It's that time of year again -- the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale went LIVE yesterday and the website, as usual, went down before 9am EST --- insanity! So I had a ton of things in my cart but couldn't check out for hours. So after two misplaced orders, a phone call Nordstrom, a 30 minute wait -- viola! My Fall order was on my way to me -- woo! Once I get my stuff in within the next week, I'll do an unboxing of the shoes (there. are. so. many) and I'll post a bunch of try-ons (if they fit this pregnant belly!)
Anyway, if you want to shop today (the site is up and running, I've already added more to my cart lol) and be a part of the early access, then you'll have to apply for a Nordstrom card [HERE] and then you'll be on your way to all of the goodness that fall 2018 has to offer!
This year, I wanted to do something a little different right off the bat because I've seen a lot of bloggers talking about "hot items" on things nearing $600. Now, don't get me wrong, the items are super cute (and on major sale compared to regular price) but I feel like the majority of y'all are wanting to grab staple pieces that are affordable so here are my go-tos that are under $80:
Last week, I mentioned this new hair care system (NOT MLM, btw!) on my IG story but I really couldn't go into much detail at the time.... well, now that they've officially launched, I can tell y'all all about it! Say hello to Formulate.co!! Y'all, this is your very own, custom-made hair care tailored to every single hair type, from curly, coarse, thin and straight (even down to the color!) to heat-styled and air-dried; there's a product for every single person! I am so excited about this considering I love anything that gives that custom experience, you know what I mean ESPECIALLY when it comes to hair products!
So in order to make this completely personal to YOU, Formulate has created their very own questionnaire that fine combs (pun intended?) through each and every detail that you face with your hair from environmental factors to how you style it on a daily basis. The best part? You get to choose your own scent from floral to woodsy and everything in between, they even have two natural scents featuring freshly squeezed and bergamot for sensitive skin! Geniussss.
Now, I know I mentioned the best part, but what about the best, BEST part? Although the Formulate website has launched, the site isn't quite ready to be open to the entire public just yet, so they gave each partner 10 access codes to give out to anyone who wants to go ahead and get their order in before the public launch happens! You'll get 3 kits for only $130 and each kit should last anywhere from 6-9 weeks, depending on usage and hair length -- that's a little less than 7 months of customized hair care.
"What if I don't like the formula?" Easy. They've worked really hard with they chemist to create something for everyone so they want you to be happy! If for any reason you aren't, they'll gladly re-formulate your products and send out a new supply. If you just can't find the right formulation, they'll give your money back if returned within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked!
Ready to test out their survey? You can do that by clicking [HERE]. You won't be able to purchase just yet but you can see the kind of questions they'll ask and see just how custom the nature of this brand truly is.
In the meantime, if you aren't quite ready to purchase, that's okay too! You can always enter the Formulate giveaway [HERE] that also features my very own hair profile!
This is your chance to win one shampoo and conditioning system custom fit to all of you haircare needs!
I know that this is a looot of information but I am so excited for you guys to try out this custom hair care system and let me know what you think about it! All orders placed with the access code will go into formulation the first week of July and once shipped, should be on your front porch about 3 days after!
If you have any questions in the meantime, send me your DM's or comment below! This is also NOT an MLM business, y'all. I am a partner with Formulate and have been one of the few selected to try out and share all about this amazing hair care system through my social networks :)
WARNING: Little bit of grossness ahead... skip the first paragraph if you don't want to read about it!
So it's kinda funny how Instagram can portray a pretty good image and for me, that day was yesterday... and the day before. For the last two days, we've pretty much been dealing with a projectile vomiting gremlin aka, Merrick. We recently switched him to whole milk and at first, he took the transition really well. He liked it, drank it and there were no side-effects... until a few days in. This is when he started throwing up everywheeeeeere and it was always after he drank his milk... So anyway, long story short, yesterday, right as were pulling into my grandmothers neighborhood to watch fireworks, Merrick makes that notorious SOUND (parents and pet-parents, you know exactly what I'm referring to), devon whips off his seatbelt, jumps in the back and that's when puke goes all over merrick, his carseat, devon and our brand new car🤗 I think I took flight while flying through the neighborhood to get to our destination where we quickly parked, pulled him out and hosed down e v e r y t h i n g, and then he got his second bath of the day and my car got it's THIRD detail job and we haven't even owned it for a whole week yet lol. Some serious thanks to my husband for being the best human on the face of the earth and only cashew milk for Merrick Wade from here on out.
So how was y'alls Fourth!? Hopefully it started a little better than ours! Haha
Anyway... a few days ago I received a PR box from Laura Mercier (what a post to mix the two topics, right??) so I could test out a few products; Namely the Primer, Tinted Moisturizer and Highlighter. First off, I love LM. This Translucent Powder is a MUST-HAVE of mine and has been for the last couple of years. I cannot live without out. I've also used this LM primer for as long as I can remember and it's definitely remained one of my Top 3 primers to date!
So after yesterday, where I was in total mom-mode (which is why I couldn't have cared less about a IG pic yesterday) to today where I get to be in business owner mode, get dressed up, do my hair and apply makeup so I can meet with two clients -- I'm already way too excited about it all and wanted to share my routine with products used since this is a rarity these days....
TO THE ROUTINE::::
First off, this LM Hydrating primer is one of my classic picks because it doesn't leave that overly smooth-finish-feeling like a lot of primers have. It feels slightly more moisturizing, which is why I love it. I also have pretty oily skin and I think the extra moisture helps keep the oil away and when you have heat mixed with humidity like we've had in Virginia these past few weeks, it takes a good product to hold your look together and this one does a good job of that!
Second, I applied this LM tinted moisturizer in shade Natural with a beauty blender. Y'all know I can't stand heavy, full-coverage products so this Tinted Moisturizer does an amazing job keeping it light and keeping you fresh-faced while also covering redness and imperfections.
Third, I always use this concealer under my eyes and blend in with a beauty blender. After that, I apply this LM translucent powder to my face to pretty much seal everything in.
After that, I used this brand new bronzer + blush palette that I bought a few weeks ago! It's seriously so beautiful, I didn't even want to use it haha but once you dig in, it's so worth it! And perfect for summer because it gives the perfect color payoff while keeping you looking fresh and not caked. After that, I dusted on a little bit of this LM highlighter and then finished the look by filling in my brows with this ABH pencil and then applying this gel and then I add a few layers of this YSL mascara and my makeup look is done! It's so easy and such a light routine for summer by keeping everything minimal, bronzy and dewy but still clean and promises not to melt off!
I also have been loooooving this lipgloss for summer in the color Opal and this lipliner paired with it! I use it everyday!
I'm still working on my favorite Amazon finds and will post that soon -- please let me know if there are any other posts you want me to do in the future - xo
Lately, I've been on my fitness game 100%! My goal, especially with two kids has always been 4 days a week and after almost a year of working out, I've finally got into the groove of things and I sometimes even get in 5 days! This is what my schedule used to look like before babies so the fact that I can crunch this in nowadays is a huge accomplishment! But even though I've noticed my workout regimen has got back to where I want it, my diet has slacked in the kitchen. I still manage to make healthy choices while I'm out but I really wanted to get back to the basics with actual whole foods, so I started searching Pinterest for food ideas and came across a bunch of delicious-looking Whole30 and Paleo meals that I got super inspired to make and that's what lead me to this exact recipe!
Egg Roll in a Bowl is literally just that - a much healthier and MSG-free option that's delicious and healthy! I got the recipe from 40 Aprons and can't wait to share it with y'all [which you can view HERE] ! If you love Chinese, you HAVE to try this! Oh, and this recipe isn't really a looker but it tastes AMAZING.
FYI: I substituted some ingredients because I didn't have everything and I absolutely hate pork so I'm adding my additions here and you can view the originals by clicking the link [HERE]:
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 whole chicken breast, chopped
2 cloves of pre-chopped garlic (from the jar)
14oz bag of coleslaw
1 bag of frozen broccoli
2 tablespoons of coco aminos
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons of salt
1-2 tablespoons avocado oil mayo
1. Add the coconut oil to a pan and start sautéing the chopped garlic. Once the garlic starts to get a little bit gold, I added the chopped chicken breast.
2. Cook the chicken breast until thoroughly cooked through and set aside in a bowl until ready to use but make sure you keep some coconut oil in the bottom of the pan for step 3.
3. Add coleslaw and frozen broccoli in the pan and then add the coco aminos, fresh ground ginger, rice wine vinegar + salt. Stir so ingredients are combined and then place a lid over the top for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once ingredients cook down a bit and broccoli is no longer frozen, add the mayonnaise and do one last mix of all ingredients.
4. After you've mixed it all up, add the coleslaw mix to the chicken you placed in a bowl and ENJOY!
This meal should only take about 30 minutes to make, from start to finish! It's SO easy and SO good -- even the next day! I always go back for seconds when I make this, it's just that good... You won't even realize it's a healthy dish!
I've been pairing up a few different outfits for the fourth and this one is by far my favorite because each piece can be used for more than just the holiday! Right now, I'm really loving whites and blacks paired (when am I not, though?) because the contrast is always so eye catching to me! So I've come up with a cute, quick and casual outfit that works perfectly for a beach day all the way to the nighttime BBQ!
Plus, any look wouldn't be complete without a few of my favorite beauty essentials so I'm sharing those with y'all too!
This is so cute and versatile. I'm super into red atm and this shade is one of my favorites! Pair it with Dutch Tulips by OPI polish and you're set all summer!
I LOVE these earrings and have been really into the tassel and hoops so when I saw these, I knew I had to make an outfit including them (and I bought them right after!)
I have to admit, these are a little pricey but for me, I usually splurge on shorts and jeans because I'm so picky that when I find a pair that I love, it's worth the price becuase who knows when I'll find another pair!
Because I typically use so much SPF on my face everyday, my face tends to naturally be lighter than the rest of my body so a good bronzer is always a makeup bag staple for me and this particular one is sooo lightweight that it makes it perfect for adding a little color, even on boat days.
These are so cute with the multiple strand strap with the gold hardware! They currently have all sizes but they're apparently going fast because the Navy is already sold out in this particular style.
I always invest in a good paddle brush and a good round brush and they always last me years. This one from T9 is no exception and even runs smooth through the worst tangles.
