Big Sexy Hair

Last week Mama Laughlin did a tutorial on how she styles her hair.  It is the Short & Funky Hair Tutorial.  One of the products she used was the Big Sexy Hair Powder Play.  Big Sexy Hair Powder Play adds volume and texture to your hair.  It is weightless, odorless and colorless on your hair.  

In the summer my hair goes flat if I get hot and sweaty.  It doesn't matter how much hair spray I have put in it....it's gone.  Some times before I even leave home in the morning.  :-(  I was so excited to try the powder play I picked some up at Ulta that afternoon after work.  I couldn't wait so I tried it as soon as I got home.  I applied the powder to my roots in different areas of my hair, rubbed it in and voila!  I had more volume in my hair.  It gives me the lift that I want without using a lot of hairspray and it holds up even if I get hot.  I love it!!!  The only thing I am still getting used to is that it changes the texture ever so slightly.  Other than that, it's a 10 in my book!!!

Debbie

Maui Babe Browning Lotion

Have you every heard of Maui Babe Browning lotion?  I just recently tried it and I love it.  It really does work.  First I apply the Maui Babe SPF 30 Sunblock and wait about 10-15 minutes to apply the browning lotion.  The browning lotion is made to be used with the sunblock.  You get a deep, rich, and golden brown tan in less amount of time than you did before.




The Maui Babe Browning lotion is not a stain or a self tanner.  It accelerates the sun triggered tanning processes in your skin, eliminating long hours of trying to get a tan.  Maui Babe is a suntanning lotion made from an old secret family formula, mixed with natural Hawaiian ingredients, including ALOE used by Hawaiians to heal burns of all types.

I also purchased the Maui Babe After Sun Lotion to use after tanning to prevent peeling and flaking.  It seals in the deep dark tan and helps prevent your tan from fading.  It moisturizes your skin with ingredients including Macadamia Nut Oil and Aloe.  

I can tell you from my own experience that it really works.  The best part is that you aren't spending much time out in the sun while using the Browning lotion.  I can see a difference by just spending an hour in the sun.  I am already darker than I was last year at the end of summer.

I purchased my lotions at Ulta.  They are on sale right now, buy one get one 50% off.  The girl that checked me out said she uses it, too.  She said she got a really good tan last year and intends on using it again this year.

Debbie

Bridal Portraits at Las Velas

Las Velas in Houston, TX

Planning a wedding with your daughter can be a fun but exhausting time in your life.  There are so many details to consider.  When we were planning Mrs. B's wedding she said she wanted to have her bridal portraits taken at Hermann Park in Houston, TX.  Now Hermann Park is very pretty, however, in March and April it can be pretty hot.  Thank goodness Nelly, from Nelly and Her Nerd, suggested we look into having her portraits made at Las Velas.  Sound the trumpets!!!

I had never heard of Las Velas before.  For me it was love at first sight.  I loved the Mediterranean style and the beautiful gardens, spectacular fountains and decorative hand-carved stonework.  My words, nor these photos, cannot begin to do this place justice. You really have to see it for yourself.

The staff was incredible and easy to work with.

We are very happy with the way her portraits turned out.  

Debbie

Cutie Pie Bows

Cutie Pie Bows has the cutest bows.  They are made really well and last a really long time.  My oldest granddaughter has Cutie Pie hair bows that are probably seven years old.  They have held up so well she has passed them down to her little sister.

Cutie Pie Bows is running a 20% off your entire purchase.  You can even design your own bows to match outfits.  

I ordered this one for my granddaughters to match their Christmas outfits and also their Grinch pajamas from Pottery Barn for Kids.

Please mention my name when placing your orders!!!

Debbie

In a Southern State of Mind

Today I am in a Southern State of Mind.  I am proud to be from the South where the men hold the door open for you, let you get on the elevator first, say "yes ma'am", etc.  Conversation comes easy and the manners are abundant.

Southern State of Mind

by Darius Rucker

I was up in New York City just the other week
You should've seen the waitress face when I ordered sweet tea
She said we don't have that here and I apologized
I said please forgive me I'm in a southern state of mind

And those girls out in California they don't understand
They don't like it when I hold the door or when I say yes ma'am
They act like I done something wrong and they give me the evil eye
I say honey I'm sorry I'm in a southern state of mind

[Chorus]
I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there
Where they drink sweet tea and they raise you to be polite
No changin' who I am
That's the way I've always been
No matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mind

I'm always walkin' round tellin' everybody hi
Just a wavin' at the strangers in the cars passin' by
Some people may look at me and say that boy just ain't right
Hey y'all I ain't crazy I'm in a southern state of mind

[Repeat Chorus]

You can see it in the clothes I wear, you can hear it when I talk
Ball cap, boots and jeans and a little southern drawl
I could be up in Ohio or back home in Caroline
No matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mind
Don't matter what state I'm in
I'm in a southern state of mind
A southern state of mind

Hats off to all of the moms that have raised their sons to have impeccable manners.  It is a delight to see in these days and times.  

I think I'll have me a glass of sweet tea.....

Debbie

Outdoor Patio Curtains

I've been wanting to hang outside curtains for quite a while now.  Like two years. But I wasn't sure I wanted to take a chance on blocking the view of the pool while looking out the door or the windows.  We also weren't sure how we were going to hang them.   

I explained to Mr. K what I wanted to do so we he could see if there was a way  to hang them from our patio cover.  We determined the width of the curtains was dictated by the distance of the area to the right of the column in the corner because it had the smallest area to work with.  That was pretty easy. 

Mr. K went to the hardware store and purchased hooks, 2" PVC pipe, and some pipe end caps.  He cut the pipe down to size.  He spray painted the hooks and the end caps with the Oil Rubbed Bronze.  They came out really nice.    

This area determined the width of the curtains.

2 inch PVC pipe

He drilled holes in the board for the hooks to sit in so it would be easy to paint.  Pretty clever!

End cap will give the finished look for the curtains.

I am patiently waiting for the Solarium outdoor fabric that I ordered from JoAnn's.  I had previously ordered 10 yards but it's not enough...especially since I have decided to make the curtains double sided.

I hope to have an update a real soon!!!

Have a great day!

Debbie

Christmas Holiday Decorating

I know what you're thinking...two Christmas posts in one week...this woman has lost her mind!!!  

According to the Xmas Clock there are 185 days 'til Christmas.  Do you have a plan for decorating your home or do you just wing it?  I am "crazy for Christmas" so I go over the top when it comes to decorating our home for the holidays.  We have eight trees, each decorated in a different theme.  Some are as large as nine feet tall with the smallest being two feet tall.  It takes me two full weeks to decorate our home.  I know, I'm crazy but it's okay.  I love it.  I am so lucky to have a husband that supports me in my craziness.  He brings everything down from the attic for me to decorate.  Once I am finished with all of the containers he brings them back up into the attic.

I will definitely be drinking a glass of wine as I decorate!!!

This year I will begin decorating on October 10th (on the inside - I'm not allowed to decorate the outside until the week before Thanksgiving).  Yes, you read right!!!  Our home will be fully decorated on the inside when trick-or-treaters come by our home to collect candy on Halloween.  They get so excited when they see the Christmas decor in the windows and the doorway.  Some of the little ones are even afraid of The Grinch.  :)  It's so cute.

I start decorating early so I can fully experience the holidays with my family and friends.  I don't want to have to pass up an event, activity or movie because I am decorating.  I also want to enjoy our home with all of the twinkling lights, sounds of Christmas and smell of Christmas.  I want our guests to feel as though they have been transformed to Christmas Wonderland when they enter our home.



Last year I was able to help Mrs. B decorate her home.  We had a lot of fun!  I also made a wreath for each of my grandkids to hang on their bedroom doors.  Good times!!!

Debbie  

Garden Ridge Has a New Name

At home offers a vast assortment of home décor at great prices.

From their website

"Express your unique style throughout every room of your home, whether you're traditional, modern, quirky or casual. Our wide selection of furniture, rugs, wall art, home accents, patio and so much more lets you decorate how you like without spending a fortune. We can't wait to see you At Home."

Find a store near you.

Garden Ridge has changed their name to At Home.

Art & Decor

Furniture

Home Textiles

Housewares

Patio & Garden

Rugs

Seasonal

Be sure and check the locations to see if you have an At Home store near you.  You won't be disappointed in the prices or the selection of items to choose from.  Make sure you eat before you go....you'll be there for a couple of hours!

Debbie

Disney Store Twice Upon a Year Sale

Head on over to the Disney Store to get started on your Christmas shopping.  Use the coupon code SHIPMAGIC at checkout to get free shipping.

Have a great weekend!!!

Debbie

The Voices in My Head

This morning I was going through the blogs that I follow and came across this really good post "15 Toxic Thoughts You Need to Drop for a Better Life" by Marc Chernoff.  This post really speaks to me because I have been trying to be more conscious of the things I am saying to myself.  It seems like it is so much easier to tell ourselves "we aren't good enough" than to compliment ourselves for a job well done.  Do you follow me?

Growing up my mother and I had a very contentious relationship (still do).  She is very passive aggressive and, unfortunately for me, I was her target.  I tolerated her behavior for so long because of my love for my dad.  Her behavior was not going to keep me from visiting my dad while he was alive.  She took every opportunity (we no longer see each other) she had to belittle me about so many things in my life, mostly about my weight and the fact that I never got a college degree.  (It's not like she has one, right!)  I was never the perfect daughter she wanted.   I am not sure if the behavior stemmed from me being so close to my dad.  I was a daddy's girl.  She resented our relationship.  My brother, on the other hand, could do no wrong.  (Love ya Mr. K!)

Thank God for my husband and sister-in-law who always ran interference for me and stood up for me when she would attack me.  I will never forget the time (many years ago) we were all gathered together at my brother and sister-in-law's home to celebrate Christmas.  We were gathering the gifts together and waiting to begin opening them.  My mother asked my husband "how did you sleep last night?"  He responded "not too well, your cuckoo clocks kept going off (jokingly)."  Her response was "you mean Miss know it all, can do it all couldn't figure out how to turn them off?"  His response was "why would she, she never heard it."  I will never forget that morning.  Wow!!!  Here I was minding my own business and enjoying being with my family and she acts like that.  I totally ignored her.  As Dr. Phil always says "don't give them the payoff they are looking for by responding to their outrageous behavior."  

You are probably wondering why I am talking about this today.  My husband received a Father Day's card from my mother.  It is a beautiful card and the verse fits him to a "T".  It's all true.  When I mentioned she sent the card to Mr. K to one of my best friends, Nelly from Nelly and her Nerd, she smiled and said "she is being passive aggressive.  Aggressive in wanting my attention.  Passive by sending the card to my hubby, hoping she will get my attention and get a call."  It worked.  She got in my head "again".  But this time I know how to handle it...I move on...taking note of the voices in my head.  Making extra effort to be kind to myself.   

I am happy to say that I am in a very good place.  I am blessed with a very loving husband, two beautiful (inside and out) daughters, two wonderful son-in-laws, three precious grandchildren, a loving family and amazing friends.  Life is good!!!

Be good to yourself.  You deserve it!!!

Debbie

Shopping for Christmas Gifts

I know you are thinking that I have lost my mind....but I really haven't!  My goal every year is to purchase at least one Christmas gift by the end of July.  This does not mean that I buy just anything I see.  I still put a lot of thought and care into the gifts I purchase.  So many stores have huge sales this time of the year so I am able to get gifts at a fraction of the cost than I would normally pay.  For example, the Disney Store has been having their 50% off sale.  You can get the cutest Pj's for half the cost.  

Another example is this Polo Ralph Lauren French-Rib half-zip mock neck pullover at Macy's.  The regular price is $98 and it is on sale now for $34.99.

I am happy to say that I have already purchased my first gift this year thanks to Zulily.  I ordered a Girl Scout outfit  for Ms. P's American Doll.  She will be so excited when she gets it.  I can't wait to see her face when she opens this gift.

When do you begin shopping for the special people on your gift list?  

Debbie

Fun Weekend in the Pool

We had a great time this past weekend playing in the pool.  Let me warn you, there are a lot of pics coming up.  Lots of cuteness going on!  You have been warned!!!!

Ms. A and Ms. P were play fighting while on PaPa's and Mrs. B's shoulders.

Ms. P won....or is that a pink alien?!!!

Lots of Frisbee throwing....

Great catch!

Way to go Sweet P!!!

Ms. A floating on noodles.

Mrs. B playing with Mr. W.  

Mrs. B and Mr. W.

Mr. W and mommy and Mr. Turtle.

Fun times in the tanning deck playing with the bubblers (is that even a word?).

So much fun!!!

Too cute!!!

Mr. W is a handsome young man.

Ms. P preparing to jump in the deep end...telling her Papa he needs to move closer.

Happy Father's Day PaPa and Mr. J!!!!

Debbie