stella + dot giveaway

Hey Lovelies!

You might remember last summer when I hosted my first ever Stella + Dot trunk show (that post HERE) in celebration for my birthday. I have become a huge fan of the Stella + Dot brand since, and have been dying to plan another trunk show for my birthday again this year. Of course I already have a wish list started and they are launching their fall line soon too!

I adore this Rebel Pendant Necklace, so simple and classy!

I love how it can be worn in totally different looks, but still be the perfect finishing touch in any of them.

While some of their statement pieces are a bit on the pricier side (granted totally worth it because they are hand made at a studio in NYC and amazing quality) it is great to host a trunk show because it is so easy to earn hostess rewards and splurge on some of the pieces you might not typically be able to get. That being said they also have a ton of gorgeous pieces that are totally affordable (I'm actually more drawn to these pieces anyway because of their simplicity).

Side Note: It's also great to host a trunk party for your birthday because you get to have a party where your friends buy themselves pretty things, and in return earn you more rewards to spend!

Two of my wish list items that have the simplicity look I love so much. 

I love how so many of their pieces find the perfect balance of trendy and timeless. 

I love a good jewelry travel case, and the new jewelry roll's Stella & Dot launched are so amazing! 

Not only are they super chic and trendy but they make traveling with jewelry a cinch! No more tangled necklaces and missing earrings.

All this being said I am so very excited to work with my personal Stella + Dot stylist Jennifer Caccamo to offer a great giveaway for you lovelies! When S&D launched their summer line I was immediately smitten with the new Gilded Arrow Bangle. 

I've seen this style of bangle quite a few places but none seemed to deliver the look as elegantly as S&D did. Others were cheap looking, or full of rhinestones, this one is just so perfect in every way! It's a great stacking piece (and adjustable too), or even perfectly understated to wear alone. I've worn this bangle a lot since I got it a few months back and every single time I wear it I get compliments on it. Another thing I love about S&D is that even a lower priced item like this could pass for a $200 bangle, it looks so high end!

Right now the have an amazing promo that for every $50 spent in June you earn $25 to spend in July! Not to mention for anyone who places and order before June 30 (through Jennifer's site) you get an extra entry to win the Gilded Arrow Cuff. It's a win-win!

Besides all that I totally encourage you to set up a trunk show this summer! It is such a great time, and Jennifer is an awesome stylist! She isn't pushy or over bearing like a lot of at-home consultants can be. You'll be amazed how quickly your hostess rewards add up, and how much great stuff you'll get for it. Seriously I think I only had maybe 6-8 small orders and I scored some serious swag! I'm not kidding you here.

Ok, ok now onto the GIVEAWAY!

ENTER TO WIN

One Gilded Arrow Bangle 

In Your Choice of Gold or Silver

Valued at $45 (with shipping)

To Enter:

1. LIKE A Lovely Little Blog on Facebook

2. LIKE Jennifer's Stella & Dot Stylist Facebook

3. Leave a comment on Jennifer's Stella & Dot Facebook page saying I sent you.

All three tasks must be completed for one entry.

Extra Entry:

If you place an order by June 30th, through Jennifer's shop HERE you'll get a second entry. Please email me at alovelylittleblog@gmail.com after your order has been placed with the name the order was placed under. 

Best of luck lovelies!

xoxo,

if you're over 20, you should be using this product

As time has gone on in the past few years, I have really and truly discovered an intense love for knowledge on beauty and skin-care. I love learning the why's and how's of products, skin care issues, and solutions. Seriously I could sit for hours and listen to skin care issues, the causes, the remedies, and even better the science behind all of it. 

That being said, I am so glad that I have taken a liking to all this knowledge at the most critical time in my beauty routine. It, of course goes without being said that the 20's are the most important years for your skin. How you treat and care for your skin now will decide how your skin will look and age in the next 10, 20, or 30 years. So that sunscreen you didn't apply, will show in the sun and age spots that start to show in your 30's when the skin becomes thinner.

You should know by now that daily sun protection and moisturizer are a must, no exceptions. But what I've found is that most of my girlfriends my age (and older) don't know, is how extremely important your 20's are for your eyes. I can't tell you how many women I know who think if they don't have any wrinkles around the eyes, then there is no need for preventive measures. 

Let me quote the creator of my favorite all time skin-care line Mario Badescu “Every man or woman over the age of twenty-one should apply an eye cream in the morning and in the evening, as part of the daily routine. There are no exceptions.” 

WHY?

The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest, and most delicate on your body (roughly only about a third in thickness compared to the other skin on your face). It also has less water and oil glands, causing it to dry faster and creating lines and wrinkles. The drier the skin around your eyes becomes the worse wrinkles look, and the deeper they become. 

HELP

While your daily moisturizer might be helpful temporarily, it is most likely not rich enough. The earlier you start applying eye creams, the less wrinkles you'll notice later on down the road. 

If you're under 25, Mario Badescu recommends a gel based treatment that will keep the area moisturized, and can also be chilled to treat puffiness after long nights out. 

Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel

If you're in your mid twenties- to early thirties, you'll want to step up your routine a little and go for something with Glycolic Acid (that helps cell turnover), vitamins C and E (C helps with collagen and E protects), Hyaluronic Acid (aka super moisturizer).

The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream

Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream

ps. Glycolic should only be used overnight. It makes you more sensitive to the sun.

If you're over 35, Retinol is the way to go if your skin can stand it. If not stick with the options above. Retinol not only helps cell turnover and cologne production but it also helps even skin tone and diminish sun and age spots. 

ROC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream

So there you have it! If you're over 20 an eye cream should absolutely be in your beauty routine (twice daily). These are only a few of my personal favorites, but there are many more options out there that might better suite you. 

As always if you have any questions, comments, etc I would love to hear them! 

Do you use an eye cream? What is your favorite? 

Do you wish you had started using an eye cream in your younger years?

xoxo,

adore me review no. 2

Getting to work with some of the loveliest companies on the internet is such an honor for me. I was thrilled back in November when I had the chance to review the online lingerie boutique Adore Me and quickly became smitten their site (you can check that review and video out HERE). Not only do they offer stunning, high-quality pieces, but they are extremely affordable and totally unique too (aka if you're gifting for a bachlorette you'll feel like a gift giver superstar when your box doesn't say Victoria's Secret)! 

When Adore Me contacted me again in the hopes of another review, I jumped at the chance. I had actually purchased a handful of new pieces since my review in November, and have really fallen in love with the brand since. When they contacted me I knew exactly what set was next on my list, and quickly snagged the gorgeous Edwina set HERE.

As I was with my first Adore Me set (and the multiple items I have purchased myself since then) I was so incredibly impressed with the quality of the products. I have to admit every time I place an order on Adore Me the price always throws me, and I half expect to be let down. But I have yet to be disappointed. The fabrics are rich, lush, and delicate and the tiny details are always executed flawlessly.

I would 100% recommend Adore Me to any friend. It's the perfect site to grab something special for you (and your significant other), to get something sexy for a girlfriend, for a bachlorette gift, or just because! A few months back myself and few girlfriends actually all threw in funds and surprised a bachlorette friend of ours with a loaded gift card to Adore Me. She was so thrilled to go crazy on the site and pick out all her favorite styles. 

What I really love about Adore Me is that unlike other "showroom" style sites, you can either "pay as you go" or you can become a VIP member and never pay more than $39.95 for any style (did I mention all items come with their set counterpart, built into the price?), get your 6th set free, free shipping + exchanges, and so much more!

I love the variety of styles on Adore Me as well, everything from satin robes, to corsets, to sexy lingerie, to comfy bras and panties, even to swimwear! Below are some of my favorite wish list items. 

What piece catches your eye? Have you ever ordered from Adore Me? 

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback! I'm off to shop right now! All these pretty things are calling my name!

xoxo,

ps. I did receive these products from Adore Me for my consideration and review, but all opinions expressed are truthful, and my own. As always I value your trust in me, and would never do anything to compromise that.