JCLU forever giveaway!!

I am so excited! JCLU forever sent me these items, and I am going to use them for a giveaway...
weeeee!!!!! please please enter so you can win!
leave me a comment below and the winner will be chosen by random.org on October 14th!
here is their website, please visit and support them... very reasonably priced
www.jcluforever.com

Pretty Peacock

So I discovered this cute little eyeshadow quad at Forever 21 the other day for only $4.80!!!
All the colors are shimmery, and work relatively well...
isn't the package so cute?!

dorot

This is one of my cooking/kitchen staples. Dorot makes these little cubes of everything. I always get the garlic. you keep them in the freezer until you need them to cook. No preservatives! Each cube serves as one clove of garlic. So handy..and saves so much work. No peeling, chopping, blending... just pop. pop. pop.! I feel like I use garlic in everything...yum!
I get mine at Trader Joe's or at the SuperTarget. Its usually in the frozen section by vegetables. I got mine on sale today for $0.58! It also comes in cilantro, chives, basil.. all sorts of cooking goodness! If you haven't used them before, you should try them out.
I love them!
Here is their website with ideas and recipes!
http://www.mydorot.com/

Hope you all had a good monday !

smoldering Sunday

what happened to fall?! it was too hot out today, 109 degrees. tomorrow is suppose to be even hotter! the happiness of boots and scarves was fluttering my mind all week....until today, when they fluttered back into my closet *sigh

So I've been kinda sick. Last night I decided to take some Nyquil (at midnight, bad idea) this morning I could NOT wake up. I have been in a groggy haze all day. On the way to church I have to admit I was kinda moody...then I looked at my little monkey bobbing his head back and forth and I had to smile....


I guess my moodiness was contagious... and my son caught it before the monkey could save me, or him. He was such a whiney stine at church. at one point he ran up to me and pulled the buttons off of my dress...
now my dress is missing 2 buttons.... oh well. its just a dress...:)
anyways, hope you guys had a great Sunday and it was cooler wherever you were!

Long Healthy Hair

Long, thick, healthy hair...
this isn't a science, I am not a hair expert. I just have long hair.
so...I thought I'd share with you the things I do to keep my hair healthy.
Hope you enjoy!



oh, and my little girl's hairstyle of the day :)

easy eggplant eyes

haha! my husband told me to call this "subtly seductive"!
This is an easy, every day smokey eye that is 'brighter' than a normal smokey eye.
Hope you like it!




for AVON and Mark. products:
http://www.youravon.com/jbrattrud

Big Color Eye Pencil:
Eggplant: 175-790
Vanilla: 175-040
Glimmersticks Waterproof eyeliner in blackest black: 064-382

hello autumn...

i love autumn.

it is my favorite season. i love it when the air gets crisp...
this morning i have cinnamon buns in the oven and a pumpkin spice coffee in my hand.
life is good.
one of my favorite things about autumn is the colors...so this season makes me miss vancouver the most. i miss the trees, the leaves... the smell of school in the air.


went to walmart yesterday and picked up a bunch of the Mainstays candles in Hazelnut. My favorite smell when it is cool and crisp outside. Makes my house smell warm and cozy.
hope you all have a beautiful autumn day today :)

military boots

OooOOOh.... I got so excited when I saw the parcel service stop in front of my house.
Finally got the boots I wanted, FREE! thanks swagbucks!

I've been looking for some cute military boots... that were comfy and not expensive. I got them through Amazon.com with my swagbucks, but if you just want to buy them they are from a store called 'make me chic' I think if you google it, the site comes up. I want to say they were $25. They have a ton of cute stuff on the site, I don't like a lot of the clothes...but the shoes are super cute and VERY reasonably priced.
wait, I'll find the site for you.
here it is:
http://www.makemechic.com/

I totally feel like I work for swagbucks, but C'MON PEOPLE its FREE stuff!
you use it just like google...earn points, and trade it for free stuff...
I want everyone to get free stuff! hahahaa...
I just discovered the tool bar. When you add it you win without even doing anything!

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mymoodymama

anyways, I just overdosed on Panda Express and need to veg...bye for now!

dumbo

so the whole family went to disneyland for a 2 day vacation in honor of the littliest bro-in-law. He is going away for 10 months so we thought we'd make it his day....unbeknownst to him. So we all wore his band's t-shirts and had so much fun.
(I know you can't tell, but he was happy.. I know it!)


one sad moment.... I got kicked off of DUMBO~!
I didn't even know that could happen! I could hear the announcer saying something, but couldn't really make out what he was saying (and was so into dumbo, really I wasn't paying attention). All of a sudden the ride stopped.... I knew it wasn't the end because the elephants usually level out and you soar for a while. when the ride stopped the guy comes over and says "rides over, BECAUSE OF YOU" and I was like "huh?!" and he says "you CAN'T be turned around taking pictures of your kids. I could lose my job, you could sue me if you hurt your back by being turned around, RIDE IS OVER"
:(
i felt so bad to all the other riders... BUT to my defense, I didn't know!!! I always see people taking pictures! AND there should be a sign, no?! haha!

so here is a picture on the 'stationary dumbo' where we are SUPPOSE to take pictures... haha!
We all had so much fun. I am so blessed with an amazing family. Lots of fun, lots of laughter... lots of love.
Life is beautiful <3>

curious...

so my little girl dresses herself everyday. she does a good job 99% of the time, especially for a 3 year old. once in a while i have to kindly and gently 'suggest' a different combination.

today she looked cute, a little heart tunic and leggings.

when she came out and said 'look at my outfit mom' i said 'good job!', but in my mind i couldn't remember buying her leggings like that. "oh well" i thought...
so throughout the day the leggings became more and more curious to me.
so finally i lifted up her shirt. and upon further inspection...

SHE WAS WEARING MY SPANX!
hahaha! the crotch would have been able to fit over her head!

wave braid

this is a quick easy alternative to the 'regular' braid...and looks so much cooler!
so easy...i promise!



hope you like it!

new beginnings

her little "cubby"

so my little girl started pre-school this week. wow. what an emotional day! she is only going for the minimum. 2 days a week, half days.... I know some parents have to go back to work and such, but I don't think I could put her in full time all day right off the bat!
I have to say, she was much more ready than I was.

I didn't want to be THAT mom, crying and taking pictures of everything.....but I was :/

I am so proud of her. She loves it and is doing so well. I know people tell you all the time that kids grow up too quickly and you think "yeah yeah yeah". but they do. way too fast.
I am going to make an extra effort to savor every precious moment, laugh a little more and take time to lock in and focus when my kids are showing me or telling something.
love them.

don't bite your friends!

my little special princess who's secret superhero name is "flower power" started pre-school this week. just twice a week, half day.. but I'm not ready for it! She was though.. so excited and did so well. chokes me up...
she is only 3 but so advanced. I am so proud of her. she is friendly, loving, compassionate and so funny. my little boy makes my heart melt. his smile could cure any sad day...
took a little clip of them dancing today. hope it warms your heart too.

oh elf!

E.L.F. Hyspershine Lipgloss

ok. this might be my favorite lipgloss of ALL TIME.

it is amazing. so smooth, stays on, and after its gone... your lips are still smooth! unlike other glosses where your lips feel like shriveled prunes!

the best part is... they are only $1.00!!!! yep!

I have to admit, I am not a fan of all e.l.f. products, but this one might be their holy grail.

I got mine at Target, but if your Target doesn't carry them, they sell them online.

http://www.eyeslipsface.com

One of my dearest friends Sarah gave birth to her little girl Liberty yesterday... CONGRATULATIONS!

sweet memories.

so I totally failed AGAIN at growing out my bangs. I feel like I'm always on the cusp of being bang free... and then I get the sudden urge, and a few snip snips later I'm back where I started.

Maybe bangs are just my destiny. I do have a huge forehead...so it makes for less face.

* * *

anyways... today I had a moment where I was realized how quickly time goes by. I don't want to miss one memory, giggle or funny thing my kids do or say. I wish I had it all on video tape. I can watch video's from only 2 years ago and it seems like it was such a long time ago...and I can't remember them that way.

I started a journal when I first got pregnant, and then somehow that got misplaced... and then I started another, and that somehow got misplaced.

so NOW I have a special box. It sits where no one can touch it. and I told myself that ATLEAST once a year, on the kids' birthdays..I would write them a letter. Write how they are, things they like.. funny things they do or say. So at a minimum there is one for each year.... and, on days where I actually have a moment or want to remember something special I write a note, put the date on the envelope and drop it in the box. I hope one day when my kids have kids they can look back and see how they were.. and how much we loved them.

I amazed that these beautiful, perfect little beings came from my body... so sweet, so lovely.

Chalk Ink

I LOVE the little signs at trader joe's, don't you?

they are always so colorful and happy.

anyways, I've been using chalk ink for a while now and thought I'd share them with you.

I found these images online of artwork done with chalk ink...

Chalk Ink is so much easier to use than traditional chalk. Brighter, easy to blend..and when it dries it won't smudge if someone walks by and wipes it by accident with their sleeve. (same as dry erase markers)

AND you can use them to decorate your car windows, leave messages on mirrors...chalkboards. I have used the other window chalk... some come off with a squeegee and water..some don't come off.. no matter what! I had to use a razor last week to get it off my car windows, that's what happens when you cheat on your chalk ink! muahaha!!

BUT it is so easy to take off when you want it. all you need is a paper towel and water, or a wet wipe! I wish I was a teacher again JUST so I could have the coolest chalk board at school...

I bought mine at Michael's but you can also get them online at

http://www.chalkink.com

free bed head deep waver!

so i mentioned swagbucks before, but for reals y'all you HAVE to use it!

its just like google or yahoo, but you get points (swagbucks) for just searching, whatever you normally do. and then you trade them in for prizes!!!

i traded mine for an amazon giftcard and got this deep waver i've been wanting

gosh, i feel like i'm working for them!! BUT its free to join and use..and c'mon who doesn't want free stuff??! weeeehee..

here is the link below:

i am so excited about my deep waver. it makes your hair HUGE and voluminous. i love it.

random giveaway yay!

just a bunch of random things i'd use as a giveaway (sharing is caring! hee hee!)
..enter and win!

soul eaters

i love my husband. i feel like we can talk forever and it never gets boring.

we were talking today about how some people are soul eaters. they take from you, hurt you, annoy you, disrespect you, are unloyal.... and even AFTER all is said and done, they have this lingering way of eating your soul. when their name comes up you roll your eyes, your heart beats fast... your blood flows a little faster... your face gets flushed. they get a rise out of you without even being there. know what i mean?

i went through a stage in my life where i would get SO bothered and annoyed with people that it began to wear on my spirit.

the reality is this. there is nothing to reconcile. it is different when there was an isolated situation or an event that caused the friction to begin with. BUT in most cases with soul eaters... its more than that.

i am me. and you are you. your personality, characteristics, life choices..i cannot change. and probably they won't change. so if i don't like it, and can't deal with it.. and you -me... then move on.

completely.

don't let people who have hurt you continue to do so even after the relationship has ended.

it is wrong for people to hurt you, but it is your fault if they continue to do so.

people can only hurt you repeatedly if you allow them to.

so soul eaters...move on. don't keep creeping back.

and for you... fill your soul with love, with good things. do not let anyone steal your joy.

He will fill you anew every morning.... just ask, and receive.

Kiss

so this is the new generation of Lee Press on nails.

I have actually used these nails several times, but Kiss sent me a couple of goodies the other day.

I did mine using the Fashion Diva ones first since I love the design...

They come in short, medium and long.

I don't like having long nails, but since my nailbeds are so long, the short nails are too short for me. The nail ends before mine does. I cut my nails to the skin (ouchie!) and they still peak over the top. and with the french tip it makes my nails look kinda stubby. I usually buy the medium length and then file them down so they are shorter.

I used these on all of my sister-in-laws bridesmaids and was so impressed at how good they looked on everyone. Even my (other) sister in law who has teeny tiny fingers! we used the petites for her and they worked great.

Pro's:

easy to apply (they have little tabs for application that you twist off)

quick! if you are like me and don't want to wait for nailpolish to dry

less damage than acrylics

affordable (I paid about $5 at walmart)

Con's:

it says "7 day wear" but mine usually last about 2. I wash the dishes in very hot water without gloves, so that is a major contributor.

after care: you have to really clean off the glue and buff your nails after. If you don't take them off properly you may suffer some damage.

Overall, I love them. They are a great alternative and make you look polished in about 5 minutes!

These stickers are also from Kiss that I used and added some more rhinestones and glitter...

I love nail stickers, it just makes things a little more schnazzy!

I'm not so sure on the toe nails, they kind of scare me. but the nail art I am excited for, they come with stencils too! I'll let you know how they work out!

for more products and purchasing:

http://kissusa.com/

easy smokey eye

here's an easy smokey eye using

MAC: style influencer

L'Oreal: HIP in wicked

unbreakable

We had our annual youth camp this past week. It is neat to watch young people...not that I am SO old, but man... if I were in highschool again I don't know if I could do it!

I got to teach a class each day and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do it. I think when you share your story, without even knowing it you bring healing to others...and to yourself.

Life is a journey. Sometimes the journey gets dark... but there IS light at the end, I promise.

Woke up to the waves crashing every morning. There is something so mysterious and beautiful about the ocean. I love it. I think I could retire on the beach one day!

Random, but I discovered this drink over the week:

Sobe Green Tea.

it is delicious. it tastes a little minty, sweet...and refreshing. I love it :)

anyways, off to do a suitcases of laundry! (oooh.. and I had forgotten how great Buffalo Exchange was, there was one in town and I got some great finds!)

the sak

good morning!

whenever i think of "the sak" i think of the small crocheted purses from way back in the day.. but not anymore! they have so many cute purses.

2 of the bags i've been using every day are the sak from the sakroots collection.

these are the two i use right now:

the one on the bottom is my every day one is on sale now on their website!

Originally $89 now on sale for $31!

http://www.thesak.com/

i am a cheapo BUT i like high quality too. and these bags are made WELL. i carry a lot of stuff, heavy stuff and they have been very durable.

There are so many cute bags on the website, here are a couple i like!

the mimosa

ruched tote

rocked shopper

anyways look on the blog about stylish diaper bags if you wanna see them in video! they start at 3:45

beautifully and wonderfully made

its almost 1am and i'm still awake.

i often find myself a victim of my thoughts. taking me to places i shouldn't go...places that feed negativity and lies.

that's when i need to stop. (collaborate and listen..hehe.. oops, sorry i was in serious mode.*ahem)

stop.

and remember that i am beautifully and wonderfully made.

we don't always understand everything or have an answer for the way things are, but it doesn't mean that there isn't purpose, a plan...

throughout my childhood i often wondered why God made me. no special talent, no unique gift...too sensitive and easily broken. why would God make someone like that? doesn't He make things with purpose? this is where my thoughts often led me... day after day and night after night.

God does not make mistakes.

our worth is not found in what we do...its in who we are.

i don't love my kids because of what they can do for me. i love them because they are mine.

He loves me because i am His. i am His delight. THAT is my purpose.

He has a plan. i might not see it or understand it..but i know His plans for me are good...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

i believe without seeing and i walk in trust because He will not lead me astray.

He sees my inner most thoughts, sees my secret cries, knows my heart in a way i can't even describe.

He is my Father, my best friend, my Counselor, my comfort, my Provider, my Healer, my peace...He is my Rock.

Rock and Republic

so... we were shopping the other day and i ended up in nordstrom rack to find rock & republic under $5!

5 minute hair

so ever since i had kids, showers are a thing of the past. i have to be able to get ready as fast as i can...before someone gives themself a haircut, a dinasour is stuck in the toilet or there is a poop party on my walls.

so here is my 5 minutes (or less) hair.. that looks somewhat done!

turbosnake

ok so I would always be so intrigued whenever this infomercial came on. Then one day I was in Bed Bath & Beyond and I saw them there. I talked to the guy about them and he said if it didn't work to return them...so I got them.. and AMAZING!

The first time I did it I could barely pull the wire up from the drain. It looked like a mouse!!

http://www.turbosnake.com

Swag Bucks

Have you heard of swag bucks?

its quite interesting! its like google or yahoo.. only every time you click on it, you earn swag bucks you can redeem for prizes or for giftcards. for reals!

i got 30 swag bucks for joining... here's the link

oh, and tarte cosmetics has a 40% off friends and family discount until august 9th

just enter "FFAUG" in the promo code.

the Teal Deal

bright. blue. BAM!
the bright blue is coming back... as seen on the runways:





so here is my take on it. a little more wearable....