10 Things You Don’t Know About Me.

1. I’m a Capricorn. Right down to the ‘T’. Very serious (with a funny side). Mostly orgnaized (in a disorganized way). Capricorns like family and traditions. And words like responsible, disciplined, and self-control are ised to describe Capricorns. These words couldn’t be more true about my overall personality. 

2. My favorite color is Green. Any shade of Green. Bright Green & Dark Green.. & everything in between. I can’t give any specific reason as to why I love it so much… other than my Grandfather used to tell us kids that his favorite color was Green… because it meant “GO!”. Ah yes.. and my eyes are Green.

3. I’m not “from” Florida. I was born in Tennessee, so close to the Georgia line that for about 19 years I thought I was born in Georgia. Turns out.. I’m a Tennessee-an. Very pretty country. The picture below was taken in the town where I was born. 

4. I’m a “Boy Mom”… and I love it!! Sometimes I get a little sad thinking about how my daughter and I could have gone and gotten our nails done together.. & I could have dressed her ao cute… If I’d had a daughter. But then we visit with friends or relatives who HAVE daughters. & I love my boys a little more every time. (I’m allowed to say this, by the way… I AM a girl… and I’m a handful!!). I never considered myself disappointed with each pregnancy when I found out it was 2 boys… then another boy 22 months later. They complete me.

5. I used to write poetry when I was about 13. Good poetry. Sometimes dark.. but good. It was a stress-reliever for me (yes… stress at 13!) I’m now in my thirties and to save my life I cannot wrote a poem. It’s the strangest thing…

6. I’m married to my best friend. Of course… he is a 5th child. And he makes me crazy at times. But the truth is: he is my very best friend. I have trouble keeping secrets from him and unfortunately for him, I tell him everything! Lol 

7. I love the beach and the lake in the summer. Water is my happy place & ai love to fish. And I usually don’t the even get into the water!! Lol Laying on the pontoon boat on the lake, in the sun or layong on the beach in the sun is as close to Heaven as I’ve ever been. Boating and beach days without the sun doesn’t make me happy at all. So all this Heavenliness credit is issued to the Sun.

8. My dream job (like if I won the lotto & I can do whatever I wanna do) has always been and still is owning a pig farm. I did a pig for FFA (Future Farmers of America) when I was in high school (I was 17). I loved every minute and it was such a great learning experience- putting in hard work, building a pin, caring for my pig, spending money on food and supplies, & at the end, showing and selling her at an auction- writing a “Thank you” letter to my buyer and comparing expenses and sale price to determine my profit. Such an awesome experience. I’ve always wanted to breed pigs and sell them to high school students to give back this experience.

9. My girl crush is June Carter Cash. I love that she wasn’t perfect. She admitted to not being able to sing (in her opinion). She was married 3 times.. & divorced twice. I love the imperfection about her; however, to her husband she was absolutely perfect. At June’s funeral, her stepdaughter, Rosanne Cash, stated “If being a wife were a corporation, June would have been a CEO. It was her most treasured role.” Two things about this that put stars in my eyes: First of all it is uncommon nowadays to find women who take pride in being someone’s wife. Secondly- having stepchildren is one of the most challenges parts of life, in my opinion. The fact that she has this big of an impression on another woman’s child is amazing! I hope my stepson feels this way about me one day.

10. Lastly.. now that I’ve mentioned June Carter Cash, who obviously sings country music, the last thing I want to tell you about me is that I’m a music lover. Period. I love all music. I love country, alternative, classic rock, heavy metal, oldies, Reggaeton, Latin Music… Everything! Going through my music play list feels like visiting a new state and new country every 10 minutes or so! Lol 

New Year’s Resolution #1- Organize & Declutter!!

Organizing & Decluttering seem to be the unreachable goal at my house! Lol I am the only female that lives in my home… so I’m the only one who sees the aftermath of a tornado when I look around. Everyday I look at our closet.. & then look at my kitchen.. & then look at the kids activity are (where coloring crayons & coloring books & notebook paper) is stored & I think to myself that I know I cannot tackle the beast head-on. I must tackle one space at a time. Time is valuable at my house.. & very limited. Every day I think to myself that organizing even one space per week will give me results! So.. starting this weekend (hopefully) I am going to start with one area at a time. & Avon is going to help me (:

For the Laundry Room: The Sort And Separate Tote helps my boys help me! What a concept! 

Bedrooms: Who has stuff piled under their beds? I dooo!! Lol These Under Bed Canvas Storage compartments are perfect for storing & protecting seasonal or holiday items you need to put away for a while. Also excellent for clearing out some closet space.

Wire Organizing Baskets are perfect for holding laundry items (such as those random leftover socks that match with the ones the dryer ate).

Or, this amazing Retractable Rail With “S” Hooks for all those items that need to hang up and skip the dryer. This rail hold up to 30 lbs!!

If you’re a reader like me then your nightstand probably looks like this:

But there’s a way to organize this, too!! The Collapsible Canvas Magazine Holder is “surprisingly compact” and “sturdy” according to reviews. 

My dresser in the only item in our bedroom (our entire house for that matter) that is messier than my Husband’s ANYTHING! Lol I have so many skincare items & body lotions & hair products & jewelry (3 jewelry boxes & most of the jewelryis on the dresser!) The Stacking Storage Jars …

… Chalkboard Front Desktop Organizer …

… 2-Tier Ceramic Stand …

… & the Pineapple Design Ceramic Planter (doubles as a makeup brush/utensil holder) will help clean up this space. Being organized, in general, helps me save time & be more proficient at whatever I am doing!  

& what about HIS nightstand? It’s also a mess. Usually with remote controls for the TV, cell phone, & other electronics. Check out the Bamboo Multi Device Charging Dock.

 My kitchen is a catch-all! It is a wreck. It’s not bad enough that the plastic wear like cups and bowls are NOT organized at all. An open cabinet door usually results in all the plastic bowls on the counter. It’s not bad enough that the silverware drawer has random silverware everywhere. It’s not bad enough that my kitchen is already a mess… but the kitchen counter catches EVERYTHING! From papers to meds to keys & sunglasses… you name it! Here are some thinga I intend to use to organize & declutter my kitchen:

Straighten up the silverware drawer in style with this Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer.

Keep all the utensils together with this Organizing Crock with Chalkboard Front.

Every home needs one of these! A Grocery Bag Holder.

Make extra shelves in your cabinets! The Bamboo Stacking Shelf doubles your cabinet space!! 

Need to organize those spices?? I do!! The 3-Tier Bamboo Expanding Shelf will fit all of my spices (organized & decluttered!) No more digging through 15 spices to find the ine I need in the very back of the cabinet!

Now… for all those keys & papers & notes I need to keep up with, the Chalkboard Corkboard Message Board. Really handy to get organized & to minimize some of the clutter in the catch-all… uh, I mean kitchen.

The Metal Canister With Chalkboard Front is a great way to store food items, like sugar or flour, or all the contents of your junk drawer like screws or nails. It’s multi-purpose.. & it’s purpose can change (chalkboard). I intend to use mine for sugar.. as I’m currently still with sugar in the bag. Lol

So we all need and have and use food strainers (a.k.a. colanders). I have 2. But who loves how much space they take up?? The bigger they are tye more pasta you can cook… & the more space you need to store it. So check out this Collapsible Colander. Takes up a quarter of the space that my current colanders use!

Who has more than 1 set of dishes? Chances are if you’ve lived on your own (out of parents’ house) for more than 2 years you have 2+ sets of dishes. But unless you have half of a baseball team in your house like I do, then you are storing at least one set? If this is the case, then check out these: Salad Plate And Bowl Storage

Mug Storage

& even Stemware Goblet Storage (a.k.a. wine glasses). Although I can’t think of a good reason to store wine glasses unless you have a holiday set or set of wine glasses that are only used on a special occasion. 

Where are your cutting board(s)? Do you have the kind that sit constantly on the counter? Or maybe you’re like me… you have the rubber kind and the ONLY place they storeeasily is laid flat in a drawer. Or shoved in a cabinet (whichis where you would find mine if you searched for them). But this handy Prep Boards With Holder Set stores easily and out of the way. The boards are even color coded, to prevent cross-contamination (how cool?).

This Mini Trash Can is perfect to store near the cutting boards! Perfect for food prep waste, such as seeds and cores from fresh fruits and vegetables. 

How about this for space saving: the 3-in-1 Kitchen Wall Organizer?? This handy gadget is amazing!! It holds aluminum foil, cling wrap, & paper towels! All in one!! 

Stylish food savers! 8-Piece Food Keeper Set is sure to save some space in the cupboard & to keep my foods fresh. 

Living Room/Foyer/Bathroom: I have baskets everywhere! I have one at the front door, as a catch-all. I have one in the bathroom, with candles & bubble bath by the garden tub. I have a small one on my dresser for all my nail polishes. You can’t have too many! & if you use them correctly- they help you organize & declutter. Woven Bin. They also make great gifts… filled with goodies, of course.

I’d love to hear your tips on organizing. I certainly can’t have too many. Happy Decluttering! 

-Brandi 💋

He wonders why I take so long to get ready…

My husband can’t figure out what takes me so long to get ready. For date night. For dinner with his family. For drinks with friends. He is convinced I take forever, on purpose, for no reason, no matter where we go! The other day it occurred to me that he probably doesn’t know what all gets accomplished while he waits (dressed & ready to go) for about 45 minutes. In an effort to defend myself… I’ve put together some pictures (and a few words) of what goes down prior to date night. 

So I usually look something like this before I get started….

It’s been a rough day at work. & I live in Florida. So the humidity has either made my naturally curley hair less curley & more crazy.. OR it has made my perfectly straightened hair crazy. Shower time….

Skin So Soft Radiant Moisture Body Wash

Anew Clean Purifying Gel Cleanser … to start with a clean slate (face).

Skin So Soft Shower Gel (I use to shave. Leaves skin super hydrated!)

Shampoo AND conditioner (Advance Techniques Argan Oil Conditioner) … because I’ll turna year older before getting a brush through this hair without conditioner! Lol

Moroccan Argan Oil … because the season will change (even with the extra time spent on conditioning) before I can get a brush through this hair (STILL!!)

Anew Clean Micellar Cleansing Water .. to remove any additional dirt from my face and ensure pores are clean. 

Anew Vitamin C Brightening Serum … makes my skin glow! Too good to skip!!

Anew Vitale Eye Gel Cream … to avoid puffy eyes.

Anew Vitale Day Lotion … got to take care of the skin! Also has SPF 25. 

SSS Radiant Moiature Gelled Body Oil … to keep skin on arms, chest, & legs hydrated.

SSS Signature Silk Perfecting Oil … I use this oil on old scars or stretch marks to reduce the appearance. 

Back with the hair. Lol I’ve been blessed (cursed) with natural curls. & I straighten… often. There are products on the market today to protect from heat.. & defrizz.. silky & shiny. I have some of these at home; however, the best straighten job I do is when ONLY Moroccan Argan Oil has been used. No other straightening products. So I either straighten with a straightener or with brush/blow dryer (I’m still perfecting the brush/blow dryer.. but the volume & body left in your hair are incredible… & cannot be achieved with the flat iron).

Advance Techniques Large Barrel Brush 
Clothes. Choosing clothes is a headache & Hubby knows I usually have to change 3 times minimum.. before I find what I’m feeling that day. Here are some of my favorites:

Click here to view more!
Now that I’m dressed (we are usually already in the truck in our way out).. it’s time for makeup. I start with MagiX Face Perfector. This evens out skin tone.

Then some Extra Lasting Liquid Foundation.

Extra Lasting Concealer

Perfect Eyebrow Kit 

Always On Point Eye Liner

Extra Lasting Eyeshadow

Eyelash Curler

Pro Precision Tweezer

True Color Wide Awake Mascara

mark. Powder Buff

Smooth Minerals Powder

mark. Touch & Glow Shimmer Cubes

Ultra Color Lipstick

Annnndddd finally… I’m ready!! Even with his fancy beard care oils he is using these days… He was ready much, much sooner than I was! Lol But no worries… it was worth it! I look fabulous! 

Beauty for a Purpose

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was started in 1992 and as of 2015 had contributed over $800 million to breast cancer programs around the world!  Avon does as little as featuring items in brochures that if purchased provide a donation to the breast cancer cause and does as big as The Avon 39, which is a walk to end breast cancer and takes place in seven U.S. cities and covers 39.3 miles in two days. Click here to see all of the programs organized by Avon to support the breast cancer cause and see how you can get involved.

Avon features products that can be purchased through independent sales representatives, such as me, that donate a portion to this cause. Some of the items include bracelets, watches, key chains, and other seasonal items. Some of these items available now are pictured below with links:

Breast Cancer Crusade Hope Charm Bracelet

Breast Cancer Crusade Shaky Necklace

Avon Pink Pride Scarf

Breast Cancer Crusade Silver Can’t Stop Me Ring

Breast Cancer Illusions Necklace

Breast Cancer Illusions Bracelet

Breast Cancer Pink Fleece Jacket

Breast Cancer Crusade Sterling Silver Necklace

Breast Cancer Crusade Heart Ribbon Necklace

Pink Pride Color-Changing Crusade Umbrella

Breast Cancer Crusade Ribbon Cuff Watch

Pink Pride Crusade Sneaker

Support the Breast Cancer Crusade today.