What's In My Bag...

 One of my favorite mags of all time is Lucky Magazine.  I first discovered it when I was pregnant with the little Mr. and was looking for some light reading to pack in my hospital bag. 

Ever since, I've been a faithful subscriber.

My favorite part of the magazine is when they show you all the products, accessories and

clothing they used for the celebrity cover photo shoot.  It's given me a lot of insight into

picking the products I use myself.

So, wanna see what's in my make-up bag?  Personally, I don't use a ton of make-up.  

I would call my style 'au-naturale' since I have a, "less is more" approach.  But,

I certainly have a few products I can't live without: 

1.  Aveeno tinted moisturizer (light/fair) SPF 30--I've never been a foundation or powder girl, but I love

 the way this moisturizer is light, yet still evens out my skin tone with a hint of color...

2.  Covergirl Bronzer (can't remember the exact color)--for the days I want to look like I'm from Florida instead of Des Moines...

3.  Almay Triple Effect Mascara (black/brown)--the only product I can't live without...

it lengthens, thickens and curls my lashes...

I almost don't need an eyelash curler...

4.  Eyelash curler--I said almost don't need it...but I still love the way

it instantly opens my eyes and makes my lashes appear longer...

5.  Eyebrow shaper--cause my brows have a mind of their own...

6.  Almay concealer (light/fair)--because I inherited dark circles under my eyes (boo)...

7.  Burt's Bees Lip Gloss (Zesty Red)--the hippy in me loves the all natural/no animal testing aspect,

the girly-girl in me loves that it's sheer red tint adds just a hint of color. 

Plus, it's not sticky!

8.  Almay Smart blush (Natural)--I love.  love.  love.  This blush! 

It's a buildable color that compliments your skin tone.

You can apply a bit for a hint of color,

or apply more for a dramatic effect...

So, that's a little peek in my bag!  Next, I'll show you a few

 tricks up my sleeve for hair and other products I can't live without!!!

Happy Friday!

Are You Ever Too Old To Kiss Yo Mama...

I certainly hope not!!!

I know these pics are sort of old news...but in light of the little Mr. becoming a man turning five next month, I couldn't help but post these pics...and remind him that you're never to old to give your mother a kiss...

Now, go link up to Emily's blog and Embrace The Camera...



T.T.T...

This 'Thrifted-Threads-Thursday' is a bit of a mixed bag...some thrifted and some hand-me-down

(yes, I'm 31-years-old and still adore hand-me-downs).

I was teaching in the little Mr.'s Sunday School class, so a t-shirt and jeans were definitely in order...and something comfy.  A hip skirt is no match for these cutie pie four-year-olds.

 (See?  I told you the scarf is always in play...)

I really love these boots.  The leather is soft and worn in all the right places. 

Military Jacket:  hand-me-down

necklace:  thrifted

Ankle boots:  thrifted

Gold bracelets:  hand-me-down

What are your best thrifty finds?  Do share!

Little Bit Of This, Little Bit Of That...

Today was a busy day for us Jacksons...

(The Dog)

First, Stella had to go to the vet for a little outpatient surgery.  She's home now and recovering well, but let me tell ya...a 120 lb. mastiff hopped up on drugs is hard to move.  It took three of us to carry her to the car.  Stella wasn't much help.  She snored the entire time...and drooled on my shirt...

(Trying to come down from her high)

(The Little Miss)

 We finally reached the 'straw that broke the camel's back' and

decided we were tired of living like this:

So, B spent the day child-proofing some cabinets and other points of temptation.

It only took the little Miss about 30 minutes of yanking really hard to get into the cabinet containing the cereal.  We may have to get creative...

(The Little Mr.)

The little Mr. begged to stay home and play in the snow...like the cool mom that I am, I smiled and said, "Of course!  When you get home from school."  It's Iowa after all...we send our children to school come hell or high water, and apparently even after eight inches of snow.

Now, before you start to feel too sorry for him, it's only half-day preschool...and, he got to watch,

 "The Cat In The Hat". 

All is well...

(Little Mr. and Little Miss)

My sweet ones were listening to some children's songs on youtube, when something went awry:



To place blame where it is due, the other parent was on duty.  B thought the mishap was so funny (and the resulting dance moves) that capturing it on film was in order.  I believe in one sitting the words 'drunk' and 'junk' were uttered in front of minors.  We are stellar parents...

Hope your day was eventful!

Art 101...

My little miss is creative...very creative. And a tinsy bit ornery.  If you've been following lately, then you may have read a few posts about her latest escapades.  She's not my firstborn, so you'd think I'd be well-versed on toddlerhood and could out smart her.  Not the case.  I call this post Art 101.  The art of skillful sneakiness.  The art of ingenuity.  The art of originality.  The art of pulling a fast one...

So, without further ado, an introduction to Eva's first art showing.  All are welcome:

Title:  Sticky Hyperbole

Medium:

Syrup filtered through mesh strainer over accent pillow

Artist:  Eva Jackson



Don't ask me how in my own kitchen, I missed my daughter rummaging through cabinets to gather her supplies.  I was present.  I was distracted.  It wasn't until I perked up my ears to the content silence ringing through my house that I was alarmed. 

Upon frantic investigation, I found her.  In the living room.  Pillow layed before her.  Syrup bottle poised in the air.  A fine stream of syrup raining through the strainer.  A wide grin spread across her face.

She was pleased with her masterpiece.

Trying To Keep Warm...

Going to college in northwest Missouri during the winter was brutal. We students affectionately referred to the trek between the residence halls and campus 'The Tundra', due to the cold, whipping-winds that cruelly smacked us in the face. It would get so cold, I remember burying my face in my coat, peeking through a tiny opening just so I wouldn't smack into something

(I learned that lesson the hard way).

This isn't a post of me whining how I walked up hills in the snow both ways to class (although I did). Rather, these frigid Iowa days made me wish I would have had one of these cowl neck scarves to keep me warm back in the day...

(picture courtesy: Shopstyle)

They really are perfect! I pretty much live in them all. day. long. For the most part, they are keeping me from complaining of how freezing I am and wishing I were going some place warm for the winter.

You can find cowl neck scarves (or infinity scarves) anywhere, including some really adorable ones on Etsy, but I'm sort of on a budget, so I decided to DIY my own...

*I broke out my trusty vintage sewing machine, and set to work. I grabbed a scarf I already owned, matched the ends together (if there is a patterned side, flip your scarf over so the seam will be on the inside or UN-patterned side) and sewed a straight stitch across the ends. You will probably want to switch to the sturdiest needle (I think it's purple) to get through the layers without breaking your needle:

To keep it from being a bulky seam, be sure to sew no more than a 1/4 inch. When you are finished, you should have one continuous loop:

Simply slip the scarf over your head, twist once to wrap it a second time and voila!

What's nice about DIY-ing your own, is that when the cowl scarf fad ends (sad face), you can simply remove the stitching with a seam ripper and it's back to business as usual!

*Don't have a sewing machine? You can also do a simple hand stitch across the seam to hold the ends together. Or, if you just want to hold it temporarily for more flexibility, use safety pins.

T.T.T.

Well, Hello boots! Look at you in all your cute, comfy, warmness! (*Picture)

These were one of my, "Are you kidding me?!" Thrift store finds. It was like a bright light was glowing all around them beckoning me to them. They encompassed everything I was looking for in my mental checklist:

Tall zip boots...check

Black...check

My size (kind of important)...check

Amazing condition...double check

Then there was the added bonus, but not necessary, buckle details, giving them sort of a biker look (rawr). The best part was the $5 price tag!

Boots: Nine West via Goodwill

Jeans: Seven via Goodwill

*Ummm....if it looks like this picture was taken in a bathroom, you can just put your pretty little minds at rest...cause it was Ha! I know, ewwwwww...but, in my defense, the bathroom was empty and it had amazing lighting AND a full-length mirror. I know, it doesn't change the fact that it is still a bathroom.