Gorgeous Glam

Room Vibes with Sunday Citizen

2021-06-30T13:57:00.002-07:00

We've landed at the Chateau! We are still knee deep in renovating
and unpacking slowly as the rooms come together.
I lightly unpacked the kids rooms for now so they
have a sense of normalcy. We went with a fun tropical wallpaper
and these crazy soft pillows and throw from Sunday Citizen.
The softest fabrics ever! Just cozy and perfect for snuggling!

I am loving this gorgeous palm leaf print pillow that ties in
perfectly with the wallpaper. And a lush blue pillow to pull your eyes
to the fun toucan print. Sunday Citizen pillows should be on
everyone's wishlist. They come in so many colors and
beautiful designs. A soft, cozy pillow makes all the
difference on a bed or couch. I can't stand scratchy pillows!
When my 5 year old says: "this is the softest thing on earth," you can
believe it is!

This Woodland throw is the softest blanket ever! If the air conditioning is on
and it's too cool these blankets are perfect! My son has this
boho papasan chair and I popped the throw over it so he can chill and he loves it!

I have so much work to do in this house, it's true! But we are enjoying picking out

all the finishes and designing the new rooms. During the process, it's these
little luxurious touches that make all the difference. My advice is to
invest in quality, luxe pieces that you use everyday. The finest sheets,
the softest pillows and throws. The fabrics we live in are worth every penny!

Check out Sunday Citizen for lots of other cozy soft items!

XOXO

Running on Rose´ with Mionetto

2021-06-16T21:58:00.005-07:00

Just popping in to say let's celebrate!

Cheers to Summertime! A new vibe and living our best life!

Popping the Mionetto Rosé and looking forward

to a fabulous season of celebrations!

"There is no limit to the amount of love, joy and abundance

you can attract into your life when you reframe your

anxiety into excitement." - The Champagne Diet

So true, and cast your worries into expectations for something

amazing about to happen at any moment!

Remember the glass is always half full!

Cheers my loves!

XOXO

Loving: Vegan Lip Tints You Need From Eco Lips

2021-06-14T21:11:00.001-07:00

Summer is the perfect time for lip tints. No lip liner needed!

I've been loving these beauties from Eco Lips which are vegan,

all natural and organic!

All the colors are gorgeous!

I can't decide which one is my favorite, so I suggest all of them!

Made with ethically sourced Brazilian butters and oils, you

won't have to worry about chemicals or toxic ingredients.

Beach bag approved!

From L to R: Bold, Blessed, Brazen, Blissful, Brave

The price is so good at around $5!

Made in U.S.A.

Check out Eco Lips for all of these and more clean beauty products!

Happy Summer!

XOXO

Finding Light in all the Places

2021-05-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

The sun was shinning just perfectly when we took these pics today.

The light dancing thru the trees, felt like warm kisses on my face.

After a week of thunderstorms and lightning in Texas,

I have been missing my California sunshine.

So, to get a workout in and boost my vibe I put on this VShred set in

the prettiest pastel sage color.

I love how high waisted these leggings are! They really suck everything in and

feel amazing. I am tempted to grab a pair of the new black leopard set, it is fire!

As a mom of two, I am super picky with leggings. They need to lift and

sculpt. So these past that test. But, I would suggest going with a darker

color or prints over the lighter pastels as they show all your biz!

VShred was kind to offer GG followers 20% off with code: GLAM20

https://vshredthreads.com/discount/GLAM20

Check VShred out and get some new workout gear for yourself, I know you

deserve it!

I always feel much more motivated if my workout attire is on point.

Old, worn out stuff should be donated asap!

If you are feeling a little drab like I was, try pulling out a good pair of leggings and just go for a quick walk. Trust me you will feel 100% better!

Sending you love and light

XOXO

Organic Skincare with MIG Living

2020-10-02T14:19:00.003-07:00

Luxurious. That is the word that comes to mind with the brand MIG Living.

Luxurious organic ingredients that smell heavenly. No chemicals here, just

nature and it's aromatic scents healing every part of your senses!

I'm always talking about rituals for your well-being and this brand provides that

for you. You choose the bundle or products that most speak to you.

Well-being is medicine. There is a method to healing and the founder of

MIG Living, Jamie Cross, teaches all about her concept here.

A soothing Cleansing Bar made out of clean ingredients like essential oils,

shea butter and raw honey can make a big difference to your

health and soul. I so loved this aroma when I opened the box, it transported me

to a feeling of serenity!

After I watched the video on the behind the brand episode below,

I really fell in love with the integrity of the process, from nature

to product. I really think you will love this brand as much

as I do now! We can spend so much money on medicine and

other unhealthy habits. I just want to

encourage you to not feel guilty about

investing in healing, organic products!

We can all heal together!

Please check out MIG Living for more inspiration!

XOXO

Taj

New Season is a Time to Re-Align

2020-09-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall!

A new season is a time to re-align with our hearts.

All that is good, all that is beautiful, all that is just and holy,

be those things and move towards them. We are the light keepers and

truth is within us. Give yourself grace and thanks to

the Almighty, then move towards your calling.

You are wonderfully made! Keep shinning bright star.

XOXO

Elle: Girl Gadgets

2019-09-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Girl gadgets! I love trying out cute accessories like these super chic ones from Elle.

This little Cell Phone Bank that looks like a lipstick is my favorite! Perfect to keep in your

purse for whenever you need a quick charge and it's super affordable check it out here!

This Cordless Flat Iron is the perfect travel piece. I love the rose gold detail and sleek white

handles. It's light as a feather and also rechargeable with any USB cord!

This is perfect for everyday use all well, I despise cords! So, this is perfect for

when I need to whip up a look without any fuss.

This fun Power Spin Makeup Brush comes with two super dense brushes.

I like to mist my brush first with a facial toner and then apply foundation.

This definitely makes applying foundation, powders, concealers etc. very relaxing and

even therapeutic! Something different to add to the routine never hurts!

There are so many other great girl gadgets on the Elle site that I want to try like

the Body Analysis Scale and the Painless Hair Remover. Take

a look and see what fun accessories you might like and let me know!

Do you love gadgets? I am planning on doing more of my favorite girl gadget

posts so make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out!

The Best Gift for Mother's Day

2019-05-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Sunday May 12th!

I just received my Mixbook order and I wanted to

share how special this would be as a gift for a

special Mom or Nana.

A photo book is such a treasure these days,

as it seems we all take pictures in our phones and never print them!

I told myself that I have to start making photo albums for the kids

to have when they grow up just like my mom did for us. It's

something I cherish and I know all mother's feel the same!

Mixbook has beautifully arranged photo books for you so

you don't have to do the work!

There are themes for every occasion and it's so easy to

upload your photos into the albums.

Mixbook partnered with several designers and I chose the Oh Joy design for

my photo book. I love her aesthetic and since we live in

California it went perfect with our beachy lifestyle!

The quality of the book is spot on, the color and clarity is

beautiful.

Mixbook also offers many different photo options like this beautiful

acrylic block. It is just gorgeous! This would

be such a fabulous gift! My heart just melted when I opened

the box and saw this!

I was very happy with the quality of the items and what

a breath of sunshine it is to actually see my treasured photos out of my phone!

There is also the option of canvas prints, metal prints and poster prints!

Another great gift idea for mothers day would be a custom photo calendar.

There are some beautiful designs to choose from as well.

If you order by today May 3rd, your order will arrive by Mother's Day!

Plus the box is so cute it comes with pretty stickers on it and I also

have a special code for you with $25 off your order just use

code: FAMBAM expires June 30, 2019.

Of course, you can place this order anytime and just treat

yourself or someone you love to a special gift at Mixbook!

XOXO

Humble Places - Words & Thoughts

2019-04-22T23:07:00.003-07:00

(Hat: Tenth Street Hats)

Blessed are those who see

beautiful things in humble places

where other people see nothing. -Camille Pissarro

This season has been one of change and growth for me.

Re-evaluating my priorities in my daily life and keeping our

rhythm slow and sacred instead of busy and burned out like the rest

of the world seems to be doing.

It's become more of a task to get off the gerbil wheel of social media/busyness/comparison

and all the expectations of our current "do it all" culture.

My posts have slowed down. Not for want, but to just live in the present moment for

a bit. It does the soul good to disconnect for a time.

I believe we all need these spaces of refreshing the spirit.

At first, it feels unnatural and unrealistic. Then, like a dewy Spring morning,

the soul wakens to the simple song of birds, their cadence like a password

to let go and be still in nature. A walk in the outdoors, moments of

peace and clarity come rushing in. These are the humble places we all

seek.

I hope that wherever your current journey may be unfolding,

that you will venture out and find your own space to disconnect from the pressures

of the world and find a humble place of peace.

XOXO

Taj

MyChelle : A Great Time to Switch to Clean Skincare!

2019-02-04T13:27:00.001-08:00

New Year, means the perfect time to switch out any toxic skincare

and go completely clean!

I've been using MyChelle dermaceuticals for a few months now and I wanted

to share the brand with you as they are pretty amazing!

I learned on their site that the average person uses about 12 personal care products
and is exposed to over 126 unique chemicals from those products daily!

That is just mind blowing right!

MyChelle products use clean, non-toxic, safe ingredients and I'm

on board with that mission.
In addition to being healthy for you, their formulas offer
major results! I tested these products on my skin
which is normal to oily for several months.
If you are looking to switch out your skincare routine, this is a great
brand to start with!

I started with the Bio-Firm Hydrogel Concentrate,

which is a 2% Hyaluronic Acid moisture binding gel. This is perfect for

these Winter dry months. I like to use it around my mouth, eyes and forehead.

After applying, just top with a moisturizer.

I find that a little goes a long way and it does hydrate and plump

the areas applied to. If you have fine lines, I think this would

be are great product for you to hydrate those areas.

Ultra Hyaluronic Beauty Mist

This is a favorite of mine, I love a face spray!

A refreshing cactus water mist with hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells and

niacinamide which is supposed to revive and rejuvenate the skin.

I use it it the morning for a refreshing plump! It has no smell and feels super

light-weight on the skin, not sticky or heavy. Another great product during the dry

winter months!

Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Creme

This is a light-weight moisturizer. At first,

I wasn't sure about the consistency, they way it pumps out. But, I really like

how it absorbs right into the skin like a drink of hydration.

With squalane, a botanical blend of plant stem cells, blue lotus,

rose petals and fresh water algae. The way I apply this is by pressing it into my skin

not rubbing, but gently patting it in. I find that my skin is much softer and the texture is smoother.

This is a new must for me!

Ultra Hyaluronic Water Mask

The perfect mask for softer skin!

With prickly pear cactus and blue agave, this formula is

light and moisturizing. It has a wonderful fresh, tropical smell to it.

I use this one a week overnight and my skin fabulous in the morning!
If this weather has your skin feeling dull and dry, this
will hydrate your skin and leave it supple. It is not greasy or
heavy, but super light.

A must-have mask for your skin.

If you are ready to throw out all those chemical filled
moisturizers, creams, face cleansers, and masks, then
now is the perfect time to start fresh! I feel
so much better knowing I'm not harming my
system with toxic ingredients that harm my liver! Those ingredients
end up causing other issues in our lives and it's time we
eliminate unnecessary chemicals from our beauty counter!
I know you will love MyChelle products as much as I do
and right now they are having
a great sale for BOGO on many items on their website!
A great time to try things out!
XO

Keep You & Your Kids Healthy This Season : Supplements

2018-12-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

It is the season when we need to up our supplements to stay healthy and happy!

This is my first line of defense to keep sickness away from the kids and myself.

I truly believe in natural remedies and their healing powers to keep us healthy.

Today I am sharing several of my favorites!

First, I do want to point out how important it is to do your research on any

vitamin/supplement brands and make sure their methods and ingredients

are pure and/or organic when possible.

All tincture supplements should be made free of alcohol as that

ingredient is counter-productive to the effectiveness of the herb or plant, etc.

Also, the shorter the ingredient list the better! We want to stay away

from citric acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors or colors.

These are some of things we use in our house everyday to feel great and

I hope you will give them a try too!

Olive Leaf Liquid Extract

Olive leaf is a centuries old healing treatment. It can even be

found several times in the Bible. It can be taken at the onset of flu/cold symptoms to

curb them. It also is a powerful virus killer and is more powerful that anti-biotics!

It has too many benefits to name! It can reverse heart disease, keep cancer, disease and

strokes away!

We take Olive Leaf every day.

Echinacea Goldenseal

I'm sure you have heard of this one! This is a great immune support and a good one

to take several times a day if you are feeling under the weather. I love to give supplements in

tinctures because they absorb directly into the bloodstream faster than a pill or gummy would.

Sovereign Silver

This is a Bio-Active Colloidal Silver Hydrosol which makes it easier for cell absorption.

We are all deficient in Silver and most minerals! This taken and held under the tongue will

absorb best. There are so many crucial benefits to taking silver! It can lover your viral load, help keep cancers, diseases and chronic illness away. Another mineral that has been

used for centuries, it has amazing healing powers for your system!

Eidon Zinc

Zinc is a precious mineral that we are deficient in. There are low quantities left of zinc on

Earth as well! Your body needs Zinc to function properly and it can kill a cold/flu virus

if taken as soon as you feel symptoms. Simply gargle 1-2 droppers and swallow!

Not all Zincs are made equally, but this brand is easy to digest and my kids never have

any issues taking it.

MyKind Organics Vitamin C

We all need Vitamin C to live! We just don't get enough daily. A glass of orange juice a couple

times a week, isn't going to cut the bill! We need to eat lots of Vitamin C rich foods, and take

a Vitamin C supplement. This tastes great and is super easy for my kids to take as it is a spray!

Vitamin Friends Immune Probiotic Vegan Gummies

My kids love a gummy! This probiotic has Vitamin C, Zinc Citrate, Echinacea and

Bacillus Coagulans. The kids loved the taste of these!

I tend to give the kids probiotics only 1-2 times a week. If they are eating

a good fruit and vegetable diet (hello smoothies!) then they are getting

a healthy dose of probiotics from those foods. You can get the refrigerated

kind of probiotic as well and we have also used that in the past. I try to rotate

different brands that I research.

It is free of gluten, egg, crustacean, fish, peanuts, milk and soy.

This was sent to us for review and I will say,

I hope this brand improves the ingredients list by
removing citric acid (which does not derive from any citrus) and natural flavors.

It is so important that the brands we support are transparent about what "natural flavors"

means. We are all learning what healthy ingredients truly are!

I would love to go more into each supplement that I've listed and give a detailed summary

of benefits for you, but I hope this will inspire you to do your own research and look

in to these particular ones for you and your kids. These are all safe to take

daily and of course are natural! We have never felt better since we

started taking supplements daily. My kids ask me to give them their vitamins

everyday, they love it! It's a ritual in our home and one I hope they

will continue in their adult years!

Sending you light and love!

Healthy Skincare: Zatik

2018-12-05T14:06:00.001-08:00

If you still haven't switched out your skincare from the Summer, I have the perfect line

for you to try! Zatik is an organic skincare line made with pure plant extracts and not

a drop of synthetic chemicals. I started using this line over a month ago,

and I have to say, I fell in love right away! I try a lot of beauty products

as you can imagine, and this line is highly effective, clean,

and really affordable for the quality.

I can't wait for you to try it too!

Zatik Relieve Eye Serum

First, I really love all the packaging in the line. The pretty glass bottles come with

pumps for easy use.

This serum should be on an awards list! It is a gem, it's super hydrating and not greasy.

The ingredients are top-notch, with Pomegranate, Eyebright, Rose, Chamomile and

Rosemary to name just a few.

There is no alcohol (oh joy!) no gluten, non gmo, soy free, it's vegan and synthetic free!

I love how light this feels around the eyes, it plumps and soothes.

I can't say enough how amazing this product is, they have really done a super job

with this one! A must have!

Zatik Clarity Cleanser

It's not easy to find a good cleanser that is clean. This

particular cleanser says it is for dry skin, but I have combination/oily skin and I

really like the formula. It is made with Coconut & Matcha (my fav!) there is

Calendula, and Milk thistle too. I love that these plant ingredients are right up at

the top and not tiny concentrations at the very bottom of the list.

Lavender is the second ingredient after water! Amazing!

The way I use this is on a warm washcloth. It removes all my makeup and

leaves my skin fresh and soft. I think this would be great for sensitive skin as well.

Zatik Nutri Face Serum

The last product I tried was this serum with Rose Hip & Black Seed.

A good serum is a must this time of year when the air is dry indoors.

Black cumin seed oil is known as the "blessed seed" and contains vitamins,

antioxidants, proteins and essential fatty acids that soften and smooth fine lines.

I just use one pump and press into my skin and it has a herbal fresh smell. I wake up

with supple glowing skin!

I think this would be a great line to gift yourself or a Mom/Sister for the Holidays.

I am really looking forward to trying out more of Zatik's products too!
The line is at a great price point for organic ingredients as well as beautifully packaged.
Definitely check out the line and give it a try, I know you will fall in love too!

XO

Infuse Your Skin with Goodness!

2018-10-31T14:56:00.002-07:00

Guys! I'm really excited about this Pur Energizer Skin Infuser Kit.

It's a genius little machine that sprays 100% pure healthy ingredients into

the skin. Pur Attitude is a science based skincare line that

is on a mission to revolutionize the skincare industry by purifying products from

all toxins, chemicals and unnecessary additives. We all are on board with this mission!

They have removed all water from their products and replaced it with hyaluronic acid,

a carbohydrate found in every cell in our body! It has the ability to draw up to 1000 times

its weight in moisture from the air. On their own, these hyaluronic acid molecules are too big to

pass thru the outer layer of the skin, but thru this technology we are able to benefit

from absorption at the deepest layer of skin.

This helps reveal a beautiful radiance, plumped, glowing skin.

Less wrinkles and smaller pores! Yes please!

The kit contains three serums: Max Defense to lift and firm, Magna Moisture which is

anti-aging, and Max Brightening with Vitamin C.

It's super easy to use, just add drops of your serums into the container and screw

it back on and it does all the work for you!

I love to just take it all in like a mini spa for a few minutes!

The spray is super fine and feels really light on the skin.

The Energizer will spray automatically for 60 seconds and then stop.

The Energizer super light weight and petite, so you can keep it in your gym bag or beside

your bed and infuse your face and neck with skin plumping goodness!

There is a USB charger in the kit as well so no batteries needed!

What I really love about this kit is the clean ingredients. The scientifically based

products that are going deep into the layers of the skin. They

are not just sitting on top of the skin like so many products do. It feels

really refreshing and revitalizing. You can easily keep this at your desk for a plumping session

and no one will hear it, smell it or even know you are taking a mini-spa minute!

Take a look at some of their products, I know you will love how clean the line is!
This would be a great gift as well for the upcoming Holidays!

You can find Pur Attitude here!

XOXO!

Boss Babe Tips: Up Your Game With An Awesome Newsletter/Email

2018-10-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'm all about sharing the knowledge and supporting other Boss Babes like myself.

Maybe you are a blogger, a small business owner or a life coach of sorts and

you really want more authentic engagement with your readers and of course

new readers! Perhaps delving into the technical side of things seems daunting.

I've got a great article here to help you savvy up on the lingo and

learn a thing or two about marketing your brand, sharing your message or

just connecting in an awesome way with other people.
Let's take a look at jazzing up a newsletter or email that

you can create! Take a look at this informative article from Emma

all about creating a GIF. Yep! It's actually pretty easy and anyone

can make one! Amazing right! This is definitely going to make you

want to make one, I know I want to! Cheers to making

awesome connections!

Want to spice up your email? A GIF might do the trick. GIFs aren’t just eye-catching, they’re effective. Research suggests emails sent with a GIF inside enjoy 26% higher clickthrough ratest han their non-GIF competitors.

Email-centered campaigns have also raised revenue – significantly. In one case study, Dell used a GIF in an email campaign and saw a 109% increase in revenue, according to MarketingSherpa.

If you’re interested in adding a GIF to your next campaign, we’ll explore six email marketing campaigns with killer GIFs that you can use as inspiration, plus some tips to add GIFs to your email effectively.

What is a GIF?

Before we start looking at amazing GIF campaigns, let’s define what a GIF is.

A GIF, or Graphics Interchange Format, is a moving picture. Think of it as a digital flipbook that strings several images together to create the illusion of movement. Here’s an example of a GIF in an email:

Pretty cool, right?

6 GIF emails you’ll want to copy

With GIFs, you need a plan. What do you want the GIF to do? Will it highlight products? Draw a subscriber’s attention to a specific part of an email? Take some time to think about what the GIF will accomplish for you.

To take some of the burden out GIF-prepping, here are some email marketing campaigns will killer GIFs that you’ll probably want to copy:

1. A Birchbox membership never looked so good

Birchbox, a membership-based beauty supplier, announces a big sale in a big way. The company uses a GIF to show the boxes of beauty supplies that members receive each month. The boxes slowly appear around the sale information, making the email a real beauty.

2. Van’s promotes its gift guide with GIF-style

Van’s, known for its skateboarding footwear and apparel, created a full-page GIF to introduce its holiday catalog. The animation, while a bit unorthodox, speaks to the Van’s brand and is a more engaging way to get customers interested in shopping than a still image and call to action.

Credit: ReallyGoodEmails

3. Modcloth shows off accessories

Modcloth, an online clothing retailer, show its customers how to accessorize a dress with an inspirational GIF. In seconds, customers see the same dress with a sweater, jacket, sunglasses, and different shoes.

The GIF is the online version of a window display that you’d see in a brick and mortar store. It gives customers the inspiration they need to complete their look.

4. Fashion Magazine spices up its newsletter with a GIF

Fashion magazine sends out newsletters with regularity, sometimes daily depending on a subscriber’s preference. So, how can a publisher keep the content inside fresh? You guessed it, with the occasional GIF.

Fashion Magazine uses a consistent newsletter layout. A main piece of content sits on top and four to six small blocks sit under it. Typically, each block has an image and headline, but sometimes one of the blocks is a GIF. Take a look at the example below. The GIF is such an attention-grabber that subscribers can’t help but click on it to learn more.

It’s a nice way to break up the routine newsletter while giving subscribers something unique.

5. Apartment Therapy provides design inspiration

Apartment Therapy, an online publisher promoting home design and décor, uses a GIF to show people how much of a difference art can make on their walls. The GIF shows an empty wall and then shows the same wall with art on it.

The visual nature of this GIF makes it easy for the reader to instantly see how art can impact the look of a room.

Like many publishers, Apartment Therapy sends out a lot of newsletters and strategically uses GIFs to show audiences something out of the ordinary.

6. Harry’s animates a clock to emphasize urgency

To encourage customers to act fast, Harry’s, a shaving equipment company, sent this email with an animated clock.

Forget countdowns or flashing signs that say, “Time is Running Out.” Harry’s keeps it subtle. Everything in the image is still, except the clock, which draws your eye right to it and conveys the urgency of ordering now.

Credit: ReallyGoodEmails

Tips you should know before sending your first GIF in an email

Now you’re inspired, right? Before you start planning email marketing campaigns with killer gifs, here are a few things you should know before you utilize these mini-movies in your email marketing strategy:

You don’t need animation skills

Making a GIF doesn’t require an animation degree. There are several user-friendly tools that can help you create a GIF quickly. Try EzGIF, GIFMaker.me, or Giphy.

Once you create the GIF and save it on your computer, you can upload it into an email just as you would an image. It’s as simple as uploading it and adding it to your email template.

Be aware of file size and load time

GIFs can quickly become large files, which is problematic for emails. Large files mean slow load times, and that’s a good way to frustrate your subscribers.

If you create a GIF, keep the file size below 400 KB and your image size under 480 pixels in width and height.

Be sure to send a test email to your phone and see how quickly it loads before sending it to others.

Vary GIF usage

As the examples show, GIFs are versatile. They can make up a small part of your email or they can be the main crux of it. You decide.

To start, you might consider making something small to learn the creation process and get into more complex looks later.

Picking the first frame is vital

Some email clients don’t support GIFs. Instead of seeing a moving picture, the subscriber will only see the first frame of the GIF. Outlook 2007, 2010 and 2013 will only show the first frame, for example.

Given this information, the first frame of your GIF is crucial. Make sure the first frame can stand alone as a picture.

Send a test

As with any email, you should send a test email to yourself before it goes mainstream. Aside from evaluating load times, watch the GIF to make sure it plays correctly. See how it fits with the rest of your email too. A GIF should complement your email and its message, not take away from it.

Of course, if you see any errors, fix them before sending.

Don’t go overboard

GIFs are awesome, but like anything else, you can overdo it. Try one GIF and see how your customers respond. If it goes well, try another. Use them sparingly though so customers don’t grow bored of them.

Wrap up

GIFs have become a powerful, attention-grabbing marketing tool for many businesses. But, as with any marketing tactic, there are best practices should you reference before adding a GIF to your next email. Fortunately, the tips and examples of email marketing campaigns with killer gifs give you a great starting point to create and send an email with a GIF inside.

Happy GIF-making everyone.

Find out more about this article and other tips here at www.myemma.com

Article/Photo Credit: Emma

Why You Need Magnesium

2018-10-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Most of us are deficient in many minerals these days.

Our soil is depleted of minerals that we need to be healthy and

we are dealing with pollutants, unhealthy diets, and toxic stressful lives.

We are sicker than we've ever been.

But there is hope! There are many amazing minerals we can take to help us

on our journey.

Magnesium is one that our body requires.

The U.S. National Institute for Health noted that

80% of Americans are Magnesium deficient.

Some of the side effects of deficiency include poor sleep, muscle cramps,

inflammation and chronic pain.

Refined sugar which is in most processed foods and drinks

depletes our magnesium reserves. Even Fluoride in the water

depletes us of magnesium.

Did you know that magnesium helps

regulate the body in many ways?

I personally take many different supplements for my health and I started

using magnesium oil only last year. I was amazed to learn all the benefits

one can achieve from just a little rub of magnesium oil onto the skin!

I wanted to share them here with you so that you have a good

idea of how crucial magnesium is to our overall well being.

One that I have been using is Geothermal Minerals.

It is a Permian Aged Mineral and 99%

pure and natural!

HEALTH BENEFITS

Let's get to the good stuff! Healing benefits!

Prevents Heart Disease

Decreases Premenstrual Symptoms
Prevents Chronic Disease

Increases Energy
Maintains Diabetic Levels

Prevents Migraines
Treats Joint & Muscle Health
Relaxes Muscles
Lowers Anxiety Levels
Enhances Athletic Performance
Improves Memory

Increases DHEA Levels
Supports Libido

Improves Skin/Anti-Aging
Supports Immune System
Regulates Cholesterol
Enhances Antioxidant System
Manages Magnesium and Calcium Balance
Regulates Biochemical Reactions

Magnesium is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, keeps the heartbeat

steady and helps bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in

the production of energy and protein.

So Where Does it Come From?

Geothermal Minerals is a family owned business and they import pure, organic Magnesium oil

comes directly from the Poltava region of Ukraine, the purest, deepest and oldest Bischofite deposit

found anywhere.

The oil is not refined or adulterated. It is bioavailable and biologically active.

So how does one use it?

So easy! Just pump a few drops onto your skin and rub in. I like to

rub into my arms and legs. I rub a pump onto my children as well right before we go to bed.

It absorbs quickly into the skin. You can use it every single day!

I keep the bottle out on my bathroom counter so I remember to use it.
The bottle is beautiful andsuper easy to use.
To learn more about the healing benefits of this oil check out the Geothermal Minerals website here.

Pick up a bottle while you are there for only $20! Such a great price to heal

your body with pure, natural Magnesium mineral!
Plus use code FIRSTTIME for 15% off.

Happy Healing!

A Face Patch to Remove Wrinkles? I Tried One From Frownies!

2018-09-07T18:40:00.002-07:00

As we gear up for Fall in just a few weeks, (Hello, pumpkin everything!) I have

some wonderful new skincare to share with you!

If you have yet to hear of Frownies, they are a organic and natural line.

My all-time favorite Rose Water Hydrator that I've talked about before is

still a must-have!

This line is CLEAN & Toxin free! The packaging is super cute and colorful,

and the price point is very, very good for organic, natural ingredients!

I've been trying some new products, so let's check them out!

A cult favorite is the Frownies Facial Patches for Wrinkles on

the forehead and in between the eyes.

This is super easy to use, just take a patch, spray with the Rose mist, and then

apply to freshly washed forehead or wherever you have wrinkles

and leave on overnight. The patch works like a splint on the skin and

re-trains the muscles to lie in a smooth, flat position.

I definitely love these for the forehead where I can see

small lines trying to form. I want to keep those from moving in for sure!

This approach is much safer than getting

injections and affordable! There is an 8-16 week

supply of patches in each box.

As I mentioned, the Rose Water Hydrator is one of my favorite skincare

items. I love a good face mist and I can't live without them!

This one says it helps to plump fine lines.

It's full of herbal extracts, vitamins and essential oils.

The scent is so faint and light, it's like walking by a rose bush,

just barely gives off a light whiff of that heavenly scent!

This will help keep face moisturized, refreshed, plump,

and glowy!

I use mine before I apply any serums or moisturizers. I

also use it before makeup and on my makeup brush before

I apply foundation. I like the extra moisture is gives my face.

This is a must!

I believe there is a special on the Frownies website that I've linked

where you can get both of these items in a package for less than $30!

I was most excited to try out this Moisturizer, Face & Neck with Aloe

and Oat Gel Cream. I am super into anything for my neck and keeping it

looking good. This really feels just like aloe vera! It's more of a gel consistency

and goes on very light. It feels very hydrating! It contains ceramides and high

levels of vitamin E that are of course all plant based. This gel cream really

feels light on the skin and not overly creamy or tacky like some neck creams.

The smell is very light and herbal. Some of the ingredients are Aloe, Oat Kernel Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Radish Seed Oil, Aspin Bark and Geranium Essential Oil.

My neck has felt very soft and hydrated, exactly what I was looking for. I like to

use this at night. Wonderful!

Saving the best for last! This Rose quartz roller!

I love facial rollers and if you haven't tried one get this one! Just pop in the fridge

to chill or into the freezer! This will help roll out fine lines, puffiness under the eyes and any dark circles will get moving! This really helps move out toxins built up under the skin and get blood circulating. It can help with sinus build-up and even headaches.

Get rid of built up stress and anxiety with healing rose quartz! Use the smaller roller around eyes and be very delicate.

Trust me, you will love this soothing, cool feeling!

I really loved everything I tried and was not disappointed in the natural ingredients

and their application. Healthy, clean skincare is a must and works wonders!

Check out the Frownies line for other great natural skincare products.

XX,

Taj

Malibu Cafe and Beautiful Sunglasses

2018-07-31T15:42:00.001-07:00

(Sunglasses: Dynamikos, Dress: Justify, Shoes: Miu Miu)

We recently went to the Malibu Cafe at

Calamigos Ranch. It is such a beautiful location to

get away from the city and relax! We had a nice

bite to eat at the outdoor restaurant,

walked around the pond, and then headed to the beach!

If you've never been there, I definitely recommend it! There are

little cottages that you can stay in for the night or weekend and

a beautiful pool with a relaxing waterfall!

There where ducks all around the pond, you can see

two of them back there if you look!

I can see myself relaxing by the pool here and

listening to the waterfall.

What taking pictures really looks like with these two!

These are my favorite sunglasses right now by Dynamikos. I love the

beautiful design and the quality craftmanship.

These are called the Cleopatra Clear Champagne!

The lens is UVA & UVB protected.

I just love them and want another pair!

Another great company to support as they give 20% of their net profit

to some amazing charities that are actually making a difference.

I need a gorgeous chandelier like this in my backyard!

Such a great place to escape to!

So many fun games to play and beautiful scenery

all around. Can't wait to go back!

XOXO

Ola Obsessed

2018-06-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

(Love my Third Oak Sustainably made Flip flops too!)

Now that the heat is on for Summer, we have been living at the beach and pool!

I have a Summer essentials post coming up and I was going to include

these Ola Tropical Apothecary mists in that, but they are just too good!

I had to share with you all and let you know that you need to try them asap!

Hawaii is my favorite place on earth and the mists take me back there in an instant!

This line uses only natural-based, organic ingredients. Everything is locally

harvested with beneficial botanicals, oils, fruits, sea elements and flowers.

Heavenly!

The two scents I am obsessed with are the Passion Fruit and Pikake.
These are Deep Sea Body Mists. Water found at 3000' below the ocean surface off the
Kona Coast. Each mist contains over 90 trace minerals and
is high in calcium and magnesium.
There are 6 Ola scents to choose from:
The Passion Fruit, Pikake, Rainforest, Coconut, Plumeria & Tuberose.
Some other ingredients are Mamaki Leaf, Olena Root, Sugar Cane, Aloe Vera,
Ginger Root, Noni Fruit &Taro Root.

I love to spray these on my face and neck all day long!
They are so refreshing and invigorating, you will be addicted too!
I promise, you need to have this in your purse!
Check out all the other body and spa products Ola carries, they
are amazing!

Summer is for Blush!

2018-06-07T14:24:00.005-07:00

One of the many reasons I love Summer is that I can turn

up the heat on my blushes! I am a blush girl and I love

to glow in hues of peach, pink and mauves.

These Cargo blushes are almost too pretty to use!

The packaging is sea inspired and I just love it.

Tonga is a pretty mauve, Catalina is a gorgeous carnation pink that is

so hot for summer!

The Big Easy is a go-to blush that everyone can wear.

I never turn a peachy blush down. It has the slightest

shimmer to it which is so pretty.

I really love the amount of product you get in these tins too, it's

easy to dip your brush in and apply.

If you love blush and need a new Summer glow,

these Cargo blushes are great!

They have free shipping and 15% off if you sign

up for emails!

XOXO

Love Beauty & Planet

2018-05-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

How gorgeous is this new brand called Love Beauty and Planet!

The approach is a more holistic and natural ingredient list.

The line is vegan and packaging is 100% recycled.

Importantly, there is no: parabens, dyes, silicones, animal testing or sulfate cleansers.

Made with ethically sourced ingredients like this Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower

Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash. It really smells heavenly which is such

a big deal when I shower! I love the natural, vibrant smells of nature!

This one smells very much like an organic coconut dream!

This Sugar and Rose Peace and Glow Creamy Body Scrub

has got to be one of my favorite bath treats I've tried in a while.

It smells so wonderful, I can't even tell you! Like this blooming

rose here in my picture!

Last item I tried is the Murumuru Butter & Rose

2 minute Magic Masque.

I love that everything had organic coconut oil in it, as this is a great

healing oil for hair and skin. This masque leaves hair soft and glossy and

I absolutely love the packaging!

What a great transformation the company Unilever has made with this line!

Brands are definitely taking note that we want and deserve healthy, clean products

that make a difference! Well done!

Most stores carry this brand, so run right out and try some!

I really want to try out the Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo and Conditioner!

XOXO

Better Skin First Impressions

2018-04-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

I'm back with a new skincare brand called Better Skin and it has
a pretty cool background!
Created by a dreaming girl named Natalia who emigrated with her parents
from the Republic of Uzbekistan to Seattle, Wa. (My home state, Hey!)

Natalia brought a secret beauty recipe with her from her beloved homeland.
She became an aesthitician and started making her secret cream at home for clients!
Then, she met a beauty industry insider, Murphy Bishop.
He tried one of her secret recipes, the Mirakle Cream.
He fell for it, and convinced her to take it to chemists to perfect the recipe.
The rest is history! A skincare line was born!
Let's get to the products I've been loving!

I'm a girl who lives for masks and facials. Every weekend,

I'm doing a facial and pampering my skin.

So, this Lava Magik, had me intrigued!

It is a cleanser, scrub, mask. With volcanic lava from France and

calendula, sweet orange and grape seed oils to nourish.

I love it! Let's just be honest here, it's pretty Magikal like its name!

It really exfoliates in such a delicate way and smells divine.

Skin feels heavenly soft afterward.

It is definitely on the more expensive side for masks, however,

the ingredients are paraben free, vegan, gluten free, and cruelty free.

Importantly, it has real results!

I noticed a lot of buzz around this product, the Zit No More.

I gave it a try on a a blemish and the next day it was dried up!

I will warn you, it smells quite potent (Tea Tree oil and Tung Oil!) So wear it at night!

But, this little roller ball application does the trick for pesky break outs!

Add this to your arsenal and you won't be disappointed!

I saved the famous cream for last!

The Mirakle Cream, with soothing ingredients like, seabuckthorn (a fav!) coconut oil,

shea butter, aloe, cocoa butter, and soothing algae. Then there are the overtime workers,

peptides and hyaluronic acid to restore bring out a radiant glow!

It has a barely there scent, so if you are sensitive to smell, you will love it.

It feels very hydrating, but not greasy or thick. This is a nighttime cream in my opinion.

I really love it for my neck and chest!

Overall, all three products were a hit for me, which rarely happens!

I love the bright packaging too!

They also have a Vitamin C Serum that I would like to tr

as that is one of my must-have beauty ingredients!

Find about Better Skin here!

You can score 20% now thru April 30th with code April20!

XOXO

New Spring Beauty: Jane Iredale

2018-04-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Spring means time for a trip! Which of course, means

new healthy makeup shopping! Jane Iredale is a wonderful brand

that uses healthy and good for your skin ingredients.

I'm really excited about this little bronze compact that has

powder, a gorgeous blush and eyeshadows in it which couldn't be more

perfect for travel!

Pure Moist Lipstick in Jamie and Tricia with moringa butter, vitamins A & C,

coffee bean extract, orange peel wax, avocado and sunflower oils and organic

blackberry & pomegranate extracts! Super moisturizing and feels so good on.

Tricia is the perfect nude lip!

The last swatch is from the Lip Fixation Lip Stain/Gloss duo in Content.

It's a matte pink nude with a clear gloss shimmer. If

you are going to be outdoors all day, a stain is perfect for lasting color

and then you can just touch up with gloss.

The Makeup Kit in Snap Happy will be in my travel makeup bag all season!

It comes with:

PureMatte Finish Powder in translucent

Whisper PureFresh Blush in a shimmery peach pink (obsessed!)

Brown Sugar PurePressed Eyeshadow Triple - warm brown,

shimmery peach, Shimmery copper eggplant

Love the soft Dome brush too! The bristles are super soft!

Last, but not least is the Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner in Sapphire and Emerald.

This water-resistant powder to cream eyeliner is shimmery and smokey!

It comes with it's own brush for application in a gorgeous gold bottle.

Perfect for travel too as it won't get messy and you can create a pretty

smokey eye with the crease free liner.

Now it's time to make those travel arrangements! Are you going

anywhere soon?

Check out the Jane Iredale new Spring collection for more inspiration here!

XOXO

My Healing Lemon Water and a Novel: Futura

2018-03-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Whenever I sit down to read a book I like to have a hot tea or my

healing lemon water! Here is a quick recipe

for my lemon/ginger water:

Boil your water

slice 1-2 inches fresh organic ginger

add to cup

add hot water

squeeze 1/2 lemon juice into water

add 1 tbs raw honey once water has cooled slightly

enjoy!

Now onto the book!

This short novella Futura by Jordan Phillips

is set in the year 2050 Paris. I was very intrigued by the premise of this

book and the hope for what it might bring.

The story follows an American girl who lives in Paris in the future where things

seem quite perfect. We follow her relationships and desires for things

that are not typical for society anymore.

Like a child of her own!

Microchips & robots are a way of life, nature has receded, working is unnecessary.

A.I. has taken over everything that people once did.

Even cooking!

We get a glimpse into this evolved world, and the book leaves you

wanting to know more.

You will find yourself feeling hopeful for the picture that is painted in this

future world. This book is 90 pages, so it reads very quickly and

feels like short dream, more than a novella. However, I think there

is much room here to grow and delve into the characters and a world that

has been transformed from what we now know.

The thought of being alive in this future realm

of A.I. & a technology driven space, gives way to hope!

It does not have to be a future of doom and gloom!

Quite worth the read for those who love futuristic

journeys!

Loving: Natural Hair Color by ONC

2018-03-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have colored my hair since I was 16! My hair has been every color

on the color wheel. It's always been fun coloring my hair. But, there is something

I don't enjoy about it, the pungent smell, the burning feeling during processing and the brittleness

I often encounter afterwards.

These days, I stick to my natural shade of chocolate brown and

I am always looking for a more healthy and affordable option. I have found a great one

in ONC NaturalColors and it works great!

Hair color isn't the most healthy thing for us women. There

are so many chemicals in the ingredients. Ammonia being a big one that many

brands are starting to finally remove. But, too many still have it in there, among

many other toxic ingredients. Too much

ammonia in the bloodstream is bad news for us.

Ammonia is so toxic it is able to penetrate through anything in our bodies, even

our bones! It penetrates right through our skin! If you take anything away

at all from this post, please do not buy any hair dyes with ammonia in them.

If you go to a salon, please be sure to ask if any of the products being used

have ammonia in them and ask that they

not use them on you or anyone for that matter!

We don't need toxic substances applied to our scalps entering our blood stream

and organs!

So, this ONC NaturalColors is a breath of fresh

air for those of us who do color our hair!

ONC NaturalColors are made with certified organic ingredients like:

Argan oil, Aloe Vera, Orange Extracts, Chamomile, Comfrey and

Coconut oil to name a few! You can see here in the picture, it has a whole

list of healthy ingredients to benefit you!

It is free of Ammonia, Resorcinol, Parabens Silicones and Nonoxynol.

I don't even know what that last one is, but it doesn't sound good!

The product helps improve the health of your hair, not destroy it, like so many

brands do!

I really loved the color Glamorous Brown. It covered all my grays and

lasted way longer than the unhealthy brand I was using prior.

It was a very easy application and the smell was pleasant not overwhelming at all like

usual colorants. There was no burning or itching either! My hair
felt healthy and soft after coloring. The Glamorous Brown was
beautiful!

It is available on Amazon and on the ONC NaturalColors website here.

The price point is $24, which is very high in comparison to the drugstore

brands I know! But, it's time to start investing in our own health and not

use those other toxic brands anymore. I always say, we vote with our money honey!

If we can stop buying brands with toxic ingredients, then they will stop making them!

Are you using a healthy hair color? If not, please give this brand a try,

I am sure you will love it too!

XOXO

Going Plant-based: My Story

2018-03-11T16:12:00.002-07:00

Going Plant-based: My Story

I was feeling low in energy for months...catching all the colds the kids were

bringing home. I had headaches on random days and my coffee cup was always

full. It started about 9 months after I had Max, my son who is 2 now.

I have always been healthy and eaten what I thought was a balanced

diet according to set standards. But, I just

felt off. Too many colds and the flu had me wondering what was up?

Then I found a little bump on my chest...I got the flu again. It was December

2016 and my favorite time of the year, but I just had no energy. That flu took me

out for days. I couldn't even take care of my kids... I ended up in the hospital.

That's where my plant based story begins. My husband and I had been juicing

on and off for several years and eating what we "thought" was healthy.
Lots of cheese and milk for calcium and for "strong bones."
Organic meat for protein. Free-range eggs, lots of whole grain breads
and grains and fruits and veggies. Sounds great right!

But, we really had no idea everything was about to change.

By January 2017 I was still sick, my husband got sick, the kids were

sick...the universe was trying to get our attention! "Okay, God what

is going on here?" I said to myself!

Awakening

Doctors told me to get on more anti-biotics or said my symptoms

where just the common flu. But a year of a flu? Vertigo? More symptoms every month?
No, that isn't right.
I never took the prescriptions. I spent hours on the phone with

my healthcare insurance going down endless rabbit holes.

Trying to just see a specialist was next to impossible for some reason.

"This isn't working. Something isn't right here." I said.

I came across "What the Health" a documentary on Netflix about our food and

what we are really eating. Dairy, meat, processed foods, toxic ingredients

that find themselves in just about everything. I started reading vehemently. Everything

I could find on the truth about food and healing. It all aligned.

I was awake. The system was designed to make us sick!

Too many toxic pesticides, herbicides on the GMO crops.

Those crops are filling up

our systems and causing viruses to turn into disease and cancer.

It's contaminating the cows and chickens. They

are fed hormones and anti-biotics and live a sadly life which

transfers into the meat and dairy they produce. Then we consume

it all. This was not God's plan for us.

I basically started from scratch. I threw out everything in my pantry except

fruit and veggies. I thought I was eating and shopping healthy! But, I wasn't vigilantly reading labels.

Labels are where it's at. We can't ignore the labels anymore! They sneak

in MSG and "natural flavors", toxic citric acid and on and on.

I said, "Babe, we are going plant based. We have to heal. We have

to get healthy for real. I'm sick. But I can heal. I can live."

Plants are Medicine

Time to heal. Time to be awake. Time to help others who are sick

for no "reason." Time to have a voice.

My family went fully plant-based and we never looked back.

I'm not a crazy vegan or a harsh critic. I'm just a truth seeker.

Common sense says, if we are treating all these animals in conditions

that are making them sad and lifeless then how are we good stewards?

How can we consume these foods and think they will sustain us, nourish us

and heal us?

Cow's milk is meant for a baby calf. Period. We shouldn't be manipulating this

animal on a global scale for our consumption.

Cheese is the most delicious

thing in the world! Sure, but it feeds viruses and pathogens. So we have

to make choices. It isn't the only form of calcium!

We can eat meat. Yes, but at what cost? We have to cut back. We have

to think about that impact and have a connection to what we are eating.

Is it going to help us heal? That is the big question we have to ask!

For me, plants and herbs are our medicine. They have helped me heal and

we rarely, if ever, get sick anymore. We did not get that gnarly flu going

around, or even a cold this Winter!

I feel energized, free of symptoms, healthy, and I have peace

about my path. This isn't a story of how to go vegan or vegetarian or plant-based.

Those are all just LABELS. I don't think we need that. We just need to wake up

to what's really going on in our food system.
Wake to the misinformation being spread and funded by
private special agenda groups.
We must ask why so many people

are sick with auto-immune diseases and cancers galore.

I want people to be healthy, but also to take responsibility for animals as well.

They need us to protect them and think about our connection to each other.

We can be strong and eat plants! We can be athletes at
the highest level and run triathalons and

go the same distance! Plants have more than enough proteins!

The difference is we are healed by the healthy foods

we are eating. We are not feeding cancers.

We are awake and telling the truth to those who will listen.

We are healing.

This post is sponsored by a coalition of partners, Olympian Dotsie Bausch & her
non-profit organization Compassion Champs. This initiative is to help counteract
the false and misleading messaging featured in the Milk Life Olympic advertising.
Please take a short moment to watch this 30 sec video.
#Switch4Good