*pam·per* - to treat or gratify with extreme or excessive indulgence, kindness or care.

When was the the last time you felt like the definition listed above? We all know that moms tend to put their needs on the back burner. When this continues, we eventually boil over or worse yet, dry up completely.

So what is the solution? Allowing yourself to feel pampered, without feeling guilty. Yes, without feeling guilty, that is the key. It not just ok for busy moms to take time for themselves, it is a necessity. You will have more patience with your family and co-workers and you will be happier person overall.

Not sure how to go about pampering yourself without feeling guilty? Try Pamper Yourself Tips. A great way to try new ideas that have worked for other busy moms. My favorite is the home spa, the flower petals are amazing! Testimonials are another great way to try something new with just a little more insight.

I know time can be such an issue for many of us. There are many things that you can do in your own home when you get creative or use someone else's creativity. As one testimonial states a shower can be a daily vacation. There are many tantalizing Bath & Body ideas to browse through, so get those creative juices flowing.

Remember it is essential to take some "mom time", so you can be a better, happier mom :)

Spring.........

Spring signifies new beginnings in many ways. You will see flowers starting to bloom and smell their fragrance floating in the air. Watching new born animals playing and sunning themselves on warm spring days is a precious site to see. There is something wonderful and inspiring this time of year. You can almost feel a calming peace in the air, telling you to slow down, relax and enjoy your surroundings.

I know, easier said than done......

Spring is the perfect time to treat yourself to a little indulgence. Now indulgence may mean something different to you than it does to me. I enjoy soaking in the tub with the scent of my Hawaiian Ruby Guava candle lofting in the air and the steam. The best thing about this is I can use my Hawaiian Ruby Guava Body Butter and enjoy that relaxing feeling for hours to come.

Others may enjoy the feeling of floating on cloud in the heavens after using Heavenly Body Wash and Lovely Body Lotion. Or, maybe your idea of pampering is to add accessories to your hair or wardrobe? Mona Lisa clips and hair bands are an exotic fun way for this type of indulgence!

What ever your definition of pampering or indulgence is, the important task is make sure you take some time for you. Self-care, especially with moms is one of the most common forgotten, misplaced or dismissed priorities there is. If you feel that your family comes first, you are right! You are part of that family! Teach your family self-care by example, they'll love you for it

Laundry........................can it be pampering?

Pampering and laundry, two words that I never thought I would use in the same sentence. Enjoy wearing you clothes as you wash them in luxuriousness. Imagine, washing your bedding in a detergent that will keep it soft and smelling so fabulous you won't want to get out of bed!

Wash delicates with Laundress Delicate Wash and you will feel the pampering begin. Gently cleanse your favorite delicates while keeping them silky soft. The Laundress Lady scent is sexy and gives you that extra bit of confidence.

When you do laundry, you want to know that is clean and fresh. When you use Laundress Baby Detergent you will be fighting stains while keeping baby's laundry and yours, soft and gentle on skin.

Pampering comes in many forms so why not make laundry one of those forms. Since laundry has to be a fact of life, make it as enjoyable as possible while pampering yourself and your family!

Pamper Yourself Healthy!

There are so many ways stress sneaks into our lives. There's not enough hours in the day to get done what needs done. With chores to be finished, meals to be cooked and laundry to be washed, no wonder we are stressed out.

Regular relaxation offers numerous health benefits such as decreasing your risk of heart attack. When too much adrenaline and cortisone is released into your body blood pressure can be raised. One sure way to reduce stress is to enjoy a relaxing shower with Stress Buster Shower Steamers. Even with the huge demands on us, it is vital that we stay healthy. It has been proven that stress suppresses the immune system, combat stress with Koppla. By encouraging normal blood flow this citrus flavored beverage will allow more oxygen to reach the brain during times of stress.

It is important, now more than ever to reduce the every day stresses we face. Forty three percent of adults suffer adverse health affects from stress. Two thirds of all visits to family physicians are due to stress related symptoms. Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death in the United States. You may think you don't have time to take time for yourself, but really, do you want to risk it?

Relax without taking time out of your day by using a Herbal Dream Pillow. As you breathe in the calming aroma while sleeping, stress will fade away.

Pamper yourself healthy, find a little peace and rejuvenate you mind, body and soul. Look at it as mental health protection.

Tired Dry Feet?

The older I get, the drier my feet seem to get, especially during the winter. I want to have pretty, soft looking feet for those fun flirty summer shoes.

I have done a little research and found that if you wear cotton socks instead of synthetic, your feet will breathe better and feel more comfortable. Dry skin can be the result of poor nutrition, be sure to drink plenty water and eat healthy foods. Also, poor quality soaps and lotions can actually make your feet drier than if you hadn't used them at all.

My feet love Get Fresh Tattered Tootsies, these products:

• Slough off dead skin
• Buffs heels & toes for smoother, softer skin
• Pumice stone gently removes stubborn dry skin, leaving your feet smooth and polished
• Moisturizes feet with skin-renewing creme that is loaded with Botanicals and Lemongrass for instant relief

Keep toenails trimmed neatly while making sure not to cut to close the skin. Wear shoes that are comfortable fitting and not too snug. All of these hints will help your feet to stay moisturized, soft, and smooth.

Tired, dry, achy sore feet can make your day miserable. If you take care of your feet, the rest of your body will be thankful. Gentle massaging of your calves and feet with moisturizing creme will not only relax you but will soften those dry achy feet.

Last but definitely not least one of my favorite winter treats is wearing my Herbal Spa Socks. Nothing feels better on a cold winter day than warming up my socks, curling up in my favorite chair, reading a good book. Now that is winter pampering at it's best!

The Effects of Winter.....

How do you combat the effects of winter in your life?

Winter brings on many changes. The most easily noticed are the days getting shorter while the nights are getting longer. You would not think that would or could have such a huge impact on us. But, in actuality this change along with dropping temperatures can run havoc with our bodies.

If you suffer from "winter itch", having red itchy irritated skin, this can make you miserable for the entire winter season. One of the best ways to stop this from happening is by taking a few preventative measures. Nothing to difficult to learn, mostly stuff you already know.

First of all eat healthy. I know that seems to be the answer to everything. However, the reason it is the answer is because it truly helps in many different aspects of our lives. One thing I learned recently is that increasing fruits, vegetables and nuts in your diet will increase your serotonin levels naturally and healthily.

Moisturize, moisturize, and did I mention moisturize. Not just when you get out of the shower but when you are in too. One product that I am currently enjoying is LaLicious Brown Sugar Soufflé Scrub. Not only does it smell incredibly delicious it moisturizes like no other scrub I have used before. Then you can follow up with LaLicious Vanilla Body Butter two scents that complement each other while providing your skin perfect hydration.

Daily exercise is good for the mind, body(skin), and soul. You will also put the fight on winter depression when you exercise daily. If you are able to exercise outside occasionally during the winter, your skin will drink up the Vitamin D provided by the sun. Remember, in moderation. Your skin needs to be in direct sunlight for only 10-15 minutes to reap it's benefits.

Enjoy winter by taking care of and pampering yourself, you will feel better and be healthier for it.

Click here explore other scents LaLicious has to offer.

Why Leave... Vacation At Home!

With the rising gas prices and the increased cost of living... vacations may be out of the question this year!

Why leave when you can enjoy a relaxing time in your own town and backyard! Kids really don't care as much about where they spend time with you, but that they get your undivided attention.

Ask your kids... "if you were to spend time with me, what would you like to do?"
Make this a fun exploration.

Create a suggestion box that can sit on the kitchen counter for a few days. You will need:

• 1 Shoe Box


• Wrapping Paper


• Scissors


• Tape


• Writing Paper


• Pen/Pencil


• Yarn/Twine

Cut a hole in the lid of the shoe box that will allow for suggestions to be dropped in.

Wrap your box in any style of paper you might have in the home (any season of wrapping is fun). If you do not have wrapping paper on hand, take the under side of your grocers paper bags and have the kids decorate it before using it for your wrapping paper.

Take 5 sheets of paper and cute into quarter squares to be placed by the box for suggestions.

Use the end of the pen to punch a small hole into the upper corner of the box lid. Cut your yarn/twin into one 3 foot long string. Feed one end through the hole and make a large knot so that it will not slip back through. On the other end of the yarn/twin, secure your writing instrument.

Ask your kids to help create a poster board listing the ideas and pick the top three (you may start off the ideas on the poster with a few of your own at the start). You can use markers and crayons to decorate your poster board.

One Idea:
Make this week an adventure. If you have a tent, set it up in the backyard and pretend you are on a Safari. Find a tape/CD with music and animal noises that you would find on a safari and bring a portable player outside.

At night around the makeshift campfire, talk about your adventures from the days safari exploration. What animals did you see? What do you hope to see tomorrow?

If you have a small TV that can be brought into the outdoors... a safari video may be the added touch. You can go to your local library and check-out National Geographic movies, books and tapes/DVD's that will give you a realistic idea of your safari.

You can make a fire pit that does note require a flame.
Cut a square 1 1/2' X 1 1/2' out of the bottom of a 2'x2' box. Cut one side out of the box completely, leaving only three sides (this will assist in keeping your light cooler).

Purchases Red and Yellow Cellophane sheets long enough to cover your opening. Cut your sheets into 3 inch wide x 2 foot long strips.

Tape red and yellow sheets of cellophane across the opening alternating colors every 3 inches.

Place a flashlight at a safe distance under the cellophane to create the idea of a fire.
CAUTION: Never leave this unattended and check often for heat levels. Use your own judgement as to the length of time your make shift fire should stay lit as this site and Blog writer is not and shall not be held responsible for any harm that may occur. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Whatever you choose to do... the time spent together will not be forgotten.

I still remember that night my mom and dad slept outside with me in my playhouse. We had sandwiches, juice and cookies. Thinking about it today seems so simple, but the impact of knowing my parents cared that much has stuck with me through the years.


Enjoy your time together!