Latest Faves: Thanksgiving Recap, Hair & Beauty Finds

Hi there and Happy Weekend!

We’ve had a good amount of technical difficulties since we last chatted here on the blog, but things are looking up. It’s also been a heck of a week with a lot of unexpected additions like a middle of the night arrival back in town Monday night into an apartment without heat, long work days, and a lot less sleep due to a sick kiddo.

It’s been tricky to stay on schedule around here, but my intentions are still there, my friends. While I didn’t get to publish a round of Friday Favorites yesterday, I got some downtime once Skyler stayed asleep (he’s on the mend, y’all) to share the latest tidbits in a Saturday edition.

I hope you enjoy reading today’s check-in and I invite you to share some things that you’re looking forward to this weekend in the comments section, too. Woo hoo!

Latest Faves: Thanksgiving Recap, Hair & Beauty Finds

• Thanksgiving in Arkansas and Missouri

This was the first year that Scott and I have traveled during Thanksgiving since we got married!

Those of you who have followed along for years know that we tend to stay local and either have a small holiday with a few friends or host family that comes into town to see us. This year was something special, as Scott’s family planned to all be in one place for the first time in over a decade. We had a wonderful four days in his hometown(s) staying in Missouri and driving back and forth over the state line to Northwest Arkansas.

There were several highlights on this trip, including time to unplug in the country, spending quality time with family, and revisiting Scott’s old stomping grounds. I’ve been on driving and walking tours of his former whereabouts before, but this time was even better with the addition of Skyler. One of the biggest high points for Scott was attending an Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball game!

Scott used to be the mascot for the school, and it was his first time visiting the arena as a fan since he graduated. It was really cool to see his excitement in sharing his alma mater with our little dude and his mom, too.

Besides driving around and catching up with loved ones, we spent a lot of time at Scott’s dad’s house and truly enjoyed some rest and relaxation time at the farm. Skyler had blast saying hello to the chickens and ducks every morning and got to check out some pretty cool rides, too.

I’m not sure if we’ll be traveling for Thanksgiving again next year, but it was nice to soak it all in while we could. I just love visiting The South (fun fact: Arkansas is a southern state while Missouri is considered to be in The Midwest)!

• Drybar The 3-Day Bender curling iron

This would be a great one to add to your holiday wish list! I’d been eyeing it for quite some time after trying it out on a girls’ trip back in June. Up until now, I had been strictly using a curling wand to help tame my air-dried curls or to add some into my blown-out hair. I own a curling iron, but hadn’t taken it out in years, as I was convinced that a wand is the only way that I could achieve the type of curls that I was aiming for.

Well, I was very wrong. I used my friend’s Drybar curling iron to add curls to my blow-dried straight hair one night and didn’t touch my wand for the rest of the trip. The barrel is a little hard to figure out at first, but you get the hang of it after a few tries. I love, love, love how the it rotates around to make sure that you’re getting the piece of hair curled from top to bottom. 

I finally bit the bullet and purchased this one about a month ago! It’s been my favorite hairstyling tool since I found the Revlon Hot Air Brush (highly recommend!), and just got wind that Drybar makes a similar product. 

I purchased the one-inch barrel, and it wasn’t cheap, but I haven’t regretted it for one minute.

• Christmas Tree for toddlers

I fell prey to an Instagram add for this Felt For Kids Christmas Tree. Isn’t it the cutest? 

It was created to help entertain small children and distract them from pulling ornaments off real Christmas trees, too. We have had this one up for Skyler for a few days and he adores it! He’ll take all of the felt ornaments off and then put them all back up in different orders. He’s also gotten good at knowing that the star goes on top and the presents go on the bottom. I decided to purchase an extra set of ornaments, just in case most of them go missing. (It was a suggested add-on during check out, and I was a total sucker.) 

Anyways, if you’re looking for a creative way to gift the joy of a Christmas tree to a little one this year, there are several versions online as well as one sold on Pottery Barn Kids.

• A big week for Beautycounter & holiday faves

I got my Beautycounter holiday sets in and am working on some thank you gifts to send out to those who shopped with me and caught the promotion that I was running during the Clean Friday sale!

I’m so thankful for anyone who not only supports my business, but more importantly, chooses safer skincare and to support the movement for cleaner beauty product laws. (If this is all new to you, check out this post that breaks it all down.) Also, great strides were made this week as the CEO and Founder of Beautycounter, Gregg Renfrew, testified before Congress for safer beauty laws. It’s a big day not just for Beautycounter, but for progress in getting safer beauty products in all households!

If you’re looking to give the gift of clean beauty this year, check out this year’s holiday sets where you can find something for everyone on your list, most at $50 or less.

My Favorite Products/Gift Breakdown:

Jellies: Do these speak to your inner 90’s kid or what? I totally digging this safer version of the juicy we used to know and love, and I think they will be a top pick for adults and gifts for teens, too. (5 pack – $39)

Pout Perfecter Lip Care Set: A stick lip protector with a formula that helps reduce fine lines … yup. It exfoliates your lips with organic sugar. The gloss in this set also moisturizes and nourishes your lips. (3 full-size products – $49)

The Rosewood Lip Trio is worth mentioning because that gloss has been a huge hit in the past! They created a Sheer and Color Intense to go along with it, and the shade works well on all skin tones. (My mom purchased this one in the retail store while visiting and loves it!)

Also, the Mini Lip Gloss Vault is great to split up and spread out amongst your friends’ gifts (and maybe keep a few for you)!

Eyeshadow Palettes: I can’t wait to get my hands on all of these! The limited-edition Starlight Eyeshadow Palette is perfect for that holiday smoky eye. The Necessary Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette is a fantastic collection of wearable warm and cool shades with matte, satin and shimmer finishes. And the Velvet Eyeshadow Palette is a neutral gone wild with that added touch of jeweled pigment to easily take a look from day to night.

Counter+ Skin Care Favorites: Includes the brand new Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick and three other high-performance treatments. (The new stick is a hybrid of the best selling Cleansing Balm and Countertime Cleansing Oil. It moisturizes and brightens the skin and is perfect for travel! Set also includes the best selling Overnight Resurfacing Peel, Charcoal Mask and Brightening Oil. (This is a huge steal for $89 – the peel alone is $63!)

Bright Eyes Treatment Set: This a high-performing, nutrient-rich eye-brightening duo! The full-size Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream (includes retinatural, a safe alternative to retinol) is designed to revitalize the eye area for a youthful, brighter appearance. The Eye Revive Cooling Masks refreshes tired skin and provides instant hydration to help reduce the appearance of puffiness. ($89)

Hand Cream Trio: Hand cream is like chapstick in the colder months, you need a tube everywhere! These rich creams provide non-greasy hydration to protect your hands all winter long. ($34)

Lemongrass Body Set: This is a luxurious self-care essential for anyone (including yourself) that needs a little pampering. Refresh your skin while you awaken your senses with this lemongrass scented set of sugar scrub and body butter. It smells amazing! ($49)

Body Butter Trio: This set is worth mentioning as it includes three butters with the same scents as the hand creams. Pair a hand cream and butter for a fun gift set! ($49)

Counterman Carry-On: Here’s a travel size of the men’s line that will be under our tree this year! These four essential men’s products are conveniently sized to take on-the-go, help protect skin and hair from everyday stress, and includes a Purifying Shampoo, Energizing Charcoal Body Wash, Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, and Oil-Free Face Lotion. ($45)

If you’re local and would like to meet me at the store to shop (trust me, I will buy things too), let me know! You can always email me at beautycounter@lifeinleggings.com with any questions about the brand or products, shop online, and sign up for my Beautycounter newsletter to stay in the loop with all the sales!

• favorite LIL posts

» My Top Twelve Go-To Leg Exercises

Add these exercises into your workouts when you’re looking for a good booty and/or leg burn to complete your circuit! (Exercise descriptions, modifications, and advancements included.)

» Little Things That Make My Mornings

There’s something to getting up early enough to be able to slow down and take in the day. What are the little things that make your mornings brighter?

Thanks so much for checking in today. I’m really looking forward to a weekend to catch up on life (and put up a Christmas tree!), see a few friends, and get a little more ready for the holidays.

Happy Saturday!