MPR's Valentine's Day Round-up

That big, pink, puffy heart-filled day is just around the corner and if you are Hallmark or someone who actually enjoys Valentine's Day then you'll be happy to know that MPR does too.  I have always loved this red, special day. Yes, you can say 'I love you' all year, but it is nice to have a designated day where you can get creative, gussied up and find a gazillion ideas to make your Valetine's Day dreams come true, even if you do it all just for yourself.  Here are five things that are sure to make you feel your best this V-day.

Looking for a colorful berry-stained pout this Valentine's Day?  Then look no further than Mineral Essence lipstick ($16) and lip gloss ($18)!  Containing no harsh chemicals, parabens, talc, bismuth oxichloride, additives, oils or persatives.  This certified organic lip wear is antioxidant rich and comes in colors like Flirty Rose, Cranberry Spice, Pink Crush and Ripe Berry.   Both lines are available at Sears and Beauty 360.  (Pink and Berry lipsticks and gloss are shown.)

Beautyblenders ($28.95)- now in a limited edition just for Valentine's Day these bright pink elliptically-shaped make-up sponges allows you to get those hard-to-reach places like the sides of your nose and under your eyes.  Designed by Hollywood make-up artists, Rea Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, their texture is dreamy soft and the whole kit comes complete with ten single use packets of Beautycleanser, which will keep the blenders nice and clean.  No streaks and a perfect blend is what Beautyblenders is all about.  Beautyblenders make a great addition to your make-up collection or a nice gift for a sister, friend or mother.

eos (evolution of smooth) has the just the thing to make your lips soft and kissable. Available in Mint, Honeysuckle Honeydew and Summer Fruit, their lip balms ($3.29) smooth sphere is antioxidant-rich vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil.  It's 100% natural, certified organic, paraben-free and contains no petroleum, which makes me very happy.  It's soft, smooth and glides on without caking no matter how chapped your lips may be.    I'm addicted to mine and use it every day.  Pass them out by the handfuls to those you cherish.  eos lip balm is available at drugstores nationwide and online. 

Badgley Mischka Couture Scent ($48) in a chocolate brown velvet sachet is feminine sexy and has a "floriental" scent to it.  Airport safe and beautifully wrapped it is just perfect for tossing into your suitcase or handbag for a weekend getaway with someone you love.  This elixer is only slightly bigger than a lipstick too.  A beautiful blend of fruit, florals and musk. 

HOTmilk lingerie ($25-70) is a must-have for any mother-to-be whether it's her first or fourth child.  This New Zealand based company has just hit the U.S. market and it is sophisticated and hot.  Designed by Lisa Ebbing and Ange Crosbie, two young mothers, they created HOTmilk to empower woman during pregnancy and nursing and help them refocus on being and feeling feminine and sensual.  I have to agree.  While not something I am usually drawn during my two previous pregnancies I was simply delighted with the entire collection.  It's incredibly soft and comfortable too.  Underwire-free, made of modal cotton and European styling HOTmilk is fresh and practical all while being sexy.  There is a set and style for everyone too no matter what your size.  I adore my 'She Embraced the Moment' set because it's comfortable, true to size, beautifully styled and elegant.  Check out their viral video on YouTube for more proof of this amazing line.

That wraps up the Valentine's Day round-up here at MPR.  Hope you enjoyed it and it sparked some ideas for this season of love.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Disclaimer:  Products have been used by me.  No compensation was received. 

LowBoz the Chair Silencer

Made in the USA and guaranteed not to scratch your floors LowBoz eliminates the need for felt pads and easily snaps onto your chairs within seconds.  You can use it indoors or on outdoor furniture too.  LowBoz stops the noise that can be caused by chairs scraping across your floors, which is a nice relief.

I received a one-chair pack ($19.99) in brown and while I don't have any dark wood furniture I did place them on one dining room chair for a while to see if I could notice a difference.  Whoever sat in that chair was lucky.  Their chair glided easily across the floor and in and out from under the dining room table.  No noise was detected either.  It was a nice change.  LowBoz comes in a variety of packages, including one chair and up to 24 chairs.  Colors and styles vary too depending on if you need light or dark wood finishes or grey and black for metal chairs.  There are also a good number of colors to choose from, if needed. 

What I like best is that LowBoz solved a problem we have long wondered about regarding my grandmother's walker.  Those neon-yellow tennis balls that every walker has on its back two legs are just so ugly and annoying.  They wear out too.  LowBoz solves that problem I am happy to report.  They work well on chairs for the hearing impaired as well. 

LowBoz are available online at the company's website. 

MPR Rating:  Three Stars. 

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Sniffle Buddies this Cold/Flu Season!

It's cold and flu season and if you have kids then I'm quite sure you have seen them wiping their leaking noses across the sleeve of their shirt more than once.  I know I have.  Lucky that I review products and was sent two Sniffle Buddies. One for me in an adult size and one for my four year-old in a child's size.  Sniffle Buddies are are a more sanitary, eco-friendly solution to sleeves and tissues and they work wonders when you are outside.  Quite literally it is a "buddy to catch their sniffles". 

I stuck one on my child's wrist ($9.99) before she went out to play and she began using it right away. In fact, she loved it!  She kept asking to use it after that first time.  Made from bamboo and organic cotton the fabric cover is over a not-too-tight, not-too-loose elastic with a velcro closure.  It's anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, easy to remove for an adult and completely machine washable. Did I mention that the Sniffle Buddie is also super soft? It's like wiping your nose with cashmere.  It's absorbent too.  The Sniffle Buddie let my kid play to her hearts content and she didn't have to reach for a tissue.  No redness occurred under her nose from irritation either.  I know what you are thinking though- "Great!  My kid won't use a tissue and will use his/her sleeve now instead!"  Not so.  I simply told her that it was not a tissue replacement and her sleeve was never to be used when the Sniffle Buddie is in place.  She figured it out and still uses tissues and not her sleeve.  She puts it on herself now too when she needs it as well.

I used the adult-sized Sniffle Buddie ($10.99) this fall and winter when I went running outdoors. It was perfect!  I would run a mile or so and get a runny nose. Instead of fumbling for a tissue in my waist-pack or jacket pocket I simply swiped my nose across the Sniffle Buddie I had on my wrist.  It looks like a sweatband and no one was the wiser. 

Sniffle Buddies are available online at the company website and they come in a variety of colors too.  Sniffle Buddies was created by a mother of two and a runner so you know that the product does the job. 

MPR Rating: Five Stars. 

Disclaimer:  No payment was received for this post.  Opinions are solely my own. 

VueZone Personal Video Network

The Vue Personal Video Network ($299) is a handy, compact security device that works well in your home. It comes with two wireless battery operated cameras, a network gateway with its own AC power adapter, four camera mounts for mounting your cameras, and an Ethernet cable. The personal my.VueZone.com account with 2 GB storage and the first year of membership are also free.




First off, I was pleased that the system came with its own batteries. It looks like it would be the perfect nanny cam too. The set up is easy and takes mere minutes. Simply peel and stick the magnetic mounts and the cameras are ready to be hidden or adhered anywhere they are needed or even in plain sight. There is little configuration on the Vue network gateway too. All you need to do is plug it into your router and synchronize the cameras. Viewing is almost immediate. This is great for those of us with kids who are pressed for time.

I also liked that there is no software to install. From there all you have to do is view, record or even share what is happening with your content and you can do it all online. Your VueZone account is secure so you don't have to worry about unauthorized access or an invasion of privacy either. Pricing for the Vue is fair except when you want to add additional cameras.  You can add up to fifty which is amazing, but at $99 a pop that is steep.

I think this device is wonderful because it is so easy to set up and use. It is perfect for those of us who cannot be home with our kids all the time and want to see what is going on at home with them and the sitter or even our pets. You could be on vacation and see what is going on in your home right from your desktop or laptop computer. It really is peel, stick and  view just like Vue claims. The Vue Personal Video Network can add peace of mind in mere minutes. Even better is that you can share your images with friends and family via the internet and even upload videos or pictures to Flickr and YouTube. It is fun and useful all at the same time.

Available online at the VueZone website and Amazon as well.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Fun Find- nuNAAT Chocolate Hair Care

Love chocolate but hate the calories and fat associated with mass consumption? Fear not! nuNAAT's special Chocolate hair care line can help you indulge without putting on the extra pounds. Ranging in price from $6.49-26.10 for a whole kit the nuNAAT shampoos, conditioners and masks are great for chemically treated hair. Using Brazil Nuts and Cocoa Butter nuNAAT works great on as an anti-frizz treatment too.

I tried the Creamy Chocolate shampoo, Chocolate Shake conditioner, anti-frizz therma active treatment and the Chocolate mask to see if they really did make my highlighted hair less frizzy and more silky smooth. Each time I poured the treatments into my hair I was always surprised to see their rich, chocolate brown coloring. They lathered and rinsed well leaving my bathroom smelling of a cocoa butter. My hair did have less frizz and after a few days of use it was softer while still maintaining its body.

nuNAAT products go beyond chocolate so check out the whole family here.

Fun Find-Maestro Classics The Tortoise and the Hare

Educational, fun for the whole family and a great way to introduce classical music to your children comes Maestro Classics fable The Tortoise and the Hare ($16.98).  

Composer and Conductor Stephen Simon and the London Philharmonic Orchestra have created something truly amazing with this wonderful CD.  There are six supplemental tracks, and original and funny song, the "Pretzel Vendor of Paris" and a 24-page activity booklet that is included with the CD. 

The classic story of the tortoise and the hare will teach your children the value of patience and understanding as well as hone their listening skills.  It's a wonderful find and makes a great addition to your family music collection. 

For ages 4 and up.

Disclaimer:  This post is solely my own opinion.  No compensation was accepted for this post. 

Graco Voluntary Recall of Select Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers

Graco announced today that is conducting a voluntary recall for select Passage™, Alano™, and Spree™ model strollers. These strollers have specific hinge designs and were manufactured by Graco prior to March 2008.

From Graco, "We have worked closely with the CPSC on this announcement, and have decided to inform consumers of a potential risk of injury to small children caused by the canopy hinge on these models. For those with affected strollers, we will provide a protective hinge cover free of charge."


If you (or someone else) would like to check to see if you have an affected model, you can do so with this online form.

If you'd like to know more, Graco is providing additional information, video demonstrations and instructions specific to this issue on the following sites:


· http://www.blog.gracobaby.com/

· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDxMSu5QixU

· www.twitter.com/gracobaby

· www.facebook.com/graco

· Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.gracobaby.com/CustomerService/Pages/apsfaq.aspx

For additional questions, customers can also call Graco's consumer service line at 800-345-4109.