Friday Favorites: Product Review

It has been awhile since I last posted about products that I have used and really LOVE!  Here is a link to my last Product Review.  Lately, I have been back on the 'get my skin in check' mode.  I feel like winter always does that to me.  Suddenly my skin feels dry, dull, dehydrated (my own fault), and I see sun spots and fine lines!!!  EEK!!  Since I stay home these days, I really don't want to do a full face of makeup everyday.  Even when teaching I wanted my routine to be quick and easy.  I am starting to believe that good skin is the answer to all that.  The better the skin, the less makeup I put on.
So I am working my way through some face products that I will review once I feel confident that I have found some that are truly worth the money and results show.  But for now, here are some products that I have been loving!!

1.  IT COSMETICS: CC+ Your Skin But Better

I usually use a BB cream but saw this at Ulta one day and kind of grabbed it on a whim.  Now I use it everyday that I put any makeup on!  It is easy to apply and can be build-able for those that want more coverage.  I normally put it on with just my fingers if in a rush or a foundation brush when I want a more finished look.  I also love that it has SPF in it.  I for sure think this will carry over to my summer routine.

2.  IT COSMETICS: Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Ultra Hydrating Sensory Awakening Primer Serum

Like I said, my skin is very dry during the winter.  I think especially living in the rental this winter, there seems to be zero moisture in the air.  Sometimes I would put on a tad bit of the CC cream or a foundation and notice my skin looked flaky and dry.  (not cute)  So I have been using this serum as a primer and WOW it really hydrates my skin and helps my foundation go on seamlessly!  LOVE IT!!  This probably won't make it to the summer months, as I won't need that extra moisture but it is perfect for winter months!

3.  Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser

This is such an inexpensive go to!  This is what I use just about everyday.  It is my go to for the days that I don't feel like putting on any makeup but want to just look fresh.  With this product you really have to try them out to see what works best for you.  This product comes in different shades of color or you can just get a neutralizer or brightener.  I use a tinted shade that works well with my skin.  I have tried the neutralizer but it was a bit light for my skin and left it looking a bit white.  Luckily it is only about $6 so you can try a few until you find the one that works best.  I have gone through 2 bottles of the shade I love... it is actually in my purse right now for any quick fixes.

4.  Benefit Gimme Brow

Quick and easy is the name of my game!  This Gimme Brow product is the easiest way to give your brows just a quick tint of color and a product that keeps them in place.  I don't have time to draw in brows nor do I want a strong brow to hang around the house or run errands.  I do however think a manicured brow really makes your whole appearance fresh and awake.  I use this just about everyday to just give my natural brows a little lift.

5.  Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads

The lady at Sephora sold me on these little complexion pads.  We were talking about the importance of exfoliating your skin.  She explained to me that the misconception is that a product must have lots of grit to it in order for it to be exfoliating.  When in reality that grit might actually be doing more damage than good.  So she recommended an exfoliating pad that helps with complexion and evens skin tone out.  To make this more cost effective, I cut the pads in half and only use them maybe 3 times a week.  I have had the same jar for months now and still have lots to use up still.  Every time I use one of these little pads my skin feels so smooth and I always wake up feeling like my skin is looking brighter!

Friday Favorite- Tile Inspirations

I love tile!!! Let me just get that statement out of the way.  There is seriously so many beautiful tile selections for both flooring and back splashes.  When this selection meeting rolled around I was a bit nervous because I was so worried that all my hopes of beautiful tile would be shot with the simple phrase "over budget"- which I have been hearing a lot throughout this process!  However, much to my surprise, this was the easiest meeting of all.  I learned that because there are so many tile choices, you really can find amazing looking tile for just about any budget.

Here are some of my original inspiration pics from my Pinterest board.

I am so thrilled that some of my original tile selections will be the actual tile in my new house!!  We really stuck with classic selections throughout the home such as marble subway, linen 12x24 tiles, white hexagon, and penny tiles.  I was pushed out of my comfort zone for the small powder bath- but I am excited to see how it turns out. (for a little look check out my sister's design blog at Jessica Stout Design).
On an exciting note: the house is getting closer and closer to being FINISHED!!!!  Excited to share some actual photos from our home soon!!!

Friday Favorite- Custom Home Portrait

As Miranda Lambert sang, "this is the house that built me..."  I believe that a home does in fact build us in a way.  No matter how big, small, clean, messy... it is not the home itself but what fills it.  The people, love, laughter, tears, lessons learned, moments shared, and ultimately the memories made in that home create our lives.  That home serves as a concrete symbol of a childhood, a new beginning, a place where lives were shaped.

I have several homes that have strong memories within them and that is when I thought about my blog's theme...

sometimes you don't know the power of a moment until it becomes a memory.  I decided I wanted to try something new.  So I called my mom and asked for a photo of my grandparent's home.  This is a home that is filled with some of my most favorite memories!

Grandma's tea and toast when I was sick or her famous milkshakes.  Cousins filling this house to the brim at holidays.  Exploring the woods over the side of the hill (kinda seems dangerous now), sledding in the winter.  I can literally remember each room vividly, and I remember being so sad when they decided to move.  They raised all seven kids in this home and watched another 18 grand kids fill it with love- it was the perfect home to paint.

Here is the picture my mom sent...

The new owners have since painted the house blue.  It was more of a barn red when my grandparents lived there.  I first drew it all in pencil, then went over a few details in a Micron Pen, and finished with watercolor paint.

I am so excited to share this painting with them as a Christmas gift!!  This is my Friday Favorite Post because it is my favorite new listing on my Etsy Shop.  I can't wait to hopefully paint many homes that have created memories for others or possibly a new home that is just waiting for a family to fill it with love.
Find my custom home portrait listed in the Etsy Shop NOW!!!

Happy Friday!!

Friday Favorite: Lighting

Let me just say 'I LOVE lighting!'  it is something I normally always notice in homes, and I truly believe that lighting can completely transform a room.  So when I first began the home building process I thought lighting would be a fun thing to select.  I am sad to report that lighting is quickly becoming something that is overwhelming me!
Our home is pretty open concept, but also has distinct rooms within that space.  So the issue that creates is selecting lighting that is not too matchy, matchy but has an overall style flow.  No problem I thought.  So what's the problem... I like too many things and I am having the hardest time deciding on which overall lighting feel I want.  And once I decide the feel I want then I am left with the question of what finish (antiqued gold, silver, black, bronze).  I find that I like some modern fixtures while still loving the country cottage look.  How do I decide and make all of my lighting styles work together???!!!
While I stress over something that really doesn't need to be given this many hours of thought, I will give you some of the fixtures I have my eye on.

Which of these do you all like?  Any lighting suggestions right now are so very welcome.  The hubby's opinion only revolves around price (men).  So I am turning to my talented designer Jessica Stout Design for some major guidance on this one- I am about burnt out on all this decision making.

On an exciting update, we have drywall installed and stone on the outside!!! Progress makes me happy!!

We had a slight nervous 'ahhhh' moment when we saw the stone mortar as such a dark color.  We want everything to be very light and blend all together... we have been assured it will dry MUCH lighter!! 

Friday Favorite- Kitchen Inspiration

When thinking of our new home, the kitchen is one area that I had a very specific idea in my head.  I love that kitchens are the heart of a home and where everyone seems to gather.  In our floor plan, the kitchen is very open to an eat in kitchen area and the main living space.  I want our kitchen to be light and airy, clean and classic.  Here are some of my favorite inspiration pics from my Pinterest Board: For the Home

Items from my inspiration that have made the cut include white cabinets with a few glass details, grey cabinets on the island and in butler's pantry, marble subway tile back splash, and a few other touches I'm pretty excited about.  Can not wait until we get to the point where items I have selected actually start going into the home!  

There's nothing like a kitchen that makes you feel at home, comfortable, and possibly makes cooking a little more enjoyable.

Friday Favorite- Shiplap

Shiplap here, shiplap there... I could literally shiplap everywhere!  What is shiplap?- I think it is just a fancy design term for horizontal boarding.  It is a wall covering technique that gives your walls instant interest.  I think it looks traditional and classic yet modern- is that possible.  Anyway whatever it may be I love it- now I just have to decide where all I can get the hubby to let me put it!

Inspiration pics from Pinterest and my For the Home board.