I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.
I recently received the #ModaVoxBox from Influenster this week! 

So here are the goodies that were inside!

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara//

I am obsessed with the awesome curved brush on this mascara. It really helps give you an amazing curl.  And the thing tip even reached my inner lashes so my eyes look even better now!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick//

Loving the color of this lipstick and I love that it doesn't dry out my lips like some do!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lip Liner//

What's a lipstick without a great lip liner.  Completely clear, this lip liner really helps define my lips.

Puffs SoftPack//

I love the flexible outside packaging.  Not only does it have a cute design on it but it's so easy to shove into a work bag, under the seat in my car, or really anywhere else I may need it.

Hair Food Moisture Hair Mask//

I saw this stuff a few weeks back in Target so I was stoked to get to try it out myself.  It uses honey to coat and protect your hair and apricot oil to help hydrate.  It smells SO good and I love the thick texture.   It didn't add any gunk to my hair either so it was easy to style like usual.  I use this in the shower and let it soak in for a minute or 2 before rinsing out.

Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa//

OMG Delicious!!!  It comes in milk or dark chocolate. I got the milk chocolate and it only has 5 ingredients - sugar, cocoa, nonfat milk, salt, and natural flavor.  No artificial crap!  All you have to do is use hot milk and enjoy!

JERGENS Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer//

I love that this lotion gives you luminous, healthier looking skin in just one week! It absorbs quickly into my dry skin!

Resource Spring Water//

Resource water is 100% natural spring water that has naturally occurring electrolytes inside.  It's so refreshing and pure after I workout!

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How I Get My Hair from 0 to VOLOOM

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Thanks to my mom and dad's combination of hair genetics, I have a full head of hair that's very thin.  Because of that, I lack volume, especially with day-old hair.  No matter how much I tease it, the volume just won't stay.  

Thankfully, I discovered an amazing tool to help everyone else with this same problem.  It's called VOLOOM. 

The VOLOOM Hair Volumizing Iron is a new type of tool that was designed to add volume to hair.  You can style your hair anyway you want and then add volume to the under-layers of hair against the scalp with VOLOOM. 

It may look like a flatiron or curling iron, but it's not used the same way, as you don't pull it through your hair or use it on the ends.  You just clamp and release it on the hair near your scalp.  Hold it there for as long as it takes you to say "VOLOOM" and then release and after 2 or 3 times on the hair shaft down to your eye or cheekbone, your hair wll have beautiful instant volume. 

I know it sounds too good to be true, but it really works.  It creates a hidden volumizing structure and natural volume pockets that lift the top layers up and away from your scalp.  Then when your top layer of hair lays overtop, INSTANT VOLUME, or should I say VOLOOM!

No, it's not a crimper, because crimpers bend your hair at sharp angles and it can be unhealthy for your lucious locks.  VOLOOM plates have alternating platforms with beveled edges that bend your hair gently. 

So how do you use VOLOOM?

Step 1// Dry and Style

Your hair can be 3-days old, or just washed, but it has to be dry.  Part your hair and style it how you normally do.

Step 2//Section Off Top Layer

Take a top layer of hair and clip it to the side using the clips and brush included with VOLOOM.  The top layer of hair should be 1/2 - 1 inch wide and run parallel to your regular part.  This is the layer that lays overtop and stays smooth and untouched.

Step 3//Separate Another Layer

The next layer should be underneath the top layer and should be about 1/2-1 inch wide. 

Step 4// Clamp and Release

With that layer in your hand, clamp and release VOLOOM quickly on the hair near your scalp, but be careful not to burn yourself.  And remember, only clamp for one second (That's how long it takes me to say VOLOOM).

Step 5// Repeat

Repeat 2-3 times down the section of hair.  You should go as far as your eye or cheekbone level, whatever works best for you.  And when you move on to another section, make sure you always clip the already VOLOOMed sections out of the way.

I love how easy this was to use. It was perfect for my 2nd and 3rd day-old hair which is normally limp!  Since I have fine hair, I kept the temperature on 320-350F level. 

VOLOOM didn't damage my hair.  Since the hair near your scalp is rich in natural protective oils, it protects against heat.  I even noticed in the past few weeks, that I have to shampoo and heat style my hair less when I use VOLOOM which is always good news! We tend to over-wash and over-style our hair just to get volume back.   Seriously, the volume in my hair lasted for days, up until my showers.   I didn't even have to use hair spray on the sections I VOLOOMed. 

You can even use VOLOOM for ponytails and updos that need some volume so you get a better grip with your hairties.  And when you take your hair down, the VOLOOM volume is still there!  

No more spending money on tons of conditioner (if you wash less), and professional blow outs, as long as you use VOLOOM.   And the best part is, VOLOOM has a warranty that if it doesn't work properly you can return it for a full refund within a year. 

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Classy in Black

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You may think faux leather leggings are too much for a classy office look but with a white blouse and a blazer, it's just right! 

So What I Wore:
Shoes - Just Fab; Faux Leather Leggings - Zara; Blouse  - Marshalls - Blazer - Kohls. 

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What's In My Bags // A Handbag Guide

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So many of you know that I am obsessed with handbags and I treat my own bags like they are made of gold.   For me, a bag is a long term investment that needs to last and be durable enough to carry all of my stuff.  There are different bags for different occassions however.  I can't really pick my favorite since my situatons always change so here is a look at a few of my main bags and what I keep in each one.  

 

The Night Out Bag // Adorable, makes a statement, and carries the necessities for the night..that's what I love about this bag. Enough room for my phone, lip gloss, and some cash.

 

 

 

The Organized Bag// This bag is the perfect size to store all of my daily necessities.  Everything has a compartment and it's uber organized. It's also lightweight which is important for a bag that you will carry around daily, packed with stuff!  

 

 

 

 

The Work Tote// I need it to be big enough to carry my documents, laptop, and file folders around but I also like something a fun pop of color.

 

 

The Classy and Practical Tote// My Louis Vuitton bag is my practical tote because it doesn't really have any compartments so I can just toss everything inside of it and be on my way.  It's stylish too and it's one of my favorite bags!

 

 

The Splurge Bag// I can justify what I spend on it because it's fabulous and I can use it wherever I want for whatever I want.  Plus it makes a beautiful statement. 

 

 

I love this Handbag Guide from Rue La La! It shows all the details and basics of different styles of bags so you can figure out what bag is the best fit for your lifestyle.

 

Which bag fits your lifestyle best??

 

 

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A New Diet Venture with The Atkins Diet

So I have some very exciting news to share with you today! I will be participating in the Atkins diet. Atkins is the original and leading low carb weight loss program. With Atkins you get balanced weight loss on a body of scientific research.

Normally, your body has two sources of fuel that it burns and sugar is the first one. But when carbs are low enough, your body will burn fat. The Atkins Diet works by flipping the body's metabolic switch from burning carbs to burning fat. The way to do this is optimal protein intake, proper healthy fat intake, and low carbohydrate consumption. If you can do all those, your hunger and cravings will be reduced more quickly rather than using a low calorie and high carb diet.

The beautiful thing about The Atkins Diet is that it's 100% free and there is NO cost to do the program. Atkins has an online community, resource center, recipes, tools, and meal plans at http://atkins.com.

I decided to take the leap and try The Atkins Diet because I haven't had much luck with anything else. I know that I love my carbs but I really am curious to see if I am able to cut the excess out of my diet, I will see some great results.
((Peace Out Carbs))

I really don't bother to monitor my carb intake currently and I also have let myself go with portion sizes. When eating in large amounts, carbs are macronutrient responsible for raising blood levels of saturated fat and triglycerides. And a low-fat diet is almost always a high-carb diet. When carbs are low-fiber, your body becomes most vulnerable to blood sugar highs and lows that leave you hungry and low on energy. That's a big problem for me. I get plenty of sleep so I know that my diet is affecting my energy levels. Atkins improves cholesterol profiles and blood sugar levels and I am very excited to try a low-carb lifestyle.

One of my major pet peeves with my diet situation is my midriff bulge. And midriff bulge is usually the result of too much sugar and processed carbs. BINGO! Do I really need another reason to try The Atkins Diet? I am so excited to keep you guys up to date with how it goes. So stay tuned!

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Atkins on Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/AtkinsDiet
And on Twitter here:
https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
Also, you may find their Pinterest interesting:
http://www.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider/

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Chic in Chambray

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Chambray tops are still all the rage so I like to wear them in the most casual way possible. 

A simple white cami allows me to let the chambray top to just hang open. 

So What I Wore: 
Boots - Just Fab; Chambray Top - Target; Cami - Maurices at Rockvale Outlets Lancaster; Yoga Jeans - Second Clothing. 

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4 Keys to Keeping a Strong Bond with Your Girlfriends

As we get older, it naturally becomes more of a challenge to stay close with our friends.  Life takes us in different directions with marriage, children, careers, and buying a home. 

Recently, on one of my meetups with my blogger bestie Monica from Jersey Girl, Texan Heart, a woman who worked at the vineyard we were at gave me some advice that will always stick with me.  She asked where we were from and what we were doing.  We explained to her that we were both from different cities 3 hours apart but we drive half-way every 2 months to spend the day together.  Her response?

"Always do that.   Always.  Trust me.  It's always important to have a special bond with your girlfriends so always make time for them like this. Make it a special point to find a way to spend time together from time to time."

That being said, I tried to think of some ways me and Monica keep our long distance bond very strong.  So here are 4 keys to keeping a close bond with your girlfriend.

Have regular get togethers// Whether you live in the same town or across the country, figure out a timeline that works for you. Even if it's once or twice a year that you hop on a plane to see your bestie, do it! Meeting half way is a great way to cut back on travel costs too and it gives you an excuse to explore a new area and find something fun to do.  Monica and I get together every 2 months. We try to make it a fun theme too like for October we went to an orchard, and for Christmas, we will go to a really nice dinner and exchange Christmas cookies and gifts.

Photo via Monica

Remember Important Dates// Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, sobriety dates, dates your became friends, kid's birthdays, and anything else that's significant in your besties life... write them all down and celebrate them each year even if it's just with a card or a text! My childhood best friend and I send a birthday card to each other every single year even if we barely have spoken or seen each other.  It's a cool little thing to look forward to!

Photo via Monica

Celebrate Holidays// Put your besties on your Christmas list and send them a gift each year.  Celebrate anything and everything that you feel like!  For Easter, get each other candy, for Halloween, go to a haunted house. The beauty of your girlfriends is that they won't think it's too silly if you celebrate even the goofiest of holidays.

Photo via Monica

Keep Each Other Informed//  I always get upset when I see people post things about how much their friends suck because they never hang out with them.  Sometimes adult schedules don't allow for in-person hangouts every week.  What's more important is keeping each other informed with your life.  It's such a nice thing to have that one person in your life that knows everything that's going on, bad or good. And whether it's texting on the daily or a weekly phone call, it's important to stay up to speed with each other's lives.

How do you keep the bond strong with your friends?

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Raspberry & Grey

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Grey denim really helps to dress up a look.   For this outfit I wanted to be a bit edgy, still classy, and workplace appropriate. 

I even saw some geese in the background! 
So What I Wore: 
Top - New York and Company at Rockvale Outlets Lancaster; Grey Jeggings - Maurices at Rockvale Outlets Lancaster; Boots - Guilty Soles; Leather Jacket - Bebe. 

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My Night Out at Demi World Tour and Tampax Radiant Collection #BeRadiant

So last Friday I was lucky enough to be invited to Demi Lovato's World Tour from Tampax! 

 Tampax Radiant Collection is a sponsor of Demi's tour and when I heard she was going to be in Hershey, PA I was stoked! 




I let my edgy side out with a leather jacket, black denim, and a fabulously fitting grey tank top underneath!   Add a pair of black boots and I was good to go! 

My boyfriend was SUCH a trooper. This was his first concert.  LOL!! He had no idea what he was in for!


They were filming apparently ;) 



Once the doors opened, I went straight towards the Tampax booth where a gorgeous closet set up was full of Demi-inspired looks!


I was a huge fan of her red dress!







Then I enjoyed a Corona and showed off my free Tampax samples!


Oh, and I got Demi's autograph!!





MKTO performed and they were really fun to watch!  They had a great energy to them! 

Then came Bea Miller. She is so talented and she's only a teenager! Her voice was amazing!

And then Christina Perri! She was so fun. I loved pretty much every song she sang!

And finally out came Demi!  I love the empowering message she puts behind everything she does!

It was fun even though many in the audience were younger than us.

At the end of the night, I came home with an autograph, some Tampax samples, and an awesome photo of James and I!  It was definitely a great time and I loved the energy!  

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