Yesterday we spent the day at Disneyland and by 5:00 pm I was freezing (it was in the 50′s).  It didn’t help that I had Havianas and a light sweater on.  It’s Southern California right?  So why in the world am I talking about sunscreen as a gift idea when it’s so obviously winter?  Because it’s actually a great stocking stuffer that we all need throughout the entire year. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with over one million diagnosed every year (The Skin Cancer Foundation).  And while I could share a ton of scary facts with you about the disease, I’d rather just encourage you to cover up and protect yourself.  Southern California enjoys nearly 200 days of sunshine a year, and that fact alone is more than enough to convince me to wear sunscreen every day.  And I don’t have to be sitting at the beach to reap the effects of the sun’s rays. I’ve shared with you how much I like KINeSYS‘ sunscreen.  Not only does it provide UVA and UVB sun protection, it’s easy to apply and as natural as sunscreen can get.  KINeSYS is oil, alcohol, PABA, and preservative-free.    The sunscreen is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and water and sweat-resistant.  The kids’ version smells really nice and I LOVE the ability to spray it on (as opposed to trying to spread a cream all over a wiggly toddler).  It feels a little oily going on, but once your skin absorbs it you won’t even notice it.  For more information, check out my full review here.  You can purchase KINeSYS sunscreen directly from the site or from retailers nationwide. Win It! One of you will win a 4 oz Kid’s Spray & 1oz Hydrating Moisturizer w/SPF 15.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with an interesting fact you found on the site. Comments will close on December 7, 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. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Add the “Holiday Gift Guide” button to your sidebar and leave me a comment (be sure it’s up for the duration of the gift guide!) Check out my Holiday Gift Guide and leave a comment on that site about a product you like! (Maximum of 1 Comment for this). Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest. Be sure to use the hashtag #holidaysurvivalguide Enter Shannon’s giveaways (Maximum of 1 Comment for this). Subscribe to my feed via email or reader. Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways. Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

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

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

Who knew that a child’s hat could be so much fun?  Wallaroo Hat Company offers fashionable hats that serve as excellent protection from the sun (UPF 50+ to be exact).  The company offers an Art Hat that is stylish and fun to design and wear.  Now that winter is here, you and your children will probably be spending more time indoors.  I always like art projects for cold, rainy days in particular.

We received an Art Hat, courtesy of the company, which included paint, paintbrushes, and a hat.  To be honest, I knew my son would probably need a LOT of help.  In fact, I think this would be best for the preschool and older group, but my son still had a lot of fun “painting” with mommy (who actually did most of the painting).  So how did we fare?

It’s definitely “kid-looking” as far as the art goes.  To be honest it’s a little difficult to paint a hat.  The design on the site looks easy enough but I would encourage you to let your children just paint to their heart’s content, not worrying about dotting their “I’s” and crossing their “T’s”, if you know what I mean. I watered the paints down a bit because they seemed a bit too thick to get fine lines.  I also suggest using a thinner paintbrush than what comes with the hat to refine your designs.

The Art Hat is available in a fuschia or navy trim and sizes 2-5 years or 5-7 years.  The kit retails for $20 and is available for purchase online.

I remember when I used to lay on the beach and tan all afternoon.  Tanning was “in,” and since I don’t really burn, it was easy for me to get quite dark.  I know better now.   According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, one blistering sunburn in childhood can double your risk of developing melanoma later in life. According to the National Cancer Institute, there have been more than 1,000,000 new cases and less than 1,000 deaths from skin cancer in the US in 2009.

These days, I actively protect my family from the sun’s harmful rays.  I have to be the one to ensure my super-fair husband has sunscreen in his car and that my son wears sun protective clothing and sunscreen when he goes to the beach or the pool.  My son is wearing a pair of swim shorts and a swim shirt from UV Skinz.  The clothing is fashionable, lightweight, and most importantly protective against the sun’s harmful rays.  Here is a little more information from the site:

UV Skinz stylish, high quality sun protective swim wear carries a UPF rating of 50+, blocking out over 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and protecting delicate skin from damaging sunburns.  UV Skinz UPF protective sun shirts, sun shorts and sun hats are not made with any chemicals or lotions. The UV protection is in the tight weave of the fabric.

I like that the fabric is breathable and dries quickly.  I also like that it’s comfortable (my son wouldn’t wear it otherwise) and provides a good amount of protection.

The company sells a wide range of products for babies to adults including long and short sleeved “skinz,” shorts, and hats.  And they have an incredible end of summer clearance sale going on right now!

Win It! One of you will win a UV Skinz product of your choice.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back and leave me a comment with the item you’d choose.  Comments will close on October 3, 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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Daily sunscreen use is a must in our household, particularly because we live in Southern California where the summers are long and hot.  My husband and son have fair skin and skin cancer is a serious threat.  Skin cancer is not the only threat, unfortunately.  Many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals I don’t want on my son’s skin.

We’ve been using KINeSYS sunscreen for almost a year now and I really appreciate it’s safety, efficacy, and ease of use.  I’ve actually reviewed and promoted KINeSYS multiple times because it’s a product we use regularly.  KINeSYS sunscreen was rated by Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database as one of the safest and most effective sunscreens on the market and I feel comfortable putting it on my family.  The Kids’ Suncare products are free from oil, alcohol, preservatives, and PABA but offer protection against UVA and UVB sun rays.

The Kids’ Suncare products have a very light, pleasant scent to them.  Besides the fact that they’re safe, I LOVE how easy it is to apply it to my son. If you have a toddler, then you know how wiggly and sqirmy they can be.  And they’re also not good at being patient!  So spraying him down is a lot more effective at ensuring I’ve rubbed lotion all over him.

KINeSYS products can be purchased directly from the site or at retailers nationwide.

Win It! One of you will win a 4 oz Kid’s Spray & 1oz Hydrating Moisturizer w/SPF 15.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with an interesting fact you found on the site. Comments will close on September 14, 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.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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For some of us, summer is far from over.  In fact, we have been experiencing record breaking temperatures in Southern California.  I’m extremely diligent about keeping my son protected from the sun.  We use sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and hats.

We recently had an opportunity to review the Savannah Baby Sun Hat in the Sailor print from Kokopax. It’s a darling cotton brimmed hat with a  chin strap (so it should, in theory stay put).  I have to admit that my son has not always been a fan of wearing hats.  However, as he’s gotten older, he’s getting used to them.  My son has light skin like his daddy so it’s important to keep his head and face covered from the sun.  Not only is it stylish, it offers a fair amount of protection due to the brim.  The hat comes in both a “boy” and a “girl” version and retails for $19.99 (which is a bit pricey, but adorable).  It also comes in 3 sizes up to 24 months.

Kokopax is a stylish online boutique, noteworthy for their framed baby carriers.  Here is a little more information from the site:

Contemporary simplicity is our design inspiration. Making daily life easier for young families is our goal. Both come together in kokopax products, for families going places, in style.

What you’ll notice about the product offerings is that they are unique in style and function.  There is nothing ordinary about the store or the products they sell.  From totes to organic accessories, I’m most impressed by the gorgeous fabric options available.

Right now if you use the code “sisf2009″ you’ll save 10% off your order.

Win It! I have a Savannah Baby Sun Hat (sailor print) to give away.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with the name of another product you like, including the fabric name.  Comments will close on September 14, 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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It has been soooo hot the last few weeks here in Southern California.  We’ve been so busy that we’ve not had a chance to get to the pool or beach as often as we’d like.  With skin cancer cases on the rise we try to be very diligent in remembering to wear sunscreen, regardless of what we’re doing.   There are a ton of brands on the market…some targeted for babies and children, others targeted for adults, and still others targeted towards athletes.

I recently had an opportunity to try Race Face, a sunscreen created with the racing fan in mind.  Now, we’re not racers (can you tell), but I do think this is something athletes would be very interested in.  The sunscreen has an SPF of 30 and is available in a 2-ounce version (great for traveling) and a 6-ounce continuous spray bottle.  I actually prefer a spray to get a more even distribution and to keep my hands from getting too greasy.  The person in the house getting the most out of this is my husband.  His fair skin causes him to burn very easily so I’ve been having him carry the 2-ounce bottle in his car with him.  And I have to say it works (when he uses it).

Racing fans might appreciate the fact that the bottles feature some of the most famous drivers including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, and Dale Earnhardt Sr.  To be very frank, I wouldn’t necessarily buy this for the racers but I would recommend it for it’s ease of use and SPF coverage.

I’m a huge proponent of safe cosmetics and went to Skin Deep to evaluate the Race Face Sunscreen we received.  It was listed as a 5 which isn’t horrible (it’s just right in the middle).  Sunscreen is a very difficult skin care product to research and purchase if you’re concerned about chemicals.  It must be effective in preventing sun damage but safe enough not to pose a risk.

Race Face is available at retailers nationwide.

Win It! Two of you will win some full-size samples.  Simply visit the site…then come back and leave me a comment with something you liked or learned on the site.  Comments will close on September 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.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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While we’re on the subject of sun protection, let’s not forget those precious eyes!  It’s funny how my husband and I wear sunglasses when we’re out but have never really thought to put a pair on our son.  As I was doing some research, I learned that a child’s eyes are more susceptible to sun damage than an adult’s eyes (AAP).  The sun’s rays can cause damage leading to blindness, so protecting a child’s eyes is critical.

We recently had an opportunity to check out My First Shades.  To be honest, my son wasn’t crazy about wearing them, but I’ve heard this is normal.  We have just been persistent about making sure we have them and put them on him when we’re out in the sun.  The company offers sunglasses for children 0-12 years of age in a variety of styles and colors.  The 2 features that set MFS apart is that the glasses provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays, and are comfortable, attractive, and durable.

We received a toddler pair for my son in blue.  The 2 features I like are the neoprene band that wraps around and the absence of metal hinges.  I know for a fact my son wouldn’t keep these on if it weren’t for the neoprene band, which also happens to minimize exposure to peripheral light.  I also like that there isn’t anything that can poke or pinch my son’s face (which would definitely deter him from ever wearing them).  The lenses and frames are made from polycarbonate which is shatterproof (thankfully), and the glasses can be fitted with prescriptive lenses (brilliant!).  The sunglasses provide 100% UV protection (UVA & UVB) to 400 nanometers.

The infant and toddler shades retail for $14.99 and the shades for older children retail for $19.99.

Win It! One of you will win a pair of sunglasses from My First Shades.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back and leave a comment with the name of the style you’d pick and the color.  Comments will close on June 19, 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.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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

We had this small taste of summer a few weeks ago, and now June gloom has set in.  With the morning fog and mist, you’d think summer was nowhere in site.  As a Southern California native, I know in just a few weeks, we’ll all be wishing for a little relief from the scorching heat.  A child’s skin is very sensitive and given the fact that my son has some of my husband’s Caucasian, I worry that he’ll burn as easily as my husband does.  I keep a bottle of sunscreen in my diaper bag at all times and I always apply it before he’s going to be exposed, however, I still get confused about how often to re apply it and whether or not his wiggling prevents me from covering him up sufficiently.  We are going to be starting swim lessons in the next couple of weeks and he is going to be wearing the Long Sleeve Suit he received from Sun Protection Zone.

I may be living under a rock, but it’s only been about a year since I first learned of sun protective clothing.  With the rates of skin cancer as high as they are in this country, I think it’s important for adults and children to take active measures to ensure protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  While I was doing some research for this post, I learned that the “lightweight” clothing you’re taught to wear during the summer to stay cool (think cotton t shirts, straw hats, etc.), can allow 50% of harmful UVB rays through to your skin when dry and 10-20% more when wet (Sun Safety Alliance).  In other words, you’d have to cover your entire body with sunscreen to truly prevent the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating your skin.

Sun Protection Zone is a company that “makes skin protection simple, easy, and effective.”  We had an opportunity to check out one of the company’s SunSkinz which offer 100 SPF and UPF+ 50.  SunSkinz are made from four way stretch fabric which offers comfort and protection against the sun’s rays.  They’re lightweight, breathable, and durable (designed to stand up against chlorine and salt water).  I like the long sleeve option because it means my son is getting that much more protection from the sun.  Remember that any exposed area (i.e. the face) should have sunscreen applied.  The company also offers rash guards and shorts for children who may not want to wear a full suit.  The company offers affordable sun protective products for boys, girls and adults.

Right now, Sun Protection Zone is offering 40-60% off on select products.  Be sure to visit the site for more information.

Win It! One of you will win a sunskinz rashguard, solar safe wristbands, sun hat…perfectly timed for summer.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back and leave me a comment with something you learned on the site.  Comments will close on June 18, 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.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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While it’s still only Spring in most parts of the country, we Californians have had a taste of summer already.  Two weeks ago we had temperatures weigh into the 90′s!  I try to make it a point of at least wearing sunscreen or a makeup with sunscreen on my face every day to prevent sun damage and aging.  Last year there were over 1,000,000 new cases of skin cancer in the United States (National Cancer Institute).  May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and I encourage all of you to start engaging in regular skin exams and obtain a clinical skin exam regularly.  The Skin Cancer Foundation has an incredibly resourceful site that will help you learn more about how to protect against skin cancer.

You’d think with the wealth of available sunscreen manufacturers, choosing a sunscreen would be as easy as picking up the most popular or the one on sale.  However, just like other skin care products, how you choose your sunscreen is very important. I strive to only choose products that are made with natural ingredients for my family.  I try to avoid parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate.  Many sunscreen products on the market contain ingredients that may disrupt endocrine function, suppress the immune system, and cause reproductive problems.  I  use sunscreen on my face every day, which means that the potential for cumulative accumulation of harmful chemicals in skin care products could be causing damage.  There is a fantastic website called Skin Deep which allows you to search for the safest skin and body care products, according to the Environmental Working Group.

I recently tried Azur Advanced Pro-Cellular Natural Sunscreen, “the first medically non-disruptive, immune-friendly and non-endocrine disrupting sun block, designed to protect against the harmful rays of the sun without the long-term risk of skin cancer.”  Azur contains natural, mineral-based ingredients that provide protection against both UVB and UVA rays.  The two active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  When I looked up those two chemicals on Skin Deep (since I was not able to find Azur), they were both rated low to moderate hazard.  Azur also contains antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) which helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

The sunscreen has a very mild scent that disappears once it’s rubbed into the skin.  It rubs in well and while it’s not greasy, it does make your skin feel moisturized.  I can wear makeup over the sunscreen without having that “caked” look to my face.  I really like the fact that it’s gentle since I have sensitive skin.  I have not experienced any breakouts from using it (which is common with many products I’ve tried in the past).  It’s hypoallergenic, tearless, and water resistant which means I can use it on my son with little effort.  We can also go out in the sun immediately after application. Water resistant sunscreens should be reapplied regularly since they are not “waterproof.”

Azur Advanced Pro-Cellular Natural Sunscreen is available for purchase on the site and retails for approximately $20.00.