5 Things Every Woman Needs - Vilma Iris | Lifestyle Blogger

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

5 Things Every Woman Needs
By Kendall Ryan

5 Things Every Woman Needs

My new book BABY DADDY comes out tomorrow! This is a romantic comedy about a woman who longs to be a mom, and then fate steps in (literally… in a black suit and tie, in fact) and gave her a baby daddy she couldn’t resist. This all got me thinking about the crazy, often-chaotic life we women and moms often lead. So to celebrate my release (and you!), I’m sharing a sneak peek at the novel, an opportunity to win a bunch of goodies (see below), and my take on five things every girl needs….

❮ PRE-ORDER: Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble ❯


A good face cream

I’ve tried sooo many. A good option that works well on so many skin types is KIEHL’S ULTRA FACE CREAM.

Lip color

I LOVE SMASHBOX ALWAYS ON MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK. My favorite color got discontinued (and I’m still bitter) but I love a BRIGHT color like Bang Bang or Baja Bound. There’s just something about a bright pop of color that lifts your mood, it’s great for date-night, or just whenever!

Epsom salts

A nice bubble bath is such a good way to unwind at the end of a long day. I’ll be honest, I usually buy the DR. TEALS EPSON SALTS from Target that are like $4 — and they’re amazing! I love the lavender, but for the sake of the giveaway, I’d like to treat the winner to something fancier, and the SLEEP SALTS 100% ORGANIC LAVENDER BATH SALTS fit the bill nicely. I think you’ll love them.

A treat

I love chocolate and like to have a little square almost every night. I like LILY’S DARK CHOCOLATE WITH SEA SALT, or the CHOCOLATE ALMOND. It has fewer calories than a regular chocolate bar and isn’t sweetened with sugar, so it’s a good alternative.

 

Target

Since my favorite place is Target, it’s my happy place. Really!! I’m including a $25 gift card to Target. My hope is that you can find a little something that is just for you. Because you deserve it!!!

  • Excerpt from Baby Daddy

    I open the door and gesture him inside. “Thanks for coming.”

    “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.” He pulls me in for a brief hug, and instantly, I feel a little calmer. “Are you nervous?”

    I chew on my lip and nod. “It should only take a few minutes until I know one way or the other.”

    “I’ll be right here.” He perches on a bar stool in the kitchen with an attentive expression.

    I’m grateful for his presence, which seems to ground me. “Wish me luck.” I press a kiss to his cheek and head toward the bathroom.

    I reread the instructions for the fifth time just to make sure I don’t mess this up. Okay . . . pee in a cup, dip the test’s tip for five seconds, remove it, wait three minutes. That’s easy. I can totally do this.

    After following the instructions, I set the test on the bathroom counter and remind myself to breathe. The seconds tick past at a glacial rate, but finally, something starts to happen. With maddening slowness, one pink line appears . . . then two!

    “Holy shit,” I say out loud.

    “What?” Emmett calls, his voice muffled through the door.

    He sure didn’t stay sitting for long, but if he feels even half as keyed-up as I do, I can’t blame him.

    “Hold on.” I rip open the other two boxes and use them too.

    “Hey, what’s going on in there? The suspense is killing me.”

    “Just one more minute.” I can barely contain myself as I wait for the tests to turn out. Was the first result a mistake, a fluke?

    But no . . . the other two show double lines too. I fling open the bathroom door, spot Emmett, and throw my arms around his neck in glee.

    “I’m knocked up!”

    His face lights up. “Really? You’re pregnant?”

    I nod, grinning so hard my cheeks ache. “All three tests were positive.” Then I squeal when he sweeps me into his arms with a sound of joy and twirls me around. We pepper each other with kisses, ecstatically bear-hugging, laughing in sheer excitement.

    He sighs, looking into my eyes with tender pride. “We actually did it. How do you feel?”

    “We did.” I plant a firm kiss on his lips, tears brimming in my eyes. “And I feel . . . incredible.”

    When my stomach ruins the moment with a gurgle, he chuckles. “What about hungry?”

    I laugh. “I’m not eating for two yet.”

    “I asked about you, not the baby,” he says. “I worry about you sometimes. Knowing your workaholic tendencies, I’m guessing you haven’t eaten dinner yet.”

    “You calling me a workaholic? Do I even have to say pot, kettle, black?” I poke the tip of my tongue out at him. “But . . . you got me there. No, I haven’t. I came straight home from work to take these tests.”

    We order a Chinese-food feast and spread our army of paper boxes over the little dining table in my kitchen. As we dig in, silence falls . . . and with it creeps a slow melancholy that tempers the joy of my success.

    Now what? The question nudges insistently. But how will he answer if I ask? Emmett promised me he didn’t want any part in raising a child and said he’ll happily get out of my way once I’m pregnant.

    Hell, at the beginning, that’s exactly what I asked him to do. We were once on the same page, but since then my feelings have drifted so far. I still don’t know if I can handle a serious relationship . . . yet at the same time, now that I’m about to lose him, I realize just how desperately I wish otherwise.

    I try to push away my unspoken, unspeakable doubts and make small talk. But it’s halfhearted, and Emmett answers in monosyllables, clearly preoccupied. Eventually, I give up and we eat our chicken chow mein in silence.

    When the takeout boxes are empty, I crack open my fortune cookie. “Enjoy the good luck a companion brings you,” I read aloud. “That’s accurate. You’ve definitely brought me luck.”

    He gives me a half smile that seems oddly tense. “Glad to hear it.”

    “What did you get?”

    He opens his cookie and frowns at the tiny paper slip. “‘A dream you have will come true.’ Well, that’s vague as hell.”

    Then, looking away from me, he says, “It’s getting late. I guess I should get out of your hair.”

    What can I say except, “All right?”

  • About Baby Daddy

    We met in a trapped elevator. Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie. I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right? At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen. After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way. But once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

  • Giveaway

    Enter to win an epic, treat-yourself prize pack including:

    • A green tea eye mask
    • OPI nail color
    • Kiehl’s face cream
    • Bath salts
    • Target gift card
    • More surprise goodies!

    To enter, share this post on any social media channel (each post is one entry), and come back and comment below with where you shared. Use the hashtag #BabyDaddy and feel free to tag me (Kendall) and Vilma!

  • About Kendall Ryan

    A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 2 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine. She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.

Follow Kendall Ryan:

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

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19 Comments:


  1. Brittany Topping said:

    Love this post!!! Makes me want to run to target now. ❤️
    Baby Daddy was such a great read!! Shared on my blog A Beautiful Book Obsession. Thanks for the chance! ?

    Reply

  2. Kim Perry said:

    Shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  3. Jillian M said:

    Thanks for the chance. I can’t wait to read this it looks really good. I shared on Twitter @jillmun

    Reply

    1. Jillian M said:

      Oops @spillbyjill

      Reply

  4. Emily Buckmaster said:

    I posted on Twitter. I am looking forward to reading Baby Daddy! Thank you so much for such a fantastic giveaway. Best wishes to you on your new book!

    Reply

  5. Holly A. said:

    Shared on Facebook ? thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  6. Elise said:

    Shared with worldwide settings on my FB page. Congratulations and I’m looking forward to reading!

    Reply

  7. Jessica wade said:

    I shared on Facebook. #babydaddy

    Reply

  8. Susana said:

    I shared it in my personal facebook page and also in group page.

    Reply

  9. scheffe said:

    I have two sons. One born 1985 and a total workaholic. He was born into less good financial circumstances. The older one has had a different life with less financial constraints. He is very individualistic.

    Reply

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