self expression..

I have always been super ..  I mean SUPER DUPER .. self conscious of what people thought of me.  How they felt about  me.  I am such a damn people pleaser.  I will bend over backwards to do something for someone, or try to say all the right things.   But like we were always told, there will always be someone that won't like who you are and / or what you do.  Those people I don't understand.  But there goes my people pleaser attitude again. WHY DO I CARE?! For every person that does not like me.  There is someone who LOVES me..  And that's what should matter.  I need to remind myself of that EVERY day. 

Jacks of many trades, but master of none.

So there has been MANY little craft projects I've always started and never finished.  It started all in highschool.  I started sketching.  Just pencil and charcoal stuff, but surprisingly I really got a knack for it !  I was referred to the head of the art department, but chickened out.  Though I drew, and I knew I was good.  I was afraid of judgement.  I didn't wannt hear the nay sayers. So. I hung my drawings in my room and left it at that. 

I also learned how to knit and crochet.  I WISHED I could say how great I got at it, but I can't. HA !  I learned many patterns, but I never graduated from anything but a scarf. SO my dad would get a hand made scarf by yours truly EVERY single Christmas.  It's become a tradition actually, and every year.  My aunts ask what I have done this year.

I've always been a decent cook.  I cook alot at home.  I have the knack to collect my favorite recipes from dishes I've tried from friends and family, and always took that extra step to make it my own.  Then I guard that recipe with my life.  Only sharing it with people I trusted.  Outrageous!  BUT  I never try to push myself to cook/bake anything that is out of my comfort zone.  So.  I continue to collect recipes, and cook dishes I grew up with. 

(seared pork chops w/ apple & onion stuffing. 1st attempt.  Not enough color, but was still DELICIOUS!)

(Broccoli Casserole before oven)

I've always had a knack to be just good enough, but never pushed myself to go any further. So my latest obsession? PAINTING.  I saw a painting my brother's girlfriend made for his Valentine's gift.  And so we made plans to get together and she'd walk me through my first painting.  I was scared. I'll admit. I am awesome at shading. But I never thought I'd be good with color.  I had a plan of attack, albeit a very ambitious plan of attack, an attack in the end.  I wanted to make 3 canvases of different ice cream cones for the baby's room, 3 canvases of various salt and pepper shakers for my kitchen, and a puzzle piece ( yikes ! ) for Bellinda's room.  Not only did I attack this project with gusto, I squeezed out one more for my one of my best friends. They are not Picasso's, but I'm not trying to be Picasso.  I'm trying to be ME. 

(Ava's room)

(Bellinda's puzzle piece)

(S&P shakers)

(My girly loves her ladybugs.)

 

Thought I feel SUPER ambitious at this point.  I really hope I can stay on this wagon for a lil while longer. I really enjoy it, and am crossing my fingers that I can get better!

My hearts.

Bellinda is going to be 8 soon.  No one warned me that the ripple effect of teenagehood would come so early.

During those tough times, I look at these pictures, and it reminds me how much it's all worth it.

 Girls.  I love you more then anything.  Though I may get angry.  I hope deep down, you realize how much I love you. 

xoxo,
mommy

Dedicated to my girl Bella !!

So.  I promised my chickie there that I would update.  So I dedicate this to my girl Bella .  Go follow her and her fabulous blog at princessbelle-agirlsworld.blogspot.com

So this is my daily beauty routine.
I am really happy with my Loreal Infallible never fail makeup.  It seriously has staying power, and does not rub off my clothing ( my biggest damn pet peeve ) nor my little chunker's when I kill her with kisses.

 But if I don't think i'll be out for the entire day and need lasting power.  This Maybelline SuperStay Makeup is passable.  It's coverage is just as great as the Loreal Infallible, but it does not compare in staying power.

 This Bronzer I got AGES ago from Victoria Secret's and I really love it.  It doesn't make me look super orange , and it has just a light shimmer in it, which is what I find is lacking from other bronzers I look find.

This blush I got from Body Shop. I was super hesitant with this one, and I'm still kinda on the fence about it !  It does give me great color.  Like I just came in from the cold, and the apples of my cheek just has the perfect tone of pink, BUT if I swirled a lil too much to the lighter side, I find it leaves my cheeks just too "pearly" for my liking.

I don't care what anyone says.  Maybelline Lash Blast  is just the absolute best, and if they ever discontinue it I will be truly upset.  That is why I have 4 extra tubes just in case. It makes my lashes super lush.  And even though it does add a nice amount of length. I am still wanting MORE !

This is where Maybelline Lash Blast LENGTH comes in.  I was sooooo excited when this came out. I figured it's gotta be the answer to my mascara wishes !  The volumizing awesomness of it's sister Lash Blast, but WITH lengthening power too !?!?!  I broke this baby open soon as I got home, and it just didn't knock me outta the park ! It did lengthen my lashes really well, but they were so skinny !!  I want my waist line to be skinny NOT my lashes. So I know lengthen my lashes w/ the last blast length then fatten it up w/ last blast .  Match made in heaven

Now I've tried eye liners , and shadows, and powders from the rest, but this is the BEST, and the BEST only comes from MAC.  The colors are so rich and so true.  Plus it just has great lasting power.

Fluidline from MAC in microviolet. Just the perfect color for a liner.  Not as harsh as blacktrack, but not as boring as brown.

MAC fluidline $15.00

You apply it with this baby. The brushes from MAC just can't compare.  Keep them clean, and they will last forever.  This baby was $19.50  but worth every penny.

Now this is definitely not my everyday go to color, but it's my go to when I'm grabbing drinks , or going out with the girls.  A little goes a long way. I've had this for ages now, and as you can see, barely made it half way through.
MAC pigment pot $19.50

I've said it before.

I'm not a photographer. I only play one on the internet..

I *heart* food porn.

 

  

  

Atlantic City

 

  

 

  

  

 

My kids are always perfect subjects.

 

I would like to perfect my reflective shots, and also my outdoor shots.