so I LOVE decorating (and a lot of other things...) but I wanted to share a few pictures of my new AND ADORABLE home!!
Check it out!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wow... It's been a LONG while!!
So, I'm just looking at this and seeing that the last time I blogged was March 16th... And that's a LONG time and a lot has happened since then!
Schools gotten out and almost back in.
My business has grown (Praise the Lord!)
New people in my life... Amazing!!
New goals... New mentality... Lotsa new things I guess you could say...
God's definitely been real to us. And I'm grateful, I don't deserve Him or His love... I will write more tomorrow... I promise, but now I'm going to bed... Well actually going to watch a movie with my hubby and then go to bed.
Check out my new photography blog site: http://www.ashleybrawner.com - I LOVE IT!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
it's. been. real.
so since my last blog, a LOT has happened... a lot of emotions, etc etc etc
I've definitely gotten some good girl time in lately with different friends, all of which has been MUCH needed. Work has picked up and that's great.
It's also been one of those why-did-God-see-fit-to-let-me-be-a:
mom
wife
self-employed
nanny
nurse
cook
maid
baker
personal shopper
taxi
etc
etc
etc
He obviously sees something in me that I am constantly trying to learn about myself. Why am I worthy? Why does He love me?
Because He does...Nuff said. Because He says so...Something I say to my kids all the time "because I said so" but just like with my own children, that doesn't always seem to be a "good enough" answer...And it should be enough.
It should be enough that the Creator of the Universe loved/s me enough that He wanted me here. So why is it so hard? I have no idea...but I know it has to do with my human nature and my sin nature. But now...I have to constantly have to remind myself and rest in the knowledge that He is enough and His reasons are enough. And I'm blessed because of it.
It's also been one of those why-did-God-see-fit-to-let-me-be-a:
mom
wife
self-employed
nanny
nurse
cook
maid
baker
personal shopper
taxi
etc
etc
etc
He obviously sees something in me that I am constantly trying to learn about myself. Why am I worthy? Why does He love me?
Because He does...Nuff said. Because He says so...Something I say to my kids all the time "because I said so" but just like with my own children, that doesn't always seem to be a "good enough" answer...And it should be enough.
It should be enough that the Creator of the Universe loved/s me enough that He wanted me here. So why is it so hard? I have no idea...but I know it has to do with my human nature and my sin nature. But now...I have to constantly have to remind myself and rest in the knowledge that He is enough and His reasons are enough. And I'm blessed because of it.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
end of week 1
end of week 1 -
not at the gym once.
girl scout cookies came out - nuff said.
church was good but quiet times seem to be lacking, fixing this immediately.
my youngest had started repeating prayers at night with us, makes my heart happy.
enjoyed several conversations with old friends, reminiscing is a good thing, brings a smile to my face and my heart
been using cvs extra care bucks! AND lots of coupons at CVS and Publix...
i think i'm getting the hang of it...and i'm REALLY enjoying saving money and seeing my savings!
my oldest was tested this week for advanced placement = i'm a proud mama! she's so smart.
skin care regimen is going well...i'm loving philosophy's "make up optional" line
oh! and i'm doing a clarifying face mask and/or dermabrasion mask once a week
my middle girls party was this weekend...i'm very proud of the cake i made her, she's such a princess!
had a MUCH needed girls night on Friday night...then got home and couldn't sleep!
lol, oh well, time with other mommies is a much needed thing
oh! and I mixed up zambonees with "Bambino" ...yes...i called mistakingly called the zambonee "the bambino" - needless to say others around me enjoyed a good laugh
had a fun evening with friends last night and wednesday night...all around it was a pretty good week.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
your face.
perhaps it's an early midlife crisis...or the fact that my ten year reunion is in less than two months but i've been freaking out about my skin lately. yes. seriously.
i'm trying to be prepared for further skin issues while attempting to maintain a youthful appearance to my skin. i'm also trying to learn the things that i can do and teach my girls early on so they'll know...and in a way i kinda feel like i'm cheating my girls since my mom was very sick and died when i was pretty young. i've had to do a lot of googling and a lot of asking other women in my life, like my grandmother(who passed away almost 6yrs ago), my aunts, my mother in law, skin care pro's etc. i want to be able to show my girls things and share in those mother moments with them that i wish i would have had with my mom but never got the chance.
so! in my effort to figure out how to best treat my skin...i've learned and am learning a lot of things that i can and should be doing with them. i've gotten some face wipes for the girls so that in the mornings when we are brushing our teeth together, they can get into the habit of washing their faces as well...which has been pretty fun because now they want to do face masks once a week with me too :). they've even enjoyed to sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate the skin on their feet, hands, knees, and elbows - it smells like chocolate, what girl wouldn't love that?! i'm learning new things and trying to share them with my girls...they are so silly! they really enjoy the pampering of getting all lotioned up after bath time with a pretty smelling girly lotion. it's been fun and it seems to be a little of a stress reliever because instead of trying to get into what i'm doing, they have their own things that they can use and do what mommy is doing :).
and now to share with you what others have shared with me about some skin care products, remedies, etc - everyone's skin and body is different so what may work for you may not work for someone else, so before you give up, try a few different things...and you don't have to break the bank to do so:
proper/balanced diet
hyrdration(drinking lots of water)
preparation h(no i'm not kidding) - rub a little under your eyes, my girlfriends swear by it!
tea bags(wet ones) - just rest them on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes at night before your nightly skin care regimen
spoons(yes weird i know) - stick them in the freezer 1-2 minutes and apply to eyes 10-15minutes
compress(hot and/or cold)
cold cucumbers - rest them on your eyes for about ten minutes, lying flat on your back
cold eye cream - keep your eye cream in the fridge
peppermint tea - put the dry tea bags on your eyes
clear/radiant skin:
SLEEP
proper/balanced diet
hydration(lots and lots of water)
good ole' soap and water
Mary Kay Timewise
Avon's version of ProActive
Cerave(dermatologists recommended)
Clinique
ProActive
Acutane
Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
AcneFree
Noxema
Clearasil
Arbonne
Beauticontrol
Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn bar soap(Dr Oz recommended)
Shakelee
Philosophy
Dermatologica
i'm trying to be prepared for further skin issues while attempting to maintain a youthful appearance to my skin. i'm also trying to learn the things that i can do and teach my girls early on so they'll know...and in a way i kinda feel like i'm cheating my girls since my mom was very sick and died when i was pretty young. i've had to do a lot of googling and a lot of asking other women in my life, like my grandmother(who passed away almost 6yrs ago), my aunts, my mother in law, skin care pro's etc. i want to be able to show my girls things and share in those mother moments with them that i wish i would have had with my mom but never got the chance.
so! in my effort to figure out how to best treat my skin...i've learned and am learning a lot of things that i can and should be doing with them. i've gotten some face wipes for the girls so that in the mornings when we are brushing our teeth together, they can get into the habit of washing their faces as well...which has been pretty fun because now they want to do face masks once a week with me too :). they've even enjoyed to sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate the skin on their feet, hands, knees, and elbows - it smells like chocolate, what girl wouldn't love that?! i'm learning new things and trying to share them with my girls...they are so silly! they really enjoy the pampering of getting all lotioned up after bath time with a pretty smelling girly lotion. it's been fun and it seems to be a little of a stress reliever because instead of trying to get into what i'm doing, they have their own things that they can use and do what mommy is doing :).
and now to share with you what others have shared with me about some skin care products, remedies, etc - everyone's skin and body is different so what may work for you may not work for someone else, so before you give up, try a few different things...and you don't have to break the bank to do so:
under eye bags:
SLEEP proper/balanced diet
hyrdration(drinking lots of water)
preparation h(no i'm not kidding) - rub a little under your eyes, my girlfriends swear by it!
tea bags(wet ones) - just rest them on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes at night before your nightly skin care regimen
spoons(yes weird i know) - stick them in the freezer 1-2 minutes and apply to eyes 10-15minutes
compress(hot and/or cold)
cold cucumbers - rest them on your eyes for about ten minutes, lying flat on your back
cold eye cream - keep your eye cream in the fridge
peppermint tea - put the dry tea bags on your eyes
clear/radiant skin:
proper/balanced diet
hydration(lots and lots of water)
good ole' soap and water
Mary Kay Timewise
Avon's version of ProActive
Cerave(dermatologists recommended)
Clinique
ProActive
Acutane
Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
AcneFree
Noxema
Clearasil
Arbonne
Beauticontrol
Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn bar soap(Dr Oz recommended)
Shakelee
Philosophy
Dermatologica
now I realize this is QUITE a list just for a daily skin care regimen for your face but like I said above, no two people have the exact same skin so what may work for you, may not work for someone else...this is a just a list compiled of some of my friends and their recommendations...some things i have used and some i have not...right now though, i am planning on giving several of these products a go and see what i like best and what works best for me and i will definitely report back to you on that one :) and if you are like me, you want to get in the habit of taking the best care possible of your skin!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
detoxifying.
detoxification - beginning of week 1
i've given a lot of thought to doing a full system cleanse with my diet because i have lost almost 35lbs so far and seem to be at a stand still. so. i looked at several detox kits, etc...and i realized that i needed to detox myself in more than just one way...i need/ed a full system overhaul! and you get to come along with me for ride...this is the beginning of week 1! and all these are things that i want to implement with my daughters and so far they are having so much fun with it...they like being girly and getting pampered :)
stage 1- diet & exercise
*cutting out all fried food, all junk food, sodas
*only drinking water, milk and natural juices
*only eating fresh foods(when possible)
*1hr of cardio a day with weight/resistance training as well
stage 2 - skin care
*exfoliating & moisturizing daily
*weekly detox/cleansing/microdermabrasion treatment
*increase water intake
stage 3 - home
*household/housework schedule
*time with family
stage 4 - mental & emotional
*me time...and expressing the importance of me time to my girls...much reading will occur during this time i'm sure
stage 5 - relational
*being intentional with my friendships and all relationships in my life, family, friends, acquaintances, etc
stage 6 - learning
*to learn something new everyday...and to further explore all my interests be it learning a new song, a new cake to make, a new way to decorate something, a new fact about my camera/photography, etc
stage 7 - spiritual
*get in the Word...consistently because everyone needs their cup filled and this is the most important thing that we can pass on to our children...how to have a relationship with our Father
*increase living water intake
ps- today was a splurge day as i did indulge in lots of heavenly edible goodness at a bridal show with my dear friend Katie followed by the goodness that is known as Moe's...there is never a shortage of interesting things that happen when she and I are together for some reason and today was no exception! lol! but we def ended the day with a yummy splurge! so on to hitting it all hard core tomorrow morning!! won't you join me??
i've given a lot of thought to doing a full system cleanse with my diet because i have lost almost 35lbs so far and seem to be at a stand still. so. i looked at several detox kits, etc...and i realized that i needed to detox myself in more than just one way...i need/ed a full system overhaul! and you get to come along with me for ride...this is the beginning of week 1! and all these are things that i want to implement with my daughters and so far they are having so much fun with it...they like being girly and getting pampered :)
stage 1- diet & exercise
*cutting out all fried food, all junk food, sodas
*only drinking water, milk and natural juices
*only eating fresh foods(when possible)
*1hr of cardio a day with weight/resistance training as well
stage 2 - skin care
*exfoliating & moisturizing daily
*weekly detox/cleansing/microdermabrasion treatment
*increase water intake
stage 3 - home
*household/housework schedule
*time with family
stage 4 - mental & emotional
*me time...and expressing the importance of me time to my girls...much reading will occur during this time i'm sure
stage 5 - relational
*being intentional with my friendships and all relationships in my life, family, friends, acquaintances, etc
stage 6 - learning
*to learn something new everyday...and to further explore all my interests be it learning a new song, a new cake to make, a new way to decorate something, a new fact about my camera/photography, etc
stage 7 - spiritual
*get in the Word...consistently because everyone needs their cup filled and this is the most important thing that we can pass on to our children...how to have a relationship with our Father
*increase living water intake
ps- today was a splurge day as i did indulge in lots of heavenly edible goodness at a bridal show with my dear friend Katie followed by the goodness that is known as Moe's...there is never a shortage of interesting things that happen when she and I are together for some reason and today was no exception! lol! but we def ended the day with a yummy splurge! so on to hitting it all hard core tomorrow morning!! won't you join me??
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