Playing Catch Up

I'm gearing up to host a pretty exciting House Party for Own Renewing skincare. Look at all the goodies I get to give away at my party on the 24th! The back row is a full-size set of 5 products in the line that one lucky person will get. I'm trying out a set right now too so that I can have some good opinions to share at the party.

Last weekend our family did some hiking with another family at a wonderful spot just an hour from our house- it's gorgeous! I am a bit concerned about how short I look, but maybe the rock Mr. Sasha is standing on is a bit higher than mine?

Yesterday P and I were working on his valentines to take to class today and all of the sudden he said, "Wait! Look what they say!" He asked me if it was OK to scratch out the message and I told him that might be a bit rude. I assured him most everyone would be eating the candy and throwing away the wrapper and not worrying about what it says. I guess third grade is when they start noticing stuff like this?

Since they have had to split our elementary school into two buildings/locations due to size, the kids have their parties on different days. Pre-K through 2nd grade was yesterday and WC was super excited. I don't know if I have mentioned it, but we had her tested for Irlen Syndrome, and just like her brother, she needs to wear the spectral filters to assist her in visual processing. She just got the glasses on Monday and is loving them so far.

I got two books in the mail on Tuesday that I am so excited to read. Sparkly Green Earrings looks great and I am looking forward to devouring it.

And Words Kids Need to Hear - oh wow! I read Chapter 1 yesterday and I had so many ah-ha moments, I can't wait to read Chapter 2 today in the pickup line at school. The Childrens Ministries girls at my church are doing this book for book club this month, and I'm looking forward to joining them. Friends, this is going to be a life-changer for me.

So what have you been up to?

GDA: Hotel Transylvania and Pitch Perfect DVDs

Yesterday the kids and I went to Target to pick up several of the movies they have on sale for $10 this week.

The kids saw Hotel Transylvania this weekend with friends and LOVED it. And I have been hoping for a good deal on Pitch Perfect since it is definitely one movie I could watch over and over. Both are included in Target's sale!

Sadly, they were out of both. 

But luckily, Amazon is offering both of these for $10 too!

Have you seen either of these?

What's Been Going On?

I cannot believe it is February! And a week in, no less! I feel like I have so many things to share!

P has recently discovered Swamp People (Mr. Sasha and I have been watching for quite some time) and he is obsessed with it. Last night I noticed that Liz was wearing a Frontier City cap and couldn't believe it, since Frontier City is located in OKC!

And I am recycling (eating) way too many Girl Scout cookies boxes right now. This is seriously a problem. Maybe I shouldn't be Cookie Mom next year for WC's troop? I just have such good access! It did look like I was running a drug operation on Tuesday night as lots of cars were stopping by to exchange money for product....... And yes, the Special K Raspberry Cheesecake bars are YUM, but maybe it's not such a good idea to chase them with Savannah Smiles?

But at least I am doing Turbo Fire to burn some calories! This program is a blast- I LOVE it and the workouts are FUN. Now, I am just on Week 2, but I love it as much as a Week 2 person can love it. Ask me again later I suppose.

And hold on to your hat, but I've been leading some women's studies at my church! Before the holidays hit, I felt led to order two of Lysa TerKeurst's studies, Made to Crave and Unglued, and she is my new hero. Amazing. A small group of us from my Sunday school class did Made to Crave before Christmas, and we started Unglued in January and put it in the church bulletin and we had 16 people the first night! I couldn't believe it. It's been a great group and I look forward to my "girl time" every Wednesday night.

Now, even if you aren't part of one of the bible studies, Lysa has written fabulous chapter books that these studies are based on, and they are GREAT reads. I've read both to go along with the study and I can honestly say I feel changed.

(Photo from Mix and Match Mama)

Next week is a work dessert contest and I found a fabulous recipe to try from Bachelor Sean's sister! She posted a recipe for Cinnamon S'mores Cupcakes and they look delicious and I can't stop thinking about them (except I guess when I am eating a Girl Scout cookie). So I'm going to try them and hope for a win!

I'd love to hear what you've been up to!

Chuao Chocolatier Sweepstakes

My friends at Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW) are giving away a year’s supply of gourmet chocolate treats to one lucky winner and many other crave-worthy prizes every week. We have discussed Chuao before- I think their products are simply divine. Since I knew I already loved them, I was excited to get a Chuao bar in my Birchbox a few months ago!

The sweepstakes is called the “For the Love of Chocolate” because, at Chuao, they believe everyone should be able to enjoy handcrafted, all-natural decadence. 

To enter, you simply need like Chuao’s Facebook page where you can then enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the year of free chocolate. Entries will be accepted from January 21 to February 28.

One winner will be selected each week during the Sweepstakes to receive a set of three of Chuao’s favorite chocolate bars, and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a year’s supply of Chuao chocolates (sent in four shipments- one for each season of 2013).

Good luck!

Beauty Chat

My obsession with beauty products is continuing to grow! Have you watched any "beauty gurus" on youtube? I have a few favorite to share with you. 

My first is a recent discovery- Stephanie and Laura from A Brunette Duet. They are absolutely darling and have great reviews and tutorials. I have watched all of their vids and they are fabulous.

I've been watching Stephanie and Tracy from Eleventh Gorgeous for quite a while. They are sisters and I love their vids too. A must watch.

And in other beauty news, last month I subscribed to Ipsy because I saw several unboxing vids on youtube and was pretty impressed. I've been a Birchbox subscriber for a bit, and I'm actually considering dropping this subscription because I'm not that excited by what they have been including in their boxes, which run $10 a month.

But Ipsy! Wow! I absolutely think their $10 subscription price is worth it. Here's what I got in my January bag.

What monthly beauty subscriptions do you subscribe to?

Disclsoure: This post does NOT contain referral links- the Ipsy link is NOT a referral link.

Niagara Ball

Last week P's school had an Inaugural Ball, which he kept referring to as the Niagara Ball.  Too funny... it IS hard to say.

It was technically for grades 3 and up, but since WC was P's family member, she was invited too. I snapped this pic of the kiddos dressed up before we left for the ball. They looked so cute!

They had a fabulous DJ, and the kids at this age totally love to dance, so they were tearing up that dance floor. And also, at this age, they must be used to their parents snapping pictures of their every move, because there were about 50 parents lined up around the dance floor taking pics with their iphones and the kids didn't mind a bit. I assume that will change as they get older, but it was cute that they didn't mind and were even posing.

Happy Belated Birthday to WC!

On Saturday we celebrated WC's 7th birthday at a gymnastics party with her buddies. This was our first all-girls party and they had such a great time! (The only boy in attendance was P, who was pretty excited for the girls to chase him around.)

Her actual birthday is January 3, and we just didn't get our act together and get a party scheduled before the holidays happened, and parties in January were filling up quickly and January 26 was the earliest we could get. I think she was a bit disappointed at first, but we did have a family party at our house on the 3rd, and she also got to take cupcakes to school to celebrate there. And I think the idea of stretching out the celebration and getting to have another party later in the month quickly became a fun prospect.

A gymnastics party was a perfect choice since she just starting taking class and is enjoying it so much. Although team sports like soccer just didn't seem to be a good fit for her, an individual sport like gymnastics is working out great. I am so glad we have found the activity that holds her interest!

Concert: Every night!

WC got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and since she's a music lover like me, it's pretty much always playing something fun and catchy.

And so we're getting treated to a "concert" just about every night. She's drawn herself a little piano and has placed it on a Playdoh desk so she can slide her legs under it. She's also created a microphone using some blue sticky stuff and two crayons. The sparkly hat she got for her birthday is also ever-present.

She also has some carefully planned lighting cues (Mom, when I point at you, turn the lights on!) and lots and lots of dancing.

And I love it!

But we do have to limit the concert lengths because they can go on forever...... we're talking full-length Taylor Swift Fearless tour length, if we let her.

Fun Giveaway at Manicure Mommas!

I have some fun brand-new makeup items I'm giving away at my nail blog! I would love it if you'd stop by and enter!

Frito Chili Pie

Last night my husband made one of my most favorite things ever.... Frito Chili Pie.

Basically, it's Fritos on the bottom, chili poured over it (no beans!), then topped with shredded cheese and of course yellow mustard. The mustard is what makes it so good... I even added more after I took this pic because I didn't think he gave me enough!

I do think this is a regional thing and am not sure everyone eats this, so I'd love to hear from you. Have you had it? Do you eat it like we do?

Review and GDA: Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation and Powder

Oh how I love new drugstore beauty products!

I recently saw an advertisement for Revlon's new Nearly Naked line and was very interested in trying it.

UNDETECTABLE COVERAGE. UNBELIEVABLE COMPLEXION.
Makeup so refreshingly light it melts right in, creating a fresh, even look.Pressed powder blends seamlessly with a lightweight feel.

So last week I purchased both the powder and the foundation to try. I decided on Shell for the foundation since that's what shade I wear in Revlon's PhotoReady line, and I chose Fair for the powder.

And I really like it! The foundation is very thin and blends in so well. It's more coverage than you get from a tinted moisturizer, but it's definitely not a full-coverage foundation. I have tried both a damp foundation brush and a damp beauty blender, and with both I get nice sheer coverage that evens out my complexion wonderfully.

Topped with the pressed powder, I found that I did not need to touch up at all during the day. The powder comes with a very small spongy applicator, but I used a powder brush with it to set my foundation.

Of course, after I purchased both products for full price at $10 last week, CVS is offering a great sale this week. (This always happens to me, I just can't wait for sales sometimes!)

The Nearly Naked products are on sale for $6.99 this week, and you'll get $2 back in ExtraCare Bucks for each product you purchase (up to 6 items). That brings the net price to $5 which is a bargain for such good products.

So if you happen to be looking for new face products to try, I'd definitely recommend giving these a try if you like a lighter-coverage product.

Review: COVERGIRL blastflipstick

We all know I have too many lippies. I even made a resolution in 2011 to purchase no lippies that year. (Shhh.... of course I did *not* keep that resolution.)

So when there is an opportunity to try out a new lip product...... I'm absolutely first in line.

BzzAgent invited me to join a campaign for COVERGIRL's blastflipstick. In my kit, they sent three shades for me to try.

The dual-sided stick features a creamy color on one end and a shimmery shade on the other.

Here are the shades I received, swatched separately on the outside of the pic. The middle swatch in each pic is the lighter shade applied on top of the darker shade.

stunner 

vixen

minx

These are so fun! And guys, they are long-wearing. Very long-wearing. I didn't find them to be drying at all- in fact, they are very creamy yet they don't run into the lines around my lips.

These retail for around $8.50.

Online at covergirl.com and facebook.com/covergirl— visit the sites to see the shades, get tips on top lip looks and learn more.

Merry Christmas!

Review: Eukanuba

Last month BzzAgent invited me to join their Eukanuba with 3D DentaDefense^™ dog food campaign, and I was so excited because we were just about out of the bag of Beneful food that Bella has been eating on for quite some time and was just about to head to the store to buy a new bag of food anyway.

BzzAgent acutally provided me with a coupon for a free 20 pound bag so the kids and I headed to Petco to use it. We chose the Adult Small Breed Petite Race since Miss Bella is a 10 pound Shih Tzu (or something like that- we really don't know).

I have to admit that I have done much in the way of dental care for Bella. We do take her to the vet for her yearly check-ups and shots, but other than that, I haven't done anything specific for her teeth. (hides) I feel really bad about that now because when I read the info BzzAgent sent to me, I found out that tartar build-up is the most common health problem among dogs, with 8 out of 10 pups developing serious dental health issues by the age of three.

Did you know your dog may have dental health issues you can't see? In fact, 85% of dogs have serious tartar build up by the age of three. Plaque and tartar are often invisible to the naked eye, but with Eukanuba's help, you don't have to play pet detective to have a healthy, happyand smiling pooch.

Recommended by vets, Eukanuba with 3D DentaDefense^™ keeps your dog in top condition from tooth to tail. Ensure your canine's canines are healthy — feed your pup the only leading brand that provides complete nutrition and superior tartar protection in every adult and senior diet.

 So I was very excited to see the dental benefits included with this food.

And Bella was very interested too.

So I poured her a bowl, mixing it together with her current food as they suggested we do to help her transition to the new food.

And she must have liked it, much more than the Beneful, because she ate every last morsel of the Eukanuba and left the Beneful behind!

I am very impressed and so glad BzzAgent introducted me to this dog food- and judging by how quickly Bella has been emptying her bowl at mealtime, I think my dog is too!

We Got Candy Caned!

I know it's a bit hard to see because this was an early-morning cell shot, but our family got Candy Caned! It was so cute!

The high school pom squad is using this as a fundraiser and I think it's a fabulous idea.

Once you get caned, you have three options:

1. Pay $15 to get the canes removed.

2. Pay $20 to get the canes removed and sent to a friend.

3. Pay $25 to get the canes removed and sent to a friend, as well as "insurance" that your home won't be caned again.

We chose option 3 and sent the canes to Mr. Sasha's sister!

Do they do this in your town? My drill team would have had so much fun with this!

Today

Today I had tears in my eyes when I shook the hand of the uniformed police officer stationed outside the door to my son's elementary school. I simply thanked him for his service but there was so much more I wanted to say.

I am not well-spoken nor am I an author. In fact, expressing myself in the written word is not a strength.

So I send you to read an essay that says everything I wish I could say.

What Six Looks Like

I happen to know the author and had the privilege to work with her on a non-profit board for a few years. I often park next to her at school pick-up. Jennifer is a wonderful mom and her piece is touching. So go.

Starbucks at Home

It's finally cold here! Last week you could drive around our neighborhood and see people putting their Christmas lights up in shorts and tshirts. So crazy!

When it gets cold, I crave hot drinks. I ran across Starbucks Salter Caramel Hot Cocoa at Walmart last week and picked some up after seeing the weather forecast.

I am SO glad I did! This box of 8 packets was just $6 and oh-so-worth it! I made mine with skim milk and it was delightful.

Have you tried this?

Dry Skin and Static-y Hair

We have "weird" skin in our family. Our derm even said so. 

Poor P- this time of year the tops of his hands and wrists get so red and almost raw, and almost any product we've tried stings. Even Cetaphil and Lubriderm.

In desperation, I pulled out a product from First Aid Beauty that I'd purchased in a value kit at Sephora- Ultra Repair Cream. 

It's a MIRACLE. It almost instantly soothes the skin, sinks in well and doesn't leave a greasy residue, and doesn't sting. It's a big pricey at $28, but the jar is huge (6 oz) and we use so little at a time, this should last us all winter and beyond. The kit I purchased included a large tube of their Face Cleanser and their Facial Radiance Pads and was a fabulous deal. The current kit includes a few different products and looks to be a great value as well.

Another problem that comes up this time of year is static in my hair- I've got baby-fine hair and if I even think about using a volumizing shampoo or conditioner, my hair absolutely stands on end. But I remembered using a product last year when we added some brown back into my hair that totally solved the static problem for me- L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. These run about $5-6 each at Target or Walmart, and you can often find coupons for $2-3 off in the Sunday paper.

I do have hair that can get oily, so I was nervous about using a moisturizing product, but these are perfect- they leave my hair so manageable and shiny and NO STATIC. I'm sold!

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.... all products discussed were purchased by me and neither company knows who I am!

Aca-awesome!

On Saturday I went with my mom and aunt to see Pitch Perfect, and it was aca-awesome! We all LOVED it and I rushed home and downloaded the soundtrack.

If I had one magic wish, it would be for a singing voice. So sad that that's not my super-power.




There's some language, sexual references, and two gross-out humor scenes that warrant the PG-13 rating, but I wasn't too embarrassed and I was sitting by my mom!

Rebel Wilson is a comedic genius and I have to think that some of her lines were ad libbed.

Oh, and Elizabeth Banks..... she is divine as well as an a capella competition commentator. "Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy." 

So if you haven't seen it.... I totally think you should- it's aca-awesome!

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose, except that my mama paid for my ticket!

Review: Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

I recently signed up with Influenster and was excited to get my first product to try- Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips. Discolored teeth have always been a bit of an issue for me- maybe that's because I'm a Coke drinker? I have bleached my teeth several times using the bleaching syringes and trays from the dentist and have been pleased with the results.

Since it had been a while since I had bleached my teeth, I was excited to get started with the Whitestrips. The box comes with 20 treatments, each individual package including a separate strip for your upper and lower teeth. I found them easy to remove from the package and pretty easy to apply- a few times my lower lip got in the way and an edge of a strip would stick to my lip, but was easy to remove without a problem.

Those suckers certainly stayed put! After I was done with each 30 minute treatment, which I did in the evenings, I use a Kleenex to help me pull them off. I did find that the treatments left my teeth a bit sensitive, which I remember is very common from when I bleached with trays. I found that if I waited a day in between treatment, the sensitivity was gone by the time I started my next treatment.

I'm halfway through my box and can already see a difference. I am so glad I got to try this product and will certainly be purchasing it myself a few times a year to freshen up my smile. 

Have you tried Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips?