Kids React to Cheerios Commercial

Do you all remember the Cheerios commercial that depicted an interracial family?  Unfortunately, there was a lot of hatred spewed as a result of the cute, supportive, thoughtful family due to the color of their skin.  :(

I felt sick and lost a bit of hope in humanity when first hearing of the unnecessary and unjustified controversy.  But I feel lighter and more hopeful today after watching the video below in which an intelligent group of young people react to the commercial (spoiler alert: they don't even realize there was an interracial family on the commercial!) and are then questioned afterwards.  It is quite touching. 

Out of the mouths of babes...

Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap

I'm 37, how can I still be having trouble with acne?!  My son is only a few years away from his own awkward teenage years, and here I am still fighting blemishes.  However, I probably shouldn't complain about it so much...it could be, as many older people have told me, part of the reason I still get carded so frequently...and not just from the the occasional bartender trying to inflate my ego.  So, rather than complain about my skin requiring me to check the oily box on beauty surveys, I'm going to control it...with the help of Shea Terra Organics 100% Pure African Black Soap.

Meet my new friends:  cocoa pod ash, plantain peel ash, locally produced palm kernel oil, and camwood bark.  These are the (only) ingredients of my new face wash.  Unconventional?  Yes.  Effective?  Absolutely.

Without question, the very best African Black Soap available is from Shea Terra Organics.  Their soap is 100% pure without any dyes or fragrances (yes, it smells like burnt ash...beware of those that don't!).  The ingredients are roasted in a clay oven and packaged in a glass jar.  Everything is authentic and nearly unchanged from oh so long ago when the Yoruban Tribe of Nigeria invented African Black Soap to sterilize skin, heal and prevent infections. 

To use this unique soap, I rub a pinch of the ash and a little water in my palms and then apply it to my face.  It rinses off clean and leaves my skin feeling renewed and clear.  I'm happy to report I haven't had a single blemish since I started using African Black Soap two weeks ago! Thanks to Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap, perhaps my son's (and daughters') future teenage years won't have to be quite as awkward. 

Visit sheaterraorganics.com to learn more about this unique product and to purchase.  A large jar sells for only $22 and will last you many months! 

REN Skincare

A few weeks ago I received some unsettling news...unsettling, that is, until I took some time to process is.  After the initial delivery, I calmed down and relaxed, feeling confident all would be well, regardless of the uncertain outcome.  As I was explaining to my mother my sincere serenity during this trying time, she said, "Well, that comes with maturity." 

Although I am pleased with the on-set of emotional security, I know that's not all that's changing with age: I have a few silver hairs and some fine lines working their way in as well.  Luckily, that same week, some REN skincare arrived as well!

The products that I received are the Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate, Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask, Resurfacing AHA Concentrate and Radiance Perfection Serum.   I've been using them for the past two weeks with great results.  Below are my thoughts on each one; the reviews (and my skin) are glowing!

Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate - A synergistic complex of pure, potent, 100% nature derived Vitamin A, Pro Vitamin A and Retinoid Analogue that combats the appearance of wrinkles, imperfections and age spots leaving the complexion visibly younger, smoother and brighter without the irritating effects of synthetic Retinol.

The barely-there scent of this serum is relaxing and the texture feels great on my skin at night.  After two weeks of use, I've noticed my skin is already smoother and brighter. 

Radiance Perfection Serum - A multi active serum formulated to reboot the skin's energy cycle, visibly perfect skin tone and leave skin looking energized, radiant and luminous. 

This serum resembles a lotion and has a light fresh scent, making not only your skin more energized, but your whole self, when applied in the morning.  The Radiance Perfection Serum is perfect for anyone with sun damage or uneven skin tone.

Resurfacing AHA Concentrate - A concentrate formulated to resurface the skin and renew the complexion giving a radiant, youthful glow. A complex of Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric and Citric acids promotes skin-cell turnover leaving skin looking revitalized, brighter, smoother and more healthy.

A resurfacing product is new to me, but I sure am glad I found it!  The purpose of this concentrate is to gently exfoliate while also reducing the appearance of pore size and fine lines...something I'm requiring more and more each year.  I enjoy the slight tingling feeling after applying this serum, letting me know it's really working.

Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask - A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone. 

This mask removes dead skin cells and makes my face look brighter and healthier while helping to combat fine lines, wrinkles and congested pores.  The cloth included with this mask feels great on my skin while it helps to remove any residue.  I follow this with a serum and moisturizer and feel like I just had a facial at a spa.


All of these REN products mentioned here can be purchased at renskincare.com, along with many other great products designed specifically for men, body or to fight acne, aging, dry skin, etc.  I'm excited to try more...and I'll report back when I do!

Hatch

 

Those of you who, like me, have completed the pregnancy stage of your lives, you'll relate to my seeing a product, service or tradition and thinking, "Oh, how I wish that had been around/I had thought of that when I was pregnan/had babies!"  This post is about one of those things.

For before, during and after baby, I present Hatch.  This collection of timeless clothing and accessories is any pregnant woman's dream come true!  21 pieces of perfection:  all must-have essentials that you will wear while pregnant and after!  (Wait, perhaps I could sneak a peek at a few things for myself!)

But you don't have to take my word for it.  Check out their entire collection at hatchcollection.com.  I guarantee you'll see something you can't live without...and perhaps a thing or two that will have you contemplating adding to your family again.  I kid.  Kind of.

Birchbox

Birchbox is like having a birthday each month...only you don't get any older!.  And you don't get a piece of cake, but that's a small price to pay for having the best high-end beauty and lifestyle products delivered to your door.

Each month, when my box arrives, everything stops.  I settle in, unwrap my petite package and read about each product tucked inside my tissue-lined box, including the additional product details provided on birchbox.com.

To give you an idea of what's included, in this month's Birchbox I received samples of a wonderful Mox Botanicals lip balm, Lulu Organics dry shampoo, theBalm highlighter, Juicy Couture fragrance, Twistband hair tie, and a Tili printed bag.  As always, I was happy with the selection; some of my favorite brands...and a couple sure to become new favorites.  All for $10.

Birchbox has grown in popularity and currently has a waiting list of a few weeks.  If you're considering joining their monthly subscription program, I'd fill out the request form now...before the wait gets any longer.  When you receive your emailed invitation to join, you can choose to either have your $10 fee billed each month or to pay upfront for the entire year for $110 (one month free).  Another Birchbox consideration is their 3 or 6-month gift subscriptions for that special friend, sister, or hip aunt or mother! 

Visit birchbox.com for more information on their subscription program and to purchase full-size products in their online store.

Common Sense Media

My oldest is seven ("and a half," if you ask him) and we're entering a fantastic stage in which my husband and I get to share some of our favorite nostalgic movies with him. We've watched the Princess Bride and are going to be watching E.T. in the next few weeks. I love the time snugging together on the couch, making a favorite movie of mine even more special!

Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization that provides trustworthy information, tools, and forums for families so that they can make educated decisions about the media their children consume. Media reviewed and rated on the site include movies, video games, apps, websites, television shows, music, and even books.

Currently, I only utilize the site to check the age-appropriateness of a movie, book, or television show I'm thinking of introducing my children to, but the Advice section is sure to be handy for parents with older children; such topics as cyber bullying and cell phone use are covered extensively. There is also an impressive education section for teachers and parents to get ideas of things to discuss as they introduce new media.

Check out your new parenting ally at commonsensemedia.org.

Poppy King for J.Crew

For the past two days I've been working outside of the house for a client's special event (two more days to go). This includes getting dressed up in business attire and putting makeup on. The kids hardly recognize me. Hazel keeps touching her lips and saying, "Mama's red."

Wait a minute, let's back up...

Last week I was in J.Crew and noticed these little black boxes at the register. I opened one up and was delighted to find a tube of lovely reddish coral lipstick inside.

I had started my search for such a shade last fall and never succeeded in finding the perfect one...they were either too orange or not orange enough. I'm thrilled to say my search is over.

Lipstick Queen, the maker of this covetable color, got it's start when Poppy King, 18 years old at the time, started her own lipstick company because all of the others on the market "were all thin, slimy, and too greasy feeling. Plus there were no deep colors...most reds went pink. She wanted lipsticks that gave her the look of the 1940's. Rich, opaque and filled with pigment." And that's exactly what this lipstick is...which explains the cult following it has all over the world.

And so I've been wearing it the past two days and will continue to wear it when I leave the house...for work or otherwise. I'm a bit in love and can't wait to delve into the other parts of Lipstick Queen's world.

This particular shade was created exclusively for J.Crew and is available only in their brick and mortar stores and at jcrew.com ($18.00). To check out all of Lipstick Queen's other products visit lipstickqueen.com.

PS - I give major props to you parents who work out of the house. I stay home with three children, homeschool them, and work 15-20 hours a week from home and often hear, "I don't know how you do it." But you, those who fit laundry, cooking meals, running errands, and everything else that comes along with children into your day, while also dressing up and preparing yourself to leave the house each morning, you I have much respect for! Bravo!

Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Tours

I'm a mother of three. I'm an adventurer. I'm here to tell you the two can successfully coexist. (Although I do wish I had parachuted prior to having children because that's the one thing I don't feel responsible doing now...although I do plan to sky dive with them when they're older. I'll just have to wait 10+ years to have that amazing experience with my children. I'm confident it'll be worth the wait!)

I keep a mental bucket list I'm checking off one adventure at a time. I'm thrilled to say I crossed off another item this past weekend: zip lining! That's me in the first photo and my brother, Christopher, in the second!

The Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Tours at the Wilderness Hotel in Wisconsin Dells just started offering dusk and moonlight tours this month. We were on the dusk tour which took place at sunset. It was gorgeous to see the forest, canyon and river as daytime made way to evening. We even saw deer on our last zip of the night!

The moonlight zip takes the adventure to a whole new level! Participants literally step off into the dark wearing glow necklaces around their necks and sticks strapped to their sides for safety. Guides carry lanterns from station to station to ensure zippers are properly hooked up to each line. Safety is of top concern at the Wilderness Canyon tour!

Our guides on Sunday night, Bravo and Night Hawk (the radio names they used via walkie talkies from line to line), were very impressive! I felt more than comfortable as they transferred my lines...you are attached to a tower cable or line at all times. They were amazingly friendly and asked our thoughts at the end of each line. You could tell they sincerely enjoyed experiencing each zip with new participants. They also taught us how to steer and what positions to use to ensure maximum speed (it's possible to travel up to 25 mph...although there are ways to sit in your harness if you don't want to go that fast as well).

The five zip lines measure 356, 314, 488, 426, and 907 feet totally more than 8 football fields when combined! The Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Tour offers a great opportunity to maximize four or the five senses as you experience the sensation of speed, the amazing views, the scent of the wild flower fields below, and hearing the birds as they travel at your current level of 115 feet above the ground.

Dusk tours start at 7:30 and cost $45 for resort guests and $65 for the public. The moonlight tours start at 9:30 and the cost is $55 for resort guests and $65 for the public. Each tour has a limited number of participants and reservations are required. To make an advanced reservation, call 608.253.9729.

For more information on the Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Tours or the resort itself, visit www.wildernessresort.com.

clio beautytrim

Let's face it, unwanted hair is not fun...to have or to talk about. But that's just what we're about to do. I recently purchased a clio beautytrim and have been so pleased with the results I thought I'd share.

Clio's tiniest electric dry razor is great to use on your face, tops of toes, or bikini line. The extra-fine blade offers precise trimming and is 100% painless while cleaning up unwanted hair quickly and smoothly.

It's about the size of a pen and when the cap is in place looks just like one too! Easy to store in your purse or take on beach vacations.

Included with the beautytrim is a dual length eyebrow trimming attachment...but I haven't tried that yet and don' t know that I will, to be honest. I figure what I've been doing with my little pair of scissors has worked just fine...why risk cutting off half a brow off? If you're braver than me and have tried it, let me know how it works!

This handy little gadget is only $6.99 at amazon.com and ships FREE! Why not give it a try?

Pura Vida Bracelets

My first order of Pura Vida bracelets arrived today...and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts with you all!

I had very high hopes for these little bracelets and let me tell you, they did not disappoint! The colors are so vivid and bright, the coating on the threads is comfortable, and the little beads on the beaded one I purchased are adorable! I'm already wearing two of them (which I've secured with a knot because let's face it, these little guys are not coming off of my wrists for at least the rest of summer).

When I was placing my order I kept my children's color preferences in mind and picked out a couple for each of them as well. We opened the package over lunch today and they all chose the ones I had selected for them and quickly asked for me to put them on. Theirs too are tied in knots since they said they didn't want them to come off - ever.

Each bracelet consists of 9 colored, waxed threads tied together with a slip fastener for an adjustable fit...these will fit anywhere from an adult's wrist to a 2 year old's, judging by how Hazel's bracelet fits on her wrist.

Pura Vida, which translates to pure life, donates 1% of it's sales to the Surfrider Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to protecting beaches and oceans worldwide. They have over 50,000 members that have completed over 140,000 hours of volunteer work. In addition to cleaning up beaches, they also are providing more and more full time jobs to talented artisans in Costa Rica, where these bracelets are hand made.

Pura Vida bracelets range from $5.00 to $10.00 each and are available at puravidabracelets.com and in boutiques nationwide.

Allen-Edmonds Sandlot Collection

Whether your husband or father is a die-hard baseball fan or just enjoys tailgating in the ballpark's parking lot, he's sure to love the MLB Sandlot Collection from Allen-Edmonds this Father's Day!

These shoes are made from distressed leather to mimic baseballs that have seen their share of games of catch. They're a casual moccasin with a comfortable rubber sole and stylish signature red baseball stitching along the forefoot. And on the outside of each shoe, your guy's favorite team's logo is embossed (my husband has the Milwaukee Brewers shows here...we are from Wisconsin, after all!).

The style can be sported at the ballpark, the office with chinos for casual Fridays, and to the beach on the weekends...what man doesn't want a utilitarian shoe?!

These genuine Major League Baseball shoes can be purchased at allenedmonds.com for $125.00.

Fine Featherheads

Today the sun is shining, the temperatures are rising and my children and I are done with school for the year! Summer is right around the corner!

With summer comes loosening up a bit, having some fun and letting go...and one way my daughters and I are welcoming the warmth this year is with feather hair extensions. While my girls are rocking turquoise, emerald, pink and purple, I opted for neutral tones of browns and khakis that are similar to my hair color (after all, I will be 36 next month).

There are quite a few brands out there, but I'm going to sing my praises for Fine Featherheads! Their colors are amazing and their patented technique of bonding the feathers together before installation ensures your feathers stay in longer...I'm talking months, ladies!

Feather hair extensions can be washed, dried and styled just like your regular hair without the risk of them falling out or being damaged. They're applied to your hair using a silicone-lined bead that is crimped with a needle-nose pliers. To remove them you simply crimp the bead in the other direction. The feathers can then be repositioned and reused.

Visit finefeatherheads.com to locate a salon near you who provides these fun, quirky and stylish hair extensions...but be prepared to get stopped repeadedly by people wanting to know where they can get the look!

Mom's Five-Second Memory Journal

Mother's guilt. We all have it.

And a big source of it in baby's first few years is tracking all of the developments in a baby book. After those first few years, we look back and think, "I really wish I had written down more of the silly things they said."

Today, I urge you all to let go of the guilt. There is no going back and beating yourself up inside will only result in you not being present in your child's today. All we can do as parents is acknowledge the things we can change (and know there are some things we cannot) and then make our best effort to do so. I can't help with every regret, but perhaps I can assist on the baby book front.

The Mom's Five-Second Memory Journal is unique in that it isn't chronological...this means there's no guilt if you don't fill it in for a week (or month...or three). It is "playful, breezy, and sometimes eccentric" and includes prompts to jot down thoughts on your life as a wife, a professional, and/or a mother to your wild and crazy kids!

Because it's small and portable, it can be kept in your bag to be filled out as you wait in the carpool line or doctor's office, but it's substantial enough to become a keepsake. And what a great Mother's Day gift this would make!

Available at amazon.com for only $8.00 and ships FREE with a $25 purchase.

Calyspo St. Barth for Target

Tomorrow is a big day...the day Calypso St. Barth hits Target! I can't wait to go to the store in the morning and take a look at the pieces I've been dreaming about online the past few months.

On my list so far is an elephant teapot, metallic pouf for my daughters' room, a bathing suit for Hazel, dress for Martha, drinking glasses, a necklace or two, a sequin and straw tote, and some tie dye clothes (I'm a sucker for anything tie or dip dyed). And I'm sure other things will be added to my cart that I didn't even know I needed.

View the collection at target.com and visit your local store...I'm sure the pieces will go fast!

Why Having a Toddler is Like a Frat Party

There's this great blog called Suburban Snapshots a friend shared with me. If you're having a stressful day full of meltdowns, whining and tasks taking 20 times as long as they should due to potty and snack breaks, check out this blog...you'll have a smile on your face in no time!

For example, here's a post from last year titled Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

Twistband

I have very long hair that I like to wear down...except when I don't. I like to pull it back when I'm cooking, when I'm hot, or simply when the mood strikes me. My girls also have long hair and they too like it pulled back when they're active. It's probably no surprise that I keep a lot of hair bands handy.

The hair bands I've fallen in love with in the past couple of months are from Twistband! Their hair ties are so cool, they're now a piece of funky jewelry as much as they are a necessity for me. I always have at least one around my wrist, on a bag strap, or in my or a daughter's hair...or all three!

My girls and I love the fun colors (I'm wearing a yellow one as I type this in honor of my beloved Green Bay Packers playing in the Super Bowl later today) and we've built up quite a collection. My favorite are the tie-dyed and Martha's pick is the pink set with the heart.

If you're not a fan of the ponytail or if your daughter has shorter hair, Twistband also makes some great headbands that offer the same cool factor as they can be twisted a few times around a wrist to keep on hand.

Twistband has now hit the big time with their products being offered at Anthropologie...but don't fret, you can still get a great deal. Enter coupon code LUCKY2 at checkout and you'll receive 40% off your order! Prices start at only $2.00 at thetwistband.com.

Boden Maternity

You've got to be kidding me. For years I've been saying Boden should make maternity clothes and now that I'm 2 years past having my last child they go and do it?!

For all of you lucky ducks who are pregnant or planning to become so, I tip my hats to you...you now have some amazingly stylish clothes to pick from for your maternity fashion. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous...or seriously considering having a fourth child just for the clothes. Just kidding...for the most part.

Visit this link to boden.com and look under the online exclusive section for the maternity collection.

Suzanne Myers Heart Necklaces

The über-talented Suzanne Myers, whom I've mentioned many times in the past, has done it again. She's designed new necklaces just in time for Valentine's Day (although you still can't go wrong with her amazing name charm necklaces)!

The three new heart designs are sure to please any style: sweet, sexy, or romantic. I'm in love with this simple sweet one...hint, hint Mr. Mugga! Prices start at only $92.00 and if ordered on or before February 1, 2011, you'll receive a great pair of little earrings for free!

For more information or to place an order, contact Suzanne at suzanne@suzannemyers.com or visit suzannemyers.com for her phone number and to see all of her jewelry available.

Zobha

Zobha, an athletic apparel company, is having a contest right now to win some of their merchandise. Included in the prize is 1 free piece of the following: yoga tank, yoga pants, hoodie, yoga mat, and eye pillow.

What a great gift this would be for my busy self! With working from home 15 hours a week, homeschooling, and three kids to whom I'm responsible each minute of the day, sneaking in a workout is becoming increasingly more difficult. Now if I won this stylish set of workout gear, I'd be ready at a moment's notice to do some yoga poses!

If I won this great set, I'd choose the following pieces to keep me comfy and yoga-ready:

• Regular Relaxed Drawstring Pant in black
• Black Ella Tank with removable cups
• Asymmetrical Zip Pullover in black
• Zobha Manduka eKO Lite Yoga Mat
• Silk Eye Pillow & Case

I'll keep ya'll posted on if I win. And if I do, detailed reviews of Zobha pieces will be coming shortly! Wish me luck!