The Hunt for the Perfect Mascara - Round 2 Drugstore Edition

Last month I shared with you my quest for the perfect mascara.  In that post I reviewed several mascaras that can be found at places like Sephora.  This time I wanted to review some "drugstore" mascaras.  First up is Maybelline's Mega Plush Volum' Express. 

Maybelline Volum' Express Volum' Express The Mega Plush Washable Mascara Very Black

I really loved this one at first.  It lengthened, gave me the volume I wanted, didn't clump and really did wonders for my lashes.  And of course I love the price (under $10 and I always have a coupon).  However after a couple of weeks of use, the brush started to flake off on under my eyes when I applied the mascara.  It definitely worked really well at first but then after a few weeks, I wasn't happy with the results.  Definitely not my favorite Maybelline mascara.  

Next up is CoverGirl's LashBlast Volume Mascara.  

Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Mascara

I'm a big fan of this mascara.  It did everything I wanted and was a fantastic price (and I always have a coupon).  It lengthened without clumping, gave me natural looking volume, lasted all day and never flaked off under my eyes.  I've been using it for almost a month now and have no complaints.  So far this is definitely my favorite mascara...I'm still going to hunt for others but this is going to be a tough one to beat.   

Ella is EIGHT Months!!!

Eight months old.  Time is FLYING by!  Ella is so much fun.  She's super smiley, moving and grooving and all around a very happy baby.

Baby Wipes & Accessories

Kids Bath Accessories

We've put a lot of Ella's baby gear away and are moving into the next step of stuff.  She's not quite stable enough to be in the big tub without any support so we blew up the Munchkin duck tub.  It's the perfect amount of space for her.  She can move and splash around but we don't get to worried about her falling over.  Now that she's reaching and grabbing more, we put a cover on the spout.  I like the Skip Hop whale.  It was easy to put on and it doesn't interfere if you need to lift the one thing to shower.  Ella absolutely LOVES this Munchkin ball during bathtime.  It's the most simple thing.  There's a "rattle" in it to make noise and if you fill it up with water and lift it up it "rains" down.  

We've transitioned her out of the newborn car seat (Chico KeyFit 30 - highly recommend) and into the convertible car seat (Britax Marathon).  There's more space so its easier for me to get her in and out and she seems to be more comfortable.  With the new car seat meant no more Snap and Go so we use two strollers now - First Years Ignite umbrella stroller (for the day-to-day daycare drop off/pick up) and BOB running stroller (walks outside and eventually runs once it warms up).

On the toy front you are probably wondering why I put a walking toy on here.  What I love about this V-Tech Sit to Stand is the gadgets and gizmos on the front come off and Ella can play with it n the floor.  She loves it.  I think I know all the songs and phrases by heart she plays with it so much.  Two little toys she loves were Christmas gifts - a small wooden, circular rattle thing (fits in her hands easily and she loves to chew on it) and sensory balls (again fit in her hand and she can make sounds).  With all these toys and it being prime germ season, I wipe everything down regularly/daily with Dapple wipes.

Happy Valentine's Day....

...from my adorable Valentine.  :)

Pinterest Wednesday: Getting Fit

I'm very proud to say that I've been keeping up with my New Years resolution of getting fit.  I haven't been at the gym as much as I would like because of many illness plaguing the house.  I can say that I've gone at least twice a week since the beginning of the year.  One new workout that I've been loving came from Lauren Conrad via Pinterest. 

This calorie blast workout is great for a quick 30 minute session and can be done pretty much anywhere.  I did this after a mile on the treadmill and followed with an ab workout (remember I'm trying to get rid of the baby belly).  She has another 20x3 workout that I'm going to try next week.  What are some of your favorite workouts?

Favorite Thing #232 - Hunter Wellies

Hunter 'Original Tall' Gloss Rain Boot (Women)

I'm such a big fan of a good pair of wellies so I had to make Favorite Thing #232 my Hunter Wellies.  I get a ton of use of them in the winter time because I use the sock insert.  Hunter is by far my favorite brand.  Before I got these, I owned a pair from J.Crew and Lands End and neither fit well or were comfortable.  I should have just bit the bullet and spent the money on the Hunters originally.  They are definitely worth the price.  I wear them for work (on casual day) or play.  Here are few outfits. 

Sweater: H and M (similar here)

Pants: J.Crew Pixie

Sweater: Coldwater Creek (similar here)

Tunic: GAP

Pants: J.Crew Pixie

Valentine Gift Ideas from Stella and Dot

I'm a BIG fan of Stella and Dot jewelry and they have an amazing spring line right now perfect for Valentine's Day gifts.  So if you are trying to give your special someone some hints or looking to buy something for your daughter, mother, sister or you simply want to treat yourself than definitely take a look at the Stella and Dot spring line.  They have small treats or big splurges that are perfect for any outfit.  My friend Kim, a senior Stella and Dot stylist, is hosting a special Valentine's Day special.   Anyone who makes a purchases (via this link) will be entered to win ALL the hostess style rewards generated from this special event.  That's currently $70 in FREE jewelry credits!!!!  Want to send a some special "hints" to your special someone, she will be Cupid's little helper so feel free to contact her if you want your wishlist sent to someone special.  All orders ship directly to you in 3-4 days.  They come in adorable gift boxes but be sure to order by 2/6 at noon EST if you want to guarantee it gets here by Valentine's Day.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from the spring line - 

The bangles are just to die for and a great price.  The small Julep bangles are only $19/each.  Perfect to wear on their own or mixed and matched.  

Emerald is this season's color and the Jolie necklace is perfect way to sport it.  I can't wait to get my hands on this one.  

I love that they have expanded the soiree studs into colors.  Now available in turquoise and coral.  And again a great price at $24.

LOVE this bracelet.  Classic, will go with anything and I love that you could wear it on its own or stack with a bunch of other bracelets.  I also love that the name is the Christina Link Bracelet.  :)

Taking My Life Fully Electronic...

Our house is full of electronics - iPods, iPhones and iPads - and we use them but I don't think I fully take advantage of the wonderful technology.  Recently I was given an iPad mini and I've debated on what to do with it.  I keep thinking that I need to take my life fully digital...it will help manage our schedules, my to do list, emails, the blog, etc.  I've debated returning the iPad mini for an iPad mini 3G and really take the full digital plunge.  I'm sure a lot of people say...why wouldn't you...what's holding you back?  Well, I'm obsessed with paper...writing things down, jotting down every thought and activity.  I know I could probably simplify my life with a few apps so I need your help.  Please share your helpful tips on how to do it.  Whether it's apps, short cuts or ways to condense, I'm all ears!!!  Here's a list of the things I'd like to be able to do if I go fully digital.

 

1.  Manage my personal calendar, work calendar, husband's calendar and daughters calendar ALL IN ONE
2.  Keep my to do list and have it easily accessible
3.  Have a blogging "file" where I can start blog posts, write down ideas, etc.
4.  It has to be simple.  It's so easy for me to pull out my notebook and write something down.
5.  A place to jot random things down...make packing lists, gift buying lists, thank you lists, etc.

Right now to keep my life organized, I carry around my Erin Condren planner (which I love), an Erin Condren notebook for lists, my iPhone and my work blackberry.  If I could narrow it down to an iPad mini, iPhone and work phone I'd be ecstatic.

So please...help me go from this...

 
to this!!!