Remember my little goal to dress up at least 3 times a week? I set this goal in February and I’m happy to say I’ve stuck with it. I get out of my lazy/yoga pants and step into something lovely at LEAST 3 days a week (sometimes it’s four or five). I can tell this small change has helped my self-esteem. It’s just so simple, but getting dressed in a lovely skirt and some pretty tights changes my mood. I can feel my energy level go up, and I just plain feel better. Most days I can only manage to get my kiddo into “real clothes” and I wander out of the house with toothpaste on my face. Yeah… I even forget to look in the mirror. This goal also includes putting a small bit of makeup on, at least 3 times a week.

The majority of the time my makeup routine only consists of putting on mascara. Adding some length and darkness to my lashes makes me believe I’m not as tired as I feel. Ha! When I’m feeling super fancy, maybe on date nights, I’ll add a bit of lipstick.

I have really dry skin, and for that reason I don’t use foundation or cover up that often. Especially all over my face. It enhances the dry spots…  <—– Not my goal. I also love my freckles and never want to cover them, buuuut I do love it under my eyes (and to cover up the occasional blemish). I’ve yet to find something that really works for what I want (and at a price I can handle), but Almay sent me some Smart Shade Mousse to try out. I love it!

It’s pretty neat. It starts off white (as seen on my finger above) and quickly changes to match the shade of my skin, like magic. P.S. A little goes a long way. It’s light and soft, and it smooths out to cover the darkness under my eyes.

I’ve been using it almost nonstop for a week now. Even on the days I choose to wear yoga pants (and maybe have toothpaste on my face). It may be difficult to see a difference looking at my before and after photos in this post, but looking in the mirror at home: totally see it. I’ll be dressing up FOUR times this week. Date night tonight with the husband! Yay! That means cute shoes, a dress, and makeup! No yoga pants this time. Maybe I’ll add some eyeshadow (I’m trying out the Almay intense i-color)?

Check out Almay’s website for more information about their products and don’t forget to like Almay on Facebook!

Tell me, what’s your go-to date night look?

Answer this question below, and each comment will automatically be entered for $100 Visa gift card! Use that treat for your own little date night!

- Chelsey

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No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/16/13-6/16/13.

Be sure to visit the Almay brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

The weather is getting warmer, then cold and rainy, then warm again, and more rain, and then some more sun…. It’s Spring in Oregon! That means 25% of the time I might be wearing skirts or shorts! That ALSO means my legs, that haven’t seen sun in months, will be out to show the world how PALE they are. I’m talking: the sun reflects off them and it will blind you. It’s a hazard.

During the Fall and Winter I like to wear colorful tights, but not for Spring style. While I’m waiting for my legs to get a bit more color, I love to use tights. I have quite the collection, but for this outfit I picked out this pair of Hanes Nude tights (they cost under $6) to pretend my legs aren’t super duper pale. It’s like I haven’t missed any sunny days. It also covers the bumps and bruises I seem to get from being a mom.

Random story moment: One of my earliest memories of the first time I noticed someone wearing tights was when I was in kindergarten. I looked down at my teachers sandals and noticed a web of something over her toes… I asked her what it was and she said, “OH, those are just my tights. I wear them to cover all those crazy purple spidery veins!” You could say that this may have scared the poo outta me as a 6 year old. When you get older you get giant purple veins covering your legs? What?

{shirt: f21//skirt: very old Anthropologie//control top silky sheer nude tights: c.o. Hanes//shoes: c.o. Blowfish}

Now I’m the thirty year old wearing tights. My kindergarten teacher had the right idea. Ok, are you into tights?

- Chelsey

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Do you remember last year when I shared a self portrait photo challenge with all of you? Well, I think it was a fantastic challenge that had a TON of interest and participants! I’m SO excited to do this challenge again. I can’t wait to see all you beautiful bloggers/readers!

When you put yourself out there in the blogging world, it’s almost impossible to avoid any negative comments. You can receive 100 fantastic and encouraging comments, and all it takes is that one damn negative comment to bring you down. I hate that it’s that way, but goodness… it’s how seems to be (P.S. See this comic, from The Oatmeal). I get a negative comment… somewhere in my social media… “Damn, you’re so ugly!” and that seems to be the only comment I hold on to and remember. In a sea of positive and lovely comments, that one stupid commenter sticks out. I don’t like it, but it’s there in the back of my mind.

I love the challenge of a self portrait. Even though I don’t love every photo taken of me, I have a bit more control when taking a self portrait. A quick candid snapshot usually means my chins will come out to say, “hello”. Ha! A self portrait gives me more control.

//Beautiful Mustard Bow from, Just Lovely Things//

Sooooo, what does all this mean? I want to see a self portrait from YOU. Yup, you. Beautiful you. Share this photo on your blog, tumblr, flickr, or Instagram… and link that URL to my linky tools (at the bottom of this post). One lovely participant will have a chance to win a camera from me! Yeah! This challenge is NOT based on photography skills/style. The winner will be chosen at random. ALL you have to do is share your image below. I can’t wait to see you! <3

This year I’ve decided to share an Instax mini 8 prize for the challenge! What? Yeah. All you have to do is share a self portrait of yourself and you’re entered. Simple as that. Plus, share a bit of info about you at the moment. For me…

Currently:

Obsessing over…

Getting myself more organized. I am attempting to create and editorial calendar for the year. Goodness, I hope it works out. I need to be more prepared.

Working on…

Like I said above, working on getting myself organized. PLUS, working on so many DIY’s and blog posts and DRAWINGS!

Thinking about…

My kiddo’s schooling. I’ve been throwing around the idea of homeschooling. BUT… that’s a major maybe. I have never seen myself as a teacher, but I am willing to look into this a bit more. We’ll see.

Anticipating…

Planning the upcoming PNW Blogger meet up for this Spring!

Listening to…

The most recent episode of Downton Abbey.

Eating/Drinking…

I had a bit of yummy chocolate. ANNNNnnnnd, a glass of wonderful wine.

Wishing…

I was more organized and had more time in the day.

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What can you win?

- Instax Mini 8!

Rules:

- To enter, link up your blog post to my linky below. (Please don’t link to FB pages, I wont be able to view your image).

- Post must include a self photo of you. It can be an old photo if you’d like… but, why not take a new one?

- Please link back to my blog on your post. You can copy and paste this link if you’d like: ” Linking up with The Paper Mama for her Self Photo Challenge! ”

- Share what is currently going on in your life. You are welcome to follow my “Currently” prompt.

- If you enter this challenge: All photos entered into my Self Photo Challenge may/will be shared in a blog post(s), on The Paper Mama blog. There will always be a link back to the photographer’s URL (instagram) that was shared.

- PG please.

- One entry per person.

- One winner will be chosen at random from Random.org.

- The last day to enter a photo is on February 28th, 2013 11:59 PST.

- Good luck!

P.S. The sweet bow in my photos is from, Just Lovely Things. It’s my favorite hair piece at the moment!

The roll up bun. Recently: I’ve been wearing my hair like this NON stop. It’s simple. I love it. ::side note: ummm, it’s also great when you just don’t have time to wash that hair, yup:: SO after some research online, I’ve discovered that this hair style is pretty much identical to to an old style: the Gibson Roll (check out this Gibson Roll mold, I’m very interested in purchasing this for more volume).

Anywho, here’s how to do it: 

-  Grab you hair (like you’re making a ponytail) and twist.

- Fold that twisted ponytail over and roll it into your hair (see image above).

- Pin it. With MANY bobby pins an secure with hair spray. Something I recommend: spin pins. These work SO well for this hair style.

- Well for a “short hair” look, you can stop here. OR, add a couple of pins to each side behind the ear to pin it back.

- You can now decide if you’d like to add a hair wrap, or not. On rainy/busy days… I add a wrap. I have a big collection of vintage scarves….. and, I also have some fabric I like to roll up and use (like my green checkered goody above).

- That’s it! You’re done.

Or….

The Images above share another way you can start the roll up bun. Is your hair just wont stay with just rolling it, start it as a ponytail. Make sure the ponytail is low and at the nape of your neck. Pull down the hair tie a few inches, grab the pony tail and pull it up through the center of the hair (see where arrow is pointing on image). Then, continue onto rolling your hair and pin. Enjoy!

- Chelsey