THE BODY SHOP Body Yogurt Collection

Have you ever been in such a rush that you hopped out of the shower and decided to skip the body cream? Some formulas take forever to absorb while others leave you feeling so slick and moist you can’t even pull up your favorite pair of jeans.

For busy mornings and dry skin, The Body Shop has created a delectable selection of Body Yogurts ($16.00 ea) that are lightweight, fast absorbing and 100% vegan! The delicious formulas smell like ripe fruit and sweet flowers on a sunny spring day. If you are sensitive to strong fragrances you might want to take a whiff before purchasing but I think the scents are lovely.

After showering, apply the non-sticky refreshing gel on damp skin to soften, smooth and hydrate for up to 48 hours. Each formula is enriched with organic almond milk from Spain and sustainably sourced natural ingredients from Rwanda.

Strawberries don’t last very long in my house and although this scent smells more like candy than fruit, the whole family enjoys the indulgent aroma.

Moringa is a plant that contains a variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This luscious blend smells like a bouquet of fresh flowers enveloping you in nourishment.

The Mango Yogurt reminds me of peach lollipops (resist the urge to eat it).

British Rose is uplifting and fresh but not very floral. It reminds me of an amazing hair conditioner, the kind you put on and can’t stop smelling.

Almond Milk is my favorite because the scent is mild and the formula is safe for sensitive skin. To treat dry flaky patches, apply generously. There is no build-up or residue so use as much as you like.

These cute jars make great gifts and stocking stuffers for all the ladies on your holiday list. The collection is available at THE BODY SHOP stores and online at thebodyshop.ca.

KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer Review

In the age of digital technology and social media we may have lost our appreciation for print photography and spontaneous Polaroids. I’m a bit old-school when it comes to keepsake photo albums and commemorating special occasions. I like to share fun memories and use snapshots to decorate cards, scrapbooks and other mementos.

Photos don’t just capture important moments, they also tell a story and with the KiiPix ($49.00) you can instantly print your favorite pictures directly from your cell phone. I don’t consider myself very “tech savvy” but this device is easy to use. There are no batteries, cords or special apps and you don’t even need Wifi. Simply load the film (it takes just a few seconds), pop open the panels, set the frame, align the shot and press the shutter.

I played around with the printer and discovered that the photos turn out much better when my screen is clean and the brightness is turned all the way up. Make sure to adjust your screensaver settings so it doesn’t time-out and go dark.

The frame that your phone rests on tends to slide around so be careful when manually cranking out the pic. Just like a regular Polaroid, the film will be blank for a few seconds before the photo begins to appear. Initially there were white streaks on all of my shots but they fade gradually and completely disappear by the next day.

The printer only works with FUJUFILM Instax mini film ($13.99 for 10 pics) and the photos have a retro-stylized effect that gives them a faded vintage look. The filter is nice but I prefer sharper images with vibrant color and the option to buy more than 10 prints per roll (they tend to go fast).

The KiiPix makes an awesome gift for gadget lovers and you can take it anywhere! Use it to decorate any room in the house, personalize gifts or create a mini photo booth for weddings, showers and birthdays. It comes in handy for capturing your baby’s milestones or a fun night out with the girls. I use mine to print vacation photos for my office and makeup pics for my vanity. The small prints are also perfect for marking special events in my day planner.

KiiPix is available at Toys R Us