BEAUTY IS A LIFESTYLE THING

I cannot tell you how many times I have written an article regarding the cleanliness of makeup brushes. I will give you three guesses and the first two do not count, on who is the number one violator of her own words, that's right, me! Oh it's awful, because I get busy and like everyone else I forget to do it. I have sensitive skin and light to moderate rosacea so I am a prime example of those who can get skin irritation from filthy brushes. The brushes will not even apply makeup correctly if they are corroded and filled with makeup that is built up over time! There is a huge amount of bateria that will naturally also build up on your brushes from skin cells and pollution that is naturally or un naturally found on your skin. **Look how dirty mine are** Especially that sponge applicator, By the way they truly are disposable and if they start to shred or come apart, they definitely need to be tossed. Now a lot of the top makeup gurus and dermatoligists say to wash make up br...

  One Finished Upcycle necklace My motto is is "When at first you don't see, just make it!" When I was a little girl I was an up-cycler and didn't know it. Who hasn't made Barbie clothes from other Barbie clothes, or used a mug for a small plant or given a gift that was a received gift with "enhancements" added. I also love to embellish things. Today, feeling in the doldrums because it's too hot to be outside, I decided to up-cycle a couple necklaces. I love it when I make something and I'm out somewhere and someone approaches and says wow, where did you get that necklace? Most likely I have up-cycled onto it or used parts of other jewelry to make this one-of-a-kind piece. I get to say, "I made this!". That feeling is exhilarating. (I think this is how most mom entrepreneurs start.) At any rate, if I am making a piece of jewelry for someone I might sketch the idea on paper, or if I am making something for someone special I may go and bu...

ReImagining Things I used to own several mass-produced Easter trees. Well, over the years and many kids later, needless to say, they broke. So Today I'm reimagining these trees. (I had saved the hanging little Easter ornaments) I shopped at my home, and in my study, I found two (very) old white-painted metal urns! They are so cute and perfect for these mini-trees. They are super heavy so they actually can hold up some weight. I went out with the dogs and found a few branches. (I pulled some dead ones, they are quite brittle though). I figured I'd give them a coverage of white spray paint, but ultimately I liked their natural state, so I left them with no paint. Assemble I added dry floral foam cut to fit into the little urn. Then stuck the sharp edge of the branch directly into the foam. I added a bit of white glue surrounding just the foam and branch for extra added strength. I didn't want to use fake Easter grass, so I added green natural moss (the g...

I have a project that is easy and you can put your personal spin on it! I love doing projects that are easy, and relatively cost-effective. This quick project can easily be used as a gift to give or can be put on your wall in your own home.  I have seen these types of wall art in stores and they are very costly.  What I did was go to my local craft store and purchased anything I did not already have. For this wall art, I wanted to go "neutral" in color.  For my Valentines Day  wall art, I used these things: 8"x 10" white canvas 1 package of paper flowers ( approx. 3.99) 1 package small wooden letters (approx. 1.99) optional White glue acrylic paints    (chose to mix a light blue and white together) (and did bright yellow on the sides) Directions: Step 1: Paint canvas  (you can choose the color, and be patient let it dry, can also use watercolors it may dry a little faster) Just painted ...

Credit:saintpaulaudabon.org Spring approaches and the nests appear everywhere! Every year at my house we get a very endearing duck couple and they meander around our back lot and decide each year to sneak beneath the underhang of the fireplace. Mrs. Robin does return every year and roost amid our gigantic Colorado Blue Spruce tree. Generally, birds such as Robins, Doves, Sparrow, Cardinal, and Ducks (Mallards) will return each spring to lay their eggs. But don't be mad about this, while ducks will meander way to go and seek other ponds of life once they have roosted, the others will tweet good morning songs for you until the fall or when it gets too cold. Your home has lovingly been chosen by these birds because you offer them a safe habitat. They feel there is enough food, water, and safety here, that they are happy living among your family while raising their own. Please do not rip down their nests, they artfully gathered many little things like sticks and leaves and s...