#7 - Be good at making a craft - Sewing class

I had signed up for a sewing 101 class (trying to knock out the things I wanted to learn) on Saturday and was wondering how in the heck I was going to do the class with my neck.  It was a non refundable class, I had to go.

The class was fun and I learned a lot!  I even made something :)

My first project, a travel Kleenex case

Regardless of a stiff neck, I was on a roll and wanted to sew, sew, sew!  I had bought a few patterns prior to the class and decided to start on another project.  An apron for Scarlett.

Gah!  What a cute apron!  Yep, I made that! :) I have a ton of Hawaiian patterns I bought when I was home in Hawaii and finally got to use them.

The finished product on it's new owner!  She didn't care for it much.

Now she can cook away in her kitchen!

Sweet Simone sporting the apron. 

She'll eventually get one too.  

Recipe Relish

This past Christmas I got so many wonderful gifts.  One gift especially was one from my sister.  She's always so giving with my daughters, I wasn't expecting anything from her.  But I opened the present addressed to me and saw my mom's old cookbook.  I remember this cookbook from my childhood.  We used to make a bunch of recipes from it and brought back sweet memories. My mom is no longer with us so this gift meant the world to me.

Mom used to work at this hotel.  There are some great local dishes in this gem.

I even added a recipe.  This was my handwriting from (I'm guessing) 6th or 7th grade.

I remember making this recipe too. I have no idea where I got it from though.

This book is so loved!  Look at all the stains on the pages!  You can tell

what recipes we made more than once.

I was so happy to have gotten this book.  It's not just a cookbook.  It was like having my mom here with me in Illinois, and in my kitchen.  I miss her terribly.

On top of all the wonderful things I want to do that I posted on a previous blog, one of them was to cook a lot more.  Unfortunately my husband and I are complete polar opposites when it comes to food on top of the fact that he is an extremely picky eater.  No fun slaving over the stove when I'm the only one that will eat what I make.  But restrictions are no longer going to hold me back from doing what my heart desires!  I'm going to cook away!  I have two girls and in-laws that are a little more adventurous in the food department.  Plus there's always family get togethers.  Stay tuned for some recipes to come!

Beautification Beginnings

I always thought that taking care of yourself just happened.  I mean, you get up, shower, brush your teeth, brush your hair and the rest just happened.  Sure, I put on some lotion and some eyeliner every once in a while and out the door I went.  

I grew up in Hawaii, in the hot weather where putting on makeup meant it would just melt off in a half hour.  I was also an athlete.  I never really needed makeup or skin care.  My Filipino-Hawaiian heritage blessed me with smooth caramel skin.  That way of thinking seeped into my adult life.

It wasn't until I was 19 or 20 years old did I notice I needed to change. I moved to Illinois and the cold weather dried up my skin.  As a starving flight attendant I could barely afford to eat, let alone splurge on skin care or makeup.  Even 15 years later, I have a hard time spending the money necessary to maintain a healthy, beautiful look.  Being a woman is expensive!!!  The facial cremes, lotions, foot care, nail/hand care, foundation, blush, concealer, eyeshadow, makeup brushes, eyebrow maintenance, haircuts and styles, clothes...shoes!!  I mean, C'MON!!

But the fact that I'm 35 (soon to be 36) and have never learned the basic beauty tips a woman needs to know,makes me want to start taking care of myself the way I should have a couple decades ago.  I've always envied women who looked so put together.  Now it was way overdue for me to be part of those women.

I got a $50 gift card to Ulta from my mother in law.  Needless to say, $50 doesn't get you much, but at least it got me things I needed.  I purchased some foundation, concealer, eyeliner and some skin cream, which should be coming in the mail soon. Then it dawned on me that I have a ton of products that I have either bought or was given to me over the years.  These items will be a good start to the goal that I have for myself.

Look at all the nail polish I own!  Who would have known!  

Some aren't even open!

Of all the products I have, these I can use on a daily basis.

Jackpot!  I couldn't believe the things I had and haven't even touched! Shame on me!   I've been doing some research on a bunch of self care stuff and have decided to start a morning and evening routine to keep me on the right track.

Cocoa butter.  This brand is super cheap and probably won't be using again after this bottle.  It doesn't hydrate enough and I end up reapplying more often than I should.

My poor tootsies will thank me for taking care of t hem more.  True blue is a decent product.  The round container is cream for cracked heels. 

I love this product.  I bought this at a Mary Kay party a friend was having at her house.  This is satin hands.  It truly leaves my hands super soft and hydrated.

The tub is the Awaken sea salt scrub by Arbonne.  

I got this at an Arbonne party I had hosted to help out my friend who is a distributor.  I love the way this product feels after I get out of the shower.  I'm as smooth as a baby!  

The orange bottle is eye serum.  I put this on my dark circles and the outside corner of my eyes.  

I got this product at my baby shower. It's called Skinny Girl Soothing Body Oil.  It is a mixture of almond and coconut oil.  I have not used this product yet but I'm looking forward to it.  It is said that these oils can remove dark discoloration of the armpits (which I unfortunately have).  Sweet, cuz it's pretty embarrassing.

I love these Biore strips.  It's amazing how many blackheads I have in my face.  I do get great satisfaction looking at the strip at what was removed.  Kinda gross, but at least it's not in my face anymore.

I should be ashamed for not using my Maderma the way I should.  After having Scarlett my stretch marks weren't that bad.  But after Simone, the stretch marks have become more prominent.  I need to buy more.

This is a start. It's kinda sad and pathetic that I have the means to get started but continue to be lazy and content with being kind of a frump.  I've used some of these products before, but sporadically.  Don't know why not consistently.  But this is the start of something awesome! My body will thank me for sure!    

For starters...

So, this year feels incredibly different from the rest.  I was never one to make resolutions, but when I did I never truly stuck to any of my goals.  A lot of people are against making resolutions, but I feel that whenever January comes along, it's like a fresh start, even though it's technically just another day.

 This year I found myself reflecting on my life.  I'm 35, going on 36 and have accomplished and failed in many avenues of my life.  My accomplishments I hold on high, smiling and relishing in the fruits of my successes.  I made a life for myself away from what I was comfortable in and have built a foundation of friends and family. I spent my twenties traveling around the country. I went to college and graduated with honors.  I married a wonderful man who completes me in all aspects of life; happiness, sadness, fun, anger, laughter, family and incredible love.  He has given me two of the most beautiful baby girls any mother could ever ask for.  Seriously, they are beautiful.  I'm living the dream of being a momma.

Scarlett Na'auali'i, my first born 

Simone Manau'iokeakua, my second born

In my failures, I have so many regrets and anger towards myself, scolding my inner feelings for getting the best of me and kicking myself for not getting over my fears.  I've always wanted to play the piano.  I've always wanted to make a record.  I've always wanted to be able to speak without sounding like an idiot.  I've always wanted to be well educated in makeup and how to dress (I could seriously be a contender in What Not To Wear).

 

2 months post-partum, wearing what I usually wear (sad) but the only good

thing about this picture was I was outside of Terminus (Walking Dead reference).

 My biggest failure to date is for almost 5 years I have been struggling to reach my goal of becoming an Elementary school teacher.  If I had known it would be this hard, I would have chosen a major that would be more in demand.  Granted, the market for teachers was not like it is now halfway through my degree, but this is what I've always wanted to do and I do enjoy a challenge.  But I never thought that this challenge would take me this long to win.

2010 with honors and still no job!  WTH?!

Overall, my fears outweigh the accomplishments and I have decided that that has to end now.  I'm heading towards 40 and do not want to live the rest of my life in regret that I didn't do what my heart wanted to do. My family is my first priority, but I notice that my self health falls on the wayside. So, with that I have compiled a list of things I want to do, not only this year, but for years to come.  I will tackle them one item at a time.

1. Become an elementary school teacher
2. Lose the 30lbs I gained during my two pregnancies
3. learn how to dress my athletic, but slightly overweight petite body
4. Learn the art of makeup
5. Record songs to compile to make an album (for me, not for fame)
6. Get back into running
7. Learn the art of cake decorating
8. Learn the piano
9. Be good at making a craft (hawaiian quilts, pillows, children accessories, etc)
10. live a healthy lifestyle

I'm sure I have a ton more I'd like to do, but there's only so much you can do when two little girls take most of my time. 

 I don't know, I guess I'm writing this blog to help me not regret the next 30 years of my life not accomplishing what my heart wants to do.  In the meantime I will continue to truck on, raising these awesome girls and hope I can at least tackle a few of these on my list.  

Here's hoping!