My bath is my sanctuary. It’s where I go to get away from it all, at least until I run out of hot water. This gorgeous bath caddy is made from sustainable bamboo, has a pop-up book holder and — glorious! — a special slotted holder for your wine glass. I figure the soap holder can hold a small plate of delicious snacks instead.

About $30 (regularly $44) at Amazon.com.

I’ve been using the same brand of mascara (the infamous pink and green tube) for years, but recently decided that it’s time to try something new. Instead of just randomly buying $10-20 tubes of untested mascara I went for this Deluxe Mascara Sampler from Sephora. For $39 you get 11 sample-sized tubes of Sephora’s favorite mascaras, including Lancome, Benefit, and many others. considering that some tubes are actually very close to full size, it’s a great deal and way to sample lots of different mascaras to find your favorite.

$39 at Sephora.com

The weather is wonderful, so if you’re thinking about squeezing in one more outdoor adventure before the school year really gets under way, now’s the time. The only problem is that all of the bugs in the state seem to have the same idea, and want to share your camp site. Don’t Bite Me offers an all-natural insect repellent in a thin, transdermal patch that promises to protect against biting insects for up to 36 hours. The DEET-free patch is safe for young children; it uses Vitamin B1 and aloe, which are absorbed by the skin and secreted through the body’s pores, to create a barrier against bugs (it even protects parts of the body like the scalp and ears, which are difficult to reach with a regular insect spray). The patch is waterproof and works best if applied two hours before going outside; stick it on the kids while you’re still in the car, and by the time you get to your campsite you’ll be good to go — I mean, stay.

$7.99 for a package of 10 at Don’t Bite Me.

My preschoolers are smitten by these adorable Flipper toothbrush holders — and I, deep in Get Organized Mode, am as well. They have small suction cups on the back, so you can stick them on to the bathroom mirror or tile instead of clutter up the countertop; the holders flip open easily enough for even my 2-1/2-year-old to get his toothbrush by himself, but close tightly enough to keep it secure (and clean). Vents on the sides allow the toothbrushes to dry, and the playful animal designs have my little guys looking forward to tooth-brushing time.

Two for $10.99 at Target.

DentaBurst freshening teeth cleaners are the next best thing to keeping a toothbrush and toothpaste with you at all times, but much more convenient. Slip the minty little sleeve over your forefinger and rub it over your teeth and gums — you don’t need water — and in second your teeth feel plaque-free and your breath is fresh. Just in time for that last-minute meeting.

$3.99 for a pack of 12 at CVS.com.

I have really curly hair. I mean really curly — poodle-in-the-rain curly. And on even mildly humid, the frizz level can get out of control, so I’m always looking for something that can help me tame and define my curls. Living Proof’s No Frizz is silicone-free, so instead of controlling frizz by weighing hair down, it tames the pouf by blocking humidity and minimizing friction. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave my hair feeling slippery or crunchy. It comes in six formulations — straight-making or wave-shaping/curl-defining for fine to medium, medium to thick, and thick to coarse hair. So girls with all kinds of curls can feel fine instead of frizzy.

$24 for a 3.4-ounce bottle, or $14 for a 1.7-ounce bottle, at LivingProof.com.

With drug-free remedies taking a hit thanks most recently to Zicam, parents should be aware that there are still a few medicine-free cold and allergy treatments out there. Little Allergies Allergen Block is a gel that helps prevent sneezing, runny noses, and nasal congestion by creating a positively charged barrier that stops negatively charged allergens (like ragweed and pollen) before they can cause irritation. Rub the gel around the nostrils and between the nose and upper lip; it’s scent-free and invisible, but provides hours of relief.

$14.99 for a 1-ounce tube (about 150 applications) at drug stores and Drugstore.com.

Glop & Glam is the first line of hair-styling products made specifically for kids, tweens, and teens — but, I have to admit, I like them for my own poufy do, too. My preschooler loves the Creamsicle Mist leave-in conditioner and detangler; we spritz a little on her coarse tangles every morning (”Mama! It smells like orange lollipops!”) and the comb practically glides through her tight curls. The products are all paraben-, alcohol-, and formaldehyde-free, and the entire line — which includes such treats as Watermelon Hard Candy gel and Hair Glam Chocolate Controller — smells delicious.

Detangler, $14.50, at Glop and Glam.

Sponsored Post:

You’re at the playground, and your child comes stumbling over to you, complaining that his head hurts. What do you do?

If you have Pediatric SymptomMD on your iPhone or iPod Touch, you tap the screen and access a wealth of easy-to-understand information immediately, without having to deal with a cumbersome internet search or unreliable WiFi service. The information provided draws from the same clinical protocols used by pediatricians and nurses across the US and Canada and has been tested time and again over 15 years on more than 150 million queries.

Navigation within the application is simple: Choose the most appropriate sympton care guide, use the chart to determine the recommended action, and follow the care advice provided.

There are 85 care guides from which to choose, and they’re organized alphabetically, by keyword, and by body area, with links to related guidelines. The charts can help determine the course of action you should take, including whether you should call 911 immediately. There’s also some great reference material, like pediatric dosage tables by weight for over-the-counter medications, images to help you identify symptoms and injuries like rashes or bug bites, and standard First Aid information.

The application is not a substitute for a trip to the doctor’s office or emergency care, but can provide the same peace of mind that you might get by calling the nurses’ line after hours. Think of it as having a pediatrician on call, all the time.

$1.99 at the iPhone App Store and iTunes (an adult version of SymptomMD is also available for $2.99).

I find that a little concealer, mascara, blush and lip balm are the basics I need to look less exhausted and more put-together as I get on with my day. Tried this lip balm at Sephora recently and it’s love at first application. (I like the price also.)

$7 at Sephora.com .