Recent Beauty Buys

Maybelline Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (in Nude)
After reading how Cara from Maskcara raves about this product, it’s been on my radar for a few months. I finally purchased it last week and have been happy so far with it. I’ll do more of a review later about it, but my first thoughts are positive. It has a thicker consistency than I had expected and really does act as a concealer and not just a highlighter which is a cool combination for a product.

Cover Girl Invisible Concealer (in Light)
The last time I wore the Cover Girl brand, I think I was in high school or my first years of college. To be honest, I haven’t been fond of their products so I haven’t tried any of their new lines in years, regardless of what good things I’ve heard. Recently, I’ve had a few breakouts and needed a concealer to cover them. I was looking for two specific ones, but of course the store was out of every product in my color. The Cover Girl brand caught my attention and it was a good price so I figured if I didn’t care for it, it’s no skin off my nose if I threw it away after one use. Surprisingly this has been a great find! The consistency is just right, the color blends seamlessly, and it doesn’t feel heavy or weird on my skin after application, plus there’s no weird scent! Woohoo!

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara
I’ve been using Maybelline Volum Express The Rocket Mascara for a while and I do like it (I’ll probably re-purchase it, I like to have two mascaras to rotate), I’ve been missing my tried and true L’Oreal one. This is just a re-purchase for me, but you can never go wrong with this great mascara. It doesn’t flake, dry out, or run and is a must-have for me.

Neutrogena Naturals Acne Foaming Scrub
To deal with the above mentioned break outs, I also bought this face scrub. I’ve been using the makeup remover wash for months (years even?) and absolutely love it so I thought I’d try the line’s acne wash as well. I’ve only used it a few times so far, so I can’t give a full review yet.

L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self Tanning Lotion (in Medium)
Another re-purchase for me. I really like using this and the Jergens Natural Glow lotion. The L’Oreal one has a shimmer to it, so you’re ready to party after each application. It gives you an instant bronzed tint and will self tan after a couple of hours, just like regular tanning lotion. The L’Oreal has a great scent (Matt loves it on me) and is really easy to use without getting any streaks. Check out my original review post here.

MAC Creme Cup
I've been wanting to get my hands on this lipstick forever, but they are always sold out. I've finally have it and I'm so happy with the color! It's gorgeous and more of a pink-nude and is a great color for all day wear and into the evening. I think next time I stop by the MAC counter and they have one in stock I'll pick it up to have a spare.

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Volume Inject Mousse
I have a love/hate relationship with mousse, I go back and forth using it and not using. This product didn't do anything special for me, it didn't stand out to be above other mousses I've used of different brands. When I used it in combination with my Redken Guts 10 it was way too much product, but is fine on its own. I'll continue to use it, but I don't think it will be a re-purchase for me.

L'Oreal Paris Boost It High Lift Creation Spray
I bought this spray to work together with the mousse, it's just glorified hairspray. It smells delicious though. It does keep the volume/teased hair up longer than just a standard hairspray and  more oomph over all. I think it may be a re-purchase in the future.

What products have you bought this season? Have you tried anything new?

Birthday Wishlist

Welp. I turn the big 3-0 this week and we are having a big party to celebrate this weekend, we're combining it with my husband's birthday and as a housewarming party- more bang for your buck. I even have to renew my license tomorrow and take an eye test. Man I'm old. This weekend I even bought longer shorts- a true sign of age (and modesty).

Everyone keeps asking me what I want for my birthday and I really can't think of much. My Mother-in-law suggested to make a list of something so they can at least have a direction. So, after a weekend of shopping together and head scratching I have a small list.

A new makeup bag, a fun spring polish (Playdate), a few refills for some of my favorite hair products- volume spray and conditioner, more eyeshadow because what's another palette?, some new gloss (Walk of Shame) and chapstick (Petal), and a summer handbag.

There's nothing too special here. Mostly stuff I've been looking at and haven't bought yet. I've just been so busy buying for the house, getting ready for the party, and honestly... I have everything I've ever wanted. A family and a home of my own. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it's really the truth. I'm so excited to celebrate it all coming together this weekend with those we love.

Our Easter Holiday

Since childhood, Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. It's a great spring holiday that celebrates the resurrection of our Savior so we can start again and again. Easter has always been special to me, you don't need to have been "good" all year long, or have a significant other, or shower everyone with gifts. It's a day to rejoice in the greatest love and sacrifice that has been given to us.

We had Matt's parents stay with us Saturday night so we could spend the morning together before the family party for Ellie's first Easter. Matt's mom and I bought the guys some candy and BBQ sauces and marinades- I can't wait to test them out! Sweet Chili Pineapple chicken sounds delicious and perfect for summer. I made some simple garlands using poms and plastic eggs. It took me made 30 minutes to make both. I love how they add color to the fireplace (ignore the wires at the bottom, we are changing out all the face plates and still need to mount our tv).

We woke up pretty early and Ellie was so excited to see all the eggs and goodies. She was just all smiles and giggles as she went through her basket. She's been playing with eggs all week and we've been practicing her egg hunt and filling them with Cheerios and puffs for her.

After breakfast we got ready and went to Matt's sister's for an awesome egg hunt for the children and adults, good food, and a great time with our family. Then after a few hours we went to share the day with my side of the family at my aunt's home. It's so great that our families live (relatively) close to each other so we can share it with everyone.

When we bought this house I knew we would have to get a swing for the deck. My grandparents had one and I remember swinging off the back porch and pushing my younger cousins in it. Ellie loves being in the swing and I was so excited to get this hung up for her (thanks Matt and Grandpa!) it's going to get so much use this summer and in the next years.

 

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday with your loved ones!

Harts and Flowers Giveaway Winner

This giveaway has to be one of my favorites to share because I just love this headband so much and I can't wait to see it on a beautiful little girl.  Just this weekend I bought the same one myself for Ellie. Huge thank you to Harts and Flowers for being so generous and sweet to work with. I absolutely love our peach headband and can't wait for Ellie to wear it all summer long! Thank you to all the entries and congratulations Brandy!

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Easter Basket Goodies

Easter has always been of my favorite holidays. I am so excited to celebrate this year with Ellie and see her face when she sees her basket the bunny left for her this year. I've already started looking for and buying some goodies for her. I thought it would make for a fun post to share and get some ideas from you guys too! Shopping for little ones can be so much fun, but when they're too young to really understand the holiday or the gifts it can be hard to see what would be good options for them. 

Outfit (here) // Towel (here) // Animal Eggs (here) //  Stuffed Animals (here and here) // Hat (here)

Books (here and here) // Blocks (here) //  Bath toys (here)  //  Swimsuit (here)

Sippy Cup (here) // Socks (here) // Sandals (here) //  Puffs (here)

Some other fun goodies would be bubbles, pool toys, a name puzzle (here), a teepee, or a porch swing. I plan on filling Ellie's eggs with puffs, Cheerios, and yogurt melts. I've gone back and forth with what type of a basket to get here. I'd love to get her a nicer basket to use year after year, but I don't have any Easter decoration and don't want to store just a basket by itself. I may wait until we're done having children and get them all the same type personalized. For now, I just got her a really cute throw away one. Growing up we had a variety of baskets; throw away ones, large wicker baskets, ones my grandmother made us, and it was kind of fun seeing what type of a basket you would get each year. Then, I also love the nostalgia of having the same one year to year like you do with a Christmas stocking.

What are some of your favorite Easter traditions? We always got our swimsuits every Easter and I look forward to continuing that with Ellie.

What goodies do you give your little ones?

Nelson J Giveaway Winners!

The three winners of the Nelson J ARgan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask have been chosen,
check below to see if it's you!

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Harts and Flowers Headband Giveaway!

I’m so excited about today’s giveaway because I absolutely love headbands on Ellie, especially from Etsy shop Harts and Flowers. We were getting ready to take family photos and I had Ellie’s outfit all picked out and ready, but I didn’t have a headband to match her outfit. I searched shops and websites for several days and when I found this pretty peach number I knew I had to get it. I’ve bought a ton of summer outfits for Ellie and several have a lot of peach details and this would be the perfect headband for her wardrobe. I emailed Amanda about it with some questions about color and sizing and she got back to me right away. We quickly started emailing back and forth all day and I just fell in love with how sweet she is. I ordered my headband the same day and it arrived by the weekend and it was absolutely darling. Ellie looks adorable in it and I can’t wait for her to wear it all summer long. It’s such a lovely peach shade and the lace band is so feminine, I want one in every color for her now. I love finding shops and items that are a great price point and good quality, it’s even better when the customer service and overall experience is awesome.

A little bit about the shop and the owner, Amanda and her family live in Milwaukee, WI. Amanda’s husband is a kindergarten teacher and she stays at home with their beautiful daughter Hazel. Hazel is just younger than Ellie and will be 9 months on the 13th. I love finding other mamas who have babies close in age to Ellie, it’s like we have an instant mommy connection. Amanda started making headbands for Hazel when she was pregnant and opened her Etsy shop Harts and Flowers as a creative outlet and extra spending money. She loves playing with her supplies and enjoys coming up with new designs and color combinations. Her headbands are all made to order and customer orders are also available.

Here are some of my favorites from her shop, the fun color combinations and varying textures are gorgeous. There’s a headband for all outfits and occasions.

Pink and Mint

Spring Floral 

Yellow and Gray

Pink Vintage

Amanda is such a doll she offered this gorgeous headband for one lucky baby girl! There are a few ways to enter, check it out below and a winner will be announced next week! Be sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook for sneak peeks of new items, coupons, contests, and promotions (you earn an entry for following too)!

 

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