Friday Favorites ~ Makeup/Cleansing Products

Happy Friday!  Today I am sharing my favorite Make-up/Cleansing Products.

A few weeks ago, I placed an order from Tarte when they had their sale. I order from them maybe once a year, but do like to take advantage when they have their big sale.  Here are the items I purchased recently & will mention them throughout this post.

It has nice packaging and included this black cosmetic bag.

My morning routine begins with me washing my face with water, then I roll my face to help with circulation.

I follow up with moisturizer.  With Tarte, I received this drink of H2O hydrating boost moisturizer.  I am using it in the mornings.  I also have these other moisutrizers, but I use them at night.  I typically use e.l.f., but bought this Eclat brand from Amazon this summer, so I am working through it for my night moisturizer.

Once this simple process is done, I begin with my make-up routine.

I start with my e.l.f. sunscreen.  I have used Super goop in the past and like it, but I like this just as well for half the price. For foundation, I typically would buy Covergirl and this is their True Blend foundation.  With the Tarte sale, I ordered the BB blur tinted moisturizer SPF 30.  I really like this, but only would buy it when it is on sale :).  That being said, I found this dupe for it on Amazon, but haven't tried it yet.  I am going to add it to my list when I finish these foundations.  

Sometimes, I use a little powder for contouring, but most days, I just use one of these for blush.  I am a fan of the roll-on blush and don't see myself going back to powder blush.  The Tarte product I purchased was limited-edition cheek stain.  The other two products are my go-to e.l.f monochromatic multi sticks, which sell for $5! I do sometimes use a setting powder, but not often.

For eyeshadow, I really like my Julep matte eye shadows.  With the Tarte sale, I chose the quick stick waterproof shadow & liner, which I really like too. One side has an eye shadow pencil and the other side is an eye liner.  Like blush, I don't see me every going back to powder eye shadow.  

Typically I use one of everyone's favoirte mascaras, Lash Princess.  I ordered the tartelette tubing mascara with Tarte.  I am a fan of it as well!

I use a Maybelline brow pencil, which is something I am not too particular about, but I do like the Stila eyeliner.

To round it out for the lips, I have a few shades of the Qibest lipstick, but I really like this Tarte maracuja juicy lip balm.

Out of all the Tarte products, I think the lip balm is my favorite!  When Tarte has this sale, it really is a great deal to get all these products at more than 50% off!  The last time I ordred from Tarte, these are the products I ordered:

sugar rush™ skin treat tinted moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

timeless™ smoothing primer

sketch & set™ brow pencil & tinted gel

lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara

tarteist quick dry matte lip paint

youth or dare multi-acid & C serum

The products I ordered most recently are definitely preferred over my previous order. I am pleased with all

the products and here I am wearing the Tarte products:

Now in the evening when it is time to wash my face, I use the Target or Wal-Mart brand of eye make up remover.  I then use the e.l.f cleansing balm.  I have used Colleen Rothschild, Clinique and Neutrogena's versions of this, but the e.l.f. works just as well for me and is at a good price.  After washing the balm using a microfiber wash cloth, I use a serum on my face.  

I follow this up with my night moisturizer (pictured at the top of the post).

I try to remember to use an eye cream and I also like my lip mask I use before bed each night. My preference is the vanilla.

And a few other random products, I use Isle of Paradise tanning drops in the summer a few nights a week to add in with moisturizer.  It is rare I have break outs, but if I do, I will use my stand by Clean and Clear to clear any breakouts on my face.

That is a peak into some products I use and really like.  All products can be purchased through Tarte, Amazon, Wal-Mart or Target.

Thanks for following along and happy last weekend of October!

Monthly Musings ~ October 2023

 Good morning!  I am linking up with Patty and Holly for October's theme of Monthly Musings.

1.  Thanksgiving plans - We have done different things each year for this holiday.  Some years, it has been a meal at my parents or we have traveled to my in-laws.  One year, the 4 of us took a trip and celebrated on our own, which was nice.  This year, my brother and family are coming the day after the holiday, so we will do an extended family dinner on Friday.  I am not sure what Thanksgiving Day will look like this year yet.

2. Favorite thanksgiving dish - Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes

3.  Best food prep tips - Shop in advance, prepare in advance, and ask for help! Also, meal plan that week and make sure there is room in the fridge for all the things.  

4.  Thanksgiving traditions - I like to start my day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and having it on in the background while I do food prep.  I will either decorate the tree while doing that or will decorate in the evening when watching a Christmas show of some sort.  I typically put up my tree the weekend before Thanksgiving, but don't decorate it until Thanksgiving Day.

5. Turkey, ham or other - I do love a traditional turkey on Thanksgiving!

6. Apple or Pumpkin pie - Even though I like apples and like pumpkin flavored breads, I am not a fan of apple or pumpkn pie.  I would choose a cheesecake instead!

7. Football or family movie - I would watch college football, but I do like the idea of watching a Christmas movie as a family, but I also realize my dreams of that happening are slim to none now that the girls are older.  

8. Stuffing or dressing - I also like a traditional dressing to eat with my turkey.

9. Turkey trot or Thanksgiving parade - Although a good walk is nice on the holiday, I would take the parade!

10.  Friendsgiving - I have been to a Thanksgiving feast our church plant hosted, but not a specific gathering of friends at my house, but love this idea!

What's Up Wednesday ~ October

 How are we already at the last Wednesday of October??  I don't want to rush fall, yet I'm ready for some more time to pass.  It's a mix of feelings on time!

What we're eating this week.........

Monday - chicken pasta with Jim & Nick cheese biscuits

Tuesday - taco soup

Wednesday - Chick-fil-A

Thursday - working late, so not cooking!

Friday - ??

What I'm reminiscing about.........

I am constantly reminiscing about life prior to 2020.  The past few years have been my hardest yet.  

What I'm loving...........

My youngest was in town last weekend.  It went by pretty fast and she spent 24 hours of the weekend with friends, which I am glad she was able to do.  We did spend some time carving pumpkins, which we haven't done in years.

My pumpkin is this camping scene with a tent, tree and mountains and stars.

My husband did a Frankenstein pumpkin

On display

And when you have a daughter in art school, she creates flowers in her pumpkin.  Now that she is back at school, we get to enjoy her art work!

What we've been up to..............

Baseball watching, laziness at home, & yet busy working outside the home

I had headshots taken at work this month and here a few...

The team I work with...

What I'm dreading..........

A few plans and big decisions that are on the horizon.  Prayers appreciated.

What I'm working on.............

I am working on some cleaning/organizing projects around the house.

This is the ongoing answer for most months!

What I'm excited about...............

I am hoping to get away for my birthday weekend this year since it falls on a Saturday.  It will probably be somewhere within driving distance, but I am hoping to go somewhere I haven't been before.

What I'm watching/reading............

The past few weeks, I have been watching almost every baseball game on tv with the World Series starting Friday night.

When not watching baseball, I have also watched Golden Bachelor, Hoda & Jenna & began watching the first of many Hallmark Christmas movies!

As far as reading, I have listened to 2 books on Audible:

These were both very good listens!

What I'm listening to...........

Current podcast list is...

Let's Read the Gospels

Family Life Today

Therapy & Theology

The Big Boo Cast

Messmerized

Midlife Matters

Relationship Radio

Proverbs 31

Something to Celebrate

Our Time to Rise

I don't listen to these every week, but they are all on my rotation!

What I'm wearing...............

I am wearing long sleeve shirts, cardigans and dresses.  I still wear dresses quite a bit in the fall/winter months with boots.  

What I'm doing this weekend..............

I think we are going to a Halloween party.  I may also go to a local theater play and probably just catch up on things at home.  

What I'm looking forward to next month..........

November is my favorite month.  I say this every year....it ushers in the holiday season, there is an emphasis on being thankful and grateful, cooler weather is here, comfort foods are back, family gatherings, and my birthday is in November.

What else is new...............

I read lots of funny things every day it seems, but this was one I for sure resonate with on a practical level as my eyes begin to fail me more and more as I age!

That's all for today.....I hope to share my makeup/cleansing prodcut post with you on Friday!  Enjoy your day!

19 Years

 Today is my youngest daughter's 19th birthday!  She is such a faithful friend, very determined, a true 3 on the enneagram, funny and our favorite artist!  This girl has the most admirable self-control and self-discipline. This marks the 2nd birthday of hers where I haven't seen her since she is away at college, but, she will fly home tomorrow night and I am looking forward to spending the weekend with her!  

Here she is 15 years ago today.....

Her early days of art classes with her first self-portrait.  Now she is at an art school!

Fast forward to 2022...

And summer of 2023....

I'm so blessed to be this girls' momma!

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Wrap-UP ~ October 16, 2023

 Good morning to you on this crisp, October fall day!  I am joining up with a little re-cap of the weekend.

Since I don't go into the office on Fridays, I count that as the beginning of my weekend.  I worked a little bit from home Friday morning, then met up with 3 friends for lunch.  These are 3 friends I only see maybe once a year, even though we all live within 15 minutes of one another.  It was fun to sit down and laugh together, yet also share our individual struggles.  It is a tough world y'all, so friends and laughter sure helps.

Later Friday afternoon, my husband and I did a little tailgaiting before attending the University of Memphis vs Tulane football game.  U of M has a good team, but they did not play well Friday and lost.  However, we enjoyed going out and doing something different.  It had been 4 years since I had been to a game.

Saturday morning, I made these egg bites for breakfast.  I mixed 12 eggs, a package of bacon pieces (but you could use ground sausage or other meat), a cup of shredded cheese (I used a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella), and half a bag of frozen onions & peppers blend.  Once mixed together, I sprayed a muffin tin to fill and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.  I clearly had some leftover and put them in freezer bags to pull out for future quick breakfast meals.

We went to a local outdoor gun range and a new to me local restaurant for lunch, which was a fun outing.  We came home and watched the sad loss of the Aggies to University of Tennessee.  The plus side was eating this snack of popcorn mixed with caramel M&M's!

Sunday morning, I made these crescent roll sausage biscuits.  I used low fat crescent rolls and spread them out on a baking tray.  I used a package of 8 pre-cooked turkey sausage patties (these were a Jimmy Dean brand) and put one sausage patty on a square of the rolls, topped with a small slice of cheese.  I folded the crescent roll around the sausage and cheese, although a few of them did not close up all the way, but still cooked fine. I cooked them at 400 for 20 minutes.

It was a yummy breakfast!

Sunday was a low key day with me trying to catch up on a few things around the house. 

And since I missed posting on Friday Favorites last week, just wanted to share my favorite from last week.  My oldest daughter went to visit her sister for the weekend.  It was the first time the 2 of them had a weekend together with no other family with them.  They are so different, complete opposites, but yet I am so thankful they still spend time together outside of their parents and other family members.  

Okay, go have a good Monday!

Work Events

Today I am sharing a little bit about some recent work events.  I work part time at a non-profit organization and we moved to a new office late summer.  We celebrated with an open house last month and here are some pictures from the day.

We had a some awesome balloon arch decorations in front of the house that is our new office.

We had lots of great desserts and drinks.

We also had a photo booth!

Here I am along with my co-workers.

These are 2 of our faithful volunteers and they have been such sweet friends and prayer warriors for me.

Here is my desk with a fall candle.  I love seeing my desk clean, but it is usally covered up with papers and packages.

Here is the mantle in my office and I added a few fall touches to it!  

The next day, we helped a company with their service project, which took place at The Peabody Hotel, the famous hotel in Memphis and the South.  It was a fun way to spend a Friday morning.

The hotel is famous for their ducks, so we got a chocolate chip duck shaped cookie.

We also had a fundraising event in Chattanooga.

I was thankful to have my daughter with me volunteering there.

I recently just started another part-time job, but I am able to do it from home and am only working 4 hours a week with that job, so it isn't adding too much to my week.

This is a little peek into my work life!