The Fab Few

Hi Everyone and happy weekend!  I hope you are all enjoying some spring weather like we are.  It seems like spring has definitely sprung in a lot of areas around the US and I know many of you have been waiting for it!  Although I like spring, I kinda love the fall/winter seasons the best.  Anyway, I wanted to share with you a few things that I am  loving this week.  I don't know about you but when I go through my week it seems that there are things that make it better like a good book, new clothes, makeup, pictures, quotes, etc.  So I've decided to share my top few things with you every week!  Here's a rundown of what is at the top of my list this week.

1.  The beauty blender!  Have you all heard of it?  It's a cosmetic sponge that is shaped somewhat like an egg but is supposed to deliver flawless coverage and blend your makeup smoothly and evenly.  I was on the fence about it because it runs $20 dollars but I broke down and bought it.  And let me say, it was worth every penny!  You can check it out here.

2.  For the first time in months I sat down and enjoyed ice cream!  Yes that's right, ice cream.  As simple as it sounds I've missed ice cream!  I do not eat it in the winter because it is just too cold.  My fave this week?

Ben and Jerry's peanut butter cup.  If you like peanut butter you must try this!



3.  I have rediscovered my Cricut.  An let me tell you, I've missed it.  This is the first electronic die-cutting machine I purchased when I started crafting obssessively!  I really wanted to make some fun spring cards to keep on hand and not only did I totally miss paper crafting, it absolutely without a doubt put me in a peaceful, happy place for a few hours! And for that I am grateful.



I would love to know what everyone else is loving this week!  Please leave me a comment here on the blog or the facebook page here and let me know.  I hope you all have a fun-filled blessed weekend!

Always,

Christine 

For the Love of Natural Nails

Hi Everyone...I hope you all had a great weekend!  We took an extremely fast trip to Phoenix for my daughter's last cheer competition for the season.  It was a great competition and they won first place in their division...yay!  Although I am a little drained from traveling for competitions over the last two months, I have to say that I'm not quite sure what to do with the down time!  We have two weeks off and then it all starts back up again! 

Anyway, I want to talk nails today.  I had been having my nails done for years and about two years ago, I just got tired of taking time out to visit the nail salon and tired of paying.  It seemed like the prices kept going up and I said to myself, enough! No more paying for nails.  So I decided to have them removed and have been doing them by myself ever since.  I actually enjoy doing them; it kind of relaxes me and I LOVE being able to choose different nail polish colors to go with my mood.  However, as you can imagine, my nails were in terrible shape...and I mean terrible.  But I didn't cave in and get them back on.  Instead I searched for products to use that would help my nails get back into shape.  So I thought I would share some of my favorite nail products with you today. 

I always start with OPI's Nail Envy...it is the only thing that has made my nails stronger and healthier.  There are several variations of Nail Envy, however, I choose the original.  It runs around $16.95 and I usually pick it up at ULTA when they have either a $3.50 off or 20% of coupon! You can purchase it here.

I also love using cuticle creams or serums.  I have really bad cuticles so I need to put something on them daily.  There are two products I use that I am in love with.  First is the Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle Serum.  This serum helps strenghen my nails and keeps my cuticles under control. You can purchase it just about anywhere (Walgreens, WalMart, CVS, ULTA).  It runs around $9.00 and is totally worth it.  Check it out here.



Last but not least, my absolute favorite nail product is LUSH's Lemony Flutter cuticle butter.  This stuff feels and smells amazing.  I use it several times throughout the day because it feels and smells so good.  You get a ton of product and it lasts a long, long time.  It sells for $16.95 and is worth it.  Check out the reviews on this product here...it is definitely a winner!



I hope these products work as well for you as they do for me.  I also have a ton of favorite nail polish colors and brands I love as well.  I'll be doing a seperate post on that soon.  I hope you all have a fantastic, blessed week.  Talk to ya soon!

Always,

Christine

Short, Short, Short!

It's that time again...time for a haircut.  I sometimes dread this because I really never know what I want to do with my hair.  I have always kept my hair short.  I think it fits my personality and I love it.  I once grew my hair out (about 2 years ago) and it looked awful on me. And quite honestly, it just didn't feel like me.  So today I am off to my wonderful hairdresser Amy who will hook me up with an awesome style.  There are several styles that I'm thinking about:



Love the color and longer side bang

A little shorter

Or to add a little sass with some spiking?

Which ever I choose, it will be short!  And I'm not gonna lie...I'm pretty excited about it! 

Always,

Christine

A Great Weekend



Hi Everyone.  I hope your weeks is going great so far.  This past weekend my daughter and her team was in the NCA Cheerleading Championships in Dallas, TX.  Wow, what an experience.  We watch competitive cheer all the time on TV and of course of YouTube.  However, there is nothing like being there to feel the energy of these amazing athletes and how that energy is passed onto the crowd!  We saw some amazing teams.  Below are a few pictures of what the experience was like.



The awesome mat set-up

My daughter Taylor witgh three of her favorite cheerlebrities!

Awards time!

Something exciting happened for me this weekend while enjoying this competition.  I know that parents puff up with pride when seeing their children perform or compete...I'm no different.  However, this weekend I saw my daughter as an amazing athlete, an athlete who is passionate about her sport.  I couldn't help feeling so excited for her that she has found something that she is truly passionate about.  For most people they don't find their passion until well into adulthood.  My daughter is constantly talking about opening her own gym and mentoring children to become the best they can be.  I am so blessed that my daughter has amazing coaches who have mentored her and who have helped her find her passion.  Thank you Bob and Monica!!

I hope you all have a fantastic week. 

Always,

Christine

A Few Random Thoughts on Birthdays

Hi Everyone and Happy Tuesday!  I hope you are all having an amazing week.  As for my week, it's been great.  I celebrated my birthday a few days ago and kinda wanted to share a few things about my thoughts about birthdays.
I know a lot of people hate and I mean hate celebrating birthdays.  For some it's the idea of growing older that gets to them and for others it may be the fact that they aren't near family or friends.  For me, it's a little bit of the idea of growing older however, this year I've decided to look at growing older differently.  I used to think about growing older as being more limited in what your capable of doing or achieving.  For instance, now that I'm 44 maybe I would think that I can't wear certain clothes or like certain things because I'm too old.  Yes, I know that many of you are thinking who cares how old you are?  But unfortunately, I do used to care what other people thought.  But I am happy and relieved to say...not anymore!

On my birthday I was thinking of how far I've come as a person and how far I can still go.  This was a new way of thinking for me and it felt great.  It may sound cliche, but I know if I set my mind to something that I can achieve it.  For instance, when I first thought of starting a blog I thought to myself...who in the world wants to read about the life of a 40-something year-old?  But I pushed through my negative thinking and forged foward.  And now I am happy writing on my little blog...it brings me joy.  So the moral of today's post?  Life is short people!!  Do not let how you look, your age, your education level, etc. determine your happiness today or in the future.  I mean, this is our life and we only get one!  So let's not cheat ourselves by limiting ourselves. 



I hope that you all have a fantastic week.  And don't forget to live your life to its fullest!

Always,

Christine

Live Happy and Read!

Hi Everyone...yes, I have survived the flu!  But I'll tell ya, it was no fun.  I really haven't been that sick in soooo long.  It was actually kind of scary having such a high fever and feeling like you couldn't move.  But fortunately I am feeling just about 100%...thank goodness.  Needless to say however, our trip to Palm Springs was sort of a blur for both me and my daughter.  Although I was able to go watch her both days to compete, we didn't do much more than that.

Moving on, moving on...you know, lying in bed day after day while you're sick gives you a lot of time to think about things.  Right now in my life I'm trying to just live a simple, HAPPY life and at times I feel like the world around me is just going so fast that I feel kinda left out of the loop!  When you think about it, you only get one life to live and to live it knowing that you've done you're best.



Ok, so on to less mushy stuff...

 I don't know about any of you, but I LOVE to read.  Reading is what I consider to be my favorite past time.  There is nothing like sitting down with a good book and forgetting what's going on around you, even if it is just for a little while.  So I have a question for you, what are you currently reading?  Would you suggest it to others?  If so, I would love for you to leave a comment with the name and author of the book.  I am currently reading:  Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon.  I am a HUGE fan of Downton Abbey and this is basically a history of Lady Almina and how it actually connects to the show. 

If you're interested in the book you can purchase it here and here.  I'm about half-way through and so far I would have to say that I'm enjoying learning the real history behind the show.  Also, if you're a fan of Downton Abbey, I would love to hear your comments about the upcoming season finale (boo-hoo). 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  Talk to you soon.

Always,

Christine

A Very Long Weekend

Hi Everyone...I am in beautiful Palm Springs, CA for the Duel in the Desert cheer competition.  My daughter's team is doing very well and we are hoping to place!  I am having a ton of trouble with my iPhone and it not wanting to upload any pictures so...I will be posting them probably on Tuesday.

I am not gonna lie...I am soooo tired and looking forward to going home tomorrow!  Anyway, I'll be talking to you lovely people in a couple of days!  Have a great Superbowl Sunday everyone!!

Always,
Christine