Introducing Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap by Dial® + GIVEAWAY {CLOSED}

After finally receiving a few days of warmth and sunshine here, the three of us were eager to get outside and DO something. My husband spent his weekend getting our lawn in tip-top shape, I've been pulling weeds, and our daughter has been swinging herself silly in the backyard and playing with friends. Needless to say, we've all been pretty grubby at the end of the day and our hands aren't necessarily in the best shape. We've all got dirt under our fingernails, blisters from working and playing hard, and dry spots from this crazy winter we've had. This was the perfect time for NEW Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap to show up on our doorstep. 

NEW Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap is the newest member of the Dial® Boutique Collection Hand Soap line, bringing luxury to your hand washing experience. With an indulgent scent inspired by freshly cut Sugar Cane, this premium formula with gentle micro-scrubbers cleanses deeply while moisturizing and smoothing skin. 

The Boutique Collection Hand Soap provides:

•  Vibrant scents
•  Refreshing moisture
• Gentle micro-scrubbers 

A deep cleansing formula help give you clean, healthy hands and skin.  

Moisturizing formulas with skin conditioners hydrate your skin and visibly improve skin dryness while micro-scrubbers help gently remove dirt from your hands to leave them feeling smooth and refreshed. 

I personally love the gentle polishing action of the micro-scrubbers -- smoothing out all of the dry spots on my hands with each use. This is a luxurious feeling soap, too -- thick, rich, and full of refreshing moisture. 

With a completely new bottle and design with rich colors, you can add a personal touch of style to your home. As you can see, the new Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap matched my kitchen perfectly!

With it's effectiveness, gentleness, and affordability, I'd have to say that Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap is the perfect family soap for us. 

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generous folks at Dial®, 1 lucky winner will receive 2 FREE product coupons for Dial Hand Soap:

{1 FREE Dial® Liquid Hand Soap}

and

{1 FREE Dial® Boutique Collection Sugar Cane Hand Soap}

Entering is easy!

Simply leave a comment below letting me know which Dial® hand soap scent is your favorite.

Bonus entries:

- Follow me on Instagram and leave a comment stating that you did so

- Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment stating that you did so

Giveaway will end 3/24/15 at 9 pm CST. Open to US residents, 18+ only.

The Dial® brand provided me with a sample of Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Dessange: The Holy Grail of Hair Care

Holy Grail of Hair Care? 

I must be exaggerating, right? Wrong.

My daughter's thick, tangle-prone hair has her in tears and me at my wit's end most mornings.

I feel like I've tried every lotion, potion, detangling spray, and special brush on the market, but none of them have ever worked very well. All of that changed when I received the Dessange VoxBox from Influenster.

I had big plans to use this on my own color-treated, heat-styled, ultra-thick and super long hair (and I did), but I also figured I had nothing to lose by using it on my daughter's hair, too. What a difference this stuff makes! No more tangles, no more tears. No kidding.

DESSANGE Paris introduces Oleo Miracle Collection, a hair care line infused with nutrients from nature's most precious oils. Bolstering delicious notes of orange, gardenia petals, and sandalwood, the reparative collection works to help transform hair suffering from thermal, chemical and environmental damage for a visibly softer, healthier look. Offering intense nourishment, the formulas are infused with three key natural oils: Argan Oil, Camelia Oil, and Pracaxi Oil, leaving hair smooth, bouncy, and manageable. 

Our first shampoo infused with micro-drops of precious oils, the lightweight formula offers supreme nourishment to hair without weighing it down. 

The second step to the Oleo Miracle ritual, this shine-boosting conditioner repairs the external layer of the hair's fiber for healthier, restored strands.

This is my favorite product out of the three. It is so thick and rich. It leaves my daughter's hair so silky. After shampooing, I just apply a quarter-sized amount of conditioner to my daughter's hair and then comb it with a wide-tooth comb. After combing, I give it a quick rinse and then allow it to air-dry. 

After her hair is dry, we add a few drops of DESSANGE Replenishing Oil after styling/brushing.

With just a few drops, this leave-in treatment nourishes dry, damaged hair without leaving a greasy residue.

I cannot say enough good things about this particular line from DESSANGE Paris. This is our go-to hair care line from here on out. Run to your nearest Target and grab the entire Oleo Miracle Treatment line. You won't be disappointed!

DESSANGE Paris

#JAdoreDessange

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I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. 

Stitch Fix #9-- Fun Spring Pieces + an EXCITING announcement from Stitch Fix

I've said it before and I'll say it again: every single time this little box shows up, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. It's been almost a year since my first Stitch Fix and I'm still loving it. 

 This month I specifically asked for pieces that flaunted my shoulders, cute casual tops, and maybe a dress/skirt or two. We've got several super-fun trips coming up and I wanted some fun, flirty pieces to pack. I also asked my stylist to please reference my Pinterest board. 

Here's what I received:

{THML Howard Embroidered Tie Neck Top $48}

How perfect is this for an outdoor concert? I mean!

 I love it paired with distressed boyfriend jeans or cut-off denim shorts. 

Keeping this one for sure because hashtag black is my love language.

{TCEC Roxanna Chevron Open Knit Cardigan $58}

I've been asking for a neutral cardigan for the past several months now and finally received one!

Cute pattern, light-weight enough for spring/summer, but warm enough for fall. 

I'm still on the fence with this one simply because my record with cable-knit hasn't been stellar-- 

one wrong move by me and I've snagged it. #tragic

{Olive & Oak Astelli Colorblock Dress | $68}

I'm not a huge fan of navy and purple, but oh my, how darling is this dress?!

I loved the cut, the fabric, and the length was perfect!

Unfortunately, it was a little too big/loose in the waist. 

The color blocking is so vibrant and perfect for Spring. 

And those pleats! 

This picture does those pleats absolutely zero justice. 

Trust me, they are lovely.

I styled this with a dark denim vest and flats. 

I think it'd be adorable with cowboy boots, too!

{Pixley Tenille Mini Skirt | $58}

This skirt is perfect for an outdoor concert or date night!

I've got it folded over here, just FYI, it hits me right above the knees and I'm 5'3".

The pattern is so fun! It's printed on the front and solid black in the back.

Very flattering, but a little too big on me. 

{Papermoon Nedal Lace Yoke Blouse | $44}

Does this top not just scream Spring?!

Beautiful pale pink/blush color with delicate floral lace accents.

Lightweight and flowy.

Now let's talk about this exciting announcement from Stitch Fix. You ready?

First up, they are now offering styling for pregnant Mamas. 

Cute maternity clothes shipped right to your door! I remember being eleventy months pregnant and trying to shop for something cute to wear. I also remember it being ZERO fun. Let Stitch Fix help! Make sure to update your style profile with your due date.

And secondly, they are now offering petite sizes! This is such fantastic news!

I will be updating my style profile immediately!

I've already pinned some of their petite offerings to my Stitch Fix inspiration board. 

Check it out here.

Ready to schedule your first fix? It's so easy to get started.

Simply sign up, complete your style profile, and schedule your first fix.

You'll pay a $20 styling fee, but this amount will be deducted from anything you decide to keep. 

You'll receive 5 handpicked items delivered straight to your door. 

You have 3 days to try everything on. 

Whatever you decide against, just mail it back in the prepaid envelope. 

Love all 5 items? You'll receive a 25% discount!

The link used in this post is my unique referral code. You definitely don't have to use it, but I'd be incredibly grateful if you did! Once you sign up, you'll receive your own code, too. Just so we're clear, I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own.

New Dial® Miracle Oil Body Wash + GIVEAWAY

Raise your hand if you're #SoOverWinter 

While our weather in Texas doesn't even remotely compare to what's going on in the Northeast, it is cold here. And we Texans quite simply don't do cold. We've got our heat cranked full blast and that means dry, cracked, and itchy skin for all. 

We were going through lotion like crazy until we switched to new Dial® Miracle Oil Body Wash. 

New Dial® Miracle Oil Body Wash is infused with caring Marula oil for beautifully, soft skin. This restoring body wash is formulated with Micro Oil Technology for a luxurious, clean-rinsing lather that leaves skin feeling clean, soft and smooth. It also has a fantastic scent. To me, it smells lightly floral mixed with sweet vanilla. 

{Look at that lather!}

It's even gentle enough to use on my daughter's sensitive, eczema-prone skin, which makes it perfect to use as family body wash or for bubble bath fun! 

Now for the giveaway:

Thanks to the generous folks at Dial®, 1 lucky winner will receive 2 FREE product coupons for Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash. 

Entering is easy!

Simply leave a comment below letting me know which Dial® product is your favorite.

Bonus entries:

- Follow me on Instagram and leave a comment stating that you did so

- Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment stating that you did so

Giveaway will end 3/9/15 at 9 pm CST. Open to US residents, 18+ only.

The Dial® brand provided me with a sample of Dial® Miracle Oil Body Wash in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Books I'm Loving Lately

I'm a reader. Always have been and always will be.

I go through phases, though, where either I read voraciously or not at all.

I'm in total book consumption mode now.

Here are a few books that I'm loving lately.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I'm a huge fan of Holocaust historical fiction/biographies. I was completely in awe of The Diary of Anne Frank and Night by Elie Wiesel is one of my most favorite books ever. The Book Thief did not disappoint. Here's the description from Amazon:

The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. 

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Reminiscent of Eleanor and Park & The Fault in Our Stars, this is truly a beautiful book. It started out a little slow for me, but by the last page, I had to close it and wait awhile because I did not want it to end. Description via Amazon:

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
 
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
 
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
 
This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Gayle Forman, Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Three Little Words: A Memoir by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

I'm only about 10 pages into this one, but I'm hooked already. 

An inspiring true story of the tumultuous nine years Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent in the foster care system, and how she triumphed over painful memories and real-life horrors to ultimately find her own voice.

"Sunshine, you're my baby and I'm your only mother. You must mind the one taking care of you, but she's not your mama." Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent nine years of her life in fourteen different foster homes, living by those words. As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system.

Painful memories of being taken away from her home quickly become consumed by real-life horrors, where Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed - and in doing so, discovers the power of her own voice.

What other books should I add to my wish-list? What are you reading now?

Stitch Fix #8: Stripes, Leopard, and Embroidery, oh my!

Stitch Fix Number #8 was such a fun one! 

My new stylist, Kirby, really seems to grasp my style oh, and she's from Austin, too!

 {BONUS POINTS}

Here's what I received:

Up first is the Elvina Embroidery Detail Pocket Front Top by Papermoon {$44}

This is such a fun little light-weight casual top that I can see myself wearing all year long. It's warm enough to be layered over a cami during the winter months and light-weight enough to wear during Spring/Summer paired with shorts and/or over a swimsuit. And that pocket detail? Swoon.

{THML Kahlo Knit Top - $68}

This a stretchy knit top with a funky little hem along the bottom. I love that pop of orange embroidery, but this wasn't the perfect fit for me. It was a little tight along the bust and a little too flowy in all of the other places. 

{Daniel Rainn Adley Crochet Trim Blouse - $68}

I immediately loved this one because of that crochet trim. I'm not a huge fan of navy (I have received a ton of it lately), but this blouse was cute enough to overlook that. It's lightweight, loose-fitting, and would be so easily dressed up or down. I liked it best with skinny jeans and flats, but it'd be cute with white capris or shorts, too! This one was a little big on me in the shoulders, so it ultimately went back, but I did wrestle with that decision for a few days. 

{Ellison Davis Leopard Print Button-Up Cardigan -- $68}

Huge fan of leopard here, although after trying this on, I've realized I'm not quite brave enough to wear this much of it. I prefer it in small pops or maybe it's just that this print seemed so big (does that even make sense?) compared to other leopard print I own. I don't know. I think this would look so good with a chambray top and white jeans. 

{Fun2Fun Sonoma Striped Sleeveless Top -- $38}

I know I'm likely in the minority on this, but I love me some polyester tops. The fit my casual, comfy style perfectly. This one was no exception. The vneck + orange + high-low style won me over completely. I liked this untucked with a pair of dark skinny jeans and also tucked in with a pair of distressed cut-off shorts. Totally versatile. And that price point? Oh, yes.

Final Thoughts: 

I still believe that StitchFix is the very best way to shop. 

It couldn't be more convenient or fun! It's seriously like Christmas when that little box shows up. Ready to give it a shot? Simply sign up, fill out your style profile, link up your Pinterest board (here's mine)so your stylist can get an idea of what you like, and schedule your first Fix. You'll be charged $20, but that amount is deducted from whatever it is you decide to keep. They offer a 25% discount if you decide to keep all 5 pieces. Free shipping both ways and you have 3 days to try on everything in the comfort of your own home. It doesn't get any better than that, promise!

The link used in this post is my unique referral code. You definitely don't have to use it, but I'd be incredibly grateful if you did! Once you sign up, you'll receive your own code, too. Just so we're clear, I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own. 

My Thoughts on the Influenster #FrostyVoxBox

Are you familiar with Influenster?

According to their website, "Influenster is a community of trend-setters, social media hotshots, and educated consumers who live to give opinions of products and experiences."

It's so fun and the best part for me is receiving a big ol' box of full-size goodies to test and review.

Here's what I received in my Frosty VoxBox. 

(Note: Some of the products I received are not pictured in the above photo).

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Gently removes all eye makeup, including long-lasting and waterproof makeup with no oily residue.

Thoughts: This product is a major improvement over my usual makeup remover. Removes eye-makeup better and with less effort. Doesn't sting or burn my eyes. Definitely recommend.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

Gives instant color impact with its high intensity pigments. The ultra smooth and cream formula glides on easily. 

Thoughts: Ridiculously affordable. Glides on effortlessly and the color is intense. This will be my go-to eyeliner from now on. In fact, I just ordered it today in the color Nude for my waterline. Love, love, love this.

McCormick Gourmet Thyme

The freshest flavors deserve a fresh new look! McCormick Gourmet's Thyme imparts a light minty flavor that is distinctively warm and aromatic. McCormick Gourmet Thyme can be used throughout the day in dishes such as breakfast casseroles, hearty soups, stews, stuffing, and oven-roasted chicken.

Thoughts: I use this in a variety of recipes, especially meatballs, soups, and when cooking a pot of red beans. Truly a versatile spice with perfectly fresh flavor.

Fruit Vines® Bites

Fruit Vines® Bites are a new, soft, chewy fruit candy, from the Red Vines® family, available in two fruit flavors - strawberry and cherry. Low fat and made with no preservatives, Fruit Vines® Bites are available in three sizes: a 2 oz single serve, a 5 oz hanging bag, and a 10 oz resealable stand-up bag and can be found at Walmart in the West, Kroger, Walgreens, Target, Safeway, and Rite Aid.

Thoughts: I couldn't stop eating these. So fresh and soft and they didn't get stuck in my expensive dental work at all. Addictive. I love that they are low-fat and are made without preservatives. 

NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum

Ready to take your lips to the next level? Try our NEW Expert Last Lip Color in twenty tantalizing shades. Get intense, amplified color and shine that lasts up to 6 hours! Our moisturizing formula glides on easily for a silky, smooth, velvety finish for all day wear. 

Thoughts: I typically do not wear lipstick, but I loved this color. I felt like it was the perfect shade for me. Super long-lasting, even through food and drink. If I were to purchase lipstick, this would be the one I'd choose. 

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea

Live life well this holiday season with Celestial Seasonings and take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane! It's made with the very finest green tea leaves, peppermint and other botanicals, because at Celestial Seasonings, we know you are what you steep. 

Thoughts: Delicious hot or iced. Perfect taste of mint with a hint of vanilla. Wonderful during the holidays or any time of the year, really. 

EcoTools Hair Brush

EcoTools hair brushes are designed with unique features that leave your head and hair happy and healthy. Long or short, straight or curly, EcoTools has the brush to tame any hair style with a variety of five brush head shapes and bristle designs specially crafty to suit every need. 

Thoughts: This particular brush isn't the perfect match for my hair type. It left my hair full of static and only seemed to get the top layer of my hair, leaving a ton of tangles underneath. I have thick, wavy hair and this brush just didn't do it for me. It didn't work well on my daughter's fine, wavy hair either. 

No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Sachet

This clinically proven serum is even more effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines for younger looking skin in just two weeks. 

Thoughts: I did not receive a full-sized sample of this, so I really can't speak to its effects after 2 weeks. I will say, though, that after using it for 3 days, it dried my skin out too much. 

Overall, this was a really great campaign that I was thrilled to participate in. I discovered some really great products that I never would've given a thought to in-store had I not had the opportunity to try them out myself. 

Thanks, Influenster!

Disclosure: I was provided these products free of charge for testing purposes. All opinions are 100% my own and not influenced in any way.