My favorite hair products of 2011!

I wanted to share my favorite hair products of 2011 with you all :)
Stay tuned for my favorite beauty/makeup products, that will be in a video on my you tube channel :)
So when it comes to hair care.. I like to spend a little bit more money (when it comes to hair care I believe you get what you pay for) So no drug store products for me, when I say drug store I mean Pantene, Dove, Suave.. etc. they do nothing for my hair. At the same time Im not one to spend $20+ bucks on shampoo and conditioner either. So I try to stay on a budget while getting quality products! So with that said here are my favorite hair products of 2011!

FAVORITE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONERS

Rusk Sensories Smoother 

$9.99 ea. @ Marshalls

This product tamed my frizzy/dry hair!

The smell is great, light & floraly.

Leaves my hair feeling clean and super soft.

Nexxus Therappe Luxury Moisturizing

$12 ea. @ Target or Walgreens

I have pretty damaged hair so its hard to find a product that makes my hair feel and look healthy!

This is one of them that left my hair feeling soft, flowy, shiny and amazing. 

LEAVE IN CONDITIONERS AND HAIR MASKS

 Organix Macadamia Oil Hydrating Mask

7.99 @ Target

OMG! This product is AMAZING!! I have never used a hair mask that left my hair so hydrated!
I can not live without this hair mask! And the best thing is is that its affordable!




Nexxus Pro Mend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment
$9.99 @ Walgreens

This product saved my ends!! I seen a dramatic difference in the appearance of my ends after just the first use! I buy it every 3 months or so, it last awhile and a little goes along way! Again I LOVE THIS STUFF!

 

SERUMS AND HEAT PROTECTANT 

Chi Silk Infusion

$13.99 @ Amazon.com

I will not flat iron or style my hair without this stuff! I LOVE the smell and the way it makes my hair feel, I WILL NEVER use another serum again, this stuff is my 2nd bff!

 

Chi 44 Iron Guard

$13.99 @ Target

I love the smell and I notice a difference in my hair when I use this stuff and when I dont. My hair has definitely gotten healthy since using this product, Ive tried tons of heat protectant sprays and they all have left a residue and sticky feeling to my hair but this stuff leaves it shiny and protected :)

STYLING PRODUCTS

TIGI Bed head Hard Head Hairspray 

$16 @ Target

This is the best hair spray out there. I use this for volume, up do's, after I curl my hair or extensions.. a few sprays and your hair will look fresh and styled HOURS later. I swear by this hair spray. 

Big Sexy Root Pump Mousse

$15 @ Amazon.com
This is the only product that will give my hair LIFT and VOLUME, I LOVE big hair and this products gives me just that, I have fine thin hair and this stuff BLOWS IT UP! :) In a good way!

Bed Head Superstar blow dry lotion

$13 @ Target

I know I will have a good hair day when I use this stuff. My hair is fine and this stuff give me thick hair! It gives me tons of body, I just love this stuff and the smell is great!

Well there ya have it :) What is your MUST HAVE hair product, leave a comment <3

Mommy Tip Monday: Makeing time for YOU!

Being a mommy to 4 sometimes 6 (I have 2 step boys), a business owner and being pretty much "married" I feel like saying having a boyfriend doesnt sound serious but were basically married haha in our hearts!;)

Gets pretty overwhelming and can be draining.. its not as easy as I make it look haha!

Its so important to recharge your batteries and take a few hours out the day or night for yourself and I dont mean once a month!

So for todays blog Im just gonna go over some things I like to do for myself!

DAILY:

Things I like to do before the kids wake in the morning:

My makeup :) I dont get to do this daily but Im trying to get in a routine where Im always ready, as busy as I am theres too many occasions where I need to run out the door and I got on flip flops, sweats, my "boyfriends" shirt on with some type of poo or spit up on it and some CRAZY hair! haha

So yeah getting off topic here.. A lot of girls ask when do you have time to do your makeup, DO IT IN THE MORNING when the kiddos are still in bed!

Make yourself a cup of coffee, open some windows.. let light in. Sit and slowly drink your coffee

(or whatever you like to drink) I've recently started drinking coffee <3 I try to keep it "skinny" there I go again going off topic.

Read a book or a magazine! Even if its just 15 minutes.

At night after the kids go to sleep is a great time to take advantage of some "me time" too!

You can do some more reading, I enjoy a nice bath with some candles!

I also like blogging !

Write in a journal

Those are little things you can do daily!

Monthly:

Get your nails done

Get a pedi or give yourself one

Buy yourself something.. makeup, nail polish a new purse?

Go out with the girls!

Sometimes Joe and I will go out together as a couple and sometimes I just go with the girls.

Drinks and dancing, dinner and a movie! These kinda nights are sooo fun and definitely recharge mommys batteries haha!

Never feel bad for making time for yourself... it really is vital and so important!

So starting today!! Make time for YOU!!

Thanks to DanielleSwain  for todays topic!

Mommy Tip Monday: My kids bedtime routine

I thought it would be fun to discuss bedtime routines. In my home, bedtime isnt always the funnest part of my day I have to admit. It can be a big struggle. So we have established some bedtime routines to help the kids understand that bedtime is…bedtime! I love routines and I think they are so important to have~

So here it is... my kiddos bedtime routine <3

Bedtime starts shortly after dinner and last about an hour.

1. Brush teeth, we do this before their bath cause they usually get tooth paste on their p.j's

2. Bath time

3. Pj's on and take a few minutes to help them set their clothes out for school the next day. 

4. Potty time

5.Story Time

6. Small talk, depending on how many children you have, I start with the oldest to youngest.. I ask them things like, "What did you learn today?" or "What was your favorite part of the day?"

7. Lights go off and night light goes on!

I usually have this set up so Im walking out of their rooms around 7:30 and they are actually asleep by 8pm :)

Do you have a bedtime routine?

Fab Fav's Friday

Welcome to Fab Fav's Friday! 

Where I share my favorite "things"

:) 

 

Ahhh the swiffer sweeper vacuum, this things makes life so much easier!
I use it daily, after every meal or every time I see something on the floor! (TILE)

I buy the filter every 3 months and I've had it about a year now, I LOVE THIS THING!

The next best thing.. Swiffer wet jet! Again I use this daily, Great for quick pick ups and I use this by the front door. I use this for in between cleanings. So Mondays are my weekly deep cleaning and on that day I will use an actual mop but to keep up with the house I use the swiffer wet jet! Its my 2nd bff! <3

I am a sucker for a great candle and I cant get enough of Bath & Body works candles.

They are amazing! I have one in my office, family room, bathrooms, my room and kitchen.

You can never have to many wicker baskets! I love these baskets, I use them to store my kitchen wash rags/bathroom wash rags.

I keep a large basket at the end of the stair case downstairs to throw stuff that belongs upstairs and at the end of the day I take it and put everything away that belonged upstairs. I use them in my kitchen in the pantry to keep hot cocoa, top ramen and other packaged goods:)

I use to never buy baskets or storage bins cause I would say to myself  "I dont know what I'd use it for" finally I just started buying "wicker baskets" and found out I had tons of different uses for them!

Starbucks Instant coffee, great for on the go, easy and taste great! 

I only break out with this stuff when I know its gonna be a long day or need a pick me up ;)

Which is everyday haha but I do limit myself!

What are some of your favorite things!?

Total Beauty Thursday: 5 Makeup Essentials

Products I use daily !

Nyx Natural Lipliner

 

Still GlamorUs Eye & Lip primer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ecru

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Light/Medium

 

Still GlamorUs Soleil

Leave a comment.. what are your top 5 products (essentials)

Tonights Dinner Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas

 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup packed cilantro leaves
• 1/2 jalapeno, seeded
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• Salt and pepper
• Cayenne
• 10 flour tortillas
• I eat whole wheat tortillas without the cheese and sour cream :)

Directions

Flatten chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap with a mallet or rolling pin. Place chicken breasts in glass baking dish. In a blender combine oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and pour over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and let chicken marinate for 30 minutes. In a large skillet over medium heat oil.

Add onions and peppers and cook until they are tender and begin to brown.

In a 9x13 glass baking dish toss potatoes with oil and seasonings. bake in 375 degree oven until crispy, about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Heat a cast iron grill pan or an outdoor grill. Toast flour tortillas for about 30 seconds per side and keep warm in an aluminum foil pocket. Grill the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes. To serve slice chicken into even strips. Serve hot with onions and peppers, potatoes, grated jack cheese, salsa and sour cream.

Mommy Tip Monday

Family Fun  

The other day my kiddos Mariah(7) and Noah(3) kept saying "Mommy we're bored.. we have nothing to do" 

It was lunch time and I thought of the perfect plan.

Lets play restaurant!

We took out some paper and crayons.

 Me and the kids created a couple menus.

They made up the restaurant name "A good place to eat" :)

We listed a few food choices on the menu that were actually their options.

After we did this I pretended to be the waitress and sat them at the table.

I took their drink order..brought out some cheese and crackers, came back with the drinks then took their food order. While cooking what they "ordered" I kept checking to see if they needed refills and if my "customers" were enjoying them selves :)

As soon as their food was done I served them their plates.

Corn dogs and Mac N Cheese... yummy ! :)

Again, I kept checking on them refilling drinks.

After they were finished eating I offered dessert and of course they wanted dessert.

The only dessert on the menu that day was Chocolate pudding so they went with that.

Finally I brought them a bill, they "paid" haha

This was so much fun to do with them, who knew lunch time could go so smoothly!

The kids always ask to play restaurant now, its a great way to spend time with the kiddos plus your getting important things done like lunch or dinner ;p

Just wanted to share one of the ways I like to spend time with the kiddos <3