Mascara 101

Ladies (or gents)!
I need your opinions, advice, and suggestions. I have yet to find the perfect mascara, and I'm determined to do so.
I have tried  expensive and inexpensive brands, I just can't seem to find 'the one.'
My last mascara mistake was buying a 24 hour  mascara. Who wants their mascara on for 24 hours? I don't... I didn't realize what I had bought until I got home. Of course I still tested it out, and sure enough I was wearing mascara for 24 hours (at least it does what it says). The next day not only did I still have mascara on my lashes, I also had it in my eyes, and (black flakes) on my face. I tried to wash it off that night and the next morning, but it was on there for good. A good 24 hours!
Since using it my lashes look shorter and feel really brittle...
This my friends is why I need your mascara input. I hope someday soon my lashes will meet their perfect matchscara.

DIY Chalkboard

I will be the first to admit, I am not very crafty. But if I can make this, so can you!

Go to your local thrift shop to purchase a glass framed picture (you can do this on a mirror too). Your picture can be big or small depending on what size you would like your chalkboard.



My precious little picture

Notice the money I saved by going to a thrift shop...

Then you will need to purchase some chalkboard paint. I prefer spray painting over paint brushing it on.
I applied three coats (allow each coat of paint to dry before applying the next layer) just to make sure I ended up with a nice thick chalky finish.

Lay it out to dry

My finished masterpiece!
So fun to have around the house for grocery lists, reminders, love notes, or for your kids to draw on!

Camera Happy

This weekend we dedicated our Sunday to my new camera. I still have a lot to learn about this new member to our family, and yesterday was a perfect February day to be outside getting to know each other a little better.
Nick, Annie and I headed north into the Dry Creek and Alexander Valley area. Right now (being a new camera owner) I am very camera snappy happy. Everything pretty (which is almost everything I see) I snap a picture of. I see so much beauty through my little lens, I can't help but capture it.
I won't bore you with the 100's of pictures I took, but I will bore you with a few... Enjoy!

Baby Nikon 

Dry Creek 

Wine barrels 

Mustard in the vineyards 

Happy girl 

Precious 

Spring has sprung!

Though not officially spring, this weather has everyone fooled! The trees are blossoming, birds are chirping, sun is shinning, and most of all the clothes. There are so many fabulous finds in the stores right now. It's that time of year to hit your favorite retail stores (find the best deals) and purchase some new sundresses, shorts, tops, glasses, and a new bathing suit. Sounds like my kind of day. Let's go shopping!

Love this  Buttoned dress for spring. You can dress it up with a pair of heels for an evening look,  or dress it down with a casual pair of sandals. Loving the color too!

Simple, comfortable, wear any top with, denim shorts.  You can't beat the price!

I can't stay away from bright colors. This tote would be great for the beach, or if you wanted to brighten up your outfit. Love it!

This tunic is perfect with shorts or leggings (you can purchase this in orange too).

This is just the beginning of my spring shopping. More clothes to come...

Before, during and after.

The days I work are actually very peaceful...
  I drive over hills, through fog, and trees. I'm usually one of the only cars on the road, everything around me is very still. With all the tall trees and hills, sometimes I pretend I'm on my way to Tahoe instead of work. Wishful thinking!
When I get to work after my relaxing 15 minute drive, I walk into a spa filled with clients lounging, wearing robes, spa slippers, smiles, and sipping on hot tea. Every client is happy to see me, they know I am going to make their day even better. The second I step into my esthetician room, the spa music hits me as if there is someone rubbing my shoulders and telling me to relax even more. I've entered my sacred serenity. By this time I am ready to take on any client. If someone is having a bad day, or stressed out,  my goal is to have them leave the spa feeling fabulous, and forgetting they were having a bad day to begin with. My spa energy is so important. I know I might sound loopy but really, if I'm stressed and tense, my client is going to feel that energy from me. A great spa treatment will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and happy!
I hope everyone finds a way to relax themselves before work, during and after. It's so important. I am very grateful for my drive to work, even if it isn't Tahoe.

My drive to work

Rose petal facial 

Dry lips?

One of the easiest ways to get rid of dry lips is by using your handy dandy toothbrush! I run my toothbrush (in a circular motion) gently over my lips at night when I'm done brushing. This mini lip treatment will have your lips feeling slightly tingly, smoother than ever, and ready to apply your favorite moisturizing lip balm. You will not believe how smooth your lips feel the next day. This takes 30 seconds, so treat your lips tonight with some tender lovin' care!

A Wine-Filled Weekend

Yesterday was the perfect day to pack up some cheese and crackers, hop in the car with a couple of good friends, (Annie joined us too) and set free out on the country roads to taste some local wine. One thing I love about wine tasting is every winery is so unique. Each one has its own style, view, personalities behind the bar, and of course wine. Every wine you taste has a flavor of its own so you are bound to fall in love with one by the end of the day. In fact, the last winery we visited Nick and I did just that. We fell in love with their wine, and joined their wine club. It's the first wine club we have joined and couldn't be more excited to receive their shipments of wine (3 bottles 4 times a year). They also have wine club member parties. The winery brings in a local restaurants to cater and serve food for the members.  Enjoying wine that compliments the food, what could be better? We're in!

Having a picnic on the porch at Wilson Winery  

Handsome hubs 

Look at all the mustard in the background 

Our new wine club

Kelly and me

Pure silliness 

Miss. Annie found the opportunity to sneak in a sip 

My blind baby girl

Chris showing Annie the farm animals 

So sweet

Want to smell my wine? 

We call this the "squirrel" 

Breadsticks to cleanse your  palate

Corks in a basket 

Hay there! 

Friends, family and food.

There is nothing like great wine, delicious food, and the company of some of your favorite people. My mom had a dinner party this evening, the food she serves never disappoints. I am very lucky to have most of my family live no more than 20 minutes from me. My mom only living 10 miles away, I get to see her whenever I want. I am one lucky gal!

Tonight was a perfect Saturday evening, going to bed full of food and love. 

Fresh bread

Olive oil with crushed garlic 

Ceasar salad  

Mmmm, delish! 

Lemon bread pudding. To die for!! 

Nightcap  

Homebaking with the hubby

After a late lunch date at one of our favorite hangouts, Nick and I decided to treat ourselves to some homemade cookies. My husband is crazy for anything with peanut butter & chocolate, so it was a very easy decision on what cookies we would be making. We like to call these peanut butter surprise. YUM!!

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix together:

1/2 cup granulated sugar 

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter (softened) 

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

Add: 

1 1/2 cup flower 

3/4 tsp baking soda 

Shape into 1" balls
Sprinkle balls with granulated sugar
place about 2" apart on cookie sheet
Bake for 7-10 minutes
Place chocolate in center of cookie immediately after done baking

Putting chocolate on cookies

We used mini Reese's pieces for the chocolate center 

Desert is served 

Wash your face!!

Over the years of being an esthetician, I have come across so many clients who don't wash their face at night. You must wash your face at night!!! Especially if you wear makeup that day. Not washing your face will age you in no time. Leaving makeup on your skin overnight will eventually stretch and deepen your pore size. Nobody wants orange peel skin! The dirt, sweat and pollution on your skin will stick to your pillow case, and create a perfect home for bacteria. Talk about breakouts! Your mascara will dry out your lashes, make them brittle, and break off. Who wants short lashes? Not me! And most of all, the cell turnover is 8 times faster at night, so applying your night cream is going to give your skin everything it needs to renew and refresh those fine lines and wrinkles. Wash your face!! 

One more thing, if you have dry skin, there is no point in washing your face with cleanser in the morning. What are you washing off? Simply just splash with water, and apply products accordingly. Now, if you have very oily skin, and wake up oily, then yes, wash your face in the morning. 

Thats all for today! :)

Don't let your skin look become an orange peel (big pores)

Waking up with mascara in your eyes is the worst. Let alone short lashes. 

Wash your face 

Save your lashes 

Your skin will stay healthy with one simple wash.