God's Timing

It's amazing to me how God works even when we aren't paying attention.  First of all it's been way too long since my last post.  Life has been incredibly busy...well work has been incredibly busy and I've been working very long hours.  So bottom line I haven't had much free time to post anything or even think about posting anything. 

Doug and I had a wonderful summer.  We didn't do anything super exciting just spent a lot of time at the beach, reading and relaxing.  Our time there is always so short.  We really have enjoyed the blessings God has given us and the opportunities he has provided.  I know I've said it a million times but I'm so thankful for my husband- God definitely knew what he was doing when he brought me Doug. 

Okay so back to God's timing.  I've struggled over the last several years with the fact that we haven't been able to have children.  And earlier this summer God placed a special person in my life that has really helped me truly appreciate the blessings I have and helped my heart heal by sharing her love and friendship.  God really does know what he's doing! 

Back in September I was also able to go visit my family and celebrate 7 birthdays!  Yes 7!  There are 10 people in my immediate family on my side and 7 of them have birthdays in Sept-Nov.  So my whole family went to the Pumpkin Patch to enjoy a fun day of corn mazes, pig races and hayrides.  Then we celebrated the birthdays- Mom, Salou, Dad, Jason, Kade, Amanda Lee and Bintou.  Whew...took us forever to get through the gifts :)  So glad to spend time with family!




Can you tell they enjoyed picking out their Pumpkins?

Constant Search for the Perfect Product...

I think most women are on a constant search for that one perfect product.  Mine has been foundation or rather a BB cream.  I am very fair so I need very light coverage so I've really been into the BB creams.  However, I had yet been able to find the perfect one- I tried nearly a dozen before finding the one I love.  Most of them caused my skin to be oily and caused random breakouts.  The one I am using now and absolutely love is Boscia BB cream.  It is amazing!  What is that one product you are constanting in search of the perfect one????

It's been FOREVER....

Can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog post.  To be honest not alot has happened since my last post.  We've been enjoying our summer, spending alot of time at the beach- relaxing.  I got to spend 4 days with my Parents around the 4th of July.  Haven't spent that much time with them in years- truly enjoyed my visit.  We had an amazing 4th of July, full of games, food and spending time in the pool.  During that visit I got to take my nieces, nephew and sister in law on a road trip to Cass Railroad and Snowshoe Ski Resort.  We had the best day!  It's so great to spend time with them and reconnect.  Oh we did have horrible storms and lots of people without power for over a week!  Praise God- my parents got back their electric the day before I arrived.  I also got to spend a whole day with my mom.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

The Winner is....

Lela- congrats!  If you will send me an email with your address I'll get it out in the mail when I return from vacation.  (scrappin4real@yahoo.com)  Hope you enjoy- it's such a nice set it would also make a nice gift!  Thanks everyone that entered- check back often for giveaways!

Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely Saturday!

May Giveaway

It's time for another giveaway- just because!  This is a really nice set I believe it sells for $35 on the website and I'm pleasantly surprised at the packaging it really looks more high end.  So it includes 64 eyseshadow shades, 8 lip gloss shades, 4 blush shades, 4 bronzer shades, 1 lip brush, 1 eye brush and 1 face brush.  It is brand new in packaging!  It would be a nice gift for someone starting out with makeup or a nice piece to add to any collection.  I use quite a few of their products (e.l.f.) and I really like them and they are very affordable.

So in order to win the giveaway I just need you to comment below telling me what you are most looking forward to doing this summer!  This contest will run from today, May 17th until May 31st!  Good luck!

My new love...LUSH!

So you may or may not have read when my BFF was here several weeks ago we stumbled upon a Lush store in the mall.  I had heard of their products but had no idea what all the fuss was about.  So they do bath products-BIG DEAL!  Well let me tell you I am in love with LUSH.  Everything from there is simply AMAZING!  At first I only tried a couple of their soaps- Sultana, Honey I washed the kids and Buffy.  I absolutely loved them all!  I also got some No Drought- Dry Shampoo- love it!  Also- got a sample of The Big Tease- Hair Gel- Loved that too!  They had so many other products I wanted to try- I'm not even a bath person and I was dying to try some bath items and take a bath.  So for my birthday this past week I took my Birthday money and headed to LUSH.  I bought several Bath Bombs (you simply run a bath and drop one in- it fizzes and creates some bubbles but mostly amazing bath water), I bought some other random bath items some Bubble Bars (you crumble them while running a bath to create bubbles).  I haven't tried the Bubble Bars yet- I will be trying these out in the near future, perhaps tonight.  I also got a new shampoo- I love Juicy- amazing and even more amazing- I got a sample of Big Shampoo- That shampoo is the best shampoo I've ever used- highly recommend it. 

So let me tell you about my first experience with the Bath Bombs- I tried the Twilight Bath Bomb on my birthday.  Now let me tell you I normally only last 5-10 minutes in a bath, it's simply not my thing.  Well I ran a bath, got my book ready and a bath pillow and got in and dropped the Twilight-Bath Bomb in the tub.  It instantly smelled amazing and turned my water a rose color and made my skin feel like silk.  I felt so pampered, so relaxed and so LUSH!  So I was in the bath for almost an hour- that's right you heard me an hour!  It was that AMAZING!  I smelled like a flower and felt so soft when I got out.  I found myself trying to figure out when I could do another bath. :) 

I want to get everyone I buy gifts for LUSH this year so they can experience this amazing line of products.  If you ever have a chance to try them- you must.  www.lushusa.com

And no LUSH isn't paying me to write a review or push their product.  Although free stuff would be awesome :)

My Review of Big

Originally submitted at LUSH USA

Sea salt gives limp locks a major lift, so we put as much as possible into this best-selling shampoo (about half the content is sea salt). This is the shampoo for thin hair in need of volume. We add toothed wrack seaweed infusion for nourishment and softness and fresh lime juice and lemon infusion ...

Big

Addicted to LUSH!!!

By LUSH 4 LIFE from Chesapeake Beach, MD on 4/21/2012

 

5out of 5

When you survey your stash, you label this product: Must-Have

Hair Type: Straight Hair

Pros: Adds Volume, Improves Hair Health, Lathers Well, Cleans Thoroughly, Great Smell, Gentle, Adds Shine

Best Uses: Oily Hair, Thinner Hair

Describe Yourself: Beauty Conscious

I was pleasantly surprised at how much volume it gave my hair and how thick my normally fine, thin hair felt, almost like it doubled my hair folicles. Amazing shampoo and my husband said my hair smells and looks great after using it only one time!

(legalese)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

So I went for a walk by the water this morning and what a beautiful day it is.  It's so refreshing to hear the birds chirping, feel the breeze and smell the water.  Thumbs up to God! :)  We are surrounded by such beauty.  As I sit here typing this I am truly overwhelmed by God's Blessings.  Too often I get bogged down with what isn't right in my life and the things I feel I'm missing out on that I forget to stop and appreciate and be thankful for the amazing things I do have.  So I just turned 37 yrs old and I have a new outlook this year.  I still have deep desires in my heart but I've changed my prayer- I still pray for those desires, but I also pray that if God chooses not to give me those desires that he will take those desires away from me so I can be at peace.  That is a huge step for me and while I truly pray that God will bless me, you know what he already has!

Celebration!?!???

So this week I turn 37 yrs old.  This weekend we celebrated my birthday but I was in such a funk I couldn't shake it.  Getting older has not been easy for me since I turned 30!  I have such mixed emotions and for those of you that know me know I truly feel like I'm running out of time.  My husband is really amazing!  He knows I'm dealing with alot of emotions and he says to me yesterday why don't you go get a manicure I think you'll feel better and you know what....I did!  Gotta love that man :) 

Girls Weekend!

Notice the redness!  So I had a fabulous girls weekend with my very Best Friend!  We shopped till we dropped!  So we were in the mail and we saw a kiosk that the ladies were doing something called Threading.  I for one had never even heard of it and Renee had but had never had it done.  They use thread to remove facial hair, i.e. eyebrows, upper lip and such.  So we watched for awhile and after much consideration we decided to brave it.  And I'm not going to lie it did hurt but wasn't as bad as I anticpated, I think the more you have it done the easier it is.  So I keep my eyebrows pretty shaped and trimmed but it had been a few weeks so it gave me a very clean look and I loved the end result. 

We had a fabulous weekend- it was so nice to reconnect. 

Wonderful Weekend @ The Beach!

Yes I know it's not beach weather yet- but my husband and I had a fabulous relaxing weekend.  Sometimes it's just nice to chill out, relax and read a good book or catch up on Hulu. So thankful for the time we get to share together and so thankful to be married to such an amazing man.  I am truly blessed!  When I sit down to start counting my blessings it usually overwhelms me.  It really keeps things in perspective for me-when I start to feel sorry for myself or wish I had something I don't. 

I want to remind everyone to be thankful for what and who they have in their lives.  Some people close to me are going through some difficult marital situations and it just reminds me again and again to be so grateful for the marriage I have and to remember that marriage is hard work but so worth it in the end.  I think that's the bottom line- marriage is hard work at times- but the end result can be amazing.  I've been reflecting on so many people that I went to high school and college with that have already been divorced and some more than once- it really breaks my heart- but I truly believe too many people rush into marriage and get married way too young.  I think our society has made marriage so trivial and meaningless that people don't really take it seriously.  It is no longer an institution that people strive to withhold at almost any costs.  It's more of a trial run situation and if it doesn't work oh well.  Okay enough of my ramblings...

Happy Spring to you all!

I have seen it all....

Yesterday on my way to work in the DC area- I passed a guy in a residential area walking not one but two full grown pigs- I don't mean the pot-bellied pigs people keep as pets- these were full grown regular hogs!  It was hilarious he was walking them like you'd walk a dog.  I should have pulled over and taken a picture.

Iola- I apologize I just got your giveaway packaged and ready to mail on monday.  I honestly thought I had already sent it until I saw it in my craft room.  Please, please forgive me! 

I'm so excited for this coming week- I just got some of my Grandmothers furniture delivered and I'll finally have time to get everything moved around and placed.  Also, my very best friend Renee is finally coming to visit me- it's been 7 yrs since I've seen her and I'm so very excited!  I've felt like a teenage girl since we made the plans so excited I can hardly stand it!!!!

Spring has Sprung

I know it may be a little early but the weather has been so lovely this week so far- my tulips and daffodils are blooming and look so beautiful.  Daffodils remind me so much of my Grandma, when I was a little girl she had the most beautiful daffodils in her yard and she loved them so much.  This year so far has been so much better and God is really giving me more of a peace, I don't feel as empty as I did last year.  I still miss her every day but my heart is healing.

Losing Faith in Humanity....

Lately, I've had some issues at work that have been very difficult.  A trusted employee and someone I worked with for over a decade betrayed us all and stole from our company.  That was a real shock to my system.  I haven't gotten over that yet and I had to fire another employee just last week for cheating the company and turning in false times.

I know these type of things happen all the time but it doesn't make it any easier to handle or even understand.  I guess people just don't have Integrity anymore.  It's so very sad and disappointing, it just reminds me the only one we can truly count on is God.  No lies, no deceit, no betrayal.  If that relationship goes south it is on us.  No matter how far I've ever gotten away from my relationship with God over the years, I've always known it was me walking away and not God.  I've always known that it just takes me turning around and walking in the opposite direction.  I have always taken comfort in the fact he always accepts me back.  As much faith as we like to have in people they will always disappoint.  It is so wonderful to have at least that one constant that we can always depend on!

Congratulations to the Winner of the February 2012 Giveaway!!!

Iola- just email me your address and I'll get it packaged and shipped.  (scrappin4real@yahoo.com)

Congrats!  I hope you enjoy your little goodie basket!  Thank you all for commenting and participating!

Wow- it's been almost a month!

Rough month- my husband was sick then I was sick.  We are both doing much better now.  February flew by!  I was planning on doing a giveaway around Valentine's Day- sorry about that.  But I'd still like to do a giveaway for Feb.  I am going to run it from today until Monday, March 5th.  I have a sweet basket of goodies I've been saving for someone!  To enter the giveaway- simply comment below and tell me your Favorite Valentine gift of all times. 

The giveaway includes, some valentine nail files, smooth away hair removal, Bath & Body works lotion, small Clinique makeup bag, sponge, Yankee candle, Elf lipstick ,some Chic Prints for Nails by Sephora and a really nice Stila Eyeshadow palette.

So my favorite Valentine gift of all times- would have to be our first Valentine's Day together- my husband bought me a beautiful silver heart necklace and he wrote me a poem.  He has written me a poem every year since and we are going on 9 yrs.  Gotta love that man :)

Monday Blues

Okay so I will confess I only watched half of the Superbowl- I was bored and not feeling great so I abandoned my husband to find more interesting things to do.  Well for some strange reason I was unable to sleep last night and I was up until after 2am- I had to get up at 6am, so I'm not in a very good mood today and I'm extremely tired and sleepy.  I see an early night in my future.  Does anyone else experience episodes of insomnia?  It doesn't happen often for me but it does happen and it's so frustrating! 

Superbowl Party 2012

So I'm not a fan of either team playing in the Superbowl but I'm all for a party and party food!  So I've had chili cooking all day, I did a spinach artichoke dip I found on Pinterest.  I did some homemade Crab Rangoons (again Pinterest recipe).  Hmmm....oh I also did Hot wings!  So I'm ready to watch the Superbowl and I'm not going to lie I'm only watching it for the commercials and the half-time show and of course the party food!

Congratulations Tara....You are the Giveaway Winner!

Tara- Congrats!  So email me your home address and I'll get that in the mail right away.  (scrappin4real@yahoo.com).  Thank you all for entering and giving me you favorite foundations- I think I am going to try a few of them out and hopefully I can find something fabulous.  Also, wanted to share if anyone has a JCP near you that has a Sephora inside they are getting rid of the Korres brand in those stores and their stuff is 50% off- Korres makes some great products and half price is a great time to try them! 

Much needed "Nothing" Weekend

So this weekend I did pretty much Nothing and it was fabulous.  I've been so tired and worn out and to boot it was a rough week.  We caught an employee stealing and it had been going on for quite awhile.  So needless to say my week was turned upside down with having all locks/codes changed, researching the incidents and meeting with the authorities....Glad last week is over!

So I did do a little cooking this weekend but beyond that I simply relaxed, watched some tv and played some WII with my husband.  It was so wonderful to not have to do anything and just have a lazy weekend at home!  Sometimes it is really nice to regroup and start fresh.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well.

Got another little giveaway to share!

So I have a little giveaway to share with you guys.  I have a little goody bag full of treats....Clinique 3 step sample- Cleanser, Toner & Moisturizer, Stila- Tinted Moisturizer- Illuminating and sheer color samples, Too Faced Shadow Insurance sample, Fresh- Soy Face Cleanser Sample, Smashbox- Photo Finish Foundation Primer Sample, Avon- Foot Works- Deep Moisture Cream Sample, Urban Decay- Stardust Eyeshadow sample in Retrograde & Space Cowboy, Urban Decay mini nail polish in Xanadu (purple with glitter), Smashbox- Limitless eyeliner in Onyx- deluxe sample, Smashbox- Full Exposure Mascara-Jet Black- Deluxe Sample, Bath & Body Works mini hand sanitizer- Blue Raspberry, Full size Sephora lip gloss in Flushed, Full size Maybelline Quad Eyeshadow- Velvet Crush, Full size Physician's Formula Mascara- Midnight Black. This giveaway will run until Jan. 31st (Tuesday).  I won't have another giveaway until Valentine's Week!  So in order to be entered into this giveaway I need you to comment below- tell me your favorite foundation and any of your other favorite beauty products you'd like to share.

Check out some of my Favorites.....

Just wanted to share some of my current favorite makeup items some are ones I've shared before and a few are new.  Starting on the left and working right- Mary-Lou Manizer (The Luminizer) by The Balm- I love this product it adds a nice hint of highlight on your cheeks- it can be used as an eyeshadow as well- but I absolutely love it.  Next is a repeat favorite- Spackle by Laura Gellar- it's a tinted primer I use the shade Champagne- it adds just a little bit of shimmer and helps your make-up last all day long, not to mention a bottle of this stuff lasts a very long time- I've been using the bottle above for several months and it's still way over half full. Define-A-Lash by Maybelline , this is my all time favorite mascara, I have very long and full lashes and it doesn't clump at all, I love everything about it and it lasts- mascara is definitely something I never leave home without it on.  Bright Eyed by Coastal Scents in Light- this is great as an under eye concealer if you like me have dark circles to hide.  You really don't need much it works great and lasts all day and it's very inexpensive to boot.  Life on the A List by Benefit, this lip gloss is a very neutral pink I love the way it lasts and you can use it over just about any lipstick it's not sticky just gives a nice glossy look.  The It Girl Palette by Stila, Eve, Kitten and Americano are the shades, they are very neutral and great for everyday wear, I love that they have a matte in the mix so it's not all shimmer- I pretty much wear these colors on a daily basis they are easy and very pretty.  I've been trying alot of new products lately, I've been trying to find a new foundation that is really great- haven't found it yet but I've found lots that I don't care for- I'm curious what foundation everyone else loves.....I'd love to hear if you have some products you absolutely love as well.

YouTube is AMAZING!!!

Okay I know YouTube has been around for quite awhile but just recently I discovered you can learn how to do almost anything by watching youtube.  So my friend Marisa, got me interested in Crocheting on Pinterest- I've been wanting to learn how to do it for years.  My Grandma, always tried to teach me but one thing I'm left handed and it's near impossible to learn from someone right handed and the instruction books are never helpful.  So I was determined I was going to learn.  So I found a few videos of left handed people showing you how to crochet and it finally just clicked.  So a little background I did know how to make a chain, girl I could make a chain from here to China but that was the extent of my experience.  So last saturday I watched several videos and was able to get it but wasn't super confident, so I put it down and went about my day.  I picked it back up on Sunday and I went to town between Sunday and Monday I had completed my very first scarf.  I was so proud of myself and I wore that scarf proudly all week to work!  I felt like a kid bringing home my art project that I'd worked so hard on.  So here is the award winning scarf.  So what have you learned to do on YouTube?

   

Lord help me to be patient today!

I don't dare pray for patience- as I know how God teaches us patience :)  Sometimes I can be so patient and other times I seem to pop my lid.  How does that happen, how do I let some people push all my buttons?  How do I let someone have that much control over me?  I know I am not alone- I need to learn to just walk away and come back later.  Not a great start to a new year that I want to make fabulous :)  Well the day is still young!

The Winner of my Giveaway...

Carolin- Congrats.  Please email me your address (scrappin4real@yahoo.com).  I'll get that out in the mail to you on Tuesday.  Be on the lookout for another giveaway very soon- I have picked up alot of great things to share with you all.  Thank you all that entered, be sure to check back for upcoming giveaways.

I am in love with my Keurig

So my parents bought us one for our Anniv. in September.  And we love this thing.  How did we ever live without it?  If you have one you know what I mean if you don't have one you probably think I'm crazy.  But I do love this little machine.  I use it every day- I was never much of a coffee drinker but now I do drink coffee much more often but I also drink alot of hot tea, apple cider and hot chocolate.  It is always a perfect cup of whatever!  My favorites right now are...Kahlua, French Vanilla- Cappuccino, Apple Cider, English Breakfast tea. 

What are your favorite flavors?

Giveaway...better late than never!

Sorry- computer issues all week.  So I want to do a giveaway- I'm going to run it until Friday.  All you have to do to enter is comment below and tell me your favorite holiday memory from this Christmas.  So you'll be getting a little goodie bag- I have a Paula Deen Cookbook binder (forgot to snap a pic of it- but it's very cute), Garnier Fructis- Color Shield Sample Shampoo & Conditioner, 2 different samples of Stila's tinted moisturizer, Sephora lip gloss in Sweet Candy, Benefit- sample packet- That gal- face primer, Porefessional- minimizes pores, Stay don't stray- eye primer, Small eye palette kit- Very pretty smokey colors with 2 eyeliner colors as well, 3 pack of nail polishes by Sephora (City Amazon, Military Jacket and Jungle Playground).  So a cute little goodie bag!  Hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year!  This is going to be a great year I can feel it.

So glad the holidays are OVER!

It was a rough month for me- so glad it's over.  I'm ready to start off the new year with a bang!  So a new year has begun and this year will be much better than last year.  I enjoyed a nice weekend with my family over Christmas and New Year's.  That's me and my mom in the picture above at New Year's.  So to celebrate the new year- I want to give something away!  I will post tomorrow about the giveaway and post a picture of what you'll be getting!  Happy New Year everyone.