What I'm Loving: Summer Beauty Essentials

It's summer time, which means I've been having fun in the sun with the kiddos and spending less time on my blog. I've found Instagram to be more convenient this time of year, but for those of you who don't follow my account, here's what I've been loving lately in terms of beauty essentials, starting with these cute Moana Bikini onesie bathing suits. I got both the striped one and the Melted Ice Cream Cone Onesies, since they are buy one, get one free with the code: GETONME.

Of course, these bathing suits require a bit of skin prep. Let's begin with the inside out (did I mention that those swimsuits are reversible?). I like to make slushie smoothies with frozen watermelon as the base. The above smoothie is just frozen and fresh watermelon (no liquid is required when you use both), blended with some Philosophie Berry Bliss Vegan Protein & Superfood Powder (you know how much I love Philosophie products). It's garnished with cacao nibs to look like watermelon seeds and cucumber slices to mimic the rind.

Philosophie Vegan Protein and Superfood Powder is also amazing blended into Suja Juice, which are wonderful on their own. There's no excuse not to get this fruit and veggie goodness in your body when these are so convenient (I buy them at Whole Foods, Target, MOM's Organic Market and the local grocery store), especially when the kids keep you too busy to be using/cleaning your own juicer. They are also rather economical for a cold pressured juice (usually about $3.99 each). I've been reading "The Suja Juice Solution," too. I hope to review it for you in the near future.

As for external skin prep, I'm so happy to have won Lovinah's recent giveaway. I received their awesome Stimulating Botanical Coffee Scrub in Laugh. It smells like fresh vanilla coffee, and it makes my skin feel amazingly soft and smooth. It exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. It improves my skin's texture and circulation. I highly recommend this product.

Speaking of scrubs, I still adore a good 100 Percent Pure sugar scrub, as well as a foot bath in their Lavender Sea Therapy Bath. It's nice to follow up with one of their body butters (I'm currently loving the Coconut Lime for summer) and a summery polish on my toes (I wish I've been able to paint my fingernails more this summer, too, but I just haven't had the time).

I'm also loving Acure Organics Firming Body Lotion after I get out of the shower. It provides exactly enough moisture without making me feel greasy (I don't need to add to the humidity outside). It has a slight firming effect, and as a plus, the lemongrass scent seems to keep the mosquitoes away.

Now that I've addressed the body, let's move on to the face. I tend to alternate between 100 Percent Pure and Josie Maran when it comes to facial products. I am currently using this Josie Maran Cleansing Oil and Argan Exfoliating Cleansing Powder, which I got for a great deal (it was $70, including the Josie Maran Argan Oil Light; a girl can never have enough argan oil), along with a bright beach towel. The cleansing oil deep cleans my pores without striping my skin of its natural oils. I also like this exfoliating powder. I've been able to use it daily without irritation.

Although I'm loving the argan oil, I've also been using this Leven Rose Pomegranate Oil. I've never used pomegranate oil before, with the exception of wearing 100 Percent Pure's Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipsticks. To my surprise, it's very light and perfect for summer (I applied it in the above foundation-free pic). It absorbs quickly, doesn't clog my pores and even softens fine lines and prevents blemishes. I also like to use it on the ends of my hair (my hair is damp in the above pic, so don't use it as an example. LOL).

Don't forget to protect your skin in the hot summer sun. I've been loving Coola and Bare Republic sunscreen this summer, as well as various other natural options. My favorite Coola product at the moment is the Coola Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion. Not only to I love it for after-sun care, but it's just a nice light moisturizer, in general. I need to get a bigger tube of it, asap.

Lastly, it is National Lipstick Day, so I don't want to forget to mention lipstick. Check out my summer edition lipstick post, if you missed it.

What are you loving lately? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

*I wasn't asked or compensated by any of these companies to do this post. These are all products I use. All opinions are my own. 

My Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition

My Instagram friend, @beauty.ro, just tagged me to share my Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition (check out her blog to see her faves and the stories behind them; I'm so impressed at how she takes the time to blog in both Italian and English). To some, this would seem like an easy task, but considering my love of lipsticks and the size of my collection, I had some trouble narrowing them down to just five (although I obviously did, based on the above photo).

Sure, I could take the easy way out and just refer you to my blog post about 100 Percent Pure's new Vitamint Fruit Pigmented Sheer Lip Colors, but I wanted to provide my readers with a variety of both colors and brands. Therefore, I started off with 100 Percent Pure's Vitamint in Vino to represent a berry shade. I like that it's sheer for summer. It's also romantic like the vineyard wedding my hubby and I attended for my cousin a number of years ago.

Speaking of 100 Percent Pure, the company is having it's Friends and Family Sale, which runs through Sunday, July, 26. Everything on the website (except gift sets and sale items) is 20% off with the code: FAMILY. You know I highly recommend this 100 Percent Pure Lip & Cheek in Cranberry Glow, which is perfect for summer. It's obvious multipurpose and can be worn as light or dark as you'd like. It reminds me of the Hawaiian Punch my mom would give me and the kids she babysat when I was a kid.

If you are looking for a darker red, I really like Vapour Organic Beauty's Siren Lipstick in Courage. I've already worn it for Memorial Day and on the Fourth of July weekend. Vapour donates 33% of the proceeds to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, benefiting wounded veterans. I'll probably wear this for Labor Day, too, so that I open and close the summer with this lipstick.

For a bright, but natural, pop of pink, I selected RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Modest. It's no surprise that I think a product made for both lips and cheeks is a must-have for summer, especially when it comes to packing for vacation. This color has been a favorite of mine since my hubby surprised me with my first glass container of it (along with various other RMS products) as an anniversary gift a few years ago. I've been a big fan of the line ever since then.

Lastly, I can't forget a nude in the summer line-up, so I picked Pacifica Beauty's Power of Love 100% Vegan and Cruelty-free Natural Lipstick in Nudie Red, which is yet another gift from my awesome hubby. I'm actually wearing it today for our 14-year wedding anniversary, along with my Emma McKinstry Save the Date necklace. Don't let the name deceive you, as it more of a nude than a red. My hubby likes it on me, because it still has red undertones (he likes it when I wear red, which is why I have so many red lipsticks).

Now that I've shared my Top 5 Lipsticks Summer Edition, I guess I need to tag @supernaturalegirl, @nz0424, @fruitybeauty, @fashionchicsta and @beautyinamin.

What are your Top 5 Lipsticks for Summer? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or on Instagram (also @Rawdorable).

Icebox S'mores on a Hot Summer Day

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here, it's going to be 97 or more degrees F today. That's hot, and not in a good way. Therefore I decided to skip the campfire and make some chilled Icebox S'Mores. Just look at that ooey gooey goodness inside :)

To make these no-bake treats, you'll need to add 1 cup of almond flour, 1 Tbsp. Jem Raw Organics Cinnamon Red Maca Sprouted Almond Butter (my favorite), 1/2 to 1 Tbsp. coconut oil (depending on the thickness of your almond butter; mine was thicker near the bottom of the jar, so I ended up using the whole Tbsp. of coconut oil for consistency's sake), a drizzle of pure maple syrup (again, adjust for consistency), 1/2 tsp. vanilla and a sprinkling of cinnamon to a mini food processor, and process it into a crumbly dough (don't run your food processor too long or it will become too soft and oily; if this happens, you can try kneading in more almond flour by hand).

Press out your dough onto a slick surface, like a cutting board, Silpat or parchment paper. Form it into a rectangle and cut it equally into 8 squares. For the fun of it, you can make little decorative holes in each square, similar to the graham crackers you buy in the store. These no-bake graham crackers will need to set in the freezer for a bit.

When the graham crackers have set, scoop four balls of coconut cream right out of a chilled can of coconut milk that has been in the refrigerator overnight (the coconut cream will be at the top of the can; I kept the coconut cream balls the same size by using a small scooper designed for ice cream or making cookies). Flatten the coconut cream slightly, coat the sides in coconut sugar and place one on each of four graham crackers.

The coconut sugar will "melt" slightly, making the coconut sugar-encrusted coconut cream look like a toasted marshmallow, which can now be topped with chocolate. Jem Raw Organics Hazelnut Raw Cacao Sprouted Hazelnut Butter is perfect for this. Just spoon as much as you'd like on top of each coconut cream "marshmallow."

It's not a true s'more until you add the top. Carefully removed the other four graham crackers from your cutting board, Silpat or parchment, and use them to top off each s'more. Allow them to set in the freezer or fridge until ready to eat.

These are so good. Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or Instagram (also @Rawdorable), if you make them.

Enjoy your weekend :)

*Jem Raw Organics did not send me these nut butters. I'm just a fan of the brand.

These fresh donuts are quite peachy

I don't know why I always think of donuts when Jem Raw Organics comes to mind. I just keep making donut-inspired treats with yummy Jem products, like today's Decorated Donut Peaches (you may also want to check out my Decorated Apple Faux-nuts, AB&J "Unbaked" Doughnut Holes and my Raw Apple Pie Cronut). It must be because Jem Raw Organics nut butters are so decadent that they remind me of a cheat eat.

To me, the best part of a donut is the topping, although today's bases are pretty sweet, too. I used Donut Peaches, which are shaped like donuts. They are shorter and wider than your average peach.

Just like with my Decorated Apple Faux-nuts, I decorated the tops with scrumptious frostings and toppings. This time I used three different Jem spreads.

The idea started with this Cinnamon Red Maca Crumble Donut Peach. I topped it with my favorite Jem Raw Organics Cinnamon Red Maca Sprouted Almond Butter and sprinkled some crumbles of the almond butter mixed with almond flour on top.

I topped another donut peach with Jem's Coconut Cardamom Sprouted Almond Butter (this one is no longer on the site, so try this cashew one) and coconut flakes.

I decorated the last donut peach with Jem's Hazelnut Raw Cacao Sprouted Hazelnut Spread and cacao nibs. So good :)

As you can tell, I am a hug fan of Jem Raw Organics. The company is having an amazing contest at the moment to win 12 jars of its spreads, and I have my fingers crossed that one of my donut recipes has a shot. Check them out on Google+ as they are aiming to reach 100 reviews.

On another note, it's Amazon Prime Day and I'm hoping to get in on the action. I have a couple books I want to buy, such as "The Suja Juice Solution," "The Body Book" (I've checked it out from the local library, but I'd love to own it at today's price) and "Lookbook Cookbook" (you know I've been wanted that one. So, in honor of the Lookbook Cookbook, I took a pic of me sampling a delicious Decorated Donut Peach. Yum!

Also in the peach theme, my lipsticks of the day are 100 Percent Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze in Lychee, topped with the new Vitamint Fruit Pigmented Sheer Lip Color in Peachy in the center of my lips. I highly recommend layering your lipsticks to increase your lip color options.

*Jem Raw Organics did not send me these products. I'm just a fan of the brand :)

Daiya gets polished up for a spa party

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know about the spa party I went to last night in honor of my nephew's bride-to-be (they're getting married tomorrow). His mom asked me to bring one of my dairy-free, gluten-free desserts that would be perfect for the occasion. Since I knew this could be a tough crowd to please when it comes to raw vegan, I opted to go with a semi-homemade spa-themed dessert with a non-raw Daiya Cheezecake as the star ingredient.

I had been dying to try Daiya's Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Soy-free New York Style Cheezecake for a while now, so you can imagine my excitement when I found it at my local grocery store. Honestly, I was wondering the aisles aimlessly, hoping for a spark of inspiration. The minute I saw it in the natural foods freezer section, I knew what I wanted to do: make Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Daiya Cheezecake Nail Polish Mini Desserts (say that 10 times fast).

To start, I needed to thaw the cheezecake out in the fridge for a few hours, so it would be soft enough to cut with a small, round cookie cutter, as shown.

The cheezecake was much softer at this point then expected, so I suggest pushing it up and out of the cookie cutter from the base to avoid squishing it (like I did to the one on the far left in the photo below).

As you cut out your cheezecake rounds (these will be the bases on your nail polish bottles), set them aside on a plate or serving platter. I was able to make 10 cheezecake rounds.

You'll be left with a lot of scraps, but that just means more for you :) It's also good for making other desserts (you can fill strawberry centers, make mini tartlets and more) or even blend into a shake.

Now, back to the nail polish mini desserts, you'll need to make the tops out of strawberry centers. Simply cut your strawberries (enough to top all your bases), as shown. All you need to do is cut off all four sides (reserve these to decorate your finished desserts), so you are left with a rectangular center.

Each of these strawberries will need to be put on the end of a wooden coffee stirrer to make them easier to dip in dark chocolate and attach to the cheezecake bases. I recommend placing them in the freezer while you melt some dairy-free chocolate chips in a double-boiler.

Once the chocolate is melted, dip each strawberry, one at a time, in the chocolate ...

... and put them in glasses to set in the fridge.

When the chocolate is set, cut off the wooden stirrer excess, as shown ...

... and attached the chocolate-covered strawberry toppers to the cheezecake bases.

Decorate your finished nail polish mini desserts with hearts cut from the strawberry scraps.

You can even add some other details to your platter of polishes, like some peach toe separators and another stirrer to looks like a nail file.

The nail polish mini desserts were a hit at the spa party, which was so much fun. I got my nails painted with this gorgeous Zoya nail polish in Oceane.

I also treated myself to a bunch of Coola Suncare products. I usually only buy the mineral sunscreens, but I couldn't resist this travel bag that contained some of the original formulations. It must have been the color :)

My hubby also surprised me with two new Pacifica Power of Love 100% Vegan Cruelty-free Natural Lipsticks in Compassion Passion and Nudie Red (check out my Pacifica post from the other day). I'm wearing Compassion Passion today.

I kept the spa theme going yesterday with a detoxifying smoothie that really has a kick. It was simply cucumbers blended with GT Kombucha in Gingerade and Philosophie Green Dream Vegan Protein & Superfood Powder. I'll probably use the rest of the kombucha in my smoothie today.

Speaking of smoothies, the other day I posted this Minion-inspired smoothie out of frozen bananas, cashew milk and Philosophie Berry Bliss powder. I poured it over fresh blueberries in a decorated Minions glass.

Hayden and I also used paper to decorate these mini bananas to look like Minions. So cute.

Are you going to see the new Minions movie this weekend? Are you going to the spa? What are your plans and are you going to make any of the recipes in this post? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable or on Instagram (also @Rawdorable).