Memorial Day Sale Favorites

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! Now is the time to grab lots of things on sale; namely, summer furniture, cute summer staples, etc! I'll be back Monday with an outdoor sale guide post, but for today I wanted to leave you with all the best sales (in my eyes!) with a couple favorite pieces from each. Hopefully this is helpful to you!

American Eagle //  25-60% off everything & 30-50% off Aerie collection + Take an extra 20% off summer faves
Anthropologie // Extra 50% off sale PLUS 25% off everything when you sign up for Anthro Perks
Athleta // Sunshine sale - summer essentials starting at $14.99
Banana Republic // Up to 75% off everything
Bauble Bar // Sale up to 70% off
CB2 // Up to 40% off outdoor sale + up to 55% off clearance
Crate & Barrel // Big outdoor sale 40% off furniture, rugs, entertaining + up to 30% off pillows and throws + up to 50% off summer accessories
LOFT // 60% off everything for members (get code in email) + 50% off everything for non-members with code FRIEND. Free shipping & returns.
Lululemon // Up to 50% off "We Made Too Much"
Nordstrom // up to 60% off clearance
McGee & Co // 20% off sitewide with code TISTHESEASUN 
Nordstrom Rack // Levi's up to 65% off, dresses up to 70% off
Pottery Barn // Buy more, save more. Up to 25% off plus free shipping with code SAVEMORE. Up to 50% off all outdoor + up to 30% off bedroom + up to 30% off
Serena & Lily // 20% beautiful ways to refresh your home 
Wayfair // Up to 70% off Memorial Day clearance
West Elm // Buy more, save more. Up to 25% off plus free shipping with code SAVEMORE
SHOP YOUR SALE FAVORITES

Okay, off to do more work on our backyard!


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Our Backyard Deck Progress & Patio Furniture

As you know from Instagram, we're in the middle of a backyard renovation! It's all happening so quickly, thanks to my super handy husband! I can't wait to have this be a spot to enjoy all summer in just a few weeks. I thought I'd show you the progress so far. 
For reference, here is where we started...with absolutely nothing!

Two weekend's ago, McCann poured the foundation "footers". Last weekend he built the structure of the deck and this week he's been working on getting the top of it on (laid in a pretty diagonal pattern) AND putting on the stringers to build the steps down off the deck. He's out there every waking minute other than when he's working from home, so it's taking shape really quickly!
The deck is small, only 10x20', so we didn't want to have a railing because I think it'd make it feel really closed in, especially with our backyard fence so close. So we decided to do a step almost the entire width of the 20' long side (it will actually be 2 steps) and then I thought of the idea to put a 10' planter bed along the other side where the chair is, to act as a rail on that side AND it will double as some more privacy once we get some tall shrubs planted in box. You can see my inspiration below.

The box will be built on the other side of the deck, so not to take up precious deck square footage. And I'm not 100% on dimensions yet, but I'm thinking it'll be 12" deep and 2' taller than the deck itself. I'm planning to put some herbs in here, among other colorful annuals, so I can use them to cook this summer!

INSPIRATION:

via

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We will run the boards of the planter box horizontal like ship lap, and eventually stain them to match the deck. We will stain the deck next year after it's had a year to weather. I'm thinking something slightly darker than the fence (which we're staining this year a really natural color).
PATIO FURNITURE:
I'm so excited, we just ordered our table and chairs for the deck this week! I scoured the internet for HOURS. Way too much time spent, probably, but I found a really good deal for furniture I really love. I wanted something that looked like indoor furniture so it is like an extension of our home, but that was weather proof. When we ordered it was 40% off, but they're still on sale for a good chunk off.

table / chairs
We will string up some market lights out there and probably get an outdoor rug to cozy it up. Can't wait for summer nights out here!!

Hope you have a great day! xoxo


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The One Skincare Ingredient You Need NOW

Today we're diving deep into an ingredient that is a must-have in any skincare routine! Can you guess it?! If you said Vitamin C, then you're right! The reason it's gaining popularity over the last several years is because it works SO incredibly well. And with all these days spent at home, what better time to talk about skincare and self care?! ;)
Before we dive in, I'm going to tell you the difference between two common, but different, skincare products:

SERUMS VS. FACE OILS:
Serums: lighter weight, layered under moisturizer, formulated to target specific skincare concerns. Clean Beauty says "their molecules are very small, so they absorb deeply in the skin to achieve a desired result: skin brightening, balancing, pigmentation, moisture-barrier repair...". Because of the small molecules, they can deliver antioxidants and peptides very effectively.
Facial Oils: the ultimate purpose of an oil is to provide extra hydration our skin needs so badly. They are like big glasses of water for our skin! Oils are "particularly effective because they mimic our skin’s natural sebum production". (source) Face oils will also help strengthen the skin barrier, give our skin that beautiful natural glow and help your makeup go on smoothly.

Most of you know I'm apart of an amazing skincare and makeup company called Beautycounter. If you're new and want to find out more, you can read this post to hear about how I got involved! Beautycounter just launched a brand new product: meet our All Bright C Serum. I cannot wait to share this serum with you! I've been using it for the past 2 weeks and I'm absolutely loving it and even seeing results already. The new All Bright C Serum will banish dark spots and brighten your skin. 

Vitamin C is one of the most exciting, research-proven ingredients you can apply to skin. But not all Vitamin C serums are made the same, and Beautycounter's is super special. Here's why:

Beautycounter uses incredibly powerful, safe and & effective ingredients!  
A LITTLE ABOUT VITAMIN C:

As noted in this Image article, "'Vitamin C has quite a complicated chemistry,' says Dr Coleman,'and because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, it becomes very unstable in water solutions. Additionally, vitamin C doesn’t penetrate the skin easily, it degrades on exposure to oxygen, and it favours a pH around three, which is too acidic for human skin.'"

This is why it's so important that the formulas we use ARE stable, which means the chemists have to find the perfect balance of effectiveness and safety. If you don't add enough vitamin C, it won't give you results. If you add too much, it might irritate your skin. Beautycounter got just the right amount with the ultra-stable dose of Vitamin C they added to this serum.

An Ultra-stable 10% dose of vitamin C includes: 

5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: This antioxidant reduces the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin. 

5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate: A second form of vitamin C, this ingredient provides antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! 

Turmeric Root Extract: The serum's beautiful, vibrant hue? That's due to turmeric, an antioxidant superstar that helps even skin tone and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 

Camu Camu Fruit Extract: This powerful antioxidant helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening to visually improve signs of skin fatigue. 

Ingredients matter so much, not just in terms of safety but also in the deliverable: good ingredients yield amazing results. This new serum is further proof that you don't need toxic chemicals for a skincare product to be powerful! I admit that I was slightly skeptical about this serum. I've had a dark spot on my cheek for probably 2 years now. In just 4 applications of this, I promise you I see the dark spot lightening slightly each day!
Bonus: most Vitamin C products (that are any good!) can be closer to the $200 range, so our under $100 price point makes me super happy, and of course, it's safe, which a lot of the serums are the market are not.
HOW TO APPLY

You'll want to abide by the typical application order:

1. Cleanse - face wash

2. Prep - toner

3. Treat - serum or topical that is working to achieve your skin care goals

4. Protect - moisturizer and eye cream

For me, this looks like the following in the morning:

1. Countercontrol Pore Cleanser

2. Countermatch Radiance Toner

3. All Bright C Serum (you can also do your normal "treat" step first, then follow with the C Serum after!)

4. Countermatch Moisturizer + a drop of No. 1 Brightening Oil + Eye Renewal Cream

30 DAY CHALLENGE: I'm going to be using this for 30 days (already 2 weeks in) and continue use of my favorite Resurfacing Peel at night 3-4 times per week at night (read more about that here!). I'll be sure to report my results to you on Instagram! I have a couple dark spots on my face; the largest of which is on my cheek, followed by some on my upper lip area and my forehead. The spots on my forehead are barely noticeable now, my lip has faded drastically and I can see the spot on my cheek starting to lighten as well. I'm so excited!!

If you need help developing a skincare or makeup routine, just fill out this questionnaire and I'll send you back a customized plan just for you! This is totally free and you're not obligated to purchase anything after I send you the suggestions. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletters here.

One last thing! New to Beautycounter? You'll get 20% off your first purchase :) Just sign up on our website with your email, you'll get your discount code, then can purchase!
Let me know if you have any questions! Do you use a vitamin C serum you love?
xoxo
If you love learning about safe, effective ingredients and want more information on how to clean up your beauty routine, sign up for my monthly Safer Beauty Tribe newsletter! These newsletters are a monthly guide to help you navigate the cosmetics aisle with confidence. They’re meant to help you make safe, effective selections no matter what brands you choose to use and let you know about any sales or favorite products (not just Beautycounter). As you know, I am a Beautycounter consultant and will earn commission for any sales.
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Our New Bathroom Rug & Hardware

Hello friends! I hope you had a nice weekend. We finally had a really warm, sunny weekend which meant we got lots done outside! We are building our deck this next weekend (and by "we" I mean McCann ;)) and so my husband prepped the area by doing the footings for the structure. I also built a little flower bed on one part of the lawn and we power-washed our front porch step and path, garage and shed. Sooo satisfying!! 
Today I'm super excited to show you an update we recently made to our bathroom. If you remember, we have a powder room as well, but this is the main bathroom for all the bedrooms. We don't have a master bathroom, so this is it for us! You can take a look at where we started here. From taking out a bulkhead over the sink to putting into two sinks, changing the vanity and countertop, getting a new mirror and lighting, we've come a long way! (PSSST! All sources are at the end of the post!)
Today's update is the new rug we just got. I have been looking for a Persian style rug for in here for months, but the size had to be pretty specific. It's a really narrow area, so it had to be under 2'6" wide. The vanity is 60" wide, so that's what I wanted the length to be. I couldn't believe I found this rug sized at 5'x2' AND it had the colors I wanted to pull in-- navy to tie in with the striped shower curtain. I also loved the warm colors in the rug to bring in some of the warmer golds and basket tones. 

One thing we'd still like to change in the future about the bathroom is the ugly floor. Ha! I can't stand it, but it is low on the priority list right now. I'm hoping to do a marble or white hexagon tile someday.

Another thing I'm hoping to update soon is getting some fun art to go above the toilet instead of this little shelf.

 Rug / Hardware: knobs (1-1/4"), pulls  / Mirror frame / Shower Curtain / sconces / faucets / hand towel bar / towel bar / hook / toilet paper holder Thanks for peeking around! Hope you like the new update. 
xoxo
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