i n f i n i t y

i n f i n i t y by lsuereed featuring leopard scarves

{ encouragement }

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I'm doing a bible study right now called, "Brave, honest questions women ask" [being "brave" by society's standards is much different than in God's eyes!] and one of the points made provided so much encouragement today, I wanted to share.  It says,

"This week I want you to focus on these aspects of God's character:

He is the Father of Jesus, your Savior; He is the God of compassion; and He is the God of all comfort.  No matter your trouble.  No matter your disease.  No matter your hardship or problem or disappointment.  No matter what makes you tremble inside.  Only God can give a divine and powerful comfort that comes to us from the depths of His character."

This week's study is about how we each have fear but with God we can face these fears bravely.  The author also says something that hit home,

"...no one gets a free pass in this world.  No immunity idols exist to help us become survivors.  Cancer, catastrophes, and awful consequences exist because we live in a fallen world.  Evil is present.  Sin is inside of us and all around us." 

And yet, she goes on to provide encouragement with the verse John 16:33:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."



I hope that no matter what this week, year, month brings your way that you are encouraged that God is bigger than all your fears, failures and feelings of inadequacy.  I pray that you feel God's divine comfort regardless of what your troubles you are facing.  I pray you have a wonderful week!

xx

{ beauty favorites: part lll }

It's Friday, time for some more beauty favorites part III

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I love this stuff.  I bought it when I couldn't find my usual chapstick and fell in love.  It gives just a bit of shine, but also has Vitamin E and a mixture of coconut oils to moisturize your lips.  This shade is the perfect combination between natural and making your lips pop.

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This facial moisturizer has SPF in it, and it's pretty hydrating.  If you want a good, basic, and pretty cheap (you can get it at wal-mart) go-to moisturizer you can't beat this.  If you haven't noticed the department store moisturizers are so expensive.  Many of them work great, but if you can't afford them this is a great alternative.

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This is THE best eye make up remover that is non-oily and does the trick.  I think the original version is Loreal, but this wal-mart knock off is super cheap and does the trick!

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This is a newfound favorite.  Have you noticed I'm on a red lips kick lately [I'm wearing it in almost every picture]?  This is honestly only about $.99 at wal-mart and it's the perfect balance of not-too-matte, but not too shiny.  I will warn you, it will leave a mark on whoever you kiss :]  Just make sure to do the old trick where you put two fingers in your mouth, wrap your lips around it, and get that excess lipstick off so it doesn't end up on your teeth.  The color is Ruby and the brand is NYC.

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This lipgloss called Liquid Lip Shine is also NYC and the color is called Sheer Ruby.  I like to put just a little bit of this over the Ruby NYC lipstick.  It adds a slight shimmer. And it's also cheap.

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If you own make up brushes [these are another beauty favorite] then this is a must have.  It's brush cleaner and I put a little on my brushes [just 2] each morning and then wipe them with a tissue.  This is the best value for the size (I've tried the sephora brand and while it's cheaper there's not as much and it doesn't work as well).

So you fellow bloggers know that you can see how many times your blog post is viewed, and I've found that these "beauty favorites" posts are most highly viewed on our blog.  That said, I'd love to know what our readers would like to read about for more beauty favorites [hair products, skin solutions, nail polish...etc]...

Or, we'd love to have you follow us!  If we had a follower for every person that's viewed the blog we'd be pumped!

Oh and don't forget to share your beauty favorites.

Happy Friday.

{ layering }

I love to layer in the fall (including jewlery).  And I love the idea of finding a bright coat, layering with neutral colors, and completing the look with hot red lips.  Some of these items are ridiculously expensive, but sometimes it's helpful to print out a look you like and take it with you shopping to find similar (less expensive) items.  For example, Old Navy always has cute coats, I'm pretty sure I've seen a very similar scarf at wal-mart and black skinny jeans are just about everywhere.  happy layering & happy fall!

layering by lsuereed featuring t shirts

{ blog-cation }

I saw a quote once [forgive me for not knowing the source] and it said, "Life:  It's what happens when you're not on Facebook."  Funny, kinda true, and also sort of sad.  But, since life's been busy lately, I've made up a new term called "blog-cation."  A vacation from blogging.  Blogging isn't a chore, in fact I wish life wasn't so busy so I could blog more.  But, then what would I blog about without a busy life?!  Anyways, here's a little of what we've been up to lately...

We took a trip to San Diego then came home and it was my turn to host bunco...

This candle (below) is heavenly - it's lavendar scent and it's a soy candle.  It's almost always lit. The little cream and sugar holder I found at Goodwill right before bunco - they're handmade and so cute.

 We celebrated my birthday and my hubby did an awesome job keeping our 8 nieces & nephews entertained.  He got them each their own balloon and big bag full of candy.  He also got them their own cupcakes - It was wild, crazy, hyper fun! This is very typical of our family get togethers and it's always a blast to get all the kids together.

Here's my mom with my oldest niece and nephew:  Luke & Bella.  It makes me sad they're getting SO big! Our newest nephew will be coming late November though and we can't wait to have another tiny baby in the family!

 Here we're celebrating my little brother-in-law's b-day.  We went to an authentic Moroccan restaurant that had awesome food and such a fun setting, complete with a belly dancer! 

The birthday celebration continued with a girls night!  Between our two families, our nieces and nephews, and our friends we almost always have a Birthday celebration!

Here's a wreath I put together super fast.  The R is from TJMaxx, the wreath was $3 at Wal-mart and the ribbon was on clearance at wal-mart.  I painted the R (it was black) and tied it all together.  I can't believe it's already time for a fall wreath now...I might just skip right to a christmas wreath next !

Been trying to get caught up on all my magazines!  Plus I just started a new Bible Study.  There's not enough hours in the day !

Here's a couple pics of my office - I've been slowly getting it all re-done.  I'll do a separate blogpost on that once it's finished.

This chalkboard frame in my office is inspired by my best friend in San Diego's daughter's nursery (did you track all that?!).  She told me about this spray paint from Home Depot that's the perfect shade of Orange.  Now I think of little Ruth (her daughter) whenever I see it.

 We FINALLY are getting our dining room in order.  For the longest time it was just an empty, white room.  We painted the walls, hung the chandelier my hubby got me last Christmas, finally had our dining room table delivered AND, my family got me this awesome mirror for my birthday!  We still don't have the right chairs (long story) but I don't even care - at least we have a place to sit and eat now :)  AND, we both have big families we can now put the 2 leaves in and host family get-togethers.

So friends, that's a very small taste of what we've been up to.  I promise to be a better blogger (or at least try to post more often).  Then again, as I sit here blogging I'm feeling an overwhelming pressure and sense of urgency because I still have a ton of laundry to do, I need to give my husband a haircut, get groceries for the week, finish a craft I started (that's taking up half my kitchen), and the list goes on and on...is the weekend really already over?!  Anyways, I hope you're all enjoying a cozy fall!  

Love,

The Reeds