The Best Moisturizer for Your 30s (BONUS- It's Under $30)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.

If you've been around this blog for the long haul (seriously, the story I'm about to reference is 3 years old so I do mean LONG HAUL) then you'll remember when I had a 14 day photoshoot for work in the dead of Summer in Florida. I am so fair skinned, and gave up attempting to tan long ago. This shoot though, was 14 days straight on a boat, morning and night. The sun was brutal and I was just holding on by a thread to somehow keep from burning.

When I got back from that trip (aside from the bug bites that took over my entire body) my skin was totally destroyed. I asked my friend Magen (my go-to skincare expert) what on earth I needed to do to fix it. I had sun poisoning all over my face, and although I didn't burn, my skin was really in horrible shape. It was about that time when I was trying to figure out WHY I took a position with an outboard motor company that required two week long photoshoots on a boat. JK JK JK, I kid I kid.

Since I do love my job, I had to find a solution. With Magen's recommendations it was then that I really got serious about using a high quality moisturizer every single day. This was three years ago, and I'm still to this day perfecting my routine.

If you saw the blog a few weeks ago, you'll know I've kicked off a partnership with Olay to show you some easy skincare products and simple additions you can add to your morning and night routine for your 30s! My first post talked about how Olay has simplified the nighttime routine, aka - the number one bedtime product the lazy girl needs in her medicine cabinet!

Today I want to introduce you guys to Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. Although many women start moisturizing in their twenties, the routine generally shifts a bit in your thirties. By age 30, we've got a bit more money burning a hole in our pocket, and I know some women are certainly tempted to go out there and drop $400+ on a pricey cream from a department store. That's straight up not necessary because there's a product found online for just $26.99 which outperforms 10 top department store creams. Legit, one of those creams has a $440 price tag!!!

Listen to this... This year, GHK (Good Housekeeping Institute) tested the latest Micro-Sculpting Cream formula, a Good Housekeeping seal holder, found online for just $26.99, against 10 prestige creams found in most department stores. These ranged in price from $26-$440. They conducted both clinical and blinded consumer studies, where scientists collected more than 10,000 hydration measurements and Olay rose to the top. Here are some results you'll see after using this product - including visible wrinkle results which you'll start to see on day 1!

1 day: reduces the appearance of lines, boosts hydration and brightness

2 weeks: skin is noticeably firmer and skin elasticity is improved

4 weeks: reduces the look of up to 10 years of wrinkles

Some ingredients you'll recognize include vitamin E which protects against free radical damage, and Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid which is a powerful humectant which provides intense moisturization properties.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is not only an anti-aging cream but is a moisturizing and plumping powerhouse. Hydration is one of the key benefits for younger women in their early 30s seeking preventative anti-aging measures! Today, women can take their anti-aging destiny into their own hands without paying a small fortune. You simply apply morning and night on cleansed skin! It's that simple - and certainly far cheaper than department store options.

I wish I had known about this moisturizing powerhouse BEFORE I went on my 14 day work photoshoot all those years ago, but I'm just glad I have this product for future shoots! I don't plan on leaving this job anytime soon, and thus, more week long boat trips! This time I'll be far more prepared!

5 Ways To Cool Off In Dallas This Summer

If you've never been to Texas I'm going to let you in on our BEST KEPT SECRET - IT IS HOT IN HEREEEEE! But really, it's toasty. Now, I grew up on the East Coast where the humidity makes it unbearable, and while yes, the humidity is slightly better here, the temps rise way higher under that Texas sun. Let's face it, no matter where you are in the Summer, you're going to be hot. Some people love it, I personally hate it and seek relief wherever I can find it. So, with that said, today I bring you my 5 favorite ways to cool off in DFW this Summer! 

1. Splash Around at Klyde Warren Park

My favorite Dallas park (located, no joke, above a major highway) not only has food trucks galore but several different spots where water shoots out of the ground. There's a dog park with water spouts (Veenie models this above), lawn games, ping pong, ice cold refreshment stands and lots of places for kids (or adults, I won't judge) to splash in the water.

2. Rent a Boat at Lake Grapevine

Veenie modeling for us again, she's a good pup.

I'm a lucky duck because we have a company boat that we can take out anytime we like, as long as it isn't already reserved. Most of the lakes in DFW (Like Grapevine and Lewisville) have marinas that offer affordable boat rentals! BEFORE YOU RENT THOUGH: call me up, and I'll pontoon on out and meet ya!

3. Hit the Wet Deck at The W Hotel

image via 

The W Hotel Wet Deck is open to the public every Sunday for their Summer Sundaze event, from 12pm-6pm for a small entrance fee! You can't beat the view, the rooftop breeze or the cold water! Plus, you can order food and drink while you're at it! Bonus: There is just as many shaded spots as there are sunny, perfect if you're like I am and unable to tan!

4. Visit the Dallas Farmers Market

The Farmers Market (completely remodeled) has two sections now. One section is indoors, fully air conditioned and filled to the brim with restaurants, drink stands, sweet treats and local Dallas goods. Outside, there is a second section filled with local farmers produce and various local goods. Although it is outside, it is completely covered and you're totally shaded from the sun! Plus, there's Ruibals, which is pretty much my personal version of heaven on earth!

5. ICE CREAM - DUH! 

As you guys know, I've been collaborating with RaceTrac this year on several different posts, and they've got an AWESOME new promotion in their stores called Swirl World. The South (and by South I mean Texas because if there's one thing I've learned since moving here it isn't the South, it's TEXAS) loves to swirl. AKA- mix and match ice cream flavors! For the month of June and July, RaceTrac is discounting Swirl World for their customers. This means more ice cream for you, for less!

RaceTrac's Swirl World offers self-serve frozen treats including frozen yogurt, ice cream and italian ice. You can swirl as many together as you like, and even add a variety of toppings. I added NERDS (because, they're the best, duh) and marshmallows to my cake batter ice cream. You also have the choice of cup, sugar cone and waffle cone.

Here in Texas, during the Swirl World promotion, cones are just 79 cents!

CB and I had very different cones. I had cake batter, nerds and ice cream. CB - per the usual - did chocolate on chocolate on chocolate on peanut butter.

I hope you'll join me tonight for an official "Summer in the South" twitter party with RaceTrac! During the party, you'll have 4 chances to win $100! Be sure to RSVP below and use the tag #HowYouSwirlWorld!

Join the twitter party HERE

To top it all off (no pun intended) I'll be giving away a $50 gift card on Instagram this afternoon!! Be on the lookout, because 50 bucks will buy you A LOT OF ICE CREAM! 
🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

Thank you to RaceTrac for sponsoring this post! 
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

On Trying to Change Your Spots

This may sound dumb but I feel like I can treat VTIM like this secret diary that no one from my Dallas Love List world knows about. I feel like I can go to Dallas Love List events, pretend to act like I know what I'm doing, but then come over here and tell you what really went through my mind.

Example: My Honest Review of Soul Cycle.

I love DLL, but it is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLD from lifestyle blogging. First of all there are two types of people in the world of foodie/local instagramming. Well, I take that back, let's say three types of people, if you include myself.

Type of Person #1- The Foodie  

These are my favorite people. These are the bloggers/instagrammers who have a love for the ingredients, flavors, spices and the art of cooking. These are the people who can swirl a wine, sniff and remark with, "Ohhhh, this juniper is tickling my 8th ventricle tastebud" 

Or, you know, something along those lines.

Alternatively, here's me:  

The foodies are the people I gravitate to. Although I don't know nearly as much as they do, I love learning from them. They always have something fascinating to add to the dinner conversation and I consider them to be goals.

They are in it for the love of the food, not for the free stuff.

Type of Person #2- The Socialite   
This is absolutely NOT me. I did not get into this gig to be a Dallas socialite. This person is all about associating themselves with the most popular, fashionable and chicest people in Dallas. Although the events I attend are generally saturated with this type of blogger/instagrammer, I haven't met them yet. Not really my speed, but they are always dressed impeccably and they intimidate the crap out of me. I'm way too shy to ever fall into this category.

Plus, I thoroughly enjoy standing in the corner with CB and I'm totally ok with this.

Type of Person #3- The Instagram Lover 
***note, this is me.  
I love running my Dallas Love List instagram account and I don't care who knows it. I love taking pictures, I love editing the pics, I love interacting with people on insta, I love having events to share. I REALLY love it when someone tags a friend and says, "You should follow this account." It makes me totally giddy.

This person (me) is more concerned with getting great, bright, colorful photos more than anything else.

I personally aspire to be the foodie, but as of last night's event I'm reminded that I'm just not there yet.

Last night I went to an amazing event at a place called Saint Ann's. They were previewing their new wine flights, and they had a sommelier there to answer our questions. I of course had no questions - because, "THIS IS A WHITE."

When I go to wine events, I generally rotate the same adjectives and phrases: delicious, ohh tasty, oh wow that's good. Sometimes, I bust out the word CRISP, but I try to only reserve that big word for special occasions --- aka, when I think the wine is very cold.

(side note to foodie friends I've met along the way: I'm confident you're dying right now. I imagine there have been a few "bless her heart"s that have run through your mind.)

Well, last night I did my best impression of pretending to be in the foodie category. We were trying the last of the three wines. This one was a petite sirah - aka, code for, mmm, that's tasty. They were passing around hors d'oeuvres - one of which was a melon wrapped in prosciutto.  I tried to bust out a foodie phrase and said, "Oh wow, be sure to try the prosciutto then take a sip of the wine. It is clear they go together, the flavor palette of the grape totally shines through when paired with the prosciutto." 

🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Do you ever have a simple task that everyone else does well but you just do awkwardly so you know to avoid it. For me, that's giving the middle finger. I cannot give the middle finger, it is the most awkward feeling in the world for me and I just look and feel so dumb when I do it. Some people look really cool giving the middle finger - I look like I confused my pointer finger with a different digit.

That's how I felt after talking about the damn prosciutto and grape flavor palette crap. WTF SARAH!?!?!?!?!?! SO AWK.

STOP TALKING, take the damn photo of you holding your drink in the air and just be quiet when the adults are wine tasting. 

So, the moral of the story is that you shouldn't try to spread your wings and become a Hufflepuff if the sorting hat places you in Slytherin.

Terrified of Happiness

photo cred by my bestie Magen  

I've written multiple posts about having this crazy feeling that I can't embrace. It's the being "terrified of happiness feeling" or better known as that moment in SATC when Charlotte finds out she's finally pregnant.

Why do we women want to sabotage ourselves when we are happy??

I'm terrified to talk about how happy I am, because I somehow feel like I will jinx myself and the flood gates of bad news bears will unleash their wrath.

HOW
RIDICULOUS
IS
THAT?

Then my anxiety kicks in and starts flooding my head with the most terrifying what ifs. What if something happened to CB? is generally the first what if that starts. I then get petrified that something will happen and start stressing myself out to the point of being unable to sleep at night worried about losing my best friend.

YALL
HE
IS
LAYING
RIGHT
NEXT
TO
ME
AND
I
AM
SABATOGING
MY
OWN
HAPPINESS

WHYYYY!?!?!

Does anyone else do this. I've had some really great news at both work and here on VTIM/Dallas Love List and yet, I'm too scared to get excited because I find something to worry about with it. A lot of times, when someone emails me for a collaboration that sounds too good to be true I just assume I'm being catfished and I'll never see the money.

Which again, is INSANE.Why can't I just be happy when there is cause for happiness. I'm engaged to my favorite person in the whole world - what could be better than that? Why am I so scared that something bad is going to happen?

Does anyone else tip toe around their happiness terrified that if you make too much noise, the bad will be awakened?

Simple Nighttime Cleansing Routine for Your 30s

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.

Y'all I am the absolute worst when it comes to taking care of my skin. I spent the first 29 years of my life RARELY washing my face before bed. When I turned 30, I vowed to make a change and start washing my face every single night. I know how horrible that is to sleep in your makeup, but I'm just lazy. There, I said it, I'm soooo lazy and I just want to crawl into bed after brushing my teeth. 

Lazy is not a good excuse though, and being lazy will lead to skin that ages way faster than it should. So, when I turned 30, changes happened. I started going to bed with a glass of water every single night and I switched to silk pillow cases. Cotton pillow cases strip moisture and can leave sleep lines and wrinkles. Cotton can also tug at your skin, encouraging wrinkles. Makes sense, right? Silk pillow cases are expensive, yes, but the benefits extend past just skin deep, your hair will thank you too. 

I also now do my best to give my face a break during the week. Unless I have an event, I won't wear any face makeup to work. Sometimes I'll throw on some concealer if I need it, but I mostly just keep me makeup simple since I do wear a lot more on the weekends.

Even if you're not wearing a ton of face makeup, you still need to get your skin clean at night no matter what. I knew I needed something simple though, something that didn't require a ton of steps. I don't want to use multiple cleansers at night, I need simplicity.

p.s. how cute are these PJs my girlfriends gave me -- they have my new initials on there!! SWOON!  

Have you guys heard of Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths? These are what I've been using lately and I'm totally loving them. The cloths are totally dry and are activated with water. I've had makeup remover wipes in the past where I accidentally left the case open at night and I woke up to a completely dried out wipe that was worthless the next day. You won't have the problem with these cleansing cloths.

Instead of having to use a separate makeup remover in addition to your cleanser, these are specially textured with soft cleansing pockets to gently break up and lift away dirt, oil and makeup – even mascara – for a clean that is two times better than basic cleansing. The result is skin that’s gently exfoliated and smoother in texture in less than one week!

I mentioned not needing a ton of steps, and these include 4 steps in just one cloth: a cleanser which washes away dirt and makeup, a toner which tones skin with an essential cleansing formula, a mask which hydrates with specialized Olay conditioners and finally a scrub that exfoliates to smooth skin’s surface.

*Having CB take photos while I washed my face = hilarious and embarrassing. 


Since they're a bit different than you might be used to, here is how to use em:
1. Wet with water
2. Rub to lather
3. Cleanse - it's even safe around the eyes
4. Rinse, I'd recommend using a cloth
5. Throw away - but don't flush.

These are simple, easy and Sarah lazy proof! Plus, they're super easy to travel with since they are already dry. When I'm done, my skin doesn't feel tight like a lot of soaps would normally cause. This is a soap free formula and perfect for all skin types. I'd recommend trying it for a week and I bet you'll love the change you see.

Olay daily facials are the first step in my mission to go makeup free during the work week! Which is perfect because Olay's campaign is called #NoMakeupRequired.  Other than a cup of coffee and a swipe of mascara, I don't need any other makeup to look put together for work since they do leave my skin moisturized and exfoliated.

Less steps at night means more time to rub Veenie's belly in bed....

What do you guys use at night? Are you lazy like me? Have you had a skin epiphany recently to treat your skin better? Let me know, please tell me I'm not the only one that waited 30 years to make my skin a priority!


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay . The opinions and text are all mine.

Adult Game Idea for Your Neighborhood Game Night

CB and I are obviously planning a wedding, so we are always on the lookout for ways to stay IN and save money. It seems like every time we go out we end up spending way more than we meant to. Food and drinks, even at a mid-level place, end up costing upwards of 50 bucks. Seeing as two of our very best girl friends live right down the street from us, we vowed to have more nights in and save a litte dinero. I mean, the more money we save, the more pizza we will be able to serve at our wedding. You feel me?

Meeting at each other's house for game night is our favorite way to get together and hang out. We've been stuck in a rut playing the same games over and over again, so I was pumped to head over to my friend Heather's house this past weekend with a brand new game for us to play, Codenames: Deep Undercover. 

I loaded up my bike basket with some flowers for the host and a new game for us to dig into. I sometimes shy away from new games, just because of the learning curve, but I can only play the same old games so many times before I need something different. 

You might have heard of the game Codenames, but this version is a spin-off of the original with all-new words, art and mature play. Codenames: Deep Undercover is available exclusively in North America at Target and Target.com. 

In addition to having game night at home, we also love bringing our games to one of the local breweries and posting up for an afternoon of fun. With the adult theme of this version, it makes it perfect for playing at home or at a bar. Sure, we were borderline inappropriate guessing and giving the clues at times but who isn't borderline inappropriate at times at a bar? *Totes Guilty* 

To play the game you need at least 4 people. Although, I personally think 3 would be fun too, where you choose someone to be the permanent spymaster for both teams. The spymaster gives their team a one-word clue, plus a number. The number given - let's say 3 for example - is the number of words that work to that clue. Your team then has to guess all 3 words. If you miss, you lose your turn and the other team gets to go. There are of course more details involved, but that's the game in a nutshell.

The clues and the guessing get pretty darn hilarious.

For example, if the spymaster says FRUIT-2. Then the team guesses what two cards on the board could possibly be the right answer to the clue FRUIT.

One of the clue words on the board was "Kitty", so as I'm sure you can imagine the word that was given as a clue for that. I won't get into that here on this blog!

I loved this game and I think you will too. It did take us just a bit of time to understand the rules on how to play, but once we figured it out we played for hours and hours!

Do you think you'd like Codenames: Deep Undercover?
Have you played the original Codenames before?
What's your favorite game for game night?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

A Foodie Friend Date Night at On The Border

I was asked to participate in the #PatioVida campaign, sponsored by On The Border. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

On The Border is easily one of my favorite Mexican restaurants out there. They are all over the country and have all of your favorites like nachos, guacamole, enchiladas, tacos and fajitas! I knew they had a killer Happy Hour so I called CB and a couple of girlfriends to see if they wanted to meet me for dinner and drinks this past Thursday!

That was an easy sell, I got 3, very quick, "ABSOLUTELY" texts back saying they'd love to join me. I told them we should grab a spot on the patio, because I've heard that a bunch of the locations even have live music on Thursdays for their current promotion, #PatioVida! Plus, I saw on their website, their happy hour specials are valid on the patio and in the bar area!

But for real, how good is this happy hour??

$3

Select Grande Domestic Drafts

House Margarita (Regular Size)

$4

Grande Dos XX® Draft

Grande House Margarita

$5

CoronaRita™

Grande Strawbrrrita

Grande Mango Tango

Pitchers

$10 Select Domestic Drafts

$12 Dos XX® Draft

$12 House Margarita

There's also food on their happy hour, all of these are each just $3! $3 Cup of Queso Make it a Duo - add guacamole for just $1 more Guacamole Appetizer Cheese Quesadilla 2 Mini Chimichangas Ground Beef or Chicken Tinga

Although I started with a $3 Grande Dos XX® Draft, I saw a drink that someone at a nearby table had that gave me drink envy. On The Border has a seasonal special called the Watermelon Margarita which someone at a nearby table ordered and I knew I had to have one! It is only 4 bucks on Thursdays! Not bad at all.

We hit the location out in Lewisville, and it was a completely enclosed patio which was nice because there was a bit of rain in the forecast. There were a few fans going which created a nice breeze, seeing as it's already in the 90s here in Dallas now! They also had a variety of different music genres playing in the background. They change the music playlist each week based on a survey they ask their fans to take! There were also a ton of TVs. This of course excited me because I wanted to cheer on the Predators in game 5.

*editors note to Preds fans: I'm sorry I bandwagoned. I'm a jinx and I'm pretty sure I am the reason you guys lost. My sincere apologies, but you hooked me in when you played Rocky Top during game 4.

The patio started to fill up as the sun began to set. Our server took our order after we had the chance to look over the menu. My friend Larissa ordered the grande fajita nachos, which was tostada chips topped with refried beans, fajita steak or chicken - she got steak- and melted mixed cheese, plus guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and pickled jalapeños on the side. My friend Heather ordered the taco salad, which I was immediately jealous over. I'm not a big fan of taco salads that come in a taco shell, mostly because they make me feel like a barbarian as I tear my BOWL apart and eat it. This one came served as a normal salad, but with taco shell pieces on the side, instead of a taco bowl. It was a much more civilized way of eating a taco salad, if you ask me! I ordered the classic burrito which came topped with signature queso and it was DELISH! CB got the street style steak tacos which came with plenty of avocado on the side! I also got the guac/queso duo for the table because why the heck not, it was on happy hour!

Check out an On The Border in your neighborhood, and be sure to sit on their patio! Be sure to tag your Instagram photos using #PatioVida while you're there, Plus, take this quiz to find out which food and cocktail pairing is right for your next visit! I got the watermelon marg - clearly it was meant to be!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of On The Border . The opinions and text are all mine.