This post was sponsored by Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs as part of an Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
Do you guys find it really hard to schedule date nights in the summer? They are definitely not spontaneous and my husband and I usually have to put them on the calendar weeks in advance. Then we have to figure out which grandma is available, pack up the kids for an overnighter and drive them a few towns over. These aren’t the easy, going out to dinner dates of the past. With this much effort to schedule them, they have become an event. And since they are so few and far between, I like to make them as special as possible. For me that means getting my makeup done by someone who really knows what they are doing and getting dressed up for a special night out. It might be a splurge, but adding a little extra “me time” in to my date night prep is multi-tasking at its finest.
Alison Sweeney Books for Summer Reading
I LOVE TO READ! Unfortunately, I don’t get the opportunity very often. Finally, my 4th grader is starting to show an interest in reading and I’m all about encouraging that. I know that I need to lead by example so I started looking for a book to read. I’m not in to the classics. I like to keep things light and fun. While away at a recent conference, I got invited to celebrate the launch of Alison Sweeney’s new book, Opportunity Knocks. I was SO bummed that I couldn’t be in LA to cheer her on. But I asked them to send me the book so I could review it. And they did. Along with the goodie bag from the event which was filled to the brim with It Cosmetics. I am in total girly heaven! I think Alison Sweeney books are going to be my perfect summer books! 
I started reading the book but I had to stop. Not because it was poorly written or I hated it. I stopped because it’s awesome. I got a few chapters in and was hooked. I’m a pretty fast reader and I’ve got a plane ride coming up. One without my kids. My favorite place to read is on an airplane where I can dive in to a book and read it while I block out gross seat mates and savor that time to myself. I’m going to save the rest of this book for my flight to Texas (I get to see my very best friend, I can’t wait! I’ll probably take all my new makeup up to play with). What I can tell you is that it will be hard not to pick it up again before I head out on my trip. In fact, I think I’ll pick up two more Alison Sweeney books to take with me as well! These books are perfect for summer reading
Opportunity Knocks is about a Los Angeles based makeup artist, Alex, who is trying to build her career. She’s a hard worker, taking jobs she’s not especially proud of to climb the ladder. Finally she gets the opportunity to work with a lifestyle mogul that really catapults her career. But, this mogul is temperamental to say the least. And Alex finds herself in hot water after saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. Thanks to a non-disclosure agreement breech, Alex has to come up with the 5 million dollar penalty or who knows what the mogul will do to her.
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Sounds amazing, right?! I know you probably think it’s odd that I did a review before actually reviewing the book. But I KNOW from what I read, I’m going to love it. I’ll come back and update the post after my trip and let you know about the other books too! If you are looking for a good summer read, you should definitely pick up Opportunity Knocks. We can start a virtual book club!
*I was sent this book for review and a makeup swag bag from the Alison Sweeney book launch party. Shop It Cosmetics at Ulta! All opinions are mine!
5 Quick Beauty Hacks
I’m super lazy. I love a good hack. And I love products. That’s all there is to it. While I’m not the most high maintenance person I know, I’m totally interested in beauty and the magic of great products. There are a few things I’ve used or learned over the years that I thought you might not know about. Here 5 quick beauty hacks that every gal should know. I’m a helper, what can I say!
Black Tie on a Budget
My husband and I recently got to do something really fun. We got to attend a real life, legit Oscar party. As in the Academy Awards. Like, celebrities, security and high fashion. I was super excited to go but also totally freaked out at having to dress for a black tie event. I’ve never had to go to an event this formal before, let alone one where people employ stylists to dress them in the finest designer attire. I also didn’t want to spend much money on this so I thought I would share how I ended up doing black tie on a budget in case you ever find yourself needing a formal look.
Update your Look for Spring
Can you believe it’s spring already?! It’s starting to warm up here and the weather has been gorgeous! But I’m not quite ready to fully switch to warm weather clothes. Spring is my favorite transitional season. It means that jeans are still totally comfortable but now you can pair them with a cute tank and a light jacket, one that’s more for looks and not for warmth. After feeling stuck in a rut all winter, spring is the time for me to level up my style. Here are a few ways to update your look for spring without much effort or money.
Leopard Booties
These are my favorite shoes at the moment. I wear a lot of black so these are a fun way to add a focal point and some extra style. And they don’t only look good with black. These work with other prints and just about any other color. Booties are a great shoe for moms on the go because they are comfortable and easy to run around town in. Plus your kids will laugh when they hear the word, ” bootie!” And if you don’t love leopard print (we can’t possibly be friends) they make booties in all kinds of patterns, colors and textures. So versatile!
You might like these: Matisse Ankle Bootie, Lucky Brand Bootie, Sam Edelman Bootie
Make Up Bags
I’m addicted to little makeup bags. They are usually inexpensive, especially if they are from Forever 21 or H&M. And they come in a variety of colors and patterns. Bright colors are a great update for spring. We tend to get all dark and dreary in the winter months so bringing a pop of color back in is great. These bags are great to carry just a few necessities in if you are going out to dinner. Or use them to organize the black hole that is your purse.
You might like these: Woven Jute Bag, Apricot Bag, Metallic Graphic Bag
Hats
Does anyone else hear the term Black hat and think of Scandal? While you should be wearing sunscreen every day, it is probably time to start putting a little bit more thought in to protecting your skin. A hat is perfect because it provides some extra shade but they also look super cool (except when the wind blows a certain direction and it blows the front of the hat up and I look like Blossom). Spring is the perfect time for hats because it’s not quite hot enough to get your head all sweaty underneath. There is nothing worse than wearing a hat and being too embarrassed to take it off because you know your hair is a matted hot mess underneath.
You might like these: H&M Wool Hat, Madewell Fedora, Leather Trim Hat
Custom Jewelry
I won this Stella and Dot necklace from a contest around Christmas time. It took me a long time, and several Facebook crowd sourcing posts to figure out what I should have engraved on there. Ultimately I went with “be cool” which is something we say a lot in our family. It means so many different things: settle down, chillax, be yourself. I love when I wear it because people always ask me about it. Plus it’s rose gold and that’s so pretty. Stella and Dot aren’t the only people who make engraveable bar necklaces. And while I do love this one, I could certainly see picking up another one with a longer message (or names).
You might like these: Bauble Bar Necklace, Coordinates Bar Necklace, Gold Bar Necklace
Bright Lips
I love a good bright lip. But not, like, a really bright lipstick lip. At least it doesn’t work well on me. I’m that girl who looks put together for a minute and then the next minute I look like The Joker. This Pop Balm by L’oreal (in Electric Pink) comes in a lipstick tube but goes on like a sheer balm. It provides a bunch of color in an understated way if that make any sense…All I know is that I love that it makes me feel like I have a finished make up look going on that won’t end up smeared across my face.
You might like these: Bliss Color Bang, Clinique Chubby Stick, Maybelline Baby Lips
How do you update your look for spring?
*This post contains affiliate links. Read more about my editorial policies here.
Makeup Spatula for Foundation
A while back I found the perfect foundation. I love the color and how it stays on all day but there is one huge problem! The spatula built in to the lid doesn’t reach the sides or bottom of the bottle! The foundation formula is so thick that you can’t turn the bottle upside down to get it out. Trust me I tried like a maniac. It was a huge bummer and made me start thinking about finding a different foundation. And then a little piece of plastic fixed everything! A makeup spatula! Consider my mind blown!