LuLaRoe, Here I Come!

Messy Messy Fail - I've been to what my local peeps will understand as Tiny Tops (a Tops Friendly Markets in our neighborhood that's really small, hence the name) a total of three days in a row.  Nothing like forgetting a VITAL pantry item at every trip - first it was milk, then I realized we needed bread, then the third and final trip for peanut butter.  The cashiers were laughing at me.

Tidy Victory - While at Tiny Tops - my 2nd visit - I came across a 50% off bin FULL of E.L.F. Makeup which I happen to like!  I scored a tube of mascara, a baked blush, two other blush palettes and a purple cream eye shadow crayon (complimentary to my green eyes) for a $1.50 each!  So far I've only tried the baked blush and I REALLY like it, gives off a nice glow!  Did you know I have a blush obsession?  You can read about that here :)  

Health, Beauty and Wellness Groupons for a Parental Relaxing Experience #Groupon #ad

Messy Messy Fail - Definitely had the cute t-shirt I had on under my sheer LuLaRoe Lindsey inside-out for half of the day yesterday.  I only noticed when I looked down and saw the hem on the outside of the v-neck.  Perhaps no one noticed (da da DAaaaaaaa).......or did they?

Tidy Victory - I am so excited that the new fall TV show lineup is in progress - so many new and exciting series it's hard to know what to pick!  There is simply not enough room on my DVR for all of them - will there be anything to replace Parenthood in my life?  Only time will tell - what are you excited to watch this fall?

Fluster Buster Creative Muster #172

Messy Messy Fail - Back to the missing Toms issue - I did end up finding them, however, we have shoes ALL OVER our house.  Boots, sneakers, Crocs, dress shoes, Toms, sandals - you name it, they are here.  Time to organize the footwear, but is there a container big enough?

Tidy Victory - The weather was so beautiful this weekend (almost 75 degrees F!) that we were able to go outside and work in the yard for a good chunk of time.  Most of the front yard and part of our backyard gardens were weeded - love my weed poking tool!  You wouldn't believe how deep some of those bad boys were - I pulled out a weed whose main root was nearly a foot long!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #117

Messy Messy Fail - My Toms have disappeared.  Vanished.  I wore them on an unseasonably warm day in February or March, and they have since gone completely missing.  

Tidy Victory - I had a lovely thought to watch one of my favorite movies from my single girl years - Marie Antoinette.  I almost forgot I had it, had to dig around in some boxes downstairs to find it.  I am so glad I did - fabulous movie!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #116

Messy Messy Fail - I literally just finished making a somewhat heinous looking Little Einstein's rocket cake.  I bit off more than I could chew on this one.  Cake cracking issues, frosting issues, you name it - it went wrong.  I'm really not even sure how this cake is going to taste.  I made sure to have lots of ice cream though, because everything tastes good with ice cream.

Tidy Victory - I have been trying to upload all of our old movie videos from the video recorder to my computer.  To my dismay, it seemed as though several were corrupt.  After many hours trying different ways to import the videos and researching online, I figured it out!  Somehow these older videos were .mpg files and they needed to be .mov files.  I have begun the slow process of converting them, but I am THRILLED that they are not gone for good!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #115

Messy Messy Fail - Our weather has seriously been at extremes these last few weeks - 72 degrees F one day, 31 degrees the next.  Quite literally, no exaggeration.  Therefore, hasn't our beautiful new weeping cherry tree that we planted in front of the house trying to bloom.  It actually started snowing today, so I frantically went outside with a king size fitted sheet to drape over the poor tree.  This baby better bloom after all of my efforts!

Tidy Victory - It's a miracle - The Land Before Time DVD just showed up in the boys hands this afternoon as I caught them playing with the DVD's in the entertainment center again.  No explanation, but that's okay - it has returned!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #114

Messy Messy Fail - So I thought I had a really great idea of using Elmer's glue to draw our initials on our Easter eggs.  My thinking was the glue would dry, we would dye the eggs, and then I'd peel the glue off to reveal a white initial on the dyed egg.  Total fail.  Didn't leave enough time for the glue to dry and it just fizzled off in the vinegar.  At least now I know it won't work.  Still determined to discover a cool way to decorate our eggs (for next year wah wah)

Tidy Victory - I've had all of our Easter goodies purchased and ready to go for about a week now - it was nice not having to run out last minute!  Each of the boys got a small toy, DVD, book, hatching dinosaur egg and candy.  Can't wait to celebrate in a few short hours!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #112

Messy Messy Fail - As you know, I do enjoy my wine and beer.  We enjoy it so much in our household that we have acquired quite the can and bottle collection in our garage.  We are so silly - the redemption center is quite literally down the street.  I just simply have gotten my act together to collect everything and drive it down.    Money just sitting in my garage!

Tidy Victory - Even though I have not planned for meals or done serious grocery shopping in about two weeks, I have managed to clean off my pantry shelf quite a bit.  Stocking up on regularly used items or purchasing in bulk can be great, but you have to remember to use it.  It can be tricky to force yourself to only use items you have in your refrigerator and pantry, but it pays off in your bank account!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #110

Messy Messy Fail - I haven't published my own post in a couple of weeks now.  Lots going on around here - concerts, swim lessons, meetings, but I've got an Easter roundup and a couple of great posts in a different format than what I typically publish coming up, so be warned.

Tidy Victory - I was able to conduct my first all-county ensemble this weekend - an elementary orchestra - and I had an absolute blast!  This ensemble was made up of the best elementary string students in the county and I had the distinct pleasure of leading them through rehearsals and at our final performance on Saturday.  An absolute joy and a treat - this was why I wanted to teach orchestra!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #108

Messy Messy Fail - We are winter break from school this upcoming week, and I will say I am embarrassed about the condition I left both of my classrooms in - disaster.  I had a guest conductor in at both buildings on Friday to complete a workshop with some of my students who will be participating in a side-by-side concert shortly and it was quite the whirlwind getting to both buildings on time.  Let's just say I'll be going in for a little tidying up during my vacation.  

Tidy Victory - Last year, I tried making it a goal to do a small organizing/purging project a day.  Be it my makeup drawer, a bookshelf, etc., I wanted to make a little difference one small step at a time.  Sometimes I did my project for the day, sometimes I didn't.  I came across this blog project from Susan at Organized 31 - 31 Days of 10-Minute Purging Tips and I was really inspired.  You can start with her first post at the above link and she gives you a task every day - very manageable (10 minutes or less!) yet very effective.  I'm going to try this and attempt to get rid of some more nonsense in my house!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #106

Messy Messy Fail - The snow has nearly melted away, which means the snowmobile trails are closed AGAIN until further notice.  Because don't you know this is what happens - you get new sleds and it's a lame-o winter.  I can't even believe I am complaining about having no snow.  I'm really not crazy.

Tidy Victory - I have had an idea for a post for literally nearly a year now - to interview one of my favorite Etsy shops - and it finally happened!  I do not want to give away too much too soon, but if you are interested in crocheting and/or starting your own Etsy shop, you need to stay tuned folks!  :)

Non-Toy Gifts for Little Kids

Messy Messy Fail - It appeared as though the toddler decided to record some extra programing on our DirecTV DVR of his own before we went away for a weekend.  Upon returning, an episode of  American Horror Story Hotel and Fargo was missed due to a full hard drive of Good Morning America, the Rachael Ray Show and Kelly & Michael.  Delete, delete, delete.

Tidy Victory - These last few days I have been a MACHINE getting my Christmas tasks done - Santa Sprinkles for the UPKer's class, teacher gifts, peanut butter fudge for co-workers, cards mailed out, Christmas breakfast and dinner items purchased!  This may truly be the most ready I have ever been for the holidays, and it feels so good!

Happiness is Homemade Linky Party #99

Messy Messy Fail - Did anyone else miss the first episode of the 2nd season of Fargo like I did?  Can't find it anywhere on the TV schedule, and being the outdated weirdos that we are we have yet to figure out the whole Amazon Prime free streaming thing.  I'll just add it to the list I guess.  And keep searching online for that golden first episode.

Tidy Victory - I found them!!!!  All the missing pieces to our Candyland game that is.  The UPKer does enjoy playing it, but it's even more of a game to try keeping the entire thing together in one box.  My solution - ziplock bags!

Welcome back to another great weekend at Happiness is Homemade!!

Oh, Hey Friday - Slightly Shallow

Messy Messy Fail  - It's nearly 12:30 on my Friday night and I'm finishing this post.  I'll pay for this tomorrow surely.  I am a night owl.  

Tidy Victory - The UPKer ate the leftover Chinese from yesterday for dinner!  I promised a pretzel from Auntie Anne's at the mall if he ate it all.  Whatever works.

Oh Hey, Friday - Lately

Messy Messy Fail - Truly nothing worse than having a dishwasher full of FILTHY dishes when you discover you have no more dishwashing detergent left.  Luckily after frantically digging in the cupboard below my sink I found a sample tablet that I had gotten at Sam's Club.  Not quite as clean as the usual BUT better than nothing.

Tidy Victory - I finished the UPKer's ghost costume last night at 11 PM.  I plan on publishing a tutorial on my quick diy children's ghost costume shortly.  Never thought I'd be making my own costumes for my kids, but I managed to put this one together.  Go me!

12 Highly Recommended Things To Do at Niagara On the Lake

Messy Messy Fail - It's our first day of school without students (professional development) and doesn't our coffee pot poop the bed.  It's six years old so I guess I'm not too surprised.  Thanks Topic (whose mom created and shared this recipe I posted) for the wedding gift!

Oh, Hey Friday - Rodeo Time

Messy Messy Fail - I have now gone through 2 new light pendants to hang over our kitchen table - I rejected both.  I thought the first one looked rustic hanging up at Home Depot, but when installed in looked beyond industrial.  The second rejection was my fault - I didn't check the size before ordering and it turned out to be a minnie pendant.  Back to searching I go.  However ANYTHING beats the Pizza Hut looking light we had prior.

Tidy Victory - We finally flipped the baby's carseat around so he is now forward facing.  I swear I heard him singing "A Whole New World" from Aladdin in the backseat while we were driving. 

This was my last weekend home before orchestra camp so we decided to do a whole slew of fun activities.  My husband will be with the boys while I'm working, so this next coming week will be quite the role reversal.  In the mean time, here's what we/I have been up to!

<One> Every year, usually around the first weekend in August, the rodeo comes to town!  The event is a fundraiser for the local volunteer fire department, so for a small town it is a big deal.  People from all over the area come to see the cowboys and cowgirls do their thang.  Nana Patti and I took the toddler for the Saturday night show after eating their delicious bbq dinner at home.  

<Two> August Ipsy Box - So here is what came in my box (from left to right) - Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Gingsng + Biotin Volumizer, Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted (how appropriate!  I kid....) Skone Cosmetics Luxe Doubler Eye/Lip Pencil in Wine, Juara Skincare Tumeric Antioxidant Radiance Facial Mask, and Noyah Natural Lipstick in Rose.  So far I have tried the volumizer, which I really liked and smelled FANTASTIC, and the Noyah lipstick  The color is okay, I didn't think I could wear rose, but I think if I adjust my makeup a bit I can do it.  I definitely love the cute houndstooth makeup bag and the nail polish color.  Good job this month Ipsy!

<Three> Traveling - Since both of our families live out of town, we are frequently traveling for long weekends to visit.  I used to dread packing when it was just hubby and I - now packing for us AND two young boys is a snap.  I keep at least 4 plastic grocery bags in our suitcases to separate clean and dirty clothes.  I also keep plastic resealable bags with travel supplies including toiletries, medicine and eating utensils ready to go.  That way when it's time to depart, I can just grab the prepackaged bags and start the trip!  We were able to visit my sister-in-law Sarah in her beautiful new home that she purchased a couple of years ago.  She's also really into photography, so I was able to ask her a bunch of tips.  She reminded me how much I like black and white photography.

A practice shot of the back of Sarah's garage, with her "gnomes" growing in the gutters as she calls them.

Vibernum or hydrangea?  It's growing in front of her house and we can't tell!

<Four> Back to School - As I wait patiently for the toddler's UPK list of supplies I need to purchase for him, I think about how SAINTLY his teacher is for committing to him and up to 17 other precious toddlers in one classroom.  I know that there are definitely some supplies that will be needed and are not provided by the school system, such as tissues, hand sanitizer, etc.,  so I'll make sure to stock up and deliver some extras to his teacher.  I also plan on emailing his teacher to see what their other needs are so we can help out.  I can go without my triple cream cheese or olive tapenade for a week if I can donate some supplies to my son's classroom.

<Five> Zoo - While traveling, we had an opportunity to take the kids to a local zoo and MAN did we have a good time.  This was actually the first zoo visit we have taken the toddler to where he was actually interested in the animals - what a concept!  I recall previous visits being dragged directly through with the toddler leading, wanting to know where the exit was.  The baby hung out in his stroller while Sarah, my husband and I pointed out all the cool animals including: a rhino, orangutans (including a baby so cute!) a snow leopard, tigers, a polar bear, penguins, elephants and the coolest - sea lions!

I forgot how much I love B&W photography!

I wish I would have gotten this shot in color, but can you see the beautiful bird and his reflection that I captured?

It has turned out to be quite the perfect weekend weather wise.  How lucky did we get?!?!  Enjoy these last few weekends of August!

Oh, Hey Friday - Mish Mash

Messy Messy Fail - The fruit flies in this house are insane right now.  All windows have a screen, there is no food or fruit out on the countertops and yet they continue to buzz around and make me want to tear my hair out.  I have my little glass of red wine with plastic wrap over the mouth to trap the little snots - you poke a few small holes so the flies can crawl in but not get out.  Doesn't quite seem to be doing the trick.  Back to the drawing board.

Tidy Victory - At story time this week, I was chasing the baby through the reference section when I happened to notice a rack of TV show DVD collections.  There it was, like a unicorn out of the mist, seasons 1-3 of Big Love from HBO.  They really knew how to create an amazing series - all of my favorites were on HBO.  First it was Sex and the City, then the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and lastly Big Love.  Every plot and storyline was so intriguing and unique.  When I was in college, we all chipped in to purchase HBO so we could keep up.  Now I'm binge watching Big Love.

With my one summer job at Chautauqua Orchestra Camp approaching quickly, I am all over the place getting things ready and crossing items off of my list.  But that doesn't mean I can't find time for little things that make me happy.  Here's a mish mash list of smile-makers!

<One> The Punch Brothers - I recently heard this band open up for Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn at Chautauqua and was completely BLOWN AWAY.  A fun, current bluegrass sound with some serious edge.  Open up your mind and your ears and listen to them.  In all likelihood you won't be sorry.  If you are lucky enough to see them live, their musicianship is outstanding - they are all true masters on their instruments.  When they play together it's absolute magic (not to be cheesy, but it really is).

<Two> Crabtree & Evelyn Nantucket Briar Hand Therapy - One of my best friends gave this to me as a birthday gift - she knows how I love thick hand creams throughout the year, NOT just winter.  Girl knows what I like - it really helps my hands from drying out when I'm doing dishes 50 times a day.

<Three> Lemon No-Bake Icebox Cake - We had that same dear friend over for a birthday brunch this past weekend with her two boys and husband - my menu consisted of my breakfast bake, the Pioneer Woman's breakfast potatoes, champagne oranges and a Lemon No-Bake Icebox Cake.  She loves anything lemon and I knew a cold dessert would be tasty on a warm summer morning.  We loved it - here's the recipe.  

<Four> Wooden Spoon Across the Pot - I have heard that if you put a wooden spoon across a boiling pot it keeps the water from overflowing.  Whenever I boil potatoes, I can only assume my cupeth will runeth over.  I had to make a potato salad for a picnic last week and tried this old wives' tale, and it worked!

<Five> Stitch Fix - I have had a few friends try this and had mixed results, makes me really curious.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Stitch Fix is a monthly subscription where you pay $20 for a month, fill out a survey about your style, and you receive a box with a few clothing items based on your survey.  The clothing items/accessories are supposedly picked by a personal stylist to fit you like a glove.  You then have three days to either A) return the clothes with the prepaid return tag if you do not like them B) purchase the items at the price listed.  Price points are typically range from $50 - $100 depending on the items, so this is clearly no Old Navy clearance rack.  Might be fun to try the subscription for a month.  Something different and new, especially when you have as limited clothing options as you do where I live.

Do you have a Stitch Fix subscription, and do you like it?  Please tell me about it!

In the meantime, have a great weekend with the ones that you love!

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Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy Skin - Product Review

Messy Messy Fail - The toddler now thinks he can take off his night-time pull-up when he goes #2 and clean it up himself - MEGA FAIL!  Let's just say my carpet shampooer has gotten used daily this last week.

Tidy Victory - I scored some EXCELLENT purchases at TJMaxx with a gift card I received from some dear friends for my birthday.  Nothing is better than the clearance rack at TJ's - 5 cute shirts and the sweetest dragonfly bowl EVER under $70!

The first time I saw the commercial for Gold Bond's New Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream I about fell out of my seat.

Ever since my first pregnancy 3.75 years ago with the toddler, I have been burdened with the dreaded "chicken skin" as I call it on my upper arms.

Red, blotchy, rough, bump - not very attractive looking.

I've also acquired some "teacher arms", "bingo arm", "bat wings" whatever you want to call them, but that's for another post ;)

Anywho, I saw the commercial for Gold Bond's new product and I HAD TO TRY.  Exfoliating hasn't work, remembering to use lotion on my arms hasn't work, NOTHING HAS WORKED.  I was beginning to accept my "chicken skin" when this commercial appeared and I thought, heck my arms can't get any worse than they are now!

So I waited for a Gold Bond coupon to appear in my Sunday paper because I'm frugal (cheap!) and when it did, I swiftly ran to Walmart and made my purchase.  This cream isn't terribly cheap - price point is $9.97 - but I got a buck off with my coupon and it if worked, it would be worth it.

To document my use, I took some lovely pictures of my arms before:

Now to be quite honest, I did not use this product every day during the 3 month period - it started out that way, then maybe every few days, and more recently just once a week.

Here is the after:

Some important points I want to make about this product:

• It significantly improved the roughness & bumpiness of my skin
• It DID NOT significantly improve the redness and blotchiness of my skin (which is what I was really hoping for), just slightly
• It does not smell great, but it does not smell bad either
• It also significantly improved the roughness of my horrid feet

It's hard to tell from the before and after pictures (different lighting and angles) that the redness did improve a bit, but the biggest improvement was the smoothness which you cannot tell from the pictures unfortunately.  

Added an HD filter to this picture so you could check out the great creamy consistency of this product.

It clearly states on the lid of the product that "90% experienced smoother, softer skin in just one week" which I did, and "72% reduction in bumps/the appearance of KP in 4 weeks" which I also did experience.  

KP, or keratosis pilaris, is the scientific term for the little red bumps that I have around the hair follicles on my upper arms, AKA my chicken skin.

This product DID boast smoother softer skin which it did do.  It DID NOT mention a reduction in redness, which I wish it had done.

Therefore, I think it is safe to say that Gold Bond's Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Treatment did for me what it said it would do - give me smoother skin.

Fun fact - under the sticker on the lid, it also mentions this product can be used for rough skin on elbows, knees and feet, and by golly it has done a great job on my nasty dogs.  

I have very dry, cracked feet and this product has significantly helped that.

I will NOT be posting a picture of my tootsies - sorry to disappoint! :)

If you are experiencing any of the same issues I am, try this product, it may work for you.  But remember your results may be different!

Hope this helps you and your chicken skin (or your feet)! ;)

*The opinions in this post are solely of my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  

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