utah is dry

utah is dry...really really dry... like turning into snakeskin dry. it's even worse in the winter when it's bitter cold. i've tried every lotion, scream, oil, gel over the counter and prescription to deal with it. sometimes i find something that works for a while, but then i guess my body adjusts to it or something. i have major major issues with dry skin and dry lips. it usually gets even worse when i go somewhere humid (like hawaii) and come back. my skin was perfect in hawaii, and i dreaded coming back. enter vaseline intensive care advanced repair...

i'm not even kidding. this stuff is amazing! my skin isn't really even dry. i love smelly lotions and creams, but this stuff tops it all. if you have dry dry skin like i do, go get some today. does anyone have any great tips for dry lips? mine are in bad shape. ***i was sent this product complimentary from influenster for testing. all opinions are my own.

iphone pics are great but...

i've always loved taking pictures. back in the day before cell phone cameras actually took decent pictures, i carried a small point and shoot camera everywhere. phone cameras got better so i stopped using a camera for a while until i decided to buy a DSLR a few years ago. i promised myself if i spent the money on a nicer camera, i had to use it. i'm happy to report i'm pretty good at using it.

there's just an itty bitty problem. my camera came with a nice, protective, bulky case. basically i'm not taking that thing with me anywhere especially on a plane. i usually put my camera in a cosmetic bag, throw it in my purse, and hope for the best. so far, so good, but i definitely have been looking for something a little more protective. i need a camera bag or something that will protect my camera without adding a lot of bulk/weight. enter

CAMERA COATS

-simple, easy, and smart. your camera is protected whether its around your neck, in your purse, or stuffed into your carry on bag (which mine will be today)

-carefully handmade by women in the USA.

-fitted, padded, waterproof design. (Patented May 2014.)

-come in 5 different sizes (along with matching straps.)

-packaged and shipped by adults with disabilities.

i tested out my camera coat for the first time last week, and my camera fits inside perfectly.

it stays attached to my camera

 and there are even pockets for my phone, lens cap, etc.

photo credit bonnie

this thing is genius. i'm leaving town today for the next 10 days, and i'm pretty sure this thing is going to be great for travel. no more being worried about my camera in whatever bag i throw it in. since it's weatherproof/waterproof i won't be nervous about taking my camera to the beach with me.

come to my instagram for a chance to win your very own camera coat

follow camera coats on social media below

take $10 off your purchase with code AUBERY10 (yes, there's a little error in my name, but that makes it a little more exciting) through Nov 15

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cameracoats

Instagram: @camera_coats

Pinterest: @cameracoats

Twitter: @cameracoats

Or join their email list! http://cameracoats.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8255a11c7526c67716b5a9efe&id=a83e2bbbf7

***i received this product complimentary from camera coats. all opinions are my own.***

random rambling...getting old

i've talked about age before. people never ever guess how old i am ever.

photo credit bonnie

most of the time people think i am in my mid 20s. it's flattering, it really is, BUT the reality is i'm not in my mid 20s. i've heard over and over "you're only as old as you feel", BUT that's not really true either. no matter how i feel or look or any other thing, i am almost 35. 35! i'm having a mild panic attack about it. i am getting old, and it's freaking me out.

a lot of the time i can fake being younger, but my skin says otherwise. about a year ago someone actually guessed close to my real age. she said it was because of my hands. apparently they look old (or at least older than my face). i take pretty good care of my skin, but a few years i decided i needed to get a little more serious about anti-aging. i use under eye cream and anti-aging products. enter SkinAgain. i discovered the company about a year ago, and i really love the products. i've been rescue and relief to help with the driest skin ever. i also just started using vanish for cellulite, stretch marks, and scars. i'm pretty excited to see how it works.

SkinAgain Mission

SkinAgain's mission is to contribute happiness and self-confidence to their customers by healing skin with compassion. We all know that when your skin isn't at it's best, it can affect our confidence and make us feel less empowered. For SkinAgain, its not about achieving physical "perfection", but about feeling beautiful on the inside and out.

Company Profile

SkinAgain is a revolutionary line of functional skin care products: Youth, Rescue, Relief and Vanish, formulated to quickly and effectively aid in maintaining healthy skin in spite of uncomfortable and embarrassing skin problems like blemishes, redness, itchiness, burning and inflammation, as well as noticeably diminishing the appearance of scars, cellulite, wrinkles and dark spots. A functional skin care line formulated using the highest recommended percentage of active ingredients in cosmetics, and Bo10ikal™ complex, a proprietary blend of 10 naturally soothing extracts, SkinAgain’s vegan products are also fragrance-, paraben-, gluten- and cruelty-free.

SkinAgain, a Carlsbad, California-based company who's products, Rescue and Vanish are being used by Breast Cancer survivors to heal from burns and scars as a result of radiation and reconstructive surgery, holds breast cancer dear to their hearts. Every year, SkinAgain donates proceeds and product with the goal of helping women feel beautiful, even in their most trying times. 

5% from every purchase in October will be donated to Moores Cancer Center at UCSD where 100% of the funds raised will go towards the Oncology Center's wish list.
i really like these products a lot. they work really well, and they don't have a bunch of junk in them. try it for yourself. use code THINKPINK for 20% off any order.
one lucky winner will receive a bottle of vanish. enter with rafflecopter below.
***i received this product complimentary of skinagain. all opinions are my own*** a Rafflecopter giveaway

gifts for girls...draw my doll

when my sister had her first baby, i bought her so many toys. my sister had a couple more kids, and their house is so full of toys. they all have summer birthdays so between holidays and birthdays, those kids have a lot of stuff. since they are the only kids in the family, they are pretty spoiled. my other sister buys them super cute clothes so i usually leave the clothes shopping to her. their birthdays are all coming up pretty soon, and i'm already starting to think about presents. my motto is usually the bigger the better instead of less is more, but in this case i think my sister might appreciate the less is more theory.

i found out about the draw my doll app, and it seems like the perfect gift for a young girl. it's so simple too.

1. download the app here

2. draw a doll

3. upload

4. they sew the doll and send it in the mail

5. voila perfect gift

i recently had the opportunity to review the app. my 5 year old niece, karlee, drew this cute doll. it was really easy with good color options.

the doll looks pretty identical to the one she drew

photo credit-draw my doll

karlee loves getting packages, and she was pretty excited to get her doll in the mail.

if you're looking for a fun gift idea for a little girl, draw my doll is a really fun idea. the process is really smooth, and the turnaround time is pretty fast. make sure to take a picture of the doll you draw so your little one can remember exactly what she drew.

does anyone have any good ideas for boys? i have 2 nephews to buy for too.

***disclaimer-i received this doll as compensation for this post. all opinions expressed are my own

beauty must haves...dry shampoo

once upon a time i washed my hair every single day. i know i know that's crazy talk. i can't believe i have wasted so much of my life washing my hair. i finally saw the light and discovered dry shampoo. i love the stuff! i have brand hopped a little over the years and recently tried another brand. there are tons of brands and even more reviews. these are the 3 i have tried.

1. suave is hands down my favorite. it smells pretty good, and i can use it more days. i am pretty much a walking spokesperson for suave. i suggest it to any and every one that will listen. if you haven't tried it, go now! i've only tried the silver bottle, and i've heard it's the best.

2. my hair stylist loves kms and had me hooked for a while. it smells really good and adds good texture. before i knew anything else, i really loved kms. they make a great product. i think i like it more for the texture than the dry shampoo.

3. recently love lo posted about not your mother's and convinced me to try it. i use their beachy spray and leave in conditioner so i thought why not?!? i like it. the smell is probably my least favorite of the 3. it gives my hair some good texture, but there really is just nothing that can compare to suave. i like it enough i'll keep using it, but once it's gone i'll probably go back to suave.
and for all you dark hairs (like me) that think you can't use dry shampoo because it makes your hair white, here's a little tip. brush and blow dry the dry shampoo in. you won't even be able to tell.
do you use dry shampoo? what's your favorite.
***don't forget to enter the green brocade necklace giveaway

brush|whiten|go

***i got this product complimentary from influenster for testing. all opinions are my own***

i always feel like my teeth aren't as white as I want them to be, but whitening is expensive and sometimes painful. i've had success with whitening products in the past, but it makes my teeth so sensitive it's not always worth it. enter colgate...the optic white system is so easy. it literally lives up to the brush whiten go slogan. brush with the toothpaste. whiten with the pen on the end of the toothbrush. go about your day. the best part is my teeth aren't sensitive at all. it's really affordable too. win win!

taking pictures of your own teeth is possibly the worst thing ever.