The Sweet Smell of Summer

This stuff. It's gonna be on heavy rotation this summer. One of my favorite smells when I'm at the beach is suntan lotion; the coconut-y goodness gets me every time. This week I started using Trader Joe's Coconut Oil instead of lotion. As soon as I get out of the shower, I just scoop a bit onto my fingers and smooth over my legs and arms. The heat of my skin from the shower causes the oil to absorb pretty quickly and evenly without using a lot. And the smell... oh the smell is yummylicious. 

If the smell isn't enough to entice you, check this out... some studies show that coconut oil mixed with neem or other essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus can deter the pesky mosquitos who kill the mood of every outdoor event. Bam! Take that blood suckers. Need further convincing? How about it's reduction of rashes after shaving? I could go on and on.

Ahhh, the sweet smell of summer has arrived and it is good. Happy Weekend Y'all! xo

Beauty Products That Deliver...

and don't break the bank. Y'all know I'm a thrifty girl. And when it comes to beauty products, thriftyness still applies. I'm sure that Creme de la Mer is amazing, but at $285 for just 2 ounces, my gag reflexes kick in and I kind of throw up a little bit. Just a little. Seriously? I don't care how profound it's "powers of transformation" are, I can't go for that. Does that mean that the other 99% of the world that isn't insanely wealthy can't have beautiful skin and look great? Mais Non!

Beauty is for everyone and can be found at every price. Here are a few of my faves...

A Good Clean Start: I should begin by telling y'all that I've had problem skin most of my life . Cystic and hormone induced acne have plagued me into my adult life. Add to that the highs and lows of trying different birth control options that only exacerbated the problem.  For years I used ProActive, but I got to a point where I just didn't want all those chemicals on my face and it stopped working after a while too. I have finally found the magic formula for my skin - In the shower, I wash with St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. It's amazing; great clean smell, exfoliates and leaves my skin feeling so clean. At night, I wash my face with Cetaphil bar soap. (Both my boys have sensitive skin so we always have plenty of this on hand.) For moisturizing, I use Target's Dual-Treatment Moisturizer (oil free) at night and Olay with SPF for my daytime routine. The Dual-Treatment moisturizer is inexpensive, hydrating and has a great new scent. I know it's strange to have separate day and nighttime routines, but it's what works for my skin.

The Foundation: I think it's easy to get wrapped up in all the hype here, but I'm not one for a lot of make-up and I don't think you need a lot to bring out your natural beauty. I recently found NYX cosmetics and whoa baby... I am in love!  They are inexpensive and provide great results. To even my skin tones and give my skin an overall glow, I've found the following products work great. NYX finishing powder "Set It & Don't Fret It". It works just as good, if not better, than Bare Minerals at half the price. If I'm going to church or out for dinner, I add L'Oreal's B.B. Cream in Light for a bit more coverage. Adding color to the cheeks completes the foundation. I use NYX blush in two different shades (because they are so dang affordable) a more neutral mauve tone for a bronzer underneath the cheekbones and a pink shade for the apples of the cheeks. Voila! A fresh natural looking face.

Eyes That Sparkle: I typically go one of two ways with my eyes - just mascara or the works. But no matter how subtle or how bold, I start both looks with NYX Concealer Wand. After two littles and countless sleepless nights, that aged me more than I care to admit, I have circles under my little windows to the soul. Dark circles. To open my eyes and give myself a restful look, this concealer does the trick. It is truly the best I have tried and I've tried loads. I also use it on any red spots around my nostrils or chin. Love it. For my liner I love a duo stick because I do a copper brown and black both. NYC has a great duet pencil for just $1.99 and it works great. Recently I found a new eyeshadow palette that I die for by Mabelline. It's called Color Plush in Copper Chic. I use the darkest shade to set my eyeliner, the copper and pinkish tones are awesome hues for the lids and the highlighter works on brow bones as well as the inside corners of the eyes. (I also use it as a cheek highlight when I want to kick it up a notch.)  Mascara is basic and straight forward - blackest black. I think Cover Girl is the best for volume, defining and zero clumps. But that's just one girl's opinion. 

*The eyes are where I splurge. Shu Umera has the best, yes, THE BEST, eyelash curler on the market. It has a rounded pad so it doesn't crimp your lashes unnaturally and it won't pull them out either!

The Cherry on Top: Lips. lips. lips. I am all over the place here. Cherry Chapstick is my number one fave, providing just the right amount of under-stated pink hue. If I want more color Revlon has a great neutral and NYX does as well. I think finding the right lipstick is like finding the right underwear... it's personal and you have to try on a lot to find the right one.

So there you have it. If I'm right, you are currently thinking, "why the heck am I gonna take make-up advice from a gal who rarely shows her face on this blog and mostly does crafts?" Answer. I have no idea. But I will say that I have loved make-up since I was 5 and have considered it my medium of choice since introduction. When I have time, I love wearing it and making friends up too. Lastly, I love a good deal. Not cheap stuff; inexpensive but good quality items. And I want to share what I find with you! xo

Beautiful Nails... In Minutes.

As the holidays quickly approach - hello Thursday! - and we rush about to get things cooked, cleaned and make ourselves presentable, the nails usually get the shaft. Well, they do for this Momma. Who has time to wait for polish to dry? Ain't nobody got time for that... I honestly think that's what keeps me from painting them most of the time - well, that and the chipping from loads of dish washing and laundry. But lately I've been so compelled to add a little color to my tips, especially after seeing these inspiring images over at A Cup of Jo...

oxblood red... i die.

How can you not paint your nails after seeing these inspiring images? Stunning right? I set out to find some polish that fit my personal criteria - inexpensive, good color and dries fast. The trifecta. Y'all, I found it. For just two bucks a bottle, NYC (New York Color) delivers. Big time.

My favorite colors for Fall and Winter are Manhattan (oxblood red - above) and Sidewalkers (grey). Park Ave is pretty amazing too. And they dry in quite literally a New York minute. I can paint my nails, type a quick email and before you know it, I'm back to saving the world one banged-up knee or challenging math problem at a time. [Mommy Problems]

Do you paint your nails? If so, what's your go to color? xo

Can I Call BS?

I'm not the best when it comes to styling hair, but I do know my way around a curler, flat iron and blow dryer. So when I see pins or blog post titles that read, "Easy Pony" or "5 Easy Weekend Hairstyles" and I can't master them to save my life... it's time to call BS. Like the style above, what about it is easy? That it's somewhat messy? That it's a ponytail versus a grand blowout or updo? Is "easy" classified as doable in just 30-45 minutes? Can someone please help me define "easy" because I'm pretty sure the only "easy" style for me these days is a hat.

via they all hate us

 via love, blair

via habotai

I think I need detachable arms, like this girl, to pull any of these off. Clearly I've got hair issues and love a good messy updo. xo

ps - i need a personal hair stylist

pps - why does my hair always look like i've gone through a wind tunnel? (fly-aways for days)

Friend & Foe

It's a mom's best friend. It can be dressy, messy, high or low. However it's styled, it looks great. It is the simplistic beauty of the ponytail. Confession - I pretty much wear my hair in a ponytail every. single. day. It's simple, easy and I don't like drying my hair. (Heat takes my hair from curls to frizz in a nano-second. Texas humidity does the same, hence the ponytail.) Anyway, because I wear the "pony" all the time, I'd like to think that I know the best holders for the job. WRONG! For years I've been using those clear little elastic rubberbands that Goody touts as "ouchless." 

I'm not quite sure how something so tiny can do so much damage, but let me assure you - they do. And the chia pet that resides at the bottom of my shower drain and in my dryer vent can attest to it. These suckers pull your hair out! For years I thought my hair just fell out really easily and I was pretty sure I'd be partially bald by 50. Then just recently I was sitting at the park chatting with another mom who watched me pull my ponytail out to redo and tighten her up. She was shocked at how much hair came with the elastic "ouchless" band. She told me they did similar damage to her hair (she's african-american so ethnicity/hair-type is not a factor here) and she stopped using them. 

Later that afternoon I was at Target buying new ponytail holders. I am now the proud owner of the fatty mcfatty slide-proof elastics by Goody. When it comes to ponytails, I no longer care about the sleek and discreet holder. It's all about keeping my hair on my head and chia pets at local drugstores! I still use the tiny little clear ones, but only for the bottom of braids.

What's your go to hairstyle? xo

illustration by the talented inslee

Weekly Challenge: Find The Perfect Lipstick

Nude. Natural. Fresh. That's what I'm looking for in a good everyday lipstick. Something that looks fresh, but also put together versus the disheveled, aging soccer mom. So, I go into the beauty stores and do "the test". You know the one... you color half your arm in a myriad of pinky hues and all you end up with is a rainbow of wrong colors. Ugh. Why does this have to be so hard? 

fresh face via joanna goddard's pinterst

I'm sure you've heard the same seasonal one liners I have - "This red looks great on all skin tones." Lie. (I have yet to find a red that looks good with my pink undertones.) "Sparkle makes you look old." Lie. (Not all shimmers are created equal in my humble opinion.) "Orange is the new red." Really? For who? "This season it's all about the bright pink lip." Hmmm.  But I don't even care about all that. I just want a good lipstick that conditions my lips and makes me look, well, un-zombie like. 

(image source unknown)

I should also mention (again) that I'm thrifty. I don't want to pay $20+ for a tube of lipstick. I mean really... Is it necessary for lipstick to cost that much? (If you think you've found a lipstick that warrants said hefty price tag, please enlighten me.) And one more teeny tiny thing, I'd like it to go with summer hair and a little date night sparkle. Dang! I'm picky huh?

I came real close to success with a color from Revlon called Just Enough Buff, but I'm worried that it is either too bare or too peachy. So now I come to you. Got any good basic go to colors? Help a disheveled zombie mom out. xo

top image via sisterwolf tumblr

Farm Livin'

 ...is the life for me? I tend to romanticize things. Some call it day-dreaming. Some just call it crazy. I call it surviving 12 hour one-way road trips while on snack, movie and entertainment duty. I can't help it. I stare out the window mile after mile counting cows and imagining what life would be like on a farm. How simple. How beautiful. How intimate. And I'm quite sure, the farms that my imagination conjures up are also miles away from reality. But, a girl can dream...

Oh, and just in case you're wondering... I'd don frocks like this...

images: floral, southwest, wellies

See? More fairytale than real life. Oh well, it passes the time on the long open road. 

Do you have an imaginary dream life? xo

Beauty Bargains

image/ text added

I feel like it would only be fair for me to start this post with a confession. I rarely wear makeup. I just don't have the time. But I do love me some pretty colors. My beauty regimen generally consists of lotion (Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin with SPF) and cherry Chapstick. So yeah, I know...I'm hardly the person to be reporting on this, but looking your best without spending a lot of cash - this I know.

Hair: I believe the best thing you can do for your hair is to wash it every other day (at the most) and let it air dry. I put just a little Frizz-ease in it to control my naturally curly hair frizzies and either put it up in a pony or set my bangs and go to bed with it damp. How do I know this is good for your hair? My stylist (whom I see 2-3 times a year) asked me how I keep my hair so healthy without seeing often for trims. When I told her I rarely if ever dry it...she said that explained it. Not only is it good for your hair, you aren't spending a lot of products!

Now, hair may very well be where I am my cheapest. Honestly. I let it grow long because I hate spending money on cuts. The bangs I trim myself between cuts. There are about a million and one youtube videos that can show you how. If you don't dare put scissors to your own head, did you know that most salons offer free bang trims between cuts? Ask your stylist if you aren't already getting this hook-up. You can also save by asking your stylist for a cut only and style it yourself at the salon. Many salons now have client styling stations and that can knockoff 10-15 bucks each time you get your lid trimmed.

Last hair tip - barter, barter, barter. If you have any unique skill/hobby like photography, sewing, decorating or crafting, ask your stylist if they would consider a barter. I rarely pay for cuts, color or teeth cleaning for that matter. Bartering is more widely accepted than you'd think.

Makeup: Drugstores and Bed, Bath and Beyond are my favorite stops for beauty products. Crazy right? While others are spending gobs of money at Sephora and department stores, I'm going to the stores that offer 2 for 1 specials on L'Oreal and Maybelline or send coupons in the mail! But just because these products don't cost a fortune doesn't mean they aren't good. Yes, I've used Stila, Benefit, Georgio Armani, Chanel and Bobby Brown, and I admit that they are a delight and last a long time. But, I've also heard that you should toss your makeup after a certain amount of time. I don't care how old my eye shadow is, if I've spent over $25, I ain't tossin' it. Ever. Just sayin'.

Some of my fave drugstore finds:

L'Oreal Fairest Nude 800 Colour Riche

maybelline expert eyewear in vanilla

BareMinerals powder (I can't skimp on my skin or I'll break out like a 13 year old)

covergirl lash exact mascara

For fun trendy colors on lips and toes, I've just recently found NYC. They're the shiz. My new favorite toe color is Lincoln Square Lavender. It's just the right does of summer pop and pastel goodness.

My secret beauty weapon??? Wait for it....Avon. Uh-huh, ding dong. Avon calling. Not only do they have great skincare and tried and true amkeup, they have a more contemporary line called Mark. that just rocks. It's fresh, has great colors and super fun products. Honestly, Avon has the absolute most densely pigmented eyecolor I've ever used. I purchased some for my wedding over 9 years ago and haven't found anything better since. Plus they have Skin So Soft mesquito repellent that doesn't smell like toxic waste. And, they'll still come to your home if you so desire. Woot.

Summer Color in a Bottle: Here's the deal, I'm an old geezer who isn't getting any younger. I need to protect my skin from the sun and reduce any sign of golf ball dimples, so I use Jergens natural Glow. Awesome color with a decent smell. And it's affordable!

So, now you hate me for wasting your time on a post that really didn't offer up much, right? But when's the last time you shopped Avon, or Walgreens for your beauty needs? Or bartered for a cut and color? All offer a big bang (pardon the pun) with little impact to your wallet. Besides, who doesn't like getting two mascaras for the price of one? Not me!

PS - if you want a good beauty trama laugh, head over to Joy's Hope! This lady makes me pee my pants. Fo' realz.

Now cough up the goods... What's your favorite beauty secret? xo

Color Crazy

Ever since Miss Jan posted about pastel hair color over on Poppytalk, I've been dreaming I had blonde hair or girls to play dress-up with. I have neither. But, I do have a dear friend with two girls and my boys have blonde hair. Uh-huh...things just got interesting. And really fun!

 (this crazy girl needed some color in her hair to match that tongue)

 (for darker hair, we used white first then followed with an intense color)

We used oil pastels because that's all we had on hand (and we were itchin' to play), but next time we'll use soft pastels or Kool-Aid, for a longer lasting effect. My youngest is sooo funny; since having color put in his hair last week, he keeps asking for new colors. No problemo...it washes out easy peasy. Dang it, I wish my hair wasn't so dark. I may just have to dye the tips. Is that too much for someone who's almost 40? Who cares?! It's Summer and I'm sure as heck not gettin' any younger! xo

Around the House: Magnolia Blossoms

Happy Monday! Last week I plucked a magnolia bud from my neighbor's tree. (Yes, I have scavaging issues.) I just couldn't leave it on the tree knowing that it would blossom at any moment and smell heavenly. I brought the bud inside and sat it in this wonderful budvase my MIL gave me years ago. The very next morning I kept smelling this amazing scent while doing dishes. I looked over at the window sill to find the above blossom. So gorgeous right? I moved it over to my antlers on the coffee table and started shooting. Then I started playing in Light Room. So fun.

I'm pretty sure one of these lovelies will have to adorn my walls very soon. xo

Pretty

***

Because sometimes there doesn't have to be a reason. It just is.

***

***

***

We don't have to have a reason to wear a tiarra. Or smile at a stranger. Or eat a piece of cake. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Negative Feelings

Yesterday I felt...

depressed
uninspired
tearful
unable to create
guilty
ugly
negative
sad
grumpy

&

just plain... yucky.

None of this is from the Lord. So today I am choosing to REDUCE those feelings and be happy. Happy in Him and His gifts. I have a choice and I choose happiness - Dang it!

***

Are you with me? xo

Weekly Challenge: Accept My Age

In my head I'm 28, but when I look in the mirror...reality slaps me in the face. I'm getting old(er) every single day. All through my twenties I heard that when you hit your 30's you become comfortable in your own skin. You know who you are and become more confident. Now that I'm in my 30's, I hear that all of that wisdom comes in your 40's. Really? I'm currently reading So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore and I am beginning to believe that this security we seek can only be found in Him and recognizing His creation as beautiful.  It's a journey and I think it may very well be a choice that I will have to make and fight for daily!

In a world of nips/tucks and loads of Photoshop (see image below) how are we suppose to look in the mirror and see those wrinkles, spots and grey hairs as signs of wisdom and beauty well earned without fighting for those positive thoughts?

***

This week, I've been thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman a lot. She was respected by many, seen and thought of as beautiful; a treasure to her husband. This was not because of her lack of wrinkles, but because of how she loved and served the Lord and her family. I long for this. I strive for this. I will attain this before I die (and hopefully a lot sooner)! I am choosing to: 

*look away from magazine covers in the checkout line.

*pray truth into my heart to fight my temptations to see myself as anything other than a beautiful creation of God.

*embrace my wrinkles - most have been earned by way of laughter anyway and that's a good thing, right?

*choose to see my adult acne as a part of my youth that is hanging on. (Can't figure out why it's the only stinkin' part that is...hello frustrating!)

*not compare myself to other women, especially those 10 years younger than me without kiddos.

*realize that after 2 babies, an addiction to sugar and not working out, my body is NOT going to look like it did 10 years ago when I look in the mirror - even if it still looks that same in my head. 

*keep my littles close to me and let them keep me young at heart. Bring on the wrestling matches, imaginative play and races to the car!

*laugh at myself and go with the flow.

Embrace your beauty ladies, whatever your age...you've earned it! xo

Happy Birthday Me!

***

I'm taking the day off today to enjoy my special day with friends and family.

***

It would bring me great joy to hear from those of you who read my blog and have never commented before. I love knowing who my readers are. It doesn't have to be much, a simple "Hi!" would rock my granny bones to the core! xo

PS - In honor of my birthday, I'd like to give all my lovely readers a little gift - 15% off your purchase at Pure and Noble etsy.  Coupon Code: GRANNY15
xo

Just Because

Last night my hubs surprised me with  a sweet card and box of chocolates - just because. So I thought I'd give you all some eye candy - just because. xo

blue

white

grey

cream

green

pink

rust

What's your most favorite things you've ever received, just because? xo