We are nearing the end! It is bitter sweet. I can start to take a break from posting 5 days a week (exhausting) but I will miss the accountability! Don’t worry if you are just getting started…you have only missed a bit! Jump right in! Find printables and links to the other posts here.
I hope you are loving this challenge as much as I am! Ok…sometimes I don’t love it…but I am sticking with it and it is becoming a habit!
5 Shortcuts to Pump
The following is a guest post from my really good friend Erin, from The Humbled Homemaker. Erin, thank you so much for this post and your post yesterday. Such amazing pointers and motivators! You rock!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eflon/
When I was a teenager–and even as a newlywed–I spent at least an hour getting ready every morning. I would shower, dry and curl my hair, slather on the make-up, and pick out posh jewelry to match my stylish outfits.
When I became a mom, I quickly realized I didn’t have that extra hour in my day to get ready. And besides, I didn’t need all that make-up anyway!
But less time to get ready doesn’t have to mean you go from pump to frump! (Although, believe me, I’m there more often than I like to admit!)
Here are 5 shortcuts I’ve learned that can help any mom go quickly from frump to pump:
Shower the night before. Showering (or even taking a nice, relaxing bubble bath!) after your kids go to bed eliminates one extra step in the morning. For me, it also gives me some alone time, as I’m apt to wait until my girls are up to shower–and that means putting them in the shower with me! (No fun trying to shave around a preschooler and a toddler and a tub full of toys!) I’ll admit, sometimes not showering in the morning makes me feel icky. That’s where shortcut #2 comes in:
Wash your face first thing in the morning. I’m not sure why, but a fresh, clean face makes me feel clean all over! I haven’t gotten into oil face cleaning like some of my natural friends, but I usually lather my face up with either Burt’s Bees or Yes to Carrots face wash. A few splashes of water to wash it all off, and I feel almost as if I did just finish my shower!
Pull your hair up in a flexi-clip. A few months ago, I had the privilege of reviewing these amazing hair clips. I was skeptical at first, but I quickly fell in love! I had previously been pulling my hair up in either a ponytail holder or claw clip. A flexi clip truly is just as easy, but it makes for a much more attractive and pulled-together look. I wear a flexi nearly every day–in either a half up or tails up. Be sure to enter Nikki’s giveaway for a flexi clip! It will seriously make your hair routine so much faster! (From Nikki: The giveaway will be available on Friday so make sure to come back to enter)
Choose one to three make-up items you can’t go without–and forgo the rest unless it’s for church or a special night out. Sure, I’d love to be able to wear eye shadow and blush every day, but it’s just not feasible if I’m trying to go from frump to pump as quickly as possible. My top three items are mascara, a colored lip gloss or lipstick and concealer.
Invest in some comfortable and wrinkle-free “pump” clothes. When I was a newlywed, I ironed nearly every day. I just don’t have time to iron that much anymore. My wardrobe consists of lots of cute, stretchy, wrinkle-free tops and jeans or wrinkle-free pants. I also love long, flowy skirts or dresses that keep me cool in the summer time, looking cute for my hubby–and don’t require an iron or dry cleaning for maintenance. When you’re a busy mom, the easier and more comfortable the wardrobe the better!
What are some of your shortcuts to pump?
Erin is a follower of Jesus Christ and stay-at-home wife and mom of two little redheaded girls. She is passionate about her family, mission work and researching how to live a healthier lifestyle. She blogs about her far-from-perfect homemaking at The Humbled Homemaker and edits ebooks for best- selling, indie authors. She’d love for you to join The Humbled Homemaker’s Facebook community or to follow her on Twitter.
Today’s challenges:
1. Get dressed (according to the time you on day 1)!
2. Establish your week 4 goals (on your Printable). Did you complete your week 3 goals?
3. Look at your average day and simplify it…what can you do to streamline? Do it!
4. Read Day 19 of “Frumps to Pumps” for some wise words on modesty!
How are you doing with the challenge? What are your struggles? Do you need any special encouragement or prayer? Please let me know! Comments, Facebook, or email…it doesn’t matter!
This post contains my affiliate link to Sarah Mae’s book Frumps to Pumps. You can also get a free copy by subscribing to her blog (http://sarahmae.com). If you don’t want to subscribe, just buy the PDF, it is only 4.99! The book has really challenged and encouraged me and I hope you enjoy it too! It also contains a few affiliate links to Amazon….great products!
About Nikki
Yet again, another awesome post!
And I second the “Flexi-Clip” one….I wear mine almost every day! And if I’m not wearing it, I’m wearing a hootenanny. 
Yet again, another awesome post!
And I second the “Flexi-Clip” one….I wear mine almost every day! And if I’m not wearing it, I’m wearing a hootenanny. 
Thanks, Stacy! What is the WORLD is a hootenanny? That must be a East TN thing.
Isn’t Erin the best?
You ladies are silly! Y’all are the best (said with a Southern drawl….but not as Southern as Stacy’s
).
Great tips! I like the idea of picking 2 or 3 types of makeup. Most days I just go without (except when I’m out and about), but a little blush and lipstick or gloss goes a long way to looking more polished!
I go without a lot, too–trying to make a habit of at least using one of my “3.” I ditched the shower and washed my face w/ my 3 makeup items today!
I have done that too. I used to wear NONE and then wear a nice amount when going out. I have started to split the difference
These are great tips, Erin! The make up tip was my favorite. I learned a little powder, eye liner and mascara completely does the trick.
I love the make up shortcut, too!