Category Archives: Beauty

DIY: Rise & Shine Bachelorette Kits

TGIF! I know no one wants to talk about hangovers (or Irish flus as I call them) on a Friday but I promise this post takes a different spin on them.

Today, I’m excited to share with you another DIY guest post from my lovely sister, MEC. (If you missed her last one on bridesmaids, be sure to check it out.)

A growing trend with many bachelorette weekends has become the “hangover kit” or “survival kit” (i.e. cute little basket you put together for all the girls with goodies that will help them nurse the previous night’s decisions goodbye). Well, I just love MEC’s spin on this kit trend that she put together for her BFF’s bachelorette weekend earlier this summer.

Before we get into her deets, you must first know that MEC is the more relaxed/go-with the-flow sister and I take on the more high-strung/Type A role in our relationship. It’s a nice little balance (fire & water – aries and pisces) and she’s truly a role model of mine.  After you read below you’ll probably see why she’s taken on the nickname “yogi” or “the zen sister” by yours truly.

Rise and Shine Kit (aka a healthy hangover kit)

This is an all natural way to recover after a night of drinking on a bach weekend! I chose a small pail since the bachelorette weekend had a South Beach theme, but choose whatever you’d like! Burlap bags, gift boxes or bags, beach or tote bags, and the list goes on.. these are all great choices!

Kit Items:

  • Lara Bar: for energy and to cure hunger (made from a few, all natural ingredients)
  • Whitening Gum: to spruce up your pearly whites and cure that bad breath, the mint also helps with stomach issues/acid
  • Ginger Tea: I chose green but can be any kind, the ginger is good for your stomach and tea is great for detoxing
  • Instant Starbucks: although coffee dehydrates you, it would be fine to drink it in a small amount for a caffeine kick
  • La Croix or other Sparkling Water: this will hydrate you, and the carbonation will cure that soda craving that often hits the next morning
  • A Fun Straw: for cuteness/use for the beverages with an inspirational, ” get out of bed and fix yourself” saying. I chose- Rise and Shine!, Rejuvenate! and Refresh!
  • A Fun Napkin: for clean up
  • A Hangover Yoga Sequence: I chose a 5 min video called Hangover Recovery by Tara Stiles (my fave!). Choose something that can be easily accessed from YouTube on an iPhone. And something shorter is always best on a morning like this!

Other suggested items (for larger kits):

  • Coconut Water: for hydration and to replace lost electrolytes
  • Pain Reliever: preferably a more natural type
  • Other snacks: crackers or nutritional bars
  • Makeup Remover Wipes
  • Stomach Settling Chewables: TUMS!

I don’t know about you but I kinda wish I had one of these handy for all post-toasting activities.  Hopefully this inspires you if you’re in the midst of planning a bachelorette weekend yourself or just in need of a new & healthy hungover harriett cure!

Be sure to check back soon for another MEC DIY guest post!

(I’ll give you a hint: see that cute little itinerary above?!)

AND for all the latest on H&T, follow along on InstagramFacebookTwitter & Pinterest!

June Must Have Box

So I’m not sure about you but it’s only early June and I’m already a little sunkissed (read: more freckles) thanks to spending many a days poolside the past few weekends. This is also why I was ecstatic when my June Must Have Box from POPSUGAR arrived on my doorstep this past Saturday!

June’s box was inspired by words like: beachy hair, citrus, sand, sun, surf, backyard bbqs, relax, unwind, read and stripes! Or in my own words – “summer in a box” – quite literally.

This month’s box includes the full-sized products below!

  • Emily Giffin’s The Only & Only: Perfect summer read for the pool or beach!
  • SACHAJUAN Shiny Citrus Body Lotion: This lotion is made from Swedish oats and smells just like summer. It’s being put to good use on yours truly after I “missed a few spots” with the SPF. It hydrates your skin and is anti-aging too.
  • Turkish-T Beach Towel: I’ve been wanting one of these for as long as I can remember now. It’s a lightweight beach towel by day and acts a glam wrap by night!
  • You Smell Lemon Wet Wipes: These are natural antibacterial wipes perfect for freshening up after a day in the sun since they also contain aloe. Throw one in your beach tote and you’re golden!
  • Lollies Basic Hair Ties: These hair ties are made from swimwear fabric and also serve as adorable arm candy.
  • One Potato Two Potato Hawaiian BBQ: These kettle chips are all natural and gluten free (much appreciated!) and the perfect party snack for hosting!
  • Native Union Gift Card: You can create unique and simple designs with Native Union for just about everyone in this digital age.

Learn more about how POPSUGAR’s Must Have Boxes work HERE & use promo code: JUNESELECT10 for $10 off a 3-month subscription of your own.

Happy June, indeed!

{POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.}

Skin Care Regimen: Enza Essentials

A little over a month ago, Enza reached out to me about trying their line of skincare products. Needless to say, this could of not come at a better time because I’ve been in a little bit of a skincare rut lately and was looking for a more consistent routine day-and- night. By this mean, I have been using products every few months but nothing I was completely taken away with or really noticed any difference. I’m probably a marketer’s dream-come-true because slap on “anti-aging” or “anti-wrinkle” and I will most certainly purchase you!

Now before I tell you about my experience with Enza and my personal skincare routine – I must be 100% honest – I have been very #blessed with a clear complexion all of my life (cue: eye role – but even during my teen years, I was extremely lucky and can thank my genes for that). My biggest concern with my skin was my freckles and ensuring I didn’t burn every other day growing up in the Sunshine State.

Enza was formulated by a certified cosmetic surgeon who, over 18+ years, worked endlessly to perfect his product line. Thank you, Dr. Joseph Rucker!

Before I was sent my customized skin care regimen, I answered a few questions about my skin and its behaviors (i.e.  the fact that my skin is normally pimple-free, however, also extremely sensitive (HIVES!), dryer in the winter months and some oily spots so I tend to use oil-free only products). What is so neat about Enza is that your products can be completely customized with a member of their team and a routine is formulated that best fits your needs.

Mine is below!

AM

Step #1. Saturation Cleanser – I do a “double cleanse” – the first one gets rid of surface pollutants and the second penetrates deeper.

Step #2. Saturation Toner – I then spray this toner on a cotton pad and wipe over my face. What is neat about this toner is that you can continually tone throughout the day if you feel dry or oily. You can also mist over make-up!

Step #3. Botanical Biopeptide Concentrate – This is a wrinkle reduction serum and it works wonders, however, I apply this and then wait at least 30 seconds before applying any other products to let it set in.

Step #4. Stress Extraction Creme – This serves as my daily moisturizer and its sheer and light-bodied. It helps to shield the skin from moisture loss and the effects of environmental stress. Much needed!

Step #5.  Advanced Protection SPF 30 – I apply this each morning to protect my fair Irish skin from the rays!

PM

Repeat Steps #1-3 (Saturation Cleanser + Saturation Toner + Botanical Biopeptide Concentrate)

Step #4. Eyebright Intensive Eye Creme – This is applied to the eye area only and works to smooth, hydrate and refine the delicate area under the eyes.

Step #5. I finish again by applying the Stress Extraction Creme (i.e. moisturizer) before a good night’s sleep.

To get your own custom regimen built – check out all their products here!

It has been almost 1 month of this daily routine and I have already seen amazing results. My skin is so much smoother, radiant and even-toned than before. It always feels hydrated and truth be told, the products smell good too! AND because there are some weeks where I wear little to no make-up at all (truly, I’m all about a fresh face) and others where I wear it everyday, it’s important to me to look great on both occasions. I have even noticed my make-up goes on smoother.

It is safe to say I am hooked on Enza and also officially out of my skincare rut.

Happy Friday!

{All Enza products were c/o* and opinions are my own.}

spring beauty products

The official start of Spring is still a week away (March 20th to be exact), however, I thought I would share some of my latest and greatest beauty products this season.

I’ve been on the search for the perfect new “day” scent for a few months. Throughout the years, I’ve probably worn every type of Chanel perfume there is and more recently, I’ve been drawn to the strong and undoubtedly distinct scent of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb.

I love Flowerblomb – everything about it, but I also wanted to add to my daily fragrance collection and have been testing out multiple Jo Malone scents each week.

Many samples later, I have found the beloved Wild Bluebell. Most people prefer to mix and match their Jo Malone colognes and I am playing around with that concept still (love Peony & Blush Suede too). BUT I must say that Wild Bluebell on its own is absolutely delightful. It’s light, clean, fresh and yet still floral, girly – basically, “me”.

Another spring beauty product that I am loving is Sara Happ’s Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Lip Scrub. It has kept my lips from becoming chapped in the winter and it tastes delish too (not sure that you’re supposed to “eat” it but you can’t help but taste it when scrubbing..duh).

Last but certainly not least, I would recommend Chanel’s new Rouge Double Ultra Wear Lip Color (longest name EVER). I first saw this while shopping in NYC earlier this year.  I’ve always been fond of Chanel’s make-up line but this two sided lipstick/gloss sincerely lasts. My friends and I tried on ridiculous way-too-bright-for-daytime shades and they stayed on for hours. In fact, so much so that I had to wipe it off with make-up remover later that afternoon before napping (whoops!).

What are your favorite spring products?

I’m thinking of doing a skincare post next! What do you use on a daily basis? Let me know!

H&T Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

I don’t really believe in the typical Valentine’s Day celebration…I know that “every girl says that” but truly, I never have been one to want a dozen red roses (I prefer other flowers, sorry) or an overdone fancy dinner on February 14th.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be shopping for your BFF, sister or even yourself – so alas, here is my official gift giving guide for 2014.

Bronzer //  Nail Polish // Earrings // Lipstick // Boots // iPhone Case

collage1

Cupcake Mix // Book // Bralette // Tortoise Clutch // Clarisonic // Baseball Hat // Drybar Set // Gift Tags // Hanky Panky Set

collage2

Body Creme // Coasters // Plate // Picnic Set // BFF Kit // Socks // Ring // Baseball Tee // Pave Bracelet

collage3

Candle // Scarf // Custom Cookies // Paper Straws // Jewelry Case // Coffee Mug // Glitter Coasters // Cologne // PJ Set

And while my readership is primarily female, I am sure this may help out a guy friend or two as well.

Happy Shopping, Cupid!