war paint

"I remember feeling really old when I turned 40.  Even older than I do now."

                                                                            -My 96 year old Grandmother
                                                                             in response to asking her if I look old

What a relief.  I'm not 40 quite yet, but in the words of Sally Albright, "It's out there..."  And I'm not taking the physical part of aging so well, so it's good to know that I may be eventually feeling young again.  I have a feeling it's all just a state of mind...  But, just in case, my nights end like this - full up war paint. 

 

And my weaponry looks like this.

A few product notes:

• Yes to Blueberries line really seems to help...I was out of it for a few weeks and you could've thrown a party in a certain wrinkle it was getting so deep
• BOOTS Botanics Facial Oil has that familiar relaxing spa scent and anything with a dropper feels so scientific, if must work.  In reality, it does moisturize without breaking out.
• Neutrogena Naturals Acne Spot Treatment takes a little longer to kick in than say my 16yr old Clearasil, but it gets to down to business after about several applications. 
• SKII - A little splash here and there can't hurt

Happy Friday, besties!

Fresh Flavor, Friends & Fun

My friend made this amazingly fresh and flavorful salad over the weekend.

The best part is that all the flavor comes directly from the fresh ingredients and there is no oil or any sort of dressing.

I think it was equal parts chopped ingredients (pretty much what you see):

Avocado, Tomatoes (strained), Mango, White Onion, Cilantro

The salad accompanied a meal of grilled pork chops and grilled vegetables.  My other friend grilled the vegetables to just the right amount of crisp in this must have vegetable grilling basket.

Weber Style Professional GradeVegetable Basket

Perfect Father's Day Gift for the bbq lover, might I add.

Lovely weekend spent with lovely friends, fresh food, and happy kids.

Here's to kicking off the summer season (even if a little bit early).

Out with the nude, in with the bold

You know when you see a photo of a friend and it just makes you smile to see their happy beautiful face?  

And then you do a double take and think, for sure she's changed something.  

In this case, with a photo of my fellow blog contributor, fwb, AND one of my dear besties, I thought both.

She definitely looks happy and she definitely changed her make-up, specifically her gorgeous pop of lip color.

If there is anyone who can pull off a bold red, it's her.

Going bold?  Go red!

Nars in Jungle Red

shade reco via thedaybook

She has also been spotted sporting this perky pink!

Revlon Persian Melon

Still need more votes to get into the Top 25 Mom Beauty and Fasion blog list!  

If you like G&B, head on over and vote via the button to the upper right.

"Just Because You're Married Doesn't Mean You Can't Dance!"

So who is this random girl on Goodies and Besties? Don't worry followers, I have permission from Bestie herself!

How true is this quote? I doubt that the "young man" who gifted us with this gem knew that it would soon become our mantra.

One thing that I love about girls weekends with my besties is seeing all of us with looks of pure joy on our faces...even while babies are tucked safely in their beds at home with their Daddy's (or in my case...a husband enjoying a night of scotch tasting with the boys) we are young girls again...turning heads and being asked to dance on benches. What I love the most about my besties is that they put themselves on the list...you know what I mean girls...everyone else comes first but us...but my girls know that when it's a girls weekend you have your hands in the air and the cameras out! There isn't one thing wrong with giving yourself a few days to sleep in, get a massage, have a mimosa (or two) in the middle of the day, and shake it for a few hours at a local hot spot.

Now...on to the real reason I am here...the fashion! Sometimes a girls weekend includes a little shopping and in our case that meant Michigan Avenue. We of course hit the high end stores, but I personally love Forever 21. It is perfect for a little "retail therapy" that, because of the low price tag, usually doesn't make a blip on the hubby radar.

Check me out in my girl's weekend purchase...an $18 cardi from Forever 21! Throw it on with J Brand jeans, boots from DSW, a simple black t-shirt, maybe throw in a belt and you are ready for date night with the hubby (hey...hubby's need love too). So girlfriends, put "Firework" by Katy Perry on repeat and rest up for your next dance!