Help! I am under the influence!

Help! I am under the influence! I know, but before you judge me, you might want to check and see if you are to! No, I am not talking about being under the influence like Charlie Sheen. I blogged the other day about the effect that Gwyneth Paltrow has on stiletto sales after she appears in public wearing them. Which Made me start to think -what influences me? Well that just made me giggle.. Do any of you recognize any of the following jingles?

1. "There GRRRRREAT!"

2.. "Your soaking in it!"

3. "I can't seem to forget you"

4. "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan,

and never let you forget that your a man, because

I'm a woman"

5. "10 million strong and growing"

6. "sometimes you need a little Finesse! Sometimes

you need a lot!"

7. "Calgon, take me away!"

8. "Your not fully dressed, until you Caress"

See what I am talking about! I bet you recognized and could name almost all of the above slogans.

(here are the answers just in case you forgot the name of one of the products: 1)Frosted Flakes, 2) Palmolive dish washing detergent. 3) Windsong, 4) Enjoli perfume, 5) Flinstone Vitamins, 6) Finesse shampoo and conditioner 7) Calgon bath salts, 8) Caress bath soap )

I also realized that not only do advertisement jingles stick but looking back over my past styles: The Dorothy Hamill haircut, the princess Dianna haircut, the Meg Ryan hairstyle that stick out everywhere (ugh!), the big hair and mile high bangs!

How about the Banana Clips -that I had to have in multiple colors, the shoulder pads, the side ponytail Yes, I am hanging my head in sham! Then of course, I could not forget that I had to have jeans by Gloria Vanderbilt, Zena jeans, Jordache, and Calvin Klein! Below is a commercial for Calvin Klein jeans that stars Brooke Shields -no wonder at age 13/14 I thought I had to have a pair!

I think I was very easily influenced by the TV and media. I think I am still influenced to a degree by them but hopefully not as much. I am also influenced by good friends, music, books that I read, and where I let thoughts hang out. I think my friends, and my husband influences me the most along with my belief system. Going to church regularly impacts me a bunch as well!

So are you easily influenced? What are you influenced by? Has those things that influenced you, changed with time??

Lemi Shine!

Are you tired of white spots on your plastic ware when they should have come out CLEAN from the dishwasher? If so you would enjoy reading my post called "Sick of white residue on dishes" in this post I explain that I had just learned of this wonderful product called Lemi Shine (that could be bought online, at Walmarts, and Targets). I was not paid nor was I endorsed in praising this company fine product. Well low and behold Lemi Shine contacted me and sent me some samples! (see below as I open my box of goodies!)

So I quickly, took out the correct number of samples to give all you wonderful bloggers who had commented on that post (Baloney,Momof4kids,Beth,Summer, and 6 happy hearts). I will be putting your free samples in the mail tomorrow!!! (let me know when you receive yours!) I then took the extras (3) up to the school and handed them out and told these individual about how great this product is, and how very generously the company had sent me out some free samples to hand out and share with others!! (see below a teacher assistant at the school, and one of my good friend who lives a 2 blocks over from me who has been struggling with the same thing! You really have to read my older post to understand why this has become a Big problem!)

What a great company! and a great product!! Hope you all have a great week, and that your dishes are spot free!

Sky high stilettos!

Did you happen to catch Gwyneth Paltrow last week on the 53rd Annual Grammy show? Well if you didn't you missed an amazing performance! No, I am not talking about her signing performance with Cee Lo Green "Forget you". I am talking about that she walked down stairs

and sung and danced on a grand piano while wearing these 6 inch stilettos! (here are some like the pair she wore but hers were color blocked)

In Britain the retailers called an increase of stilettos sales by 35% after Gwyneth wore her signature stilettos on the red carpet, the "Gwyneth effect". Which made me laugh, then made me start to think 1) I really should start to do the "Crunch Stiletto" workout if I want to try to sport me a pair of super high, sexy high heels. 2) Why do I love high heels so much? 3) What am I influenced by? Hum... that made me think, more than I probably want to admit. (I think that might be a fun post for later this week_)

So do like to wear high heels? Even if not every day, do you like to pull out a pair to put on when you are going on with a girl's night out (or what I now call Mom's Night out) or for a date with your husband? How high are you comfortable with your heels being? Do you like a certain style or brand of heels?? Pictured below is a photo of a pair of my heels and a friends high heels the night we went out for a Mom's night out this last summer! (My friend is wearing a Jessica Simpson red patent stacked heel, I am wearing a Old Navy wedge -with beading on the side of the heel, sorry I could not find a picture that showed the beading off)

I admit high heels not only align my posture (you can't slouch and keep your balance in high heels!) it also makes your calves look more shapely, and there is something exciting being able to see the world from a little higher view! I think the toe painted in a cute sexy color, peeking out get you in the mood to flirt with your husband! I prefer the stacked high heel or a wedge. However I do have a sexy pair of black chunkier stilettos for a night out with my husband. I feel most comfortable with a 3 inch heel. What's your favorite?

Get me out of here!!!

Are you in a time warp? Have you had your hairstyle in the same "do" for ten or more years? Have you quickly, (since you have no "me" time as a mom) done your eye make-up the same way for YEARS. Since it's quick and we know what we are doing, and the object of the game is to look good quick, so we can get back to the kiddos? Well If you had to pause and think about any of your answers You Need a make-over!!! (or if you quickly shouted YES!)

No, I am not offering to have you come to my house, or send you to OPRAH for a makeover. However, I have discovered the very best next thing. That's right boys and girls the magic of youtube!! Wow! I am in love with youtube. There are so many "How to" videos out there.
My favorite make-up one is by a lovely lady name Selby, she has a blog called Selby's Beauty Blog but you can also find her videos on youtube by searching for Magicgrl111. Selby shows all kinds of techniques for applying your eye shadow (in all different ways), to grooming your eyebrows, and applying your foundation.
I also like watching the youtube video's for new hair techniques Like this one for BeforeandAfterTV that shows you how to curl your hair with a flat iron.
So if you have had one look for WAY TO LONG! Girl just watch some videos and give a new look a try!!

As I am losing weight, and making positive changes in my life. I decided I needed to take a closer look at how I make-up me! So I have decided to try one new way of "doing" my hair once a week. I went and purchased a Foundation Brush (LOVE IT!!_) I honestly wish I would had known about that brush a long time ago! I am trying to show a little TLC to myself, as the new (or old me- depending on how you look at it_) is trying to re-emerge.

Have you found a wonderful Beauty Blog or Youtube Diva that you like to get tips from? IF so please share and let me know who I should be watching to! Happy Tuesday!

Well I am down 21 pounds so far!!!! Yeah!! Let me hear a Cheer! I am very excited to see the numbers on the scale going down! It is a little discouraging that I have lost 21 pounds and it is just now "Starting" to be a little visible to the eye. However I am trying to be positive focusing on these things:

1. The number on the scale is going down! not up!

2. I don't get so winded during my exercise routine until 1/2 way through (YEAH!_)

3. There does feel like there is less of me in the stomach area when I bend over and stretch, and do things like tie my shoes.

4. I am not as sore as I was when I started out exercising. (by no means, am I ready to run a marathon, but better getting into better shape I am._)

5. I have consistently worked out 6 out of 7 days the last 4 weeks!!!

Some people have asked what I am taking. I am taking a prescription called Phentermine at the strength of 37.5mg a day. This helps with appetite suppression, but does not make good choices for me, or work out for me, nor does it help in keeping track on my calories for the day. That is all me. However it is nice to be doing all this with out feeling like I am just STARVING! I do get hungry at meal times, but when I eat the appropriate amount I am full.

What! You are not just like me?? What does your snow days look like?

What do your snow days look like? Do you keep your kids, and family routine on "school schedule" or do you throw your hands up in the air and yell "Woo Hoo! Snow Day!" with the kids?

I laughed, and laughed very hard yesterday while I was talking to a new friend on the phone. Oklahoma has been hit with record breaking snow fall this last year, and my kids have been out of school since last Tuesday. (yep! you heard me right) our towns are not used to having or dealing with 2 feet of snow. It is definitely slow going around here. With that in mind I was speaking with a new friend I have made (another mother of a child in my second daughters class) and we were talking about enjoying our snow days. This new friend told me that they are still on "school schedules" they get up at 7:00 am and have a bed time, still working on multiplication tables, practicing their sports etc.. Now I am by no means, looking down my nose at this person, nor am I riddled with guilt that my snow days does not resemble hers.

I just find it fascinating that we can all be so different!! I do not not think one way is better than the other way, it just recognizing and laughing what amazing creatures we are and how different we can react to the same situations!! (This mom is amazing she is raising boys to be grown men who are responsible, can face any situation - my hat is off to her!!) It is just so polar opposite as to how I do snow days.

My snow days resemble No alarm clocks, everybody wearing PJ's or yoga pants, sleeping in, staying up late, popcorn, late night chic flicks with my girls, family game nights! It is just different than some people. No right, no wrong, no judgement, What does your snow days look like?

sick of white residue on dishes? me to!

White residue clung to my glassware, and plastic ware. No matter how many times I ran them through the dishwasher!! I found this very frustrating and wanted to kick my dishwasher right out of the house! My hubby (bless his heart! Knew logically there had to be a reason as to "why" this had started and a "how" to fix this concern of mine.) So he logically googled this problem for me. (Why! Oh, why did I not think of that?)

What I learned was that many of the dish detergent I, had been using for years had changed their formula to remove Phosphates. If you live in an area that has hard water this can be an issue for you! (Who knew I lived in an area with hard water since this had been an additive to my products for years!)

So the solution was this amazing product called "Lemi Shine" you can find it on line, at Walmart and other distributors. (I have received no compensation for this endorsement) I just wanted to let others know of this solution, if you to have been hitting your head against your kitchen counter asking "why? is this white residue happening to me?" Well, now you can stop hitting your head, and rewashing, and rewashing your plastic dishware!!

This is a Wonderful product you just add it to your dishwasher when you are adding your detergent and it makes everything residue free! YES!!!! It really works!!

sleet, snow, and ice oh, my!!

Well when the temperature drops it is time for all those warm yummy drinks!!

Here are two of my favorite recipes for warm drinks during this time of year.

Warm yummy Hot Chocolate mix:

1 cup of non fat dry, powdered milk

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup dry vanilla coffee creamer

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

4-5 regular sized candy bars (Hershey/dove brand- chopped into bite size pieces. I will be honest I have even used chocolate chips for this recipe!)

* mix above ingredients in bowl, and store in a storage bag or plastic container. (I usually double this recipe since I have 3 kids plus their friends that come inside after building snowmen.) This is a great recipe!! and I provide marshmallow's or cool whip with cocoa for sprinkling on top for the kids to choose between.

Chia Tea Mix:

2 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon of ground all spice

1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper

1 1/2 cups of instant tea unsweetened!!

1 1/2-2 cups sugar

1 cup powdered non dairy coffee creamer

1 cup powdered vanilla flavored non dairy coffee creamer

1 cup non fat dry powdered milk

***combine above ingredients and store in plastic storage bag or plastic container.

serve with milk/hot water. (I have a large Large coffee cup - so I use about 1/3 cup mix to a cup of hot water and a splash of milk)

***variation: for a chocolate chia tea mix, add 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa to above mix.

(below is the view out my front window, on my front porch-ahhh!)

I hope you enjoy the above recipes!! I live in Oklahoma which my city has only experienced a blizzard two times in it's history!! So we are all snowed in and trust me we are enjoying the above recipes with a smile! (that is as long as we have power!!)

(below is a picture of all the clothes my kids take off, once the come in - can you say laundry time!!!)

Stay warm, and bundled up and enjoy this season!!!!