Fourth of July Favorites

Photo Credit: Land O'Lakes

Wishing you and your family a wonderful 4th of July holiday!

Perfect Pie for today!  Click here for the recipe.

We brought tons of these to the beach...

and one of these!

Then don't forget to frame in the U.S.A.

Our favorite beach towels in patriotic colors.

I wear this every summer beach day.

Blue and White jacket to take you from Summer into Fall.

Friday Favorites: Summer is coming!

I've had a great week sharing some of my favorite summer beauty products and swim styles on TV for NorthPark Center.  

Click here to watch my Fox 4 Good Day's segment about Summer Beauty. 

Click here to watch WFAA's Good Morning Texas segment about Beach Style.

Snap a pic of your furry four legged friend and then order these! 

Such a great Father's Day Card.

The cutest little spring dish!  I'm going to use these as a party favor for an upcoming tea party I am co-hosting for a friend's birthday.

You need these sunglasses if you want to hang with the cool kids. ;)

I want to try this set.

My very favorite summer beauty product.

Fresh and Pretty Beauty for the New Year

I love all of the New Year/New You talk that always seems to go on this time of year.  I find it so inspiring and it gets me in the mood to get organized and simplify a little bit.  I find that especially true with my beauty routine!  It is an easy time to do that because by weeding out the holiday beauty trends that didn't stick for me, I feel like I've re-vamped a busy part of my home in only a few minutes.  Unlike most of the other things in my house, I'm ruthless when it comes to getting rid of cosmetics and products that didn't do it for me this time of year. 

But enough about what didn't work for me.  Today's post is all about the things that do!

Here is a list of some of my favorite beauty products for a fresh and pretty new look for 2015:

EYES

I'm crazy about these new shadows from Colour Pop! (seen in the photo above.) They are inexpensive and easy to apply with your finger.  All of the colors are gorgeous but I love "Girly" under the brow and on the inner corner, "Amaze" or "Sugar" on the lid, and then a neutral matte shadow on the crease.  For added drama, I place a little bit of "Hustle" in the outside corner of my lid and line my eyes with it as well.

MASCARA

I love to emphasize my lashes.  I feel like it is a "must have" for me even if I'm rushing through my makeup routine.  Avon's Superextend Curling Mascara is my new favorite! 

UNDER EYES

I've been using Lancome 'Effacernes' Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer since my SMU days and, although I hate to tell you how long that has been, just know that it translates to "a long time."  They have changed the packaging a bit over the years but I have truly put this stuff to the test and it has never ever failed me. Through all-nighters studying for exams and all-nighters caring for my newborns, it has done some major concealing.  I keep trying other things but I always land back at this tried and true favorite.  

FACE

I was nudged to try the By Terry Sheer Expert Fluid Foundation recently and I fell in love!  I've been using L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup since it was introduced to me by the makeup team at TODAY show and it is great for days when I need a lot of coverage but I've been using the By Terry Sheer Expert on days that I don't and I'm happy with the balance I have found between the two.

BRONZER

I'm such a fan of bronzer that I can't pick just one favorite.  I always keep Susan Posnick's Brush and Go Bronzer in my purse for touch ups and I use Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Powder in my morning routine.  Even if I'm just off to carpool and the gym, I add a touch of bronzer to contour and "wake up my face" a bit.  

CHEEKS

Urban Decay's Naked Flushed is great.  I love the blush and highlighter combo - so easy to use and it gives a very natural rosy glow.

LIPS

So, I have this weird thing with my lips that bugs me - I like them to look fuller in the corners instead of heart shaped so I have to cheat a little bit and fill them in with a pencil.  This creamy-but-not-too-creamy "Lip Cheat" Re-Size and Re-Shape Lip Liner by Charlotte Tilbury is my favorite.  It is perfect for adding that little bit of fullness to the corners while keeping it kind of natural.  Charlotte is an incredible make-up artist and has wonderful instructional videos on her site so be sure to check them out!

I tend to play with my lipstick colors based on what I am wearing but I never ever leave the house with out a Natural Ice Medicated Lip Protectant.  I buy them in packs of 48 (yes, I'm serious!) from Drugstore.com because everyone I know loves it and it isn't the easiest thing to find in the stores. I keep them in my desk drawer, kitchen junk drawer and purse! I give them out to friends and family and use them up myself! Get ready to get addicted! 

Summer Beauty - The Very Best Bronzer

I love bronzer - especially this time of year when I try to hang on to that sun kissed look at the end of the summer.  I use it to contour my cheeks, darken down my nose, and define my neck from my jawbone (a trick I learned in the makeup chair at TODAY show).

I have tried just about every single one out there and I put a few of my favorites above for you to scroll through.  The Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess is hand's-down the winner!  It is big and lasts a long time.  The color is just right - not too iridescent but with the perfect amount of shimmer.  I use it everywhere, from my face to my shoulders and chest, and morning or night.  If I don't have time to do my makeup, I just grab it and add a little touch of color.  I love it and I know you will too!