Stacy B here! Despite the fact that I'm a suburban mom (ugh, that even sounds depressing), I am far more city than country. My husband and I have this dream of retiring - independently weathly of course - to a brownstone in Boston with a doorman, a personal shopper and a heated garage for the winter. And maybe a little beach condo somewhere warm for winter getaways.

 I have no desire to live off the land, or retire to some field somewhere where I can feed birds out back or listen to the crickets while I churn butter or whatever. Bugs are gross, butter isn't all that good for you and peace and quiet make me restless. If that's your thing, then good for you, enjoy it! But, give me city lights, shops within walking distance, excitement and entertainment and good food....made to order and served to me on demand. I like more excitement and action and feel more comfortable when there are lots of options, things to do, things to talk about, things to explore. I don't even like country music or cute, farm-y decor. So, I was really suprised when my mom introduced me to a product made by hand from the backwoods of Maine and I fell totally in love.

 Have any of you savvy all-nautral, country loving ladies heard of Stonewall Kitchen? http://www.stonewallkitchen.com/storelocator.html  If not, you have now and you can thank me for it!

 I'm taking a break from my normal drugstore product because you can't get this stuff in a drugstore. In fact there are only about 10 stores on the East Coast that sell this brand, so you're better off ordering on line. This place started out with jams, jellies and other country-esque gifts and recently branched out into things like body lotions, cleaning supplies, cookware and gift soaps, all natural, of course.

 My parents (who are a little more into this stuff than I am) always grabbed some of their jams and jellies whenever they were up near our vacation home in New Hampshire (which I don't go to very often, way too remote!!)  The Red Pepper Jelly is a favorite, and so is the Apple Cranberry Chutney. I have no idea what chutney is, but it's great on a cracker. I never thought twice about this stuff until she came home with this amazing Grapefruit Thyme lotio n.  

This has saved me from grossly cracked and paper-cut-up hands this winter. This lotion is the perfect product to keep right by your sink so when you finish the dishes, you can slab some on and avoid dry and cracked skin and knuckles. It starts out really liquid and oily and when my mom insisted I try it, and practically poured it on me herself, I instantly said how slimy and wet it was and how it would never soak in. She just looked at me and said, 'just wait'. I did, and in less than 30 seconds, I was hooked. My skin was completely moisutrized, felt smooth, soft, silky and touchable. Every bit had soaked in. My mom just looked at me with that knowing motherly smile and said, "I know. I'll get you some next time we go to New Hampshire". Moms always know.

 I kept stealing it every time I went over there until I finally got some under the Christmas tree and was so excited. Even my husband uses it a lot. The scent is very neutral, with the thyme offsetting the citrus of the grapefruit so it's not too girly for a guy to use. I really want to try the antibacterial gel from this line, and the soy candle, too. They have so many interesting sounding scents. The only drawback to limited stores, is you can't smell something online. But, the scent I have really does smell like a grapefruit with some thyme in it so I'd trust the title. And yes, I had to dig into my mom's spice cabinet to sniff some thyme to verify that. 

 This lotion is great and has gotten me through a long, cold winter! Now, one last bit of advice...I know this is a makeup site and sugar should only be in scrub form, but if you have some extra cash, get the Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce for your next dessert. YUM. Any of you have some great, secret gems that aren't hugely known?