concealer melt down

I have another little dirty confession to make.  This may be too dirty for some, reader discretion is advised.  I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this out loud.  Are you ready for it?  ...
I've had the same tube of special concealer for 10 years!  Yes...10!  Gross right?  I can't believe I actually admitted that to ya'll.  It sounds gross, but to be completely honest, it hasn't gotten nasty or moldy and has continued to work its wonders all these years.

I'm sad to say that my little tube that is barely the size of a pinkie has finally seen its days.  In concealer years, she is 20 years old (assuming most concealers last 6 months) and its time for her fly the coop.  This magic concealer was made by Mary Kay but I am disappointed to find out that they don't make it any longer.  I actually found that out like 5 years ago which is why I held on to it for 5 more years.  Gah this sounds disgusting to say it out loud.  In my defense, the tiniest amount this magic paste could cover the nastiest blemish and darkest circles.  Hence, I saved it for emergencies only and used a more disposable concealer for everyday use.

Since I have been aware that my beautiful bond would soon end I have been on the search, for about a year, for a concealer equally equivalent.  I hate to say that I have failed.  Until last week.  I have tried everything...top name brands, drug store name brands, you name it, I've tried it.  This was not a cheap task either.  I've forgone many a lip gloss in the hopes of unveiling a new magic paste.  All these so-called concealers I tried turned out to be too thin and rubbed away when base was applied over it or went on too dark and brought more attention to what I was attempting to hide.  That really irks me because the point of concealer is to be thick and mask our imperfections - not slide off at the sight of a foreign object coming its way.  I need a concealer that can stand up to any job and hide the darkest of circles.

OK, OK...I am getting to it...drum roll please...{I'm not sure how to sound out a drum roll, so please use your best imagination here.}

Physicians Formula - Physicians Strength Concealer



Photo Source



I am super satisfied with this item and over the moon with the fact that it cost less than $10!  $10 is probably cheaper than the other stuff you've been using, so when you run out (hopefully not 10 years from now) I definitely recommend trying this baby out.  If you don't like it, sell it your sister for $5, or stick it in your mom's Christmas stocking.  I love this stuff because it is thick but not quite as thick as caulking.  {Also not quite as thick as it's prececessor, but some things are irreplaceable.}  It doesn't settle into the fine lines you [don't] have and it doesn't wipe off when applying base.  I have finally found my go-to replacement and can use it all I want until they decide to discontinue it (which I cross my fingers never happens - I'd hate to ration a tube of concealer again).  If you decide to try this product, and I hope you will, let me know what you think.  Oh, and a tip, a little tiny bit goes a long way so squeeze in small bits until you are accustomed to it.

If anyone has somethinge even better, please leave a comment and let me know!  I'd love to try it out - I can't live without my concealer.  Some say mascara, but concealer would be my one essential make up item to have if ever stranded on an island.

P.S. I know you are supposed to throw make up out after 6 months, a year max.  But I don't have any fungus growing on my face (that I know of) or suffered any ridiculous break out, so I'm going to ignore those makeup gurus and keep doing me.

what's more important?

Man oh man, I am ready for a break!  Not a break from work...a break from weekend excursions.  We haven't been home in over a month and it is definitely starting to show.  Ugh, I feel like I look like an old worn out hag with a lack of moisturizer.  I'm sure the travels aren't all to blame for that, but when I'm not in my own little bathroom I tend to slack on my skin care routines.  I mean...three packed bags are enough for one weekend, right?  No need to add another one full of this or that.

But not only has it taken a toll on me, it has taken a toll on me and John Eric.  Don't freak out.  We are fine.  Nobody is in the dog house...not even Brice.  Well...we were both in the dog house but have dug our way out of it.  A sweet card seems to get your everywhere in life.  It can mend friendships, tell someone you are thinking about them, say sorry & I love you, make you laugh, etc.  Note to self: send cards more often...actually, just send the cards you have already purchased but never sent.  I have 3 cards for 3 different reasons that I have been meaning to send to my one friend, Lindsey...ummm...yeah...they are still in my desk drawer.  I even wrote in 2 of them.  Yes, I suck, and I'm sure Lindsey will call me as soon as she reads this to tell me so.  Not in a mean way...she is one of my most uplifting friends that I am so thankful for.  However, I am not thankful that she lives nearly 700 miles away.

Alright, back to the subject matter.  Now where was I?  I was going to tell you how I have realized that all of this going and going is just not healthy...individually & as a couple.  Should I reiterate that we are OK...and normal?  I just want to make sure none of you ladies think this is an invitation to make a move on my man. I will still punch you if you do. ;)  All of this bouncing around just makes us so impatient with each other and makes me so sensitive and drained.  I think he isn't paying me enough of attention - he doesn't know why I think that - I don't understand why he doesn't know and that must mean he doesn't care - he thinks I'm crazy & blames it on PMS when PMS was 2 weeks ago - I tell him mydol isn't the solution - etc, etc.  If you were around us Saturday night then you probably witnessed some of this.  And if you don't see us for a while, it's because I am ready to be at home to spend some QT with my husband and my little dog too!!

The point I am trying to get at is when events and speding time with family and friends stop being fun and start becoming a chore?  I can't decide if it is my age or my generation...or just me.  Am I the only tool bag out there that just wants to be at home in an XL t-shirt and boxers and just slum around, piddle, and have the biggest dilemma be who gets to control the remote?  But why is there so much going on?  Or have I just forgotten how to say no?  Does everyone else enjoy "being on the go" every weekend?  Or are we all just scared to miss something?

I have to be completely honest with you...I'm not scared of missing anything.  I don't care if I wasn't there;  I don't care if I wasn't invited; I don't care if I missed the touch down;  I. DON'T. CARE.  What I do care about?  I care if my husband or I feel neglected.  I care if my husband has to work late every week night because he couldn't work the weekend because we went to another party.  I care if my dog is anxious because he doesn't know where he is going to sleep 2 out of 7 nights.  I care if my house gets broken into because we weren't there. I care that we haven't been able to regularly attend a church in OUR hometown because we are never here on a Sunday.  I care that we don't have a church family like I grew up with because we aren't here to have that.  Get my drift? 

I think the majority of America, including me, has lost sight of what is truly important.  Someone once told me, "The most important people live under your roof".  That is so true.  That includes God because he certainly lives in my house.  If the most important people to you don't live under your roof, then you need to re-evaluate because that isn't fair to the loved ones living with you.  No offense...I love my family and friends so dearly...but if a major emergency or disaster were to arise, you better believe my first thought is my husband.  And when I mess up, I'm not worried about what the gossip mongers think, I'm worried about how I have disappointed my God. 

I know that the majority of us feel this way, but we forget that we feel this way.  We forget that losing sight of what is important to us is what the real problem is.  What is more important: Missing an event or getting a divorce?  Having the next best thing or losing your home to foreclosure?  Living according to The Bible or living according People magazine?  Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? 

I'm not preaching.  Well, I am, but I am preaching to myself.  I will be the first person to raise my hand (or blog for that matter) and say I am guilty of every single one of these things.  And I'm not saying to give up your social life and your friends.  But when our social life starts to rule our life and determine all of our free time, then we have a problem and we need to get back on track.  I am so glad I have realized this and can start getting back on track.  I hope I haven't offended anyone or given anyone the wrong idea.  I have been blessed with many wonderful friends and family.  But they may start seeing me only once a month instead of every weekend.   Then I'll have more home improvement stories to share.

my purse hoarding confession

I seriously need to go on that hoarding show (you know, the intervention show for hoarders - I think it comes on AETV or TLC - one of those channels in the 40's).  Actually I should probably create my own show called Purse Hoarders and then patent it.  No, it wouldn't be about the massive amount of purses we women have stuffed away.  It would be about all the ridiculous stuff we have in our purses and WHY in the hell we have it.

Earlier this week John Eric and I decided to go out and have a nice quiet dinner.  As I grabbed my purse to run out the door I realized that it was super heavy.  For a second I thought I may have smuggled a small child home from the grocery store.  Don't worry, that wasn't the case.  If it was, I certainly wouldn't be telling you.  I would be freaking out and trying to find that child's parents!  I'm not ready to feed anything but myself and Brice.  Anyways, when we got back home I had to figure out what in the heck was in there causing it to be so heavy.  Curiosity killed the cat, so of course I dumped it out and this is what I found...

If you look at this and think, "What's the big deal?", you should probably join me in therapy.  Maybe we could get a group discount.  Do I seriously have 3 lip glosses, an ink pen, a Clinique travel brush,  a gift box of earrings, my Bernardo's, a loose Bi-Lo card, trash, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, 3 coozies, Trident gum, D&B wallet, 3 different meds (why is everything in 3's?), a Ray-Ban aviator case, 1 hair clip, nude lip liner, carmex, other lip stuff, keys, and a some kind of pocket knife!??  I don't even know where the knife came from, but I am glad I wasn't hopping on a plane this week.  That is also the second time I have found an unexplainable knife in my bag...so weird.  There must be a little leprechaun following me around.  Oh, I forgot that my cell phone and camera (that obviously wasn't in the picture because I had to use it for the picture) were in there too.

Is this not complete ludicrous?  I think so.  No wonder I can never find my keys and I often find myself leaning to the left.  To think, all this time I self diagnosed myself with scoliosis it was just my overloaded purse.  There should be a weight limit law on those things.  Hmm...I should patent that too.  

I'm sure some of you are cracking up at the purse stories playing out in your head!  If you have a good one, please leave a comment to share!  I would love to hear it.  Or, if you feel like emptying your purse, please send me a good pic of that too!  If I get enough, I'll post them later!  Wouldn't that be fun?  We could call it Purse Stories!!  Ya'll come on and play along, it will be fun!

this week

Hello friends and family.  I wanted to drop in real quick and explain why you haven't seen much action from this week.  I am super super busy this week.  Work (aka my "day job") has been really demanding I'm trying to be a dedicated "housewife" once I get home.  So, I either have a lack of time or lack of insight to share.  Ya'll know the drill.  If I could do this full time, I would write you love letters everyday!!!  But I must work...until we sell at least one house.  Who am I kidding?  I'll have to work regardless.  I wouldn't have anything to write about if I didn't interact with people all day.  Ya'll are my inspiration!!

I do, however, want to take a minute to thank everyone for the awesome support and sweet notes I have received since I started this.  Ya'll have been wonderful, and I can't tell you how much I truly appreciate it.  I love getting your feed back; keep it coming!

Anyways, I'm going to fold some laundry and vacuum and hopefully find a little inspiration in between!

Want to know something specific?  email me!  socalledhousewife [at] gmail [dot] com.  I have to put it in this way to avoid spammers.

where do you get it from?

Do you ever wonder where in the world you came from?  Lately people have been asking where my creativity and writing ability came from.  For those of you who don't know me, I have never portrayed the slightest bit of creativity.  I mean I used to make a Snoopy out of the number 25 & draw bunnies for my Grandmama when I was little, but that was about as far as it got.  Truth be told I really don't know.  Well, I guess I sort of know.

Here's the scoop.  I literally made straight 100's in my math classes - not A's - 100's.  Russell Smith would call me "curve buster" and oh how I hated that!  I didn't mean to do it, it just happened.  Don't close the window yet, I am not bragging, just explaining.  English and Creative Writing were another story.  I literally never made anything but a C in those classes.  Every semester - no matter what.  ERGH!  Naturally, I loathed the subject.  I always wonder how in the hell I came out of my mother's womb, who finished college with an English degree and was once pursuing a career as a journalist (that is before she had 4 screaming children on a mission to kill each other with hair brushes), yet I couldn't even swing a B in my English classes.  I've now found that we have much more in common than I would have ever imagined.  However, she is much more censored than I.  Much more.

I grew up believing my father had spit me out.  I have his same attitude, temper, wit, brains, math ability, and I think I look just like him.  I never thought he had a creative bone in his body - fragile bones, but no creative ones.  I knew that he was funny and could crack a good joke under pressure.  And well, I have heard he used to be creative on the dance floor back in his day...something like "The Gator" king.  [I must have married my father because lately John Eric seems to think donkey kicks on the dance floor are the hottest moves out there.]  Then my Aunt Pam pointed out that there is a lot more creativeness on The Anderson (dad) side of the family than I thought.  So maybe I am still his spitting image in the female form and 27 years younger.  [Gah, 27 years doesn't really seem so far apart when you say it out loud.  But I'm glad its 27 and not 16.]  Aunt Pam's daughter, Alex, is amazingly talented.  She makes these hilarious videos and at least one has even been featured on national television.   Yeah, talk about wowzers.  Here is her link and I think you all should go see it. The Katy Perry contest entry one is a must see!

So it seems that I have been blessed from both of my families, and I'm not the only one.  Michaux has a knack for advertising and catch phrases and a really good eye for vintage pieces; she is also great at drawing which she obviously got from my Grandmama, Margaret White.  (She and Alex should get together and make commercials.  Then they should give me 10% for suggesting it.)  Whitney is amazing with interior design and decorating.  And Rivers...well he's really into his career.  Don't get me wrong, we have our down falls.  Boy do we have our downfalls.  Have you ever seen us dance or crossed us the wrong way?  If not, count your blessings. : )   But that's ok, I work on mine everyday.  And to think...all this time I thought I only got the bad genes: dry skin, frizzy hair, sharp tongue, need for waxing, and the "occasional" rotten attitude.  I sure was wrong and I'm so thankful to my parents for making me who I am today...by lesson, genetics, discipline, and unconditional love and support.  So Happy Mother's Day and soon to be Father's Day!

hold the nose whistle, HGTV marge is here.

It's inevitible.  I hit another speed bump in my little parking lot of blogs.  The be completely frank, I've just been in a crappy mood.  I'm not sure what it is.  Well, I am sure what it is, but apparently I haven't gotten past it.

I'll tell you what kind of mood it has been - one of those where even quietness gets on your nerves.  Like when you are sleeping and your husband gets one of those stupid little whistle things in his nose?  You know, like the light high pitched whistle coming from his nostril every time he exhales.  I mean what do you do?  NOTHING!?  Why interrupt his peaceful sleep to rant about your new pet peeve?  Lately I feel about as pleasant as that stupid nose whistle.

HOWEVER, I am starting to turn this little mood of mine around and it is all thanks to my mother (I may very well regret this sentence soon, but it makes me happy for now).  Mommies (yes, I am too old to use the word mommy but I dare you to test me on that right now) always have the right answer.  Well not always, but I'm giving her credit where its due.  In my case, she arrived just in time with the right decor and just the right layout.

My downward spiral started with admitting John Eric's hoarding, which he refers to as antiquing, was getting the best of me.  To be fair, I have a lot of "antiques" too, but this isn't about me.  Oh wait, yes it is. It's about me and my writer's block, my so-called decorator's block, my creativity block...now are you seeing why you didn't want a blog from me lately?  I was having all these blocks because I couldn't get my house right!  AHHHHHHH!  Whew...feel betta'?

So, my mom came and she must have thought it was really bad.  Even I knew it was bad.  I sat in the middle of my living room the week before and cried like someone took my ice cream and ate it in front of me.  Poor John Eric.  He walked right outside and threw away those Bi-Lo baskets.  Bless his heart.  But its not really those things, it was everything!!!!  I have nice things, but  I just couldn't put anything in the right spot...not even Brice, and he is usually easy to place...he likes to be by the door.  HAHAHA  Oh yeah sista, I am on a roll now.  Geez...ADD.

Back to Marge.  She literally swooped right in and swooped me right out.  She took one good gander, turned to me and said, "will you please leave?"  I jumped on that like I would my returned ice cream cause I knew I wouldn't be forced to move any furniture.  So I left her and the boys to ponder over the mess I had created and called a living room.  Where did I go?  To the tanning bed, DUH!

Upon my return I found bliss and amazement in the fact that she was able to merge old leather with new leather, movie theater tv with a cozy desk nook, rustic brick with new shiny things, my entire room and cheetah window treatments...(hahaha this sounds so crazy, but trust me it works and they don't scream cheetah stripper dance or anything hideous like that)...and last but not least...

my favorite things

with his favorite things...

to form holy matrimony...

Because isn't what it's all about?

'til girdle do us part

OK girls, it's that time of the year again...Wedding Season!!!!!  Time to dust off those girdles and pull out your dancing shoes. 

Did she just say girdle?  Yes, yes I did.  Do you prefer Spanx?  Or perhaps really uncomfortable form of birth control?  Laugh!  You know what I'm talking about.  Keep laughing because you just realized how true it is.

Aside from the shoes and spandex harnesses, it also mean its time to put your best magnetic strip forward.  And its not necessarily the dresses and gifts that cost so much but the meticulous grooming we require of ourselves.  Hence, we pull out the Am-Ex we've ever so cleverly tucked away and spend every last lunch break running errands to get ready for the "Big Day" that isn't even our "Big Day". 

I don't know about you, but I have a full on schedule when it comes to these events.  And I seem to put more effort into being a guest at a wedding then I did getting ready for my own wedding!  Here is a sample of how I think a normal prep-week should go:

• Sunday - Monday: Find your dress!  Geez, you are giving me anxiety already.  Low & Behold it require alterations.  If you are overdue for a hair appointment get it done...NOW!
• Tuesday: Find the right accessories and shoes to compliment your dress.
• Wednesday: Try it all on and locate the best girdle (I just like saying this word because it makes John Eric laugh).  The masses tell me we aren't using the term girdle any longer...we call them Spanx...I refuse to conform.  I like to tell John Eric "If you are from Mullins you were raised in a girdle, whether a size 2 or size 20."  Now every time I wear a dress he says, "Got your girdle on?"  But we aren't the only ones.  Just Google Celebrity Spanx Malfunctions and see all the skinny starlets accidentally exposing their secret shape wear.  Man this makes me feel better about myself.
• Thursday & Friday: Make sure what will be seen is in tip top shape.  By that I mean pedicure & manicure, waxing, facial mask (my must have), exfoliate exfoliate exfoliate (use gloves & my fave body wash), get a light Snooki spray tan, take a diuretic (am I going overboard now?), etc.
• Everyday: denying yourself of any food that may possibly have more than 100 calories, extra leg and arm exercises, amping up your nightly skin care routine, teeth whitening, and so forth. 

This may seem a bit overboard, but I think some would argue that it is "underboard" compared to their normal regimen.  Like I always say, I know I am not the only one out there.  I have a friend who claims to wear 1 girdle to normal events and 2 girdles to weddings.  I would pay to see what kind of jumping and pulling goes on when she's getting ready.  I would also pay to see how she uses the restroom.  Even I don't have a large enough imagination to dream up that one.

I have also yet to dream up an answer as to why we go above and beyond to look our best for a big day that doesn't belong to us.  Two hours into the night we're barefoot, cuttin' a rug, mascara smeared as far as our temples, and dumping the Spanx in bathroom trashcan.  But hey, at least we know we tried and hopefully snapped a picture before being introduced to the open bar.

Happy Wedding Season!



I'm back...well, let's hope so.

So I know my so-called "blog" has inevitably turned into another one of those latest fad things.  I started off thinking I would blog my life away, make time for it because I "enjoyed"it (like those people who enjoy running?), maybe gain some followers, etc.  But it has basically turned into my latest diet or work out routine...non-existent!!!  I have decided to challenge myself to blogging everyday for the next 2 weeks.

Everyday is A LOT and I don't plan to blog everyday of my life.  There simply isn't time for that in my 8 - 5, which usually turns into, 8 - 6:30 work days.  And don't forget the 30 minute traffic war to get there and back each day.  Oh, and exercising (yes I have developed a routine and yes feel free to cheer out loud), cleaning, laundry, packing, unpacking, paying attention to my dog, and that husband of mine, shopping, crafting, sewing, and catching some TV shows, etc.  HOW, I repeat, HOW do you ladies with full time jobs and children do it?  I will never know, well I hope to know sometime...sooner than later...just putting that out there God...in case you are listening...in case you want to send a stork to my stoop...wink wink.

I'm back...well, let's hope so.

So I know my so-called "blog" has inevitably turned into another one of those latest fad things.  I started off thinking I would blog my life away, make time for it because I "enjoyed"it (like those people who enjoy running?), maybe gain some followers, etc.  But it has basically turned into my latest diet or work out routine...non-existent!!!  I have decided to challenge myself to blogging everyday for the next 2 weeks.

Everyday is A LOT and I don't plan to blog everyday of my life.  There simply isn't time for that in my 8 - 5, which usually turns into, 8 - 6:30 work days.  And don't forget the 30 minute traffic war to get there and back each day.  Oh, and exercising (yes I have developed a routine and yes feel free to cheer out loud), cleaning, laundry, packing, unpacking, paying attention to my dog, and that husband of mine, shopping, crafting, sewing, and catching some TV shows, etc.  HOW, I repeat, HOW do you ladies with full time jobs and children do it?  I will never know, well I hope to know sometime...sooner than later...just putting that out there God...in case you are listening...in case you want to send a stork to my stoop...wink wink.

What are you Thankful for?

Thanksgiving is quickly drawing near and, in return, so is the infamous question: What are YOU thankful for?  This year my family will be coming to our home; and ,in return, I am thankful for not having to travel.  Just a little joke, don't get your panties in a wad.  But last night, what I am truly thankful for hit me like a ton of bricks.  I laid in the bed in a whiningly state, sandwiched between the hot bodies of Brice and John Eric swearing I was in Columbia on late July/early August afternoon.