/

Swimsuit season is here! To be completely honest, I have never been 100% comfortable in a bikini. I look back to my teen years and early 20’s and my now (almost) 32 year old self is like what?! I would give anything to have that rockin’ bod back. My son is almost 2 and I still have a few extra pounds lingering so to say I dread putting on a bathing suit would be an understatement. I’m all about women empowerment and loving ourselves as we are and so I wanted to put together a list of swimsuits that would look SMOKING HOT on us ladies that are carrying a little extra love.

swimwear

  1. L*Space | Haley Top ($79) + Brooklyn Bottoms ($99)
  2. Rachel Roy | Tribal Sands V-Neck ($118)
  3. Target / Merona | Flounce One Piece ($40)
  4. Becca | Souther Belle Strap Top ($84) + High Waist Bottoms ($58)
  5. Rachel Roy | Strappy One Piece ($106)
  6. Kenneth Cole | Embroidered High Neck Top ($43) + High Waist Bottoms ($37)
/

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media, all opinions expressed are my own.

IMG_5707

It’s finally starting to feel like Spring over here in New Jersey and I have to say…. I. AM. LOVING. IT! We all know that when the seasons change we are constantly having to switch up our beauty routine and apparel. So I wanted to share with you guys some must have items for those Spring Days & Summer Nights.

Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Cream 

IMG_5711

As the weather starts to heat up, we instantly start to pull out those LBD’s so making sure we have smooth (& hairless!) skin is a priority. I have sensitive skin so I am always extra careful about the products I use and that is exactly why I appreciate that Nad’s is formulated with natural extracts of melon, aloe vera, avocado oil and honey to soothe and protect sensitive skin. You simply apply the cream (do not exceed 10 minutes) then wipe off for quick and painless hair removal in as little as 4 minutes. Click HERE to purchase.

___________________________________________________________

Bloom Mineral 4 Piece Beauty Essentials 

IMG_5710

While skincare is important year round, I find myself taking extra steps during the Spring and Summer to make sure it stays cleansed and moisturized. I really love this 4 piece set from Bloom Mineral. It includes:

–Purifying Mud Mask (1 oz.) | This mask is created with mud from the Dead Sea and is then mixed with olive oil, honey, fragrance and Aloe Vera extract. It cleans your impurities deep within as well as help keeps your skin soft and looking more refreshed.

–Softening Cleansing Milk (1 oz.) | This product allows you to remove makeup and clean your face by using only natural moisturizers from Dead Sea minerals.

–Moisture Shield (1 oz.) | Enriched with Dead Sea minerals, this product will allow moisture to flood your skin with hydration all day long.

–Shielding Eye Cream (1 oz.) | This formula is made with vitamin E fruit extracts and Dead Sea minerals. It helps to control visible signs of aging, as well as tired signs around the eyes.

Use promo code: skin25 at check out for 25% off (good through June 30th)

___________________________________________________________

Clear Eyes Pure Relief® Multi-Symptom

 IMG_5712
This is the time of the year where my eyes are constantly itchy. I just put a drop or two of Clear Eyes Pure Relief and I feel instant soothing comfort. The proprietary Clear Eyes Pure Relief® bottle has a builtin purifying filter that keeps the bacteria out, so there’s no need for preservatives. Get your $3 off coupon HERE.

___________________________________________________________

Coobie Seamless Bralette

IMG_5709

This bralette is EVERYTHING! It’s made with soft, stretchy lace and is so comfy. The cups are lined, it’s bulk free and it holds you in place perfectly. I love that the straps are adjustable and can be turned into racerback style. They are available in 3 sizes: Small (28A-32D), Medium (32A-34D), and Large (36A-38D). Click HERE to check out all the styles they offer.

/

bh_logobanner-2

If you love a good Beauty DIY then raise your hand…

OK. Well now that most of us have our hands waving in the air, let’s chat about SheaMoisture’s new Beauty Hack collection. Beauty Hack is a three-step at-home system that allows consumers to customize their own beauty blends for the face, body and hair. What I really love is that these products are made with natural, certified organic and fair trade ingredients so you know exactly what you are putting on your body. They are also cruelty, sulfate and paraben free. Beauty Hack allows you to get creative and experiment with different blends which is always fun too. It is recommended that you blend as you go and use immediately to guarantee freshness and reduce waste.

STEP 1: Bases

  • Aztec Bentonite Clay ($12.99)
  • Body & Hair Cleanser ($8.99)
  • Body Moisturizer ($8.99)
  • Body Oil ($8.99)
  • Moroccan Rhassoul Clay ($12.99)
  • Sugar Scrub ($8.99)

STEP 2: Oils

  • 100% Coconut Oil ($3.99)
  • 100% Pure Avocado Oil ($9.99)
  • 100% Pure Grapeseed Oil ($5.99)
  • 100% Pure Macadamia Oil ($9.99)
  • 100% Sunflower Oil ($9.99)
  • 100% Raw Shea Butter ($3.99)

STEP 3: Aroma Fragrance Oils

  • Frankincense & Myrrh ($3.99)
  • Lavender & Wild Orchid ($3.99)
  • Lemongrass ($3.99)
  • Olive & Green Tea ($3.99)
  • Rose ($3.99)

While the possibilities are endless with Beauty Hack, I wanted to share with you my favorite DIY.

Rose Body Moisturizer

3

I made this by mixing 3 tablespoons of the Beauty Hack body moisturizer base, 1 teaspoon of the Beauty Hack pure coconut oil and 2 drops of the Beauty Hack Rose oil. This moisturizer left my skin SO soft and the rose scent was nice and subtle.

Have you tried SheaMoisture’s Beauty Hack collection? If so – what is your favorite product? I’m looking forward to creating some more great products for my skin and including fresh ingredients from my kitchen.

Beauty Hack is available at ULTA , ULTA.com and SheaMoisture.com

/

I spent a majority of my Honeymoon in Santorini eating fresh seafood, drinking A LOT of Ouzo and catching the most spectacular sunset you will ever see. In between all of that though, we actually got to experience some really great activities. Here is a look at some of my favorite things to do while visiting Santorini PLUS one popular tourist activity that you should cross off your list.

  1. Book a sailing cruise with Sunset Oia – You can’t come to Santorini and not take a sailing cruise! We chose to book the premium semi private Lagoon 500 day cruise which held a max of 16 people but they also had some itineraries that held up to 55 people and started at 95E. On the Lagoon 500 we made stops at the hot springs, white beach and red beach. What I loved most is that you don’t actually go to the beach… they were at a far distance and you basically just jump in and swim and snorkel in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Included in the price is unlimited beverages and a delicious fresh lunch. At the end of the sail a bus can bring you back to your hotel or you can decide to stay and head to Perissa Black Sand Beach like we did. 4
  2. Watch the sunset from Oia – Santorini has hands down the most amazing sunset I have ever seen. If you are not staying in Oia, I highly recommend heading there to catch it at least one of the nights you are in town. You will get a full view of the caldera with the whitewashed homes with a rosey pink sky that changes hues until it is completely set. Just be warned… you and what seems like 91736847465984 people will have the same idea so find a spot early. We stood in Oia and lucked out because our cave had a private terrace and a clear view of the sunset – with no tourist lingering in our eyes view. 1
  3. Wine Tasting at Santo Winery – There are numerous wineries on the island but one of the most popular has to be Santo Winery. A place that you can literally visit for the view alone. Take a tour, order the 18 wine flight and enjoy the company of whoever you are visiting with. The sunset is amazing from here too so order another glass and enjoy the scenery. santo
  4. Have dinner in Amoudi Bay – Amoudi Bay is a tiny port located at the bottom of those 300 steps below Oia. The walk down, besides dodging donkey poo, is actually not that bad – the walk up…. yikes lol but totally worth it. There are a handful of restaurants and cafes that you can visit for lunch or an early dinner and just enjoy the gorgeous view and serene atmosphere. I had this incredible squid ink lobster pasta at one of the restaurants that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind since. Santorini-Ammoudi-Bay-fionaTree-1024x682
  5. Rent a quad and go on your own to explore – A lot of people tend to only visit Oia + Fira when in Santorini but their are so many charming villages all over the island. Rent a quad, I believe they go for about 45E per day, and venture out. This allows you to visit beaches and other spots you otherwise would have missed out on. quad
  6. Have dinner in Fira overlooking the caldera – We only ventured into Fira once and ended up dancing late into the night there but the highlight for me would have to be dinner at Volcano Blue. Seeing the sunset over the caldera was beautiful, the wait staff was so friendly and the food was DELICIOUS! 3
  7. Visit the Santorini Brewing Company – My husband loves trying out the local beer whenever we are away and Yellow Donkey happens to be one of his favorites. This brewery is small but it’s definitely worth a visit if you are a beer lover. You will get a tour, a tasting of all the beers available and then can purchase some to go if you’d like. 910084c4eb3461ee8947cd42bdd4b146_XL

The ONE activity that I think everyone visiting Santorini should avoid is riding the donkeys. I’m in no way an animal activist but these animals spend day in and out with tourist on their back because “it looks fun.” If you participate in this you are contributing to the abuse they are receiving on a daily basis. They are typically overworked, mistreated by handlers, are often not given enough water & food per day and are forced to work in grueling heat by carrying people who often weigh more than they do. Santorini-donkeys

/

There’s something super charming about renting an apartment when visiting Europe. To live like a local for a few days or even a few weeks really helps you indulge in the culture and lets you see the city in a different light. Paris is MY city… I mean, it’s not literally mine but I just have this connection with it. The city, the people, the food…. the buildings! The buildings and architectures are this perfect blend of Gothic style and elegance. I have been to Paris twice now and both times have stayed at a rental property. Each so different yet both exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend renting a place in one of these beautiful buildings when visiting. These are a few of my favorite apartments that can be found through Cobblestone Paris Rentals.

  1. Balcon Notre Dame – This is the apartment I rented on my last visit to Paris just a few weeks ago. First of all, it’s located in the Latin Quarter (5th & 6th arrondissements) which happens to be my favorite part of Paris to stay in. It literally is located in the middle of everything and the ideal location for walking to many of the landmarks. The apartment itself fits 4 guest very comfortably between its 2 bedrooms and has a modern kitchen with a spacious livingroom area. My favorite part of the apartment is the walk out balcony that overlooks the Seine River and Notre Dame Cathedral. 1 2 3 4
  2. La Charme Du Marais – This rental is super dreamy and where I want to stay for my next visit to Paris. It is an elegantly furnished 1 bedroom apartment that can accommodate 4 guests with a large open-style living/dining space with a full kitchen. It’s located on the border of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Arrondissements so you will have the pleasure of enjoying 3 wonderful neighborhoods of Paris. The small walk out balcony with chairs is a charming addition. 1 2 3 4
  3. Le Triomphe Elysees – This apartment is on the border of the 8th & 17th arrondissement where some of the most famous shops, five-star hotels and Michelin gourmet restaurants are located. You are steps from the famous Arc de Triomphe and from the “Place De L’Etoile” where you can check out views of Champs Elysees Boulevard and the Eiffel Tower. This one bedroom apartment is filled with historic Parisian charm. 1 23
  4. Terrasse Du Sorbonne – This 2 bedroom apartment is located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods, the Latin Quarter, right beside the Sorbonne University. It is a large, 2 bedroom apartment that fits up to 5 guests. From this apartment you will have an easy walk to many central sights such as Saint Germain Des Pres, The River Seine, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musee D’Orsay, Musee Du Louvre and the Jardin Luxembourg. It’s truly in the true center of it all and best of all – has a private terrace! 1 2 3
  5. Le Grand En Isle – This one bedroom apartment can accommodate up to 4 Guests. It’s located on exclusive Ile Saint Louis which is steps from Notre-Dame Cathedral. it is renovated with high-end fittings and furnishings and is stylishly decorated in a historic style to accentuate the original 17th century architectural. 1 2 3 4

 

Don’t these rentals make you just want to hop on the next flight to Paris?! Make sure to check out Cobblestone Paris as they have many more rentals all over the city.

If you guys have any more questions on where to stay when visiting – feel free to shoot me over an email.