If you have tired eyes and you know it, clap your hands!
*clap clap*
I bought this on a whim after I had my fourth baby knowing my eyes always show how sleep deprived I am. I loved the idea of having this help brighten them… and I’m delighted to tell you it works!
The cooling effect feels so great first thing in the morning and helps me feel more awake and ready for the day.
This is a good buy.
These. Pajamas.
A few months I was looking on Amazon for comfy clothes to wear postpartum and I happened upon these and proceeded to buy…six pair.
The patterns and the designs are adorable and they seemed super comfy and the reviews backed that suspicion up. I was so happy when they made it to my house to find that they are so comfy and even cuter than they looked online.
Will I ever wear different pajamas again? I don’t know why I’d ever need to!
Have you tried Glow Screen from SuperGoop?
If you haven’t, you need to try this magic out!
First of all, its an awesome and effective moisturizer. It also has SPF 40 which is an obvious plus. My favorite part is the super pretty (and lasting) glow it gives you!!
I’m loving this for summer, for pool days, for no make up days…ok lets be real, just for ALL days. This stuff is amazing.
How about a little Friday Favorites? But first, I want to know what an item is in your kitchen that you’re obsessed with! Tell me about it!
Have you heard of Geometry House? They’re all they’re hyped up to be. Promise. My kitchen towel drawer is filled with their goodness (and subsequently one of my favorite little spots in my kitchen) and its my dream come true.
Their tea towels are our very favorite go-to hand towels. They’re so absorbent, dry things way faster than any other towel we’ve used and the designs on them are the CUTEST. Like seriously.
Their rags are equally as amazing. They get the job done. They’re all I use around the kitchen anymore and the designs are just as adorable.
Lastly, their reusable paper towels work, save me money on buying actual paper towel, are good for the environment and, you guessed it, are STINKIN’ cute!!
Have you tried them before?!
Last Saturday I posted this picture on my Instagram stories…
And for the next 24 hours I had so many people DM me and ask for the recipe. I couldn’t keep this delicious recipe from you guys. I like you too much. So here is the most delicious cookie recipe you’ll ever have. Also, I’ve got to thank Craig for this recipe. This one is his baby. He has taken *inspiration from several recipes on the internet after I told him how much I loved the Oreo Chocolate Chip cookie from Sodalicious and has really perfected these. Just another reason I adore this man.
Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
ingredients
1 C Butter
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1 C Sugar
2 Eggs
1 TBS Vanilla
3 C Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 C Chocolate Chips
1/2 C White Chocolate Chips
15-20ish crushed Oreos
directions
Truly, these are my new favorite cookies. If you try them, let me know! I hope you love them as much as I do. They get 10 stars and two giant thumbs up from me!
*Belle of the Kitchen
I’m just about to have my third child and have officially reached the point of just being done. Every night and every morning, I plead/pray that labor will start within the next few hours, and I’m not going to lie, when it doesn’t, I get pretty bummed. I’m ready. I’m so, so ready. I want this baby out of my belly and into my arms.
As my attitude about being pregnant feels like it’s steadily declining here at the end, I decided this morning that I was going to try my best to change the way I’m viewing it for today at least. Today I want to dwell on all the things I love about pregnancy and the miracle that it is. I want to remember how very fortunate I am to be able to carry children. I want to have the blessing this phase of life is, no matter how uncomfortable or long, at the front of my mind.
So with that being said, here are
The 10 Best Things About Pregnancy (according to me):
1: The Movement. It’s both magical and crazy all at the same time. Admittedly, it’s also a little painful at times too. But to feel all the kicks, rolls, stretches, jabs, hiccups and twitches is something truly phenomenal. That is a real life, living, human baby inside of me growing and wiggling! It’s amazing.
2: The Connection. Before baby is born, no one is connected to her/him like you. It’s this special bond only the two of you have until they make their debut into the world. I love that currently, I’m the only one that really knows my daughters movements or the only one that really has (the tiniest) grasp at what her personality will be.
3: The Belly. I know women have varying opinions on pregnancy bodies and big growing bellies, but I personally adore mine. I really do. I feel most confident in my skin when I’m pregnant and I am dang proud of my giant belly! With my boys I never got stretch marks, but this time around I have a couple small ones and I’m strangely excited about them! I love what my body is doing and the crazy changes I’m going through. It’s a blessing that I’ve wished for since I was a little girl, and to be living it now is a dream come true.
4: The Food. I’ll be honest, not being judged on what you’re eating or how much you’re eating because you’re pregnant? Ah-mazing.
5: The Stories. I could talk pregnancy/birth all day long for the rest of my life. I love creating all these memories that I can share with people. One of my favorite things ever is sitting around with fellow moms and sharing stories about our pregnancies, births, etc. It’s bonding and it’s beautiful and it never ceases to blow my mind just how different each experience can be.
6: The Daydreaming. I love imaging the baby. Who will she/he be? What will their name be? What will they look like? What will their personality be? What will their interests be? Will they be born with hair? Who will they most resemble? It’s thrilling.
7: The Anticipation. Ok, anticipating your babies arrival can also be terrifying or feel excruciatingly long, but when looked at with the right attitude, it’s exhilarating. Waiting to add another little soul into your family is so special and exciting!
8: The Shopping. Buying tiny baby clothes and accessories is the. best. It also helps makes things feel real. Once you get a significant little stack of items for them you’ll find yourself obsessing over them and looking through them frequently.
9: The Attention. I’m just being honest here – you get special attention when you’re pregnant and hey, it’s kinda fun! You’re a tiny bit of a celebrity when you’re walking around with a big bump. People treat you a little kinder. It can be awkward for sure, but it’s also kind of sweet.
10: The Space. My current favorite thing is just starting at the space my daughter will take up once she arrives. Her nursery. Her bassinet in my bedroom. Things like that. She is going to figure out quickly how she fits into this family and fill that space so beautifully and I am beyond thrilled to watch it all take place. I know she’ll change the dynamic in our family and rock our world in the best possible way and seeing her spaces helps me remember that and get SO stinkin’ excited!
My skin always gets a little more sensitive when I’m pregnant, but this time its got extra sensitive. Face products I used to swear by burn the heck out of my face. Certain lotions make things worse. I’m having reactions to stuff I swore would never hurt me. Its been a journey. But I’ve also made it a point to really take care of my skin while I’m pregnant – and I’ve been good at that goal. My skin has actually looked really great the majority of this pregnancy (besides when I randomly react to stuff) and I’m so grateful for it. Its also caused me to wear less makeup because 1) I’m more comfortable and confident in my skin when its cooperating and kind and 2) My motivation is lacking the bigger I get, so spending less time on makeup always seems like a plus to me.
These two cleansers have saved my skin. My usual Image product I love and cherish were tormenting my skin and I had to take a break from them. I’d heard a lot about HelloBody and decided to try their Coco Fresh Cleansing Foam and was instantly impressed. Its gentle and it works. Sadly, in the last month I’ve started becoming more sensitive to it (thanks, skin), so I don’t use it daily anymore, but I still love it and highly recommend it. I’ve also still been loving my tried and true GlamGlow Gentlebubble Cleanser. This one is so nice to my skin. Its never given me a reaction, it makes my skin feel nice and clean. No complaints here.
IF I wear foundation…well lets start that over. I haven’t warn foundation in a while. If I choose to wear something that covers my whole face, I’ve been opting for some kind of BB Cream or tinted moisturizer. The one I keep gravitating towards lately, should I choose to cover my whole face, is the NYX Bare With Me tinted skin veil. It stays on well and it applies well. Its very light coverage, but thats what I’m going for.
I got this blush and bronzer combo in a Boxy Charm box a while ago (I’m pretty sure) and on days I choose to wear one/both of those, this is what I grab 95% of the time. Its from Wander and is called Trip For Two. They’re both really good and buildable shades for me.
I haven’t warn a lot of highlight lately, but when I do its this. Its OFRA and Madison Miller Highlighter in Sea Shimmer. It can be subtle or flashy and I am pleased with it either way.
I decided to branch out and try a new brow product this month and have been very pleased with my on-a-whim purchase. This is the Maybelline Tattoo Studio brown pencil. Its easy to use and quick to apply – all things I’m looking for right now.
Lastly, if I decide to wear lipstick (usually only happens for church) this is the color I’m currently obsessed with. I’ve had it a while but have recently rediscovered it. This shade is just barely darker than my actual lip color. Its kind of one of those my lips, but better colors for me, you know? Its a Maybelline one (I can’t find the name of it) that lasts all day and is kiss/food proof in the shade Seductress.
Ok, so since its been like…forever since I have done any kind of ‘monthly favorite’ type post, I just decided to round up a few of our favorite things we’ve been into lately (it was so hard to narrow stuff down!) and put them on here! They’re all over the place, so get ready fora wide array of things, and as always, I’d loooove to know what some of you and your families current favorite things are!!
Lets start with this.
Have you heard of Grove Collaborative, yet? You guys!! I love it. Its basically a household cleaning (plus a little more) delivery service and the products are all safe in the home. I didn’t realize how important this was to me until I had kids and a dog. I want products in my home that if my kids got a hold of, they aren’t terribly dangerous. You know? Though I’m certainly not advising that you let your children play with cleaning supplies, no matter how safe it is. But anyway! You start by creating an account and picking products you want to have shipped to your house! I’m obsessed. I’ve also figured out I’m definitely a Method and Mrs. Meyer’s person. It is also motivating me to clean – so win, win! You should try this if you haven’t already, and if you have questions, send them my way! If you’d like a referral link, let me know and I’ll send it your way! (message me here or email me at ceeceesparkles@gmail.com – just give me your email!)
On the topic of cleaning, I ordered these Microfiber Cleaning Cloths to go with all my fun Grove products and I didn’t know how much I’d love them! There are 24 and thats enough to let you always use one to clean, but still allow you some freedom to get a little behind on laundry, you know what I mean? Twenty-four may seem like a lot, but its just right. I really love using these to clean.
Now onto make up. I’ve found a new, cheap foundation that I’m a big fan of. Five stars. Two thumbs, way up. This is the Rimmel London Stay Matte foundation. A tiny bit goes a long way and its good coverage and stays on all day! I have several different shades depending on what shade of spray tan I am (or lack thereof). They’re cheap enough, too, that I don’t fell guilty at all about having so many. Need a new foundation? Try this one.
This is a Morphe blush palette that I’ve been obsessed with. Pinky/orangey/coraly blush’s are my current jam and this palette is full of them.
This is a terrible picture, but this is the Loreal Brow Stylist Definer in Dark Brunette. I am pretty addicted to the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencils, but I love this one too now and its so much more affordable! It works really well and truly stays all day (and all night – just in case you forget to take it off at night ha!)
In January I decided to try out a Bullet Journal. I am awful at cute penmanship and I have no artsy ability whatsoever, but I’ve loved the creativity and openness this journal has given me. Its fun. Maybe someday if I’m feeling brave, I’ll post about my bullet journal and show you all the sorry attempts at being cute and creative. It’ll give you all a laugh.
Ok. This is called Gorilla Snot Gel and that is the WORST possible name that could ever exist for any product, but! it works. Like really well. My boys have weird hair, especially H. Its thick, coarse, curly and near impossible to manage and this is the only thing I’ve found that can hold his hair in place. You know, until he decides to walk around on his head and back legs.
These suitcases for my boys give me life. We have a fun trip coming up (any guesses where?) and I can’t wait to see my boys in the airport with these!! Also, why is waiting for an exciting upcoming trip so painfully slow?
These sheets from The Trendy Treehouse are the best. They’re unique, soft and so stinkin’ adorable. My boys, who normally could care less about what their sheets look like, are even super into these.
We’re ending on this. Toothpaste. Haha. H has started toothpaste that he can spit finally and this is the one we like the best. This is the Burt’s Bees for Kids Fluoride-Free toothpaste. It smells yummy, works well and I love that it doesn’t have fluoride, because we’re still mastering the art of not swallowing toothpaste.
What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t tell you about the two magical shirts that you NEED in your life? You know that in no way, shape or form I consider myself any kind of ‘fashion blogger’ or a person that knows anything about fashion, but guys. These shirts are fabulous, comfy, cute and can be dressed up or down. Its perfection. Did I get these two shirts, try them on and then almost immediately go order several more of both of them in more colors? …yes. I did.
The other day I realized that I don’t really have any ‘casual’ long sleeved shirts. So I went to Old Navy (duh) and found a few to try. Funny story, when I ordered these two, I was actually fairly certain I’d end up returning them because I didn’t love the look of them. But I WILL NOT BE RETURNING THEM. They are magic, people. They are soft and comfy cozy. They hold their shape. They come in pretty colors. They are loose and flattering. They are simple enough that they can be dressed down and dressed up (i already said that, but thats how important that fact is to me) and they are what dreams are made of.
Please enjoy these slightly grainy pictures I took of myself by videoing myself (awkward) and taking screenshots from the video of these shirts. Then go buy some, but act fast because they’re going pretty quickly it looks like.
This shirt is balloon sleeved, so I feel like this is going to be my fancy-comfy shirt. I like that the sleeves gather at the wrist. Is that how all balloon sleeved shirts are? I don’t know. But its a feature I like. And OH THE COMFORT. You can find this shirt here.
This next shirt is really just a standard long sleeve t-shirt. Its the greatest. The sleeves are slightly more fitted and they hold their shape even when you’re pushing them up and down your arm all day. You can find this shirt here.
Makeup is usually quite an ordeal for me. If I’m going to wear it, I’m going to put quite a bit on, spend lots of time on it and get really picky with how things look. Thats why the current me is so foreign. Lately I’m very, very low maintenance with my makeup and I honestly can’t think of the last time I’ve really felt this way. Whats funniest to me is that when I wear this simple face, I tend to get a lot of compliments on my makeup or questions about what I use. So, for any of you who may have wondered, or who are just curious about what makeup I’m currently using (bonus: most of it is drugstore right now!), then this post is for you.
I start after washing my face and putting on a moisturizer with SPF in it. Then I begin.
I start with a primer almost always. I typically go between my Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or my NYX Photo-Loving Primer.
Then I put on some BB Cream. Not even foundation. This one from Rimmel has been my go-to BB Cream for years now. This is the Rimmel London 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup BB Cream in Matte.
Then I’ll conceal. I always put concealer under my eyes. Sometimes I put a little around my nose, on the high points of my cheeks and wherever I have blemishes. I love the Tarte Shape Tape (who doesn’t) and my drugstore favorite is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser.
If I decide to set my face (i always set under my eyes), right now I’m reaching for the Maybelline Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder. This stuff works amazingly well and doesn’t get cakey as easily as some other powders do.
Then I bronze and apply blush. I’m always using the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer, and I’m obsessed with the Physicians Formula Butter Blush in Plum Rose. I have been wearing these two exclusively for weeks now.
For brows I usually almost always use Anastasia products, but I’ve been semi-recently introduced to this brow pencil and I don’t hate it. This is the Loreal Brow Stylist Shape & Fill pencil. Its tip isn’t as precise as I usually like, but its easy to work with and goes on really well and stays all day.
Then I do eyeliner and mascara. I love the Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner + Serum. Does the serum part work? No idea. But the liner works and it stays all day and is totally smudge proof. Its easy to use and you can do a lot of looks with it with ease. For mascara, I’m hooked on Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise. Its incredible, simple as that.
Then I finish it all off with some setting spray. I use the Make It Last spray from Milani right now and I have no complaints.
There you have it! Simple, sweet and inexpensive.
ceeceesparkles.com 