hair & make-up & all that girly stuff

• The easiest way to feel a heck of a lot girlier is to put in some clip-in extensions.  Mine are Jessica Simpson brand - they were about $100.  I got them at our local beauty supply store, but they are sold on several websites, even Amazon.  Mine are straight, but as you can see, they can be curled.  If I want them straight again, I just wash 'em and let 'em air dry, then flat iron on a low temp.

• I got new make-up!  Finally!  My book club girls will be so proud.  I've always worn Clinique, so I headed to the counter after work one day and said two words to the girl: I'm desperate.  She did me all up - there is no better feeling than getting your make-up done, am I right?  Here's what I ended up buying...which was everything she put on me.

1 //  Color Surge Eye Shadow in totally neutral.  $24
2 //  High Impact Mascara in black. $16
3 //  Eye Contour Brush. $20.50
4 //  Quickliner for Eyes in intense charcoal. $15
5 //  Lid Smoothie in bit o' honey.  $19.50
6 //  Blushing Blush Powder Blush in precious posy.  $21

My favorite of it all is the lid smoothie.  It's the most fun thing ever.



• Wen.

One of my book club girls gave me some Wen cleansing conditioner.  It sat in my cupboard for months (as I'm sure it did in hers too) until I ran completely out of shampoo last week, which rarely happens, as I typically have three of four different bottles going at once.

So unfortunately, the Wen was my only option.  I'm all fiiiiiiine, I'll use the Wen.  It was a very enjoyable experience using this; it smells awesome, and it was a nice change of pace.  Don't you get sick of doing the same ol' routine in the shower?  Other than begging for the crap to bubble up (which it never will) in my head, I loved it! 

Now came the real trial:  blow-dry and style.  I didn't notice much of a "look" difference at first.  When I used it the second day I could see a little difference.  My hair seemed to get oiley much faster than normal - maybe it's because I had to use 30 flipping pumps of that stuff.

My score?  A six.  Not real impressive.  And I know I'm supposed to use it for three weeks (yeah right), I just don't feel like it.  Nothing will compare to my Bumble & Bumble. 

this is a bragging post

I got it again!  I got it again!  Twice in a year I've been chosen as "Terrific Teacher of the Week" on our local radio station.  I'm so proud!  I really am! 

The way it works:  students can nominate their teachers online and then the radio host calls you (during your planning period) and surprises you and tells you all the wonderful accolades your students have written about you.  Then you blush, but it's awkward because there's no one in your classroom except you, but you know that shortly your voice will be heard by hundreds of people tuning into the radio. 

Really though, I am so honored.  There is nothing more rewarding to me than hearing the words "Mrs. Rowland makes science so fun!" and "She lets us listen to the radio while we work!"  They're so sweet.  So, so sweet. 

And so is this little guy...





sunday funday

 

 

 

 

Have you tried the Camera + app?  I love it!  The shutter speed is so much faster than the regular camera - now we can really catch the stupid faces.

Side note for those who think we're actually having fun: "Funday" really doesn't accurately describe our weekend; it's just that "teething two-foot tall monster that whines and cries for twelve hours straight" doesn't rhyme with Sunday. 

Side note for moms with older kids that never told me about molars coming through:  Thanks for the warning.

Side note for moms with babies:  be proactive and stock up on Hyland's teething tablets NOW.

my feeble attempts to make V-Day special

Garland makes it special.

+I busted out the scissors and hot glue gun for this one, guys.  I actually hand cut each and every circle and heart - totally should've spent the $19 on the circle punch, my hand was killing me.  It was a pinspiration, but doesn't look nearly as good.  Isn't that the way it always works out?  I still love it though!

Good food makes it special.

+We don't typically go out for Valentine's Day...it's so crowded (not like it's any different than any other weekend in town though).  Whenever Jeff and I try to go out to eat, it's like every single family in Erie County has made their way to the same place, and they've (unfortunately) brought their four offspring with them.  It's like Gee, thanks for letting me have a night out.  Now I get to watch your child dump salt on the table for an hour.  So instead, we like to cook a romantic meal and sit in the peace and quiet of our home.

In the past, I've made Jeff's favorite comfort foods, like asparagus & mushroom farfalle or spaghetti & meatballs.  This year I'm going with seafood:  seared scallops with white beans and bacon.

+And for dessert, the classic chocolate covered strawberries.  You just can't go wrong with these.  They're delicious, healthy (ha!) and sexaaaaaayy.  I'm going all out with the white choc drizzle, too.



+And for drinks, obviously WINE.




 Good music makes it special.

+I've been searching for the perfect songs to put on a mix CD for Jeffrey.  Here's what I've got so far:

1. Sure Be Cool If You Did by Blake Shelton (currently repeating on my playlist)
2. This Ain't No Love Song by Trace Adkins
3. I'd Love to Lay You Down by Conway Twitty
4. I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
5. It's Your Love by Tim McGraw (our wedding song!)
6. You Were Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson
7. You're Still the One by Shania Twain
8. I'll Be by Edwin McCain
9. Nothing Compares to You by Sinead O'Connor
10.  Turning Page by Sleeping at Last
11. Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) by The Offspring (kidding)


Good company makes it special.

circa 2010

I'm going to start working on mine and Jeff's love story to post on Valentine's Day...complete with some old diary entry quotes and beer-holding/drunk pictures (see above).