mamaluv
Member Since: September 8, 2006Reviews
Netflix
I have been a Netflix subscriber for years: first as a DVD-at-home user and then added instant streaming as well. The DVD-at-home program is great. New releases are available reasonably close to the actual release date (usually on the same day... +
I have been a Netflix subscriber for years: first as a DVD-at-home user and then added instant streaming as well.
The DVD-at-home program is great. New releases are available reasonably close to the actual release date (usually on the same day, but occasionally up to 30 days behind schedule), and you just can't beat the convenience of having the movie arrive at home, being able to return from any post box in the country, manage your DVD queue so that you can reasonably expect to have access to your eagerly awaited flick soon, and the fact that there are no late fees. If a DVD arrives damaged, just report the issue and they will send out a fresh copy the very next day (even before you've sent back the damaged disc).
The Instant Streaming is a little weak because the movies are either older or non-blockbusters. There are very rare occasions when a current popular title is available for instant streaming. What I use the streaming for primarily are TV shows. We have watched LOST and Battlestar Galactica series in their entirety via instant streaming. The quality is very comparable to standard TV cable reception. There are quite a few shows available, but it's usually at least a season behind the current TV cycle.
We have never paid for premium cable and our kids have always whined about lack of access to Disney Channel. Now for $8/month, they can watch all the Disney shows they want (according to their parentally-controlled daily limit, of course!) and we don't have to pay $39.95 for a package full of channels we don't want just for the sake of getting Disney Channel.
Cancellation is a breeze and we've had no issues with Netflix whatsoever. We access it through our Wii and I believe the interface is also available for other game systems. You can also watch it on your computer, so when the kids are watching iCarly in the living room, I can watch Tudors on my laptop!
Great program and convenient too! The only issue I really have is that it's a little out of date with the available titles.
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Saeco XSmall Plus Automatic Espresso Machine
My husband has wanted an automatic coffee machine for a long time - the kind that grinds its own beans and dispenses 1-cup-at-a-time fresh coffee. After years of window shopping at Williams Sonoma and others, we received the Saeco machine for... +
My husband has wanted an automatic coffee machine for a long time - the kind that grinds its own beans and dispenses 1-cup-at-a-time fresh coffee. After years of window shopping at Williams Sonoma and others, we received the Saeco machine for Christmas from my parents.
It's a sweet compact little machine that grinds its own beans, dispenses 1 cup at a time, has the option of "short" (i.e. espresso) or "long" (i.e. Americano, or "regular") by the push of a button, has a hot water dispenser for tea and a milk frother for cappuccino. In other words, it's the perfect machine for our family. you can also adjust the strength of the brew and how fine/coarse you want your coffee ground. However, you must use whole beans - no preground or instant coffee can be used with this machine.
The only small issue I have is that it's a bit of a pain to clean. We didn't realize the need to do regular maintenance until our machine appeared to be malfunctioning, but a quick read through the owner's manual and a 5 minute cleaning session was all it took to get back on track. Since that time the unit appears to need cleaning more frequently than the recommended 1x per month, but that's a very small inconvenience.
We love this machine, and although the price is very reasonable compared to other machines out there, I'm glad we received it as a present because we would have probably just made do with our cheapie $15 drip coffee machine instead of springing for this baby. It's a great gift idea for the coffee lover in your life!
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Mr. Clean Multi-Surface All-Purpose Cleaner with Febreze Freshness in Lavender Vanilla & Comfort
This is a great basic cleaner. The scent is very pleasant the price point is excellent (and it's pretty easy to locate coupons for this product too!), and it's quite effective at cleaning any routine messes around the house. It's definitely one of... +
This is a great basic cleaner. The scent is very pleasant the price point is excellent (and it's pretty easy to locate coupons for this product too!), and it's quite effective at cleaning any routine messes around the house.
It's definitely one of my favourite conventional cleaning products!
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The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt Traditional Plain
I just found out about Greek Gods Yogurt and am over the moon with it. I have probably tried almost every yogurt on the market and was generally satisfied... but this yogurt is miles better than the standard stuff. Now, in fairness, it's a... +
I just found out about Greek Gods Yogurt and am over the moon with it. I have probably tried almost every yogurt on the market and was generally satisfied... but this yogurt is miles better than the standard stuff.
Now, in fairness, it's a greek-style yogurt (ie. thicker, creamier) and my favourite flavour - Honey - is NOT lowfat. But I have come to realize in recent years that low- and nonfat products don't make me full enough, forcing me to eat larger portion sizes. And when you consider that many nonfat products contain artificial sweeteners or added sodium, you have to balance those health issues too.
Greek Gods is not very widely available (in the US you can find it at Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Fresh Market - basically any eco-minded grocer; not sure about availability in Canada), and it is more expensive than your standard Yoplait, etc. However, it is very much worth the extra cost. Try this yogurt - I love it!
The marketing is also really clever. They have named each flavour after a Greek God and, well, I at least am a sucker for that kind of thing. I can't wait to try some of the other flavours!
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Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioning Shake
I received this conditioning shake along with the Aqua Light shampoo and conditioner free from Pantene to test. This product line couldn't be better suited to my hair type - long, fine (yet abundant), and colour-treated. I have always gravitated... +
I received this conditioning shake along with the Aqua Light shampoo and conditioner free from Pantene to test. This product line couldn't be better suited to my hair type - long, fine (yet abundant), and colour-treated. I have always gravitated toward supercharged hydrating products because of dryness and colour/heat damage, but I was never 100% happy with the results because my hair felt a little weighty. I have unfairly compared accessibly priced brands with the products my stylist uses when I get a blowout. After using the Aqua Light collection for about a week now, I am very happy with the results.
Specifically now, this conditioning shake has two layers of ingredients that separate upon standing. Simply shake until properly combined and then spritz generously onto towel-squeezed hair (don't rub with a towel - the chafing is not good for your hair) to detangle and prep for heat styling.
The product has a nice scent I can't quite peg, but mango/nectarine comes close. The scent dissipates as your hair dries, so it won't clash with your lotions or perfumes. It would be unfair to compare this to a salon quality product, but it's easily one of the best drugstore brand heat protectants I've tried. I'm sold!
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Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo
I received the Aqua Light collection free to test, and as it seems to have been practically tailor-made for my hair, I was not surprised at just how well it worked for me. Since I have been using all three products together, it's difficult for me... +
I received the Aqua Light collection free to test, and as it seems to have been practically tailor-made for my hair, I was not surprised at just how well it worked for me. Since I have been using all three products together, it's difficult for me to discuss them separately so my comments here apply to the Aqua Light line as a whole.
I have long, colour-treated, fine (yet abundant) hair. I use a flat iron regularly and spend a lot of time outdoors. In other words, my hair is under attack from dawn til dusk. I have always used mega hydrating products (like the amped up conditioners that come in the home hair colour boxes) but had some issues with buildup and just generally feeling too heavy for my hair texture.
I have been using Aqua Light for only about a week or so but can already see a difference. My hair feels lighter and bouncier while still getting the hydrating effects I have experienced with other brands. It's early days yet, but for now I am absolutely sold on these products.
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Ghirardelli Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree
Let me start with the full name of this delectable confection: Ghirardelli Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Roasted Almonds If you're not a dark chocolate fan, you may as well stop reading here because this is not for... +
Let me start with the full name of this delectable confection:
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree
Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Roasted Almonds
If you're not a dark chocolate fan, you may as well stop reading here because this is not for you. But if you, like me, are a dark chocolate aficionada (borderline addict), you will LOVE this bar. It's got the nuts, the creamy yet tangy chocolate, and a dash of sea salt that is both surprising and surprisingly amazing.
The Easter Bunny brought me this bar and I fully intended to savour it slowly, i.e. one square per day in keeping with my diet. In my defense, I did manage to space them out to one square per hour which is pretty good all things considered.
The package does not say what % of cacao, but I know the Intense Dark line from Ghirardelli runs around 70% and the taste of this bar is comparable to that.
LOVE THIS CHOCOLATE! Give it a try and don't even think about sharing.
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Febreze CAR Vent Clips Freshener (Meadows & Rain)
I received a freebie from the brand to test in "Meadows & Rain". Now, I'm pretty religious about keeping my car clean but it is a 2005 and I have 3 kids so there's always a degree of stuffiness and, well, less-than-fresh scents in there. I clipped... +
I received a freebie from the brand to test in "Meadows & Rain". Now, I'm pretty religious about keeping my car clean but it is a 2005 and I have 3 kids so there's always a degree of stuffiness and, well, less-than-fresh scents in there.
I clipped this baby onto my car vent and it started working immediately. It truly seems to be eliminating the odours, not covering them up. Years ago I used those tree thingies too and the difference is night and day.
It is more noticeable when the vents are blowing, and if the heat is on the scent can become a little more powerful even when it's on the lowest setting (the freshener strength is adjustable, but I also mean the car fan - both should be on low ideally).
I am extremely pleased with my vent clip and would certainly consider buying it again. There are quite a few scents to choose from, but of those I've test-sniffed (there are little scratch 'n sniff patches on the packaging), Meadows & Rain is definitely my favourite.
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The Hunger Games (2012)
Plot: Set in futuristic North America following catastrophic natural disasters and civil wars, the 12 Districts of Panem are ruled by an oppressive and materialistic upper class located in the Capitol (capital city). Every year, as a reminder of... +
Plot: Set in futuristic North America following catastrophic natural disasters and civil wars, the 12 Districts of Panem are ruled by an oppressive and materialistic upper class located in the Capitol (capital city). Every year, as a reminder of the conflicts past, each District must provide 1 girl and 1 boy as "Tributes" to fight to the death in the Capitol's live televised sadistic Hunger Games (think Truman Show meets Survivor meets Miss America and add gory battle scenes).
I could get into the Whos and Whats, but seriously people - read the book :) Now to my feelings about the movie.
First off, I would say that this movie is truer to the book than most other adaptations I have seen. That said, there are some key scenes I eagerly awaited that were cut. One can only hope that the DVD might have a few choice outtakes that will satisfy me. Some major supporting characters were scaled back or cut out entirely, but for the most part I did not mind.
The gore was significantly reduced (in order to achieve the PG-13 rating, since being completely true to the book almost certainly would have required an R rating), and some character backstory was left wanting. I also felt that the history of Panem should have been better explained - a critique I also have of the book itself. Key moments I would have liked to see more thoroughly portrayed included Katniss/Rue and Katniss/Peeta in the cave. These felt rushed to me, as did the ending.
There were a few added scenes that did not appear in the book, including a evilly brilliant interchange between Seneca Crane (a character who is severely underused in the book) and President Snow, and behind-the-scenes look at the Games control room which enhanced the viewers' experience of the Gamemakers' manipulations - both brilliant additions I felt.
Surprisingly, I felt like the ending of the movie made a little more sense than the ending in the book in that Peeta is less of a patsy in the movie. And yet, the book did a better job of creating a cliffhanger between episodes; I feel like the first movie resolved too satisfactorily such that people who have not read the book will not necessarily understand that there is so much more to come.
Acting: in my opinion, every actor played the part to perfection. What qualms I had with the performances were due to limitations on the script side (Haymitch for one needed more screentime). Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman), and Wes Bentley (Seneca Crane) were particular standouts for me.
Anyone who was disappointed with the milksop heroine of a certain other Young Adult series which shall remain nameless (though I think we all know which I mean) will be delighted with this raw but strong young woman you can't help but root for. Peeta is both manly and comfortable with his emotions - a very pleasant combination. Even Cato, the brutal District 2 tribute is made briefly relateable in his final scenes as a boy who understands the horror of the system yet knows he must bring honour to his District (yet another addition to the movie that was not portrayed in the book).
A good movie that I will definitely watch again (though whether I spend the money in theaters or wait for the DVD is still up in the air). I recommend it!
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Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish
I'm a bit of a nail polish junkie, and when I found Sally Hansen's Gunmetal at my local drugstore on clearance for just 75 cents, into my shopping basket it went. In truth, I would have gladly paid full price for it because I loved the... +
I'm a bit of a nail polish junkie, and when I found Sally Hansen's Gunmetal at my local drugstore on clearance for just 75 cents, into my shopping basket it went. In truth, I would have gladly paid full price for it because I loved the colour at first sight.
It's a gray-blue metallic that looks exactly the same on your nails as it does in the bottle. The quality and length of wear is very comparable to other drugstore-brand nail polishes. I always wear any nail polish together with base and top coats; this is especially important for nail lacquers that are less expensive. That way by the time it chips badly enough to need replacing, my fresh nail will have grown in enough anyway that it's time to remove. I have had this polish on for several days without any apparent wear and tear.
Great buy for the price point! I'm wearing the colour on my fingernails, but I think this will be even more fun on my toes when spring arrives. Recommended!
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