The Color Run

This weekend I participated in The Color Run in Tulsa, and it was an absolute BLAST! If they happen to come to your area, I would totally recommend doing it. And note- you DO NOT have to be a runner.... this is not a timed event- there are no chips, no official time, and a LOT of walkers. Our group actually walked most of it, but did do some jogging from time to time.

Here we are before, all nice and clean and WHITE! (I picked up my white T at Walmart and a few of the girls just wore mens white tank tops.)

And after- oh so colorful! 

After a much-needed shower, we headed to Dilly Deli and celebrated with lunch. This cinnamon roll was our appetizer..... yum!

That evening we ate at Los Cabos on their patio and it was WONDERFUL. I had the Green Chili Burrito and it was heaven.

It was a great Girls Weekend, and we've decided we need monthly Craft Nights to have a reason to make sure we get together again.

Some tips for the color run:

• If you happen to live in a state with hot weather on the day of the run, know that sweating will cause the color to stain your skin. The underside of my upper left arm is still a bit blue!
• Plan on waiting for a while at the starting line. I'm not sure whether I think it would be good to get there super-early or on-time like we did- I think we would have been waiting an hour either way.
• There's only one water stop at the halfway point, so if you think you will need more water than that, take a bottle with you.
• Wear sunglasses to keep the powder out of your eyes. We also saw some people with bandanas they would pull up around their nose/mouth at the color stations. If you think it will bother you, I think a bandana is a great idea.
• We wore hats, and I think it was a fabulous idea (Thanks D!) and kept our hair from getting too much color in it. My friend A read that it may stain bleached hair, so keep that in mind if you highlight.
• The only thing I had to throw away was my shirt.... we wore black shorts and sports bras so they wouldn't get stained. My socks have a bit of orange on them, but I won't mind using them for running.
• And shoes..... although I'd suggest wearing some you don't mind getting stained, all the color actually came out of mine.
• Blue seems to stain the worst, so you might avoid blue if you are worried about staining. They do the color-throwing/spraying at the edges of each color station, so you can stay in the middle as you go through it if you don't want to get hit with it.
• Take baggies to put your phones in and a trash bag to put your race clothes in if you are out-of-town.

Overall, we had a GREAT time! Have you done a color run?

Confessional Friday 6-22-12

Today I'm linking up with Leslie at A Blonde Ambition for Confessional Friday.

1. I confess that I sometimes watch Good Luck Charlie.... after the kids have gone to bed.

2. I confess that I have so many new shades of nail polish, I want to re-paint them every night.

3. I confess that I have had a Sonic Diet Limeade with Strawberry almost every day this week. Getting ready to head that way for today's.

4. I confess that I am obsessed with The Hunger Games... so much that now that I've read all three books, I've moved on to the audiobooks and am listening to them every chance I get. What's that honey? Didn't hear you, I'm listening to my iPod as I walk around the house......

5. I confess that I did not watch a single NBA game all season, even though my facebook has been taken over by basketball fans. We're knee-deep in P's end of season baseball tournament this week, so that my current obsession.

6. I confess to cutting my getting-ready routine short this summer.... and letting my hair air-dry rather than straighten and curl it. It is saving me so much time and giving me the chance to go to Boot Camp 2 mornings a week, which I LOVE!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I am off for a much-needed girls weekend!

Le Sickie

Poor Bella has been feeling like this. Mr. Sasha was calling her "Snots" and it turned out she had The Kennel Cough.

So of course meds were required, and I'm by nature a cat person and in my experience giving meds to cats is sort of like a greased pig contest- lots of  "Almost!". But not quite.

Have you tried to give a pill to a cat? They eat so damn daintily, that just when you think you've got it perfectly hidden in some sort of food and you're golden, you come back in the room to find they've eaten all the surrounding food and left you a tiny little present in their food bowl- the untouched pill.

But my vet told me about Greenies, the pill pocket that masquerades itself as a treat. Best invention ever. 9 pills down, 1 to go.

Disclosure: Note that I did pay for the dog and her meds and the weekend boarding that got her the damn Kennel Cough, as well as the Greenies. Got them at PetsMart.

Gushing Love for Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Pardon me while I simply GUSH. Revlon's new Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is hands down the best lippie I've ever tried.

Here's why I love them and haven't worn any other lip products since I purchased these about two weeks ago:

• They don't bleed! Amazing for such a highly-pigmented glossy formula.
• When the gloss wears off, you are left with a stain that actually lasts.
• They feel amazing and are very moisturizing.
• They twist up and don't require sharpening.
• The price- at about $9 they are a great deal to start, but during the month of June Walgreens has them BOGO half off which makes them about $6.75 each- AMAZING deal.

Swatches

005 Crush on top

030 Smitten on bottom

Crush

Smitten

In April I raved about Revlon Lip Butters, but the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains have taken over the top spot on my Lippie Love List.

I need to also mention that I have seen people compare these to Tarte's LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain, and folks, these are so so so much better than those $24 puppies! I've tried two shades of the Tarte product, and both bled into the fine lines around my lips, and left behind no stain when the gloss wore off.

Let me know if you pick up a Balm Stain and what shade you get!

Neutrogena Cosmetics Review

Last month Bzz Agent sent me some fabulous Neutrogena Cosmetics products to try. Although I have tried some of their products before, and love their sunscreen, I had not tried the Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner or the Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm. (And don't we all want to look like Jennifer Garner?)

Eyeliner in Cosmic Black

Lip Balm in Sunny Berry, Petal Glow, and Healthy Blush

     Neutrogena^® Nourishing Eyeliner

• Built-in sharpener and smudger create your perfect look, from precise definition to smoky effect
• Glides on smooth and wears all day; won't smudge or fade
• Dermatologist & ophthalmologist tested
• 4 shades: Cosmic Black, Brushed Pewter, Spiced Chocolate, Twilight Blue
• Retail price $7.99

Neutrogena^® Revitalizing Lip Balm

• Sheer, silky formula gives a hint of color
• Exclusive ion2complex™ instantly moisturizes lips
• SPF 20
• 6 shades: Sheer Shimmer, Healthy Blush, Sunny Berry, Petal Glow, Soft Caramel, Fresh Plum
• Retail price $8.99

The eyeliner is so so so smooth and easy to apply and lasted all day. And I LOVED the lip balm- these are great for when you want to apply a sheer wash of color and moisturize so well.

Both products get a thumbs up from me! Follow this link for a $2 coupon.

Disclosure: Products reviewed were provided by Bzz Agent.

What a difference a year makes!

2011 baseball pic

                                                                                       

2012 baseball pic

I can't believe how much P has grown over the last year and it's really evident when I see these two pic together. 

I had a lot of fun taking the team pics again this year- I LOVE saving the parents money! I print our pictures at www.mpix.com and just charge the actual costs... no markup at all.

If you haven't tried Mpix, I definitely recommend using it to print your "special" pictures. They print on Kodak Endura professional paper, and their wallets are perfection. You absolutely can't beat the prices, and they package amazingly well, with all your prints on cardboard shrink-wrapped so they won't be bent in transit.

And Mpix doesn't know me at all... I'm just passing on info about my favorite photo lab to you!

I'm Watching

Whether or not you are a fan of the Bachelor franchise, you'll get a kick out of the online show Burning Love. There have been three episodes aired so far, and at around 8 minutes each, they are a must see. (If not just because Veronica Mars stars and the elimination ceremony features the repeated question "Will you accept my hose?")

Live on the Yahoo! Comedy Channel now, Burning Love follows fireman Mark Orlando (Ken Marino) as he searches for the perfect woman. The scripted comedy series features an impressive line up of comedic actors from film and television including Ken Marino, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Michael Ian Black, Adam Scott and more.

Burning Love gives viewers a front row seat to the champagne toasts, candles, heartbreak, bubble baths, chocolate, choreography, hair extensions, roller skating, betrayal, spray-tans, and rainbows in the most romantic, comedic web series ever made.


And now turning out attention to real reality TV, Dance Moms starts back tonight! Oh how I love Abby Lee Miller!

What are you watching that I need to Tivo?

I'm Alive!

Lately I have been tired, down in the dumps, and just felt overall "blah." I read an online review for Alive! Women's Energy vitamins and thought what the hell, I've tried everything else!

AND OMG, I FEEL GREAT! In all seriousness, I took one yesterday morning and absolutely felt fabulous all day long. Have you tried these? I picked them up at Walmart for about $8.

$5 off $50 at Target w/ Shopkick Coupon

Ever behind the times, I just discovered the Shopkick App yesterday and saved $5 off $50 at Target just by having the cashier scan the a bar code from the app on my phone!

Here's how the free app (available on both Andriod and iPhone) works: When you open the app on your way into a participating store like Target, it automatically recognizes you. You can then earn points called “kickbucks” for entering the store and for fun stuff like scanning select bar codes while you are there (you should have seen me doing this- it was fun!). Kickbucks can be redeemed for different rewards (including Target gift cards). You will sometimes also get scannable Target Coupons like the $5 off $50 which you can redeem at checkout. The current $5 coupon is available until 5/26.


If you are new to Shopkick and sign up thru this link, we'll both get 50 Bonus Kicks. Holler if you have any questions. One tip: Don't activate the $5 off $50 coupon until you are at the register- it will expire 12 hours after you tap "use".

The Sasha Family Children's Library

I've been busy building a library of some of my favorite childhood books for the kiddos. I think reading is oh-so-important and hope that they will love jumping nose-first into a book just like I did (and still do, if life gives me a few extra minutes here and there).

I didn't make this list with either girls or boys in mind. I think it's important to have a variety of books on your bookshelf and let the child choose what grabs their fancy. This list is just a few of my personal favorites and some I plan to add to our bookshelf, if they aren't already there.

1. Anne of Green Gables. I can't remember who gifted the Anne books to me, but I will be ever grateful. Such beautiful writing, and I think of Anne's spunky personality when I need a reminder to be a little more outgoing. I think I may get a bit of my independent streak from Anne, and I always find myself qualifying special friends as my "kindred spirit".

2. A Baby Sister for Frances. "Here are the buckets and brushes and me, / Plinketty, plinketty, plinketty, plee." Really, all the Frances books are charming and just plain delightful. She's a spirited little badger.

3. Nancy Drew Mysteries. The entire 56 book hardback collection is waiting patiently on my bookshelf for someone to read. My mom and I used to read these together on the sofa, each one of us devouring a different book in the series. I love that she re-read these along with me and plan to do the same (hopefully!) with WC. And Nancy, now there's an independent woman! Perhaps I need to check out the Hardy Boys for P.

4. The Complete Adventures of Curious George. George is so adorable he brings a smile to my face instantly. Even before he enjoyed his come-back, I did P's nursery in Curious George back in 2003.

5. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Did you read the Fudge books as a child? I can't wait for P to get a bit older so we can dive into these. Because, surely you see it too. P = Peter, and WC = Fudge.

6. Little Women. I'm giggling right now because I am picturing the Friends episode where Joey puts Little Women in the freezer. But really, I think no library is complete without a copy of this classic. The one I have is well-worn and much-loved and I hope WC will enjoy it too. I always thought that there were characteristics of each of the sisters (practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy ) that I'd like to possess.

7. Where the Sidewalk Ends. I cannot go to school today, said Little Peggy Ann McKay. I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash, and purple bumps. I think I have almost all the poems in this book memorized and my copy is inscribed by my aunt Nancy, who had the most fabulous bookshelf that she let me sit and go through for hours, never minding that things never ended getting put back in the same place.

8. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This favorite came from Aunt Nancy's bookshelf as well- I ordered this one last week and sat down and read it to the kids immediately and it was the first time they had ever heard of it. I was surprised to see some reviews on Amazon disappointed with the negative tone of this book- but that's the point! Everyone can have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days (even in Australia).

9. Little House on the Prairie. P's 2nd grade teacher read them some Little House books this year, and he loved them. Such good history information in there!

10. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I am ordering this today- somewhere along the way I have lost my copy and I remember this being fabulous! Hiding in a museum and solving a mystery? Yes, please.

11. Flat Stanley. The only Flat Stanley I've read is the original, and I still have my childhood copy. I still hesitate to hang heavy things over beds because of this story!

12. Choose Your Own Adventure books. Fourth and fifth grade were all about Choose Your Own Adventure! We passed these around the school and absolutely couldn't get enough. Every time we went to B Dalton's I begged for another. I'm not sure these were typical girl reads, but the tom-boy in me loved them.

13. The Ramona Collection. The Ramona books really have a place in my heart. I actually get a little choked up when I think about her wearing her soft cozy PJs to school under her clothes. And Picky Picky. And the haircut. (I had a Dorothy Hamil too.)

14. Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. I've already introduced these short mysteries to P, and he loves trying to solve the case before we turn to the back and read the solution. He often gets them right!

And of course I thought of one more after working on that silly pic above in Paint FOREVER. Right now I am reading Charlotte's Web to P and I was almost brought to tears the other night when we were just getting started and I saw the pic of Fern bottle-feeding Wilbur at the beginning- it is the CUTEST.THING.EVER. Sigh.

Now your turn- what books have I forgotten?

Of course, this post is chock-full of Amazon affiliate links.

Beer Woes

Today I am lamenting the beer laws in Oklahoma. We've talked about this before, but the subject never gets old.

From Wikipedia: Any beverage containing more than 3.2% alcohol by weight or 4% alcohol by volume, that is, most liquors, wines, and typical beer, may only be sold in licensed liquor stores at room temperature. Due to this refrigeration ban, many smaller breweries such as the Spoetzl brewery and New Belgium will limit or not sell their products in Oklahoma, despite passing through the state to deliver to neighboring states.

So yeah, there are some things we just don't get here. Like Michelob Ultra Amber. Since Michelob just doesn't care to make it in 3.2 just for Oklahoma and Kansas, we have to stock up when we are out of state.

My cart at a Walmart in Texas recently. Nope, not having a party, just stocking up on things we can't buy back home.

So I'm a little worried that I won't be able to find the new Michelob Ultra Light Cider here....... it looks delightful and perfect for summer. I can picture myself on the patio drinking it over ice. So if you are local and see it, will you send out a smoke signal to me? Or possibly pick some up for me? I REALLY want to try it!

My Favorite Shows: Cancelled

Mr. Sasha and I are so sad! We found out yesterday that four of our favorite shows have been cancelled.

Pan Am, Missing, The Firm, and GCB have all been axed. Along with quite a few others- these were just the four we watched together.

It's quite frustrating to get so into these plots and storylines, only to have shows cancelled so early!

I think, from now on, we'll just start watching shows when they get to season 3. Then we should be safe.

Were there any of your favorites on the cancelled list?

Oh, the Place You'll Go!

I am *so* excited about my latest Pinterest project! Pinterest is such a great resource.

I purchased two copies of Oh, the Places You'll Go! and am going to have our teachers write a note to P and WC in their book at the end of each school year. When I give these to them when they graduate from high school, I'm hoping this will be something they can always treasure and be inspired by.

Of course, with P being in 2nd grade this year, I'm a bit late getting started, but luckily his K and 1st grade teachers are still at our school and I've already been able to have his 1st grade teacher write her note. It truly brought tears to my eyes to read what she wrote and I am so excited for this project.

Any other ideas from Pinterest I need to jump on? I am amazed with my zest for Pinterest projects!

What's In My Bag?

Kate from The Small Things Blog has been doing a great series this week about bloggers and their purses and the contents. I love seeing what other people carry and what's inside, so I thought I'd show mine.

I'm currently carrying my beloved Coach Parker Shoulder bag in Violet. Love love love this bag! The side pockets are perfect for my cell and make it super-easy to find when it rings. (*If* I hear it, I'm notorious for not hearing my phone ring!)

1. Wallet- Hobo International Nancy in black. One of our babysitters recommended this brand to me, and I LOVE this wallet. I have a zillion things in there and it holds it all nice and cozy and it's absolutely perfect.

2. Notecard binder from Real Simple, purchased a few years ago a Target. I use this for password hints and random notes.

3. Checkbook. I ordered the cover to match my checks sometime back. Yes, I *still* write some checks!

4. 2 card holders from Real Simple, purchased from Target a few years ago. I keep loyalty cards, library cards, and gift cards in these.

5. Card case from Allisa Jacobs. I have some of my blog business card in there. Guess I need to hand some out!

6. Mini flashlight my mom got me- I have used this more times than I thought I would.

1. Plastic snap case from the Dollar Spot at Target. This holds CVS ExtraCare Bucks and coupons I plan to use soon. Contents are ever-changing based on weekly sales and grocery lists.

2. Powder for touch-ups.

3. Altoids Smalls in Cinnamon and Extra Desert Delights gum in Mint Chocolate Chip- my entire family is obsessed with this gum- it REALLY tastes like ice cream! Like Aunt Monica, I will *always* have gum.

4. Poshe Cuticle Care (used several times a day to keep cuticles moisturized) and Avon Cuticle Oil Pen (used for NOTD shots).

5. Methyl B-12 pills (I am B-12 Deficient Anemic and take one mid-day for a pick-me-up) and a hairbrush (I have super-fine hair that gets tangled if I stand up, not to mention the Oklahoma wind sweeping down the plain!).

6. Advil. Seems like someone always needs some.

7. Delux Tintstik in Dot (discontinued of course), Bite High Pigment Pencil in Bramble, and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Havana. Ever-changing, no day's lipstick is the same.

8. A pen. I usually have a mechanical pencil (accountant check-in!), but seems like someone (cough cough P) made off with it.

9. Crystal Light packets in Raspberry Lemonade.

Want to show what's in your bag? Holler and I can feature it on Sasha Says.

Shorterest

What's Shorterest? 

It's when an idea you've seen on Pinterest, that looks really neat and easy, turns out to be quite time-consuming. So as you do most things in your life- you figure out how to short-cut it.

Short-cut + Pinterest = Shorterest.

I saw this project a few weeks ago and thought it looked genius- I mean, considering my second child has no baby book and she's 6 (so sorry WC!), there's no way I could actually journal the events of my day... but only one line per day? Hell, even I can do that! And I have a date stamp at work! And a paper cutter too!

This project seemed made for non-crafty slackers like me.

So I gathered up my supplies: a cute box I picked up some time ago in the Dollar Spot at Target, a few packages of 4X6 lined index cards, and my date stamp and stamp pad. Don't go trying to look for this particular box- it's long-gone I'm sure. But I bet you can find something else suitable.

And I quickly figured out that my date stamp wasn't going to work because it has my initials below the date. I tried various covering-up methods, but I got a headache within a few minutes and gave that up. I just decided to hand label the dates.

And then taking into account the size of my box and the fact that I wanted to be able to write more than 4 words per day (I can be wordy given the opportunity), I decide not to cut the cards in half.... but just to cut them to fit. So I just took off half an inch.

So voila! Here is my finished product! I figure I don't need the monthly dividers... after I journal each day, I'm just going to stick that day at the back. Less work for me!

It's Shorteresting!

Have you Shorterested anything?