Thursday, January 31, 2013

This made me smile and I had to share it.  It is all so true!!!!!  We really are rock stars.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

  My husband has been in the field for 2 weeks so life has been hectic but I am hoping to bring some more before and after pictures of hair, a tutorial on smokey eye makeup and some yummy recipes I have recently discovered and post them next week.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Online Shopping

So I thought today I would share some online shopping tips.  Living overseas things are very limited and sure we could shop on the economy but it seems like things are so much more expensive.  So I mostly shop online.




  • Read the reviews-The reviews are just someones opinion but a lot of people will talk about if its true to size, the quality, how it was packaged, etc. and that is important to know when shopping online



  • Watch the prices - Amazon sends you notifications if the prices of something you have in your cart or wish list increases or decreases.  So sometimes when I am not sure I add it in there and then I will get email saying it decreased in price.  I just snagged some awesome new queen size sheets for 25.00.  



  • Search for online promo codes-When I buy from American Eagle, Crazy 8, etc. I google "promo codes for _______" and search around.  I almost always find one.  Sometimes it is just for free shipping, other times its 20% off.  Either way it really helps.

  • Be patient-  If it's not something you NEED right now be patient and watch for sales.  




A lot of stores will give you a discount when you sign up for their emails.  I don't mind doing that but if you don't like getting all that mail in your regular email, create a separate one for that.  I like it because I get notified of good deals going on.

Some of my favorite stores for online shopping include

Amazon
Maurices (right now its bogo 50% off jeans)
Crazy 8
American Eagle (great deals sometimes)
DSW
Kohls
Walmart

Mostly I uses Amazon and have found recently they have some decent clothing at good prices.  The other stores are just places I buy stuff occasionally.  Crazy 8 is WONDERFUL.  It's a lot like Gymboree but more affordable and I only really shop sale items unless I absolutely love something.  I received a 15% off and free shipping so I was able to get my 8 Year old 1 sweater, 1 plaid button up, 1 pullover hooded shirt and my daughter 2 cute fleece sweatpants, chambray dress, striped leggings, sunglasses, matching hairbow all for $96.00  and considering the original prices it was a great deal.

I will try to share more of these deals as I see them with my readers.  It really is worth it to buy ahead for seasons and get things in bulk when on sale.  I am not really good at coupons but on occasion I try to use them.

It's important not to be impulsive.  Its easier said than done but I have learned to be patient and wait for sales and it has saved us a lot of money.  I look up the item I want find the best price at the stores and then wait for a coupon or promo code to buy the item.


Thursday, January 24, 2013

WINTER BLUES

I definitely have the winter blues :) So to get myself out of this little funk I decided to really focus on all the little projects I need to get done.  I also thought about some other ways to help!

Here are some more ways to beat the winter blues


1. Exercise!!!!! 

 You will feel better after you work out and not to mention if you are working to lose any weight it will obviously help you reach your goal.  I like to use the workouts on this site www.bodyrocktv.com
It is completely FREE and the results are awesome if you stay dedicated.  I am not one of those people that will workout 7 days a week.  I barely do 3 times a week and even that is recent.  So just start off slow and work yourself up.  

2.  Treat Yourself


Having something to look forward to can keep anyone motivated. Winter seems endless! But if you plan something exciting, your mood improves when you’re anticipating it and when the event actually comes. Plan something that’s exciting to you—a weekend trip, a day at the spa, a party or special event like a play, girls (or guys) night out, or sporting event. 

3.  RELAX
Busy weeks between work, kids, appointments, extra curricular activities.  Take to do nothing or something you enjoy.  Read a book or a magazine.  


4.  Embrace the season
This is one I am definitely working on.  Instead of dreading the cold and snow find ways to enjoy it, Skiing, ice skating, sledding.  We are hoping to take some ski lessons next year with the kids and ski on the Bavarian Alps.  


5.  Catch some ZZzzz's
Take this time to get some extra sleep.  There is nothing better than a 30 minute nap in the afternoon.  I am not big on napping but every time I do nap I feel so refreshed and energized.  

Do any of you have suggestions? 

Also, with being home and not really doing hair and makeup as often I make myself a list almost every night of things I want to accomplish the next day.  Sometimes I don't get to them all but I try.  It really helps me to stay on track and get stuff done so I have to enjoy other things.  

Even though we are in Germany and there is so much I want to see I really don't want to sight see in the freezing cold so we are trying to find destinations like a specific castle we want to see that isn't far and maybe  Sealife.  Just something to get you out of the house once a month.  We always try to keep the cost to a minimal but once a month try to get out and do something, even if its just bowling with the family.  






Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Military Discounts

So I am not 100% how well this works but living overseas it is hard to get the well deserved military discount when shopping.  I ran across this website when researching some stuff and I am going to sign up and see how it all works but wanted to share with my readers.  I am sure it only works with a limited amount of stores but maybe it will take off more in the future.

https://www.troopid.com/

Check out the website and let me know what you think.  There are so many great deals out there.



Saturday, January 19, 2013

Children

They truly are the greatest blessing.

My kids are only 8 and 5 but I look at them sometimes and I am seriously amazed by them.  How much they have grown.  Their amazing personalities and the kind hearts they have.

I am sure you other Mothers out there can agree that parenting is the most challenging yet rewarding job there is.  It is stressful, overwhelming and quite exhausting.  At the same time it brings you so much joy.  It is really the little things.  The cute things they say, their kindness and their loving hearts.  We are shaping them into the people they are going to be for the rest of their lives.  Sure, other factors are involved in that but kids will always look up to their parents.

With that being said we also have to keep our sanity ;) so......

Sometimes you need some me time or a date with your husband.  It is hard for my husband and I because we don't know many families at our current station, and I always hate to ask people to babysit.  We talked though, and we are going to make it a goal to try do something more often as just the two of us.  Our kids are our everything and we rarely do anything without them but I think its important for our relationship to get out and do something now and then as just the two of us.  Do any of you have suggestions?  What do you do for date nights?  In the past when we lived near family we usually went to dinner and tried to catch a movie.  Simple as it was it was always just what we needed.


These are some quotes/misc that made me smile.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!







Thursday, January 10, 2013

Makeup Applications

Here are some pictures of what has been keeping my so busy.  Well this and 2 wonderful kiddos ;)
I just took the final exam for my makeup course.  I am happy to be almost done.  It's been so fun but I will say I should have waited until after the holidays.  It was stressful trying to do everything while the kids were home.  
I have been in contact with a few photographers to get my name out there and get some professional work done to start my portfolio.  I can't wait to do hair and makeup for some shoots.  It will help build confidence in that area and help me step out of my comfort zone.  Which is one of my resolutions this year.  Just to push myself more and step out of my comfort zone.  
What were some of yours?
Do you like these looks?  I promise to do some tutorials one of these days to walk you through achieving these looks.