Fabulous or Not?

Burts Bees: Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil

Recently pregnant for the second time and due in February I am just emerging from the disgustingness of the first trimester and blossoming into a ragingly hungry, rapidly expanding, horror-monally challenged gestational goddess!  

And a Gestational Goddess deserves Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil! 

More to the point, I am expanding.  In the belly area.  And it is fast and furious this time, and happening much sooner than my first pregnancy, which I hear is normal.  I look now, at 13 weeks like I did the first time at about 17 weeks.  I can already feel my belly skin getting tight so it's time to start lotioning up! 

I used a variety of products last pregnancy and escaped stretch marks completely.  (Please don't hate me.)  I'm not so sure I'll be as lucky this time around, but I'm doing my best to get ahead of the problem. 

I am LOVING, and I cannot emphasize with how much love it is that I am loving this Burt's Bees Mama Bee Oil.  Also a plus, it is Phthalate- and paraben-free.

It smells fabulous, lightly fragranced with sweet almond oil, a personal favorite of mine, and enhanced with hints of citrus, it is light and not at all sticky.  I apply it to my belly at least once a day, usually when I slip into PJs, and so far, no stains on my clothes.  I could use this on my entire body, legs, arms, hands and all.  I can't speak for the prevention of stretch marks because I've got a lot more stretching to do, but for now, I love this natural product.

I bought it at Target for about $7.99. It is also available on Drugstore.com and from the Burt's Bees website.

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

When it comes to achieving a sun-kissed glow (I know that's a huge cliche but is there anything better-sounding than 'sun-kissed?' I mean aside from 'three-day-weekend?''), I have tried a lot of products. In an effort to be less indulgent regarding makeup, I  recently purchased Sephora's own ($16) Duo Bronzer.

As you can see, it has two sides- one light and one dark. At first I mixed the two, aiming to create a natural-looking color. After a few weeks, I noticed myself favoring the dark side (ha) of the compact. Then I dropped the damn thing on the floor of my bathroom- CRACK! The lid snapped clear off.  I don't expect little compacts to survive treacherous falls, however this one had little chance sliding into a sink, let alone clattering to the floor three feet below. 

Because I am cheap, I continued to use the compact. The dark side grew scarcer and scarcer. I knew I'd never use the light side. The more I used this guy, the more I noticed the heavy sparkle-y-ness of the product and, if there is one thing I hate almost as much as blue eye shadow? It's sparkly makeup of any kind. 

I began to look elsewhere for a bronzer that would have a more matte finish, a finer powder. And preferably a lid. 

I tried a few of Benefit's Boxed Powders collection with decent results. The packagingof their Hoola bronzer ($28) is just adorable and the tiny white-bristled brush fits perfectly into the little square pot of powder. The brush would be perfect if you were applying it to a tiny square doll and not a full-sozed human face. The super-small size and vaguely peachy  color were the worst parts.  There was also a hint of sparkle, which I was trying to avoid. I returned it via Sephora's kick-ass return policy and searched on. 

I used Wet 'N Wild's Bronzzers for years before moving home to D.C. They rocked my socks at $4 per compact but they also fell apart in purses, lasted about 30 minutes and truly? Looked completely unnatural. I think I still may have a few under my sink someplace and in a pinch, I wouldn't be above dusting some over my nose, it's just when given options, I'd choose something else. But at this point, what?!

Last weekend I think I discovered *the perfect* bronzing powder. It's packaging is sturdy and the style is the Paul Mitchell of makeup design, Bobbi Brown. Inside the powder is fine without being dusty and feels smooth and light on my face. The color, "Natural," is gorgeous, just enough to let my freckles show through and just bright enough to make me feel, pardon the term, sunkissed, at last. 

Bobbi Brown's Bronzing Powder in Natural is Fabulous at $33. 

Mother's Day Wish List

Here are some ideas for anyone in search of what to get for MOM for Mother's Day, which is coming up THIS WEEKEND. 

Personally, I'm asking for sleep, a lot of it, a personal trainer and time to use the personal trainer.  Since I'm not counting on getting any of those things, I'm sharing with you some ideas to help you choose the right gift to thank your mother for giving you her entire life for many many years, for changing your diapers, wiping your snot and spit, loving you when you were a pain in the ass and giving you  the beginning of who you are today.  So, you know, get Mom something nice, and sometimes, even a card, if it says the right thing, is "nice".

For starters, if you have elementary age kids, you can turn a piece of art work into whimsical one-of-a-kind jewelry with Totally Out of Hand.

If you live far away from Mom and she has absolutely everything and perhaps she is traditional, consider a gift of the floral kind.  Bouquets are excellent gifts, but they only last so long. I don't advise these for homes with cats, my cats eat flowers.

This Azalea Topiary can be kept inside or out and won't wilt like flowers. Cared for properly it will last for many years.  Found on 1800Flowers.Com for $69.95 plus shipping.

Perfect for a Mom who likes to cook with fresh herbs, or just enjoys the notion of something fresh and green growing nearby, the Aero Garden is a self watering, self-timed little all-in-one greenhouse.  It has its own water well and light on a timer. You don't need to do anything except add a water and nutrient mixture once and awhile, in a few weeks you have fresh herbs right on your kitchen counter!

 Most new mothers only get to be alone for those few precious moments twice (Heh.) a week when they get to shower.  Why not make it a totally invigorating and relaxing sensory experience. 
Mimosas! Margaritas! Daquirs!