Mask Monday! REN Radiance Skincare Regime

I have a pretty iron clad routine when it comes to my skin care.  And almost every Friday night is a dedicated "Spa Night" at my house.  I set aside at least an hour and pamper my skin with extra care.  I swear just that one hour washes away all the temper tantrums and wtf moments of the week.  I like to mix it up when it comes to the kind of mandatory masks I do and I'm going to share a few with you.  Welcome to Mask Monday!  Expect a mixture of different masks for different concerns as well as masks at different price points.

Sephora Rogue Status vs Sephora Flash

About 6 months ago I started evaluating my life.  As a mom, wife, daughter and friend, was I doing enough? Was I giving it my all and making each day overflow with joy and wonder for all those around me? Yes. Obviously.  But still...something was missing.  Well the good news is that I didn't have to go on a long drawn out 'Eat Pray Love' style spiritual journey to find it.  My calling came in the form of not being able to get an item from Sephora early because I wasn't VIB Rouge.  Suddenly it was like I was 21 again, waiting outside Sound-Bar because my too cheap boyfriend at the time was too cheap to slip the bouncer a twenty.  I was back in middle school, the only kid without those terrible JNCO Jeans.  No, this would not do.  I'm an adult, I'm fabulous, and I will be VIB Rouge.

Fun Lip Friday: Wet & Wild

Back when I was a teenager, Wet and Wild was my mane makeup source.  If my allowance was $10, I knew I was getting 10 things, minus essentials like Seventeen magazine.  Because everything from Wet and Wild was $.99.  I was adventurous too.  Lots of blue mascara, frosty pink and brown lipstick, and of course so much silver eyeshadow.  I was fabulous.

Moms Judging Moms and the Hamster Wheel of Negativity

We're not in the wild...or are we?

When my best friend, Steph, texted me last night that she was upset about something that had happened at the grocery store, I had to cringe.  The grocery store, the unofficial arena of public opinion. Ah yes, the grocery store.  What a perfect place to air your feelings about the way other people live their lives, from what they are putting in their cart to apparently how they are raising their children poorly. Perhaps some important person, a congress person or talk show host will overhear these opinions, applaud them, and will offer these people 6 figure book deals.

Grandma Annie Part 1

Truthfully I will tell you that I have no idea where my obsession with all things beauty came from.  My mom is a creative but had no real interest in cosmetics as far as I remember when I was young.  I still to this day do her makeup and show her little tips and tricks.  But I also know that most days she probably doesn't wear makeup or do more to her hair than a simple twist or braid.  She's just naturally fabulous.  Most of my friends have little interest in makeup, but they pretend to care while I wax poetic about BB and CC creams and the importance of a good primer. God bless them.

World Beauty Wednesday: De La Cruz Pomade De Azufre(Sulfur Ointment)

This weeks World Beauty Wednesday item is from Mexico.  Ah, Mexico.  Beautiful beaches, delicious margaritas, and lovely warm weather.  If you live anywhere close to me, right now you are right there with me dreaming of a warm getaway down Mexico way.  What else could I use a vacation from?! Winter skin!!! The struggle is real ladies. Dry skin and breakouts. Yuck. But there's help in the form of a little product from Mexico called De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment.

Shopping Local: Queens Loft Studios

We all have our ways of making it through the hard times we face.  For Colette Shelby, art has been a lifeboat in stormy waters.  And although the arts have always played an important part in her life, Queens Loft Studios is a stepping stone for Colette's art to reach and inspire anyone who comes across it.