Kissing again


Did we not just have the most beautiful weekend? It felt exactly as summer should, and as quickly as this first week of June has just passed by, I know I'm in trouble. I want summer to go as slowly as possible, but with so many busy weekends ahead of me, I fear I will once again fail at savoring summer. 

I want early morning walks, trips to the beach, dining al fresco, picnics, day trips, fireworks, concerts and late nights, tons of ice cream...

What do you want most this summer?

Have you entered the Simple Skincare giveaway yet?

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The Rundown
Kiss Kiss Tee J.Crew similar
Skirt Cynthia Steffe via Coco's similar
Utility Jacket Old Navy
Sandals "Joan 2" Onex similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Gold Hoop Earrings Amazon
Tennis Bracelet c/o Anjolee
"Love" Bracelet Arlyn's Fine Accessories similar
Chain Link Bracelet Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Da Bush" Essie


Simple Skincare Review and Giveaway

When it comes to looking and feeling my best, a lot of care goes into finding clothes that flatter my body, but nothing is more important than having skin that looks clear and feels healthy. 

I've struggled with acne for half my life, and spent a lot of time drying out and exfoliating my skin in an attempt to combat it, until I finally had the revelation that I needed to be kinder and gentler with my regiment. Finding products that I felt good about putting on my face was harder than I thought it would be, but I'm very happy Simple Skincare found me and asked me to try out their new line of products, all free of dyes, artificial perfumes, or harsh irritants that can upset skin.

Simple recently polled women across 40 major US cities and found out many of us are not doing the best we can to care for our precious faces. From remembering to take our makeup off at night (27% of women reported they will go two days without washing their face), or wearing sunscreen (59% of women don't), to eating right and exercising daily, Simple decided it was time to raise awareness and started the "Kind to City Skin" initiative.

Simple sent me six products to try, three kinds of moisturizers, two types of wipes, and a face wash. I love the foaming face wash, a little bit goes a long way and it left my face feeling really clean. It had no problem getting my makeup off.

The wipes, I have become addicted to. The facial wipes are the best for traveling, and also for those nights when you come home and just want to face-plant on to your pillow, but know you also should take your makeup off first.

The eye makeup remover pads work so well - they had no problem gently removing my water proof eyeliner. The pack costs $7 and contains 30 pads... which is the same price as my current makeup remover, except that lasts for months and these would only last one month (or less). Still, I'll probably buy them.

Of the three moisturizers my favorite is the protecting light moisturizer with SPF 15. As stated, it is very light, absorbs quickly into skin and offers protection from the sun. Essential to wear everyday, I will definitely continue to use this.

Next is the nourishing cream; a little heavier but I still liked it. No SPF, so it's a good one for the evenings. The downside for me is the jar. I don't care for having to put my fingers into containers.

My least favorite is the gel moisturizer; I felt like it left my skin feeling sticky, and again, no SPF.

Unlike many of the women who Simple polled, now that the days are getting longer and the air is getting warmer, I try to be prepared to be out in the sun more. While Simple's SPF moisturizer will be replacing the one I currently use, I do use one. My downfall is of course, in the reapplication, which should be done every two hours.

Healthy diets can help improve your skin, and some of the best foods for your skin are actually my favorites! Brussels sprouts (try this amazing recipe, pan seared with cranberries and blue cheese), walnuts (I love to put them in my pesto instead of pinenuts), salmon (parmesan crusted, please), and avocados (oh my god these go with everything; breakfast, lunch, or dinner).

I'm joining Simple and making an effort to be kind to my city skin, and I hope you will too!

Simple is offering one Chic on the Cheap reader their own set of Simple Skincare products, valued at $53. Contest is open to US residents, enter using the Rafflecopter below.
Winner will receive:
Simple Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer ($10.99)
Simple Nourishing 24-Hour Day/Night Cream ($10.99)
Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($10.99)
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99)
Simple Eye Make-up Remover Pads ($6.99)
Simple Foaming Facial Wash ($6.99)

You can also win prizes from Simple by following them on Twitter @SimpleSkincare and participating in the #CitySkinChallenge - they will be tweeting out daily challenges to help you reveal your best skin.

I'm participating in this sponsored campaign for Simple Skincare on behalf of One2One Network. As always, my views and opinions are my own.

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White goes with everything

Here it is, my perfect little white bag! I had been crushing on the Coach and Rebecca Minkoff mini satchel style bags, but priced at $300 and $200 they were way out of my price range. Thankfully TJMaxx can always be relied upon to have the styles I want at the prices I can afford.

This leather bag is by Tignanello, the list price was $135, but the TJMaxx price was $50. Since I had a gift card I only had to spend $30! The shape and size are perfect, I love having the option of both drop handles and a cross body strap, and the inside has three compartments so nothing gets lost. I am confident I will get my cost per wear down to pennies by the end of the summer, so I'm pretty satisfied with my purchase. 



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The Rundown
Cobalt Blue Dress Old Navy similar
Pumps BCBGeneration via TJMaxx similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Gold Leaf Necklace The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Chain Link Bracelet Thrifted similar
Starfish Ring c/o LuShae Jewelry similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Da Bush" Essie