A Month of Pick-Me-Ups

Hello pretty peoples! Gosh, we had one hell of a long March! Now we are on to April showers with the hope for a ton of May sunshine (which in turn will bring those flowers)! 

I thought this month, of all months, we could use a few extra Pick-Me-Ups that feel like the long awaited Spring is actually here! So in addition to a couple "Pretty Little" PMU's, I'd throw in some extras...the inspiring, the eye candy and the tastebud variety! 

I'll begin with my eye candy! Just cause it's so purty and who doesn't want to start with purty?! 

A bouquet...of hair accessories! :) my little collection of flower clips ignited my urge for stage one of Spring organizing. The warmer months are all about less clothing and more pretty pick me ups! The beads, the bling and these beauties. So with the help of $5 and some clever thinking, I transformed my cluttered jewlery shelves into a simplistic colorful display. And there's nothing that makes me smile more first thing in the morning than the special art and creations by my Paris Renee! All my favorites, from the 5 year old handprints to the ceramic painted elephant ring holder. And my personal fav, the pastel birdbath shaped by hand! Far better than store bought! 

Not to mention, sprinkled here and there are always some of my very favorite pieces from my sisters jewlery collection. You can find some of her designs on Instagram at http://instagram.com/ejjewels 

(I just realized how chatty I've gotten, not that any of you are shocked by, I'm sure! Better move along...)

My March Pretty Little PMU's almost all consisted of one order placed to one of my favorite cosmetic companies, E.L.F.  Being the thrifty shopper that I am, I like to time my orders perfectly (in other words, 50% off sale and free shipping)! And it doesn't hurt that the majority of their products are $1, $3 and $5. Oh yes dearies, you heard me! And I'm really impressed with the quality as well. They even have a mineral line, free of parabens, preservatives or chemical dyes. 

The ONLY product I wasn't thrilled with here was the jumbo eyeshadow stick. 

It seems to melt away super fast and with Summer coming we need makeup that will stay put. I do, however, recommend the Make Up Forever eyeshadow sticks! Awesome colors and all day wear! 

My other new "make me smile" item this month is a new twist on an good ole favorite. I'm addicted to the EOS lip balm in Sweet Mint but I stumbled upon their Lemonade flavor and LOVE it! Same great feel and coverage only it tastes like fresh yummy lemons! What's more Summer than that! 

 As for the tastebud Pick-Me-Up's this month, I have a 1-2-3 punch! 

1- The ridiculously tasty and still healthy mini cup Chobani puts out in the new flavor, Mint with Dark Chocolate Chips! No words! Mmmm!

2- It's almost farmers market and roadside stand season! Which for us means an abundance of fresh organic 

produce to juice! At least one a day will fill your tummy (and your blood stream) with pure raw goodness! We decided to get a jump on it and dust off the juicer early! Bottoms up! 

3- Last but not least, we are Ball glass canning jar junkies! We use them for juicing, storing and even vases! So alittle  reorganizing was needed in our nuts, seeds and dried fruit department and what's the first thing you do after you're finished...take pictures of course! To share! 

I think that just about sums up March for now. On to April and the rainy yet SUNSHINING days:) Our evening walks after dinner will begin again! Until the flip flops and tank tops come out, we will pull up our socks, button up our vests and take to the muddy streets!

Happy days and warmer nights to all!

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/

http://www.makeupforever.com/us/en-us

http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

http://www.chobani.com/products

http://kriscarr.com/recipe/make-juice-not-war-green-drink/

http://www.freshpreserving.com/home.aspx

Mid-March Pick-Me-Ups (little xtra needed to stay warm)

Baby, it's cold outside! But I received a little touch of Spring in this months Birchbox! From the "think sun" Coola mineral tinted sunscreen to Vasanti's face brightening cleanser, I'm practically hearing birds chirping! Yet they continue to warm your insides too with a few Mighty Leaf tea samples and a cherry dark chocolate mini. 

 

March seems to be moving along quite swiftly though...good and sad. But weather wise, we are all ready to break! And by all, I'm including my nails! Poor split, brittle, dry nails. I have, however, tried my best to pamper them a little(in addition to a sisters lunch and mani day last week) I've been attempting to stay ahead of the havoc and using my good friend Essie. A base coat (or two) of "fill the gap", topped with their multi talented "3-way glaze" to strengthen and protect, I'm ready for the gloves to come off! 

Although I've been loving my Birchbox surprises, I can rarely turn down a good ole sampler bag of beauties! While poking about in the local health store I came across one of my favorite  "good for me" natural lines, Zum by Indigo Wild. I've been meaning to try a new Zum body spray in a citrusy scent and low and behold, there was a trial size (eeeeee!) lavender-lemon spray in this lovely little bag! It didn't hurt matters at all that keeping each other company were some other friends like grapefruit body wash, lemongrass body oil, lavender-mint goats milk soap and tin of franckenscence Zum rub...among others! Even the W2B at home couldn't resist the excitement this bag surely can bring! Yay healthy slatherings! 

So with all these newbies lining the countertop, I'll have much to report on up ahead:) Guess that means lots n lots of warm showers while Mother Nature decides whether the weather should change, or whether we weather more of this weather together! (mmmmmm poetry) 

So stay bundled and snuggled and cuddled until further notice. Just keep thinking SPRING! I certainly am (just wait til I show you my next ELF order)!

Until then...

Good Day Lovies 

http://www.coolasuncare.com/

http://vasanticosmetics.com/brighten-up-enzymatic-face-treatment-exfoliator.html

http://www.mightyleaf.com/

http://www.essie.com/

http://www.indigowild.com/

Pretty Little Pick-Me-Ups

Welcome!

Oh, the beauty of Springtime! Not necessarily my "favorite" season really (ahhh warm Summer sunshine... Mmm soothing smells and crisp air of Autumn), but there is just something exhilarating and down right HAPPY about this time of year! Makes me feel like dancing! (*cue music*  http://youtu.be/y6Sxv-sUYtM 

...go ahead, I'll wait!)

See! Ok, back to the pretty talk;) This may just be the 6+ months of dreary, dark, bitter, cold, below zero temperature talking, but I adore the colors of Spring! Vibrant blues, pastel greens, lemony yellows and lovely lavenders! And of course, any shade of pink!!! And it's as if every designer, make up artist and beauty magazine editor have been waiting just as we have...to release a literal explosion of these colors! 

Have you seen the new Drew Barrymore collection of cruelty free/USA made/high quality for low price makeup line so appropriately called FLOWER?! 

(see how I did that!☺️)

Everywhere they are blooming right alongside the buds on the trees. And. We. LOVE. It! 

Every magazine rack. Every makeup counter. Every display window. Even the www, full of bouquet palette junkie fixes. And I am an addict! 

Now, I'm no expert nor will I ever claim to be! More of just a messenger. 

I love my fair share of fun beauty finds though! I admittingly can not miss a month of Stylewatch, find joy in reading a long list of favorite beauty blogs, have a drawer full of trial size this and that's and wait ever so (im)patiently for my Birchbox every 30 days. 

I tend to have that trait of being unable to choose favorites. For example, favorite color? I love pink...but have you seen mint green lately and coral and cobalt blue is to die for OH and black! Yes, black actually falls into my favorite color list. (Don't get me started on movies, songs or numbers! I'm a passionate, artistic old soul with obsessive compulsive tendencies...yeah, you do the math!) 

My very simple point here...and then this Blog was born! Pretty Little Pick-Me-Ups (and stuff) is exactly that! An extension of my Living Authentically... and Other Daily Chores but a tad lighter and a smidge more superficial;)

I truly believe it's important for EVERYONE to feel comfortable in their own version of beautiful. Unique, diverse, expressive, exciting beauty! I'm going to share my personal take while always encouraging yours. It's about trying new things, just like in life! Remain open. And honest. Always with yourself first. Use kindness and love towards yourself first and foremost and throw a little shimmery shadow on your third eye while you're at it:) 

Alright! Now let's get started. There's heels to be worn and lips to be glossed! 💋

Good Day Lovelies 

http://flowerbeauty.com/

https://www.birchbox.com/

http://www.people.com/people/mobile/stylewatch/