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.