Favorite Things Party- Beauty Edition

People keep asking me how the transition is going to living in Santa Clara.  It's going great!  Our ward at church here is really well connected, and within the first week I came, I was on 2 email lists for playgroups and had a soccer and music class lined up for Tatum.  It's kind of a dream. One girl just threw a "Favorite Things" party- beauty edition.  So everyone brought a beauty item (hair, make up, exercise, anything!) to exchange, white elephant style, and talk about with the group.  I took notes, and wanted to highlight a few things for my sisters anyway, so I thought I'd just post it up here instead of an email.  Here we go:

The Wetbrush- I got mine at TJ Maxx, but lots of girls just buy them on Amazon for about $9. I can attest that it IS the best brush, it doesn't ever hurt and it gets out tangles on the first run through.  A mom and kid's dream.

Beauty Blender- again TJ Maxx for a little cheaper, i think they're around $6 but I don't know for sure.  This is what I took home and it really does blend far better than my (fairly good quality) brushes. Especially under the eyes!  I also got Smashbox "Photo Finish" gel to apply before foundation.  I can sort of tell a difference when I use it, but not too much and I like to have less steps in the morning... so this may be a pass for me.

Touch n' Brow- I felt like the only girl there who doesn't use these regularly!  Available at Sally's, people use them above the brow, forehead, cheeks, chin, on their "mustaches," knees before church, and even in noses-- though I've been warned to be careful because they will nick you there! Also called the "Tinkle Eyebrow Razor" on Amazon for $5 for a 3 set.

Trish McEvoy Mascara- The girl who brought this said it's changed her lash life... she buys them 3 for the price of 2 (normally $30 each) at the Nordstrom half yearly sale.  Apparently it puts "tubes" of mascara on your lashes that don't smear but then come off great with water.  I'm perfectly happy with my Loreal Voluminous for $7, so I'm not going to try this.

Ruby Blue Deep Red lipstick by Mac.  This is THE red.  The girl who brought it was really pretty, so I'm going to believe her.  Also, for a nude lipstick, "Flesh Pot" by mac.  Too expensive, but now I'm getting the name of it off my notecard and into the internet, so if I ever change my mind and want to spend $27 on lipstick, I'll have it!

"It's a 10"- leave in conditioner in a royal blue bottle is supposed to be the best, sold at Target.

Argan Oil of Morocco- The 2 girls with the prettiest hair at the party both use this.  And its just $6/bottle.  I actually opened this as my first gift, but it was stolen pretty fast!  This shampoo/conditioner set smells good, seems better than the Dove I'm currently using.  But I do have my eye on the Kirkland Signature brand shampoo when my current stuff runs out.  Now I'm thinking about Argan Oil instead...

Nivea Lip Balm- Vanilla and Macademia flavor.  The girl who brought this passed around the used one in her purse so we could all try it out.  It was really great.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for it next time I'm in Walgreens.

I brought the Anastasia brow duality pencil-- it highlights under your brow, emphasizing the arch, and has a shimmery side too which I sometimes use as eyeshadow.  If I knew the brow color of the recipient of my gift, I would have brought Anastasia's Brow Dip, which is kind of a pomade, so it holds your brows in place AND gives them color.  You apply with a brush, and as long as you have the right color it looks really natural and gives your arch a defined shape.

I usually feel pretty out of the beauty world, but going to this party made me realize that the girls who are "in" actually work at staying up on it.  I guess like anything.  They don't just automatically know it... they ask friends, take a look at what's new when they pass the counters at the mall, follow blogs/IG accounts, and basically they try.

T has been singing her way through nap time today, so I think I'll go get her!

General Update

Things are going well here in Santa Clara.  We feel so so blessed to be in a house, where we use and love our garage and backyard.  Like I said before, the place is old but it is perfect for us.  We had our first friends over last week and it felt good to host again!

We took a little trip to Yosemite to get in touch with nature.  It felt reallllly good to be camping and living in the land.  We took some great hikes, had some great picnics, and swam in some really great places.  We also rode bikes through the valley which was a highlight for all.  Tatum became a "Junior Ranger" through the parks program, and just loved every part of camping.  She loves "being together with all my family" so camping and even sleeping together was really amazing for her.

(Ive tried to upload photos several times to no avail, so I'll be posting this blog sans photos.  The pictures of Yosemite are really fun, so maybe I'll work on it more later...)

I am getting involved with the moms in my area, and keeping busy exploring new parks and things to do with the girls.  I find it really interesting that we have chosen the two most expensive and diverse areas in America to live.  Tonight at the park, Tatum was the only caucasian and I overheard the other kids asking each other where they were born and what languages they speak.  Such an amazing world!  We are grateful and excited for our girls to be in an area where people are different from them and gain a world view.  

Tatum earns pom poms for good behavior and her jar is almost full!  She is practicing listening and becoming more independent through this jar program.  For the first time ever, she is getting dressed on her own and making her bed without being asked.  She loves smoothies as much as I do, so when she begs nicely every morning I can't help but comply ;)

Sharing a car has proven difficult a few times now, but we are grateful to have a car at all!  But a double stroller would be realllly great so I don't have to wear Chloe and push T when we walk long distances together when we have errands and events to do while Scott has the car.  Tatum is a really good walker, but there were about 5 times last week alone when I would have used a double stroller if I'd had one.  That list of items to buy once we have a paycheck is reallllly growing!  One day we will get the lawn chairs out of our front room too!

We just got home last night from a fun week in Bellingham and Seattle!  We so look forward to our times in Bellingham where T learns SO MUCH from following Jake and Autumn around.  Not to mention the fun Noelle and I have together!  After our time there, we drove down to Seattle to celebrate my parents' 60th birthdays.  It was a big hit and fun to have a change of pace.  Every time we come back to our house here in California it feels more and more like home.

More blogging and photos next time!