Other

Well first let me say that I loved all the beauty product recommendations. I believe it is well documented that I am a fan of trying out new products that promise miraculous results no matter how many times I’ve been let down. Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs.

And speaking of beauty products, I was getting ready to go to speaking thing yesterday and took my makeup bag ‘o assorted lipgloss and lipstick out of my purse so I could put it on in the bathroom. Then when I went to leave the house I noticed my purse was noticeably lighter and was worried I’d forgotten my wallet. But, alas, the only thing I’d forgotten was to put back my bag ‘o assorted lipgloss and lipstick. I believe it is not an exaggeration to tell you that I’m carrying around about three and a half pounds of various lip products on any given day. The first step is admitting you have a problem.

Anyway, I’ve spent most of the week trying to get a bunch of things done that I didn’t get finished over the weekend since I didn’t feel good. This list includes, but is not limited to, painting Caroline’s room, assembling her new bed and a new desk, rearranging furniture repeatedly, trying to keep the puppies from destroying my house with all the mud from the backyard and coming up with things to cook for dinner. I’ll show you pictures of Caroline’s new room next week when I get most of it finished because it’s still kind of a mess right now and I am firmly convinced that furniture assembly is a secret IQ test being performed by the government. Sadly, based on my assembly skills, it’s safe to say I will never get to fulfill my dream of being Sydney Bristow and taking down SD-6. At best, I will be put in charge of grating cheese or something equally taxing.

On Friday I’m going to go record the audio version of my new book which is both exciting and makes me feel like I need to stock up on lemon and honey. You know what’s worse than reading 65,00 words out loud in a couple of sittings? Reading 65,000 words that you wrote in a couple of sittings. I never want to edit myself more until I read it all out loud and then IT’S TOO LATE.

(And since I mentioned audio books, I’ll go ahead and tell you that my first two books are available in audio version already in case you decide you need to listen to a couple of hours of a Texas accent that might need subtitles. You can find them on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.)

While we’re on the subject of books, a bunch of you emailed or tweeted about the news of a new book by Harper Lee coming out this summer. And I’m super excited to read about Scout as a grown up, but also a little nervous. This is one of those things, like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, when it feels like it might be best to not build it up in my mind until there is no possible way it can live up to my expectations short of fireworks shooting out of my living room.

And yet I have even more to say on the subject of books. One of the questions I get asked the most is about the process of writing a book or writing in general and I generally just recommend that everyone read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, but Jen Hatmaker (of the Covergirl Natural Blush lipgloss fame) wrote the best post yesterday On Becoming A Writer. So from now on I will tell people to read Jen’s post and Anne Lamott’s book. The end.

So I guess that’s it for today. I’m sure I have more to say if I think about it, but I’m walking out the door to meet some friends for dinner at a place called Tacos and Tequila. Yes, please.

See you tomorrow for Fashion Friday.

This week is kind of a busy week filled with random and miscellaneous things and so I just haven’t had time to sit down and collect any thoughts about life. But I did decide it might be time to revisit the topic of beauty products since it’s been a while. You’ll see that there are some constants on here from previous lists, but also some new discoveries because I am always on the quest for the fountain of youth. Or even just the fountain of my mid-thirties at this point because beggars can’t be choosers.

So here you go. Feel free to add any of your new or old favorites in the comments. I always love to see what products you’re loving right now.

1. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, 1.7 Fluid Ounce

Last fall I got the best facial of my life and the facialist and I discussed the brown discoloration on my face and the evils of the sun. She lectured me on the importance of using sunscreen every. single. day. even on days when I don’t feel like I’ll be outside. And so I finally decided to listen.

She recommended this Skinceuticals sunscreen and it is the best thing ever. It goes on super light and has a tint to it so it doesn’t make my face look white. It even manages to even out your skin tone a little bit if you aren’t going to put on makeup that day. I can’t say enough good things about it.

And even though it’s pricier than what you can buy at CVS, I will tell you that I’ve been using the same bottle every day for the last four months and haven’t run out yet.

2. urban decay naked basics palette

I made the switch to matte eyeshadow this year and it’s been a revelation. I’d read for a long time that when you’re in your forties you may need to think about matte instead of sparkly because it minimizes the lines around your eyes.

I wouldn’t trade the lines because they’re evidence I’ve laughed a lot. But I don’t mind not highlighting them.

Actually, maybe I would trade the lines.

3. anastasia brow wiz mechanical brow pencil

This is my favorite eyebrow pencil ever. It goes on light and is easy to use, plus it will last your for at least six months. For reference, I use medium brown and have pretty dark eyebrows.

4. Cover Girl Outlast Lipcolor All-day, Natural Blush 621

This is a recommendation I got from Jen Hatmaker on her Facebook page. And I went to buy it immediately because I’d actually remembered noticing Jen’s lip color at some point in the past, but it was SOLD OUT at HEB.

However, I would not be deterred and finally found the last tube remaining at my neighborhood Target. I like it because it looks like your natural lip color, but bolder.

5. Dr. Teal’s epsom salts, eucalyptus & spearmint

I guess you know you’re officially a middle aged blogger when you’re talking about your Epsom salts. Stay tuned for tomorrow when I talk about my favorite denture adhesive and what I like to order at Luby’s Cafeteria.

All that being said, this stuff is the best. I found it at HEB and was intrigued by the Eucalyptus and Spearmint component and it did not disappoint. It helps clear your sinuses and eases aches and pains all at the same time. It’s the perfect thing when you’re not feeling great.

6. skinceuticals overnight dry moisturizing cream

I have been all over the overnight cream board, but I have returned to this one and decided definitively that it is the best for my skin. My face is always super dry and when I put this on before bed, I wake up and it still feels hydrated and not itchy.

7. hummingbird farms julia body butter

Speaking of dry skin, this is my new all-time five star favorite. I can’t say enough about it. It smells divine, lasts forever and makes my skin feel so smooth and moisturized. And it’s mysterious to me because it is so thick in the jar that it still looks like I’ve barely used any in the last three months, yet I use it every day.

Plus, it doesn’t feel greasy or like too much on your skin. It soaks in and makes you smell divine.

8. bumble & bumble thickening full form mousse

I was just texting with Gulley and asked her if she had a favorite product right now and she immediately mentioned this. I happen to know it is one of her favorites because I’ve been with her when we’ve had to stop at Sephora just so she can buy more. She would tell you that her hair is thin and fine and this gives it a ton of body and lift.

9. st. ives timeless skin collagen elastin facial moisturizer

A friend gave me a jar of this a few years ago and it is still one of my favorites. It’s a great daytime moisturizer to wear under your makeup and the price is right.

10. dr. dennis gross alpha beta peel skincare pads

I was obsessed with these for a while but they were drying out my skin too much when I used them on a regular basis. So now I just use them once a week to give my face a little extra glow. I’m still a huge fan but sometimes I have to remember a little thing called moderation.

This also applies to my love of Sour Patch Kids.

Anyway, those are some of my current favorites. Would love to know yours if you want to share with the group.

I’m super excited to share a great resource with you today that’s especially for those of us with daughters or granddaughters or nieces or just happen to know any young girls around the ages of 8-12.

Ever since I first met Wynter Pitts years ago, I have been a fan. She’s a mom of four girls and also the founder of the For Girls Like You magazine, which Caroline loves. If you’ve been looking for resources that promote the values and morals you want to teach young girls, then look no further.

But, even better. Wynter has written a new devotional just for tween girls and it’s called – appropriately enough – For Girls Like You: A Devotional For Tweens.

We got an early copy and it is just the perfect thing for girls this age. It’s full of truth and light and written in a way that is relatable and engaging, but not over their head. Plus it has room for them to write down thoughts and feelings and we all know that girls this age have no shortage of thoughts and feelings.

I have a free copy to give away to one of you today. Just leave a comment and I will choose one using a random drawing by Monday night at 8:00 p.m.

But if you absolutely have to have one now or already know you want to stockpile them to give as gifts, you can find it online or in bookstores. Or you can send it to your favorite girl on her Nook or Kindle. Best of all, it’s less than ten American dollars everywhere. Money well spent.

Amazon here.

Barnes and Noble here.

Or on the For Girls Like You website here.

Good luck!

This week has been one of those weeks that sometimes happens in Texas when it feels like spring in January and you break out your flip-flops and short sleeve shirts only to be blasted back into the reality it is winter when the next cold front blows through. And that’s what is happening this weekend. It’s going to be cold and rainy just in time for Saturday and Sunday.

But that didn’t stop me from leaning towards more spring-type clothes this week. Actually, they are mostly versatile in that they could be layered under things if necessary.

And in an important development, The Blue Door Boutique has my very favorite magic leggings back in stock. They are the best at sucking everything in and never fade because they’re not cotton, but more like spandex. This also means things don’t cling to them like they do to other leggings. I love them so much and at just $20 they are a steal.

Here’s what I found:

1. geo printed open front cardigan sweater

I saw this in Urban Outfitters the other day and thought it was really cute. It’s a lighter weight than it appears in the picture and would be good layered over a tank or a long-sleeve top depending on the weather.

2. project social t pleated hem dress

This is also at Urban Outfitters. Perfect for wearing with leggings or skinnies with a jacket or sweater over it if needed. It comes in black, coral or gray.

3. eyelet dress

I fell in love with this immediately. No way I’d wear it as a dress because that ship has sailed, but super cute over leggings or skinny jeans. It also comes in white and black but I’m trying to embrace color.

4. adanne tunic

This comes in a few different color and print combos, but I love the way it looks paired with white jeans like the model has on.

5. crochet bell-sleeve frock

I am drawn to anything that looks like this. It’s like a moth to a flame.

6. empire extreme shirt dress

I saw this in the window at Free People and fell in love immediately. The colors are so bright and festive and I’m just a fan. Here’s hoping it goes on sale.

7. endless possibilities tunic

Modcloth has these tunics in a bunch of different colors but I think this green is so pretty. How cute would this be with white jeans and gold jewelry?

8. daisy lane a-line dress

Don’t get your heart set on this dress because it is not inexpensive. However, it is gorgeous. And I just felt like I should include it in case you have a big wedding or event coming up. I adore it with all of my being.

9. back road ramble tunic

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of florals. But I do like the cut of this tunic and think it could be cute with white jeans for spring and summer.

10. drusy pendant necklace

Such a pretty piece to pair with outfits for spring and summer. Love the pink color and that it’s light enough to be paired with almost anything.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Well, first, let me share the news that my eye is going to be just fine. I went back to the optometrist on Monday and he said he could still see where my cornea was scratched, but it appears to be healing just fine. And, in what was a real moment of triumph, I even wore mascara yesterday.

On Tuesday I woke up feeling so much better about my eye and life in general that I decided it was a good day to go back to Smart Barre. My original plan was to start at the beginning of January, but honestly I knew I was going to be so sore for the first few days that I never wanted to start because I couldn’t find a stretch of days when I wouldn’t mind that I might have to use the wall for leverage to get off the toilet. And so I procrastinated and then Caroline got sick and then I just wanted to sit on my couch and drink coffee instead of exercising.

But I finally realized I couldn’t put it off any longer. Mainly because it’s been in the 80’s here this week which made me realize there will come a day when I’ll want to wear shorts again.

So I went to Smart Barre and there was a moment when I was doing a plank that I had to accept that all the sugar cookies and wine over the Christmas holidays proved to be detrimental to my core strength. This was confirmed during ab work when the sweet instructor came to adjust the position of my legs to help me better target my lower abs and if I could have breathed or spoken at that moment I would have said, “It’s not that I don’t know where my legs should be as much as I can’t continue to do this exercise the right way or my guts will explode all over this room.”

In spite of that, I managed to get through the class and felt so energized afterwards that I came home and decided it was a good time to move the old armoire from our bedroom into Caroline’s closet. I won’t bore you with the game of non-musical chairs we’ve been playing with furniture right now, but the short version is we’re changing Caroline’s bedroom furniture and making room for a desk and decided that the best thing to do is to put a dresser in her closet. Then I remembered we have an armoire in our room that we aren’t using for anything. So I measured it and it turned out to be exactly the size I needed with even more storage than a dresser.

(So much for the short version. Good night. What is this? HGTV?)

Anyway, I got home from Smart Barre and, since P wasn’t home, decided to employ an old trick I read about from Martha Stewart years ago. I put beach towels under the armoire and dragged it across the house and into Caroline’s closet. That sentence makes the whole thing sound much simpler than it actually was so I’ll tell you there was a low point as I tried to wedge it into the corner of the closet that I wished I’d paid more attention in geometry. I felt the need to channel Ross Gellar and yell “PIVOT!” but it was just me and I was already pivoting for all I was worth.

Finally, I got the armoire positioned where I wanted it and then began the process of cleaning out her old dresser and moving all her clothes around. This led to making a pile of things she’s outgrown and things she just won’t wear which includes anything pink. And then the whole project essentially became a real life version of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie where one thing led to another and I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I had gotten rid of every single thing we don’t use or don’t need.

Before I knew it I had three full bags to take to Goodwill and two bags that went straight to the trash. And here’s a fact about me you may or may not know. There is nothing that makes me feel levels of pride and accomplishment like cleaning out some junk and loading bags in my car to haul it away. I mean I have written three books and I would never dream of mentioning it to a total stranger, but I will absolutely engage the lady checking out my purchases at Walgreens with my fascinating story of how I just cleaned out my daughter’s bedroom and playroom. Kind of like I’m doing in this blog post.

I spent the rest of the day on a productivity high and continued to marvel at the levels of neatness and organization I’d achieved. And you need to know it’s not even that impressive. I’m sure if an Elfa specialist from The Container Store came to review my work they would weep and tear their clothes in agony.

But I regret to inform you that I might have overdone it. I woke up Wednesday morning with a headache and achy feeling all over, but considering my guts almost exploded at Smart Barre the day before I didn’t give it much thought. However, I had plans to meet my friend Leah for lunch and I drove to meet her a little early so I could make a quick stop in Homegoods and could tell I was beginning to feel worse. After lunch I was going to run a few more errands and all of a sudden I had that feeling of I just want to be home RIGHT NOW.

And so I came home, took some Advil and laid on the couch until it was time to pick Caroline up from school. I think I’m either suffering from the beginning of a virus or a case of maybe you shouldn’t work out for the first time in months and then move an armoire across the house and clean out bags full of stuff from your house all in the same day.

I’ll let you know which one it is when I know for sure.

It’s been a long day. Not a bad day, just a day full of busy and running around and getting stuff done. And so here’s just a few quick things you might want to know about.

1. The Ikat Elephant

 

I’m such a fan of The Ikat Elephant. They have sales every Wednesday night on Facebook starting at 8:00 p.m. and Heidi gave me a sneak peek of this week’s offerings because I messaged her to ask if she was getting in any more of the monogrammed terry sweatshirts pictured up above. I bought Caroline and me each one before Christmas and it is my favorite thing to throw on. Lucky for you, she got more in stock and I personally would order a size up from what you normally wear.

But now I feel like I need a few of the other things she’s offering this week, specifically that knit and crochet charcoal kimono sweater which is available in sizes from small to 2XL.

Anyway, just visit The Ikat Elephant on Facebook and you can receive 15% off your total purchase at checkout when you use code Bigmama15 from January 28 until February 2.

2. Ten quotes for writers

My friend and editor, Stephanie, has a blog and yesterday she posted these great quotes about writing. I will tell you that I’ve seen one or two of these appear in emails she’s sent when I’ve emailed to let her know there is no way I can possibly finish whatever chapter I’m working on and all hope is lost.

 

3. Social Media stuff

I realize that not all of you are on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, but lately I’ve received emails asking how to find me on all those various sources and so I thought I would make it easy for you if you’re interested.

Facebook – Melanie Shankle – The Big Mama Blog

Twitter – @BigMama

Instagram – melanieshankle

 

4. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson

This is Sophie’s first book that came out almost two years ago, but just in case you haven’t read it you might be interested to know the ebook version is currently FREE DOLLARS.

You can find it on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christianbook.com

 

5. Lindsay Letters

I’ve loved Lindsay Letters things for so long now and just thought you might want to see some of the cute things she has that might make great additions to your house for Valentine’s Day. Or any day.

These are some of my favorites.

Love is the only gold canvas

With You I am Home canvas

XOXO stamps

Have a lovely Wednesday!