Monday, February 27, 2012

Thoughts From A New Mom

- I knew being a mom would be hard, but I didn't realize the full amount of difficulty it would entail. ;)

- I have such a sensitive heart, I hate it when my baby is feeling bad, even though I get frustrated from not getting sleep, I still feel worse for her - I somehow take the pain she's feeling and feel it myself.

- I honestly thought I would have way more fun experimenting with cute girly clothes and accessories, but I guess I should have known I would dress her more like I dress myself - casual, comfy and easy. I am such a plain jeans and t shirt girl, Cassie usually wears sleepers because they're easy, haha. I might experiment more when she's older.

- Goodness, I had no idea baby fingernails and toenails grew so dang fast! I can't keep up!

- Giving baths are getting much harder, I assume they are getting harder before they get easier because she can't really sit up in her tub yet but wants too, so is constantly moving and trying to sit up.

- She started moving around in her bed last night for the first time, I came in at one point because she was fussing, and she was horizontal in bed, lol, I think she will start scooting very soon!

- No matter how hard the difficult moments, any moment she looks at me and smiles or touches my face, or tries to kiss me, I melt away and fall in love all over again.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

So I absolutely have to do a review on my new Real Techniques Makeup Brushes that I just recently got with my birthday money. Oh. My. Goodness. People, I am in love with these brushes! How can you be in love with makeup brushes you ask? Well you better believe it's possible. They are amazing quality, super soft, they blend products so incredibly well, and they make putting on makeup even more fun. Which of course I also didn't know was possible. ;)

Let me introduce you to these amazing brushes - they are made by Samantha Chapman, a makeup artist in the UK - her and her sister Nic, have been makeup artists there for many many years, and they just came out with these brushes this past year. I am a huge fan of theirs, especially their makeup tutorials on youtube, they are by far my favorite makeup gurus. I would highly recommend them! Their youtube channel is Pixiwoo; their brushes website is www.realtechniques.com.

I have copied and pasted some info from their website to tell you more about these amazing brushes:

- Taklon bristles are ultra plush and smoother than the hair you'll find in other brushes. Since taklon is synthetic, it's 100% cruelty-free. The soft fibers help create a flawless, high-definition finish in any type of light – from sunlight to harsh indoor lighting.

- The color-coded system corresponds to the key steps of makeup application so you can create a flawless base, enhanced eyes, and the perfect finish like a pro.

- Each brush head is hand-cut to the perfect shape, allowing for precise application from dense coverage to a soft, delicate finish.

- The collection is suitable for a wide range of products and every makeup need – from powders, creams, and liquids to mineral makeup, highlighter, and shimmer.

- Brush names on the handles make for easy reference when creating your favorite look.

I got the Core Collection which includes a detailer brush, a buffing brush, a pointed foundation brush and a contour brush. The buffing brush is perfect for liquid foundation, it helps the product go on quickly, doesn't soak into the brush, and creates a flawless finish. I also love the foundation brush for smaller areas, and applying concealer. The contour brush is amazing for contouring the face with bronzer.



I also got the Starter Set which includes a base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush, accent brush, eyeliner brush and brow brush. These are amazing for applying eyeshadows, the colors go on splendidly and the brushes blend wonderfully!



I also got the blush brush and the stippling brush - the blush brush is so incredibly soft and perfect for blending out powders, blushes and bronzers. And the stippling brush is just another way to apply foundation, it gives you that wonderful airbrushed look.





I still have yet to get the big powder brush and the lash/brow groomer, but those should get here any day!

So I highly recommend these brushes if you are looking for really good quality, and if you are looking for brushes that won't completely break your bank account. I also recommend getting a good brush cleaner and brush guards - keeping your brushes clean will make them last a lot longer, and the brush guards help dry the brushes after you clean them, so they don't splay out and lose bristles.

Let me know if you decide to get these makeup brushes and what your thoughts are on them! Also tell me what your favorite makeup brushes are and why you like them...:)

Friday, February 17, 2012

New Hair Ideas

So because my dear husband has recently mentioned several times that he loves me with short, edgy hair, and thinks I'm hot with short hair, AND because I've had several friends chop off their lovely locks and go short, I am very tempted to go short again. I get way too antsy to grow my hair too long, and besides, every time I grow it long, I end up putting it in a ponytail probably 85% of the time, and that's blah, I'd rather have short hair that I can style quickly. Ya know what I mean?

So yah, I am thinking about chopping it all off again - I found two hairstyles online that I absolutely love, and I want to get people's opinions on them - as most of you know, I have had pretty much every hairstyle, WAY short, butch, long and feminine, short and spikey, permed, etc. And of course almost every color of the rainbow. ;) So I am not afraid to do just about anything to my hair.

These are the two pictures I have found for inspiration:




So please give me your votes/opinions on these hairstyles! And I will leave you with several pictures of different short hairstyles I have had in the past years of my life. :)








Sunday, February 12, 2012

Birthday Funness

Yes I know, funness is not a word, but I have what I call my Anna dictionary where I can make up words when I feel it is necessary, to fit the moment. ;) Sue me if you want, haha.

My dear sweet husband made sure my birthday was fun and happy, he did absolutely amazing on my gifts. Like I've mentioned before I'm a little girl when it comes to my birthday and I love opening presents, I don't think that will ever change, even when I'm 85 and gray.

Want to know what I got?? Oh I'm sure you do! ;)

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- Three bottles of different and yummy wine, my own wine, it should last me a long time!! I got a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Sauvignon Blanc, yummy.

- E.L.F. makeup products I'd been wanting - eyeshadows, eyeliner pens, half lash curler, lip primer and plumper, makeup lock and seal, makeup mist spray, eyebrow treat and tame, lip pencils - so far I am LOVING each product, they are amazing for being so cheap

- a nice hairbrush - I think I've been using the same broken one since before I was married, yikes!

- fun, colorful socks

- tons of Starbucks and Market Pantry coffee, one can never have enough coffee

- Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Color Eyeshadow palette

- Starbucks gift card

- cute flip flops

- two spring smelling Yankee candles

- one of Charlotte Church's old CD's, before she went all rocker and actually sounded good

- one card from my sweet husband and one cute card he picked up from "Cassie", awww, so sweet!!

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Didn't I hit the jackpot ladies and gentlemen? Holy teledo! And on top of all that, I got a couple of gift cards and some awesome birthday cash from family and friends. So I was able to purchase some amazing new makeup brushes that I desperately needed, and a hot roller set for my hair. I still have money leftover after that, so a few other random things I need is a good eyelash glue, nail dryer spray, Rimmel Stay Glossy lip glosses, Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, and other things I'm sure I'll think of later. ;)

So a happy birthday to me....can't believe I'm 27 years old, the years seem to be flying by at the moment, the older I get, the faster time goes I'm convinced. Well, till my next birthday!!

Anna

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Happy Birthday to moi!!!

Yep, tomorrow, Feb 9th is my 27th birthday. What the what?? Man I feel old, I'm getting so close to 30, when the heck did this happen? And I'm finally celebrating this birthday as a mommy, that makes me feel incredibly special. And tired, lol.

I am looking forward to seeing how Jesse did on my birthday list that had a lot of makeup and beauty items on it....I will be back to update on how he did. I'm sure he will hit it out of the ballpark!

And of course, going to see Ragtime the Musical with my friend will be so super fun...thankful that my husband will be watching my baby for me so that I can go. I will try to take pictures with my friend maybe before the show, so at least I have one picture on my birthday.

If you read my FB status yesterday, you will see that I wish I had a personal chef to cook me a yummy full out Southern meal, a girl can dream can't she? Perhaps I'll settle for a good southern meal when we drive to Arkansas in March. A belated birthday meal of sorts.

Can't wait to see what this next year holds for our dear little family...I have a feeling it will be a year full of fun, new things, and surprises.

I love you all!!!