OpinionMom

My skin is dry, and I really hate the way that dry skin feels. So, when I was asked to review a new moisturizing skin product, Gloves In A Bottle, I jumped at the chance.

Gloves In A Bottle is one of a new generation of skin care products known as shielding lotions. Shielding lotions help your skin retain its own natural moisture while protecting it from environmental irritants that might dry it out.

I’ve been using my Gloves In A Bottle immediately after I shower, and I have found that it greatly relieves that tight “dry-skin” feeling that my skin tends to get during the day. (I really do hate that tightness.)

In fact, since the lotion is so thin, I’ve been using it on my face too. I found that it makes an excellent base coat under makeup and relieves the tightness around my eyes (next to my hands, the skin around my eyes is probably the driest). It’s not sticky and it’s virtually invisible while you are wearing it.

My daughter, who can only use hypoallergenic lotions and cosmetics, was able to use Gloves In A Bottle without any problems at all. Even my husband, who also has very sensitive skin, tried this lotion.

You can find out more information about Gloves in a Bottle on their website: www.glovesinabottle.com.

Do you think you might be interested in trying this product?  I have two free two ounce samples (just the right size for a purse or diaper bag) to give away to OpinionMom readers who live in the U.S. or Canada.

How can you win one of the sample bottles for yourself? It’s simple, leave a comment on this post before midnight on Monday, October 8th, 2007. In your post tell me why you want to try Gloves In A Bottle. I’ll use a random generator to draw the names of two readers and announce the winner’s names next week.

(By participating in this drawing, all participants agree that they are trying this product at their own risk without any warranties or guarantees about product performance from OpinionMom.)

(Disclosure: Product samples were provided by an agent for Gloves In A Bottle.)

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

It’s time for my monthly giveaway post. October is a good month for contests.

Here’s what I’ve unearthed so far this month:

• I’m not just a mom .. .I’m a Home Mom – As usual, this blog lists tons of contests. One of her giveaways is an advance DVD copy of a new show for kids. Here are the details.
• Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central is giving away two books to a few lucky winners: two Sisters of Isis books and some Bad Girls Club books.
• Mom in the City is offering circus tickets and books.
• Mom4Life is hosting a fabulous month of giveaways with over a thousand dollars in prizes.
• 5 Minutes for Mom is having a Cyber Baby Shower that includes prize drawings for the guests.
• b5media is having a number of contests in October: Sports Channel Launch, Blogtoberfest, and Home & Dining Fall Scavenger Hunt.
• Free Stuff 4 Kids. Okay, technically this is not a contest, but if you have kids you’ll want to check this blog often.

Did I miss anyone? (If you win one of these contests, please leave a comment and let me know.)

The latest Festival of Frugality is up at MyTwoDollars.

There are many interesting entries in this festival, but I thought I’d take the time to point out a few of them:

• How to Send Your Kid to College with no College Fund at Savvy Frugality. The tips revealed here will probably put a lot of parent’s minds at ease.
• The Lost Arts at A Penny Closer talks about things that used to be common (such as repairing clothing or cooking from scratch) that people no longer do. (I still remember my mother sewing patches on the inside of my play clothes when I was little.)
• Shopping smart at yard sales at the frugal underground. I’ve always wondered how to do well at yard sales. The tips here are practical and helpful.
• The Backlash Against Frugality at the simple dollar. It seems hard to believe that there could be a backlash against something as practical and helpful as being frugal, but apparently there is. This is a well-written analysis of why a backlash exists.

What are your favorite frugality posts?

This week’s Frugal Friday tip is quick and simple.

We all know that it’s cheaper to eat at home, but sometimes you just can’t avoid eating out. Maybe your family is traveling (as mine did recently), or maybe you just ran out of things to cook.

Whatever the case, your family finds themselves at a restaurant. The restaurant tab could cost your family a lot unless you plan carefully.

We’ve discovered that the portions offered at most restaurants are more than enough to serve two people. Whenever possible, my husband and I share one meal and my daughters share another. Not only does this practice save our family money, but it also keeps us from overeating.

What if you’re eating alone, though? The solution is simple. Divide your meal into two equal portions and ask for a takeout container. Put one of the portions into the takeout container (if you are in a hotel room with a refrigerator the second portion can be your lunch tomorrow) and eat first portion at the table.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Check it out! I’m the H.O.W. feature over at the Home Office Women blog.

While you’re there, you’ll want to check out the many helpful posts about products and services for the home office.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Over at Casual Keystrokes is blogging about a fun, yet important contest:
Win A Design-her Gals Gift Certificate And Join Me On A Virtual Walk.

The contest is fun because it’s sponsored by a fun site: Design-her Gals that lets you create a virtual self. Did you play with paper dolls when you were little? This is a lot like that.

(I spent about a half hour creating a virtual self. If I can figure out how to post her here, I will. Otherwise, you’ll just have to take my word for it — this was fun!)

The contest is important because the proceeds go to benefit women diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer survivors.

What are you waiting for? Go over to Char’s blog and read all about it and then enter.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

What color crayon would you be?

I took the test, and here is how it came out:

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors. You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius. Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way. While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme.Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.

What Color Crayon Are You?

I think it’s ironic that I chose yellow for my bedroom color when I was very little. Most little girls choose pink, but I chose yellow.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.