Mom Makeup Routine

If you're a busy mom, then finding time to apply even a drop of makeup is challenging at times. Heck, finding just a minute to use the bathroom alone is tricky. There are days where I have just a few minutes to put some bb cream, concealer, and powder. Sometimes I still put on a full face of makeup. It just depends. Either way, I have a few of my favorite beauty items I wanted to share.

|-- when we travel, this is what I pack... plus my brushes --|

Some of these things have been favorites for years. Like I mentioned, I'll use any combination of these things on any given day. Sometimes it's just mascara and lip gloss... or else I feel naked.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue -- I went into Sephora asking for a new bb cream, and one of the sales associates recommended this. I went home with a sample, and the rest is history. This stuff is great. It barely feels like you're wearing makeup, and it has pretty decent coverage too.

M.A.C. Studio Finish Concealer -- most of my makeup items are things I've been using for years. This concealer is no exception. I wear the shade NW20 and use a tiny brush to apply the concealer precisely where I need it. I use my Skinfinish Natural to set everything, and it has great staying power!

Pixi Concealing Concentrate -- this was something I saw in a YouTube video, and it sounded good enough to try. I use this in the peach color for concealing under eye darkness. I love it so far.

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural -- this is a great powder that is very light and does a great job setting my BB cream. I've been using it for quite a while, and I still have a lot of product left. It's worth the money!

NARS blush/bronzer duo -- I have the full-sized Laguna bronzer, but I love my little travel sized duo for throwing into my makeup bag when we travel. The full-sized bronzer and blush are too big for packing, so this is perfect for on the go. The Nars orgasm blush is flattering for just about anyone. I've been wearing these colors for years.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance -- this is another item that I like buying in the mini size. I guess I'm a sucker for miniature items. Don't even get me started on my hotel toiletry collection. Anyway, this primer doesn't crease for me even after wearing all day.

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Palette -- Don't get me wrong. I love my Naked palette, but this one is also great for a very natural and pretty eye. I also love the tin packing. Again, it's great for travel. There's a nice assortment of colors in this palette. You can play around and create quite a few looks.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara -- This mascara is fantastic! I've been wearing this one for quite a while. I actually think it was the free Sephora birthday gift one year. I've been hooked ever since. I have the mini size version of this. Sensing a trend here? You don't have to commit to any one mascara by trying the mini size first. Plus, it's great for travel.

Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss -- I have this in the color 'Yes You', and I love the pretty neutral look to it. For some reason lipstick scares me a little. I do have a couple that I love, but I'm mostly a lip gloss girl. You can't go wrong with any of the Buxom glosses or polish.

Do you use any of these products?

What are you favorite beauty items?

Reminiscing About Years Past

Where has the time gone?!

photo by Raychel Armstrong | if you need a photographer in Orlando, she is great!

Today I found myself reading through some of my old blog posts, and boy did some of them make me feel a little nostalgic. My husband and I have experienced so much change in the past few years, and we're bound to have quite a bit more change in the next year. We just had a baby for goodness sake. That will bring endless change into one's life. Welcoming change has often been a struggle of mine, and I'm always working on accepting it.

Even though there are times I miss certain aspects (living in Denver, for one) of our life, I wouldn't change where we're at now for anything. I am so thankful that my husband has a flying job that allows him to be home every night. That's almost unheard of in aviation. I also wouldn't change the fact that we have a sweet baby boy. Yeah, traveling isn't as easy as it used to be, but some day we get to share our favorite places with our curious little man. That's pretty exciting!

Chase and daddy in Winter Park, FL

This old post made me remember how much I love to fly...

although it's a less peaceful experience with a squirming baby in your lap. Ha!

Travel & Airline Perks

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I obviously really need to read this post over and over again...

At Home in the Journey

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Sometimes we just need to be grateful for the little things...

Calm After the Storm

After reading some of these old posts, I can't believe how much life has changed. I find comfort in knowing that others have experienced big changes in life too. There are some great blogs out there that remind of just that.

I can't imagine picking up and moving overseas like Tara from A Brew of Blessings.

Lauren shares life's transitions on her blog Siddathornton.

Have you experienced big changes in life?

What were they?

Mom Realizations

If you're new in this neighborhood, I have been absent for a little while recently. One can never be fully prepared for how time consuming it will be to take care of a baby. Wow. Motherhood has been pretty amazing and exhausting all at the same time. No complaints here though. I love my husband and our boy more than I ever thought possible!

our good friend Raychel Armstrong took this picture

if you're looking for a photographer in Central Florida... she's your gal

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Becoming a mom makes certain things, like poop and puke, a part of daily life. I never thought some things, like car seat safety and pediatrician choices, would matter so much. I'm also surprised by how many things have fallen off of the radar for me too. I now understand how you can set food in a clothing store and only want to buy things for someone else. (Never thought that one would happen). I also now understand the importance of where we live, because education opportunities and cultural experiences will stem from that.

You can read all of the books out there, but none will ever prepare you for real life with a baby. It's sort of like college to the workforce. No amount of homework or reading will ever prepare you for a real life situation that calls for an executive decision with a baby in mind. At any given moment, all you can do is your best.

The most expensive and luxurious baby gear won't make you a better parent. It will just make your bank account smaller. As much as I want to give our baby the best, I also realize that he doesn't know the difference between brands. Choose your battles wisely. Splurge where it's necessary, and save where it's not. There are so many choices out there, and you don't need (even though you will want them) all of the baby things.

Mom instinct is a real thing. Growing up I was never much of a babysitter, and I'm an only child. Babies have always been such a foreign concept for me. I never much, if any, time taking care of a little one. However, when you have your own, you just know what to do. I'm amazed by this quite often. All I want to do is love on our baby, and I'm shocked at how quickly you're able to learn how to diaper and bathe a little person. You can't really mess it up too badly.

Speaking of messing things up, you'll learn to forgive yourself more easily. There just isn't enough hours in the day to do it all. Don't stress out over it, because you're doing one of the most important jobs. If I tried doing everything the way I did pre-baby, I'd be headed straight down the highway to nervous breakdown city! Prioritizing is your new hobby. Again, choose your battles wisely. Holding the baby wins out over straightening up the kitchen.

You'll never feel more grateful towards your own parents. This parenting thing can be tough, and from the sounds of it little worries turn into bigger ones over the years. No wonder my parents have gray hairs, ha! Seriously though, when I feel like crying over the thought of something bad happening to our baby, I realize the love that my parents have for me. I have a whole new appreciation for the roller coaster of emotions that parents are capable of experiencing. Whew!

I wouldn't change any of this for the world.

My husband and I are in it for the long haul now. :-)

5 Month Catch Up

Our little one is already 5 months old. How on earth did that happen?! It seems like he just grew up overnight. Let me tell you, we've learned a lot in 5 months. He's teaching us new things each and every day. Mostly we've learned about how much love we have for this tiny human being.

2 months -----> 5 months

just like that

Last time I posted, our little one was just 3 months old. I shared some of our favorite must have baby gear items. Some of those opinions have changed a bit over the past couple of months. We still like both carriers but use the Ergo carrier more than the K'tan. The co-sleeper bassinet was also outgrown more quickly than we would have liked. We ended up moving him to his crib around 3 months, because we felt he needed the extra room. You live and you learn.

3 Months

+ first time rolling from back to tummy (see picture above)

+ you started sleeping in your own crib & on your tummy... talk about parental anxiety!

+ laughing and smiling are a couple of your favorite things

+ you roll onto your tummy but get "stuck" there since you don't roll the other way yet

4 Months

+ you have discovered your feet... they're fun to grab onto

+ peekaboo is one of the funnest games ever

+ blowing raspberries is a new discovery

+ you love anything with buttons, and you love to push those buttons

+ light up toys are a favorite as well

5 Months

+ you touch, grab, and feel everything

+ when we call your name, you definitely know we're talking to you

+ you are drawn to the littlest of details... like zippers on bags, buttons, and tags on items

+ we swear you're getting teeth... you are a drool monster and chew on everything!

+ you are starting to get your knees under you, and we think you will crawl in no time

+ eskimo kisses are fun... and mom is taking advantage of your love for those for now

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We can't believe how time has flown!

Speaking of flying, you have already taken two trips on an airplane.

That's a post for another time though.

I can't believe how much more fulfilled our lives have been these past 5 months.

Every day is a new adventure.

We love you, Chase!

Oh Hi, I'm a Mom!

It's been over a month, and for good reason, since I last publishes a blog post. My husband have been incredibly busy enjoying our almost-1-month old. Seriously, where has the time gone? A lot has happened since my last post. I went past my due date by almost a week, my mom visited from Michigan and enjoyed becoming a first time grandma, and Chase had grandparents visit from Colorado too! Aside from giving birth and enjoying visitors, we've been adjusting having a newborn in our lives. It's not what I expected at all, but we're loving on our little boy every second that we get!

we waited patiently... sort of

I have so much to share since my last post, but I'll start with telling you that our son Chase was born at 40 weeks and 6 days. He came exactly when he was ready! I enjoyed prenatal yoga classes all the way up to my due date. My yoga instructor is also a doula, and we hired her to guide us through pregnancy and labor/delivery as well. She was amazing. I highly suggest looking into hiring a doula. (More on that later). I had a wonderful labor and delivery, thank goodness. (More on this later too). It was so incredible to become a mom, give my husband a son, and see my mother become a grandma. I get teary eyed just thinking about the day that Chase was born! I still have a hard time believing that I'm a mom. It's pretty amazing.

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Here's a little peek of the guy with his Easter basket.

Happy Easter (a little late)

I hope to share more about his birth and all sorts of other things later. Between feeding and changing diapers I never seem to have much free time. Not that I'm complaining at all. We love our little boy!

Any moms out there have advice for balancing life

and taking care of a newborn?