Lipgloss Break

Beautiful Change Challenge #6 - Give Back to your Community

I’ve come to the end of my Beautiful Change Challenge series. This is the last challenge, and by far, one of the most rewarding. I’m challenging you to think about your community, and how you can make a positive change or have a positive impact on it.

There are so many opportunities for everyone to give back in their community, but unless you seek them out, you may not find out about them. My husband and I participated in the Big Brother’s Big Sisters program and it was a wonderful experience. Not only did we learn a lot from the experience, but I’m hoping the young boy we mentored did too. I’ve also been a volunteer camp counselor in the past at a Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America camp. I’ve had Crohn’s/colitis for almost 18 years now, so this was a volunteer opportunity that was near and dear to my heart (see picture: camp photo collage). I encourage you to find an opportunity that you are passionate about, and you will no doubt give it your all.

Food banks, soup kitchens and other volunteer opportunities are probably less than a 20 mile radius from any location. Here are a few sites to find one near you:

Food Banks finder

Habitat for Humanity site

Big Brother Big Sister site

Already giving back? Make sure to comment below and share what you are doing with readers. Also make sure to share it with Aveeno! This year, Aveeno is celebrating everyday Active Naturals by awarding eight grants in the amount of $10,000 to continue to make a beautiful difference - apply on their Facebook page!

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

Bath & Body 2 for $20 Candles

It's the most wonderful time of year...2 for $20 candles at Bath and Body :) Stock up on summer scents! Sale goes through Sunday.

Taylor Schilling's Look from John Frieda

You all know I'm a huge John Frieda and Harry Josh fan, so I couldn't help but post this release. Here's how Taylor Shilling got the look!

THE LOOK: Sleek, straight, and simple.

THE INSPIRATION: “Taylor was ready for a new look and I thought a bob would really compliment her gorgeous face,” said Harry Josh, John Frieda International Creative Consultant. “This sleek bob is chic enough for the red carpet and sophisticated enough for everyday wear.”

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Harry Josh, John Frieda International Creative Consultant, cut six inches off of Taylor’s hair, giving her a sleek bob. After he cut her hair, Harry spritzed John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight throughout damp hair to ensure her blowout would be straight and frizz-free. An at-home alternative to in-salon keratin treatments, this heat-activated spray wraps individual strands with a unique blend of polymers and keratin proteins, sealing in straight style with the help of a flat iron.

Harry began blowing out her hair with a boar-bristle Mason Pearson brush, carefully straightening each section at a time. Next, he went over each piece with a comb and a flat iron, ensuring every hair stayed sleek.

Harry gave her a deep side part and tucked one front piece behind her ear. The result: a chic, sleek red carpet look.

And the Winner is...

Congrats to @SushGirl! She won the CARGO Bronzer giveaway Twitter giveaway.

I'm going to be doing a lot more Twitter & Facebook only giveaways, so make sure to follow me twitter.com/lipglossbreak and facebook.com/lipglossbreak. I'll posting another one soon :)

Traveling East to West

Heading to San Francisco for the week! During the week is strictly business in Mountain View, but once Friday hits, me and the hubby are heading to the bay area. Staying at the Clift in Union Square, we're going to try and experience the city in a non-touristy way. You will definitely see us riding the BART!

Below is what 5% of my suitcase is filled with :) The last time I was in San Francisco I froze my butt off and had to buy an extra scarf to keep me warm. So I'm prepared this time with jackets, jeans and scarfs. I also tennis shoes for exploring.

I was excited to pack my new skinny jeans...they are so California! I also couldn't forget my workout journal and SF maps. Looking forward to getting exercise climbing the hills of the area. The only thing below that isn't in my suitcase is that adorable grey Rebecca Minkoff MAC mini clutch. Maybe I'll come across it in the city...

If you live in the area or are familiar with SF, please send us your suggestions on things to do and places to eat!

San Francisco trip 2012 by lipglossbreak

Rag bone JEAN blazer, $325

Jacket, $80

DL1961 Premium Denim legging, $138

Pumps, $60

Corso Como sandals, $95

Rebecca Minkoff shoulder bag, $195

Isabel Marant bracelet, €30

Tiffany Co bracelet, €245

MAC Cosmetics lip gloss, $15

Moleskine Ruled Soft Large Notebook, 24 CAD

Beautiful Change Challenge #5 - Get Physical!

The challenge for this week could almost be considered a lifestyle change for some people. The challenge: exercise. I’m talking about committing to being active and exercise at least 30 minutes 4-5 times a week.

I know this is hard. If you work full time and/or have kids, I know it’s hard to find the time. But this should be worked into your ‘me’ time, and whether you hit the gym up at lunch or work in a quick video before the kids get up, it’s important for your health and will make you feel better!

If you find yourself in an exercise rut, you may need to try something new to peak your interest and get you excited about working out and feeling good.

This happened to me. Last year, February 2011, I came across a local gym that offered kettlebell training and decided to check it out. So I show up to this class, by myself, not knowing anyone, and I fall in LOVE. It’s been over a year now that I’ve been going to kettlebell classes (for those of you in Michigan, it’s Fast Fitness Kettlebell) and I’m training for my first kettlebell competition in May! Not only that, but my husband goes to class with me on the weekends, and we've met some really cool people!

Here are some pointers to help get you started…

Start a workout journal. Moleskin has a great exercise journal that I use. Keep track of how you feel after a good work out, or better yet, how you feel when you miss a workout. Flip back to these pages when you find yourself needing motivation to go to the gym
Put your goals in writing (in ink!). And don’t forget to reward yourself when you hit your milestones.
Buy a monthly membership or punch card so you’ll stay committed.
Can't afford a gym membership? = not an excuse for not working out. There are 100s of sites and YouTube channels committed to bringing you kick butt at home work outs. Check out BodyRock.tv, happens to be my favorite one, that offers quick 20-30 minutes videos to knock out in the morning and then be done with your workout for the day!
Added bonus: Joining a new class or gym is a great way to make new friends!

Do you have an exercise class you are committed to or favorite gym workout? Please share!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

Night at the Townsend

Lucky and blessed. That's what I am. Never thought I'd say I was 'staying at the Townsend' in Birmingham MI. I mean seriously, who stays in a 4-star hotel an hour from their house?

Even better than staying at the Townsend was meeting and getting to spend time with some amazing fellow woman bloggers. We were brought together this week by an event sponsored by Glam Media. Wednesday night we had great laughs and food at Tallulah Wine Bar, and then a shopping extravaganza at Caruso Caruso, followed by lunch, on Thursday.

From left to right (Ryan from Glam, Tammy from amominredhighheels.com, Rene from goodenoughmother.com, Nola from Glam, Jill from glamamom.com, me!, and Lauren from laurenmessiah.com)

The dress I'm wearing is one from my latest Marshall's venture, along with my blue suede heals. Gold buttons that say 'Guess' down the sleeve make the dress, along with the tie waist. Get to Marshall's and look for it if you need a dress that transitions seamlessly from day and work to night and play!

Thank you Glam for an amazing two days!!

Twitter Giveaway Break - CARGO Multi-mix Bronzer

Who needs some sun? The safe way, that is! I'm giving away a Cargo Multi-mix Bronzer.

Follow and tweet the following to win: Cargo Bronzer Giveaway @lipglossbreak! Retweet to win! http://bit.ly/JVlW3K

I'll select one lucky tweet to win! Contest ends Sunday, April 22, at midnight.

Each tweet increases your chance to win. Tweet as much as you like!