Color of the Year

When January hits, I am always ready to bring out bold, vibrant colors. Spring is only two months away and the thought of green grass and warm nights is enough to make me want to wear flip flops in the snow.

The color for 2014 is helping me make the transition from black to something brighter. I am wild about this year's color because not only does it go great with my skin tone (I am a WINTER) but it will transition easily into every season.

SIDE NOTE: My sister always finds out the color of the year early and lets me know how I should plan for the upcoming year. She is my fashion Sherpa, if you will.

This year the color is Radiant Orchid and I am kind of in love with it.

Just soak it in, people, because you are going to see a lot of it in 2014. It is everywhere!

If you are wanting to dive into this year's color trend, here are a few of my favorite orchid-infused things.

This darling pillow from Joss and Main:

For your tootsies:

As an accent wall, a bedroom dresser or the interior of your kitchen cabinets:

 

 

 

Some arm candy from Michael Kors:

 

 

To tuck you in at night:

As a way to celebrate your big day:

 

To accessorize anything:

 

You can even buy a net for your face...if you want a net in your face:

 

So, there you go, purple-lovers! This is your year! Live it up.

And if you want more ideas of where you can find Radiant Orchid, Pinterest has an entire board dedicated to it!



Top Ten: Spring Favorites from Pinterest

Holy cow. It is Wednesday already. And guess what? It snowed again in Denver. Apparently we like to call our Spring "Winter" around here.

In spite of the chilly morning and snow on the ground, I am celebrating warm weather in my heart. And do you know why? It is because Pinterest told me I could. There is nothing quite like a virtual bulletin board to make you want to bust out your flip flops!

So, while I wait for the snow to melt, I am here to share my latest favorites for Spring:

1. Statement Necklaces:
Isn't this GORGEOUS? Granted, you can't wear it with everything, but you could plan your entire outfit around this necklace. I am a huge fan.

2. Floral Print
I am a sucker for floral print. It is ultra-feminine but can still be paired with a chunky belt and denim shirt. Love!

3. Chevron.

I love chevron. The end.

4. Coral Bedrooms

I am always in the mood to re-do my bedroom and right now, I am drooling over the neutral/coral/turquoise combination. I could take a serious nap in these rooms.

5. Colorful Bags

I feel like I am perpetually on the hunt for the perfect bag. It is so hard to find the right combination of size, utility, material and color. But these two? I would take them both!

6. Salads

You all know that I am a girl who likes her food. But right now, I am so sick of hot, heavy meals. I yearn for quinoa and kale and fresh corn and fruit. Apparently, I am becoming a rabbit. And I am totally okay with that.

7. New Work Outs

I am always looking for ways to avoid change-up my workouts. Right now, these are the two I am tackling and I love them both. They go by so quickly! If my glutes are hating me then I know I must be doing something right.

Hike It Off: Treadmill Workout from Self Magazine: Set the treadmill at 3.6 mph, and toggle between inclines to simulate hills.
Minutes: 2  Incline: 0 Minutes: 1  Incline: 4
Minutes: 3  Incline: 8
Minutes: 2  Incline: 12
Minutes: 1  Incline: 3
Minutes: 2  Incline: 10
Minutes: 1  Incline: 12
Minutes: 4  Incline: 7
Minutes: 2  Incline: 12
Minutes: 2  Incline: 6
Total: 20 minutes

 

8. Flats

Flats are where it's at. Don't get me wrong, I adore heels, but flats make your life so much more comfortable. And there are so many cute ones out there right now!

9. Twirly Skirts

I love skirts in the spring and summer. And I especially love them if they twirl.

10. Parties

There is nothing I love more than a big backyard party! And once the snow melts and the ice drips off the roof and the ground thaws out and I can once again feel my toes, I am throwing a big backyard bash. Oh yes I am!

Happy, happy Spring, peeps! May you bask in the warmth of the sun today, even if you are wearing a down-filled coat.

Beautiful

Like so many others, I have struggled with my physical appearance my entire life. So much time, energy and emotional stress has been consumed and often wasted over the thought of what I look like. The thought of that makes me so sad.

I do not believe that is the way God intended for it to be. A God of freedom would not ask us to wrap ourselves in chains.

For so many reasons, I love this video.



Bravo, Dove.

Bravo.

My Faves: Spring Beauty Products

For those of use who live in the Denver area, we would do anything for a few days of warmth. These last three days of snow have been brutal on my psyche as well as my hair, because I only go from one full-blast heater to the next.

However, the sun is shining today and the snow is melting and I only wore two layers of clothes instead of three! Things are looking up, people! And on top of that, I had a mango for breakfast, which nothing screams "warm tropical breezes" quite like a mango.

Unless, of course, you were actually experiencing warm, tropical breezes.

To help my mood and my overall appearance, I have found several new beauty items that I am LOVING. Not only am I smelling particularly delicious these days, but I find nothing perks up my spirits quite like a new nail polish color or sugar scrub. I really am a low-maintenance girl.

So, without further ado, here are my top five new spring beauty products. And guess what, you can buy them all at Target.

Naturally.

1. J.R. Watkins Sugar and Shea Body Scrub: Grapefruit
I just discovered J.R. Watkins products last week and I will tell you that I am COMPLETELY HOOKED! They have a variety of products and flavors, but this sugar scrub in grapefruit is amazing. It is perfect for all of us girls who have come out of hibernation and started shaving our legs again. And the shea butter stays on your skin for two days! This stuff is fabulous! I am wanting to buy the lotion next. And it is completely natural, without chemicals or parabens. It's like your skin is eating all-natural, organically grown goodness.

2. OPI Ridge Filler
Confession: I do not have the best nails in the world, they are ridgy and easily split into layers. But this OPI Ridge Filler is fantastic for giving my nails a smooth finish and extra strength. Plus, if you put on two coats, the color comes out a creamy whitish/pink, perfect for a spring manicure. OPI usually runs on the pricier side of nail products but this stuff is worth it! And it can last a long time.

3. GÜD Red Ruby Groovy Natural Body Wash
This is a brand new product from Burt's Bees and I have never smelled anything like it! As you can tell, I love the scent of grapefruit and this has the most refreshing, delicious grapefruit smell ever! It is the perfect thing to wake me up in the morning. A little goes a long way but it leaves you smelling wonderful, without thinking you smell like a fruit salad. And as a bonus, it is also without harsh chemicals or parabens.

4. Cover Girl Natureluxe Gloss Balm with SPF 15
I have actually had this product for a while, but I find that I use this gloss most often when the sun is shining and I am wearing something other than wool. It goes on light but lasts a long time (compared to most glosses and balms) and feels great on your lips! Plus, it doesn't gunk up, making you feel like you have a bug trap on your face. My personal favorite is Cabernet, but they have a plethora of colors from which to choose.

5. Cover Girl Smoothers Concealer

I do not leave home without this little gem. I came across it one day in the grocery store when I looked like I had been run over by a truck and desperately needed something to perk up my face. It is super easy to apply, available in any drug store and only costs about $5. Plus, it will last forever! Because my skin is so fair, it only takes one late night for dark circles to appear under my eyes and this product covers them right up without looking like I have applied spackle to my face. Plus, it gives you a more even skin tone. I, of course, use Fair, but they have five other shades to help compliment your skin tone.

When the sun is nowhere to be found and water is not doing the trick, these are my new go-to products for spring! So, what are some of your favorite products this time of year??

Good Monday Morning

Hello peeps (and no, not the marshmallow kind)!

Today is the day where all things pastel and sugary are thrown into the garbage, never to be seen again. Not even an evening binge and the very strong desire to pilfer through the trash will bring those suckers back into my home. It is time to focus on summer and trying not to actually look like an inflated, chocolate-covered version of myself.

Speaking of which, that would not be pretty. Nope.

Easter around my house was blissful. March was not the easiest month. In fact, I am really happy to see it leave. But this past weekend was filled with things I had been craving: stability, rest and comfort. My dad was able to come home for the weekend, the first time since Christmas. His time went by way too fast but there are no words to express how much peace his presence brings. For a few hours, there was a sense of normalcy. I'll take that any day.

We also ate a lot of bacon.

And I watched a Duck Dynasty marathon. Nothing says Resurrection Sunday quite like Phil Robertson preaching the Word in camouflage. Hands down, that could be my favorite show on TV right now. And call me crazy, but I think I could marry a man with beard. But then again, that could just be the sugar detox talking.

I have also found a new nail polish color that I am just LOVING. It is currently on my toes and if it weren't for the snow/rain/hail/sunshine mix we are forecasted for today, I would be wearing some sort of sandal just to show them off. It is called "Brisk Blue" and it is summer in a bottle:

I implore you buy this. In the insightful words of Uncle Si, it will make you happy, happy, happy.

Yeah, perhaps I need a camouflage detox too.

The Weekend Itinerary

Do you know what I love? I love that you all care about hair and understand the complex relationship we have with it, almost like it is a third arm or a child or something.

Thanks for the advice, warnings, encouragement and cheerleading. If I actually do go through with it and cut it off, you are officially invited to come and hold my hand. Or sit and knit. Whichever.

Speaking of which, I am also loving this cut:

There's a little more to it, not so drastic. But it is still short and funky and feminine. It's really darling, don't you think?

Moving on to more important things, let's talk weekend plans. It is Friday, my most favorite day of the week! I love this day because anything is possible when we are unencumbered by our daily routines.

Unless, of course, you work on the weekends.

Or, you are a mom.

In both cases, today is just like any other day. Hang in there.

This weekend is going to be special. Women's Group is celebrating our 10th anniversary! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? Well, you probably can since I have only been blogging for three years and many of you still think it is weird that we call ourselves "Women's Group."

Regardless, we are going to spend the weekend downtown and enjoy a little pampering, fine dining, and an overnight stay where we all stay in one hotel room! It is going to be highly entertaining followed by very little sleep! It should be fabulous!

First, however, I am entertaining an overnight guest: the son of my brother and the nephew of my sister. He is 7 going on 17 and has already placed an order for all the bacon he can possibly eat for Saturday breakfast.

He is my most favorite boy.

To round out the weekend, my plan is to nap before and after the WG excursion and to catch the latest episode of Downton Abbey on Sunday night before I fall into bed and pray for a snow day on Monday. Let's just hope poor Edith continues to recover from being jilted at the altar by a very old man.

So there you have it. I hope your weekend is full of wonderful things too!

Input on Going Short

So, friends.

I have this inkling of a desire to do something drastic with my hair.

Even as I type this out, I am starting to get nervous. The kind of nervous you get when you go on a blind date, when you don't know if the person around the corner is going to be unbelievably amazing or make you call your big brother for back-up.

Apparently haircuts are riddled with anxiety.

But...

Lately...

I have been thinking of lightening the load.

And doing something like this:

CHEESE AND BISCUITS, that is short!!

But I kinda love it.

It screams "I am awesome and confident and feminine!"

Would you ever do it? Have you? Will you knit me a hat if I don't like it?

Thank you for your input.

Our Favorite Things Party

Last night was our Women's Group Christmas party. Usually, we swap names and exchange pajamas, but this year we decided to give each other our favorite things!

Kind of like Oprah but with a $5 budget.

I highly recommend this kind of gift exchange because you find new treasures that you realize you have wanted your whole life but didn't even know it. And it shows the fun, creative, artistic and ingenious side of your friends!

Here's the loot:

• Harry and David coffee and pasta from Kim, 
• Scentsy lotion that smells divine (Rachel is now selling it), 
• Handmade seasonal greetings that Abby printed and framed, 
• Bangles and a hand-sewn bracelet from Jenn,
• Minty green nail polish (the official color of 2013!) and a purse-sized nail file from yours truly,
• Travel-sized hair spray and brush from Natalie
• Heather's MOPS cookbook

I am amazed that we all came up with something different! And all for under $5. 

We are all just a a few million dollars away from having our own talk show.

Here we are holding our favorite things.

What you don't see is my gimpy elbow that I have conspicuously hid so that this Christmas photo will not be remembered as "the year Sarah cracked her elbow while trying to do a triple toe loop."

Instead, it will be remembered as my favorite Christmas party yet.

Top Ten: Sarah and Melissa's Favorite Beauty Products

It is Friday of Beauty Week and today I present to you the top 10 products that Melissa and I adore!

Are you ready for this? I am sure you are.

1. Burt's Bees Chapstick

Chapstick is a must this time of year, especially if you live in the high desert (I almost wrote "dessert," which could apply as well) of Colorado. Burt's Bees is a favorite of mine and we all know that Melissa does not leave home without it!

2. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads

I have been using these cleansing pads for nearly two years and I can honestly say they clean my face better than any other product I have used. They have two sides, one smooth and one with an exfoliating texture, and they leave my face feeling totally clean and refreshed. For the best deal, I get mine at Walmart.

3. Sally Hansen Nail Polish

Melissa and I both agree that you get more bang for your buck with Sally! Of course Essie and O.P.I. are stocked with fabulous colors, but they can run $8.00 per bottle! Sally Hansen has a plethora of colors and finishes and start as low as $2.50. Their "Insta-Dri" is currently my favorite, the brush is angled so it goes on super smooth. You can find them at almost every store that sells beauty products.

4. Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation Powder

My mom introduced me to Bare Minerals about five years ago and I haven't looked back since! I love how light it feels and I think it does a great job of giving you a smooth, balanced canvas for the rest of your make-up. I also love that it is natural and has sun protection included. This is a bit on the pricey side at $27.00 per jar, but I can stretch mine out to last 9-12 months. Totally worth the investment!

5. Mary Kay Moisturizer

Even though Mary Kay may seem like it is only for people over 50 or who were born and raised in Texas, I know plenty of hip women who swear by it! Melissa loves the Mary Kay skincare line and uses it daily. Having grown up in Oklahoma, I am very familiar with their products and agree that they are fabulous! Melissa uses this day and night and she says it keeps her face hydrated and radiant. I have seen her face and I totally agree. If you need a Mary Kay consultant, feel free to let me know and I can hook you up with Melissa.

6. Aquaphor

Prepare to be amazed: Melissa uses Aquaphor for under eye cream at night! After our discussion on Sunday, I decided to give it a try and so far, I am loving it! Essentially, it is a thick vaseline that I dab under my eye and around the ends. By the morning, I feel like my eyes look more refreshed and the skin around them appears more hydrated. I am so thankful for this new tip, not only is it easy to find but it is super cheap compared to expensive eye creams!

7. Revlon Grow-Lucious Fabulash Mascara

I am constantly trying out new mascaras. I can never seem to find just the right formula to make my lashes long, thick and non-clumpy. Currently, this is my new favorite! It has an old-school brush on it, not one of those weird rubbery ones, and the formula is smooth. I throw mine out every three months just to prevent clumping. The $7.99 is totally worth 90 days of long lashes!

8. BIOTERA Shampoo and Conditioner

In case you didn't notice, Melissa has amazing naturally curly hair. Truly, it is a masterpiece on her head! She uses Biotera products and loves all of them! And she doesn't even use those for curly hair. I trust curly-headed people when it comes to hair products. I mean, how can you not? I can't wait to try this!

9. Big Sexy Hairspray

First, I love the name. It is a goal in my lifetime to have big, sexy hair. Second, this stuff works wonders. It runs $17.99 per can but it can last for-e-ver. No need to mess around with other products. This stuff rocks.

10. Maybeline Unstoppable Eye Liner

I adore eyeliner, and the blacker the better! I have tried a bazillion different brands but I am loving Maybeline right now. It stays on, it doesn't smudge and you don't have to sharpen the end. I try to avoid sharp objects around my eyes, especially knowing my lack of coordination.

**BONUS PRODUCT**

Dollar Store Mouthguards

Confession: Both Melissa and I have to wear mouthguards at night because we grind our teeth. (I cannot wait to introduce my future husband to this, I am sure it is every man's dream to sleep next to a football player.) Currently, I use one that my insurance covered from my dentist's office, but Melissa gets hers from the Dollar Store. She loves them and says they are really comfortable! If mine is every eaten by my brother's dog or if I somehow leave it in a foreign country, I am definitely getting my at the Dollar Store, because, you know, it will only cost A DOLLAR. That is so brilliant.

Okay fabulous friends, thus concludes Beauty Week! Thanks for following along and if you have any products that you love, feel free to share.

Happy, happy Friday.