Kids, Cards, And (Eye) Candy
Date: Monday December 10, 2007Posted in: Emily, Family, Girly Stuff, Graham, Nathan, Product placement
Can you believe it? I haven’t posted in over (Gasp!) forty-eight hours. This weekend I decided to take Kerflop’s advice (see badge on my side-bar) and “Enjoy Life”. To do so I (Gasp!) closed my laptop for long periods of time and, um, had a bit of a life. I also got stuff done.
It felt good. I may have to that more often.
One of the lessons I learned this weekend is that it’s OK to let go of the reigns every so often. It my haste to control everything get everything done quickly help my kids, I often just do things for them instead of letting them do it themselves.
Graham has been wanting to help more lately. He has been my “helper” at meal times. He has been setting the table, and wanting to help in meal prep. At lunch time, he will usually bring me everything I need to make lunch for everyone. On Sunday, he asked if he could make his own sandwich. I let him. And he was mighty proud of himself.
Nathan of course wanted to do it too.
He wants to do anything and everything that Graham does.
So I let him.
They both did a really great job. Graham also wanted to slice the strawberries, but I’m not quite ready to let him use a serrated knife. I`d like him to live until his next birthday.
I kept Miss Emily quiet entertained with a healthy snack.
Apple courtesy of Amanda, from their orchard. So tasty.
After lunch, Matthew took over kid duty (Hee! I said duty!) and I went into the office to get stuff done. But not work. Oh, no.
The first order of the day was to finish my Christmas cards. That involved glue, a heat tool and a whole lot of glitter.
I was nice and sparkly by the end of it all. Honey probably thought I did it on purpose to try and woo him. It worked, even if it was unintentional.
Then I pulled out my (New! Pretty!) wrapping paper and (Nice! Shiny!) ribbon and started wrapping presents.
I was so excited about the Paper! and the Ribbon! that I forgot that I hate wrapping Christmas presents. My usual technique is to slap the paper on with oodles of tape. That would not do, so it took me about an hour to wrap those two presents above. OK. Maybe I am exaggerating (a little). It took me more time that I had anticipated to wrap the pile that needed to be done.
(Insert smart seguay here.)
Remember how I went to MAC on Friday night? And how I am all excited about makeup all of a sudden? Well, I did my makeup ALL BY MYSELF on Saturday to get ready for a date night/more shopping with Honey. Go me.
The paint-by-numbers chart helped immensely.
While shopping, I all of a sudden found myself back at MAC. A pink lipstick by the name of Twig landed in my hand somehow. My credit card leapt out onto the counter and somehow I managed to walk away with a new shade for my lips.
Then today, I was pondering a post about mascara that I read last week by my new friend Ali (She’s Canadian, eh?). I usually use Rimmel. From Wal-Mart. Yes, yes I do.
The minivan pulled itself into the parking lot at The Bay and somehow the kids and I ended up at the Lancome counter.
There was a really nice guy (!) behind the counter. He agreed that the CILS Booster and Hypnose would work best with my eyes. To quote him, “The would really make your eyes POP and look absolutely amazing.”
OK, then.
I could get ten tubes of Rimmel for the cost of those two tubes. This new makeup fascination of mine is not cheap. Lucky for me, the sweet guy (!) behind the counter threw in a Lancome gift, even though he did not know if my purchase qualified me for it.
More makeup! For free! I would think he was flirting with me, but I am pretty sure that I am not his type. Or preferred gender.
I was hoping the new mascara would live up to the hype.
I got home and ran upstairs to test them out.
I was pleasantly surprised. Honey was amazed. I am the wooing Queen lately.
Now that I am all gussied up, I feel like I should head out on the town. Who wants to join me?
44 Comments
“It felt good. I may have to that more often.”
Watch your mouth, missy! We don’t allow talk like that round these here parts! (Unless you ignore blogging to hang out with me. Then it is totally acceptable.)
Well, a lot of the cost of Lancome is packaging (They are owned by L’Orel and many of their products are similar ingredient wise). I do really like their mascara, but I.freaking.hate. the taste of their lip products. I can’t wear it (Or L’orel) because it makes me feel nauseated after a bit.
(AND…You. look. hawt.) (As usual) (I wonder how many parenthesis I can use in one comment.)(It’s a lot.) (Just in case you were wondering.)(Grin.)
Comment by Loralee on December 10th, 2007 @ 3:30 pmOOO….. LA….LA.
I L O V E the pink. Nice werk sistah!
I dig the stuff you bought at Lancome too. That is all I asked for for Christmas, everything that could pamper!!
I should hit the makeup counter too. The bigger I get, the better my head needs to look. haha
Comment by little miss mel on December 10th, 2007 @ 3:46 pmThe cards! The paper! So cute and festive.
And the pictures of the kids, your site is so awesome!
I need a paint-by-numbers chart for makeup. Maybe that would help me!
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on December 10th, 2007 @ 3:51 pmWooowoooo… look at you! Love the make up! You are slowly tempting me to take advantage of some Christmas sales and stock up on some new make up!
Great pics too! Looks like fun! 
Just remember to hang on to your empty MAC containers, 5 (or6?) returned containers gets you a free lipstick!
Comment by Teej on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:09 pmAre you wearing Twig in the pictures? I love the gloss! You look gorgeous. And in that first picture of Graham, he looks so much like Matthew.
LOVE the wrapping paper.
Comment by She Likes Purple on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:15 pmI’m wearing Twig, with Star Nova Lustreglass on top of it.
Like I said the other day, you always look great! You look amazing in both those photos.
Oh, and it looks like your cute little “helpers” did a great job!
Comment by Hannah on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:23 pmI wish I could join you! And then I’d drop my husband off at your house to wrap your gifts for you, as that is his favorite thing to do.
You look gorgeous! And so do your kidlets.
I know what you mean about the wanting to do it faster. I just started letting Kaylie make her own peanut butter sandwiches. I had to let go. She does a swell job. Why didn’t I do this sooner? She can make her own lunch … this is marvelous. Then I can stay reading blogs.
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:26 pmI love Hypnose by Lancome! Good pick.
Your paper and ribbons are beautiful too.
Comment by Jen on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:28 pmGraham look SO grown up in the first picture!!!
You look super good!!
Comment by Kristin on December 10th, 2007 @ 4:34 pmWell…. I have graduated from Strawberry lipsmacker to Zellers special. Makeup crazy I am not. I actually did by a MAC product while in Edmonton but cannot justify the price yet. Maybe one day!
Your photos have a real 1940’s vibe. I love the colouring. Soft browns and pink tones. So great!
Comment by kelly on December 10th, 2007 @ 5:13 pmI forgot to comment about the cards (that is so not like me!) Gorgeous! We may need to meet up one day with our paper and supplies one day and go crazy.
Comment by kelly on December 10th, 2007 @ 5:17 pmYour cards are amazing!! Wow those lucky people who get such a personal Christmas card. Also, Graham looks so grown up, making his sandwich all by himself. Also, your new makeup is fantastic.
Comment by Tricia on December 10th, 2007 @ 5:33 pmYou look so pretty!! The pink in the gloss warms up your skin so much! I’m definitely jealous of your eyelashes too. I’m naturally blonde and my eyelashes are pretty much white so though they’re long it’s nearly impossible to get them to show well. Bah!
Comment by Emily on December 10th, 2007 @ 5:46 pmIt’s a lot harder to take pictures of yourself using a 50mm isn’t it? Gotta streeeetch those arms out! haha. You look hot. As always. And just maybe even a little hotter…maybe.
okay, for sure. I love the colors. Warm tones are so pretty on girls with beautiful blue eyes. Comme toi!
I recognize the Stampin Up! stuff. 
I bought the fancy brown ribbon too. But I am sad to say that I just have not had time to make my cards yet and I don’t think that I am going to get that done this year. Just in case, I bought a box of cards from Costco.
I LOVE your cards! I’m hoping to get mine completed tonight. I tried to order some of that wrapping paper the other day and it is discontinued:( I guess they sold out of it. I, of course, had to get the ribbon anyways! Love the pictures of the kids, their little sweaters! And that one of Emily…Looks like you have that makeup thing figured out, maybe one day I’ll get it! Oh, and I’m in for a night out!
Comment by Michele on December 10th, 2007 @ 6:47 pmI love trying new makeup…(I can’t actually remember when I last did). I don’t know if I’m emotionally ready to give up that pink tube of mascara just yet…Good for you. You look great!
Comment by Holli on December 10th, 2007 @ 6:59 pmHe’s TOTALLY flirting with you, preferred gender or no. (Awesome!)
Also: I still get excited every time I make a sandwich, mostly because I count it as “cooking.” ; )
Comment by kerrianne on December 10th, 2007 @ 8:49 pmHawt! Yes, I just took a break - my old blog is sitting, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it.
Good for you — it’s soooo important to do these things for self and family.
i love the new makeup, its my favorite thing. oh, and ill be expecting my christmas card in a week or so. ill check the mail!!
Comment by Chelsey on December 10th, 2007 @ 9:28 pmYour kids, the cards, the presents, and you…are all beautiful. I have long avoided those make-up counters in department stores for the very reason you mentioned: it’s an expensive habit. I limit myself to playing around with what I can get at Target and Walgreens, mainly, and that’s expensive enough!
It IS hard to let kids do for themselves what you know you could do in half the time with one-quarter the mess, isn’t it? But good for you letting them. Someday when Graham and Nathan are making YOUR lunch and cleaning up after themselves, you will be happy you did!
Oh, you are so pretty! Smashing!!! You will paint the town I am sure! I want your advice!
Comment by familymclean on December 10th, 2007 @ 11:39 pmI’m madly in love with your wrapping paper and Christmas cards! I’m reminded of weddings. Love love love the details.
Comment by Lisa on December 11th, 2007 @ 6:03 amOh. My. Goodness. I LOVE LOVE the cards! And now I’m all tempted to make MY own. HA. I’m so not crafty. But I might try it. Hmm…time to Google a craft store near me…
Comment by Indygirl on December 11th, 2007 @ 6:21 amMy sister and I started packing our school lunches in kindergarten. There were five kids and my mom and dad didn’t have time to do everything, so they taught us to be extremely independent. We had our own alarm and everything. Some of my friends look at me strangely when I tell them this, but we didn’t feel mistreated at all - It’s all we knew!
Comment by Jennie on December 11th, 2007 @ 6:51 amLove the cards….I might be sending New Years cards instead
Not only does your makeup look like perfection, but so does your hair. I have naturally curly hair, and post-pregnancy, it’s been a big kerfloop of a stringy, thinning mess. Mind if I ask what products you use for your hair?
Comment by Karla on December 11th, 2007 @ 7:01 amThis brings back memories when I used to make my own cards, and wrapping paper too! Miss Emily looks so adorably intent on her yummy apple, and her outfit is so cute.
Comment by witchypoo on December 11th, 2007 @ 7:44 amYou know, some people purchase wrapping paper to wrap gifts and some people purchase makeup and “wrap” themselves up as a gift to serve to their husbands.
You, of course, do both.
YOU LOOK MAH-VELOUS!
Oh, and matching sweaters for the boys? Check.
Wearing matching sweaters while making matching sandwiches? Check.
Adorable skirt and boots on the precious apple eater? Check.
Yep, doing good over there.
check.check.check.
Those packages are very pretty. It is not obvious that you hate wrapping - Have fun.
Comment by amcati on December 11th, 2007 @ 9:08 amI can’t find a link to your email address so I’m leaving a completely unrelated comment here. I made your Caramel shortbread squares last night and brought them to work today. They were a huge hit and I’ve sent some of my co-workers the link to your recipe site, so you might have a little spike in visitors today all from the same place. The only problem - I only got one square so now I have to go home and make myself a batch so I can indulge.
Comment by Teej on December 11th, 2007 @ 9:34 amMake up is fun!
I often dream of being a make up artist, although you could never tell looking at me. I wear next to nothing day to day.
Fun!
I end up in Sephora all the time. With no knowledge as to how I got there. It’s some force of nature, I’m sure of it!
Comment by Kristie on December 11th, 2007 @ 2:55 pmOoh! You look so beautiful, Angella! Watch out with the makeup…it will soon become an addiction.
This MAC place… I need to go.
LOVE the matching sweaters and the adorable apple eater!
You look really great….that free gift is quite amazing…well done! After reading your blog I think you should know my day has been so weird I have no make-up on yet (and its lunch time) but I do have a large ink mark on my cheek that has obviously transferred off my fingers sometime during the last hour! Thankfully the only people I’ve seen are my kids, a friend from next door, the postman and the cat!
I think you have inspired me to go girl shopping too!
Comment by Beth on December 12th, 2007 @ 4:12 amLovely. I wish I could make my makeup look like that. Also, will your boys come over and make ME a sandwich?
Comment by Moose in the Kitchen on December 12th, 2007 @ 8:05 am
Wow, you look great, Ange. You always do, but you’ve officially kicked it up a notch. The new makeup really seems to soften your look. Nicely done, my friend.
Comment by Amanda on December 10th, 2007 @ 3:28 pm