Two Moms In The Raw

This week is all about brands I love, and when I think about Two Moms in the Raw, I can safely say they fit in this club. 

I discovered Two Moms in the Raw when mindlessly waiting borded for my husband to pick out his many cereals from the cereal aisle at Mariano's. He basically lives on toddler food like Cheerios and Chex. Since I don't eat grains, this aisle is usually a waste of my time, as are most of the interior aisles at the grocery store. But this particular day I picked up a box of this intriguing Two Moms in the Raw grain-free cereal and read the ingredients. I was shocked that the ingredients were so simple and all thing I could eat! It basically reads, organic sunflower seeds, organic banana, organic almonds... you get the idea.

Every one of Two Moms in the Raw products are 100% organic, raw, vegan, free of wheat, dairy, soy, refined sugars and gluten free! In our house, this cereal is call "Jill snacks" because it's pretty much the only food in our house that come from a box, and that I didn't cook myself. 

If you are looking for snacks you can feel good about eating, you must try them out. My local Mariano's and Whole Foods carry almost all of their snack options. Two Moms in the Raw were kind enough to send me a whole box of goodies so I could get familiar with all their tasty and healthy treats! I fell in love with their new Cacao Nib Nut Bar, which is basically like a guilt free adult chocolate chip granola bar. The Goji Berry Nut Bar was pretty amazing too. I also loved the Garden Herb Sea Crackers.

Check them out for yourself and maybe even pre-order their cookbook that is out May 5th!

Mario Badescu: My Skin Care Secret Weapon

 What's inside? Mario's brand new exfoliator!!

Botanical Exfoliating Scrub (c/o)

I remember exactly when my obsession with Mario Badescu Skin Care began. I was 19 and had just moved downtown. As you may have expected, even then I was fashion obsessed, so I read every fashion magazine I could get my hands on. I remember the add for Mario's Drying Lotion which was advertised every month in the back as this magic potion that could erase pimples overnight!! Naturally, I went over to Marshall Fields (that's right, it was still Marshall Fields and not Macy's back then. RIP) and bought a bottle with my hard earned money from working at Rock Bottom while in college!

The Drying Lotion was truly a magic potion. You dip a q-tip into this 2 layered liquid and apply it directly to a pimple, and sure enough the next day, it's GONE! Magic. 

Since then, I've never been without Mario Badescu Skin Care products in my house. I started using their Acne Face wash along with their Glycolic Foaming Cleanser alternating morning and night and haven't stopped since. This is still the same combination I use to this day. 

Since then I have incorpotated so many Mario Badescu products into my skin care collection. Their Cucumber Tonic Mask is a life saver that delivers instant results after every use and their Cucumber Cleansing Lotion is my saving grace when all I can handle at night is to put some on a cotton ball and call that a face-washing. I also keep this Rosewater Facial Spray right on my vanity where I blow dry my hair so when I feel like I've just blown all the moisture right out of my face, I can instantly rehydrate. 

There are so many amazing products that I have tried over the last 14 years, that I am convinced everyone can find their perfect skin care products from Mario Badescu's amazing line of products. Not only do I love that I can pick them up at my local Nordstrom but I LOVE their prices! They are by far the most affordable skin care products you will ever find in a department store. most products are even below $20! 

Last week, Mario Badescu came out with a new exfoliator that was seriously exactly what I was looking for. Not harsh on the skin but has that smooth-yet-gritty thing going that makes your face feel all squeaky clean. Of course I was super pumped to try it out and it works great. I use it once a week in the shower with my Clarisonic Mia!

I can't recommend you try Mario Badescu enough for yourself. So go ahead and check it out. Your face and wallet will thank you.

Bow Tie

Shirt: Ann Taylor // Bow: Asos // Leggings: Aritzia // Shoes: Nordstrom // Lips: Mac "Flat Out Fabulous" // Bag: Akira // Sunglasses: Forever 21

I'm pretty sure every girl has struggled with finding the perfect white button down shirt.  If you are a tall girl like me who struggles to find shirts that will cover up your backside, this one is just perfect. So perfect that I actually bought it at full price. I almost never do that. It was one of those thing you put on and know that it's exactly what you were looking for. When it finally went on sale (I actually returned the first one) I ordered two, just to have a back-up in case this one ever got spilled on, dingy or ruined, which are all bound to happen sooner or later with a white shirt.

And while we're at it, these Valentino knock-off flats are super comfortable, super high quality and come in a bunch of different colors! Both this shirt and flats pair so effortlessly and make for a chic yet simple combo.

By the way, The pictures this week are all taken with my new camera lens that was bough after a tragic in home accident. Oops!

 Can you tell the difference? Is the quality better? Hope you like it.

Have a great weekend!

Asos Checkered Midi Pencil Skirt

Jean Jacket: Gap (similar comfy option) // Tie neck Blouse: Zara // Skirt: ASOS (on sale now) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop // Heels: Ann Taylor (similar)// Sunglasses: Forever 21

Asos Drop Waist Dress

Dress: ASOS (on sale for under $30 here!!) // Bag: Kate Spade Gold Coast Ginnie// Sweater: INC International Concepts // Oxfords: Charles Jourdan // Lipstick: Mac "Flat Out Fabulous" // Necklace: Accessories Concierge c/o // Tights: Wade and Belle

What can I say, black and white combinations will always be my favorite easy go-to, especially when a pop of hot pink is mixed in. This ASOS scuba dress is so comfortable and on sale for under $30 right now! And for all you Bachelor fans out there, this hot pink lipstick is the same shade Kaytlin wore all season. I loved how it looked on camera so naturally I had to pick some up for myself. which leads me to the fact that I own about a million different shades of hot pink lipstick. Oops.

Faux Leather Peplum

Shoes: Forever21 // Pants: Topshop "Leigh" jeans // Sweater: BCBGeneration // Jacket: H&M (similar)// Sunglasses: Prada // Lips: NYX // Earrings: H&M (similar here) // Bag: Kate Spade (love this affordable one) // Necklaces top to bottom: H&M (old), Michelle Starbuck Designs, Forever 21

Sometimes you walk into a store and find exactly what you were NOT looking for. An item speaks to you, and what it says is "game over, I'm coming home with you."

This is exactly what happened with these sun glasses. It took me about a half second to realize they needed to be mine. I found them in the Bloomingdales outlet on a shopping field trip to the Chicago Fashion Outlets with Sam and Shaheen. They were even having a sale where the whole store was buy one item, get the second half off. I left with Prada sunglasses and Coach loafers for under $200!!

Photos by Ashley of Sed Bona

Spring Florals

Skirt: Boohoo (very similar here for $35) // Sweater: Joe Fresh (crew neck version) // Watch: Michael Kors (on sale for 25% off!) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB via Shopbop (c/o) // Pumps: Sole Society (3 inch heel option in same shade!) // Jacket: Zara (similar for $83)

I had been dreaming of wearing this combination just as soon as the weather became more spring-like. So naturally on the first day I felt naked legs was acceptable, I threw this on. And just so you know, this look was absolutely ruined Immediately after this shoot on a hot yoga (where blowouts go to die) date with my boo Lauren. She even took an after picture to prove what disarray I was in. Blogging ain't always pretty everyone.

Pictures c/o Lauren Nolan of Lake Shore Lady