I wanted to do a series on BB Creams because I've struggled to find a great one, and it's a little overwhelming with so many options on the shelf. I have tried a few different drugstore brands - some better than others - and decided to share my thoughts!

My first BB Cream in the "BB Battle" is the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB. I've read several other comments that this is a great, must-try product. Overall, I think that's true.

My first impression was that it went on so smooth. The consistency is similar to lotion. It glides over the skin and blends effortlessly. Coverage is light to medium, which is what I would expect from a BB. With five color options it gives more customization for your skin tone. This BB Cream claims to provide 8 benefits:

1. Blur imperfections

2. Brighten

3. Even skin tone

4. Smooth

5. Hydrate

6. Enhance

7. Protect using SPF 30

8. 0% oils or heavy ingredients

For the most part I would agree with the benefits. I found it to be very hydrating, which depending on your skin type can be good or bad. For me, with more oily skin, it was too much. Even with a setting powder I noticed that my face was very shiny at the end of the day. If you have dry skin this is probably a great option for you! 

So, all in all, I think it's a great product for the right skin type. I love the ease of application and the "feel" once it is blended. Because of my oily skin it's just not a good option for me personally.

Have you tried this BB Cream? What was your first impression?

I had every intention of sharing some photographs from our summer vacation very soon after we got back, buuuut I never got around to it! So, a month later, here we are!

We went to South Carolina, which has kind of become our vacation spot of choice. What I enjoy most is that now we're familiar enough with the islands and Charleston that we can relax. You know the first time you go somewhere you're constantly trying to figure it out and navigate? Wondering where to eat, what to do, what you want to see (other than sunshine and sand)...sometimes it's stressful. Then you leave and talk to someone else that's been there and they tell you all the things you should have done that you didn't know to do.

Well, we're past that. We don't feel stressed to do certain things (other than one...go get a piece of cake at Kaminsky's). It's a relaxing vacation.

Shem Creek is one of my favorite places to go eat - there are all sorts of things going on, and that means a lot of observing on my part. I'm a big people watcher. These poor people probably thought I was making fun of their kayaking skills...

This picture...have the same version from last year. It's still pretty every time!

This year I had a goal to get a sunset picture of the Ravenel Bridge. You see, last year I took my camera, but no tripod. I told myself next time don't forget the tripod. So this year I made sure that the tripod was sitting next to the door ready to go (plus I wrote a note to remind me just in case I didn't see it sitting there). Success. Side note: sunsets are hard for me to capture. I want to play with settings some more...if anyone has tips please share!!!

This was also the first year that our doggie went with us. We usually have someone watch her, but since the whole fam went, we took the family pets. Our little Bailee doesn't travel well, so she was well mediated for the trip, but once we got there she did fine (other than the barking at strangers and other dogs that walked by "her" house). It was fun seeing her play in the ocean and jump the little "islands" at low tide.

Another one just because it's cute. Her ears were blowin' in the wind!

There's nothing really special about this picture. It's just a sail boat we passed in the intracoastal waterway. I was taking pictures of everything we passed...so why not? It was the first time we took our boat so it was like seeing the island from a whole new perspective. 

I have a few hundred more pictures, but these give a good summary of the trip and what we saw. Oh, I did forget...

Wind surfers. There were probably 100 that afternoon all along the beach. It was so cool!

And the pretty beach on a sunny morning! I'll leave you with that. :)

Are you taking any trips this summer? Do you go somewhere different each time or back to the same place?

Thank you Friday!

I really wasn't sure this day was going to come! There have been a few trials this week; as in our dog not feeling well and not sleeping at night unless I was on the floor next to her. I was literally outside on our driveway at 1:00 am Wednesday with little Bailee on a leash running (barefoot and in pj's) to get her to move (get ready for TMI...she had gas). It was a bonding moment, for sure. So now that you have your disturbing mental image for the week...

1. Positive mind. Positive vibes. Positive life. Yes. Favorite quote of the week!

2. These flowers are BEAUTIFUL. I love the colors, the mixture, the arrangement. Makes me want a flower garden strictly for cut flowers. Ooooh, idea...

3. Favorite hairstyle. It's a little shorter than mine right now, but I like the braid and the overall wave/curl texture. Why can't my hair just do this naturally? The natural wave I have is like a frizz ball.

4. Would you believe these are edible cupcakes? I bet if I made a cupcake it would like this. Not.

5. This is my new favorite color for cabinets. The wheels are turning...

I hope you had some nights full of wonderful sleep and no running on driveways with a dog. :) Share your favorites in the comments! Here's to a happy weekend!

{linking up with Lauren Elizabeth}