My two oldest daughters are 16 and 13, and though they’ve shown incredible poise and self-confidence despite problems with acne, I know they would both like clearer skin.  I’ve bought them different products in the past, but become frustrated when I find that they’re not using them regularly.  When a friend recently suggested that maybe it’s because they’re discouraged by delayed results (and hence lose interest), I realized I needed to find something that could act fast.

The opportunity to review OXY Clinical Acne Solutions came at a perfect time.

Through my involvement with Mom Central, we received two of the OXY Clinical Acne Solutions Packs, which include the Advanced Face Wash, Hydrating Therapy, and Clearing Treatment. (Click on each product to learn more about the ingredients and patented OXY Clinical technology for each.)

The Solutions Pack is a great way to get introduced to the entire OXY Clinical line and begin a thorough skin care routine.  Both my girls began using the products right away, and though both reported an initial tightness and irritation to the Advanced Face Wash, by the second use, there was no reaction.  Both found the Hydrating Therapy to be refreshing, and I think both really liked the idea of concentrated spot use with the Clearing Treatment.

I have to be careful with any medical claims in my reviews, but I will just tell you that through my own observation, I could see that by the third day of regular use, both girls were showing significant clearing of their acne.  Certain areas of regular redness and flare-ups are now more uniform in color, and constantly raised patches of acne are now much smoother.  Now after several days of use for each, I won’t say their acne is non-existent, but it’s MUCH more under control than it was, and they are both happy with the quick and recognizable results.

Disclosure: “I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Centralon behalf of Oxy Clinical and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

OXY Clinical Acne Solutions {Review} is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Tweet This Post

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig

Pop On Pals are perfectly-sized, chunky little toys for toddlers and preschoolers that are meant to mix and match with each other.  My son immediately transformed his one Pop On Pal from a strongman at the amusement park to a happy little dude riding a roller coaster.  He just instinctively new what to do with the different switchable rings that came with his toy.

We received the Amusement Park Playset, which “comes to life with lights, sounds, music, and more.”

My son’s favorite part of this playset is the roller coaster car you can send flying off the tracks.  But maybe if your child is less of an Evel Knievel, they’ll simple enjoy rotating the ferris wheel or steering the dragon boat.  Everything is interactive/reactive, with lights and music, which is an important component of every Pop On Pals toy for 2-4 year olds.

I encourage you to take a look at the website for more information on this growing line of fun, colorful toys for toddlers and preschoolers.  Pop On Pals are now available through several retailers, including KMart, Target, Toys ‘R Us, and more.

*Disclaimer:  I was sent the Pop On Pals Amusement Park Playset for review via Team Mom.  The opinions expressed are honest and are my own.  I received no other compensation for this post.

Pop On Pals: A New Line of Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Tweet This Post

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig

HASBRO very generously sent us these recently-released card games for review.

Each of these games re-imagines what you expect from the boardgames and lets you play on the go.  Our favorite was the Scrabble Slam! card game.

You play by starting with one (family appropriate, of course!) four-letter word, and then racing your opponent(s) to change the word one letter at a time by using the letter cards you were dealt at the beginning.  We found it was fast and fun, and a great chance for the kids to brush up on their vocabulary skills.

HASBRO also sent us two of their Pocket Pogo Touch-Screen games:  Scrabble and Yahtzee.

My husband dominated the Scrabble Pogo for much of the trip, he enjoyed it that much!  We’ve owned hand-held electronic games like this before, but we all enjoyed the new touch-screen feature and savvy addition of the stylus.  Also, these games have added usability by connecting with the ClubPogo.com website; you get a free 30-day membership to the site with any purchase of a Pocket Pogo game, and you earn additional tokens and badges on the site when you play these touchscreen Pocket Pogos.

Finally – no question, our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE treat sent to us by HASBRO – the new BOGGLE REINVENTION.

Boggle has been a family favorite for years, but over time we’ve had to scramble to find lost letter cubes, locate the timer, and then there’s the thundering shake-a-shake-a-shake-a of the case during play.  This newly-formatted Boggle is perfect for travel, and has no parts to lose.  Everything is self contained – a truly unique design allows you to (quietly) shake the cubes and set them up for the game, and a built-in timer starts when you’re ready.  I love it!  It probably seems silly to be so enthusiastic about a game, but I’m just really impressed how the designers were able to take a great product and make it even better (and much more practical).

*Disclosure:  These games were sent to me by HASBRO for review.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.  I received no additional compensation for this post.

Portable Versions of Our Favorite HASBRO Games is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Tweet This Post

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig

To help with this, Patch Products sent us a product for review from their newly revamped Take ’N’ Play Anywhere line of magentic games.

We were sent Tic-Tac-Toe to try out.  True, you can play Tic-Tac-Toe with a plain ol’ pencil and piece of paper, but this magnetic tin is much more fun to use.  I think it’s a pleasant combination of the 6 3/4″ square tin itself, the inherent fun of magnets, the bright colors, the grid printed inside the tin, the big chubby foam Xs and Os, and instructions for a variation of the game called Toss-Tac-Toe.

The kids have really enjoyed playing Tic-Tac-Toe this way, and we’ve discovered that magnetic game sets just make a great deal of sense for travel.  They’re fun, compact, inexpensive, don’t need chargers or batteries (hallelujah!), and bring the kids together in play. For future trips, I’ll be considering other products from Patch Products’  Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere line, including  Bingo, Checkers, Chess, Dominoes, Matching, Hangman, Steps & Slides, and Go Fishing.

Patch Products Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere Magnetic Games {Spotlight & Review} is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Tweet This Post

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig

11 hours traveling in a car + a toddler with a strong arm and no convenient place to keep his toys and snacks = toys and snacks chucked far and wide inside our minivan.  One product we’ve been fortunate enough to travel with, though, has provided a practical solution to this oh-so-charming dilemma.

The Snack & Play Tray from Star Kids was designed by mompreneur Alyson Starr Probst in response to her desire to “find a safe, practical surface for [her son] to use when he was in his car seat or stroller.”  As with most great inventions, it makes sense, and is incredibly easy to use.

While the Snack & Play has come in handy when Eli is putting together his puzzles or having juice and crackers, my favorite use so far was unexpected, but very necessary.  At our first stop on this trip, our portable DVD player was destroyed by a water leak in our hotel room.  Since Eli loves watching his movies while we drive, I had to think of something fast.  I unpacked my laptop, used the outlet adapter for the car to plug it in, and set in on the Snack & Play for Eli to enjoy.  An instant fix!

Eli watching movies on my laptop, which is being easily held by the Snack & Play Tray.

 I think this just goes to show how versatile this award-winning product can be.

I’m truly excited to be able to offer a Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray for giveaway to one of my readers.  To enter, please answer in a comment to this post:  how/where would you use the Snack & Play on adventures with your own child?

For extra entries, chose any of the following and leave an individual comment telling me which method you used:

• Tweet about this giveaway (put username or link in comment)
• subscribe via RSS or email
• “friend” me via Google Friend Connect

US entries only, please; all entries due by 11:59pm, Wednesday, July 21st, 2010.  Good luck!

CLOSED: UPDATED: Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray {Review & Giveaway} is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Tweet This Post

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig