Change is good

I recently went out on a limb and ventured off into unfamiliar territory. I did not go out of the country or into a bad neighborhood. I made a change in my makeup choice. oooohhhh, that is very scary for me. All of my close friends know that I am a M*A*C cosmetics kind of girl and on the occasions that I am wearing makeup, I rarely will use another brand with the exception of eyeliner, and mascara.

Recently, though I was involved in an event and I really wanted to look really pretty. I did not want my dark acne blemishes to be visible, I hate them. However, I had run out of my usual Studio fix powder foundation and was really freaking out. Freaking out because I did not want to spend $26 for a new compact, and I was unsure of where to turn for a comparable yet less expensive product.

I was searching high and low trying to find the right color match, texture and application style. For some people this is a simple task, but for me, it was a cause for much anxiety. I'm used to just walking up to the counter and having it all picked out for me. Walking away as a satisfied and confident customer. Having to pick out my own foundation color left me feeling anything but confident. I did not want to be one of those women that you see with two toned skin, their neck obviously lighter or darker than their face. Can you see my dilemma?

Eventually I just gave up, and enlisted the help of my cousin, a great makeup artist. We chose the Maybelline Dream Matte mousse foundation and I love it! It is so light and airy, and a little goes a long way. I was amazed at how well it covered my dark spots, giving me a beautiful even tone that looked natural. The best part of it all? It can be purchased for under $10. I am so happy that I have found something that provides me with the same quality, look and feel of my beloved M*A*C Studio fix. Needless to say, I attended my event with great pride and confidence and a little extra change in my pocket.

BYE-BYE M*A*C...HELLO MAYBELLINE!

*I am not in any partnership with Maybelline, to promote this product. I simply loved it and wanted to share my feelings about it*

Quality Family Time

In today's society we are often surrounded by technology, sometimes overwhelmed by it. With cable t.v., the Internet, traveling game systems and high tech cellphones it can be so easy to disconnect from our family, too far and few in between is the quality time that families are spending with each other. My family is no exception, we have been guilty of this, why? because it is just so easy to sit around on our butt's.

Plain n' simple.

Recently we decided to turn off the t.v. (at least for a few hours) and head to the local state park. Oh what fun! the kids brought their swim suits and as soon as we found a great spot overlooking the lake, with a table and grill, they jumped in. I'm so happy that they enjoy and are comfortable in the natural surroundings.

It was so nice outside, the sounds of the boats riding by and happy children. Hubby and I got to talk (I know right?!real one on one convo!). I brought a book and just fell in love with life all over again. How could I not? When sitting amongst the beauty of creation with the ones you love, it just happens.

I just hope we continue to remember what we love the most ,which is not the technology we are swamped with, but the quality time spent being active outside with each other. The best part of it all is that it costs little to nothing to do it. You can't beat that in these hard economic times.

My hubby and I even decided that we were going to implement a NO T.V. week, every month...ahem! yep! you read me right....NO T.V. for one whole week. Sounds drastic? Well sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. We will get outdoors, finish up projects, and play board games ( which BTW, we love) . If you like board games too and want something new to add to your quality family time, go to this website ; www.boardgames.com for suggestions to get you started.

The weather is great and you have your love ones around you....you gotta get up, get out and do somethin'.

Make someone's day

Do you like to send out cards to your friends and family? I do, I really enjoy helping to make someones day by sending them a card just because. Even better, it's great when I can send out a nice animated ecard with just a few clicks on my laptop. I was just exposed to a new website for free ecards, and I'm just gonna help spread the word by sharing it with you. Click HERE or just go HERE; WWW.got-free-ecards.com to find out what what I'm talking about. Hope it helps you to make someones day!

Trimming The Fat

Ever hear the statement "Everything good to you is not always good for you"?
Or what about "All things are lawful for me; but not all things are advantageous"?

With the economy in it's current condition many households are finding themselves cutting back, and if they haven't done it yet, they will. My husband and I have been in the process of cutting back for about a year now, but I'll have to admit I don't think we've done a good job of it. Why? Well for the very fact that the proof is in the pudding.

We started out OK but fell back into the comfort of some bad habits. I came to the conclusion that I just have to TRIM THE FAT. That is the reality of things. No matter how much I think I deserve that pair of shoes, that dinner at a swanky restaurant or that delightful, almost sinful pick me up at Starbucks...uh, well , hmm, scratch that last one. A girl's gotta hold on to her sanity somehow. OK, I digress. But you get the point. I gotta get on a budget, better yet, make good use of the program I already own (YNAB).

I got out my steak knives & I about to start trimmin'! Doesn't mean I'm going to get rid of everything, & stop having fun. It just means that everything is getting a true evaluation of what is really necessary. I.e., how many cable channels do I really need? Do I have to use these many cell phone minutes when I currently have a land line? Can I make better choices when it comes to driving around town considering the cost of gas? Eating out should be a nice treat, not a necessity because of my lack of planning. And don't forget about the coupons. Basically, I'm asking myself and my husband "is it really that serious?"

I firmly believe that more money is not always the answer to financial woes. So many times it is just more discipline. With the proper planning for the use of our money we can still achieve our goals along with receiving some of our wants. Needless to say, I will definitely be making use of the information from the experts I find on the Internet for better ways to be fabulously frugal, via some of the networks I'm apart of. As I begin this journey (again) I will be sure to post my fabulously frugal finds for you to try out as well. So that's whats on my mind today. What about you? Do you need to trim the fat too?....