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Between homeschooling, house cleaning, errand running, extra-curricular activities, the church nursery and blogging, I don't have much free time on my hands.  But I feel oh so much better when I do take some time out for myself.  I try and set aside an afternoon a week to do whatever I want, whether that's going for lunch with a friend, shopping by myself, or just curled up on the couch reading.  Just that little bit of time without "Mom can I...or Mom how do you.. or Mom, Mom, Mom", gets me ready for all the busy-ness again.

I am so excited to get that time away next month, when I board the Disney Magic for 14 nights of relaxation.  I know I am blessed to take as many vacations as we do, but it seems so long for me since our last one (it really hasn't been, it just feels that way lol!).  Being pampered Disney style is something I wish everyone could experience, it really is a treat!  I promise to share lots of pictures and stories when I come back though.  Year round, you can visit Disney Family.com for parenting advice, travel ideas, recipes and more.

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I have decided that Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash is my new thing.  Since I received it and have been using it in the shower, my mind is just a whirl at how good it is.  I don't want to get out of the shower when I use it!  Here is a little about it:

Caress gives you gorgeous skin – right out of the shower – that you will want to flaunt just like the season’s hottest styles. Now you can shower on your look with Caress body washes and beauty bars for even toned, radiant or silky skin … and have the confidence to show it off!

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Yes it's January.

Yes I'm blogging about Sunblock.

No I am not going on a Caribbean cruise this winter.

Yes I live in South Dakota (don't let the "south" part fool you it's cold here!).

A little over a year ago I was posting about our Caribbean cruise on my blog.  The weather wasn't great but certainly warmer than SD weather.  The funny thing is, sometimes we need to use sunblock in winter here more than when traveling south!

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While many of us gals took years to develop a fashion sense of our own, Dawn Del Russo has had the glam gene since she was a tiny tot.

Dawn ambitiously turned her childhood dream of owning a "luxe" boutique into reality in 2004 with the opening of Bella Dawn.  Now this high profile fashion stylist has authored the fun little book 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle.  This tiny style guide will bring a smile to your face and maybe influence you in a few ways to help your inner fasionista.

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If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I have done a couple of reviews for

Tropical Traditions.  I reviewed their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, the Tea Tree Foaming Soap and now I have another review and giveaway for their Moisturizing Lotion.

I have been using the Baby Silk variety of the moisturizing lotion for a couple of weeks now, and really like the fact that it has no alcohol in it, and is 100% pure.  No artificial scents are used, and the essential oils are very relaxing and soothing.

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Thanks to Bzz Agent, I was able to participate in the RoC Retinol Correxion campaign.   Bzz Agent is a program that allows consumers to test products and services.  The concept is WOM (Word of Mouth), a marketing effect that companies have come to rely on.  Sort of like that old commercial, if you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, well you get the idea. 

So this time I was sent three tubes of RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream; one to try, and two to share ☺.

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Starting with Thanksgiving, a lot about the holidays and the gatherings is about food.  I still try and watch what I eat, but not nearly as much as other times.  I want to enjoy the goodies that others and myself have prepared.

 

Of course that sometimes means that by Christmas, some of my clothes, don't quite fit me the way I want them too.  Do you have that problem?  If you do, you might want to look at a body shaper from Amon Maternity.
This is not your grandmother's girdle.  This is so comfy to wear.  Underneath the pants and skirts/dresses it really does slim you down and makes the buttons and zippers easier to close!

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Tropical Traditions soaps are made with Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil as their base, and the scented varieties use only high-quality organic essential oils. Ingredients: saponified organic virgin coconut oil. Scented varieties: organic essential oils of tea tree and lavender.

I originally posted this review in January of this year.  I am re-posting it for this winter season and because Skin MD also would like one of my readers to experience this lotion as well.

I have often encountered difficulties with my skin. Living in a place that has a harsher winter climate attributes to some of that. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema. I have tried so many different prescription and over the counter lotions and medications to relieve the symptoms of this. Some work with varying degrees, and for certain amounts of time, but I have never found one that I can use all the time.

I had the opportunity to try Skin MD Natural, and jumped on the chance. Because of the eczema and the fact that I have not found anything to use on it for the long haul, if you look under my sink, you will find scores of different lotions!
This natural skin care lotion arrived in my home last week, and I have been using it twice a day, every day since I received it.

The lotion is a bit thinner and seems waterier than most that you might be used to, and I was worried that it would require a lot of rubbing to be absorbed by my skin. That was a needless worry though, Skin MD Natural absorbs quickly and leaves your skin silky smooth after applying. It also is fragrance free. And it really is. I've been trying to smell something after I put it on. Many "fragrance free" products that I have used, still have a little bit of an odor to them. Not this one, it really truly is fragrance free.

I think I've found a keeper! One of the reasons I think it will be very effective on the type of eczema I have is because Skin MD Natural is actually a Shielding Lotion. This means, that it keeps irritants out and moisture in. Most lotions try and "add" moisture to your skin by using glycerin. Not so with Skin MD Natural . With Water and Aloe Vera being the top two ingredients in the product, you can see that it will be effective in moisturizing and have healing protection for your skin.

A 4 oz bottle has a retail price of $18.00 (it also comes in a variety that offers spf 15 protection). That might seem like a lot of money, but a little goes a long way. If you use it daily this will last you at least a month, probably longer. It's comparable to buying a large bottle of scented product at a large bath chain store, simply because you will use less to moisturize and hydrate, and it is actually better for your skin. For myself it is a good investment, when I think of all the money I have spent on prescriptions, and lotions that just have not worked.

Please take the time to visit their website. I'm sure that you will be amazed at how this product works to give you healthy skin. There is so much more to this lotion than what I have said about it, and they truly can explain it better than I.

Even better, it's made in the U.S.A. In these struggling economic times, I always like to support American companies when I buy something too. They have a function to find a store near you that sells it (and I'm sure most of you will find a store, since there is even one where I live, and I live in the middle of nowhere!)

Be kind to your skin in 2009!

Buy it: You can purchase Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion on their website for $18.00 & $25.00 for the lotion with SPF 15.

Skin MD Natural is giving one of my readers their own bottle of Shielding Lotion!

To enter leave a comment telling me who in your family will benefit from Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion.

You must do the above in order to be eligible for extra entries.
.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Entries! You may do any or all of the following, leave a separate comment for each.

    * For two extra entries - Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog (http://www.threedifferentdirections.com) and Skin MD Natural (http://www.skinmdnatural.com)
    * Follow my blog
    * Add my button to your blog
    * Subscribe to my blog
    * Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: "WIN! Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion at Three Different Directions @threedifferent http://bit.ly/YIKMQ" Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. You can do this daily!

This giveaway will end on December 3, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and open to U.S. Residents ages 18+.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews and Privacy/Rules declarations and agree to them.

The original review post was written after receiving a bottle of Skin MD free of charge.  I received no monetary compensation for writing this post and all views and opinions are mine.

I have discolored skin on my face.  Dark splotches above my lip, redness on my cheeks and I tend to get dark circles under my eyes as well.

I used to hate having pictures taken because the camera seemed to exaggerate the awful mottled color of the skin on my face.

I am no longer anxious about how my skin looks, and I have received comments on how great my skin looks since I started using it too. ☺

Thank you to Skinn and It's A Glam Thing for the opportunity to receive a jar of Skinn Youth Veil Airbrush FX at no cost to me, for the purpose of this review.

The Vaseline Brand is classic.  There is a reason it has been on the market for so many years.  Besides offering products like their trusted petroleum jelly, they are on the edge of moisture with new products.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion with Stratys-3 is just such a product.

This body lotion is designed to infuse and suspend moisture across your skin's surface.

This video explains it so much better than I ever could so I'll defer to it to let you know how it works.

This isn't expensive either a 13.5 oz pump bottle costs about $9.99, that's not a fortune to spend on a lotion to help with the winter dryness.  If you go to the Vaseline Sheer Infusion site you can get a coupon for $1.50.  While you're there you might want to enter for a chance to win a superior spa getaway too!

I have been mostly using this before bed, rubbing it on my feet and then putting socks on.  It feels very light on the skin, and my feet are so soft now from being well moisturized.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion comes in three varieties.  They all have a nice fresh scent to them too.

I have some of the Vaseline Sheer Infusion for one reader of my blog. 

To enter visit the Vaseline Sheer Infusion website and tell me one thing you learned.

For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

1. Subscribe by email or reader to Three Different Directions.
2. Blog about this giveaway with a link back.
3. Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway leaving your tweet link in the comments, Copy and paste: "Win the new Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion with Stratys-3  from @threedifferent http://bit.ly/3yoDpX" (you can do this once a day!)
4. Become a fan of Three Different Directions on Facebook

Open to US residents, ages 13+,  ends November 19, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Email must be in comment or available in profile.  By entering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews and my Privacy/Rules statements and agree to them.

I received complimentary bottles of Vaseline Sheer Infusion for the purpose of this review.

Last month I shared with you about Chic Moderne.  An Eco-friendly shop that provides unique gifts.

Among their offerings are briefcases and portfolios made from recycled Italian leather, interesting candle holders from Austria and Hand-Milled French Soaps.
I was fortunate enough to have received a soap to try from Patti Tang, the owner of Chic Moderne (I'm still using it daily as of this writing!).  You can read my review of it HERE.

Patti has been gracious enough to offer a Hand-Milled Soap in a Honey Almond scent for one of my readers as well.☺

For extra entries you can (please leave a new comment for each additional entry):

1. Follow Meon twitter and tweet this giveaway (this can be done daily!)"@threedifferent Chic Moderne giveawayhttp://bit.ly/3vOpOy win a Hand-Milled French Soap - Your skin will love you for it"
2. Become a fan of Three Different Directions on Facebook 
3. Subscribe to my feed via reader or email
4. Follow my blog publicly
5. Add my button to your blog
6. Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back to it

This giveaway will end on November 18, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and is opento U.S. Residents ages 13+. The winner will be chosen by random.org andwill be e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to thee-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this giveawayyou are stating that you have read my **About Reviews and my Privacy/Rules statements and agree to them.

I received no compensation for the writing of this blog post, however I previously received a bar of hand-milled soap from Chic Moderne for a review.

What a perfect item for your tween's next sleepover!  Girly-girls will want to check out Magnificent Manicure Kit by Elmer's.    This isn't just any old manicure kit though, this will have them learning while they're getting there hands and feet all made up!

As a matter of fact Scientific Explorer partnered with UC Berkeley's Great Exploration in Math and Science (GEMS) program to create fun educational science kits like the Magnificent Manicure Kit.
This cosmetic chemistry set comes with supplies to make a Crystal Mud Bath, Lotion, Bath Salts to soak with, toe separators,  nail buffer and pumice stone.

It all comes with instructions on not only how to get a posh manicure, but why our nails need them and the science behind the neat products that we use to keep us healthy and glam. 

Girls will have fun using the dye and fragrance to create their own lotion, and finding out what a crystal mud bath and diapers have in common!

While Amber isn't a girly-girl we set aside an afternoon and took some time to use the kit.  The science of it (no surprise there) enthralled her more than the beauty part, but she mixed the lotion up, and has a nice gift for her grandma! 

As I said previously this would make a really fun activity for a sleepover, but would also make a good holiday gift for a young girl who likes nail polishes and lotions.  It's great when an activity isn't just fun but educational too!

B.Y.O.N.P. (Bring your own nail polish, because it's not included).  Suggested Price $19.99, ages 8+.

Thanks to Team Mom and Elmer's for the complimentary kit to do this product review.

Patti Tang, owner of Chic Moderne.  is a lover of all things creative and is sociallyconscious.  Her store, Chic Moderne pairs style with sustainability. Chic Moderne's productsinclude Italian recycled leather business accessories, natural palm oil candlesfrom Austria,and French soap made from vegetable oil and shea butter. Chic Moderne alsooffers corporate gift orders for employee recognition, sales force incentives, client appreciation and/or special event favors. Chic and green!

 Patti was kind enough to send me one of the French soaps to try out and review.

The scent I received was a Lemon Grass one, and my nose was wiggling happily as soon as I took it out of the envelope.  Wrapped delightfully, the soap is triple milled which means that the soap passes through the milling process three times which pushes the glycerin byproduct back into the soap.  That results in a fragrance that is entirely through the soap (not just on the top layer) and makes the soap mild and last longer.

I typically wouldn't use a soap like this on my face, but I tried it out while I was in the shower, and it really is mild because my skin didn't feel any different than when I use my cleansers.  I also used it when shaving (I had always been told never to shave with soap, I don't know where that came from, but I've always adhered to it!), and did not find that it dried out my legs at all.  The soap lathered up well, and had a very energizing scent when combined with the steam.

Chic Moderne's "business line" (that's not its official name, but that's what I think of when I see briefcases and portfolios lol!), is gorgeous.  Just like their stores name - chic and modern.  The colors are eyecatching and are sure to make a statement.

The candles they sell are very unique and would be conversation starters when displayed or burned.

With Christmas coming up, Chic Moderne is a place that you could pick up a couple of items for different people.  A new briefcase or accessory, candles or soap for the stocking.  Standard shipping is only $5.50 up to a $50.00 purchase and while there is a shopping cart on the site, currently orders are taken by e-mailing info@chicmoderne.com.

I received a complimentary French Milled Soap from Chic Moderne prior to writing this post.