Monday, January 30, 2017

PLAY! BY SEPHORA – JANUARY 2017

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I just received my first Play! by Sephora box.  Play! by Sephora is a monthly subscription beauty box.  For ten dollars, you receive five deluxe samples of beauty products sold at Sephora as well as a perfume sample and card to redeem in Sephora stores for 50 extra beauty insider points.

A number of years ago I subscribed to a different beauty box and wasn’t overly impressed with what I received each month and have been skeptical of subscription boxes ever since.  The Sephora box has been getting good reviews on products received so I decided to give it a try.  Here’s what was in my January box:

sephora play january 2017

Tarte frxxxtion stick – exfoliating gel cleanser in a unique twist-up format transforms from a solid gel to a cleansing lather that gently sloughs away impurities.  I actually tried this a couple of months ago and really liked it.  It left my skin really soft.  I’m excited to have another sample.

Farmacy honey potion renewing antioxidant hydration mask – honey-based warming gel mask transforms into a decadent cream while evening skin tone, hydrating, and brightening.  I am not familiar with this brand but am really excited to try this one!

Ouai treatment masque – restorative mask helps to care for damaged hair and leaves strands feeling smooth and touchably soft.  Another brand I am not familiar with but am really excited to have a hair mask.  My hair can always usea good deep condition.

Clinique almost lipstick in black honey – sheer lip color with a glossy finish in the bestselling, cult-classic black honey shade.  This is the product I am most excited to have in my box this month.  I’ve almost purchased this product multiple times and am so happy to finally have it.  I love that it’s a deluxe sample size because it’s so hard to actually finish a lip product.

AmorePacific color control cushion compact broad spectrum spa 50+ – cushion format CC cream hydrates, protects skin and delivers build able, weightless coverage in two bendable shades.  I really wish the color I received was lighter.  The color is much too dark for me to wear as a CC cream, maybe it will work as a bronzer.

Tory Burch love relentlessly – unabashedly feminine and tender, this delicate scent features notes of pink pepper, orris and patchouli.

Overall, I am really excited to try these products.  Have you used any of them?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Monday, January 23, 2017

GAP NEW ARRIVALS FOR HER

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Happy Monday.  It seems like the weekend always goes by way too fast.  Ours was filled with lots of kids activities: dance class, ice skating lessons and a glow in the dark mini golf play date with friends and that was just Saturday.  Saturday night Nick and Dylan went to a hockey game while Lex and I enjoyed a quite evening at home.  Actually, she fell asleep early and I enjoyed a nice relaxing night on the couch.  I’ve been sick for a week so it was pretty much the perfect night after a busy day.

Dylan is all about hockey these days.  Every night he shoots around with Nick outside after dinner and they bought some small hockey nets this weekend.  They even chalked out a rink on our patio.  I love how excited he is and how much he wants to play.  It’s so cute to see him excited about different players and being really into the game.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on cleaning out the kids closets.  They both have been growing so much that I know they will need new spring and summer clothes as soon as it starts warming up, which will be sooner than later here.  Gap is always a go to for both of the kids and I have my eye on a few of their new arrivals for Lex.  Replacing Dylan’s spring and summer clothes will be more of a challenge this year since he’s sizing out of toddler and into the big kid section.
gap new arrivals for her - toddlerdress | sunnies | jeans | swimsuit | shoes

A long sleeve dress with a pretty floral is perfect for chilly mornings with warmer day time temps and I love a dress paired with jeans as an option too.  Since we’ve been potty training and because it’s actually been cold (for us) she’s traded in her dresses for jeans or pants so a lighter wash is perfect as we head into spring.  White slip ons and heart shaped sunnies make for the perfect accessories for the outfit.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

LIGHT UP MY LIFE

We are getting closer to our house being done and we’ve been stopping by weekly to check on the progress. The latest development: we have stucco!  I’m sure we won’t be able to get inside anytime we want much longer.  We had our walk through before the drywall went up right before Christmas and I was reminded of where we put recessed lights and where we just have the wiring to add light fixtures or ceiling fans.  There are a lot more places that need lighting than I remembered.

Living in the desert, we initially discussed putting ceiling fans in all of the bedrooms instead of light fixtures.  It makes sense considering how hot it gets here during the summer but now that we are getting closer to having to make decisions on lighting, I am having second thoughts about the ceiling fans.  We had ceiling fans in our condo as well as in the apartment we are living in now and honestly, we rarely, if ever, use them.  Which has led me to toying with the idea of foregoing the fans for light fixtures in the bedrooms and living room.

When I sit down and think about the number of light fixtures we need, it’s a bit overwhelming.  Since neither of the kids rooms will have recessed lights, a lighting decision needs to be made for their rooms pretty quickly.  Here’s a sneak peek of a few of my top contenders for their rooms right now:light up my lifeThe top three are my current top choices for Lexi’s room and the bottom three are what I have my eye on for Dylan’s room.  We will be keeping the kids existing furniture but both need updated decor and Dylan needs new bedding.  I have a pretty good idea of exactly what Lexi’s room will look like and I think she will absolutely love it, but am very undecided Dylan’s room.

I think her room would look so cute with any of the above lights.  It will be really hard making a final decision.  I love the chandeliers but don’t want them hanging low enough over their beds that they will mess with them.  Dylan’s room is a challenge because I want it to be something he’s comfortable in now and will be for a number of years.  I’ve tried getting his input on new bedding and it’s not going anywhere fast.  I am going to do my best and hope to get his seal of approval when it’s done.

What do you think?  Keep the original game plan of ceiling fans in bedrooms or opt for a pretty light fixture instead?

Now that I’ve been looking at just these six light fixtures for the last hour, I think I have my top choice for each of them and come up with the perfect room for Dylan.  I think my choice might surprise you.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

LIFE LATELY

I can’t believe the second week of 2017 is almost over!  It seems like each week goes by faster than the week before.  I had originally thought about writing posts for Christmas and Winter Break but decided sharing a quick overview would do and then jump into 2017 – two weeks late.  Here’s a peek at our life lately:Life Lately 1We had a wonderful Christmas season:  We made a gingerbread house, rode the Polar Express and Lex had her Christmas program at daycare.

We made Christmas cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve with my aunt and had a low key Christmas at home this year.

The kids got bikes for Christmas and rode them multiple times each day on winter break.  My view most days looked something like this:Life Lately 2December in Arizona, I don’t hate it 🙂

Dylan was so far ahead I couldn’t get them both in the same picture.

We went to the aquarium.  It’s safe to say their favorites were the penguins, the water table and the sharks. I can’t wait to go back to check out the dolphin exhibit sometime soon.Life Lately 3 Life Lately 4

We had our framing inspection/walk through on our new house just a couple of days before Christmas and let Dylan choose which bedroom would be his.  Last week we got the date of our final walk through and should be closing early April!  I can’t wait to decorate their new bedrooms and get the house organized.Life Lately 5Lex is killing her potty training and is super excited that she can go all day without an accident.  I love seeing the kids so proud of themselves when they accomplish something new.

There you have it, a little bit of life lately.

Monday, January 2, 2017

PEEK-A-BOOM SALE PICKS

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Happy New Year! I hope you have a happy and healthy 2017!

We rang in 2017 very low key at home this year and spent New Year’s Day with family.  I’m not big on resolutions but have a few things I want to accomplish in 2017 and will share them soon.
Today I wanted to share my Peek-A-Boom sale picks.  Peek kids is one of my favorite places to shop for both Dylan and Lex and their Peek-A-Boom sale is the best time to stock up.  Right now they are offering an additional 20% off of sale prices and there are a ton of cute items available.  I honestly cannot believe some of the sale items are still around.
Here are a few of my favorites:peek-a-boom picks for himtree tee | dude tee | shorts | man about town tee| school yard legend tee | yosemite thermal
I LOVE Peek graphic tee’s. They have the best graphic tee’s for boys and girls and we always get so many complements when the kids wear them. Dylan’s teacher actually sent me an email to tell me how much she liked his shirt when he wore this one on election day.  I love layering the short sleeve tee’s with a thermal shirt so they can be worn year round.

I’ve got my eye on the schoolyard legend shirt for Dylan.  He’s been into playing football at recess all year so I’m pretty sure he will love it.peek-a-boom picks for her

embroidered top | sweater | eyelet top | pink top | skirt

Lex got a big girl bike for Christmas which means she will be wearing more tops and pants (or shorts) in the up coming months than her beloved dresses – for bike riding anyway.  Is anyone else paranoid that their daughter’s dress will get caught in the rear tire?
I’ve had my eye on all of these tops since they came out last fall and cannot believe they are available and on mega sale. I love the pink button up with a cute cardigan over top with jeans now and with white shorts for summer.
I think the skirt will be so cute with a bright tank or tee for spring and summer and again with a long sleeve tee next fall. Can you really go wrong with Liberty prints? I don’t think so. They are among my favorites each season for Lex.