Confession 42 - Get your Painting On

Hi there! As promised, I'm bringing your more posts and trying to confess more these last couple months of 2013.  Today I'm confessing about one of my all time favorite whimsical self taught painters, Timree Gold.  I've been following stalking Timree for nearly 10 years now.  I first learned about her through a mutual friend and saw her amazing mural work, you can check it out here.   The pictures on her site are amazing, but seeing her murals in person are breathtaking.  So much detail and personal touches! She has painted for many celebrities and famous people and even had an appearance on the OC Housewives show.

This past Sunday, my good friend Diana and I visited her studio to paint.  This is the 3rd painting I have done at Timree's studio, and each time I'm amazed at how well I do. I start out nervous and unsure if I'm going to be able to complete the project, but in the end, I succeed with flying colors.  Painting at Timree's Studio offers me a creative outlet and let's me put something on the calendar that is just for me!

When you arrive at Tiimree's studio in Newport Beach there is a place setting of a palate of paint, a photo copy of the Timree "original" painting you will be painting and a blank white canvas on an easel.  She equips you with 4 brushes, in her technical Timree terms, 1. The Fatty 2. The Medium 3. The Tween and 4. The Baby.  It's her own vocabulary and made up terms for her painting technique that puts you at ease and allows you to relax to become creative and paint.

It's definitely a must for anyone to try once, twice or many times (some of my friends are addicts, I'm not mentioning any names).

Check out some of my pics...

London Calling Portrait

Easter Painting in the Spring

My First Class!  A Gift for my birthday from my BFF! 

Pretty professional looking huh? I know, she's a genius!   So hurry up and stop by Timree's site and sign up for a class and get your Painting On!  Make it a Mommy & Me session, a Girls Night Out or just a creative moment for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 40 - My Favorite Summer Products

Today I'm confessing about the latest and greatest products I'm absolutely loving this summer. Like insane make out love! Like white on rice ... Peanut butter to jelly, Ernie to Bert love ... Ok that last one was weird  .... Anyhoo ... Here they are in no particular order:

1. Reef Sandals - I live in my flip flops being in SoCal and I had no idea when I bought these back in the spring these would be my favorite. I knew $30 was too much to spend ... But if they were comfortable and durable it would all be worth-it!  The glitter on the "Reef" part has not come off and the glitter on the band hasn't either. The black is really black and they are still oh so comfortable, looking very new!




 2.  Jergens Skin Firming Lotion - OMG, this is my all time favorite body product right now. I think the firming is working too.. maybe not, but it sure makes my skin feel silky soft. Anyone that has felt my skin recently has commented, on how soft my skin is. It's super cheep and a must have in my bag mix these days. I get mine on Amazon, it's half the cost.

3. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Medium - In love with this product too! Some of you may think I don't need to use this, but my legs don't see sun enough and get pretty white and pale. There is no orange streaking and weird blotches with this product. And it has the same firming lotion in it as the product above. So it makes your skin silky soft!




4.  Salty Caramel Chocolate Balls - Wholly Molly... I know I shouldn't add this as my favorite product when I'm trying to eat healthy and maintain my "summer figure" (what summer figure?), but these are to-die-for delicious. Try them with some wine, and OMG, so deadly. You will fight your 9 year old daughter for the last one (not that I would know about that or anything).




5. Fage 0% fat Greek Yogurt - I love this yogurt... yummy! I add nuts, fruit, cucumbers, peppers or just plain with a dash of salt.  It has 18g of protein! I couldn't believe it when I saw it! And all those great yogurt bacteria thingys for your belly.  A probiotic too!  The key is to mix it really well, then it doesn't appear "cheesy" and gets that creamy feel and look to it.



6. MAC BB Cream - I love this product. It has SPF of 35 and your moisturizer and foundation in one! I love that double dutying product! Saves time and brain cells for me!

 

I could go on with more, but I gotta go do something more productive than divulging all my long standing secrets! You'll have to wait for yet another confession to get more tips!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 29 - Taking Care of My Skin

Today I'm confessing about my secret (well not so secret anymore) regimen to my, what people are saying, glowing skin! I'm letting all my readers in!

Thankfully, I have good genetics and wrinkles and sunspots are at a minimum, but let's face it (no pun there), everyone ages and everyone gets wrinkles and age spots. I was looking for a new regimen that would keep my face clear of acne (yes, I'm still getting acne in my late 30's), clean my pores and make my skin look and feel flawless.  About 6 months ago, a friend of mine, Michelle, began selling the skincare line, Rodan + Fields. I quickly went on to the product page and started to investigate.  Michelle became instrumental in helping me figure out the best line for my skin type and issues.

We soon decided on trying the "Unblemish" line as it would help with my acne and scaring.  From the first week that I started using the line, I could see a huge difference.  My acne started to clear up and my skin was finally starting to look somewhat normal.

After using the Unblemish line, I used and purchased one of my all time R+F favorite products, Micro-Dermabrasion Paste!  I use this paste 2-3 times a week and it makes my skin feel and look amazing!! I just use a dime size and scrub it all over my face dry, with no water. And then wash it off.  I cannot say enough good things about it.  My 8 year old even uses it for her Keratosis Pilaris.  After discussing the product with our dermatologist, she said it's worth a shot.  It will completely clear up her face after just one use.

Since I've started using R+F products, they have come out with yet a new revolutionary product, the Macro Exfoliator! It's basically a hand held exfoliator  that can be used in between professional treatments and can even replace those procedures, plus, can be done once weekly at home, which I love!  I found after the first use, my skin looked good, but after the second week, it looked luminous and glowing!  It is a treatment that mimics the professional treatments, and the results are similar, but a fraction of the cost.  It is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite products!  There is even an iPhone app to keep you on schedule of using your Macro E, I'm Happtastic~

Now that you have read all about my experience, go experience Rodan + Fields for yourself.  For anyone that goes and likes Michelle's Facebook Page, here she will send you a free sample of the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste. Completely free, to try and fall in love with!  So hop to it and like her page and see the glow!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 28 - Back in the Saddle and Fundawear? YIKES!

Well, I'm back from my 3 week hiatus! I was out for pleasure to Nashville, TN for 2 weeks and then in Orlando for business... phew, that was a lot of traveling! More to come about my Nashville trip. I did get out to do some photo shooting so I will be eager to share those.

Today, I'm just confessing about a new technology I read about. Why you ask, because it's so tantalizing! Check out this article I found on Mashable about this new technology..


After you have checked it out, leave me a comment on your thoughts.   Post "50 Shades" and Christian Gray, this seems very interesting.... !  And, once again, I'm proving to you that I stay up and up on the most creative technological products out there, LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 19 - Embracing what Matters

Today I am confessing about my journey to let go, to become free and plug out more times in the day than not, especially around my family.  With the loss of my dear friend Sue, and the challenging cancer diagnosis for my friend Sara, this profound change in the way I was living my life has evolved and is still evolving.  I wanted to become more present in my daily life with my children, my husband and with my close friends.  I began to look at my commitments, friends and my surroundings in a whole new way. Was I really doing the things in my life that mattered the most? I knew there needed to be changes. A change in my friends, my activities and how I managed my daily life. At first it was hard to let go, thinking I was "missing out" or losing. But I quickly came to realize that I was actually winning.

Don't get me wrong, unplugging is hard and  there are many days that are very difficult to do this. But I try to each and every day to make a point to leave my phone and other distractions aside for just awhile so I can connect and be present, especially with my kids. My greatest fear is 10-15 years from now regretting that I didn't get to be with and know my girls.

I'm sharing a very cool blog site that has given me much inspiration on my journey. Take a peak and mingle around. I find something inspiring to read about in almost every single one of her blog posts.  I know you will too!  Check out Rachel and her inspiring journey to becoming "Hands Free" here.

We can never get these days back again. Go do something that matters in your life that will connect you with the people that matter most!

When I ran across this subway art piece, it was so fitting for this post. I had to share it with you.

 Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 13 - Julep Box of the Month

Today I am confessing about my obsession with "box of the month" clubs.  I've written about them before and you can find those posts here and here  These were really popular in the late 90's. Some of you that knew me back then, know that I worked for a company that did a beer of the month, a cigar of the month (yes, I dappled in smoking cigars back then {wow you got an extra confession there}) and wine of the month club. Now they are back with a new twist.  The twist being all the information you get about the products, during, in the box and after. Also, many of these clubs have you fill out a survey and send you products based on how you answered certain questions on the survey. I'm currently subscribed to 4 different ones. And I just love the beginning of every month when they all start trickling in... {{{bliss}}}. I'm so old school and still love to send and receive snail mail. I will have to tell you, that each and every club packages up their goods in such a cute and eye appealing way.

Julep is no different with that, check out their cute square box below and then how cute all their items are wrapped in the second picture. Go peruse their site and read the story from their founder and CEO, pretty interesting. I love reading about entrepreneurs and what sparked them to start their business.  So, what is it? Essentially it's a "nail polish of the month club". Very cool bottles of nail polish, slim and stylish and some very cool colors that are unique just to them. They throw in some freebies and some other cool products too. Like this month I got a mascara, a top coat and a manicure thingy... I still need to read about it.  Their website has the full write up on all the items that are shipped, how to use them and why they are the coolest!

So go and check it out! It's a great indulgent for this month of love...hint, hint hubbies out there. One last unique thing about this club, you can choose to "skip" months if you don't like the shipment. I got my Julep box for the month of December, but skipped January. Then I did get it for February, since there were so many cool products shipping.  If you are interested in signing up, give me some blogger love and use the referral link below by clicking the circle below:

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession Four - Guru's of Scrapbooking

I'm confessing about scrapbooking {{crushing}} and my favorite all time blogger today! I started scrapbooking back in the late 90's officially, but in my early teens as an old school scrapbooker. I've been at it for awhile. I'm in no means an expert, I just love doing it, I value it and I'm committed to it. My dear friend Sue and I would scrapbook together and scrapbooking, some could say, was the foundation of our friendship. You'll hear more about that later. Today I'd like to confess about my all time favorite "guru" of scrapbooking. I've followed  this super talented lady for years, meeting her over the years at CHA and at other local scrapbooking events. Ok, so who is she... ? Hold on there overachiever.... over the course of January, I'll be showcasing my top three! I encourage you to go to their websites and look around. I'll be featuring many of the things they do on their sites here on mine, so if you get overwhelmed (it's a lot to look at and digest) come back here and check out my ongoing features.

#1 Becky Higgins 

Why Becky? Well I have met her in person many times and she is very down to earth. I also relate to her the most. Most importantly because of her tagline above that she is so passionate and committed to. She has also started a whole new approach to scrapbooking called Project Life.
Check out this video below ... which takes me to another point! I love her use of still photos AND video through her site and blog. Seeing her very inspirational videos keeps reminding me what a deficit of videos I have of my kids. I need more!


Take a look at her site:

Then go and take a look at the 12 Christmas Videos she posted this year. Here's the first one. I guarantee you will laugh, smile, cry and giggle a lot! It's good therapy for the soul.

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/2012/12/12-videos-of-christmas-no-1-2/

Convinced yet? Ok, now go to the site and click under "Free Stuff" see all the cool rescources she has on her site! She even posts Holiday Card Templates every year!  You'll also find two very cool custom handwriting fonts (are you a font hoarder like me?).

I'm committed to doing some "Project Life" this year and actually completing some projects! It's a goal worth keeping for my family to show them how much I love and value them.

If you are still unsure how great Becky Higgins is, take a look at this video:




And then for your final assignment, if you are a DIE HARD and want to commit like me, carve out 30 minutes in your day and watch this. If you watch this video, please please post your comments on what you think?  I'm up for the challenge this year to get my "Kid's Stuff" organized once and for all!



Okay, I think that is all for today... phew, I'm tired from all that! It was more than I envisioned, but so inspiring!

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Computers, iPads... such the old school...

So my dad sent me this email... I'm half hesitating while I click on the link to open the video... did I just download a virus?  I know you guys are just like me... your parents send you these weird emails... and you are like where did you find this stuff? Enough with the rant, more importantly here is the video, and no there is no virus. Check it out, very interesting stuff. And if anyone has an "In" to Corning... I'd love for that to be my next job. So cool!

Back Logged! - Operation Summer - 8 Weeks of Ideas

Sorry friends and fellow bloggers, most of you know I started a new job and well, time has been really scarce! But, I've still had time to keep up on introducing you to fun, new and informative sites! This is so cool ... find them on Facebook and sign up for their weekly email! Oh, and you might just find some other things you like there as well!

Operation Summer