Simple Style

Cheers to the weekend!

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't miss this little old blog.  I have a few unpublished posts sitting here in my design section and even though it's a little late to the party, I figured better late than never.

Today has been glorious.  I have been just relaxing (gasp!) and enjoying the day.  Brooke went to the fantasy football draft with Joe, and Bradley hung out with me.  He was pretty cranky and went down for a super early nap, which in turn allowed me to shower and take a little snooze myself!

Now he's still sleeping--whoa--so I figured I'd see how much I could pull together with my blog.

One of our many date nights this past summer included one where we met up with our friends to talk real estate over dinner.  Joe and I stopped for a drink at our favorite place, The Revelry.

I rocked a simple arm party (Stella & Dot of course!) and this stunning cream Waverly clutch from our Covet collection.

Cava was my drink of choice.

One of my favorite necklaces is this gorgeous Terney layered piece.  You can wear it all together or take it apart and wear pieces individually.  I adored it over a red caftan dress from Express.

My favorite eye shadows are from Younique! My girl Elizabeth keeps me in style makeup wise.

I never got a full shot 'after' hair and makeup & clothes were assembled, but such is #momlife when you are scrambling to get out the door and to a destination on paid time!

I am so grateful for such amazing babysitters.  Without these caring women in our lives, I am quite certain we would be lost.

I also love that I can text photos like this to my best girlfriend and she can give me glam advice. If you need any, don't be shy, she'd love to assist you too! #girlsrule

Girl Chat: Favorite Makeup/Beauty Products

I'm linking up today---yay!!

I've wanted to share my current favorite beauty products for awhile now.  I just pulled a few of my recent go-to must haves that I have been loving!

For my hair, I only use this line of products.  I find that spending a little more money, washing my hair every 2-4 days, and not curling/straightening every day has really helped!  This spray is fabulous for spraying directly on my hair before I use my curling wand.  The curls hold and last longer for sure!

Sealing Spray

Curling Wand

This is what my hair looks like right after I finish curling. I love to run my fingers through or even a brush to give it the looser look too. I let it cool down first though!

For my eyes I've been loving Younique!  I find this palette to really compliment my brown eyes.  My sweet friend Elizabeth has an amazing group on Facebook where she shares tips, tricks & lots of amazing deals!

Glamour & Grace with Elizabeth

I typically wear Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue daily, but for a night out on the town or if I'm doing any photos or filming, this is what I prefer.  It lasts and really gives a gorgeous glow in a photo! I use the shade Pure Beige.

Foundation

If I wasn't a Stella & Dot Stylist, I would probably be a LipSense lady! I am obsessed with this product for a few reasons.  I have always been a lip gloss kind of girl, but love the look of lipstick.  The problem with lipstick is that it ends up on my teeth, my husband, and all over my straws and cups.  It's annoying! I tried Gingerbread back around the holidays and I was hooked.  It tingles a little when you apply, but man oh man, it's so fab!  I also love that I can layer colors and create custom looks.  It helps that one of my best friends (maid of honor!) sells it.  Check out her Facebook Group for some deals and lots of pretty lip looks!

Ann Gets Lippy

I tried this bad boy out last night--a little out of my comfort zone but I totally think I rocked it!

I also only have to tote around a gloss or two when I'm out and about.  Winning!

I'm really into self-tanners and I have tried quite a few! Hands down, this has the best smell, least streaks and gives a natural glow.  Even my husband commented how much he likes me tan!

Ann Gets Lippy

Here was my "Purple Reign" lips.

Here I'm wearing Roseberry.

Date night was Napa.

Beige Champagne is my favorite for a mom on the go look!

Being a momma of two kids, 2 & 4, I feel like I am finally starting to feel like a woman again. I'm taking the time to make myself pretty--yes, I get that beauty is on the inside, but let's be real.  I feel my best when I am working out, eating healthy, and getting my glam on!! I am blessed to have such amazing friends who are total girl bosses and I feel like I have such a support team.  

Taking time for ourselves is so important.  It's impressive what a little makeup, lip color & some jewels can do for me!

Favorite Beauty Products

I'm definitely not a beauty guru, but with the help of my girlfriends, I am slowly becoming more confident with makeup.  I have some tried and true favorites as well as some newer additions to my routine.

I am not a huge makeup risk taker, but I am trying to venture out of my comfort zone and am willing to try new things!  That said, my skin is super sensitive and very picky.  I have to be really careful with what I use so that I don't breakout. These are just my thoughts and no, I'm not getting paid or sponsored to talk about about any of these!!

Lashes:
I use an eyelash curler and L'oreal has never done me wrong!  I am lucky to have decent lashes and I struggle trying to apply fake ones, so I gave up on that. This is my current favorite!

Toner:
I love the feeling of something freshly sprayed on my face before applying makeup or after taking it off at night.  This Rose water from Younique smells amazing and really helps refresh my skin.

Skin Care:
One of my sister's good friends sells MK so I decided to give it a shot. I have had a few pimples, but I don't think they were caused by this.  (I do get a few every other month) so far I've been using this routine for about a month and a half.  I think my skin is looking quite nice and so far I'm very pleased!  I feel confident just wearing a little cover up and my complexion rescue out and about.



Primer:
After I moisturize, I will put a little bit of this around my nose and forehead.  I feel that it helps my pores look smaller & keep the makeup in place.



Foundation:
This is the hardest for me; I love trying new and different kinds of foundation but my skin really only likes Bare Minerals it seems.  I do like their original mineral powder, but lately this has been my go to.  I like the "Natural 05" shade best for me.  It gives a little bit of a tint; I don't like to look pale.



Under Eye Concealer:
I've tried others, but ALWAYS come back to this. It helps the dark circles and I use it to cover up blemishes too.



Setting Powder:
I didn't really "get" what this did until recently.  After I apply my complexion rescue, I brush on a little bit of this to keep it in place.





Bronzer:

This is a great little travel case and my favorite bronzer right now.  I love that it has a place for lip gloss as I always need gloss.

Brush:
I scooped this big boy up at Target and love using it for my bronzer. It's big and fluffy!

Blush:

If I'm feeling extra flirty, I'll add a little blush to my cheekbones. This is my favorite!

Eye Liner:

I use Bare Minerals. I like the absolute black and usually only line my upper lids slightly; if I want more dramatic (date night) I will line the bottom too.

As for eye shadows, I tend to stick to neutrals/browns. I do like pinks/jewel tones, but I'm still playing around with those.  

New Products:

Eye cream

Liquid Lip 

Eye shadow palette. 

I need to play and report back on these!

Eye cream:

I do wear this at night.  I try to put it on in the morning but there's a lot of other stuff going on and I don't always remember.

After my birthday facial, the girl told me this would help with my "pregnancy mask" and to apply it in the morning.  I am almost out of it and my skin issues have resolved...but the sun has disappeared, so it could be that too! I like this though and would probably use it again.

Removing makeup: 

I'm lazy at night. I try to wash, but some nights I just wipe. These are my go-to.

Sunless Tanner:
My favorite sunless tanner is still this one. I like others, but this gives me the best non-orange, no streak look. I can apply it a few days and it doesn't look weird.  I'm out and need more before Vegas!

I am half tempted to do a get ready with me video, just because it may be fun! But I don't know if I'm ready for that.  

What are your favorite beauty products?  Any tips to share?

Fashion Friday

TGIF my fabulous peeps!!

I'm getting my blonde on today, and I am really happy about that!

I got my new Summer tote and here she is!

I'll be totally honest and say, I tried to use the chambray side, but it already started to get dirty (toddlers) and so I've switched it back to the mint printed side.  I love it!

My arm candy on Mother's Day.  I was feeling all zen and happy.

Saturday night, I did it! I wore the black jumpsuit! I had on some major heels and rocked it! It was actually really comfortable and not a pain in the butt to deal with running to the bathroom.

I wore my gold drape collar necklace and a gold bracelet.  I also used my city slim clutch.

Gotta love the snap chat filters.  I am LOVING my Bare Minerals makeup lately too!

We had such a fabulous night!

We have so much fun together. I love you boo!

I wish I had some more fashion wisdom for you, but I don't.  I am beat. Haha!

Have a wonderful weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

What up Wednesday?!

I am love love loving the fact that I am MAKING an effort to find time in my days to read again.  I really had no idea how happy I am when I read! I was reaching for excuses left and right, but the fact is, we all have these same 24 hours a day and hellooooooo so many of them can be easily wasted!!

Like I mentioned, I felt like the universe was trying to tell me to start reading again.  Obviously.  I forgot how much of a reader I used to be! Goodness knows how that's possible, since I always had 95+ in English classes, went to college to become an English teacher and then received my Master's in Secondary Education (English) and then taught books to 7th-11th graders for 8 years.

I know that I have a desire to write a book one day, so I know that the best way to get going on that is to become inspired by other amazing writers.

My heart seems so full and I feel a bit like a piece of me that I've been trying to find, has been found. May sound silly to some, but man...if it feels this good to read again, I know I need to start dancing more.  That would be the other thing I miss most!

I am still listening to my motivational pod casts etc. but I am replacing most of my bad habits scrolling through and seeing what everyone else is doing {or portraying that they're doing} and I am really just doing more for me.

It's like an instant change and I hope to stay with it, and for that? I'm lovin it!!

I knocked this audiobook out of the park! I started it Friday and finished it first thing this morning. I'll do a little review later on, but considering I don't remember the last time I finished a book, I'm ecstatic!

PS What's another amazing audiobook I would love to listen to??

I also had no idea that others felt this way after a book, so much so, there's a meme! LOL I hate finishing some books because I don't know what to do with myself after.

I was super sad that my favorite cleanser was no longer available, but I tried this one and I LOVE it! It smells like a spa and so far, so good with my sensitive skin. I've been using it all month.

My curly haired babes who keep me on my toes, constantly trying to be the best mommy I can be.

I'm really enjoying my mornings--I've decided to not check social media right away, but rather begin with a book.  After that, I get to chat with Joe, get the baby, and this morning we had a family snuggle sesh in bed watching music videos.  Bradley may or may not know the words to "Bad Blood" haha!  After ironing Joe's clothes, I come down and turn on the Today Show on my iPhone.  I get breakfast ready and we all sit down to eat.  It's not always a smooth and easy morning, but today? Today was awesome.

Joe cleaned up his hunting gear (aka my excuse as to why I wasn't using the elliptical) and now I'm back on it.  Yay!

I am super pumped about our May sign up deal!! FREE KEEP!! WOOP!

My favorite keep of the week is the triple stone & the horn pave key.  Green quartz for healing, turquoise for friendship & African turquoise for positive change. (seems to be working!) The horn helps remind us of our inner power.  I'm all about healing stones.



I saw this look posted the other day and I may have to re-create it---how stunning!

I also have to brag about my pouches---seriously. I wish I had these sooner!! I used to be SO bad at marking up the inside of my bags with lip gloss, pens, whatever! Now? I can swap out my goodies and not mark up my bags with our pouches. Yay!

I use my pink Keep pouch for all my personal girlie essentials: gum, lipstick/gloss, hairband, coffee/tea coozie, tampon, blush...

And usually with the kiddos I have been using this green Stella & Dot tote for my day to day bag.  It comes with its own pouch and I use that for baby!!

What are you loving?