All Things Pretty: Part Un

I'm kicking off the summer celebrating all things pretty.  Sounds like fun, right?

I recently gathered with some very lovely ladies and we had a "Pretty Party" hosted by the super-cute and talented, Anna Sanders.  We played with all Mary Kay products, of course.  Fun {and prettiness} was had by all.

Here are some shots with everyone loving their new looks, along with pictures of the beautiful set up Anna put together.  I want to be her when I grow up, btw.

Miss Anna

Anna, the sister-in-law

April - doesn't she scream Zooey Deschanel?

Beth, the mother-in-law

Kate, the sister-in-law

Yes, please!

L.O.V.E. this movie.  For reals.  I laughed SO much!  It's been a looong time since I last saw a romantic comedy that I enjoyed this much.  I totally have a girl crush on Ginnifer Goodwin {already did, but now it's official}.  The story is a good one, but the writing is great.  I will definitely read the book this summer.

Two words:  John. Krasinski.  All of the actors were great, and of course, the movie wouldn't have been as magical without Ginnifer's fantasticly cute delivery, BUT.  I never thought I'd meet a John Krasinski character I loved more than Jim.  There.  I said it.  And I supposed there's plenty of Jim in this new character, but he was Hhhhysterical!

It must be said that there is a moral dilemma presented that I know would turn some viewers off.  I thought it was handled honestly.  Making the right choice isn't automatically easier because you're a believer.  Being a believer just makes it easier to see what the "right" choice is.  The characters in the movie probably don't always make the right choices, but it doesn't negate the truth behind the writing and the fact that everyone struggles to make decisions when she knows they will impact the people around her.  For good or bad.

Well, there it is.  I fully support watching this movie.  Over and over.  Have you seen it??  Are you going to see it???  Share your thoughts, ladies!!

P.S.  I totally want to do this dance with a friend.  I think Mary Ellen, given her penchant for cool dance moves, would be a great option.


P.P.S  This is next on my list!

So many things!

For all three of you who regularly check this thing, I have so much to say!!  Here are my thoughts in absolutely no order whatsoever:

• I turned 30.  I wanted a surprise party and didn't get one.  Adam has now declared that we are going to celebrate my 30th birthday every year.  I like this plan.
• I only have twelve days left with my kids at school.  It's incredibly bittersweet.  I broke down crying in 5th period last week b/c it was my last time teaching a particular scene in Romeo and Juliet.  The kids are not happy that I'm leaving and they want me to stay.  Of course, I remind them that they wouldn't have me for 10th grade, but that doesn't seem to matter...  Other kids are fighting over who will get to babysit our kids when we start having babies.  I don't even know what to do with that.

• I participated in a high school girls-only spa night called "Glow"  - I did facials for the girls and we read through some scripture and talked about purity.  It was AWESOME.  I loved being able to serve in a way that incorporate three of my favorite things:  Jesus, teenagers, and Mary Kay!
• Speaking of Mary Kay, I have some of the most incredible women on my team!!  I'm so blessed and really trusting God's timing on all of this, and he has provided perfectly.  
• I'm going on target this month to earn the use of my first free car w/ MK - how crazy is that?!?
• I was allowed the rare privilege of teaching at our weekly Mary Kay meeting this past Monday.  All the teaching is normally done by our Directors.  I co-taught with my director, Meg, and it was SO much fun!

• 
  
• I, like my friend, Kate, am obsessed and can't get enough of the royals!  I definitely woke up at 5:30 last Friday morning {even though I had taken the day off and could have slept in forever} to watch the whole thing.  I sat on the couch in the dark with my laptop as the sun rose outside and watch the fairytale wedding unfold.  And OH!  I couldn't get over the choir - the music was AH-mazing!!  I absolutely cried.  I love, love, love weddings.  Adam thought I needed my head checked.  It was awesome.  Oh, and I might as well confess I spent some time checking out cheap versions of her engagement ring...it is beautiful!

• So, why did I take that day off?  Well, it wasn't actually to practice my royal wave.  I drove to Savannah {after the wedding festivities, of course} to lead worship for an all-girls weekend retreat.  It was so much fun!  One of the girls, as it turns out, will be going toMilligan in the fall.  Naturally, this girl became my instant favorite {Go Buffs!}.  We had worship on the beach Saturday night.  It had been a long time since I last worshiped under the stars.  God is so good - all the time!

• H&M has an improved website where you can now navigate all of their new products and it tells you the cost of each item.  It used to drive me crazy that you couldn't search their site for their new stuff {still drives me crazy that you can't just order from the site, but whatever}.  H&M always has cute and affordable items.  I'm pretty spoiled living twenty minutes from the nearest location.  I wish Anthropolgie were that close to me . . . then again, that would only be trouble . . . Anyhow, here's my favorite pick today from H&M: 

• I got an iPad.  1st generation, used.  My brother-in-law, who is a professional cool kid, upgraded to and iPad 2, so we were able to afford-ably purchase his first one.  And not for nothing, b/c my laptop has basically crapped out, so we were in need of a relatively easy fix.  I have no clue how to work it, but it's fun to play with! {twss, for all you Office fans out there}

• And finally, I have to say that I'm super excited about this coming Friday night - LeAnne and I are going to PF Chang's for dinner {she's never been!} and then we're going to see Something Borrowed.  It should be the perfect girls night!  I will let you know what we thought of the movie.  The first time I ever went to a PF Chang's was actually in Oklahoma when I was visiting my friend,Josh.  We, along with his parents, were going out for dinner on my first night there, and they all let me order first since I was the guest.  Well, the waitress asked for my drink order and I very naturally started, "Oh, Sweet ... I mean, uh.... Diet Coke?"  Totally forgot I wasn't in sweet tea land anymore.  And I have to share one more story - I love going to movies with LeAnne.  My absolute FAVORITE moment with her was when we went to see The Holiday a few years back.  We were both ridiculously single, so we always counted on each other as a date for the latest romantic comedy.  Well, in the first five minutes of the movie we meet Rose, who is hopelessly in love with a man who, of course, does not love her back.  She goes home, alone, after finding out the man she loves is engaged to someone else and she's sobbing her little heart out when LeAnne announces in the theatre, "I did NOT pay to come watch my own life in a movie!!"  I about died.  It was so funny!  Well, it's fun to look back on now that we're both happily married to great guys.

Well, I'm sure I'll have plenty say after the next few weeks.  Pray I handle the transition of leaving teaching well.  It's gonna be tough!

Celebrate healthy skin with me!!

As you know, I am a Mary Kay consultant.  Well, I am one MK consultant who LOVES birthdays!!  My 30th birthday is March 3rd, and I've decided to share the celebration and give discounts on some of my most favorite skin care products!  GET EXCITED!!!

     March 1-10 only - receive 30% off ANY of the following products:

• Timewise Cleanser 
• Timewise Moisturizer
• Timewise Day Solution or Night Solution
• Timewise Microdermabrasion Set (my favorite and a GREAT deal!!)
• Timewise Firming Eye Cream
• Timewise Even Complexion Mask or Essence
• Timewise Replenishing Serum+C
• Timewise Targeted Action Toning Lotion (LOVE the way this smells and makes my skin feel!)

These products offer 11 age-defying benefits in one skin care regimen: cleanse, exfoliate, freshen, energize, hydrate, smooth, firm, soften, protect, rebuild and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  It even works with sensitive skin.


To order online, visit www.marykay.com/laurasue
To receive this special discount, enter "BIRTH30" in the comments section.

You're welcome

If you trust me, click here.

You're welcome.

Have a great day.

I might have to get married all over again

One word.

Anthropologie.

I have LOVED this store since 2001.  How many times have I actually been able to afford buying something?  Hmm.  Probably 5.  And it was a sale every time.  But I still love it.

Well, guess who just launched their bridal line on Valentine's?

Exactly.

Loved my wedding.  Loved my dress.  Still adore my husband.  But I wouldn't mind doing it all over again if it meant I could wear some of this . . .

If I were ever a bridesmaid again, THIS is the dress I'd want to wear!!

All of these items were found at www.bhldn.com 

Sigh.  Swoon.  And Sigh.

Dang, you're old

It was Greg's birthday.  Fun was had by all.

Greg is blessed to have such an awesome wife.  Great job, Jess!

I miss this show

I doubt any of you will know what this is, but there was this show I LOVED to watch back in the fall of '03.  It was only on for a few months, but I would hurry home on Fridays to watch this show (kinda sad admitting that, but it's true).

The Brendan Leonard Show started out as a cable access show put together by, you guessed it, Brendan Leonard and an interesting collection of friends he'd grown up with.  It appeared to me that they were all around the same age - seniors in high school.  Their quirkiness and appreciation for simple (not crass) humor was something I really enjoyed, and their gimmicks reminded me a lot of the ridiculous skits and such we would put together for Young Life clubs each week.

If you've got a few minutes, enjoy the clips.  I hope they brighten your day in a very childlike way.  :)

I wouldn't mind doing these grades

Any teacher (especially an English teacher!) can tell you how hard it is to keep up with grading.  It is a never-ending task that teacher rarely have the time to do during actual school hours.

I read an article on CNN today about Florida teachers grading parents.  Now, ultimately, the teachers are really only offering their opinions, but I cannot deny that if I were given the chance to let parents know, constructively speaking,  how well (or poor) they are doing, I would not turn it down!

Check out this video.  What do YOU think about something like this??

Yes, please!

I am SO excited about these new foundation options!  I've already got my Timewise Luminous Wear Foundation and am loving it!  I was skeptical about the primer, but it really does make a difference!  And finally, I hate putting makeup on using my fingers, so I typically use a sponge, but we all know that a sponge also soaks up some of that product everytime I use it - what a waste!  Now I've got the Liquid Foundation Brush and it's perfect because I use very little product and get a flawless finish every time.


No woman wants to look like she's wearing lots of foundation and makeup - these products are linked to great skincare habits and highlight your natural beauty.  The Luminous-Wear Foundation is best for normal/dry skin, and the Matte-Wear Foundation is best for combination/oily skin.  Who knew you could take care of your skin with makeup?!


These products will NOT be available on my website for ordering until February 1st, BUT if you order any of these with me BEFORE FEB. 1ST  I will give you 25% off of these new products (get yours before everyone else!).  If I have matched your foudation shade in the past, you don't need to worry about figuring out your color for these new foundations - I already know which one is the perfect match for you!


Call or email for your special order today :)

Aslan is near

I felt like these words tied in well with the theme of this blog, so I wanted to share them with you.  I hope that if you're in the middle of your own personal winter that you will trust that it won't be winter forever.  This, of course, reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia, and how it was always winter, but never Christmas . . .

Be patient.  Aslan is near.  Even if you can't feel him yet . . .

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The Nature of Faith

By Winn Colliers

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"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Psalm 1:3 ESV

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A CHANGE OF SEASON is about as routine as it gets. Best I know, it has happened four times a year, like clockwork, as long as humans have been able to keep track of such things. But each time winter yields to spring, each time summer whispers to us that fall will soon arrive, nature is telling us a story. Nature is telling us the story of a God who is always creating, always remaking, forever crafting new beginnings. No matter how dry the sultry dog days of summer, no matter how bitter the winter death, new beauty, new life is always coming. It is only a matter of time.



The psalmist echoes the story nature tells. He does not live in denial of the hardship or the scarcity enmeshed with human experience. No collection of writings takes pain and disillusionment more seriously than the Psalms. However, the psalmist knows something else, something more dependable than the certainty of human turmoil. The psalmist knows God; the psalmist knows God's story, that God is always creating, always remaking, forever crafting new beginnings. With God and God's people, there will always be a new season, where life is infused and fruit blossoms. With God, there is always a fresh beginning.

quiet time

I can finally see
That you're right there beside me

I am not my own
FOR I HAVE BEEN MADE NEW
Please don't let me go

I desperately need you!

LOVE this idea!

Oh wow.  I feel inspired.  I LOVE the idea of the wrapstation featured above.  It's an old headboard that's been painted and hung on the wall.  I'm definitely going to add this to my list of "someday, this would be cool" for my "someday, i'll have a house" thoughts.

Just thought I'd share!

it snowed. a lot.