Confessional Friday: {Link-Up}

WE OWN OUR NEW HOME! Next to getting engaged, married and giving birth to Caroline, this day surely qualifies as one of our our best days ever. We hope to raise our girls -- girls, plural, still can't get over that -- in this house for a long time, which means lots and lots of memories. Good gracious, I am so thankful for the ease with which this process unfolded.

1) I confess that my friend Taylor mentioned Catfish Hole, a local (you guessed it) catfish restaurant Tuesday and now, I can only think about hushpuppies, fried pickles and delicious fried fish. In fact, I have been craving it so badly, I nearly gave in and went to get some at 9:00 p.m. last night. Does that ever happen to you? You get a craving in your head and it's like I must have this now! I'd attribute it to pregnancy, but I crave Catfish Hole when I'm pregnant or not.

2) I confess that I'm pretty ecstatic that pre-season football has started. This means that college football isn't far behind, right? Yessssssss.

3) I confess that I completely forgot to add my cleanser to the list of must-have products for keeping skin wrinkle-free. I have been using Obagi-C and would highly recommend it for any woman of any age, especially if you have combination skin like mine. I usually purchase from Amazon, so I would check there first before spending twice the amount at a dermatologist's office for the same thing!

4) I confess that Wednesday was the first time in about two months that Ruby, our mini doxie, has had a bath. I'm sure it didn't bother her any, though. That dog loathes anything to do with water.

5) I confess that I'm toying with the idea of getting a few lengthening extensions for fall. (I'm sure my girls at The Crown will be able to talk me into it!) I freaking love having long hair, and I think I might get a few extensions to make it that much longer for the cooler months. #longhairDOcare

   

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Some Tools You Need

I know...the title. What? You were expecting a post about hammers and power drills? Phffft (!!)

This is A Blonde Ambition. And I have no plans to start doing drywall tutorials any time soon.

This week has inadvertently become beauty week, I suppose. But hey, who doesn't love to talk about make-up and skincare and amazing mascara, right?

Today, I wanted to show you the tools that I really use. I don't have a ton of brushes or applicators for my make-up. In fact, I own only three brushes and an eyelash curler. (And a cool sponge thingy for foundation blending.) I find that if I invest a little more into a good brush, it's worth the price of ten crappy ones. Below, you'll find exactly the tools I use.

Beautyblender Sponge  // Tarte Airbuki Bamboo Powder Brush // Sephora Pro Angled Contour Brush // Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Brush // 

Shiseido Eyelash Curler // Orla Kiely Garden Double Zip Train Case // Arched Multi Purpose Cosmetic Organizer Caddy in Lucite

What you DON'T need to invest in? Eyebrow/lash de-clumping brushes, oil-blotting papers and eyeliner smudge sticks. Instead, look for these handy dandy items in the dollar aisle of your drugstore.

1) Coffee filters | These puppies work great as an alternative to those oil-blotting papers you find in the make-up aisle. And for about a buck, you can get 150.

2) Cheapie toothbrushes | Those free toothbrushes you get at the dentist? Don't toss 'em just yet. They make the perfect little brushes for combing unruly brows into place and de-clumping mascara for flawless eye fringe.

3) Q-tips | Use these instead of those foam smudge tools to soften eyeliner and apply eye brightener to the tear ducts.

....................................................

I'm curious, if you could only keep ONE make-up brush or applicator, which one would it be? Tell me below in the comments; I want to know the type and the brand! Who knows? Maybe one of you will turn me on to my next favorite.

Younique Mascara: {An Eye-Opening Review}

Recently, my good friend Hannah passed along some 3D Fiber mascara by Younique for me to try out and give her my thoughts. I had purchased some back in January and could never quite master the application technique, (i.e. I looked like a hot mess), which I completely blame on having a newborn and just not having any time to play with the mascara and learn how to apply it. But, I knew if I could figure out how to apply it that I'd love it.

Well, Younique reformulated their now-famous mascara AND I finally took a moment and watched a couple of YouTube tutorials on how to put the stuff on. (I liked this tutorial.)

Let me tell you...amazing results.

I have pretty decent eyelashes on my own, but this stuff gave me major lash volume and length that far surpassed any of the lengthening mascaras I've tried in the past. I did a little comparison down below so that you can see what a difference just one application of the fibers made.

And, because I like to be 100% transparent in my opinions for reviews, I made a comparison chart for ya. I wanted you to see what I thought were the major perks and the tiny drawbacks...as you'll see, the pluses were numerous.

*I did get some oil-based eye make-up remover last night, (brand is Almay, I think), and it took the 3D Fiberlash off in a snap! So really, it's only a little challenging to get off if you use just regular water.

For a very reasonable price and the results it produces, I deem this product Ambition Approved. Get some 3D Fiber Mascara for yourself here from Hannah! You will not regret it, I promise.

How I Keep Wrinkles Away: {My Fav Products}

Raise your hand if you love fine lines and wrinkles (!!)

Nobody? Anybody? Bueller??... Bueller??

Yeah, those suck. Unfortunately, they're comin' for all of us. (Or, if you're like me, are already creeping up.) In the past couple years, I've really started to avoid the sun, put more time into skin maintenance and invest more money in skincare products vs. make-up. Below are a few of the products that I really do use to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (Extra Strength) - 5 treatments for $15 // Korres Black Pine Firming, Lifting & Anti-wrinkle Night Cream

All About Eyes Rich Eye Cream by Clinque // Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (2.4 oz.)

Now, I'll say that my preference for sunless tanning is the Versa booth, (read more about that here), but when I can't get to the spray tanning booth, I keep these products in my make-up drawer as back-up OR to take on vacay when I travel. Both are excellent and give you a healthy glow without the orange, Cheeto-like side effect.

360 Face Self Tanning Pads by Kate Somerville // Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads (For Body) 

Confessional Friday: {Link-Up}

'Tis again that time of the week: Confessional Friday. Let me hear you confess what's on your mind this week!

1) I confess that I've been playing with the middle part lately and I'm loving it. It's fun to change things up now and then, don't ya think?

Color and cut last week by Suzannah Files at Crown Beauty Bar

2) I confess that I sent Caroline to daycare in her pajamas yesterday. Poor thing had been up with her teeth hurting all night and she was so exhausted once 7:00 a.m. rolled around. I just changed her diaper quickly and let her stay in her jammies in hopes she'd go back to sleep once she got there, (fat chance!)

3) I confess that I'm ready to tear my hair out if I hear that song Rude again. I loved it when I first heard it, but in true iTunes radio fashion, they played the mess out of it. Now, every time it comes on, I have the incredible urge to hit something - usually the "skip" button.

4) I confess that I'm probably going to explode if I don't find a hooded leather moto jacket for fall. Okay, so I probably won't actually burst into pieces, but I'd really like to find one. I saw some posted online the other day, but good lord, those suckers were $650-$2k! Something like this, but cheaper. A whole lot cheaper.

I didn't bother linking it because this one is $659....and I refuse to spend that much. And you should, too.

5) I confess that I'm tired of hearing folks overuse the word literally. Peeps, unless something ACTUALLY DID HAPPEN that way and without exaggeration, please don't use it. Poor literally is tired; he needs a stiff drink and a nap.

6) I confess that I laughed out loud when someone asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with them...in November. The day after Thanksgiving. "Yes! At 34 weeks pregnant! PLEASE let me do that with you!" Nope, at the end of November, I plan to be stuffing my face with turkey and dressing and pie...loads and loads of pie.

7) I confess that I have an obsessive/compulsive tick that doesn't allow me to end lists on even numbers, so #7 is here only to take up space. See, I'm a weirdo. Just in case you didn't know that already.

Tell me your secrets, love muffins. Let's divulge.

   

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