June Faves

This year is flying! Summer just started but I almost feel like it's half over. Crazy! The one thing about the end of a month though is that it's time for monthly faves.

This month I had a few new makeup faves, a jewelry piece, and a couple random faves.

I'll start out with my fave that has been attached with me pretty much everywhere and that is my Nook Color. If you don't have a ereader but you love to read put it on your list ASAP. I'll say that originally I was iffy about whether I would even like a ereader because I didn't want to miss that feel of turning a page. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes there is just something cozy and comfortable about turning a page of a good read. However, my collection of books was getting out of hand. Once I finally let that feeling go and just went with it I loved the ereader. I can read on it but not only that I can also do lots of other stuff like play on apps, browse the web, listen to music, etc. Lately though, I have been using it mainly for reading. I go through these phases were I will read lots of books at a time and then not read hardly anything for months. I'm in the reading lots phase right not. I have 2 new books to do a book rec on soon. :)

My second random fave thing is my Roxy flip flops. Hands down Roxy "tide" flip flops are my all time fave. If you are lucky enough you can find them at TJMaxx for $10ish like I did my very first pair but I haven't been that lucky since. boo! Retail, they will run you around $20 which is a little steep for flip flops in my opinion but i'm not kidding when I say most comfortable flip flops EVER! Usually after walking awhile in flip flops my feet will start hurting because they just don't provide much cushion for your feet but these have about a 3/4 inch cushion and I can walk in them all day without any problems.

I've gotten a few new jewelry pieces this month but my fave has been by one of my fave jewelry brands Steel By Design. This piece is their Polished Crystal Bow Bracelet that you can purchase off QVC.

I got the clear crystal but it also comes in blue and black as well. It is hinged and opens at the bow portion, shown in the picture above. It has a push hinge snap closure. This brand has always been one of my faves. It is stainless steel jewelry and the best thing about steel jewelry is that it looks great but works great for sensitive skin issues and doesn't tarnish like silver. It is also cheaper as well. I really love this bracelet and wished they could come out with one in gold tone or even rose tone. :) Speaking of jewelry, make sure you check back next week i'm going to be posting up my jewelry storage post finally. :)

My last two June faves are my fave makeup products for this month and of course i'm loving the new Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain and the Revlon Colorstay Cream Blushes. My fave color in the balm stain is the honey and my fave blush is in pinched. These are both great products. They are long lasting and look great together to boot.

(Top: honey balm stain swatched... Bottom: pinched blush swatched & blended)

What are your fave things this month?

Sponsor Spotlight

June Sponsors...

DianaLuv

Check out Diana's blog DianaLuv. It is a beauty blog and she posts everything from reviews, swatches, tutorials, and tips to just things that she "luvs". :) Go check her out!!

Interested in being a July sponsor at This Girls Life?

I am currently doing blog button swaps so if you are interested check out all the info here and send me a email. I would love to swap buttons with you! :)

What to wear for the 4th of July!

Wondering what to wear for the fourth?

Here are a few ideas from flirty & dressy to casual & comfy.

Bring on the Fireworks!!!

Old Navy $1 Flip Flops on Saturday – June 30, 2012!

Mark your calendars!!

Old Navy will hold its popular $1 flip flop sale this Saturday, June 30th. A limit of five flip flops per customer while supplies last!

Sale applies in-store only for US & Canada stores
$1 price point applies to classic solid flip flops for the whole family

 

Target Sample Bag: Summer 2012

I mentioned a little while ago that Target was once again giving away their small sample bags for free. They usually only do this a couple of times a year (March and Aug, typically) but this year they brought one out for Summer.

If you were lucky enough to sign up for their most recent Beauty Bag back in May then you probably already received yours or it's on the way.

Here is what I got...

I think I got one of the later bags because it looks like the first to snag up the sample bag got Aveeno scrubs instead of the Aveeno Living Color shampoo/conditioner and as well got the conditioner of the TreSemme Split Remedy.

I was a little bummed because I would have much rather had the scrub than 3 hair samples and two of them being color treatment kinds because I don't have color treated hair. I as well already own the Peach Parfait color of the Lip Butter so that was a bummer too.

However, It's all free so either way it was great to get the bag and I will pass on the samples that I won't use so no biggie.

Inside the bag: (which the bag is super cute and nice within itself)

• Sample pair of Garnier Fructis Color Shield Fortifying Shapoo and Conditioner For Color Treated Hair.
 
• A sample of Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait.
 
• Travel size TRESemmé Split Remedy Split End Shampoo.
 
• Travel size of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 70
 
• Sample pair of Aveeno Active Naturals Living Color Color Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner

• A coupon booklet worth $19 off various beauty products.

If you have never taken advantage of Target's beauty bags before take a look and go and sign up on their facebook page for future bag notifications. I have noticed they do this twice a year usually March and August time frames but since this was a extra one you may find that they will start doing them more often. I will be sure to post as soon as I find out or know of anymore beauty bag giveaways. :)

Where you able to snag up the Target Summer Beauty Bag? If so did you get the same things as me or where you one of the lucky ones to snatch up the Avenno scrub and Split End Conditioner?

Don't forget to join us in this week's Weekly Wednesday Blog Hop. :)

Weekly Wednesday Blog Hop #14

This week's featured blogger is Ren over at Blessed Tranquility.

**Hop Rules**

• Grab the button below or add a link somewhere on your blog. This lets others know about the hop so they can hop as well. :) The more the merrier!
• Please visit some link ups and follow if you like them.
• Make some new bloggy friends!!! :)
• This is optional but I would love for you to follow TGL. :)

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Tip Tuesday: Petroleum Jelly Tips

It's a busy week this week and probably next week as well so all the post are going to be fairly simple and quick ones. Summer calls!

Today's Tip Tuesday is going to be a few tips on how you can use petroleum jelly (or just vaseline as we probably all call it by the most famous brand you can buy).

• Cracked Pet Paws! Rub petroleum jelly on your pets paws to heal cracked or rough spots.

• Neat Nails! Rub the jelly around your nails before polishing and then clean off afterwards for a neat and clean look.

• Watermarks be gone! Wipe onto your watermarked furniture, let set for 24 hours, wipe off excess and then polish your furniture as before.

• Moisturize your Lips! If you have super dry lips petroleum jelly is great for fixing that. It also works for moisturizing your face, etc.

• Lengthen your Perfume! Want to make your perfume last longer? Rub a little jelly on your pulse points then place perfume overtop.

• Stop Squeaking Door Hinges! Nothing more annoying than a squeaky door, rub some petroleum jelly on and no more squeaks.

• Make Lip Scrub! Just add some petroleum jelly, honey, and sugar for a homemade lip scrub.

• Save your Hairline! Planing on dying your own hair? Rub some jelly around your ears and hair line to clean up any mess easily.

Anyone use petroleum jelly for these instances or have any other tips for using it?

Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

These remind me of a couple other products on the market... Clinique Chubby Sticks and Tarte's Lipsurgence. The best thing about these though is the pigmentation compared to chubby sticks and the cost compared to Tarte's Lipsurgence. Clinique will run you around $16 for a chubby stick, still a little pricy compared to Revlon and the colors are no where near as pigmented. Tarte's Lipsurgence will compare the most in pigmentation but they will cost you a hefty $24 for one single lip product. You could nearly buy 3 (maybe more with a sale or coupons) of the Revlon Just Bitten that will run you around $9ish.

My fave color of the bunch is honey and at the moment that is the only color I own but plan to get some more as soon as I can make a run to pick some up. I tried yesterday at Target but they didn't have the colors I wanted.

(Both pictures above are in the color Honey)



The biggest problems stains can have is that they tend to end up on the dry side. I don't have that problem with this product. It might be a little on the dry side compared to some balms and lipsticks but definitely not bad at all.

The stain lasts a long time even after the balm has rubbed off which is nice. On the stick it has a slight minty smell but I don't taste/small anything when applied to the lips. It has a twist up so that's a plus because sharpening would be a pain and it would eat away your product fast. It goes on smooth and applies the color nicely.

I think my only complaint would be the color choices. There are 12 of these Just Bitten Balm Stains and I only feel like there is maybe a total of 3 that I would actually purchase. There are a lot of bright lip colors in this collection that i'm not to fond of simply because they don't go with my fair complexion or auburn hair.

Overall though I still give this product 5 stars. I love them and hope they come out with more colors on the mauvy side.

Have you tried these Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains? What did you think?



Top 5 Swimsuit Trends of 2012

Now that it is officially Summer everyone is breaking out their swimsuits and hitting the pool or the beach.

Here are some top trends you will see this Summer and some ideas to snag them for yourself on the cheap. :)

1. TRIBAL

Tribal has been hot in Spring/Summer clothes so of course we expect it to be hot in swimwear as well. Take a look at this 1 piece from Target. It has fun tribal esque prints and a cute one shoulder action as well. It will run you $40.

2. RETRO

Retro clothes or styles are always fun and the same goes for this cute solid one piece. These sale at Wal-Mart (yes WM) for $33. Modcloth has great retro swimwear too, though the prices will run you a little higher.

3. TROPICAL

I feel like a tropical bikini or swimwear is always popular year after year. Beautiful tropical flowers just screams sun and sand and reminds me of Summer. This tropical bikini set runs $15 per piece (on sale currently) so a great steal for $30 total at Old Navy.

4. SPORTY

If you aren't much into girlie girl looks like retro styles and flowers in tropical prints then maybe you might like something a little more sporty. This halter and boyshort combo will run you $25 a piece at JCPenney. It's a little pricier than some of the other options listed but the cool thing about this one is that it is reversible which means you pretty much have 2 suits in one. ;)

5. COLORBLOCK

Colorblocking has been popular in clothing trends for a few seasons now so of course it's back again in swimwear this Summer too. Target has some fun color block one pieces with side cutouts for $25. These even fall into the sporty trend I feel like as well.

Have you bought a new swimsuit for this Summer? Did it fall under one of the top 5 trends for 2012?

Summer Giveaway Winner #1

The winner is....

Kendra @ A Proverbs 31 Wife

CONGRATS!!!!

*I will be emailing you shortly*

If you did not win this time around and have already entered your entries are good for the next drawing on July 24th. :) If you have not entered you also have from now until 11:59 pm on July 23rd to get your entries in. Good Luck!

Also don't forget to link up at this week's Weekly Wednesday.

Weekly Wednesday Blog Hop #13

This week's featured blogger is Haley over at Housegirl Haley.

**Hop Rules**

• Grab the button below or add a link somewhere on your blog. This lets others know about the hop so they can hop as well. :) The more the merrier!
• Please visit some link ups and follow if you like them.
• Make some new bloggy friends!!! :)
• This is optional but I would love for you to follow TGL. :)

<center><a href="http://t-g-life.blogspot.com/search/label/Wow%20Wow%20Wednesday" target="_blank"><img alt="Wow Wow Wednesday with This Girls Life" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/coleman/TGL/wwwbanner.gif"/></a></center>

*NOTE* ... I will be back in a few to announce today's first giveaway winner! :)

Tip Tuesday: Be Summer Smart

Tomorrow is officially the first day of Summer so I'm back again this week with some more Summer tips. :)

• Going to the Beach? Brush or rub on some baby powder to prevent the sand sticking to everything. The powder will help keep it off. This is my kind of tip because there is nothing I hate more than sand sticking to me. It's probably one of the things that I dislike most about beaches.

• Bugs a Bother? One thing that is a pain about living in Kansas is the wind. I'm pretty sure it's up there as one of the windiest states. However, when it comes to sitting outside in the Summer it does have its benefits. The wind is a great way to effectively ward off mosquitoes and bugs. If you don't have a natural windy state or any wind the day of your outdoor outing grab a fan, it works the same.

• Fogging Goggles? Back when I was little we use to spit in our goggles, eewww! It worked though, temporarily. However, there is a much less gross way to prevent your goggles from fogging and that is good ole toothpaste. Take a clean rag and gently rub the toothpaste in, let sit for a few minutes and then clean with another clean rag.

• Keep Your Cool! If you know your going to be out in the sun the next day hydrate yourself beforehand. It's extremely important to stay hydrated. If you feel thirsty then you are most likely already dehydrated. Drink before you feel the need!

• Be Weather Smart! In the Summer thunderstorms and rain showers pop up at random times so be sure to check your weather forecast beforehand so you know what to expect, how to dress, and back up plans in case it does rain.

• Wear Sunscreen! I talked about this in last weeks Tip Tuesday but it's important enough to mention again. A sunburn is potentially dangerous but it also hinders the bodies ability to stay cool and can lead to other Summer problems like dehydration and overheating.

BE SUMMER SMART!!