Ivy Van Dusen: July 2016

Hi guys! Hope everyone is having an awesome Friday! I am super excited to talk about the new Perennal Picks Discovery Kit from Farmacy! I have been using it for a little over 2 weeks now and absolutely LOVE it. I even made a little video explaining how/when I use the different products in the kit so you can see how I've been liking it!

INVINCIBLE Root Cell Anti-Aging Serum (0.27 fl. oz | 8 ml): This serum has been clinically proven to improve the skin’s natural hydration and reduce the appearance of surface lines and wrinkles, while also firming and smoothing. It helps restore the skin’s overall radiance, promotes an even skin tone and healthy glow.

SLEEP TIGHT Firming Night Balm (0.5 fl. oz | 15 ml): Reinforcing the skin’s natural moisture content, this balm aids firmness and tone while helping to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

NEW DAY Gentle Exfoliating Grains (1.4 oz. | 40 g): A potent, all-inclusive skincare treatment, the grains cleanse, exfoliate and clarify in one step for fresh, clear skin.

RISE ‘N SHINE Daily Moisture Lock (o.5 fl. oz. | 15 ml): This lightweight day cream soothes the skin, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and delivers a renewed sense of firmness and elasticity.

7/26/2016 No sweet note{s}

Recently I discovered FragranceOutlet.com, an online fragrance store with a HUGE selection and some awesome prices. I searched through a variety of best-selling fragrances and ended up getting the Bamboo perfume by Franck Oliviver. I am a sucker for fresh-smelling, natural scents and Bamboo has been just that!

Sometimes when I am taking pictures, Kody sneaks up and tries to get in them :) He's too cute not to post the photo, and he says he loves it when I wear my Bamboo perfume!

Don't forget to check out the huge fragrance selection on FragranceOutlet.com! And use code SUM40 for 40% off your fragrance!

Have a happy rest of theweek!

7/24/2016 No sweet note{s}

How adorable is this top from Kissmet Boutique?

I have always been a little hesitant to try the whole shorter, crop-top-looking types of shirts but I decided to try this one out and I am so happy that I did! I always thought they only looked good on super thin girls, and lets be honest, I have somewhat wide hips and a bigger booty. I usually feel comfortable in things that cover my butt, but I decided to leave my comfort zone a little bit and not hide it! I like the way it looks on me and think it looks awesome on any body type! I love it!

This was the first thing I've got from Kissmet Boutique, and I think they are awesome! I love discovering new online stores that are unique. Kissmet is unique because for the next month, 10% of every purchase is donated to OurRescue.org

Don't forget to use code "IVY20" for 20% off your purchase on KissmetBoutique.com

Happy Monday!

7/24/2016 No sweet note{s}

I am so happy to be working with Olive Yew today to talk about one of my favorite things- jewelry!
If you know me, you know that I am a sucker for simple, dainty jewelry and my pieces from Olive Yew are just that!

From far away this looks like a simple bar-ish looking necklace, but from close up you can see that it's a little map! I custom-made this map necklace of the temple in Mesa, Arizona where Kody and I got married! It is such a special piece of jewelry for me!

My other favorite Olive Yew piece is this rose gold Personalized Engraved Bar Bracelet. I decided to keep it simple and personalize it with just my name. I am so happy with how it turned out!

I am 100% honest when I say that Olive Yew has created some quality and BEAUTIFUL pieces of jewelry. Don't forget to check out my Instagram later today to enter to win one of their adorable necklaces! :)

xo

7/18/2016 No sweet note{s}

I hate goodbyes.

Yes, I know that hate is a strong word and that is why I am using it.

THEY ARE THE ABSOLUTE WORST.

For those of you who don't know, my little brother, Bailey left this week for a 2-year-long mission for our church. Last weekend Kody and I flew down to Arizona for Bailey's farewell talk and then on Wednesday I picked him up from the airport, went to Chick-fil-a and then dropped him off at the Missionary Training Center. I hugged him one last time for two years and watched him walk away.

My family has always been super close. I have just two brothers and we are pretty close in age so we grew up as best friends. Because of how close we've been, this whole thing absolutely tore my heart out! I have been having a hard time this week, knowing that he's alone and I can't even talk to him. And being away from the rest of my family on top of that. Even though in the big picture, I know everything is okay, it has definitely been a week with lots and lots of prayers.

It reminded me of when I left home for college. It was so hard! And although I got over being super homesick pretty quick and am all grown up now, I still miss my family. I miss Arizona. I miss my friends at home. I miss having big Sunday family dinners. Hopefully someday Kody and I can live close to our family but for now we don't.

But you know what I've realized this week? That is okay!

Goodbyes shouldn't be easy and its okay to miss someone/something!

Its okay to be sad and to miss the people you love.

How great is it to have something so wonderful to miss?!

It makes the time we do have with family that much more fun, and in two years from now when Bailey comes home, the time we all have together will be so enjoyable.

In life, we are meant to progress and do new, good things, even if they are scary and even if it means saying goodbye to the people you love the most. And I am so proud of my brother for being able to do that.

So that's my little Sunday rant.

You aren't ever alone.

And besides, no goodbye is ever permanent anyways :)

7/17/2016 No sweet note{s}

I am so happy to be teaming up with Savvy Curls today to talk about my new FAVORITE way to curl my hair without heat! I have used my Savvy Curls wrap a few times now and I have been so happy with the way my hair has turned out.

Let me start by telling you guys that I have the straightest, flattest hair there ever was. It is nice when I want to go out with straight hair, but when I want any kind of curl/wave/volume, it gets really tricky. I don't need to tell you how much damage heat does to your hair, but because of how stubborn my hair is, I have to crank the heat way up on my curling wand. Curling my hair day after day does so much damage, so I was super interested when I first heard about Savvy Curls.

Here is a little step-by-step guide of how I get my curls!

First off, I run a little bit of mousse through my dry hair. I love Big Sexy Hair but you can use any type of mousse!

Then I put the Savvy Curls wrap around my head and start wrapping!

I wanted more of a "loose" curl look, so I wrapped by hair in bigger pieces.

Then I let it sit for a few hours while I cleaned and did things around the house. I have slept in my wrap before and loved how it turned out. I usually can't stand sleeping with my hair in braids or anything, but the wrap is the softest, comfiest thing and I had no problems with it!

Don't forget to use code "savvyc1" at checkout for $2 off your Savvy Curls wrap!!

7/12/2016 No sweet note{s}

Confession time- if you don't already know it, I am a huuuuuge crier.

I cry way, way more often than any human does. It's not like I am sad all the time or anything, but my body just produces those tears like crazy! I cry when I am sad, happy, nervous, excited and even when I am feeling completely neutral. It is the strangest thing, but it happens. The worst part about it is how PUFFY my eyes get after crying even a little bit. The skin around my eyes gets all swollen, making my crying/red face situation even worse.

For the past two weeks or so I have been using the Exuviance DePuffing Eye Serum and it has been just what I needed! It is a nice, cool serum that is designed to "de-puff" that sensitive area around the eyes.

I use it once in the morning when I first wake up (before putting on moisturizer and makeup) and again at night right before bed.

According to Exuviance, "This eye serum not only helps to firm and tone both eyelid and under-eye droopiness over time, but targets microcirculation and helps strengthen fragile skin, reducing the pooling that can lead to puffiness and bags."

It is in a tube with little rollers on the end so it is super easy to apply. I put it right under my eye as well as right above it on the brow bone. I love this stuff and know that if you have any kind of allergies, tendencies to cry (like me) or anything else that makes your eyes swollen, you will too.

7/03/2016 No sweet note{s}

Hi guys! Lately I have been getting a lot of questions asking about my makeup so today I am sharing my everyday drugstore makeup routine. I have a few really awesome + expensive makeup products but 90% of the time I wear makeup from places like Target or Wal Mart. I totally believe you can create some really awesome looks without spending a ton of money. Because I have tried literally EVERY drugstore makeup product, I am sharing my ultimate favorites.

I also thought this would be a good opportunity to start my own little YouTube channel! It's my very first video so cut me some slack if I ever get a little awkward :)

Here are all of the products I talked about, click on them for pricing and more info. And please feel free to let me know if you have any of your own tips about drugstore makeup as well! :)

7/01/2016 No sweet note{s}

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