Beauty Bust Round 2!

Sorry I'm a little late on this blog... I'm drowning in the details of meeting preparation (which is going to be sooooo much fun, I might add!)  Anyways, here is my latest experiment in the beauty department.  Last week, mascara was the victim.  This week, it's all about the LIPS!

I've been wearing MAC lipstick & lipgloss for literally 15 years and I swear by it.  Nothing can touch it... but it's pricey!  I always say it's worth it because the colors are beautiful and it stays on all day practically!  Anyway, I thought I would be open minded and give cheap a try.

In the ring this week, is MAC lipstick & lipglass verses NYX lipstick & buttergloss!

I have to say that I am not impressed with the NYX lipstick- it has a weird texture when you put it on and it doesn't last. However, I really like the gloss!  The gloss is a beautiful color, feels good, and even tastes good!  It is a thinner consistency than the MAC gloss so you will have to reapply often.  For the money though, I am pleasantly surprised!   I will probably still always go back to MAC, my first love... but when I just want a new color without spending a lot- I'm gonna buy buttergloss!

Now, this is what I call RESEARCH! ;)

~NF~

Cheap Makeup Experiment #1

Hello, my name is Ashley and I'm addicted to buying beauty products.  (And jewelry, and clothes, and shoes, and stuff for Addy... BUT that is all for another blog).  Moving on...

My entire life, I have been a make-up snob.  I NEVER buy cheap makeup from the grocery store!  Not even mascara!!!  (This is all my mom's fault so don't judge me, judge her!  We are all a product of our raising!) ;)  Anyways, I started watching some video tutorials on makeup and have been shocked to see the multitude of cheap makeup being used by beauty divas everywhere!  I decided it was time for me to give Cover Girl a chance. 

So... I've decided to conduct an experiment on behalf of all the women out there who like to save a buck but don't want to compromise their beauty!  I'm going to send out one blog per week for the next three weeks, each week featuring a different type of product with my research and conclusions! 

My first beauty item to conduct this experiment with is mascara. I am picky about what mascara I use- I want it to last, not smudge, and make my lashes look so thick and long that people think they're fake!  This is not an easy task my friends!  Last May, I found the "They're Real" mascara by Benefit and loved it so much, I sent you all a tube of it!  I decided that had to be the standard.  This really was not fair to all the other mascaras in the world but hey... I'm keeping it real. 

So, in the beauty ring this week is....
Benefit "They're Real" Mascara vs. Maybeline "Falsies" Mascara.

I gotta tell you... I AM IMPRESSED with Maybeline!  You do have to apply at least two coats to really get the best out of it but it is awesome!  It lengthens, thickens and doesn't smudge all day!  The only negative comment I have is that because it is a thin consistency, it can get on your eyelid when you are applying it so I just make sure I don't look up until it's dry.  Other than that, I feel just as happy with the Maybeline mascara as the Benefit!  It's a miracle people!!! 

Maybeline- $6
Benefit- $23

And the winner is... MAYBELINE!!!  Same purpose, same results, and significantly cheaper!

Until next week...

~NF~

The Gift of Motherhood

I couldn't let this weekend go by without acknowledging that this weekend, we celebrate motherhood and that is so very much what Nebo is all about!

I hope you will take time to reflect on the gift that has been given to us in Nebo... that we get to be a mom that is "present" while still working and contributing financially to our families.  In this economic season, we are a rare bunch!  Unfortunately, more and more women are forced to work because of the downfall of our economy and as you know, the thought of being away from our kids and missing so many important moments is heartbreaking to those women who don't have the same opportunity that we do!

I'm so grateful for my job for so many reasons... but most of all, it is because I get to do it from home being a mom! 

The heart of a mother is an unexplainable phenomenon.  You can't fully comprehend it until you experience it for yourself.  My Addy Grace is truly the best gift God could give me and I am SO LUCKY that He picked me to be her mama. 

So... for all you mama's out there... celebrate the gift you've been given in your children and in your job so that you can be the best mom you can be!

 

Doing the RIGHT Thing, Despite how you FEEL!

Hi Girls!

It's been a while so I thought I would share some inspirational fairy dust with you, just in case a few of you need it today!

I know many of you are on the same journey of weight loss and striving to live a healthier more active life, like I am.  It seems like I am constantly evaluating this area of my life and typically, I feel like I am failing.  Recently, I shared with you that even though the Weight Watchers incentive was my idea, I just couldn't bring myself to jump on board this time.  I've done the program successfully many times in the past but I just couldn't make myself count another point right now!  So, I made excuses.  I kept promising myself and others that I was going to do it, I was just waiting on that "thing" to click on in my mind.  All the while, continuing to gain weight and eat whatever I wanted everyday. 

A few weeks ago, I had a revelation.  This may sound extreme for some of you but stay with me.  All of you know that I am a believer and center my life around God and His principles.  The Bible talks clearly about gluttony being a sin.  I realized for the first time in my life that I had allowed myself to get to a place of sin when it came to eating.  Due to a total lack of discipline and rebellion against what I knew was right, I became a slave to food.  I know that there are many of you who cannot relate to what I'm confessing right now but I am confident that some of you can, and that's my motivation for sharing so openly.

I took a "before" picture, and it was brutal.  The realization staring me in the face of what I had let happen.  I took responsibility for it and made a decision.  A decision NOT based on a feeling (because I've realized that the feeling of WANTING to be on a diet will never come!)  I joined a 21 day program that included a strict diet of 1300 calories a day with no sugar and very little carbs.  I also attend workout classes that are so hard that I never think I will live through them, but I do and it feels awesome!  In just a few short weeks my body is changing significantly.  People are noticing, and I am noticing.  My taste buds are changing and it is affecting my family for the better. 

I had to go to the extreme opposite end of the eating spectrum in order to get this part of my life under control.  It may sound silly but I have submitted my love for food and eating in an unhealthy way to God and I am learning to depend on Him for help- even for such a seemingly "unspiritual" subject.  I think He wants the best for us, and being a slave to food and ultimately feeling guilt, shame and insecure is not God's best. 

My program is over in a few days and I am glad!  (I'm tired of feeling hungry!!!)  However, I have committed to a new way of life... to eating clean and healthy and instead of looking up fatty recpies on Pinterest (one of my obsessions!), I am going to research ways to cook clean and yummy!  I want to raise my daughter to love healthy foods and reap the benefits that come with eating the way we were created to eat!  I don't want her to struggle with her weight like I have, and I also want my husband to benefit too- not only for his own body but to give him the wife he deserves! 

I believe everything in balance and moderation is key.  I know that I personally, will always fight my love of food and honestly, I don't think loving food is a bad thing.  Only when it gets out of balance and out of your control does it become a problem. 

Maybe food isn't your issue, but something else.  Whatever your struggle is, I pray that you will see it for what it is and take ownership of it.  Submit to God and strive to be the best version of you possible! 

If you're like me, and you struggle with the food thing- check out this awesome resource.  It's called "Michi's Ladder."  http://www.teambeachbody.com/eat-smart/michis-ladder
You may have heard of it before but I'm finding it to be my new "grid" for choosing food.  Also, I recently bought Jillian Michael's workout video called 30 day shred and it is AWESOME!  It's only 20 minutes a day but it will kick your tail!  I think 20 minutes a day is totally do-able, even for you crazy Nebo women!!!

Be inspired & do something!
~Your Nebo Fairy~

Suits & Soup!

Nebo Queens!

How are you lovely, crazy-selling fools??? Now that the weather is starting to brighten up a bit, I have realized that the inevitable is coming!  I will have to wear a swimsuit sometime in the near future if I plan on being a decent mommy!  I can't neglect my girl the thrill of splashing around in the pool just because I have major swimsuit blues!  So... aside from the fact that I am on a mission to do what I have to do to feel decent in a swimsuit by our sales meeting (which is also a family vacay at the beach and pool once the meeting concludes!), I also found a website I want to share with you.  I was pleasantly surprised to find stylish swimsuits that are modest and flattering to a curvy girl like me!  The site is www.divinitasole.com  Personally, I'm a tough critic when it comes to finding a suit that is modest while trendy and not maw-maw-ish! (That was straight out of my southern special book of words!)  I plan to get one of these soon and then try it on often to remind myself that the beach is coming, wether I like it or not and I'd prefer to look better than I do now! ;)

Also, I have to share this recipe with you I got off of Pinterest for an easy and delicious baked potato soup in the crockpot.  I was overwhelmed with how good it was- and so easy!  If you use low fat or fat free cream cheese and go easy on the toppings, it's not too fattening at all!  Enjoy!

http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2009/06/baked-potato-soup-slow-cooker-style.html

That's all for now... more soon I promise!
Have a great week and let me know if you make the soup!

~Your Nebo Fairy~

Love, Addy's Birthday & Spring Trend Alert!

Happy Valentines Day Pretty Nebo Ladies!  I wanted to just stop by for a few to say how much I LOVE you girls, how much I LOVE my job, and how much I LOVE my family!  I pray that all of you feel loved in some way by someone today and if you haven't yet... here's a BIG FAIRY HUG from me!  You are loved and appreciated by me and my family every single day!

Speaking of love... last weekend, we celebrated Addy's 2nd birthday!  She had so much fun at her Minnie Mouse party... she ran non stop for 2 hours straight, with the exception of about 10 minutes she dedicated opening to her "peasants" and she would tear the paper apart and say "TA-DA!"   I had to show you guys a picture of how adorable this kid is... I'm one blessed mama!

On another note... let's talk about Spring trends!!!


The seasons are a changing!  Big colors on the horizon... peach, mint green and neon yellow!  Don't be afraid to mix a pattern with a funky color!  And don't be afraid of the COLOR!  Bright pinks and coral are huge too!  I've got my work cut out for me on so many of you girls that love boring, blah black!!!  Here is a new challenge for you... if you wear black, put on colored accessory.   My personal fave is wearing chunky turquoise jewelry with black, black & white, or random bright colors.  It pops and it's unexpected- oh so chic! ;) Or, try bold black and white prints, like polka dots and chevron stripes. (Not together of course!) :)  One last thing... pastels like lavendar, mint green, and pale pink mixed with tans and browns is oh so cool!

All of these tips are relevant for any age or shape so don't give me the "I'm too old" or "I'm too fat" excuse... I'm tired of hearing it!  It's just one more excuse to wear sweats and black everyday- BREAK THE PATTERN!  I say that with a whole lot of love, I promise! ;)

Here are some pictures to inspire you to try out my Spring suggestions...

 

Obviously, you may not feel comfortable in any of these outfits exactly, but the goal is to give you ideas.  So, I hope this has inspired you to get out of your "box" a bit this Spring, and give some of these ideas a try!  Chances are you probably already have a few things in your closet that you could put together that you may have never thought would go together... but now they do! 

I love reminding you girls of how beautiful you are and can be with just a small amount of effort and nudging from your loyal fairy!

Ta-ta for now!
~NF~

Trendy Tip of the Week!

So, I have decided per many of your requests and suggestions to start trying to post little fashion and beauty tips!  My goal will be to do one a week but don't hold me to it!  (It will depend on how many of you are winning prizes that week!) ;)

Yesterday, I was with Addy at Target and since she was in a particularly happy mood (she had fruitsnacks in hand!), I had a little extra time to browse for myself.  I stumbled upon these adorable bracelets and thought I needed to share the cheap jewelry love with my fellow Nebo sisters! 

I wanted to also show you how fun it can be to mix two different types of bracelets together. 

I started with this brown leather braided bracelet... they had these in other colors too.  It was $16.99.

 

Then, I added this cute gold bangle set with ivory beads.  They also had a variety of colors in these too.  This set was also $16.99.

So, they are both cute by themselves BUT, when you put them together....  voila!

SOOO chic!!!  Love Target!  Love cheap jewelry!  Love layering... it looks expensive and so hip!

So, if you love it as much as I do, take a Target gift card or $34 of your hard earned money and go get yourself a fun set to wear!!!  Although... a few of you are not lacking for jewelry as of last week! ;)

Have a great week girls!
~NF~