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Monday, July 13, 2009

Welcome, Space Monkey!



Laura, my compatriot from Mums the Wurd, has launched a seriously cool project with her husband and a couple of their good friends. Their new brainchild is Space Monkey, an online gallery/storefront where you can buy ready to hang 12″ x 12″ canvas prints (high gloss or matte finish) signed by the artists. Eventually they plan to expand their offerings to include clothing, toys and more. Laura's husband, Elliott, is the proprietor of an Ebay collectibles shop and they have two little boys, so they definitely know what grabs and holds kids' interests… and what will span the test of time. I'm partial to the Stitch-Kins, which blend the homespun charm of rag dolls with cuddly critters.



In honor of Space Monkey's grand opening, they're offering my readers a 15% discount using the code BLASTOFF (expires August 1st). They're also offering $20 off of their adorable Dino-Shores line, this week only!



Thursday, July 09, 2009

HIV Healthcare Funding

Everyone's cutting corners these days and obviously some programs need to be cut. I would like to think that healthcare wouldn't be one of the first things to go but that is what HIV positive patients in California are facing.



If you are a a California resident, please call your legislators and let them know how you feel about healthcare budget cuts.

The petite woman in front is my cousin Sherri who is an HIV/AIDS educator and activist. She has been HIV positive since 1987 and hosts a Here TV podcast, Straight Girl in a Queer World.


Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Wordless Wednesday- robots, clowns, hugs and kisses











Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!


Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Goofus and Gallant

The following review/giveaway is for adult eyes only because it involves sex. Mommy and daddy sex. (Everyone under 18 just clicked away, right?) No super explicit stuff here but the links might contain NSFW content. Consider yourself warned.




I'll cut straight to the point: I'm not really a dildo kind of girl. If I'm going to play all by myself, typically I would pick something a bit less intrusive. But when Babeland offered to send me a new toy, I figured it couldn't hurt to try something new. I trust their advice. After all, their original Seattle store was right next door to my old friends' art gallery and I spent many hours perusing their wares.

I received a slimline vibrator called the Gallant, which is fashioned from pliable and easy to clean silicone. It's not threateningly realistic and veiny or overly cartoonish-looking. Mine is a pretty pale blue, with a subtle curve and etched waves for extra sensation. The oddly-Nickelodeon-esque splotch on its base is an ergonomic, fully-adjustable dial that allows you to control your buzz from a gentle hum to a more profound vibration: the Gallant has a very, very powerful motor compared to other toys. It is also quite large- almost 7" and about 2" around. It uses two AA batteries and is water-resistant enough for shower use but not for bathtub submersion.



The full-size Gallant I received doesn't seem to be available on Babeland right now although truthfully, the adorable Mini Gallant seems like it might be a more manageable size (4" x 1") for solo play.




Didn't See That One Coming

The following video is for adult eyes only because it's slightly risque and the ending is pretty abrupt. No super explicit stuff here but the links might contain NSFW content. Consider yourself warned.






She is the Egg-Girl




My mom has some friends who have chickens wandering around their horse stables and we were the lucky recipients of these gorgeous free-range eggs. Roo likes them with spam and rice. Mmm!


Monday, July 06, 2009

Mom Central Summer Giveaway Bonanza

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Summertime blues got you down? Time to check out the Mom Central Summer Giveaway Bonanza! Each week throughout the summer, Mom Central will post new giveaways with tons of great prizes for all members of your family. Some of the fantastic prizes include:

Hoover Cyclonic Bagless Upright Vacuum: This new vacuum from Hoover removes more dirt than other cyclonic bagless vacuums due to its patented wind tunnel technology and embedded dirt finder. With power controls on the handle, it reduces bending to get to those hard-to-reach places and easily moves from hard floor to carpet.

Crayola Play Sand: Transform an ordinary sandbox with a splash of color or design colorful art projects with a 20 lb. bag of Crayola Play Sand. The sand doesn't stain hands and features an easy-to-carry handle to make transporting easy on Moms.

Jeep Tandem Stroller: Built to accommodate your growing family, the Tandem Traveler Stroller features sun canopies, reclining seat backs, car-seat adaptors, and cup holders that will leave you feeling like the coolest mommy on the block.

Razor Jr. Electric Wagon: Put a modern spin on the classic wagon with the Razor Jr. Electric Wagon. Traveling safely at 2-3 miles per hour, parents have assistance while cruising the block.



Meaningful Beauty Review

I've always loathed Cindy Crawford. Yes, she's beautiful and sporty and actually seems like she'd be pretty nice in person. But since I first saw her in the '80s I have had an irrational dislike of her, perhaps because she is my polar opposite. When I see pictures of her with her preternaturally beautiful kids these days, I feel unnerved– it's like she and her remarkably attractive husband are out to repopulate the world with their superhuman progeny.

Which isn't to say I wasn't foaming at the mouth waiting to try the Meaningful Beauty Cindy Crawford Skin Care Program. Obviously, she knows a thing or two about not only being beautiful but retaining that beauty while aging gracefully. The crux of the Meaningful Beauty system is Age Maintenance. Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh created the line to help preserve skin’s existing youth and vibrancy, without surgery, delaying the visible signs of aging for as long as possible. Meaningful Beauty’s formulas are designed to help smooth the appearance of visible fine lines, brighten the complexion, and diminish skin roughness and redness in just four weeks.



Initially, I was skeptical of Meaningful Beauty because of my pathological (and inexplicable, really) dislike of Cindy Crawford and laziness about skin care regimens. I used to be a proponent of single step systems but now that I'm getting older I am definitely much more open to using different moisturizers for day and night. The core system consists of a skin-softening cleanser, eye creme, day moisturizer with SPF20 and night moisturizer. Additional products include a glowing serum (unbelievable!), easy-to-use facial masque, and décolleté and neck creme. The last sounds a little extraneous but it really does firm up the skin around your neck and bosom, which can often be the telling point of a woman's age. I have been very impressed with Meaningful Beauty, especially with the way it moisturizes my skin without leaving it feeling too oily or causing blemishes. The skin softening cleanser is very gentle and an unusual non-foaming, non-cream texture. It cleans the skin without stripping it of moisture or over-exfoliating. The night fluide moisturizer is very lightweight compared to other similar products I have tried but it leaves my skin smooth and even… radiant.

Maybe Cindy Crawford isn't so bad, after all!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Asserting Our Independence

Hope everyone is enjoying backyards, BBQs, bonding and all the good stuff that comes with the 4th of July…









Roo's dress and Jasper's shorts are from The Children's Place and their shoes are Crocs.

Share your 4th of July holiday pictures at 5 Minutes for Mom's Virtual Backyard BBQ for a chance to win a year-round indoor grill!

Friday, July 03, 2009

Happy Fourth of July



Momfluence Summer Guide

Looking for some great products to make your summer that much more fun and enjoyable? Looking to pamper yourself while the kids are off at camp? Or maybe you're dealing with summer bumps and bruises. Momfluence has collected some reviews of great products that you need to know about! Check out what our reviewers had to say about these great summer finds. And don't forget to stop by the Momfluence member giveaways listed at the bottom for some summer winning!

Featured Products

swimmiesFishBites Swimmies - Spending time in the water is one of the most fun and exciting parts of summer. FishBites Swimmies by Swimways is a great solution to give the little ones the extra security they need in the pool, in a fun and exciting way.

carryonDelsey Helium Fusion Carryon - If you are hitting the road or flying the skies this summer for your family vacation, the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on offers a lightweight solution for packing your travel essentials.

dosomethingdailly Do Something Daily Calendar - Tired of hearing the kids say they have nothing to do? The DoSomethingDaily Calendar offers fun and exciting suggestions for things to do on each and every day of the year. Make memories with your family, every day!

Perlabella_line_1Perlabella Pearls - Want to combat some of the wrinkles cause by sun damage? Perlabella's Retinol solution helps to fight the signs of aging, that can be caused by excessive sun exposure and other factors.

More Summer Fun

iTurtle

Playdoh Spaghetti Factory

Submergency

Nerf NFL Progrip Football

SuperSoaker 50

Boochie Game

Good For The Kids

Talking To Toddlers

Two Belles and A Bead Engraved Necklace

Cardstore

Jumeau Handbags

Staphaseptic

Member Reviews/Giveaways

Bonggamom - $50 Tiny Prints Gift Certificate

IceFairy's Treasure Chest - KiNeSYS, Purex 3-in1, and more

Eccentric, Eclectic Woman - Bra Barrette, Skipping Hippos

Riding With No Hands - 20 Piece Rubbermaid Set

Consumer Queen - FurBuster

PlusSizeMommy - Giant Hershey Bar, Zensoy, and more

MommyNotGuilty - KidBanz Sunglasses

Robyn's Online World - Kodak Digital Frame

Simply Being Mommy - EA Sports Active

Lattes and Life - Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs & Parent's Choice Formula

Motherhood Moment - Summer Fun

A Simple Kinda Life - Summer Soiree of Giveaways

From Cribs to Car Keys - EcoStore $25 Gift Certificate and more

Miscellaneous Finds 4 U - Tiny Prints and more

All Momfluence guide reviews are product-provided, featured positions were purchased by vendors. Member reviews and giveaways are not associated with Momfluence.

Ageless Moms

Our Ordinary Life is partnering with Ageless Fantasy anti-age perfume for a BlogHer sponsorship contest. One lucky participant will receive $200 to use toward their BlogHer expenses (That would cover my early-bird registration or one night of lodging!) and four others will receive a bottle of Ageless Fantasy. To find out how you can participate, click the button below:



In my case, I am ageless because of my permanently youthful attitude. I might be getting closer to 40 with each year but I think my self-image locked in place around 22 or so!

Check out Ageless Moms to learn more about keeping time on your side.


Thursday, July 02, 2009

Win $500 BlogHer Scholarship

On Friday July 25th, Momfluence and Type-A Mom are joining forces with HP for the first-ever LIVE sitewarming party at BlogHer! In celebration of this auspicious event, HP is providing one lucky registered conference goer (the event is already sold out- you must already have a BlogHer ticket to be eligible to win) with a $500 scholarship to help out with their BlogHer expenses! I know in my case that would pay for my conference ticket and airfare, which would be unbelievably great…



Click on the button to find out how you can enter:




Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Bye-Bye, Pain in the Neck

I've had a pain in the neck since Roo was born five years ago. No, I'm not talking about my beloved daughter, although she certainly has her trying moments. I'm talking about the residual loss of sleep I've had since first getting pregnant and being forced to change my sleep habits. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been a back sleeper. Flat on my back, covers tucked tightly around my neck (to ward off vampires, duh!), motionless in deep, replenishing sleep. Of course, pregnant ladies aren't supposed to lay flat on their backs so early on in my pregnancy I made the switch to side sleeping. I assumed I would just switch back once the baby was born but it just hasn't happened. Not after Roo was born, not after Jasper was born. For some reason, I am still sleeping on my side and fitfully so. Now that both kids are sleeping through the night, I blame my pillows. I can't seem to find the proper ones. I like firm pillows but not too hard. Soft but not mushy. Plus I tend to flip them all around since I have the world's sweatiest head (aside from my kids, of course) so it has to stand up to a beating. I usually use two and swap them back and forth all night, bunching them and fluffing them to try and get comfortable. To no avail.

Thankfully, Tempur-Pedic offered to send me a couple of their fabulous pillows to test out. All of their pillows feature their proprietary Tempur material, a pressure-relieving foam that absorbs and distributes your body weight for maximum comfort and support. It conforms to your shape but immediately regains its original shape, eliminating pressure points. The invention of Tempur was inspired by the study of G-forces on astronauts and Tempur-Pedic is the only brand of mattresses and pillows recognized by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation. Literally, it is the science of sleep!

There are a wide variety of Tempur-Pedic Pillows to choose from, depending on your sleep style. I received the NeckPillow and the ComfortPillow.

neck-pillow31


The NeckPillow is a sculpted pillow recommended for those who need a therapeutic sleep posture. Its dual-lobe shape ergonomically supports your head, shoulders and neck to align your posture and help you get a more restful sleep. It is a bit funky looking but it does a great job of cradling your head and neck as you lay on your back, ensuring proper posture and comfort. It really helps me to remember to sleep on my back. I even bought a travel-sized one for Jasper to use since he is a fitful sleeper and it has seemed to help. (There is a similar style meant for side sleepers, too: the SidePillow would have been a lifesaver during pregnancy!)

comfort-pillow1


The ComfortPillow is a more traditional-looking pillow but still very supportive thanks to the Tempur material.
I love that it looks and feels like a standard firm pillow but it gives a little, thanks to its plush zip cover. My husband tried to steal it from me immediately! I didn't let him.

I am sleeping much better these days and would love to try sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic mattress one of these days. If I win the lottery, I would even consider getting them for the kids' beds. They're that comfortable. And everyone is happier with a good night's sleep.

This review is cross-posted at Mums the Wurd.

Wordless Wednesday- Last Week


No, we didn't plan to match their outfits.


Yes, that is a bloody knife.
But look at what he has to put up with.







Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Punk Rock a la Saks

If I had pots and pots of money to spend, it is very likely that I would NEED* this Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster Patent Leather Clutch.




Forget diamonds and furs, nothing says "Let's Stick It To The Man!" more than, umm, becoming The Man…

*Okay, I don't think I could ever justify buying a $1600 purse the size of a travel wipes case, no matter how stinking rich I was. But I do think it's super duper cute. Way cuter than those glittery Judith Leiber clutches that everyone seems to love.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Oh, Michael.

If only he listened to what he was singing…



via DaddyTypes


A Word From Our Sponsor: UPrinting.com

I've been looking for sponsors for BlogHer for a while now but hadn't had much luck until a blogger friend suggested I look into Uprinting.com's rather generous blog sponsorship program. While I was a little late to get in on the BlogHer sponsorships, Uprinting.com did buy an ad on my sidebar so I do have at least a little bit of my BlogHer expenses covered. (If anyone wants to cover more, just let me know!) Uprinting.com has weekly contests for its blog partners, too: for example, just by spreading the word about Uprinting.com, they will provide me with business cards to take to BlogHer.

Why UPrinting.com isn't your average printing company:

Blog Sponsorships:
If you are looking to find a sponsor for your blog, UPrinting.com is definitely interested. We offer giveaways, advertising and more for qualified bloggers.

Non-Profit Sponsorships:
The U-Community Program sponsors hundreds of non-profits and education to improve our local communities.

Social Justice Projects:
The UPrinting Kiva account promotes small business growth in developing countries.

Green Printing:
UPrinting supports a sustainable future by recycling, using non-toxic inks, and offering eco-friendly recycled paper stocks for business cards and postcard printing.




Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wordless Wednesday- Snuggly








Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!


I know my kids are cute, but it would be nice to have a break… if you have a chance, view my Whrrl story and click "I like it ♡" to help me win a trip to BlogHer '09. I would appreciate it! (I promise to bring back lots of swag and stories to share.)




Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Slob to Suave Contest Winner!

This is the thrilling conclusion to the Slob to Suave Father's Day Contest from last week, wherein one lucky mom will win a $100 JCPenney gift card to makeover the dad in her life…

***WINNER PICKED 6/23 BY ROO AND JASPER***


Okay, next time I have a contest like this, we will have to do a random drawing because children are not entirely unbiased… there were two contenders according to my impartial young'uns:

Up first, Heather's boyfriend:



Next we have non-blogger Lisag1234's candidate (she emailed this picture):



Do you see the common element here? I do believe my kiddos were completely ignoring their fashion police duties and going "aww, he likes doggies! and he likes kitties!" Hmm.

So we tossed a coin and the winner of the $100 JCPenney gift card is… the pug. I mean, Heather's boyfriend. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who played along. You are all great sports!


Mom's Secret Recipes!

My mother is in Boston this week, visiting my cousin and his wife and their adorable new baby. She called to ask me to retrieve her roast beef recipe so they could make it. These are the things that my relatives always ask for, my mom's roast beef is pretty amazing. I had no idea how easy it was to make, since I rarely cook beef. (And I am cheap. I mean, frugal.) My favorite is slicing up the leftovers for sandwiches the next day on onion rolls. Mmm! The tenderloin is also super easy but really impressive for parties.

Perfect Roast Beef
-1 Standing Rib (any size)

3pm: Preheat oven to 375ºF. Place roast on rack and cook for 1 hour and then turn off oven. DO NOT OPEN OVEN!!!
45 minutes prior to serving, turn oven to 300ºF.

(in high altitudes, add 25º to each temperature)

Roast Beef Tenderloin and Horseradish Chive Sauce
2- 3 lb beef tenderloins
2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crumbled
3 tablespoons cracked black pepper
1/4 cup shoyu
1/4 cup butter (room temperature)

Rub beef with rosemary and pepper, let stand for two hours. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Brush beef with shoyu and rub with butter. Lower temperature to 400ºF and roast 40 minutes, until internal temperature is 120º (rare). Cool completely. Refrigerate until well chilled. Slice thin and serve chilled or at room temperature with chive sauce.

Horseradish Chive Sauce (makes 4 cups)
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
1-1/2 cups chopped fresh chives or green onions
1/4 cup prepared horseradish
1/4 cup drained capers
freshly ground pepper

Combine all in bowl, season with generous amount of pepper. Serve over or alongside beef. Also terrific on dinner rolls with the beef.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Summer Lovin'

Jasper chases Roo!


One of my generous sponsors, UPrinting.com, has asked me to post a photo that reminds me of summertime. It was hard to pick just one so I am posting two. Which feels more like summer to you?

Roo chases Jasper!


UPrinting.com is a leading online provider of business cards, color brochures and mailing postcards. Get your orders in now for business cards to pass out at BlogHer!



Friday, June 19, 2009

Are You Inspired By Forests?

Eco-friendly metalsmiths Figs & Ginger had an amazingly generous Earth Day giveaway this spring: if you were one of the first 300 people to submit a photo of yourself planting a tree, you would receive a recycled silver tie tack or pair of stud earrings. The first 50 submissions would also receive a limited edition tree necklace. I'd sort of forgotten about it, but look at the gorgeousness that showed up in my mailbox:



So lovely. I think their nature-iffic mommy necklaces are super sweet, too. I wish someone would have gotten me the Two Fawn Family necklace or the Nesting necklace with two baby birds for Mother's Day… I guess there's always next year.





Thursday, June 18, 2009

Multimedia Day!

SocialLuxe Lounge and Whrrl are having a contest wherein one lucky blogger will have their trip to BlogHer paid for, complete with travel, registration and lodging. I can't begin to tell you how totally awesome this would be to win… Here's my entry- feel free to "like" it and vote me up…






And just for kicks, here's what Roo and Jasper were up to this morning. Check out that surprise ending… nice.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wordless Wednesday- Cowboys and Swingers





The camera on my phone takes "artsy" pictures, right?




Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Smoothie Season

***WINNER PICKED 7/3 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, turboterp (non-blogger)!!!***

her comment...
I love an icy Mojito in the summertime! Add a sprig of fresh mint... heaven!




It might be overcast this morning but by afternoon it should be sunny and pushing 100º… Summer is in full effect, whether I like it or not. I'm not a hot weather girl, never have been. My hair frizzes, I sweat, I hate wearing shorts. Things I do love about summer? Fresh fruit, ice cream and tall, cool drinks. I hereby declare it Smoothie Season!

Hamilton Beach, one of the most trusted name in small kitchen appliances (and the title of an awesome instrumental surf rock tune by my beloved Satan's Pilgrims) has a great range of blenders that are just begging to whip up some smoothies this summer. Possibly the most handy smoothie-making contraption is the new Thermal Cooler Plus 10 Speed Blender, which features not only the standard 40 oz. glass blending jar and patented Hamilton Beach Wave~Action® system for smooth results without ice chunks, but also a 48 oz. thermal cooler that attaches directly to the blender for making icy drinks and then removed to take anywhere you need to go. The Thermal Cooler has an easy-carry handle and will keep your blended drinks cold for up to eight hours! I wish we were going to the beach but since we're landlocked here in Kansas, I think our Thermal Cooler Plus 10 Speed Blender will be used mostly for picnics in the park or at the zoo.



If you'd rather keep your smoothies to yourself, consider Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blenders. They feature one touch blending and 12-oz. individual-serving jars with convenient drink-through travel lids. The jars are dishwasher-safe and fit in most car cupholders. I think they'd be perfect for people who like frothy coffee drinks but want to save money or dieters looking to make meal replacement shakes more palatable. You can even get a Single-Serve Blender with two jars and two lids, which would be great if you're a little slow on dishwashing…



To enter and win a Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender with two jars and two lids, please comment on this post with your favorite blender concoction.



Entries will be accepted through July 1st and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For an additional entry, view my Whrrl story and click "I like it ♡" to help me win a trip to BlogHer '09, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.



Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!


***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Monday, June 15, 2009

Hannah ♥ Yanni Voices!


My pal Hannah (look at her sexy dress!) went to the Yanni Voices show and fell in love with the young artists and their beautiful voices. She was so pumped after the show that she decided to host her very first blog contest! Enter to win a copy of the Yanni Voices CD on her blog: Three Witches of MacBeth.

Thanks to One2One Network for providing passes to the show!


Sunday, June 14, 2009

Slob to Suave… A Father's Day Contest

***WINNER PICKED 6/23 BY ROO AND JASPER***
See who won here!




When Bob and I first started dating, we both paid a lot more attention to fashion. I introduced him to the wonders of designer shoes and he bought expensive jeans. These days, we've devolved into a style that can only be described as comfy parental slob. It suits our kid-centric lifestyles but you probably wouldn't want to have your picture taken with either of us. The kind folks at JCPenney have given me a $100 gift card to give Bob a Father's Day Makeover. (I think they realize it would take more than $100 to help me out. Shudder.)

First up, let's take a look at the subject in question. A great dad, yes, but hardly a sartorial wunderkind. Here he is in his natural habitat, playing with the kids:





Here's what he looks like without kids, posing rather dashingly (dorkily) in front of some of his artwork and sporting his trusty sun hat and yet another beard experiment:




I'll be honest. I don't expect to wrestle him into a suit. (Although I would love to see him in something like this Concepts by Claiborne Black Striped Suit… sans brightly colored tie and flashy belt, naturally.)



Wouldn't that look slick at one of his openings? I think JCPenney's American Living would be more Bob's style. Maybe a pair of nicely fitting American Living Bootcut Jeans without scattered, tattered holes and paint splatters paired with an American Living Gingham Woven Shirt. This is about as "4th of July" as I can imagine my husband getting, if you can believe it.




For summer weekends, I could see Bob in something casual that isn't covered in sawdust. I like the American Living Green Plaid Shorts and I think he would like them, too, because they're slim cut but have cargo pockets. It's hard to find cargo shorts that aren't too baggy, according to my dear husband. I also like the detail on this orange American Living Classic Crewneck Graphic Tee. I think this outfit would still fit in with Bob's style, such that it is, without looking super sloppy. Or actively filthy, for that matter.




JCPenney wants to give one of my readers a $100 gift card to take a dad in their life from Slob to Suave for Father's Day! To enter, post a picture of your makeover candidate in all his slob glory ("before" style in his own clothes) on your blog and leave a link in comments below. If you don't have a blog, email your picture to me.

Entries will be accepted through Father's Day, June 21st. By entering, you are giving me your permission to post your photo on this blog. Remember to be family-friendly, so no nudity or otherwise questionable photos, please. Winner will be chosen by a panel of experts… my kids.


In An Instant


In An Instant is a skin care system by supermodel and mompreneur Heidi Klum. Designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, large pores and skin imperfections while building benefits over time with continued use, the best thing about In An Instant is how quick and easy it is to use. There are four main components to In An Instant: Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Intensive Firming Serum, Instant Tinted Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15, and a secret weapon, the Instant Wrinkle Smoother wand. There are two bonus products in the line, a Warming Facial Scrub (feels amazing!) and an Eye Cream.

I don't have a lot of time to worry about multiple steps in my skincare regime, so I really appreciated this system's no-nonsense approach to beauty. It would be perfect for younger, active moms who might be starting to worry about wrinkles. I especially love the Instant Tinted Daily Moisturizer, which comes out of the tube looking oddly like cement but smells lovely and fresh like cucumbers. It actually creates a healthy, natural looking shade that eliminates the need for makeup. If you're a wash and go girl like me, you will love it. The only complaints I have about In An Instant are minor: I know I said I prefer fewer steps in my skincare regimen but I wish there was a moisturizer without tint and SPF to use at night. Also, the Eye Cream seemed to help brighten my dark circles and diminish puffiness, but after a week or so I developed an allergic reaction to it. (This is a problem I have with MANY eye creams, since apparently the gas permeable contact lenses I have worn since seventh grade cause a reaction with almost everything. Sad fact.)

Overall, I think In An Instant would be great for women who appreciate a healthy, natural look with radiant skin. It made mine look smoother and more glowing but unfortunately it didn't make me look like Heidi Klum…

In An Instant is not available in stores but you can purchase an In An Instant 30-Day Intro Kit online for $39.95 with free shipping and handling.