Beauty

GIFTS FOR BEAUTY LOVERS

November 27, 2020

Everyone loves a little something special — these top beauty picks will leave your recipient with a little extra sparkle, shinier hair, and a new signature scent that will undoubtedly leave them smiling all year long!

MY TOP PICK

Good Company: How Hair Care Startup Prose 'Makes Beauty Better' | Barron's

Prose Custom Haircare Line – Prose has revolutionized the way I care for my hair and is helping me go longer between washes while still maintaining shiny, healthy hair. After answering a few short questions and plugging in your location, Prose crafts customized haircare that can help you combat hair problems, tackle environmental challenges (humidity/pollution/and more!) and achieve your hair goals. You can even pick your favorite scents! The line includes everything from shampoo to conditioner, dry shampoo, hair oil and more! Currently Prose is offering an extra $10 off + 15% off subscriptions when you sign up via this link.

BEAUTY GIFT IDEAS

Have more beauty gift ideas to try? Email me and share any other suggestions you have!

XOX,

Keli

Cracked Heels? My New At-Home Secret to Pretty Feet

September 1, 2020

This is a blog post I’ve always wanted to do, about a topic I’d rather keep under wraps: my dry, cracked heels. Case in point: this next photo (I’m cringing right now, but look closely if you really wanna see!)

Yikes! My feel look rough (literally) but I want you to see the difference!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been self-conscious of my feet. Despite monthly pedicures, special socks, and countless scrubs, those rough patches and white cracks always seem to make a reappearance. But I’ve *finally* found something that’s made an immediate difference — Dermatonics Heel Balm!

The goods! I love that it contains Manuka Honey, which is known for its healing properties!

This balm is super affordable (under $15), uses all clean and safe ingredients, and goes on so easily without feeling greasy. Most importantly, I was beyond impressed with how QUICKLY I could see results: the next day!

I rubbed the cream into my feet and put my socks on right before bed. If you’re planning on wearing sneakers for the day, you could easily do this first thing in the morning too. The results in these photos are after *JUST 2 DAYS* of using the product — and for the record, it’s been 6 MONTHS since I’ve had a pedicure (gee thanks, COVID!) I can only imagine that using this cream after a fresh pedicure would yield even more dramatic results.

Bottom line: you’ve gotta try Dermatonics Heel Balm. It has officially become a staple in my nightstand, and I’m thrilled to monitor the results over time. Grab some today & I promise you’ll thank me later!

XOXO,

Keli

This post was sponsored by Dermatonics. All opinions expressed here are honest, and 100% my own.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019!

February 5, 2019

Looking for the perfect gifts for your special someone? For yourself? Or maybe for that person you’d really like to impress?

I’ve made a gift guide including some of my favorite go-to presents, to make your Valentine’s shopping a breeze.

SIP CADDY – Bath / Shower Wine & Beer Holder

This cute little device is a great gift for your friends, your significant other, or even yourself! Just stick it on your shower wall or on your bathtub and be prepared to enjoy that pre-party shower a little big more!

An adjustable handle will accommodate beer, wine, or even a product bottle if you’d rather save the booze for later!

At just under $15 (and with super fast shipping), this one makes a great gift for a variety of occasions!

PRICE: $13.95

HELLOFRESH MEAL KIT

Why battle the Valentine’s restaurant crowds when you can make a special reservation for 2 at home?! HelloFresh would be an awesome interactive experience for an couple, especially if you’re building your relationship.
The step by step instructions help even the most beginner cooks whip up gourmet meals in under 30 min! You can even select your own menu based on several choices each week.

The kit provides everything you need to create three different dinners for two! All the ingredients arrive at your doorstep in a box — no grocery trip required!

PRICE: $60 (Discounted price using “KELIRA” would put your first box of 3 MEALS at $20!)

LOVE IS ART – Painting Kit

We’ve talked about creating dinner together, but what about creating something beautiful together to hang on your wall?

The idea is for you & your partner to use paint (select up to 4 colors) and your bodies to make abstract art — it will certainly a conversation piece for years to come!

This kit comes with everything you need — the paint, the canvas, a tarp to lay down on your floor — even a loofah to wash off the paint after you’re done!

PRICE: The kits start at $70 (You can get almost $20 off with code LIA2019.)

JBL – Waterproof Shower Speaker

Whether your significant other likes to sing in the shower or prefers to catch up on their favorite podcast, this waterproof speaker is a gift that will be put to good use immediately. It’s especially fitting for those early stage relationships , where you don’t want to give too big of a gift, but just want to keep it light and fun. It’s something to make them think about you every day when they see the speaker.

The audio quality is great and the Bluetooth makes it easy to pair with a cell phone. You can also take it to the pool this summer too!

For just under $50, this will be a gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and can be put to use immediately.

ZEEL – Massage on Demand!

What better way to treat your significant other (or yourself too!) than with a massage? Zeel makes it easy to get a massage on YOUR schedule — from 8 am to 10:30 pm in YOUR home.

All you need are a couple of sheets and Zeel will bring the massage table, relaxing music, and a licensed massage therapist. A Zeel masseuse can be at your home within an hour of your request.

From deep-tissue to pre-natal to even couples massages, Zeel’s in-home massages make a great gift for anyone, especially those of us with unpredictable work hours who can’t commit to a big trip to the spa.

Forget the spa pricing that would easily cost $150/$200 — you can try a 60 min Zeel massage for just $60 with code “fp6s” .

SOCIAL PRINT STUDIO – Daily Photo Calendar

Whether you’ve been together for years or even if you have a long distance relationship, this is SUCH a thoughtful gift.

This calendar allows your loved one to see one special photo every day of the year, and I think reminding yourself about all the fun and adventures you’ve had together is one of the most special ways to show someone you care.

If you can easily round-up photos, you can create this adorable calendar in minutes using Social Print Studio’s website OR their Print Studio app! If you don’t have 365 pictures you can just insert whatever photos you have and it will auto-populate and repeat.

PRICE: $45 (get an extra 15% OFF with code “KELI”)

MINTED – Framed Heart Collage

This is such a thoughtful go-to gift for a special person in your life — a friend, family member, or significant other.

Pick 30 snapshot photos to create a high-quality, gorgeous photo collage. Pick your frame to make it personalized for anyone’s style or decor.

PRICE: Starting at $42 for framed prints

POO-POURRI
Add this one in for a little bit of fun — it’s something everyone can use! For under $10, this gift works and is gender and age neutral.

If you’ve never tried it before, just spray Poo-Pourri before you go and it creates a protective barrier to trap odors under the water’s surface.

The product comes in lots of different scents and is easy to pick up online and at major retailers in case you need a gift at the last minute.

PRICE: $25 for the “Share Love Not Stink” set of 3

LOVE NOTES – 365 Messages in a Jar

This is a DIY gift that is incredibly thoughtful, and will leave a lasting impression all year round.

I found this Etsy company who help you creates these beautiful jars filled with 365 love notes to your partner. You just purchase the template online, then customize the text (or go with the template’s suggestion) — it’s totally up to you.

Print out the notes, roll them up, stick them in a cute jar, and viola! A gift that looks like you spent ages working on it.

PRICE: The template is about $8 with code “ILOVEYOU” and you can find a pretty jar in your home or buy one at your favorite retailer for a couple dollars!

INFLORASCENT FLOWERS – Roses that last for 1 year +

If you’ve ever sent flowers from one of those pricey online florists only to see the flowers die three days later — please don’t make that mistake again!

This is THE ultimate luxury gift for the man or woman in your life who has stood the test of time, because these roses will stand the test of time too! They’re guaranteed to last a year, but in my experience they last so much longer!

I sent an Inflorascent arrangement to my husband in Nov. 2017 (red roses) and he sent me these (multi-colored roses) last Valentine’s Day. They still look BRAND NEW. They even smell amazing after a year!

This size is $250 for 16 roses (and some chocolates) — but consider yourself relieved of buying flowers for a very, very long time because these will easily be the center of attention in your house — and all of your guests will be asking “wait are those real? how do they do that?” Yes, they are 100% real — no watering or special treatment required!

PRICE – $250 & up

SLIP – Silk Pillowcase
You or your loved one will sleep better tonight with a silk pillowcase, I promise! I’ve had one of these for a year and LOVE it. It’s better for your skin and hair than cotton pillowcases, and the silk stays cooler too.

Price – $85
Cheaper version here for $20 but I haven’t tried it myself.

THISWORKS – Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Create a sleeping package gift with some of this incredible spray and thank me later! Lavender and Chamomile create a relaxing, subtle scent that aims to help you fall asleep relax and sleep longer.

I’m not sure if it’s truly helped me sleep better, but it definitely makes me feel more relaxed when I lay down after a couple spritzes!

Price – $29

MACARON MAKING CLASS

This is such a fun treat for yourself, a friend, or a loved one! I’ve taken this class taught by Rebecca Adler and it is so much fun! It’s held at Central Market on Westheimer here in Houston.

You will learn the fine art of making macarons in this interactive experience — sifting flour, mixing batter, and “dropping the pan” — and leave with some great recipes and 12 extraordinary treats.

Price – $54

Love these ideas?? I hope so! Please let me know your feedback and if you have any other go-to gifts that I should share! Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!!

XOXO,

Keli

Drink Up! Here’s the Skinny on Scout & Cellar Wine

December 27, 2018

If you’ve known me for more than a minute, you probably know I love wine. Of course I can remember my in college days buying huge jugs of Riesling and every color of Yellow Tail because I loved how the bottles could make a rainbow on my countertop (purely for aesthetic, not the content inside right?! LOL) Since then my palate has refined slightly, and I thoroughly enjoy a big glass of chardonnay at the end of a crazy, kid-filled day.

So when Courtney Hopeful of Hopeful Wine asked me to give Scout & Cellar a try, I jumped all in — who wouldn’t want to drink a bunch of wine in the name of giving a comprehensive, genuine review?!

WHAT IS SCOUT & CELLAR?

Scout & Cellar is a relatively new company focused on bringing “clean-crafted wine” to consumers. Independent consultants like Courtney create their own business under the Scout & Cellar umbrella to bring you wines that are different from the rest of the pack because they don’t contain added sugars, synthetic pesticides, additional pesticides, and low sulfites. In short, all the crap that leads to morning-after-wine headaches.

Scout & Cellar is always changing their offerings but has identified smaller-batch vineyards to help them keep an eye on what’s being produced to ensure a quality product. They use sustainable and/or biodynamic farming methods, and their wines are lab-tested.

MY EXPERIENCE

Courtney identified that I like buttery, oaky chardonnay so she tailored her selections to send me the best of the best. I love that big, bold taste (forgive me because as much as I love to drink it, I probably don’t use the correct descriptions!) of brands like Rombauer, La Crema, etc. Scout & Cellar’s wines feel much lighter — not watery, just *lighter*. I grew to actually love this, because I could enjoy the taste with each sip. I can only assume that this difference in the “feel” has something to do with the lack of additives.

I enjoyed all of the bottles I tried — and never once felt groggy the next day. One night I drank an entire bottle (in the name of blogging, duh!) and another night I tried a couple glasses from two different bottles. Each time I felt refreshed when I got up the next morning, and it was actually surprising to me how accustomed I’ve become to feeling a little head fog from drinking other wines. Who knew?! Field House was definitely my favorite, Eulen was a very close second, and Vinas Olvidadas was a great Sauvignon Blanc that’s an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser.

The only one I didn’t love was the Rose, which was a bummer because the cans are the cutest, most portable and giftable little set I’ve ever seen. It could just be that I don’t know my rose, so feel free to give it a try!

HOW TO BUY

If you’d like to try Scout & Cellar and feel the difference for yourself, Courtney can take care of you! Scout & Cellar wine is only available through its consultants, so you won’t find it at your local store (good news is you just place your order online and it arrives to your doorstep!) Find her on IG at @hopefulwine or her Scout & Cellar page here.

Cheers!!

Keli

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