Out and About

We've had such a blissfully exhausting weekend.  My only regret was leaving my good camera at home for the sake of convenience so all my photos are from my phone... boo.

I know posts have been lacking but I've been working on some new exciting projects!

One of them being... starting a business.

My sister in law and I have decided to try our luck at starting our own business.  We both love event planning and she's amazing with flowers.  Yes, we'd love to be bringing in big bucks, but for now we're just enjoying bringing event designs together.  It's sorta scary when you put the two of us together... we just roll ideas after ideas off of each other.  Friends, call me for flowers, wedding planning, graduation parties, retirements, anniversarys, birthdays... we've got some fun ideas cooking!

It seems like we have our first client!  She's a sweet college friend who is tying the knot in October.  Over the weekend we packed up with our bride-to-be and went perusing at the local wholesale flower shops.  I was so excited looking through all the beautiful colors and pulling together mini arrangements.  I even peeked at some ideas for Marlow's upcoming baptism.  Look at these beauties!  I'm going for yellow and blush pink for her baptism colors with some little whimsy accents like doilies and doves.

Back our first client...Her wedding colors are scarlet and deep purple... so gorgeous!  This is the look we'll be going for with flowers.

Her venue is a beautiful local vineyard.  We took a road trip to go visit.  It's so relaxing and tranquil.  Perfection for her intimate elegant wedding.  Tastings in progress here...

Marlow in tow... ha ha!  It is a family business after all.  The hubby tagged along for the road trip.

Of course on road trips you must seek some antiques... my fav!!  I did leave with some pieces I can use for Marlow's baptism... to be revealed soon....

Here's some other goodies I almost snatched up!

Phew... that was just one day.

In the Photo Friday

Barely made it... it's 11:30pm and we've had such a busy day.  Tired... couldn't find a great pic from this week but I'm trying!  We were playing airplane and raspberries.  Probably not the best idea after she had just eaten but she loved it.

We were getting ready to head to the craft store after breakfast.  I got tons of great supplies for some upcoming DIY's I'm working on!

Sweet Potato Pie

I love you, my little sweet potato pie.

We're trying out sweet potatoes now and she really seems to love them.  Wow are they messy!  This is what happens when I let Daddy feed her.  He thinks it's hilarious to get her as messy as possible.  I think that's why she loves dinner time with him.

I've started making her baby food and so far I'm shocked by how easy it is.  I don't even cook for us!  A couple of other mommies recommended Super Baby Food.  The book is easy to read and sort through.  Plus, she gives lots of great nutrition tips.  I really recommend this book to anyone thinking of making baby food.  Other moms also recommended Beaba babycook and the reviews look great.  I've been happy using our blender and food processor so far.  It is scary when the hubby uses it to make salsa.  We use our instant hot water with some dish soap and run the blender to help clean anything out but I'm considering investing in the Beaba babycook.  I also recommend these small containers that can be found at Babies R Us.  They are simple to use, measure, and freeze.

Shaping Up

I have no doubt there are a few of us looking to shape up... especially new mommas.  But there are more ways than one to shape up your look.... and I don't mean the shape of your body.

When is the last time you really shaped your brows?

I've never been waxed or had a professional do my brows... wait... there was once in high school and I didn't really like the shape so I vowed never to do it again.  I do my own brows.  I've had about as many brow shapes as I have hair color...and that's alot.  There really is so much you can do to change your look... fill them in, color them, go slimmer, thicken up.  I wouldn't go too drastic or anything but changing the look of your brows, or I should say, finding the right brow shape can completely change your look and help polish it up a bit.

This rule ALWAYS remains : Use a straight edge to measure how far in and out to go with shaping.  This is key to balancing out your features.   Illustrated in D and F.  E is important to finding your right arch.

After that I think it's okay to try a couple of shapes to see what works for you.

I actually thin my out a bit more in the summer and start letting them grow out a bit more for the winter. 

You can find brow stencils at most of your local drugstores but I particulary fancy Anastasia's Stencils.  To test out the shapes, I know it's been recommended to simply fill in the stencil with a pencil.  For some reason I don't quite grasp the look this way.  Instead, I use a mascara wand to brush on some mascara.  Then I can clean around the edges and see what works. Simply pluck those unwanted hairs.  If you're growing them out I use brow powder to achieve the look (remember a shade lighter than your hair) until the hairs grow in.  This can get annoying but I'm always pleased with the results.

Cleaning up your brows can refresh your entire face... promise!  Be sure to never leave home without at least brushing your brows.  I always add brow gel to keep them in place.

This was just too funny not to share...  take a look at celebrity brows.  The site I found this recommended printing out the photo and using an exacto knife to create your own stencils.  It's an idea, I guess.

Peek a Boo

Peek a Boo... I see you. 

She's getting really good at this game.  I was in the kitchen getting some water and thought she was a little too quiet on her playmat.  I mean I left Bella watching her... see!?

I peeked over to find her here.

Peek a boo... I see you.  She was trying to catch some zzz's

Oh how I adore you my sweet Marlow.

How to Lose a Blemish in 3 days

Some of my friends so affectionately refer to me as the "Skin Guru".  While I am diligent with my skin regimen, even I have the occasional blemish.  Of course they are so rare that when one starts to appear it is pretty knarly. 

You know what I'm talking about, right? 

Those under the skin bumps like papules or those "painful just to look at" ones (cystic).  The occasional black head or white head doesn't really scare me but I pause for pimples that look worse under makeup.

I felt a bump or a lump start to rise up in my forehead a few days ago.  I'm blaming it on my sister who got me thinking it might be a good idea to start running.  :)  I am beyond impressed with her ability to run 8 miles in the sweltering heat.... but I'm sticking to the air condition.  Despite washing all my makeup off and wearing a headband I still started to breakout... I'm assuming from the sweat and SPF.  (Never leave home without SPF!)

Lose a Blemish in 3 days... and don't scar your face!
Step 1:  Drink a whole lot of water and try to eat a bit more fruits and veggies.  I try to maintain some exercise too.

Step 2: Wash the affected area with an acne cleanser.  My favorites are Murad Clarifying Cleanser and Mario Badescu Acne Cleansing Wash.  I say affected area because there is no need to dry out the rest of your face.

Step 3: Use a mild exfoliating mask.  I like Exuviance Glycolic at home peels.  Use the mask and wash again.

Step 3: In your night time routine be sure to tone the area.  I recommend Mario Badescu Special Cleansing Lotion.

Step 4:  TREAT the pimple.  Never squeeze the pimple...ever.  You will only spread it.  If there is no visible opening I lightly puncture the area with a lancet so the medication actually gets deeper.  My favorite medication to use for mild blemishes is the basic Clearasil drying treatment.  It really works.  If I'm in serious trouble I like to use Dermologica Acne Clearing Gel overnight or Abreva.  Abreva has some serious drying power which is all you need.  Plus Abreva does help speed up healing.

Step 5: I don't apply anything on it the first morning to speed up the drying.  I do use an oil free moisturizer on those days.

Keep this up for 3 days and it should be gone!

Additional Tips:
Cover Up: When you do add makeup make sure to skip that area.  I know you might want to cover it, but save that for last.  Whether you use a brush, sponge or hands you do not want to spread blemishes all over your face.  I prefer a foundation brush.  I skip the area until last and then wash the brush immediately.  I keep an separate concealer brush on hand just for any blemish cover ups because I don't want any of my eye cream to get on an irritated pimple.  Remember that eye cream is generally pretty thick and you don't want more oil in the area.

For redness: Add a little Visine on a q-tip and apply pressure.

ALWAYS wear SPF because the skin will be very delicate and you don't want it to leave a scar once the blemish is actually gone.

You've done everything right but you notice you're starting to get a scar or dry area..... I add a little aloe vera gel on the spot and rub in a circular motion for a few minutes.

Bye Bye Blemish

Must See Blog

I don't normally dedicate an entire blog post to another blogger but if you haven't already had the pleasure of peeking into Mila's Daydreams you must run over and see what all the fuss is about.  The ideas she comes up with are incredible.  I can't even believe her little one stays asleep and I can't believe she's brave enough to try something so creative while her baby sleeps.  When I was on maternity leave and Marlow fell asleep, I crossed my fingers and prayed nothing would disturb her so I could get a moment of peace.

I'm completely in awe of  her imagination.... just using things around the house?!?!

In the Photo Friday

Okay, I'm going to really try and keep up with this.  I was inspired by a fellow blogger to try and actually get in some of the photos with my baby girl.  This can be challenging because I'm always the one behind the camera. 

We had a great lunch with Daddy this week and Marlow was so excited to play when we got home so I grabbed the camera and we had a great time.  She LOVES the camera... and kisses!   

We really do have way too much fun together.

Road Trip I

Marlow and I had our first overnight road trip this week.  We packed up the truck and headed about 45 min out of town to visit a great friend who is amazingly talented with cakes... baking and decorating!  We had so much fun enjoying the wide open scenery.  Her home is located in a quiet, serene wide stretch of land.  I felt like we were taking a vacation.  Much to my surprise my little sweet slept most of the night and had a blast playing in a new area.

I had such a great time learning about cakes and all the neat tools you can use to make some pretty creative creations.  This was my very first cake!  It was a bit time consuming but really not hard at all.  The company made it even more fun.  The cake was lemon with homemade buttercream icing and of course fondant.  Yum.

(I had a little fun with camera lenses.)

Baby Dedication

We had such a wonderful day full of family, friends and lots of blessings.  Marlow took part in a Baby Dedication yesterday and we had family over for some homemade enchiladas verdes... so glad my husband is such an amazing cook!  I meant to take photos of the food but it really didn't last long! 

I have no idea how she did it, but after 5 long hours of lots of entertainment and love from everyone Marlow was still smiling.

Sweet Marlow

In light of my baby girl's special day.... a favorite from last week playtime.

We tried our luck at some new solids this past week.  My plan has always been to make Marlow's food but I had a really great deal on some organic baby food and I thought we'd give it a go.  I think she was very excited to try....can you tell?

And this is the face...  wow does she have her daddy's lips.  Eat your heart out Angelina.

Playtime... she must have still been a little hungry.

Marlow and Daddy

Apparently Daddy caught whatever Marlow had.... 2 sick babies and one newbie mom...AHHHH!  Of course we have a big day coming up tomorrow with her Baby Dedication so I hope everyone gets some much needed rest!

What a day.

If you're a mom... even to a fur baby.... Have you ever had one of those nights where you just want to pick them up and hold them?  ::sigh::  God help me, I'm having one of those.  After the day we had, I just want to hold her all night.

My poor Marlow had her first big bug.  Still not sure if it's a cold or a stomach bug but I really had no idea a tiny 13 pound baby could vomit so much.  Eight times in 2 hours people!!  Months ago I thought I had lost my mommy license when I clipped her nails.  At this point I think I could teach the class.  Holding your daughter at a lunch date while she preceeds to vomit and still keep your cool is a super power I never thought I'd have.  I just wanted to hold and comfort her.   Somehow panic never really came.  I grabbed a cup and headed to the doctor's office.  I was that mom... sitting in the waiting room trying to catch as much as I could in a tiny little cup. 

My little sweetie passed out in the tub... then in the towel after the bath. 

Of course as soon as we left the doctor all was well, she nursed, and she's sleeping soundly.  Phew...

Hair Pulling Help :)

Marlow and my hair have a serious love affair going on. She loves it and wants to hold it close, caress it softly, even try to kiss it. Then boom she hates it and yanks it like tween mean girl in a middle school cat fight. (ha, there is a story to that)

It's hard enough losing that lush and glossy hair after pregnancy but when someone yanks it out, it's a bit maddening. I love that girl but a momma has her limits.  So my solution is to try my best to keep it out of reach. I've been trying to work the ponytail for some time.  I even found some great inspiration from Psyched For Style that you must check out.

But now what... I've done the ponytail, the side clip, and I about wore my headbands to death.  I need something else to keep a little style with my hair. 

Enter in the chignon.... ::clap:: ::clap:: ::clap::

Wear it low and pump up the volume

Wear with a braid

Add a fun hair accessory.  I favor a little sparkle.

My personal favorite, deep side part and side chignon.

Okay my 2nd favorite because I know I can rock this wavy "I just got out of bed, but isn't cute?" look.  Often I need something that will work quickly!

Outdoor Living Project, here we come..

We've danced around the idea for some time.  In fact, right after our big kitchen remodel we started collecting inspiration for an outdoor living space. 

We finally are ready to take on another big project and now it's decison time.  As you can see the inspiration is all over the place... just like our ideas.  We can't seem to decide on stamped concrete or pavers.  Fire pit or not?  Gable or hip roof? It will be attached to the home.  We pretty much know the location and dimensions but we're also considering adding large sliding panels to the entrance.... or wait and do wood floors in a few months.  Seriously, it's so hard to make decision on all the colors and such.  I'm hoping the inspiration will help steer us in a direction because the project must be completed by the end of September!! After all the estimates we still are a little fuzzy on what exactly we want, so time for a little more inspiration!

Anthroholic

I am an Anthroholic. 

Remember that movie where Natalie Portman plays a young pregnant girl and she sneaks into Wal-Mart every night and lives there?  She just hangs out... or camps out.  She wanders through the aisles sampling stuff and making herself comfortable.  Yeah, I would totally sneak into Anthropologie to live and use everything!

My latest loves. All of them must get in my closet now!

Minus the earrings because that will need a whole different post :).

Ooo, a little apron for Marlow when she cooks with her Daddy.