Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts

Natural Hair Chronicles | Garnier Fructis Curl Treats Voxbox Review




This post is sponsored by Influenster and Garnier Fructis. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission from purchases made using these links. All opinions expressed are my own.


Happy New Year! I hope that 2019 got off to a great start for everyone. These past few weeks I’ve been planning and mapping out my goals and what I want to accomplish this year. One thing new thing I did this year was set self-care goals. Last year, I didn’t make self-care a priority like I should have and it showed.

This won’t be the case for 2019. I’ve already started tackling my main self-care goal which is to master the art of doing my curly hair. It’s been about 10 years since I made the decision to go and stay natural. But despite being 10 years deep in this natural hair journey, my biggest struggle remains styling my hair when it’s in its naturally curly state.

Falling Into Autumn With prAna

prAna Kara Jeans


I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog.  The opinions posted are my own.

Somebody call up the press!  Fall weather has officially made it to the Carolinas!  This is huge because October 2016 had us still in shorts and t-shirts.  In case you're new around here, autumn is one of my two favorite seasons of the year because I get to pull out my favorite wardrobe pieces.  This past April, prAna and I showed you all how to mom in comfort and style, well today we're showing you how to keep your fall style cozy, simple but still stylish.

How To Mom In Comfort & Style



Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog.  The opinions posted are my own.



There was a time when I didn't mind sacrificing comfort for style.  These days not so much.  I'm a mom of two who works from home, volunteers in my community and more.  With so much on my plate and constantly being on the go, I'm dressing in clothing that is comfortable, but still stylish.  Over the years I've learned that beauty doesn't haven't to equal pain and looking great doesn't have to equal being uncomfortable.  This is why I was delighted to partner with Moms Meet and prAna to try out some of their clothing. 

January 2017 POPSUGAR Must Have Box Reveal

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by POPSUGAR Beauty and contains affiliate links.  I received a POPSUGAR Must Have Box to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy!



Last year I had so much fun trying out POPSUGAR's Must Have Box subscription service.  I'm honored and delighted to have been selected to partner with them again this year.  You can see my past Must Have Box reveals here, here and here.  The contents of each Must Have Box got better and better and I'm sure this year's boxes will do the same.  January's box came filled with 6 fresh and new essentials plus a special extra that focus on detoxing, revitalization and healthy living.


POPSUGAR December Must Have Box Reveal

Disclosure:  This POPSUGAR December Must Have Box Reveal is sponsored by POPSUGAR Beauty and contains affiliate links.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy.


Partnering with POPSUGAR Beauty last year was hands down one of my favorite aspects of 2016.  For starters, I admire Lisa Sugar and the empire she's built POPSUGAR into.  When it comes specifically to POPSUGAR's Must Have Box, I love that it's a subscription box that fits my lifestyle and my current way of living.  I appreciated the fact that every month they took care to curate items that made life easier, simpler and more beautiful.  And their December box was no different.


Elegant and Inviting Holiday Celebration Essentials

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by POPSUGAR Beauty and contains affiliate links.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy.


I always get a rush of excitement whenever I get a POPSUGAR Must Have Box in the mail.  Why?  Because I know I'm getting quality (and sometimes exclusive) products that I will actually use and enjoy.  November's box is no exception.  The theme for this month's box is togetherness.  My box was filled with elegant and inviting holiday (or any time) celebration essentials.



What I Got



When it comes to building a great looking tablescape, your table runner lays the groundwork for rest of your table decor.  This simple, fringed wine and cream colorblocked table runner gives me elegant farmhouse/country chic vibes.  It can be dressed up for the holidays, but can be dressed down for everyday use.  This table runner is hand screen printed and machine washable.

Discount Alert: Use code POPSUGAR to get 25% off your Pehr order by December 31st.

I enjoy hosting holiday dinner parties for my family.  However, I enjoy dressing up for said dinner parties even more.  And we all know that best part of dressing up is accessorizing which is why I was stoked to see this Elaina bracelet from Kendra Scott in this month's Must Have Box.  Not only is this bracelet beautiful, but there's no tricky clasp to fight with.

This bracelet can be adjusted to fit your perfectly thanks to it's unique sliding closure design.  I wish all bracelets used a sliding closure.  There's no great jewelry struggle for people with tiny wrists than trying to find bracelets that won't fall off our arms.  I'm looking forward to styling a holiday look to show off my Elaina bracelet and be the hostess with the mostess !

Discount Alert: Use code DNTCL-TPCCM to enjoy 20% off your next online Kendra Scott purchase.

Although my mom has never been a fan of popcorn, she made it our Christmas tradition to purchase a large tin of gourmet popcorn that was split into three different flavors.  When the Christmas movies started playing after Thanksgiving, we'd sit around the television after dinner and each enjoy handful of the flavored popcorn of our choosing.  It's no surprise that this Toffee Butter Popcorn from Oogie Snacks is one of my top 3 favorite products from this month's box.

Whether you're looking for a sweet treat to send home with your holiday guest, an edible stocking stuffer or a delicious snack to enjoy while watching Christmas, this popcorn is the perfect combination of salty and sweet.  It's also non-GMO, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, trans fat-free and contains only six ingredients (all natural)!

While we're still on the subject of edible holiday treats, I love dressing up desserts and hors d'oeuvres using party picks.  These silver and gold star party picks from Meri Meri are perfect for Christmas.  Why?  For starters, silver and gold are totally Christmas colors.  Remember Rudolph's Silver and Gold song from the movie?

 And of course the star shape reminds me of the North Star and how it led the three wise men to Baby Jesus.  I can't wait to use these to decorate my BBQ meatballs this year.  Moo and I both have birthdays coming up next month and these will make great toppers for our cupcakes as well.

Putting together the perfect holiday look doesn't stop with choosing the right outfit and jewelry.  Completing your look with the right makeup is just as important.  With this Dawn to Dusk palette from Stowaway Cosmetics, you'll have no trouble creating a holiday party worthy smokey eye.  The best part is that this palette is compact- roughly the size of a credit card and ultra thin- to make it easy for you carry your palette in your holiday purse/clutch.


It also comes with a dual end eyeshadow brush and not one of those flimsy foam applicators.  The angled brush end is going to allow you to have more precision and control over defining your crease and adding color to those hard to reach places like the inner tear duct and water line.

Discount Alert: Get 25% off a purchase of $50 or more using code MUSTHAVE

I can officially mark one item off of my Christmas and Dream Home lists.  I am a Southern girl through and through and am currently in the process of creating my dream farmhouse.  In my opinion, wire nest bowls scream Southern charm to me.  They make great fruit bowls during and after the holiday season.  You can also add in decorative ornaments to give any flat surface in your home a more festive and effortlessly elegant makeover.


Overall, I am very pleased with the offerings of this month's box and can't wait to see what December's box will contain.  I'm hoping I'll be able to cross another item off my Christmas or Dream Farmhouse list.  The products in my November box came to a total of $164.99.  As usual the products in the Must Have Box have more than paid for the box subscription itself ($39.95/month).

With Christmas being literally around the corner, I encourage you to treat yourself and/or a loved one to the December Must Have Box.   You can use promo code SHOP5 to get $5 off your first Must Have Box.


What is your favorite holiday essential?

My 31st Birthday Wishlist

Sagittarius season is finally upon us!  I'm over-the-moon with excitement that my 31st birthday is less than a month away.  I know it's not quite a big deal at turning the BIG 3-0 is for some, but for me seeing another year of life is always a cause for celebration.  So to kickoff off birthday celebration and to give you guys some gift ideas for a loved one who has an upcoming birthday, I'm sharing 13 gifts from my birthday wishlist.



Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links.

1. Ankit Home Bossy Mug Set| How cute is this mug set?  I mentioned in my POPSUGAR October Reveal post that I collect mugs and I can't wait add these to my collection.

2. Kate Spade New York Darla Wallet| To say that I'm overdue for a new wallet is an understatement.  I've had my current wallet for over ten years.  It's beyond falling apart and I couldn't part with it until this year because it's the first birthday gift my husband got me when we were still in the dating stage.  I'm thinking this Kate Spade Darla Wallet would make a nice replacement.  And who knows, it might last another ten years.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Hel's Bells Lipstick| I don't wear a full face of makeup everyday.  For starters, my skin is way too sensitive and needs to breathe.  However, I try not to leave home without putting on some sort of lip product.  Sometimes I opt for a sheer gloss, but lately I've been wearing lots of reds and plums.  I love this deep plum shade, Hel's Bells, by Charlotte Tilbury and can't wait to try out it.

4. Forever 21 Studded Pumps| I've always wanted a pair of studded pumps, but never got around to actually paying some.  I saw these at Forever 21 and now I have to have them.  I'd love to pair them with dark wash skinny jeans, a fitted black blazer and a light colored top to create a chic mompreneur look that I can wear to a casual brand meeting and a teacher's conference.

5. KitchenAid Professional 5 Qt Mixer| I can't believe that I still haven't invested in a standing mixer.  I'm a cook-off winner for goodness sake!  With the kids getting older and their stomachs becoming bottomless pits, we spend a lot more time in the kitchen baking and cooking.  This 5 quart standing mixer would definitely come in handy and pay for itself.

6. Geek Chic Mug| This mug pretty much sums me up in two words.  Also, I happen to wear glasses.  I can't wait to add this mug to my collection as well.

7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Edition| My family can tell you that I am a huge Harry Potter fan!  I watch the movie marathons everything they play on TV.  And I'm currently rereading the J. K. Rowling iconic Harry Potter series.  I was ecstatic when I found out they were rereleasing the books in illustrated editions.  I put the first book on my birthday wishlist and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on my Christmas wishlist.  I can't wait until the rest of the series is released next year.

8. Olivia Burton Rose Gold Watch| Call me old fashion, but I still enjoy wearing a watch.  What I love about this watch from Olivia Burton is that it has a bigger face than a traditional women's watch which will highlight the slenderness of wrist, but the band isn't chunky.  Also, I like that the rose gold is more muted than other rose gold colored watches I've seen.  Plus, this watch is budget friendly- only $98.

9. BeautyBlender| After watching tons of beauty tutorials on YouTube, I'm convinced that I need to hop on the BeautyBlender train to give my foundation a smoother application and finish.

10. Canon PowerShot SX710| I'm still not sure if I'm ready to invest in a DSLR, so this Canon PowerShot is the great in-between camera.  Plus, after recently finishing my first photography course, I'm anxious to try out what I've learned.

11. The Magnolia Story| I adore Chip and Joanna Gaines.  They seem so sweet and down to earth on their HGTV show, Fixer Upper.  I love that they're outspoken about their faith and are family oriented.  I can't wait to read more about their story and how they build their Magnolia brand from the ground up.

12. Gold Spotty Dot Day Designer| I feel like I wasn't nearly as organized as I should have been this year.  I'm committed to getting my act together and have heard that when it comes to planners and organizers, Day Designer is where it's at.

13. Clarisonic Aria Cleansing System| As we age, our skin changes.  This is especially true for the skin on my face.  It's changed so much over years and I've found in the recent months that my skin needs a deeper cleaning than my usual exfoliating cloth can give.  So, it's time to step it up and invest in a Clarisonic.


If you have a family member or loved one with an upcoming birthday, I hope that you've gotten gift ideas from my birthday wishlist/gift guide.  These gifts will also make great Christmas presents as well since we're in the thick of the holiday season.  Happy Holidays y'all!

What is your ultimate birthday gift?

Cozy Fall Essentials

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by POPSUGAR Beauty and contains affiliate links.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy.


My POPSUGAR October Must Have Box finally arrived.  I had been patiently awaiting its arrival and felt like a kid on Christmas morning when I got a notice from my rent office that it was in.   June was my first time partnering with POPSUGAR and then we partnered again for their September box.  Each box has gotten better and better in terms of its offerings.  The October box had a bit of weight to it and I knew in my gut that I wasn't going to be disappointed this time around either.  Come on let me show y'all the goodies that made this month's box selection.



What I Got




This month's box came with two "Special Extras."  Lisa Sugar's new book Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Place Nice & Build Your Dream Life was one of them.  If you didn't guess from her last name, Lisa is the founder of the POPSUGAR brand.  Without her this post wouldn't be happening.  Thank you LISA!

Power Your Happy is filled with advice and tips from both Lisa's professional and personal life experiences.  With a current 4.6 out 5 stars rating on Amazon, I have placed this book on my Nonfiction November TBR and can't wait to haul it in a video on my BookTube channel.  The book nerd in me celebrated when I saw that I got a book in this month's box.  I'm ready to be inspired and learn some tips on how to take YUMMommy to the next level.




Fun fact about me, I like to collect mugs.  I'm glad to have this Rise & Shine one to add to my collection now.  It's cute and the design has a clean, minimalist feel to it.  This diner style mug has some weight to it which I love as well.


Dairy-free, non-GMO, gluten-free hot chocolate anyone?  Why I don't mind if I do!  One of the things I really appreciate about the POPSUGAR Must Have Box is that they always try to include at least one or two products that fall into the green/honest/healthy living category.  And with only two ingredients- cocoa and sugar- this rich dark chocolate is definitely a Fall must!


The weather here in the Queen City has been a bit chilly.  So a few nights ago Moo and I treated ourselves to some of the Dark Drinking Chocolate topped off with some marshmallows.  We give two thumbs up.  We would have given it three but the way the human body is set up, we can't physically.



Retailing for only $12 this travel-sized makeup remover towel lasts up to 1,000 washes.  Do you know much makeup you can with this?!  Think about it.  If you wear makeup everyday, then you can ditch buying liquid makeup remover, cotton facial pads or makeup remover wipes over and over and just get one of these instead.


You're not going to find another makeup remover that will only cost you $12/year.  And if you only remove your makeup once a day, you can get at least two years worth of usage out of your Makeup Eraser.  It also doubles as an exfoliator!  Two products for the price of one. Winning!  Beauty lovers add this to your Christmas and birthday wish lists ASAP!



Growing up in large family and motherhood has taught me the art of efficient and quick showering.  With that said, I'm grateful POPSUGAR included this luxurious shower oil and bubble bath the October box.  It was a subtle reminder from the universe that I'm overdue for a little self-care.




The holidays are right around the corner, I'm going to take a day or two before it gets really hectic around here and enjoy a nice long uninterrupted bubble bath.  I'm talking candles, a good book, spa music- the works pretty much.   My body and skin will thank me for it.  Oh did I mention that this shower oil and bubble bath are sulfate, paraben and phthalate- free?!




While we're talking about makeup, Autumn is the perfect smokey eye season.  Nothing sets off a great smokey eye better than a great eyeliner.  Whether you choose to add a wings for a smokey cat eye or keep it simple by outlining your water lines only, this Revlon ColorStay™ Liquid Pen goes on like butter.

It also lasts for up to 16 hours of wear.  This is a great for those of us who have busy schedules and can't always be running to the bathroom to touch up our makeup every few hours.  This was the other special extra in this month's box.


I can't speak for other parts of the country but April isn't the only month that brings lots of rain showers in the Carolinas.  As we get into the thick of fall, the rain is going to start back up again.  Thankfully, I will be prepared with for any surprise showers with this Henri Bendel umbrella that is just the right size to carry around in my purse.  Featuring the classic Henri Bendel print, this compact umbrella comes with a sleeve/jacket that you can pack your umbrella back in so that you don't have to worry about any water droplets getting all over your other valuables in your purse or diaper bag.



I'm already getting excited about November's box because I know that it's going to be even better.  All of the products in the October Must Have Box totaled out to $152.98.  A POPSUGAR Must Have Box subscription is only $39.95/month.  The Henri Bendel umbrella alone has paid for this box.

If you plan on trying out a subscription for November or December, be sure to use code SHOP5 to receive $5 off your FIRST box!


What are your favorite Fall essentials?

Everyday Essentials: Popsugar September #MustHaveBox Reveal

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by POPSUGAR Beauty and contains affiliate links.  All opinions expressed are my own.



This past summer I partnered with POPSUGAR and tried out their June Must Have Box (see here).  Now I'm partnering with them again for their September box.  And let me tell you guys, their September box is currently my fave to date.  It's filled with an awesome array of products that will come in handy for everyday or almost everyday usage.  Let's take a look inside this month's Must Have Box, shall we?



What I Got


Why haven't I invested in/owned a wide brim hat before now?!  Seriously, I'm in love this hat y'all.  We've officially entered into our Autumn rainy season here in the Carolinas and this hat has already come in handy during a surprise rain shower.  Aside from loving the everyday functionality and the way this hat looks on me, I appreciate the fact that it has drawstrings inside the hat to allow you tighten the hat for a more custom fit.


Don't you hate getting a nail snag or realizing that your cuticles are looking a little raggedy when you're on the go?  I do.  Thankfully, NCLA is here to rescue our manicures with this super cute and compact MANI-ER Tool Kit that comes with pretty much all the basic tools we'll need to keep our nails looking good.  I was excited to see another NCLA product in this month's Must Have Box since I enjoyed their Born On The 4th nail lacquer from my June box.  And I don't know about y'all, but this read and white color combo will forever give me Baywatch vibes.



Right off the bat I loved the smell of this deep conditioning mask.  It has a note of honey/nectar and reminds me of vintage perfume.  Also, being a naturalista I appreciated that this product is sulfate-free, silicon-free, paraben-free, DEA-free and free of artificial colors.  Those things can be harsh on and/or harmful for certain natural hair textures.  The more I learn about beauty and styling products and what's good and not good for my hair and skin, I try to seek alternative brands.  So, I'm grateful that this was in this month's Must Have Box.  It's been a great addition to my wash routine.

If you don't care about parabens, then hopefully the fact that this deep conditioning mask reduces hair breakage by 81% after just 3 uses will be a key selling point for you.  It was me because I'm all about length retention.  You can check other Briogeo products below.


This the sleekest, chicest and most glam lint roller I've ever seen or owned.  Seriously, it's no surprise that this lint roller won a RedDot Award.  Plus, I finally have travel lint roller that I can actually carry in my purse without it sticking to everything!  Flint™ is the real MVP y'all.







A lippie that's pareben-free and gluten-free?  Yes, please!  Before I opened my Must Have Box, I was hoping that they'd put a lip product in it since I had nail lacquer in my last one.  When I saw this I knew my prayers had been answered!  And the color, The Warning, is perfect!  I've mentioned on here before that red is my power color.

Lately I've been wearing a lot of red/redish plum lip colors and now I get to add this shimmery red lip lacquer into my rotation.  I will say that this formula is thick, which is okay if you're only putting on one or two coats.  You can add more to help build up the color, but I'd just recommend putting your favorite red lipstick underneath or filling in your lips with your favorite red lip liner and doing one coat of The Warning over top.






Talk about deliciousness!  I can't wait to get my hands on more of these because they just became one of my top 3 favorite snacks.  Even better is the fact that everyone in the YUMMommy household can eat these because they're non-GMO, certified vegan, soy-free, dairy-free as well as gluten-free.  Also, I thought it was sweet that The Gluten Free Bar was started by two brothers, Marshall and Elliott, who have food allergies like my kids do.  These days I find myself drifting towards buying products that are family owned.



Overall I'm definitely loving this month's box more than my June box.  All together the products in this month's Must Have Box is worth $146.98!  A monthly subscription through POPSUGAR is $39.95 + FREE shipping.  So, this was definitely a steal!  These boxes pretty much more than pay for themselves.  The products in my June box was worth over $100 as well.



If you're interested in starting a POPSUGAR Must Have Box subscription, be sure to use the coupoon code SHOP5 for $5 off your FIRST box!  With each box getting better, you don't want to miss out on the chance to discover an array of new luxury products and brands.  I can't wait until the October boxes roll out!




What are your favorite everyday essentials?  Which item would you most like to try from this month's Must Have Box?

Summer Essentials: POPSUGAR June #MustHaveBox Reveal

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by POPSUGAR and may contain affiliate links.  All opinions expressed are my own.


Let's talk Summer essentials.  Earlier last month I decided to partner with POPSUGAR and try out their June Must Have Box.  After all what better way to celebrate Summer than with a box full of goodies handpicked and created specifically for Summer?  Well my June box has arrived and I can't wait to show you guys all the essentials that were inside!


What I Got



Sarongs are the perfect cover-ups for pool and beach days.  Made of 100% cotton, this sarong is long and wide enough that you can experiment with tying it different styles.  So you could opt to wear your sarong in a skirt-like style or transform it into a lightweight halter dress over your bathing suit!

1.









Have you ever been a cookout and found yourself struggling to open your drink?  I have.  Here in the Carolinas Blenheim Ginger Ale is a stable at BBQs and pool parties.  This ginger ale doesn't come in a pop top can either.  You'll need a trusty and sturdy bottle opener to pop off the cap of your Blenheim.   This can opener works well on pop top cans as well for those of us who just don't want to risk breaking a nail.




BBQs and pool parties in my family aren't complete without food, music and GAMES!  This "Who Am I?" game is small enough to toss in your purse so that you can take it with you to all off your summer gatherings to test your celebrity knowledge.  Who doesn't love a good trivia game?





Flawless nails are a must if you're going to be hitting up the town.  With the 4th of July coming up, your nails will be the talk of the town with this red, white and blue patriotic polish.  I'll be adding a layer of hot pink polish underneath mine for a little extra pop of color!  Also, this polish is cruelty-free.



I know they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but so is a good compact mirror.  The Are You Ready compact from Knock Knock is amazing.  On the bottom there's a regular mirror for quick fixes and on top is a magnifying mirror for more detailed touch-ups that require a little zoom-in.




Who knew these even existed?  Vegan-friendly and aluminium-free these deodorant wipes will forever be in my purse and I've already ordered some to live in our pool/beach bag.  I can't be the only one who's run out of the house in hurry and forgot to put on deodorant.  And what about the pool/beach?  I haven't discovered waterproof deodorant on the shelves of Target or Walmart yet.  Now I can rest easy when I get out of the water and not have to worry about getting a little smelly because my deodorant's washed off.



You guys know that I am all about living a healthy lifestyle.  That includes snacking as well which can be hard when you love carbs and starches.  However, with no artificial flavors or food colors, no MSG, cholesterol, chemical preservatives and 0 grams of trans fat, these crispy and thin Sriracha flavored pretzel chips can be my guilt-free summer snack.  My only complaint about these is they will make your mouth more than a bit dry.  So I recommend eating them some dip and keeping a nice glass of flavored water handy.



Overall, POPSUGAR did a great job of curating products that scream Summer and will make your life a little bit easier whether you're hanging with family and friends enjoying some outdoor festivities or rolling solo at pool catching up your TBR list.  This is probably one of the best box subscriptions that I've seen in a while.  Nothing in this box will go waste.


You can rest easy investing in a subscription or paying as you go with the POPSUGAR Must Have Box.  They even have a mini and limited edition version.  So there's a little something to fit every budget.  Other box subscription services could definitely take a few notes on this.  I can't wait to find out what goodies will be in the next box!



What are your go-to Summer Essentials?