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Summer 2017 Fab Fit Fun Unboxing

It’s that time again—time for another Fab Fit Fun unboxing!

Fab Fit Fun is a subscription box which comes out four times a year. Each season brings a new box. Usually the theme of the box corresponds to the season in which it is released. The boxes generally contain a nice variety of beauty, health, and lifestyle items.

Fab Fit Fun is by far my favorite subscription service of any I’ve tried.

The retail value of the items included in the box always well exceeds the price of the box (which starts at $49 per box). Usually the total worth of the items in the box is over $200. How’s that for a great deal?

The best part about any subscription box is the surprises inside each one. It’s like giving yourself an unexpected gift four times a year!

The latest Fab Fit Fun box is the summer one, and it’s got some really great items included in it. Let’s take a look at what’s inside!

summer fab fit fun box
Michael Stars Ruana

summer-fab fit fun-ruana

It was so excited when I pulled this out of the box! This gorgeous ruana is perfect for adding a little something to a summer outfit. It can be worn as a scarf, sarong, or draped like a shawl. It’s such an amazingly versatile piece!

BKR Glass Water Bottle

summer-fff-water-bottle

This little water bottle has a pretty blue silicone sleeve and convenience handle on the cap. It’s a handy size for toting around and would be perfect for traveling.

Vital Proteins Marine Collagen

This is an unflavored drinkable collagen powder that can be added to any beverage, hot or cold. It claims to give a healthier complexion and a life of vibrancy. It’s gluten free, sugar free, and non-GMO. I’m interested to try this powder. I don’t know much about the benefits of collagen proteins, but this has given me a reason to find out more!

Cargo Cosmetics HD Picture Perfect Highlighter in Bronze

summer-fff-beauty

The color of this highlighter is a bit on the dark side for my skin tone, though it would make a perfect bronzer. I had never heard of this brand, but it seems like a good quality product. Unfortunately, my powder came cracked. Not a difficult fix, but a bit disappointing. It was packaged well, so I’m not sure what happened.

Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate

Juice Beauty is a high quality beauty brand that uses natural ingredients in their products. I am excited to try this eye cream. It has certified organic grape and carrot juices blended with essential fatty acids to hydrate and nourish the eye area. We’ll see what kind of results it gives!

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Being a curly girl, I don’t typically use dry shampoo as my hair is already on the dry side. I don’t know much about dry shampoo, but this one seems to have more natural ingredients and it claims to eliminate dirt, oil, and odors and help regain volume and texture without white residue. Not sure I’ll be trying this one—I’ll probably pass it on to someone who can benefit more from it.

Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

This sheer, lightweight sunscreen contains broad spectrum SPF 50. It has a very light scent and blends really easily into the skin. It’s in a convenient size as well.

Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace

summer-fff-necklace

This necklace is made of real therapeutic gemstones. The stones are hand-cut by craftsmen in India. I love the delicate look of this necklace. The color of the stones is lovely as well.

Salted Himalayan Pink Salt Kit

summer-fff-salt

Himalayan Pink Salt has many health benefits. It also adds great flavor to cooking. This salt kit comes with a grater, wood stand, and a block of Himalayan Pink Salt.

Overall, I’m really pleased with this box. It has a nice variety of items. Some of these items are going to be a lot of fun to try out!

If you’re interested in getting a Fab Fit Fun box delivered to you every season, use this referral link and you’ll receive $10 off your first box. Each box is available only for a limited time, so if you like what you see in this one, don’t wait!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Fresh Green Shirtdress for Summer

green-old-navy-dress-white-cardi

On Sundays in the summertime, I like to wear fashion that is fresh, pretty, and feminine. I often turn to my dress collection. Summer shirtdresses are a great way to achieve a beautiful look with a very small amount of effort. They lend a presentable, put together feel while taking very little time or thought.

This green shirtdress has beautiful feminine details, but it is not too fussy. It has a nice balance of pretty and practical. I really enjoy wearing this comfortable and versatile dress. And I got it for a bargain at Old Navy, which is always a great plus!

green-old-navy-dress-with-cardigan

The dress is sleeveless, with a button up front and tie belt. Looking great in this dress is as easy as slipping it on, accessorizing and you’re ready to go!

I kept my accessories quite simple with this dress. I wore a cream-colored short sleeved cardigan which has beautiful lace detailing on the back. I added simple silver drop earrings with green gemstones which were a gift from my parents years ago. These earrings have a vintage look to them that I love.

green-old-navy-dress

I paired the dress with my taupe wedge sandals. These shoes have gotten a lot of use this summer. They can be dressed up or down and are quite comfortable. The color goes with anything. These shoes are extremely versatile and a great item to have on hand to complete all kinds of outfits.

Do you have any shirtdresses in your wardrobe? Do you find them to be as useful and easy to style as I do?

What I Wore

Shirtdress: Old Navy
Cardigan: Maurice’s
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: gift (similar)

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

Patriotic Fashion for Independence Day

It’s the weekend before the Fourth of July! Here in the U.S. we will be celebrating the birthday of our country and our freedom. That means it’s time for fun, festivities, and celebrations! (My daughter’s 12th birthday also happens to fall on the 3rd, so it’s a super busy weekend of celebrations for our family!)

Are you looking for some ideas for what kinds of fashion to wear for all that celebrating? I came up with a few outfits I think you’ll find fun and festive. Here are my picks for patriotic fashion for this Independence Day!

Backyard Barbecue Ready—All American in denim and stripes
Heading to the Parade—Comfy chic for seeing and being seen
Festive and Dressy—An elegant way to wear the colors of the flag

All this red white and blue is perfect independence day apparel. It’s fun and lively, yet still classy and never over-the-top. What do you think? Do these outfits give you some patriotic fashion inspiration?

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

 

 

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

Something Exciting for Jewelry Lovers

I’ve got something exciting to share with you! But first, I have a story to tell you…

A while back, I was perusing Pinterest and came across a pin that I found intriguing. It was a photo of several beautiful pieces of jewelry. I clicked on it and the link brought me to a website featuring some absolutely gorgeous jewelry. I fell in love immediately. They happened to be having a sale at the time, and I’ll admit I went a little crazy on my first order. But, when I received the jewelry a few days later, I knew it was worth every penny I had spent on these beautiful, high quality items.

When I was offered the opportunity to share this amazing jewelry line, I jumped at the chance! I just know once you take a look at all the fabulous items they offer, you’re going to fall in love with this brand, just like I have!

Here are few photos of my new items…

chloe+isabel

These sunglasses are the most comfortable pair I have ever owned. They have a slight cat eye shape to them and the lenses are a lovely lavender color. The statement necklace is genuine mother-of-pearl in an elegant silver-toned setting. It is surprisingly lightweight. I love it so much, I just can’t stop wearing it!

chloe+isabel-earrings

These earrings are delicate and pretty yet still make a statement. They are fun and easy to wear.

chloe+isabel2

And this lovely layered necklace is actually convertible. It can be worn as is, or any one of the pendants and chains can be worn individually or combined with any of the others to create many different looks.

That leads me to my exciting announcement….

This week, I am hosting an online pop up shop featuring this amazing company!

So, are you interested in ordering your own items from this gorgeous jewelry brand? Head on over right now and check out all the beautiful items in the shop! You’ll find some amazing promotions going on right now, too!

ALL Bracelets and Necklaces are 25% off through 6/30
FREE Gift wtih $100 Purchase through 6/30
Join the Passport Rewards Customer Loyalty Program (it’s FREE to join!) and receive 15% credit back on every purchase PLUS FREE shipping at $100!

This pop up shop is only going on for about a week, so don’t miss your chance to shop this sale!

Fresh and Natural Makeup for Summer

fresh-natural-makeup

I don’t know about you, but as a busy mom of many, summertime can bring some very full days. There always seems to be something going on, or somewhere we have to be. I simply don’t have a lot of time to spend on my makeup. Yet, I still want to look put together and presentable.

Summer fashion is often more casual. Summer activities are often more casual as well. I like to be sure my makeup is in line with this more casual but active approach to my appearance. Busy summer days call for makeup that looks polished but effortless.

I gathered my favorite must-have products to create a fresh and natural makeup look that is perfect for long summer days. Though the climate where I live here in Maine is generally not too hot or humid for most of the summer season, we do have the occasional heat wave or especially humid week (like this week was—my hair has been a ball of frizz for days!).

Being a country girl means I also need makeup products that will hold up to the rigors of my rural lifestyle. That could include the occasional trip to the chicken coop to collect eggs or out to the barn to bring hay to the horses. You can be assured, if this makeup can stand that test, it can probably stand up to whatever you might face in your day!

So, bring on the heat, humidity, and hay—we’ll be ready and looking fabulous!

How I Got This Fresh and Natural Makeup Look
Step 1

I started this look with clean, moisturized skin. (I always wash my face before applying makeup. It gives a nice, fresh canvas to apply products to!) Apply your favorite foundation to give a nice base to the look. A tinted moisturizer would work, as well as a more traditional full coverage foundation. I used my favorite It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ cream. It’s been a long time staple for my beauty regimen.

Step 2

Use a concealer on any problem areas. Because I have melasma, I tend to use a heavy duty, full coverage concealer like Benefit Erase Paste. I also like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer.

Step 3

Groom your brows well. Nicely groomed brows make such a different in any look. I have naturally full brows, so I mainly just pluck any unruly hairs, fill in the very few sparse patches with a brow pencil, and apply a brow gel to hold everything in place. Wet ’N Wild’s clear brow gel is a cheap and effective choice.

Step 4

I used a minimal amount of eyeliner with this look, just enough to give some definition and help my eyes stand out a bit. I used Stila Stay All Day liquid liner in brown. For me, brown is the only eyeliner color I use. It is less harsh with my coloring than black.

Step 5

Next, apply mascara to the upper lashes. I love Benefit Roller Lash. It gives a nice curl but is never clumpy. Again, for my coloring, dark brown mascara is the most natural choice of color. Use what works best for you.

Step 6

Apply a natural blush in a neutral shade of pink. A soft pink blush color is what gives this look a fresh, youthful glow. I chose Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm in the color Ampd’ Up Apple. I love the formula of this product and the nice healthy glow I have when wearing it.

Step 7

Finish the look with a neutral lip color like this pinkish-nude shade. I wore Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in the color Mauve Twist. This lip product is easy and comfortable to wear and nourishing to the lips as well. I’ve used and loved this for years. It’s often my first choice for what to wear on my lips.

And there you have it! Just 7 simple steps to a fresh, natural makeup look perfect for summertime!

This look is quick, simple, and easy to achieve. It’s perfect for even the busiest days of summer. Give it a try and let me know how you like it for yourself!

Casual Summer Style in Blue and Gray

My kids are splashing in the pool right now. I’m relaxing on the deck, soaking in the afternoon sun. We’re in full on summer mode around here and my wardrobe is keeping up with the times! Long, sunny days spent outside in the fresh air make me want to break out some fun, relaxed outfits.

gray-and-blue

This look includes a cute knee length denim skirt from L.L.Bean which I found on ThredUp several years ago. This is one of those versatile pieces that can be worn over and over in so many different ways. I wore it with a dark blue tank from Old Navy. Over that I added a cute little short sleeved cardigan in a neutral gray from Ann Taylor.

gray-and-blue-back

For accessories, I wore my favorite wedge sandals. They’re a wonderful taupe color that goes with everything. My gorgeous necklace and the adorable sunnies are both from Chloe & Isabel. (By the way, I just recently discovered this brand and I’m completely smitten!)

gray-and-blue-closeup

What are some of your go-to choices for casual summer style?

What I Wore

Skirt: L.L.Bean (via ThredUp)
Tank: Old Navy
Cardigan: Ann Taylor (also via ThredUp, similar here)
Wedge Sandals: Nine West
Necklace and sunglasses: Chloe & Isabel

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

Spring 2017 Lifestyle Favorites

Spring flew by and we are officially in the summer months. How is it possible that the year is half over already?!

I thought I would share a few of things I’ve been loving and using lately. Hope you enjoy and find some inspiration to try something new, too!

 

Fashion

florence-adams-paisley-close-up

As I mentioned in a post last week, I am absolutely loving wearing my new paisley patterned maxi dress from Florence Adams. It’s classy and elegant and comfortable and it makes me happy when I wear it!

 

Beauty

it cosmetics vitality lip stain

My new favorite lip product is the It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain. Vitality Lip Flush takes the place of four products–your lipstick, conditioning lip balm, hydrating lip gloss, and lip stain, all in one! It’s comfortable to wear and long lasting—I put it on in the morning and the color lasts all day long!

 

Books

what women fear

I recently read What Women Fear by Angie Smith, and it was excellent. This book challenged me and encouraged me. I identified with so much of what Angie shared. She wrote in a candid, vulnerable way that resonated with my own experience in so many ways. I highly recommend this book. It has the potential to be life-changing.

 

Personal Care

Everyone Lavender Lotion

Lately, I’ve been using EO Products Lavender and Aloe Everyone Lotion. It’s smells wonderful, with it’s fresh lavender scent from real essential oil. It is made with natural, healthy ingredients that are nourishing for the skin, and it’s versatile enough to use on face, hands, and body. I especially love to apply it at nighttime; the smell is perfect for helping bring a sense of relaxation in preparation for sleep.

 

Food

republic of tea good hope vanilla

My favorite tea right now is Good Hope Vanilla Rooibos from The Republic of Tea. It has a nice smooth vanilla flavor. It’s perfect with a drop of cream and a sprinkle of sugar or stevia. So yummy!

 

Home

pillow

Recently, I decided to update the throw pillows on my bed. I chose an easy care square pillow with a beige background and pretty script lettering, along with a soft pink minky one. They both give the perfect accent to my vintage style floral bedding.

So there you have it—all my favorite things from this spring!

What are some things you’ve been loving lately?

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

My New Favorite Maxi Dress: Modest Fashion Friday

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

florence-adams-maxi-dress

The dress I’m sharing with you today is my new favorite maxi dress. I’m completely smitten with this dress and I find myself wanting to wear it all. the. time.

This adorable dress is from an online shop called Florence Adams. When perusing the website, I had an extremely hard time choosing which items to order—I wanted them all! If you’ve read my blog before, you know I’m big on comfortable but feminine clothing that looks classy and put together with minimal effort. That’s not an easy list of requirements to fill. Florence Adams, however, has all those aspects in abundant supply!

florence-adams-maxi

As soon as I spotted this dress, I knew it belonged in my closet. The colors, the paisley pattern, the style and cut of the dress itself, all seemed to be tailor made to fit my personal style. How did they know I was looking for a dress exactly like this one?

florence-adams-paisley-close-up

A maxi dress like this one is truly a stand alone piece for you wardrobe. It makes dressing so easy when you can pull out a dress like this, put it on, add a pair of shoes and maybe some earrings, and you’re good to go!

I did add a tank under the dress for modesty’s sake. The design of the neckline necessitated a little something extra underneath. The surplice style of the front of the dress does make it nursing accessible, which is a rare feature in a maxi dress.

I wore the dress with a pair of sandals with a chunky heel. These are so comfortable and they’re super cute. What makes them even better is that I found them on ThredUp for a really great price! (If you haven’t yet signed up for ThredUp, you’re missing out on some amazing deals on designer clothing and accessories. Use my referral link >>here<<, and you can get $10 off your first order!)

florence-adams-dress-hat

Because I wore this outfit to church on a recent Sunday, I added a cute straw hat to complete the look. (I’m old-school and wear a hat or head covering in the worship service each week in accordance with I Corinthians 11.)

This maxi dress will definitely be one of my go-to wardrobe staples this summer!

(Stay tuned for future posts featuring more fabulous dresses from Florence Adams!)

What I Wore

Maxi dress: Florence Adams
Sandals: via ThredUp (similar here)
Tank: Old Navy (I always use Ebates to earn cash back when I shop at ON)
Hat: similar

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

A Glimpse Into My Life: An Idyllic Weekend at the Maine Coast

This recent Memorial Day weekend was a fun and relaxing one for our family. My husband, who owns his own business, took Friday off. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, that meant he had four days’ break from work. Friday was spent doing projects around the house and running some errands. We spent Saturday as a family in one of our favorite places to take a day trip, the Maine coast.

Maine coastline

There is something I find indescribably comforting about being near the ocean. Perhaps it is because I was born on an island. Maybe it’s because so many of my happiest memories happened on a beach. Or maybe it’s the power of the water and the air and the rocks that reminds me of the power of the Creator of it all. Whatever it is, the sea calls to me and brings me to a place of calm.

Maine coast with lighthouse in background

My children love to explore the rocks along our favorite stretch of coastline in Boothbay Harbor. There is a glimpse of a lighthouse out in the distance. The islands which can be spotted from the beach are like so many others that dot the shoreline along this stretch of the Atlantic, yet each is unique as well.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine

We were blessed with a radiantly sunny day with brilliant blue skies. The water had it’s cheerful spring colors on and the breeze was slightly chilly. It was perfect weather.

children on outdoor steps

We also strolled along a coastal flea market for a couple of hours, discovering treasures we didn’t know we needed. It was a truly delightful day.

Maine coastal town

Sunday morning was dedicated to attending church. In the afternoon, my husband took the children fishing while I relaxed and visited with my mother. Monday, we attended a backyard barbecue. The children and young people enjoyed games of croquet and ultimate frisbee while the adults relaxed and engaged in rousing discussions of everything from theology to food allergies to dog bites.

kayaks in harbor

It was one of those weekends that exceeds expectations—a delightfully idyllic few days that I will cherish for a very long time. Our schedules have been so busy lately, this lovely break came at a time when I really needed the refreshment it brought.

boat in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

I am so grateful for the enjoyable time we spent together as a family. As our family grows and each of the children matures, the opportunities for days like these will slip past, especially with our oldest children. In the not-too-distant-future, my little chicks will begin to leave the nest, and life will never quite be the same again. If you are a mom with little ones, savor every moment you have right now. These days are precious and gone all too soon. You will blink, and one day they will be grown up and ready to head out on their own. And you will wonder how it happened so fast. Take my word for it.

family on rocks near ocean

Get Ready for Summer Giveaway

It’s giveaway time again! I’m really loving these monthly giveaways. It’s so much fun choosing a prize, writing the post, seeing all the entries come in, and then seeing how excited the winner is to receive their gift! Thank you all for participating and sharing the giveaways with your friends, so they can join in the fun as well!

For this month’s giveaway, I decided to gather a bunch of goodies together  to make one amazing prize. All the items included in this giveaway are perfectly suited for prepping for all-out summer fabulousness! I’m calling it the Get Ready for Summer Fun Giveaway!

This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to see which one of you wins this one!

(All of these items came from past Fab Fit Fun subscription boxes—feel free to check out my Fall, Winter, and Spring Fab Fit Fun unboxing posts. These are things I received in the subscription boxes and wasn’t able to use myself; each of them is in its original packaging and in brand new, pristine, untouched, untampered with, and otherwise perfect condition. 🙂 So there you go….)

get-ready-for-summer-giveaway
What I’m including in the Get Ready for Summer Giveaway:

RealHer I Am Fabulous lip kit

Luv AJ earring climbers and studs earring set

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion exfoliant

Deborah Lippmann nail polish duo

Gypsy 05 Boho Beach Roundie

Anderson Lilley Beach Butter Body Cream in Sicilian Tangerine

Fashionista note cards (2 sets—for the stationary lover!)

 

To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will run for 10 days. I will email the winner at the close of the giveaway. Thanks for entering and here’s hoping you’re the winner!

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  I only ever recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

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