Mirror Pop.

This was an easy project that was inexpensive and a simple solution to getting me over my boredom with a green mirror we already had rather than spending a dime to get a new one. 

I bought this mirror at HomeGoods about 3 years ago. It was red tagged and dirt cheap because it had a scratch in the corner. I saw beauty beyond this mere blemish, and was so grateful for it because it made a $$$$$ mirror only $20.
This is the last place it hung. At our most recent home in Burbank, it sadly sat in the garage, accumulating dust and a few new scratches from our move to Colorado.

The first step was sanding. As an after thought, I question whether sanding was even really necessary because they paint was not peeling and it was not sealed with a finish. I think it could have done without this step, but it did no harm, except maybe delay the priming and paint process and test my patience. (Who knew sanding was such intensive labor?)

Next up, I taped off the edges. Don't want that paint on my reflection! Although, the primer was water based, so if it did get where I would not want it long term, simply a wet rag did the trick. A low VOC primer was then applied. A little goes a long way, so it primed and dried quickly on this 90 degree day. I also painted some side mirrors originally rusty red from ikea that I never had up because of the color just being too ho hum. I painted those orange sherbet, to compliment the aqua and sea foam in the bathroom.

Here's the exciting part. Color pop! I knew that I wanted a blue mirror, with it being a great accent to the other items in the living room. I had two colors to chose from (I bought sample sizes at Home Depot- only $2 and some change, what a steal, right?) Peacock and Silent Storm were my choices and I went with Peacock because it had a little more richness to it. Quiet Storm is closer to Navy...I'll keep that one handy for a rainy day.

I applied 2 thin coats of paint. I was surprised by how thick it went on. Because I purchased sample sizes, there was no option of glossy paint. It was just the pure paint, giving the mirror a more matte look in the end. I was happy with this though. If I were doing a bigger piece, I would have gone with a glossy finish. For a bigger piece, I would have needed to purchase at least a quart of the paint, giving me that glossy option. After the paint dried (only about 2 hours), and a few days later (once we purchased the hooks to hang the mirror), it landed on the wall perfectly in place above a writing desk to transition the space from the main living room to the hallway connecting the bedrooms and bathroom. Forgive the bare walls you see in these photos. I have yet to hang a single framed photo of artwork since we've moved in. That is a whole project in an of itself. Maybe tomorrow I tackle that one.

My favorite balm.

I by no means have perfect skin. Blemishes, sensitivity, fair and prone to sunburn, oily; you name it, my skin can be a constant battle. A wise woman once told me that if she could give any beauty advice, it would be sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen. Apply always and apply often. This is the key to youthful skin. And I couldn't agree more. I was always in the sun growing up, and as a teenager who swam competitively, my peaches and cream complexion constantly basked in the rays, and I did not care as much about skin damage. Now, I notice those fine lines creeping in and what I am sure are other presents from the sun on my skin (although, freckles do add character, right?) but I have gained a greater awareness of the importance of SPF for skin protection, and not just for the face. If you have easy going skin, then you can probably use any type of skin protection (Neutrogena, generic moisturizer with spf, Aveeno-- sticking to paraben free I recommend though). For me, however I use either a moisturizer with SPF in it, combined with a higher SPF sunscreen on sunnier days....This does sometimes leave my skin feeling a little bit sticky depending on the lotion I used, but I have found a PERFECT primer to apply after the SPF application that helps bring my completion back to a powdery finish and makeup ready.  Cue Stila's Beauty Balm.

What's so great about this beauty balm?

I have tried a handful of primers in my young adult life, and I have finally found a keeper. One of the reasons I really like this product is that it stays all day, I use it in place of foundation, and it gives my skin such a great canvas before I apply makeup in my minimal routine (it really consists of mascara, concealer for those darn blemishes, mineral veil with spf 15, and a bit of blush...and the occasional splurge of eyeshadow, but that is very very rare). I use a foundation brush to apply it, but fingertips work too. What is your must have beauty product?