Ashley, Author at Embracing Beauty

5 Tips for LBL!

December 9, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

I have talked about Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) on the blog before, and I think it’s something that warrants further discussion considering the numerous people who privated messaged me or emailed me saying how helpful my honest discussion was for them. Considering one in three women experience LBL at some point in their lives it’s no wonder women are looking for answers.

Here are some handy dandy ~~don’t pee your pants~~ light bladder leakage tips:

Try out the new Poise Very Light Absorbency Liner. (Now available at your local Sam’s Club! Get 132 pads for $11.68 which is $4 cheaper than other locations!) Coping with accidents is much easier if you have the right tools for the job, says Wendy Fries of WebMD.
Do your kegals! Seriously, do it. Put post it notes around the house with smiley faces on them to remind you. You’ll never look at a smiley face the same way again will you? 🙂
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause constipation, and constipation can contribute to bladder leakage for some women. (source: LiveConfidently.com)
Take time to go to the potty more often. Set a timer until you get in the habit of going more frequently.
Limit your caffeine if at all possible. It’s a natural diuretic so only drink it if you’ll be near a bathroom.

To get more LBL tips visit Poise.com!

Filed Under: Body

Life Lately – 5 Things About My Week

November 19, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

Affiliate links are included.

Here’s a quick update of the things going on in my life this week. Nothing too deep or life-transforming, just a sneak peek into what’s on my mind today.

1. – I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to buy a pre-lit Christmas tree. I just want a tree with sparse branches and 5,000 Christmas lights. Is that too much to ask? ha. I love Christmas lights. 🙂
2. – I feel a little guilty that my daughter has forgotten about her Halloween candy stash that I’m still enjoying.
3. – The Stride Rite in my local mall is closing and everything is 50% off! We stocked up on shoes for my daughter for next year but they were sold out of shoes for my son. (I just got an email that select Stride Rite boots are only $19 online though!)

A photo posted by Ashley (@embracingbeauty) on Nov 18, 2015 at 12:44pm PST

4. – I entered to win a Christmas gift tag contest where 5 winners’ artwork will be displayed on tags at Gap this holiday season….I entered before I knew it was a voting competition. Sigh. I hate voting contests. If you like my design, I would appreciate your vote here. Thank you!
5. – I just noticed that the picture on the bottom of this blog is so old. Six years, maybe? Man, have I really been blogging that long? I need to update that picture soon!

What’s going on in your life this week?

Filed Under: Life Lately Tagged With: 5 Things, Christmas, Life Lately

Beyond Tired – 5 Tips to Sleep Better

November 13, 2015 by Ashley 2 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the National Sleep Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Sleep, oh sweet sleep! Oh, how I love sleep! If you’ve followed me a few years ago you might remember when I told you about my hypersomnia. I’ve recently been diagnosed with narcolepsy since I have cataplexy in addition to my extreme sleepiness. Sleep is a serious matter in my home. I have the desire to sleep all the time so a good night’s sleep is essential for me.

Both of my kids are great sleepers and they love their sleep routines. They both take great naps and I couldn’t be more thankful for that! My husband on the other hand, doesn’t sleep so well. He goes to bed tired and tosses and turns for hours he says.

My kids sleep 12 hours at night and my husband and I aim to sleep 7-8 a night. My ideal night would be 12 hours but I know that’s not going to happen. I’m working to getting 9 hours though! I dream (ha!) of going to bed sleepy and waking rested….and an occasional afternoon nap.

BeyondTired.org knows people are struggling to get the rest they need and their website is a great resource for people who suffer from insomnia! There are many videos and articles full of tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Plus, there is also a FAQ page to learn more about insomnia and how to deal with it.

5 Tips for Getting More Sleep

Here are a few things I try to do to sleep better each night.

1) Relax before bed. No screen time. Read, take a bath, or talk to your family.
2) Store your cell phone or devices in another room. If it’s the only phone in your room consider storing it across the room.
3) Don’t drink a lot before bed!
4) Avoid caffeine late in the evening.
5) I’m a big fan of white noise machines. I absolutely adore the Dohm brand, both of my kid’s have one in their rooms and my husband wants one for ours!

Do you wish you slept better at night?

Filed Under: Body Tagged With: Sleep

Mad for Metallics Nail Art Tutorial – Julep

November 2, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Are you looking for a new way to give your holiday manis a little more impact? Try this easy tutorial using polish from Julep’s new Mad For Metallics Welcome Box. All it takes is three quick steps:

1. Apply your base coat and let dry completely.

2. Use a striping brush to polish a thin line at the bottom of the color area and let dry. (Amazon prices always change but right you you can get a striping brush set for $1.55 shipped here!)

3. Fill in the rest of nail with color. Apply your top coat and you are done! Voila!

Did you know that when you join Julep’s beauty box, you’ll get a box of brand-new, full sized nail color and beauty products each month – and you deserve it!

– Julep is affordable. Every month you get more than $40 of full-size products for just $24.99 per month (Tip: Prepay for three months at a time and save $15. Sweet!)
– Julep is the only customizable box of full-size, limited-run nail colors and beauty innovations. That means no surprises, no dupes or colors you don’t like. You can see what is in your box each month and have the option of swapping out colors/products you already have or don’t want. I rarely swap out colors myself but it’s nice to have the option.
– Julep subscribers get 20% off all single product purchases, free shipping, early access to secret sales. If you are passionate about your polish, that adds up to some amazing savings! Plus, they make great stocking stuffers!!

Join Julep and get the 4-piece Metallics Welcome Box FREE ($50+ value) – just pay $2.99 shipping with code MADLOVE. Want an even better deal? Pre-pay for your first three months of Julep and get the Welcome Box and shipping FREE. Either way, you are going to LOVE Julep.

***

NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE WELCOME BOX OFFER

OFFER: Join Julep beauty box and get the November Birthstone Welcome Box FREE ($58 value) – just pay $2.99 shipping

Filed Under: Nails Tagged With: Julep, Nail Art, Nails

Dove – True Beauty and a Deal

November 1, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

Post sponsored by Lunchbox. Opinions are 100% my own.

Self-esteem is vital to a healthy life. When we believe we have worth, we treat ourselves better and others around us better. Dove wants to encourage this mindset through their Self-Esteem Project to help girls build self-esteem, reminding them they’re beautiful the way they are. You can help support Dove’s initiative by shopping your favorite Dove products at Rite Aid. (Plus, you’ll get savings!)

The Dove Self-Esteem project has reached 15 million young lives with its self-esteem education. We see girls in our society who want to revamp their looks. I encourage you to watch Dove’s video, “Change One Thing.” Spread it to help girls realize that they don’t need to change anything about themselves; they are beautiful the way they are. Your repost of this video helps girls and women realize their beauty.

Check out my cute little Tae Kwon Do cutie! 🙂 It’s one of my missions in life to teach her about real beauty. True beauty. Beauty that is deeper than skin. Beauty that no amount of make up will every form.

The deal I mentioned: buy $12 in Dove Products from 11/1-28/15 at Rite Aid and earn 400 Plenti Points*. Here are a few items to fill your basket. Dove Deep Moisture Body wash is dermatologist recommended and even provides softer, smoother skin after one shower. The Dove White Beauty Bar hydrates skin better than any other bar with its moisturizing cream making skin feel more firm and elastic compared to ordinary soap. Dove Intensive Care Shampoo and Condition has Keratin Repair Actives immediately repairs the hair surface ending hair damage. Dove Advanced Care Nourished Beauty Deodorant delivers 48-hour odor and wetness protection plus an elegant floral scent.

Offer: Buy $12 in participating Dove products at Rite Aid and earn 400 Plenti points*. Plenti point offer good from 11/1/15 through 11/28/15. *Plenti is a rewards program. Limit 4 offers per card. Terms and conditions apply, See Plenti.com for details. Offer good from 11/1/15 through 11/28/15.

Filed Under: Skincare, True Beauty Tagged With: Dove, Lunchbox

Boogie Wipes $100 Target Giveaway

October 17, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

Enter to Win a Year’s Supply of Boogie Wipes!

Complete the form below to share the Boogie Wipes video with your friends, and enter to win a year’s supply of Boogie Wipes plus a $100 Target gift card. (If the form is not appearing, click here to enter.)

NOTE: To find the URL of your share for the giveaway form, go to your FB newsfeed and click on the date or time of the video you shared. It will open in a new window, and you can copy/paste the URL. Thanks for entering!

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm ET on 10/31/2015. Open to US and Canada. If winner is located in Canada, a gift card of equal value will be awarded.

The Solution to Snotty

While we may not be able to help you when your kids act snotty, the Boogie Wipes Nanny definitely has solutions when it comes to snotty little noses. Watch the video to learn more.

#1 – Use Boogie Wipes

Experienced moms and nannies will be the first to tell you that nothing soothes noses better than a Boogie Wipe.

Tissue, paper towels, or even your sleeve are savage on a little one’s skin – especially when you’re wiping 20, 30, or even 40 times per day.

Unlike other wipes, Boogie Wipes have no harsh or drying chemicals. The natural saline dissolves mucus without irritation – thanks to Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile.

#2 – Tell Your Friends

Don’t keep this secret to yourself. Tell your friends so they can experience the comfort of Boogie Wipes this season. Click here to spread the word on Facebook by sharing the Boogie Wipes video.

#3 – Repeat 1 and 2

Look – kids are going to get sick. They’re kids afterall. Prepare yourself for the worst, and provide them with the best – Boogie Wipes. Click here to download a coupon now.

Like this? Pin it!

Filed Under: Giveaways

Cultivating Joy

October 13, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Does your joy come from within or from the outside. My introvert self NEEDS downtime, time to recharge, so it’s hard for me to remember that other women can help me the joyful creature I need to be. Our relationships with other women can be incredibly helpful, but sometimes they’re just not. It seems so easy for us women to cluster together and just complain, and then try to “out complain” each other. Sometimes we just need a new perspective to find the joy we need and want. You have to check out this new book: Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Cultivating Joy discusses joy and several ways to attain it.

It’s so easy to take a new situation and look at it as a cause for grief. In the words of our menfolk, change means work. Whenever we want a change in the furniture being rearranged, that means work for him to move it around. In the same way, we can look our jobs, home, and abroad and just get discouraged. In my life, I get discouraged by the the mundane, clutter, apathetic people, and on and on. Sometimes I look at the frustrations of my life and just let out one giant sigh.

Why in tarnation am I not thankful for the life I have? I am blessed with a good life, not perfect but very very good, and why can I not take a new look and be excited and relieved that my life will continue to be as good as it is now.

When I do my chores, why do I look at all the has to be done and become sour faced and grumpy? I lack perspective. Joy comes when I take control of my emotions. I can choose what will be appreciated and cherished.

I encourage you to read along with other positive women their stories of having joy. Along with Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Cultivating Joy you’d receive thousands in bonus gifts from over 50 visionary women (for a limited time only). To received your free gifts you have to buy the book from Amazon and then go here to request your freebies! Enjoy!

Filed Under: True Beauty Tagged With: beauty, Books, Joy, True Beauty

Positively Radiant with AVEENO

October 12, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

All moms want to look beautiful, don’t they? Of course they do, they’re women! Women want to feel beautiful…positively radiant even. If you’d like to feel a bit better about your skin, check out AVEENO’s new Positively Radiant Collection.

AVEENO has always seemed like the cashmere of skin care products to me. I don’t know if it’s the sound of the word or just its association with quality, but I love using AVEENO. I can still remember the first oatmeal bath product I used from AVEENO as a child. I was so intrigued that it used natural ingredients even then. I mean, oatmeal for the bath? Being a kid, I thought that was great! Now, as an adult I’m learning about the benefits of soy in their products.

AVEENO is a brand that I use for myself and it’s the only lotion I allow near my kids. It is known for using active naturals ingredients, and I’ve recently been enjoying the new AVEENO Positively Radiant Collection, which is formulated to help even out skin tone and texture. The line is made to make dull skin brighter and “more radiant.” While I don’t like to consider my skin “dull,” I have to admit that it is. I’m attracted to anything that illuminates or brightens my skin. The make up removing wipes were refreshing and removed my make up in a breeze. I am addicted to these! The daily moisturizer has a smooth texture, a soft scent, and SPF 15!

The Total Soy Complex helps to visibly transform the 5 FACTORS OF RADIANCE® including:

– Tone
– Texture
– Dullness
– Blotchiness
– Brown Spots

The benefits of soy were initially discovered when workers who regularly handled soy in Asia’s soybean factories found that their hands were especially smooth and even toned. How neat is that? AVEENO scientists devised a way to process soybeans that retains the integrity of the proteins to provide immediate and long-term skin benefits.

Naturally, we all want to look good, and we can naturally. I really like AVEENO and their other lines for their natural elements. Some days I just don’t feel radiant, so it always helps to have an extra boost from AVEENO.

If you’d like to check out more about the line you can look at Aveeno’s website, and of course you can buy them through Target (one of my favorite places to shop!).

OR you can win the full AVEENO Positively Radiant Collection! AVEENO Positively Radiant AET

Filed Under: Skincare Tagged With: Aveeno, beauty, Influence Central, Skincare

5 Things About My Week – Life Lately #FacebookDown

September 28, 2015 by Ashley Leave a Comment

1. Today when Facebook was down, I felt lost. Abandoned. Lonely. ha. Okay, it wasn’t that extreme but it did make me stop and think about how many relationships I hold on Facebook. I went to converse with a blogging friend in a Facebook group we share when I noticed it was down. I went to message my husband on Facebook to see if it was down for him. Yea, not so smart. I message him on google hangout while I headed back to Facebook to check in another group I’m in and see if Facebook is down for them too. It was shocking to see how quickly I turned to Facebook and how I didn’t know what to do when it was gone. What did I do? I went to Twitter to make sure it wasn’t just my account. I tweeted my “Is #Facebookdown for everyone or just me?” tweet. #Facebookdown wasn’t trending yet but after a quick hashtag search I found I wasn’t alone….and that I wasn’t the first one to use the hashtag #Facebook down. Maybe one day I’ll start my own hashtag but today isn’t that day. Hopefully Facebook will come back soon but in the mean time, I’ll continue to share with you 5 things about my week. 1 down, 4 to go.

2. My daughter was going to sing in church on Sunday so we brought our son with us to hear his big sister before we took him back to nursery. I snapped a quick pic before it started because I can’t believe how big he has grown. Seeing him sitting there with his daddy looking all grown up gave me waves of different emotions. Oh, how I do wish I could slow down time sometimes.

3. I didn’t manage to get a good picture but my daughter sang beautifully. : ) What can I say? I’m a proud mom. I’m thankful that she has much more confidence than I did at her age. It would have taken a lot of coaxing and prep work for me to be on a stage when I was her age but she found out yesterday that she would be singing an hour later.

4. One of my posts over at Embracing Homemaking has gone viral. The post 200 Things to Throw Away has had upwards of 45,000 visitors a day. A day! That’s very humbling. Humbling that that many people want to read my words. Well, some of them have left nasty comments but still, many people enjoyed reading an article that I wrote. I really don’t have the words to describe my appreciation and gratitude for that opportunity.

5. We had a fun time this past week playing at the playground together. My daughter asked if she could go “play at the ground” and it took me a minute to figure out what she was asking. 🙂 It was a beautiful day and a great idea. We had a blast playing at the ground. 🙂

I hope you had a wonderful week and relaxing weekend! What do you have planned for this week?

Filed Under: Life Lately Tagged With: 5 Things, Life Lately

Bella Mia Skin Care Spa in NC

September 27, 2015 by Ashley 48 Comments

S.P.A. Spa… SPA!!!!!!!! I went to a spa! I was given a couple free services at Bella Mia in exchange for my honest opinion. My time at Bella Mia was a lovely experience. Bella Mia is a quaint and elegant spa and salon located in Advance, North Carolina. The place was very clean, classy, and cozy. I loved every minute there! The service was fantastic, professional, top of the line. I can’t wait to go back.

I had a foot massage which was utterly fabulous. I’ve had a couple full body massages elsewhere and the short massages when you get a pedicure at the mall but this was all together different. It was amazing! A-maz-ing! I’ve already requested gift certificates for foot massages for every holiday from here on out.

I also had a facial, which was a completely new experience for me. It was relaxing and enjoyable but the best thing was how clean my face felt afterward. I kept feeling and looking in the mirror for the rest of the day. My face was so soft! The shoulder massage during the facial was an unexpected bonus.

I left feeling pampered and refreshed. I’m excited about planning another visit soon.

Bella Mia also sells make-up and skin care products. Beautiful make up products and judging from my facial, fabulous skin care products. If you want to make a complete day of pampering, they have a full salon! Which reminds me, I need to schedule a hair cut there soon. Bella Mia is the perfect place for a special day out!

If you live anywhere near Advance, NC and want a little “me” time, you definitely should book an apt. or two at Bella Mia. Visit BellaMiaSkinCareCenter.com for more info.

Filed Under: Body, Skincare Tagged With: Bella Mia, Spa