Glammys

I love reviews of beauty product and have always been a fan of such things as the Glammys. http://www.glamour.com/fashionbeauty/slideshows/2007/08/glammies

So I am inspired to regularly review stuff. Let's start with facial moisturizers since my face is always dry:

Philosophy Hope in a jar-

L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream -

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer-
Nivea Visage Glowing Moisturizer-

Ok the winner is...L'Occitane. It is simply moisturizing, not a lot of fragrance.

Second is Kiehl's, with Philosophy as a close 3rd. Philosophy Hope isn't worth the $30 price, though I love the smell, but it bothers my skin under my eye. It is supposed to be AMAZING, and it just isn't. The Kiehl's isn't worth it either--if you want to splurge, use the L'Occitane.

I don't think they make the Nivea anymore, but it was great for it's under $10 price. I can't use their other products because of the AHA or the fruit acid or whatever they put in it to "Safely exfoiliate". More like "Burn like hell" for me.

I invite you to PLEASE add your own recommendations for this review or any future reviews!

Mini Book for Paul

While Paul is away, I have been sending him mini books with the latest pics of Tate. It makes me make them quickly because I can drag a scrap project F-O-R-E-V-E-R....

Nesting

This week, we have been skipping TV in the morning. Unbelieveable, Tate plays with his toys after he figures out the magical light box is not being turned on.

He has been making nests with his toys and then piles blankets on top and sits on top of it all. I think he is part bird.

This kid cracks my "stuff" up.

Cool Site

Make a e-cupcake and send to a friend, while helping raise $ for CancerCare for kids:

http://www.cupcakesforacause.org/choose.html

Absent Blogger

Hi! I've been helping plan Catie's 13th Bday party (Halloween Themed), which explains my lack of blogging. I will have pics later--my mom had the camera.

Here is a preview...imagine several 7th graders drinking Mt. Dew and cheetos mixed together, gooey plastic eyeballs being thrown, and a few trampoline injuries. Fun was had by all.

New Blog Template

As you can see, I changed the look!
I love the way a black background makes photos "POP", but I was ready for a change. I was bored with myself.

Does anyone know how to make one of those cool personalized headers?? Or how they get a scrapped header for the title of the blog?

Lovin the cool weather today...tea and coffee taste SOO good when there is a chill in the air.

My first video post: Why I am so tired!

The Country Mill

Last Friday, we went to the local Cider Mill to pick apples and pumpkins. It ended being 90 degrees out and while we had fun, we were soaking wet with sweat by the time we got back to the car. We definitely opted for cold cider instead of hot cider on this trip!

A Fav Corner of the Casa

Ok--Random pic of one of the favorite parts of our temporary home. Tate loved the little house and likes to name all the components, such as "tree", "light", "roof", etc.

The framed art is really just scrapbook paper, the house from my mom (she won it at a PartyLite party), The bikes from a garage sale, and the shelf from my sister.

Slow Scrapper

A few more pages... These were from a CKU class I took last year that I hadn't finished because I wanted to change them up a little. I still need a few more pics on the first one and the "u" in "cutie" fell off and I didn't even realize it until I posted the pic.

Off to go pick some apples at the local cider mill/orchard!!

Have a great weekend.

This day has sucked

Yea...it is just one of thse days, but these pictures make me laugh :)

Tate is going to be Steve from Blue's Clues and I guess I am going to be Blue. There is NO way he was going to put on the Blue costume...

Oh and we scored a Thinking Chair off ebay. Yea--I HATE TV character stuff, but I guess I give in.

Look Ma! I'm in the cat bed!

**51 days until Paul gets home and then I will have someone to crack up with me during moments like this...

Credit where Credit is due...

Hi all--sorry for the lack of postings. I actually wanted to scrap more than read or write about it, finally!



Oh, and the scraplifted layout from last posting was inspired by a layout done by Lana Rappette from the June 2007 issue of Creating Keepsakes. Thanks for sharing the creativity!



Here is a layout that I have done over the past few days, and my first Halloween card. This Halloween, it might be the same card for everyone, as I am way behind schedule. For those of you who don't know, Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday.

I spent a lot of scrap time finishing sections of art journals and albums..you know, the fine details that I didn't finish due to time constraints or lack of creativity.

Scraplifted!

My inspiration comes for several layouts in CK magazine, but this LO looks the most like one that used the doodles for a "celebration" effect.

I'd love to give the person credit who deserves it, but right now, I am WAY too lazy to get up and go search in the other room. LOL! I will list the layout I scraplifted tomorrow after a nice long sleep, hopefully.

Tate is teething, so I cannot jump into bed quick enough. Since he wouldn't let me put the Orajel in his mouth, he came up with a better solution for the tube to relieve his pain:

**Notice how trashed the living room is...

What I did this weekend...

Some of my best friends from college days at The University of Michigan rallied this weekend for a random reunion. Dinner on Friday, Football vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, and breakfast at Angelo's on Sunday. It was a lot of driving, but worth it. We had such a good time, that this may now be an annual event if we can swing it.

Unlike a lot of blogs I visit, I am not a photographer, so I apologize for the quality of the pics.

Another LIST! Currently Inspired by...

Macy's/Nordstrom lighting and smell:
**After I return from a good shopping trip, I want my house to have the same lighting and organization of a large, well stocked department store. and I love the smell of them, too...what is it? A combo of perfume, new clothes and leather??

Perfectly Coiffed 20-somethings:
**Yes, I will yet again refer to my closet favs, The Hills and Real World. It makes me want to put that extra effort into getting ready.

Good Home Dec Catalogs:
**Same reason as #1, and normally I would reference Pottery Barn, but not in love with the latest catalog. Did you see the oversized rustic farm implements that were mounted on the wall?? I made Paul get rid of those when we moved in together!!

Sept Fashion Mags:
**Specifically the ads. It makes me want to don boots and flannel and have a picnic in the country while having perfect hair and makeup.

Preschool Teachers:
**Such gentle patience...

Green Tips

So I am trying to make baby steps in leaving a smaller eco-footprint.

Here are my reviews on some "Green" items that I have tried. I'd love to hear an reviews that you have as well:

1. The Crystal Deodorant-it actually works!! I have the spray on (obviously NOT aerosol) and while it drips a little after application, it works better than my Degree that I used to use.
2. Earth Friendly Lavender Dishsoap-NOPE. It smells great, though.
3. Seventh Generation Toilet Paper-Works for me, though we buy cheap Angel Soft usually (and not the superplush Charmin) Drugstore.com sells the larger quantity for less than $1 a roll. Martha Stewart quoted some significant statistic (that I can't remember right now) about how this makes a huge impact.
4. FuzziBunz Cloth Diapers-YES YES YES! Dave Matthews used them on his twins. I just found that out today.
5. Environmentally Friendly OXY (not sure on the actually brand name)- NO--doesn't work; buy the real stuff. Real OXY is like a gift from the laundry Gods.

New Favorite Coffee Cup

My mom found this GREAT cup at Hobby Lobby.

1. It matches my kitchen.

2. It looks like a cupcake/hot cocoa.

3. The lid keeps my coffee hot!

I currently and enjoying a cup of java with a scoop of mint hot cocoa powder stirred in while it starts to rain. Is anyone else VERY ready for fall??

Also, what is your favorite beverage?

(Yes, honey, I know you are going to put "beer" somewhere on this posting, so I am already ready for it...)

Bakesale!

Catie and I baked for a local bake sale at Frontier Days (cowboy hats, bad wood crafts, carnie food) to benefit the homeless.
Here are the baguettes: And the Double Chocolate Cookies:
And the pink! M&Ms that sustained up while were baking. Yea... I went to bed feeling all sugar-cracked out.

Parktime

See this guy? He and his two friends are as friendly as dogs, so we think. When you enter Island Park, they come waddling up to you, probably looking for a snack. (reminds me of being pregnant) When I say RIGHT UP TO YOU, I mean they even will step on your feet. Do ducks have teeth?? As cute as they are, I get a little nervous when Tate tries to pet them.


Another trip to the park on a different day.

My Sister

Today is my sis's bday. I miss her. She left me with all these STINKY BOYS!! I have Catie, though, thank goodness or it would be all cars and trucks and computers and zombies and wrestling and not enough cupcakes and makeup and clothes...

Oh and Happy Birthday Frankie (her slightly B&#$-y dog).