Thanks for the info Bumble. I may have to try that. I don't need a primer, but do get circles so the brightening might help. Shee - I actually have good skin but I am much older than you. My skin is getting drier and I have some slight discolorations I'm sure from the sun (I do wear sunscreen religiously now), and also I think a mixture of BC pills and sun. I've never had problems with acne, so no scarring. I'm just wondering though - have you used any retin-a products? The gal who does my hair is the one (and another gal in the salon) who recommended the products I have been trying. She is 25ish and has a few dark spots left from blemishes. So she says, I've never actually noticed them and she has been using the cleanser I got and the retin-a products (cleanser has alpha and beta hydroxy) and she said it has greatly improved her skin. My mineral make-up stays. Again though my skin is on the dry side, so that probably makes a difference. I'm on a mission to find a new one though because the one I've been using has gone out of business! I tried to find one that didn't use some of the ingredients that were irritating to some (I have sensitive skin). Perfectly matched my skin and I dread looking for a new brand. Another good thing though is how long the mineral make-up lasts. I'm with Jen on the less on my face. I do agree with Bumble about more products. I think it is important to work towards getting your skin in the best condition possible and then you won't need as much make-up. I can't stand the feeling of alot of stuff on my face. I don't wear colored shadows - just a lighter color (base), then a deep taupe and at times add a deep grey to outer corners. I like a soft, blended eyeliner. I like foundation/blush, etc. to look natural and then a sheer, bright lip. Looks best on me. I'm not going to be able to continue with this retin-A stuff - going to check and see if there is a formula with less percentage of retin-A or try the Replenish (Replenix?) that someone mentioned here. tina

Oh I'm sure I won't be able to pull off ALL white/cream rooms (even though I've seen them online and love them if they're done right). I also love white rooms with splashes of color. My floors will be hardwood, so that will warm it up a lot right there, and I will have a few aged wooden and metal accents here and there unless I decide to paint them all. It's all sort of evolving as I go along and I don't know how white it will be in the end. I love simple, clean farmhouse style and cottage (if it's not too fluffy) and will actually be living in a farmhouse. So will be incorporating rustic/vintage/aged pieces (junk!) and interesting textures throughout my home. The house I'm in now is fairly dark and my style until now has been dark. But I'm ready for a change, and am excited about having a light house (first time homeowner). The grass is always greener, I guess! I know white is associated with apartments, but I've never lived in a house with white walls (or very light) and want to try it out for awhile. Also, since I'm not actually living in the house yet I thought it was too risky to choose colors at this time. Next time I paint I may go with a completely different scheme, who knows. Guess I'm boring... I also prefer nuetral walls over colors at this point (even though I like other people's colorful homes). I find it easier to incorporate color through the home's furnishings than on the wall. Thanks for all comments so far and for helping this newbie out.

Thank you for looking for me, Turquoise, I really appreciate that. When I asked my husband's opinion he looked at it and said "It's a rug". Okay....After that I read the reviews and quite a few people said the main color is not rust but rather a cranberry or burgundy red, and there were also complaints about the rug fraying and the loops pulling up. It's cheaper than the rug we're getting, and they've apparently lowered the price quite a bit, perhaps because of the quality issues. I simply cannot return a FOURTH rug, so we're going to have to like it. When I compare this rug to the photo of the one we had, that one looks all too red, and I'm really hoping the one I'm waiting for is more muted. We shall see.....

It's a challenge to get gift ideas our of our daughters, but every year 2 of them ask for cashmere sweaters. Lord and Taylor Cashmere are now half off. Also scored on Ann Taylor cashmere when it was half off on Cyber Monday. Just bought the wine socks (shown above) online for one DD. So cute, I've seen them in stores. Those were a suggestion from one DD. Another DD just sent me a link to this, which is a video on Face Book: No, I'm not buying it! DH always gives the girls a nice hand-picked selection of wines--6 each. This year 2 DD's who live together are adopting a Sphynx cat next month and we are all very happy to have a new feline member of the family. We are scurrying to buy her the things she will need. Such fun!