Starbucks & My Love For Coffee: Part I

I have always been an on and off caffeine drinker since college, but for the past year coffee has been one of the most important parts of my morning. I love the boost it gives me- and even more-so the flavor and options there are to choose from. I am teaming up with Starbucks today (and a few more times throughout the year!) to talk about some of their coffees, products and up and coming things to look for in their stores. 

I truly couldn't be happier to have this collaboration because it's something I am passionate about and I know that coffee is also very important to so many of you as well. I want to start off by saying that this Christmas I invested in a Jura Impressa F50 (this thing is the bees knees) and I haven't looked back ever since. I have saved money on running to the store every day to buy coffee and honestly, if you get good beans, it can be just as good at home.

My rules to the perfect cup? Get yourself a good coffee machine, use Starbucks coffee beans & grounds, and of course start the coolest mug collection (below are some of my favorites). I really love the Veranda Blonde blend because it's on the lighter side, and very mellow. The medium blend is very balanced and smooth. The Cafe Verona dark roast features a fuller body and a more robust flavor. This is the roast I didn't use in our machine because the bean itself is a little bit oilier. Oilier beans tend to clog the Jura so I opted out of doing that and used the pour over brewer for that cup of coffee.

To use a pour over brewer you need to make sure you have the proper materials, and cone filters. You also have to make sure you use coffee grounds (not the full bean) for this. It's pretty cool, and I had never heard of this technique before but it's definitely a different-fun way to brew. There's a tiny hole in the white mug that filters the coffee right into the mug you put it over.

In my package from Starbucks I also received this awesome little coffee passport book. This book explains everything a coffee lover needs to know. It describes the four steps of tasting coffee, the fundamentals of brewing and more information about the coffee and how it is produced.

I'd Rather Be Short

Hey guys! Happy almost Thanksgiving, today I am super excited to share a review of a book one of my blogger friends wrote, which is extremely witty and has the coolest illustrations. It's called I'd Rather Be Short... First of all, how awesome is it than she published her own book, but how even more awesome is it that she wrote the book about being small! THIS IS MY LIFE STORY. When I started browsing through the book I was hysterically laughing because so many of these little instances have happened to me, and it helps being super tiny.

Some of my favorites ? 

No heels are too high.
A laundry basket could be a sled for you.
Short people have faster reaction times.
You're more likely to get a piggyback ride home if you're tired.
You'll be super cute when you're old.
You can curl up like a cat and sleep on a plane.

And the list goes on and on...I am seriously in love with this book and can't wait to put it on my new coffee table so everyone can get a chance to see how cool it is. If you are small, or know anyone who's tiny, this is a great gift for holidays! You can buy it here, follow on the book on twitter, and read the blog.

It's finally time us shorties got some recognition, and I am so happy this book is written for that purpose. Remember 5'1" is the new 6'2"!

Pretty New Frames From John Ruvin

I recently was contacted by a company by the name of John Ruvin. I was excited  to work with them when I saw how beautiful they're selection of glasses was on their website. I have been pretty obsessed with ombre glasses for a while now, but never had the courage to try them. I ended up picking these and really fell in love with the shape and color of the frame. Their website is easy to use, it has an easy try on feature, which is what ultimately lead me into picking these specific ones.

I never had a pair of round frames before, so that's another thing that's new to me. I have nothing but great things to report about my experience with John Ruvin. They were fast, and the quality of my glasses is great. I also really loved the packaging it came in. I didn't picture it here (I was too excited and ripped it open pretty fast) but everything was neatly sealed and protected during shipping. I would most certainly recommend John Ruvin, and if you're a first time customer you get $30 your first purchase, and they provide free shipping all the time!

If you need new glasses or sunglasses, go check em out!

Let's Talk Skin : Skin & Co

When asked to review some products from Skin & Co I was really excited to check out some of their skincare line because I love that they use all natural ingredients. They use ingredients such as almonds, rosemary, truffle oil, lavender and honey, which is unlike most brands out there right now. I like knowing what I'm putting on my skin, and more importantly, I want to know that the products aren't filled with chemicals I can't pronounce. They carry everything from moisturizers, to body scrubs, to exfoliants so you can always find what you need when browsing their site. 

The second thing I really loved about the products I was given was the scent. The smell is divine! I love the truffle body milk and body gel, but also their truffle gommage which is a deep exfoliating face exfoliator. (that's a mouthful, ha!) After using these products for the past two weeks I am very happy with the results. They leave my skin feeling ultra smooth and smelling great, which is exactly what I was looking for. 

If you want to learn more about Skin & Co visit them here:

FB // Twitter // Pinterest

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Skin & Co to write this review. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting companies that support Little Tree.

Bike Style : Leopard Tights & A Blue Schwinn

Details:  Bikewear Cycling Tights / C/o Eleanor's ,Top & Glasses / Urban Outfitters,

Bracelet / Vintage , Headband / F21 , Boots / Baker's

I didn't get to ride my bike as much as I wanted to this Summer but I tried to pull it out when I had the time to cruise around the neighborhood. When Eleanor's contacted me, I knew I wanted these tights right off the bat. Leopard and stretch? Can you really go wrong with that? Being stylish on a bike is hard especially when you want to wear a skirt or dress.These leggings are versatile and can be layered or worn on their own which is pretty cool.

 

These are perfect to ride around in, and give me the ability to move on the bike without any friction from wearing "regular" pants. They're also really lightweight, so even wearing them on Summer nights is still comfortable.

 

I really can't wait for the Fall when I can take my bike out for strolls when the weather is a little chillier, and not so humid during the day. I also have some serious ideas about sprucing this baby up. I wanted to add some flowers to the basket and possibly a little horn for added flare.

 

Do you have a bike, and if so what's your favorite outfit to ride around in?

Flips Audio Review

So I must admit, when I was contacted to review these Flips Audio Headphones I was a bit skeptical. I had never heard of headphones turning into speakers and frankly, I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised when the headphones arrived at my doorstep, in the prettiest and most colorful packaging. 

I tested out these headphones/speakers while working out this week just to see what the quality was like. I really love how the headphones blocked out every sound around me, these bad boys will be perfect for my upcoming trips , and also for beach days when everyone just wants to listen to some music. The headphones come in a really compact carrying case which is great for traveling, and that way the cord doesn't get all tangled up (I hate that!). 

The sound quality is awesome when used through the speakers, and in a room full of people, it was definitely loud enough for everyone to hear, and dance. Flips is offering you guys a great deal if you decide you want to try these out for yourself!

Get $10 Off on Flips Headphones
Plus Rush Shipping Upgrade FREE
Enter Code:  FA0010INT

This Offer is exclusive to purchases made online at www.flipsaudio.com and valid from June 12, 2013 through July 16, 2013. Each unit purchased will receive $10.00 Off the online retail price plus they will “upgrade” your shipping from ground to Rush 3-Day at no additional cost to you. This Offer is unlimited in quantity and cannot be combined with any other offers.

These headphones were gifted to me for this review by Flips Audio, but all opinions stated are my own.

Thursday Haul V.5

Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Butter $15 - I love putting this on when my skin is extremely dry because it soothes it without caking on. It is a little bit thicker than most of my other lotions so I save it for those extreme cases. It also smells beautiful, which doesn't hurt either.

Evian Water Spray $3.50 - This is perfect for a day where your makeup is just not looking as fresh. A simple spritz and you're ready to roll. It's perfect to keep you looking fresh even when you don't have time to retouch your makeup.

Depth Body Lotion $8 - Best lotion I have ever smelled in my life! I love how thick this lotion is and how long it keeps my skin hydrated. I originally found this at Whole Foods in their wellness department, and immediately knew I loved the scent. It's pricier in the store, but very worth it, and the smell is sweeter than you can imagine.

Bed Head Foxy Curls $11- A lot of readers have been asking about my hair, and even though a lot of times my hair looks done, I am a very simple gal when it comes to products. I love putting something in my hair, sleeping in it and then waking up in the morning and touching it up. This stuff smells great, and doesn't make my hair crunchy which is very important.

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus $13.50 -Another go- to product for my curls. I love love love this stuff. It's perfect to put in my hair right before I run out the door, by the time it dries my curls are bouncy and look like they were curled with an iron. I love this stuff, a must have for those with waves!

(cheapest online prices used, online compared to in store is a huge money saver, do yourself a favor and do some research before buying any products! Also, all opinions are my own, no products were endorsed for this post)

Thursday Haul V. 4

Hey guys! It's been a few weeks, I decided I want to do Thursday Haul posts only once every few weeks since I don't normally buy new products every week. I am really excited about today's products because they are definitely some of my favorites to date! Hope you guys enjoy the post and remember if you have any recommendations leave them in the comments!

From left to right:

Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream -- $15

This stuff is amazing, and smells delicious. I got a facial last week and the woman used this on my eye circles. It reduces puffiness on the spot and leaves your skin feeling moisturized and glowing. I have used a few under eye creams and this is my favorite thus far. The coffee bean smell is intoxicating. 

Ole Hendriksen Truth Serum -- $48 

This product I received as a sample from one of the Sephora goodies they send when you accrue points. I really love Ole Hendriksen products so I got a little gift bag full of his creams and serums. This one is my favorite because it can be used with sensitive skin, and leaves your skin smoother than ever. It also has a scent which makes it soothing to put on before bedtime.

Beelove Care & Repair Balm -- $4

Since we are on the topic of soothing scents this amazing chapstick offers that and more. It's mixed with beeswax, cocoa butter, mango, sweet almond, Vitamin E, and rosemary so your lips stay hydrated all day long. When the woman applied this on my lips during the facial I was floored by how great it smelled. I bought it immediately following my appointment and have not put it down since! 

Origins Sensory Therapy--Peace of Mind -- $12

This cream is to be used between the temples, on the back of the neck, and earlobes for instant relief from headaches. Lately after my long days of staring into a computer screen, headaches are more common for me. This cream helps eliminate the headache right on the spot with its mint scent. It's also made with all natural ingredients so you know you're getting only the best!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick -- $3

Where do I even start with the cocoa butter swivel stick? I started using this in college and it's been my go-to lip stuff since then. I absolutely love it, I love the smell and it leaves my lips tasting like chocolate! I am a huge fan of the Palmer's cocoa butter brand (including lotions) and I usually get the most comments when I take this out to use in public. "Is that a glue stick?!" It may look like one a little bit, but trust me, it will soon be your favorite too. All my friends use it now and they agree that it's the best! (not to mention it's huge so it lasts a while)

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thursday Haul V.3

So Thursday Haul has been on hiatus for the past two weeks, but after giving it some thought I want it to be a day when I post pictures/reviews of not only beauty products, but also other products I have been trying out and what I think about them.

Floral Crown- Urban Outfitters $20

I just bought this the other day and I can't lie, I am pretty excited about it. I love how big the flowers are and I really love band it came on. It's well made, and the color is perfect for Spring, I can't wait to wear it with a sundress this spring/summer!

Iconemesis - Win one here! (Buy here)

I am really excited to be giving away one of these awesome phone cases from Iconemesis. I love the design and I also really love how unique these cases are. Here are some of my favorites: one, two, three , and most of the cases are also 20% off right now, so go check them out!

Miss Jessie's Products

I was really excited about these products, and even though my hair isn't extremely curly, it's definitely got a curly-wave to it which needs some serious TLC from all the treatments throughout the years. I love the way these products smell and how my hair feels after using it, I may actually purchase the full products to use from now on.

Poppin Iphone Amplifier- $10

We received this little speaker from IFB con and after giving it a whirl, I LOVE IT. I am the girl who's always singing no matter what I'm doing. It helps amplify the sound coming from your phone which normally only reaches a certain volume. It's cute, lightweight and perfect on the go!

Product Review & Giveaway: GHD Styler

Hey guys! Today I am very excited to team up with BestUSbloggers and GHD to share this awesome review & giveaway with you guys. It's always fun for me to post about different topics on my blog, and one thing I am definitely passionate about is hair care. As you all know my hair is really long, and something you may not know is that (it can be a little crazy and wild). When I was contacted about this review I was really excited to try out a new product, but I was also excited to write a post about hair, and post some pictures of what my hair looks like before it's done for pictures/daily life etc.

On the blog I usually wear my hair curly, but occasionally I like to wear it straight too. Today I decided to straighten it with the GHD flat iron. I received mine in ruby red, which is such a pretty color, I've actually never had a colored flat iron before, so it's fun to add some color and hint of sparkle to my every day routine. The site offers different colors, and the plates of the iron are even colored on some, it's pretty cool. I really like this color as well.

As you can see my hair is curly, wavy, and frizzy all at one time. This flat iron works wonders, check out the final result. Big thank you to BestUSbloggers and GHD, I love my new flat iron! You guys can enter to win one below, you have until the 22nd! Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


This is a sponsored post by BestUSbloggers & GHD.
I was compensated a GHD flat iron for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Fashionably Modern

When I was contacted by the lovely folks over at Fashion for Home , I was extremely excited to work with them on styling a piece of furniture from their site. I love modern furniture and when I made my choice, I simply fell in love with the Tequila Lounge Chair. I love how soft the leather  feels, and the quality is exquisite. The chrome tubing at the bottom simply makes the chair, and you can even spin around in it. (I know because my nephews spun me around in it a few times, they also loved it).

They have US & UK based websites that offer different pieces from over forty different international designers, and I am almost positive that you will find a piece you love that looks unique. Fashion For Home is a part of the Sustainable Furnishing council because they take responsibility for the environment and they offer different lines that have both traditional and contemporary styles, so there is something for everyone. So not only is everything gorgeous, affordable and well made, but they care about the environment too, and what is better then that? 

This chair and dress are a match made in heaven don't you think? It helps that one of my favorite colors is black, and I think they both match my personality in a fun, quirky kind of way. I love getting the chance to work with such wonderful companies, so I just want to thank Fashion For Home for sending me such a beautiful chair, it's definitely a new favorite in my home!

Outfit Details: Bella Epoque Dress // Courtesy of Lulu's , Jeffrey Campbell Litas , Rings // Vanessa Mooney , Bracelets // TJ Maxx

Tequila Lounge Chair - Courtesy of Fashion for Home

Jo Totes Review

Georgia Nautical Camera Bag- Courtesy of Jo Totes
Shoes-Courtesy of Bait / Dress-TJ Maxx

Today I am so excited to share my review of this amazing bag from Jo Totes. I must say, even though this may sound crazy, I have never had an "official" camera bag. I usually end up throwing things around in a spare bag, and then everything ends up on top of the other. When I received this bag in the mail, I couldn't stop looking at how pretty it is! The bag comes with all these little compartments that help keep your lenses or cameras in their own section. This helps when you're traveling and you want everything in its correct spot. After suffering for years without a camera bag, I can't really imagine what it would be like not having one now.

What I love most about the bag is how roomy it is, and how the nautical stripes pop as soon as you see it. The colors are perfect for the summer, and I feel like this bag could compliment any outfit. I also love the option of holding this bag as a satchel or being able to use the shoulder strap if you need it. I definitely found my match! I want to thank Jo Totes for providing such a gorgeous bag, I don't think I will ever leave home without it! 

Here are some of my other favorites from Jo Totes, what are yours? 

Betsy Mustard , Gracie Greige , Millie Sugarplum

Radiant Cosmetics Review

Two items reviewed: Lipstick/Strawberry Fields , Lip Gloss/Hummingbird

When asked to do a review for Radiant Cosmetics, I jumped at the chance to try out their beautiful matte lipstick & lip gloss. I hardly ever wear lipsticks (as I am sure you have noticed) and since my makeup is pretty plain everyday it's definitely a big change for me. A huge reason of why I don't wear gloss/lipstick is because of the residue it leaves on your lips, it makes them dry and cracked and ultimately, not attractive...at least on me. Radiant uses ingredients that don't dry out your lips, and they feel much smoother than the "usual" lipstick. They even offer moisturizing lipstick, if you prefer.

One thing that really caught my eye about the gloss, was the fact that it didn't make my lips feel sticky! I know, hard to believe right? It was extremely lightweight and the color wasn't too over the top for me, so all in all, it was perfect! If you haven't already, go check out their site, they have so many colors to choose from, and what they stand for is pretty great too.

Radiant cosmetics partners with Free the Captives in order to provide awareness about human trafficking. "A portion of your purchase of Radiant Cosmetics will go to support our programming of working with at risk teens, educating the community, and fighting illegal establishments that promote human trafficking." So not only do they have great products, they are also fighting for a great cause.

Hope you guys found my review informative, and definitely give their gloss & lipstick a chance, I was a non-believer at one point too, but give it a chance and I promise you won't be disappointed.