Toddler Indoor Fort

Source: Apartment Therapy

I have been thinking about this project since before my son could walk and now he is a toddler running around all over the house playing with everything he can get his hands on. I love the idea of a little play space just for him. My friend forwarded this link from apartment therapy a while back and now I am ready to start building : )

I am a little nervous about constructing the frame (PVC pipe); anything involving cutting pipes or wood scares me because I am very clumsy and I tend to get discouraged. I will try to find other ideas for a frame but so far this is what I am working with.

Supplies include:

• pvc pipe(s)
• fabric for the "curtains" 
• throw pillows 
• a throw blanket

It seems fairly easy to put together and I'm sure my little one would enjoy a cozy little area to play.

Here are some other cute fort ideas I came across on Pinterest and other places on the web:

For Chic Mamas: Tarte LipSurgence

I am obsessed with this lipstain/gloss by Tarte called LipSurgence (it's a 'two in one') that I got a while back. It was given to me for free but I am down to the last bit and I am going to Sephora to stock up soon. I love trying out lip products and this one is by far one of my favorites because of its staying power. It goes on smooth and doesn't dry up my lips like other stains I have tried. It has a minty (but not tingly) feel to it when you apply it and smells great, which is an added bonus for me. I also love the color... color is always something I have trouble with since I am very particular about it (this one is called Charmed). This color is very pigmented but also has a slight sheerness to it and the pink is very flattering on my skin tone.

So there you have it, I like to blog about products worth sharing and this is definitely one of those. 

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.

-Marcel Pagnol

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone :) So far (thankfully) I've been starting the year off well- and I couldn't be happier. I'm so excited for the things in store for 2013- thirteen being my lucky number and all. I, for one, am very relieved that the holidays are over... it came and went so quickly and I felt very unprepared for everything this year.

I have a couple of things that I have been working on already so I don't necessarily have any new resolutions to share. I feel like everyone should always have some goals for themselves and not wait until January to start making positive changes in their lives. *Way harsh, Tai* But really- the time to do things is NOW. 


Anywho, here's to an amazing year for us all : )

Beauty Product Review: BB Cream

I have heard so much about this stuff but I hadn't gotten around to trying it.... until now. I have to admit, it kinda blew me away how powerful this stuff is. It is very concentrated but applies smoothly and evenly. I did my research (as usual) before committing to buy and I ended up purchasing one imported from Korea called Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream. I learned today, from my friend, that it happens to be the same one she uses and she says it is the best one she has tried. So *yay* - points for me for choosing a good product right off the bat! 

So, on to how the product works.... I applied some in the a.m. right after washing my face. My makeup routine usually consists of applying some kind of a base primer first and then everything else. I don't usually use foundation- however, I do use some concealer around my nose and under my eyes- but I blend in enough that I don't feel the need to use foundation. When I applied the bb cream I was a little surprised about how concentrated it was as I was smoothing it over my face. That stuff appears really light when it goes on.... I was having second thoughts since I did not want to go running around looking like I applied foundation that was 2 or 3 shades lighter. I wore it anyway just to test it out.... I applied blush, defined my brows and did my eye makeup then went off to work. So as I was telling my friend about the product I was testing out (and she mentioned she uses the same one) she said that it might appear light on my skin at first, but after about 30 minutes it is absorbed and it doesn't look as bright. And she was right, I looked in a mirror and my face just looked matte.... and clear. 

No unsightly discoloration or redness showing. I took a photo of what my face looked like and surprisingly- no need for a filter, haha. No but seriously, I look like I applied primer, foundation and micro-powder... my face never looks this 'done up' so early in the morning on a work day. And all it took was one cream. The most amazing thing about bb creams is that it is also doubles as sunscreen. In fact, check this out:

Benefits:

• Looks more natural than foundation + powder
• Provides amazing coverage but doesn't feel heavy
• It offers UV protection (I oftentimes forget to apply sunscreen)
• It is also an anti-wrinkle cream (say what?! SOLD!)

I can't think of any cons at the moment but if I come across anything I will be sure to update this post asap.

I have had it on for about 4 1/2 hours now and my face looks clear and not shiny. You can't see the dark circles under my eyes and I look alert at 7:00 a.m.

So yeah, it works and I am hooked. 

-Mel

Current Obsession: DAVIDsTEA

I have a major sweet tooth and have become crazy addicted to sugar this past year. I had it under control for the longest time and was on a pretty good health kick prior to (and during) my pregnancy but a few months after my son was born I started to neglect my eating habits. I really want to go back to being healthier and making better choices for myself so I am replacing sweets with- you'll never guess: TEA. I was reading one of my new favorite blogs called A Beautiful Mess and after I read a post on DAVIDsTEA I instantly became obsessed. I needed to try it and see if I could somehow replace my daily treats with something that was healthier for me.

So after reading through the blog post and going through several pages of types of teas on DAVIDsTEA's website, I ordered the Organic Creme Brulee to try. Fast forward two weeks later (okay, maybe not that long but the wait seemed eternal) and I got my tea in the mail along with three generous samples of other teas to try. 

I decided to wait until this morning to try some and I have to say, I was not disappointed. It's very smooth and smells just as sweet as it tastes. It is the perfect 'dessert' tea and would be great in the evening in place of...well, actual dessert. I might even add a splash of milk next time to bring out more of the yumminess. I am officially a fan and cannot wait to order more flavors and start a collection of tea.... so I can have hot beverages on hand for all of my guests, kinda like Sheldon on Big Bang Theory. 

Quite possibly, yes.

Links Worth Sharing

• For those traveling with little ones this holiday, check out this survival guide on The Bump.
• A free personalized video message from Santa for kids. 
• Why it's important to keep date nights with your spouse.
• Delayed Parenthood- an interesting topic that my friends and I have been discussing lately. Covered here and here.