That place between being a kid and a grown-up (aka My Daughter Snuck Makeup on This Morning)

This morning was rainy and nasty, and we missed the bus. It was one of those days where you just wanted to stay in your blankly and read a good book... so I got it. I told my daughter to hurry in the bathroom, and I reluctantly dragged my feet getting myself and my little guy ready. Knowing that I took longer than I should have, and got two ready, I gave a shout to the bathroom, and told my daughter to hustle and get in the car. She hurried past me, and scooped up her brother, telling him to snuggle with her so he didn't get wet.

We squeak into the car and head off to school. The kids are both in the back, and we head up the road to school. I realize that she didn't grab a granola or anything, so I decide to hit the fast food place near her school. She climbs into the front seat to eat, and looks at me. 

Pure ivory skin, dark brown hair, rosy cheeks, slightly pinker, shimmery lips. Gosh, my daughter is beautiful. ....Wait, my daughter's wearing makeup!?! 

While I'm a bit....flustered... I take a breath and ask her about it, without sounding like I'm angry, (I made sure to pay attention to my tone), so her feelings don't get hurt. She shrinks down, all bashful and doesn't talk. 

Honey, tell me? Nothing. 

Sweetheart? I'm just wondering, because you don't normally want to wear makeup.. Nothing. 

I swear it felt like 3 hours.

In my head I am trying to run every scenario through my head. She's dealt with mean girls, and with provocative girls, she's dealt with bully boys, and boys who swoon at her desk. Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Is it a mean girl teasing her, because Jesus, if it is I will....

...Sigh. I don't know, mommy.

Tell me, honey? 

Well, I've noticed that sometimes the girls who wear makeup get the boys to look at them and then they like them. 

Oh honey!

So we spent the next several minutes talking about boys, and girls, and makeup, and being ready to wear makeup, and how the boys usually like the girls who don't wear a ton of makeup more, and how she's beautiful without it. We talked about when she *is* allowed to wear makeup (holidays, dances, special events), how when you're little, you want to grow up, and when you're older you wish you were young again, and how she's got the rest of her life to wear makeup, and that in 5th grade, if she still feels like she wants to wear makeup, I have no problem with her wearing lip gloss. 

She wipes her mouth after eating her sandwich, (just as a natural habit) and I notice the shimmer is almost off. There she is... My beautiful girl, don't be in such a rush to grow up! I love you, just the way you are.. always and forever.

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Avon Outlet: Going, Going, Gone! Sale + FREE Shiping Code*

Just in time for summer, stock up on some of your favorite AVON products before they're gone! Now is the time to accessorize with jewelry and makeup to highlight your best features! With savings starting at 50% off, and limited quantites, you haven't got long before these products are going to disappear. FREE shipping on your purchase of $10 or more using the coupon code: MDAY2011 *Offer ends midnight 5/30, direct shipping ONLY.

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Who wants free stuff?

If you're reading this post from home, I wish you were here. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled to win a set of 3 Tropical Traditions lip moisturizers, and receive updates from my experience in Orlando. I truly hope that you are enjoying these blog posts from IzeaFest!

If you are reading this post from my tweet at Izeafest and you didn't receive a swag bag today from Look What Mom (...and Dad!) Found or Life in a House of Blue, with a Tropical Traditions lip moisturizer, pamphlet and 4BabyAndMom business card, please let me know.

Please tweet me: @4BabyAndMom or find me to ask for one in person... I'm wearing a purple, sleeveless, button-down shirt, & likely getting lunch right now. Guys, I know there's some of you that like chapstick- (this stuff is so much better)- feel free to ask for one, too!

One of the key phrases from yesterday was to "keep it simple, yet efficient". Tropical Traditions truly keeps their products simple and efficient by using the purest, most natural and organic ingredients in all of their products. I am so excited to be buzzing about Tropical Traditions at Izea Fest, 2009!

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What does Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil + 4BabyAndMom have in common?

Well, aside from the fact that I will be deep conditioning my hair overnight tonight in preparation for the Izea Fest conference, Tropical Traditions (the creator of the best VIRGIN coconut oil ever!) recently joined our list of partners for this event.

I will be handing out samples of their organic lip moisturizers that are packed with tons of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals designed to leave your lips soft, soothed and moisturized.

I will be posting a full review of the Coconut Oil that I got to try, share a bunch of ways that I use it aside from in my hair, and giving away some samples to my readers here, online, as well.

Don't forget to visit 4BabyAndMom often, and follow us on Twitter to see live blog updates, status updates and news from Izea Fest, 2009. Special thanks to Tropical Traditions for partnering with 4BabyAndMom, and for creating such awesome products!

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Back to College for Moms & Teens! Verseo ePen Permanent Hair Removal System Giveaway!

Many of my girlfriends decided that now that their second child is heading into Kindergarten, that this year they would take advantage of their empty nest, and head back to school.

Getting ready to go back to college, is definitely intimidating after you've been out for awhile. You want to make sure you have plenty of new outfits, and that your hair is colored in the best combination for your bronzed summer skin, and oh, yes, the last thing right before you start.. Waxing.

You tackle those caterpillars above your eyes, and other unsightly facial or body hair right before school starts because you don't want those little pesky hairs to start growing back on the second day of school. I feel your pain!

I've thought about electrolysis, but the treatments are way out of my budget, and tweezing is just too painful!

Verseo makes this amazing little tool, that I personally feel every woman with hair that needs to own! It's called the Verseo ePen Permanent Hair Removal System. This is an affordable, at-home electrolysis system that really works!

The website claims to "remove unwanted hair without pain or needles. This hair removal system is clinically proven to remove hair permanently. Developed in Europe, the ePen features a patented galvanic technology for electrolysis at home. This technology is almost identical to what is used during professional electrolysis. It's safe and completely painless."

(Ok, let me stop a second.. I'm Spanish, Puerto Rican, Czech, and German.. Yes, I'm a mutt, but HOLY HAIRY WOMAN, BATMAN!, is my point.) I had to try this product!

The instruction manual says that you may see results in as few as a couple of weeks, but to adhere to the schedule and that by 9 weeks, you'll see dramatic results. (I was going to give you before and after pictures, but I totally chickened out.) The kit contains easy to apply pads for your face or body, and claims to be pain free. It comes with the conductive gel, and swabs, as well as tweezers. The power supply to the ePen is from two AA batteries, and is controlled by the push of a button. The head angles to make controlling the ePen easier, and the process is supposed to be super quick.

The important questions:
Does it really work? I have super thick, coarse hair, everywhere. From my eyebrows, to my sideburns, to my legs- it's everywhere. I did not notice results early, and had to continually use it to see any type of result.. now that I've been using it consistently for over a month, I can definitely say that the amount of hair that usually grows in after a waxing treatment has dropped by about a half! I anticipate that it will take a little longer than the package recommends, but I'm telling you- I have crazy hair!

Does it hurt? I have sensitive skin. Did it burn like the chemical reaction I had when I tried lotion style hair removal- NO. Did it not hurt at all, no. It was like little teeny spidery shocks, that I only felt sometimes. The instruction manual says it's because there was not enough conduction gel or that if I was using the pads they were not on properly. They were on, and I applied more gel when I was using just the pen, but seldom found a major difference. You are supposed to pluck after your treatment, and well, of course that stings a little.

How long does it take? Depending on the area that you are treating, or the method (by ePen or by face or body pads?) the amount of time varies in seconds. Yes, it is super quick, and there's even a self timer in the unit, so you don't need to pay attention to when 20 seconds is up!

Do the batteries die quickly? Honestly, I am very impressed with the amount of time the batteries last with the ePen. The original set of batteries lasted about 4 weeks before I noticed them not being as effective. I replaced it with two juicy, new name brand ones, and it's even better than where we started.

With my sensitive skin, I was anticipating some sort of a reaction to either the conductive gel, or the product itself, but I must say, I was am definitely impressed. The first week or two is totally intimidating, but as long as you press through, you will definitely notice a difference. With an unconditional satisfaction guarentee, it's definitely worth a try!

The only "cons" that I found with this product is that the absorbent tip (think the head of a q-tip) sucks up the gel very quickly. As long as you apply a lot of gel, you should be fine. The directions also say that you should try to cut or shave down your unwanted hairs as short as you can to use the Verseo ePen successfully, and then after treatment, pluck the individual hairs out that you treated.

The only way that I could do that is if I just waited until the hairs started growing back, treat them, then pluck. I will admit that I *hate* plucking, (uh, hello, self induced pain- not my cup of tea), and some times I plucked, and sometimes I didn't. The plucked ones do disappear quicker.. but eventually the non-plucked ones do come out. If you can handle plucking- rock on- you should have no problems!

The Verseo ePen, home electrolysis pen is the perfect tool for any woman that shaves her legs, gets her eyebrows done, or is self conscious about unwanted hairs. I would recommend this product for older teenage girls, college students, and moms as well, as you do need to be diligent about keeping up with it, or you'll never see results.

Want it?
Buy health and beauty products direct from Verseo, including the ePen reviewed above as well as ceramic hair straighteners, detox & cleanse patches, wraps and products, weight loss products and more. Sign up for the newsletters packed with beauty tips from "Mary" and recieve $5 off of your purchase.

WIN IT!
Our friends at Verseo have offered on lucky 4BabyAndMom reader their chance to win their very own Verseo ePen Permanent Hair Removal System! The system comes with everything shown above, and a neat organizer to hold everything together.

Here's How:
Visit Verseo and get to know the company, and the products they offer. Find something that interests you that you might like to try (other than the ePen). Come back here and tell me all about it!

Extra Entries:

• Become a FAN of 4BabyAndMom and Verseo on Facebook. Leave a message/comment on both walls, and then tell me here!
• Grab a Back to School Bash Button and add it to your sidebar (3 Extra Entries!)
  
• Subscribe via e-mail. Your email must validate or it will not count, & your comment will be deleted. Please include email in your comment.
  
• Follow 4BabyAndMom and Verseo on Twitter and tweet about this review & giveaway. You may tweet something on your own or R/T: "Win the Verseo ePen Permanent Hair Removal System &say goodbye to unwanted hair on your face & body@4BabyAndMom #B2SBash" Leave the link to EACH tweet in your comment, please. (Up to 3x/day, please!)
• Post about this giveaway on your blog, website, or Facebook page! Please leave the link to your post in your comment (or on the 4BabyAndMom wall)
• Follow 4BabyAndMom on Blogger publicly
  
• Subscribe to our RSS feed
• Email at least 3 of your friends and CC 4BabyAndMom [at] gmail [dot] com
• Fave this post on Technorati and leave comment with your ID/link.

This giveaway is open to residents of US & Canada and will end on August 25th, at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. Special thanks to Verseo for sponsoring this review and giveaway, and to Julie with Mariner Marketing for presenting us with this opportunity, and for your understanding of our crazy life!

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Boob Tube by Mama Mio Review and Giveaway!

When I had my son, my breasts became full and firm, I thought it was the best thing ever! Unfortunately, my 10lb. 5 ouncer came out looking for a steak and damaged my breasts completely. After my milk dried up, my round full bosom started to resemble the cartoon character on the Hallmark cards with "V" shaped lines on her chest where her boobs used to be.

With Abbie, my milk never came in fully, so I didn't get that lovely rotund feeling. After the little bit I did have disappeared, I used to joke that I felt like I'd have to roll my girls back up to put them where they belonged. That was an exaggeration, but they completely deflated. I felt defeated and as if having perky, firm, beautiful breasts were something I would never see again, without the help of a surgeon.

I received Boob Tube Firming Bust Cream from MAMA MIO, and figured that I had nothing to lose, and truly hoped for the best. I can honestly say that by the third time I applied the Boob Tube cream, I could feel a difference. My husband enjoyed that I was feeling more confident of my body, and asking him if he could "see" a difference. The cream is very light weight, and the scent is not too over-powering like most firming creams on the market. The directions say to apply to the chest and neck as well to boost collagen and elastisity in those vulnerable areas as well. After feeling and seeing the results over two weeks, I wanted to pour this cream all over my body! Very rarely do I *highly* recommend a skin care or beauty product, but I must say- Boob Tube Firming Bust Cream is definitely on my list of "Must Haves"!

Want it?
Head over to MAMA MIO and check out their huge selection of skin care items that help nourish, quench and repair your skin. Mention that you heard about Mama Mio on 4BabyAndMom!

WIN IT!
Our friends at Mama Mio have offered one lucky reader the chance to win their very own Boob Tube Firming Bust Cream!

Here's How! (mandatory entry)
Head over to MAMA MIO, browse their great products and get to know the company. Register on the "Join our Gang" link from the home page and then come back here and tell me that you've registered and which product (aside from Boob Tube!) that you'd love to try & why!

Extra Entries:

• Follow 4BabyAndMom AND Mama Mio on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Please re-post "Boob Tube Review and Giveaway on 4BabyAndMom~http://bit.ly/HGNSM~Ends 5/22 @4BabyAndMom @GetWaisted" on your tweet!
• Subscribe to our Email feed! (3 Extra Entries for this one!)
• Follow 4BabyAndMom and add our button to your site, include link in your comment!
• Blog about this contest and include a link to 4BabyAndMom. Post your blog link in your comment, please.
  
• Email at least three of your friends and CC: 4BabyAndMom {at} gmail {dot} com
• Fave this post on Technorati, Stumble this post, or DIGG this post, include link if possible.

This contest ends on May 22nd, 2009 at midnight, EST. Winner will be chosen at Random, using Random.org. Winner will be announced on May 23th. Special thanks to Mama Mio for sponsoring this great giveaway!

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Beauty on a Budget

Since having Abbigaile three years ago, the time that I take for myself has been dwindling to mere seconds that I can grab in between bottles and diapers and dinner. I can't help but look at moms that seem to have themselves together and feel a little bit of envy, and wish I could find the time to truly take care of myself the way that I did when it was just Alex at my side. With another little life depending on me now, the seconds I held so precious just seem so far and few between.

One of my best girlfriends came over the other night to have a conversation about life in general. The both of us could not remember the last time that we got our haircut or gotten a pedicure. She laughed as I told her that the last time I had a real manicure was when my younger cousin got married, almost 4 years ago. Recently, I wrote an article on how to make more time for yourself, but finding the "time" was still hard. The two of us decided that was it- we were going to go and get our hair cut, and we were going together. Money was the only issue that was holding us back, with the drop in the economy, both of our husbands have taken cuts at work- but we knew there had to be a way.

We did some research and took a drive to our local beauty school, and within 15 minutes, we were sitting in a chair, ready to go. My friend got her hair cut and razored, and it looked amazing! I chose to have a deep scalp conditioning, and a hair cut. The hairdresser that cut my hair also thinned it for me, (I have insanely thick curly hair that never seems to fall right), and for the first time in a very long time I walked out feeling like I finally got a hair cut that looked great on me. My hair looked amazing, it wasn't too poufy, and it was beautiful!

The total cost of my deep conditioning treatment, and once-in-a-lifetime haircut was $12. I nearly fell on the floor and started to giggle as I paid the student behind the counter. My girlfriends new and exciting cute cost her $6. I took a brochure as we left, and threw it in my purse. After I got home, I pulled out the brochure and began to read.

There really was a solution to the high priced salons and spas. I could get my eyebrows waxed for THREE dollars!!! Or get a one-hour massage for only $20!!

My advice to you- run, don't walk, to your nearest phone book and look for a beauty school or technical school that has cosmetology near you. Call them, ask their prices, and see how far away they are. Budget it out, and do something for yourself. Not only will your body, self esteem, and self image thank you, but so will your wallet!

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Hannahmade Soaps & Scrubs! February Fiesta Day #5 Giveaway!

Many commercial soaps are made with a ton of artificial preservatives, and un-natural ingredients that are toxic to our bodies and linked to diseases such as cancer as well as developmental or reproductive toxicity. Don't believe me? Check out this site for the ratings of your favorite soaps, shampoo's and beauty products. The reality is unbelievably disturbing that manufacturers can actually sell that stuff!

So, I decided to start my hunt for more body & family friendly products. During my search, I happened to find HANNAHMADE SOAPS AND SCRUBS. Hannahmade Soaps and Scrubs was created by a young girl named Hannah, that wanted to make soaps with her mom and sell them at local markets. After her success and popularity at the local markets, Hannah wanted to share her hobby and dream with the online marketplace. Don't be fooled by the construction on their site- their products are AMAZING! Made from goat's milk, these soaps are so smooth and luxurious- your skin will feel renewed and rejuvenated after just one use! The products are all custom made with natural ingredients. Hannahmade offers sweet brown sugar scrubs and Dead Sea Salts so you can have a spa experience in your own home! If you are in the market for a new soap that's eco-friendly, safe for your skin and your family, has a great price point- HANNAHMADE SOAPS AND SCRUBS is for you!!

Want It?
Head over to HANNAHMADE SOAPS AND SCRUBS and pick out your favorite products.
Mention that you heard about them here, at 4BabyAndMom for a 10% discount!

Win It!
Our friends at Hannahmade Soaps and Scrubs are offering one very lucky reader a $20 gift certificate for the spa products, and scents that you want!

Here's how!

• Check out HANNAHMADE SOAPS AND SCRUBS and spend some time getting to know them. Tell me what Hannah bought with her proceeds from the local green market.
• Subscribe to Hannahmade's feed
  
• Email this post to at least three other friends and CC us at 4BabyAndMom [at] gmail [dot] com!
• Tweet, Digg or Stumble this giveaway! (As much as you want!)
  
• Follow this blog on blogger, twitter and/or subscribe for our feeds!
• Blog about this contest!
• Add our button to your sidebar!
  
• You get an extra entry in ALL of our giveaways if you follow the directions in this post!!

Special thanks to our friends at Hannahmade Soaps and Scrubs for sponsoring Day #5 of our Fabulous February Fiesta!
Fine Print: Please include your email or contact information in your comments. YOU MUST post separate comments for each one of the tasks above that you complete. This drawing ends Sunday 2/8/09 at 11:59pm EST. Any comments posted after that time will be deleted. If you post one reply saying you did all six, you will only receive 1 entry. One lucky winner will be selected using Random.org. Winner will be announced on Monday, 2/9. Any questions, please click on the Contact Us button on our sidebar. Thank you for participating!

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