Have you seen the price of bath products lately? You know the ones I mean, bath salts, bath oils, those cute little round ball bath bombs.

Now, have you looked at the ingredients as well? I have, and let me tell you neither the price nor the ingredients in them makes me want to buy them. Far too many of the products we use these days are loaded with chemicals I can't even pronounce, let alone understand exactly what it is that they do.

Because of that, when I became interested in aromatherapy it wasn't much of a stretch to think about making my own bath products using my favorite essential oils. Not to mention the fact that you can save oodles of money making your own, rather than using store-bought. Plus, homemade bath products make great gifts for Christmas and birthdays!

So, how can you make your own bath products? And what kinds of things will you need? Well, it depends on what products you want to make. I'm going to share with you how to make your own bath salts, fizzy bath bombs, and homemade bubble bath.

I just found something interesting with regard to "maximum strength" ingredients in anti-perspirants.

Yes, much like my recent experiment with dry skin body lotions and body washes, I decided to research deodorants and anti-perspirants. I was eager to explore some of the newer formulations, in hopes of finding one I really liked... finally.

For the most part, I've been a loyal Secret Invisible Solid user (or whatever their "best" formulation was before that one came out). However, I'll try anything new that hits the store shelves, hoping that it will one-up the Secret. It's very good, but not great, in my opinion. And a great deoderant/anti-perspirant is imperative to enjoying your day to day life. Take it from a girl who oh-so-obviously sweatted through the armpits of her brand new business suit during an interview one time. (But I still got the job.)

Upon closer inspection of the labels on anti-perspirants on store shelves, I found that the ones I was most interested in have very high amounts of Aluminum Zirconium (or technically, Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex Gly).

Here's the most surprising thing... (No, it's not what you're probably thinking.)

After reading through some recommendations on lotions and products that make your skin really soft (I have rather dry skin, just needs more moisturizing), I clipped these pages from a couple of magazines I read and respect and headed to the store.

Yep, I splurged for a change -- on 3 hand & body lotions, as well as 1 bath & shower wash.

Up til now, there have been 2 big bottles of  Aveeno Daily Moisturizong Lotion and Jergens Ultra Healing lotion perched at my desk and near my bed. But I've still been having dry skin. Neither has the "wow" factor that I'm looking for in a lotion.

Perhaps their formulations are old? Perhaps lotion itself ages? (These bottles are over a year old.)

Either way, I was determined to try some of the newer lotions that are supposed to make your skin silky smooth.

By George, I think I've found it! During this trial, I actually found 2 lotions that I liked. One that I didn't. And a new bath & body wash that I am now using daily.

I used to go to the local drug store (CVS, Rite Aid, etc.) one a month and spend $100 or more on beauty products such as razor blades, depilatory cremes, hair conditioner, deodorant, lotion, facial cleansers, makeup removers, foot softening creme, eczema treatment, and more.

At the time, I thought these items were necessities, now I know better. There are some better (and cheaper) options!

I just saw a report on the CBS Early Show about how 'green' can mean big money for small businesses, fun products, and new careers.

My favorite part:
How big mega businesses gobbled up some smaller (but very popular) household brands.

Here they are...

I awoke this morning to find this...

What is it?
It's a bloody blue massacre featuring one busted shower gel bottle -- its entire contents puddled on the shower floor -- and one nifty little "bottle holder" that failed miserably.

And to think, I had such high hopes for this cool, new-fangled way to store & use shower gel (and shampoo) on a daily basis.

Notice the tall, black thing stuck on the wall -- above the little ledge?...

Attention getting... yes.

Will it work on TV?... I don't know.

Here's the inside scoop on "How To Look Good Naked" premiering on Lifetime television, Fridays at 8PM (central).