Just Aqua Splashin' Around

Good Morning, Monday rolls back around too quickly!

Summer is still a month away but I'm already craving fun summer nail polish colors. Bring out the brights, corals, aquas, etc! 

My gal pals already know how much I love texture polishes, so imagine my 'kid in a candy store' face when I came across Milani's Texture polish in Aqua Splash!! I was dazed  & confused for a second because I've heard that they were only sold online but there it was...in my hands..and for a dollar less than the $4.99 retail price. (Cue the Jersey accent) You're pulling my leg heeere!

 I'm super stoked that I found this polish just in time for my Memorial Weekend getaway! I'm going to be splashing around in natural springs and a river. And yes, I'm a cheeseball so pun intended ;) 

 I love, love, LOVE this cream color and the texture. It's a bit grainier than OPI's Liquid Sand polishes but not in an unpleasant way. The pictures below consist of Ulta's Base Coat, and two coats of Aqua Splash. Top coat doesn't work so well on these..and it defeats the point of textured polishes.  

These polishes are limited edition so grab them while you can!

Don't forget your base coat! They extend the life of your manicure by days.

Linking Up With Maria-Isabel for Make Up Monday

What You Need to Know About Parabens

Good Morning Ladies!  We are almost through the week so let's keep pushing.  

Yeah, right. I barely had the strength to make coffee this morning and I'm a total zombie right now. 

Moving on...

The celebrity 'hot topic' of the moment is Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy:

 "My doctors estimated that I had an 87% risk of breast cancer. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much as I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy."

Breast cancer runs in my family and I also face the reality that I have a good chance of developing it. While I wouldn't go to the measures Angelina did (and I'm not judging her decision) there are ways I can protect myself now to reduce my chances in the future.  

One of the ways I choose to protect myself is to transition into a paraben-free lifestyle.

What You Need To Know About Parabens

1.  Parabens are synthetic chemicals commonly used by the cosmetic & pharmaceutical industries to preserve the shelf life of products.

2.  What kinds of products contain parabens? Shampoos, moisturizers, hand and body soaps, facial masks, deodorant, sunscreen, shaving gels, personal lubricants, make up, toothpaste, perfumes/colognes, etc.  

3.  The most common forms of parabens found in these products are are methlyparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben.

4. Scientific research has found that parabens are associated with occurrences of breast cancer. Parabens have been found breast cancer tumors, yet cosmetic companies continue to deny that parabens are absorbed into our bodies through our skin.  

5. Parabens also mimic estrogen and are a contributing factor of the increasing prevalence of early puberty among girls.

6.  Cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies can use alternative preservatives but insist on using parabens because they are easier to obtain and less expensive to process.

7.  Opting for Paraben free products is especially important for those who have a family history of breast cancer. 

8.  Many companies are now offering paraben-free products, such as Neutrogena Naturals, Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees.

Be safe.

Last Day to Enter

Hi Folks,

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to enter the Conscious Box Giveaway.  Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OPI Oz Mini Set, Part 1

I picked up a cold that totally knocked me on my butt all week and that's pretty much where I still am. 

My gal pal Jessica at You Are My Color is coming back today from a week-long work trip...in Las Vegas. No, her company is not hiring - I already asked her ;)  Jessica was gracious enough to let me guest post for the Nail Files, so head on over there to check out my tri-color mani tutorial! 

A few months ago Holly at Wicked Chaos generously gave away an OPI Oz the Great and Powerful mini polish set. I crossed my fingers, toes and eyeballs because I really  wanted to win this one, not to mention I loved the movie. Wish granted!  

The set came with a liquid sand polish and I admit that before trying What Wizardy Is This?, I wasn't a fan of textured polish. I have seen the light and now I LOVE them! Not to mention chips are easily covered and non-noticeable. I love this particular color and the gold undertones, although my Lover said it looked like baby diarrhea. Alriiighty then!

Glints of Glinda (pictured below) looked like a pretty nude in the bottle but it didn't look so great on me. It blended with my skin tone too well and was super sheer. I added some glitter to make it pop but this one just fell flat. What do you think?

Linking Up With:

 Tara @ Fabulous But Evil           Jean @ What Jean Loves         Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom

          

Have a great weekend!

Coupon Connect with Nightchadye

Happy Thursday Morning. My best buddy Friday is just around the corner!

I'm joining forces with Cayli at Nightchayde to bring our friends some awesome deals via Coupons and Coupon Codes. Who couldn't use more cash in their stylish wallets? Or freebies in the pantry? 

I have a few coupons and freebies to share, and Cayli has some awesome coupon codes that make for great online shopping deals so head on over there too. And while you're there, give her a shout out for coming up with this great idea!

Coupons via Coupons.com

Clip this coupon directly here

Clip this coupon directly here

Clip this coupon directly here

$0.50 Flip Flops at Target!

Just in time for summer temps and beach outings! 

Head on over here,  and click on "Apparel and Accessories" (left hand side) to locate the coupon below. Just print it out and take it with you to your next target outing to score an awesome deal!

(Photo credit: Addicted2Deals)

*Valid in store only.  Coupon for use by original recipient only.  Limit one coupon or offer per guest.  

Free Folgers Instant Coffee Sticks

 This is one of those great deals where the value of the coupon exceeds the item price, which equals FREE! Click here to print out a coupon for $1.50 off ANY (that's the key word here, folks) Folgers product, and visit Walmart or Target where they sell Folgers coffee sticks for just $1.00. You can print two coupons per printer. You're welcome :)

(Photo Credit: I Heart the Mart)

*Limit one coupon per purchase

Free 2-Year Subscription To Shape Magazine!

Rewards Gold is offering a free 2-year subscription to Shape Magazine. Head on over here,  and simply fill out a two minute survey and your mailing address and viola! Great tips and recipes at your doorstep :)

*Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery


Don't forget to check out Nightchayde for great coupon code discounts on online shopping.