Back to Blogging

I have to admit that when we stopped writing the blog nearly a year ago, I knew we would be back. I knew, at least, I would be back. I didn't say that because I didn't know if I would be back to blogging here on C&C or if maybe I would start another blog, with a different title, on a different platform.

I have reservations about coming back because I know the blog isn't fancy. It's not on the most user friendly platform. The graphics are outdated. The layout is terrible. I could go on and on... C&C was created 8.5 years ago, back when Blogger was one of the only platforms, when blogging wasn't really a profession and when there weren't thousands of bloggers talking about many of the same things. So why bring this up? Despite all the perceived short comings of this blog, I know we have a unique voice that resonates with people. I know we have a solid group of loyal followers, and I'd like to hope that many of you have been positively impacted by our posts. I'd like to think you don't care about all the shortcomings, and that you will continue reading and loving the blog just as it is.

So, here we are, nearly a year later, and we're back to blogging. Don't expect posts five days a week, that's just not realistic for our lives right now, but I can promise we will post at least once a week. Katie can't commit to a regular blogging schedule, but she will definitely be dropping in.

For my first post back I thought I would give you a quick list of some of the things I'm "loving lately"...food, podcasts, kids clothes...think of this as making up for all our lost time in one post!

Loving Lately
1. Rockets of Awesome- This kids subscription clothing box is AWESOME! If you haven't tried it, you must!

2. How to Raise an Adult- One of the best "parenting" books I've ever read. If you have children in your life, as a coach, teacher, aunt, uncle or as a parent...you should check this book out. 

3. Thai Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup- This recipe is on repeat in our house. It's easy and delicious. 

4. Podcasts- I've become obsessed with podcasts. I listen while cleaning the house, driving and exercising. Here are a few of my favorites. 

- How I Built This 

- The Feel Good Effect- the podcast by Robyn Conley Downs of the blog, Real Food Whole Life. 

- Hidden Brain

- Brains On and Wow in the World- both for kids

5. Beauty Counter Shampoo and Conditioner- I've been using Beauty Counter products for nearly 3, and I now use their products almost exclusively (I can't quit my Blinc Mascara). Recently I added the shampoo and conditioner to my arsenal, and I LOVE it. A small amount goes a LONG way so it lasts a long time and somewhat justifies the high price point. 

6. Icarus- This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. When filmmaker Bryan Fogel sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller. Dirty urine, unexplained death and Olympic gold are all part of the exposure of the biggest scandal in sports history.

Beauty Counter Update

At the end of January, I wrote a post about a fantastic beauty company called Beauty Counter (post here). As you may have read, Beauty Counter creates safe and effective beauty products for the whole family.

After trying out a few of the products, and really liking them, I decided I should purchase more. Here's what I ordered.

1. Every Night Cream, 2. Every Day Cream and 3. Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion

I've been using these three products for a few months now, and I really like them. I haven't had any strange breakouts, and my skin feels and looks good. I am very sensitive to scented products, and many of them give me a headache. Luckily, none of the Beauty Counter products have that affect, and I'm sure that's due to the lack of harmful chemicals. I am also still using the Face Oil and eye cream and will most definitely be re-purchasing them when I run out. 

There is great comfort in knowing that the products I put on my skin everyday are not filled with harmful substances. And to that point, I feel good knowing these products I am using on the Mini Fashionista are the same.

1. Kids Counter Shampoo 2. Kids Counter Conditioner 3. Kids Counter Body Wash

I have used a variety of natural/organic products for the Mini, including Honest Company, which was the shampoo and conditioner I used prior to purchasing these. I actually think I like the Beauty Counter products more. While the Honest Company conditioner is one of the most effective conditioners I've ever used (it works great on the Mini's curly hair), I am not a big fan of the orange and vanilla scent.  While the Beauty Counter conditioner also has a "clementine-vanilla" scent, it's not as strong. 

I highly recommend trying them out! And, for anyone in the Sun Valley area who wants to learn more about Beauty Counter products, here is your chance. 

Happy Weekend!

Beauty Counter Giveaway

On Friday our friend Katie Kahn shared some of her favorite makeup products. If you missed the post, I highly suggest you check it out (post here).

As for today, we are continuing on the beauty theme with a post about some products that Katie and I recently had the pleasure of trying. Are you familiar with Beautycounter? I wasn't until my college friend Evie introduced me. Beautycounter creates safe and effective skin care and cosmetics for women and their families. They have banned over 1500 harmful ingredients from their products with the hope of keeping you and your family safe and healthy.

My beauty routine is simple. I use products from the drugstore, so I was excited to add some new products to my "regimen." And let me say, I'm fairly critical when it comes to these kind of things. I tried Arbonne a while back and was somewhat underwhelmed, but that has not been the case with the Beautycounter products.

The first product Evie sent me is The Lustro Face Oil 1.

I started using the face oil shortly before we sent to Sun Valley for Christmas. Idaho is a high desert, and the air is so dry it sucks all of the moisture out of your body. This face oil was my savior in the dry and sub zero temperatures. I had never used a face old before and was afraid it would leave my skin really oily and cause breakouts, but it hasn't. In fact, I think my skin feels and looks better.

The second product is the Any Time Eye Cream. 

I've never been consistent about using eye cream until now. I love the way this feels on my skin, and I'm hoping my regular use will help offset any further development of those fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes. Crows feet is the technical term, right?

The last product she sent me is the Kidscounter Squeaky Clean Bodywash.

I'm in love with the smell of this body wash. It's a combination of pomegranate and cranberry fruit extracts that has a berry-pop scent that smells like a sweet treat. What kid doesn't like that? I am going to buy the shampoo and conditioner in my next order. 

Did I mention that I love the names of the kids products and the packaging?

Evie also sent Katie some products to try. 

1. Peppermint Lip Balm, 2. Translucent Lip Sheer 3. Lip Shine 4. Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion

Since Katie has been busy with work and vacation, she wasn't able to write an extensive review. She did tell me that she keeps the lip balm next to her bed and has been using it every night, and she loves the lip sheer, lip shine and lotion as well. I am definitely going to add a few of these products to my next order.  Peppermint lip balm sounds right up my alley. 

So here's the exciting news! Evie is sponsoring a Beautycounter giveaway of the Lustro Face Oil 1 and the Lip Conditioner! That's $82 worth of products that you can win! Happy Tuesday to you! 

To enter, leave a comment below with why you would like to try these products. A winner will be announced on Friday! 

Also, if you would like to try some of the other products, Evie is offering C&C readers a 10% discount through the end of the month. To place your order with the discount you will need to contact her directly through email. 

Website: evie.beautycounter.com

Facebook page: Beautycounter by Evie

Email: evie.cartwright@gmail.com

Good Luck and Happy (and healthy) shopping!