I have some big changes coming up in 2011.   After 11 years in Maine we will likely move away, I’m not sure where yet but I’m hoping we get to back to Florida. 

As important as were you live is, the most important even in my life will be to return to the work force.  I am officially in the home stretch of my stay-at-home mom status.  After ten years I must admit I am ready to get out and do something out of the home.

 My youngest will start kindergarden (girl2006), my oldest (boy2001)  will be a fifth grader and girl 2004 will be in second grade.  Just thinking about going back to work has been working as a catalyst in my life for some time but never as much as in the recent weeks.

The biggest change will be the need for organization.  I have already donated more than half of our household items and will continue to streamline the house as much as possible.  It’s very hard of course and that especially true with all the beauty products and tools that usually scatter our room and bathroom! 

In 2011 I’ll be looking out for products for women that are on the go.  Multi-purpose, beauty and function will be my catch words throughout 2011!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network blogging program, for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

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Hope 2010 is off to a great start for all of you!  Thanks for all the support you’ve sent my way and for your patience with me during these hard times.

I knew they’d make me pay for that “toughest job in the Navy” sooner or later.  Things have been really tough since December 2009, all the responsibility and no time off from mommy mode caught up to me and conspired to make me fall asleep early or stay up watching 70′s sitcom repeats most nights I should have been blogging! 

I’ve now accepted our new reality and am ready to move forward.  Know that I will blog as often as I can but I need to pay extra special attention to my three little ones right now. 

xoxo

Delphine

http://steepingbeauty.com

In other news I was gifted a new iPhone so I am glad to say the Razor is in a drawer as an emergency back up phone.  I don’t want to sound ungrateful but I’m not that crazy about the iPhone right now… hopefully I’ll have time to download some music and applications and that will make it all worth it!

Speaking of Apple products… Boy2001 (my oldest child and darling son) attended an Apple Youth Workshop Saturday.  He had a great time learning how to make videos on a Mac and got a FAB T-Shirt that he’s super excited to wear to school tomorrow.  He brought up a good point, why doesn’t Apple name all their products after apples like the Macintosh computer?  i.e. Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Cortland, etc… instead of all this ‘i’ stuff.  Have the prods fallen too far from the tree?!

Saturday evening we went to a lodge steakhouse in South Portland, Maine — Bugaboo Creek.   We are long time, die hard Bugaboo supporters but this meal was less than stellar imho.  No worries as I will NOT be back any time soon but it blows to spend good money on something you don’t enjoy. 

Speaking of steak, I must mention the best one I’ve had in a while was courtesy of the Total Beauty Summit NYC.

I know I still haven’t gotten around to posting anything about the summit AND now my photos are frozen on my Flip but I want to mention our night out at TAO.  Although it’s not the type of place I normally go, I enjoyed the experience profusely.  I go to restaurants to eat!  Had I been smarter I would have looked at a regular menu to see the range of offerings but as it is I will have to judge on our group meal selections which may have been blander to cater to more people.  (I like spicy food!)  I haven’t had such a great steak (sweet sauce pushed aside) in AGES.  Sadly, the steak was a little on the too rare side for many of the people at my table but all in all it was a great experience I’ll remember forever.

It’s midnight, I’m tuckered, see ya in the morning.

xoxo

Delphine

http://steepingbeauty.com

Some of you may know that I’ve been a solo parent since February.  That was one thing when school was in session as I went from 3 to 2 to 1 kid(s) during different parts of the day.  When summer came I was totally unprepared for all day kids x 3 and pretty much wore myself out all summer!  

Maine got a LOT of rain which made life even more unbearable.  In between, the kids went to short 1/2 day camps which I had to shuttle them to and we went to the beach as often as possible to get sea glass and take in the view.

In August we took a great vacation with the kids and my mom to Disney World for the second time.  We stayed ten days at the All Star Sports Resort this time.  I would highly recommend this resort (or the Pop Century) and Disney World in general.  Everything was wonderful!   

Even my mom was impressed with what we got for the price —  That is not an easy thing to do trust me!  We went to all four parks, and enjoyed several sit down dinners with some characters!  We were lucky with the weather and there were very short lines everywhere but they were pretty stingy with the coveted switch rider passes!! (Switch rider passes are a bit like fast passes so those of us with little kids that can’t ride can “switch” to ride with a minimal wait.) 

• Cinderella’s Castle
• Chef Mickey’s
• Crystal Palace
• Sci-Fi
• Teppan Edo
• Tusker House
• 1900 Park Fair
• Morrocco @ Epcot
• ***somewhere else I can’t recall***

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I liked the advice about how to get premium samples from the counters and Sephora but wish there was more info about coupons and rebating… a very reliable way to keep the makeup and beauty prods flowing in.

I’ll assume you know that most Sundays, there are coupon inserts in the newspaper.  Be sure to keep your eyes open to rebates (more on that in a coming post).

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Proof that this woman is elegant and ageless.  I love Linda Gray for her role of Sue Ellen Ewing (AKA Mrs. J.R. Ewing) on Dallas but love her even more each time I see her.   I’ve posted this because I’d like to see more of her in the spotlight and yes, I’m feeling very nostalgic.  Anywho, here she is, Ms. Linda Gray, striding down the street after a little shopping at MAC in LA last year… (July 31, 2008)

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She’s the new Miss California!  Tami Farrell made an appearnace on CNN’s Larry King last week.  Perhaps she gave some indication that she could not walk without being guided by both hips?

Wonder what she’s thinking…

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L’Oréal Paris

Check out the L’Oréal Paris website and enter the 100 Days of Prizes Sweepstakes, the prizes range from gift bags to a makeover in Paris!!

While you’re there, be sure to view the very special video tribute to the brand featuring Beyonce and other stars.  I love L’Oréal because it’s a brand that is accessible, timely and affordable.

So, last but not least, L’Oréal is celebrating with low prices!  don’t forget to download your coupons and/or check your Sunday papers regularly for even more savings…

Visit your local retailer for discounted prices on your favorite L’Oréal products:

• True Match Super-Blendable makeup collection   $5.99  (reg. $13.95)
• EverPure haircare collection   $5.99   (reg. $6.99)
• Revitalift skincare collection   $9.99   (reg. $19.99)
• Voluminous Volume Building Mascara   $4.99   (reg. $7.95)
• Colour Riche Lipcolour   $4.99   (reg. $8.50)
• Excellence Haircolor   $5.99  (reg. $8.99)

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In order to help rally people across the country and share the gift of caring, Curél has made a contribution of $250,000 to the American Red Cross, and has pledged to donate $10,000 more.

Log on to www.curel.com and click to donate $1 of that $10,000 in a friend’s name. Your friend will receive a message from Curél letting them know that you care then she’ll be invited to share the gift of sharing with someone else.  A virtual chain of donations from the Curél brand on behalf of real people – like YOU.

Every time you share the gift of caring you empower a friend to be a part of the movement!  Join Curél in supporting the American Red Cross.

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