Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to shop for sweets and makeup. Here are my top picks this year that I’m lusting over:::
ABH Modern Renaissance ~ I fell in love with this palette when I saw both Tati and Manny MUA do flawless tutorials using it. For a beginner in makeup (aka me) this is the FIRST time I’ve ever attempted a YT makeup tutorial with a palette and it came out looking the same. Typically, my eyeshadow blends together looking like one color when I attempt anything. My favorite color is Primavera (the bold glittery gold), I live for a glittery color I can combine with mascara and a few pops of pink for a fresh faced look. The colors are pigmented and have some serious staying power. I have a feeling I’ll use up this palette (especially the shimmery tones) within the next month. I’m hooked, officially the biggest ABH fan. They also have a stunning liquid lipstick in the color Lovely which complements every skintone, lasts for hours and has the perfect bold pink color:
This next item, I’m extremely excited about because…ok, why am I admitting this..I wore it THREE days in a row…
Meet the Chaser Brand Peace Fingers Top the bold pattern and vivid colors in this top caught my eye right away. It’s super soft and comfy and is the perfect yogawear. Best part?! Pair it with a leather jacket and ripped jeans and it easily goes from day to night. The purple and turquoise really stand out and make this very unique. I doubt anyone on your gifting list has this top! They definitely need it. Their site is stocked with amazing pieces, some of my other favs are their: Tacos y Tequila, Deconstructed Raglan Pullover, Aerosmith Vintage Logo, Strappy Detail Leggings and their Triblend Jumpsuit. Art + fashion = Chaser Brand, there are so many chic but everyday pieces in their line.
I don’t know about you guys but I am beyond ready for Spring! Bring on the spring scents in preparation for this nicer weather! Scentsimple makes beautiful candles crafted in the USA in a delicious bouquet of scents. I keep the Spring Rhubarb in my kitchen (I have it going right now) it’s the perfect blend of tart + earthy. All of their candles are hand poured using premium soy wax and premium grade fragrance oils. You guys know I have an obsession with everything scented rose (from face moisturizers and masks to body oils and oil diffusers it’s up there as a fav). Maine Sea Rose combines a crisp salty beach with a field of fresh roses. I’m glad it has a 40 hr burntime because I’ve been using this EVERY single night.
What better gift to pair with a candle than a Brown Sugar Mask from Wei. A spa night in is quite possibly the best gift you can give. This mask is packed with molasses (helps with hyperpigmentation), plum (rich in Vitamin C and helps with brightening) and sugar promotes glowing, hydrated skin. For the legit spa experience, this mask pack comes with a brush to gently apply and than leave on for up to five minutes. Once done, you massage the mask until the sugar “melts.” I’ve tried three so far. I love that 8 treatments are included so you can use one/week and make them last for quite a bit. They also have a fabulous line of Wei Sheet Masks.
After using a mask, I also reccomend pairing that with the Algenist Luminizing Drops in Champagne, Rose and Pearl:
I wore the Champagne Color mixed with a BB cream to exercise. After 60 minutes of cardio, my skin never looked better and the product stayed put! I’ve tried this mixed into foundation, applied before foundation and after…it is SO versatile and the best way to get a glow:
They blend beautifully with all skin tones. When I don’t feel like applying any heavy makeup, I mix these with coconut oil and just go! It’s a staple that anyone would love in their collection.
I’m sure you’ve seen photos of Jars by Dani all over online. Being a baker, I’m always skeptical about these ready made cakes that are shipped. I’ve had some really bad experiences with them (one in particular was a huge luxury department store that ships fancy cakes – they arrived defrosted / refrozen half melted and tasting like chemicals for…*womp womp womp* $75 big dollars). I was honestly blown away by these jars!!! A+ experience. Everything arrived fresh and Dani is clearly on top of her quality control game. It’s not often that treats sold online in fact taste as good as they look, these I highly reccomend and put my stamp of approval all over them. Not only is it cake but some varieties are a rich mousse or edible cookie dough. Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Fudge Beownie, Cake Batter and much more! I know!!! Let those flavor combos sink in for just a moment. Thanks Dani, for helping us all break those NYE resolutions 😉
What pairs best with cake?! You know my answer…coffee! You might recognize Bean Box from my Amaretti Cookies video. Seattle is coffee central and this monthly box is stocked with freshly roasted beans from their local award winners. All coffee is shipped to order within 48hrs guaranteeing the best cup possible. My favorite was the Java Sunda Blend (I tasted a chocolate flavor) and I might be sampling it right now paired with a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie. They offer tons of various Gift Sets but spring for the subscription if you know a real coffee lover who appreciates a fresh cup each day.
If you want something entirely different from the typical box of chocolates, head on over to Shrivers for some of their famous Jersey Shore treats. Biting their sugary, rich fudge reminds me of hot sunny days on the Ocean City, NJ boardwalk. Ah, for a brief moment we can pretend it’s not winter. The price is super reasonable, at $14 you get a pack of 1 1/4 lb variety fudge. If you’re having trouble making a decision, order the chocolate walnut. The texture is perfect and it’s so fresh I feel like I just walked from the beach and into their storefront.
Mademoiselle de Margaux is known for their Parisian chocolate twigs. Three words: Dark Chocolate Raspberry. These were actually born by accident as some of the best recipes are! A machine in Bordeaux, France was blocked resulting in thinner chocolate sticks. What a delicious mistake! And what better item to stir in your fresh cup of coffee?!
Just in case that didn’t give you enough sweet ideas, Dolle’s has been making salt water taffy since 1910! They have a strong chewy pull and are soft. My favorite taffy is the licorice, I know I know weird but I love black licorice. This is yet another candy to remind you of summer.
Now that I’ve given you some sweet ideas, I saved one of my favorites for the very end. What pairs better with dessert than something to create balance! Urbn Fit has this super cute stability ball in pink. This is hands down, my #1 workout tool. I remember the very first workout DVD I ever used consistently was Brooke Burke and Gunnar Peterson (I really wish they’d make a new one bc the series is so old the sound quality is almost distracting). But luckily thanks to YT there are endless free workout videos with the stability ball, some good ones are Natalie Jill Fitness, Brooke Burke, Evin (ummm can we just talk about how her toddler pulled up a seat next to her and she didn’t even get distracted…love this one!), Xhit Fitness, Yoga by Candace and Upside Down Pilates. These are just a FEW of the fitness routines that incorporate a stability ball. As you can see, this is a $20 gift that will get tons of use. Want to win a stability ball?!? Comment below with which of the above exercise tutorials you’ll be trying and you’ll be entered to win!
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