Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Happy Friday! If you haven’t heard Nordstrom is having their huge anniversary sale next week. This sale is amazing since brand new fall pieces will be on sale, and once the sale is over they will go back to their regular price. It is a great time to stock up and shop for fall/winter staples. They will also have a few new summer arrivals included so if shopping for fall items in July isn’t your thing be sure to check this section out, which I will also include in this post.

How to shop:

Early access to the sale starts July 12th. The key to gaining early access is to have a Nordstrom card. Cardholders get to shop the sale early from July 12th- 19th. You can apply for the Nordstrom card here. I recommend shopping early access since these items usually sell out super fast. I know a lot of people don’t like using credit cards for obvious reason, good news is you can apply for the card, be approved, and use your own debit card (not associated with Nordstrom). Being a Nordstrom cardholder allows you to shop early access, however, you can use any method of payment you’d like to make your purchases.

July 20th- August 5th is when the sale opens to the public if you prefer to wait. Either way this sale is going to be SO good. Nordstrom released their preview catalog about a week ago and I have already picked out some things I will definitely be purchasing. I will be linking items here on this post starting July 12th. So if you see something in the catalog you like I will have everything linked here to shop the day of the sale! Just come back to the post and click the items you want, add to your bag, and checkout FAST before its gone. Check out the catalog here. Enjoy!

 

Some of my faves!-

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Healthy Eats- CHOMPS

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Happy Monday! Today, I want to share something a little different than anything I have before. If you have followed me for a while you know Jake and I have been trying to eat healthier.. it has not been going too well.. lol. It is so hard to diet.. who feels me?!? We are always on the go and I am constantly looking for healthy, easy snacks.

CHOMPS snack sticks are jerky sticks made with the most humane and highest quality meat (100% grass fed & finished beef venison, and Free Range Anti Biotic Free turkey). Free of sugar, diary, gluten, artificial preservatives and colors. They are Non- GMO Project Verified, Whole30 approved, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Paleo, and Keto Friendly.

AND they are so good. Jake loves them, too!

Buy CHOMPS at your local Trader Joes or online at chomps.com with promo code “SummerChopin” for 15% off + free shipping! Be sure to check out the new Turkey flavor launching this summer!

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VIICODE SKIN CARE OXYGEN EYE MASK REVIEW

IMG_2280.jpgHey loves! Today I wanted to share with you a new under eye mask I have been using. It is an overnight treatment by the brand VIIcode (VII pronounced ‘vee too’).  1 box of O2M Oxygen Eye Mask for all night repair retails for $55 and comes with 6 treatments. Find them here: Oxygen Eye Masks. It is recommended to use 2-3 times per week, for 2-3 weeks of treatment. You are supposed to wear them overnight while you sleep for 8 hours, or 4 hours during the day.

 

Initial Thoughts: I become a little skeptical when I hear of an overnight “miracle”. Although I am only 20 years old I work full time, go to school full time, run this blog & Instagram, and take care of my home (which is a job itself!) I am always tired and unfortunately I do not always get a good night sleep. If you have been following me for a while you know I like to test out new products, which include anti-aging. I always say it is never too early to prevent signs of aging!

 

The Benefits:

Moisturize and soothe under eyes.

Minimize visible signs of aging around eyes.

Skin feels refreshed.

Reduce fine line & wrinkles.

 

The Ingredients:

Sodium Hyaluronate: Boosts skin’s moisture content, reduce inflammation, and help prevent moisture loss.
Sodium PCA: Helps to retain moisture, prevents our skin cells from losing water and drying out, reduces inflammation, and prevents skin from aging.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant that neutralizes the oxidant effect of free radicals, which damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Allantoin: Helps to soften and protect, while actively soothing skin. It also stimulates cell regeneration, promoting healthy skin.
Aloe barbadensis, Algin: Helps to hydrate your skin.

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Okay… now for the fun part!

How to use:

Wash your face and peel off the outer packing.

Stick them under your eyes.

Go to sleep or if you decide to wear them during the day, clean the house, run errands, whatever you need to do!

Be sure to use at least twice a week.

 

Final Thoughts:

After using two treatments I noticed that my under eyes looked more refreshed + bright. I do want to include I placed them in the refrigerator about an hour before I applied them. When I go to apply my makeup in the morning after using these, my under eye area feels so soft and hydrated. Overall, I like this product and would recommend to women looking to prevent signs of aging and minimize fine lines.

 

What are some of your favorite under eye masks/ treatments? Have you ever tried the VIIcode Oxygen Eye Mask before?

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All thoughts and opinions are my own and as always 100% honest. I only share products I have personally used. Thank you VIIcode for sending me these products and sponsoring todays blog post.*

 

Swimsuits You Need This Summer

Hey gfs! I can’t believe we are already in May! Today I’ve decided to rounded up 10 swimsuits you need this summer. I included two one pieces that are currently 30% off + SO cute and flattering, too! I included very affordable ones as well as splurge worthy pieces 🙂 Just click on the picture to shop! Happy Wednesday!

One- Pieces 

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Bikinis

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Favorite Makeup Products

Hey, Loves! Happy Wednesday! 

Long time no blog post? Ha! I have decided I am going to do a few blog posts per week from now on. Today I wanted to share what my current favorite makeup products are, since this is something I get questions about daily. These are products I use almost daily and have loved for quite some time.

Primers
To be honest, I haven’t always used a primer. But I recently found one that is amazing! I received a sample of Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light and fell in love. I bought a full size a few weeks back. Another primer I like is the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Shop them-
Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer Mood Light

Foundation
One of my all time favorite foundations is the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Perfect coverage, not too light or heavy, super build able, and long lasting. For a less expensive everyday foundation I recommend L’Oreal True Match.

Shop them-
L’Oreal True Match
Estee Lauder Double Wear – I wear shade Ivory Beige

Under eyes
The only concealer I have ever liked for under my eyes has been the MAC Pro Longwear concealer. Stays all day long and doesn’t crease. I set it with MAC Shaping Powder in shade Emphasize. This brightens up the under eyes SO much.

Shop them-
Pro Longwear Concealer
Shaping Powder

Eyes
My eyebrows are microbladed so I barely fill them in. When I do I use the IT Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil. This is my absolute favorite eyebrow product. It is one shade and it matches to your brow hairs… AMAZING!

Shop it-
It Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil

My all time favorite eye liner is under $10 and is SO good. I have been using the L’Oreal Infallible Super Slim Liner for years. Stays on all day long, which is necessary.

Shop it- L’Oreal Infallible Super Slim Liner

Two last products I want to mention is my favorite lip combo. I use MAC Creme Cup lipstick and MAC liner in the shade Whirl ALL the time. My absolute favorite combo and something I get asked all the time!

Shop my fave lip combo-
MAC Creme Cup
MAC Whirl

What are some of your all time favorite makeup products. I love trying out new products so be sure to let me know!

 

xo

Pamela Metamorphosis Review

Happy Thursday! You guys all know I love trying new beauty + skincare products. For the past 2 months I have been testing out a few products from the newer skincare brand, Pamela Metamorphosis.

Pamela Metamorphosis is a skincare brand developed by Pamela Hill, RN. Pamela believes that skin care shouldn’t be complicated. She believes in results, tried and true ingredients, and healthy, beautiful skin.

So before we get into the products and my review you probably want to know what type of skin I have. I would say my skin is combination- as I get older my skin seems to get more dehydrated so I am always looking for a good moisturizer.

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I tested the…
1. Sensitive Skin Cleanser
2. Vitamin C Serum
3. Green Tea Moisturizer
4. The Transformation Cream

SENSITIVE SKIN CLEANSER WITH SEA KELP

The Sensitive Skin Cleanser is created with orange peel oil, grapefruit peel oil, and a mild amount of retinol. It is gentle enough to remove makeup from the eye area, and mild enough that it’s even used on patients during or after a clinical treatment.

I use this directly after I wash my makeup off at night and in the mornings before I apply my moisturizer. Love how refreshed + clean my skin feels after using this cleanser.

VITAMIN C SERUM

The Vitamin C Serum harnesses the power of antioxidants to protect your skin against free radicals, defend against pollution, and reduce the amount of visible sun damage. This fast-absorbing serum has a milky texture that will leave your skin feeling hydrated and dewy, but never greasy. Because it absorbs so quickly into the skin, it is ideal for layering under your moisturizer.

I use this only in the mornings before I apply my moisturizer. It gives my skin a nice natural dewy glow.

GREEN TEA MOISTURIZER

This light, fast-absorbing moisturizer quenches your skin to revive its overall appearance. Packed with the antioxidants found in green tea, vitamin E and plankton extract, it protects your skin from free radicals and helps prevent aging, (it is NEVER too early!). The Green Tea Moisturizer is creamy and silky and is suitable for all skin types, including acne prone skin.

This moisturizer made my skin feel so soft and hydrated! I love that it is light weight and fast absorbing. I use this both mornings and night.

TRANSFORMATION CREAM

The Transformation Cream has been developed with a powerful combination of three peptides that firm and plump skin, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. This silky, fast-absorbing serum offers immediate changes in your skin that are visible from the moment you apply it. In addition to Pamela’s Tri-Peptide Complex, the Transformation Cream is formulated with vitamins C and E, a unique, complementary pairing that makes the vitamins absorb more readily and work more effectively on your skin.

This stuff is amazing! It has greatly reduced my pores within the first few days. I apply this only at night, after cleansing and before moisturizer.

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Final Thoughts-

Overall, I love this brand and their skincare! All of their products are cruelty free and formulated with only the best ingredients. They have products for all skin types including, oily, combination, dry, sensitive, and even for men! Let me know if any of you decide to try it, I highly recommend! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

xo

 

 

All thoughts and opinions are my own and as always 100% honest. I only share products I personally use and love. Thank you Pamela Metamorphosis for sending me these products.*

Life Update

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Hey loves! Happy Wednesday!

I have received a bunch of requests to do a life update post and figured this would be the perfect time. February is our busiest month.. Isabella’s birthday was the 2nd, my birthday is the 9th, my sisters is the 11th, Valentines Day, and Jake’s is the 28th. Plus we are MOVING this month (totally unplanned)!!!

If you saw my InstaStories last week I explained what was going on. I wanted to share on here as well in case you missed what was happening. A few weeks ago our apartment notified us we received a complaint about Isabella, our German Shepherd barking early in the morning. I just want to include that this is the most dog friendly apartment complex as the entire company is. A few days after this we received an email of a lease violation.. stating that her “excessive” barking violated our lease and that if we received one more complaint we would have to remove her permanently from the premises or be evicted. I was in shock. I can’t even explain what I felt when I received this email. NO WAY was I getting rid of my baby!? You want to know the best part? These complaints were coming from our downstairs neighbors who never once came to us directly.

I instantly called the property manager and discussed what was going on. She repeated that our options were to get rid of her if we received one more complaint or eviction. I was so upset. How could they even ask us to get rid of our dog? She is apart of our family! Later on that night I sent her an email explaining that it isn’t an option for us to get rid of Isabella nor for us to be evicted. A few days later I received a response giving us the option to terminate our lease. Again I was shocked. Terminating our lease or “buying out” would be well over $5,000. The email said there would be no fees associated with terminating the lease but we would only have 30 days.

That entire week was awful and nothing but stress. We went house hunting two days after we received that email and found a place for rent that we loved. A big back yard with a fence, 3 beds, 2.5 baths everything we wanted. We applied and were approved a few days later. I now realize this was a blessing in disguise and couldn’t be anymore thankful.

We are SO ready to get out of our current complex and get settled into our new home! I received numerous requests to do a house tour on move in day so be on the look out for that on the 24th. Maybe even a bedroom tour or another house tour once we get everything organized? Let me know what you guys want to see!

I also wanted to thank everyone who reached out over the past few weeks and sent your prayers and well wishes. It means SO SO much to me and is one of the reasons I love blogging/ Instagram. You all mean the world to me and I am so happy + blessed with your friendships!

xoxo

Alexa

Lavender & Grace Boutique

Happy Saturday, Babes!

We have had a pretty relaxing Saturday at home. Jake isn’t feeling all that well today. I did a try on haul with one of my favorite boutiques, Lavender & Grace a few weeks ago. Don’t forget to check that out on my InstaStories. They offer really great, high quality pieces at a reasonable price. Here are a few of my favorite pieces..

Peep Toe Booties

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How cute are these?! I am obsessed with them and they are under $50 + so comfy!

Tan Knit Lace Up Sweater

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This is the cutest + comfiest sweater! And it is on major sale right now.

Hunter Green Floral Bell Sleeve Top

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This top is perfect for spring & summer and has the cutest cutout detailing. It is also super light weight which I love, especially for summers in the south!

 

Use code alexapugliese for 20% off your entire purchase valid even on sale items! Have you guys ever ordered from Lavender & Grace? Leave your favorite boutiques in the comments below!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

All thoughts and opinions are my own and as always 100% honest. I only share products I personally use and love. Thank you Lavender & Grace for sending me these products.*

Everyday Makeup Routine

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Hey babes! One of the questions I get asked the most is what my favorite makeup products are, what I use daily, etc, so today I decided to share my everyday makeup routine with you. This look only takes me about 15 minutes, sometimes even less, since I have been doing it a while.

 

Face-
Lets start with moisturizers & primers. I use First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration every single night before bed. This is my all time favorite moisturizer and leaves my skin feeling so hydrated. Some mornings when my skin looks dryer than usual, I apply a small amount before applying my foundation. For primers I switch it up, some days I apply primer others I don’t. The days that I do apply primer I use Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. However, I don’t apply all over my entire face, only on the middle of my forehead and nose. One more primer that I LOVE I received as a sample from an order with Nordstrom. It is the Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in the shade Mood Light. This primer is a game changer- it is infused with light correcting pigments that act as a first filter to neutralize, brighten, and soften light. It blurs imperfections and smooths the skin’s texture for flawless makeup application. I will be purchasing the full size!

My favorite foundation that I use almost daily is Estee Lauder Double Wear. This is a foundation that lasts all day without having to touch up. It creates the prettiest finish. An inexpensive foundation that I also like is L’Oreal True Match. This offers a very build able coverage, I use this typically on weekdays. I apply this with my beauty blender or using my brushes from My Makeup Brush Set.

Next I apply Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in shade NC20 to my under-eye area, this is the only place I apply it to and a little goes a LONG way. I apply this is a upside down triangle and blend with the top of my beauty blender. This is my favorite under eye concealer because it doesn’t crease and last all day without looking cakey. I then apply MAC shaping powder in shade emphasize, this sets the concealer + adds brightness.

Then I apply my bronzer & blush. I have been switching up the bronzers lately. Currently I am using a contour shade from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit – I just haven’t found a bronzer that I absolutely love. (If you have any recommendations please send them my way!) Some days I wear blush- in the photo above I am wearing  It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Ombre Blush in shade Je Ne Sais Quoi. It is the perfect color and would look good on any skin tone. 

Normally, I would move onto filling in my brows but they are micro-bladed so I usually don’t apply any product. But my all time favorite product to fill in my brows is the Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil from It Cosmetics. I cannot say enough good things about this product. The way that this applies is amazing, it goes on so smooth and you don’t have to push so hard to see barely any product like most eyebrow products. This product gives the most natural finish and it is a universal color. I was skeptical about that at first but believe me it blends with your eyebrow hairs SO well.

Before I apply my highlighter I use Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder to set my makeup and to prevent oiliness throughout the day. My favorite highlighter is BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector- Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill. I also really love Vivid Baked Highlighters by Makeup Revolution. I have it in the shade Radiant Lights and have had it for over a year and still haven’t hit pan AND it is only $6.

Eyes-
For my eyes I like to keep it simple for everyday. I use Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette by Kat Von D. I use the shade Solas (espresso brown) all over my lid & use Sytry (chocolate brown) directly underneath my bottom lashes. This eye shadow is so pigmented and lasts all day.

For my eyeliner I use L’Oreal Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner. I prefer the cat eye and this liner is perfect for creating it. The eyeliner lasts all day and doesn’t fade, it is my favorite!

My favorite mascara is L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara and is the one I wear daily. It makes me lashes super long and doesn’t flake. I wear Ardell Double Up #206 Lashes all most every day. They are so quick and super easy.

Lips-
The days I wear lipstick I wear MAC Creme Cup with Mac liner in shade Whirl.. This is my go to lip combo and the one I am wearing in almost every picture.

Once I am completely finished with my makeup I spray on Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup spray. This keeps my makeup in place all day.

I hope this is helpful for you and answers most of your questions. Feel free to ask me any other questions that I didn’t address here. Have a good weekend!

xoxo

Alexa

Holiday Gift Guide- For Her

gift guide

How is Christmas less than 2 weeks away?!? Every year I swear time goes by quicker and quicker! Today I wanted to share a few of my picks that I think would make the perfect gift for your friends, moms, sisters, wives, or any woman in your life. These are products that I have used and loved.

1. Tula Skincare- One of my favorite skincare brands and they have the cutest Holiday sets. The one I have linked here would be perfect for someone just trying Tula, this is suitable for all skin types and their most popular products. Use code ALEXAP for 20% off your entire purchase!

2. Impressions Vanity Makeup Mirror– Just received this mirror in the mail and LOVE!

3. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray– I have been using this stuff for years and is a holy grail product for me. This keeps my makeup in place all day and helps prevent oil. This set includes 2 full sized bottles for only $42!

4. Purity Facial Cleanser –  I use this to wash all of my makeup off every night. This is the only makeup remover that completely removes all of my makeup without a ton of product.

5. Baublebar Gabriela Tassel Fringe Earrings-– These are such a fun gift & they come in 9 different colors! Perfect stocking stuffer.

6.  Knit Beanie–– Can’t go wrong with this Faux Fur Pompom Beanie. Comes in 2 colors.

7. DIFF Eye wear–– One of my favorite pairs of sunglasses are my DIFF Jessie James Decker sunnies in the pink/gold color. Use code ALEXAP25 for 25% off any pair on their website!

8. CALPAK Luggage Set– 5 color choices and the pretties luggage set! This is such a good gift for anyone. Throw some plane tickets inside and you’re all set 😉 LOL- but really wouldn’t that be the perfect gift?!

9. Tory Burch Miller– I need a pair in every color! So perfect to throw on and are comfy!

10. Over the Knee Boot– These are currently 40% off and come in black and grey. I am in love with my black pair!

11. Perfect Roll Tab Sleeve Tunic – Hands down my absolute favorite top. I have it in almost every color and love how versatile it is. & it is on sale for less than $30!

12. BLANKNYC Suede Moto Jacket-– This is such a great jacket. I have it in the grey color but have been eyeing the spice colored one as well. The spice and the black colors are 40% off right now, which is such a good deal! Snag one while you can.

 

Hope you enjoyed my very first gift guide of the season and my very first one in my blogging career! Let me know if you’d like to see a gift guide for him within the next few days!

xoxo

Alexa