My Mother's Beauty Bar

My Mother's Beauty Bar by wanderingbean featuring stila makeup

Stila makeup, $20
Estée Lauder matte makeup, £17
Chanel perfume, £48
Davines bath body, $38
Clinique beauty product, $37
Bumble and Bumble curled hair, £19
Old Spice Fresh Collection Fiji Deodorant, 3.25-Ounce (Pack of 2), $9.63

One of my favorite things to do when I visit my mom is to raid her bathroom cabinets & counter space. She always has the coolest & most luxurious beauty products. It instantly makes me feel like a 10 years old again. Another confession: I always raid my stepfather's stash of extra deodorants too (sorry, Mike!). I love the more manly smelling scents, it's so much better than smelling like tuberose & pineapple. This time I'm completely obsessed with Benefit's Dear John face cream. I've been using it every day since I arrived in Florida, and my face has been drinking it up. That one might "accidentally" find its way into my suitcase. Ssssh, don't tell my mom!

60 Wonderful Years.

Today is my lovely mama's 60th birthday. It's astounding to all of us because we all so clearly remember her 40th birthday (I made her a card that looked like an Oreo because those are her favorite cookies).

For her 60th I wanted to do something extra special since I knew she'd be spending it in Florida, away from her family & friends. The past year has been an especially big & exhausting year--retiring, choosing to spend the bulk of the year in Florida, getting married, and getting custody of my nephew, so I wanted something to make her smile.

Yesterday we got the celebration started early with a spa day of new hair (her first time straightening her hair since her hippie days!), manicures, shopping and a delicious oyster lunch.

But her big present was this morning. Two months ago I asked friends & family to send me their favorite memories & wishes for Barb. I wrote them all in colorfully cards for her to open this morning. These will all go in a photo book accompanied by all the old pictures I've been saving.

She was so thrilled. The tears started flowing after the second letter & the process of opening them included lots of tears, tissues & laughs.

I'm so thrilled with how it turned out, and so grateful to her friends & our family for being so thoughtful.

Now we'll spend the day lazing at the pool, eating a delicious dinner out, and helping them pack for their cruise tomorrow (the Bahamas for 4 days, lucky duckies).

Happy Birthday, Mama. You are the best of the best.

Sweet Sunshine

Despite having absolutely no scheduled activities, the days are passing remarkably quickly thanks to the perfect combination of tropical drinks, sunshine & perfectly warm water.