…and I’m still very much enjoying my bottle of SkinMD Natural Shielding Lotion! In fact, I have it on my hands right now as I’m typing — soothing the damage to my hands from the tasks they’ve been busy doing all week (laundry, playing outside with the kids, cleaning, cooking).
SkinMD Natural Shielding Lotion and SkinMD Natural + SPF 15 are so very beneficial to have around….especially if you have habitually dry skin and/or are concerned about the ingredients in the products you use on your family’s skin.
***That’s why the kind folks at SkinMD want to offer my readers 20% off any purchase at SkinMDNatural.com!***
Now through April 10th, 2010, enter the code ” MUSES ” at checkout for an automatic 20% off!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this review/announcement. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I don’t know about you, but at our house, we go through bandages like nothing else. Everything from a skinned knee via a pavement spill to a teeny, tiny paper cut warrants a bandage.
Whenever my husband tries to talk one of the kids out of asking for a bandage, I laugh and remind him lovingly that a bandages aren’t just physical: They’re also emotional and psychological. Just putting a bandage around a pinky finger seems to shut off the faucet of tears. And our kids, no matter how big they grow, still want Mommy and Daddy to kiss their boo-boos and make them better. With Ouchies, you can do that in a hipper, cooler way!
There’s something for every kids’ style and personality:
For the boys…
For the creative artist…
For the fun-loving and nostalgic type…
Our kids adore Ouchies. It just so happened that the flu shots we all received last week warranted “cooler” bandages. Moments after returning home, Ouchies came to the rescue!
Ouchies come in metal tins, which I love because it’s so retro and old-school. Each tin contains 20 adhesive bandages. You can order Ouchies from their online retail site for $5.00 a box, or check to see where they’re sold locally at stores near you.
I’ll close the contest next Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only.Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congrats to the winner, commenter #25, ReggieMann!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I only received the product itself; I received no other monetary compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When our son was almost a year old, he choked on a Goldfish cracker. Before I knew what I was doing, I had pulled him out of the highchair, had flung him, facing down, onto my forearm, and began to hit his back between the shoulder blades. After two times, the cracker flew out onto the floor, and he begin to cry.
At that moment, more than at any other, I was grateful that my husband and I took a choking aid/CPR class before G was born. I believe that what I learned there helped me know what to do on that scary afternoon.
Yet what if I don’t always react so quickly? What if I panic and freeze, not knowing what to do? I don’t like to dwell on “what ifs,” but I do believe that preparation and know-how is important, should an emergency spring up.
I’m thrilled to tell you today about a first aid kit that takes most of the guesswork out of those crucial situations: Intelligent First Aid. Intelligent First Aid is the most comprehensive, all-inclusive, and smart first aid kit I’ve found. Intelligent First Aid’s Talking First Aid kit not only includes cue cards with detailed drawings and instructions to let you know what to do with every type of injury or occurrence, but it also has recorded instructions which you can play at will to talk you through the actions required.
The Intelligent First Aid Talking First Aid kit includes talking care packs (including talking cue cards and medical supply packs) for all of the following injuries/conditions:
Also included is a basics care packet (with basic medical supplies), a fully illustrated instruction manual, a quick-start guide (also with narration), and a positionable flashlight, all housed within a soft-sided, zip-closure case with a handle and detachable strap. It’s an easy first aid kit to tote around as you go, and excellent for travel.
Here’s my demonstration of what is included within the Talking First Aid kit, as well as a sample of the narration you’ll hear on the cue cards:
***And right now, Intelligent First Aid is running a winter special: 25% off everything on their site with the promotional code WINTER25 used at checkout.***
Win it! Thanks to the generous folks at Intelligent First Aid, one of you will win a Talking First Aid kit, a $149.99 value! To enter to win, just comment below with another one of their kits you’d like to have around or give to someone…or tell me about an experience you had where rapid first aid was required…..OR tell me something you read/learned from their website. I’ll close the contest next Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only.Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congrats to the winner, commenter #6, Melissa, who said, “I think this would be wonderful for us because we have a swimming pool. It would be nice to keep in handy in case we ever did need to do CPR! (but praying to God that we never will).”
Thanks, everyone, for participating!
One of my favorite forms of exercise? Yoga. I began by taking some yoga classes a few years back. While I loved the idea of it, I couldn’t exactly feel 100% comfortable doing yoga in a class of 35+ people, especially since 99% of them were way more flexible and balance-able than I. Rather than give it up, though, I sought out ways to do yoga at home. I have yoga DVDs and stretch and bend along with the instructors on FitTV, but sometimes I want to go at my own pace. Design my own workout. Customize.
Thankfully, I ran across My Yoga 2 Go. It’s an all-inclusive, tote-able yoga workout system that goes where you go! It was created by Beth Siegel, a student of yoga since 1993, who was trained in Flow Yoga at the Asheville Center for Yoga. It was sprouted from her need to have an at-home yoga program after the birth of her first child. Beth graciously sent me a My Yoga 2 To Yoga Practice System to try out.
My Yoga 2 Go’s Yoga Practice System includes a comprehensive deck of yoga posture cards, complete with the pose name, pose photos, detailed written description of each, time to hold each posture, and bodily benefits. The bottom of the cards have circles, each of a different color and number. There are a variety of “workouts” to choose from….simply choose the color corresponding to the workout you desire, put the cards in numerical order, slide them into the 30-pocket hanging tote, put on some soothing music, grab your mat, and begin!
The My Yoga 2 Go Yoga Practice System includes all you need to complete a full yoga workout at home, in a hotel room during travel, or even on the sand beside a beach at sunset. Now there are no restrictions on where you can practice yoga…and you can tote it all with you in an attractive, organized way!
- The folder tote is durable and sturdy. It folds up compactly for easy storage and/or packing.
- The cards are thick and have a waxy/rubbery type finish….which means they’ll resist moisture, for one, and also stay put once slid into the pockets of the tote.
- I love how the poses are organized by workout choice….no guesswork! Some of the poses overlap within the 7 workout routines. You can even mix and match to create your own one-of-a-kind routine based on your individual needs.
- The poses have alternate/amended poses, as well, to allow you a bit more of a challenge/stretch.
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Winter is harsh on delicate skin like mine. As soon as autumn hits, my hands begin to crack and chap. One thing I’ve reached for often both last winter and this is Skin MD Natural.
Skin MD Natural skin care products that are a bit different than conventional moisturizing lotions. Skin MD Natural lotions are “shielding lotions,” meaning that they bond with and protect the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin)…from the cold air, the wind, harmful chemicals, even occasional contact with water. Shielding lotions enhance the body’s natural abilities to protect. Think of it as an “invisible hydrating” barrier.
At first I was surprised that Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion wasn’t incredibly thick, but I soon came to notice that it covers extremely well and takes very little to cover an area of irritated skin. It is effective for reducing the discomfort from a variety of skin problems and complaints.
What I love about Skin MD Natural is that they stand up to the claim in their name. They don’t do animal testing or use animal products, their lotions are paraben free, hypoallergenic, and are fragrance and colorant free. (A detailed list and descriptions of Skin MD Natural lotions can be found here.)
You can use Skin MD Natural on the face, hands, or body. It also comes in a version with a sunblock additive (SPF 15). I keep my bottle right on the side of the kitchen sink; it’s what I reach for first after cleaning up each family meal or coming in from outdoors. My hands are so grateful!
This year, why not give the gift of healthy, beautiful, silky-smooth skin….naturally….with Skin MD Natural products. You can order Skin MD Natural directly from their website for $18 a bottle. (They are also running a few Christmas specials right now on multi/gift packs.) You can also use their handy store locator to find a retailer near you who carries their great products.
Win it! Thanks to Skin MD Natural, one of you will win a bottle of the original Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion! Just stop by the Skin MD Natural website and look around a bit….then tell me, in a comment below, something you learned or something that you read to make you want to try their lotions even more! I’ll close the contest next Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 11pm EST. Open to US, Canadian, and international addresses. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations to commenter #10, Julie L, the winner of the Skin MD lotion!
I haven’t yet had an opportunity to attend one of the annual BlogHer conferences yet. It’s something I want to, hope to do….someday….but when my children are still little, it’s just not feasible.
I was super excited, however, to learn that MomSelect was going to send over a box full of swag (”stuff we all get”)….a virtual swag bag of sorts….right to my doorstep! A couple of weeks ago, a box full of several neat items arrived for me to go through and enjoy including a cup of Kraft’s Easy Mac and Cheese, which has already been made and consumed by my two little taste testers, and Hyland’s Homeopathic Teething Gel and Earache Drops, which is a brand I already know & trust.
A few of the items in the box, though, really jumped out at me and held my attention and intrigue.
Grippies shapes! These no-slip adhesives can be easily applied to your child’s socks or tights to create an instant “no-slip solution.” As their ad says, they prevent the “socks-meet-hardwood floors” wipeout so well-known to us moms of fast-moving children with fast-moving little feet! These will be indispensable around here come fall and winter.
95% Organic Lip Conditioner by Softlips. I’m a lover of all-things-lip-balm, and when it’s organic, it gets an even higher vote. I received the peppermint flavor, and I must say that the tingling sensation on my lips is fun! My lips stay soft for hours. Again, this is another product that will become much more valuable in my house once the dry winter hits.
A 12″ Torpedo Level from Latitude Tools. It’s chic, it’s attractive, yet it’s sturdy enough for my rough use as I drag it around the house (I rearrange artwork and other wall hangings often, so I need tools that hold up). Latitude Tools are designed specifically with women in mind….from size, to leverage, to weight, to style. This is my first introduction to Latitude Tools, and I must say, I like what I’m seeing so far.
Thanks to MomSelect for sending over this fab bag of swag to those of us who couldn’t make it to BlogHer this year!
I remember first seeing POM Wonderful bottles in my local supermarket, sitting there “chilling” in the produce department. I saw bottles of it in other people’s shopping carts and wondered, “What’s the deal with POM Wonderful?” Little did I know that a little bit of research would send me running straight toward their cleverly-shaped bottles in a jiffy.
POM Wonderful is completely, wholly, 100% pomegranate juice. I remember a Martha Stewart segment where she boasted on and on about the health benefits of that particular red, seedy fruit. Tart they are, but pomegranates pack a powerful punch of antioxidants and heart-strengthening abilities.
POM Wonderful is the only pomegranate that is 100% authentic pomegranate juice. There are no added sugars, preservatives, colors, or other filler juices. POM Wonderful is only manufactured from the “Wonderful” variety of pomegranates, known for their superior antioxidant properties and deep crimson color.
Here are a few research findings about what POM Wonderful can do for our health:
- Researchers studied a total of 45 patients with coronary heart disease who had reduced blood flow to the heart. Patients drinking POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice experienced a 17% improvement in blood flow, compared to a 18% worsening in patients drinking a placebo.
- 45 men with recurring prostate cancer drank 8oz. of 100% pomegranate juice daily for two years and experienced prolonged PSA doubling time from 15 to 54 months. PSA is a blood marker for prostate cancer, and the longer the doubling time, the lower the risk of cancer recurrence and spread.
- POM is an excellent source of antioxidants, containing more and better of them than red wine, grape juice, blueberry juice, green tea, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and cranberry juice.
Speaking of cranberry juice, I liken the taste of POM Wonderful to cranberry juice, only “tartier and earthier,” as my husband so cleverly put it. It’s a refreshing, flavorful drink, chilled to perfection on a hot summer’s day….and knowing it’s improving my health only sweetens the deal.
This Mother’s Day, why not do more that just give….give with a purpose. If you choose your gift(s) from Greenheart, you’ll be doing more than getting a sentimental, handcrafted gift for Mom….you’ll be giving back to a fair trade organization who employs local artisans and craftswomen. You’ll be supporting local trade as well as purchasing organic and green products.
Greenheart, based in Chicago but with an expansive online storefront, has so many lovely items that would be just perfect for Mother’s Day this year:
Win it! I have a gorgeous silk rose pin to from Greenheart to give away to one of you!
This lovely pin was handcrafted by artisans at Craft Link in Vietnam, who focuses on ethnic minorities, street children, and the disabled. For your chance to win, visit Greenheart and look around at their selection of handcrafted goods. Come back here and tell me, in one comment, another item that you’d love to give or receive for Mother’s Day this year (not mentioned in this post). I’ll close the contest next Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 11pm EST. US entries only. Good luck!
It didn’t take long. My daughter wasn’t even two years old yet when she first noticed me painting my toenails one afternoon at my dressing table. She curiously peeked to see what I was up to, then said, “OOoohh! Pink toes!” with sparkles in her eyes. Needless to say, her little toes have been painted ever since. She walks so proudly and stares at them adoringly right after a fresh coat of new color.
What does bother me, though, are all of the chemicals in the nail polishes (and polish removers) on the beauty store shelves. Very quickly, the though of putting on my fingers or toes the same chemical that can be found in my high school chemistry lab (among others) seems atrocious at best. Even though I put these paints on my own feet, I have to admit I’m reluctant every time to allow her to wear it, seeing as there are so many questionable ingredients (and the smell is overwhelming). I thought back to my childhood days and the glittery “peel-off” polish Mom used to buy for me….but what about this shoe-and-sock wintery weather? The finish wouldn’t last a day. There had to be another route.
Then I came across Piggy Paint! Piggy Paints are totally non-toxic, friendly, natural toenail paints which are specifically intended for little ones’ tiny toes. This company was founded by a mom who sounded a lot like me in this regard. I liked her reasons behind her product….I my daughter and I had to try Piggy Paint for ourselves!
I was very pleasantly surprised at the fact that there really is no odor…even to the polish remover! Finally a paint that won’t leave our home smelling like chemicals for an hour. It all seemed and felt so safe and natural….”natural as mud,” indeed. Our Piggy Paint color, #21, Girls Rule, was a big hit with the Little Miss. I have to admit…after painting her toes, I went ahead and painted mine, too. Love it.
(And a week later, our colors and finishes are still going strong, showing that these paints are just as durable as their less-safe competitors).
Piggy Paint has several trendy, girly colors to choose from. You can purchase the paints by themselves, as well as the removers….or choose one of the excellent gift packs (these would make a great gift!).
Right now Piggy Paint is running a Valentine’s special on their Valentine gift set! It includes three colors: Sometimes Sweet, Forever Fancy, and Angel Kisses, and is on sale for $22.50.
Feel free to read up on why Piggy Paints are so safe for little ones here….and you’ll also find some handy learning tips! (Didn’t you know that your child can learn even while having her toenails painted?)
Win it! Just for one of you, I have a Clouds of Candy gift set courtesy of Piggy Paint!
All you need to do is browse around Piggy Paint’s website for a while. Come back here and tell me in one comment the name of one other paint color (or gift set) that your little girl would adore. I’ll close the contest at 11pm EST next Thursday, Janurary 29th, 2009. Sorry; US entries only. Good luck!
When I was contacted about reviewing Skin MD Natural lotion for hands & body, I promptly sprinted back a response. YES!! I have always had dry skin….but in the wintertime, it becomes really parched. I have mild eczema in spots, but my main complaint has always been my hands. As soon as October hits and the days get cooler & drier, my hands begin to slowly transform into scaly, alligator-like appendages. It’s true. It’s not pretty.
Sometimes, they get so dry that they begin to crack and bleed at my knuckles. It’s not fun (and not pretty) to go around all winter long with Batman band-aids wrapped around my fingers.
You name the remedy, I’ve tried it:
- Drank more water.
- Slathered my hands with Vaseline and slept with socks on my hands.
- Used dermatologist-recommended brands (yes, actually recommended by my actual dermatologist).
- Used sloughing creams 2-3 times per week.
- Stopped washing my hands in case water was the culprit. (Ew.)
- Only washed in cold or tepid water, since hot water supposedly leeches moisture. (Brr!)
Some of these worked for a while, but nothing made a lasting impression. I began to resolve that this is the way things would be for me from now on.
Until! Skin MD Natural arrived at my house for me to test. If there were ever a test subject, I was the one. I promptly opened the box and put some on my hands. Instant relief. As the hours wore on, I noticed that my hands were staying soft….and that when I did wash them, they still felt soft. This must be the shielding lotion properties that Skin MD boasts.
Skin MD Natural had a light scent….with the SPF, too….which gave it a beach-y smell….reminded me of summer. *grin* I loved how it didn’t feel greasy or sticky — as moms, we don’t need to be restricted by residue on our hands!
I’d heard of Skin MD Natural (they’ve been getting a lot of positive press lately), but I didn’t realize how much I would love it until I tried it. I’m so glad I did.
If you are frustrated by what you’ve tried and you really need a new skin care product that actually works, then I highly recommend you try Skin MD Natural. Drive…no, run….to your nearest store and purchase some today. (How do I know who carries Skin MD, you ask? Just look here.)
Win it! Skin MD Natural would love to offer one of you a bottle of Skin MD Natural shielding lotion! All you have to do is head over to Skin MD Natural’s website and read up a little on their product. Come back and tell me one interesting tidbit, research finding, or tip that you learned in a comment. (One comment only; duplicate comments will be disqualified.) US entries only. I’ll close the contest at 11pm EST on Sunday, December 28th, 2008. Good luck!
Welcome to the Muses of Megret Product Review page. If you would like for me to review your product or would like to contact me for any reason, go here.
Now through April 10th, 2010, enter the code ” MUSES ” at checkout for an automatic 20% off!
