Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for women – this is always a fun one! You may want to pass this gift guide along with some subtle hints – or just buy a few things for yourself!

I love feeling comfortable, yet still put together. This set does this for me. So simple and elegant.

Speaking of comfy – wow! I may just live in this set from Lake Pajamas over the weekend.

This jacket is classic, cool, and goes with everything. I love the lighter color!

I will always appreciate a beautiful coffee table book. This one is just lovely.

I love this small jewelry box – this would be a beautiful gift for a special family member or friend!

This purse truly goes with everything, and the design is timeless!

The Ninja Creami lives up to the hype!! An amazing gift that you (and your kids!) will love!

A beautiful pair of gloves feels like such a treat. I love this leather pair.

This portable charger is a lifesaver and a wonderful gift for the person who has everything!

Christmas is a great time to add to your Le Creuset collection. I love the neutral ivory color of this smaller piece.

Shop these gifts – and more! – using the links below!

Click the images below to shop my favorite gifts for her! Have fun, and happy shopping!

The post Holiday Gift Guide for HER 2024 appeared first on Home of Malones.

I am here with my current beauty and hair favorites requested by many of you! I don’t write or share a ton about this stuff because I have never felt much like a beauty guru; but at the end of the day, I do love trying and testing different beauty products just like many of you.  You guys are often so kind and compliment me on instagram for having glowing skin.  My response to that is basically that I am always using and trying products that give me that glowing, dewy look.  I really don’t do anything extra with my skin and I am admittedly not very great with any consistent skin care routine.  I mean, I have bought many of them over the years; but by days end, I am just ready for my head to hit the pillow! So that is often why I don’t feel like I am the right gal to ask, ha!

Either way, I am sharing my current favorites that I am loving on my skin and for my hair.  Shopbop is currently running a beauty special right now giving 15% off beauty products with code GLOWUP15.  So if you hit any links that take you to Shopbop, be sure to use that code for 15% off.

:: Shop the Post ::

1. Vintner’s Daughter – This is the signature set and it is quite an investment.  I will tell you that it has lasted me a LONG time!  I found this when I visited the spa at Blackberry Farm in TN and I treasure this duo.  It is very luxurious and I feel like it has been amazing for my skin.
2. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi – I added this even though it is really makeup but it gives my skin the amazing glow that I get complimented on often.  I pair a droplet of this with the SPF drops that I share below.  This item is so often sold out, when I see it in stock; I always grab two. You can thank me later.
3. SuperGoop Daily Drops – These drops are super moisturizing and I love that they have SPF built-in.  They also help give my skin that nice healthy, dewy look that I love.
4. Goop G. Tox – This stuff is amazing and works incredible in my hair.  I keep it in the shower and shampoo my hair with it once or twice a week.  It lathers so incredibly and helps breakup all the build-up and residue that we have on our hair and scalp.
5. Peter Thomas Roth Hydra-Eye Patches – There are many eye patches out there, but I love these.  I wear these several times a week when I feel like my eyes need some hydration or I’m feeling extra sleepy.  They feel cold without being kept in the refrigerator and its such a treat on your eyes.
6. Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream Mask – This mask is amazing and so hydrating.  You can leave it on for just 10 min, but I really leave it on and just dab the excess off with a tissue.  It makes my skin feel tighter and help with a beautiful glow.
7. Obagi Hydro Drops – One of my best friends introduced me to these drops and I love them so much.  I will usually use these first thing in the morning before I have my coffee or start putting any makeup on.
8. M-61 Perfect Peel – These little towelettes are amazing and perfect to use once a week!  They have been amazing on my skin because I am prone to blackheads and get rough around my chin area.  One use of these wipes and my skin feels so smooth and soft.  It’s like an instant facial.
9. Olaplex Blonde Shampoo – I have been using Olaplex shampoo and conditioner for awhile now and I love it.  The entire line is really incredible and has helped the health of my hair so much.
10. Olaplex Hair Perfector – I use this once a week when my hair is wet and put a tiny drop in my hair and let it sit.  It helps strengthen hair, reduce breakage and repair damaged hair.

Would you guys like me to do an updated makeup routine soon?  I don’t think I have done that in awhile either.

The post Beauty + Hair Favorites appeared first on Home of Malones.

Today, we are sharing the older girl or “tween” girl wishlist! This was a fun one to put together.

How adorable are these Roller Rabbit overnight bags?! This pink monkey pattern – so cute. Roller Rabbit seems to be all the rage with the girls right now.  The pajamas are adorable too.  I would carry these myself!

This electric scooter is super popular and I love the pink. It’s on sale right now and has 13mph cap which makes me feel a little safer!

This Stanley cup is engraved with decals from the Eras tour and would be perfect for the Swifties on  your list!

Odds are, you’ve seen ads for this L’ange hair straightener on Instagram – it’s the perfect way for a girl to style her own hair and works so well!

Have you tried these Laneige overnight lip masks? They are the real deal! This pack of 5 is a great gift or stocking stuffer.

This tennis skirt is adorable – on or off the court!  Goldhinge is also all the rage!

Loving the pink version of these Nike Dunks – great for all kids!

I’ve recommended this JCrew parka before – girls will love this metallic pink color. It’s such a practical gift and will keep her warm throughout the winter!

This pink skort is adorable and a perfect price point!! Hurry!

I just love the pink vintage look of this adorable mini fridge.  The girls can keep in their room and put beauty products in it.  My girls love a good face and eye mask.

This glow in the dark pillow squish mellow would be so cute in a tween girl’s bedroom!

I know plenty of girls (and moms!) who would enjoy this mirror on their vanity.

Loving these pink cozy slippers! My girls love them and look like Ugg.

This belt bag can be monogrammed, comes in several colors, and is just darling!! She will love this!

This roller carry-on comes in several colors and is fairly indestructible for travel! Perfect for the girl who wants some luggage that is a little more grown-up.

Shop my favorites for tween girls, using the link below! Have fun!

The post 2023 Holiday Gift Guide | Tween Girls appeared first on Home of Malones.

In mid-August, I underwent a breast lift surgery with augmentation.  I am here today to share a little bit about this experience and my journey on how I decided to have this surgery and what steps I took to decide what was the right decision for me.

Any type of plastic surgery is a such a personal decision.  It is elective and you have to decide that it is something you really want for you and you alone and you are willing to take on the financial expense and the recovery that these surgeries require.  For me, it was a fairly easy decision to make. I knew I really wanted one when I looked in the mirror every day after I got out of the shower, ha!  But whether or not I would really go through with it was a different decision.   So I will walk you through my process here.

Reason

When I was in college, I had boobs that I loved!! I would say that I have always been somewhere around a size D (maybe more of a C in my younger years) give or take fluctuating weight.  But I am 5’9″ and could always carry boobs well.  When I was in college, they were nice and perky without being too big.  Then let’s get to pregnancies, having babies, breast feeding babies, gaining weight, you know the drill….that is when I really started disliking my boobs.  My large boobs started really defying gravity, sagging down to my belly button, looking droopy and just feeling very unflattering.  They covered up about half my torso from sagging so low.  Every day when I would walk out of our shower, I would look in the mirror, cupping both boobs and holding them up to where they used to be.  It was like wow, I really do have a nice waist line. I know it’s just my husband seeing me naked, but I was tired of looking at these saggy things.  So finally I decided to do something about it!

Consultation

I called one of our local Plastic Surgeons that came recommended by friends and family and booked a consultation.  I figured what could it hurt?  I think they are around $100, but if you book your surgery within one year; your $100 goes towards surgery.  I knew I had questions and wanted to learn more about what would be the right procedure for me.  So I called up and consultation appointments were around 8-9 months out! I called in February and didn’t get an appointment until October 2022.

Honestly, I don’t remember a whole lot of specifics about my consultation appointment except that I went in with a few questions written down on my phone and I sat in a room and spoke to my plastic surgeon about how I was feeling about my boobs and what I was hoping to accomplish to make them better.  I didn’t feel rushed and felt like I could ask whatever I wanted, which I appreciated.  After we sat and talked, we walked to another room with a nurse and the doctor and I took my shirt off to show my boobs.   The doctor took some measurements and then kind of showed me what it would look like if I were to have just a boob lift with nothing else.  I remember leaving feeling like that didn’t really seem like it would be worth it.  If I just had a lift, I mean yes, they would be lifted; but they just kind of looked okay.  Does that make sense at all? Like I didn’t really get the Wow factor.  So maybe that meant I needed a little implant to help make them look fuller?  But wait, I didn’t really want bigger boobs…this was the hard part.

Another thing we discussed while I was there was that I had been losing weight.  I had started taking Mounjaro and I had lost some weight and would probably be losing more.  So he did recommend to wait for surgery until I was at a weight that I thought I would stay at and be comfortable at.  Obviously as you lose weight, you lose it from your boobs too.

So when I left, I had some things to consider.  I was glad that I went and learned a few things, but I knew I wasn’t ready to book surgery just yet.  I decided I would get through the holidays and then think about it again in the new year.  As the new year approached, I called the surgery scheduler one time in January and they had one surgery availability in February; but I ended up deciding that it was too close to our Spring Break trip we had planned in March.  And then from there, basically life was too busy or we had too much travel or it was Summer time and I didn’t want to be out.  So that’s what happens, right?  There really never is a good time.  The basic rules are… no flying for two weeks after (or more), no water for two weeks, no lifting anything over 5lbs for two weeks.  That is if all things go as planned!

Schedule Surgery

So it is mid to late Summer 2023 and I have decided I am DEFINITELY ready to have this surgery and I need to pick up the phone and see when they have availability again.  It is mid-July when I call and in my head, I am thinking I will look to schedule the surgery in November or maybe late October.  We had a trip planned in October, so I thought after that trip may be a good time before the holidays.  Well, when I called, they had several different surgery times available in August!  I think my eyes went wide open in surprise because in my head, I was not thinking I was ready to do it that soon; but when I looked at dates, it really made a lot of sense.  The kids were back in school.  Summer was over and I really didn’t have to be back in the water for any reason. And we didn’t have any trips on the books to get in the way! So, right then and there, I just booked it for August 16th and said, I guess I will figure out the rest as I go.

Pre-Op Appointment

Once I booked my surgery date for August 16th, I was given a date to come back to see my doctor for my Pre-Op appointment.  At that appointment, I saw the nurse first and began discussing our plan for surgery but then I also went with her to this amazing machine where they took photos of my boobs and put in measurements and this machine generated an incredible computer version of things for me to look at.  So we went back into our room and played around with different variations.  Matt was with me for this appointment and I will tell you that this is the point where I felt 100 percent confident that I was going to go through with this surgery and that I was super excited about it!

The main thing I was torn about was deciding on a size.  We made the decision that I wanted a small implant to help my the top of my boobs look fuller.  Now we had to decide what size. They go by CC’s.  They told me that basically 170-180 CC’s was approximately one bra cup size.  They also said that with my lift, I would basically be going down one bra cup size based on the re-proportioning of my boobs with the lift.   So we played with the CC’s numbers on the computer screen and we landed on a size of 200 CC’s.

I was VERY nervous about trying to decide on a size. I did NOT want too big.  When I asked my doctor “If I were your wife, what size would you tell her?” because he does this every single day; he said, “If I had a dollar for every time a woman comes back into my office after surgery and says I wish I had gone bigger, I would be a billionaire.” hahaha. Obviously that is an exaggeration, but I thought it was funny.  It probably was very true.  He said that the woman fall in love with the size of their boobs right after surgery when they are still swollen and they wish they stayed looking like that.

These are the computer generated shots of my boobs. The one on the left was a real photo and then on the right is the computer showing me what the lift and implant would look like.

Day of Surgery

I am still very nervous about the idea of going in for elective surgery.  I am very confident that I want this surgery, but still have all the nerves going under anesthesia as I have a husband and kids and family and you just get all the nerves.  I guess I say all that to tell you that its just 100 percent normal!!

We were scheduled to be at the surgery center at 5:30am for a 7am surgery.  My MIL spent the night so we could sneak out of the house early that morning.  Matt drove me to the surgery center and everything moved quick and smoothly.  It was nice being the first appointment of the day actually even though it was really early.  I loved not being able to think about it too much that morning and just going straight there.  We went into the room where they got me set up on IV’s and they brought me the warmest blankets which felt amazing and my anesthesiologist came to introduce herself and she was like your sweet grandma coming to tell you that everything is going to be alright.  I loved her.  Then the doctor came in and I stand up for him to do his final drawings on my boobs and I told him to make sure everything was perfect!

Somewhere right around 7am, they tell me they are taking me back to the surgery room and I remember her telling me that it was going to look cold and sterile and not to be nervous.  I will lay down and I’ll be out before I know it.  And she was so right. I layed down on this “bed” if you can call it that and then I remember the anesthesiologist saying she was making me a cocktail and then I was out! It felt like I was asleep for about 10 minutes, but the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery and we were out the door by 11am!

I had told them that I can get nauseous after anesthesia, so they gave me a patch before surgery to help with that.  It turns out I still threw up just a tiny bit on the car ride home but we were prepared for it.  It wasn’t a big deal. They also sent me home with zofran if I needed it, but I never took it.  Once I got home, I wasn’t nauseous anymore.

I slept for the rest of the day when I got home.  I did have bad cotton mouth and a little bit of a sore throat which they warned me about from the breathing tube during surgery.  Otherwise, I was really in no pain.  My girlfriend brought us over dinner that night which was a total lifesaver and I was able to eat.  You have to sleep on your back which is a bit of a pain, but I slept pretty good that first night.

Recovery

Recovery really went so much better than I was anticipating. I had heard that the lift surgery was a pretty painful recovery because it is fairly invasive, but I have to say it was really not bad!!  I am four weeks out as I write this so I am trying to remember everything that I was feeling right in the beginning  (I did jot down a few notes on my phone as I was going through the process), and I remember the big thing was feeling like I had a brick on my chest and wondering when they would feel like they belonged on my body! haha.

It was important to ice every two hours those fist two days home to help with the swelling and otherwise I was ordered to just stay in bed and lay low! You can get up to walk to the bathroom, walk into the kitchen if you need, etc.; but nothing major.  I watched shows, played on my computer, read my books, listened to podcasts, whatever I felt like!  I had the surgery on Wednesday and made sure I had someone at the house with me on Wednesday and Thursday and then on Friday I had my MIL drive me to my post-op appointment.  But after that, I didn’t need anyone hanging out with me.  I scheduled help with the kids after school that following week.  Someone to bring them home from school and hang out with them a bit or run them to sports, etc; but after about a week or so, I could start to drive again.

By day 5 or 6 of recovery, you are feeling pretty great and ready to move again.  I would say the hardest part at that point is not overdoing it.  I will say that I really tried to follow the rules and lay low. I enjoyed my quiet time at home and accomplished some things around the house that I have been wanting to do for months, if not years.  As Mamas, we don’t get an excuse to just sit and relax!! So take advantage of it… that’s my advice

Post-Op Appointment

My post-op appointment was on Friday (just two days after my surgery) and they just take a look at everything and make sure all looks good.   At my appointment, it was the first time I  got to see my boobs since surgery because they have mostly been covered up in gauze.  I was a little nervous, but also excited.  They were a little bruised and definitely still quite swollen, but they looked great!  The incisions and stitches were still taped up, but I could see the rest of my boobs.  It was pretty cool.  This visit was just to see the nurse and I would be back in two weeks to see the doctor! I also now had the okay to take a shower and also still have to wear the compression bra 24/7 with the exception of showering and washing the bra.

Supportive Husband & Family

You know how sometimes us Moms are guilty of thinking the whole family unit is going to fall apart if Mama is not there to hold it all together and keep everything rolling??  Well this is just a reminder that this is so not true and sometimes we really have to let go and give the rest of the family space to step up for them to all really shine!  And I say this because I have never just laid in bed before on a school morning and let everyone else in the house just figure out how to eat breakfast, pack lunches, have clothes on their back, make sure they have school notes, water bottles, a ride to school, etc.; but in this case, you have no choice, and guess what?? The whole family SHINED!  They may have even done it better without me, ha!! The kids (ages 5,8 and 10) stepped up and starting handling things in the mornings that they usually just let me do because they know I will and Matt just got them all going and took them to school every single morning and it just seemed glorious honestly!  So I just wanted this to be a reminder that it is okay if Mommy needs to rest for a week or two weeks or however long you need. I am so thankful for my family and my Mom and MIL that all helped make this possible and ease any guilt I may have had for doing something for me!!

Letting go and letting the village help

This part kind of goes with the above, but I really wanted to give a shout out to my friends for taking care of my family during this time too!! This is something that I think we would all probably feel like is a little unnecessary but let me be the first to tell you that it was AWESOME!!

My SIL (maybe half joking) asked me if I wanted her to set up a meal train for the two week post-surgery when I can’t be cooking, doing dishes, etc around the house.  I kind of laughed and then told her, well…maybe!! Just tell our friends as sort of a joke and make it very low pressure; but if anyone wants to do it, sure! It was one less stress for us to have to worry about and honestly, school had started back which also meant all the sports had resumed; so trying to figure out soccer practices and all the other stuff was enough to worry about.  I was so THANKFUL to have meals brought to us those first two weeks. Our friends are mostly past the phase of new babies and I joked that our next phase of meal trains are for plastic surgery and sadly, the passing of our parents generation.  So, if you have a friend that is undergoing plastic surgery (or any surgery for that matter!); I urge you to go ahead with that meal train and dote on her and her family!

In this same breath, I also think it is okay if you need to ask a friend for that little bit of extra help with the kids too. I knew that if I needed, I could ask a friend to grab my kids from school and drop them off to the house for me or if I needed a teammate to help get them to practice, I could ask.  We are all guilty of trying to do it all and I know if the shoe was on the other foot, I would love nothing more than to help a friend out when they needed.  I think our biggest problem sometimes as Moms is that we never want to ask for help.  It takes a village people and just be so thankful for the village you have and I promise, they are happy to help.

This was the meal train photo!! I died.  Meals for the Ta-Ta’s!!!

2 Week Post-Op Appointment

At two weeks, I went back to see my doctor and he checks everything out and removes the tape that is covering your incisions.  I was a little anxious to see what it looked like underneath that tape!  So once he took all the tape off of the incisions, we could see one little spot underneath my right boob that still had some healing to do and a little spot underneath my nipple on the right boob.  I don’t know how to really describe it but basically they were just spots weren’t completely closed up.  The doc told me this was very common and it will just take a little extra time to heal.  So I was instructed to just put a little anti-bacteria ointment on those spots to keep them from getting infected and give them time to heal.  So I was a little bummed that it wasn’t perfect, but I knew I would get there.  I got the okay to start back cooking and doing light household things, but still be mindful of my incision.

4 Week Post-Op Appointment

So typically with my doctor, you wouldn’t go back for another appointment until 6 weeks, but since I had that little bit of open wound, he wanted to see me again at 4 weeks post-op.  I just went to my appointment and everything went well; but I still had that one spot under my right boob that was still open.  He said it still looked good, but it still just take time to heal itself.  I was just glad to hear that it will heal itself!  I also got the okay to start back walking and light stuff.  I can go on the boat if I feel comfortable, jump in the Gulf of Mexico, whatever.  And at my 6 week post-op appointment, I will hopefully get the okay to start back playing tennis, pickle ball, etc.

I would say that overall, the hardest part of it all may have been just finding a comfortable way to sleep in the beginning if you are not used to sleeping on your back.  I did learn how to prop a pillow next to me and use it as a way to move on my side a little and then as time goes on it gets easier and easier.  I found that right around this 4 week mark that all the sudden I felt normal again.  I could sleep on my side and I could see how I will be back playing tennis and doing regular things again by 6 weeks.

I am super happy with my decision to have this done and feel like it was 100 percent worth it…the cost and the down time!

Before and After

So I was trying to figure out a way to share a decent before and after with you guys that was real and not from the computer.  I didn’t really ever take a good “before photo” for you which I should have thought about.  But I remembered this photo from our trip to the Bahamas over Spring Break in March 2023 and how saggy my boobs looked, so I thought this might show you guys the difference. Of course I am embarrassed because its in a swim suit, but if I am going to write this post about a breast lift; I know I better show you the real deal.  They are just a little happier and perkier now

I hope this was helpful! I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments.  As always, thank you for being kind and super supportive.  I loved chatting with many of you via instagram messages during my recovery time.  I know a couple of you have upcoming surgeries and a few more were seriously considering.  If I can help, I am happy to.  And please also know, when I joke about my saggy boobs; I know my body was beautiful then too!  I never want to discount what our bodies go through during childbirth and all the above.  I would have been just fine if I had never gotten this done.  Just had to add that because I don’t want anyone feeling like this is something they have to get done either because it most certainly isn’t!  Its definitely a personal choice.

The post My Breast Lift Experience appeared first on Home of Malones.

I have rounded up my favorite items that are still available for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale!  The sale ends on August 7th, so grab some of your favorites before prices go back up.  I have quit buying most Fall items during the sale and strictly look for my favorite beauty and everyday items that I need to stock up on for the year.  This is things like my favorite Bombas socks which I have decided are the best and completely worth the price being that I wear them every.single.day!  The same can be said about new underwear.  I am still a thong girl at heart (hanky panky is always my favorite), but I do love a nice pair of granny panties in the drawers for those lovely times of the month, ha! I get the most compliments on my Michele Apple Watch band and my exact one is not part of the sale, but this one is beautiful and I know you will love it! I can’t get enough white tank tops in my closet these days as they are the first tops that I go for when I’m dressing for tennis or working out during these hot summer days.

I decided I want to rock a cowgirl hat for this Fall and saw this Rag & Bone hat that I had to have.  These faux leather shorts looked adorable and would be a nice transition short in Florida for Fall and these Cult Gia purses are still one of my very favorite grabs for date night.  All three of my kids now have this Stokke roller suitcase.  They are pretty amazing (yes possibly annoying, but mostly amazing!) for the kids in the airports. The pink is the only one on sale right now, but people always stop and ask us about these in the airports.

I always love to stock up on beauty items and I definitely was late to the game this year as some of my favorites were already sold out.  But here are a few of my faves that are still available. We can’t have enough Supergoop Glowsticks in our house and I love keeping this glow screen in my makeup bag.  I go through the Oribe texturizing spray and dry shampoo like crazy, so I always stock up on this.  I love the Laura Mercier sticks as a primer on my eye lids before I put on eye shadow.  It helps my eyeshadow stay on and stick out so much better!  The Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner is something I got my 8 year old daughter addicted to as a way for her to start taking care of her hair.  She has naturally curly hair and it was always a tangled mess.  I told her I would buy her nice shampoo if she took care of her hair.  She absolutely loves the smell of it (and so do I) and it makes her hair so silky smooth when she gets out of the shower.  Win/Win!

I hope this is helpful!  It is not a lot of stuff, but its some great basics plus a few splurge-worthy items!  What did you buy from the sale this year??

:: SHOP THE POST ::

The post My Favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale appeared first on Home of Malones.

It is time for the Sephora spring sales event! I have not posted my beauty picks in quite some time, so I thought I’d take the opportunity now, while you can grab some of these items at a discount!

Like previous Sephora sales, the date that you can start shopping the event depends on your Beauty Insider rewards membership status. Rouge members can take 20% off sitewide, starting April 1st.

VIB members can shop starting April 5th at a 15% discount, and Insiders will be able to shop starting April 7th at a 10% discount. For all, the discount code to use is SAVESPRING. It’s a good idea to go ahead and get your favorite items ready in your cart…they will go fast!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Oil – This mist formula is relatively new and this self tanner has been one of my go-tos for a long time! I use this oil often for my face and have been loving and using it for years.

D Bronzi Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops – I use a drop of this with a drop of my Vitamin C serum every morning and I love the glow it gives me and use it as my base.  I can’t live without it now!

Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – Anti Frizz Treatment – Spray this on wet hair every few days, then blow dry. This product noticeably reduces any frizz in my hair and the texture is much softer and smoother than usual. I love this product!

Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara – Great everyday mascara that never flakes or runs. I’ve been really impressed by this one.

Merit Cream Blush – Love this blush! One swipe, blended, gives a natural glow that lasts all day.

Supergoop Glow Screen – A great CC cream that evens out your complexion to give a nice “glow” while protecting your face with SPF 40. So nice to have this built in protection every day. We also have tons of these sticks in all our outdoor bag that go on so easy and smooth for adults and kids.

Click below to shop my favorites from Sephora! What items do you have your eye on? I would love to hear about the products that you can’t live without!

The post Sephora Spring Sale 2022 | My Favorite Things appeared first on Home of Malones.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is live to the public, starting today through August 8th! I had the opportunity to shop the sale in advance again this year, and there is a huge variety of items that are included…it was a little overwhelming! When browsing, I kept a list and marked my favorites to stay organized. I tried to focus on the categories of items that I truly needed, and wanted to buy on sale. Some products I will use regularly; others, I will take advantage of the sale price and save for another season.  I have found when I bought a lot of the clothes in the past, that I didn’t end up wearing a lot of them.

There is truly something for everyone in this sale. I narrowed my favorite choices down to a few categories, and put together some inspiration boards to show you!

 :: Beauty Products ::

 This sale is a great chance for me to stock up on my favorites. It’s also a good excuse to go ahead and purchase a couple of items that I’ve been wanting to try plus grab a back stock of some of my favorites!

I would love one of these lighted mirrors for the vanity in my master bath! It makes makeup application and skin care so much easier.

Right now, we spend most of our time outside in the sunshine, but I need to stash a bottle of this away for the winter. St Tropez tanning foam gives a really natural glow. Their products are all great quality and do not go on sale often. This is a great sale price!

This Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss set includes the iconic Pillow Talk shade – the perfect neutral pink – along with two other popular colors to suit your mood. I would wear one of these three shades year round.

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:: Activewear Favorites ::

During the pandemic, I got used to wearing athleisure everywhere, and now it’s just become a habit…I know I’m not the only one! This is a great opportunity to stock up on those staples that might need replacing. Here are some of my favorites.

This longline sports bra is perfect for yoga, Pilates, or just everyday wearing under a sweatshirt or tank top. It is so comfortable and goes with just about any active wear piece.

When it comes to leggings, you cannot beat the quality and comfort of Spanx. I own more pairs of Spanx leggings than I care to admit! Both the everyday workout leggings and faux leather leggings are just capsule wardrobe pieces that get so much wear. This is a great opportunity to get Spanx items on sale!

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:: For the Kids ::

My kids are growing so quickly, and I love taking advantage of a great sale to restock some favorites in their closets!

It seems like a long time away, but eventually we will need coats here in Florida! I like to purchase ahead of time and have them ready and waiting, instead of panic buying at the last minute. This North Face hooded jacket is one of my favorite options for Madelyn. I’ve linked a couple of other outerwear favorites below.

This Herschel backpack is great quality, and the perfect style for a diaper bag, or to hold the kids’ everyday essentials (and yours!).

We love this carry on luggage for family travel. It is perfectly sturdy and has remained in great shape after years of use.

These Ugg booties will be perfect for my girls when the weather gets cooler!

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:: For the Home ::

Interior design has become somewhat of a passion of mine. Even when I’m not working on a larger scale project, I like a chance to change things up a bit around our home, with small accessories that make our lives easier. There are so many options available, no matter your style. Here, I’m focusing on items that will make my home more cozy and comfortable for my family.

Have you tried sleeping on silk pillowcases? They are so good for your hair and feel so luxurious. They can, however, be pretty pricey. This is a good sale price.

This lazy susan works for the kitchen island, pantry, or table – it’s such a polished look and is a great tool for kitchen organization.

This Nest candle set is a great way to try a variety of Nest candle scents in your home. I love to buy sets like this and keep them handy – they make the perfect hostess gifts!

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I hope you see some items here that you will enjoy! Will you be shopping the Nordstrom sale? Let me know what’s on your wish list!

The post Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021: My Favorites + Wish List appeared first on Home of Malones.

I am sharing my first Holiday Gift Guide today because today is the last day for the big Sephora Sale if you haven’t shopped it yet. It is a great time to grab a few of your personal favorites and it is also the time of year that they have some of their great gift sets to purchase!

Use code HOLIDAYSAVE for up to 20% off through November 11th

Living Proof Dry Shampoo

Well, I used to be a low maintenance dry shampoo gal and bought $6 Batisse, but then I made the mistake of trying this amazing dry shampoo and fell in love! So I love to stock up during a sale and then I alternate between this more expensive shampoo and my drug store favorite, Batisse.

Quai Leave-In Conditioner

When I wash my hair, I always use shampoo and conditioner in the shower; but it still does not do the trick of making my hair easy to bruch. I love the smell of the Quai products and spraying this in when I get out of the shower. It makes it so easy to brush!

Hair Wand

I have been using this wand for about 2 years now and I love it. Beach waves are my favorite and this heats up super fast and can get really hot. All wands take a little practice if you are not used to them, but they are so worth it in my opinion. I use the one-inch straight barrel all the time.

Sugar Lip Set

I keep these lip sticks all over the place. I love the way they hydrate my lips as well as give me great color. This makes a wonderful gift!

Becca Highlighter

I ordered this highlighter earlier in the sale because I had one similar and I love the feel of having that “glow.”

Quai Salt Spray

I use this with my curling wand. This salt spray smells amazing and it helps to spray it in your hand before curling to really get the curls to stick. I especially like it when my hair is newly washed.

Laura Mercier Stick Eye Shadow

I have several colors of these now. They go on the base of your eye and then it helps any eye shadow you put on top stay on better.

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche Perfume

I have been wearing this scent for years now and it is my favorite EVER.

Stila Eye Shadow

When I want to get more of a date night eye look, I love using these stila eye shadows. They also help the rest of your shadow stay on and they last all night!

Becca Face Palette

I have been using a Becca Palette for awhile now that Chrissy Teigen collaborated with them on and now it is not available. Makes me sooo sad! So this one looks quite similar and I bought it. I love having my bronzer and blush all in one simple palette! #lazy

Drunk Elephant Marula Oil

This stuff is awesome and I use it day and night. It is on the pricy side, but a little goes a pretty long way.

Laura Mercier Foundation

I have tried a lot of different foundations based on recommendations and I always go back to this one. I just love the feel of this foundation and have never done well with a heavier foundation.

Drunk Elephant Sunscreen

I have quite a few Drunk Elephant products now, but somehow I didn’t have one of their every day sunscreens. My friend says she loves this the best, so I just purchased it.

Isle de Paradise Tanning Oil

I bought this oil during one of the last sales and I love it to keep my tan alive. It goes on smooth and gives me just the right amount of color. I use the medium shade.

:: Shop the Post ::

The post Holiday Gift List for the Beauty Lover 2019 appeared first on Home of Malones.

Hi friends!!! I’m just 6 months late actually publishing this makeup tutorial that I filmed back in November!! Yikes!  I don’t know what happened.  I got side tracked and then I got a few new make-up products that I was loving from the Sephora sale back in December and then I debated whether I should even publish.  But, I’ve decided to go ahead and do it and then I will share a more elaborate make-up tutorial for an evening look with a few new products that I’m loving.  All the products that I share in the video are still products I love and use everyday and then I’ve just added a few new things since!

I’m super simple when it comes to makeup.  Not an expert whatsoever, more like you’re everyday, average gal.  I’m lucky to get the bare minimum applied most days, but I thought a lot of you could probably relate.  I always need bronzer and since having kids, I probably shouldn’t walk out the door without some foundation.  That’s pretty much my base. Here’s a quick look at what I do.

Oh, and if you would be so kind! I would be ecstatic for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel!! I’m trying to add more content to the channel and am thinking the next fun video to do would be a Q&A from all of you!  So instead of doing an Ask Annie blog post, I could do a video!  Let me know if you’d like that and shoot me a question via email or in the comments below!

Nars Concealer – the stick I used on this tutorial is no longer available, but I have since changed to this Nars Concealer.

Smashbcx Photo Finish Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – In Sand for Winter and Tawny for Summer

Bare Minerals Bronzer

Tan Towels (mentioned)

Bobbi Bronzer Bronze Brick – in Bronze

Nars Liquid Blush – in Orgasm

Naked2 Urban Decay Palette 

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – in Tulip

Eye Lash Extensions – You can read about my extensions in this post.

:: Shop the Post ::

You can find some of my new make-up purchases here that I will review soon! 

:: Other Tutorials You Might Like ::

Everyday Beach Waves

A Day In The Life of a SAHM

Do you have any other good ideas for videos that you would like to see?? I’d love to hear from you

The post My Everyday Makeup Tutorial appeared first on Home of Malones.

5 Things You Shouldn’t Ignore When Going in For Botox

When I was in my 20’s, I never thought I would ever get botox. I thought it was silly and most women that got it, really didn’t need it.  Then I entered my thirties, and I saw what those women were talking about it.  The fine lines became more present and I started to learn a little bit more about botox.  One of the most important things I learned was that it helped as a preventive to keep your lines from deepening.  That is what caught my interest.  I wanted to learn more about the process and thought I would share these five tips when looking to get botox.

Women have been looking for the fountain of youth for ages, and it seems like we have finally found it with BOTOX® Cosmetic. It is becoming one of the most mainstream cosmetic treatments here in Florida. More and more women are rushing to make appointments at a local provider, but unfortunately sometimes are not getting the results they hoped for. This can be due to the chosen treatment center, not necessarily the injectable itself. Here are 5 ways to make sure your BOTOX provider is safe and qualified.

1. Clean office: It should be a major red flag if you walk into a space that should be clean and sterile, and it is visibly dirty. This is both unprofessional and unsafe. If you see old needles or other used materials lying around, this is not a good sign. Not only should the procedure area be well lit and clean, but the waiting room should be tidy as well. Procedure chairs should have protective covering on them and all tools and materials should be sterile.
2. Licensed injector: You should not be embarrassed or shy when asking for credentials. Getting BOTOX from a licensed injector is an ABSOLUTE must. If your injector doesn’t have the proper training and experience, it can not only result in undesirable outcomes, but also dangerous complications.
3. Median prices: This one’s important. I know bargain prices can be tempting, but they can also be a tell-tale sign that there is something wrong with the provider. Exceptionally low prices can often mean that the product is not legitimate. It can also mean that the injector is not qualified. On the other hand, significantly higher prices do not necessarily mean higher quality product or service. It’s best to stick with providers that are close in price to other providers in your area.
4. Injector interested in your concerns: Your injector should not try to coerce you into any treatment. He or she should listen to your aesthetic goals and answer any questions you may have. Do not let anyone push you into a treatment plan that you are not comfortable with.
5. Injector willing to discuss details about the treatment: Your injector should be completely transparent about the procedure. He or she should be up front about the benefits and possible risks. Your injector should be able to explain how BOTOX works and give you all the necessary information about side effects and post-treatment care. If he or she cannot provide you with these details, you should take your business elsewhere.

Though BOTOX may seem like a minor procedure, it is important to find a skilled provider. This will ensure the best results possible. Facial treatments are not a place to cut corners, so doing your research on experienced providers should be a top priority when deciding to get BOTOX.

Have you ever been interested in learning more about botox?  Were you like me and thought you would never in a million years consider it?

The post Five Things You Need To Know About Botox appeared first on Home of Malones.