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

Oh my Oscars

Oh how I love the Oscars...well actually the show itself kinda bores the crap out of me but like most women I favor the E! Pre-show with the lovely Giuliana Rancic and Ryan Seacrest :) Super unfortunately I missed the pre show this year because the husband has torn my bathroom to shreds and I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning up construction mess off my floor

D O N ' T    F R E T   P E E P S   I  C A U G H T   U P   O N L I N E   T O D A Y  . . . YAYY

I must say I am overly excited that my favorite bitches were the best dressed.  Just bask in the gorgeousness...

I am most certainly going to post about this woman very soon.  Her fashion sense is unbelievable.  She always dresses the part, looks her age and does it with impeccable class and glamour. 

Check out these earrings...145 carats.  That's right One Hundred freakin Fourty Five ::::sigh::::

Up next is the very lovely Miss Maggie Gyllenhal.  I think she looks ah-mazing enough said

And her disgustingly hot brother...I mean, c'mon now

(photo courtesy of Just Jared)

I <3 this dress big time.  I'm a huge sucker for ruffles and I adore the color nude so this is a home run in my book.

Did we even expect Carrie aka SJP to not look fab (although hubbs is lookin a bit old my dear):

Good Job Cam, good job.

I am shocked that Miley Cyrus looked so gosh darn good:

And for the inevitable fashion MISSES:

Charlize...How on Earth can you be so beautiful but go so wrong at the year's biggest event? why why why why?

Anna Hendricks it looks like you're wering your grandma's nightie and the shoes are terrible

MC - I've been thinking for quite some time now that you have a Rx pill problem a la Paula Abdul and this outfit solidifies that assumption

Mo'Nique - its not because your big because I've seen you pull of some really gorgeous gowns but this one is just a bit too ill fitting for my taste and the pointy bun hairdo has got to go

yucky and yucky, enough said.

oh and here's another couple yucks to add

Stay tuned tonight for the great Joan Rivers, Jay Manuel, Giuliana Rancic and my personal fav Khloe Kardashian Odom on Fashion Police which is tonight at 10pm EST on E! for a hilarious wrap up of the whole gig. 

xoxo

KWEENO, KICKBOXING AND ANN TAYLOR

Quinoa (pronounced kwee-no) -- a fabulous nutritional grain, cereal like.  Nutritionally MUCH better than even brown rice.  It's protein content is unusually high (12-18%) and unlike rice it contains a very balanced set of essential amino acids for humans which again, makes it a complete protein source.  A great source of dietary fiber, gluten free and easy to digest.  To make quinoa, you have to first soak the grains in hot water for a good 5 minutes in order to remove the bitter outer coating called saponins after soaking you will drain all the water (using a mesh strainer if you have one as the grains are very small) you then cook to a rolling boil and once boiling, cover with a tight lid and let simmer for 15 minutes.  After same, take the pot off the heat (still covered) for 5 minutes, fluff with fork after and you're set. 

I had this with my dinner last night and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at both the taste and the texture.  Now, when I boiled it I substituted the water for chicken broth and there are TONS of tasty recipes online.  Try it.

This is what the uncooked quinoa looks like...similar to pastina if you've ever had that. 

I found THIS great recipe that I'm going to have for lunch today.



On to other news, SURPRISE its snowing again today! Shocker.  I mean, when is it going to stop already? I have 3 ready to pop pregnant friends and I don't believe that a blizzard is very good 'I'm on my way to the hospital' weather.  So enough already.

I'm taking a kickboxing class tonight at 5pm (will probably get my own butt kicked) but will let you know how it goes.  I cannot say enough how much I really loved that pilates class on Tuesday...my abs are still burning! I know if I continue to take the class each week I'll definitely see an improvement.  I'm hoping they add a 2nd convenient class that I can take.  I've decided that Mon, Wed, Fri I'll do the 6am gym and Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll take a class at night.  Will keep you updated on my progress!

I know this post hasn't been tooo exciting but I just had to share my excitement for this new food as well as the fitness updates!  For my fashion and beauty segment today, I'm going to share my rant about Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.  Let me start by saying this is one store I always looked at as an 'older' store - I always thought it was a store that women in their late 30's and early 40's shopped at to look somewhat cute and on trend.  I was a very sadly mistaken young girl when I thought this.  The oh-so-adorable Chloe at Chloe's Conspiracy has me HOOKED on Ann Taylor. 

However, my dears, I very quickly came to shocking revelation #1 - I cannot afford to shop at this store, not even on sale I mean, some stuff has ok prices, $39.99 isn't bad for a nice cardigan but $128 for a statement necklace or $88 for a shell? 
They just have the most adorable, feminine, gorgeous pieces of everything - they have very cute jewelry and their ruffly, flowery, girly colored tops are to die for.  Here is my "want list" of Ann Taylor items that if anyone really loved me lots would get for me!! btw my B-diddy is 12/31, my Anniversary is 7/25,  Christmas is ALWAYS 12/25 and Easter this year is 4/4...K thanks, xoxo

Well that caught me off guard

Well hello Wednesday...again this morning early riser to the gym, feeling good - my legs are so sore though, I may have put too much weight when squatting.  Oh well, I'll stretch later to some pilates. 

Nonetheless, last night I headed out to the wonderful world of Wally to get a few things so while I was there I picked up a couple pairs of pants for the gym (because I can't stand spending good money on clothes I'm just going to sweat in and wear for 45 minutes) anywho, while I was browsing the 'activewear' section I realized that the wretched Miley Cyrus has a clothing line at walmart...I'm sure this is old news, but I'm not making a breaking story about the fact that she has the line but that she teamed up with the great Max Azria and the clothes are actually, dare I say it, very cute!! And let's not fail to mention that I got each of these shirts for THREE FRIGGIN DOLLARS!!! Yes, $3.00 that's right.  So even if they are on the poorer quality side (eh hem F21) they're so darn cheap who would even care (eh hem F21).  I was just floored that they were $3 and couldn't resist (so much for my vow yesterday to shop more strategically) but what the heck isn't strategic about 3 bucks?

I got this shirt in both purple and black (although its offered as well, in a teal-ish color and cream) and its very adorable in person - form fitting (c'monnn pilates) but cute :  

 

I got this sweater-y vest in black and in cream (it was also offered in grey) - they're oversized, like that 'boyfriend' look - I'm actually wearing the black today with a dark purple v-neck longsleeve and leggings with black pointy toe flats - its very cute and comfy!!

Then I picked up these 3 t-shirts with plans for the gym, but I actually kinda like the butterfly one to wear on the weekends. Excuse the picture the only one I could find was from Ebay.   I'm not a big graphic Tee fan but I am diggin 'em for lazy days

And last but not least, I picked up this little lovely for again, $3.00.  I also got a purple going out type shirt that I couldn't find a picture of anywhere.  Its very rocker-chic the front is plain, sleeveless and it has a drapey neck then the back is racerback but the whole back is held together by a zipper which you can choose to keep all the way closed or completely open...will go perfect with my new black booties ;)

So my dears, head to your nearest Wally World and get yo self some cute little Miley Cyrus stuffs.  I also noted that they had these black skinny pants that look like leggings but they have pockets and belt loops, they were very cute.  But I was in a bit of a rush and didn't feel like trying them on - they were only $11...I guess Walmart is making a (weak) attempt at trying to up their par to the much better (fashion wise) Tar-jay.  Fine with me. I'll flourish in their efforts.

Another unexpected, delightful find...I certainly know that I raved beyond belief about CoverGirl's Lash Blast mascara a couple weeks ago and I'm not gonna lie - the shit is great...but I found something that is BETTER..yes, friends much much better...Let me introduce L'oreal Extra Volume with Collagen (Keep in mind that with some mascaras the waterproof version may differ slightly from the non waterproof versions - I have only tried the non waterproof version in Blackest Black)

This stuff is incredible.  I am attempting to webcam myself here and show you just how magnificent it looks and I am totally aware of how ridiculous I must appear and that I am utterly terrible at taking pictures but you can pretty much see the feathery-ness, separation and NO clumping what-so-ever, also note the up flip on the outer corners that I usually could only create with single falsies:

You can purchase the mascara at any drugstore but for your convenience, here too

That's all for now. Thanks for reading and enjoy hump day :)