Style Lab | Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy

Maddyloo’s Mini Heart Boxes Make Perfect Gifts!

May 12, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 6 Comments

With two young girls with thick heads of hair, our morning routine can get quite hectic. After using detangler to comb through their hair, my girls start to contemplate their style of choice for the day. Almost always, the younger will choose whatever her older sister decides upon so we have two of everything to eliminate arguments.

Hair accessories fill our bathroom cabinets but when my daughters find a style they like and works for their active lifestyle, they become obsessive! We were recently sent some Maddyloo no-crease hair ties to try out and I can already tell they are hooked.

The Maddyloo no-crease hair ties are the cutest solution for pulling your hair back with enough elastic to keep a ponytail in place, but wide enough to not leave a dent. From camouflage and metallic to rhinestone and tie dyed, Maddyloo has found a way to marry function with beautiful eye (or wrist) candy. Available in fourteen different color themes, each adorable heart-shaped box contains seven hair ties guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat.

My daughters were so excited when they received the heart shaped container full of glittery hair ties. In fact, if asked their favorite color they will both say, “GLITTER!” From pink to silver to black, they loved them all. Lily’s hair is quite thick so we used two ties in her hair. While it does secure her hair for daily activities it is not enough for dance class. To solve the problem, we used a regular ponytail holder and added sparkle with the Maddyloo ties.

The Maddyloos Mini Heart Box is available for only $15 and would make perfect End of the School Year or Dance recital gifts! Learn more about Maddyloo products by checking out their website or following them on Twitter and Facebook.

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

How to Rock Spring Fashion Trends According to Clinton Kelly

April 14, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 4 Comments

I find a lot of great fashion ideas by perusing Pinterest in my spare time, but which of these trends is right for me? At 38, I feel like I am in between sections of most department stores and not sure if, at almost 40, I should be a part of some of the latest trends. So, I could not have been happier to attend a Spring Style Event at Macy’s featuring the one and only Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear.

During a fashion show, Clinton pointed out this season’s hottest trends and how you can rock them at any age. Here are my favorites!

1. Fabulous Florals: Find a floral print you love and accent your favorite hue in the pattern with a solid blazer and jeans. Only one floral pattern per outfit, please! Another great way to add a fun floral is with a great ballet flat.

2. Mix It Up: This season, mix up your patterns for a fun and flirty effect! The way to mix patterns is by matching the color schemes. Accessorize the patterns with solid color shoes and purse.

3. Blue and Orange: These complimentary colors are hot this season! Try a navy dress and accent with coral colored accessories like the shoes pictured above.

4. Nautical is Never Out of Style: This outfit is a fun and modern way to incorporate a little nautical style in your wardrobe. The tie creates a great shape and the red accent on the shoe completes the look!

5. Do Vintage with a Modern Twist: This adorable silver dress was a show stopper! The front of the dress is very Audrey Hebpurn but the back has a sexy modern twist. Show that you are a modern woman by pairing the vintage dress with some fun shoes!

Love these styles? Head to Macy’s to find the right style for you! Clinton Kelly will be making several appearances this Spring so check to see if he is coming to city near you!

I am a member of the Everywhere Society. Everywhere has provided me with compensation however all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Clinton Kelly’s Do’s and Don’ts for Spring with Macy’s

April 12, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis Leave a Comment

Now that the weather is changing, it’s time to put away the heavy sweaters and coats and replace them my spring essentials, NOLA style! Here in Southeast Louisiana, we really only have two seasons: winter and summer. We immediately swap out our winter coats for summer’s coolest flip flops and tank tops. But what about Spring?

With festival season in full swing, it would be great to get some tips on Spring’s latest fashion. Fortunately, Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear will be at Macy’s Lakeside Mall in Metairie, LA tomorrow at 1pm! The fashion guru himself will be available to take your spring do and don’t questions plus you will be treated to a very special fashion presentation. Plus, if you buy $100 of Macy’s merchandise, you will receive Clinton’s latest book, “Oh No She Didn’t,” which he will autograph.

Interested in attending? RSVP at 877-884-3751. Or follow along on Twitter by using hashtags #NOLA and #SpringStyles! I have to admit, I am a little nervous about what to wear!

Help me out with the interview….what are your burning spring fashion questions?

I am a member of the Everywhere Society. Everywhere has provided me with compensation however all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Protect Your Skin with Neutrogena Sunscreens {Giveaway}

April 11, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 71 Comments

Typical of Southeast Louisiana, the weather in Spring is quite unpredictable. One day we are grabbing the sweaters and the next we are reaching for flip flops. But as Summer approaches, we are seeing more and more of tank top and swimsuit weather.

Because less layers are needed, more skin is exposed to the UV rays and we need to be more mindful about protecting our delicate skin. Did you know that UV exposure increases by about 33% for every 20% ozone layer loss. The end result? About 33% more skin cancers. Fortunately, Neutrogena tackled this topic at a recent Sun Summit. Here are a few excerpts:

“The brightness of the sun has increased, while the ozone layer has been depleted. So climate change has led to warmer temperatures, which means Spring comes earlier and Fall lasts longer and people are outside more. Due to the combination of these environmental and lifestyle changes current risk of UV is higher than it’s been ever before.”

-Dr. Drew Shindell, Scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

“I’m seeing more skin cancer in patients in their 20s, which definitely didn’t happen 15 years ago. That also means I’m seeing sun damage a lot earlier than ever before.”

-Doris Day, M.D., M.A., Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center

One way to protect yourself is by using sun protection and Neutrogena offers options for every age, lifestyle and activity. As a Neutrogena Ambassador, I recently received a box full of tools to help me safely navigate the Summer months for my family and I.

My absolute favorite product is the Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids line. Because kids never stay still long enough to dry off, the Wet Skin spray technology cuts through water to form a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protective barrier. It doesn’t drip or form a yucky white mess on your hands and skin. And if you have a baby, you will love the Pure & Free Baby Faces Ultra Gentle Sunscreen. Free of chemical sunscreens, fragrances, dyes, and oils, this tear-free formula won’t sting or irritate baby’s eyes.

Are you headed to the beach or perhaps a cruise this Summer? I can help fill your suitcase with sunscreen! Neutrogena would like to help decrease the 33% increase in skin cancers by providing THIRTY THREE of my readers with their very own sunscreen kit (pictured above). I will be giving away TEN kits in this post and TWENTY more through Facebook/Twitter and Pinterest in the coming days so be on the lookout! Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was written by the Experimental Mommy. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Get Naturally Beautiful Skin with Neutrogena Naturals

March 28, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 1 Comment

As a teen, I was one of the few lucky ones who did not have trouble with breakouts. I didn’t fully understand how grateful I should have been for avoiding dermatology appointments and having to test out every home remedy to achieve clear skin. But now that the stress of life has increased exponentially as I approach my 40′s, the occasional breakout is not uncommon.

Because I am unfamiliar with most acne remedies, I turned to a brand I trust…Neutrogena. I have been a fan of their On-the-Spot Acne Treatment for a while now so I was thrilled when I learned that the team developed the NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne collection.

“While many consumers are seeking natural skincare solutions, they often dismiss natural products when it comes to acne because they believe natural ingredients do not offer real, visible results. But why should they compromise? The latest offering from the brand that is recommended two times more than any other skincare brand, the NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne collection harnesses the power of naturally-derived Salicylic Acid in Wintergreen to enhance the proper function of healthy skin and meet the need of consumers of all ages seeking an efficacious, natural alternative to traditional acne remedies.”

In a recent interview with one of Neutrogena’s lead scientists, I learned that the Wintergreen is processed in a unique way, resulting in USP Grade Salicylic Acid that meets the OTC Monograph for Acne Treatment. It is free of harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes and phthalates. If you are looking for a gentler solution, the NEUTROGENA® Naturals Acne collection is formulated with 1% naturally-derived Salicylic Acid to deliver clinically proven results without over-drying skin.

I have tried the Neutrogena Naturals On-the-Spot Acne Treatment and have found no difference is efficacy when compared to the regular On-the-Spot Treatment. Plus, the Naturals packaging is made from recycled material, too!

I am also in love with the NEUTROGENA Naturals Acne Foaming Scrub which has a very light citrus scent. The natural Jojoba beads gently exfoliate your skin and the 1% naturally derived Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into pores, too. If you want to give the products a try, the entire Neutrogena Naturals line is available now!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Let Sears Be Your One Stop Shop! #MoreatSears

March 27, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis Leave a Comment

As a busy Mom of two active daughters, there are a few things I am short on: time, money and patience. Work meetings, PTA gatherings, dance lessons, and household chores leave me running from one end of the Earth to the other in a 24 hour period of time. Because I value the time I have with my family, I despise anything that wastes the precious commodity. Number one on my list? Standing in endless lines.

Trying to save money is also key but there is a delicate balance between saving money and wasting time running to a million different stores to accomplish the day’s tasks. My heaven? A store that saves me money and time. And has an endless supply of chocolate.

Imagine browsing a site that’s mastered the art of one-stop shopping. With the limited amount of square footage in retail stores, we’re excited to know Sears offers an expanded assortment online (no waiting!). Thank goodness for unlimited virtual space! Don’t see a size, color or style you want in store? Visit the Sears website for millions of additional options at your fingertips (you might want to sharpen your decision making skills)! In addition to the trustworthy Sears brands you know and love, Sears.com carries some of your favorite designer brands like Tory Burch, Ray Bans, Nike & more! So you can get everything you want in one place without the traffic and endless lines. With new arrivals every week, you never know what you’ll find!

This is a sponsored post. I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.

Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash Saves Space and Time

February 23, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 46 Comments

Many people have tried to combine two good things into one great thing. But how many have been successful? Spoon+Fork=Spork…um, no. Jeans+Pajamas=Jammie Jeans…no way. But the people at Ivory have perfected this whole 2-IN-1 business with the new Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash.

With 3 girls in this house, our bathroom is crowded with several types of shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, body wash, soap, mousse, and shave gel. To say that the ledge of our shower is crammed would be an understatement. I was intrigued by the idea of getting rid of clutter (and saving money) by using Ivory’s 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash. But it’s really only a good idea if the product is good, right?

Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash Attributes & Benefits Include:

Dual-action formula that cleans head to toe in one simple step, and leaves hair conditioned
Free of dyes and heavy perfumes
Fewer bottles which mean less waste and more space in your bath/shower
Fewer products which result in money savings and simplify the shower experience

I recently tried Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash with my two daughters. Because one of my daughters is prone to eczema, I was pleased that the product was free of dyes and perfumes. The product lathers well (and even conditioned) their hair well. For me, I liked how my hair felt after washing but used an extra conditioner because my hair is thicker than my daughters.

Overall, I love the new Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash and would continue to purchase this product in the future. And I have good news! One of my readers will win an Ivory gift basket containing

Two bottles of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair and Body Wash
An Ivory-embroidered towel turban and shower loofah
All delivered in a cute shower basket with suction cups

Just enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a sample was received o facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

How to Save for Your Prom Dress

January 29, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis Leave a Comment

Before your wedding day, there comes another occasion when you get to be a princess for a day. It is your prom, when you can enjoy to the fullest and celebrate your graduation. There is no prom without a dream-like, stunning prom dress that will make you look like the belle of the ball!

Getting your hands on the most spectacular prom dress can be difficult; the prettiest dresses can also be very pricey! So it is important to plan out your prom haul beforehand. Decide on what you want to wear, choose your budget, and then start saving for the big day.

The first step is to choose the dress; make sure you opt for a prom gown that flatters your body type. You can select between a flared gown, a short ballerina, a flowy gown, and the list goes on; in case you are indecisive, you can get an idea from the Dresses from DressProm.net. Pick your color, and make up your mind about the kind of look you want.

Keeping in mind your prom dress budget, start saving. Cut down your weekly expenditures to a minimum, and set aside the saved amounts in one place. If your prom plans demand too much economic contribution, you may opt for a part time job that pays you extra. Last minute hassle for money is never pleasant, so begin collecting money at least two months in advance.

You can save money on other prom night add-ons like the limousine ride, salon treatments, professional hair and makeup services, and the after party. You can easily get the dress of your dreams if you improvise a little on these extra unnecessary prom rituals.

You don’t need a limo for a five minute ride, and every girl is talented enough to easily do her own hair and makeup. An expensive after party can be easily skipped if you plan a fun night out with your friends. Little must-haves like corsages can also be made at home, or you could simply rely on your prom date to get you one!

When the prom is around the corner, save on little expenses like eating out, feel-good shopping, or cab rides. Also, do not spend money on other accessories like prom shoes, jewelry and clutches. Be creative, and match a pair of shoes that is already sitting in your wardrobe. You can borrow your mum’s earrings and bracelets. Clutches are so easy to make, you can whip up a fabulous DIY job at home!.

Prom dresses are a memory to cherish for the rest of your life; so try not to opt for the rent-a-designer dress idea. Buy yourself the best dress in your budget, and flaunt it because it’s yours!

Remember, prom is not only about looking great on the outside; wear a dress that makes you feel wonderful on the inside too. At the end of the day, there will be only one prom queen, so all that matters is that you have the time of your life at your prom!

This post is brought to you by guest author, Jenna Smith.

How Do You Shop?

January 6, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis Leave a Comment

There are as many different philosophies of shopping as there are people who shop, but when you break them all down, you can come up with some general parameters that allow you to understand the thoughts and tactics of shoppers and what makes them tick. You can also look for tendencies in yourself, which could make your shopping a more pleasurable experience.

Shopping for Shopping’s Sake

There are many motivations to shop: maybe you need very basic items, or perhaps you’re simply looking to buy items that make your life a little easier. It is great that we live in a country that provides its residents with the opportunity to shop whenever they want, but sometimes people just go shopping for the sake of going shopping. This type of behavior can lead to bad credit and compulsive behavior in other areas of their lives.

The Power of a Planned Attack

A much more stable approach to buying the things you need is to plan your assault on stores to get what you need to get. This will allow you to remove emotion from the shopping equation and buy what you intend to buy rather than what emotions influence you.

It is the job of the marketing branches of chain stores to find those buying keys that will make you a customer of those stores. You can expect incentives like, “Buy one, get one half off from Sears,” or a 30% off coupon from Kohls. Whatever the temptation, it is best to make a plan of what you are shopping for, where you will be shopping, and how much money you are going to spend and stick to it. This will put you in control of your buying, and in control of your household budget.

The Online Method

Shopping online would seem a rather safe method for shopping because you are taken out of the stores – where marketers specially design everything from the lighting to the messaging to make you more apt to spend money. This, unfortunately, is not so today. Online stores have found ways to entice you to buy at the same frenetic pace people display inside a store. However, one advantage you have online is that no matter what you are looking to buy, you can find an online coupon to save you significantly. It is smart to check a great online coupon shop and check to see what type of discount you can get.

There is no major chain store that will not provide you with the online codes to save a significant percentage of cash off the list price. Again, it is important to have a plan of attack because once you experience the rush of savings, you may be tempted to keep on shopping. Establish your limit and have the discipline to stick with it no matter how much you are saving.

Many people enjoy shopping every day it is always important to make sure you are spending money within your personal means. There is always a danger of going into debt and paying a significant price on your credit report. Shopping should be an activity that you enjoy, but not something that rules your life.

This post is brought to you by guest author, Bryan Mills.

Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions in Style with pv.Body

January 3, 2013 By Bridgette Duplantis 1 Comment

If you follow any of my social media channels, you know that I was not at all sad to see 2012 end. I am still rejoicing in the New Year and all of the opportunities it may bring. On New Year’s Eve, I vowed to let go of the past and look forward to a bright future. While I am not a resolution type of person, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go!

One of those resolutions for 2013 is simply to move more. Whether it be an organized Zumba class, a brisk walk around the block or outdoor play with my daughters, I need to get off the couch and MOVE. As a former dance instructor, I used to have tons of workout and dance gear in my closet. Since retiring my dance shoes two years ago, I purged the gear and now am in need of new clothes to get my move on. But have you seen the prices of workout gear? I was shocked at the cost of a simple sports bra on a recent trip to a local department store.

Fortunately, I recently heard about a workout gear subscription service called pv.Body. With this service, you can two pieces of designer active wear delivered to your door each month! From pv.Body:

“We want to inspire women to live their best life through active living. That’s why all of our pieces are hand selected and designed by women, for women, so we can bring you clothing that makes you feel great and look great. Living healthy and actively is a way of life, and we want to look fabulous while doing that. So enjoy the selection, we’re positive you’ll love it!”

So how do you get started? Take the online quiz in order to share your likes and dislikes so pv.Body can select the perfect pieces to send your way. Do you like bold colors or black and white? Do you like shorts or capris? These questions will ensure you will love every delivery! Check out my first shipment:

I received the NUX Core Low Rise Ankle Pants in black and a COLOSSEUM long sleeve top in pool green. Right off the bat, I loved the look of the pieces. The color is beautiful and I love the thumb holes in the top! Both pieces appear to be high quality and fit beautifully. And guess what? These two pieces are just $49.95 and FREE shipping. Score!

I will say that subscription services can be scary. What if your gear doesn’t fit? No problem! Ship the piece back free of charge to swap for the correct size. But what if you don’t like the pieces pv.Body selects for you? You can ship the pieces back free of charge within 14 days in unused condition for a full refund. There really is no risk in this process at all.

Ready to move more in 2013? What some stylish and affordable active wear? Use my coupon code to get 20% off your subscription. That means you will get two pieces delivered right to your door for just $39.95! Are you up for the challenge?