Reviews by Friends of supr

LisaCarey says "Visiting the grandparents and holiday travel is easy" about Continental Airlines

LisaCarey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:40:40 GMT

There are many advantages to living in Houston and one of them is that Continental Airlines offers many non stop flights from Houston to were I want and need to go. Much of our family lives in Ohio and without Continental Airlines it would be difficult if not impossible to see our family (with them traveling here or us traveling there) as often as we do. My daughter has flown using their unaccompanied minor system (which is expensive but never messed up); I have flown alone with two preschool children in tow and so far every experience has been excellent.

What I like about air travel with Continental Airlines

at check in they offered my husband a security pass so he could help me get the kids to the gate
they always take excellent care of my unaccompanied minor daughter as she travels back and forth
the flight attendants let ME handle the children - with the occasional helpful suggestion (say about ears hurting)
daily flights back and forth to where we need to go
check...

...

LisaCarey says "Pop goes the toast, bagel and so much more!" about Oster 6331 2-Slice Toaster

LisaCarey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:54:38 GMT

Visiting my parents for a week, I was able to put the Oster 6331 2-Slice Toaster through quite the challenge. My children like their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches toasted (as do their grandfather). They also enjoy bagels, pop tarts and toaster strudels making it absolutely necessary to use the toaster during this week at home with them and with grandparents wanting to spoil them.

The Oster 6331 2-Slice Toaster is approximately $35.00 and is a two slice toaster that also accomodates bagels, toast, frozen items and in our case I even toasted the whole grain wheat sandwich buns. The darkness control feature offers up to 7 different settings (may I suggest the number 3 setting) and you can also choose from toast, bagels and frozen items. One of the best features of this toaster is that instead of just increasing the numbers for frozen foods, you actually defrost them with the frozen function. Other features that I like include:

removable crumb tray
easily cleaned

...

LisaCarey says "Spanx has got you covered from bum to toe" about Spanx All The Way - Leg Control Pantyhose with Super Control

LisaCarey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:31:04 GMT

I recently had an opportunity to wear a formal gown. I admit that wearing a dress is something I avoid, after several weeks of my daughters (now 4 and 3) pulling up my skirts during mass to play hide and seek. Wearing a formal gown required many more foundation garments that I am used to wearing and wanting a sleek, no pantyline look as well as a comfortable fit with pantyhose I took a chance on Spanx All The Way - Leg Control Pantyhose with Super Control.

I admit Spanx All The Way - Leg Control Pantyhose with Super Control at $29.99 at Lane Bryant was a little pricey for me. But I had so much success with the original Spanx product and I really wanted the line of the formal (did I mention tight fitting) dress to be just right.

WOW! Is all I can say! On the ride home, I exclaimed to my husband what took so long to come up with a pair of pantyhose that is supportive, sexy, nice to look at and comfortable? Not to mention, (and ladies this is most important when wearing a formal...

...

LisaCarey says "Put the lime in the coconut " about Malibu Rum Coconut 42 Proof 1.00l

LisaCarey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:13:55 GMT

Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both up.

Imagine this, laying on the beach slathered in cocoa butter. That's pretty much the scent you get when you first pour Malibu Rum Coconut 42 Proof. It is a clear alcoholic spirit that tastes just as good on the rocks as it does mixed in a drink.

The price of the Malibu Rum Coconut 42 Proof is so very reasonable and the flavor of this spirit is clean and crisp without bitterness or an after taste. Here is the funny thing, I don't even really like coconut flavor or lotions. Neither the aroma or the flavor is one of my favorites, but for some reason this simply works on the rock or as a mixed drink. Consider serving a Key West Cooler, Absolut Stress, or Malibu Sunrise using Malibu Rum Coconut 42 Proof.

Malibu Rum Coconut 42 Proof is reasonably priced, versatile, easily found at most liquor stores, made in Barbados with natural coconut extract and is 21% alcohol content by volume....

...

LisaCarey says "Cranberry and Lemonade? Guess what it works! " about Mikes Hard Harder Cranberry Lemonade

LisaCarey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:30:56 GMT

I recently attended a birthday party where Mikes Harder Cranberry Lemonade was served to the adults. It was surprisingly fun and refreshing, so I decided to give it a try at home on my own to see if more than one held up to judgment.

Mikes Harder Cranberry Lemonade is a malt beverage, not a beer, but not a spirit. It's made with the same grains as beer. There is one significant difference, it is fruity flavored and carbonated, and honestly nothing like beer, even fruit flavored ones.

Mikes Harder Cranberry Lemonade comes in a four pack package, with large size cans with a price tag of approximately $6.99. Upon pouring, it is larger that most glasses and requires leaving some of it in the can while you drink down the glass. It is incredibly bubbly and the color is a light red, cranberry color. The aroma is fruity and easily drinkable.

Warning to those who don't drink often, this "harder" lemonade actually does pack a little punch on an empty stomach.

If you are looking...

...

LisaCarey says "Mix this Cranberry Twist before Drinking " about Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist 1 liter

LisaCarey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:58:50 GMT

Really good beer is the preferred drink in my household for my husband and I like to "mix" things up. Since it is the season, I decided to give Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist a try since I do enjoy many flavored vodka, such as the Absolut line.

Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist is a clear alcohol flavored vodka with the light scent of peach, pear, grain alcohol and cranberry. At first taste (and many others) on the rocks or straight up is not my preferred method of drinking this flavored vodka.

The flavor on the rocks is slightly better than straight up. Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist flavor is prominently the vodka taste, then cranberry, peach and pear.

The one liter bottle of Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist is approximately $21.99 which is actually reasonably priced for that large of a bottle.

My brother says that Smirnoff Vodka Cranberry Twist gives him a headache, however, I have no problems drinking it. With the holidays approaching it could be an inexpensive alcoholic...

...

LoveisJoy says "Caress Bathes My Skin in Silky, Soapy Bubbles " about Caress Daily Silk Soap

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:46:27 GMT

In general, I have committed myself to Olay soaps because of the great lather and soft-as-butter feel. Still, I can't turn my back on my first love, Caress. Let's just say that I love the way Caress Daily Silk Soap makes me feel.

In addition to the amazingly fresh fragrance of a bar of Caress soap, the fact that the bar is made with bath oil lets you know that you're in for a moisturizing experience. Caress lathers up incredibly well and the bubbles just seem to last and last. At first I was afraid that the soap wouldn't rinse off easily, but actually it did with no problem and no drying residue. After my shower, my skin felt soft and moisturized--even before using my regular lotion. I also noticed that my skin doesn't get dry even when using Caress during the cold winter months. That's high praise for a simple bar of soap.

I do enjoy the boutique body soaps and more expensive shower gels, but you don't always have to spend a fortune to get a great bathing experience. Caress...

...

LoveisJoy says "So Soft, So Flattering, and So Affordable" about Old Navy Women's Stretch Tanks

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:26:14 GMT

I found the Old Navy Women's Stretch Tank Top by accident. I was at the Old Navy website looking for something else, and I happened upon the item while I was browsing. Like most women, I always have room in my wardrobe for a sleek tank top to wear under other pieces. At first, I was skeptical about making the purchase because I was afraid that the material might be too casual-cheap looking. To my surprise, the tank top is nice enough to either dress up or dress down, making it a very versatile option.

The Old Navy Women's Stretch Tank is made of a cotton/spandex blend giving it a flattering fit over your curves. The hand of the material is soft, and the straps are wide enough to hide bra straps if you want to wear it alone or as a camisole under a sheer blouse. It has a scoop neckline, is long enough to hit at the hips, and is tagless (thank goodness).

The tank comes in both Petite and Tall, as well as regular sizes. There is an assortment of available colors from Brights (Radiant...

...

LoveisJoy says "Learned Some Spanish in Spite of Software's Many Flaws" about Individual - Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe 10 Software

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:06:07 GMT

The only reason I didn't rate Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe Software lower is because I did learn a few more things that I didn't come across in Rosetta Stone. That said, this software program probably has as many things going against it as it does going for it.

Pros:

Speech Analysis: Practice speaking, and the gauge will rise and fall depending on how well you pronounce the words. I'm always excited when I manage to talk like a "native speaker."

Beginner to Advanced: Instead of paying for different levels, Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe is designed so users can begin instruction at the level they feel most comfortable.

Simulated Conversations: Each lesson takes you through a simulation of real world experiences, like meeting new people at a party or speaking to a clerk at a currency exchange.

Incredibly Affordable: I paid $14.99 when I bought Learn to Speak Spanish Deluxe; a mere fraction of the $200+ cost of Rosetta Stone Level 1. If you're curious about learning Spanish,...

...

LoveisJoy says "My Shower Sparkles Like New" about CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:01:26 GMT

The first time I used CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover was many years ago when I lived in an apartment that had rusty water. The inside of the dishwasher would get stained with rusty blotches and I was at a loss as to how to get it clean. Someone recommended running a dishwasher cycle with CLR in the detergent compartment. I did so, and was thrilled that when I opened the dishwasher door I was greeted with a sparkling white interior. This stuff really blasts through rust stains.

Fast forward several years, and I remembered that CLR can also power through hard water and calcium deposits. I bought a bottle to attack my shower faucet. I had recently noticed that the water coming through my showerhead had lost its forcefulness. Over time, the shower spray had gotten pretty wimpy and I hoped CLR would clear out the calcium deposits from the showerhead so that I could get my invigorating shower back. Happily, CLR not only cleared out the nozzles on the showerhead, but it provided...

...

LoveisJoy says "O-Cedar Makes Sweeping the Floor Easier" about O Cedar Large Angle Broom

LoveisJoy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:40:46 GMT

These days it's popular to use products like Swiffer and other dust mops for cleaning hard floor surfaces. I do use a dust mop for some household chores, but nothing takes the place of a good, old-fashioned broom. O-Cedar Large Angle Broom is the most dependable way for me to clean up debris that other floor cleaners miss.

O-Cedar Large Angle Broom is made of sturdy, plastic angled bristles. This particular broom is extra wide so that it lets me finish a job more quickly. The bristles are flexible, but not mushy, and the angle allows the broom to reach into corners effectively (unlike my experience with Swiffer).

The bristle tips have a feathered edge and it seems to pick up the finer particles better than other brands of brooms that I've tried. I also think that the quality of the O-Cedar broom is outstanding. The bristles don't shed or fall apart like corn brooms can. I've used O-Cedar brooms for ages, and they seriously last for years.

Overall, my opinion of O-Cedar Large...

...

LoveisJoy says "Dove Heat Defense Conditioner is Like Therapy for Dry Hair" about Dove Heat Defense Therapy Conditioner

LoveisJoy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:40:59 GMT

I'm a pretty low maintenance gal when it comes to styling my hair. I don't have a drawer full of blow dryers, hot curlers, flat irons, or heated rollers. But I do chemically relax my hair, and that process can cause breakage and split ends if I don't carefully shampoo and deep condition regularly.

I received a sample of Dove Heat Defense Therapy Conditioner and noticed that it was designed to protect and strengthen hair. Even though I don't specifically use much heat on my hair personally, I figured that any conditioner that can repair heat damaged hair can certainly help protect mine. I washed my hair with the Heat Defense shampoo, and then applied the conditioner on my damp hair.

Dove Heat Defense conditioner smells fresh, but not in an overpowering way. It's not as thick as the Pantene Relaxed and Natural conditioner that I normally use, but it does have a slick feeling to it. I think the slickness may be from the silicone in the formula, and it helps to smooth and soften...

...

LoveisJoy says "Dove Lets You Shampoo Some Softness Into Your Hair" about Dove Heat Defense Therapy Shampoo

LoveisJoy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:19:44 GMT

I'm a die-hard Pantene user, but I was intrigued by a sample I received that proclaimed: "No one repairs damage better than Dove." Well, that's quite a confident statement so I was determined to put it up against my beloved Pantene.

Dove Heat Defense Therapy Shampoo is a fresh-smelling shampoo that's formulated with "millions of micro particles" to protect and strengthen hair that's been subject to heat irons, curlers, and blow dryers. Personally, I very seldom use heat when styling my hair. However, because my hair is chemically relaxed I figured the Dove could help strengthen and protect it. Not surprisingly, Dove Heat Defense contains glycerin (moisturizer) and dimethicone (smoothing silicone) to help soften and smooth hair while shampooing.

The shampoo has a light--and very pleasing--fresh scent. The lather was surprisingly full for a conditioning shampoo. It definitely beats out my Pantene Relaxed and Natural on that score. The texture of the shampoo was smooth; I...

...

LoveisJoy says "Just 5 is Gentle Enough to Use on Chemically Relaxed Hair" about Just 5 Hair Color - Five Minute Colorant

LoveisJoy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:05:00 GMT

The last time I changed my hair color was over 25 years ago when I was in my early 20s. I went through a "Dark Auburn" phase for a couple of years. After suffering really bad hair breakage, I finally accepted the fact that the permanent dye was much too harsh for my relaxed hair. Lately, I've begun to notice a handful of grays sprouting and I decided to see if I could find a gentle formula that would cover the gray without damaging my hair. I purchased a box of Just 5 - Five Minute Hair Colorant because it promised:

Semi-permanent color - One application lasts up to 6 weeks, until the gray grows back.
Five gentle minutes - Doesn't expose my hair to chemicals for 30 minutes
Color gray right after you relax your hair - No more waiting a week to color
Replenishing conditioners - The added conditioners go to work as you color
Gray coverage - Blends shades of my natural color so that the gray looks more like highlights
Doesn't alter natural color - It just kind of brightens...

...

LoveisJoy says "A Tub Full of Bubblegum-Scented Bubbles" about Avon Bubble Bath - For Kids

LoveisJoy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:27:22 GMT

My four year old grandson is big enough to take a shower, but he still enjoys splashing around a bubble-filled tub when he spends the night. I purchased a bottle of Avon Bubble Bath - For Kids so that I always have something kid-friendly on hand for him.

The first time he saw the bottle with a pair of ducks gracing the label, he knew that it was just for him. I opened the lid and he giggled and said that it "smells like bubblegum." I have to agree. It's a bit too sweet smelling for me, but apparently it's just right for a child. We poured in a generous amount of the clear colored liquid and watched the bubbles quickly foam up. Good times.

Even after splashing around for about 15 minutes or so, the bubbles hung in there and didn't fade. When it was time to extract him from the bath, I didn't notice any dryness or irritation to his skin. He didn't smell like bubblegum either--just fresh and clean.

The only downside to Avon Bubble Bath - For Kids is that it is not an organic...

...

LoveisJoy says "Couldn't Eliminate Moss From my Brick Patio" about Gardens Alive! Moss Aside - Moss Killer

LoveisJoy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:43:02 GMT

Gardens Alive! (gardensalive.com) is an environmentally-friendly company that offers gardening products free from toxic chemicals. This past May, I purchased a bottle of Moss Aside - Moss Killer because I had noticed moss creeping in between some of the bricks in our outdoor patio. This was the first year we'd had a problem with moss, so I assumed it was just because we'd gotten so much spring rain. I didn't want to try any heavy duty chemicals, so Moss Aside seemed like the perfect solution. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't.

Moss Aside comes in a white bottle with complete instructions. The active ingredient is "potassium soap of fatty acid" in a water based, non-alcohol formula. It is a weed killer and does need to be used with care. However, it's a much more eco-friendly option than many brand name weed killers.

I mixed the Moss Aside with water as directed, and sprayed the solution onto my brick patio where moss was present. I was lucky that it didn't rain for over...

...

LoveisJoy says "Shrubs Alive! Made My Transplanted Bushes Thrive" about Gardens Alive! Shrubs Alive! Fertilizer for Trees and Shrubs

LoveisJoy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:21:56 GMT

It's that time of the year where I reflect on what I've accomplished in my garden this past year, and take stock of what needs fixing for next time. A couple of years ago, we moved a few potentilla bushes to a new spot in the garden. After transplanting, I could see that they just weren't thriving. I bought a bag of Shrubs Alive! Fertilizer for Trees and Shrubs and can confidently say that this product saved my bushes.

I received a catalog from Gardens Alive!, a company that focuses on environmentally friendly solutions for gardeners. I could have easily picked up some fertilizer from a local retailer, but I was intrigued enough about the product to place an order. Shrubs Alive promised to:

Supply all the right food to woody ornamentals.
Help young shrubs and trees grow fast and reach mature size more quickly.
Make bushes less susceptible to diseases, insect pests and stress caused by poor soil.
Benefit older shrubs and trees by making them healthier and more vigorous.

Soon...

...

LoveisJoy says "Weight Smart: Metabolism Booster with Vitamins and Green Tea " about One A Day Weight Smart Vitamins

LoveisJoy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:04:39 GMT

I wasn't able to find these vitamins during my last trip to the drugstore, and now I realize how much I miss them. One A Day Weight Smart Vitamins seemed to help me keep my weight in my self-imposed target zone. Now that I've been without them for a couple of months, I can feel the difference they made for me.

Weight Smart contains the essential ingredients you would expect to find in a vitamin/mineral supplement. In addition, One A Day also delivers Vitamins C, B6, B12, E, Chromium, and ECGC to help "enhance your metabolism." Otherwise known as a natural green tea extract, ECGC has been reported to show significant benefit in helping to safely rev up metabolism. .

In my experience, Weight Smart is not a miracle, magic weight loss pill that will slim you with no effort. However, since I've not been using it I have added back a couple of pounds that I had kept at bay for over a year. I haven't made any other changes, so I credit Weight Smart with having a tiny role in my...

...

LoveisJoy says "One Pill A Day Supports Heart, Bone, and Breast Health" about One-A-Day Women's Formula Vitamin Tablets

LoveisJoy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:29:06 GMT

When shopping for a multivitamin, it's easy for me to get overwhelmed by the choices. I don't want packets of vitamins to ingest throughout the day. I simply want a supplement to help balance out my (usually) healthy meals. Currently, I'm using One-A-Day Women's Multivitamins because they provide a complete daily regimen of vitamins and minerals without overdoing it.

One A Day Women's caught my eye because they support the issues that women face. With twice as much Calcium and Vitamin D as Centrum, the One-A-Day tablets provide better support for breast and bone health. I do get a good supply of daily calcium through the foods and dairy I consume, so the 45% Daily Value of the calcium in One A Day means I don't have to take an additional calcium tablet.

One A Day Women's Multivitamins support health in the following ways:

Bone Strength: Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamins D and K, Copper, Manganese
Reproductive Health: Folic Acid, Calcium Magnesium, Zinc
Breast Support: Vitamin...

...

LoveisJoy says "Daily Nourishment: A Good Detangler, but an Average Conditioner" about John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray

LoveisJoy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:39:58 GMT

I bought John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray for one reason. The bottle said that it "instantly detangles." Actually, I had another reason--anything that has "Frizz-Ease" in the title sounds like a product that will help smooth my relaxed hair.

Daily Nourishment Conditioning Spray is formulated with Vitamins A, C, and E, along with green tea extract, wheat protein, and glycerin. The blend of ingredients is supposed to strengthen hair and make it breakage-resistant, along with smoothing the strands to detangle hair.

I've been using this spray for a couple of months now, and I have to say that it does detangle exceedingly well. I have medium length, relaxed hair that is prone to frizziness and tangles. A few spritzes of the Daily Nourishment spray allows my comb to glide through my shampooed hair easily.

As far as the other claims are concerned--repairing and revitalizing hair, improved strength, and a healthy vibrant shine--those results didn't materialize...

...