5 Summer Musts to avoid make-up meltdowns!

Lucky We Chirp readers. We are being visited by Lindsay of Skylark Dawn who will be with us throughout the week. I first read her blog after she commented on we chirp. I love the look and feel of her words and blog (she is fresh and breezy, you know the type). Here is a little more about her, in her own words:
I live with my husband (biggest supporter and true soul mate) of 5 years in Minneapolis, MN with our children Ryan 7(super hero with a Mohawk) and Rhiannon 4 (pirate princess in a tutu). I am a relatively new work at home Mom that is slowly becoming domesticated and striving for work life balance, (nowhere close yet LOL). In my previous life, I was a boutique manager for a cosmetic company and a make-up artist/skin care specialist. I enjoy artistry and still do independent work (weddings, events, photo shoots, etc.), and have extended my love of beauty and fashion to my blog. Though I adore beautiful things, I find joy in being thrifty (I rarely pay full price for anything unless it is handmade), and am a stickler for quality. My frugality and DIY compulsiveness is actually what lead me to work for myself. There is always this persistent voice is my head that all too often says “You could totally save money by making that”. What it fails to say is that I don’t have the time to do everything on my own (I often get overambitious and bite off more then I can chew), but I am working on that . . . daily. To encourage myself into mastering domestic endeavors, I am in the process of creating an apron and kitchen textiles line. I figure if I have adorable domestic duds to adorn myself with, then I will be motivated to “keep house” in a more joyful way. There must be others out there that feel this way too, right?

So get set to be happy people, I think it is just her way.

~mavis

Just as we shed extra layers of clothing when the temperatures rise, we should lighten up our make-up applications too! Ditching fussy routines and using products that allow your skin to breath, will help keep you from looking like a wilted flower when the temperatures spike.
After applying a light moisturizer and full spectrum sunscreen, use products like these to help beat the heat!


Skip the heavy foundation and opt for a great concealer to camouflage imperfections. I like Jane Iredale's Circle Delete (and so do Allure's editors), because it has two shades per pot that allow you to customize your color, and is chalked full of skin loving vitamins that help repair as it covers.

Need more coverage? Click here for warm weather foundation recommendations.







Ditch the highly pigmented lip lacquers and sticks and opt for a pout protecting balm or gloss instead. I like Benefit's Benetint SPF 15 balm because it's neutral rose tint provides just the right amount of color and the fragrance allows you to smell the roses, even when you don't have time to stop!








Dewy skin is in! Overly matte looks lack the luster of youthful hydrated skin. Using a finely milled, shimmery face and body powder like Bare Escentual's Precious Diamonds Beauty Duo, will help impart a sunsational glow! Try mixing a little into a body lotion and apply to legs (sheer liquid stockings!), and buff minerals through the center of the face (T-zone) and cheekbones to highlight. The Champagne color gives a sophisticated glow that doesn't scream "teen sparkle".








There is nothing quite like the perfect "pinch me" pink color to boost the radiance of the complection! 100% Pure not only nailed it with their Lip and Cheek Tint in the color Sugar Plum, but it is bursting with antioxidants (anti environmental stressor army), and the super soother skin ingredient, Shea Butter. Did I mention it is strawberry flavored too?







I am the ultimate fan of moisturizing facial mists. Not only do they help to set your make-up, but they provide much needed hydration in the most convenient of ways. I am loving L'Occitane's new Olive Tree Organic Face Mist because it's mist is not drenching and it smells divine. I wouldn't recommend this specific product for the most sensitive skins and rosacea sufferers, due to the inclusion of citrus and mint. These ingredients are stimulating and can cause redness in very sensitive people. Instead, try once of the mist recommendations here, and also see additional uses!



~Lindsay

5

For some reason lately I have been feeling old. I notice the fine lines or "laugh" lines that can't be smoothed over. I notice the extra baggage that still insists on riding along even after I eat well and exercise. I think I spend too much time comparing my physicality to others. We went to the park last night and fed the ducks (or mostly seagulls and geese, where are the ducks?) and a lot of people exercise in this park. I found myself watching some and being envious of their shape. I can't guarantee that I won't do this often, but I thought it was about time for some self-lovin'. Here are my top 5 things I love about my body:

1. My nose. It isn't a darling of a nose, but a lot of people I know and love have one similar and I wouldn't look the same with out it.

2. My lips. They look good with my nose. They are just the right size for me and my husband digs them.

3. My feet. They are just the right size to try on all the shoes that are set out at stores. They get me where I need to go. I like my toes.

4. My healthy heart. Almost 4 years ago I visited the E.R. 5 times in the course of 6 days and everyone was stumped at what was going on. It can be hard to diagnose a fairly fit 28 year old. Finally after I had gained nearly 30 lbs between the first and fifth visit someone finally thought "heart". I was in heart failure. It never was determined whether it was post-pregnancy related (my baby was 6 months old) or a viral induced cardiomyopathy. After 1 week in the hospital in a delirious state (I said some rather unusual things), I was released to get well at home. I cannot remember ever feeling so sick, so exhausted and so completely wrecked. It took more than 6 months to get back to 90% and be weaned off the heart meds. And it was advised that I shouldn't have more children. I told them I would, so we should keep on eye on me then. I've had one more child with no repeat craziness and plan on at least 14 more. I hope to never be that sick again.

5. My reproductive system. It gets the job done. It may have contributed to this somewhat stretched body I am now in possession of, but I can be proud of it. I may get sick, I may get chubby, I may get a little crazy but I have three healthy kids and have had three healthy pregnancies. I'm blessed.

That made me feel good. Yeah, yeah, I know it is about what is on the inside but the inside isn't looking right back at you when you are trying on your new summer clothes. I think it is good to learn to appreciate the outside too. I think everyone should try it. So either leave us a comment telling us what you love about yourself or go ahead and do a post about it and let us know. Love is good.

~mavis

and don't forget the giveaway, it will help you love the outside of your house.

5 for Tuesday

The husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary today (yay!), but got away this past weekend for a little road trip. We had a lot of fun on the drive there just kind of catching up. And playing my favorite car game "Name That Tune and Artist". Maybe it is just my favorite because I can beat him 10 to 1. And maybe it is the most annoying game on the interstate to him. All I usually need is 5 beats and I can blurt out the artist and title. Dave, not so much.

On the way home I asked him what his top five essentials for a road trip are. Parameters: it is a road trip without kids, with his lovely wife.

Dave
1. Bottle Caps or Chewy Sprees
2. satellite radio
3. beef jerky (and a gas mask for me)
4. good drinks
5. clothing optional

Mavis
1. People Magazine or some other read that doesn't need total immersion (I have to be able to not have to be engrossed in it, reading in the car makes me queasy)
2. sunflower seeds
3. crossword puzzles (one from USA Today kept us quite enthralled for a while)
4. Diet Cokes (sorely missing from this year's trip, thanks to this )
5. Sunglasses

I know, we are simple people. Dave and I also agreed that a good book on cd is great for a trip, but I found this trip was fun just talking and musing. I wowed him with my music knowledge, People taught him about Molly and Jason, I learned that he still likes curvy women (like Jessica Simpson, I told him that he would like Scarlett Johansen but he has no idea who she is), we talked about the kids some but actually got to talk a lot about other things - it was fantastic. Do you know what else would be cool? A mini bike pedaling machine so my legs don't get all jumpy and achy and I can leisurely stroll while we drive along. Do your legs get achy after sitting that long?

What are your top 5 essentials for a road trip sans kiddos?

I think this would kind of be a fun weekly installment, what do you think? 5 for Tuesdays? Want to see more? Any ideas for what our next top 5 should be? Want to join in? If you want to join in, leave us a comment with your blog address so we can check out you fab 5's.

~mavis