Friday, June 26, 2009

Are you ready for the Summer?

If you live in the South like I do school is already out and for the rest of the country this is probably the last week of school. So now that you are home with the kids what to do? Many families are opting for a "staycation" in the midst of these difficult economic times, staying close to home and enjoy local activities is a budget friendly alternative to costly summer vacations.

The downside of staying home is the inevitable messes that occur. I recall a time period before I was married when I was doing consulting work from home. As a solo individual at home 24/7 I was cleaning more than I ever did in life! Add a child or children and a husband to the mix and you can imagine the heavy duty cleaning that needs to be done.

Cleaning, entertaining and summer time fun. That is a heavy list and I can appreciate tips to keep all of these balls in the air! Mom Central and Clorox have partnered to develop several tips that will help moms trying to do it all on "staycation" .

Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

I know I will be putting some of these tips to good use and I hope they are helpful for you. Are you ready for the summer? I am and firing up the barbie is the first thing on my agenda for the holiday weekend!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

New Skin!

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

New Skin. Okay, maybe not new skin like a newborn baby bottom but skin that is supple, youthful looking and maintains its elasticity is what women want. Or at least it is what many women want. I am basing this assessment on the steadily increasing number of women having botox, silicone (pick your poison), injected into their lips, foreheads, and smile lines. The first sign of a wrinkle is cause for concern for many women and they start down the road that leads to plastic surgery. I wonder what would happen if preventative measures were taken before resorting to such extremes?

I have been blessed with wonderful genetics and I sure that I look much closer to 30 than I do to 40 (in reality the big 4 oh is right around the corner). Couple my youthful appearance with a loss of about 25 pounds and I have no doubt that I could pass for late twenties. Given that I am the progeny of a long line of youthful looking folks, I really want to maintain my wrinkle free face. Enter Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This potion counteracts the nasty impurities and damaging things that our faces are subjected to on a daily basis. At night while I rest the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair does its magic. I simply have to wash my face, use the dropper to ensure I get it in all my nooks and crannies and then rub it into my skin. I follow up with moisturizer and then I am off to bed. That is unless something comes up that I absolutely have to deal with and then I must delay retiring but my face is still covered so that counts right? But I digress.

The advanced night repair is going to help put some moisture back into my skin and since I've been known to occasionally forget to moisturize, this is a good thing. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and I have to admit since part of this time I was dealing with Aunt Flo I really was focused more on the acne that was flaring up rather than trying to measure if my face felt more supple. However, I have been using it daily and this has forced me to focus on my skin care routine which ultimately will help the Estée Advanced Lauder Night Repair do its job. I mean, it is not miracle potion, I do have to cleanse my face thoroughly morning and night and moisturize too. I like the way it feels on my face, it has a consistency that is somewhere between water and oil but it is just right. Not too oily and not too watery. I have plans to continue using it for the prevention of damage to my face that can result in wrinkles and I also am pretty sure that I will try the eye repair. My eyes are the one area that I am concerned about. I know the skin around the eyes is the most sensitive and if I look from just the right (or perhaps I should say wrong) angle I can see wrinkles forming under my eyes.

Overall I think investing in your skin is the best gift that you can give yourself. No one wants to go under the knife (or use botox for that matter) so I say join me in doing some preventative work and try Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (retail price $47.50). What do you think? Are you up for prevention or do you plan on taking short cuts? Have you tried Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair? Thoughts?
If you want to try it for yourself, Estée Lauder invites you to the AMERICA'S NIGHT TO REPAIR. On Thursday, July 23, 5-9PM, visit any Estée Lauder Counter and get a free 10-day supply of New Advanced Night Repair, no purchase necessary (while supplies last).

You can find out what other BlogHers have to say about Advanced Night Repair by clicking HERE