July 2018 / By Erika Batista

HOW TO ACHIEVE A YOUTHFUL GLOW WITH NEUTROGENA

July 30, 2018

This post is sponsored by Neutrogena. As always, all opinions are my own.

We all want great skin but how do we achieve it? For me, a great skincare routine is essential. I've been using Neutrogena for years and honestly their products get better and better as time goes by. Truthfully the older I get, the busier I am so I always look for products that don't only target one of my skin concerns but several at once. As a busy mom, wife and entrepreneur, I like to use my time wisely. Which is why I am excited to share that I've partnered with Neutrogena to tell you guys how I achieve a youthful glow while getting rid of sun spots and uneven skin tone as well as preventing wrinkles... it's simple it's a 2-step routine and I know you'll love the results just like me. If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you've noticed I've been talking about 2 products lately and today I want to share my results after using it for about 2 weeks.

If you were to ask me what my biggest skin concern is at 34, I would say preventing wrinkles and also my uneven skin tone and pores around my cheeks. I've been using Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Night Moisturizer and Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector everyday and night for the past week and I am loving the results. The biggest tip I can give you is to always remove any makeup before going to sleep, wash your face well and apply Neutrogena Triple Age Repair Night Moisturizer to your face and neck, every night.

I love a natural glow without makeup but in the past I have been a little insecure about my sun spots, not lately though... I love going bare faced, in my opinion I look younger and honestly, I just feel more confident and beautiful. I recommend you use Neutrogena's Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector daily under makeup or alone. It contains vitamin C and its gentle enough for all skin types. I've been using it in the mornings before my moisturizer and I am loving the results.

I believe that discipline has a lot to do with how we achieve our goals in life. I remember ever sine I was a teen, my mom was always making sure I took good care of my skin. Whether it was reminding me to wash my face before bed or remove my makeup when I started to wear it... she always made sure to instill a skincare routine from a very young age. Now that I have Emme, it reminds me of those days when I used to look up to my mom and everything she did, which included how she dressed, how she put on makeup and of course how she was always on top of her skin. She has been my inspiration as I get older and now that I have a daughter of my own, I am able to pass that onto to her. Emme is always curious as to what I am doing and loves to "help" me with my makeup or skincare routine.

If your skin care goals consists of a natural and youthful glow that's effective, inexpensive and easy, I recommend the double radiance set by Neutrogena - thank me later!

johnson's mom life mommy advice motherhood

MOM LIFE: BEING OPEN & HONEST

July 26, 2018

This post is sponsored by JOHNSON’S®. As always, all opinions are my own.

Throughout the last 7 years I've shared many real-life mommy moments with you all. This blog was born at around the same time my son Benjamin was born, he will be seven in just 3 short weeks. And as you may expect my emotions are a mix of bittersweet pride but mostly pure joy. In fact, becoming a brand new mom was the reason I launched this digital journal. I remember wanting to have my own "thing" even after becoming a mom as a way to still be me... not just "Ben's Mom".

The day I had Ben, August 8, 2011, was the day I knew I would always be honest with those around me not to just share my happiness, but I wanted to also talk about my struggles as a new mom. Being a first time mom is like getting on the wildest rollercoaster. The emotions are overflowing and honestly you don’t know if to laugh or cry. True story. Which is why I have always been so honest about what it’s like to be a mom for me. I’ve shared my worries, our potty training journeys, my favorite baby products and even my miscarriage, among a number of other topics about this crazy-wild-yet-fabulous mom life.

For this post I’ve partnered with the all new JOHNSON’S®. As you all know, I’ve been a part of the JOHNSON’S® family for over 3 years now and I am happy to be part of this new chapter in their life, as much as they’ve been a part of my children’s lives. The entire JOHNSON’S® line has been redesigned inside and out - I am obsessed with their new packaging, not only because it’s super cute (love the teardrop bottles) but they also have a pump! I love that they’ve improved not just the outside of the bottles but also the inside. All the washes, lotions and haircare products have reduced the number of ingredients by more than 50%, including removing sulfates and dyes.

The brand new JOHNSON’S® has made five promises, one for each finger of our little one’s hands. Here are their five promises to parents:

1. Only use purposeful ingredients

2. Never stop raising the bar

3. Be open and honest

4. Think like a parent first

5. Help make the world a gentler place

Of those promises, being open and honest stuck with me because I can totally relate. It reminds me of one of my own stories in motherhood, the highs and the lows. I remember when Emme was a baby, I seriously thought she would be in our bed forever... she was the worse sleeper of the two. We had the worst few months; sleepless and cranky. My husband and I couldn't stand each other and honestly it was probably the worst time in our marriage - who's been there? What the stress child #2 brings along is something not a lot of people talk about.

I remember talking to my friend K one day and telling her about how we weren't doing so well and she told me that she and her hubby went through the same thing when they had their second and had just purchased their new home. We had just bought the house around the same time and that alone was stressful, add a bad sleeper and you have a recipe for a marriage nightmare! But when K shared her story with me, I felt like I wasn't alone and I loved that she was so honest and open with me. As women and mothers it's always nice to feel like we are not alone in our struggles, like we can relate. I always say that being relatable has been the key ingredient to my success as a blogger. For me, it has always been very important to share my own struggles with you guys, because I know how it is to feel like you are the only one going through that hurdle. When in fact, we are all losing our sh*t, some just hide it better than others. And amigos, that is a fact!

Of course things got better over time - how you ask? Well we got Ben a full size bed (why didn't I think of this before?!) and since then they sleep together. Emme just didn't like sleeping alone so putting her in Ben's room has been a life saver and truthfully I love that they sleep together. I think it's so sweet... I know there will be a day when they no longer will but for now we all enjoy it and cherish the moment.

Has there been a time when you felt a sense of relief by sharing your struggle as a parent? I truly think it happens more than we realize. We should all empower each other to share more struggles and not just highlight reels... especially us moms.

facts about me lifestyle

15 FACTS ABOUT ME + THIS TRENDY PIECE

July 23, 2018

Hey babes, I can't believe we are well over half way through 2018... I was looking at my vision board and it makes me so happy to see so many things checked off my list. There is no better feeling than accomplishing your goals and I am a true believer in vision boards and big wins! Thats one thing about me... vision boards are a must and The Secret changed my life when I first watched the videos yearsssss ago.

I haven't done one of these "things about me" in a while so I figured I'd share some fun, funny and weird things about me that I may or may not have shared before. And of course also share a little style inspo... got this [trendy] jumpsuit at Target from their Who What Wear collection a couple of weeks ago for under $40 and loved it! I love that you can wear it all year round... add a cute collar shirt or jacket and you are ready for fall... ok now back to 15 facts about me.

1. I am 100% fluent in both English and Spanish.

2. I've only had 3 boyfriends my whole life... that last one became my husband.

3. I am an only child but have over 30 cousins.

4. Favorite songs of the moment: La player by Zion y Lenox and Level Up by Ciara

5. I was a straight A student up until high school... I got my first C ever freshman year (I was so upset), I blame it on boys!

6. I drank from a bottle until I was 8 years old... don't judge me. Ecuadorians spoil their kids too much! Lol

7. I didn't speak a word of English when we came to live here and I hated living in the US when we first moved here... it took 5 years for me to adjust.

8. Favorite place I've visited: Greece

9. My first job was at a toy store when I was 15 years old. I've been working since... right through college and I lied on my application and said I was 16... so that they can hire me. #rebel

10. My husband and I didn't start going out as boyfriend and girlfriend officially until about a year after we met. He was (and still is;) obsessed with me... TRUE STORY. I finally knew I loved him after he was seeing some girl... and I had to grab him back all for myself! #savage

11. I am a full on Gemini. And proud;)

12. I am scared of roller coasters even though I've been on them. I just don't like them.

13. Favorite movie: The Notebook

14. I don't have any tattoos.

15. That one time I pierced my belly button in a beach in Ecuador, I fainted.

Sunnies: Celine | Jumpsuit: Who What Wear via Target | Shoes: Zara (old) | Bag: Aldo

What's one fun fact about you? I love sharing fun facts... and of course here are some similar jumpsuits I found online which I love as much as mine. I couldn't find the exact one I have but if you go to your local Target it should be in the Who What Wear section.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERALDINE TORRES IG: @GERI_1221

dresses forever 21 nordstrom style summer dresses under $50

5 SUMMER DRESSES UNDER $50

July 16, 2018

I’ve been obsessing over front tie dresses this summer and I gathered 5 of my favorite dresses this season, the best part? They are all under $50! You babes know I'm all about a great find, especially on trendy pieces and these summer dresses are perfect for so many occasions. I love that they are airy and feminine but still bold and chic and can be worn a couple of different ways.

You’ve seen me wear two of these lately and I can’t wait to wear them again. You can wear them with a moto jacket for fall and even pair any of these dresses with statement shoes (even cute tennis shoes!) and you are ready for the weekend. Here’s how I wore this one that I got from Forever 21 just a few weeks ago.

DRESS | SHOES | BAG

I love how light this dress is and you can find it for under $30 HERE. I wore it with these super old sandals and my go-to Kate Spade bag (it’s my everyday bag!). If you have followed me from my early days then you know I love mixing prints, it adds statement to any look and takes the style from basic to fab in minutes.

Summers are full of events, BBQs, birthday parties, beach weekends and so many fun celebrations, so here are the 5 affordable dresses I am loving this season. Are you a fan of this style?

Stay tuned for the next style post will be what you have been requesting: Office Outfit Ideas!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERALDINE TORRES IG: @GERI_1221