Mrs. Mandy Pants

Ebates

2015-03-05T13:51:00.003-08:00

Is it worth it?

I've made 101.38 just buying stuff I'd normally buy online anyhow.

Try it.

Sign up for Ebates, get cash back when you shop!

Do you have a Fitbit? Do you want to be my friend?

2014-11-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

The new challenge feature on the fitbit has been a real motivator for me, so now I need more friends to join in on my challenges with me!!

https://www.fitbit.com/user/2DZ5N3

Feel free to add me!

What's a Fitbit? It's a nifty little activity tracker!

Check out their website
https://www.fitbit.com/

Want to be involved in making someone's dreams happen?

2014-11-03T09:33:00.001-08:00

You can by donating to my husband's indiegogo campaign for his short film A MIDNIGHT SNACK.

If you can't donate I'd be eternally grateful if you were to just share the link.

Please help me spread the word and make this happen for him. He means a lot to me, and this film means a lot to him.

Making this short film is not the whim a movie lover, although he is a lover of film. Jere (the husband) actually works in the entertainment industry, and has done so for the past 8 years. Because of our location (FAR EAST HOLLYWOOD), he has had the chance to diversify his resume working in almost every department it takes to make a film. He has an IMDB page if you want to verify his realness in the movie biz, and you can also get all the information you need on the indiegogo page.

A MIDNIGHT SNACK

So, please share, donate, share, help me help him to make this dream come to fruition!

Thanks so much!!

The Big D, and I don't mean Dallas.

2014-10-05T08:43:00.002-07:00

Let’s talk about the thing that no one really wants to talk about… Divorce.

We all know someone who has had a divorce, or maybe even someone who is currently going through one. They say it’s like a death; really it is, no matter how nonchalantly you as an outsider feel the person took their marriage. It was still something that they entered into fully expecting it to last forever; they promised their lives to someone until death, when they said "I do", they fully meant it. I’m sure there are exceptions to this, but for the most part this is how I see marriage/divorce, marriage was the birth, and divorce is the death.

How do you treat a friend who is getting a divorce? The same way you treated them when they were married (duh).

Recently, Ray (names have been changed) asked me if I had spoken to our mutual friend Jim lately. I told Ray that I hadn’t heard from Jim in a while, and that Jim actually wasn’t returning calls. Ray then suggested I ask Betty (Jim’s soon to be ex-wife) what is up with Jim. This caused me to look at Ray as if he had just suggested I stick my hand in a fresh steaming pile of poo. Really? You want me to ask Betty about Jim’s whereabouts when they are going through something so emotional, and no longer living together? That’s crass? Isn’t it? I mean I know there are no hard set rules to things, but when this happened I felt like there should be some. Are people in general really so immune to others feelings that Ray would think this was at all okay?

So, here are a few I thought up off the top of my head.

11. Do not ask the divorcees about each other, it’s probably on their mind a lot anyway and you need to let them work their new life structure out alone. Don’t pollute it with questions about the ex.

The exception to this rule is: If they bring the ex up in conversation, then it’s okay to go along with it.

22. If they are venting about their ex “He/she is a giant flaming butthole.”, you should agree with them, if you can’t agree it’s probably best to just do the head nod. Your friend needs to pass the five stages of grieving (denial and isolation, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance).

33. Because the fifth stage of grieving is acceptance and many people go on to be good friends after a divorce (especially when children are involved), it’s best to only agree, and not join in on the anger stage. Remember, when they’re done sorting out their feelings you can’t take back calling their ex-lover/new friend a slime infested rat trap.

44. This is the most important rule, just be their friend. They’re going to go through a lot of stages, and maybe even seem like a different person, but if you really love them, if you’re really their friend, you will let them do this and love them all the way through it.

I’m no expert on divorce, or feelings...

This is in no way meant as a hard set way you should do things. It’s all just my opinion, and how I go about things in my life with my friends. This is my disclaimer, if you follow this and things don’t work out for you that’s not my faultJ

It's not really "a thing", but darn it, it's "my thing"!

2014-09-23T13:14:00.001-07:00

This is me not managing my time. Does anyone else have this problem? I see a pile of things in front of me, I know full well they need to be done, and soon. But, then I just stare at them, then nerves set in, and then I feel the time crunch, and I FREAK OUT!

School, kids, housework, life in general. Maybe, I should give up my blog, which let's be honest isn't even really a thing. But, even if it's not really "a thing", it's "MY thing". Being the Mom of two young boys, with a busy husband means not much in life is actually “my thing". I have many things I do, but they're not usually "my things". Don't get me wrong I enjoy them, but I think for sanity as mothers we need to find a thing that is just "our thing", and hold on tight and don't let go. Sometimes "my thing" is the only thing keeping me from crossing over to the dark side (I've been there, they do have cookies, but they're not that good).

I guess what I'm saying is that I know I as a Mom feel judged constantly, it's our society. I think until we as a community of Moms take a step back and stop being so over critical it's always going to feel like we're being judged by our peers. But, even when you're feeling judged, even if someone out right says maybe you shouldn't do "your thing" anymore, this is when we need to stick up for “our thing” and ourselves. Just say NO, Say this is mine! This is the one thing in the world I don't share with anyone, the one thing I get to call my own, the one thing my kids can't poop on, the dog can't pee on, my husband can't accidentally break. This thing that is my own helps me hold on, be it ever so gingerly to the small thread of sanity I have left. This is mine, and it's staying.

If your thing is gym time, don't let someone guilt you out of it. Your kids are going to be just as messy, happy, or sad, as they were when you get back from the gym in an hour. If it's crafting, go ahead and cut and glue all that paper together. Go ahead ignore the world for an hour, or two, or three. Who cares if it ends up in the recycle bin when you're done? If you like to run off and take photos alone, do it. Want to lock yourself up in the closet and apply a full face of makeup, and do your hair and then spend the rest of the day in your pajamas, DO IT! If you must vegetate in front of your television for 3 hours and catch up on Grey's Anatomy, YOU DO IT (but keep your mouth shut because I'm not caught up)!

It's taken nearly six years to learn in order to be the best Mom I can be, I need to keep something that is just for me. It doesn't make me a bad mother or wife; it makes me a better one. The one thing that is "my thing", allows me the sanity to suffer through a 20 minute argument over who the blue Lego belongs to, even though there are clearly 30 other identical blue Legos sitting on the table in plain site. It grants me the ability to not cry my eyes out when I'm at the end of the rope and my husband texts to say they're going into overtime.

Having something for just me, that is just mine, that is not the clothing I wear, gives me the extra oomph I need to make it through this battle called Parenthood. I'm forever grateful for my children, and I know that one day I will miss these days with a fervent passion, and I will annoy younger mothers by telling them how quickly time flies. But until I miss these days, I'm keeping something just to me...and I'm not going to let anyone make me feel guilty about it. And you shouldn't either.

I went short, super short, and I love it.

2014-07-31T09:17:00.003-07:00

There have been several times in my life that I've lost my hair to a bad process (four times to be exact). Recently, around 16 weeks ago maybe more I decided to go from black to blonde again. I've done this several times, and I usually do it right (gradually), this time I went all in all at once. OOPS! You guessed it! This resulted in damaged gross hair, I tried to save it with treatments and miracle pills, then one day I just said forget it! I chopped it all off, I thought I'd miss my already short hair. I actually waited to miss it, I never missed it, in fact I just kept going shorter and shorter. So short, that I used the clippers! I might never grow my hair out again.

Here is the progression of my hair journey in pictures.

Back at the end of April I had black hair.

Let's go blonde! I rinsed to early, and then didn't like the ginger.

So, I bleached and toned it out and wore my hair in braids for a week.

Then I decided to just cut it all off ! The lighting makes my hair look dark.

I went for a more extreme angle and even more blonde.

Then I decided to shave the side, I used an 8. I also decided to see what my natural hair color is (because I have no clue).

Trimmed it again back at the start of July, again using the #8.

Cut the oldest monkey's hair for school forgot to change the guard before trimming my hair and so we're at a 4.
I'm growing it back out to an 8.

And just for poops and laughs, the hubs and I had the same haircut for a hot second.

Hassayampa Inn

2014-07-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Last year I won a romance package to the Hassayampa Inn, in beautiful downtown Prescott, Arizona. I was beyond ecstatic because I actually kind of grew up at the Hassayampa. My mother was the front desk clerk and then worked her way up to Manager before an injury forced her to retire. During that time there were many days when the hotel was mine and my brother's babysitter. We were brats, but we won't get into that. My dad was also part of the restoration team that restored the Hassayampa to it's original glory in the 80's. So, for me to say it was like going home is not an overstatement.

I was nervous that I would ruin my memories by going back and it being unrecognizable, this happened to me the first time I went back to Prescott after being gone for 10 years. It took me a few visits to fall back in love with the town I often refer to as my hometown, even though I wasn't born there. Only the outside of the Hassayampa Inn had changed, parking was no longer in front on the street, they have a spacious parking lot across the street. The inside was all the same except the clothing store in the lobby was gone. But, all of the intricate paintings and furniture were the same.

I was even shocked to find the beds were still covered with white feather comforters. I'm sure they're not the same ones from 1988, but it made it feel like coming home. It was an awesome thing to share it all with my husband who had never been there before. The basement was also a bit different, or my memory is foggy (I am almost certain my memory is foggy).

The romance package included a night stay with early and late check out, we chose to stay during a weekday and got the Jacuzzi suite. It is HUGE! It includes a living room type area with TV, and a bedroom area with a TV, and a bathroom with a GIANT Jacuzzi tub. Also, included was a bottle of wine or champagne (we chose wine), roses, and chocolate covered strawberries. The wine was set up in a cute little top hat ice bucket. I kind of wanted to keep it, but I declined on asking about purchasing it. Because, honestly what am I going to do with a top hat ice bucket? Oh! I almost forgot it also included breakfast for 2 in the Peacock room!

Since having children I've lost a lot of brain power, and I forget important things..in this case after our long drive up the mountain I realized I had forgotten my voucher for our free nights stay. As you can imagine there were tears, lots of them (all from me). I called the Hassayampa and told them what an idiot I was and was told I could just have the voucher faxed to us when we arrived. Well, the fax number was messed up and we couldn't do that, so my SIL texted me a picture of the voucher and Karen at the front desk was amazing about the whole situation.

All of the staff was amazing, we even got a free dinner because I had won it in a photo contest on the I <3 Prescott Facebook page. So, our little trip was almost completely free..and to me free is amazing!

Even though our trip was free, Hassayamapa Inn is not sponsoring this post, I just love that place!

And now some pictures...

Outside of the Hassayampa Inn

Walking up to the front of the Hassayampa Inn

Front doors of the Hassayampa Inn

Front Patio at the Hassayampa Inn

Hassayampa Inn's hand operated elevator

I look down, if you don't take the elevator you take the stairs.
Which we chose to do several times.

annoying bathroom selfie

Free wine, Yes please.

It was like being a kid again, only instead of throwing things
out the window, I was hanging out the window to get
a shot of downtown Presccott and Thumb Butte.
Do not try this yourself.

The stair landing on the 4th floor.

The Peacock Room

Cheers
(Obviously that is not Stella in the Stella Chalice, it's Guinness)

Steak dinner of NOM!

Creepy and beautiful light fixture in the ladies room at the Peacock Room

A couple glasses of wine at high elevation,
an awesome dinner, an amazing moonlit walk, and I was
super excited.

I can't wait to go back!

Check out their website, and maybe book yourself a stay.

http://www.hassayampainn.com/

So, I tried my hand at Background Acting...

2014-05-22T10:25:00.004-07:00

I recently tried to finagle a way to see more of my husband who works in the Entertainment Industry. He was working on a show that was filming an episode near our home, and I felt like I hadn't seen him awake in months. There was an open casting call for background actors for the show and episode he was working on, so I submitted a picture. I really didn't think I’d be called but thought it was worth the shot. They did call back, and asked me to work the day. But, the location had changed to somewhere far away. I still agreed to do it; I mean a 12 hour paid vacation from the kids, YEAH SIGN ME UP! At least, that is what I thought at the time.

I went in not telling anyone that I was married to someone in the Art Department. I was under the impression I’d get to do a lot of sitting around, I even brought Dances with Dragons to finish while sitting around for hours. I didn't get to sit around! I was constantly moving and changing clothes and doing something called a WIPE. Not like wipe your baby’s butt, but walking in front of the camera...I think that’s what it meant.

I got to dress up as a nurse and run a gurney with a camera man and his 300 lb. camera up and down a dirty abandoned hospital hall, OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. All the while trying not to kick the lead actress who was running in front of me and holding a full saline bag straight up in the air. No workout was needed at the end of the day.

I got to meet some interesting people; some people actually try to make a living at doing background work. I don’t know how, $100 a day isn't very much money and not many things are filmed here in the desert anymore. I also got to put a face to the names I've been hearing the husband talk about for years.

When they set me free from doing background I put on my regular clothes and finally got to spend some time with my husband. Even though it involved heavy lifting and running around a creepy, dark, abandoned hospital after dark, it was well worth those 4 hours with him.

Will I ever try to do background acting again? Not unless it’s a favor to someone I really like. It just wasn't my thing, I didn't get to sit around, I never even cracked my book open. It’s a lot of waiting and redoing the same thing over, and over, and over, and over again, and again. I’m also pretty petrified of being on film; I refused to even be sort of facing the camera the whole day. The thing made me nervous. I was petrified I was going to be that one stupid background person to ruin the whole shot, the whole day. Luckily I didn't. But, it didn't make me stress out about it any less.

I've been instructed not to disclose the company, show, or location of the shoot. Until after it airs, so when it actually airs I can say which episode and blah, blah, blah…I’m pretty sure though. That my face is not in any of the shots, my manicure, elbows, arms, and hands more than likely are all that will be seen. It was an experience, but not something I will ever do again.

If you think background work is something you would like to try you can Google your area for local casting agents. I personally wouldn't pay a company to help you get background work, but if you want to I guess you can. You can also check craigslist for background work.

I got a Facebook for this blog:)

2014-01-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

So, maybe you should follow it:) I mean if you want to..no pressure.
I do tiny updates there and share more, and I will notify you when I post a blog:)

Come on down! You're the next follower on

Mrs. Mandy Pants
https://www.facebook.com/mrsmandypantsblog

I got it from Influenster...a drug store mascara review.

2013-11-08T09:00:00.001-08:00

I was lucky enough to receive a Rose Vox Box from the good people Inlfuenster , that contained a Rimmel London mascara! The box contained other fun things including, Dr. Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushions, belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits (yum), Kiss Gradation Polishes (see picture below), and Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles (YUM).

But, back to the mascara!!! I'm kind of a mascara junkie, I own over 20 tubes at random moments in time. I don't have just one FAVORITE mascara. I choose my mascara depending on the look I am going for. So, needless to say I was excited when I found mascara in my rose vox box, and from Rimmel to boot! I'm already a huge fan of their Lycra mascara, and I had actually been eyeing their Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara for a few weeks before receiving it. The first thing I did after opening my box and eating the chocolate was to rip open the mascara and try it out. It definitely gives the appearance of longer, thicker more dramatic lashes.

The first time I tried it with actual makeup I was kind of disappointed because within an hour it felt crunchy on my eyelashes, like my lashes would break off if I touched them. Of course, I was bummed because I liked the way it looked.

I've always been one to play fair so I decided to give it a second chance, and a third and fourth. I was pleasantly surprised that the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam was indeed not crunchy!

Something must of been going on with my own body chemistry on the first try, which resulted in crunchy lashes (gross). The bottom line is that I would totally purchase Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara.

The product list (I tried to keep it all drugstore makeups) :
Face: Maybelline Fit Me foundation in 110, Rimmel London Stay Matte powder in translucent, Rimmel London Lasting Finish in Pink Sorbet

Eyes: NYX Rio trio, Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara, Jordana

Lips: Milani Minky Pinky

And now for some nails.....

ignore my nubbins, I cut them all down 2 days before I got the vox box :(

Kiss Gradation Polishes
This took me a total of 5 minutes, it was easy, fast, and also dried quickly.
And people other than myself liked it. Simple and fast is always a good thing in my book!

Lies I was told in Beauty School.

2013-10-15T17:18:00.001-07:00

Some people know, and some people do not. But I once was a practicing Cosmetologist. Having been raised in the beauty industry it just seemed like something I should do, that I HAD to do! I wasn't the best, and I wasn't the worst. Which was a feat considering my education, which was overpriced and underwhelming? I was told a lot of things that made no sense to me in Beauty School (BS) (hahaha), but I figured things held a different meaning for me and I understood parts of the business that even my instructors wouldn't. Why? Because, my Grandmother had her own shop for almost 50 years, everything I know about color I learned from her before I was seven. So, color theory class was BORING. But, to get to the whole point of this post. The biggest lie I was ever told during BS was that you should choose your stylist based on their hair, or their families hair. For some reason this made sense to me for a little bit. My Grandmother was amazing, and she always looked impeccable(I wouldn't learn until later that to look this way she woke up 2 hours before everyone else and coiffed her hair and beautified her face then dressed to the 9's before cooking breakfast)! She also did my hair and my mother's for years and years and to be honest my hair never looked better than when my Grandma was doing it.

But, the reality of everything hit me after about 9 months of doing hair. I switched shops and worked with a friend from BS. We were both building our clientele then and had PLENTY of time to make ourselves look AMAZEBALLS! Her boys and husband had the nicest hair that side of the Mississippi. Then life got real, we got clients, we switched shops. We had no time! So, what am I saying?

Do not choose your stylist based on his/her hair, unless you're going to base it off how "not perfect" their hair looks. A stylist spends her day on her feet; there is rarely a break between clients. In the off chance she manages to get any free time, she's going to spend it trying to choke down some food, or to have a bio break. Also, it's rare that a stylist cuts and colors her own hair, so you're probably looking at someone else's work.

Do not choose your stylist based on their families hair. Some do like to spend their off time making their people look good. Others don't want to spend their off time doing hair, sure we love it, but you have to take a break sometimes.

Pick your stylist based on their clientele's hair. Its 2013 the majority of stylists have a portfolio; don't be afraid to ask to look at it before you go sitting in someone's chair. Supposedly, your hair is your crowning glory, be careful with it (even if it does grow back), choose wisely. And if you find someone you love who does a good job. TIP THEM!!

A normal tip is about 20% of your service; if there was shampoo girl/boy tip them separately from your stylist.

I even tip on horrible service, but just enough for them to know they need to keep working on their skills usually about 10%.

And above all remember your stylist is:

A Beautician, Not a Magician.

Be reasonable in your expectations.

Drug Store Beauty Buys...worth it?

2013-09-26T12:56:00.001-07:00

I try to stay away from the makeup aisles of big box stores, and pharmacies, but sometimes I just can't resist. Last night I got stuck in Walgreens after dropping off some Redbox movies (there was a terrible wreck:/). Of course, this meant I HAD to walk up and down the beauty aisle!! I ended up spending $34 and some change. I've been eying the Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder for a few weeks, but wasn't sure I wanted to drop $12.99 for something I may not like. I don't remember how much the Loreal Studio Secrets Anti-redness primer was but I thought it might help with the redness I've been experiencing. The Jordana balm stain was $2.99 and a POS purchase.

I took a before picture (No Makeup!), and then my first after pictures were in direct sunlight that was just too bright. So, my after was taken 3 hours later after application, and after I had moved a bunch of furniture and then spent 2 hours sitting in a hot garage. Usually I seal my makeup with Kat Von D's setting spray, today I totally forgot and it only seemed to matter around 9 hours later. #nofilters (and now I am waiting for Quest Love to run in the room and tell me to #st*u)

What's the verdict? While Jordana's Twist&Shine Balm Stain went on smoothly and was shaped like a fun giant crayon, it has no stain qualities whatsoever! As you can see in my 3 hour after picture it is completely gone! All I have on my lips is Carmex :/ which is disappointing because it's actually a good balm, they should drop the stain from the name and just call it a tinted balm.

Loreal's Secret No. 2 Studio Secrets Anti-redness Primer is so watery, but it did the job. I just have to remember in the future to be extra careful when pumping it out! I got some on my shirt and had to change, the primer shot at least six inches out of the pump! A little does NOT go a long way, I probably used a dollop a little larger than a quarter. In the future I will just go ahead and get the Smashbox color correcting primer, it's more expensive but does the job a lot better.

NOW, my favorite of the haul! Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder of AWESOME! I was afraid this product would go on pasty and dry cakey, it didn't! If ever a foundation could accurately be described as velvety, this is it! Like the primer this is very watery, unlike the primer a little DOES go a LONG way!! Another worry I had was that it would dry before I could blend it, not the case. I poured about a dime size of the magic powder in the palm of my hand and applied it with my fingers. It was very blend-able, with just the right amount of coverage. Once it dried I buffed it in with my The Balm Mini Kabuki (I love that tiny stubby magic wand!), what I was left with was an amazing velvety smooth finish. I do believe this replaces my current favorite foundation (UD Naked Skin). As a busy Mom of 2 rambunctious boys this also takes away a step from getting ready and saves me time!

Arizona Cardinals Training Camp!

2013-07-29T14:14:00.003-07:00

I am not an NFL fan, Football loses it's glory for me when people start getting paid to play. But, the excitement of being inside the University of Phoenix stadium with my 4 year old was making me, maybe kind of, sort of, maybe, like NFL. Even the Arizona Cardinals. You'd think I'd be a fan of my adopted home state's football team, but I am not. I honestly do not care. I feign interest for my husband, who would really like me to like his teams. Sorry Buddy, DO NOT LIKE!

But, training camp is fun! Especially if you have a little one who is excited about football. We showed up a little early and it was a little hot waiting in the shade since it's monsoon season and it was so HUMID! Once we got inside though it was air conditioned and cool as could be! The stadium itself is impressive. We set on the 40 yard line in the second row and had a good view of all that was going on. The practice held my 4 year old's attention for about an hour before he wanted to walk around.

Once we were back on the main concourse we met Big Red, the Cardinals mascot. Then if you go to the North end they have an interactive area for kids. You register your child and they get a free Cardinals Rag/Towel and run through a mini football themed obstacle course. At the end of the course they get a coupon for a free Wendy's Frosty, in the end we walked away with 3 coupons. If my 4 year old had gotten his way he'd have 12. But, parents end up just standing and fighting for a view of their children going through the obstacle course. I'm of almost average height so it was a fight for me to see him. I had to have a few breaks between his run through the course!

Long of the short if you're in the Glendale area head on over the The Cardinals Training Camp! It's a good, air-conditioned, Free 4 hours of fun!

You can see the schedule here:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/20130701arizona-cardinals-release-2013-training-camp-schedule.html

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream courtesy of Influenster

2013-07-03T11:57:00.001-07:00

I recently received the Sunkissed VoxBox from Influenster. Inside was a tube of Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. I am already a huge fan of the Oil Of Olay CC Cream, and avid user of BB Cream so I was excited to try something new from a brand I knew, liked, and trusted.

The coverage with the Olay Fresh Effects isn't a full or medium coverage, it's just light enough to wear out in the summer. Living in the desert this is a huge plus for me! Another huge plus for me is it takes less than five minutes to apply! I can get an everyday 5 minute face with this product by applying the BB Cream, a bronzer and mascara! I walk out the door looking fresh faced and near flawless. I am sure someone with no acne scars or melamosa would leave the house looking flawless by using this product! I have a more than flawed face so it's not a flawless face for me..but good enough!

Sunkissed Vox Box!

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream
Hair Styled by my awesome 1 year old:)

Ivory 2 in 1 Courtesy of Influenster and Ivory

2013-05-16T11:04:00.003-07:00

The lovely people at Influenster sent me a bright shining box (okay, maybe it wasn't bright and shining but...that's what my eyes see when I get a box of goodies from Influenster). Inside was a bottle of Ivory 2 in 1 hair and body wash. I am not a fan of 2 in 1! Do you remember Pert Plus? In the summers I lived with my Dad, and being the only girl that meant I used whatever was in the shower. There was no shampoo and conditioner or body wash. It was a bottle of Pert Plus and a bar of soap. My hair was always frizzy and I always smelled like a man in the summer. If Ivory 2 in 1 had existed back then I might of had cooler hair, and I would have had a more neutral odor, haha.

I am super picky about what I put in my hair, because it is so thin and lifeless. I was shocked when the Ivory 2 in 1 didn't make my hair frizzy or floppy. It actually looked very decent. As far as a soap goes it's not overly drying and it has a pleasant smell. The best part is all the boys in girls in this house like using it! I think this family found our forever soap.

Want to know more? Check out this link
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=444767822276606&set=vb.102645923167106&type=3&theater

Hey Mrs. Pants, did you forget about your blog?

2013-04-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Seems I've quit this? No, I've just been a pretty busy lady otherwise. I started a new semester of school and have been reading up on prehistoric American History, learning the art of Human Communication and am being introduced to Cinema. The cinema class was probably a bad idea being married to someone in the industry. I am doing a lot of eye rolling, good thing I'm taking these classes online.

Anyhow, Vitamins ladies! I was religiously taking vitamins for over a month and my face, hair and nails were AMAZING! Then something happened and I missed a day, which turned into 3 weeks. My nails started breaking and my hair went back to it's thin nappy self, and now my face is a broken out mess. Vitamins are good, mmmkay!!! I started taking collagen supplements too, because I read it would be good for the bursitis in my hips. Turns out it's great for my face! When you're choosing a collagen supplement I suggest you find one that allows you to take the least amount of pills. Because, they are gigantic!

Because, we all miss our childhood and picture books I'm adding photos to this post.

An Ode to my nails, hurry back lovies!

St. Patrick Nails with Northern Lights Topcoat! I love this topcoat!

More Northern Lights.

Easter Nails

I don't remember, but they were so long!!

For a hot second I had gray hair....It was suppose to be silver.

(I guess I know what I will look like when I'm older now)

Then I had purplish denim colored hair.

And now, I'm back to blond, because something might be happening....dun dun dun!
Stay Tuned:)

Whose has two thumbs and quits things?

2013-03-08T08:20:00.001-08:00

This lady! I quit Weight Watchers 360, I didn't quit trying to lose weight I just chose to do it without WW. This came after some mass confusion with their point system. Fruit is free if you eat it with your mouth. But, if you place the same fruit into a blender it suddenly gets points. I understand fiber is lost and blah blah blah..but I don't have time for that!

The basic thing with weight loss is: You don't want to eat more calories than you're burning. Eat more Veggies!

End.of.Story.

Weight Watchers 360

2013-01-28T08:28:00.002-08:00

I'm a Yo Yo kind of lady, weight wise at least. Since I was 25 my weight has fluctuated from extremely obese to entirely too skinny. Since having children the up and down has gotten worse. I get gun ho about eating right and exercising and then someone gets sick and I fall off the wagon.

Of course, now time is the problem. Finding time to exercise, sleep, do homework and just have some good ole' "Me" time.It is all a delicate balancing game that I seem to FAIL miserably at. After losing 80 lbs. in one year after having my last son, and then piling on almost 10 lbs. after the holiday season (I got so lazy:?) I've been trying to find something easier that will fit in my lifestyle.

I stopped trying to not eat meat, because I had learned I just like it too much. Sorry Betsy Cow, that's just how it goes for me. I turned back to Weight Watchers a tool I had to used to lose weight after my first son. It worked for a little while then but they did not have the mobile apps available then and keeping up with points eventually just became too much.

This time though they have mobile apps and an online program that works with my current hectic lifestyle. The best part is that I'm able to eat chocolate everyday. Portion control!

So, far so good. I'm down 15 lbs. in less than a month and I've had pizza, chocolate, and booze in that time period. I get that there are other ways to lose weight but there is no one size fit all approach to it. At this time, this is what works best for me and my life right now. I will try to blog about my journey but we all know life gets in the way of my blogging a lot more than I thought it would:)

My realistic goal is to lose 50 lbs. by my five year anniversary in December, 45 to go! My unrealistic goal is 70 lbs. by December, and of course then to maintain my weight loss. Unlike other people who don't know how or what to eat to be thin, I KNOW. I just have a wicked lazy streak! Weight Watchers 360 works with that.

If you want to try it, here is a link http://www.weightwatchers.com/r/e7dcae7d-7

Me destroying a dressing room after being back down 5 lbs. I shall use this as my BEFORE:)

Coming soon....
30 Days No Heat
Getting Wiggy With It
Knock of Clarisonic

No way that crap is true!

2013-01-16T11:29:00.003-08:00

I think we've all done it in the wee hours of the morning. There we are diligently pinning away on Pinterest when we come across a pin that seems too good to be true. Recently, I saw a post about applying brown sugar water to your hair to straighten it without heat. My inner stylist called total bull crap, but part of me was like "OOO! That's awesome!". I clicked on the link and was taken to some site that had nothing to do with the pin. Spam (womp womp). But, me being me decided I wanted to try it anyway.

I have no link for a pin because I do not want to send you to any sort of spam sites. I googled brown sugar water for hair straightening and came up with a bunch of different Yahoo question pages. So, I took matter into my own hands. Here's what I did.

1. Microwave one cup of water for 2 minutes (I wanted it hot enough to disolve the brown sugar).

2. Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar and stir, stir, stir (I used light brown sugar and honestly do not know if there is a difference between light and not light?)

3. Pour into spray bottle.

4. Let cool.

5. Apply to clean wet hair and let dry.

I took a before picture yesterday so I styled my hair in the same manner that I did yesterday..which means I put some jumbo velcro rollers on the ends after my hair had already dried and walked around the house for 20 minutes.

Here is a visual of the result:

The left is yesterday without brown sugar water, and the right is today.

Did it work? I don't know my hair has a mild almost invisible wave to it that I can usually brush out. So, while I can not attest to it straightening curly hair I can tell you that my hair seems less frizzy (not sticky), and a lot fuller! I have super thin baby fine hair and am balding so I was very pleased with how full this made my hair appear!

Have a pin you think is total crap but our still curious about? Let me know, I'll try it out and share the results.
Same goes for products.

2012-12-18T07:33:00.002-08:00

Russell Organics Argan Oil Review

2012-12-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: While I received this product at no cost, this blog post is not sponsored by the good people at Russell Organics (RO) and the fact that there was no charge to me for the product will not affect my view either way. Now, that we have that out of the way let's get to it :)

As I said in my previous blog post when I received Russell Organics Argan Oil in the mail I was not really familiar with it. I had heard of it, it seems to be the new “IT” product for everything cosmetic and beauty. It is touted to be amazing for your hair, skin, and nails it’s a triple threat, so I was excited to use it. Thankfully, RO was kind enough to include a USP sheet and advice to start out small.

Russell Organics Argan Oil is:
Toxin and cruelty free, cost effective, versatile, convenient, and best of all Vegan!
While I do eat meat again now, I have always only used Vegan and cruelty free beauty products so this makes me very happy!

After I tore into my package and read everything I was excited to use the Argan oil, maybe too excited. I did not at first heed the warning to start out slow with a few drops to see how much my hair, face and nails actually need. Once I got over my excitement I adjusted. My face only requires two drops which means this 2 oz. bottle is going to last me forever! RO argan oil is scentless, which I love! C over at C Takes Onturned me onto coconut oil and I love it but the smell gets to me sometimes. So, the fact that RO argan oil is scentless really impresses me and makes me very happy. Along with being scentless it is really great for moisturizing my parched skin out here in the desert. I got this just in time for the start of the really dry season here in the desert. Which means dry chapped skin if you do not stay on top of it. I have been applying the argan oil not only to my face but also to my hands, arms, legs and my elbows! My elbows are prone to become really dry and gross and cracking no matter how much I exfoliate and moisturize. With the RO argan oil I haven’t had a problem.

I have also been using it on my lips; this was not a suggestion on anything I read, my lips were just really dry and my normal go to wasn’t working out for me. I would just put a few drops on my finger whenever I went by my beauty cabinet and rub it into my lips. The bottle says organic, it’s 100% argan oil, no fillers and no additives so I wasn’t worried about ingesting anything I shouldn't and I’m alive with soft, subtle lips so it was worth it. I am thinking of actually getting a flavor oil and making a gloss, since it’s an oil it does live a light shine to your lips and I like it! I just like my gloss to has a flavor.

Let’s get to the hair! First, you need to know that even though I’m a second generation cosmetologist and I know all the right things to do to be nice to my hair and make it beautiful genetics and my own addition to the blower dryer have rendered me with thin, damaged hair. For the last few weeks I have put my beloved coconut oil away and have not used it in my hair. I have been shampooing and conditioning with Suave Sleek, because I know it’s not doing anything amazing to my hair and I can see the results of the argan oil. Since my hair is so thin it took me a couple of tries to figure out how much was just enough argan oil for my hair. In the end, my short thin hair only requires 6 drops anything more and I get a “greasy” look. Take your time figuring out what is right and be patient because the results are well worth it. My hair is mostly damaged because I like a sleek smooth straight look, which I achieve through daily blowouts (bad). With the argan oil I’ve been able to take my own advice and not blow dry every day. I can let my hair air dry and actually go out in public! No heat, no problem. My normally frizzy air dried hair looks like everyone else’s normal air dried hair. This makes my life as a Mom so much easier!

Now for your nails, I do not think I could find a better cuticle treatment. I am a busy Mom, and very mean to my hands. I try to be kind and get a manicure once a week, but sometimes I just cannot make the time. My cuticles are very much neglected most of the time. I started applying one drop of RO argan oil to every nail bed every night. I have had less hangnails and have noticed that my hands are the softest they have ever been (even softer than when I coat them in coconut oil, seriously). My nails even seem stronger, I can’t say if that is 100% the argan oil since I have been sporadically taking a vitamin for my hair. But, since I am taking the vitamin so sporadically I do think the argan oil has more to do with the sudden health of my nails than the vitamins.

This product is versatile and has earned a spot in my beauty cabinet.

Here is where to find this product.
It comes in two sizes, so if you don’t want to commit to a 2 oz. bottle try it out with their 1 oz. bottle first.
Russel Organics Argan Oil 1 Ounce
Russell Organics Argan Oil 2 Ounces

Before and After Pictures

On the right I have Sephora Nail Stickers on, but you can see my cuticles look so much better!

The before and after of my face aren't really telling, but I think the hair speaks for itself. Again, that is without the use of a blow dryer or any other styling tools. I just applied the Argan Oil, combed my hair and let it air dry.

Tips:
When applying argan oil as a smoothing agent after styling use a couple of drops in the palm of your hand, rub palms together and then apply first to the underside of the back of your hair, and then to the ends and lastly at the roots to prevent flyways. This will prevent you from overdoing it and creating a greasy look.

Apply a few drops to the pads of your fingers and massage into scalp before you go to bed every night. A healthy scalp promotes healthy hair, scalp stimulation is great for a healthy scalp :)

Apply the argan oil to your nails and surrounding cuticle before applying polish, go over the nail bed with a q-tip before applying polish. This way once your nails are dry you just wipe away the oil and mess ups. The bonus here is your conditioning your cuticles while protecting them from a messy polish application.

Have cracked heels? Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite thick cream moisturizer and apply to heels before bed and wear thick socks to bed. Wake up in the morning to baby soft feet.

Keep cozy this season in an Old Navy sweater, I am!

2012-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I had already caught a glimpse of this ewe sweater when I was chosen on www.crowdtap.com to be part of the Old Navy Style Council and received a coupon for an Old Navy sweater (and one that I shared with a friend:). It came just in time for my birthday!!

Okay, so I live in the desert where it is usually 80 degrees or warmer, but that doesn't stop me from wearing sweaters in the mornings and evenings! Seriously! I love sweaters (apparently I also love exclamation points)! I also love Old Navy (seriously!). I went in yesterday and the first thing I saw was a lovely Old Navy employee stocking the ewe sweaters. I did my best not to geek out and tried to wait for her to neatly fold them, but I couldn't wait! I asked for an extra large and she kindly tried to tell me it would be too big (she's my new best friend and doesn't even know it!). I thanked her and took the XL sweater and booked it to the dressing room.

Me in the dressing room, in my sweater!

I will update this later with a picture of me not in the Old Navy dressing room and my hair and makeup done. But, I had to share! This sweater is so soft! So soft! I wore it some more when I got home and then one of the children spilled something on me before I could get a better picture:)

I'm going back tonight to buy the fox sweater, I'm a sucker for animal sweaters :) I tried to link to the fox sweater online, but it's not showing up, neither is my ewe sweater, but they had a ton in my local store.

FOTD; Family Photos

2012-11-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Clinique's Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

2012-11-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

I had meant to review Clinique’s Even Better foundation, but after a horrible break out I decided it would not be fair to review this product. I have somewhat sensitive skin, and am never really sure what is going to set it off. In this instance it was Clinique’s foundation, amazingly the Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Correctordid not cause a break out. So, I will sing to you its praises. I have no real before and after pictures to show you because everyone claims to not see my melasma (a darkening of the skin on the face). My melasma is just above my lip and on my upper left cheek, and terribly embarrassing for me I feel like I have a mustache when I don’t. But, apparently it is invisible to the rest of the world, or everyone I meet is too kind to agree they see it.

I used the Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Remover for 4 weeks, because the package said this would allow me to see optimal results. I did! I was so excited as I watched my face brigten and my melasma fade, it’s still visible but much less noticeable without makeup. It has a hefty price tag though at nearly $49 a bottle it can take a chunk out of your wallet. I am grateful for gift cards; because I am not sure I would drop that amount of money on it for myself.

What is Argan Oil?

2012-11-19T08:36:00.002-08:00

Recently I was sent Organic Argan Oil to review from Russell Organics. While I have heard of argan oil, I had never used it before this past week. I am avid fan of coconut oil for its diversity and amazing qualities, but I was at a total loss as to the grandness of argan oil. Before I post my full review on Russell Organics Organic Argan Oil, I wanted everyone to know what argan oil is and where it comes from! I don’t know about you but I like to know what I am rubbing into my face and hair before I just slap it on J

Argan Oil is derived from the seeds of argan trees, these trees are found mostly in Morocco. It is usually extracted through a pressing process, Wikipedia (which I do not find to be a credible source for referencing) says that way back when people use to find the seeds in goat poo (yuck), and then ground the pit and press out the oil. Thank goodness for modern times!

Now that we know what and where, HOW do we use it?

I am currently using Russell Organics Organic Argan Oil after my shower before my moisturizer, on my face prior to my moisturizer and acne medicine, and in my hair both overnight and a little before I style my hair (on extra frizzy days I use a drop after I style my hair too).

Other ways to use argan oil are:

In cooking (this oil is starting to sound a lot like my beloved coconut oil, without a scent!), people use it to dip bread in, and for their salads. It seems like an expensive oil to be using for cooking, so I will stick with coconut oil for my culinary needs.

In Cosmetics (this is how I am currently using it), as a moisturizer, hair conditioner/treatment, and on nail beds (this is one of my favorite).

I am giving myself another week of use before I actually review this product, then I will review it and include before and after pictures (my favorite thing in all of the blogosphere).

So far, I am very happy with it.