Gemini Greetings
If you know anyone with a set of multiples, you will want to check out Gemini Greetings. I was recently sent samples of these cards to review, and they are extraordinary.
Gemini Greetings offers greeting cards that are designed with multiples in mind. There are cards available for most special occasions and holidays. Gemini Greetings is a Louisiana based company started by Angelice, a very friendly mom of twins.
The cards feature beautiful illustrations. The printing is clear and crisp with no fading or smudging. The printing is on a thick card stock. They are very nice quality cards. Each card is blank inside so that you can include your own special message.
The envelopes are adorable as well. I was sent three different color envelopes with the cards. They are bright, vibrant colors with polka dots that are just shades lighter than the envelope color.
To make these adorable cards even better, they are all printed on recycled paper.
Gemini Greetings will also create, address and mail custom imprinted cards and invitations.
This is a short review, but I think the designs speak for themselves. The quality of the cards, printing and envelopes is excellent.
If you know anyone with a set of multiples (and just about everyone does these days), stop on by Gemini Greetings and have a nice chat with Angelice.
L’Bri
I was recently given the opportunity to try some of the L’Bri skin care products. These were sent to me by Judy Alders, and I would like to thank her for the opportunity and for being so patient with me on posting this review.
I received the sample set for combination skin. Each of the skin care sets come with a Cleanser, Freshener, and Moisturizer. The one I received came with a sample size of each of these, and a small packet of Exfoliating Facial Scrub and a Facial Mask. All of these samples were in a nice clear small plastic carrying case trimmed in black.
Before I started using the L’Bri samples, I did some reading on the products. According to the information that comes with the products, L’Bri does not contain waxes, mineral oil, petrolatum, lanolin oil, drying alcohols, synthetic fragrances or artificial dyes.
The first step in the daily skin care system is the cleanser. The sample set I received included a deep pore cleanser. After using this cleanser, my first opinion was that my skin felt just a little dry. However, I am used to using cleansers that claim to have a moisturizer included in them instead of a three step system. This cleanser does not have a moisturizer included in it because it is a separate step. My skin also felt very clean, and I am sure that the reason it felt somewhat dried out was simply because the oil and dirt had been removed.
The next step is a Freshener. According to the information included, the Freshener is to “restore proper pH balance and prepare your skin to absorb moisture.” It really basically feels as if you are getting your skin wet, but then it leaves your skin with a nice fresh clean feeling.
The last step of the daily skin care routine is the Moisturizer. I would recommend having your fingers damp as you are applying this because the moisturizer feels thick and wet fingers allow it to go on smoother. This moisturizer left my skin feeling smooth all day long. I also found that I didn’t have those annoying “greasy” spots throughout the day. (You know what I mean.)
Throughout the time that I was using the three step daily skin care set, I also used the Exfoliating Facial Scrub and the Facial Mask. The Exfoliating Facial Scrub says to use it two to three times a week “to remove tired, dull surface cells and imbedded impurities.” It is to be used after the Cleanser and before the Freshener. The Scrub feels like a lotion with little pieces of hard things in it. (I’m not sure how else to describe it.) However, when you are rubbing it on your face, it does not hurt or scratch the skin. As I mentioned above, my skin already felt clean after using the Cleanser. I cannot say that it felt cleaner after using this, because I’m sure most of you would think that it was all in my head. However, this is a nice step to include a couple of times a week. The Facial Mask also says to use after the Cleanser and before the Freshener. I used this on a different day than I used the Exfoliating Facial Scrub. This has to be applied and then allowed to dry for 15 minutes. I must admit that I’ve never used a Facial Mask before. So my little warning may seem funny to those of you who have. This dries very stiff! As I said, this may seem funny that I said that because I have been told that facial masks always dry stiff. I received an important call while I had the Facial Mask on. The area around my mouth was so stiff that I could barely move my mouth enough to talk. The person on the phone kept asking me to repeat everything. It was actually very funny now that I think about it.
Anyway, back on topic. I used the L’Bri natural skin care products for a week. Overall, I found that they are very nice products and definitely worth trying. My skin appeared very clean and felt very fresh and smooth. The opinion and results on the combined system is definitely more important than an opinion of each separate product because the items are made to be used together and not individually or combined with products from different lines.
If you are considering trying L’Bri, please visit Judy Alders and let her get you set up. Tell her Ms. Biz sent you. 
Loose Lips NY
After a brief hiatus, the Ms. Biz features are back!
This week’s Ms. Biz is Sherry Backman of Loose Lips New York.
Q: Tell me a little about your business (or businesses). For example, what you sell, services offered, etc)
Sherry: Loose Lips New York- Makeup, cosmetics and more. www.looselipsny.com We sell a full line of easy to wear makeup and skincare for the busy woman at a reasonable price.
Q: What is your best selling product?
Sherry: Mineral Foundation and Indelible Eye Gel Liner
Q: How did you come up with the name?
Sherry: I love to gossip and live in New York…Need I say more?
Q: When and why did you start the business?
Sherry: We opened 2 years ago- starting out at ladies night outs and shop and dines in the community- no one was really selling makeup at these and I thought what a great thing to do.
Q: What was the hardest part for you?
Sherry: Balancing my time between work and family.
Q: What motivates you to keep going?
Sherry: When I get positive feedback from customers- How much they love a product etc.
Q: Any advice for other women wanting to start their own business or ones who have just begun?
Sherry: PR and Marketing are key. Make as many connections as possible- you never know where it will lead.
Q: Tell me about you - hobbies, favorite things, etc.
Sherry: My kids, my dog, traveling, going to the beach, spending time with friends, workingout, walking and playing tennis.
Q: Any discount you would like to offer the readers?
Sherry: Use code Biz20 for 20% off your first order at Loose Lips New York.
Thank you, Sherry, for being this week’s Ms. Biz!
General Info
This is a day late, but welcome to the June 2, 2008 edition of Biz Women - The Lives and Businesses of Home Business Women. There was a large amount of submissions for this edition, so perhaps needless to say, I had a large amount of irrelevant ones. However, I am still very pleased with the large amount of information that the following posts cover.
To get things started, our first post is about something that is most likely on the minds of many people who are just starting their home based business.
Robin Matuk presents How to Balance Work at Home with a Part Time Job posted at Creating with Impact.
The next posts refer to ways to make money while working from home.
Praveen provides a link to 10 Businesses You Can Run in Your Pajamas posted at My Simple Trading System.
Wendy Piersall presents 18 Niche Affiliate Programs Perfect for Mom and Dad Bloggers posted at Sparkplug CEO
Raymond presents Work From Home With Paid Online Surveys posted at Money Blue Book.
These next posts provide some excellent food for thought. Some are perhaps controversial but well worth reading in my opinion.
Tash Hughes presents Saying no? posted at Word Constructions.
Tash Hughes also presents Personal or professional development posted at Word Constructions
Tracee Sioux presents Motherhood is a Temp Job : The Feminine Mistake posted at Blog Fabulous
Patrick Schwerdtfeger presents Expand the Frame posted at Tactical Execution.
Webmaster_1 presents 5 Reasons Why Blogging Is Beneficial posted at The Entrepreneurs Online Magazine
Tali presents Guy Kawasaki’s How to Drive Your Competition Crazy - Myths and Legends of the Marketing Business posted at The Marketer Review
Carol Bentley presents Ostrich or Hawk posted at Carol Bentley. (Don’t let the title fool you.)
This next post summarizes some great tools that may be helpful to you.
Colleen M. Johnson presents Web Database Management Tools posted at cmjoffice.com Blog
Starting or already operating a home day care? Here’s one for you.
Fiona Lohrenz presents End the whining at day care posted at Child Care Only
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Biz Women - All About Lives and Businesses of Home Business Women using our carnival submission form or the form found on this site.
The next edition will focus on Organizing Your Home Office and will be posted July 2.
Please only submit relevant posts and only submit your work!
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Beads of Hope
This week’s Ms. Biz is Staci of Beads of Hope! Please stop by her site for some beautiful jewelry and to help raise money for Childhood Cancer Research.
Q: What kind of business do you have? (what you sell, service provided, etc.)
Staci: I hand make beaded jewelry. Nothing is made until it is ordered. Each piece is unique just like each child is unique. Most of my jewelry is with meaning. I love expression on jewelry. I also have a lot of awareness jewelry that is perfect for gift giving. My favorite bracelet is the “I’m worth it” Made with Swarovski crystals and a message bead of faith. I wear that almost everyday. It reminds me God has a plan and his plan is greater than mine.
Q: What is your best selling product?
Staci: My best seller would be the Continuous Hope necklace. As we all have hope for the future no matter what we have been through or are going through there is hope. It can be made in 18 different colors to represent a lot of different causes.
Q: How did you come up with the name?
Staci: God. I woke up one morning after having a dream/vision. Knew what to call the company, how to make everything, where to buy the products. God had everything laid out.
Q: When and why did you start your business(es)?
Staci: I started this business in January 2002. However it has not been a top priority since Jakob’s health had to come first. I have now made it my top priority. I pray Jakob is on the mend and only going to get healthier. If not I have wonderful friends that can help me now. I started it after my son was born and prayed God to show me a way to bring awareness to how common childhood cancer was becoming. This was his way. Every woman loves jewelry. Most have children or nieces, nephews, cousins. So generally everyone can relate to the struggles of a child.
Q: What was the biggest obstacle you faced?
Staci: Managing a new baby, a son with hearing and speech problems and son still on chemo. Resources of people that knew what to do & not to do so costly mistakes aren’t made. Money!
Q: What motivates you to keep going?
Staci: My children. If they can over come all the obstacles that they have in their short life, I can overcome mine and keep moving forward.
Q: Advice for other women wanting to start their own business or ones who are just beginning?
Staci: Seek out help first. Get a mentor! Don’t ever give up. There are plenty of millionaires that went bankrupt before they made it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Then jump in and enjoy the ride.
Q: What would you like for the readers to know about you? (Your background, hobbies, the little things you find important, etc)
Staci: I have a wide background. Family is the most important thing. I love to go camping, swimming, travel and read when I get the chance which isn’t to often. Just enjoy each day and live it to the fullest. Life is very short Spend time with those special in your life. No matter what you are doing.
Q: Do you have a coupon code or special that you have going on or would like to offer to the readers?
Staci: They can receive 20% off their first order with coupon #FO2008.
Thank you, Staci, for being this week’s Ms. Biz!
Look for a wonderful contest sponsored by Staci coming soon!
