L'Occitane Aromachologie Radiance and Color Care Mask

L'Occitane Aromachologie Radiance and Color Care Mask ($32)

To me, L'Occitane is synonymous with French luxury; it makes me think of flying (Delta used  put L'Occitane products in their goodie bags for first class passengers) and lavender and honey and the french countryside. I've tried many of their skin care goodies, but this was my first experience with hair care from L'Occitane, and it definitely lived up to the lofty expectations I had in my head for the brand. 

Don't Miss Out! Complete the Fit Skin Test from Mama Mio

Though I have a real interest in taking care of the skin on my face, honestly I tend to neglect the rest of my body. Don't get me wrong, I make sure I'm clean and moisturized all over, but I pretty much tend to the basics when it comes to the skin that's not on my face. I think it may be because carrying 3 babies was not exactly kind to my skin and I feel that topical measures won't really do much to improve it's state so I've just given up. Lately my overall attitude about health, fitness and maintenance has improved for the better, including a more intensive look at how I take care of myself from head to toe, inside and out. Just in time for my "system overhaul" I came across this wonderful initiative from the international skincare brand, Mama Mio. 

This summer, Mama Mio is launching a Fit Skin For Life campaign, which aims to educate and inspire women across the world about skin fitness and help them feel more confident in their own skin.

As part of this initiative, Mama Mio has created an online Fit Skin Test (available at fitskinforlife.com) to help women understand their skin. Each woman who takes the quick test will receive a personalized Fit Skin Report, which features nutrition and exercise advice as well as tips to improve and maintain smooth, firm fit skin.

While taking the test won't take up too much of your time, it is quite comprehensive.The questions cover topics such as fitness, diet, and weight, as well as spots, wrinkles, and acne. It is really worth the time it takes to answer the questions; it's actually really thought provoking and makes you take a real close examination of the current state of your skin and how you want to change and improve it's health. It really made me think about what my body has been through and how I need to pay more attention to how I take care of it. The personalized Fit Skin Report that they send back is impressively thorough and as comprehensive as the test. Mama Mio's goal is to help you to make your skin work and look its absolute best-for you to be smooth, firm from head to toe, and for you to feel gorgeous and confident. 

You can take the Fit Skin Test at fitskinforlife.com and in only a few hours the founders of Mama Mio will respond with a customized blueprint to help you get Fit Skin For Life! I encourage you to take the test as soon as you can; it is so well worth the valuable insight and information and it's only available through this weekend! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

July Julep Maven "It Girl" Box

Mila, Kate, Daphne, and America-The Beautiful

So, I'm a little late with this (I actually got my box in the mail last Saturday), but better late than never! I absolutely love Julep and my July "It Girl" Box definitely did not disappoint. This month I received 4 bottles of polish and two of them are beautiful glitters (I love using glitters on my accent nails and for my little girls). Here are the details on the 4 polishes I received this month:

From left to right in the picture above:

Mila: A Charcoal, Multi Colored Glitter

Kate: A Soft, White Pearl

Daphne: Fresh, Seafoam Green Creme

America-The Beautiful:  A Shiny Red, with Royal Blue Glitter and Sterling Silver Stars

I'm really into everything nail related lately! I love all the nail trends (nudes, metallics, neons, pastels, and glitters) and I've even been trying my hand (ha!) in nail art (I've pretty much mastered polka dots, now I'm working on stripes, etc.). 

This post is actually the first in a series (I don't have a name for it yet, but I'm thinking Mani Madness... I'll get back to you on that though) about all things nails. I already have posts planned about some great drugstore brand options (like Sally Hansen and Rimmel London) and even Avon (hey, don't sleep on Avon!), not to mention OPI, Essie, China Glaze, and Zoya. There's so much out there in the world of nail care; it's hard to keep up, but it sure is fun trying!

Are you a Julep Maven? In my opinion, it is TOTALLY worth the $19.99 a month! Here's a link if you'd like to sign up:  HTTP://JULEP.COM/?R=18536523 (If you choose to sign up through this link, I do earn a credit towards a free month, just so you know). 

What nail trends are you digging? Are you a do it yourself girl, or do you hit up the salon for your mani/pedis? What's your favorite nail polish brand right now? 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 Acai Skincare Collection

Just in case you hadn't noticed a trend, I'm kind of obsessed with skin care lately. I don't know if it's the fact that I've entered the "dirty thirties" or  because I now have 3 daughters, which has emphasized to me that I must set a good example for them on what it means to be a lady. I want them to know that though God (and awesome genetics) made them beautiful to the eyes, true beauty comes from within. I want them to know how to look and feel pretty inside and out, from the youth on, and that it's okay to age gracefully. So that means they have to see me not just cover my skin with pretty makeup, but take good care of what's underneath. Thus began my tireless hunt for the perfect skincare routine/regimen.

In that quest to find the good, the bad, and the so so in the vast world of skin care, I've had the pleasure of discovering some true gems. While I love it when I can find a single item within a brand or line that performs well, I really like it when a company comes out with a complete system (cleanser, toner, and moisturizer at least) that works for me. Who knew that I would be blown away by the woman that specializes in natural hair care and fragrance?

Carol's Daughter recently introduced it's Acai Skincare Collection: with two sets of regimens formulated to "naturally restore beautiful skin with the antioxidant power of Acai Berry Extract" to "minimize the effects of pollution, sun damage, and free radicals."

Put a Smile on that Pout With Balm Chicky Balm Balm!

I mean, how can you not smile when you hear the name of this line of lip balms?!?! I can't hear it without thinking of that old Axe Body Spray commercial where the lady in the grocery store (she actually looks an awful lot like the lady on the Hot Chocolate Love tube) suddenly shoves away the lady she had been pushing in a wheel chair and begins to dance in the middle of the produce section while singing "Bow Chicka Bow Wow" upon getting a whiff of said spray. Hilarious! So of course I was curious when I learned about this new line of lip balms, and jumped at the chance to give them a try.

Beat the Heat and Stay Fit with 5 Nutrition Tips from Amanda Skrip (Getting My Yummy Mummy On Series)

(photo via amandaskrip.com)

Amanda Skrip is a natural foods educator, chef, health coach, and wellness expert.  She received her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute and continued her nutrition education at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Amanda works with a variety of clients to create small shifts that have a big impact on health, weight and energy and teaches public cooking classes at Whole Foods Market in Chicago. She has been featured in DailyCandy, Vital Juice, Mindful Metropolis and has appeared on I Am Healthy Radio and NBC Chicago (and now Mama Fashionista, lol).