a melanoma survivor's guide to sunscreen.

Full Body Coverage Lotion: Clarins Sun Care Milk Lotion Spray with SPF 50+
I normally hate spray lotions, but this lotion makes solo application nearly foolproof. It sprays out as a lotion, not an oil, so there isn't any weird mess. It won't blow away in the wind and it smells fantastic.

Summer Daily Moisturizer: Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen with SPF 40 (tinted version here!)
The summer sun demands a higher SPF for daily use and this moisturizer did the trick for me. Not only is it super light, it didn't cause me breakouts like some facial moisturizers with SPF do.

Winter Daily Moisturizer: Clarins Multi-Active Early Wrinkle Correcting Lotion with SPF 15
I discovered the multi-active lotion {without SPF 15} in 2010 and fell in love. The incredible smell accompanies this impressive moisturizer, so it was a no-brainer to make the move to the SPF version when it was released.

Lip Protection: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15 (eight other colors also available!)
Prevent the lobster lips with this easy, smooth lip treatment from Fresh. It is lightweight but provides fabulous coverage, which lasted much longer than other SPF lip protection I've tried.

Six years ago this month, I picked up the magazine which would forever change my relationship with the sun. With the help of Glamour, I spotted what a dermatologist would later confirm was a melanoma. {Read the full backstory here.} Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, I figured there was no time like the present to share a few of my favorite sunscreens.

Before I found my melanoma, I was an avid sun worshipper. I never burned. I wore SPF 4 {at max} when I was out in the sun. I went to the tanning bed regularly. I thought my olive skin was immune to skin cancer. After my diagnosis, I was shocked and scared about my future. I had to redefine my perception of beauty. Above all, I realize I was dead wrong about the sun in my teens and early twenties. 

My diagnosis meant I had to take a hard look at my sun care choices. It took some time to find products which made me feel safe and confident in the sun. I'm here today to share my field test. Though this post may look like it is sponsored by Clarins, I can assure you it is not. I simply think their products are worth the investment. I discovered the Clarins sun care line in 2012 and have been a loyal user for the last two years. I don't see that changing any day soon. Not only do I have sensitive skin, I have a sensitive sniffer--and Clarins passes both my tests. With their coverage and consistency, I'm easily Clarins number one fan.

If you're looking for something a bit more cost-friendly, the Neutrogena line is a trusty old favorite. My dermatologist carries samples of their products in her office, so it is nice to know proper sun care doesn't have to be expensive. If you're looking for ways to get the sun-kissed glow without the harmful rays, these self-tanners are just the ticket.

As a disclaimer, I am NOT a doctor or dermatologist. These sunscreens are simply my personal favorites. The one thing I can say with confidence is this: do not consider yourself immune to the dangers of the sun. If you haven't had a skin check recently {or ever}, do yourself a favor and book one before the summer sun really hits. 

Do you have any favorite sunscreens? Share what you love--and why you love it. I'm all ears! xoxo {av}

P.S. Don't forget about the sun savvy pledge Danielle and I created three years ago. You can decide today to change your habits!

southern hospitality.

Though we've been home almost a week, I have been super busy and haven't had time to go through pictures from our getaway to South Carolina. I spent half of the week in Connecticut for a work meeting, which didn't help my cause. Thankfully, it's {finally!} Saturday, so I have fewer excuses. 

WARNING: This is a picture-heavy post. Since we were on a relaxed family getaway, I'm not much of a fashionista in these photos ;) These photos come from three cameras, my iPhone Hipstamatic camera, my Nikon CoolPix, and my {new!} Nikon D5000. 

We jetted out of Providence before the sun was up on Wednesday, December 29th--and got to stop in one of our favorite cities: Washington, DC. Here's a photo proving we were there!

We managed to get a direct flight right onto the island of Hilton Head, which was pretty fantastic because we were literally on the beach within 45 minutes. As you can tell from the photo below, it wasn't "beachy" weather...but we made the most of it. In this photo, you'll see my uncle {J}, my aunt {K}, me, and {cv}.

A good portion of our time in Hilton Head was spent roaming the beaches, a theme which keeps recurring in the photos below. It's so therapeutic, especially since we're in the middle of winter in Rhode Island. Sure, it wasn't balmy, but it was just what we needed. I love this photo of my parents, walking hand in hand.

Our first dinner on the Island was at the Crazy Crab--which just so happens to be a long-standing family favorite. I grew up going to Hilton Head and our trip wasn't complete without a stop there. {cv} and I ate there too when we came in 2006. I don't think I had ever seen the Harbour Town Lighthouse decked out like this though...

We took a slice of key lime pie {a.k.a. a little slice of heaven} back to our villa that night. {cv}, my parents, my uncle {J}, my aunt {M} and I got up early the next morning to walk that pie off on the beach ;) After a shower, the whole crew made the 45-minute drive to Savannah, Georgia. I didn't take half as many pictures in Savannah as I hoped, but here is a fun one of the two of us on River Street, where normal open container rules don't apply...

I couldn't resist getting with picture of my cousin {H} on Santa's lap. Pretty hilarious.

After River Street, we made our rounds of the spectacular historic squares in Savannah. We passed by Forsyth Park, where I got this lovely picture with the fountain in the background. {I haven't read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, but I think this park is significant in that book.} You have to love the live oaks and the Spanish moss.

My father makes signs for a living, so I've grown up with a deep appreciation of all things neon {including the song by John Mayer :) }. I adore old theater signs like this one:

Though we were pretty tuckered out from our day in Savannah, my parents, {cv} and I went to Corks Wine Co. {A BIG thank you to Ashley from Run With Me for this perfect recommendation!} Such a snazzy little hotspot for an otherwise quiet island!

I couldn't pass up this photo of my dad. He'd forgotten his glasses and was struggling to read the little print on my iPhone. Priceless.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, we ran a 5K on the beach. It wasn't an easy run, with the wind in our faces, but it was totally worth it. After the run, we bopped over to Harold's Diner, one of my grandfather's old haunts. Their staff is notoriously rude {similar to the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld}, but it made for quite a few laughs. My dad wasn't quite ready for this photo after breakfast:

We cleaned up post-run before meeting everyone a few short steps away from our villa at The Salty Dog Cafe for lunch. Here is proof that it actually hit 70 degrees while we were there:

Though my uncle {J} and my aunt {K} were already on the road home to Nashville, we grabbed this group shot before heading back to the villa to watch some football.

We had to get one too.

{cv} and I ran to the grocery to grab some bubbly for later that evening when we got a call from my parents, beckoning us to hurry back to catch the sunset. I'm so glad we made it--because this is the way we closed out the daylight in 2010:

Can you see the dolphin?!? There were so many!

My little family :)

{cv} snapped this one...

Goodbye 2010...

The whole family ate a yummy--yet funky--dinner at The Studio. After dinner, we headed back to my aunt {M} and uncle {S}'s villa to watch the ball drop. This picture isn't our best, but here we are ringing in our first full married year:

We got up leisurely that morning before {cv} went golfing with my uncle {S} and I went out with my mom, my aunt {M}, and my cousin {H}. Hilton Head isn't the best for real shopping, but they have a lot of fun little kitschy shops. Here's a Hipstamatic Print of the Harbour Town light in the sunshine:

On New Year's night, we had one final family dinner at Wise Guys, which felt more like we were in NYC than HHI. It was an early night since my parents had to jump on the road early the next morning for Indiana. Before we headed back to the airport, {cv} and I took one final long walk on the beach. I'll never get tired of walking beside him.

We had an easy flight up to Charlotte, another of my favorite cities, before we finally made it home on Sunday night. 

There truly is nothing like time spent with family--in a relaxing environment like we have in Hilton Head. I can see {cv} and I returning there in the years to come, with children in tow, or maybe even next New Year's ;)

Hope you enjoyed my little recap--thanks for bearing with me! Have a lovely little Saturday...I'm Boston bound to meet up with one of my bridesmaids, {kj}, but I promise to catch up on commenting before the day is out. If you haven't done so, make sure to enter my giveaway--the odds are in your favor! xoxo {av}