Gram Online

So remember this post where I talked about my wonderful Grammy on her birthday? I forwarded her the link to the post as she now has a computer and is receiving lessons from the family on how to use it. She can successfully navigate the TV Food Network website and play Hearts, but learning Gmail has been a bit more of a challenge. Or so I thought... So I forwarded her the post to read, thinking I would have to help her the next time I was at her house. Later that day, I received an email back from her saying:

Dear Miss E, I read your blog and the nice things you wrote about me. Now I have to live up to all of the nice things you said about me. Love, Gram

Props to Grammy for use of Gmail AND Blogger! What, will Facebook be next?

Shopping List

I've gotten some questions on what kind of mascara I use from this post. So I thought I would address it and let you in on a few other of my fav finds.

The mascara is Lancome Fatale. It is great for lengthening obvi but it has a funny brush.

{Lancome}

I use it only to apply, then use a different brush (like the top of the brush below) to even it out and separate the lashes.

{Sephora}

It's a little more of process, but makes my lashes look great! Even the Hubs gives it an A+!

Do you use an undereye concealer? I never did...didn't think I needed it. But, you know, 40+ hour work weeks and late nights can get to a girl. While visiting one of my college roomies last summer, she introduced me to this little miracle:

{Bobbi Brown}

It gives just the right tint of color to conceal any darkness, but isn't thick/dry like a lot of concealers. It is so easy to apply. On the weekends when I don't want to put on a full face of makeup, I dab this on my eyelids/under my eyes, put on a coat of mascara and go!

Oh, and after reading my friend Krystyn's post from Really, Are You Serious? yesterday, you might want to try this out too!

PS - Check out Aliya's first giveaway from from The View fom My Shoes here. Look what you could win...

A Vera Bradley travel cosmetic case in Java Blue - AND she's going to fill it with goodies. What could be better?!

xoxo

Miss E

Oh Happy Day!

As of 5:00 tonight the Bar is officially over! To celebrate we are going to Postino's Wine Bar in Arcadia to celebrate with some friends. I have also planned a shindig for Saturday night at a local bar to get the group together. The theme of the party is "Hubs' Return to Reality Post-Bar Party." Kinda sums it up, huh? He's looking forward to seeing friends & family, playing Xbox 360 doing chores around the house, and relaxing meeting with prospective employers. In honor of the exam, here is an examencito of my own. It is only one question. Please select the best possible answer. Miss E is *ecstatic* that she no longer has to: a) tippy toe through her house in fear of disturbing the studying process b) bite her tongue and not share every last thought that crosses her pretty little mind c) take care of EVERY LAST blessed household duty on her own d) all of the above If you guessed d you are correct! xoxo Miss E

Random musings on a Friday afternoon...

Oh poor Rhianna. It breaks my heart that the horrible photo was released of her all battered - of all days, on her birthday! What a horrible way to ring in your 21st. Most people celebrate with their friends and family, maybe a "power hour," finally able to have that first (legal) drink. I can't imagine how she must feel. What a whirlwind time for her. In other news, the Big Bar Countdown is nearing an end. T-4 days until the start. It's crazy to think this has been looming for the past 3 years and all of a sudden it's here. I think Hubs is ready.....ready to take it and ready to be done! I can't wait until it's over and I get my husband back. YIPPEE! On a totally random note, there's a cashier in our cafeteria who calls everyone "mama" while ringing them up/taking their money. "Hey, mama! How's it going today, mama?" But never me! I'm lucky to hear her mumble the amount owed. WHY? I'm excited for the Oscars this Sunday! I LOVED The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire (but Benjamin Button more...). My BFF Lonnie and I were planning on seeing all of the nominated movies before this weekend. Which we failed to do. But did manage to see Confessions of a Shopaholic and He's Just Not That Into You instead. Ha! Hardly Oscar-worthy productions. Do you have any exciting plans to watch the Academy Awards? Have a favorite movie you'd like to see win big? Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! xoxo Miss E

A strong line of women

My Grammy's birthday was yesterday. Of course, I didn't have a chance to post this yesterday (shocker: Late again. What!? Not me...). But since I posted about my mom's birthday last weekend, I thought I must introduce you to the woman who started it all. My mom's mom is the strongest, most honest, beautiful, kindhearted woman I know. She just turned 84 and makes it to the gym everyday, poker and lunches with her friends every week, activities with us grandkids, plans dinners for the whole family and does it all with a smile on her face. Phew - makes me feel like a slacker! She raised three beautiful daughters and was my Grandpa's rock until the day he passed away. She was a product of her time; as a married woman, she had rarely/never pumped her own gas, paid bills, been alone. Yet her strength and sass pulled her through that tough time after my Grandpa was gone. She has not only learned the chores my he took care of (yard work, pool care, bills) but also learned to use a cell phone, digital camera, DVR and computer! Yes, Grammy is fully aboard the digital superhighway! She and I have a special ESP, if you will; we often call each other at the same time, have similar dreams, similar style (jewelry, shoes, and purses, oh my!) and similar personality traits (ha! my dad likes to ask my gram, my mom and me if we file our tongues to get them so sharp! hey, we just tell it like it is!). I couldn't be more proud to come from such an amazing line of women. I pray that God will give me a little girl someday so I can teach her in true Krueger style!

My Mom and Gram

So here's to your birthday, Gram! I love you.

From amidst the shelter mag ashes...

We received horrible news a few weeks ago that Domino Magazine was folding. This was earth-shattering news to me as I a) *love* that magazine and b) had paid to renew my subscription for another year as well as purchased 2 gift subscriptions for Christmas presents...{sigh}.

But never fear, ladies, a new magazine emerges. I'm not sure if anything could rival Domino, but this one looks pretty darn good!

Its goal is to target young homeowners, women and couples and will feature affordable DIY projects featuring the latest home trends. The first issue hits newsstands on Feb 27th and will be released on a quarterly basis.

Fresh Home will have big shoes to fill in my book, but at this point, beggars can't be choosers, right?

xoxo Miss E

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I'm so lucky to have such a strong, insightful, loving and beautiful woman as my mom. She has an amazing gift of interior designing and decorating. Check out her website: http://www.solems-classic-interiors.com/. She started by decorating (and redecorating) my childhood home and has grown her passion into a full-fledged operation, decorating client's houses from Payson to Scottsdale, Anthem to Chandler. She travels to Las Vegas, Chicago and Texas just to find the perfect item to finish a room. She has amazing style and great eye for detail. She has strong values and opinions - and is never afraid to share them! (Yes, she can be thanked for all of my spunk and sass...I learned from the best!) She taught me to reach for the stars and dream big; anything is attainable with hard work and determination. She loves nothing more than to spend time with the whole family gathered around, laughing and sharing stories. She made sure to instill the best values into my brother and me - and dedicated her life to raising us so well. She believes in me. No matter what life throws my way, I know I can count on her to see me through. Most of all, she is more than just a mom to me, she is my best friend. So today I raise my chilled glass of Riesling to you, Mom! I love you. Now, let's go celebrate :)