I've definitely been flirting with the "I'm getting really old" versus the "I'm still pretty young" waves of thought a lot this year. On one hand, I see how quickly my children are maturing, but then on the other hand, I'm doing crazy things like jumping through fire. The kindly younger gentleman who took over as Headmaster at my high school when I first attended is now the kindly older gentleman who is retiring this year. And I realized with a shock that at age 10, my oldest son is only 8 years away from college, yet the prospective student I interviewed yesterday was only around age 3 when I was in college. I still feel young, but I'm definitely getting older.

A couple years ago, I had an abnormal mole removed on my forehead. "Don't worry," the surgeon told me, "I'll hide the scar in your wrinkles."

WRINKLES!?

Yup, I have them now. And they've been cropping up a little bit more each month that flies by. And so, when I was asked about giving Boots No.7 Intensive Line Filler a try, I happily agreed.

Every time I see a light yellow piece of paper in one of my sons' backpacks, I cringe. These "lice alerts" let me know that a child in that particular classroom has lice. Sometimes I only receive one paper. Other times, both boys bring home papers and I hold my breath. We received these notices through preschool and now during grade school. It seems as though lice is always traveling around the school.

But... knock on wood... knock HEAVILY on wood... the lice have not taken up residence in my house or on my boys' heads. (I'm seriously going to knock on wood a few more times here.) I remember dealing with lice a few times during my youth and it was absolutely no fun. I can only imagine how much worse the "mother" role is in the whole scenario.

If I were confident, I'd sing it out: "Not a louse in the house! Oh yeaaaaaah!" But I really don't want to get a puffed-up chest about this, because I fear by simply typing this post I'm welcoming the inevitable.

But for now, we're good.

Now that the advertising rules have changed for my main blog, The Karianna Spectrum, I've started posting some brand-specific shout-outs on there. This blog will still be in use from time to time depending on the nature of the announcement or review. But, in case you missed it over on The Spectrum:

- I was excited about the launch of Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo's VT Luxe Collection for QVC. Affordable style is always in fashion!

- My youngest son loved Design Squad Nation's Ingenuity Day, plus he really loves the Super WHY! app (there is also a Super Why PAINT! app out now, too!)

- I learned that one of my college Christian Fellowship leaders has a new venture, The Providence Granola Project. In addition to creating yummy granola, the organization is providing valuable job skills training for refugees.

- With Mother's Day fast approaching, I recommended that readers consider sending a free e-card to their mom (or other mom-like individual) to honor them through Macy's "Thank a Mom" Movement benefiting 5 different charities (you choose which one you wish to support!)

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Disclaimers are posted on the original entries explaining when and what type of compensation was given for some of these promotions.

I enjoy makeup, but I'm admittedly inexperienced at how to put it on. I can do the standard lipstick-with-mascara look, but adding in things like blush and eye shadow end up tempting fate that I'll end up looking like an extra in an 80's music video. (I already have big hair.) Forget eyeliner, because I'll just look like a raccoon, whether or not I cry.

But for my brother's wedding I had to wear more makeup than usual. Not that "sister of the groom" is a huge role, but as a bridesmaid and someone who old friends would be interested in seeing, I knew I had to look at least half-decent.

Thanks to BlogHer, I received some Mary Kay samples. In particular, I got the "mineral eye color bundle: beautiful brown eyes." In it was a gorgeous blue color that looked amazing in the palette, but I wondered how I could possibly pull it off given that music-video fear. (Seriously, blue eye shadow and me aren't supposed to mix, right?)

But I need not feared. In addition to the proper blending colors, the box itself contained instructions on how to properly apply the colors for the best effect. I added the blush they sent me, and ta-dah! I was set. Both for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself, I wore my Mary Kay.

Believe me, I was nervous that I did my own makeup for such a big weekend, but it turned out just fine. I'm definitely glad that the Mary Kay package came in the mail at the right time, because otherwise I would have just put a little blush on my eyelids (since that isn't as noticeable as blue) and called it a day. But, my eyes probably wouldn't have stood out nicely.

I was surprised at how smoothy the shadow went on, and how easy it was to carefully blend the colors together to create a look to enhance my eyes.

Thank you to BlogHer and Mary Kay for taking me outside my comfort zone with positive results!

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Disclaimer: I received some Mary Kay samples through BlogHer's promotional program. Although I was not required to blog about my experience, I definitely wanted to thank them since they factored in to a very big weekend!

Some time ago I was running a giveaway here. I posted it on Prizey, and while I was over there, figured I'd check out the other giveaways going on. One in particular caught my eye - for some bars from Core Foods. As a super-busy person who is always in my van chauffeuring someone to something, or at my computer with deadlines that don't involve the oven timer, I was attracted to the idea of 100% organic, raw, whole food to-go. Often convenience bars are filled with bleech, but these sounded good. And so I entered to win a case. Why not? I figured.

Well, I didn't win. But, Core Foods emailed me promoting a deal from this company called blissmo. For a deep discount I could get a sample set of all the Core Food bars, plus a voucher for an entire case of my favorite flavor.

I'm a big fan of the cool "tasting" or "sampler" box subscriptions that have popped up recently. What better way to try new products and learn about companies with which I'm not yet familiar? I'm especially impressed when these services focus on small businesses and eco-conscious ventures.

I was thrilled to learn about Conscious Box, a monthly taste (or feel) for pure, sustainable products from planet-friendly businesses. This isn't a greenwashed situation; Conscious Box states that it actively seeks out organizations that provide fair wages and ethical business practices as well as a quality product. They strive to be zero-waste, creating their encouraged-to-be-upcycled boxes from recycled materials and soy-based inks.

I was fortunate enough to receive a November box from them. Included in this month's shipment are: a full-sized Kind bar (one of my favorites!), Honest Kids' Appley-Ever-After juice, Mary's Gone Crackers double-chocolate wheat-free gluen-free vegan cookies, Funky Monkey pink pineapple freeze-dried fruit, CocoaWell "true energy" capsules, tiny packs of Glee gum (both mint and lemon-lime,) samples of two products from Pharmacopia (verbena body lotion and body wash,) samples of two 100% Pure products (vanilla bean body cream and green apple body cream,) and a small pack of Living Nutz vegan bodacious banana bread walnuts. What a stash!

It used to be tricky to find all-natural food or cosmetics without artificial chemical additives. I am thankful for companies like Conscious Box who are finding such products to introduce to people like me. Although I can browse the aisles of my local grocery store to buy things without requiring the postage to my doorstep, I like knowing that someone has done the research to know whether an "all-natural" product truly is "natural" or if a company behind an excellent-looking product isn't actually as wonderful behind-the-scenes. I'm glad Conscious Box is on the lookout for the real deal.

Thank you Conscious Box for sending me the November box to test. I'm definitely enthusiastic about your service and look forward to learning more about the trusted products and companies.

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Conscious Box sent me their November box for free. I will receive no other compensation. The words and opinions above are my own.

UPDATE: The Conscious Box folks were kind enough to send me their December Conscious Box, too!