Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Avocado Green Hell

I need to paint my master bathroom.  We are most likely putting the house up for sale in the next year and we need to start getting the house ready and updated.  However, we have NO BUDGET to do any substantial remodeling.  My bathroom is troublesome.  It's a sea of avocado green.  Avocado green sinks, avocado green vanities, and an avocado green tub and surround.  These are going to have to stay.  We don't have the budget to replace them.  So, paint.  But what color do I paint the bathroom so it doesn't look like it's right out of a bad 1970's TV sit-com?  Wait.  Let me show you:


This is my half.  Paul's half is exactly the same on the other side of the mirror.

I've googled and googled.  I've collected paint chips.  I've looked at designer books.  I know I have to paint the base cabinets, but I think white is out.  It would really make the vanity top color pop out.  That is what I DON'T want to happen.  I also don't want to paint the walls green.  I've read that to lessen the impact of a particular feature, you should add more of the same color.  YUCK.  No, I don't want to do that either.  So.  I'm looking for suggestions.  I'd REALLY like Paul to re-tile the floor, but we'll see if he has the time and patience for it.

I see alot of this combination.  I just don't know what to do with it.


I don't really want to paint the walls a dark color because the room is already dark AND I do want to stay somewhat neutral for potential buyers.

I'm more drawn to this color combination.



Anyway, I'd love to have your thoughts.

Thanks!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Some Of My Favorite Things

There are a couple of things I find that I simply can not live without these days.   My morning Starbucks is one of them.  I order a Venti, half-caf, 2 pump, non-fat, no whip Mocha.  Most days the Baristas get the order right.  Way too often I get a full mocha beverage (6 pumps) or I get a (gag) white mocha.  I really hate those and will go back to have them correct it.

Last night I started to think about the other things that I love.  This excludes family, religion, and politics... I obviously love and have opinions about these but they are highly personal and not for sharing :-)  But THESE I must share:

I LOVE this product:

This sets me back about $144.00 but will last me about 3 months.  It makes my skin glow.  I've always wanted glowy skin...  Some people feel a tingle after they apply it, but I have not.


While I love the entire Mary Kay Miracle Set, I love the TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25* the most.  When I apply it over the C E Ferulic it just adds to the dewy glow that I love so much.  It's about $30.00 every 3 months.


I sometimes apply a primer and foundation, but mostly I just use this Revision Intellishade SPF 45 Tinted Moisturizer.  It's only about $48.00 and it's MAGIC!  It goes on smooth and it really does adjust to my specific coloring after a few minutes.

I really love the way my skin looks these days - and really for the first time ever.  I'm 45 now and love my skin!  Yes, I have wrinkles, freckles, and the occasional acne and I am starting to see some sag in my jaw and throat area, but these products have truely helped to improve my skin tone and reduce fine lines.  After the twins were born, I seriously don't think I washed my face for a year.  I was so depressed at how I looked.  I now look forward to my nightly skin routine and I don't think I look too much like my age.

Sleeping.  I've always had some problems here.  When I was pregnant, my doctor prescribed Ambien to help me sleep.  I loved those little pills, but I only got about 4-5 hours of good sleep.  Once I woke up, that was it.  No going back to sleep. 

About 6 months ago I discoved this:


I drink it every night.  At first I drank it because I liked the taste and I like something hot before I go to bed.  Then I started sleeping all night long and, if I woke up, I was able to go back to sleep.  I am addicted to this tea! 

Friday, February 10, 2012

I Won Something!

Today I won something.  This is epic.  I've NEVER won anything before.  My sister wins trips to Galveston, my friends to Hawaii, my parents to Costa Rica (technically my parents didn't WIN the trip to Costa Rica, but in my book any paid-for vacation is a WIN) but not me.  However, today I won 2 tickets for 4th row seats, free parking and Guest access to the swanky "Jack Daniel's Club" at the "Dallas Stars V.S. Los Angeles (whatever they are)" game.  It's not as exciting as a Destination win, BUT I WON SOMETHING!!!!  And I can't go.  *tear* 

The reason I can't go?  My parents trip to Costa Rica.  It was terribly rude of them to accept this paid-for vacation to beautiful Costa Rica which is on MY top 5 places to go just under New Zealand. 

The game starts at 5:00pm.  That's the boys dinnertime and bedtime is 7:30 sharp.  I could leave Paul at home with the boys and take a friend, but I think that's a no-no.  If my parents were in town, they could get the boys fed and to sleep... but NOOOoooo.  They had to go to the beach, or take a canopy tour, or go see a majestic volcano, or take a dip in the Hot Springs.  I'm fairly positive these things pale in comparison to changing diapers and holding cranky kids.  But I'm not bitter.

I won something and I had to give it away.  I'll stay at home with Paul and the boys and watch Blue's Clues over and over and over...  I'll stoically shelf my disappointment and grief while showering my boys with kisses and tickles.  I'll paint a smile on my face as the boys play "fall down" and giggle in delight.  I will persevere and realize that... 

I HATE SPORTS! ...and crowds, and loud noises, and $10 bottled water, and waiting in line to use the restroom...  Yuck!  I seriously couldn't get rid of those tickets fast enough.

I did win something, but it's not tickets.  Nothing I could ever win can compare to what I already have;  a couple of precious boys and a wonderful, indulgent husband. 

So, I'm glad my parents are having a good time in Costa Rica without me, even though it's on my list of top places to go (did I mention that already?).  I'm glad they are swinging from trees, basking in healing springs, seeing a real-life active volcano, absorbing the local culture, dining next to waterfalls, seeing rare and exotic birds, enjoying nature walks... OK, I might be a little bitter.