Spring Forward with a little painting!

Haven't posted in a while due to my everyday busy life. Sometimes when you add on different duties or things to do it takes a minute to get a good rhythm going. I'm glad to finally be back now that I've got my "rhythm" or routine going! 

I thought since this winter has been a little brutal I could work on a project I have been anxious to do in time for Spring. I was watching an episode of Real Housewives of Miami back in October when one of the ladies was shopping for a new handbag. One of the bags had been painted and I ran to the tv and grabbed my camera (really my phone), because I was in love! 

So for months now I have been trying to figure out how to get this look. After finding the right leather bag at Macy's I saved it to my favorites I was hoping for a sale, but I actually found it way cheaper on coachfactory.com, which is the outlet so of course I was happy about that! 

With the perfect bag for my canvas I needed the perfect paint for leather. I went to amazon where I found not just the perfect acrylic paint, but they have the best reviews done on amazon to make the best decision when making any purchase. The actual colors I went with had no reviews, but this particular brand had good reviews. 

I didn't even need the paint brushes, that I also ordered off amazon. When I opened a bottle of paint there was a brush attached under the lid like a bottle of nail polish. 

I used the neon orange and yellow to style my bag. I removed the tassel and tag and painted the front first. Within 30min it had dried enough to avoid smearing to turn over and do the back. 

I had to paint over each stroke twice to get a bolder look. Get a healthy amount of paint on the brush to splatter across for the scattered paint drops look. Even after it dried I went back over a couple more times front and back. It's ok if it drips down because it creates another element to the design, just leave the bag standing up to dry over your cloth or trash bag like I used. I really love how it turned out! Springtime is right around the corner and I can't wait to carry my new custom handbag! 

The pics don't really do it justice. It was well worth the wait for the right bag, price and paint! I had so much fun with making my bag that I made my daughter her own mini version with one of my old bags. 

For more product information follow my blog and for questions email me at faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com

Fall in love with Fall!!!

 My favorite time of the year is here!!! I love fall fashion, fall food, fall crafts and activities with the kids! Even the smell of fall is something I love!!! This year I have really been trying new things. 

 Trying new dishes has been one, so as I have looked for new recipes and been on different food websites there were a couple things I thought were good dishes to wait till fall and try. I can't wait to make pumpkin chilli! Sounds interesting but I love chilli and I love pumpkin pie why not combine both worlds. Spoonful.com has so many good fall food ideas and recipes that I found. 

http://spoonful.com/autumn/fall-recipes

 When it comes to fall fashions there is nothing like the perfect cozy sweater and the right pair of boots. The older I get it seems my feet hurt within a few minutes of putting on anything with a heel! So with my love of boots I always go for the cutest pair of riding boots or moto boots. (Look for a blog post coming about my favorite fall boots to buy right now) I found the cutest pair of boots at Target last week, which normally I try to only buy leather because I can't stand wearing socks so I buy leather so my shoes or feet don't smell! Lol Target does from time to time carry leather shoes but these were too cute I had to have. 

 Of course there are so many things to do with the kids from the pumpkin farms, to carving the pumpkins, making cutout cookies and drinking cider. As it starts to get colder outside you have to start thinking about more indoor activities with the kids. It's good to research different places to go and crafts to do and make a list to have on hand. So much to do and enjoy this time of year. Fall in love with fall like me!!! 

 

For more product information follow my blog and for questions email me at faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com

One of my favorite quotes!

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.

Audrey Hepburn 

Labor Day!!! End of white so they say.....

 Are you a stickler to the fashion rules? Me I do follow some basic fashion rules like thou must color coordinate or when in doubt accessorize! For the most part I just go with what I like, if I want to wear white after Labor Day I'm going to wear white! There are no real laws to be broken here so who is it really going to hurt!!! Here are a cute pair of white pants from Ann Taylor that you can switch looks in. 

A few choices below that will work like a motorcycle jacket, blazer or simple sweater. 

Seasons change and so does your wardrobe but do you really have to pack up your white after the last BBQ of the summer??? No matter how you feel about white after Labor Day always follow your own sense of style to be unique and just be you!!! 

For more product information follow my blog and for questions email me at faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com

"Security Clothes"

 We all have those select few outfits that you wear over and over again! Your go to pieces! Well for me I called mine security clothes because if I had something special to do or go I usually wore the same thing over and over again.  At first you don't really become aware of the fact how insecure you have become about yourself, until you realize ok every time I go somewhere I reach for the same outfit! Then you just go with it because you already know its going to fit and so you don't really leave yourself time to pick out anything else. We don't even realize a lot if times how clothes can affect our mood or life until its really changed who we once were. 

 Ok say your in a friends wedding where you have a dressed picked out for you and maybe designated hair and make up looks. When its all said and done you feel pretty maybe not as pretty as the bride, but a little confidence has snuck in and you feel good about yourself! I use to feel pretty or diva-ish until I started sporting my go to security clothes. So what changed for me was I then became depressed about the way I looked because I was such a slave to not only my clothes but my body that I thought I was stuck in that I really didn't like. Finally I couldn't take it anymore so one day after seeing a picture of myself in one of my "security uniforms" I decided to get a garbage bag and toss my burdens one by one forcing myself to see me differently. This made me free to let go and change for the better. I started working out a couple days a week and eating better and it's still a process but my body definitely has changed I'm no size 4 but within a month I was already down one size.

 Sometimes you have to step out on faith with things in your life to make changes happen. It's crazy how for me what others would probably see as so insignificant as clothes and weight issues, it was a heavy burden that was affecting me as a mom, wife, friend and just my everyday life. I wasn't happy with me so I always had an attitude and was always irritable with my kids and husband. I didn't want to go anywhere because I didn't have anything to wear and what was the point of buying anything new because I didn't like the way my body looked. 

I thank you God for loving me for who I am, who I was and for who I become no matter what! I can finally say that I love me unconditionally and feel secure in myself and not the clothes! 

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  I definitely felt tormented by my issues. It's time to start being the change your looking for in life. I always loved the saying a cluttered house makes a cluttered life. How good does it feel when you clean your house or even your car. When you can't find something that your looking for because of laundry and messes here and there you become frustrated and irritable and such is life when your looking for happiness that you think is hard to find or achieve. 

For more product information follow my blog and for questions email me at faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com

5 of my favorite things RIGHT NOW!!!

 Most people who know me know that I'm a product junkie!!! I love trying anything and everything. Some things work out and some don't, but I will always give my opinion now on my blog when I try something new! Today I'm starting with five things that I love and will continue to use that work for me. 

Sally Hansen insta gel strips has allowed me to get the gel nail salon look right at home. Gel polish nails has become so popular and I don't have the time to run to the salon like I want. It's so easy to apply and last for up to two weeks. I usually can stretch mine to a week and a half from giving the kids baths and doing dishes. Inexpensive and its easy to change up the look with different shades and designs to choose from. I just did the ombré last night!

Right now you can get a $10off coupon to get you started on your own at home gel nail experience! http://sallyhansen.com/coupons

My second favorite kind of goes with the first because the Biotin supplement is good for nails, hair and skin. 

I love how my nails grow faster and stronger and my skin is starting to look and feel better. This vitamin really works if taken on a regular and the results will show. It's now a must in my everyday routine like deodorant! Lol 

Taking with number two also for skin I love my Coco butter stick!

I had a little breakout on my face that left a few blemishes and from taking the Biotin and using the coco butter stick my face it really fixed and evened out my completion. Also leaving my face smooth and soft to the touch. 

The summer time heat always drys my lips out and when a friend told me about Eos lip balm

of course the product junkie in me had to try it out!!! I have one at every reach my nightstand, purse and car. I love how soft my lips feel and like some lip balms this one doesn't make my lips peel. They also have the best flavors.

My last favorite item right now is my workout DVD! 

Wanting to workout and not having time this is my favorite. It's only a 20 minute workout and its so convenient because its enough time to get a workout in everyday at home and get the rest of my day going with the kids. Its perfect if you can't get to the gym and you want to loose weight and tone up. I must say I feel so much better after I get my workout in. It's always better to start your day with a workout so your not dreading it and looking for excuses to get out if it. I've been slacking but I'm back on board and ready for Jillian Michaels to get my butt back in shape! 

For more product information follow my blog and for questions email me at faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com  

 

Kid approved weekend treat!!!

It's Sunday and raining outside and my oldest and I decided to make this delicious Oreo goodness!!!

It's so easy with just three ingredients Oreos, Oreo pudding and milk for the pudding. Crush two rows of Oreos in a freezer bag then spread at the bottom of a baking dish. Follow pudding instructions and pour over cookie crust, crush remainder Oreos and sprinkle over top. Let chill in the fridge for a couple hours and serve! If you have reddi whip or cool whip put a little on each serving for an extra taste of goodness!!! 

For more tips and talk follow my blog and for questions go to my email @ faithfamilyfashionforward@gmail.com