I blog a lot about beauty here at Everyday Baby Steps. I talk about beauty a lot in my real life. I even write about beauty for a salon. Why am I so obsessed with beauty? Is it because I'm vain? Or maybe because I'm insecure? Nope, neither of those. I simply love beauty products because they're another way for women, particularly moms, to take time for themselves, to make themselves feel good and to pamper themselves.

I love to play with makeup. Exploring different techniques and selecting various colors is part of the fun for me. Granted, as a busy mom, I don't always have time to get real experimental with my beauty routine, so I do have some beauty musts that really speed things up in the morning. Here are the areas I focus on when it comes to looking as good as I can each day.

Skin Care - Even if I don't wear any makeup at all, I always wash my face in the morning and NEVER skip moisturizer or facial cream of some kind. I have some favorites, but it all comes down to skin type and preference. Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Serum is a P&G product that's a good choice for those of us who could use a little lift.

Mascara - Over the years, my once full and beautiful lashes have gotten a little skimpy. Add to that the fact that I have narrow lashes, and I just really feel better when I darken my lashes a bit. No black for me, though. This redhead likes brown or I sometimes splurge on mascaras formulated in colors specifically for redheads.

Lip Color - My lips are another area I feel could use a bit of improvement. They're pale, and if I don't use some kind of lip color, I tend to look a bit under the weather. I just feel livelier with a bit of color on my lips. I like natural colors best and often go for a tinted lip balm. CoverGirl Natural Luxe Gloss Balm fits the bill nicely.

Here's me after my morning routine. Taking time for myself always puts a smile on my face! You know what else makes me smile? Giving things away to you! P&G has provided six of their award winning products for me to give to one lucky winner! Wanna win these products for yourself? All you have to do is leave a comment telling me one of your favorite beauty secrets by Monday, April 2nd at noon EST.  Here's what one lucky winner will receive:

Award-winning P&G beauty products 

Time on your Side

Never let your beauty routine drop off the list – even if your day is full. Discover P&G beauty award-winning picks and shortcuts to streamline your daily routine.

Spring Awakening

When the temperatures rise, it’s time to refresh your beauty routine. Update your warmer-weather beauty routine with these must-have products bearing the seal of approval from your favorite magazines.

• · Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof (Real Beauty Gold Star Awards)
• · Venus Bikini Trimmer (Marie Claire 25 New Products That Will Change Your Life)

A Fresh New Look

Sometimes it’s hard to get out of mom-mode. But a pretty, polished style is easy to achieve at home, even on the most hectic mornings, with these award-winning beauty products.

If you'd like to join the conversation about the best beauty tips for your routine, head on over to Twitter and follow the hashtag #PGBeauty. I'll be chatting there with several other bloggers (who are also holding giveaways, by the way.) We'd love to have you join us!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Remember I told you about a workshop I was cohosting on tween hygiene? Well, it was an amazingly informative discussion. A large group of mothers spoke with expert Rosalind Wiseman about the issues surrounding our kids' hygiene. It was so much fun to share stories and to learn how other parents are handling the sometimes tricky issues with their kids. Here's a quick recap.

Rosalind Wiseman is the author of the book Queen Bees and Wannabes, and she started things off by joking, "We love our children, but we don't have to love their stink. Personally, my younger son's soccer cleats could be used as a weapon of mass destruction!" It was reassuring to know that even the experts have to handle these "stinky" situations. We learned that our kids are growing and that increased hormones at this age can cause lots of changes.

Discussions surrounding sweat, body odor, puberty and menstruation were had. No topic was off limits. What we learned was most important was that we handle the topics with our kids sensitively. These kinds of things can cause our kids to feel insecure. We also shared that it's our job to bring up the subjects even if it's not something our kids want to hear.

When discussing personal hygiene, the most important thing to remember is to keep it private. Be sure to talk about these issues when other kids aren't around. Tell them the facts, but let them know that you experienced the same kinds of things. You might even want to share a funny memory from your own childhood.

We also shared that it helps to give kids a say in things. Invite them along to shop for personal hygiene products and ask them which ones they prefer. Also, start teaching them about good hygiene habits and enforcing regular showers, teeth brushing and deodorant wearing. These steps are important to keeping things in check. But again, don't forget to be sensitive.

You can visit The Motherhood for the entire chat summary. And we'd love it if you'd join in the discussion at the Don't Fret the Sweat Facebook page. There's some good stuff going on over there!

Now for the giveaway, and it's an awesome one. Up for grabs is a Very Bradley bag filled with informational goodies and hygiene items. You'll definitely want a chance at this. The beautiful Vera Bradley bag contains:

One sample each of Degree, Degree Girl and Degree Men deodorant by Unilever

A copy of the books Queen Bees and Wannabes and Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman.

Here's a picture of what the winner will get!

Leave a comment below telling me what your most difficult topic is regarding hygiene and your kids. Even if you have little kids or ones that are grown or don't have kids at all. Tell me what you think might be the most difficult topic to discuss with kids when it comes to hygiene. I want to hear your ideas! This giveaway will close at noon EST Thursday, October 13th. Good luck!

* I will receive compensation for participating in this campaign.

You may remember that not very long ago, I shared some information about a very fun contest Hershey's has going on. Well, guess what? There's still time to enter. If you head over to the Hershey's Facebook page, you can see the official contest rules and to upload a photo of your special S'mores memory. The grand prize includes a Canon Rebel camera, slate marble fire outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish giftcard, roasting skewers and a kit of ingredients to make your own S'mores. Plus, you can also download a coupon for $1 off any 2 Hershey's milk chocolate bar 6-packs.

We are loving our S'mores this summer. My little guy had his very first one this summer at Grandma's cookout and has been begging for them ever since. Here's a picture of him eating his first S'more.

And check out this video of my kids showing you how we make S'mores since we don't have a fire pit outside.

Making S'mores in the microwave can get pretty messy, but we don't mind. Here are some photos of the kids getting gooey.

We don't think it's fun unless you end up with a mess.

Wanna win a S'mores pack of your own so that you can share the messy goodness with your family? Just leave a comment below telliing me where you like to eat S'mores. A U.S. winner will be chosen at random sometime after noon EST on Friday, August 12th.

And don't forget to head over to Hershey's Facebook page to enter to win that Canon camera and all the rest of the goodies they're offering!

Do you have a PlayStation Move or do you plan to get one for Christmas? If so, you'll want to jump on this giveaway. If I had a PlayStation, this would be the game I would want. I even wrote about it not too long ago. Get Fit With Mel B is different than many fitness games. It offers:

• Real time feedback
• 200+ exercises including yoga, dance, kickboxing and step aerobics
• Tracking program
• Precision movement detection
• And more!

It looks like such a cool game. I really wish I had a PlayStation Move system. Unfortunatley, I don't. If you do, here's your chance to win this cool game and have fun while getting fit. All you have to do to be entered is leave me a comment telling my why you want to win. Simple as that. Entries will be taken until Thursday, December 23rd at noon EST.

Earn one extra entry by:

Following Everyday Baby Steps on Google Friend Connect in the sidebar

or

Tweeting about Get Fit With Mel B, linking to this post.

Just leave a separate comment for each entry. Two winners will be chosen December 23rd at noon. Good luck!

I've loved Norah Jones for awhile. i was drawn to her at first because my daughter's name is Norah, but when I heard her voice and her style, I was hooked. Her smooth alto voice immediately puts me at ease when I'm feeling stressed. I just love her! So I was thrilled to be able to review her newest CD, ...Featuring, a compilation of songs featuring collaborations with other artists spanning her career.

This CD did not disappoint. I have very eclectic music tastes and really enjoyed exploring the varied tracks. There is music for every taste on this album. One of my favorites, I must say, is "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Willie Nelson. It's just a fun song, and hearing Willie always makes me think of my dad and how he would force me to endure Willie as a kid. I never dreamed Willie Nelson would actually grow on me!

And "Creepin' In" with Dolly Parton takes me back to my childhood as well. Dolly is a strong woman with a voice that's so identifiable. There are artists of all variety featured on this CD though, not just country. Some examples include Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Outkast, Foo Fighters and more. The only people who wouldn't enjoy this CD are those who prefer only one specific music genre.

I really love ...Featuring, and I'm excited to offer a giveaway of this delightful CD. Do you want to win? Just check out the list of songs on the CD and come back here to tell me in the comments which one you're most interested in hearing.

For extra entries:

Like Norah Jones on Facebook.

Join Everyday Baby Steps on Google Friend Connect in the sidebar.

Tweet about the giveaway, linking to this post and including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each method of entry. A winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday, December 21st at noon EST. Good luck!

Thank you, One2One Network for providing me the ...Featuring CD. I appreciate it!

CONTEST CLOSED - AWAITING WINNER REPLY

I can't believe I"m just posting about this now. Holidays throw off my routine so much. Recently, I attended a blogger's event to celebrate the opening of our local Pittsburgh location of 77kids by American Eagle, and it was amazing. Have you heard of 77kids? Until I was invited to the visit the store, I wasn't aware of it, but I'm so glad I am now. What a cool store!

Their clothes are so cute, with sizes from infants up to 14. I was impressed with the selection and with how fashion forward everything was - totally unique looks ad fun stuff kids actually WANT to wear. What was also really cool was the store's layout and the neat things they for the kids to do. Take a look.

This is my son, Noah, outside the store. His sister was sick that day and couldn't come. She was so bummed.

Here's a shot of the kids having races to see whose bird reaches the end of the slope first. So fun!

This is where Noah spent most his time. It's a photo booth where kids can take their picture and decorate it. Loved it!

Boys' dressing rooms.

Girls' dressing rooms.

Snowflake wall in the Wish4Snow program. Customers can donate money to go to local children's hospitals.

In fact, you can help with the Wish4Snow charity initiative as well. Head on over to the Wish4Snow microsite and design your very own snowflake. If 100,000 snowflakes are made, 77 kids will donate an additional $25,000 to children's hospitals around the country! You can make as many snowflakes as you wish, and for each you make, you'll be entered for a daily chance to win a $77 gift card to 77kids! It's easy to do and only takes a couple minutes. You only have to register the first time you make a flake. After that, you simply sign in and let your creativity flow.

It's all for such a good cause. Want another way to win? Well, I've got one. Head on over to the Wish4Snow site and make a snowflake. Then come back here and let me know that you did in the comments, and you'll be entered to win a $50 77kids gift card! Entries must received by Monday, December 6th at noon EST.

Get extra entries by:

Liking 77kids on Facebook

Following 77kids on Twitter

Following me on Google Friend Connect in my sidebar

Tweeting about this contest. Be sure to include @marybabysteps in your tweet!

Just leave a comment for each method of entry, and you're entered to win.

*I was compensated for this post. All opinions are mine. This store rocks! I got some great deals on really cute stuff for the kids.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - AWAITING WINNER REPLY

Okay, ladies, today's review is an amazing one. I'm so fortunate to have been offered the chance to try the best wrinkle cream ever, and I'm a happy girl. What's also making me happy this holiday season is that I get to offer my readers a chance to win a product valued at $150 or less from PerriconeMD! The product I chose to review is the Cold Plasma anti-aging treatment.

About the Product

Cold Plasma by Perricone MD is an anti-wrinkle treatment with five years of research behind it. It's an amazing cream that treats the 10 most visible signs of aging:

• wrinkles
• enlarged pores
• dryness
• redness
• discoloration
• uneven skin tone
• impurities
• loss of smoothness
• loss of firmness
• loss of radiance

My Thoughts

Whew! That's a pretty big claim on the part of Perricone. I've been using the cream for over a week now, and I can tell you I have seen a difference in my skin's texture and brightness. In fact, the deep creases in my forehead are definitely less noticeable. I'm not saying they're gone by any means, but they are a bit less noticeable.

I'm a skin care fanatic and have tried many brands. The feel of this cream is sublime. It goes on so smoothly and makes my skin feel so refreshed. Cold Plasma is meant to be effective for all skin types, and it was absorbed into my combination/oily skin very quickly. That's a plus in my book. So many creams just sit on my skin or require a great deal of blending. Not this one. It goes on smoothly with no shine or greasiness.

My overall review of Perricone MD Cold Plasma is a positive one. I love the cream and can definitely see a difference in my skin. However, I must note that this miracle cream comes with a $150 price tag, making it cost-prohibitive for many - including myself. If you are dedicated to a skin care ritual that works and have the room in your budget to accommodate quality products, this is definitely worth a try.

With that being said, I'm very happy to have had the chance to try the Cold Plasma. I'm dedicated to my skin care and quality cosmetics. I know that beautiful skin and a good foundation are the most important aspects of a makeup routine. For this reason, I'm planning to try Perricone's No Foundation Foundation. It's $50, which is an affordable splurge for me for a quality daily foundation.

The Giveaway

So if you had the chance, which Perricone MD product would you choose? Go to their website and have a look around. Come back here and leave a comment telling me which product under $150 you would love to try, and you just may win it! All comments received by Monday, December 6th at noon EST will be entered to win the product of their choice, valued at $150 or less.

Want extra entries?

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect in the side bar.
• Tweet about the contest - be sure to link here and add @marybabysteps to your tweet.
• Blog about the contest with a link here.

Each of these is worth one extra entry, but you MUST visit the PerriconeMD website and tell me about your product of choice for any extra entries to count. Be sure to leave one comment for every method of entry. Good luck!

I love Tiny Prints. I've been a fan ever since winning personalized Christmas cards a couple years ago. I got great service, and the cards were so nice. Tiny Prints has just launched a new line of greeting cards that you can personalize, schedule and send online. So cool! No more running out to the store for last-minute cards. Just hop online and place your order. Tiny Prints will handle the rest. Your card will be placed in an envelope, addressed, stamped and sent.

There are a wide variety of services available. Each card can be personalized however you choose. If you have the time and want to make it more personal, Tiny Prints will send the card to you to sign and send. You can pay per each card individually or sign up for a membership plan. Everyone who signs up for a membership plan will receive 3 free cards, and the first year's membership fee is waived! What an amazing offer. I can personally attest to the quality of Tiny Prints cards. You'll love them!

To celebrate the launch of Tiny Print's new greeting cards, they're having a special Twitter party tonight, April 23rd, at 9:00 pm EST. The hashtag will be #makeitpersonal. RSVP to Amy at Resourceful Mommy for a chance to win prizes. Speaking of prizes, You also have a chance to win 25 free Tiny Prints greeting cards! Just leave me a comment telling me what you like best about greeting cards. For example, do you like choosing the perfect words or sentiment? Do you prefer personalized cards to generic store-bought ones? Let's hear it. Your comment will earn you one entry into the contest. For extra entries, become a fan of Tiny Prints on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. The come back here and let me know in separate comments which one you did. That's three chances to be entered to win 15 free greeting cards. Entries will be accepted until Friday, April 30th at 12:00 pm EST. Good luck.

All three of my kids started walking around 15 months of age, later than many, but they sure made up for it once they got going! Brady's now 18 months old, and he's getting around just fine on his own two feet now. His first steps were a little shaky, as most first steps are, but he sure had fun taking them. Take a look at this video of Brady soon after he started walking.

Isn't he cute? He's certainly got enough cheerleaders, don't you think? Stride Rite would like to help your little one with their first steps by offering 5 lucky winners a chance to win a pair of their SRT shoes, infant/toddler size 3 - 8, including medium and wide widths. SRT stands for Sensory Response Technology that can "improve the way your child learns to walk" due to the the way the shoe alows your child to be aware of the surface beneath his or her feet. The shoe molds to the foot for comfort.

Stride Rite's been around for years. I love to visit their store at our local outlet, and I've bought shoes there many times as my kids have grown over the years.  I just joined their Facebook fan page. Go sign up yourself if you're a fan of Stride Rite like I am! And if you'd like to win a pair of SRT shoes for your little one, just fill out this form to receive your entry for one of five pair of SRT shoes that Stride Rite is giving away. This giveaway ends September 28th at 11:59 pm EST.

What's your favorite baby steps memory? Did your child have a special first pair of walking shoes?

* Thank you, Stride Rite, for providing me with a pair of these shoes for my little guy! I know we'll love them.