Even better? Many of these deals include products that work beautifully for mature skin over 40 and 50.

As someone with aging, normal-to-dry skin, I always look for products that help with hydration, fine lines, dullness, and uneven texture. The 21 Days of Beauty sale is a perfect time to stock up on skincare and makeup that supports healthy, glowing skin.

Here are some of my top picks for mature skin during the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale.

• Bondi Boost HG Shampoo (3/6)
• Bondi Boost HG Conditioner (3/6)
• Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit
• Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-in Conditioner (3/7)
• Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand (3/7)
• Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist with Sunscreen SPF 50 (3/8)
• St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse (3/8)
• Bed Head Hair Wax Stick for Strong Hold (3/9)
• Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer (3/10)
• Origins Peace of Mind Relaxing Bath Oil (3/10)
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (3/10)
• Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Starter Kit (3/11)
• DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo (3/6-3/12)
• Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm (3/13)
• BK Beauty Concealer Brush (3/13)

Why the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale Is Worth Shopping

The Ulta 21 Days of Beauty event is different from most beauty sales because the deals are 50% off and feature many prestige brands.

Each day includes a new set of deals, and some items are available for an entire week.

That means you can grab products that normally feel like a splurge — for half the price.

If you’re focused on anti-aging skincare, hydration, and makeup that works well on mature skin, this is one of the best times of the year to shop.

What Mature Skin Needs in Skincare

As skin matures, it naturally loses collagen, elasticity, and moisture. That means our skincare priorities often shift.

When choosing products, I look for ingredients that help with:

Hydration – hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin

Fine lines and wrinkles – peptides and retinol

Skin barrier support – niacinamide and ceramides

Brightening and dullness – vitamin C and gentle exfoliants

Tips for Shopping the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale

Because these deals are popular, some items sell out quickly. Here are a few tips for getting the best deals:

Check the daily deals early in the morning

Add favorites to your Ulta wishlist ahead of time

Shop online if your store sells out

Watch for week-long steals, which give you more time to buy

Final Thoughts on the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale

The Ulta 21 Days of Beauty event is one of the best opportunities of the year to try high-quality skincare and makeup at 50% off.

If you have mature skin, this is the perfect time to stock up on products that support:

Hydration

Skin barrier repair

Fine lines and wrinkles

Radiant, healthy-looking skin

The post Ulta 21 Days of Beauty: Top Picks for Mature Skin appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

This year, I went all in on a Peeps theme, and it turned out so cute that I had to share! Whether you’re putting together your own college care package for Easter or just looking for Peeps gift ideas, here’s how I made it special—and super sweet.

What’s Inside the Easter Peeps College Care Package?

I had a blast shopping for all things Peeps, and it turns out there are so many flavors and themed goodies out there! Here’s what I included:

• Assorted Flavors of Peeps Marshmallow Treats. I picked up a variety so he could share with his friends (aka his peeps) or save them for late-night study snacks.
  • Classic Blue Bunnies
  • Dr. Pepper Peeps
  • Party Cake Peeps
  • Sour Watermelon Peeps
  • Cotton Candy Peeps
  • Cookies and Cream Peeps
  • Tropical Punch Peeps
  • Rice Krispies Treats Peeps
  • Milk Chocolate Covered Peeps

• Plush Peep. A soft, squishy plush Peep added a cozy touch—and it’s a fun little dorm decoration too.

• Peeps lip balm. Yes, it’s a thing! Peeps-flavored lip balm is not only adorable but also a quirky little addition to the box.

The Finishing Touch: A Fun Quote on the Box

To make it even more personal, I decorated the inside lid of the care package with the quote:

“For you and your PEEPS!”

It brought the whole theme together and added a little humor. I used Canva to create the design, printed, and glued on to the box flaps.

Why a Peeps-Themed Easter Care Package?

When it comes to college care package ideas, I love leaning into seasonal themes. A Peeps Easter package is colorful, playful, and easy to put together. It brings a bit of holiday spirit to campus life and reminds them they’re loved—even from miles away.

This kind of themed package is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to make something personal and fun. Peeps are inexpensive, easy to find, and come in so many variations these days that you can really get creative.

Tips for Mailing an Easter College Care Package

• Use a sturdy Priority Mail box from the post office to make shipping simple.

• Add Easter grass if there’s extra space in the box

• Add a personal note or card to make it extra special.

• Try to ship early so it arrives before Easter weekend.

Final Thoughts

Sending a college Easter care package is such a thoughtful way to show you’re thinking of your student—even during a busy semester. And with a theme as fun as Peeps, you’re sure to bring a smile to their face (and maybe even get a text back!).

Have you made a fun Easter package before? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

The post Sweet & Fun: Easter PEEPS College Care Package for Your Student appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

Looking for unique and trendy teen Easter basket ideas? Easter baskets aren’t just for little kids! If you’re filling one for a teen this year, here’s a clever and fun DIY idea that adds a spicy twist to their basket — Hot Cheetos ‘Carrots’! Teens love Hot Cheetos, and this easy craft is a festive way to include their favorite snack in the mix. This fun Easter basket filler idea is perfect for teens who love bold flavors and unique snacks.

Optional Snack Substitutes:

If your teen prefers something less spicy, you can swap the Hot Cheetos for other orange or yellow snacks, such as:

• Goldfish crackers
• Cheese Balls
• Cheese Popcorn
• Cheez-Its Grips

These fun snack options make great teen Easter basket stuffers that are both creative and delicious.

What You’ll Need:

• Hot Cheetos
• Clear cone bags (icing bags)
• Green ribbon

Hot Cheetos Carrots Tutorial:

1. Fill the Cone Bags:
   • Open your cellophane cone bags and carefully fill each one with Hot Cheetos. Fill about three-quarters of the way to leave room for tying the top.
2. Shape the ‘Carrot’:
   • Gently shake the bag to distribute the snacks evenly and create a carrot-like shape.
3. Tie with Green Ribbon:
   • Twist the top of the bag closed and secure it with a piece of green ribbon. The ribbon represents the leafy carrot top.
4. Add to Your Easter Basket:
   • Tuck the finished ‘carrots’ into your teen’s Easter basket for a festive and flavorful surprise! These DIY Hot Cheetos carrots are the perfect Easter basket addition for teens who crave something different from traditional candy.

Bonus Tip:

For a full snack basket, combine Hot Cheetos ‘Carrots’ with other trendy treats like Hot Takis, Peelerz candy freeze-dried candy, or even a fun Stanley drink tumbler or Owala water bottle to round out the gift. Adding trendy snacks and creative fillers will make your teen’s Easter basket stand out and feel more personalized.

This simple DIY craft is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your Easter basket. Whether you’re creating a spicy snack basket or just want to mix up the usual Easter goodies, these Hot Cheetos ‘Carrots’ are a must-have idea for teens. Happy crafting and happy Easter!

The post Hot Cheetos ‘Carrots’ for Your Teen’s Easter Basket appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

Mermaid Magic is happening now, March 8th through Sunday, March 16th, every day (9:30 am – 4:30 pm, daily)

Why Mermaid Magic is Exciting

Mermaid Magic transforms the aquarium into a mystical underwater realm where the lines between reality and fantasy blur. Visitors, especially children, are thrilled to see mermaids gracefully swimming alongside marine creatures, creating a magical ambiance that sparks imagination and wonder. This event not only entertains but also educates guests about marine conservation through engaging storytelling and interactions.

Activities at Mermaid Magic

The event offers a variety of activities designed to enchant and educate:

• Live Mermaid Performances: Witness mermaids swimming in the aquarium’s exhibits, showcasing their aquatic skills and interacting with marine life.
• Meet-and-Greet Sessions: Guests have the opportunity to meet mermaids up close, ask questions, and take memorable photos.
• Storytelling Sessions: Engaging tales of ocean adventures are shared, emphasizing the importance of protecting marine environments.
• Mermaid Makeovers: Children can enjoy face painting and dress-up sessions to transform into their own version of a mermaid.

Other Attractions at OdySea Aquarium

Beyond Mermaid Magic, OdySea Aquarium offers a plethora of exhibits and interactive experiences

• Penguin Point: Observe African penguins in a habitat designed to mimic their natural environment. Watch them waddle on land and gracefully swim under water.
• Shark Waters: An exhibit featuring various shark species.
• SeaTREK Helmet Diving: The SeaTREK experience is A unique underwater walking experience where visitors can explore marine life up close (add-on experience)
• Touch Pools: These are Interactive stations where you can gently touch stingrays, sea stars, and other marine creatures.
• Sloth: Visit the residential sloth, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch him on an active day. You can even add-on the Sloth Encounter experience for an extra special opportunity to get up close.
• America’s Best Restroom: Make sure to check out the bathrooms to see why they were voted “America’s Best Restroom”

Exploring Arizona Boardwalk

Located adjacent to OdySea Aquarium, Arizona Boardwalk is an entertainment destination offering a variety of attractions:

• Butterfly Wonderland: The largest butterfly conservatory in the country, Butterfly Wonderland houses thousands of butterflies in a tropical rainforest setting.
• Pangaea: Land of the Dinosaurs: An interactive exhibit that takes visitors back to the age of dinosaurs with life-sized animatronic displays.
• Laser + Mirror Maze: A fun and challenging experience navigating through mirrors and laser beams.
• VR Extreme: A virtual reality attraction offering cutting-edge VR experiences for all ages.
• Dining and Shopping: A variety of restaurants and shops provide culinary delights and unique souvenirs to complete your visit. Our top pick for yummy eats – Maria’s Mexican Grill. Locally owned and always a great meal.

A visit to OdySea Aquarium during the Mermaid Magic event, combined with the diverse attractions at Arizona Boardwalk, ensures a day filled with wonder, education, and entertainment for the entire family.

If you love the mermaids, you’ll have to come back for a visit in December to see SeaTrek Santa diving with the sharks and rays.

The post Mermaids at back at OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

I’ve lived in my home (new build) for 19 years now so the design is outdated, and I’m not wanting to do a remodel at this point. But adding a few design touches refreshes the feel. Make your bathroom a self care escape – you deserve it.

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6 Simple touches to make your bathroom feel more like a spa

• Eucalyptus – Tie a few sprigs of fresh cut eucalyptus to your shower head for a relaxing scent experience when showering.
• House plants – Add house plants to your bathroom. Add plants to shelves or hang from the ceiling. The moist environment will help them to thrive.

• Self-care basket – Fill a basket with bubble bath, bath bombs, shower steamers, and face masks for easy self-care.
• white towels – Roll thick, luxurious white towels in a basket to make them easily accessible
• White pillar candles – Tall white pillar candles can elevate the luxurious spa feel to your bath
• Shower water filter – install a water filter to your shower head to remove impurities and soften the water for a more luxurious shower experience
• Shower head – Swap your shower head for a shower head with water spray options for the ultimate experience.

What would you add?

The post How to make your bathroom feel more like a luxurious spa appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

Green and rainbow snacks, green accessories like socks or silly glasses, a few decorations for the room, and maybe even a LUCKY lottery ticket? If they’re 21 or older, maybe some Irish beer or whiskey (if you’re delivering in person, of course)

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St. Patrick’s Day College Care Package

I put together my box to arrive March 1st so they would have time to enjoy the decor for a few weeks. A mix of snacks, decor and a little fun.

St. Patrick’s Day Care package box decorations

I keep my boxes pretty simple. I just used some scrapbook paper (I have a huge stash left over from my scrapbook days) that I cut to fit and glued to the box flaps. I printed some graphics from Canva, trimmed and glued to the flaps. You could also use stickers and print designs with a Cricut craft machine.

What’s in the Care Package?

St. Patrick’s Day decorations. I keep the decorations minimal since they’re rooms are small. I usually pick up a few things from Dollar Tree so its not a big deal if they end up tossing or easy to store. Banners are great and then something for their door.

• leprechaun
• glittery shamrock
• shamrock banner

Snacks – green, rainbow and of course some Lucky Charms are perfect for the box

• Lucky Charms cereal
• Green Strawberry Haribo gummies
• Newman’s Own microwave popcorn (microwave popcorn is always a hit in the dorms!)
• gummy Haribo snakes
• Snak Club Ranch peanuts

Some fun – I usually order extras to share with roommates and friends.

• Shamrock novelty glasses
• St. Patrick’s Day bead necklaces

More ideas for the St Patty’s Day Care package

• fun St Patricks day socks
• St Patrick’s Day tee
• chocolate gold coins
• ‘lucky’ scratch-off lottery tickets
• Lucky Charms, just the marshmallows
• Lucky Charms marshmallow bars
• Skittles (rainbow)

Don’t have much time left? Order a bunch of themed snacks for grocery store delivery or a themed tee from Amazon.

The post St. Patrick’s Day College Care Package appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

Mardi Gras isn’t a major holiday so the box will be relatively simple but not one I wanted to miss. When my son was growing up we always celebrated the holiday by either visiting a local southern restaurant or making jambalaya at home. Of course, I always had to pick up some Packzis, too.

My son is living in dorms, so I mostly send snacks. Once he moves to an apartment with a kitchen, I’ll send a box of Zatarain’s jambalaya along with a grocery gift card for more of the ingredients. Once he’s 21, maybe some Hurricane mix, too.

I decorated the box with 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper cutdown to size and glued it to the box flaps. Then I created some images with a graphics program (Canva), printed, cutout and attached. You could also cut out images using a Cricut or purchase stickers from a craft store…but I usually keep it simple and low cost using what I have (and the kid is more excited about what’s in the box).

What’s in the Mardi Gras Care Package:

Zapp’s chips. Zapp’s Chips are a New Orleans staple. Voodoo, Voodoo Heat, and Cajun Dill were the only varieties I could find locally. If I had more time, I could have ordered more. Or if you live closer to New Orleans, I’m sure you have lots more options for Cajun snacks.

Beads, beads, and more beads. Our local Dollar Tree had a good selection so I picked up a few packs so he could share with friends.

Want to make your own?

• Zapp’s Chips sampler pack
• Hurricane Cocktail Mix
• Mardi Gras beads
• Mardi Gras stickers
• King Cake cake mix
• Zatarain’s Jambalya mix

The post Mardi Gras College Care Package appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

I love popping in once a week and searching for some new great finds. Always looking for ways to save money but I’m also picky so it needs to be a great product. While some items have proved to be fails, I have discovered lots of great finds that I will keep rebuying (when I can find them, part of the fun of the Dollar Tree is the fun of the hunt).

• Alani energy drinks – Alani drinks may have been a short-term stock as I haven’t seen them recently. Rumor had it, that they were changing the branding and Dollar Tree was carrying the phased-out design. One of my favorite energy drinks so I stocked up when I could find them for only $1.25.
• detangler brush – great finds to brush hair after washing without pulling out hair (and at 53, I need all the help I can get to prevent more hair loss)
• Peelerz gummy candy – The gummy candy made popular on TikTok, my son and I both love them. Mango and Banana Peelerz are my favorites
• Ioni Tinted lip oils – Great price for a great lip oil. My favorites are the Ioni Pink Doll and Sweet Honey.
• shave lotion
• ‘Get Ready with Me’ headband – Great for wearing when applying makeup. Because they get dirty over time, great item to stock up.
• B-Pure and Orchid acne patches – both of these brands make acne patches that work great at a great price. I always stock up when I see them and send a few to the college kid (and keep one for myself since I still got the occasional zit even in my 50s, thanks perimenopause)
• Global Beautycare Pineapple and Glycolic Acid facial polish – smells so yummy and brightens my skin
• B-Pure night lip mask (not pictured) – love, love the lip mask. Unfortunately, I used mine up and haven’t been able to find another (but I have heard they’re starting to be stocked in the stores again).

Hav you tried any of these Dollar Tree products? are they are ‘love’ for you too?

Love Dollar Tree hauls? Make sure you’re following me on TikTok (@danavollmer) where I share my hauls every week.

The post Dollar Tree Finds – 2024 Favorites appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

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• Bootleg Lavender Bath Oil
• a favorite drink, Poppi
• favorite candies, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Haribo Valentine gummy bears
• face sheet masks
• lip mask
• heart bath sponge
• spa headband
• Conversation Hearts, a Valentine’s classic

The post Let’s Make a Galentine’s Gift Basket appeared first on Sweet Shoppe Mom | Phoenix Lifestyle Blog.

Over the years I’ve made lots of easy DIY Halloween pumpkins for my son. The theme has always reflected his interests. There was baseball, Nerf, AZ Cardinals football, Fornite, and Among Us. Now the kid is 18 and off at college. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop crafting.

A college spirit-themed pumpkin is perfect for a college student. Also would be fun for alumni to put out on football game days. Since my son is in a dorm this year keeping small and simple is perfect because space is limited. Keeping is small and light (fake pumpkins are much lighter than real) would make it easy to shop if your college student is attending a university farther from home. My son is about 30 minutes away so I will drop it off when I drop off my Halloween Care Package.

College Spirit Easy DIY Pumpkin

First, you need a pumpkin. We use Craft pumpkins so that we can use our designs year to year. They’re also lightweight, which is important if you will be shipping your pumpkin to your college student. A pumpkin that’s sized 6.5″ to 10″ is a great size for a dorm room.

You will need to decide on a color to paint the pumpkin. For paint color select one of the school colors or you can go with black or white (many schools use black or white as an accent color in the branding). For my pumpkin for Arizona State University, the school colors are maroon and gold and I decided to paint the pumpkin the gold color. Black is often an accent color in the school branding so I decided to use black that for the pumpkin’s stem.

The design is simple. All schools have school colors, most have 2 and sometimes a 3rd accent color. For the design, you can use the mascot or the University letter abbreviation. Depending on your artistic skills you can paint the logo or school name, use a vinyl cutting machine such as a Cricut, or the simplest way, use a school decal. I had the choice between using ASU’s Sparky or the ASU pitchfork and decided to use Sparky. You want to add a bow to the top that coordinates. And that’s all there is to it.

school spirit Pumpkin DIy materials

• craft pumpkin ( 9″ Craft pumpkin )
• acrylic craft paint ( Martha Stewart Satin Pollen, discontinued, Apple Barrel Black)
• paint brushes ( foam brushes )
• 2.5′ – 3 ” wire-edged ribbon ( 2.5″ maroon wired-edged ribbon )
• college decals ( Arizona State University decals ) or vinyl cutter ( Cricut )
• Mod Podge or other sealant (Satin Mod Podge Sealer)
• hot glue gun (full-sized glue gun )
• hot glue ( full-size hot glue sticks )
• craft wire ( floral wire )

School Spirit PUMPKIN DIY Instructions

1. Paint the pumpkin. If starting with a dark color and painting with a lighter color, you may need to first add a primer coat. Repeat coats until you have a nice color coverage.
2. Paint the pumpkin stem in one of the additional colors you are using in your design.
3. Add your design using a decal, cut vinyl design, or freehand paint (if you have those skills).
4. Paint or spray a sealant to protect the paint and design.
5. Make a bow and hot glue to the pumpkin. My favorite way to make a bow is to cut a piece and make 2 loops of the bow, tie it in the center with craft wire. Then cut a small piece of ribbon and use that to make the ‘center knot’ and cover the wire, and attach the tied bow with hot glue. Make V cuts on the ribbon edges. Note: you can add the ribbon before the school logo, but if you will be adding a sealing coat to the pumpkin, the ribbon should be added as the last step.

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