Mirror Mirror....

I love cooking and baking. It gives me so much joy. It is relaxing when I am in the zone of whipping up a new recipe or a well-loved favorite. As many of you know I went to Culinary School. I am by no means a "pro" but it is a passion of mine. Lately, it has been a bit overshadowed by my other passion of Interior Design. I could seriously live on The Cooking Channel, Food Network and HGTV alone! I don't watch cooking shows as often though because they make me sooooo hungry. Although, design shows aren't too nice for my wallet!

Anyways, I also follow a ton of design blogs. I love all the pretties! My mom loves design as well and passed that down to me. Our house was always very well designed. I would often come home with the furniture all rearranged...this happened a few times a year:). I have to say this happens quite often in my home too.  Design changes every year and it can be overwhelming. I can't keep up with the changes every year...but I do try to bring in a few elements...like pillows or a new art piece. Thankfully the world wide web is full of great inexpensive options(many times DIY) for the ever changing styles. 

My style is evolving. I use to be what I call "Modern Coastal" but that was a bit too cluttered for me and a little too themey. I don't like themes in homes.Let me show you an example:

This would be "themey". Way too much going on here. 

This...however...is just the right amount of nautical goodness:).

I also realized all the rooms in my house are all different styles. I have a nautical scheme in my family room...coastal in the bathroom(both rooms are guilty of being "themey"...Mod Glam in my bedroom and a little world traveler in the other rooms. Oh, and I can't forget a little Superhero going on in Shane's room:). Honestly, I would love to get rid of almost everything and start over!!!! (If we get our new house I just might get to do that:)).

So, what is MY style??? I have to also consider my husband's taste. I mean I should right??? He lives here too...but quite frankly I have taken over and I don't think he really likes any part of our home...sorry babe! I really like the classics...but with a modern flair. I don't like a lot of "stuff" but I do not like sleek and modern...or a bunch of hard lines. I am pretty traditional. I love old pieces that are made to look new. Our new home that we may be getting is Mid-Century. Noooooow...I have to say I appreciate a certain type of Mid-Century. Definitely I lean more towards the Modern side of it. There are some 60's and 70's influences that I can do without. My favorite thing is that it is considered vintage and to design a Mid-Century Modern home you have to go thrifting!!!!! 

Mid-Century is very natural. Uses a lot of earth tones.

How I wished we still lived! Men in suits and women in dresses...YES!

What I do not like about Mid-Century...except I want that cat! The furniture isn't too bad...but all that crazy art is no bueno for me.

With all that said, for now, my style is, Traditional...with a splash of Modern(if that makes any sense)..mix in some coastal elements and a sprinkle of GLAM! That sounds awful now that I think of it and a bit like I have design ADD. The truth is I just love all design. Whether it is Mid-Century or Country I can appreciate it all...except Victorian....just NO!

Any who...the whole point of this post was to show you my latest FB Group find!!!! I got a little distracted along the way but here it is: 

Ok...so this is what I bought for 20.00 from a girl on the FB group I am apart of that sell things...like a virtual yard sale!

 

It ended up on my mantel for now. It is very simple and modern. This is the style I am trying to lean towards so hoping it will look great in whatever house we end up in. Nothing fancy:).

 

Annnnnndddd this was my inspiration. I just happen to be drooling over this design by Emily Henderson(one of my top five fav designers). I loved this mirror. My mirror is stainless steel and I really like it but.... can always add a little gold rub and buff. We shall see. Something are better left alone in their original state(like many Hollywood faces).

So, there it is. I should have offered a lower amount. I did not realize it sold for 34.99 new at IKEA..but 20.00 is still better than 34.99. The best part of the whole thing....The Hubs likes it and HE suggested we go to IKEA this weekend!!!! Those are the best words he has ever uttered through his lovely lips!!!! I knew I loved this guy!!!

So, I have to know what is your style????? Country, Modern, Mid-Century, Traditional, Transitional....etc.....

Happy 4th Bday!!!

Dear Bubba,
I can't believe you are four today! I have a feeling I will still be saying that even when you are 30...40 and so on. Each year you bring daddy and I so much joy. We get such a kick out of seeing the world through your eyes. The love you have for others is such a sweet blessing. I want to be more like you in that way and am glad you are enjoying each and everyday.

I love that you ask what each day will entail. You are a little man on the move...always wanting to be doing something and being with others (daddy's mini me for sure).

Thank you for being our helper. You have such a servants heart. Thank you for bringing your plate to the kitchen when you are done and always rinsing your toothbrush off. Those little things add up to a lot for mama! :)

I have to say we are the luckiest parents in the world. You are such a good boy...who follows the rules...makes us laugh...and always wants to please us. You are a true SWEETHEART. Can't wait to see how much you grow this next year..although don't grow too much...you are almost too heavy to carry!!! Love you Bubba!!!!

Mama

Girl Talk- New Favs

Hello there girls! I have been under the weather for the past few weeks. I have managed to make it out in the world a few times...but for the most part I have been staying inside. Yesterday as I was brushing my teeth, I looked in the mirror and saw something sooo horrific...my face. Bwaahhaaa...but seriously, my skin was pale and my dark circles...ooooh child......let's just say I would fit right in with a pack of raccoons. If raccoons come in packs??? I actually took a snap shot yesterday: 

It is also that time of the month so that is the reason for the fangs and excess facial hair!

If I am ever feeling pale...bloated...or just blah...I always paint my face and some how I feel much better. I LOVE makeup! Can I get an AMEN? So, that is what I did yesterday and today. I put on a bunch of makeup and felt 100 times better! I do this often when I am in need of a little pick me up. I will go on You Tube and watch some tutorials on makeup and try out some new techniques. A lot of times I look even more like a raccoon than when I started but it is fun! 

I wanted to share some new finds that I tried and loved. The first I mentioned in a previous Girl Time post. It was the Beauty Blender. 

These are by Bundle Monster and are 10.99 for 4 on Amazon

  I went with a different brand...just because I didn't want to spend 20.00 for 2. This brand that I bought come in a 4 pack in the colors shown. The directions recommend that you wet the sponge first and then wring out the excess water. By adding the water to the sponge it allows you to get a real light layer of foundation on your face. This will be great for months when it starts to get hotter and you don't want a thick layer of foundation on. I generally like a light layer of foundation on...but if you can't get away with that this blender might not work as well for you. Or you might want to try not adding water. I also really like the pointed edge as it gets in the corners of you eyes and is great for concealer. Overall, I really like this product, but I still prefer my Sigma F80 brush I mentioned before for applying my foundation:). 

The second product I recently purchased was this highlighter by MAC:

It is called Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. It is described as a Gilded Peach Bronze. Isn't that just delightful. Anyone else get all giddy with makeup colors and descriptions??  No...just me...ok:). It is meant to be use on your checks. I started at the area next to the outside of my eyebrows(temple??) and make a "C" towards my checks. It does make my pores on my cheeks stand out a bit so I don't carry it too far onto my cheek area. I also swipe some down my nose and on my "cupid's bow" area on my lips(pointy upper part on lip). It is especially pretty if you have a tan. I only know because I have seen it on others. I myself never have a tan but it looks good on pasty too! Oh...by the way this was 30.00 so that is why I am only featuring two products as that is a lot for me to spend on a makeup product, but I am not a clothes person or mani/pedi person and so this is my girlie treat:). 

Have you picked up any new products you loved or did not love that you want to share??? Love new ideas!!!!! Try a new look this weekend...just have fun with it! Remember you can always wash it off:).