Beauty.

Marie Skin Care

Okay, so if you have ever talked to me about skincare, I have probably recommended Marie to you a bazillion times. I have never had someone transform my skin like she did. 

If you haven't seen my posts about my struggles with acne, it was the most annoying, pestering thing ever. I was on accutane growing up and then had adult acne on my neck that wouldn't go away for 5 years! Nothing helped. I went to the dermatologist more times than I can count and tried countless topical gels and oral pills to try and help control it. I finally made an appointment with Marie, and my neck is completely clear and has been for the past 7 months! Let me tell you, she works miracles and is so knowledgeable about everything! 

*I linked her blog when you click on the image or skincare button!

The Tan Banana

I don't get spray tans too often, but if I have a big event then they are totally worth it. I contacted The Tan Banana (ps how cute and memorable is that name??) to do spray tans for my What Matters fashion show. It was by far the best spray tan I have ever had (no this is not sponsored!) It even lasted like a 1 1/2 - 2 weeks too and I didn't feel dirty! 

​They have locations in both San Diego and Arizona! 

Versa Spa

Okay, let me just start by saying that I don't even like tanning lotions usually. They are streaky, make you look dirty, come off if you sweat (which is inevitable in az by the way) get all over your clothes, smell bad, and usually have an orange base. In all my years I spent trying out different tanning lotions, I never found one that I liked enough to consistently use. I also get a lot of companies that ask me to try things and blog about them, and rarely do I have one that I actually recommend people to buy, and they definitely wouldn't make beyond a post on to my recommendations page. Also, I am not a big facebook user, but I saw someone asking for the best tanning lotion, and I even recommended it on there haha. Which I would never do if I didn't feel like a product worked.

So here I am recommending everyone who reads my blog to try this tanning lotion. Immediately. Let me first go over the positives : it has a brown tone, not orange. I get told i'm really tan allll the time now- which i haven't even really been out in the sun this summer. I can wear white and not worry about it getting all over my clothes. NO STREAKS. It actually lasts, and by that I mean your tan actually lasts plus the bottles actually lasts for a while. I can put it on once a week and it keeps me tan. It smells good. You can get 20% off of your first order. 

If you were to get any of the products these are my recommendations :

1. The applicator mitt FOR SURE. It helps keep it even. 
2. Self-Tan Souffle with Bronzer
3. Gradual Tanning Body Butter Lotion

Also* For my best results, I like to use the gradual tanner after I get out of the shower and then put the souffle on right after it dries.

Smoother You Laser

Laser is one of those things that you don't realize you need in your life. But seriously, if you go once, you'll be hooked.
I have the most sensitive skin in the whole entire world. I also have naturally realllly dark hair, so even when I shave, you can see my pores. From the moment I started shaving my legs, I got rashes and razor burn, so I have always hated shaving. Also, when you have sensitive skin, you can't just use any razor and they can actually get pretty expensive!  

Basically, what I am trying to say is - if you want your life to be a bazillion times easier - get laser hair removal!

​I go to Courtney over at Smoother You Laser ( I linked her page!) She makes you feel comfortable, and it is quick, and not very painful! 

Restaurants.

"The Vibe"

The food is delicious, but the vibe is what makes you want to come back. The decor is the cutest, and perfect for business meetings, studying, happy hour, or even parties! When I went it was over 100 degrees out so I didn't sit on the patio, but I went out and checked it out and it is SO cute!

Also -- I'm not really sure what ebites are, but on their website it says you can get $10 off of $20 through ebites? 

​

"The Food"

I don't usually go out to eat a ton because I love food and will want to order all the fattening stuff, but luckily Flower Child has so much delicious healthy* choices to choose from! They are one of my favorites solely based on their food. It's a super cute spot as well and they have the best lemonade - coming from a girl who usually only drinks water! 

Same as The Henry -- I'm not really sure what ebites are, but on their website it says you can get $10 off of $20 through ebites? 

"The Salsa"

Taco guild is one of my favorites spots because chips and salsa is by far my favorite food. I am super picky about it, too! It has to be spicy. Taco guild gives you options of four different salsas ranging from mild to hot. They also have some really good queso and guac! 

​As for the vibe, it is super unique! It's actually in an old church and it still has the stained class windows and looks very old world. On the weekends they play live music as well! 

"Breakfast"

 I just had my first Farm & Craft experience, and lets just say that they won me over. So, I am adding them to my list of favorite restaurants.

Let's start with the look : it is super cute - you can take plenty of instagram worthy pics. They even have a big neon sign that says "All I want is food and affection." That basically describes me in seven words. 

Now let's talk about the real reason you need to eat there - The Protein Pancakes. I can honestly say that I have never had better pancakes in my entire life. I was stupid and didn't order them, Colleen did. (my avocado toast was great too, though.) But now I know that I won't ever make that mistake of not ordering the pancakes again haha. Annnnd you definitely have to order one of their watermelon drinks while you are at it.

Things To do.

The Yard.

If you aren't big on drinking but still like to go out, places like The Yard or The Duce are my favorite! They have music, and all kinds of games! You can play ping pong, darts, hula hooping, foosball, and even corn hole! 

Paddleboard.

I thought paddleboarding was just an ocean thing, but you can do it in any body of water! Arizona has some beautiful lakes and they are all fun to go paddleboarding on. You can go to Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, or Tempe town lake!

​If you haven't been paddleboarding yet, it is actually a bit of a workout keeping your balance! 

Day Trips.

There are so many day trips you can take in Arizona - you can go to Sedona, Arcosanti (still haven't been yet!), the sand dunes, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, Tucson, various hikes, Jerome, Prescott etc.  

Fitness.

Yoga.

Last weekend I actually almost died guys. I'm joking, but i'm also kind of being serious haha. I partnered with Tempe Tourism to go out and explore Tempe and one of the things they recommended I try was a yoga class at One Tribe. Let me just start by saying that I am not a fan of yoga because I am so inflexible and it hurts me haha. BUT I know that I should do it because I get a lot of muscle pain in my back. And after our two week road trip, I was basically in tears with how sore my back was. So I figured a yoga class would be a nice good stretch. Well, we did hot yoga. HOT YOGA IS HARD. I don't think I have ever sweat so much in my life! The amount of core work you do is insane. It's so beyond just a great stretch, and it is no wonder all the yogi's I know are in phenomenal shape. (You guys should see my oldest sister, her body is insane from yoga!) I think the class we took was pretty advanced, but the instructor was incredible! I think he saw that I was a little lost haha so he was helping me through the class. He and his wife own the studio together and they were both so kind and welcoming, as were the rest of the class attendees. I had a great experience there and would definitely recommend checking it out! 

Barre.

I met Karie (The owner of Barre3 in Paradise Valley) when I planned the Birdiebee launch party for Nikki and Brie Bella back in November last year. Since their clothing line is athleisure wear, I thought it would be really fun for all of the attendees to participate in some type of fitness class. I had Karie come out and teach a Barre3 class and everyone was dyinggg from it. I had never done a barre class but heard it was really hard, and after watching everyone struggle at the launch party I new I wanted to try it for myself!

I talked with Karie and she had me come out and take some classes at the Scottsdale location - holy burnnnn! My legs were on fire! I'm not usually one to take group fitness classes - I always grew up doing more sports related training. But I will say I really enjoyed it, it's motivating. Plus if you have that little crazy competitive side to you, you really push yourself even harder. Now if only they could come out to the west valley so I could attend more classes!

Beachbody. 


The best shape I have ever been in, was after finishing my 21 day fix with beachbody. My sweet friend Ashley got me to try it, and I loved it! Sometimes I just get lazy to go to the actual gym, that it is nice when you can just do the workouts at your house at any time of the day! Also, like I said in my Barre3 review - there is something about other people doing the workouts that gets your competitive side in overdrive. It helps me to stay motivated enough and not be lazy to finish each workout. You do every workout for a minute and a short rest for thirty minutes total. And if you really want someone who holds you accountable and checks in on you, Ashley is your girl. They even have an app now where you can check in every day to keep you on track! 

Also, even though I switch up workouts a lot these days. I still consistently drink the shakeology shakes. They are my favorite things ever. And no this is not sponsored and I don't sell shakeology, they really are my favorite. Honestly, I feel more full throughout the day when I drink them, they taste good, and I have more energy. I usually get either the vanilla or chocolate, and make mine with the Justin's maple almond butter, almond milk, A banana, and ice. I also try to get the almond butter packs instead of the jar so I don't go overboard with almond butter or peanut butter haha. 

I would definitely contact Ashley if you are interested at all. I linked both her pages! She is the sweetest ever! ​

​Facebook : AAFitNation
Instagram: @fitsister2

Vendors

Through working with my non profit, I have met some of the sweetest most talented ladies across Arizona. I plan a lot of events for What Matters and after a lot trial and error, these are my absolute favorite vendors!

Desserts

When my dad retired last month from the firestation after thirty two years on the job, we decided to throw him a surprise party. i was in charge of the desserts and had the ideas in my head of what I wanted. I reached out to one of the creatives groups that I am in on facebook, and started talking to Raeye Bustoz, from Raeye's Bakes. She was THE sweetest ever, and i was so thankful I got into contact with her! How cute are those dalmatian cake pops!? Perfect for our fire department theme right?? she also made these delicious donuts made to look like firetruck wheels - and i'll tell you a little secret - my dad didn't want to share those ones and kept them for himself haha. Everyone loved the cake pops! They were all gone in no time. I might have had more than a couple myself haha. If you click on the button, it will take you directly to her page! 

Florals

Now I have worked with Nicole on various occasions! She designed the staged of my first What Matter's fashion show and it couldn't have been more perfect. Now fast forward a couple months later to when I started working for the Bella Twins, and I was needing to find vendors for the launch parties I was throwing for Birdiebee. Nicole came up with the prettiest arrangements, and I can always count on her to provide the prettiest flowers around! She also donates flowers to the women who are receiving makeovers and she'll have a lifelong customer simply due to that fact!

Florals

Holy moly, let's talk about this stage she designed for my second What Matter's fashion show - for FREE. She donated her time and services and put in beyond extra time and work to make it perfect!! I can't thank her enough. Isn't it incredible!? I love meeting people who have such giving and kind hearts. They immediately have a customer for life! And not only that, but she is SO talented. She hand put up each and every one of those palms in the arch. It was everything i dreamed of! 

Desserts

Now lets talk about my girl Ashley. Again, I have worked with Ashley on multiple occasions and each and every time she goes ABOVE and BEYOND. Each one of her desserts is a piece of art, almost to the point of you not wanting to eat it because you want to keep it forever haha, BUT you can't not eat it because they are that good. It's dangerous whenever I have her do desserts for an event, because once i start eating them I don't stop haha. She can do anything you need, i added in the slideshow the cake she did at my dad's retirement party, which sadly got ruined a little bit after I picked it up because someone cut me off and i had to slam on my brakes...ughhh. But how good is that? My dad was in awe. And the mustache cookies were a huge hit! Everything she makes is classy and beautiful. 
Photo used under Creative Commons from GloriaMckelvy