Always scouring the market for natural, eco-friendly, safe products for my family’s bath and body needs, I stumbled across a new company that tugged at my curiosity. Just one look at their gorgeous, artful website made me realize I had to find out more!

Graham Gardens was started by — you guessed it — the Grahams, a couple who are both lifelong aficionados of gardening. That combined with a true desire to come up with natural bath and skincare products for family helped birth their blossoming company.

Here are some of the things I heard straight from the Grahams about their fantastic products:

“Our goal is to make products that are wholesome and effective. We use only essential oils for fragrances, and stick to products that can be made without unnecessary, questionable additives like emulsifiers, preservatives, parabens & sulfates. Because of this, our product line won’t include some skincare items that you might expect to see! Our journey into natural skincare has proven that the more simplistic products, made with really nourishing oils, herbs and botanicals, really do work beautifully. Because of this, we make every effort to package our products beautifully – resulting in a carefully formulated, visually pleasing product that appeals to all the senses and is a delight to use.”

A delight is right! We instantly fell in love with their soaps — Bella Luna Avocado Oil Soap and Lavender and Coconut Shea Butter Soap! Not only does it create super soft skin and a terrific lather, the open bars of soap make the bathrooms themselves smell great all the time!

Their Butter Bars are simply indulgent. We tried “Fresh” and “Citrus” to try. I can’t stop switching between the two — they’re both so fantastic. Conveniently packaged in a tin, they’re travel-able and portable. Just rub the molded bar between your hands and use like regular lotion for a terrific pampering treat. (A must-have for these dry winter days!)

Last but not least, we sampled their Lip Balms — Peppermint Candy and Orange Sunset. Made with jojoba, grapeseed oil and shea butter, these glide on effortlessly and provide the utmost in chap protection.

(The Peppermint Candy flavor makes your lips feel cold and tingly, too!)

You can order Graham Gardens’ fantastic, natural products directly from their secure online store. (They even have a Babybird line for infant skincare!) Check them out on Twitter and Facebook, too!

Win it!

Courtesy of Graham Gardens, one of you will win these three items reviewed above:
- 1 Butter Bar in “Fresh”
- 1 Lavender and Coconut Shea Butter Soap…and
- 1 Peppermint Candy Lip Balm!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another item (NOT mentioned above) by Graham Gardens that you’d be tickled to try!

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned products at no cost from Graham Gardens in exchange for my honest review. I received no other product or monetary compensation. 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.”

It’s inevitable; kids come down with at least one terrible cold/cough every year. With our two, it’s interesting how differently they handle the tell-tale symptoms. Our son breezes through a cold with hardly a care or bother. Our daughter, though, also a seasonal allergy sufferer like I am, gets hit pretty hard with respiratory illnesses. Our pediatrician tells us yearly that a good humidifier is a must….not just for when the kids are sick, but all throughout the winter season. Daily humidifier use also helps relieve the harsh effects of dry air that are inevitable when the heat comes on inside. New research also suggests that homes kept at 40-60% relative humidity can help reduce the flu’s survival on surfaces and in the air. That’s why I am so glad I was asked to review this year a new (and not so ordinary) humidifier by Vicks, the trusted brand for cough and cold relief for generations!

Take a look at the Vicks V3700 Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier.

This is not just a humidifier: It’s also a calming, soothing, color-changing night light and ceiling projector, shining star and moon shapes on the walls and ceiling of your child’s room. The Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier is simple to fill and is quiet as a mouse, and within minutes will fill your child’s room with a cool, moist airflow for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Here are some stats and facts about Vicks’ Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier:

- The one-gallon tank of water allows for 18-24 hours of solid running time before it’s time to re-fill
- The projector is built-in but completely separate from the air flow controls, allowing parents to regulate whether or not the nightlight stays on or goes off later at night
- Built-in scent pad heater works with Vicks Soothing Vapors VapoPads
- 3 year warranty

Here’s why we love it!:

- It’s ultra compact and lightweight.
- The tank is easily removed for refills…no dripping water across the carpet, either!
- There’s a high setting and a low “sleep time” setting, both of which are exceptionally quiet.
- It’s attractive! I don’t mind having this set out within view in my daughter’s room all winter long.
- The projected lights are strong but not overwhelming, and the rotating color changing effect is beautiful.
- I love that a scent pad can be added in for those restless nights when extra care is required.

You can purchase the Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier from Amazon.com, KMart, Kaz.com, Babies R Us, Target.com, and Walgreens.

(For tips on easing the symptoms of cold and flu, visit Cold & Flu Central.)

Win it!

Courtesy of Vicks, one of you will win a Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier, a $54.99 value!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, one feature about the Vicks Starry Night Cool Mist Humidifier that you’d find the most helpful in your household.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 16th, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #13, Annette W!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product at no cost from Vicks/Kaz via 360 Public Relations, LLC per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

Everyone needs calcium.

Women need the most.

Calcium helps with so many things. It not only helps reduces your chances of osteoporosis, it can also ease the bodily effects of menopause, support healthy pregnancies, and alleviate menstrual cramps and other PMS symptoms. Then what’s the problem? Why don’t we take calcium supplements often enough (or at all)?

“Let’s face it, supplements certainly aren’t something most people crave or savor. We know calcium is good for our bodies and that most women don’t get enough of it, but supplements simply aren’t sexy.

Enter Adora.

Fortunately, there’s a new way to serve up your Calcium and Vitamin D supplement with a side of sass and sophistication – and it’ll satiate your chocolate cravings too. Adora™ Calcium & Vitamin D Supplement in rich, premium, all-natural chocolate takes the daily dose experience from palatable to pleasurable – reason enough for Adora to become your BFF.”

Quick Facts about Adora:

- High quality calcium carbonate, vitamin D3, and magnesium that meet USP standards

- Antioxidants from all-natural premium chocolate

- Only 30 calories to support weight loss goals

- A smooth, easy-to-digest consistency

- Gluten free

- No artificial sweeteners

- Dark chocolate is lactose free

- Minimal added sugars

- Stringent manufacturing process regulated by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA)

I was sent both the milk chocolate and dark chocolate Adora varieties to try out, and I must say, I was a little leery at first. I’ve had other “chocolate” calcium supplements that tasted more like Tootsie Rolls than real chocolate, not to mention left a chalky feeling in my mouth. (Gross.)

Not Adora! This is REAL chocolate, so it tastes and feels like, well, real chocolate. I love both varieties, although I’m partial to dark chocolate varieties of anything. I like that the discs are individually wrapped, so it’s easy to toss a few into my purse if I’m heading out for the day. I’m quite happy to know that I can get my daily dose of calcium in a yummy form — it’s much better than swallowing white-colored capsules…

You can purchase Adora Calcium Supplements at Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods, and other specialty retailers nationwide. (Each 3o-disc bag retails for $7.99.) Visit Adora’s website or Facebook page for more info!

Win it!

Courtesy of Adora, one of you will win a packet of Adora Calcium Supplement!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Follow Adora Calcium on Twitter and/or Facebook, then tell me that you did so in a comment below.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Monday, November 7th, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, commenter #5, Marija!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above products at no cost from Adora and 360 Public Relations, LLC per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

Kleenex has some pretty nifty looking packaging to kick off the 2011 Back-to-School season!

Via Mom Bloggers Club, Kleenex sent over three of their newly designed, packaged Kleenex products:

Pretty cute, huh?

The Kleenex brand is adding a new line of on-the-go packs with Sneeze Shield this back to school season to make it easy to help keep stuff off kids’ hands in the classroom, on field trips, at home or wherever kids go.

The on-the-go packages include:

• The wallet pack. It is thin and sleek, so you can always keep a tissue on hand. Their trendy design and convenient size make it the perfect accessory for hip tweens and teens.
• The auto pack. It fits perfectly in the car door or glove compartment – no need to lug around a box of tissue or fumble in a purse for a tissue while driving.
• The new and improved pocket pack. A long-time favorite has been improved to feature three-ply tissue.

Just in time for the 2011 – 2012 school year, Kleenex brand facial tissues is committing $500,000 to help schools across America keep field trips as a part of the educational curriculum.

Right now, you can enter the Kleenex brand Back to School sweepstakes to help your school win a share of the cash to help fund school field trips. Here’s how:

• Visit www.Facebook.com/Kleenex.
• Click on the “Field Trips” tab at the top of the page
• Vote for your favorite participating school -or-
• Register the school of your choice by clicking the “Add a School” box and filling out the digital registration form
• The top 100 U.S. schools that finish with the most votes on the Kleenex brand Facebook page will receive a $5,000 award from the Kleenex brand.
• Voting ends on September 14 • Visit Facebook.com/Kleenex for complete entry requirements and to learn how you and your friends and family can help win field trips for your child’s school.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product at no cost from Kleenex via Mom Bloggers Club per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

I’m quickly approaching my 33rd birthday. (As in, in a couple of weeks.)

I’m starting to see the signs of aging on my face, neck and hands, the subtle ways nature takes its course as we women grow older (and wiser, I might add).

I was pleased to be able to recently review some new products specifically geared toward anti-aging! Happy Me Skincare, the “only mass skincare line that combines nature, luxury and value,” was named the official skincare sponsor for Concept LA Fashion week, held last October. It’s a line that is made up of natural ingredients, a host of skin remedies for several common problems (including aging and acne).

“Happy” skin means better skin, clearer skin, more beautiful skin, and that’s where the company’s name stems from. Over a decade of research conducted all over the world went into the formulation of Happy Me Skincare’s products, which are totally free of parabens, sulfates and artificial dyes. They also conduct no product testing on animals whatsoever.

Here are the Happy Me products I tried out:

Happy Me Skincare’s Anti-Aging Neck & Chest Repair (with SPF 30)

“Keep your neck and chest looking young with this repair treatment designed for delicate skin. Representing beauty in the Chinese culture, Sweet Almond Extract smoothes wrinkles and lifts fine lines. Rosewood Oil from the Amazon Rainforest stimulates new cell growth for elasticity. Apple Fruit Extract encourages new cell generation as well by gently exfoliating dead skin cells for rapid turnover. The essential SPF 30 gives all day sun protection preventing future age spots and damage. This light crème hydrates without leaving a greasy residue for young, happy skin.”

Happy Me Skincare’s Anti-Aging Intensive Hand Repair (with SPF 30)

“Bring youth to your hands and protect them from future damage with this moisture rich anti-aging treatment. Brassicaceae Extract works with Lemon Fruit Extract to give skin an even toned, youthful glow by naturally lightening and brightening sun and age spots. Rosemary Leaf Oil tightens skin and reduces fine lines by strengthen tiny blood vessels below the surface and generating new cell growth. All day sun protection from SPF 30 protects from future discoloration keeping your hands happy and youthful.”

Happy Me Skincare’s Pore & Fine Line Perfector and Primer

“Get a flawless, happy complexion with this matte finishing liquid powder. Natural Silica enhances collagen formation for a firmer, more youthful skin texture. It minimizes pore size while tightening skin. Anti-oxidant rich Acai Pulp Oil repairs visible damage from free radicals and generates new skin cell growth. Luxurious Lavender Oil heals and soothes irritated skin and leaves a faint aroma to calm your senses all day long. The liquid powder finish creates the perfect foundation for makeup, although, you may not need makeup now.”

Of the three, my favorite is definitely the Pore & Fine Line Perfector & Primer. Its liquid powder finish is amazing to behold! A wonderful base for makeup, prepping your face before the onslaught of destructive forces it encounters day to day.

The Hand Repair is ultra thick and soothed my winter-caused dry skin in seconds. I also love that it also boasts SPF 30, since age spots are creeping onto my hands, as well, undoubtedly worsened by sun exposure (even the little that I allow myself to get, since I’m fair-skinned).

The only negative feedback I have would probably be the scents of these products. They were all-natural, herbal scents, which is reassuring and better than the alternative, but I found them a bit too heavy for my taste.

You can buy Happy Me Skincare’s entire product line via their website.

Win it! Courtesy of Happy Me Skincare and Mom Blogger’s Club, one of you will win a set of the three products I reviewed above!

Here’s how to enter:

1. MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another Happy Me Skincare product (not mentioned above) you’d like to try, or something interesting you learned about their products while browsing their informative site.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close the contest on Wednesday, February 16th, 2011, at 11:59pm EST. US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congrats to the winner, #64, Jessica!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed product from Happy Me Skincare via Mom Bloggers Club at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

There’s a new app for smart phones called iTriage that lets you search and browse hundreds of symptoms, medical procedures, and diseases, as well as provides useful descriptions of the conditions, treatments, and medical tests.  iTriage also offers support links to your insurer’s advice line.

iTriage—the first healthcare information software product introduced by Healthagen, LLC, is the brainchild of two emergency room physicians. After seeing a growing need for patients to have more actionable healthcare information in their hands, Drs. Peter Hudson and Wayne Guerra introduced iTriage to give healthcare consumers crucial information in acute care settings:

* Information on more than 300 symptoms, 1000 diseases and 350 medical procedure
* A nationwide directory of hospitals, urgent cares, retail clinics, pharmacies and physicians
* Turn-by-turn facility directions from GPS, IP address or zip code locations
* Nurse advice lines
* Detailed quality reports from HealthGrades on hospitals and physicians
* Help negotiating medical bills through an iTriage partnership with one of the most respected claims adjudication organizations
* Emergency Room wait times for hospitals in select parts of the country.

iTriage is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, and Palm.  It will be available for Blackberry very soon.

To learn more about iTriage and get the link to download it via iTunes, click here.

FTC info — Disclaimer: This is a compensated review via iTriage and Mom Bloggers Club. 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.”

Available on Gaiam (and fueled by Cafe Press) are totally customizable, eco-friendly yoga mats in a variety of fun colors!

You can choose one of the already-created artist-designed yoga mat designs, or use the easy designing tool to customize your own.

(Here’s the pretty pink Hibiscus design.)

The available colors are green, tan, pink, blue and grey. You can add photos, clip art, and text to your hearts’ desire — then just wait until it arrives to enjoy your customized yoga workout!

These would make terrific gifts for friends. At just $29.50, the price is right for something that’s so unique and diverse in style. Order one directly from Gaiam (via CafePress). Get creating!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed product at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

Do you wear eyeglasses? Have you ever looked at glasses frames online? Do you favor designer eyeglasses? But don’t want to pay designer prices?

Do you like the idea of being able to try glasses online? What if I told you there was a way to upload your photo and “try on” glasses online, all while sitting on your comfy couch? There is. It’s called GlassesUSA.com!

GlassesUSA.com carries cheap eyeglasses, lenses and frames for every budget and style. You’ll find hundreds of cheap designer eyeglasses, cheap eyeglass frames, cheap reading glasses, and cheap prescription sunglasses on their site.

Looking for cheap reading glasses online? Check these out.

Need to order some more prescription sunglasses online? GlassesUSA.com makes it easy.

GlassesUSA is an international company, with headquarters in New Jersey and a satellite office overseas. They believe that vision and good eyesight are a necessity, not a luxury. With the reasonably-priced frames and lenses sold here, you don’t have to sacrifice style for cost.

We were able to review a pair of glasses from GlassesUSA.com. My husband was more than happy to order some for himself, the only glasses-wearer in our family. We were impressed with the interactive eyeglasses try-on feature, letting him see how different frames would look before even ordering them.

It was a matter of days after placing our order that we received his glasses in the mail, packaged well and with a very sturdy storage case.

The frames fit exceptionally well and the prescription was matched exactly. My husband was super pleased to have his pair of designer glasses!

So whether you need cheap prescription sunglasses, cheap reading glasses, or just inexpensive prescription glasses to wear all the time, let GlassesUSA.com be your one-stop online shop for all of your discount eyeglasses needs.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT for my readers:

GlassesUSA.com has graciously offered each of you 10% off of your total online order with the coupon code Blog10!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed product at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product 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.”

It’s that time of year (again). Seasonal allergies are beginning to show up and make their mark on many. If you’re lucky enough to avoid allergies common in the springtime, you may be one of the sufferers of autumn-borne allergens. I know I am.

They say washing helps allergens reduce within your home. And wash I do! I wash our sheets, towels, napkins, and pillowcovers in hot water weekly. I mop our floors and change our HVAC filters regularly. But what about cleaning….your sinuses?

After all, that’s where allergens and cold germs go after you inhale them.

This week, Waterpik launched their new SinuSense line. There are several SinuSense products to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Said Waterpik’s marketing vice president, this line is “a natural extension of Waterpik’s current product line.”

Via MomSelect, Waterpik sent us two of the new SinuSense products to try. I tried the SinuSense Squeeze Bottle and gave the SinuSense Neti Bottle to my husband. We were getting over an uncomfortable end-of-summer head cold, so this was a very welcome “treat!”

The process was simple, the directions straightforward and easy to follow. The pot and bottle comes with pre-measured packets of saline to ensure you achieve the correct saline/water ratio. The squeeze bottle was easy to handle and hold, and very little effort was needed to obtain a good water flow. My husband was impressed by the Neti Bottle’s one-touch valve, giving him less to think about and hassle with as he was in the middle of the cleansing process.

Our sinuses felt cleaner and our nasal passages were immediately clearer. Over time, the consistent use of SinuSense products is said to enhance immune function and reduce allergy symptoms, simply because of the regular flushing out of unwelcome visitors within the upper respiratory area.

It’s nice to know that this line is also suitable and safe for kids ages 4 and up. Nasal passage irrigation can now be done safely at home, saving us a trip to the doctor’s office just to remedy a very stuffy nose!

You can purchase Waterpik’s SinuSense products via their online store, online at Walgreens.com and at your local Walgreens, at Wal*Mart, Amazon.com, and other fine stores and supermarkets near you. Stock up — get one for every member of the family — before the allergy season peaks and cold and flu season is in full swing!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received these items at no cost per my review, but I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation. 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’m excited to tell you about ecoSTORE USA and the unique, natural products they carry! ecoSTORE USA is an American extension of a 15+ year New Zealand company (www.ecostore.co.nz).

Founded by a guy named Malcolm Rands, who lived in a NZ eco village, ecoSTORE has grown exponentially since it’s humble beginnings. (Read more about ecoSTORE’s fascinating history here.)

ecoSTORE USA carries a host of chemical-free, natural products for the earth-and-safety conscious home and family. From natural house cleaning products to hair shampoos to baby moisturizers to “wool wash,” ecoSTORE USA has it covered.

The generous folks at ecoSTORE USA sent our family two products of our choice to try out:

Coconut and Vanilla Body Wash
This stuff? Is awesome. It smells like a can of coconut milk when it’s opened. It’s silky soft without leaving any residue on our skin. We are a family of dry skin/mild eczema flare ups, and truthfully, we’ve all noticed a decrease in our itchiness and dryness while using this body wash.

Auto Dish Powder
I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about using a powdered detergent in our dishwasher — we’ve always used gels. I’ve read so many things about the dangerous additives housed within popular dishwasher detergents, though, so I knew I wanted to try a safer, more natural alternative. Not only do our dishes come out streak and scratch-free, they exit cleaner than after being washed with our “usual” detergent brands! Totally natural ingredients (like palm and coconut-derived surfactants) make this dish powder worry-free.

You can buy these both at ecoSTORE USA’s online store, as well as the spectrum of their other products.

AND!!!!

Through July 31st, 2010, to celebrate the grand opening of ecoSTORE USA’s headquarters in Michigan, every order placed on their site will instantly be “BOGO.” This means — your order is doubled — for free!

And, as always, all orders over $25 are automatically shipped FREE.

Head on over to start shopping….