What I Learned In July

Another post wherein I link up with Chatting at the Sky and her "What I learned in July".  Linking up like this isn't really like me since I don't think I count as a real blogger, but I like looking back and seeing what I've learned over the past 31 days.  It's actually pretty encouraging and reflective, even if it's revelations about makeup :).

1.)  July has most certainly been a lesson for me on American materialism, what I really need in life, how I spend my money, etc.  It has also reminded me that an AC window unit can change the world if you live in a small space.

2.) Speaking of materialism and such - here was one of my few indulgences in July.  It's Maybelline's Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in Bold Gold.  I had seen these recommended by a few beauty bloggers and they are only $6.99, so I tried it.  You can use them as an eyeshadow base and since it's a cream shadow it stays put in the summer.  They have lots of colors, but this was similar to a MAC color I needed to replace and was a cool-ish gold that doesn't make me look sick.  I put it over my whole lid, just a bit more concentrated on the eye, using it as a highlighter and an eye color.  Just add some brown to the crease if you'd like and you're done with your eye makeup for the whole day.  They also have crazy bold colors if that's what you're looking for.
**Ok, this is an edit update.  I don't have it in Bold Gold.  I have it in Barely Branded.  It's a really pretty golden champagne.  It wasn't on the Maybelline site when I wrote this so I figured it must be the gold, but it's not.  I got it at Ulta.  If they have stopped making it then I'm going to start a letter writing campaign.  Also, it's the perfect color for accentuating blue eyes.****
  

3.) Shauna Niequest is one of my new favorite authors and she makes me cry.  I can't wait to read her other books and to start cooking my way through Bread and Wine.  I may have also included this in June, I don't know.  But it's worth 2 months of mentioning.  And I read the last chapter on the very best day for it, when the only way I could help a friend was with homemade cookies.





4.) I was banned from my school library in elementary school due to my seeming inability to return a book.  I always thought it was my mother's fault.  If the Tuscaloosa Public Library and the Redbox have taught me anything its that I can no longer deny my own problem.  All of those penny pinching budget sites that recommend dollar movie rental and public libraries for cheap entertainment don't take into account that it is definitely not cheaper if you don't return things.  Not proud.  Just saying.  Might not be going back to the library.  And librarians don't think jokes about late fees are funny.

5.)  I could eat the Pioneer Woman's Penne a la Betsy every day for a week.  Please note extra poundage as proof.  And I used chicken instead of shrimp.  I love shrimp, but I do not love cooking shrimp.  Especially in my own  house.

5.) It is really intimidating and challenging to dress a brand-spanking-new-born baby.  Especially when they refuse to straighten their arms.

6.) I might not be as bad at Spades as I thought.  But it may have been pure luck.



Ok, I hope you didn't lose any brain cells reading this!  Have a great August!!