{teach back: mustache straws}

{tools}

• striped straws (such as these)
• die cut mustaches (right over here)
• hot glue gun/craft glue

{tools}

{how to}

1)  Place a drop of glue 1" below the tip of straw.  

2)  Place die cut mustache on top of glue & gently press to secure.  

3)  Done!  So simple,  but yet so cute!

P.S.  You'll be seeing some "little man" crafts in upcoming posts because I'm preparing for my "little man" baby shower!  My sisters gave me permission to be the Project Manager and oh, how I do love making these crafts!  

{diaper in style}

How adorable is this diaper bag and this diaper changing pad?  I purchased both on Etsy and I CANNOT wait to receive them!  The diaper bag is handmade in France.  love!  

{Waterproof diaper bag w. 2 exterior pockets & 10 interior pockets.  Handmade in France by Ikabags.}

{Diaper pad folds up conveniently into a "clutch".  Above fabric (Woodland Trails Bears in Blue)
was my choice of fabric.  Handmade in Georgia by modmomME.}

  

{snapshots}

{a family of geese attempting to come into my work}

{another cute photo of the family}

{instead of a day of work, my work had a day of baseball fun in our suite}

{still working on perfecting french toast.  any recommendations on a recipe?  ;)}

{finally found unique glass charms/wine charms!!}

{nyx haul}

Someone, help me!  I went CRAZY buying NYX products.  The price point makes it so much easier to buy what's not necessary (i.e. 6 lip glosses) and Ulta was having a buy one, get a 2nd item 50% off promo.  Here's what to expect in upcoming posts: reviews on matte eyeshadows, lip glosses, lip plumpers, lipsticks, slide on eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, blushers, bronzers, illuminators, and concealers! 

{pregnancy update}

1. I'm officially in my 3rd trimester.  Baby Boy is growing a ton and my bump is definitely noticeable!
2. I started the "kick count card".  I think Baby Boy is playing tricks on mama because every time I get ready to start counting his kicks, he's still as a statue.  
3. Baby Boy loves strawberries, mangos, and tangerines.  He dances when I eat them.  
4. We have 2 names picked out thus far and we're not going to pick one until we see him.  
5. Not a single thing has been started for the nursery.  We are procrastinators.  In a major way.  

{review : sephora advanced lash booster mascara}

My co-worker gifted the Sephora Favorites Lashstash to me last Christmas and I am, slowly but surely, going to review all the mascara in the set for you.  

The set comes with a pretty impressive selection of (click on each link to read my review):

• Bare Escentuals -- bareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara
• Fairydrops -- Scandal Queen Mascara (most excited to try this one!)
• Hourglass -- Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara
• Josie Maran -- GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara
• Make Up For Ever -- Smoky Lash / Extra Noir Smoky Lash
• Sephora Collection -- Advanced Lash Booster
• Stila -- Forever Your Curl Mascara
• Tarte -- Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
• Too Faced -- LashGASM
• Urban Decay -- Supercurl Curling Mascara
• Clinique -- Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

I've been using the Sephora Collection Advanced Lash Booster and I would give it a 3 out of 5.  Here's why: 

Pros:

• Color intensity (A nice intense noir color, which I prefer.)
• Volumizes 
• Lengthens 

Cons:

• Takes WAAAAY too long to dry.  The mascara always smears onto the skin under my bottom lash line because I'm too impatient to wait the 28473 minutes (sarcasm) for it to dry.  I've been using a different mascara on my bottom lashes to prevent this & to save myself time.  
• Clumping.  I've noticed this with  most intense noir volumizing mascaras -- they tend to clump.  My solution is to take the wand out at an angle so excess mascara is removed onto the side/edge of the tube.  Or, you can wipe the wand with tissue paper to remove excess product.  

Would I buy this product?  Probably not.  

{color preserve}

My husband's hairstylist (also a personal friend of ours) introduced me to her all time favorite shampoo/conditioner for colored hair: Keratin Complex.  

She loves and swears by this product so much that she nearly died when she realized she forgot to pack it on a week long trip.  She was so kind to gift me these for Christmas and I must say I am a believer!  I've tried Graham Webb, Biolage, and Kenra... none of which kept my hair color lasting as long as Keratin Complex did.  I had my hair touched up... probably 2 months ago... and the color is still there; not ashy/faded.  I suggest buying this shampoo/conditioner, especially if you're paying $$ to get your hair did.  ;)

{snapshots}

{always a yummy snack}

{a peek at baby's wardrobe}

{dinner w/ friends}

{dragon stamps for my dragon baby boy's shower invites.  so asian of me.  :)}

{coffee cake substituted w. healthier ingredients.}  

{mirror, mirror on the wall}

I never used a vanity mirror until I traveled to Las Vegas many, many years ago and since that faithful meeting I had decided I was going to install a wall mirror vanity in my bathroom when I purchased a home.   Well, I now have the home, however, we are in the planning stages of remodeling the master bath, hence, still no wall vanity mirror.  Since purchasing a make-up vanity, I bought a table vanity mirror for it and I adore using it.  I'm most obsessed with the magnified side of the mirror and the back-lit.  The magnified side is great for detailed applications such as: eye shadow, eye liner, mascara,  and false lashes.  I think everyone should own one!  Go!  Now!

{teach back : organized make-up brushes}

What You Need: 

• Glass/plastic vase(s)
• Vase fillers (I like small vase fillers)

How To: 

• Fill each vase 2/3 to 1/2 way with filler (thicker brush handles tend to need more filler to stand up)
• Organize brushes by functionality 

Optional: 

• Place a ribbon of your liking around the vase/glue gems around the vase w/ a hot glue gun.