Drugstore Makeup Guru

I have found a new YouTube guru, that I really enjoy watching. Marnie is really sweet. And I think really enjoy watching her videos. It's nice to see someone who doesn't have to have all the expensive makeup. She just enjoys makeup. And prefers drugstore stuff. It's a nice change of pace. A breath of fresh air. Love it!

If you are interested in drugstore products, Marnie is a great person to watch. And she is super sweet. I feel like she could be a great friend. You know, if we were neighbors or something. So I definitely would suggest that you watch Marnie's videos.

~Manders

Lola

I recently bought Orly's Lola nail polish. I LOVE this color! It's such a fun pink color. I'm not sure what has taken me so long to wear it. But I painted my nails last night. And I just can't stop looking at them. What a fun color! And this formula of the nail polish is also very nice. 2 coats later, I'm in LOVE with Lola!

~Manders

*FTC: All items have been purchased by me. All my opinions are honest, and I'm not being paid to review these products.

So Fun

As a MUA and makeup loves in general, I really enjoy fresh new makeup ideas. Fun things. Not necessarily your "every day" makeup. And I really enjoy this look by Sara.

To be honest, I really enjoy Sara's videos. I think she is a natural talent when it comes to makeup. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of myself. That might be why I enjoy her videos so much. But she is a lot of fun to watch. I really like her style.

~Manders

Oh Forever 21!

Forever 21, I love your clothes! I really do. But sometimes, you're just behind the ball. Like with your maternity line. Oh, I wish it would have come out a year ago!

But your kids clothes, I just LOVE them! You just need to have smaller sizes! My stylish princess wants to shop with me in your store. But your smallest size is a girls 6. A BIG disappointment to my 3 year old daughter. Because look at these dresses...

This pretty blue play dress. With pockets!

Who doesn't love a white dress with fun details?

And this dress...why don't they have it in my size? I LOVE the colors! And how summery it feels. :)

So cute and ladylike!

Honestly, the details on this dress are adorable!

Yes, I know. I shouldn't want my little girl to grow fast. Well faster than she is. But I have to agree with Lauren, these are adorable dresses. Let's not talk about the entire line. Because everything is perfect for Lauren! I just wish they carried her size...3T.

~Manders

This Heat!

This heat is driving me nuts! I know that we live in the desert. But at some point, even we have to say it, the heat needs to go away. I'm tired of triple digit weather. I'm sure my kids, especially Lauren would LOVE to play outside. I know that I would enjoy a nice afternoon outside.

But with this heat, it would be irresponsible to drag my kids out when it's over 100 degrees outside. We have a swimming pool. But I can't even imagine dragging my kids out there. It's just too hot. So we stay inside between 10am and at least 6pm. It's horrible!

Especially in this little town. There's not a whole lot of things we can do inside. I've been really good keeping our kids entertained. But I'd really like to enjoy our backyard. I would LOVE to let Lauren play in her playhouse.

So summer heat, do you think you can go away? I mean, at least cool down to 90 degrees. I think we can handle that. Because these triple digits, I can't handle those. Neither can my kids. And as much as we love our air conditioned home, we'd LOVE to explore outside!

~Manders

Up on the Ridge

I've had this song stuck in my head for weeks! It's not that the radio is always playing it. Because I don't hear it much on the radio. But my husband, he's been playing it for weeks, maybe even months!

I really like it. But it's been stuck in my head! I've even dreamt about it. Is that crazy? I really like the musical break in the song. My husband was explaining it all to me. But I just like the way it sounds.

So what do you do when you have a song stuck in your head? I'm thinking, maybe I can join the BBs. I can be their back up singer or something. Well, if I could sing...

~Manders

Urban Rain Giveaway

Urban Rain is giveaway a $25 gift certificate to their Etsy shop. Head over to My Cakies and enter the giveaway. You have a few more hours. So hurry. Because you know you want one of the beautiful rings from this shop!

~Manders

16 Years

Today marks the 16th anniversary, of my brother Robert's passing. The pain is still there. Not as raw, but still there. There are still days that I wake up and I want to talk to him. Days that I wish we could sit and talk about life. Talk about raising a family. I know he would probably have 8 kids by now! He'd tease me because I'm trying to raise my 3 precious kiddos, but feeling very overwhelmed by it. Or laugh that I made a career out of my love for makeup. And married a "Real Cowboy."

Last year, I really felt close to Robert. While I was pregnant. I don't know why. But I really did. I spent lots of time watching old videos of our family. From when we were all kids. I looked through all of my parents' old pictures. Just feeling the need to remember my brother.

I kept telling Billy that one of our babies was a boy. I just knew it. And when we found out that we were having a boy and a girl, I knew I had to name my son after Robert. Billy completely agreed.

It's funny, as Robbie is getting bigger, he just reminds me so much of my brother. Even when I put him and Abby down for a nap, he grabs her hand. Just like Robert would grab mine, when we would walk home from school. I hope that Abby and Robbie are just as close as Robert and I
were. That Robbie will always love and take care of his sisters, yes both of them. :)

I know, I must sound crazy. But my brother and I were super close. He was my hero. My big brother. The guy that looked out for me. Protected me from all of the bad things in life. You can read my post from last year. It sheds a little bit of light on this tough subject. The day we lost Robert, it changed my life. Forever.

But there was something very healing about having the twins. Almost like a piece of my brother is living through my son. My mom gets so emotional with Robbie. I catch her every once in a while, just lost in her thoughts. Usually when Robbie and Abby are napping. The tears are slowly trickling down her cheeks. Or when Robbie is laughing and playing. I have a feeling, that Robbie reminds her of Robert.

We'll never forget my brother. That's just impossible. He was such a huge and important part of our lives. But in some small way, I'm positive that Robert is now living with us. Bringing us a sense of comfort. Helping us to celebrate his life, and move forward with our lives.

We love you Robert! I promise that I'll never forget you. How could I? You taught me how to tie my shoes, count, and bait a hook to go fishing. Brother, I miss you. Rest in peace.

~Manders

Dreaming

I've been dreaming about going to a spa. Just having a few hours to myself. To stop and breathe. Perhaps have a meal without holding one of my children. And maybe just maybe, not feel like I'm a feeding machine.



Doesn't this look so peaceful and relaxing? Maybe I'm just tired. It's nearly 5am, and I swear, the last time I looked at the clock, I was putting my son down for the night. He had just ate. It was nearly 1am. Here I am, feeding him again. He's an eating machine!



Just a few minutes. Sans husband. Sans kids. Just me. With no worries. Just 5 minutes. To stop and breathe.



and a massage! What I would do for one of those! It's been months. Maybe even a year. It's not that I don't love my kids. I love them with all my heart. They are my world. And I would do anything for them. But mommy, she's tired. Breastfeeding twins is like a 18 hour job. I love it. But at the same time, I just want 5 minutes.

My son is done eating. Maybe I can catch a few minutes of sleep before Abby wakes up. She is like me. She likes her sleep. And Billy, well he'll keep Lauren entertained until 7am, when he goes to work. Time for mommy to get a little more sleep. :)

~Manders

Audrey Hepburn

I can't lie, I haven't been feeling too glamorous lately. Until I seen Carly's new video. I know it's late. I'm in my pjs, covered in baby spit up. But I feel inspired to play with some makeup. You know, before my son wakes up for his midnight feeding. I just love this makeup look!

~Manders

Apron Giveaway

I really like this apron. It was made by the talented Megan of Crochet Every Day. She is hosting a giveaway for an apron and a DVD. Hurry up and head over. The giveaway ends tonight!

~Manders