Outfit Details:
Dress Olivia Culpo x Le Tote | Heels JustFab (similar) | Ring Vintage | Purse Danielle Nicole | Lipstick Maybelline New York in Voyager
A Desert Retreat
Eve's Outfit Details:
Dress & Hat Just Fab | Sandals Sam & Libby for Target (sold out) | Necklace Stella & Dot (sold out) | Bracelet Maria Shireen | Clutch Imoshion | Sunglasses Zenni Optical
A month ago we took a quick weekend trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. We had never been, and were excited to travel somewhere unfamiliar and sunny. California is sunny, don't get us wrong. But on the Monterey Peninsula (where we live) the average temperature is about 65 degrees year-round. So to us, Arizona was going to be REALLY hot. Eve brought along her new adorable dress from Just Fab and paired it with her trusty Sam & Libby sandals from Target we have featured in several other posts. She also brought along her new hat from Just Fab Hello Sunshine - perfect for keeping the sun out of her face. But our favorite accessory was the Imoshion lemon pattern clutch. The perfect size for fitting all the essentials for warm weather i.e. sunglasses, extra sunscreen, lip gloss, phone, and a large wallet.
xxx Ivy & Eve
Top 5 Subscription Boxes For 2017
In today's world, you can basically order anything online, without the hassle of having to get out of bed, put on makeup, and drive. Let's be real, we are lazier shoppers today than we were just a few years ago. Something that hasn't changed over the years though is the joy and excitement of getting a package in the mail! That's why we think subscription box services are so awesome!! Over the years, we have joined numerous services (some we have been subscribers for years). We've put together our top 5 subscription box services for 2017.
Hope you enjoy!!
xxx Ivy & Eve
- Frisky Britches - For just $14 a month, you receive two adorable and comfy undies right to your door! They have three different subscription options; "The Kitten" which includes two cheeky undies, "The Kitty" one cheeky and one thong, and "The Kougar" two thongs. We also love the brands they use like Honeydew and René Rofé. This is a great option for those of you who hate going to Victoria's Secret or just love having new cute undies.
- FabFitFun - A quarterly subscription box FULL of the seasons' most coveted products. Each box is worth over $200 and filled with loads of full sized products ranging from fashion, jewelry, fitness, and more! Quarterly subscriptions cost $49.99. We recommend purchasing the yearly subscription for $179.99 which allows you to customize your boxes and get first access to add-ons and other fun goodies!
- Ipsy - For only $10 a month you get a cute makeup pouch with a unique design each month full of cosmetics! We love Ipsy and have been using it for over 5 years now. Ipsy wins over other makeup subscription services like Birchbox (we tried this one before we found Ipsy) because Ipsy sends you full-size products, brushes, and more. No more tiny samples you can only use once and have to toss. We honestly rarely buy makeup anymore because Ipsy sends us such great products catered to our taste. The longer you are a subscriber and the more reviews you do the better the staff can match products to you each month. If you are interested in trying a free month email us! **Limited availability
- Winc - Wine every month?! Yes, please! We started using Winc about a year ago and it's been fun trying out their wines each month. Winc is awesome because it has a large variety of wines from all over the world, it's really affordable (most wines are $13!) and their labels, designed just for them, are super trendy. You can also purchase as little as 3 wines per shipment or skip a month if needed. Here is a more in-depth review of Winc we did last year. Email us to receive 3 free bottles of wine! ** Limited quantity available, use our link below for $13 towards your first bottle: https://www.winc.com/hi/iqabcrvz0wi
- Bouqs - Who doesn't love fresh bouquets delivered to their door or office? Bouqs delivered farm-fresh, custom cut floral arrangements to your door. You can choose from several different bouquets and decide how often you want them- from every week to quarterly. Shipments cost from $40-70 depending on the bouquet size and the more often you have them delivered, the better the deal (from 10-25% off!). Make everyone in your office think you have a secret admirer! We won't tell! ;)
Bonus: Sprezzabox - This box is the perfect subscription box for any stylish guy- or one who needs a little help in the style department. Each month, you receive 5-6 handpicked men's fashion and lifestyle items for just $28. Boxes almost always include a tie, socks, and pocket square as well as 1-2 other style items and 1-2 lifestyle/hygiene product. If you think subscription boxes are just for ladies, we promise your guy won't be disappointed! We have given these subscriptions as gifts to several of our favorite guys and they have loved them!
Frisky Britches
Previous FabFitFun box!
One of our Past Glam Bag from Ipsy! Full-size lipstick, nail polish, perfume roller, concealer, and a half size eyeliner.
One of the wines we received from Winc. Don't you love the label?!
Some Sprezzabox goodies including a tie, pocket square, cigar cutter, pin, and socks.
Mother's Day Gift Ideas 2017
Mother's Day is quickly approaching. If you're like us and love treating your mom to the best on their special day, we have a list of gifts she's sure to love.
xxx Ivy & Eve
- Give her something personalized. You can personalize an array of Kate Spade bags and other items just for her HERE! She is sure to love any of their monogrammed bags!
- Gift her a bottle of bubbly and homemade chocolate covered strawberries. (Here is our recipe from last Mother's Day and a cute FREE printable card.)
- A spa treatment. We found some awesome local deals on Groupon that included two treatments and a glass of champagne for under $200. Check out Groupon for deals in your Hometown.
- Gift her a subscription. There are so many great monthly subscription boxes available now. Whether she likes wine, knitting, cooking, of fashion there is a subscription out there perfect for her. Here are a few we think any mom would love:
- For the mom who loves flowers: Bouqs Co.
- For the mom who loves wine: Wine of the Month Club
- For the mom who loves jewelry: Rocksbox
- For the mom who loves candles: Vellabox
- Give her a customized photo gift. She is sure to appreciate a photo album, framed picture, or mug. Shutterfly has some great options. Our Mom loves anything with a photo of us or a picture of somewhere we all went on vacation!
- Gift a tasty new cookbook! Our Mom loves to cook and we love to cook with our Mom so we are always on the lookout for the newest cookbooks! We have our eyes on Tartine All Day: Modern Recipes for the Home Cook by Elisabeth Prueitt. This book is by the lady-genius behind Tartine in San Francisco. It has delicious basic recipes as well as crowd-pleasing recipes for all occasions!
Your Eyes' New BFF
We are big fans of simple beauty routines. We just don't have time to spend hours soaking, scrubbing, or waiting for mud masks to dry. Don't get us wrong - we love to enjoy long leisurely treatments (mainly at the spa), but can't find time to do that very often. Ever since sheet masks joined the beauty scene we have adored them. They are relatively inexpensive, simple to use, and work well (not to mention how much fun it is to scare your bfs when you're wearing one).
When we saw Honest Hazel under-eye masks in Anthropologie we knew we had to try them out. Whether you need an under-eye pick-me-up after a long night on the town, or just want to perk up your skin before an event, these little under-eye masks will do the trick! We love how hydrating and repairing they are with all natural ingredients like cactus collagen, and aloe vera. They will vanish any dark circles, reduce fine lines, and de-puff within 20-25 minutes! We recommend popping them in the refrigerator before using them for an extra shot of de-puffing power. They will leave your under-eyes looking refreshed and ready for anything.
What are some of your favorite beauty routines?
xxx Ivy & Eve
Thank you Honest Hazel for partnering with us on this post!
Lazy Morning Rituals With Splendies
Working five days a week leaves little time to enjoy your mornings. When we get to relax and take our time in the morning there are a few "rituals" we like to include....
- Stretch! We rarely stretch in the mornings, our alarm goes off, and we reluctantly crawl out of bed. Stretching first thing before getting out of bed feels so good!
- Good vibes. If you still need to set an alarm, set one on your phone that reminds you to enjoy and appreciate all you have. Ivy's alarm has hers say "Thank you for today" to remind her to be thankful.
- Go electronics free. We are on our phones, computers, or watching TV so often at home. Take time to wake up without checking these things- maybe read a book, newspaper or magazine- you'll have time to catch up later.
- Play some soft music or open a window and listen to the birds outside.
- Enjoy coffee. This goes for tea as well, but take a moment to enjoy it not gulp it down and rush out the door.
- Appreciate that you are in no rush, and that you can be lazy and not get dressed right away-relax in your undies!
Splendies is a monthly underwear subscription service. For only $13.99, you get three adorable undies each month! The service is totally catered to your taste, you can request certain kinds of underwear or ask for it to be a surprise! The quality is great and they have a huge selection of sizes. We love getting new undies every month. What girl doesn't?!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Thank you Splendies for partnering with us on this post!
Wine Yoga With Enjoy Leggings
We have always loved the idea of taking time to connect with our mind and body. Unfortunately, we rarely make time to meditate, practice yoga, or even take a deep breath. So over the weekend, when there was a break in the rain, we decided to enjoy a glass of wine and try some yoga poses that we learned from the recent yoga class we took while on our Cambria Girls Weekend (Hey, there is such thing as beer yoga classes so why not wine yoga!).
We discovered Enjoy Leggings recently and LOVE how soft and stylish their leggings are! Plus, the material is opaque so there is no risk of your undies showing. It's hard to find affordable leggings that are comfy, stylish, and totally functional. Enjoy Leggings is an awesome monthly subscription service. For just $16.95 you receive a new pair of leggings in your mail box every month! With so many patterns every shipment is a surprise (we love surprises!). Enjoy Leggings also donates a portion of their proceeds to charities that promote healthy body image for women. We think this is awesome and can't think of any reason not to subscribe!
Sign up today for your first pair of ultra soft stylish leggings - use our code IVYANDEVE for 25% off!
xxx Ivy & Eve
P.S. Please don't judge our yoga form...although we are experienced wine sippers, our yoga is a work in progress!
Thank you Enjoy Leggings for partnering with us for this post!
Our Skincare Secret: CeraVe
Skin is essentially the canvas that makes up who you are on the outside. Appearances aren't everything and we are firm believers that beauty comes from within, and yet that doesn't mean you should neglect your skin. That is why skincare is our most important beauty ritual! We paired with our favorite skincare company CeraVe to share with you our skincare stories.
When Ivy was in high school, like many others she suffered from acne. She felt ugly and wanted to cover it up with makeup, the result usually made her look and feel even worse. With the combination of teenage hormones and strong over-the-counter skincare products (that irritated her skin more), her acne seemed to get worse. Eventually she went to a dermatologist who recommended she use CeraVe face wash and moisturizers.
CeraVe, made for sensitive skin is fragrance free (a leading cause in skin irritation) so it moisturized and soothed her skin. Ivy's skin started becoming less inflamed and her acne was reduced. Her dermatologist recommended a prescription medication in combination with CeraVe and eventually she became acne clear. CeraVe counteracted the drying effects the strong medications created. During that time she opted to use the CeraVe PM face moisturizer morning and night to keep her face from becoming dry and flakey, and it's still her most coveted product. Now Ivy continues to use CeraVe products daily and has come to love even more of their products over the years.
Eve started using CeraVe around the same time to soothe her sensitive skin. Eve's skin is fair and can become dry, red, and irritated easily, so finding products that calm and hydrate her skin can be tricky. Eve spent a fortune on fancy skin creams and serums but nothing really worked. One day she swiped some of Ivy's CeraVe PM lotion and was hooked. Seriously, within a week her flaky irritated skin was a thing of the past. She, like Ivy, now uses the PM and AM face lotions daily. Her most recent skin saving product is the CaraVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash. Eve uses it everyday in the shower and loves its hydrating effect.
CeraVe has really been a lifesaver for our skin. The products are affordable (you can get them at almost any drugstore or supermarket), and really do work! Do you love CeraVe products? Tell us your skincare story!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Here are a few of our favorite CeraVe products:
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion- Our favorite and most used CeraVe product. We don't know how we could go on without it.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion- A great lotion for everyday. It has SPF 30 in it to help protect you from the sun while still providing your skin relief from dry skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser- Ivy uses this every morning and night to keep her face clean and hydrated. It won't dry out your face like some face washes can.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser- Ivy uses this facial cleanser when she showers. It leaves her skin feeling refreshed and clean without drying it.
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash- A new favorite of ours! This body wash is VERY moisturizing. It is similar to some in-shower body lotions we have tried, but doesn't leave you're skin feeling like it has filmy residue.
CeraVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash- This is Eve's favorite body wash as it works wonders on her extra dry skin. It doesn't foam like other body washes but it leaves skin clean and super soft and moisturized just the same.
Healing Ointment- This is simply an amazing product. We use it on dry hands, elbows, and even chapped lips. It is odorless and tasteless so it's great for any dry skin issue!
Thank you CeraVe for partnering with us for this post!
GuiltySoles: Meet Your New Favorite Shoe Boutique
There are few things in life one really cannot have too much of...diamonds, champagne, and cute shoes included. We are always on the hunt for cute yet affordable shoes. We have purchased budget friendly shoes from lots of popular stores and have found that you really do get what you pay for. So how can a girl get her perfect pair(s) without breaking the bank? No need to fret. We found the perfect store for any shoeaholics needs: GuiltySoles.
Marilyn Monroe once said “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”, and we couldn’t agree more. When you have your perfect pair of heels, booties, or flats on you radiate confidence, and feel like you can conquer anything. We love that feeling, and want everyone to feel that way.
We discovered GuiltySoles from a Facebook ad, and decided to take a leap and try them out. GuiltySoles has an awesome selection of trendy shoes all at affordable prices. This made picking the styles we wanted really difficult! We ended up agreeing upon the LOLA flats and the CASEY heels (lucky us - we have the same shoe size and can share!).
When they arrived, we were surprised by how pretty the packaging was. Usually budget shopping means ugly grey plastic shipping bags. Not GuiltySoles! The shipping box had the phrase "oh so guilty" on it which was cute, and inside were beautifully packaged shoe boxes. Each shoe came with a silky dust bag to hold your precious pair...we really loved this detail. Another awesome addition to the Casey heels was the replacement heel caps, which we found out come with every high heel purchase! The quality of each pair of shoes was impeccable, and impressed us for the price. In fact you really don’t need to feel guilty for splurging at all. Call yourself a “Good Sole” (wink wink)!
Find your own Solemate at GuiltySoles and use our code IVY&EVE25 at checkout for 25% off your total purchase!!
Happy Shopping!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Thank you GuiltySoles for partnering with us on this post!
A Vacation for the Senses
Do you ever feel like you need a vacation in the middle of the week, in a meeting, or really anytime you're not on one? We do all the time! Recently, we re-discovered the wonders of essential oils. We always knew about them but never used them regularly. When we found Organic Aromas, with their spa worthy diffusers and oils, we decided to treat ourself to an at home mini spa-vacation. We have put together some tips for you so you can have a mini-vacation for your senses without having to actually leave the house (or your bed)!
Get your own Organic Aromas diffuser or essential oils for your own mini spa-vacation. Use discount code SHAREME for 15% off your purchase!
Aromatherapy for the nose
We use this beautiful essential oil diffuser and essential oils by Organic Aromas. We love this company because it's oils are made organically, and the diffuser does not dilute (no water needed) or contaminate (it's made with glass rather than plastic) the oils.
We have their Radiance - Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser which is hand made and the glass has intricate swirling designs along the sides. It also has a color changing light at the base, which you can turn off if you are trying to sleep. It is truly a work of art on its own.
We paired it with the Ocean Breeze Essential Oil which smells lovely. Our favorite part about the diffuser is that it is silent, and it is very elegant, unlike many of the other chunky plastic diffusers on the market today.
Music for the ears
Set the mood for your ears with some calming music. You can find music titled "Spa" "Calming" and "Relaxing" all over the internet. Here are a few of our favorite songs and playlists to get us in the R&R mood.
- Relaxing Spa Music (6 hours)- For 6 hours of uninterrupted peace this is the perfect spa background music. Plus its free on Youtube!
- Relaxing Beach Music- This will take you to a tropical beach or stream without having to take a plane or train. Enjoy!
- Fairy Dance- Peter Pan Soundtrack- This was one of Ivy's favorite songs to play before going to sleep at night when she was younger. Almost the whole soundtrack is nice to listen to while enjoying some "me" time.
Beauty for the eyes
The Organic Aromas diffuser is by itself beautiful enough to watch with its mezmerizing color changing lights; but if you want a little something more, we recommend finding a place in your house where you can look outside and enjoy nature, or watch a travel show to really "get away". We love watching Rick Steves travel shows which you can watch for free on PBS. If you are listening to music, grab your favorite travel book or novel set in an exotic place! There are endless ways to escape for just a little while.
Nourishment for the body
We love how when we visit a spa, they usually have a few items to munch on while you wait for your treatment or while you enjoy the facilities. We recommend cutting up some apple slices, oranges, and mix together some nuts and dries fruit.
Stay hydrated. Spruce up your ice cold water and pop in some fresh cucumber slices, or berries. Herbal tea is also another great option, we recommend drinking tea's that are decaf. Here are some of our favorite herbal teas:
- Aveda Comforting Tea- We first discovered this tea when we took a trip to our hair salon back in middle school. It is so delicious and has a calming, comforting smell.
- Republic of Tea Get Gorgeous- True beauty comes from within, but this tea also helps with clear skin. So it leaves you beautiful inside and out!
- Yogi Tea Relaxed Mind- Made with Lavender and sage to bring your mind to a state of tranquility. Take a sip and feel yourself relax.
Rejuvenation for the skin
To rejuvenate tired skin, add a few drops of essential oil (1-2) to some fractionated coconut oil (get some here). Rub onto skin. If you are lucky maybe your Bae can give you a massage (hint, hint).
We also think this is a perfect time to put on one of your favorite sheet masks to really get that "vacation glow". Here are our top fave sheet masks right now!
- Sephora Collection Rose Sheet Mask- We have tried all of Sephora Collection sheet masks and love them all. The rose mask helps brighten and moisturize. It smells so good too!
- Tony Moly I'm Real Red Wine- This mask is for reducing the size of pores while tightening and purifying. We tried the mask and liked it but to be honest, we just love this one most of all because well, WINE!
- Leaders Moisturizing Recovery Mask- This mask is made from bio-celulose coconut gel and is the most moisturizing mask we have ever tried. It sticks to your face like a second skin and when you take it off, you seriously see and feel the moisturizing effects all day long.
- Masque Bar Green Tea 3-Pack- We first discovered this brand in England and are so excited that they are now available in the USA! We like all of the Masque Bar sheet masks but Green Tea is our ultimate favorite. It is moisturizing and lifting making your skin feel completely refreshed once you take it off!
**Always test essential oils on small portions of skin before rubbing it on large sections, you're skin may be sensitive. Remember essential oils are concentrated and can sometimes irritate skin if not diluted. Read more about oil safety here.
When you feel stressed and in need of a mini vacation, how do you relax? Share your tips in the comments below!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Thank you Organic Aromas for partnering with us for this post!
Love is in the Air: Gift Guide
Valentine's Day is one of our favorite holidays to celebrate. It's at the start of a new year, spring is in view, and everything about the holiday is pink and about LOVE. This year we are planning to put on a Galenetine's Day Brunch for some of our special gal friends to share our appreciation and love for them! We have picked out some gifts we think are almost as awesome as your Valentine or Galentine this year. What are you planning for this Valentine's Day? Let us know in the comments!
xxx Ivy & Eve
"Love You A Bunch" Rosé Roses gummies by Sugarfine- For your friend that is just too sweet for words!
BootyBag Monthly Subscription- For everyone! Who doesn't need more undies?!
Scotia Heeled Booties by Just Fab- For your fasionista babe.
Brunch Minimergency Bag from Pinch- For the foodie in your life! (comes complete with a pants button extender!)
Arrow Pendant from Tiffanys- A hint for all the BFs out there! Wink wink!!!
The Everything Pouch by Packed Party- For your party pal who loves confetti and dancing all night.
Jungle Cat Valentine Cards from Paper Source- Our go-to Valentines for this year. How cute are the sayings?!
California Winter: A Break in the Rain
Last weekend, there was finally a break in the rain, and we soaked up a bit of warm sunshine! To enjoy the nice weather, we decided to do what we like best, go WINE TASTING! We landed at Cima Collina in our home town of Carmel Valley, CA. A converted dairy barn, it's spacious private patio was perfect to sip tasty local wines while enjoying the sunshine. Two of our favorites were: the Howlin' Good Red (25% of sales goes to our local SPCA) and Palisades Pinot Noir. We spent an hour or so enjoying ourselves before heading home.
Eve's purse is one of our favorite designs by Imoshion. We love their bags and have featured them several times: here, here, and here. All of their bags are amazing quality and are under $50!!!
The necklace Ivy is wearing is a custom design by Eve and hand made by Mignon & Mignon. It features the word bruadarach which means dreamer in Scottish Gaelic.
Although we are supposed to have six more weeks of winter (thanks Punxsutawney Phil), we are getting excited for the new season and styles ahead. Be sure to follow us for bi-weekly updates!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Eve's Outfit Details:
Top Banana Republic (similar) | Trench Sweater Banana Republic | Jeans Uniqlo | Shoes Banana Republic (similar) | Necklace Lisa Hoffman | Crossbody Bag Imoshion
Ivy's Outfit Details:
Dress Target | Booties (similar)| Jean Jacket Forever 21 (similar here)| Necklace Mignon and Mignon | Rings Old Navy (available in stores) | Mini Bag Target
The Colorful Faux Fur Season
Outfit Details:
Sweater Vince Camuto | Leggings Lululemon | Jacket Forever 21-available in stores only (similar here, and here) | Boots J. Crew | Mini tote Street Level (similar here) | Necklace Camilla | Bracelet Maria Shireen
