style Archives - 'lil Burghers

Spring has Sprung with JORD

(Enter disclaimer text) JORD has teamed up with me to tell you about a women’s watch that is going to have you wanting spring around all year long!

JORD Watch

Finally. Spring has sprung! The skies are bluer and the birds are singing. And the trees? They’re blooming and budding. Doesn’t it feel great to finally be at this point in the year? I know I’m ready to dive into all that spring has to offer.

Spring brings so much promise and shine. I’m reminded to bring out more color in my wardrobe (putting away those navy and black and bringing out my pale blues and corals). I’m spending more time in the fresh air, savoring moments.

You can’t help but to feel connected to the nature around you, right?

This spring, I’m feeling inspired by the weather and my new JORD women’s watch. It is made of natural wood, a constant reminder to me of the natural beauty that abounds this time of year.

women's watch The tiny pops of color in the Zebrawood grain reminds me of the rays of sun that come peeking through my desk window, begging me to get out and enjoy the time I have. And the turquoise face has me yearning for time by the water, relaxing and taking it all in.

women's watch JORD Isn’t the Cora simply a stunning watch? I’m digging how it works paired with my chucks and an iced coffee (two of my favorite bits of spring). And bonus…all three go perfectly with my 5-year-anniversary ring (which I’ve been wearing lately because non-scale victories!).

JORD brings closeness to nature with every piece of their collection of unique natural wood watches for women and men. These watches make statements and are good for dressing up or dressing down. Features like scratch-proof glass, no battery (they automatically self-wind if you wear it often enough), and water safe (as long as you don’t submerge it) make it easy for a mom or dad to say yes to wearing around their ‘lil ones. (The watches also come with a 12-month warranty, just in case anything should go wrong.)

If you’ve fallen in love with JORD women’s watches (or men’s!), perfect. They are offering a giveaway for a $100 credit toward one of their unique time pieces. Every one who enters (but doesn’t win) will receive a $25 credit. This contest (click that link!) ends April 9 (my birthday!) at 11:59 PM. Credits must be redeemed by June 30, 2017. Good luck!

The women’s watch featured in this post is the Cora in Zebrawood and turquoise. It also comes in rose and rose gold options.

wood watch

Watch Gift Ideas

Mama Got Gorgeous

Enter disclaimer text Thanks for inviting me to Getting Gorgeous 2015, Audrey and Vera!

Back in July, Greg and the twins escorted me to New York City, a new territory for us to cover. I was going to be attending three different blogging events in the city over the course of three days. It was going to be epic but exhausting.

On our first day in the city, Isla was beyond excited and barely slept the entire trip. Ava was Ava and rolled with it. Greg just really wanted to eat at the Times Square McDonalds the second we dropped our luggage on the floor of our hotel room. THE SECOND. Ahem. And Mama? I just wanted to get pampered before all the hecticness of the 2nd and 3rd conferences began.

That’s exactly why I accepted the invitation to attend Getting Gorgeous 2015, an event for bloggers to connect with prominent lifestyle brands (while at the same time getting ~~spoiled~~ pampered). Audrey and Vera know how to treat us ladies and what brands to invite. The sponsor list was incredible, and it wasn’t press releases being shoved into our hands but actual hands-on pampering and product introductions.

But first, we went to Times Square McDonalds. You know. In the OPPOSITE direction from Metropolitan Pavilion and in typical Willis style, were eating 10 minutes before I needed to be 30 blocks south. While I hoped over a wall (yup) to grab an Uber to rush me down to the event, Greg and the girls enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the hotel with some photo opportunities.

I spent the few minutes in the Uber trying to calm my nerves. Ever since having the girls and being diagnosed with postpartum anxiety I second-guess myself. WHAT was I doing? A small blogger from a small city with a small circle and a small wardrobe of “nice” clothes let alone knock ’em dead gorgeous attire. I was going to be way out of my league and no one would notice if I just had the car drop me at the hotel, right? Wrong.

Although I navigated the event solo, it really gave me time to center and focus on the days ahead. I was pampered with food, makeup, jewelry, swag, and brand connections. My favorites were BALI (uh, bra measurement boosted my confidence that I didn’t gain as much weight as I thought), Kodak (I printed photos straight from my phone with little to no kiosk usage and can’t wait to give you all a deal!), Chobani (loving their kids’ yogurt options), Trollbeads (I’m starting a memory bracelet with their beads!), KeVita (who I just happened to post an IG photo of that morning), and The Backyard Food Company (for super delicious dips and a Pittsburgh connection!).

I’d tell you more about each of the brands above plus the others, but I’m hoping to work with them and give them the individual attention each deserves. Enjoy these photos from the event, and ask questions about what you see!

^ This was truly amazing. It was vodka infused “caviar”. Yum.

^ I couldn’t get enough. The freshness. It was simply amazing.

Choices…choices…choices!
Must get more.

Can’t wait to get my new bra. “Front open!”
Mama before her makeup application

Feeling feisty after!
Enjoyed on my ride to NYC

Thanks for the fun, Audrey and Vera. Looking forward to 2016.

Creating Waves with Ouidad (and a Giveaway!)

Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I was sent products. All opinions, however, are 100% my own.

The saying goes something like ‘if you have straight hair, you want curly hair and if you have curly hair, you want straight hair’. I kind of like the in between, waves! There’s a new collection by Ouidad to help with creating waves that look like you are fresh from the beach. The Wave Create Collection will help give you that look.

I was sent both products in the line, Sea Spray and Texture Taffy. The products are made with seawater and sea salt crystals (and although you can smell a hint of salt, it’s in no way overwhelming). To give you the “day at the beach” waves that stick, Ouidad added in humectants (from plants) and kept out the dyes, parabens, sulfates, and silicones. (Interpreted – good for your hair and the environment!)

As a busy mom who leaves caring for her hair at the bottom of a growing to do list, I was excited to give both products a try on my straight, fine hair. What I found was…

Sea Spray is used to create soft waves and works best on straight hair with some texture. Sea Spray alone wasn’t a great fit with my hair–the tips suggested using it in conjunction with Texture Taffy which helped! As you’ll see below, I used it in Arianna’s messy, naturally wavy hair and got results alone. You spray it liberally on damp hair and scrunch hair from the ends up. It can be air-dried or set with a hair dryer and diffuser.
Texture Taffy is a sticky substance that works well on hair with no real texture. Read, my hair! You use a nickel-sized dallop (it goes a long way, you don’t want a lot of product in your sexy hair!) and rub it between your palms (I think this warming helps it work it’s magic!). Scooping the ends of your hair in your palms, work it through your hair in an upward motion until the texture forms.
Both retail for $23 (each), but I’d totally justify the spend. The Texture Taffy really does go a long way, these are products that should last you! You can buy both products in the Wave Create Collection at ouidad.com, Ouidad salons, and Ulta.

So now, to show you how it went! I used Texture Taffy to style my hair. Here’s the before, a straight look.

After using Texture Taffy, my hair had some waves. Greg wasn’t “impressed” with the look because he felt my hair around my face makes me look heavier than I am. If my hair was longer, he said he’d love it.

So, I pulled it into a messy ponytail, and he said it was good. 🙂

I’ll tell you, I used just the Sea Spray earlier in the day to go to work. By the time 10 AM rolled around, my hair just looked like I forgot to brush it. Can I say JEALOUS of you naturally wavy ladies? I really like the “fresh from the beach” look, but right now, it’s not fitting right with me.

No fear, there’s someone in this house that will happily use the Sea Spray! She’s not quite five, but a ‘lil fashionista and was excited to give this a try. We vlogged the experience to show you how it went.

Arianna and I are not the only ones who get to try out the new Wave Create system! One lucky reader will receive a package containing the Sea Spray and Texture Taffy (a $46 value!). All you need to do is enter the giveaway, below. Giveaway is limited to US Residents 18 and older and ends on 9/25 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be drawn and have 48 hours to respond with address. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway