Simply Styled April Photo Challenge

April Fools

Whenever I wear this Maybelline The Falsies Pump up the Volum’ mascara, someone always asks if I’m wearing false lashes – so I fool them because they’re just my real lashes! I wasn’t sure how I felt about this mascara when I first got it, but once I learned to master it, I love it. I put it on a lot more slowly and deliberately than my normal one-second-swipe of daily mascara, but the results are worth it.

Truth: love is…

I always got kind of annoyed when people told me that even in my marriage, I didn’t know the true meaning of love or capability of loving someone. Pffsh, I thought, they just don’t know my relationship then. Since having Ginny, I completely understand what they meant. Ginny is my heart. Ginny is love.

Sporty chic

I want Ginny to grow up healthy, so I need to lead by example. I loved that, when growing up, my parents encouraged my siblings and me to always be active in sports. My dad coached all four of us kids’ soccer teams from grammar school through high school, and I was in gymnastics, swimming, and track through the years. As a family, we would go on walks and bike rides, too. Ginny loves to be outside, so I’m happy it’s getting warmer for us to go on walks and play outside every day.

Crossroads

When I think of crossroads, I think of relationships (not the Britney Spears movie). That’s what inspired me to write something I’ve wanted to for a long time – the biggest relationship myth.

I like coffee, i like tea

Who remembers this jump rope song?

Blue Bells
Cockle shells
Evvie ivy over
I like coffee, I like tea,
I like the boys and the boys like me!

Ah, takes me back to recess days. Anyway, I do like coffee and tea, but they have to be decaffeinated.

feeling thrifty

Since my collaboration with thredUP, I’ve been loving all of my great finds from there, including this $9 Old Navy blouse.

fresh face

Since I don’t have naturally gorgeous skin, my version of a fresh face involves minimal, natural-looking makeup. In addition to following my everyday skin routine, I stippled on a light coat of Revlon Coverstay foundation in 240, pressed on Fit Me Matte Poreless powder, dusted on Milani’s Luminoso blush (a Nars dupe), and did a quick swipe of Jordana’s mascara only to my lash tips. Oh, and I finished with Maybelline’s Color Whisper lipstick in Mocha Muse.

Dare: selfish with a stranger

I took Ginny into town with the intention of completing my selfie with a stranger dare. However, when I realized I was with Ginny and I’d have to hold a screaming, squirming child in one hand (she doesn’t like to be restrained) while taking a selfie with a stranger in the other hand, I thought mmmm nope, not happening. I mean, shouldn’t I be teaching her stranger danger, after all? So that’s my excuse.

Garden party

What says garden party more than a floral wreath? I made Ginny and me matching floral crowns for her first birthday party. I need more excuses to wear this…

Outfit: TJ Maxx

Lasting thoughts

Have I inspired you to join me in this fun photo challenge? Here’s the calendar with the rest of the themes:

I need your advice for future months: Do I follow someone else’s challenges like I’ve done all year or continue my own?