when you need a giant vat of mint chip

did you have a terrible week?
i did.

did you have an embarrassing break down on wednesday night, crying and snivelling, getting out words between tight gasps of air -- i *gasp* dont *gasp* want *gasp* to *gasp* go * gasp* to work anymooooore *sniff sniff gasp gasp* ?
i did.

did you eat a giant bowl of mint chip and crack a tiny smile when you found the ENORMOUS chunk in your mint chip? did you eat it out of your brand new ikea bowls that you are pretty sure are intended for rice but you saw them and thought ICE CREAM!?
i did.

tuesday did you have a pre-dinner icecream cone from chickfila and then mint chip for dessert?

i did and stand firm that it isn't overkill.

it has been that kind of week/month/last two years. no one wants to read about ice cream inducing unpleasantness.

So lets talk lip gloss!!!

Remember when I mentioned my lip needs? Yeah, I have Soflips addiction, uh-dict-shun.

(I think dp dreams of being a prepper but I don't give into his insanity. But I will admit, my mind has wondered to a post-apocalyptic scenario and *i swear* my greatest concern is how long will my Softlips stash last, will I have to ration? Just once in the morning and once at night or if it was terrible once at night, and without ac would they melt and then I would use a stick to dig out the lip protectant goodness? This isn't just blog wit, I've seriously gone down that road.)

At all times I need:

2 softlips at work

1 in the purse

1 by the bed

1 by the desk

+ stash in the drawer

Oh and I have a softlips lip gloss which uh huh, yup, yes it is that amazing. Same light softlips slip from the balm but in a non-sticky no glitter just shiny gloss.

But yes I am a grown woman and since the whole tinted lip balm blog of last year I have vastly expanded my 3 lip color options. Slight update - Sugar by Fresh which was the winner totally melted into a crazy mess, now I have to use a lip brush to even apply- bummer.

Ready? Ok.

Girls/Ladies/Flamboyant Gents

Revlon.Just.Bitten.Kissable.Balm.Stains

That's all you need to know, buy them all. They are kinda everything I ever wanted ever. Wear with gloss or with softlips or mix colors. Buy all of them.

Long lasting color

Easy to apply

Balmy

Amazing

Currently rocking - Honey, Charm, Cherish & Darling

Look at me with the Revlon obsession. Who the heck am I?

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters

This is basically a tinted balm - a sheer lip color, my shade Peach Parfait has a teensie bit of glitter which is kinda nice on occasion. I will sometimes wear this on top of a balm stain.

Now for two other random things to mention without mentioning my no good very bad this week/month/last two years....

What is Burts Bees doing in the facial cleansing industry? What did I miss?

Burts Bees Facial Cleansing Wipes

Was loving the Simple face wipes but dang $7 for 25 wipes? So I saw these BB wipes $5 for 30 wipes... I'm not a mathematician but me thinks that is a decent deal.

Haven't broken out at all!

Smell like baby wipes but I dont care.

Fany little closure.

Don't you love tiny doors to open and close? My mom has an xmas ornament - a little chestnut and you open it up and it is a little squirrels house! eeep! And she has a charm that is a house and you can open the roof and see the little bed and table inside!!

Watch it.

http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/

Ok. I feel better.

Happy friday eve!



*I linked up with Kelly's Korner SUYL. Kinda funny cause I never link up and I never talk about make-up. And if anyone actually clicked on my link and read my blog... sorry you wasted 10 minutes reading about Softlips, but check out Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and it might be worth it.*

upcycle

I went shopping in my closet this weekend.
Histpers call that upcycling. Translation - free.

Saturday I saw a sign that said "Free Stuff." yuck right? But I am a budget conscious lady these days, and it was in Bellaire. (Rich people's trash is my kind of treasure) A garage sale was shutting down and they were liquidating. I could have taken all kinds of junk, to sit in my house until I lug it to Goodwill. So we graciously took, for free, a lamp, a brand new frame, a bird feeder and artist charcoals.

Then I went in my closet and found close to 15 bras. (Mom always told me to bring an extra bra on a trip because you don't want the strap to break and be flappin around. She said it just like that too. And told me to change my undies everyday.) Somehow I interpreted the "bring 2 bras on vacation" into "don't ever throw away an old brassiere."

I found 6 bras that work just fine and I am wondering why I delegated them to my old bra/sock drawer in the first place. Upcycling.

I also made a commitment to wear all the clothes that I have that do fit yet I dont wear because who wants to wear a button down when you can wear a cardi, but a girl can't just wear cardis and micro-ribbed tanks no matter how easy and comfortable and black they are. How much were these new button downs? Free.



I apologize. That wasn't interesting, but you read it anyway. I'll refund your money and give you a complementary electronic high five. **high five**

favorite things friday

I'm dreaming of a favorite thing that zaps fat away and doesn't involve giving up my comfort food. And if someone says exercise I'm going to punch them in the face! This week I'm liking --



Clinque Redness Solutions - Daily Relief Cream
So my skin is wacky all of the sudden. I look at myself in the mirror and I don't know who the heck is looking back at me. This lotion really helps with some of my redness, I'm instantly white within seconds of putting it on. I got the cleanser as well but still have all sorts of pimples (I think ladies call they blemishes but lets face the zit truth).

I find it funny that I use lotion to reduce redness, concealer to hide red spots (see aforementioned ZITS), foundation to further whiten and then go on top of it with blush to make myself.... red.... again.





SleepRight Slim Night Gaurd

Ok, so I don't love that I use one of these but I clinch and it hurts my jaw, this is reality. So I wear a mouth guard. I've tried lots of kinds, boil, no boil and trays. I found this SleepRight brand at Walgreens and loved it! No more football mouth. And when I found the SleepRight Slim I feel in love (as much as one can) with a mouth guard made for a mini person like myself. I go through about 4 a year and order them online cause the Slims are hard to find.





A Friday WISH
I wish it were cool. Like the rest of Texas, I wish it would rain and save my lawn. I wish could go outside and go camping and make smores. I just basically want a vacation. And a raise so I can go on my vacation.

pucker up

The days of Lip Smackers are behind me.

I wouldn't say I am a tomboy or a girly girl, but rather somewhere in between. When it comes to make up, I'm lost.

Since high school my go to lip color has been Softlips lipbalm. Last Christmas mom got me a tinted Softlips. I lived for this lipbalm. Sadly all good things run out. I can't live without Softlips, that's 14 years of continued use for you. But, I do need a new, grown up, lip color.

I waded through the bombardment of lip choices, went to department stores, 2 drug stores, and even Sephora to track down three options, from three different price ranges to suit my lip needs. I prefer a neutral lip, probably because I am so pale. (Maybe bronzer should be my next test) I tried on many shades and types of lip color and settled on 3 options that seemed to work for me.

Meet the three contestants in the race to be my new lip color.

Luxury brand

Fresh Sugar Honey Lip Treatment $22.50

Somewhere in between lipstick and lip balm, this super soft, creamy Lip Treatment is definitely a lip treat! The delicate color lasted to but not through lunch. Smells great feels even better on. A splurge but worth it.

Department Store

Clinique Lip Smoothe (Strawberry Bliss) $17.50

Lip gloss with color boost. Isn't sticky or goopy and pigment lasts longer than the shine, although didn't make it to lunch. This is a good option on top of a base color for a little extra shine.

Drug Store

L'Oreal Infallible (Forever Frappe) $9.00

Soft, matte color lasts to and through lunch. However, lacks the moisture I crave. When used with my trusty Softlips this is a perfect everyday option. Though long lasting it seemed to dry out my lips and I was hitting the Softlips frequently. But for the price and the long lasting color, a good deal.

The verdict--- LOVED the Fresh Sugar Honey, of course it had to be the most expensive. I found myself savoring the Sugar Honey and using the Infallible more frequently. Lip Smoothe is fun for a switch up, but I'm lazy and don't like to reapply. I probably won't rebuy. However, it does have longer lasting color than the average lip gloss so it is an option for those glossy occasions. With all the options I was not able to kick the Softlips habbit. That stuff is just fantastic. Yet, I was able to stop lamenting the loss of the tinted color and now stick with the plain strawberry lipbalm.

favorite things friday

My favorite thing this Friday is

IT IS FRIDAY!!! duh

:: Eating Right
I eat frozen meals. I know, processed food is going to kill me, but some days it is too easy to grab a frozen and go. I hate how most frozen meals are so high in sodium; and I sure don't need any other excuse to bloat these days.

Randall's carries a store brand - Eating Right. Their frozen meals are the best I've ever had. Ok, are they the best thing I've ever tasted? No. They have no salt or fat! But they taste pretty dang good. I'm hooked. They are not a cure-all, still thinking about Carrabba's carrots and parmesan dressing.... yum.


:: Cocoa AlmondsMy mom raved about these for weeks. I finally tried one at her house. You know Hershey's Treasures with almonds? Yup that's what it tastes like except they are so satisfying and I don't eat 4000 of them, unlike Hershey's Treasures.








:: STYCD
Sheesh this season. Marko, Melanie and Sasha are just perfection. Also, I'm a Jess fan, the judges are too hard on him. Wed. Night was CRAZY! Gaga was there and the choreographers really went for it.

You MUST watch--

Marko with All-Star Allison
I loved the message of this piece- it is so easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind. And Marko made a wonderful apology to his mother for words that may have hurt her in the past. Wow. I love art. Art in all forms makes people think, drives people to act, and changes the world. I can not understand how the government thinks children don't need art in school. WE NEED ART.

Sasha and Melanie
The female body. Strong, powerful, beautiful. I officially wish I could dance. Last week when someone at work said I wasn't capable of taking on a large project (cause I was a girl), this was the dance in my heart.

Favorite Things Friday

Happy Friday!
I wrote this two Fridays ago and it didn't make it on the blog.

This is what I am digging lately--
Calling all online shoppers, or lovers of pretty things, or anyone! One Kings Lane has designer products at dirt cheap prices. Sales last one day and there are limited number of items. They sell home decor, kitchen, fine art, outdoor, food, wine...

I haven't bought anything yet (dp and I are usually on a tighter budget in the summer) but I've come close at least 7 times. Really cool sight, you will love.

Long Pendant necklaces.I went through a big chunky necklace phase a couple years ago. Done with that. In with long, delicate pendants. Leah got me this A necklace for christmas and I wear it at least twice a week. I'm slowly collecting many more like it. (-- hint -birthday suggestion)

Dp got me these little earrings as a little treat. I could own this store and not be satisfied. I love all the little creatures. Good husband knows what I like and got me the little hedgehog too. Presh.


Cooking Adventure
So this cook challenge is actually exciting. I like impressing dp with my "skills." Just give me some cumin and watch out. We also made our own chimichuri. Unbelievable. Really. I'm also loving frozen meals that fill in the gaps on nights when I am just d.o.n.e.

When we moved into our house, in 2009, our dear navy friends (hey Gauls!) gave us a little housewarming gift card. I hoarded it. Thought about selfishly spending it on clothes... BUT I finally decided on a grill pan. Love it! We use it almost every night, and made our wonderful Chimi Flank steak on it, and dp can't get enough of paninis. I suggest a grill pan.

Yarn Balls
*UPDATE- So here is my little craft. I found this bowl/candle holder/?? at Ikea and began thinking about what could I put in it. I know there are all sorts of decorative balls out there, but I cringe at thinking of spending 10 bucks for a ball of twigs. Hence the yarn.

Can I say that rolling yarn balls is relaxing? AND cute! I want yarn balls everywhere. :) A testament to me actually having feline DNA?

Lots of weekend stuff going on. I guess I've had a long enough writing break and can return to the blogging world. And maybe I can work on an exciting project that you all might enjoy!! It is something you can really sink your teeth into.

2880/120/4

After 2880 hours (approximately), that's 120 days (approximately), that's 4 months (appro... you get the point) it- is- here!

Welcome to my home couchy.

Thank you for being the right size for my little legs, and t-rex tiny arms. Thank you for being just big enough to satisfy my enormous husband.


Little MichMansion is really coming together. I think it might be time for a little update. Maybe I will be motivated to take after pictures this weekend, and then again maybe not.

it feels like years since its been here...

SUN!
We have sun today! I am doing a little dance! It is just what I needed.

I was so down this week, and stressed. And last night finally feel like we made some progress... and kinda did a little retail therapy, and had a great meal.

*Presents- check

*New cardigans for me- check (I wear cardigans almost everyday of the week and I wear them down to pilly, faded, shrunken disasters. I always need more cardigans.) Thank you BananaPet.

*Pronto- tried it for the first time and I really liked it. (and I dont really care for italian food. I know. Ironic.)


Per my wise mother, who supports me daily...

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it.”

Margaret Thatcher

And I do. Getting some things off my list made me feel supremely satisfied and has cleared the fog (LITERALLY!) to let in my holiday cheer!!