little loves

Lovelies!

It has been too long! I have SO MUCH going on, that it has been really hard to keep up. I hope you all follow me on Facebook because while I might not be sitting down and blogging here as often as I'd like right now, I am always sharing pictures, deals, and happenings there! But I finally have time to do some catching up here too, so I'll fill you all in! 

Besides working, staying fit, the 8 (yes 8!!) weddings I have from June to September, I'm also working on a BIG surprise project (that will be revealed by October 1, stay tuned), and am MOVING out on my own for the very first time! Moving out is a lot of work, and I have a lot of nerves about it! Any Advice?

Some outfits I've worn recently, three weddings and the jumpsuit out to see The Lion King at Playhouse Square on date night.

Top Left: Michael by Michael Kors dress I scored for $40 instead of $200. LOVE this dress! The sleeves are actually full length but I cuffed them under a bit here. The fabric is a nice thicker fabric, and it has a gold exposed zipper up the back. The shoes are Zara.

Top Right: Urban Outfitters dress I got back in February in NYC. I felt like "The Girl On Fire" in this dress! And it was nice and breezy thankfully since it was HOTT out this day. The shoes are from LuLu's.

Bottom Left: This was one of my more casual weddings so I wore one of my favorite Loft dresses (few years old) because its perfect to dress up or down! Clutch from some random boutique in Columbus, and Jessica Simpson shoes from like 2007 or something crazy!

Bottom Right: Loft Jumpsuit (recent) and Gianni Bini pumps. LOVE both these items SOOO much! I felt like Sandy from Grease during "You're The One That I Want".

Random little happenings from the past few weeks.

Was flipping through my Akron Life magazine and flipped when I saw MY BLOG was voted as one of the best blogs!! It was SO COOL to see my blog's name in print! Thank you to whoever voted for me, it meant so much!

Had a great time of July 4 with some friends (and the boy) at Blossom for The Cleveland Orchestra Concert. We packed yummy food, drank, laid out a blanket, listened to good music, kept good company, and saw fireworks. Can't wait to make it to another show this summer!

Have you heard of Gym Pact? It's a great new app that rewards you for hitting the gym, and helps you get your butt there when you're feeling lazy! You make a pact every week, and place a bet (mine is $5) to you'll lose for each incomplete workout and the end of your week. I'm now on my second week and have already earned $4 (you can earn more if you set your pact for more workouts, mine is set at 4 a week right now). It may not seem like a lot of money but at almost $10 a month it practically pays for my Birchbox! And this week it successfully got me to the gym TWICE when I REALLY wasn't feeling it.

I am giving away this awesome set of a Sally Hansen's Gel Strips Kit (comes with one pack of gel strips) and a refill Gel Strips pack on my Facebook page RIGHT NOW! Valued at $45 this is a great giveaway! GO ENTER NOW, and Good Luck!

Working on packing and purging for the move, and condensed my outerwear down to this rack. Got my love for a great coat from my mom, totally makes an outfit.

Had the awesome opportunity to try out Pond's new BB cream, and was REALLY pleasantly surprised! I'm not the biggest fan of BB and CC creams (they are too sticky), but this one I honestly really love! I am filming my review tomorrow and uploading it this week, a well as GIVING AWAY 3 BB creams to you lovelies! Stay tuned to the blog and my Facebook page this week to get yourself's one of these!

That's all for this week! Hope you lovelies are having a great week! Be sure to stay tuned to the blog for the Pond's giveaway, a post about the best necklace you'll ever buy!

xoxo,

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.

noto presents :: fashion live and local + giveaway

If you read my blog on the regular you know I have a huge love affair with my favorite lovely little local boutique, Noto (check out a post dedicated totally to Noto HERE). Besides the sweetest boutique owner in the whole wide world, and the most wonderfully curated collection of clothing and accessories, I also have a soft spot for Noto because they know how to throw one heck of a party. 

Noto's events never disappoint my high expectations for events. With my slight need for order and organization and after working with one of the best event planners in Cleveland, I am not ashamed to say there aren't many events in the area that manage to impress. 

I always have a great time with Noto in charge, the atmosphere is magical, the food is delicious, the drinks are themed (and included with ticket), the music is on point, and of course the fashion is fantastic! 

ps. Noto just recently added a plus size section, so now there's something for everyone!

Anyway tickets are now on sale for this years amazing show! You can buy tickets HERE.

Details

This will be the second year Noto is doing a Designers Challenger where local fashion designers send their own personal creations down the runway and the crowd votes using text, or iPad voting stations to name the winner LIVE at the end of the show. Think Project Runway LIVE!

One of my favorite salons, and the highly acclaimed MC Hair Consultants will hair a braid bar (and usually hands out some killer beauty swag too).

The Orange Truk, a local food truck will be there too with their creative menu in tow.

And of course Noto styles will be available for purchase right after the show!

Saturday June 1 at 7PM

The Trolley Barn

(behind Austen BioInnovation)

47 North Main Street

Akron Ohio 44308

Tickets are $25 and include show admission, two drink tokens, and seating. 

The event location is just a quick hop, skip, and jump away from some killer dining places that would be more than perfect to grab drinks or food after the show. Some of my favorites are The Lockview, Cilantro, Luigi's, and Bricco. 

For $25 you couldn't ask for a better ladies night. So head on over and grab your tickets quick! This event is major in Akron and tickets don't last too long.

BUT if you're feeling lucky I have great news, I am giving away one pair of tickets to the show over on my Facebook page! Winner will be drawn and notified Monday so enter now HERE.

Good Luck Lovelies!

xoxo,

goodwill good style fashion show

Two weeks back I had the amazing experience of working with Goodwill of Greater Cleveland in their Good Style Fashion Show. Myself and other local bloggers were given Goodwill gift certificates and asked to shop and style 6-10 outfits from Goodwill clothing and accessories. 

I will admit I was a bit overwhelmed at first. Shopping at Goodwill for yourself requires time, patience, and imagination, but shopping for other people at Goodwill was a whole new ball park! While I did personally know all of my models and had a pretty good idea of their sizing and body types, it was still difficult to decide if something would ultimately fit or not. I also found it challenging to decide what to pass on and what to buy. Until I found a few of my key pieces to build outfits around I just snatched anything up that I thought was a really great find. Because it's not like I could go back for an item if I decided I wanted it. It was so fun though to hunt through all the racks and treasure hunt, and I found some KILLER items!

I included the look titles below and details on the pieces I scored at Goodwill. Oh and I had the extra fun aspect of opening the show, AND getting this years theme song and the perfect song to use for this show Thrift Shop by Macklemore with Ryan Lewis. 

So go ahead and press play as you check out my collection below.

P.Y.T

Loft Shorts- $5.50, Reversible Cardigan- $5.50, New Sunglasses - $1 = $12

I found this amazing reversible sweater on my very first Goodwill trip for the show. It has this great waterfall style front lapel and can be worn black or brown. I knew I had to have it! I also found these great statement printed shorts originally from Loft and fell in love with them. This outfit it totally something I would wear to go to the winery with my girls in the summer. 

American Woman

Dress- $5, Liz Claiborne Jacket- $3.50, New Target Belt- $2, Clutch- $2 = $12.50

This basic black body-con dress with three quarter sleeves was one of the pieces I was torn on getting. I knew it was in great condition, and was a great find but was worried it might have been too basic. I am so glad I ended up going for it because it was the perfect blank canvas for this military inspired look. Paired with this great army green cropped jacket, chunky distressed belt, and a simple clutch the look was one of my favorites. So simple yet stylish. I would wear this for anything from running errands to a casual date night.

Nowhere Man

New Target Shirt- $4, Gap Cardigan- $5, Watch- $2, Scarf- $2 = $13

I loved this look because it is so on trend for men in my age group right now. Teetering on the edge of hipster but still keeping it real. I was really into army green when I was shopping so I was sold on this button up shirt. The brown leather watch and scarf that matched the cardigan made it all come together. 

If I Were A Boy

NY&Co Pants- $5.50, 100% Silk Tank- $7, Old Navy Jean Vest- $3.50, New Keds- $7 = $23

I LOVED this look so much. This to me is just perfection. I love when girls wear these boyfriend military inspired pants, they always look so great and stylish but totally effortless. I scored this pair practically new from NY&CO originally and completed it with this amazing white basic tank (seriously this tank might be my favorite piece I purchased. The fabric and quality of it is just amazing), a denim vest, and Keds. I think if I were styling this look in real life I would prefer it with some sandals or flats, but since these new Keds worked and were from Goodwill I used them. 

She's A Bad Mama Jama

 Susana Monaco Skirt- $2, Cache Crop-Top- $3.50, New Cache Belt- $2 = $7.50

Even though I wasn't going to be walking in the show, I wanted one of the looks to be totally me. When I spotted this black high waisted tube skirt I knew I had to have it. It didn't have the tags still but I could tell it was brand new. I also found this cropped top originally from Cache and loved the feel of it. I paired it with a new Cache belt that had gold and white details. Later I googled the skirt brand and found it was a great brand that typically sells at Nordstom and Neiman Marcus, total score!

She Works Hard For The Money

Pencil Skirt - $3.50, Cardigan - $5, Bracelet -$1 = $9.50

This look was really fun because it was inspired by the working entrepreneur woman. I did a classic red pencil skirt, since red demands power and attention but then played it down with a sweet and relaxing printed cardigan, finished with a skinny belt at her waist and of course a great structured bag.

Mr. Brightside

Jacket - $7 Shirt - $5 Suspenders - $3 Shoes - $7 = $22

Menswear was quite the task at Goodwill. While they did have great hidden treasures too, they also had significantly less options than women's. The mens department was about 1/8 of the women's. I decided it was because a) mens fashion trends don't change as much as women's and b) men don't get rid of clothes as often as women do. I did however manage to find these great pieces for this look, and everyone raved about this outfit. My boyfriend especially liked the suspenders. 

It Girl

High-End Label Nicole Miller Dress - $1

Oh how I wish I had a picture of the back of this dress (I have made a mental note to take more detail pictures next year if I have the honor of participating again). This lovely lady is my best friend Kae who is one of the thinnest girls I know. She is just so very petite, and I knew from experience of shopping with her that she has serious trouble finding things to fit her. I was determined to find something great for her, and after all my Goodwill trips I was becoming discouraged when the options in her size were very limited. I ended up putting together an outfit that "would do" but that I didn't love for her. On my last shopping trip I decided to stop by the $1 rack on my way to cash out. Most of the items on the rack were damaged or stained but for whatever reason this killer LBD was in perfect condition and $1. The size was perfect and the back was low cut with a beautiful pleated ruffle down the lower half. Not to mention Nicole Miller is a great brand normally found at Saks Fifth! This was hands down the best find and steal. And Kae now has a LBD that seems as if it was made for her. 

-ALL ABOVE PICTURES ARE CREDIT OF GOODWILL OF GREATER CLEVELAND-

I had such a fantastic time, as did all my family and friends who came out to support me. They all raved about the event from start to finish. It was put together and executed flawlessly. I loved seeing all my other lovely blogger girls and their wonderful collections! You can check out all the pictures from the event HERE, and LIKE Goodwill while you're at it! 

Things were so crazy on the day of the show I failed big time when it came to taking pictures. I should have taken a ton more, especially of the details and accessories. There is always next time.

I've already arranged my next trip to Goodwill with my friend to shop for her, and for me too of course.  Not to mention they have some of the best home goods items too! I tried to stay on track when I was shopping for my collection and not linger too long in the housewares so I am excited to get back and really pick through the treasures there!

I am so honored and thrilled that Goodwill asked me to participate. So grateful to have had amazing support there and lucky to have such beautiful and generous friends to volunteer thier time to the show. 

What do you think of my collection and finds? Do you have a favorite thrifted find?

xoxo,

prtty peaushun review + giveaway

And the wonderful BLOG BIRTHDAY celebration continues!

I am thrilled to be working with yet another one of my top 5 favorite companies Prtty Peaushun! I had the honor of working with Prtty Peaushun last year for my blog birthday, you can read that post HERE.  As a beauty blogger I am very fortunate and lucky to receive a lot of wonderful products for my consideration. However many times after I trying them and reviewing them, they sit on a shelf or lay in a bin and I don't touch them again. So when I do discover a product that I find myself reaching for over and over again I can't help but tell you lovelies about it. THIS is one of those products. 

After my initial review last year, I found myself using this product on a daily basis. I really LOVE this product! I use it for its main purpose as a body lotion of course, but I also use it to add shine and dimension to my hair, highlight on my face, and I just learned recently that its a natural insect repellent. Goodbye foul smelling and sticky insect spray, Prtty Peaushun puts them to shame. 

Prtty Peashun was developed by celebrity makeup artist Bethany Karlyn and is used by some seriously gorgeous celebrities. Names like Eva Mendez, Rihanna, Paula Patton, Lea Michelle, Gweneth Paltrow, Selena Gomez, and Pink just to name a few. I am going to steal a a quote from Bethany from my original post because the creator herself says it best...

"To give you a bit of background, Prtty Peaushun is fabulous for women of all shades, all shapes, and all ages. The visual effect of PP is lengthening and slimming and it creates a subtle glow... think glimmer, not glitter. Imperfections are diffused and uneven tones are softened."

"Hand crafted organic plant extracts lift, tighten, and firm the skin giving a lightly pulled in feeling and helps diminishthe appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and varicose veins, as well as minimizing bruising and sore muscles.The formula is natural with 92% raw ingredients and fragrance free. Grapefruit gives it a light citrus scent."

Of course watch my video to hear me talk about my love for this magic in a package, what I use it for, and more!

I tried to capture the magic that Prtty Peaushun does to skin but both my video camera and my regular camera aren't the highest quality and don't do it justice. I did attempt some before and after pictures on my legs (it's kinda hard to take pictures of your own legs ya know?) 

 -without lotion and with lotion-

-without lotion- dark and medium shades - with lotion-

Prtty Peaushun was kind enough to offer up yet another great GIVEAWAY for you lovelies! I am so excited that THREE more of you are going to get your hands on this amazing product. I am convinced you will fall in love. 

ENTER TO WIN

1 of 3 - 8oz Prrty Peaushun Lotions 

in your shade choice

To ENTER this giveaway you MUST complete these five tasks:

1. LIKE A Lovely Little Blog on Facebook.

2. LIKE Prtty Peaushun on Facebook.

3. Leave a blog post comment. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be notified via email AND announced on this widget. 

Please read the official rules and conditions. If you have any questions please email me at alovelylittleblog@gmail.com

GOOD LUCK LOVELIES!

xoxo,