make-up

Someone asked me last week to share what I use for make-up. Honestly I'm feeling sort of a sheepish about this. I'm a total minimalist when it comes to make-up and I don't spend a ton of money on department store brands. I'm certainly not an expert. I don't really want my make-up to get noticed. Don't we all just want our face to look fresh?  Most days it's lucky if I brush my teeth let alone get some make-up on. I don't really have any tricks for you, but I'm always curious about things like this, so I'll share. 

Face:

 

foundation (applied with a sponge). I'm really self-conscious about my skin. I've tried lots of different foundations but it is hard to balance coverage with caked on. I'm happy with this one for now. Blush, and bronzer (because I live at  47 degrees N latitude.)

Sometimes I add this for a little extra glow

Eyes:

 

Creme eyeshadow (bare minimum),  add a little espresso (regular daytime), or for extra drama use the silvers instead. I don't like the look of heavy eyeliner. I usually just use a small stiff angled brush slightly dampened then swipe it through my eye shadow and apply it on my lash line like liner. I find it easier to blend and layer that way.

I have very wimpy eyelashes. Part of the problem is that they are blonde. This is what I'm using right now, but I'm always looking for something better. Two coats minimum.

Lips: 

Lip gloss: beach bronze. It doesn't look so orange in real life-- just sort of clear and glittery. Maybe a little liner underneath. 

I think this looks pretty:

Just simple and natural.

That's it! Questions? What did I forget? 

We'll talk hair tomorrow! 

Meeting Hobbs

While we were away last week we had the opportunity to hook up with my friend Mery. Her husband Eric used to work with Carl and I also had the privilege of having them in my birthing class. I was so anxious to meet little Hobbs (ahem, and catch up with Mery.) For months I've been craving a snuggle with him. More accurately I wanted to squeeze, pinch, nuzzle, sniff, rock, cuddle, smooch, and all other manners of over-zealous babyloving affection.

Mery is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She tells great stories full of sunshine.

I especially love the one about the arrival of Hobbs. Go read it. Serious. It will bless you. Mery has the most inspiring perspective on Hobb's extra chromosome. She graciously answered some "in your face" questions that I threw at her about their journey up to this point. Mery is so strong and so vulnerable at the same time. She is real about the emotions that she finds herself in the midst of. She is facing fears with such courage and openness. I'm learning so much from her.

I fought tears as I held him and felt so grateful to be in the presence of his sweet soul. In our conversation Mery shared that she wouldn't change the fact that she didn't know ahead of time about Hobb's Down's Syndrome. She says the fact that he arrived in the way he did reaffirmed her belief that he was a gift, hand-picked to be theirs. There was no worrying or fretting or asking "Why us? Why our baby?" Just acceptance. Amazing.

(They also have the coolest pad that I've been to in a long time!)

I got a good fix, though I'm not sure how long it will last me. We were also charmed by big brother Otto.

He had us just cracking up! Hilarious kid. 

Ian was all, "What's the big deal with this kid?" 

Otto and Laurel had a thing going on. Otto is my kind of guy.

Watch this! He can even fly.

We also had time to sneak in some reading, and dancing (which I was too busy participating in to photograph). We left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. When we got back into the car the girls gave a collective sigh, breathing out something like, "Well that was fun". Being with Mery and the boys just does that to you. We'll be back soon Hobbs. We simply can't stay away for too long.

Quickie

We've been tagging along with Carl this week as he travels for work. It turned out to be a spontaneous little Spring Break. Here are some pretty things to look at until I get back (soon)!