04.06.2021
15th Blogiversary giveaway: Your New Favorite Face SPF For Urban Environments

Jamie holding Shiseido SPF For Urban Environments

It’s hard to believe it, but today marks my blog’s 15th anniversary (“blogiversary,” if you will).  As I’m sitting here typing up this post and prepping the giveaway with Shiseido’s SPF For Urban Environments (don’t worry- getting to that below, lol), I’m honestly just SO appreciative of everything that this blog has given me over the past 15 years. From the ability to share my honest thoughts, opinions and favorite products with strangers to the job opportunities both in the writing and marketing worlds. I’ve also made REAL friends that I never would’ve met or bonded with if not for this silly little website I started on a late night whim. This blog will forever be a part of my foray into adulthood and it also served as a creative outlet for me during some really hard times in my life.

(Yes, the tears are streaming now).

15th Blogiversary giveaway: Your New Favorite Face SPF For Urban Environments

Reflecting on my life since I started this blog on April 6, 2009…well, let’s just say I never would’ve predicted that I’d end up where I am now and, quite honestly, I’m really, really happy that I still get to do what I love AND the way my life has turned out…and I owe a big part of that to not only this blog, but also to YOU GUYS.

I’ll never be the influencer with half a million followers on IG and I’m ok with that.

I have all of you. Some of whom have been reading this blog since 2009 (!), and that truly just warms my heart with joy.  To those readers – I’m honored that we got to “grow up” together.  Thank you for all your support over the last 15 years.

To new/newish readers – thank you for trusting me when there are soooo many other voices that you could trust instead.

P.S. don’t forget to check back every day this week (Monday – Saturday) for a new giveaway every day.

I’m really just a ball fall of love right now and I’m excited to share today’s giveaway with one my ALL-TIME FAVORITE brands, Shiseido!

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08.05.2022
These are the 5 Sunscreens I keep in Rotation

collage of 5 sunscreens

Because you know I’m the self-proclaimed SPF queen…


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04.13.2013
Spring Break: Then & Now

Spring Break - then and now

It hit me yesterday that I haven’t been on spring break since 2005, and, quite frankly, this makes me sad.  Not to say that I haven’t been on other fun vacations since then, but there’s something so exciting and also disgusting, in a good way, about the college tradition known as “spring break.”  This got me to thinking about how much I’ve changed over the past eight years, and in many, many good ways.  For example, not that there’s anything wrong with a little Bud Light but hey, I now prefer a nice glass of wine or a delicious cocktail.  But tanning oil?  Hell no.  I don’t care if it does have SPF 15, it’s still TANNING OIL.  I’ll take my Shiseido SPF 50+, please.  I mean.  Let’s not even discuss wedge flip flops…and ladies, you can stop laughing out loud now cause I know you wore them too.  I now prefer these Loeffler Randall woven sandals, which are perfect for day to night.  What are some of the things you’ve grown out of?

P.S. check out my instagram HERE if you want to see a picture of me on spring break 2005, to which I caption “can you smell the sun damage?”

10.24.2012
My Current Skincare Regimen

I try not to play product favorites but I have to admit, my skin has been in pretttty good shape lately.  And this means: only minor breakouts, no dry patches, not a ton of redness and hyperpigmentation…so I, naturally, had to share what I’ve been religiously using.  I’ve already blogged about most of these products but hey, here’s a roundup, in one place, so you can see everything that I’m currently using and loving:

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42: SPF, SPF, SPF.  Wear it every day, all day.  I’m a big Shiseido SPF girl because their sunblock formulas tend to be on the lighter side and don’t make you feel greasy and gross.

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood: I told Darphin’s PR rep that I had dry, sensitive skin and she reassured me that I would LOVE this cleansing balm.  In fact, I believe she may have used the phrase “heaven on your face,” and yes, she was correct.  If you don’t like skincare that has fragrance, this might not be for you but I love how luxurious this cleanser feels and it doesn’t dry out my skin.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment: I’ve had my fair share of Kate Somerville treatments so any time they say they’ve captured a portion of one of their amazing (and costly) treatments in a bottle, I’m sold.  I’m into the cool burst of moisture and I like that I feel very high-tech when spraying it on my face (3 lines on each cheek and one on the forehead).  YES, ma’am.

Freeze 24/7 Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Aside from the fact that this product has “ice cream” in its name, it really is a fantastic anti-aging moisturizer…and, believe me, I’m picky about my moisturizers.

Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Eye Cream: I’m clearly a big Rosa Arctica advocate but the eye cream is also pretty fantastic.  They say moisture is pretty much the most important thing to prevent wrinkles and fine lines and this eye cream has it.

Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8: I’ve blogged before on my fear of my impending turkey neck and, because of this, I’ve been AVID about using neck products.  It’s a little too early to say that I’ve seen “improvements” (since I’m only 29) but I have good faith that this product will work because it’s Kate-endorsed.

11.11.2022
The Best Singles Day Beauty Sales

mascara from Singles Day Beauty Sales

Because it’s important to celebrate your single self (and your single friends)…


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