too stinkin cute.

I mean, need I say more?

image found at pintrest

the help.

I just finished reading "The Help" last night. I must admit that it was a really great book that was hard to put down. I loved being able to imagine what life was like in the early 1960's in Jackson, MIssissippi. It was really amazing to think that most of the women who had "hired help," were not too far from my same age.  It was painful to imagine what these  women had to go through, just because of the color of their skin. It's even more strange to imagine that this was still going strong in my parents early childhood. It all seems so long ago to me. 


Anyway, I loved the book and found it very inspiring. I would for sure reccomend it!!


Now I am in search of my next read. Any great books you have read lately? I would love some reccomendations!

Home Projects.

About 2.5 years ago, I saw this lampshade at Anthropologie...

I loved it so much but it was WAAAY over my budget. I think it was $75. I just could not justify that at the time. We were living at my parents while saving to buy our house and I knew there was no way I could fork out that kind of mula for a lampshade! So I tried to make a duplicate...

Here is what I came up with...

I thought it turned out pretty cute.  So when I saw this pillow at Anthropologie.... I had the same thought... I was sure I could duplicate it! It was almost $90 at Anthro...

I am currently in the process of making my Anthro-pillow look-alike. It's not done yet, but I thought I would just give you a sneak peak...

PIctures to come!!

juicy goodness.

Today I ventured out to the mall. Two mommies, two toddlers and an 8 month-old. Needless to  say it was nothing short of eventful. What are we going to do when we each have 3 kids? Never go to the mall. That's what!!

Anyway, we survived... and had a great time. The stores were oozing of juicy goodness. Here are a few of my favorite finds!! 

I managed to escape only buying the foundation, gel eyeliner, and a cute new pair of earrings. {not pictured} 

p.s. I think I have a new foundation favorite. Please, do yourself a favor and go to your nearest CHANEL counter. You can thank me later. :)

p.p.s I want to buy those "tiny toms" for Roman SOOOO bad. 

p.p.s.s. I love that they are called "tiny toms." just stop!

1. Red Toms
2.  Tiny Toms
3. Katie K Stripe Boxy Top
4. Bobbi Brown long-wear gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
5. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Skin Perfecting Make-up
6. Owl Earrings
7. Peach Scarf

Bobbi Pins

Hey guys! I had a couple people ask me for the info. on the bobbi pins that were talked about in the bun tutorial the other day. Click HERE for the link...

perfection.

 There is just something about a beautiful phrase that stirs my soul.  I am gonna need this perfect display somewhere in my home, stat!

Maybe i'll add it to my long list of "to-do's?"

image found via pinterest

these are my people.

Introducing, my Roman. 

I realized the other day that I don't think I have really talked much about my boys. My hubby and my little monkey. I think part of me wants to cling to my baby. I am very protective of him. However, he is my everything. So, I find it fitting that you know a little about him! I am going to be better about just blogging what is on my mind, and what is going on in my everyday life.

And let me tell ya, these two fellows play a BIG part. 

Meet Roman: 

• 17.5 months old
• getting his FOURTH tooth! {he's a late bloomer in the tooth department}
• talks my ears off all day long. some of his favorite words are: car, drink, ball, snack, grandma & grandpa, mommy & dadda, truck, plane, dog, banana, etc. He also does an elephant impression that's to die for. 
• his favorite song is "What's my name" by Rihanna. He asks to listen to it and has the SWEETEST dance moves. 
• melts my heart into a million pieces everyday. he is the happiest child i have ever known and can't imagine my life without him. i always dreamed of being a mother and now that I am here, i am happy to say it surpassed my expectations. I could have NEVER imagined this kind of love. he is magic.

amaze-buns.

I was perusing through "A Cup of Jo" {which i'm sure a lot of you do...} and I came across this adorable hair tutorial to create three twisted buns. You will die over how cute and easy it is!

Here are the directions: 

1. This style is so easy, it's laughable. Day-old hair is best (which is true for most hairstyles, since it's easier to work with hair that has a little dirt in it).

2. Divide your hair into three equal parts and quickly spray each section with a little hairspray to help give it hold. Let the hairspray set for a couple seconds, and then lightly comb it out.

3. Take the section on your right side, and twist your hair all the way down to the end. You want to twist counter-clockwise, toward your face. Wrap the right section in on itself, just like you're making a little bun. Let some of the hair stick out, it's ok (you don't want them to look like Princess Leia buns).

4. Pin the right bun in place. I like to use these mini bobby pins, since they're easier to hide and they're coated in rubber so they hold your hair better.

5. Next, twist the middle section clockwise and pin. Then twist the left section clockwise and pin.

6. Spray the three buns with a little more hairspray, and you're done!

See? Super simple!

Thank-you, thank-you for sharing Joanna! I love discovering new ways to pull my hair back! What a cute idea. I can't wait to try it!!

don't mess with texas.

1. First of all, does anyone else out there watch Friday Night Lights? {or F.N.L. as we lovingly refer to it around our house} Two words: TIM RIGGINS. We started watching it starting with Season 1 in January. It's so dang good. Every night we looked forward to coming home and watching our show. Anyway, it just ended forever on Season 5, so we still are waiting for the final season to come out. 

{the suspense is killing us!} 

2. We have been planning a trip to Texas in June to visit my hubby's BFF.  I was so excited!! 'Specially after watching "F.N.L."... but due to some changes in our life...{more on that later}...{and NOOOO I am not pregnant}... it looks like the trip will have to wait. :( Someday...someday...

#3. Just when I was all hyped up about all this TEXAS stuff, O.P.I. goes out and does it again! Presenting.......

Oh snap! I am loving "Guy Meets Gal-veston", "Don't Mess With OPI",

 & "Houston, we have a Purple."

I am heading to the beauty supply store today... looks like I have some new investments to make!

Clear eyes. Full hearts.

TEXAS FOREVER! 

{it's an FNL thing. go watch it. seriously!}

You can check out the series finale promo video HERE. 

Spring Cleaning- Starting with me.

Man, the other day it hit me that my hair was starting to look pretty crazy. I honestly started feeling like I was wearing some crazy witch wig! It had gotten soooo long and was in desperate need of a cut. {go figure...}

Anywho, I chopped about 4 or 5 inches off 

and got a fresh new color. 

and lemme tell ya... 

it feels gooooooood.

Before...

and 4 inches later...

{Sorry.. not the best pics or lighting...}

It's officially "freshen up for spring" season. 

There is something so renewing about getting a new-do. Every spring I just get this crazy itch to do all-sorts of projects around the house... 

Here are a few things on my "to-do" list:

• To paint my little man's bathroom. {I have a little man. Have I told you? He is 18 months and the cutest thing you've ever seen.}
• Finish the "anthro-look-a-like" flower pillow I have been working on.
• Clean and organize our ridiculous closet.
• Sweep the garage out.
• Paint my laundry room and get a new light fixture for it. 

Ooohhhh.... so fun. Pictures coming soon....

Happiness.

 "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." -James Barrie

I ran across this quote on Una Bella Vita the other day. 

It reminded me so much of a quote that I have had hanging on my fridge for the last 6 years. 

"Make others happy and you will be happy yourself. I have heard Brother Heber C. Kimball state that when he was very downhearted, he would find somebody worse then himself, and endeavor to comfort him, and by so doing he would comfort himself, and increase in spirit and life."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 
I have found this to be very true in my own life. I have to remind myself that when I am having a bad day, someone else out there still has it a million times worse. 


Have a happy day!

I just can't get enough.

Well, if you can't tell by now, I am obsessed with all things Pureology. However, there are a few other products that I love and can't live without! Here is a collaboration of the products I use on a daily basis on my hair. Take it for what it's worth!!


#1- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner- I love this product so much. Pureology is an all-natural product line, made from all sorts of vegan products. It's delicious for your hair- nourishing, replenishing, and smells heavenly. I especially love the conditioner which contains peppermint and corn mint essential oils. It gives your scalp that nice, tingly feeling. 


#2- When I want to use a more budget friendly shampoo & conditioner- I always use Redken Real Control.  It always leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and shiny. It has a really clean and refreshing smell. It never dissapoints!


#3- Redken Anti-Snap- This is an amazing leave-in product that you apply while hair is still wet, before styling. It's loaded with proteins that keep your hair strong and resilient. I have personally used this to save my hair after a perm gone bad. {I know... perm!?} And I can't forget to mention that it smells AMAZING!!


#4- Pureology Shine Max- This is a smoothing serum that I usually apply while my hair is still wet, and again when my hair is dry. I run it through my dry ends and it instantly adds mass amounts of shine. It's a small bottle, buts last forever!


#5- I love finish off my every day look with Pureology InCharge Hairspray. It has the perfect amount of hold. Not too stiff, not to soft. I especially love it when styling my hair in loose curls. It still allows lots of movement. And of course, IT SMELLS GOOD!! 

So there ya have it, friends.

 Those are my 

"can't live without" hair products.

 What are yours?

Mac Brushes vs Painting Brushes

Maybe two years ago, I was told about this video about the comparrison of MAC Brushes vs. Painting Brushes. It's pretty amazing and something I would have never thought of!
Check it out!!

Malibu Barbie.

Since it's already been 4 days since the long-awaited Oscars 2011, the blog\internet world has been buzzing non-stop about the unforgettable fashion. 

For me, I was surprised to see this retro-inspired ponytail on Reese Witherspoon.

I think it was a refreshing spin on the usual red-carpet hair. 

Doesn't she look like she just stepped out of her pink barbie car?

To Achieve this look:

1. Start by using a volumizing mousse throughout your wet locks. You can also use a root-lifter to give it the added boost. 
2.  Blow-Dry your hair with a round-brush, giving it the maximum amount of volume.
3. Using a 1" curling-iron, curl the ends of the hair loosely. 
4.  Back-comb the top sections of your hair and then gently smooth it back as you pull it into your pony-tail. 
5.  Finish the look by using your favorite hair-spray to tame any fly-aways and keep hair in place all day. 

 I love her whole look. A heavy-lined eye with a matte pink lip and those to-die-for emerald earrings. She looked very retro-glam. 

Food for the Soul.

“Do me a favor… Stand up, walk to wherever the nearest window is, and just look outside. You may not know this, but there’s an entire planets-worth of summers, friends, sunsets, street lamps, songs, late nights, great films, and night skies waiting for you. Your life is as amazing as you want it to be, but first, you have to let it be that way.”

-chad sug

image: Rose Hardy... poem via peace.love.bellavita

Today, I rejoice.

Introducing....

As some of you may know, I have an obsession with Bobbi Brown. 

So imagine my excitement when I opened up my e-mail and saw the revealing of Bobbi's new spring line,

PEONY & PYTHON COLLECTION.

oh. my. gosh.

HEAVEN.

Just when I feel like I am going to die if I have one more day of winter...

the heavens open and present me with this. 

There IS hope for Spring!! 

You are gonna love this....

Bobbi teamed up with the amazing label TIBI and created this magnificent color palette. 

Lavender & grey.

Soft & Pretty...

Meets edgy and sophisticated.

"This collection is inspired by my favorite flower - peonies. Paired with grey, it's a modern take on spring beauty."             - Bobbi Brown {Peonies are MY favorite flower TOO!! I knew I loved her! }

Rich Lip Color

SPF 12

Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara

This carrying case is amazing. 

And Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks.

For info. on the whole collection, click HERE.

Also,

Check out THIS video of the making of Peony & Python.

Hurry quick if you want this! Peony & Python is a LIMITED EDITION item.