Purging without splurging

After my recent move and while I was unpacking, I took the opportunity to do a little early spring cleaning of my makeup bag and tossed everything that was passed it's prime including some beloved makeup brushes. Makeup has a shelf life that most people ignore which is not a wise thing to do if you wish to keep bacteria out of your pores and your precious peepers! When it comes to your makeup brushes, frequent cleaning (or not cleaning!) and time can really take a toll on them.

I know you all follow the commandments of beauty, especially the one that proclaims anything that touches your face must be clean and free of bacteria! If you take good care of your brushes it is possible to extend their shelf life indefinitely.

That aside, good brushes range greatly in price and when you want a fresh start replacing every brush a fabulous brand to turn to is e.l.f. A great choice is the e.l.f. Professional Complete Set of Brushes for only $12. No I didn't studder. That's 12 brushes for only $12. And don't assume the low price means low quality. These inexpensive brushes are a favorite of makeup pro's everywhere for their ergonomic design and their ability to create a flawless finish!

So go ahead, toss out your old brushes and replace them without even breaking the bank. And throw in the e.l.f Professional Travelers Kit ($5) while your at it!

*Even more fabulous: e.l.f products are not tested on animals and when you purchase this fur free tweezer you'll also be supporting PETA!

some people do whatever it takes

These four fabulous tees are all ethically produced and part of a generous foundation called "Whatever it Takes" that was created by 21st Century Leaders in 2007. The goal is to raise at the very least, "$3 million in 3 years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes."

"Whatever it Takes" is a charity artwork project that collects original designs from leaders in several fields such as music, politics, and film. Each ambassador's self-expressed message of hope is sold to raise $3 million dollars in 3 years for various global causes and philanthropies. All of the tees available are authentic designs from each ambassador. Such an amazing contribution and a genius idea to use art to benefit the greater good.

Get them at Shop Intuition for $48 each.


Check out other great products from the foundation here.

For the love of Babies!

It's that time again! I am participating in my county's upcoming March of Dimes March for Babies (formerly known as WalkAmerica) because my daughter is one of the countless babies saved by the March of Dimes mission to save babies. Please support my fundraising efforts by sponsoring me in March for Babies today.

This is Ava's story and why I choose to walk:

Ava had an early start on life when she surprised us all and came into the world five weeks too soon. She was a NICU baby for the first 11 days of her life. Those 11 days were the longest days of my life as it felt like we were living in slow motion.

Ava suffered from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RSD) and Apnea along with a few other complications from being born too soon. Every step forward she made she also seemed to take a step back. Ava taught me to take everything one day at a time as we tackled these setbacks one by one.

On August 3, 2006, we were finally allowed to take Ava home from the NICU. She came home with an apnea monitor which she needed for 6 months as she frequently stopped breathing in her sleep. After that, Ava quickly grew out of her prematurity and her days of lingering below the growth curve.

Now at a year and a half she is completely healthy and almost above the growth curve as she is growing so quickly and developing right on schedule. Looking at her now you would never know that she was a preemie or the challenges she faced to get where she is now.

No parent should ever have to go through what thousands of parents like us have to go through when their baby is born too soon. No mother should be left in her hospital bed with empty arms while her baby is fighting to live in the NICU. No parent should ever have to wait days or even weeks just to hold their newborn baby. But sadly some parents have to and that is why I am thankful that the March of Dimes is making progress in the fight against prematurity.

Please support me by joining my team or making a donation to sponsor me. Contributing to my march online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage.

I've joined with millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. Please help me support this worthy cause. Visit my webpage and sponsor me in the march that saves babies!

With your support, there's hope.

Visit my Personal page where you can sign up to walk or make a donation:

Team: AvaMarie

Thank you for your support. It means the world to me! ♥

Red is in the air

It's been a while, I know. But in the spirit of all things February and all of it's lovey dovey redness, it is time to recognize National Wear Red Day.

Go Red For Women was started by the American Heart Association to raise awareness that heart disease in the #1 killer of women. So pull something Red from your wardrobe and show your support of such an important movement. Have a heart, wear Red!

Victoria's Secret

Crop Wrap Sweater - $48

RSVP - Willow - $69.95
Available at Zappos

Dior Rouge - $27

Available at Sephora

MICHAEL Michael Kors
Square Sunglasses - $80

Visit Go Red For Women to learn more.

(Something)Red to care about

1. ALDO Fights Youth AIDS :: I have always had a horrible addiction to shoes. I don’t know what it is about a pair of adorable heels that can just make you feel so absolutely fabulous on a not-so-fabulous day. Another reason I love them? Aldo is continuing to support the Children With AIDS fund. Stop buy a store or buy the Dog tags or the new limited edition "ALDO fights AIDS" tote bag on-line to show support via Aldo Fights Youth AIDS . 100% of net proceeds benefit the fund! For just $5 you can change someone’s life. "Empower yourself. Join the fight." And give yourself another reason to love shoes.

2. Viva Glam :: I am also terribly addicted to lip gloss. I just can’t leave the house without it. So why wear any other lip gloss when 100% of the retail price of the Viva Glam collection goes toward the fund that helps support men, women & children who are living & coping with AIDS. Now that is my kind of lip gloss! Get your lip glass here and bring hope to someone’s life.

3.(Product)Red & Hallmark :: Before you send another card stop by Hallmark and check out their new (Product)Red line. By simply sending a birthday or a just because card to someone you love, you are also giving a gift to the people in Africa who are living and coping with AIDS everyday. Why send any other card when you can send one with a heart.

*All images courtesy of Aldo, MAC & Hallmark.

Green things come in small packaging

In the spirit of going green, CARGO became a beauty brand with a social conscious. The brand has merged innovatively designed packaging with a fabulously “green” beauty product for those who care about protecting our earth. PlantLove™ Botanical Lipstick is by far the most environmentally friendly beauty product available at the moment. The lipstick itself is created without the use of mineral oils and petroleums that pollute our atmosphere. So not only is it healthier for your lips, it’s healthy for our planet as well.

What quite possibly is the best thing about the lipstick is in its ground-breaking packaging. Instead of using the typical plastic lipstick case that adds to the pollution in our landfills, CARGO came up with a biodegradable, environmentally friendly tube made entirely of corn, a bio-plastic made from a widely renewable resource which is becoming widely popular among those greener folk. The outer carton is also made of flower paper and is embedded with wildflower seeds that are sure to brighten up your garden. Just add water and you’ll soon be admiring a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers.

I have been a lipgloss girl for as long as I can remember, but this little tube of lipstick just might make me a convert. CARGO is not only giving back to our planted but is also spreading love among our children. CARGO is donating $2 from each sale to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

PlantLove™ Botanical Lipstick is available in 17 fabulous shades and is available at Sephora for $20 each.

“The PlantLove™ seeds we sow today affect future generations so we are investing in the earth and our children for the future of the planet!”

Find out more about PlantLove™ at CargoPlantLove.com

A world of Green

The other day was a very rare occasion where I found myself at the mall. I had Christmas gift cards to use so I wound up in the department stores. While browsing at J.C. Penney I came across a few Fabulous tee's that I just had to purchase.

Chaser, a popular California-based T-shirt company teamed up with the World Wildlife Fund to create a line of “green” tee's with a positive message. $1 from each sale is donated to the WWF fund. This doesn’t seem like much for a shirt that retails for $29.99 (I got mine for on sale $15 each) but the message makes it worth it.

What is even better is that each shirt is made with a blend of organic cotton that is grown without harmful pesticides and recycled polyester which is made from plastic bottles that have been saved from winding up in our landfills.

The many tees feature cute and powerful messages that are sure to make a greener impact. I am not a t-shirt kind of gal but I still picked one up for myself and a second one for my sister. Head to your local J.C. Penney to check out the many designs or shop online here.

These are the two I picked up:

Proudly modeling my new tee