Smokey Eyes

Several people have asked me if I have ever tried the smokey eye look that is so popular right now. Honestly, I never try to wear heavy eye shadow partly because back when I did go out it wasn't in style and because I never thought it was a good look for me, but I did attempt the look just for fun tonight. I used my favorite eye shadow palette Naked by Urban Decay, Nars highlight blush in albatross, Urban Decay potion primer, 27/7 Urban Decay black eyeliner, and a white liner pencil to create this look. Let me know what you think it's still not my thing but now I can say I did it!

No flight - Packing

When we do not fly and we are taking a trip for four days or less I pack in possibly a unconventional way, but to me it is so much more relaxing than putting everything in a suitcase. I pack in a laundry basket, yes I said I pack in a laundry basket.

Here are my thoughts about why I pack in a basket. 1. After the trip is over all of your dirty laundry is in a laundry basket already 2. Lots more space is around if you do not have a zipper 3. If you put a put a blanket on the top (I always do because I know most hotels do not wash the comforters) you can still stack extra items on top in the car if needed 4. Easy to place on a rolling hotel cart 5. Overall I think I pack more efficiently in the basket because I have space without the top 6. If you have a small child it is a time saver too because you can carry it around dumping stuff in as you are leaving if needed. Ok I have tons more reasons but you get the point I think it's gravy!!

Try it on your next trip!! Let me know how it goes!!

Fresh Coat of Paint

As I talk to other moms or find interesting activities online I do try a few and we found this works! I modified another moms idea and it is at least 30-40 minutes of good fun!

Here is what you need:
-cardboard box bigger the better
-paint brush
-small container
-bath fizz tablets
- little water

Here is what you do:
1. Fill container half way with water
2. Let child put fizzy in water color of their choice
3. Place the cardboard on either grass or the driveway something that will not stain because these haven't stained even clothes but I would not want you to find out the hard way it stains
4. Give the child the paint brush and container let them paint away

It is a super fun activity which doesn't give everything in your house a coat of paint!!!

Bread Winner

Even though I am not the money maker in the family anymore I can still make some dough and save some money. ANYONE can!!

I do not have a bread maker or fancy pants bread making skills, but I recently had an interest in making my own bread. My Mother-in-law even gave me a recipe which I haven't attempted yet. I thought I would start off with one of these kits to see if I could get up the courage to make our bread instead of buying it every time.

Just completed the super easy process with this kit and as you can see it didn't turn out too bad for my first try! Basically you add sugar and yeast add cup of warm water let activate for 2 minutes then stir in flour (everything is included minus water) finally plop onto a baking sheet let rest covered for 25 minutes then bake!!! It was surprising how easy it is and it is way cheaper than loaf bread. Not too pretty but is yummy no matter what it looks like!!! I consider my first attempt as a winner!!

Random Acts of kindness - YES

Today as I was looking through Pinterest to find fun things to do with my son I came across this one http://ticklestogiggles.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-birthday-was-awesome.html?m=1 and I LOVE IT!!! In fact, I'm such a big believer of this I've done pay it forward days of my own. When I paid it forward my son and I simply went to Starbucks which we love to do for breakfast on occasion and bought the persons drink in the car behind us in the drive thur line plus put a $5 tip (which I never do) in the container for the employees. It was so rewarding and the woman actually tried to get next to us and stick the coffee out the window saying cheers and many thanks for starting off my day with a smile!!!

Both random acts of kindness and paying it forward are wonderful ways to impact a person! It really doesn't take a lot of money or a ton of time to help in even the smallest way! I especially like to help our local community because lots of times I am angered at large non profits for their misuse of funds when for instance they send us a dime, penny, quarters even, and I've even heard of dollars so you will send it back to them plus some. I'm not sure how their accountant even allows that to happen but it does so often!! I ended up taking those funds and putting them with my favorite non profit the American Cancer Society so thank you other organization for contributing to the organization of my choice!

Anyway, I just had to share this today because I love doing community service and hope to pass that on to my child too!!!