Summer (Makeup) Lovin'....

 I always thought my summer routine was some-what simple until I started taking pictures of ALL my favorite summer products...

Always a best seller - Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler.

NOT shown is my MAC lipliner (limited editions) Shore Leave, and lipglass

Blessedly Rich (I wish!). Also Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash. 

I love Chanel eye shadow! Its expensive.....but whenever I try to be "cheap" and try another brand I am always disappointed and end up going right back to Chanel.

Winter Nights is one of my alltime favorite quads (however, I JUST found out its now retired - apparently Bella wore this quad for her wedding to Edward in Eclipse.)

My favorite mascara is Maybelline One by One Volum' Express in Blackest Black. 

MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation is a longwear, oil control foundation (color NW30). A must have for (oily skin in the) summer!

MAC Mineralize Concealer (color NC30). Very hydrating, great for under your eyes!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance keeps your eyeshadow and liner in place all day. I have a friend who wears it in the summer (without eye makeup) to keep her eyelids from looking "oily."

Blush is MAC (limited edition) Fleet Fast. A great Peachy color! 

MAC bronzer in Refined Gold. Love the subtle sparkle. 

Chanel Eyeliner in Black Jade. A great black khol liner with a hint of green. I swear by this liner!

For my top lash line I like more of a liquid look - Bare Minerals Bon Bon (this may be retired as well, I purchased mine off of ebay) with i.d. Weather Everything Line Sealer. Its the perfect color match to the Chanel Black Jade eyeliner. 

For more formal occasions I like to use Ardell Fashion Lashes #116 in black.   

Finished Product!

"Long Time, No See"

 LOOOOOOONG Time NO SEE!

I've apparently taken the summer off of blogging....We have had several BIG summer trips, along with Ashlyn's summer camp(s)/activities.....

But.....(que Arnold's voice) "I'm BACK!!!"

 Laundry done, house cleaned, Rob back to work, no more summer trips, (still have to chauffeur Ash around tho- but LOVE being a "soccer mom"), and excited to say I got July's (CAN YOU BELIEVE ITS ALREADY JULY) Birchbox ($10/mo sample subscription)!!!

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer- Shimmery Mineral Powder. I love anything shimmering and its a great color. I typically use a bronzer as a blush, so works great for me.

Blinc Mascara- I'll admit to being a mascara snob.....I LOVE the look of long, full, flake-free lashes, so I have my favorites (in my blog tomorrow I'll be detailing my summer makeup along with my (current) fav mascara).

Harvey Prince "Hello" Perfume- LOVE!!!! Perfect blend of lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria. Ashlyn actually has "stolen" this from me.

Klorene- Shampoo sample for blondes. I gave this to Ashlyn because she is a (natural) platinum blonde, who's hair turns very green with chorine. She gives it 2 thumbs up.

Larabar- A healthy snack bar packed with dried nuts and fruits. Quite yummy!!

Earbuds- Neon earbuds!!! I've put these in my makeup bag because Ashlyn is always needing earbuds (restuarants, car, etc to use on my iphone or ipad).

TOMORROW I will be posting my favorite summer makeup!!

Ashlyn (my daughter) and I are two peas in a pod.

 Of course there are times she drives me absolutely crazy, for example when she decides to play dress up in my closet, throwing my clothes all over the floor and leaving my heels strung throughout the house (which incidently happened earlier today).

But there are other times where I am completely lost without her. When she's at school I wonder around aimlessly, not knowing what to do with myself (although I'm usually shopping while wondering around aimlessly).

Thats one of the reasons why I love summer break! Ash and I get to spend lots and lots of time together....which is probably why she was hiding in my closet from me today.... 

AND one of my favorite things to do with my best gal pal is to go get our nails "did." Today we tried a new place (bc our regular nail chic is on vaca this week).

our manis-mine fake, her's real

our pedis

Love spending time with my Ash!! She's growing up so fast....

**We had a great nail experience at Pro Nails on Maiden Lane**



I have been such a LAZY blogger this last month!!! I am so glad that I received my June's Birchbox yesterday to inspire today's blog.....

This month's theme was "Jet Set." Which is perfect since I've been on my own little blogging vaca lately!

*beautyblender- beauty utensil cleaner

*Comedynes- self tanner towelettes

*Number 4- leave in detangler and conditioner

*theBalm- two in one lip and cheek stain

*tili- perfectly sized decorative zip lock bag for getting through airport security

*John Varvatos- men's fragrance in honor of Father's day

For those of you who have never heard of Birchbox, it is a fabulous beauty website full of the best products and make up tips. You can subscribe for $10/month and receive a box every month full of deluxe beauty samples. There is also a Men's Birchbox subscription for $20/month that would be fun for the guy who likes his products too.



Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Incredible Moms out there! Our job is one of the hardest and most important.

My beautiful daughter, Ashlyn Faith, went to Sophie, armed with Daddy's credit card, last week and surprised me with these goodies this morning....

Thank you baby girl! You are my world, and I love being your mommy! Your innate goodness and beauty inspires me to be a better person, mother, teacher, friend, and wife every day. I cannot imagine my life without you, and can't wait to see all the amazing things you do as you grow. I know for certain that you are going to make this world a better place.

High Five For Friday!

Here are my 5 top things of the week...

1. Tuesday Ash and I had an awesome dinner date, with our neighbor and friends, the Lett girls.
1/2 off pizza at Gusanos (my favorite is a Veggie Salad with the Herbivore Delight Traditional Pizza and Ash's the Cheese Traditional Pizza).
The weather was so beautiful that we ate outside on the patio.
Afterwards Ash walked three store fronts down to Sophie on her own (well, with her friend) and did some Mother's Day Shopping (calling daddy in Dallas to pay for it over the phone).
We then came home and watched (the first) Harry Potter movie in the basement theatre.
* Can't wait to see what she got for me for Mother's Day! She is growing up WAY to fast!!!

2. I only (subbed) taught one day this week, so was able to catch up on all my favorite dvr'd shows...........in a successful atempt to avoid working out.
Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo
Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo
The Killing on TMC
The New Girl on Fox
Grey's Anatomy on ABC
Law and Order SVU on NBC
Grimm on NBC
GCB on ABC
These are the only shows I watch/record to attempt to watch.
I also LOVE Sister Wives on TLC. Season premier tomorrow night!!
*I really need to download the 1st season of The B in Apartment 23 on ABC. I've heard GREAT things and dying to see!!


3. Read several novels.....
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- a dystopian novel (I believe written in 1985- I would've been 7 at the time). People are living longer, but the population is decreasing. Handmaids are (chosen) to help procreate while increasing the population, when the wives cannot. I found it very interesting, very confusing, and very disturbing.
I'm still very wierded out.......
I have downloaded on my kindle if anyone is interested in me loaning to them.

Fever (2nd in the Chemical Garden Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano- another dystopian novel. I read the first in this series, Wither, last month, and my OCD won't allow me to stop a series once I start.
Scientist have perfected the human race, but their offspring are dying, Girls at 20 and Boys at 25 of a viras. So (rich) men are kidnapping women to marry (in polygamy) to produce as many children they can before they die, in hopes of discovering a cure.
In this second novel, the main character has escaped, been captured by a crazy carni madam, is traveling with her "lover" that she never seems to make "love" to (I guess it IS a young adult novel), tracked down by her crazy "husband's" (genetics doctor) father, and experimented on.
I highly recommend. ;>)
I also have this on my kindle if anyone is interested in me loaning to them.

Right now I'm in he middle of Born to Be Brad: My Life and Stye So Far by Brad Goreski- Autobiography. Stylist who used to work with Rachel Zoe, and has his own show on Bravo.
So far this book is inspirational, witty, poignant, and laugh out loud hilarious. He shares stories of his childhood in a small town in Canada, coming "out," drug abuse, strong women influences, finding love, and making his own way in LA. In side bars he offers his grandmother's recipes, fashion tips, and iconic (fashion) movie reviews. So far my all time favorite!
Also on my kindle if anyone is interested in me loaning to them.

4. Bought this Fabulous dress at Sophie on Tuesday, and wore to school meeting last night.

5. Just figured out how to put false lashes on!!! My favorites so far are Ardell (Natural) Lashes #116. Approximately $5 at Ulta. 

Thinking about posting a tutorial on my blog. What do you think???

Linking up with http://www.frommygreydeskblog.com/ for my high five top five.

Nail Art

Being incredibly cheap and lazy last weekend, I decided to do my own nails (instead of going to get a "fill"). ANDDDDDD (surprise, surprise) all week I have been repeatedly asked about my nails.....

I used Sally Hansen "Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips" from Target, paying less than $10. The name of  this particular set is Love Letter.

They are super easy to apply yourself (including on artificial nails, like I have). You file the nail's surface with the mini file the set comes with, find the correct sticker size for your nail, place adhesive side down on the nail, smooth onto service, and file off the excess at the end of your nail. Easy-Peasy!!  I put them on Saturday, and they are still looking great in this picture I took today.

To remove just use nail polish remover.

I just saw at Ulta the other day that Sally Hansen is now making them for toe nails too!!!!