Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Review & Urban Decay Naked Skin

I am always on the hunt for new light foundations & tinted moisturizers that hold up in the Arizona heat and my busy long days.  I bought the New Urban Decay Naked Skin when I went into Ulta and the guy said since he sees me there all the time and knows I love Urban Decay (that is a problem) that I absolutely must try this "sick" new Urban Decay product and my skin will just love me!

He tested out my skin and said I was a 4.0. So the sucker I am I bought it. The price is $38 for 1 oz but it should last you awhile. I love Urban Decay and all of the Naked line. So I was super excited they had this new product as they aren't super known for skin care. It comes in several colors with cool and warm undertones. Each color has a .5 which are the cool skin tones and the .0 are the warm ones. When I got home and actually applied it on my face the next day, the 4.0 was way to Olive toned for my skin. So I went back and traded it for the 3.5 which is perfect for my skin. I couldn't wait to wash my face and redo my makeup the next morning.I applied it over M.A.C. comfort cream moisturizer with my beauty blender sponge, but I am tempted to buy the Urban Decay blender brush it is recommended with. It dries matte and luminous and I almost didn't need powder over it. I did apply a tiny quick blend of powder on my nose and t zone for the day since I wasn't sure how it would last during the long day. It applied perfect. By the very late afternoon, I did need to touch up with powder but we are talking 115 degree weather and I didn't have primer on underneath, which I usually do. It has more of a watery, liquid consistency than a foundation has so a little goes a long way. I used one full pump for my face. I found it very similar to Hour Glass Veil foundation which one of my best friends referred me to a few months ago. The coverage is great but I can still see my freckles which my husband loves. It is build able which is great but I didn't feel I needed to do that. The packaging is sleek and sturdy. I am a sucker for packaging! It doesn't have that real makeupy smell since its fragrance free which is nice. I don't like to smell like a makeup. 

Cons

My only major hesitation with it is that it doesn't have any SPF, which I do still wear underneath but I like it in my makeup as well. I am a die hard Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer fan with SPF so its hard to compare anything to that, but to me this is a step in between a sheer lightweight Mercier type with illuminating features and a heavy foundation like M.A.C. Studio Fix. 

The next product I got was the New SmashBox Camera Ready BB Cream! BB cream has been all the rage in the US lately when it was brought over from Asia and Korea. Women over there swear by it. BB cream was designed to reduce redness and was created for patients who had dermatological issues or just received chemical peels, etc.  It has several features and is supposed to be a primer, anti aging , moisturizer, foundation and spf all in one.  It is known as Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm. So many big cosmetic companies are coming out with their versions and spins on it. Its pretty much a tinted moisturizer with extra additions. Years ago I stopped wearing heavy foundations and traded them in for tinted moisturizers or very light things such as above, so this was fun to try. I really wanted to try the Too Faced BB Cream since I love most of their products and Smashbox's new Camera Ready BB cream since they are a the kings of Primers and have other great products I love! I decided to go with Smashbox. I got the light/medium but switched it for the light. It was much better on my skin and after a few minutes almost blended in with my color perfectly. I applied it over moisturizer with my beauty blender. It really evened out the slight redness I always get on my upper cheeks which I loved.  It is great if you have oily skin. It controls that stubborn problem very quickly. It is also $39, like the Naked Skin but is a much smaller package than other BB creams, so that stinks. It gave me full coverage, and lasted all day and I didn't need any powder on top. It was not as dewy as my Mercier or other products I like. I love that it is SPF 35 so I don't need to layer on a bunch of sunscreen. 

Cons

Only comes in 4 colors. Says its fragrance free but does have a very makeup type smell to me. It does go away after you put it on and your all set to go.

I love both of these products but they are so different and have different features I cant say which I love more. I am not comparing one BB cream to another here. So the past week, Ive switched up what I use between these two and my Mercier depending on which look I want for the day. I will say my face looked better in a picture with the Smashbox BB cream than it did with the Urban Decay, where it looked great in person but a little too white/powdery in pictures. So I guess if I know the paparazzi are around Ill wear the BB cream! =) 

He is home!!! Our off season life begins...

Brew is finally home!! I could not be happier and more elated to wake up to his amazing smile every single day and to be able to say goodnight in person every single night and not over Skype! The girls are in dreamland that he is home. They love him so much and all the things he does with them. He got home last Saturday and we had the whole night to ourselves! We had an amazing date night, which we haven't had in MONTHS! We went to dinner, a movie and went to the casino and played some black jack (I am obsessed with Black Jack but sometimes see "Chips" as "Tokens" and that doesn't make Brew happy)only to find out my last $20 I had to play with & we were walking out with was better used at the Wheel of Fortune machine where we got a $1,000 spin! Yes a grand! Woop woop! That was super exciting considering I always think the Wheel of Fortune machine is a waste. Then Monday comes and back to reality, but it was so nice to come home every night after work to him instead of waiting a few hours for his game to be over.

So lets kill the white elephant in the room. I let Brew have his few days of a drive home to process what happened to his arm, he drove silently home for 3 days and stopped in Texas on his way to spend 2 nights with his parents. It was a rough few days for us not being together and really not knowing what to say. Once he got home, after our amazing weekend we discussed everything that happened and what the plan was. I am a super planner and super A type personality and I need it all laid out, however lately I've learned not everything needs to be solved in a day which is now what I'm trying to teach Brew so he stops worrying. At this point in his career, his heart is still very much in it, but every year that goes by it gets more difficult for him to see the future playing. The fact of the matter is, before he got hurt, he did great this year, his numbers were great. I don't doubt he wont play again next year if we decide the opportunity is right for him. Many don't know, but our backup plan, which I've tried to not let him think about since I don't want to stress him out or make him feel that he needs one or divert his focus off baseball, has always been in the works. Brew has been thinking about joining the Fire Department the past few years. In fact, two off seasons ago he started the process and actually was going thru the interview process with the City of Phoenix, but a few weeks before the scheduled date, the phone rang late in the off season, and we had a choice to make. With all of our excitement with the future, we went through a lot of back and forth feelings and I told him to go. He didn't want to pass up the chance with the Fire Dept, but I told him the Fire Department will always be here and it would kill me if he stayed and regretted it and asked himself down the road,"what if". So off he went and two more seasons have gone by. During this season, we looked at classes to get started on but they started in August (this week) and he wouldn't have been home in time. So we brushed it off. So once he got home this week, and I was looking for all the reasons why this was meant to be, I told him now he is home and can start the EMT certification he needs and the other classes he needs to take. At least this way, even if we go play again in the Spring, he would already have the whole Fall semester complete and his EMT Certification and State Board all complete and in his back pocket should anything in the future not work out the way we planned. Than he can play and at that point we just wait until the Fire Department hires again, which is rare but will happen between now and late 2013.

Finally he was excited again and realized this really all did happen for a reason and was in gods plans this way. We got him all registered for what he needed, books and all. Thankfully the Seattle Mariners pay for his College since he was drafted by them out of early College so his degree is free! Things were going in the right direction and we decided to take baseball one day at a time. Well once it was released to the public this past week that he was no longer with the Red Sox, the phone rang. A team was offering him to come and was shocked he wasn't with the Red Sox anymore. They didn't know he was hurt so Brew had to explain he couldn't play yet and needed to work on his arm and would be ready by winter or spring at the latest. They said they would check back. It was nice to hear from a team and know that his hard work this season didn't go unnoticed. The same day, when we were at my moms at 8:30 at night, the phone rang again! Ahhh! I heard him repeat the same thing to the guy and they said they will check back in a few months. Just when we didn't think about baseball for a few days, it was very difficult to have to tell teams no and have those conversations. My heart was very sad for him, but happy at the same time. I told him it was bittersweet but reminded him as hard as it was, he did the right thing by telling them no and making sure he works on his arm and its really ready. No matter the circumstance, it breaks your heart when you see someone work so hard for their dream and then when you have opportunities you have to pass up...it just kills me. 

He had a long call with the Red Sox head trainer after this and was told he needs to rest his arm for a few months, start throwing again in December and go from there. I think this made him feel a lot better about things and not worry about baseball right now so he can focus on just being home right now and getting this semester done and working towards other plans on the side. So now, a week later, Brew has started school! He has morning and night classes with professors who are Phx Fire Chiefs/Captains. I actually connected him with one of them thru a Police officer who comes to our office a lot. They invited him to go on calls with them and hang out at the fire house to experience it all. Its great for him to have contacts like that! Right direction! Poor guy was up til midnight last night studying, reading and doing homework! So proud of  him and his focus. He sure is a sexy man when he acts so smart! Baseball, Firefighting, or whatever he ends up doing I know he will be great! I think I can deal with going from a baseball uniform to a fireman uniform...ANY Day! =)

I have to laugh at my own thoughts.

So today, as difficult as it still is, you know what, my husband is on his way home, and thank god for that! I miss him terribly, and its been two months since Ive seen him. Goodness. I had to blog tonight because as I'm sitting here I just had to literally laugh at the real thoughts racing thru my head.

Once things calmed down today I am looking around the house and I start thinking... crap...hes going to be home Saturday and there is NO more room in the closet for him anymore, I have accumulated and moved too many things around. Great, need to clean that out. 

Oh great, no more secret shopping since he isn't around. Hmmm...need a plan B for that.
Ahhhh I need to start shaving my legs again, every SINGLE day!!!

Darnit, I have two days to pull together all my Pinterest Recipes and re-scour that puppy for hours to put together a bunch of dinners for his arrival home. (I don't cook full on meals AS much when he is gone, but when he's home I cook 6 nights a week.) Well 5, Wednesdays is "Fend for yourself Wednesdays", (seriously) and Friday or Saturday we go out. So now I'm all stressed figuring out a grocery store plan for Saturday morning before he gets home. 

Yay! I can sleep in Sunday morning and not wake up to the annoying barking of our two dogs begging to go for a walk. Score, oh and he can give them a bath. Brew on dog duty! I win!

Finally he can start some projects I have waiting for him. Starting with refinishing the nightstands!

So excited we can now go do our "trash the dress" photo shoot in Sedona I have been waiting to do!

Lets see what else he can do, Take the girls to school, help clean the kitchen after dinner, Wash the pans..I hate those suckers Id rather throw them away (Don't judge me, did you read above I cook?) Oh and did I mention already deal with the dogs 100%?!!

Oh boy! Welcome home Brew! Sure your so excited to get here quick!! =)

Goodbye Red Sox

A lot of people are texting me, emailing me, etc asking lots of questions. This post will be easier to explain it all. My tears are all dried up for today. After being on the DL since July 1st, my husband has been working so hard on getting his elbow better. Monday he threw for the first time, 45 feet and felt good, and yesterday he threw again at 60 ft. The trainers and coaches said they were impressed he is doing so well and feels good only on the second day. So needless to say, from my post a few days ago, we were very excited. However, he still needed to continue throwing and working up to 120 feet to work his way back to live pitching on the mound. We felt like we were on the right track again. Today, Brew was released from the Boston Red Sox. They told him they picked up so many guys in the draft there wasn't any roster room for him now that he is getting better and since he had such a great first half of the season, the best thing they could do for him now is release him and he has a good chance of getting picked back up by another team.

Well we know with 3 weeks left of the season that chance is very very slim, especially because he still needs to work on his arm and throw a few more weeks. So now he is on his 3 day drive home and will be home by Saturday, which of course I can't wait to see him since I haven't in so long. I miss him so much, but this isn't how I wanted to him to come home so badly. Heartbroken, defeated, and let down. In 8+ years of Professional baseball he has never been released. Its definitely normal to release guys who have season ending injuries, we, just like with our bank account fraud, never thought it would happen to us. Ive learned how dirty baseball is over the years. It is definitely a political business. There is little to do sometimes with talent it seems. Not that the players aren't talented, of course they are. Immensely! The odds of a player getting drafted out of high school or college. are crazy but lesson each year you play another year in the minors and of course until you get to the majors, so there is obviously major talent there, but I've definitely learned the dirty side of baseball, the side few people tell you which is fine but wow...its mostly politics. So after hours of tears, and trying to support my husband and bring his spirits up, and over 30 baseball wives messaging me, tweeting me and emailing me, I feel immense support and we are now just trying to breathe and take it all in. 

His chances of getting picked up in the off season, with his numbers from last year and this year are great, and of course I hope for his sake, the phone rings for him before Spring. He could even play fall or winter ball. He has worked his whole life for this since he was little, gave up school, gave up everything to play when he was drafted and it is all he has ever done or known. His heart is still in this game, and I know his future will still involve baseball if he's on the mound, in a coaches box, or scouting or whatever it is. His dreams are too close. So for now, he comes home, he works on his arm, throws every day, works out and stays in baseball shape so he is ready in case he gets a call, and meanwhile, we work on plan B, in which i'll be by his side every step of the way with whatever he decides. So now Ill pack away all my Red Sox gear in the back of my closet along with the Brewers and Mariners gear that's in there and never worn anymore, until we have a new favorite team to support. Of course I have a few I'd LOVE for him to play for! 

Naturally, I was panicked about what the future holds, since we have so much else going on right now. Thankfully, we have always had a plan B, with kids and getting older, we need to. So, If this is where playing ends, I know it will take a long time to get used to, and a lot of tears in between while he figures out where else he fits in the world, but I am proud of how far he has come and how long he made it. I know God has a plan for him. I know it will be bigger and better than this. My husband is a very faithful and patient man who has a good relationship with God so I know those two have something planned and Brew just doesn't know its in the works yet. I can only pray that he finds that out soon. I believe in blessings in disguise.

First day of School!

Today was the first day of school! Crazy how fast the summer flew by! Now I have a 1st grader and a 2nd grader! I cannot believe that! They are such big girls! Cheers to the first day of school!!!!! 

The art of staying positive

YAY! So latest update on my husband, defiantly doesn't look like we will be joining the Tommy John family. Rehab in Florida has been going so well. Last week he started on shoulder stuff since its been weak without throwing due to the elbow, and yesterday he called me and got to throw. He threw 45 & 60 feet and felt great. Today they had him throw again 60 ft and said they were shocked how well he was doing for only the 2nd day, when he hasn't thrown in over a month. He doesn't look like he is holding back or anything.

He may throw again tomorrow and the goal is to work up to 120 feet again in the next few weeks and build his strength back up.

So far so good! He usually gets sore after a few days of throwing not the next day, so we will see how he feels the next few days. Tonight he "bibled" to me he felt great! This is such a blessing for all he has been through! So exciting!!!! His spirits are up and to me, that's all that matters. Positive thoughts prevail. xoxo

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl!

My littlest Princess turned 6!!! Born August 2, 2006. She came in at 5 lbs 10 oz and 18.5 inches long! She was so beautiful! So excited for Madison to have a little sister! Gosh have those 6 years flown by! Everyone always tells you that kids grow up so fast, and you really never grasp the severity of how true that is until your own children grow up year after year. Sad! She used to be my cuddle bug, my sweet little quiet one. She still will snuggle on a rare occasion, but goodness her and my oldest are really switching roles on me lately. Now Averie is the sassy, and very dramatic child!

So Averie is all bummed out year after year of having a summer birthday. Madison always gets the spring birthday during school so always has big parties of some sort. We try with Averie, but at this age "close" friends to keep in  contact for her at this age are hard, and everyone is always on vacation. Last year we spent her birthday visiting Brew in Ohio, which was fun.

This year with school starting the same week, we had our own celebration at home, in which she was very spoiled and this weekend are going camping, (as in a majorly decked out camper with plasmas and good food) haha, in Payson. My grandma and mom are making her a cake and she is super excited!

She is growing up so fast! Last night her and Madison were talking about boyfriends, who broke up with who, etc. I about died! What happened to my little girls? It is very hard, no matter how you as a mom try to keep your kids little its a daily challenge to avoid what they hear, see and get from the outside world at school, from friends, etc. I always call  them my babies, which they hate and always tell me they are kids, I also hate the word kid, "My kid", sounds Ghetto to me!

6 going on 16.....My sweet babies! God help me!