Product Spotlight

Let me first start out by saying that I am not getting paid or getting free goodies out of posting this on my blog, I am just simply sharing some awesome finds with friends :)

I was always the type of person to never wash my face at night, I'd only wash my face with the rest of my body when I was in the shower or bath, with regular soap. I rarely used makeup remover, needless to say I treated my skin horribly. In all honesty though, I have been super Blessed with healthy skin regardless of my not so good facial treatment. I am just not the type of girl to splurge on expensive makeup, primers, makeup brushers, etc...so by 9pm the makeup was usually off anyways.

In the past few months I have noticed a drastic change in my face. My skin dries out terribly, or either feels super oily, which then produces those nasty pimples blemishes. (I hate the word pimple!)

It was then I decided that I would start a nightly facial regime to ensure that I continue to have healthy glowing skin. I have tried several things from local drug stores, and although it had built in lotions and exfoliants it would break my face out like a 13 year old kid. I'm assuming some of the products inside of those cleaners were harsh on my face.

Let's face it, when it comes to products in general, it's all trial and error...well I finally found what works for me and I wanted to share!

Remember when I went to Florida? Well my sweet aunt bought me the most amazing silky $35 makeup brush. I am the type of girl who buys the E.L.F $1 brushes from Target, but I can honestly say it makes a huge difference in putting on my eye shadow. Anyways, by spending over $30 I got some free Lancôme moisturizer and oh my word it's fantastic!

Every night before bed I scrub my face with Apricot Scrub.

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Yes it is from Dollar General and it works great! It exfoliates perfectly and gets rid of all the excess oils from my face. Trust me when I tell you, for me, it works just as good as the name brands.

Now onto the free goodies I received my purchasing the makeup brush...

After I exfoliate with the Apricot Scrub, I dry my face with a hand towel and apply

Bienfait Multi-Vital Night by Lancôme on my face, excluding my eye lid and under eye area. Using clean hands I rub into my face. A little goes a very long way, so I imagine this tube will last me minimum 6 months. I've been using ever since my trip in Florida and have barely made a dent in the container.

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The same goes for Genifique Eye by Lancome, a little goes a very long way. I dab a tiny amount above my eye lids and under eye area. Once again, using clean hands, I rub gently all around my eye area.



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I have seen a drastic difference in my face, not only with the way it feels, but the way it looks. My skin is no longer oily or dry. It has gotten rid of imperfections and uneven skin tones and I've even seen a reduction in my under eye circles. I'm not sure if this routine would work for everyone, but oh my word it has worked for me!

What is your routine? Do share!



Lunchtime Funnies

If you've been following for a while, then you know that every now and then my sister and I FaceTime during my lunch break. You (and she) should also know that I screen shot some of our hilarious faces, whether we're trying to make each other laugh and look creepy, or whether stupid FaceTime just automatically does that to us, because let's face it, FaceTime makes everyone look like shit! For reals!

Enjoy...

I love looking back on pics that make you laugh...ever heard of CamWow for iPhone?

Well, if you haven't, download now!

Last night was spent taking CamWow pictures and memory game fun!



Work dinner tonight which means I don't have to cook or clean up the mess afterwards. The temperature finally cooled off today here in the South, which makes me one happy girl!

xo

Did you hear that?!

The title of this post is the most cliché thing that people say in a scary movie while out camping, drinking, laughing, and 99% of the time in scary movies the girls are half naked or some "bow chicka wow wow" is about to happen, am I right?

Well my friends, that will be me this weekend, without the scary movie "Did you hear that?" part.

My brother-in-law and sis have spent two years building their little cabin perched back on 17 acres that they are going to use solely for camping and day trips with the family. It is beyond beautiful and after two long years it's finally finished! What is the best way to break it in? Finding a sitter for the kids, buy some beer and burgers, and camp out...duh!

The hubs and I went over there yesterday to finish with some last minute touches that

Billy (bro-in-law) needed help with. Naturally, that's when I took some pics for moi blog.

Panorama of the Pond

The Cabin in the Woods

The Cookout Shed



Kids Play Area/Deer Stand

What I love most about the cabin and all the little add-ons is the fact that every single thing is hand built and made. Including the swing that overlooks the pond. Billy did not hire a contractor, have plans drawn, nothing. He just simply started building, and with help here and there, it turned out so cute if I do say so myself.

*****

Remember that koozie I said I purchased from Target? Well did I mention it was Halloween themed, and only $1? I'm in love...

I guarantee you, this witch will have some brew in this koozie this weekend while camping!

*****

I was on one of my favorites websites yesterday, Etsy, which always gets me in trouble, because I end up hearting at least a dozen shops, and from that point purchasing something. Surprise, surprise I ended up buying Cadence a Thanksgiving bow to go along with her Turkey Day outfit.

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How cute is this? Click the link to purchase for your little one...

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Life's Little Moments

It's certain moments in our lives that we take in so much that it is forever stamped into our souls. Sometimes it's a sunset, a wedding day, obviously the day you give birth to your children. We have so many throughout our entire lives that you think you're going to run out of memory to hold them all, but somehow you don't. Last night, when I least expected it, Cadence gave me one of those little moments, and lucky me snapped it on camera. We were snuggled up in our PJs, makeup and bra free, relaxed in sweats with crazy hair (hers included) lying belly down on the opposite side of the bed watching "Quints by Surprise". (It's a show that used to come on a couple years ago, and we both love it. She calls it the "crazy baby show" because with 6 kids all under the age of 10 running around the house it's crazy.) We were giggling and eating our peeps, when I looked over and captured the most innocent of smiles. It almost brought a tear to my eye to see her so happy enjoying the moment that just the two of us shared.

Annually our local bakery comes out with the most amazing pumpkin cheesecake that I have ever tasted in my entire life. It is in the store through November and December and then no more until the next year. Monday - Friday I go in and grab my coffee and finally I saw it, the pumpkin cheesecake, that I have waited over a year to taste!

This little baby didn't let me down, oh em yum!

During my lunch break today I ventured off to Target to get some goodies I've been eyeing for some time. Essie's "For the Twill of It", Sally Hansen's Advanced Hard as Nails, and possibly an impulse purchase garnet colored sweater and a Halloween koozie to add to my growing collection.

For the Twill of It is still up in the air for me. I like it one minute and don't the next. I love neutral colors, nudes, whites, grays, etc. For the Twill of It has hints of green and purple in the mix so I'm still undecided on the color, but adore the shine that it has in the coat. I only had to apply one coat, not two or three like I do when I have pale grays or nudes, so that was a definite plus.

I gave myself an at work manicure on the last 10 minutes of my break with the Hard as Nails polish applied over my nail lacquer, not only had it dried my entire manicure within just a few minutes, but I can already notice a difference with my paper thin nails! Definitely a purchase worth making.

I also purchased Sally Hansen's Kwik Off Moisturizing Nail Polish Remover with Vitamin E and Aloe and am absolutely sold on this product. Not only did it take off my vibrant pink polish with no red or pink tint left on my nails, but it left my finger tips feeling silky smooth like I had just coated them with lotion, unlike other polish removers. It also smells like lotion and does not at all have that strong polish remover stench to it.

Any good finds on your end lately? Do share!

Weekend Catch Up

Saturday morning the hubs and Cade's got up bright and early. I stayed in bed, only for the light to be turned on, a hat shoved on top my head, and a "good morning mommy". All I could do was smile and she was ready for a photo sesh. No makeup, dark circles and all...

We are peep freaks in my household! Have you ever toasted a peep like you do a regular marshmallow? Oh my yum! Cadence adores the Halloween ones!

Two too many peeps later, after playing with her cousin, Devin, she crashed.

Beautiful Saturday afternoon sky.

I got bored at one point, thus the impromptu sister makeover I did on Angela.

Makeup Before & After



Hair Before & After

Cadence loves to match, including her jewelry (see pics below for this sweetness!)



She wanted to do an OOTD post, b/c she was loving her black and magenta outfit, circa 2012...

I am aware that he probably sent this to all on his snapchat list, but getting this from Mr. Owen this morning made my freaking day!

I have tried to turn this photo, but my stupid computer won't allow it, but have you heard of white chocolate candy corn m&m's yet? If not, get on that immediately! I also love the little candy corn flavored pumpkins...Halloween I am ready for you!

xo



Friday Five

one. My new phone cases.

Long story:short...my dad's name is Mack. He has had a mustache pretty much since birth, everyone says I look like him. So voila...now it's official.

I got these three phone cases for the price of one. All I did was visit their Facebook page HERE

Clicked on the link which took me to their website. I entered my email address by signing up, added two cases to my cart, exited out and a day later they sent me a promo code for buy one, get two free. Love them!

two. Cadence's 5th Birthday: Winter Wonderland party planning is underway!

Ordered her invitations this week, and am in love with them!

Here are the matching seals to close the envelope...can't wait!



three. This weeks Pinterest finds. If you don't follow me...start HERE

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The above Sonia Kashuk palette can be purchased at Target! I'm heading today during my lunch break! Is this not a perfect mix of sparkly neutrals?!

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I never would have thought to turn a tulip cookie cutter into a precious little cookie ghost!

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I have a confession, I am not a color decorator when it comes to Christmas. I believe in silvers, whites, golds and clean pristine ornaments. To me, it's absolutely stunning to see a "one color" trimmed Christmas tree. These neutral ornaments adorned with simple white string are beautiful.

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Nordstrom $29

four. This nail polish.

I have been searching for this chromatic nail polish for.ev.er and still no luck. There are some close seconds, but still not near as shiny as the pic above...does anyone know?

five. It's Friday. Hometown football game tonight, watching movies, snacking and snuggling all weekend...xo



Sometimes...

...you just need to stop and take in the moment. Such as the beautiful sky yesterday while the sun was setting. It was stunning!

This was last night while headed home from our shopping trip at Target, where we picked up Cadence's Halloween costume. She is beyond excited and has already started practicing her witch cackle, oops...I guess I just gave it away ;)

It's still hot as balls here in SC, so instead of my White Chocolate Mocha, I sipped on a Vente Lime Refresher...they are amaze!

Have you seen the pic that Kim Kardashian posted to Instagram today? All I'm going to say is "wowza". If you haven't looked, you definitely should...hah!