Celebrate Earth Day with Target's Made to Matter Collection #MadetoMatter

There's something about Spring that just makes you pause to think about just how beautiful this planet we live on really, truly is. Maybe it's the simple witnessing of flowers in bloom, the amazingness of babies being born, the change in weather that makes us tidy up our homes so that we can spend more time outdoors, whatever it is don't you simply love it? Earth day is more than just a single day it's a largely significant movement that inspires and challenges all of us by igniting passion and motivating action! Which is why I thought today would be the perfect day to tell you all about Target's Made to Matter line and how they challenged 20 of the brands you purchase daily to make a difference in order to protect our planet. From the brands that supply the food we feed our families, to the products we put on our skin, and that we use to clean our homes they accepted the challenge to create innovative products with a purpose and were all handpicked by Target.

Must Haves For Lil' Monsters: Natural Skincare Line #AcureBaby

Disclosure: I was invited as media to attend the Acure Baby launch party. This is a sponsored post & opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Recently, I was browsing through one of my pregnant girlfriend’s baby registry and I surprised myself by hovering over the “baby care” section much longer than I intended. The list of lotions, creams, ointments and soaps caught my attention because almost all of them were “natural”, “green”, “organic” or some combination of those. It made me realize how much the market has changed since I compiled my very first baby registry 9 years ago. 

Give the Gift of Self Care & Ring in the New Year with a #DoveBeautyBar Giveaway

Disclosure: Opinions expressed are 100% my own, guests received a gift bag for attending and I received no other compensation to host this giveaway.




In just a few hours we'll be counting down to the end of 2014 and excitedly welcoming in the New Year and most likely a new set of resolutions, or what I refer to as daily steps to improvement. One of my biggest vows to myself is to set aside more "Mom - Me" time, even if it's a brief twenty minutes to myself (when the kids are asleep & hubby is at work, I squeeze in an episode of New Girl & flip through a magazine while indulging in a cookie & glass of Moscato) in some shape or form.

 It's funny my hubby and I were just talking this morning about how he manages to get in his "Dad-Me" time even if it means just grabbing the dog and taking him for a walk to clear his head. Yet I, and I'm sure quite a few other ladies out there don't put themselves as a priority and when we do, often feel guilty & question what other more important tasks, we could be crossing off our lists. Shame on us!

Earlier this month I attended the Dove  Build Your Own Beauty Bar event on behalf of Lady and the Blog, at the De Berardinis Salon where both media and the public were invited to an evening of pampering. Guests stocked up on beauty essentials for the season, enjoyed a customized makeover and got festive nail art at the mani station, while mingling and enjoying light bites and cocktails.   

One of our very first actions of the day is probably where our self-care and beauty regimen should begin, right in the shower! I remember after having each one of my boys, managing to hop in the shower was one of those fleeting luxurious moments and even now with them both 9 and 4 I live for that quite solitude (maybe not so quite while I belt out tunes on spotify) to help me jump start the day.

Dove has been a long time staple in my house, and has been since I was a kid (I always loved the scent and how creamy the lather was & how soft my hands felt after washing them). Having received the Best of Beauty Award from Allure magazine and If you've ever used a Dove beauty bar, you know it's not like any ordinary soap. And if you haven't tried it yet you'll discover that with it's signature 1/4 moisturizing cream it replenishes nutrients lost during cleansing and helps your skin feel firmer and more elastic, not tight, itchy or dry. I hate when my face feels like it's cracking after using some other products in the past.

No matter the fragrance preference we can all enjoy the beauty benefits in the New Dove Beauty washes that are made with an ultra-mild cleanser found in face moisturizers &  provide smoother, softer skin after just one shower (I won't even lie, I've stopped buying shaving cream and replaced it with this collection because the lather works just as well for me). 

This time of year, my skin gets super dry & flaky so I know it needs lots of moisture and that I need to stay hydrated. That evening, leading, dermatologist, Dr. Ellen Marmur was on hand to prescribe guests the type of Dove products that would help address their skin's personal needs.

Without a doubt the ladies were enjoying their consultations and getting a bit of pre-holiday glam, for FREE! I had such a good time with my glam-fairy Michael who had me laughing the entire time as he helped me create my customized lip-color, and they made it right in front of me! 

This event was a lovely reminder before the holidays that we all need to take time out to focus on ourselves. I am true believer that in order to take care of others we first need to make sure to take care of ourselves. Yes, Be GOOD to YOU! 

So as a special treat to welcome in the New Year, I've teamed up with Dove to offer one reader a year supply of Dove Beauty products: Your choice of an assortment of (8) Dove Beauty Washes or (16) Dove Beauty Bars. This giveaway is open to U.S residents only ages 18+

To enter: Simply answer the question below in the comments and then the rafflecopter for any additional entries. Lots of Luck and continued blessings in 2015!

How are you planning to take better care of yourself in the New Year & Which Dove Beauty Wash or Dove beauty Bar  are you hoping to try or gift ?

a Rafflecopter giveaway