The Plane Didn't Crash!

I'm home. yay! We had an awesome trip and so much fun, but I am happy to be back in Cali.

This was the first extended vacation we have ever taken as a family, and the first time the little ones have taken an airplane ride. Poor hubby had to attend classes 8 hours a day for all the weekdays we were there, but the kids and I had plenty of adventures in the meantime.

The first full day we were there, I took the munchkins to Build-A-Bear and they created new members for our family. Tyler and Riley have such unique personalities, and this activity really showed it. Tyler created a very preppy little dog which he named "Huskie Dog", complete with Docker style pants, a sweater vest, and Converse hi-tops.
Riley stuffed the exact same puppy, but made a bee-line for a Batman costume he saw on display. Thus, "BatDog" was born.
Caleb didn't build his friend until a few days later. He chose a sweet teddy, and we dressed him in distressed jeans and a surfer tank. (Mommy & Daddy chose the clothes, so, no insight into Caleb's personality just yet.) Caleb's bear and namesake, "Mister", has a sound effect in one paw, that is a recording of Caleb's hysterical laughter (which I had saved on my phone to cheer me up on crummy days.) Whenever he hears that bear yuk it up, he smothers it with kisses. It's the sweetest thing. Ever.

We also visited a Lego store, which prompted a small meltdown when one child wanted the largest most expensive set in the place. His reaction so extreme, that he ALMOST left there empty handed. Luckily he saw the light (with Daddy's help) and did score a prize before we left.

We visited OMSI, a science museum, and saw a fascinating dinosaur exhibit that is traveling thru. Here we saw how we might look when we're 80, learned how babies grow in the womb, and even dug for dinosaur bones like archeologists. There were many hands-on type activities that kept everyone interested, although, the glass elevator that afforded us a great view of the waterfront proved to be one of the most exciting parts of our visit there. lol.

A trip to the Portland Children's Musuem had everyone playing make believe from the time we walked in the door. We put on a show in the theater, painted faces, pretended to be shoppers AND cashiers at a kids-sized grocery market, "drove" an ambulance, examined & x-rayed each other in the hospital, helped build a house, and even sailed a ship! This was one of my fave places that we visited and we spent nearly 4 hours there. I, er, the kids, could have played store all day. ;)

We also took a drive out to Roloff Farm of Little People, Big World. On our way there, we encountered a little red VW bug at a 4-way stop and who was driving? MATT ROLOFF! I was so excited, i almost jumped out of the car window. We didn't get to see the farm since it's closed until pumpkin season, but it was exciting enough to jump out and take pictures by the sign we see everytime we watch the show.

So those are a few of the highlights of our trip. Yes, i did visit Sephora and was very excited about that, but just hanging out with my kids beat playing make-up hands down. (and playing grocery store was super fun too. hee hee!)

Pursebuzz gets a makeover

wow - i've not checked PB in a while. Have you all seen the new site? SOOOOOOOOOOOO much better!

Congrats to Elessa on the new digs!

Free Brush Bag From Benefit

Benefit offers up this adorable brush case for FREE with any brush purchase! The Betty Bag features a flap on top that flips up to reveal 4 brush pouches, and a zipper compartment on the side to hold shadow, powder and gloss for quick touch ups. Perfect to keep in your purse, or take on weekend getaways. Just add any brush to your cart, and enter code BETTYBAG at checkout.

A good brush to pick up? This hard angle brush is very versatile, and one of my must have's. Use it to fill in brows, apply shadow as liner, or to create a perfect "cat eye" shape on the outer corners of your lids. Just load the end of the brush with shadow, dab it on at an upward angle pointing towards the outer tip of your eyebrow, and then fill in your lid and crease from there. It makes it SO easy! Like coloring inside the lines. :)

If you decide to stock up on any of their "Buh-Buys", skincare products, or other cosmetics, enter promo code FRESHP65 for free shipping on purchases of $65 or more. While you're there, check out Benefit's Beauty School, and order yourself a catalog for new powder room reading material. (C'mon... we all read in the "Jane"...)

Sorry I'm so Quiet!

I'm still away on vacation. The weather is so weird here in Oregon. It was a comfy 75 degrees the first day, then it got HOT, all the way into the 100's. Today, it's 65 and raining. LOL! my poor hair. i could never pull off this bob if i lived here. It's a frizzed out mess!

when my husband and i made a move to another city a few years ago, i told him i'd be okay as long as i had a Target and a Starbucks near by. Here on vacation, we have both just across the way. And just like at home, i've been to Target every other to every day. LOL! Last night i picked up a cream to powder eyeshadow pallette by revlon. I don't know how i never saw these before but it's a great consistency. i'll try it out today. I also visited Sephora when i was in less of a rush, and received a birthday present from them! A "vanilla cupcake" scented bubble bath. So cute!

So we'll be here for another week and then i'll be back to good ol' California and back to regular posting. TTYL! XOXO

Guess where I went today!?!

2 Sephora stores RIGHT across from our hotel!!!!

Oregon is Beautiful!

We landed yesterday at 2:45 pm. It was only 75 degrees, sunny and gorgeous. So many trees! Right off the plane we were overwhelmed with 3 kids, 8 suitcases, a stroller, carseat, diaper bag, laptop, and ourselves... A very nice lady named Val was just oohing and ahhing over our boys, offering them snacks and juice and saying "i know how hard it is to travel with little ones..." Well, in a fortunate twist, Val's son, Robert, worked for the airport, and she insisted he help us with all of our things and take us to the car rental window. I got Val's address to send some pictures of her and the boys, how much do you want to bet Val and Robert are getting a thank you gift from us? They saved the day! So immediately, i decided that Oregonians are "good people".

We got to our hotel and it's lovely. Had a very nice HEATED pool which we went for a dip in last night. The kids are having a great time - when i was little, my fave part of vacation was the hotel. They are def. impressed, but looking forward to the zoo. I headed out to the local Target last night for snacks and toilet paper, and they had a much larger Boots No. 7 section than my local Target back home. So guess what i picked up?


The pictures don't really show the beautiful green and purple shadows. And the box isn't as big as the brow box, so this isn't a bad thing to toss in your bag for touch ups. Plus, it's just so dang cute and you know you have to agree with that! PLUS! It was on clearance for $3.98 and was the last one. If your store carries these items, GO NOW!

so day one, a few hours in, i've already managed to purchase a cosmetic. ugh. And i'll not tell the story about how i dreamed of Sephora last night. hee hee!

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy birthday toooo meeee, happy birthday dear meeee-eeeeeeeeee, happy birthday to me. :)

So, my birthday went by almost unnoticed. boo hoo. I'll cut DH some major slack because our kids, who were away camping with gramma and grampa, came home early when my 6 year old had an accident. He tripped and fell onto a camping bbq pit and got severe 2nd degree burns on his leg. Let me tell you, it is HEARTBREAKING to see my poor baby so hurt. When i was a kid, I remember my dad always telling me he wished he could take whatever ailed me, and be sick or hurt in my place. Now as a mother, i understand completely. Riley is actualy doing very very well, but healing will certainly take some time:

Today, my husband surprised me with a late birthday present. I couldn't believe he remembered me mentioning this bag months ago, and then he went searching for it and got it for me, just in time for our trip!



It's by Soap and Glory and is available at Target. This one is the train case, they also have a larger bag that looks a bit like a flattened bowling ball bag. (I may actually go exchange for the larger one. Ssshh. Don't tell!;) The pink is glossy like patent leather, but very soft. The inside has two pockets, and a pull out mirror. It's large enough to hold travel sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. Very cute. Very pink. and it has a STAR. It's PERFECT!

Quick and Easy "Up-Do" for short hair!

If you have short hair, like a bob or an angled bob, this is a very quick and easy way to change up your look. Putting hair "up" even though it's too short for a typical up-do. My hair has some natural curl to it, but you can fake curls with an iron or hot rollers, or just do the style with straight hair!

Got Some Freebies.

Of the ones i posted about before, a few have arrived.

The perfume sample - lame. Basically like what you'd find in a magazine except glued to a card and mailed in an envelope.

The Sunsilk sample - cool. Good sized samples of shampoo, conditioner, and styling lotion, a web addy to go to and watch hair styling videos, and 2 coupons for $1 off future purchases.

Tutorials, Travel, and Turning Twenty-nine.

I have a hair tutorial video uploading to YouTube as i type. I am trying a new format that provides better picture quality, so we'll see how that goes. Anyhoo, as soon as it's ready, i'll post it here. Just something new and different that i tried out on my hair the other day and really liked.

I'm getting ready to go out of town in a few days, so I've been crazy busy making lists, sorting clothes, doing laundry, cleaning every inch of the house, making little post-it notes to leave all over for my MIL who'll be feeding the cat while we're gone, and all kinds of other obsessive/compulsive type things that make up my "prepping-for-a-trip" routine. So i don't have much planned in the way of posts (other than the hair video) until we get there. Then i'm sure I'll have shopping spree videos to share. hee hee.

Tomorrow, I turn 29, for real, for the very first time. I have been looking forward to my 30's for a few years now, so tomorrow is going to be an exciting reminder that the 20's are on their way out. lol. i don't care how old i live to be, i'm rockin' the wild eyeshadow for as long as i can see straight to put it on. :)

Another very cool thing... Friday's date is 08-08-08, and it's my 8th wedding anniversary! i hope i get 8 presents. just in keeping with the theme and all...

ttyl! xoxo

My Fave Things

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Smith's Mentholated Salve by Rosebud Perfume Co.
Awesome stuff. The only cure for chapped lips. Also good for bug bites, irritated skin or dry nose when you have a cold. I even used it on my tattoo while it healed. Comes in a tin that is about 2 in. across and a little under an inch deep - one tin lasts a long LONG time.


2. Clean and Clear Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser
I used Clinique 3-step for most of my life, but i felt like my skin became immune to it or something. After trying products of all kinds, i found that i really like Clean & Clear. It doesn't burn my eyes out or taste like I've swallowed anthrax if i accidentally get some in my mouth. I use it every day and one bottle at about $3 lasts for months!


3. Clean and Clear Daily Pore Toner
See above. This stuff is also awesome and doesn't burn like some astringents. I love it!

4. Q-tips.
Do i need to explain why? Accept no imitations. I hate generic Q-Tips. Can't live, if livin' is without Q-Tips.

5. (Anything by) Soap & Glory
Very distinct scent that isn't too soapy and isn't floral/sweet. I just love their Righteous Butter. Their Body Scrub is the perfect thing to use to exfoliate before putting on your sunless tanning products..

6. Bare Minerals Foundation
The key ingredient to a flawless yet natural looking face. You don't need all that heavy liquid stuff and cakey powder. Seriously. And best of all it's the fastest of all my beauty routines. Getting my face on in under 5 minutes means more time to play with my eye makeup!

7. Loreal Telescopic Mascara
I've used so many mascaras and i love this one best. (plus, i'm not spending over $10 for mascara when i go thru it so fast!) the brush takes some getting used to but it's the best stuff.

8. My Shower Cap
Okay I don't have a link for this because a shower cap is a personal choice that i just can't begin to make for you. lol. I used to use one that i had from a hotel stay and it actually lasted me a very long time, cheap as it was... During the great NYX/Big Lots event a few months ago, I picked up two caps for $0.80 each and they are super cute. Very girly and not old-lady-ish. I am an every other or every 3 days shampoo-er so I can't live without my cap.

9. Manicure Buffing Block
Besides cuticle removal (and well, painting them like you AREN'T drunk) using a good buffing block is the best way to get a good salon finish for your nails when you manicure at home. I especially like how now they have the order of things numbered right on the block itself. Buffing smoothing and shining your nails is literally as easy as 1-2-3.

10. The RockSTARR FAM
once upon a time, before I was a ROCKSTARRMOM, i was just plain old Cara Starr. Sometimes i miss how easy Cara had it back in the diz-ay, but i always wonder if i could be anywhere near as fulfilled without my little fam. So, here they are, my sexy hubby and my rockstarr kids. Make up and beauty stuff is to stay attractive for one, and in spite of the others. It's my "me-time" stuff. :)

My Hunny.

Caleb

<--- Riley & Tyler --->

And now for something completely different...

I don't consider myself to be an over the top animal lover. I mean, i like animals. And i have a cat. But i'm one who gets ooked out when a big dog jumps at me, licks me and sniffs my butt.

So, I cannot believe i actually cried when i watched this video. But i did. I bet you will too.

Lion Video post at HM&HH