My Second @StitchFix: Keepin' It Cool for Fall Y'all!

My last fix was amazing, I ended up keeping two items and contemplated keeping it all. This month is only fix number two and I'll be honest and say that I didn't love my fix, although a few of the items were kind-of winners and I actually ended up keeping one thing.

That's the thing about having a personal stylist pick out clothes for you, they don't always know exactly what you want. So instead of assuming my stylist can read my mind, I'm pinning more inspirational outfits and hoping that we are on the same page for my next fix.

So today, instead of asking what I should keep... because I was delayed posting this. Oops! I just want to share my fix items and see what you think about them. Should I have kept something I didn't keep? Which item is your favorite in the fix?

This dress fit really well and it was super comfy, I actually almost decided to keep it but then I realized I didn't love the way the stripes look on my body. New rule for my wardrobe - if I don't love it, then it shouldn't be mine! So back this went...

A photo posted by Lauren Paints (@sunkissed_sweetheart) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:39pm PDT

Now that I'm looking at it, this shirt actually does look okay in photos and that's why I grammed it when I was sharing that my box had arrived...  but I really didn't care for this shirt in general. I like the "idea" of the shirt, I suppose- the boho look with a comfortable vibe, it's totally cool for someone bigger than me... but this fit and this color look horrible on me. I lost weight, I want to show my curves and this top was so loose it made me look bigger... So this was a definite no and quickly went in the bag to be shipped back to StitchFix.

The next item in my fix was a pretty great pair of jeans... but again, they weren't my favorite. The fit wasn't perfect for me and I want a killer pair of jeans if I'm going to pay $98 for them and this pair doesn't fit that bill. I think my Stitchfix stylist knows I need new jeans though, because this is the second pair I've been sent. Maybe I'll get a skirt in my next fix?! That'd be rockin', actually!

This bright shirt is another miss for me. The loose fit would be good if I were expecting or going to the buffet sometime soon, but I'm not... so this shirt was a definite no.

But kudos to my stylist because I do love the back, with a little peep hole. I also think the color is decent... but this wasn't a must-have so back it went to Stitchfix!

The last item in my fix is this Faux Leather Jacket and I fell in love the second I saw it. I've been eyeing jackets like this on Pinterest and knew I wanted one to wear on the cold days here in Florida. The fit of this jacket, the fun buttons, the up-to-my-neck zipper, all the little details and the numerous ways I can wear it, I'm in love! This was the only item I kept in my fix and it actually happened to be cool out the day my fix came so I wore it the day I received itand look forward to wearing it again soon.

So with all of that said, do you want to give StitchFix a try? I highly recommend it, even if my box was less than desirable this month - I have faith that I'll keep receiving awesome items and that if you sign up your stylist will hook you up with awesome new additions to your wardrobe as well.

If you sign up, be sure to let me know what you think about your first fix! Also, I'd love to hear your opinion on the items I received, would you be happy if they came in your fix?

Simplify Your Skincare Routine & Get THE Glow You've Been Dreaming Of...

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

Living in Florida in my late twenties means that I have to be really conscious of my skin, I need to make sure that I have a skin care routine that includes SPF while still using products that are gentle on my sensitive skin. Being in your 20's means that wrinkles can and will start appearing unless you treat your skin correctly and lately I've noticed that I really need to be moisturizing, exfoliating, and making sure that I'm protecting my face from super the harsh florida sun and all the stuff in my make up. I love my freckles but I don't need any more of them and I definitely want to avoid break outs, luckily I have the tools to do just that now...

It's serious business making sure your skin looks and feels nice. I'm so over dealing with an entourage of products to make sure my skin still holds it's youthful glow, though... I no longer will carry around a primer, a moisturizer, a deep cleanser, a spot treatment, an eye cream, etc. AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® has given me an alternative to using so many products, now I just grab my face wipes and my moisturizer and I'm ready to show off my fresh face.

I use a wipe every single morning and evening to make sure my face is clean and fresh and I use the moisturizer as a primer in the morning and as a night cream in the evening. What's the deal with my obsession with AVEENO®? I'll fill ya in...

As you probably already know AVEENO® harnesses the power of active natural ingredients but now they have a new line,  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. This line of products is specifically formulated to help even out tone and texture, transforming dull, tired looking skin into gorgeous, radiant skin with the power packed Total Soy Complex.

I bet you are wondering, what exactly is the Total Soy Complex? It helps to visibly transform the tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots of skin. The complex is included in both the wipes and moisturizer and I've noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks lately.

The AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Makeup removing wipes combine the total soy complex with gentle cleansers to reveal brighter, smoother, healthier looking skin. The skin you've always dreamed of and I'm so excited to share they even help clear up some of my break outs - probably because they are oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores.

The other star of the show today is what I use to protect my skin, prep it for makeup application, and sometimes I just use it to freshen up my face -  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a life saver! Formulated to help even skin tone while reflecting light, to make tired skin look bright and more radiant - it's a beauty secret that the world needs to know about!

Replacing a complex skin care routine, with AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® products has been life changing - in a good way. If you want to start taking better care of your skin now, I suggest you check out what AVEENO® can do for you and your daily routine.

So tell me, what does your skincare routine look like currently? Do you want to simplify your routine? Tell me all about your skin care habits and what you hope to achieve with your routine in the comments below, I look forwards to hearing all about it!

Plus, don't miss your chance to win big - use the giveaway form below to enter for a full Aveeno set up!

AVEENO Positively Radiant AET

I'm all about that Vest, No Treble...

Yeah, it's pretty clear I'm not a size 2, nor am I Meghan Trainor... so I'm not all about that Bass today and I will not be singing; but I am all about this vest and any other vest, for that matter. You can call me a vest-aholic if you like.

If you have eyes, you can probably see why I'm so obsessed with this vest though. It's almost the equivalent of a bustier, with it's shape and the lift it provides. I love the little faux pockets and the ruching, it's perfection and one of my favorite new additions to my wardrobe this fall.

I know what you're thinking now, where did she get that beautiful garment of clothing? I hate to break it to you, but I actually found this beauty at the thrift store - so you can't get this exact same vest, but you may be able to find to a few you like by browsing through the list below...

So tell me, my fellow fashionistas and stylish fellows, what is your favorite fall look this year? Leave me a comment telling me all about it below!

A Daily Yoga Challenge + Why I Love Confused Girl Leggings!

Confused Girl sent over a pair of leggings to facilitate today's post,
regardless all opinions expressed below are mine alone!

This time last year, I had just finished hosting a yoga challenge - the Everybody Yoga challenge, to be exact. It was a daily, picture sharing, yoga challenge on Instagram and boy, was it an amazing and trying experience. The 30 day challenge I hosted in 2014 was the last time I practiced yoga on a regular daily basis, for an extended period... and that, my friends, is a bummer and is going to change starting now.

I may not be able to fit an entire hour long yoga class into my daily routine but I'm going to start adding in a few poses before I get my day started and before I lay down in bed in the evening. This won't be a publicized challenge though, my practice will be all for me and I encourage you to do the same.

I want this "daily yoga challenge" to help us all feel more grounded and aware, to help us connect with our surroundings and live in the moment, while also helping us remain calm and balanced. Yoga is capable of changing your view of the world, I know this much... you might as well let it by practicing daily, is my new philosophy.

Practicing headstands, backbends, or simply meditating - my body needs the zen aspects of yoga and wants to feel the stretch. I'm so ready to get the yoga ball rolling, metaphorically and literally.

The thing is, I lost so much weight over the past year or so that none of my work out clothes really fit me anymore. Trust me, I'm not complaining... but I do need new yoga gear to practice in and that's where Confused Girl and their Crystal Inspired leggings come into play.

These gorgeous leggings are the perfect pair to get back into my groove in, the patterns made from images taken of a Gold Agate Crystal. It's like I'm practicing natural healing just by wearing these beauties, especially since Agate enhances creativity and is shown to strengthen intellect - making the pair perfect for this blogger, student, and artist...

Not only are these a groovy-looking and feeling pair of leggings, they are actually comfortable. With 4 way stretch, I don't feel squeezed into them but like they are a second skin - which is an important distinction when choosing yoga pants. They're also eco-friendly, made out of water based ink, made in the USA (in LA to be exact), and totally machine washable... What more could you ask for in a pair of leggings?

How about a story to go with the brand name? Confused Girl may make you question the brand... who wants to buy from someone confused? Well, the statement behind the name is beautiful and makes me want to buy every single crystal-inspired color of these leggings... As Giovanna, the founder of the company says, “It is really easy to accept yourself when you are feeling good and your life is the way you want it. But it isn’t so easy to accept yourself when things are tough and you are confused. We shame ourselves in times we need to be embracing ourselves.” Confused Girl is about accepting yourself just as you are at this moment.

So now, that I've shared why I love my new leggings so much, the story behind my new favorite brand of leggings, and how I plan on getting back into my "yoga groove", I'd love to hear what pair of Confused Girl leggings are your favorite and which yoga pose you favor as well! Leave me a comment and let's chat! Plus, enter to win a pair of HOPE leggings with the giveaway form below:

Entry-Form

If you can't wait to see if you win and you decide to order a pair of these fabulous leggings today, you can score 15% off with the code "BYE FELICIA" plus free domestic shipping! So what are you waiting for?

DIY Painting Inspired by MARVEL's The Avengers: Age of Ultron

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AvengersUnite #CollectiveBias

When I heard that MARVEL's The Avengers: Age of Ultron is now out on disc, I knew I had to go out and buy a copy ASAP. See, if you didn't already know, we are pretty big fans of The Avengers in this house.

While we were hunting down The Avengers: Age of Ultron on Blu-Ray, we ran into the costume section at Walmart! With every costume you can think of for so many different age groups, my hubby and I were like kids picking out candy! We saw all kinds of MARVEL character costumes at great prices but we finally decided that it'd be super fun to have Hubby dress up as the Hulk!

Once we chose a costume for him, we were on our way to the back of the store where we were able to buy a Blu-Ray 3D, DVD combo of The Avengers: Age of Ultron! We grabbed a few snacks on our way out the door and we were on our way home!

On the way home, I was having a closer look at the cover of the movie and I was inspired. Such great talent, such fun colors - I don't normally paint things like this, but I knew I had to let my creative juices flow... That's when my mind was made up, I wanted to make minimalist versions of "shields" for each of my favorite Marvel Characters!

Good news, though! Not only did I decide to paint a MARVEL inspired piece of art for my home, I know there are other Avengers fans out there so I decided to share a step-by-step painting tutorial! Now you can make a MARVEL's The Avengers: Age of Ultron shield painting of your own!

The first step is tracing a hexagon onto a canvas in pencil, with however many "shields" you want to make and maybe a few extra spots for color shields.

Once your hexagons are traced, it's time to start sketching the minimalist versions of each character.
I chose to work with Hulk, Vision, Captain America, Black Widow, Ultron, Iron Man, Thor, and Hawkeye - basically the best characters!

In case your wondering how I sketched each item, here's an example:

Once each character is roughly sketched, apply a background layer of paint. I went with silver, black, and white and blended slightly - allowing for a tonal, textured background.

After the background is painted, it's time to grab a smaller brush and work on the details of each character. Painting the simple Hulk sketch purple and green, making sure the Black Widow circle is painted around the logo, Captain America's shield needs to have a white star in the middle, etc. Slowly filling in each characters logo with the correct colors. Here's a collage of my step-by-step process...

Once the entire painting is filled with color, you'll want to outline each shield with white and/or silver and add little details with white and silver paint. Adding little lines to make things feel textured, like the outside of the hexagon shields.

Sign your name to the bottom of the painting and your creation is complete.

Now sit back and re-watch The Avengers: Age of Ultron and feel free to admire your artwork anytime you please! 

Stay Healthy: 10 Habits of Healthy & Happy People + America's Biggest Health Fair!

It's true... I'll admit that I've been known to be the girl that sits out during sporty activities and I've been hit in the face by things that were thrown at me... So I may not be the definition of athletic, but I am always working to maintain my fitness! Whether I'm trying to get my zen on while practicing yoga or sneaking in some cardio after a busy day running errands, I try to make sure I live a healthy lifestyle.

{like these fun, funky leggings? be on the lookout for a post about how awesome they are later this week!}

Today I want to share 10 ways to keep your mind and your body healthy and happy... I practice all of these habits and if you don't already, you should too! Everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life and these 10 simple steps will get you there in no time...

1. Choose Wisely - This is a simple step but one of the hardest to take, to live a healthy lifestyle one has to choose foods that fuel your body. Foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, etc are what your body really needs, while carbs, fats, and sugars should only be eaten in moderation. I love shopping for my fruit and veggies at Walmart, they always have great deals on my favorites!

2. Elevate Your Daily Routine - This is another simple step, but this one is an easy adjustment. You must take vitamins every single day... I'm not a fan of the pill form of vitamins so I buy the gummy versions, no matter which kind you buy - just be sure to take the correct dosage every single day.

3. Monitor Your Activity - Heart Rate Monitors are a great way to make sure that you are burning a healthy amount of calories and/or taking the right amount of steps in a day to maintain or lose weight. I love my my HRM so much and I bet if you invest in one, you will love yours too!

4. Keep Things Zen - Lay out a yoga mat, put in a meditation or trance cd, and allow yourself to unwind. Let go of your worries and allow peace to fill your mind and body - this is the key to true happiness and pure health, in my opinion. A healthy, balanced mind leads to a healthy, balanced body!

5. Allow Yourself Some Me Time - Do you! Go shopping, make some awesome crafts, ride horses, or pretend your a mermaid in your neighborhood pool... whatever your heart desires! Just make sure you have time to take care of yourself and treat yourself to something you love to do!

6. Don't Obsess Over Numbers - Scales aren't the only place to achieve a healthy lifestyle victory, pay attention to the way your clothes fit or even just the amount of energy you gain - both of these factors are benefits of a healthy, happy lifestyle and definitely something to smile about!

7. Stay Young at Heart - Eat heart healthy foods and do cardio! Working your heart and making sure it isn't working too hard are two things that are incredibly important to your health!

8. Keep Things Clean - A clean house means more than a happy home, it means a healthy home which leads to healthy body. Make sure to clean counter tops, dust, sweep, and mop regularly so that your immune system isn't always battling your environment.

9. Drink Plenty of Aqua - This one is obvious but most of us are guilty of not getting enough water in each day! Grab nice, refillable water bottle next time your at Walmart and challenge yourself to drink 5 or more bottles in a day, everyday!

10. Motivate Yourself to Succeed- Buy a few items of clothing a size smaller than what you currently wear or keep an item in mind that you will buy to reward yourself when you hit a certain goal. This is a great way to motivate yourself, plus you get double the benefits once your goal is reached, you've achieved something and you also get a special treat!

Now that I've shared 10 ways to keep healthy, I have some awesome news to share! Walmart is hosting America's Biggest Health Fair on October 10th (10/10) to promote healthy lifestyles for everyone! So be sure to add the health fair to your calendar and visit your local store to learn more about how you can lead a healthier lifestyle! After you add this awesome event to your calendar, tell me all about the things that you do in your life that keep you healthy... Are you a running addict? Do you love taking your vitamins? Tell me about it!

Mostaccioli - A Family Tradition

Mostaccioli is something that just reminds me of my grandmother. While she's a fabulous cook and everything she makes is stellar, Mostaccioli is something that always makes me think of her love, the way she hugs us girls, the way she smiles; it's a dish that purely represents my grandmother's loving embrace and warmth, a comfort food made for every occasion, always prepared in a batch big enough to feed an army or two.

Christmas late-afternoon lunches, long weekends with my sister, short visits on our birthday's, she makes it almost every time my family gets together, making the dish that much more of a tradition...

Today I want to share my version of her recipe, which is almost the same as hers, but prepared with Mama's Special Garden Sauce from Ragu! Using Ragu makes this dish so easy to prepare, it's almost mindless - so whenever I have a big event coming up that I need to cook for or I just need some comfort food, this is the recipe I turn to.

Did you know that Ragu started out as a family tradition as well? Assunta Cantisano is the lady behind Ragu, who braved the economy during The Great Depression and started selling jars of her delicious, fresh from the garden sauce from the front porch of her home. That same delicious, fresh from the garden taste is what makes Ragu so great to this day, with tomatoes from family farms and a commitment to quality in every jar - Assunta's tradition lives on.

With fresh vine ripe tomatoes and perfectly combined herbs in every glass jar of Ragu, it's almost just like my grandmother's sauce. Since my Mostaccioli recipe is a tradition and it simmers in Ragu almost all day in the crockpot, I like to refer to this recipe as simmered in tradition.

When I mention Mostaccioli to most people, they ask me what I'm talking about and I've even been told it "sounds like a funny dish"... so while Mostaccioli may not be commonly know, it's a tradition for my family and one that I love sharing, especially because I've adapted the recipe and even made it gluten-free so that my hubby can enjoy it as well.

Surprising my friends that don't know about the delicious ways of Mostaccioli yet with a bowl full of delicious pasta, coated in a beautifully seasoned red sauce, with mushrooms, onions, and a dense handful of Italian cheese sprinkled over the top is always a fun thing to do... It's funny to me how quickly people go from questioning my cooking skills and saying a dish sounds funny to asking for the recipe when they see and taste this recipe!

Not only is this pasta dish incredibly delicious, it's such an easy recipe to prepare! Trust me, you'll want to make Mostaccioli a tradition in your home and I guarantee everyone will love it.

Ingredients:

Mama's Special Garden Sauce from Ragu
1/2 lb ground beef or turkey
1/2 lb Italian sausage
Gluten free penne rigate pasta
1 can of mushrooms
1/2 onion, chopped finely
1 tbsp oil
Italian cheese

You'll want to start boiling the water for your pasta first... then brown the ground beef and italian sausage with the onion and olive oil in a large pan. Boil the pasta until al dente and cook the meat and onion mixture until brown, drain both items.


Combine your pasta, meat, onions, can of mushrooms, and Mama's Special Garden Sauce together in a crock pot. Simmer for 3-4 hours, or until ready to serve on low heat. When everyone is ready to eat, serve up in a bowl with a large helping of cheese sprinkled over the top!

Enjoy!

Now that I've shared a family tradition in my home, I'd love to hear all about the traditions your family follows...? Does your family have a certain pasta dish on special occasions? Does your crew always go eat at a certain restaurant when everyone is together? Tell me one of your favorite family traditions (or recipes) in the comments below, I can't wait to hear all about it!

The Ultimate Taqueria "Street Taco" Recipe with Cilantro Lime Rice INSIDE!

This shop has been compensated by Albertsons. All opinions are mine alone.
#StockUpOnPace #Albertsons #CollectiveBias

Let's start here... Are you a taco person?

I mean, are you the type of taco person that really knows a good taco when you see one? Can you get down on some delicious soft corn shell, double stacked, meat overflowing with a super spicy salsa kinda tacos? Are you a true taco lover?

We can hang anytime you want, if you're willing to stop and get street tacos and a Mexican soda with me... That's what true friendship is about in my mind - a good time and tacos.

So when Pace wanted me to show you how I stock up and get down on some of my favorite salsas, I knew exactly what I wanted to share...

But first, let me ask, Are you a fan of a taco with some heat? Can you handle a rainbow of veggies stacked a mile high and a dallop of the best salsa on the planet? If so, I think it's time for me to introduce you to my oh-so-delicious "street taco" recipe.

I'm not trying to flatter myself, but I really am the queen of street tacos now that I've mastered this simple recipe. I adapted a delicious taco recipe from Pace and made it into the best homemade "street taco" you've ever tried.

What's that I hear, you want the whole recipe? My version is below and you can find the original here!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 Jar Pace Hot Picante Sauce
Corn Tortillas
1 cup Mexican Cheese Blend
Shredded Cabbage
Tomatoes
Onions
Pace Chunky Salsa or Pace Restaurant Style Garlic & Lime Salsa
Jasmine Rice
Cilantro
Lime

You'll want to start this recipe by preparing the rice as directed on the bag, adding in a dash of fresh cilantro while it's boiling.

Once the rice is started, beginning browning your ground beef in a skillet. Once brown, add in 1 cup of Pace Hot Picante sauce and let simmer for five minutes.

While the sauce is simmering with the meat and the rice is on it's way to finished, go ahead and heat up a smaller pan to heat the tortillas with. Place each tortilla on the pan one at time, heating them until they are slightly browned.

Once the rice is ready, add in a hefty amount of lime and a small handful of chopped cilantro.

Now it's time to prep your tacos! Place the shells on a plate, adding the rice in first, followed by the meat and picante sauce, topped with a generous stack of veggies (onion, tomato, cabbbage, etc), and then finish your taco off with a dallop of Pace Salsa and a dash of cheese and your set to start eating!

Now, tell me, who wants tacos for dinner tonight?! I'd also love to hear your favorite Pace recipe... I love adding the Pace Picante to my eggs in the morning and the Pace Restaurant style garlic and lime is the perfect addition to my enchilada recipe... Tell me about your favorites in the comments below! Then go stock up on your favorite Pace products at Albertsons (or Safeway) at a great savings! Grab 2 delicious Pace salsas for $4 from 9/30-10/13!