youtube: top three lip products...

I'm having a moment with some pretty amazing lip products....and it's only right that I share them with you.

Here's what I love...and why!

{make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel, as i'll be posting more videos!!!}

Now you have something to search for and try over the weekend!

love, hugs, and lip gloss!!!
 p.s. see the post below for the fabric i chose!

and now my speech on commenting...one more time.

{I realize you all are a bit shy with the comments, but PLEASE, I beg of you to start leaving them.  Cause, you know, I'm just starting to feel a little naked and alone over here.  I mean, I see the stats, I know you're here.  I SEE you!!!  =)  And now that you've already taken the next step in this relationship of ours by reading and following...now dare I ask that you go even further and comment???  Oh ma gosh. I feel like I just asked you to marry me....so vulnerable...hold me.}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

if you could choose my curtains

****edited to add****
I had chosen #2, and then it was gone!!!
Here is the latest fabric that I picked...



You like?

~~~~~~~

So, as I mentioned my sweet bestie Mari is on the hunt for the fabric to make our bedroom curtains...and I think we may have it narrowed down to four.

Let me just state my complete INABILITY to make a decision when given lots of amazing options, which is why I am putting it out there for you guys to help me decide!!!

Okay, so I love the idea of introducing some gold to the room, but I hesitate to do so with curtains since they are such a LARGE purchase and I will be forced to live with them for a LONG time.

That said, maybe I need to take risks and move outside the black and white?

Or maybe I should bring the gold in with accents and throw pillows and stick to the basics when it comes to something as big as curtains....

You tell me.

Here's the room:

{pintuck bedding from west elm on it's way}

{touches of pink will be eliminated, and desk still to be painted}

{picture of both windows that will be covered}

And here are the fabric swatches:

{1}

{2}

{3}

{4}

Now tell me your thoughts, comments, concerns....

{I realize you all are a bit shy with the comments, but PLEASE, I beg of you to start leaving them.  Cause, you know, I'm just starting to feel a little naked and alone over here.  I mean, I see the stats, I know you're here.  I SEE you!!!  =)  And now that you've already taken the next step in this relationship of ours by reading and following...now dare I ask that you go even further and comment???  Oh ma gosh. I feel like I just asked you to marry me....so vulnerable...hold me.}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

what i wore out, the new fashion friday

Remember back in the day when I started Fashion Fridays?

Ya....wasn't that fun, those good ol' days???

So wanna know why it ended?

When we took in a foster son, which made my total kid count come to 3, I suddenly found myself WAY in over my head.

Fashion???

What was fashion and who the heck had time to take pictures of outfits, that let's be honest, I only put on for the pictures in the first place.

And even with him now living with his soon to be adopted family, and my kid count back down to 2, I still manage to forget that I actually enjoy getting dressed and putting on makeup.

I find that I can go a week without wearing a stitch of makeup, and rather than use the curling or flat iron, I have become mighty creative with a quick braid.

I have stacks and stacks of jeans, all of which are ignored because they don't have the drawstring waist I prefer.

And those cutesy vintage tops I collect?

Ya, they all need a bra to be worn underneath, and if you know me....

You know I prefer to send bras in lunches rather than wear one.

{missed that story?  you HAVE to click that link!}

So needless to say, Fashion Friday has become a thing of the past.

But just as in life, you gotta change with the times.....so I am realizing, the same goes with fashion posts....

And since I DO like to get dressed up, when something like bible study or a girls night out comes along, I actually tend to OVERDO it, just to make up for lost time.

And THOSE will now be the times I take pictures to share with ya'll.
I'll call them...
What I Wore Out
{has a catchy ring to it, right?}

I can't say they'll be all high fashion-y, (when have they ever?), but I will promise I won't be wearing my usual X-Large Hanes tees and baggy drawstring waisted sweats.

Your welcome.

I'll realize I'll never be a true "fashion blogger" by taking a here and there approach to fashion posts....but then again, I've never been able to be labeled as any one thing since I started this blog anyway!

And now onto last night...bible study social time.

I even put on mascara!

outfit details:
tunic: fashion avenue, thrifted
jeans: jolt, only the best jeans ever
leather jacket: apple bottom, thrifted
wedges:  madeline stuart, thrifted
necklace: world market/cost plus
ring: f21
purse: kind of like the marc jacobs, but not.

And there you have it.
What I wore out!!!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

master bedroom to do list: in pictures

I've definitely made some progress in our master bedroom, but it's also seeming that my goal of having it ABSOLUTELY done by March 30 may not so much come true.

Big dreamer that I am, I believe THIS weekend will be the weekend.

Or okay, maybe the next....

But certainly it won't take as long as the next next....

Oh my.

patience, patience...

And because I work better with visuals, I took some pictures of what is still left to be done, and thought I'd share it all with you as well.

I present,

My To Do List 

{and Jimmy's}

...in pictures:

1. Curtains ~ my sweet friend Mari has been enlisted to make our curtains, and we're searching for the right fabric as I type.  She is only the most talented sewer (is that a word?) I know and I can't wait for her to open her own etsy shop, so I can share her with the world!!!

2. Duvet & Pillows ~ I hate wrinkly duvets.  Which is why I need the puckered one from West Elm pronto....I've been saving my dollars ever so patiently, and I'm almost ready to make the big purchase!!!  I'm also thinking we need a couple of printed pillows all up in this space, you know, to spice things up.

3. Hide cable cords ~ Not a fan.  And yet this is one of those jobs I have to wait for Jimmy to do....adding it to his ever growing list.

4. Paint the mirror ~ I actually found this at a thrift store, and the paint is all kinds of scratched up.  Time to freshen it up with some glossy black paint.

This picture better shows it's current flaws:

5. Turn fan blades ~ While not a lover of fans, I am a lover of sleeping in a cool room.  And in the summer, this fan will prove to be a necessity.  Therefore, I think by simply turning the blades so the white side shows, it will make it somewhat more pleasing to my eye.

6. Buy the RIGHT hooks ~Back to Ikea for the right hooks, so these cubby things can hang the way they were meant to be!

7. Paint shelf and add curtain ~ Another thrift store purchase, so this of course has some sprucing up to be done.  I'm thinking white, with some fun shelf paper.  But then I'm also considering (Mari?) adding a little curtain to hide the contents.  With the office being in our room, I want to see as little office stuff as possible!

8. Finish painting the desk ~ I got as far as the drawers over the weekend, but still need to do the actual desk.  I also need to freshen up the black coat on the top since it's a bit tacky and scratched from a previous bad paint job.  Of mine.  Whoops!

9. Spray paint chair & recover ~ This chair will be the same blue as my lamps, and I'm still searching for a different fabric, as this isn't so much the look I'm going for.

10. Style wall/shelves ~ I kind of just threw this all together and I'm thinking it's a bit off.  Something about it needs changing...so I need to play with the placement of things and find a way to MAKE IT WORK!  snap snap snap

....And lastly, I need to get someone in here (Tori?) with a good camera and excellent picture taking abilities...

because my camera AND my abilities suck just a little.

Learning to take pictures will just have to be another to do, for another list, for another time...

Now.

Because my "style" has been known to be picked apart, let me just be clear, 

(as it may already be obvious), 

I AM NOT AN INTERIOR DESIGNER.  

Nor do I intend on becoming one. 

I'm just a chick who likes to pretend. 

All I want, and strive to do, is create a home that is happy and comfortable and makes me and my family smile when we walk in the door.

I know it's not for everyone, and that's okay.

I don't mind being different, in fact, I prefer it.

....it's how God made me.

Sermon over.

I have a to do list to get to!!!

{welcome new readers and followers who weren't too scared to make it official!!!!  Might I say I just love you commited folk?  Oh how I do.}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

parenting: what drives sane women mad

I've been trying to keep my parenting/kid life off the blog for a while...

mostly because I rock at it and there are never issues, and really if you knew my kids, you'd know they can't DO ANY WRONG.

And not only that but I'd hate to make you feel less than when you witness how well I parent.

I never yell.  

I never cuss.  

{not sure I even know any cuss words...}

In fact, I always talk with a whisper and a smile, and I thank my sweet Jesus for the blessing of perfection he has not only given me but in my kids as well.

{we'll get to marriage another day.}

Annnnnnd..... 

before lightening strikes and I lose my christian license....let me try out the honesty thing for a sec.

Holy CRAP.

{meaning: trying to find the HOLY in the midst of the CRAP!}

There comes a point when enough is enough.  

And all I want to know is what wine you people recommend as it's own food group.  

{and remind me, what's the time it's okay to start?  9 am?}

Wow, this honesty things feels good.

Parents of Toddler's, you there with me???

{Or as I call the club, P.O.T.}

As I recall, I'm pretty sure this was about the first time I ever experienced a pretty little thing called anxiety, and it was right about the time Taylor turned 2.5 himself.

{i called this video:  BIRTH CONTROL.  Use it.}

Guess who's 2.5 right about now?

This monster:

{don't let that face fool you!}

Guess who's wishing they had an unlimited supply of xanax (or my new natural version, GABA)  right about now?

This monster:

My perfect and amazing child who was clearly better than the rest....the apple of my eye, child just like me who can do no wrong, the one who was always happy and loving and full of light and laughter....

turned the age that drives sane women mad.

{yes, I'm referring to the sane woman as me....keep up and stop snickering.}

So up again are the craigslist job ads, and in again are the preschool application papers....

because no woman was meant to go through this stage alone.

{and by alone I mean without wine}

These days....

My days mostly consists of large amounts of whining.

Which then turns into long bouts of screaming.

Mixed a little with kicking.

Some slight flailing.

And lots and lots of "mine" and "no!" mixed in the midst of it all.

Did I mention it can go on for HOURS?

So fun, right?

Hours.

What was once like this:

Has grown into something a little like this:

{the now infamous walmart trip}

And yes, we did run into people we knew that day.

And yes, I was dressed as a homeless person who hadn't seen a shower in months.

Did I also mention that at 2, she gave up naps?

But, not in the "I'll be happy all day because I'm obviously much too mature for naps" kind of way that I would so much prefer.

Instead, she gave them up as in the, "I'm going to scream and cry every time you tell me no or don't do EXACTLY as I please and it will go on until my head starts to spin and you begin to wonder if the exorcist is replaying before your eyes."

{deep breath for dramatic pause}

"And then I'll stop for a second, only because I see something shiny, but then I'll see that you are looking much too relaxed so I will once again begin with a slight whine turn to meltdown in 2 seconds flat...

and of course I'll  keep that up until daddy walks in the door when at that moment you will look insane and I will smile brightly as though nothing has happened at all."

That's my baby girl.

And wasn't that me who said all I wanted to be was a stay at home mom in life???

I swear I was a good mom before I had kids.

Thank goodness I have the Internet for therapy, Jesus to forgive, and wine to soothe.

Oh my heck, it's only Monday.

~~~~~~

Okay, you can disregard this post as she just came out of her time out with a goofy smile, a big hug, and a, 

"i sorry mama."

Such is the life of bipolar parenting.

Now obviously this post is only to vent,  

and not so much as to ask for advice (unless you want to tell me it okay to give bendryl to toddlers to make them sleep), 

because clearly, I have it all under control.

{drink break}

So, now it's your turn...

rant away, therapy session time it is.

What do you need Jesus to forgive you for?

{40 more followers needed for some good giveaways!!! thanks you guys, it feels good to be in a committed relationship with ya'll!}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

quick sweatshirt diy w/ribbon

Well, since I had the ribbon out....why not see what else I could do with it.

Or in other words, distract myself from what really needs to get done....

There....

Now I'm ready to sassy up the weekend.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

to ribbon or not to ribbon?

My brain is on overload, and I think if I don't get busy and tackle some projects this weekend, it might just burst.

Not only do I have some serious painting to do (desks, tables, frames), I also need to narrow down fabric for curtains and decide on these lamps....

What started like this:

Turned into these:

And now I'm wondering does it need this?

{taped on some ribbon just to see...}

What are your thoughts?

And tell me your plans this weekend are just as exciting???

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

thrift store treasures

As I was growing up one of my favorite things to do was have special time with my dad thrift store shopping.  

He was a true treasure finder, and I absolutely cherished not just watching his incredible art of finding a great deal, but mostly the bonding that we shared in the process.

Now that he's passed away and I'm older, I hold on to those memories even more...wanting to pass along the tradition of bonding over treasure hunting to my own kids.

I tend to go to my thrift stores at least once a week, even if I'm not looking for anything in particular.

I bring my sweet Chloe along with me, and every time...I feel as though I'm bringing alive the spirit of my dad.

She gets so excited as we pull into the parking lot, and exclaims, "treasures mommy!!!"

We go up and down the aisles, oohing and awing, and sometimes we leave by the bag(s) full, sometimes we leave empty handed...

Regardless my heart is always full.

All that to say, thrifting for me goes much deeper than simply finding a great deal on amazingly awesome and unique items...

And THAT said...

Um...
I can't forget the amazing perks of....

AMAZINGLY AND AWESOME UNIQUE FINDS!!!

Just last week for instance, I hit the jackpot.

My Sally's was having a 60% off sale on everything in the store, (i may or may not have them on speed dial so i can call ahead to find out about sales), and that served me well since EVERY piece of clothing spoke to me.

I left with a BIG bag, a full heart, and okay...I admit...

a slight shopping "i just got some amazing deals" high.

Here are just a few:

{vintage flutter sleeved top}

{gold beaded necklace}

{another necklace}

{vintage top & pearl bow necklace}

{wedge love, lysoled and disinfected!}


{jumper tunic}

....and these are just the beginning!!!
I also got two cute shirts brand new with tags, one from H&M and one from I.N.C....
a sweater...
and a $60 real rabbit fur coat marked down 60% off that!!!
(pictures on Le Musings Facebook page)

I thought about doing a YouTube video series where I share my finds from thrifting...but while I muster up the time, I'll simply be uploading pictures to the Le Musings Facebook page instead.

 I hope to be able to pass on my dads skills not just to my kids, but to all of you as well...
because there is really is something amazing about it all.

I mean, in the words of Rachel Zoe...
"there are no words."

{only 50ish more followers needed for le good giveaways!!!  yay!!!}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

staycay at the hyatt regency mission bay

So, a couple months ago I decided to go through my blog email and get rid of some junk.  

If you're a blogger, then you know all the "pitches" that come through, most of which...um, suck.

{and sometimes makes me wonder what kind of blog they think i have!}

But the title of one in particular caught my eye...

{for more on this post, click here}

{our gorgeous hotel}

{15th floor, view from our balcony}

{we could also see the 3 amazing pools which have the most FUN waterslides EVERRRRRRR}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

master bedroom progress

How is it Tuesday already and I have yet to blog all the things in my head???

I'm thinking it has a lot to do with finishing our bedroom by the end of this upcoming weekend.

So after a luxurious staycay (next post with details) Friday and Saturday, we were ready to spend ALL DAY Sunday painting...

And I just have to say, painting sucks a$$.  

Ugh.  Miserable.  

It's obviously been awhile since I painted an entire bedroom, so I must've forgotten how much I hate it.

And yet.

After all my moaning, Jimmy asked with a smirk, "Well, now that you remember will this discourage you from wanting to ever do it again?"

Mmmm....

"Nope."

Well actually, truthfully, it discourages me from ever wanting to paint them...

but having Jimmy and one of his friends do it for me???

That sounds like perfection.

And a plan that I will likely put into action in another month or so...

{good thing he doesn't read my blog!}

So, while I'm not quite ready for the finale post, 

(still have to hang shelves and pictures and mirrors, oh my), 

I'll give you a taste of what's coming along.

Our before:

And after:

{blurry iphone pic}

And then remember these lamps God sent to a thrift store just for me?

Well, here are my beauties now:

Ahhhh, I am absolutely IN LOVE OBSESSED with that color.  

And as you can tell, I decided against green.

I still might add in some goldish yellow though with some patterned curtains...because I think that this color blue looks ahhh-mazing with gold.

But, with a budget and medical bills and all that fun stuff....curtains may have to wait another month.  

I mean, we've not had any privacy this long...what's another month, right?

sigh.

Anyway, gotta get back to staring at my walls waiting for some fabulous idea to pop up on where to hang what...

{sooooo close to 1000 followers...and then finally, some GOOD giveaways!}

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

all in one weekend

Busy weekend....so much to share with you next week, but in the meantime....

here are a few hints:

....more on all that later!!!

p.s. thank you to all my new readers (followers) who have made things official between us!
doesn't it feel right taking it to the next level and all?
now only 60 more to go till i get to give away the good free stuff!!!

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"