Giveaway: Sephora Gift Card!

You gals amaze, inspire, educate and make me smile each day.

Really, I can't imagine my life without this blog and the wonderful women I've met.
It's been a transformative experience beyond words that little make me tear up a bit. (nerd, I know!)

To thank YOU, I'm giving away a $30 gift card to Sephora to one lucky reader, good for any wonderful item you'd like at one of the best stores ever! Woohooo!

Why Sephora?
Compelled because today I noticed that a few of my go-to make-up products are running low. Boo. Hate that because it gets pricey to buy all at once. Those $20-something items add up. Thinking that I'd love some extra flow to spend at Sephora, I'm assuming you would as well! Right? 

If  I had it to spend, here's my current make-up bag needs...

Nars blush, Orgasm, $27

Best blush on earth. Period. Try it if you haven't.

Benefit concealer, Boi-ing, $18

Love this concealer. Use it under my eyes and other spots that need it. Doesn't cake!

Smashbox photo finish primer, $17 (travel size)

I'm super curious to try primer. Love that this hugely popular one has a travel size so I can test before committing the bucks! (also eager to try Smashbox eye primer ($17), rec's by beauty guru, Erika, from the make-up/fashion blog, Girly Things by *e).

TO ENTER to win $30 to Sephora:

Required (1 entry):

1. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (on the right-hand column) and leave a comment below sharing one of your go-to beauty products, whether it's available at Sephora, Target or anywhere in between.

Additional entries (1 entry each; leave a seperate comment for each)

1. "Like" my blog on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know.

2. Follow me on Twitter (@avggirlsguide) and leave a comment here letting me know.

3. Tweet about this contest.

Details: Contest ends Wednesday, May 18 at midnight. Available to anyone, anywhere
(thank you e-gift cards!)!

Thanks again everyone for being so wonderful. Make it a great day!



5 Must Haves: from a Fellow Red-Head

Meet Erin. She's one of the coolest, sweetest, most fun and sincere girls I've ever met. Promise. And, I'm not just blowing these compliments her way because she's a red head (ya know, us red heads have to stick together!). Honestly, her smile is infectious and someone I always think I'd love to become better friends with (ya year that, Erin! haha). We met out and about here in West Palm, Fla. through friends, and now serve together on the Board of an awesome non profit, The Foundation for Community Betterment. She's our resident graphic designer and overall smartie, helping to keep us organized and make every event its best.

Oh, did I forget to mention she has killer taste? Even when I see her en route to spinning classes (indoor cycling, her love!), she looks totally fab. I love how she pulls an outfit together (which usually involves Tory Burch), her condo is gorge, and she also makes her own jewelry... namely guitar pick earrings! Talk about rockin' a look! I'm obsessed with them. She sells them here and there so it's always awesome to see someone wearing them... people go crazy; such a fun, unexpected piece of jewelry!

Beyond thrilled that she's sharing with you her five must-have items because this is definitely a girl who's taste I admire. Fun, accessible yet sophisticated and modern.

In her words, here's Erin's 5 must haves...

 Swatch

I wear my Swatches all the time, even to work. Rocking a vibrant Swatch is a fab diversion to the "work attire." They add a splash of unexpected character and can be conversation starters. Lately, I've been wearing this one, So Fresh ($60)! 

 

A lovable Rescue Pet

Mine's named Cooper. He's my love monkey. I rescued him in January from Golden Rescue South Florida and we're now in a serious relationship :-) Rescue your next pet please! You can rescue pretty much any breed either through your local humane society or searching for more detailed organizations such as the Golden Rescue south Florida or Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

(You don't have to get a golden retriever but they are one of the BEST dogs).

 

MAC - Oyster Girl lipgloss

It's light and glossy, giving your lips just enough without hailing too much attention.

The color ORANGE

I'm not sure what it is about the color orange. I've been infatuated for years. It's funky and fresh with a touch of sassy. Notice my orange bedding (Anthropologie) and orange upholstered chair (purchased from Kourtney Pulitzer boutique in West Palm Beach) with Cooper hanging out.
TAGG tip: this just shows that even red heads can rock orange! thanks, erin!

Good Food!

I'm not much of a chef so when cooking at home, I usually do steamed veggies and bake or grill chicken. Bland, I know. This could be the reason why I tend to eat out often: I enjoy GOOD FOOD. Some fly to Italy or New York for a memorable meal, which I fully encourage but I'm also happy eating at these hot spots in West Palm Beach, which can accommodate Cooper of course: Darbster (vegan), Vagabondi (Italian), Gratify (gastro pub) and Pistache (French waterfront bistro). Darbster's is an easy "go to" for a casual atmosphere, friendly people and outrageously delicious Vegan food. Yes, Vegan. Have a glass of white wine and the Chikn' & Apple Wrap with the peanut sauce that I crave. At Vagabondi, I usually get the beet salad to start and a small portion of the luring pasta with truffle oil!
(photo: palm cakes at darbster, pbpost.com)

Beauty VIP: Rid Yourself of the Dark Circles

Happy Monday, ladies! I don't know about you but I was feeling especially tired this a.m. It doesn't help that I have naturally dark-ish circles so a tired morning is not a pretty morning for this gal! Fortunately, I have a few key make-up products to add some light to the eyes (and of course that skinny vanilla latte for that extra caffeine dose doesn't hurt either!).

One dark-circle-diminishing fave? Benefit's Lemon-Aid.

This stuff has become a g-dsend! It's nothing super new, but one more gals need to know about. It's a color-correcting eyelid primer that totally hides darkness, redness, you name it. It looks super yellow in the container, which is a perfect color to neutralize your eyes natural shades. Benefit really has some of the best products... Benetint and Bo-ing concealer are other staples in my make-up bag.

To apply: since the biggest complaint is that it can be thick (which I experienced at first), dab the littlest amount on your finger and then dab (don't rub) it in. Really, too much and you'll think it's too yellow or it can show it up in your crease line. Once on, sweep over some loose powder to set, and voila: a perfect, perky eyelid!

To buy: It's about half the price on Amazon compared to Sephora, so review there and then shop on Amazon!