Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Clarisonic Skin Care System *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Lina.  Congrats!

This post was previously written and republished.

Up until Christmas Eve, my beauty regimen consisted of washing my face with soap and water. (period) But that wasn’t always my routine.  When I was single I spent a lot of time buying and using the proper skin care products so that I would age “gracefully.”  I enjoyed facials and made sure I found time for masks and exfoliation.  Somewhere between “I do” and “It’s a boy” I found it difficult to get in a shower, let alone a 45 minute skin care regimen.  I can’t believe I’m saying this but I often go to bed without removing my makeup.  And that sometimes results in breakouts even a teenager would shudder at.

What if I told you that you could achieve healthier, smoother skin in just sixty seconds a day?  I recently had the opportunity to test out the Clarisonic Skin Care System.  I cannot imagine NOT having this system now that I’ve been using it every day for two weeks now.

What is it?  Clarisonic is an innovative new product that is revolutionizing the definition of clean, healthy skin.  Developed by the creators of Sonicare, Clarisonic Skin Care System is the first oscillating face brush that deep cleanses, stimulates, and clarifies skin.  The brush creates over 300 movements per second (wow!) to elicit a gentle sonic micro-massage action which help to loosen sebum and dirt. It works with the skin’s natural elasticity to unclog pores for deeper cleansing without stripping the skin.  Clarisonic cleans your skin so thoroughly that it actually helps prepare your skin to absorb other skin care products like moisturizers.

How does it work?  Before you begin using the system, it must be charged 24 hours.  But…you only have to recharge it after 30 uses (or 30 minutes), which is excellent.  It is super easy to use and can even be used in the shower.  Just wet your face (or whatever part of the body you’d like to use the system on), rub on the cleanser of your choice (it comes with three sample sizes of varying cleanser types), turn on the power button, and move the brush gently using small, circular motions.  You can customize the settings on your system to achieve the best results for your skin type. The company also offers three different brush heads for varying skin types.  It is recommended that you replace the brush head every 3-4 months.

Does it REALLY work?  Studies have shown that Clarisonic cleanses twice as effectively and removes makeup six times more effectively than your daily soap and washcloth routine.  Some of the other benefits include healthier skin, fewer blemishes, fewer dry patches, decreased pore size, and softer skin.  In just eight weeks you’ll notice an improvement (and a reduction) in the appearnace of fine lines and wrinkles.

My Thoughts:  I have to admit that I was a tad bit nervous to use Clarisonic.  Would it hurt?  Would my skin be too sensitive?  Not only is Clarisonic safe to use on all skin types, it’s so gentle that it can be used on a daily basis (twice a day if necessary).  Even those who suffer from skin conditions such as acne, seborheic dermatitis, and rosacea can use Clarisonic.  I have been using this every day and one of the very first things I noticed is that when I dry my face after using it, there is no makeup residue on the towel.  My face feels a lot smoother and the pores on the bridge of my nose have gotten smaller (some have even disappeared).  I also haven’t had as many breakouts.  Every time I use it I feel like I’m getting a mini-facial.

The Clarisonic Skin Care System retails for $195 and can be purchased from the site or through retailers nationwide.  If you purchase the system directly through the site, you’ll receive a free gift which includes a 0.5 ounce Daily Renewal Serum, travel bag, and headband AND you will receive free personalization (either a name or short message)

Win It! One of you will win a Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System (ARV $149).  Simply leave me a comment with one main difference between the MIA and the other Clarisonic units. Comments will close on December 1, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

BlogHer ’09 Sponsor: Cozi

The only thing good thing about my exacerbated forgetfulness during pregnancy was my ability to blame it on those crazy hormones.  When my son was a baby, I had a new excuse…sleep deprivation.  These days I’m still just as forgetful, but I have nothing left to blame it on.  I’ve been known to forget appointments, get-togethers and more.  And now that we have a baby, the chaotic schedule that is our lives is magnified.

Thanks to Hybrid Mom Bloggers Network, I was initially introduced to Cozi, a free online service that helps families organize their lives.  Cozi is more than just an online calendar.  Once you’ve signed up you’ll be able to track your families’ schedules, shopping and to-do lists, and communicate throughout the day via instant messaging.  Take a look at the Bailey Family’s site.

Your family’s home page (which can be personalized with a photo) is where you’ll find the Family Calendar, Shopping Lists, Messages, the Collage screen saver, and the Family Journal (Cozi’s version of a blog).  Cozi allows you the option of color coding family members on the calendar which I find to be particularly useful. My husband and I have demanding jobs with long hours.  We also pack in a ton of activities on our downtime so it helps to have a quick visual of who is doing what.

While cooking is not my forte, grocery shopping is. The messaging system is convenient for having my husband notify me of those last minute ingredients he forgot to write on the  list.  And if you happen to forget your list, call Cozi’s toll-free number from any mobile phone and have your list read to you or sent as a text message.

Some of Cozi’s other smart features includes it’s ability to synchronize your home and work calendars a photo collage that serves as a reminder for important family appointments.  Most importantly, it’s easy to use.  I often find that the more complicated the program/software, the less I’m likely to continue using it. Cozi covers all of my basic organizational and scheduling needs.

If that isn’t incentive enough, check out hundreds of new ways to get Cozi!

For more information, take a tour of Cozi on their site.

This post was previously published and updated.

The ToyWrangler by LuvLoo

My mom and I were out to lunch this afternoon to celebrate a belated Mother’s Day.  My son was with us and while he was pretty well-behaved, much of the time was spent picking up toys and other objects he’d thrown on the floor once he was done playing with them.  I remember how cute it was when he was a baby and he’d throw everything from his high chair or stroller.  At 6 months, it was cute and funny.  At two, it’s mildly annoying, particularly since he is cognizant of the fact that he shouldn’t be throwing anything.

If you are the parent of a baby or a toddler, then you have most likely dealt with lost toys, sippy cups or other items.  Or maybe you have a child who likes to throw these items from the high chair or stroller.  One very  smart mom, who found that much of her time was spent retrieving items dropped by her children, designed and patented the ToyWrangler.  Here is a little more information from the site:

The ToyWrangler’s colorful, simple bungee design combined with durable, plastic, removable rings makes it easy to interchange favorite toys, pacifiers, bottles and cups, while keeping them off the ground and within easy reach.

The ToyWrangler (which is also available in a mini version) is versatile since it can be attached to infant carriers, car seats, strollers, highchairs, shopping carts, and more.  What I like most about it (besides not having to constantly pick up my son’s dropped items), is that it keeps items like bottle and sippy cups clean.  When a child throws items on the floor, it’s not only the “picking up” that gets tiring…it’s the fact that now these items have to be cleaned.  My favorite use for the ToyWrangler is my son’s sippy cups.  We just attach it to the stroller (it’s actually always attached to the stroller) and he can take a drink at his own leisure and the sippy cup stays clean when he’s “done with it.”  The design and colors are very kid-friendly and the product is made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic. A set of 2 retails for $15.99 ($9.99 for a set of mini ToyWranglers) and they can be purchased in retailers nationwide.

For more fabulous fun summer products, visit Mommy Mandy & Mommy Goggles!

Bob Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller

Having a baby has been (and is) one of the most joyful experiences in my life.  It’s definitely also the busiest I’ve ever been.  Babies and toddlers take up a lot of time (and rightly so), and I find myself  neglecting myself at times.  As a woman and a mother, I find that one of the most important things I can do for my child is to keep myself healthy.  If you’re a mom, then you know how challenging it can be to fit in a workout.  However, exercise does wonders for physical and emotional health and helps get that baby weight off!  My son has never been in any type of day care setting (apart from an hour in our church’s nursery every now and then) so putting him in a gym child care program was out of the question for me.  Last year, I had an opportunity to participate in a Stroller Strides photo and video shoot which allowed me the opportunity to try out this amazing total fitness program for moms and babes!  I thoroughly enjoyed the month I spent working out with other moms in my community but there was one thing holding me back from signing up…my stroller.

Now you may not know this, but BOB’s Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller is the official stroller for this program.  And I had an opportunity to test it out for a month and a half!  Based on the BOB Revolution Stroller, this stroller combines swivel-wheel maneuverability to help moms (or dads) stay in shape. I can’t think of a better way to get or stay in shape then to do it with your baby.  This is my first experience with a jogging stroller and I have to say that I’m very impressed with both it’s durability and functionality.  For weighing in at 24 pounds, it is definitely more sturdy than I thought it would be.  It has a “tough, welded frame” and was constructed to be a high quality stroller.  It folds very easily (thankfully) and more compactly then it appears, and fits nicely in my trunk. It’s designed to be very comfortable for children and the company has thought of practically everything.  The sun shade goes all the way over to provide complete coverage/protection from the sun if you have a baby/toddler that falls asleep with motion.  The seat is padded well and reclines up to 70 degrees from the vertical position. There are also mesh pockets to store drinks or snacks (a must if you’re going to get through a 60 minute workout).  I was a little concerned that jogging with it would be too bouncy for a baby, but the suspension is unlike any I’ve experienced with a stroller (and I’ve owned several).  The front wheel can be locked for safety when you’re running or unlocked to help you maneuver through tight spaces.  Another excellent safety feature is the strap you attach to your arm when you’re running downhill.

The only real difference between this stroller and the Revolution is the Fitness Kit that comes with it which includes a set of exercise bands, an exercise manual, and a week of Stroller Strides classes.  I think it’s great to have the bands but I know that when you take the class you’ll be able to use theirs.  Unless you’re planning on working out apart from Stroller Strides, you may not need the Fitness Kit. If you choose the Revolution, you’ll have your choice of five colors (over just the one red option with the Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller). The stroller retails for $399.oo and can be purchased on the site.

Right now, the company just launched a new contest which will run through June 29.  One very lucky entrant will win a Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller on the site.  Here are the details from the site:

Hey new moms and moms-to-be, are you ready to get your workout on?  Well, here’s your chance to win a brand new Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller that’s going to get you rolling and encourage your health and wellness goals, big or small!  To enter, send us a photo of you in your super sweet workout duds, the most creative submission will win!  So, are you a spandex queen?  Do you and baby match outfits?  Show BOB your funky fashion, custom creation, or silly styling’s when you’re getting fit!

If you enter on the site, leave me a comment so I can check out your entry!

Totin’ Your Tot In Style!

The fabulous Metropolitan Mama recently blogged about baby niceties and necessities  in one of her themed weekends and it really got me thinking.  Much of my shopping is done online and I can’t tell you how many beautiful products I’ve seen for babies and toddlers.  I also happen to live in Orange County and grew up in Los Angeles, home to more than a few chic baby boutiques.  All this to say, I’ve seen my share of useful and useless products.  And then there are those products that sort of sit in the middle and I think to myself, that would be really nice to have and I would use it…but do I really NEED it?  And that is where the dilemma for me begins.  I place these products in a separate category…”fabulous gift ideas.” These are the products I’d ask for but may or may not purchase them for myself.

I recently had an opportunity to review a Toddler Car Seat Cover by Baby Bella Maya.  My first thought when I opened this was “It is gorgeous…stunning.” Many baby gear manufacturers attempt to design their high-ticket products to be gender neutral.  I appreciate this because it means that I am able to use products like strollers and car seats for more than one child, regardless of the child’s gender.  I own a Britax car seat and we chose a boring neutral design for this very reason.  Awhile back I remember seeing a gorgeous infant car seat cover, and for a moment, I wondered if a company offered the same type of product for a toddler car seat.  Here is a little more information about Baby Bella Maya from the site:

When it comes to posh designs for baby accessories, Baby Bella Maya was made with you in mind, from soft silky blankets and matching infant and toddler car seat covers to baby booties for boys and girls.

This is the first toddler car seat cover I’ve seen (or any car seat cover for that matter) and it’s very chic and trendy.  My favorite part is the inside because it’s so silky and soft.  I didn’t know that most car seat covers don’t have snaps, but this one does.   The snaps allow easy strap access so you don’t have to remove the manufacturers’ straps (which I wouldn’t want to do!) The covers are available in a variety of designs including fun animal prints and luxurious woven damasks.  They even come with matching seatbelt pads!  The quality is impeccable and the designs are like those seen in a high-end, couture boutique.  The seat covers fit MOST toddler car seats and retail for $70-$80 (depending on the design).  The company also offers matching infant car seat covers, blankets, booties, slings, and more!

SoftSoap Ensembles

Now that we own a home, I’ve had a lot of fun decorating!  And many companies are making home decorating even easier by using attractive canisters for their products (i.e. Clorox Decor Canisters). I think the idea is brilliant.  I don’t have to buy separate containers and canisters to put products in to personalize the look of my home.  It’s also less wasteful since you’re not tossing the original canisters out AND you’re saving time trying to refill those canisters.

I recently had an opportunity to try out Softsoap’s new line called Ensembles, a new and innovative twist on decorating with hand soaps.  The concept is simple…take one hand pump and four designs and you have an easy, affordable way to decorate your bathroom or kitchen sink.  You keep the pump and switch out the bases.  I’m planning on saving the pump and the bases and just refilling them.  You have a choice of 2 solid colors (white and blue) and 2 floral designs (the purple is my favorite) and each has a different scent (Fresh Essence is my favorite). Each design inspires a different look and feel.  Whether you’re someone who likes a simple, clean look or a fresh and contemporary feel, you’re sure to find a design that fits your home. All of the scents are actually pleasant and the soap is moisturizing, and doesn’t dry out my hands.  Here is a little more information from the site:

Softsoap Brand Ensembles hand soap brings a new twist on decorating.  With four beautiful designs to choose from, you can easily add affordable style to every sink in your home.  Softsoap Brand Ensembles invites you to ignite your creativity and self-expression with the simplicity of this new decor item.  Just keep the pump and choose the design that inspires your style.

Starter pumps retail for $5.99 and replaceable disoposable bases retail for $2.99.  Softsoap Ensembles is available for purchase in stores nationwide.  Right now you can download a coupon that will save you $2.00!

MomAgenda

I am busy! I work part-time as a nurse and full time as a wife and mom to a very active toddler!  We’re thinking of adding another one into the mix and I can’t imagine how I’m going to keep everything straight.  I am the type of person that needs to write everything down or it gets forgotten.  My husband, on the other hand, works better with online calendars which I’ve learned to use and accept but definitely don’t prefer.  I like having a visual reminder of my appointments and commitments that I can carry with me without worrying about whether or not I can get online.

I recently had an opportunity to review a desktop planner from momAgenda. momAgenda was created to simplify the life of founder Nina Restieri and the result was a very successful company specializing in a vast range of organizational products including day planners, home organizers, and helpful pads.  The planner itself is gorgeous and has a rose-pink, faux crocodile cover which gives it a professional, stylish feel. When you open the planner, you’ll notice that each month starts with an overview page and subsequent pages are organized by week.  I’m not exactly sure why the calendar starts in August but it runs for 17 months.  At the front of the planner you’ll find an information section which includes favorite websites, online resources, toll-free numbers, and a list of holidays.  The back of the planner includes a section where you can list your favorite books, movies, music, fashion, restaurants, wines, health and fitness plan, gift record, entertaining resources, party planning, and  vacation ideas/planning.   There are numerous blank pages for note-taking and a removable momEssentials pamphlet to list addresses, important phone numbers, websites, birthdays/anniversaries, and medical information.

The planner is truly tailored to moms and includes a section on each day for both mom’s activities, appointments, etc. and her childrens’ activities (there is enough space for 4 children).  The designer also included a dinner section (how ingenious is that?).  The planner is very easy to use which means it won’t just sit on a shelf gathering dust.

This particular planner retails for $45.00, is available in rose pink and spring green,  and can be personalized for an additional $4.95.  Be sure to check out the entire collection including momAgenda’s Home Organizers (which I think we’d benefit from in our own home!).  And if you already own a planner from momAgenda, be sure to check out the printable downloads available on the site.

Always Infinity

As a nurse with almost nine years of experience in obstetric and neonatal nursing, I’m likely not surprised or shocked by much.  It’s actually pretty normal for me to have discussions with my friends and family that most people would not partake in.  So if it comes as a shock to you that I’m discussing products related to “that time of the month,” then I sincerely apologize.  I promise that this post is will be modest, educational, and maybe a little entertaining!

I don’t know one woman who looks forward to that necessary time of the month, which demonstrates we’re still capable of having children (and sleeping at night and not growing hair on our face and…)  But reality is upon us and most women (unless you’re on a birth control method that has afforded you a period-free life) suffer through the pain and mess that is our fertility.  Hormonal mood swings, cramps, and bloating are unavoidable.  We, as women, should at least be able to count on our feminine hygiene products.

I am mostly a tampon user, however, I always take a break at night and at home.  This is where it becomes tricky because most pads on the market leak, bunch, and otherwise feel uncomfortable.  I recently had an opportunity to try out Always Infinity, an innovative new pad designed to be more absorbent than others on the market.  Here is a little more information from the site:

The world’s first pad of its kind, Always Infinity offers women powerful absorbency like never before. It’s made with an über-absorbent material called Infinicel that has the power to absorb 10x its weight, yet remains amazingly light. With a revolutionary wing design that fits the curvature of your panty, microdots designed for fast absorption, and an incredibly soft cover, Always Infinity is a pad like no other.

I fully admit that I don’t like wearing pads and I really didn’t expect to like these over any others I’ve tried. But since I’m not happy with my current brand, I figured the least I could do was try these out to see if they’d work for me at nighttime.  Immediately, I noticed that they’re softer than any pad I’ve ever tried.  They’re also super thin, considering the samples I received were for heavy absorbency.  Can I just pause for a moment to complain about all of the thick, diaper-like pads on the market?  Now I KNOW there is no need for pads that thick!

If a pad is going to work for me, it has to be absorbent enough for nighttime use, since I only use tampons during the day.  It was…and I’m glad it was because we just bought a brand new mattress and have yet to put a cover on it!  I woke up feeling dry and the pad had pretty much stayed in place (there is always a little shifting, no matter what you use).   I like the natural fit to these and I feel they conform to my body shape better than other pads I’ve tried.  They’re also wider in the back where we all need it!

Always Infinity is available for purchase in stores nationwide.  And right now, you can sign up for a free sample!

Profuse thanks to the Family Review Network for this opportunity!

Giftybox

I absolutely love giving gifts…even more than receiving them!  It’s so much fun to watch someone light up with joy as they open something they have not expected.  I love giving and receiving hand-crafted items, however, the Martha Stewart in me has yet to blossom which leaves me searching for creative, personal, unique gift ideas.  If you’re out of gift ideas, you may be interested in Giftybox, a company that transforms gift-giving into an experience.  Here is a little more information about the company from the site:

Giftybox is a new and one-of-a-kind gift involving actual experiences.  Both a guidebook and a gift pass, Giftybox offers exceptional choice and flexibility.  Each theme-driven Giftybox features a selection of different experiences to choose from and an all inclusive gift pass for the experience of your liking, all wrapped in one box!

The gifts I love receiving the most, are those that allow me to spend some time doing something I normally wouldn’t do (i.e. massage, manicure, etc.). Some of the experiences you can give to those you love include photography instruction, wine tasting, bungee jumping, massage and body treatments, photo sharing, and much more.  Choosing a gift is as simple as selecting the themed box that most represents the personality of the recipient.  The recipient will receive a guidebook that will help them choose their desired activity or product.  The site has a section devoted to helping you find the perfect gift simply by selecting a box based on the recipient’s interests, location, or personal characteristics.  You could spend a very long time on the site, exploring the vast number of experiences you’d like to give (and receive!).  This truly is the most unique way to give a gift that I’ve come across.

I received a Photo Sharing Kit which truly is the perfect gift for both my husband and myself. The box contains a certificate for two custom printed 20-page photo albums, unlimited storage and slide shows, a guidebook detailing the steps involved with creating a photo album and slide show, and a microphone to record commentary for slide shows.  As a mom, I can’t find enough places to store pictures of my son and I just can’t stop taking pictures of him!  About two weeks ago, my husband’s hard drive failed and he had to do a lot of work to try to salvage the photos saved on his computer (which of course, were not backed up).  Needless to say, we will be backing up everything from now on and I think that having another place to store photos is handy, particularly since everything is computer and internet based in today’s society.  For this particular box, the company partnered with Hooray, a web-based photo sharing service, specializing in photo albums, calendars, greeting cards, and audio photo sharing.  What’s impressive about Giftybox, is that the gifts are affordable, and you may even save by purchasing gift experiences through them.  For example, the Photo Sharing Kit retails for $34.95 but it comes with a certificate that entitles you to 2 $24.95 photo books on Hooray (are you calculating this out with me?).  That’s a savings of at least $15!

Be sure to check out the entire selection of Giftyboxes available on the site.  And hubby…if you’re reading this…I’m eying the Spa for Women Box so I can get a massage!

Mother’s Day 2009: Hana Elite Flat Iron

I have been blessed with naturally curly hair, but it wasn’t always that way.  When I was a child, I had thick, wavy hair, however, I would not characterize it as curly (I wish I had a picture to show you!). As the saying goes, we always want we can’t have.  I used to beg my mom for a perm because I wanted curly hair like the other girls in my class.  As it turns out, my hair over time became extremely curly.  And now I want to straighten it…constantly!  In fact, before my son was born I straightened my hair every few days. Of course, that isn’t realistic at this point in my life, but I do like to straighten my hair on the weekends for a “change.”

You may not know this, but if you use the wrong flat iron, you could do some serious damage to your hair, according to my stylist.  Since I dye my hair and it’s thick and curly, it’s particularly susceptible to damage from heat and chemicals.  I have always used a ceramic flat iron, however, I recently learned that many ceramic flat irons on the market use ceramic coating on metal base plates as opposed to 100% solid ceramic.  To be honest, I don’t know if the flat iron I used to use was ceramic coated or not but I do know that because I’ve had it so long, it doesn’t really straighten my hair as effectively as it did when I first purchased it.  And, at times it smells like my hair is burning which means it probably isn’t 100% ceramic.  If you purchase a ceramic-plated flat iron, it has the potential to peel or chip which leaves you hair exposed to metal that is damaging to hair.  At present, there are two companies that manufacture flat irons with solid ceramic plates…Hana and FHI.  I recently had an opportunity to try out the 1″ Hana Elite Flat Iron, courtesy of Misikko.  Here is a little more information from the site:

The Hana Elite Flat Iron is 100% true, solid ceramic.  Hana can include large ceramic heaters that cover the entire plates for the best possible heat distribution and retention.

I definitely noticed a difference with this flat iron from the moment I opened it.  It comes packaged professionally in a Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch(which means I don’t have to wait until it’s completely cool to store it) and tin case (perfect for packing in a suitcase for traveling).  It also comes with a Heat Proof Silicone Mat which I like because I’ve placed my previous flat irons down on plastic and other surfaces not designed to be exposed to that much heat and have experienced the result of that action!  The iron heats up very quickly (less than a minute) and has an adjustable temperature dial with five settings from 140-450° F for various hair types.  I recommend referencing the manual to determine which setting is best for your particular hair type (I prefer the highest setting so I can quickly straighten my hair).  I am really impressed with the ability to use it on damp hair (something I’ve never been able to do before).  This saves me so much time and I don’t have to expose my hair to excessive heat with a blowdryer and a flat iron. The iron’s  smooth grooves keep hair strands separate and snag-free.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten my hair stuck in a flat iron.

I’ve been letting my hair air-dry some before using the flat iron when it’s damp (it’s been so hot here in Southern California that it’s been working really well). One of the other highlights I should mention is the ability to style your hair with the flat iron.  You can achieve a simple, straight look, soft curls, or flip your hair in/out.  I like to flip my hair for a little body.  Here is a before and after picture of my hair and a video I shot of the flat iron in use:

The Hana Elite Flat Iron’s ceramic plate is naturally hygienic, protects color, retards fading, and won’t discolor with hair products or dyes.  It’s energy efficient at only 38 watts and comes with a two-year warranty which Misikko will extend by one year when purchased on their site.  You can purchase the Hana Elite Flat Iron on Misikko for $189.99.  Be sure to check out their May Sale and Mother’s Day Sale going on right now!

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