a {me} day...

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Sometimes you just need a "me" day..... As I had mentioned last week, my Husband was away on business. And not just a couple days..... For 6 days. For any of you that have Husband's that travel regularly, I'm sorry. My Husband really only has to do this about once a year and for a couple that has been together just a few months shy of 13 years (I know!), and has probably only spent a few nights apart about 5 times, this was A LOT! Not only was it a very long week with the typical adult responsibilities that come with tending to my house, my child, my pets etc, but it's been a bit of an adjustment recovering as well. So the last couple of days have been divided spending some quality time with my kiddo before he goes back to school, and trying to spend some quality time on myself. Something I really haven't done in great lengths in a while.

Number 1 on the list was find a good book & get lost in it! You see...... The last couple of years I've spent so much time immersed in Holistic Health studies that a majority of my reading has been health/wellness and cookbooks. Not that I don't love reading about these things. I do... I mean I LOVE it...... I'm a self-proclaimed nutrition nerd and usually can't get enough. But lately I've been burnt out and I've decided to take a step back from my original grand plans and the new road of goals does not include reading wellness book after wellness book.

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Last year I read Gone Girl, and to be honest.... I didn't end up liking it very much. It was very well written and the first half of the book I couldn't put it down. The fact of the matter is that I started to hate one of the main characters, Amy Dunne. And I mean HATE. I can't really say too much more without spoiling anything for you, so I'll leave it at that. But it was enough that I didn't enjoy the rest of the book very much and I wasn't sure if I would pick up another book by Gillian Flynn. However, when I saw a friend from the blogisphere, the lovely Ashley, raving about Sharp Objects, I decided to check it. I'm so glad I did!!!! I started the book last night and was immediately sucked into this world of weird. I haven't been able to put it down and I think I'll definitely be finished by tomorrow. I just know that there's an evil little twist coming. I think I might have it figured out. But one thing I've definitely gathered, after reading even only 1 of Gillian Flynn's books, is that just when you think you have it all figured out, she throws a deliciously crazy twist your way! I can't wait to report back with my overall review of the book. Something I think I might do on this little blog o' mine from time to time.

Other than that I think I'm going to have a nice cup of tea and settle down with my Little Mr. It's a rainy/muggy day here in NJ, so I have the windows closed, AC on, and am pretending that I'm already well into the Fall. Coming Soon...... I'll be reviewing a 3 day Cleanse by Kaeng Raeng! I'm super excited about this, as I've wanted to try it forever!!! I'm just gearing my body up for it. My allergies have been so bad, my body just feels like it's recovering from a lot lately. I def can't wait to share my 3 day diary of my experience with you!

Christy
xoxo

Friday Favorites ~ Latest Lust List

Happy Friday Lovelies! I took an unintentional break this week. My Husband was traveling for work and there has been so much going on without him here, that before I knew it, several days went by since my last blog post!!! I have had nothing but boots, coats, scarves, beauty products and school supplies on the brain! I am definitely not in summer mode anymore and just can't wait to get into a Fall routine when my little guy goes back to school! Here is my latest lust list.....

I have been obsessed with nail polish lately, but I def have certain criteria a laquer must meet in order for me to use it. Funny enough, even though I've seen Julep all over the net the last couple years and have been dying to try it, I never have. I've seen rave reviews over these gorgeous laquers and love that they are not only toxin-free, but have staying power as well! I'm smitten with this combination right now. The blue or green creme with the sparkly gold accent or even used as a french tip *******sigh. Love!

I've never placed an order with Conversation Pieces before. However, I think that's going to change very very soon. I subscribe to the newsletter and spied these lovelies recently that have definitely been on my mind. I'm swooning over this basic tee with fluttery sheer detail, as well as these ultra-feminine and sexy lace bralettes. And this tissue baseball tee is perfection!

And finally...... unless you've been living under a rock, you know that one of the most anticipated designer collabs with Target is very quickly approaching! Phillip Lim for Target hits stores September 15th and I cannot wait! I wouldn't say I'm dying over every single piece, but there are quite a few I'm hoping to snap up. My most coveted are this messenger bag and cami set. So so pretty!

What are your latest fall fav's? Are you excited for Phillip Lim for Target? Have a great weekend!!!


Christy
xoxo

Friday Favorites - More Lovely clothes & a Kickass workout!!!

Hey Dolls!!! I'm so happy it's Friday! I had quite a busy week and am really looking forward to the summer wrapping up, the Fall weather (we got a little taste this week here in NJ), and for school to start! Lately I've been feeling like everything is moving in fast forward and though I'm so thankful for the amazing opportunities I've come across lately, I just need life to slow down a little bit! This is going to sound corny, but there's just something so magical to me about the Fall/Winter months. To me it's just pure nostalgia. Even the smell in the air brings me back to waking up on Saturday mornings to the marching band doing a quick run through before a Football game (the HS Football Field was on my street). I loved those days of sitting at games with my cozy sweatshirt on, sipping hot chocolate. Now things are a bit different. Today it's me chasing my son to put a sweatshirt on and instead of football games, we're watching soccer or walking around Peddlar's Village with an Apple Cider in hand. But you get my drift. I'm so ready for it! Can you tell?!? So obviously with Fall constantly on my mind, I have some more favorites for you. J.Crew is one of my most fav stores ever, and over the last few months the Factory store, which is about 45m from me, has been hit or miss. I was so excited to see that there are some great finds amongst the new arrivals! Here are a few of my must-haves...

One of the best things about JCF is the basics! Every year I always find myself snapping up a bunch of pieces that are perfect for my core wardrobe and can easily be dressed up or down with either a statement necklace or delicate pendant. I already own both the Layering Tee & the Always Cardi, but I love them so much, that I always grab multiples of my fav color (for when one bites the dust) or new colors to add variety. Navy is a must for me always. I love that it works like basic black, but is a bit unexpected. I'm also majorly obsessed with Camel & Gray, alone or layered together. They just exude coziness to me. I love these Waffle Sweaters and def plan on grabbing more than one! I adore the touch of soft oatmeal in the collar of the colorblock sweater!!!

I love a great tailored jean. This hiney is not fitting into skinnies anytime soon, scroll down for more on that.... But this bootcut pair is perfect! I could see this skirt being a great work staple for you office gals and then paired with tights, argyles, and wellies for a crisp Fall weekend. And even though I don't typically like Cords, I'm swooning over the soft, velvety color of this pair.

Last but not least, I had to round out my finds with a couple extras. Since I'm all about layering, I love a couple pieces that add a little oomph to a very basic outfit. This blazer is knit, so it's not as structured as wool, keeping it casual, but is a little more tailored than a thicker cardi. And this vest is perfect layered with a thin waffle sweater! I'd also love it with a pair of cute skinnies & sorel's, but I need to do a little prep work for that, see below....




As stated in my reference above, I need to get my ass in gear..... literally. I tend to get really bored with workouts and though I love my TAM & Tone it Up girls, I can lose interest really quickly if I don't mix it up. Enter the coolest, most unique, most KICK ASS workout I have ever seen!!! I came across Poundfit when Kirsten & Cristina shared their amazing & healthy Key Lime Pie Parfait recipe over on FabFitFun the other day. I immediately became curious when I saw them referenced as "The Pound Girls" so of course I had to explore and, wow. Blew... Me... Away... First off, when I find a workout I really like, I'm a fanatic. I love fitness, especially when I get sucked into it. It's like my own personal & free Therapist. Not that I need one ;) But there's a bit of a backstory as to why Poundfit is so appealing to me. My Dad is a Drummer, and a pretty freakin amazing one at that. A lot of my childhood I went with him to his band practices and got to see him play. I totally believe it's in my blood, even if it's not in my hands. I did try to learn when I was about 12, but lets just say that I didn't pick it up. I lacked the coordination that goes with drumming and foot pedaling and hitting the symbols, etc. It's just too much for my sporadic brain to wrap itself around. But I often find myself, even now, wanting to drum to songs. The beats jump out at me and I'm just dying to rock out! I believe that Poundfit is the perfect solution for all of my drumming woes. It's a workout that burns MAJOR calories, unique enough to satisfy my wandering eye, and lets me rock out the way I was born to!!! For anyone that doesn't have a class near them, they offer online classes, which are going on my Birthday list... hint hint Husband ;) I'll def be posting my review once I try them!!!

So there's my Friday Fav's. Kinda short this week with all the JCF finds, but I have a lot planned for next week. Happy Weekend all! Enjoy!!!!

Christy
xoxo

Review: Devita Natural Skincare & Mineral Cosmetics

I've been familiar with the Devita line of products for quite a while, but I just never had a chance to try them. Imagine my excitement when Devita International reached out to me to try out some of their skincare & cosmetics. They were so kind & generous to send me quite a few items to try out. DeVita Natural Skin Care and Color Cosmetics is wholly owned and operated by Cherylanne DeVita, Ph.D. and is based out of Arizona. After suffering from Cystic Acne and searching for the perfect anti-aging line that didn't contain toxic chemical ingredients, Cherylanne decided to take matters into her own hands. She created her own line of Skin Care that has become (according to SPINS), the fastest growing all-natural, 100% PARABEN FREE, PETA Certified, Vegan cosmeceutical skin care line in the country! Devita has a very large range of products - everything from facial products and color cosmetics, to body care. And I love, love, love that they are cruelty-free, which is an absolute must for me!

The first item in the line up that I was really excited to try is the Solar Protective Moisturizer Spf 30+. With no nano-particles, zinc oxide based spf (no chemical spf here!) and nourishing ingredients like aloe vera & grapeseed oil, this is a really great option for a daily daytime moisturizer. I especially loved that it contains skin plumping/hydrating vegan-sourced Hyaluronic acid! It gave me just the right amount of moisture without tons of oil, and didn't leave me looking like my makeup was melting off my face by the end of the day! This Moisture tint aka Multi-Beneficial Beauty Balm, is really amazing! BB Creams have been all the rage and this one is no exception. It perfects your skin without covering it up and not only contains an Spf of 15, but also has skin-feeding ingredients like hyaluronic acid, japanese green tea, and pomegranate extract. If you don't want a regular moisturizer, need a little bit of extra coverage under your makeup, or if you don't wear much makeup, this little wonder-cream would be perfect for you!

Next up... Color cosmetics, which I'm always a fan of since I adore makeup! Devita sent me Absolute Lips in Nearly Nude. I love the color. As you can see in the swatch if you scroll down.... this is a very light, slightly frosty shade, but isn't overpowering. In full disclosure, I am not a lipstick fan AT ALL. I never ever wear it. But I will say that it didn't feel heavy on my lips and I like the texture/look of it. With exotic flower waxes of Tuberose, Jasmine and Rose, blended with Macadamia, Avocado and Jojoba oils, the ingredients are stellar! I don't know that I'll be converted over from my beloved lip tint or gloss anytime soon, but this is a fantastic lipstick! The Absolute Eyes quad pad was my favorite! I was little scared of the shell & salmon colors at first glance, but I've been experimenting with pinks and corals on my eyes and I really liked them. They could always double as a cheek or lip color in a pinch as well. I LOVED the Oyster & Gelidium shadows. Metal type shades are my favorite for eyes and the Oyster was the perfect, buildable shade of platinum. Gelidium is amazing for lining eyes. The texture,,,, So nice. Very light & feathery and not irritating like some shadows!

Last but not least... This mineral blush in Coral Fusion was my runner up as top pick. The color is so pretty! Kind of like a cross between rose & coral and looks like it could be flattering on anyone. The texture of this blush was feather-light and didn't feel like I had a speck of makeup on my cheeks. That along with good-for-you ingredients like Hyaluronic acid & Japanese Green Tea extract made this a winner! Love!

Here is a swatch of the colors... As you can see, they are very light & build-able, which is always a plus in my opinion!

After perusing the site there were some other products that I came across that looked pretty amazing that I thought were definitely worth mentioning! Specifically the Try-Me kit which is perfect for anyone with commitment issues or that's on a limited budget, but wants to try a range of products! This Lip volumizer looks great, as I'm a sucker for lip products, especially those that offer a little... em.... enhancement ;) And this Cappuccino/Cocoa Mud Masque..... Wow! This is definitely on my list of products to try!

Devita seems to offer a lot of great deals as far as free gifts on higher priced orders as well! This line is definitely one to try! You can find Devita at their website as well as on Twitter & Facebook! Thanks again Devita for allowing me to try your fab products!

Christy
xoxo

DISCLAIMER: I was not compensated for the above review. I was, however, sent products at no cost to me in consideration for my review. I will never post about a product and/or line that I do not like. All opinions are honest & my own.

Fall Lust List

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend!!! We had a very relaxing weekend school shopping and then enjoying the last bit of summer weather by the pool. It was nice and breezy and just that little peak of cool weather that comes with the approaching Fall. This is the time of year I start pining...... Daydreaming of Apple Cider, leaves crunching under my feet, that bit of crispness in the air when I step outside for the first time in the morning. I love it. I miss it.... So so much. We only have a couple weeks until school starts for the boy, so I've definitely had Fall clothes on my mind. I've gone from pinning my summer staples - maxi dresses and tanks to pinning cardi's, statement necklaces and neutral knits that have me wishing that the Fall season would start sooner!

Here are some of my latest fav's....

L to R: Ruffled Hem Pullover, Spotted Brunia Henley, Averly Pullover

I love that each of these knits are neutral, yet there's something a bit unexpected about them. The traditional stripes with the lovely flounce of fabric at the bottom. Or the slightly tailored look of a button down with the comfort of a henley that has a unique touch. I really love the last pullover - that dark color is perfect for fall and the laid back style looks so comfortable, but with the bit of lace in the back. Perfection.

L to R: Adella Cardigan, Airport Greeting Cardigan, Whisper Stripe Cardigan

For as long as I can remember, Cardi's have been a staple in my closet. I remember a few years ago when there seemed to be a cardi shortage! But now they are back in full force and I'm loving all of the details on some of them. I'm a sucker for drape, folds, and other odd little details. I really like when a basic design has a touch of something to take it from average to a whole other level. The orange in the Adella Cardigan is perfect for fall. I absolutely adore the oatmeal color of the unique airport greeting cardi and love the versatility of the zipper, allowing you to wear it as shown or unzipped with a similar flounce to the whisper stripe.

L to R: Arieel Grey Suede Booties, Galapagos Necklace, Faux Calf Hair Belt



I'm in desperate need of a new pair of booties for fall and this pair definitely fits the bill! They are perfect for everyday wear and the grey color is the perfect neutral! This necklace is the perfect statement maker without being overboard. I love the color palette and think this would get a ton of wear! I also love that it supports Artisans in impoverished communities! Win-win!! Last but not least, I fell in love with this belt when I saw it. Not just because I'm a major leopard fan, but because I will not wear calf hair and it is SO difficult to find this style of belt that is FAUX like the one pictured!

So there's my current roundup of Fall fav's! The perfect fall winter coat hunt has also begun. If you're not familiar with this annual activity, it starts in the late summer and often lasts throughout the winter ending with me buying a so-so coat that is just not up to par. I have yet to find Mr Right!!! The search continues....

Enjoy your Monday lovelies!!!

Christy
xoxo

Friday Fav's!

Hello Lovelies! I'm so happy it's Friday! I've decided that since I have so many things I'm loving on a regular basis, that I would start a weekly post!! So I'll start with the obvious....

Have you noticed anything since you were here last? I have a new blog design!!! While I loved the last one that I had, it was just time for a facelift. I really feel like this one from Carrie, with my own personal touch of course, really shows my personality and I love the clean look!

via Pacifica

I've raved about Pacifica many times on this blog! They are one of my most fav natural beauty brands ever!!! And that was even before they introduced their beauty & skincare products! I have just been blown away by the new cosmetics. Target sells some of the palettes and skincare, but on the actual website, you can pick up these value sets. This one just became available yesterday & I'm ordering it for sure!!! I love navy liner for a little bit more of an unexpected look beyond basic black and it really makes the whites of your eyes pop! This set is only $39!!! Can you believe it?! And they also came out with these new creamy lip butters that I'm dying to try! By the way.... The solid perfumes..... LOVE! Sandalwood + Indian Coconut Nectar is one of my go-to's!! Ps - if you order through my referral link you get $10 off your first order & shipping is free over $50!

via Topshop

I've kind of had a weird obsession with baseball tee's lately and I came across this one. I wouldn't say that I love leopard print, but I love a touch of it. I like it in shoes & belts & iphone cases as a neutral. While I typically wouldn't wear an entire piece of clothing in this print, I kinda love that it's on the sleeves! Def a chic take on the traditional baseball tee!!

And my last favorite is my latest hair routine! Last week I did a post of my latest natural beauty fav's and two of these products were featured. After feeling like my Acure shampoo just wasn't cutting it for me anymore, I decided to start using the carrot conditioner regularly and also purchase the shampoo to try as well! I've been using all 3 every other day, along with a drop of the date oil mentioned last week for frizz, and so far so good! My hair smells amazing and even though I desperately need a cut so so SO bad, my hair still looks pretty darn good for someone that blows it out several times a week! You can get all these products at Target. And they also have a baby line that gets rave reviews! Reasonably priced, great scents and no ick in the ingredients. Can't beat that!

Happy Weekend Babes!!!!

Christy
xoxo