The Bird Guide

Lifestyle Blog + Soundtrack

Archives for April 2022

50 Mother’s Day Gifts: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Moms (of every kind)

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Flowers are a safe and well-loved default for Mother’s Day and if you ARE going to send Mom flowers, you may as well do it while supporting a small business that practices fair labor laws and ethically grows their roses.

However, if you plan to go the non-perishable gift route, I’ve found another 49 gifts that are sure to please the woman you are celebrating … be it your Mom, your StepMom, a Mom-To-Be, a Dog (or Cat) Mom, or an otherwise Mother figure. Cheers to whoever is the most important woman in your life!

For the Mom who ….

The Best Amazon Dresses for Spring

Spring has sprung … the weather is warmer and the days are longer. As we inch closer to Summer, it is time to re-evaluate our warm weather clothes and refresh our Spring Dresses! Whether you have an outdoor happy hour, girls’ brunch on a patio, or a wedding weekend full of parties, you can find great dresses at incredible prices on Amazon. I’m old enough to remember when Amazon was for ordering books (and essentially nothing else) but TIMES. HAVE. CHANGED. Besides that organizing thingy you need and your favorite brand of soap, you can now actually buy trendy, good quality clothes on Amazon. Hopefully my research into the dresses currently available for Spring is helpful to you and you can just “add to cart”, checkout, and get ready to enjoy some fun in the sun!

Blue & White Tiered Gorgeousness

You really can’t beat this look … something about blue and white just screams “Lets drink glasses of Prosecco watching the boats sail by” to me. There is definitely a nautical feel about this dress, and as it is currently listed for less than $30, there is zero guilt.

Black, White and anything but Basic

This dress pairs with heels, flip flops or sneakers. The crossover design is flattering on anyone, and gives the dress a ton of shape. The cotton has a thick feel and is not see-through, despite not being lined. I give this black and white beauty five gold stars.

When life gives you lemons … make it into an outfit!

Ok … this was UNEXPECTED! I have never in my life worn a two piece ensemble like this but WOW WOW WOW. This lemon print cropped top and skirt are IT. I ordered on a whim thinking it would only make me realize how not young I was, but when I tried this on, I realized I had found a KEEPER. Run, don’t walk, to this tall glass of lemonade.

Pretty in Pink … or whatever color you choose!

This dress should be a Spring staple. It has an easy sash bow and lays perfectly. Again, like the black and white winner above, you could wear with heels, sandals, or cute sneakers. Throw a jean jacket on for a more casual look, or pair with 5 inch heels for a night on the town … but whatever you do, don’t let this deal slip away!

Business on the Right, Party on the Left … arm

Like the Lemon Print two piece above, I really stepped out of my comfort zone with this one-sleeved mini dress. However, I’m so happy I did! This is a show stopper, destined for compliments from friends and also destined to make you feel gorgeous. Throw some bronzer or sparkly powder on your bare shoulder for effect, and call it a day! It doesn’t take much accessorizing to make this turn from Happy Hour into a Night Out on the Town.

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

This dress is priced to SELL at less than $40, and with how flattering and comfortable it is, you’d think the tag was missing a zero. It is lined in all the right places, so no worries about it being sheer. This dress is a SHOW STOPPER. Dress it up with heels, dress it down with a light jacket and flat sandals … just make sure you’re dressed in it.

Comment below with your favorite dress or if you purchase one and want to leave a review!

Easy, Cheap and Impressive Desk DIY Redo

We were redoing our basement due to water damage (more to come on that!) and wanted to keep our current desk in the guest room as a “backup office”. The current desk, however, had been given to us for free and while it was a well-made piece of furniture, the color of it resembled the faint yellow of undershirt armpit stains. With everything we were doing to improve the space, it felt like the desk MUST also be improved on. I didn’t want to pay for a new desk, and didn’t know how to get rid of this one, so I decided to just snazz the ol’ girl up. And for cheap!

The BEFORE picture. Cute but psycho.

First, please note that I did this DIY project during the winter … our basement renovation was over the holidays and I have zero patience. That being said, I directly defied the recommendations of the chalk paint I used and painted at colder temperatures … so please know that this turned out well, despite the paint slightly freezing in place as it was dripping. Truly, if I can make this project a success … anyone can.

Items required:

You can see from these pictures above, I indeed did paint them on plastic in my garage. The paint did not go on evenly because I am a bad DIY-er and didn’t follow directions … truly do try to do this in the correct temperatures! But, even with my flaws, I still salvaged the desk. I easily measured and cut the peel and stick wallpaper to the drawers individually, before replacing the draw pulls. If you don’t use the second roll of paper, you can return it.

Ta Da! Not half bad for not following recommendations on the paint can


Finished product! This doesn’t screen that it’s a designer desk, but it shows that even with the most basic skills and creative talent, you can take a cheap or free piece of furniture and do a 1-day, quick and easy DIY project. I have had compliments from EVERYONE who has seen this desk in our house – they can’t believe I was able to redo it like this! Realistic DIY is the only necessary DIY … and for less than $100!

Sephora Favorites for Spring

Current Skincare Favorites at Sephora:

I must preface all of my recommendations and likes with some context around my skin

  • I have sensitive skin that leans dry if anything
  • I have rosacea, so I use prescription medication as prescribed by dermatologist
  • Big fan of Botox, lasers, and any other non-surgical interventions available by trained dermatology professionals … and who knows, one day I may be a fan of surgery! Let’s just keep it real here.

Also, I am not a dermatologist. But I see two of them and go to a nurse injector. I have a dermatologist that I travel (yes, good skin is worth it) to see a few times a year and she does most of my aesthetic work and controls my acne and rosacea. I also see a local dermatologist for annual skin checks. And then, of course, my botox girl. Your face is the first thing any person sees, so do what you can to preserve it.

Cleansers (they rotate):

I love this gentle cleanser by Dermalogica and it is currently an (almost) empty … also currently in my shower: Shiseido Microfoam. I swear this brand has the most beautiful scent to their products.

Moisturizers: 

I use this at night, one tub has lasted over 6 months and is not fully empty … I am who I am, only God can judge me, but this is LIFE CHANGING (my dermatologist recommended to me) … sadly, not on Sephora. My only digression from their store in this post.

 I receive this Tatcha gem of a cream as a sample and the immediately bought the full size. I use this in the morning.

A current empty: Dermalogica Super Rich Repair Cream. You can almost hear your skin saying “Thank you” after it is applied. Let it dry completely before moving to the next step … serum.

Serum (before moisturizer, after Rx cream):

I will say, it has taken me awhile to get on the serum train, but now I am the conductor and we are going warp speed. The marketing for this says to use it for one week and see the difference … I am not lying when I say this turned my skin around in ONE WEEK. Dior for the win! Morning and night, frands.  

Foundation:

I bought this on a whim because I liked the idea of spraying on foundation … It just seemed cleaner to me. I initially got the wrong color but then I grabbed a different shad, and this is IT. I apply directly to my skin and then blend with a foundation brush.

I do 2N for my color

Powder:

Honestly, I love the Sephora Collections powder. Splurge when you need to, but recognize a good basic when you should.

Mascara:

I’m still playing around with mascaras and definitely have a few that I do not like, but so far these two keep rising to the top of my “keep” pile … Lancome Idole and YSL Effet Faux Cils.

Eyeliner:

Jury is still out. Sadz. Can’t find that perfect one. Message me if you know a winner!

Hair:

My hair has been through a LOT. Decades of damage. I’m shocked any is left … although I did just have a terrifying experience with a new hairstylist and a LOT of hair broke off after she bleached it. A LOT. I was so shocked I couldn’t even cry … I oddly paid and tipped her though? Weird. So I have more to come about hair products but I have been aggressively using masks and repair cream … love this one by Briogeo. I’ll put it on at night and was out in the morning. Fingers crossed this is the first step in my hair’s road to recovery!