Dressing Your Truth - Spreading The Love!

I just had to let you know that Dressing Your Truth is at it again! They are Spreading The Love and they want you to be a part of it! I cannot even begin to tell you how much this program has changed my life. You can read a bit about my journey with DYT here.

This is an awesome time to become a part of Dressing Your Truth.

Want to see something amazing? Just check out these before and afters!

A Giggle For Your Day

I just had to pop in to share a video with y'all that is sure to make you laugh. I can't stop watching it. I mean, really, I've watched it about four times and I'm still giggling. Enjoy it everyone!

Eva, Andy and Forrest

I went star gazing today and saw this star:




Eva Longoria




Andy Garcia




Forrest Whitaker



Eva Longoria, Andy Garcia and Forrest Whitaker are in town filming the movie "The Truth". Today my sis-n-law and I went downtown to watch the filming. It was so exciting! I can't wait to watch the movie to see if I can recognize the scenes that we were watching film. They have rented a home across the lake from our friends home to do some scenes in. Andy Garcia also went to the hospital to film a few scenes. He took pictures with all of the nurses and gave autographs. My mom-in-law's best friend has had a crush on Andy Garcia since she was 17. She just so happens to work at the hospital on the floor that Andy was filming on. The day that filming took place, she left work three hours early and totally missed him. Needless to say, she was disapointed. So, it's been pretty darn interesting to say the least!! Eva's even been tweeting about being in Sudbury! To think that our town has some celebs running around. And don't you know that I am a HUGE "Desperate Housewives" fan so to think that when I watch tonight, Eva will actually be in my city! Crazy!

Just had to share. :)

My Birthday Wish List

Tomorrow marks my 29th birthday. It's been a celebratory kind of weekend as first of all, it's a long weekend. Today is also my father-in-laws birthday and also Aubrey turns two  months old. Monday (my birthday) is also Family Day in many parts of Canada. That's where most everyone gets a day off of work and the city shuts down so that families can spend time with one another. So it's just one big party weekend!

I thought I'd share with you my birthday wish list this year. I found some super cute things that I'm just dying to make mine. We'll see if I open any tomorrow! :)

I've always wanted a tassel. This one is so pretty and will match my new kitchen colors. Decorative Bird Tassel via LaurynAnn's Etsy Shop

My heart beats extra hard for the cute makeup bag from TheSweetLifebyDesign. There is also a smartphone gadget case in this same fabric and I'd LOVE to be the owner of that as well. And, I don't even own a cell phone!

I already enjoy grocery shopping but it would be even loads more fun if I could use this cute market basket! With grocery bags costing 5 cents, I'd definatly put it to good use! It's from gigglesandgrins1's

 Etsy Shop.

Oh yeah! I drive a van. I wish I didn't. But this keychain would make it a whole lot better! It's from DarkChocolateNTulip's Etsy Shop.

I have thought of so many things I could do with this fabric organizing bag from TheSpottedBarn. It's so adorable!!

I've been searching for THE perfect handstamped family necklace since before Aubrey was born. I wanted a piece that was substancial and that would allow me to showcase my whole family. Plus, it needed to be affordable. I think I finally found it! I'd add Aubrey's name where it says "Grace" and me and Shane's name's below. The long hanging tag would be our wedding date. Love this necklace! It's from JessicaMaiaDesign's Etsy Shop.

And last but not least, I want this Vera Bradley purse. Originally I wanted it in Lemon Parfait, then Call Me Coral. But I would have really loved to have had it in this orange color (that I don't know the name of) and that's what I finally decided my heart was set on. And the great news, it was on clearance. Until today when I went to look at the bag again. Totally gone. Vamoos. Boo! I was pretty disapointed. So, it's back to Lemon Parfait (shown) or Color Me Coral.

I'm also wishing for a label maker. I have a lot that needs organized in my life! :)

Hope ya'll have a great rest of the weekend and Happy Monday!!

For The Love Of Grey Gardens

I love a great makeover - and I know you do too.

This story is a little bit of the opposite of a makeover - a beautiful East Hampton's home with incredible classic beauty -

then eventually looked like this...

 "Things just tend to accumulate after Labor Day."  - Little Edie Beale

Have you watched the movie "Grey Gardens"?

Oh friends, if you haven't, you truly must!

 It is a true story based upon the the lives of Edith Bouvier Beale (Big Edie) and her daughter Edie Bouvier Beale (Little Edie). They were related to Jackie Kennedy Onasis (as aunt and first cousin respectivly) and the movie depicts the mother and daughter's lives of being rich socialites to living in extreme poverty and utter squalar. In the mid-70's a documentary team filmed the two women and the movie quickly became a cult classic. In 2009, HBO released a recreation of the movie staring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. The HBO version recreates some scenes of the original documentary but aslo gives you the before and after story of the women's lives.

 

It's an amazing movie and I can't tell you how much I love watching it. My little sister and I throw quotes back and forth to one another on Facebook as she is a huge fan of the movie too. We talk in their accents and my sister even donned Little Edie's famous head scarves.

 Sorry Julie! But this photo makes me laugh every time!

There is so much interesting trivia surrounding the two women and their eccentric lives. For instance - Little Edie was so beautiful that she used to be a model - even having her picture hung in Macy's. Big Edie was also considered to be a singer/piano prodigy.

And in regards to the actors who flawlessly recreated the women there is also a vast amount of interesting tidbits. Like Drew Barrymore did not communicate with any of her friends or family for the entire length of filming (about 3 months) to better get into the character of the isolated Little Edie.

The home came to utter ruins after years of neglect and through a host of cats and raccoons that came to call "Grey Gardens" home. After Big Edie died, Little Edie sold Grey Gardens to Ben Bradlee, the former executive editor of The Washington Post, and his wife, the writer Sally Quinn on the promise that they would not tear down the home. Little Edie said all the house needed was a "coat of paint!" HA!


I'll share with you a few photos of the home after Sally and Ben purchased it.

When Mrs. Quinn touched a key on the piano, the whole thing collapsed and fell through the floor!

The grande staircase.

Oh just look at the filth on the walls and floor!

Before

After the Beale's

Grey Garden's today.

Here is the link to the complete set of photos:

• Interior
• Exterior

 Truly, this movie is funny, shocking, heart warming, heart wrenching and a true story of love between a mother and daughter. Put it on your list of flicks to rent. I promise you will ADORE the before shots of the gorgeous Grey Gardens. It's absolutely breathtaking! And I'm sure you'll gasp as the movie progresses and you see the afters! Let me know if you've seen it...or plan to watch it! Now I'm off to go tell my sister about this post. She's gonna shoot me for posting that photo of her. :)

Some photos and information via Grey Gardens Online and The Official Gey Gardens Fan Site.

Mandi's Step By Step Tips and Tricks For Getting That Faux Lash Look Minus the Faux Lashes

I'm linking up with Beth's "Get Your Face On" party! Go check her blog out for so many other great makeup tutorials. I think somewhere inside of me lies a frustrated makeup artist.



I've been wanting to write this post for some time now. I took the photos last year in fact....err...2008 I mean. Still having a hard time adjusting to it being 2010. In the course of my life, I think the number one question I get asked is "Are those your real eyelashes?" Or a variance upon that. All.of.the.time. Once while eating with a friend at a restraunt, the waitress said "Okay wait, I just have to ask you if those are your real eyelashes". Of course, they were. She just couldn't stop staring at me after that. Another time, while getting my hair cut, the stylist got down right next to my face and said "I just need to see if your eyelashes are real". This happens to me so often and I honestly love it. I take it always as a compliment. I've never worn false eyelashes in my life. I tried once. On my wedding day. But I bought the individual lashes and for the life of me couldn't get them to stick on my eyes. So I can honestly say I've never work them.  I'm not blessed with amazingly long lashes, as you'll see in the photos. I've just learned how to work the mascara to make it look like I have faux lashes. I'm here to tell you my tricks. It's never before been done. So here we go...

Mandi's Step By Step Tips and Tricks For Getting That Faux Lash Look Minus the Faux Lashes

First we need to assemble our cast of characters. You will need:

1. Double Extend Mascara or a "Base Mascara" as I like to call it. I like to use either Maybelline Great Lash or Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara. For true fauxness you want to choose the Blackest Black color. Yes, there is a color blacker than black.

2. If you are not using a double extend mascara (mascara with a white primer/base on one side and a black color on the other side of the tube) then you will need a builder mascara. I like to use Maybelline Volum' Express Mascara. I've used this for years and love it.

3. L' Oreal Voluminous Mascara. An absolute must for true fauxness. It really gives that thick lash look.

4. An eyelash curler

Blogger formatting isn't cooperating with me right now so I apologize for the wonkiness of the above photos. But those are the mascaras I used for this tutorial.

Below...beware of very "Blair Witch" type photos. Lots of eyes.

Oh hello. How scary! Sans mascara and lipgloss. My husband was a little unnerved when he first saw me without my "face" on. :)

 

See...this is what I mean. My lashes aren't particularly long.

 

You'll want to begin by curling your lashes. This opens up your eye and really puts the oomph in your lashes. Don't be afraid of your curler! I've had mine for almost 14 years now. I spent less than $6 on it. You can lightly warm the curler with your blow dryer to get a real lasting crimp. Crimp right at the base of your lashes and hold for about ten seconds. Be careful not to pinch your skin!

 

After curling. A difference, eh?!

 

Next you'll want to apply your primer or base mascara. Here I'm using the Double Extend Mascara. Start at the root of the lash and glide upwards. And again. And again. Do this a couple of times to really coat the lash. This step helps make your lashes thick and gives something for your other mascara coats to cling to.

After your primer or base coat, you'll want to start with your black color. For this tutorial I used the other side of the Double Extend mascara. Currently in my makeup bag you will find Maybelline Volum' Express. Coat, coat, coat those lashes. Again, start at the root and glide up. You can also hold the mascara wand horizontally and wiggle back and forth at the root. This helps give you a thicker base at your lash line. I would say I put on about three to five coats of black mascara. Gently coat the bottom lashes as well. This time start at the base of your lower lash line and glide down. Go slowly. Gently fan out your lashes.

Once you get the black mascara on, take your pointer finger and hold it against the base of your lashes and hold for about five seconds. This helps push the lashes up and really opens up the eye. Don't skip this step if you want really faux lashes.

Here are my lashes after the primer and black mascara. You never would have thought I would get these bad boys from the puny looking lashes in the first photos, eh? But they still aren't thick enough for me. Here is where the last mascara comes in.

Use your Volumize Mascara by L' Oreal and coat your lashes. Follow the same steps as above, start at the base and glide upwards. If you see a clump starting to form, use the tip of your mascara wand and remove it. Sort of play with your lashes. Style them if you will. Fan them out and try to evenly apply mascara over each lash. You don't want thick mascara on your outer lashes and not on your inner lashes (closer to your nose). This may take some practice - I have years under my belt. But you can do this! It's all in the application of each mascara.

After Volumize!

 And here I am, hair done, lip gloss on, and dressed for the day. Funny how I don't look like this anymore - hair is short and flippy now. But lashes are the same. And, I'm not even wearing eyeliner in these photos!  

If I'm honest, it takes me about twenty minutes to do my lashes. You may not want to spend that sort of time but it's my signature. I look so different if I don't have "my lashes". This may be a tutoriol that you use only for special occassions. But give it a try. It really is fun!

Tumbling After

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that I created a tumblr account. It's holding all kinds of photos that I find inspirational, lovely, inspiring. You name it. I've hit my limit of photos for the day but there are plenty there to look at. Check back often for new updates. I'm always finding inspiration! Here is the link.

Autumn Joys

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

When I was a little girl, I remember visiting a pumpkin patch with my sister, Jenn. My uncle Hal and his girlfriend and her daughter picked us up and took us to spend a fun day at the pumpkin farm. I remember it was the first time I ate Good-n-Plenty candies and it was that day that I learned I hated those little pill like things. The pumpkin patch is a wonderful place to get the best pumpkins, to support your local economy and farmers, sample some yummy goods (many often sell baked goods and jams), to take amazing pictures, to enjoy the wonderful Autumn air, and spend an awesome time with your family.

Don't have kiddos? Borrow one! A neighbor kid, a niece or nephew, grandchild, someone from church. Still no kiddos in your life? Grab your hunny and take him. You'll have a great time. Promise!




2. Celebrate Fall

Every year, since we started dating, Shane and I have celebrated Fall. It's our little way of welcoming the season in. For us, that means grabbing a hot apple cider from our local coffee shop and driving around to look at the leaves and pretty decorations that people have in their yards. Perfect excuse to take a great walk - in a new neighborhood too. So, throw on a cozy sweater, a scarf and get yourself a pumpkin spice latte or hot apple cider and go celebrate Fall.

3. Go On a Hayride

Have you done this before? If not, it's a must. Sitting on hay bales while riding around whether being pulled by a tractor, a truck or horses is such a fun fall thing to do. It's there that I discovered I had allergies to hay. But still, a fun time. Hot chocolate is required. So if you are at a place where they offer hay rides, don't sit back. Join in the fun!

4. Have a Bonfire

Here is another thing that Shane and I are planning on doing really soon. Perhaps as early as tonight! It's the perfect time to throw some wood on the fire, toast marshmallows, drink some hot drinks (what is it about this season that requires hot drinks? I don't know but I love it!) Provide your guests with extra mitts and scarves. Maybe have a basket or two set aside for them in case they get chilly. Also have some throw blankets set aside too. This is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer. I can't wait to have our bonfire!

5. Host a Pumpkin Carving Party

Pumpkins? Check. What is Autumn without pumpkins? Carving pumpkins is essential. Bring your friends together and see who can carve the best pumpkin. Have prizes for the most creative, the most intricate, the scariest. Lots of little kiddos in your life? Offer paints and glitters so they can decorate their pumpkins. Maybe use little pie pumpkins for them. Pint sized pumpkins for pint sized people!




6. Enjoy Some Candy

Throw off the guilt and indulge in a bit of a sugar rush. You know you can't resist candy corn, little candy pumpkins, the fall colored M&M's. Candy is way on sale right now. Have a little.

Here is a recipe for one of my families favorite Autumn treats:

Mix equal parts salty peanuts with candy corn. Toss together. Enjoy! It's the perfect combination of salty and sweet.




7. Buy a New Sweater

This is sweater weather isn't it? Maybe find a lovely sweater in a pretty jewel tone, a spicy pumpkin, or a deep red. How about argyle? That's what I'm looking for this season. Just make sure that you feel good in the sweater and it feels good on you.

8. Host a Potluck

What a simple way to get together with friends! It's easy to get together when everyone brings a dish. You provide the main course - maybe a hearty soup or sloppy joes. Something that can simmer in the crock pot all day. Your house will smell delicious! Maybe you can have a potluck party and pumpkin carving party in one!




9. Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Mmmmm. Yum-o! That's just about all that I can say. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sugar and Spice Pumpkin Seeds
Maryland Pumpkin Seeds

10. Cozy Up

Light some candles, turn down the lights, turn up the music and cuddle under a warm blanket with your sweetie. Or skip the music and put on "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" movie. Cute as can be!


So there are some ways to make the most out of this season. How do you celebrate Autumn? I'd love to hear! I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy my favorite time of the year.