Aside from mommyhood, which I often talk about and share here on the blog, I do have a full-time career in marketing / pr. Did you know that? Maybe you did but if you did not, now you do. One thing I have learned from my many years in the industry is that world of mouth is still king! Think about it. Why do you think social media is as big as it is? It is all about conversation and connection. So, essentially social media is one big blob of word of mouth. People ask for recommendations on a hairstylist, sitter, restaurants and contractors. We trust other people before we trust advertisers. Still to this day, we put our guard up about advertisers, thinking a commercial, a print AD or a billboard are visual displays of a facade of the brands very best. The thing is advertising is changing and meshing so much due to social media and digital landscapes that we often do not even realize we are being advertised to, when in fact we are.

As a blogger, we work with brands often. Sponsored posts are how many major bloggers make some serious dough. I am not at that level. Nope, not yet! Just little ole’ me providing you with true word of mouth great products with no connection or tie to these brands. I throw that out there to really emphasis the fact that by me sharing these products with you I am truly picking my favorites with no biases. These are products that I purchased with my own money in 2016 and fell in love with enough to share with you. That is all. Just like BFF’s do. So, you can say we are BFF’s for life, minus the best friend forever necklace.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm – 58.00
I introduced Dermalogica Multivitamin to the Blog early this year. It was my first solid skin care investment. This product focuses on the skin around your eyes. As I have gotten older I have clearly noticed the new visible lines that curve around my eyes and in the middle of my brow. This product contains Vitamin A which is supposed to accelerate the skin’s natural repair process and Vitamins C and E which are to assist with elasticity, ultimately reducing the thin lines that seem to just appear for an unwelcome face party.

Philosophy Pure Grace – 48.00
I credit my Momma for this beauty must-have. She has been a fan of the Philosophy line for sometime, raving about the scents and the products. I finally gave it a try, or sniff on the wrist when we shopped at an Ulta. When I was in college I worked for Bath & Body Works and learned when determining a new scent it is beneficial to test the scent on your wrist and walk away. Give it time to combine with your body chemicals. If you lose the smell of the scent on you after 5-10 minutes it is actually a great thing! The opposite means the scent is too strong for you. Philosophy Pure Grace was that product. The scent that passed my little test. I often get compliments too, which is not a bad thing.

Jane Iredal BeautyPrep Face Moisturizer – 45.00
This is my new favorite skin care product. I literally picked this up as a splurge and now I am hooked. It has a faint smell of lemon which is so fresh and cool to the skin. I apply this moisturizer to my face after every shower, each morning before my makeup and before bed.

bareMinerals Prime Time – 27.00
If you have not already realized by now, I am not glued to one product line. Instead I enjoy finding the right product versus getting consumed by a whole skin care line. bareMinerals was the first “real” beauty line I started investing in outside of drug store products. I was introduced to the foundation over 10 years ago. Through the years I have swayed from the line, but the Prime Time is one product I continue to invest in. You apply the primer to your skin prior to foundation application. Prime Time allows for your foundation and eye shadow to stick better. Also, the product includes SPF and diminishes blemishes and uneven skin tones.

Maybelline Mascara – 6.99
Simple enough, huh? I am a big mascara girl. If I am not wearing it, then you might as well make me walk out of the house with no clothes on. Yikes!  Fun fact about myself? I can actually put on mascara without a mirror. May be my best trick ever. I am pretty sure I can relate this back to my high school cheerleading days when you practically got ready for the game on the track, with no mirror. This is my new go to. I love the wand, coverage and the price point is not bad either. Tip of the day, did you know you should throw out or replace your mascara every three month? See, that is why the price is crucial.

Target Crossbody Bag – 29.99
This item was on my Christmas wish list this year and I got it, so yeah for me! I have been a big bag girl all my life. (Not to be mistaken for big bad girl – you read it that way first, didn’t you?) Do you know how hard that is? Do you understand the struggle? I have crumbled crackers in the bottom of my purse, spoons,  Lo’s binkies and headbands, and once I found a rotten banana. Gross! I decided I was simplifying in 2017, so part of that was losing the baggage, get what I am saying?  Now that is not to say I won’t break out a big bag again, but for now the crossbody bag is perfect because it forces me to asses what I need and allows for me not to not have a dumping ground hanging off my shoulder.

J.Crew Factory Winnie Pant – 43.50
I know what you are thinking, “Really?” Yes! I am in work clothes more hours in a week than I am in casual, so I tend to invest that way. While I do tend to live in dresses and skirts I do like nice dress pants or slacks in the winter months. Dress pants are hard, or at least they are for me. I find that they are either unflattering or too long. J.Crew’s Winnie Pant was my win for the year!

Love Your Melon – 30.00
I received this beanie for Christmas this year and immediately knew I was in love. First, the beanie is adorable, well made and super comfy. More importantly, the brand’s mission supports pediatric cancer. The brand is dedicated to providing every child battling cancer in America with a beanie. Plus, 50% of all profit from sales is donated to nonprofit partners.

Old Navy Rib-Knit Sweater – 15.00
Usually the products I love the most are typically unexpected buys. This sweater was one of those. I think it was probably an online situation dilemma in which I needed to hit a total minimum to redeem free shipping or some cash coupon promotion. I bought this sweater on the fly and immediately adored. It is lightweight and soft. I am a big sweater texture girl. Certain fabrics make my skin crawl just thinking about them. And, happily this is not one!

So, there you have it! True recommendations from me. See, word of mouth still wins!

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