Wednesday, May 21, 2014

True Life: I'm Addicted to Enza







Happy Hump Day!

We are talking some serious skin care today.  Because let's be honest, it's so important to take care of your skin.  Unfortunately I didn't feel this way for the two decades I spent worshiping the sun sans-sunscreen and now I'm trying to make up for it.  Good thing I have Enza in my corner...

When I first heard about Enza I was suuuper nervous to try another skincare system.  As someone who struggled with problem skin later in life, I have become very skeptical of some of the trendy products and of trying new things.  If you have ever suffered from acne or super oily skin you know that once you find something that works for you, you buy it in bulk and pray it's never discontinued.  I actually never had acne in high-school.  My braces were off by 9th grade, I finally agreed to cut my stringy hair, and I wasn't on team teenage breakout.  Life was good.  And then sometime Sophomore year of college, my face decided to break loose and let live.  Full blown acne in college.  Sweet.  I was embarrassed and stubborn and tried just about every drugstore acne solution made.  Proactiv worked for about a month.... just long enough to stain every towel and pillowcase I owned (thank you benzoyl peroxide...

 While my skin was much MUCH better than senior year in terms of acne, I could still tell it wasn't completely healthy.  I had been using the Clinique Acne Solutions 3-step for two years and was becoming decreasingly less satisfied with my skin.  I had actually been to my Clinique counter the week before I started Enza to find something extra for moisture.  I think the two years of using the 3-step had robbed my skin of it's moisture and "plumpness."  I actually joked with the hubby that if my forehead expression lines didn't go somewhere soon I was asking Santa for botox....ok, so I wasn't joking...  

Well, after a month of using Enza I am happy to report that I will remain botox-free.  I cannot tell you enough how much I love this skincare line.  After several emails about my past and present skin issues & concerns, a custom setup of the Extraction system was created just for me.  The Enza extraction system is developed for oily acne-prone skin.  The ingredients go back to the basics with enzymes derived from fruits, herbs and plants, and the smells are intoxicating.

Honestly, I could see the difference within the first week of using Enza.  When I first started using the system, my skin was absorbing the Hydra Gel & Extraction creme before I could even get it rubbed on.  I was worried that I would be going through a bottle a week of each and if you haven't check by now, the price tag isn't cheap.  However, just after one week of daily use my skin was requiring so much less product to stay hydrated.  It was obviously so severely dehydrated and needed a little time to catch-up.  It makes me furious that before Enza I was spending a good bit of change monthly on a well-known skincare line that was actually hurting my skin.  

After a month of using Enza, I can see a balance in my skin.  My oil production level has dropped and is back to normal (seriously you guys, I could wipe puddles of oil off my face before..)  my fine lines and pores have shrunken, and my forehead expression lines have calmed right down.  My skin feels plumper and more youthful, and although my oil level is down, my skin still feels dewy and fresh.  The picture above is completely unedited and my skin is as bare as my fingernails in the other pic - yikes!

Thank you for sticking with my through this long post.  And as a reward for being amazing blogging friends, Enza is offering 40% OFF your ENTIRE PURCHASE with code MODAANDTHEMAR -good through June 5th..  I promise I would not have spent an hour detailing my personal battle with bad skin if I did not believe in this product.  I am now an Enza girl for life.  


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linking up with: Shanna // Lindsey // Alison

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Rad Ruffled Romper













Happy Tuesday, loves!

Moda & the Mar is back to fashion today.  Try not to miss the puppy breaths too much...

Who doesn't love a good romper?  Certainly not this girl.  But what I really love about this playful Meachy Lynn romper (aside from the fun ikat print & long sleeves) is the hint of ruffle along the shorts.  Super fun & flirty.  I wore this Saturday night to my niece's dance recital....I had to take the hat off obvs... and stayed incredibly stylish and comfy for three hours of the best show on Earth.  Homegirl rocked it out and has grown up so much as a poised dancer.  This former ballerina could not be more proud.  

 Meachy Lynn is stocked with fun & unique summer dresses and tops right now so make sure to do some Memorial Day shopping!  And while you're filling your cart, make sure to use code M&MFS for free shipping thru Monday 05/26 !

I have also been loving this foxy bracelet from Sira & Mara as of late.  It's just the right kind of chunky with just the right amount of sparkle.  

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linking up with:  Laura // Erin // Lauren

Monday, May 19, 2014

#ad Unconditional Love & Nudges - FDA Dog Treats


I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser



Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was quite busy with work, dance recital and one of our favorite weekend activities - playing with the pups.  You have seen my two furbabes on the blog before, but today Grady & Mako are completely taking over.  And they are pretty happy about it.  They wanted to tell you about a few of their favorite things:  hanging their heads out of the car window, going for a boat ride, hunting frogs, chasing balls, running wide open on the beach, and of course - treats.  A new favorite around these parts?  The fda dog treats Nudges. 


These yummy jerky treats are available in beef, chicken & duck and can be found at Walmart in the puppy treat aisle (see picture above).  This was Grady and Mako's first timing trying Nudges and believe me, they did not disappoint...  and these two know their treats!  My nuggets may love Nudges treats because of the flavor, but I love them because I know they are safe, healthy and made in the USA.  Nudges help me return all of the unconditional love these two give by keeping them healthy and safe enough to enjoy their favorite things.  





These two live for the beach & boat.  LIVE for it.  And while it's common to see a big dog like Grady enjoying a dip in the ocean, it's rare to see a 10 lb shih-tzu so happy about swimming and going for boat rides.  Mako is such a tough little guy and will do just about anything to keep up with his older brother.

How exactly did we wind up as a family of four?  Grady was my college graduation present.  You can imagine how much I love animals to ask for nothing other than a puppy for graduation.  I have always loved "critters."  I mean straight up obsessed with animals.  And after living for four years of college pet-free, I was determined to have a dog of my very own.  And it was perfect ..well, depending on who you ask.  Grady was a very VERY energetic pup... Perfect until I met my husband and he stole my best friend.  It was inevitable really.  From day one they decided they would be best friends.  Why?  Because I was a vegan at the time and Matt ate steak.  Grady had never had steak before.  Grady found a new best friend.  Now they sleep on the same side of the bed, share ham sandwiches, and Grady gets to go to work with Matt every day.  

And after four years of trying to get my best friend back (I would have accepted either of them as my bff at that point) I finally convinced Matt we needed a second pup.  A lap dog just for me.  When we first brought Mako home, he was 1 1/2 lbs and had kennel cough which quickly developed into pneumonia.  I have never seen the two of us so worked up over a pound and a half of anything.  He was adorable and pitiful all at the same time.  But with the help of humidifiers, steam showers, chicken broth and antibiotics, Mako got better and bigger.  And now he brings so much more love into our home.  He is feisty, spunky and  the ultimate lap dog.

To return the unconditional love these two show me and the hubs on the daily, I make sure we squeeze in at least two boat/beach days a month and keep the house stocked with their favorite healthy treats #CollectiveBias.





Grady & Mako want to thank you for reading all about their story & their new favorite treat.  They also want you to know that your pup will LOVE Nudges.  Make sure to share your #NudgesMoments!  #cbias

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!

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Friday, May 16, 2014

Back Packin












Friday.  Shewl.  

I might just take this backpack and run away for a week or five.  Even though I live at the beach year-round, I still have the urge to run away to a tropical island.  One without work or bills or cell phones....ok, maybe just Instagram...  Good thing today is Friday or the hubby may be calling the search squad on me.  

I completely caved on the backpack trend.  After rocking the mini backpacks circa 1998, I wasn't sure I wanted to go down this road again (anyone else remember the mini backpacks?  I thought they were cooler than cool..)  But after finding this one at T.J.Maxx for $35 bucks and reminding myself that I needed a white bag for Spring, I caved.  And honestly I am so happy with my decision.  No buyers remorse here.  It's chic, convenient & hands free.  Done.  

I will be rocking these DIY cutoffs on the regular from now until mid October.  Consider yourselves warned.   And what goes better with homemade cutoffs than a monogrammed pink pineapple phone case.  Duh.  I have had this adorable Minnie & Emma case for awhile now and I just love the bright colors and monogram option.  Minnie & Emma carries a variety of precious iPhone & iPad case options as well as fun gifts like stationary and monogrammed coasters.  And just for being wonderful fashion friends, they are offering 20% OFF with code Moda20 from now until May 21st.  Happy Shopping!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

Hot Summer Nights













Woohoo, Friday Eve!

What is not to love about today?  It's Friday eve, already shorts weather in mid-May, and I have on a ridiculously adorable top from The Retail Therapist Boutique !  The top is called 'Hot Summer Nights' and it could not be named more appropriately.  The tiered sleeves are just screaming for a warm night of drinks & dancing.  I love the crochet detail on the shoulders, and of course it's one of my two favorite colors...coral.  

The Retail Therapist Boutique is another shop that I endorse 500%.  The owner, Whitney, is actually a fashion & style blogger friend and is one of the sweetest and most stunning people.  This Southern Boutique is so representative of the sass Whitney has & is true to her personal style.  I could make a laundry list of the pieces I am craving right now.  

I know you are all probably sick of these nude wedges but I'm not.  I have had pep talks with myself for the past 5 mornings on why I need to pick a different shoe for the day...  it's a problem.  


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Linking Up with:  Bethany // Agi // Erin // Jacqueline // Tara