I’ve learned the hard way that when summer hits and your foundation is dripping and streaking down your sweaty head, it’s not a sexy look. So I try to lighten up the makeup when 90 plus temps arrive. Here are my recent must-haves I scored on my last Sephora binge.

1. Benefit, “They’re Real” mascara; my new fave mascara. The weird ball tip is designed to help you coat all the little teeny side lashes and bottom lashes. It also lets you do one-coat natural-looking-car-line-look, to about five-coats-fake-lash-date-night-drama. You know which I prefer! $22

2. Dr. Jart BB Cream, 39 SPF. Remember we talked about the BB creams last year? Well, now everyone makes one. I have tried three and this is still my favorite. The coverage is amazing and your skin can breathe in it better than foundation.  I still love my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizers, but you need this super-charged SPF-ed up balm too. If you overslept and are running out the door with one minute to spare, slather this on. $39

I love a tanned look but don’t want to look like the NJ mom who just got arrested for tanning her five year old….

so I use this…

3. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. No self-tanning smelliness, just great color. A little pricey but well worth it. $34

4. Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel in “blushed” color.  I love a little flushed look and this is it. Gel blush lasts longer if you are a glowy, a.k.a seriously sweaty gal like me.  $28

5. You always need a nice nude lip to complete your Sun Goddess look. This Clinique Long Last Soft Shine lipstick does the trick. We need hydrating lip formulas at this point to combat the heat. Try Creamy Nude and Berry Kiss. $15

6. Murad anything. I’m probably late to discover Murad but if you’re like me then your skin tweaks in the heat and these products, while not cheap, are cheaper than a visit to my dermatologist. I never know what to do with a mix of dry patches, oil-slicked-ness and freakishly sensitive skin so I tried this Soothing Gel Cleanser, $25, and I am already a huge Murad fan. I think we can’t hydrate skin too much in the summer when it starts to feel so dry and tight.

I also loved a sample of Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 $39.50, which would be perfect before the BB cream.

Those are my summer goodies. Love to hear about your summer beauty rituals. Wish me luck channeling the ultimate BB, beach babe Bridget Bardot.

This how I want to live everyday. Seriously.

via

Is this Kate Moss??

Reader Note: Smoking cigarettes around balloons is not a good idea.

via

This one’s for you Alexis!

Thanks for all of your continued help and hilarious posts!

I can’t help but think this is where the Barlows may be living since the house sold so quickly.

The pink balloons really spruce the joint up though, don’t you think?

*Happy Birthday, H&H*

]]> http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/hh-turns-2/feed/ 0 http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/family-fridays-the-dynamic-duo/ http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/family-fridays-the-dynamic-duo/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:41:29 +0000 Lea Barlow http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/?p=10628 Continue reading →]]> I was a very late iPhone adopter and will be the first to admit that I was a fool for holding out so long. The joy I feel when playing with the damn thing is shameful. I could literally spend hours taking pictures with the Instagram and Camera + apps. Because of my latest addiction, I wanted to share a few of my favorites featuring the dynamic duo…

Camera +

They really know how to work it, huh?

Camera + again.

A reluctant Easter shot.

Instagram.

As you can see from Tennison’s expression, they do grow a bit tired of me constantly taking pictures of them. They will have to get used to it because mama is just warming up.

Camera + once again.

I lean more towards this app because there are many more options than Instagram.

I can’t remember which app it was for this pic but these two rarely disappoint when it comes to expressing their unique personalities.

To think they started like this. And without an iPhone! How did we manage?

*Happy Friday*

The head scarf will be the focal point of your look so don’t over do it on coordinating. Keep it simple. If you try to steal the spotlight from the scarf you may end up looking like a hot mess.

More Axl Rose than gypsey here but looks amazing with the smokey eyes.

I know I am biased but long-haired brunettes can really rock this look.

Skip the head and tie it around your ponytail.  It’s a very versatile look.

She makes it look extremely effortless. It’s not.

This video will show you different ways to tie your scarf…

and click here for help on a more retro look.

However you choose to wear your scarf just make sure it’s not like this.

Scott’s pic. Granted, very cute as a puppy…

As a grown dog, I am not so sure about the Bulldog.

Tennison’s pick.

I have been bitten twice by chihuahuas.  Not gonna happen.

Grayson’s pick.

Maddie was 1/2 Boxer so we all have a special place in our hearts for this breed. I will give Gray’s pick a ‘maybe’.

The Goldendoodle is mama’s pick.

Who can resist this face?! I just want to snuggle right up to this guy.

What is your favorite dog breed?

]]> http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/doggie-fever/feed/ 3 http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/power-food-combos/ http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/1home/power-food-combos/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:02:09 +0000 Lea Barlow http://www.hotandhealthymom.com/?p=7724 Continue reading →]]>

I am a big believer in listening to your body. It will always tell you what you need it’s only a matter of paying attention. It turns out that these power food combos are deeply rooted in are instincts. You are probably already eating these foods together and there is a reason why. It’s called ‘food synergy’. Two particular foods eaten together can actually deliver more health benefits than either one could alone. Researchers believe we inherently crave certain food combinations to protect and nourish our bodies. Here is a list of the food combos from the Hungry Beast…

Tomatoes & Olive Oil

Simple and delicious. Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. But lycopene is also fat-soluble, which means combining it with a healthy, monounsaturated fat like olive oil helps boost absorption even more. Technique: Sautéed tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper make a great fresh pasta sauce; but you can also whip up a quick Caprese salad by adding some mozzarella and basil to sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.

Green Tea & Lemon

Confession: I just started drinking green tea. I have known about its health benefits for some time but avoided it because I just never thought of myself as a tea drinker. It’s a fantastic mid-afternoon pick me up. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, revs up metabolism, and keeps you hydrated. When drunk with lemon, its benefits become turbocharged—your body absorbs 13 times as many more antioxidants than when consumed on its own.  Are you sold?

Orange Juice & Oatmeal

A breakfast classic and the kids love it too! The combination of these morning basics hasactually been shown to prevent heart attacks and clean arteries twice as effectively as ingesting either one on its own. The organic compounds known as phenols (found in both) stabilize cholesterol levels when consumed together. Tip: Instant oatmeal is often processed with added sugars, salt, and colorings, so go for old-fashioned rolled oats.

Apples & Red Wine

This combination puzzled me at first but then I read one way to combine the two foods is with booze. Sounds good to me.  Apples contain an anti-inflammatory flavonoid called quercetin, while red wine contains the flavonoid catechin. Together, they work to prevent blood clots and improve cardiovascular functioning. Try 5-Star Sangria for a healthy bit of boozing.

Beef & Carrots

Did you automatically think of stew? Try this amazing curry recipe instead. When you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, this mix that will boost your immune function. The Vitamin A in the carrots is best absorbed when bound to a protein. Plus, the beef delivers an extra dose of zinc, which protects against weakening of the immune system.

Garlic & Fish

These two flavors were made for each other, and when combined, the cholesterol-reducing fish oils and heart-healthy garlic can act as an anti-inflammatory agent. My family prefers our calamari without breading. Try this grilled calamari recipe to combine the garlic and fish.

Two things you may or may not know about me: 1. I am highly effected by seasons  2. I LOVE big projects. What do these two things have in common? Well, if you haven’t noticed, spring seems to be on steroids this year. Maybe that is why I am taking Spring Cleaning to the next level. I have decided to sell the house we have lived in for the last 4 years and all of the furniture in it. That’s where the big project comes in. We have been readying the house to list over the last week. No easy task with two toddlers underfoot. This may seem like a rash decision but we have actually been toying with the idea for the last 18 months. Our house is gorgeous inside and out but for some reason it never felt like ‘home’ to us. With the real estate market the way it was it just wasn’t a sound move to make. Lately though there has been a positive change in our area and we are hoping it will work in our favor. To be completely honest with you, I am absolutely relishing this decision. I cannot wait to start again with a blank slate. The only things I plan on taking from the house are my kids, the hubs, Sonny the cat and everything from my closet (I haven’t completely lost it!).

Reader Note: Be prepared for funny tales of moving and LOTS of design inspiration posts!

After Spring Break it seems like the school weeks fly by at lightning speed and all of sudden it’s summer. The idea of summer should illicit thoughts of lazy days and lemonade on the front porch. Not so much for me. It has the tendency to overwhelm me. Because the kiddos are 3 1/2 and 5 finding summer camps that will work for both of them has been somewhat challenging (read:  ’what in the hell am I going to do with these kids all summer?!’ ) But I got a head start this year and have mapped out quite an amazing summer. Here’s how the kids will be spending their days….

Camps (10 weeks):
2 weeks of Drama camp
3 weeks of Nature camp
3 weeks of Vacation Bible School
2 weeks of themed Day School camps (these seem more like glorified daycare but whatever)

Athletics:
Evening Swim Team practice 3-4x weekly
Private Tennis Lessons (to be paid for by my MIL. Yay!)

Education (can’t let their little brains turn to jello):
5 week Reading Readiness program through University of South Florida

Fun (yes, I do allow for some actual ‘summer’ fun):

Lots of fishing with daddy
Endless amount of lounging by pool with mommy
Countless Popsicle afternoons with grandparents
A 10-day trip to Maine

I have to admit that I am pretty proud of myself for all of my advanced planning. What are your summer plans for the family?

Thank you for being a big beautiful Pregnosaurus and not apologizing for it. And, I think I love you.

In an era when starlets are terrified to ruin their careers with excessive pregnancy poundage and stretch marks, you embrace all your new super duper curves. You are no bony-ass prego a la the other Jessica. You tweet about eating Poptarts smeared with butter.  Mac and cheese and Cap’n Crunch. You confess to binging on baking porn like “Slutty Brownies”.

You pose magazine-cover-pregnant-naked. Not because they asked you to, but you just thought you should. And all those diamonds dripping off of you?! Well done lady.

You’ve shared about your voracious sexual appetite and your spectacular pregnant O’s. Your “swamp-ass” sweat. And when I think OMG-she’s-gone-too-far, you talk about your dream where your “hoo-ha” ate an entire bag of Skittles. LMAO

While Us Weekly deems this oversharing TMI, I find it refreshing, hilarious and ballsy. You are starting a pregnant girl revolution Jessica, and American moms are listening.

I cannot wait to hear what crazy honest and sometimes crude sound bite will come out next, regarding childbirth, breastfeeding, being up all night with your daughter. Adding sleep deprivation to the mix will only make you funnier. I know you will bring your southern, self-effacing humor to all you do. Some days, my sense of humor is all I have left. You will find yours to be a useful tool as well.

I know you pop any day now and I would like to be the first to officially welcome you to the club, we are so happy to have you as a new member.

Bring it Jess. We’re ready.

xoxo the Moms

P.S. Now here are those fabulous slutty brownies from What’s Cooking Gaby…

*Happy Friday*

Recycled Glassware is a must. Check out The Green Glass Company for some very unique options.

On to the liquor…Prairie Organic Vodka is my favorite.

I am personally not a brown liquor drinker but no bar is complete without a bottle of whiskey.

Garnishes and mixers should all be organic and made fresh.

I know it’s Monday morning but looking at those lemons really makes me want to have a margarita. You too?

I would opt for an old wooden muddler versus a blender. *Tip – raid your parents old bar. You may be surprised what you find in there.

Lastly but most importantly, you will need some crowd pleasing drink recipes.

*Cheers! Here’s to stocking your organic bar!*