Our Favorite Bow Ties on Etsy & a COUPON CODE!

 It's safe to say that we I have a bow tie addiction. There's something about that little bow right along the collar line that turns an ordinary outfit into something picture-worthy.

 

When we discovered Where is Simon on Etsy, we fell in love. Not only are the bow ties great quality, but the patterns and colors are so fresh and eye-catching. Bear has tons of simple shirts that look much cuter with a bow tie attached! 

 

See what I mean?

 

I'm also a sucker for pretty packaging. Where is Simon items come ready to gift! I'm obsessed with the floral earrings, too.

This is the perfect package for a new mama: 4 bows/bow ties for the baby & a few pairs of pretty earrings for Mom.

 

 

Turquoise dahlias? Wearing them every single day. Don't judge.

 

Here are a few more looks of Bear in his WIS bow ties! We really love this patriotic one that's perfect for Memorial Day & July 4th.

 

From now until May 31st, Where is Simon is generously offering our readers 10% off your entire purchase with code FULLWOOD10OFF.

 

Happy shopping!

And happy-almost-weekend!

 

Skin Care Guest Post

I was recently reach out to by a sweet woman named Michelle who works at a spa called Skana in a small town in Upstate NY. Her desire is to share her skin care knowledge with others and I'm thrilled she decided to use our blog as an outlet!

Hope you'll find her advice and "recipe" useful; makes me want to start doing more for my (and my son's!) skin. Michelle would LOVE your feedback; please leave her some love in the comments :).

 

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Lately a common topic of discussion around the spa has been the dangerous
effects the sun has on our skin. Most people are aware of the dangers prolonged exposure to the sun can cause, but are unaware of the dangerous chemicals found in most sunscreens. With all the time spent outdoors during the summer season skin safety should
be a primary concern.

 

 

 

Beach Beauty Hydration Mask

In the summer, moms are busier than ever keeping their children entertained until school starts again in the fall. It's easy to get caught up in all of the summer fun and let some of your routines slide. In the summer, I tend to wear less makeup, meaning I also end up skipping my skincare regimen more often than I'd like to admit. Even though your skin may feel oily at times in the summer heat, you still need moisture. The sun and the heat of summer dry out skin. The experts from Skana spa of the New York resort Turning Stone have contributed this recipe for an easy to make summer hydration mask.

What You Need

1 cup of natural yogurt

1/2 cup of oatmeal

1 tablespoon of honey

 

Start by mixing all ingredients in a large bowl until the mixture is well combined. You want a smooth consistency so that the mask can easily be spread evenly on your face.

Spread the hydration mask on your face. Avoid placing it too close to your eyes, as it may sting if it accidentally gets in them. Don't use the mask sparingly - you want a good, thick layer on your skin. Now it's time to relax. I love to lock myself in my bedroom while my husband takes care of the kids for a little while. Candles and smooth jazz music help set the atmosphere. After chasing the kids all week, it feels amazing to lay still and do absolutely nothing for a few minutes.

Relax for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wash the hydration mask off with a warm washcloth. I like to take my time with this step, as the warmth from the washcloth really helps open up and unclog your pores.

In addition to being relaxing, this hydration mask is amazing for your skin because it is all-natural and free from the chemicals contained in store bought products. The enzymes in yogurt kill bacteria that can cause acne. Oatmeal softens the skin and gives it that natural glow every woman seeks in the summer. Honey is a humectant, which means that it attracts moisture and helps the skin absorb it.

The recipe is quick and easy - an essential quality for any busy woman. And because the ingredients are cheap and items that I usually keep on hand in the kitchen, this indulgence doesn't break the budget. This hydration mask will leave your skin with that summer glow and have you ready for whatever the day throws at you.

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Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Michelle!
 

I tried this recipe last night and woke up with my skin feeling AMAZING. Love that all the ingredients can be found around the house and are natural. Hope you'll try it out, too!

 

 

Birchbox Favorites (Nov-Feb)

I've gotten way behind on Birchbox goodies so I decided to give a "favorites recap" for my top picks in the November-February boxes. I have loved almost every product so it was difficult to narrow the list down. Getting these boxes is always the highlight of my week day; I owe my sis-in-law Scarlett such a huge thank you for giving me a year's worth of Birchbox. Love you, Scarlett!

 

If you've never heard of Birchbox, here's the lowdown. It's pretty awesome.

 

 

And the favorites are....

 

Skin & Co Roma Body Gel: cleansing body gel with olive and sicilian orange extracts (full size, $17.50)

Zach and I went to Rome on our honeymoon so I'm naturally drawn to anything Italian, plus they have such beautiful skin there that I trust their beauty products! This shower gel is packed with antioxidants and leaves my skin feels refreshed and smelling divine. Zach even asked me what perfume I was wearing a few hours after my shower. I usually smell like sour milk these days so he was pleasantly surprised.

 

Color Club: Wild Cactus (full size, $8)

I am in serious love with this color. Jewel tones are really in right now and while this looks teal in the bottle, it goes on as more of an emerald. The great thing is it's appropriate for any season and can be worn year round. If you'd like to see this color on, I'm wearing it in this post.

 

Lancome Bi-Facil: eye makeup remover (full size, $28)

I've always been a Mary Kay eye makeup remover kinda girl, but Lancome has pretty much won me over. It takes off waterproof mascara in an instant without any irritation whatsoever. I normally wouldn't pay $28 for a bottle of makeup remover, but a little goes such a long way in this case that I think one bottle would last for months.

 

Oscar Blandi Hairspray: pronto texture and volume spray (full size, $25)

I've never been one to spend much on hairspray, or even use it much for that matter, but in Houston our weather is so humid that I need some major hold if I expect curls to stay in for more than three minutes. They call this spray "nonsticky" and I didn't believe it until I witnessed the miracle myself. Hairspray always leaves my hands (and often hair!) feeling sticky and icky and with a baby, I despise that. Not anymore! This spray is so light and smells like a salon. You know what I mean, that really yummy salon smell. Now we're on to their secret....

 

Mox Botanicals Lip Butter: pomegranate & fig lip rub (full size, $16)

This stuff feels like heaven on my lips...I am obsessed. The only down-side is that you rub it on using your finger; I usually prefer Chap Stick and products that don't get on your hands. It just seems unnecessarily messy. I use this in the mornings when getting ready; it's the perfect base for lipstick or gloss. I find it's better for using at home than on-the-go. Bonus: it's eco-friendly!

 

 Harvey Prince Skinny Chic: perfume (full size, $55)

I've heard several Birchbox subscribers complain about perfume samples since you can get them many places for free (and I hear ya!) but I actually enjoy getting the little sample tubes because they're ideal for travel. We're always taking weekend trips and I learned the hard way not to pack full-size perfume bottles so these samples are the perfect fix. Skinny Chic smells flirty and fun; I'm planning on packing it for a bachelorette party in May. This perfume just feels like something to wear with the girls....like "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" should be it's theme song.

 

Caldrea Hand Soap: (full size, $10.50)

I'm a plain ol' Softsoap kinda gal normally but these sweet soaps smell absolutely amazing and I want to put them by every water orifice in our home. I feel so fancy when I use them, plus they leave my hands smelling heavenly for hours. I'm going to order some just for gifts; they'd be a special treat for all the sweet germaphobes in your life :).

 

 

 What products are you currently loving? Have you tried any of these? Would love to hear your current beauty obsessions!

 

September Birchbox

Hi, ladies! My September Birchbox arrived a couple days ago and after a celebratory dance around the living room, I opened it up and immediately began trying the product samples. This month's box was fabulous! A big, big thank you to my sweet sister-in-law Scarlett for signing me up for a year's worth of Birchboxes! I'm in heaven.

 

 

A quick breakdown:

1. twistband hair tie: I love these snag free elastics! They're great for when you're doing laundry or cleaning the house and just need to get your hair out of your face.

2. WEI to Go Sleep Over Kit: I just tried this set earlier and was pretty impressed; it would be perfect for a wedding weekend or girls' trip. First you wash your face with the camellia oil-infused gel cleanser and then apply the moisturizing face tint. I felt so refreshed afterwards! It's like a quick pick-me-up.

3. tili bag: I got a couple of these in my last box, but I'm not complaining that they included one this month. These are awesome for storing essentials while traveling, and are very thick and durable (plus they're cute).

 

4. Color Club Birchbox Custom Polish: I'm in looooove with this pretty gray polish. It's just the right shade to transition into fall and can be worn all winter, too.

5. kate spade new york Twirl: Favorite thing in the box! I only wish it were the full-size bottle :). I'm seriously putting this perfume on my Christmas list (are you reading this, Z?); it smells heavenly. It has a definite floral scent, which I love.

6. Sedu Anti-Frizz Polishing Treatment with Pure Argan Oil: This serum gives you shiny, soft hair all while protecting your strands from heat styling and UV rays. It's also great because you can apply it to damp or dry hair, though I got better results when applying to my dry hair first thing in the morning.

7. $25 off a Madewell purchase of $75 or more: Have you been to the Madewell website? Oh friends, you really must. I'm absolutely swooning over these calf hair leopard print boots.

8. Birchbox fall lookbook: This fun little book has all kinds of great fall trends to try, including chevron nails and an adorable twist braid tutorial.

 

 

Happy Hump Day, y'all! What beauty products are you loving lately?

Very First Birchbox!

Hi, ladies! Happy Friday! I'm very excited to share with you the contents of my first Birchbox today, a birthday gift from my beautiful sister-in-law (and brother...though I highly doubt it was his idea). Thank you, Scarlett! You are the best, and not just because of your vast knowledge of skincare creams. You are so incredibly thoughtful and I'm beyond lucky to have you for a 'seester'.


For those of you unfamiliar with Birchbox, it's a monthly beauty sample subscription service. It's basically like heaven in a box. It allows you to try out all kinds of products (hair, make-up, skincare, etc.) before splurging on full-size amounts. Really a great concept!  Head over here if you'd like to read more about it or sign up for your own monthly samples.

The goodies...

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens: These are great! They are perfect to throw in your purse for any running-around touch ups.

Harvey Prince Eau Flirt: This fragrance smells really yummy. It's a mix of citrus and jasmine, with a hint of lavender and pumpkin. I was a little skeptical of smelling all those flavors combined but it turns out to be a really sweet, feminine scent.

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink: To be honest, this isn't my favorite lip gloss. I will definitely keep it on hand, but it's a little too pink for my taste. It doesn't come on nearly a bright as it looks in the bottle, but I still prefer a more nude or plum colored gloss.

Twistband Hair Tie: This is a great ponytail holder, especially for the pool or beach. I don't know that I'd splurge on these ($18 for a 12 pack), but I'll enjoy this pretty orange one!

Gloss Moderne High-Gloss Masque: This stuff is pretty amazing. It's a conditioning complex that restores bounce and shine to sun-damaged hair, making it perfect for this time of year. I've almost used the sample size up already! Think I will be purchasing more in the future.

Tili Bag: When I opened the box, my eyes went straight to this cute little plastic bag. It's made mostly for airport travel and to store small essentials in a carry-on. They're a little pricey too ($9 for a pack of 12), but such a cute way to travel in style.

I am already counting down the days until the next pretty pink box arrives on our doorstep! It's such a rush :).

Are you a beauty product lover? Have you tried any of these?

How To: Bow Bun

Do you ever have those days where your hair just won't cooperate? 'Cause I do. And it drives me a little bonkers. I've seen a lot of bow buns in magazines lately and decided to give it a try on one of those unruly hair days; turns out it's a quick and easy fix! Here's how it's done, ladies.

Step One: Start with a simple high bun, leaving hair loose in the back. It's not really a bun, but I'm not sure what else to call it. Loop under thingie?? You know what I mean.

Step Two: Split bun in half

Step Three: Pull hair left hanging in back over the center of bun and secure with bobby pins. That's it! Easy as pie.

 Your very own bow bun! It's as simple as that, and a cute fix for any bad hair day.

What hair styles are you currently loving?

Five Things: Beauty Edition

Hi, ladies! Lately I've been reading lots of beauty product reviews on all of your blogs and I absolutely love them. So very educational! Plus there's just something wonderful about getting to peek into other people's make-up bags :).

When preparing a "Five Things" post for this week, I decided it'd be fun to highlight five products that I couldn't live without. Okay, I guess I could if I had to, but life simply wouldn't be the same. You know what I mean. My sister-in-law, Scarlett, is 95% to thank for everything you're about to see in this post....thank you, sweet Scar! She is a beauty product expert and spoils me with treats from Sephora. Before she came along, I thought Wal Mart had everything the beauty world has to offer. How pathetically wrong was I? Once again, thank you for saving me, Scarlett! 

Smith's Rosebud Salve Lip Balm

This stuff is heaven on your lips. I put it on every single night after I shower; it rejuvenates the skin and leaves your kissers feeling extra soft and smooth.

Mary Kay eye make-up remover

My mother-in-law sells Mary Kay and gave me this product last Christmas; it has quickly become one of my favorites. It's the best eye make-up remover I've ever used, and even gets off waterproof mascara without any hassle.

Urban Decay eye-liner in Bourbon & Ransom

I am obsessed with these little liners! They glide on so smoothly and evenly, and are perfect for day or night wear.

Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes

Basically I love these towelettes because they make life so much easier. It's likely that you've used them, or a similar brand, and understand what I mean. No real explanation needed :)

laura mercier tinted moisturizer

Best.moisturizer.ever. Love that it has spf too, so I get sun protection during these blazing months of summer.

There you have it! Five products that I wouldn't want to go a day without. I'm just itching to hear what some of your favorite products are too, so please share!