Carmex Healing Cream & Lotion Review

This post brought to you by Carmex®. All opinions are 100% mine.

We recently had the chance to review Carmex new line of healing products the Healing Lotion and Healing Cream.  Not knowing what to expect from this line, I tried the small tube of the healing cream first. (As well as throwing it in my purse for easy use on the go!)   I quickly noticed the wonderful scent of a light vanilla when squeezing the tiny bit into my hand and it was just a great scent.  Most of the other healing creams that I have used were very medical scented.  They did not have a pleasant scent at all!  This cream I actually enjoy to put on and enjoy the smell.

I also quickly realized that this product really worked.  In cold weather I have very dry skin, and I realized that this product did seep into my skin and soften it for quite a while.  I was surprised and very happy that this product did work for me.  

The healing cream is the more concentrated and thicker of the two.  It is best for the problem areas that are often very dry.  I do wish the cream came in bigger packaging because I would love to have more of it to use more often.

The lotion is great to use after a bath when your skin is still damp.  It really gets into your skin and softens it a great deal.  I use both the cream and the lotion daily as part of my skin care regimine.  I really enjoy this product!

Check out Carmex® Healing Lotion and Carmex® Healing Cream

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Ten Tips for New Moms on Bringing a Baby Home!

I remember getting closer to my due date(s) and getting the nursery all ready for the new baby.  It seems like it was the longest time ago, but I do remember it very clearly.  Distinctly I remember making a list of things that we would need and posting it up as my check list along with a count down of the days I had left to finish that list in!  Having a baby is a hectic time, as is bringing home the baby!

1.  Get most things done before the baby comes.  I thought I had all the time in the world to get things done for my oldest.  I was thinking "Oh yeah, I'll have 40 weeks.  She'll come late and everything will be ready!"  I was wrong.  She came 6 weeks early and I did not have all the time in the world.  Suddenly, my family was rushing around to get most of the tasks done and I was left worrying that things wouldn't get done in time to bring her home.  After all, I wanted my daughter to have the best of everything and to come into a great atmosphere.

2. Do you have a dog or a cat?  You want the animal to get used to the baby's scent before you bring him/her home.  Have your husband, boyfriend, significant other or any other family member bring a receiving blanket home that has been near the new baby in the hospital.  You are going to want to put that blanket near where your dog or cat sleeps and let them sniff that blanket and cuddle with that blanket.  They will pick up the baby's scent and know that the new addition also will be a new friend to your pet.  You don't want the dog or cat to potentially try to jump at the baby when he/she comes home.

3. Stock up on diapers and wipes!  I know this sounds funny and I know most people HATE when people give them diapers and wipes as additions to baby shower gifts.  Well, I'm here to tell you that you can NEVER have enough diapers or wipes.  Your newborn baby will probably go through close to two packs of diapers per week.  If you have coupons and find sales that are good, stock up!!  If you can't print anymore of the coupons because of the quota, ask family and friends to print it off for you.  You will need both the savings and the diapers and wipes.  Believe me.

4. Keep a bottle of Purel in the nursery.  I learned this while my daughter was in the NICU.  Keep hand sanitizer in your nursery.  Actually, keep one in your nursery, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, garage, car... Keep one everywhere.  Why?  Babies are prone to getting sick more than we are.  Their immune systems are just starting to further develop and we don't want them to get sick.  We want our babies to be comfortable and happy.  If anyone comes in the home to visit, have them sanitize their hands as well.  Don't let any unsanitized hands touch or go near your baby.  Hell, I even asked strangers to sanitize their hands before going near my baby... Even until she was a year and a half...

5. Take advantage of nap times.  This is going to be important until your baby is about 7 years old. (lol)  Make sure to nap when your baby naps!  You're going to want to take advantage of their nap times so you are able to get in some sleep too.  While you think you  may be super mom, you're not.  Take it from someone who did think that and got so physically exhausted that she actually got sick.  You need to take naps during the day for yourself, you're sanity and your significant other's sanity.

6. Wash the clothing before wearing.  You're going to want to wash your baby's clothes before you put them on him/her.  Wash in a mild detergent that is gentle to a baby's skin like Dreft.  Don't use anything harsh like Tide or any of the major known detergents.  There are plenty that are specially made for babies.

7.  White noise helps.  Often babies may get cranky or even colicky.  If this happens, white noise is great to sooth the baby.  White noise is anything that may be a humming sound.  (Any sound that is annoying to us!)  It may be a vacuum cleaner going, the sound of a static-y TV or even a heartbeat.  Heartbeat bears are available for purchase and they do work.  Babies are so used to the noisy atmosphere of being in the womb and coming out into the world is a different experience.  We often keep our baby's room quiet so they can sleep, but occasionally they need the familiarity of a more noisy environment.

8. Bottle warmers are great, but often you don't have the time to wait that long until the bottle is warmed.  As much as they say you should not use a microwave, it doesn't hurt.  It's important to put the bottle in the microwave at low intervals.  Microwave until the bottom of the bottle is tepid and the top of the bottle is just room temp.  Shake the bottle as much as you can until you feel the temperature be a little warmer than room temp.  ALWAYS test formula on your arm first.  You don't want to burn your baby.

9. Ask for some help.  We know that mothers and mother in laws can be annoying and invasive, but in the first few weeks they may be a Godsend.  We spoke earlier about not being super mom and not trying to be super mom.  You may need the help, don't be afraid to ask.  If you need someone to prepare meals while you're taking care of your baby, ask.  Chances are, they will be more than happy to assist.

10. Make sure your car seat is correct.  Most fire or police stations do car seat checks for new mom's or pregnant mom's.  It's important that your car seat is in correctly and firmly in place so your child is safe.  If you are ever unsure about the way you put it in yourself, it's best to get it looked at and installed properly.  Better to be safe than sorry.

About Lysol’s Mission for Health: http://lysol.com/mission-for-health
Health matters. To all of us. That's why we've started the Lysol® Mission for Health. With new mom programs, healthy habits initiatives in schools and disaster relief efforts, we are dedicated to doing more for health. Our mission is fueled by passion and backed by our expertise in killing germs. So when you use Lysol® at home, you'll know you're a part of something bigger.

Join Lysol on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lysol 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Lysol® Wee Wisdom blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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Brilliant Lenses Review & Giveaway!

I have been wearing glasses since I was 7 years old and I never ever remembered to clean my lenses until I was at school or out with friends and realized the smudges were terrible!  It would drive me absolutely nuts. (Especially being somewhat OCD!)   I really wish that I could say I remember more often now that I am older, but unfortunately I cannot.  Actually, with two kids, a full time job, a part time job and a freelancing position, I forget even more now-a-days!  

It's so hard to actually get your glasses clean enough to feel like you can see clearly, especially with just regular water!  Even wiping your glasses with paper towels gets fibers on the glass and wiping your glasses with a towel sometimes smudges them further.  I am the kind of person who (when I remember to clean them) has tried absolutely everything you can purchase at a store and nothing worked well enough for me!  The only thing I used to use that worked was a glass cleaner from LensCrafters....Unfortunately, they no longer make the type that I had used.  It's frustrating to not be able to look through your glasses and see like you did not have them on.

Brilliant Lenses is actually amazing.  When I received this I was not expecting it to work at all, nothing else had!  I felt like I would go through my life with glasses being smudge free one moment and back to square one the next.  I was completely wrong.

I am so very glad that I had the opportunity to try Brilliant Lenses because IT WORKS!  There is everything to love about this product and when I put it to the test I was amazed.  We tried the double pack and I have to say, it comes in this cute little white drawstring carrying case to throw in your purse.  It also comes with this great microfiber cleaning cloth and two little bottles of the great Brilliant Lenses cleaners.  The best part is that it is alcohol and ammonia free and their SR-8 adds scratch resistance to your lenses!  The invisible barrier that it adds to your lenses is just so great!  My kids constantly knock my glasses on the floor or I end up knocking them over and it really protects your lenses!

I love that this product multi-tasks!  It also cleans monitors, MP3 players, phone screens, etc...  When I read that on the packaging, I had to try it!  My iPhone screen is ALWAYS dirty because my kids play games on it.  I am embarrassed to say that I had A LOT of fingerprints on the screen and didn't clean it often. (I wasn't sure how to do it safely!)  When I sprayed a light mist of Brilliant Lenses on the screen and wiped it off with the microfiber cloth, I was amazed.  I now keep one of these little bottles (along with the carrying case and cloth!) In my purse and one on my desk.  I love being able to easily clean my glasses and phone screens on the go and so easily!  This product gets an A+ in my book!

WIN IT YOURSELF:

Brilliant Lenses was kind enough to offer one of the double packs to one of my readers.  Even if you do not have glasses, this is a great product.  You can safely clean your phone screens, computer monitor screens, etc...  Let me tell you, this product works! (And I'm very picky when it comes to things I use on my most beloved possessions!)

Mandatory Entry:

Comment below telling us what you would use Brilliant Lenses for and why.  Would you use it on your phone that always has fingerprints?  Your glasses that YOU may forget to often clean?  Would you use it on both?

Optional Entries:

Follow our blog (+1 entry)

Tweet this giveaway [Providing link in comments] (+1 entry)

Include a link to this in your blog [Providing link in comments] (+1 entry)

Become a Facebook fan of ours (+1 entry)

Like Brilliant Lenses on Facebook (+1 entry)

Follow Brilliant Lenses on Twitter (+1 entry)

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Remember to leave a comment for each entry you do!  That is how we count the optional entries. :)

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

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GREAT PROMO! Discover Your Inner Elf, we are!

Elf The Musical on Broadway has this great offer going on right now.  BUY TWO ADULT TICKETS GET TWO ADULT TICKETS FOR FREE!  This offer is so amazing that my kids, my mom and I are going to the opening show tonight!  You can take advantage of this great offer right here!  This is only for shows through November 13th, so hurry up and take advantage of this great offer!

My daughter is absolutely obsessed with this movie and Buddy the Elf.  When I saw this was coming to Broadway, I knew that I had to try to get her tickets.  I wanted to surprise her!  I was going to wait a little closer to Christmas when the NYC Christmas lights were up and the tree was in Rockefeller Center... But this deal made me want to buy tickets ASAP.  I've been to opening nights before and they're always so exciting.  The energy is always so high around the theater and I decided that my kids should be able to have this experience as well!  We're very excited about going tonight and Alayna can't wait to leave.  She has been talking about this since we got the tickets yesterday!  We can always go see the tree and the lights closer to Christmas! (God knows, we live close enough! lol) 

I will definitely post a review later on tonight or tomorrow and of course, pictures from our little trip!! It's exciting for my kids and exciting for me that I get to share this with my girls. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE?

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New Style :)

So, we have a new style.  I wanted to change what we had because it was getting old.  That theme was almost a year old!!  I decided to change it in honor of the new site that I am hoping to finish by November.  This basic theme may stay a part of the site or may just completely get revamped, I am unsure as of yet. :)

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Happy Halloween Everyone!

Happy Halloween!! Just got back from taking the girls Trick Or Treating and now I'm heading out with some friends. :)  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!  

Update on the new site: It's coming along great!!  I am hoping that by Thanksgiving it will completely be ready to open! :)

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Should you really compare the obese to drug addicts?

I may not be obese nor am I morbidly overweight, but there was a time where I would have fit in those categories.  I have many friends and family members who do fit into these categories and because I once was classified as obese, I can relate to the insensitivity of some people.  I was one of the chubby kids that would always be made fun of and I would be called terrible names.  Honestly, I thought the "bullies" would grow out of their phase of disliking people for their image or hair color.  I guess I was wrong.

Through another blog, my attention was brought to this article written by Maura Kelly entitled "Should Fatties Get A Room?"  (It disgusts me to even link this article.)  This article made me sick...it actually made me nauseous and completely disgusted me to see a grown adult act so childish and immature.  She reminded me of one of those bullies that called me degrading names and made my confidence plummet to low levels.  Basically, she said that obese people on TV made her sick and so did "obese people walking across a room."  Really?  

Seeing overweight people as actors/actresses on television, in my opinion, is something that should have been done years ago.  So maybe being obese isn't healthy, but some people have conditions where they can't help it.  They don't just sit there everyday all day and eat.  Why shouldn't bigger women be able to act on television too?  In Rosanne her and her husband were overweight and there was NO controversy like there is now over the more recent shows.

What got me, was this: "To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair."  That is more or less comparing their view of someone with obesity to that of a druggie or alcoholic.

The author did write an apology, but the hurtful things she said still resonate with those who relate to the subject of the bullying.  Once a bully, always a bully...

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I've been neglecting all of you!!

I most recently started as a Customer Service Rep and Personal Shopper for Bluefly.com and haven't had the chance to get on here.  I have been working about 60 hours a week and completely neglecting this blog.  I have, however, been planning on ways to make this blog bigger and better and that's what is going to happen by November!  I'm planning on this site to be more than just a personal site but a point of reference for anyone who wants to know anything about parenting, crafting, cooking, etc...  We're going to get a complete revamp with a new name and style. :)  I'm really looking forward to this change and have great visions for this site!  A big thank you to everyone who e-mailed asking if I was ok and those who stayed loyal to us!  You'll have some great surprises coming while we get closer to Christmas!  

I apologize for neglecting all of you and promise for great things to come!

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Popular Mommy Bloggers: What makes them different?

I love reading other blogs and Heather was one of the first blogs that actually inspired me to write more about my kids, my life and to become a mommy blogger.   However, I think about some of these other mommy bloggers that are considered among the most popular of the "mommy bloggerdom" (Yes, I made up a new word.  It's cool dammit!!) and I wonder just why they're so popular.  Don't get me wrong, I love some of these very popular mommy bloggers, I love to read their blogs and follow them daily, but what makes them any different than the rest of us?  They have good designs, but so do a lot of other blogs, some of the little known ones.  Sure they write well, but other blogs do as well.  Some of these very popular blogs haven't been around for too long -- how do they skyrocket to bloggy fame?  

If I said I didn't want to be amongst them, I'd be lying.  Just like in any hobby or occupation, you want to be one of the top.  Of course, being popular isn't what blogging is all about.  

I write because I love to.

I write because I have the inspiration and love the outlet.

I write because I love to share things with others. 

If no one followed my blog, I probably would still write because it's like therapy for me, but of course you want people to read and acknowledge your hard work.  Most bloggers spend a good amount of their free time (and kids naptimes!) working on their blogs, writing posts and doing what they love. In my experience, blogs can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours to write well.  (And that is with much proofreading and revisions too!!)  I'm probably just rambling on and on, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

No way am I even near the ranks of those popular mom bloggers, but I was thinking about and trying to analyze just why they were so popular.  I found a post somewhere on the internet with the ranking of the top mommy bloggers and went through the sites trying to compare and contrast.  Of course, I did see some vast differences from smaller known blogs, but nothing that they couldn't improve on.  Basically, these are the things I have found:

Regular Blog Posts - You don't have to blog daily, but blogging 2-3 times a week to keep your readers interested and engaged is a very important thing.  It's important if you're one of the more popular bloggers or just a little blog starting up.  You want to have something to grip your readers and pull them in.  Posting about your day, your newest recipe and pictures of your totally adorable food covered child is good in moderation, but you also have to have posts to make people think or to start a conversation.  Investing time into your writing whether it's during naptime or well into the night is important.  Not all the time, but whenever you have the inspiration.

I have a notebook near my bed and a small notebook in my purse.  (I also use my phone's memo pad sometimes) When I have inspiration, I write down a topic in those notebooks.  Sometimes, in the notebook near my bed, I'll just write out an entire post.  This happens a lot if I wake up in the middle of the night and just think of something. (And I'm too lazy to actually get up and write it on my computer.)  There are days I just sit down and write saved drafts of all the posts I write in my notebook.  It makes it so much easier for me to just schedule a post when I have a block.  Though, I've been writing for many years and I really have bursts of inspiration at the most random moments.  I would suggest this to anyone who may be the same way. 

Networking - I'm not going to say spam other blogs with comments such as "follow meeeeeee!!!!" ha!  That's just wrong and it won't get ANY blogger to like you. :)  They may actually 'blacklist' you if you do that. ;)  I'm saying that if you read other blogs and like a post, comment and tell them how ingenious it was, or share your thoughts on the blog, share your opinions.  Bloggers put themselves out there and almost always love to hear your constructive criticism or opinions on what they're writing.  Feedback is good.  Who knows, that blogger may actually like to visit blogs that comment on theirs and they may like yours as well.  From there maybe they would share a post, tweet a post, facebook a post or add you to their blogroll.  From there it's like a domino effect.  I always love to visit blogs on another blog I like.  I'm one who checks their blogroll to see if I can find new and great blogs to read.  Networking is a huge part as well.  

I know there are people who think that PR and "giveaways" is a way to gain popularity and I guess in a way it can be... but I don't think that's anything to really focus on.  For myself, I do giveaways and reviews because if a company contacts me and I like what they have to offer, I take them up on it.  I find it as an honor to review and promote their products or services.  Of course giveaways do gain attention through word of mouth, but in order to KEEP those readers, you have to have something of substance on your blog.

Honestly, I think this is just the beginning for the Mommy Blogger world.  There are so many more companies and media outlets that are just getting wind of this.  There are companies and media outlets that are realizing just how effective mommy blogging is and how good of a promotional tool it is as well.  As I may be contradicting myself now, I feel that there will be a huge climax for mommy blogging and a lot more attention in the future.  Of course, it's really luck and being in the right place at the right time to even get noticed by any of these outlets, but who knows.  Maybe one of the underdogs will get recognition!  

Remember -- While there are bloggers who make a living off their blogs (few and far between!!) most bloggers do it because they love to.  I write because I love to.  It's a hobby, not a career.  Who knows what the future will hold, but for right now we have to keep on doing what we love.  Keep on writing, Keep on networking and keep on promoting ourselves. 

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"Mommy, why was your childhood so boring?"

I remember being a child and having to use my imagination to play with Barbies, my doll house, Polly Pockets, dolls and other various toys.  Back in the 1980's, electronic toys were few and far between.  When I had a toy that was electronic, it wasn't very advanced; they were just being developed and were very plain.  I would get out of the house daily and for a long time.  I got exercise by playing with my friends, by going to the park, riding my bike, my scooter, my roller skates/ roller blades and using my imagination to play different games with my friends.  

Fast forward to more modern days where preschoolers learn computers as part of their curriculum in school!  By kindergarten, children are computer savvy.  Hell, some kindergartners even have their own computers.  I see 8 year olds with their own cell phones, texting and even with their own e-mail accounts.  I'm not saying that knowing the computer when you're young is a bad thing, but I know many parents who have young children and don't monitor what they're doing online.  I know many parents who tell me they trust their children and don't feel like they have to monitor what they're doing.  It's not the fact of distrusting your children, but the fact of distrusting others and knowing the dangers that are out there in cyberworld.

I understand the need for technology, however I also worry.  Kids aren't getting the exercise they need because of technology.  Sure, we have the Wii and I love Nintendo for coming up with such a great concept; a gaming system that conbines family time, exercise and fun.  Even so, children need fresh air and more physical movement.  I also believe they should go outside and enjoy their time because it's better than being stuck in the house.  Even voluntarily stuck.

It really dawned on me when I had brought some of my old toys up from the basement for my girls to play with.  My oldest, Alayna, asked me how did I play with the toys when it wasn't electronic.  I had told her that when I was younger electronic toys were just being created and she really thought my childhood was boring!  I had to explain to her that when I was a kid it was 1980 and most of our fun was created by ourselves.  We had to use our imagination to make the dolls talk and to come up with scenarios.   She didn't really understand why there was no electronics, but I realized that our kids now are brought up with Nintendo, Playstation, XBox, computers, toys that talk and walk and poop and pee...

My kids have great imaginations because that's how I raised them, but I think there are some parents who depend on the toys that do the work for them.  In fact, I know some of those parents.  More children should be limited to the technology toys and should spend more time with the toys that stretch the imagination and build the creativity.  Not even that, but kids should be able to get out of the house and exercise, play games outside, going to the park.  They need the fresh air.

Sometimes I see 4 and 5 year olds playing outside all by themselves.  While it's good that they're outside and getting the exercise, where are their parents?  I hear some parents talking about how they can't wait to get their little kids outside because they want the time to themselves. These are the parents who will act like the big and mighty protective parents when something bad happens, God forbid.  Honestly, I don't mean to criticise any parents, but when I see this and hear parents talking about this, I do go off.  And I have gone off on parents who have said they let their 4 and 5 year olds outside alone in a busy urban area.  It angers me.

What do you think about this topic?  What do you think about the parents who distract their children with video games and electronic toys so they can do what they'd like to do?

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