Posts by Editor-in-Chief

I am obsessed with cleaning products!  But let me say first before you think I am a super clean freak and obsessed with the process of “cleaning”, I am not.  In fact, I hate dusting and cleaning!  I guess it’s just because I am always so busy that cleaning takes a back seat.  I do however, clean all bathrooms and the kitchen all the time.  I started to get away from all the chemically enhanced cleaning products because, one… I hate the smell, and two… I hate how I feel when I’m cleaning.  I hate feeling the overwhelming need to cough when I inhale cleaning products!  I hate it!  With that said, I was so happy when I heard about Replenish!  OMG…why haven’t I heard of this product sooner?  I don’t know!

Lets start off with it’s history.  It started back in 2006 when the founder of Replenish was ironing his shirts.  {Hello…he irons… that right there says a lot!}  I digress, instead of adding regular ole water to the iron, he started thinking of how he can create a concentrated cleaning solution that was easy to mix that used only one bottle.  That’s enough to make you go “hmmm”, right?

Needless to say, Replenish was born!  Their products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and 99% plant-derived so it is not irritating to human skin!  It can be used safely ANYWHERE!  You have no idea how much I LOVE this!  I recently tried the “Sun Lemon” scent and I can’t even describe what I smell.  It is so clean and refreshing.  It actually makes me happy when I am cleaning up the nasty spilled on counter top!  You can smell it from across the room.  Oh, it just makes me happy!

Now, why is this product so special?  It is a reusable bottle system that is like no other.  If you want to cut down on the cost of plastic, oil, and reduce carbon emissions then you have found the product for you.  The bottle itself is completely reusable and is 100% recyclable.   To start off, you would buy the bottle and it comes with one “pod” for roughly $6.99.  Each “pod” provides you with three bottles worth of cleaning solution.  That comes to about  $2.33 PER bottle!  When you are finished with the”pod”, you simply toss that and replace it with a “refill pod” that costs about $3.79 each {again, it has enough solution to fill three bottles} so, looking at it as a cost effective way to clean, using the refill comes to $1.26 PER bottle!  Come on…really!

How does it work?  It’s really a simple 4 step process.

1. Remove the seal and reattach the “pod” to the bottom of the bottle.

2. Flip the bottle over and squeeze the “pod” to fill the measuring cup.

3. Flip back to upright position and slowly add water to the bottle.

4. Start cleaning!

I honestly cannot say anything bad about this product.  It cleans great, it is cost effective, it smells wonderful, it’s safe for the whole family {including the dog} and it is completely reusable.  The only thing is, you can’t find Replenish every where.  {It’s only found at Dominick’s food stores where I am at.}  BUT… I would HAPPILY purchase this product from their online shop.  It is that good!

Mothers Day is only a few days away, but whether she is a new mom or a seasoned veteran mom, these products are sure to bring a smile to her face! Fashionably late is in, right?

Honorable Mothers Day Mention:

Lee Skalkos is a self taught silversmith, who majored in Illustration in college. After making jewelry full time for a number of years, Lee took a break from silver to have her two children. When Lee’s husband’s step father passed away, her five year old daughter drew a picture of him and her grandmother holding a balloon, to cheer her grandmother up. This was a very special drawing that needed to be preserved. It was then that the whole idea of Child Artwork Jewelry™ was born. What better way to preserve your child’s drawings? It is the perfect mothers day gift. Lee makes earrings, pendants, key chains, pin, tie tacks, cufflinks and charms. Perfect also for Fathers Day!

Other great gifts include:

 

This Hydrangea Melon Pom Pom Scarf is the perfect pop of color for those upcoming warm breezy evenings catching a late little league game.

Score! Rose Gold Mineral Brush Set by SEPHORA this gift is one of those items Mama wants but won’t by for herself…. just sayin’

Cover ups don’t have to look frumpy! This Persia Melon Beach Tunic is ‘the’ cover-up for that beach vacay you have planned.

If Mommy’s Pinterest is pinned full of nail art, a bouquet of Essie nail polish will surely make her happy.

It is no SURPRISE Mamas love their pictures…. but sometimes our pictures are stuck in our computers

Be a hero and make a photo book and pick it up the SAME DAY!

Natural Hydrating Lip Gloss with a Light & Mirror by Pure Illuminations Cosmetics will sooth and protect lips with a moisturizing blend of medical-grade lanolin, sweet almond oil, jojoba and vitamin E! With its LED Light and attached mirror, mom can apply her favorite color any time, any where, and will always look polished!

 

Mom will “oooh” and “aaahhh” with 100% natural peppermint foot cream by Keep Buzzin’ Body Products! All their products are Earth-Friendly, ultra concentrated 100% natural, sustainable and vegan and contains no lanolin, petrolatum, oxy benzone, paraben, phthalates, added color, carmine, sulfates, and is never tested on animals! Keep Buzzin Body Products are good for your body and good for the planet!

Send your mom a special message in this unique stainless steel heart shaped envelope available on Limoges Jewelry Engrave a special message up to three lines, twelve letters and spaces per line.

Sports Moms will love this personalized stainless steel hand stamped washer with two swarovski crystals and one gold or silver plated charm. This can be customized to most any sport and is available at Lauriginal Designs on Etsy.

Are you looking for a truly unique iPad Case that will give you great memories every time you pick it up? Then look no further! This case will have 10 of your photos professionally arranged on the cover and includes a matching iPad wallpaper! 10-Photo Collage iPad Case by Bubblegum Basics™ can be found at iselltshirts on Etsy.

Give mom the best selling scent this Mothers Day! Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is a complete floral explosion! Flowerbomb is packed with Sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, cattleya orchid, and ballerina freesia bloom on a base of patchouli.

If mom loves to go on bike rides and is always fumbling with her keys, money, credit/debit cards, than this is a must have for her! The Bike Handlebar Wristlet attaches simply…and easily to bicycle handlebars, shopping carts and strollers! For every day us, it can be used as a super cute wristlet!

So, Mom loves to garden, huh? How about helping her stay organized during planting season with the Seed Keeper. The Seed Keeper allows you to organize, record and store all gardening needs in one place.

There are so many other products that mom would love to receive this weekend. If all else fails and you don’t know what to get her, how about just spending some good, quality time together. All moms really want is to feel loved and appreciated by their children and spouse. It doesn’t have to cost a lot where money is concerned, it just needs to come from your heart. If it does, she will love it…guaranteed!

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful Moms out there! Let us know what is on your Mothers Day list!

So you want to change up your look without making any permanent alterations. Many of us are stuck in the “straight or curly?” dilemma when styling our hair. For some reason it just seems quicker to run an iron through your hair then spend time creating a “style.” Miami beach salon owner and stylist to stars like Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, and Padma Lakshmi, Danny Jelaca suggests trying some of these “no-time” hair styles that will amp up your normal look.

Photos courtesy Google Images

1.     Got bed head or messy gym hair? Work with it. Add some texturizing balm and scrunch the hair into beach waves. To polish off the look form waves into a side braid and add a thin headband loosely on the center of your head.

2.     How about a classy low bun perfect for work or school? First, collect hair in a low ponytail. Twist the ponytail and form around the band. You can decorate by throwing in 3-4 different thicknesses of braids to makes the look more interesting. Also, you can tease the ponytail and wrap it around for a more messy and tousled look. To finish, pin strands in place with bobby pins.

3.     Shock your friends with a faux bob. A faux bob is executed by taking the length and pulling it out while letting any shorter layers fall into a bob style. Start by attaching a hair band near the end of a ponytail. Then, roll the pony under and inward toward the nape of your neck and secure with pins. Let the shorter layers on top come loose and fall into the bob style. Perfect the style with a finishing spray.

 

 MEET DANNY JELACA, MASTER STYLIST

 Danny Jelaca is a renowned expert when it comes to the art of creating beautiful hair. Originally from Chicago, Jelaca has been based in South Beach for two decades, most notably at the famed Stella Salon where he served as Styling Director for 13 years. As such he’s developed a highly devoted following amongst South Florida’s social elite as well as celebrities and dignitaries from points near and far. Among the bold-faced beauties he’s worked with: Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Cameron Diaz, Milla Jovovich, Catherine Deneuve, Denise Richards, Padma Lakshmi, Elsa Benitez, Kelly Preston, Dayanara Torres, Elizabeth Berkley and Talisa Soto to name a few.

 

Outside of the salon, Jelaca—recognized by Allure as one of Miami’s top stylists—is frequently called upon to work his magic at fashion shows and editorial shoots. He’s styled runway presentations for the likes of Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg, Elie Saab, Donna Karan, Robert Rodriguez and Talbot Runhof. In addition to Allure, he’s also been featured in Elle, Lucky, InStyle, Ocean Drive, Self, The Miami Herald, Brides, Redbook, Vanidades and Selecta.

 

His latest venture is the opening of his eponymous salon Danny Jelaca located in South Beach’s prestigious South Pointe neighborhood.  The salon offers various hair services including hairstyling, coloring, treatments and extensions. Danny Jelaca is an exclusive “Premier Salon” provider of the complete line of Leonor Greyl luxury hair care products and specializes in Leonor Greyl HairSpa Treatments. Leonor Greyl is the brand specialist in hair treatments using only high-grade natural ingredients—all environmentally safe. For more information on products and services please visit his website www.DannyJelaca.com or call (305) 604-9696.

I had requested on my Baby Swags Celebrity Gifting Facebook page that our “Likers” share one of their most favorite products they carry or make.  Jennifer, owner of Babee Talk shared her eco-friendly, organic baby product and I instantly fell in love with it too!  I am out of the baby stage {kid wise} but I swear, if I had a baby, I would be out buying her adorable little guys and anything else she comes up with!  I mean, seriously take a look…wouldn’t you buy them up too?

Going green is easy at Babee Talk.  They know the importance of child safety, health and happiness.  That is why Babee Talk designed Eco-Buds Take-Along Pals for your child.  There is nothing like being surrounded by plush toys that are not only snuggly, but also organic!  Their eco-friendly design makes these toys a must for your child.  With no harmful chemicals in our products, parents can be comforted with the satisfaction that their child is very happy with his or her Eco-Buds Take-Along Pals without sacrificing safety.

Babee Talk has an assortment of organic toys that combines the safety of organic materials with the beauty of modern, eco-friendly design.   Their delightful collection of toys was designed to hang from our innovative, organic crib bedding  (currently in production due to be available summer 2013).  Eco-Buds™ can also attach to strollers, carriers, high chairs and more!  Babee Talk products are better for your child in every way.  These adorable, plush toys are the perfect size for little hands and are a great take-along companion for your child to snuggle, play with and creatively stimulate your child’s imagination.   Babee Talk products are designed by a mom who knows how important it is to buy organic, safe and healthy products for your child.  Eco-Buds Take-Along Pals are available now, so check them out on www.babeetalk.com.

 

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Honest Company is treating a deserving mom-to-be in the Windy City to a “Honestly Ultimate Baby Shower” hosted by co-founder and actress Jessica Alba this May!  Through The Honest Company’s Facebook application, starting now through the end of the month, Chicagoans can submit their deserving moms-to-be for the chance to win a baby shower she will never forget!  Could it be you?  Will it be you?  You need to hurry because time is running out fellow Chicagoans!  {If you win we want to be invited}!

Here are some more fab dets:  Friends and family can nominate “deserving moms-to-be” for the baby shower via photo/word essay or video entry through a contest application located on Honest’s Facebook page. The definition of “deserving moms-to-be” and the criteria to be judged on is: someone who is working hard to create a safe and healthy environment for her family while dedicating herself to the service of others and charitable work, education, or overcoming adversity. This qualification is parallel to the mission of  The Honest Company whose goal is create a more sustainable planet starting with non-toxic and eco-friendly essentials for every member of the family.

The four winners, chosen by The Honest Company in April, will receive a baby shower for their closest friends and family hosted by Jessica Alba {{{{AAAHHH can you say FUN!!}}}}.  From fun activities to generous gifts from The Honest Company and collaborating family companies, the moms-to-be will be fully prepared to take on this exciting motherhood adventure.

Your dream shower is hosted by Jessica Alba, co-founder of The Honest Company in collaboration with: Land of Nod, Tea Collection, Orbit, Naturepedic, Cloud B, HATCH Collection, Stonyfield, Beco! {AWESOME}

Again, you better hurry because you only have a few days!!  Good luck to you!!