Save Those Pennies for the Baby!---Smart, Savvy Savings Tips for Your Maternity Clothes Shopping

    

     Congratulations!  You’ve just discovered that you are expecting, and the shopper in you can’t wait to hit the stores to look for all new clothes for your soon-to-be changing figure.  But, even the most enthusiastic shopper can fret at the thought of spending a fortune on clothes that are, let’s face it, worn only for a short amount of time.   Before you make your credit cards self-destruct on new maternity outfits, here are some simple tips that will help you to become a smart shopping momma-to-be!

Shop Smart in the Stores
      Nationwide retailers from Macy's to J.C. Penney regularly place merchandise into clearance in order to make room for new arrivals.  Trips to your clearance aisles are a wonderful way to start building up your maternity wardrobe.  Clothes and accessories in clearance are typically marked down anywhere from 20 to 85 percent off the regular price.  So, when you take your next trip to your local dress store, resist temptation and keep walking past the beautiful displays in the front of the store and head straight to the back where you will find the clearance section for the best sales.  Another good tip-- sign up for your favorite stores mailing or email list (or even become their fan on Facebook) to find out about weekly or monthly sales or to get coupons.

Consignment Shops

     Say you have an invitation to your cousin's wedding.  You're six month along, and although you know you will need to wear something special, you are hesitant about putting out so much money for a dress that you are only going to wear for a few hours.  Well-respected consignment shops may be a great place to find gently used maternity clothes at a fraction of the cost.  Consignment shopping provides you with several benefits, including:


●Shoppers find better prices than resale stores.

● The seller or consignor (you) typically gets a better price than if they sold their items to a resale shop.  For example, you might get 70% of your sales.

●The variety and quality of items can be a lot better than those purchased at a garage sale.

 

The World Wide Web of Bargains

     When I was pregnant with my first child, the very idea of waddling my way through crowds at my local mall was not my idea of a fun day out!  If fighting the crowds at the mall is not your thing either, you can comparison shop and find some fantastic savings online!  Carole Henderson, a mother of two from Long Island, New York, saved money by searching online for sales on maternity clothes.  "I would just wait until I would see that something that I wanted was on sale, and then I'd buy it online.  A lot of the websites that I shopped from home on often had free shopping or half off shipping specials, so that was a huge plus for my budget!"

     Have you had your eye on a pair of Lavish by Heidi Klum capri leggings, but you just can't bear to pay the full price?  Try eBay!  You can bid on new and used clothes and you may get lucky and find a great deal.  After your pregnancy, you could consider selling your gently used maternity clothes on the site to get a return investment! 

    

 

 

 

    

  

 

Simple Ways to Keep Your Hands Looking Healthy

     Although your face is probably the most important feature in determining your age, your hands come in a close second.  It is almost impossible for anyone to go through their day without using their hands.  From washing, driving, writing, gardening─ our hands are one of our most used body parts.  As with anything that is used on a frequent basis, the delicate skin on our hands tends to give off very visible signs of aging and distress.  Stop for a moment to take a good look at your hands?  Do they look or feel dry?  Is the skin thin, wrinkled, spotty or veiny? How can we at least attempt to offset the effects of stress and aging on our hands?  Fear not, as there are several simple ways to keep your hands looking radiant, youthful and healthy.

●Exfoliate and moisturize!─ As our hands build up layers of dead, flaky skin, the addition of an exfoliating cream in your daily skin care routine will gently slough off dead skin cells, and go a long way to keep the skin on your hands looking vibrant. There are several worthwhile products on the market that will go a long way to help keep the skin on your hands looking vibrant.  I have recently had the privilege of trying two very excellent products, each separately for a four week period to see how well they worked, and the results from both of these products were remarkable.

     Moroccanoil Hand Cream─ Filled with antioxidant rich argan oil, containing essential fatty acids and natural tocopherols (Vitamin E), Moroccanoil Hand Cream assists in hydrating and nourishing your hands.  As a librarian, my regular hand washing habit has wreaked havoc on my hands, leaving them red, chapped and raw.  I found that after using this product for a whole month, the cream quickly disappeared into my skin, without leaving a heavy oily feeling. Moroccanoil Hand Cream is available at Bluemercury and luxury spas nationwide.  For further information about the Moroccanoil line of products, please visit their website at: http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/b_us_en/

     While it is marketed specifically for the hands, Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream  works just as well on your face (at first, I was a bit hesitant, as I have long suffered from very sensitive skin on my face) and body.  Its size made it extremely portable, and fit easily in my purse where I used it throughout the day at school.  After four weeks of usage, this product always left my hands feeling soft and supple, without a greasy residue.  I also greatly appreciated the fact that it is not highly fragrant, and it has a good thickness but does not make your skin feel heavy in any way. Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream is available at Target and Wal-Mart’s nationwide, and for further information about Gold Bond Ultimate’s line of skin care products, please visit their website at: http://www.goldbondultimate.com/home.html

●Plant an herb garden─ Herbs have long been valued not only for their benefits when taken internally, but also for their healing and beautifying properties when used externally. For example, Lavender’s natural healing properties assist in relieving red, dry and inflamed hands.

●Don’t forget your sunscreen! ─ Sun damage causes hands to develop those dreaded age spots.  So, it’s important to remember that after you’ve finished applying sun block to your face and other extremities, don’t forget to apply some to your hands if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

Prematurity Awareness Month--Tips for Mommas-to-Be

     Along with all of the joy and anticipation that pregnancy brings, come several unknowns and quite a few worries. First time moms and seasoned pros alike share a common concern─ preterm labor.  Sadly, this concern is well-founded according to the March of Dimes, as nearly half a million babies are born too soon in the United States each year.  Our countries premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years.  This month is National Prematurity Awareness Month, and according to Dennis Costakos, M.D., a neonatologist at the Mayo Clinic Health system in La Crosse, Wisconsin, “one-third of the time, a preterm birth is due to infection, such as membranes rupturing.  Another third of the time, it is due to a medical condition such as preeclampsia or high blood pressure.  Other factors that can raise your risk of preterm labor also may include the following:

●Maternal age─ risk increases if you are younger than 17 and older than 35.

●Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy, or gaining either too little or too much during pregnancy.

●Chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

●Certain problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta.

●Past history of miscarriage and/or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

 

     To lower your risk of developing preterm labor, Dr. Costakos stresses the importance of prenatal care.  “Also, women should avoid smoking, and stay off of their feet as much as possible,” he states.  “A pregnant woman shouldn’t be on her feet for more than 10 hours a day.”

34° Sweet Crisps from 34 Degrees

     I’ve found that as I’ve neared the big 4 0, I’m not much of a ‘big’ dessert eater these days, as I prefer to enjoy a lighter, yet satisfying taste to calm my sweet tooth!  Recently, the kind folks from 34 Degrees sent over four flavors from their newest line of ultra-thin, yet ultra delicious cookies, 34° Sweet Crisps for our family to taste. These thin, sweet crisps only contain between 50 to 60 calories per serving, depending upon the flavor crisp you’ve purchased.  And, although they may be thin, don’t let appearances deceive you, as they are rich in flavor!  Made with natural ingredients, they are perfect straight out of the box.  Available flavors include Caramel, Chocolate, Cinnamon and Graham, and each one was an individual favorite with everyone in my house! 

      Their thin shape makes them an ideal snack to pack in your children’s lunchbox, but as they are delicate, I usually pack them along with my son in a small plastic container.  Next week, I’ve planned on using the crunchy chocolate crisps as a crust for my cheesecake bars for our Thanksgiving dessert.  With a wide variety of flavors (including their “Flatbread” line of savory flavors, including Rosemary, Cracked Pepper and Sesame, to name a few) to choose from, look for 34 Degrees on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook, or for further information, please visit their website at: http://34-degrees.com/   where you can find a retailer near you.  

 

Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser

 

     Suki® is a 100% natural skincare brand that is free of harmful synthetic ingredients and parabens, suitable for all skin types, (especially for those, like me, who suffer from sensitive or eczema prone skin tone).  Recently, I received a sample of the Suki® Face Creamy Foaming Cleanser,  and it could not have come at a better time, as the weather in my part of the country is becoming increasingly drier and cooler, and so, unfortunately, has my skin.

     This pleasant, gentle daily cleanser worked very well for my skin, and the vibrant smell of citrus and apple is just the perfect scent to wake me up in the morning!  Active ingredients like Acai Oil, shea butter, grape seed and chamomile extract, will help you fight against those nasty free radicals, while reducing the pore size and removing dirt from your face.  While one should take care, as the cleanser comes in a glass bottle (especially if you take it into the shower), I found that the pump is very well made and it pumps out surprisingly little, but you don’t need to use a lot in order to achieve great results (only two to three small pumps will suffice).  This cleanser never left my skin with a nasty filmy residue, as it foams beautifully and easily glides all over my face.

     Retailing for $32.95, the Suki Face Creamy Foaming Cleanser can be purchased directly thru Suki®’s website at: www.sukiskincare.com

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment

 

     Well, I guess the time has come to admit it-- I have had a love/hate relationship with my feet for years. When I was in my early 20s, I took meticulously good care of body, from my hair right down to my toes. No pedicure appointment went ignored; my feet were always smooth and healthy, and the bottom of my bedroom closet mirrored my passion for shoes for any occasion and style. Fast forward to my life to today, and you will see a woman not unlike many, quickly approaching her 40s, juggling family, work and everyday stresses and ultimately, something in her life has got to give. And, sadly, that something for me has been my feet.

     Without a doubt, our feet are the most active and overworked part of our body. They also hold the dubious honor of being probably the most neglected part of our anatomy. Between the years of forcing my feet into the restricted confines of the narrow toe box of my favorite pairs of high heels, and the downright lack of care have resulted in dry, painfully cracked heels, and thickened skin that up until recently, always rubbed painfully against my shoes.
     Regular daily foot care is essential for healthy feet, as many of the common foot problems that plague us are caused by little or no maintenance. Between the cold temperatures of the fall and winter months, combined with the hot baths and showers that we tend to take during these seasons, drains away most of the moisture from our feet. 

     So, needless to say, when the kind folks at Aquaphor recently sent a sample of their Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, I jumped at the chance to try to see if their product could bring my feet some well- deserved relief.  Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is extremely thick, and contains no perfumes or dyes that can irritate the skin, and it healed my chapped heels beautifully after using it daily for over three weeks.  I have found that the best time to use it is before bed.  After slathering the ointment on my heels every evening before bed, the change that I experienced in my heels skin was truly amazing.  

     Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment did a great job of sealing in moisture and restoring and keeping my feet feeling soft and supple. For further information on this, and other Aquaphor products, please visit their website at: http://aquaphorhealing.com/

Sprout Organic Toddler Meals

     Now that your little one has grown become a squirmy, distracted toddler, you have to work fast on on your toes to get any food past those precious tiny lips.   Think about it─ now that they are far more mobile than they were as a baby, they are far more interested in cruising around and exploring the world around them than sitting still to eat. Then, there’s the issue of getting them to actually eat the food you serve!  To counteract these dilemma’s facing many families, Sprout Foods has recently launched a new line of eight 100% Organic Toddler Meals designed by Co-Founder, Father of three and Food Network star chef Tyler Florence.  They are:

• Pasta, Zucchini & Tomato Sauce with Beef
• Vegetable & Potato Stew with Beef
• Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey
• Vegetable & White Bean Stew with Turkey
• Vegetable & Potato Chowder with Chicken
• Vegetable & Barley Stew with Chicken
• Macaroni & Cheese with Butternut Squash
• Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan

 

     Each 6.5 oz., microwavable, BPA-free container meal contains organic ingredients, quality meats, nutritious whole grains, fruits and vegetable free from artificial preservatives.   Florence developed this new line to give parents an option when their time is limited and they want to serve a meal to their little ones that tastes just like homemade. The kind folks from Sprout recently sent us four (Vegetable & Barley Stew with Chicken; Vegetable & Potato Chowder with Chicken; Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan and Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey) of these delicious meals to try.  As our family are huge advocates for natural organic foods, which started around the time of the birth of our son, we appreciated the fact that Sprout has taken great care to design each meal with full of variety, loaded with 100% organic vegetables, fruits and whole grains.  

     By far, our favorite was the Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa & Parmesan─ the nuttiness of wholesome Quinoa was accented with flavorful sweet Carrots, Corn and Zucchini with hints of creamy Parmesan cheese. Second place was the Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto with Turkey─ the heartiness of the sweet potato contrasted nicely with the turkey and crisp apple, and was a nice reminder to us that fall will soon be upon us.  Each of the four meals heated well in the microwave (if you prefer, they can be warmed on the stove in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes).  They can be stored covered in your refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days.

     Sprout Organic Toddler Meals retail for $3.55, and can be found in Target stores nationwide.  To find a retailer near you, or for further information about these, as well as all of Sprout’s line of infant and toddler stage foods, please visit Sprout’s website at: www.sproutbabyfood.com

First Meals & More─ Your Questions Answered by Annabel Karmel

     Most pediatricians, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend introducing solid foods to babies at between four and six months of age. If your baby is around this age, can sit up well with support, and shows interest in the foods he sees you eating, it’s probably a good time to make your first forays into feeding baby solid food. 

     First Meals & More─Your Questions Answered by bestselling author and children’s food expert Annabel Karmel is filled with all the tools and information that families need to get their infants and toddlers to begin to develop healthy eating habits that will last their lifetime.  The recipes that are included in this book, from Carrot Purees to Lasagna al Forno, are simple and easy to prepare. We have enjoyed all the ones that we’ve tried so far, with the Fish Goujons being one of my family’s favorites.   I appreciated the fact that in between the recipes, Karmel included hundreds of Q & A’s loaded with helpful advice and tips, including developing a balance and variety in their diet, to adding flavors from around the globe.  

      For further information on author Annabel Karmel, please visit her website at: www.annabelkarmel.com.  To learn more about DK Publishing's wide variety of titles, please visit their website at: www.dk.com

 

First Meals & More─ Your Questions Answered

Author: Annabel Karmel

Publisher: DK (Dorling Kindersley Limited)

ISBN: 978-0-75664-284-6

Retails: $22.00

Website:  www.dk.com

Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross

     This summer, a very entertaining and quick read captured my attention, while enjoying the beauty of our trip to the Gulf coast of Florida.  Eyes Wide Open by best-selling New York Times author Andrew Gross takes readers to the scene of what appears to be a tragic suicide of a young man at the base of a rocky cliff in Morrow Bay, on California’s coast.  

     Jay Erlich, a physician, seems to have it all in stark contrast to his older brother Charley.  Charley isn’t what you call a good family man, and his family suffered for it.   His son Evan, had to resort to medication to make his life seem near normal.  One day, Jay receives a phone call from a distressed Charley who had received word that Evan had committed suicide jumping off of a cliff. Charley, in his usual stupor, does not think that Evan could have possibly taken his own life, and pleads with his brother to come to California and help him seek out the truth and justice for his son  Past family secrets remerge throughout, as Goss’ plot is well-crafted.  All of the characters in this thriller feature intriguing insights into the fragility of human nature. 
     I can highly  recommend this book to anyone like me, who enjoys mysteries that leave you on the edge of your seat. Or in my case, on the edge of my beach chair!

       For further information about author Andrew Gross, please visit his website at: http://www.andrewgrossbooks.com.  To learn more about Harper Collins titles, please visit their website at: http://www.harpercollins.com

 

Eyes Wide Open

 

Author: Andrew Gross

 

Publisher: Harper Collins

 

ISBN: 978-0-06-165602-6

 

Retails: $9.99

Website: www.harpercollins.com

 

 

 

Pure Fiji Skin Care

    Recently, I was privileged to be able to discover Pure Fiji skin care products, the 2011 winner of the Spa Finder Reader’s Choice Awards for Favorite Spa Products.  With exotic and enticing ingredients that reflect the country of their origins, Pure Fiji promises to bring a little taste of paradise into your home. 

     Containing extracts of exotic flowers and coconut milk, the kind people from Pure Fiji sent several of their Mango Infusion products, including the Hydrating Body Lotion, Spa Coconut Sugar Rub and Body Butter.   Both the body lotion and butter were super moisturizing, and instantly revitalized by chronically dry skin.  Containing soy proteins, cold-pressed coconut and drift nut oil, as well as essential oils of mango and coconut, these lotions are so hydrating, and the smells are just absolutely intoxicating, without being overpowering.  The sugar rub immediately made my bathroom smell like the sublimely incredible scent of the South Pacific.  It went on easily, and it left my skin feeling smooth.  After using their products for the past month, I can honestly say that they surely deliver on this promise. It was as if I was able to take a trip to the South Pacific, without even leaving my home!

      From my first use last month, Pure Fiji had me hooked (as I am quite sure you will be too!), and I am so looking forward to purchasing their products on a regular basis.

      For further information on Pure Fiji’s line of skin care products, please visit their website at: http://www.purefiji.com

 

The Gluten-Free Cookbook─What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free

     In the fall of 1997, I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thankfully, over the past five years, my IBS flare ups have become few and far between, with credit to following a gluten-free diet.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with what exactly gluten is, it is a protein composite that is commonly found in the following types of grains:

●Barley

●Rye

●Wheat

     Gluten is present in numerous foods that we eat on a daily basis.  These types of foods include cereals, breads and other baked goods, and gluten is frequently used as a food additive for a wide variety of products.

     Although, thankfully, I am the only member of my family with a sensitivity to gluten, and while I have had to learn to be creative in the kitchen to cater to everyone’s taste buds, sufficient to say that my family has learned to enjoy a wide variety of foods that they wouldn’t have necessarily had an opportunity to taste had it not been for my condition.  We are always on the lookout for new recipes to try, and when the kind folks at DK Publishing sent over The Gluten-Free Cookbook─What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free Diet by nutritional consultant and UK-based author Fiona Hunter, we not only jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to review the book but looked forward to adding some new and delicious foods.

     Featuring colorful photographs throughout, this cookbook is chock full of informative advice on learning how to find hidden gluten in food products, helpful Q&A’s ,and nutritional breakdowns on the gluten-containing products, needless to say, The Gluten-Free Cookbook did not disappoint.  I appreciated the fact that the recipe pages were marked with notes that labeled the recipe as “Great for Kids” and the statistics of each serving (including the amounts of Protein, Fiber, Carbohydrate and Saturated Fats).  

      My family and I look forward to eating our way through the entire book!

 

***Note: Before you decide to place yourself on a form of a restricted diet; seek out professional advice from your physician.

 

The Gluten-Free Cookbook─ What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free Diet

Author:  Fiona Hunter

Publisher:  DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley Limited)

ISBN:  978-0-7566-8216-3

Retails:  $25.00

Website: www.dk.com

 

Green People--Organic Skin Care Products

     A good anti-aging moisturizer is a beauty essential that every woman needs in her daily skin care routine. And, as I’m heading into my forties, I realize the importance that daily hydration and protection from harmful free radicals plays in keeping my skin looking youthful and moisturized.  So, when the kind folks at Green People recently sent a few samples of some of their skin care products, I jumped at the chance to see just how well they would treat my, sadly, aging skin! 

 Over a period of one month, I used their Anti-Aging 24-Hour Cream twice a day (once in the morning after I cleansed my face, as well as in the night before bed), and in a month’s time, I notice how this cream kept my skin feeling soft and nourished, without heaviness that other anti-aging creams that I used in the past. It evened out the lines around and under my eyes and forehead, much to my delight!  This moisturizer is perfect for use either in the day or night or both.    Richly loaded with 89 % certified rich vitamins, minerals and soothing botanical organic plant extracts , this light cream assists in protecting your skin against harmful free radicals and signs of aging.  Best of all, Green People’s products are created without the use of harmful parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances and chemicals.

     Uneven skin tone can most definitely add years onto our actual age, but fear not, as I’ve found that it is a lot easier these days to correct or at least conceal problem skin tone.  Filled with healthy Omega 3 and Omega 6 nutrients, and lightly scented with extracts of pineapple, tree tree and antioxidant-rich green tea, Oy! Organic Young No Gunk Cover & Clear Spot It! Sets out to help you hide those embarrassing blemishes and annoying fine lines.  Only a small drop will suffice, as you tap this cover over all those spots, and it is suitable for all types of skin tones, even those with sensitive skin tone like mine.  After using this product for the past month, I found that it worked well in combination and alone as both a concealer (I used it as a foundation too under my regular makeup) as well as a healer (thanks to the tea tree oil) to irritated spots and blemishes on my face.

      After using these products for myself, and learning more about how Green People was started from a mother’s single wish to provide children like her daughter (who suffered from allergies due to the chemical-based personal and cleaning products), and families with a healthier, chemical free, organic alternative, I couldn’t be more impressed with this truly “Green” company.  To find out more about Green People's  line of organic skin care products for the whole family, please visit their website at:  http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/

Soft and Romantic Summer Maternity Styles

     Are you expecting this summer? Expect to look smoldering hot in these latest maternity dress fashion looks that will keep you both you looking fashionably cool during these sweltering months.     With well-known designers enhancing your ‘bump’ by creating soft, feminine flattering, dresses, moms-to-be have a wide range of styles to choose from when searching for that perfect summer dress for every occasion. 

●The Wrap Dress─ A classic style that is dramatic, form-fitting, and exudes sultry sexiness. This sleeveless, light, faux wrap dress from Motherhood Maternityis form fitting in all the right places and the bright pink adds the simplicity of color. Wrap dresses can even be paired with a shawl for that extra touch of glamour!

●Light, Airy and Chic─ This intricately bold-patterned belted airy dress from Rosie Pope’s newest collection for A Pea in the Pod  shines with bold red, white and blue colors.

●Say you have an invitation to your cousin’s seaside wedding on the beach.  You’re six months along, and although you know you will need to wear something special, the idea of searching for that perfect wedding dress seems very daunting.  But, don’t fear as Suzi Chin for A Pea in the Pond has you covered with this elegant strapless maternity dress adorned with floral embroidery.

    The main tip, from my own personal experience when you are out shopping for summer maternity dresses, is to simply remember to cover all your bases with a few good basics that you can mix and match, has good stretch and, most importantly, are airy and comfortable!  Happy shopping!

100% Pure Yummy Ice Cream Vanilla 2 in 1 Wash

When I became a mother, I can honestly say that my number one job besides caring for and loving my sweet healthy baby boy, was to become more conscious of the health and well-being of my family.  With so many harmful ingredients found in the products that we use on our bodies, especially when it comes to children’s skincare products, my mission to keep synthetic and harmful ingredients away from our family took great importance.  With this always in mind, I recently came across a company called 100% Pure, and quickly became a fan.  I take comfort in the fact that all of the 100 % Pure products are natural, 100% vegan, gluten free, and are never tested on animals. This environmentally conscious company also packages their products in biodegradable materials made from post-consumer recycled plastic, glass and aluminum materials. 

The folks at 100% Pure kindly sent a package containing some of their newest products, and when I opened their package, which contained the Yummy Ice Cream Vanilla 2 in 1 Wash, I was shocked to see that it was contained within a 19oz pump. And, from the first moment it was used, I was completely enamored with this product.

 The Yummy Ice Cream Vanilla 2 in 1 Wash smells heavenly─lovely aromas that will instantly remind you of delicious vanilla.  After a shower, our whole bathroom literally smells like a heavenly bowl of vanilla ice cream, and the scent surprisingly does not vanish away quickly.  My son hair as well as my own was left shiny and clean, without stripping away the natural moisture from our scalps like other heavily artificially fragranced products have in the past, and our skin was left smooth and moisturized.  

Retailing for $15.00, the Yummy Ice Cream 2 in 1 Wash also comes in scents of Strawberry and Chocolate, and can be purchased directly thru the 100% Pure website at: http://www.100percentpure.com/default.asp

100% Pure Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream

Like many women in my age group (pushing 40), my skin has become highly sensitive to products containing artificial fragrances and synthetic ingredients, and I am always on the lookout for natural, organic ingredient-based products for myself, and for my family.  Recently, I received a package from 100% Pure, containing what has now become a must-have product in my daily skin care routine.

100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream contains non synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances or chemical preservatives. Richly filled with the antioxidant properties of Acai Berry, soothing aloe, calming rose flower water and extracts of healing herbal oils combined to literally feed your skin with the highest level of nutrition.  This nourishing, gluten-free facial cream has greatly assisted in easing the redness in my cheeks, something that I have suffered with for years since we moved to the South. 

This lotion is very thick, and from the moment that I put it on my face, I can feel how quickly it sets in, immediately setting out to moisturize my dry skin tone.  It actually penetrates my skin, instead of settling up on top of it.  I use it in the morning, under my makeup and at night before I go to sleep.  After using this ‘miracle’ product for two weeks now, I can see the difference in my skin tone.  It has greatly assisted in easing the redness in my cheeks, and my blemishes are virtually non-existent.  I cannot speak more highly of this all natural product. 

100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream, available for $32.00 for 1.6 fl. Oz,  can be purchased directly thru the 100% Pure website at: http://www.100percentpure.com/default.asp

Modest Momma's April Skin Care Products Spotlight

Hugo Naturals Baby Oil

     Derived from pure vegan oils, this lightweight soft blend helps to keep both you and your baby’s skin feeling so soft and full of moisture.  Baby Hugo Naturals Baby Oil’s ingredients include sweet almond, jojoba and borage oils, whose antioxidant properties are known to not only provide your skin with protection against the harsh elements but also promote healing, nourishing your skin tone.  The oil is also available in vanilla and chamomile scents.  This cruelty, paraben and SLS free oil, retailing for $12.99 for 4 oz., is available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.  For further information about Baby Hugo Naturals line of skin care products, please visit their website at: http://www.hugonaturals.com

Gaia Natural Baby Moisturizer

     Filled with the skin-softening properties of cocoa butter, along with the calming pure essential oils of lavender, Gaia Natural Baby Moisturizer will leave both you and your baby smelling heavenly!  Gaia Skin Naturals products are all safe to use during pregnancy, as well as for those babies and adults suffering from eczema (Gaia Skin Naturals are a sponsor of the Eczema Association of Australasia).  Available for purchase at drugstore.com, branddownunder.com and many smaller retailers nationwide.Gaia Natural Baby Moisturizer (250ml) retails for $11.50.  For further information about Gaia Natural Baby’s line of products, please visit their website at: http://www.gaiaskinnaturals.com

Erbaorganics Baby Travel Kit

     Featuring 1 oz. sizes of four of Erbaorganics best-selling baby skin care products─ Organic Baby Body Wash, Organic Baby Lotion, Organic Diaper Cream and Organic Baby Shampoo, this compact kit will come in very handy for those upcoming summer family vacations.  The Erbaorganics Baby Travel Kit retails for $25.00 and can be found in Target stores nationwide.  For further information about Erbaorganics line of skin care products for baby and your family, please visit their website at: http://www.erbaorganics.com

Caldrea® Palmarosa Wild Mint Liquid Hand Soap

     Containing the soothing properties of aloe vera gel, olive oil and a blend of essential oils including Palmarosa (derived from a grass that grows in India), the Caldrea® Palmarosa Wild Mint Liquid Hand Soap helps to blend a refreshing yet light softening cleanser for your hands.  Hints of wild mint, jasmine and woody notes of sandalwood provide added depth to the soap.  I found that this soap works perfectly either in the kitchen when I’m cooking, or in the bathroom, as the fragrant scent of wild mint truly awakens the senses in the early morning hours getting ready for work.  All Caldrea® products contain no harsh chemicals, fragrances and are paraben free.  The Caldrea® Palmarosa Wild Mint Liquid Hand Soap is available in 11 oz. ($10.50) and 16 oz. ($12.50) sizes, and can be found in specialty home stores nationwide.  To find a retailer near you, please visit their website at: http://www.caldrea.com

aden + anais mum + bub skin care

    

     Having long been a fan of aden + anais’ full line collection of muslin baby products, I was thrilled to recently learn that they have an infant skin care line called mum + bub, created specifically for baby’s sensitive skin.  Needless to say, I was so excited to receive a package filled with mum + bub’s products to review a few weeks ago. The new mum + bub skincare line is made from a fermented Australian fruit called Pawpaw, which is used topically as an ointment as well as a skin protectant.  Formulated alongside New York based dermatologist Ellen Gendler, MD, the mild, tear-free skin care products are lightly scented with Australian Sandlewood.  I found that both the lotion as well as the hair & body wash that I tried for over a week intensely moisturized my scalp and skin, leaving it soft and supple.  All of the mum + bub skincare line from aden + anais is entirely free of parabens, phthalates, gluten, soy and artificial colors.  The mum + bub hair and body wash, lotion and ointment (3 oz. only, as the 6 oz. retails for $28.95) retails for $15.95 each and you can review the entire line at their website at: http://www.adenandanais.com

Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals Savior

     During my teenaged years, just like many young women, my skin was prone to breakouts at the drop of a hat.  While I have been lucky enough to say that throughout my late 20s to my mid-30s, my skin tone went through a remarkably calm, normal period.  However, as I inch towards the big 4 0, this peaceful period seems to be quickly disappearing, as the flare ups (most especially on my forehead and around the base of my nose) that so identified my teenaged years are starting to pay me yet another uninvited and unwelcome visit.  Needless to say, when I recently received a sample of Sircuit® Skin Cosmeceuticals Savior™ problem skin cleanser, I had just no idea what a ‘Savior’ it truly would be to my newly complex skin tone.

    Savior™ is a non-sulfate (containing no Sodium Laurel Sulfates) skin cleanser that is formulated to assist with exfoliating your skin while reducing the appearance of blemishes.  After using Savior™ twice a day during the morning and evening for a week, my skin feels refreshed, and this cleanser has really helped to soothe and calm the redness in my skin.  I have found that  Savior™ is ideal for women like me who deal with oily, acne/blemish prone skin. It cleanses your skin without stripping it of necessary moisture. The combination of ingredients which include the purifying properties of Organic Tea Tree Oil, as well as Organic Peppermint Oil and Organic Olive Leaf Oil when used along with the 2% Salicylic Acid purges away excess oil and decongests your clogged pores.   Quick word of advice─ if you are allergic to aspirin, or if you are pregnant, you may want to avoid using this cleanser.

     Retailing for $38.00, Sircuit® Skin Cosmeceuticals Savior™ can be purchased directly through their website at: http://www.sircuitskin.com/shop