Baby You're a Firework. #imagelogger 4th of July Weekend

Summer is in full effect in Southern California. This 4th of July found us beach side, at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa for fireworks and up to LA for some fun in the pool at my parents house. 

I've had tons of fun playing with the automatic features of my Samsung NX300 this week - action shots, fireworks and creative settings have helped capture some great moments this past weekend. Also loving the new 30mm "pancake" lens I'm trying out. It makes the camera much smaller, and I love the way it focuses on the subject while blurring the background. 

Also celebrated my Dad's birthday this weekend with some of my FAVORITE CUPCAKES EVER: Sprinkles!

Even little Daisy May got a special treat!

I couldn't get enough of the late afternoon light in parent's backyard... 

All images in this post were taken with the Samsung NX300 SMART camera. Samsung provided me with a camera to participate in the #Imagelogger program. All opinions and photographs are my own. Over the next few months I will be sharing images taken with the NX300 SMART camera on Twitter, Facebook and here on my blog. If you want to follow along and check out some of the images the other Imageloggers are taking - just follow the hashtag: #Imagelogger.  

Summer Beauty MUST HAVES.

Over the past month, I've had the opportunity to test out some great new products perfect for summer. These four are my current obsessions that I've added into my daily routines.

Marrakesh Eau De Toilette Spray - Just like the box says, this perfume is an "instant vacation in a bottle." I actually expected it to be more musky than it is. But with the floral and coconut undertones, this is THE PERFECT summer scent. 

Coola Suncare - We all know how important it is to protect our skin, but spray sun blocks can be sticky and not really what you want to spray on your skin when it's a zillion degrees out. Coola's spray is not sticky, goes on smoothly and smells amazing. And so far I've used it during 3 HOT and SUNNY pool days and 2 beach days and not a sunburn in sight. 

L'Oreal Sublime Sun - I love this lightweight sun block for my face. I've been using it under my make-up for added SPF and it goes on just like a moisturizer. Perfect for everyday protection. 

The BEACHWAVER - OBSESSED. I honestly am in love with this curling iron. The innovative rotating wand seriously gives THE PERFECT beachy hair waves. I have a collection of about 10 curling irons, and I can happy throw the rest of them away now. Pricey, but OMG WORTH IT. 

Do you have a new favorite summer beauty product? 

*Disclaimer: These products were all given to me for review. No additional compensation was provided. Opinions are my own. 

Staycation All I Ever Wanted: Four Seasons Westlake #Imagelogger

My girl Andrea is embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. This Sunday, her and her family are moving to Costa Rica... YES. They are picking up and moving to Costa Rica. She's living the dream. 

Over the past few years of conferences and press events, Andrea, Kim, Romy, Candice and I have become a great little group. We've all traveled together, roomed with each other (sometimes all of us in one room!), teamed up for day trips and supported each other both online and in real life. As the days to Andrea's departure started to whittle down, we got to planning. What could we do to send our girl off in style? We needed one last hurrah before she leaves us all for the Central American tropics.

How about a day in the Luxury Spa Suite at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village? 

Um. Yes PLEASE. 

Located just north/west (Directionally, not Kim Kardashian's baby's name..) this Four Seasons is a little paradise where you wouldn't expect it. Fabulous grounds, a super lux spa, warm sun and champagne made this a send off none of us will ever forget. 

 The day was amazing. Lots of girl talk. Lots of tears. Lots of champagne. 

The Four Seasons in Westlake Village was the ideal spot for our little getaway. Huge thanks to everything they did to help us make this time perfect for Andrea. Here's to hoping that the next time we see Andrea, it will be at her new "local" - The Four Seasons in Costa Rica. 

*Disclosures:

The Four Seasons Westlake provided us with rooms and the luxury spa suite and food during our stay. Opinions are my own. 

All images in this post were taken with the Samsung NX300 SMART camera. Samsung provided me with a camera to participate in the #Imagelogger program. All opinions and photographs are my own. Over the next few months I will be sharing images taken with the NX300 SMART camera on Twitter, Facebook and here on my blog. If you want to follow along and check out some of the images the other Imageloggers are taking - just follow the hashtag: #Imagelogger.