Friday Confessions {Link Up-Biography}

Today I'm Linking Up with one of my favorite blogs A Blonde Ambition to introduce myself.  I am new to blogging and love finding blogs I enjoy reading.  So here goes!

My name is Rachel and I am 26 years old.  I started this blog earlier this month as a photo album for myself, but I've found some blogs I absolutely adore.

I live for my sweet husband (we just got married in May)...

 my family….

 (my sister, myself, and my mom)

 (my mom and I)

 (my friend Jessica, MIL Pam, myself, Gina, my sister, my mom, and my Granny--the two in the front are my little cousin Eli and Jessica's daughter, Ava)

( my sister and handsome nephew, Henry)

(my Granny)

my friends...

(Gina, myself, and Jessica)

 (Mia, Gina, myself, and Jessica)

 (Makenzie and I--I know you read this Mak!)

(Jessica, Sarah, and I)

and summertime….

 
I'm from Eastern Kentucky and I teach middle school math.  I am a lover of church on Sunday morning, my lab-Tyson, skinny latte's, fun fashion, bright pink fingernail polish, skinny jeans, traveling, working out, and spending time with the ones I love.

I'm absolutely loving the idea of a link up because it's such a fun way to find new blogs who share common interests.  Happy Friday!

Tuesday's Tune-ups!

Am I the last girl on the planet to jump on board with contouring makeup?  I got a few new products to try out highlighting and contouring areas of my face.  I have oily skin so I was very skeptical about highlighting because I didn't want to appear more oily.  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  If you are like me, and have not tried contouring-dont be scared.  It's actually a lot of fun!  Since I am just beginning, I didn't buy a bunch of new products to try, I just started simply with two products.

Products I tried on top of my regular makeup:

<<<Nars Pressed Powder>>>

 <<<Bare Minerals bronzer>>>

A picture I used to help apply the different products:

Tips to try contouring:
1) Apply all of your regular make-up and then contour.
2) Use your highlight (light) before your contouring (dark).
3) Use an angled brush
4) Start simple-use the the picture to help apply the makeup where needed.
5) If you have a summer color that is two shades darker than what you're using now, use it as the contour.

There are a few kits out there.  Here are a few:

<<<Anastasia Contouring Kit>>>

 <<<Sephora Collecton Sculpting Disk>>>

 <<<e.l.f. studio contouring>>>

Is this something I would do every single day? Probably not.  Unless I practice a lot and can do this rather quickly. Contouring does take more time, keep this in mind.
I am in front of seventh graders most of the day and they have no cares of whether I wear makeup or not. =)

Sizzlin' Summertime!

This weekend as I was browsing through Target, I noticed their swimsuit selection was on point.  From their cute polka dots to their sassy multicolor suits, I couldn’t have been more impressed.  Now, to just get bikini ready.....only 114 days until the pool opens, right?  

Can you tell I am a fan of a bandeau top? Well done, Target!  Have a great Monday!

Linking Up to Workout!

Linking up today with Bliss to Bean to share my workouts for the week.  Isn't the cold weather hard to stay motivated? Wow! The cold definitely hit us this week and it's hard to WANT to go to the gym or change out of comfy sweats/pajamas.  However, when the weather is finally warm (think bathing suits and tank tops), I know I will be very thankful I'm putting forth the effort.

Last week's workouts:
Monday: Speed work on the treadmill, arms, and ab workout
Tuesday: Elliptical and ab workout

Wednesday: Elliptical, arms, and ab workout
Thursday: Elliptical and ab workout (discovered and used this ab machine)

Friday: rest (but primed and painted two rooms---this counts as a workout, right?)
Saturday: 59 minute Insanity video (Max Interval Circuit) in my friends living room…

Sunday: rest

I have been trying to focus on my abs more.  At least a few times a week.  This is compared to rarely doing any type of abdominal work-out.  Until this week, I wasn't effectively working out my arms.  So, I may have asked my husband to show me a few arm workouts and videoed them with my phone. Okay, I did! Haha! =)

Linking up is making working out a little more fun. I'm excited to hear about your work-outs!  Have a great week, y'all!

Friday Confessions

Linking up with A Blonde Ambition today for confessions!

Friday Confessions:

1) I confess I talked my husband into painting our bedroom and bathroom yesterday.  It is 3:30 p.m. and we are still priming.  Shew!

2) I confess I have looked up WAY too may vacations this week. I am dying to go somewhere warm and get out of these freezing temperatures!

3) I confess we have been out of school all week and I am still having fun and not looking forward to going back.  Does this make me a bad teacher?

4) I confess I ordered way too many items from the Express sale.  Who doesn’t need more clothes?

5) I confess I laughed out loud when I found out our dog set off our house alarm yesterday and the police were at our house when we got home.  Thank you, Ashland PD!

Have a fantastic weekend!

I love him to the moon and back!

Are y’all snowed in, too? Today makes day #2 we have not had school this week meaning this is my fifth day off in a row.  Am I complaining? Absolutely not!  However, I would love to get out at a semi-normal time to ensure our summer break. 

I wanted to make todays post about my sweet husband.  My two little cousins (14 and 16 year old girls) stayed with me last week and through the weekend.  I am so thankful for him for many reasons.  He totally stepped up and took them to school, picked them up from school, took them to games, got dinner started, and was so supportive.  We had a pretty crazy week and he was there to assist with anything we needed the whole time.  Since both girls went home today, I am treating him to a date night tonight for just the two of us.  I am already looking forward to it.  Here are some pictures of my chivalrous man…

Motivational Monday {Work-out Equipment}

On Sunday I did my very first "link up" with Bliss to Bean.  I am so excited to be on a work-out journey with others.  Today I am going to talk about a few work-out tools that I am dying to purchase.  I have worked out with some of these items but I am trying to decide which I need to have at home.  There are some days I don't want to work-out outside or I don't feel like going to the gym.  I feel like having some of these at home might make those days a little more bearable.  Have you guys tried any of these?  What are your favorites??

I want to give a shout out to my best friend, Jessica.  Today is her birthday and we have been friends for as long as I can remember (I’m thinking around 3??)!!  Happy Birthday!