Happy Anniversary Mavelle!

I am putting on my party dress and celebrating! 

Three years ago I decided to start a little thing called a blog. I was inspired by all the bloggers I was following and continue to be inspired by today as well as seeking a creative outlet.

I have always wanted to be a writer and the idea channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw was kind of exciting. I guess if I was really channeling my inner Carrie I'd write about the search for love but considering I was a newlywed when I started Mavelle Style I had already landed my "Big" so fashion it was. Plus, I am kind of obsessed with fashion so it was a natural decision that style would be the primary focus of my blog.

Working From Home as a Blogger / Entrepreneur

As most of you already know I work from home which in my opinion makes it even more crucial to have some sort of daily routine. Otherwise you may end up getting distracted with house chores. Or even worse, binge watching Netflix on a rainy day or at the beach on a sunny day. Not going to lie...I am guilty of all three. But 90% of the time I stick to a routine. 

Getting Back Into The Gym!

I took a couple years off from working out...I am not even joking it was like a full two years (and then some) that I did not hit the trails running and definitely did not see the inside of a gym or yoga studio. But I am happy to report that I AM BACK or at least on my way back!

It has been a tough ride trying to get myself back into shape and I am not anywhere near where I was before going on my little hiatus but I am feeling good about myself regardless and I just keep going...that is all I can do right? Even if I never completely get back to where I was it just feels great to be exercising again and feeling healthier and having more energy. 

Best Kept Self Contributor

As many of you already know I have been a contributor over at Best Kept Self for the past 6+ months. What is Best Kept Self you ask?

In their words:

We are the place entrepreneurs come to put themselves first. 

Best Kept Self is a platform dedicated solely to self-care for the busy, burnt-out, and overwhelmed business owners who have consciously and unconsciously put themselves last on their priority list.

We believe that your business thrives when you thrive. 

Our mission is very simple: 

To help entrepreneurs regain energy through their health, become more authentic in the way they look, and live a more abundant life by cultivating mindfulness. 

God Bless America!

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!

Fresh Squeezed Tres Citrus Margaritas!

Warning...this margarita recipe is tart!

If you aren't one for sour beverages you should make this margarita recipe anyway! All you have to do is add more agave nectar and I promise even those with a sweet-tooth will enjoy it.

Reflecting on Life & Sharing My Birthday Look

Yesterday was my 31st birthday. It is honestly hard to believe that I am in my 30's. Not because I think I am old, let's be real...your 30's are your best years, but because I don't know where the time has gone. I mean I graduated, from college, almost 9 years ago...that is nuts. So much has happened since then and yet it doesn't feel like it was that long ago. It's kind of weird.

Birthday Dinner on the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf 

Every year, on my birthday, I reflect on the past year which tends to lead to reflecting on life in general. I can honestly say that I am very happy with where I am in my life and wouldn't change my journey one bit because it got me here. My journey has not always been easy...I'm telling you God likes to test me but that is because he knew how strong I was before I did.

Resolutions and Goals for 2016!

Happy New Year, Lovies!

I am not one to really make New Years Resolutions...why you ask? Because I usually forget what they are come March. However, this year, if I tell all of you and put it in writing, maybe, I will be able to stick to it. Are you prepared to hold me accountable?

Time to Drink Champagne & Dance on Tables!

Mavelle Style Turns Two & We Have Some News!

Let's go back to August of 2013 for a minute. The Hubs and I were in Costa Rica enjoying a mojito and a pretty epic lightning storm when I told him that, one day, I wanted to get back into the creative world. He was not only supportive of the idea but has been encouraging me ever since. 

This is Thirty!

I went to bed last night in my 20's and woke up in my 30's! 

Scared? Not Really.

Freaking Out? Hardly.

Feeling Unaccomplished? Eh. There is still time to become CEO.

This is 30...first thing in the morning! 

Wake-Up in the Skin You Want & Love!

Disclosure: Although I was given the products for this post for free to review all opinions are mine.

Recently one of my best gals asked me if I wanted to try some skin care products. I instantly said, "yes" because ever since I turned 25 my skin changed. I know that sounds crazy because 25 is so young but honestly, I suddenly started to notice the onset of wrinkles, dry skin, uneven tones, and even blackheads! For someone who doesn’t remember ever having a pimple in my teens having them show up in my 20’s was horrifying. I started wearing foundation for the first time ever and that only made the blackhead situation worse. However, on a side note, I now love Neutrogena Foundation; it is the best!

Okay, now that I have vented, let me clarify, I don’t have horrible skin by any means, it just changes as you get older which means your skin care regimen also has to change or for some (like me) you actually have to have one. I have yet to find that perfect solution for my skin and I feel like I am always searching. However, I think the search might be over now that I have tried Rodan + Fields. 

"Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, the creators of Proactiv® Solution, launched Rodan + Fields to extend their vision of bringing dermatology based skincare solutions to everyone... With Rodan + Fields, looking good and feeling confident has never been easier and it's all possible without a trip to the dermatologist's office."

Over the past few weeks I have tested a few Rodan + Fields products from the Reverse and the Redefine lines and let me tell you something: I. AM. IN. LOVE! Yep, I drank the Kool-Aide. Although, I have only sampled the products I have noticed my dark spots are starting to fade but what really sold me on these producs was how soft, bright and dewy my skin is. Honestly, I even think it glows a little. Because of this I am going to continue with my Rodan + Fields journey.

I love waking up and feeling fresh and loving my skin completely and totally makeup free and with these products you can achieve that feeling too.

Below are the products I tried and their descriptions:

1. REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash (Seriously, this leaves your skin feeling so smooth!) A multi-mechanism exfoliater that simultaneously cleanses and refines sun damaged, blotchy complexions. Alpha hydroxy acids loosen old, dull skin cells so that tiny polyethylene beads can effectively sweep them away. With a fresh, polished surface, skin is instantly brighter and ready to receive the benefits of the medicines delivered in the subsequent steps of the regimen.
2. REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner (No joke about the brightening.) Delivers a proprietary blend of kojic acid, antioxidants, salicylic acid and licorice to brighten skin, fade the appearance of discoloration and reveal a more radiant complexion.
3. REVERSE Dual Active Brightening Complex  (I love how soft this made my skin feel and dewy not greasy!) Features vitamin C and retinol, to enhance skin brightening while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, along with kojic acid and licorice to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone over time. Dual-tube packaging ensures maximum product efficacy. By layering REVERSE Dual Active Brightening Complex over REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner, uniform brightening of the skin is optimized.
4. REVERSE Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen (A great sunscreen, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.) Features SHIELD, a unique complex of stabilized avobenzone and anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory colorless carotenoids, to provide prolonged broad spectrum protection and ensure that the REVERSE Regimen has every opportunity to reverse the signs of past damage, while preventing new discolorations from forming. Vitamin E and green tea fight free radicals and prevent future damage from occurring, while licorice extract and mulberry help to brighten dull skin.
5. REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask: (I love a good mask and this one feels amazing. I did it a couple times a week and felt so fresh.) Creamy, kaolin clay-based cleansing mask dries in two minutes, drawing impurities from pores without robbing skin of essential moisture. Fine dimethicone microbeads gently exfoliate to smoothe the skin without disrupting skin’s delicate moisture barrier.
6. REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream: (I hate going to bed feeling greasy but this does the opposite you just feel hydrated and smooth. Plus it smells so good). An ultra-hydrating cream which replenishes skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) while you sleep for visibly firmer, less-lined skin in the morning. Moisture recycling complex of hyaluronic acid and glycerin prevent moisture loss while 12-hour, time-released antioxidants A, C and E replenish vital skin nutrients.
7. REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment: (If you are looking for a daily SPF then I recommend this one. It is light enough to go under makeup and smells good, not like sunscreen.) A moisturizing treatment with photostable broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. It contains a clinically proven concentration of powerful peptides to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and visibly firm skin. SHIELDrf provides effective broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and visibly decelerates the signs of photoaging that appear over time.
8. REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum: (I really liked this stuff, a lot, but truth be told I am a basic Vaseline girl when it comes to the lips and since I simply cannot buy it all I will probably stay that way). When it comes to lips, time and the environment take their toll in a profound way. The smooth, naturally full, defined lips that nature gives us will, over time, become thinner, flatter, less rosy and more lined. Reclaim or maintain the lips of youth with REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum. Each peptide and antioxidant-rich capsule helps lips retain natural moisturizing factors, smoothes lip texture and reduces the appearance of lip wrinkles. 60 capsules.
9. REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream: (I did not test this product but I think I might give it a go just because I loved everything else I tried.) Combines powerful peptides to minimize the appearance of crow’s-feet, helps reduce the appearance of both puffiness and dark under eye circles while special optical diffusers noticeably brighten the eye area. Ophthalmologist tested, this formula is ideal for maintaining the delicate skin around the eyes.

I recommend having a makeup cloth to remove any grime from the day before washing your face at night. Although the face wash smoothes the skin and gets rid of dullness I found it left makeup behind. I am sure most woman already do this but just in case you don't (I didn't) I thought I would suggest it.

I hope you all love your skin first thing in the morning, completely and totally makeup free, and if you don't, may I suggest you give Rodan + Fields a try? It will give you that confidence every woman deserves to know. 

 Check out all of their fantastic products here!

XO,

Jenna