Hepburn and Houndstooth » shopping

Hump Day Dump Day

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I totally forgot to acknowledge my 2-year bloggiversary, which was Saturday! I actually started as a wedding blogger probably 4 years ago, but this blog was started on January 28, 2010!

I have been ill the last few days, with some nasty sore throat and cold combo. I don’t have sick time at work for like 80-something more days, so I sucked it up and went it. Today, I started my first postpartum period with the most ferocious cramps of my life. Then? I was reaching into a high cabinet in the kitchen and suddenly my c-section scar felt like someone stabbed me. I stumbled back and pulled my groin. What?! Yes, being short caused me injury. Nice.

I am loving our homeschooling journey so far, but there is so much to figure out and learn! The hardest thing for me right now is finding a homeschooling group that is not only local to me, but also secular. We are not homeschooling for religious reasons and certainly don’t have Bible-based learning. We are oddballs where we live in that regard. Luckily, I have found a small group of a few families here who are like us. They meet up and do art class together and creative writing! I love that, but it doesn’t really fit with our schedule. We are going to have to find a way to be more flexible and take advantage of these kinds of opportunities.

Along those lines, I think it will be nice to move to a larger city where there are more people and more opportunities. Our entire family needs some new friends!

I need a blog makeover to go along with some new exciting things I’m about to bring to the table. Remember how I hinted before here and on Twitter that I was starting a new blog this year? Yeah? Well, I lied. I didn’t mean to lie, it just happened. I realized I’m already spreading myself too thin, so instead, I’m going to be merging that blog idea with this blog and it will appear in the form of either a page or a weekly feature. Hopefully, I can get that going soon!

I need a new wardrobe. Nothing fits and I didn’t want to buy anything until I lose weight. Unfortunately, that’s going slower than I’d like, so I’m going to have to buy a few things to get me through. I could probably make it with 1 pair of jeans, 2 dresses, a pair of black or gray pants, and top or 2. I definitely need new work shoes and will be purchasing some as soon as this budget balances out a little.

Dustin’s work hours will be changing beginning February 20. We have hoped and prayed for daytime hours since he first started his job almost 2 year ago. He works 3:15 pm until 11:15 pm currently and will be moving to 11 am until 7 pm. While I’m so glad my prayers have been answered and I’ll see more of him, it’s still going to be a major adjustment for us. He gets paid less in daytime hours, but because our schedules won’t overlap anymore, we’ll be paying a sitter for more time. We thought the budget issues were the only problem until our current sitter decided she can’t work with the new schedule. We’ll sadly be saying goodbye to her on February 16. I want to cry just thinking about it. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc. 3:1)

We have an interview with a new babysitter on Friday morning. If she’s as wonderful in person as she is over email, we’re all going to be okay! She even agreed to start out at what we pay our current sitter, even though she’ll be working more hours. Pray for us that this works out!

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Dare to Compare

Rhonda Gail — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:08:05 +0000

I love to get items that look or perform high-end for a great price. That’s why I’m totally addicted to mark! Check these out:

You can get any of these mark. products at my eBoutique HERE: http://rchristian.mymarkstore.com

Wanna be a rep? Sign up with referral code 9698262 and choose Paula Martinez from the “mentor” drop-down. You’ll get AT LEAST 30% off all the wonderful mark. products! Just sign up HERE: http://meetmark.com/yes

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Something Wild

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Y’all know I love mark. I make no secrets about that! I have only had a couple of mark. products I didn’t absolutely love. Sometimes I find something I think is the best. thing. ever. One of those things is the Something Wild purse. Wowee. I have so much love for this bag. And now, it’s only $21.99, but Thursday is the last day for this price! It won’t even be available for purchase after then, so jump on it.

If you want to make this bag YOURS, order up here: http://rchristian.mymarkstore.com

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Wish List 2011

Rhonda Gail — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Every year, I blog about the gifts I most want. With my birthday and Christmas both in December, I’m sure to give plenty of options for the gift-givers in my life. This year, I’ve gone a bit overboard. And truth be told, I could add to this all day long. I’ll spare you that, though and stop where I am.

Sewing machine (yes, still)

Kindle

Laptop (pink, specifically, since a MacBook isn’t in the budget)

iPhone (more on that later)

New pots and pans

Camera (since the one i got JUST LAST YEAR was broken)

These bags (available HERE)

Keurig

Z palette

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Primer Proof

Rhonda Gail — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I never saw primer as something that was needed underneath makeup. As far as I knew, my makeup was already working great!

Well, I have always had an issue with eyeshadow creasing on my lids and sort of soaking in halfway through the day. I just thought that’s what makeup does. I never thought I could do anything about it. Then, based on reviews, I decided to try mark’s Please Hold Eye Primer. Holy wow. I had no idea. I swipe it on my lids and under my eyes, before applying my concealer (Conceal For Real) and eyeshadow. I work for 10 hours and when I get home (in makeup nearly 12 hours by this time), the shadow is still exactly where and how I applied it! Same goes for my concealer, which had previously been settling into the puffy lines under my tired eyes. It now looks much smoother all day.

Not only does it make the makeup last longer, it also intensifies the pigments during application. Check this out. The first photo shows just a swipe of the primer (applied with a concealer brush). In the second picture, the top swipe of yellow is shadow without primer. The bottom swipe is the SAME SHADOW over primer. They look almost like different shadows. (Yes, I now realize a color other than yellow would have photographed better.)

I also recently started using all-over face prime, Primed for Perfection, under all my makeup and it has made a huge difference. My makeup still looks fresh after all day wear!

Primers were always too pricey for me, but mark.’s eye primer is only $8 and the face primer is only $10! Great!

Have you discovered primer? What is your favorite?

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Flip for fall!

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:02:57 +0000

I was so excited to wake up to find that the cold front that blew in overnight actually made it cold. Imagine that. That seriously never happens here. It actually got into the 40s overnight and should get into the 30s tonight!

I was far too excited to throw on a scarf for the first time this season. I ran straight to myfavorite, put it on, and coordinated my makeup!

These pictures are awful and do not really show the vivid colors on my lids.

~As always, I primed my lids with Please Hold before applying any color.
~From my Super Flip kit, I swiped on Fluffy (the white color) over entire lid, all the way to the brow bone.
~Sky High (blue) was applied to the outer half of my lid.
~I then used Black Tie (the black) to form my “outer V” and blended it on into the blue and also into the crease.

When I do several colors, but want it to be seamless, I always take a blending brush and just swipe all over the entire lid, side to side. I also went back and dabbed more Fluffy into the inner corner of my eye.

I lined my top lashline and the outer edge of my bottom lashline with Keep It Going in the gray shade from Industria. Finished with 2 coats of Lash All You Want (black), after curling with the Make Me Lash curler.

The Super Flip Color Kit and all other makeup on my face can be found at http://rchristian.mymarkstore.com.

Promo through Thursday, 10/20:

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Basic Beauty: Skincare

Rhonda Gail — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I’m going to start this series to cover my beauty basics… what products and techniques I use, and when and how I use them. I’m going to start with skincare, since that really sets the tone for everything else to fall into place.

I was never really a believer in proper skincare. Well, it’s not that I didn’t believe in it, I was just a little too lazy to execute what I knew I was right. And honestly? I’m still guilty of not washing my makeup off before bed, which is HORRIBLE for skin.

Here’s the very simple skincare routine that has made a remarkable difference in my skin. Using these products over the course of about six months has made for a beautiful change in my skin’s tone and texture.

Make It Go Away wipes by mark. are amazing for lazy people like me. I will stress that it is better for your skin to do a really good washing with water and cleanser before bed, but these wipes have helped me to remember to go to bed without makeup. I sometimes leave them in my nightstand drawer, because I often remember to wash my face when I’m already in bed. One wipe removes all my day makeup. Sometimes if I’m a little heavy on the liner and mascara, it takes two. I love that they’re gentle on my sensitive eyes. They are more than worth the $10 for 30 wipes.

Calming Effect Comforting Milk Cleanser is the wash that I prefer for my face, but mark. offers three formulations for different types of skin. It really evens my skintone and leaves my face soft. Again, wonderful for my sensitive skin. And people… you get 6.7 oz for only $8! I wash my face in the shower with this every morning and when I’m not lazy, again at night.

For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion is probably my number one favorite mark. item. It has SPF 30 (which is ESSENTIAL for healthy skin) and smells good enough to eat (thanks to ingredients blueberries and dark chocolate). It makes my skin so supple and smooth and seems to make it glow. I put this on just out of the shower and again at night after washing or wiping my face. Even my 2-year-old loves it. If he can get his hands on it, he will smooth it all over his face, saying “ahhhhh.” It’s oil-free and great for any skin type (I have combination skin).

It’s not pictured above with the rest of the products, but I also use Light Bright Lighten & Depuff Eye Gel when I think about it. I actually ran out of mine awhile back, but when I can remember, I grab hubby’s from his work bag and dab it on. (Yep, men can use mark. too! His Light Bright is hooked up with our pore minimizer.) It really does lessen the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. $8 for a hookup tube, but that small amount lasts a really long time!

This is all I use on a daily basis. I really like things simple, but I am going to add in a couple things like masks and exfoliators to use weekly. If you want to try any of these products, or anything else in mark.’s skincare section, let me know and I can send you a sample! If you’re too impatient for that, order up! We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you’ll never be stuck with something that doesn’t work for you.

(all products mentioned can be found at http://rchristian.mymarkstore.com)

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October is here!

Rhonda Gail — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:00:54 +0000

This is finally the month that Quentin should be born! I can’t even describe how excited I am about that!

I’m also excited to announce a couple of things starting in my mark. boutique! Today through the end of October, if you buy any of the two following products, I’ll personally send you a free lip product! You’ll also receive an extra lip print in the new rewards program that is detailed below.

Qualifying products:
1. i-mark or i-mark metallics (any shade) – $5/$6
2. Glammed Up ring – $28
3. Lipclick full color or color shine lipstick – $10
4. Make Me Lash eyelash curler – $7
5. Make It Go Away makeup remover wipes – $10
6. Super Flip Color Kit – $20 (currently $10 with a $20 purchase!)
7. Keep It Going Longwear liner and shadow – $10
8. Min-a-real cream to powder foundation – $18
9. Rock Steady earrings – $16
10. Nailed It polish duo – $7

All of these products can be purchased in my eboutique at http://rchristian.mymarkstore.com.

KISSES Rewards program

Announcing my new Kisses rewards program. It works like this: every time you spend $20 in my eboutique or through me directly, you receive one “lip print.” When you receive 5 lip prints, I’ll receive you a product package with a couple of full size products and lots of samples! There will be additional opportunities to earn lip prints as well. Since so many of you shop online exclusively, there won’t be a physical card to “stamp.” Instead, I’ll keep up with your prints and send you a statement of sorts via email each time you earn one! So get to shopping! You can start with the Halloween promo above!

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Scarf Swap!

Rhonda Gail — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:00:00 +0000

I was so excited to join Meredith‘s scarf swap! I love scarves and love gift-giving. More than that, I love connecting with others in the blogging community! Swappers were partnered at random and I was matched with Lili of The Style Spy. She is uber cool and stylish, so I was really anxious about being her partner! I was afraid I’d get her something just not cool enough! I looked at scarves everywhere. We swapped basic info about our tastes – favorite colors and patterns. I told her I love Kelly green, gold, gray, and houndstooth. She said she loves blues, camels, and leopard.

I forgot to snap a pic of what I got her (a deep blue pashmina – click HERE to see it!). Turns out I also forgot the notecard I wrote out to go in her package. I found it days later in the bottom of my purse. But she wasn’t so lame! She even sent extras…such a sweetie.

As soon as I opened the package at work, I took pictures and my chins and I tried on the shimmery pale gold scarf.

(yes, my office lighting and cell phone photographer skills are astounding)

Look at all those extra treats! Even baby Quentin got boots!

Thank you so much, Lili! I truly love it all!

And thanks a million also to Meredith for hosting such a fun swap!

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Accountability

Rhonda Gail — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I am the world’s worst these days about making a to-do list and not following through. So, to hold myself accountable for all the things I plan to do this weekend, I’m going to share my to-do list and update on Monday!

1. Create a mark. binder. I need to reorganize my mark. business and what better way than with office supplies?! I love an excuse to buy binders and dividers! I’ve been very slow on this project because of my desire to find just the right pink binder…which doesn’t seem to exist.

2. Hit up the thrift stores. I need various small furniture items, baby items, and kids’ clothes like you wouldn’t believe and the thrift store is the perfect place for these treasures. I will make it this weekend!

3. Purchase supplies for nursery wall art. Dustin and I came up with the perfect wall art for Quentin’s room. It’s going to be quite cheap to make, too. Unfortunately, I procrastinate too much and I’m still missing most of the materials.

4. Launch Halloween special for my mark. customers. I’m trying something different for a promo and hope to introduce it over the weekend!

5. Steam floors. I have a love affair with my Shark steam mop. I usually mop as much as possible, but simply have not had the time and my kitchen floor is gah-ross!

6. Print coupons and meal plan. This used to be a matter of weekly routine, but when we ran out of printer ink weeks ago and I ran out of….steam, this fell by the wayside. Our grocery budget has shown a huge difference. Back on the wagon this weekend!

7. Run stemware and baby bottles through dishwasher. I have bottles left over from my other kids and my wine and martini glasses haven’t been unpacked since we moved. Well, in about 5 weeks, I’m going to be needing all that, so I may as well do it now!

There are MILLIONS of other things I’d like to get done, but I don’t want to list them all, then have to come back on Monday with a pitiful follow-up! Let’s keep those goals attainable, shall we?

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