Layers & Lipstick Linkup - Berry Lips & OTK Boots

Top: Nordstrom (some of my favs here, here, and here) / Jeans: Rag & Bone / Bag: Target / Choker: Topshop (sold out similar here) / Boots: Ivanka Trump / Lips: Lipsense - Mulled Wine (get 10% off using code HOLIDAY10) c/o - Kissable_lips_by_krista

I think subconsciously decided to feature both trends today: Berry lips & OTK boots. (ps you need this color!)

OTK boots have become the hot commodity for the past three seasons, and it wasn't until last year when I joined the trend. Since I am 5'2 I was afraid to try over the knee boots because a) they would become over-the-crotch boots, and b) I would look shorter. Well.... over-the-crotch boots do exist. Last year I walked into Nordstrom, and tried on a pair of Steve Madden OTK boots. Once I glanced at myself in the mirror I looked like Julia Roberts in pretty woman. From that point on I just assumed that my body wasn't meant for the trend. After months of researching I found these amazing Ivanka Trump boots. What I love about them is that they fit proportional to my body, and make me look longer and taller. This year my favorite way to wear them is either with dark jeans or mini dresses with stockings. OTK boots are the perfect shoe to elevate your winter outfit. I can't wait to see how all of you styled your boots so I can get some new ideas :)

Meet Our Cohost

This weeks fashionable cohost is miss Chi Chi from The Style Tune. We featured Chi Chi as one of our featured bloggers a couple weeks ago, and knew she would be perfect to cohost. She is a gorgeous blogger form Denali, and I love how much culture she incorporates into her personal style. She recently did an amazing post about colors to pair with camel, which I highly recommend.

Featured Bloggers of the Week

How perfect is Joi's layering from In My Joi? I love her play with layers, and patterns for an ultra chic look / Champagneista made her second debut on our featured list. Could you think of any other holiday outfit that is more perfect than this? Absolutely dying over this gold skirt / @caseygcapra made our featured hashtag for the second week in a row. Keep up the good work babe we just love your insta account!

Thank you for joining us at the Layers and Lipstick Link Up! We love sharing everything that is beauty and style, and want you to see how you rock the latest hair, makeup, and fashion trends by linking up with us. We absolutely love linkups as a way to connect and discover other amazing bloggers from all around the world. Each week bloggers may submit their posts on Tuesdays at midnight Arizona Mountain time to show their take on our beauty/fashion theme of the week. Each week we will pick our favorite bloggers who rocked our fashion/beauty trend the most, and feature them the following week.

We would love to see you linking up with us by sharing #layersandlipstick, and tagging @thejpetite @puckerupstyle on Instagram. We will feature our favorite Instagram accounts who feature our hashtag.

Next week our beauty theme will be "Purple Hair" and the fashion theme will be "Sweater"

Would you like to cohost the Layers & Lipstick Link Up? Email us jessica.marie.edmunds@gmail.com and let’s organize a date!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Best Monday Of The Year.... Cyber Monday!

Skirt: Rachel Parcell / Ring: Stella & Dot c/o / Bracelet: J.Crew

This is probably the best Monday out of the year because it's Cyber Monday! Kick back with some hot cocoa as you take advantage of these killer deals!!

AG Jeans | 30% off using code BF16
Alex and Ani | 20% off + Free Shipping
American Eagle | 50% off all sweaters
Ann Taylor | 50% off + free shipping
ASOS | 30% off using code THANKFUL30
Baublebar | 35% off using code SAVE35
BLANKNYC | 40% off using code CYBER40
Chicwish | 25% off using code BLK25
Crate and Barrel | 15% off using code SAVE15
Current/Elliott | 25% off using code THANKS
Express | 50% off everything + free shipping
Gigi New York | 20-35% off
H&M | 20-35% off
ILY Couture | 25% off using code GIFT25
J.Crew | 40% off
J.Crew Factory | 60% off + free shipping using code HAPPYSALE
Nasty Gal | up to 80% off
Rachel Parcell | 50% off Summer + Spring / 20% off Fall
Shopbop | 15-25% off
Victorias Secret | $20 off $125 purchase

And the winner of the Lipsense giveaway is.....

Erin Davis! Congrats babe I know you will love it!

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Wellness Wednesday: Smile Bright with Smile Brilliant + Giveaway

This post was sponsored by Smile Brilliant. All thoughts and opinions are my own 

When you first meet someone the thing you notice immediately is their smile. Every person's smile is unique, and a sparkling white smile is very memorable. 

Ever since I married Todd, the appearance and health of teeth have become a topic of discussion in the Edmunds household (#dentalwifeproblems). Tooth whitening has naturally been discussed on numerous occasions. Todd always discourages the use of whitening toothpaste, and is skeptical of laser whitening treatments. Toothpaste bad? Isn't that the nuts and bolts of good dental hygiene? Apparently, whitening toothpaste contains tiny abrasive particles. These particles scratch the surface of the teeth to remove the stains. All this scratching can damage your teeth by wearing the enamel away, which does not grow back. When it comes to laser whitening treatments, Todd says that lasers dehydrate your teeth. Dehydrated teeth will briefly appear to be white. However, once the teeth become rehydrated much of the original dark color will return. Laser treatments are also quite expensive. Bleaching treatments, however, can give you long lasting whiteness.

I was thrilled when Smile Brilliant approached me about using their product. I'm happy to say that it is a Dr. Edmunds approved product as well.

How Smile Brilliant Works

Since Todd has a dental background, I wanted him to be involved with making my bleach trays. Smile Brilliant makes you take your own impressions. Tooth impressions are pretty simple. However, if you don't get a good impression then your bleach trays won't work. My germaphobic husband insisted on using nitrile gloves, which are naturally laying around our house ;)

The kit includes 3 catalyst pastes, and 3 base pastes. You will mix one of each type to make a singe impression (1 catalyst & 1 base). The kit includes an extra set incase you mess up. Once you begin folding the two pastes together, they begin to harden quickly. So work fast!

Place the light blue mixture into the tray. Then press your teeth deeply into the impression material.

Allow the impression material to harden in your mouth for at least three minutes before you remove the tray.

Once we finished taking the impressions of my teeth, we placed them in the prepaid shipping parcel to be sent off to the lab. Within 4 business days I received the whitening trays in the mail. I loved how fast I received my trays in the mail whereas in a dental office it would take significantly longer.  Why Smile Brilliant over an office visit? Getting trays + gel from a dental office will cost you $200 for the trays, and $15 for each syringe. SB is significantly faster, and you get trays + tons of gel ranging between $129-$159. By going with SB you will save over $150!

My Experience

I've used whitening trays for years, especially since we used to get the bleach for a discounted price (when we lived in Salt Lake City). It's been 3 years, however, since I've used trays. I was thrilled when I got my hands on Smile Brilliant. For the first three weeks I wore my whitening trays to bed four nights per week. Don't over fill your trays with bleach because that can burn your gums! In the past I used bleach that was 15% carbide peroxide, but the ones from Smile Brilliant are 22%. I noticed that the higher percentage whitened my teeth more quickly. I was so happy with my results from the SB whitening system!

I love this product, now it's your turn to try it out! I'm excited to announce that Smile Brilliant will be teaming up with J. Petite for a give away. One lucky reader will win a FREE tooth whitening kit from Smile Brilliant! The contest begins Today and will end November 30th. I will announce the winner on December 5th. You'll have a chance to enter everyday by sharing the giveaway link on Facebook! All entries will be verified.

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Layers & Lipstick Linkup: Free Week

Photography: Ryann Lindsey
Makeup: Sophia Wilkes from Pucker Up Style
Skirt: Shein c/o/ Tank: Hinge (sold out similar here and here) / Boots: Jeffrey Campbell / Necklace: Alixandra Collections c/o here (get 10% off using code Jpetite10) / Bracelets: Alixandra Collections c/o  here, here, and here / Bag: Alixandra Collections c/o 

It is 2 am in the morning, and we finally made it to Utah!! Can I get an amen?!! Since I am an early riser we had the original plan to leave at 5:30 am, but once I woke up at 4 am I got consumed with blog emails, deadlines, and finishing up some edits for the families I shot the past week. To make a long story short we didn’t leave our house until 10:30 am, and then had to make a mandatory stop to Costco so Todd can get his $1.99 hotdog. Whenever we go on road trips together they take forever not because we need to take bathroom breaks, but more like food breaks for Todd. This kid seriously eats anything and everything in front of him. You would think that with such a LARGE appetite he would be a little “chunkster,” but he’s so lean. Men, they have the best metabolisms. #notfair. 

I am so happy to finally be back in Utah where it actually feels like winter, whereas in Arizona, people are still laying out by my complex’s pool. Whenever I get into town I pack my schedule with teaching at Pure Barre Draper, getting my hair done, and seeing friends and family. During our road trip I was talking with my dad about my schedule, and he responded by saying “Why do you always pack your schedule so tight when you come in town?” My personality thrives on constantly working/moving, and have a hard time doing just “nothing.” Personality plus or negative? Who knows…

You’ve herd me babble about the latest in Edmunds news, but I am so excited that this is “free week” where the sky is the limit. Lately my style has been schizophrenic, and constantly jumping between boho grunge and glamor chic. That’s the fun thing about personal style, there’s no right or wrong way. 

Meet Our Cohost

How freaking cute is Abby from The Classy Giraffe? She is actually the cousin to the sisters from Pucker Up Style. They recently worked on a fun holiday project that I wished I could of been apart of, but had to shoot a family the weekend of the photoshoot. Make sure you check out this darling blogger today!

Featured Bloggers of the Week

How beautiful does Pam's hair look from It's Pam Del? I wish I could get my hair as smooth as hers / We are obsessed with this amazing plaid poncho from Living on Cloud Nine. She is absolutely adorable, and we love it when she joins our linkup each week :)

Thank you for joining us at the Layers and Lipstick Link Up! We love sharing everything that is beauty and style, and want you to see how you rock the latest hair, makeup, and fashion trends by linking up with us. We absolutely love linkups as a way to connect and discover other amazing bloggers from all around the world. Each week bloggers may submit their posts on Tuesdays at midnight Arizona Mountain time to show their take on our beauty/fashion theme of the week. Each week we will pick our favorite bloggers who rocked our fashion/beauty trend the most, and feature them the following week.

We would love to see you linking up with us by sharing #layersandlipstick, and tagging @thejpetite @puckerupstyle on Instagram. We will feature our favorite Instagram accounts who feature our hashtag.

Next week our beauty theme will be "Berry Lips" and the fashion theme will be "Over the Knee Boots"

Would you like to cohost the Layers & Lipstick Link Up? Email us jessica.marie.edmunds@gmail.com and let’s organize a date!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Lipsense Review & Giveaway

If you haven't already heard of LipSense then chances are that you will hear someone talking about it soon. LipSense has reinvented what a long lasting lipstick should be..... long lasting! If you look up #lipsense on Instagram then you will see over 200k post of women sharing videos and images of them kissing babies, eating food, and rubbing their lips to show that this lipstick won't smudge. 

When I first heard about this product I was naturally curious to know if this claim of "long lasting for 4-18 hours" was just a marketing scheme or if someone had actually discovered the holy grail of lipstick. A couple months ago I teamed up with Krista from Kissable Lips By Krista to try out the latest cosmetic hype.

How to Apply

While this may look like a gloss do NOT apply it like a gloss!

1. Shake the tube.
2. Apply to clean, dry lips.
3. Start at the outside corner of your mouth, and spread in a fluid motion to the opposite corner without lifting. (don't move applicator back and fourth)
4. Use three THIN layers, and allow 5 second of drying before applying the next layer. 
5. Top off with a gloss to lock in the color.
6. If you make a mistake use the oops remover included in the startup kit. 

Here's a little video from my friends at Pucker Up Style

Tips and Tricks

• Never leave LipSense in the car.
• Gloss through the day to keep lips moisturized through the day.
• You may feel a slight tingle when applying the color, but will only last for a few days. It happens when your lips are cracked/dry because LipSense contains a cosmetic alcohol to prevent bacteria building up in the tube.
• Your lips will actually heal from LipSense.
• If your color flakes in the beginning, don't stress about it. LipSense is working to exfoliate all your dead skin and wax build up.
• Toss the chapstick because it contains wax, which will prevent the LipSense to work.  

My Experience

This product is by far the longest lasting lipstick I have ever tried. I've become so obsessed that I already have ten colors!! My top three favs are electric tangerine, fire n ice, and carmel apple. Now your probably asking yourself does is last 18 hours on me? The answer is no. I get about 4 hours before I have to reapply. The product works differently on different people because of the PH levels of their mouth, and how often you wear LipSense throughout the week. 

After 4 hours after I apply I notice that the color has rubbed off my water line. Since I have such small lips most of my lip is in my mouth, and the color is constantly being exposed to my saliva. Even though I can't go a full 18 hours I'm still satisfied that when I wear red LipSense I know it that the color will stay put, and won't end up on my teeth or all over my face. 

I am so happy to announce that Krista and I have teamed up to giveaway one lucky reader a LipSense starter kit which includes: oops remover, gloss, and a color of your choice! The contest will run until 11/26, and the winner will be announced on 11/28. Good Luck!

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Blushing

Would you believe me that we put this together in 4 days? A shoot that was only going to be a skirt turned into a whole production. I told myself that after Halloween I was going to take some time off from styled shoots, but when an idea pops in my mind I just run with it. I love styled shoots so much, and knew my break from it wouldn't be very long. Big thanks to everyone that was apart of this last minute project :)

Photography: Ryann Lindsey

HMU: Make Up Artistry by Natalie

Florals: The Wildflower AZ

Rentals: The Confetti Studio

Skirt: Anya Dionne Designs

Top: ASOS
Diamonds: Shane Co

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