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.

Fun Lip Friday: Rocky Horror Show & MAC

So my parents raised me well and were very very strict.  However, they also raised me with a healthy dose of kitsch.  That means I knew all about the sweet transvestite from Transylvania.  The very moment I saw that MAC was doing a collection featuring Rocky Horror Picture Show, I just HAD to go there.

World Beauty Wednesday: Kajal Eyeliner

Who else remembers the scene in Sex in the City 2 when Carrie is visiting a market place in Abu Dhabi?  Not only does she find an awesome pair of shoes and an ex-boyfriend(OMG Aiden, the one who got away), she also grabs an eyeliner.  Later that evening she grabs this eyeliner and applies a thick layer to her inner water line.  She looks in the mirror, transformed....

World Beauty Wednesday: Mizon Good Night White Sleeping Mask

As frazzled as I claim to be, I am always finding time to look out for great new beauty items. Especially if the newest beauty thing is from a different country.  I love knowing the background stories to makeup or remedies that have been passed on from mother to daughter, cult favorites from across the world and little known items that are just plain amazing.  So welcome to World Beauty Wednesday!  Each week I'll try to pick an item to highlight that has origins in a different country that is definitely worth searching for.

It's Here: Ipsy Bag November 2014

Another month is here, and that means another Ipsy bag has arrived at my doorstep.  There's just something about the pink bubble wrap mailer that gives me so much joy.  Even if I cheated again this month and looked at my Glam Room ASAP when it was ready.  Let's see what $10 got me, shall we?

Shopping Local With Courtney's Crafty Creations

Former preschool teacher Courtney Wininger is a lady of many talents.  Wife, nanny, fashonista, philanthropist and homemaker to name a few.  But that's just the tip of the iceberg because Courtney has managed to turn her passion for crafting into a business.

Who's On Your Nice List?: Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O' Blushes

As always, Benefit is killing it with the limited edition holiday packaging.  This packaging even impressed my husband as I oohed and aaaahed over it at Macy's.  Imagine giving this or getting this as a gift?!

Little Treats & Stocking Stuffers: Benefit Bronze 'N' Dandy

I would love to wake up the day after Christmas, after all the planning and wrapping and cooking and say "I feel bronze and dandy!" But since we all know that won't be the case for many of us mommies,  maybe Benefit can help us with that with their Bronze 'N' Dandy kit.

Little Treats & Stocking Stuffers: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee

Not only is this tiny treat adorable, but it's good for you!  Get ready to amaze with this vegan and cruelty free pot that's packed with coconut water AND argan oil.

Little Treats & Stocking Stuffers: Benefit Instant Glamification

When it comes to stocking stuffers, it's all about instant gratification.  Here's an adorable beauty treat that promises instant gratification AND instant glamification.  Benefit's Instant Glamification is here and it's more than a little bit fabulous!

Little Treats & Stocking Stuffers: Too Faced Melted Kisses

Festive glitz and glamour.  That's what the packaging says loud and clear. Perfect for giving or getting this holiday season.  These mini editions of Too Faced ultra popular Melted Lipstick are going to be the favorite of anyone who's lucky enough to get gifted with these.

Little Treats & Stocking Stuffers: Tarte Sweet Dreams Best-Sellers Collection

This set is so pretty and affordable that it may be hard for you to grab just one to give as a gift.  Just in time for the holidays, Tarte gathered a few of their best sellers in this 3 piece collection that has a little something for everyone!

How NOT to Make New Mommy Friends and Fail at Scoring Playdates

Projectile vomiting, emergency responders, tears, apologies.  It sounds like a story about the latest Ebola outbreak. But sadly this is actually the true story of how I had to go into hiding for nearly a year. No, not because I had to enter witness protection. You see, I am an expert at majorly failing at attempts to help my kids socialize.  Is there any coming back from this? You decide.

LIMITED EDITION Marc Jacobs Sky-Liner Seven Piece Petite Highliner Collection

I could not wait to get my hands on a little bit of Marc Jacobs for this holiday season.  This Marc Jacobs Limited Edition Sky-Liner Collection was first on my list.  It's absolutely gorgeous and seems to be selling out faster and faster every time it comes back in stock.  So what's the hype about? Is it worth it?

Deal Alert!! Sephora Brushes

With the holidays coming up, I'm always on the lookout for great deals for stocking stuffers....or maybe just for myself depending on who's on the naughty/nice list. Here's a great deal I found at my local Sephora.

Walmart Beauty Box Fall 2014

Well look what arrived on my doorstep today! It's the Walmart Beauty Box for Fall 2014.  Walmart's take on the beauty box craze costs just $5 and is only available for spring, summer, fall and winter.  So is it worth the $5?

Sephora Collection Dry Clean: Solid Brush Cleaner

My beloved makeup brushes get a lot of use, so I'm always on the look out for new easy ways to clean them.  Clean brushes mean less breakouts for me, because trust me when I say that any well loved brush gets dirty Christina Aguilera style, but not in a sexy way.

My October 2014 Ipsy Bag

For three months now I've been looking forward to getting a pink bubble wrap package from Ipsy.  So how did they do this month?

Is It Wrong?

The seven deadly sins are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony.  As I type these I'm overcome with the feeling, the truth, and a dark realization. In my daily life trying to be the best mommy, wife and me, I may momentarily practice more than one of these sins.  More so in thought than action.  But I gotta ask you, is it wrong?

The Target Beauty Box Fall 2014!!!

It is here!! The Target Beauty Box!! Let me give you some back story here in case you are wondering why I am so excited.  Every few months,  I here tell of legends of this box.  Full sized and deluxe sized samples of beauty treats in a cute little box or bag for just $7.  However, when I google this little lovely, what do I see? Sold. Out. What? Why? No! But not this time! Somehow, somewhere, the beauty gods smiled upon me.  Well, not really.  I am part of a Facebook group that swaps and sells cosmetics, and rumors were circulating last week that these boxes were available. Ordered it on a Tuesday and received it on Saturday.  So is it all I had hoped for and more?

All The Stages of Preschool Drop Off

The joys of your children's preschool years. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy during that short time between toddler and kindergartner. Dropping your kids off at preschool is not one of those things. It's chaos, it can be tearful and extremely stressful. Mostly for you, parent or caregiver, because we must remain calm. Because we all know preschoolers feed off of tension and fear, they can smell it, and will use it against us. So here's what to expect.

Setting Spray Smack Down

If I were to tell you I had a mild addiction to setting sprays, I would be lying to you. My setting spray obsession is the real deal.  I love them, I carry at least one on my person at all times, and I fear the day I run out of my favorite spray for each occasion.

As mush as I love my sprays, not all of them are created equal. Some are great for setting make up. Some work longer than others. Some are great for dimming the shine that oily skin brings. Some are great for adding an extra bit of moisture or stopping a break out in its tracks.  And thats just the beginning of what these sprays are all about.

Nannies, the Stay@Home Mom's New Best Friend

There was a day, not so very long ago that I was chatting with one of my nanny friends before preschool pick up.  Enter another mom who's kid was in classes with mine.  I introduce the ladies, explaining how I knew each of them to each other.  The moment I mentioned that my friend was a nanny, the other mom said "Oh, I have a live in nanny....but I'm a stay at home mom..." And I could tell she was bracing herself for some sort of judgement from me.  Yeah, not going to happen.

Drugstore Foundation Smack Down!!

Ah foundation.  From the very moment I realized my skin was not magazine perfect in middle school(before I knew about the evils of Photoshop...) I've been looking for the perfect foundation.  My search began way back then in the aisles of Walgreens. I still remember choosing from the likes of CoverGirl, Wet and Wild and Maybelline, horrified that I'd choose the wrong color, which I often did.  I'd end up cake faced or too oily or too white or too pink.

My Little Juggling Act

Ahhh the quest to be the best mom ever.  My daughter took this picture of me after Enchanted Castles Camp and before Hip Hop/Jazz dance class.  After dance, we either do a park play date and adventure walk or go swimming.  And that's just Tuesday.

Are my kids over scheduled? Nope. Just busy.  But that's ok.  They need to learn to be flexible in trying new things but also stick to a schedule.  Besides, busy kids are happy kids.  Am I a Competa-Mom(mom that competes with other moms to be the very very best)? Hell no.  Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, child care givers, we're in this together.  Doing the best we can to make sure the kids in our lives get to do and see it all and develop and cultivate their interests.

But rest assured that I do it for myself as much as I do it for them.  When they are in classes, that's my time.  If it's a short class you'll find me clutching a giant cup of coffee and socializing with other moms(Yay! Other adults!).  Sure, we mostly talk about our kids, but it's SO nice to know I'm not the only one struggling with potty training or tantrums.  If it's a long class I meditate(that's what I call going to Target without kids), maybe squeeze in a workout, basically the world is my oyster.  Oh and all the play dates are half socializing for everyone involved and half me thinking "please let this make them tired enough so they will take a nap or go to bed early."