Product review - Covergirl/Olay

I signed up a while ago to be a product reviewer, and recently received two products from the Covergirl and Olay cosmetic line - Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and the pressed powder. I couldn't wait to try these products, the foundation especially looks interesting and unique - swirls of lotion through the make up! Anyway, I had to guess the right color and boy did I get lucky. I used quite a bit of product on freshly moisturized skin (no primer - wasn't sure if I was supposed to use primer?), and it give buildable medium coverage for blemishes, redness and other areas of discoloration. It doesn't feel oily, and although the coverage is great, it doesn't feel heavy or look mask-y on. I really liked the coverage I got from using this product! After applying the foundation (I used my fingertips - keeping it simple :P), I used the pressed powder to set it. I like the silky feel of the powder, and the way it doesn't look overly cakey. If you've never tried these amazing products, I recommend you do! I was really happy with the look I achieved using them in tandem. They were nice enough to send me coupons to share with friends and family, so comment below if you'd like me to send you a coupon! Find them at your neighborhood pharmacy, or your nearest Ulta store, or order online!

DISCLAIMER: I'm a BzzAgent and I received a product sample from BzzAgent for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions :D

Luv of Shopping ~ Giveaway!!

Who loves free stuff?! I know I do!!! My friend Marissa is having another AMAZING giveaway. Check out details by clicking the link below!

For the love of shopping!: Another Giveaway!! Say What?!

Oh the places you'll go...

I LOVE that Dr. Seuss book, one of my favorites :) And I LOVED this super easy pinterest project that I made my hubby for an anniversary gift. We don't usually buy each other gifts, instead we spend money on a weekend getaway together, but sometimes we make little things for each other. I had pinned this craft a while back, and it took less than an hour to complete.


I bought a few maps from Barnes and Noble, a heart punch, some scrapbook paper and a cheap from from Michaels, and got to work down in the laundry (where my crafting wouldn't be discovered :P)... I punched out the most memorable places we've been together, where we met, where we honeymooned, and other fun places, stuck them to the scrapbook paper in a grid using double-sided tape, and put it in the frame.

That easy!!! I have a few extra pieces of the same scrapbook paper, and since we hung it as part of the gallery wall in our office, I'm going to use the paper to mat a few other items I want to frame, for a more cohesive look. Pics to come, when it's done :)

My car smells like Provence...

And I love it. Some things just put the biggest smile on my face, and a whiff of lavender is one of those things. I always keep an eye out for the bundles of dried lavender that make a mid-summer appearance at Trader Joe's each year, and when I stopped by on Monday, they didn't have any yet. But today - oh, today I left with a smile on my face and car that smells like Provence. Can't wait to go home and make a simple, beautiful table centerpiece that will last longer than my bi-weekly flower bouquets have been lately in the summer heat. The fact that is was sprinkling rain, glorious rain, when I woke up today, coupled with the bundles in my front seat makes this the best Friday the 13th I can remember. :D

Gift wrap organizer

This makes me smile :) No, not the carpet, the gift wrap organizer!! The carpet, we grin and bear it!

Dry Bar - an affordable luxury!

I love it when my hair looks pretty - sleek and shiny, no frizz, bouncy and beautiful... But it doesn't happen very often! If I ever find myself unimaginably wealthy, I plan to hire someone to do my hair several times a week and it will always look great. But until then, on occasion, I am going to be stopping by the Dry Bar!! About a year ago, one of my coworkers showed up looking AMAZING, and we all assumed she'd just had her hair trimmed or colored or something. She informed us that she'd stopped by the Dry Bar, and every since I heard what this was all about, I've been dying to check it out. Imagine my delight a few weeks ago when I learned that they opened one about 15 minutes from my house!! So to kick off the birthday (ok, birthweek) extravaganza, I figured I'd make my inaugural visit, and check it out!

As I arrived for my appointment (spur of the moment decision, raced to make it in time for the only available appointment before 7pm), I was already impressed. Beautiful women with shiny, perfect hair were walking out the front door, looking like 5'1" supermodels! I can't say enough about how much I loved my visit to the Dry Bar, but let's just say it was PERFECT. There is an adorable, comfortable reception area, styling stations set up like a bar, good music on the radio, and chick flicks on the TVs (with subtitles of course, since you can't hear what they're saying over the blow dryers!). My friendly stylist showed me where to hang my purse (on a little hook next to her station, right next to the built in iphone chargers!) and led me back to the sinks where I sunk into a comfy chair, rested my head on the sink, and put my feet up on a footrest... And noticed the cheerful yellow chandelier. I love details and this place is all about them, from the light fixtures, to the vase of (yellow) tulips by the front door, to the yellow bottomed glasses they use to serve free beverages... LOVE it! There's even a bucket with umbrellas by the front door, because the stylists walk you out if it's raining, to protect your blowout! I watched a bit of 13 Going on 30 (nothing like that movie to make you glad you're turning 31 instead of 13! Being 13 is hard!), and left the Dry Bar a very happy girl, with lovely locks. Check them out here and see if there's one near you - it's worth every penny! 

Gift card shopping spree

I have a tendency to hoard gift cards. I think it's because I feel responsible to spend the money on something specific, something special. I love receiving gift cards, and have even saved them over several years until I could afford a big ticket splurge that I might not be able to afford otherwise. But this weekend, I went on a gift card shopping spree - paid for breakfast, over $60 worth of merchandise from Bath & Body Works, a beautiful mirror for my bedroom (more on that later!) - basically spent an entire day shopping, without spending a penny. Ok, I spent a few pennies, but only by choice - I like to save my Visa gift cards for the spa or big ticket purchases, so I paid cash at one store! But it's funny how liberating it is to shop with abandon, giving no thought to whether or not an item is an affordable luxury, or an unnecessary expense. I think I'm much more likely to treat myself when I'm shopping with a gift card - so I'm glad I hoard them! It's a fun challenge, to spend a day without spending. Have you ever tried it?

Spring is coming!!!

I may have a new temporary addiction... Daffodils! I get a little jolt of happiness whenever I see lots of lovely little bunches of daffodils stacked outside of Trader Joe's. Sure, they are $1.50 this year (inflation!), but they are still a steal. And this morning, when I saw them piled outside, sitting in the morning sunlight, I had to restrain myself. I wanted to 'rescue' every last one of those little bundles, but instead kept it to ten bunches. Hey, I'm planning to give some away! It's just hard to say no to daffodils!!! Lucky daffodil season doesn't last too long each year, or my resolve would surely be worn down! :)

A few of my favorite things...

Or should I say people? Yes, that seems like a better way to put it... Or maybe I should just say 'Adventures at a Korean Spa Experience'? Well, whatever you call it, yesterday turned out to be a lovely relaxing day. Last week was soooooo super busy, and I dragged myself through a very long day on Friday, so when my sister suggested a visit to a recently opened Korean spa nearby, I didn't need much convincing. Especially not since she'd bought day passes on Groupon for $10!! The CJ Grand Health Spa opened a location in Hermosa Beach a few months ago, and my mum, sister and I spent a rainy Sunday relaxing and wandering around there. It was an interesting new experience, they aren't super generous with towels (you get one rather smallish, unplush one, and a smaller hand/face/not sure what it's for other towel), you don't get a robe unless you're having a treatment (but could totally BYO), and you have to wear these hilariously unflattering gym shorts and t-shirts in the common area... It definitely is different from other day spas I've been to, but it was such a fun place to visit and explore with two of my favorite people. The women's spa area has a steam sauna, dry sauce, a cold waterfall and a jacuzzi, as well as showers and a small locker room with a dressing room. The co-ed spa area includes an ice room (my favorite!), a salt room and a clay room, all of which were fun to alternate between. Of course the best part of the whole day was being together, and we're pretty sure that the good company and conversation is part of the 'therapy' that relaxes a person, but it really was a great way to spend an afternoon. We wandered around, had a great time and decided we'd all go back again soon, if only to hang out together. I must admit though, the little wood block pillows (I wish I had a close up picture - need to figure out a way to sneak a camera around a spa to get pics of the facilities without looking like a real creeper :P) in the salt and clay rooms were so incredibly comfortable and the cocoon of heat made me feel like I could have absolutely fallen asleep for a while in there! We had a great time, and I had to be dragged from the ice room, and forced to face reality yet again :P

Getaway for a day

Inspired by my Sunday drive to Santa Barbara for a friend's birthday, I wanted to share some of my favorite SoCal 'getaway for a day' places to visit. Life can be so busy, and in this economy, vacations are one of the luxuries that fall by the wayside in an effort to save money. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of these road trip adventures, for little more than the price of a tank of gas!

Santa Barbara

This is one of the most beautiful places, there are so many picture perfect sights that it's hard to focus on driving when each turn and hill reveals yet another breathtaking vista. Park near Stearns Wharf, and enjoy a picnic on the beach, or a stroll on the pier. There are great little shops to visit nearby, all within walking distance, and if you're in the mood to see town via pedal car, or cruise around the harbor in a kayak, rentals are available. You could also surround yourself with nature, hiking one of the many local trails, or if you're there on a Sunday, wander around the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts show, along Cabrillo.

The Getty

 

A day at the Getty, for the price of parking ($15 per car), gets you a tram ride up the hill, with great views of the city, access to all of the exhibitions, and beautiful views, all the way to the Santa Monica. It's the perfect place to bring out of town visitors, and is a lovely place to take a picnic and spend a day.

Terranea

While a night's stay at this gorgeous resort will set you back a few hundred dollars, parking in the public lot or along the street is free. A day spent at Terranea, wandering around the resort and down to the beach, will give you a chance to enjoy the view and relax. Bring a picnic, or enjoy a meal at Nelsons (they have firepits!) or The Terranea Grill, both offer casual, affordable food. Depending on the time of year, you might see dolphins and whales as well! It really is a beautiful getaway.

LA Farmers Market/The Grove

The LA Farmers Market is the kind of place that I could spend hours wandering around. The fact that it's right next to The Grove is just an added bonus. Great shopping, people watching and occasionally celebrity sighting make for a fun day, and having lunch at one of the many eateries is sure to be a palate pleaser ~ my favorite is Loteria. Kids especially will enjoy watching the fountain at The Grove, and there are free trolley rides available as well.

Crystal Cove

Another great place to take a picnic and spend the day. There is something magical about this beach, especially at sunset time, when the fading light turns the sky pastel shades of pink and orange. For the cost of parking ($15), you can walk across the road and down a trail to this beach. Spend the day wandering around, looking at tidepools, and reading about the history of the beach cottages. Or take advantage of the 17 miles of hiking trails, if you're feeling energetic.

These are a few of my favorite local getaways... Since our family moved a lot when I was a kid, we tend to see every new place we live as tourists would, exploring and visiting local attractions. And it really is a great break from reality :)

Love a good deal!



Well, there are few things in life I love more than a good deal, and this Living Social deal is amazing!!! A 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas print for $29, plus shipping, is a such great price, and the only problem I think I"ll have is trying to pick which picture to use! Getting some unique art up on our many walls is one of our big new house 'to dos', and this is an inexpensive way to take a photo I really love and make it wall-worthy :) The deal is offered through Fabness, which is a pretty great website for ordering these kinds of products, so check it out too! I immediately started browsing through my shutterfly and found these two pics from trips we took ages ago ~ they are just snapshots, taken with my trusty little point and shoot, but maybe if I mess with the contrast in photoshop, I will end up with a great image for a piece of art that reminds us of adventures we've taken together.  



Golden Gate Bridge ~ there are a million pics like this in the world, but this one would be a constant reminder of the day we walked the entire city on foot, taking this and so many other pictures and wondering why we didn't wear sneakers :)






Love this pic from Yosemite

  ***UPDATE: Sadly, this deal is sold out. However, for those who missed it, check out this website - their prices seem really great!



New Year's Resolutions and other things I haven't gotten around to...

So it's February. FEBRUARY!!! How on EARTH did this happen? Where did the first month of this new year go?! I am accepting the fact that the older I get, the faster each year flies by, but I have to say, February really snuck up on me without warning! I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but usually I have one or two things in mind. Not this year. It's right around the time I'm usually giving up on my resolutions and I haven't even made one yet! I think we'll be skipping that this year! One thing I WON'T be skipping? This lovely deal from Groupon!! Yeah, diamonds are a girl's best friend, but Swarovski studs that sparkle at such a steal of a price ($20!!) are pretty amazing too! Apparently more than 4000 people agree with me ~ what a lovely little luxury :) The deal ends in 4 days, so don't wait too long to check out these stunning Swarovski studs!!!