H2O4K9 Water Bottle

I picked up one of these H2O4K9 water bottles today at the All About Pets Show in Toronto.  It's stainless steel, which I prefer to aluminum because aluminum does leech into the water.  The stainless steel is very thin, which keeps the bottle as light as possible.  It has a wide enough neck that you can put ice into the water on really hot days.  The lid is a screw cap with a silicone gasket, and it turns into a small water bowl for the dog.  I wish they made a bigger size so I could use it for two big dogs.  I do appreciate how it's just a bottle with a cap that doubles with a bowl.  This is such a superior design to anything else I've seen on the market.  No need to fuss around with a collapsable bowl, etc.  Just pour the water into the cap, and let them drink.  Then pour left overs back into bottle, tigten cap, and it can go back into your backpack.  No fuss, no mess.

We used it today on our dog park adventure, and we give it an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up.

So if you have a pooch of your own, or if you are looking for a gift for someone with a pooch, this is a must have accessory as we move into the hot summer months!

A New Normal- Our Daily Bread

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. —Romans 6:4


"After my doctor announced that I had cancer, I tried to listen to what he said, but I couldn’t. I went home, pulled a blanket over my head, and fell asleep on the couch, as if sleeping could change the diagnosis.

When I finally gained enough strength to tell my loved ones, my friend Judy Schreur said something especially memorable. After expressing her sympathy, she said, “This is what will happen. You will feel really bad for 3 days. Then you will get up, figure out what you have to do, and get on with your life.” Then she added, “I think it has to do with death, burial, and resurrection.”



At the time, I didn’t believe it. I was sure that life as I knew it was over. Nothing would ever be the same. I couldn’t imagine feeling normal again. But she was right. Three days later I woke up and realized I didn’t feel quite so bad. And little by little, despite the physical misery of chemotherapy treatments, my emotional and spiritual condition improved significantly. I “died” to my old reality and was “raised” to a new normal.



Thankfully, God is in the business of resurrection. For those who have died in Christ, the death of one reality means resurrection to a new, glorious normal so that we can “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4)."
 — Julie Ackerman



"Jesus redeemed us and died in our stead;

In Him we died and rose from the dead.

No longer is death a thing that we dread;

The old is behind us, the new is ahead." —D. De Haan



"To be “in Christ” is to share in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection."





*Changes your perspective on the death, burial and resurrection; doesn't it? Lol, be blessed and remember Jesus died so we may live.

New To Makeup Series: Makeup Brushes - Face

I love makeup brushes, and I have a lot of them.  Good makeup brushes made a HUGE difference to the quality of my makeup application.  I do rcommend that you invest in good makeup brushes, they are worth the extra price tag.  And if you take care of them, they will last you a long time.  Check out my brush cleaning tutorial. 

I recommend that you buy makeup brushes one at a time, instead of all at once.  Choose brushes based on what you need.  For example, summer is on its way and you got a bronzer, and now you need a good brush to apply it.  Don't just buy brushes because someone else loves them, or because they're limited edition, or because you're at the makeup counter, and the makeup artist told you they love that brush.  My best brush purchases were researched ahead of time and/or planned way in advance.

The following is a review of face brushes I recommend.  For each category, the order of the brushes is my order of preference.  I have all of these brushes, and have used them all for at least 1 year - which is the last time I bought a makeup brush.  For several reasons, most of the brushes I use daily are MAC brushes.  MAC brushes are good quality (you get what you paid for), MAC stands behind their products (I have exchanged a faulty brush once), and there are MAC counters everywhere.  Also, I learned a lot about makeup application from youtube gurus and fellow bloggers, and they all use MAC brushes.  I found that having the same brushes made it easier to replicate the looks. 

Although I think the brushes mentioned below are good quality, and recommend them to you, I realize that they are quite expensive.  There are cheaper alternatives out there that are similar in shape and performance.  I recommend the Sonia Kashuk line of brushes - good quality at much more affordable prices.  If you are vegan and want synthetic alternatives, check out Lumiere Cosmetics. 

Regarding Sigma brushes:
I know that Sigma Makeup makes a whole series MAC 'dupes'. I have not tried these brushes, and I have heard mixed reviews, so I am reluctant to recommend Sigma brushes to you.

A note about MAC brush numbering:
MAC brushes are numbered, which I found really confusing when I started.  I have not found much pattern in the numbering system, other than face brushes are numbered in the 100s, eye brushes are 200s, and lip brushes are 300s.

ALL OVER BRUSHES

If you are a mineral makeup wearer like me, then a kabuki (such as the MAC 182) is a must.  It is the best way I found to apply minerals.  It's also great for blending out blush when I go overboard with application.  The only other all over face brush that I use regularly is the MAC 134, which is BRILLIANT for applying bronzer or loose powder.

BLUSH BRUSHES

The MAC 168 is a dense and super soft brush, and is great for applying blush, especially if the blush is very sheer.  I must warn you that if the blush is very pigmented, the 168 is likely to cause a clown effect.  It is also a great brush for contouring.  If I was to live with only one blush brush, I would choose the 168.  If I want a lighter dusting of blush, I reach for the MAC 129.  It's bigger, fluffier, and blends the blush more as it applies.  Also in the blush lineup is the MAC 109.  This brush is almost like a mini kabuki, dense and flat.  It gives a more precise application, but blending is more work.  It also sheds more than all of my other brushes combined.  The 109 only made the list because so many people love it that you will be tempted to buy it.  I would skip this one in lieu of the 168.

STIPPLNG BRUSHES (A.K.A. SKUNK BRUSHES, A.K.A. DUO FIBRE BRUSH)

A good skunk brush is a great tool for applying highlighter and pigmented blush.  They're great for cream blushes and foundation as well.  These brushes are great because they cover a large area with a   MAC makes two skunk brushes, the MAC 187 and the MAC 188.  The 187 is larger than the 188.  If you plan to use your skunk brush for foundation as well as blush, then the 187 is the way to go.  However, if you want more precision and plan to use it for applying blush and highlighter, then go with the 188.

CONCEALER BRUSHES

I primarily use concealer for under-eye circles.  I mostly use the MAC 224 (intended as an eye blender brush) as an under-eye concealer brush.  I dab the concealer onto my skin with my ring finger and then blend with the 224.  For the occasional blemish, I like the MAC 195.  Unlike most concealer brushes I've tried, it has a sharper tip (not just wide and oval), so it's more precise.

FOUNDATION BRUSHES

I am not a frequent liquid/cream foundation wearer.  When I do wear liquid foundation, I like to apply it with my fingers or with a damp sponge.  However, I have successfully applied foundation with the MAC 187 and MAC 109 - both are decent.

Check out the scoop on eye brushes in the next post in this series. 

What are your favorite brushes? 

Good Friday ...

I know, I know.  Two posts in one day?  Absolute CRAZINESS.  But, I received this today and had to include it on my blog on this Good Friday.  I know I've gone all preachy on y'all several times this week, but I can't underemphasize how much this day means.  Be warned, it's a bit graphic.  And may require tissues.  So one LAST time for the week, Happy Easter everyone!!!

Favorite Fridays and a WINNNNNERRR!!!

That's right.  It's time for ...

Over at A Girl in Pearls & A Boy With Toys!  And today's Favorite Friday topic IS ...

Favorite Celebrity Couple (that are still together), and MINE is Heidi Klum and Seal!!!

I mean, are you freakin' kidding me with how cute they are!?!?  I totally heart them.  Plus I've loved Seal since I was about 12 years old, so that adds some major bonus points to their celebrity couple appeal.  However, I do think Heidi needs to ease up on the whole "looking perfect 5 minutes after she's popped out a kid" bidness.  Seriously Heidi, you're making the rest of us look REALLY bad!!!  For the love of all pregnant women, eat a LITTLE more ice cream and pizza after you have those kids and don't put on your VS angel wings for AT LEAST 6 months.  6 weeks is just down. right. wrong.  But amazing at the same time.

Onto my next topic, Katie over at This is Katie gave me this sweet award ...

As did Maria Lane over at Two Hearts Made Four!!!  Thanks girls for making my day!!!  You're TOOOOO schweet!!!

And ONTO the winner of my giveaway!!!  The next girl to recieve a lovely name frame like the one below ...

IS ...

{Don't fret if you don't see your name, there are more on the back}

{Pardon the crappy iPhone pics ...}

Emily over at Cream Colored Ponies and Crisp Rhubarb Strudels!!!  Emily, email me your address and whether you prefer the brown with sepia letters like mine above or the black frame with black and white letters.  Congrats sweet girl!!!

And last, but certainly not least, let's all remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross on this day, Good Friday.  Hanging on the cross and laying down his life for our sins.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

~John 15:13

I hope you all have a blessed Easter that is full of time with family and friends.  Happy Easter!!!

At the Movies: The Bounty Hunter

My little sis and I went to see The Bounty Hunter tonight.  Now, when reading this review, keep in mind that both my sister and I are big fans of chick flicks - though I fully admit that not all chick flicks were created equal.  This particular chick flick is about a bounty hunter, who is assigned to pick up his ex-wife.  Simple story, but with definite potential for a funny movie.  Kind of a rehash of Serving Sara, but that's ok, because I enjoyed that movie.

The Bounty Hunter did not thrill me to the point where I am ready to purchase a DVD, but I did enjoy it.  The major negative for me was the chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler - there was none.  Their love/hate relationship was not believable, which really took away from the story, and made that ever-so-sweet-kiss-we've-been-waiting-for-at-the-end-of-the-movie fall flat. Which is sad, considering it involved Gerard Butler. YUM.

Having said that, I still enjoyed the movie, primarily because of the writing.  It was HILARIOUS.  Both my sister and I had some good laughs throughout the show.  And although Aniston and Butler lacked chemistry, they made up for it with great comedic timing.  Furthermore, the supporting cast really carried the movie, as they were weaved through several funny subplots.

In short, this movie is not an Oscar contender.  But it's good for a laugh.  I had fun.

Thoughtless Thursday!

HEWWO loves!!!  Happy April Fools Day!!!  No, I'm not going to play any tricks (or treats) on you.  I don't know about y'all but I'm SUPER de DUPER pumped that it's Thursday (almost Friday is all that means)!!!  Seriously, that's a lot of exclamation marks for this early in the morning ... SO, let's move right along.  It's time for ...

 

And SINCE, on this Thoughtless Thursday I'm getting my ever-so-skunkish roots taken care of (thank the Lord) I thought I'd post some pictures of the year I went completely and 100% psychotically crazy brown.  You see, my hair is naturally dishwater blonde/mousy brown darker than it really is.  I know.  You're shocked.  The Mister is a blonde fan man, but was all for me trying something new.  However, I'm pretty sure he's secretly elated, ecstatically happy a bit happier with the blonde I'm currently sportin'. 

{With my MOH in Chicago for a friend's wedding}

{With the Mister on the train to our friend's wedding, the brown was starting to fade at this point}

{You can't really even see the browness of my hair here, I just like this picture}

{On Christmas Day at my momma's house}

{Christmas Day at our house.  Is it bad I have no idea what year this is?}

{At dinner for my broster's birfday}

{At our friend's, the Conlon's, annual Christmas party with some of my favorite girls.  BEST. PARTY. EVER.  Except they put Everclear in the margaritas.  Which can be a great thing, but turn into a not so great thing REAL quick ...}

{Me and my MOH at the Conlon Christmas party}

{At my Mister and broster's conjoined birfday party.  Their birfdays are within a week of each other}

{Right before a friend's wedding where my head looks GINORMOUS}

{ANOTHER birfday party for my Mister.  We celebrated RIGHT this year!}

{Some of my favorite girls at all of our Mister's birfday party, they all 3 have birfdays in late March}

{At MY birfday with my bouquet of my FAVORITE flowers, Stargazer Lillies}

And that's all for Thoughtless Thursday loverlies!!!  If you want to play, grab my button, post random pictures from WHENEVER you want, explain (or not) and McDreamy (Linky) up!!!  And don't FORGET, the giveaway ends tonight at 10pm, just a WITTLE more time to enter!!!