The Boot Butler Solves Your Boot and Closet Problems

I got the chance to try the Boot Butler, and I'm so glad I did. I have a small closet, and my boots -- about 5 pairs of them -- had always been shoved into a corner and piled on top of each other there. They were not happy, but I didn't have any other option.

Then the folks at Boot Butler sent me a sample to try out in exchange for an honest review. The box arrived, and within 15 minutes of opening it up, I had it assembled (no tools! easy even for me!) and hanging in my closet.

It's really this easy (2 min):



I love everything about the Boot Butler except one thing, which is the reason I'd give it 4.8 stars out of 5. The materials it's made of are sturdy enough for what it needs to do, but they are not such expensive materials as the $70 price tag would suggest.

All 5 pairs of boots now take up just 8 inches of horizontal space in my closet. And I have a chunk of floor space back.

Not my actual closet.

Hmmmmm....now I need more shoes and boots.

Two thumbs up for the Boot Butler!

Somaluxe Skin Products by Lady Soma: Relief for Rosacea & Sensitive Skin

For the past four months I've been testing out Facial Cleanser and Redness Repair Moisturizer from Lady Soma's Somaluxe line of products. (Disclosure: I received samples for purposes of writing an honest review).

While I don't have rosacea, I do deal with eczema during the cold, dry months in the Denver climate. The Somaluxe line has made a big difference for me this past winter. Confession: even though the products are designed to use on the face, I have used it elsewhere and have found relief from itchy dryness and irritation.

Let me tell you why I'm impressed with Somaluxe Skin Products:

• Ingredients in the cleanser include vitamin c, tea tree oil & aloe vera
• Ingredients in the moisturizer include aloe vera, witch hazel and rosehip seed oil
• The cleanser is sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free (if that matters to you), and cruelty-free.
• My skin feels better and looks better after using Somaluxe for 4 months. I survived the winter!

I give these products two thumbs up. If you've got sensitive skin and are trying to reduce inflammation, please consider trying Somaluxe Facial Cleanser ($16 for 8 oz) and Somaluxe Rednesss Repair Moisturizer ($25 for 2 oz).

Honest Tea: Tastes Good, Feels Good

Honest Tea sent my family a variety of drinks to try out, and we have loved each and every flavor.

For herbal teas, we tried:

• Pomegranate Blue
• Orange Mango
• Cranberry Lemon

My husband loved these for having under 100 calories per bottle, and for being refreshing and not too sweet.  There are 6 other iced tea flavors -- check them out.

The kids and I tried assorted Fizz products.

• Root Beer
• Ginger Ale (I may have turned mine into this) 
• Orange Pop
• Lemon Limey
• and the oh-so-delicious Professor Fizz Spiced Cherry

Each one of them tasted great (there is a slight Stevia aftertaste, in case you're sensitive to that) and I feel good that I'm giving my kids non-sugary organic products with zero calories and only natural sweeteners.

Not only are the products natural and organic, but all teas also use Fair Trade Certified Tea leaves.

My family and I give Honest Tea drinks our thumbs up, and I do so as well for the company and the way it conducts business. Tastes good, feels good -- try them yourself!

Block Island Organics: A Family Owned Startup Skin Care Brand

What's an ayurvedic-living, ToeSox-wearing, essential-oil using, fair-skinned gal who wants to treat her epidermis well but not with synthetic chemicals to do? Especially when she lives in a semi-arid climate in a city that's a mile closer to the sun than NY or LA?

Block Island Organics to the rescue. When I was offered a full-size sample pack of three items, I said yes because I saw this:

"All of our products are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, dyes and artificial fragrances.  We also don't do animal testing and use vegan-based formulas."

I've been trying out three products, with formulations touted as natural, rich in antioxidants, vitamins and botanicals, and suitable for all skin types. Here's more information supplied by Block Island Organics.

Block Island Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser

• Cleans and freshens skin with gentle botanicals
• Rosehip, chamomile, sunflower, burdock, avocado, olive and more combine to purify skin while maintaining its moisture balance
• $19.79 for 4 oz

Block Island Organic Revitalizing Night Cream

• Nourishes and revitalizes skin
• Features gentle botanicals such as cocoa butter, caleendula, rosehip, avocado, aloe vera, jojoba, blueberry and more
• Light enough to be used during the day, as well
• $31.49 for 2 oz

Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

• Ultra lightweight, zinc only and vegan formula. Zinc is actually the best UV protector as it offers the broadest UV spectrum protection. Dermatologists often say zinc is the safest sunscreen ingredient for sensitive skin and babies over six months. It also has antimicrobial properties that help to enhance wound healing. It's even the main ingredient in diaper rash cream.
• Nano particle-free
• Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
• $17.99 for 3.4 oz

So far, each has lived up to its billing. I'm looking forward to pampering my epidermis through the rest of the spring and all summer.

Check out Block Island Organics for yourself.