No, I'm not selling anything. I just fell in love with Otopia today, and I thought some of you bellydancin mamas would like it too.

Since I've been pregnant, I've been using up the rest of a previous Christmas present (Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Lay it on Thick Shea Butter) on my belly to help prevent stretch marks. I never used this lotion much, because honestly, I don't really care for the smell of pure shea butter. The bonus to it is that its thick consistency is great and it makes my skin feel dewy and moist the entire day. The downside is that I can smell it on all my clothes, and I get tired of smelling like it. Plus my husband doesn't like it either, so he calls me "coco-loco" when he smells it. Which by the way, is the name of a tropical drink we had in Punta Cana, and you drink it out of a real coconut, and yes, umbrellas. I don't care for cocoa butter for the same reason. I get tired of smelling like the tropics. Especially in winter. It just doesn't work.

By the way, since I"ve been pregnant, I've been rambling way worse than my normal amount. I apologize.

So what else do you use to prevent stretch marks? I went to the motherhood store to try Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter, which of course has shea butter AND cocoa butter, but I figured it might smell less tropical. Anyway. I found Otopia instead. Wow. It was an unexpected splurge, and I highly recommend it.

It's a completely organic line from Australia and fairly new. I read the ingredients, and was hooked on the fragrances listed. The price is a little hefty, about 19 bucks a product, but I figured why not.
I got the Bump to Bub Pre and Post Natal Stretch Mark Oil. This is a massage oil that you smooth over your belly after you shower. It has a great variety of oils (jojoba, sweet almond, rose hip, sunflower, calendula, and wheat germ), combined with essential oils ( mandarin, tangerine, jasmine and frankincense). I tried it this morning, and it feels awesome when you rub it in, it's a great belly massage for your stretching belly. It's a light oil, but it takes a few minutes to absorb completely.
I also got the Yummy Mummy Pre and Post Natal Body Cream. This feels awesome too, it's smooth and creamy, and you can feel your skin just drink it in. Among olive oil, aloe, and primrose oil, it has rosewood, bergamot, neroli and jasmine essential oils.

Both are lightly scented and not overpowering, but it's so much more pleasant than shea butter (if you don't like it that is) and I felt so spoiled using it. Definitely worth your money if you are looking for something different. In addition to being certified organic, its also biodegradable and non-animal tested.

I looked up their website to see what else they offer, and I admit their website kind of sucks. I got more information from reading the back of the bottles, and the worst part, you can't order from the website! But anyway, here it is. They also have breast cream for new moms and some baby care products too.
www.otopiaorganics.com/p1.asp

Here is the page with the products I got:
www.otopiaorganics.com/p9.asp

If you have a baby shower to go to, this would be a nice gift for the mom to be, if you can find it that is. Try asking maternity stores, they might have it or can order it for you most likely.