Aaarrrrrggggg, strawberries give me scurvy.

Today was a bit of a sobering day so I would like to share something that made me laugh ridiculously and repeatedly.  Hopefully, it cheers us all up.

Aaarrrrrggggg, strawberries give me scurvy. - Imgur

-J

Practice Makes Perfect Part 2

A little while ago I posted some practice up-do looks for the holiday season to get your opinions (I appreciate your feedback, by the way).  Well now I've finally gotten around to practicing some "down" looks for you to choose between again.  Here we go:

Look #3: Curly Down w/ Neutral Pink Lip

 

With the lighting it's a little hard to tell what my makeup looks like but I swear it's a bolder eye with a nude lip.  I promise.

Look #4: Half Up/Half Down Curly w/ Plum Lip

This look would show off any jewelry a little better and I could add some nice pins or combs to finish it off too.  

So which of these looks do you like better and how does/do it/they compare to the up-dos?

I bet Ken's going to wonder if he forgot some special event when he gets home and finds me all done up.  Who knows, maybe he'll take me out just because I look abnormally good.  With a 3 month old and a 3 year old the chances are slim but sometimes staying in can be just as nice.

-J

Practice Makes Perfect

My name is Jane and I am a Pinterestaholic.  It all started two weeks ago when I finally succumbed to peer pressure and decided to see what this "Pinterest" thing was all about.  I haven't stopped pinning since.  However, some good things have come out of my addiction and one of them is that I have found some neat ideas on how to do my hair and makeup for the holiday season.  I've been practicing a little bit and decided to let you all in on the action to help me decide which look looks the best - since my husband is absolutely no help with these sorts of things.  I'll ask how I look and a typical response will be "Your lips are very red," or "Yep, your hair is up," as though those are actual answers.

I have two up-do looks for you today and more may be on the way depending on my energy levels over the next few weeks.

Look #1: Starting the Party with a BANG

Look #2: Sidebun Fun

Okay, judge away!  Tell me which look you like better and why.

-J

What's In...My Purse

I realized that I have seriously been neglecting my blog.  Yes, I did just recently have a baby, but I think I'm ready to start posting more regularly again.  So, to kick off my new found motivation I have decided to start a series called "What's in..." followed by an item, hence, this week's item: my purse.

It's actually pretty pathetic.  Since having a baby, the contents of my purse have become very Spartan because I usually cram everything into the diaper bag.  Nevertheless here we go.

From top to bottom/left to right:

1. Green baby washcloth.  I have no clue why this is in my purse.
2. Kobo eReader.  Helps me pass the time at numerous doctor's appointments.
3. Last week's grocery list.  Yes, I have a print out with shopping categories.  Helps keep me organized.
4. Petland receipt for fish: one blue cichlid and one golden cichlid.  Russell loves his fish.
5. Wallet.  The contents of which could be a topic for another day.
6. Blue pen
7. Baggy with baby wipes.  You never know when they'll come in handy - which is often.
8. Red USB stick
9. Keys
10. Cell phone.  No it's not one of those cool smart phones all the kids have these days. 
11. Booster Juice mints
12. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in "Peach Parfait".  Love this color.  Wear it all the time.
13. Maybelline Lipstick in "Born with It" - a nice frosted pink.
14. Covergirl Naturelux Lip gloss balm SPF 15 in "Sandstone".  Also in regular circulation.
15. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in "Desire".  Love, love, love this color and that it's a stain so you don't constantly have to reapply and it doesn't come off on my baby's head when I kiss him all the time.  I was actually looking for this and what do you know, here it is.
16. Package of safety pins.  One time I ripped a hole in the butt of my jeans and had to patch it up with safety pins in the bathroom.  It was very punk.
17. Spun wire dreamcatcher necklace.  Random.  I think I bought it in Mexico for a dollar.
18. Eveline Charles Salon business card for "Williams".  He did a good job but it took way too long.
19. Spare keys to my parents house.  I think they actually changed all the locks so I better throw this one out.
20. Sanitary Napkin.  I'm surprised there isn't a tampon in here too but I guess I was pregnant recently so there was no need.

Hmm...20 items eh?  I guess it's not so Spartan after all.  It's just that usually there are diapers and hand sanitizer crammed in there too.  I wonder, if someone didn't know me, what they would think of me just from looking at the contents of my purse.  For the future I'll have to remember to carry around something extra surprising just so I don't look so boring!

So, what's in your purse?

-J

The Next One Might Kill Me

Having babies takes a lot of sacrifice: monetary, emotional and physical.  I'm trying to lose all the baby weight right now so my mind has been focusing a lot on the physical sacrifice lately so I decided to make a list of all of the things my body has endured (as well as many other women I'm sure) in order to bring two beautiful babies into the world:

1. Weight Gain
2. Nausea
3. Stretch Marks
4. Edema
5. General Lethargy
6. Abdominal Separation
7. 2nd Degree Tears
8. Uterine Cramps
9. Hemorrhoids
10. Near Mastitis (I just barely avoided it but it was still painful)
11. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
12. Prolonged Bleeding from Retained Products of Birth (I'm still bleeding!)
13. Gall Bladder Attacks
14. Gall Bladder Removal Surgery
15. Surgery Recovery
16. Scars from surgery
17. Hip Displacement
18. Pulled Groin

It's a pretty decent list and I only have two kids.  Plus, I didn't even mention all of the sleepless nights up with newborns.  I don't even want to know what might happen to my body if I have a third!  

But, of course, it's all worth it when you get to hold that little bundle and wonder who he'll look like and what personality will emerge from such a tiny being - what new struggles and joys will be yours to experience just because he exists.  

-J  

Commitment

I don't really care for dramatic changes, at least when it comes to my hair style.  However, yesterday I spontaneously made a huge commitment; I GOT BANGS!  And not just the cute, swoopy side bangs  the full on heavy fringe.

I'm kind of already regretting it but it's too late now.  Next time I'll plan my spontaneity a little better.

-J

Russell Says the Darndest Things

I just thought I would document some verbal gems that Russ has been dropping lately, mostly in regards to Troy.  It seems he's really warmed to the babe.

1.  When introducing Troy to others:

• "This is our baby, Troy.  He poops out his belly button" (he says pointing to umbilical cord).
• "This is my new baby, Troy.  He cries all the day.  He sure does" (he says with raised eyebrows).

2.  When Troy cries:

• "Mom!  You have to help my baby.  You have to help him, Mom!"
• "Awww...he's sad.  Maybe it's because he pooped" (he says pointing to umbilical cord once again).

3.  When nursing Troy

• Russ:"Why is his mouth on your boo-boos?"/ Me: "Because that's where he gets milk from; that's how he eats." / Russ: "Oh.  He can eat on my boo-boos (he asks as he lifts his shirt)?" / Me: "No, because you're a boy and I'm a Mommy." / Russ:  "Right.  My boo-boos is too small...and yours is BIG."

4.  When kissing Troy

• "I just love him, Mom; I just do."

Man, I just love both of my beautiful boys; I just do.

-J