tarte

Happy December Eve!

Can y'all believe it's Christmastime? I simply can't, but I'm sooooo excited!

Overall, Thanksgiving went well! My dressing was dry (inside family joke--but it also was legitimately dry), but other than that, we had FUN. Now, I've decked my halls, I'm feeling extra jolly, Hallmark Christmas movies are on continuously and I'm ready to celebrate Sweet Baby Jesus' birthday.

This evening, I wanted to share with y'all my new favourite makeup! This past summer, one of my best friends, Taylor, came for a visit before we moved. She is one of the most thoughtful, creative and talented people I know. She puts Martha Stewart to shame! For this visit, she brought me a "goodie bag" containing many of her favorite things. Taylor knows how much ELC and I LOVE mascara and she gifted me the one she thinks is simply the best! It was Tarte's "Tarteiest." I had heard of Tarte before but had never purchased any of their products. Lo and behold, you can imagine my surprise and joy when, as I was looking at the packaging, I noticed it was labeled: GLUTEN-FREE. What the what? YIPPEE! ELC and I are always searching for safe products Little Leighton can use. We have to make sure EVERYTHING is GF. Right down to chapsticks, lipsticks, lipglosses. Taylor blessed me so much that day--and not just with wonderful (GF!) treats but her amazing friendship. I am so thankful for her.

After that visit, I started researching Tarte and learned all of their products are GF. Double YIPPEE! On a recent trip to the mall (in search of blingy hi-tops for LL), we stopped into Sephora and I purchased this:

It's a Tarte set that includes mascara, lipgloss, eyeliner, tons o' eyeshadows, blush, bronzer and highlighter. It's packaged BEAUTIFULLY and is genuinely amazing. Other than needing brushes, I use only this set now--it's so "complete!" It was about $60, and I think it would make an awesome Christmas gift for someone. (My pictures don't do the eyeshadow colors justice--they are so pretty.)

I hope y'all have a wonderful and festive weekend! Next time I post, I'm bringing back one of my infamous lists--per ELC's request! Stay tuned, Readers.

TTFN.

a refuge in times of trouble...

From Jesus Today by Sarah Young…

I AM GOOD—A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. I care for those who trust in Me. Even though you inhabit a world full of trouble, I assure you that I am completely, 100 percent good! I am light, and in Me there is no darkness at all. Seek in Me the perfection you have longed for all your life.

Because of the brokenness of this world, you always need a refuge—but especially in times of trouble. When you are hurting, I yearn to shelter you in My powerful, loving Presence. So turn to Me in tough times, and you will find Me faithful.

Many of My children fail to receive My help during difficult times because they don’t really trust Me. When adversity strikes, they either lash out angrily at Me or become so focused on their problems that they forget I am with them. An essential element of trusting Me is remembering My promise to be with you always. Trust in Me, My child, and I will take care of you.

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

          --Naham 1:7

 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

          --1 John 1:5 NKJV

 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

          --Psalm 56:3 ESV

Praying each of you had a lovely, blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday! (I’m still in bed with my tissues and acetaminophen. Sigh.)

Have a Wonderful Week—wherever in this World you are!

ELC

22

I truly, TRULY love TLC’s lists! She hasn’t done one in a while. Actually, I want to go back to 2011, 2012 and find a few of her lists that were amazing. I’m betting they still would fit her life now. Mostly.

Since TLC is going to “Hostess” our Thanksgiving Lunch manana (her first time and may I say we’re all TRES exicted!), I’ve decided to do an ELC List. In honor of today—November 22^nd. I’m going to share with Y’all twenty-two things I’ll be grateful for tomorrow. Actually, these will be things I’m grateful for every single day of my (long-ish) life.

1. My Lord God Almighty.
2. His Son, Jesus Christ.
3. My Sweet Hubby. (MSH)
4. TLC, Her Hubby, Her Precious Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and Baby Belle.
5. My family. Our family. Our sons. Daughters-in-Law. Our AMAZING Grandchildren (seven total!). Sisters. Brother. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins.
6. My friends. I have had the BEST and most AMAZING friends in my 63 years. I cannot thank God enough for everything they’ve done for me. Everything I’ve learned from them. All of the drama, happiness, pain, fears, silliness and laughter we’ve shared. High school friends. College friends. SO. MANY. MARVELOUS. FRIENDS.
7. My health. In general? It ain’t bad. Could I drink more water? Of course. Could I eat more fruits and veggies? Always. Considering some of the health crises I’ve experienced—I am full of gratitude today. (If only ONLY ONLY I could sleep better. Sigh.)
8. The United States of America. Land that I LOVE.
9. Our pets: Buddy Boo Bear, Henry (I treasure him even if he’s technically TLC’s and often cRaZy.) and Hunter the Cat.
10. Our country casa!
11. The food we are lucky enough to eat. Our clothes. Vehicles.
12. The sun, moon, stars (The Stars At Night—Are Big and BRIGHT—Deep in the Heart of Texas!), and magnificent, exquisite skies.
13. Rain. (When we get lovely, nurturing, restoring rain. (Frankly, we can all do without rain that comes as a result of hurricanes, tornadoes and/or flooding. Ain’t nobody got time for that kind o’ rain, Dear God. Sheesh.)
14. Our cute Mama cows and their babies: Dixie and Olaf; Elsie and Belle; Twinkle and Swen. They are just the SWEETEST.
15. Weight Watchers. And, specifically, My WW’s Leader. I’m now down over forty (YEP—FOUR. ZERO. 40.) pounds. I intend to keep this weight loss permanent. The program works GREAT for me. It’s not been fast. In fact, it’s been slow as a turtle/snail. It’s worked. (Thank you, Sunny’s Sister and Oprah!)
16. Writers who write amazing books. Composers who write AMAZING music.
17. Television. Movies. Plays. Gifted people who give us the chance to be entertained. The opportunity to think. Laugh. Cry. Learn.
18. Did I mention My Lord God and Jesus Christ?
19. And did I mention my amazing husband and family?
20. Kleenexes that have lotion and VICKS already in them. We’ve all had yucky, useless, frustrating colds/allergies/upper respiratory infections. I’ve had a low-grade fever for going on three days now and an extremely RED nose. Whoever thought of putting lotion and Vicks in tissues? GENIUS. That’s exactly what you are. Brilliant. God bless you. Seriously.
21. Diet Mountain Dews and Coke Zeroes. (You didn’t think I was going to forget them did you, TLC? Not a chance. And don’t even try to shame me into stopping this unhealthy addiction. Not happening. Sorry. I feel I could have much worse addictions than these two things.)
22. Each and everyone of Y’all! Those of you who have been with us for seven years! Or seven months! Or seven weeks! Or seven days! Thank you. From the bottom of TLC’s and My GRATEFUL HEART.

Happy, HAPPY Thanksgiving Eve, Dearest Friends!
ELC

hoppy loppy

I was supposed to share my favourite new makeup with y'all almost TWO Mondays ago. Oops. I'm genuinely sorry. My husband has been traveling. We've all been sick. Blah. Blah. Blah.

My bad.

So, I promise to share that with you (because it would make an AWESOME Christmas gift!) after Thanksgiving, as I am hosting Turkey Day this year at mi casa. I'll be running around like a chicken (errr...turkey?) with my head cut off all week. I feel certain most of you understand my situation.

In the meantime, I had to bore you with a few funny things my girls have said over the last week.

1. After Baby Elle and I dropped Little Leighton (aka LL) at school one day last week, we headed to Hobby Lobby. I was talking to ELC on the phone as we were pulling into the parking lot. From the backseat, I heard a tiny, cute little voice exclaim, "Hoppy Loppy! Hoppy Lobby!" First, I had no clue Baby Elle could even attempt to say Hobby Lobby. Second, apparently I have a problem if my daughter, who is not even twenty-months-old yet, can recognize the building. Again--OOPS. (Little Leighton=Staples. ELC told this story in a previous post.)

2. ELC came to spend this past Thursday night with me while Hubby was out of town. Baby Elle had been particularly grouchy that afternoon. Sweet Little Leighton had had enough (I don't blame her.) She looked at Elle (while Elle was standing in front of the chair she was sitting on) and said, "Bye, Felicia." ELC and I just about died! She used it properly. (This was after last week when, as we were pulling into our church parking lot, LL, very seriously and completely out of the blue, asks me, "Mom, who is Felicia?" HA!)

3. Later that evening, ELC and I were reading bedtime stories to LL in her room. I can't remember what I did that was annoying her, but she looked at me and said, "CLIP." ELC has mentioned recently my IMPECCABLE taste in TV programming. This particular phrase (which basically means "Stop talking") comes from my favourite Dorinda Medley on Real Housewives of NY. LL has NEVER seen an episode (promise), but I guess I say this a lot now. (Because it cracks me up!) Google it, if you haven't heard Dorinda say it.

4. Yesterday, after an amazing morning at the Fort Worth Zoo, the girls and ELC were riding with me to donate clothes, toys and books to a local charitable organization. I (jokingly) told Baby Elle I was considering donating her, too. Little Leighton, again quite seriously, says, "Oh, yippee! Then there will be just good ol' me left!" God love her.

I hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend!

Stay GRATEFUL this week!

TTFN.