beauty on a budget

 i know we all wish we could look like jennifer anniston, with beautiful glowing skin, luscious locks, and pearly white teeth (not to mention the flawless body). HOWEVER,  most of us to do not have a million dollar plus budget to work with. well, you might, but i sure don't. i am here to tell you that it's possible to achieve some good results with a few products that come from a classy joint that you all have near you, no matter where you live: WALLY WORLD. ok, now pick up your jaws from the floor. i promise, wal-mart can be a one stop shop for your culinary and cosmetic needs.

living with two beautiful sisters has some major perks. you basically have someone to do your hair and makeup at all times. also, you have a few wardrobes to choose from. i wouldn't know about half of these products without their wonderful insight. shout out to kolson and kiemel lamb-my partners in...well, everything!

1. Skin: raise your hand if you have ever had a skin problem/issue. i see that everyone's hand is raised. you can be 12, 22, 32, 42, etc. and STILL struggle with your skin. trust me, i know how it is. i  am no dermatologist, but i can give you a few tips and suggestions to help improve the state of  your skin. first of all, always always always cleanse before bed. i know you're tired, but it's a must. there are several good cleansers on the market. neutrogena offers a wide variety that probably  includes one for your skin type. this will instantly inprove your skin. after cleansing, you can apply some apple cider vinegar (yes, you read correctly) if you struggle with  minor breakouts. beware of the slightly offensive smell. also, lemon juice is another suggestion if you have some minor red/purple spots and scarring. moving on to makeup application. i know a lot of people think that you have to coat your face in thick, liquid foundation. WRONG. it's best to cover your problem areas with maybelline super stay 24hr concealer and then apply a layer of  maybelline mineral power foundation. you can top it off with a layer of maybelline mineral power  bronzer for a sun kissed glow.

2. Eyes: captivating, enamoring eyes are a must for every makeup routine. i have tried shadow after shadow and still have not been able to find an ensemble that pleases me. what works the best for me is just black liner and LOTS of mascara. several coats are a must. start with curling your lashes. please take the time do this. it will open up your eyes in a big way! then line the top and bottom of your eyes with revlon's colorstay black eye liner. here's the clincher: line the inside rim of the bottom part of your eye. i promise this will give you amazing results. try it. next, apply a coat of loreal voluminous mascara. let it dry. then apply a coat of loreal telescopic mascara. this way you will have volume and length. after you let both of those dry, feel free to apply as many coats as you like! i usually do about two five more.

3. Lips: this is the department where i struggle! i cannot seem to get satisfied with any lip product. i need your help! please leave me some comments of your favorite lip stick/gloss/paste/stain/ink, etc!

hope you have found a useful suggestion in all of this nonsense. i'm not promising jenn anniston results, but i think you will be pleased. feel free to share any of your tips with me! coming soon: beauty on a budget-clothes edition. :)

p.s. i almost forgot BLUSH: maybelline expert wear blush is great! go for pink shades. stay away from brown shades. it's a rule.

soli deo gloria.

it is well

i have a lot on my mind. it's one of those times when i don't really know where to begin. i could ramble on and on with useless words that only skim the surface of the real issues at hand. how much is too much? isn't that an age old question. what can you say without saying more than you should? i need wisdom.

i believe in the sovereignty of the Almighty. i believe that He was, is, and is to come. if I could keep this at the forefront of my mind at all times, a lot of my problems would be avoided. instead, i choose to become bogged down with life's petty trials and end up immersed in an ocean of insignificant worry. instead of riding the waves with the skill of a california surfer, i am being pulled down by a powerful under current. i refuse to let this happen. i will not let my spirit be quenched  or the fire in my heart be put out. why should i?

there is truth in every bit of criticism. it's learning how to decipher the truth, learn from it, and push away the useless extra that proves to be a challenge. i tend to be an extremist. this can be both good and bad. taking things way too much to heart is one of my downfalls. because of this flaw, i can find myself on really high highs and very low lows. pleasing people is also of great concern to me. however, i'm learning more everyday that although God uses people to shape character in my life, my number one goal is to please Him. yes, i want to learn from criticism, but i want my eyes to remain fixed on running the race set before me.

not everyone that you meet in this life is going to love you, no matter how nice, beautiful, smart, talented, etc. you are. Jesus met with plenty of people in His life who harbored great animosity towards Him. as long as your life is in line with the Word, you have nothing to worry about. it's not about the situations you find yourself in, it's about your reaction to them. i am asking the Lord to fill my heart with love and compassion towards everyone i meet, regardless of their feelings about me. the joy of the Lord is my strength. with His help, i will choose to view the circumstances of my life as divinely appointed and make it my mission to give Him praise in some  ALL things. it truly is well with my soul.

 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:32-36


song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAAsjzapuWs
the author penned this song after receiving a telegram from his wife that read "saved alone." his four daughters had drowned when their ship sank on its way to England. he left new york at once to join his distraught wife. however, he asked the captain to come notify him when they reached the same spot where the previous ship had sunk. after he had seen the burial waters of his daughters, horatio spafford returned to his cabin where he wrote the words to this famous hymn.

i survived a nyc cab ride

i love nyc. cliche, but true. the following is an account of our recent adventure in the big apple. our little southern family busted up in there with true class and a lotta laughs. definitely an affair to remember.

let me preface this story with one VERY important fact: i LOVE  hate to fly. i start to get nervous a few days before departure and usually don't settle down until we are safely on the ground. yes, i realize that it is the safest form of travel, but for some reason, i can't get that to register in my brain. consequently, it is a severe battle of mind vs. reality. mind usually wins. : o

airports greatly amuse me. you see all walks/forms of life. sometimes i feel as if the terminal is a whole world in and of itself. i mean, you see things there that you don't see anywhere else. i haven't quite figured out the reason for this phenomena, but i am working on it. here we are in baltimore during our layover. don't let my smile fool you.

don't you just love the person on the plane who comes and sits right in the middle of two people??? oh yeah, and don't forget the crying baby, the horrible body odor smells, the guy with his crack showing, and the snoring man. just a few of the many joys of flying.

another phenomena of the airport terminal is the random celebrity sightings that tend to occur. so, when i saw my girl sarah, i couldn't resist asking for a photo. she very graciously agreed.

just when i thought all my troubles were over after we landed safely at the laguardia airport, we stepped into a cab. PEOPLE OF AMERICA, THIS IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. how is a poor southern girl like me supposed to handle this insanity??? one driver thought it would be nifty to try and read a novel while driving us in the rain across manhattan. i must have aged twenty years that night. also, why do the cab driver ids look more like mugshots? um, scary.

stepping off the subway into times square is an unparalleled experience. although i have been to nyc once before, it still had a jaw dropping effect. we met some friends on our flight that we randomly bumped into out in the city. of course this called for a photo.

speaking of the subway, can i mention that if you are riding it around 1 am, it's probably going to be a bit sketchy? besides touching nostrils with the person next to you, you may receive some heckling. when a few rather interesting (i'm being kind) young men announced that there was more room on a jammed packed subway than there was in jail, an uneasiness started to settle in our stomachs. it got worse when they stated how much they loved blondes because golden hair was angel hair. never had kolson been more grateful for her brunette head.

the subway ride back into town the next morning was much more pleasant. my sisters looked like living dolls.

since we had limited time, mama d made the executive decision to do the red apple bus tour. good call mama d! we enjoyed seeing the sites of the city atop a double decker bus.

our first stop was chinatown. i must admit, i felt like a foreigner. i may have stuck out just a tiny bit. we ate at a delightful little restaurant located in one of the many basements of the region. i felt like i was in a suspense film going down the stairs to get inside.

when you're eating the sodium filled chinese food, it is of utmost importance that you don't get TOO thirsty.

one day, i am making a shopping trip only to nyc. that day will have to come when i have a few grand lying around waiting to be spent. get back with me in the year 2085. this store makes my heart skip a beat.

central park doesn't get old. it is a thing of beauty. i never cease to be amazed by God's creation and handiwork.

i would be remiss if i didn't mention the whole reason for our trip: TAPING A TV SHOW WITH DINO! for those of you who don't know, dino is a world renowned christian pianist. his show, the dino show, airs on tbn. we were extremely touched by his love for the Lord and desire to bring Him glory. His beautiful wife, cheryl, is also a wonderful, godly woman. together, this powerful couple is making a stand for our Lord. it was a privilege to be a part of their ministry. stay tuned for air dates!

we have seen firsthand, the sovereignty of God. He led us through times of trial and uncertainty into times of great joy. i do not know what tomorrow holds, but i know Who holds tomorrow. please pray for our family as we continue to seek His will for our lives. check out our website www.lambfamilymusic.com for more information and for our itinerary. visit our facebook page, the lamb family violin ensemble and become a fan!

coming soon: my sisters' and my favorite beauty products and summer styling suggestions.

song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjWJEeVpBw
i love love love broadway. we went to a charming diner in the city where the waiters and waitresses sang broadway songs for the customers. I WAS ENTHRALLED. of course i had to make a request. this is the song i selected. it is from one of my favorite shows: hairpsray.

i just call you mine

isn't he precious???

i seriously don' know what i would do without him. he loves me in spite of my crazy ideas and insane notions. i am blessed to call him mine.

the rest of the beach trip was wonderful. i hated to leave. but doesn't that happen on every vacation? i seriously had ice cream every night. did someone say OUT OF CONTROL??? my new reality includes far less sugar. or at least i hope it does. here are a few pictures from our night at the hangout: a super fun new place at orange beach.

the girls

gorgeous sisters

the gang

we scampered over to birmingham last sunday to watch the tide play in the sec baseball champioship. even though the outcome wasn't good, we still enjoyed ourselves.

memorial day was spent in atlanta with one of my best friends. we have weathered many storms together. she will always be close to my heart. if you live in the atlanta area and need a hair stylist, look her up at www.paragonyoursalon.com. her name is mallory.

i also attended my very first braves game on memorial day. shout out to the world, THE BRAVES ARE MAKING A COMEBACK! we had a blast, and it's so nice to see our team doing well.

let me just say that obedience really is the best choice. i can attest from personal experience that when i finally let go and surrender to Him, my life is filled with true peace and joy. why does it always take me so long to remember this??? He desires truth in the inward parts. and that is the goal for my life.

a side note: if any of you feel like giving me a present some time, this is what i've REALLY been wanting:

may the peace of Christ fill your hearts as you seek to do His will.

song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p15MZXnsWpY&feature=related

beachin' it

call me scrooge, but i really don't enjoy chasing after little white crabs late at night on the beach. i mean, what's the point? you don't keep them and they are not much to look at. if you ask me, it's ridiculous. i know, i'm horrible.

i wish i was one of those girls who LOVED laying out-the ones who get out there at ten and last til' six. i'm hot/bored after thirty minutes. ocean breaks are a must. it's the only way i can stay on the beach for several hours. i do, however, LOVE my new jcrew paisley bathing suit. let me just throw this out there: always get a strapless top. there is no reason you should have tan lines.

we went to dippin' dots monday night. they are now serving dotquakes. watch out people. they are 6 bucks!

another thing, it's really hard being at the beach with two sisters who have the bodies of grecian goddesses. i try to just ignore it and have a good time, but who can compete with two sets of six packs? oh well.

at the beach, there is always the need to rent a movie. great source of entertainment and fairly inexpensive. so, after spending a fortune on the dotquake, bro, caleb, and i set out to find a movie store. however, after covering ALL of orange beach and gulf shores, we still couldn't find a single movie store. LAME. in desperation, we pulled into cobb theaters and asked if there was a movie rental store within a 25 mile radius. we were informed that there was ONE place in all of gulf shores/orange beach. the place was called just books, but oh yeah, they had movies too! weird.

ok, athena and aphrodite are rushing me, so i better run. more to come later.

song of the day:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24OGHrmC0KU&feature=related

small town, usa

i have come to believe that if our nation is going to rise to greatness again, it is going to start with the people of the small towns. although bashing these towns and its values is the current trend, the people who inhabit their soil will remain undaunted. we need to return to the small town, usa mentality that shaped our nation and helped create the massive entity that it is today.

small town values are most often, closely aligned to the Bible. they believe in God and country and are not afraid to fight for those beliefs. they prioritize family and will stand by their friends with unfailing loyalty. aligning themselves with conservatism, they hold true to the original laws of our land established by the founding fathers-laws that were designed to protect freedom and solidify liberty and justice for all.

why do these beliefs receive such harsh criticism in our nation today? why are the people that hold them deemed as ignorant bigots? the answer is simple. society is no longer interested in the judeo-christian principles on which our nation was founded. if we acknowledge that there is indeed a God, it means that we must in turn, be accountable to Him for our actions. People, by and large, would rather live their life the way they see fit and not be bothered by a God who may be evaluating their actions. this is why we see the massive amounts of crime and unethical practices that are becoming a staple in every day life. think about it, how did abortion, the MURDER of an unborn child, become acceptable??? no matter the angle from which you approach it, taking the life of an unborn child is wrong. And why is it now against the rules for a teacher to lead a classroom in prayer? Is God really that offensive? no. but His way of life is. society is determined to shut out any semblance of the truth of Jesus Christ. With a Godless nation in place, anything and everything is acceptable, and sin can run its full course.

God has preserved small town, usa for Himself. these people are going to be the saving grace of our nation. this is not to say that there are no good people in large metropolises. there are. however, the bulk of people with these beliefs and values can be found in rural and small america. i am very proud to be from tuscaloosa, alabama-a small town filled with big hearted people committed to the preservation of the TRUTH. may the Lord continue to use us to further His kingdom.

song of the day:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns7v64uwvOM

random facts: my heart is in politics. stilettos make my outfits feel complete. i have the most adorable boyfriend in the world.

tis' so sweet

don't you wish you could get an email, or a text, or any kind direct communication from God? i'm at that point in my life. i need some direction. there are so many different roads you can choose to travel in this life, but i am only interested in going down the highway to heaven. God, show me the way.

i know in my heart of hearts what i want to do with my life. i've known this since i was 12 years old. however, i'm not sure how to bring my goals to fruition. if i choose a certain outlet, the results could either be horribly wrong or amazingly right. once again, Lord i need you.

lack of trust is an issue in my life. i find myself questioning and worrying about my future all too often. and then i seem to hear the Holy Spirit say, do you think i'm not capable of planning your life? God forgive me. His thoughts are not my thoughts, nor are His ways my ways.

i want to change the world. no ifs, ands, or buts. that is my life's goal. no matter where He leads, no matter the circumstances, no matter the costs, i am following after my Savior. then, and only then, will my life have direction.

since i'm probably not going to be getting a text from God anytime soon, i think i'm gonna lay out the fleece. figuratively, that is. i am completely confident in His ability to communicate with His child. i'm only worried about my ability to listen. still my heart, Father. quieten my soul. make Your will visible to Your servant. oh for grace to trust You more.

song of the day:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km63bQinoJk

random facts: i love sugar entirely too much. i wish i loved to workout. i am low in the patience department. vintage photography is my fave.