I’m Alive and Well….Just Busy

But what HAVE we been up to?

Well….we did receive our Spring Lilly Pulitzer magazine in the mail which Lallie promptly ripped from my hands and perused before I was allowed to see it.

She thinks I’d be pretty in the pink and orange dress.

Don’t you love the color pink or her fingernails?  It’s her favorite color!

Lallie also had her first soccer game.  Yes, she is wearing a skirt with the smallest shin guards I could find (seriously….she’s a princess and on the short notice I received that she was going to start playing soccer, I didn’t have time to find girly sports outfits!).  She is so tiny that she looks more like a hockey goalie then a soccer player!  A cute one too, but I’m biased, I know!

Husband and Lallie completed a science experiment, the infamous, soap, vinegar and baking soda volcano!  Lallie WAS fascinated!!

(PS – Lallie’s hair is so fine, it won’t stay in a pony tail….it is always falling out!)

What have I been up to?  Take a guess…..yep, that’s right…..fundraising!  And this Friday night is the big event and then I will be F.R.E.E.!!  I have enjoyed every minute and have learned a lot and I feel good doing something for the community…..but as a full-time working mommy, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s been trying and exhausting at times.  Husband has been so supportive of this endeavor as well, even despite our house looking like the “Easter Bunny Staging Station.”

This is what my house looked like last Thursday.  Add another 75 baskets (including one fishing pole) and another 200 goodie bags and you can’t walk through my formal room!

We do have a couple future Junior Leaguers on our hands though!  Lallie and her friend put this little basket of a massage and bath goodies together all by themselves!

We did make some time for ourselves and Lallie for Valentine’s Day.  We headed out to our favorite restaurant and spent some quality time together.  Yes, it’s been a while since Husband and I have been on a date but this Valentine’s Day….it was just perfect with our baby girl right there with us, we wouldn’t have changed a thing!

And ….. with all these things going on in our lives right now, this is how Lallie feels at the end of the day!  (Really, I walked out of the bathroom to get her some PJs and came back 30 seconds later to find her asleep on the floor with her “naynay” as a pillow).  I don’t blame her….I need a nap too!

Happy Wednesday Y’all!

Pur Minerals

First off, please don’t forget to enter the Marley Lilly giveaway!  It ends today at 5:00 p.m.!

Onto the subject of today’s post….Pur Minerals (the “u” in Pur is supposed to have those little double dots above it, but I can’t figure out how to insert symbols).

I started using Pur Minerals by accident actually.  Auntshleigh told me how much she loves Bare Minerals, so I ran up to ULTA, picked up a starter kit of a blush, 4 in 1 powder and a bronzer.  I fell in love with the blush and powder (I’m really too pale for bronzer). 

After a while, I realized I wasn’t using BARE Minerals….but rather I had gotten them mixed up in the store.  But I am not sorry in the least!  I LOVE this stuff.

So, I started experimenting with some other Pur Minerals products.  Let me tell you, my face has never looked or felt better!  I do use a couple other non- Pur Minerals products, so I’ll detail it all out here.

First, I wash my face with Bliss Foaming Face Wash with my Clarisonic.  It doesn’t dry out my face in the least bit however, controls the oil in my T-zone.  And let me tell you, I have some oily t-zone (bleh!)  And of course, love the Clarisonic…..my face is cleaner and healthier than ever. You have no idea how much gunk (not including makeup) ends up on your face and Clarisonic cleans it all out!

Second, I smear on Pur Minerals Under Control.  This stuff is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  I saw results instantly!  You smear this on your face to control the oil throughout the entire day….it’s a matte finish and once it’s on, it really feels like the oil in under control.  I can’t describe it.  The first day I used this amazing stuff….I came home at 6 pm that night and my makeup was all still perfectly in place…blush and all!  I am a face toucher during the day, so this is amazing.  The first few days I wore it, I kept touching my nose to see if the oil was rearing it’s ugliness.  It wasn’t!  And my face is not dry at all!  I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this product.  And, yes, I use it all over my face, not just my t-zone.

Third, I smear on MAC’s Lightful Deep Ultramoisture Crème.  I’ve been using this for about 6 months now and I have never in my life completed a tub of moisturizer just to go out and buy more.  Never.  Until now.  Recently, MAC was out of this gel-like moisturizer and I was scooping every last bit I could out of my tub.  I then had to go to another moisturizer and my face went disgusting with pimples within two days.  Yuck!  I finally have it back and my face is back to normal.  It is so lightweight and after using it for a while, your skin actually starts to brighten.  I love it!

At night, I then wait a couple hours (I’ll wash my face at 8 pm) and then I’ll put on Retin-A.  I’ve never needed Retin-A for acne, but I use it to help keep my skin young and healthy as I grow older.  It’s never to early to start battling wrinkles!  Of course, if you’ve never used it, beware….your skin WILL peel off.  So, I wouldn’t suggest starting it…..oh….two weeks before a major social event.  I’d remain a recluse for a month or so.  Just warning you!

Now….for the makeup.  First, I apply Pur Minerals Color Correcting Primer in neutral.  You can also get in green for those who have redness, like Rosacea or acne scarring, or peach.  The first time I used this stuff, I couldn’t tell if I was getting enough on.  If felt like liquid powder (if you can imagine).  I rubbed it on and then thought “is this stuff still there, is it working.”  Heck yeah it works!  Between this and the Under Control, my face is set!

Next, I use Pur Minerals 4 in 1 Pressed Mineral Makeup.  It’s a primer, foundation, concealer and SPF all in one.  I am a great believer in SPF as I’m extremely pale skinned, in the South Florida sun, so this is very important (no matter where you live).  And the makeup is for all skin types, but since it’s not a liquid, you’re not inviting oil to come hang out and you’re allowing your face to breath.  I was skeptical at first, and it did take a week of practice, but now, I won’t ever go back to liquid makeup.  In fact, I don’t even own any liquid makeup…..even concealers!     

Next, I put on blush and mascara.  That’s it.  I don’t feel I need to put on any other makeup, no eye shadows and eyeliners.  The process above takes care of it all.  (I say “feel” because someone else might think differently!  Ha!)

This sounds like a lot, but my face washing to makeup, takes 5 minutes (of course, I brush my teeth between moisturizer and makeup, to give it a chance to dry).

So, there you have it, my skin regime, morning and night!  Is there something you absolutely can’t live without?

Happy Tuesday Y’all!

Palm Beach in Pictures

Since moving to South Florida ten years ago, Palm Beach has become one of my favorite places.  While I’ll likely never become an actual “Palm Beacher,” as that generally means you live ON Palm Beach in a massive mansion, I can admire the picturesque views from afar, and visit periodically.

But of course, what I really visit for…is the shopping!  Known as “Rodeo Drive of Florida”, Lake Worth Avenue has been the place to shop for generations.  The picture below is from 1925.

Shops, like my personal favorite, C. Orrico, and Mary Mahoney Designs on Worth Avenue, make for a shopping experience one will never forget.

Not far from Worth Avenue is City Place, a more recent, but still upscale shopping venue.  Known for its night life and downtown festivals, City Place has become the latest attraction and “hot spot” in Palm Beach.

Of course, if you’d rather stick to the mall shopping, we have one of those too!  The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, just north of Palm Beach, is my personal shopping venue (as you know…when you live somewhere, you never go anywhere!)  Out of all the malls to choose from in South Florida from Palm Beach to Miami, this is my one stop shop with all the hottest designers, labels and of course, Nordstrom, Lilly Pulitzer and Tory Burch!

Outside of beaching, relaxing and shopping, we do have a museum or two as well! The Henry Flagler Museum is a gorgeous mansion detailing the history of Palm Beach, Mr. Flagler’s life and his interesting collection of antiquities.

I hope you enjoyed my little tour of Palm Beach today, hope to see you visiting South Florida very soon!

Happy Friday Y’all!

Pink (& Green) Thursday

 

Yes, technically, it is pink and green Thursday, but in honor up upcoming Valentine’s Day, I’m sticking with all things pink!

(Photo Credit: Lilly Pulitzer)

(Photo Credit: Tiffany’s)

(Photo Credit: Emotionally Married)

(Photo Credit: Kate Spade)

(Photo Credit: Essie)

(Photo Credit: Style Frizz)

Happy Pink Thursday Y’all!

Marley Lilly GIVEAWAY!

I recently ran across a preppy and lovely shop called Marley Lilly.  I just adore her items, especially her latest, the monogrammed Derby hat and the monogrammed Croakies sunglass straps (since the other word is copyrighted). 

College Prep suggested I ask if they have mini hats so I can get one for Lallie!  Now wouldn’t that be adorable, Lallie and I laying on our rafts in the pool in our matching Lilly bathing suits and monogrammed Derby hats?  Well, I think we’d look awfully cute, and pool time should be coming around very soon!

What about the Croakies sunglass straps?  I don’t think I’ve ever seen

monogrammed ones, so what an ingenious idea!  You can have them monogrammed with your initials OR sororities…think about rush next year, wouldn’t these be cute with letters for your new pledges?  And for us older folks young at heart, I just love them for a day out on the boat fishing, or beaching, or cruising…or whenever. 

I LOVE the scarfs….of course, I would choose pink and green, but I think that a certain someone might be receiving a certain orange and purple one for Christmas next year (I would say birthday, but it’s a summer birthday!)

 

Other items I love are the monogrammed rings and coozies.  I love anything with a monogram!

Of course, it must be said….. please take note of how many monograms you have on your body at one time!  Over monogramming  yourself is not always a good thing!

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So, on to the giveaway part.  Marley Lilly is graciously giving away one pair of monogrammed sunglass straps to one of my loyal readers!!  You get to choose the colors and embroidery font and she’ll ship them right to you!  How fun!!

Here are the entry rules:

1.  You must be a follower of Southern Living: Preppy Style – 1 entry

2.  Go to Marley Lilly’s website and tell me your favorite

Marley Lilly item – 1 entry

3.  Become a fan of Marley Lilly on facebook – 1 entry

4.  Follow Marley Lilly on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway coping

@SLPreppy (so I know you really tweeted) – 2 entries

5. Post about this giveaway on your sidebar – 2 entries.

Leave ONE comment naming what you did and how many entries you are to receive!

This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 8th at 5:00 pm!

Happy Wednesday Y’all!

Preppy Men Fashions

Preppy men fashions include madras, seersucker and bowties.

After working on Husband for several years, I have succeeded!  It started out with the plaid shorts (not madras....plaid, that's the best I could do at that point).

We then moved onto madras.

Soon, we were purchasing seersucker.

This Christmas, the transformation was complete, when Husband wore a bowtie.

Preppy men know how to have fun with their preppy ladies.

I spied this preppy at a Kentucky Derby wedding last May.  You can't see it very well, but he's wearing an all seersucker suit.

If you read Jamie’s Blog, Pink Fried Tomato, I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures of her and her husband at Clemson football games, all decked out in head-to-toe prep.

One of my all-time favorite Lilly dresses, I love this picture.  Speaks High W.A.S.P. to me.  Aren’t the Labrador Retrievers just adorable?

(Photo Credit: Lilly Pulitzer)

A real preppy man, however, can wear pink pants, print pants and madras pants.  How about that velour smoking jacket.  I haven’t reached quite that far with Husband….eventually though.  Is it just me or does this picture remind you of Animal House?

(Photo Credit: The Preppy Chronicles)

Got to love a man in pink and green!  Swoon!

(Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren 2008 Season)

Love bowties!  Love madras bowties!  I see Husband in a madras bowtie in the near future.  Maybe Easter?  I wonder.

Now, how does one start a young infant boy down the path to becoming a preppy man.

Madras and seersucker of course!  Aren’t these little shoes and romper adorable?

(Photo Credit:  Both Ralph Lauren)

What does your preppy man wear that just makes you swoon?

Happy Tuesday Y’all!

Squiggly Dinky Dink, Squiggly Dinky Doo, I love you!

A couple Lallie videos for you..... (it must be noted that Lallie's bathroom has yet to be decorated, I don't "do" brown palm trees!)