If you're lazy like me....

....then you don't bother with much makeup. Part of it is that I stay home most of the time and my skin seems to be happier with me if I haven't used foundation, cover-up, powder, blush, etc on it regularly. The other part is that I am just lazy. I have to admit I didn't wear much makeup when I worked full-time! However, when I do want to look a bit less like I just got out of bed, I do the mascara-and-lipstick thing to perk up my features a bit, and I swear by M.A.C. lipstick! It comes in creamy and sheer formulas and tons of shades and stays on really well! I first bought some to wear at my wedding in 2001. I went all out and got the lip pencil too, but the lipstick stayed on so well that I didn't really need the lip pencil. That shade was "Cosmos," sort of a brownish-pink and probably one that most folks can wear. Since then I have acquired many more, but my favorites have been "Shhh" which is a sheer red that I honestly believe anyone can wear, and "Viva Glam" which came out last year as a fundraiser for HIV research and treatment. It is a pretty universal shade of brownish-red. As a bonus, M.A.C. will accept all their old makeup containers for recycling and they're quite affordable--lipstick runs about $14. Viva la M.A.C.!!! Read more!

Mascara

I have always been super picky about mascara. Probably because I am one of those lazy people that never takes mine off. Mascara circles just drive me crazy! I have tried every mascara from expensive name brand department store brands to the cheapest one you can find. Anyway, last year after I had Lily and James was in Iraq, I was living with my parents and I was in need of new makeup including mascara. I came upon this while getting a prescription at Walgreens and I have been in love ever since. It works so good. It makes your lashes look long longer and it stays on all day and I have never had so much as a speck of it anywhere else on my face including under my eyes. I have no idea how they make this stuff but it is awesome! The best part is that it's cheap too!

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I Like It a Latte

Oh, what a cheesy punner I am. I know this is a place to share ideas for the best ways to spend your money, if you're spending it. Humor me a little bit as I post a way you could spend a half hour.

This is SO not a place to discuss politics, so I want to be careful not to go down that road. I do, however, enjoy shows that teach about the political process for its own sake. I was a fan of The West Wing for several years.

I recently started watching Morning Joe, on MSNBC in the mornings, since I am up early feeding the boys, and enjoy thinking about something other than poop . It's on from 5-8 am in our time zone (Central). I really like it. The host is Joe Scarborough, who was a Republican congressman from Florida for several years. I am pretty sure his co-host Mika is a Democrat.

I am a big proponent of hearing different perspectives and of discussion for discussion's sake. I like Morning Joe because it is funny, and pretty balanced. It's also more relaxed than most news shows, so you get a longer discussion of and with the candidates. They spend a little more time talking with the candidates, and ask good questions, but are pretty respectful of them.

Joe raves about Obama's speaking ability, and Mika hearts her some Huckabee, though they probably won't cross party lines to vote for them. They discuss everyone's strengths and weaknesses, and joke around with them as well. Mitt Romney's hair and Mike Huckabee's guitar playing have come up quite a bit. They also had quite a bit of fun with the clips of President Bush in Israel, being serenaded by a girl singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, while holding a rose, like he was on The Bachelor.

It's an fun analysis of news and politics, and I feel like my brain cells are at least atrophying at a slower rate.

I promise my next post will be about something completely shallow and consumeristic, like lip gloss.

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Foundation-ugh!~

Well, I have always had trouble with foundation. I have used cheap, expensive, oily, dry, too dark, too light etc. Well, I fell upon this foundation when I was in a play at church. There was make up all over the place for us to put on so we wouldn't look like ghosts on stage. I saw all kinds of foundations in millions of different colors and of course could tell right away which were going to be so thick that it would nearly be impossible to scrub off your face. Well, I had a minimal part in the play so I went for one that didn't look to theaterish. I saw a good ole Maybelline brand called Dream Matte Mousse. I had seen commercials for it so I wanted to try it. Well, 1 year later I still use it. It is great! It goes on so smooth and soft. It covers blemishes amazingly and does not make my face dry or oily. It is just right. It fact it feels like it has moisturized my face after putting it on. Also, a little goes a LONG way so it lasts forever! I feel kinda silly putting a Maybelline product on here as one of my favorites, but it is! Read more!

Finally some comfy P.J's!

I hate shopping for something to wear to bed. Usually I end up in one of my hubby's t-shirts and some bottoms that I've had for years. Well this Christmas I made it a goal of mine to find a good set of Pajamas. I am typically very picky. I didn't want fleece, I didn't want a heavy cotton that would stick to my sheets and make it hard to move my legs, I didn't want shorts since it's winter time in Colorado and our bedroom is above the garage, etc. I looked at quite a few stores, knowing that I'd probably end up back at the Gap like I usually do for my underwear and jeans, etc. That is exactly what happened.

So Santa brought my P.J's. They are so comfortable and the pants don't ride up to my hips in bed. Yahoo! I hate having hip wedgies! They are 94% modal and 6% spandex. I'm not sure what modal is but I L-OVE it! And it comes with a cute top as well.The bottoms were $39.50 but I just saw that Gap is currently having a 60% off sale. That calls for another YAHOO!

Happy Sleeping~Rachel

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Lip Saver to the Rescue

I LOVE Aveda's Lip Saver. This is a big statement from someone who used Carmex from... well, age 7 to 28. Yes... you read that right. I know all the Carmex tricks (leaving them on their side in the car in the summer so you don't have to dig it out from under the nails kind of stuff) and have had multiple little empty pots of Carmex that I held as tiny little treasures of accomplishments. I have tried so many lip moisturizers to only be let down or have to change because I would get some funny dry patch. I know, sounds weird, but true. You name it... I tried it.

During my first adult make over, the nice funny haired lady at an Aveda store put heaven on my lips. The sheer/clear also has SPF 15 and runs about $8. It is also available in colors for around $11 (Lip Tint). A little high for a Carmex replacement (some of the little old pots even show the price influx over the years!) but soooo worth it. Read more!

Good stuff....

I have ugly hands. Not necessarily anatomically ugly, but not well-kept. I wash my hands a whole lot and I wash a lot of stuff (bottles, nipples, binkies) by hand and even though I use rubber gloves, my hands look like they belong to a 60-year old metal worker. I also live in the desert which does not help. And I don't like to get manicures because the polish chips so soon and also because I do things like dig in dirt and draw with charcoal, etc, etc. So here are my two things for my poor hands that I feel help a lot:

1) Just A Minute 60-Second Manicure Scrub--this stuff smells delicious and if you use it regularly, your cuticles actually look somewhat nice.

2) Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Creme--strange but pleasing sesame scent and really moisturizing. I use it before I go to bed at night.

Now if I could just remember to do it daily!

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GOLD BOND Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion

Since my first year as a teacher, I have always been a big hand washer. When I brought home the twins (literal twins, not a boob job), I became even more diligent about it. While I feel like a germ-fighting superhero, my hands tend feel like those of an 85 year old desert dweller. I am on a perpetual quest for the best hand cream ever. This is my current favorite. It’s thick and rich, non greasy, and after one use leaves my hands smooth enough for any cheesy Frenchman to kiss.
$5.99
At most grocery stores and drugstores Read more!

365 Pink Grapefruit Body Wash

I love pink grapefruit. I LOVE shower gel. So I double love this body wash. It smells amazing, like you went to Florida, picked a pink grapefruit, and rubbed it all over you, but without the sting or stickiness, or people looking at you like you were hitting the hooch. It’s a little reward for getting up in the morning, like coffee. It’s a great price too. So great, that you’ll be surprised you got it at Whole Foods. It’s from their own organic product line, which also includes shampoo, lotion, and other scents like lavender.
$1.99 for 16 ounces. Yep, you read it right.
$1.99!!!
At Whole Foods

I will post a picture as soon as I can find one. Read more!

My Obsession...

Some of you know my obsession with “Best of” lists. I have mentioned before that I will plunk down five bucks for any magazine with that phrase on the cover.

One of the few TV shows I watch is The Office. I was inspired by reading Mindy Kaling (Kelly)’s “Things I’ve Bought That I Love” blog one day. She writes a little like I do, or how I would if I dressed blingier, listened to more Beyonce and dropped f bombs.

I was thinking, “Hey, I have some friends who always have the inside scoop on fun places to eat, or cool little gadgets. How fun would it be if we had a place we could swap ideas?”

While my first posts may be about beauty products, this is in no way limited to those.
So, here you go. Let’s see how it goes. Read more!