Tuesday's Trio - Eye Edition

Tuesday's Trio is all about introducing you to three of my favorites. I want to kick it off with three of my favorite tried and true, every day use eye make-up products. Well, to be honest, I only use three products on my eyes on a daily basis. So, it makes writing this Trio very easy!

#1 Bare Escentuals - Well-Rested

This little miracle maker makes tired eyes look brighter. Takes care of those pesky shadows that the too few hours of sleep leave behind.

#2 CoverGirl Outlast Smooth Wear All-Day Eyeliner in Smoke and Espresso

This liner is creamy and never needs sharpening. For me, it doesn't quite last all day, but it lasts longer than any other liner I've tried. The color is rich and dark on the first try, and it's easy to get close to my lashes. Perfect for quick application when I'm running late for work...which is just about every day.

#3 CoverGirl Lash Blast Luxe Mascara in Black Royale

In the last 6 weeks I have tried 3 different mascaras and this one is the winner, for sure. It keeps my lashes defined with out clumping or flaking off throughout the day. I also really like that it comes in four different tints. I choose the Black Royale because the blue tint really makes my blue eyes stand out.

What is your favorite eye trio? Does anyone have a good trio for smokey eyes?

Can't wait to find out what everyone else uses!

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Disclaimer: I am in no way being compensated or given free products for my Tuesday's Trio reviews. I just like to share my favorites with others because a good find should not be kept a secret!

Lesson learned, Jesus. Lesson learned.

Failure can be a catalyst if I choose to learn from it.

This week, for the first time in a long time, I really truly failed at something. Every month I have a writing deadline for the amazing ministry/blog/online magazine www.exemplifyonline.com. This month I couldn't meet it even though I gave every brain cell a stern lecture to get in gear and write!

Ask my friends...I sat in front of my computer for days and hours at a time, and I could not write. They would know. They received a number of "frustrated writer" phone calls (which may jut be worse than any "woman scorned" phone calls. Trust me.).

Here's my brain spiral of thoughts as I approached the deadline:

"Why can't I write this article?!"

"It's like the words in my brain were sucked out by some space black-hole vacuum."

" The devil must stealing my creativity tonight."

"So. Tired."

"I hate disappointing my editor."

"I'm actually not going to be able write this article."

"Ok, Jesus, seriously, why can't I write on this topic? I feel so dry."

At this point, the light bulb blinks on over my head and I knew why I was so dry. Uh, I hadn't really read my Bible in the last month. I could give you a million excuses, but none are worth your time. I just didn't do it. So, lesson learned, Jesus, lesson learned. To be spiritually full, I must feed. (sounds very vampiric, don't you think?). True story...the Bible fills my love tank.

I recently read this in My Utmost for His Highest on January 17:

"My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him."

The more contact I have with God, the more I understand who I am, what He wants me to do, and how to do it. For me, this includes writing because it's what I desire to do for God. (Not sure this is theologically sound, but then again, I'm not a theologian.) The more time I spend with God, the more understanding I have about not only myself, but the world around me; natural and supernatural.

So, this weeks lesson, kids, is that 1) if I want to know God, I must spend time with Him and 2) to be spiritually full, I must be spiritually fed.

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A BIG thank you to my editor for giving me an undeserved second chance to continue writing!

2010 Sneak Peek!

Writing for...

Book Reviewing for:

Traveling to SPAIN

Coffee Plantation + Mountains = Missions in NICARAGUA

Maid of Honor for Michele

I have an exciting year ahead and these are only the things that I know will happen. I can't wait for some surprises along the way... -Alison

28 Blessings

Today is my 28th Birthday and I get just as excited about it as I did when I was younger. For me birthdays mean newness, fresh start, possibility, expectation of what could happen, and thankfulness for what has happened. This year I want to do things a little different and just focus on the blessings in my life:

1. Fresh excitement in my relationship with God
2. Family that loves me for who I am, and not who they want me to be in the future
3. I can freely worship in my country
4. I can read my Bible whenever I want to
5. Church family
6. Old friends
7. And new friends (thank you, Jesus!)
8. Books....glorious books
9. My local library...it feeds my addiction
10. Diet Dr. Pepper
11. Weight Watchers
12. ExemplifyOnline.com
13. A home to live in
14. A job that I LOVE
15. A boss that teaches me
16. Co-workers that are genuinely kind and helpful
17. Traveling for work...I love to travel
18. Health
19. Zumba....everyone needs to try it at least once!
20. Bloggy friends
21. Realized dreams
22. Being single...yes, it is a blessing and not a punishment ;)
23. Veggie friendly restaurants
24. Health Insurance
25. Glee! (a little TV joy never hurts! haha)
26. Google Reader to keep my blog reading organized
27. HEAT...it's been flippin' cold in Florida lately!
28. Another chance at another year to LIVE

What are your blessings? Both the big and the small....I think God delights in my delight even if I find it in Glee or Zumba or my Relationship with Him. -Alison