Monday Monday...Mini Review

I have that song stuck in my head today,
Monday Monday....da, da, da-da-da-da
Anyway, I have a mini review today of two items I received in my
Beauty Blogger Vox Box.
I talked about it here.

First up, the Kiss EverPro Lashes (05).

HUGE difference, and very full looking. 
I trimmed them because they were much too long for my smaller eyes,
But I think I trimmed them just a "hair" too short.
They were also very easy to remove, and I appreciate that no extra lashes were harmed in the removal process.

NEXT UP,the NYC IndividualEyes Eyeshadow Palette in Dark Shadows (0156-08)

I have to say that I was underwhelmed with this palette overall. 
The colors are too cool for my skin tone, etc. but I thought the eye-shadows
were difficult to blend, and too shiny for a smoky eye. 
I followed the step-by-step directions and this was my result. 
Also, I would like to point out that I did not use the sponge applicators provided...
I used my own eyeshadow brushes to apply the colors.

Off to do the school pick-up routine...
Hoping everyone is off to great start this week!
XO, A

Barette Re-Do

Get out your nail polish, and get busy...

A little DIY

Just something to keep in mind as you are out and about holiday shopping!
Have a great week!

p.s. I am re-reading Eat Pray Love if you want to read along with me. I will be posting my favorite quotes and passages out of the book as I go along this time. It is such a great read, and I know everyone can gain something from reading it. XOXO

This is the video that never ends...

October's video is a monster...and I don't expect anyone has 20 minutes to sit and watch me blab, BUT it had to be done since I have had so many technical difficulties as of late. There is a little blip in there where the video and sound are a bit off, but it doesn't last long.
If you want to condensed version, I am talking about an Influenster box I just received, my subscription to Birchbox, and how the Say Yes to Cucumbers Eye Gel was an epic fail for me.
I forgot to link to Tanya's channel on the video itself, but you can go to http://www.youtube.com/user/pixi2woo to check her out.


Have a great weekend, and I will see you next week! XO, A

Birchbox Invitation: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=xhlf8
Influenster: www.Influenster.com

Preschool Thoughts

In a nutshell, the whole Preschool experience has been wonderful.
With Paige, she was on base,
right down the street, in a security-camera-filled
safe place, that cost us virtually nothing.
With River, we pay much more,
everybody is new (except 1 friend),
and I have had really been required to "let go".
This, if you know me at all, is EXTREMELY difficult to do.
I don't trust people,
I think the worst,
and I am crazy protective over the kids.
With that said, I had the most wonderful feeling touring this facility,
and I was overwhelmed with the feeling that River had to be a part
of what they do there.
We made that happen, and I am grateful I let go.

I still get 2 days a week that are solely Riv+Mom time, and I cherish those days. He gets time away from me, and he gets to learn, and grow, and sing, and dance, and have experiences with other kids and adults that I cannot give him on my own.
Here is some Riv+Mom time from the other day, with a guest appearance by the stray kitten Tiger, who is really a gorgeous little guy.
Anybody want a kitten??

Have you had a good experience with Preschool and your children? Were you apprehensive about choosing the right one?? Or, do you home-school for the preschool years? XO, A

sprinkle & dash is live!

THE SHOP IS FINALLY OPEN!!!!

I have been talking about making this happen for an embarrassingly long time,
but that time has finally come.
It just took my kids getting off to school for me to get my act together.
Please take a look around, and let me know what you think.
Am I missing anything?  Any misspelled words?? (I hope not!)
Thank you for all your support!
XO-Ariel

weekend wish.

Hey Ladies!
Hope you are looking forward to a beautiful weekend.
Ours will be full of bike rides, parties, and sugar!
(The kids are so excited about all the cake they get to eat this week,
with their birthdays, parties, and friends parties....oh boy!)

We will catch up soon...
about preschool anxieties, awkward situations, school germs, etc.
That should be a fun post...
not.
XOXO

Come on Fall!

September is here...time for a video!


The products mentioned in the video are:
Milani Easybrow
Maybelline Unstoppable in Sapphire
Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Luminous Foundation in Buff
Bath and Body Works Candles in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Leaves, and Marshmallow Fireside
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
Pentel Arts Color Pens

Follow along with Ashley at Lil Blue Boo.
Talk to you soon!

Hair Affairs

Hey Ladies!
So....remember back in December when I got my hair cut off....
NOT my favorite thing, but not the end of the world.

I have been diligently working on growing it back fast, and healthy,
so I thought I would share what I have been using
and what I have been doing/not doing to get it this far along.
Hopefully by December I will be back to my old self again.

Remember growing your hair out takes time,
but I think the more you can leave it alone, the better your results will be.
(But, what do I know?!)

Have a great week, and let me know what your favorite hair products are!
XOXO

Things I wanted to do last year...

Here is a little update of how the "20 before 30" went...
5 months late.....as I turned 30 back in February.
whoops.
The ones in purple are done
*check*
and the black ones are still up in the air.
The green ones are semi-done.
How are you coming along with your 2012 (or2011) goals??

(We had a photo shoot with Britianie Wagner Photography as she traveled cross country on her 30 day Road Trip...more to come from her....soooo excited to have new photos of the kids!)

1. Go to a concert- anybody will do.

2. Buy a new pair of high heels- just because.

3. Volunteer for something- it will feel good.

4. Wear red lipstick- everybody is doing it...

5. Paint a painting- I used to do that A LOT.

6. Learn to knit, or learn to crochet better- I want a cute beanie by Christmas!

7. Sell MORE on etsy.- so I can buy more on etsy!

8. Read 10 books- suggestions?~Halfway there

9. Go and get a massage- last one I had was over 5 yrs. ago.

10. Go climbing- because it is freeing and a great workout.

11. Write more letters- who doesn't love getting mail??

12. Try a new recipe once a month- have a new cookbook ready and waiting.

13. Go to CA by myself for a weekend- nuff said!

14. Make some jewelry, sell some jewelry- I have some ideas...

15. Get back in to "handmade-mode"- make gifts, make clothes, make crafts, make&do!

16. Unplug on the weekends- turn it off...computer, t.v.

17. Take more photos WITH my kids and hubby- I am invisible in our photo history.

18. Call my parents more- they will like that.

19. Sew a quilt for our king size bed- It is time.

20. Less NO, More YES!!!

#13-20 are in progress for sure and I feel like just writing things down can be powerful...
like putting intention to your words....and visiting these lists often keeps you on track.

Justin is a goal-setting maniac...he always has been, and I have learned a lot from him in this way.
He feels like if you aren't working towards something/anything, you aren't living life.
I agree.

He finished his Masters degree and although he was nervous and we were both apprehensive about adding a bit more stress around here,
I could not be more excited for him, and proud beyond measure.
So many people are just content to be, and that is totally fine, but not Justin.
And for the inquiring minds out there....he got it in Exercise Science with an emphasis on
Fitness and Wellness.
So watch out world, the Wilkins are here to get you healthy!
(I'm kidding....well, maybe not.)

He loves to be challenged (remember those pesky 100 mile races)

My challenge was to deal with a full time working Dad and full time student husband...
and be a research assistant and editor....
 it was very interesting, but we always figure out how to make it work.

What are your goals this year that you have been working on?
Or what would you like to do before the end of the year?