Lately, between my daily mommy & work responsibilities (and taking on a new Pilates class), by evening my neck, back and hips are screaming, “Uncle!”  And unfortunately, as bedtime approaches I find myself having a difficult time winding down.  Here are some simple (and cheap) ways to de-stress and relax before bedtime that do not require medication.

Jen’s PM Unwind Check List:

1. No TV or news (hey – it’s depressing stuff), no loud music.
2. Consume a generous portion of ice cream in a mug on the back porch and watch the kids play and take in the breath-taking hues of a Utah pollution-created sunset. (more…)

Coconut Oil.  Since the write up “Skin Care Health with Coconut Oil” last week all the gals at my office are taking their daily tablespoon of the good stuff (and thanks to Sean)!

I wanted to add an additional review of a fabulous body butter that I discovered that uses coconut oil and has made my legs, arms, elbows and heels feel especially yummy this summer!  Those gosh darn heels of mine have been especially needy.  During the summer I spend a lot of time barefoot in my yard, and the elements are not always kind to your skin.

Sumbody’s Pure Coconut Butter combines nourishing Vitamin E and moisturizing essential fatty acids made from the milk of Virgin Coconuts.  Don’t know exactly what qualifies a coconut to be virgin or not, but whatever works! (more…)

Opinions from three Beauty Reviewers can’t be wrong.  Read on about what we think about Basa Body skin and body care products…

From the keypad of Mo:

In case you didn’t know, coconut is good for your outside AND your insides.  My sister in law regularly uses it on toast in place of butter, and it’s one of the main ingredients on a great body cream she sometimes makes me. Alas, until she gets her formula fine tuned, I have to buy my lotion elsewhere.  Basa Body uses organic virgin coconut oil in their products, and I believe it really makes a difference. I’m not nuts about coconut’s scent, so I find the light citrus tang very pleasant. I really enjoy how quickly this absorbs, you’re rubbing it in and then *poof*, it’s gone and your skin is soft. I would love to try the chocolate cherry truffle soap, it sounds fantastic and nourishing.  In the Kiss Me Pack ($29.99 + shipping) you’ll receive the chocolate cherry truffle soap, a mint truffle soap, the Basa Body stick, and the Basa body coconut oil lotion.  (more…)

How many times do you have to say no to a tempting treat?  Once a week, twice a week, oh come on!  If you are like me it’s a constant saying no-to-treats battle.  I generally need a few treats daily to keep me smiling and content!

The remarkably beauty and eco-savvy Sally B created a line to treat our skin and it doesn’t add any calories, carbs, or guilt.  Just pure skin pleasure.

The Mythbuster Beauty Team got to sample several items from the Sally B Skin Yummies line.  Everything I tried, I loved.  Sally B’s skincare line is packed with high quality, skin nourishing ingredients.  No need to read through a mile-long ingredient list from Sally B. 

Body-Eco Lotion in Lavender ($32):  A fabulous lotion for the body, hands and feet this lotion offers just the right amount of moisture, absorbs well into the skin and has a fabulous sweet lavender scent.  Key Ingredients: Organic Tamanu Oil, Kukui Oil, Organic Green Tea, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Aloe.

Sally B’s Organic Sugar Scrub ($16 – 4oz, $30 - 8oz.):  “Most scrubs on the market are simple concoctions—either oil and sugar or oil and salt, and messy! And they must be stirred.  Salt can also be irritating to the skin and will certainly sting if you have any scratches.  Sally B’s Sugar Scrub is full of Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter and there is no need for stirring!”   So if this doesn’t convince you to try it, check out DecoDiva’s review:  Sally b’s Skin Yummies – Lemon Sage Sugar Scrub.  I’ve also heard that the Chamomile Neroli scrub is amazing.

B Glossy Organic Lip Gloss ($10) – I sampled this gloss in “Every Blond’s Pink,” a protecting lip gloss, with just a hint of pink tint that gives my lips subtle color and shine.  Sally B adds a bit of peppermint, which is perfect not overpowering, and this gloss can be used alone or layered with your favorite lip color.  Mo sampled “Copper Penny,” and DecoDiva loved her gloss in “Ruby’s Red.” (more…)

KP Duty?   Are you kidding me?!  What gal doesn’t have a continual pile of dishes to do?  I wish I was in the habit of wearing rubber gloves while doing them but I don’t.   Compounding this assault of our hands is the housework, yardwork, food prep, personal and children wiping (at both ends), animal tending, laundry, and the list goes on and on.   When was the last time you counted how many times you wash your hands in a day?  Our often abused digits lack moisture, and our skin will sometimes crack and bleed.  

Recently I received a tube of KP duty DERMAdoctor Dermatologist Therapy for Dry Skin ($36).  This cream had me at the mention of KP.  Interesting stuff.  It contains AHA’s which although I slather all kinds of acids on my face, I have never consistently used AHA’s on my hands and feet.  I also wondered if using something with AHA’s would sting or irritate my already sensitive, dry skin.  So far so good, and I have had no issues with stinging.

KP Dutyâ„¢ incorporates medically proven technology including ingredients for hydrated and healthy skin.  Medically potent levels of Glycolic Acid blends with Urea, the dermatologist recommended humectant, to soften and smooth away the driest roughest skin. (more…)

When some of my local friends got wind that I was a beauty blogger, they were full of suggestions for their favorite beauty products.  One of them even sent me an amazing assortment of locally owned skincare products from a company called, “In Your Bonnet.“  Thanks Ruth!

“In Your Bonnet” carries handmade and finely crafted skin balms, creams, and bath products.   Their skincare products are made with beeswax, plant oils and botanicals to create a simple and yet very effective line. 

“In Your Bonnet is a family business located in a high desert valley of Utah, the beehive state. Our weather is one of extremes, from near zero cold winters with lots of the “greatest snow on earth” to hot, dry summers with temperatures over 100 degrees and humidity less than 20%.

In Your Bonnet started as a means to an end… we wanted high quality, natural products for our dry, sensitive skin. Honey has long been used for its medicinal properties and as hobby beekeepers, we knew the addition of honey and beeswax would benefit any products we produced. When demand exceeds our own supply we use honey and beeswax from local Utah hives rather than imported honey in our soap, lotions, and balms.”

My favorite product has to be In Your Bonnet’s “Heel Thyself.”   This heel balm has a mild honey and lemon scent and is in a deoderant stick container (very smart).  You simply twist the container and apply this wonderfully soothing balm onto your heels, elbows, or any rough spots around your body.  This balm goes on a bit greasy, but absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling soothed and protected.  My cracked and dry heels have been loving this!

They also carry a lovely nail and cuticle cream, lip balm, and their own facial skincare line and handmade soaps. 

Support our locally owned and small businesses by checking out the inyourbonnet website store.   I promise you won’t bee disappointed!

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Pros share tips on getting salon results at home With gorgeous sandals hitting the shelves, it’s no time to be shy about baring your toes. Sure, you could splurge on a luxurious pedicure but who has the time and money to keep that up? Fortunately, celeb-trusted nail pros Roxanne Valinoti, Nicole Dihn and Jenna Hipp are sharing their top tips for pampering your feet. Read their advice to find out how to do a pedicure at home — and look like you went to a salon. …More

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