B-E-A-utiful

These are some of my favorite web sites to visit when I want to know whats going on in the hair and make up world. Hope you visit them :)

1. The Chapman sisters (Sam and Nicola) aka Pixiwoo on Youtube. These are my favorite video tutorials to watch for make up. If you go to Youtube, it can be difficult to find the specific video you want. They also have a website called Fashionface that they update weekly. It has very helpful tips on all kinds of things and the website is VERY nicely put together for navigation.

2. Make Up Forever has a wonderful site as well. You can view products that they sell to the different markets around the world, watch tutorials, learn about the brand and purchase any and all products listed on the site. Oh, and this one of my top 5 favorite make up brands!

3. I recently blogged some photographs of make up done with rhinestones and grommets. They were done by AOFMPro. AOFM stands for Academy of Freelance Makeup and they make the most beautifully made brushes for makeup application I have ever seen! They are mass expensive, but the product is just wonderful.

4. Then, I have for you some Urban Decay. This is sold in Sephora and is very glamorous. They pride themselves in not only their bright colors and glittery products, but also in their fancy packaging. I love this website because you can search for products by the area you need help with. Be it your face, eyes, skin, lips or whatever.

5. Lastly, what make up web site list would be complete without some Bobbi Brown?? This lady has it right when you are looking for more of a natural beauty. I like this website because she just launched this new campaign called, Pretty Powerful, and the website is plastered with it right now. It takes all ages of women and gives you the before and after picture of them with a video to watch about them, then you can read on how to get the look. Its wonderful if you prefer more natural or subtle beauty, Bobbi Brown doesnt make an electric blue eyeshadow, if you know what I mean ;)

So that's it! Have fun surfing!

Aren't these great?!

What would my little blog be without some *SPARKLE* ?? Enjoy!! I absolutely love these photos, they make the idea of make up as art more believable for those that think its, "just a little make up." These were done by AOFMPro in 2010.

I Love.... purses and make up. Its an addiction.

Yes, these are just SOME of my favorite purses that I own. I try to keep it glamorous, lets just start there. Sometimes I think I have a real problem with buying bags, and then I just but another one and it all goes away.... haha I am kidding! Some of my favorites are Betsyville (Betsy Johnson), Juicy Couture, Steve Madden and the occasional Gia Milano. They are just so beautiful! If you have ever seen the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, it describes a purse as, "a natural extension of a womans personality. Its not an accessory by any means." How true :))

The make up shown is purely seasonal. I also have a habit with purchasing this, but I love to work with it!!

To The Patch!

Today we went to Craven's Pumpkin Patch!! It was muddy, wet and very cold but the kids loved it! Enjoy the pics!

It's gotta be more like... falling in love.

A Smile Makes All the Difference

Women are amazing creatures. I am not just saying that because I am one, But I really believe that a woman is a fierce thing to behold. Women can convey a message without using words and can light up a room at the drop of a hat. What is it that women these days find beautiful you might ask? Well, it has been an honor and a privilege to ask this question, and a few others, to the women I see every day.... my co workers and very dear friends and family. So sit back and read what I have discovered is true for all women: beauty is timeless. It isn't just about outer beauty and inner peace, but it's about what shapes us as young ladies that helps us weed through all the garbage society can throw our direction. As the old saying goes, "beauty is as beauty does."

Here are the questions asked:

1. Define beauty

2. At what age did you, or do you, feel the most beautiful?

3. What do you do for yourself, regularly, that makes you feel beautiful?

4. Who is a beautifully influential person you can think of?

5. How much of what you understand about beauty, came from your mom?

6. Give me your best skin care advice.

In the quest to find some answers to these questions, I began by asking some of the women I come into contact with every day.... my co workers. A little background information on me: I work at a wonderful nursing home in Stanwood, Washington and 95% of the nursing staff is female. What better than to start here??

Let's meet Denise. She is a 50-something year old, just recently re-married woman that has worked in nursing for over 24 years. She loves Ebay and Harley Davidson, coffee and a great pair of shoes. Denise couldn't exactly answer the 'define beauty' question, but when I asked her who a beautifully influential person was she said it was her mom. It was her mother's sense of style that stuck with Denise as a young girl and to this day, I can always look to Denise for a very well put together outfit. She just doesn't miss a beat, thanks Denise's mom!

Then there was Alyssa, age 26. She is my best friend, the funnest person to be around and very selfless. Alyssa is the activities director at Warm Beach, a mother of a 15 month old boy and has been happily married for 5 years to her high school sweetheart. She defines beauty as CONFIDENCE. When I asked her the 'at what age' question, she said, "I'm hoping it gets better with age. I look back at pics of high school, my youthful appearance and see how insecure I was back then. Now I am more secure but find more flaws as I age. Funny how THAT works." Interestingly enough, she chose a movie star as her beautifully influential person; Kate Winslet. She admires Kate's fresh face, ability to play with make up and fashion without being extreme while still maintaining her regality. Alyssa learned quite a bit from her mom about beauty; how to blend the foundation line at a woman's jaw line, basic up keep of the brows and how to apply her daily make up.

Then there is the boss, Mrs.Laura, age unknown :) She is an RN and the Director of Nursing Service at Warm Beach. She is a mother of 2, grandmother of 1, has been married for 20-ish years and is a devout Catholic. In fact, when I asked her what she does on a regular basis to make herself feel beautiful, her answer was go to church every Sunday. Laura defines beauty as an aura and felt the most beautiful when she was pregnant with her children. Although she doesn't give credit to her mom for teaching her anything about beauty, Laura believes that her mom is the most beautifully influential person she knows. Her mom single handedly raised five kids all by herself. Laura's best skin care advice - "use the scrubies on your face"...... which really means, exfoliate.

Tammy, age 40 something. She has been a beautician for at least 20 years, loves diet coke and a great deep red lip stick. Oh, and she is one of my Aunties :) Auntie Tammy also works at Warm Beach as the in house hair stylist and has 2 kids with Uncle Dennis. When I asked her the 'at what age' question, she said it was in her early 30's - because she felt like she "was old enough for people to take me seriously, without being too old." She said that she puts make up on EVERY DAY to make herself feel beautiful and said that her best pick me up is red lip stick and a pair of earrings. She doesn't credit her mother with hardly anything in what she understands about beauty and stated that her younger sister, Sherry (my mom) is her most beautifully influential person because "she is who she means to be."

Then I began asking some of the "regulars" that come into the beauty shop. These were some of the funniest interviews I had all week.

Virginia, age 86. She says that beauty is a straight nose and inner peace. She also stated that she didn't learn anything from her mother in the realm of physical beauty because, Virginia says, she looks more like her father.... Virginia is a retired RN and said she felt the most beautiful at 19, when she got married. She credits her weekly hair appointment as the thing that regularly makes her feel beautiful and said that I was her beautifully influential person because I was "spunky."

Irmgard, age 83. "Beauty is showing kindness to others, coming from within the heart," was Irmgards answer to the define beauty question. The thing I loved about Irmgard's answers was that she didn't think too hard about it. Her regular beauty feel good, is to eat out. How great is she?! She said she felt the most beautiful when she was in her 50's because she was the happiest in this decade. Irmgard's beautifully influential person was actually her two best friends Marie and Maxine. They sit together at church every Sunday :)

Bracie, age 80 something. Bracie is my southern belle. She defines beauty as personality and a sweet smile. Bracie felt the most beautiful when she was 52. She had just recently become widowed and when she met her 2nd husband, he made her feel feel more mature. She says this is the age she "came into" herself. Bracie has 6 sisters and growing up she had to learn her beauty regiment on her own, but credits her sisters with helping her learn how to put on her make up and put together a glamorous outfit. Her most beautifully influential person was her niece Gretchen. Unfortunately, Gretchen was killed at a young age but Bracie remembers her dark hair and blue eyes. "She was too beautiful to stay in this world," is how Bracie recalls her niece.

And finally, here are the answers to the leading ladies in my life.... my sisters and my mother.

Sophie, oldest sister, age 26. Happily married, mother of one and an interior designer. Her definition of beauty is found in Proverbs 31:10-31; What a woman in Christ looks and how she conducts herself. She also credits our mother for the understanding of beauty she has acquired over the years. In her youth, Sophie saw our mother as a strong provider and now in Sophie's quest through motherhood, she credits our mom with the ability to lead by example in all things Christ breathed. Sophie felt the most beautiful on August 30th , 2009; the day she was married to Grant. Let's keep it in the family; her most beautifully influential person is our Auntie Tammy. "It's her genuine femininity and natural beauty that makes her gorgeous to me. Well that, AND she gives me free haircuts." Best skin care advice: wash your face every night, no matter how tired you are.

Jessica (Yessica), youngest sister, age 19. She is currently a beauty student at Gary Manuel/Aveda in Seattle. When I asked her what she does for herself regularly, Jessica answered, "wash my hair." She defines beauty as confidence and felt the most beautiful at 17 because it was at that age that she began experimenting with make up, clothes and putting outfits together. Jessica also says that her mom has had a great impact on what she has come to understand of beauty. She thinks that her mom is a wonderful example of strength, poise and genuine selflessness. Best skin care advice: don't fuss over your face. Less is always more.

Sherry, age 40 something, my mother. Sherry is a mother of 7, grandmother of 3 and happily married to her husband Mike. She defines beauty as, "knowing who you are in Christ," and with that you can clearly see why she is the best mom ever.... Ok, so here is the rest of her answers. When I asked her how much she credits her mother for her understanding of beauty, she said barely anything. The only thing she could think of is eyebrows. As a child my mom would look at my grandma while she was sleeping and think, "Man, why does my mom look so beautiful when she is sleeping??" It was the brows! Ever since then, my mom has been very precise about the shape and thickness of her brows. When I asked her what she does to feel beautiful, regularly, she said that she reads Gods word. Age she felt the most beautiful: 21, because people told her she was. Best skin care advice: wash and moisturize your face daily.

After talking to these very lovely ladies, my conclusion is this: There may be a large group of women today that believe beauty is only what society perceives in a person, but the rest of us could care less. I titled this blog post "A Smile Makes All the Difference," because that's where I think beauty can be found in any woman. It is the great equalizer, the common denominator that every woman has and has differently. A smile is like a snowflake; no two smiles are the same. The most interesting thing I have discovered is the generational differences between girls and their mothers throughout the last 50 years. 50 years ago, mother's weren't teaching their daughters how to wear make up or how to put together an outfit. I think that for mothers 50 years ago, the idea that their daughters could be interested in material things wasn't prominent. Its almost as if young girls 50 years ago were still behaving like young girls ought to; playing outside with their dolls and best friends. As I began to ask ladies that were younger than 30, the answers became more about their moms leading by example that left more of an imprint on them for what beauty is. They didn't need tutorials on make up application because they were getting that from society. What they were most attentive to was how their mother was not only brave, but how she was able to maintain her physical beauty on top of being a fierce force in the world around them. Man how the times have changed!

My answers you might ask? Here ya go.

Beauty is..... confidence in who you are.

I felt the most beautiful at age 23 and a half... so right now. I can't say for sure that this is as good as it gets, but I am becoming confident in two things: who I am in Christ and how I present myself to the world.

I regularly practice applying make up to my face in many different looks. I study the application process so I can experiment with different colors and then help others understand the looks they are going for.

A beautifully influential person is...... DUH. My mother! In my late teens I couldn't stand her accountability, and now I depend on it. She is my true north (other than Christ) and her love never fails me. Believe me, I have put her through the ringer quite a few times!

I credit my mother 85% of what I understand about beauty. The other 15% I credit the other ladies in my family; my sisters, my aunts and most importantly my grandmothers.

My best skin care advice: Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize. In that order daily, if not weekly.

Long blog, I know!! This one has been building for a solid week. Hope you enjoyed it!

Isabel and Mommy Time :))

After returning home from work this afternoon and discovering one VERY ansy child on my hands, I decided it was time for Isabel and Mommy time. We do this pretty often and it is always a blast. Yesterday I gave her a pedicure and attempted a manicure, but she is never patient enough for the nails to dry before she touches things! Her toes turned out great. Bright pink WITH sparkles. That's my girl :)

So anywho, today after work, Isabel was rather ansy. My mom is feeling under the weather but still offered to watch her, and they hadn't quite made it outside on this rather sunny day. I thought about taking Isabel outside, but this girl needs a bath!! So instead I asked her if she would be willing to bath and she eagerly replied, "Yes! But can I please do your make up first?!?!?" I agreed and off we went......

She is too funny! While doing my make up, she kept saying out loud the brush style and shape as well as the color she was using. For instance, the green she apllies to my eyebrows she called, Grapey Green......

I absolutely LOVE my daughter!! You can definitely tell what she watches me do in the morning. There was a lot of blending (kind of) and attention to the brows. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon :)))

Echo

I heart Dr. Jack.

20 things....!!

The following is a list of 20 things that you might not know about me.... :)

1. I love to dance - not just groove, but DANCE!

2. My favorite snack that I usually have to hide from the rest of the family for fear they might eat it is.... Marshmallow cream. Yes, the stuff you use to make fudge. I eat it a spoonful at a time.

3. I feel the closest to God when I am singing praises to Him.

4. I wouldn't consider myself a person of artful culture, but an expressive face in a photo can make me cry.

5. My dream job would be a Supreme Court Justice or a make up artist employed by Make Up Forever.

6. When I own my own home, I would like there to be a fireplace in my bedroom.

7. My favorite color is Gold.

8. Favorite drink from Satrbucks..... Grande-Iced-Hazelnut-Ristretto-White Mocha. Not for the faint of heart, its VERY SWEET!

9. Favorite TV show is Lost. Duh! I heart Dr.Jack.

10. If I have anymore kids, I want to incorporate my mother's name (Sherry) into the full name, but haven't been able to think of anything thus far. Don't worry, I am NOT currently prego!!

11. I want to read Condoleezza Rice's new memoir so bad!! Birthday list... I think yes!

12. I never leave my house without my cell phone, children, lip gloss and Ipod.

13. I love the smell of coconut tanning oil and laying out in the sun for a nap.

14. I love taking long hot baths, but hate having to prep and blow dry my hair afterwards.

15. The first thing I notice about a person is their eyebrows; shape, length, brow bone, fullness.

16. My first concert was Amy Grant.... yeah. Still a huge thanks to my Auntie Kathy!

17. My dream place to live is Sitka, Alaska even though I have never been there.

18. I love my children, that goes without saying, but they really are my hearts contentment.

19. If I could change one thing about myself, it would be the way I manage my time.

20. I am currently searching for a mascara that isn't waterproof and stays in place all day.... I will keep you posted.

Bet ya didn't know some of this stuff about me!

Dinner Cookin Groove :)

Do Not Pass Go

Well today was supposed to be the day that I passed my CNA test in Sedro Woolley. Today was supposed to be the day that I called my boss and told her that all this waiting on applications and test dates was all worth it.

Well today turned out to be no such day. :( Do not pass go, do NOT collect your CNA. The test is done in two portions (1) written test consisting of 60 multiple choice questions (2) a skills evaluation. 5 skills in 25 minutes. I vital sign, hand washing and then 3 randomly chosen skills that you have to perform on an actual person while being watched by an evaluator. My biggest fear was the skills portion of the test. 5 skills in 25 minutes, whoa! I practiced some of the skills at work and was confident in being able to complete most of them without too much confusion. Well in order to get to the skills part of the test, you have to complete a little thing called the written. Like I said, 60 multiple choice questions that had to be completed in no longer than 2 hours.

As I was taking the written I kept thinking, "well, duh! It's this one!" and flew through it. I was the second one done with a little over and hour to spare. I handed it to the evaluator, she took out her red pen and began flipping through the pages a s quickly as I had just taken the test.... She made a total of 10 red marks and then handed it back to me. "Sorry Ms.Brooke, you didn't pass the written. Please take your stuff and go, but please remember to re apply asap as to get a test date quickly. Thank you and I am sorry."

OUCH! Do not pass go, do not collect your CNA. I cried the whole way to daycare to pick up the kids. How could I have failed the written???I work in a nursing home! Warm Beach Health Care Center has been nothing but patient and supportive in getting me to the test date and now I go and blow it.... they might have to let me go until I have my CNA and then re hire me..... I am so embarrassed! How can i face the staff I work with knowing I am an idiot. I know what they will all be thinking... "SHE DIDN'T pass the written!? That's the easiest part! She must be dumb."

I will be re applying this Friday when I have $107 to send with the app. Please pray that I have courage and strength for tomorrow at work and that I keep my eye on the ball.... my kids and supporting them.

Dear God, please help me. I am not sure how to move past this. Amen.

The Life

Today I am blogging to you from my sisters new house!! She has just made some Jiffy pop popcorn on the stove and we are sitting with our kids watching Conner's new favorite movie Casper. The original with Devon Sawa and Christina Ricci in it :) What a nice way to spend the evening after a long day at work. Another resident has passed and it seems like the days at work are blurring together.

I am not sure what the sweet Lord is cooking up for my family and I, but I (hesitantly) await whats in store. At the employee entrance to my work, right before you enter into the Nursing department, there is a sign that says, "If you ask God for guidance, be ready to move your feet." I ready and waiting to move my feet Lord! My family and I have entered into what seems like a blue season filled with unexpected twists and turns; My kids and I have begun to cling to the promise that God's love endures through the ages. It has been with us through thick and thin and will continue to prove faithful until the end. Sometimes it just gets to the point when you want to ask, "how long will You allow this rechid world to go on before you come down and set the record right?" I have faith in His timing, I just wish it was now.

In happier news, I am sure all of you Northwesterners have noticed the beautiful fall weather we have been having!! The kids and I were able to spend some time outside before family dinner yesterday and I took some of the cutest pictures of the kids!! Please don't misunderstand me when I write about being blue and then become joyful when talking about my kids. I acknowledge that everything must be put into perspective and that most of my daily trials are simply trivial. Next week they might be something else. My kids are precious gifts from the God of my heart and here are some of the pics!! Oh, and a picture of my new hair!!

I love... the thrift store!

Isabel and I had some time yesterday before heading over to Sophie's house, to stop by the thrift store for a little looksey. Lucky us, we found this lovely adult baby doll houndstooth womens jacket and some great winter shoes for Toddie... all under 9 dollars!! The shoes were $3.99 and the jacket was 50% off $5.99!! I want to go back and look for more treasures, but with both kids in toe that can get very tricky. Plus, they just want me to stay in the toy section....

I was also up late last night coloring my hair after everyone went to sleep. Its now jet black and I have bangs! Once I take a decent photo I will post it to show you. Sometimes you just need a change!

The kids are doing wonderful! Isabel has been having issues getting up and dressed in the mornings lately, but we get through it. Todd is speaking up a storm and loves to make animal noises. All the time. We had planned on going to the pumpkin patch this weekend with my sisters and all the kids, but the weather sucks and Sophie can't go. We are probably going to reschedule for next weekend and hopefully the weather is better! We had also planned on taking family photos this weekend, but we will be rescheduling that as well :)

It's been one of those days

Its been one of those days when I just want to come home and sleep; Its been one of those days when I want to curl up in bed and watch season 6 of Lost, or maybe True Blood season 2; Its been one of those days when I am spiritually fatigued.

Webster's dictionary defines fatigued as, "Temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work." The thing I like about this definition is that it begins with the word temporary. It means there is hope. Hope for what, I am not sure yet but its there. After my last blog entry, I thought the worst battle for my sister was over and that she would be back to her normal self in record time. How wrong some people can be.

After the original announcement that they had indeed lost their unborn child, then my sister was admitted to the hospital where she underwent a procedure to remove the child from her body. Originally there wasn't a real rush to get her in for the procedure, but when she spiked a fever in hardly any time at all the doctors went right in. Its moments like this that really bring out how quickly a family can join together and get things done. Their son Conner was picked up by his other grandma and my mom went to the hospital late last night and into this early morning to be with Sophie. I am happy to announce that Sophie has been released from the hospital and is on the mend.... physically. I haven't had a real opportunity to visit with her yet, so I am anxious to hear how my brave sister is doing.

This makes my last statement about my personal spiritual fatigue seem selfish, I know this. But like I said, moments like this can test a families ability to join together and get things done. Just the thought of a loved one in trouble can be very tiring. I don't know how many times in the last 3 days I have called her just to tell her that I love her. I am not quite sure what I would do without her! I had to remind myself that she wasn't in mortal danger and that with time, she would indeed be back to normal.

One thing I am still confident of, is that we as a family serve a God of unceasing restoration and love. Thank you to everyone that has been praying for my sister and her family!

Post again tomorrow, right now I have got to make dinner. :)

Yahweh :)

Like the Light From the Sun

Psalm 103:5-11

"Each day that we live, He provides for our needs and gives us strength of the young eagle. For all who are mistreated, the Lord brings justice. He taught His law to Moses and showed the Israelites what He could do. The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, His love NEVER fails. The Lord won't always be angry and point out our sins; He doesn't punish us as our sins deserve. How great is God's love for those who worship Him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!"

I can't put into words the feeling of salvation. Its kind of like the wind; You can't see it, but you can feel it.

For the past 23 years I have had the privilege of knowing a wonderful woman named Sophie (previously Rhoadarmer) Haines. She is my oldest sister and is without competition the most patient person I know. In the last 3 years I have watched her grow in her salvation and bask in the Lord's delightful love. Sophie has had many obstacles to overcome and very surely has done it by and through the love of Jesus Christ. Through both of my pregnancies and failed relationships, my sister Sophie has been there encouraging me to seek God in all that I am and all that I do.

It is with a very sad heart that I say that things for this wonderful woman have hit a massive bump in the road. Sophie, Grant and Conner just this last weekend moved into their new home just two blocks from us, Grant got a raise at work and Sophie was beginning to have thoughts of one day being a stay at home mom. God began blessing them in their obedience to follow His will and His word. With this new news, I have complete faith that she will continue to seek God's love and also to remember God's kindness. Days like today make me SLOW down and remember that it is NOT my will, but God's will for my life.

Just like Psalm 103 says, "The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient and His love never fails." Please pray with me for my sister Sophie and her family; May the love that can only come from God, be lavished on them! God is faithful, He has proved this time and time again.

I LOVE PIXIWOO :))

Walk Ins, Raptures and Memories

Psalm 103:1-4 (Contemporary English Version)

"With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise His Holy name. With all my heart I will praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind He has been. The Lord forgives us our sins and heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death. His Kindness and love are a crown on our heads."

After taking Isabel to the Everett Walk In Clinic this morning, I decided to come home and clean. Everything with her is on the mend; she has been diagnosed with a really bad sinus cold and prescribed antibiotics for 10 days. She is such a champ! After having a horrid night filled with coughing and a fever, she is now resting and eating Jello. Please be praying that she is able to feel less pain in her head and that she remembers how much her Heavenly Father loves her.

Once home and showered, she convinced me to take her to the park for a while before the afternoon nap. So, we loaded up and ff we went to Jennings Park (don't worry, I didn't take my purse)! We were there for a long while and were able to spend time with someone that we hadn't seen in a while. The weather was warm, Isabel was feeling alright and I remembered that I had one of my favorite books in my purse to read during moments like this. Its called, The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds. Its a story told through the eyes of teenage girl who lives in a VERY religious community called The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, which is led by her grandfather. Anywho, while this community waits for the rapture and diligently do what they believe to be God's work, the narrator (Ninah) falls for a young boy named James. In her own mind, she battle sinful thoughts and even goes as far as putting pecan shells in her shoes to remind herself of Jesus' suffering on the cross. In the end, something happens between her and James... Yes, its what you're thinking. But thats not the end! I won't say what happens, but I hope you will read it. This book is very well written and each character, in their own way, fights the battle between what they know to be right... and what they want.

So I was able to read some of the book while Isabel played on the playground. Sitting there and watching her play made me think about what I have been through with her for the past 4 years. With her birthday approaching, I have become somewhat of a sappy mommy. I thought about the day I told her dad we were pregnant and how he cried when she was born. Or how the night she was born, I walked the labor unit of the hospital with her until she stopped crying while her dad slept in the hospital bed :) Or how we had a half birthday for her in June of 2007 so she could experience an actual pool party! Then there is her first day at ballet, her first bee sting, the countless hours Kiel and I have spent with her in the emergency room for all kinds of things; Her first dance recital, the first night I had her AND Toddie at home by myself.... The list goes on and on, but I will always be thankful for all these moments with her. She was almost named Ellie, but when she came out I just knew her name was Isabel. She is pure joy in my world! As she grows up and develops more of a personality, I fall more and MORE in love with her!