Decocrated Subscription Box

Thank you Decocrated for sponsoring this post. All text and opinions are my own!

Since moving into our brand new house almost a year ago, I've been slowly styling and finding the right pieces to go into every single room. We plan to be in this house awhile which means I've got time to truly find pieces that speak to me. While I do like to hit the stores and see what items are available, I recently fell head over heels in love with a subscription box called Decocrated.

If you've been around here for any length of time, you might know my love for subscription boxes runs deep - just ask any busy mom, they can be such time savers. Decocrated might be my most favorite subscription box yet. Decocrated is a quarterly subscription box that includes timeless, unique items to keep your home feeling comfy, on-trend and perfectly you. I feel like Decocrated was created with me in mind because the box I just received included items that are PERFECT for my house. In addition to filling the box with beautiful items that match my style exactly, the box got delivered to my front door. I could probably end this blog post right here: home decor items that look like I personally selected them and then they were delivered to me...Decocrated you are my perfect match!

One of the amazing things about Decocrated is that they send you a box at the start of every season, right on time for a home refresh. Each box is filled with high quality items perfect for the upcoming season, but the amazing people at Decocrated keep the previous season's crate in mind when selecting the new items to send you. I love that they have such attention to detail. This ensures that all of the items will link up together, making sure that you can get full use out of each item. And let me remind you...it is delivered right to your front door!

I received the Spring Box and was blown away by everything included!
-seasonal art print by Jazzdoodles
-2 pillow covers
-cork coasters
-"Things to Remember" clipboard
-faux succulent
-2-sided wood banner
-tabletop clock
-lattice crate

The Spring Box included some terrific pops of color that really helped to add the perfect accents to our home. We have a very neutral color palette with grey wood floors, light grey walls and white kitchen cabinets. These pretty pops of color are helping to add some dimension to each space. Plus the pops of color are all colors that I already use with other accent pieces so it was easy for me to start decorating as soon as I opened the box. I love that this box featured pieces designed by Jazzdoodles (art print, pillow covers and cork coasters) to really create unique pieces for my home. I love that Decocrated supports local artists from around the nation.

REASONS TO ORDER DECOCRATED (in addition to everything I've already mentioned):

1.) Interchangeable decor
Decocrated always includes 2-3 items in each box that are double-sided, allowing you even more design possibilities. For $79.99 a box, they really give you MORE than your money's worth. In the Spring box, the pillows have different designs on either side, the wood banner features a different phrase and the art print is two-sided with two different prints.

2.) Free gift
When you first subscribe to Decocrated they automatically send you a frame as your free welcome gift. The frame is meant to display the art print that is included in each box, but it can also display your favorite photos or child's artwork.

3.) Design booklet included
If you feel overwhelmed upon receiving your box or don't have an idea on where to place a certain decor piece, do not fear! Each box includes a handy design booklet that gives you ideas and tips on how to incorporate the curated items into your home. (They also have a blog and incredible instagram channel featuring even more design tips for you!)

4.) Free shipping and two ordering options
Who doesn't love free shipping?!?! That's right, all US orders receive free shipping. They also have two options for you to order: You can be billed quarterly when each box ships or pay for the entire year up front. If you pay annually you will receive an extra 10% off.

BONUS FOR PURSUIT OF PINK READERS

Here is where everything gets REALLY good for all of you. Decocrated has extended an discount for my readers!!!! Just in time to order the Summer box (which I'm sure is going to include some epic pieces based on all of their previous boxes!!!), you can use code PURSUITOFPINK10 to receive $10 off your first order!

Recent Amazon Purchases

This post contains affiliate links. View my disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

I fully believe that Amazon Prime was created with moms in mind! The busier I get, the more I use Amazon Prime. Nowadays you can find just about anything on Amazon. From home decor to electronics to baby products to beauty and fashion, the options are pretty much endless. I always love seeing what types of things people purchase on Amazon and people are often amazed when I tell them something they like was found on Amazon (how many times can I say Amazon?).

I decided to pull together a list of my own to share. These are the products that I've purchased in the past month or so. Everything included is available via PRIME free 2 day-shipping and also has free returns. The prices I list may change.

BEAUTY/PERSONAL CARE
1.) Eye Shadow Sponge Applicators ($6.99 for 80)
I always apply my base eyeshadow with the sponge applicator that comes with it and I often need to replace the applicator before my eyeshadow is completely used up. You get a HUGE bag of 80 and the applicators are very good quality, not flimsy at all. I probably won't have to reorder these for years.

2.) Makeup Blending Sponges ($8.99 for 5)
If you are new to using beauty blenders, this is the best place for you to start. A normal, name brand Beauty Blender costs $20, but with this you get five for $8.99! These blenders are on the larger side once wet and are also a bit more dense, but they get the job done at an amazing price! I'm working on a beauty blender dupe post for you - coming very soon - but I definitely recommend these because the price cannot be beat!

3.) Tigi Bed Head Hair Wax ($8.01)
My husband recently started using hair wax instead of hair gel and he found this one to be a great option. The smell is terrific, the wax provides a lot of hold and the jar lasts a looong time. With this wax, a little goes a long way.

4.) Electric Toothbrush Head Covers ($5.95 for 6)
For years we've had our toothbrush heads out in the open - yuck! I finally realized that someone probably made a cover to help keep them sanitary so I searched my trusty Amazon and found a pack of six. These plastic covers are very durable and not thin at all; I've never worried that I will snap or break one when clipping it on to my toothbrush. They are great for traveling, but we also use them daily to cover our toothbrush heads when not in use.

JEWELRY
1.) White Beaded Statement Earrings ($13.97)
I LOVE statement earrings and these do not disappoint. Any time I've worn these earrings, I've always gotten tons of questions about where I purchased them. They are available in 17 colors for such a great price. The earrings are slightly heavy, but do not pull on your ear. I bought them to wear on Easter and I've also worn them to other "dressier" events.

2.) Leopard Acrylic Hoop Earrings ($9.99)
These earrings were seriously made for me. They are lightweight, leopard print and easy to dress up or down. It takes A LOT for a pair of earrings to beat my beloved Nickel & Suede earrings, but I've found myself reaching for these pretty regularly. They are available in 10 different color/style options.

3.) White Gold Delicate Choker Necklace ($17.95)
Recently, I've started to wear more delicate necklaces and I found this one for everyday wear. It is perfect for layering or just wearing by itself. It comes in yellow or white gold.

HOME
1.) Acrylic Makeup Drawers ($17.87 for the 2-drawer version)
Save your money and DO NOT buy acrylic organizers from The Container Store or Wayfair. These drawers are very high quality and hold a ton of makeup for a small fraction of the cost. I ended up buying 2 of the 2-drawer sets and stacked them on top of each other. Now I store all of my makeup in these and I love that hairspray residue and dust does not get on my makeup products.

2.) Satin Pillowcases ($12.99 for 2)
I've heard so many people recommend using a silk or satin pillowcase to help with your hair. They are supposed to help you have to wash your hair less frequently and also are supposed to be better for your skin. I'm still testing these out and will report back soon. I liked that these came in a 2 pack so both my daughter and myself could use one. I do have to say that my daughter's hair has not been such a tangled mess in the mornings ever since she started using the satin pillowcase. That is a win in itself!

3.) Travel Makeup Case ($18.98)
I think a hallelujah chorus sounded when I stumbled upon this travel makeup case. The case is very sturdy and holds its shape, so you don't have to worry about any of your makeup getting damaged or busted in transit. It comes with removable dividers so you can organize the case to suit your needs. You can also use this case for other things besides makeup, but I prefer to carry my makeup in mine. There is a $2 off coupon available right now making this pretty dang cheap.

4.) Bluetooth Speakers ($27.99 for 2)
Available in blue, red or black. This was a purchase that my husband made and he seems pretty happy with them. He connects our Amazon Echo to this for better sound quality (he is a musician/tech guy, so he knows what good sound quality should be). The speakers are small and don't take up a lot of room, but they offer terrific amplified sound. I feel this is a terrific price for two speakers. The blue and red speakers are $2 cheaper than the black.


PERSONAL STYLE
1.) Halter One Piece Swimsuit ($25.99)
I finally found the perfect suit for a mom that doesn't scream...I'm a mom! HA! This suit provides full booty coverage, has ruching at the stomach for a more slimming effect and also keeps the girls completely in place. There is a mesh netting at the chest, but you are completely covered. The halter cut is also very flattering. This suit comes in several different color options. I'm not one to love swimsuits, but this one gets pretty high marks!

2.) Button Down Dress ($20.99)
This dress is cute, but I felt that it was a bit too short (and I'm 5'4"). So instead of wearing it as a dress, I use it as a short sleeve layering piece and it works great. I normally pair it with a tank and a pair of jeans. If you opt to wear it as a dress you can tie it in the front or the back to give it a different look. I removed the tie completely since I wear it as a shirt.

KIDS
1.) Stroller Fan ($19.99)
We are headed to Florida this summer so I felt like a stroller fan was a must. The fan is compact and includes a very sturdy clip. In testing it out, the fan is very powerful and I'm confident it will help to keep my little guy (and maybe us!) cool. It comes with a rechargeable battery and USB cord. The fan itself easily tilts different directions.

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Favorite Setting Powders

One of my favorite products to help stop makeup meltdown is a setting (or translucent) powder. Setting powders lock in your foundation and concealer and absorb oil to help keep your makeup where you applied it. As a person with very oily skin, I use a setting powder daily to help control the shine. Translucent powders do not change the color of your foundation, they are meant to be applied on top of your foundation to help give you an airbrushed look.

(Awhile back, I wrote a post on my four favorite products to stop makeup meltdown. To see what other products I recommend besides a setting powder, click this link to read.)

For this post, I tested out several different powders that I have seen makeup artists and beauty bloggers recommend. As always, my goal is to find the product that works for the everyday woman. I always prefer to spend my money on a product that really works and sometimes that does mean spending a bit more. Overall, I found that all of the setting powders I tested did their job. They all do last a long time (depending on how much you use) giving you many, many applications before you have to replenish. But there are some reasons I like certain products over others.

1.) Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder - $39
This product comes in two colors (translucent and medium deep) to work on multiple skin tones.
I decided to test this powder out after seeing tons of beauty bloggers recommend it. While the product does help set your makeup, I was not blown away by the results. I expected a bit more of an airbrushed finish than I received. I do like that you can get this in two sizes: standard size or mini size. If you are on a budget or just want to test it out before you commit to a full size, grab the mini size for only $23.

2.) L'Oreal Infallible Pro Sweep and Lock Loose Powder - $9.99
For any budget conscious readers, this is the product you will want to try. For a drugstore brand, I was pretty impressed with the results. My makeup stayed in place all day and I felt like the results were just as good as a more expensive brand. The only reason this isn't my favorite is I felt like this one was a bit messier when applying than the others. The powder felt a bit thinner and fell off the brush onto the floor (and my clothes!) easier than the others. But for about $10, this is a definite must try if you are just getting into setting powders.

3.) Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder - $36
This is the first setting powder I ever tried and it still tops my list of favorite makeup products ever. I absolutely LOVE the finish of this product. If gives me a very airbrushed finish, goes on super smooth and lasts all day! Besides the incredible results, there are other reasons I love this product. First, it lasts forever! I have had this powder for a very long time and I am still getting uses out of it. I definitely feel like I am getting my money's worth because of how many applications I've been able to get out of one jar. This one is probably cheaper per application than the drugstore brand above. Second, the application is not messy at all. This powder comes with a little screen to release the powder which I think helps control the mess. As I was testing out powders I kept coming back to using Make Up for Ever because I love it so much!

4.) It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro Powder - $29
Any product that says "bye bye pores" is something I need to try! It Cosmetics certainly delivers and the product lives up to its name. In addition to giving me an air brushed look almost as good as the Make Up For Ever powder, this product does help eliminate the look of your pores. The loose powder does get a bit messy when applying which is why this isn't my favorite. But at under $30, this is a really good powder to try...however...keep reading.

5.) It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Anti-Aging Finishing Powder - $29
Coming in at a VERY close second to be my favorite is the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder. I was told to try the pressed powder by a sales associate at Ulta and even though I purchased it at her recommendation, I was still skeptical. She told me that she felt like the powder lasted longer since it was pressed instead of loose and that you could also get a more concentrated application. Well I found out she was right!!! I absolutely love how this powder looks with the air brushed look and no pores and the application is a breeze. If I had to choose between this powder and number 4, I would choose this one hands down. There is no mess and you get a nice coverage.

Makeup Primer Roundup

Affiliate links are used in this blog post where I might make a small commission if you purchase anything. Thank you for supporting this blog!

Warmer days are on the way! But with warmer months comes heat and humidity which can wreck havoc on your makeup. Thankfully there is a solution to help your makeup stay in its place; a makeup primer.

There are several reasons to use a makeup primer:
-combat shine
-create a smooth base for your foundation

-help your makeup last longer

-smooth fine lines, wrinkles or large pores

-color correct

-prevent makeup creasing in your eyelids

For today's post, I tried out four different makeup primers of varying price points and I'm giving you my thoughts and opinions. When testing everything out, I used the same makeup each day and only changed the primer. I also had about the same level of activity each day to make sure each primer got a fair shot.

Before I get too deep in this post, I must tell you that the BEST way to feel happy in your skin and to have great makeup is to start with terrific skin care. If you don't take care of your skin, it won't really matter what makeup you use. I'm happy to chat with you about your skin care needs if you are looking to try Rodan + Fields products. Just shoot me an email at lindsay@pursuitofpink.com!

1.) Stila One Step Prime

This is a very recent purchase that I discovered when helping my mother in law find some products that would help her makeup not fade away. This primer came highly recommended for oily skin because it is a water based primer.
The formula is light and doesn't feel like it will clog your pores at all. It took just a few seconds to dry before applying foundation. My makeup stayed where it needed to be and lasted all day. My skin even had a silky smooth touch.
I do not feel like it completely erased my pores, but it did help everything stay in its place.
Price: Splurge at $36

2.) Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Before I discovered good skin care, I used this primer to try and hide my large pores. It does what it says, but I don't think this should be used on anyone with oily skin.

The formula is very thick and almost feels greasy. Yes, it erased my pores as the name says, but I felt like it was also clogging my pores at the same time. Also, due to the greasy formula, I don't feel like my makeup went on smooth at all and almost looked blotchy. It does make your skin feel smooth, so I say if you are going to use this product, use it WITHOUT makeup to cover up your pores. Out of all the primers I used, this one had my makeup fading the worst.
Consider using if you have dry skin or use without makeup for a fresh face look.
Price: Steal at $6.99

3.) Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light

I've used this product for years and often refer to it as my holy grail of makeup products.
The formula is extremely light and does not feel like you are putting anything on your face. It goes on very smooth and dries instantly. This is also a water based primer which is needed if you have oily skin as I do. My makeup blends well when using this primer. It gives me the feel of a primer by extending the life of my makeup, but it is so light that it doesn't even feel like I put anything on.
At the end of the day, my makeup stays where I put it and doesn't fade. The only downside to this primer is that it doesn't completely erase your pores.
Price: Splurge at $36

4.) Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

As shocking as this might be, especially because of this price, I have to say that THIS primer gets the award of being my favorite out of all that I tested. The price alone makes it a worthy contender, so you can spend your money elsewhere. Hands down, this primer made my makeup look the BEST at the end of the day. When I first squeezed out some onto my finger, I worried that it was going to be a thicker primer...but it isn't. It goes on very light and dries instantly. My makeup layers perfectly on top. 

Price: Steal at $5.97

I love interacting with you guys over on instagram, so head over there now and check out my instastories to see how much product I recommend you use when applying your makeup primer.

Have you tried any of these primers? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Food Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

With my children being almost five years apart in age, it is very surprising to me how much information I actually forgot from one child to the other. Mom brain is a real thing!!!! When Knox first started eating solid foods, I would introduce a new food every so often and he always got excited to try new things. But when he got to the age where he didn't have a ton of limitations on what he could eat, I worried that he was getting bored with the same old stuff every day. And I struggled with remembering what I fed his sister when she was this age.

I decided to ask all of my lovely followers for advice, because you all have always been there for me!!! And I got some terrific suggestions on different foods to feed your baby/young toddler. Now that he is 13 months old, I do try to feed him what we eat for dinner. However, if we are having steak or shrimp, I'll always make him something different since he doesn't have the teeth to chew everything up. So if you are stuck on what to feed your kids for lunch or need new ideas, check out this pretty extensive list. Hopefully it will give you lots of ideas for meals too.

While they are so little, their food does need to be cut up into tiny pieces. Everything on this list can be fed to your baby whenever, I just categorized everything by meal in hopes of making it easy for you.

Breakfast:

pancakes
toast
oatmeal

bananas

blueberries

grapes
strawberries

mandarin oranges

yogurt

scrambled eggs

hard boiled eggs

bacon

muffins

Cheerios

biscuits

Lunch:

cheese
grilled cheese
peanut butter and jelly
pita bread
soft tortillas

strawberries
blueberries
bananas
grapes
mandarin oranges
avocado
hard boiled eggs
crackers
puffs
canned or frozen veggies

lunch meat

mac and cheese

Dinner:

rice
mashed potatoes
cheese quesadillas
meatballs
spaghetti
broccoli

french fries

avocado

sweet potatoes

butternut squash
canned or frozen veggies

black beans
rotisserie chicken
baked potato
fish

ravioli

tortellini

mac and cheese