Announcing the April “Looking Lucky” Style Challenge (and giveaway)!

You know what? It’s been too long since we did a style challenge, don’t you think? I sure do. Let’s do one.

This one is really pretty easy…and fun! My partner in crime style who helped me come up with this idea was Brandi, the owner of Lucky B Boutique here in Indianapolis. Between the two of us, we came up with a list of 10 current trends. The challenge? Interpret each of these trends and use them as “prompts” for 10 different outfits throughout the month of April. The idea isn’t to look like a trend whore, but to mix these trends in with classics and other favorites in your closet.

The best part: If you participate in the Looking Lucky style challenge, a couple of you might be looking extra lucky by the end of it because Lucky B Boutique is going to hand out a few gift cards to their store (which can be used online too)!

Here’s how to participate and be entered to win:

For anyone [with Instagram]:

Whenever you wear an outfit with one of the 10 trends, just post a photo of your look on Instagram. In the caption, say which trend it is and tag: @sarahsreallife @Shop_LuckyB #LookingLucky. Then, Lucky B will pick a favorite each week of April to win a $15 gift card (that’s 4 winners)!

For bloggers:

One blogger has the chance to win a $75 gift card (woot woot)! For this prize, you must complete all 10 trend challenges. And that means 10 different outfits…no cramming 4 of them into one day or anything tricksy like that. You can do them in any order, and you have the whole month to finish! Document your outfits on your fabulous blog, and please link your readers back to this post so they can learn about the challenge and giveaways too. Once you’ve finished all 10, just shoot me an email and tell me where to find them. After April 30, the big winner will be chosen!

Oh, and bloggers, don’t forget to post your Looking Lucky outfits on Instagram too, because you are eligible for the $15 prizes in addition to the $75.

So to recap, I’ll do the math for you. That’s THIRTY days to make TEN outfits, and FIVE winners of shopping money. I have no idea what kind of crazy person wouldn’t do this challenge. Have fun!! Anyone in the world can enter, just keep in mind if you get one of the Lucky B Boutique gift cards, shipping outside the US will cost more.

Last but not least, Brandi is also offering 15% off any $30 purchase from LuckyBBoutique.com during the month of April. Just use the code LOOKINGLUCKY.

Live Consciously and Win a $100 H&M Giftcard [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Hey, you guys. How would you like to win $100 to spend at H&M? I thought so. Now that I have your attention, give me just a couple minutes of your time so I can tell you why you’re not the only one who could be benefiting from H&M these days.

On April 10th, H&M will roll out its new Conscious and Conscious Exclusive collections. “What’s with the hippie-dippie name,” you ask? Well, H&M Conscious is the name for all H&M’s work for a more sustainable future. Its vision is that all its operations should be run in a way that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

To help achieve this vision, H&M has set 7 ambitious commitments:

1. Provide fashion for conscious customers

2. Choose and reward responsible partners

3. Be ethical

4. Be climate smart

5. Reduce, reuse, recycle

6. Use natural resources responsibly

7. Strengthen communities

You can read more about H&M’s sustainability on its website here. And to spread the word (as companies with new products and initiatives are wont to do), H&M is letting me give away a $100 giftcard to one of my fantastic readers.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Follow Sarah’s Real Life on either Bloglovin’ or Facebook.

2. Comment on this post and tell me (a) which way you followed, and (b) at least one way you are economically, environmentally, and/or socially conscious.

For example, do you…

• Make your own compost for your garden?
• Always remember your reusable bags when you go to the grocery store?
• Donate money to important causes?
• Buy all your produce from local farmers?
• Boycott companies that are known for violating human rights?

If you don’t do anything conscious yet, it’s never too late to start. Make some plans and tell me about those.

You may make only one entry, but if your story is particularly unique or impressive, I will give you one extra entry! This giveaway is open internationally, and the winner will be chosen randomly and announced on April 9th.

Update 4/9/14: The winner of the $100 H&M Giftcard is Lydia N.!

Above: a look from the Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Disclosure and other important notes: H&M will be providing me with compensation (in the form of store credit) for participating in this campaign. Some of the content in this post comes from H&M’s own marketing materials. It’s important to remember that H&M is a for-profit business, and therefore I tried to do my due diligence to make sure H&M’s claims were truthful and not misleading. I’m satisfied that while H&M isn’t perfect, its efforts are admirable, well-meaning, and a step in the right direction. This year H&M has been named one of the world’s most ethical companies by an independent research center. This rating apparently doesn’t take into account labor standards, which has been a big issue in “fast fashion” recently. Again, H&M isn’t perfect, and much of its product is manufactured in Asia – but you can read some of what H&M’s head of sustainability has to say about that in this article.

Matchmaker

Hat // similar Chambray (on sale) // similar Coat // similar Jeans // Boots // similar Necklace (on sale) // Lips (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Crush + Enza Essentials Lip Treatment*)

I hope some other 90s kids remember Carmen Sandiego and I hope this hat made the theme song get stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

I’m not usually much of a matchy matcher, but this hat and coat make such a statement I decided to kinda tie everything together by going burgundy with my jeans and lips, too.

Speaking of lips, for the past week or so I’ve been slathering mine with Enza’s Lip Treatment. It’s this stuff that’s made to boost collagen to plump up your lips and keep them nice and moisturized. Plus, my favorite part is that it goes on super smooth and it smells scrumptious! It’s clear, so you can put it over lipstick for a glossier look (which is what I’m doing here).

In honor of the upcoming kissing-and-other-mushy-stuff holiday, Enza is throwing an Instagram contest so you can win your very own lip treatment (a $30 value)! Here are the details…

How to Enter:

• Follow me (sarahsreallife) and Enza (enzaprgirl) on Instagram
• Instagram a selfie of your smoochy face – the cheesier the better (for my entertainment)
• Give it whatever caption you want, but end it with this jibberish: @sarahsreallife #EnzaEssentials #LoveMyLips

Be sure to enter by Valentine’s Day! Open to US residents only. Winner will be chosen randomly.

And if selfies aren’t your thing but luscious lips are, you can buy your own lip treatment – today (Feb. 6) ONLY, the lip treatment is on sale for $10.

*Lip Treatment provided courtesy of Enza Essentials. All opinions are my own.

Magnolia Boutique Giveaway [Giveaway closed!]

That’s right, I have a new giveaway for you today! But I also have an outfit to show off first. So do me a solid and at least pretend you care about what I’m wearing below before you scroll down to the entry rules.

Sweater* // similar Shoes // similar Hat (on sale) // similar Necklace* // Lips

How cute is this sweater?! It’s like a Christmas sweater with some Aztec flair. It came to me thanks to Magnolia Boutique, a relatively new online-only shop based out of the Indianapolis area. (Circle City – represent!) They offered to give away a $25 gift card to one lucky Sarah’s Real Life reader. So check out the entry rules below, and maybe you’ll get to buy yourself or someone else something special for the holidays! If I were you, I’d be going for that mint green chevron watch (with the gift card, you would only have to pay $4!) but that’s just one mint-obsessed girl’s opinion.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How to Enter:

• Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would order from Magnolia Boutique if you won! That’s all you have to do!
• Bonus entry: Follow me on Pinterest (and tell me in your comment if you did so).
• Another bonus entry: Follow me on Instagram (and tell me in your comment if you did so).

Please note this giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Giveaway closes at midnight (EST) on Dec. 15, 2013.

Congrats to the giveaway winner, Laurie Kay!

*Sweater provided courtesy of Magnolia Boutique; necklace purchased with gift card provided courtesy of Asos.

Let’s Face It {Giveaway Closed}

OK. So. I never planned on adding skincare tips to this here little style blog. Plenty of style bloggers do, and it makes sense because they have gorgeous, flawless skin, so who wouldn’t want to know what products they use? I, on the other hand, do not have gorgeous, flawless skin. Now hold up. I’m not trying to call myself hideous, I’m just saying my skin is not the feature that gives me the most confidence.

But then I got to thinking – maybe the girls who have good skin just have good skin, and it doesn’t have much to do with the products they use. And maybe girls like me would like some honest opinions from someone who isn’t perfect.

Recently I received (free of charge but with no condition of a blog review) a generous assortment of skincare products from Enza Essentials. After telling them my biggest issues (oiliness, redness, and breakouts), they sent me a customized regimen with instructions (pretty cool, huh?). I became a pretty big fan of two of the products in particular.

Enza offered to sponsor a giveaway (for 2 winners!) of my favorite product, so I figured why not give this skincare review stuff a try?! I picked 4 products from different categories to review for you. Product #4 is the one you have a chance to win! Giveaway instructions are at the end of this post.

1. Moisturizer: Philosophy Hope in a Jar

To be honest, I’m not terribly picky about moisturizers since dryness is not something I have a problem with. But, as I learned from my Enza representative, even people with oily skin need to moisturize! With the cold, dry air of winter approaching, I’m thinking of restocking my supply of philosophy hope in a jar. I used up a jar last winter and really liked it. My favorite part? It smells nice. Probably not what I’m supposed to focus on, but hey, if it’s the last thing I slather on my face, it might as well make me smell good.

2. Face Wash/Exfoliator: Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish

You know how when you get something from Sephora, they give you samples of other stuff in the hopes you’ll get hooked on it? Yep. That’s definitely what happened with this Laura Mercier Face Polish. I don’t use it every day because it’s one of those gritty, super exfoliating washes, and my sensitive skin might get a little too polished. But I do notice an improvement in dullness after using this stuff, plus my cheeks feel as smooth as a baby’s bottom.

3. Redness Treatment: Enza Essentials Rosacalm Skin Serum

I’m generally pretty skeptical of skin serums because I always assume they’re trying to trick us into thinking they do something just because they’re expensive and have snazzy packaging. But I have to admit this Enza rosacalm* actually does something. I tend to be a little blotchy and red on my cheeks. It’s nothing I can’t disguise with makeup, but it would be nice eventually to use a little less cover-up. This stuff doesn’t work right away (I used it twice a day for about a week before I started seeing a difference) but it did work for me. One day I woke up and looked at my clean face in the mirror and thought, “Why do I look so pale?” Then I realized it was just because I wasn’t so red.

4. Blemish Treatment: Enza Essentials Spot Extrator

Last but not least, let me tell you a little about Enza’s Spot Extractor*, which two lucky people will win! I’m one of those fortunate people who, at age 28, gets to hang on to my youthful skin…in the form of zits. I’ve used a zillion different acne cleansers and creams and none seem to make a difference. While I have still had new breakouts since starting to use the Spot Extractor, I’ve noticed they are healing much more quickly than usual and aren’t getting dry and cracked along the way.

I think the key to its usefulness for me is that it’s so easy to use. It’s a nifty little roller ball, so I can dab it on quickly; there’s no excuse to skip it. It’s also a clear liquid which means I can put it on in the morning under makeup and it won’t turn into a crusty white spot (not cute). Moral of the story: I’m a fan. I recommend it to anyone who gets pesky blemishes now and then. But because I know no one likes to shell out $25 for a skincare product they’ve never tried before, I’m excited to give you a chance to get one for free!

Giveaway Winners:

Congrats to Karen (@klcampy) and Ashley (@joyfulgirl86) – you have both won an Enza Essentials Spot Extractor!

*Rosacalm and Spot Extractor provided courtesy of Enza Essentials. All opinions are my own.

Pin it to Win it! [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Hey there, lovely readers whom I appreciate so very much! I’m happy to share with you today not just a badass date night outfit I wore recently, but a chance to win the gorgeous scarf I’m wearing in said outfit. With all you’ve done for me, you deserve something in return, right? I think so.

This giveaway comes to you courtesy of Lucky B Boutique, an adorable shop here in Indianapolis. They were nice enough to give me this faux leather moto jacket, which just so happens to look fantastic with the scarf (that’s just a tip for whoever ends up winning this little floral number!) and it’s available to order on their website if you’re not an Indy local.

How to Enter:

1. Pin any of the above images to Pinterest.
2. Copy and paste the link to your pin in a comment on this post so I can track your entry. (After you pin, the pop-up window should give you a red button to see your pin. Click that, then highlight and copy everything in the address bar.)
3. Be sure to follow or bookmark Sarah’s Real Life somehow so you can find your way back here and see if you won!

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. It is open through Friday, Oct. 25, when a winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after.

Jacket* // Sunglasses // Shoes (on sale) // Bag (on sale) // Lips “Crush”

*Jacket and scarf provided courtesy of Lucky B Boutique.

Winner:

A random number generator selected entry #1 as the winner. Congrats, Kim! Please email me with your shipping information so I can send you your lovely new scarf.

Mod Dress & a $25 Gift Card Giveaway! [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Dress // similar Shoes // similar Necklace // Lipstick “Corail In Touch”

If you hate getting compliments, do not – I repeat: DO NOT – wear this dress. Seriously, if the idea of random strangers tripping over themselves to tell you how cute you look leaves you shuddering, then this is not the dress for you.

But if you like compliments, and you like to channel your inner Twiggy, then this is definitely the frock for you, my friend. I am one lucky duck because Flourish Boutique sent me this adorable chevron number on the house, and YOU could be another lucky duck because Flourish Boutique is also going to send a $25 Gift Card to one Sarah’s Real Life reader! 

If you win, you’ll probably be so excited that you’ll do the twist. Like this:

To enter, here’s what you have to do:

1. Follow Sarah’s Real Life and Flourish Boutique on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment below telling me you followed, and tell me what you might get from Flourish Boutique if you win!

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Sharon Roze!

A Giveaway and a Great Cause

Remember this lovely statement necklace you saw me in yesterday? Here’s your chance to win your own. But if I can keep your attention for a bit longer before you get to the instructions, I really want to tell you where it came from and why it’s not just a necklace.

I found out about Bead for Life last month when I was searching the interwebs for “gifts that give back.” Bead for Life was one of two organizations I ended up buying from. I liked it so much that I ordered Christmas gifts for 3 people, plus this necklace for myself.

Bead for Life does more than just jewelry, but since that’s what we’re talking about today, here’s a little about how it works:

We enroll 3-4 bead making groups per year, and each group contains between 40-60 members. We welcome each new group into our program with singing, dancing and a heartfelt ceremony where members collectively decide their group name.

Each beginning group receives three months of extensive training in how to roll beads out of recycled paper and string them into beautiful jewelry. More importantly, they receive ongoing entrepreneurial and business skills training to prepare them to launch their own sustainable business once they graduate. 

. . .

Members increase their income 7 to 10 times more in our program. Earning a regular income creates immediate impacts in the lives of our members as they’re able to eat more nutritious foods, to enroll their children into school and to improve their homes.

Read more about Bead for Life’s work in Uganda here and in the developed world here.

Even if you don’t enter the giveaway today, I would really encourage you to take a look at BFL’s shop. Their jewelry is lovely and makes a great gift (for someone else or for yourself…I won’t tell).

And if you end up really loving your BFL jewelry, you can host a bead party to spread the word to your friends.

OK. On to the giveaway!

What you could win:

• The Madaala necklace (seen on yours truly here) in any available color of your choice!
  

To enter:

• First, follow Sarah’s Real Life on Bloglovin’ or Facebook.
• Second, leave me a comment below telling me that you followed. (And you can also tell me thanks for opening your eyes to this wonderful organization.)

Voila! Easiest giveaway ever.

This giveaway is open through next Sunday, Jan. 20th, and a random winner will be announced on Monday the 21st.

Please note that this giveaway is open only to U.S. residents.

Text and images from Bead for Life used with permission.

First Day Jitters

Yesterday was my first day interning for the state attorney general’s office! After a few weeks of being lazy, I actually had to set an alarm and get up while it was still dark. I know it’s winter, but it is just unnatural for a human being (this human being, anyway) to get up before the sun. We are not nocturnal creatures. Except during undergrad.

Normally, this will be a business casual gig, but for my first day I wanted to come off looking as profesh as possible. Next step: stop using the word “profesh.”

Classes start back up next week, so for the next few months you’ll get to see a good mix of both casual and office-appropriate outfits. Something for everyone, right?!

One more thing: Do you like my necklace? If so, you’re in luck, because very soon you’ll have the chance to win one of your own! Check back tomorrow (Saturday 1/12) for the giveaway. Follow me on Facebook or Bloglovin’ so you don’t forget (you’ll need to follow me to be eligible to enter anyway).

Suit: Ann Taylor (dark gray version jacket, pants)

Shirt: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: J. Crew

Necklace: Bead for Life

Bag: Forever 21

Bracelet: J. Crew

Do You Like Free Stuff? Good.

I am peeing my polka dot pants with excitement to announce the very first giveaway on Sarah’s Real Life! And then I’m peeing a little extra because this giveaway is thanks to a good friend of mine, Hillary, and her adorable vintage shop, Gems and Jam. In addition to selling unique vintage jewelry, she also sells local (to Chicago) artwork, jams from a small business in Michigan, and other fun stuff. Basically, all your holiday shopping is going to be done in about 10 minutes.

This giveaway will be open through Nov. 21 (the day before Thanksgiving), and the winner will be announced on Black Friday! But don’t worry…Even if you don’t win, Hillary is being extra generous and will also give us all a super special 30% off code! It’s like we’re all winners (even me).

Now on to the important stuff…

Q: What can I win? // A: $20 off any order of jewelry, accessories, and housewares from Gems and Jam!

Q: How do I enter? // A: Like this:

1. Follow Sarah’s Real Life on Bloglovin’ (if you’re really against signing up for Bloglovin’ for some reason, I’ll settle for a “Like” on Facebook)
2. Go to GemsandJam.com, look around, then come back here and leave me a comment telling me your favorite item(s). Voila, you’ve entered!
3. Bonus entry: Follow the Gems and Jam blog on Bloglovin’ or “like” on Facebook, then leave an additional comment telling me that you did so.
4. Bonus bonus entry: Tweet about this giveaway so your friends can enter too! Be sure to include the link (the Twitter share button below will help). Again, just leave me an additional comment.

Please note: This giveaway is open only to U.S. residents, as Gems and Jam currently does not ship internationally.