truth hurts

Tamra: Look, Mark -- I've done SIX tables!
Mark: That's one for each year you've been working on your paper!

Ouch.

did you know?

I'm sure most Americans already know this fascinating little tidbit. But in case you were on the political "short bus" with me: You can vote early at any early voting place in town -- and all you need is your driver's license!

So if you're thinking about voting and you're not sure you have time to go on Tuesday, or you're not sure where to go on Tuesday, or you have no idea where that ever-elusive voter's registration card is -- early voting might be just what you need. Early voting is through Friday this week, and locations are open 8am-8pm.

Who knew voting could be so easy?!

more faves

No pictures or links this time, but here are some favorites in the beauty department....

Hair Care:
- BedHead's Self-Absorbed shampoo and conditioner
- Pantene's Beautiful Lengths shampoo and conditioner
- Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner
- BedHead's Curls Rock (for curly girls) and Hard Head (hairspray)

Nails:
- OPI polishes
- Toenail clippers (I use them even on my fingernails)
- Cuticle nippers
- Sally Hanson Natural Shine (dries almost instantly!)

Makeup:
- I'm a MAC girl and use their foundation, concealer, blush, powder, mascara, liner, lip gloss, lipstick, eye shadow....
- Some of my brushes come from MAC, some from Smashbox, some from BeautiControl (which are supposedly the same as Bobbi Brown brushes but loads cheaper)
- This isn't really makeup, but I also can't live without plain ol' Chapstick

Facial and Skin Care:
- I use BeautiControl's Gold line for cleanser, tonic, scrub, moisturizer, and face/neck lotion (this is Jaime's fault after hosting a "spa" years ago)
- Aveeno's Daily Moisturizer Lotion is fantastic and I highly recommend it
- I love Neutragena's eye makeup remover
- Dove soap (the original white bar)
- Another BeautiControl product I love is the Warming Trend Mask that heats up when you rub it in and never gets hard and cracky

Other Stuff:
- I recently got a BedHead blow-dryer and it really has impressed me with how quickly it dries my hair and with much less frizz
- Lighted, magnifying mirror
- Tweezerman slanted tweezers

Alright. What are some of your faves?

just one of the boys...

I don't remember when in life I figured out I was just one of the boys, but...I did. And I am. Or, more accurately, I can be.

This past Saturday was our K-5th grade Dudes & Dads Day. The Branches let us enjoy their ranch. We cooked out, had a devo and dude/dad quiet time, enjoyed a hay ride, and did a little fishing. We didn't expect much in the fishing department since the tanks were low. But Mrs. Tamra knocked the socks off all the fellas by catching THREE fish in about 15 minutes. Quite frankly, I knocked my own socks off too. :)

Mark tells me the fish I caught were a small bass, horse-something-or-other, and a red gilled sunfish. Impressive, huh?

I can't remember who I was telling about my "mom sunglasses" -- but these are them. Not because these are mommish in particular, but because they make me look even more like my own mom, who has a pinchant for gigantic shades. Can you imagine if I had a baseball cap on too? TWINS!

some household faves

Okay, so it's a big job to list all of my favorites and apparently I've kept you, my loyal readers, waiting too long! In the name of "chewing the elephant in bites," I'm breaking it down into categories. Up first, household favorites:

-cookware by GreenPan (we got a set as a wedding gift and I have to say, this stuff is FAB!)
-Easy Read Measuring Cups by Pampered Chef
- Mix-N-Scraper by Pampered Chef
- Huggable Hangers by Joy Mangano (my grandma hooked me on these years ago, and now they're available at Target!)
- cleaning products in the form of wipes (Windex, Pledge, Clorox, you name it)
- candles by Yankee or Circle E
- Wallflowers by Bath & Body Works
- Tide detergent is a must, and I love Downy but Mark does not -- so I sneak it where I can ;)

Now it's your turn to share your favorite household products! More to come....