It seems like we’ve just been getting walloped with one snowstorm after the other and you’d think it’d be getting easier. But, it’s not. On the bad days, we stay home and battle cabin fever, big time. On the not so completely treacherous days, we venture out. But all of our usual methods of getting around the neighborhood have been failing us when it comes to this wintery weather.

Our stroller, my wonderful lovely so easily maneuverable Britax B-Agile stroller (yes, one of the ones just recalled for potentially injuring parents’ fingers while collapsing it…but I don’t hold that against it!) has been doing better than most in the snow, but there’s only so much a stroller can handle! On the regular sidewalk I can push that thing with my pinky finger, I’m not joking either, I’ve done it to prove a point to my poor friends lugging around those ridiculously heavy carrier-stroller combo systems. But in deep slush or powdery snow, it’s like, where are my freakin’ sled dogs already!? In the ice, I worry about me falling and losing grip of the stroller, watching it careen off into the nearest intersection as I’m laying there with a broken ankle screaming “NOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!” They need to come up with a lock system similar to that on the treadmill. Or a leash like surfers wear. (*Lightbulb* going off in my momtrepreneur brain!) Then you have to deal with the ice and salt stuck to the wheels when you come inside. Like most city dwellers, I don’t have a safe space to leave the stroller outside or in the hallway, so my apartment’s foyer has become a disgusting sticky salt coated space. Yuck! One must for getting through the winter with your stroller? The scrumptiously cozy 7 A.M. WarMMuffs, a warm stroller bunting, and a good rain shield to keep your little one dry and out of the bazillion below zero wind chill!

Babywearing may seem like a great alternative to the stroller in the snow, but I only do it if my destination is REALLY close, like, across the street. I was terrified being pregnant in the winter, and it’s almost as terrifying for me to wear (or worse, carry) my baby while walking around on the slippery ice and snow covered streets of New York. If I go down, we’re both going down. Hopefully my derriere would take the brunt of the fall, but who knows!? It’s a risky game. Also, you have to be a bit more diligent about bundling baby up since you can’t use the stroller bunting and rain shield.

Finally, those of you with a car have the option of driving. But you probably got blocked in by 10 feet of snow from that dang plow in the middle of the night. Yeah, good luck with that! I’ve never been so glad not to own a house or a car as I have been these last couple of weeks. That is a whole lot of shoveling and digging that I am not sad to be missing out on!

So how have you been getting around this winter? Share your successes or failures below (bonus if they're hilarious LOL)!

A couple of months ago a topic came up in my mommy group about putting a label of some sort on your baby's car seat and stroller, in case of emergency. We all agreed this is totally necessary, and people tossed around simple ideas such as the sticker name tags, you know, the ones that say "My name is _______". And yes, that would work, but check out this alternative I found recently called SwaggerTag:

SwaggerTags are plastic customizable identification tags that you can attach to your stroller, diaper bag, luggage, back pack, you name it!! You can see below, Karen (Owner of SwaggerTag) made one for each of the various business hats I wear: my blog, Miny Moe, and Mommy Nearest (the far right image shows the blank form "ID Circle" for your name/address/phone/etc; if you don't want it to show, you can put an image on opposite flap and then no one can see your info unless they open the tag):

They're super easy to customize - directions are in the packaging and they have a little stencil you can use to trace the photo or whatever planning to use to make sure it's the right size. The tag just snaps open and shut, and then you attach it with a really easy to use disposable cord. They also have a gallery of "window art" you can print for your tag (for free)!

SwaggerTags are not just helpful, cute (depending on what you put in it), and easy to use, but the price is right! Only $3.99 per set (inlucdes one tag, 3 cords, 2 image protectors, 1 ID circle, and 1 circle template), and $1.25 for a "refurbish kit" (includes image protectors, 1 ID circle, 3 cable ties, and 1 circle template). Oh yeah, they come in 6 colors, too!

Here's my stroller rockin' its SwaggerTag (and 7AM Enfant WarMMuffs!!)...

I love businesses founded and run by moms, so that is just one more reason I love SwaggerTags! If necessity is the mother of invention, mothers really make the best inventions!! Karen was runner-up for The 2013 Mompreneur Award of Excellence (and is nominated again this year) - you go girl!! SwaggerTags have also earned 2013 Top Choice of the Year Award and 2012 Top Product of the Year Award from Creative Toy Magazine!

What are you waiting for?? Go get you some swagger... tags... now!! :)

*Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

*Editor's note: as I review new food pouches, I'll stick them in here so as to keep the list ever growing and all-inclusive! The latest update is 7/27/2014.

We all know them and love them - the food pouch is an ingenious idea that has sparked a TON of competition out there on the market. Of course you have the one and done kind by companies such as Happy Family, Plum Organics, Ella's Kitchen, Earth's Best, Sprout, GoGo Squeez...the list goes on! But, these are expensive, not environmentally friendly, and did you hear the urban legend that there were MAGGOTS inside one of them?? You're just handing over this pouch for your child to suck down and you have NO confirmation of it's contents, other than the label. YIKES! That said, 99.99999% of them are probably just find, and really really convenient!! But they're just not feasible as a staple on my shoe string budget!

So, that brings us to reusable food pouches. You fill them with your own food (my toddler's go-to breakfast is yogurt, kale, and berry smoothie!!), pour/scoop in a portion from a store bought bulk container (such as applesauce). Kid slurps it down, then you wash and reuse! But there are a bunch of brands out there, all slightly different from one another, so what's a mama to do?? Well, I have tried out 4 kinds so far, and am happy to give you my feedback, for what it's worth! *Disclaimer: you may or may not have the same results as me, so take my reviews with a grain of salt!

Squeasy Snacker
PROS:  It has a no-spill insert that actually works - turn it upside down and nothing comes out, even with juice! Of course the goods will come out with a good squeeze or suck. (You can use the pouch without the no-spill insert as well). It is made of a very flexible bacteria resistant silicone (100% food-grade; BPA/Phthalate/PVC free) that you can actually turn inside out for easy cleaning. It's dishwasher and top-rack freezer safe. Also, the top and bottom are both flat meaning it can stand on its own so you don't have to hold it while filling it!
CONS:  There are five parts which is a wee bit confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it after the first use. Also, it's a bit pricier than the others, closer to the cost of a good sippy cup or water bottle. But, totally worth it.
PRICE POINT:  $12.99 for one 6oz or 3.5oz pouch on Amazon.
TAKEAWAY:  This is my all-time favorite food pouch. It seriously blows all the others out of the water! Every issue I've had with one brand or another has all been resolved with Squeasy Gear. This thing is amazeballs!!

BooginHead Squeez'Ems
I reviewed their original design a few months ago, and was pleased at first but after a few uses the flip top would randomly come open mid-use, getting really messy. Turns out, I wasn't the only one with this problem so they redesigned and now feature a screw top, which is FABULOUS!!
PROS: See through front allows you to see what's inside. No ziplock to deal with. The cap remains attached so it's not a choking hazard. The opening is rigid plastic which is somewhat easier to fill (and you don't have the over-fill issue as you might have with ziplock), and also seems like it makes it harder for them to "accidentally" squirt their snack all over themselves and their surroundings. BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free. Freezer, microwave and top rack dishwasher safe.
CONS: Some kids might find the attached cap annoying - as you can see in the photo it'll kind of rest upon their cheek. My little guy wasn't phased in the least, on the contrary, he enjoyed playing with it and trying to screw it back on after he finished eating! Another slight con is that the lid and the cap both screw on, leading to one coming undone while you're trying to do up the other one. But you'll quickly figure out how to hold it to prevent this from happening, as I did.
PRICE POINT: 2-pack for $8.99 on Amazon
BOTTOM LINE: This is one of my favorite pouches, and really stands out from the masses in it's unique ziplock-less design. And it seems to be the only one that is microwavable!

Press Pouch
This is a brand new company jumping in on the reusable food pouch band wagon. I love their tagline: Prep it, Fill it, Press it!
PROS: This one also features a see-through front, which I love. It's a very simple and sleek design - I wouldn't be embarrassed to use it myself! haha!! Great for traveling because it packs really flat! BPA/PVC/Phthalate Free. Freezer/Dishwasher Safe. Cap is a common size and thus interchangeable with many other pouches, including disposable ones.
CONS: I love the color, but some moms are picky about "boyish" colors for their girls. I'm sure they'll come out with more color options down the road. Not microwavable. Cap is not attached so could be easily lost, and while being the minimum size required by industry standards to be considered "chokeproof", you still never know!
PRICE POINT: 3-pk for $14.99
BOTTOM LINE: A great option if you want a pouch with a zipper and a window.

Squooshi
First of all, I love this name. Between the name and all the adorable designs they offer, Squooshi really takes the cake in the category of cuteness!! They offer 2 sizes (4.5oz and 2.5oz) and also other accessories such as a 17oz Filling Station (which I haven't tried but looks awesome!!), silicon soft tops by ChooMee, dissolvable contents and date labels, and replacement caps.
PROS: 2 sizes, and very cute designs such as monkey, lion, panda, walrus, penguin. Great accessories to make your pouch making and using much easier. Freezer & Dishwasher safe. BPA Free, Phthalate Free, PVC Free, Lead Free. Great for traveling because it packs really flat! Cap is a common size and thus interchangeable with many other pouches, including disposable ones.
CONS: Not microwavable. Not recommended for liquids. Cap is not attached so could be easily lost, and while being the minimum size required by industry standards to be considered "chokeproof", you still never know
PRICE POINT: 4-pack for $19.99 on Amazon
BOTTOM LINE: If you're looking for a great pouch with tons of designs, sizes, and accessories - bingo - we have a winner!

Yummi
Yummi's pouch places the spout on the side, which was quite different from others I've seen. Not better or worse, just different.
PROS: This was the only one we've tried that had a "fill to" line, which on a ziplock pouch is really really helpful! If you fill them too much, they just spill over and make a huge mess (and waste) when you seal them up. So the "fill to" line is great!! It's also 6oz, which is the biggest I've seen. Freezer and dishwasher friendly. BPA & Phthalate free. Great for traveling because it packs really flat!
CONS: Unfortunately the ziplock on this one detached after our 3rd use - I dunno if we had bad luck getting a faulty one, but it was very disappointing to see it break so quickly. The cap could be a choking hazard or lost easily.
PRICE POINT: 4-pack for $11.99 on Amazon
BOTTOM LINE: Great for a novice thanks to its "fill-to" line, or if you're looking for a bigger pouch.

Shorter version originally posted in Mommy Nearest Magazine.

Part 1 of my tale discussed the our journey on the Metro North and fun in the Hilton's hot tub. Part 2 will be about the awesomeness that is the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, which was included in our MTA Getaway package!! It's just over an hour by train from Grand Central Station, so totally doable for a day trip.

We were extremely impressed with Maritime. It was the most kid-friendly aquarium I’ve ever been to, and it was really fun for us adults as well! You’ll have the opportunity to touch live jellyfish (I was a bit terrified, but they didn’t sting – PHEW!), sting ray, and sharks (though the sharks were "on a break" from being touched on the day we were there, boooo)! The sting ray were really really smooth, and very playful! They would go up to you you, poke their head out of the water, and flap their wings and get you wet! So fun!!

Jiggling the jellies was thrilling. I was raised thinking they would sting the crap out of you, so had never thought about touching one. Apparently this type is harmless, and it's "not likely" you would feel their sting. Hmmm... I was VERY careful to avoid the tenticles, just in case. And was quite nervous with my husband dangling my 14 month old's hand in the tank to touch the jellyfish!! How would I describe them? Slimy smooth but firm. Almost like jello!

There is a really exciting exhibit of meerkats, an adorable seal show, and really great tanks full of huge sea turtles, tropical fish, sharks, eels, you name it!! 

The seal show was fun, and done 3 times a day. I think I counted 7 seals, and the trainers talked about how they get them to learn new tricks, and showed us how they can jump up onto the plan and exit the tank when needed! They were so cute hopping all around!

There were three choices for the IMAX and we chose 3D “Born to be Wild” which was about two programs for raising orphaned orangutans and elephants and re-releasing them into the wild. It was a really sweet story, and I was most pleasantly SHOCKED that my 14 month old sat and watched the entire 40 minute movie!!

We spent about 4 hours at the aquarium (so it is totally doable as a day trip from NYC,) and didn’t test out any of their food options since it’s located in the SoNo Historic district with a lot of restaurant options nearby - so we ate right before and after our visit. The aquarium had changing tables in BOTH the women’s and men’s bathrooms, which was very refreshing to see! It was stroller friendly and surprisingly not very crowded - we went on a cold Sunday so I figured it would be packed!

So, an amazing 3 day weekend thanks to MTA Getaways!! I highly recommend checking out the Maritime and if time and budget allow, turn a long day trip into a more relaxing weekend adventure! Norwalk also has a great children's museum, which we didn't check out but maybe next time! It's a really cute town (only negative is that Norwalk is VERY VERY VERY not stroller friendly after a big snow storm...)!

You can bet you'll start seeing more "MTA Getaway" posts from me - I'm hooked!!

Did you know the MTA has tons of getaways listed on their website? Not only is it a great way to get inspired for a day trip or weekend jaunt, but they are actually quite good deals!! By getting a package, you save on rail and activities. Destinations include things such as zoos and aquariums, ski resorts, beaches, and museums, and let you take advantage of the subway/buses, LIRR, and Metro North.

Recently I got the urge to “get outta town” on a Friday afternoon, and in less than an hour I had picked out our MTA Getaway package which was listed as a day trip - but I jumped onto Expedia and booked a hotel, turning it into a relaxing three-day weekend!

The Destination? Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The Maritime getaway package includes a round trip off-peak Metro North ticket between Grand Central and South Norwalk Station (takes about 65 minutes), a ticket to the aquarium, and a ticket to the IMAX show. It costs $39 (cheaper for kids and free for under 3 years), but without the package it would run you about $50!

Luckily I have a stand-by "what to pack" list so packing wasn't much of an issue, and we were on our way Saturday morning! First stop, Grand Central Station (an hour into our journey already, thanks to living all the way down in Bay Ridge Brooklyn!!) to buy our Metro North rail and aquarium package tickets. I love Grand Central, it's my favorite spot in the City!! So beautiful...

The trains run ever 30-60 minutes, and we were lucky on timing and jumped on the next train leaving in just 5 minutes!! You can see they have nice and new ones with digital "next stop" signs, as well as really old-school trains... I guess it's just luck of the draw which one you get!

Just as I mentioned before about the LIRR, some stations require you to be in certain cars to be able to exit, and the aisles are not big enough for your stroller, so pay attention to the announcement when you get on the train or ask the conductor which car you need to be in, to save yourself some last minute drama!! Also, if you can find a wheelchair car, they are much more stroller-friendly!

After just over an hour on the train, we arrived at South Norwalk station and called the Hilton Garden Inn to come pick us up - they have a free shuttle anywhere in the area, which we used, several times! Awesome!! Unfortunately we didn't bring a car seat, and of course they didn't have one, so yes, another nomination for Mother of the Year goes to yours truly... >_<

I wanted to get out and start having some fun, but my boys had other plans...

While my guys napped, I enjoyed a new guilty pleasure of mine that I started on our last vacation, which is catching up with the Kardashians!! We don't have cable at home, not that I have a single free second for TV, so it is so fun to just sit back and let my mind turn to jelly seeing what those crazy sisters have been up to! Enjoying my "hotel hobby" with my baby napping on my chest, life is freaking GOOD!!!

After they woke up, we went down to the pool and had a blast!! The water was a bit cool but not too bad, and the jacuzzi was sooooooooo nice!!! We went down to the pool once each of the three days, and met 3 families who were there on a staycation!! So funny!

That night, despite the snowstorm bringing 6", we had the hotel shuttle take us a mile down the road to, wait for it, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE! hahahaha!! I haven't been there in probably 15 years!! I resisted my urge to get the Bloomin' Onion, though I kind of regret it! Hubby's never had one and who am I to deny him of such an important cultural experience?! Damn. We'll just have to go back with a bigger group so it's not just him and me eating the whole thing!

Kenzo has become an incredible flirt and spent the entire dinner waving at every single person walking by. It's hilarious!! And makes me sooooooo happy!! Everybody loves a friendly baby!! He wasn't so much into coloring with the crayons, he much preferred throwing them on the floor repeatedly and making mommy hunt them down under the table. Then he managed to crush his styrofoam baby cup and it looked like he had the world's biggest pee-your-pants accident!! Whoopsie!!

We ran next door to Mrs. Green's Natural Market to grab some organic yogurt for Kenzo's breakfast (we're too cheap for the $12.95 buffet). One really cool thing about the Hilton is their lobby area is HUGE! They have a dining area, a main lobby with tons of huge comfy chairs, and off to the side is this big dining room with a flat screen TV and lounge chairs. We never saw anyone else in there, so we made ourselves at home for breakfast and dinner the second night!

Alrighty, that concludes part 1 of our Getaway to Norwalk. Part 2 will be coming shortly - all about the amazing Maritime Aquarium!! Stay Tuned!!

Before my inbox is flooded with messages of CONGRATULATIONS let me stop you right there - I am NOT preggo!! No no no, not yet anyway... but I am always on the hunt for great new products for families that I can share with my readers, so I am pleased to tell you about a cool app I recently came across called BabyQ, a free iPhone app designed to help you be the healthiest you can be throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Once you download the app, you start by creating your profile and answering a slew of questions, which takes a minute or two, but is key in letting the app understand your current health and lifestyle. Don't try to trick it - the app won't judge you if you aren't exercising and live off of fries and bon bons! Then it gives you a score, or your "BabyQ", and will start giving you a weekly message with tips and suggestions on how to raise your score and be healthier for you and your little bun in the oven. I love that these suggestions short and simple, and not an overwhelming list of 200+ things I need to do to be the perfection of health. Here's the message I got for this week:

You'll also get daily messages with helpful tips for issues you might be encountering at your stage in pregnancy, info about various vitamins, relaxation techniques, etc. You should update your score every week or so (by answering 20 quick questions), and hopefully it'll increase gradually as you start adopting some of the healthier changes the app has been suggesting.

Founded by Dr. Mark Gostine and Dr. Gareth Forde, BabyQ focuses on the LENS system: Lifestyle, Exercise, Nutrition, and Stress Management. It's based on analysis of more than 39,000 pregnancies and
uses recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Institute of Medicine (IOC) and thousands of articles from the most current scientific literature.

So what do you think, mamas and mamas-to-be? I think this app is a great and easy way for pregnant women to focus on their health, and frankly, anyone can benefit from it!! What are you waiting for? Download it today!!

Original post on February 18, 2014:

I was too cheap, or lazy, or probably both, to buy a wardrobe of nursing shirts. Instead, I just yank my regular shirt up, exposing my tummy and back to the world. I always wear a nursing cover in public, but my back is still totally exposed which always bothered me. If I have a cardigan to throw on, that works fine, but I don't always have one and it's not always cool enough to wear one. This is why I think Undercover Mama has one of the most awesome products for breastfeeding moms!! Check out this cool tank top they've created:

Instead of having straps, the nursing tank attaches to your nursing bra. Then you wear your regular shirt on top and pull it up to breastfeed. But The Undercover Mama is covering your tummy and back! No need for expensive nursing shirts, and really, not a huge need for a nursing cover either!

They have the regular style (in 13 colors from XS to 3XL!), as well as one with a lace bottom, and one with a slimming panel around the waist (goodbye muffin top!). They even have a top cover, like a crop top t-shirt that you can wear on top of the tank. Here's the lineup (from their website):

Undercover Mama (mom invented, owned, & operated - AWESOME!!) will be giving a $30 gift voucher to the grand prize winner of my New Mom Necessities Giveaway (ending at midnight tonight!!), who'll also win 14 other awesome products valued over $600!!

ENTER TO WIN HERE!! (Giveaway is over)

Product review added 3/5/2014: 

I LOVE the idea of this product so was really anxious to get my hands on it to try it out myself! In a nutshell, it's awesome!! 

I didn't realize the hook had two different options, which is great, and after playing around with it for a second I figured it out and it hooked onto my nursing bra without a problem! I got the "slimming style" design, in size small, which was snug! Not as snug and sucky-inny as Spanx, but it felt good and supportive, like a workout tank or something. Since the Undercover mama hooks onto your nursing bra in the front, the back is strapless, but it's snug fitting and didn't sag.

Nursing in it the first time was really strange. I'm used to having my belly and back totally uncovered at home or with a cover hanging over me and baby when out, so to be totally covered up with only my ta-ta exposed was really bizarre! And really nice!!!

Undercover Mama is such a wonderful option for breastfeeding mamas out there who don't have the time or money to invest in a breastfeeding wardrobe. The label says "make ANY SHIRT a nursing shirt" and that is spot on!! US-Japan Fam gives it two thumbs up!

OK, I'm just gonna skip the chit chat and get straight to the review because this company NüRoo is totally awesome and I have so much to tell you about the two two amazing products they're contributing to my New Mom Necessities Giveaway!!

First off we have the NüRoo Pocket which is a revolutionary babywearing device (see above left photo) - basically a shirt and carrier in one!! I'm so bummed I didn't know about the NüRoo Pocket when my 14-monther was an infant. It looks so comfy for mom and baby and is such a practical way to get in that much needed skin-to-skin time! I definitely have to get my hands on one of these before baby #2 comes along! Here's how it works (from NüRoo's website):

I did get to try out the NüRoo Nursing Scarf which is also incredibly unique. Big time kudos to NüRoo for coming out with such new and different products! The  NüRoo Nursing Scarf is a big, very soft, super stretchy piece of fabric with a row of snaps on both ends. There are many different ways you can wear it as a scarf as well as a nursing cover, and they have a how-to video for moms like me who are completely clueless! They also have images on the packaging as well as on their website showing you different ideas for wearing the NüRoo Nursing Scarf. Here is what I came up with before looking at their ideas:

This one is pretty basic - snap the two ends together and fold it inside itself a few times. Cute and warm!

Here's my duck-face selfie modeling my NüRoo Nursing Scarf look great for many situations such as the following:

• "Oh, what a perfect day to throw the top down on my convertible (HA as if, I wish I had one!!), let me just use my NüRoo Nursing Scarf to hold back my hair!"
• "Brrrr it's cold today but I forgot my hat and scarf! Oh, no worries! I'll use my NüRoo Nursing Scarf!"
• (At the Blue Mosque in Istanbul) "What?! You have to cover your head to go inside?! Good thing I have my NüRoo Nursing Scarf - phew!!"

And here's my suggestion for this one, and we've all been there...  "Oh crap!! I forgot nursing pads and totally leaked through my top!! Thank god my NüRoo Nursing Scarf can cover up my milk stains!!"

I tried to take a selfie of the nursing cover in action as a, well, nursing cover. But Kenzo had a different plan... this is the best I could do! haha!!

Great as a nursing cover, as an accessory, and as a blanket for your little one (see above), or yourself for that matter - I would totally use it on a chilly airplane or on the subway in the summer (you know, when you're in a tank top stuck on a super-AC'd train)! A 90% polyester 10% spandex blend, the NüRoo Nursing Scarf is breathable, machine washable, dryer safe, wrinkle free, and really really soft.

NüRoo will be giving their NüRoo Pocket to the grand prize winner of my New Mom Necessities Giveaway (who will also receive 14 other great products for new moms, a jackpot valuing over $600!!), and a NüRoo Nursing Scarf will go to one runner-up! So, what are you waiting for?? The giveaway ends Feburary 19 at midnight so...

ENTER TO WIN HERE!!

*Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

As soon as I got pregnant, I started becoming aware of the chemicals I'd been putting on and in my body on a daily basis. I began educating myself and taking baby steps to improve my lifestyle for the health of my family and the environment. I didn't go nuts and throw out every beauty and cleaning product in my house; I simply began upgrading to a healthier choice when I ran out of my current supply of each product. One way I've been doing this is through the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database and app. It's really really awesome. With the app, you can even scan the bar code at the store, and it brings up the product, its ingredients, and ranks it on a scale of 0-10 on how safe it is. It'll tell you the risks in 3 categories: cancer, developmental/reprotoxicity, and allergies. I've found this so helpful, but I've gotten so many weird looks as I'm standing in the aisle of the store just scanning product after product on my phone.

I posted waaaaaaay back in May about the risks of parabens, phthalates, dioxins, and BPA, so I won't go into details here but let's just say, in a nutshell, they're not very good things. Not good at all.

I'm always on the look-out for great green products, and recently was introduced to Vitabath, a 55 year old company known for their high quality cleansing and conditioning products. In 2011, they came out with a line of paraben and sulfate free body wash, called the Fragrance Collection.

Full disclosure, they did not score top notch on my Skin Deep app, mainly due to one very widely used ingredient in the industry (DMDM Hydantoin). But they are free from parabens (endocrine disrupters that are thought to have a connection with breast cancer, early puberty, and low sperm count) and sulfates (thought to contribute to acid rain and global warming), so that is great. Some worry that products without sulfates won't be able to lather well, but this is not the case with Vitabath's body washes! They lathered up nicely in my hand with just some water, and my husband was able to get a great big ball of foam with the help of his loofah:

The Vitabath Fragrance Collection Body Washes include Vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E, as well as an antioxidant superfruit blend, and the number of scents available is amazing!! Citron Leaves with Lemongrass... Cupcake Couture Dream Pink Frosting.... I got the Asian Orchid & Coconut and Heavenly Coconut Creme and let me tell you - YUM!!!

I'm thrilled to include Vitabath in my New Mom Necessitites Giveaway because as a new mom, it's tough to find time for a shower. With great body washes like these, maybe your quick shower will turn into a luxurious and refreshing escape! Vitabath will be sending our grand prize winner TWO bodywashes (of her choosing!). Woohooo! What are you waiting for?

ENTER TO WIN HERE!!

Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

Let's face it - new moms don't have much free time on their hands. And when there is "free" time, it's likely to be donated to a much needed nap, or shower, or house work... I used to have a policy of never leaving the house without a least the most basic makeup, but these days? Makeup has become a luxury for really important events, haha! It seriously only takes me like 5 minutes to put on makeup, but still, it's just not on the top of my priority list anymore. But it's amazing what changing out of your pajamas and throwing on a little mascara and lip gloss can do!

So, I'm thrilled to include Avon in my New Mom Necessities giveaway! Tina, an Avon representative in Brooklyn, will be sending to our grand prize winner a trio pack including a roll-on purse sized perfume, Rare Diamonds Diamond Duo lip gloss, and Speed Dry 30 second nail enamel in On the Go Pink. Great for a little pick me up at home, or to throw in your purse or diaper bag for on-the-go glamor!

Tina has tons of beauty and skin care products to choose from, from frizz control hair products to jewelry to extra lasting makeup, she even has toys and children's items!  I recently got Avon's ANEW REJUVENATE Day Revitalizing Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 25 from her. Their website says it "helps to visibly shrink pores, reveal a fresher, younger look, and make skin look more even and smoother". Boy, does it have its work cut out for it! haha!! Fingers crossed!!

You can check out Tina's selection of Avon goods here, and like her on Facebook for promotions and announcements of great new products! She's happy to offer free consultations, so contact her on her website or Facebook page with any questions!!

Now, go ahead and enter to win this Avon package as well as 14 other great products valued over $600 in my New Mom Necessities Giveaway, ending February 19!

ENTER TO WIN HERE!!

Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.