Picnic Basket Crafts is a business after my own heart. Tiffany Norton produces quality luxury skincare products, while striving to tread very lightly on both the environment and your wallet! What’s not to love about that?! Tiffany has a background in the sciences as a biology and chemistry teacher. Her potion making skills have helped her to create an incredible line of natural skincare products. Tiffany says of her small price tags, “I’ve pared down my recipes to just the essentials, and then use the highest quality oils I can get. Nothing fancy!” So basically she skips all the unnecessary stuff and passes along the savings to you. Awesome.
I received several samples of her products to try out for myself. Everything was beautifully yet sensibly packaged in a pretty stitched brown paper envelope. I spent several days trying out each sample, and really had fun doing so.
First I’d like to tell you about her handmade oatmeal & cocoa butter soap. This soap is absolutely ideal for brand new parents, and I’ll tell you why: it doesn’t have a scent! Still confused? Well, the most highly developed sense that babies have at birth, and for the first 6 weeks or so of life, is the sense of smell. Primary caregivers should avoid perfumed products during that period of time, as it could confuse or frustrate your baby when s/he is trying to memorize (and enjoy!) your scent, which smells absolutely heavenly to your baby. I also found the soap to lather quite well. And please note the price for a thick piece of this soap…$3.00! Score!
Next up is the night time eye serum. I used this eye serum for several nights in a row.The serum is something that needs to go on at night, because it takes it a long while to fully soak in, and you only need the tiniest amount, so a bottle will last forever. Tiffany says of the ingredients, “Each component of the formula is carefully chosen for it’s mildness, safety, and reputation for providing healing and therapeutic benefits to dry, aging, and sensitive skin. Included in this list of wonder oils is my very own brew of calendula-infused olive oil, along with carrot seed essential oil, rice bran oil, vitamin E, pomegranate essential oil, and jojoba oil, and other great gifts from nature.” She also noted that this serum can also help with other skin problems, such as stretch marks, scars, rashes, scrapes and burns. I really love a product that can multi-task. And once again, let me just point out the price tag for a small vial of this wonder elixir: $3.75! Unbelievable!
The third product I tried was the healing facial creme for seriously sensitive skin. The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was a light avocado smell. Avocado oil is actually one of the ingredients in this cream, and Tiffany says that it is “one of the most moisturizing of oils, and gentle enough to use in infant products.” There are also other amazing ingredients in this cream such as calendula infused olive oil, apricot kernel oil, chamomile essential oil and cucumber extract, which is actually the reason that the creme has a greenish tint! The price also can’t be beat: $12.00 for 2 ounces. I shudder to think about what I have forked over in the past for lotions that were full of synthetic junk and didn’t work half as well as this product.
Tiffany had two products geared towards babies for me to try out on Darah. The first product I tried was the oatmeal and calendula baby bath bag. Tiffany says, “This special formula is made for sensitive, damaged, or irritated skin of all ages. Whether you have a baby with diaper rash, a toddler with eczema, or a teenager with poison oak, this super gentle bath soak will ease symptoms, moisturize skin, and promote healing.” While Darah isn’t experiencing any skin problems at the moment, I thought I’d still try this out in her bath. It is made from such wonderful products that it is sure to be good and soothe her skin, regardless! The bath bag had a very light oatmeal scent. She ended up sitting on the bag in her baby bath, which is probably why it broke apart about 7 minutes into her bath. But it honestly wasn’t a big deal, as the stuff inside the bag was very fine. No residual bits were still on her skin when we pulled her out of the bath. She didn’t have any reaction to the ingredients. I have one more package that I’m going to save for her first diaper rash breakout. I’m confident that it will help her feel better. Tiffany offers 5 tea bags for $6.00. This is another great deal, and an excellent product to have on hand for breakouts.
I also tried the baby and boo boo balm. This is another multi-tasking product. It is great to help prevent and treat diaper rash, but is also handy to help with rashes, chapped cheeks, nipples and noses, burns, scrapes, bruises, bumps and other skin problems. The smell is light, and the product works just as well as other diaper rash creams I have used. One ounce is only $5.00, and this is another product that doesn’t need to be slathered on to get the effect you seek.
Finally, I got to try out Tiffany’s newest product, the therapeutic facial scrub. So as I was applying this scrub in the bath, some definitely got in my mouth. Oops! But I’m pleased to say that it didn’t taste gross and awful like other face care products do (What? You’ve never accidentally eaten your face cream like I have?) Actually, it tasted rather sweet, and that’s probably because it is made with organic cane sugar. This scrub was not messing around in terms of its exfoliating power. I was really impressed with that. I did get a little nervous when I started to rinse it off, because I quickly noticed that my skin felt like it had a whole lot of oil on it. I decided to just calm down and follow the directions, which were to rinse my face and then pat it dry. I’m so glad I didn’t freak out and try to wipe off the residue, because after I patted dry, my face felt seriously supple. I kept touching my face every 2 minutes for the next hour. Twelve hours later, when I got out of bed to start the next day, I felt my skin. Still soft! Wow!
Buy It!
Picnic Basket Crafts offers truly luxurious natural products for drugstore prices. Such a combo is extremely hard to find! Check out all the awesome products she makes! For the duration of this contest, Tiffany is offering Stuff Parents Need readers 10% off their purchase price (less shipping). The prices were already a bargain, but this makes them a steal!
Win It!
One lucky reader is going to win a $10 gift certificate from Picnic Basket Crafts. I am sooo jealous! The contest will run until Sunday, November 15th at 7:59pm CST, when the winner will be chosen at random and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected. You must include your email address in your comment or make sure it is listed in your profile! You must complete the mandatory entry in order for any subsequent entries to be counted. Open to residents of the United States.
How to Enter:
Mandatory entry: Go check out Picnic Basket Crafts. Come back here and tell me what product you covet the most (it will be hard to choose!)
Additional Entries:
1. Share this post via any of the venues at the bottom of this post (digg, stumbleupon, twitter etc.). Leave one comment with a link for each way that you shared or your username on these sites!
2. Subscribe to my blog via email or RSS. Leave a comment with your email address for the subscription (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Make a purchase at Picnic Basket Crafts (5 entries, so leave 5 comments!)
Disclosure: I received samples of the reviewed items for the purpose of writing the review. No additional compensation was received for this post.
krkupr01 says
I really want the Creme Brulee sugar scrub! It looks amazing!!!
krkupr01@yahoo.com
Missymiss says
I love the Getting Clean & Green set the most : )
missyholbert(at)gmail(dot)com
moond says
I would love to try Sandalwood and Patchouli Ecofriendly Organic Sugar Scrub.
memetu says
Thrify Hippie Eye Make-Up Remover and Facial Moisturizer will help me the most. My baby needs boo boo balm.
metu18 AT hotmail DOT com
lilyk says
I subscribed by email. #2
lilyk says
I subscribed by email. #1
lilyk says
I love the Pink Grapefruit Whipped Shea Butter!
Swtlilchick says
Tweet:Swtlilchick
http://twitter.com/Swtlilchick/status/5751924687
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
Atreau says
I like the Spiced Mahogany Hand Cut Cold Process Soap For Thrifty Hippies.
Swtlilchick says
Subscriber via enail
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
#2
Swtlilchick says
Subscriber via enail
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
#1
Swtlilchick says
I would love to try the Facial Care Kit for Thrifty Hippies Economy Version
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
bwaybabe912 says
It's the Creme Brulee Ecofriendly Organic Sugar Scrub for me, especially if it really smells sweet!
Cassie
cjm92995@yahoo.com
Kathryn says
Subscribed to e-mail. (2)
Kathryn says
Subscribed to e-mail. (1)
Kathryn says
I would love to try the Creme Brulee Ecofriendly Organic Sugar Scrub.
Susan says
Stuff Parents Need subscriber #2
Susan says
Stuff Parents Need subscriber
Susan says
While I love the Facial Care Kit for Thrifty Hippies at Picnic Basket Crafts, I think the Nerdy Norton's Study Putty would appeal to my geekiness.
giggling kids says
I love the Catch A Star Aromatherapy Mist.
heatherstamper09@aol.com
Jackee says
Subscribed to RSS Feed
happeejackee at gmail dot com
Jackee says
Subscribed to RSS Feed
happeejackee at gmail dot com
Jackee says
Tweet http://twitter.com/happeegirl/status/5742146506
happeejackee at gmail dot com
Jackee says
I like the Cleanse and Moisturize Mist for Baby
happeejackee at gmail dot com
Julie says
# 2 email subscriber
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Julie says
# 1 email subscriber
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Julie says
I like the peaceful lavender armotherapy mist
aunteegem@yahoo.com
amanda says
im loving the Vanilla Capuccino Organic Sugar Scrub
thompson_tanda@yahoo..com
purango says
I love the Creme Brulee Echo Friendly Organic Sugar Scrub. garrettsambo@aol.com
Fionen says
Dugg
username: Fionen
fionen_ftw AT fionen DOT com
Fionen says
Stumbled
username: Fionen
fionen_ftw AT fionen DOT com
Fionen says
I subscribed to your blog via email.
fionen_ftw AT fionen DOT com
Entry #2
Fionen says
I subscribed to your blog via email.
fionen_ftw AT fionen DOT com
Entry #1
Fionen says
I want the Plastic-Free Soft Whipped Facial Creme Soap with Ground Walnut Shells and Tea Tree Oil. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30111650
fionen_ftw AT fionen DOT com
katybug says
I'd like to try the Peaceful Lavender Aromatherapy Mist ~ thanks!
Gianna says
Oatmeal, Milk and Honey – 85 Percent Organic Shea Mousse – Fluffy and Decadent Whipped Shea Butter 🙂
Lisa says
The All Natural Hand and Body Lotion looks nice.
Pamela S says
I'd like to try the Creme Brulee Organic Sugar Scrub. pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
Thanks.
Mommyto3cuties says
I subscribe via google reader (entry #2)
info at hazelaid dot com
Mommyto3cuties says
I subscribe via google reader (entry #1)
info at hazelaid dot com
Mommyto3cuties says
I love this shop! Her prices are so affordable! I would love to try the Baby and Boo Boo Balm and the eye serum (among many other things!)
info at hazelaid dot com
Mom2anutball says
I subscribe already! 🙂
#2
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
Mom2anutball says
I subscribe already! 🙂
#1
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
Mom2anutball says
I like the Cucumber-Melon lip balm! Thanks!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
Heidi says
I would like to try the Herbal Headache balm.
smith6faith(at)zoominternet(dot)net
AEKZ2 says
I could use the Night Time Eye Serum for Sensible Folks Who Prefer a Pretty Roller Ball Applicator.
annettekz2@yahoo.com
erma says
I like the Natural Lip Balm.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
BabeeLove says
rss subscriber #2 aechika@hotmail.com
BabeeLove says
rss subscriber #1 aechika@hotmail.com
BabeeLove says
tweeted http://twitter.com/BabeeLove/statuses/5703735591
aechika@hotmail.com
BabeeLove says
I'm lovin' the paper towels and wipes
aechika@hotmail.com
Jen says
I like their Natural Lip Balms namely the cucumber melon.
footejennifer at hotmail.com
janice says
As green as it gets looks like a winner to me!!
Brandy says
I like the Creamy Chocolate Truffle Cocoa Butter Lotion Bar
MKB says
Juniper sage sounds yummy! Kbroderi@msn.com
Clueless_Mama says
I like the Going Clean and Green. I love cleaning products.
Nina Say says
tweeted! @ninasay
Nina Say says
2nd entry for email subscription.
ninasay@gmail.com
Nina Say says
subscribed via e-mail!
ninasay@gmail.com
Nina Say says
I would love the Study Smart Aromatherapy Mist since I'm a student and sometimes need the boost!
Kristin says
I like the Fun Mix of Ecofriendly Alternatives to Paper Towels – 6 Full Size Cloths
Angela says
I love the Ecofriendly Alternative to Disposable Facial Poufs – Bamboo Fleece Rounds. What a great idea!
veniceangel@hotmail.com
helen says
Lovely giveaway my fingers are crossed I love the almond cappucino sugar scrub.Thanks for the giveaway.Helen
Julie says
I really like the facial care kit for thrifty hippies. I could really use it.
mogrill says
I would love to win this. Thanks so much.
mogrill@comcast.net
Kimberly says
I subscribe via email #2
kirbycolby AT gmail DOT com
Kimberly says
I subscribe via email #1
kirbycolby AT gmail DOT com
Kimberly says
I would love the Vanilla Capuccino Organic Sugar Scrub.
suburban prep says
I would so love the Herbal Headache Balm for Stress, Anxiety, and Migraines. I get headaches often enough that they are quite bothersome. I would love to know how something herbal can help me.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
susie says
Luv to win!
susan wiener, swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com
mverno says
the lip balm mverno@roadrunner.com