Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Jeanne Oliver's Summer Collection



Jeanne Oliver's Summer Collection has arrived, and it is gorgeous!








Vintage Clothing 

Bags

Jewelry


Jeanne has such a gift. Her designs are beautiful and she finds the most unique vintage items to share. Peak at her LookBook while you're on her site, her photography is gorgeous as well!





Thursday, July 26, 2012

An interview with my daughters

When I told my two oldest daughters that Venus wanted them to interview me about "Summer Beauty Do's and Dont's" they were beyond excited.† Maddie is 11 years old,†Olivia is 8 going on 25.

We set up the microphone and pretended like we were on TV. I wish we would have taped it, because they were so hilarious.
Maddie: (giggling) What up girlfriend?
Liv: Peace.
B: I am so happy to be here with you today!
Liv: How old are you?
B: Um, you were supposed to be asking me about†Summer Beauty Tips.
Liv: Oh†yeah. Can I start wearing makeup this summer?
B: No.
Maddie: Can I?
B: No.
Maddie: Have you ever had really bad sunburn?
B: Yes, I have.† When I was a teenager I never wore sunscreen.††My method of tanning was to burn the first day of summer, then let it fade into a tan and I'd be good to go.† However, that is really, really bad for your skin.† Please†wear sunscreen.† We actually should be†wearing it everyday. Your†Meemaw had skin cancer because she would sit out in the sun all the time with baby oil and a magazine covered in foil held up to her face.† So, SPF 50 at least. Forever. Got it?
Maddie: OK then! Moving on....
Liv: Yes†moving on...how about your hair? How should we take care of our hair in the summer?
B: Good question Miss Olivia! Maddie,†with your†blond hair, we need to make sure that you†wash it immediately after†swimming so that†the chlorine†doesn't turn it green.
Maddie: My hair could turn†green???
B: Otherwise†just wash it regularly just like always and pull it back out of your face to keep cool.† Pin back your bangs.† For me, bangs = breakouts.
Maddie: Breakouts?
B: I've forgotten that†your sweet angelic faces have never had a blemish. But that could change soon guys, so make sure you keep washing your faces in the morning and at night to get all the dirt and oil off your skin.† Oh!†Since I†have dark hair like you Liv,† I'd always try to lighten it.† My mom wouldn't let me get highlights so I'd read in Teen magazine that I could do it at home naturally. I sprayed a concoction of lemon juice and chamomile tea all over my head.††The magazine also said that if you massage an egg yolk in your hair that it would make it really shiny.†So I'd lay out in the back yard, sipping Pepsi, reading my†magazine thinking I was so cool.††I don't know how long I was in the sun with that egg on my head, but my hair was so hard and stunk so bad like scrambled eggs and lemons.† It was horrible.† My mom told me to rinse my hair with vinegar to get the smell out. Guess what I smelled like then? Eggs, lemon juice and vinegar.†For days. Gross.
(Lots of giggles) Maddie: What about the rest of our body?
B: Well, you need to make sure that you are drinking lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Eating healthy foods so you have lots of energy for all the sports and swimming and playing you're doing.
Liv: Can I shave my legs like Maddie?
B: No.
Liv: When can I?
B: When you turn 11 and are responsible like Maddie.† We'll get you your own pink Venus Embrace razor like hers.†They are very easy for younger girls to use. They have 5 blades for a close comfortable shave, and a Ribbon of Moisture for a smooth glide. †You will need some yummy smelling††Passionista Fruit Shave Gel, too!†Don't you love that Maddie?
Maddie: Yes, and we're almost out because you keep using it.
B: Sorry!
Liv: Thank you for the great interview Mommy!
Maddie: Yes, please come back again soon!

To get some great shaving tips for your tweens, visit the Venus site here. †

What's the best beauty tip you have shared with your daughter to prepare her for the summer?† OR Share your funniest beauty mishap for the chance to win a $50 gift card! Just leave a comment below to be automatically entered to win. Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/26 - 8/23.

Be sure to visit the Venus brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!

Have you checked out the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com? There are some great tips and expert posts on everything from Looking Your Best to Getting Happy and Getting Organized! †

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Dove Visible Care Creme Body Wash and a Giveaway!









With a house full of kids, and a whole lot going on in my life right now, a 3 minute shower is the closest I get to "me time" lately. Actually, even that doesn't really count, because the bathroom door opens during those 3 minutes with a child needing an argument mediated or to just come in and keep me "company." Because in their mind, why wouldn't I need company while I'm in the shower? They wouldn't dream of taking a bath without me right there at their side!

So, when I was given the chance to review Dove's VisibleCare Body Wash, I made it a priority to take back those three minutes!
(Even if I had to shower at 2:30 pm when the rest of my family were in the deepest stages of REM sleep)


So here's the scoop on the body wash...It's called Dove VisibleCare Toning Creme Body Wash. Toning? Hey, I'll take all the extra toning I can get! It contains the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the Dove portfolio. It helps promote skin's elasticity and strength.  It smells heavenly. A little bit fills a loofah with tons of frothy bubbles. It left my skin very soft, which is so great  because it's been so hot this summer, and my skin is super dry.

I should also tell you that I have extremely sensitive skin.  Not so bad that I can't use anything scented, but there are lots of products out there that leave me itchy, or make me break out. After using this for over a week, I've noticed nothing of the sort.  Just clean, smooth skin.  Print out the coupon below for $1 off and go get yourself some Dove Body Wash, take back a few minutes of "me time" in your day, you deserve it!


How do you fit in "me time" in your day?

Leave your answer in the comments below to be entered to win a $500 spa gift card!



Introducing Dove® VisibleCare® Crème Body Wash. Built on the brand’s heritage in cleansing and caring for skin, Dove VisibleCare combines the best of Dove technology into a luxurious experience for beauty seekers. With the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the Dove portfolio, Dove VisibleCare Crème Body Wash actually improves the look of skin over time. Visit Dove® VisibleCare® to get a coupon for $1 off!



Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age

18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 - 8/22/2012
Be sure to visit the Dove® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!









Friday, July 20, 2012

Courtyard Love




In the home that my husband and I dream of building one day, there is a courtyard.  A secret outdoor room surrounded by the rest of the house. There will be an entry to the courtyard from multiple rooms on all four sides. It will be intimate, with a table and chairs to eat breakfast on warm mornings. A couch to curl up on crisp evenings. Lighting will be draped down, high over the brick floor. Containers overflowing with green ivy. Maybe a tree.  It would be beautiful to have a bedroom with a balcony that looks down into the space. I love courtyards. What do you think?

Source: thestwrd.com via Bess on Pinterest

























Monday, July 16, 2012

A much needed Girls Night Out and a $150 Giveaway!


One day last week the little girls were taking naps, and I was getting some work done. The older girls were outside playing in the deluxe plastic kiddie pool; Danny was on his way home from work. It's not too often that the little ones take naps during the day anymore, usually they end up jumping on their beds and emptying the toy box. But on this particular day, it was nice and quiet upstairs. Finally, they fell asleep! Those sweet little angels.
Danny walked into the house and calmly asked why there was water dripping down from the kitchen ceiling. We ran upstairs as the animals sweet little girls were scampering down. In the bathroom we found a waterfall pouring down from the sink. An inch of water covered the floor. A pile of clothes, my down comforter, pillows, towels and blankets were piled in front of the sink. Evidently they tried to stop the flow.
We enlisted the older girls to hang the sopping wet bedding on the clothes line. We had to drill holes in the kitchen ceiling to let all of the water out. We interrogated. We tried not to laugh. Each girl blamed it on the other, naturally. Danny, forever calm and kind, insisted that his perfect 3 and 4 year old daughters did try to clean up the mess.
I needed a night out! I gathered some friends, Dana and Shelly, and sister-in-laws, Stacy and Jennie. Between the 5 of us we have 12 children and full, demanding lives...we could all use a Girls' Night Out!



I picked up everyone and drove to Applebee's. We ordered cocktails: the Summer Squeeze and Bahama Mama...yum! We shared appetizers: the Spinach Artichoke Dip, Queso Blanco, and Appetizer Trio. We each ordered a dinner also; I had the Fiesta Chicken Chopped Salad which was really, really good.


We talked and laughed about our families, husbands and jobs. What a great time in a relaxing atmosphere! Sometimes I think that's all you need, to just get away for a couple of hours, recharge and have fun. Applebee's was just the place to do it! Though they know how important it is to connect online (check them out on Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Tumblr!) Applebee's also knows the importance of seeing each other face-to-face.
I can definitely agree with their slogan: Life is Better Shared!
When's the last time you had a Girls Night Out?
Yesterday?
4 years ago?
1982?
Let me know in a comment to this post and you will be entered to win a $150 Gift Card to Applebee's!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/16/12 – 8/3/12.
Be sure to visit the Applebee's Life Is Better Shared page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

::Inspiration Workshop::Yellow


The lovely Gussy's Inspiration Workshop can really be an eye opener for me! The theme this time is "Yellow," which is quite honestly not one of my favorite colors. I look terrible wearing it, I don't think I have anything yellow in my house, it's just not my color. That being said, once I started looking and opening my mind to it, I found some pretty inspiring photos...what do you think? Are you a fan of yellow?



















Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop!



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Fresh Peach Cobbler With Biscuit Topping




Peach Cobbler was one of the first desserts I ever learned how to bake.  We'd make it a few times a week for my dad's farm hands in the summer.  My mom would can lots of peaches, so we would use those, but I used fresh peaches here.  I also can't find the original recipe for the topper, but this comes pretty close.  I think the main difference was that we used to use shortening.  I'd rather use butter though, more natural and the lesser of the two evils! Enjoy!







Fresh Peach Cobbler

12 peaches peeled and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup cold butter
1/2 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix peaches, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch.  Spread in a 9 x 13 pan or two casserole dishes.  Bake for 10 minutes.

In large bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Cut in butter.  Stir in cold water until combined. 

Drop by spoonfuls onto hot fruit.  Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 25 minutes.