Beauty Products I'm Loving Lately

For Christmas this year, Santa brought me all kinds of fun beauty products.

Though I've been semi-chained to the house lately, having some fun beauty products to play with to make myself feel somewhat presentable during an afternoon walk (or so that I don't totally scare Shaun away with my no make-up, oversized t-shirt wearing self as of late).

Here are the key beauty products that I'm loving lately...

clockwise from top:

1. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter. I loooove this stuff. It looks just like butta. It's thick and creamy but not greasy and has just a light honey butter scent. It's especially glorious while pregnant...the perfect stuff for preventing stretchmarks (40+ weeks and I've still got zero of 'em) and I love it for rubbing on my dry legs after a shower.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20. I used to adore the Kiehl's tinted moisturizer in light but it has since been discontinued. The Laura Mercier one is nice and light and I actually put it on top of a regular Aveeno moisturizer. It's barely tinted and it really just adds a bit of evenness to my skin. Oh and it makes my face feel super soft. 

3. fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. These are great little lip balms. I have berry, honey and passion and love each of them equally. They go on like a non-sticky gloss and add just a hint of color, mostly for achieving that 'I just ate a red ice pop' look.

4. tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed. Thanks to my sister Christine for introducing this blush to me. It is the most natural looking blush I've ever worn. It goes on like a dream and adds just enough color to give my face some brightness and life.

5. hourglass Full Spectrum Mascara in Film Noir. Another gift from Christine, this is my favorite mascara I've ever used. It's incredibly soft and my lashes have never looked so naturally long. It doesn't clump and again, looks super natural.

6. Urban Decay Mariposa Palette. Urban Decay has become the only eye shadow that I will use. I have used the Naked palette non-stop (read: every single day) until I received this one. The colors are gorgeous (my favorite in this palette is Mushroom), it goes on beautifully and lasts for the long haul with a little primer. I can thank my wonderful husband for this one...he scoured my make-up box before Christmas, found the Urban Decay name on the Naked palette and went in search of another palette by them. He's a keeper, that one.

So there you have it. The beauty products that I just can't live without these days. Isn't trying new beauty stuff fun?

What beauty goods are you loving lately?

What do I need to add to my list to try?

This Week... (Naked palette, Big Love + New Glasses)

...I finally broke in my Urban Decay Naked palette...gorg.

...I spent 30 minutes removing Deborah Lippman’s glittery Happy Birthday nail polish from my nails. That was a tough one.

...Shaun and I decided that we officially like Big Love after 4 or 5 episodes. It was a rocky start, but I think we are ready to commit to the series. Love everyone on this show! And also love that I’ve already spotted 3 actors who also just so happened to star on my beloved (and short-lived) Veronica Mars - anyone? anyone?

...I woke up at 4:30 in the morning and realized that I never shared my Pineapple Coconut Dream Bars with you. Let’s forget how sick that is, ok? I have a lot going on. But it happened. And I’m sorry that I’ve deprived you...please expect this bit of yum on Monday morning.

...I got new glasses...not too shabby, right? My last pair was from 10 years and 2 prescriptions ago. Not so good.

...I made these ah-mazing Golden Grahams cookies...and next week you can bid to win a batch at The Sunday Sweet’s bake sale to benefit OC Walk to Remember. Head over there on Monday Aug 1!

...I saw Friends with Benefits. I thought it was great and funnier than I originally imagined it would be. I love Mila Kunis. I finally get why everyone loves Justin Timberlake so much. He’s adorable. And funny. And adorable.

...Alex at Yums and Loves is featuring my Chocolate Cherry Smoothie as part of her no-bake recipe roundup. Check out all the deliciousness on her blog!

...I launched a new venture with my sisters! In case you missed it, the 3 of us will now be blogging over at The Peach & The Pit! Please check it out. I think you’ll like it. (TAA will continue as usual)

...I read A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard. Holy wow. If any of you are interested in hearing about it, I’d be happy to review it for ya, just give me a shout!

While we’re talking about all the fun of this week, I’d love to take a moment for next week. On Sunday morning, I am heading down to Aruba with Shaun and my family. I really am so excited for this trip. We usually go in early July, but pushed it back this year because Kimberly just took the Bar this week (yay Kimmi!!). I cannot wait to get my eat, drink, lay and read on in paradise. I have some fun posts and guest posts lined up for you next week, so be sure to drop in!

Until then, have a great weekend friends!! August here we come!

On A Mission Beauty Blogger Hits YouTube, Features Contest

One of the best things about blogging is reading other blogs, meeting new people, and developing new interests. One of my favorite new blogs is written by none other than my fab youngest sister Christine, who's blog, On A Mission Beauty focuses on beauty tips and make up looks of the moment, from college-inspired looks (no more football game face paint over the age of 15 ladies!) to everyday summer looks. Christine's alter ego DollyMixMakeup has been hitting YouTube strong with over 20 videos featuring product reviews, make up tutorials, and now a 100 subscribers contest. In addition to detailing her contest rules and prizes, she gives a super sweet shout out to yours truly and Between Jersey City & Manhattan. Check out her video, enter to win fab beauty prizes, and for the love of all, check out her blog and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Love her? You'll be hearing more from Christine as she will be writing a guest 'on the go' beauty entry for Between JC & Manhattan in the coming weeks!