Treating the Gals to Galentine's Day

Oh, February! The shortest month but with the biggest bang around when it comes to birthdays (wink, wink) and festivities! Over the last year, I got to reconnect with my friends and really bond over our sisterhood. It may or may not have been frequently fueled by bad food choices.

I've been feeling particularly blessed over our friendship that I teamed up with Babbleboxx to give my Galentine-enthusiast readers the top gifts to give. Less time searching, so you can have more time bonding.

Below, you'll find the perfect gift that will be sure to bring a smile to that someone special.

For the Beauty Maven: Perfumania Has Got You Covered
Ever since I first stepped into a Perfumania, I've been obsessed with their vast array of delightful scents. Back then I used to pester my dad into getting me the latest scents but now I'm old enough to treat gal pals to a new signature scent. I tested out the Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana at Perfumania and fell in love with the floral feminine mix that blends Neroli and White Amaryllis. The end result is a flirty but sophisticated scent.

Have a gal pal that's more undecided (i.e. she's a chronic returner) then the next best gift is a Perfumania gift card. With the help of fragrance experts, she'll be able to find her very signature scent in store or online.

Save while you shop with my code too! Get 25% off and free shipping at Perfumania.com with code STYLEBRO25. Offer ends 2/14/17.

For the friend with a Sweet Tooth: Let her Know Edible Arrangements Are Meant for Sharin
Go above and beyond with Edible Arrangements Edible Signature Chocolate Box or their Valentine's Day Bouquet. The brand is synonymous with the holiday of love, and who can blame them? Their fresh fruit and gourmet chocolate are a crowd pleaser. My favorite part about getting any of their bouquets are chocolate covered strawberries - so good! In case you'd like more chocolates to share I recommend adding on the Signature Chocolate Box which features recipes by master chocolatier Jacques Torres. There's a hazelnut crunch flavor in it that's absolutely amazing.

I'll be placing an order for Galentine's Day so dessert is covered on my end :). I highly recommend getting in your order sooner than later, but hey life happens which is why they offer same day delivery too.

Check out their website here and let me know what you get :).
Right now they’re offering everyone $10 off when they spend $39+ through 2/11/17 with code SAVE3966!

The Adventurous Friend: A Casio Watch that Won't Quit
If you haven't noticed by now, Casio is making a comeback and in the best way possible. Their watches are equal parts tough yet equal parts trendy making this perfect watch for the friend that's done for anything. Right now, I'm showcasing their G-SHOCK S Series GMA-S110CM-2A watch which features advanced technology, is water resistant, shock resistant, and so much more.

You can learn more about this watch and others here.

For the Creative Subway Dweller: Faber-Castell Adds New Dimension to Every Commute
As an art-school dropout, I would absolutely love to get gifted anything from Faber-Castell. Everything I've used is such great quality. But since this post isn't about me, it this whole shebang would make a great gift for friends that dabble in the arts or spend their subway commutes doodling to pass the time. You know, the creative type :).

Here's a quick rundown of my all-time favorites:

• Castell 9000® Graphite Design set: a favorite among illustrators thanks to its 16 degrees in hardness (great for writing, drawing, and sketching)
• PITT® Artist Pen 8 count Wallet in Black: another favorite among illustrators and doodlers
• PITT® Artist Pen Studio Gift Box of 24: lightfast inks in vibrant colors wont bleed through most paper (great for coloring books)
• Gelatos® Dolce 2 Gift Set: these are super pigmented and are great for mixed media projects since they're so easy to blend

You've been warned, their site is like heaven for those that love to color outside the lines. Check it out here.

For the Office Gals: Sunsweet PlumSweets are Healthy + Yummy
Stand out with sweet and delicious decadent dark chocolate plums. These bite-size scrumptious pieces are always a hit at the office or a cute way to thank your work wife. I definitely love how chewy these are when you first bite in. If you're still following your resolution diets (go you by the way!) you'll appreciate the fact there's no high fructose corn syrup and eating prunes support bone health. There's a tons of facts out there on why prunes, especially these tasty ones, are great for you but it's better just to pick up a package of Sunsweet PlumSweets.

Don't forget to click here for a downloadable coupon for $1.00 off!

Would love to hear if there's anything you scooped up for your BFF in the comments down below :).

Today's post has been sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! 

No-Fail Guide to Hydrated, Soft Skin

Today's post was created in collaboration with Aveeno and #WeAllGrow Latina Network. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

It happened. At about 3:12pm yesterday I gave into a Starbucks's seasonal offering - the Pumpkin Spice Latte. So it’s officially official, fall is here and with that comes a few things: bearable city walks, autumn weddings become rampant, and my beauty routine doesn’t feel complete without a deep burgundy lip.

As for my short skirts and mini dresses – those tend to stay in heavy rotation until the weather gods have deemed them inappropriate. As Eva Chen once mentioned, once the stockings come on they stay on for a solid six months. Thankfully, the brisk mornings in New York City are known for being nothing more than a charade for humid afternoons. Choose the thickness of your sweaters wisely my friends!

As for me, I’ll continue to bare my legs in all of the pretty dresses; some of them may even have pockets! Plus, it’s the best way to share all the hard work (and killer calves) I’ve been putting in for the New York City Marathon. And one of the best ways to flaunt the gams is with moisturized skin.

My say-no-to-ashy routine in the summer lends itself more to oils, but once the temperature dips my skin does a better job at soaking up hydration with rich, creamy lotions. As of late, I stepped up my skin drink to include Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Yogurt Lotion, rotating both their Apricot & Honey and Vanilla & Oats. Their formula is enriched with ACTIVE NATURALS Oat and nutrient-packed yogurt, which leaves my skin feeling velvety soft all day long.

But before I slather on the lotion, the real work begins in the shower. Their Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Yogurt Body Wash is the perfect partner to their lotion. Their rich and creamy wash gently cleanses my skin without stripping skin of moisture. Being a hot shower kind of gal, it also turns my bathroom into an oasis for the senses.

Smelling all that goodness in the AM tends to give me a hankering for homemade oatmeal topped with berries and honey, which I happily oblige with.

After using this hydrating duo, my skin feels so amazing it’s only right I upgrade and share the rest of my skincare routine on how I achieve maximum softness:

• Exfoliate! I do this twice a week with an all natural sugar scrub.
• Elbows, knees, and your feet need love too. I use a salve on my elbows and knees right before bedtime. My feet get a little more special treatment. I generously slather on Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Yogurt Lotion and wear thick socks to bed for soft soles.
• Pat dry! After each shower, I pat my skin down instead of aggressively rubbing the towel on my skin. The tugging of a towel’s fabrics can whisk away all of the lotion and moisture you just worked in.

Now that I shared my tips, why not leave your tips in the comments down below. Knowledge is power y'all!

Learn more about Aveeno here!

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AVEENO. The opinions and text are all mine.

Skin Care 101: Best Makeup Removing Wipes to Start Using

As I hit publish on my first Skincare 101 post, I realized that I completely missed a step. Essentially, not everyone needs to start their skincare routine with makeup removing wipes but I do find it helpful for those "heavy on the smoky eye" days.

Besides becoming a staple on my bathroom shelves, makeup wipes have found a permanent home inside my gym bag. Good for fellow class takers, because leaving spin class with raccoon eyes can be scary.

In the end, it's up to you on whether you'd like to use wipes as a precursor to the first step of skincare layering or add to your gym bag. I've tried SO MANY face wipes over the last few years - some hits, some misses - but the ones below are the few that keep me coming back.

via mynewestaddiction.com

Dickinson's Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths
For those days leading up to Aunt Flo's arrival (TMI?) I'll take all the help I can get on preventing clogged pores and minimizing hormonal breakouts. Dickinson's Cleansing Cloths helps soothe my skin and gets the gunk off my face pre- and post-sweat. I do tend to use these wipes more in the summertime since the witch hazel feels refreshing on a humid day and is known to heal sunburnt skin. 

Clean & Clear® Makeup Dissolving Wipes
These wipes bring me back to high school and thankfully they've improved with age. The soft wipes are able to take off the entire day, leaving skin cleansed. On days that I've fallen lazy, I rely on these instead of washing my face. Bad habit, I know. For those of you that wear waterproof mascara, I recommend gently pressing the wipes to your lids for a few seconds before wiping. It'll make the process easier. They're also super affordable and practically free when combined with coupons.

via Simple

Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes
I discovered Simple at a pop-up inside Flywheel. They encouraged me to wipe off the day's grime before class - which I did - and loved how easily it took everything off. It uses micellar water, a new cleansing technology. They've also expanded their line to offer different focuses such as exfoliating, cleansing, radiance, the list goes on. My personal favorite is the original Micellar wipes. Highly recommend this brand to anyone with super sensitive skin as they keep their ingredients simple.

via Garnier

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes
Garnier also has a selection of products that use Micellar technology. I'm a huge fan of Micellar technology because the micelle molecules cluster together to lift dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities on contact. This eliminates the need to rinse and rub your skin providing a gentle way to cleanse your skin. Garnier's towelettes come in a smaller packaging compared to the Simple wipes which is great for gals on the go and gym bags across the nation. Another thing I love, the super soft wipes - incredibly gentle on the eyes.

via iamstyle-ish.com

Skinn's Olive & Enzyme Makeup Wipes

These wipes fall on the more expensive side of the spectrum. Kind of a bummer since I would love to have my cabinets stocked with these wipes. So ladies with disposable incomes and skincare addicts willing to try anything once, these wipes are for you! These wipes smell so amazing, it turns my bathroom into a spa room. They also have this great texture that helps when taking everything off and in a way exfoliates your skin. The end result is clean, smooth skin.

via e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths
Last but not least, these e.l.f. cleansing cloths are the best bang for your buck. They do a solid job at removing makeup and cleansing skin. Even better, is that each wipe is infused with Aloe Vera for deep hydration and moisture so your skin never feels stripped. The scent can be overpowering so I wouldn't recommend to those with fragrance allergies.

There are so many different wipes out but these are my top contenders when it comes to getting rid of the grime. Did I call out any of your favorites? Or are you going to try any of the above? Drop me a comment down below and tell me about it!

Now that we’re on this magical skincare journey together, let me know if you decide to give any of these a go and how you loved it. AND, if there are any cleansers you think I need to try, drop me a comment down below.