Month: November 2020

  • Comfy Gifts for Mom

    As much as I love a night on the town, I love a comfy & cozy night in. Especially if it includes my husband distracting my boys with a night up in our movie room watching a movie or playing video games. I want all the quiet time with some comfy PJ’s, my hair tossed up in a messy bun, eye masks for my tired eyes and buried under pillows and a cozy blanket!

    This year, it has been my go to since we are home a lot more. I have linked some of my favorite products at all price points. I have these items and they are tried and true my top 8 favorites (and here’s why)!

    1. Barefoot Dreams Blanket: I have had my eye on this blanket for years! I’ve had mine for 4 months and I have to say that it is one of the softest and coziest blankets that I own. We are somewhat blanket connoisseurs in our home and this one is definitely in the top 3! I curl under this luxe blanket every time I have a spare minute to watch a little television.
    2. Jo Malone London Travel Set: This set is the perfect starter set. These scents are divine (my top favs) and the perfect trial/travel size to test it out to see if you truly love them. P.S. you will and you will become a scent layering connoisseur in no time!
    3. Jo Malone London candle: Ya’ll, this candle is so luxe! I am a candle person and this one is worth every penny. It is super scented, burns evenly, and fills any room with luxe fragrance. I have this candle in our bedroom and I love it.
    4. Satin Pillowcase and Mask Set: So I have to be honest, I don’t use a sleep mask but this set is such a great deal compared to its competitors. I will just bundle the sleep mask with a fun set and gift to our neighbor for her birthday. This satin pillowcase though… I love sleeping on a satin pillowcase simply because of it benefits. It is great for your hair and limits the amount of creasing that occurs overnight. It’s also great for your face, its great for fending off fine lines and wrinkles and it is soft and non-irritating. My mom used to actually have me sleep on a satin pillowcase when I was a girl simply to preserve my “Shirley Temple” curls and I know she is up there saying “I told you so”
    5. Pajama Set: Let me preface by saying, if you purchase anything on this list, this is the one to grab! These PJ’s are my FAV!!! Like hands down FAV! I have been in LOVE with these PJ’s for years!!! The fabric is so buttery soft, they do not pill, they wash well, and they last! I have tried some of the competitors versions that were less expensive and they are just not the same. These are money!!
    6. Satin Hair ties: Now if you know me, you know that I am a huge lover of teleties. You know those hair ties that look like an old phone cord? Well, these hair ties are tied at number 1 with those! These satin hair ties are so gentle on your hair and prevent creasing as well. I love to throw my hair up in these at night and sleep in them. Plus, they look adorable for everyday wear as well!
    7. Gold Eye masks: I have been using this brand of eye masks for a while. They are by far my favorite. Eye masks are my fav when I am feeling “mom tired” or after a night of drinks and fun. Pair this with the pillowcase set and/or the satin hair ties for a cute little gift of pampering!
    8. Soft & Plush Robe: Let me first start off by saying that when I first saw (and felt) this robe in store, I knew that I needed it. First off, it is super affordable and just as soft as the higher end brands that I have been eyeing for a while. Secondly, it is soft, like so soft… and cozy.

    So there ya have it guys, my comfy favorites. I have to say, I have and adore everything on this list and they are truly my top favorites that I would not mind having more of under my tree. Of course, what would be icing on the cake is opening these gifts and seeing a hand written voucher from my husband promising for some much needed quiet time and 4 little elves cleaning my house while I take naps and watch movie marathons! (wink, wink!)

  • 2020 Top Gift Ideas

    2020 Top Gift Ideas

    This year has been such an awkward year. I had to really dive deep and research my gifts this year.

    1. Because this year has taught me the need to simplify our home.
    2. We don’t need a bunch of “junky” items that will be used a few times and then tossed to the wayside.
    3. Invest in items that we want and know that we will use going forward

    These three items are a little pricey, but I know that they are absolutely worth the investment. Plus, these three have flex pay options, so if you do not want to pay all at once, you can choose to have it broken down into 4-5 easy payments!

    First up in this Nespresso coffee system! Right now it is being offered as a DOORBUSTER at almost $100 off of the original price bringing it to under $200. This single serve coffee maker along with a travel mug and milk frother makes for the best coffee station. I am obsessed with my frother and I paid almost half of what this entire bundle is selling for right now! Such a great deal!

    Next up is the Dyson hair dryer. Ya’ll, I did not want to fall in love with this thing. I have always been a $25 blow dryer gal since forever! But, I took one of these babies on a test drive and I almost had tears in my eyes when I gave it back to my neighbor. This hair dryer is worth the hype! I have fewer “fly aways” and less frizz. Plus, I haven’t used my straightener since I made this investment. Now I have to say, it is a pricey at $399… but I found a 5 flex pay option that made the purchase worth it. I am obsessed with this hair dryer!

    Finally, the Coravin wine preservation system! This has actually been on my list since last Christmas! I am the only person in my home who loves wine and I hate to open a bottle just for myself. I’ve looked into other wine preservation systems and well, they have just never really appealed to me. I want an option where I can tap into a bottle and enjoy a glass of red one day and then two weeks later have a glass of white. Especially since we have not been entertaining as much this year and it looks like much of next year will be the same. I actually questioned several friends who do own this system and they said that it is 1000% worth it…so fingers crossed Josh is reading this article and I will have one of these under the tree this Christmas!

  • Top 5 Winter Skincare Products

    Top 5 Winter Skincare Products

    This blog post has been a long time coming. It’s something that I have become passionate about over the last several years. I feel like I need to give some back story for this post, though. When I was in my teens, I had terrible acne. I ended up doing three rounds of Accutane over several years and while it did its job and cleared up my skin, it gave me the worst joint pain. I remember being in tears because I wanted to dance but my body hurt.

    Fast forward to 32, I had just delivered my last baby and noticed a few zits popping up that were out of the ordinary. I selected an organic skincare line to try and it was like kryptonite on my face. I developed a full blown case of cystic acne all over my face. After my dermatology appointment, I walked out with a game plan and a warning that if the suggested regimen didn’t work, that the next step was a round of Accutane. My mental response was “hell naw.”

    First let me preface by saying, find a derm and an esthetician who is passionate about helping you find the perfect skincare regimen. The brands and products that work for me may not work for your specific skin type or budget.

    Last week I noticed that my skin was really irritated, I had a case of “maskne” along with dryness and irritation courtesy of cold/dry air moving through the area. An esthetician friend noticed and suggested that I try the new EltaMD Skin Recovery system. Let me tell you, I have been using it for a week and it is a game changer!

    The Foaming Facial Cleanser is my favorite gentle enzyme cleanser. I have actually been using this for years. It’s much more sensitive than it’s drugstore counterparts. Those leave my skin feeling dry, but this cleanser does not.

    The second step in the regimen is the Skin Recovery Toner. I have to say that I usually don’t use a toner. The ones that I tried in the past always dried out my skin and burned a little. This one however, does not. Its calming and soothing.

    The third step is where you use all of you corrective products and serums. I would get into detail here, but I am working on a dedicated post specifically on my favorite serums in my arsenal.

    Next is the system is the Skin Recovery Serum followed by the Skin Recovery Light Moisturizer. Of course, I apply my favorite UV Clear sunscreen in the AM.

    These products are specifically designed to help repair damaged skin and have done wonders to my dry and irritated skin over the last week. It is the perfect addition to my winter skincare arsenal.

    I am linking everything for you down below, I do earn a small commission from these links. However, I am a huge believer of shopping local for my skincare. Check with you local derm, med spa or aesthetics office. Let them know your issues and what you would like to try!!! And a little tip, ask them if they have any samples. Sometimes they do and you can try the product out for a few days before you invest!