Top 10 Summer Nail Polish Colors

If you're someone who enjoys polishing their nails at home, or paying a nail tech to get them done professionally, one thing you may have noticed is that the colorful nail art trend has declined, becoming almost non-existent. 

Now the nail trend is all about using solid colored nail polishes.  

To get you excited to return back to the classic single colored nail polish trend, here are my top 10 summer nail polish colors ranging from soft pastels to bright bolds. 

Top Row: 

China Glaze - Dandy Lyin Around - $4.90 (amazon.com)
Formula X - Iceberg Gray - $10.50 (sephora.com)
Essie - Yespadrilles - $8.50 - (ulta.com)
butter London - High Tea- $15 - (ulta.com)
L'Oreal Paris - Royalty Reinvented - $4.99 (target.com)

Bottom Row: 

Sally Hansen - Morning, Sunshine! - $9.99 (ulta.com)
Maybelline New York - Coral Crush - $2.97  (amazon.com)
Zoya - Demetria - $9 (zoya.com)
OPI - Hotter Than You Pink - $9.50 (ulta.com)
Sonia Kashuk - Peek-A-Blue - $4.79  (target.com)



What are your favorite nail polish colors for summer? 

#NauticaforDad Gift Guide + Giveaway

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 
#NauticaforDad #CollectiveBias

As Father's Day approaches now would be best time to begin shopping for that special man in your life. Whether that man be your dad, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle, cousin or your best friend, the last thing you want to happen is not showing him just how much he means to you.

They do so much for us, the easiest way to show them deep appreciation is to get them a gift fitted for their personality.

Let's take my husband for example. 

He is the most kind-hearted man I've ever known. We've been married for the past five years - which to most people, it doesn't sound like a long time, but in all honesty, it feels as if we have been together for a lifetime.

Not only is he the best provider for our family,  he is the type of person who will give you his last. If you ever need anything and he has it, he will hand it over without hesitation. It was his caring nature and soft spoken soul that drew me to him practically immediately after we first met. 

Along with his good natured personality, he also has many hidden skills: a mechanic, bookworm, tech geek, tailor, and music aficionado.

You would think that shopping for him is impossible, but in all reality is it quite the opposite. 

One of his favorite things to have, other than a wind up wrist watch, is cologne. My husband loves his fragrances. Knowing this, I took a drive out to Macy's to get him the perfect Father's Day gift set.

After spending a few minutes walking around the Men's Fragrance counters, I came across the Nautica Life Gift Set nicely displayed as seen in this photo. 

This fragrance set has four products that any man who loves to smell good would need: (1) 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray, (1) 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray, (1) 2.5 oz After Shave Balm and (1) 2.5 oz Shower Gel.

As you can see in the photo, this fragrance gift set is sleek - the spray bottles are decorated with a rope sprayer inside , gold caps and the elegant Nautica logo on the top. 

The Nautica Life fragrance has a blend of masculine notes, among those are Natural Sage, Provence Lavender and Natural Violet Leaf, that lends this fragrance to smell romantic and enticing.

To get your #NauticaforDad gift set like this one, just visit Macy's site HERE. 


Hopefully this #NauticaforDad post has helped inspire you with gift ideas for this upcoming Father's Day. 


In addition to sharing this new gift set with you, Nautica (via Collective Bias) has given me the opportunity to host a wonderful giveaway with you.

There will be (1) Grand Prize winner who will win a $4000 Cruise Vacation Package & (5) Second Place winners who will win a Nautica Men's Fragrance Gift Package. Please be advised all winners must be over the age of 18.



Nautica for Dad



Always remain connected with Nautica by following them on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram 

Now that you've entered the giveaway and I've shared who I'm celebrating this Father's Day, tell me this: who is the anchor in your life?

Summer Skin Care Tips For Radiant Skin

When summer weather arrives, it's only natural to want to get out and enjoy the sun's glorious rays. But as much as we love the look of sun-kissed skin, it's extremely important to protect your skin to keep it looking healthy and youthful.

Take into consideration the following summer skin care tips and you will be well on your way to enjoying everything the summer season has to offer.

TIP #1: 
Make sun protection part of your daily routine. It's one of the best long-term investments you'll ever make. UVA rays are strong year-round and UVB rays are more intense during mid-day, spring and summer. Wear a moisturizing sunscreen on your face year-round, preferably with an SPF of 15 or higher. Choose a vitamin-enriched lotion that won't clog pores.

For a list of sunscreen recommendations, check out the following article: Six Sunscreen Products for Your Face 

TIP #2:
Want that summer glow without damaging your skin? A sunless tan is quick, easy and provides beautiful results. Two sunless tanner products I recommend are:  L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze (target.com, $9.99) and Ulta Instant Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse (ulta.com, $12.99).  Apply these at least once a week. If you reapply too frequently - for example every day - the results may look unnatural.

TIP #3:
It's important to remember another important step in keeping your skin in tip-top shape: exfoliating. Whether it's before you apply a sunless tanner or after you've been dipping your toes in the pool, exfoliating helps produce a smoother surface and keeps your skin looking toned.

Removing dead skin cells from the top layer of facial skin with a scrub cleanser not only gives a smooth surface for applying a sunless tanner, but also enhances the penetration of moisturizers. 

TIP #4:
Follow your shower or bath with application of a moisturizer, especially after you exfoliate. Use moisturizers specifically designed for body; they tend to have richer emollients. Spray moisturizers are particularly convenient to use on bare legs in the summer.

TIP #5: 
Finally, don't forget toning. Toners are an excellent way to remove residual dead skin cells, dirt, oil and makeup. In hot weather, try keeping a bottle of toner in your refrigerator and apply to your neck, inside your wrists and inner ankles for an immediate cooling effect.  We recommend: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb and Rosewater (ulta.com, $7.00)




Do You have any summer skin care tips you'd like to share?  Let me know below! 

Practical Guide: A Few Simple Ways to #Save4Summer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions stated in this article are mine alone.  #Save4Summer  #CollectiveBias 

There's no question about it: My favorite time of the year is summer break. Both myself and my daughter love enjoying time outdoors, having mini shopping sprees, and sitting in-front of the bonfire at night. 

As of today, we are in week two of our summer break together. All I can say is that as she gets older (she just turned twelve in January), our summer breaks can get a little costly - especially those mini shopping sprees I mentioned. 

So, to make this summer more cost effective (something my dear H. really appreciates) we decided to plan our summer a little different this year. 

A FEW SIMPLE WAYS TO #SAVE4SUMMER 

1. STAYING LOCAL

This summer we are making the most of it by enjoying activities held right here in the city of Columbus (Ohio). We moved here four years ago and luckily for us, we are within five-ten minutes from Easton Town Center. 

This year there are quite a few activities that she is interested in. So far, she's made plans for us next week to watch Movies by Moonlight (Tuesday nights), Sounds on the Town (Wednesday nights), Easton Farmers Market (Thursday nights) and Fitness Yoga on the Square (Friday mornings). 

All of these events are completely free. The only money that will be spent is if we decide to grab something to eat/drink while we are there. 

2. SWITCHING TO A LOW PRICED UNLIMITED PHONE PLAN 

Now that we have planned our summer evenings, I thought it would be the perfect time to change our current phone plan.  After doing a little research, both my H. and I opted to switch over to Walmart Family Mobile. 

The WFM service is only $29.88/month (for the first line), unlimited talk, text and data service plan that includes up to 1G of 4G LTE data. After looking through the display, I decided to purchase the ZTE ZMAX ($179.99 + $25 for the Walmart Starter Packet). 

Of course there were other phone options available that were a little less expensive, but the ZTE ZMAX was the most ideal phone for us to use this summer. 

The ZTE ZMAX has a 5.7" HD touchscreen that displays crisp images, movies and videos. 

This comes in handy during those early mornings when we go for our walks along the Hoover Dam or when we sit on the back deck in front of the bonfire. 

The phone also has built in GPS. This is always a must feature for me. I am not the best at navigating through Columbus. Using this feature on the WFM 4G LTE service has been great - we haven't lost connection while driving - which has happened to me before using other carriers. 

One feature that captured my attention was the built in WIFI / Mobile Hotpsot. Although we are doing our best to have fun this summer, I still have to work at my online boutique. Using this hotspot feature helps me to work on the go. 

Before switching over to WFM, I would just stop at any local coffee shop to work on an order or answer customer emails when needed, but unfortunately there were several times when the connections available were extremely slow. 

Now, I don't have that problem anymore. The WFM 4G LTE service makes connecting my laptop to the phone an easy process. 

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of this posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer HERE or your local Walmart for current pricing. 

3. A FEW EXTRA #SAVE4SUMMER IDEAS 

In the event if you are not able to find any free local events to attend this summer in your city, here are a few extra ideas to help you get inspired. 

• visit friends or family that live out of town - not only will this help you save on hotel fees, but it will also give you time to explore a new city while spending time with loved ones. 
• last minute bargain air-fares - if you are not too selective about where you and the family want to spend the summer, look for discounted all-in travel packages. 
• camping - campsites have come a long way over recent years. Most campsites are very comfortable to stay in while still offering budget friendly accommodations. 

And there you have it: a few simple ways to #save4summer.  Planning a budget friendly summer shouldn't stop you from having fun with the family. Yes, you will need to be a resourceful at times, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy this summer season without overspending. 

What are your plans for summer savings?  Leave a comment and let me know! 

Coral Hued Makeup You Need This Summer

Of all the ways to achieve looking like a bronze goddess this summer, the most effective way is to incorporate coral hued makeup products to your over all makeup look. 

Coral is a signature color for summer makeup. It's such a universal shade that practically anyone can rock this summer trend. 

The following are two coral hued makeup products to help you get this look: 

1. STARLOOKS CREAM BLUSH in "FALLEN ANGEL"

Fallen Angle is a cream blush with a satin finish. The formula is extremely silky. Although the blush is a cream formula, when swatched/applied to cheeks it dries to a powder finish. 

In regards to pigmentation, it's highly saturated with color.  What I love the most is that the blush is definitely coral hued with a rich golden undertone - perfect for summer. 

Best way to apply:  fingers, beauty blender or a synthetic bristle stippling brush. 
Cost: $18 

2. STARLOOKS LIP PENCIL in "ROSEATE"

Roseate is a long lasting lip pencil with a completely matte finish. The formula is super creamy - allowing it to glide on the lips very easily. 

This shade is perfect for overdrawing the lips as well as using it to fill in the lips for a matte lip. 

The lip pencil in Roseate has more of a coral pink tone to it.  A lip pencil in this shade will help deepen a coral hued lipstick. You can also pair this lip pencil with nudes, pinks - even a red lipstick. 

Cost: $13 


Here is an image of these two product swatched on medium toned skin: 

Not only do these makeup products swatch beautifully as seen above, they wear just as beautifully on the skin. 

To purchase one or both of these products, click {these are NOT affiliate} the following links to be directed to the Starlooks website. 

Cream Blush in Fallen Angel 
Lip Pencil in Reseate 

As an added bonus, Starlooks offers free shipping + use promo code WELCOME1 at checkout for 10% off your order. 

I hope you enjoyed this short makeup review. There will be more upcoming reviews in the next few weeks - so please stay tuned for more Starlooks related content - including news about their new Classic Starbox subscription beginning in July (delivering in August) which will only cost $12 + free shipping. 

There's no question about the quality of these products from Starlooks. Both cream blush and lip pencil are certainly pro quality - both formulas are long wearing with amazing color pay off, yet natural looking and comfortable to wear during the summer heat. 

Adding a touch of coral to your summer makeup with these two products will give you a gorgeous golden sun-kissed look. 

Will you be incorporating these coral products into your summer makeup routine? 

Affordable Jewelry Is Just A Click Away...Literally

If you are looking for high quality jewelry at affordable prices, without the hassle of visiting different stores, then you should consider joining Rocksbox. 

It's simple, effective, time saving, and less costly than shopping at traditional jewelry stores.  It also provides for a virtually limitless selection of  earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that actually fit your individual style. 

To give you an idea of the jewelry pieces that are sent to you, take a look at the three pieces I received in my most recent Rocksbox....


1. GORJANA - SHERA PENDANT NECKLACE 

This pendant necklace is simple, dainty and gorgeous. The necklace can easily be styled on its own or layered with other necklaces. 

2. GORJANA - RYDER SHIMMER EAR CLIMBERS 

Ear climbers are all the rage, and with good reason. I love this pair in particular because they are lightweight and easy to wear - they are french hook styled earrings. 

3. MATTERIAL FIX - HENNA STATEMENT CUFF 

Of most jewelry pieces, cuffs are among my favorite to wear. This gold cuff is beyond beautiful - the intricate design with tiny crystal accent stones makes this a statement piece all on its own. 

In my opinion, this has to be the best Rocksbox I've received to date. I love all three pieces + they can easily be worn together for an allover stylish look. 

After seeing these pieces, if you're interested in getting a Rocksbox of your own, here's what you do: 

1. Click here to go straight to their homepage. 

2. Go to the "Get Started" button.

3. Take the style quiz

4. Fill in your shipping information

5. Enter your billing information 

6. At the bottom BEFORE activating your account, use PROMO CODE  miassanchezxoxo - this will allow you to get your first box FREE. 

Once you activate your account just sit back and wait for your box to arrive at your doorstep - that easy. 

As you can see, Rocksbox clearly offers a range of jewelry pieces to fit your individual style. To take it a step further, you can always create your own wishlist of items for your next box. 

Of course, the best feature is that the shipping is free - both ways. You don't have to pay extra for the box to be shipped back once you're done with the jewelry. Inside your box there will be a return packaging slip provided for you. 

Another perk of being a Rocksbox Shine Insider is that if there is a certain piece of jewelry in your box you just can't part with, you have the option to buy it at a reduced cost. 

Buying jewelry from your personal rocksbox just makes sense for so many reasons: the time saved (you don't have to leave your doorstep!), the virtually limitless selection (every month different pieces are sent to you), and affordable prices. 

It just can't be beat. 

Trust me, once you've experienced the simplicity and effectiveness of receiving your monthly Rocksbox, you may never want to go back to the mall for jewelry shopping again.