Valentia Even Glow Serum

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Valentia Skin Care via BrandBacker & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

 

I turn 33 in less than 2 months, although I don't look anywhere near my age. But I know that isn't going to last forever, so I've decided to take a proactive approach to aging. So when I had the opportunity to try Valentia Even Glow Serum (with 20% Vitamin C), I just couldn't pass it up!

This antioxidant treatment helps to neutralize the free radicals that your skin comes in contact with on a daily basis leaving you absolutely radiant.

Of course the main ingredient is vitamin C, which helps to reduce the effects of sun exposure (sunburn & sun spots), along with redness & wrinkles. But this serum also contains a small handful of other essential ingredients that help to support & even enhance the effects of vitamin C. 

•Organic Rosehip Seed Oil & Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil - These oils help skin hydration & lock in moisture.

•Resistem (Plant Stem Cells) - This will help your skin regenerate faster while protecting it from environmental stressors. 

•Botanical Hyaluronic Acid - This activates collagen production for a fresher, younger, firmer & brighter complexion. 

•Green Tea Extract - The catechins in green tea are a potent antioxidant which also contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory & anti-irritant benefits.

I have to say that I've only been using this for a week, but I can already see a difference. I've noticed that I have fewer fine lines near my eyes & I have an even radiant glow (it reminds me of that awesome pregnancy glow - minus the extra 60lbs). Plus I love the scent! It's citrus-y (it is vitamin C after all) but with just a tinge of green tea. Which is probably why I favor to apply this serum in the morning (nothing says wake up like an invigorating scent, right?) 

And this serum absorbs faster than anything else I have ever tried! HUGE bonus points for being a time saver since I haven't needed to use an extra moisturizer the past few days. I can't wait to see the results after a few more weeks!

Valentia Even Glow Serum is available on Amazon at a great price (if you ask me anyways). Plus it is available for Prime shipping. 

Work It Wednesday: Back to School Style with Handsome in Pink & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Handsome in Pink & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

The moment the hubs & I found out our first born was a girl, we immediately went out to buy pink & purple anything & everything. The first few years of her life, she was your typical girly girl - babies, Barbies, dresses, princesses & anything else you could think of. 

But now there's a new "Girly Girl" in town & she's got the shirt to prove it. My first born refuses to play with babies or Barbie dolls (unless her little sister asks her to). She wears a dress no more than three times a year. She is constantly covered in bruises or cuts from one incident or another (like when she made a mini Nitro Circus bike course from dirt mounds & crashed on the first try). She is the neighborhood go to girl if your bike chain pops off & your parents aren't home to fix it. And she loves to help her dad in the garage, hike, play soccer & do push-ups. 

Now you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the "Girly Girl" t-shirt from Handsome in Pink. I mean, that is my "Girly Girl"! 

This is Paige's muscle pose while trying to smile & look mean all at the same time.

This navy blue & white 3/4 sleeved t-shirt has been put through the test after quickly receiving the title of "favorite". (I'm pretty sure it gets worn at least twice a week.)

I can't even tell you how many times this t-shirt has been washed, but still looks great! There was some slight shrinking after it went through the dryer (the weather hasn't been the most cooperative to line dry), but it is made from 100& combed cotton so that is to be expected. And all of the stitching is a double stitch, so the seams have held up nicely too. 

Handsome in Pink is an eco-friendly, mom owned company, who aim to turn gender stereotypes upside down for babies & children. Below are some of my favorite designs that they have to offer. Oh who am I kidding, I adore them all!

Photos provided by Handsome in Pink.

 Be sure you sign up for the HiP newsletter so that you get all the latest updates (including special offers), straight to your inbox. 

Aside from my daughter absolutely loving her shirt, I love that Handsome in Pink generally ships in 1-3 business days. And they accept PayPal! Making shopping extremely easy & convenient. But now the tough decision of what to order for my other two kids! 

Spoiler alert! Look for something pink with your order! 

Do you know a "girly girl" who would love to have this 3/4 sleeved t-shirt (or a onesie) for herself?

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 8/28/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 8/28/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Handsome in Pink for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep up with the latest from Handsome in Pink on Facebook. 

  

Fun Friday: Boutique Bow for Soccer

One day I was mindlessly wandering through the crafting aisles at the store, when I happened to spy some soccer ribbon. At that moment, I knew just what I wanted to do! 

The only problem was that I had no idea how to actually make a boutique bow. So I did what anyone else would do...I went to YouTube! I came across what seemed like a million tutorials, but this one seemed to be the easiest for me. At least the easiest one at 11:30PM when I was looking through them in a semi-tired state. But regardless, that was the one that I stuck to.

As you can see, I actually made two boutique bows. The first is the recommended 18in. of ribbon & the second is 12in. Ideally I would have a soccer ball resin of some sort in the center, but I haven't made it that far yet since I wasn't 100% sure how it would all turn out. So instead I placed a black gemstone resin in the center. Then it's all glued onto a small French barrette hair clip.

I actually tried a different style with the two ribbons layered, but this one won. And Paige is excited to wear it for her soccer pictures tomorrow. She wanted me to make some for all of the girls on her team, which was my original plan. But I told her instead that if they wanted one, all they had to do was ask & I'd make it for them.

Think It Thursday: Kindergarten Open House

Tonight was an epic night. It was Kindergarten Open House. I swear it feels like I've waited for this moment for forever. OK, at least all summer. 

Damien will have his first official full day of school on the 25th, but tonight's Open House marked the beginning of the transition process with state testing & orientation to follow. 

Damien, checking out his new book, a gift from his teacher.

Of course Damien was super shy & refused any pictures. Until he saw his friend Alex (so glad they're in the same class), then the only pictures I could get were goofy ones. He also found the stash of dinosaurs in his classroom. Getting him & his friend, Max, away from them...well, they were two of the last kids in the room. 

All in all, I think it's going to be a great year! I can't wait to  see how much Damien learns & how he'll grow as a little man. 

Robinson's Fruit Shoot Presents: The Have a Ball Stunt Hunt

An extra special thanks to Fruit Shoot for sponsoring today's discussion. 

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end. Usually at this time of year we cram every fun outdoor activity we can think of into our schedule. But lately the weather has been uncharacteristically chilly here & there. But that just means we've had to get a bit creative to fill our days with fun. 

Inspired by our love of playing checkers when we visit the library, we decided to play jacks. Only with Robinson's Fruit Shoot bottles. And instead of seeing how many you could pick up, the kids got to take a sip instead. Can you tell how much fun they had?!

My kids absolutely love Fruit Shoot! Not only do they come in four delicious flavors, but they're made with real fruit juice, contain no high fructose corn syrup & even have a spill proof cap. Which means that I don't mind treating them every once in a while time we go to the store. (My kids can spot these a mile away with their vibrant colors!)

But the fun of Fruit Shoot doesn't stop there! Until September 1st, 2014, you can enter the "Have a Ball Stunt Hunt" by submitting a video (10-30 seconds in length) of your kids (at least 3 years old & up) showing off their active imaginative play with Fruit Shoot & a ball of any kind. Don't forget to share your entry with your friends & have them vote, because winners will have their entry professionally edited with amazing special effects & posted on the contest homepage. 

 So what are you waiting for?! Grab some Fruit Shoot, your kids & a ball, get creative & submit your entry. As a thank you, you'll receive an email with a coupon for a FREE bottle of Fruit Shoot. You'll even find out how to receive a FREE Waboba Ball, also known as "the ball that bounces on water". (Spoiler alert...all you have to do is purchase 6 bottles of Fruit Shoot!) 

Work It Wednesday: Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil

Oil pulling. I know when I first heard of it, I pictured a big oil rig & wondered how on earth it could be beneficial to my health & beauty. As I'm almost positive you're doing the same (at least you are now), if you've never heard of it before. But rest assured, it's quite different from that mental image. Actually, it's something I look forward to every day. 

I prefer to do oil pulling with Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, which is a truly unrefined organic coconut oil. But I also prefer when it's still slightly solid. You see, above 75º coconut oil is in liquid form & anything below is in solid form. 

Why Coconut Oil?

Because I like it! You could use extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, or sesame oil as well. Just remember, it has to be a taste you wouldn't mind having in your mouth for 15-20 minutes (which is the main reason why I prefer coconut oil).

How do you Oil Pull?

It's really simple! Just take a spoonful of oil (if you do use coconut oil, you may have to chew it a bit until it reaches liquid form if it's not already), and swish it around for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you "pull" the oil through your teeth (just like you do with mouthwash). And whatever you do, do not swallow the oil (more on that below). Also make sure you spit it out in the trash can to prevent a build up in your pipes & always brush & floss afterwards.  

Why Can't You Swallow the Oil?

When you're oil pulling, you are essentially trapping the toxins from your mouth in the oil. If you swallow it, you're re-absorbing those toxins into your body. 

What are the Benefits of Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling has amazing oral health benefits such as prevention of bad breath, whiter teeth, strengthening of teeth & gums, prevention of cavities & gingivitis and even a treatment for TMJ. But it also can provide headache relief, reduce inflammation from arthritis, help sinus congestion, reduce insomnia & eczema flare-ups, reduce allergy symptoms & help suppress appetite. 

Simple Sunday: Soccer!

These photos say it all...

Soccer season has started!