VOGUE!!!

I am so pleased to share this with all of my readers.  A while back you may remember that I talked about Arbonne, an amazing skincare, health and wellness company that I became a part of a few months ago.  Arbonne has been around for 30 years and they the most results driven, pure, safe and beneficial products I've ever tried.   The business end of Arbonne is beyond stellar and the products speak for themself...and Vogue agrees:

Click HERE to Read the Article

I cannot express how excited I am to be part of this company! To me, anti-aging and preventative aging is so very important.  I've always been told by Aunts, Grandma's and my own mother to 'take care of your skin now'...so that it looks great when I'm older, and I DO! Arbonne carries not only the most renowned anti-aging products out there but a WIDE variety of other products like cosmetics, vitamins, weight management, self tanners, sunscreen, baby products, men's, teen and so much more!

If anyone is interested in trying Arbonne products, getting some free samples or learning more - please feel free to contact me any time.  Leave me a comment with your email.

Manday

Happy Manday to all my lovely followers.  I hope that all my mama readers had a wonderful day yesterday, I know I did. 

I received blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit...although not in bed, on the couch - which is equally as good because frankly, I wouldn't eat in my bed. 

I was then treated with a mini-shopping spree which turned out to be a jackpot day of quick shopping with my own mother.  In about 2 hours, I turned out some realllly cute stuff.  Went home with a pair of sandals, wedges, 5 dresses, 1 belt, 2 tops and a pair of shorts -- all for $250!!! I'll do IRL pictures when I wear them.  Unfortunately its a bit chilly today in Jersey and I couldn't wear any of my new spring/summer stuff. 

Me and mama then topped off the afternoon with a fabulous pedicure which we both were in desperate need of and came home to a feast of lemon/dill fish and king crab legs -- way to go hubbs ;)

...awfully, I further capped the night off with a DQ Brownie lovers blizzard cellulite special but hey, it was Mother's Day I deserved it.

How was your mother's day? What did you do for your mutha?

And of course, Manday.  Featuring the very late, great and handsome Heath Ledger:

 

Shop It to Me

Just the other day I saw this gorgeous Rachel Roy dress featured on The Look 4 Less style me saturday feature and I was in ultra grabby hands mode, I am a HUGE sucker for drape, jersey and asymetrics and this dress is all those yummy things in one delightful little cookie:

This dress retails for $109 on the Rachel Roy website

Today, my shop it to me sale alert featured this delish little cookie by DVF

Here's a better pic of it

Although, more expensive (even on sale) for $240 at Neiman Marcus

My dilemma...while I love the Rachel Roy version it appears to be very long - and you know that model is probably 5'10" which I am NOT...And the price difference between the Roy and the DVF is quite a chunk of change? Plus RR is offering free shipping on orders over $75 now through 5/31

I guess I just convinced myself of the right choice ;)

I recently bought some very cute shoes @ Piperlime as mentioned in post below and I'm so sad they didn't work out because they would be very cute with the dress above.  Although I am digging the modeled shoes big time. 

At first, cuffed sandals and heels turned me off in a big way but I've grown quite obsessed fond of them.  I'm picking up these for a mother's day gift to me-self

All from Urban Original a great little cheapy place to buy shoes  

Hubbs will more than likely make fun of these shoes...he's not really into anything I wear that's "out of the norm" he still laughs when I wear any type of 'bootie' so I'm sure he'll be lol'ing at these

I'm also in DESPERATE need of a new bag for the Spring...and I mean desperate!!! I've been rockin the same Dooney & Burke bag for what seems like centuries now and frankly, I'm sick of it.  I have a fabulous-o Fendi spy bag look-a-like as well but that's got to GO.  I realllllllly would <3 hubbs maja if he decided to bring home this purdy little kitten for me on Sunday:

But that, my dears, is HUGE dreamin at its finest considering that's a nearly $4000 bag.

Dear Hubbs, I will take this replica or THIS bag instead, thank you!

Well I hope all my fellow mama's have a great Mother's Day, you know you deserve it! And for everyone else, treat yo mama to something nice and enjoy your weekend as well.

xoxo

Dare to Wear: Arbonne

Yesterday I mentioned some amazing things I had to share with you all...and it is Arbonne.

Have you ever heard of the company??

Do you or have you used it??? Let me know what you think of the products

Arbonne is a botanically based skincare company that started in Switzerland in 1975 then began in the United States in 1980. All of Arbonne's research and development is based out of Switzerland and their manufacturing is done here in Irvine, California.  The company is VEGAN CERTIFIED and more recently, the farmland in Switzerland just became ORGANIC CERTIFIED which means many of the botanicals used in Arbonne's products are organic!

The company produces many products from anti-aging creams to diaper rash ointments and everything in between. They just recently launched their all new (AH-mazing) makeup line in March as well.  All Arbonne's products are produced without testing on animals, without animal or human by-products, free of PABA, PH Correct, dermatologist and pediatrician tested and approved and so much more.  The company's motto for 30 years has always been Pure-Safe-Beneficial and they are just that.  

Arbonne is an amazing company.  Their products do not get NEARLY 1/4 of the amount of exposure as they should.  I have been using several of their products for the last couple of months and I honestly couldn't say enough good things about every single one of them.  My 4 year old son's chronic dry skin problem drastically improved within just a few days from using their baby care lotion and I can't tell you how fabulous their fine line/anti-aging products are! You really have to try it to understand. 

I don't want to babble on for hours, which I totally would about this company and the products, but I just wanted to review/share/advise to each one of my lovely readers how freakin outstanding everything I've tried from Arbonne is.  I mean it.

If you want more information on Arbonne, to order products or try free samples please leave me a comment with your email address below.  Let me know which products you'd be interested in

Skincare

Anti-Aging

Men's Line

Acne Line

Teen Line

Children's Line

Body care

Health & Wellness

Weight Loss & Management
Cosmetics

**Note: I am an Arbonne Independent Consultant.  Although I was not paid in any way to write this review; I do sell the products for retail consumption.  These are my true opinions and are based off of using the products on myself and my family prior to becoming involved with the company as a consultant 

Haulin' It

Although I'm pretty good with daily updates, I will admit that I've been slacking the last few days.  Its been hectic.  I will most likely do a few posts in a row today to make up for it. 

That being said, I wanted to supplement my review below on the ShoeDazzle shoes I received on Friday.  I wore them out on Saturday night for drinks with the hubbs and some friends and I actually walked home about 4 blocks from where we were so I really got a full night's wear out of the shoes.

I'd give these shoes a B+ for comfortability - the basket weave texture of the shoe is the same on the inside so it does rub a little bit on the back of the ankle but nothing that the band aid rub stick doesn't cure.  They are actually quite easy to walk in despite the very thin and tall heel.  I received a few compliments throughout the night on their uniqueness, I definitely think the shoe has an 'acquired taste' but they look smokin hot on! I'd recommend these shoes if it is a look you're going for (and by the way, the shoe retails for nearly $60 online, but like I said in the post below, I joined ShoeDazzle and got them for $39.95 + free shipping).  I have a code for 20% off your first pair if I invite you as a current member; as well, I'll get a free pair after 3 friends sign up.  Leave your email in the comments if you want the link!

Separately, I wanted to share a fitness myth I discovered over the weekend. I find it very important to get my health & fitness information from a reputable source.  I do listen to people at the gym, friends or family if they offer advice but I always research the advice to ensure it is correct.  I'm sure we've all been told that you can target weight gain on specific parts of the body by doing exercises that target those areas so basically, if you have a flabby midsection you do crunches, if you have bingo arms you do tricep extensions, etc.  - makes sense right?

Well no, its wrong.  The concept is called "spot training" and unfortunately it doesn't burn fat.  When you lose weight you are unable to choose the area in which the reduction will occur.  Your body predetermines which fat stores it will use. Like I said, doing crunches with strengthen your abdominal muscles (no doubt about that) but it will not take the fat off of your stomach only.  However, you can compliment a blanced exercise program with a selection of weight training exercises to gradually lose weight and tone the body overall.

And remember...you need to burn 3,500 calories in order to lose 1 lb.  That's 500 calories per day.  So if you cut back your typical daily caloric intake by 250 and then burn 250 calories in the gym, you will lose 1 lb. per week. Aim for 3-4 days of cardio per week and the fat will melt away!!

Helpful resources:
BMI Calculator
Calculating your basal metabolic rate (the number of calories per day that your own body burns naturally)

Thanks for reading, xoxo

Reco's and Reviews

Well lovely readers I have been very busy the last few days I have decided to get my ARSE in GEAR!!! Memorial day is right around the corner, not to mention I have a bachelorette party poolside in about 2 weeks...ahh.  I've decided to hire a personal trainer from my gym, I signed up for 10, 30 minute sessions in addition to his Tues/Wed/Thurs classes I take (pilates/body pump/kickboxing).  I must say, I am sore already but I am determined to get my summer body.  I highly recommend taking a good kickboxing class, I really like the one I take, I can totally tell its working because I sweat profusely and I can just feel every single muscle in my body working up a storm!!

Today I wanted to also share with you a recommendation for a couple blogs to read...I recently stumbled across the blog Life, Love and the Pursuit of Shoes If you're like me and are obsessed with all things shoes this is a great blog to follow - I even emailed the blogger after reading a few posts to tell her how much I <3'd her blog and asked if she knew where to find the shoes in this picture:

Not even kidding, she emailed me back within 20 minutes with multiple links to the shoes.  Unfortunately for me, the shoes are not only Giuseppe Zanotti (an amazingly awesome shoe designer with un-awesome prices) but they are sold out anyway.  I then wrote back to her explaining my woes and guess what???
Yes folks she linked me to a look for less ;)

I officially love this woman.

And on that same exact note... follow The Look 4 Less which, too, is a fantabulously beneficial website that is updated multiple times throughout each day with celeb looks for less, reader write in looks for less, etc. She basically can find any item out there that you want for cheaper!! C'mon now how great is that.  I initially reached out to her on how to recreate Kim's entire look above and she came so eerily close for a fraction of the price I was quite astounded.  The shoes were just a little less than what I wanted (not less in price but less in look) - but the entire outfit she sent to me with links to various options - again within minutes of my initial email.  This wonderful woman reached back out to me again today because she had found a pair of shoes that did in fact match Kim's to the T for a measley $55!!!

I officially love 2 women.

So a big  K U D O S  to these two really cool women and their efforts towards making my life that much better!

If you're smart, you're already following these blogs; if not, you'll be following them now!

And for my review...I recently signed up for ShoeDazzle, a company founded and operated by the lovely Kim Kardashian.  Basically, ShoeDazzle is a website that you join as a member (at no financial obligation), you take a survey that determines your 'style' and based on your survey results, each month the stylists pick 5 pairs of shoes for you - you have the choice of purchasing 1, all or none of the shoes selected.  If you choose a pair, there is free shipping and you get your order in about 1 week and if they don't fit or you're unsatisfied you use their pre-paid return shipping label.  The cost of the membership is $39.95 per month - the great thing about this service is that if you don't like any of the 5 shoes selected for you, you're NOT charged the $39.95...so it's no obligation what-so-ever and whenever you do feel like obliging you get the pair of shoes right to your door step.

I mean, clearly its no innovative idea its a shoe service and the shoes are not Louboutins or Jimmy Choo's but "high end" low end shoes, if that makes sense.  I received my first pair today:

I really liked these ones a lot and as soon as I saw them in 'My Showroom' I knew I was getting them and for $40?? No brainer.  These were the other 4 pairs in my showroom, I don't like any of them, but that's the beauty of the website if you don't like any of them or are strapped for cash - whatever the reason may be you just select 'skip this month' and you keep it movin.

I like the convenience of the service, maybe you're busy one month or can't get out to the mall or for some god for saken reason have no time to online window shop - then one day you get the email 'time to choose' and you treat yourself to an unexpected little treasure.  No typing in cc info or mailing address, they have all your info - just click the 'yes please' button and a week later you're stylin and profilin

Well happy weekend to all!!
xoxo

Happy Manday

I hope all my lovely readers had a great weekend.  Mine was pretty good.  Friday we had some friends over for drinks and Saturday I tried a new class at the gym...tried is the key word...because I thought I was showing up for Les Mills' Body Pump (which I've done a billion times) but in fact, it was quarterly launch and I was attending Les Milss' Body Attack...well it attacked me alright and needless to say I probably won't do that class again.  I'm not a fan of the overly choreographed fitness classes...I like pilates, strength training, yoga and kickboxing.  The basics and body attack was just about anything but basic.  I like Les Mills classes because they have something for everyone.  You can check out videos, descriptions and even find a club that offers the classes HERE

Saturday night, hubbs and I joined my cousin and his girlfriend (one of my best friends) who is super cute and pregnant for a night out and yesterday while hubbs finished sheetrocking the bathroom walls I shopped!! It was so nice to get some new things. 

Picked up the Old Navy belted trench on sale for $35 + 10% off
Peach lace cami paired with light brown fitted cardigan $8 and $11.99 respectively + 10% off
Sweetheart fit bootcut jeans on sale for $15.99 + 10% off and plain 3/4 sleeve shirt for $4.99!!!
Headed to Kohl's for some Lauren Conrad line but they were basically sold out ::wahh::: I did get 2 pairs of Daisy Fuentes crop capri's on sale for $27.99 each (for work) along with Levi's destroyed skinny's on sale for $29.99 and some really cute Candies & Vera Wang jewelry at 60% off (I showcase the Tiffany's version of the mesh earrings I got because I couldn't find the Vera Wang version) but they're basically the same ..here's a wrap up of what I got this weekend a la Shop Style - ooh and VS has their lace waist thong panties on sale 5 for $25 - they are very similar to 'The Lacie' if you like those but for a much better price

More Old Navy...

And no worries - I did not forget Manday - featuring the very (Mc)Steamy, Eric Dane

 Have a good one! xoxo

Great Finds

Last week, I did a post where I mentioned a very gorgeous Carrie Bradshaw and her scalloped edge lace skirt as seen in SATC the Movie.  I have been trying to find the 'right combo' of color and lace and I think F21 did a pretty good job of combining the criteria I was coveting:


Now, I'm not afraid to say that I reach out to fellow bloggers for fashion advice.  There's no better inspiration.  I really haven't found a top nor do I believe one exists in my closet that would go well with this skirt but for the price, I'm going to purchase the skirt and then have someone help me figure the other part out (hello followers???)

Another great find was this pair of black skinny's (they don't look nearly as good on the model as they do in person) I purchased at Old Navy last week :::and while I thought I got a fantabulous deal at $19, they're only $12.99 online with $5 shipping so still less than what I paid::: nothing to lose? They fit great, they're stretchy, so similar to leggings but not as thin and unforgiving...I really like them a lot.  I picked mine up in a size 6.  I'm usually a size 4 at ON but unfortunately the holidays got the best of my thighs and I'm still bearing the reprocussions


In addition, really really cute light and airy (silk) scarves are, as any fashionista knows, perfecto for the spring - its such a great way to add a pop of color or excitement to any otherwise bland outfit and if you're like me your closet is full of black, white and grey - so throw on any of these beauties and you're stylin and profilin.  Normally I would spend more than say, $15 on a scarf but think of it like buying a new top - you can revamp any existing plain shirt in your closet so its a worthwhile investment :::very chic as well:::



Lastly, I stumbled upon THIS etsy seller, Twillypop, who makes the most adorable necklaces ever.  I'm purchasing this little beauty in the very near future (a la Spring).  For handmade product, her prices are ver reasonable and I've seen celebs everywhere poppin up with these sort of necklaces on

Have Any Great Finds you want to share with me??? Would love to see or hear about them?