real

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Keepin’ It Real

I realize that I post everyday. And I have a backlog of posts that I need to publish. But I have decided that I am going to make this post a regular feature once a month. I read a lot of blogs. And I love them. But here is the thing…Sometimes I feel bad. Why can’t I weave a headdress of beads made from my children’s napkins that they have used every night? Why can’t I beautifully saunter down an empty road in heels?

Or wear heels?

Or have a place to wear heels to?

Let’s keep it real here. As I try to always do. But more so here. Because having a blog, well, it can be very narcissistic. I do not want it to be. But since this is my blog, it does end up a lot about, well, me. Ugh!

So, on the 29th of every month, I am going to “keep it real” here on this blog.

This means you will get to see pictures of recipe fails, outtakes of outfit pictures (gulp), messes, and pretty much anything and everything that makes me, well, me (more narcissism?). You will also get peeks into what made me happy that month and maybe pictures of clothes and recipes that will be posted later. Cause I love sharin’.

The good and the bad.

Here was October:

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The kids and I had three nights of chicken quesadillas. Yes, three nights. Mommy is cheap and I needed to use up the bag of uncooked tortillas and homemade salsa. But one night, I burnt my dinner (the kids’ quesadillas were still good). So, I had two little pieces. And ended up with having one giant glass of wine for dinner instead.

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I love coming up with new ways to wear things in my closet. Here is a look I plan on wearing this week. It is a Free People dress from Nordstrom Rack, mustard tights, fun earrings and boots (imagine I can take a full picture).

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My husband has a habit of taking pictures of me in the middle of me changing poses. Which ends with pictures of me that look like this. So pretty. Not.

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Our backyard looked like this for a month. Because we were all terrified to go out there with the brown widows. And then it rained. All over our mess. Good times!

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We live very close to a bakery. Nothing makes me happier than picking up fresh bread for the kids’ lunches. This loaf was too hot to bag. So, it stayed in the paper bag until it cooled down. My house smelled like yeast and winter when I left and came back two hours later. It was a happy smell.

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This is a project I am working on. It is almost complete! I cannot wait to share it. It is a hook rug! Now where the heck am I going to put it where no one can step on it? And if no one can step on it, why the heck did I make it? Good questions.

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I made up a scrumptious sauce for chicken in my head. I tried it out with a rotisserie chicken and ended up with what looked like dog food. Fail. It tasted good, but I definitely need to rework this.

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These are what are often hiding in my boots. I have three pair. They are from Modcloth. They make me happy.

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And I wore this outfit one day. Can you guess what is wrong with my outfit? Oh, yes. I wore my skirt sideways all day. Genius!

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I recently attended two Anthropologie Workshops. It was so fun learning new crafts and meeting new people. I have two posts going up in the next two weeks about the workshops I attended. However, I wanted to let you know now in case there are any near you still available. Check the Anthropologie website for your state information.

What has been your “doh!” moment this month? Or do you have a favorite memory you have made? Please share and “keep it real” here with me.

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It’s The Little Things: Good Mascara

I am very spoiled when it comes to mascara. My mom always surprises me with a new one. It is such a treat. Recently she purchased me Benefit’s “They’re Real!” Mascara. I used it for a month. I was not convinced. But then I switched back to my old mascara brand and was appalled. “They’re Real!” Mascara was so much better.

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I ordered myself another one from Sephora and have been a happy customer ever since.

This mascara is on the spendy side. It is actually the only expensive mascara I would say is worth it. I really have tried them all. Well, not really, but I have tried a lot. Benefit’s mascara is much better, in my opinion.

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I have small eyelashes. I am tremendously jealous of the folks who were blessed with gorgeous eyelashes. I must be content to just enhance mine. I am by no means thinking people are going to think my eyelashes are so great they are not real. But they are much better than what I wake up with.

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This does the trick. The best it can with what it has to work with.

If you do not want to spend that much money on mascara, I have ranked my favorites in order of 1-3. I also rated them based on what I have experienced with the products. The last two can be found at the grocery or drug store for much less and I think they work beautifully.

1. Benefit They’re Real! Mascara (9/10. The reason this gets a 9 and not a 10, is because it is hard to remove.)
2. Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion (the purple mold) (8.25/10: Easy to remove. Great application.)
3. Maybelline Great Lash ( in the pink case) (8/10: Also easy to remove. Does not produce as long of eyelashes as above products.)

4. (For good measure) Lancome Doll Lashes (7.5/10: Harder to remove. Good product the first couple of applications. Not as good after that. But produces better lashes than any of the other products the first few applications.)

It’s the little things: longer eyelashes. The ultimate quest fulfilled.

Have you tried this mascara? What is your favorite mascara?

* Again, this is simply my review. Your miles (or eyelashes in this case) may vary.

Edited to add at 9:45 a.m.: I recommend going to your local Sephora or make up counter for a sample size of the expensive mascaras or to test them out before purchasing a full size.