easy spot cleaning for make up brushes

 I have been out sick all week slacking off.   I have that may respiratory bug that's going around.   So I haven't had much to share.   My nails aren't even pretty because I am doing nail envy strengthening treatment.  But I have had this little life Saber of a trick up my sleeve for a while.   I have been using allot of cream products lately and if you use a gel liber with your brush and go to use it the next day. .. not going to work.   Here is what I do to spot clean my brushes.

I use a stamping up stamp pad cleaner some spray brush cleanser. 

 See how dirty this is with gel liner from yesterday

Well I spray the cleanser on half the pad.  I then scrub the brush around then sib it on the dry side and boom clean! ! And no dry time or laying flat.  I can toss them back in the holder out use them right away. 

See how clean that came. 

I love this trick when I am traveling so I don't have to pack tons or brushes and don't have to worry about having a good clean brush for my eye brows or liner.  The pad I use is just fuzzy one.  You could use anything like that texture I use this when I clean my brushes to.  I just put I bit of ivory dish soap on one side to scrub them on. Works beautifully.   Have a good day guys. 

organization tips and tricks

I have a unhealthy obsession  love affair with all things organization.  I am sure it stems from my childhood being raised by a hoarder.  But I thought today I would share a few things I worked on a round my house lately. 

I keep my most used spices in a old wooden soda crate on top of the stove. But to make things easier to find I wrote on the top of the lids with a chalk marker.  ( if you don't know about chalk markers they are awesome.  I have loved them since my days at a coffee shop where we used them for everything. ) p.s. penzeys spices ate the best.  I have tons more in my cupboard if you haven't tried them you need to. 

 Next I took my cart that I bought off a local garage sale fb site and made the top drawer a charging station.  (Notice the mom hook lock to keep max out ;) that's a bonus tip yw) the kids got tablets at school this year.  Between that and all the other electronics we needed a spot of the way.  Also the kids have to ask to get the electronics out that way I can make sure they have their homework and chores done before they start using them. 

 I drilled a hole in the back and then I slid a power strip cord through and plugged in all the electronics and bring the cords into the drawer on top. I also added the container from walmart on the left. 

Next I took core charts from the dollar tree and instead of refilling out the chart every week I put them in a frame so the kids can use a dry erase marker to check them off. 

 Next tip. .if you are like me you love your tart warmer but hate changing the wax. . Well just grab a cotton round throw it in. .

In a few minutes you have this. .

take it out and throw it away or if you're going to be having a bonfire be camping anytime soon throw it in a baggy and user it as a fire starter. 

 Next organizing thing to tackle will be labeling Evea's dresser so that her dad and sister know where things go when they put away laundry. I got these chalkboard labels at the Dollar Tree. Then I used my rotary cutter to cut them in half. For some I also used my Stampin Up 1 and three-quarter inch punch. I got chalkboard markers from Walmart I am so glad that they are so easy to find now!!

 I stuck them on the dresser and then I wrote the contents of the drawer inside so that my husband and daughter can put away the clothes without a jumbled mess or if they go to get things out for her they know where to look!

There you go done quick tips and tricks to make your house run a bit smoother and organize it a bit more :) p.s a lot of times I am flying through these posts, trying to get them up while the Munchkin is napping or playing at my feet.  so please bear with me if my grammar is even worse than normal;) have a good one guys

how we work our budget/ramsey envelope system

 For a bit now me and the hubby have been working on a budget.  We tried about 3 years ago to do the Dave Ramsey envelope system and we fell off the wagon.  Now I have buckled down and I have set up things in a very organized way and it is going much better.  I thought I would share with you guys how I am making this work.  ( I will link to everything I mention so you can get your hands on what I used)

1.  The first step I took was make a list of all our monthly bills and when they are due.  I then went through my agenda and put stickers on the date with the amount on the date they are due.  I also put a green dot on paydays and I have a tally in the margin of the bill total due until next pay day.  (the amount we have due in bills until the next time we get paid)  My agenda is from walmart.  I was thinking about ordering a expensive one but I made this one work for what I need and I have it set up in a way that it is working great.  :)

 2.  I did daves monthly cash flow plan.  It helps me decide what we are paying and how much we have to work with.  It also suggests the proper percent you should be using for certain things.  You fill this out and when you get done you should have a 0 balance no money left. It should all be some where either savings spend where ever it should all have a place. For your non bill money you will have envelopes (for things like grocerys, car, clothes, savings, vacation, ect.)

3. I then down loaded simple budget app.  It lets you set up envelopes to keep track of how much you have and track spending so you know what the money went to.  It looks like this I set this up as a example.

 4. Then every pay day I pull out the amount of cash I need for my envelopes.  I have been using this for most of my money.  My sister who is a sewing rock start made me this for my birthday to go along with my diaper bag.(which I also love btw).  She has a great little shop with purses, bags, wallets, and jewelry.(she is a huge sci-fi fan so if you love dr who, star wars ect you will be in heaven but she does now sci-fi stuff like mine too.) She sent me a coupon code for 10% off for my readers :)  It is SWEETAIMEESKNITPICK.

 It is a great wallet with a  magnetic snap  closure.  It has six "envelope/pockets" inside.

 It looks like this there is a zipper for change.  My first envelope is grocery.( I labeled them with washi tape)

 Then clothing,

 Then restaurant (our eating out money.)

 entertainment, (movies, renting movies,ect)

 car (for gas repairs tabs ect.)

Cosmetic (this is for getting hair colored or cut, and of coarse make up lol)

 Behind that their is 6 card slots.  I don't typically use this at my wallet wallet just for my envelope system.  So allot of my stuff is in the other wallet.

Here is one of her awesome Dr who ones :)

 And for my vacation and emergency envelopes I keep those at home in actually envelopes out of sight out of mind right. ;)

So I use cash for everything we spend.  One envelope I don't have pictured is presents for holidays and birthdays.  I hope this was helpful for some of you.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

july beauty favorites.

I have been trying some new things lately and I have definitely got some favorites that are used daily, so I figured now would be a good time to post some favorites for you guys :)

1. covergirl + olay tone rehab 2 in 1 foundation.  This foundation claims to reduce looks of discoloration and hydrate skin over time.  It is a foundation and serum mixed.  It leaves my skin with a satin to dewy finish and It has medium build-able coverage.  I really have been enjoying it.
2. covergirl ready, set gorgeous foundation I don't usually go for foundations that claim to reduce shine since I have combo dry skin but I really like this foundation.  I have been going between this and the other covergirl one all summer.  I think covergirl has been knocking it out of the ball park with their foundations lately!.  
3. maybelline fit me concealer.  I use this for my under eyes to brighten and highlight.  It has decent coverage doesn't crease.  I love this and reach for it daily
4. Tints and Sass cheek and lip stain.  I love this soo much it lasts well and has a natural flush I put two dots high on cheek bones and blend in with my elf small stippling brush. I also put a tiny dot on the hairline by each temple.
5. The elf small stippling brush.  This brush gets soo much use.  I use this every day for my cream bronzer to contour and to blend check stains.  It has just the right about of softness to not disturb your other makeup
6. my coastals scents s08 brushes I love these for blending color in the crease.  They are perfect and dirt cheap ;)
7. anastasia brow wiz in medium ash.  I know every one raves about this but it is because it truely is the best brow pencil out there.  I love mine and use it daily
8. sonia kashuk cream bronzer. I go back and forth between this and my elf cream bronzer but I good cream bronzer is a must have.  I contour with one every day.  I have hit pan on this one but I have had it a year!
9. maybelline color tattoo in tough as taupe.  I don't so much use this on my eyelid but I use it all the time with a angled brow brush as a brow cream (like anastasia brow dip) it is pretty sweat and water proof and it lasts all day.  This color is perfect too not too red.  I love it!
10. My real techniques make up sponge.  I have a beauty blender too but this is 5$ a quarter of what a beauty blender costs and Is the exacts same thing just a better shape.  It gives your foundation on concealer a beautiful finish.  You have to try one they can be found at ulta.  Wet them and use them slightly damp.  I swear you won't regret it.

There you have it my holy grail used daily products for the month of july.  I hope you give some of these a shot and let me know how you like them.;)  What were your favorites this month?

 

life saver baby teething tip.

 It feels like Max has been teething for ages and for the little buggers still haven't popped through!  I thought I would share with the other mamas out there a tip that has helped sooth my little guy and all you need is their pacifier and water.

 Take the paci and hold it under a cup of water and squeeze it so it fills with water.

 It should look like so.. you want it to have as much water and as little air as possible.

 Then toss it in the fridge to freeze.

This is a life saver in our house.  Hope this helps some of you mamas out there. :)

moving day 3/4

Okay so I have really pickup up the pace on the packing.  I have got all the wall art down and the holes patched, the kitchen is mostly packed a few drawers yet to go in there and I kept out things that we use on a regular basis because we still have just over two weeks left until the move.   I also got the guest room all packed up and dusted some of the walls.  I have been cleaning things as I go too.  I had a few things I did in the process that I wanted to share. 

In Max's room there was some vinyl wall decals up and he loved them He would touch them and look at them while I got him dressed and changed his butt and I knew I wouldn't be able to find either set again  so I tried to think of a way to move them.

I took out some freezer paper and laid it on a flat surface with the wax side up and carefully placed them on there and I just stacked one sheet on the other until I had them all off the wall.

 I then rolled them and stuck them inside these tubes of other decals to make the move.

 This guy is the only one enjoying them move.

 Okay as for my kitchen drawers I took them and placed them inside of gallon size baggies like so and stacked them all inside the same box.

 I also found when packing that I have some almost used up candles I don't want to pack so I decided to clean out my wax warmer and burn those up before the move.

 Here is how I am using the utensil drawer that has like the can opener and cookie scoops and such.  I took them and wrapped them in plastic wrap for the move.

 This guy hasn't been cooperative.  But he did occasionally cat nap today.  This was where he napped best today.  But I had to wait for him to be asleep so I could run out in the -30 weather to grab boxes from our detached garage, but then once I got the boxes in I couldn't tape them to start filling so I just started pulling everything out of the cupboards and drawers that needed packed and whipping those out as I went. 

That is how this mess was created!!!!

It looks like I am a hoarder!!!  I did finally get it all packed about 5:15 tonight and am taking a break.  I used towels and throw blankets to help protect some of the pitcher and stuff and I used those wine box inserts to protect my wine glasses and other glassware.  I am exhausted and cranky and sitting with a heating pad on my back right now.  I don't do well with things out of place or messy.  So this sort of stuff is really hard for me and I want it done and organized right away then over with and I put everything back in its place as fast as I can.  Well I am going to relax and watch some tv until bed time because tomorrow I have another long day ahead of myself.  On the plus side Benji will be home to help me with it.

Move day 2 Let the packing begin..

Today I began packing.  I went to the liquor store and grabbed a few boxes (a gf is getting me some awesome ones tomorrow but I needed some smaller boxes anyway for dvds and books so they don't get too heavy) I also grabbed some packing tape while I was out.

Now here is my rhyme and reason behind my packing method:

1. If you can live with out it pack it.  Start with things used less. and that aren't necessities

2. Pack things that are alike together, (dvds, books, nick knacks from the same rooms, ect.)

3. Put together a packing supply kit and keep it together. (mine includes: packing tape, scissors, permanit markers in two colors for different colored boxes, a bar of dove soap, plastic wrap, gallon size baggies, and putty.

4. label each box with both what is in it and where it goes.  You can use a color coated system if you like but I just write what it is i.e. books mom and dads room.

 

  5. Now this is a big one make sure on these long days during the move you have dinners figured out.  Snacks and beverages on hand.  I tossed potato soup in the crock pot.  Might not look like much but this is when I first tossed it in and I swear it is divine (esp after a long day of packing)  You toss in a bag of hash browns, a can of cream of chicken soup, two cans water or milk then one hour before you go to eat 8oz cream cheese.  I tossed in a bit of sea salt and some rosemary and we topped with bacon chunks and cheese.  Because I am extra lazy I had a crock pot liner in.  These might be another thing to have on hand when you are in this whole process.

 So after I threw dinner in the crock pot I started packing.  I decided I would start with getting dvds and books done today.  I packed up all our dvds.

 Yay a tiny bit of progress.

 I am saving the inserts from the boxes because I have a feeling they will come in handy with the other stuff down the line.

 Once that was done I went down and packed up all my and bens two books..  (with Max on my lap because he wasn't cooperating in this whole process)

I then took all my boxes and chose one spot out of the way in the room to start placing things.  I also packed up some puzzle books and color books and art supplies from the living room. After dinner I took down all the art and nick Knacks in the living room/ kitchen and as I did so I kept a container to toss nails in and some dove soap to run over holes and putty for things with bigger holes that required patching.  I did this as I went so that it goes smoother.

Now I will have you know mrs fire monster aka evea isn't taking this well it is already inconveniencing her and she has had many a melt down already!  The first thing out of her mouth when she got in the door from school was I had a bad day I need to watch cat in the hat...bad news it was packed..then I packed her crayons..not all the crayons in the house but the ones she wanted apparently.  So yeah it is going to be a long road with her.  

Well I am beat and off to bed tomorrow the big time packing begins starting in the guest room.  Have a good night people.

Whats in my beach bag

  I wanted to share with you guys my beach bag essentials. These are things I have to have no matter if I am at the pool or the beach. 

 Okay first off always but esp. now since I am prego I need a huge amount of hydration .  Being dehydrated is very bad for you when you are pregnant.  So a huge bottle of water.  Some magazines to catch up on,  a hat to keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes and a good pair of sunnies.  Since I have blue eyes they are esp. sensitive and I will totally get a headache if I don't have a good pair of sunnies to protect them.

 I always keep lots of sunblock in the bag for me and my babes.  I know kids look cute tan but a sunburn when you are young ups their chances of skin cancer when older.  So I take special care of their skin for them now because they don't know but it will pay off when they are older and have nice skin.  So I have 3 sun screens in the bag.  A stick for their faces and touch ups, and a good water/sweat proof spf for their bodies, The spray we are using up. I don't prefer it because I find the wind catches it and you tend to miss spots and get burned spots.  I have gone back to old school lotion might be more of a pain in the butt but I know I got everywhere. Don't forget your lips keep a good spf lippie in your bag.   I also have some yummy body wash and shampoo to shower off after swimming laps and what not. 

 Now some more after water musts to keep are the equate after sun cool lime lotion.  I love love love it! It smells great and feels great after being in the sun.  (keep it in your fridge) I always keep Organix coconut milk (I had to change out the bottle because my pump broke.) and tangle spray.  These too smell great and will leave your hair shinny and smooth after beach or pool.  I have a tangle teazer too this is the best thing EVER.  It is a must for tangly hair.

So those are my beach bag must haves no matter if you are going to pool or beach these are essentials.
What are your musts in your beach bag?  Leave me a comment I would love to know :)