I—like most busy women I know—don’t have nearly enough time to pamper myself. Instead of a luxurious bath it’s usually a quick shower or a tub filled for two (with my daughter, not my husband) where the accessories are toys, not romantic candles.  Still I take what relaxation I can get and look forward to finding new products that can help transform me from frantic to serene in mere minutes. So when I discovered the bliss that comes with using the For Feet’s Sake range by Aromafloria, I was in true heaven.

I can’t even properly describe how much I adore the Double Action Spa Foot Scrub. The soft sweet mint scent hits me immediately and I happily breathe it in. It’s not overpoweringly minty, but just perfectly fragranced with organic spearmint and peppermint oils accented by organic rosemary and eucalyptus. The super thick formula gets its buffing action from organic sugar and fruit acids. So it’s naturally gentle but still tough enough to really help scrub away calluses. Treat yourself to a mini foot massage in the shower by rubbing it onto your feet for two minutes before rinsing. It’s invigorating, softening and just plain pampering. I actually think it’s a little insane to love a scrub so much.

While I easily make time for a quick two-minute foot scrub, a decadent foot soak is definitely more rare. But with the Perfectly Soft Spa Foot Soak, I’m inclined to find a way.  Housed in a pretty clear jar that’s perfect for display, the little white crystals dissolve dry, rough skin, stimulate circulation and rejuvenate aching feet. Just place a handful into a large bowl of water (hot to soften and cool to reduce swelling) and soak your tired feet for 10 minutes. The aromatherapeutic organic essential oil combination of rosemary, peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus is both calming and invigorating.

Finally there’s the multi-purpose Refreshing Spa Foot & Leg Mist. Sure the cooling formula is great to spray directly on your feet and legs to help revive, deodorize and soothe. But it also banishes odor when sprayed directly into shoes. Just a few squirts helped rid my son’s sneakers of the nose-wrinkling aroma wafting from them. And when sprayed on the body, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial organic ingredients leave your skin feeling completely refreshed.

A while ago Saffron Rouge debuted the Suki Color organic mineral makeup collection. With signature products like the Pure Cream Stain, the sophisticated, yet natural, range of cosmetics became an immediate hit. Since then we have also introduced the Suki skin care line. With over 20 products to choose from, it combines organic botanical ingredients including white willow, chamomile and green tea, with the marvels of modern science. Concentrated doses of active elements such as liposomes and antioxidants visibly and gently heal and treat the skin. Made by hand in small batches the formulas help change the skin’s tone and texture to show off a glowing, more youthful looking complexion. And it all happens without any chemicals or faux ingredients created in a lab.

The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser is a great example of Suki’s philosophy of smartly mixing science with organics. The pure ingredients, like lemongrass, sugar, orange peel and seaweed extract smooth and rejuvenate skin with natural alpha hydroxy acids. It removes makeup, dirt and excess oil, but leaves behind skin’s natural moisture. Plus, the yummy fresh scent is an instant morning eye opener.

I’m a sucker for a good body oil and love to have a few versions to turn to after a relaxing bath. Right now one of my choices is the Delicate Hydrating Oil. The woodsy scent is created with an intoxicating combination of arnica, calendula, chamomile and lavender blended with apricot kernel, sunflower and grapeseed oils. Pour some into your bath or smooth it on afterwards while your skin is still slightly damp to help maintain and add moisture.

I hate days where I feel worn out, stressed and super tired. But what’s even worse is when my face shows it. Suki’s Intensive Brightening Cream combines natural active yeast collagen extract with natural antioxidants and skin brighteners to help even out skin tone, increase radiance and reduce puffiness. Essentially, it makes me look like I’m feeling great… even if I’m not.  With so many choices, you may be stumped as to what to buy first. So if you can’t decide what to get, I suggest the Nourishing Mini Skin Care Kit. The eight products are perfect for hydrating dry and fragile winter-worn skin.  One warning though: I do find it hard to shake the product out of the trial size containers…maybe it’s just me though.

There are times when I don’t mind splurging on a great organic product. But let’s face it; I’d rather score something at a great price. Many people are surprised to learn that there are plenty of organic options that won’t empty your wallet. In fact, you can get almost everything you need from face and body to hair products for $25 and under. Here are my absolute favorite organic beauty steals, so you can save your hard-earned money for a rainy day… or a swoon-worthy fragrance. Continued...

Eye shadow is my favorite product in my makeup bag. Like most red carpet stomping gals in Hollywood, I love to play around with color combinations. Here are some ways to get “the look” with shadow combinations ranging from absolutely easy to creatively complex, using pure organic products. When it comes to color options, Dr.Hauschka, NVEY ECO, Suki and Living Nature, are definitely worth checking out for great mineral shadows. For all the looks I mention below, you should finish with a coat or two of your favorite natural mascara. Continued...

Angelina Jolie has received three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Academy Award. She’s also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. Oh, and she shows up on the red carpet accessorized with Brad Pitt. But what really makes Jolie stand out (at least in my humble opinion) is her humanitarian efforts. And she doesn’t do it for the sake of the press either. Jolie is truly committed to making our world a better place, which is why she continues to personally plead for the lives of those less fortunate. Jolie even admitted to donating a third of her increasingly large income to charity, resulting in millions of dollars earmarked towards her favorite causes. Continued...

I’m not one for short shorts. And short skirts and dresses aren’t my thing either. But all summer long I peeled off the layers to reveal a bit more skin. And even though cool weather is almost here, I’m not quite ready to relinquish bare legs just yet. So until my legs go in hibernation for the winter, and my shaving routine slows down (just a little), I make sure my bathroom is stocked with the most pure and delicate shaving products. Mainstream brands will lead you to believe you need to sizzle off the hair with a chemical cream or smooth on a synthetic-filled shaving cream, but there are alternatives. They’re gentle, they’re safe and they really work. Continued...

These days it seems that liquid shower gel has overshadowed the bar of soap when it comes to tub-side popularity. But like a little black dress or a classic trench coat, a good old fashioned bar of soap will never go out of style… especially if that bar includes luxurious organic ingredients. So whether your looking for a bar that will go the distance or one that will leave your skin delectably scented, here are my picks for the best bars. Continued...

Not all concealers are alike. In fact, even once you’ve weeded out the not-so-natural options you still have, well more options. You have to figure out what formula you want to use and even then you’re not done. There’s the task of choosing a shade. After all, not all concealers are alike. And obviously not every shade will work for everyone. To pick your shade, choose one that’s one or two shades lighter than your foundation. If your skin looks ashy when wearing the concealer, it’s too light. However, if it doesn’t brighten the area it’s too dark. It also may be smart to keep two shades in your beauty kit for working with extremely dark circles or on days your skin is more tanned than usual. It also may be necessary to blend two shades together to get the perfect color. Continued...

Morgan Freeman’s distinctive voice stands out among thousands of others. From Shawshank Redemption to Batman Begins, his talented acting ability can be seen in dozens of films, but there’s one that’s special to me that you can’t see him in. In the English version of the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins, Morgan’s authoritative and empathic voice narrates the story of this heartwarming and inspiring documentary. For another visual dose of environmental empowerment, check out the website for Earth Communications Office (ECO). Freeman–along with Gene Hackman, Patrick Stewart, and others–narrate short video messages, seen in over 100 countries by over a billion people annually, in an effort to bring awareness to environmental concerns. Continued...

I’m not a fan of electronic toys that require little interaction and even less imagination. So I’m always on the look out for something that will inspire a little creativity while also being eco-friendly. Right now my youngest son is completely digging (literally) Sprig Hallow toys. Available in three sets that can be mixed and matched with each other, the DuneBug’s Sand Truck, Bee and Butterfly’s Farm Playset, and Dragonfly’s Helisoopter Playset are perfect for boys or girls, and are recommended for ages three and up. Continued...