Dove: Self Esteem Weekend.

This weekend is Dove’s Self Esteem weekend. Sadly, there were no public events surrounding this for me to participate in here in Tampa and with the chaos of my current schedule, I wasn’t able to plan one myself. But I love the idea of a self esteem weekend enough that I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share a message. On Dove’s website they’ve been asking women what they would say to their 13 year old self. What a sweet idea.

I started thinking about myself at 13. We had recently moved to Tampa from Clemson, South Carolina. I was feeling alone. Insecure. Overwelmed. Emotional (what 13 year old girl isn’t?). I was trying to figure out how to deal with all of the feelings I had about being in a strange place and having to start all over, again, with making friends. In a nut shell, I was still trying to figure out how the game of life is played.

Here are some of the thoughts I'd pass on to myself at that young, vulnerable age...

- Your sisters will always be your most loyal confidantes, appreciate them.
- You are strong. You will survive a great many things, including this rough patch.
- You are never alone, not even when you feel abandoned.
- Your life will not turn out the way your expect, it will turn out better.
- Surround yourself with the right people, they make all the differance.
- Be courageous.
- Cherish every moment.
- Be uncompromising in your expectations - good things are always worth the wait.
- Be yourself, the right people will love you.

Want to send your 13 year old self a message or read some advice other women wish they'd been able to tell the younger version of them? Click here.

Dove Self-esteem Weekend is this Friday-Sunday. Consider how to encourage healthy self-esteem in the youth around you and in your peers. Also, I challenge you to think about the advice you'd offer yourself a few years back - and then find a way to pass it on to those who still might need it.

Love,
B

WINNER!

Congrats to Nicole at Casa De Nicole who just won a $100 giftcard for Lucy Sportswear, Dove deotorant, AND Kacy Duke's Show It Love Workout book! So exited for you friend! Please e-mail me your info @ thequeenbc@gmail.com and the lovely ladies at Dove will get you your prizes asap!

Thanks to everyone who participated and a special thanks to Dove for sponsoring this giveaway!

Love,

B

Dove Event with Kacy Duke.

They had me at ‘hummer limo’. Thanks to Dove’s summer campaign to help ladies like myself with their visibly smooth deodorant , my coworkers and I were whisked away in a hummer limo and taken to the Tampa Performing Arts Center for a workout with celebrity trainer, Kacy Duke! Of course after receiving the invitation I, being the internet savvy blogger than I am, googled Kacy to figure out exactly who she was. Turns out she’s trained quite a few people we all know and love and I even remembered her from an episode of ‘Run’s House’ – the reality show featuring Run from Run DMC and his family. As I mentioned in a previous entry she’s also been featured in some of my favorite magazines as a fitness expert. You should check her out at www.kacydukefitness.com

Since my coworkers and I have been on a summer mission to get healthy, I thought it only fitting to invite them. The ladies at Dove were sweet enough to allow me to open up in the invitation to all the women (and interns) I work with and a group of 10 of us were able to sneak away for a long lunch and go along for the ride. Kimberly, a former Fam Firster and a dear friend of mine was also able to return for the fun!

For the first time in the history of my company (I believe) a stretch hummer limo pulled into our parking lot and we left on the most exciting lunch break we’ve had yet. We hydrated on water in the limo and excitingly chatted about what we could expect when we arrived at the event – which they’d decided to make private just for our group! We were going to have Kacy all to ourselves and we still weren’t sure exactly what kind of workout we were going to have.

Dove doesn’t do anything without excellence, from their products (which I’ve converted to using almost exclusively) to their events! The Maestro room was beautiful, the goodie bags were delightful, we received a warm greeting from Kate (Kacy’s assistant), and Kacy herself was an absolute treat! She was fun, passionate, high-energy, enthusiastic, and personable. I just can’t say enough wonderful things about her!

She learned our names (impressive) and coached us individually through a great cardio (and leg) workout. It’s hard to explain exactly what the workout was like (although the videos should help) but it was dance-based and certainly worked our entire bodies. We could all feel it by the time we returned to the office. What I love that she said though, is that it’s not about being skinny or having great…assets. It’s about being healthy! That’s something my coworkers and I have each been working on in our own ways this summer and certainly a relatable subject for all women. There’s a big difference in being skinny and being healthy and one is better than the other!

A unique aspect of Kacy’s training that as a busy girl I can appreciate, is that her workout is designed to be done anywhere. You don’t need a gym. You don’t need weights. You don’t need a trainer. You could crank up your music and get a great, total body workout in your own home (or hotel room on the road). For my current life of traveling for work and family as well as having a large handful of weekly tasks when I am in town – what a great option to be able to do a workout anywhere my life takes me.

Can I just say I find it totally presh that her book and program is titled, ‘The Show it Love Workout’ which she explained is about loving the body you already have, even as you push yourself (and said body) to meet some goals. She says in her description on her website, ‘learn to love yourself enough to want to be in your best shape ever’. Who doesn’t need to work on that?

I wish we could have kidnapped Kacy to stay in the Tampa area and train us weekly – she sure is fun! We had a great conversation with her over cucumber water after the workout and she did give us her e-mail address so we can stay in touch. She hopes to come back down here someday and get together and kick our butts all over again. Who knows, after reading her book and doing her workouts she might not be able to kick mine next time around! ; ]

You know that I strive to be open and honest with you all in each and every entry and I would not recommend any product to you all that I don’t personally believe in. Of all the offers I’ve had since blogging to represent companies, Dove is the only one I’ve taken for a reason. They believe in real beauty, which comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They also produce great products that I myself use.

After trying Dove visibly smooth deodorant I have never gone back to using anything else. I’ve been a supporter of their products for over a year now and they are true to their word! I shave my armpits less, they feel better, and they’re never dry. I’ve also converted my Momma, my sisters, and Aunt Ju to being Dove deodorant girls (probably helps I’ve been able to hook them up with a free stick to try).

So my challenge to you all, darling readers, is to give it a try for yourselves. In fact, I’d love for you to try it and get back to me with your own thoughts. I honestly haven’t found anyone I couldn’t make a believer out of. I personally like the green (nature fresh) stick better than the pink (wild rose) but they both smell great. I’m not as inclined towards florals myself, so if you’re more of a ‘so fresh and so clean’ scent, try the nature stick but if you prefer a ‘prettier’ armpit smell go for the wild rose. Or, like myself, you could just gracefully sniff them both in the aisle of your local Walgreens. No shame in that.

I don't want to leave out to oh-so-fun details of our goodie bags either! We got workout tank tops provided by Lucy Sportswear with the Dove insignia on them (pictured below). Both scents of Dove visibly smooth - one to keep and one to pass on to a friend. And a cute little bag we can take to the gym (or as one girl suggested, bring our lunches to work).

Now before you go feeling left out - I did promise there was a giveaway to come! And better still this is the biggest and BEST giveaway this blog has ever seen! One lucky winner will receive:

- 3 varieties of Dove visibly smooth - including the clinical strength (which I haven't tried so I expect a report).

- A $100 giftcard to get yourself some cute workout gear from Lucy sportswear.

- A copy of Kacy's Show it Love Workout book!

Here's how to win:

- you get one entry for being a follower of this blog and commenting on this entry

- you will get an additional entry if you twitter about this contest (with a link) and leave me a comment to let me know

-you will get an additional entry if you facebook about this contest (with a link) and leave a comment to let me know

- you will get yet another additional entry if you blog about this contest (with a link) and leave a comment to let me know

So you have the chance to enter yourself 4 times. The number will be randomly selected - one week from today. Good luck to all!

A special thank you to the ladies at Dove, Edelman's, and Lucy's Sportswear. It was a joy to interact with each of you and thank you for all you do.

Love,

B

Note: these Dove products were provided for review by Dove.

Do as they Do in Hollywood.

We all know that Hollywood does fit and firm like no other city in the US. So, why not workout like the stars and with THEIR trainer! Thanks to Dove my coworkers and I are headed to workout with Celeb Trainer Kacy Duke tomorrow via a limo! I can't wait to tell you all about it afterwards. Here's a little scoop on Kacy:

Kacy Duke is an international fitness consultant, personal trainer and accomplished author of the book, “The Show It Love Workout,” which celebrates the body through exercise. She has worked with celebrities including Julianne Moore, Mary J. Blige and Gwen Stefani and inspires real women across the country through her trademark Underground Groove events. These high-energy and aerobic workout classes inspire women to enjoy fitness and the total body benefits it brings.

As the co-founder and a consultant of Equinox Fitness Clubs, Kacy’s fitness philosophy, “Show It Love,” revolves around empowering through positive change. She defines fitness and balance on three levels: emotional mindset, spiritual motivation and physical movement. Kacy believes a strong foundation of love and respect for your body inspires the confidence needed to achieve a healthy, happy body.

She has earned national accolades including being named “New York City’s top workout guru” by Allure Magazine and “the best trainer in New York” by New York Magazine. The New York Times placed Kacy on their "Exercise Video's New Hot Bodies" list.

Kacy has appeared on many national television programs including “Today,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Rachael Ray,” “Good Day New York” and MTV’s “Run’s House”. Additionally, her fitness expertise has been featured in Elle, InStyle, People, Shape, Woman’s Day and LA Daily News. The Library Journal named Kacy’s book, “The Show It Love Workout,” one of the Best Consumer Health Books of 2008.

Would wouldn't mind having Gwen Stefani's bod? I also Saw Kacy on the Run's House episode which makes it that much cooler that I will be meeting with her tomorrow. She was also featured in my absolute favorite magazine, In Style (I've been a subscriber for 4 years running now). Who knows maybe I"ll be on her list of celebs she's trained someday (though I'm not sure what exactly I would become famous for). More info to come on the event!

If you have any question you'd like me to ask Kacy on your behalf during my interview with her, leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

Love,
B

All this excitement is being brought to me (and you) by Dove visablysmooth the ONLY protection I use...after trying it and realizing I could actually shave my armpits less often just by switching my deodorant, I was sold! More info on the product is also still to come. But it's not too late to join our session tomorrow, so if you're in the Tampa area and interested check last night's blog for all the details on how.

Don't Mind if I Do.

The last and only time I've ever actually ridden in a limo was for my sister's wedding....so I was more than a little excited when I received an e-mail from my friends at Dove inviting my friends and I to take a limo to their next Tampa event. I decided after further consideration that it would be a fun adventure to share with my coworkers, many of which, like myself, have been trying to be healthier!

Don't worry readers, I wouldn't dare leave you out of the fun! If you live in Tampa, you can come along! Check this e-mail for the deets:

Hollywood fitness expert, Kacy Duke, is partnering with Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant to get Tampa sleeveless ready this summer. We’d like to extend an invitation to join us at an exclusive FREE cardio-dance class held at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

We’d like to provide a complimentary limo to and from the event for you and your friends!!! Simply let us know as soon as possible and we will coordinate all of the details! Also, if you are interested in interviewing Kacy Duke, we can definitely arrange a time for you to do so.

We would also like you to extend the invitation to this event to your readers. Not only are they invited to the event, but we’d like to offer your readers a $100 gift card for lucy activewear and Dove Visibly Smooth product.

WHEN:

Thursday, July 22

Evening Events: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Maestro Room

1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place

Tampa, FL 33602

RSVP TO DVS@EDELMAN.COM

Admission is FREE but you must RSVP to hold your spot. Please specify if you would like to attend the afternoon or evening Underground Groove Event.

Guests will receive an exclusive goody bag containing a Lucy work out tank top and Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant, which minimizes the look and feel of underarm hair over time to help women feel stubble free for longer. It delivers 24-hour odor and wetness protection and alleviates white marks to keep you feeling smooth, dry and confident this summer.

*Event spots will fill up on a “first come, first serve” basis. RSVP to hold your place and show up early to guarantee entry.

If you're in my area and you're free sign up to join us! My coworkers and I will be attending the 12:30-1:30 session and we'd love to have you movin and groovin with us. I will be taking a few breaks to snag photos and video clips for those of you who, sadly, will be unable to attend with us.

Not from Tampa? Aw, sad for you. BUT it doesn't exclude you from the fun! As the e-mail mentions there will be a $100 giftcard giveaway. After I get the details on that from my Dove friends Thursday, I will post and give you all the chance to win.

Stay tuned for more details.

Love,

B

Dove Sponsored VIP Red Carpet Event

Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant and I paired up to host a party for this years Oscars. They funded the party, supplied most of the goodies for the gift bags, and materials for each attendee to do a giveaway! Why you may ask? So each girl who attended my party and each of you who receive one of my giveaways will know that Dove visibly smooth can actually cut back on how often you have to shave or wax your arm pits! What more could you ask for? Well, it smells great and keeps you from sweating also! Not to mention, moisturizes your armpits!

So whether you win one here on my blog, or buy yourself one you simply must give it a try. They made a believer out of me at my last Dove event and I now have a stash 10 sticks deep. They have made a lifelong friend in me!

So from goodies...

(Roasted red pepper hummus & Stacy's Pita Chips, chips & salsa, red velvet cupcakes, and of course the brownie bites)

To friends & fellowship...

To Oscar predictions...

And red carpet starlets...

To a few shocking outcomes (and jokes)...

To Oscar worthy jewelry (provided by Dove)...

And of course, Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant...

...it was an enchanting evening!

A special thank you to my attendees, everyone at Dove beauty, and the Oscars for a great night! Thank you to you, faithful readers, for following along. I hope you enjoyed the pictures, video clips, and laughs. Now, it's time to finish this entry with a giveaway! If you're an official follower AND you leave a comment on this entry, you are eligible to win. I will generate the winners based on numbers. 5 of YOU will receive a stick of Dove Visibly Smooth. Watch this video about the product, then comment for your chance to win...

Love,

B

The Party Planner Diary - Decorating.

If your venue (or home in my case) is already decorated, there's no need to go over the top with additional decor. My place has quite a bit of character as is, with black furniture, red, and zebra accents. As a result I chose to keep the decor simple. I lit my bar with tea light candles in red holders (from Pier One), borrowed candle holders and vases from a friend, and filled 2 vases with red roses and white carnations.

I found great party platters for the food at Home Goods in Lutz,

FL at reasonable prices. I also found a table runner (pictured below) on sale for $5. I kept my theme the same as my house and my invites - red, black, and white. You could certainly run with any number of theme ideas. Since last night was an 'Oscars' party, I could have gone movie themed with balloon bouquets (Party City has excellent ones) popcorn boxes for goodies, and a 'real' red carpet.

For a party about beauty products and VIPs, full of 10 of my favorite girls - I kept things glamourous and maybe a little 'matchy tatchy' as my mom says of people who get carried away with everything matching. But it fit my crowd, my place, and me.

Here are some pictures, a teaser of what is to come as I review last nights events!

Love,

B

Here you can see the bar with candles set out. I should have gotten pictures before the place filled up. Oh well. You get the idea.

Auburn reminded me that a fresh market by the spa we go to, sells a dozen roses for $6.99! I bought 2 dozen roses and a bouquet of carnations and made my own arrangement. : ]

Vase is borrowed from Aubs, who was sweet enough to lend me several great red pieces. The candle holders I found for, get this, 9.99 each at the South Tampa Marshalls. Score. This is also my $5.00 table runner. Love it.

The Party Planner Diary - Gift Bags.

While goodie bags may seem a item of birthday parties past, I don't know anyone who doesn't love a take-a-way after a great evening. Goodie bags can be simple, with a few items - or even edible treats! Give your guests a thank you for coming, I assure you they'll be appreciative.

Just a few tips for putting together a successful goodie bag...

1. Keep it simple.

2. Keep it relevant.

3. Keep it personal.

4. Don't be afraid to ask.

Dove provided a necklace & a stick of Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant. They also provided product information, sheets to predict the winners for tonights Oscar festivities, AND the chance for each of my guests to share Dove with 5 friends! I asked my facialist who's also a good friend and does a great job with all her services, if she would contribute material. This way, my guests get a discount on a service AND Jen gets exposure! It's a win, win. Never be afraid to ask someone to contribute to your goodie bags. In this case, my guests can get a free mani, a $10 pedi, or take $15 off of a facial (my personal favorite).

I also added a personalized thank you card for each of my guest. Thanking them for taking an evening away from their busy lives to spend with the Oscars , Dove, and myself. I included a personal note to each guest & added an invite to my next get together, in April.

Never underestimate the power of a goodie bag to get you repeat guests! I for one, am a sucker for freebies.

Love,

B

Chocolate Footprints.

So tonight I set out to create the brownie bites for Sundays party. You have to make them a few days early to cut back on the stickiness. I wanted to try out my new camera and let you in on the chaos that was my kitchen tonight. Hope you enjoy the footage.

Love,

B

The Party Planner Diary - Timeline.

An important element to party planning is the actual plan! If you don't have one, make one. You cannot throw a successful party on a small or large scale without a master plan. Now, this could be one sheet of paper with a few short notes, or a novel depending on the event itself. But don't neglect a written plan. So many bumps in the road can be avoided this way.

As previously mentioned, my current party-at-hand is low key. The predetermined guest list of 10 is helping keep me from having to be a crazy this week in prep. I'm use to events of 1600-1800 people so this is cake. Mmm, cake. Anyway, keeping with my own logic that big or small, a plan is the key here are a few things on my list.

Decor (which will have it's own post at some point). I've made a list of what I want to order, from where and consulted a dear friend on the best place to get flowers (she had an excellent idea for this, a local market we use). I'm keeping it simple. I've pulled together (on list and in life) what I already have, what I can borrow, and have made a list of what I will buy and from where.

RSVP's. As previously mentioned you have to stay on top of your RSVPs! Today is the due date for mine and I was only 2 short of having received a response from every girl. One works with me, so I cleared that up upon arrival today. One I texted from my desk before the day started. I kept a list of who I invited, what day they should have received their RSVP and their responses as they came in (primarily via e-mail as requested but some were word-of-mouth).

I'm waiting to do my shopping for the event after I receive my allotted gift card from Dove to make the purchases on their tab. So when I realized today I hadn't heard back about the exactly delivery (again, lists people!), I shot at e-mail out at 8am this morning to make sure I knew exactly when I would be able to start spending the money. That will be Wednesday. I'm also waiting on that box because A. my video camera is in it & I'd like to start doing more video blogs and B. the goodies for my guests will be in the box and I want to know what I'm working with when I go to purchase goodie bags (another blog entry to come).

Also, I planned out a timeline for Saturday before the Sunday party to make sure I have time to pick up the arrangements, bake the goodies, decorate, and put the goodie bags together. It's easy with a party at the end of the weekend, to schedule up all your time and realize you have none left to actually put the party together! Beware.

T-minus 6 days til the Oscars and my own red carpet event.

Love,
B

The Party Planner Diary - The Intro.

You may remember from this entry that I was able to attend an event sponsored by Dove (beauty products, not chocolate). My fellow blogger Joy & I went to a spa day to learn more about Dove's newest discovery in skin maintenance, the piticure. Which was describe as a pedicure for your arm pits...

Not only did we have a blast hanging out with Rachel (who put on the shindig) but we enjoyed the process, picked up a new beauty regiment, AND walked away with some sweet free products. In the video from the entry I just linked too, you can see me going through my goodie bag. I use my Dove spa wrap when I go for facials now...instead of the community one. I also have several years worth of a stash of deodorant and honestly, will never use anything but Dove again. So overall, it was a great experience. As we wrapped up the evening and again when I e-mailed Rachel a copy of my blog post about the night I mentioned that if they were ever doing anything down this way again (she's up in Chicago), to give me a shout.

Ask, and you shall receive! Another gal from the same PR firm, Edelman, who represents Dove got in touch with me via e-mail last week with a new invite! After some e-mail dialog on Friday, I will be hosting a Red Carpet VIP party during the Oscars on March 7th, and it will be sponsored by Dove! I am insanely excited about it and growing more so with each and every detail I get from Kaley.

So, I've decided to do a series of blog entries leading up to the party, about the planning process. Since Dove is making my life easy, it will be fairly straight forward. I wanted to share with you because this is what I love! My events for work are obviously VERY different from this but events are events. I love them all. So this entry will serve to introduce what is to come, the party planner diary from now until the big event, March 7th.

Stay tuned & get excited.

Love,
B

When the weather outside is frightful...

...its hard not to have dry, sandpaper skin.  It dipped before 60 in Florida today (at least for a couple hours) and I broke out my winter skin care.  I thought I'd share a few of my favorite winter skin fighters...

- Dead sea salt scrub.  You can pick your brand.  I usually find a tub at TJMaxx.  It exfoliates all your dead skins cells away, allowing fresh new ones to the surface.  It's not expensive but it has great results.  A tub can last you several months, even if you use it 1-2 times per week.

- Dove exfoliating body wash.  This is new to my list after my piticure experience at the Dove night.  It's fabulous.  It's good for every day use, a gentle exfoliator is has a similar effect to the sea salt scrub but on a gentler level.  On elbows, this can be a miracle worker.  You can get it for 5 bucks at Target.  Beauty on a budget, the way I like it.

Matrix Hydratherapy Conditioning Balm - great for year round 'hairapy'.  I use it in the summer when I'm out in the sun.  But it's great for year round moisturizing.  As instructed by my hairdresser, I use it once per month.  I wash my hair, massage the balm into my hair, put on a shower cap to hold it in and keep it from rinsing out while I take a 15 minute shower, then I rinse with cold water.  Works like a charm.

Body butter - my absolute favorite winter-beater-beauty-product is body butter.  I'm partial to Arbonne myself, but many companies have a version.  A thicker, deeper moisturizer than lotion.  I recommend it post shower, at night.

I hope this helps all my little snow bunny readers.  I'll have to take my own advice very seriously as I brave 5 days in the bitter cold of Indiana over Christmas.  DIY spa days every day while I'm there?  Don't mind if I do.

Love,

B

Winner!

We have a winner for my 'pit stains' contest to win free Dove deodorant and the winner was so great, she's getting both the prizes...so CONGRATS to Miss Ebony Jewel for creating this lovely image just for us...Even though she admitted to creating them not with actual sweat. They made me laugh so she wins.

I love her for participating. Great sport.

And being a Florida girl myself, real pit stains happen to the best of us...including celebs:

Oh Edward Cullen.

Real women may of curves...but it looks like America also has some sweat issues. Oops.

So my first ever giveaway is complete and I will be mail E.J. her prizes this week. ; ] I don't have immediate plans for my next giveaway BUT I am collecting ideas on a fun giveaway if my Colts make it to the Super Bowl and I get to go. So, if you have ideas, hit me up.

Love,

B

My first giveaway!

Joy & I trading in our Lady Speed Sticks for Dove!

This is my 200th blog post and I'm excited to be doing my first ever giveaway!

I hope you all are looking forward to hearing about my experience at the Dove event Thursday night. In fact, I owe each of YOU a thank you that I was invited since this blog is how they found me and the reason I got a free spa night courtesy of Dove. There will be video, pictures, and details to come. BUT thanks to Kristen and Rachel from Edelmen's & Dove - I'm able to share a little of the love with you.

It's time for my first official giveaway on my blog. Here's the deets:

I was given a few extra sticks of Dove deodorant to give away to you lovely readers. And I'm going to take full advantage. Joy and I talked about what would be the most interesting way to pick our winners. I'm not sure what she's going to do yet...BUT I've decided to make mine funny. The best 2 pictures I get of you with 'pit stains' are going to win you a free stick of Dove deodorant. Send them via e-mail to: rebeccaholmeschristensen@gmail.com and after I select the winners (next Friday) I will mail (or hand deliver if the winners are local) you your prize.

Get your sweat on.

Love,

B

And then there were two.

I was asked by Rachel of Dove if I had any other young, 'influential', blogging friends I'd like to bring along for the Dove event Thursday! Sadly, Christina Sanders can't attend but thankfully my good friend Joy Engdahl (author of binding the broken) will be accompanying me. Both ladies I consider to be young (even though I like to tease Joy about being older than me) and both run fabulous, noteworthy blogs.

Joy & I both love a good freebie so a free spa night? Done & done. We've decided since we are curious ourselves about this 'manicure for your armpits' called a 'piticure' we will be taking a flip camera and getting a little video blog action. I even e-mailed Rachel from Dove for confirmation that we can document this interesting new phenomenon. Be excited. I haven't done a video blog in quite a while but I figure getting your armpits exfoliated is video worthy. Stay tuned for that.

Just wanted to share the fun news with you that I now have backup for Thursday's event. I am seriously looking forward to some time with the Dove group.

Love,

B

Yes, please.

Many wonderful things have come of my blogging. Self expression. Honesty. Better writing abilities (I hope). New friends. Other writers to 'do life' with. Insight into a great many things. An excuse to research. And this week, an invitation to a free spa day.

That's right. For being a Tampa blogger, or as the invite read 'an influential twentysomething' ...I have been invited by Dove to a spa day! The invitation is for a delightful night that includes a mani/pedi and a new treatment called a piticure. Compared to a manicure for your armpits. Intriguing, yes? The night will also have drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and chatting with other beauty conscious writers. I of course said, 'count me in!'.

This may just be the best benefit to come my way yet from my time as a blogger. So thank you readers for making me considered influential...and I promise to report in great detail of what I'm confident will be a great experience with the Dove crew @ Sharmaines Salon & Day Spa in Clearwater Beach. And of course, I will tell all of the 'piticure' experience. This may be video blog worthy.

Stay tuned.

Love,
B

If you live in Tampa...

Noteworthy goings on in Tampa:

Dove is replacing your used deodorant of another brand with a brand new Dove stick! Just take your old stick to any of the participating salons and trade it in. Also, while you're there - you can get 10% off your services. Not a bad deal at all.

Tampa -

Barbara Forgoine Salon

Hello Beautiful! - Day Spa/Salon

Kennedy Salon & Day Spa

Mane Stop - Hair Salon

More info here.

Love,
B