This Is Random

...but I felt like sharing. I recently switched back to Bare Minerals makeup and was having a hard time applying it to get the coverage I need. So I searched the internet and found out I'm not the only one with this dilemma. Someone posted a question on some yahoo message board asking for tips and then later came back and said she just couldn't do it, that she had gone back to Mac because of the flawless coverage it provides. Now that I feel I have it worked out, I wanted to throw in my two cents but it turns out that post was written like 5 years ago and nobody cares anymore. It's times like this that I'm thankful for my blog... If this person had asked me, I would have told her several things: A. I don't wear Bare Minerals because of the coverage. I wear it because it's so much better for my skin (problem skin that requires me to wear makeup daily) and for my overall health. The skin is the body's largest organ and it absorbs whatever you put on it, so that is my primary concern when it comes to selecting makeup. Number 2: Because Bare Minerals is better for skin (they claim it's so pure you can sleep in it), my skin actually clears up and looks a lot better after I've been wearing it for a while. Just give it time. And 3: You need time to practice and research techniques to give you the kind of application you want. After a couple of weeks I finally got it down and now I'd say I'm just as confident with my Bare Minerals as I ever was with any of
my past favorites, including Mac. The thing you just have to accept is that it will take longer to apply and there will be more steps involved to achieve your desired look. Just remember: It's worth it!

If you're just test driving a starter kit and need more coverage, you need a little more than what's included in the kit. I recommend bisque concealer, a concealer brush, and a full coverage buki brush with which to apply your foundation. The brush that comes with the kit I only use for applying warmth, blush, and mineral veil. The prime time primer works well too as does the eye primer (I hated their eyeshadows until I got the eye primer, now I love them.) The mascara is also really good. Use the primer and bisque before anything else, I apply the bisque to particularly red or uneven areas with my buki brush before the actual foundation and layer everything else on top. It's ok to do more than one layer and remember that mineral veil goes in top of warmth and blush. These items can be pretty expensive but they last a lot longer than anything you would buy at the drug store. Part of my original Issue was the cost but I had to stop and think: Most cosmetics are not well regulated and have a list of toxic ingredients a mile long. I try to eat healthy, so why shouldn't I care just as much about what is being absorbed by my skin on a daily basis? Just food for thought. Hope somebody finds this encouraging!

New Years Reflections

From simplemom.net

Reflection Questions for 2011

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

5. Pick three words to describe 2011.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).

8. What were the best books you read this year?

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

Week 2: Awaiting An Advent - Luke 2:22-35

Week 1: Promises & Patience

ADVENTure

Advent starts this Sunday! Here's a great resource with readings and family devotionals for each week from our friends at The Village Church!

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/advent-at-the-village/

Givingthanks

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

Gungor - Beautiful Things

How does He make beautiful things? I saw Gungor on Sunday and as they played this song, this is what I was thinking about. Picturing each frustrating aspect of my life: work, ministry, relationships... I mourned the idea that anything beautiful would come of them. And then the answer came; simply, subtly, unexpectedly. "Faith." The key ingredient that was missing from each situation. I have been trying hard to do God's work, but God is the one with the plan. I don't consult him as often as I would if I thought He was in control. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. Faith is the material God uses to build his kingdom. He makes beautiful things out of our faith, not out of our striving or even our abilities.