Melissa's Must-Haves #4

Welcome to Melissa's Must-Haves #4: My Cosmetic Bag Edition!

As the impending conclusion of my life in the 20's creeps ever closer, and the number of sleepless nights, endless days, and coffee-dependent moments have increased with each child, I simply must have my make-up. Without it, I fear I would scare poor children in the streets. Or at least get endless comments about how "tired" I look. I am perpetually tired and it's really amazing what a little make-up can do for the ego. Like a fresh coat of paint in a room. ;)

I don't have a lot of money to spend on make-up (but who does these days?). So other than a few indulgent purchases at Mary Kay parties, I pretty much stick to the drug store brands. I tend to keep using certain products, because it is too expensive to buy-to-try and end up not liking it. Every now and then I live on the edge and pick up something new, but only if there is a crazy sale or a great coupon for it because then I can justify it to myself.

So here is a peek into what's currently my make-up bag. Again, these are really basic brands, nothing fancy here, but maybe you'll see something you want to try.


Bronzer:
A definite must-have, especially after the nearly 8 month absence of the sun here in NY. I probably use too much of this, but the key is to not make yourself look sun-kissed, not orange. I have tried a couple different bronzers, but I love the Neutrogena Mineral bronzer, mainly because of the built in brush.



Powder:
I pretty much use powder exclusively in the summer in lieu of bronzer to take away that extra perspiration shine. In anticipation of those warmer days, I just picked up Maybelline Shine Free Powder.




Eyeliner:

I probably wear too much of this too, but I can't seem to get rid of the eyeliner. I exclusively use CoverGirl Smoothers in smoke, which self-sharpens. Colored eyeliner looks like fun, but I can't bring myself to buy it for fear of sporting a retro look I do not want to bring back.




Eye shadow:
Not a huge fan of eyeshadow but I do like a light color to brighten the eyes. I usually grab the CoverGirl or Maybelline brand, whatever is cheaper at the time. Again, the bright colors scare me a bit, so I stay really neutral. Not sure I could pull off the lime green/fuchsia or orange/yellow combos I've seen recently.



Mascara:
Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline. The Colossal Volume Express is my current fav. It's not gloppy or clumpy, it goes on well, and finishes nice with an eyelash curler. That's enough for me.





Blush:
Don't use this much, if at all, but I do own the Maybelline Mineral Powder Blush. I've been happy with it when I do use it.






Lipstick:
I don't have a set lipstick brand that I use because I tend to grab whatever is on sale at the time. But this is one MaryKay product that I do like to indulge on and use repeatedly. I love their selection of colors and, even though it isn't specifically a "long-lasting" lipstick, it tends to stay on my lips longer than the drug store brands. Gloss is a must-have too and it ends up being whatever is the cheapest :).



Foundation:
I'm still looking for the "perfect" foundation...you know the one that gives that airbrushed, flawless finish in the exact color of my skin. Does it exist? I don't know but I'm willing to look for it, so this is one I tend to switch up on. I currently have the Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse, which I think I bought in slightly too dark of a shade. Hopefully in the next month or so I will have some exposure to the sun and will be able to get some use out of it for the summer months.


I'd love to have a peek into your cosmetic bag too, if you're willing to spill! Leave me a comment! I take make-up recommendations very seriously :).

P.S.
I was asked recently if I had a button for people to link to my site. (Flattered!) I don't have an html code set up, but you are welcome to use this button to link here. If you do snag it, I'd love for you to leave me a comment to let me know. Thanks for asking!

Edited: Special thanks to Stacy for creating a code for my button! Just add the code listed on my sidebar as an html gadget and you're good to go!
Also, if you are here from my recipe blog, Momma Bee's Recipes, welcome! Thanks for following! I've decided to merge that blog into this one, so any new recipes I post will be shared here from now on!
All the recipes from that blog are now available here! You can search through my recipes collection by clicking the Recipes button located on the sidebar, or search by topic by using the drop menu on the side.

Thanks!

In the Mood to Play

It's a sunny, beautiful looking day out, but I tried going out and it was too cold for my blood. That northerly breeze from the lake is just frigid! I'd honestly rather have it be gloomy and warm out like yesterday than sunny and cold at this point. We had a picnic lunch outside with Auntie Ally yesterday, and it was wonderful! It gave me hope that warmer days are not far ahead.


Look what happens when I'm in the mood to play and get stuck inside! At least I got a new blog design out of it :).

Happy Birthday Brad... and Priorities

First off I have to wish my "Dutch (not Irish), Central African-born, very white man" a very Happy Birthday!!! I love you Brad and hope this year holds much excitement and success as you graduate from residency and begin a new phase in your career!

So...life has been crazy here lately and it's got me thinking.

When you only have about 16-18 waking hours in the day, you have to choose wisely how you use them. Whoever said being a stay at home mom is boring, or asks what in the world we do all day, just doesn't get it. I feel like I am gearing up for a race each day to tackle as many things off my never-ending to do list as I can before I hit the sack exhausted and pray I get enough sleep to get up and do it again the next day. I have been staying up several hours after my family is all in bed to try to finish everything. And honestly, certain things just aren't getting done these days, and I have now been forced to choose what I am going to accomplish and what I am going to neglect.

Thankfully, blogging only takes a few minutes out of my day and allows me to stop and record my thoughts, or share special memories, or release frustration, or whatever therapeutic method is needed at the time. I enjoy doing it and love that it is not an obligation or something I have to check off my to-do list. That being said, I have decided to stop doing a weekly Friday Funny Pages for the time being. Not to say I won't be sharing the funny moments, because there are just way too many not to share and I want to be able to go back and read them some day! I just won't have a set day anymore to do it. I'm glad I have encouraged many of you to start capturing those moments and I hope you continue to do so whether it's on Friday or any day of the week!

I have a ton of photos I'd like to update with soon. Maybe when the kids go down for a nap I will have a chance to catch up on that. Or maybe I'll catch a little nap myself today. :)

Twitterpated

Not a big surprise but I took this little quiz today that informed me how addicted I am to blogging.

87%

I truly thought it would be higher. ;)

And thank you to all my readers for all the kind words, well wishes, thoughtful prayers, and overall "I've been there too!" encouragement from my posts of yesterday. I think today is going better already and it is good to know there are others out there who get it...and who got a good chuckle or at least a hint of a smile from the happenings of my week thus far! :)

And in furthering my addiction (and possibly yours), I am now on Twitter and you can see my Tweets as I post them on my sidebar. But even better, if you have a Twitter account yourself, you can follow me and get my updates along with all the others you read and tweet back to me. :)

Now I have another excuse outlet to therapeutically pour my daily musings, as brief as they may be, onto my computer screen for the world to share.