A Few of My Favorite Things:
We all have our favorites. But, some things are just better than others. Check out this weeks must-haves!
Hydration Station
The easiest way to stay healthy - drink more water! Now, you'll never forget to hydrate again with the Hidrate Spark 2.0A Smart Water Bottle. This super cute bottle tracks water intake and even glows as a reminder to stay hydrated.
Goddess Hair
What comes in, must come out. And when you use the Infinitipro by Conair, what comes out is the quintessential curl. This revolutionary Auto-Curl tangle-free technology draws hair safely into curl chamber where it is gently held, timed, and heated to create the perfect curl or beachy wave. Way better than those curling iron sticks.
Bravo Braava
If you're a fan of the iRobot Vacuum, then you'll want to give this iRobot Braava Jet 240 Robot Mop a try. It will clean your floors when you're not around, so you have nothing to worry about later. Automatically selects the correct cleaning mode based on the Braava jet pad type; choose from wet mopping, damp mopping and dry sweeping. Passive cleaning. Perfection.
Fresh Faced
Scrub away the day (and dead skin cells) with Fresh’s Sugar Face Polish - A nourishing exfoliant made with brown sugar and strawberry seeds that refines and hydrates for a more radiant complexion. Gently massage on cleansed, leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Simple solutions for sensational skin.
Keep it Hot
This Ember Temperature Control Ceramic Mug will keep your drink at your desired temperature for however long you decide to nurse it. (In my case, it’s usually the same cup all day long)
Save a Tree
This Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook has only 36 pages, but they can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, and you can blast your handwritten notes to popular cloud services like Google drive, Dropbox, Evernote box, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, email and more using the free Rocketbook application for iOS and Android. Pretty cool huh?
Liner Love
Nars makes the ONLY natural looking eyeliner I have ever found for the waterline that actually stays put, doesn’t make your eyes tear up and has the intended effect of brightening up the whites of your eyes. If you have never used a natural colored eyeliner to make your eyes pop, welcome to your newest addiction.
Call of the Wild
Working and online learning from home can get pretty dull, so now when you stare longingly out the window, you can check out all the cool birds that are coming to snack on the bird feed that you put in this suction cup Bird Feeder. Super durable and easy to clean.
Knives Out?
If you are anything like me, you have some really sharp knives floating around in utensil drawers and risk losing a finger anytime you are searching for something. Now you can keep all the knives you regularly use handy and safe with this universal Knife Block by Zelancio.
Say Cheese
Just because you are wearing a mask everywhere you go doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about your smile. I am obsessed with white teeth. Gleaming, pearly whites. And there is no reason why you can’t have them, when Crest Professional Effects Whitestrips can make your smile sparkle so quickly and easily! Remove years of coffee and wine stains in just a few half hour sessions.
Bake News
I never realize how little counter space I actually have until I’m cooling cookies. This Wilton 3 Tier Cookie Rack is worth the investment just for the holiday season alone! Folds down for flat storage and simplicity. Reinforced non stick coating for easy release and quick cleanup.
Out of the Darkness
Yeah, yeah, I get it, we are all perfect - flaws and everything, but for anyone who wants to cover any imperfections, and especially hide the appearance of dark circles, bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer is a magical under-eye concealer and camouflager of other spots and blemishes. The full-coverage anti-aging serum concealer has a luxuriously smooth texture that glides on like silk and high-definition optics to counteract shadows and give skin an illuminated, lustrous finish. You need this. Just get it. (Medium is my color for reference)
Lip Service
I have searched for an obscenely long time for a lip balm that stays on all night and leaves me with soft lips in the morning. Finally I found Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask. It works overtime to ensure lips are moisturized, supple, and smooth-as-silk by morning. Infused with berry-derived antioxidants and vitamin C it has an intoxicatingly fruity scent.
Brow Wow
Define & highlight your brows with this 4-in-1 contour pencil. This multi-tasking brow pencil features a lighter brow shade, deeper brow shade, edge definer and arch highlighter to create clean, shaped brows with depth & dimension. Available in 5 shades for a wide range of hair colors and skin tones!
Quick Dry
I swear by this stuff. Towel dry hair, spray it on, comb through. Congratulations… you just cut your blowdrying time in half, detangled your hair, reduced flyaways and eliminated frizz. All of that with one product. I hate the process of drying my hair - it’s so time consuming. So, any product that cuts some corners is ranked high in my world. Kenra Blow Dry Mist is always my first step to a perfect blow out. Plus, it smells really good too.
Kiss My Cheekbones
Customer Enhancer Drops by Cover FX are the secret to faking model cheekbones. Take a few drops on the top of each cheek and swipe out and up with a blender sponge til there is just a tiny hint of sheen left. I use the color moonlight but there are 5 other shades to choose from. Don’t worry about picking the right color though. They are all gorgeous regardless of your skin tone.
Sparkle & Shine
My rings are constantly getting cloudy and dull from all the hand sanitizing lately and the Diamond Dazzle Stik makes cleaning up diamonds and gemstones a breeze. This jewelry cleaning gel contains polishing agents that give brightness and shine to your stones instantly and even has special polymer capable of filling and eliminating small scratches. I use it while my rings are on my fingers and then just rinse with water for instant sparkle. Safe for all gems except pearls.
No Filter Needed
Use Make Up Forever Micro Finishing Powder as the last (or only) step in your make up routine and blur the look of your skin’s imperfections.
The newly revamped formula delivers a flawless, matte, light-diffusing effect, while minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Plus it makes your skin feel really soft. And, don’t worry, you will not show up looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost in photographs or on video, it is formulated to look invisible even under Ultra HD 4K technology. Perfect for every skin tone. A little goes a long way and it lasts forever! Put a bit on a fluffy brush, tap or blow off the excess and apply!
Bring on the Heat
Beauty with a edge. Love, love, love Urban Decay’s Naked Palette Petite Heat. This hot commodity will be your go-to palette for a matte, natural, yet sizzling eye look. In fact, you cannot go wrong with any of the Naked Palettes - they all have serious staying power, a velvety texture, rich color and blendability.
Plump My Pout
I’m sharing my signature lipgloss with you, but please don’t tell too many people. Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish in Dolly is the perfect nude/mauve/pink color. It is a creamy no-shimmer, smooth-as-glass gloss that plumps to perfection with a teasy tingle. Unique peptide and hyaluronic acid booster helps to volumize lips - without irritation, while hyaluronic spheres and Vitamins A & E infuse lips with luscious moisture keeping them soft, sexy and protected.
The Best Part of Waking Up
Step up your coffee game with the Aerolatte. This battery operated little tool will instantly become your morning sidekick, transforming your morning cup of Joe into a vacation in Italy. This tiny frothing tool is ridiculously easy to use, clean and even travel with. Just heat up a little milk in the microwave, stick the frother in it for 30 seconds - you can even make that fake cappuccino machine noise if you want - pour it into your coffee, and start your day right.
Whats the Number 33 Got to Do With It?
The number 33 is what numerologists call a “Master Number”—and it’s known to have spiritual power that encourages healing, harmony, and humanitarianism. Which now makes total sense that this powerful facial oil is called LXMI 33. This highly concentrated formula is packed with anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, firming, and skin-renewing ingredients and is perfect for all skin types. I put a few drops of this in my nighttime moisturizer and wake up looking fresh, hydrated, my skin glows and it feels fantastic.
Glamourous Life
Every girl worth her weight in glitter needs this Hollywood style lighted mirror from Waneway for primping and posing. Reflect on who you are, who you want to be, and how fierce your winged eyeliner skills are.
A Powerful Punch
Are you dealing with aches, pains, tension, or muscle tightness? (my guess is yes). Loosen up with a Theragun. Traditionally they are pretty pricey, but now there is a mini version which gives you Theragun quality muscle treatment with unparalleled portability and a fraction of the price. Compact but crazy powerful, the Theragun mini will have you feeling better within minutes.
Splitting Hairs
An hour or two before you take a shower rub some of this conditioning treatment into the ends of your hair. I usually throw my hair up into a knot on the top of my head and let Olaplex No. 3 work it’s magic. Wash it out, style as normal and instantly notice how it restores your hair's healthy appearance, texture, and the over-all look and feel of your crowning glory. But that’s not all! Over the long term it reduces breakage, repairs damage and protects hair structure.
Fresh Faced
Face cleansers are a funny thing. Either they leave my face feeling too tight, too tingly, too dry or just not clean. I have searched long and hard for the very best one and my favorite things award goes to Jelly Cleanser by Drunk Elephant. I have mentioned before that I love Drunk Elephant products and the truth is, I have yet to find a single product from that line that I haven’t made a part of my skin care regime.
This lightweight gel leaves your face soft and hydrated - just a little bit will do ya and you get a good amount of cleanser for the money. Best part is, even if you were feeling a little lazy and do not follow up with moisturizer (which I believe is truly a cardinal sin) you’d still feel like your face was hydrated.
Perfect Hair Day
This is not hyperbole or good marketing. The combination of Living Proof Perfect Hair Day shampoo and conditioner results in perfect hair. I tried to think of another word to describe it, but I couldn’t. Perfect is, well, perfect. Yes, it’s kind of pricey. Yes, it’s worth it. I do not treat myself everyday, although I wish I could. Some days other shampoo and conditioner combos will suffice. However, on the days that I want the most manageable, smooth, bouncing, and behaving hair, I do not settle for anything less.
Face Off
My nightly routine begins with Neutrogena. These makeup wipes remove foundation, mascara (even waterproof), eyeliner and anything else you used to paint your face earlier in the day. I have tried other wipes, really for no other reason except that they were new, but always come back to the tried, true and blue.
Skin Saver
I don’t know about you, but I am not usually a fan of moisturizers with SPF in them. That is, until I found Josie Maran’s Daily Moisturizer with SPF 47. It is lightweight, has a little bit of tint to it that works with every skin tone, is natural, non-greasy, chemical free and has a bunch of skin-loving ingredients like Pure Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil and Green Tea to condition and nourish the skin while offering you some pretty powerful sun protection. I do not venture out into the sun without it and my face thanks me for it when I look in the mirror.
About Face
If you do not clean your face every night with the Foreo Luna Play cleansing brush, you are doing your skin an injustice. In just one minute a day, this tiny but mighty vibrating silicone brush removes the yuck from the day, diminishes pores and improves the absorption of your favorite skin care products. Just dampen, apply your favorite cleanser and press the button on the back. I use the travel size for every day use and I couldn’t imagine using anything bigger. I promise you will LOVE! Comes in lots of cute colors too!
Constant Charge
Let’s face it, iPhones and the rest of our electronics mysteriously stop holding a charge after a year or two. I can’t even make it through half of a day without my battery draining to the dreaded red. That’s why I carry the Anker Power Core 13000 with me anywhere I go when I know that charging my phone will not be easy - long hikes, on a boat, sightseeing all day. No larger than the palm of your hand, but able to quickly charge an iPhone up to 4 times and can even charge two at once. That’s peace of mind!
Lashes for Days
This powerful lash enhancing serum is all natural, so no worries about side effects (like I have definitely experienced with other brands!) Lash Food delivers the nutrients needed to support frail and brittle lashes, making your natural lashes healthier and better for batting. Also perfect to use with eyelash extensions to get longer lasting bond life.
Poppin’ Peepers
Do you wake up with red eyes, or just don’t feel like your eyes sparkle anymore? Bausch + Lomb Lumify is your answer. It’s the only reason I look so bright eyed and bushy tailed, especially in the morning. Takes the red out in less than a minute and lasts for 8 hours.
Homeschool Happily, Yes, You Can!
Of course this is my very first favorite thing this week. It’s MY book and it just launched on Amazon! Changing times call for changing minds and homeschooling is now a strong consideration for many families throughout the world. Forget the stereotypical image you have of homeschoolers raising goats on a farm in the middle of nowhere, or belonging to a freakish cult in a guarded compound, or half-naked in the backwoods wearing Birkenstocks and picking wildflowers. Homeschooling is the fasted growing form of education there is and Homeschool Happily is a modern-day guide to homeschooling for everyone!
Bye Bye Tired Eyes
Peter Thomas Roth is one of my favorite brands with good reason. They make products that actually make a difference! Hydra-Gel Eye Patches moisturize with a liquid cloud of pure water vapor and help improve the look of fine lines, crow’s feet and under-eye darkness. Especially good after staying up too late or enjoying too many cocktails and feeling (and looking) dehydrated.
L is for Luggage Tag
I know, it’s just a luggage tag. But anything with my initial on it automatically rises to the top of My Favorite Things. But, in all seriousness, this heavy duty luggage tag is like $6 and makes such a cute gift for a friend, or yourself. You instantly look like a jet setter, even if you are only going on a road trip.
Peel Your Way to Perfection
I am constantly restocking my “magic drawer” of skincare solutions with this two-step anti-aging peel that minimizes wrinkles, fades dark spots, shrinks the appearance of pores and leaves skin soft and polished. Contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol (exfoliating, anti-aging) and willow-bark extract (anti-inflammatory) Don’t let the extra-strength caption scare you, it might sting just a little but it will not irritate normal skin. If you are a sensitive kinda person, just get the Alpha Beta Universal Peel instead. Get ready for radiance!
Bum Bum Yum Yum
This pistachio and salted caramel fragranced body lotion smells good enough to eat, but don’t waste it like that. Instead smooth this fast absorbing, non greasy body cream by Sol de Janeiro into your bum, legs and tummy for a tightening and smoothing appearance of your skin. Plus it has an added bonus of a light mica shimmer which creates an all-over highlighting gorgeous glow. It’s cruelty free, vegan free, gluten free, soy free, nut free and paraben free (just in case you were thinking about taking a taste).
You Should Always Shine, Just Not Your Face.
I carry this Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 sunblock everywhere. It has been my summer staple for years. I am not a fan of cream and lotion sunblocks because I hate how they feel on my face; they clogs pores and make me look greasy. And that combo is just not attractive. This powder is so easy to apply, leaves your face soft and smooth, and really protects you from the sun. Perfect for the beach, sports or every day wear. Trust me on this one. I have converted so many people to this product that I think it could be considered a cult.
Goplus Inflatable Paddle Board
I am all about this paddle board this summer. Perfect for building core strength, doing water yoga, fishing, surfing or just floating around aimlessly in the lake, bay or ocean. This water sport is ideal for all ages and skill levels! It inflates in less than 5 minutes with a hand pump that comes with the board.
You can put the entire deflated board and pump in the back of the smallest car or just carry it on your back. And the price is a fraction of what a regular paddle board costs. I got the 10’ version in red.
Comes complete with an extendable paddle, repair kit, removable fin and carrying case. All for around $250 (depending on the color you choose!). See all of the different colors available by clicking the box below and let the fun in the sun begin!
Better than ALL the rest.
I know it’s pricey. But I promise you it’s worth it. When it was time to get a new blowdryer, I tried them all. And I kept coming back to the Dyson. Here’s why: It dries my hair ridiculously quick. With little heat and zero frizz. I don’t really know or care how it does it, it just does it. But, the very best part of this dryer, besides how cool it looks, are the magnetic attachments. They don’t fall off and fly across the room like every other blowdryer I have used, and you can turn them as you style your hair, without burning your fingertips off. I also appreciate the extra long swivel cord, especially when traveling; you know that outlet to plug it in is always so far away from the mirror!
Who would think a Drunk Elephant could transform your skin?
I take skin care super seriously and TLC Sukari Babyfacial is my secret weapon. Until now, I have never used a product that resulted in such a dramatic difference in the texture, tone, and clarity of my skin with just one use. This resurfacing facial combines a dream team blend of 25% AHA, 2% BHA, plus Tartaric, Lactic, Citric and Salicylic acids.
Put it on for 20 minutes at night, wash it off, then follow up with a facial oil (I’m also a fan of the Drunk Elephant’s Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil). Go to sleep and wake up with skin that is as smooth as a baby’s bottom, hence the name.
Summer Sunglasses Chic
Crafted from transparent-brown acetate for a decidedly retro feel, Le Specs' Armada sunglasses are shaped to oversized round frames. Wear them year round, from the beach to the city. And only $59!
Become a Thigh Master
Working out at-home like everyone else? This ChooYou resistance band will come in super handy. Shape up your booty, hips and legs with this one easy on the eyes colored exercise tool! It’s non-slip - it doesn’t move at all; if you have used other bands before you know thats a mandatory feature. This is a tough band. If you can break it, you missed your calling as a Superhero.
Best. Laundry. Detergent. Ever.
I am NOT the kinda girl that gets excited about doing laundry, but I am the kinda girl that is in love with the scent of Diva by Glamorous Wash. I mean how did a laundry detergent figure out how to describe me exactly? Diva and Glamorous? Of course I had to buy it! I cannot even put into words the deliciousness of this detergent but I promise you that you will not be able to stop breathing in your freshly folded clothing, sheets and towels!
Sparkle Lips Monokini
Does this cute one piece bathing suit even need an explanation? For less than $20 you can sparkle and shine, just like every girl worth her weight in glitter should. Don’t limit this suit to just the pool though, throw on a pair of denim shorts and you have an insta-summer outfit. Available in blue, pink, white, black and red. You might need more than one!
Rainbow Kicks
Vintage Havana has got THE cutest kicks. These leather treated iridescent rainbow sneakers will have you looking for reasons to wear them. Hurry though. They are selling out!
This. Lip Gloss.
I’m not a huge Rhianna fan (I’m sorry!) but her lip gloss is the BOMB. Smells like vanilla. But not dollar store candle vanilla. The sparkles aren't big glittery pieces, but still make your lips stand out - and that is the reason you are wearing gloss, isn’t it? It’s not goopy. It’s not sticky. It’s the epitome of lipgloss perfection. Love the applicator. It’s bigger than most. Trust me on this one. You need all of the colors, but start with Glass Slipper.
Belly Ups - They Keep Your Pants Up!
Belly Ups - They Keep Your Pants Up! BELLY UPS keep your low-rise pants up! Belly Ups are mini-suspenders that attach from your bra to your waistband and are undetectable under clothing, completely comfortable to wear, and not at all damaging to even the finest apparel. BELLY UPS are the answer to many clothing dilemmas! Whether you are pregnant, in between sizes, or just need to stop pulling and tugging on your favorite jeans, Belly Ups are a MUST HAVE fashion fixer! One size fits most. Available in Nude & Black.