Sunday, July 31, 2011

first giveaway [exclamation point]


When I was a teenager, my best friend Alana and I used to grease ourselves with vegetable oil and lay (lie?) on towels on her hot, black roof for hours on end.  Probably listening to the Indigo Girls or maybe U2.

Later I got a job as a swim instructor/lifeguard and baked (usually without sunscreen) for eight hours a day.  Listening more to Arrow 103.5.

When I was in college and found myself indoors for the majority of my time, I spent what little cash I had on weekend tanning salon visits.

When I got married I quit the tanning salons but spent my lazy summers next to a pool where the longer I lay, the better.

It's a miracle I still have a face.

I think I was addicted to being in the sun and being tan.  You probably are, too.  The first step is to admit it.

This summer I would've done the same thing if not for Rachael S.   She is beautiful and married my cousin Brett and one sunny day in my backyard told me I needed to try LOREAL tanning gel.  I'd always avoided tanning lotions/gels because of the orange look and how it smelled bad, etc...........not this gel.  This gel is the best for many reasons...no orange, smell isn't bad, and guess what?  You can buy it at Wal-Mart.  And you can always meet new and interesting friends at Wal-Mart.  Win-Win.

Because of this gel I've spent the majority of my summer in the shade and have maintained a golden tan.  Because of this gel my face is not as dry and damaged but instead looks sun kissed and dewy.  I now avoid the sun at the pool and lather up the gel before bed.  And when I am outside I'm drenched in sunscreen because of my secret weapon at home. I plan to avoid the sun permanently because just this summer a friend my age was diagnosed with melanoma.  Her babies are the same ages as my kids.  Scared me right out of the sun and into a drawer of maybe eight bottles of this stuff at a time.

Want some?

I've never done a giveaway before but want to share my favorite product this summer. I'm so excited that I want to use exclamation points but just can't bring myself to...

Gel tan at the pool...hey, I still go out in the sun; I just don't need it to get tan anymore.
You can enter this giveaway in two ways: 1.) leave a comment telling me who you are and why you need this gel or 2.) become a follower or Blost Friend if you haven't already.  Each is worth one entry.  I will draw one winner at random and send them their very own set of gel (one bottle for your face and one for the rest).  Want to be tan in August?  Want to get a package in the mail?  Winner will be announced sometime this week so check back. 

I'm already excited to give this away.  Exclamation point.

28 comments:

Jared, Christine, and The Boys said...

Did I ever mention that I am Minnesotan? I think that is reason enough.

Angela Taylor said...

Holly, I need this because I just spent a week in Maui trying to get tan. Then came home with my sister who lives in Portland, that means she never sees the sun. Guess who was more tan after a week by the pool in my backyard? Not me! (That's right, I used a real exclamation point.). And since we have the same friend who found cancer, I too am using sunscreen like it's going out of style.

Ange

liz said...

Um, we all know I need some of that! I learned at like age 10 that a tan is just not going to happen. And plus, what is better than a walmart giveaway? Bring on the gel.

Lisa McIntyre said...

Love this post. I just did a fake spray tan today.

Katy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tracy said...

If I don't win this I will be forced to go to Wal-Mart and make "new friends" and I'm just not sure my immune system is up for that. Seriously, I need you to send this to me.

Lindsey said...

Oh I'd love this stuff! And my little chicagoan white self would thank you :)

Rain in My Head said...

I need this because my super white legs scare my kids friends :).

IronLawGirl said...

Ummm, can you have a giveaway for the brown girls to??? I'm so offended!

---this weekend!---I can't wait!---

Ashley K. said...

I think I should win because I have never tried this little gem... and I am a Melanoma survivor! Pick me, pick me.

Mary said...

I need this because I, too, was addicted to tanning as a teenager and in college. Consequently, I had a CANCEROUS growth removed from the middle of my nose a couple of years ago! No more baking for me.

Mary said...

I am following your blog!

Kelly said...

Hey Holly, I need this because A) I'm white, and B) I like free stuff. You're awesome.

Ryan Smart said...

I don't want to be entered in the drawing, except maybe I will secretly buy this stuff and put it on where my G bottoms are-I can actually see the blood coursing through my veins because this has never seen the sun. Anyway what I really wanted to say is all my memories of you were being extremely sunburned. Falling asleep under a tree with sunglasses and then telling me you'd kill me if I said one word about you looking like a raccoon (you weren't kidding and I knew it...and I didn't laugh).

Glad you found a solution-I'd miss your face.

Jen Thompson said...

Hi. My name's Jen. I'm a sister of a friend of Alana. Love your blog. I may or may not have used a post in a Sacrament Mtg talk.
My sun history is similar to yours, except for one glaring detail: My skin was made to be fair, not tan. I love products and always tell myself I'm going to buy the cool ones, but always buy the ones at Wal-Mart. This one is both? Please send me some!

ericareynolds said...

You know I like you and follow you everywhere! You also know the color of my legs alone could get me into heaven they are so white. Also, if you pick me you could just hand me the stuff. Saves on postage. I like saving you money. I'm nice like that. I miss your golden tan self!

Carolee said...

2 boys + Walmart + spending more than 03 seconds stopped at any 1 item = HE** [exclamation point]

Carol said...

I don't expect to be picked ... but you looked awesomely (is that a word?) tanned when we saw you in July. It looked completely natural...no streaks or anything! Now I see the same beautiful tan on your sister-in-law ... and I was fooled again until she admitted her secret
and whispered "It's Holly's tanning gel." I've got the old age spots showing now because I didn't take care when I was younger. (We used baby oil of all things!!) Glad there are decent options today. :)

Jessica Davis said...

My name is Jess...and uh...I'm see through. I have already had three precancerous moles removed right before my 23rd birthday (six months ago). So this could be realll good for me.

Jessica Davis said...

Oh and p.s. we are already long lost blost friends.

MediocreMama said...

Jen Thompson, which post? I'm so curious...

Kristin, just be glad you don't need this stuff to be brown...

Tracy, I hope I save you a germy trip to Wal-Mart, I really do.

Christina said...

My white body just doesn't fit in here in Florida and my skin only knows how to burn. I would love to give this stuff a try. In case I don't win, do you think they sell it at Target? I've met my Wal-Mart quota for the year.

Becca Burtenshaw said...

holly, think it's common knowledge that i'm addicted to your blog. i find that no one makes me laugh or cry more easily than you do... seems fitting since we've totally hung for one unforgetable vegas weekend :)

anyway, jen thompson is my sister and we laugh along with your blogs all the time. since i took a job where i lost my office, now jen will read me your new blog posts as i'm driving in my car. always the day's best pick-me-up

p.s. i was there for her sacrament meeting talk where she read some of your blog (it was one with a list) and the crowd loved it

diana said...

Because I could use some good news. . .

Jen Thompson said...

the one where your friend helped you out when your son was in the hospital at Christmas time. It was a talk on service, so I used all my best resources: you and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Thanks!

the crazy persian said...

I am a follower

the crazy persian said...

I could really use this because I need to come to terms with what all this is doing to my skin..

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