Reviews by Friends of wildcatkatie

PattyTherre says "Save Money and buy Ugg-Alikes. A Guide to the Best Imitators." about Ugg-Alikes - Which Brand is Most like Uggs?

PattyTherre — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:31:40 GMT

I love Ugg boots. I have a few pairs but, with the economy what it is, I just didn't want to sink so much money into more Uggs although I wanted more.

This winter, I bought four different Ugg-Alikes of varying quality and found one that I can now say is almost identical to Uggs in every way. Let's compare the four brands I bought and see which is the winner!

Which Brand is Most Like Uggs?

I started with Xhilaration Electra Suede Boots, moved to Unionbay Cozie G Boots, then to Bearpaw Women's 10-inch EVA Boots, and finally to EMU Australia Women's Bronte Hi Boots. One of these brands mimics Uggs to a T. The others vary in quality.

First, let's just toss away Unionbay Cozie G Boots. They are cheaply made, ugly, and uncomfortable. They really don't look like Uggs and they're just awful. Ugh. They're cheap but they look and feel even cheaper. No comparison to the others so I won't even compare them.

I am left with three brands.

When I first tried the Xhilaration Electra Suede Boots, I was very...

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CyndiA says "Classic flatware with a lifetime warranty - very pretty " about Oneida Paul Revere Flatware

CyndiA — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:06:03 GMT

I picked Paul Revere flatware by Oneida back in my 20s, and I'm glad I did. The flatware pattern is timeless, and I've never regretted my pick. Granny wanted me to pick a silver pattern, but I knew, even back then, that I had no interest in polishing silver. The brushed stainless with nickel requires no polishing or special care. It's even dishwasher safe.

The pattern is very plain but with a nice balance and eye pleasing finish. When I mentioned that I like my pattern, my son said, "Well, I don't think it has a pattern." I did get a laugh on that.

Good stainless is expensive. I think these run $20 and up per piece but priced better in sets and also when on sale. I just added a 4 piece full set to round out, since I only had 4 full sets. Now I have enough to use when we have company. I'd been meaning to do that for years and finally did.

If you want a classic look in nice stainless steel for your flatware, give Paul Revere a look. Tastes vary, of course, but these pieces don't go out...

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GigiandAdonai says "Smell great stepping out of the woods or out for the night!" about Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods Signature Collection Eau de Toilette

GigiandAdonai — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:40:39 GMT

Yes, another Twilight Woods product by Bath and Body Works. The 2.5 fl oz bottle of Twilight Woods perfume only costs $29.50 so that is a great bargain considering I am usually paying between $80-150 for perfume (Light Blue and Coco Chanel Mademoiselle).

I have stated in previous perfume reviews that I can't really do justice because I don't have the professional know how to describe a fragrance. I've read where people speak of the low and high notes. Well, I love to sing but can't figure out how "notes" apply to perfume; except to say that perhaps the low and high notes are more symbolic of the intensity of a fragrance. Does it go on soft (low) or does it overwhelm you with a strong (loud) scent? Twilight Woods is probably like me. A mezzo-soprano. I have the ability to sing 2nd alto (the high notes) and 1st soprano (low notes) or the melody. Twilight Woods is well versed like me so maybe that's why I like it! Twilight Woods appears to be strong when you spray it but...

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GigiandAdonai says "A bath in the great outdoors! So invigorating and sensual!" about Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods Shower Gel

GigiandAdonai — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:12:03 GMT

Yes, I'm on a roll with my Twilight Woods products! I've been using Twilight Woods Shower Gel now for about 6 weeks and I'm loving it! You have probably read my reviews on the bubble bath and body cream so you are familiar with the details of the scent. It's hard to describe a scent if you aren't familiar with all those fancy terminology about perfumes and fragrances.

Twilight Woods is like being in the great outdoors and every once in a while a sensual and romantic aroma drifts through the clouds and stirs your senses. I am still not 100% convinced that Twilight Woods isn't an enhanced version of the Sensual Amber collection but whatever the case, I love it more!

The shower gel lathers up into a rich and bubbly lather. I am probably a little too overindulgent when using it because I squirt a lot on to the poof ball! When I start bathing I am covered from head to toe in the most aromatic fragrance and bubbles. Twilight Woods will awaken your senses. You can see, feel...

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GigiandAdonai says "Confession: I use it as an air freshener!" about Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods frangrance mist

GigiandAdonai — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:50:17 GMT

I am so in love with the Twilight Woods Signature Collection by Bath and Body Works. While looking for the perfume I came across the body mist. I sprayed it and just like all the other products; it smelled divine. I bought a bottle but I don't use it on a regular basis as a body spray. I have been using it as an air freshener. This bottle is a lot larger and therefore, going to give you more use than the smaller air mist can that is intended to be the air freshener.

I spray the body mist up toward the ceiling fan blades and it just whirls around a wonderful fragrance and yes, the scent does linger. Usually if I am in the bathroom I will spray it toward the air vent.

During the holidays I had many asking me what air fresheners I was using. Well, I had a blend of the Glade Bayberry Spice plug-ins and this wonderful Twilight Woods body spray.

Twilight Woods opens up your senses and makes you feel as if you are walking through the woods and breathing in the various aromas of the...

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PattyTherre says "12 times more impact? I think not, L'Oreal! You're flaky!" about L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

PattyTherre — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:58:57 GMT

Quick View: This mascara promises all kinds of things but only delivers a few of those things. It certainly doesn't give me 12 times the impact, whatever that is. it doesn't even explain what "impact" is. It does darken and lengthen but that's about it.

My Take on L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

This mascara comes in a typical black tube and the brush looks fairly typical as well. It is a straight brush with multi-level bristles. L'Oreal claims the mascara has "revolutionary lash-plumping technology with hydra-collagen for breathtaking volume and incredible wear."

It does go on well. It adds some length and darkness to my lashes and it doesn't clump or give me me spider lashes. I see very little volume though and I really need thicker lashes.

The mascara was average but throughout the day, I noticed little flakes under my eyes and on my cheeks. Ugh. The mascara also tends to transfer when I so much as touch my eyes.

I battle dark circles as it is and, to have dark flecks of mascara...

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bkovacs says "Not a bad 'life' but it's a little too long" about Dan In Real Life

bkovacs — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:33:36 GMT

I somehow ended up with the movie Dan in Real Life, despite not particularly liking the work of two of its stars, Steve Carell and Dane Cook. By the end, I was a little surprised that both were pretty good in this little movie, a romantic dramedy with a family twist.

Dan in Real Life starts out with Dan (Steve Carell), a "Dear Abby"-style newspaper columnist who finds that it's easier to answer questions about other people's lives than it is to live his own. His three daughters are driving him crazy as he shoves off for a holiday visit to his parent's home in Rhode Island. Once there, he falls hard for beautiful and mysterious Marie (Juliette Binoche), only to find that Marie is his brother Mitch's (Dane Cook) new girlfriend.

Meanwhile, there's lots of family activities and meals, most of which drive Dan crazy either from contact with Marie or the antics of his relatives. Dan tries to stay on an even keel through it all but he gets more frazzled as the days wear on. Getting set up with...

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bkovacs says "Simple case makes for a quick installation" about Sabrent (SBT-EKU25) USB 2.0 External Drive Case

bkovacs — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:26:57 GMT

I recently got a case for a spare IDE/PATA laptop hard drive, and it failed in about three weeks. I therefore looked for another case and found the Sabrent SBT-EKU25 2.5-inch IDE Hard Drive Enclosure at a nearby computer store for $10. So far, this is a nice little hard drive case.

What it is

The Sabrent SBT-EKU25 2.5-inch IDE Hard Drive Enclosure fits standard 2.5-inch laptop hard drives, as long as they conform to the older IDE (also known as "PATA") standard. The case consists of two pieces: an aluminum box into which the drive is inserted and an end cap that contains the interface electronics for the drive. The end cap has a pilot light and a single standard USB port for connection.

Inside the box for the Sabrent SBT-EKU25 2.5-inch IDE Hard Drive Enclosure was the aluminum case, the end cap, two tiny screws, a vinyl sleeve for the case, a USB cable, instructions, and a CD disk with software and drivers. The device also included a tiny screwdriver.

The Sabrent SBT-EKU25 2.5-inch IDE...

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dovey says "Can not believe I fell for this! " about LED Technologies DPL Therapy System

dovey — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:16:53 GMT

I can not describe how I feel about falling for the promises of this product in polite English. Let's just say I am mad and feel very foolish.

The LED Technologies, LLC DPL Therapy is a specially designed light box that sits on a surface and lights up for 9 minutes at a time. DPL stands for deep penetrating light. This product is supposed to turn back the hands of time and take years off your face. It promises to lighten sun spots, lessen lines and wrinkles, lesson the symptoms of rosecea and even ease pain, such as sore muscles. You face the DPL as if reading a book. The lights come on and the DPL beeps every minute for 9 minutes before it automatically shuts off. It feels warm and leaves your face a little flushed. The directions tell you to do this twice a day for ten weeks to see the full results and to continue once a day after this initial period.

According to LED technologies, the DPL therapy tool is based on research from NASA. It really sounds like a great idea and...

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TheBard says "Logitech Deleivers Again!" about Logitech (920-000914) Keyboard

TheBard — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:04:55 GMT

Bottom-Line: Logitech delivers again with this sleekly designed illuminated keyboard.

The Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is a full sized ultrathin keyboard that is relatively simple in design and function; i.e. there is no USB hub, no scroll pad or dials, or separate specialized multimedia keys. What the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard does offer is quite a minimalist keyboard with softly illuminated, but bright keys that are easy to see day or night.

As the name implies, the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is designed with embedded microlens reflectors under each individual key that produce an adjustable soft-white backlit effect under every key, except the function keys, where in the illumination is orange. The intensity of the light can be adjusted via a key in the upper right hand corner of the keyboard and there are three predetermined settings including off; I prefer it on at all times.

Underneath the keyboard, you will find two small plastic feet that extend down from the base, which...

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jdt2912 says "Altoids blast should last longer" about Altoids Sugar Free Curiously Strong Chewing Gums With Spearmint 10 / Box 1.05 oz

jdt2912 — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:31:01 GMT

One of the great social issues of our time is the post-lunch bad breath dilemma. You might not think you have it, but trust me, we all have it. And what's worse for me, I have some facial hair and the stink of a tasty midday meal can linger there for hours. So when I was at the Trader Joe's near my office the other day buying a particularly pungent sandwich for lunch, I also picked up a tin of Altoids "curiously strong" gum. I've obviously had the mints many times before, but I thought given the punch they have that the gun would be just as powerful but it would scrub out my mouth a lot more effectively.

So, after I ate, I popped in a couple of the smooth, shiny white ords into my mouth. Upon first chomp my mouth was filled with the patented Altoids overwhelming bad breath destroying tastiness. Ah, I had found a solutoin to afternoon halitosis! But then soon, a sudden wave of disappointment. Where did the taste go? After only 2 or 3 minutes -- and with 2 pieces in my mouth! -- all of the...

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TheBard says "Like Titanic, This Movie should be seen over and over again!" about Avatar (2009)

TheBard — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:04:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: Avatar is a visual and emotional feast that should be experienced as often as you dare.

Story-Line

Written and directed by James Cameron one hardly knows where to begin to tell the tale of Avatar, but I'll give it a go. It's the 22nd century and the human race has depleted the Earth. Green, as in trees, grass, plants, and forests, are gone and man is looking for a new place exploit. They have found the Earth-like moon of Pandora some five months space travel from the Terraforma.

An unnamed private corporation is mining an invaluable mineral known as "unobtanium," on the planetoid that fetches a tidy sum on the open market back home. Pandora is a beautiful lush planetoid populated with diverse wildlife and a race of 10 feet tall forest dwelling blue humanoid creatures called Na'vi. They are a primitive race of people, by human standards, but very in touch with every living creature on their moon.

My Viewpoint

As the credits rolled on Avatar there was...

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Bryan-Carey says "Budweiser Select 55: Anheuser- Busch Has Truly Hit Rock Bottom" about Budweiser Select 55

Bryan-Carey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:44:55 GMT

Light beer products serve an important market need and while many individuals reach for a light brew to lessen the effects on the waistline, I generally find them too watery and bland to waste my time drinking. Most every major brewer offers at least one light beer, but one beer product promises to outdo all of them with its ultra- low calorie levels. The “beer” is Budweiser Select 55, a product with less than half the calories of most light beer.

Beer Commentary:

Budweiser Select 55 pours to a golden color with an aroma that is adjunct- laden, with scents of corn and basic grain. There is almost no head of foam at all and what little you get is gone within seconds- even with an aggressive pour. And the flavor isn’t much better than the appearance. It combines seltzer water, lightly skunked grain, and barely perceptable hops. There is a certain sulphur character as well and the product finishes with the familiar taste of Budweiser, for a brief second, before making way to a watery...

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bkovacs says "Terrific accessory for running/charging an iPod or smart phone" about Kensington - USB Car Charger

bkovacs — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:08:33 GMT

My wife recently got a fancy smart phone, the Samsung Moment. Immediately, we realized that she'd probably be using the phone a fair amount in the car (while I drive), since it can get on the Internet to look things up. That meant that it would be smart to find a way to run and recharge the phone in the car. The cellular company sells a car adapter for $30 but I figured out a better way: the Kensington USB Car Charger, which cost only $10 at a nearby computer store.

What it is

The Kensington USB Car Charger is a small black plug that fits into a car's cigarette lighter. The end sticking out into the car has a standard USB port. According to the Kensington USB Car Charger's package, this port is capable of delivering 5 Volts at 700 milliamps, easily enough to charge and even run my wife's Samsung Moment. It's probably also enough to run an iPod or iPhone, and it's certainly enough to recharge either of those two things.

Although the package shows that there is a pilot light next to the USB...

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TheBard says "Epiphany skips the Sophomore Blues in style" about Epiphany by Chrisette Michele

TheBard — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:26:34 GMT

Bottom-Line: No matter what your favorite track turns out to be, Epiphany contains a little for everyone.

Ms. Michele is back with a brand new CD, entitled Epiphany, released in the spring of 2009. Epiphany debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell 83,000 copies in its opening week. To date the CD has sold some 363,000 + copies and has hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts and spawned the singles Epiphany (track No.1), track No.3 What You Do (featuring Ne-Yo), Blame it On Me (track No. 4), and track No. 9 a remixed Fragile (featuring rapper Wale).

Superbly engineered and produced, Epiphany pulls together the best of the genre and entertains without insult; the music is evocative and at times moving and reflective. Throughout this CD Ms. Michelle seems to be telling a lover goodbye; track after track she proclaims her strength and independence (and fragility) through superbly performs songs.

Epiphany is a CD that I-and my wife-can and do listen...

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TheBard says "An (African American) Story well worth a look" about Cadillac Records

TheBard — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:25:17 GMT

Story-Line

Written and directed by (Black American) Darnell Martin Cadillac Records chronicles-insofar as Hollywood possible-the birth and rise of Chess Records (Cadillac) and it recording artists including Blues guitar legend-and Father of Chicago Blues-Muddy Waters (Jeffery Wright), harmonica myth Little Walter Jacobs (Columbus Short), vocalist Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker); one of the fathers of Rock-n-Roll, Chuck Berry (Mos Def ~ Something the Lord Made, 16 Blocks, Lackawanna Blues) and the incomparable Etta James (Beyonce Knowles).

Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) an immigrant from Poland started Chess Records on the south side of Chicago in 1950. Cedric the Entertainer portrays double-bassist, vocalist, songwriter and record producer Willie Dixon, who narrates the story. Muddy's girlfriend Geneva Wade (Gabrielle Union), and Leonard Chess' wife Revetta Chess (Emmanuelle Chiriquí) round out the cast.

My Viewpoint

I thoroughly enjoyed Cadillac Records. The music, the...

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PattyTherre says "This foot soap doesn't live up to any of its claims. A dud." about Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap

PattyTherre — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:33:33 GMT

Quick View: I am all about soft skin year round and I use a variety of foot scrubs to keep my feet supple. When I saw this bar soap, it seemed like an easy way to exfoliate and soften my feet without the mess that foot scrub makes. It was very disappointing!

My Take on Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap

This soap is light blue with little dark flecks of shells in it. It's a nice size at 4.2 ounces. It hardly has any scent which is unusual for a foot product. Generally they are more strongly scented to deodorize and leave feet fragrant. The scent is a barely there fresh one. Nothing special comes to mind when I sniff it.

Avon Foot Works Exfoliating Bar Soap lathers but I don't feel those little flecks of shells exfoliating at all. It is a very, very gentle soap and doesn't do the job or even half the job or the least potent foot scrub I own.

My feet don't feel hydrated after use, which Avon promises, and they don't feel smoother. They simply are clean which I can get with any cleanser...

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jdt2912 says "Panasonic Viera TV is great" about Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 37 in. HDTV LCD TV

jdt2912 — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:35:43 GMT

I was a bit limited on the new TV I could get because the space I have is pretty specific -- I could only go up to about 36-37 inches. I did a bunch of research and I decided that the Panasonic Viera was the best buy. I ordered a 1080p, 37-inch model, and then the company put them on back order, so I had to go with the 780p model. That was pretty upsetting, but I am not a huge image fidelity guy, so I tried not to let it bother me all that much. The upside was that the 780 model featured a built-in ipod doc, which the 1080 didn't have.

My wife and I bought ours at BestBuy for about $600, which was a great deal. Set up was fast and easy, and we think the image quality is excellent, even when viewed from a slightly side angle. In addiiton to the amazing ipod doc, another great extra is a slot in the side of the TV for a camera memory card. Like everytihng on the TV, the on-screen menus were simple and very intuitive, and the pictures look great on the big screen -- talk about a giant digital...

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AngelaWLaFon says "MK Signature Eye Color Duets Color Me Happy" about Mary Kay Eye Shadow

AngelaWLaFon — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:12:24 GMT

Mary Kay Signature Eye Color Duets

Mary Kay Signature Eye Color Duets makes choosing compimentary eye colors easy. Each eye color duet comes with two sections with two shades of one hue. MK consultants can also give you a helpful eye color application guide that shows you how to apply you're duets eye colors.

Why I like MK Eye Color Duets:

-Complimentary colors are already paired.

-Lots of colors to choose from.

-Can be applied "wet" or "dry."

-Stays put and doesn't crease.

My latest favorite MK Signature is "Blue Moon." The name is misleading because it's not exactly "blue" but rather one is smoky and the other silvery. It's been my go to eye color fo the holidays. Blue Moon looks really good on people with "Spring" or "Ocean" coloring like blonde hair and blue eyes.

A lot of Mary Kay makeup is made in the U.S.A. I noticed that this eye color duet is made in Italy.

With any eye shadows I think a eye color primer is helpful for longer lasting color and I think good applying...

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TheBard says "Just Plain Fun to Watch" about Mamma Mia! (2008 movie)

TheBard — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:07:56 GMT

Bottom-Line: In my estimation Mamma Mia! deserved all of the hype surrounding its release...

I am usually not one for musicals, but I did enjoy the music of the Swedish Pop group ABBA like everyone seemed to in '70's and '80's; there I admitted that I liked ABBA! So a musical-Mamma Mia! (2008)-set to the bubblegum pop music of ABBA needed to be seen, especially one staring the timeless Meryl Streep was not to be missed. So I watched and...

My Viewpoints

Bubblegum music or no, the music of ABBA is infectious and still fun to listen to. And watching Mamma Mia!, however silly the premise was just great fun. Is the movie Oscar material? No, but I seriously don't think it was meant to be. Can Pierce Brosnan sing? No, but I over looked that because at least he tried! Did Meryl Streep look at tad out of place? Well, yes, if you take in her enormous body of work and juxtapose it against Mamma Mia!, but at least it looked as though the woman had fun making this campy...

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