A Beautiful Mess

Most of you have seen the link to the blog where the woman talks about how women judge each other, moms judge each other. In fact a lot of us have written blog posts about that exact post. I thin it really opened up our eyes to reality.  Every mom wants to be the perfect mom, the sporty mom, the crafty mom, the mom that always looks amazing, the religious mom. We compare ourselves to each and every mom we see, that's just what we as moms do. You can say that you don't do that and I will smile and nod knowing that its not the truth. That used to be me. I like to think of myself as a good woman. A good wife, a good mom, a good friend. One who doesn't judge others or compare myself to them. It was a lie. Im not saying Im not a good person, I am saying Im human. I make mistakes. I look at women and wonder how they are so crafty, or how they have time to make item after item for the bake sale all while raising 3 children, taking care of the home while their husband is deployed and still manage to look amazing! I admit I am a bit jealous of those women!

MOPS has started up this year and I am extremely excited to have found such a great group of ladies ( who I still don't know very well since it was only one meeting). I had to smile when I walked in and see 10/15 women in charge wearing yoga pants and their hair a mess. Not because that's just the way they are, but they wanted to set the theme of this years MOPS.  This year MOPS decided to call their year "A Beautiful mess" When I saw that on my MOPS intro folder and listened to the MOPS president I had to just smile. This is exactly what I needed. I needed to realize that we are not perfect, no one is. So today I decided to 'Embrace My Story".


I am either really early or late, never right on time

I tend to make the same thing over and over for dinner because I am so picky and hate trying other recipes.

I cant for the life of me figure out how to have perfect hair

There is not a day that goes by that I don't spill some sort of food item on myself

I may be thin but I never have the time or drive to go to the Gym

I am not crafty what so ever

I stare into my closet for ever trying to find an outfit

Im impatient

Im emotional

I don't always have time to shave

I often use Finding Nemo as bait so I can get a break during the day

My son wont eat his veggies

M and I have our arguments

I am indecisive

I stress

I often speak without thinking, then regret it later

I find random people to talk to because Im desperate for adult interaction

I love spending money

Im not perfect. I know this. I need to learn to embrace who I am. Not look at others and compare myself to her. I don't think this MOPS theme could have came at a better time. I think its time for us moms to be confident in who we are. Each and every mom out there struggles everyday. Even if she looks composed on the outside, maybe her house is a mess. We have all been there and will be there again and often. So we need to support one another, not judge each other.

That woman's blog post has opened my eyes, as it has done to many other moms. Then with this MOPS theme starting, It will help even more. This is the start of something new, something better. It will help moms come together like God intended not make us enemies.








 

StarLooks StarBox: September Review

 I got my September StarBox from StarLooks today! Of course I am always excited for my subscription boxes every month. Sad to say this will be my last box with StarLooks. I am just not happy with their boxes. Ipsy is my go to. Much cheaper and better items! Not that I don't love the StarLooks brand though!!

First in My September StarLooks StarBox was the Lip Gloss in Pearl Necklace.

In the tube this is such a pretty color. I was afraid it would go on a bit metallic though. I was wrong.. it went on clear. I am not seeing any color to it what so ever. Which is fine I need a new clear coat for my lipsticks but still a bummer. No one wants to spend $12.00 for a clear coat, especially when its such an awesome brand! I would have loved to have some color! The lip gloss ( besides the color) is really awesome though!

Price:$12.00



Next in the box was their Infinity Eyeliner  In Milky Way.

 
 

First off I am not a fan of any color eyeliner besides Black. So, although I will try this maybe as something a little different, I will not use it as my main liner. It is a pretty color though, just not for a liner. It is very creamy so I might actually try one of their liners in black.

Price: $13.00


Last was their Fashion Lashes

 Another one of their products I probably wont use. Unless I decide to use them at my brothers wedding in a few weeks, yes that's what I will do! These ones are a bit thick looking for me so I will have to give them a shot!

Price: $13.00



StarLooks had the idea of getting everyone to step out of the box this month. That's great!! Its always good to do, just not for me!  I am looking forward to seeing what other people have to say about the upcoming StarBoxes!

 

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

For Health Insurance and being able to go to the doctors when I need to.

 

 

 

That we are getting an invisible fence put in for the dogs today.

 

 

 

For family.

 

 

 

For weddings ( more on that at a different time)

 

 

 

For fall weather.

 

 

 

Today we are finally getting an invisible fence put in!  We were gonna go with a normal fence but after being quoted $10,000 for a simple fence we changed our minds. Country living has grown on us and besides the money issue, I think having a fence would change that feeling. There is nothing like having a huge open backyard. But with that said we need something to keep the dogs in and away from the road so an invisible fence is what needs to happen. This company is awesome though. They put it in and train all my dogs rather then just letting them find out for themselves. So I am petty excited!

 

 

We had all of M's family over Saturday for a bbq and later that night we sat around the fire just talking. It was amazing!! That is how I pictured living in my new home would be. What a blessing to be so close to family again!

The Best Is Yet To Come: Mascara Reviews

If your anything like me, you have a hard time finding a good mascara. You look and look and go through a million until you find a good one, then all of a sudden it stops being amazing (Kind of like shampoo, you always need to switch it up) OR even worse, they discontinue it! Well I have yet to find the perfect mascara for me.

Now I know every woman is different. We all might not like the same type of mascara because we all have different personalities and different eye lashes!! But I decided last night while trying to scrub off one brand of mascara (and having a hard time doing so) that I wanted to write a post about the ones I have in my makeup box right now and what I think about them!

I probably have way too many different types of mascara but I do use each and every one of them weekly!


We will start out with Arbonne's 'Its a Long Story' Mascara $36.00

I used to sell Arbonne, for a very very short time. Shortly after I decided to stop, they came out with this new mascara. Knowing that their products are free of chemicals and animal grossness ( as well as a review from a friend) I decided to try it. First off, the brush is perfect. Exactly what I like to use with my mascara. The first time I used it I wasn't blown away with it but I still liked it. It grew on me. It wouldn't clump up like so many do but it didn't make my lashes look as long as I had hoped. With a good makeup wash it came off great as well!

I would have to say this is one of my favorites from my box, for now.



Next we have Bare Minerals 'Lash Domination' Mascara. $18.00

I got this one as a sample mascara when I bought the Naked palette from Sephora. Right away I knew I wasn't going to like it. The second I took it the brush out It was caked on there. Thick and clumpy. It had an interesting 'swirl' in the brush though which I thought was unique. I was right. it went on horrible. My lashes were all stuck together and there was no hope for them. I still use it today but I have to separate my lashes like crazy after. The dark black is really pretty though.

I would not buy this ever again.


Next is Maybelline's 'Classic Volum Express' Mascara $ 7.77

To me, Maybelline is a no brainer. They always have something good. The biggest problem I have with their mascara is that it will work great and then all of a sudden just stop ( or maybe its just me). I would have to say that this mascara has been one I have used the longest out of the ones I have now. The brush is a simple brush. It can get clumpy at times but nothing you cant fix. I do use this with one other mascara every time thought. if your wondering why, I learned a makeup tip a while back that told me to NEVER wear just one!! gotta double up to get what you want!

Not the best but also have never had a problem with it. I would buy it again.


Then we have the Pixi 'Lash Booster' Mascara $17.00

I got this mascara in one of my Ipsy Glam Bags. Before I even got it I read horrible reviews and as I feared, they were right. This mascara is horrible. First of all the brush was annoying to get out of the tube. When I first looked at it it was such a pretty black, I like my mascaras dark! It went on fine. Nothing great but nothing worth hating. it wasn't until I tried getting it off that I saw the problem. This mascara is worse then trying to take off waterproof mascara. For example, I had this on as well as the Bare minerals mascara last night ( told you I still use them all). Before my shower last night, I took a makeup remover face towel to it, which by the way always gets everything off they are amazing. I then took a  shower and noticed clumps were coming off when I touched it. I got out and looked in the mirror and looked like death. It took another makeup remover to finally get it off and even then Im not sure it all came off. No one wants to scrub away at their eyes! We are trying to grow our lashes not rip them out!

No one should ever buy this EVER.

Next is Ulta's 'Amped Lashes' Mascara $10.00 but often on sale

I received this mascara in one of their 'buy this much and get this bag free' bag. Even though this one didn't get very many good reviews, I didn't mind it. It never clumped for me, in fact, I even use it as a second mascara to help separate my  lashes! I had no problem with this and taking it off was easy.

I wouldn't say its the best but on sale, I would buy it again for a second mascara.

Then we have Benefit's 'They're Real!' Mascara $23.00

I tried this for the first time when I received it in my free Birthday Gift from Sephora ( if you haven't signed up for that you need to its fabulous). I had heard amazing things about this mascara, in fact its a top seller! I was impressed. The brush was nice, the color great, didn't clump, and was easy to take off. I had hoped it would make my lashes look longer then it did but it was still awesome.

This is right up there with Arbonne's mascara. I will buy this again.


Last I have Elizabeth Mott's 'It's So Big' Mascara $19.99

I also got this from my last Ipsy Glam Bag. Well it smells horrible. I hate when you open a mascara and the smell hits you in the face. No way I want that up by my nose! This is another I wasn't to happy about. Better then the last one from ipsy but still not a fan. It does clump, not as bad as others, but it does. The color is nice and it does lengthen the lashes some but not worth it. I wouldn't say this is horrible to get off but its not easy!

I wouldn't buy this one again.


Well those are the Mascaras I have in my makeup box now. I am still trying to find the perfect one so if you found one you love, let me know!! I am willing to give it a try!

I would say that my favorite is to mix the Arbonne's Its A Long Story with Benefits They're Real. It makes a great combo so try it!!

Look out for a post about some of my favorite face washes and moisturizers!!

 

 

So No One Else Will Suffer...

I am part of a few Endometriosis boards on facebook, one in particular.  This is where women come to share their stories and what they have or are going through. They are there for support, friendship, and a 'shoulder to cry on'. A person who does not have endometriosis can not understand completely what one who does goes through. Like any chronic illness, you have to experience it to fully understand. These women come from all over the world and support each other. Its amazing. It is one place no one judges you and they all understand.

As you know I have Endometriosis. Although to me, it is painful and horrible, it is not YET to the level of some of these women have. There is no cure, so it just gets worse. There is maybe a few handful of people who have had complete relief from a procedure but not many. Although I love hearing these women's stories, and support them when I can, and come to them when I have questions or concerns or just want to talk, it scares me. Some of these women have had Endometriosis overcome them entirely because of how bad it is. Some have had to quit their jobs and most can not have children. I may not get as bad as some of these women in 5 or 10 years but I will get worse, and it could be the same as theirs. This pain is already horrible and not fun to live with but to imagine it getting worse scares me.

One woman posted this story So No One Else Will Suffer on the faebook page that broke each and everyone of our hearts. Some came forward to say that they understand this young woman's thoughts and feelings. I think it made us all stop and really think. I wont go on much about the story here, its something you just have to read for your selves. Some of you may just roll your eyes and think "Why did she do that, its so stupid, it cant be that bad". Well it is, and to many women it is THAT BAD. After reading this, I contacted the writer of the article in hopes that I can find out ways to create or assist on fundraisers that will help fun Endometriosis research so a cure can be found.

If you are like me, and want to help too, please contact me or this woman. I will be researching different fundraisers that will be right for me to become a part of. One day there will be a cure, but one day might be too late for far too many women.

I am just thankful God Blessed me with a son so I never have to watch a daughter go through what I am going through or worse.

Thanful Monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

For Civilian doctors Offices that get you to a nurses line asap AND an appt same day if needed

 

 

 

For new cars! Yay!!

 

 

 

For a hard working husband, without hi I would have none of this!

 

 

 

For family

 

 

 

 

For our home that I love so much!

Ipsy Galm Bag: September

Its here!!! Let me start out by saying that Ohio is even more awesome because I get my Ipsy Galm Bag sooner then I did when we were in Idaho!! wooo! I just received the Tracking email yesterday and it was in my mailbox today. Huge surprise...but an awesome one! I feel like I got extra goodies in this months bag because of the Life Palette!

So here we are!

First was the Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted lip Balm in Big Apple. Its name says it all. This is a very bright color. More pink then red. I also feel like its more of a stain. It goes on dry. I need to add a clear gloss to help spruce it up a little. Its also a little bright for me! I was excited to try this thought since I loved their Gel Eyeliner that looks just like this!

 Price: $19.00


Next was the Elizabeth Mott Its So Big volumizing mascara in Black I believe. This was just a 4ml sample but I always love samples of mascara because I still haven't found one I love. This one went on nice. It has a thinner brush which I prefer the thicker ones but still seems to be good.

Price: $19.99 for a 10mL


Then we have the NYX Single eye Shadow in Deep Charcoal I am glad I got the darker color rather then the one in the sneak peek. It actually is a really pretty color, and NYX does a pretty good job when it comes to their eye shadows.

Price: $4.50



Next we have the StarLooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian. I have been getting StarLooks subscription boxes so I am always excited to try more of their stuff. We have gotten their lip liner in our Glam Bag a few months back. This eye liner goes on really smooth! The color is great. Not sure if it can last through the entire day yet.

 Price: $12.00


Last we have the Freeman Beauty Facial paper in 2 different types. Brightening, Purifying, and hydrating. I have not tried them yet because I barely have time to wash my makeup off this past month let alone use a facial mask! BUT I am really excited to try this one. It seems so easy!

 

Price: $5.77 per pouch



We also got a little bonus in our bags this month (Im assuming we all did). It was a sample of EM makeups The Life Palette career life. It is a sample of 4 of their cheek, eyes, and lip colors that come in the complete Palette. This Palette actually looks pretty awesome to me. Its a ton of different colors and when you are finished with one section, you can just pop it out and fill it with a different one.

 

 

Price: $75.00 for the full Palette

 

 

I think this bag was defiantly better then the past two months. It seems like Ipsy is really getting their act together. Especially when it comes to listening to their customers. I just took the review questions and they have changed since the last few times to really get better ideas on what I want. Way to go Ipsy!!