Confessions of an Amazon Addict: All Time Favorite Finds

Confessions of an Amazon Addict: All Time Favorite Finds

Ding dong…one sec, I’ll be right back…

Ok, sorry about that, that was just Amazon popping by with my daily delivery. Hi I’m Alison and I’m an Amazon addict. It’s true, more days than not the Amazon delivery person is pulling up to our door to deliver goodies to our house. Amazon has truly revolutionized the way that I shop. Before I make even a smallest purchase, I go online to see if I can get it through our Prime membership. We have an Echo or Echo dot in most rooms in our house and ordering is as easy as shouting out “Alexa…”

I thought it would be fun today to share with you some of my all time favorite purchases and finds on Amazon that have made my life easier, more fun or better in some way.

All Time Favorite Amazon Finds

Household/Every Day Life

1. Clothing Rack

This rack was originally a purchase I made to do Youtube videos but it ended up becoming an organizing staple so much so that my husband wants one too! I use it to plan outfits for vacations, keep my blog photo shoots organized and to hang clothes while I’m ironing.

Simple Housewares Garment Rack with Bottom Shelf

2. Fashion Readers

It’s tough to admit that I can’t survive without a pair of readers these days but it’s true. I have them stashed all over my house, in my purse and in the car. When I saw these ultra stylish pairs on Amazon for just $10, I had to have them in clear and black.

Fashion Ladies Readers

3. MacBook Case

I’ve been traveling a lot more this year and my MacBook has started to show some wear and tear. This rubberized case in a pink marble print also comes with a bonus keyboard cover in pink. 

LuvCase 2 in 1 Rubberized MacBook Case with Keyboard Cover

4. Posture Corrector 

This could potentially be the weirdest thing on my list but I swear by it! Years of hunching over my laptop have done my posture no favors. I pop this posture corrector on for about an hour a day and it helps me to stay in correct alignment all day long.

Selbite Posture Corrector

5. iRobot Roomba

If I had to pick just one thing on this list that was essential to my daily sanity it would be our iRobot Roomba. With three dogs and two cats, fur tumbleweeds on the floor are a part of daily life. Our Roomba runs every morning and all I have to do is remember to empty it out. Pet hair problem solved. We love it so much that we now have two of them!

iRobot Roomba 675 WiFi Connected, Works with Alexa

6. Nespresso Vertuo Deluxe Coffee Espresso Machine and Hazelino Pods

Our family is kind of crazy for coffee. When we got back from Italy two years ago, we were all craving the delicious espressos and lattes we had there. I did a little research on how to have them at home and kept coming back to the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine. We bought one and have been hooked ever since. Every cup is absolutely perfect. In the summer months, we have them over ice. Our favorite pods are the Hazelino flavor, SOOOOO good!

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

Hair/Beauty

1. Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion

My hair stylist used this smoothing lotion the last time I got a haircut and I just wanted to smell my hair all day. Not only does it smell heavenly, it smooths my frizzies perfectly, adds shine and a little goes a long way.

Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion

 

2. Clip In Hair Extensions

So this purchase was the result of getting impatient with the process of growing my bangs out but it turned out to be a whole lotta fun! I tried hair extensions for the first time in my life and have been really happy with the results. These hair extensions are so silky smooth and they match my hair color perfectly. I got the 14″ set in Medium Brown. You can check out my Youtube video of the application process here.

Clip In Human Hair Extensions

3. Lumene Valo Vitamin C Glow Boost

I’m such a fan of this product that they should be paying me to be a spokesperson! It’s seriously transformed my skin. It’s brighter, clearer and it truly glows. Just get it, you won’t be sorry.

Lumene Valo Glow Boost Essence with Hyaluronic Acid

4. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask

Two Morroccanoil products made my list. This mask is my go to for a weekly hydrating treatment, especially in the summer months. I also love taking it with us to the beach and slathering it on my wet hair and putting it in a bun at the start of the day. It keeps my hair from getting dry and crispy and leaves it soft and smelling amazing.

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask

Fashion

1. Mens Adidas 

A few weeks ago I was asked if there was one item that you could buy to update your husband’s wardrobe, what would it be? Hands down it’s this pair of mens Adidas Cloudfoam Advantage Clean Sneakers. Craig has them in white and they give all of his casual outfits a modern, updated look.

Adidas Men’s Cloudfoam Advantage Clean Sneakers

2. La Blanca Swimsuits

The past two summers were rebuilding seasons for my swimwear collection. I have a hard time finding the right fit, especially in bottoms. I want something with fuller coverage and that can be really hard to find. La Blanca swimsuits just work for me. I’ve bought four of them in the past two years and couldn’t be happier with them. They hold up really well and come in some really flattering styles. Here are the two pieces I most recently bought. These swim bottoms were only $9.99!

Blue Floral Swimsuit Bottom

Blue Swimsuit Top

3. Apple Watch Band

If you watch any of my videos closely, chances are you’ll see this Apple watch band make an appearance. The champagne leather matches everything! It’s super affordable too – just $12.90.

SWEES Leather Apple Watch Band in Champagne

It’s Your Turn: Ok, so what are some of YOUR all time favorite finds on Amazon? Share them with me in the comments!

 

New Makeup Arrivals for Summer

New Makeup Arrivals for Summer

by Jessica Pigza

Summer isn’t just the perfect time to try new trends in clothes and accessories, but also in hair, makeup and nails! It’s a time to let loose and have fun with bright colors but it’s also a time where less is more. Whatever direction your makeup routine takes you during these hot summer months, here are some fun new products you can try!

Makeup

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Busy Gal Gloss

This hydrating lip balm comes in six glossy shades and boasts 12 hours of moisture. It can be worn alone or over lipstick as a top coat and I love that it’s a tube applicator which is perfect for a quick on the go application. What shade do you think you’ll try? I think the shade Work Wife’s sheer pink color is calling me!

Versed Silk Slip Conditioning Lip Oil

Return some moisture to your lips after a day in the sun with Versed Silk Slip Conditioning Lip Oil. While some reviewers used it all day every day, others thought it best to reserve for bedtime to replenish lips. You decide!

Ofra Cosmetics Lip Gloss

This gloss comes in six different colors including a bare gloss and boasts moisture while also protecting your lips from the sun.

Blur Lux Lipstick

If lip glosses aren’t your thing, then these creamy lipsticks maybe just what you’re looking for. They are a light matte finish, smooth texture and won’t dry out your lips. The reviews so far are great for this lipstick and best of all, it’s super budget friendly.

 

Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette

There are so many fun eyeshadow palettes coming out right now. Earthtone, sunset eyes are on big for spring. Check out this one by Natasha Denona that caught my eye (pun intended).

Kaja Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio

These fun eye shadows come in eight different trio packs with either a matte or shimmer finish. They are highly pigmented and the reviewers seem to love them. They also come in a cute, stacked compact.

NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette – Warm Neutrals

This extremely budget friendly palette is perfect for warm skin tones. The colors are very pigmented and comes highly rated. I love all the varying shades of browns as well as the matte and shimmer options!

MAC Eyes X 12 Palette: Desert Lightning / Electric Wonder

Perfect for cool skin tones, this cool to neutral eye shadow palette by MAC delivers beautiful color and pigmentation reminiscent of a desert oasis. I love the colors in this palette and again, it’s got just the right amount of shimmer.

NYC Bare With Me Cheek Tint

NYC’s Bare With Me Cheek Tint adds just the right amount of color to your cheeks and it’s sheer, lightweight formula is perfect for summer. It’s an ULTA exclusive and comes in three colors however it’s so popular some colors may be out of stock online so you may need to visit the store to find it. Or just enter your email and they’ll let you know when they’re available.

L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette, Moonkissed

Perfect for adding just a touch of highlight and shimmer, L’Oeal Paris’s True Match Lumi Glow Highlighter Palette comes with four different shades in one palette so you can go with a single highlighting color or mix and match them.

 

Too Faced Natural Lust Satin Dual-Tone Bronzer

Not only is this a super pretty compact, but the duel toned bronzer adds just the right amount of color without making it look too over the top. You can even use the colors separately to highlight. Reviews have said it does have some shimmer to it, but very subtle.

Too Faced Damn Girl! 24 Hour Mascara

Said to be even better than Too Faced already popular Better Than Sex mascara is their new Damn Girl! This mascara boasts maximum extreme volume and lasting wear. The reviews on this product were a bit mixed, people who loved it really LOVED it, but some people weren’t that impressed and also found the wand hard to use. Overall I think it’s worth a try.

Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Mascara 

Waterproof mascara is a summer essential! Not only does this product promise to lengthen and volumize lashes, but it also promises to stay in place. Reviewers are impressed that this product actually does what it says and stands up to the humidity of summer. No more black streaks running from your eyes when the weather gets hot!

Skin

Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Supergoop! has an amazing everyday sunscreen in an SPF 50 but sometimes that’s just too much for, well, everyday use which is why they came out with it in an SPF 30. Perfect for every day, this cream based sunscreen is also perfect for even the most sensitive or acne prone skin as it does not contain Dimethicone which can be pore clogging. It also comes in a mini size perfect for your purse!

Urban Decay Summer Solstice All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

This new product could be considered a game changer for summer makeup. This setting spray boasts that makeup will stay intact for up to 16 hours with no melting, cracking or fading, perfect for hot summer days and nights. It’s recommended for all skin types and so far the reviews have been positive.

Dermelogica Daily Microfoliant

The reviews on this product are amazing and some are boasting that it’s the best microfoliant on the market! It comes in a rice-based enzyme powder that activates when you mix it with water. Once you make the paste-like consistency, gently use all over your face to help remove dead skin cells and accelerate cell renewal. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, start off using this product a few times a week but you can work up to using it daily. I’m excited to try this product as I’ve been unhappy with the texture of my skin for some time and I’m hoping this will help to smooth it out!

Hair

Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind™ Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo & Conditioner

If you truly want to embrace the tropical vibe of summer then you need to try this shampoo and conditioner by Briogeo! This shampoo and conditioner set cleans hair without stripping the natural oils and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. It’s received excellent reviews and everyone is raving about the smell!

L’Oreal Everpure Brass Toning Purple Shampoo & Conditioner

This L’Oreal shampoo and conditioner set neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones in hair which can come as a result of chlorine exposure. It’s perfect for all blonde, bleached, highlighted brunettes and silver hair and should only be used a few times a week.

Amika Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream

The answer to dry, frizzy summer hair is Amika’s Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream. It’s a leave-in conditioner that helps to protect and repair dry, damaged and frizzy hair. Use it on wet hair and style as usual or use on dry hair to help tame flyaways. The reviews on that product are excellent and it’s recommended for all hair types.

Batiste Dry Shampoo – Bare Fragrance

We already know our pretties love Batiste Dry Shampoo based on GYPO’s Best of the Best 2018, but this summer they came out with a super light scented formula which is perfect for those who either don’t want a lot of smell or are sensitive to strong scents.

Nails

When it comes to nails, neon seems to be the trend in summer colors. Brands like Essie and OPI have all released color sets in fun array of neon oranges, pinks, blues and purples. But don’t discount the nudes, which I’ve included a few of those options below as well as something else we’ve been seeing this season, high shimmer! What color do you think you’ll be trying this summer?

Essie Summer Trends Collection

OPI Neon Collection

 

Nails Inc. Sending Nudes Nail Polish Collection

essie Gorge-ous Geodes Collection

 

 

Your Turn! So what new summer products are you excited to try???

 

 

A Guy’s Guide to Creating a Wardrobe That Suits His Lifestyle

A Guy’s Guide to Creating a Wardrobe That Suits His Lifestyle

by Renaldas Kaveckas

If you are a freshly baked dad or the one with a bit more experience this article is for you. Are you up for bringing some more balance to your wardrobe? Overall, do you want a more versatile, easy-to-pair set of clothes that you can wear every day no matter where you’re heading? Below I’m sharing a few tips on how to achieve that.

Start With Changing Your Approach

The essential thing to point out – creating a minimalist wardrobe is more about optimizing, not minimizing. The aim here is to build a thought-of and well-balanced wardrobe with the right amount of clothing so your daddy life would be less stressful.

Consider Your Budget, Lifestyle And Environment

Think of what do you do for work, what you enjoy doing during your spare time and on weekends. This will help to determine how formal or casual a style you need to go with.

How much could you spend and invest in some new pieces? You don’t have to replace your wardrobe all at once. It will help you plan your budget and save up for some more expensive garments.

What is the climate like in the place you live? Is it hot and humid, or cold and windy? Do you travel a lot? What is our daily routine like? How do you like to spend your free time? Answering these questions will help you to define your style, so you feel comfortable and confident.

Know Your Size

The thing you have to learn – stop trying to fit into pre-father clothes or pretend to be a slim-fit if you’re a bit larger gent. There’s probably nothing worse than seeing a grown-up man who’s wearing clothes that are too small for him. Your apparel should perfectly lay on your shoulders and overall fit you correctly.

Go For Neutral Tones

Vibrant patterns and graphic prints aren’t entirely off-limits, yet going for a more tonal and monochromatic look in neutral colours would be a wiser step at first. If you feel comfortable, try playing with the colour weel – mix and match different materials and shades for a more vibrant look.

Invest In Your Clothing

Invest wisely. Choose forever-live, high-quality pieces (Check Define Sleek’s guide to a capsule wardrobe and essential pieces). Go for a leather bomber jacket, quality jeans, knit sweater, wool suit or a navy blazer, look for a classy overcoat and invest in quality dress shirts and pants. Those things will age nicely and make you look sharp.

Less Branding

Over-branded outfits sometimes can send a wrong signal – ‘insecure dad trying to look cool’.  A subtle logo with no pointing out can add a complementing touch to a plain shirt or a cardigan. The brand word or an icon should never be visible from more than a few meters away. Stick to the garments that look valuable because of their fit and fabrics. Let those things do all the talking, not some logos.

Main Rules On How To Structure Your Wardrobe

The core of your wardrobe should be formed of foundational pieces, classic and timeless items that work well in many different situations. Your foundational pieces should make the majority of your wardrobe. Moreover, these kinds of items should pair with one another without a struggle.

The middle section of your minimalist closet should be made of clothes that are not as versatile but are still relevant. This section could include seasonal items as well as pieces for specific occasions.

The top section should be made up of your experimental, colourful, nostalgic, and very occasionally worn items.

Final Thought

As it is sad that sometimes when your life tends to be a little too chaotic – start with your closet. Eventually, it could lead to more significant and better things.

About Renaldas – Founder of Define Sleek

In 2014 I was a professional chef and yet decided to pursue a career in men’s fashion industry after spending nearly a decade of making food at high-end restaurants across Europe. The decision to tackle a world of fashion was purely based on a passion for menswear, garments, and accessories which, in my point of view, are instruments to create a unique and distinctive statement of style. Without having much knowledge in this industry, I chose to enroll in fashion design courses in London to learn some fundamentals needed to succeed in this business.

The idea of Define Sleek was born back then with the aim to provide practical style advice and offer approachable content concentrated on longevity, sustainability and education about tailoring and bespoke fashion.

Define Sleek believes that style is more about how you live your life, your pursuits and values, quality and craftsmanship in all aspects of life.

 

Style Your Budget: Style Challenges Summer 2019 Capsule Wardrobe

Style Your Budget: Style Challenges Summer 2019 Capsule Wardrobe

No matter how many years it’s been since I was in school I just can’t quit that internal seasonal shift – summer begins when school is out! As the school year winds up all over the country I think it’s safe to say that summer has arrived and with that, it’s time for another Style Your Budget post! If you’re new around here, Style Your Budget helps you shop smarter by showing you one outfit prompt styled at five drastically different price points.

One of the things that makes Style Challenges work so well is that we don’t provide you with the clothes. That may sound like a bad thing at first, but I promise it isn’t. By providing you with a style prompt rather than a box of clothes, you get to decide what the outfit ultimately looks like (and how much it costs).

If you already own all the pieces in the prompt you can shop your closet for a free outfit. Woohoo! However, if you need to fill in a gap in your wardrobe you get to choose which store, and more importantly how much you are going to spend, to fill in that gap.

This look is from the Style Challenges Summer 2019 Capsule Wardrobe. Bright accessories paired with closet staples are my favorite kind of outfits that are stylish for summer without adding tons of layers (aka heat) — check out my recent YouTube video for more summer outfit tips. Building a cohesive and affordable casual wardrobe doesn’t have to be tricky and Style Challenges is here to help. It’s as easy as 1-2-3… we promise! 1. I give you a shopping list so you’ll know exactly what you need. 2. Check off your list by shopping your closet or using my recommendations. 3. You’ll get a complete guide of daily outfit ideas using the pieces from your list. It’s that easy!

Gray Top + Denim Bottoms + Metallic Shoes
Now let’s Style Your Budget!

Option 1

Gray Top $9.94 / Denim Bottoms $13.92 / Metallic Shoes $21.95
Colorful Bracelet $17.94 / Hoop Earrings $10.99 / Tote $14.97 / Sunglasses $9.99
Outfit Total $99.70

 

Option 2

Gray Top $17.99 / Denim Bottoms $29.99 / Metallic Shoes $12.99
Colorful Bracelet $7.99 / Hoop Earrings $6.99 / Tote $34.99 / Sunglasses $14.99
Outfit Total $125.93

 

Option 3

Gray Top $11.50 / Denim Bottoms $32.50 / Metallic Shoes $47.50
Colorful Bracelet $25.50 / Hoop Earrings $11.60 / Tote $52.50 / Sunglasses $17.50
Outfit Total $198.60

 

Option 4

Gray Top $16.99 / Denim Bottoms $29.00 / Metallic Shoes $47.99
Colorful Bracelet $9.99 / Hoop Earrings $9.45 / Tote $24.99 / Tassels $10.89  / Sunglasses $69.62
Prices may vary by size.
Outfit Total $218.92

 

Option 5

Gray Top $12.50 / Denim Bottoms $59.00 / Metallic Shoes $139.95
Colorful Bracelet $29.00 / Hoop Earrings $58.00 / Tote $63.25 / Sunglasses $119.00
Outfit Total $480.70

 

If you’re looking for some investment quality designer sunglasses, I highly recommend checking out SmartBuyGlasses!

We always recommend investing in the best quality that your budget allows when it comes to your closet staples. However, if you are trying out new trends, fluctuating between sizes, or need a more budget-conscious option we hope this post has helped you see that you truly can feel confident in what you are wearing no matter where you shop or how much you can afford to spend.

It’s Your Turn:
What version of this Summer outfit is your favorite?

You’ll have access to this outfit plus 30 more immediately upon signing up for the Style Challenges Summer 2019 Capsule Wardrobe. Make getting dressed this summer the easiest thing you’ll do all day! Check out how the Style Challenge is changing lives here.

Wedding Outfit Style Guide

Wedding Outfit Style Guide

by Jessica Pigza

Wedding season is here and chances are most of us have at least one wedding to attend this summer if not more. Weddings are fun, romantic and a perfect time to step beyond our daily attire and really dress things up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use some closet staples to either dress it up or dress it down depending on the vibe of the wedding.

With a few simple changes, you can give most dresses dual purpose. Whether it’s a backyard wedding or something more formal, these wedding basics are sure to help you look and feel your best. Below I’ve taken some versatile dresses and paired them with some closet staples, as well as paired some closet staple dresses with some fun trends. The possibilities are endless and they’re sure to keep you looking fresh and new no matter how many weddings you’ll attend this summer.

Casual Wedding

For a more casual wedding atmosphere, most dresses can be dressed down with a neutral cardigan or even a denim jacket depending on how dressed down you want to go. Select a pair of flats or low wedges and add some simple jewelry. You can finish off the look with a small wristlet or clutch. Check out some of these casual looks below.

Lace Dress / Denim Jacket / Metallic Flats / Straw Clutch / Gold Hoop Earrings / Gold Bracelet

Navy Dress / Neutral Cardigan / Metallic Flats / Straw Wristlet / Gold Hoop Earrings / Gold Bracelet

Classic Wedding

For a classic wedding look, I suggest either going for a simple dress and opt for jewelry that’s has a little more sparkle or choose a dress that has more interest in design and wear jewelry that is more on the dainty side. You can also either add the cardigan or subtract it depending on your dress. If your dress is a bit on the fancy side, I recommend adding the cardigan to tone it down. Check out the below style combinations.

Lace Dress / Neutral Cardigan / Metallic Wristlet / Metallic Wedges / Gold Hoop Earrings / Gold Bracelet

Navy Dress / Nude Heel / Bright Purse / Statement Earrings / Crystal Bracelet

Floral Dress / Nude Heel / Nude Clutch / Gold Bracelet / Stud Earrings

Formal Wedding

Typically weddings held in the evening are considered to be a bit more formal so for this look lose the cardigan and add a delicate shawl or scarf to create a softer look. Then amp up your jewelry with something that sparkles and add a statement necklace. Shop your closet for a strappy heel that’s either metallic, nude or even a print and finish off with a small clutch.

Lace Dress / Scarf / Strappy Heels / Clutch / Statement Earrings / Crystal Bracelet

Floral Dress / Nude Heel / Sequin Clutch / Statement Necklace / Crystal Bracelet / Stud Earrings

Bonus: The Little Black Dress – Sort of

This is my take on the little black dress, the black jumpsuit! This can easily be dressed up or dressed down, perfect for any age or size and a fantastic option if you don’t feel like wearing a dress.

Black Jumpsuit / Neutral Cardigan / Snake Print Flats / Gold Hoop Earrings / Gold Bracelet / Snake Print Clutch

Black Jumpsuit / Chiffon Shawl / Snake Print Heels / Statement Necklace / Stud Earrings / Crystal Bracelet / Snake Print Clutch

Want some more dress options? The dresses below will pair up well with any of the accessory combinations shown above and I’ve also included a few maternity dresses for our lovely ladies that may be expecting this summer. As always, don’t forget to shop your closet first, you may be surprised by what you may find! Now it’s time to toast the happy couple!