The method to my madness

Last night at BUNCO we got to talking about how we eat Skittles. Each person had a different method, in order of preference, etc. to eat their Skittles. Each of us varied it in some way. It was a fun conversation to have with other people as it lets me know that I am not the only one that does this type of thing. For me personally, I like to dump out the bag of Skittles (single-serving bag) and seperate them all by color. I eat them in twos...first the yellow, then orange, then green, then either red or purple. Sometimes the red are my favorite, sometimes the purple are my favorite. Just depends on my mood.

I realized today, that each month there is the same type of method to my madness when it comes to my monthly magazine reading. Each month, I thumb through each magazine to see what's inside. I turn each page and look at all the pictures, ads and read the headline of the articles. Then (after my Lucky Magazine arrives) I go through each magazine a little more carefully and I mark things I want to look at more (with the little stickers that are in the Lucky magazine), would like to buy, research or read. Then I go and investigate the things I have marked. I don't know why I do this. It's like the Skittles, it just happens.

My little show stopper

Cooper gets out of school at 2:00. I know that when my husband calls at exactly 2:00, that something went on at school today that he couldn't wait to tell me. As I picked up the phone, all I hear is laughter from my husband. During assembly (not really sure what this is, but everyone gathers in the sanctuary I think), each child has an opportunity to get up and sing something and his teacher told Don that usually they sing something they learned in school (Jesus Loves Me, Go Tell It on the Mountain, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, etc.). My son got up on stage and sang a heavy metal song using his fist as a mic complete with rock 'n roll horns and totally rocked it! She said he knew every word to the song and did a great job! His teacher couldn't wait for Don to come and pick him up so that the teachers could find out what song he was singing. Cooper told us later he was singing Ozzy. His teacher said that he was a very good performer!

See, internet - this is why I have only one child.

Weekly Skincare routine

I recently wrote about my new skincare products - all by Mario Badescu. I just love it and can't get enough of it. However, I wasn't using all the products as often as I should have. I have now come up with a routine that I follow, and I love my skin!!

Every morning, the routine is the same...I wash my face with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream, Oil Free Moisturizer w/SPF 17. The evening routine differs:

• Monday and Thursday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, I use the Silver Powder for blackheads (works like a DREAM - way better than the duct-tape-like things I used to put on my nose - I think by Biore), then I use Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
• Tuesday and Saturday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, then I exfoliate with Kiwi Face Scrub, and follow that with Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
• Wednesday and Sunday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, then I use Orange Tonic Mask and follow that with Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
• Friday's I don't use any "speciality" treatments, I just wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream, and Seaweed Night Cream.

Can't wait to earn more money to buy more products!

When Don and I were much poorer (not that we are well off by any means!), but I stopped buying "stuff". I hadn't bought make up or skin care (and it showed) in a really long time. I just didn't have the money to do it. Don was working for a while, and I had a little bit to spare. I was able to catch us up a little and have some money to buy these things - and it makes me happy!!

I'm really looking forward to losing weight and buying new clothes - that would make me REALLY happy!

MAC

I love to buy make up. I especially love to buy MAC make up because they have such a great variety of colors whether you are looking for a new eyeshadow, or lipstick or glitter eyeliner. I have joked with many MAC salespeople over the years that I should create a list of things/colors I currently have, to eliminate the chance of duplication. And wouldn't you know it - it happened. One neutral eye shadow color was duplicated. That isn't too much of a big deal - but I didn't realize it until I finally drug out my make up stashes and went through it all and created a spreadsheet of my MAC cosmetics. I carefully went through it all and I organized it the way I wanted, and as I looked at it - I noticed that the lipsticks looked a little light - I thought I had more. But maybe I just wasn't as bad as I thought. After looking at it, I realized, I have an entire make up bag under the sink with a TON of lipstick in it. I need to go through that real soon and update all my stuff. Besides, going through all that might make me feel like I was buying something new, again!

Sometimes, people annoy me.

Here was the scenario today...I was coming out of the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A. This particular location is a very busy CFA and the drive-thru line usually wraps around the building. When you exit, you need to make your way out of the parking lot as there are others entering, exiting and trying to find a place to park or trying to get out of a parking spot. As I was exiting, there were a group of three people that just got out of their car and were making their way to the restaurant (single-file). As they began to cross in front of my car I could see they were chit-chatting, I slowed down a little more and then the first girl , stopped, turned around and was very animated with their conversation. I then had to stop - other cars behind me had to stop and when this girl finally realized what she had done, she giggled with her hand over her mouth like she had no idea what she was doing!

If this were me - I might have done (and probably have done) the same exact thing! But for what ever reason - this annoyed the crap out of me today! Hopefully it's just that the weather is crappy and I'll be better soon!

Some more faves

This is the ring that my husband got me for Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised and I wear this all the time. It is such a great accessory and since I wear a lot of black, it goes with most of my wardrobe.

The polish on my nails is another favorite for Spring, it's OPI's Dutch Tulips. It's the perfect dark pink/almost red and looks great on my toes as well.

I have had scalp problems for a number of years. Aveda made a scalp therepy that I loved and cured my problem for a while. However over a year ago, they changed the formula and the new formula doesn't work for me. My scalp is dry, itchy and flakes. I did some research and instead of trying different dandruff shampoo's I went straight to Nixoral. It's expensive at $9.99 for a small bottle, but I thought why mess around! I used to wash my hair about every other day. My hair is dry and any hairsylist will tell you that with my curly hair, you aren't supposed to wash your hair daily...however I want to clear up my scalp! Every day for a week I have washed my hair and it seems to be working! YIPEE!

I have a $10 off coupon for Trade Secret that has to be used in March - so I'm going to look through my magazines and find the perfect deep conditioner since my hair needs additional moisture.

Things I love

I have always been interested in skin care, make up, spa treatments and the like. I have recently switched brands and tried some new things that I want to share about. I'm not sure if anyone ever reads this blog, but I'm very happy with these products and am just excited to share about them.

• Mario Badescu line of skin care. I switched to this line about three weeks ago and I could not be happier. Most of the products I have I bought from Nordstrom's, but I've also ordered twice online. With each online order, I can chose up to three samples - very cool. After using these products for a couple of weeks, my skin has never looked better or felt better. My favorite products are Silver Powder and Special Healing Powder. I have combo/oily skin and have always had blackheads on my nose that have never gone away. Until now. After one application of Silver Powder, they are almost gone! I can't wait to use it again tonight. I have had a problem keeping make up on with my oily skin. It tends to come off or just look splotchy. I use the Special Healing Powder with my regular powder and it stays put! Thank you Mario Badescu! Click here for info on their products.
• I have always been a fan of MAC Cosmetics. I love their range of colors and that they are friendly to the environment. My new favorite product is glitter eyeliner. It's funny how a little glitter can make a girl feel flirty. My all time favorite product is Lip Glass. You can't go wrong and it makes your lips look devine! Click here for more MAC.
• A polished brow frames the face. It's very important to keep this area neat and clean. There has been debate about threading versus waxing eyebrows. The lady doing the threading assured me that threading hurt much less than waxing. SHE WAS WRONG! I cried! That was just an awful experience. I'm going back to waxing for sure.

Since I'm not sure if anyone looks at this, I may post this on facebook too.

Birthday

My birthday was Monday and I had a great day - especially since I didn't have to work! The first thing out of my sons mouth that morning was "Happy Birthday Mommy". That alone was the greatest gift. I went to lunch at Hooter's with Joseph & Cooper and we had fun. My husband got me satillate radio for my car. We have to get that installed. My friends took my to lunch yesterday and I got a watch that tells me how many calories I burn during the day. It's pretty cool!

That's the excitement of another year!

Customer Service

Last Saturday, Cooper and I decided to walk around the mall. We have an awesome outdoor mall very near our house. Sometimes we like to go and just walk around (Cooper likes this because there is a good chance that he will get a milk shake or a cookie). We parked at one end by Macy's and planned to make a full lap. I decided to go to Macy's and look for shoes...I really wanted a new pair of peep-toe pumps. We looked for a minute and I found a pair to try on. There were three ladies working in the shoe department and all three were behind the counter by the register. Until I asked to try a shoe on, no one approached me to ask if I needed any assistance. Someone went to get the shoe I wanted and all three stayed at the counter. No one came out from behind the counter to give me the shoes, I had to go and get the shoe. All the while, the three ladies continued to talk. I have to ask - is these tough economic times, why aren't people working harder to keep their jobs? With all types of businesses in hardship, I would think people would do what ever they could and do their very best to stay employed. I guess that doesn't occur to some people?? Bad customer service

On the other side of the coin, Don and I went furniture shopping last night and were overwhelmed with customer service. It really felt like we were at a car lot and being pressured into buying furniture right away. I don't like feeling pressured into buying things...especially expensive furniture.

Spa day...

I am finally going to do something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I have a spa appointment tomorrow after work. I am going to get a mani/pedi and a European Facial. Hubby will be out of town, and Cooper will be spending the night with his grandma. A relaxing night alone! WooHoo!! I'm looking forward to coming home and really relaxing all by myself!