Monthly Wrap Up: March!

At the start of the month are Women's  Ministry held its first Girls Nite out of the season! I love that we have women from every age bracket at WABC. We had nearly 30 women at this event. A first for us. 

You know I had to include a decoration photo! I love that I get to combine my gifts and talents for the ministry! In May I will be helping a friend out with her granddaughters sweet sixteen party. I can't wait to share photos.

Speaking of talent! Nicki had an opportunity to fly out to Alabama this month to do the make up for a group of lovely young ladies including my Goddaughter and niece Miss.Jefferson County. She also got to meet the former Miss. Alabama (1993) Kalyn Chapman.

Quisha is in the process of raising funds for her second missions trip. This time to Jamaica. 

I have been trying really hard to eat better this month. I've even added a multi vitamin to my diet. I'm learning a lot about turning 50 and what it does to my body!

I've been in purge mode again and this time thankfully I'm able to pack everything up and donate it to a new ministry that Marc has started at WABC. Operation Andrew collects gently used clothing, household appliances, toiletries (including aspirins and vitamins). The items are collected and will be sent to a village in Libya where one of Marc's fellow classmates is from. 

I spent a lot of weekends on the road this month. If I'm not traveling to spend time with my family in the country or to Richmond with Marc to class.

I'm still amazed that I can actually sit in class with him. lol

This photo is of my nephew who was baptized this month. So proud of him.

This past weekend we had a Girls Day with my mom, my sister and the cousins. No boys allowed. The only exception is my little cousin Nicolas. 

I know everyone is tired of snow, but I am soo tired of rain. It seems like it has rained every weekend this month (not to mention during the week).

This past Sunday we got to see our great nephew be dedicated back to God.

Right after that we hightailed it over to WABC so that we could witness one of the young ones from our church give his life to Christ! Marc usually does the baptisms himself but he let the grandfather of the young man actually do the honors. I know this is something he will remember forever. I love the heart Marc has for the people of WABC (especially the babies...lol).

April is busy as usual. The biggest event happening is my 50th birthday!!!! 

My View From The Pew

I decided to revise my "View From The Pew" photos (basically a glimpse at my outfits of the day when I'm at church) on my Instagram. Thought I might as well post them all at the end of the month here on my blog! My Sunday Best post probably won't start back up until this crazy weather changes! I couldn't believe it when some if my friends posted they were getting snow in Northern VA and DC! All we've gotten is rain and more rain!! Next up will be my monthly Ministry wrap up!

Laundry Organization!!

Its taken forever to start on this project.

Why was I so excited to get this container yesterday at Target (for less then $4.00) to put my dryer sheets in. I had to run upstairs first thing this morning and fill it up! LOL

This basket holds rags.

I have two of these medium baskets. They hold hand towels and washcloths.

I brought two of these plastic containers to hold liquid items (that way if they spill or leak they can be washed out).

These two larger bins hold beach towels and extra sheets. I need two more large canvas baskets to hold bath towels and the shelves will be complete!

I'm really loving how everything is turning out. And I love the bright colors. It makes me smile each time I enter the room.

I'm enjoying my organized space so much that hanging out in the laudryroom isn't so bad anymore. And why did I never think to take my Ipad with me before and watch my favorite you tubers while working? The only thing left to do is get a new trashcan, a rug, a set of laundry bins to sort the clothing and some curtains. Oh and pull down the old wallpaper border! I wil do a full recap once I have it all together. The only downside to my space is my ancient washer and dryer  (my dream washer and dryer is a frontload set ) but until they stop working and or we win the lottery they will have to do! 

My Daily Skin Care Routine

Morning routine:

I've been a Mary Kay customer for over 20 plus years. I've tried several skin care products but in the end I have always come back to my tried and true. I rarely wear make-up during the week so most mornings I just cleanse with my Timewise (Normal/To Dry Cleanser ) and Timewise (moisturizer with Sp30). If I've worn make-up the night before I use my Skinvigorate from Mary Kay. 

Nightime routine:

In the evening I use my Timewise products along with the Mary Kay Freshener (which is no longer available). I'm in the market for a new toner and I have been considering trying the Simple Soothing Facial Toner . I will let you know how that goes. If I've worn make-up that day I first wash my face with Equate facial wipes from Walmart. I will be turning 50 in a few months so I'm looking at adding a night moisturizer and a eye cream to my regiment. Guess I will be making a call to my local Mary Kay Consultant soon!

When I want to deep cleanse my face I use Mary Kay's Revitalizing Mask. This version is no longer available but the good thing about Mary Kay products is that they last a very long time. I was able to pick this up before they phased it out. I usually do a deep facial once or twice a month as needed. 

My skin tends to become very dry in the winter so I have had to switch out my usually Bath and Bodyworks products. I don't know why but Caress products just seem to work better in the winter. Year round I use Lubriderm Advanced Therapy lotion. I suffer from dry patches on my hands that can peel and become very painful. Other then Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion the Lubriderm is the closest thing that works. 

Lastly I moisturize my lips with the Eos lip balm! I hear the Nivea lip balm may be better so I plan to try that this month and let you know. 

One last item I am on the look out for is a nail conditioner so if anyone has any recommendations please let me know. I hear Burts Bee's Cuticle cream is pretty fantastic! 

Spring Has Sprung!

At least in my closet!! lol

I'm on a dress kick!

My first accessories of the season.

I've become obsessed with Statement necklaces.

Been on the look out for a jean dress and a striped nautical dress.

Yep, and more statement necklaces! LOL

March Ipsy Bag

I received my March Ipsy bag today! My thoughts so far are mixed. I really like the colors in the Be A Bombshell eyeshadow (Bora Bora) and the color of the Bare Minerals lipstick ( just wish it was full size). I found myself a but disappointed in the Pacifica Body Butter scent which is kind of a bummer because I was really looking forward to using it. I usually love anything with coconut in it! The bag itself is just ok and as excited as I am to be trying Nicole by OPI polish (On What Grounds) I'm not a fan if the color. Of course that may change after I try it on! And I guess I got spoiled last month with 5 products! lol 

February Favorites

I wasn't sure I would get my monthly favorites up. But here it goes....

I kind of laid off my Bath and Bodyworks shower gels and lotions this winter. My skin tends to get very dry and I usually have to lather on the Lubriderm lotion. The last few months I have been picking up the Caress shower gels at Target and I have to say the Tahitian Renewal is one of my favorites. 

I've also been using my Skinvigorate from Mary Kay (a gift from hubby at Christmas). I can't compare it to the more expensive Clarisonic but so far I have been loving it. But as many of you may know I have been a tried and true Mary Kay customer for more then 20 years and I have yet to find anything to complain about! 

I usually get the coconut Blue Magic for my hair but for some reason last month I picked up the Super sure gro version this time. I love the little beads in it (its a mixture of shea butter, jojobi oil and japanese green tea leaves). Not sure about the growth part but its kept my scalp from getting itchy and dry (another product of the harsh winter we have had). 

I wore way more make-up in February then I did in January. Nicki and I both wanted to try out Its Judy's Times pallet but I ended up being the one that kept it. 

I'm really surprised how much I have liked the Elf Tinted Moisturizer (with SPF 20). Its not to heavy but it gives me just enough coverage to even out my skin tone. Right now I am using Sand. I could probably go a bit darker but I didn't notice enough of a difference in the coloring in the natural light to warrant switching.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like the combination of pop beauty's lip gloss (peony petal) with my be a bomb lip crayon (shameless). I've been wearing the two constantly since I got the lip gloss in my February glam bag.

I received another Zoya nail polish last month from ipsy but I keep going back to Neve! If anyone had told me a year ago that I would have loved a polish color this dark on my nails I would have laughed. I just can't seem to get enough of this purple/blue color and I am totally a Zoya nail lover now! LOL

Lastly I didn't think I would like the City Color Be Matte Blush (Fresh Melon) until I actually put it on and blended it into my skin. And I have to say I love it!!!! Its a bit chalky when you first apply it but once you blend it in it looked really good on my skin color!

My favorite jewelry pieces have been my gold watch I picked on vacation last summer in Florida, along with some spike bracelets from Forever 21 and this initial necklace from Walmart of all places!

I've been toting this Just Fab bag around for almost the entire month of February and I'm finding it hard to part from it now that its March. If you missed it I did an updated "What's In My Bag" review last week.

I seem to live in jeans now which is funny because it took me a long time to get into wearing them. I never found any that were that comfortable until I stumbled upon the Faded Glory brand at Walmart. They have a elastic waist and are the skinny jeans with the stretchy material. Last month I picked up two tops from Jones New York at Sam's Club. I don't think I paid more then $8.00 each!

I love this Aqua sweater from New York and Company that my daughter Quisha gave me for Christmas and I have been pairing it with a Worthington animal print blouse from JCPenneys.

If I'm not in my rain boots or my Converse tennis shoes I have been in my "riding" boots from Merona at Target. I really like the look of them but I wouldn't recommend them if you are looking for boots for long term. The bottom of my soles are torn and the boots themselves scuff up easily. The good thing is that they are very comfortable to walk in.

I've just about finished with my Cranberry Pear Belinni candle from Bath and Bodyworks. 

I have never been a jelly bean girl until Marc introduced me to Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans and now I can't get enough of them! 

I just recently finished reading Gideon's Sword and I was surprised at how much enjoyed it. I believe there are more in this series so I may have to look into a few more books.

Nicki and I have been sharing the Earl Bynum Mount Unity Choir cd and we have basically worn it out just because its just that good! A few of my friends attend church there and one of my friends actually sings with the choir. They recently won a Stella award for their work.

Next up will be my Ipsy March bag reveal!

Monthly Wrap Up: February

February was a busy month!

I got a little bit of decorating in. And speaking of decorating.... The church decorated Marc's office for his birthday! 

They celebrated his 51st birthday the entire month! 

 

He received so many cards and gifts (every week they did something different). 

The last Sunday of the month he came into his office and found these! Plus the youth handed him even more birthday cards!

The actually day of his birthday our associate minister took us out to celebrate the birthday boy! I've not done that much eating in a long time! 

And it seemed the eating out went on the entire month as well! 

This was the last meal we ate before the end of February! Smokie Bones is one of his favorites! A week before that him and I ate out at Red Robin courtesy of a gift card from my mom! Marc isn't a big hamburger person but he loved their moon pie! 

Wish I could say that was the end of our eating out but no! He surprised me Valentines Day with lunch at one of my favorite restaurants! 

If your ever in the area you have to check out the Swan Terrace! 

 I've been spending a lot if weekends in the country just hanging out with my family. Funny how you don't always appreciate where you came from until you are much (much) older! With Marc taking classes for his Masters degree I figure its no sense in me sitting at home looking at the walls!! lol So mom and I have been spending a lot of time strolling down memory lane. Literally! 

I ended the month by hanging out with some girlfriends ( including Nicki...lol) just laughing and talking. I'm truly on track this year when it comes to spending more time with family and friends and less time stressing over things I can't change!