Valentine's Day Nails

Ladies, Valentine's Day is coming up.  Although we probably won't do much to celebrate the day as a couple, I still like wearing pink or red that day.  In the weeks before Valentine's Day, I'll do some fun and easy nail art to celebrate the holiday.  I found four Valentine's Day nail art tutorials from Julep that are so easy to do!  Let me know if you try one of them.

Types of Concealer

Have you looked at the concealer options at the makeup counter lately?  It’s enough to make your head spin!  There are different formulas and even different colors to choose from.  How do you know which one to use?  No worries, my friends, I’ve got your covered on the different types of concealer—no pun intended.  After you read this, you’ll know which types of concealer to buy for your specific needs and some great tips to help you apply it. 

My Morning Routine for a Morning Win

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of belVita. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m not a morning person.  Before kids, I was up all night and slept until noon.  I was terrified that my oldest would never get on a normal sleep schedule because I never slept before 4 a.m. while I was pregnant with him.  Luckily, all three of my kids fell in to a normal sleep pattern.  They have always been up early ready to tackle the new day.  Me?  I’m begging for a few more minutes of sleep.  That’s why it’s so important for me to have a morning routine.  My kids are a bit older now, so they know to leave mom alone until she’s part way through her morning, i.e., not until she’s had a cup of coffee.  Keep reading for my morning routine.

Adult Coloring Books - Relax and Get Creative

When I was a kid, I loved to color.  I remember my aunt used to sit with me and color too.  When I had a baby sitter, my favorite ones were the ones who colored with me.  I guess they were all ahead of their time because adult coloring books are insanely popular almost three decades later.  I still love being crafty and getting creative.  I downloaded some apps for coloring, but it's not the same at all. I need the real thing in order to relax.  

Cold And Flu Survival Kit

I don’t have time to get sick.  I just don’t.  Even if I do get sick, I don’t have time to wait to get better.  I need to take action, and I need results fast.  Besides me not having time to get sick, my younger son doesn’t have the best immune system.  When he gets sick, he’s gets very sick.  For that reason, I have to take extra precautions during cold and flu season so none of us get sick, and if we do get sick, then we need to feel better quickly.  Keep reading for my cold and flu survival kit essentials to help you get better fast.

Introducing NeuEnergy

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NeuEnergy. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m busy.  And I bet you are too.  Just after lunch, I start to crash.  Hard.  I want nothing more than to take a nap most days, but I have too much to do.  In addition to homeschooling in the morning and writing in the afternoon, I also have volunteer commitments or the kids’ activities in the evening.  I need energy, but I don’t want to get jittery.  It’s not even just feeling tired for me; it’s hard for me to concentrate in the afternoons too.    What’s a busy mom to do when the day is just over half done and she’s tired?  Keep reading to find out.

6 Surprising Health Benefits of Tea

I’m a major coffee addict, but I also drink a lot of tea.  White tea is my favorite because it has a mild flavor and less caffeine than black tea.  I try to drink a two or three glasses of white tea a day because of the many health benefits of tea.  I feel a lot better when I drink my tea every day.  I’m not a doctor, so I won’t tell you that drinking tea cures all ailments, but for me, I know that my pain is greatly reduced when I drink 2-3 cups of tea a day.  Some research backs up my claims that tea has medical benefits.  Keep reading for 6 surprising health benefits of tea and some awesome tea gifts to give or to treat yourself with.

Paula’s Choice Skin Care Empties

Thank you to Paula’s Choice and PRIMP for sponsoring today’s post.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own. 


Last September, I got to try a skin care set from Paula’s Choice.  After a phone consultation, their representative picked the best skin care set for me, the Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Set.   My first impressions of the products were very positive.  I was a little overwhelmed at the large set, but they included full directions and stickers to help me label my products.  Help is only a phone call away with their help line too.  I used it for a short time before my first review, but now I’ve had a chance to use it for three months, so keep reading for my final thoughts. 

I really loved the Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging set.  I have some fine lines creeping up, and this set really seemed to make them less noticeable thanks to the Resist 1% Retinol Booster and the Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrated Serum. 



I also have very large pores on my face.  I’ve tried many, many products to make them look smaller without much success.  The Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment was the best thing ever for my pores.  For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have to use a makeup primer before my makeup!

My set is gone now, so I’m a sad panda.  I will be purchasing the entire set again, but I especially loved the Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment with 2% BHA and the Resist 1% Daily Retinol Booster. 

I’m a Power Primper with Pretty In My Pocket (PRIMP).  Join me for reviews of my favorite products!

Derma E Has Arrived at Target #NoticeTheLotus

Thank you to Derma E for sponsoring this post.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own. 

Now that the Christmas rush is behind me, I’m ready to tackle my next project: getting organized.  Like most other Americans, a new year means a fresh start.  Time to declutter and get back to basics.  I headed to Target for organizing supplies and because Target.  I’ll use anything as an excuse to shop at Target.  Since I’m already at Target, I might as well check to see if there’s anything new in the beauty and makeup aisles since my last trip.  Oh, yes.  Yes, there is something new.   One of my favorite skin care brands, Derma E, has arrived at Target!  You’ve heard me talk about Derma E’s gluten free skin care and dry skin moisturizer, and now some of their products are at my favorite store. 

Best Drugstore Mascaras Under $20

Friends, I love me some mascara.  What I don’t love is the guessing game.  I’ve tried some mascaras that are ah-mazing and some that might as well be water.  I also have different mascara needs for different days.  When I’m going to church or going to the grocery store, I want a simple mascara that defines my lashes.  When I go out, I want a whole lot of definition, longer lashes, and thicker lashes.  I don’t wear mascara every day, so a tube will last me until it’s time to toss it in 2-3 months or when it starts to get clumpy.  That’s all the more reason to make sure that I pick the best drugstore mascara for my needs so I’m not stuck with something inferior.  Here are my picks for the best drugstore mascaras under $20. 

How to Get Rid of Blackheads on Nose Naturally

Blackheads are the bane of most people’s existence.  They can crop up most places on your body, including your back, but blackheads on nose are very common—and embarrassing.  I’ve been fighting them on my nose since I was a teenager, but I’ve learned about some natural was to get rid of blackheads that work really well.  They all work in much the same way by exfoliating your skin, but you might need to experiment to find the best solution for your skin.  Blackheads are a form of acne, so you treat them in much the same way.  Keep reading to learn what causes blackheads and how to get rid of blackheads on your nose. 

Healthy Snacks For Kids

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cuties. All opinions are 100% mine.

When my kids were little, it was easy to get them to eat healthy snacks.  Since they couldn’t chose their own snacks, they really had no choice but to eat healthy.  Now that they are older, it gets a little more difficult.  I rarely buy snacks that aren’t healthy, but they do have to make choices when they are at activities and I’m not there to supervise.  My daughter, bless her, was the one eating an apple while trick or treating instead of digging in to the candy in her bag.  She’s always been one to make healthy choices and limit her portions on her own.  My boys?  They need some guidance.  My oldest is more than a little picky, which makes it that much harder to find healthy snacks.  Luckily, all three kids love Cuties. 

Different Types of Eyeliner – And How to Use Them

If I could only have one type of makeup, it would be eyeliner.  I love to play up my eyes, and my look isn’t complete until I’ve used some type of liner.

I have several different types of liners, all in multiple colors.  I can completely change the look of my eye makeup with different liners.  If you are new to using eyeliners, or maybe you are in a rut, here’s your guide to the different types of eyeliner and how to use them.

I’ll also list the pros and cons of each type.  If you’re new to eyeliner, you will want to try an eye makeup remover.  I have a recipe for DIY eye makeup remover here that I use regularly and really like. 

How to Find the Perfect Lipstick

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees. All opinions are 100% mine.

Choosing the perfect lipstick for yourself can be a daunting task.  Too light, and you’ll look too retro.  Too dark, and you’ll look washed out.  Choosing the wrong undertone can make your lips clash with your skin tone, which definitely isn’t flattering.  Not only do you need to find the perfect shade for you,  but you also need to apply it correctly too.  Keep reading for my top tips to help you find the perfect lipstick for you.

Via Nature Deodorant Giveaway Ends 1/19

It's time for another giveaway and you all are going to love it! I recently got the chance to try Via Nature's  Deodorant Sticks from Universal Biosciences and I was very impressed. One lucky reader will win 4 Via Nature Deodorant Sticks; there's Lavender Eucalyptus, Rosemary Sandalwood, Sweet Orange Lemongrass and Fragrance Free. There's a fragrance (or non-fragrance) for everyone!

What I really love about Via Nature's Deodorant Sticks is that they don't use any harmful chemicals and that's very important to me. Via Nature deodorants have no Aluminum, Parabens, Glutens or Artificial Fragrances in them. They never test on animals and their formulas never contain animal ingredients. A combination of all natural ingredients gives you safe deodorant protection with using ingredients that are harmful to you.     

                                                                                                   

Weight Loss Plans With Meal Delivery

Thank you to Nutrisystem for sponsoring this post.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own.

A new year is a blank slate.  A chance to make a fresh start and make changes in your life.  A popular New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, but most people don’t make a plan.  I know that for me personally, I have to make a plan or I’m setting myself up for failure.  I also have to make it fit easily within my life or I will quickly stop making an effort.  That’s why I love Nutrisystem so much because they take the guesswork out of eating healthy, and that makes it easier and thus increases the likelihood that I will succeed. 

Over the last two years, I’ve watched a family member struggle with diabetes and heart disease.  I don’t want that to happen to me.  I know that I need to get healthy, and I need to do it sooner rather than later.  I don’t want my kids to watch me go through the medical treatments, so 2016 is my year to lose weight and get healthy.