Randoms

I don't have much for words today so I'll just leave the blog with some random gifts from the internet and a song I like. :) Happy Sunday! xo

Happy December 1st! I thought I'd do a post about some beauty products I'm currently loving, and possibly help some of you out with gift ideas for the ladies in your life!

The first item I'm obsessed with is the Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment.

$39.95. 4.2 oz Can by found at Ulta, or most other stores. (ex. Target)

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment is a therapeutic oil perfect for all hair types and is especially beneficial to dry, damaged hair. The Healing Oil Treatment is instantly absorbed, weightlessly infusing the hair with moisture and nutrients for silky smooth, healthy looking hair while providing natural UV protection from photo and sun damage. Dry, brittle hair is miraculously rejuvenated with increased shine and control

This stuff is amazing. I put a pump worth in my hand and rub my hands together, then I run this through my damp hair but only half way up and then down to my ends. It just makes everything feel so much healthier and smooth.  This would be a a great gift, or a great suggestion of something to ask for! :)

The next item is called full of promise.

I LOVE this stuff.

$65. 2 oz. Can be found at Ulta or from Philosophy

Full of promise dual-action restoring cream for volume and lift features a unique protein recycling complex that helps promote visibly firmer, fuller, uplifted skin.

features & benefits

• exclusive protein recycling complex works to breath new life into existing proteins (in epidermal layers)
• helps supports natural collagen and elastin for visibly improved volume and lift
• skin is protected and hydrated all day long

This stuff is great. I had a day where I was outside in the wind and my cheeks were super dry, I put some of this on and the next day my face was back to smooth. I'm not ones for creams and such but this is so worth it. 

Peter Thomas Roth - Instant FIRMx Eye temporary Eye Tightener.

$38. 1 oz. Can be found at Ulta or Peter Thomas Roth

Instantly and temporarily tightens, firms & smoothes the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and deep wrinkles around the eye area, while diminishing the appearance of under eye puffiness. Tighten, firm & smooth the appearance of the eye area to temporarily minimize the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and deep wrinkles, while diminishing the look of under eye puffiness. This is great on those days when you just feel droopy. It instantly tightens and rids puffiness from your face!  Lastly, this little gem. Benefit Cosmetics - Powderflage $28 .11 oz. Can find at Ulta or Benefit

Virtually weightless diffusing powder concealer camouflages fine lines and dark circles. It's fast, easy, lite and breezy! Since it does not absorb water it not only camouflages, but is a famous setting powder for the under eyes or face. Wear alone or apply over cream concealer to help it last longer. Accompanying "flager" brush applies exactly the right amount of silky pink powder. Includes step-by-step lesson.

The reason I love this stuff is because it has a lightness to it. It's almost like you're putting magical fairy dust on your concealer after covering those annoying dark circles. It lightens everything up so you look fresh and away. This stuff is amazing! I also use it to set my foundation around my nose area. I love love LOVE this product!

I hope this helped you with a few gift ideas for the ladies in your life this Christmas. Otherwise, these are great gifts to ask for yourself!! 

xo

Letters and memories from a simpler time.

This morning I went out to my parents house. Their house is now filled with items that belonged to my grandmother Virginia. Memories upon memories of what an amazing life she lived. So many collectable items like this typewriter from a life much more simpler than the lives we live now. My grandmother kept everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. After she passed, we of course had to go through her belongings and it was like opening this amazing time capsule. She kept all of these letters from everyone. From friends and family that back then, the only communication was by letter. It made me stop and think about what it would be like to live during a time where if you wanted to talk to someone miles away, you had to write them a letter. 

I found a letter from my mom to her (sorry mom) talking about the new house my parents just bought, and a hand drawn map was included. My grandparents were going to come visit my parents in their new house and needed to know how to get there. There was no mapquest, or GPS to help my grandparents find their way. They weren't able to call from their cell phone if they got lost, because they didn't have a cell phone. They would rely on this map my mom mailed them with this hand written letter.

With how easy it is to communicate these days, you can stay in touch with friends and loved ones without even speaking to them. Email, text, blogs, and social media are now how we communicate with one another. After I pass away, my grandchildren wont have any old letters to read from my life. They won't be able to envision what my life was like in the way that I can envision my grandmothers by those letters she received. These letters to my grandmother allow me to get wrapped up in the life she lived when she was my age. I am forever grateful for her, and her letters.

I got lost in the soundtrack of my mind...

6 months. I'm sorry....ahem...lets just move on. ;)

Something has been swirling around in this head of mine for a few days now, I wanted to get other people to chime in on the topic. That topic being, advice.

Now I'm not talking about advice on love or your job, but advice on the options we are presented in our everyday life. Right now I'm faced with advice from people in regards to what doctor I should see for my neck, what movie to go to, what restaurant to eat at, where I should get my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses from, and other wedding odds and ends. All of this advice is based on the persons experience, or someone they knows personal experience with whatever it is. Be it a doctor, bridal shop experience, movie, or restaurant. Do you take what they are telling you and make your decision based on that? I've been told a movie is terrible, and still go to see that movie. Sometimes it's terrible, other times I am pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. One person could have a not so great experience at a bridal shop, and who knows, I could have a great experience. Maybe the person assisting them that day had some personal things going on in their life that didn't allow them to be on their A game.

All I'm saying is, me personally...9 times out of 10 I'm going to go off of my own gut feeling and make the decision I feel I should. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate advice from people, I'm grateful for any advice, I just think at the end of the day you have to make your own decisions because that "gut feeling" is there for a reason.

What do you do?

xo

Happy Birthday Banksy!

Today Banksy is 1 year old. Time flies when you are having fun! Our lives have forever been changed by this little pup. Our Fur Baby, Banksy, Boogie, Boogsie, Boo Boo, Pot Belly, Tookis, Big Boy, and any other whacky name we call him. He will always be our "first born". Here are some of the photos from the past year, in no particular order. Enjoy! :)

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Saturday- Putting in some hard work

Saturday morning started with my favorite part about Saturdays. Laying in bed not wanting to get up, because Banksy has decided 7 am is appropriate for getting up on a Saturday. But then, I open the blinds on our window and Banksy is soon easily amused. :)

Love my pup. :)

After waking up and cleaning up around the house my parents came over to help with some much needed yard clean up. Our backyard has this beautiful pergola and patio however last summer due to some storms our patio has ended up a muddy mess that we just haven't had the ability to clean up. My dad came to the rescue by bringing in his power washer! We sprayed down everything, and my mom pulled weeds from our jungle. (it really did look like a jungle) After a few hours of hard work the cleanup was complete and Eric and I went and bought brand new patio cushions for our patio set. Now we really are ready for summer! :) 

We also FINALLY ripped down the ugly vertical blinds in our kitchen and replaced with new dark grey curtains! If you know me, you know how much I hate those vertical blinds.

We finished up our afternoon with filling up Banksy's puppy pool! This little pup is still confused with what exactly water is, but he does LOVE it! :) 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. :)