Make-Up Monday: Clinique Blushwear

I have been on a bit of a Clinique kick lately, because I keep getting fabulous samples with my purchases.

My latest sample was Clinique Blushwear in Rosy Blush. It is a cream blush-- which is fun, because I had never actually tried a cream blush before.

It is super easy to apply, because you can rub it on with your fingers. And it is hard to mess up, because the color is sort-of translucent.

It is perfect for a summer barbecue, because it gives a little flush without looking like you bothered to put on make-up.

Here Comes the Bride...

Isn't it nice when two great people find each other?

The bride wore that gorgeous dress, and the groom wore black Converse.

I wore a ruffly dress and danced with people who were much more tan than I was.

It was a beautiful wedding.

Busy, Busy

We have been busy bees lately-- with weddings and birthdays and graduations.

But, I don't know if anything will be able to top last week's graduation party for our fabulous friend, Becca.

The theme was Alice in Wonderland, and the cake looked like this:

Plus, these guys were in attendance:

I have never been to another party that was quite like it.

All I Wanna Do...ooo...ooo...oo...

I saw Sugarland in concert on Sunday, and they were amazing.

I got tickets for my mom and my mother-in-law for Mother's Day, and my sister and I tagged along for the ride.

The set had kind of a cool Steampunk vibe, with moving gears and bursts of steam.

The band played most of their hits, and some fun additions-- including "Sweet Caroline."

(Want to get a New England crowd to sing along? Play "Sweet Caroline.")

Four Things

Right now, I am loving:

1. The speech that Kurt's dad gave to Finn on Glee.

2. This furry little face:

3. Food that I don't have to cook in the oven, because it is approximately a million degrees outside. (I may have toasted up some frozen waffles for dinner).

4. And, finally, this pillow I found on clearance at Marshalls. (You can get a similar one at World Market, if you want to be like me and exclaim, "How great is my new pillow?" every time you walk into your living room.)

Little Pies

I have made little pies several times, and they are universally acknowledged to be one of the cutest desserts.

(I got the idea from not martha, who is pretty fabulous).

I made this pie crust from Smitten Kitchen, and I used the top of a drinking glass to make tiny circles out of it. Then, I mixed two sliced apples with a tablespoon of sugar and a shake of cinnamon. (Yes, a "shake." Nothing too scientific about little pies). Finally, I used a cookie cutter to put a heart of pie crust on top.

Then, I baked them in muffin tins for about 25 minutes at 375, and I waited for the "Oohs" and "Aahs".

Make-Up Monday: EcoTools Bamboo Powder Brush

This is my very favorite make-up brush for many reasons:

1. It is inexpensive.

2. It is available at my very favorite store... Target.

3. I have had it for a while now, and it's still in great shape.

4. It is sooo soft. It's like applying powder with a baby duck.

Use the Force... And a Good Sugar Cookie Recipe

Are you a nerd-- or do you love someone who is a nerd?

If so, you might need the Star Wars cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma.

I, for one, am a nerd, who comes from a family of nerds, who then married a nerd. So, these are pretty much a necessity.

Also, I would really like to make little Yoda cookies.

And The Award Goes To...

I got the newest "Glee" soundtrack, and I should totally win a Grammy for the version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" that I performed on the way to work today.

A Quick Stop at Target

Shockingly enough, I stopped in Target today. (I was in desperate need of hair ties to tame my crazy hair).

Then, lo and behold, the clearance racks were full of Liberty of London products!

I may have picked up a couple things.... including this plate, which will look so cute piled high with chocolate chip cookies.

I Think Barney is Trying to Tell Me Something

I think that something is, "Less Hulu, more petting."

Make-Up Monday: Yes to Tomatoes Total Treatment Mask

First, this mask smells nothing like tomatoes. It's actually got more of a floral scent, although it does contain a lot of earthy-crunchy ingredients, including lycopene.

Second, it is available at Target for less than 15 dollars.

Third, it does glowy, wonderful things for my temperamental skin.

How to Wear High Heels

Last night I stayed up way past my bedtime to celebrate my friend Erica's bachelorette party, and I rocked my favorite pair of heels for hours.

The only reason I managed to keep those heels on was this fabulous little product.

Band-Aid Blister Block may look like a tiny blue deodorant, but it is actually some magical substance that creates a barrier between your shoes and your feet.

I keep it in my purse all the time.

However, I also keep approximately ten lip glosses in my purse at all times, so I may be a bit over-prepared.

So Sweet

I have a crush on these earrings.

I Didn't Know My Ankles Could Get Sore

Mr. Kinne and I are right about in the middle of doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.

It is really kicking my butt.

And also my ankles.

Move Over, Chex Mix!

Snack foods are a big part of my life.

In fact, we have "snack time" in my classroom everyday, because I can't make it through the morning without eating.

So, you can trust me when I say that Trader Joe's "Honey, Pass the Snack Mix" will rock your world. It is salty and sweet and delicious and has a little bit of a kick to it. It contains a number of wonderful things, including peanuts and sesame sticks.

Most importantly, it has the best snack-mix ingredient ever: dark bagel chips!

(If you do not like dark bagel chips, I will still be your friend. In fact, you would be the ideal person to share snack mix with, because I would get the dark bagel chips all to myself).

If They Were Good Enough for Jackie O.

My love for Target knows no bounds.

I went in to buy hand sanitizer for my germy class, and I left with these super cute sandals for $5 from the clearance rack. (They are made to look like Jack Rogers Navajo sandals, which Jackie O. used to wear).

Admittedly, I also left Target with two bags of things I didn't plan to buy....

Today is a Good Day Because...

1. My new baby cousin was born! (And my aunt has a history of producing cute babies, so this one should be pretty adorable).

2. We ate pancakes for dinner-- with whipped cream and strawberries.

3. On Glee, Finn sang "Jessie's Girl," which is pretty much my favorite song of all time. It has been my ringtone since 2003-- the year that I got a cell phone.

Reason #3472 That I Love First Grade

Today, I had the following exchange with one of my students:

"Mrs. Kinne, I teached my dog Russian."

"Oh, you taught your dog Russian?"

"Yeah, like when I say 'eat,' he barks."

Happy Mother's Day

Sometimes, when I am walking through the grocery store, strangers tell me that I must be my mother's daughter.

I figure that's a compliment.

We are a Family of Book Nerds

Last summer, Mr. Kinne worked in the children's department at Barnes & Noble, and he brought home the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

We pretty much inhaled those books.

They are funny and exciting, and there are all these great references to Greek mythology.

Rick Riordan just released the first book in a new series, and it should be arriving from bn.com any day now.

I am so dorkily excited.

I Purchased a Romper

I do not know how this happened.

It all started at Wal-Mart, which I realize has ethically questionable practices, but it is on my way home from work, and we needed groceries.

There on the Miley Cyrus/Max Azria display was what I thought was a little dress. Then, I looked closer and realized that it was an item of clothing I had not worn since I was regularly watching "Fraggle Rock."

It was a romper.

And, I thought, "Nevermind...."

But, I kept thinking, "Well, it is kind of cute and trendy... and it is only 10 dollars."

I made my way up to the register, still questioning whether I could pull it off-- and questioning how one uses the restroom in a romper.

Then, it rang up at 5 dollars, and that was awesome.

More pictures to come once I figure out where one wears a one-piece shortsuit.

Oh, Glee....

I keep reliving the awesomeness that was "Total Eclipse of the Heart" on last night's "Glee."

I have a little crush on Jonathan Groff now.

Elementary School Teachers Should Not Wear White

I cannot think of a less practical piece of clothing for me than the Rendezvous dress from Shabby Apple.

(I currently have pink Crayola marker on my pants and black Expo marker on my hands. Not to mention, how often I end up wearing part of many meals that I eat).

However, I still want this dress to come live in my closet:

Make-Up Monday: Maybelline Express Finish Limited Edition

I am a little bit obsessed with this nail polish.

Amber, from Beauty Blogging Junkie, posted about it a couple months ago, and I have been trying my hardest to track it down. (When I say "trying my hardest," I mean I took a look at the Maybelline display whenever I went to Target).

Then, lo and behold, there it was on the shelf at my local Walgreens when I went to buy Q Tips.

It is called "Pie in the Sky," and it is pretty much the perfect shade of blue.

My first graders are going to think my nails are so cool.

Dessert for Breakfast

Have you ever thought, "Gee, I would like to have a giant shortbread cookie for breakfast?"

Then, you should make yourself some homemade Pop Tarts.

They are not exactly health food with their two sticks of butter, but they are pretty amazing.

Brinner

I have been a busy bee, lately-- with report cards and bridal showers and baby showers and searching for the perfect pastel blue nail polish.

But, I managed to find time in my busy schedule to eat breakfast for dinner with some of my favorite people in the world.

I would never turn down pancakes and bacon-- at any time of the day.

Swoon.

How gorgeous is this necklace on Etsy?

I can picture approximately one million things I could wear with it.

(found via DesignMom)