Top Five Loves

First, let me start by saying Happy Valentine's Day to all of you beloved Wide Open Spaces readers. I feel the love and gratitude from each of you every day and I can only hope that you are made to feel special by someone today.

It's been a very fast paced productive week and it looks like this will continue through the weekend. I'm looking forward to a fondue dinner tomorrow night with my best friends. I've bought decorations, pretty sparkly cups for the girls of course and the food I plan on preparing, amazeballs! I just love food. My five highlights of my week could easily consist of all food. It's just that good. 

Although food is amazing some other things happened this week that I'm happy to share. 

1. American Idol:

Anyone else in LOVE with the contestants this year? The talent is awesome and the judges are comical. I sat in bed dying laughing after Harry reinacted this move. I think the best thing they ever did was change the celebrity line up.

2. Dinner and Friends:

I love my friends. They make me laugh and they are there for me when I cry. The best time is when your schedules coordinate and are able to meet for dinner. Especially when dinner consists of warm yummy soup smothered in melting cheese. My mouth is now watering.

3. Sprinkles and Icing:

As many know, I'm the donut fairy at work. This week Madison and I picked up a batch from Dunkin Donuts and we got a little surprise. They were heart shaped. The sweet icing and yummy sprinkles made all of our day better.

4. Mani:

I found this pin and knew I absolutely had to have this nail polish. I didn't have time to snap a picture but you get the point. As long as the paint will stay on for more than a day I'll be good to go.

5. Mall of America: 

My mom and I have planned a trip to Mall of America in September and I can't wait. As hard as it will be to leave Madison behind for four days it's going to be awesome to travel and of course shop till we drop. I'm counting the days. 

Do you have any Valentine's Day plans? Plans for the weekend? 

Keep Loving And Never Stop

You might think life is going by fast but the moment you bring a little one into the world the time goes by at lightening speed. I still can't believe this will be our fifth Valentine's Day spent spoiling our love bug.

I'm just so grateful knowing I get to spend every day enjoying the little things. What are those little things you might wonder....

Snuggle Time: Whether it's cuddling up under a blanket watching cartoons, spending Saturday morning in my bed talking about our fun weekend ahead or enjoying a movie at the theatre with Madison in my lap it makes me smile.

Smooches and Hugs: I call them smooches because that's what Madison refers to them as. She grabs the sides of my face touches her nose to mine and gives me eskimo kisses and squeezes me tight.

Outbursts Of Giggles: We have this ongoing joke that all the ladies in our family share the same laugh or what we like to call the giggle and long pause as we gasp for air. Madison has inherited this laugh and it's the cutest thing. She and I lately have been driving down the road, stopping at a stop light, looking at the driver next to us and saying "Good Day" in our most ridiculous British accent. It's hilarious because they never seem to look our way but her and I crack up for five minutes straight.

Night Night Time: After I put Madison to bed I always peek in on her to make sure she's tucked in tight and sound asleep. I love sitting on the side of her bed and watching her sleep. Everything about her is so perfect to me. She truly is a blessing and miracle.

Whether you are single, in a relationship, have a child or children or even none at all focus on what makes you happy. What makes you smile? What makes you giggle inside? Love yourself, love the people who surround you and spoil yourself and them with gratitude, love and respect.

Love is what makes the world go round!

Winter Affecting Your Beauty?

Anyone and everyone who is sick of snow and cold temperatures please raise your hand.
Looks like many of you are on my side, except for those of you in Florida who decided to not participate in the polar vortex this season. Lucky you.

I'm about over winter this year. It's outstayed it's welcome and in my opinion it's time for spring and summer to begin.

I'm ready for flip flops, tank tops, sunglasses and glowing golden skin. Oh yeah about that, this skin covering my body looks like the Sahara desert. Anyone else having this problem lately?

I started going tanning the last few weeks and let me say I might as well been a snake. Last week I'm pretty sure I shed off an entire first few layers of skin. Yoga pants, black work pants you know anything black, well I guess they too saw the polar vortex arrive. Everything was covered in ashy white flaky skin. Attractive huh? Not so much.

So I did a little research and found the top three tips that we can use to solve this problem.

1. Avoid harsh cleansers. Choosing fragrance free moisturizing cleansers will keep your natural oils intact and help the skin from drying out as much.

2. Moisturize. Using petroleum jelly or a high quality thick moisturizer after a bath will lock moisture into the skin. If you are not fond of the jelly a lotion like shea butter will improve the look and feel of your skin as well.

3. Hydrate and Use A Humidifier. Although it is cold and dry outside this can also occur indoors. Without a humidifier the air can become dry causing nose bleeds, dry skin and many other symptoms. Keeping the air filled with moisture is very important. Drinking lots of water can make a world of a difference also. Hydrating the skin from the inside out and maintaining a healthy immune system is among the highest level of importance.

With these quick tips you can maintain your flawless, radiating, glowing complexion while also taking care of the inside of your body as well. Just because winter has decided to be brutal does not mean our skin has to accept it!!