How Do You Have Time to.....

...leave your house every day in FULL HAIR & MAKEUP???

As a busy, busy mom, it is sometimes extremely difficult to get it together.  By "it," I mean hair, makeup, jewelry...your total self.  But if you're like me, you won't even think about (or consider, even if paid money) leaving the house in anything less than total hair, makeup and a nicely put together outfit (well...I might cheat on that one a little depending on where I'm going!).

Let me clarify though.....I do this for one reason only....MYSELF!!  I don't put on makeup for my husband, other people, to appear something I'm not, or anything like that.  I do it for me.  I feel better about myself when I wear it, my self esteem is better, and it just makes me feel more confident.  This is not how everyone feels or should feel, but it's my own personal feeling!

So, how do I have time to do it all with a 4 year-old and a baby boy? 
1. Multi-tasking
2. Organization/Preparation
3. Chaos and Craziness

1.  Multi-tasking:  I often take my shower while the baby plays in the empty bathtub next to me.  Then, as long as he's happy, I will keep him in there while I brush my teeth, put in contacts, apply self-tanner and any other morning routines I have.

I have a makeup bag that has all the basics packed at all times that I carry around the house with me.  Lately, I put on my makeup while Mason is in his high-chair eating breakfast...or I'm feeding him breakfast since he's only 9 months and not totally self-sufficient when it comes to feeding himself.

2.  Organization/Preparation: My vanity has everything that I need in the exact place that I need it.  If Mason is taking his morning nap, I will get myself ready at my vanity where I have a drawer for makeup, a drawer for round brushes & combs, a place for hair gels & mousse & hairspray, and my deodorant and perfumes all sit right on top.  It gets sticky, messy, and dirty every time I sit down, but it's so easy to clean up since each and every thing has a place!  (I do have to Windex the glass several times a month, however!)

3.  Chaos and Craziness:  I don't get myself ready with two kids in a nice, calm, reality-tv-show manner.  I mean......come on......there's always some place where we're getting ready to go, or someone who's coming over, or the baby crying, or the 4 year-old whining....it's almost always chaos!!  But it doesn't matter...I still make time for it.  I still make time each and every day for me.  For ME!!!! 

Our Summer...so far!!

Wow, it has been too long since I've sat down and updated this blog!!  My life is practically lived out in pictures on The M&Ms and Pregnant Twins, but it's no excuse!!

Our summer so far....

For the last several weeks, I have been spending every "free" second watching the Casey Anthony trial (since I don't get much "free" time during the day, that equates to just having HLN on in the background of my day).  Wow, what a SHOCKER that verdict was to me.  Sooo disgusting!!

Anyway, here are some pics of some of our summer highlights so far:

 Me & Jim at the Kenny Chesney Concert

My twin sister Sarah, her daughter Reese, Mason & Me

Family Pic!  4th of July parade in our neighborhood

A family tradition in my family...a handmade sign and pic on 4th of July!

And a new tradition...contest for the silliest pic!  Yes, we won!!

Jim and Mason

Our basement is done!  Here are just a couple pics.  More to come when we have it all decorated!

The little bathroom in the new basement!

Great compact!!!!!

Style News This Week - 5/5 - BETTER

Spring Fashion

How Many Beauty Products do you Use Daily?

Okay, I decided it was time to count the number of beauty products I use on a daily basis....so here they are, in order of application!

1. Shampoo
2. 3-in-1 Facial Cleanser
3. Shower Gel
4. Soap
5. Conditioner
6. Day Solution
7. Moisturizer
8. Firming Eye Cream
9. Eye Primer
10. Foundation Primer
11. Foundation
12. Concealer
13. Mineral Powder
14. Creme Eyeshadow
15. Mineral Eyeshadow (usually 2-3 colors)
16. Eyeliner
17. Mascara
18. Cheek Color or Bronzing Stick
19. Hair Gel
20. Texturizing Taffy
21. Hairspray
22. Lipstick
23. Lipgloss
24. Oil Free Eyemakeup Remover
25. 3-in-1 Cleansing Bar
26. Night Solution
Wowee.....I didn't realize it was this many!!!  Or maybe that's average??

I'm Loving.....

My loves of the week:
1.  College Basketball....and March Madness hasn't even started yet!!!
2.  Kenra hairspray: It has rained a ton here lately, so I don't know what I would do without it!!!
3.  Plastic Bins: We are getting our basement finished, which means completely clearing it out before they begin in less than 2 weeks!  Thank goodness for plastic bins!  Now...if only I was good at organizing!!
4.  My diary from 1989: As I've been filtering through all of our "stuff" in the basement, purging and de-cluttering, I came across my diary from when I was 11 years old!!!  Oh, the fond memories of life before the internet, cell phones, iPods, etc!!!  Almost every day I referenced playing outside!  In one entry, I wrote how our electricity was out because of snow.  Then the next day, I wrote that it came back on and how I was so disappointed because I wanted to sleep another night out in the living room by the kerosene heater!!!! 
5.  Bagel Thins: I eat one every day...the whole wheat ones, love them!! Only 110 calories :)