FIVE FACE & BODY PRODUCTS THAT YOU'LL LOVE

Today I am sharing five of my favorite products that I have been using and loving for the past couple of months. Some I have used more than others but I am so glad to have found these!

As I begin making changes to my skincare routine, I've also been on the search for better products and have been hoarding a few of them trying them on to see if they work. These do, as a busy mama, I want good easy products to work with.

I've added this Collagen Repair Night Cream to my rotation and I love how my skin feels in the morning, so plump and soft. I also put this eye cream under my eyes and on my lids and it feels so rich but goes on so nice and dries quickly. These two are also completely natural and vegan!

I've been using this face mask and I can honestly say that this is my favorite one by far out of any clay masks I've tried. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and clean. Jack used it as soon as I bought it and he loved it! It's just so good.

This Pearlessence Coconut Rose Hydrating Face Mist face mist is so refreshing on days when my skin feels dull and when I need some refreshing. It also smells so good! The sprayer is so fine and precise. I couldn't find the exact one, but this one is pretty close.

Lavanila Sport Luxe Deodorant. This one is not a face product but it's something I needed to share. I have been on the hunt for a natural deodorant for a while and have tried a few that failed. I was a little skeptic about it, but I read blog posts and saw YouTubers rave about it and I gave it a try. I also got the men's one for Jack and we are both obsessed. He says he's never liked a deodorant so much because they work and they work so well. His is unscented which is what he likes and mine smells amazing, like a fresh perfume! I have told my mom and sister about it because with all the chemicals that companies put in products, it's scary to think what's being absorbed by our bodies especially deodorant. I am never ever going back to another one every again! It's a little pricey but it's worth it!

Have a great weekend!!

SUMMER SHRIMP SALAD

Have you ever craved shrimp, but didn't know what to make and you really didn't want shrimp cocktail or shrimp and pasta? This one is for you. It's my take on Aguachile (Google this) and it is so yummy and absolutely perfect for the Summer!

It's lemony, spicy, so yummy and healthy, you seriously cannot go wrong with this dish. Also, it would be perfect as an appetizer and paired with a good beer!

I have been making this for Jack and I pretty often as it is pretty simple with not many ingredients. Every single time I make it, Jack cannot stop talking about it. It's so good.

You'll need:

This makes about 4-5 servings, but trust me, once you make it, you'll want to eat way more than just one serving.

• 2 bags of uncooked jumbo shrimp- try to get the ones already deveined without the shell. It makes life so much easier especially when you have kids.
• 2 cucumbers- sliced and in quarters.
• 2-3 tomatoes- depending on size. I used 3 Roma tomatoes.
• 2-3 serrano chilies or jalapeño if that's what you prefer. We love serranos because they're spicier. Sliced thinly.
• Cilantro bunch- we love cilantro and I put a decent amount here.
• 3/4 of a red onion- julienned
• The juice of 4-5 big limes, more if you like lemony things like we do.
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce

Thaw raw shrimp, once thawed with the shell and tail off, I like to clean them as much as I can, I then take my paring knife and butterfly them a bit more. Cook them in boiling water until fully cooked but still a little tender.

In a casserole, combine all veggies, lime juice and spices. Add the shrimp and mix thoroughly without mushing the tomato. Refrigerate for about 2 hours. The longer the shrimp and veggies marinate in the lime juice and chilies, the better it will taste! If you make this once, I guarantee you you will make it part of your menu.

I hope you like this! Let me know if you tried it. :)

THE PERFECT MARGARITA

If you saw my post on Instagram, you saw this margarita that I made on Saturday. I have been using the same recipe for years with the addition of one ingredient recently that honestly takes it to the next level, for me at least.

What I like about this recipe is that on the rocks or frozen, it tastes good no matter what and it is also fool proof! Margarita's are pretty much the only mixed drink I like as I like salty an spicy over sweet any day. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 shot of tequila- I like Hornitos Plata (clear tequila) but find the one you like and use that one. Makes 2 margaritas.

Triple Sec- Add this to your taste

Lime juice- I use one big lime for this and also to salt the rim of my glasses. You can use lemon but the acidity of lime is stronger, goes better with margaritas in my opinion.

Salt- just a pinch.

A splash of orange juice- I know this part sounds weird but trust me, you'll love it.

The secret ingredient is club soda or mineral water, whatever you want to call it! A splash of this makes the margarita just a tad carbonated and it is amazing. I use Topo Chico, a Mexican brand and the best when it comes to a fully carbonated club soda. The other brands truly don't compare.

Mix everything in a shaker with ice and pour in glass. I had to use a glass from Mexico which I'm in love with! And well, makes the margarita taste so good. ;)

Also, I was out of Tajin but I absolutely love this on the rim of my glass! Mix this with the salt and 

your drink will look prettier and taste better. 

Make this for a holiday, a cookout with friends, or when it's so hot outside and you need something to take you to a cooler, better place. Like the beach, or the pool! Think Summertime!

If you try this, please let me know how you liked it!! :) Have a fantastic week! 

UPDATED // SKIN CARE ROUTINE

After my pregnancy with Oliver, my skin went crazy hormonal and I started breaking out a lot more than I used to. As I mentioned in my previous skin care post, transitioning back to work made my skin go through hell and back. All the stress plus hormones were definitely not a good combination.

I was using milder drug store products, then I realized if I wanted products that worked, I had to do more research. These are my holy grail products right now, and I am so glad I found them. I've been using them for about two months and have seen a pretty good improvement on my skin.

At night, I still use the Simple Micellar makeup removing wipes. I feel that if I don't remove my makeup before cleansing my face with any sort of wash, I'm rubbing the makeup around instead of getting rid of it. I then use the Mario Bedescu Acne Facial Cleanser to get rid of any residue left that the wipes did not remove. You need just a little more than a pea sized drop which makes it last forever! I still use my Solo Mio Face Cleanser Brush with the face cleanser. I use a tiny little drop of The Body Shop Tea Tree Nigh Lotion and it smells like spa! You have to get used to the smell but once you do it smells amazing. I do this three to four times a week and the other days I cleanse with a milder cleanser and use jojoba oil as my night moisturizer.

During the week, I wash my face in the shower and exfoliate a couple of times a week using this St. Ives scrub that I have been using for years and love. Once out of the shower, I apply a pea sized amount of The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion to my face. It seriously keeps my skin matte all day with a hint of a glow! This is also drying and when using it, I add a bit of my regular moisturizer and it still works great. I alternate and a couple of days I use my moisturizer only.

Since seeking to go natural with a lot of products we use at home, I wanted a good toner without all the chemicals. I found a use for my ACV by mixing one cup of water with one tablespoon of the ACV. I used a glass spray bottle to keep some in my bathroom and I spray it on a cotton ball and use it on my face a couple of times a week after cleansing at night.

All of these changes have helped my skin tremendously! Also, these are a bit more expensive than drug store products but they still won't break your bank! I want to try more of these two brands. Do you have any favorites?

Have an amazing weekend and have a happy Mother's Day!

FUN IN THE SUN

Summer is here! Maybe not officially, but with temperatures reaching 90 degrees already, outdoor fun is a must. This year we have sworn that we will be spending a lot of time in our backyard and doing fun outdoor activities. Yesterday was our first day and we loved it!

We got this pool for them a while ago and have been waiting for hotter weather to use it. It was a little windy and I only put Oliver in it for a little while and Elliot didn't last very long once he got completely soaked but it's such a fun pool! Once we are in the hundred's it will be perfect. The sun here is pretty strong though and protecting my kids is a must. I received these swim shorts and shirts from SwimZip and I love them! The prints are really nice and the quality is so good. They are so soft and protect my kids from harmful UV rays. My mind is at peace! 

We cannot wait to make popsicles, have water balloon fights, sprinkler runs and lots more pool fun! What fun Summer activities do you have planned?

Have a great week!