Brew Over Ice Giveway

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you know I post a lot of pictures of coffee mugs, and probably often with a hashtag #ineedcoffee. I'm a huge fan of coffee, and love trying new flavors, which is why having a Keurig machine has pretty much changed my life. I have about 5-8 different flavors at all times. I love choices!

The latest K-Cups I've been obsessing over are the Brew Over Ice cups. I usually opt for an ice coffee during the summer months. I tried both French Vanilla & Hazelnut Brew Over Ice cups and they are delicious. 

It's pretty simple to use the Brew Over Ice K-Cups. You literally just brew your K-Cup over ice. I use a hard plastic tumbler and fill it over half way full with ice. Then you brew your K-Cup like normal. Since a lot of the ice melts I usually add some more in afterwards, along with some almond milk. It's a nice, refreshing way to start the morning!

Here are a few ways you can try out Brew Over Ice K-Cups for yourself:
1 - Visit the Brew Over Ice sweepstakes page and play the game to enter a win huge prizes.
2 - Visit www.brewoverice.com/coolwaytobrew to download a $2 off product coupon and watch the Brew Over Ice video.
3 - In the past, I've purchased my K-Cups from www.bedbathandbeyond.com, but you can also enter my giveaway for a Brew Over Ice prize pack and win a few for free!

 

***Giveaway***

Enter to win a Brew Over Ice Prize pack, including 3 Brew Over Ice K-cup samples, a Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters, plus a Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket and tongs.

Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Thursday, September 26th. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck! 

L’Oreal Triple Resist Haircare

From years of highlighting and heat styling, my hair has had it's fair share of damage. I always like to take extra special care of it between styles and highlighting, so that it stays healthy for a long time to come. Here are some healthy hair rules I try to follow....

• I try not to wash my hair everyday. I know, I know, it sounds difficult and no one likes oily hair, but when I skip a day of washing, I'm allowing my natural hair oils to build up and nourish my scalp. On days I don't wash I use a dry shampoo to soak up oil and to restyle.
• I only use fabric covered elastic hair ties for my pony tail. Rubber hair ties are more likely to pull and/or break your hair when you take them out.
• I get frequent haircuts and/or trims. Get rid of those dead ends!
• I use hair care lines that help strengthen hair, like L'Oreal Triple Resist. Make your hair products work for you!

The L'Oreal Triple Resist products work together to help reinforce your hair from root to core to tip. This line contains concentrated Arginine-K Complex, which is like an amino acid, and reinforces hair fibers to promote healthy hair growth. 

I've been using the L'Oreal Triple Resist Shampoo, Conditioner and Ultimate Strength Solution for a little over a week and I can tell a visible difference in my hair. It's much softer and the ends don't get frizzy after styling. 

I use the shampoo and conditioner in the shower, and I use the Ultimate Strength Solution on my wet hair, before styling. I apply this very generously, making sure I spray all layers of my hair. I gather the sides of my hair in my hand, and spray the ends up close (which I think helps smooth my ends out while blow drying). I also lift my top layers up so I can spray close to my roots. I then take a comb through my hair to help distribute the product. As an added bonus, the products smell great and the scent lasts throughout the day.

You can find L'Oreal Triple Resist at your local drugstore or buy online at www.drugstore.com.

You can also try out L'Oreal Triple Resist line thanks to Glam. Visit this link to get a free sample! First 500 sign-ups will get a sample. 

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Get instant results and lasting transformation with Advanced Haircare Triple Resist from L'Oreal Paris. The triple action power of the formulas with concentrated Arginine reinforces strands and helps hair resist breakage. Change the life of your hair.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by L’Oreal Paris via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of L’Oreal Paris.

Zoya BOGO Sale

Zoya is having a Buy One Get One free sale...don't miss this! It ends August 25th. Enter the code 'SCHOOL' at checkout. Visit Zoya.com to shop!

Chanel nail polish in Jade Rose

This is an oldie but goodie. I received this nail polish 3 years ago in NYC, while touring the city with Total Beauty. Came across it in my nail polish drawer and thought it was a good fit for this week. Traveling most of this week, I needed something neutral that would go with all of my outfits. This peachy nude was perfect.

You can find Chanel nail polish at www.nordstrom.com. 

When traveling for work or vacation, what is your go to nail polish color to last throughout your trip? Do you go bold with a red? Or neutral with a nude or light pink?

Peanut Butter & Banana Pancakes Recipe

After testing out several different clean eating, protein, oatmeal pancake recipe variations, I finally came up with one myself! I made these twice this weekend and my husband said, and I quote, 'these are the best pancakes you have ever made!' And I agree! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
2/3 cup of dry oatmeal
7 egg whites
1 medium sized ripe banana
2 tbsp of all natural peanut butter
1 tbsp of Raw Cacao Nibs (optional)
1 tbsp Coconut oil for pan
Blueberries to top (optional)

1. Combine the oatmeal and egg whites in a mixing bowl and stir
2. Add in banana and mash/mix it in to the bowl
3. Add peanut butter and optional cacao nibs
4. Pour batter into blender and blend until smooth
5. Heat nonstick pan over medium heat and put a small portion of coconut oil to grease pan
6. Add a portion of the batter (depending on how big you like your pancakes) to pan for approximately 3-5 minutes, then flip to cook other side (this will vary based on how hot your pan is and size of pancake

My husband and I topped these with sugar free syrup (for him) and low-sugar syrup (for me). I added blueberries to the top of mine for some extra sweetness.

This recipe should make approximately 4-6 ‘silver dollar size’ pancakes. These are pretty dense – 2 pancakes filled me up!

What's in my Beach Bag? Alterna Bamboo Beach Collection

It's always a bummer coming out of the lake or pool with tangled, ratty hair. I always try to keep a large comb and hair products in my bag in case I don't have time to shower and blow dry my hair after swimming. Most recently, I've been keeping Alterna's Beach Bamboo collection in my beach bag to help tame my hair after a day on the lake.

After I'm done swimming, I'll spray my hair with Alterna Bamboo Beach Sun Recovery spray and comb through with a large tooth comb. Once my tangles are out I'll spray on Alterna Bamboo Beach Summer Ocean Waves spray and scrunch my hair with my hands. Voila, beachy waves!

Both products smell amazing. Light scent of coconut and a little fruitiness. The Summer Ocean Waves spray is really light and doesn't make your waves super 'crunchy' like some curl enhancers do. Both products are free of parabens, sulfates, and synthetic colors.

You can find Alterna's Bamboo Beach line on their site, Amazon.com & Drugstore.com.

Have you rocked the 'beachy waves' look this yet this summer? What was in your beach bag this past weekend?

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

Mama Fashionista: Find out why Quinn says it's a Lavanila Summer!

TheFabZilla: Hello Gorgeous! TheFabZilla reviews Alima Pure makeups- for the naturally gorgeous you.

Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor interviewed Australian beauty line creator Napoleon Perdis...read all about it here!

BeautyTidbits: Harshleen reviews one of the new arrivals from Midnight Velvet's Fall collection and is also giving away a $50 gift certificate to Midnight Velvet!

Painted Ladies: Sheila has found a blush by Physicians Formula that gives good glow without breaking the bank.

Fabulous Awesomeness: Hey gorgeous, hold on to that old toothbrush! Mina Slater shares 7 ways to use a toothbrush for beauty!

My Highest Self: Enter to win a Vitabath Prize Pack (Body Wash, Lotion, and Fragrance Mist of your choice)!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Ever on the quest for the best anti-aging powerbroker? If so, then meet The Organic Pharmacy Collagen Boost Mask! It's remarkable!

D.G.S.Beauty: Looking for a new pair of false eyelashes? Eylure has some awesome falsies perfect for anyone.

Beauty by Krystal: Summer isn't over yet, check out this glamorous teal and gold nail art how-to

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog shows us the IT Cosmetics Limited Edition 6 Piece Vanity Brush Collection.

Nuts 4 Stuff: If you're looking for a delicate scent to embrace seduction, Mary B. of Nuts 4 Stuff shares L'Occitane's fourth La Grasse fragrance review with Vanille & Narisse Eau de Toilette!

Beauty by Miss L: This week Miss L showed this very simple Fall manicure.

Pammy Blogs Beauty : Pammy Blogs Beauty has stumbled upon her new favorite skincare device!!! Another sonic/spinning brush? Not this time! Introducing the totally unique FOREO LUNA cleansing device!

Geniabeme: Do your own ombre dotted nails with my easy tutorial!

Midnight Manicures: Jeanie shares with you her swatches and review of the Zoya Cashmere Nail Polish Collection. Enter the giveaway to win a collection.

Lipgloss Break: It may take a little longer, but beauty school pedicures are relaxing! Check out my review from my latest trip to the Aveda Institute.

Icy Nails: Icy Nails shares a review of the Ageless Derma Stem Cell and Peptide Anti Wrinkle Cream.

Painted Ladies: Do you or someone you know have Celiac Disease? Sheila tells you why it's important to go gluten free with your beauty products.

The Advice Sisters Beauty/Fashion/Lifestyle: Braids were everywhere on the Fall runways at Fashion Week. The Advice Sisters offer you a how-to video fro, AVEDA, for an easy and sophisticated wrapped braid look that's appropriate for more than just schoolgirls!

In Her Makeup Bag: Stephanie shares her top four drugstore products for a totally flawless complexion!

Blushing Noir: The Fall 2013 Nail Polishes from Laura Mercier have me Bewitched!

Beauty 101: Looking for the best way to customize your Alcone at Home Palette? Casey from Beauty 101 explains the process and even shares a way to save big on products!

Beauty School Pedicures

Even though the weather is turning colder, I'm still holding on to summer clothes and colors. Here's a nice summery color for nails, Spa Ritual in Last Tango. 

I picked this polish up when my friend and I got pedicures at the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Ann Arbor. I love going to the beauty school for pedicures. The way I look at it, I'm just helping a student get their hours to graduate!

In the express pedicure, they do the normal pedicure foot soak, nail polish removal, shaping, cuticle care, buffing, exfoliation and lotion massage.When I got in the chair the student gave me a neck pillow that smelled so good I've been on the hunt for the scent ever since. After polishing the student then has to have his/her instructor come over and check out their work.

In my experience, the students are usually a little nervous, but always very friendly and careful. And I feel like they pay special attention to detail because their instructor has to look over everything. The take a little bit longer than normal pedicures (I would block off at least 1.5 hours of time), but honestly, I don't care at all. To me, it's just extra time to relax! 

At the Aveda Institute it's $32 for an express pedicure, and you get to keep your polish. They use to have OPI but have since switched to SpaRitual, which I really like. They have a strict policy against no tipping, but this may not apply to all schools, so I would highly suggest asking when you book your appointment.

Have you ever went to a beauty school for a manicure, pedicure or hair service? If so, what did you think?

Trump Hotel Chicago

Sometimes, a girl just needs to be pampered...which is why I get giddy like a school girl when I get to stay at the Trump Hotel Chicago. Half of my sales team sits in our Chicago office, so when I visit, I'm able to stay at the Trump which is walking distance from our office.

I appreciate good customer service and experience, and consistently, the Trump Chicago has exceeded my expectations. Here's what I love about this hotel...

• They get to know you...when you fill out a profile as a Trump Card Privileges member (free to join), they truly honor your special needs. Favorite magazine, snacks, etc. I specified that I eat healthy and came back to my hotel room one night with a full on exotic fruit spread. It was amazing.
• Each room has a Nespresso machine with both regular and decaf options.
• Turn down service is on point. Bottles of water are left behind for at night slippers are placed by your bed.
• They leave behind a note card each day with the weather for the next day. Super helpful.
• The gym is amazing. Amazing view, large amount of cardio and weight machines, and the locker room is like a spa. They even have takeaway mini booklets with different workout programs, depending on what your goal is.
• They have their own line of amenities that smell great. We were lucky enough to stay in a spa room one stay and got bonus bath and body products, body scrub and body butters...
• The bathroom mirror has a TV in it...enough said.
• Extremely comfortable beds

The Trump realizes that they get a lot of work travelers, so they do their best to make you feel comfortable, pampered and at home. If you're in a city where there's a Trump, I definitely encourage you to splurge. It's a celebratory type of hotel.

Wine on the house because of a reservation mix up

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  View from treadmill

  

  Nespresso machine and mini bar

Nordstrom Beauty Gift with Purchase

It's close to being the 'most wonderful time of the year'....not the holidays, but Nordstrom free gift with purchase time! Get a Nordstrom beauty spot iPhone 5 case and 15 beauty favorites in a clear cosmetics bag with your $125 beauty or fragrance purchase.

Don't need any beauty items for yourself? Well then think of others! Early holiday shopping, someone's birthday coming up? Two perfumes or colognes could get you this fun gift to keep for you!