dare to go bare

Sounds like every mom's dream...a product that helps melt inches off your waist, hips and thighs, reduces cellulite and transforms your skin's appearance. This Smoothing Body Refiner ($70) from Nude Skincare contains bioactive fig to stimulate lipolytic activity and gently break down the build-up of fat cells. Mountain ash, ginger and ginkgo increase circulation to metabolize fat cells and toxins for visibly smoother, firmer skin. Too good to be true? Maybe so. But not for lack of efficacy. What new mom has the time (or energy!) to apply it morning and night to problem areas using firm strokes towards the heart, as the directions require? Plus, the bottle advises, you'll get better results after body brushing. But when your daughter takes 45 minutes to get dressed every morning and won't leave the house until you find her pink socks--every day!--who has time for that? Don't get me wrong: I love the concept, but you have to be pretty diligent to see any true improvements. Then again, like child-rearing, things that are worth the effort usually take time. I do see smoother skin but can't comment on whether the anti-cellulite properties work yet. I'll get back to you in a couple of months with another update. In the meantime, try it yourself at www.nudeskincare.com.

do your skin some good

It's a lip balm, it's a diaper cream, it's relief for dry, cracked skin...it's Elemental Herbs' All Good Goop ($8.50/1 oz., $13.50/2 oz.). This no-fail healing ointment really does it all with its winning combination of herbs and botanicals. The formula includes all organic calendula, comfrey, lavender, plantain and yarrow, which are infused in organic extra virgin olive oil with pure beeswax, vitamin E and lavender essential oil. This winter, it's a staple in my bag. I get the most use out of the tub when I need to soothe dry, chapped lips. But it also comes in pretty handy as a remedy for my daughter's occasional diaper rash. (It's probably more sanitary to have a tub for each occasion!). While it does an amazing job for cold weather irritations, don't diss it in the summer. Supposedly, it works wonders on bug bites, too! Get your fill at www.elementalherbs.com.

dry heels, elbows and knees--oh my!

When it comes to moisturizers, there are cutting-edge products, innovative formulas and trendy ingredients. Then there are names you can trust. Jergens is one of them--and the brand's new Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer is what every dry, cracked heel, elbow and knee needs in the dead of winter. Moms who spend hours on their knees and feet, and running around outdoors in frigid temps, will appreciate this lotion for dry skin and its moisture retaining lipids that offer 24-hour hydration. So if you smooth some on in the AM and don't have time to reapply at night, you're still covered. Thanks to a combination of vitamins C, E and B5, this innovative skin product is supposed to triple your skin's moisture content. I can't vouch for the exact amount of hydration it offers, but it sure makes my rough patches feel smooth again. For your dose of soft skin and a complete collection of skin healing products, go to www.jergens.com.

coverage where you need it: miss oops

Every once in a while a brand emerges with such unique and innovative products that I can't wait to spread the word. Miss Oops is my latest obsession. With a collection of products that address your most personal needs, Miss Oops has you covered.

Boob Tube: For starters, keep your cleavage under wraps (until you want to show it off!) with Boob Tube ($25). Made of stretchable lace, it's a modern-day bandeau that provides just the right amount of coverage without the added bulk of another layer. Looks great under a work suit or when you want to camouflage your pre- or post-baby knockers. The best part: It's so comfy--you won't even realize you're wearing it! Available in S/M or M/L in black, white or beige.

Show Stoppers: Feeling a bit perky? Try Show Stoppers ($16), a pair of reusable silicone nipple covers designed to prevent “perk out.” Show Stoppers are tapered at the edges making them invisible under garments and reusable up to 15 times.

Rescue Sponge: Deodorant marks on your clothes? Make-up powder on your collar? Try Rescue Sponges ($10 per two-pack), reusable dry sponges created to rub away the mark without having to wet your clothes. A great diaper bag or makeup bag stash, they're totally totable and safe to use on all fabrics. I tried it on a cotton tee after my daughter wiped pasta residue on it. It really works!

Popper Stoppers: Now no one has to know that you're due any day (unless your size gives it away!) These ingenious Popper Stoppers ($13 for 5) cover and flatten a "popped" bellybutton so you don't look like you're about to poke someone! They look like an oversized Band-Aid; they feel like a sticker but don't leave you sticky or itchy.

Try these and other Miss Oops products at www.missoops.com.

pass the popcorn, please!

Are you experiencing diet doldrums? Have you been great at keeping up your healthy eating regimen since the new year, but find that you still have some cravings? You're in luck. Today is National Popcorn Day--and a great day to try Popcorn, Indiana, a healthy, gourmet, fun brand of popcorn with no hidden chemicals and lots of taste. Popcorn, Indiana comes in yummy flavors like Famous Original Kettlecorn, Movie Theater Popcorn, Aged White Cheddar Kettlecorn (cheesy--in a good way!), Smoked Cheddar Cheese Kettlecorn, Buffalo Cheddar Kettlecorn and Sea Salt Popcorn (just salty enough!). The Cheddar and Sea Salt are my favorites! Unfortunately, they're my husband's faves too so I have to buy two of each so we each get our fair share. Available at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores, select Costco locations, CVS, Duane Reade, Fairway, Food Emporium, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Wegmens, and Whole Foods or online at www.popcornindiana.com (3.5 oz – $2.29 or 7.5 oz – $3.99).

a green clean

Call it virgin hand sanitizer and you'd be right--it has no alcohol! CleanWell All Natural Hand Sanitizers ($2.99 to $3.50) are not only safe to use on your kids but come in convenient pocket sized sprays, wipes, desktop bottles and easy to use foams. Stash one in your handbag, one in your diaper bag, one in your desk drawer and on your foyer table for quick cleaning before entering your home. I love the spray version since you can cover a greater surface area--especially when your kids are busy playing with a toy and don't want to give you the time of day when you're trying to apply it. Plus, the new orange vanilla scent makes your hands smell clean and fresh. Available at Whole Foods Market, select Target stores, Babies R Us, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, www.Amazon.com, and other retailers.

sleep tight

Is bedtime chaos central at your house? I often give my kids a pre-bedtime bath to "calm them down" but they end up inventing all kinds of new games in the bath and riling each other up instead. So I always need a little extra help getting them to mellow out when they finally hit the hay. The Lulabie® aromatherapy teddy bears ($29.95 each) introduces kids to the "sleep well” ritual from birth on. The Lulabie® teddy bear gift sets include a scented teddy bear with a “sleep well” aromatherapy formula, a short bed time story that tells the story of Lulabie Land and its animals to read to your child before he goes to sleep, and a relaxing music CD. Created by founder Sabrina Polakoff, who knew a good night of sleep was the most precious gift any parent could have, the Lulabie® “sleep well” formula is a blend of aromatherapy and includes 100% pure lavender oil to help calm and relax, orange to calm down, thyme to revive the soul and cardamom to release fatigue and stress. The patent pending scented technology allows for a slow and constant release of the fragrance, so kids can enjoy the aromatherapy scent for months. Choose from Rubie (beige), Rhodie (pink), Saffie (blue), and Selie (brown). Go to www.lulabie.com for more info or www.walmart.com, www.amazon.com and www.target.com to purchase.