Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Fabulous Finds

I don't know about you, but I am super  picky when it comes to mascara.  It seems like they are either really good or really bad.  Unfortunately, for me, I've been sporting the really bad for quite some time now.  I used to be a huge fan of Estee Lauder's "More Than Mascara".  It was really great.  Lots of volume, definition and didn't smudge. 

Unfortunately, it was something that had to be sacrificed with the recession.  With great reluctance I ventured down the aisles of our local drug store for a replacement.  Needless to say, it's been at least 4 years now and I've tried every brightly colored tube of goo available.  Nothing even came close to Estee Lauder's good stuff!  I'm convinced that with all of the extra money I have had to spend on eye makeup remover, it would have been better to just keep buying the good mascara.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when my mom gave me a gift certificate to Sephora for Christmas.  I knew just what I was going to splurge on:  A tube of the good stuff!  Just before she left back home we hit the new Sephora at The City Center.  I had done some research before going and was completely prepared to buy the number one selling mascara in America (it has the funny name like a TV info-mercial).  But, when I got there and saw the brush, I became very apprehensive.  It looked like it provided a little more definition than I was looking for.  So, I asked a very helpful sales associate for some assistance and after hearing what I was looking for, she thought Diorshow by Dior was the match for me.  She was SO RIGHT! 


I am absolutely loving this mascara.  It's huge plush brush and super sleek formula provide RUNWAY LASHES.  No lie!  It looks like I am wearing fake lashes now.  Volume, volume, VOLUME!  And the best part?  No smudging.  The Sales Associate told me that this is the same mascara that Dior models wear in their fashion shows.  I was sceptical and thought, "yeah, yeah...we'll see."  I actually believe it now.  At $25 a tube, it certainly does not qualify for "recession friendly."  BUT, I highly and completely recommend it.  I am going to find something else to sacrifice to buy another tube of this when it's gone.  It is worth every penny!

I also scored on a completely random purchase while at Sephora.  I wanted to use the rest of my gift certificate and was in a splurging mood.  So, I grabbed a bottle of this:

It is Sephora's Supreme Cleansing Foam.  At $5 it was hardly a "splurge", and would completely qualify for "recession friendly."  While we have been living on a very fixed income, I have also tried many, many drug store cleaners.  I have been completely disappointed with all but Oil of Olay's daily cleansing cloths (and they are just good for the price).  My expectations for this cleansing foam were very low.  I was so surprised when two squirts of foam completely removed my makeup...including my new mascara!  Score!  I'm absolutely going back for this.  Sayonara drug store "cleanser"!

Speaking of cleansing, if you have been following our blog for awhile, I'm sure that you have noticed that Jody and I skipped any spring cleaning on our blog.  A few of our pages STILL are not complete.  Story for another day.  But, we have decided to get out the old broom and do some dusting.  In the next couple of days you will notice some changes.  You'll have to let us know what you think.  We will likely be getting rid of our "followers/members" on the side bar.  For some reason we have oodles of people reading our blog, but not becoming a "member".  So, it seems like that little gadget is just taking up space.  If you happen to be one of our "members" and get to us through there, please take a quick minute now and add us to your "favorites" on your toolbar.

We'd also love to hear from you!  Give us a shout out sometime.

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Saturday, July 7, 2012

5 Years


 
Happy Anniversary, My Man!
You are the love of my life,
My best friend,
My support,
The sweetest dad to my babies.
I love you truly and dearly!

Here's to another 5 and 5 and 5 and 5 and 5 and 5....



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Friday, July 6, 2012

I love this land!

This Fourth of July was calm around here.  We didn't do the parade or any of the local Fourth festivities.  We did get the house clean, go to Brave in 3D and hit the local town Fireworks.  We had a ban on fireworks in our city due to the fires all over the state.  You just can't miss fireworks on the 4th!


Okay these are NOT the actual fireworks I saw.  I forgot the camera so I am re-purposing my Strawberry Days Fireworks photo ;).

Spending the time at home gave me time to reflect.....reflect on what I am grateful for.  I am grateful for so much.

I am so grateful....to live in this country.  America is AMAZING!  Even in our current "Economic Condition" we have so much more than others in different parts of the world even in our "worst of times". 

I am so grateful for.....these little guys....and that I have the freedom to have three kids....to raise them how I see fit....to teach them about God....send them to school....the list goes on.

And this guy......
 He is an AMAZING dad and always helps (or try's to help) keep things light.......

I am grateful for...the beauty of this country.  You could spend a lifetime traveling this country and not see ALL of it's beauty.  That amazes me to think about.

I am SO Grateful for......the rain to help with the fires throughout the state.  Many Many prayers have been answered.

I am grateful for....the many men AND women that have fought for my freedom whether at home or abroad, past or present.  I have friends with husbands that serve our country and the sacrifice of the wives and families is a HUGE one.

I am grateful for......OPPORTUNITY.  I think this word truly defines America.

The list could go on....and on...and on.  My heart is full.

I hope you all had a great 4th and have an amazing weekend!

JODY













Monday, July 2, 2012

Snapshots of C-H-A-O-S

I told you all I MIGHT blog about my hectic weekend after I had some down time.  Well I thought I would relive the weekend in "Snapshots of CHAOS"

 Strawberry Days-Huck Finn Days

There was face painting, fishing, carnival games, balloons, doughnuts and all FREE!

Hence the INSANELY large crowd....
 Then off to my niece's Summer violin recital.....
Yep that is her....isn't she cute!  She did a great job!
I failed to mention that a Build a Bear visit was also thrown into the weekend....thanks to their amazing auntie!  Here they are showing off their Build A Bear work of arts...Indiana's a German Shepherd named Fluffy in a dress with an IPod of course.  She cracks me up :).

Then on to a spur of the moment visit to the Splash Pad....My poor kids in their clothes.  At least we had camp chairs, sunscreen and towels for the venture.

Kids EVERYWHERE! 
On to painting....Grandma is in charge of the Art Contest at the Utah County Fair.  She decided in the midst of the craziness to have them sit down and paint something to enter.

"B" REALLY got into it :)......

I Missed the Parade (and the photos) but the kids had fun.  Especially my cute lil' pooper scooper.....he was not too excited about his Scout fundraiser.  

On to Carnival Party #2.  Once again these cute little cake toppers can be found HERE

This time no kids (aside from the cousins)....no games.  Good thing about having a two year old they don't mind "hand me down" parties.  I had all the plates, napkins, silverware...probably about the easiest party I have thrown :) and she had a blast!


Her Pinata quickly turned into a Hi-Ya-Ta.  "B" is into Hi-Ya'ing just about everything these days :).

Clean up and off to the REAL Carni.....we got there just in time to stand at the ticket box deciding on how many tickets to buy and watch it close.  The kids were not happy campers.  The hubby and I on the other hand were just a little bit happy (not going to lie :).

Luckily we got to distract them with the fireworks and bribe them with a movie and a treat instead :).

Thought I would share in the insanity!  Happy Monday everyone.  I am off to the Zoo!  

JODY