Yay!  Remember Jessica?!?  My awesome cousin who started this blog with me??  She’s back today for a special guest post.  Give her a big round of applause! ~ Mariel

Gift Ideas for Women:

Hey all!  It’s been a long while and I’ve missed you!  Mariel was so kind to let me share some of my favorite things with you- hopefully you can use some of these as Mother’s Day gift ideas.

It seems like I’m always on the hunt for great skincare products, and can suckered into trying it no matter the price if it supposedly works great!  It’s taken me some time to figure out what works for my skin, but I love Obagi’s Cream Cleanser and their Exfoliating Day Lotion with Vitamin C.  The cleanser is creamy and light, and great for oily skin.  It’s not harsh at all and doesn’t dry it out.

The Lotion is super light but moisturizes great with out putting grease back into my pores.  It says “day” lotion, but I use it at night too.  If you were to buy these full price at a spa, you would poop your pants after seeing the price.  So I found it on Amazon for WAY cheaper!
Another skin care product I found and LOVE is this Salicylic Acid Gel Peel. 
Don’t be scared.  Make sure you get level one.  It’s great for acne, hyperpigmentation, age spots and wrinkles. My skin is softer and smoother, and I’ve noticed even my brow and smile lines aren’t so prominent after using it a few months.  My husband even uses it!

A year ago, I started using essential oils and am hooked now.  I use the Doterra brand, but I know there are other great companies out there.  I don’t sell them and I’m not a medical professional.  This is just what has worked for me and my family.  On Guard, Lemon and Oregano are the oils I use the most.
On Guard is supports healthy immune function, which is great during the Winter months.  You can also use it to clean counter-tops or purify the atmosphere by diffusing it into the air.
Lemon is great for uplifting your crappy mood, cleaning, great for spicing up your water and purifying.
Oregano is what I use for any kind of fungus or infection.
Ok.  Enough with the beauty products.  In September, some friends and I are running the Red Rock Relay, so I decided I’d better invest in some good running shoes.  I did some research, and decided to try out Brooks.  For Christmas, the hubs got me some. To be exact, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12.  I kid you not, these shoes are so dang comfortable I’m getting me a pair to wear everyday.  Yes, that is what I wear everyday anyways.  Tenny’s and jeans baby.  I’m all about the comfort.  I also love that they are super breathable.  Like so breathable, I could feel the air going through my shoe.   And they are lightweight.  They run around a hundred bucks, but I think it’s worth it for a great shoe.
Alright, so when I’m running a lot, or days that I don’t ever sit down (which is quite often, as I’m sure most of you mothers can attest)  I get sore IT bands, or the muscle on the outer thighs.  So my best friend has become my foam roller.  Every night before I go to bed, I roll my aching muscles over this and it feels so good.  I even do my back!  If you have a friend who is into health and exercise, this would be a great gift!  This one on Amazon was 27 buckaroos, but I got mine at our local sports store for 12.
I always, always have a bottle of water with me.  It’s like my security blanket.  But sometimes I need a little oomph, so I add Crystal Light Fiber to it.  The only problem is, I can’t find it in grocery stores anymore, so I buy it on Amazon.  4 boxes of 10 will last me a little while.
I love to read stories about the Holocaust.  Not because I’m morbid or sick, but because they can be inspiring and uplifting.  My absolute favorite is Alicia:  My Story.  It is about a thirteen year old girl who loses her family, and finds strength to help others escape Poland from the Nazis.  I promise you won’t be able to put it down.
The other one is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  It’s fiction, and written in letters.  A bit eccentric and endearing humor, any special lady in your life will love it!
Last but not least, is my most favorite TV show right now.  I literally am having to make it last as long as I can, or I know I will go through withdrawals.  It’s Downton Abbey, a Masterpiece Theatre Classic.  Which means it’s (pretty) wholesome too which is a plus! There are two seasons out, and I don’t know when the third is starting.  Ugh.  You get this for your MIL for Mother’s Day, and you’ll be her favorite- no doubt.
Here are some of the reviews:
 
~I actually came across this show on Netflix I thought I would at least watch one episode to see how it would be. I ended watching the whole season that DAY! i couldn’t stop watching! I can not wait til season 2 to come out. I highly recommend this show to everyone. 
 
~I really didn’t think I would like this show. I’ve started many period dramas and have never liked them – some PBS, some not. But, even in the first episode I noticed something was different here. And, I almost gave up because there are a lot of characters in episode 1 – which I thought was almost too much. But, by the middle of episode 2  I was helplessly hooked.
Brilliant show all around: writing, characters, and the setting/scenery are absolutely beautiful.
 
~This show was highly recommended by a few friends and I’m only now getting around to it in. Well, they called it right – I love Downton Abbey. 
 
~The first episode has a lot of character building to do, but from there on out, you WILL. BE. HOOKED! Of the people (women and men alike) I have gotten to give it a try, they have all fallen in love with Downton! So Very Worth Your Time.
Well ladies, there you have it.  My favorite things just for you.  Have a great Mothers Day!!
~ Jessica

For gift ideas for everyone on your list, check out the Gift Ideas tab and be sure to pin Gift Idea Central, to keep the whole collection in one place.