new uses for old things: mascara wands

one thing i love about Real Simple magazine is its regular feature, new uses for old things. it always features such creative ways to use things we already have, making them into something new, or giving them a new function; this has always been fabulous to me. learning new things is never a bad thing {or, to put it as Martha Stewart would say, "it's a good thing"}, not to mention it's helpful to make the most of what you have. it also proves that with a bit of creativity, you can make life so much more...well…simple.

i've been reading Real Simple since its first issue {that was in 2000, and as a young wife, and soon-to-be new mom, it was the perfect new resource}. through the years i've learned so much from it. i have pages and pages saved in folders and clipped into notebooks. i confess i haven't subscribed in years, but their website is fabulous. in recent months, though, i've found myself drawn to the physical publication and have fallen in love all over again…

alright, enough of my rambling, LOL!

all of this is to say that on my most recent visit to their website, i realized that i should be sharing these tips with you. that's what i love to do here on BGM, after all ~ share the tips and tricks, products and fun stuff i love…

so, without further ado, here are 3 new uses for mascara wands {also known as a spooly} you should know…

1. remove errant makeup  ~ unlike a finger, the mascara wand won’t smudge the color all over the place making your problem worse. simply flick off any misplaced makeup with the mascara-wand bristles.

2. flatten out little fly aways around the hairline. simply spritz the tool with a bit of hairspray, and brush where needed, recommends hairstylist Mark Townsend.

3. use the spooly dipped in polish remover to remove nail polish that ends up around your nail rather than on it. unlike a cotton ball, it won’t leave behind those little fuzzies that inevitably end up ruining your paint job.

what creative ways do you use spoolys? let me know in the comments!

tips featured came from this article on RealSimple.com; all other thoughts are my own. :) 

inspired-style: mixing prints...

when it comes to mixing prints, my daughter is a pro. from a very young age i told her my #1 rule: just make sure to coordinate your colors. she's very good with it now. she loves having fun with her clothes {exhibit a, above}, but manages to stay coordinated, never thinking twice about taking fashion risks! :)

i myself am a huge fan of mixing prints, but to do it right {and in a more, sophisticated, grown-up way}, you should keep these guidelines in mind:

**be sure that at least one color repeats throughout your outfit.
**loose prints work well with structured prints {think swirls with stripes}.
**blending small designs {think plaid} with larger-scale ones {bold flowers} are fun and look great year-round.

for more ideas regarding this inspired trend, check out this article on RealSimple.com

source

hair therapy: Ji Baek's Must-Have Hair Mask

in my opinion, Rescue Beauty makes the most amazing nail polishes. though i only own three polishes (pricey little gems, they are), i still have found the formula to be incredible. Ji Baek, the fabulous mind behind the brand and owner of the Rescue Beauty Lounges in nyc, was featured in the february issue of Real Simple magazine talking about her favorite way to get her hair soft and shiny.

according to the interview (a small paragraph, but very informative all the same), Ji uses Hamandi Shea Mask twice a week. after wetting her hair, she applies a handful of the rich conditioner to her hair, then wraps it up in a plastic bag to let it deeply penetrate her hair. after 20 minutes, she rinses it out.

this is something i need to try asap!!

btw, when she wants a fool-proof, lower-cost way to moisturize lack-luster hair, she uses "good, old-fashioned mayonnaise".

xo

time saving tips

i'm a mom, and i refuse to go out of the house looking the way i looked when i woke up. no one would want to see that either, i'm sure! so, i've have a plan that streamlines my morning routine for those mornings that seem to be short in the time department.

unfortunately, in today's world, everyone is crunched for time, and finding effective shortcuts to save precious minutes are worth their weight in gold. planning ahead the night before, which can seem time consuming, saves many a panicked morning when the alarm clock doesn't go off, or you hit the snooze button one (or 3 or 5) too many times. i know, from experience, that having a "plan of action" not only saves me time, but also saves me the worry and stress that comes when your in a rush. having this plan is amazing tool that anyone can use. so, here are some tips to save you time each day with your wardrobe, make-up and hair, any time of day.


wardrobe:
**organize your closet: do you have clothes all over the place? shoes under the bed, skirts thrown over chairs? having an organinzed closet-- shirts, jeans, dresses and other like-pieces hung together-- will help you find that navy pencil skirt when you need it.
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**plan what you will wear: no, we are not children, but planning what you will wear the next day, especially the night before, will be of help on time-crunched mornings. planning ahead for as many occasions as possible will also help in those "worst-case-senario" or "i'm-running-late" situations. don't forget shoes, accessories and the bag you will wear.



make-up:
**organize: like your closet, having your make-up organized will save you time. keeping similar products together will help you to find everything when you need it.




**use multi-purpose products: powder foundations, tinted moisturizers, cheek/lip stains, bronzers and all-over face colors can be used for more than just one area of the face. using your blush to wash color over your eyes works beautifully in a pinch.

**keep it simple: paring down your routine, and using fabulous products, will save time because you are only using what is absolutely necessary to help you look your best. Carmindy has written a great book to give you the tips, tricks and products you need.

hair:
**"power up" your blow dryer: use a hair dryer with at least 1800 watts to help dry your hair faster.

**skip the wash: if your tight on time and can't wash your hair, try a dry shampoo. these innovative products give you the option to skip a day (or two)of traditional washing and still refresh your tresses.

**let your hair air dry: letting most of the moisture dry out of your hair will save you the time (and energy) from blowing out your hair from soaking wet.


time is of the essence, as they say, so make each moment count. saving time in other areas of you life can also be valuble. check out some of these resources:

better health channel
real simple
life organizers


xo