hair DO's...

Happy Monday!

I have three more favourite products for y'all to try! This time, I'm focusing on my locks.

A few weeks ago, I had my hair cut and colored. I trimmed off quite a few inches (I went with more of an "angled bob." It's a bit longer in the front.), and I went back to BLONDE. I was so ready. It's fresh and fun and super easy to style. (I actually purchased a set of rollers via Amazon after a Sheaffer Told Me To recommendation. I believe they're easier to use for my shorter now. I love them.)

Enter these guys:

1. dp HUE Cool Blonde Shampoo. My blonde has a tendency to turn brassy after several washes. I've found a "purple shampoo" helps so much. I wasn't crazy about the one I had previously used, so I began a search. I follow Kate Bryan's blog, The Small Things, and this happened to be one she recommended. I LOVE it, y'all. Like, love-love. It smells yummy. It lathers well. It has kept my color salon-fresh. AND, drum roll, it's GLUTEN-FREE. Hallelujah. It's a smallish bottle and a bit expensive, but it's worth every penny. I will be buying more from Sephora soon. (That's the only place I could find it online. I do think it was on Amazon but was more expensive.)

2. IGK Jet Lag Dry Shampoo. When I was purchasing the new shampoo, I needed to spend a bit more in order to get free shipping. So, I purchased this small bottle (along with the concealer mentioned in my previous post) on a whim, and I love it, too! Holy cow. It gets my hair clean. It smells nice. It's gluten-free! When this is out, I will be purchasing a larger bottle from Sephora. This is probably the first dry shampoo I've liked. Like, a lot. It's great!

3. AVEDA Phomollient Styling Foam. My stylist uses this foam before she dries my hair. I finally purchased it, and I'm so happy I did. This smells AMAZING. It's light-weight without adding much gunk (technical term, dontchaknow) to my hair. It also gives my hair great, lasting volume when I dry it (which is a feat in and of itself). My hair is super thick but so fine. It won't hold much curl but this helps! I highly recommend this product.

I hope y'all give one, or all, of these a try and let me know what you think!

May your week be blessed with lots of coffee, laughs and time to actually wash AND dry your hair.

TTFN.

EYE LOVE...

...these products!

(I also love these cute Lego-builders in their matching jammies. But, let's be real. They're about 75% of the reason why I need these products.)

1. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream (with Retinol SA). First, I really have no clue what "Retinol SA" is; however, I do think it's apparently important. And helpful. I have been faithfully applying this cream every night. Do I notice less wrinkles? Possibly! I do think my general under-eye-area seems "brighter." If that makes sense. One big reason I'm a fan? It does not irritate my skin! I've never experienced any type of burning sensation. (That always scares me when it's around my eyes.) I purchased this at Target, though I'm certain it's readily available at most grocery stores and/or pharmacies.

2. Mary Kay Lash & Brow Building Serum. Y'all. This stuff is legit. I swear after two applications, I was noticing a difference in my lashes. I have used the Rodan & Fields Lash Boost in the past. Though it also worked wonders, it's expensive. This serum is literally ONE-THIRD of the price of the R&F product, and I would be hard-pressed to find any difference between the two. It's good.

3. HELLO FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer. This was an impulse purchase. I was ordering new shampoo from Sephora (which I will be sharing in my next post!) and needed something else to get me that coveted "free shipping." I was low on my Tarte concealer, and this had great reviews. Guess what? It's my new favourite concealer. AND, it's GLUTEN-FREE, to boot! It doesn't settle into any fine lines on your face. It works wonders under my eyes. I ordered the lightest shade available because I am super pale, but, also, I wanted it to help brighten. I love being bright. LOL.

I hope y'all consider giving one, or all, of these a whirl!

Happy Weekend! I'll be back next week sharing more faves!

so not even legit...

Yesterday morning, My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH) and I were getting ready and dressed to go visit a church we’d heard about. I love to listen to my Playlist of Christian music on Sunday mornings. Of course, it’s eclectic. Alan Jackson. The Old Rugged Cross. Sundance Head. Me and Jesus. Carrie Underwood. How Great Thou Art. Josh Groban. You Raise Me Up. (Possibly not technically a Christian song. But it is for me.) Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. The Prayer. (This, too, may not be a Christian song. Hey—the title! It is for me.)

TLC had this version played at her wedding—almost nine years ago. As the parents and grandparents walked down the aisle to their seats. 

It is a magnificent song. MAGNIFICENT. If it’s not on your phone, well, you’re missing out. Get it. My unsolicited advice. You’re welcome. 

Half the song is sung by both incredible singers in Italian. It gives me chills. 

Years and years ago—when it was released, TLC and I fell in love with it. I’ll never forget the day we were listening to it in TLC’s car. She was passionately singing every word (And may I share she is an excellent songstress. She’ll be quite embarrassed that I’ve told y’all this. It’s true. I’m not one teensy bit biased. Promise.) She even sang THE ITALIAN. 

WWHHHAAAATTTTT?

I just watched her. I watched her sing the entire song. And then said—in sheer shock:

When did you learn Italian?

She laughed and laughed. She’d listened to that song so often she went ahead and sang what she thought were the Italian words. 

I am not even kidding: SHE SOUNDED LEGIT. 100% LEGIT. 

This week? Pretend you know another language. Even if you don’t. Learn a few words. Throw them around. Sing them! WHY NOT? Have some fun. Maybe it’ll make you want to learn one. Be happy!

Hugs and Smooches, 
ELC

judge not...

Close to our new home, there’s a Walmart “Neighborhood” store. (I think that’s what they’re called.) It’s small. Food and Pharmacy. Lots of “Scan and Gos.” (Trust me—I don’t hate checking myself out. Mostly because I desperately crave doing my own “sacking.” I can keep all of my cold food items together. My pharmacy items. Paper products. Etc. Etc. Etc. I diligently and energetically group all of my purchases in a way that makes perfect sense to me. Normally, my proud organization gets all jumbled up as cashiers scan and sackers sack for me. Sigh.) 

Last Friday evening, after taking Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) home from our casa, I stopped at this Mini Walmart. I picked up a few things we needed and headed to check out. Because I had a large 24-can Diet Dew box, I wanted an actual person—besides me—to check me out. (I’m not quite ready to take that scanner-thingy off at the self-check stands to scan large/bulky items.)

I saw a checkout stand light on at the farthest stand and a Walmart man/employee/cashier at said stand. I headed that way. There was one man ahead of me and his checkout went fairly fast. I put my items on the conveyor belt and waited for my turn. As the cashier—who, by the way, was every bit of 72 years old (GO SENIORS!)—started scanning my purchases, a man somewhere between 45 and 52 years of age put a 12-pack of beer and two cartons of Cool Whip on the belt. I had to turn my face away so he wouldn’t see me giggling.

I immediately started thinking about the many, MANY times I plopped a very WEIRD assortment of items on a conveyor belt at Walmart. Or Target. Or many grocery stores. We all need assorted and sometimes quite odd things that, as a group, look FUNNY.

As I turned my head back and glanced back at the man’s three items, he saw me and said (with a HUGE smile on his friendly face):

Please don’t judge me! I’m making “crack” tonight. With cream cheese and chocolate. Do you know what I’m talking about? 

I replied: First, I’m not judging you because I don’t want you to judge me! Although I did giggle when you put those down. Second, is it the pie that has chocolate pudding and Cool Whip, too?

He said no. No pudding. Not a pie. 

At this point, I needed to pay and leave. I said: Have a great evening! He said he would!

As I headed to my vehicle, I kept smiling. Giggling. It turned out to be a memorable grocery store trip! And a reminder to me to not be afraid to talk to strangers. Especially a stranger respectfully laughing at—or with—you.

Wishing you a day that includes either Cool Whip or beer. Or both! Winky. Wink. 

Hugs...
ELC

touching...honest...real...

A very good friend of My Sweet Hubby’s (aka MSH), David, passed away several days ago. He was 66. A smidge older than me. He’d been sick for close to two years. Critically ill for the past four months. Deaths of family members and cherished friends always remind us how short our time on Earth can be, right?

He was one of six of MSH’s friends who did a couple of annual get-togethers every year for over 30 years. It began as a deer hunt-weekend-campout once a year and then turned into an added annual fishing trip. They had the BEST times. They were very close. Like the perfectly cast ensemble in a TV series about friends.

David never married. I often thought the other five envied, occasionally, his freedom. Lifestyle. As one of their wives, I got it. I really did. I think even as a wife and mother, I’ve been a bit jealous of my friends who, for whatever reason—never marry or decide to divorce—are “free” to do whatever they want to do. Sleep. Travel. Go out anytime to shop or have dinner or to the movies—day or night. Did I mention sleep?

Anyway, David’s funeral service was Saturday morning. Of the six members of this cherished group of friends, three are left. MSH, Steve and Mike—the brother-in-law of David. Steve and MSH were honorary pallbearers. 

The service was perfect. The kind that makes you walk away thinking: That’s how I’d want my service to be. In a beautiful church full of my family and friends. With a kind and gentle minister who makes the service about me and not about a religion and its ceremonies and traditions. Music that gets into your heart and soul. (There was another dear friend and co-worker of MSH’s who sang two songs A cappella—who has an amazing God-given gift—and a man who played a guitar and sang the Brad Paisley/Dolly Parton song “When I Get Where I’m Going.” Both men were memorable. 

A friend from David’s college days gave the loveliest/funniest eulogy. Not too long but very touching and honest. It was real. It was David. 

The minister, who had only met David as he lived his last days in hospice care, also made us laugh—in a respectful and special way. 

At the cemetery, this minister shared something that I’ll always remember:

He said when he was in seminary, he had an instructor that asked his class one day what book of the Bible they would want to have in their possession if they could only have one. He admitted no one had an answer. It wasn’t something they’d thought about. The teacher said he’d want The Book of Romans. And, specifically, Chapter 8. He explained this Book is everything anyone needs to know about Jesus Christ. And Christian faith. 

I pray each of you lives this day—this week—in a way that honors God and His Son, Jesus Christ. That honors your family and friends and people you don’t know but who cross your path. This day is all we have. Let’s make it joyful!

Hugs...
ELC

this...and that...

There's a meme currently circling about knowing you live in Texas if you use your heater and AC in the same day. Yep. #truth.

We have had Spring-like weather for the past few days and let me tell you what: I am here for it. It's been glorious! It was literally 82 degrees yesterday. On February 4th. I'm not questioning it. I'm enjoying it.

We have spent lots o' time outside, "soaking in our Vitamin D," as ELC says. It's been lovely. However, it will be freezing, once again, come Thursday-ish. C'est la vie.

This week is my birthday. I turn the big 3-5. Most of the time? I seriously can't remember how old I am. I don't know. I blame exhaustion. Age doesn't bother me. It's just another chapter, right? However, 35 seems a bit bizarre. I don't know what 35 is supposed to feel like, but I'm not sure I feel it. Sometimes, I still can't believe I am old enough to have two children. Is that weird? Maybe. Though those two little girls are the best birthday gifts ever. (Well, them and the leopard print dress I know ELC and My Sweet Dad have waiting for moi. Ha! I jest. Though, y'all. This dress. It's a stunner.) I'm excited to do a little shopping this week (with my Anthropologie and Kendra Scott birthday discounts, dontchaknow) and spend time with my little dolls. They make holidays and birthdays extra fun and special.

I hope you're having a fabulous week!