Reviews by Friends of writersquill

Caprig says "From Crepe to Cream- Try This At Home" about Lancome genifique eye

Caprig — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:10:48 GMT

I first was doing research on the LANCOME GENIFIQUE products when they came out and for a long time I did not find anything that made me want to TRY LANCOME GENIFIQUE.

However, not too long ago I finally was able to get a large amount of LANCOME GENIFIQUE for face and eye to test out and see what all of the fuss was about. I was able to test LANCOME GENIFIQUE through Sephora and LANCOME.

WHAT IS GENIFIQUE EYE LIKE?

More recently released than LANCOME GENIFIQUE, the LANCOME GENIFIQUE for EYE is a more gentle product. A bit thicker than the serum for the face, LANCOME GENIFIQUE EYE is very concentrated. I found that putting a tiny amount on my finger, I could distribute on both eyes easily and have a little left for around my lipline.

There is no heavy fragrance or residue left when applying LANCOME GENIFIQUE.

HOW DOES LANCOME GENIFIQUE EYE WORK?

LANCOME GENIFIQUE EYE is a nice light thick serum that applies well to both eyes with a small drop. The serum soaks in quickly leaving...

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Caprig says "Gaze Into the Looking Glass and See Your Past" about Lancome 'Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Caprig — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:50:03 GMT

When I first heard of Lancome's new product GENEFIQUE, I thought it was an interesting concept, but seriously, I did not really get anything out of what the people said it was supposed to do.

I began to interview people and the responses I got were very vague.

*It makes my skin velvety*

(big deal- what else does it do?)

*It makes me have a glow*

(well, so do a lot of products- then what?)

*It does not take a lot*

Okay, well, neither does arsenic...

And the list went on and on.

WHAT IS LANCOME GENIFIQUE LIKE?

LANCOME GENEFIQUE is a very runny serum. It is almost like water. I first tried it on the back of my hand at a Lancome counter and was unimpressed. I tried it several times, and it did not seem to do anything in particular- at least swatched on the back of my hand.

LANCOME GENEFIQUE had a large sized sample available on Sephora that I would have to pay for with points, so I decided to purchase it with some points that I had so I could try this amazing so-called ground-breaking...

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AnnaBanana says "A great alternative to a muffin for a fun breakfast!" about General Mills Fiber One Toaster Pastry

AnnaBanana — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:49:24 GMT

We probably enjoy more breakfast options today than the centuries of people who came before us could have dreamed of. Prominent among these are the quick and easy things. Nowadays, you can just pop a frozen breakfast entree into the microwave, make a bowl of "instant" hot cereal or knock back a serving of the ready-to-eat stuff and then of course there is the notorious sweet roll or muffin. Should we become so jaded that none of that seems exciting, there is always a healthier breakfast goodie option -- Fiber One Toaster Pastries manufactured by General Mills. These taste almost as good as sweet rolls or muffins and are almost as easy -- you just stick them in the toaster under the lightest setting for a few minutes to create a delightful, warm light breakfast.

Fiber One Toaster Pastries come in a variety of flavors; I chose Brown Sugar Cinnamon which cost about 50 cents a bar and was available from Alice.com (and most supermarkets). My expectations were not high because...

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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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AnnaBanana says "Great deals from Alice's Wonderland!" about Alice.com

AnnaBanana — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:26:28 GMT

Of all the social and technological advances in the past decade, perhaps the most amazing is the ability for online shoppers to order groceries from the safety and convenience of home. This has made life easier for a lot of people -- in fact, it has been a real lifesaver, literally speaking. There was a time when a person who couldn't get to the grocery store or have someone else bring back the necessary provisions could literally die of starvation! That is precisely what happened to some senior citizens or other vulnerable people who lived alone especially in neighborhoods where grocery shopping venues were limited or non-existent.

A lot of us already have reveled in the wonders of Peapod -- or other online grocery order services -- but not everyone is lucky enough to live in an area serviced by them. The great news is that now almost everyone has Alice.com to look after them.

Alice Tries Harder

Alice.com can only supply grocery items which can be safely mailed through UPS. ...

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AnnaBanana says "The best of the best!" about Green Giant Immunity Blend

AnnaBanana — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:28:03 GMT

There are a lot of excellent frozen veggies and side dishes out there but one of the best is Green Giant and Green Giant Immunity Blend is perhaps the best they have come up with so far. This medley of broccoli florets, julienne carrots and red and yellow sweet peppers is delightful. The garlic-herb extra virgin oil coating it all is flavorful without being too overpowering. It is called "Immunity Blend" because it is (according to the package information) "naturally rich in antioxidants Vitamins A & C to help support a healthy immune system."

STATS:

The contents of this 7 oz. box is considered to add up to two 2/3 cup servings, each containing 50 calories with 25 calories from fat. There are 3 grams Total Fat, zero each Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, and Cholesterol, 115 mg. Sodium, 7 grams Total Carbs, 2 grams Dietary Fiber, 3 grams Sugars and 1 gram Protein. There are also 30% (D.V.) Vitamin A, 50% Vitamin C, and 2% each Calcium and Iron.

TASTE TIP:

Green Giant Immunity Blend...

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vivasuzi says "Soft, warm and comfy - what more do you need!" about Martha Stewart Everyday Extra-Soft Blanket

vivasuzi — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:46:01 GMT

I never buy Martha Stewart brand things, not that I have anything against it, I just don't tend to buy it. My Grandmother-in-law gave us the Martha Stewart Everyday Extra-Soft Blanket at our wedding shower and we just busted it out this winter.

The Extra-Soft blanket is - extra soft! It says it's made of microfiber yarns. I'm not sure what that means but it must mean something that makes it soft. We have a queen/king size blanket so it fits great on our bed. We put it on top of our other blankets as an extra layer on really cold nights and it really helps keep us warm.

Outside of bedtime, I use this blanket a lot in the living room while I watch tv or work on the computer. It may be queen/king size, but I love how warm it keeps me so I pull it off the bed often :) It's so soft and cuddly that I can fall asleep and take a nap with it anytime. The great thing is, I never feel overly HOT when I use this blanket. I feel warm and toasty but not hot. So I don't end up...

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AnnaBanana says "It does what it promised but I am very concerned." about Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions Daily Color Enhancing Shampoo

AnnaBanana — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:27:36 GMT

Usually, I don't do reviews about shampoos or conditioners with rare exception (i.e. Aveda Sap Moss about a year ago). A few weeks ago, I ran out of the Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo only to discover it had been discontinued by Drugstore.com. Whilst cruising the aisles at CVS, I noticed they were having a sale on Pantene Pro V Silver Expressions Shampoo. "What the heck?" I thought, and took a bottle home.

According to the label information, this stuff promises to help remove dulling residue from white or silver hair, leaving it brighter and healthier-looking. I've got to say that it does what it promised. The other night, while chatting with the cashier at the 7/11, I happened to glance up at the security mirror above us and my hair looked absolutely dazzling. I have also received nice comments about it.

I really, really wanted Pantene Pro V Silver Expressions Shampoo to work for me on an indefinite basis but I am a little concerned about what I perceive to be greater-than-normal...

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Reviewer11 says "The healthiest and delicious burgers there is!" about In-N-Out Burgers - California, CA

Reviewer11 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:00:36 GMT

Although some people who claim to be "Experts" might say that "In-N-Out" is unhealthy, it it FALSE. These experts should actually try the product and witness it themselves in order to write an accurate review. Why are "In-N-Out" burgers healthy? Here's why:

1. Burgers aren't fried. They're grilled.

2. Burgers come with lettuce and tomato which is, what ladies and gentlemen?-- healthy! Duh!

3. For those who don't eat or limit their carbs, In-N-Out has a burger called "Protein Style" burger which has no bun and it is covered with lettuce.

4. The french fries are fried in 100% vegetable oil. That's one of the healthy oils compared to peanut oil and others.

5. It tastes fresh because wow, they use real potatoes! You can SEE them slicing the potatoes on the window when you use the drive-thru. You can see what the workers are doing when you use the drive thru.

~In-N-Out also has a few foods that aren't posted on their menu sign but few of them can be found on their official website at: http://www.in-n-out.com/default.asp...

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AnnaBanana says "Childhood revisited!" about Classic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color

AnnaBanana — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:43:48 GMT

A couple years ago, a friend who knows about my interest in antique toys gave me something really cool ... a copy of Classic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color edited by Grayce Piemontesi. This book,published by Dover Publications, consists of 16 beautiful colored "plates" which combine to form a republication of rare authentic paper dolls originally published in 1935 and 1936 respectively under the titles "Shirley Temple Standing Doll No. 1727" and "Shirley Temple, a Lifelike Paper Doll Cut-Out / 34 Inches High." Included are three paper dolls of various sizes and poses to be cut out, along with paper outfits which can be attached to the dolls in various ways.

The price on this book says $3.50 (although it may have gone up since my friend bought it for me.) There are many fine Dover Publications including coloring and paper doll books available at Barnes & Noble. My guess is that they might have this book and offer a pretty good deal on it too.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Shirley Temple's...

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AnnaBanana says "This may not be everyone's cup of tea." about Hellmann's Mayonnaise with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

AnnaBanana — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:35:51 GMT

For years, I have loved extra virgin olive oil and also mayonnaise, especially Hellmann's. A while back I took a chance and tried Kraft Mayonnaise with Olive Oil and was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to be a healthier option and tasted very similar to the "regular" version of this famous sandwich spread and salad dressing. My favorite mayo continued to be Hellmann's though and so I was glad to finally try Hellmann's Mayonnaise with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

STATS:

One tablespoon is considered to be a single serving which contains 50 calories with 45 calories from fat. There are 5 grams Total Fat, half a gram Saturated Fat, zero grams Trans Fat, 2.5 grams Polyunsaturated Fat, 1.5 grams Monounsaturated Fat, 5 mg. Cholesterol, 120 mg. Sodium, less than one gram Total Carbs and zero Protein.

MY VIEWPOINT:

Since I love the taste of extra virgin olive oil and also Hellmann's famous signature product, I expected the blend of the two to be a sure winner in my book. For some reason,...

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AnnaBanana says "Definitely, one of the GOOD things!" about Green Giant Healthy Heart

AnnaBanana — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:50:03 GMT

One of the good things about being retired is that you don't have to go racing off to catch the bus or train every day. Except for occasional errands, appointments or shopping, there is no more commuting for you. That's the GOOD news. The BAD news is that you may be getting less exercise than you used to when your daily routine included rushing up the El steps to catch a train.

Don't get me wrong, I love being retired but I have also been trying to find light, lean options for lunch to accommodate my less active lifestyle. Here is one of the good things out there -- the collection of Green Giant healthier entrees and side dishes, especially Green Giant Healthy Heart. This blend of "pearled barley, sugar snap peas and Julienne carrots in an herb-infused extra virgin olive oil sauce" is something I would not have thought of on my own and it was delicious. I especially enjoyed the wonderful snap peas which are one of my favorite vegetables. This dish has earned its moniker...

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vivasuzi says "Use them on the window, or the fridge, or the wall!" about Product Works Jingle Jelz Window Decor

vivasuzi — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:12:35 GMT

I bought two different kinds of Jingle Jelz at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland and now I can't wait to go back and buy some more.

Jingle Jelz are holiday decorations that come in a variety of cartoon characters and shapes. At Bronner's I only saw the Christmas kind, but online I see they have various holiday designs. I bought Woodstock (from snoopy) and a set of snowflakes as seen in the picture. These are window clings, but what makes them different is that the Jingle Jelz are made of a thick gel-like substance that makes them soft and mushy.

Jingle Jelz aren't just for windows! As you can see from my pictures, I use them on my painted walls. I was worried they would eventually fall off, but they've been up for weeks with no trouble. Last year I had woodstock on my fridge and the snowflakes on my glass door. So there are various places that these will stick. Any smooth surface should do. I like to keep the Jelz inside the house where I can see them rather then putting...

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AnnaBanana says "Abandon hope all ye who enter here? MAYBE not!" about Lay's - Classic Potato Chips

AnnaBanana — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:00:11 GMT

Like most of us, I have come to look askance at the "Snacks" aisle at the supermarket or convenience store. I realize too well that a person like me has no business shopping in that part of the store unless I am buying a contribution to bring to a party. Instead of "Snacks" there should be a sign over that aisle which proclaims "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!" As a matter of fact I rarely ever enter there as the only attempts at healthier products seem to have resulted in low-fat overtures which seem hard enough to pry open windows or those dreadful things booby-trapped with the deadly Olestra that I have read so much about. All of this not withstanding, there I was at the 7/11 the other night with a taste for a little something to go with that leftover turkey sandwich at home. What happened next may not have been pretty to watch but I won't lie to you -- I oh Lord picked up a 2-1/2 oz. package of Lay's Classic Potato Chips and actually took them home with me.

LATER,...

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AnnaBanana says "A delicious alternative to meat!" about Green Giant Rice Medley

AnnaBanana — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:51:26 GMT

Reprobate that I am, I probably never will give up meat and become a serious vegetarian. However, I am also a realist and so am trying to reduce my meat consumption even at dinner as painlessly as possible. If you feel as i do (or if you really are a vegetarian) then you might enjoy this delightful Green Giant Rice Medley which is a mixture of "gold standard" rice, peas and mushrooms combined in a delightful, albeit meatless brown sauce which tastes like beef stew without the beef. Savory flavor, luscious textures and satisfaction we have here in abundance -- enough to rival any steak.

STATS:

If you are serving this as a side dish, you could probably stretch it to two servings, but if this is what's for dinner than the folks at Green Giant were right to consider the entire contents of the 10 oz. box to be a single serving which contains 250 calories with 35 calories from fat. There are 4 grams Total Fat, 1 gram Saturated Fat, zero Trans Fat and Cholesterol, 1,000 mg. Sodium, 48...

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vivasuzi says "For once, I'm glad I ran out of Chapstick!" about Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

vivasuzi — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:13:43 GMT

I had never used Burt's Bees, but I signed up for their email newsletter because everyone told me they had great products. A few months ago, I received an awesome email deal and went and got a ton of their products, but I didn't open any of them until now.... when I finally ran out of Chapstick.

I always used Chapstick because it is supposedly medicated, and supposedly the best thing for chapped lips, however now that I had some Burt's Bees to try - I couldn't wait! The Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil smelled great when I first opened it, and every time since. It is hard to describe the smell of Burt's Bees products, all I can say is they are strong! But don't worry, it doesn't smell that strong after you put it on.

I choose to try this one first because it said it was Replenishing. My lips get dry often and I can't stand it. With Chapstick I often had to reapply over and over. However with Burt's Bees I put it on once and my lips stayed moisturized...

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AnnaBanana says "Okay, THIS is more like it!" about Fudgsicle Original Fudge Bars with No Sugar Added

AnnaBanana — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:10:56 GMT

A few days ago, when I reviewed Skinny Cow Low Fat Fudge Bars, I said that they were good in their own way but lacked the true chocolate essence of the Fudgsicles we used to eat when we were kids. Imagine my surprise to discover since then that someone is still making Fudgsicles and now the Unilever Corporation has come up with Fudgsicle No Sugar Added Frozen Pops. Skeptic that I am, I didn't really expect them to be all that good but these are delicious -- I have no mixed feelings about them at all.

Fudgsicle No Sugar Added Frozen Pops come a dozen to a box. They are a delicious reminder of the old days when we didn't have to worry about calories. The matchless frozen but slightly chewy texture common to all "Sicle" products is here. Sugar has been replaced by Sorbitol and Maltodextrin, the milk is non-fat, but there is enough cocoa and a touch of malt to convey that wonderful, matchless Fudgsicle flavor of old. There was no aftertaste which I could detect and you know I...

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GigiandAdonai says "Slip into the Twilight Woods and let your senses carry you away." about Bath & Body Works Bath Body Works Twilight Woods Bubble Bath

GigiandAdonai — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:28:31 GMT

I love bubble baths and my Saturday ritual consist of sleeping in and then taking a long, hot bubble bath. Nothing relaxes me more than to put some music on and to slip into a tub full of bubbles and to just soak in the warm water and breathe in the aroma. Twilight Woods has such an intense fragrance that it truly is enchanting. I have never used any sort of aromatherapy bubble baths but this would probably do the trick.

I use two capfuls and it will produce a nice amount of bubbles but not the amount that I really want. You know I want the bubble bath like Julia Roberts had in Pretty Woman. I guess if I were in Hollywood someone could produce that effect for me but for now this will do. So, Twilight Woods doesn't give you all the bubbles but it will bring a lot of delight.

The fragrance is the same as the Twilight Woods body cream. It's a very deep moisturizing bubble bath. It's not very greasy. I don't have to worry about stepping into my garden tub and slipping and...

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GigiandAdonai says "I'm now in the Twilight Woods cheating on Sensual Amber." about Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods Triple Moisture Body Cream

GigiandAdonai — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:11:40 GMT

Several weeks ago I was sitting in my office when a client walked in and I was immediately taken by the scent that followed her. I asked her if she was wearing a perfume or lotion because I really liked it. She told me she was wearing Twilight Woods by Bath and Body Works and she pulled a small bottle out of her purse and let me smell it. At first I thought I was smelling Sensual Amber under another name. I took a bottle of Sensual Amber out of my desk drawer and let her smell it and she noticed the similarity too. Twilight Woods is being sold under the Signature Collection series and since I have been introduced to it I must admit that it is now my favorit fragrance at Bath and Body Works.

A few weeks ago I was at the mall and stopped by Bath and Body Works because they were having a 3 for 3 sale. You bought 3 items and got 3 of equal or lesser value free. Well, I stocked up on the body cream, shower gel and bubble bath and then I went up front and picked up several of the...

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