch with her hair straight up in the air as the cat dutifully licked her entire head like he was cleaning himself.

"MOM- THE STUPID CAT WON'T STOP LICKING MY HAIR"

At which point the UPS man came up the driveway. Our daughter jumped up from the chair, the cat in hot pursuit, with clearly a job undone, and the result was - a little white box from TARTE! My Tarte Cheek Stain in Blissful arrived!

WHAT IS TARTE CHEEK STAIN in BLISSFUL LIKE?

Makeup can be a very exciting field of discussion. Makeup can also be a very volatile topic of discussion, depending on what group of people you happen to find yourself in. One of the topics the seems to polarize people is that of TARTE CHEEK STAINS.

TARTE CHEEK STAINS are a gel based blush/lipstick that...

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AnnaBanana says "A wonderful treat but chew carefully!" about Today's Farm - Freeze-Dried Fruit Snack

AnnaBanana — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:43:55 GMT

Among the goodies which arrived in my first order from Alice.com was a .75 oz. Today's Farm Freeze-Dried Fruit Snack manufactured by Justus Foods, Inc. of Georgetown Texas. These snacks come in assorted flavors but I chose Apple Cinnamon. At $2.24 a package, this is not cheap but the ingredient list for this treat is delightfully simple: freeze-dried apples, sugar and cinnamon. The package contains the equivalent of two 1/2-cup servings of fresh apples which have been sliced up as though for a pie before the water was extracted from them. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives. As far as I am concerned, less is more when it comes to ingredients and this is no exception.

STATS:

One entire package is considered to be a single serving which contains 80 calories and zip, zip, zero fat, Cholesterol, Sodium and Protein. There are 20 grams Total Carbs, 2 grams Dietary Fiber, 16 grams Sugars, and 6% (D.V.) Vitamin C.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Today's Farm Apple Cinnamon Freeze-Dried...

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Bryan-Carey says "American Diabetes Association: Advocate for the Diabetic " about American Diabetes Association

Bryan-Carey — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:34:47 GMT

Do you know someone with diabetes? Chances are you do. More than 25 million people in the United States alone suffer from this annoying and sometimes fatal disease and the numbers continue to grow each year, due in part to the obesity epidemic and poor eating habits among Americans of all ages. The foremost charity that works on behalf of diabetics everywhere is the American Diabetes Association, a non- profit health organization.

Charity Commentary:

The American Diabetes Association mission is threefold. First, this organization wants to assist those who presently have diabetes and help them live a normal life. Second, the American Diabetes Association wants to educate the public and help prevent future cases of diabetes. Third, this health organization wants to search for a cure. Its annual spending budget is divided among these three key areas of support.

I have been an active contributor to the American Diabetes Association for many years and what first drew my attention...

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RudiXeno says "Alfi Juwel Gold Plated Brass Carafe-Serving it Large & Luxurious" about Alfi 30579000100 Juwel Gold Plated Brass Carafe (Thermal Pot)

RudiXeno — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:23:32 GMT

The Xenos just love to entertain. Give me an audience to demonstrate my cooking chops and I'm all set.

And after the meal is done what's better than to savor a good cup of coffee.

"Who wants decaf?' queries Veronica. "G_o_o_o_d G_a_a_d!" I scream in my head, apparently channeling Norman Thayer from On Golden Pond. Great! Now I have to put up two pots. We have plenty of coffee makers around so that's not the problem.

"Anyone need tea?" she adds trying to be the perfect hostess. By now I know she's just trying to tick me off. Veronica knows that's there's no way I'm going to put three glass pots on the dining room table. She wants to show off the Alfi Juwels.

Alfi Juwels
Alfi has been producing elegant carafes since 1918. They were first used almost exclusively on the Pullman cars of American railroads. They are constructed in Germany and feature double walled glass liners that are guaranteed to keep liquids either hot or cold for up to 12 hours. Each carafe has...

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TheBard says "A Submarine Movie This Bubblehead Can Enjoy" about Crimson Tide

TheBard — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:03:59 GMT

Bottom-Line: Crimson Tide is now one of my favorite must see once-a-year movies.

Directed by action junkie Tony Scott (Top Gun, Man on Fire, Spy Game), Crimson Tide revives and old enemy (Russia) for some tomfoolery and high intrigue in the middle of the Pacific Ocean onboard the nuclear-powered ballistic submarine U.S.S. Alabama. The "Bama" has been sent to counter possible first strike moves by a rouge Russian rebel leader who has managed to seize a Russian nuclear base on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the Northwestern Pacific. The U.S.S. Alabama is led by a no nonsense, by-the-book skipper, one Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman ~ A Bridge Too Far, Superman, Mississippi Burning).

The acting executive officer is one Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington ~ Glory, Malcolm X, American Gangster) and almost immediately the two men butt heads. One man is doer, an old-school sub driver, while the other is a thinker a graduate of Annapolis.

The differing leadership...

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