Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

Another great guest blog from a local mom…Pam writes:

“My best mommy treat/sanity saving/energy boosting thing right now is my Keurig one cup coffee maker. When I need my first cup in the morning I need it NOW and this is so fast and easy and delicious. LOVE IT! It’s also great for a quick cup of tea at the end of the day.  There are a bunch of different coffee flavors (“pods”) that you can buy online. I love the Newman’s organic extra bold and they sell those pods by the box at Costco which is handy. You can also use your own ground coffee if you don’t want to use a pod every time. ” – Pam, Aliso Viejo mom of 3

Have a tip to share? Email me at info@tinyoranges.com and if I use your guest blog, I will send you a Starbucks card for a coffee on me!

I have to warn you, I am going to sound like an infomercial because of how much I love this skin care line! I have always had problem skin, since I was a teenager.  I thought it would get better in my 20′s and 30′s, but no such luck. In fact, my skin was the worst ever during my pregnancy. Pregnancy glow – yeah right!  I have tried so many products over the last 20 years…both drugstore and fancy-schmancy expensive. Nothing worked  for me. Then I started using this private label called Healthy Skin Naturally that was sold at a place where I get facials in Costa Mesa. I use the Clear-Up Now! products, and let me tell you, I swear by them!  

Here are some descriptions on how some of the products can help us moms challenged by skin care issues:

Clear up during pregnancy and post pregnancy with Healthy Skin Naturally™ ! Pregnancy and post pregnancy can leave the expecting mom with unexpected skin care problems. This is simply one of the side effects of the baby-making factory: the body is using so many of its resources to create life that this flood of hormones can result in the appearance of facial blemishes.

Clear-Up Now! Trio to the rescue: $89  (this is what I use!)

This system of cleanser, toner and repair lotion provides a simple system for clearing the problem.

Prevention Product Recommendations: Oak Cleanser, Clear Up Scrub, Clear Up Mask, Moisture Balance.

Most post pregnancy moms seem to notice these particular ravages: Fine lines around the eyes appear like “crows’ feet” and the face can look drawn and dull. So many of the body’s resources are used for nursing and repair of the former “baby factory” that skin can look tired and lifeless.

Anti-Aging Product Recommendations:

Luxe Citrus Gel Cleanser, Vitamin C Therapy, Ultra Luxe Moisturizer, Stop-the-Clock Moisturizer, Daily Dose, Nutricare Eye Crème or Eye Luxe.

Tiny Oranges readers can take advantage of special promotional pricing on skin care services for a limited time at their location in Eastside Costa Mesa! 

The Clear Up Now! Facial (1 hr) – $95.00 (reg $125)
Each treatment includes enzyme exfoliation, extractions, home-care instructions, and hi-frequency antibacterial purification. Home skin care kit included.

Healthy Skin Enzyme Facial (1 hr) – $85.00 (reg $120)
This treatment includes deep tissue cleansing, extractions, exfoliation, and an infusion of enzymes, to return your skin to its natural, healthy glow. This treatment is recommended monthly for healthy skin maintenance.

Microdermabrasion (1 hr) – $99.00 (reg $145)
This treatment offers deep tissue cleansing and the maximum in skin resurfacing. Experience the ultimate therapy for minimizing fine lines, enlarged pores, acne, and acne scarring, while gradually reducing irregular pigmentation, with no discomfort or down time.

The Stop-The-Clock Facial (1.5 hrs) – $120.00 (reg. $175)
The combination of Glycolic Acid rapid exfoliation, microdermabrasion, and enzyme masking result in immediately smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin. This is the recommended facial treatment for those in search of a younger, more radiant appearance. This treatment also helps to balance irregular pigmentation.

Contact Kristin Scott for appointments (reference Tiny Oranges for the special pricing), product information and ordering:

Nature Technologies
1770 Orange Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(800) 778-8332
nattech@pacbell.net

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!!!   Healthy Skin Naturally is giving away a $100 gift certificate that can be used to purchase products or for a facial!  To enter, send an email (one entry per person please), and include your first name and last initial to giveaways@tinyoranges.com with HEALTHY SKIN in the subject line.  You can enter all week, entries just must be received by Friday, Oct. 3rd at 5pm PST.  Good luck!

I went to the Pure Blu Spa at the Newport Beach Marriott on Friday for a spa day (and a $50 massage thanks to the Spa Week special) and it was simply pure heaven.   This is a spa where you don’t just want to get your treatment and leave, it is a spa where you want to go and make a whole DAY out of it.   Which is what I did, and I left feeling like a new person.  I met two of my mommy girlfriends there and we enjoyed serious girl time just talking, laughing and relaxing.   

For  those of you who live in Orange County, this spa is a PERFECT day spa escape.  For those out of the area, this would be a great weekend destination to get away with your hubby.   Newly remodeled just 3 years ago, the property is beautiful, and in a great Newport Beach location in the Fashion Island loop.  It is easy to get to, and you can valet park complimentary when using the spa.  Before you start your spa day, you can get a nice little workout in at the fitness center adjacent to the pool.  This spa has great amenities…a salt water jacuzzi, eucalyptus steam room, sauna and a cobalt blue tile cold water foot bath.  I have never seen that before, it was amazing.   When you are not in the spa area, you can relax out by the private saltwater dipping pool,  surrounded by comfy, plush lounge chairs and a line of white cabanas. There is pool side service so you can order food and beverages, and the prices were not outrageous.  I had a super yummy sandwich for $10.   One of the highlights was meeting one of my Tiny Oranges readers by accident in the relaxation lounge before my service.  She said she had read about the spa week special on my blog.  It made me so happy!   My massage was unbelievable.  One of those that was so relaxing I almost fell asleep.   After my amazing massage it was so nice to take a long shower and spend time at the vanity doing putting on some make-up and blow drying my hair in a relaxed (not frantic) sort of way.  I came home to my family feeling so happy and refreshed.   It was a pretty close version of what I would consider a perfect day!   And now,   Pure Blu is going to give one lucky Tiny Oranges reader your own delicious, relaxing day because…

HOORAY!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!   The Pure Blu Spa at the Newport Beach Marriott is giving away a gift certificate for a 50-minute treatment of YOUR choice (a $135 – $165 value!!)  To enter (one entry per person), send me an email to giveaways@tinyoranges.com with PURE BLU in the subject line.   Include the answer to this question:  What would be your 50-minute treatment of choice? Emails must be in before 5pm PST on Friday, September 26th.   You can click here to see the list of services.  GOOD LUCK!!!!!

You know when things seem too good to be true?  Well,  I just booked myself a 50-minute massage with two fellow mommy girlfriends at the Pure Blu Spa in the Newport Beach Marriott for…are you ready….$50.00!  It’s for real!   Spa Week is coming to us on the West Coast September 15th – 21st, where participating spas are offering a select number of $50 treatments.    Girlfriends, you deserve it.  This job, mommyhood that is, well, it’s HARD. It is non-stop, 24/7.  Not that I need to tell you that, but sometimes we need a reminder to not feel guilty for doing things every once in awhile just for us!  So, check out the website, register, find a spa near you and make that appointment!    My girlfriend just went to the Pure Blu Spa and said it was one of her absolute favorites in all of OC (and she is a bit of a spa snob, so it says a lot!)  It includes a private saltwater pool with cabanas and even  ”fancy sunscreen for you to borrow!”   I can’t wait to take a stack of unread People magazines and plop myself on a pool chair and just BE.  For a few hours at least!  I will give you the full scoop on the spa after my glorious visit in 3 short weeks.  I will be counting down the days.

T.G.I.F Mamas!!!!  We will see you  back on Monday for the winners of our first giveaway from Wee Gallery!    And, stay tuned, we have another SUPER fabulous giveaway (valued at $170!) coming on TUESDAY!!   Have a  fabulous Labor Day Weekend everyone!