lovin right now

A few things to show what I am "lovin right now". 

Tree Hut lotion with Shea.  I buy it at Kroger and it's not real expensive but it works marvelously.

Josie Maran color stick.  I got this from QVC in a duo with face lotion.  I didn't use it much at first but now I love it.  My blush lasts all day with just a sweep up my cheeks and a little rubbin' it in.

Pure Illumination lip gloss.  My friend Kim get this fantastic lip gloss for me at her beauty supply place.  There is a mirror on the side and lights in the wand so you can always see what you're doing.  The lip gloss is fabulous too!

Poo-Pourri is a wonderful little invention.  My cousin Jennifer gave me some on a recent trip to Houston.  My favorite scent so far is Royal Flush.  It really saved us in the close quarters of our camper a few weeks ago.

image inspiration

One of my Mom's friends always asks her how her daughter (me) who lives the simple life is doing.  I really didn't feel that I lived a simple life until a recent step out of my life.  I realize that I am satisfied with simpler things and truly don't have the desire for bigger and better.  Repurposing a card board box, as seen in this post, just tickles me.  While the finer things are fantastic for some folks it is just not my style.  I do admit that I wish I made more money.  This little day care doesn't exactly make you a millionaire or even a thousandaire, but when I walk into this door on Monday morning it's like walking in to my second home.  Everything is just the way I like it.  Speaking of tickling... here are a few images that have inspired me just by looking at them. 

 

 

 

Light Up Houses

How simple and fun.  Of course I want to make them today but it may be fun to save this project for another month when Christmas and lights and Santa villages are upon us.  I think the kids will love them!  I can already see a few set up on my mantle underneath alpine trees.

 

 

Found on mothersmessymadness.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Whipped Bronzing Body Butter

 

I recently made a QVC purchase of body butter with argon oil that I am so excited about getting.  Had I not made that purchase I would be all over making this all natural body butter asap.  I am sure I will get around to it because I already have eighty percent of the ingredients so why not!

 

Found on blog.freepeople.com

Advent Calendar

At my Mom's growing up we always enjoying our advent calendar.  Our was made of felt and the ornaments had ting pieces of Velcro and we loved getting up in the morning an plucking the ornament of the day and placing it on the Christmas tree.  At least I did.  I was usually the first one up.  Since then I have wanted a similar advent calendar but have never purchased one.  I won't be buying this one either because they are sold out already but it does give me some inspiration on possibly making my own.  I have some drop cloth for the backing and lighter fabrics for the ornaments and goodness knows I've got buttons I could use.  I am slowly talking myself into this project.  You can see more pictures by following the link in the title.  This one is my Rachel Ashwell and I found it on her blog. Did I mention it was $329??  Good Lord! 

 

 

 

are you a sloucher?

Are you a sloucher?  Not a slacker... a sloucher?  I am for sure.  When I catch myself slouching, which is quite often, I think of the Grandmother in the movie The Parent Trap telling Hayley Mills "Stand up child, don't slouch!  I hope you haven't picked up any bad habits from that camp of yours."  Slouching is a bad habit and not only that but it makes your body less efficient and can damage your spine, muscles and ligaments and can make you tired.  I can be at my computer, sitting on my stool and the day care or just standing there talking and realize that my back is curved in like a C or my midsection is oddly using my right hip to rest on.  All slouching!

I remember sitting in church, some years ago, and noticing this gal at the other end of the pew.  I didn't know her and she was sitting by herself.  She was sitting as straight up as anyone I have ever seen.  Her back wasn't even touching the back of the pew.  I wondered for a minute if she might have had a back brace on that wouldn't let her sit back.  But the whole time, there she sat with this perfect posture.  Of course I tried to sit up straight too.  I am sure I forgot in a very short amount of time and slumped back on the pew. 

Matter of fact, or I may have dreamed this but I seem to recall a gadget or an idea that they should make a buzzer that you attach to your bra that will vibrate when you start to slouch to remind you to stop it.  That's an idea. I would wear it too. I truly feel better and more alert when I stand up straight and am trying to train myself to be aware of myself slipping and make myself sit up better. 

Here are five tips to stop slouching today!

1.  Hold your shoulders back.  This will immediately make you tilt your lower back in straightening you up.

2.  Look up or straight ahead when you walk.  Don't stare at the ground which you really shouldn't do anyway.  Especially when walking in a parking lot where strangers are. 

3.  Hold your chin up!  It curves your upper back inward instead of outward.  No one wants to be a hump back!

4.  Stand erect and pretend to zip a zipper all the way up your midsection while taking a deep breath.

5.  Adjust your chair to a position that helps you sit up straight or get one of those back pillows for lower back support.

Good posture makes you look and feel better.  Not to mention a confidence booster in both your appearance and mind!  Are you a sloucher?  What kind of tricks do you have to remind yourself to stand up straight?

And while you 're at it... tame your tush!  and... Have a jog and a smile!