Ready for this to be O-V-E-R!

Well, it's finally that time of the year... Yup, the one time of the year that all of us teachers  deTEST. I'm sure you can make a pretty good inference on what i'm talking about...

STANDARDIZED TESTING.

Yup, my darling 5th grade babies in this great state of Tejjas take their STAAR test next week.

I think I may be more nervous for this test than most of my kiddos.

The spring semester leading up to this beast is STRESSFUL. No wait, stressful isn't even correct terminology for what us Title 1 teachers feel leading up to this ever important test.

My kids are getting burnt out cramming.

This teacher is getting burnt out cramming.

We ALL need a break and a minute to just DE-STRESS.

The only good thing I can say about all this cramming is how much I LOVE the structure of what we call our "30 DAY PLAN." Pretty much what it is is the 30 school days leading up to STAAR where we review one skill and one genre PER DAY. So, yes, it is pretty much cramming. But, it has a great structure that the kiddos are getting used to and it's routined and I love me some structure in this teachers classroom.

Other than that, I'm TIRED. I mean I am REALLY, REALLY tired. I'm ready to get this test over with.

Have I mentioned how much I HATE all this testing my babies are subjected to? It's really pretty rediculous. I really feel bad for them. Every 3 weeks we have a 60 minute checkpoint test. Every 6 weeks we have benchmark testing which is 120 minutes.

FOR. EVERY. SINGLE. SUBJECT. 

No wonder why the kids are so burnt out. I'm burnt out GIVING ALL THESE TESTS!

Say some prayers for me & my babies on Tuesday & Wednesday when they take their Math & Reading tests!

One of the only reasons why I liked my husband

Back in the day when I was a young 20 year old, I met my husband. But, I didn't LIKE my husband. I just want to make it known that at the time I met my husband, I liked him for only ONE reason. And I continued to like him for a while for ONLY that one reason (doesn't that make you feel good, hubs?) You're probably wondering what that one reason is, right? Instead of telling you, i'm going to show you. (You need to make it full screen to REALLY experience the awesomeness of this video)

Every year, my college, Ball State University, puts on a talent show called AirJam. All these different groups perform (mainly sororities, frats, and the different clubs/groups) and then you pick a winner, like any talent show. Now, if I haven't said it before, my husband has some sweet dancing abilities. He can break it dowwwwwn... Now his wife (ME), I have NO COORDINATION WHAT-SO-EVER! It's atrocious really. Just so yknow, my husbands group, The Final Chapter, won the talent show (and let me tell you, this talent show is a biiiiiiiig deal at my school.) 2007 signified my love for my husband.

Obviously now, nearly 8 years later, there are many, many reasons why I like LOVE my husband. But, at the time, there was only that one.

We have some big announcements coming in the next few weeks that i'm excited to share with all of ya'll! Stay tuned! :)

Why isn't buying a house IN PERSON as fun as 'window shopping' online?

I swear I am obsessed with finding my "dream house" online. A matter of fact, I have found MULTIPLE "dream houses" on a daily basis. Every house I come across looks just SOO good on paper (err, on webpages!)

Let's take an example of my dream casa's. Which look SOO beautiful online. It's like these houses are calling my name "CAIT... CAIT... BUY ME!"

Example of Dream House #1... The outside is soo much nicer than the inside. SAD.

Example of Dream House #2... This is the cheaper of the two AND I love the inside

Just think of all the nurseries I can fit into both of those home with 4 bedrooms. I mean come on, who needs an office or work out room when me and V can just have like 4 babies... boom. boom. boom. One right after another. I mean, who says we need a bedroom too? Think you're down hubby? HA... (Hubs, please hold back your heart attack when the subject of babies come up. Don't worry, i'm just kidding... We only need 3 rooms for nurseries. PHEW. Sigh of relief, huh?)

I think it's a real shame when some houses have nice exteriors but a crappy inside. Which brings me to my next qualm. 

PEOPLE WHO DON'T CLEAN THEIR HOUSE BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THE MARKET.

I am SOOO glad that you left all those "50" decorations. I TOTALLY want to buy your house now! I can think of soooo many great "pinterest" crafts I can do with that good ole' sign there. By the way, is your mini dog a part of the asking price? And what about that plastic on your lamp?  And I did really need a new cowboy hat... Jeesh, I think you'd get a lot more hits on your house if you didn't have that monkey hanging from that good ole' college standing lamp (which I used to have in college that my mom told me would overheat the plastic around the lightbulb and light my whole dorm on fire. Just so you know, that never happened.) But, with that monkey hanging there, that could be a potential hazard... Last thing you want is your house going up in flames with that sweet little dog camouflaged on the bed. I feel like this is an I SPY book... I spy... A TRAPPER KEEPER (please tell me you remember those...) Okay, let's try again... I SPY... a lamp shade on a headboard???????

As fun as window shopping for a house is... It's a lot harder in person. And I don't really like that. Can't house buying be like eBay where I put it in my shopping cart and a few days later it's sitting at my glorious doorstep? Who cares about a credit report... termite inspection (okay, I guess I care... Don't need any little friends invading my space!)

Alright blog world... Give me all your best advice for home buying. Please don't tell me succumb to buying the picture above (and no I don't mean those gorgeous front of house pictures...)

READY... SET... EDUCATE ME!
(Darby i'm looking for stellar advice from you especially!) 

Spring Break, YEAH!

Phew... I'm surprised I made it to Spring Break... Yeah, at 27 years old, I still get SPRING BREAK. I remember previous Spring Breaks when I would get wild and crazy on the beaches of Panama City Beach in Florida.

Now my idea of crazy is this:

And this

(but of course I look more beautiful than this when I sleep!)

Please tell me that i'm not the only Walking Dead fan out there. Me and the hubs were talking a while ago about how we don't have "a show" and so we went in search of our PERFECT SHOW... And it's like The Walking Dead just fell into our laps. It was literally love at first sight! Now we're obsessed after watching it straight through the last two weeks.

I'll make sure to update ya'll with all my awesome Spring Break happenings later in the week ;)

I spent entirely TOO much money... MAKEUP HAUL!!!

I have been buying way TOO many makeup products this past month... I am always looking for my holy grail of products and still have yet to find my favorites. I'm going to share some of the things i've bought this month and my reviews (if I have tried it. If I haven't, then i'll post again after I have.) Let me know if you've tried any of the products and if you love/like/hate them. I am also going to attach a description of all the products (most come from Ulta's website)

HIGHLIGHTERS

Benefit High Beam $26

The celebrity makeup artists secret... this satiny pink highlighter creates a young, radiant, fresh complexion on all skin tones. Use it as a spot highlighter or blend all over your complexion...the soft-focus sheen is enticing and sexy. Great soft blush and moisterizing lotion cream.

REVIEW:

I had read numerous reviews online about this highlighter and I have to agree with the majority of people who gave this high marks. Because I personally love this highlighter! I have used it every day for about two weeks and love the soft, pink glow it gives my face! I have yet to see how well it photographs, but thus far it's my go-to product to highlight my cheekbones! 

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Duo $30

Professionally Lit: PHOTOLITE technology filters and fractures harsh light to fight the effect of cold lighting which gives skins a washed out or chalky tone. Duo Highlighting Shades: The sheer golden powder warms skin tone, while the gilded-rose formula brightens and illuminates. Multi-use: Can be used separately for either brightening or warming, or swirled together to warm AND brighten for instant radiance!

REVIEW:

I baught this after I had purchased Benefit High Beam and I have to say that this is not one of my favorite's. I actually am not a big fan of this at all. I am keeping it and hoping that I will somehow fall in love with it, but so far I haven't. Even though it's a duo glow, I don't feel like either color shows up very well. I tried to "build the color" but it still didn't show up. 

Smashbox Softlights Shimmer $29

These jumbo pots of silk-like powder work beautifully to help you maintain a sun-kissed look or bronzed glow all year long. Sweep over skin tint or blush for a soft glow to the skin, or use on eyes for a wash of color. 

REVIEW:

I have yet to use this, but I loved the shimmer and color when I used the tester at Ulta. Will give a review once I use it! 

BLUSH/BRONZER

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Natural Beauty $26

These 12-hour long-wear, solar-baked and supremely soft blushes are infused with Amazonian clay, nature's most perfect ingredient, for better, longer and truer wear! Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, these nutrient rich and intuitive Amazonian clay blushes universally benefit all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts up to 12 hours. Oily skin? Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Dry skin? This nourishing clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture. Combination skin? Amazonian clay will intuitively identify your skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore harmony.

REVIEW:

This color is a tad too dark for me, but is very buildable. One sweep will give you a great color (one sweep is enough for us fair skinned girls) and a couple sweeps will be great for tanned skin. I have to say that this is, hands down, my FAVORITE blush line! Although it doesn't quite last 12 hours for me, it does last a LONG time. Tarte has about 12 different colors in their Amazonian Clay line and each one is fabulous! I also have this blush in Charisma (which I think is discontinued.) I highly suggest this blush!

Laura Geller Bronze & Brighten in Fair $33

A revolutionary baked bronzer with multiple color infusions to color-correct your skin and give you a radiant, bronze glow. Mineral oil and paraben-free formulation also contains powerful anti-aging and anti-oxidant protection of Centella Asiatica and White Tea Extracts.

REVIEW:

I have yet to use this, but I loved the color when I tried the tester at Ulta. I'm excited to use this to contour my cheekbones and apply highlighter above!

CONCEALER

Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit in Sand with sheer pressed powder in Pale Yellow $33

Conceal and set in one portable kit. Bobbi's Creamy Concealer blends easily to instantly cover and brighten dark circles. It also helps maintain skin's moisture levels for a smooth, virtually line-less look. Fuss-free pressed powder sets concealer for long-lasting wear.

REVIEW:

The only time I have used this is when the lady at the Bobbi Brown makeup counter applied it on me. I have heard rave reviews about it though and i'm excited to use it daily to cover my undereye darkness.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque $23

A wakeup call for tired eyes. Corrector is pink- or peach-based to neutralize under-eye darkness and is designed to be used before Creamy Concealer. New and improved formula is long-wearing and brightens dark circles with quick, just-right coverage that's easy to blend and won't crease. And since great makeup starts with healthy skin, Corrector is infused with skin conditioners to protect the delicate under-eye area. 

REVIEW:

See above review about the concealer.

EYELINER

Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner in Brown $24

The fusion of technologies results in an intense yet smooth cream that creates a high definition line using the free full-sized double-ended brush included with each shade. EmphasEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liners are housed in an airtight, recycled glass jar topped with a repurposed aluminum lid to keep product cushion intact from start to finish, so no matter the look the result is a precise and waterproof finish.

REVIEW:

I have heard mixed results about this liner. I read reviews saying that this dried out quickly. But, I have not had that problem. I have used this every day for about 2 weeks and have loved it! You don't need much to get a great line. This lasts through the whole work day (all 12-14 hours of it!) and it doesn't crease (which I am SO thankful for!) I can't wait to purchase more colors! 

MAKEUP BRUSHES

Urban Decay Good Karma Blush Brush $32

The unique shape is just right for contouring below your cheekbones, adding highlighter above your cheekbones, or dotting the apples of your cheeks with a little rosy color. The brush does the work for you! 

REVIEW:

Have yet to use this, but I do use the eyeshadow brush that came with my NAKED palette and I love how soft the bristles are. Have heard only great things about UD brushes, so I am excited to try this!

Tarte Eyeliner Brush - Free with eyeliner

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REVIEW:

I think this brush only comes with the Amazonian Clay liner, but it's two-sided depending on how thick you want your liner. I love this brush and it works perfectly with the eyeliner!

Boobi Brown Concealer Blending brush $29

Designed to be used with our Creamy Concealer and Corrector, the Concealer Blending Brush lets you apply product and blend it at the same time. Ideal for covering areas like under-eye circles.

REVIEW:

Have yet to use this brush. Although, the lady at the Bobbi Brown counter in Macy's used this when she put on the concealer and I love the softness of the bristles.

Bobbi Brown Eye Blender brush $32

Expertly blends all Eye Shadow shades together, softening any harsh lines or edges. The Eye Blender Brush can also be used to set concealer using powder from the Creamy Concealer Kit.

REVIEW:

See the above review about the concealer brush.

Have you tried any of these products before? What are your "go to" or "holy grail" makeup products (I especially want to hear about your favorite bronzers and highlighters!)