warm thoughts

I live in this really pretty place

and I get to go up the mountains

through big fields

and on beautiful farms

like the one below

I love when I'm looking through my phone and I find forgotten photos

like these of warmer times

I can't wait for the snow to melt

The grass to turn green again

The sunshine to come out everyday

The hay to grow

The flowers to bloom

I know there are pretty things about winter

but I'm a spring and summer girl

through and through

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Had a frustrating day at work. So today i'm just trying to remind myself {and others}

 

"The light is what guides you home, the warmth is what keeps you there."

Home again.
I love weekends with the family but it's always nice to get home.
Mister man and I played out in the snow
   which I never do
There was much breaking of icicles, holding hands, and walking through knee-deep snow

My little kittens have been so cuddly and sweet this evening
My husband has been as wonderful as usual
and we are all cuddling on the couch while we watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition
   like we do every Sunday night

*bliss*

The holidays have come and gone and now it's a new year!
I'm so excited for all the things to come.



xoxo

TAG: FAQ Beauty and Makeup questions

1. Who is my fashion icon? Lauren Conrad. I have never seen her wearing something, or her make up done a certain way, or her hair styled in a way I didn't like. I think she has fantastic taste.

2. Favorite drugstore blush or blush color? I think blush is something I buy the least. I have a discontinued Revlon blush in this gorgeous rose shade with a slight gold shimmer to it that I absolutely love. Most days I wear my e.l.f. Essentials Natural Radiance Blusher in Flushed. It's a super bright and shimmery pink.

3. Would I shave my head for 15 free MAC or high-end products? Absolutely not! I can earn and save enough money to buy 15 MAC or high-end products in a fraction of the time it takes to grow my hair back out.

4. Favorite make up gurus? Juicystar07, Ginabinawina99, PinkSugarr09, Nouveau Cheap, and The Makeup Drawer

5. Favorite lipstick? e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in Rosy Raisin and Party Pink

6. Favorite eye shadow? Wet n Wild Ultimate Expressions palette in Sand Castle

7. Favorite lip gloss? e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick and N.Y.C. Liquid Lip Shine

8. Favorite makeup brand? e.l.f., Wet n Wild, Maybelline

9. e.l.f. or MAC? I have never used any MAC products before but I have tons of e.l.f. I would love to try MAC but I don't think I could justify spending that much on my makeup.

10. Mineral or liquid foundation? Liquid. I don't like the coverage Mineral foundation gives.

11. Spray tan or tanning bed? I have never had a spray tan but since it's safer, I know I should choose that one. However, I did spend one summer going to the tanning beds like twice a week and I loved how tan I was. Tanning is fun but I don't do it anymore because of how harmful it can be. Maybe I should I try a spray tan...

12. How old was I when I first starting collecting and wearing make up? All through elementary school I had tons of lip balms, lip gloss, and face and body glitter. I first starting wearing real makeup in 8th grade but didn't start collecting it until May 2010.

13. Was I allowed to wear makeup in middle school? For my 13th birthday I got my very first mascara. Little did my mother know she was opening the flood gates and I was obsessed. I finally didn't have to hide all the other makeup I was wearing by about 14 1/2 years old.

14. When do I think girls should be allowed to wear makeup and what should they start with? I think my mom was right about waiting until I was 13 years old and I absolutely loved wearing mascara. I think neutral eye shadows would have also been okay. Nothing over the top or dramatic, just light, girly, fun eyeshadow.

15. Should a self-conscious 12 year old be allowed to wear makeup? I was a self-conscious 12 year old and I didn't wear makeup. I think 12 is too young to be wearing makeup whether you have high self esteem or not.

16. What are some must have items for starting your makeup collection? A good foundation and finishing powder. Eyeshadow primer and neutral toned eyeshadow quad. A long lasting lip gloss and a "Your lips but better" lipstick.

17. How long have I been into makeup? I loved makeup all through high school and into college but have only really been collecting and blogging for 7 months bringing us to 6 1/2 years or so.

18. Is high end make up really worth the money? I wouldn't know, I don't own any high-end makeup but only because I'm not in the financial situation to do so. If I had the money, there are definitely high-end products I would want.

19. When I want to really splurge on makeup, what do I like to buy? When I am craving a splurge I don't crave one single thing, I would rather have 5 or 6 new things. So I hit up a drugstore or make an e.l.f. order. I buy jewelery from Forever 21 or a few new cardigans from Old Navy.

20. If I could only pick one e.l.f. item out of my whole collection, what would it be? Oh boy, this changes weekly. I love my Natural Radiance Blushers, Luminance Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder as my highlight, Mineral Eye Shadow primer, Waterproof Eyeliner Pen, Mineral Eye Shadows, or Mineral Lipsticks... I think my favorite is the Waterproof Eyeliner Pen!

21. Name 3 drugstore makeup items everyone should have. Maybelline Define-A-Brow eyebrow pencil, Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender mascara, Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Expressions eye shadow palette in Sand Castle.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.

Happy 2011!

I've been having a wonderful holiday weekend with my family

Cooking good food
including 5 1/2 dozen cupcakes just for fun
shopping with my seeester
and then falling asleep on her bed at 2 in the morning
making homemade pizza to ring in the new year
dinner with the in-laws
and the most interesting dinnertime talk you can imagine
reading the booking report in our small town newspaper because for some reason...
it really entertains me
5 degree weather
although I swear it's more like -15

watching/listening to my brother and hubby play video games together
while I blog

This is my brother's "I just got caught and think I'm about to get scolded" face

He makes me laugh

I really enjoy the holidays and all the time I get to spend with my family
Even though I love everything about the holidays
from the music
to the decorations
to the food
to the holiday cheer
to the traditions
to the family get togethers
to the gift giving

I'm glad it's only a few weeks out of the year
because it gives me something to look forward to for all the other weeks

It feels so very late, even though it's only 10:25pm
I think maybe I will fall asleep on my brother's bed now

p.s. I was at my in-laws and saw my dear mister man sitting in the hallway rubbing his kitty's belly

you must know, this kitten does not let anyone come near him

let alone does he lay down, roll over, and let someone touch him

my mister man and this little kitten are so cute

xoxo