The Black & Decker Pest Repeller is supposed to repel pests of all kind, from rodents to roaches, by emitting an ultra-sonic sound.  Each repeller is slightly larger than the palm of an average person's hand and plugs directly into an electrical outlet.  The repeller is chemical-free and safe for the environment.  The ultra-sonic sound does not disturb cats or d...

Digital cameras are lots of fun, but most still don't produce pictures that are as high quality as those made with film cameras, and those that do produce professional quality images often costs thousands of dollars.  And while digital cameras are fine for snapshots and the needs of the casual amateur, a serious student of photography would be well-advised to start out with a film...

If you've despaired of ever finding an affordable face cream and moisturizer that will actually reduce the appearance of your pores and brighten your complexion, then Neutrogena's Pore Refining Cream is for you.  This cream contains alpha hydroxy acids and retinol which slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines as well as pores.  After ...

Dove's Gentle Exfoliating Foaming Facial Cleanser is a daily facial cleanser for all skin types.  The cleanser is easy to apply: simply wet your hands, squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of the cleanser on your fingers, and then lather and massage onto your face and neck with circular motions.  Dove Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser contains fine granules that exfoliate dead cells and flaki...

Despite the huge popularity of digital camera, many photographers who shoot in black and white still prefer to use film.  Even the best digital cameras can't imitate the grainy effects and subtle shadings that you get in pictures printed from film negatives.  Of the many black and white films available, Kodak's Tri-X 400 film is one of the most versatile. &...

Emsam is the first anti-depressant to be delivered in patch form.  It's easy to use.  Just apply one patch to the upper arm, upper thigh, upper abdomen or back.  Wear the patch for twenty-four hours and then replace.  The patches themselves are thin and made of clear plastic.  They aren't conspicuous and you forget you're even wearing one after a couple of m...

New York & Company Body Shapers have become an indispensible staple of my wardrobe.  Body Shapers are tank tops with adjustable spaghetti string straps and built in shelf bras that are made of a stretchy, but durable, nylon/spandex blend fabric.  They are available year round at New York & Company stores and on the New York & Company website.  In the summers they serv...

Crawling insects, particularly cockroaches and ants, can be a nuisance in any household.  Black Jack insect spray is remarkably effective at killing these pests. (This review is based exclusively on my experiences using Black Jack to eradicate cockroaches).First, Black Jack works fast.  Most cockroaches will begin to walk in circles and go into death throes within ...

If you're thinking of doing a paint job in your house or apartment, Behr interior paint offers an unbeatable combination of quality and affordability.  Behr, which is available exclusively at Home Depot, offers the same coverage and durability as other premium brands like Benjamin Moore at only about half the price.  Behr comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes (gloss, semi...

Do you love photography?  Do you love to travel?  Then consider combining the two by embarking on a photography trek and workshop sponsored by Mentor Series, a division of Hatchette Fillipi Media and Popular Photography Magazine.  Photo Treks are scheduled throughout the year to domestic destinations such as San Francisco, New Orleans, Arizona, and Alaska, and to international de...

     ING Direct was one of the first and remains one of the best online banking institutions.  ING's flagship product is the Orange Savings Account.  You can open an account with any amount, and you are not required to maintain a minimum balance in order to avoid fees.  In fact, you won't find yourself paying any fees with an Orange Savings Accoun...

Herbal Essences has a whole new line of fragrant shampoos and conditioners.  Among them is their "Break's Over" Strengthening Conditioner with Coco Mano & Pearls.  The labeling claims that the conditioner contains an "anti-breakage potion" but does not specify which ingredients are part of the potion.  In addition to the anti-breakage potion, ...

We all know about the dangers of the sun and the importance of wearing sunscreen.  But most sunscreens are oily and smelly and difficult to apply.  Neutrogena has the solution.  Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 45, is designed specifically for the face and combines a non-oily texture with a light, pleasant,  barely noticeable scent.  It absorbs ...

If you have an online Paypal account (you'll need a premier or business account, not just a personal one), you are eligible for a Paypal Debit Card.  You can get one by logging into your Paypal account and filling out a simple online application.  Once you have your card, you can use it to make purchases in any amount up to the current balance in your Paypal account...

Curves is a chain of fitness centers designed especially and exclusively for women.  When you walk into a Curves, it won't look like a typical gym.  First, you won't see any sweaty burly men.  And instead of a cavernous locker room, you'll find a line of demure, no-frills changing rooms.  The set-up is also much simpler than at your typical health club.  Ins...

Organic Bath Co bath products are made completely from organic ingredients.  One of the standouts is their Pomegranate Fig Replenishing Body Polish, No. 10.  This polish offers exfoliation, moisturizing, and fragrance all in a single jar.  The pomegranate and fig scents are earthy rather than flowery and, when used during your shower, the product releases a sweet but not ove...

The Omega Paw Roll 'n' Clean Litter Box is the perfect litter box for busy cat owners whose feline friends are particular about their bathroom facilities.  It's a self-cleaning box that doesn't have use electricity or contain any tiny, breakable mechanical parts.  Instead, this ingeniously designed box includes an interior grill and a removable compartment for the coll...

Soho Spices offers a line of extremely popular and fashionable storage racks that are useful in the kitchen for storing spices, in the office for storing paper clips, or in the sewing room for storing needles and buttons.  Each rack consists of a metallic back to which small, palm-sized cannisters are attached by the use of magnets.  Each canister has a tight lid with a glass ope...

Joan Didion has long been considered one of America's foremost writers of nonfiction and essay.  She shows why once again with The Year of Magical Thinking, her account of the death of her husband, fellow writer John Gregory Dunne, and her struggles throughout the following year to cope with her grief.  Didion's efforts to mourn are complicated by the life-threa...

If you read only one magazine, it should be the New Yorker.  The magzine's event listings and its Talk of the Town Section, which features short, anecdotal pieces, are New York-centric.  However, the rest of the magazine has broad appeal for all readers no matter where they live.  The New Yorker features an eclectic mix of articles on topics ranging from politics to scie...