Prepping for a Summer Vacation//Bikini Wax

Thank you Waxing The City for sponsoring this post. Unwanted hair is part of life...and so is getting rid of it. From brows - to backscaping - to bare it all Brazilians –we’ve seen it all. With 100 locations open –you’ll be sure to find a Waxing The City studio near you. First time customers get 50% off their first service!

Simon's swim lessons, friend BBQ pool parties and family reunions at the lake + an overwhelmed mother of two attention-seeking toddler boys who doesn't have a lot of time to keep up on her shaving desires, don't mix super well--but who wants to miss out on all the water fun? Especially when 115 degrees is the norm?? Not me!

Overall, I'd say I'm a pretty low-maintenance lady, but the idea of not having to worry about shaving the bikini line for a few weeks straight, sounded like a pretty nice perk this summer. I decided to take Waxing The City up on their offer to try out a modified bikini wax. (You can try one too--your first service is 50% off!)

I scheduled my appointment online--it was so easy and even virtually the service was personal and top-notch. I chose a day Marcus was home and headed down for my wax--

Now I'm kind of a prude when it comes to being naked in front of stranger- haha, I'm going out on a limb here in assuming I'm not alone in that way of thinking. So I was secretly hoping since I was getting a modified bikini wax I wouldn't have to bare it all...I was wrong 😅. BUT my waxer was so chill and didn't make me feel weird at all. Of course, they truly don't care--they chose this profession and have seen it all, apparently they've done over half a million Brazilian! We chit-chatted about life, her engagement, and how it's kind of weird that we all care about body hair anyways. She educated me a little on waxing, but wasn't pushy or salesy at all. 

The process stings a bit, but was overall so much better than my first experience at a different salon, where they used much bigger strips of wax and the end result was bloody and bruised hair follicles! 

At Waxing The City, their goal is customer comfort above all--not speed. One wouldn't assume an hour laying naked in front of stranger while they ripped tiny hairs off my body would be relaxing, but I guess that shows you how un-relaxing taking care of two little crazy (cute) boys is! 😆

Here are a few tips before you head down for your first wax:

• Grow out period is about two weeks--the hair has to be long enough for the wax to grab hold--Your hair grows in two cycles--so you follow up wax will be even less painful, smoother and faster.
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• If you're going to make this a regular part of your routine, they recommend coming in every four weeks, to keep the hair growth cycle on track.
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• Coming right before (or during) your period isn't recommended as you have more blood flow to the area and it will be more sensitive.
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• Wait to do self-tanning lotion until after your wax, as it will be removed with the wax.
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• After your wax, let your skin rest for a day or two, then start exfoliating to prevent any in-grown hairs. I loved their sugar scrub and their exfoliating mitts for this!

• When waxing is done consistently, hair grows back slower and sparser. Some say it eventually stops growing all together! Okayyyyy 👌

I truly loved my experience with Waxing The City--most of all because of the happy, positive and comforting vibe of the staff and the cute and clean office. Plus I had NO irritation post-wax, yay! I highly recommend them and if you do decide to give them a try, make sure to use the 50% off your first service deal! Just visit waxingthecity.com to schedule your service.

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

Unicorn Season is Here!

Happy Spring everyone! We're already hitting temps in the 90s, so it feels like most people's summers round here! I'm not complaining! Spring or as I like to call it, Unicorn Season is my all time favorite here in Arizona. Everything is flowered up and I'm spending as much time as I can outdoors with my little explorer, Simon. I don't know what I'm going to do when it gets to hot to sit out in the grass all day, it's where he's happiest, and in turn, where I'm happiest too! Guess we'll have to plan lots of trips to cooler weather! Where do you live and when's the best place to be there?!

wearing:
cactus print swimmer//kortni jeane (buy here)
boater hat//forever21 (similar here)
initial discs necklace//old (similar here)
lace up sandals//old navy (buy here)

Post Baby One Piece

kortni jeane suit found here

One of my childhood besties just had her first precious baby and she asked me to help her find a swimsuit that she would feel comfortable in post C-Section since summer heat is quickly approaching here in the Valley of the Sun! In case anyone else is on the lookout--here's the list. As always, just click on the image you like and it will take you to the shop (click the arrow to see the 2nd page as well)

Swimsuit Season! Part Two

Buy here

And here are my favorite one-pieces to go along with the earlier post! Don't even get me started on the suit pictured above! I've been drooling over it for two years now...
Be sure and press the little grey arrow to scroll over the the next page of suits!

Swimsuit Season! Part One

If you're like me, the swimsuit hunt is on as the temperature starts rising! I thought I'd save you the hours of searching and share some cuties that caught my eye! I'm seriously heart-eyeing over that peplum tankini from anthro! Pretty dreamy, right? Just click on the images and you'll be taken to the site :) (use grey arrows to see the next page)

Where's your favorite place to shop for swimwear?

LimeRicki Giveaway + Coupon Code

Hey Gals! I've partnered up with LimeRicki to bring you a giveaway today because who doesn't want a cute new suit to start off the season?! So head over to my instagram @ashleyanielson to see how to enter (it's super easy)! 

You can find the one-piece swimsuit I'm wearing right here. And I really think I may need to order this cutie! 

If you just can't wait for me to pick a winner, you can use the code UNICORNS for 15% off until May 26th. 

Good luck!

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wearing:

swimsuit//c.o. limericki (buy here)

clear frame sunnies//forever21 (buy here or similar here and here)

earrings//baublebar (buy here)

natural nail polish//plum-p up the volume by sophi (buy here)

floral kimono//c.o. oasap (on sale here)

fedora//forever21 (similar here, here and here)

strappy sandals//old navy long ago (similar here and here)
striped beach towel//target (similar here)

bring me all the carbs.

I hope your 4th is lovely and that you get get to eat all your favorite foods, wear all your favorite patriotic regalia, and turn absolutely raisin in the pool with friends and family!

Be sure to follow along on instagram (@ashleyanielson) if you're not already--i have a fun independence day giveaway happening this weekend!

PS HOW AMAZING IS THIS PRETZEL FLOATY!?

I think i need this donut one next...

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wearing:

silk headscarf//vintage (similar here)

round sunnies//old (similar here)

lip stain//c.o. oasap (buy here)

cherry red high-waisted bikini + swim top//c.o. oasap (buy here)

red nail polish//j.crew (similar here)

giant pretzel floaty//urban outfitters (buy here)

Poolside.

Hello old friends! I'm back to say hello, sticking with what I said, I have still not resigned to wearing clothes--so you can see me here in my prettiest pool coverup.

Monday night I decided to pull together a last minute Friendship Waffles/Family Night/Swim Party. I invited my in-town siblings + families and my parents and my lovely sister, Leisel let us have it at her house since she lives closer to our community pool (and has a bigger dining table). 

I figured I had made hundreds of my famous Belgian waffles for my closest friends in Jr High and High School, but not all my siblings or even my husband had had an official taste! 

It was time to blow their minds.

While I firmly believe there is no inappropriate time to eat a waffle, summertime is admittedly the very best time to eat my particular friendship waffle since it's covered in a thick layer of bluebell vanilla ice cream and completely overtaken with fresh cut strawberries.

You guys--my nickname wasn't Waffles for nothing...

With one bite Marcus fell in love with me all over again, and against our better judgement, we did not follow the "wait 30 minutes after eating before going swimming" and alas, no one fell prey to side cramps or drowning...Family Night Success!

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wearing:

silk headscarf//vintage (similar here)

round sunnies//old (similar here)

lip stain//c.o. oasap (buy here)

initial necklace//local boutique (similar here)

chiffon maxi dress//c.o. oasap (buy here)

red nail polish//j.crew (similar here)

Suit Up!

I shared a peek at my new suit on instagram, here's another shot--find it here.

It's hitting 100+ degrees this week. I am not happy about it, but I am excited to hit the pool and cool off. If you're on the search for a cute new suit, I've gathered some of my favorites (be sure to scroll through to the second page, some of my favorites on that second slide):

More Asos...