Thanks to Bzz Agent, I was able to participate in the RoC Retinol Correxion campaign.   Bzz Agent is a program that allows consumers to test products and services.  The concept is WOM (Word of Mouth), a marketing effect that companies have come to rely on.  Sort of like that old commercial, if you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, well you get the idea.

So this time I was sent three tubes of RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream; one to try, and two to share ☺.

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Take along just what you need when you go traveling with this mini travel set by Artistry Essentials, available at Health and Beauty Zone.

You won't want to leave this behind! The Artistry Essentials Hydrating Travel Set is a perfect size for your skin care needs on-the-go!
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Starting with Thanksgiving, a lot about the holidays and the gatherings is about food.  I still try and watch what I eat, but not nearly as much as other times.  I want to enjoy the goodies that others and myself have prepared.

Of course that sometimes means that by Christmas, some of my clothes, don't quite fit me the way I want them too.  Do you have that problem?  If you do, you might want to look at a body shaper from Amon Maternity.
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Tropical Traditions soaps are made with Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil as their base, and the scented varieties use only high-quality organic essential oils. Ingredients: saponified organic virgin coconut oil. Scented varieties: organic essential oils of tea tree and lavender.

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I originally posted this review in January of this year.  I am re-posting it for this winter season and because Skin MD also would like one of my readers to experience this lotion as well.

I have often encountered difficulties with my skin. Living in a place that has a harsher winter climate attributes to some of that. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema. I have tried so many different prescription and over the counter lotions and medications to relieve the symptoms of this. Some work with varying degrees, and for certain amounts of time, but I have never found one that I can use all the time.

I had the opportunity to try Skin MD Natural, and jumped on the chance. Because of the eczema and the fact that I have not found anything to use on it for the long haul, if you look under my sink, you will find scores of different lotions!
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I have discolored skin on my face.  Dark splotches above my lip, redness on my cheeks and I tend to get dark circles under my eyes as well.


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The Vaseline Brand is classic.  There is a reason it has been on the market for so many years.  Besides offering products like their trusted petroleum jelly, they are on the edge of moisture with new products.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion with Stratys-3 is just such a product.

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Last month I shared with you about Chic Moderne.  An Eco-friendly shop that provides unique gifts.

Among their offerings are briefcases and portfolios made from recycled Italian leather, interesting candle holders from Austria and Hand-Milled French Soaps.
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What a perfect item for your tween's next sleepover!  Girly-girls will want to check out Magnificent Manicure Kit by Elmer's.    This isn't just any old manicure kit though, this will have them learning while they're getting there hands and feet all made up!

As a matter of fact Scientific Explorer partnered with UC Berkeley's Great Exploration in Math and Science (GEMS) program to create fun educational science kits like the Magnificent Manicure Kit.
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Patti Tang, owner of Chic Moderne.  is a lover of all things creative and is socially conscious.  Her store, Chic Moderne pairs style with sustainability. Chic Moderne's products include Italian recycled leather business accessories, natural palm oil candles from Austria, and French soap made from vegetable oil and shea butter. Chic Moderne also offers corporate gift orders for employee recognition, sales force incentives, client appreciation and/or special event favors. Chic and green!

 Patti was kind enough to send me one of the French soaps to try out and review.

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Living in the Northern Plains can be brutal on the skin, and that includes lips.  It can get very hot in summer and in the winter it gets cold and super windy.

Because of a medical condition I suffer from that is exacerbated by humidity, we try and keep our home as dry as we can tolerate.  So heat or cold, inside or out, our lips tend to be dry and thus they crack.

I recently was sent a number of different varieties of Softlips to try.  I have dozens of different lip balms in my home, most of them opened, a lot of them barely or only half used.

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I absolutely ♥ the Sassy line of products marketed for girls.

We received the whole Sassy Spa Package set to try in sample sizes and it is amazing.

It cleans girls hair without the harmful dyes and nuts that some other shampoos and conditioners contain.  It leaves the hair soft and gives it great body.

It smells great too!  If I had to compare the scent to something, I'd say it reminded me of a citrus smoothie or a paradise island.  Honestly I can't put my finger on it, but it smells fantastic!

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Last week I received a jar of Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions.


The first thing you may notice about this is, when you open it, it doesn't really look like oil.  The properties of it solidify somewhat and so it is soft enough to scoop but it is not in an actual liquid state.

That is so easy to remedy though.  Just boil a bit of water and put it in a bowl and then take how much coconut oil you need and put that in a smaller bowl.  The use a "double boiler" effect and in no time you will have "liquid" coconut oil.  It's so worth the little bit of extra effort too.

Already I have substituted the Tropical Traditions Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for vegetable oil in baking, and I have used it as a hot oil treatment on my scalp and hair.

One would never have noticed the difference in my zucchini bread, except that perhaps it was moister than ever before.  As for the oil treatment for my scalp and hair, lets just say this will be a routine that I will keep.

You see I have psoriasis on my scalp and have sores and itching  because of it.  Psoriasis of the scalp basically is that the skin on your scalp grows at different rates causing build up of skin deposits on same parts of it.  Often it will cause itching and yes that flaky white stuff too.  I have tried all sorts of shampoos and hair treatments some which have worked for a bit, others not, but generally those that have worked have contained medicates which I'd rather not use on my head. 

The coconut oil treatment was a bit messy, but well worth it.  I left it on all night (covered my hair up with a shower cap and an old towel to absorb extra oil) while I slept and washed it out in the shower the next morning.  Seriously my hair has never looked so soft and shiny, but even better when I combed out my hair, I had hardly any hair casts (the white flakys) fall out.  Amazing!

After reading about it success for skin blemishes in Virgin Coconut Oil, How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian & Marianita Jader Shilhav, the book I was sent along with the oil to review, my 13 year old daughter plans to try and help eradicate her pimples with it as well.

Along with the skin care tips, it is chocked full of recipes and other ways you can implement coconut oil in your daily routines.


But if you can't wait to see if you've won, hurry and order some by September 6th, because they are on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free for $27.50.  That's an UNBELIEVABLE price!

Also if you order and enter my referral code 5414915, you can receive a free copy of the book.  Even better Tropical Traditions provides excellent customer service and you can reach them here with any questions.

To enter the giveaway:  Visit Tropical Traditions and comment with another one of their products you would like to try.

For extra entries (the above must be done first) you can:

1. Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.
2. Follow me on twitter & TropicalTraditions and tweet this giveaway (this can be once per day, please leave the direct link to your tweet in the comments).
3. Follow my blog publicly.
4. Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or reader.
5. Blog about this giveaway linking back to my blog.
6. Add my button to your blog.

This giveaway will end on September 16, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and open to U.S. Residents ages 18+. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews statement at the bottom of this page and my Privacy/Rules declaration and agree to them. Read the full story

I've never been a huge fan of the dentist, but I do know that the better my toothbrush works for me, the easier those dental visits will be on my sanity.

The SpinBrush Sonic Toothbrush helps with those difficult areas in your mouth that are hard to reach with a manual toothbrush, and it makes your teeth feel clean and fresh when you're finished brushing.

See here....



We actually have one of those $100+ sonic toothbrushes on our bathroom counter, but that's where it stays when we leave home and go on vacation. For one reason we don't know if the charge will last on it for the whole time we are away, and another reason is, who wants to leave behind or lose such a $$ item.

So when I saw the SpinBrush Sonic Toothbrush I fell in love. The replaceable batteries are great for traveling. The same power clean as a rechargeable sonic toothbrush with the convenience for travel!

With one of these toothbrushes you receive: 1 brush head, the base of the brush (naturally) and a set of batteries already installed to start you out. And it's a significant price savings from a rechargeable model since it only costs about $15.00.

The other thing I like about this product is the reasonable cost of the replacement heads, which cost a fraction of what the other models sell them for. If you change your brush head as often as the dentist recommends that's a lot of cash saved! As well as the fact that you should get cleaner teeth from using this compared to a manual toothbrush, which may equate to savings at the dentist also.

I have been extremely impressed with the quality of this for the price. Now the technology of sonic for cleaning your teeth is affordable for everyone.

If you have been wanting to take the leap to a sonic toothbrush, but the cost has held you back, wait no longer, visit http://www.spinbrush.com/Products_SpinBrushSonic.html# and you can download a coupon for extra savings off!

I have a great giveaway. 2 lucky readers will each get a SpinBrush Pro Clean Sonic of their own.

In order to enter this giveaway visit SpinBrush and comment with something you learned there that would make a difference in your dental routine.

For extra entries you can: (the item above must be done first before extra entries can be submitted, please leave a separate comment for each you are eligible for)

1. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveway (this can be once per day, please leave the direct link to your tweet in the comments).
2. Follow my blog publicly.
3. Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or reader.
4. Blog about this giveaway linking back to my blog.
5. Add my button to your blog.

This giveaway will end on September 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and open to U.S. Residents ages 18+. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews statement at the bottom of this page and my Privacy/Rules declaration and agree to them.

I was provided a sample of a SpinBrush Sonic prior to reviewing & publishing this post.  Read the full story

If I could travel all the time, I would ☺.

One of the things that is really appealing to cruise travelers (like me!) is the on board spas. Their treatments and products are luxurious, and when on vacation the extravagant prices are sometimes justifiable ☺. Of course we all can't getaway all the time.

So if you have the hankering to take a spa visit and get away to an exotic locale but are unable to, you must check out MySpaShop.com's Virtual Spa Destinations. From places in the United States to Europe and beyond, the best spa destinations are now only as far away as a mouse click.


I personally am all about the Caribbean. Living in the Northern Plains brings a longing for sandy beaches and turquoise waters. So my choice of a virtual spa journey was Anguilla.

After reading about my destination as well as viewing photos that took me to where the beach meets the ocean, I was introduced to products that would reflect a spa experience in my chosen locale.

MySpaShop.com sent me some TARA Sun Therapy products to engage my senses and my skin for my virtual spa journey to Anguilla, while I was able to stay right here in South Dakota.

The TARA Sun Collection, is an aloe-based line formulated with sea algae extracts, and was born out of and Aloe Rehydrating Wrap treatment specifically used for desert and tropical climates. In addition to offering sun protection the products offer healing, soothing, nourishing and hydrating benefits for sun-exposed, dry and irritated skin conditions.

The Rehydrator Lotion made with Rosehip and Aloe goes on silky, just like the ones at the spas. Oh yeah, and let me tell you when I used the Recovery Gel and closed my eyes, the scent and sensation carried me off to the Caribbean, well until Amber banged on my bathroom door wondering when she was going to get dinner.

If you're in the need of a getaway and the only way you're going to get one right now is virtually, I encourage you to head over to MySpaShop.com and check out one (or more) of their 16 virtual spa journey destinations. It just might give you that "fix" you need until you can really take a vacation or hit the spa ☺.
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My darling Hubby is all about efficiency. So when I was pitched to review Nivea For Men Active 3, I knew it was a product he would want to try. The idea of one item to use and get clean in the shower, no messing with multiple bottles, now that's about as efficient as you'll get ☺.

When I received the Nivea For Men Active 3 in the mail, I immediately emptied our shower of all extraneous bottles in it and placed the Active 3 in there for Hubby's next shower. As an added note, not that Hubby noticed, but I found the packaging of this 3-in-1 product quite appealing and aesthetically attractive.

Of course you all are reading this to know how Nivea For Men Active 3 works, so I'll get on with it. The product has a nice consistency and according to Hubby he needs less of this to get a nice lather than he does with other shower gels he has used in the past.

He felt it certainly moisturized his skin well, especially on his year round dry and flaky legs. However, being without much hair on the top of his head, it did not relieve the shiny layer he usually suffers from there. (Dry legs, oily head, the guy can't win!).

He thinks it smells great, and I agree, it is very masculine, but it is not overpowering.

The body wash has advanced Micro-tec Technology which contains essential nutrients and high-tech polymer - words like that resonate to my geeky husband, and while I have no clue what it means, Nivea says that it leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed and indeed it does.

I can't say anything for its ability as a shaving utility as Hubby uses an electric razor but for the showering it is definitely acceptable by the male in our home, and I am glad I will only have to pack one bottle for his showering needs when we go traveling. Who knows, when we're on the road I just might "borrow" it to shave my legs!

Nivea For Men Active 3 is available in stores now and online. Drugstore.com has a great sale on it right now ($3.59 for an 8.4 fl oz bottle) with a special offer as well. Read the full story

A while ago I did a review on a Hana Mini Flat Iron, which I ♥ ♥ ♥ ! Well those nice peeps over at Hana Salon, recently sent me some of their cleaner to try and share with you what I think about it.


I haven't had my flat iron very long, but regular use, especially when using hair care products tends to leave residue on the ceramic plates, and the moisture in the bathroom often leaves things sticking to them as well.

The same day I received the Hana Styling Iron Cleaner, I made quick work of cleaning the gunk off the plates. Now the gummy junk (hence the word gunk), was not that bad on my flat iron, but I have no doubt that even when it is caked on because I leave it for months weeks it would loosen the dirt easily.

To use, you just spray this safe, non-toxic cleaner on warm plates (not hot, and make sure it's not plugged in). Since my plates were not overly dirty I just used a microfiber cloth to rub it clean. A soft toothbrush would work well for if you have to scrub a little harder ☺.

If you have a flat iron having the Hana Styling Iron Cleaner is a definite investment for it. This will keep it looking and working as good as the day you bought it.

A 6oz bottle is $22.99 and for best results should be used daily. You can find out more information at HanaSalon.com.


This product review was made possible due to It's A Glam Thing and Hana Salon. A bottle of Hana Styling Iron Cleaner was provided to me for use prior to writing this review. Please read **About Reviews at the bottom of the page.
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I received the Skinn Bright Eyes - Eye Enhancing Treatment about a week ago to try thanks to It's A Glam Thing and Skinn, and I'm really happy with the results so far. I'm not surprised I'm happy as I've been able to review a couple of other products from Skinn and was pleased with those as well! As its name implies, Bright Eyes diminishes the look of dark circles and tired eyes and brightens them up.

I am prone to dark circles under my eyes (especially when i am up all night writing blog posts lol!), and have tried quite a lot of products that claim to erase the darkness and fatigue around the eye area. I think this is a great product if you are looking to minimize those dark areas and imperfections around your eyes without the heaviness that a cover-up or concealer has. I don't wear any kind of foundation and found that the Bright Eyes was light enough to put on without adding any other cosmetics. It looks completely natural and appears to give my eye area a "lift". I would highly recommend this.

Bright Eyes - Eye Enhancing Treatment is $12.00 for a 7ml jar. The size of the jar is a little deceiving, while it is tiny, I think it will last me a long time.

Skinn has so many different products for your facial needs check out their website!

Please read **About Reviews at the bottom of the page.
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Kathy Ireland's J du J Skincare's Sweet Almond & Pomegranate Shower and Body Scrub is a new find that I was able to try courtesy of J du J Skincare and It's A Glam Thing.

I just love this product. It has so much going for it: the fragrance, the experience while using it, and the end result.

You get a lot of product in the container (the tub ones pictured above). I have never used a scrub quite like this one. The "crystals" are immersed in a moisturizing solution, which makes it easy to apply to your skin.

The results I have had, especially while using it on my dry legs, have been great. My legs are much smoother, and the scent the scrub has, combined with the steam in the shower is wonderful. It feels like a spa experience at home!

One note to mention though; make sure you clean the shower or tub well after using it. I failed to the first time, and the residue the scrub left on the shower floor made it slippery for my husband when he showered next (oops!).

Check out the whole line of Kathy Ireland's J du J Skincare, inspired by the outdoors and cultivated by renowned landscaper Nicholas Walker. If you visit It's A Glam Thing you can enter to win one of five J du J Hydrating Sweet Almond & Pomegranate Body Lotions. (Contest open until 7/31/09) Read the full story

Okay, if you have a tween or teen in your home, and you've gone to kiss them on their head and have been taken aback by the smell...then you need to get them Totally Texty Haircare.

The deodorizing power of this shampoo and conditioner will have you sniffing the heads of your older kids like you do babies (well alright, they probably won't let you do that, but you'll want to). An added plus is that Totally Texty haircare is Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate free, Paraben free, Kathon CG and DEA/TEA free. You really don't want any of those icky chemicals on your growing children's scalps and with this line you need not.

Packaged stylishly the "text" on the girls line is ddg and on the boys ytmn - for those of you that are not fluent in "text" that would be: drop dead gorgeous and you're the man now.

Thanks to the review bottles we were sent from Totally Texty I can assure you that the girls version of the scent is great and it truly does eliminate the odor that those fluctuating hormones tend to give off on the scalp and hair follicles. So this product truly works as it claims. We actually cut Amber's hair this past spring, partly because she was having difficulties caring for it when it was at a longer length. Now that she has been using Totally Texty her hair is not as greasy looking and she is determined to keep using it and grow her hair out again.

To prove just how trendy this product is Totally Texty has been asked to host a pre-party for the Teen Choice Awards in L.A. next month. That's big news in the tween/teen community!

Totally Texty is generously giving one of my readers a product in either a girls or boys formulation.

To enter this giveaway: Visit Totally Texty and Leave a comment on what version you'd like; boys or girls.

For extra entries (leave a comment for each additional entry):

* Subscribe to my feed by reader or e-mail
* Follow my blog publicly
* Follow Me and Totally Texty on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. I've made it easy for you, simply click the retweet button in the top corner of the post. (This can be done daily).
* Post my button on your blog.
* Blog about this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US Residents ages 13+. Ends on July 27, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst.
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