Summertime Skin Essentials (+ A Giveaway!)

 

If there is one thing I absolutely love about summertime, it's the fact that when it comes to your makeup, less really is more.

 

Ok. Who am I kidding? There are eleventy billion reasons why I adore summertime, like for the swimsuits, the flip flops and the sundresses but lets be honest, getting away with light, effortless makeup makes summer that much better. Amiright or amiright?

Tone down your look this summer by ditching heavy foundation at the beach, dropping the smoky eyeshadow at the pool and forgetting about blush at the lake. I mean, afterall, who wants to be that girl?

That's right. No one. And definitely not me.

Then again, as vain as this may sound, I'm not that kind of girl who goes out in public sans makeup. No way Jose.

Don't think for a second I don't put on a full face of makeup when I go scuba diving in Mexico...

Without further adieu...here's a peek inside my "effortless" summer look:

 

Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Protector - Absolute favorite beauty balm I've found to date! It's so lightweight but hydrates like a moisturizer, protects like an SPF, smoothes like a primer, covers like a foundation and comes in 4 versatile colors. Plus-it doesn't have all the crap in it like all the other BB creams on the market. Winning!

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen - For regular, everyday eyeliner, I really prefer Revlon's pencil liner but for long, hot days spent out under the Texas sun, liquid eyeliner is definitely where it's at. The entire  Colorstay line from Revlon is without a doubt fanfreakingtastic and does just that...it STAYS. If you were to break a sweat or get splashed with water, the ColorStay Liquid Eyeliner doesn't run down your face leaving you to look like the lead singer from KISS. (Ew. No thanks!)

Revlon PhotoReady Bronzer - Ahhhhh the bronzer. Seriously-what would I EVER do without a good bronzer like this one?! I know-I would probably look pale while the rest of my body was brown. The Photoready bronzer is pretty sweet because the combination of colors in the palette set to the tone of your skin so that you don't come out looking like an Oompa Loompa. Ain't nobody got time for dat.

Revlon Lash Potion (waterproof) - I'm not a huge waterproof mascara kinda girl. For one, I rarely dunk my head underwater when I'm at the pool and for two, I usually don't like the residue it leaves behind on my lashes. This one...however...has changed my POV on waterproof mascaras. Yes-it's waterproof so if shizz got crazy and I felt the urge to swim like a fish underwater, I could. But most of all, after I wear it, it doesn't leave behind a layer of cakey mascara for days on end. You know what I'm talking about girls...

Finally...Revlon ColorStay Concealer - Yep....Revlon for the win...again! I've used many concealers in the past but always find myself resorting back to this one because it not only brightens around my eyes but I also use it on problem areas when I breakout and it doesn' leave that nasty "concealed" look.

Oh-and I must tell you I have found the end all be all when it comes to makeup/cosmetic bags. You are oh-so welcome.

 

 

I guess it goes without saying that Revlon has definitely TOPPED the charts for me when it comes to my makeup routine these days. (I've mentioned it before but I'll say it again...you HAVE to try their ColorStay Liquid Foundation. Life changing, y'all. Life. Changing) I just can't help it - they have good products, great coverage and even better prices. Need I say more?! I guess you could say Revlon is my best kept beauty secret!

Now you tell me...what's YOUR best kept beauty secret?

Leave your answer in the comments section below for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!

 

For more information on Revlon products, you can hop on over to their website or Facebook page!


Rules: 
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/28/2013-7/22/2013.
Be sure to visit the Revlon brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Vitamin V

If you've been reading this blog of mine for any amount of time now, chances are you are very well aware of my passion for healthy living. Working out is my ULTIMATE form of stress relief, the produce section in the grocery store makes my heart go pittah-pattah, the highlight of my week is finding a new protein bar that is free of crap, and taking vitamins, well, it just goes without saying that I firmly believe vitamins should be a part of your everyday regimen, no matter how your diet is.

 

That being said...yes, I believe you ARE what you eat but I also believe you should still be able to lead a healthy life AND have a social life without totally wrecking everything.

 

Enter Vitamin V.

 

AKA: Vodka

 

Also, if you've been reading this blog of mine for any amount of time, you are well aware of the fact that vodka is my go-to form of liquid courage because it's so low cal, low carb and not as sugary as the other liquors. Don't get me wrong-I'd LOVE me a beer every so often but the bloated gut that comes with it...no thank you.

 

While I LOVE me a stiff vodka sody, sometimes they get a little, well...boring, if you will, so for all the Vitamin V fans out there, like myself, prepare for your mind to be blown.

 

BLOWN.

 

Welcome Smirnoff Sorbet Light to the line of liquid courage!

The flavors: Raspberry Pomegranate - Mango Passionfruit (THE best) - Lemon

Read it and weap...or jump for joy, like I did...because these babies are only 78 calories per shot. Which means only 156 calories for, ahem, a double. Not that I did the math or anything...

 

What better way to break out new vodka bottles than to invite a couple girlfriends over for dinner, drinks and the bachelorette?! 

 

Chelsea & Casey remain unpictured due to the fact that they were overachievers and actually worked out before all the shenans and politely asked "No pictures please!" but Oakie was ALL about it...per usual...

 

...and even assisted me in popping a few bottles. Literally.

Being the "retired" bartender I am, I was ALL about mixing up new concoctions!

Our first contender: Light Sparkling Pomegranate Berry

 

Prosecco + Raspberry Pomegranate Smirnoff Sorbet + a squeeze of fresh lemon juice

 

SO good! Well-anything with prosecco is amazing in my book but add a little fruity vodka to the mix and a touch of lemon juice and heavens to Betsy...y'all...SO light and SO refreshing! This would be the perfect mix for a bachelorette party brunch. Talk about getting the party started early! ;)

Next up: Light Tropical Sparkling Screwdriver - oh my word y'all...this was my absolute FAVORITE! Never been a screwdriver fan but the Mango Passionfruit Smirnoff Sorbet is like fruit a smoothie, but in vodka form. Just take my word for it, mmmkay?

 

Mango Passionfruit Smirnoff Sorbet + OJ + Soda

And finally, the Light Lemonade

Lemon Smirnoff Sorbet + Soda + Lemon Juice + Stevia...mouth = watering!

The PERFECT summer drink!

While some of you are mommy bloggers, and other are fashion bloggers, I'm really trying to find my place in this blogging world of ours so I've decided that when you have 3 bottles of vodka delivered to your doorstep, either you've hit an all time low and should consider the 12-step program or you can start calling yourself the "Boozy Blogger". I'll take the "glass half full" approach here and officially deem myself as THE Boozy Blogger. There. I said it.

 

Cheers!

 

Today I Wish...

...this was the view to my front.

...this was the view to my back.

...some really tan cabana boy would serve me unlimited adult bevvies in pretty pink coconuts all day long on the beach.

...my biggest decision of the day was what swimsuit to wear. (And what to NOT eat for the next 4 months so I can look like this...)

...and my only concern was not chipping my pretty pink nail polish.

Oh wait. In 108 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, this will no longer be a wish. ;)

Ok-that was downright mean. I know. 

Atlantis...here we come!

Beau has been before but it's been a good 10 years so ANY/ALL suggestions are welcome! I specifically want to know where any secret, beautiful beaches are, how to hit the jackpot in the casino, and how to finagle my way into staying there for the rest of my life. Oh-and any dinero saving tips are welcome too! I know this place can be a leeeeeetle spendy...

(Today's idea for this post was 1000% stolen from Stormy) ;)

This Girl...

...is 5 months old today.

...weighs in at a whopping 57 pounds...and still has SO much more growing to do!

...has recently learned to open doors...all on her own.

...LOVES to play chase around the couch on a nightly basis.

...still sleeps with mom & dad. (Hey! What do you do?!)

...knows exactly what "truck" and "load up" mean and will do ANYTHING to go for a ride.

...is still losing her teeth. (Fingers crossed the end is near!)

...absolutely ADORES her daddy! :)

...is suffocated in mom's kisses 1000 times per day but puts up with it anyways.

...has been on road trips to the ranch (twice!) and the river and LOVED both. Our lil' country pup! :)

...and is (very obviously) the absolute highlight of mine & Beau's lives!

Come on. How could you not love that face? ;)

It's A Sip-A-Wine. It's The Summertime!

And just like that, we're back!

 

Happy Monday, friends! I hope your first "official" weekend of summer was full of friends, family, sunshine & summertime. I know mine was!

 

Le sigh...there's just something about the summertime that gets me all warm and fuzzy inside and then makes me wanna do something crazy like sell our house, pack up shop and move to a tropical island so it can be summertime year round. A place where swimsuits and flip flops are everyday attire. Where the sunshine is endless and your tan never disappears. Who's up for moving to, say, Hawaii?

 

{raises both hands}

 

{and then raises both feet}

 

A girl can dream. Right?

 

Linking up with Sami today for Weekend Shenanigans and YOU should too!

one. Yet another swimsuit haul from VS semi-annual sale arrived on Friday. There's nothing better than a little Vickie's in your mailbox, right?! ;)
two. NEW Smirnoff Sorbet Light for all my vodka connoisseurs out there ALSO arrived in the mail on Friday. Ok so maybe booze at your doorstep IS better than Vickie's in your mailbox. Go ahead...try to argue that one with me...
three. Wearing my absolute favorite dress (French Connection) and proof that I got dressed before Beau for once in my life. It deserved to be documented.
four. Witnessing the BEAUTIFUL marriage of two high school friends, Shanna & Kevin! Don't they just look insanely happy there?!
five. Gettin' my shine on!
six. Hit up our local winery on Saturday night. I'm convinced you haven't lived unless you have a winery within 4 miles of your house. :)
seven. Oakie in daddy's truck. Sister LOVES going for rides these days!
eight. Beau's new toy for Oaks...yes-a baby pool. I'm not sure who's more excited about this...me or her!
nine. Ended Sunday afternoon at the pool in my new ruffle bottoms. If you don't own a pair of these, go...RUN...to your nearest VS and invest in them. By far THE most flattering swimsuit you will ever know.

***In other, semi-bittersweet news, today my lovely co-host and I are announcing that our weekly link up, Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. has come to a halt. After many, many weeks of all you fabulous linker uppers participating, (who we appreciate more than you'll ever know!) we wanted to give everyone (and ourselves!) a little bit of a break. In between vacations, and road trips, and beach getaways, and EVERYTHING else that happens during summertime, we've decided it was "time". Don't get me wrong...I'll still be seeing, pinning and doing (and probably blogging about it) and I encourage you to do the same but you don't have anymore deadlines, or crazy rules to follow, or link ups to join so take this as our little gift to you and enjoy your time off! ;)

Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. - Sexy Leg Workout

Yes-I realize today's "project" might be the laziest thing you've ever seen but you see...I gots the tonsillitis and, well, Pinterest projects and blogging (shoot...doing anything actually) for someone who currently has baseball sized tonsils...shooooot....ain't nobody got time for dat.

{Hangs head in shame}

I did, however, do this legit leg workout the night before I got sick so technically I saw it, pinned it and did it. Not to mention, I ran a mile and a half AND lifted weights. BAM.

I should also mention here that we finally booked our vacation (more on that later) so I'm TOTALLY in "vacation body" workout mode...

I liked this one because it wasn't insanely difficult...ahem...like the 99 Workout...but I could definitely feel the burn. It could easily be done 2-3 times to equate to a full workout.

Oh-and I even took a sweaty, red-faced, obligatory gym photo for proof:

Sweat running down mah chest...always a sign of an excellent workout.

Now if only I had that kind of motivation everyday...

There you has it. The laziest, but not so lazy, Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. Here's to hoping these drugs the doc gave me start kicking in soon...

Link up below!

Also-don't forget to enter the Blog Advice Giveaway for your chance at FREE blogging advice on how to grow your blog from some pretty fanfreakingtastic bloggers (if I must say so myself!)!
 

Oakley in Action

Because my throat feels like someone stuffed spikey golf balls down it, my head seems to have had a mariachi band playing in it for the past 48 hours and my body aches like that of a woman suffering from Fibromyalgia...I barely had enough energy to post these so you better enjoy. Plus-these are too darn cute to keep all to myself.

Wouldn't it be nice if life were so simple, even a door stopper amused you?


Please ignore obnoxious baby voice.


One might think that bug is alive. Or at least, Oakley did.


Yes. She's cute.
Yes. I'm obsessed.
Yes. This took every last drop of energy I thought I had...

My Blogging Gift To YOU!

Have you been looking for blog advice but don't know where exactly you should be looking? Are you a brand new blogger just starting out and find yourself needing a little hand holding through this little blogging journey you're now on? Has blogging been a part of your life for a while but you'd like a little help in where to turn to next? Are you currently faced with blogger's block? Or do you simply just want to grow your blog? 

(Don't worry...I've been there before...we've ALL been there before. It happens!)

Well...the good news is that you're at the right place at the right time my friend because this giveaway has your name written all over it! The bad news is...well...this kind of giveaway is one of a kind and won't come around often (or ever again?) so you best get your hiney in gear...ya heard?!

Erin at Two Thirds Hazel rounded up a group of ladies who have been around the ballpark a time or two when it comes to blogging in order to put this one of a kind giveaway together. We all have some tips, tricks, advice, and guidance that we'd love to shell out in order to help you grow into the best blogger you can be. Whether this be through a Skype session, a back and forth email exchange, a blog critique, a Q&A session, a phone call, a personal jet to pick you up for a private meeting, etc - we're covering all the bases. Ok but back to that personal jet thing... ;)

All you need to do to enter is check out the participating bloggers, see what awesome package they're offering as a prize, and get to entering the Rafflecopter. And the best part about this giveaway?

THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!

Each randomly selected winner will be paired up with three of the participating bloggers as well as with me. Therefore each winner will receive four separate blog advice prizes! We're splitting up the prizes so that one winner isn't bombarded with sixteen different sets of opinions and sixteen different sets of ideas on advice. Because that might get a little chaotic and like they say..."nobody got time for that".

Are you as excited as we are? We hope so because we certainly are! Let's get this thing started shall we?

Without further adieu, here are the sixteen ladies who have teamed up to put together the "Blog Advice Giveaway".

Erin at Two Thirds Hazel

What you'll win: Each of the five winners will be able to email Erin at any point until the end of eternity (like farther than to infinity and beyond) to ask questions and seek advice.

Brandi at Mama Laughlin

Brandi is offering a phone call or email where you will receive tips from her

on how to grow your blog using the social media form of Pinterest.

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Ashley via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

Mandy at House of Rose

Your blog will be reviewed by Mandy (and her husband!) via recorded screen capture video 

and then they will offer tips on how you can improve. 

Check out an example of this one of a kind opportunity here.

Erin at Living In Yellow

Erin is offering a one hour blogging consultation (done via video chat or phone call)

which will provide you with Q&A, tips and advice.

 

Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants

Whitney will provide you with a back and forth Q&A session

giving you the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

 

"Prefer the phone? Let's chat! What about a fun Skype session? Sure! 

Or a good ole email is fine by me too! 

Sky is the limit. Well, I guess in this case-technology is. 

I will take a thorough look at your blog and do my best to answer any questions!"

 

Raven at Don't Quote the Raven

You will receive a Q&A session via email. 

Anything you ask, Raven will answer...in detail!

 

Aunie at Aunie Sauce

You will receive a Q&A email session with advice catered to your blog

providing you with a ton of advice and numerous tips to help you grow.

 

Taylor will visit and review your blog, providing you with an email containing

advice customary to you and your blog.

Stephanie at Beautiful Mess

Receive a three-post editing session:

Pick three of your upcoming blog posts. Send your drafts to Stephanie for her to proofread, 

edit and make suggestions as to how you can easily make your writing more personable, 

appealing, humorous and overall, just more fun to read!

 

Shanna at Because Shanna Said So

Shanna will answer your top five questions whether this be anything from 

sponsorships, social media, tips to grow and/or how to monetize your blog.

 

Niki at Glossy Blonde

Two weeks of email consulting during which Niki will answer any questions 

you have about blogging and/or building your brand.

 

Chelsea at Olive and Ivy

An email with personalized advice and tips catered directly to your blog, 

or a Skype session, or a back and forth Q&A session, etc. Whichever you prefer! 

If you are unsure of what to ask a blog critique can also be given.

Jessica at Jessica Who

 With Jessica you will receive a Q&A session via unlimited emails.
Yes, you read that right...unlimited!
 

 

Michelle at The Vintage Apple

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Michelle via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related 

so that you have the knowledge and tools to grow.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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