PopSugar Must Have August Birthday Box

Happy Birthday to both my baby boy Max and the PopSugar Must Have box! My boy Max turns 3 and the Must Have box turns 5 this month. This August Must Have box marks Lisa Sugar's 5th year in curating her and her team's favorite items for the monthly boxes!

This month the box contains some of Lisa's favorite brand obsessions to celebrate the birthday, and lucky me, I got to use them to help celebrate my son's 3rd birthday!

Some items include:

Goodie Girl Cookies
Who doesn't love cookies? The birthday boy and my husband tore into these gluten free gems. You would never know they were gluten free - they taste the real deal!

Fringe Studio Journal from Jeep
I love notebooks. I use them religiously for work and I tend to get a new one each month, just to switch it up with the holiday or season. Can't wait to use this one at work!

Dogeared friendship bracelet
I love this bracelet. It's really dainty and easy to put on by myself (no tricky clasp). Dogeared bracelets are a great gift idea for a friend :)

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask
Treat yourself to a spa night with this facial mask. Apply it to clean skin, wait 10 minutes (maybe have a glass of wine?) and rinse!

Meri Meri glitter candles
These are so fun! I love how tall they are and the sparkles are so chic!

Pastel Cheers Tray
This is going to be a permanent fixture on my dining room table. It makes me want to through a pastel + gold themed party!

Shoptiques.com gift card
Shop trendy boutiques from around the world, from your couch!

If you want to check out the Must Have box for yourself, use the code "PARTY" to get $10 off your first box! Code expires 8/31. Also, to help celebrate the birthday month, there will be weekly giveaways...details below!

All current Must Have subscribers are eligible for a chance to win!

Week 1: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from Pehr Designs
Week 2: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from First Aid Beauty
Week 3: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from Kendra Scott
Week 4: Limited # of lucky subscribers subscribers will win something from Tarte cosmetics
Week 5 (8/31): 5 Grand Prize! Limited # of subscribers something from Cambridge Satchel Co + 1 year Must Have

So many good prizes...make sure to sign up for the Must Have box to win!

Giveaway Break: Hard Candy Color Correct Line

I remember how excited I was to get a new Hard Candy nail polish in the 90s. Remember how they came with fun, colorful matching rings? Hard Candy is back with a full line of makeup and beauty products, and they are awesome.

They just released a new, limited edition, line of color correcting primers and concealers that can combat dry skin, acne and dark spots. The line has the perfect shade for any complexion and affordable prices.

Here's an overview of the new line:

Hard Candy Color Correct Expert Stick, $5
Creamy, bendable pastel stick concealer
Camouflages skin imperfections
Available in six shades

Hard Candy Color Correct Radiant Primer, $5
Neutralizes skin impurities prior to makeup application
Available in six shades

Hard Candy Color Correct Expert Créme Wand, $5
Corrects skin imperfections
Flexible brush tip applicator is soft on the skin while contouring the face
Available in six shades

This line is only available at Walmart, or, you can enter to win the full line here! I'm lucky enough to partner with Hard Candy for a giveaway - Enter to win the entire new Hard Candy Color Correct line! US residents only please, and you must be 18+ to enter. There are several ways to enter - good luck!

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Fall Picks from Century 21

If you look through my blog and twitter account, you'll find I like to shop - and more importantly, I love a good deal. I am all about finding a few designer dresses at a discount shop then spending full price on one. I love scouting out new finds and trends, especially as the seasons change, both in stores and online.

When my husband and I lived in New York City, our all time favorite store was Century 21. There is one downtown near the World Trade Center and one in Columbus Circle. I would find the cutest dresses and designer accessories at ridiculous discount prices. My husband bought several designer suits there, jeans and button downs. We would plan a whole day just around shopping there!

When we moved back to Michigan I went through Century 21 withdrawals. Luckily, Century 21 enabled shopping on their website, so I could shop online and get Century 21 steals delivered to me in Michigan.

Century 21 carries an array of brands. I think a lot of people would be surprised that you can find top luxury brands there, such as Balenciaga, Chloe, Fendi, Versace & more. If you're looking to splurge on a designer dress or handbag, make sure you check Century 21 first, because you may not have to splurge as much as you think!

Now that the weather is getting cooler in Michigan, I'm in full on 'fall clothing' mode. Here are a few of my picks from Century 21.

Dresses that transition from work to play...

NYDJ Knit Sheath Dress $69.99 (regularly $148)

Transit Par-Such Shift Dress $129.99 (regularly $560) 

Fall booties to go with jeans or dresses:

Greg Knoxx Quilted Gray Bootie $29.99 (regularly $69)

Chant Short Boot $39.99 (regularly $69.00)

Handbags you'll never want to leave at home:

French Connection Lola Fringe Crossbody $44.99 (regularly $88)

Need a new workbag? Check out this Rag & Bone beauty!

Rag & Bone Smoke Aston Satchel $399.99 (regularly $925)

Don't forget accessories...

Robert Rose Tassel Pendant & Necklace $22.99 (regularly $46.00)

Robert Rose Rose Gold Cuff $16.99 (regularly $35.00)

Bottega Veneta Sunglasses $99.99 (regularly $399)

*I partnered with Century 21 on this post. All thoughts are my own. 

Lemon Rinse Treatment Giveaway

Yesterday I posted a review of Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment - and now you can enter to win a bottle of your own to try!

Lemon Rinse is great for all hair types, including color treated hair (like mine!). It does a great job at removing product build up, leaving your hair feel clean, smooth and frizz free.

We are partnering with Beautiful Nutrition, and are giving away a full size Lemon Rinse to 3 lucky winners! There are multiple ways to enter, and you can enter every day until the giveaway ends.

I will randomly select 3 winners on October 4 2016. Good luck!

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Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Review

This Michigan summer has been a hot one - 90 degree temperatures and high humidity! It feels like Florida!

In order to keep my hair somewhat tame in this humidity, I've been testing a lot of different products...smoothing cremes, anti-humidity serums, hairspray...the list goes on.  After two days of not washing my hair, it would be pretty weighed down by product, so when I washed it, I knew I had to take an extra step to get all of the built up product out.

I recently got the chance to try out Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment. Lemon Rinse is a gentle clarifying treatment you can use after you shampoo and condition your hair. It helps to rinse away product buildup and helps with frizz and dullness. 

I used this product for over a month, on average one to two times a week, and my hair felt super clean afterwards. I would use my normal shampoo and conditioner, and then coat my hair with this rinse. I'd leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse it out. The product is clear, and has a thicker liquid consistently (see picture below). I've been using this for a month and I still have a lot left. I would estimate that a 13 oz bottle would last around 4 months (when using it 1-2 times a week). And although it doesn't last after I blow dry my hair, the lemon scent is so refreshing - perfect for a morning pick me up! 

I've used previous cleansers that would make my hair super dry, and this one definitely did not. I also noticed that my 'second day hair' was less greasy, and I didn't have to use dry shampoo. According to BeautifulNutrition.com, other potential benefits include: shine, seals cuticles, maintains healthy scalp, prevents frizz, and seals moisture. It's great for all hair types, including color-treated hair.

You can find Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment at BeautifulNutrition.com and it retails for $10. BeautifulNutrition.com carries a variety of haircare and wellness products. Visit their site and let me know which products you want to try out in the comments below!

Thank you to Beautiful Nutrition for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

Currently Loving...Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector

Finally, warm weather has arrived in Michigan. This past Sunday we probably spent 5 hours playing outside, walking uptown and eating on patios. Now that we have sun and we're spending more time outside, I'm working on incorporating SPF in my skincare routine.

I'm currently loving Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector. It has everything I'm looking for in my every day makeup routine:

• SPF 20 to help protect my skin from harmful rays
• Tinted moisturizer to even out my skin tone
• Retinol to help reduce fine lines

I use a makeup sponge (previously talked about my makeup sponge on my other blog, The Non-Housewives) to put this on, and it goes on really smooth. I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup when I use Anti-Aging Perfector, and my bronzer and blush lays nicely over it. This is the first time I've been able to wear makeup like this without breaking out. I'm hooked.

I'm going to stock up on this for summer so I never run out. I may purchase a shade darker for summer. It's so easy to throw on over moisturizer, and I can always use the extra SPF. This is going to be my go-to for Summer!

You can find Neutrogena products online or at a store near you.

Neutrogena sent me products to review as part of their Ambassador program. All thoughts are my own. 

Meijer Beauty Perks + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

I switched over to Meijer for grocery shopping right before I had my son. Not only could I get my grocery shopping done there, but they also have a huge home goods section, pharmacy + drive thru, great beauty and cosmetics selection, and let's not forget, a Starbucks. There were many mornings on maternity leave that I sat in that Starbucks with a coffee in one hand, sleeping baby in the other, and relaxed.

Spring is in the air (especially in the Midwest) and Meijer is running their Meijer Beauty Perks program April 10-May 7. Again, one of the reasons I switched over to Meijer for my weekly grocery shopping is because of their large beauty selection. Here are few beauty essentials you can find on sale during this promotion, that are especially amazing for busy moms!

L'Oreal EverPure 6 in 1 Cleansing Balm
First off, this smells amazing! It's a rosemary mint scent that lasts throughout the day. This cleansing balm is a conditioner and cleanser in one. It's perfect for the quick 5 minute 'mommy' shower you have to take with kids in the house (long gone are the days of the long showers!). This balm cleanses, conditions, treats, detangles, softens and adds shine. No sulfates, parabens or silicones included. I thought for sure this would weight my hair down, but it didn't, and even looked good for the second day without washing.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
I'm a huge Neutrogena fan, especially when it comes to skincare. This year's Michigan winter was pretty brutal, and has definitely taken a toll on my skin. I love their Hydro Boost line, specifically this Gel Cream for extra dry skin. It soaks right into my skin, and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Foundation also goes on really well over it.

Dr. Teal's Epsom Salts
I'm a firm believer that all moms need to be pampered! My idea of unwinding after a long day is taking a long, hot bath. I have extremely sensitive skin so unfortunately I can't use highly fragrant bubble bath, but I can, however, use Epsom Salts. They may not be as fun as a big bubble bath, but Epsom Salts will help to soothe sore muscle and help with muscle recovery. My son is 30+ lbs, so I need all the help I can get with my muscles!

Amope' Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File
I was skeptical when I read the packaing on this product - and turned out being pleasantly surprised! The Amope Electronic Foot File is all you need for an at home pedicure. Don't have the time to get an hour pedicure? This file is so awesome. You can use it on dry or wet. Once charged, you turn it on and hold it up to the areas of your feet that need exfoliating. The Amope does all the work. I was shocked at how smooth the electric exfoliator was able to  get my fee. This would make a great Mother's Day (for yourself or your own mother!).

Here are additional items you can score on sale!

So...stop everything, and check out Meijer Beauty Perks which is running from April 10 - May 7, 2016, and enter to win a $25 Meijer Gift Card!

$25 Meijer Gift Card Giveaway

Target Marimekko Launch April 17

Mark your calendars and set your alarms - the Target & Marimekko collaboration launches this Sunday! I have my eye on the stand up paddle board, kids tent and swimsuit coverups.

Call your local Target and find out if they will have this in store - not all Targets will! If they won't, have no fear, you can shop online. The past few successful collaborations have caused the Target site to crash. I have no idea if this will be a popular one, so just keep checking the site and be patient.

If you go in store, try and have a good idea of what you want to buy, and go directly to that department. Stuff will go fast! Happy Shopping - please share what you get in the comments!

Neutrogena See What's Possible

I'm so excited to be able to share the new, 'Neutrogena See What's Possible' video, before it makes its broadcast this Sunday, during the 88th Academy Awards. The ad is voiced by Brand Ambassador and creative consultant, Kerry Washington (you may know her as Olivia Pope from Scandal).

After thousands of hours meeting with women around the world, Neutrogena uncovered a universal truth - women are stepping back to examine what's possible in their lives so they can pursue their dreams. Neutrogena can relate to this - they are always on a mission to rethink what's possible in skincare, so they identified this shared value and it inspired their first global campaign: "Neutrogena See What's Possible."

The video is centered around women pursuing their dreams. From a surfer to business woman to ballerina, this empowering video brings to life Neutrogena's point of view on beauty - what really makes a woman beautiful is the ability to look in the mirror and know that anything is possible.

Check out the video below and also watch it live during the Academy Awards on Sunday Feb 28th. Also check out the Neutrogena campaign page to see words of inspiration from Julie Bowen & Jennifer Garner. The brand will continue to share inspirational content on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Make sure to share your own personal stories and words of wisdom for women using the hashtag #SeeWhatsPossible. I'll be sharing mine all weekend long!



Sponsored by Neutrogena

Color Changing Gel Polish

Hello friends - 
As you may have noticed I haven't posted for awhile. I returned to work full time after having baby Max and life has been hectic! But, I'm going to start posting again a few times a week. It's a great way for me to de-stress since I truly love blogging. I may start talking more about motherhood or do more posts around kids, so I hope you still enjoy them! Don't worry, I'll still mainly be blogging beauty.

Speaking of beauty...I'm totally obsessed with mood color changing gel nail polish. Have you heard of this? This is my 3rd manicure with LeChat Perfect Match Mood gel polish. The first two manicures lasted so well I couldn't resist a third. Plus, it's so much fun to watch the shades change!

The color changes based on body temperature. When my hands were warm, 70% of the time, the polish was a light pink, slightly sheer. When my hands were cold (after washing them or even sitting in an air conditioned room), the color got darker. When the color would change between the two it would take on an ombre effect. It was worried about it looking unprofessional for work meetings, but very rarely would I have all different colors on one hand. 

This shade is LeChat Perfect Match Mood in Angel's Breeze. It's definitely a conversation piece!