Happy Wednesday!

TEETHING TEETHING TEETHING

My sweet Ms.O has been a bundle of teething moodiness lately! Luckily for Troy and I, that sweet little girl is such a happy little ham on the regular, the teething really doesn't seem that bad. If anything, we are more concerned with keeping her comfortable! She doesn't respond super well to oragel, and I'm stingy with tylenol so as to build up her tolerance for feeling a little under the weather. My body is super resistant to medicine, where as Troy hardly needs half an aspirin to pull right out of a flu. In my experience, I'm better off to only take medicine when I'm at my wits end, so that the relief can really make a difference. I want to start at an early age building her tolerance for pain, so that she can only take medicine when its necessary. That said, we have tried every home remedy for teething you can imagine! A big thank you to all of my facebook mommies and daddies, who gave such fantastic advice! I love facebook for that instant interaction! Of everything we've tried, Charlotte Olivia seems to react best to frozen pacifiers! Shes never been a paci baby, so we actually only owned three. We now own ten. I fill them with water, freeze, and pop them in that gummy little mouth any time shes fussy! Thanks for the fab idea Aimee! Her other fav is baby Mum Mums! They are these terrific little rice crackers that she just goes to TOWN on! I absolutely recommend these if your cub is hurting! They require more supervision because they do EAT the cracker, and there is always some sort of choking hazard with first foods, but at nearly 7 months, Charlie has never even sort of coughed with them. Now, shes shoved those paws too far in while chewing on the mum, and THEN coughed, but never on the product alone. I compare them to communion wafers. They dissolve almost immediately! Oh! I almost forgot! My silly, picky girl, is SO PICKY. She enjoyed the original Mum Mums for weeks. Then, I noticed they had veggie flavor, and let her try those. Since then, her daddy brought her home some original. She TOTALLY snubbed them, and had a COW when I kept handing them back to her. Of course, upon giving her the veggie flavor, she was back to cloud 9. REAL CUTE CHARLES ;)

Charlotte Olivia Scott 6 months Photo by: Richelle Saldana Photography

Last Saturday we went to Weatherford to celebrate my beautiful niece's 2nd birthday! Kylee Raye [named after her Aunt Samantha Raye!!!] was the only little girl amongst a sea of boys, before Charlotte Olivia was born. Melissa, my sister, has five gorgeous boys and my brother, Ben, has three plus Kylee. Since none of us have much experience with girls, Kylee is a wonder to watch grow. Shes absolutely a glimpse into our future with CO. Shes SUCH a little ranch baby. With her big brothers showing no mercy, that child has learned to hold her own. She will fight her brothers to the bitter end! Pulling hair, punching, yelling, the WORKS! There isn't a dog in the world she wont run up and grab and bugs are some of her favorite friends. I'm hoping Charlie is like that, as well. Kylee is one of the only little girls Ive known to be afraid of nothing! So, you can imagine our surprise when my brother and sister in law told the family that for her birthday, Kylee wanted DOLLS! That's incredibly out of character! At her party, my sweet little Kylee just tore into those gifts, and LOVED her girly little toys! She was feeding her babies, and giving them a paci, and sleeping them, and riding around on her brothers four wheeler with them! As we watched, I just imagined my little Charlie girl playing dolls, and baking in an easy bake oven, and watching the sound of music, and just being a GIRL! I'm so excited to have this adventure with her! 

Kylee opening gifts

Sweet Kylee Raye with her baby that looked SO real!!

Charlotte Olivia wearing her big cousin Mike's hat and playing with her Mama Lissa

Showing her big Mike that hes not too cool for her

Charlotte Olivia playing on Kylee's train

Hi MOM!

Sweet cousin Jon with his hands in his pockets!

  So, lets get down to business...

Dragrace was fantastic this week! The queens played the snatch game again this season, and while no one topped Pandora Boxx's Carol Channing from season 2, there were some standout performances! Raja was on point, as usual, as the larger than life, Tyra Banks! He totally smized for his LIFE! Stacy Layne Mathews, surprisingly, brought it as Monique. That said, she was totally predictable. Before the panel even reached her, I said to Daniel, Patrick, and Amber, "She should totally turn around toward the back and yell PRECIOUS!!!!" and, wouldn't you know it, she did. Haha. With a character like Monique, I think she could have taken it WAY farther, but compared to the rest of the queens, she was actually terrific. Shangela was a hot mess as Tina Turner, and Carmen's Jennifer Lopez was a snooze! Though the judges put Yara Sophia in the bottom for her Amy Winehouse, I died laughing at that HORRIFIC English accent. In the end, Stacey Layne won the challenge, beating out Raja who was also top three. This really got under my skin, because Stacy isn't on par with the other queens, she doesn't have a creative bone in her body, and shes a big ol crybaby! Im ready for her to go home to backswamp North Carolina! SPOILER ALERT!!! Now that you've been warned, it was Mariah who was sent packing after lip syncing [FOR HER LIFFFFE] against Delta Work. Mariah had her golden moments, but I'm totally on board for her departure. She skated on pretty. She did terrible as the QNN anchor last week, and her Joan Crawford this week was ATROCIOUS! She had no "crazy" in her character [DUH?!], and those cheek bones were a MESS. When it came time to lip sync, Ms Thing didn't even know the SONG! Three strikes and you're out boo ;) 

Tina....bring me the axe!

Ms Mariah from Atlanta

 

 So, I suppose that's it for today! A busy weekend lies ahead, as I'm working the WONDER WOMAN Level A Event at MAC Hulen Friday and Saturday! I'm so excited to work with those fab girls and beat some face! Have a superb rest of your week, readers!

Its been nearly a MONTH since last post

So, its been obviously incredibly busy and hectic around this household! Ill try to roll all the important happenings into this post, and then get back in the blogging groove. I suppose I have some news...

TROY PROPOSED!

Yes, its true! My honey made me the happiest girl in this world on Feb 11th! After six long years, its no secret Ive been beyond ready to be Mrs. Scott! Charlotte Olivia is already a Scott, of course, and I suppose I did feel somewhat left out, as the only Montgomery left in the house. Not to mention, nothing irritated me more than talking about my "boyfriend." I live with my "boyfriend" and our daughter. Goodness gracious. As silly as it sounds, the word "boyfriend" just drove me crazy. It sounds to strangers like we met a few months ago! It give the impression of something not so secure. It certainly doesn't reflect one year of friendship and five years of dating. Most people are engaged by then, haha. 

Me at the start of dinner, with no clue how happy Ill be shortly...

Troy at the start of dinner. Laurie said his look says "I'm about to make her my wife..."

 

  It was beautiful, and perfect. Troy has had the ring for some time, and I was clueless. He took me to one of our favorite steakhouses, The Wild Mushroom. They make fantastic steak, quail, and everything in between. We have had steak at so many different restaurants, and they still make the best New York Strip. He had let the staff in on his plans, so we were sat somewhat off on our own, right in front of the fireplace. We ate our entire meal laughing and talking as usual. At the end of our meal, we were both having a cup of coffee and wrapping it up. He told me how much he loved both me and Charlotte and talked about spending our lives together, focusing on our family and on making each other happy. Then, in front of a slew of people, he got down on one knee, pulled out a ring box, and asked me to be his wife. Then, I died. Haha, well, I started crying immediately and hugged him repeatedly before I finally choked out a "Yes!!" The chef rushed out and gave us champagne, took photos, and congratulated us. When we went outside, his mom was waiting to congratulate us. It was such a whirlwind of events, I honestly think I was in shock! We have set the date for August 18th, 2012! I'm in full planning mode and have already chosen my wedding party. I cant wait to become Mrs. Troy Scott and begin our journey as husband and wife. I love Troy more and more every day. While I never thought that even possible, he still manages to surprise me. 

Work has been intense!

Wedding season is in full swing, and ArtistrybySam has been swamped! I love being back to work, while still being a stay at home mommy! Ive had some of the funnest clients lately! I'm so blessed to be a part of people's wedding days! Especially, those who I went to school with. I think at our ten year reunion, I will have done the bridal makeup for half our graduating class! Its so neat to have a little part of these woman's most special day. I'm also SO excited, because I'm on the freelance list at MAC, helping them out where needed. My first event with them is next weekend, WONDER WOMAN LEVEL A EVENT! I'm beyond stoked to get behind the counter with the girls and have that "team" feeling every now and again. Plus, so many familiar faces! Hulen is my old stomping ground, so I'm excited to see the clientele! Ill be working alongside Catherine, Madison, Hanady, Mckenna, Debra, and the new team members. Being a freelance artist is SUCH a blessing, because while I make a generous living, I still get to plan my own schedule and hours. However, it gets lonely! The best part about my five years with MAC, was the girls. The team. The jokes, the music, the dancing, and creating art alongside other artistic people. That's something I do miss, greatly. I feel like working one or two weekends a months behind the counter will really fill that void for me without stifling my freedom. I feel so blessed to have a friendship with Catherine, who was excited to get me back on the list and work with me :)

CHARLIES Vday/6 Month PICS!

Oh lord, I cant even talk about these pictures. The AMAZINGLY TALENTED Richelle Saldana of Richelle Saldana Photography has outdone herself! This fantastic photog has worked with many of my brides, and was introduced to me while I was pregnant with Charlotte Olivia. She did our pregnancy photos, and is also doing our engagement, bridal, and wedding photos. Her style is crisp and fresh and shes a doll, to boot. CharlieO was sleepy during the shoot, as I couldn't get her to catch a good nap that morning, but Richelle got loads of shots over a short time. I danced like a lunatic to make my girl laugh and smile, and she did well for mom. I told Richelle, I felt like toddlers and tiaras, but she assured me I was nowhere near so crazy. I think at this age, getting her pictures done is important! I want to remember her development at each milestone age, not to mention, the photos can go out to family and friends to see how shes growing. Ill always have them in her baby book for her to look back on, also. We haven't gotten all the shots back yet, but here are the three we HAVE got! 

Charlotte Olivia Scott Valentine's Day 2011/ 6 months old

If you have any special occasion coming up, I highly recommend this amazing photographer. She has so many outfits, props, everything! She makes both adults and children feel at ease and that makes the experience so much more fun! My beautiful little Ms.O, she is her mommy and daddy's sweetest valentine! 

So, lets talk TV ;)

Monday Night- RuPaul's Dragrace Season3

Troy and I have been watching dragrace since season 1, and honestly, this is one of the best shows we have ever seen. Its funny, fearless, inspiring, and groundbreaking! This season Monday Nights at the Scott house are a celebration! Daniel and Patrick come every week and Amber comes when she can make it! Now, both previous seasons, our "horse" for the season has made the top three, but never won [RAVEN WAS ROBBED!]. This season, Ive chosen Raja to take the title of America's Next Drag Superstar! Shes a total bitch, but shes on point! Of course, I'm partial to this fashion MECCA because hes a professional makeup artist, and his transformations are totally terrific. Not a queen alive can hold a candle to his creativity and execution. While we adore Shangela in this house, Ms Watley just cant execute. I also have a soft spot for Ms Carmen Carrera, because that body is just too much. In the words of Alexis Mateo, "Ms. Carmen, you better be naked."

The Queens giving me face! WORK WORK WORK!

 

Well, obviously too much has gone on in the last month to cover it all, but I'm back on the blogging train, and wont slack nearly as much!!     All the love in my heart to you and those you love, readers :)

Another LONG update!

I really wish there was more time in the day! Blogging is so fantastic for me, if only I had more free time to do it daily! So much happens in our lives and Charlotte Olivia is learning and doing more things worth reporting every day, but its always bedtime before I know it, and my blog absolutely takes a backseat to dinner and laundry. Regardless, I update whenever I find time! Brace yourself for a long post full of pictures! 

Playdate :)

Last week Charlie had her very first real playdate, with her friend Aza Breeze, who we call Breeze. Baby B is two and a half months older than C.O and Troy and I have known her parents Whitney and Jason for about over three years now. Whit and I have been meaning to get the girls together for awhile now, but we both went through those first few months of being rookie moms where we didn't take the baby out much! Now that they're a little older, though, we both seemed to have a little more time on our hands. We planned the playdate for last Tuesday, and I actually almost canceled! The day before, I had an emergency root canal, and I was feeling super sore, so I had thought about rescheduling. I felt like Charlie shouldn't suffer for my teeth, though, so I loaded her up and headed over. I'm so glad I did! They just had the best time! Charlotte Olivia was clearly impressed with Breeze's crawling, and I thinking it showed her that someone her size can be on the move too! Since then shes been on her belly nonstop, trying to get moving! They played with toys together, rolled around, laughed, and let Whit and I catch up on mommy talk. They wore each other out after a few hours and they both hit the rack for a long nap! I cant wait to take her on her next playdate! She has two little friends to see soon! Sophia, who is a few months older, and Kimber Jane who is a month younger! After seeing how much she enjoyed spending time with her friend, I want to make more time for social calls for her! 

Breeze and Charlotte Olivia

Playing with toys together, while Charlie trys crawling like her big girl friend!

Charlie, me and baby B

So, since her playdate, Charlotte Olivia has had a busy week! She came home ready to attempt crawling, and shes been trying hard ever since. Shes definitely moving backward, but we haven't seen much moving forward yet. When we place her on her belly in the crawl position, though, she manages to move far away for where she started. Shes getting the hang of it, but shes not quite there yet. On the 31st of January she will be six months old, so I'm hoping the crawling comes soon. Shes spending a lot of time learning and also in her walker and johnny jumper. I know all of the exercise will strengthen her muscles and help her to get moving on her own, but shes on her own time! I guess we will just keep waiting! Thursday she started acting a little fussy and she suddenly had a temperture and a lot of congestion. I got her humidifier going, broke out the baby vicks and vapor bath, and started sleeping her upright. Since Monday was a holiday, I didn't want her to get stuck over a long weekend without seeing her doctor, just in case she got worse. Her TERRIFIC pediatrician fit her in [as ALWAYS] on Friday morning, and he sent her home with a great medicine. It was a liquid decongestant and she takes it every 6 hours. It helped IMMENSELY! Almost right after she took it on Friday, everything loosened up, and I was able to clear out her nose. My little cub felt loads better afterward, it was obvious! We spent the weekend getting her well, and letting her rest. 

Sunday

Early Sunday morning, we met Troys mom Marlene and her longtime boyfriend Jim to have breakfast. We had a lovely visit and they got to love on their little grand daughter. Charlotte Olivia doesn't get to spend as much time with them as she does my parents, because they are older and she IS quite a handful as a baby! Now that shes getting older, it will only be a little longer before shes self sufficient enough to spend more time out at her daddy's childhood home with her Grandma. 

Charlie with Grandma Marlene

With Grandma Marlene and Grampy Jim

 

After breakfast, I dropped CO and Troy off at home and I went to do the marketing alone. Lately, Ive been attempting extreme couponing! Ive heard there is a TV show about it, but I haven't seen it yet. About a year ago, I heard about these women paying less than $10 out the door on hundreds of dollars worth of groceries! Obviously, it seems impossible! It just seemed too complicated for me to master at the time, but in the last year, more and more people I actually KNOW have gotten the hang of it. I decided to try, with just a Sunday paper. Now, to get the largest savings, you really need to get manufactures coupons offline, which i plan to do this week for my next shopping trip. I normally shop at Wal Mart, because its always seemed like nothing could be cheaper. This time, I shopped at Tom Thumb, buying only name brand items. After pairing coupons with store sales, and having most either doubled or tripled, I ended up shaving 74.94 off a 100.00 bill! It was less than 30.00 out the door! This isn't including all of the buy one get one free items that I was able to get with couponing! I ended up with what Id guess is well over 300.00 worth of food and household items! Tom Thumb was also having a special that gave you .10 off of gas with a 50.00 purchase. So, we both filled up our cars for 2.73, while most gas stations are 2.99 or more right now! I'm extremely proud of how well I did! My plan is to double my savings next time around, which should be in two weeks or more. Normally, I spend over 200.00 a week in groceries. This time I spent less than 30.00 and we have enough food for over two weeks! I highly recommend figuring out how to extreme coupon and making it work. You end up with an abundance of everything. For example, I got four boxes of cereal for less than the price of one, but had I just bought one, I wouldn't have been able to get the deal. I use Clorox wipes daily. I got three tubs for less than the price of one. Tom Thumb has proven to be the best couponing store in our area. Albertsons doubles and triples coupons as well, but the in store sales don't pair as well. Also, I noticed that every single person shopping, that I looked at anyway, was couponing. The cashier knew exactly how to work coupons and there was no awkward waiting or frustrated people behind you. Tom Thumb is seemingly the most expensive market, but when couponing, its far cheaper than Wal Mart! Anything we save at the grocery now, we match in cash and put in Charlotte Olivia's savings account.

So proud to say I did this just by clipping coupons and shopping smart!

We hadn't seen our friends Nick and Nicole in what seemed like forever, so they came to visit Sunday evening. Nick and Troy have been friends about nine years, and we met Nicole when he did, around five years ago. We have always considered them to be lifelong friends of ours. They finally were able to spend some time with CharlieO before her bedtime and the four of us had a ball catching up. I was in some serious mouth pain by now, because the previously mentioned dental work Id had done had become infected! Luckily my dentist had given me his pager number in case of something along those lines, and he called in emergency antibiotics and pain medication late that night, and Troy picked it up immediately. After I had taken them, I was able to sleep! Before the pain got too terrible, though, we had some long missed fun with them! I made ribs and queso and everyone snacked. We played cranium, and of course, Nicole and I beat Troy and Nick into the ground! I took some fun pictures! Forgive my homely, no makeup looks. 

Charlotte Olivia and Auntie Nicole

Our oldschool group reunited! Troy, Nick, Nicole, and Me

During cranium, I had to silently act out "Charlie Chaplin" so i drew this on quickly and then flipped around and pretended to take a hat off and walk like him: NICOLE GOT IT RIGHT IMMEDIATELY! lol

Mr and Mrs Nick Townsend

Our favorite boys, living it up and loving each other. These guys have been best friends a long time :)

Nicole and Sam :)

For your viewing pleasure, Troy attempting a cranium "Humdinger" for Nick. This is where you have to hum or whistle a song, and your team mate has to guess it. I'm FULLY convinced they cheated, and that troy showed him the card. You, clearly, cannot tell what troy is humming. Thank God I happened to catch this monstrosity on film.

Monday we kept it lowkey and CharlieO spent the day enjoying her daddy being off of work. My family was out of town for the weekend, and her Memo missed her terribly. So, this morning mom came over to see her. I was having more dental work done that I had to be gassed for, so she drove me to my dentist, stayed with Charlie during, and then brought me home. The doctor advised me not to have the baby alone, because I would be out of it for a few hours, so she went home with Mom to spend the night. Before leaving, mom dropped off a few things our lucky daughter had brought to her from out of town. We are very blessed with family who send her goodies all the time, and of course, her Memo cant take a trip to the grocery without bringing her something back! Ill end this post in pictures of Charlie and her great gifts. 

watching daddy play call of duty 

go dad go!

blue bunny easter dress, from my Tio Juan and Tia Susan

Hat and gloves, valentines "Heart Breaker" outfit, and ADORABLE striped sweater suit from my mom

Onsies from my Tio Juan and Tia Susan

Cute little red track suit from my Tio Juan and Tia Susan

I just LOVE how well people are beginning to know her. A lot of frills and such just aren't her style! Going to take it easy for the rest of the night, as my face is losing its numbness by the minute! I'm way excited for a new Top Chef all stars, too! 

Sam

Update: Charlie O and the crib

Be careful what you wish for. 

Yesterday, I mentioned my current challenge of getting Charlotte Olivia into her crib. As I said, Ive been having her spend a lot more time in there, but always with me within her line of vision. Ill read in a chair next to her or clean my makeup supplies while she either naps in there or plays with her toys. Well, last night she ate dinner, took a bath, and I laid her down in the crib. I swaddled her, turned on soft music, and turned off everything but a night light near her. I fully expected a fight, but my main concern was "proving my point." I set a timer in the kitchen for ten minutes, and figured I would let her cry it out for ten minutes, tops, and if she hadn't fallen asleep by then, I would go in and sleep her. 

Well. My big girl went to sleep. On her own. And she slept through the night. 

I was so incredibly proud of her! This morning, though, she fussed for me when she woke up. I am so happy she slept sweetly and comfortably in her bed, don't misunderstand. However, when I laid her down for her nap this afternoon, she was out on her own within minutes, and I left the room to clean. I listened for her on her monitor, and glanced in on her every ten minutes or so. Suddenly, I realized it had been something like an hour or longer, and she wasn't awake. I went in to make sure she was alright, and she was wide awake, just laying in her bed quietly playing with her toys. She didn't even need her old mom to come get her! This is the first time shes woken up alone and hasn't fussed for me. Of course I'm happy, proud, relieved, etc--but I suppose I just didn't think it would "work" so soon! My baby isn't quite a baby anymore, shes well on her way to toddler status. Shes such a big, beautiful, smart and growing girl. I think it just hit me, that its full steam ahead. I cant pause her or keep her tiny. Shes only getting more advanced and more independent and I guess It just finally sunk in, that I wont ever experience "baby" again. At least, not until my Charlie has a little one of her own, and I get to play grandma. Oh my sweet Charlotte O, how I love you so :)

As for our healthy eating...

Its going fantastically! Last night, I baked Cajun chicken breasts and boiled Cajun seasoned lobster! I had never cooked lobster before, so I was a bit nervous. I figure confidence in cooking will only come from trial and error, though, so I googled some boiling instructions and found that cooking a lobster is a breeze! I had them done in a little under ten minutes, and they were tender and delicious! The chicken alongside made for a nice twist on a surf and turf, and I served the double meat dish with a veggie rice pilaf. Troy and I both love condiments, so I melted him some butter for the lobster and I enjoyed picante sauce and guacamole on everything! It was super good! CharlieO ate in her highchair alongside us. She enjoyed rice cereal, peas, and apples. Troy swore she doesn't like peas, but she seemed to eat them fine for me :)

Tonight, I'm planning a bacon wrapped filet migon with a fresh veggie medley! 

And now, some pictures of CharlieO enjoying dinner last night, and playing in her crib today!

hurry it up mom!

mmm rice cereal!

I know in order to get my apples, I've gotta eat my peas!

ok, now hand over the fruit!!

our little fuzz head rolling around in her crib

look at those hamhocks!

big smiles while she grabs her toys with her feet!

 Sam

Long overdue post, means a LONG post, be forewarned!

We have been SO busy since Christmas! 

Forgive me, readers, for being so late with an update! The week leading up to new year's eve was so hectic and busy, Ill just skip it! No good tv was on anyway! New year's eve is always such a busy work day for me. As a freelance artist, I at least have the freedom to make my own schedule, so this year was the first in ages that we actually celebrated. All the years I worked at MAC, I always worked that day, and we were always slammed stupid, so by the time I got home I was OVER the idea of going out to do it big. Last year was my first NYE out on my own, but I spent it in and out of consciousness at Baylor Hospital during my pregnancy hyper emeisis fiasco! Needless to say, both Troy and I were ready to have some fun this time around! I started my clients early, taking my first round in Dallas. After returning to Fort Worth, I was lucky enough to have the rest of my schedule come to me. I charge $20.00 less than normal when a client comes to my home, but it was really worth the extra time I had to get myself ready. Not to mention, the stress level was non existent all day long. I even had time to fit in some of my lady friends who accompanied us out that evening. Since I haven't had much of a makeup post yet, I figured Id break down three of my fav looks of the day. Mine I plan to break down in detail for those learning, and the two others Ill just breakdown by color, in case anyone is interested in buying product!

My NYE 2010 makeup look

The outfit I wore, to match my makeup [Beautiful Lisa and I at Durtys]

My look was incredibly simple, honestly. Its so funny, because I got so many compliments on my makeup that night and since, but this is one of the most mundane looks Ive done! I think Texas girls just love glitter! Or maybe all girls do! A quick breakdown of the products used here, all product and brushes are MAC unless otherwise stated:

• Brows- Brownscript eyeshadow/#266 brush. The color is very red, to match my brand new red hair!
• Shadow base- NW15 studio finish concealer/#242 brush. I tend to use concealer as a shadow base on most skin types. I personally like to use a shade light enough to white out the eye area, so that all shadows used stay true to color, rather than being manipulated by skin color. I use the shadow base from lashline to brow. It ensures that my shadow stays put without creasing or getting oily, until I take it off. My makeup went on at 5pm NYE and came off at 1pm the next day, as we never went to sleep. haha. 
• Lid- LustDust glitter/#239 brush was packed onto my lid, on top of Ben Nye aquaglitter liquid. I dipped my brush into the liquid, painted it over a closed lid, and packed the glitter on top of it before it dried, and before i opened my lid, so that the liquid wouldn't transfer. The glitter stays put and doesn't flake. 
• Crease- Soft Brown eyeshadow/#224 brush. This color is my "bridge color." I use it no matter what shadow I'm wearing, to help bridge my outer crease color up to my brow highlight color. Without this color in between your darkest eye color and your lightest, the look tends to be boxy and not well blended. It softens the transition from one shadow to the next. If you look closely, you'll see it. 
• Outer Crease- Carbon eyeshadow/#217 brush. I used this generously throughout my outer corner and up through my crease to about the center of my eye. I wanted a smokey effect, without darkening my eyes too much, so I didn't shade any of this color onto the lid. I stayed inside the crease. 
• Brow Highlight- White Wheat eyeshadow [ballonacy quad, no longer available]/#213 brush. I keep my highlight soft around the edges, and bright only beneath the arch of my brow. I want to lift my brow, without allowing my highlight to get to the party before I do. I see a lot of WAY TOO BRIGHT highlights around these parts. Go easy ladies, trend has def changed, and no one is interested in having Blanche Devoureux to dinner! 
• Liner- Black Liquidlast liner- This eyeliner will not come off, even if you're swimming the English channel. Enough said. 
• Bottom Liner- Prunella eyeliner pencil, with Electric Purple loose glitter packed on top of it using a #212 brush. The glitter allows the color beneath it to really pop, and enhanced the purple appearance. 
• Lashes- wig store! #138, my very fav pair!
• Face Primer- Smashbox Photofinish primer/#190 brush. This is a universal primer, in my opinion! It ensures your foundation doesn't move until you move it, and it keeps oil and shine in check! I, personally, have extremely dry skin, and this primer smooths out the appearance of powders on me. 
• Foundation- NC20 Studio Tech/#190 brush. 
• Contour- Med/Deep Mineralize Skinfinish pressed/#187 brush. I contour beneath my cheekbones, around the orbital points of my face, along my hair line, down each side of my nose, and under my chin. Contour is IMPORTANT! No ones face is one color, it just isn't. When using a fuller coverage foundation, you are going to need to break up the natural flow of your face, or else you get a bit mask-y. The contour helps to naturally shade and shadow your face again, and to bring out your bone structure.
• Blush- Pressed Golden Bronzer/#160 brush
• Hightlight- Shimpange Mineralize Skinfinish/ #188 brush- I highlight anywhere the light touches my face naturally. Above my cheek bones, across my mid forehead, down the center of my nose, above my lips, and in the center of my chin. It helps my skin to look dewy, fresh, and bright. Nine times out of ten, if I'm being complemented, its on this specific part of my makeup. 
• Lips- High Tea lipstick with Britain's LIPCOTE on top to ensure my lipcolor stayed put! Ladies, this product isn't available in the US. My wonderful friend Tracy had her mum send some over for me, but if you have access to UK products, BUY THIS ONE! Its the only lip sealer that's ever truly worked for me. My brides LOVE it!
• Final Sealant- Ben Nyes Final Seal. This is a theater strength makeup sealant sprayed onto the face from about a foot away after all makeup is finished. It makes your face water proof for 8-10 hours. The smell is minty because it contains mint, and it drys in seconds. Another fav product of both mine and my clients. So many always yell "SPRAY ME!" when I'm done.

Gorgeous B, and her NYE makeup to match a baby blue corset

• Brows- Soba
• Eyes- Air De Blue pigment [lid], electric eel shadow [crease], carbon shadow [outer crease], bamboo shadow [bridge], white frost shadow [highlight]. Blacktrack fluidline eyeliner, wig store #600 lashes, long individual lashes in corners for cat eye effect
• Eye Design- DUO lash glue in dots going outward from eye to hair line, Reflects Transparent Teal glitter packed on top of dots
• Face- Studio Tech [foundation], Dark Mineralize Skinfinish [Contour], Blonde Mineralize Skinfinish [highlight]
• Lips- Pretty Please lipstick and Viva Glam VI Special Edition Lipglass

Misty Mitchell and her NYE makeup 

• Brows- Cork eyeshadow
• Eyes- Milk pigment [lid], Vibrant Grape shadow [crease], Blackberry shadow [outer crease], Top Hat shadow [outer crease], Bamboo shadow [bridge], pink freeze [highlight]. Blacktrack fluidline eyeliner, Vibrant Grape shadow on lower lashline with Neon 60s loose glitter packed on top. Wig store #600 lashes, with long individual lashes places on bottom lashline for a "dolly eye" effect. 
• Face- Full Coverage foundation, Blot Powder Pressed, Bronze Pressed bronzer [contour], Redhead Mineralize Skinfinish [highlight]
• Lips- Shy Girl Lipstick and Love Nectar Lustreglass

Just a few of my makeup favs of the day! I did so many, its always hard to choose the ones I loved most. All of my clients were beautiful and their NYE makeup just helped it to stand out! After I finished up with work, Troy and I rode downtown with B and Daniel Berry. We met up with our friends and spent the evening laughing, dancing, and having a ball at Durty Murphys! We closed the bar at 2am, took a cab to Ol South pancake house for some grub, and then took a cab home. We got here a little after 5am. Both Daniel and Troy immediately fell asleep, but I had to upload pictures to facebook! Time passed and before I knew it, it was bright outside! I decided I missed CharlotteO so much, I couldn't sleep until she was home! So I pulled my first all nighter in ages! Heres a few pics from our evening:

danielberry, B, and I before hitting the road

B, Lisa, Phillp, and our resident photobomber-Devin

Troy, Adam, Mary, and Myself

Speaking of Charlotte O! Our little beauty is just growing like a weed! Shes well on her way to crawling and shes eating many more solid foods. Right now my biggest mommy challenge is getting her to sleep on her own. Ive read a lot of articles by moms and doctors, suggesting that by five months she should be able to fall asleep on her own, without a bottle. Its been tough! She is absolutely used to being "slept" by me. I'm having her spend more time in her crib, though, to get her used to the are and to make it seem like a fun and inviting place for her. Instead of putting her in the center of our bed with her toys, I sit her in her crib with them. I will play music in the room while she plays or let Rugrats run on the tv. She seems to be enjoying being in the crib, until its time to go to sleep. According to most of what Ive read, it only takes a week or so of tears at bedtime to get them into a routine. Im so uncomfortable letting her cry, but I don't want to do her an injustice either. More on this story as it develops!

CharlieO with her big sissy Court and Auntie Tracy last week

I'm taking on a trainee! The above beautiful not so little lady is Courtney Miller. She and her mom Tracy [who got me the lipcote] have been clients of mine for about five years. Soon, that professional relationship blossomed into friendship, and since they've practically become family! They just adore Charlotte Olivia and were some of her very first hospital visitors after her birth. Tracy is fantastic with makeup and Court has decided to follow in those footsteps and pursue a career as a makeup artist. I recently decided to take her on as my personal protege! Shes such a fantastic girl and a shinning example of how I hope Charlotte Olivia is around that age. Makeup is hard to get into in this area, because training is so hard to find. Most "beauty schools" focus entirely on hair and what they do teach you about makeup is BAD HABITS! I want Court to succeed, and I feel like I will put my heart into teaching her all I know. I plan to start bringing her along on larger jobs to shadow me. It will start with golfer work of course, lugging makeup chairs, kits, and grabbing coffee but I hope to take her to the next level within the year. If I stay on schedule, she will be at least priming and running skin care duty by May! I'm also working on a "workbook" of color theory, tips and tricks, and other tools of the trade for her. I'm so excited for both her and for me! Courtney is like the little sister I never had, and a bit of practice for Charlie's teen years! I'm thrilled that I inspire her in some way, and can help her reach her dreams. More on this story, as well, in the coming months. 

NEW YEAR's RESOLUTIONS!

We all make and break them! What are yours? Troy and I have given cigarette smoking the boot, as was always our intention before CharlotteOs 6 month birthday. We are a month shy, and 4 days smoke free, so Id say we are doing beautifully. Troy struggles far more than I do in this area, as Ive never been addicted to cigarettes, though Ive smoked for five years, save the time I was pregnant. Its always been a habit for me. Something to do while driving or while outdoors. I gave them up cold turkey once I was pregnant, and now that Ive done it again, I feel fantastic! We are also committing to a healthier lifestyle all around. We used to eat very well, but he got into a fast food habit while I was hospitalized, and after Charlotte was born things were so new and different for us, we were more focused on learning how to be new parents than on what was for dinner. We are back to dinner at the table, though, with a protein and two veggies on the plate! Everything feels better! I feel more alert, energetic, and happy! Its amazing the effect crappy food can have on your body. Luckily for us, we have Charlotte Olivia as constant motivation to stay healthy! I know its not that easy for everyone, though, and I wish you all the very best toward your resolution efforts!

More to come tomorrow or, at least, sometime soon :)

Sam