my make-up routine...

i thought i'd do a fun post on here today!

whenever i get dressed up and go somewhere, i always have people ask me what make-up i use, where do i get it, and how does my face always look "flawless"....well, i can assure you, my face is NOT flawless, haha...i have bad blotchiness and redness most days, and there are LOTS of days i don't even wear make-up at all (which used to not be the case)...i don't want to be superficial, but i have to admit that i really love good make-up as long as i still look natural and fresh...that will probably change though once we get on the mission field :)

SO, for the first time ever in history, i am sharing with you my make-up routine, down to the smallest things! all of these things can be purchased at either Sephora or Ulta stores nationwide (or their websites, sephora.com and ulta.com), or from my soap company, RB Soap Company: www.rbsoapcompany.etsy.com

here we go...enjoy!

1. i start by washing my face, and i use only my own all-natural soap for this...i rotate soap depending on how my face is acting that day/week...Lemon Poppyseed for normal days, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree for oily days, Oatmeal and Milk for dry days
































2. next, i use a great moisturizer (EVEN if my face is oily that day)...my favorite is Juice Beauty's Organic Green Apple Antioxident Moisturizer...this stuff lasts almost an entire year in one jar!













3. then, after the moisturizer, i put on over my entire face a foundation primer...this helps even out my skin tone, makes my make-up go on smoothly, and keeps my pores from getting clogged...i use PurMinerals Corrective Foundation Primer in Green (for redness)

4. next, i put concealer all around my eyes to brighten them up and get rid of any black circles...my favorite is Physician's Formula Yellow Concealer Stick (yellow counteracts the undereye circles)














5. next comes foundation...however, i do not use regular liquid foundation (although i used to, and that contributed to my breakouts)...the only thing i will use is Philosophy's The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas Foundation...it acts like a liquid foundation/powder/concealer/sunscreen in one, is all-natural (better than Bare Minerals and the like) and is AMAZING...models use it on the runway!













5. then, just to make sure ALL oil is gone, i add a tiny bit of transluscent powder with a kabuki brush...my favorite is Clinique Blended Loose Powder in Transparency Neutral...this thing lasts me about 2 years since i use so little!













6. after that, i take a fan brush and conteur my upper cheekbones with a tiny bit of bronzer, as well as under my chin and around my jawline to hide any double-chin tendencies...my favorite bronzer is Stila Sun Bronzing Powder in Shade 1 (for lighter skin)













7. after blending in the bronzer well (so i don't look like a clown), i use a bit of blush along my cheekbones, blended well with the bronzer (don't put it on the apples of your cheeks, or you really will look like a clown!)...my all-time favorite blush EVER is Nars Blush in Orgasm...let me now just apologize for the name...i hate that is what it is called, but i don't look at the name when i put it on...its just the perfect color for anyone, and you need VERY little !














8. next, its time for eyeshadows (my favorite part!)...i use 3 different types of eyeshadow...sometimes i only use one, sometimes 2, and sometimes all 3...the first one is the base shadow, the second is my conteuring shadow (in the crease of my eyelid), and the third is the overlaying sheer shadow, which i also like to use under my eyes as a sort of eyeliner...these are the ones i use, in that order: Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Underground (much lighter than the picture shows), Nars Eyeshadow in Galapagos, and LORAC Glamrocks Shadow in Copper




























9. then, i like to line my eyes with a thin line of eyeliner, and not around my entire eye (i line mine only from halfway in to the outer corner to make my eyes look bigger and wider)...my favorite liner is LORAC Shimmer Eyeliner in Paparazzi














10. next, i grab my favorite mascara and use 4-5 coats of each side for upper eyelashes, and only 1 coat of black on my bottom lashes...white first for primer and then black for color...my favorite (and this can be found at Walmart) is Maybelline Intense XXL Volume + Length in Very Black














10. last, but not least, are my lips...now just about any lipstick/gloss will work here, and your color should go with your skintone...but here are my favorites anyways: Sephora Star Lip Attitude in Intrepid Rose (#17) and Nars Lipgloss in Sunset Strip

























well, that is it folks!!! i hope you enjoyed reading and if you have any questions about any of these, or aren't sure how to use them, just ask! thanks for reading :)

giving up...

so it's really late here, and i really need to go to bed...but i just felt the need to write...

God has really been working in my heart these days on so many issues...i have had to surrender in whole new ways since my husband's deployment to Iraq...sacrifice has taken on a completely different meaning for me now, of what both my husband and i have given up...for what he's given up for the sake of those in this country and those in Iraq to fight terrorism...for what i've given up with having my own home and a husband here...and what we've both given up to serve God with all of our hearts

the Lord has brought me to tears lately...not from sadness, or depression, or anything of the like...but from so much love from Him...i'll be driving in the car and hear a worship song, and i'll just start bawling like a baby

i have felt more utterly alone now than i've ever felt, even when i was single...it is an aloneness not just from Paul being gone, but from living the life i'm living and trying to be the person i want to be

God continues to humble me and break my heart for the things He sees and the things i used to miss when i looked at others...i am so far from perfect...but often i get so frustrated with others' lack of love, especially as Christians...but this frustration is wrong, because i have had the same problem for a long time...the problem that comes from a lack of true love

Jesus Christ died and rose again because of one thing, and that is LOVE...it was God's love for us that brought Him down to earth to live as a feeble human, homeless and rejected, yet pouring out every minute of that life for others...it was God's love for us that took Him to the cross, where he bled and died for us to live and know God and be forgiven...it was God's love for us that brought Him back to life, so we could be a new creation and walk in victory...it was God's love for us that sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples, so they could change lives and spread the Gospel through the nations

we get so caught up in ridiculous, legalistic, theological doctrines that we tend to forget the simplest things about God...this is especially easy for me as a seminary student, and i truly believe that is what God has been trying to show me

i have been so unloving in so many ways...i have not loved God with my whole heart, and i have not loved others with my whole heart either...but i am beginning to realize that i have blatently shut out of the love of God in my life so many times...the times when He has tried to show me, even prove to me, that He loves me, i have slammed the door in His face

why is it so hard for humans to accept love? it's our deepest desire and longing, yet when God (who IS love) tries to show us His love for us, we run like the wind...

it's because we (i) don't feel like we deserve that unmerited love from Someone so big and powerful and awesome...we still think He's going to hit that giant red smite button everytime we mess up...and it's because we know that real love includes sacrifice and change

God does not demand sacrifice...He doesn't demand or force anything from us...but if we're really going to follow Him and be with Him, it comes with the territory...

yet the sacrifices required are so worth it, because when we sacrifice something, anything, for the One who loves like no-one else, He gives us back ten-fold what we have given to Him

i am seeing that happen right now in my life...the things i have given to Him, the things i have surrendered to His love, He has replaced with a joy and peace and wholeness that can come from nowhere and no-One else...when we get on our knees and say "okay Lord, i'm done with me, i'm tired of playing games, and i'm giving it all to you for Your sake and for the sake of others, because i need true Love in my life," then we receive Love in ways that are impossible to imagine

i've been a Christian now for years, and i'm finally starting to understand this simple "doctrine," because for the first time, i'm experiencing it...

what about you??? whether you're a new Christian, a long-time Christian, or an unbelieving athiest, have you ever really experienced true love, God's love? or is it something you've just heard about in sermons and in Sunday School and in stories?

if you don't know this Love, it's available, for you, where you are...just ask Him, surrender, give up your selfish, hard-hearted ways, and accept it...and watch the Love of God change your life for forever...

in Jesus' name...amen

in Christ alone...

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the pow'r of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand

this is my favorite hymn/worship song of all time...everytime i read the words, or sing it, or heal the song, i can't help but cry...if you turn up the volume on here, i have it playing for you to listen

i wanted to share it today because of what this Easter time means for me and for all those who accept His sacrifice of love on the cross and His giving of new life through the Resurrection

if you've never experienced God through a relationship with Jesus Christ, ask Him to come into your heart and your life today...you'll never be the same, and you'll never want to go back to the way things were before...i guarantee it

may God bless you, and may you fall in love with Christ alone today, tomorrow, and every day of your life

wedding ettiquete 101...

my mom is a wedding planner/florist, and many times i have gone along to the weddings she does to help out...most of the time we are there during the wedding and reception, and we see most of what goes on...it’s a lot of fun, but you wouldn’t believe what i’ve seen...i've also attended and have been in more weddings than i can count, and its unbelievable what takes place at them...not to mention some of the things that happened at my own wedding

so in honor of some of the crazy, ridiculous, and even flat-out rude things i have witnessed at all of these weddings, i’ve compiled a list of what NOT to do at a wedding below...feel free to pass along to others...and enjoy!

1. a spandex, leopard-print mini-skirt that is way too tight/small does not make you look good at a wedding (even if you're a toothpick)...this is a special occasion...save the spandex for the clubs, yo

2. if you are a bridesmaid or someone else who stands up at the altar during the wedding, do not break out your nail file and start filing your nails during the ceremony...at least try to act like you care if you are standing with the bride

3. turn off your cell phone during the ceremony...or at least put it on vibrate

4. if the invitation asks you to R.S.V.P., take 2 minutes out of your busy day to say yes or no...and if your invitation includes a response card, complete with stamped envelope for your convenience, it’s not there for decoration

5. if there is music playing at the reception when you arrive, that does not mean you can start breaking it down on the dance floor...let the bride and groom have their first dance before you shake what ya mama gave ya

6. white, cream, ivory, or the like, is not okay attire to wear to any wedding, even after labor day...that is the bride’s color only

7. a reception with an open bar does not mean a large “FREE BEER” sign is hanging up...getting sloppy drunk is for the frat party folks

8. letting your kid trash the decorations does not constitute “play time”...bring them toys to play with or a coloring book/crayons if you must

9. telling the groom what the bride looks like before he sees her will not “help him calm his nerves”...it’s his wedding day...there should be an ounce of surprise/suspense

10. yelling “GIT-ER-DONE” after the minister pronounces the bride and groom as married should never happen...never

11. whistling at, winking at, or “checkin’ out” the bride on her wedding day may leave you with a black eye from the groom and 2 very angry fathers

12. if you’re the groom, hitting on another female guest at your own wedding is unacceptable...you’re getting married for heaven’s sake

13. if you're a guest, or even the bride and groom, making out on the dance floor at the reception is a tad bit over-the-line

14. trying to be in all of the pictures with the bride/groom does not mean you are “best friends”...quit hogging the camera

15. just because there is a buffet at the reception doesn’t mean it’s “all-you-can-eat”

16. giving a used item from your own household as a gift, however nicely wrapped, is not a nice gesture...if you can afford the wrapping paper, give a simple and sweet card instead

17. respect the names on your invitation...if it is addressed to you and your significant other only, do not bring all 10 of your children and their cousins to the wedding

18. if you’re late for the wedding, don’t walk down the center aisle looking for a seat during the ceremony, while asking people to move down a pew...stand at the back of the church quietly until the ceremony has ended

19. during the reception, do not jump up on the tables and do the can-can while lifting up your skirts...save it for Vegas baby

20. if you didn’t receive an invitation at all, even by word-of-mouth, it means you’re not invited to attend...and if you’re feelings are hurt by not being invited, do not call the bride/groom and start a fight on their big day (that happened at a friend's wedding)...and certainly do not harass the reception hostesses if you’re name is not on the guest list because you forgot to reply (that happened at my wedding!!!)

21. if you are a groomsman who stands up during the wedding ceremony, do not crack jokes with the groom/other groomsmen while at the altar

22. if you do not like the food at the reception, or something is wrong with your food, do not tell the bride/groom, even months later...usually they are not in the kitchen checking on the cook/caterer during their own wedding

23. if you must leave the reception early, do not ask for a doggy-bag for your uneaten food, or for a slice of cake to go, especially if the food has not been served/the cake has not been cut

24. your long-haired chihauhua is not invited to the wedding...get a dog-sitter

25. do not ask the DJ to play a specific song for you or for the bride and groom...”Baby Got Back” is not an appropriate dedication to the bride on her wedding day

26. most likely, the bride/groom will not carry change for $100 bills during the money dance, so don’t ask

27. placing cameras on the guest tables for you to use during the reception is supposed to be a nice way for the bride/groom to have memories of their big day...taking pictures of your girlfriend’s private parts or of the back-side of the robust aunt is not a good memory

28. it is not absolutely necessary for you to give a 30-minute speech/toast if you are just a friend of the bride/groom...if speeches are welcome, keep it at 5 mins. or less...better yet, tell them how you feel about them later on

29. if the bride is pregnant, and the family doesn’t know it yet, don’t announce it at the wedding or reception

30. refrain from allowing your child/children to have alcohol at the reception...believe it or not, it is still illegal for underage minors to drink at a wedding