Leah Tackles

THE PERFECT LOB HAIRCUT | March 2020

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

As I write this we are currently experiencing a health crisis (Covid-19) and I know that many of you are now working remotely. You can watch the intro to my course all about Boundary Setting for free here.

I celebrated another trip around the sun last week, and a couple of days before my birthday I chopped off A LOT of my hair. I had been toying with the idea on-and-off for years but decided a few months ago I really wanted to do it. I was nervous but I.AM.OBSESSED!

I took photos of haircuts and color that I liked, and I’m telling you to TAKE IN PHOTOS for your stylist! **IF YOU ARE LOCAL TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL GET YOU IN TOUCH WITH MY STYLIST!

What Did I Get?

A lob or a long bob that just hits my shoulders. I asked for layers that would be easy to curl like the example pictures I took in. I said I wanted to be able to put it in a ponytail and messy bun easily without pieces falling out.

Why I Love It

I have ALL THE VOLUME! I washed it Thursday night and let it air dry, styled it Friday, slept on it, woke up and ran a 10K, and then was able to rock curls again Saturday. It’s so fun to style and the curls don’t need to be perfect, the bottom pieces are mostly left straight, and I just have worked with the top. It is a dream!

Before and After

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What do you think of the trend towards medium length and long bob haircuts? Have you tried this cut?

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HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATING BODY CREAM | BATH & BODY WORKS REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you have read this blog regularly, you might know that I love products that contain hyaluronic acid. What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by our bodies and its main function is to keep things well moisturized. But aging and the environmental factors make our natural hyaluronic acid level go down, so you hear it mentioned in the skincare world often because if we add it back our skin benefits. I received Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Body Cream Cactus Water by Bath & Body Works as a gift and want to share my thoughts with you today.

Bath & Body Works Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Body Cream

This body cream contains hyaluronic acid, which we know is a water-loving molecule, and this body cream is said to make your skin smoother and more supple. It is lightly scented with notes of cactus, bergamot, and white tea.

My Thoughts

I have been LOVING this body cream! It absorbs quickly, isn’t greasy, and I love how luxurious it feels. Because I lotion myself head-to-toe every day, I have been sticking to a more affordable lotion for my body, but I am using the Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Body Cream on my neck, decollete, and hands.

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Have you tried any hyaluronic acid products? Share your favorites in the comments!

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Nadine West Review | Spring 2020

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

Have you ever wondered how a clothing subscription box works? Nadine West offers an affordable style subscription service.

Before we dig in, a little housekeeping, I now offer social media coaching as well as social media management AND The Mitten Print Shop now offers LIVE SCREEN PRINTING EVENTS!

I have shared my outfits from Nadine West for two years now on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does Nadine West Work? 

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts On Nadine West 

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Nadine West Coupon Code 

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

Nadine West Unboxing

This was a decent month for me with my Nadine West unboxing. I received a pair of striped joggers that I love with a tank tucked in to give it a jumpsuit look, and think I’ll get a lot of wear out of this spring and summer. I like that they can be dressed up or down. I received a slightly wide-leg pair of black and white pants that I really like. I keep getting black and white pull-on style dress pants in these unboxings, but I do like them. I got a necklace that I love the look of, but it feels like plastic so I don’t anticipate it lasting me very long. I do love the style of the necklace, and I will wear it because I love the style of the circle and gold ball that goes through it. I got a pair of stud earrings, and I love that I am now getting studs, but this pair is lacking in quality and I don’t think I’ll wear them often. I got a bracelet that I LOVE! It is hands-down my favorite item and I put it on the day I got it. It is a nice quality gold bracelet with a pretty heart and rhinestone detail that has a drawstring style clasp that I love.

Nadine West Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple, neutral-colored maxi dresses for spring, too. I would rather receive two or three nicer items than a lot of pieces that aren’t as nice of quality.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! Thank you for reading! xx

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How-To Whiten Your Teeth Cheap | 5 Minute White Review

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

Have you whitened your teeth lately? Have you tried 5 Minute White? One of the first things I notice about people, second only to how confident and approachable they seem, is their teeth. I am so thankful that my parents paid for my braces, and I remind myself of that every month when our daughters orthodontist auto-withdrawal hits out account. I have shared before my results from Smile Brilliant but today I wanted to share how I do whitening up-keep on a more regular basis.

About 5 Minute White

  • Complete, fast, and easy
  • Proven bleaching power whitens and brightens teeth
  • Oxygenating action like dentists use to gently and effectively whiten teeth
  • Bleaching power starts to work in 5 minutes
  • Comes in 2 ounce tube

My Routine is to use my own trays (you can make your own with athletic mouth guard kits, use whitening trays you already have, or use the one that comes in the larger 5 Minute White complete kit) and apply the whitening gel with a q-tip to my teeth, or sometimes I put it into the trays but if I do this I am careful to make sure it stays on the front portion of the tray. I also will use a q-tip to wipe any gel off off my gums to avoid irritation.

I leave the trays in for anywhere from 15 minutes- 2 hours, and I do not find this gel to be irritating to my sensitive teeth, but if I whiten for over an hour I always use a sensitivity toothpaste to avoid pain.

I love this gel because it is cheap and does a great job maintaining my white teeth. I like to use Smile Brilliant or Crest White Strips twice each year and use my 5 Minute White to maintain. I try to put the gel on ( sometimes even just put on my q-tips and no mouth tray for a few minutes, and when I feel like it or have time, I’ll do it longer) once every couple of week.

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Do you whiten your teeth at home? What product or kit do you use? I would love to hear from you in the comments! Thank you, as always, for reading. xx

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HOW-TO STYLE BARRETTES 2020

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I might be alone here, but I don’t think so…let me know if this sounds familiar: I walk through the aisles of Ulta and my heart swells and internally (annnnd sometimes audibly) squeal when I look at all the beautiful hair accessories! Pearls, rhinestones, and bows, OH MY! So, sometimes I’ll buy them, but then find that I’m rarely reaching for them because “How the heck do I style these?” Anyone else? Well, today I am going to share with you the easiest way to wear barrettes, and the best part is you can do it with smaller, more delicate barrettes like the one I show today, OR the giant, blinged-out barrettes that are also popular right now.

Psssssst! Read my other hair accessories posts here!

How-To Style Barrettes in 2020

Do an extreme side part (I like using a comb similar to this which I shared in this post) and then put the barrette about 1 inch above the top of your ear. EASY! I like doing this when my hair is curled OR straight.

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Have you purchased any barrettes or tried this style? Let me know in the comments of this post!

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Brightening Eye Cream | Tarte Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas (I hope you had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate!) I was staying up late, not sleeping well, and helping Little Loves and Big Love fight the sickness that was being passed around our house. So, cue the dark circles! I was out of my brightening eye cream, so I used some Ultamate Reward Points to grab a jar of the Tarte Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment and today I want to share my thoughts with you now that I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks.

Tarte Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment

Tarte’s Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment is a vegan eye cream that smooths, hydrates, instantly brightens and fights signs of aging.

Tarte’s C-brighter complex of antioxidant plant extracts claims to fight free radicals responsible for sagging, crow’s feet and puffiness. Light-reflecting particles help to offset the look of dark circles so you can look rested and radiant while the creamy formula is gentle around the eyes with decadent hydration and nourishing essential fatty acids.

Information from Tarte:

  • C-brighter technology: a powerful complex of antioxidant plant extracts (rice bran, mango, and coconut) to help fight signs of aging and free radicals
  • Maracuja: Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin C for firmer, brighter, smoother skin and maximum hydration
  • Oat Sugars: help remove dead surface cells to smooth and firm skin
  • Vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an emollient and antioxidant
  • Vitamin B5: deep moisturizing abilities to hydrate and soothe
  • Adenosine: helps prevent premature signs of aging and improve the appearance of crow’s feet
  • Hyaluronic Acid and Squalene: work in harmony to retain and deliver moisture for optimal hydration and a refreshed, plumped up appearance
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Ophthalmologist-tested
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Cruelty-free

My Thoughts

I have used a couple of other brightening eye creams that I have liked (this one and this one) but I love the consistency (less lotion like, and it feels like a tiny bit goes a long way) and immediate improvement with the radiant light-reflecting particles. I will definitely be repurchasing this product.

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NADINE WEST UNBOXING AND REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

Have you ever wondered how a clothing subscription box works? Nadine West offers an affordable style subscription service.

Before we dig in, a little housekeeping, my course BOUNDARY SETTING FOR ENTREPRENEURS is ON SALE for 50% off! Get it before the price goes up in 2020!

I have shared my outfits from Nadine West for well over a year now on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does Nadine West Work? 

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts On Nadine West 

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Nadine West Coupon Code 

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

Nadine West Unboxing

I was underwhelmed when I first dug into my box, but I ended up finding some incredible basics that I really love. I have been conscious over the past couple of years to buy things that are neutral and fit into my capsule wardrobe, so these basics will get a lot of use. I got a stunning gold chain necklace with a simple pearl that is very much my style, and I adore how delicate it is. A pair of linen material ankle pants with a tie waist will be used a lot in the spring and summer, and I love the way they look with a tee and a pair of loafers or sneakers. I also got a pair of black and white plaid pants, and they are the most comfortable, legging-like, buttery soft pant, but they’re dressy! WIN! I got a tee shirt dress with pockets in a rust color that will be so comfortable in the summer with a pair of white sneakers. I also got a simple burgundy v neck tee that I love for this time of year. I am such a black, brown, tan, gray, white, cream, navy…a.k.a neutral-toned gal, but I will wear some colors if they’re solids ; )

Nadine West Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple, neutral-colored maxi dresses for spring, too. I would rather receive two or three nicer items than a lot of pieces that aren’t as nice of quality.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! MERRY CHRISTMAS if you celebrate! Thank you for reading! xx

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Tarte Knockout Tingle Treatment Toner | Worth the Hype?

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you pay attention to beauty-hype, you’ve probably heard about AHA a lot in the past couple of years, but what is it?  AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acids, and they are a class of chemical compounds that are made up of a carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxyl group on the adjacent carbon… Yeah, that. They may be naturally occurring or synthetic. I had heard amazing things about Knockout by Tarte and decided to try it out in place of my regular evening toner. I waited to do this post for MONTHS so I could give you a full review.

About Tarte Knockout Tingle Treatment Toner

 A vegan, skin-tingling toner treatment that acts as a complexion workout in a bottle to help resurface your skin and balance its pH.

Main Ingredients
– Water: Delivers and retains the skin’s natural moisture.
– Salicylic and Lactic Acids: Gently exfoliate, support cell renewal, and clear skin.
– Sulfur, Niacinamide, and Glycerin: Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles, pores, and redness.

 Knockout Tingling Treatment transforms your skin while you sleep with a 10 percent acid complex. It helps minimize the appearance of pores and control oil with salicylic and lactic acids while working to clarify, soothe, and hydrate with sulfur, niacinamide, and glycerin.

My Thoughts

Reading some of the reviews I noticed people mentioned tingling and highlighted the vinegar scent. I had already been using the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution by The Ordinary without irritation, so I was not nervous to bump up to a slightly more intense version. I usually roll my eyes when people notice a difference “immediately” but this was a product where I felt like my skin looked better the next morning. When using this I am careful to be sure I do don’t slack with my moisturizing, and I am already religious 365 about my S.P.F. After using this my pores, and I’ve got large pores that get clogged, a lot, look so much smaller and so much more clear. My skin is baby soft, and it has made the overall tone and texture of my skin a ton better. I still get the occasional breakout, but as a whole, my skin looks better and I require less foundation/a little foundation because of this product. I will continue to use this product, and because a little goes a long way it lasts a long time and is worth the price. I do wish the bottle was clear so could see how much I had left (the shake method isn’t that accurate for me!). I purchase my Tarte Knockout Toner at Sephora and try to snag a couple during the VIB sales.

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GARNIER SKINACTIVE MOISTURE BOMB SHEET MASK | The Super-Hydrating Mask Anti-Fatigue

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

A couple of weeks ago I posted a review of another Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask and I had to share another today because it is my new favorite!

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask | The Super-Hydrating Mask Anti-Fatigue

The Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask is a water-based sheet mask contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is an ingredient that is naturally found in the skin and is a popular ingredient used to add moisture back to the skin. This mask also contains pomegranate extract to give lots of hydration. This mask provides 24-hour long-lasting hydration and helps prevent moisture loss throughout the day. Free of mineral oil and parabens, this non-greasy formula with lavender essential oil, revitalizes skin and reduces signs of fatigue. 

My Thoughts

I love this mask! Like with most masks, I notice that my skin looks very even and bright after, but this mask is more than that. When I use this mask my skin feels incredibly moisturized and it lasts. I did this mask in the evening and woke up to skin that felt so much softer and less dry. I love the way this mask smells and it’s so relaxing after a long day. I have been wearing this mask in the evening as part of my evening routine (see why I have an evening routine on my free webinar Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs). Grab these for gift baskets, stocking stuffers, and a cute item to add to the top of a gift that WORKS!

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Drunk Elephant Gift Guide 2019

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

Over the past few years, I have transitioned from spending the bulk of my beauty money on makeup and the latest palettes to investing in skincare. I have spoken before about how much I enjoy Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant, but if the prices stop you before you even explore the brand, you aren’t alone! I am right there with you! I love the holiday kits for these brands because it gave me an affordable way to dip my toe in but come with large enough sizes that I can have time to see if the product is worth the splurge to me.

Drunk Elephant Precious Cargo

This kit stood out to me immediately because people LOVE Sukari BabyFacial (a 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask) and this kit comes with four deluxe size samples in addition to the BabyFacial for only $8 more. I do not have this kit, but Santa if you’re ready this, I would be thrilled ; )

This Set Contains:
– 1.69 oz/ 50 mL T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask
– 0.1 oz/ 3 mL Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil
– 0.16 oz/ 5 mL Shaba Complex™ Firming Eye Serum
– 0.5 oz/ 15 mL Lala Retro™ Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
– 1 oz/ 30 mL Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

Drunk Elephant Shelf Control

I love this set because it is beautifully packaged and it takes the guesswork out of a nighttime skincare routine. This would be a WOW! factor gift for anyone on your list who appreciates high-end beauty and skincare. I also have LOVED the T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum and this is a great way to try that along with four other products for just $8 more.

This Set Contains:
– 1 oz/ 30 mL T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
– 0.27 oz/ 8 mL Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil
– 0.5 oz/ 15 mL Lala Retro™ Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
– 1 oz/ 30 mL Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
– 0.16 oz/ 5 mL C-Tango™ Multivitamin Eye Cream

Drunk Elephant NightBright

I love this set because it makes a brand like Drunk Elephant accessible to people (myself included!) who otherwise would hesitate because of the high price-point. This is substantial enough to be a standalone gift, but it would also be a wonderful stocking stuffer or as part of a curated gift basket. I have purchased this and will purchase it again.

– 0.27 oz/ 8 mL T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum
– 0.27 oz/ 8 mL Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

Have you tried anything from Drunk Elephant? Will you be snagging any of these for yourself or another person on your list?

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