Celebrate Love with These Gifts

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Everything you need to show someone you love, minus the hanky panky.

AN-Y-THING on this table by itself would make a beautiful gift for your Valentine (or yourself), but what would be a special treat is to have a whole table decorated with dinner on top. WE CAN ALL DREAM TOGETHER.

Excuse the fact that I wasn’t confident in my use of the term “votive.” Otherwise, enjoy these beautiful gifts I pulled together from stores all around West Town Mall ;)

I hope this inspires you to love on someone and/or yourself today. And I hope you have a spiffy day!

pottery barn, west town mall, valentine's day decorations, knoxville shop, shopping knoxville, shop knoxville, knoxville style, knoxville style blogger, mom blogger, knoxville mom blog, fresh kale bath company

pottery barn, west town mall, valentine's day decorations, knoxville shop, shopping knoxville, shop knoxville, knoxville style, knoxville style blogger, mom blogger, knoxville mom blog, fresh kale bath company

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Fresh Kale Bath Company – TREAT YOURSELF

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Can you smell the love tonight…

I’ll be honest, I don’t spend a lot of money on pampering myself. But this Valentine’s Day that’s all going to change. (Ha! Maybe I should do for others first, then move onto myself. Yes. Let’s do that).

*Clears throat

This Valentine’s Day I’m going to spend a lot of money pampering others.

Why? Because I finally made my way into Fresh Kale Bath Company in West Town Mall. This place is awesome. Everything with “Fresh Kale Bath Company” on it was made IN STORE. Doesn’t get fresher than that, my friends.

And let me tell you that their scents envelope you in a mini scent vacation before you’ve hit the cash register. And it doesn’t end there. I drove around all day with a basket full of their goodies. Oh I had no where to go, I just didn’t want to get out of my car it smelled so nice.

They have everything to pamper yourself and your loved ones. Bath bombs, bath soak, room/linen spray, lip scrub, solid perfume (which I’ve tried and love love LOVE), shower fizzes! Which I’d like to elaborate on…I’m someone who in my head will take a bath every night, but in reality it happens…Mmmm…once every 4 months? A shower fizz, however is what I need because you put it in the shower and it releases a beautiful aroma. Ah. Yes. I need that.

The other two brands they carry besides their own are Farmhouse Fresh and Finch Berry – which are those beautiful soaps in the picture (let’s just all realize we need to buy two – one to stare at 40 hours a week and the other to actually use).

They can do custom orders and baskets (as you’ll see from my segment posted tomorrow). They have the little melts for your wax warmers, gifts for guys, and butt paste for your baby bottoms – Oh my! What more could you ask for!?

Do stop in and see them and treat SOMEONE this Valentine’s Day!

fresh kale bath company, west town mall, shop local, where to get homemade soap, fresh scents, bath products that are good for you, knoxville made products, essential oil products knoxville, finch berry

fresh kale bath company, west town mall, shop local, where to get homemade soap, fresh scents, bath products that are good for you, knoxville made products

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fresh kale bath company, west town mall, shop local, where to get homemade soap, fresh scents, bath products that are good for you, knoxville made products, essential oil products knoxville, finch berry

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You Should be Wearing This on Your Face

hydrating products, fresh kale bath company, night cream product review, knoxville shop local, west town mall, knoxville beauty blogger

And the one word that sold me on it.

Not going to lie, I thou1ght “setting powder” was a total scam.

Just a useless step in the makeup process – another product for “them” to sucker us into buying. *shakes fist in air

Uh but it turns out, it’s pretty useful.

I’ll tell you what sold me on it. I went into Bare Minerals one day to try out a new foundation. And the girl that was applying my makeup (Sarah – who now works at Coach in West Town Mall – go see her, she’s the sweetest, most beautiful creature) used the word “airbrush” when describing its finishing qualities.

Literally, I bought it on the spot.

Why that word is so alluring, I DON’T KNOW. But it is.

Still I used the powder faithfully until the other day… I’m getting low so I decided to skip it on a day when I was just running around. It was on that day that I realized it does more than make me look like a magazine cover.

First of all, I didn’t like how my face felt. It was as if my makeup was exposed. Like if I were to rub my finger down my face my makeup would wipe right off. With the finishing powder, my face feels more natural. Does that make sense?

Secondly (and most importantly) I got a glimpse of my eyes at the end of the day and I saw that my mascara or something was all smudgy under my eyes! Like I had sweated it off! I had just come out of the gym, sure, but I’m not a big sweater (more like a small cardigan – bud-dum-chhh), so it was surprising. And that’s never happened before, so I know it’s because of the powder.

The lesson in all of this? That powder really does help. And the good news is, it helps you use less makeup since you won’t have to do as many touch ups throughout the day. Plus it really doesn’t take that long to apply.

Of course, I’m going to recommend the Bare Minerals version as I’m a BM girl all the way. But I’ve also heard good things about Laura Mercier’s version and Bobbie Brown’s.

Regardless of the brand you use, just be sure to use some! Get a big fluffy brush and apply it all over your face before you add blush or any kind of contouring.

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Spiffier You in 2018: Eliminating Excuses

Let’s do this.

Goals, health, routine: I have a hard time blogging this time of year because I feel as if I’m one of 1,000 using those same January buzzwords.

But I’m taking a lite approach. OR AM I? DROP AND GIVE ME TEN jk just keep reading…

First, you need to make sure you’re thankful for where you are and what you see in the mirror. Regardless of the steps you take beyond this point, if you don’t love how you look now, you’ll never be thankful no matter what changes. So find two or three things you love about yourself currently and write them down so you can see them every day.

Be conscious to not hold nit-picking sessions in the mirror.

Next, pin point what your goals are. I’d like to loose a couple of pounds that I put on over the holidays and get back into my gym routine…hitting it a certain number of minutes longer than I did last year.

So what’s your clear-cut goal?

Okay, now that you’ve set that. Let’s take away the excuses that pop up (I know these well because they’ve been trying to bed down on my lap for years).

One: I don’t have time to work out.

Fine. Then watch what you eat. As you get older it’s what you eat that makes the biggest difference. I found that when I curtail my taste buds and stay away from foods that are bad for me (carbs, sugar), it develops habits (and cravings) that will help me whether I’m in or out of a busy season with the gym.

That being said – working out still helps!

Two: Working out is too inconvenient.

Really? Then how about this 20 minute session you can do in your own home. 
OR this series is THE GREATEST. I have kept myself in shape for years (and throughout my pregnancy) by doing these videos alone. They are soooo convenient because they have different time options. And each video includes Anna (LOVE HER) and ways to make it easier on yourself if you’re a novice.

I encourage you to start with one video. Just one and see how awesome you feel afterwards. Then later, remember how good you feel once it’s done – that will motivate you to do it again!

Also, working with weights, be it body weight or small hand weights, will cause you to continue burning calories after you’re done.

Three: I don’t have anything to wear.

Well, my friends, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ll be addressing this more later in the week but for now… Let’s look at what you do have!

Pull out everything that’s “workout appropriate.” I bet you have more than you think you do. Once you do see all you’ve got, you can see what needs to be filled in. All you need are 4 pairs of pants and 4 tops (but don’t tell my husband that, since I’m constantly buying workout clothes). If you’re going out to a gym where other people will see you, simply rotate through these options. If you go three times a week then you’ll have one to spare! (PS: t-shirts count, so throw some in the mix).

It’s not all about how you look in the gym, but do make sure the clothes are clean and nice looking. You’re not going to be motivated to go anywhere if you’ve got holes in your shirts/pants. And the good news is Walmart, TJMaxx and even JCP are all great places to stock up on cheap workout basics (I know because I have).

Come back later in the week for more tips with sports bras and gym clothes. Meanwhile GET OUT THERE. Get to eating right and get to be a spiffier you!

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Top 5 Best Beauty Products of 2017

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It’s so fun to see every year what new product is going to come out to make us look 25 years younger, more rested and generally more like a super model.

I’ve pulled together 5 of my favorite things from this year and want to share them with you!

One: Magnetic Lashes

Ground breaking when it comes to having full lashes without having to keep a regular appointment. By far, the best beauty purchase of 2017. I can’t wait to see what else the company comes out with!

Two: Derma Roller

Skin care is so important no matter your age. This popular regimen of poking tiny needles in your skin is said to promote collagen, and open up your skin to really soak in your products. I’ve seen a difference in my own skin since starting about a month ago. Good news is these rollers are pretty cheap – good news because you should replace them every 15 uses. Also be sure to wash them afterwards.

Here’s a great video that explains how to do it.

Three: Soft Surroundings Silk Pillow Case

I talk about this in the link above. Just know it’s going to help your skin and hair in the long run!

Four: Bare Minerals Foundation

Greatest. Foundation. Everrrrrrr. You guys!! *Deep breath* It’s long lasting, has SPF20, has beautiful, buildable coverage, lays great on your skin, blends nicely – I can’t rave about it enough. And did I mention it’s long lasting? I can put it on at 7 in the morning and not need a touch up at 4 in the AFTERNOON. It’s ah-maz-ing.

Five: Matte Lipsticks

I’m loving the surge of matte lips. I think they look way less fussy, more “natural” as in they don’t overpower your whole face but still give you great color. Bare Minerals version is my favorite (it’s actually hydrating!) especially now that they have a bunch of punchy colors.

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