Think Pink

Warm spring weather is just around the corner, and I may be guilty of already dressing like it's here. I'm LOVING all things pink, and I admittedly wear it all year round.  Bright, obnoxious pink.  And if that's wrong, I don't wanna be right.

But there is a way to incorporate it into your wardrobe without looking like Barbie's Little Shop of Horrors.  Here's some of my favorite ways to include one of my most loved hues in a good way.

Orly's Beach Cruiser

Best described as a "fluorescent pink cream," this polish is like a highlighter, in the best way possible.  If it's a little too loud for your taste, the other pink I always reach for is Essie's Bachelorette Bash

Still pink and lovely, just a little more toned down.  

Kate Spade Clarice Pump

Uh.mah.gah.  uh.  mah.  gah.  These might be the most perfect shoes the world has ever known.  Ever.
Such a fun pop of color with a little black dress or a wedding gown.  Hell, wear them while you're vacuuming.  LOVE! (Am I the only one that likes to wear new shoes around the house when I first get them?)

A more practical option: RSVP Jutte

At $79, these are a little more in my price range than the Kate Spade beautes, and these are still beautiful.


Kendra Scott Harlow Necklace and Morgan Earrings

It's no secret that I'm a HUGE Kendra Scott fan, and she just released some of my favorite pieces in both magenta and neon pink.  I own these pieces in magenta, and the color is GORGEOUS!  You really can pair this color with so many others for a classy pop of color.  I love it with navy, purple, turquoise, and even a warm pumpkin orange.  Perfection, Ms. Scott. Perfection.

NYX Lip Pencil in Fuchsia

This is a beautiful fuchsia shade that I think would look great on a variety of skin tones.  I believe mine was under $5 at Ulta, makes my teeth look crazy white and stays on pretty well.  What's better than that?  I use it to fill in my entire lip, and use a clear gloss on top when I want the true color, a muted nude shade on top when I don't want it as vibrant, and I use Revlon Color Burst Lip Gloss in Adorned

when I want some seriously pink lips.  The gloss is beautiful on it's own also.  These have been some of my favorite lip products of the last few months.  You wouldn't think bright pink could be as versatile as it really can be.

Featherweight Cardigan 

Am I the only one that longingly looks through the JCrew catalog imagining what my closet would look like if I won the lottery and didn't have to worry about spit up and chewed puffs all over my clothes?  Anyone?  No?

Well, a hot pink cardigan is always a beautiful addition to a wardrobe, and can be worn to work or utilized on a casual day.  If my wallet was bottomless and my clothes stayed pristine, I'd pair this bad boy with a pattered cotton shirt.  (Polka dots would be at the top of my list).

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Amused

If you aren't familiar with the amazingness that is Tarte's Amazonian clay blushes, get one or two of these in your life.  You deserve it.  Blush will last you forever, and these colors/formulas are beautiful. Easy to apply, awesome color payoff, and they stay put for hours.  This color in particular gives you that "just in out of the snow" look like Jack Frost has been doing some nippin' (wait...that sounded like something altogether different than what I meant...)  You get the idea.  Natural, youthful color.  There. No more nippin' references.  

Even if you're not the biggest fan of pink, try it.  Just try.  It's a great color for your complexion, and it's fun and girly.  What are your favorite pink items?

Project Life 2014

As part of my resolution to simplify and get things done, I've started doing Project Life digitally.  If you aren't familiar with Project Life, google your little heart out.  It's amazing.

I have been doing it for the last two years, and it was wonderful to do last year during my pregnancy. (It's amazing what you can get done with nine months of insomnia.) The problem is, I've started both years but haven't finished either.  I LOVE toying with physical scrapbook items (can we say hoarder anyone?), but it's not the most time efficient process for me.  I start with big plans, and end up sitting on the floor pawing through a box of paper or stickers, and not actually getting a whole lot done.  With my teeny man around, I have even less free time that I did before to get things done.

Insert digital scrapbooking.  It's time efficient, cost efficient (no more Hobby Lobby shopping raids. Who am I kidding?  For scrapbook stuff anyway), and I LOVE that I can print an entire year in a single, sleek bound book at the end of the year.  It does mean that I'm scanning all my ephemera/momentos and not sticking it in pockets pages.  I'm scanning and then throwing the stuff out.  I know.  I had to breathe into a paper bag the first few times.  But honestly, getting rid of the clutter can be quite liberating. I can save the memories, but not the junk.  (I'm even selling quite a bit of my old stash if anyone is interested).

So far, I've kept pretty close to updated for 2014.  I'm going to try to go back in between and finish 2013 (ahem, and 2012).  Here's what it's looking like so far:

Week 1:

For this week, I used the "style A" design, and chose text and embellishment colors from hues in my photos.  I love packing in the pics, so I've used quite a few collages (mostly from Cathy Zielske).

She also made the calendar card, and the cute little label.  The main font I used for text is Bebas Neue, with a smidge of Chunk 5.


Week 2:

Since I had so many photos this week that I just couldn't leave out, I did the format a little different.  I ended up with several pictures/cards/text for each day of the week, and I kinda like it this way.  This may be the new norm.

Again, I chose colors from photos in the layout, and made my own embellishment cards from favorite quotes (and a heart .png from a Spendid Fiins 2013 calendar card set).

 Since my sweet baby turned seven months old during week 2, I added an extra two pages for his monthly stats and photo shoot.

I answer the same questions each month (which I found circulating the blog world), and take Jack's picture in a birthday sticker and white onesie.  It's not always on the 8th of each month, but it's close enough.  

The empty white box is for a QR code for the video of his 7th month.  I haven't made it yet, but will add the code in when I do.  I like that adding these codes makes the scrapbook a little more interactive. 

Week 3

Still loving this format, which lets me incorporate more photos and journaling and less decorative fluff.  

I switched the main font to my personal favorite, Ostrich Sans, but made embellishment cards using Miserably Lose (because I love the handwritten look of it).  I think this particular font compliments the Ali Edwards Photoshop brushes, so I can see it becoming a new favorite.

I tried to get my DSLR out more this week, and I think it makes a huge difference in the overall look of the pages.  

Since I had a lot of pictures and a card that I wanted to scan from my sweet hubby, I added a second set of pages.  

When I'm searching for items to fill up spaces in a layout, I always love to include QR codes for videos,  text messages that I want to save, pictures of what I'm currently loving, and lists of all kinds (beauty items I'm using at the moment, what I'm reading/watching, books we checked out from the library, blogs I'm loving, etc.  You get the gist).

This was too sweet not to include.  I scanned the outside of the envelope, front of the card, and the inside.  Now I can keep this card forever without keeping it forever.  Know what I mean?  Simplify.  Less clutter = more happy.

We've been busy...

I neglected my little blog for almost a year for the best reason possible. We welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world on June 8, 2013, and we are forever changed.  I suppose pregnancy and Jack's first weeks would have been the perfect time to blog, as I would have had much to say.  But now is as good a time as any to try to document our life as a family of three!

Pug Snuggles...

are the best on a cold October evening.  Happy fall, ya'll!

Trip to Glacier National Park

The hubs and I just got back from a fantastic weekend trip to Glacier National Park.  The eight hour journey from Billings was well worth it, even though a portion of the park was closed for the winter.

Such a beautiful place!

Custom At-Home Teeth Whitening For Less Than $10 (That Actually Works!)

(These aren't my teeth- http://www.glenwoodvillagedentistry.com/- but's it the closest picture I could find to my results)

I am a firm believer in the power of bright, white teeth.  Nothing drastic like:

Incisors that glow in the dark

Or having a mouth full of Chiclets...

But a naturally bright smile can make you look younger and refreshed.  With my slight obsession with iced tea and coffee, my smile needed a little uplift.

I've tried numerous whitening products that always either left my teeth or my wallet hurting.  Insert the $10 miracle whitening that I've been using for the last few months.  My teeth are not the least bit sensitive, and they've honestly never looked better! 

To begin, buy two rubber mouth guards used for sports. 

I got mine at Wal-Mart in the sports section by the helmets and basketballs.  They were $1.97 each, and can come with the helmet strap attached (like the pic on the left) or without.  If your store only has those with the strap, no biggie, just snip it off with a pair of scissors.  

There are directions on the package for how to fit them to your mouth.  You submerge them in very hot water and then press them around your teeth.  If done correctly (and it's not very hard at all), you'll have a custom set of teeth whitening trays in a matter of minutes. 

Once you have your trays, you'll need this: 

I also found this at Wal-Mart for $4.97, but I've also seen it at Walgreens and numerous stores online.  This stuff is amazing!!  You get quite a bit of product, so I feel like the $5 goes a long, long way.

I've tried two methods to whiten my teeth: 1. Squirt the gel into the trays and then pop them in my mouth and 2. "paint" the gel on my teeth with a q-tip and then pop the trays in.  Both ways are effective, but I feel like preloading the trays works a little better, because more product gets onto the teeth.  Be careful not to put too much in there...I did and it oozed out of the tray from all sides, and let's just say it was gag inducing.  The taste isn't one that you'll want lingering in my mouth for a while.  

The package states it's a 5 minute whitening bleach, but you can leave it on for up to 15 minutes a day. I usually put them in while I'm getting into the shower or drying my hair.  It's next to impossible to talk (or sing) with both the trays in, and I think my husband thoroughly enjoys not having to listen to me try to sound like Adele while I'm sudsing my hair.  It keeps the dogs from howling along too...  :)

Summer Favorites!

I love that each season brings new trends and products to try out, and summer just happens to be one of my favorites.  I've found quite a few things that I'm really loving during these warm, sunny months:

The Body Shop: Satsuma Body Butter

This stuff smells like sunshine in a tub.  Well, actually, it smells like tangerines and oranges, but it is what summer should smell like!  I usually don't like body butters because they can feel really greasy, but this one sinks in quick and doesn't really leave any residue.  I put it on m legs when I'm just out of the shower, and it makes my skin feel like buttah all day long.

Side note- I've read that you should apply your lotion within 3 minutes of exiting the shower for your skin to retain the most moisture.  Seems to work for me!

Revlon Nail Enamel- Minted

(Not my fingers or my picture...but this is a good representation of what this shade looks like)

I love anything turquoise/minty green during the warm months, and this color is perfect!  I'm all about the cheaper drug store polish, and the Revlon seems to be one of the more long wearing formulas.  Add an accent nail or two in this color:

Essie- Peach Daiquiri

I've pretty much been wearing these two colors for most of the summer.  They really do look beautiful together, and play up my favorite color combo of the season- turquoise and coral. 

Mr. Pumice Ulitmate Pumice Bar

Guuurrrrrl, nobody wants to look at funky feet in cute sandals.  These Mr. Pumice bars are AMAZING at keeping unsightly calluses and dry heels at bay.  They are cheap, cheap, cheap and give you just pedicured feet at home.  Give your tootsies a good scrub and slather on a little Vaseline before bed, and your feet will never look so pretty.  Just don't forget to put socks on before you climb under the covers. The thought of greasy sheets makes me gag a little.  **shudder**

Kendra Scott- Danielle Earrings in Turquoise

Have you ever come across a designer that you swear is your fashion soulmate?  Kendra Scott jewels...where have you been all my life?!?!  I love, love, flippin love these earrings, as well as everything else on her website.  I want to win the lottery just so I can call her and say, "Yes, dahhhhling.  I'll take one of everything."  Do yourself a favor and explore her site.  Seriously amazing.  Simple, classic, colorful pieces that I know I'm going to enjoy for years to come!  I feel like turquoise will never go out of style, and you really can wear it in any season for a bright pop of color.  Plus, it pairs so well with dozens of different hues, I feel like I could wear it everyday. 

TRESemme- Cashmere Touch Hydrating Serum

This stuff helps soothe my dry summer hair, and I'm kind of obsessed with it.  I've just been using it on my ends, but I really think it's helped me go almost 8 months without a haircut and virtually no split ends.  It's supposedly infused with coconut and argan oils, but alls I know is that a little goes a LONG way.  Too much of a good thing, can be a very, very bad (and greasy) thing.  One little pump on my ends before I blow dry, and I find myself needing my straightener less and less.  

Bath and Body Works- Beach Grass Candle

I usually don't find myself burning candles in the summer, but this scent is heavenly.  It doesn't at all smell like beach grass probably does, but the B&BW website describes it as "dewy greens, palmetto grass and sweet white freesia."  This is one of those scents I wish they would never discontinue.  It slightly annoys me that every candle I bought has wicks that are super short (and I end up having to pour out wax to keep it from self extinguishing), but I love that they go on super sale.  Sign up for the emailed coupons!  Well worth deleting incessant junk from my inbox when they mark things down.  

London Olympics

 Admit it ladies...we're all tuned into the 30th Olympiad for the same reason...

It's our love of sports and the excitement of watching world class athletes compete.  :)

This also made my list of summer favorites.  No matter how many times I see it, it still makes me laugh.