I have many, many friends that measure a house or apartment by whether or not is has a good bathtub. Some friends of mine in New York City have ruled out perfectly good apartments just because they only had standing showers! Other friends in the suburbs look at houses and if the bathtubs don't measure up to their expectations - forget it!

Many of us can agree that the reason we have these bathtub standards is because there really is nothing like a good soak in the tub. Add some bubbles, candles, a bath pillow (optional) and background music (or just simple silence) and you are transported.

Aromatherapy contributes a lot to a good bathtime. Belli's Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash has the scents of lavender and chamomile - total relaxing essences. Another great thing about the Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash is that it is sooo gentle and doesn't irritate even your most sensitive skin (in fact, many new moms use the product when they're able to take baths, even if they're still sore!)

Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash is from Belli's Pregnancy line -- the safest pregnancy skin care products.

Quick note: if you're reading this you're likely a Belli VIP, and even if you're not, we've got a sale for you!! Belli is having a Memorial Day Blow-Out! 20% OFF and free shipping with order over $100! I suggest getting your body beach ready with the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator, the Body Firming Serum and Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen.

It's Memorial Day Weekend! Happy long weekend to all of Belli's friends.  So, I have something exciting to share: it's been just over 6 weeks since I started using the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream 2x daily.  The results have been nothing short of extraordinary.  A few years ago, I lost about 60lbs and a lot of the weight came off of my chest; went down about two bra sizes.  I did not realize that you could get stretchmarks from losing weight! I remember distinctly the feeling that I had when I was so excited to go to a friend's beach wedding and show off my slimmer physique, but also horrified that some of the bathing suits I bought did not cover the unsightly stretchmarks.  I have a couple pics of myself laying on the beach in a bikini...with a tank top on. {sigh}

Needless to say, I was very excited to do a case study on myself with the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream.  I would estimate that I saw results very quickly - after about 2 weeks of use.  Now that I am at the 6 week mark, the stretchmarks have been almost completely eliminated.  Just in time for summer! I can now unabashedly wear bathing suits and some lower neck tops and dresses, without fearing that one of those  awful marks will show! So, for all of you who have stretchmarks from losing weight or weight loss -- don't fear, this product is not just for pregnant women!!

I am the youngest of seven kids and I really have to credit my mom for teaching me some really good life lessons about cultivating a good relationship among siblings. One thing that my mom always taught me is that when a new baby comes into a family, the older brother/sister can often feel left out. Seeing that I am the youngest, it's hard for me to relate to that, but whenever I visited a mom and her newborn, my mom said to me "Always bring two gifts, one for the baby and one for the sibling." I think it's a really great, thoughtful practice.

An added benefit of sharing the experience with the older child, depending on age, is that moms can teach some important tips on baby care -- changing diapers, general safety, how to bathe (with adult supervision.) Bathing can especially be such a special time for a baby. When the baby is in his/her first months, bath time can be bonding time. And when that baby becomes and infant or a toddler, bath time can be FUN time. No matter what stage, bath time should always be safe.

Belli Baby Bundle of Joy Gift Set is a great bath time kit and the safest. Every product is allergy tested and free of artificial dyes, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and other xenoestrogens—ingredients which can act like hormones and interfere with normal development of the reproductive system.  Of course, it also makes a great gift for moms.

Oh, and if anyone has any tips on developing a bond between siblings, please comment!

First and foremost: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND!!!!  If any of you haven't bought something for a mom you know, it's not too late.  Check out the promotion that Belli is having (Head to Toe Essentials Kit) by clicking here.

Every time I go for a facial, the esthetician tells me that I have dehydrated skin. It's pretty much a given. I always wonder how my skin could be suffering from dehydration when I drink well over 8 glasses of water a day. What I've learned is that the specific behavior that effectively hydrates your body does help your skin but your skin needs extra help when it suffers from sun damage, drying cleansers or skin products, ineffective moisturizers - and the list goes on.

One thing to keep in mind specifically during the summer when more of our skin is exposed, is that the skin on your face is not the only important skin. The skin on your body should be as hydrated as possible. Belli's All Day Moisture Body Lotion deeply moisturizes, comforts and soothes dry, itchy skin.  What's also really special about this moisturizer, is the delicious lemony scent (and also that it's one of the safest skincare lines around!)

My husband and I just took a second honeymoon of sorts. I decided, instead of bringing heavy foundation on my trip, that I would instead bring Belli's Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 (nope, not pregnant -- it's just the best sunscreen to travel with). There are so many fantastic things about traveling with this sunscreen. First of all, it protects you from UVA and UVB rays, which is a big bonus -- especially when you're spending time outside in the sun.

The other fantastic things for summer and vacation? It's less than 3.0 ounces, so you can carry it on the plane (hallelujah - no checking luggage!), it's tinted so you don't need to wear heavy foundation or concealer (gives your skin a great, even tone) and it feels light enough to wear every day. All of these benefits AND if you're one of the 70 percent of pregnant women that experience dark brown splotchy areas on the face (chloasma), this magic sunscreen guards against that. And, of course, we all know that Belli is the safest skincare for pregnant women.  Hmm...all this talk about vacation and sun, makes me think I need to book my next one!