Saturday Spotlight

I just recently came across the blog “Homestead Revival” and was instantly drawn in.  This is a very encouraging blog that focuses on homesteading from Amy, a Christian wife and mom.  I came across one post of hers in particular that made me start following her blog right away (that, plus the other posts I had already read).  The post was about modesty which I think was excellently written in a non judgmental way that anyone could appreciate.  It was directed to her daughter and other young women, but I think any woman of any age (with or without daughters) can appreciate the post.  You can Click Here to read that particular post. 

This blog gives many tips on homesteading but also gives tips on small things you can do even if you live in the city.  Amy mentioned in her blog that she actually got started that way.  She originally started doing small things while she lived in the city, then she took things to a larger scale once she and her husband moved to where they are now.  I think this is a wonderful blog with a lot of inspiration.

You can go to http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com to check out her blog.

The Heatwave is Over!

It has been soooo hot lately, here in southeastern Wisconsin!  It was in the mid to upper 90's all last week with a heat index in the hundreds, and there was a heat advisory warning for most of the week.  I was joking with my mom last week on one of the (roughly) hundred degree days and said to her, "Whew, it feels like Africa out here!"  LOL.  Then when I saw her again on a (slightly cooler) lower 90 degree day I told her, "Well, at least it doesn't feel like Africa anymore.  Now it just feels like Texas!" (Which is only slightly better. lol)  The heat alone wouldn't be so bad but it's always very humid since we're right near Lake Michigan.  So the humidity makes it even worse!

Luckily it has cooled off tremendously.  It has only been in the lower to mid 80's for the last few days and today it's only in the 70's so all I have to say is...HURRAY!!!  I didn't even need to turn on the air conditioning today.  It was cool enough outside to cool off my home just by opening the windows. 

I know with August being right around the corner, it'll be scorching hot again before I know it.  But I'll enjoy the mild weather for now.

Hope all of you are staying cool this summer!

Weekly Inspiration

Finding Your Calling - Part 2

Last week in part 1 (Click Here to read) I gave a list of things to look for that would help with letting you know if you’re following your calling.  This week I have a list of questions you can ask yourself.  By answering the following questions, you can figure out what is most important to you and what actually excites you.    By doing so, you can figure out which direction you should be going in.

The questions are as follows:

1. What gets me excited and makes me want to get up early in the morning?

2. What comes easily for me to do?

3. What type of shows keep me glued to the television?

4. What do I get lost in thought thinking about?

5. If I had three wishes to change the world, what would they be?

6. What can’t I seem to get enough of?

7. What have I fallen in love with at first sight?

8. What am I better at than anyone else I know?

9. What story setting (from books, movies, etc.) interests me the most?

 Answering these questions has helped me immensely.  There are a lot of things I enjoy and I am talented in most of those things.  Therefore, it was very hard for me to determine what excited me the most and which one (or two) of those things I should actually be focusing on.  I would get so frustrated because I would constantly try to choose between 4 or 5 different things and never knew where to begin.   Also, certain things I thought I should be doing would never bring me any joy or keep my interest once I did do them and I never understood why.  It wasn’t until I asked myself these questions that I was really able to focus.  I figured out exactly what I should be doing and there has been no looking back! 

I hope the information in this post (along with the information in part 1) will help you as much as it helped me. 

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for simply, being alive

Weekly Inspiration

 Finding Your Calling - Part 1

A lot of times when we are going through struggles in life, it is simply because we are going in the wrong direction.  When we are going in the right direction and following the plan that God has for us, life is easy and problems cease to exist (there will always be some hard times, however!).  I believe that we each have a calling and that God has a plan for each one of us, individually.  However, some of us struggle with trying to find out what it is.  Fortunately, there are many ways to figure out what they are if you really pay attention, pray and focus.    

The information in this post along with the information in part 2 (Click Here to read), has tremendously helped me find my calling.  I can now proudly say that I’ve FINALLY figured out what I should be doing.  However, everything is a process and I know that God’s plan for me can change at any time. 

The same is true for all of us.  Therefore, if something that once brought you joy no longer does and you just can’t figure out why, don’t be discouraged.  It may simply be that you’ve outgrown that purpose in your life and God is ready to use you in another way now.  Below are some things you can look for that will help you realize when you are following your calling.

When you are following your calling, you will experience most or all of these things:

1. You will feel totally alive and wound-up

2. You can spend hours talking about a particular subject

3. Time will fly by and seem like it doesn’t even exist

4. When talking to people with similar interests, you will feel like you’ve known them forever

5. Knowledge and experiences become available to you that you never even knew existed

6. You will often feel like a light bulb turns on in your head or you “get it”

7. You will look forward to the day and be excited to get started

8. You will often be daydreaming about something and not even realizing it until you “snap out of it”

9. You will often find yourself around certain things, or collecting things or resources pertaining to them.

Now that you know what to look for, try to see if you are experiencing any of the feelings mentioned above throughout your day.    If you can, try to write down what you were doing, thinking or talking about when you were having these feelings.   

In part 2 I give you a list of questions you can ask yourself in order to figure out what it is you are really passionate about.  The things we are very passionate about are often what we are called to do.

Metallic Silver Fingernails

Sometimes achieving a shiny, bright, metallic silver look on the fingernails is almost impossible. There are many silver nail polishes out there that claim to be metallic, but whenever I applied them, they either looked dull, or they were shiny but still did not look metallic at all. There was nothing metallic about them. So one day, I got an idea to apply more than one color to achieve the look. I had a hair/fashion show to go to and was wearing a metallic silver dress, with matching metallic shoes and a matching metallic purse. Therefore, I had to make the nails match as well. A dull silver was not going do do!

To achieve this look, I use 4 different polishes.

I use L.A. Girl Calcium Nail Builder for the base coat, L.A. Colors silver nail lacquer, Kleancolor silver glitter nail lacquer and Sally Hansen Diamond Shine for the top coat.

First, I start with the L.A. Girl Calcium Nail Builder.

I apply one coat, then I let it completely dry.

Next, I apply a coat of the L.A. Colors Nail Lacquer.

Once the first coat is completely dry, I apply a second coat.

Next I apply 2 coats of the KleanColor Nail Lacquer, making sure to let the first coat completely dry before applying the next.

Lastly, I apply the Sally Hansen Diamond Shine top coat.

I let that fully dry, then apply another coat. This Diamond Shine makes the already shiny nails even more shiny, and will make any color pop!

By the time I'm done, I have a total of 6 coats of polish on my nails altogether. I know you're probably wondering, "Isn't that too many coats of polish?", but the answer is no. The key is to make sure each coat is dry before applying the next. When I use these products together, not only does it give the best looking metallic shine ever, but it last for a very long time. I constantly have my hands in water because I wash my hands many times a day. Therefore, what I do is apply a coat of the Sally Hansen Diamond Shine every other day or so. I always remove any polish I have on after 1 week. So after the initial 6 coats, then about 3 or 4 more coats added throughout the week...my nails are like steel! There is no peeling and not one single chip of polish.

I know you're probably thinking these are a lot of steps, but for me, it's worth the extra steps since I get great looking metallic nails that won't budge!

Is What You're Eating Helping or Hurting You? Part 2

In part one, I informed you of how eating properly improved my skin and overall health. So in this post, I'm going to tell you what I was eating those first 4 weeks (broken down in 2 week increments) and how I went forward after that. I was able to tell a difference in just a few days. I won't go too much in depth because the post would be way too long, so I'll give you the basics and most important aspects.

Let me first give my DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a health care professional, nutritionist or expert in any way. This post will just include what I do and have done to improve my skin and health. It is advised that you check with a health care professional to be sure that you do not have allergies to any foods.

First Two Weeks Every day for 2 weeks:

Breakfast - eat a serving of fruit and drink a glass of water. A serving of fruit can include an apple, banana, grapefruit, a bunch of grapes or 5 or 6 strawberries. Whatever fruit you choose is fine.

Lunch - Eat a serving of vegetables and a serving of fruit. Can include a mixture of vegetables and fruit or just a salad and some fruit with that. In the first 2 weeks it is recommended that no salad dressing or sauces are used. That sucks...I know. And of course, drink another glass of water.

Dinner - Eat another serving of fruits and vegetables and include some seeds and nuts if you choose (peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc). Also, drink a glass of water. For dinner, you will want to eat a heavier vegetable that will fill you up a little more. I always ate potatoes or sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are the best. If you bake them instead of boil them, they will be sweet and juicy just like they would be if you put something on them. But of course, this is a detox, so no butter or sugar allowed!

Snacks - Throughout the day in between meals, you will want to drink additional glasses of water and eat some snacks. Great snacks would be small fruits and vegetables such as raisins and baby carrots, and also seeds and nuts. Don't worry, eating healthy snacks regularly and drinking water will keep you full in between the 3 small meals mentioned above. You will NOT feel like you're starving. You also do not have to worry about gaining a lot of weight. You are eating often, but you're only eating small portions of natural foods.

Notice, there is nothing other than fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in the first 2weeks and NOTHING else.

Last Two Weeks

The meal and snack structures basically stay the same however, you can add meat, beans, wheat/whole grain pasta, wheat/whole grain rice, wheat/whole grain bread and dairy to the mix. For meat, only eat fish and poultry. No beef or pork. Also, continue to stay away from sugar and junk food. I did however, eat Quaker's, caramel flavored rice cakes. They have very little sugar and contain whole grain, which is excellent. But that's it...no more junk food! You can also drink tea, and natural fruit juices that you make yourself in a blender or juicer. No store bought juices...they have preservatives!

Keep dairy intake to a minimum. A cup of yogurt and slice of cheese on a sandwich should be it. At this point, you still want to stay away from butter and milk. A good health friendly sandwich would be turkey with lettuce, tomato and a slice of cheese on wheat or whole grain bread. Do not add mayo or miracle whip. Also, notice how I mentioned wheat and whole grain breads, pasta and rice. Stay away from products with white flour.

After these 4 weeks are complete, you may start adding your regular foods into your diet. A good guide to follow is the food pyramid. You can find it at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pmap.htm. Also, you should only have 22 grams of sugar or less in a day. So when you buy candy and other sugar based items, look at the nutritional facts to see just how much of it you can eat in a day. You will probably notice as I did that you can't eat much! I follow this guide as much as I possibly can every single day. When I fall off track and start eating more "bad foods" than I should, I immediately notice the difference.

Please keep in mind that the things I talk about in this blog post were what I did and do to feel better health wise and have better looking skin. I did not do the things mentioned to lose any weight. Therefore, if your intent is to do a detox to lose weight, the things mentioned in the FIRST two weeks should work for you. Eating only raw fruits and vegetables and drinking only water will certainly help you lose weight. However, there will come a point when you'll need to eat something else! (I don't know if the things mentioned in the LAST 2 weeks will help with weight loss or not.) Whatever detox you decide to do should be a natural one. Taking supplements, drinking all liquids and doing weird things to your body is not good for the body, and often is not safe. That's usually why when all of those weird things are done to quickly lose weight...the weight usually ends up coming back with a vengeance!

If you are someone who suffers from problem skin or you just feel tired and unwell a lot of times, then you should certainly change your diet to a much healthier one. Eating well and living well will prevent most (not all) health problems. A lot of illnesses and diseases can be prevented just by eating well and of course exercising. We all know the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"!

I hope the info in this post helps you as much as it helped me!

Is What You're Eating Helping Or Hurting You? Part 1

I'm sure many of you have heard the phrase "You are what you eat", and that is one of the most true statements that I have heard! I have always had acne prone skin which started in my teens. However, it was only very light acne in my teens and was not such a big deal to me at that time. It became a VERY big deal when I became about 25 years old. I started breaking out very badly and rapidly, and the worse part was...each year it got worse and worse! By the time 2 and a half years had passed, the scarring was becoming horrible and although I am a very confident woman, I must admit that it affected my confidence quite a bit! In addition to my face having a lot of acne and scars, my skin also looked very dull and had no "life" to it. No matter what topical products I used, it would not improve. I was not aware at the time that the damage was coming from within and nothing topical was going to help.

In the midst of the acne, I also noticed I was feeling very ill most of the time, and I couldn't quite figure out why. When I went to my Dr. there was never any problem that could be found, but I would still feel horrible! My Dr. would often ask me do I eat enough fruits and vegetables. My answer would always be no, however, once I would leave the doctor's office I would always completely forget about it.

Well, one day after breaking out really badly and feeling horrible health wise, I decided to take control of my life and my health! I knew that I was very young and if I was already feeling ill and having horrible looking skin...that things were only going to get worse if I didn't start doing something about it, so that's exactly what I did!

I did similar to a detox program, however, I did not do any weird supplements or drink all liquids. I drank water, and ate plain, fruits and vegetables for 2 weeks straight. I did not have any junk food whatsoever. In the following weeks I added grains, tea, poultry and fish for another 2 weeks...still no junk food. By the end of those 4 weeks, I felt better than I had ever felt as an adult. I literally felt as good and had as much energy as I did as a teenager! Not to mention that my skin looked great! My face had a nice glow, the acne was clearing up, and even people around me were asking me what I was doing!

Later on, I started adding very small amounts of "junk food" in moderation because there was no way I could give them up completely. However, since I kept it in moderation and continued to eat the "good" foods, my skin and health still was wonderful. I still follow this system today and I can't tell you how wonderful I feel, and how great my skin looks. It is improving more and more each day. I would've never thought that my skin would look better, the OLDER I got. That is incredible to me.  After reading this, I hope you are convienced that eating well is essential to one's health and well being. I also hope that you want to know more. In part 2, I will lay out for you exactly what I did during that detox period, and how I eat now on an everyday basis. Stay tuned!

How to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker and Fuller

There are many women who have thin hair and would try anything to make it look thicker. There are some products out there (but only very few) that will actually improve the health of your scalp and make your grow thicker and fuller hair. However, it usually takes months to a year to see the results.  So in this post, I will mention what you can do to get the "look" of fuller hair, instantly.

First, lets start with teasing the hair. I know when most people think of making thin hair look fuller, the first thing they think of is teasing. Teasing is when you take a comb or a brush and drag it along the hair in the opposite direction of the hair shaft. Basically, what that means is that your hair is naturally going one way, and you're forcing it to go another. Teasing your hair on a regular basis will cause breakage and split ends. What that eventually results in is damage to the hair shaft which can not be reversed! No amount of deep conditioners in the world can prevent damage to hair that is being "roughed up".

Instead of teasing the hair, try doing a roller set. Roller sets are the absolute best way to make hair appear more full. There are many women who swear by it. Roller setting the hair allows it to keep the shape of the rollers, therefore it naturally appears fuller and thicker. Instead of thin, lifeless hair...you get full, voluminous curls!

If you want your hair to appear fuller but don't actually want curls, you can use jumbo sized rollers which will give you the volume but not the curl. If you use jumbo sized rollers and feel your hair is a little too big, you can flat iron it afterwards to flatten it a little. Even after flat ironing it, your hair will still have the fullness and body. However, be sure not to flat iron your hair (or apply any type of heat) too often. Excessive heat will damage your hair just as quickly as teasing...maybe even more quickly.

Although a roller set it probably the best way to achieve fullness, there are some other safe ways as well.

Root Booster
Root boosters are sprays and serums that are applied to the hair while still wet, which makes the hair appear fuller after it is dried and styled.

Volumizing mousses, gels and sprays
Mousse, spray, and gel specifically designed to make hair look fuller is another great option. These products can usually be used on wet or dry hair before styling. In addition to these products, you may also want to use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Depending on the product, you may also be able to use these along with a root booster.

Depending on your hair type, you may want to try just one of the methods listed above, or all of them at once. When trying a new hair regimen, it is smart to try it when you have nowhere special to go. There is usually a lot of trial and error which may take you a few tries to get it right or find the proper products. The last thing you want is to have a wedding or other special event to go to and not know until the last minute how your hair will turn out!

Stop Brittle Nails In Their Tracks!

If you suffer from thin nails that break, chip or peel then I'm sure you've probably tried most nail products on the market (as I have) to find a solution. Well, look no further! The L.A. Girl Calcium nail builder works wonders, and makes thin nails thick and healthy. I have never found a product for the entire 12 years I've been searching that is as great as this!

I've tried Sally Hansen products, Nutra Nail and even natural products. But it seemed like my nails would not get thicker no matter what I did. So one day I buckled down and decided that I was going to find a solution, no matter what...and I did. I went to different websites and read reviews on different products, which is when I came across the Calcium nail builder. It had all 5 star reviews so I felt it was worth a try. I am so glad I tried it!

Usually my nails would grow for about 2 weeks (3 at best) and then they would crack, chip or peel. But I've been using this product since June 2010 (you will see me mention it in my blog post about metallic, silver nails)and my nails grew for about 2months straight without any chipping or peeling whatsoever! That is unheard of for me! Therefore, I had to share this with everyone! A couple of weeks ago I actually had to clip and file down my nails because they got too long. I never thought my nails would ever get that long, so again...I'm excited!

I have included some before and after pictures on this post showing my nail growth in a 5 week timeframe. Please note that my nails got even longer than they were in the pictures before I finally clipped them!

First week

After 5 Weeks

Exfoliation: What It Is, And Who Needs It?

Our skin is our biggest organ and has 3 layers. The surface layer that we see is called the epidermis. Underneath the epidermis is where new skin cells are formed. The new skin cells rise to the top of the skin and can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month to actually make it to the surface. As the new cells begin to rise to the top, the older cells near the top actually die and rise to the very top of the surface. Those dead skin cells eventually completely shed off and the new skin cells replaces them on the surface. Our skin continues to do this over and over on a regular basis, always producing new skin cell to replace the dead ones.

Exfoliation is a way to speed up the process. As we get older, the dead skin naturally begins to shed more slowly. Therefore, our skin begins to look dull because we are seeing the dead skin on the surface instead of the new. Exfoliating is a way to get the new skin to the surface more quickly, giving you better looking skin.

Exfoliating is also good for improving scaring and discoloration. It brings the new skin to the surface and gets rid of the layer with all of the scars and marks. This is a long process, however and can take quite a few months to see results, depending on the issue at hand.

Another reason to exfoliate would be if you have blemishes. Having clogged pores plays a big part in causing blemishes. Exfoliating on a regular basis is a good way to clear your pores, causing you to have less break outs.

So how do you exfoliate, you ask? There are many different ways.

You can do it mechanically with a facial scrubber, or you can use products topically. You can exfoliate your entire body, however, be sure to only use products specifically made for the face if it is your face that you are exfoliating. Products made for any other area of the body may be too harsh.

As mentioned earlier, the entire body can be exfoliated. However, we will only be focusing on the face since that it usually the area most people exfoliate.

So what are the different types of exfoliants? Well, there are many!

Creams and Serums




There are many different types of facial creams (including masks) and serums that are specifically made to help turn over new skin cells and get rid of the dead ones. One of the most common ingredients found in these products is Alpha Hydroxy. Alpha hydroxy is an acid derived from fruit and milk sugars found in certain plants. There are many types of alpha hydroxy acids. Two of the most common ones are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Some others include malic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid.

As mentioned, alpha hydroxy is an acid...and acid burns! Using the alpha hydroxy acids too often will cause skin irritation, redness and can possibly cause scarring. Therefore, it can end up doing more harm than good if used more than recommended.

Alpha hydroxy acids will make your face very sensitive to the sun, that's why it is recommended to only use them at night before going to bed. If you do happen to use an alpha hydroxy before leaving the house, be sure to use sunscreen even if it isn't sunny. If you have sensitive skin, it will affect you even more.

Facial scrub cleansers
Facial scrub cleansers have little micro beads in them which gently exfoliate the skin while cleansing it. This is probably the safest and most gentle way to exfoliate. Cleansing with a facial scrub is something that can be done on a daily basis in the morning, evening or both. The micro beads massage the skin which improves the circulation. It also helps to deep cleanse, giving you better looking skin.

Face Buffs
Facial buffers can be cleansing brushes, cleansing pads with micro beads or sponge-like cleansers that have abrasive fibers. These items can also be used on a daily basis. To use these items, you would wet your face, apply your daily cleanser, then gently rub the buffer over your entire face in a circular motion. Next you would just rinse off the cleanser, then dry your face. Buffers are used to deep cleanse the skin removing more dirt and particles which cleansers alone can not do. Using a facial buffer is a great thing to use when washing off makeup. Be sure to rub gently when using the buffer. Rubbing too hard can cause skin irritation and can cause the skin to feel raw.

Microdermabrasion

Lastly, we'll touch on microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is when tiny, rough grains are used to buff away the surface layer of the skin. The difference between microdermabrasion and a facial buffer is the level of effectiveness. The facial buffer is just meant to gently buff away dirt and impurities, and to slowly help new skin cells to surface. It is not actually designed to remove the skin layer, it only assists in doing so. Microdermabrasion is actually designed to remove the top layer of the skin. Therefore this can be very dangerous if not done by a highly trained professional. There are many at home microdermabrasion kits, but it is not recommended for someone who is inexperienced to try this. There are however, some microdermabrasion kits that are specifically designed for amateur use. The company makes them less effective and of a lesser grade than the ones used by professional dermatologists. This is the highest level of exfoliation there is, and should not be done regularly.

Whatever type of exfoliation you choose, just remember not to over do it. Only one form of exfoliation needs to be done at a time. For example, you should not apply an alpha hydroxy after using a facial buff. Remember, getting great looking skin takes time. It is not logical to expect a miracle overnight. Therefore, just be patient and persistant, and you will see results. Also remember, healthy looking skin starts within. You will be amazed at how wonderful your skin will look when you eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables!

Makeup: Department Store vs Drug Store

Many women have searched high and low for the perfect brand of makeup. It's probably safe to assume that most women have tried both, department store and drug store brands. Some women will swear that department store brands are far better than drug store brands, and some women will swear that there are some drug store brands that are just as good (if not better) than department store brands.

To determine which make-up is better, one must decide what she's looking for in a makeup. One of the top makeup items that women struggle with is foundation, therefore, that is what we'll begin with.

Foundation:
When it comes to foundation, women are usually looking for how well it covers, how well the color matches her natural skintone and how long it lasts. So, which is better? Drug store or Department store brands?

First, lets start with color. If you are someone with a yellow undertone, department store brands may be better for you. Most drug store brand foundations have pink or red undertones and will automatically make your face look too pink or red, which is not a very good look.
Therefore, you may want to get a department store brand that offers foundation with yellow undertones. If you are not sure of your skin's undertone, a sales rep at the department store can help you determine that for free.

Now lets talk about coverage. There are 3 different types of foundation coverages. Light coverage, medium coverage and full coverage. If you are someone who doesn't really have any skin issues or discoloration, then light coverage will work for you. Using a light coverage foundation will just give your skin a more smooth, finished look.

If you are someone who has a little discoloration or a few blemishes here and there, then you would want to use a medium coverage foundation. It will even out your skin tone and will cover small blemishes.

If you are someone who has a lot of blemishes and suffer with breakouts and scars, then you definitely want a full coverage foundation. Full coverage foundation is meant to really cover! It is meant to hide all imperfections and almost mask your face. Light and medium coverage foundations are made to let some of your natural skin show through, but full coverage foundations are made to completely cover without letting any of your natural skin show. One of the biggest problems women have is finding a foundation that covers as much as they need it to without looking like a mask. Usually when a foundation covers very well, it unfortunately looks very cakey and actually looks like you are wearing heavy makeup. That may work well under bright lights (especially on camera), but it doesn't look too flattering in person. Therefore women must decide to either choose a foundation that looks natural but doesn't cover as much as they need, or get the coverage they need but look like they're wearing a mask!

This is certainly a problem seen in both drug store and department store brand foundations. There is no easy answer to which brand is better when it comes to finding proper coverage. It can be a complete hit or complete miss with either. The same complaints come from women who have used only department store brands, women who have used only drug store brands and women who have used both!

Lastly, we'll talk about lasting power. Opinions will differ from person to person, but it's safe to say that there are drug store brands that last longer than some department store brands. This is another tricky one that can go either way. There are some department store brands that are better than some drug store brands and some drug store brands that are better than some department store brands. It really can go either way.

Mascara: There are some great drug store brand mascaras that work equally as well as department store brands. The one thing that usually separates a department store brand from a drug store brand is the way the mascara feels on the lashes. Most (if not all) drug store mascaras make eyelashes feel hard and crunchy. They will certainly make your lashes look fabulous, but most women are scared to touch their lashes! There are some department store brands that will make your lashes feel hard and crunchy as well, but there are also some that will actually allow your lashes to still feel like lashes after the mascara is on.

A big problem women have with a lot of mascaras is flaking and clumping. That problem is repeatedly found in both department store and drug store brands. Usually, the harder the mascara makes your lashes feel, the more clumping and flaking you'll have! So please keep that in mind when selecting mascara.

Everything Else: Now lets talk about eyeshadow, blush, powder, eyeliner, bronzer, lipstick, lipgloss...and everything else!

Everyting else is grouped together because there is no one thing that specifically stands out with most women. The only thing that can be compared between drug store brands and department store brands when it comes to these items, is how smooth they go on and how long they last.

It is probably safe to say that there are many drug store and department store brands that do not last nearly as long as one would hope. Both brands have eyeliner that runs and eyeshadow that creases. In addition all of the makeup mentioned can end up traveling and will ware off. Most drug store and department store brands say waterproof or long lasting, but they really aren't. Of course, there are some brands that do actually last a very long time...but not many. The same applies for lipgloss and lipstick. Some will go on smoothly and will last a long time, and some will be hard to apply or will fade away in an hour!

So which is better you ask, department store brands or drug store brands? Well, to sum it all up, it all depends. It is not accurate to say all department store brands are better than all drug store brands, or say that all drug store brands compare to all department store brands. It completely depends on the brand itself. Whether you get it at a drug store or a department store is hardly the issue.

To find your perfect makeup, you will surely have to investigate and test them out. Another option would be to try private brands of makeup. Meaning you can not get them at a store at all. You either have to order them directly from the company's website or from a distributor.

Examples of these types of brands would be Mally Beauty, Avon, Sacha Cosmetics and Mary Kay, just to name a few. The same rules apply however, test them and investigate them.

Always be sure to read reviews first if you can. Search for reviews on YouTube, makeupalley.com and drugstore.com. You can even go straight to Google or Yahoo, and type in the name of the product to see what the search engine pulls up. Don't assume that any makeup brand is good just because the sales rep or commercial tells you it is.  Also, don't assume that it is good just because it costs a fortune!

Part II - You Can but Should You?

I was going to elaborate a little on my last post (Click Here to read), but I figured the articles below say more than enough.  Here are the links to the 2 articles I mentioned in the last post.

http://www.wnd.com/2011/10/362649/

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/02/05/to-be-happy-must-admit-women-and-men-arent-equal/

Have a blessed day.

You CAN but SHOULD You?

I've often said for years that just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean that you SHOULD do it.  Sadly, I've heard so many women (both single and married) over the years talk about how they don't need a man to do anything for them or how they refuse to be a housewife because they can do anything a man can do.  A lot of women even go as far to say they don't need a man.  For some reason they think it's cool to go around telling their significant other/spouse, "I don't need you, I'm only with you because I want you".  Um, I'm sorry but if I ever was considering marrying a man that felt the need to tell me he didn't need me, I wouldn't even waste my time with him!  I can't even describe how horrible I would feel if we were actually married and he told me that!

It's really sad that most women (and men) mistake equal rights to mean equal roles. Feminists or people who have been influenced by them, often say things like "This isn't the 50's" or "It's the 21st century" when someone embraces and promotes traditionalism.  You have no idea how many times I've heard that in my life, especially when telling people there is no way I'm "shacking up" LOL!  They look at me like I'm crazy because clearly everyone in the 21st century lives with someone before they marry them, right?  Um, no.  I've said it many times and I will continue to say it...what has always been right doesn't suddenly become wrong just because of the year/century.  Also, what has always been wrong doesn't become right just because society says it is.

It is not a coincidence that the family unit was very strong and marriages lasted for lifetimes before feminism took over.  The biggest misconception is that women didn't work because they couldn't.  That is not true.  Women could work and they DID work, they were just expected to quit once they got married.  There were even women who got jobs to support the family if their husband fell ill or was injured.  The women got out there and worked until their husbands got back on their feet.  Once their husbands were able to work again, the women just simply quit the job. 

Men and women having separate roles (that were equally respected) was the nature of marriages for thousands of years.  It worked perfectly fine (at least for most) but now society wants to tell everyone to fix something that was never broken.  Due to this, strong and stable families are now almost nonexistent.  Most people either divorce or have children without being married at all.  It's sad actually, because when children grow up without seeing any examples of a strong marriage/family unit, they have no clue what to do to have one themselves... then the vicious cycle just continues.

So equal rights? Yes!  Equal roles? No way!  As women, we can do many things but that doesn't mean we should. 

I'll wrap this up because I don't want it to get too long, but I will do a part 2 in a day or so and share with you the links of 2 articles that I've come across that I think are really written well about this subject.

Your comments are always welcomed.  Have a fabulous day!

Simple Beauty

I was on my way down the street, about a block from my home (I pass by it everyday) and literally had to stop and take pictures of the scenery I passed.  I've passed by this same forest-like area many times but yesterday it totally caught my attention.  I noticed it about a month ago and thought it was nice, but I just kept on going.  But yesterday, something just made me STOP and take in the beauty.  How lucky am I to have this loveliness right in "my own backyard"!

Here are the pictures I took.  Sorry if they are not the clearest.  I didn't have my camera with me so I took them with my cell phone camera.

Seeing settings like this just makes me want to move to the country even more.  But atleast I can pretend everytime I go around the block and see this! LOL

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for having healthy, energetic parents.

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for the power to forgive and be forgiven.

Saturday Spotlight

This week’s Saturday Spotlight is about Trina at A Country Farmhouse.

I’ve just recently come across this blog and loved it from the very start.  Trina’s blog has documented the renovations of the farmhouse that she and her husband live in.  She’s captured everything from rooms in the home, to beautiful flowers and scenery surrounding it.  The photography on the blog is absolutely phenomenal and gives a great feeling of peace and serenity while viewing. 

In her latest post, she talks about becoming a contributing editor for “Country Living Magazine”.  That’s always been one of my favorite magazines therefore I’ll be keeping an eye out for her articles every time I pick up a copy.

What she and her husband have done with that home is amazing!  It truly gives inspiration to those of us who currently live, or dream of living the farm life one day (I’m the latter one!).  However, her blog is so lovely that it gives inspiration to all of her readers… no matter where they live.

You can find Trina’s blog at http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/.

More CRAZY Talk!

After the last post about the water bubbler (Click here to read) , I had to share one other term we use here in Wisconsin that just completely throws people for a loop.   TYME Machine.  Yes, pronounced like time machine. 

A tyme machine is an ATM.  TYME stands for Take Your Money Everywhere, and has been here in Wisconsin since the 1970’s. 



Tyme Machine's logo

I will never forget when my family and I went to Detroit, MI about 14 years ago.  We were checking into the hotel and my sister asked the receptionist, “Do you all have a tyme machine close by?” Obviously, the receptionist thought my sister had just asked her if there was a time machine (going back in time) nearby.   So of course the lady gave my sister the craziest look, with a frown on her face and shook her head no.  I was only 17 years old at the time, but I knew that most people didn’t know what the heck that was.  So after the receptionist looked at my sister like she was crazy, I just politely told her we’re looking for an ATM.  Immediately, her whole demeanor changed and she politely said, “Oh, there’s a bank right across the street”. 

I could just imagine her telling all of her coworkers that evening that some crazy lady asked where she could find a “time machine”.  LOL!

I just thought I’d share that with you.  Feel free to share any regional dialect that you use, as well.

What the Heck Is a Bubbler!

We Wisconsinites have some strange names for things.  We’ll often say things and think what we’re saying is completely normal until we visit another state (or someone from a different state visits us) and someone looks at us like we’re crazy, and asks us what the heck we’re talking about!

One of those strange names we have is “Bubbler”.  For those of you who don’t know, that’s what we Wisconsin folks call drinking fountains. 

I was speaking to a gentleman yesterday who is originally from the east coast.  He said that when he first moved here to Wisconsin, he was asking someone for directions and was told, “Just go right around the corner, past the bubbler”.  He said he immediately was confused and asked the person, “I’m sorry, what is that?”  I told him that I think Wisconsin is probably the only state in the USA that uses that term, and then he briefly educated me on why Wisconsinites call it that.  He informed me that it was right here in Wisconsin that the very first drinking fountain was made and since the water bubbled, they called it a bubbler.  I was shocked that I didn’t know this (and to think, a foreigner had to tell me, LOL!), so today I had to do some digging and I was amazed at what I found out.

The very first drinking fountain was made in 1889 in Kohler, WI.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the Kohler Company.  Yep…that’s them!  Kohler actually trademarked the name “Bubbler” for the fountain.  Once other people (in other states) started making fountains, they named them other things and then eventually they just became known around the country as drinking fountains.  That was a great history lesson for me (did I mention I LOVE history?).  Now I know the actual history behind us calling a fountain a “Bubbler”.  It’s nice to know it was actually a trademarked name and we don’t just call it that for the heck of it, LOL. There are still some of Kohler’s original bubblers today, in Madison, WI.

Here’s a picture of one:

 

Picture from Wikipedia



So, I would love to know if you or anyone else you know uses the term “Bubbler”.   If not, what do you call drinking fountains where you’re from?

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for my skills and talents.

Saturday Spotlight

I was contemplating if I was going to do a spotlight on this particular blog or not because unfortunately, the blog's owner, Mia decided to no longer continue posting on the blog.  She just made this announcement this week (after I had already decided she was going to be this week’s spotlight).  Fortunately she has decided to keep the blog up, therefore I decided to stick with her as this week's spotlight since it is such a wonderful, inspirational blog.

 Aspiring Homemaker was the very first blog I started following.  When Mia first started this blog she was just a teenager (I started reading about a year or 2 after she started it).   Her blog was basically a way for her to express her (and her family’s) new transition.  They had just purchased, fixed up then moved to a little cottage out in the country in Georgia.  She also talked about her experience of being homeschooled and how she was originally in the public school system, but her mother pulled her (and her sister) out to be homeschooled because she felt like public school was having a negative effect on her.  Mia started to love being homeschooled and then later started helping with the homeschooling of her younger siblings.

This blog is always so inspiring, refreshing and delightful to read.  Mia grew up right before her readers’ eyes and is now a young adult.  Therefore, I can certainly understand how she’s moving on to a new chapter in life and no longer feels the need to continue her blog.  We (her readers) hope she reconsiders, of course. 

I urge you to check out Mia’s blog.  She has posts dating all the way back to 2008, therefore there is plenty for you to read!  She has a TON of wonderful recipes, inspirational and spiritual posts.  I believe anyone who goes to her blog, leaves feeling better than they did when they arrived.

Check her out at aspiring-homemaker.blogspot.com

Weekly Inspiration

What You Might Have Been and What You Can Be

I don't have a lot of time today, so this week's motivation will be fairly short and straight to the point.

This week, I want to stick with the achieving your goals theme.  A wonderful quote from George Eliot is, "It's never too late to be what you might have been".

I strongly believe that it's never too late.  If you've had a dream all of your life, never think that it's too late or that you're too old to achieve it.  I tell people everyday that as long as you're alive and there is still breath in your body...you still have time!

If the dream is still with you, then it is still possible;  If you still have the desire for it, then it's still important and if you want it badly enough, you can get it!

Have a blessed day.

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for a renewed sense of purpose.

Daily Gratitude

I am grateful for God's presence in my life

Saturday Spotlight

I am going to try to write a post every week about blogs I enjoy reading.  Each week I will shine a “spotlight” on a different blog.  This week, for my very first "Saturday Spotlight" I would like to write about Jill’s blog at “Blessings of a Stay at Home Mom”. 

That was one of the very first blogs I started following when I started this blog and I continue to read it regularly.  I am also lucky to have Jill as a follower of my blog, as well. 

The reason I like Jill’s blog is because it is very positive (I’m sure you can tell I like positivity).  In addition, she is very transparent with her readers and openly shares her experiences of being a wife and mother.  It is very obvious just how much she loves her family…including her pets! J

She blogs about things such as new recipes, her ups and downs, and her very proud mommy moments.  She also has a lot of fun photos of the family.  I won’t even mention her husband’s jingle bell pants for Christmas! LOL

You can find her blog at blessingsofastayathomemom.blogspot.com