Saturday 4 October 2008

Nail Strengthener - nail repair, best nail polish


This start-to-finish polish is great! It works well as a top coat and a base coat, and my only complaint is that I used it up too quickly, since it was doing double duty. Item arrived promptly and in perfect condition. OPI Start-to-finish Base Coat, Top Coat and Nail Strengthener, 0.5-Fluid Ounce

I don't personally think this does what it says.. The Sephore star to finish just doesn't start so it definitely doesn't finish.. Went back to my Perfect Formula base coat and PF top coat SORRY SEPHORA I love OPI but Not you

The top coat is everything a top coast is expected to be. It dries pretty quickly and with a shine that lasts. The base coat, on the other hand, doesn't create the smooth foundation that other base coats do.

Before I used this, my fingernail polish would start chipping almost the next day. I have noticed that it has strengthened my nails. it hasn't made a huge difference but it does help quite a bit.

I really recommend this product. It is worth it. - Best Nail Polish - Nail Repair - Nail Polish - Nail'


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Samsung - tvs, lcd


I chose this model over other 32-inch LCDs because I'm a sucker for things like network streaming, a 5-band equalizer, picture-in-picture, and firmware updating. It also has a semi-documented headphone jack in the rear -- just turn off the speakers for it to work. Also, the power cable detaches, so you can replace that yourself.



One might dismiss this TV altogether since it doesn't have LED edge lighting, but that tech does not appear to be earning its price premium so far, considering a higher percentage of panel defects, and a black level so intense that detail often gets lost. 60Hz is also not a deal-breaker, since 120Hz tends to only show its strength with sports programming.



The picture quality is ultimately subjective, of course. But I found it well above average. Unfortunately, you can't completely disable Dynamic Contrast. The TV will tell you that it's off, but some enterprising Internet detectives at televisioninfo.com have determined that this is a ruse, which leads to some unavoidable light trailing and somewhat crushed blacks. DVDs look surprisingly good, and standard-definition signals look very solid but not outstanding.



Dynamic Contrast, Black Tone, Shadow Detail, Edge Enhancement and the noise filters should probably be turned off. Unfortunately, these features can create more problems than they solve; use them sparingly. Like Spider-Man once said, "With power comes responsibility."



I have a Roku box connected through HDMI, an Xbox 360 via component, and clear QAM cable TV through the RF antenna jack in the rear. These hookups are going straight into the TV inputs -- no receiver. I figure that this eliminates a testing variable or two. Picture quality and sound was great from all three sources. When I streamed Netflix over Xbox Live, the Xbox appeared to upscale to 1080i. I could not get my 720p Roku box to do this over HDMI.



(Edit: I have also now tried a third-party VGA adapter for the Xbox 360. It looks quite good using the console's "Expanded" reference level; at least on par with component, and upscaled DVDs look quite good, but not as good as Blu-ray.)



Audio is in a better boat, since the SRS functions can actually be turned off (as far as we know). There's also that 5-band equalizer. I thought the TV did surprisingly well for two downward-facing 10-watt speakers, but they won't quite replace dedicated external audio.



The D550 doesn't do Internet apps, but this feature is becoming increasingly redundant. As for network sharing, you are not limited to Samsung's proprietary, Windows-only "PC Share Manager" software, either. There's a variety of free, multi-platform software that handle networked media libraries. Unfortunately, Samsung appears to have not implemented DLNA according to spec, so you may have trouble getting third-party software to work properly. I had the best experience with TVMobili, which is thankfully free and compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Serviio is also good.



In its promotional material, Samsung swears that its Wi-Fi "LinkStick" dongle is *required* for wireless networking (and it is not bundled with this TV). This is simply not the case. You can just use a wireless-N Ethernet "game adapter," which can be had for as little as $30 if you shop around. Dongles are also only compatible with a few devices from one manufacturer.



(Edit: It's come to my attention that an Intellinet 523974 *might* also work in place of Samsung's official dongle. I cannot directly confirm it, though. It is also reportedly 2.4Ghz, while the dual-band Samsung model adds a 5Ghz option.)



The "E-manual" built into the TV's menu system isn't very good and is difficult to navigate. The PDF version on their website is... a PDF version of the e-manual. Which is white text on a black background. So much for printing it out...



Also, the two-piece pedestal requires a Phillips screwdriver. That's not bad, but the screws required quite a lot of torque to get them all the way in. Also, you need to attach the top part at a certain angle, or else it won't be flush with the base.



A note about shipping: Amazon Prime does not currently provide 2-day or next-day shipping for this unit; "3-5 business days" is the official line. This is not unusual for products of this size and weight. However, the unit arrived at my door less than 48 hours after I ordered it. So I appreciate Amazon's and UPS's fast service! But your own experience will vary according to your distance from the warehouse and other factors.



(Update 4/25: This item is not currently shipped from and sold by Amazon, nor eligible for Amazon Prime. "Video & Audio Center" is handling the item instead. I am not familiar with their service, so the previous paragraph does not apply to the current purchase experience. "3-5 business days" is still the official shipping time, but I don't know how long it may take this third party to process the order before shipping. It may take a few hours, or a few days. Just a friendly heads-up.)



Despite this TV's quirks and poor documentation, I think it gets 5 stars for a really good picture and above-average sound (as long as you tweak that equalizer for some bass). I guess that's what matters most in the end, right?



Please leave a comment if I've left you with questions, and I'll answer to the best of my knowledge. Samsung LN32D550 32-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

I ordered this product: Samsung LN32D550 32-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black) around 1pm yesterday with One-Day Shipping and received it today around 1pm. Amazon always is the best for quality of service and working with the best package delivery companies. I have been looking to purchase a 32 inch TV for my computer room for the last 3 months. I waited for the 2011 models and I am glad that I did.



Setup (putting the stand) on this TV was very simple and the user interface is very easy to understand. I have tested input lag with video games as well as quality on a Blu-ray. You need to adjust your setting when hooking up an Xbox 360 to completely get rid of all input lag noticeable to the human eye (I had to label the HDMI port as PC). The PS3 on the other-hand has no noticeable input lag tested with multiple settings. I watched a few minutes of I am Legend on Blu-ray and the video and audio quality is amazing.



The LN32D550 has more settings and options (except internet apps) than other current 2011 32 inch LCDs.

Video: black tone, dynamic contrast, shadow detail, edge enhancement, motion lighting, digital noise filter, mpeg noise filter, etc.

Audio: SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruDialog



Vs my other TV Samsung LN40A650 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color this TV has a better interface, more settings, better sound quality, and very similar picture quality but lacks 120Hz motion technology.



This TV is all around a great purchase and product.



Input lag test were done playing Call of Duty: Black Ops on the 360 and Uncharted 2 on the PS3. - Tvs - Lcd'


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Camcorder Accessories - flip video, sony


Several people complained on various internet review boards about how this camera does not deliver very high quality video, etc. I'm a technology enthusiast, computer specialist, amateur photographer and have about 7 or 8 different cameras - so I feel qualified to give a good review.

This is a camcorder meant for internet uploads/sharing, quick shots, etc. This is not what you want to film your wedding with. So don't expect broadcast quality.

Having said that I think the image quality is VERY good for its size. One huge advantage over Flip/etc... is the swiveling lens. This was the main attraction for me. I'm always embarassed waving a big camera in public. Just don't like when people stare at me for filming something. This is why Sony bloggie is a great product. You can turn the lens to an angle you like and hold the device like your cellphone. People will actually think you are just playing with your phone.

Let's get done with my complaints list quickly:

-CMOS sensor - means you get the rolling shutter a.k.a jello effect when panning too fast with the camera (vertical objects appear skewed)

-Smaller lens angle when using 1080p mode. (i.e. picture is too "tele")... you get a nicer wide angle if using 720p.



That's about it, image quality -especially in daylight- is very very good for such a camera. I actually prefer to record in 720p 60fps mode, the high frame rate gives it a very smooth motion.

FYI, it's compatible with Apple's iMovie. Will take some time to import your videos but once it's done, editing is super easy!



I hesitated for a long time before buying this camera but I'm glad to say I don't regret it at all! Very satisfied with my purchase. Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet)

My actual rating is 3.5 stars but I've rounded up for now.

First, I read the specs of this before I ordered it so I knew what I was getting myself into. I did not buy this for great recording capabilities and did not expect that. I bought this device to have a easily portable recording device for cheap and it delivers.



The negatives for me so far has been the awful sound recording and the lighting. I did not expect a great mic but the quality of sound recording is far below my expectations. Combine this with the inability to attach an external mic (let me know if there's a way that I don't know of) makes this device subpar. The lighting recorded fluctuates quite a bit. Sometimes I would have to set the setting a couple times to get video to appear versus a dark/black screen. Let me note that I was recording in the evenings indoors without much light in the first place. Yes, this isn't ideal but if it is not able to handle that lighting, setting the device's settings a couple times should not magically "fix" the issue.



The overall design works well and the navigation is a breeze, similar to other Sony cameras. You can also easily pull this device out of your pocket and start shooting either in camera mode or camcorder mode within seconds. I do feel that they could have utilized the screen space much better; video is displayed on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen is basically wasted IMO. There are no exposed ports so the unit is nice and sleek. The area that goes over the USB doesn't completely move out of the way so depending on the USB port you are connecting to you might not be able to plug it in. No worries though, a USB extension is included. Oh, and you can use both SD and the memory stick, yay!

I was really excited to see the next generation of pocket camcorders come out for 2010 and the Bloggie is the first I know of. It has a larger, updated optical sensor and presumably updated firmware and hardware to render better video quality. I bought it as soon as I found out it was available.



My initial impressions are less about the Bloggie and more about what an achievement the Flip cameras are. Here's why:



The Sony Bloggie seems brighter but is more sensitive to movement than the MinoHD. I go over my videos frame by frame to get screen captures and the majority of the frames the Bloggie seems lost on the action and repeats the same bad exposure for many more frames before it adjusts to get the best exposure. The MinoHD on the other hand, even though it is over a year old, is much quicker at correcting exposure, frame by frame, focus and light, to provide overall better video resolution. This is in spite of the fact that the Sony Bloggie has a bigger optical sensor and the newest hardware. Flip just seems way ahead of every pocket camcorder (haven't tested the Kodaks) in its internal intelligence in detecting focus and exposure. This is what truly gives it the edge.



The Bloggie does have a removable battery or memory card unlike the Flip. But I can't wonder if it's even necessary. I've never needed more memory or another battery in my Flip. Also it presents open compartments that will no doubt gather dirt in the electronics and buttons, unlike the Flip which is mostly sealed.



Playback mode? I'm a software developer so I'm not afraid of complicated stuff but I found the playback controls on this frustrating over and over. There are 6 or 7 different buttons you can push on playback to pause, ff, rw, etc and I kept finding myself pressing the wrong one and getting kicked out of play mode. Yes, the Flip had this right and so simple! I actually feel like I have taken the Flip's playback for granted thinking it was just without features. But for the same functions- playback, pause ff, rw, the Bloggie feels like it is many times more complex and mysterious even though it's attempting to do exactly what the Flip does so effortlessly, mindlessly. As for uploading to Youtube, etc., like it is featured to do, I guess that's like programming your VCR- possible if you really want to learn it but more like a punchline than useful.



The Bloggie has still image, movable lens, and other bells and whistles the flip doesn't have, but is an order more complicated to use than the Flip. In the end the video, even at 1080p, is still not as sharp and clean compared to the smooth 720p of the Flip MinoHD.



Other features such as an external mic input are not available on either the Bloggie or the Flip MinoHD but are available on others such as the Kodak Zi8 etc. But this wasn't a factor for me.



I will also ad that looking at the instructions made me understand why this has the stupid name of Bloggie- it is a uniquely Japanese product rushed to market without alot of careful insight into the aesthetic of the American consumer (If I may, nothing against Japanese products, usually I think them superior.) The instructions are pretty poor considering some of the dummy proof large font easy-to-read stuff I've gotten used to from places like Ikea and yes, Flip. These look like they were put together by a technical person in a tight deadline who doesn't speak English well...



Keep trying Sony, some good ideas here but mostly I think you need to improve on that smooth auto exposure algorithm! - Sony - Bloggie - Flip Video - Camcorder'


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Camcorder Accessories - flip video, sony flip video Camcorder Accessories - flip video, sony

Two-tone Standard Issue Swiss Army Watch - watches, victorinox


I am very pleased with this watch. I had a Tag before but it was stolen so I wanted to spend less than $500. This one looks worth more and is very nice. It arrived promptly and with no delay in shipping from Watchzone. I'd recommend this watch to anyone who wants a nice watch but is afraid of robbery or losing a Tag. Victorinox Swiss Army Women's 24728 Officer's 1884 Two-tone Stainless Steel White Dial Watch

I prefer to buy a good watch versus a cheap one because in the end the cheap costs more!

I had the same watch for 20 years! when it finally broke I wanted to get another one -just for change- but anything else I liked was 4 or 5 times more expensive. So I went back to my original preference of style and practicality and quality. I never take it off my wrist, I sleep and swim and shower with it becausae it is water proof for 300 ft, not water resistant. It is elegant (in my taste) and goes with all kinds of other jewlery since it's two tone but "not flashy". The new version has saphire crystal which is better then the original watch I owned.

The only issue I had -and still do- is with the glowing in the dark marks and hands on the dial. It works sometimes but not all times and I do not know what makes it glow or does not!

I saw this watch while shopping for a birthday gift for a friend. I loved it. When I gave it to her she loved it as well and it was what she wanted. She's told me since she's had it that she has gotten so many compliments. Very nice watch at a very nice price.

My husband bought me this watch as a gift some 12 plus years ago. My watch recently died after so many years of faithful service: comfortable on the skin and all kinds of weather. A very worthwhile investment. - Watches - Two-tone Swiss Army Watch - Victorinox - Swiss Army Watch'


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Two-tone Standard Issue Swiss Army Watch - watches, victorinox victorinox Two-tone Standard Issue Swiss Army Watch - watches, victorinox

Mens Underwear


Had this shipped to me in Iraq. My underwear collection was hurting and the local laundry service had done a number on my undergarments over the months. I was so happy to get these. I still remember slipping into my new boxer briefs. They are durable and held up admirably to the stresses of combat. Hanes Classics Men's 4-Pack Multi-Color Boxer Brief Underwear, Slate Heather/Blue Stone/Scuba Blue Heather/Federal Blue, Large

These briefs advertise a "no ride up" quality (a definite bonus!) and after trying them on, I could see why: the fit on the thigh is quite tight. I ordered a medium and I have average thigh thickness, but these didn't feel particularly comfortable. If the lower thigh portion had more elasticity, this wouldn't be a problem, but there was little "give" in this area. The fabric itself is average quality and actually a little rough. I was looking for a tighter woven, softer feel that I've become accustomed to with Calvin Klein and some of the Jockey boxer briefs. On the plus side, the waist band is soft and comfortable and the pouch has an airy yet slightly snug "cup" feel. Also, considering the price, these aren't a bad value, so for the less-picky (not me) these may work just fine.

The boxers are decent. The cut is okay. I ordered the size corresponding to my waist but they are still a little big on me. they don't hug my thighs the way i would like them to. Still, they look okay.

Hanes makes a surprisingly good, comfortable men's boxer brief. The fabric is quite soft and although at first I felt they were a bit too snug in the thigh I got used to that pretty fast especially with the underwear becoming more comfortable after a cycle or two through the washer and dryer. Now the overall feel is quite comfortable.



True, they don't give you quite as much room as regular boxers but now I like these very much as I got to like wearing them pretty fast. (It's not that snug in the thigh.) The front opening makes it easy to wear while urinating and the elastic waistband is very well made. They last a long time, too.



I highly recommend these boxer briefs.

I was planning on buying some ck briefs but I was lucky and saw this in the process,I can honestly say that they are very close in quality at a great price, this so far have work perfectly and are very comfortable.



My suggestion would be: If you plan on buying quality at a good price go for it, unless you want premium at a premium price.

When I first received these Hanes Classics Men's 4-Pack Multi-Color Boxer Brief Underwear, I was pleased with their fit and comfort. After a couple of washes ( on gentle cycle in cold water and without over drying) I noticed that the there were little strings coming out around the waistband on a couple of pair. Not long after this the stitching continued to come apart and the waistband began separating from the boxer briefs.



I therefore cannot recommend these. I can however recommend the Hanes CSWB Boxer Briefs. They are comparably priced and seem to be better made with a nice comfortable fit.

My husband always buys Hanes boxer briefs because they're very comfortable and durable. These start off a little snug on the thighs but they loosen a little for a more comfortable fit after a few washes. The elastic waistband looks nice and holds up well.

These are my favorite boxers from now on. They are very, very comfortable and do not give you wedgies.



The price is great as well, but it seems that Amazon raised the price on them. Shame really because I got them under $14.'


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Recommended For Anyone Who Loves The Col... - necklace, vintage jewelry


This is a beautiful piece of jewelry...just a little big...the diameter is an inch wide! Was not expecting it to be that large. However, it is very pretty, and very sturdy. The chain is not gold, but rather a copper/pewter color and is short. Although the necklace is big, it's not heavy. I like it overall. 1928 Jewelry Floral Green Teardrop Pendant Necklace - Vintage Jewelry - Jewelry - Peacock - Necklace'


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Recommended For Anyone Who Loves The Col... - necklace, vintage jewelry necklace Recommended For Anyone Who Loves The Col... - necklace, vintage jewelry

Made In China


I bought these in Fall of 2010- I can't put them away. Id wear them every day if I could. I got them in charcoal and cream. Wonderful, great quality and perfect length- I'm 5'6. I usually wear them over leggings or tights with any kind of boots. They even fit over my Ariat work boots and fill the gap between boots and legs. They stay up and don't slouch. Wish they came in more colors! Charcoal Super Long Cable Knit Leg Warmers

These leg warmers are very comfy for dance or casual dress, I love them for work or working out. Quality is great and they don't slip down my legs even after a long dance lesson. They return to their original strechyness and felt even softer than before after a wash in cold water.

Just what I was looking for! I wear them under my thigh high boots and over jeans with ankle boots very sexy.....The are very long but you can roll them down, Great color and of course the price is right'


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Made In China Made In China Made In China

Raw Food Cookbook - raw, healthy living


This book is a great place to start if you're curious about the growing raw food scene. Judita Wignall, in a warm, practical and easy tone, explains it all. She lays out the kitchen basics including tools and techniques, offers a range of wonderful recipes from the simplest, throw-it-together-and-eat-in-your-hand wraps to wonderful tasty raw main dishes and the prettiest desserts. Each recipe has a step-by-step photo series, showing exactly how to get it done. There's nothing precious or intimidating about her recipes, and she has included foods that are not too far removed from the already familiar, like her gorgeous raw vegan pizza, and her OMG brownies.



A great feature of the book is the planned menus, and the clear and easy nutritional information. She seems to have covered all the FAQs, including what she herself eats in a day.



And...the bonus DVD, tucked inside the cover, features Judita demonstrating recipes and techniques, which just brings it all to life.



Even if you're not into raw food, the book itself is a beautiful piece of art for its design and photography alone. Just a lovely thing to look at and admire.



I can't recommend this book highly enough if you're a beginner, and need guidance on how and why and what to do. Going Raw: Everything You Need to Start Your Own Raw Food Diet and Lifestyle Revolution at Home

This book is beautiful and worth it to add to any raw kitchen. I've been raw for a little over a year and have a few of the popular raw recipe books: Sarma's, Ani's Essentials, and Ani's Desserts. Around the same time I bought this one by Judita, a raw blog's ("Rawmazing", which I highly recommend!), and San Francisco's Cafe Gratitude's recipe book. But Judita's is the one I've turned to the most. It has quickly become my favorite, if nothing else than to stare at the beautiful layout and pictures!



Her recipes aren't crazy unique, but they are all wonderful and everything I've tried have all come out amazing. Also, like most raw food books, there is a great deal of information on sprouting, dehydrating, technique, and reasons to be raw. Though most raw food books all say the same thing, I still managed to learn new things and think about things I already knew in different ways, which I really appreciated. And the fact that she has a method for blooming wild rice the raw way and have it turn out just as good as cooked rice is reason ALONE to get this book! I seriously love everything about this book, so don't hesitate to go for it!

I've been a raw foodie for quite a while, but I still found the recipes in this book to be inspiring as well as easy to follow. Included are many other informative tidbits of information which would really help anyone thinking about this lifestyle. I have many raw food recipe books, but this is definitely my new favourite- the pictures are colourful and inspiring, the ingredients used in the recipes are not strange or unusual and the bonus DVD is also a good bonus. The only flaw is the reliance on a dehydrator, which may deter some people from being able to make a number of the recipes. However, for anyone new to the raw food lifestyle, there are so many useful tidbits and tips that this would be a great starting purchase, and for those who have already adopted the lifestyle, the recipes are interesting and you will get a few new ideas.

I am at a stage where I am just flirting with RAW foods and have been working on adding more and more dishes to my un/cooking. Some of the raw cookbooks are great, but VERY time intense, others have quick and easy recipes, but really don't taste that great. Going Raw gives you the best of both worlds. Recipes that are generally easy to prepare (within the frame of RAW foods) and are delicious. My teenagers are pretty picky eaters when it comes to healthy foods, so that's a good elimination process right there to which recipes work and which don't and even they like a lot of what I have made out of this book.

The trail mix energy bars alone are worth the price of the book! I just had the Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie and it's nourishing and delicious.

All the information in the book is detailed, beautifully illustrated with many step-by-step photographs and kept to just the right amount where you don't fee overwhelmed. Great stuff!

This is a great book for those who are looking to make steps to go raw. It's a good basic raw book with delicious raw recipes including wonderful and tasty smoothies (all of which I have tried and were delicious), raw "meat" for tacos and pizza, and there's a fantastic recipe for brownies (Mexican style with a kick). I also appreciated the DVD which is included with the book, that offers Judita's techniques in the kitchen that even the most novice cook to the more experienced can appreciate. This book is loaded with fabulous color photos and offers an insight into what it means to go raw. After reading this book, it's quite easy for one to go raw or even begin to incorporate more raw food into their diets. All the recipes are easy to make and do require some prep time, but it's totally worth it as the dishes are very good. This is one of the better raw books that I have purchased and it has certainly earned its keep on my raw book shelf.

This recipe book is just awesome. The recipes I have tried so far are fantastic, the photos are beautiful, and the instructions are easy to understand. This is a great recipe book for raw foodies or anybody who likes to be creative in the kitchen. I did notice on the recipe for "Mexican Spiced Brownies" on page 134, that it calls for 3 tablespoons cinnamon. This seemed like a lot to me, so I just used 1 tablespoon and the brownies came out divine. I think it might have been a typo.

So, I'm no good with my dehydrator but Judita's book has a lot of easy recipes that work great with my trusty blender!! The chocolate orange parfaits are to die for! I made them for non-vegan friends who were bowled over and so was my nephew.



For myself, I turn to her juice recipes daily and I love that it came with a DVD. A lot of the other raw books on the market intimidated me. For instance, I love Cafe Gratitude to bits but that cookbook is so next level I haven't been able to make a think. Judita's book has a lot of bright pictures, easy directions and innovative recipes that make eating healthy really easy. Yippee! - Raw - Healthy Living - Raw Food - Raw Cookbook'


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Raw Food Cookbook - raw, healthy living raw cookbook Raw Food Cookbook - raw, healthy living