June Julep Maven Box

I am a huge fan of nail polish. I think that it's a fun and (relatively) inexpensive way to incorporate the latest trends in beauty and fashion and some creativity and individuality into your wardrobe.

There are tons of subscription services out there (and I've tried a bunch of them), but one of my favorites is the Julep Maven program from Seattle based company Julep (and they have the cutest, chicest Julep Nail Parlors out there). I'm not going to go into a long spiel trying to sell you lovelies on the service, but I am going to share my latest box with you...

My Julep Maven It Girl Box :)

It's Giveaway Time! MopTop Hair Care

Alright lovelies, it's time for me to share more goodies with you! This time, the wonderful people at MopTop Hair Care have generously agreed to give one of my readers their choice of either the kids' Fuzzy Duck Travel Kit or the adults' MopTop Travel kit!

MopTop Travel Kit for Adults (photo via moptophair.com)

Fuzzy Duck Travel Kit for Kids (photo via moptophair.com)

CGC: Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment

(photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:

Give your hair the moisture it deserves. Check your dry, frizzy curls into rehab! Let your hair drink in a wonderfully rich, yet lightweight, 98% natural/naturally derived cocktail of Aloe, herbs, and healing butters & oils to rejuvenate and restore your precious curls! Wonderfully scented with the rich and beautiful Gardenia flower with a hint of Coconut and mystery, this treatment is excellent for taming frizz with much needed moisture. This is a real treat! This treatment is lightweight, yet moisture packed. Give everyone curl envy!

Ingredients:

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Melissa) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Pepperment) Leaf Extract, Yucca Leaf Extract, Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupua)

(silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, glycerin free)

My Take:

After using this just once, I made the firm decision to purchase back ups so that I would never be without it. It was AMAZING! It takes just a little bit of this custard like cream to coat your hair and the results are silky, soft, sweetly scented (I tried the Gardenia-Coconut scent, but the Strawberry Ice Cream scent is pictured above), decadently moisturized tresses. Every curly girl needs this treatment in their beauty closet!

PS- Product was sent for review courtesy of NaturallyCurly.com. All opinions stated are my own and are 100% honest. :)

Essentials: Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

One of the most important steps to stay healthy is regularly washing your hands. And while any old antibacterial  soap can get the job done, what fun is that!

True story: I used to keep a regular bottle of mass market soap (that shall remain nameless) in all 3 of our bathrooms and on the kitchen sink, These bottles would last forever (including a refill bottle that the hubby had since before we got married), which I thought was a good thing; what a bargain, right!?! Not so much...

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Malibu Citrus

Fun Outdoors with eco-armour™ “outdoor” botanical insect repellent body spray & moisturizer

While I enjoy the beauty of nature, I'm not exactly what you'd consider the "outdoorsy" type. Mostly because I hate insects (some might say I have a bit of a phobia, but I digress). Despite my aversion to the great outdoors, as a mommy I want to foster an appreciation for nature and the desire to play out in the fresh air in my children. Unfortunately, I think I may have unintentionally passed on my great disdain for bugs to London (and I can honestly say unintentionally because I go to great lengths to put on a brave face when she is present and we are confronted with a fly, spider, etc.). I tried really hard to not make my fear her fear, but to no avail; she freaks the heck out EVERY time she even thinks she sees an insect out of the corner of her eye. Needless to say, convincing her to play (and stay) outside can be a hard fought battle.

That all kind of changed this weekend when we tried eco-armour™ “outdoor” botanical insect repellent body spray & moisturizer...

eco-armour™ “outdoor” botanical insect repellent body spray & moisturizer

Go Shop Now! AKA Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale is Going On Now!

In case you missed it, I recently posted about my love for the cosmetic department at my local Nordies (here). Nordstrom is quickly becoming my favorite shopping destination, both on line and in store. Shipping is always free (I'm a sucker for free shipping), returns and exchanges are as easy as can be, and customer service is always stellar.

Don't miss out on all the great deals on women's and children's merchandise during their Half Yearly Sale! (Click the picture below to be directed right to the sale...)









PS- The post contains affiliate links (ie- Mama Fashionista will receive a commission if you choose to click through a make a purchase).

Arm Candy

These are some of my favorite go to pieces lately (when I want to wear gold at least). I always get a ton of compliments when I wear them, so I thought I'd share them with you lovelies!

The Fox Cuff is from BaubleBar.
The Lioness Bangle and Cinema Americano Bracelet are from JewelMint.
The Marty Watch in Tortoise is from Send the Trend (if you shoot me an email @ mamafashionista@gmail.com, I'll send you a referral that will get you $10 towards your 1st purchase and a $10 credit for me too).
The Rose Gold Ring Stack is from Target. 
The bangles are a gift from my mother. She brought them back from Canada years ago ;p

If you'd like to see some pictures of the individual pieces closer up, see how I stack them, just comment below and I'll be sure to oblige you! Are you as big a fan of stacking jewelry as I am? Where are your favorite pieces from? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below a let me know. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

2012 FiFi Fragrance Awards

(photo via beautypress)

Way back when, I disclosed my addiction to perfumes/fragrances (here). I think that in all honesty I can say that for me, I can never have too many. So I was very interested in seeing if any of the new additions to my collection made the cut for The FiFi® Awards-considered the "Oscars" of the fragrance industry. This prestigious, iconic New York event showcases and honors the very best the fragrance world has to offer. Competing to win a "Fragrance of the Year Award" are some of the big, the bold, instantly recognizable fragrance names, celebrity creations and collaborations as well as smaller, niche innovators. Over 800 guests attended and twenty-seven beautiful crystal FiFi ® awards were presented (including one dedicated to one of the biggest fashion icons ever... Coco Chanel). 

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel - 2012 Hall of Fame Recipient
The FiFi® Hall of Fame award is voted on by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and is presented to an individual who has brought extraordinary ingenuity, creativity, dedication and inner resources to bear, not only to their company’s success but to the fragrance industry as a whole. (photo via beautypress)

My MAC Wish List

I had an awesome day out with the hubby and the lil bits today (Peyton is on a road trip to see her great grandmother). We went to see The Avengers (the first time the hubby and I have been to a theater since Knight and Day came out two summers ago), and while it was highly enjoyable (I actually read Marvel comics as a girl and am well versed in the Marvel Universe; I knew who the bad dude after the credits was), my favorite parts of the day were visiting the CCO and the MAC Cosmetics counter at Nordstrom to finally see the Hey, Sailor! collection in real life.

Though I REALLY wanted to go on an all out shopping spree, the hubby's presence kind of hampered that notion. I got to swatch a few gems at the CCO that I hope will still be there when I return, but I had the most fun at Nordies. Initially I just wanted to swatch a few things from the new collection and come back later (by myself) to get a few things, but the MAC artist that helped me was SO nice and SO helpful, I ended up buying something then and there (and have added a few things to my MAC wish list).

Cosmetic Executive Women Names Best Beauty Products of the Year

Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) recognized the best and most innovative beauty products of the year at the 18th Annual CEW Beauty Insiders’ Choice Awards. The award-winning products covered 29 different categories including cosmetics, hair care, skin care, the just added nail category and many more. The complete list of the winning products is included below. 

photo via beautypress

LUSH Gets Your Skin Sweet and Summer Ready!

When I saw this, I just knew that I had to share it with you lovelies! Not only am I already a huge fan of LUSH, when I saw this tag line, I couldn't help but chuckle (and be intrigued)!

"For the love of sugar... and the death of dimples." (Ha!)

With an already extensive line up of luscious potions, concoctions and whatnots to help make the best of your parts from head to toe, LUSH has now introduced an innovative way of ridding your body of the dreaded appearance of cellulite. There are two brand new solid Sugar Scrubs to be used in the shower to exfoliate those pesky dimples to oblivion. 

According to Helen Ambrosen, LUSH Product Creator & Co-Founder, “One of the most important things to do is to keep your skin gently stimulated and maintain a healthy circulation. By doing this you’ll encourage the elimination of toxins, ensure a healthy turnover of cells and stimulate muscle tone."

When rubbed all over wet skin, these sugary jewels will leave your skin bright, smooth, and glowing!

LUSH Sugar Scrub SRP $5.95 / 3.5 oz.

LUSH Sugar Scrub

Sugar Scrub uses exfoliating Fair Trade sugar to scrub away dead skin cells, tackling cellulite and invigorating sluggish skin for a fresh start this summer. Its stimulating blend of fresh fennel and fennel oil acts as a great tonic for the skin, while lavender oil has a healing effect on the skin and warming ginger kicks the circulation up a notch. All in all, a great way to get your body polished in preparation for summer exposure! (Vegan)

LUSH Sugar Babe SRP $4.95 / 3.5 oz.

LUSH Sugar Babe

Sugar Babe is tough on the outside but don’t let that fool you – this super scrub is filled with a soft, soothing center that will leave skin refreshed and rejuvenated. The Fair Trade sugar exfoliates skin for a smooth result – it’s perfect for those dimply bits on thighs, stomach and upper arms. As the sugar melts away, the nourishing center of extra virgin coconut oil is revealed. The light, protein rich oil softens and moisturizes the body, while beeswax absolute, a natural antiseptic, soothes and protects. Skin is seductively scented with mimosa absolute and ylang ylang making your newly smoothed and sexy skin even more irresistible.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics (including the Sugar Scrubs) can be found in over 580 locations worldwide with 44 LUSH locations across Canada and 103 in the U.S, online at www.lushusa.com or by calling 1.888.733.LUSH.  

Carol's Daughter Chocolat Shampoo and Conditioner

I saw this video on YouTube on Sephora's channel and thought it was a great opportunity to share my experience with the Chocolat Smoothing Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner.

Chocolat Smoothing Sulfate Free Shampoo, Conditioner, and Smoothing  Blow Dry  Cream

The shampoo and conditioner smell FABULOUS! Both were oh so creamy, and even though the shampoo is sulfate free (a huge plus) it lathered wonderfully. I did feel an immediate difference in my frazzled tresses after using the shampoo; it really did smooth my hair and left it soft and silky. The conditioner was like chocolate icing on the cake. It felt rich, but did not weigh down my curls. It left them feeling bouncy and luxurious. I loved the scent so much that I left a bit of the conditioner in to serve as a sort of leave in conditioner, and it worked beautifully in that capacity. Major bonus: the hubby couldn't stop smelling my hair!

I was so impressed with the shampoo and conditioner (and after seeing the results in the video), I definitely want to try the Blow Dry Cream. It seems like the perfect product to use when I want to switch to a straight style! There's actually a really great starter set that will let you try all 3 products at a reasonable price...

Chocolat Smoothing Collection 3-Piece Starter Set $24 at Sephora.com

I realize I'm a little late on the train, but the more exposure I have with Carol's Daughter products, the more I love them! What's your experience with the brand? What are your fave products from the hair care line? And have you had a chance to try any of the skin care products? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS: PR provided me with the shampoo and conditioner to try. I was not paid to do a review and all of the opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

A Day in the Life (A Little Something Different)...

I thought I'd share a little bit of my life with you all. Nothing major; my hubby took the day off yesterday and we took the lil bits (London and Kensington) to the mall (The Mall of Georgia, to be exact) just to walk around and play in the big fountain they have out front. I got some really cute pictures and a video of them playing around so I thought I'd share. I keep trying to get my oldest (Peyton) in some of these shots, but she's at that age where she's uber camera shy, so that's a bit of a work in progress. 

Kenzie is almost the polar opposite of London. Where London was a total ham from very early on, Kenzie blatantly avoids eye contact with the camera. She will literally run away and duck behind something when she sees a camera!

London posing for the hubby (Kenzie running away from me and my camera)

London debating over whether or not to touch the water

We live within walking distance of the Mall of Georgia

London posing again

My hubby and my girls are the BEST parts of my life. I write about things that aid in improving superficial beauty, but my family helps me to remember what REAL beauty is: giving and receiving LOVE...

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

CGC Review: TIGI Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection Shampoo and Conditioner

Favorite Looks from the Met Gala Red Carpet 2012

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite looks from last night's Met Gala. So many beautiful looks (both fashion and beauty wise, but sometimes not simultaneously), it was hard to narrow it down.

Disclaimer: These photos are NOT mine. I give credit to the source from which I got them in the caption of each picture.

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karen Atelier via FabSugar

Jessica Pare in L'Wren Scott via FabSugar

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada via FabSugar

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhullier via Independent Fashion Bloggers

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy via FabSugar

Honorable mentions: Mara Rooney, Coco Rocha, Emma Stone, Lana Del Ray, and Beyonce. You can see all of my picks on this Pinterest Board. 

What were your favorite red carpet looks from last night's event? Are there any makeup looks that you are interested in recreating? Who dropped the ball or went a little overboard? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Kimbra - Settle Down (live SXSW 2012 - Spotify Sessions)

This is not fashion or beauty related but I really feel like I had to share this performance. Music is very important to me and nowadays good music and true artists are so hard to come by. So I when I saw this, I felt compelled to share it.




Now that is impressive! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. What musical discoveries have you made recently? What do you think of the state of music today? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Until next time...


Ciao, XxO

Q

Carol's Daughter "I AM Because You Are" Competiton

So, perhaps I’m going a bit overboard in my love affair with oils, but I can’t help it! I’m starting to think there is an oil (or oil based product) out there for just about any purpose you might need it for.

I’ve known for years that the best time to moisturize your skin is while it’s wet; sealing in water while it’s still on your skin is the optimal way to maintain properly balanced and hydrated skin. Trouble for me is, I can never seem to get moisturizer on my skin straight out of the shower or bath. I either get distracted by my hubby or one of my girls, or I’m tending to the needs of my hair or face before I turn my attention to my body. So this morning, I had a revelation: What if I had a dry oil mist to spray as soon as I got out of the shower? Kind of as a base, to seal the moisture in? Then I could do whatever else I needed to do, and if I wanted to layer on more moisturizer later I could. Genius, right?

I was going to use Facebook and Twitter to ask if anyone had any recommendations as far as dry oil mists, and then I stumbled on to this little gem…

Memorable Mists Trio; $29.50 on CarolsDaughter.com

(Just in time for Mother’s Day) Carol’s Daughter has created a custom Mother's Day Gift Set: the Memorable Mists Trio. The set includes the Almond Cookie, Sugared Violets and Orange Ambrosia Dry Oil Mists to pamper mom (or any woman, really). These delectably scented mists will keep your skin moisturized and positively glowing. Each fragrance is wonderful on its own, but you can also blend them together in order to create your own custom scent. This limited-edition gift set will be available in Carol’s Daughter stores and CarolsDaughter.com.

Carol's Daughter is also inviting fans to celebrate their mothers with the "I AM Because You Are" competition, sponsored by Sprite. You can share the invaluable beauty lessons your mother has taught you by posting a note about it on the Carol's Daughter Facebook Wall. Here are the details:

Sephora Presents Josie Maran Argan Oil

I've written a post about about Josie Maran and her growing family, her charitable work, and my love of oils (including Argan oil), so when I stumbled across this video on YouTube, it only seemed fitting that I post it here as well...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3oA1Sp8z3eM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>


Isn't here daughter adorable! I'm pretty much addicted to her 100% Argan Oil; I use it as part of night time ritual and it has made a real difference in my skin. I was truly skeptical about using oil on my oily skin, but trust me, it works! If you're on the fence about trying it, Sephora has a trial size vial for $14. It contains enough product to make you a believer!

There is also a full line of Argan Oil infused cosmetics, including an instant, self adjusting, oil absorbing powder foundation (in a gorgeous rose gold compact)...

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker  Powder Foundation SPF 20 in  Med/Dark

A convenient, multi-purpose lip and cheek stain...

Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Tango

And even an Argan Oil Hair Serum...

If you couldn't tell already, I'm a fan of the line. It's truly worth checking out the next time you head to Sephora (because you know you were heading there anyway!). What products are in your beauty arsenal that you were originally skeptical about, but now can't live without? What do you highly recommend? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and tell me all about it! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS: All photos are via Sephora.com. If you click on the pictures of the products, it will take you directly to the page you can order them from. FTC Disclaimer: I was sent the products mentioned by PR for my consideration. I was not paid to review them and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)