Now don't you all thank me at once for the free advertising. ;) I am receiving no compensation of my favorite findings, but if you are the owner or belong to the company of one of these brands, you are more than welcome to donate. Um... I also stole your photos. So if you don't sue me, we can call it even. Free advertising, okay?
Have you ever had cracked lips and plastered chapstick on that was, well, useless? I've done it tons of times. The pain was exponential, and so many of them did nothing to heal or sooth. This though, is apparently the original lip balm, Carmex, and boy does it work miracles!!! I asked Scott to go into the store and pick one out for me. At first, I looked at the cover and was not impressed (I've specifically never bought this precisely because of the cover). When I put it on though... oh bliss. This is now my go-to chapstick for everyday occasions!!!! I will never try any other chapstick in my life and waste money. Sold!
I have two top picks for lotions. If you have ever been in so much pain with cracked and bleedings hands, wither due to climate or washings your hands (you really should try to wash your hands less, I know it's hard when your a germaphobe), this in one of my two top picks! It feels like butter and complete therapy. I take it back, it is therapy (I'm thinking the sitting and talking kind with an actual therapist, just so I'm clear). Please note, I'm talking about the Lubriderm Gold label, not any Lubriderm. Anytime my hands are starting to get dry from too much washing or the air getting too dry I put this on. Anytime I feel like I need a hug, this is my go-to to treat myself. Yes people, it's $10 a bottle, but so is whiskey (actually I don't know how much whiskey costs, but it's expensive probably)!!! So, next time you see this at the store and you want to treat yourself or help your poor inconsolable skin, get this one! Please note that not all stores may sell this particular one, don't settle for anything less. You can find this one online by searching google.com ;)
Avenue Baby was the first lotion I found that actually made a difference for my literally cracked and bleeding hands (seriously, nightmare ppl!). Yes, I probably washed my hands a bit too much (I've actually turned to using a gentle hand sanitizer instead of washing every single time, I'll list it below)! When you look at the list of ingredients, the Petroleum was a big turn off, but if you haven't found the lotion to help you, I urge you to overlook and try it if you're desperate. Like my review of Lubriderm, I don't recommend all Aveeno lotions, but specifically the Aveeno Baby label (dark cap, "clinically proven" only).
I find it odd that companies make a whole line of useless products and just a few good ones. With my badly damaged skin I had tried an average Aveeno lotion my hubby had around and it actually hurt my skin making it itch and irritated (which made me never want to get another Aveeno lotion again, much like my story with Lubriderm!). I received this label of Aveeno at a baby shower and when I tried it, oh my goodness, I was so thankful to the person who got it for us! If I were buying a lotion however, I would have overlooked this one specifically because of the Petroleum (what are they doing putting Petroleum in baby lotions anyway?), but that might have been the saving ingredient. All that I know is that all the lotions I've tried out there have miserably failed, and this one was the turning point for me. Just know though that everyones body is different, so my son's Pediatrician told me, and what one breakthrough lotion for one person might be, might not the same for another. If these lotions don't work for you though there's still hope because we're all built differently, but you'll need to keep on your search and be patient. Until then, use a natural, non harsh hand sanitizer and wash your hands less!
I find it odd that companies make a whole line of useless products and just a few good ones. With my badly damaged skin I had tried an average Aveeno lotion my hubby had around and it actually hurt my skin making it itch and irritated (which made me never want to get another Aveeno lotion again, much like my story with Lubriderm!). I received this label of Aveeno at a baby shower and when I tried it, oh my goodness, I was so thankful to the person who got it for us! If I were buying a lotion however, I would have overlooked this one specifically because of the Petroleum (what are they doing putting Petroleum in baby lotions anyway?), but that might have been the saving ingredient. All that I know is that all the lotions I've tried out there have miserably failed, and this one was the turning point for me. Just know though that everyones body is different, so my son's Pediatrician told me, and what one breakthrough lotion for one person might be, might not the same for another. If these lotions don't work for you though there's still hope because we're all built differently, but you'll need to keep on your search and be patient. Until then, use a natural, non harsh hand sanitizer and wash your hands less!
Babyganics hand sanitizer is a dream! It only has light natural fragrances made from essential oils that fade away quickly and it leaves your hands nice and smooth! There are so many hand sanitizers with potentially harmful things in them, and most of them with harsh alcohol that ware out your hands out as much as washing (and if you have cracked hands, you can forget them altogether, ow...). This, I'm able to use as much as I need, and one-use doesn't make me gag from fake fragrances like ones from Bed Bath & Beyond. Anyway, I've been super happy with this!
As a side note, there is a small percentage of our population that have a handicap against artificial fragrances and can't go out into public or even see their own children at school. These people have MCS, or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. By tossing away small things that have fake and strong fragrances, we can help the small percentage of people with MCS. Keep your ears open for people in your community with MCS, and you can make a small difference in your life by changing your products and forgoing perfume and hairspray to make a bigger difference in their's and their family's.
Rosetta Stone is lacking in helping people who purchase their products to succeed, but despite this I want to promote their products and give some advice to people who might be interested in them. The program is good as long as people know what they're getting!
- First advice is financial, never pay more than $209 for a complete 1-5 level CD/download set. True, you may need to wait. At other times all you need is to take a bite and pull their string (like trying their full three day trial of their online subscription here.) and you'll possibly get an email with a $209 deal just for you, while their website boasts $250. Once you get the $209 deal, use a payment option to pay just shy of $50 a month. This was the only way I was able to afford it.
- Don't get caught up in the online subscription hype. Because their layout makes it easy to get 100% but not understand the grammar fully, I think they might get many people to fork over an extra $14 a month for online access which includes 4 group tutor sessions, and online games that correspond with your level, and little stories that are read for you. If Rosetta Stone is truly working for you, you really shouldn't need these!
- I raced through all of level one and got 98-100% scores, why isn't it working for me?! I couldn't do the end mile stone at all!!! Because Rosetta Stone aims to please and to make you feel like you're doing great and learning at lot (you really are learning a lot), even if you do not fully understand everything, it lets you move on. This is good as well as bad. Though this has a very game like layout (click and play!), you may forget, or not even know to, to put in the work required. You can learn vocabulary by playing, but structure and grammar takes work. Because of this, take notes as you study and learn through the levels in whatever way helps you best. You may also need to repeat core units or sections after more than once. Understand before you move on. If there's just one thing you don't understand, write it down and keep your ears open as you move on. ~Remember, the program does help you to learn fast, but remembering, and even learning structure and grammar is up to you. They do put it in front of you, but you need to pick it up.
- How can I use Rosetta Stone to it's full potential? When I bought Rosetta Stone, they never gave me any tips. After a second go at it though, and also trying another language on their 3 day trial, they sent me four awesome tips that have already helped me. These are it...
1) Take notes while you learn! Taking notes are critical when it comes to grammar. You don't have to do this with the core (main) unit lesson, but in the sub-lesson on grammer after (always use the recommended corse setting with grammar, not just the 'listen and speak' course setting). Just after doing this once, I've noticed a big difference. Write the ending and beginning differences between genders, and other differences too! It doesn't hurt!
2) Set reminders to practice. It's critical to practice daily, or close to it. It's not how long, but how frequently you practice that is key! If setting a particular place and time to do it helps, try it. :)
3) Practice with native speakers. Though this is not feasible for all, you can do this many ways (without forking over $14 a month). There are many people in other countries wanting to learn your language. You can get Penpals that write or even Skype! Other option other than online communication is finding groups (try meetup.com) in your area that are all about the country who's language your studying. I personally am a little shy, so I just like to listen to Italian stories on Spotify from a group called Coccole Sonore, who also have a youtube channel. There's more ways than just talking with a native, you can even just listen!
4) Play games in a foreign language. And might I add listening to stories in your selected language! Though the games and stories you may find may not exactly match up with only what you're studying, you will still learn and benefit from them! Look up games on an app store on your phone, online, or even look for stories and movies told in your new language! I love listening to Italian stories from Coccole Sonore on Spotify, my favorite being 30 fiabe per i tuoi bambini.
- I hope this review and advice helped. If you have anything to add, or if this helped you at all, please write