denise's summer beauty essentials

summer beauty essentials by deniselopatka featuring a beach hat

1.  Gentle Exfoliator - I use this every day now where as in the winter months I only needed it 2-3 times a week.  I keep it in my shower and it helps to slough off dead skin and excess sunscreen left over leaving my face clean and bright.  I will take this stuff to the grave with me yall.  It's that good.

2.  Dew Skin with SPF - On most days, after I wash my face in the morning I'll put this on and that is it.  Sometimes I'll add a light moisturizer underneath, but most summer days this Dew Skin is all I need.  It evens out my skin tone so well, doesn't break me out and gives me a daily SPF which I love.

3.  Body Oil - I use this every morning too.  It gives me some moisture while also adding a nice shine/glow to my legs and arms.  I'll dab a few drops on before I go out at night as well... and the smell?  Simply divine.

4.  Rashguard - I basically live in my Cabana Life Rashguard these days (I have the a khaki one, no longer on the site).  I put a bikini underneath and the ruching allows it to go over my belly so I don't scare people at the beach :)  Georgia also has one and she thinks it's so fun for her and mommy to "put rashguard on" before our pool dates.  Also, I'm sun physco and this is SPF 50.  Good for me - good for my babies.  I've already ordered baby boy one for next summer (and maybe late this summer!).

5.  Sunhat - I bought two good sunhats last summer and they have been my go-to this year as well.  Although I'm also known to throw on a ball cap for the beach, I love sunhats more because of the coverage.  My shoulders and chest get eaten alive in the sun, and hats are a surefire way to protect them.  I love this one from anthropologie!

6.  Sunscreen Lotion - I lather this on Georgia every. single. day.  It goes on smooth, isn't greasy and is so easily absorbed leaving no white streaks.  Our whole family uses it before a beach or pool outing including the hubby.  And let me just tell you that hubby of mine is picky when it comes to lotions of any sort.  He hates the way they feel, but getting him to wear this is no problem at all.

7.  Sunnies - I got these for Christmas and they are my favorite.  If I spend moola on sunglasses you can bet they are polarized and I love all of Warby Parker's frames.  Not to mention they are a good price for quality, polarized sunglasses.  G wear's sunglasses every day too.  We Lopatka's have sensitive eyes ya know?

8.  Sunscreen Stick - This is a new product from Beauty Counter and I am so excited about it!  My family uses the lotion form every day, but I'm going to be honest - getting G out of the water to reapply every 90 minutes is a nightmare!  I usually bribe her with a snack... but now I can use this stick for super easy application.  The hubby loves a good stick sunscreen as well so it's a win win for the whole fam again!

9.  H2O - I'm a camel these days.  Partially because of the babe in my belly and partially because we spend so much time outside!  If there is one thing I've learned about beauty and products over the last couple of years it's that a lot can be solved with water.  You.  Must.  Drink.  Water.  A lot!  Every day!  It helps with wrinkles, uneven skin tone, energy, moisture and so much more!  And it's more fun if you drink it out of a cute water bottle.  Need proof?!  Read THIS ARTICLE.  It blew my mind...

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family vacay = happiness

for the past week and half this little family of mine has been on the move.  we spent some time in Hilton Head, SC with matt's family for our yearly beach vacation and then headed to Myrtle Beach, SC to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday with my side of the family (happy birthday diddy we love you!).  we've been looking forward to both of these vacations all summer and i can say they did not disappoint.  there was wine, cards, laughter and lots of sun - and cousins!  oh the cousins!  between my sister and matt's brother we have 4 nephews and i just LOVE seeing them with G.  it makes my heart smile.  although i think all of this travel did my little lady in because we have been home all week sick :(  but she's feeling better slowly but surely and i think we have decided to bid summer farewell for now.  the temperatures are dropping a bit here in NC and it makes being outside so much more enjoyable.  so.  great vacays make my heart happy, but it's also good to be home.  because i'm a creature of habit for sure (i get it honestly - dad i'm looking at you) and i kinda like our little routine over here - dinners, errands, move nights in.  and sevilla!  i missed that mangy pup while we were gone.  so we're back.  our little family in our cozy home.  and i like it that way.  that's enough ramblings for today!  happpppy thursday!

xox

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life lately

test driving a beautiful Chevrolet Equinox courtesy of Jeff Gordon Chevy  (more to come on that amazing car next week!)  //  mesmerized at Kindermusik  //  soaking up some sun in our mismatched bathing suits #twins  //  

trying on some piggy tails at nanny's!

life lately has been FUN!  so fun.  we have been soaking up the sun, singing some songs, jammin out and just enjoying every drop of this summer before it passes us by.  when i went to making things happen last march, one of my big goals was to be intentional about how i spend every day.  i wanted to limit social media more, and really be present with baby G.  while i will forever be a work in progress, i have loved my first summer as a mom.  seeing everything through her innocent and wondrous eyes - it's magical y'all.  and i've got some exciting things coming up in the next few weeks that i cannot wait to share with you all!  

until then - pleaseeeeeee take a second a vote for me using the link below :)  find my picture (#12) and click on the heart at the top right of my picture!  you're the best!  xox

http://voiceboks.com/top-southern-parent-bloggers-of-2014/

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LINK-UP: Family Fun Activity

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<a href="http://www.gratefullyinspired.com" title="Gratefully Inspired"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFHZaetcFoDr_X5VUobndIog5tCPmq3sNolfPDlQIS7zsMnV1ohPuQ_yONrqeK2_0L0AESzzb4LEcejnYJjV2YVVbmEZx9Pm1vmIbrXPY2pVNMNsmCb1LFh9sSJw6se2AT8Y6Nj65Ps3M/s1600/Family+Fun+Activities.jpg" height="320" width="320"" alt="Gratefully Inspired" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Today I am so excited to be particitpating in this link-up!  My friends and I will be sharing a family fun activity and today I am talking about outdoor concerts.  A summer fave of our family.  Most cities offer them and if you're in Wilmington, multiple places offer them!  They are usually Thursday-Saturday nights, totally free and BYOB!  A big plus.  On the 4th Matt and I packed a cooler with some snacks and beverages and took our baby lady to hear some beach music under the most beautiful trees in all of Wilmington - at Airlie Gardens.  G did great and loves people watching like her mama.  We have a super easy fold-up blanket that we spread out for her to play and viola!  A family night of fun that is cheap!

Here is a list of the Wilmington Outdoor Concerts that I know of!  Did I miss any?

Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series

Mayfaire Music on Town

Downtown Sundown

Summer Concerts in the Park

Do yall have any great outdoor concert locations in your city?

Want to link-up with your favorite family fun activity?!  Rules Below!

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* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave some comment love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

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An InLinkz Link-up

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june 2014

june was a good month.  no, a great month!  so many happy times and i just can't believe it's over!  and we're in the 2nd week of july!?  wait what?!?!  anyway, here are some highlights from the past month.  as always, you can follow me on instagram HERE and live it with me :)

sweet friends say "i do!" and matt and i got to be in a wedding together!  that was fun...

my bestie came up from way down south and stole some cuddles from G

tutus and some US Open watching

beach with my buddy lawson

hanging at nanny and pop pop's house

bachelorette and wedding festivities for this beautiful bride!

view of asheville from the grove park inn

dinner time!

 4th of july celebrations!

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