Philosophy Shower Gels

Philosophy shower gels are some of my favorite things. If I were Oprah, I would make a gift basket with every scent, and give it to myself. My birthday was last month, but if you are thinking, “How can I randomly go spend money on Maria?” this is always on my Under $20 present list.

The best part about these shower gels is that they smell almost exactly like what they’re supposed to. That sounds obvious, but I am not a fan of when something is called “Apple,” but smells like a scratch and sniff sticker from second grade. Philosophy markets these as a shampoo/shower gel/ bubble bath, but I have enough hair that I would go through a bottle a week if I used this as shampoo too.

My favorite, (especially in the winter months) is Cinnamon Buns. It smells and looks like the icing on cinnamon rolls. Yum! If you’re on a diet, this will either help your cravings, or you’ll be in the car in a towel heading for the nearest Cinnabon.

Next time I am at Sephora, I am picking up Senorita Margarita, one of my favorites, and great for summer which, where I live, lasts from mid April through mid October. I love everything margarita, and craved them the entire time I was pregnant. Wine and all other booze grossed me out, but Mama wanted her ritas. Senorita Margarita was the closest I got. I thought about telling people I was considering the name Rita if one of the twins had been a girl, but figured they would have assumed that I was drunk.

Another favorite is Strawberry Milkshake, but I am excited about trying Crème Brulee, and ‘be a Peach’, as well as Spiced Apple Cider in the fall.

Although I do like chocolate, things that are fake chocolate scented kinda gross me out, so I have avoided those scents. Let me know if you’ve tried them and think I should give them a chance.

Next time you’re at Sephora, ask them for a free sample. They can put any of the shower gels in little pots to take home and try.

$16 at Sephora

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The Miracle Blanket and Happiest Baby

This is a super awesome swaddling blanket. Super awesome enough to make me talk like I'm in junior high. It looks a little medieval, but don't let that scare you. The babies cannot escape and it makes them feel really safe and secure and completely chills them out. It's hands down the best thing we used to get them to sleep the first four months.

Not cheap, so we only bought one per baby, but worth it. They slept in these for every nap and bedtime.

Check out their website and scroll down to the bottom where you can type in your zip code and search for a store.)

With this, I would also recommend the Happiest Baby on the Block book, which explains how to calm babies when they cry, and made me less overwhelmed with two babies. I think Netflix and Amazon have the DVD if you don’t have time to read. I had a lot of time on bedrest.
There’s a good summary so you don’t have to read the whole book, which is important if you get the book after the baby comes, because you will be like, "It's two in the morning, and I have five minutes to myself! Teach me how to get this baby quiet and happy now so I can sleep!!!"

It’s very practical, step by step, not all kum ba ya. Well, maybe a little kum ba ya. But awesome, awesome, awesome. My brother watched me take one of the twins (baby not boob), who was screaming bloody murder, swaddle him in the Miracle Blanket, and turn him on his side (a technique in the book). He became silent immediately, like turning off a light switch. My brother cracked up and said, “Cool! Do it again with the other one!”

http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/

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Sorry from Slackerville

Sorry to be such a bad poster. I am making no promises now. Many of my recent posts may be baby product related. I really didn't want to have baby stuff on here, because it's nice to have something non-baby related, but so many people have asked me recently for some baby present recommendations that I will probably cheat and post email responses. Lo siento.
Read on. If there's anything to read. Read more!