Blog Friends turned real life friends

So last week something amazing happened - I met not one, but TWO of my favorite blog friends!  And they are both named Brittany!  The irony... I love it.  A little about my blog friends turned real life friends...

Britt from Brittany Louise

I've followed Britt's blog for a long time now (previously named The Magnolia Pair), but it wasn't until we both had baby girls that we really got close!  Between mama emails about sleeping through the night (or NOT sleeping for Georgia) and when to introduce solids, Britt and I bonded.  I knew we would hit it off if we ever had the chance to officially meet and as fate would have it, we got the chance!  Britt, her sweet husband and her adorable baby girl Scarlett were in my town!  Soooo Matt and I jumped at the opportunity to have them over for dinner.  And Georgia loved her new friend!  Unfortunately, she passed out before this picture was taken, but her and Scarlett formed a bond.  They babbled and shared secrets, baby-style... I'm sure of it!

Britt - Matt and I just love your sweet family!  Every single one of you are precious, warm and just the sweetest.  I pray one day we will live closer and I can't wait until the next time we see each other!  Very soon I hope ;)  Miss you already!  

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Brittany from Life of Charmings 

Sooooo I found Brittany's blog when I was about 3 months pregnant and I seriously devoured every single post in about 2 days flat.  After my emotional, pregnant self fell in love with her blog and her heart, we started commenting and talking about... well mama stuff!  Her sweet baby girl, Maddalena was born on the SAME DAY as Georgia!  Only a year earlier.  So they are actually birthday twins!  It's official.  July 30 is THE best day for a baby to be born!

Brittany - I loved our sweet lunch/brunch together and I loved meeting sweet M.  You are pure, sweet gold and I am so glad we met.  Gigi is still so mad at me for not taking her.  But I told her that next time we would all reunite on a beach somewhere with some mama wine?!?  Yes? Yes!  Come to Wilmington!  Miss you already!

Go visit their blogs and fall in love just like I did!

Brittany Louise  //  Life of Charmings

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Nightly Beauty Routine

Last week I talked about my morning beauty routines (here and here), but I really believe that nighttime is a great time to take care of your skin and let it rejuvenate from all of the stuff we put it through during the day.  So below is what I use to do just that!

Nightly Beauty Routine by deniselopatka featuring a lip treatment

1. Routine Clean Cream Cleanser or Burt's Bees Acne Solutions - I use one of these (or sometimes I mix them) depending on my skin.  I have acne-prone skin at times so when I'll use the Burt's Bees when that is the case.  But during the winter and when my skin is not having any major breakouts, I like the Routine Cleanser.  Purchase Routine Cleanser HERE.  Purchase Burt's Bees HERE.

2.  Organic Coconut Oil - I use this to take my eye makeup off every night.  It's gentle and doesn't pull my skin which I love.  I also use a clean eyelash brush and brush some on my eyelashes and eyebrows every night.  Purchase HERE.

3. Nelson's Acne Gel - I mentioned earlier that my skin is prone to breakouts at times.  It has gotten much better since I've managed the products I'm using but when I do have a blemish or feel one coming on, I use this gel as a spot treatment.  It usually is gone within a day or two.  Purchase HERE.

4.  Countertime Restorative Night Cream - After cleansing my face and using my spot treatment if I do so that evening, I lather this night cream on my face, neck and chest.  It feels so good and protects my skin against wrinkles!  Purchase HERE.

5.  Countertime Vibrant Eye Perfector - I love this eye cream.  I can really see a different in my crows feet since using it.  I dab this around my eyes every evening.  Purchase HERE.

6.  Lip Conditioner - Everywhere I go, this lip balm usually comes with me.  I put some on before bed every night.  Purchase HERE.

7.  Lustro Oil 3 - After my night cream has set in, I dab some of this face oil over my entire face, neck and chest as well.  I can honestly say this stuff has done great things for my skin.  Oil 3 is for acne prone skin and it has evened my skin tone like whoa!  I'm not gonna lie, face oil was weird for me at first, especially because for the majority of my life I feel like I've been trying to get RID of oil on my face.  But now I know there is a such thing as good oil and this is it.  Purchase HERE.

8.  Rose Water Uplifting Spray - Kind of like the lip balm, this stuff goes everywhere with me too.  I spritz some on right before my head hits my pillow.  Purchase HERE.

What are some of our favorite products at nighttime?  Night creams?

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mother's day gift guide 2014

This being my first mother's day, I'm a bit emosh.  OK, super emotional.  I can't believe I get to be a mom.  I feel so blessed and grateful each day.  And then there's my mama.  While words nor gifts cannot fully express the gratitude and respect that I feel towards her, I love shopping for her.  My mama never buys anything for herself - or does anything for herself for that matter.  It's always about everyone else.  So I love Mother's Day and use it as a chance to spoil my mama.  And here are some things I may do that with...  

mother's day gift guide by deniselopatka featuring Kate Spade

print
lip set
silhouette print
mug
beach bag
candle
watch
tray
card
floppy hat
champagne flutes

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