Author: Big Mama

Hello from San Antonio.

Apparently we get tornadoes here now.

Which is kind of disconcerting since whenever we have really bad weather, I always assure myself with the knowledge that there are never tornadoes in San Antonio.

But many of you emailed or tweeted or commented to ask if we are okay and so I wanted to let you know that we are totally fine. We were near all the weather chaos and even had some scary moments as we watched the wind start to circulate in a weird way, but the worst of it was about a mile or so away from us.

The good news is that while there were big trees down and roofs ripped off, there were no serious injuries that I know of at this point and it was incredible to see the outpouring of love and help in our community as everyone rallied with chainsaws and donuts and all manner of manpower to help their neighbors. It was a nice reminder of how much good is still in the world despite what people try to say.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in because this week is going to be kind of busy and I’m not sure how much I’ll get to post and I didn’t want everyone wondering if it was because of the tornadoes and all that. I fly to Nashville in the morning and end my week in Birmingham before I get back home late Friday night, so I’ll check in if I can.

Have a great day!

That’s right.

Today is Valentine’s Day. Otherwise known as the day of mismanaged expectations and mysterious chocolates that nobody really enjoys.

I feel like Valentine’s Day back in the 90s was much simpler because you could get your significant other a bottle of CK One and call it a day. But like everything else, Valentine’s Day has jumped the shark. I actually saw a yard that was decorated with Valentine hearts and lights and NO. Stop it. I thought an inflatable turkey was bad, but I think this is worse. Can’t we just exchange a few candy conversation hearts that taste worse than Tums and call it a day?

In other news, we spent most of our weekend at – you’ll never guess – a soccer tournament. Actually, I spent Friday night in Lake Jackson, Texas where I spoke at Brazos Pointe Fellowship Church and had the best time with the women there. Caroline had a game on Friday night that I missed so I woke up at 5:30 on Saturday morning to get back to San Antonio to watch her play at 10 a.m. Needless to say, I’m not usually up and moving while the moon is still up,so I needed vast amounts of coffee and loud music along the way. But I made it in time to watch her play and her team won which put them in the semifinals for Sunday and I was glad I was there to see it.

I think I was in bed by 9:30 on Saturday night and then P did church while I took Caroline to soccer on Sunday morning. He met us out there for the 2:00 championship game which they ended up losing in overtime on penalty kicks. By the time the game ended and we were awarded our second place medals it was almost 5:00 p.m. and so I had to laugh when her coach finished his post game talk with “Go enjoy the rest of your weekend!”

Yes. We will savor this fifteen minutes of rest immensely. I already feel refreshed and ready to take on a new week.

It didn’t help that it was so hot that the refs gave the players mid-game water breaks. This is totally normal in May, August and September but not usually necessary in February. Apparently winter decided to show up for six non-consecutive days this year and that’s the end of it. I’m even debating putting all my sweaters up but I feel like as soon as I do it might decide to get cold again and then I’d have to spend precious minutes getting out the step-stool to get the sweaters back down from the top shelf.

So that’s really all that’s going on here right now. I also wanted to mention two things:

1. Samford Legacy League Luncheon

On Thursday, February 23rd I’m speaking at the Samford Legacy League Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Vestavia Hills Country Club in Birmingham, AL. You can register and find out more here. This is the only non-Texas event I’m doing this spring, so if you’re anywhere near Birmingham I’d love to see you.

2. Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff, Melissa Trevathan, and David Thomas

This book releases today and I cannot recommend it enough. I first met Sissy, Melissa and David through the Dot Mom Conference and I don’t know three people I’d trust more to offer real and practical insight and advice into raising kids. They are compassionate, wise and just so real. It’s temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but you can find it here at B&N or in your local bookstore!

This is from the back cover:

“We have many tools for tracking our children’s physical and intellectual development, but what about their hearts and souls? After all, how they develop emotionally, socially, and spiritually will determine who they become as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, friends and co-workers.

How can you raise courageous, compassionate, resilient, and empathetic kids? This book will help you answer those questions and more.”

So what I’m saying is you’re a parent, then you should treat yo’ self to this book for Valentine’s Day.

Because nothing says romance like a book on parenting.

Although I will tell you that there was a moment this weekend when P let me cut in front of him in the line for the Porta-Potty at the soccer fields and so maybe nothing says romance as much as that.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I ended up making a fairly impromptu road trip to Dallas on Tuesday and spent Tuesday night with my friend Jamie. P needed a purchase picked up and I selflessly volunteered to make the drive to Dallas in a car all by myself and spend twenty-four hours with one of my dearest friends. None of this required packing a lunch or driving soccer carpool or cooking dinner. However, it did confirm that I-35 continues to prepare people for what heaven will be like in that it has been under construction for ETERNITY. Seriously. How long does it take to finish a highway? My best guess based on I-35 between Austin and Dallas is A SWEET FOREVER AND SEVENTY-FOUR DAYS.

Anyway, I mentioned my bathroom cabinet clean out in my last post and several of you wanted an update on the Mizon snail repair perfect cream. I have only been using it for about four days and so it’s way too early to report any skincare miracles. But I will say that it is not at all “chewy” as the description stated, although I have been tapping it into my skin to make sure it’s being absorbed. It doesn’t smell bad, it’s not too thick and it doesn’t gross me out and that is saying something because I am easily grossed out. So all that remains to be seen is, you know, if it actually does anything.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share the products that I have decided are definite keepers and the ones I plan to buy over and over again. My only request is that you share any of your own great finds in the comments because I now have all this extra room in my bathroom cabinet to store new miracles in a bottle. Or a tube. Or a jar.

1. It Cosmetics CC+ illumination SPF 50

This has easily become a new favorite. I love that it has built in SPF 50 because it eliminates a step in my morning routine and it is great coverage that doesn’t feel heavy.

2. BigBoo Hummingbird Farms gift box

I’ve talked about this so much, but this is the best lotion ever. I slather my hands with it every night and it keeps them so soft and from cracking in the winter when it’s so dry.

They put together this Big Boo Box because Sophie and I rave about it so much and it includes the new Heavy Cream Trio of 3 oz. tubes of Lavender, Lavender Citrus, and Unscented, a 3 oz. travel tube of the Lavender Lotion No. 145, and Lavender Mint Shampoo and Conditioner in 8 oz. tubes. It’s a $110 value for $75.

And it’s totally enough products that you could keep some and give others away as gifts.

3. R + Co Badlands dry shampoo paste

I love a spray dry shampoo if I’m attempting a braid or a ponytail, but this paste is amazing when I wear my hair down. It’s really like a paste, but when you rub it between your hands it becomes a weird texture that you can rub in at your roots and it gives you incredible volume that lasts. I’ve had the same jar for over a year so it lasts forever because you only need just a little bit.

4. l’oreal feline voluminous mascara

This is still currently my favorite mascara.

5. naked matte basics eyeshadow palette

I bought this over a year ago and it’s the best. I love the mix of colors and the matte texture works for my eyes that may not be quite a firm as they used to be.

6. anastasia brow wiz mechanical pencil

I love this eyebrow pencil because you can fill in your brows as light or heavy as you’d like and it looks very natural.

7. stila smudge stick waterproof eyeliner

This is my favorite eyeliner because it glides on easily and stays put all day, but you can also smudge it if you don’t want a line that looks too precise.

8. oribe styling cream

This is a little pricey but I’m still using the same tube I bought a year ago because I only use it on the days I need my hair to look really good and not just days that call for a ponytail. It’s lightweight but gives my hair so much volume and shine and helps with frizz.

9. kenra platinum blow dry spray

I’ve used this forever because it absolutely shortens how long it takes to dry my hair and also helps with frizz.

10. tresemme thermal creations heat tamer spray

This is a total steal and the best thermal protectant I’ve found. It helps protect my hair when I curl it or straighten it and helps it holds it shape for a long time.

11. kevyn aucoin eyelash curler

If I only do one thing in the morning besides put on sunscreen, it’s curl my eyelashes. This is my new favorite eyelash curler because it never pinches or causes a weird kink at the corners like some others do.

So what about you? Any favorite, must-have hair, beauty, makeup products?