Clean Beauty Sweep

Happy New Year! 

The holidays have closed and the come down is real, so hopefully you are taking care of yourselves. Which could be basking in the joy that was the last couple months or possibly shaking the anxiety of it all or maybe both. ha

I am not one for resolutions. In years past I have mostly tried to add things into my year instead of taking them out. This year I may be on a bit more of a minimalist kick coming into 2020. Trying to get rid of the junk in my closet, the junk in my pantry, and the junk in my beauty products. Nothing drastic as I cherish Doritos and Pantene too much, but at least in a few ways to sort of clean up my act and those of my family. 

Clean beauty is now so mainstream that it is so much easier to make a few different choices and have a real impact on your exposure to toxins (pssst: I only minimally know what I am talking about, so take all this with a grain of she-is-not-doctor). 

Doing the research on what is "clean" and what is not is not only a drag it is real work. I found the app Healthy Living though and it is genius. You can scan the barcode or type in the name of any beauty or personal care product and it will rate it for you. The ratings include allergy, cancer, and developmental concerns. I look mostly at the cancer and developmental to make decisions on things I will buy again or try, but it is nice to have the whole picture. 

Now let's be clear, I am still using things that are not on the clean list all the time. But I have found some really great options that are clean that I think are the same or even better than my former dirty dog stand bys. 

Here are the products that I switched to and have been using (or bonus was already using and are clean!) that I am feeling great about using on myself and my kids. 

1. My skin is DRRRYYYY in the winter. I am on my second bottle of this body lotion and it is legit. 

2. I love these body washes, especially the Calm Down one. There is a different scent for what you are feeling or want to feel, which is fun. 

3. This Jason Body Wash is so great for myself and the kids. It gets nice a foamy and the coconut smell makes me feel like I am on vacation. 

4. I have been a Honest fan since my kids were babies and the body wash/shampoo and conditioner is still the one I go back to every time. 

5. Now that I am a bath person (what?!) a solid bath soak is now my favorite indulgence and this Martini one is crazy relaxing. 

6. You guys, I am not giving up regular deodorant. I tried, I really did, but I cannot do it. But when I am not going to sweat a bunch, I put on this natural one with a pretty scent. 

7. This Simple Micellar Water is the best make up remover. So gentle and lasts forever. I use it as a face cleanser when I am feeling lazy too. 

8. Good ole Bareminerals is the best way to even out skin in my opinion. And it has SPF which is hard to do with something clean. 

9. Glossier products are generally all clean and I love them, but if I had to choose one it is the concealer. For under $20 it is the best beauty buy there is

10. I know I have posted this serum a billion times, but really I love it. The smell, the consistency, and the results are amazing. I use it every morning 

11. Thank goodness Cerave products make the cut as I swear the foaming cleanser and lotion is what my skin loves best and what I slather on especially during break outs

Any clean products you are loving? You know I want to try them! 

xo

Erin 

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My Current Skin Routine and What I Am Adding in for Summer (for the littles too!)

The battle to fight wrinkles, lighten dark spots, ease redness, and fight adult acne (THE WORST!) continues. And now with summer here, extra sun protection is a must. I am trying to have a less is more approach by finding products that are effective and results can be seen fairly quickly.  Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect are the simple steps I am using currently and my skin is into it. 

The kids skin and hair is also in need of lots of extra attention from the sun and pool, so I load up on these to keep on hand all summer long. 

1. Cerave is my tried and true cleanser. It gets your face really clean, but is also gentle. 

2. I also love cleansing with micellar water! So gentle, but effective. I use it a lot when my skin does need quite as much of a clean or needs a more calming cleanse. 

3. I tone (pat, pat, pat) with Biologique Recherché P50. The price tag is bananas, but it is incredible. If you do not tone, you need to! This Glossier toner is also great and much more budget friendly. 

4. Cerave moisturizer plumps up skin but is so gentle and calming. 

5. I do not wash my face in the morning. I throw on some lotion and then Elta sunscreen. I like the tinted one, but it also comes in clear. It works so well, calms skin, and evens out skin tone just a hint. 

6. Another investment, but totally worth it, is this eye cream. It plumps up and smooths out the damage that I have already done (i.e. AZ sunbathing for years with no SPF! ugh) while preventing it from getting worse. 

7. I love this drugstore hero for a smooth and realistic tan without the sun damage. 

8. For face tanning, I swipe tan towels and then use my hands to blend it in well. Avoid your hairline and make sure to blend it down your neck and chest. 

9. My hair texture changes in the summer a lot. I comb styling cream into my hair and it is so much smoother whether I blow dry or not. Usually not. 

10. My lips tend to get a lot of melasma in the summer, you know that lip liner effect? Spf lip balm fights it and these smell just like summer.

11. This oil sunscreen is awesome and so moisturizing! 

12. Everyone has a spray sunscreen in their bags for the summer. Easy to apply for the kids! 

13. Mary gets the worst green hair from the pool, so this shampoo and conditioner is a must. 

14. Reapplying sunscreen at the pool on kids is impossible. Love Wetskin Sticks for an easy way to reapply while kids are still wet. 

15. This sunscreen powder is a lifesaver. It works for hours, is sweat proof, and waterproof! It is the easiest way to reapply and with a little tint it is great for outdoor events over make up. 

16. If green hair still appears on Mary, I use these crystals to wash out the tint. It is magic! 

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My Nightly Skincare Routine

I have always been a girl who loves a product. From the magic scent of Love's Baby Soft to the perfect hot pink Mac Lip Glass and every must have magic cream all the editors of Vogue love, I am into it. I used to try it all (at the same time) and wait for the magic to happen like it does on the smooth skinned celeb that was raving about it. But my skin gave me a big wake up call a couple years ago by giving me something called Dermatitis (a lovely face rash that would not budge) and I had to do a clean sweep and reevaluate my beauty product obsession. 

My dermo put me on a skincare product diet, which I am not going to lie was painful. Nothing but the simplest of products and no make up for a month. And as I very slowly started adding in a product here or there I noticed my skin was MUCH better than when I was using the entire anti-aging section at Sephora. My A-ha Moment! I do not need all the things. I just need a few and my skin wants to be a minimalist. Lesson learned. 

The edited products I use now are my tried and true. I would give them all 5 star reviews and have bought them many times over. Some are pricey, but this is a high/low mixed list as I have found that a higher the price tag does not mean it is going to actually work. This is my nighttime routine and I will share my other product suggestions soon! And make sure to follow me on Instagram and LiketoKnow.it, I will keep posting videos and tips! 

Step 1: Cleanse

CeraVe is the brand my dermo recommends and I worship it. I use the foaming cleanser when I have worn make up and the hydrating if I have not. 

Step 2: Treat

I sometimes skip this step all together using one of these only 2-3 times a week.

 I use a retinol serum to combat fine lines. This is a MUST people! 

Or this SKii essence which is basically magic water that makes your skin glow. No really, it reverses all signs of aging. 

Or a spritz of refreshing rose water feels like heaven after a long day. 

Or I use this crazy good hydrating sleep mask. It is a K Beauty product with a mass following. You wake up with baby soft skin and calmed redness. 

Step 3: Hydrate

Forget all those $300 creams, ladies. This drugstore CeraVe lotion is chock full of peptides and hydrolaunic acid that plump up skin and keep it soft. 

Step 4: Do Not Forget the Neck

You can certainly just use what you are using on your face on your neck and chest, but I recommend a specialized one to really work on those lines and prevent as much jaw sagging as possible. Neck wrinkles are kind of my new obsession to combat, I know weird, but you will thank me later. 

Step 5: Eye Cream

If you do not use eye cream, you're nuts. The skin is so delicate and shows age so quickly. I swear by this one. Worth every single penny! One pump a night is all you need. Tap it all underneath, on the sides, and your lids. 

Step 6: Eye Mask

I live for my eye mask and weirdly cannot sleep without now. I like it because it blocks any light that may disturb my beauty rest. Including electronics or phones you might have in your room. It also helps prevent pillow lines on your face and this one has anti-aging properties that work on those eyes all night. 

Let me know any questions you have about these products or skin care in general! 

xo

Erin 

Clean Sweep

As I have proclaimed and you can clearly see from my beauty posts, I have no self control when it comes to skin products. I have had acne most of my adult life, so that, along with aging, is something that I feel I am always "fighting." Well little did I know that what I was really fighting with was all of those products. 

Let me explain. 

I got a weird rash around my nose a few months ago. I chalked it up to a break out and tried all my fancy products and prescriptions to cure it with zero success. And then it started to hurt, so I saw my dermo. Turns out I had Perioral Dermatitis  (this is such a sexy post, right? ha), a rash that is very common but you have no idea how you got it. I had to go bare bones with a plain face wash, lotion, no make up, and sensitive skin sunscreen. No serums, no retinol, no masks, basically nothing that I was currently using. This shows you maybe half of the products that I was using on my face. 

                     

             

Once the antibiotics you take are gone and everything is cleared up (thank goodness it did), you can slowly introduce products one by one every few weeks back into your routine. But I never did because the most surprising part is that my skin had never been clearer (not one pimple in sight), it had never been smoother (wait, I don't need to exfoliate a few times a week?), and it had never been calmer (redness be damned). Not that somehow I have perfect skin now, but going make up free is now the norm and I am not annoyed by my skin at all. So basically I discovered I have sensitive skin and have swept my counter clean to these new standbys. 

           

CeraVe Face Wash & Lotion

EltaMD Face Sunscreen

EltaMD Body Sunscreen

Simple Micellar Wash for when I do wear make up

Glossier Soothing Face Mist because it feels awesome and smells lovely

HQRA+ An Rx from my dermo (using just twice a week)

I am only sharing this because I know I am not the only one that fights with their skin and buys every product known to man. I do not know if this could help you, but I will tell you that a 30 day skin product detox can do some good. Now my hard earned dollars can go to better things. Like dresses and shoes. ha 

xo

Erin 

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In Flight Beauty

While we all love a destination, the getting there can be a drag. Packed planes, long lines, gross cabins, the entire thing can take a toll. Especially on your face. I ALWAYS break out after a flight. So in an effort to try and find some balance while my skin is obviously in freak out mode, I have tried this little routine on my last few trips. It also feels a little luxurious to use nice products mid air, even when I am wrangling little ones. Everything is TSA approved size and leaves room for your other products. 

From Left to Right: 

Sunscreen is super important on a flight. This SuperGoop Suncreen Serum is the best. Light, but packed with anti-aging fighters and the best protection. $42

A nice coat of Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream really keeps your skin from drying out. And I love the glass pot, I just fill it back up when it runs out $18

I am not a huge scent person, but I love the richness and soft smell of this L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream $12

I am an addict of Glossier Balm Dot Com. Slather it on your lips, and smudge all over your cuticles for an insta-mani mid flight $12

I worship this Caudalie Beauty Elixir Spray. It I use it throughout the flight. It tones and moisturizes your skin while also tightening pores $18

Happy Traveling. 

xo

Erin 

Current Skin Routine

Though I professed my problem with being a product junkie before, I have recently started simplifying my routine. While I used to dabble in dozens of products on a weekly basis, I am currently down to just a few. My skin has seen better results and I feel like I can really see the affects of each product much clearer. Here is my current day and night line up. 

Good Morning…

1. I worship this sunscreen. It packs a punch with plenty of protection, plus a wide range of anti-aging ingredients. It is insanely light and I let it soak in while I brush my teeth. If I only put one thing on, it is this. SuperGoop City Serum $20

2. Glossier is making some kick ass products. I actually love all of them, but this moisturizer is great for daytime. You can layer on based off how dry your skin may feel that morning and it helps with even skin tone. Priming Moisturizer $25

3. One of the best drugstore finds, this BB cream evens everything out without feeling like a heavy make up. The extra SPF is a great bonus. Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Anti Aging $12

4. You have to find the right color that works for you, but this Bobbi Brown cheek and lip duo lasts and makes me look way more rested than I might be. And it lasts forever. $27

5. Though I am trying to go more fresh faced and make up free, mascara is essential. And Dior never fails. This DiorShow Iconic Overcurl makes you look awake and polished. $28 

6. I discovered this DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo when it was suggested by a lovely lady in this post (one of my favorites) and my old dry shampoo was ditched immediately. My hair can last well into the week with a few sprays each morning. $14

 Good Night…

1. I love a cleanser that is gentle, but can also take off make up and grossness from my day. This Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel does not dry out your skin, but gets the job done. $36

2. My dermo has me on a very strong hydroquinone and rentinol prescription for my melanoma and anti aging right now. Which my skin cannot take every day. On off days I either use no serum or this Algenist Retinol firming & lifting serum. I used it religiously before I was put on a Rx and the results were real. It is pricey, but you use just a tiny bit each night so it lasts. $98

3. And speaking of pricey, nothing make me happier than finding a drugstore gem that I love. Though I am not as good as I should be about natural products, I love this Neutrogena Natural moisturizer. It has tons of good for your skin ingredients and gives me that extra moisture I need at night. $11

4. I switch between the Neutrogena moisturizer and La Mer depending on my current skin condition. Talk about high low! But this one jar of La Mer has lasted a very long time and when my skin is extra dry it feels so great. There is a reason everyone swears by it, but it is really best for dry skin. $85

5. Eye cream can basically save your life. So if you are not patting on any at night, get with the program, lady. My current favorite, which I think does its job really well, is Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm. It combats dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness. $65

6. My hands take a beating each day and regular manicures are just happening right now. I massage in this Glossier Balm Dotcom to my cuticles each night and it helps keep my hands in top shape minus the professionals. $12

Any products you are swearing by lately? You know I can't resist. 

xo

Erin 

Secret Lives of Moms: On Beauty

It can be very hard in the craziness of life (Mom or not) to find the time to make yourself look and feel great. Moms have the added bonus of little sleep and little people running around their feet when they are trying to get ready in the morning. So that makes them also a great resource for beauty products. They have had to streamline their routines and maximize the little time they do have to get ready. Plus, you really appreciate what makes you feel great inside and out when you have 5 seconds to get ready or pamper yourself. So this week's question is….

What is the one beauty product that you swear by to make you feel great and why?

It was hard for everyone to choose just one, and there are definitely some repeats which shows how great some of these products really are. Here is what a few Moms had to say…

Click "read more" below to see their answers...

"My Shu Uemura eye lash curler. Even with dark circles under my eyes and a puffy face, it makes me feel so much better. I use it even if I am not leaving the house, it feels like I made some effort and does not require me to wash my face after. So lazy! "

"I love blush.  If I do just one beautifying thing, it's liberally apply blush. I feel like it makes my face look alive.  I was using Nars in the color Orgasm for years and just recently purchased Chanel's powder blush in the color Malice."

"Just one?  Not possible!  Call me high maintenance...  First -- Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo.  Let's be honest.  I *maybe* wash my hair twice a week.  This dry shampoo gets me from wash to wash without looking too oily.  Fresh.  Second -- Bobbi Brown Corrector.  This is a must for moms who don't have the luxury of a full night's sleep.  Layer underneath your regular concealer.  Magic.  Lastly, YSL Glossy Stains #17 (pink) or #32 (red) depending on your mood.  Long-lasting wear like a stain, yet with the shine and texture of a gloss.  Perfection!"

"Mascara. Thank God for mascara."

"I can't choose just one. It's Lancôme Definicils mascara and Nars Orgasm blush. They make me feel like a human. Unfortunately I only use them when I'm going out, out. Maybe I should use them more!"

"I love my Jo Malone red roses perfume so much. It smells like roses (duh) and makes me feel fresh even if I'm not actually. Also my Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara. I'm way too lazy to do a lot of eye makeup these days. With some fun mascara it looks like I'm a little bit alive."

"Every night before I get into bed, I put lotion on my hands, and most nights I use L'Occitane shea butter hand cream.  The smell is soft and subtle, and it instantly goes to work.  Between frequent hand washes (due to lots of diaper changes!) and the colder weather, my hands take a beating.  This hand cream helps fend off chapped and cracked skin, and it's one of the simplest and most luxurious parts of my nighttime routine."

"Rosehip seed oil! I use it morning and night after washing my face. I love the way it makes my skin feel. "

"For decades I have held strong that the one item I couldn't live without is black eyeliner (preferably a MAC pencil). I have always felt that bringing my eyes to life was the most essential of necessities. However, as I "mature" and the tired signs of motherhood begin to wear on my face, my must-have item is Clé de Peau Beauté concealer. This little magic stick is stupid expensive ($70/stick), but I just can't live without it-- smooth application, amazing coverage, moisturizing, no creases, evens tone and leaves smooth photo-ready finish. It's THE BEST! "

"I am newly obsessed with the  Yves Saint Laurent 'Forever Youth Liberator' Eye Zone Serum. Makes my eyes feel soft, smooth and literally glow! I put it on under my Touche Eclat in the morning. (FYI girls, they changed their shades so if you use this chances are you are a different number now! I went from a 2 to a 2.5 ) It’s great during the day you can place it on over your existing concealer and blend for a touch up. "

"I'm in love with Josie Maran's Argan oil. My mother-in-law bought it for me last year and I swear my skin has never been better. After a long day nothing feels better then washing off my makeup and slathering it on my face. I love the way it gives my skin a natural glow! "

"I swear by my Rodan and Field Make up Remover Eye Clothes that remove all makeup and fill wrinkles at night!! I use their Multi Function eye cream which has been a saving grace for tired eyes and puffiness in the mornings. Love my Bare Minerals Loose powder since I no longer need concealer for my eyes since the eye cream is so amazing."

"Most days I have barely enough time to get a shower in before my husband leaves for work and the children rise for the day. And most days we leave the house to get chores done, or a child to school or a class. I've found that throwing on Lauren Mercier tinted moisturizer, MAC lipgloss, and some mascara make me look less like a dowdy old housewife and a little more put together!"

"My toothbrush? My stretch mark lotion? Nipple nursing cream? Sitz bath? Okay, okay, actually I really like Philosophy Purity Face Wash because it comes in a large pump bottle for the shower. Least expensive during the Nordstrom's anniversary sale!"

"I would say the Benefit lip stain/tint.  I am terrible reapplying lipgloss so I like that this give me a little bit of color when I don't have time to give that much effort."

"My "Wand" hair curler is great! I can curl my hair with it and then go a few days without washing it and will have perfect beachy waves. "

"Mascara. I generally don't wear much makeup, but a little mascara everyday makes me feel semi put together even if I'm not leaving the house. My go-to for years has been Maybelline Full & Soft in Very Black. Never flakes off and washes off easy with soap and water at the end of the day."

"Mine is my Cle de Peau Concealer - it covers up my bags and everything else!"

"Trish McEvoy beauty booster anti-fatigue enriched primer and mask MY LIFESAVER"

"My favorite beauty product right now is an oldie but goodie, my 3/4 inch curling iron. I've let my hair grow since becoming a mom, mostly because I can't make it to the salon as frequently. I let my hair air-dry then I put some curls in. I call it my beachy/professional look. The best part is that the texture allows me to go longer without washing and coloring. Break out your old curling iron! Oh, and my Laura Mercier under eye concealer. I can't leave the house without it."

"I have a serious obsession with mascara. No matter how tired I am or how terrible I feel, a little mascara can make my day. Nothing is better than using a new one for the first time too. I like to change my brand of mascara every time I get a new one though, I think it helps my lashes to stay stronger. I just finished Dior Show (always a fave) and picked up Cover Girl Last Blast...best $10 mascara out there!"

"Ok, so I feel like I need 3 to feel normal...these all go hand in hand.  First I have to have moisturizer on otherwise I feel as if my face will crack to pieces...especially now in the winter.  Then I swear by my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage and her Blush in Rose Bloom.  She's just so dependable! "

"Either Vita Liberata Tan Mousse, a little tanner can perk up the gloomiest of days and if you can't tone it, tan it! Or Jurlique Rosewater Face Mist. Not only smells great but is refreshing and gives your skin a nice glow. "

Clearly everyone likes looking bright eyed with glowing skin. Cannot wait to try so many of these! 

xo

Erin 

Glossier

If you are a fan of Into the Gloss (which if you love beauty products, add to your daily reads), then you probably saw that the founder of the site launched her own skin care line called Glossier. The girl literally writes about all things beauty and interviews everyone from Karlie Kloss to Kate Bosworth on what products they use for those flawless faces. So you have got to think that when developing her own line she really had done her homework. 

They have launched the brand with four products and an affordable price point and so far I love them. the packaging on its own is so simple and pretty, and the products themselves are very simple and make you feel pretty. So basically a huge win. The priming moisturizer of a thin, but powerful product that really plumps the skin. You are supposed to layer so someone with dry skin can really lay in on thick, while an oily skinned person can start with just a dab. Emily is all about the dewy skin look, which really does make you look younger in my opinion, so I like that "glossier" look. 

The face tint comes in three shades (I got medium) and it is just a hint of color to even out skin tone while still maintaining that "I woke up like this" natural look that I so covet right now. 

The rose water spray is refreshing and great to start your day, refresh yourself for an afternoon pick me up, or even at the end of the day to relax a bit. It would be perfect on a plane flight. And speaking of plane flights, the products are delivered in the cutest pink bubble wrapped quart sized bags to really up your travel game. 

And rounding the pack out is the Balm Dotcom. It plumps lips, moisturizes dry cuticles and fingers, and can be used on anything that needs some love. At $80 for the full suite, I would say your money is being well spent (you can buy products a la carte as well) and these products will be in your rotation in no time. 

Have you tried any of the products? Let me know what you think. 

xo

Erin 

Summer Line Up

 

I have such a love hate relationship with the sun. There is nothing better than its warm soft rays on bare skin in these summer months, but the lines in my face and the spots on my arms remind me of its ugly side. With not a lot of time each morning, I need easy products to moisturizer, cover and correct easily. Here is my morning routine. 

1. Splash face with cold water. I heard about this from Giada and she looks pretty damn good. 

2. I mix a couple of drops of Vitamin C serum with Kate Sommerville Serum Sunscreen and slather on. This is the lightest, non-greasy sunscreen I have tried. I add a little more Vitamin C because why not? (the Sommerville serum can be hard to find, this Super Goop option is a good one too)

3. Dab on a little Kinerase C8 Peptide Under Eye Treatment. This can be used day and night and seems to have tightened things up a bit. 

4. I squirt one pump of Make Up For Ever HD Foundation into a scoop of Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer. It gives me just enough coverage to not have to wear anything else and keeps my skin moisturized all day without being oily. The Algenist was a great find I was talked into by a woman at Sephora, I am on my second pot which says a lot because of my product hoarding problem. 

If I am lucky, I have time for my 3 minute make up routine, but most days I skip that. Feeling a bit more confident in my skin these days since the hormonal acne has calmed down after babies and these products seem to actually be doing the work they claim to do. Shocking. ha 

What do you swear by in the summer? Would love to hear. 

xo

Erin 

Style Snapshot: Rachel

Today we are featuring Rachel, from San Diego, who perhaps is one of the most fun girls on the planet. I have known her since we met on our floor Freshman year at University of Arizona (Coronado to be exact). Though her style has changed throughout the years, she has always been a tried a true West Coast girl with a radiant positive spirit that is infectious. She got married to a handsome Aussie and had her baby boy almost two years ago and has since been making a home for herself and her family in Solana Beach. Her laid back style and approach to beauty pays off, as she needs very little to look gorgeous. Here is a glimpse into her closet, style, some homemade beauty products, and how she keeps balance in her life.  

Continue to read more...

New Finds for the Second Baby

Before the second babe came, I told myself I would not buy anything new. I had everything I needed except the things I needed two of. Well, that is not really how things went down and I was on Amazon and trolling the aisles of Target more than I had expected. Some was out of pure exhaustion (hello giant, nasty swing) and others for fun (she can't wear a blue sleep sack!) New finds are always fun and these are great additions to your registry or for the new-ish baby on the way. 

1. I give full credit for this life changing find to Kelly from Pretty Little Paleo. She rounded up her favorite baby items on The Wise Baby. The Choo Mee goes on top of the baby food packets and makes it mess proof, more portable, and creates some independence for your little eater. 

2. This travel crib by Valco is a complete knock off of the Baby Bjorn one. I went for the less expensive one because I was not sure she would use it on our recent trip and because it was only being used at the beach and pool, so damage was very possible. It worked fantastic. This is very light, easy to set up/pack up, soft and comfy for sleeping, and a great size for playing. She loved it and even took a couple of snoozes at the beach in it. 

3. I have always been a fan of the Hanna Anderson sleepers, but the fact that Serena & Lily carries them now in their signature prints is mind blowing. Sweet little floral prints, zebras, and pencil stripes in girlie colors. Love them. 

4. I am not a big fan of the headband and am blessed with a baby that has a little hair, so clip in bows were a must for me. I got the recommendation for Poppy Bows on Etsy and they are perfect for little baby hair. Clips are soft and they come in a huge variety of colors and styles. 

5. Mary is a faucet of a drooler and also dribbled her bottles forever. A bib that was cute and functional was necessary. This Etsy store carries classic terry bibs and can be monogrammed in any style or color. 

What are your new favorite baby finds? Would love to hear! 

xo

Erin 

3 Minute Make Up

Since having kids, taking my sweet time to get ready has disappeared. How I miss experimenting with make up, starting over if necessary, long showers, and trying all the products that I have. Now it is more of a race than an enjoyable past time. In the two years since my time was cut so short, I have gotten my make up routine down to three minutes. Mostly because I have found products that really work and that less is more for me make up wise. Here is my quick, but effective routine. 

1. Swipe on Garnier BB cream with my fingers. Make sure it is well blended. 

2. Cover any blemishes and those lovely dark under eye circles with Benefit Erase Paste with a small brush. 

3. Again with my fingers, rub some Bobbi Brown cream blush on my cheeks. 

4. Brush on Bobbi Brown bronzer. I like to use it on the places where the sun hits you: top of forehead, top of cheek bones, jawline, and just a touch on the nose. 

5. Anastasia Brow Gel. So necessary in my world. 

6. Curl Lashes with Shu Uemura curler. 

7. Swipe on a coat of super black mascara, like Dior. 

It is not like I come out looking perfect, but a slightly more put together version of myself. Which to me, is what any make up routine should entail. 

xo

Erin 

Birchbox

It seems that the product subscription business is everywhere. From flowers, to baby gear, to celebrity favorites, for a price you can receive a box of goodies every month in any form you would like. Since my product obsession borders on crazy, Birchbox seemed to be my next try in the "of-the-month" club. Plus, in October they partnered with Goop and we all know how I feel about Gwyneth. 

Birchbox is $10 a month, you can choose to try it out for just a month or commit to longer. It gives the opportunity to try a product and then visit their site to purchase, usually at a discounted price. If you travel, the sizes that everything comes in is perfect. 

The October Goop box included a mini bottle of Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo, that smells so yummy. A little Jouer lip enhancer that is super moisturizing and has a glossy finish. Two samples of Supergoop SPF 30 serum which I have been wanting to try. A Luna fiber bar was an interesting addition. And lastly a full size bottle of Essie in Master Plan.  

It is a great Fall color. 

So now you know what to expect if you sign up for Birchbox. I am still up in the air on how long I want this delivered to my door. It could help my obsession or just make it worse! 

xo

Erin 

Skin Recovery

After a skin ravaging nine months of pregnancy and months of hormone levels trying to find some sort of normalcy, I feel like I have my skin back. Although dotted with the remains of acne past and present, I at least feel like I have a handle on it. 

Being in your thirties and fighting acne while also trying to fight wrinkles is a lot of work for one face to handle. From what I can tell from readers and other beauty blogs is that almost every girl out there is having the same problems. 

I am on two prescriptions that are very strong and not for everyone. A benzoyl peroxide gel that is mixed in house by my doctor and a retinoid gel that fights acne and wrinkles, Ziana. My skin can take a lot and is not sensitive. I have done some research and testing and there are plenty of OTC alternatives to try if you do not want to see your doctor. 

The key is retinols to fight lines and help turn over skin cell production, salicylic acid to blast bacteria, benzoyl peroxide to clean pores, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturized without being oily. 

Look for products with those ingredients. Luckily there are a few that have a combination of them. 

In addition to my prescriptions, I use Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night as my moisturizer when I go to bed. This has retinols and hyaluronic acid so you wake up with super smooth and moisturized skin. 

An over the counter benzoyl peroxide lotion from Clinque would be a great alternative to a prescription strength. Use on pimples you already have and problem areas that usually break out at night. Apply as your last product. 

Clear Days Ahead from Philosophy is a great cleanser that gets your skin super clean with salicylic acid. 

No one's skin is perfect, but my obsession with it will never die. In a couple of weeks, I will be getting a laser treatment to try and zap some of the acne scars on my face. Before and after pictures will hopefully show some results. Fingers crossed that it will be worth it. 

xo

Erin