Start the School Year Off Right with Annie B’s Nautical Caramel Story Gift Set

Ahoy matey! Looking for a genuine treasure to show your child's new teacher that you appreciate all the work and time that she will be putting towards your children this school year? Annie B's Nautical Caramel Tale gift set is a gorgeously packaged gift and a unique way to present 160 of their deliciously handcrafted caramels.

The Best Gifts for the Hostess with the Mostest are from Hastens!

Staying with friends and family for a spell over summer vacation? Say thank you in the most luxurious way possible and forego a typical bottle of wine or floral arrangement, by considering one of Hästens summer staples to gift your host or hostess. Gifting one of these is sure to guarantee you another invitation come Labor Day weekend. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Need a Baby Shower Gift? Don't Forget the Daddy! DaddyScrubs’ Bag O’ Books

DaddyScrubs’ Bag O’ Books {sent for editorial consideration} gives parents {especially daddy's} a new way to read and bond with their littles. No matter how young your child is, there are so many indispensable advantages of reading time together. From one-on-one bonding to building a basic vocabulary, taking the time to read with your child is priceless!

Gift the "Hostess with the Mostess" with Roux Maison!

I hate doing laundry. Well, technically, I hate folding laundry and putting it away. The sorting and actual washing is ok-but I hang a lot of our clothes to dry to in order to maintain their size, color, and shape and it's a general pain in my backside. But I digress...

I think it has been fairly well established that I like for things to smell good. That goes for my household products as well, including laundry detergent. So I surely would not turn up my nose (or even be mildly offended) if someone graciously gifted me with the luxury, eco friendly goodness that is Roux Maison laundry products..

Great Gift Sets From Josie Maran! AKA: A Gift Guide Part Deux

If you've been a reader for a while, then it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Josie Maran Cosmetics. So of course I had to mention some of the great gift sets the brand has to offer this holiday season:

Moroccan Bazaar Argan Skin & Hair Bestsellers

The Moroccan Bazaar Argan Skin & Hair Bestsellers ($39 at Sephora) is a set of Josie’s bestselling products for healthy skin and hair. What it does:This must-have set features Josie’s best Argan-infused essentials for lustrous skin and hair. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this set includes Josie’s 100% Pure Argan Oil, Argan Cleansing Oil, Argan Balm, Whipped Argan Oil, Argan Hair Serum, and Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40, each in a perfectly portable travel size! 

(This would be the perfect introduction for someone who does not know the wonders of Josie Maran Cosmetics and argan oil. I love that it is perfect for traveling as well or pick your can't leave home without it pieces to throw in your purse!)

Moroccan Bazaar Shimmer & Glow Argan Essentials

The Moroccan Bazaar Shimmer & Glow Argan Essentials ($28 at Sephora) is a set of Josie’s must-have products for luminous skin. What it does:Get a glow on the go with a handcrafted Moroccan makeup bag full of Josie’s must-haves for radiant skin. The handcrafted makeup bag was carefully woven in Morocco and supports sustainable employment for artisans. This set includes Josie’s 100% Pure Argan Oil, Argan High Gloss Lip Quench, Argan Illuminizer, and Argan Color Stick in Rosey, all in adorably portable travel sizes. 

(This set is great for the little lady in your life! I'm super picky about the cosmetics I allow my oldest (12 year old) daughter to wear, but I would have no qualms at all about her using the items in this kit. I think it's quite lovely for anyone that is looking to simplify their makeup routine or incorporate more natural pieces to their collection.)

Get Glowing - Argan Beautiful Skin

The Get Glowing - Argan Beautiful Skin ($64 at Sephora) is a five-piece set of Josie’s must-haves for naturally glowing skin. She believes that healthy skin is happy, beautiful skin, and this collection has everything you need to nourish your body and face from the inside out. Explore the versatility of Argan Oil and use it to hydrate and nourish from head to toe. The Argan Balm is a fragrance-free, petroleum-free formula that leaves the skin soft and supple and the velvety body butter soothes skin while indulging the senses. Top it all off with the illuminating powder and a swipe of pretty, pink gloss to complete your gorgeous glow. This set contains an 8 oz. Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, 0.5 oz 100% Pure Argan Oil, 0.12 oz Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Petal Pink, 0.28 oz Argan Illuminizing Powder, an a 1 oz Argan Balm.

(I'd legit swoon if I received this gift set! The Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter is full sized, and Sephora.com can't keep it in stock! Add to that the powder, balm, and lip gloss-if you can get your hands on this deluxe set, you'll be making someone a very happy camper!)

I hope you lovelies find these guides helpful. I will keep on the look out for goodies, deals, and gift sets from my favorite brands to share, and I hope that you get to take advantage of some of these great deals. This is the perfect time to introduce your loved ones to your favorites or take the opportunity to find a new favorite for yourself! Until next time...

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

In the name of full disclosure, my family does not "do" holidays, BUT, I do enjoy taking advantage of the holiday seasons: the time off from school/work, the emphasis on spending time with your loved ones, and all of the sales!!! So while I won't be celebrating with gift giving on any particular day, I am keeping my eye out for items that my family will enjoy that are specially marked down for the holidays. Case in point: Melissa & Doug's Terrific Twenty. 

Carol's Daughter "I AM Because You Are" Competiton

So, perhaps I’m going a bit overboard in my love affair with oils, but I can’t help it! I’m starting to think there is an oil (or oil based product) out there for just about any purpose you might need it for.

I’ve known for years that the best time to moisturize your skin is while it’s wet; sealing in water while it’s still on your skin is the optimal way to maintain properly balanced and hydrated skin. Trouble for me is, I can never seem to get moisturizer on my skin straight out of the shower or bath. I either get distracted by my hubby or one of my girls, or I’m tending to the needs of my hair or face before I turn my attention to my body. So this morning, I had a revelation: What if I had a dry oil mist to spray as soon as I got out of the shower? Kind of as a base, to seal the moisture in? Then I could do whatever else I needed to do, and if I wanted to layer on more moisturizer later I could. Genius, right?

I was going to use Facebook and Twitter to ask if anyone had any recommendations as far as dry oil mists, and then I stumbled on to this little gem…

Memorable Mists Trio; $29.50 on CarolsDaughter.com

(Just in time for Mother’s Day) Carol’s Daughter has created a custom Mother's Day Gift Set: the Memorable Mists Trio. The set includes the Almond Cookie, Sugared Violets and Orange Ambrosia Dry Oil Mists to pamper mom (or any woman, really). These delectably scented mists will keep your skin moisturized and positively glowing. Each fragrance is wonderful on its own, but you can also blend them together in order to create your own custom scent. This limited-edition gift set will be available in Carol’s Daughter stores and CarolsDaughter.com.

Carol's Daughter is also inviting fans to celebrate their mothers with the "I AM Because You Are" competition, sponsored by Sprite. You can share the invaluable beauty lessons your mother has taught you by posting a note about it on the Carol's Daughter Facebook Wall. Here are the details: