Barreless Barre at Crane & Lion

Joining the Boston Bloggers Facebook group has led to some pretty great opportunities for me. One such opportunity was getting to attend a Barreless Barre class at Crane & Lion.

Downstairs Entry Display

Hosted by Jenna of Boston Chic Party and Jessica Diaz, the class itself really worked your core. I didn’t realize just how much until the next day. My abs were sore, but in a good way.

I’ve taken a Barre class before, but didn’t think you could get such a great workout without even using a barre!

Barre in Boston

Barreless Barre Class

After class there was wine, noms and a Crane & Lion sample sale. Everything was up to 60% off!

Crane & Lion

I spotted the cutest ever jacket, and I just may have to go back for it. Sale or no sale.

Crane & Lion Jacket

I ended up not actually buying anything, which was sad because their clothes are athleisure, but casual in a way that I could see myself wearing them even on days where the gym is the furthest thing from my mind.

Thankfully, Crane & Lion sent us home with one of their tanks. I’ve already worn mine once, and it was to workout in! Can you believe it?

xx

NEW Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser and Pore Scrub

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyBioreFizz #CollectiveBias

Bioré Baking Soda Pore Scrub

Bioré introduces a new product and just like that spring cleaning takes on an entirely different meaning for me!

New Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser

In the winter my skin can be very very dry.

But as the snow starts to melt, that changes. And so does my skincare. The new Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser and Cleansing Pore Scrub are exactly what my combination skin has been needing.

Both products exfoliate my dry flaky skin, without irritating it. The Cleansing Pore Scrub is unlike any product I’ve ever used, here’s how you use it:

Start by pouring some of the scrub (about the size of a quarter) into your hand, after wetting your face.

Then add water and watch as it really start to fizz!

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Apply the “fizz” to your face and then gently massage it and feel it as penetrates your pores. What I really like about this product is that you have complete and total control over the level of exfoliation.

Too coarse?

Add more water.

Want to dial it up a bit?

Add more powder.

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Rinse.

And then just pat dry with a face towel.

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Now you’re all spring clean!

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While the scrub is super fun to use, for daily use, I recommend using the Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser.

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If you have oily skin, as I tend to in the summer, you should try Bioré Charcoal products instead.

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All of which is available to pick up on your next trip to Walmart!

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How much do you want to try out the new Bioré Baking Soda Pore Scrub?

xx

14 His and Hers Valentines Day Gift Ideas

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Valentine’s Day is this weekend and the manfriend and I made plans in Boston. Gift exchange isn’t really a big deal to us, but I think that’s mostly because we both always forget until the last minute to come up with Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

I’m sure we aren’t the only ones, so here is my Valentine’s Day gift to you!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Her

A bouquet of fresh flowers and jewelry are pretty standard, making them practical makes them amazing. Flowers in a mug? It can be used in the office for coffee. Dainty jewelry? A simple necklace or bracelet will go with more outfits and can be worn pretty much everyday.

Seven LUSH goodies in one set? I may end up getting this for myself. Gift the ultimate at home spa experience. Or if you’ve booked a hotel room, bring this along and make it even more luxurious!

And to pack? A heart duffel bag. Because, who doesn’t love to travel?

These Steve Madden shoes are on my personal wish list, so I couldn’t not add them to a V-Day themed gift guide.

Chocolate isn’t the way to my heart, but Melted Chocolate? A totally different story.
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him

Shopping for guys is something a lot of people find hard, but it really just comes down to knowing what your guy’s interests are.

For instance, the manfriend is a gamer. He also needs a new headset. See what I did there?

We are both a little nerdy, so seeing Deadpool (which happens to come out in theaters just before Valentine’s Day) is a must! And so is buying his favorite candy.

Does he have a favorite sport? A cologne he always wears?

Then, there’s the stuff that everyone wants. Apple watches are pretty nifty and if you can afford to invest, then why not for the one you love? If not, I’m sure he could alway use a new pair of boxers.

xx

Target Wish List

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Walking into Target lately has been bad news for my bank account. So, I’m trying to steer clear. In hopes of holding me over for a bit, I’ve made a Target wish list…

Target Wish List

While I am extremely grateful for my Who What Wear x Target buys, there is still a few more things that I want. In particular, the zip pouch and the knotted belt. I mean, not only do they match but they could literally go with just about anything! If I had to choose between the two, I would have to go with the belt. That being said, I really want them both.

Also, in other unrelated, but totally still kind of related news, the Oh Joy for Target home decor collection launched and is now both in stores and online and I already have my eye on a few items for the home office space that I don’t yet have…

The dotty acrylic table would make the perfect fun side table! It doesn’t take up a lot of space and would go great with the rug I have in mind.

Wall art is something I appreciate but have never invested in. Sure I could DIY it, but the You’re OK and Hey Hey Hey framed wall art prints are exactly what I didn’t know I’d been looking for!

What’s on your Target wish list?

xx

Splurge or Save: Straightening Hair Brush

During my 12 Days of Christmas Wish Lists the hair wish list included a $300 straightening brush by Dafni. While a lot of hair tools aren’t cheap, I just couldn’t justify spending that much on something I wasn’t even sure would work that well on my hair type.

But, thanks to a boutique deals website called Jane, I was able to get my hands on a much more affordable one.

Straightening Brushes

It has rubber ball tips to help prevent burning your scalp. I broke one of the rubber tips off the first time I used it, to me it wasn’t a huge deal, but it is something worth mentioning.

Also worth mentioning, the temperature is in Celcius, not Fahrenheit, so you do have to keep that in mind when setting it. I’m not great with number and really not good with converting degrees, so I’ve been setting it to the highest temperature and then turning it down a few from that. It gets pretty hot, but definitely takes more that a few seconds to heat up.

More to keep in mind is that I have course chemically relaxed hair. It works well with my hair, but if my hair were natural, I don’t know that it’d be all that much better than just combing and using a flat iron.

I still haven’t tried the $300 version, because, well, it’s $300. But I can say that a straightening brush for around $20 is very much so worth it!

xx

 

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Who What Wear x Target

Who What Wear x Target

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

It’s not just their clearance, Target is totally winning the collab game.

Oh Joy.

Sugar Paper.

And their most recent launch with Who What Wear is what style bloggers’ dreams are made of. Especially those on a budget. Everything in the collection is under $50!

Who What Wear

When I say that I have been waiting for this, I mean I literally marked it on my calendar and counted down the days.

As much as I may have wanted to, I couldn’t buy it all.

Here are my Who What Wear x Target purchases:

Stripes, black, and tees are the three things that are constantly on repeat in my wardrobe. So, this striped black tee didn’t stand a chance not to come home with me. It was also the last one in my size, praise hands emoji!

Allover Print Tee

Allover Printed Tee | $17.99

Again with the stripes. And I have been needing to grown up my winter wardrobe some. This sweater lets me do just that, while also staying true to my taste.

Bateau Sweater

Bateau Sweater | $27.99

Not so much for winter, or what I would typically buy, but I love the elegance of this tunic! It’s something that I’d put on my vision board if I had one just for clothes.

That may have to happen…

V-Neck Tunic

V-Neck Tunic | $24.99

This cape blazer screams NYFW and is something I would have thought I’d never own, especially not for under $50! It’s the first piece that caught my eye in the collection and the main reason I swooned so hard over it. I had get a sales associate to take if off the display for me.

Cape Blazer

Cape Blazer | $39.99

The trench vest looks like a couple of jackets and other military style vests I have. I have been obsessed with the style ever since my dad gave me one of his old jackets from his days as a Marine. I wasn’t going to get it, but the manfriend looked at it and told me it looked like me. I mean, how could I not after that?

Trench Vest

Trench Vest | $39.99

From what I’ve heard, there will be more like this to come. If that’s the case I may be in trouble…

xx

January 2016 Loves

Disclaimer: The numbers in this blog post are affiliate links.

I’ve been trying a lot more products lately, and I’m really glad that I have. Here’s some that I have found and love so much that I just had to share!

January 2016 Loves

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

I prefer body was to a bar of soap. But I hate how much body wash it takes to lather up. Not the case with this one. And it smells like it’s a super expensive luxury spa product! I first tried it when staying with family and, well, I dare you to find one that I’ll love more.

I’ve come across a ton of makeup brushes that I like to use, and after trying one from Real Techniques, I wanted to try more. I picked some up at Ulta Beauty and I’m hooked. I even snagged a pack of travel sized ones for an upcoming giveaway…

As someone that swore by makeup removing wipes, I didn’t think I’d ever use anything else. I was wrong. Going through so many was getting a bit ridiculous, so I decided to take advice from The Feminine Files and try using cotton pads instead. I really like using micellar water, but I need to find better quality cotton pads.

How many times have I said that I don’t like chocolate and then share about a chocolate candy bar? Probably too many to count. Here’s another one! If you haven’t seen the Snickers Crisper bars in stores, keep looking! SO GOOD.

Baking isn’t something I do every time I do my makeup, but I may do it a little bit more now that I’ve tried using a loose powder. I don’t know what I was thinking before.

Learn and do better.
xx

3 Investment Pieces You Need for the New Year

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

I am far from rich, but having a few quality investment pieces is something I kind of pride myself on. Treat yourself, right?

Instead of new year, new me, why not same me, better stuff?

Investment Pieces

You’re probably getting sick of my obsession with totes, but a big sturdy one is a must-have. I cannot tell you how nice it is to travel and have your mind at ease knowing that everything you need is right there with you. Or even to go to work or an event with your laptop, planner, notebook, etc. all in one bag. I’ve also has a cheaper bag break under pressure. Not exactly my idea of fun.

At least in New England, the temperatures have dropped. If you live (or even plan on visiting) somewhere cold, you should have a warm coat. One with a hood is also probably a good idea, unless you have a winter hat. I like wool. I also prefer one that is just a little bit big, so I can wear a few layers underneath.

As someone obsessed with heels, I have tons of different pairs. But all you really need is at least one good black pump. I don’t care what brand they are as long as they make you feel good. Just make sure you can walk in them.

Now, I am not saying that you should go out and blow your whole paycheck on the most expensive things you can find.

What I mean is, if you want something nice, you don’t always have to settle. Save!

xx

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Splurge or Save: Blur Primer

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Now that I’ve discovered Ulta Beauty, Iet’s just say that I won’t be VIB Rouge for 2016.

The range of brands (and more specifically, the price range) is just way more vast.

Like, I love my YSL blur primer. But if I didn’t get it in a VoxBox, I doubt I would have tried it. I mean I would have wanted to, but probably not enough to buy it. At Ulta, I found out that there is an NYX version of the same product for WAY less!

Splurge or Save: Blur Primer