project 31: day 3 a photo that makes me happy!

This picture makes me so very happy, for so many reasons! The sweet smile that he has on his little face really does make everything in the world alright. No matter what kind of day I've had, or what else is going on in my life....He ALWAYS makes it better. He displays pure joy very often, and I find it contagious!! Being outside makes him so happy, which makes me so happy.
When I look at this, I just go to pieces. I STILL can't believe that he is ours to keep forever! What a wonderful blessing he is! He brings me so much joy and laughter...and it grows everyday! I am so lucky that God choose ME to be his mommy. I can just sit and stare at him. That seems to never get old.
I try to take every little moment that I can and use it to make memories with him. He is growing and changing each day. I say ALL the time, I wish that I could just "push pause" on our life right now. It's so much fun to play with him and hear his sweet belly laugh. It makes me smile every time! I do some of the most ridiculous things to make that kid laugh, and I don't even care. I like to be silly with him.....and he likes it too!
I can't imagine my life without him in it. He makes every day sweeter, the best little hugs and kisses I've ever had. Can your son be your one true soul mate??? I don't mean that in a weird way at all....just this kind of love....is all I will ever need.

Day 2....What makes you uniquely you???

What makes me unique is all the unique people that are my family!! And unique they are!!!
    For starters....my Dad is a super talented barber! He also has the gift of gab....as do I :) So we both love to chat it up while we cut hair.  We both also (almost compulsively) buy cameras. Although neither one of us are photographers...lol
   My Mom and I are an interesting pair. In some ways, we could not be more alike. Like how we both LOVE to eat. No one enjoys a good meal more than us!! We both really like crafty things  ( she is much better at pulling it off than I am) We love to laugh, an afternoon spent laying in the sun, and music! And I'm pretty sure that we share the same smile! Even though it's in different ways, we both love to be care givers....
   My precious Nana!!! She is my heart and soul. Plain and simple. She instilled in me to take pride in the things that I do. That anything worth doing, is worth doing right. She taught me to cook, do laundry, and to love people. We both lovr to read cook books and cooking magazines( Taste of Home, Southern Living, Good Housekeeping) We both love to host things. I love to plan for any kind of party or get together!! She taught me how to pay attention to detail...She taught me how to have faith in God. So pretty much, everthing that I know!!!
   My Aunt Linda always took me shopping.... so I BLAME HER FOR MY SHOPPING HABITS! HAHA she has always been super supportive of me and my biggest fan. She also passed on her love for shoes....and travel. She always took me cool places!! She still tells me to cut up all my credit cards, and pay them off....all I can say is, I try?
 My Grandma (My Dad's mom) has always taught me to be really proud to be me. She is one of the sweetest souls ever. She always made me feel really loved and very special. I think that I get my optimism from her, and also my love for people.


I'll be turning 30 in just a couple of months, and I am finding out that I still have so much to learn about who I really am. I know that since I became a mommy, I have changed so much. I can hope for the best :) What I DO know, is that I am a daughter, grand daughter, niece, wife, mommy, friend and I love them all!! I think that my positive outlook on life and (at times) ridiculous sense of humor make me the unique soul that I am. As my sweet Grandma would say " just be the best YOU that you can be!" That is what I am trying to do.

31 days....

OK. So my bff inspired me (once again:). She is doing a blogging project called 31 days. Each day had a different topic to write about! I have to admit that as badly as I wanted to start a blog, I was having trouble coming up with stuff to talk about.
      So here goes! Day one: My favorite beauty products.....grab some popcorn. this might be a long one:)


Most of you probably know that I've worked with Aveda products for over 10 years now! They are incredible products.....hard to have a fave, but i have a few!! I color my hair much more than the average soul....and without Damage Remedy Intensive Hair Repair, my hair would have fallen out years ago! This is a masque-like treatment that delivers both strentghening protein and moisture that leaves your hair super soft!! I use it about 2 times a week. It's amazing. If your hair is dry or lacks strength or shine it's a MUST try!! I also happen to know a great place to get it :)
   I also love Aveda's skin care line for acne treatment called Outer Peace. I use the acne pads at night. They don't dry me out or irritate my skin at all. I even cut the pads in half to make them go longer...then the best part is that after you use up all the pads, there is extra liquid product in the bottom that you can soak up with your own cotton pads!!! They help to control excess oil and breakouts....and they WORK.

Now onto sephora!!
   sooooo many things that I love!!! sephora brand eyeliners are awesome... they glide on smoothly(no tugging) and the color is long lasting!! i use navy, dark brown and black. I think they are $13? super reasonable!
again, sephora brand powder foundation! I have oily skin and I like medium to full coverage...this has a nice matte finish. It covers nicely and still feels light weight...MAGIC
While I'm on the subject of powder foundations, I can not leave out Aveda's Dual Finish. It's amazing....awesome coverage...feels great! looks even better, and its only $20? I LOVE THAT!! It also comes with the best application sponge ever. Although, you can control the coverage by applying with a kabuki brush(for lighter coverage) or the sponger for fuller coverage!

Beauty Tools:
Aveda's wooden paddle brush. Hands down, best brush ever. No matter what your hair type...its awesome! feels great on your scalp and it's big so you can work faster!!
CHI still wins my vote for best flat iron. enough said.....
my favorite curling irons are Hot Tools brand. You can get them at Sally's Beauty Supply...they are inexpensive and they get SUPER hot....

MASCARA
LANCOME.....ALL THE WAY. I have a little obsession....I have bought them all....literally....but lancome will always be my #1....along with their lash primer/booster. This one actually improves the condition of your lashes...and makes your mascara go on better. IT'S A MUST HAVE.

Back to skin care for a minute:
As I mentioned, I have oily skin. Clinique makes an oily skin formula liquid soap. I had used it a long time ago when it first came out....then forgot about it. I just got some a couple of weeks ago and I'm in love all over again!! It has a little bit of menthol in it( which feels so good) it takes off all the dirt and traces of makeup, leaving my skin feeling super clean and cool. Also without a trace of shine, but not tight!! LOVE IT!! Along with that, I also started using their clarifying lotion #4 again....I forgot how cool and tingly it was. I used to use all of their skin care...(I worked for them for about 5 years....when i was in school) and i still really love their products!!!

Styling Products
I LOVE STYLING PRODUCTS!!!
1) Aveda's Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair.....like a leave in conditioner. Balanced with both protein and moisture (a must for damaged hair) so light weight...can not even feel it! smells amazing!!
2) Aveda's Light Elements Smoothing Fluid....you can use this wet and dry...smoothes, tames frizz, boosts shine....is a thermal protectant! and is light as a feather!!! MUST HAVE for any hair type:)
3)Aveda's Volumizing Tonic VA VA VA VOOM!!! If you like big hair (you know I do) than you will love this!! You spray it on the roots while damp...and blow dry! and ta-daaaa!
4)Aveda's Air Control Hairspray....Magic! It's so light weight and sprays on so dry....you can layer it for stronger hold. It's great to use as a "working spray" so before or after a flat iron, or curling iron...or rollers....LOVE THIS SPRAY
5)Sebastion's Shaper Plus Hairspray....I've loved this for years....great hold. not stiff or sticky....It was my wedding spray.....and I got married on the beach and it was SUPER windy!!! It stood up to it all!!!


Well, I hope that this was helpful! I really enjoyed writing it.....you know I love beauty products.....I feel like I might have left some things out.....if I did, I'll repost:)

       Till tomorrow........

can you actually die from embarrassment???

 It's something that I have wondered many times....but actually thought it might be possible this past Sunday.
     After eating Easter lunch with my family, we all continued to sit at the table and chat it up.(my most fave part post meal) Brady Hayes climbed up into my lap....and with such a sweet expression on his face, proceded to pull the front of my shirt down and yell " look! mommy's ti*$......OMG i could feel my face turning an awful shade of red.... I could NOT believe that just came out of his mouth. Where had he heard that??? I have been known to say a bad word or two...but NEVER that word. I hate that word. My husband doesn't say that.....
     So how do kids know to say things like that? I mean, at the dinner table. Really??? He never ceases to amaze me with his vocabulary....but out of all the things to say.......geez. Thanks BHH. Everyone laughed....and i have to admit, it was funny.

Each day, I become more aware of how much he is listening and watching. It makes me nervous because I want to set a good example for him, but sometimes it's just plain hard. How can one tiny little person know so much????