Review: Mama Mio Tummy Oil via BeautyStoreDepot.com

I've spent most of my adult life avoiding oil. I have acne- prone, oily skin, and I have oily hair. Too much of my teenage years were spent blotting my slick face with oil absorbing sheets, which would turn an embarrassing clear when I'd use them. Until a few years ago, all of my beauty products were oil-free, and the very notion of selling me a bottle of oil to use anywhere on my face, skin, or hair was laughable.

I can't quite pinpoint when things changed, but a couple years back, I recall getting a facial from my friend Rita, and she used an oil cleanser on my face and spoke about how oily skin responds well to treatments with oil because, well, oil binds to oil. Or something like that (I'm sure she was much more eloquent and factual). Since that little pep talk and since noting that my mom, who looks way young for her age, has always used baby oil as a body moisturizer, I've become an oil lover! Daily, I now use a coconut oil on my hair, an argan oil on my face, and an oil-based face cleanser. Is it any wonder that I sought out a stretch mark prevention oil during this pregnancy?

When I get pregnant, I gain a lot of weight. I am not one of those dainty women who gets to brag about how she can still fit into her regular yoga pants despite the baby bump. My regular clothing hasn't seen the light of day in months. With Caroline, I gained 70 pounds. With this one, I'm up 50 pounds (with four weeks to go, still). I wear a size large in maternity clothing. I get huge, so stretch marks are something that I've always been a little cognizant of.

When Austin-based company Beauty Store Depot sent me info about the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil they carry, I had to learn more. The body butter I used before was great, but with my new oil admiration, I jumped at the chance to try out Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil. They sent me a bottle before Christmas, and now with just a few short weeks to go, I'm happy to report that I have no new stretch marks!
Straight up: I use this after every shower and I also slather it on whenever my midsection feels itchy. Since December 12, I have used this almost daily (and took it with me over the holidays), and I still have about half a bottle (one bottle would easily make it through one pregnancy). It absorbs fast, smells great, and man... I wish I would have used this last time. I am currently 36 weeks along and the only stretch marks I have are light, residual ones, low, low down from my time carrying Caroline. Since no tummy oil review would be worth its salt without a bare tummy photo, here's a belly pic that I had Chris snap right before I posted this post (my modesty is making me cringe, but I had to put some kind of photographic evidence out there, didn't I?): If, for whatever reason, you're not an oil convert like me, I hear the Mama Mio Tummy Butter is good stuff, too (in my experience, body oils go a lot further than body butters). Mama Mio recommends using their tummy products for up to four months postpartum, too, as the omega oils are said to help skin shrink down to pre-pregnancy size. I'll be sure to report back if that's the case! Not pregnant? No worries. Mama Mio makes a bevy of beauty products worth checking out. The granola girl that I've seemingly become appreciates that their entire line is free of parabens, petrolatum, sodium laureth, sodium laurel sulphate, xenoestrogen, phtalates, colorants, and synthetic fragrances.
The reviews on the tummy oil on Amazon are outstanding, but the price is way cheaper at BeautyStoreDepot.com, plus right now you can enjoy 15% off with code PRESIDENTS as well as these exclusive Adored Austin promos: 

• With Mama Mio orders $100+, you can receive a free Shrink to Fit Cream OR Skin Tight Toning Serum ($56 value each). 
• With Mama Mio orders $200+, you can receive a free Bootcamp for Arms Kit ($75 value). 
• Use code ADORED in the shopping cart to receive your free gift. The free gift won't display in the shopping cart but will be added to your order before shipping. If you have a preference between the Shrink to Fit Cream or Skin Tight Toning Serum, note the preference in the Order Notes section of checkout.

Know a pregnant lady? I think this Mama Mio Pregnancy Essentials Kit would make a really thoughtful gift.

/////

Financial compensation was not received for this post. A sample product was generously gifted from my friends at BeautyStoreDepot.com. Opinions expressed here are my own. For more info on the reviews I do, see Adored Austin's full disclosure policy.

The haul that will probably begat more hauls

In the sixth grade, my world got turned upside down by a new girl in my little town named Dominee. (First of all, in a land of Amy's and Amanda's, how cool is the name Dominee?) Dominee was from the Eagleton of southern Indiana (i.e. Columbus), and along with name brand clothing and fancy chocolate, she introduced me to department store makeup. From the sixth grade on, Wet 'n' Wild and CoverGirl would not do for this girl. No, I became a Clinique super fan. 

Despite becoming best friends with a self-professed beauty junkie in college (hi, Bee!), I never strayed from Clinique. I even donned the white lab coat in college and became a Clinique consultant at my local mall. Admittedly, I drank the makeup counter sales girl Kool-aid and convinced myself that makeup and skincare are formulated to work together, and therefore, we shouldn't mix and match skincare and beauty brands (untrue). My face has been nearly 100% Clinique ever since Dominee gifted me with a bonus time tube of Tenderheart lipstick and a tiny bottle of DDML at age twelve. 

That was nearly twenty years ago, but suddenly, it's all changed. As of this week, I now own all this:

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette // 2. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (Trooper) // 3. Michael Kors Leg Shine // 4. Benefit Brow Zings (Dark) // 5. Chanel Pressed Powder (#40) // 6. NARS Albatross // 7. Glamglow Mud Mask // 8. Urban Decay Optical Blurring Brush // 9. Cle de Peau concealer (honey) // 10. Benefit They're Real mascara // 11. MAC #217 brush // 12. Benefit Fake-up concealer (medium) // 13. Le Metier de Beaute Dark Spot Corrector (c/o)

Not a single Clinique product in the bunch! I have to attribute this to insomnia. On one of my sleepless nights away, I discovered Makeup Addiction on Reddit. I read and read and read and then spent the next several weeks researching and learning and yearning. When I got home to Austin this week, I diverted funds from my fancy shoe savings (again) and picked up all these new goodies. The Glamglow mask, Cle de Peau concealer, and They're Real mascara have been opened and tried. They are complete game changers, and I'm excited to tell y'all more about them here in the ensuing weeks.

Is there anything else I should add to my list?

You see, I've been ho-hum about my face for the last few years. I do an occasional bold lip, and I'm rarely seen without at least a thin line of black eyeliner, but for the most part, that's it. I don't use face powder, brow stuff, or eyeshadow, like, ever. Despite having worked at a makeup counter in college, I consider myself to be a makeup n00b. It's going to be fun trying all these new things! I don't expect Adored Austin to become a beauty blog, but as I'm gearing up for Mrs. Texas, I'm certainly going to experiment with new products and new looks. 

And one time my friends staged an intervention...

Nothing on Adored Austin is really "TMI" anymore since the posting of my birth stories, which is why I'd like to confess something to you today:

Our mornings maxed

When it comes to parenting, there are very few things I can say I've mastered. I can't figure out how to get my kids' naps to synch up. I can't get Caroline to crawl forward instead of backwards. I can't get Jude to do a number two on the toilet. However, one thing that I can say I've mastered is maximizing our morning. The kids wake up around 9:30 a.m. and we, as a family, hit the ground running.

If I were a morning person, I'd set my alarm for 7 a.m. and have two+ hours of uninterrupted me-time before the little ones start stirring, but alas, since Caroline is not yet sleeping through the night (meaning I'm up with her at midnight, 4 a.m., and 7 a.m.), this lady chooses to sleep in as long as possible. No need to set an alarm; hearing my kids through their baby monitors gets me going. Because they sleep until 9 or 9:30, and because I typically want us out the door by 10 a.m., I am a pro at maximizing what's left of our mornings.

Our typical weekday mornings look like this:
7 a.m.: Caroline cries out for morning milk. I do a big nursing session in her room and put her back down for two more hours of snoozing. I go back to bed myself.

9:30: Jude gets out of bed and turns off his white noise machine. This jolts me (and Noodles) awake. I bolt up, knowing I have only a few minutes until he starts calling out to me, thus waking Caroline who has the room right next to his.

9:31: I'm a night showerer, so I quickly brush my teeth, wash my face, and then moisturize my face and body. Vaseline Spray & Go enables me to spray my body lotion on and get dressed immediately. On workout days, my exercise pants go on instantly. On non-workout days, I shimmy into my skinny jeans without waiting for my lotion to dry.

9:35: I put on a little make-up (foundation, blush, and eyeliner), pull down the bun I've slept in, and I greet Jude at his door. I quickly change diapers and get both kids downstairs.

9:45: I let Caroline work on crawling in the living room while I get Jude situated in his high chair in the kitchen. I give him a yogurt while I heat up a sausage link and toast him a piece of raisin bread. While he eats and watches birds at the bird feeder, I nurse Caroline if she seems hungry again.

10:00: We're out the door, either meeting a friend for a walk around the lake or a romp on the playground or we make a trip to the store. We often grab lunch while we're out or we're back home by 11 for lunch and Caroline's first nap.

We try to get out of the house every single day so we can enjoy our city together. What's helped my family is having certain weekday rhythms and go-to items that help this non-morning person get the ball rolling: speed inducing beauty products like Vaseline Spray & Go, dark skinny jeans with a fitted top, and a swipe of bright lipstick help me look good and feel good.

I can get ready and get two kids up and out the door in 30 minutes flat. How about y'all? Do you speed out the door or are your mornings a little more leisurely?
For more info, please visit MaxtheMorning.com. Thank you so much for supporting the companies that support my family.

My postpartum favorites + a giveaway [closed]

As I write this, I am still pregnant, but tomorrow is my due date! We are ready to go here in the Adams household, eager to welcome our (as of now, unnamed) little girl into our lives. Last month I did a little post about some of my favorite products and books I used throughout my pregnancy. As I gear up to shift out of pregnancy, I thought I'd post a little idea sparker for gifts you can get a new mom to help her in her immediate postpartum days:
1. pajamas that button up the front // 2. thick body butter formulated to help fade stretch marks* // 3. deodorant powder // 4. a sleep mask filled with lavender pods // 5. thank you cards // 6. a nice pen

Please follow the jump to read my product reviews and to win a full-sized container of DreamBelly Butter ($17.95 ARV). Three winners will be chosen!

The things we carry

This family is a bag family. And by bag family, I mean we each carry a bag almost every where we go. Here's a peek at what's weighing us down, er, what we're currently carrying around:
The bag: Oversized Colorblock Handbag c/o GoJane.com:
The contents: 1. iPhone 4s with pink OtterBox // 2. Sharpie pen // 3. Death & Texas wallet // 4. AnneMarie mini-wallet (for loyalty and business cards) // 5. Blum Naturals Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues c/o BeautyBox5 // 6. Clinique Sunset Glow blush // 7. Clinique Chianti lipstick // 8. Buxom mascara.
The bag: Skip Hop Bee Bag purchased at Baby Earth
The contents: 1. Tommy Tippee cup // 2. Bumkins sleeved bib // 3. cheap calculator (seriously one of his favorite "toys") // 4. Best Bottom diaper // 5. Huggies Natural Care wipes // 6. Planet Wise wet bag // 7. Best Bottom diaper liner.
The bag: Ogio c/o his work
The contents: 1. airline peanuts ("You never know when you're going to have a protein emergency!") // 2. lock for gym locker // 3. chalk for weight lifting // 4. New! bar shampoo c/o Lush // 5. Old Spice Classic stick deodorant // 6. Verb hair paste // 7. Macbook Pro (work computer) // 8. Clinique Men's Hydrater // 9. Clique Men's Shave Aloe Gel

I don't know what the things we carry say about us, but I do know that this post turned out a little more boring than I anticipated. I wish one of us carried something interesting. Like a concealed handgun. Or really, anything, from Sky Mall.

One last hurrah at Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Last weekend, Chris and Jude and I did our last hurrah as a family of three at Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Have you been there before? I went to the country club part last winter for Chris' holiday work party, but truth be told, I didn't actually know that there was a big, all-inclusive resort there that was open to the public. Having lived here in Austin for six years, I feel like I know my city pretty well, so it's always a surprise when I find something new that I love.
With four renowned courses, Barton Creek is a golfer's oasis. Much to our families' disappointment, Chris and I are not golfers, but nonetheless, we did appreciate the view from our room of the green, rolling hills and golf course.
Our room amenities were great! His and her bathrobes, chocolates on our pillow, and a giant, comfortable bed. Jude even got fresh baked cookies and milk at night and in the morning. Way to spoil us all! It was almost enough to make me want to stay in the room and never venture out!
Almost. Beside all the golf and tennis stuff, there was so much to see and do! For guests staying longer than a night, there were books to borrow, several dining options to discover, and even a theater open on the weekends that served meals while showing family-friendly movies! There were three really great boutiques on site, and I was pleasantly surprised to see each boutique bustling with lady shoppers, oohing and ahhing over the pretty clothes and accessories (name brands included Burberry, Tory Burch, Lily Pultizer, and Marc Jacobs). One lady in the spa shop bought over $500 worth of silky pajamas!

The resort was sold out last weekend, which was incredible considering there wasn't a major convention, tv show filming, or a giant celebrity wedding happening. April, who gave me a quick property tour guide, said a lot of families get away to Barton Creek Resort as a last hurrah before school starts up again. Even though every room was booked, the resort didn't feel crowded or noisy at all. What I did notice is that there were all sorts of people there: families with little kids, families with teenagers, groups of guys, groups of women, older couples, younger couples, etc.

Although there were plenty of dining options on site, I had my heart set on trying The County Line for the first time:
This is the original County Line location and only 1.5 miles away from the resort. It was definitely worth the little trip for the macaroni and peppered turkey alone, but Jude was anxious to get back for swimming, which we had been promising him all week:
The pool was amazing! We ended up staying in the pool past dark, and by the time we got back to our room, we were all ready to sleep. Needless to say, all that night swimming made us ravenous the next morning. Since we enjoyed the Autumn in Austin package, a giant breakfast buffet was included:
Every single one of my favorite breakfast foods were there: an omelet bar, puffy bagels with lox and capers, pastries and fresh fruit galore... I wanted to gorge myself but I had a prenatal massage scheduled for 11 a.m. (my first prenatal massage this pregnancy!), so I used a bit of restraint.
Jude and Chris headed back out to the pool (and the giant chessboard) while I prepared to get pampered. For my prenatal massage I saw a massage therapist named Saffron, who has worked at the resort for over 10 years. Nearly all the employees we met had worked there a long time, and I think that's a really great sign. My massage with Saffron was out of this world. Let me tell you, it was the most blissful 50 minutes I've had in a long, long time; the treatment room had a special cushion for pregnant ladies with a dip for big tummies. It was so nice to be able to lay on my stomach for a while!

The spa amenities were unbelievable. They have a "tranquility room" where spa patrons can relax before and after their treatments. I padded in there after my massage and took the tiniest snooze while my guys were still splashing about in the pool. There's also a women's only eucalyptus steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi, which I am for sure going to take advantage of the next time I return. Thankfully there is a locals "Spa Splash" deal which includes a 50-minute spa service, a pool pass for the day, a glass of wine, parking and up to 90 minutes of complimentary childcare. Who's with me? How does late October look for you? I'm going to ask for a day at the spa and a big bottle of their Texas Bliss Shampoo and Conditioner (made on site!) for my birthday.
Our family staycation at Barton Creek Resort was amazing. There were so many family friendly activities, and although it's just a quick drive away from our house in east Austin, we felt like we were a million miles away because we were able to completely relax, enjoy the hill country view, and take advantage of a lot of the fun offerings the resort had to offer. I'd love to make a staycation at Barton Creek Resort a family tradition of ours.

I'm on somewhat of a modified bedrest plan from now until I give birth (which is a huge bummer to me), so truly, this was a real treat for me and my little family.

Disclosure: This is an unpaid review. We were not obligated via compensation to provide a positive review, but resort package and spa treatment were comped in exchange for our honest, published, opinion. For more information, please see my complete disclosure policy.

My Maternity Favorites

I had my 33 week midwife appointment today, and it hit me that it's a very real possibility that in a little more than a month, I could be holding Baby Girl Adams (Jude was born at 37.5 weeks, and apparently it's pretty common to go the same number of weeks --or less!-- with subsequent births). Bah!

That got me thinking about the all the stuff I've been using a lot this pregnancy, so I thought I'd take some time away from my busy napping and Hulu watching schedule to share those with you:

1. Earth Mama Natural Stretch Oil // 2. Urban Skintrition Stretch Mark Cream // 3. Aveda Blue Oil // 4. Redkin Powder Refresh // 5. Clinique Turnaround Moisturizer // 6. Baby Bump Pro // 7. Fossil Braid Stretch Belt // 8. Bearpaw Bailee Loafers // 9. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea // 10. Liz Lange Maxi Dress // 11. Be Maternity BeBand // 12. Husband Coached Childbirth // 13. Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way // 14. What to Expect When You're Expecting

Click on the item above to be taken to its webpage. Read on for my thoughts on why these have become pregnancy essentials for me this go around:

Review by Chris: Waterstone Salon

A quick note: Starting now, from time to time my husband Chris will occasionally contribute content to Adored Austin. From my giveaway entries and talking with friends I know there are at least a few menfolk who lurk here, and every once in a while Chris has a great story or experience to share. He's an excellent blogger (he even blogged for Clinique for a year!), and I am excited he's willing to share his voice here. Without further ado, here's a post from Chris. -Indiana

I badly needed a haircut. The girl who has cut my hair for the last three years left her salon, so for my last two cuts I went to the closest place by my work then used a random salon my wife found on Groupon. Results were less than satisfactory. Unlike Indiana who can go six months without a haircut, I need a trim every six weeks to keep my mop looking decent.
As you can see, it had been a while since my last cut, perhaps two months, and I was starting to develop what Indiana calls a "Mullittle" (a little mullet). I call them "ducktails". I would like to state here and now that I have never had a mullet, not even as a child in the 1980's. Nor a rattail.

When Indiana said a perspective blog sponsor would like to give me a haircut, I knew I had to take it, but I was suspicious. Please remember, she had previously sent me to a get a bad haircut at a less than stellar salon she had found on Groupon.

Being the trusting and loving husband that I am and being in dire need of a cut, I allowed her to set me up an appointment with Ziggy at Waterstone Salon. Last Saturday, we went.
Waterstone only sells Bumble and Bumble hair products. Fun fact: when my wife and I were just dating, I accidentally broke a cologne bottle so I put the cologne into an empty Bumble and Bumble spray container. Indiana came over to my place, saw it in the bathroom, thought it was hair spray, and proceeded to coat her hair with my cologne. For that reason, we always smile when we see Bumble and Bumble bottles.

We arrived a few minutes late to the appointment, and Ziggy was waiting patiently for us in the waiting area. Right off that bat, I noticed two things:

New Spring Loves (2012)

Recently I feel like I've been introduced to a lot of new, great things, so I thought I'd share what I'm currently digging.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11

Local Love: Great Nails & Spa

I met my new friend Lia last Monday at Buyosphere's BeautyXBar brunch, and she showed me her sparkly shellacked nails and told me of this magical place where men massaged your feet and punched your shins for an hour at a time. She warned me that a manicure would come with arm punching so brutal it'd leave bruises and that the massage would reach so high your armpits would get some action... all for under $40. This sounded simultaneously weird and awesome (i.e. my kind of place). I had to check it out for myself.

If you're ever driving on South 1st and see this ho-hum sign
and spy this "wouldn't- take- a- second- glance- at- it" shopping strip,
pull your car over immediately and walk through this door:
Do not be alarmed by the lack of fancy. Inside Great Nails & Spa, you will find the most affordable, invigorating pedicure and manicure that you have ever experienced.

When I lived in California, I got my nails doen every two weeks without fail. Since moving to Texas and adjusting our family's budget, the first thing on the chopping block was the luxury of a bi-weekly pampering. However, my feet took a serious beating after hoofing it all over town in unwise shoes during SXSW, so I decided to treat myself to a pedicure per Lia's recommendation/ warning. And let me tell you: it was divine.

I can see why Tyra is so crazy about Vaseline now...

Have you guys seen this video, yet? This really happened!
Obviously, Tyra Banks has long been a fan of Vaseline, but all of her insanity aside, legendary beauties such as Marilyn Monroe and my own mother tout Vaseline as the MVP of their beauty arsenal.

Some back story: my husband Chris is a little chemist. He's always mixing up lotions and making his own toner and face wash (instead of just buying some from the Clinique counter like I do). Me? Not so much. I buy what I need and don't usually get all DIY-y in my make-up or beauty routine, but that all changed last week because 1- I saw the above video, and 2- Vaseline sent me a nifty little package to try some dabbling of my own. While Jude was sleeping, I made a sugar scrub, created smokey eyes, made a travel lipgloss and contouring cream, and found a secret way to use less perfume! Just call me the vanity MacGyver. Wait. Don't. Calling me "Awesome" will do just fine.

Here's everything you need to get started: contact lens case, pressed eye shadow (dark for contouring cream, light for highlighting cream. I used Radiant's Sand Dollar), dark eyeliner (I used Radiant's Gravity), matte lipstick (I used Radiant's Matte Red), raw sugar, Precision Tip Q-Tips, Crystal Light powder, a toothbrush, Vaseline, Vaseline Lip Therapy (optional), my favorite perfume (Michael Kors Island Hawaii).

1. Lip Sugar Scrub:
Kiss your chapped, winter lips goodbye. Place a half pea sized dollop of Vaseline on an old toothbrush, dust with raw sugar, and move the toothbrush around in a circle motion on your dry lips. Wipe off with a dry washcloth. Apply Vaseline Lip Therapy or your new gloss from trick #3 (see below).

2. Smokey Eyes:
Line your upper lids as close to the lash line as possible with a dark liner (gray is the optimal choice). Put a tiny amount of Vaseline on the end of a Precision Tip Q-Tip. Smudge lightly, moving the Q-Tip from the inside corner of your eye, outward in small dabs.

3. Handy Dandy Travel Lipgloss:
Using a Q-Tip, place a generous pat of Vaseline in a (clean) contact case. Using the stick part of the Q-Tip, chisel a bit of your favorite matte lipstick off and add it to the Vaseline with a tiny sprinkle of Crystal Light (for flavoring). Mix well. Do a different shade in the other side or make...

4. Cream Contour:
Using a Q-Tip, place a generous pat of Vaseline in a (clean) contact case. Using the stick part of the Q-Tip (broken in half), scrape out a bit of tan eyeshadow and add it to the Vaseline. Mix well. Using your ring finger, apply to the crease above your eyes or under your cheek bones. Note: Use a light beige eyeshadow (instead of dark tan) to make a cream highlighter, instead.

5. Perfume Extender:
I read that perfume doesn't last as long on dry skin. This trick has made my perfume scent last until I shower! Put a pea sized amount of Vaseline in your palm and rub your palms together to emulsify it. Now treat this like lotion apply to your inner wrists, décolleté, and behind your ears. Add a dab of perfume to the same areas.

I love tricks #3 & #4 for traveling. I plan to make a contact case with two DIY lip glosses (red and pink) and one with the contour and the highlighter when Chris and I go to Atlanta next week for the holidays.

I've also been using Vaseline as a nighttime moisturizer (much to Chris' chagrin) and I've been slathering it on my heels and sleeping in socks to keep my feet soft. So far, so good! I have extremely acne prone skin and was more than a little trepidatious to use Vaseline as my nighttime moisturizer, but my mom does it and she looks amazing for her age! So far, no breakouts!

What about you guys? Any other beauty DIY's you want to share with me?

Comment of the Day: I "read in an interview with Evangeline Lily that she travels so much and never gets sick on planes because she rubs Vaseline inside her nose (yes, inside). It prevents her nose from drying out and getting teeny cracks in it where the germs can get in. I've tried this a few times and it works. Though, make sure to apply it when you are alone lest you be mistaken for a nose picker." -Julie

A total whack job

For the greater part of ten years, my favorite thing about the way I looked was my loooooong hair, but lately, I've found myself either throwing it in a bun or a ponytail, tired of it's lack of style. My hair grows fast. Remember that time I got bangs? Two months later they were gone. Because of this, I finally gave it to an actual haircut at a place that does not have "barbershop" in the title. Why not try something new?

I saw Fransico Villa, owner of Francisco's Salon on South Congress (it's across the walkway from Hopdoddy and Kendra Scott).

Fifteen minutes into my consultation, I felt so comfortable with the owner that I threw all caution to the wind. "You know what, Francisco? You know what you're doing. I trust you. Have at it." Not even two minutes later he had severed my entire ponytail.

Aaaaaaaaaaaugh!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!!

Video: Blo

I wish I could have a blowout every day. As promised here's a little video that Intern Rachel and I did Saturday morning at Blo:

Blo is awesome because:
1. They will make your hair look amazing in 30 minutes for $33.
2. This includes a wash, blow, and style from one of their seven signature styles (my favorite is the red carpet with an added boho braid).
3. They open as early as 7 am.
4. The blowouts last three days, and they sell dry shampoo, shower caps, and other goodies to help your blowout last.

Never in my life have I ever gotten so many compliments on my hair. Blo blew my hair... and my mind. Watch for a video collaboration in the future where they show us how to achieve awesome blowouts at home!

Thank goodness I was never into midriff baring shirts.

I never knew how deep my vanities ran until I developed stretch marks in my last month of pregnancy. My poor husband had to console me for what seemed like hours when they appeared seemingly overnight one night.

And they're still here. I'll spare you the photos. Instead here's the cause (which makes a much cuter photo):Worth it? Yes, definitely. However, I am not one of those women who is proud of her stretch marks and declares them "Mommy's Badge of Honor" (actual words from a friend's Facebook status!). Like my acne scars, I honestly wish I didn't have 'em. Thanks to Mederma, my wishes may come true:
In twelve weeks time, I'm supposed to see significant improvement. I'll keep you updated and will do a full review after March 1st.

Lauren and the rest of the Mederma PR team is stellar, by the way. Stretch marks are a delicate subject for many women. Mederma had no idea that I had developed them; they just knew that I'm a new mother. They very graciously and tactfully asked if I'd like to try their Stretch Marks Therapy cream, and I readily accepted. I was very surprised when they overnighted a three month supply along with a hand written letter and a sweet baby blanket for Jude.

The company is awesome, too. Right now until the end of December, for every "like" they get on Facebook, they're donating $1 to the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), which is an amazing organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are battling and who have survived breast cancer. See the Mederma Facebook page for more information.

[Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy c/o Mederma. Please see my policy on courtesy items.]

Celebrities smell

Alright, people. Can we all agree that this is getting out of hand?

It all started this morning while I was watching Mariah Carey's new music video "Oh, Santa" (side note: it's catchy, but it ain't no "All I Want for Christmas"). I was momentarily confused as the video started with a faux-retro announcer-type extolling Ms. Carey's newest fragrance "Lollipop Bling".

Hold the friggin' phone there.

Lollipop Bling? Lollipop Bling? LOLLIPOP BLING?! Really?! Is that the name of her new fragrance? I'm just slightly surprised because last I checked, Mariah Carey was a FORTY YEAR OLD WOMAN, not, you know... nine years old.
I'm all for one being young at heart, but this Lollipop Bling advertisement looks like it was designed by Lisa Frank circa 1990. Is this perfume being marketed toward children? Or just women who love suckers and diamonds?

Then I started thinking about celebrity fragrances, in general. Lollipop Bling is definitely a contender for most absurd name, but let's not forget Jessica Simpson's "Fancy Nights":I have never, in my adult life, used the adjective "fancy" without a heavy dose of sarcasm and/ or irony. And what is with this ad? This does not look like a "fancy night" in so much as it looks like Ms. Simpson is vying to be an extra in The Vampire Diaries.

Speaking of crazy looking ads, did you see Christina Aguilera's ad for her perfume "Inspire"? No? Well, get a gander at this: It is clear that the inspiration Ms. Aguilera gets for her perfume is from Glinda, the Good Witch. I'm sure it must arrive via pink bubble. Now I'm inspired to watch The Wizard of Oz. Or to sing some songs from Wicked. One of those.

And have you ever noticed how perfume ads often show a grown woman swinging?
Does smelling good= field trip to the playground? And here's a question for Kim Kardashian: How in the heck can a perfume be described as "voluptuous?" How does voluptuous smell? I guess for $50 I could find out...

Last but by no means least, is Paris Hilton. She, oddly enough, is one of the perfume industry's most prolific celebrity scent endorsers. She has TEN fragrances out (second only to J.Lo and Celine Dion who each have 14), but in my opinion she reigns supreme in the ridiculous ad department:

For Fairy Dust she no doubt saw the new Tinkerbell movie. For Siren she saw "The Little Mermaid", and for Can Can she saw "Moulin Rouge". I really, really want her to watch "Apollo 13" and dress like an astronaut for her next perfume. Someone call her publicist or Tweet her and MAKE THAT HAPPEN, okay?

Anyway, you can see a Wikipedia list of celebrity fragrances here, but I urge you, my fellow females, let's put an end to this absurdity! Let's bring back the days of wearing Love's Baby Soft or Clinique Happy or something that, you know, doesn't need an absurd celebrity advertisement and endorsement to move units. Except "With Love by Hilary Duff". Leave her alone. It's awesome.