The Siberian American: Sponsored
Showing posts with label Sponsored. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sponsored. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Valentine's Day Makeup Look with HoneyGlam Ink

I have always loved makeup. I’m that girl with three full boxes of makeup from subscription boxes I haven’t tried yet but will get to eventually. When a friend invited me to join a Facebook group called HoneyGlam Ink, where people share photos and makeup tips in a safe, fun community. A few months later, Erika, the founder of HoneyGlam Ink, launched her own makeup line with her business partner Leanne! I was so intrigued I did something I have never done before—I reached out to Erika to see if she wanted to do a collaboration.


This post (excluding the HoneyGlam Ink links) contains affiliate links. If you click on them, I get a tiny commission!

If I could only wear one makeup item for the rest of my life, I would pick eyeliner, so Erika sent me the HoneyGlam Ink Luxe Crème Eyeliner in Onyx and Angled Eye Liner Brush. I had never tried a crème liner before, so I was really interested to see what it was like. Y’all, this eyeliner is perfect. The angled brush made it so easy to apply, and the texture was incredibly smooth. The best part was the staying power! The eyeliner did not move all day, and that’s a huge win in my book! I am always curious about how small business owners come up with their products, so I had to ask Erika and Leanne how they came up with the eyeliner and brush:


"The crème liner was our brainchild to combine the ease of applying a tighter eyeshadow line with the staying power and appearance of a liquid line. We decided to bring a product to market that beginners and pros can use with ease, combined with a perfect fine line natural haired brush to make any eye look timeless. Although gel is not a new concept, we have found a great balance between staying power and pigment to deliver the most dramatic and clean eyeshadow looks."



Since I did a bold line with the onyx eyeliner, I decided to do a soft look for the rest of my makeup. I used my favorite neutral palette-TheBalm Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette in Sultry blended with ShadowSense in Candlestone Shimmer to add a little sparkle, Laura Geller New York Beauty Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Tropic Hues, TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter & Shimmer, and LipSense in Gingerbread and Bombshell Diamond with Bougainvillea Gloss. PS-Interested in LipSense? Erika is currently selling it on the HoneyGlam Ink Facebook page for 10 percent off!



HoneyGlam Ink also features beautiful eye shadow, a powdered liner pencil, and gorgeous lashes. If you want to join in on the makeup discussion fun, join the HoneyGlam Ink Facebook group! Everyone is welcome. Erika and Leanne are also offering my readers 10 percent off their entire cart through the end of February.


I received the HoneyGlam Ink crème eyeliner and brush for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.

Have you ever tried a crème eyeliner? What makeup are you planning for Valentine's Day?

Friday, January 27, 2017

Seven Foods That Will Change Your Life

Quick note: Today is the last day to sign up for our Galentine's Blogger Gift Exchange! Click here for more details.

This is a sponsored post written by the company, but I wouldn't share it if I didn't believe everything it says. One of my goals is to eat healthier in 2017, and this post is a great way for me to get started in the right direction.

You don’t have to win the lottery or do something drastic to change your life, making some tweaks in your diet is a great start, particularly if you eat way too much unhealthy food. These diet choices don’t provide much-needed nutrients for the healthy functioning of your body and it is needless to mention they affect your waistline at the same time. Introducing different foods to your diet will help you stay healthy, manage weight, and gain a different perspective regarding other aspects of your life. It all starts with a diet which is why this post features seven foods that you should eat to change your life.


Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds offer a wide array of health benefits due to the fact they are an incredible source of zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and so on. For example, magnesium participates in multiple processes in your body and improves heart health. This way, these tiny seeds can, actually, prevent heart attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke. High level of zinc is essential for strong immunity that keeps you healthy and fends off viruses and infections. Here’s yet another reason to eat more pumpkin seeds, they promote restful sleep. They are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid converted into the serotonin in your body. Then, serotonin is converted to melatonin, the sleep hormone. Getting enough sleep is essential for productivity, energy levels, stress management, beauty, and so on.


Quinoa
Quinoa is widely popular among vegetarians and vegans, but even if you don’t adhere to these eating patterns you should still introduce it to your diet. The reason is simple, quinoa is incredibly healthy thanks to high fiber content, B vitamins, potassium, Vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. Plus, it’s ideal for people who are gluten intolerant. Some health benefits associated with quinoa intake include blood sugar control, improvement in metabolic health, aids weight loss, and so on. Nowadays, you can have quinoa when you’re eating out, all you have to do is to find a restaurant that suits your needs and preferences.


Cherries
While most people use cherries as ingredients in desserts such as Cherry Cobbler with Cheese Cream Crust, they’re more than that. These are extremely beneficial for your health due to high nutritional content including an abundance of vitamins and antioxidants. Cherries have a low glycemic index thus posing as a perfect snack for diabetics. Moreover, they are a great source of melatonin, which helps you sleep better and it is needless to mention that cherries are well-known for their ability to help you lose weight. Other benefits you can expect with regular consumption of cherries are a lower risk of stroke, beautiful and nourished skin, alleviating muscle pain, and so on.


Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that most people have never heard of. Just like yogurt is made from live culture, kefir comprises of bacteria that your organism needs to properly digest foods and absorb nutrients. In fact, kefir is a more powerful probiotic than yogurt which is why you should definitely give it a try. Certain probiotics in kefir have antibacterial properties and offer protection from infections. Thanks to the high level of calcium, kefir protects bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. If you’re lactose intolerant, you’ll be happy to know that kefir is perfectly safe for you.


Green tea
Even if you’re not a “tea person” you still shouldn’t avoid green tea, the healthiest beverage on the planet. It is abundant in antioxidants and nutrients that keep you healthy and happy. Active ingredients in this beverage improve brain function and enhance your cognitive abilities. Also, this tea is well-known for the tremendous potential to burn fat and help you lose weight. Just take a look at some weight loss products on the market and you’ll see they contain green tea. Thanks to high antioxidant content, the beverage lowers your risk of different kinds of cancer such as breast, prostate cancer. If you want to maintain your beautiful smile, green tea steps up again as it kills bacteria and improves dental health.


Sweet potatoes
It’s not uncommon for people to assume that all healthy foods are expensive and difficult to find. But, that’s far from the truth! Let’s take sweet potatoes as an example, they are high in Vitamin B6 which reduces homocysteine chemical in our body (known for inducing heart attacks and degenerative diseases). Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and so on. Plus, they’re abundant in potassium which regulates your blood pressure. Although sweet-tasting, they don’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels.


Dark chocolate
Although everybody is a chocoholic to some degree, most people stay away from dark chocolate because it’s “not sweet enough.” What it lacks in sweetness, dark chocolate makes up with incredible health benefits it provides. In fact, its benefits go so far that scientists refer to it as a superfood. Dark chocolate is nutritious and supplies the body with fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, manganese, copper, potassium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. Regular intake of dark chocolate protects brain health and improves cognitive abilities, lowers blood pressure and regulates blood flow, manages cholesterol levels, protects skin against the sun, and much more.


Making some tweaks in your diet can, indeed, change your life because you feel healthier, happier, and you become more mindful. As a result, you instinctively make healthier lifestyle choices that improve the overall quality of life. This post just gave seven pointers that you can use to start making that change.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Seven Essentials for Every Road Trip

Lately, I have grown fond of going on road trips. As much as I love flying when we don’t have time to spare, when Christopher has a week off, we enjoy exploring the country on the road. In the last year and a half, we have been on three major road trips: from San Diego to San Francisco, a Lake Michigan Circle Tour, and our recent trip to the Smoky Mountains. If we had flown, we would have missed taking in spectacular views while driving on Highway 1, seeing gorgeous lighthouse on the shore of Lake Michigan, and taking in gems like Little River Canyon National Preserve.


Now that we have logged some miles on the road, I wanted to share my road trip essentials. I hope they’re helpful for the next time you hit the road!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I receive a teeny tiny commission.

Snacks and drinks
Before we head out, I like to go to the grocery store and stock up on snacks and drinks. As fun as it is to pick out random goodies at the gas station, that takes time while you’re on the road and is more expensive. Plus, gas station snacks are generally unhealthier. On our recent road trip, we picked up some Sensible Portions Veggie Straws, which made for a great snack.

Baby wipes
You know those veggie straws I just mentioned? They’re delicious and relatively healthy but also super messy. I love having a package of baby wipes around, so I don’t have to deal with sticky hands until our next restroom break.

A comfy pillow
As I’m getting older, I’m experiencing more back pain on road trips, so a comfy pillow is a must. I’ve tried so many different types of pillows, and this memory foam pillow from JCPenney is my favorite for road trips (and it’s super cheap compared to most memory foam).



Waze app and a map
Waze is a must on road trips. It’s a great way to find out where there is road construction or traffic when you don’t know an area well. I’m also a big proponent of having a physical map (or downloading all the maps you will need to “offline” on your phone). There have been many instances where we didn’t have service and had to rely on a physical map.

Dry shampoo and a hairbrush
After hours in the car, my hair isn’t at its best. Whenever we are making our big stop of the day, I like to freshen my hair with dry shampoo and brush it out. My favorite dry shampoo is Batiste or Amika.



Stain remover
Sometimes things can get messy while you’re eating or drinking in the car, so I like to keep the Tide stain remover pen in my purse. If you’ve ever met my husband, you know this is an essential!

Travel backpack
A travel backpack is an essential for me on every trip, but it’s especially important on a road trip. I don’t like to clutter the aisle of the car, so a backpack is perfect to pack everything we need while on the road.

Our travel backpack was getting old, so when Just Porter contacted me to try out one of their backpacks, I was excited. My excitement grew when I found out that for every purchase, Just Porter donates a backpack filled with school supplies to a child in need. There’s nothing better than a company that gives back!


Chris and I decided to go with the Hazen Professional Work Bag because it could double as his work backpack when we aren’t using it for travel. The separate padded laptop area in the front makes it perfect for both!


I love a travel backpack that can fit a lot of items without being super bulky. The cinch straps that make the bag look small even when it’s filled is fantastic, and I’m a fan of the lined sunglasses pocket. Large travel backpacks aren’t necessary for us on road trips since we can pack a suitcase, so the size of the Hazen is perfect! Now I want a second one for us for the next time we’re in Europe.


I received a Just Porter backpack for free to review, but all opinions are my own. 


Are you a fan of road trips? What are some of your road trip essentials?

Friday, September 30, 2016

Review: Irresistible Me Diamond Hair Straightener

I received a free Irresistible Me Hair Styler to review, but all opinions are my own.

My hair is usually long, thick, and the kind of wavy that forces me to do something with it every day. After my disastrous haircut a few weeks ago, I have struggled with how to style it. When Irresistible Me reached out to me and asked me to pick a product from their line, I knew I wanted to go with the Diamond Hair Styler.


The first thing I noticed when I got the flat iron was the beautiful design of the packaging. I couldn’t wait to open it up!


I have had a lot of hair straighteners in my life, and the Diamond Hair Styler surprised me with how lightweight it was. I love that I can take it with me on a trip, and it won’t add any weight to my luggage.


When I straighten my hair (or curl it with a straightener), I want to be done as fast as possible, and this flat iron is perfect for that. It takes only 15 seconds to heat up, has a long cord that swivels to make life easier, and I only have to run it through my hair once to straighten it.


I also love that the buttons are on the inside of the flat iron, so I don’t accidently change the settings while using it. The 30-minute auto shut off is great to have when I get distracted and start doing something else.

The best part of the straightener is how it makes my hair look and feel. The frizz is completely gone, and my hair is insanely silky. I keep wanting to run my hands through my hair all the time. (Anyone else do that? No? I’m just a weirdo.) My hair even looked great on the second and third day, too!


Click here to buy the flat iron. It costs $149, but right now it’s 30 percent off!


Do you straighten your hair, or curl your hair with a straightener? What’s your favorite brand?

Friday, July 17, 2015

My Current Summer Obsessions + Kate Spade Giveaway

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them, I get a teeny tiny commission. 
 

With the move to Chicago and doing freelance work, I sometimes feel like I’m on summer vacation. If the weather ever cooperates (it’s 66 today!), I am looking forward to days lounging on our pool deck with my laptop! Before that time comes, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things I have been obsessing over this summer.

Light dresses
Of course, I have to start off my list with dresses. Even with my windy Chicago problems, I love fun, light dresses in the summer and always have a list in my head of ones I want to buy. Currently, I love this petite shirred dress from LOFT, and I just bought this super cute (and cheap!) pleated dress.

Colorful pants 
I used to stay away from bright colors, but this summer I’m all about colorful pants. I bought these pants in five colors (mint, teal, bright blue, hot pink, and orange), and I will keep buying colors as they come out! It is so hard for me to find pants that fit, and these are so comfortable.


Chambray shirts
I am so glad chambray is popular this summer because I love the look, especially with my colorful pants. Plus, the material is so light, which makes it perfect for hot summer days. My chambray shirt is sold out, but I also love this one from Loft, and I purchased both of these colors.

Coola Sunscreen Spray 
I am picky about scents, but the COOLA citrus mimosa spray is fantastic. It doesn’t feel sticky, and it’s infused with anti-aging antioxidants, which couldn’t hurt. I also really like the COOLA fresh mango moisturizer.


A big hat 
If I’m headed to the pool or the beach, I love wearing big hats, but they are annoying to carry around when I’m not wearing them. I recently received the Cappelli Straworld Pack A Hat, a fun, white floppy hat that solves this problem by being able to fold into a miniature wristlet bag. I love that once I’m done wearing it, it easily folds into the bag until I need it again. Plus, the bag is big enough that I can fit my favorite sunscreen and lip gloss with the hat.


The best part is the Pack A Hat was made with specifically selected material to give it an SPF 50+ rating. Most of my other hats are hard to pack because they take up so much room in my suitcase, so I can’t wait to bring the Pack A Hat on my next beach vacation!


A complimentary Pack A Hat was provided to me in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own. 

With the summer heating up, so should your wardrobe! I've teamed up with some lovely ladies to give you a chance to win $175 to Kate Spade. Enter in the Rafflecopter below!


What are your current summer obsessions?

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Wish List: Summer Dresses With Apparel Candy

Now that it is officially summer, all I want to wear is light, summery dresses all day long. When Apparel Candy contacted me to do a wish list, I was so excited to find some new looks for the summer! Apparel Candy specializes in wholesale clothing, which means that their prices are pick-me-up-off-the-floor cheap! Honestly, I had a hard time not buying every single one of their wholesale dresses. My Chicago summer posts might be featuring way too much Apparel Candy in the future if I’m not careful!

One / / 

Unit Price: $9
I love how I could wear this dress to a wedding or out on a fun night in Chicago. For only $9, I might have to buy the cream version too.

/ / Two

Unit Price: $8
I love the pattern of this one! I have been eager to get on a boat on Lake Michigan, and I think this dress would be perfect for that adventure.

Three / /

Unit Price: $8
I used to hate wearing orange, but lately, I have been all about the bright colors! The neckline makes this dress even more fun.

/ / Four

Unit Price: $7.50
In the summer, I’m all about stripes, and it sometimes gets chilly by the lake, so I really need to get my hands on this adorable dress!

Five / /

Unit Price: $8.50
I just love the colors and style of this dress. It’s perfect for an afternoon exploring Chicago parks with my love.

The best part of Apparel Candy is you can buy the dresses in bulk. As a bridesmaid, I know I would love spending almost nothing while stilling looking great at a summer wedding!
 
What do you think of my wish list? Which dress is your favorite?
 
This post is sponsored by Apparel Candy, but all opinions are my own.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Real Talk: Wearing Glasses with Confidence

When I was in ninth grade, I found out I had to wear glasses all the time. I was so upset—I thought I looked awful in glasses. I begged my mom to get contacts, and I am sure she agreed just so I would stop whining.

That same day, I was showing my new contacts to my best friend…and she accidentally dropped one down the drain. I wanted to avoid wearing glasses so badly that I wouldn’t leave Mom alone until she got me another pair from the eye doctor.
Over the years, I avoided wearing glasses as much as possible. Part of it was definitely because I had the same pair of glasses I bought in sixth grade (I never got the prescription for them in ninth grade due to the contact fiasco) all the way through college, but mostly I just thought I looked terrible in glasses.

This year, my allergies were so terrible that putting in contacts in the morning felt like stabbing myself with needles. I settled for wearing glasses to work…and surprisingly received a lot of compliments. As I grew used to seeing myself in glasses, I didn’t feel like an ugly duckling every time I wore them.
When Firmoo contacted me about reviewing a pair of glasses, I was excited but also a bit concerned about ordering glasses online. I have always gone to a store to get glasses fitted, so I wasn't sure how this could be done online. Honestly, the process was so quick and easy! I just picked a pair of glasses (so hard to do because there were so many cute options), plugged in my prescription, measured my pupillary distance, and I was finished! I loved that I could upload a photo of myself to see what the glasses would look like on me.
The glasses came quickly, and I was so surprised by how nice the quality was, especially compared to the price. They came in a nice case with a cute pink lens cloth. The best thing is that I actually like how they look on me.
Firmoo is currently offering 15 percent off your first pair for new customers, which makes its cheap prices even better. I am already looking at other styles, since it never hurts to have a spare pair!

I received a pair of Firmoo glasses in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own.