Heart

Eet ~ Regina Spektor

My heart beats for my husband.... for his laughter, compassion, and sensibility. My heart is full with love for my family.... it is through their loyalty and devotedness that I have become the woman I am today. My heart delights in the company of friends.... I cherish the friendships that I've made and the thoughts I can share and confide with others. My heart is dedicated to people and animals in need.... I never want to lose sight of what I can do for others. My heart breaks with trials and obstacles.... I thank God that I am strong enough to overcome. My heart has a reason. My heart belongs right here. This is home.

Eyeshadow Primers: The Good, Better, and Best!

So here's the scoop on lid primers. I had never used one and always wished that my eye shadow would last longer. I always seemed to find that after a day of work that I didn't look as 'put-together' as I'd like. So about 7 years ago I purchased my first lid primer from Clinique and cue the Hallelujah chorus. Seriously. I. Use. Lid. Primer. Every. Day. I can't live without it and I've tried a couple of them throughout the years. Out of this list there really isn't one that I 'dislike' per say. They all worked but some better than others. Everyone is different and what has worked for me might not work for you... and more specifically what I've liked might be different than you. But here's my honest opinion on these products:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ~ They call this the most coveted shadow primer in the makeup industry. I beg to differ. Urban Decay offers 4 colors. My first go round with this product was with the Original which isn't really a color. It looks like a white-ish cream. It did not offer any type of coverage (which is something I really like). The consistency was pretty nice but sometimes I just like to wear a primer by itself and the original potion does not let you do this. I just recently purchased Eden since it had the look of a concealer and could be worn alone. The color is a little too yellow and the consistency is thick and unnatural. I'll use it until it's done but it definitely isn't my favorite. It does keep the shadow from fading and creasing which is a plus. The primer potion is $20 and a little goes a long way with the Eden color so it will more than likely last a lot longer than I want it to. Best-selling product on UrbanDecay.com

Clinique Touch Base For Eyes ~ Offered in 5 colors. These offer great coverage and when worn under shadow it's creaseproof and waterproof. The colors are really versatile. One drawback is that it dries out in the packaging really quickly. And they can feel a little chalky on the eye, so that would be great for someone with oily lids. My favorite color is Canvas Light. Touch base is $15 and would probably last a maximum of 6 months. Touch Base For Eyes ~ Colors and Reviews

Clinique Touch Tint For Eyes/Smoothie Antioxidant Colour ~ Touch tint was discontinued and  reformulated into Smoothie Antioxidant Colour. They are basically the same thing except for some additional antioxidant ingredients in the Smoothie. Offered in a multitude of colors, 12 to be exact! The only downfall that I could find is that it doesn't offer a huge amount of coverage. I wouldn't recommend these to anyone who had oily lids or problems with creasing since they have a very creamy consistency and are pretty shimmery. I like to add a little a little shimmer AFTER a concealer. Definitely a must-have for Summer to add a little highlight to the eyes. I like Nude Sparkle and Bit O'Honey. They are $19.50 and they last forever. I'm still working on mine that I purchased about 2 years ago. Smoothie Antioxidant Colour 

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer ~ Love it, love it, love it. It comes in one universal color that is a nice sandy color. Matte-finish and stays on ALL day. I really think this if the perfect primer for eyeshadow or just to be worn on its own. It has a nice concealer type coverage that looks very natural. This is my definite go-to for a lid primer. $20 and lasts close to a year. Check it out on Sephora

On my wedding day I used Smashbox primer with a quick swipe of Clinique Nude Sparkle on top to give some shimmer. I topped it with a light, shimmery Mirabella eyeshadow all over and a darker, matte shadow in the corners.

Tree Pose Wisdom

Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be. ~Anonymous

The Price Is Right

The Right Now ~ Before I Know Your Name  

A road trip to Chicago was just what we needed to top off the 4th of July festivities. Fun times with friends, family, and a wedding was icing on the cake. We stayed for 3 days and had so much fun that we ended up taking 10 pictures. Out of those 10 pictures, 2 were share-worthy! Oh well! So on Friday morning we piled into Grandma and Grandpa's van with Lauren and make our quick journey to the Windy City. Here's an interesting fact for you.... the Windy City nickname has nothing to do with wind or weather. It is a nickname that was given in the 1930's and people from other areas called Chicago the 'Windy City' because they thought Chicago's politicians were full of hot air. Huh. I always thought it was because they had a nice breeze off the lake. I guess you DO learn something every day. Okay, back to the road trip.... The great thing was that everyone was able to make it (except for Trae :/) but everyone was able to hang out and have a great weekend. Lots of laughs, good conversations, dancing and calorie counting. I think a good wild time was had by just about everyone! We had such a fun mini-vacation and again I am so freakin' thankful for this family.

Congratulations to the newly married Mr. & Mrs. Price!

Michelle is just glowing. I love this shot, it truly depicts the joy and happiness both her and her father are feeling at this moment. It really was a magical wedding. And after a serious heatwave in Chicago it just happened to cool down for a perfect outdoor setting. It was beautiful. If you know someone getting married in the Chicago area tell them about SalvageOne. It was a really unique setting!

How adorable is this?!

Salsa Shake-up!

I'm doing the rain dance for our little garden. I heard on the news last night that we are having the worst drought in 25 years! Which basically means, lots of sprinkler time and evenings holding a hose and praying that everything survives. Speaking of being outside, it's miserable, my temperature gauge said 104 yesterday. Ouch. Landscaping has been a big priority for us but we haven't been able to make a dent in it because of the heat. What a bummer. On a much more exciting note, I have some fantastic, yummy and easy ways to switch up our salsa routine when our veggies are ready. I hope you enjoy them too!

Pineapple Salsa

3 Tomatoes, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

1 C. pineapple, diced

1 red onion, diced

4 T. cilantro, chopped

1/2 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. ground allspice

Pinch of sugar

Salt to taste

Cucumber Salsa

3 Tomatoes, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded & diced

1 C. cucumber, seeded and diced

1 Red Onion, diced

Juice of 1 lime

2. T chopped mint

2 T. cilantro

1/4 t. Ground Cumin

Our crazy daisy did not survive the heat. But this little guy had enough strength to bloom for us.

Impressionist

After months and months of letting papers, bills, and receipts pile into my side of our executive desk. I finally organized and filed everything away. It was incredibly therapeutic as I'm a little on the OCD side about being organized. I just happened to find a clipping of some wise words in the corner of my chaos that I wanted to share :

"A life story is like an impressionist painting, a riot of tiny brushstrokes when viewed up close. There is a great deal we are unable to discern about our lives while we are still caught up in the small exertions of living. Getting older allows us to step back far enough to recognize the overall shape of things, the full picture that can only be seen from the distance of an elapsed lifetime."

~Wendy Lustbader

What does your painting say about you? Is it bright colors, dark and somber, long painted brush strokes, or crazy splatters?

Music: Electric Guest

Trae William

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, TRAE WILLIAM!

This week it was my nephew's birthday....It's amazing how fast kids grow up. I still think of Trae as this little chubby-cheeked boy. I remember when I first met him at 2 years old, he was a little ladies man. All he wanted to do was sit in my lap and look at me. He was adorable and so, so sweet. It seems that as his age now he is changing so rapidly into this little man. The great thing is that he is still so sweet and so incredibly handsome. He looks just like his Uncle Bill! Bill and I are so proud of him and the man he is becoming.

Run for your LIFE

I haven't decided if I really like running. In school, I was never the kid who finished the mile first... I was closer to the back, taking multiple walking breaks, and trying to finish strong. Even at my best, I was a 10-minute miler. I have never been anything like Bill who can run 7 minute miles or just run 8 miles on a whim. Nope, not me. My running seems to go in spurts, sometimes I'll run a couple times a week and then I'll go 2 weeks without running. We have so many other hobbies: biking, kayaking, hiking etc. that it's hard to keep a steady pace with each one. Which {sometimes} makes me feel like I am mediocre at all of our hobbies. Last night, I set out on a therapeutic, stress-relieving run and seriously kicked my own ass. I ran TWICE as far as I normally do! I felt so awesome and proud of myself. When I was finished I was having an R. Kelly "I believe I can fly moment"! While I know I'll never be a fast runner or a long distance, endurance runner, I know I'll keep pushing myself. 

Daddy Dearest

Yes, I'll admit it, I totally didn't post anything for my Dad on Father's Day. While it doesn't make me a horrible daughter, I am a little embarrassed. It was a crazy weekend and by the end of Sunday both Bill and I were exhausted. So, it's better late than never (but never late is better as Kanye West once said).

I grew up in the type of household that Dad went to work early in the morning and came back late at night. He worked incredibly hard for our family so my Mother could stay home with my brother and I. He really did make some huge sacrifices for us. We never wanted for a thing and my Dad was (and still is) held in a ridiculously high regard. He's always been there for us and has always been a great sounding board.

He almost always answers the phone saying "YO!" and typically, conversations will go like this...



Me: Dad, I'm thinking about doing _______
Dad: Now here's what I would do....
(So that's what we are expected to do)

OR

Me: Dad, I think I'm going to buy _____
Dad: Don't do anything yet. I've got a guy....
(So we use the guy)

OR

Me: I'm going to _____
Dad: Well, if I were you....
(the opinion is always taken into consideration)

OR

Dad is at a family function and really likes a dish of food or appetizer. So he repeats to everyone "Have you tried the ____" and "Wow, that ____ is so good" and "Hey everyone this ____ is so good!" These comments are repeated about 100 times.

My Dad definitely has a lot of nuances that make him the butt of a lot of our jokes and it's all in good fun! Can you tell that he has some control issues? But that's what we love about him. You never wonder where you stand with him and you always know where he stands on the situation. I still call my Dad for advice which can sometimes drive Bill up the wall but he's been there for me for 30 years. There is a really slim chance that he will actually read this but if you are.... I love you, Dad! Thank you for everything!

As for my other "Dad" whom I really do call Daddy Dearest. Well, he's ridiculously similar to my Dad. He's driven, dedicated, and always ready and willing to give you an opinion. In other words, he's pretty awesome.... as long as you don't mess up! I can't say it enough times that I feel incredibly blessed to have been welcomed into my husband's family as one of them. Bill and I had dinner with one of Bill's co-workers awhile back and we were discussing Bill Sr. and the gentleman said "You have no idea how much your father-in-law loves you. He has so many great things to say about you!" I could have cried. The feeling is mutual, DD.

Relatedness

~The real relatedness between two people is experienced in the small tasks they do together; the quiet conversation when the day's upheavals are at rest, the soft word of understanding, the daily companionship, the encouragement offered in a difficult moment, the small gift when least expected, the spontaneous gesture of love.....

 

Peachy Goodness

Happy Birthday, America! It's been an awesome day so far. Started off bright and early at our local Fireman's breakfast with nearly our entire family. Cousin Megan and Andy are in town so we made plans for our morning after the breakfast. The boys all went golfing. And the girls had a little what we like to call "Grabe time!" We had a great time biking a little over 20 miles in 96 degree heat. Wooowee! So that brings me to a refreshing recipe!

I'm a peachy keen girl. That is, I love anything peach... peach pie, peachy body spray, peach jam, peachy colors.... and the list goes on and on. So when I came across this peachy recipe I was just dying to try this and share! I'm not usually one to take pictures through the process but today was different story.... I had the house to myself and I had a little Enya playing on my Pandora. I was definitely feeling relaxed! So here you go!

Friends, here's what you'll need:

1 package of dry cake mix (yellow, vanilla, or white)

1/3 C. butter, softened

2 large eggs, divided (hopefully cage-free and organic!)

29 oz. light peach slices, drained (this equals ABOUT 2 small cans)

8 oz. cream cheese (I used reduced fat)

1/3 C. sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1 egg, and the softened butter. Mix until crumbly and set aside a little over a cup of crumbs for the topping. Press the remaining crumbs into the bottom of your pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Cut peach slices in 1" pieces and when ready spoon these over the partially baked crust.

 In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla extract. Beat mixture until creamy.

 Spread over the top of the peaches. I used a Williams-Sonoma spatula and this worked really well to drop spoonfuls and then spread once the mixture was covering the peaches. Sprinkle with your reserved crumbs and bake this yummy goodness for 30 minutes.

The final product fresh out of the oven! Make sure to let the bars cool down and then cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serves 12 people. Enjoy!

My little fun fact of the day.... Dutch LOVES peaches. As I was cutting them up he was waiting patiently for a piece. He was literally nearly pushing me out of the way. As I walked over to my recipe Dutch sat right next to the corner of the counter just waiting and willing for some peaches to fall his way. I had to snap a shot of his sweet, innocent face.

Happy Birthday!

Our dear friends, Matt and Sam were blessed with their THIRD baby boy early Saturday morning.

Xavier _____ Ternes 

7 lbs. 15 oz. 20 1/2 inches long.

We are so overjoyed for their family and incredibly excited to meet Xavier. While we were in South Carolina we tried to help come up with names for the baby. How fun that all 3 boys have an 'X' in their name, right? Jaxton, Maddex, and Xavier are so very lucky to have these two as parents. We love you guys so much and can't wait to see you SOON.

Rich & Charlie's

There are certain recipes that just remind me of my Mom. Rich & Charlie's salad is one of them. Rich & Charlies is a delicious Italian restaurant in St. Louis and one of their staples is this salad. My Mom has made this since we were really young and it's still a family favorite. It's one of those staples at the holidays.... Sometimes my Mom complains that she wants to make something different or that she doesn't want anyone to think she makes the same thing over and over again. But it's so good that we always request it. Sorry Mom!

Rich & Charlies Salad

1 head of romaine lettuce

1 head of iceberg lettuce

1 (10 oz.) can of artichoke hearts (drained)

1 (10 oz.) can of hearts of palm

1 (4 oz.) jar of pimentos

1 medium red onion

1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)

1/2 C. Oil

1/2 C. Vinegar

Toss and serve. Easy as that!