Friday Obsessions

Typical Friday roundup posts are paired with alliterated words like five or favorites.

But we don't do anything lightly around here.

On this lovely summer day, I am taking time to sit down and share a few of the things this bunch has been obsessing over lately. You could say these are a few of our favorite things, but for some of us the feeling is a little more intense. In the interest of giving you an opportunity to kill a few minutes as your weekend clock counts down, read on, my friends:

HIS OWN IPOD: Nathan has been asking for an iPod Touch for a long time. Obvious solutions were: {A} Say no, {B} Fork up the cash or encourage Santa Claus to do the same, OR {C} Just give him one of our old iPhones sans phone service. However, we ended up encouraging him to learn a lesson in saving. This was by far the toughest option, but nothing can beat the pride he felt when he saved up enough after a few years of good grades and birthdays. He bought his exact pick: a bright blue one with 32 GB, with a clear case and a matching pop socket. He's been jamming ever since.

BE OUR GUEST: I think we have watched the live version of Beauty and the Beast no less than ten times in the last two weeks. Nora is obsessed with every scene and trades her name for Belle most evenings. She can pronounce French words with the best of them and prefers Prince Adam in his beastly form {can't say I blame her}. She's pining for an actual Belle dress so she can fully envelop the role. Bonjour!

SUNNY DAYS: Y'all already know I'm obsessed with my garden, but one special area is the back row of sunflowers, where the average stalk is about 10 feet tall. They're not all open yet, but it will be an incredible sight when they do. To prove these towers aren't just a trick of the camera angle, I asked my 6'5" husband to stand beside them. Crazy, right?? I do believe they are Burpee's Mammoth variety.

WINE COUNTRY: Last week Jonathan went to a work meeting in Shreveport and upon return, he casually mentioned that we're going to Napa Valley for a weekend in October. I freaked out for a few moments, then started my Googling. I have never been to that part of the country before and I am thrilled for the new experiences. Have you ever been? What do I do? Where do I go? What do I drink? Most importantly, what do I wear? I think I need to go shopping.

THE EYES HAVE IT: It's odd to be obsessed with something I've never seen, but here we are. The Internet has been raving about the incredible pigment and creamy texture in the new Morphe x Jaclyn Hill eye shadow palette, so I was certain I needed it for my birthday. However, the dang thing sold in 30 minutes on its June launch date. They restocked it this Tuesday and I set an alarm. It should be here soon, and I can't wait to play with it. PS: If you don't know this brand, the brushes are amazing/affordable. I also have the Morphe 35R palette that's all golden sunset colors and I use it often. Not sponsored, simply obsessed.

Here's to a great weekend! What things are you obsessing over?

Friday Favorites: Dry Skin

The heavy frost crunched under my boots as I walked out to give my hens some non-frozen water.

The temperature at 8:00 this morning read 24 and the wind chill read 19. You'll imagine my surprise when I got to the coop and saw Jonathan had already given them water before he left for work... but that's beside the point. The moral of this story is that it is cold. It is too cold if you ask me, but winter is just beginning.

Today I thought I'd whip up a Friday favorites post to share a few of the products I have been using to reverse what the bitter cold and dry wind does to my skin. If you're like me and have dry-combination skin {leaning more toward dry}, things can get itchy and painful in December. Here are a few finds I have been loving:

Sidenote: These are not affiliate links and they do nothing for me. I just wanted to help you shop!

NUMBER ONE I have to start with this miracle find: Eucerin Eczema Relief. This time of year my eczema arrives in the form of dry, scaly patches on my arms and legs {and does the same to my kids}. It's more of a rich cream than a lotion and the silky feeling lasts. My dry patches were completely soothed and almost gone after a few days of use.

NUMBER TWO Another find I started using earlier this year has proven extremely beneficial since the temperatures dropped. I use Clinique's Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream as my moisturizer night and day and I can't say enough about how soothing it is to my highly reactive face. Other moisturizers just kind of sit on my skin, but this sinks in immediately to comfort and do the work I need. This is pricey, but worth every dollar to me.

NUMBER THREE My favorite solution for dry feet comes from Bath and Body Works in their True Blue line. It's the Shea It Isn't So Super Rich Foot Cream. When applied at night, my feet are transformed by morning. It softens like crazy and eases the cracks that can come this time of year. I would bet you $5 that throwing socks on top of it would make it even more magical.

NUMBER FOUR Perhaps I should slap a TMI warning on the following itchy armpit talk? It's a thing that comes with dry skin in the winter, and the deodorant I was using wasn't helping. I switched to Dove Advanced Care Clear Tone to ease my sensitive skin and repair any damage done by harsher products. And it works!

Have you used any of these products? Do you also find yourself desperate for the most soothing, comforting skin care this time of year? Do you have any suggestions for me that would blow the above products out of the water? Well, what are you waiting for?! Jump in the comments and let me know. Have a great weekend and stay warm today!

Friday Five: Halloween

Last night my darling bunch performed their annual scooping of guts and carving of faces.

It's not nearly as gruesome as it sounds, and it wasn't nearly as family-oriented as it sounds, either. However, Halloween is now in full swing as happy pumpkins rot on my back porch. Cheers! Today is Friday, so I think we should celebrate. In Five on Friday fashion, here are my favorite things about the spookiest time of year:

ONE: CANDY Who doesn't love a holiday that leaves kitchens overflowing with chocolate? My favorites are tiny Kit Kats, tiny Snickers, tiny bags of M&Ms, and tiny Milky Ways. Although I'm almost certain the word tiny doesn't help the calorie count when you eat a whole bag...

TWO: CARVING You may already know pumpkin carving is not my favorite. Anxiety levels peaked last night as I accidentally knocked one of the Nora pumpkin's teeth out, but once they're done and placed in the dark of night, it's worth it. Mostly.

THREE: CREEPY My kids enjoy being just a little scared. They love venturing into the moonlight, they stare at the scariest pages in Halloween books, and spooky cartoon specials are on repeat. While our horror films are basically Harry Potter and Halloweentown, kid-level frights are big here.

FOUR: COSTUMES I love seeing the local kids decked out in their most creative costumes. Monday night will likely bring dozens of princesses, cupcakes, and adorable woodland creatures, but my little darling will be a skeleton. Nora wanted the scare factor this year, and even shamed her daycare BFF for choosing an un-spooky version of Ariel. Rude

FIVE: COUNTDOWN Halloween is fun and creative, but it serves a greater good. It kicks off the holiday trifecta. Some years I am more of a Grinch than I should be, but I can already feel the holiday magic creeping in. Don't tell Jonathan, though, it's too early for Bing Crosby.

Happy Friday, friends! May your weekend be filled with ghosts, goblins, and too much chocolate.

Friday Favorites

TGIF, y'all!

It's finally Friday, and in the spirit of such an exciting weekday, I thought I'd do a little sharing. Instead of telling you a list of things I love about my children, ways they drive me crazy, or why I am so dedicated to the chickens living in my yard, I am doing something new. Today I want to share a handful of actual products I have been loving lately. Without further ado, here are my very own Friday Favorites:

NUMBER ONE I am not a beauty blogger by any stretch, but I've become passionate about skincare in my 30s. I have always washed my face and moisturized properly, but I wanted to kick it up a notch. One new product I'm loving is the Pore-Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask by Clinique {most of my beauty products are Clinique due to their very gentle nature}. I got a sample of this, and will dedicate my dollars toward a full-size soon. I have used it once a week, and it makes my pores almost disappear and my skin feel like a dream. Seriously good stuff.

NUMBER TWO Another favorite is a lipstick line I've been using. Also by Clinique {see?} are the Lip Pop Color + Primer and its matte counterpart. I've never been much of a lipstick girl, but this product is changing things. The texture is super hydrating and the colors are bold and bright in one swipe. The shades I have are here, here, and here. I also have a sample of Cherry Pop, which is a great true red. My favorite, however, is Cute Pop. It's a perfect plum color, just right for everyday wear. Unfortunately, I wore it once and it broke. When I went to exchange it, they were out. We will be reunited someday soon, though. Try them out. Do it.

NUMBER THREE The temperatures are dropping and this list needs some autumn. Aside from candles, the only product I regularly get from Bath and Body Works are the hand soaps. At last purchase, I tossed a fall-inspired scent into my basket - Sunlight + Apple Trees. It was a guess since it's an odd scent combo, but it is wonderful. I'm not into pumpkin and cinnamon, but this one has my hands and home smelling all kinds of seasonal. If you do like the regular fall scents, they have a great selection going.

NUMBER FOUR It's planner season! For me, at least. With a new school year comes all sorts of spring dates and events I need to jot down, and nowhere to jot them. That's why I am proud to announce the arrival of my 2017 Erin Condren Life Planner. Last year I told you all about why I chose it. This year I went with the Mid-Century Circles pattern and stuck with the vertical layout. I was so happy to start planning. It's the little things, right?


Just so you know, these little links do nothing for me but provide Friday shopping ease for you. Because I like you. Let me know if you try any and subsequently love them. Are you already a fan of anything I've shared? Do you have any products you think I should check out? Jump into the comments and we'll chat.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Oily Mom

You've seen these #oilymoms all over your social media for years, right?

Moms rubbing various oils on their kids to cure a cough or morph them into angels who don't throw the remote at the TV when it's bedtime. Like me, you scoffed. Don't lie, you did. I thought nothing of it until a close friend started talking them up {*ahem* Ting's Mom}. I also saw a handful of friends in my town shouting the praises of their beloved oils. I got curious. I sent a local buddy a message and she sent samples. Non-toxic and might help me sleep? I gave it a whirl.

Essential oils cannot cure all that ails you, but if you're like me and wary of constantly medicating yourself and your family, it might be worth a try. Today I want to share my favorite oils because it's Friday and I like you. This is not an ad and I'm not going to try to sell or teach you anything. I'm sure you have a Facebook friend ready to give a lesson or make a deal, though. I use Doterra because that's what my friend sells, but I know Young Living is great, too.

Anyway, if you're interested, these are the oils that have impacted me the most in the few months I've used them. I am not a doctor. Results may vary.

1. Lavender. They say this one can literally cure anything, but my favorite use is sleep. I diffuse it right by my head every night, and I can honestly say that I wake up less {except when Owen comes in, but that's a different story}. It smells incredible, it soothes itchy bug bites and eczema, and it makes a delightful bath. This is the only oil I've run out of and repurchased. If you start anywhere, maybe start here.
   
   
2. Peace. This is the reason I bit the bullet. I can get... tense? That's probably something you've picked up on if you read here. I was a skeptic, but this oil is described as a reassuring blend and my brain was in need. And it works. I put it on my wrists, back of neck, and behind my ears every single day.
   
   
3. Peppermint. This is slowly replacing the number of Tylenol bottles we empty. I'll pop some medicine if the headache is intense, but I'll also apply peppermint to my forehead and temples to lessen wait time. It's cool, tingly, and fast. Jonathan swears by it for headaches and Nathan says it helps him focus at the piano. Whatever works?
   
   
4. Breathe. We diffuse this when anyone has a sniffle and it does seem to help. I will also rub it on the bottom of the boys' feet to help them breathe at night. We haven't completely given up on NyQuil, but this is an excellent addition. Also? It smells like Christmas.
   
   
5. Melaleuca. Like Lavender, this is another one I reach for often. Melaleuca is simply tea tree oil and its benefits are great. I personally use it for toenail issues {TMI} and to clear oncoming pimples. I wouldn't be so blunt about these specifics if it didn't work.
   
   

I bought the big starter kit, so there are still unopened oils. I will try them, though. They may not be total cures, but there seem to be big benefits in those little bottles. And when it comes to keeping my head on straight, I'm willing to try. Now I think I'm going to slip on a little more Peace and see if I can convince a grouchy three-year-old to nap.

What about you? I know someone reading this has jumped into the world of oils. Tell me your favorites in the comments, and suggest a few more for me to try! Have a happy weekend, y'all.