mamaluv
Member Since: September 8, 2006Reviews
Super Size Me (2004)
This is a very interesting documentary from Morgan Spurlock. It's a little sensationalized but it sure packs a punch in terms of the overall message. Morgan Spurlock challenges himself to eat fast food (and only fast food!) for 30 days... +
This is a very interesting documentary from Morgan Spurlock. It's a little sensationalized but it sure packs a punch in terms of the overall message.
Morgan Spurlock challenges himself to eat fast food (and only fast food!) for 30 days, tracking his health in detail along the way. He starts off with a baseline assessment. Having led a healthy lifestyle prior to the challenge, his bloodwork and other metrics appear to be well within the right limits.
Then he starts eating fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He challenges himself to try everything on the menu at least once during his trial period, and whenever suggested by the cashier, he "supersizes" the meal. The documentary gets a little sermonizing at times and that's where some of the sensationalizing comes in but even when you take out the theatrics, it's pretty compelling stuff.
At the end of the 30 day challenge, he is assessed again by his doctor. I don't want to spoil the ending, so let's just say there are some very interesting results. He then mentions a little bit about his journey back to a healthy lifestyle.
I don't own this movie and I probably wouldn't buy it - it's kind of a one-watch flick. But it is a very interesting look at our fast food culture! I recommend it.
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Lancôme Paris Teint Miracle Concealer
This product is amazing! Expensive, but amazing. It is a light formula that completely erases any undereye darkness and doesn't settle into my early fine lines nearly as much as the product I was using before. Really, the only downside here... +
This product is amazing! Expensive, but amazing. It is a light formula that completely erases any undereye darkness and doesn't settle into my early fine lines nearly as much as the product I was using before. Really, the only downside here is the price, and if you pick it up during the store's Gift With Purchase promos, then it's more than worth it. -
Always Infinity Pads
I made the jump to the Diva Cup a few years ago, but every once in a while I need to have some pads on hand. That's when I reach for Always Infinity. These pads are amazing! Actually, I don't think I need to say more than that. Just... +
I made the jump to the Diva Cup a few years ago, but every once in a while I need to have some pads on hand. That's when I reach for Always Infinity. These pads are amazing! Actually, I don't think I need to say more than that. Just. Amazing. -
Lise Watier Feline Eye Liner HD
I received this liner from the brand to test. Once again, my love of Lise Watier products was upheld by this great product. It's a felt-tip waterproof liner that allows amazingly precise application. The tip is flexible enough to be... +
I received this liner from the brand to test. Once again, my love of Lise Watier products was upheld by this great product. It's a felt-tip waterproof liner that allows amazingly precise application. The tip is flexible enough to be incredibly gentle on the eye yet firm enough to allow excellent control. It is seriously my favourite eye liner right now.
Sure, it's a bit pricey but this stuff is worth it. It can smudge some when my lid gets oily and I absentmindedly rub my eyes, but water ain't got nothing on this product. You'll need makeup remover to get it off all the way. Perfect for strong eye makeup looks!
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Annabelle Cosmetics Glitterama Liquid Eye Liner
This eyeliner is just way too much fun! I received 'Plutonium' (silver) from the brand to test, and I'm glad I did - I would have assumed this product is too juvenile for me. Sure, I might not wear this every day, but I enjoy playing... +
This eyeliner is just way too much fun! I received 'Plutonium' (silver) from the brand to test, and I'm glad I did - I would have assumed this product is too juvenile for me.
Sure, I might not wear this every day, but I enjoy playing with it for special occasions. I have worn it alone for a more demure look and over black liquid liner for a date night look.
It's pretty sheer so for more drama you'll need to layer it on a little thicker. That ups the drying time, but we're only talking about a few minutes at the most. I was very pleasantly surprised how well it stayed put - after all day it was still there... a little of it had worn off, but not too much to affect the overall look.
This is such a fun product! If you don't use it yourself, it makes a great stocking stuffer or gift basket throw-in.
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Suave Professionals Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner
I'm so very pleasantly surprised at the quality of this shampoo for its price point. The scent is out of this world - if you dislike the overused floral and tropical fragrances in other products but love Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo, this... +
I'm so very pleasantly surprised at the quality of this shampoo for its price point. The scent is out of this world - if you dislike the overused floral and tropical fragrances in other products but love Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo, this comes darn close. In fact, according to the product packaging it's proven to invigorate as well as Aveda's product.
Invigorate is one thing, but on all the other important characteristics of a decent shampoo it seems to work just as well as many other drugstore brands. I have never used Aveda's shampoo for a longer period of time so I can't compare it with Suave's formulation apples to apples.
Bottom line: for the price point and for the great results on its own merits, I definitely recommend this shampoo.
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Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Book #2) by Suzanne Collins
This second book in the Hunger Games trilogy picks up where the first left off. Thankfully, there is minimal recapping, but that also means you cannot read these books out of order. Which is actually a big plus for me. As both a sequel to the... +
This second book in the Hunger Games trilogy picks up where the first left off. Thankfully, there is minimal recapping, but that also means you cannot read these books out of order. Which is actually a big plus for me.
As both a sequel to the first and a prequel to the finale, there is a good deal of "setting up" in the first part of the book and so it drags just a smidge to begin with. I was drawn in much more quickly with the first book.
And then - mega twist. The second half of this book takes off like a rocket and leaves you with an infuriating cliffhanger.
***Spoilerish****
I think there was a little less originality here, which you'll get when you read it. However, I forgive it.
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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I was going to start off by saying this book is my guilty pleasure - after all, it's from the "Young Adult" section. But having gobbled it down in just under 2 days (would have been less, but apparently I have to eat, sleep, work, and take care... +
I was going to start off by saying this book is my guilty pleasure - after all, it's from the "Young Adult" section. But having gobbled it down in just under 2 days (would have been less, but apparently I have to eat, sleep, work, and take care of my family), I'm willing to say it's just a Pleasure. No guilt about it.
I was very disappointed in Twilight, but I didn't have huge expectations going in anyway. This book has all the best parts of Twilight (a twist on the classic story, elements of darkness and beauty in the characters, etc), but has mega advantages:
1. You actually like these characters. The protagonist Katniss is a strong female lead - no simpering or frailty here. She's a character you root for, along with the rest of the cast. She has conflicting emotions, but it's written from the perspective of teenage angst and coming of age, whereas characters in Twilight were underdeveloped or just mono-dimensional.
2. there is gore, but just enough to make it tantalizing to older readers rather than gratuitous. Romantic subplots maneuver more subtly through the story instead of being the main driver; family relationships are better portrayed.
This book is a little bit Madeleine L'Engle, a little bit 1984, and just enough shmoopy teenage romance that it has this 30-something's heartrate up.
I read it initially to vett before allowing my daughter to read it. I promptly swallowed the whole series and she had to yank it out of my hands. I guess that part I do feel kinda guilty about.
If you liked the idea of Twilight but were let down by the series as a whole, try The Hunger Games trilogy. You will not be disappointed.
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Oral-B Professional Care 3000 Electric Toothbrush
I received this power toothbrush to test from the brand. I have been wanting to try an electric toothbrush since forever, but the price always held me back. Now that I have one, I can't believe I didn't try it sooner. I take very good... +
I received this power toothbrush to test from the brand. I have been wanting to try an electric toothbrush since forever, but the price always held me back.
Now that I have one, I can't believe I didn't try it sooner. I take very good care of my teeth, but the difference after just a few days of using this Oral-B power brush is night and day. It feels dentist clean and I've already noticed a brightening of my smile.
It has settings for "regular", "sensitive" (sensitive more referring to the sensitive areas of your mouth), and "whitening". It also senses if you're pressing too hard against your teeth and will stop spinning until you relieve the pressure.
This being on the pricey side, I suggest you pop it on your Christmas or birthday wish list. It's definitely worthwhile!
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Maybelline New York Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil
Amazingness. I have very sparse eyebrows - have always had. I have tried every kind of product from pencils to eyeshadows and the worst of it has always been finding the exact right colour that blends on seamlessly, looks completely natural, and... +
Amazingness. I have very sparse eyebrows - have always had. I have tried every kind of product from pencils to eyeshadows and the worst of it has always been finding the exact right colour that blends on seamlessly, looks completely natural, and has no shimmer.
After discovering Dark Blonde/Light Brown from Maybelline's Define-A-Brow, I have not looked back. I kind of laughed when I saw the comb (*wishful thinking*), but I can see that this would be very useful for the thicker browed among us.
Great stuff, try it!
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