S
    Sarah Y

    Sarah Y

  • Introducing

    My new little guy with his big brother:Sorry it's taken so long to put up a picture. It's been crazy, busy with two kids!!!!

  • Maternity Leave

    Dear Shine Friends:I'll still be around, but I'm about a month away from bringing this new one into the world. I find myself mostly on the couch or waddling around trying to accomplish a few things. My energy is gone!

  • Estée Lauder’s Sumptuous Extreme Mascara: Brings on the Volume!

    I have always been extremely picky about mascara. It has been my experience that most mascaras are clumpy, cakey, smudgy nightmares that make your eyelashes look like furry spider legs. My dreams of smooth, dark brown, defined lashes did not come true until earlier this year when I started using Cov

  • A toast to Shine

    Out with the old and in with the new,but not old friends!Keep them close to your heart of heartsand on them you can depend.Good and bad, who knows what's next?There is no way to know.God can see around the next bend,but I enjoy the present show.

  • Colgate 360: Get out of the Dark Ages!

    If you are still living in the toothbrush Dark Ages and slowly and laboriously cleaning your teeth by moving your hand up and down, I have to say, "Snap out of it!" There is no need to spend a fortune. You can have the benefits of an electric toothbrush at a fraction of the price!To be up front, I h

  • Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends :)

    Hello Shiney Friends :)I should probably make the rounds and tell all of you that I have a new post, but quite frankly, I'm too tired! LOL I just hope that if you happen to stumble upon this blog that you will know you are loved, thought of fondly, and wished the very best on this most grateful of h

  • It's a BOY

    To all of my Shine Friends~

  • The Best Beauty Advice EVER!

    As a Shine Beauty Guru, I have fessed up to a lot more than I ever thought I would. When asked to come up with the best beauty advice that I have ever received, I was stumped! I have received a lot of beauty advice over the years: from magazines, an aunt who sold Mary Kay, my friends, and my mother.

  • A miracle in my life!

    For the longest time, I went to the doctor and only heard bad news. I was told that I had a cyst on my ovary. I was told that it would be very unlikely for me to have another child. I was told that I would probably have to have surgery.The only good thing that I can say about that difficult time was

  • Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunscreen - Don't leave home without it!

    These days, summer is about protecting yourself. Occasionally, you see someone out sunbathing with reckless abandon, their leathery skin wrinkling in the hot, cancer-causing rays, but most of us know better!If you want beautiful, unlined skin that is free from melanoma, a good sunscreen is a necessa

  • User Post: Is a Nitrate-free Hot Dog Better for You?

    I have never been what you would call a healthy eater. Until I was pregnant, I didn't really think about my diet. While reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting," I encountered the horrors of nitrates. Before that, I can't remember the term ever entering my knowledge bank.Nitrates are used to p

  • User post: 3 Tips for Protecting Your Hair Poolside

    As a former high school swimmer, I have a lot of good memories of months spent in chlorinated water. They mostly have to do with ogling boys in speedos (hey, I was sixteen)! One thing I can guarantee is that we took protecting our tresses seriously.Whether you plan on swimming for exercise or recrea

  • It's not a Secret that it works!

    When Shine asked me to try the new deodorant by Secret, I was happy to oblige. I've been using Secret for years.Secret Clinical Strength claims to last all day and this particular one is also waterproof. Unfortunately, I got the sample after my beach trip, so I didn't get to try it out there. But, I

  • My little vacay!

    I took a few days with the family and went to Pismo Beach, CA. It was a time of sand, sun, and relaxing. I didn't have to cook once (now, that's a vacation)!Here's a picture of the Pismo Beach coastline. It was perfect "shorts" weather the entire time that we were there.

  • A New Day Dawns (poem)

    Sometimes the darkness feels heavy and long.It seems that a veil has fallen over our eyes,But there is hope when a new day dawns.There is beauty in the light that shines.

  • A message...

    Hi my Shine Family:My husband's father passed away this morning. He was 87 years old and was survived by his wife, 4 children, and one grandchild (my little guy). His name was Bob and he will be missed. I know that he has gone to be with God.

  • Workout Update: One Month Along and Still Going STRONG

    After one month of working out, I still can't do that pose on the left, but I feel like I'm headed in the right direction. Working out has had its share of ups and downs, but overall, it has been a huge plus in my life.BENEFITS:

  • Is this nail color all good, good enough, or good grief? You tell me.

    CND stands for <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cnd.com/Consumer.aspx">Creative Nail Design</a></b>. I had a lot of fun searching their site and playing with a tool that allows you to try different nail "colours" and different nail "effects." As a Beauty Guru, I got to try a "colour" and an "effect." <br> <br> The color was "Desert Suede" and the effect was "Gold Shimmer." Basically, I painted on the "Desert Suede" first and then, layered "Gold Shimmer" on top. I was very pleased with the gorgeous bottles, great brush application, and the durability of the color. The polished lasted well over two weeks. <br> <br> The thing I had mixed reviews about was the color of the polish itself. I'm not really a trend follower, so though neutrals may be the rage, I like to stick with pink nail polish. Wearing this color was different for me. <br> <br> My husband liked it. He wasn't overly enthusiastic. <span lang="EN">However, he said he liked it better than the brighter pinks I usually favor.</span> My friend loved it, but maybe she just wanted to borrow it? I have to say that I thought it was a gorgeous color, but NOT ON ME! <br> <br> It is a pretty color. However, I felt strange wearing it. I didn't feel like it looked right on me. I'm so used to wearing pink that every time I looked at my feet, I found it shocking (and not in a good way). <br> <br> I will definitely buy CND nail polish again. Although, next time I am getting something pink! <br> <br> <br> <br> <b>I love to hear opinions, so tell me what you think of this color. Do you like it, love it, or loathe it?</b>

  • User Post: Starting a new workout routine can be BRUTAL ~ Wanna join me?

    After reading about Katie's new gym commitment and Super A's amazing weight loss, I started to realize that I can't make excuses for myself any longer. I have had some health issues and felt fatigued, but not doing any sort of exercise is making me feel terrible about myself and probably making my e

  • My Bath and Body Works Obsession

    As a Shine Beauty Guru, I was asked to describe my beauty obsession. The truth is, in most cases, I am a minimalist. I own maybe three lipsticks, one blush, one mascara, concealer, and powder. I don't like clutter and when I find something I like, I stick with it. <br> <br> The one area where I go a little crazy is with bath stuff. I love to have different scented shower gels, body splashes, and lotions. So in the name of beauty, I am going to share my collection with you. I buy most of my products at Bath and Body Works, because I love their products, scents, and semi-annual sales. I can't walk past Bath and Body Works without going in and I can't go in without buying something. <br> <br> I'm not sure how this obsession started. I used to just buy a few products occasionally. Now, I feel miffed if I can't have my products. With the economic downturn, I have sacrificed a lot of things, but I refuse to sacrifice my Bath and Body Works! <br> <br> <b>Got a beauty obsession? Please share! I'll understand :)</b>