Gloves In A Bottle

I have really sensitive skin (face breaks out easily; products always need to have the "hypoallergenic" label; etc etc), so I was quite skeptical at first with Gloves in a Bottle.

My right hand, as maintained/cared for/pampered with Gloves in a Bottle!

I'm currently living in Maine (grew up in Singapore) -- Singapore = very humid (but better for the skin), Maine = not so humid (but much dryer air, in comparison).

I usually have a whole range of moisturizers lying around. I've Hemp Body Moisturizer, Vaseline, St. Ive's, and Nivea (currently using their very-nice shower gel; not sure if I have a bottle of moisturizer lying around somewhere...)...but the best (in terms of protection + hydration) = Gloves in a Bottle.

No reactions to the product, no fragrance/parfum (which according to Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, can be harmful -- especially for sensitive skin).

Just a smooth, hydrating treat for the hands :)

Check it out @ www.glovesinabottle.com

* At the time of this posting, 1 bottle = $14.95 (plus $7.95 shipping and handling, for U.S.-based customers). 1 bottle can last up to 120 applications (according to their website).

* I received some samples in the mail (1 bottle and a couple of sachets). It felt very slightly gooey at first (I think I used too much from the first sachet), though the product absorbs quickly enough into the skin. After a few tries, my hands just feel smooth and well-hydrated (no gooey/sticky/oily feeling at all).

Soy Candles

BsaB Candles uses only 100% Essential Oils--pure and unadulterated--for their range of scented candles. Some of the products include coconut candles & bamboo candles.

The coconut candles make a great party idea, as BsaB has researched and developed a way to create coconut candles using the coconut shells as holders. The coconut candles also float and can be used in tubs, ponds or water features. They are a wonderful way to lighten the mood of any gathering.

All of the candles are natural, sustainable and very high quality. The essential oils are blended in France, the wicks are from Germany, and only 100% soybean wax is used for the range of soy candles.

Soy Wax is used because it is cleaner, healthier, and greener than Paraffin. Most candles are made with chemical distillates or paraffin, which is the final byproduct in the petroleum (fuel) refining process. Soy wax is made from soybeans--a renewable resource. In addition, it lasts longer (an average of three times longer) than paraffin wax.


--> Exquisite Beeswax Candles

The scents page will help you choose the right aromatherapy scent.

BsaB is committed to creating the finest organic candles in earth-friendly and people-friendly forms, and delivering sublime, sustainable, and luxurious natural beauty.

Quality Skin Care Product

I tried a Eucerin body lotion a few years ago -- I wasn't too impressed. I don't remember it doing anything good or out-of-the-ordinary. Perhaps I was expecting more with the hype at the time, about how the line Catered Towards People With Sensitive Skin. I remember forking out about $16 for it when I was in Singapore.

Anyway my skin is still as sensitive as it has been since long long long ago. People with this skin type will be able to empathize with the multitude of annoyances and issues sensitive skin can bring about! I recently received a sample of Skin MD Natural and decided to see what it would turn out to be like.



Turns out that it was a much better experience than I had with Eucerin. I had a look at the ingredients list of the Skin MD product I had [Shielding Lotion for Face, Hand & Body] -- good stuff like Aloe Leaf Extract (Aloe Vera), Vitamin E, Chamomile, Extracts of Arnica, as well as purified water. Pure deionized water is theoretically up to 1000 times more soluble than common tap water.

Arnica is one of those herbs that has traditionally been used externally to heal wounds. It has a pain relieving effect, reduces inflammation and clears fungal infections. Aloe Vera also has a long history of being a safe and effective skin care aid. The aloe plant contains over 75 ingredients (!), such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins).

The sample I received had a note: "a little goes a long way...", so I only used a little bit of the product. Yes, it was enough to notice an effect. My skin felt very hydrated in less than a minute, and didn't have a weird caustic effect like when I once sampled an SkII product. SkII being a luxury skincare product...they were having some promotional giveaways at a mall. Any-way.

Later, I applied some Skin MD after being out in the sun for a while. There was a comforting, refreshing feeling, and the skin didn't dry out. It was refreshing in the "I've just taken a really nice bath" sense -- but better, because the feeling doesn't go away quite so fast as the former alone.

On the website, it is explained that Shielding Lotions are a new type of skin care product. They form a protective shield and help keep out irritants, while keeping natural oils and moisture in the skin. They're also light in texture, so they go on without a greasy mess. I could feel this at work after applying the product, so all that info isn't just a load of marketing BS.

And since I went for a wisdom teeth op two weeks ago, using Skin MD was an exceedingly welcome treat during my recovery! I'll be applying the product on some eczema spots soon, as I've confidence in this brand and the ingredients that are in it.

Corporate Gift Baskets

As you probably already know, "first impressions count". This certainly extends to gifts baskets. A fine quality gift basket makes for a brilliant presentation, whether the event is a wedding, arrival of a new baby, or business-related.


The Elegant Gift Basket -- suitable for a variety of special occasions

At The Gift Basket Pros, there is a wide selection of gourmet corporate gift baskets, cookie bouquets, gift boxes, and more to choose from (Wine or Spa & Pamper gifts, anyone?).

The selection is impressive, along with the list of Forbes Fortune 500 companies that trust TGBP for their business gift giving services (American Express, AT&T, Harley Davidson, etc).

With the corporate holiday gift baskets, you can let your imagination and taste buds run wild!

Know someone that loves cookies and chocolate? Think of how it'd be like for them, to receive a Mrs. Fields Cookie Gift, or Golden Godiva Gift Basket. I’m sure the decadence would make them feel on top of the world (they’re very likely to remember/appreciate you, not to mention your good taste too).


Deluxe Corporate Gift Basket -- yummy

These are just some of the contents in the Deluxe Corporate Gift Basket:

# Tangy Apple Salsa
# Harry London Chocolate Covered Pretzels
# Ginger Spice Biscotti
# Chocolate Fudge Shortbread Cookies
# Sonoma Jack Cheese
# Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
# Butter Toffee Pistachios
# Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars
# Kasilof Smoked Salmon
# Nunes Mocha Almonds
# Staufers Caviar

*I’m totally salivating...*

Certain products have free ground shipping -- look out for the red diagonal banner on selected items.

PS: For those interested, Cornell University has a page on corporate gift giving research. Companies connect with universities because they view it as a very important resource, and invest in it to ensure its future is secure. Included in corporate gifts for research institutions: real estate, travel grants for students, and gifts of intellectual property.

Gift for Lovers

Kama Sutra produces a range of sensual and beautiful gift sets. Featured above is the Love Essentials set ($25.99) -- which contains a sampler of: The Original Oil of Love, Love Liquid Sensual Lubricant, and Sweet Honeysuckle Honey Dust with feather applicator.

Inspired by "The Kama Sutra", the most renowned book on the art of making love, The Kama Sutra Company has created products for over thirty five years -- products that incite the senses. They tingle and tantalize, soothe and seduce, refresh and renew.



There are also luxury bath products, such as Treasures of the Sea. This bathing kit contains a blend of nature's most precious gifts -- vitamins, minerals and nutrients from the sea. The set is complete with freshly scented bath sands and a real sea shell scoop.

Celebrity fans include Bai Ling, Ludacris, Tori Spelling, and more. At their wedding party, Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman presented friends and family with a basket of favourite products from Kama Sutra (including a trio of flavored massage creams).

Soap anyone?

Most people like soap. How about making some of your own to give away as gifts? These are little 'bath bombs' . Just drop one in your bath tub and watch the fizz......then enjoy a good soak - or rather your friends will after you give them the ones you make! Available in different shapes too. Found on www.soapcrafters.com

And you probably can't give a bath tub as a gift, but this miniature soap dish is really cute.