A Cars Dream Party Celebration

I was able to throw this birthday celebration as a part of a sponsored post through Collective Bias. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. #dreamparty #cbias

My son Benjamin turns 4 this month, and we wanted to throw him an early birthday party to help celebrate with some extended family. What's great, is that Walmart and Hallmark have teamed up and created a great selection of everything you will possibly need for a theme party. I think I'll be headed back in December to throw my daughter a Disney Princess party. You can see my whole shopping story here. Plus, there is a great selection of birthday cakes at Walmart, like this incredible Disney Pixar Cars Cake. My son was giddy jumping up and down when he saw the cake!

I taped Instagram pictures to the blue and silver balloon strings. The effect is really amazing, especially in person. We all loved looking at all the little pictures of Benjamin as we celebrated his birthday. I taped pictures to both sides, to give a little more weight to the balloons.

I especially love this pop up Mater snack holder, and the kids love it too! It is a fun and perfect way to serve popcorn, or cookies, or chips, and it only takes about two or three minutes to assemble.

We were thrilled to find a whole new selection of Disney Pixar Cars die cast cars, like a lot of the characters from the first Cars movie. We got Benjamin Flo and Sarge as little early birthday presents. Benjamin also really loved his special birthday medal. 

And of course, Benjamin and Lyla had to play in their Cars for a little while.

I can't get over this fantastic cake. All of the little details are adorable from the cones to the grass. It's also great that this cake (and other similar ones) are available at Walmart. I would recommend calling or stopping by at least 24 hours in advance, to make sure they will have time to decorate the cake you want.

We went ahead and got some Cars party favors at Walmart too, for when Benjamin has a party with his friends. These tire yo-yos are so cute.

Benjamin loved his little Cars party, down to every detail. He came over to me after we'd eaten the cake and said "Mommy, I'm older now. I'm 4." I had to explain to him that this was an early birthday party, and that he wouldn't turn 4 until his actual birthday. He said, "Oh, my Cars birthday didn't work." He didn't seem at all upset, but he was thinking, we'll have to try again and maybe the next time the party will make me turn 4. He cracks me up!

Two Natural Looks for Summer: Natural Nude and Bold Red

*I was able to review these beauty products as part of a sponsored post through Collective Bias. As always, all thoughts and opinions are authentic and my own.

 I'm always looking for great quality beauty products at low affordable prices, however, I'm a little skeptical of all make-up until I've personally tried it out. I was thrilled to find a great selection of Rimmel London cosmetics available at Walmart for only $3.97 each (see my shopping story here). These Rimmel products are all perfect for creating a fresh and natural look for summer. Since I live in humid Florida, I especially want my summer make-up to be light and understated.

I used these Rimmel products to create two summer styles: natural nude, and bold red.



This natural nude look is my all-time favorite look. I highlighted my favorite Rimmel products above that were essential to this look: The quad eye shadow, the natural mineral bronzer, and the stay glossy lip gloss.

Tips for this natural look

1. Don't overdo your foundation. If you feel like your foundation is leaving lines or looking unnatural, use one shade lighter than you usually do. You can then add color more naturally with the bronzer. If you still want a lighter look, mix the liquid foundation with a little bit of moisturizer on your hand right before you apply it.

2. Use neutral tones for your liner and shadow. I used brown eye liner and the quad eye shadow. I used the different shades of brown to create subtle shadows and add dimension to my eyes, without making it especially noticeable.

3. Apply a little bronzer to your forehead, nose, and cheeks (basically the places where you naturally get sun). Then apply a light layer of pressed powder (in the same shade as your foundation) to the rest of your face.

4. Don't forget lip gloss. This pink gloss is subtle, but is the perfect finishing touch. I love this Stay Glossy lip gloss, because it feels like a cross between lip stick and lip gloss, and it doesn't feel too sticky.

I have to confess, red lipstick makes me nervous. I see other people wearing it, and I love the look. However, I sometimes shy away from bold looks, plus, I hate the thought of it smearing or rubbing off. But now, red lips is a new summer staple for me, thanks to the Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick.

Tips for this bolder summer look:

1. Stay with the light and fresh make-up look from above to keep the focus on your red lips. You also want to avoid too many bold things at once.

2. Use neutral tones for your eye shadow. I would stick with shades of brown, gold, and gray, according to your skin tone.

3. Scrub your lips with a wash cloth before applying your lipstick for a smoother and more polished look.

4. After you've applied your red lipstick, add a little bit of a lighter shade of lip gloss to the middle of your lips for a little dimension.

5. Pair this bold look with a neutral colored shirt (maybe even one with a bold geometric pattern). I added a coral headband and sunglasses to compliment the red lipstick, and to help pull my bangs back.

Check out this summer lifestyle magazine that features tips and looks from Rimmel London:

What is your favorite summer make-up look? Are you more of a natural nude or a bold red? 

Delicious Pairings - Some Things are Better Together

Have you ever noticed that some things are better in pairs than alone? The two things combine into something new and when it's a good pair, they bring out the best in each other. Peanut butter and jelly. Road trips and good music. Hot chocolate and a snowy day. Coffee and a chocolate brownie.

Last week, I was excited to get the chance to go to Walmart and check out the new "Delicious Pairings" section, featuring Starbucks coffee and Walmart's bakery. I loved the display, and all of the helpful suggestions for finding the right coffee and pairing it with the best baked treat. I was impressed with the amazing selection of the Walmart bakery, from brownie bites, to marble cake, to mini muffins. #deliciouspairings

I really enjoy coffee, and the taste and quality matters a lot to me, however so does the price. That's why I rarely ever get coffee out, and just brew quality coffee at home. My husband used to be a barista and is pretty picky about what coffee he gets. We do enjoy trying different coffees and flavors from time to time, especially seasonal ones, but our go-to favorite coffee is Starbucks Blonde Veranda Blend.

I like coffee by itself, but sometimes it can be just a little bitter, and it leaves you wanting something more. I got some of the Atlanta Bread Brownie Bites at Walmart as well as some Starbucks Blonde Veranda Coffee (although we already had some at home), and hurried home to try them together. It was difficult waiting for the coffee to brew to break into the brownies, haha.

The brownies were really delicious and went together so well with the coffee. Both the brownies and the coffee complimented each other so well. When I took a bite of the one, I wanted a sip of the other, and vice-versa.

When I think of coffee and brownies, I automatically think of my Grandmother. In honor of International Women's Day, I wanted to do something special to honor her. We have always been very close, and she has always been a huge inspiration to me. Unfortunately, her memory has been failing her lately. She still remembers who we all are, but doesn't remember most things that happen from day to day, what year it is, or even a lot of things about her own life and personality. It's interesting, there are several things that she has always loved, and it seems that as her memory fades more and more her love of these things grows stronger and more resolved: coffee, chocolate, bridge, Gone with the Wind, her family. I know that when I bring her a cup of coffee, a brownie, and the bridge hand from the morning paper, her face will light up and it will literally make her day. I think it's both the delicious taste of coffee and desserts, as well as the lifetime of memories associated with them, even those memories she can't quite recall, that makes my Grandmother get so much joy from something as simple as a little plate holding a cup of coffee and a brownie. I think I enjoy taking them to her and sharing in this little ritual with her as much as she does.

*I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. All opinions are my own. #cbias #SocialFabric