Kay Jewelers is one of the most successful nationwide jewelry store chains -- and with good reason. The service we received in their Lubbock, TX location was spectacular. Unfortunately, many jewelry stores seem to size their potential customers up and vary their customer service depending on how big their potential sale might be. Not so for Kay. Despite being, how shall I put this, "young ...

Unfortunately, I haven't used these fins as often as I'd like. The few diving trips I've taken them on have been pretty seamless. They seem to be constructed very well, from a lightweight yet durable plastic. I like the black and blue colors, which are stylish without being obnoxious like some of those gear colors you see around. Even though I haven't used them much, they still ...

Wireless transmitters and chargers for iPods have been a sort of "hit and miss" market. I have had experience with numerous similar products that were impossible to operate and frequently flat-out did not work. Finding the Monster iCarPlay was like finding a diamond in the rough. I was pleased to discover that it is very user friendly, and once it is set up, it works like a champ. I t...

A dive buddy of mine brought a bottle of this on our last trip to the lake, and I figured I might as well try it out. What a giant waste of money! I can't believe anybody would seriously pay for this stuff. Yes, it will help to defog your mask for a little while. But after not more than 20 minutes in the water, mine was fogging up like crazy again. Maybe if you are looking for something in ...

The appearance of Rin's Bridal is misleading. Located on a fairly quiet street in downtown San Carlos, CA, they appear to be your usual small boutique wedding gown store. In all actuality, they are very well known in the Bay Area for their wide selection and tremendous quality. I bought my wedding gown here, as pictured. It was an amazingly high quality dress for a bargain price; throughout...

American InterContinental University is a for-profit institution, distinguishing them from what you might think of the "traditional" study abroad programs conducted through universities. I attended seeking an education about the Middle East, as did many of my fellow students (not all of whom were college aged). Unfortunately, if that's what you're looking for, you'd probab...

Who can argue with Toyota's reliability? Although this Matrix is completely new, a 2007 model, I feel very confident in that aspect of my decision. Their comprehensive warranty seems to cover most eventualities, and I can see my family using this car for a long time (why else would we have bought it, right?). The Matrix boasts a postiviely AMAZING amount of cargo room. The rear seats fold c...

Whenever I hear of anyone who needs formal men's clothing for any occasion, I refer them to Men's Wearhouse. Their process is completely seamless (no pun intended!) and they're with you every step of the way. Incredible customer service, both on the phone and in their nationwide stores. A wonderful and wide variety of colors, sizes, and accessories to ensure you get exactly what yo...

I have to say that I'm rather disappointed with Crest Whitening Rinse. Crest is a company that I have long trusted my teeth to; many of their other products have been constants throughout my life. However, their Whitening Rinse leaves something to be desired. It does leave you with a refreshing minty taste in your mouth, as most mouthwashes do. And I am impressed by how long-lasting the tas...

The Lexmark X1270 is a printer, copier, and scanner in one. Finding a machine that has all of these capabilities is no longer remarkable, but this Lexmark product distinguishes itself mostly on its affordable price. It is a good "starter" printer for students and others who just need to get the job done. There are no bells and whistles here; indeed, some of the features actually leave...

I can't speak highly enough for Aveeno's Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion. I have naturally dry skin, and my problems have been compounded since moving to a very dry area of the country. Most moisturizers leave my skin feeling oily and disgusting. However, Aveeno's product has worked wonders for me. It contains "natural colloidal oatmeal," which is apparently the ...

These shoes came highly recommended to me, so I tried them out at an REI. They are quite a bit out of my price range, but I was rightfully advised to buy them anyway; some shoes, my companion reasoned, are actually a sort of investment. I can definitely subscribe to this logic after owning these shoes for several months. They are extremely well made, and I could easily see myself wearing them f...

I'll admit it: I was originally attracted to this product because of the low price. It seems like most skin cleanser products from reputable companies are ludicrously expensive. Neutrogena stuck out as a brand name that I recognized and had heard good thigns about, the price was right, so this is the cleanser I walked home with. I was pretty lucky. This cleanser contains beta hydroxy, which...

Wow! I originally bought this item because I'd received a coupon and was curious about it; I hadn't heard anything good or bad about Dove's body wash products. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to discover a good basic body wash that I'd be happy to purchase again. The fragrance is awesome, very clean smelling without being overpowering in any way (I don't know about ...

I've had these Danskin Now capri pants for a few months, and they've served me well. I was looking for pants that I could wear outdoors that were remotely comfortable, basically, and they've done well by me on that front. There is nothing special about them; they're pretty plain looking, and the length actually looks a little bit funny on me (they come down farther on the leg th...

I was mostly attracted to these Altec Lansing speakers because they're small and unobtrusive. There seem to be a lot of speakers out there that are complicated and bulky. Not these: I hardly notice them on my desktop, and they are very easy and fast to hook up. The sound quality is not stellar, and my husband has endless criticism for them. However, the sound quality isn't terrible; for...

I've had this Nalgene for years -- I believe I originally purchased it in 2003, for a trekking trip in the Himalayas -- and it's been more than a water bottle for me. It's practically an accessory. I never leave home without it! It's very durable (I've accidentally dropped it a thousand times, and you can hardly see a scratch on it, I guess this is thanks to the Lexan plasti...

I have had the same JanSport backpack for years upon years. They are a very trusted brand name, and there is a reason you see them everywhere -- their backpacks are built to last. Although mine is actually a daypack model, I have used it extensively in other situations, including international travel. Even if you fill it to capacity, it will still qualify as a carry-on. And there is a lot of ro...

Alright, this is a good basic computer desk for the money. The materials are not the greatest quality. For instance, the backing is basically a kind of glorified cardboard. Additionally, I've found that if you're remotely rough on it (even banging your chair into it on occasion, or accidentally sticking tape to it and then trying to peel it off again), the coating on the wood will easil...

There is nothing special about this bookcase, but if you're expecting something special from bargain basement discount furniture, you probably need the reality check. Nonetheless, I have been a little disapointed by this one. It does not hold very many books at all, particularly considering the amount of space it takes up. It looks as cheap as it is. Furthermore, if you are someone who grav...