Hustle

I've been really excited to blog this week. Working out and blogging always seems to be my therapy. We are busy packing this week because we will be gone to the beach right before our move. I was recently asked to blog and post for two different boutiques so I will have some fun posts coming up over the next few weeks.

I wanted to share a few things I'm obsessing over right now. The hustle has been real to keep everything together with the three kids home with me all day. We had a little mishap with finger nail polish on a certain two year old little boy this morning!!

1. I have just decided I'm over the Better Than Sex Mascara. It just flakes so much. I always recommend it but it really dries out quickly. I have two that I'm recommending now.

MAC INSTA CURL

This is for my girls who need some curl and thickness. I've always had long lashes. In high school I had girls telling their moms that I wore fake lashes everyday (I mean I have on occasion in my adult life) and then my mom would have to tell their moms that no I don't wear those. I have the length but that doesn't even matter if they fall flat and mine do. So this has been great. MAC also has a great lash curler.

The other that my friend Caitlin recommended is good. I haven't used it much yet but I think it will be good.

Perversion by Urban Decay

2. I'm obsessing over my hubby. He drives me up the wall y'all and we may just kill each other during the building process but he is my rock. I could stare at him all day. I'm so thankful that we still flirt every day after almost 8 years of marriage and being together for 16 years. But that doesn't mean I didn't get frustrated last night with him about picking out a floor plan for the new house. I will say I love that I went out to the garage and hugged him 5 minutes after a little disagreement....can't resist P'Daddy. Whatever, it is life. He has to accept the rollercoaster of love to be with me. Ha!

3. I have no choice at this point but to be obsessed with fitness. I have a photo shoot with Kristoffer Cox at the middle/end of July and I am nervous and excited. He is INCREDIBLE and he shoots all the best bikini and body building bodies. I'm really hard on myself but I'm excited to see what photos he comes up with for me. Anything to motivate me right?!

I AM LOVING FOREVER21 WORKOUT GEAR!!! GO LOOK!!!

4. My girl Haley (who blogs on here) is my hair guru. She tells me what to do and what to try and she also is just very fashionable and pretty. I love having a friend who I can literally always talk to about make-up and girly things. She has chosen a new hair style for me. I am growing my hair back RIDICULOUSLY long but the color is going to be very cool. Stay tuned for next week. I don't think I want to share yet but if you know what balayage is then that is what I am going for and hopefully my hair gal (she is awesome) will know what that is too, ha. I'm always scared. We also have to go way darker because my hair likes to be PLATINUM so it fades fast. Stay tuned. Fingers crossed!

5. Who is excited for the 4th??!!! Do you know what you are wearing?

Target always has a good selection for Holiday needs.

I grabbed that cover up to throw over my white bikini to be a little patriotic.

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and then the actual 4th!! Be safe! Make America Great Again ;)

xoxo,

Dana

Fix My Focus

I know you have been there. You are thinking God went on vacay. Man, I can't wait to get away again in about two weeks for another long beach trip!!!

My post last week said Okay God....I'm getting a little frustrated with selling our home. I'm not saying this is the only thing that makes me go...umm Lord? But it is an easier example to share. I also know he is ALWAYS working. I have my moments where I totally see a situation going a different way and I feel confused why I went through something for it to turn out so worthless but I know that again it is part of the plan. So, God showed me yet again He is in control and sold our home this week. My challenge is having faith on God's schedule because I'm a planner and perfectionist. Now I'm just hoping all goes smoothly over the next 28 days to closing.


We managed to find an apartment today and we will be moving into that apartment in a matter of 20 something days! So, we are starting the packing process which you can ONLY imagine. We have so much STUFF!!! I mean just the décor is insane. So, I will do a little bit each day so that I don't stress...TOO MUCH.

Patrick's job is to find the builder. I've said that since day 1. He hasn't sat down with any yet (that is a man for you!) but he will and I have three floor plans he has approved to show a builder so we shall see.

I honestly am so tired of cleaning this big ole house that I will literally be SO happy to live in an apartment. I know that sounds crazy but I am EXCITED. We are signing a lease for 11 months but 11 months goes FAST. The apartment has a pool, gym, volleyball sand area, playground and it is right across from another park and trails and close to a LOT of things. I always think that these are the times you remember the most. You remember the simple and the journey together.

Well I need to go get ready. A few girlfriends and I are trying out a winery that has come to our town! I've heard good things so it will be fun to chat over some wine.

Have a blessed weekend!

xoxo,
Dana

Lashes make everything better.

(source)

Happy Thursday friends! Lately I have been looking at the idea of getting lash extensions. My lashes have always been thin and not all that dark. I look back at events where I had falsies put on and am just dying to have something like that again. You're probably thinking...just buy strip lashes and put them on yourself. Well, I'm just not that coordinated.

(source)

However, I have some tried and true products I like to use to help my lashes out. Fake it till you make it right?! I have used fibers before and they were good then, but nowadays, I'd just rather not fool around with them. Here are some of my favorite mascaras, primers, and lash growth serums I like to use. I prefer a waxier mascara because it builds better on my fine lashes. I've added my favorite products below to scroll through.

What are you using/have used that you love?!

xoxo,
Haley

Fine Wine

Like a fine wine, we get better with age.



I believe it. I think each passing year gets better and better. Last night Patrick celebrated 30! I'm proud of him for all he has accomplished to be only 30. I've heard a woman is her absolute best at 40. I'd believe that. I turn 30 next month and I'm excited about it. I think part of getting older is you know what you want and you don't really give a crap what anyone thinks. I feel more at peace and learned that some things can't be hoped. You can't change people and you learn to accept things and avoid some things like the plague. With age comes wisdom, for most! God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy!!

This meme of Patrick just slays me. He has changed a lot since that 11 year old I met!!



We enjoyed our family vacay the other week but we also really enjoyed our time alone together. We talked a lot about what is in store for our family over the next year. We just lowered the price on our home hoping to sell it faster. I'm not quite sure why it hasn't sold. I really do believe it is all God's timing. I can't see any other reason. This time has given me more time to reflect and to look up house plans and to come to the realization that we want our children to go to Rock Hill schools (the good thing about Charter schools!!) and to hopefully continue at our RH church and involvement in York County. It has been a lot to process. We will rent an apartment for a year in RH while we build and we will really take our time to make sure everything is just right with our new, final home. Clearly God has a master plan and I even touched on this at VBS to the children about God's plan for our lives. I don't know his exact plan yet but I am getting a little sick and tired of cleaning and having to look at a for sale sign in the yard. Ok, God?



Anyways, I'm looking forward to the upcoming week because the kiddos are in a day camp and I get some alone time to lounge by the pool each morning (they are wearing me out!!). I've also got to get serious about my exercise routine because I have a photo shoot next month with an awesome fitness photographer. I try to set goals each month. I don't write them down or track anything but it is a mind game really. I told myself in June that I had to win my race in Charleston. I went into it not saying I want to but that I will and I am so proud of myself.

Everything is such a mind game. I love running.

I'm about to move up in the age range for races and you would think that would be a good thing but it actually isn't at all. (You get better with age!!) I looked up the Charleston race times and the 1st place winner for 30-34 was a little faster than me so now I know I have to train even harder..



So cheers to 30! Guess I better enjoy the last few weeks in my 20s! Officially a grown WOMAN when you are in your 30s! Ha! The best is yet to come!!!



xoxo,

Dana