Get Ready for You | Advice from Grandma Nola

My Take Care of You post was one of my most popular ever, and I’ve been blogging for 8 years! Y’all loved the wise advice from my Grandma Nola and she got a kick out of it too!  I was talking on the phone with her last week and she was telling me that at her age, 91, she remembers the past way better than what happened yesterday.

ADVICE FROM GRANDMA NOLA

She has wonderful memories of growing up healthy and happy in rural Missouri, being raised by her Aunt Bernice and Uncle Mack.  They lived very modestly on the farm and didn’t even have electricity.  There was lots of manual labor to do and growing up in such humble surroundings makes her forever grateful for everything.

While we were talking last week, Grandma Nola recounted a memory she had from when she was a young girl,  watching Aunt Bernice get ready for the day.  Aunt Bernice was carefully putting herself together, taking time to carefully brush her hair and putting on a nice dress.  Grandma Nola was confused and asked, “Aunt Bernice, why are you getting all dressed up? There’s no church today.”

Aunt Bernice replied, “I get dressed up for me.  It makes me feel good and I’m the one that’s important.”

That conversation always stuck out in my Grandma’s mind and to this day, she gets ready and dressed every day- for herself.  She isn’t trying to impress anyone or attract a man, she just likes how she feels about herself when she puts a pink lipstick on and a floral dress.  She lived for a long time in Hawaii and still loves the fun island-inspired prints.

grandma nola honey we're home

GET READY EACH DAY FOR YOU

Isn’t it the same for us?  We tend to feel better when we take a few minutes in the morning to get ourselves ready for the day.  You don’t have to get all glammed up to feel good about yourself, but taking care to choose a nice outfit and dab on some mascara and lipgloss can instantly elevate how you look and feel.

And we don’t have to do it for anyone else, but us.  We are worth it even if we’re the only ones we’re with all day! It matters how WE feel about ourselves.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so happy to be doing the HWH Fitness Challenge with y’all.  It’s not just about getting in shape, it’s about taking time for ourselves in all areas (fitness, rest and wellness) too.

But it’s also true that when we feel good about ourselves, we’re usually more comfortable being with other people. Have you ever been out running errands on the weekend looking like a hot mess and trying to hide from anyone you might know? Maybe that’s just me, but I have left the house looking terrible and it’s silly because it only takes a couple of minutes to brush our hair and put on a bit of makeup. If I run into someone I know, I want to embrace them confidently, not be embarrassed and shy about how I look.

THE ONE MAKEUP PRODUCT THAT MAKES ME LOOK ALIVE

Now, my bare minimum for getting ready for the day includes a swipe of mascara on my lashes.  That’s the one thing I always do because it instantly wakes up my face and makes me look alive.  I’m definitely a mascara girl and I love big, bold lashes.  I think they accentuate your eyes so beautifully and draw attention to that feature. Without it, I feel like I look sleepy or angry or sad- not my best look!

When Avon reached out to me recently and asked me to try their mascara, and I happily agreed, always willing to try a new Avon mascara!  I’m super picky about my mascaras because I think that certain brushes tend to work better. I never want a formula that’s clumpy, thin or dries out too quickly.  I also like it dark black!

AVON MASCARA REVIEW

I’m happy to report the True Color Love at 1st Lash Mascara is really good.  The first thing that stood out to me with this Avon mascara is the brush and how bendy it is!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mascara wand like that.  It gives you complete control over how you apply your mascara.

Avon mascara

The bristles on the brush are small and perfectly spaced for getting the mascara on each individual lash. You can wiggle that brush exactly where you want it for a precise application.

Avon mascara

The mascara itself is made with vitamin A, C, and E to condition lashes and also includes olive oil and lycopene to strengthen them.  There’s no parabens or sulfates in this product.

Avon mascara

Sweater • Jeans

With one coat of this Avon mascara, my eyes look good, but the formula layers beautifully and I usually wear two coats for maximum volume and fullness.  It’s the mascara I’m wearing here and as you can see, it’s “Blackest Black”.

Avon mascara

Off Shoulder Top

UNLIMITED LASHES LASH & BROW SERUM

I also swear by lash serum for regrowing my eyelashes after they were barely there from lash extensions.   I was using one from another retailer, but Avon introduced me to theirs and I started using it recently.  You apply the Unlimited Lashes Lash & Brow Serum with a super thin brush along the upper lash line at night before bed.  There is no odor and it doesn’t feel anything but wet.  You can also use this product on your brows.

Avon mascara brow serum

The unique serum is made with a peptide blend and botanicals, is designed to dramatically enhance the look of your lashes.  You can expect to see results after about a month, and I haven’t been using it that long to see if mine will grow even longer, but I will report back!

Avon lash serum

It’s gotten a ton of great reviews though.  After using it for 8 weeks, 84% of women agreed their lashes looked longer, fuller and visibly healthier.  The Unlimited Lashes Lash & Brow Serum is also a great value at half the price of other brands.  If you try it, I’d love to hear how it works for you!

And then, to remove your makeup, the Avon Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover has over 1300 positive reviews.

♥ SHOP AVON BEAUTY ♥

AVON GIVES BACK

I’m also proud to partner with Avon today because they give back to the community.  Did you know that Avon is the first ever National Presenting Sponsor for American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events? 

Next month is Breast Cancer awareness and I’ll be getting involved to help share information that can help save lives.  I’m passionate about making each day the best it can be and helping all of us look and feel our very best. I want that for all of us!

Have you tried the new Avon mascara?

I hope you have a wonderful day and take care of you!

*Thank you to Avon for sponsoring today’s post.

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

14 Comments

  1. What eye makeup remover do you use? I hate tugging at my eyes to remove mascara. I try to be very gentle but it’s usually hard to get it all off. Any oil based is irritating to my eyes.

  2. I love that you chat on the phone with your Grandma! I so wish I could still talk with mine. Can I just encourage you though – to go SEE her! You won’t regret it 🙂

  3. Oh My I love this! I love your Grandma! I would love to see frequent updates of her happenings. She seems like she has good life advice.
    On another note….I love your silver watch…do you mind sharing where it is from?

    1. Thanks Gina! I wish she would’ve written a book of all of her escapades. She’s traveled the world and has some stories to tell! My watch is by Burberry and is actually two-toned, I got it at Nordstrom but it’s sold out. 🙁

  4. Hi from Friendswood Megan! My mom’s name is Nola and because it’s such an unusual name I was intrigued by your Grandma Nola. To my girls she is known as the same and is very special to us as well. Enjoy your weekend; we are waiting anxiously for cooler weather!

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