The Musings of a Working Mom

July had to have been one of the hottest months that I can remember!!  I'm so glad that this month is almost over and hopefully the heat will start to settle down and lead to some cool breezes.  In any case, here are my favorites for the month of July. 1.  It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Treatment - since it's been so hot, I've had absolutely no inclination to sweat any more than I have to (i.e. no hair drying or flat ironing) so I have been wearing my hair au natural - a.k.a. curly.  I love using this product to help my curls stay fresh looking and less frizzy.  This product claims to do 10 things: repair dry, damaged hair; adds shine; smooths and controls frizz; seals and protects hair color; prevents split ends; flat iron spray and thermal protector; detangles; stops hair breakage; creates silkiness; and enhances natural body.  I have had this product for many years now but I tend to try other products and forget about this one.  But I have ...

And to continue on with our Beauty on a Budget series...here are my favorite drugstore lip products: NYX Lipsticks and Mega Shine Lip glosses - I absolutely love these!  I keep them in my makeup bag, my purse, my car...you name it and I have one stashed there.  These products are amazing!  This line can be found at Ulta or online and their price point is at the drug store levels (if not better).  The quality of the NYX lip sticks and glosses are amazing.  They are highly pigmented, creamy in texture, and overall good quality for the price.  They come in a wide range of colors and finishes.  My favorite Mega Shine lip glosses are Salsa, Sweet Heart and Beige. Revlon Lipsticks and Lip glosses - These are great quality lip products.  The color payoff is great IMO and moisturizing.  I especially love the Lip Butters - my faves are Gumdrop and Creme Brûlée.  I love Gumdrop so much, I have 2 back-ups! I also love the Co...

You don't have time to hit the gym and squeeze in a 45 minute workout??  No problem - here is a great workout you can do at home in as little as 20 minutes.  You want more of a challenge?  Repeat the plan and you have a fat-blasting, high-intensity, lose-your-breath (and your lunch) workout!  I love these kind of workout plans!  Do this workout 3 times a week and watch the pounds melt off.  Enjoy.... http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/blast-fat-home-tabata-training

This month's Birchbox features a collaboration with Glamour magazine that "goes beyond the visual and engages all your senses".  Included in this month's Birchbox : 1.  Alterna: Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide - This finishing gloss prevents UV rays from fading color while organic bamboo extracts keep hair strong and soft. (Full-size, $24) 2.  Eyeko: Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - Direct from London, these punchy color liners feature a pen-style applicator that's truly goofproof.  (Full-size, $15) 3.  Harvey Prince: Hello - Get a glass half full disposition with this optimistic blend of juicy Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria.  (Full-size, $26 - $55) 4.  Supergoop!: City Suncreen Serum - Wear this award-winning brand's SPF 30 serum under your makeup for a weightless UV shield. (Full-size, $20 - $42) Lifestyle Extras 5.  Tea Forte: minteas - Keep these refreshing, tea-infused mints on hand for quick pick-me-...

The one makeup item that I surely don't need anymore of are eye shadows!  I have so many eye shadows that I will never even get close to using them all up in this lifetime or perhaps even the next.  So I have reminded myself over and over again - 1) do NOT buy any new shadows, 2) you probably have that color or something close to it, and 3) you just don't need it!!  Well I lost that battle when I was recently in Ulta buying some makeup as a gift to a makeup newbie...and I stumbled upon this Smashbox Shades of Fame eyeshadow palette!  OMG I instantly fell in love with all of the colors in this palette.  But I told myself that I probably have these colors...but not all together in one palette!  This is a great palette to travel with, despite the fact that it doesn't have a black eyeshadow in it, this palette has all the colors you could possibly need to create both neutral, daytime looks as well as sultry, colorful looks for evening.  Th...