Banish Dry Skin with this Natural Body Scrub Recipe

My skin takes an absolute beating during the winter months, and once in a while a little exfoliation is in order. But, did you know that the majority of face and body washes, scrubs and exfoliators currently found in stores are actually doing more harm than good?  

Have you ever thought about what the exfoliating agent in store-bought facial exfoliant products actually is? 
It's plastic. Small plastic particles called "microbeads", to sound more appealing. Often they are disguised as polyethylene and polypropylene in the ingredients. 
They may do a great job at exfoliating, but have you ever thought about where those little plastic particles go when they wash down the drain? Right into our water systems. 
Since they're plastic, they don't dissolve or breakdown over time. Instead they begin to absorb toxins from pollutants like pesticides, oil and flame-retardants, further contaminating our water supply. Not only that, they resemble fish eggs and other small organisms, all of which many aquatic species feed on. 
So they are entering the food chain, harming the wildlife, and accumulating toxins in the water we drink and the fish that we eat. Great. 
Do you really want to use that on your body? The answer should be no. 
That's why I've opted to create my own body scrub, such as this all natural Peppermint Grapefruit Body Scrub. 
The smell of this scrub makes you forget about what the weather looks like outside, and instantly transports you to a warmer place. Peppermint and grapefruit are the perfect "wake up" scents, sugar is the perfect all natural exfoliator and coconut oil is the perfect moisturizer. 
This scrub is all natural perfection.  
Peppermint Grapefruit Body Scrub
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• zest of 1 grapefruit
• 3 tbsp grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1/4 tsp beet juice (optional, for colour)

Directions:

1. Place the firm coconut oil and sugar in a bowl. Mix together until a thick paste of formed. 
2. Add the grapefruit zest and juice, peppermint oil, and if desired, beet juice. Mix to incorporate.
3. When not in use, store in air-tight jar in fridge.

"Give your skin & the environment some love this winter w/ this all natural scrub #recipe." Click to tweet.

I should note, there are some fantastic products out there that use all natural exfoliating agents such sea salt, coconut husks and apricot shells. If making your own is too much and you still opt to buy, please do your research in advance. 
Your skin, and the environment, will thank you.To learn more about microbeads in the environment, check this out.
Have you ever tried a homemade body scrub? What are your favourite all natural products?

*This post contains affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Purchasing through these links helps support To & Fro. Thank you!

All Natural Whipped Belly Butter

It’s interesting what pregnancy does to your body, aside from the obvious of what’s going on inside. On the plus side, my hair and nails have been growing like weeds and have never looked better.  But, on the other hand, my skin is like that of a 13 year old, and not just on my face. And I can’t forget to mention the dryness and itchiness, thanks to that rapidly expanding belly. 

For the past few weeks that I've checked my pregnancy app, two little words have been staring back that I just dread - stretch marks. I know it's inevitable that they will come, and when they do I should consider them a 'badge of honour', but dammit, I am going to try as hard as I can to prevent them. 

When it comes to my skin, all natural has been the way to go. Lately, that's been more important than ever now that baby is on board. While there are many products on the market that remedy the dryness and itchiness of stretching skin, a lot contain some not-so-friendly ingredients that have no business being near baby. 

Are you expecting? Try this recipe for an all natural whipped belly butter, my secret weapon from day 1. It is easy to whip up at home, easy to apply and has a calming scent. Enjoy!

All Natural Whipped Belly Butter

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp shea butter
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp sweet almond oil
• 3 tsp vitamin e oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Directions:

1. In a double boiler on medium-low heat, combine butters and almond oil and heat until melted.
2. Allow mixture to cool completely (i.e. place bowl in freezer for 15-30 minutes).
3. Spoon cooled mixture in Kitchen Aid mixing bowl.
4. Add vitamin E oil and essential oils. (By adding the essential oils once removed from the heat, you ensure the integrity of the essential oils won't be damaged.)
5. Using whisk attachment, whip on high speed 6-7 minutes or until whipped to a light, airy consistency.
6. Spoon whipped body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly.
7. Store at room temperature, or refrigerate if your house is warm enough that it melts the oil.
8. Apply daily during pregnancy and after birth. 

The above ingredients are all safe and beneficial for you and your growing baby. Here are their benefits: 

• Lavender essential oil is healing and calming.  It also nourishes broken, cracked skin.
• Frankincense oil promotes cellular health and calms and soothes the skin.
• Vitamin E oil is moisturizing and highly nourishing.  It also prolongs the life of your butter.
• Sweet almond oil contains vitamins A and E.  It contains a large amount of antioxidants which help skin appear younger.
• Coconut oil is extremely healing. It is full of antioxidants and Vitamin E.
• Shea butter helps rebuild collagen which is broken down when the skin ages or becomes damaged.

*I recommend applying this body butter right after the shower. It is oily, so allow it to dry on your skin before putting on your clothes.

Do you have your own secret recipe for keeping your skin moisturized? 

3 Favourite Batty's Bath All Natural Skin Care Products

This month I'm welcoming Batty's Bath back to T.O. & fro! Batty's Bath is a botanical skin care and soap company based in southern Ontario and every. single. product. is lovingly hand-crafted using planet-friendly, people-friendly and animal-friendly ingredients. Amazing. 
It has been almost a full year since I ditched my chemical-loaded lotions and potions and started using Batty's Bath all natural skin care products. The switch to all natural routine was a no brainer for me, but also something I had absolutely no knowledge about. Luckily,Batty thought of a way to help those like me. Not only does she hand craft quality products, her shop website and blog are loaded with extremely useful tips for people with all skin types, including Q&A, customer product reviews and plenty of videos and helpful articles.  
I have tried almost a dozen of Batty's products, and have not been disappointed by a single one. I've even got my sister in law and one of my girlfriends hooked, and I'm sure they would say the same.  However, for the sake of this post, I had to narrow it own to my top 3 favourite Batty's Bath products. Here's what I chose, and why.

(Photos courtesy of Batty's Bath)

1..  Mineral Cream Concealer

This is the newest Batty's Bath product to be added to my skin care routine, and probably my favourite. In a nutshell, the mineral cream concealer is 100% natural, won't clog pores, is safe for acne prone and sensitive skin, contains light sun blocking ingredients and is conditioning and moisturizing. It provides coverage for a range of my “bad face days”, from under eye circles when I need more sleep to the visitors that pop up on my chin during that time of the month. Comes in two shades: warm sand (light) and cocoa cream (medium).

2..  Patchouli & Grapefruit Olive Oil Facial Soap

This soap is for you if you often have break outs and are looking for a soap to help you get your problem skin under control or you're looking for a soap to keep your skin clean, controlled, smooth, and soft. The bar works in two different ways - the patchouli side is used to helps calm break outs, while the grapefruit side purifies congested, oily and acne prone skin to reduce future breakouts. This facial olive oil soap is packed with skin loving olive oil, which provides excellent moisturizing benefits, and the grapefruit and patchouli scents make it smell amazing!

3..  Patchouli Facial Moisturizer

While it took my skin a few days to get over the shock of moving from a chemical-loaded moisturizer to an all natural one, I have not looked back since making the switch. Batty has several types of moisturizers, but I picked this one in particular because it was specifically made for sensitive and problem skin. Patchouli oil is a powerhouse when it comes to essential oils - it is excellent at calming acne prone skin and heals inflammation, acne, dermatitis, sores and eczema. Not to mention, its earthy smell is fantastic.

Do you have an all natural skin care routine? 
Have you tried Batty's Bath? What is your favourite product? Which would you like to try?

Interested in trying some of Batty's Bath skin care products? Sign up for the Batty's Bath newsletter to receive a free shipping code, and stay tuned for her North American free shipping days!

Other Batty's Bath posts:

Introducing Batty's Bath

Behind the Scenes at Batty's Bath

Batty's Bath Skin Mapping

Batty's Bath: Another Happy Customer

Where to find Batty: Shop  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

*This is a sponsored post, however, I truly believe in this shop/product or else I would not share. All opinions are 100% my own. 

5 Tips to Green Your Bathroom

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturalGoodness #CollectiveBias

The bathroom is where we begin and end each day, with a variety of routines designed to help keep us healthy. It is also a hotspot for overindulgent water use, excessive paper waste, chemically-loaded cleaning products and lots and lots of plastic.

Have you ever thought that the decisions you make in the bathroom can not only affect you and your family, but also affect the health of the planet we call home? Use these 5 tips to green your bathroom and reduce your impact on the planet.

1.  Clean the air. The bathroom is usually the most humid room in the house. Excess humidity causes mould which can spur allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues. Make sure your bathroom is ventilated properly by opening windows, installing an exhaust vent, turning on a fan after showering or even adding an oxygen-producing plants. By moving air through the bathroom, you’ll remove the moisture the mould needs to grow. And no toxic mould means no need for harsh chemicals.  

2.  Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Reduce the amount of water consumed by installing low-flow toilets and shower heads, taking shorter showers and turning off the taps while washing your face and brushing your teeth. Reuse products whenever possible, such as towels and rags instead of paper towels to wipe down the bathroom. A number of items used in the bathroom can be recycled, including shampoo and body wash bottles, empty aerosol cans, empty toilet paper rolls and plastic bags and wrappers. 

3.  Upgrade your lighting. If you haven’t already made the switch from incandescent or CFL bulbs to LEDs, now is the time. LEDs generate less heat, consume 80% less energy and last 25 times longer. Switching to LEDs is one of the simplest ways to cut down on your energy bill and save money. Remember to only use lights in the bathroom when absolutely necessary and get in the habit of turning off bathroom lights when you’re done.

4.  Nix the chemicals. Standard household cleaning products are loaded with harsh chemicals, which can be detrimental to your health as well as the planet’s. That skull and crossbones symbol does stand for ‘hazardous’, which should be the number one clue. Luckily, you have everything in your kitchen cupboards to get you started on creating all natural cleaning products. A bit of baking soda and vinegar goes a long way and will leave your bathroom sparkling.

5. Go all natural. Similar to bathroom cleaning products, your bath soap, shampoo and even your toothpaste contain chemicals that can damage your body. A good rule to live by - if you can’t pronounce the name of the ingredients in your personal care products, you shouldn’t use them. 

As a user of all natural face wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, we recently made the switch to the natural Tom's of Maine® Simply White® Clean Mint Cavity Protection Toothpaste (4.7 oz).

Found in the toothpaste aisle at your local Walmart, Tom's of Maine® products are made in Maine and do not contain artificial colours, flavours, fragrances, preservatives, animal ingredients. All toothpaste packaging is recyclable, and products are not tested on animals. Aside from toothpaste, Tom's of Maine® also offers other natural products like deodorant, bar soap, and mouthwash. You can learn more about the products' ingredients, including their purpose and source, by visiting the Tom's of Maine® website.

Interested in trying Tom's of Maine® Toothpaste? Check out the roaming demos happening in select Neighbourhood Walmart locations on September 19. Demos feature select Tom's of Maine® products, including samples and coupons. Check to see if they’re coming to a store near you here. 

Don’t stop in the bathroom, challenge yourself to go green in other areas of your home!

What natural choices do you make for your family? Have you ever tried Tom's of Maine®  products? I'd love to hear!

Batty's Bath: Another Happy Customer

This month I'm welcoming Batty's Bath back to t.o. & fro! Batty's Bath is a botanical skin care and soap company based in southern Ontario and every. single. product. is lovingly hand-crafted using planet-friendly, people-friendly and animal-friendly ingredients. Amazing. I'm not the only one that is hooked on Batty's products. My sister-in-law recently took the leap from using expensive creams, lotions and potions to going all-natural. Another happy customer. Here's her story:

How would you describe your skin before using Batty's Bath? I have dealt with rosacea for as long as I can remember. My skin has acne-like bumps, is dry in some places, oily in others, and overall, unbalanced. The red flushing over my cheeks and nose and sensitivity that come along with the rosacea comes and goes in varying degrees, and with no apparent cause.
Why did you decide to start using the products? It has been very difficult for me to find something that works for my rosacea, and I have spent a lot of money trying. I've been prescribed creams before, but did not like to idea of using steroids or antibiotics on my face, so I wanted something that was more natural. I was hooked when I heard Batty's products were all natural, and local. I instantly loved her website and how she provides resources for varying degrees of problem skin, from rosacea to eczema,  and explains every single product in great detail, including recommended routines and ingredients.  It was very clear that she has a passion for making quality products and helping people achieve healthy skin.
What products are you currently using? I am currently using the rosacea skin care kit which contains the primer facial moisturizer, quick tint antioxidant moisturizer, soothing cleanser, wet clay mask and charcoal cold press soap.  

(Photos courtesy of Batty's Bath)

I also occasionally use the grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap for acne prone skin, and the mineral cream concealer (in warm sand) and mineral makeup foundation are part of my daily makeup routine.

grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap // mineral cream concealer // mineral makeup foundation
(Photos courtesy of Batty's Bath)

What is your current skin care routine? One great thing about Batty's kits is that they come with a recommended routine. As per the rosacea kit routine, I wash my face with the soothing cleanser when I wake up in the morning and then apply the primer facial moisturizer to my face and neck. In the evening before bed, I wash my face with the charcoal cold press soap, sometimes after the grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap if I feel my skin is particularly oily, and then apply the quick tint antioxidant moisturizer.  I use the wet clay mask once a week, leaving it on for at least half an hour. In order to detox and calm my skin, I am trying to avoid store-bought makeup filled with chemicals. Instead I use Batty's all-natural mineral makeup daily and absolutely love it! I used to apply a primer before my foundation and concealer,  but have found that I do not need one with Batty's makeup. I understand that using all-natural skin care products are just the first step to a healthier me. I am also trying to sleep more, drink more water, eat better, get more exercise and reduce the overall stress in my life. 
How would you describe your skin after using Batty's Bath? After 2 months of use, my skin is much more clear and balanced, and the rosacea-related redness has definitely subsided. I have even received compliments from friends, family and coworkers!
Will you use Batty's Bath products in the future? Absolutely!

Interested in trying some of Batty's Bath skin care products? Sign up for the Batty's Bath newsletter to receive a free shipping code! Stay tuned for her North American free shipping day on December 1, 2014, just in time for Christmas :) 

Other Batty's Bath posts:

Introducing Batty's Bath

Behind the Scenes at Batty's Bath

Batty's Bath Skin Mapping

Where to find her:
Website  |  Shop  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Favourite Natural Beauty Brands | Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos

Hello, T.O. & fro readers! I'm Lindsay and I blog at Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos. When Mar and I discussed my post topic, I told her that I was most comfortable writing about beauty: I am in no way a professional, but simply love learning about and experimenting with beauty products and skincare. I spend an inordinate amount of time researching and discussing cosmetics- it's my greatest hobby.

Today, I'm discussing two of my favorite beauty brands that also happen to be natural!

TARTE

I’m all about drugstore makeup, but some brands are worth the splurge. Tarte is one of them. I’d been a BareMinerals fanatic for years and, after trying Amazonian Clay, I immediately converted. I’m sorry, BareMinerals fans, but Tarte’s product is better. The brand also claims to be all natural and cruelty-free; their products are made from ingredients like clay, maracuja, and pomegranate, while still remaining glamorous. I’m slowly building a Tarte arsenal full of foundation and brushes and mascara. It's all wonderful and beautiful. Don't want to commit to one thing? Try the Discovery Set (below). 

All photos courtesy of tartecosmetics.com 

Sweet Kisses Lip Set // Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara // Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation // The Slenderizer Contouring Brush // Lipsurgence Matte Lip Tint // Cheek Stain // Tartlette 101 Discovery Set //  

LUSH

Lush is my skincare and shower go-to brand. Not only are Lush's products some of the best on the market, the company is committed to using fresh ingredients and safe synthetics and believe in transparent communication when discussing both components. I was introduced to their famous bath bombs a few years ago and consider them one of my favorite products of all time! They leave my skin feeling incredibly soft (and don't stain the bathtub!). The shower gel, hand cream, and cleansers are all fabulous choices as well! Their wrapped gift sets make perfect presents for the ladies in your life; I'm especially fond of their holiday-themed packages! Check out my favorites below.

Added bonuses: they're currently running a campaign called #banthebead to raise awareness regarding the harmful environmental effects of microbeads, which are found in many face washes.They suggest using natural exfoliants such as nuts and shells instead. Also, many Lush products are sold in black pots which are made of recyclable plastic. For every five empty, clean pots you bring back to Lush, you'll get a face mask free!

All photos courtesy of lushusa.com 

Mask of Magnaminty Face and Body Mask // Angels on Bare Skin Balancing Lavender Cleanser // Dark Angels Charcoal Cleanser // Flying Fox Shower Gel // Big Blue Bath Bomb // Space Girl Bath Bomb // Glamorous Lipstick // Helping Hands Hand Lotion // Hello Sunshine Gift Set              

Have you tried either brand? What are your thoughts?

New to Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos? Start here:

Let's Chat: I Have a Big Butt (and that's Okay)  |  Perfection  |  Lessons 

Find Lindsay here: Blog  |  Bloglovin'  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

The Perfect Cold & Flu Remedy - Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

While spring may be slowly starting to creep into the air, sadly, cold and flu season has not yet started saying its goodbyes. Prepare to battle the bug with my family's go-to, this all natural recipe for Honey Lemon Ginger Tea.

All of the ingredients in this all natural, do-it-yourself tea have their own natural medicinal qualities and when combined, they create a calming and relaxing tea that can ease those dreaded cold and flu symptoms and boost your immune system. 

Lemon is high in vitamin C, which keeps the immune system strong and neutralizes the free radicals in your body, reducing inflammation and swelling. 

Ginger helps you sweat out the toxins in your body and is also helpful for settling upset stomachs, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and cold sweats. 

And last, but definitely not least, honey soothes a sore throat, making it an effective and natural cough suppressant. The natural sweetness of honey also balances the tartness of the lemon and spiciness of the ginger.

Sweet, spicy and one of the best drinks to have during the winter, honey lemon ginger tea is power-packed with some incredible health and body care benefits.

Lemon Honey Ginger Tea

Serves: 1 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups water
• 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thin
• 1 lemon, juiced (approximately 4 tbsp)
• 1 tsp honey

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add ginger and cover. 
2. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes, covered. If you like it spicier, allow to steep for longer.
3. Strain liquid into large mug of choice. Discard the ginger.
4. Add lemon juice and honey, and carefully stir to combine.

Home Chef Tip #1: To get the maximum amount of juice from your lemon, place the lemon on a hard, flat surface and using the palm of your hand, roll like you are kneading dough.

Home Chef Tip #2:  If available, purchase locally cultivated honey. Not only will this help you support local small businesses, but it will also help conserve the honey bees.

How do you fight the dreaded cold and flu? Any homemade recipes? I'd love to hear!

Bringing Home Baby: New Family Survival Kit

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SkinCareForBaby #CollectiveBias

Bringing home baby is such a surreal experience. One minute you are a family of two, and then all of a sudden you have a tiny human to take care of. Lots of big changes. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind, and slowly, the fog is starting to lift. A huge THANK YOU to everyone for their messages about the arrival of our little beauty, Morley. She may only be 2 weeks old, but she sure is loved.

When it came to 'surviving' the first week at home with baby, there were many items that came in handy. Do you know someone that's expecting? A new family survival kit is a quick and easy way to add some help and cheer to those first few days, or weeks, with baby. Give this kit at a baby shower, take it to the hospital when you visit or have it waiting for the new family when they get home. No matter when you share it, it will be greatly appreciated. Trust me. 

How to Make a "New Family Survival Kit"

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

The list of what to include in the basket can go on and on, but to keep it simple and useful, here are a few things to include for mom, dad and baby, and some fun, non-essentials:

Items for mom: Reusable water bottle, nipple cream, sanitary pads, witch hazel, nursing pads, razors, epsom salts

Items for mom & dad: Hand soap, hand sanitizer, hand moisturizer, toothpaste, phone charger, snacks

Items for baby: Sleepers and onesies, towels and baby soap, swaddle blankets, soothers, petroleum jelly, diapers, wipes, vitamin D drops (if breastfeeding), socks, hat & mittens

Other fun, optional items to include: mom & dad coffee mugs, single use coffee pods, journal, nail polish and file, non-alcoholic bubbly, hard books, baby toy

WHAT TO DO:

1.  To create this 'survival kit', first find a basket large enough for all of the goodies. 
2.  Add some tissue paper to the bottom of the basket. 
3.  Place larger items in the back, with smaller items towards the front, so that every item is visible. 
4.  Fill any empty spaces with extra tissue. 
5.  Either gift basket as is, or wrap with clear cellophane and bow. 
6.  Feel free to add or subtract items as per your choice and need.  7.  If you know what gender the baby is, you can always tailor the basket.

Since Morley was born, we have tried several different diaper brands trying to find "the one". I can truthfully say, Huggies® has the other brands beat. Huggies® Little Snugglers Diapers (sizes N-3) have a built-in colour-changing wetness indicator that lets you know when baby’s diaper is ready to be changed, without having to remove it, and the GentleAbsorb Liner (sizes N-2) has tiny, soft pillows that provide a cushiony layer of protection. The umbilical cord cutout makes them perfect for newborns because they are perfectly shaped to protect healing little belly buttons. I am very conscious of what I put on my own skin, and also want what's best for baby's. I was drawn to Huggies® Natural Care Wipes because they are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, perfect for new, sensitive skin. The TripleClean* Layers are thick enough to handle any mess, with a texture that's soft against your baby's skin. These two Huggies® products are best utilized as one solution to deliver great skin care for baby.

Huggies® Little Snugglers Diapers (Jumbo Pack) and Natural Care Wipes (64 sheets) can be found in the baby section at your local Walmart. Walmart has a great selection of all things baby - from sleepers and onesies to diapers and wipes - and thanks to their great value, has helped us stock up on all of the essentials. 

Have you used Huggies® Little Snugglers Diapers or Natural Care Wipes? What would you add to a "New Family Survival Kit"?

Baby Products I'm Loving Lately | 4 Months

Guys, the living room of our teeny tiny one bed room apartment looks like a mini amusement park. Baby gadgets and gizmos eeevvveeerrrryyyywhere. From swings to mats, jumpers and more, who knew a 4 month old could come with so. much. stuff?! 

Thoughts of amusement parks aside, there are some baby gadgets that we couldn't live without. Today, I'm sharing 5 [smaller] baby products that I'm loving this month.

5 Baby Products I'm Loving Lately

1.  Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Pacifier & Toy Wipes 
Morley is at the stage where everything goes in her mouth, which means I am constantly cleaning toys, soothers and her hands. Made from bamboo cloth, these Aleva wipes are gentle, green, unbleached and 100% biodegradable. They contain certified organic aloe vera which has skin healing benefits, including relieving inflammation, redness and itching. The package of 30 wipes is designed to conveniently fit in your diaper bag - perfect for the on the go baby.

2.  Philips AVENT Bottle to Cup Trainer Kit
Miss Independent has started learning how to hold her own bottle. And while she still has some work to do, this Natural trainer kit will help ease her into her first 'big girl' cup. The comfort grips allow baby to hold the bottle independently while drinking from the familiar nipple, and, when they're ready, the nipple easily switches to the silicone spout to complete the transition. Suitable for babies 4 months and up and comes in pink, blue and transparent BPA-free coloured bottles. 

If you use AVENT baby products, don't forget to sign up for the AVENT Instant Advantage Card at your local Babies R Us. With this card, you'll receive 10% off your AVENT purchases!

3.  Oball Rollin' Rainstick
We have 3 Oballs in the toy box and this one is hands down Morley's favourite. Featuring multi-coloured beads that make raindrop sounds and 30 fingers holes for grasping, the Oball Rollin' Rainstick encourages interactive play and helps improve baby's coordination. Made from strong, durable, BPA-free, yet soft, plastic, it is also suitable for teething babes and very easy to clean. Oball products come in various shapes, sizes and colours and are recommended for babies 3 months and up.

4.  Huggies® Little Swimmers® Disposable Swim Pants

Morley recently started swimming lessons and the pool she is at requires all infant swimmers to wear a special swim diaper. Little Swimmers® Disposable Swim Pants are made with unique absorbent material that won't swell in water. Their Finding Dory design and stretchy side material not only makes them look fancy, but also provides a comfortable fit for baby. Swim pants comes in three different sizes - small (16-26 lb.), medium (24-34 lb.) and large (33+ lb.).

5.  JOHNSON'S® Natural Nourishing Baby Lotion
When it comes to Morley's sensitive skin, we only want what's best.  JOHNSON'S® natural nourishing baby lotion is 99% natural with nourishing plant and fruit-sourced ingredients such as coconut, palm, cottonseed and soybean, and is free of paragons, silicones, dyes, animal byproducts, phthalates and more. Made with  JOHNSON'S® ALLERFREE® natural fragrance, this lotion is clinically proven to moisturize for 24 hours to help strengthen baby’s natural skin barrier, leaving skin feeling nourished and soft all day. The pump bottle allows for easy dispensing, and the formula applies nicely, not leaving the baby's skin feeling sticky. 

And a product for the mamas...

//  via  //

6.  HASK Bamboo Oil Strengthening Hair Care Collection*

Pregnancy does wonders on your hair they say. What no one told me is what post-baby does to your hair. Before learning about the benefits of bamboo, I would have been skeptical try the HASK Bamboo Oil Strengthening collection. However, since I love trying new beauty products, especially those made with natural ingredients, I was excited when I received the entire Bamboo Oil collection free to review. Bamboo oil is proven to strengthen hair and deliver essential nutrients that revive weakened and lifeless strands. Perfect for my postpartum hair. Since having a baby, my hair has been very fragile and feels very thin. Not only does this product smell great, but after a few weeks of use, it left my hair feeling soft and much stronger than it was prior to using. I also received the Deep Conditioner and Hair Shine Oil free to try, and while they also smell fantastic, as a new mom I am limited on time in the shower, and would therefore prefer to just use the Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner. I would definitely recommend this product to a friend that was experiencing damage and breakage, or one that enjoy trying new and natural products (especially one that does not test on animals). 

Check out other baby products I've been loving lately: 1 month  |  2 months

Have you tried any of the above products? What are your thoughts? 

*I received these products free for review, however, all opinions are 100% my own.