It’s my first FRIDAY FAVORITES of 2020!
How is that possible?!
I don’t know, but I’m super excited to link up today!!
I have a random little assortment for your Friday and as always, I’m linking up with my girls Andrea, Erika and Narci and wishing you the best day and a happy weekend!! xo
I feel like this fave is a no brainer…
…if you missed my JANUARY BOOK REVIEW, you can catch it HERE. Even if you read it, go back and check the comment section for new recommendations. My list is long!! Also, many of you asked what my kiddos were reading right now and Smith is on the very last one of these…
…the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham. These have been a HUGE hit at our house!
Kensington just finished reading…
…The War I Finally Won (which is the sequel to The War That Saved My Life) and is now reading…
…Little Women 😉 . Now, I haven’t taken her to see the movie yet because I want her to finish the book first. Did you like the movie? Did your ‘tween girls? I’d love to know!
In January, I asked you girls on Stories what you wanted me to blog about this year, and I’m going to make many of them entire posts and then fit other ones in here and there.
So, here are a few to kick us off…
…I picked this one first because I’ve now worn my hair in a bun four out of the last five days. Here’s a pic of me right now…
…the secret here is to not wash it 😉 .
BUT when I do wash my hair, here is what I love and use (this has been my routine for “winter” hair)…
1: I almost always wash my hair at night and then sleep with it wet. On the rare occasion that I do not do that, then I still do this same routine, but either let my hair air dry as long as possible or pull out my Dyson dryer to get it 90% dry. I use THESE TOWELS on my hair when I get out of the shower to get a lot of the moisture out.
In September, my hair stylist told me to switch to THIS SHAMPOO and THIS CONDITIONER. It’s not fancy, but it not only smells really nice, it has totally hydrated my hair!! (Side note, I get it directly from my stylist because I cannot seem to find it anywhere else…if you do, let me know!)
2: So, after I shampoo and condition in the shower, I get out, wrap up my hair in this towel for a few minutes and then brush it out with my Wet Brush. Then, I apply a dollop of THIS for a bit of extra hydration and to smooth it out a bit/prevent frizz. From there, I either go to sleep with it wet, let it air dry or use my blow dryer to dry it 90% dry.
3: The next morning (or when I’m ready to style), my hair is always either dry or almost dry, but regardless, I still pull out my REVLON DRYER and run it over my hair. I think this smooths everything out, dries any hair that might still be wet and then also gives it a little lift and “life” after sleeping all night/air drying. RIGHT BEFORE I use that Revlon Dryer though, I smooth a little of THIS on my hair as a heat protectant (it also really hydrates/perks up second day hair!).
4: After my Revlon Dryer, I’m ready to curl. Instead of using my T3 wand (which I used for years!), I’ve been using a 1 inch T3 barrel. I divide my hair into three sections and curl away from my face.
5: After my hair is curled, I run my fingers through it to break up the curls and then give it a light spray of THIS hairspray.
And then, I’m done 🙂 .
This one really made me stop and think because as a mom and wife, I can always think of things my family does that makes me proud. I had lots of thoughts in my head but settled on this one…
…I am really proud of Smith for waking up earlier this week and having a great attitude every morning. That might sound small to you guys, but it’s been a great accomplishment over here at our house. If you’ve read my blog for 10-ish years then you know, Smith has ALWAYS been a great sleeper. He was sleeping all the way through the night at 7 weeks and until he started kindergarten, he took a three hour nap every afternoon. Smith has never one time fussed about going to bed. Smith likes to sleep. BUUUUUUUUUT…the flip side is that Smith does not like to wake up in the morning. Smith is my most easy going kiddo except for first thing in the morning. He can be grumpy and honestly, it can kind of ruin the whole family’s morning sometimes if we’re butting heads over him getting up. Last week, after another grouchy start to our day, I told him that he would probably actually enjoy his mornings more if he got up earlier (which sounds contrary to someone trying to sleep late), but he wouldn’t be as rushed, he would be able to take his time and that I thought his whole day would improve if he just woke up earlier. So, on Monday morning (with Andrew and I doubting…), he set his alarm 45 minutes earlier and HAD THE BEST MORNING! He had all of this extra time to play with Yankee, to eat his breakfast at a snail’s pace, take a shower and not be rushed. We actually had the best time chatting together as I made the girls’ breakfasts before waking them up. He liked it so much that he has done it every day since. So, I’m not sure how long this will last, but it has been a great week. I am very proud of Smith.
Yesterday, I was the Mystery Reader in this kiddo’s class…
…awe!!! It was for sure a favorite of both of ours this week!! We are both in love with her teacher and her class this year 🙂 .
Last week, when I shared this with you…
…my FOUNDATION REVIEW. So many of you suggested I try this…
…their Vanish Airbrush Concealer since I loved the Hourglass foundation so much (you can read all about it HERE), and it’s FANTASTIC TOO!! I went into Sephora to check it out and they told me Cotton was the color for me, and you know what? I think it looks pretty fantastic. My favorite part is that it doesn’t crease underneath. I also thought it blended really well with my Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector too (I apply it first and then the concealer on top). Love! Thank you for that rec!!
Finally, it wouldn’t be February without…
…my 14 Simple Valentine’s Day Desserts! You can check them all out right HERE.
I’m headed out now! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! xo
Shelly says
Please do a bun video tutorial. My buns always look sad and end up falling apart 🙁
Sarah says
Yes! I agree.
Erika Slaughter says
While your bun might be dirty, it’s totally working!! And way to go, Smith!
Cailey Boylston says
My daughter is 9 and loved it so much. It was something we were able to have conversation about the entire ride home from the movies and all throughout the week. There is so much content in Little Women to go deeper with and ask questions after. I did have to keep her a little informed throughout the movie when it flashes back and forth in time, but she still loved it. It was a fun little date with her:) We have the puffin classic series and so now she wants to read Little Women 🙂
Brittany B says
Speaking of Little Women, you should totally check out the Read Aloud Revival website. Are you familiar with RAR? She (Sarah Mackenzie) has been such an encouraging voice to me and has changed the way I view reading with my kids (and in general). She has a lot of helpful tools and book lists for kids too (yay!!). She also puts out a podcast once a week or so and it has really impacted me. I think you would love it!
Anyway, she recently spoke to the director of Orchard House, where Louisa May Alcott lived and wrote Little Women. It was really interesting! I haven’t seen the movie yet but I hear it is good!
Jess says
thanks for this suggestion. I have a 6th grade boy that LOVES to read and a 3rd grade boy that unfortunately, does not. I just downloaded this podcast and browsed her website. Thanks again for the suggestion!
Jenn Johnson says
Hi Shay!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your kiddo book suggestions! Would you consider adding a Kensington and Smith selection to your book reviews each month?
I also wanted to mention…Do you remember the “Left Behind” Christian series that was so popular several year ago? Well, many may not know that they also have a Left Behind series written just for kids. My 11 year old daughter started reading it in Oct. and I cannot begin to tell you what it has done for her reading level. She has been absolutely devouring this series and can’t stop talking about it! She has loved reading for years but this series (and there are 40 books in it!) has turned her into an absolutely voracious reader! She reads absolutely every chance she gets now. Several hours most days! She was reluctant to try the first one bc she didn’t think it sounded like something she would like but once she did and she was hooked from the first one. She is on book 37 now (in 4.5 months!). I asked her how she was going to cope when she is done with the series and she said, “start it over again!” We have seen her spelling grades shoot up quite a bit since she started this series as well. This is a series that would be equally as good for boys or girls. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Some other books she has loved are The Lottery Rose, One for the Murpheys, Fish in a Tree and A Long Walk to Water.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Cute posts! Seems like you had a great week! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Ilena says
My 11 year old daughter loved the Little Women movie. One of my favorites we have watched together. She’s reading the book now!
Jane says
Are you still doing BSF? How is it going?
Mix and Match Mama says
Not this semester. I’m doing my Beth Moore study instead!
Tara G. says
My girls & I liked the movie for the most part but we all like the 90s movie best as it has more direct quotes from the book. Personally, I could never “suspend belief” on Amy as a young girl – her voice was too deep & grown up. Looking forward to seeing Emma later this month.
Christie says
Yes! I agree completely with this! In the 90s version (one of my favorite movies of all time), you could really tell a distinct age difference between the girls. I also thought the actor who played “Laurie” in the new version looked too young for his part. I’m also partial to the 90s version because of the beautiful music. Overall, it was a beautiful movie, but for me, just didn’t compare to the earlier version.
Ellen says
I also preferred the ’90s version. This one is good, but the ’90s one is excellent!
I liked your story about Smith. I have a similar kid … total sweetheart except first thing in the morning! He also feels better on the days he just gets up and leaves himself plenty of time!
Laura says
Same! I much preferred the 90’s one. This one didn’t have enough character development and was very hard for the tween girls we took to follow.
Memorie says
Do you have any book suggestions about praying for your husband/marriage? Currently looking for a good one, and you read so many books so thought I would ask!
Mix and Match Mama says
Lysa TerKeust has some great books about prayer in marriage!
Lindsay says
Love Madelys sweater! Can you share where it’s from?
Mix and Match Mama says
The leopard is from Nordstrom!
Caity says
The Little Women movie was fantastic! And this is coming from someone who was so nervous about it getting “messed up” because of loving the 90’s version. I’d even go so far as to say this one is better! And totally appropriate for tween girls, especially if she’s been reading the book.
Catie says
Thanks for sharing about Smith! I never believed that babies could sleep through the night at 6 weeks old until I got one! My third baby loves his sleep! I am already dreading our mornings next year when he has to wake up for real school so I love the idea of actually getting him up earlier. On mornings when I do have to get him up early now, like for church, he almost always skips breakfast because he feels too rushed (he eats at a snail’s pace too) and then he gets super grouchy because he is so hungry. More time just might help him!
Christina says
Way to go Smith!!! Any suggestions on setting your alarm earlier and actually getting out of bed? (Not snoozing)
Mix and Match Mama says
For me? Put the alarm where you have to actually get out of bed to shut it off!
Tanya says
Have your kids read The Gregor the Overlander series? We love it!
Mix and Match Mama says
They have not! Thank you for the rec!!
Julie says
Our daughters are around the same age, (mine is 12) and she got me to read ‘The War That Saved My Life!” It was really really good and I also want to read the sequel. You might enjoy reading them too! I wanted to thank you for the foundation post. I tried the Chanel foundation and it is #lifechanging. Not only does it look great, it has actually hydrated my skin and made it look better overall! I also ordered the charcoal mask you mentioned and cannot wait to try. PS-I love your top necklace…do you have a link to it? Hope you have a a happy weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!!!! I’m so happy you loved it too!! Happy Friday!
Denise Thompson says
LOVE your blog!!! Little Women was AWESOME!!! Could watch again and again!
Kelly says
Little Women was wonderful! As a full on fan of the 90’s version (watch it every Christmas while wrapping presents), I was a little concerned about how they were going to change it up, but it was truly wonderful in it’s own way. I saw it with my 28 year old daughter and we both loved it. I would have stayed in the theater and watched it all over again if they let me;).
Stephanie says
My 13 year old and I loved Little Women. So much so, that she checked out the book at the school library. It’s a must see!
Jennifer says
You can find the shampoo and conditioner through Walmart. They had very limited quantity but I got it through there. I absolutely love it. I was using Kerastaste but like this better.
Leigh says
Both of my daughters (11 & 15) loved the Little Women movie! Definitely see it with Kensington!
Karen says
Have your kids read the Al Capone series by Gennifer Choldenko? If Smith hasn’t read them I think he’d love them as the main character is obsessed with baseball. He and his family live on Alcatraz island in the days that Al Capone was incarcerated there. I struggled to find books for my son to read when he was younger and thought this was a winner (he’s 22 and still won’t read ?) but I was hooked! I still check out new books in the series as they get published…
AmandaG says
When my son was younger it was such a fight in the mornings to get him ready and out the door. He was so grumpy! Then we realized he didn’t like all the rushing around. When we woke him up earlier and he had time to relax, things got much easier. He’s 11 now and he wakes up on his own with his alarm and even gets his sisters up. I think your highlight of Smith is so great! 🙂 Loved your rundown of your hair routine.
Tricia KW says
Hi Shay!
Was wondering if you could send the link to the video segment you and Andrew did last year…? I think you were talking about marriage? Also curious if you are still doing the ‘dip’ on your nails and how you’re liking it?
Thank you again! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
https://mixandmatchmama.com/2019/03/fifteen-years/
Joanne says
That is great to hear; I hope Smith keeps it up! I have one that likes to sleep in and I just don’t know what he’ll do when he goes to high school next year– they start so EARLY! But I’m hopeful that since he wants to do this he’ll adjust without too much strain on all the rest of us.
Jenna Dye says
I loved the Little Women movie!! Definitely worth going to see and really gives you things to think about and really admire their simple way of life!
Jenn says
We LOVED Little Women! My 15 year old still talks about it and asks to see it again pretty much weekly. Lol!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
I can relate so much to Sleepy Smith. ? Matthew is the same way too!
That Inspired Chick
Anita G. says
I carried my 10 year old to see Little Women (she hasn’t read the book) and she LOVED it and so did I.
Rachel says
Hi Shay! Can you remind me what your favorite dry shampoo is? I know you mentioned it last year-but I haven’t been able to find which blog post you put it in! Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
This one right here! https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvZX
Rachel says
Thank you!!
Jenn Johnson says
This doesn’t seem to link to dry shampoo?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t think I had dry shampoo in that post. My favorite one is this one: https://shopstyle.it/l/bdz8J
Cathy Carter says
Hi Shay,
Do you have links to your Kendra Scott and cross necklace? So pretty!
Thank you!!
Mix and Match Mama says
The cross necklace is an oldie and the KS one is here: https://www.kendrascott.com/necklaces/elisa-gold-pendant-necklace-drusy/842177092088.html
Cathy Carter says
Thank you!!!
Shirley says
Have your kids read any Gordon Korman books? We read to our two boys every night before bed until they reached 7th grade. They LOVED his books, especially the Island and Everest series. I think both boys and girls enjoy his stories, but our boys particularly thought they were the BOMB!
Jessica Rodges says
I have not seen the new movie yet but have heard good things about it… However, I have heard that it does not follow the timeline of the book. I highly recommend the Wynona Ryder version of Little women I think it was made in 1997., It is very close to the story line of the book 🙂 .