So, here it is Wednesday morning and my to do list seems FOREVER long!  It’s one of those days you think to yourself “Really”!? Then want to do a superman dive back into the comfort of the bed.  For whatever reason, the kidlet has decided to get up an hour early each day this week!? Not really sure what that’s about but, we manage throughout the morning without too many catastrophe’s.  It can be an intimidating journey, to make it to the kitchen first thing, to turn on the machine that spits out the magic ingredient that slowly pry’s your eyelids open.  Hoping first… A) You don’t trip over the dog, that acts like they haven’t seen you in five years. OR  B) The cat that wants to go outside and is charging in the front of your feet, faster than a spaceship.   This day I was reminded at least FIVE times…”Momma, we are going to have pancakes today right?”  As annoyed as it may be in the moment, because it’s not like I can’t hear, I always try to remember the bigger picture…I WILL miss this one day. Those big brown eyes ALWAYS melt my heart!

So now for a beauty topic!  Yeah! *claps excitedly* So, you may know those tools that help us look our best each day. That help glide color onto our “canvas”?  Yes,  I am talking about your makeup brushes.  Let me ask you this…When is the last time you cleaned them and I mean really cleaned those puppies out?   I bet it’s been awhile.  Before I started into this field, I used the brushes that came with the makeup I bought. *shrug*  Because surely they wouldn’t put it in there, if it wasn’t what you were supposed to use right? *insert buzzer sound here* WRONG!

Makeup brushes are essential in a great makeup application and if you don’t have them…I highly recommend investing in a good, quality set.  However, your makeup brushes are like hair and we are talking the kind, you have on your head (not literally) but they need to be washed and cared for.  Once a month is a good cleaning and if you use more makeup than normal in a month, then twice is great.  The reason for washing is simple, BACTERIA.  You wash your face each night (or should be doing so!) You wash your hair several times a week (or should be doing so!) You use your makeup brushes on your face most every day and near your eyes and nose.  That “breakout” that you had last week…well it may not be from the source you thought it was.  It could very well be bacteria from your brushes.  So, here are some tips to care for those prized little possesions!

1) A mild shampoo (I like to use baby shampoo)

2) A clean towel or paper towels

3) A cup or a brush stand

4) Warm water

&

5) YOU listening to your favorite tunes on the ipod! (I do this all the time and I even dance!)

BRUSH CLEANING:

Get the head of your brush wet in the water, pour a bit of shampoo in the palm of your hand and gently make a circular motion, while “washing in the shampoo. Rinse and repeat until water runs clear. Try not get the entire brush wet because your brushes do have glue, to hold the hair in place.  Too many times and they could start to fall out.  Gently squeeze the water out of the brush and softly run over the towel.  Then let dry, don’t let it lay flat on the towel because of a chance of mildew forming (Yucky!) Make your way through each brush and you will be living bacteria free!

My friend recently told me “Girl, I think I might only have 2 patches of hair left on my wedding day. Just enough to attach my veil, I’m so stressed out!”  Southern Bell is now “Patches”  this week.  I wonder if she would notice, a few makeup brush hairs glued with eyelash glue on her head ;P  *insert giggle here* Hey, I washed them right!? They are bacteria free.

Well, I hope this finds you all well and in good spirits.  Wether you are tackling your to do list like I am, or you have performed a 5 star superman dive back into the middle of your bed remember…give it your best & do it in style, YOUR style!

*hugs*
~JD~

So…it’s spring break.  Vacations are planned and school is out for kidlets, at least for a week!  We will be traveling to the coast this weekend with some of our closest friends.  Just a quick over nighter,  as our schedules the rest of the week are plenty full. But ya know, sometimes it’s the small things in life!  So, I made a loaf of homemade banana bread and I think we can all eat it in the mornings,  with our coffee/hot tea. So everything is all packed up and I’m ready to “hit the road Jack”!

My daughter decided she had a “Twilight Fan Club”.  So one night my bestie said “Well, how do we get in your club?”  Daughter says (eye roll included) “Uhhhh, you just need to ask.”  In that “preteen” I know it all and “DUH” voice.  So we were initiated and in honor of the “Twilight Saga” we threw a “NEW MOON” party.
The girls each made a “fan club” badge.  Then we all made T-shirts “Team Jacob” or “Team Edward” some of us like Vamps and Wolves ;P   We had a spectacular Spaghetti dinner, crunchy warm bread and Red Velvet cupcakes for dessert. (The cupcakes had “E” for Edward, “B” for Bella & “J” for Jacob) it was a fantastic meal and it was a fun time.  I like to think that it’s one of those things our  daughters will remember for their lifetime. =)

I will be remembering my sunblock for my lips and my skin.  I’m sure the salt water will turn my hair into over time FRIZZ mode!  It always gets extremely curly when we head that way.  ;P  But ya know what!? I’m chucking all those beauty products to the back of the bus.   I am not SOOOO girly that I can’t put my baseball cap on and just have some time!  While it’s nice to get all dolled up…  It’s JUST as nice to not bother with it sometimes too.  =D

I hope you all have a wonderful few days! I would love to know what you are up to and where you are headed for Spring break!?  Maybe we’ll run into eachother! After all it is a small world!

*HUGS*
~JD~

Sometimes in the midst of chaos,  you realize this is where you should be.  Inspired by all things around you and looking to dive head first into new, exciting challenges.  This week is a full, yet rewarding week for me.  I have been so blessed in my life and accepted into a group of young ladies, mothers, and a coach during such an important part of their lives.  Working with my local high school,  as they prepare to challenge themselves, at State competitions is such an amazing opportunity. They have put SO much into their routine and come so far! I am so proud of them all.   To see the excitement, feel the energy building throughout the morning and really noticing all the hard work and time the coach has invested and what all the Mom’s and Dad’s do for their dancers is simply jaw dropping.

I will wake in the morning, drink a cup of coffee and play my morning bonus game of FARKLE ( silly game! SO fun though! ;P)  I will primp myself and gather my makeup kit and other accessories and head out on this adventure.  I will be inspired by all the things around me,  looking to dive head first into this chaotic (SUPER FUN) time.  I will take on the challenges the day has to offer and be happy I get to hang out with all the girls! *claps excitedly*

Girls, GO KICK some butt!  We all have faith in you and I am happy to be beside each one of you, during this event!  Thank you for letting ME,  be a part of  YOUR team!

*hugs & smooches*

~JD~

Okay, okay…let me hear it.   I have NOT been a good blogger. *pout* I know and my apologies.  I plan on keeping things a bit more up to speed in the time ahead.   In all honesty, after the death of my grandmother I kind of hit a bump in the road.  It was a hard time going for a while.

So, on a lighter note…I have been doing some fun things.   I have designed a makeup look for one of our local high schools for state competitions! YEAH!  It has been this crazy, insane fun time for me.  I have met so many new girls, parents and people that have been appreciative of my time.  It has made it such an enjoyable journey.  I will be sad when it’s over for the summer.

Yesterday, I did the normal grocery shopping and errand running.   Seriously, what has gotten in to people these days?!  One car ahead, one person ahead…it drives me INSANE.  People at the grocery store…PLEASE use the shopping aisles, as you would lanes of traffic! I am so tempted to take a bike horn sometimes and mount it on the side of my cart and *HONK* at people.  I just stick to my rule and just *SMILE*!  When the grouchy old lady is staring me down…I whip it out *SMILE*  Sometimes, I get a smile back and sometimes a turn of the head. But, I WIN! =D  I am always the first to ask the person checking me out “Hi.  How are you today?” and almost always they look startled that I said anything to them.

I am a chatter box and if you know me personally, you know this to be true.  I am also a great listener however!  I met with a bride a couple of weeks ago.  We will call her “Southern Belle” and I kid you not, I think we were at the Starbucks for 3 or 4 hours!  We were like long last friends at a reunion.  What an amazing person!  We have become regular chat buddies.  Boy is “Southern Belle” beautiful, spunky, down to earth,  and the best looking fishing partner, you will ever have. *insert lucky GREEN boy fisherman here* (or I guess you could call him the groom) =D   By the time I got home Chris said “Wow,  I didn’t think you were going to come back.”   I love meetings like that.  Where you can just chat like you’ve known someone for ages.  All in all, a great time.

In other words be kind, whip it out *SMILE* and if things get really bad…get a bike horn!?

My random ramblings for the day!
*SMILE*

~JD~

What a busy time of year!  Wrapping paper, bows, gift bags, tissue paper…AND everything else!  I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday, have great food and drink.  I hope you surround yourself in arms length of those you hold close.   If you have miles that separate you, may you hold your memories and your loves close at heart.  I will be thinking of my family that is far in distance, but not my heart.  I will raise a glass to good health, friends and family!  I will hold the beauty of my Grandma in my thoughts, throughout the day.

Thank you for coming back to my blog to read.  I appreciate your support and I wish YOU a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
xoxox~

JD