Your lips will thank you

I don't know how many of who suffer from complete lack of moisture in your lips during the winter months, but for those of us who do, I'd like to share with you a product that can turn your cracked-lip frown, upside-down.

My darling sister, Sal Gal, unfortunately takes chapped lips to a whole new level. But she volunteered to allow me to post her before and after photos because they are pretty amazing. A lot of people wouldn't dare allow me to use their lips as an example, but she has no shame...or pride for that matter. It's one of the many reasons I love her.

You've heard of Thumbelina? Well she's Humblelina.

Also keep in mind that this was not a planned science project of sorts, but that we actually went back to photos that were taken over the holidays and zoomed in on them to show the condition of her lips prior to Alba Quench Lip Balm, which contains organic coconut oil along with other vitamins. (Click link to read more.)

The after photos were done the same way by using snap shops and just zooming in the her newly soft, completely healed lips.

Before:

After:



The complete turn around on her lips took NO MORE THAN 2 DAYS!

And the goods news is that it's now available at Target and it comes in different flavors.

So, here's to you and your screen-ready lips!

And again, thanks Sal Gal for being such a great sport! It's for the greater good, right?

**EDITED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMMENT FROM SAL GAL (copied and pasted directly from the comments section):

IMPORTANT NOTE!!:

My after pic shows some nicely lined lips. Let it be known that yes, I do still wear lipliner in a shade of Nude, because if i don't my lipstick runs and makes my lips look like a big blob with no definition. MOST of the time you cannot tell because it is the same color as my lipstick/gloss and it blends. Obviously not the case when this photo was snapped.So, bottom line:Humble about dry, cracked, bleeding lips - yes. Humble about still wearing lipliner in 2009 - apparently not.

Peace.

My Receipts Are Getting More Action Than My Man

Okay maybe not quite, but I cleaned out my car my center console today and came up with this:

Who needs blotting papers when you've got a month's worth of receipts and last week's Grocery Game game list at your fingertips?

I'm pretty sure I've always had a pile of lip-printed papers overtaking my car, but as we've discussed earlier, the colors on the papers have changed, especially since high school.

Everyone has a certain 'trademark trash' that can always be found in their car. This is mine.

But take my sis Sal Gal as another example, I'd say hers would be Mickey D's styrofoam sweet tea cups.

What's your car's 'trademark trash'?

Yes, I am that glamorous

Tonight I decided to treat myself to a bubble bath. It's one of the very few, self-indulging treats I refuse to give up due to life's crazy schedules. I definitely don't get to do this as often as I'd like as I'm usually doing good to grab a quick shower before heading to bed. But I do try to throw in at least one bubble bath every couple weeks for 'saving my sanity' purposes.


After tossing out a random pacifier that Kate had managed to sling in there who knows when, I fill up my bathtub with warm bubbly water.

As I'm soaking I begin thinking about the day's events, all the while sipping on a glass of....Diet Coke. Yep, sometimes I get thirsty while I soak. And yes, Diet Coke hits the spot. Told you I was glam.


Before getting out I realize I should probably give the legs a quick shave, so I hop out to grab the razor that is in the shower and nearly bust my butt. Fortunately I caught myself on the shower door, which after having my face pressed against it, I realize it should really be cleaned sometime soon...or did we install a frosted glass door?! I proceed to tip toe very carefully back to the bubble-filled bathtub with nothing other than my disposable pink Daisy razor (I cannot use any other kind, not even the expensive ones) and hop back into the warm water. I begin shaving and because I do everything fast, and a little bit spastic, I manage to knick, or I should say nearly amputate, my leg at the knee.


And to think, all I really wanted to do was shave the part of my legs that would be showing in the outfit I planned on wearing to work tomorrow.


Does it get any classier?


**Visit Marcy to see more 'glamorous' gals!**

Wrinkled Was Not One of The Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up

The other day my dear friend (and favorite co-worker), Kitty, and I were sitting around talking about getting older and the changes that it brings. Kitty is 55 years old and looks amazing. She has always taken extremely good care of her skin and I've never seen her without perfect hair, make-up, and wearing a new outfit with matching shoes, purse and jewelry. Just like me. Pshhhh. Yeah right.

You should also know that Kitty (her real name is Catherine but has always been called Kitty since she was a little girl) has her PhD in Education and therefore I love to call her Dr. Kitty, for obvious reasons.

Well, she was saying that she wanted to get something done to hide some of the wrinkles on her face. She was talking about a quick, in-and-out treatment that is relatively inexpensive.
She likes to joke about our age difference and often says, "I'm old enough to be your mama." So when I jokingly tell her that I think I need to get that 'wrinkle treatment' for myself, I assumed she would laugh.
Nope.
Not the case.
Without laughing or smiling, she seriously points her perfectly manicured finger toward my face and says, "Yea, they'd probably do the treatment right there....and..... there on you."
She was pointing to my laugh lines/smile lines on the sides of my mouth.
"Kitty you better hush!"
"What? They could get rid of those ya know."
And then we just started laughing at how she straight up, without even trying to make a girl feel better, pointed out my wrinkles.

But you know, I'm proud of my smile lines. If there's one type of wrinkle that I don't mind having, it's them. It shows that I've smiled and laughed a lot in my lifetime, and they remind me of all of the people and experiences that have helped me earn 'em.

My sister, Big Al, used to make fun of me in high school. She said that she'd look out of her classroom window and see me walking down the sidewalk with a big smile on my face, even when I was walking by myself!
I deny the part about smiling when by myself, but she swears it's true. In all honesty I was probably having a full-on conversation with myself, but I'll deny that if asked also.

So, I'm okay with the fact that I have permanent parenthesis on either side of my mouth. Deep inside those lines are many happy memories.

I'm actually somewhat proud of them.

I'd rather have smile lines than frown lines any day.

But don't get my started on my under the eye area.

Hair Therapy

Kate and I are having hair issues...totally different, yet of equal importance.

Kate-
Kate's hair is finally starting to grow. Each section of her hair is in a race to grow the fastest and let me tell you, it's no where near a tie. The back section, unfortunately, seems to be winning, with the sides in a close second, and the top and front are battling it out for last. Add those results up and you end up with one gnarly looking mullet.
Now, through my 'mommy eyes', she's absolutely adorable no matter what. And I'm trying not to cut it because the ultimate goal is for it to grow longer, even if it is at an uneven rate.
M to the Izza, on the other hand, keeps insisting that we get it "trimmed" or "shaped". Shaped?! When has he EVER used the word 'shaped' when talking about hair? Get your manhood in check buddy. I try to explain to him that it would defeat the purpose. But really, I'm new to the whole parent thing and don't know if I should get it trimmed or not. Or maybe just a little to even it up a bit? I really don't want to, but it is rather crazy looking. What's a mama to do?

Me -
Why is it that my hair seems to be falling out in large amounts every time I wash and dry it?! Seriously ya'll, when I go to rinse it or blow dry it, I could probably French braid the amount that comes out. Okay I exaggerated a bit, but it IS a lot. Plus, I have no idea how to French braid. I mean, I realize it's normal for you to shed some strands, but dang. I know I can't be the only one whose hair does this. Actually I know I'm not, because growing up my sisters would always leave beautiful 'hairscapes' plastered to the walls of our shower. (Picture breathtaking mountainous landscapes made with long strands of hair.) So maybe it runs in the fam. BUT, I really think that my hair falls out more than most. If I try hard to pinpoint when it started, I'd say it was after I had Kate. So maybe it's a hormone thing. But whatever the reason, it's getting on my nerves, and my feet, and the bottom of my socks. For instance, after blow drying it, my bathroom floor seems to have acquired a beautiful shag rug...great for decor, not so great for when Kate drops her bouncy ball and picks it up looking like Headless Hattie.
I've heard of different vitamins and supplements that help with this but were wondering if they really work. At this rate, I'll be bald by Christmas. I guess I should polish up on my Sinead O'Connor lyrics.

JOY, inside and out!

"Taking joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic."
-Rosalind Russell


LOVE, love this quote. It's one of my favorites and is so very true.


But lets's face it, sometimes life slaps ya in the face with, well,................life. So, for the days you're feeling a little less than joyful (and may those days be few and far between) and you need a little help (not that any of you ever do I'm sure!), here's a few inexpensive products that I am lovin' right now.
























1. Albolene - In the past, I used only Arbonne products but have recently tried a few others. Come to find out, it's good ol' $11.00 straight from the drug store Albolene that I've been missing.
I came across this stuff while reading Big Mama. She had a pic of her 90 year-old "Nanna" sitting there looking all twenty-ish and stuff. She recommended Albolene and I figured I'm not getting any younger and tried it.


I've never been a fan of real creamy, vaseline-feeling cleansers but I'm telling you now, this stuff is awesome. It really cleanses and leaves your skin feeling SO very smooth. Love it!


























2. Jane Shimmer Blush (in Natural) - This stuff gives you just enough shimmer and doesn't look overdone.

3. Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss (in Passion Fruit Pop or Piece of Cake) - This is my all time favorite lip gloss. It is perfection in a tube ladies.



So there you go, a few of my faves that'll still leave ya some celery in your pockets!

Catchin' Up

Because I skipped a few days of blogging last week, I've got some catching up to do. As I mentioned before, the majority of my week consisted of sitting in a conference room watching Power Points on education and curriculum. I left that 3-day workshop with some REALLY great information...unfortunately for the presenters it had nothing to do with their presentations. It did however have everything to do with beauty products, which as you know, makes the whole thing TOTALLY worth it! I sat by a girl who recently moved here from Michigan and she mentioned that her mom works for L’Oreal. She went on to say that L’Oreal and Lancôme are not only made by the "same people" and in the same factory, but they are even made in the same vats! I've heard something about that before but...the same vats?! That's awesome! The only differences between the two are packaging and price, of course! I had to ask her which type of L’Oreal mascara she used, because it looked really good on her, but as my sisters can vouch, I've had an unadulterated marriage to L'Oreal's Voluminous line since the first stroke on my lashes back in middle school. (Except for a short Mary Kay stint that lasted about a month) Yea, don't hate, I started wearing mascara in middle school. What's up?! I also rocked some sweet-lookin' neon rubber bands on my braces. And?? ....Sorry, got a little off track.
She said that she used their Telescopic mascara in carbon black. Wellllll, if you know me, you know I had to swing myself into a Wal-Mart on my way home and get some! It's a weakness! Love me unconditionally please. Long story short, Voluminous and I are in the middle of a very nasty divorce. I LOVE the Telescopic. It has a weird looking brush/wand but it works perfectly. I also bought some other L’Oreal makeup and love it all. Their True Match line is great. Okay, just some good info, thought I'd pass it along.


As many of you know, this little mama is having a hard time leaving Kate while she goes off to work. Today was her first day with her new, "official" babysitter, Deanna. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to call and check on her every hour. I knew she was fine and wasn't really worried; I just missed her so badly. Deanna was great about it; she actually called me and gave me an update on their day so far. I really am thankful for the way things worked out.

I had to go and by some things last night to send with Kate today and heard the song "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris. I love that song. It makes me think of Kate. But, at this transition time in my life, it had me all teary-eyed and runny nosed. Man, I think when you become a mom, you lose all control of your emotions. Seriously, believe it or not, you used to could not make me cry, no matter what. Now, it's the total opposite. But that’s okay, it’s totally worth it. So what if you show up to work the next day to take your picture for your new ID badge with puffy slits for eyes? Okay, maybe I cared a little. I'm hoping I'll laugh about it later. When I'm batting me some Telescopic lashes! ha!