Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday!!!  Hope everyone has an awesome Super Bowl Weekend!  Cheers to February too!!

Valentine Cupcake

Wishing this was me right about now.  The tanning bed is calling me.

Loving this vanity, such a pretty place to beautify.

Healthy Super Bowl treat

January's Citrus Lane Box

January's Citrus Lane Box was a pretty good one.  Although as of late, I've been contemplating canceling the subscription, I may keep it going.  Everything received is enjoyed by Pippa.

We got the Baby Car from Plan Toys, which is easy for her to play with, as it folds up like a slinky.  It is made of natural rubber wood & bright in color, which is appealing to her.  It does go really far when pushed too.

The Cozy Rattle Pal from Little Taggies is great.  Pipps loves the taggies, rattle, & friendly face of the giraffe.

Cleo in the Snow from Barefoot Books is a cute book.  The simple script is a tad simple for me to enjoy but the bright colorful pages & cartoon images seem to appeal to Penelope.

Travel Dish Soap from Dapple was at first a little, "eh".  But came in hand when we ran out of dish soap.  I did like this dish soap as it is non-toxic, natural, & cleans thoroughly.

Mani Monday

Happy Frigid Monday in Chicago!  Of course with February & Valentine's Day approaching, I decided to go for a red polish.  I especially went for a bright, warm red, as it has been ridiculously cold in Chicago.  I needed a fun bright, warm pop of color.

I also used Julep's Ta Da Quick Dry Drops on my mani, these drops are amazing!  This product truly makes your mani dry super quick.  The drops seem to be like a cuticle oil but less oily so you don't run this risk of creating bubbly polish.

Ta Da drops are a definite must have for me!

Essie Fifth Avenue

Julep Ta Da Quick Dry Drops

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Folks!!!! Hope you enjoy your weekend!  As you can see, I am looking forward to Valentine's Day/ My Birthday.  : )

A pretty Valentine's Day Top

Easy Heart Cake for Valentine's Day

The SoupBox Cookbook for great soups during these chilly wintery days

Sequins & Sparkly Jewels

leopard pencil skirt, white tee, & jean jacket.

Baby Food Fun!

Penelope has been eating solids for a month & a couple weeks.  I am thrilled that she is doing so amazingly well with it.  She enjoys everything offered to her, except unsweetened applesauce.  I make her food which is very enjoyable, fulfilling, super easy, & extremely cost efficient.  I know she is getting great organic food without any additives.

I began with rice cereal for the first few days & with much research began veggies promptly.  There is SO much research out there stating rice cereal or oatmeal is truly not nutritious & only leads babies to desiring starches & carbs throughout life.  With that in mind, I completely nixed that option & began with veggies for a week then adding fruit.

I utilized a book called "Weaning" by Annabel Karmel.  This book was a little helpful for a first time parent, as it gives some good basic recipes & insight into the weaning process.  Although, I wanted more ideas & food options to truly get Pippa to enjoy more food throughout baby & childhood.  I ordered "Bebe Gourmet: 100 French Inspired Recipes for Raising an Adventurous Eater" by Jenny Carenco.  This book is EVERY parent's must have!!  This book gave way more insight into the weaning process, an amazing chart for what foods are appropriate at what age, a list of actual things you need in your kitchen or may already have, and truly amazing baby food recipes!

Now, this is NOT a French Recipe book for babies.  This a book that offers real, mature food options that even the family can enjoy, such as pasta dishes, fish options, dessert, & so on.  This book's recipes seem to make eating enjoyable & nutritious for babies, as it is healthy eating, yet getting them used to different flavors & concoctions.  I refuse to have my child only want chicken fingers, hot dogs, pizza, or mac 'n cheese.  My hubby & I want to be able to take her out with us & share our meals with her, so in order for that to happen, she needs to enjoy a variety of food, soon on.  Even the meals for the first couple months are different than any other baby food recipe I've found online, pinterest, or the "Weaning" book.

So if you are like us at all, invest in this amazing book & utilize it.  I am 100% confident you will be glad you did.

I got my copy at amazon & am not endorsed to discuss this book.  My copy of Weaning, I got through giggle.com   Honest opinion, as always!

Wild Fun Lips

I recently read a smidgen article in a magazine regarding a lady who was bored with her everyday neutral makeup routine & one night meeting friends for cocktails, adorned a vivid blue lip.  With that in mind, I thought I'd discuss these wild vivid lip options that are seen about.  

I personally am not a fan of these lip colors seen by Lady Gaga, Kesha, & others.  It may be fun for the runway, magazine shoots, or makeup artists, yet I would not typically recommend these options for evenings out or every day.  I simply do not think blue, green, black, or yellow lips are pretty.  If you are into this type of thing, then to each his own.  But if you are daring & in the modeling or makeup artistry industry, go for it!  I admire those that can actually pull it off with confidence, it's just not in me.  The only wild lip color I have ever sported was a lilac grey, fierce orange, super pale peach, vivid lilac, & pale purple.  The purple was stunning with a fushia gloss on top.  

Lime Crime is a well known, fun makeup line offering such options.  I LOVE their more wearable lipsticks & eye shadows.  It is a fun line offering beautiful pigments & textures.  

Have you or would you, ever adventure into this type of option?

Clarisonic Love!!!

So for Christmas I received a Clarisonic Mia.  I may be one of the last people on earth to have one, maybe not.  I truly believe EVERYONE on this earth should have one!!!!!

This item has performed magic on my skin.  I did have a little purging for the first week & a half, but found pure joy knowing my skin was getting a deep cleaning.  I use the sensitive skin brush, as this is the most common brush for all skin types.  There are various brush heads for different concerns.  This is to be used once a day, I use it once a day for 6 days.  I like to let my skin relax for a day, without it's use.  

My pores are shrinking, being cleaned thoroughly, fine lines are even fading.  This lightly sloughs off dead skin, impurities, and makeup.  I have been using mine with Fresh's Soy face cleanser.  I LOVE this cleanser too!!!  It smells super fresh & cleans great without leaving my skin tight & dry.  This cleanser is great as a little bit goes a long way.  

Please invest in one or ask for it as a gift, you will be SO glad you did!!  My skin feels absolutely AMAZING!!!!!  

You can get this one below at Sephora for $125.00  I know this can be a lot for some, but I promise it is well worth it.  The knock off choices are not nearly as good as this one oscillates getting your skin super clean & improving skin's texture & overall radiance.  

http://www.sephora.com/mia-skin-cleansing-system-P285163?skuId=1200997

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Folks!!! Cheers to the weekend.  Hope you a get a smile or inspiration from one of my weekly favs!!!

DIY: heart garland for Valentine's Day

Pretty Makeup with a rosy lip

Totally doing this for Baby #2, so cute!!

Boho Beach hair makes me imagine the warm comfort of sun on my skin!
Her bronzed skin makes me long for summer.

Fun pillow variation.  I love the boho look & THAT MIRROR!!!!  

Rosy Lip

Let's talk….Rosy Lip.  I love a pretty pinky rose lip color.  This is probably one of the most popular lip shades, as it is pretty & classic.  The right shade can be worn beautifully with a smoky eye, soft eye, or minimal makeup.  A rosy lip can look very natural as it is close to actual lip shades.  This look can be simple or dressy.  I love this look on pale skin with a soft pink blush.

Checkout these variations of a rosy lip…….

Business Venture

I have been thinking long & hard about doing a part time gig with direct sales.  I really miss getting out, enjoying the company of others, & making a little of my own money.  I do not have any intentions of going with anything, such as I did with Mary Kay.  I plan on simply having fun & going light & easy breezy with it.

I am torn between two passions & two companies.  I am torn between Votre Vu Skincare & Makeup & Stella & Dot Jewelry.

Votre Vu has some TRULY AMAZING products, I certainly have a lot more passion for the products than I did Mary Kay.  I also LOVE the "soiree" concept as no one has to remove their makeup & reapply their "face", yet you're still learning proper skin care & makeup application….and with honest to goodness AMAZING products.  I love that the products have ingredients that a spa quality & natural.  The line is made in France equaling top of the line.  I have tried SO many products & have to say, everything I tried I was completely blown away by the results.  They also offer amazing client advantages.

Stella & Dot Jewelry has beautiful pieces & who doesn't LOVE jewelry?!  They are quality pieces occasionally seen on celebrities for fairly reasonable prices.  Stella & Dot has some pretty great offers for clients, as well.  Some of their pieces are SO beautiful.

I am torn as I love both companies & their concepts.  I of course have a true passion & love for skin care & makeup, but can't help pondering the jewelry alternative.

Please help me decide….which sounds more appealing to you? And which would make you want to get some friends together by simply popping a bottle of wine & having some fun while earning free stuff?

XO

I totally promise to not be as nuts as I was with Mary Kay but of course, will ask for your support hosting a get together.  : )

http://www.votrevu.com/corporate/public?page=/jsp/home.jsp


http://www.stelladot.com

Mani Monday

Happy Monday!!!  Hope you're starting your week on good note!  My polish for the week is a new Julep polish from the January box.  I chose the "Bombshell" collection, which includes a soft purply grey & a super sparkly gold.  I decided to go with the purply grey, which I love more than I anticipated.

Hope you like!!!

Julep Mae 

Hopes for 2014

I hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday season!  I definitely enjoyed this Holiday season, as it was our first Christmas & New Year with our daughter and we enjoyed time with friends and family.  I am anxious to see what this year has entailed for everyone.  There are babies on the way, shopping for homes, growing older & wiser, weddings, & business ventures.

We had one heck of a year.  A lot has changed & we look forward to some wonderful possibilities, that are on the horizon.  A few things that are nearing are Penelope turning 5 months, then (really?!) 6 months in February.  Not to mention, I'm turning a whopping 33 this Valentine's day, which has a cool ring to it….02/14/2014.

I do hope for growth within my blog, a possible part time business venture for myself, a possible pregnancy, shedding the baby weight, maybe even buying a home.  I do look forward to 2014 & bringing you some pretty cool blogs & especially more makeup videos!  Sorry for my lack of this past Mani Monday, I was set to do one but sliced my finger (while cooking) pretty bad & did not want to expose my open wound (near nail) to such elements.

As always, my resolutions are to become more open minded & be better than the year prior.  I look forward to 2014 & hope you do too.  It shall be a wonderful year for everyone!!

XO

Included are some past monthly progression photos of my sweet lil Penelope.

Citrus Lane December Box

December's Citrus Lane Box was very impressive compared to last month's box.  

As seen below our box contained a Handprint Keepsake, which is exciting.  I've been wanting to get one of these.  I am not sure if this will be an ornament, decor for Penelope's room or in the house, or maybe a gift for Grammie?!   Either way, I look forward to making this.  

We received a "lovey", aka "cozie" which was a pink piggy.  This is a great lovey as it is small & super soft.  We do own several lovies at this point but Penelope does seem to enjoy this one as well.  

The Rira Clutching Toy is pretty cool.  It is made of wood with fun vibrant colors.  It is made in Germany & stained rather than painted with nontoxic, water based colors.  The colored rings can be manipulated by turning & shake.  This simple toy is a favorite for baby Pipp.

Lastly, the Snuggly Lotion from Episencial.  This is an organic lotion for babies & children.  I love this lotion for the cherry almond scent.  I have tried it on Pipp & it is hydrating & nourishing, although her California Baby Calendula Cream is best for these chilly winter days.