“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

Project: Whitining

Nothing looks better than some sparkling white teeth. (But not too white. I don't like that look.) So I am going to share with you guys my whitening secret. Colgate Optic White toothpaste.

I bought this toothpaste because I was highly influenced by a commercial for it. (Not an uncommon event.) And it really works! I seriously noticed a difference in just a couple of days. I will say that it got my teeth a lot whiter after a couple of weeks, but doesn't seem to get any whiter than that. I have used it for about a year.

Bonus: It only costs as much as a normal tube of toothpaste! Why not try it?

I read on a beauty blog that one good tip is to use anti-redness eye drops to make your eyes stand out more.  It made sense to me, but I haven't had any luck with these:

I am really bad at putting anything in my eyes, so I have been doing the "squeeze it into the corner of your eye and let it drip in" thing. So maybe that's my problem. Anyone had any luck with these eye drops getting rid of red lines in your eyes?

xo

March Playlist - Workout

I decided to go ahead and post my workout playlist for the moment. I am on a personal mission similar to Steph's Project Get Hotter. My husband recently invested in a pair of passes to our city's recreation center and I have made good use of it already. They have an indoor track with is down in their basement. This is good for me because I can go down there and walk/run/jog and really push myself. All kinds of people use the Rec Center so there are families/individuals on the track who may just be strolling and some who are full on sprinting. So I get a good motivator if I feel like running and I feel judgement free if I need to cool it down a bit. We also went and played racquetball on Saturday and it was a blast for my whole family.

I know this playlist is kind of random, but to each his own, right?

These are songs that push me in all areas, not just working out. I also listen to this playlist while working on artwork to keep myself motivated.

Project: Workout

Another way I'm "Getting Hotter" is by working out almost every day! I've been running with my dog, and hitting up Gold's Gym for my favorite abs and glutes class. The exercises linked here are also very helpful. Nuf said.

Project: Make-up

So I thought I would share with you guys something I'm working on. I call it "Project Get Hotter."

Yes, that's right. My goal is to get hotter.

I work from home, and with this severely cold and snowy winter there are many days that I have not even left the house. I'm an extrovert, so that can be very hard on me emotionally. Especially when I spend that time lounging in a baggy t-shirt, leggings and no bra all day, every day. So Project Get Hotter is mainly to boost my self esteem and have more good energy. I've already snagged a man, so this is all about me feeling good.

The first way I plan on getting hotter is to better learn what make-up works for me, and how to apply it. Oh yeah, and actually put it on.

I found an awesome beauty blog via pinterest called Maskcara that most of you have probably already seen. I sat down and read it (almost) all the way to the beginning. I'll share two of my favorite posts with you.

How to Highlight and Contour:

If you are going to look at any of these, look at this one, such helpful tips. She really teaches you how to make your best face features stand out.

DIY Eyeshadow Primer.

I've never bothered to use a primer. I tried this tutorial and it really worked!

Since I am at my desk at least 40 hours a week I usually can only see my hands. So I have been giving myself nice manicures, and trying to keep them looking nice. Or just not half chipped. It is a nice little reminder through the day that I am feminine, and I can put some effort into looking nice.

This is my current shade:

I have also been depressed by my blue veins showing though my white skin. I have no problem being fair skinned, but it has to stop when I start to look blue. So I went tanning for the first time in my life, and dang! I look great! I don't plan on making it a habit, because I don't think it's very healthy when you go often. But every once and a while in the dead of winter can't hurt right? Added bonus: light therapy! Very helpful for getting out of the winter blues.

Can someone please explain to me the whole tanning lotion thing, and why it is so expensive? Isn't there some Banana Boat version or something?

I'll share more of my ways to Get Hotter soon!

Luv Steph

Faux Taxidermy - White Deer

I'm sure you've seen the beautiful faux taxidermy that have been floating around Etsy and Pinterest. Well, when I spotted one for the first time I was instantly in love. However, my hopes were dashed when I saw the price tag. Most of them were around $100 and that's just not within my "funky decor" budget.

So, what did I do? Well, you can probably guess it. I devised a plan.

After some quick research, I found the EXACT deer head on ebay that I wanted. (It also happened to be identical to the one I wanted to order on Etsy.) The only setback was that it was not painted white and looked like an actual deer. But he was only $40 and I decided that I would save the 60 bucks and buy a can of spray paint.

He's awesome and I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and do it!

All you need is your deer, a can of whatever color you want to paint him (spray paint), and a well ventilated area.)

 I painted mine on my back porch and was able to do him with only one can of paint. It did take a few coats to get all the different sides and angles of his antlers and ears, etc.. Easy peasy, though.

Last, around Christmas time I ordered some super cute doll-house wreath swags to wrap around his antlers. (I got mine here.) He looks great without them, but I decided to add the leaves and berries to give him some personality. 

I lovingly call him Dukey.

Center Piecing

Finishing a new project feels super amazing. Finding out that finishing your project suddenly inspires 10 other projects? Ugh.

Here is one of the outcomes of a project inspired project. BEHOLD The Centerpiece:

Waa Waa.  Bad right? After dragging le’ Husband downstairs and receiving a it’s-ugly-but-I-still-love-you pat on the back I knew I had to take action. SURELY there was someone out there who had found the secret to The Centerpiece??

3 hours of le’ googling later I found this extremely helpful video:

A glimmer of hope, a dash of love, and a trip to World Market and this is what we ended up with:

 

Haha! Help?

Put on the Shelf

Hllo.

This week I just wanted to share four things that I would LOVE to have inside my house right now.

1. Poof Bean Bag

2. Bright Yellow Shelving

3. Kalideobug plates

 4. And this Jug from here