30-something and fabulous! part one

I finally have a routine for skin care! Yeah after all these years, I finally have gotten into the swing of things and become a grown up when it comes to taking care of myself. I feel that no matter what product you choose, price range, or area of concentration, a routine in maintaining skin is the key!

I do my research and check out all the claims different products have, I ask around for advice or what works best for others, and try to make all sorts of sense out of it and I'm lucky to say I have seen results with a few good products. I'm starting off in this post with skin care routine, and will finish up with my favorite makeup and hair products next time!

I'm a big fan of Dove body wash and most of their products! Everything is just right for moisturizing and soothing skin, so I start off with some fresh cucumber, citrus, shea butter, nothing too perfume like. I'm also a fan of some of the Bath & Body shower gels and sugar scrubs. Sugar scrubs are great for any rough skin or the little bumps you get on the back of your arms, you can even make your own with sugar and olive oil, coconut oil and sunflower oil are good options as well.

I'll tell you a secret that I have had for a long time ... hair conditioner, even just a cheap one, works amazing for shaving! Why pay so much for shaving cream when you can use the last bit of conditioner to shave? But before that, I had good luck with the shave gel options out there. A simple razor that has worked for years is the Original Venus from Gillette. Although my husband signed up for Dollar Shave Club and I've been liking what I'm seeing! If you don't know much about them, check it out here. I don't look much at labels for shaving cream because I like to lotion up after a shower anyways, so whether it's moisturizing or not (which I hope they are) anything extra to quench my thirsty skin is good. There are a lot of body lotions to choose from on the shelves and too little time to try them all. I think every company should have travel size bottles next to the full size, so you can test for yourself!  My favorites that I rotate out (just do, no specific reason why!) have been Dove, Jergens, and Curel. All these brands have products for different concerns, and over the years I have tried different ones from each brand with all having a nice, lightweight, non-greasy feel! I'm trying Aveeno now, and it is fantastic too! I don't have any skin issues, I just feel itchy and tight when I've been in the sun too long or haven't drunk enough water, and know I need to smooth on a coat!


My smile is one of my best features and I was fortunate enough to have braces as a teenager, otherwise who knows how my teeth would have turned out. And I have benefited from good genes in regards to gum condition, enamel strength and overall healthiness! Sexy right? I know, but these are important issues that most of us overlook when it comes to health and wellness! I've always just bought what ever sample product my dentist handed to me at the end of a check up and stayed with a soft bristle brush because I really wasn't sure about any other products. Well, I do not like battery operated toothbrushes, but my husband swears by them, and I don't floss much but the idea of a flavored floss just doesn't make any sense! In our house, we have stared using Young Living Thieves toothpaste and for the kids I get Nature's Gate, because studies show that the "foaming action" does not equal quality clean for your teeth! So after some research and other opinions, I came across this article along with a few others that made up my mind to switch toothpaste! 

Hair can be a defining feature for some, but for me, it's just not and most days I don't know what to do with my hair! My awesome stylist has always told me that shampoo with styling features like volume or smoothing, are not worth you time, it's actual styling product that gives you the look you want! Who knew! I had colored hair and bought her salon products to keep color longer, and I bought my products for thin hair, and I've tried a lot, but what it comes down to for me, is price! Pantene, Garnier, Aussie  and Tresemme have been my selections, and my awesome stylist would always say to switch products so there is no build up, which for my hair texture would be no good. Even tough it is thin, it is frizzy, and I combat that issue with Tresemme Keratin Smooth leave-in serum! Garnier and John Frida have worked out alright in the past, but I love this keratin smooth serum, not greasy, lightweight, one pump and I'm done, fabulous!

Last but not least, my current obsession for the taking care of me, is Olay Regenerist! I have my regiment with eyecream/bb cream and I love it! The pore scrub cleanser is refreshing and with the cleansing brush, you really feel like the whole day of impurities is blasted from you face without over drying. I've never been a fan of cream cleansers, so this is just perfect! Night creams are available with different concern solutions, along with micellar waters and toners, of which I have not tried yet. Another product I typically buy specific creams from is Roc Skincare. Fight those signs of aging now before they sneak up on you!

And like mom always used to say ... take your vitamins! Of course along with diet and water intake, skin, teeth, and hair always look it's best!

GLOWING SKIN IS ALWAYS IN

xo

create a beautiful space

"the details are not the details, they make the design"
Charles Eames, you master of design, you and your wife gave us fantastic pieces that define modern architecture and furniture! This era of interior design is one of my favorites, so many materials, styles, and ways to create a space! And their influence continues, it's timeless and beautiful!

There are so many interior styles now a days, and very affordable ones as well! I think the best part of a magazine article or a diy blog, is the comparison of high end to low cost recreations, finding that great looking piece so similar to the high end one, that you could easily trick a seasoned interior designer!

Every seasons end is the best time to look for interiors, it seems like everything is marked down! The stores need that space and you are in luck to find what you want for the price you want. Recently, my sister in law was searching for a low TV stand and I suggested a coffee table. She looked at me like I was crazy and I explained there are a lot more heights of coffee tables than you think, also to check out places other than furniture stores! She was so hung up on going to different furniture stores, that my suggestion of World Market was a huge light bulb going on over her head! Truth be told, she had never been into a World Market and had no idea of the variety of items they have! Now a days every brick and mortar store have an even bigger selection online, I found that out looking for a coffee table at Target! So then I brainstormed more places to check out and to suggest to my SIL.

Some you might have to go in with your list of interior pieces you are looking for and literally just look around. HomeGoods, SteinMart, Ross, TJ Maxx, Gordmans, all have eclectic product, you never know what you might stumble upon. Same with Weekends Only, even though they do have online information about products. I've had good luck at department stores too. Macy's, JC Penney, Dillard's, Kohl's all have some furniture and home decor in store, and not too specific of a style, options for whatever your tastes may be! I've also come across Old Tyme Pottery, At Home (Garden Ridge), and Menard's for larger furniture pieces that you might not have thought to look for in these stores. 

A friend of mine told me about her shopping adventures for unique pieces, and even great wedding gifts, at Savers! I was just there last week for the first time, and I was pleasantly surprised at the great finds! My friend shops the tableware items and picks up crystal ware for friend's wedding gifts, items that you probably wouldn't think to register for. She has found vases, candle holders, serving dishes, and lots more! Me, on the other hand, I loved seeing original Pyrex in great shape for great prices! You know, the milky white, rounded bottom, retro bird design around the middle!? I've seen vendors at vintage markets with that stuff for triple the price I saw at Savers!

A few more places with lots of styles are Pier 1 Imports, Earthbound, Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie, and Wayfair. Now, there could be a bit of sticker shock at some of these retailers, but if you check out sale product or outlet product, you might some great deals!

Here in St. Louis, we have some amazing shops full of cool stuff! I would recommend a day to yourself to shop a t these great places, you will get lost in them for hours! Revive Thrift, May's Place, Golden Gems on Etsy, The Green Shag Market, and so many more! You can stroll down Cherokee Antique Row and make a whole day of it! Etsy is another favorite of mine, lots of styles from artisans all over the world in one space, and all you have to do is type in a few keywords to get you to your next awesome find for your home! In fact, I'm in the process of opening my Etsy shop, Wild Poppy Findings, with antique and handmade pieces for the home, at the end of September!

AN INTERIOR IS THE NATURAL PROJECTION OF THE SOUL

xo

makin' money

Who wants to make some money?! Well there are lots of conventional ways and there are some out of the box ideas that I have tried over the years, and ended up making out pretty well! Both Joe and I have our regular jobs, he works full time and I have a part time job that is more of a contract set up. We like our jobs, but sometimes there is just not enough in the paycheck, and let's face it, it's always nice to have a little extra for fun things! 

So over the years I have tried some multi level marketing jobs {some where good and some were not so good}, I've helped with garage sales to make a cut, I had a small organizing business with my mom that didn't make it off the ground, and I have sold stuff on Facebook BST (buy, sell, trade) pages. For the most part Facebook BST is easy even if you don't need things to move fast or need a quick buck. Same goes for Craigslist, in my experiences. Both those platforms do not take a percentage of your bottom line and it is local, so no need for a shipping label or weighing the item. But if you have more than a handful of items, your stuff can be archived and then you need to organize it and "bump" it to advertise it. It can be a pain.

My latest find, in order to get rid of my stuff and make some money, are three apps that make it super easy and presentable to buyers! 

Poshmark
This sites nice, boutique presentation has been a nice money maker for me! Typically it is for high end brands or even upscale, nice clothing. But they now have a kids tab, so all the tiny baby clothes that have been sitting around, that garage sale shoppers want for a quarter, I can list for a couple dollars and it sells! Even toys in good condition I've had great luck with!
You take photos of your item from multiple angles, write a description, and the app has line items for size, color, brand, etc. You can share with others, follow other people, share to "parties" that the admin sets up, you get notices of those parties, you control any multiple item discount you want to offer, it's great! Poshmark takes care of the transaction, shipping label, and other concerns you may have, and in doing that, they keep 20% of the price you sold it for. You can converse with the buyer about offers and bundling items. Once you make a sale, you can transfer funds or request a check in the mail!

Vinted
This one is very similar to the above mentioned, except they only allow clothes and I have yet to see Men's or Kid's clothing on this app. The great thing about Vinted that makes it better, is that they do not take a percentage, you keep what you sell the item for! Also, I believe their shipping fees are lower, I'm not sure, but every time I see an item the shipping is under $4! Payday is transferred to your account whenever you like!

Mercari
This site let's you sell almost anything in your home, from artwork, to small appliance, to clothes and shoes, almost anything goes! They only let you have four photos of an item listed and you can have a multiple item discount, but there is no way to share, join a "party", or advertise you sale. Everytime you post an item it goes on their big initial listing page but you can't share or "bump" the item. Mercari takes care of the shipping label with a range of shipping sizes and any customer service type issues, and they keep 10% of the price you sold your item for. As I write this, I was just offered a price for a pair of earrings I have posted, I countered with $10 and the buyer accepted, so now I get $9, not too shabby! The one drawback that I wish they would change, is the waiting until your balance from sales is $20 or more in order to transfer your funds without a fee! Yeah ... not cool.

I have yet to set up anything on Ebay. My husband used to have an account and he remembers each item listed is charged a fee. I'm not sure if that is correct, I need to look up all that info and get to posting soon. Lastly, there is always Etsy for any vintage, antique, or handmade items you have laying around the house! So many crafting ideas have turned out to be pretty good, so I'm in the process of setting my Etsy shop, Wild Poppy Findings, with a hopefully grand opening at the end of September!

STOP WISHING, START DOING

xo

essential oils & other healthiness

My allergies are terrible! They have been getting worse year after year and this year I have Fall allergies! That would have to be the work of ragweed, which has never bothered me at the end of summer/fall season, I usually just have a miserable Spring. In order to open the window for the crisp Fall breeze after a long season of a/c constantly running, I turn to my essential oils for relief!

I know there is a lot of skepticism out there about homeopathic treatments and at the doctors office they ask if you take any "folk remedies" ... like I bring in an elderly woman that chants and waves her hands about over a cauldron of bubbling purple liquid every time I have the sniffles!

I believe that both medicine and homeopathic combined are the best solution to be healthy! For example, going to the chiropractor to maintain and prevent as well as taking some cough syrup in the middle of cold & flu season. The best of both worlds is the way to go. I have found that oils help with maintaining and relieves the onset of many things. As for my allergies, I have a roll-on mixture of oils for 4 times a day as well as diffusing oils which keeps everything at bay, but for horrible high pollen count days that I know we will be out and about I take my over the counter at night and use my roll-on oils a couple times during the day.

From bug spray to healing scrapes, relieving poison ivy to immune boosting, there is an oil for all! Here are a few combos that are always at the ready in my house,

Tantrum Tamer - 2 drops Orange, 10 drops Valor, 8 drops Lavender mixed with a carrier oil

Allergy Relief - 6 drops Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint mixed with a carrier oil

Household Air Freshener -  2 drops Purification and Lavender diffused

Immune Booster - 2 drops Lemon, Oregano, Thieves, Peppermint, Tea Tree diffused

Sleepy Time Cream - 4 drops Lavender, 2 drops Peace & Calm and Valor mixed with a carrier oil

And that's not all, I clean with essential oils and they do the job without the disgusting, eye watering, nose hair singing smell! Check out my Pinterest page for more oils blends and other healthiness.

The carrier oils I used are Sunflower Oil (look next to olive oils in the grocery store), Witch Hazel (in the aisle with band-aids and rubbing alcohol), Vitamin E oil (in the aisles with multi vitamins), and last but not least Coconut Oil (again with the olive oils at the grocery store). These carriers are used when applying the oils that might be too intense and they need to be "cut" with something. Witch Hazel works best for sprays and Coconut Oil works best as salves or creams, it can be whipped too which is awesome for Sleepy Time Cream, but melts when its warmed. Sunflower or Vitamin E oil is best for skin because it does not clog pores and it stays in liquid form, perfect for roller ball application.
Along with oils, I like Arnica for healing bruises, you can find it in an ointment or spray, and Calendula for cuts and scrapes as well as chapped lips and other dry skin. A great mosquito repellent I found is Johnson's Creamy Baby Oil, it keeps mosquito away and smells amazing! For sore muscles there are some great oils as well as a gel called BioFreeze The best brand that I have come across is Hyland's, Zarbee's, and for oils, I'm a Young Living girl! There essential oils and other products will be the best addition to you home and health!

OILS ARE MY LOVE LANGUAGE

xo

kindness matters

I tend to keep to myself. Rarely do I encounter another mom on the playground who is nice and starts chatting with me. They are either on the phone, with a friend, or fully involved with their child. I've never had a knack for starting a conversation with strangers and even in school it was hard to make friends, being the new kid in the grade. And not only making friends, but just being kind to the new person or the stranger they don't know. I remember being laughed at by other kids when I handed the bus driver a Christmas card, and another time when I helped the lunch lady because she dropped something. Kindness is lost on most people, but now more than ever, we need to teach kindness, remind others to be kind, show kindness in the hope that people will be involved in a ripple effect of kindness in the community.

I came across a few amazing teachings, really good ways to teach kindness and reminder lists on practicing kindness {the key component - practicing what you preach}, and I want to leave it here to remind myself.


Roots of Action is a wonderful blog and really struck me with these four steps that have in an article, click here for the entire article!
Teaching Kids about Kindness

Applying the Kindness Counts study in your home, classroom, or after-school program is easy. The goal is to help kids become more aware of doing acts of kindness and of their feelings of gratitude when they experience pleasant activities.

Follow these four steps to help enable children to be givers of kindness. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded!

 Understand the Importance of Kindness

Learn about the benefits of giving for children and adults. Check the web for resources for home and classroom, like The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Create a Kindness Project

Devise an activity where your family or classroom records ONE act of kindness or ONE pleasant activity per day. You might call it your “Kindness Project” or “Happiness Diary.” These activities could include helping with dishes, letting someone else go first, taking care of an animal, going out of way the for a friend, hugging someone to make them feel better, etc. Or they might include visits to places and experiences that make us feel good, like visiting a favorite park or a grandparent’s house.

Take Time to Share

On a regular weekly basis, take time to share as a family or classroom.  Rather than sharing everything in your diary, share the highlights of your week. Share enough so that everyone learns from each other’s acts of kindness and begins to understand the types of experiences that bring gratitude to life. Sharing encourages self-reflection and helps bring meaning to our actions.

Practice, Practice, Practice

It may not be practical to keep up a routine where you are sharing from a diary on a regular basis. Reinforcement of the kindness habit comes with practice. But once children get into the habit, it’s easy to share from time to time.

Whether it’s planting a peace garden, making a get-well card for a sick friend, or simply inviting someone new to sit at your school lunch table, there are many free and easy ways kids can help create a more peaceful world.

Another favorite organization is Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and they have a great education tool here for teachers, administration and students alike. I have a future post about our families random acts of kindness over the holidays that I hope inspires all!

One more teaching that I am fond of, and wish they implemented in my school district, is MindUP ! So much is going on in your brain on any given day, it can be overwhelming and children can feel this same way too. Check out MindUP's philosophy to take care of ones self and create harmony in the classroom.

WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS

xo

so many things to say

This is not meant to "start something" and I know there are many things that others have said and it may all sound the same, but this is what I want to say.
I am filled with rage, sadness, despair and confusion. I am filled with shock, disbelief, and stomach churning disgust for what I have seen on the news and read in articles about many a thing since the new year, but this latest  action, has taken the cake. 
I really don't know what else to say so I'm leaving these right here, because this is how I feel

 

STANDING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT IS WORTH IT

xo

you & me & baby make 3

My husband and I have a few friends pregnant right now or just had their first baby, which is so exciting to gain parent-friends and we have been able to bestow our knowledge upon them over the months, so basically the "don'ts" we have learned over the years.

But first, I'm going to get this out of the way because it is just bugging me and I have to say it ... stop painting baby's room shades of GREY! Why, why, why would you paint a baby's room grey!? That color is not chic or modern when it comes to children and I have yet to see it done well so it is not depressing! I understand a neutral pallet is what the main idea is, but grey is a neutral color for your living room or dining room not for baby!

Ok, moving on. I love these products that we have used and a few of these are from my merchandising experience with ease of use, I feel that a few items are worth the price that the convenience factor adds to them, for example a double stroller that is easy to open, close, and get into the car. Another is a rocking chair. I would say find one that is comfortable to sit in and fits you just right, you will be spending time in the chair so you want it to work! I did not have that luxury and it really became an issue. Other big ticket items, think how often you use them and how convenient you want them to be, car seat, pack n play crib, changing table/dresser. For our changing table we lucked out with a hand-me-down dresser that was the same size as a changing pad, put that on top, used the top drawer for diapers and wipes, works out perfect!

We registered for a convertible crib that was not too garish or expensive and we have yet to use the convertible feature on it! I would suggest only registering for mattress, fitted sheets, breathable mesh bumper, and waterproof mattress protector {the one that is like a sheet for on top the mattress} because that is all you really need! The whole bedding collections are adorable but you don't use half of what is included! But always get a hamper. You could go either way on a diaper container thing but don't get it if there are special trash bags involved.

As far as gear for traveling, we went with a Graco car seat and double stroller, both middle of the road price tag and both worked well for what we needed it for, we also registered for a rear facing car seat when S would grow out of the "pumpkin seat" carrier style. That would be a big piece of advice that we have given friends, register for things that you know you will need up to one years old or even just pass that, time goes by fast and before you know it, you really do need those items! Also, get a baby wearing product! I liked my Moby Wrap so I could easily wrap it up around baby and not disturb him and have a hand free to work, type, make a sandwich. So far, friends have loved their baby wearing product and are glad they got one!

A few more bed and sleeping items we liked were Sleep Sheep, Night Light {really all of this brands safety items!} Linen Blankets and now there are so many brands of muslin linen blankets to choose from {and we used regular cloth diapers as burp towels, absorbent and easy to wash} Closet Organizer. Bath time is so simple and so fun, you don't need any baby size wash cloth, there are so many cute hoodie towels on the market, and a sensitive skin soap is all you need! And don't forget diaper rash cream, or use calendula ointment, after bath. We liked having this tiny tub in the bath, super simple and got the job done!

Feeding baby, whether its a newborn or a toddler, is crazy! It can be challenging, messy, takes longer than you thought it would, and is funny to watch their expression when trying something new! I wish we had a standing highchair, that way it would not have taken up a chair, and as S grew I found a really great booster seat. I liked the Dr. Brown Bottles and the Munchkin snack cups, the 360 cup they sell is good but I found a better sippy cup that is easier to clean, also I've never been a fan of the spout or straw cups, too many nooks and crannies that get missed when washing. Bowls, spoons, forks are pretty standard but these plates are a great size and made from recycled materials!

The toys are the best part to register for because there are so many fun things and adorable items from handmade, to natural wood, to the standard stacking cups and rattles! We loved this floor mat, it turned out to be the best gift ever, and this rocker chair came in handy so many times {but ours is not so bright with bulky toys, they changed the design}!

Last but not least {maybe this needs to be a two part post!} the diaper bag. I don't know why I thought a cross body/shoulder bag was a good idea! I slipped forward knocking into things, it slide up my shoulder scratching my neck, it was not practical and I wish I had just registered for a backpack from the start. There are a lot of backpack style diaper bags out there and I tried one that was cute and had magnet flap closure, and that was a mistake too! It was a high end name brand that I found at a resale shop and know I know it was there, the flap was secure with magnets in the front but not the sides, and items slipped out, the straps were very weird with the bulk of the bag falling forward, and items slipped out! Basically, a complete failure of design. Do yourself a favor and go to Target, look in the back to school/ travel aisles, and get a good old standard backpack! I like Embark because they have the jar top style with zippers and pockets everywhere! I have a place to easily get my keys and wallet, I have a place to put my water bottle and other items that need zipped up pockets, inside I have pockets for diapers, wipes, and extra clothes, plenty of space for a little insulated bag to keep bottle or sippy cup. It's not bulky and fits great, best baby register item ever!

Well, that doesn't even begin to cover everything, but it's the advice I have on some essentials items that have worked out so well for us! Happy registering!

AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

xo