Category: beauty

DIY Happy Mama Lotion Recipe

DIY Happy Mama Lotion Recipe

Do you ever just need to relax, shift your focus, lift your mood, find balance, or take a quick break or perspective change to find a little joy in your day? Me too, friends. This DIY lotion recipe is so easy to whip up and while the coconut oil moisturizes your skin, the lavender can soothe your skin and relax you. The Joy blend contains  Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Lemon, Coriander, Tangerine, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa, and Rose essential oils and the sweet smell can help with mood lifting and emotional balance. Let’s make this lovely little recipe for Happy Mama Lotion.

Ingredients:

coconut oil

Joy essential oil

Lavender essential oil

glass or metal jar

Directions:

Measure out enough coconut oil to fill your jar. I like to whip mine in my stand mixer, but you can also use a fork or hand mixer. Whip it until it softens and reaches your desired consistency. Add in a mixture of the two essential oils to your taste. My little mini mason jars hold 1/3 cup coconut oil, and I use 10 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Joy. A little bit goes a long way, so go one drop at a time until you find your perfect blend. Enjoy!

DIY Happy Mama Lotion

What is your favorite way to make your own beauty or skin care products?

*Disclosure: I am not a doctor or medical professional and am making no medical claims in this post.

5 Must Have Beauty Gifts + My REVERSE Regimen Review Follow Up

Taking better care of myself has been a goal of mine this year, one that I’m still working on. My weight and fitness level are not where I want them yet, but one part of self care where I’ve greatly improved is my skin care routine. I shared with y’all a few months ago about starting the REVERSE Regimen from Rodan and Fields. Today I’m sharing an update after using the regimen for a few months as well as 5 must have beauty gifts to think about when shopping for a loved one (or yourself). Please promise to ignore my greasy hair in the photos below…
5 Must Have Beauty Gifts

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Mum + Bub Bath Products for the Whole Family from Aden + Anais ~ Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide Review

mum and bub bath products from aden and anais review

I am so stinking excited about what the next few weeks have in store on this little old blog. I’ve teamed up with fabulous brands and amazing bloggers to create the Festive Family Holiday Hop and Gift Guide Giveaway. We’ll be giving away over $1800 in prizes plus bringing you creative ideas for the upcoming holiday season and reviews of our favorite gift ideas. Today I’m kicking off the review series with a product line from one of my favorite baby companies, Aden + Anais. We have long loved their burpy bibs and muslin blankets, but had yet to try their Mum + Bub line. We reviewed them as a family and fell in love.

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Create DIY Fall Felt Leaf Headbands for Girls {& Mamas} #GoodyGorgeous

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Goody, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #GoodyGorgeous http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
DIY Fall Felt Leaf Headbands Tutorial Easy Mother Daughter Fall Fashion #GoodyGorgeous #Pmedia #ad

My sweet girl officially has hair long enough to style, and it is a daily challenge for this mama. She may look cute and innocent, but my little peanut turns in to a MMA fighter when I try to style her hair. Thankfully I’ve learned a few tricks that are making it easier on both of us. Sorting out her tangles with the Goody TangleFix brush and then throwing on a cute headband is our new daily hair routine. I created a fun fall felt leaf headband for a mother/daughter style that is easy to throw together. Read on for the full tutorial and more of our toddler hair tips.

fall felt leaf headbands #goodygorgeous #pmedia #ad

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Rodan + Fields Giveaway ~ Win the REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream {$60 Value} #Spa4Ma

rodan + fields giveaway eye cream

I am so excited to tell you about our Rodan + Fields giveaway today! If you’ve been around long, you know that I love Rodan + Fields products and I’m in the middle of an in depth review series of the REVERSE Regimen for sun damage repair and anti-aging. In the past I’ve shared a review of the REDEFINE line and my favorite lip products with you. With the help of my friend Debbie, a R+F independent consultant, I’m giving away the award winning REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream valued at $60. Read on to find out more about Rodan + Fields products, enter to win, and check out the HUGE Spa for Ma giveaway event.

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Trying the Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen ~ Skin Care Review

rodan+fields reverse regimen review

I am the WORST when it comes to taking care of my skin. Years of sun bathing and a serious lack of face washing and skin care have taken a toll. I started using Rodan + Fields last year with the REDEFINE regimen, and fell in love with the anti-aging products. When I had the opportunity to try the REVERSE Regimen- geared toward repairing sun damage and anti-aging – I jumped at the chance. I’ve been using it for two weeks and will share how I feel about it so far with you today, a giveaway soon, as well as an update in one month. I have so much sun damage and really hope to see big results in the coming months as I bring you updates on this skin care review.

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Pamper Your Lips with Three Perfect Gifts {Stocking Stuffer Ideas}

This amazing phenomenon happens often in our house where Santa (me) fills all the stockings but no one remembers to fill mine.  If Santa (Mommy) gets left out at your house, too, it’s not too late to remedy the situation.  Shop Rodan + Fields Dermatologists now to grab a few stocking stuffers to pamper the lips of a loved one or your own.  With two day shipping available you can order up until the 22nd for Christmas delivery.  Here’s the top three stocking stuffers for your lips from the doctors of R + F, personally recommended by my sister (a R+F consultant) and me:

1) Essentials Lip Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 25
Take your lip care to a whole new level of moisture and protection with this 2 pack of lip shield for $16.  Use it throughout the day for smooth, supple, protected lips.  When asked to describe this product one word always comes up: “Fantastic.”

2) Enhancements Lip Micro-Dermabrasion
Winter is hell on lips, as we all know.  Combat the dry dead skin with micro-dermabrasion technology created specifically for your lips.  They will be instantly smoother and healthier and you will notice a difference almost immediately.  The Enhancements Lip Micro-Dermabrasion stick retails for $16.

3) Redefine Lip Renewing Serum
If your lips are starting to show your age, this serum is for you.  Use it after the micro-dermabrasion at night for silky smooth lips and you will quickly notice a change in the texture of your lips as well as a reduction of wrinkles.  Start with a package of 60 capsules for $53. One capsule lasts me 3 nights, making it a six month supply of capsules unless you are Angelina Jolie.

Become a Preferred Customer before December 31st and receive a free copy of the national bestseller Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change.  Preferred Customers also get at least 10% off all orders and free shipping.

Rodan + Fields Skin Care Review ~ the REDEFINE Regimen for Anti-Aging

Skin care is a struggle for me.  I have never been big on washing my face or really taking care of my skin in general.  Yes, I know that’s bad.  I hear your judgmental tone and I completely agree.  Now that I’m heading into my (gulp) mid 30s, I’ve come to the realization that I should probably start taking better care of myself.  Little wrinkles are popping up along with their BFFs  the age spots, and I don’t like it one bit.  That’s why when my friend Jennifer asked if I’d be interested in reviewing the Rodan + Fields Skin Care line she sells, I jumped on the opportunity.  When she asked me what my skin care needs were, I was a little lost (seriously, you can ask her).  My skin is dry all of a sudden after being super oily in my teens and combination in my 20s.  It could be a combo of winter air, pregnancy, or just that whole fabulous aging phenomenon.
She sent me most of the Anti-Age line to try, which has recently been rebranded as the REDEFINE line.  I tried the Daily Cleansing Mask, Pore Minimizing Toner, Triple Defense Treatment, Overnight Restorative Cream, the Lip Renewing Serum, and the Night Renewing Serum.  My favorite products are the Triple Defense Treatment which serves as a day time moisturizer with SPF 30, and the Overnight Restorative Cream.  I have never found a drugstore moisturizer that works for my skin.  Every product I’ve ever tried is soaks up in a minute and my skin feels dry all over again.  Both of these products feel fabulous and my skin still feels great 12 hours later.  I did not love the Daily Cleansing Mask as much.  As I mentioned before, I hate washing my face.  I don’t know why, I just do.  The Daily Cleansing Mask works well and leaves my skin feeling awesome.  My issue with it is that you can use it around the eye area, so I first have to wash off my eye makeup, then wash my face.  Petty, I know.  Other than that I love the entire line.
If anti-aging is not your first concern right now, Rodan +Fields offers 3 other lines you can try: REVERSE (works to undo sun damage, lighten, and brighten)UNBLEMISH (for acne and post-acne damage), and SOOTHE (for sensitive, irritated skin).  For more information about Rodan +Fields Skin Care, please check out Jennifer’s R+F site and Facebook page.
 
Overall Review
Positives: easy to use with clear instructions for each product (so helpful for skin care dummies like me), quality products that truly work better than the competition, variety of products to fit all skin care needs, easily accessible through internet ordering, helps out other ladies through their direct sales program
Negatives: the cost – this is not a frugal skin care line
If you are interested in trying any of the Rodan + Fields Skin Care products, head over to Jennifer’s website and check them out.  The REDEFINE anti-aging regimen is $193, or you can buy products individually.
My sister and I were discussing the cost issue because she has heard great things about the line and has been wanting to try it as well.  We decided it is worth it to buy the moisturizer I love because every time I spend $15-20 on a drugstore product that doesn’t work, it could have gone towards this product that actually does.
Don’t forget to enter the Rodan + Fields giveaway here at Bare Feet on the Dashboard.  Just click the pic below.  The giveaway ends 3/17/2013.

**I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.  I did receive the products free of charge for the purpose of review.

A January Wedding…

I love weddings, especially when they involve people I care about. One of my oldest and dearest friends is getting married in January, and I am so excited for her and her fiance. We have been friends for about 17 years, and she is one of my favorite people in the world. I’m thrilled to be one of the bridesmaids. She has is one of the most creative and original people I know, so I couldn’t wait to hear about her vision for the big day.

She sent me these pictures to capture her vision of a “Winter Woodland Wedding”. I am obsessed with it. It is so them and just perfect. So, in honor of Marci and Scott, here is a glimpse of their winter woodland wedding fantasy for your enjoyment. I’ve added in the lyrics to The Avett Brothers’ song, “January Wedding” to get us all in a wedding mood. Go listen to it!

January Wedding by The Avett Brothers

She keeps it simple
And I am thankful for her kind of lovin’
‘Cause it’s simple

No longer do we wonder if we’re together
We’re way past that

And I’ve already asked her
So in January we’re gettin’ married

She’s talkin’ to me with her voice
Down so low I barely hear her
But I know what she’s sayin’
I understand because my heart and hers are the same
And in January we’re gettin’ married

And I was sick with heartache
And she was sick like Audrey Hepburn when I met her

But we would both surrender

True love is not the kind of thing you should turn down
Don’t ever turn it down

I hope that I don’t sound to insane when I say
There is darkness all around us
I don’t feel weak but I do need sometimes for her to protect me
And reconnect me to the beauty that I’m missin’
And in January we’re gettin’ married

No longer does it matter what circumstances we were born in
She knows which birds are singin’
And the names of the trees where they’re performin’ in the mornin

And in January we’re gettin’ married
Come January let’s get married…

I’m sorry but I don’t know the source of all the photos, because they were sent to me.

Our wedding theme was a mountain fair and barn dance, with brown and robin’s egg blue as the colors. We had snow cones, a popcorn machine, a photo booth, and a Marble Slab buffet. Our ceremony was in a field and our reception in a barn.
What was your wedding vision or theme?
Or, what is your dream theme?

Cleaning Makeup Brushes – A Tutorial

I am a procrastinator. I am quite possibly the queen of procrastinators. One of the little tasks I always put off is cleaning my makeup brushes. I use Bare Minerals makeup, so my brushes get a lot of build up over time. I try to spray them often with Sephora brush cleaner, but they still get funky. I read on Real Simple that you are supposed to deep clean your brushes every month. It had been probably 6 months or more since I last cleaned them. Yikes. Here we go…
I used 3 different bowls so that I could soak brushes while I was swirling others. I added a teaspoon of antibacterial dish soap to each bowl.
Do not let your brushes get this nasty. Mine were seriously gross. The bacteria builds up and gets transferred to your face. Yuck.
I’ve read that you aren’t supposed to let the base of the bristles get wet, because it can affect the glue. My brushes were so gross that I had to soak them, and they seemed to be fine afterwards. Do what you have to so they will be clean. Take each brush and swirl it around until it comes clean. It may take a few minutes.
Think like Dory (Finding Nemo) and just keep swirling. And swirling. And more swirling.
Check out the nastiness that was in the bowls after I finished cleaning my brushes. Sick. When I poured it down the sink I was amazed and a little grossed out.
It is key to do this when you won’t need to reapply makeup for at least 8-10 hours. It will take the brushes a while to dry after you finish cleaning them. Just lay them out and give them some time. I’m so glad I finally got around to getting this done. My makeup looks better when I apply it with clean brushes, and I feel better about not putting gross bacteria on my face.

Do you use make up brushes? How often do you clean them?

What mundane task have you been putting off?

I’m linking to some great parties. Check them out here.