It’s A Family Affair
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a natural body product collector. Not so much for myself as for my kids. I can’t resist a non-toxic, scent-free or delicious smelling product if I come across it at a craft fair. It was at a Southern Alberta crafters marketplace that I discovered the wonderful A Family Affair. Owned by a mother & daughter team and supported by a dozen or so more family members, A Family Affair is truly a…um…family affair! Family matriarch Betty’s lifelong love of creating soaps and eldest daughter Jenn’s love of crafting have come together to build a successful growing business that we’re proud to support.
Leaving the market armed with a large selection of reasonably priced goodies, I set off to test them out with my own family to see if they were worthy of sharing with you here. Let me tell you, these are some perfectly amazing products!
Just for kids, A Family Affair offers an awesome foaming hand soap (just $8 and in three great scents) that is a great way to entice kids to wash their hands. My own kids love to pump their own soap and the bottle lasts a surprisingly long time. The SLS free powdered bubble bath ($15, and only five ingredients!) is gentle on the skin, delightfully fragrant and produces a tub full of bubbles!
For my own bath, I dig the bubble bars which are a super cool take on creating a bath full of bubbles…so fun to crack off a piece and smush it under the running water. I’d use one tonight if the kids hadn’t used them all up! In fact, each time I am able to take the time to soak in the tub, I discover another bath product that I love. Mmmm, chocolate! In the shower, the whipped sugar scrubs are truly amazing. I use the Creamsicle scent which is wonderfully refreshing, but it’s not the scent that’s the best thing about it. It’s the thickest, most…scrubby scrub I’ve ever used. If you’re like me and you get annoyed with the sparse scrubbies in many products available, you’ll love the fact that every finger full you pull from the jar is completely saturated with sugary exfoliating goodness. It leaves my skin moist and smelling absolutely amazing, but the smell isn’t overpowering and doesn’t last very long. That’s a good thing.
The products that A Family Affair has created for your feet are all awesome. Having tried them all on myself and on my family, I intend to continue to use them. However, I must give special mention to the Callous Balm. When my Dad became sick a couple of years ago, his feet began to crack and he was no longer able to bend over and take care of them. When I went home to visit, I’d often give him a mini-pedicure and tried everything I could find to massage his heels and soothe his tired feet. When I finally discovered Callous Balm, the first product from A Family Affair that I’d discovered, we both knew we’d found a winner. It’s at once cooling, soothing and healing, and now that I no longer have my dad’s feet to rub I continue to use it on my own and my husband’s. If you know anyone with diabetes or even just tired feet in need of a little love, Callous Balm is for them. It makes a great stocking stuffer or gift addition! (What? You haven’t started stuffing stockings yet?)
Gift baskets are available for any occasion, and be sure to become a fan of their new facebook page. Currently, A Family Affair only ships to Canadian addresses.
Save 10% with the code TOP10. A Family Affair is the newest addition to our TOP Shops where they’ve purchased one of our new permanent image based spaces that save you money. Check it out!
Win it! We’ve got both of the fab baby gift baskets (valued at $30 each) to give away to two randomly selected winners. To enter, visit A Family Affair and take a look around. Come back to tell us some products or scents that you like that weren’t mentioned in this review, or give Betty & Jenn some suggestions for future products or scents you’d like to see them develop. Also be sure to let us know if you’d like to be entered for the blue or the pink basket. Worldwide entries are welcome! Contest closes at noon mst on April 22, 2009.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED
April 15th, 2009 at 4:11 am
You find the COOLEST Canadian companies! w00t!
The Whipped Sugar Scrub sounds like heaven
Pink basket please
April 15th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I think your link is wrong. It takes me to another site called A Family Affair.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I used another link and got to the site. I like the Gardener’s Hand Bar. The link in your “Win It” Box is wrong.
Hope I win!
April 15th, 2009 at 6:44 am
The brown sugar and fig whipped sugar scrub sounds great. Thanks for the chance.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I would love to try their Goats Milk soap. Thanks for the giveaway.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I am a subscriber.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
gardeners hand bar looks good too- either looks great
April 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
The fizzing bath salts and the bath bombs sound wonderful.
Thanks so much.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Hi, I would like to be entered for the blue basket. There’s so many products I found I would love. The basic bar sounds wonderful. And the whipped sugar scrub sounds like just what I need now. I would love to see a soap and butter of lavender, chamomile, or aloe vera. Wonderful company and site. Such a lovely baby gift basket too. Thanks and many blessings to all who read this.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Their whipped body butter sounds great–la vida mocha; butter cream; aquolina pink sugar–they sound good enough to eat too! The blue gift basket would be nice.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The whipped body butter looks fantastic, but I have to say, for having such terrific looking natural products, I’m not stoked on the packaging for the baby gift baskets. Plastic? Really? Can’t they find something equally free of chemicals? I have enough off gassing plastic in my life.
That said, I’d pick pink.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Two scents I would like to try are Willow & Green Tea and Pumpkin Lavender. I know I’m not so into fruit scents. I love natural (cedar, rain, etc) and florals.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
would love to try the Goats Milk soap
April 15th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
goats milk soap mverno@roadrunner.com
April 15th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
The Whipped Sugar Scrub sounds like a lovely product! I would choose the boys basket for winning.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
subscriber.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Wow that shampoo bar sounds fabulous! Pink basket please! We love foaming hand soap too!
April 15th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I am a subscriber!
April 15th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I would love to try the fizzing bath salts.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:25 am
I seen the “Aquolina Pink Sugar ” and did not have to look any further. I love this perfume. It is light and sweet, and oh sooo delicate, yet everyone compliments about the cotton candy like smell.. I pick this
April 16th, 2009 at 4:36 am
The whipped body butter sounds nice
April 16th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Callous Balm would be great for my feet,thanks
April 16th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Im a subscriber an I forgot to mention either basket is fine with me,I have both baby boy an girl grandchildren
April 16th, 2009 at 7:24 am
The Gardener’s Hand Bar looks fabulous.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Oh, my gosh. The Brown Sugar and Fig Whipped Sugar Scrub sounds amazing. If I am lucky, I would pick the blue basket!
April 16th, 2009 at 8:30 am
i would be most interested in trying the foaming hand soap for kids. I think they should add some kid friendly soap bars too. I would love the blue basket if I were picked!
April 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I love the Callous Balm! I so need that for my winter feet! But I also like the Gardeners hand Bar!
I would take either basket!
April 16th, 2009 at 10:35 am
The fizzing bath salts sound nice! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
April 16th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I can’t decide they all look so fun!
April 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Whipped Body Butter!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I also have cracked feet so in addition to the balm you mentioned I’d also like to try the Peppermint foot scrub & mousse. I’d take either color but prefer the blue if I had to choose!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I love whipped body butter! I would love to try theirs in Tahitian Gardenia or lemongrass. Love those scents! The whipped sugar scrub looks really luxurious, too! thanks! oh, pink basket please
April 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I am an email subscriber, thanks
April 16th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Your button is on my sidebar, thanks!
April 16th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
The peppermint food whip sounds refreshing! Wonderful products!
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net
April 16th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Callous Balm – pink please.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Two items sound very interesting.They are the Goats Milk soap and the whipped Body Butter.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
The foaming hand soap looks great. I’d like the blue basket!
April 16th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
the lemongrass whipped body butter sounds great! please enter me for the blue basket!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
One thing I like is the peppermint foot mousse. I’d like the blue basket please.
April 17th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win. I also like the goats milk soap. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
April 17th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Well, you mentioned so many good things… they all look so fun to try. But I would love the try out the baby bottom balm. I’m always looking for something to help a red baby’s bottom. (blue)
April 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
the goats milk sounds amazing!
autumn398 (at) yahoo.com
April 17th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
My favorites were the Just for Kids products, but since they are mentioned on your review. I also like the Whipped Sugar Scrub. Sounds relaxing.
Thanks for the chance.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Pomegranate Coconut Body Butter or the Goats Milk Soap for my boys who have sensitivities and dry skin. But for once I think I would like the Butter for me. lol A blue basket please.
Thanks,
Michelle
April 17th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
I subscribe.
Michelle
April 18th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
The whipped body butter sounds fantastic!
April 18th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
La Vida Mocha – coffee and chocolate body lotion? what more could you ask for?
April 19th, 2009 at 7:30 am
The peppermint foot scrub and mousse sound very refreshing. I’d be interested in the pink gift set
April 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
The Whipped Body Butter in the Butter Cream scent sounds luscious!!
The pink basket would be more appropriate….
thanks!!
April 20th, 2009 at 7:05 am
wow whipped body butter in La Vida Mocha sounds awesome, and their scent range is impressive!
April 20th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I like the Fragrance Free basic bar.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:38 am
When you discovered It’s a Family Affair you found a very fine company! I am so impressed with all the wonderful products that they have created! I would love to try the Whipped Body Butter in the Pomegranate Coconut Signature Fragrance. It sounds absolutely delightful and so luxurious for the skin! As far as offering any suggestions, I think what they currently offer is just spectacular! I can’t imagine how they can top what is already beyond my expectations of products and scents offered. I do adore the combination of Orange and Ginger so it they want to explore that it may be a nice refreshing combination. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
My all time favorite scent is rosemary mint – I’d love to see them do something with that. The fizzy bath bombs look fun!
April 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
the Vanilla scent for the Whipped Sugar Scrub sounds great to me
April 20th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I’d love to try their peppermint foot scrub!
Thanks for the opportunity
Oh, and if I win I’d love the pink basket.
annasmama0702@gmail.com
April 20th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I’d like to try Whipped Sugar Scrub – Energy
April 20th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I need the callous balm for my ankles. They always get gross. Yuck.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I would love to try their Fizzing Bath Salts. They sound so refreshing.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
I would like to try the Brown Sugar and Fig Whipped Sugar Scrub
April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
oh and I forgot, either color would be fine
April 21st, 2009 at 10:55 am
i like The brown sugar and fig whipped sugar scrub.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
peppermint foot scrub
April 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I like the baby care naturally hand and body lotion as well as the just for kids hand and body lotion.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
The whipped sugar scrub sounds heavenly
April 21st, 2009 at 7:07 pm
The energy and the jumpin’ jelly bean sound completely up my alley.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I think the whipped body butter sounds like it would be great!
April 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
The Whipped Body Butter in the Butter Cream scent sounds so great and I like the blue one also but not picky if I won I would take either LOL.
thanks for such a great giveaway
April 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I love the ’Just for Kids’ Foaming Hand Soap in Green Apple
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 am
Would go for the Whipped Sugar scrub. I hope I wouldn’t want to eat it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
The Goats Milk soap sounds nice.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 am
I love the Whipped Body Butter in the Citrus Flower fragrance!
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 am
Oops forgot to say please enter me into the contest for the pink basket. Thanks!
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:29 am
The Honey, Oatmeal & Sweet Orange soap sounds really nice. I think my daughter would love the scent.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
I’d love to see a salt scrub offered. And I’d love to see a violet scent offered.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 am
I would love to try the Lemongrass Hand and Body Lotion. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
The whipped sugar scrub sounds great.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I think the Peppermint Foot Scrub looks great! http://itsafamilyaffair.ca/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=17&=SID
Although, the Fizzing Bath Salts in Rootbeer sounds like fun too! http://itsafamilyaffair.ca/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=26&=SID
I’d love to see them add some watermelon scented products. Thanks!
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I like the Callous Balm. (:
Thanks for the chance,
I`ll keep my fingers crossed!! (:
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
The whipped body butter