I’ve long been a fan of Mary Kay for its vast product line and affordability. I even considered becoming a consultant…but chose the nonprofit route instead! I’m thrilled to share some great news with you! Mary Kat is the official sponsor of the latest Univision.com webnovela, Arranque de Pasión! This partnership means that Mary Kay products will be highlighted when characters are wearing their products! In honor of the sponsorship Mary Kay decided to create some unique “looks” of the novella and created a series of vignette’s featuring celebrity makeup artists Luis Casco and Mariela Bagnato share tips on how to replicate the featured looks at home! This is always a struggle for  me – I see an amazing makeup look, I try to replicate it at home and I end up looking like a clown! Not good!!

One of the looks Mary Kay created was the “Ela” Ready to Win look. Everyone wants a winning look, and for Ela, she believes that you should always look good and be ready to win in life and love. This character look developed by Luis Casco is a “winner.”

I was chosen as one of many bloggers to recreate one of the signature looks using Mary Kay products! In the mail I received the products to help recreate the “Ela” Ready to Win look!

Mary Kay® Foundation Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Mary Kay® Brow Gel

Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color in Hazelnut

Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde

Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color in Coal

Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color in Cinnabar

Mary Kay® Lash Love™ Waterproof Mascara in I ©Black

Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream

Mary Kay® Lip Liner in Spiced Tea

Mary Kay® NouriShine Plus® Lip Gloss inCafé Au Lait

Mary Kay® Compact

Mary Kay® Brush Collection

As someone who doesn’t wear makeup often, I was a little intimidated by the products and recreating the look – but I tried to have FUN with it, and here is my recreating of the “Ela” Ready to Win look!

How did I do?

Be sure to tune into Arranque de Pasion on Univision be sure to contact your local Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant or connect with one on Mary Kay today!

To celebrate the partnership with Mary Kay and Univsion I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY! Enter below to win ALL of the products listed above so you can recreate the “Ela” look at home!!

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GOOD LUCK!!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Mary Kay.  

I love hearing about companies giving back. Paying it forward is the ONLY way to go!!

Planet Fitness, the innovative health club franchise known for its Judgment Free Zone and friendly prices, has a Mother’s Day promotion that gives back in very meaningful ways. From May 8 through May 15, people can join for just $10 down and then $10 a month, and Planet Fitness will donate 100% of the enrollment fee to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.

$10 never meant so much. Not only can people purchase a truly healthy gift for Mom or themselves with a Planet Fitness membership, but they will help raise important money for breast cancer research as well. This is the fourth year Planet Fitness has run this promotion, honoring mothers and all women touched by breast cancer. Over the past three years, Planet Fitness has donated more than $1 million to BCRF towards this worthy cause.

In addition, to honor all moms throughout the country, Planet Fitness is hosting a special “Mom Nom” sweepstakes to find the Best Mom on the Planet. From May 8^th - 15^th, people can nominate a special mom by visiting www.PlanetFitness.com/MomNoms and one lucky person will be randomly selected to win a year membership for themselves and a mom of their choice.

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is now the fastest-growing health club franchise in the United States, and has revolutionized the industry with a combination of extremely low prices and a unique, friendly, and hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone®.

Planet Fitness has approximately 650 locations nationwide and has grown to more than 4.5 million members. The company prides itself on giving people an unbeatable value – top-notch facilities at extremely low prices, and an atmosphere that focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time club members rather than hard-core fitness fanatics. All Planet Fitness gyms feature a wide selection of brand-name cardio and strength equipment, and provide unlimited fitness instruction with all memberships. For more information, visit www.PlanetFitness.com.

CONGRATULATIONS MARY RAY!!!!

It’s about three weeks since I’ve begun my health and wellness journey. I’m running, squatting, sweating, and starting to feel good! I was going to get a membership to a super fancy all women’s gym, until I was told the membership prices – $99/month…for one month!! With my upcoming Disney trip and summer camp expenses I knew it wasn’t something I could afford, so I’ve been getting outdoors and working out at home. My body is not yet at the point where I want it to be, and I’m a bit self-conscious, but I don’t want that insecurity to play a role in getting a good workout.

I want to be comfortable and looks good while I’m working out, and am so happy to be partnering with my social media BFF, Albion Fit. I first heard about Albion through a blog last year, and instantly became a fan. Albion Fit makes luscious clothing that woman want to wear! Their garments are fashionable and unique, but more importantly practical and technical. Designed by women, their apparel is crafted for women wherever they may be in their fitness goals. Our clothes easily transition from work out gear to lounging gear: whether she’s running an errand or 26.2 miles across a finish line.

It’s like we’re a match made in heaven! They speak my language

Wondering what their name means? Albion, hails from the Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in beautiful Utah. They draw upon nature and its energy for their inspiration, always remembering that their ultimate goal is to reflect the power of natural femininity in their designs, as well as their lifestyle.

They really stood out to me because obviously their amazing clothes, but their engagement with people (like me) via social media. Sometimes you reach out to a company, retweet something they’ve tweeted and get no response. Kinda sucks! Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Albion appreciates it’s fans, customers, and potential customers – and that’s how you build an audience!

They offer a variety of women’s fitness and swimwear and workout clothing. Below are a FEW of my favorites:

I recently received their Gown Suit in Navy (left) for my June Disney trip. And once I lose a few more lbs I’m going all out and purchasing my *favorite* swimsuit they carry – the Midnight Dip Swimsuit (right)!! I’m in loooove with it!!

Oh and another thing? They are forever having specials on their merchandise! So always checkout their Instagram or Facebook page to learn about their newest deals!

Go off and explore their site, and be sure to use this exclusive promo code alexandra15 up until May 12 to save $15 on any purchase of $50+! And I’m super excited to offer a GIVEAWAY to one lucky reader for the same swimsuit I have the Gown Suit in Navy (above on left), entering is easy – good luck & happy shopping!!

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Disclosure: I received one swimsuit as compensation – but all opinions expressed are my own! 

Holy Smokes…..One Month til Disney!

It seems like forever ago that I booked our trip for Disney, and now it’s only 27 days away! I’ve yet to become excited for the trip…it’s not really  a vacation for me, but I wasn’t thinking about me when I booked the trip, but of my darling daughter. I’ve got to give it up to the folks over at Disney – they haven’t let me forget about my trip and at least every couple weeks they are sending me something in the mail about our trip – they really deserve a pat on the back!!

So with a month until our trip, I’m now trying to figure out what the heck I need to prepare! A month or so ago I started reading blogs of other families that were planning Disney trips – and got overwhelmed, I must give it to the super planners, but I want a sense of freedom when I’m away, and don’t want to be tied down! Their prep was months in advance, which had me down because I have done ZERO prep, other than booking our flight and hotel! For me, preparation for this trip can be broken up into two categories: mental and physical.

Mental Prep:

-          Mental preparing to fly (me no likey)

-          Preparing to be around a whole bunch of people and kids! (I’m kinda a hermit)

-          Being prepared for lil mama to want everything & needed to set limits with her

-          Being OK with being out the office for an entire week (causes me anxiety)

I’ve been working on this mental prep for awhile now. I’ve always been one to avoid super crowded events – you should see me in NYC with lil mama – I’m a mess! There is going to be so much stimulation there and I know she is going to want EVERYTHING, so I need to have a budget in mind and really try to stick with it.

Physical Prep:

-     What to pack? And how?

I generally tend to be an overpacker – I like to pack for any circumstance which always means my suitcase is busting at the seams lol – and let’s not talk about my accessories…I have a lot of skincare products that must travel with me. I need to figure out how I can best pack these without being stopped at the airport! I’ve also decided NOT to bring my laptop, which will be a nice break – I’ll have my Galaxy so I’ll still be connected. I also don’t know the limits on how heavy our bags can be…I don’t fly, and really need to educate myself ASAP so I don’t break no rules!

-   What to wear?

I’m all about comfort – and my standard outfit when I’m not at work is leggings, converse, and a tshirt. Best outfit ever. But I obviously know we’re going to be doing a lot of walking, so I need to be comfortable all the time. So I’ve decided to bring my workout gear, running pants, dri-fit tops, sports bra, and sneakers. I’ll be comfortable and ready to run at any moment! I also had to think about the dreaded topic of a bathing suit. I’ve just begun my fitness journey so I’m not yet seeing the results I want in my body, so I needed a suit that was not only cute and flattering but that sucked in what needed to be sucked and gave an overall slimming look – I recently teamed with Albion Fit and got sent the cutest bathing suit I’ll happily be rocking in Disney!

As you can see there is much prep to be done for our upcoming trip. But the biggest pieces are all done. We have our flights. We know where we’ll be staying. We have our dining plan. We have access to the parks. I’m happy with that and hope that everything else just falls smoothly into place…(a girl can dream!). But, it is important to really start thinking about what I still need to get, what exactly I’m packing, and start organizing! I’m not going overboard, so hopefully it’s not too much work!

Have you been to Disney? What kind of prep did you do beforehand? What advice would you give me?

One of the activities my daughter and I look forward to every year is apple picking. We love searching for the apples, sampling their freshness, and trying out new varieties  We love heading to Belkin Lookout Farm in Natick for apple and pumpkin picking, and I’m delighted that this weekend they are holding a free open house for families!

About the Farm:
Established as a farm in 1651, Belkin Family Lookout Farm in South Natick is recognized as one of the oldest continuously-working farms in the country. The Belkin family is dedicated to continuing 350 years of farm tradition for future generations. They strive to provide healthy, outdoor, family fun activity while maintaining the farm’s long-rooted history and importance within the community for years to come.

If you are around this weekend, you won’t want to miss the open house happening on Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 from 11am – 3pm only! Take advantage of free admission in a beautiful landscape! We are headed there first thing Saturday morning with friends and I’m hoping for great weather! Located less than 20 miles from Boston, Belkin Family Lookout Farm is the perfect day trip for the entire family.

At the open house you’ll enjoy
*Free Parking
*Free Admission
*Children’s Play Area
*Moon Bounce
*Burlap Maze
*Facepainting
*Caterpillar rides

Hope to see local families there!

This is not a sponsored post. My family and I are fans and love to support local businesses!