Self Tanner Review

Happy Monday!! Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend! We did and I'm so sad it's already over. Why is it that the week drags by so slow and the weekends just fly by? It's seriously not fair.

So, we have quite a few events coming up the next few weekends that require me to wear a dress. I love having a tan, but I have sworn off the tanning bed and I haven't had any time to spend by the pool yet. I headed to my local department store to see what they had to help me get my glow on. I ended up purchasing two from Clinique; one for the face and one for the body. Here's a little review:

Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion

This is a tinted self tanner specifically for the face. It comes in a 1.7 fl. oz. tube and costs $20.00. This is more of a gel-cream formula than a lotion which makes it really easy to spread on your skin. I'm not crazy over the yellowish tint it leaves behind though. It also smells terrible. I used this at night after exfoliating. I let it dry for about 15 min. before applying my night cream. The next morning, after gently washing my face, I was left with really natural looking color. I have used this a few times at night and I really like it. If you can get past the horrible smell (always a problem with self-tanners) and the weird tint it initially has, this is actually a really good product. A little goes a long way, so the tube will last forever.


Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion in Medium/Deep

This has the same consistency as the face one. It comes in a 4.2 fl. oz. tube and also costs $20.00. I really like this a lot. I mixed it with a little moisturizer in my hand to help it go on a little easier ( I usually do 70% self- tanner and 30% regular moisturizer.) It took forever to dry, but didn't have too horrible of a smell. I woke up with an actual tan the next morning. The Hubby kept commenting all day about how dark I looked.  It leaves a very natural color and I'm pretty sold on it. It's also tinted like the face lotion which helps with making sure everything is covered. They also have a fair/medium formula.

I really recommend both of these products if you are looking for a safe way to get some color this Spring/Summer! Stay out of those tanning beds!

Hope everyone has a great day!

My Summertime Daily Make-up Essentials

TGIF!!! It seems like it took for-ev-er for the end of this week to get here. Blah! Anyway, today I wanted to share with you my summertime daily make-up essentials. I have a very low maintenance face (or at least I consider it to be) during the day in the warmer months. I just don't like to walk around all day with a full face on when it's 100 + degrees out.

1. Dior DiorSkin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer- This is an amazing everyday concealer. It's great for under eye circles and doesn't dry my skin out. I wear shade 002 Beige. 
2. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream- I wrote about this B.B. cream a couple of weeks ago in my foundation review post. I can already tell you that this will be my bff this summer. Love the glow it gives me and it's so light weight. I get a lot of compliments on my skin when I wear this. 
3. Benefit Ooh la lift - this is a great, subtle eye brightening product. I use this before I put any makeup on and then kind of use it to highlight after I use concealer and B.B cream. It also has a cooling effect under your eyes so it feels good going on in the morning. 
4. Anastasia Brow Powder Duo- I have to fill in my eyebrows daily. It's a non- negotiable. I look weird if I don't. I use this in the medium ash/ medium brown. 
5. Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes- I love this pencil eyeliner to define my eyes during the day. It stays put and goes on so smoothly. 
6. NARS blush in Orgasm- Love this peachy-pink blush. It's so flattering and looks especially great with summer bronzed skin! 
7. Eye lash curler- I HAVE to curl my eye lashes every day. It just makes me look more awake. I never skip this step. 
8. NARS bronzer in Laguna- Such a pretty bronzer. Not too much shimmer and very natural looking. 

You may notice mascara missing. Well, I have been able to give up wearing mascara daily because I have started having my eyelashes tinted. Best thing I ever did. My poor lashes were so light before and I always had to wear mascara. Now I can skip that step every morning. I do still wear mascara for nights out, when I want to up the drama for my make-up. I'm thinking the tinted lashes will be really nice for beach and lake days this summer. No more waterproof mascara!!! 

My Super Food Chocolate Milk

Hey ya'll! Hope everyone is having a good Thursday. Is it just me, or is this week going by super slow? I have woken up twice this week thinking it was Saturday, only to be disappointed. Anywho, on to today's post. One of my favorite treats lately has been my super food chocolate milk. The recipe is so easy and it's really a feel good treat. 

1. Organic Honey- I drizzle a little of this in my glass to sweeten.
2. Unsweetened Cocoa- 1/4 tsp is all it takes for flavor and an antioxidant boost. 
3. Amazing Grass Green Superfood powder- 1 heaping scoop. Love this stuff. I add it to smoothies, juice, on top of fruit, and anything else I can think of. This greens powder helps you achieve your 5-9 daily servings of fruits and veggies. It gives you amazing energy, helps boost your immune system, is made of raw, whole food ingredients, and has probiotics and enzymes to aid in digestion and absorption. You can buy it at Whole Foods, GNC, or the amazing grass website. 
4. Cinnamon- I sprinkle cinnamon on everything. I have read so many studies on it's health benefits! It has been shown to help reduce inflammation, help regulate blood sugar, sooth upset stomach, improved brain function, lower cholesterol, helps with headaches, the list goes on and on..... 
5. Unsweetened Almond Milk- I add 6-8 oz to my glass. I love almond milk for many reasons. It's lower in calories than cow's milk. Actually has more calcium and protein. I don't have to worry about added hormones and antibiotics that we have to worry about in cow's milk these day's. And it's easier on my stomach. If you have never tried it, I highly recommend it. 

Wisk all of these ingredients in a glass and enjoy! 

And yes, it's green. If you can get over the fact that you're drinking green chocolate milk, you will love it! It's good for when you are needing a chocolate fix or even a breakfast drink. So try it out!

Have a good day!

My Latest Favorite Drugstore Products

1. Yes to Carrots Body Wash. I am loving this yummy smelling, hydrating body wash. Plus the bottle is huge so it will last you awhile.

2. Dove Style+Care Nourishing Dry Ends Serum. Since I have been doing the ombre hair lately, my blonde ends run the risk of looking dry.( especially when my hair is straight) It also doesn't help that I have been growing my hair out and have barely had a trim in months. This serum is great for faking healthy looking ends and also helps protects against heat styling. I use on my ends before I blow dry and then again to kind of seal after I straighten.

3. Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towlettes. These are truly awesome. They remove my makeup and smell amazing. I use these nightly before my Clairsonic. Also good for post workout cleanup.

4. Alba Hibiscus Facial Toner. Gentle, non- irritating, and leaves your skin feeling so refreshed. That's all you need to know.

5. St. Ives Purify Exfoliating Body Wash. Usually I walk right past any body wash that claims to be "exfoliating" because a few soft beads are not enough for me. This uses sea salt and is definitely a scrub, not a body wash. We go through these bottles like crazy at our house. It is seriously one of the best body exfoliators I have ever used.

6. Schick Hydro Silk Razor. So I have used one of those Venus razors for years and years. I never thought to try anything different. But the other day I was at Target and I decided to give this one a go. Best. Razor. Ever. My skin was so smooth after shaving with this and the serum in it really left me hydrated. It's so worth it to make the switch.

I love finding gems at the drugstore! It seriously makes me giddy! Have ya'll found anything worth mentioning lately? Please share!

A Few Tips for Getting in Shape

Hey y'all! So swimsuit season is basically here in the South and it's coming quickly for the rest of the country! I thought I would share a few quick tips on getting in shape!

1. It's all about having a plan and sticking to it! I use a five day workout plan that keeps me on track with cardio and strength training. Everyone is different so find something that works for YOU. My plan is as follows:

• Day 1: Light cardio for 25 minutes, butt, legs, and abs.
• Day 2: Intense cardio for 20 minutes, arms, and chest
• Day 3: Intense cardio for 20 minutes, back, and shoulders
• Day 4: Light cardio for 25 minutes, butt, legs, and abs.
• Optional Day 5: Wild Card day! I will do some videos from the Tone in Up Girls on YouTube or one of my Jillian Michael's DVD's. Or if my week has been super busy or I'm really tired I completely skip this day. 

Sometimes my day one is on Sunday, sometime's it's on Monday. I really just try to look at my schedule for the week and try to decide how I can fit stuff in. Also, the Hubs and I love to go on walks after dinner in the warmer months so I just consider that bonus activity. 

2. It's not just about cardio. As you can see in my plan above, I incorporate a lot of strength training in to my routine. Ladies, you have to do this! Don't be afraid of bulking up! Use a 3, 5, or 8lbs weights and you should be fine.

3. It is about what you eat. I'm sorry to tell you this, but what you are eating plays a huge role in getting in shape. You can't just eat what you want and workout a lot. Try to eat clean. That means: limit fast food and processed foods, no sodas, limit alcohol intake, incorporate more fruits, veggies, and lean proteins, and cut down on sugar!! Sweets are my downfall. I am always so tempted by them. I have found that mint green tea really helps with my sweet cravings. I also drink a ton of water throughout the day. 

4. With all of that said, don't completely deprive yourself. I would never tell anyone to not order dessert on a Saturday night or never eat pizza again. It's all about moderation. Split dessert with your friends and have a few bites of that yummy chocolate cake. As long as you're not doing it every day, it's fine! I personally would be living a sad life if I never got to have pasta. Or red wine. Or dessert.

5. Make it a lifestyle change. I hate it when I get on facebook and I see people talking about starting a diet or working out to get in shape for the beach. How about just make it part of your everyday life?! If you don't quit working out, you don't have to worry about trying to get in shape in 4 weeks for that beach trip. You already are! 

6. Be proud of your progress!! Getting in shape is something to brag about y'all! Blog about that 5K you ran, post pictures, and give yourself a pat on the back! You work hard, so enjoy the benefits!

Proud of my muscle tone! 

Sorry for the super wordy post. Pat yourself on the back if you actually read all of this. My area of concentration with my degree was nutrition education. If you ever need some help creating meal plans or just have some questions about what you're eating, email me! kaleykrug@gmail.com. I would love to help!

Weekend Re-Cap

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a good Monday. I'm recovering from a super busy weekend!

Friday night we stayed in, cooked dinner, and went to bed early. Saturday we were up at the crack of dawn to get to North Little Rock for Heart Walk. My family had a team in memory of my cousin Garrett, who passed away from a heart condition at the age of 19 last November. This years Central AR Heart Walk was in honor of him (as was the one in Fayettville).

With my little brother 

Love my Hubby!

There was a great turnout for a great cause! As soon as we were done with the 5K, we had to get to Searcy (about an hour drive) so I could help get my sister ready for her senior prom.

My beautiful sissy with her date!

Isn't she beautiful?!

I can't believe how grown up these two are! 

We visited with my parents and grandparents for the rest of the day, then headed home. I was worn out! Sunday, we got together with Gabe's family for his youngest sister's 20th birthday! I didn't get any pics sadly. After the b-day festivities, we had to get some grocery shopping done and run some errands. I feel like our weekends have been so jammed packed lately. And it's just going to get even busier throughout the next month. Anywho, hope you all have a great start to your week!

I Finally Wore My Pink Jeans

A month or two ago I told ya'll I bought a pair of pink jeans. I finally wore them a few weekends ago out to dinner at Bonefish with my parents.

Jeans: Old Navy, Shirt: Old Navy, Shoes: Guess, Bracelets: Charming Charlies, Monogram Necklace: Max and Chloe

I wish they layed a little smoother, but I still loved the look. One of my goals in 2012 is to quit wearing so much black and grey! I have been trying to fill my closet with lots of brights for Spring and Summer. Have ya'll been wearing colored denim this Spring? What colors are you obsessed with?

Have a great Friday!!

Foundation Reviews

Happy Thursday ya'll! So for the last few months I have been searching like a madwoman for a new foundation. I had been using Lancome Teint Miracle for a little over a year. Original review here. While I really loved it, I had a problem with the color oxidizing after wearing it for a few hours. I tried out about 5 different primers to see if that helped the problem, but nothing was yielding results. Sad face. So here's a look at a few that I have tried lately.

1. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. This liquid foundation bills itself as a "glowing, satin- finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage." via Sephora. I had actually heard quite a few raves about this foundation and I have always been happy with NARS products in the past. I purchased this in the color Fiji back in January. First, let me say, I have dry skin year round. So I love liquid foundations that have a dewy finish. Usually anything with the word glow in it's name fits the bill for me. Um, this was not in any way a sheer foundation. I felt like I was wearing a mask. It was way too heavy with me and the color was way to yellow. It just didn't look natural. It was also really drying on my skin. I was really disappointed with this, but gave it a chance for a month or so. To make it a little better, I mixed it with a little of my Glo Minerals Glo Sheer Tint Base. This helped give it a little more of a dewy finish. This foundation was not worth it for me. $42.00 down the drain.

2. CoverGirl Nature Luxe liquid silk foundation. I purchased this on a whim at Target a few weeks ago. I actually really like the feel of this foundation. Very silky and creamy (hence the name). The coverage is really buildable and it doesn't feel too heavy when I apply a thin layer with my foundation brush. A little goes a long way! It has a nice scent that disappears quickly. One problem I have with it is the lack of shades. I bought shade 325 Sandstone, which is a little dark on me right now, but in a month or so after being by the pool on weekends it should match perfectly. I don't feel like it has a lot of staying power. I'm afraid to see how it will hold up in the 100+ degree temps this summer. Not a terrible drugstore purchase, but still not the answer to my foundation prayers! Cost was around $9.00

3. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream. So not really a foundation, but this B.B. Cream actually get's quite a few points in my book. I don't really consider this a traditional B.B. Cream, but more of a really sheer tinted moisturizer. It has been my go to for my daytime look for the last month and a half. It's really light and moisturizing, yet actually gives me decent coverage. I skip primer when using this, because a B. B. cream is more of a do it all product. Prime, cover, protect, and perfect. I don't really like using powder to set this, I think it looks better without it. I really like this product ya'll. I think it's good for those  with dry skin and decent looking skin who don't need a ton of coverage. The only problem I have with it is the lack of color choices. It comes in Light/ Medium and Medium/ Dark. I use the Light/ Medium and that matches my very medium toned skin perfectly. I think those with really light skin would find this way to dark!

So I still haven't found the perfect foundation, but I did find a good one and a nice BB cream. I also learned that when it comes to NARS products, I will just stick to the bronzers, blush, and lip products. (always a win!) The search continues. Any recommendations for me? I have a sample of Chanel Perfection Lumiere that I'm looking forward to trying, but I am already afraid that it will be too heavy. First world problems right?

Have a good afternoon!