Fashion has always interested me.  One of the (many) things I wanted to be, growing up, was a fashion designer and model.  When I was thirteen I got to have one of my dreams come true….I went to modeling school!  ( I may even share some pictures from back then.)

We found a Christian modeling agency near us and I had such a great time.  Even though that seems like a long time ago, I still enjoy fashion and modeling.  ( I just think it’s sad how raunchy modeling has become.)

Pantone has the new fall fashion colors available for download here.  You can see the new colors as well as get some budget friendly advice about updating your wardrobe for fall!

By knowing what the “new” colors will be for fall, you can scout out your local thrift store, find the colors there and still stay in budget!

So are you excited about changing to fall clothes?  What season do you enjoy dressing for the most?

For more great tips visit Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We Are THAT Family!

I don’t want to gross you out, but do you know what’s in an old makeup brush?  If I tell you, it may make you want to stop reading this and go clean your brushes right now.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Old makeup, bacteria, natural oils from your face and dead skin cells build up on your brushes. If you don’t wash your brushes regularly, you’ll irritate your skin and could also cause breakouts.

I’m cleaning my brushes regularly from now on!

Here’s how:

1. Wet the bristles of the makeup brush under warm, running water.  Hold the handle of the brush upright, so the base of the bristles won’t get wet.  The bristles are held in plcae by glue and if the glue gets wet your bristles may fall out.  Not good.

Well this Friday and Saturday is BlissDom!!! I’m very excited, but I’m still trying to figure out what to wear! Yesterday I went to Angela’s closet.   No this isn’t a fancy boutique even though the beautiful clothes and jewelry make it look like it is!

Angela is one of my girlfriends. She has great taste in clothes and we are about the same size…what a wonderful combination! When I went over to her house I was expecting to borrow a few things for BlissDom, but she kept saying “this is for you and this and this…”. Wow!  We found some great things for me to wear.

Do you have friends that are about the same size as you are? Try having a clothes swap! Since most of us are trying to save money having something new to wear for free is about as good as it gets!

I’m sure you have been seeing the same flabby to fit belly ads that I have. In moments of weakness and desperation I’m sure we all give those ads a second look. But, honestly, do you want to be locked into buying expensive “miracle fat burners” all your life? Not me! I’ve got to use my grocery money to buy food for my family, not “quick fixes”.

So, am I doomed to be fluffy forever? Nope. Welcome to weight loss in real life!

One of the best blogs I’ve found on loosing weight while still eating nourishing food is Kelly The Kitchen Kop. Here are a few of my favorite articles:

• Dieting With No Carb or Low Carb Foods

• Healthy Low Carb Meals

• All About Loosing Weight

I’ve also been reading quite a few blogs about nutrition and I’ve been learning so much. I thought I’d tell you about some of the gals that have been a real encouragement to me as I’m working hard to nourish my family.

• Stephanie at Keeper Of The Home
• Kimi at The Nourishing Gourmet
• Carrie at The Thrifty Oreganic

Christa Taylor - White Coat Dress

Cute and modest. To most women those words go together like mustard and watermelon! But Christa Taylor has proven that your curves can be covered and you still look great!

Christa Taylor - Swingy Tunic

Christa Taylor has designed fashion forward clothing that is still modest and affordable. Not only are you supporting a woman in business, but 5% of your purchase rescues and shelters widows and orphans in Cambodia. Now that’s something I can get excited about!

Christa Taylor - Babydoll Jacket

Get ready for the Modesty Carnival on February 2nd (see the details at Empowered Traditionalist)!

As a mother with young children I don’t have a lot of time to get ready in the morning. But, that’s ok because I have a makeup routine that only takes me five minutes before I’m ready to head out the door.

Here’s all I do:

• Start with a moisturized face (Let your moisturizer soak in for a few minutes before applying makeup so your powder won’t cake up on your face.)
• Sweep on  a mineral foundation
• Put a mineral blush underneath my cheekbones
• Fill in my eyebrows a little (I’m blond)
• Sweep on some mineral eye liner
• Curl my lashes and add some mascara
• Put on some lipstick and I’m good to go!

I always feel so much better when I take a few minutes to take care of myself.  Try fixing up a little and see what it does for your day!
Take good care of yourself, you’re worth it!

(As seen on Blissfully Domesctic)

The Archeo Copper Bathtub

I promised that I’d give you more spa recipes in my last Works For Me Wednesday post, so here they are!

(Be sure to stop by Rocks In My Dryer for more tips by awesome women!)

There are few things as nice a sinking into a nice hot tub on a cold winter day. I like to use natural products and I work hard to keep my spending low, so homemade bath products are perfect for me!

Last week I told you about the bath salts I use, so this week I’ll share some favorites and some recipes I’d like to try.

Brown Sugar Scrub

1 cup almond meal or ground up oatmeal

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup of melted coconut oil, almond oil or light vegetable oil

Mix all the ingredients together and use about 1/4 cup every time you scrub. When you are in the shower just take a small handful of the mixture and add a little water to make a paste. Apply to wet skin and scrub gently. Rinse off and your skin will be soft and smooth! This scrub smells good enough to eat (and you could, but I don’t recommend it)!

Here are a few recipes that I’d like to try:

Bath Bombs

Milk and Honey Bath

Bedtime Bath

Come back tomorrow to find out about 5 minute makeup!

Head on over to Like A Warm Cup Of Coffee for proof that modest doesn’t have to mean frumpy!  Sarah Mae is hosting a modest fashion show!

Sorry for the bad pic! It was the best I had to work with.  This is what I wore to church last Sunday and no you don’t have to wear tights to be modest!  It was just cold and pantyhose sounded a bit drafty.  I feel rather “poofy” in this picture, but I’ve lost 15 pounds so far.  (I’m just trying not to get discouraged about how many still need to come off!)

Image from Coastal Living

Sunday night was one of the most relaxing nights I’ve had in a long time.  I went to a spa!  No…it’s not what you’re thinking.  I didn’t drive to the nearest pampering spot, I just walked into my bathroom!  (My sweet husband got my bath all ready for me!) We are working VERY hard to pay off all our debts, so a spa trip is not in the budget.  But,  I’m not the least bit upset.  Want to know my secret?  Well you’ll just have to come back tomorrow!

No… I wouldn’t do that to y’all!

Here’s spa recipe on the cheap:

Ultimate Relaxing and Skin Softening Bath Salts

(This is enough for two baths, but it’s great to double if you have something to store it in.)

2 Cups of Epsom Salts (you can find large bags of this at any big box store or drugstore)

1/2  Cup Baking Soda

5 Drops of any essential oil ( you can find these at any health food store or Whole Foods, they are very concentrated so don’t add more than a few drops)

Start your water running and pour in about 1 cup of your bath salts.  (Swish the water around while the tub is filling to dissolve the rest of the salts.) Light a few candles, put on some relaxing music and enjoy your spa bath that cost you less than a quarter!

Come back next Wednesday and I’ll share more budget friendly spa recipes!

Head on over to Rocks In My Dryer for more Works For Me Wednesday ideas.

(Melissa at The Inspired Room has a wonderful bathroom post to read.)

I’d like to tell you about a wonderful Etsy artist named Hannah.  (I go to church with Hannah and her mom Teresa; they are some of the sweetest gals I know.) She has just updated her Etsy shop with something very special–vintage button bracelets.

When I asked Hannah why she makes these bracelets she said,

“I love to make things, especially things that will be special to someone else. They are my great-grandmother’s (Mammy, as I called her) buttons.  Since she passed, my grandmother has a huge container full of her buttons that she let me use.  It is so special to my mom and the rest of our family to be able to wear something that was hers on our wrists.    I really enjoy making them and if someone would want a bracelet made with their heirloom buttons I would gladly do it.”

So, do you have any buttons from your family or children’s clothing you’d like to make into a memory bracelet? Just let Hannah know (contact her at her Etsy shop), she’s friendly and easy to work with.  I know that you will treasure what she creates especially for you!

Go say hi and check out Hannah’s new Etsy listings!

(You won’t want to miss the hilarious video coming tomorrow.  For those who have um..bladder control issues when laughing, you better be ready!)