Every few months I go through the same thing with my skin, super dry skin. It really is the only thing that I have ever had to deal with, being otherwise blessed with skin that behaves and is pretty self-maintaining. So far in life I have not had any acne or oily skin issues, but I do have to deal with hyperpigmentation, something that is a little more common among people with darker skin.
Most of the time the most common problems with hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, shows up mid to late summer. But, at random times throughout the year I also have to deal with random patches of super dry skin that are insanely stubborn and hard to heal. That's where new formulas from brands like Carmex come in. Late last year was the first time I tried Carmex Healing Cream, first time I tried anything Carmex, in fact.
The brand of lotion I was using was no longer working on a stubborn elbow and small patch of dry skin on my upper arm. I slathered on the Carmex Healing Cream three times a day religiously, because it is meant for the driest, roughest skin. By the end of the week my skin was back to normal and I now use Carmex's everyday Healing Lotion and break out the Healing Cream for the occasional super dry skin. Love it!
A few weeks ago Carmex sent me a holiday gift bag with a full size Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream, as well as travel sized versions of each. They also told me that I could give away a similar set to one of my readers!
If you would like to win a Carmex Gift Set, follow my blog using Google Friend Connect and leave me your email address in a comment. That's all! Winner will be notified on December 2.
*Disclosure: No monetary compensation was made for this review or giveaway. Free product was received to review. All opinions are mine and a full, honest review was made based on my own use of the product.*
Most everyone I know has been into shopping on Black Friday at some point. For me there was one year that I went because my mom decided that after never shopping the sales there were just too many deals to pass up. I hated it. Knew I would. So, I don't go out on Black Friday if I can help it.
With the internet and all the nifty new shopping sites that have popped up in recent years it is even easier to avoid feeling like I am missing anything. Here are the best online black Friday deals from my favorite shopping sites that I am shopping with myself.
NoMoreRack-- Remember this daily shopping site I mentioned a while back? Still my favorite because they have the best fashion, shoes, home, and jewelry deals online every day at 12pm and shipping is always a flat $2. Today the Black Friday Frenzy started and I already snagged myself a free $100 GC to
Last year Chronicle Books hosted a Happy Hauliday competition where bloggers got to compile a list of $500 worth of Chronicle Books that they wouldn't mind owning.
Even more cool was the fact that a commenter would get a set of the books too (so make sure you comment on this blog post!). This year, Chronicle Books has upped their generosity and included charitable organizations to the mix, giving bloggers the chance to name a charity that would benefit from $500 worth of books too.
The charity that I have chose is the Community Crisis Center. The mission of the Community Crisis Center is to provide Safety, Hope, Advocacy, Respite and Education for those impacted by crisis and violence in the Fox Valley Region and Illinois. It is a very important center that is there for folks when you least expect the need, and even though that means the centers needs change at a moment, they do what they can to provide.
Ever been to an Ugly Christmas sweater party? I get invited to at least one every year, but it is always the same weekend as other Holiday events so I never get to go. It's okay though because Burt's Bees is hosting an online Tacky Sweater Party to benefit One Warm Coat. Now everyone can attend and help out a great cause at the same time.
If you head over to Burt's Bees Facebook page, like them and you will see the Bee Merry app on the left side. From there you can tack a tacky sweater onto your profile picture and tag Burt's Bees to be added to their photo gallery. For every tacky sweater photo that joins the party Burt's Bees will donate $1 to One Warm Coat.
I hate that everything in Chicago always happens on the same weekend, and that is exactly what this coming weekend looks like with the arrival of the 2nd Annual Chicago Food Film Festival. With this being the third film festival I have attended here in Chicago in as many months, I thought I was all pooped out, but it's a food film festival, people.
The festival runs November 18-20th, mostly at Kendall College and at either noon or 7pm, though everything is subject to change. Doors open 15 minutes prior to each showing and you need to be 21+ to enter, and able to prove it. Here's a quick description of each offering in the food film festival:
Ever tried to put together a family photo opp and failed? I find that the last minute attempts never pan out and I end up choosing a photo that we have taken in the past but has all of the family present. Truth is, taking a family photo is a huge chore, it's tedious and no one wants to do it. So instead, why not create a fun, whimsical atmosphere where you everyone can let loose and have fun-- and you still get a great family photo to use for Christmas cards and photo gifts.
Here are a few fun ideas I have spied around the Internet that can easily be applied to put together a creative theme and fun backgrounds for this year's family photos.
