As I look back over the last year, the things that I am especially thankful for have remained the same.  I call them my 3 "Fs" - faith, family and friends.

I don’t wear a lot of makeup.  I really don’t wear a lot of makeup when it’s hot outside.  I have to do a little something with my eyes.  (I’ve written before how my husband and sons have been blessed in the brow and eyelash area.  Me – not so much.)  Fortunately, my skin is relatively clear.  Also, I have nice lips – a little gloss or lip color and I’m good to go. 

My lips are where I have fun with makeup.  In the summer, I love lip glosses.  It’s the ultimate hot weather beauty pick-me-up.  I’m constantly looking for new ones to try out.  My current favorite is Eyes Lips Face’s “Trophy Wife” http://www.eyeslipsface.com/products_minerals.asp?dept_id=1396.  I like the name.  (I’m my husband’s “trophy wife”.  Okay, I’m only his wife, but I just like the way trophy wife sounds.  I am a prize.  He is too.)  I like that the mineral formula is smooth when I apply it to my lips.  I like that the gloss looks good alone and on top of my other lipsticks.  I like that it gives my lips a nice shine without being too greasy looking.  (I hate when lip glosses make me look like I’m wearing Vaseline or like I just finished eating a bucket of fried chicken!)  Most of all, I love that it makes my lips look luscious - something that my husband especially appreciates! 
 

A BIG KISS

I’m not a “manicure mommy”. I like to see others with their picture-perfect long nails, but that just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle. When I’m not busy with my two sons (ages 2 and 5), I’m typing away at the computer doing various styles of parenting writing. So, in real life, I usually wear a single coat of clear or beigey pink nail polish www.eyeslipsface.com/popup.asp) that I apply on my fingernails. (Natural colors are classic and they don’t show chips so much.)

My splurge (especially during the summer months) is on pedicures, because they tend to last longer. Sometimes I do them myself, but I primarily get my toenails done at the salon. I just take along my favorite nail polishes as I relax while getting pampered. I used to be pretty conservative even when it came to my nail polish colors…red on the toes, pink on the nails.  For the last couple of years though, I’ve been trying bright new colors on my toenails. (Maybe it’s the after-baby effect.  After my first son was born, I lightened/highlighted my hair.  With this son, I’m brightening my toes…) Anyway, it is fun to experiment with a variety of shades. In any event, bright nail colors are one summer trend that I can follow when it comes to my toes. O Magazine http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/omagazine/200907-omag-july-beauty isn’t the only one loving e.l.f. polishes. At only $1 each, I’ll take three - Berry Pink, Fire Coral and Hot Pink!

And for every valid web comment on this blog only we will give you a Free $5 e.l.f. coupon via email just to say thanks (1 per person, to the first 100 posts only).

Kimberly Coleman, a wife and mom of two sons, writes and speaks about parenting in the NYC Metro area. She received a BA in History-Sociology from Columbia College in New York. After college, she worked in finance and research for eight years. After giving birth to her first son, Kimberly switched careers. Since then, she has written for top Internet parenting sites, regional parenting publications and community newspapers. She is also the founder of Mom in the City (www.mominthecity.com), a blog for moms of toddlers and preschoolers.