Hi guys!! If you're reading this then guess what??? You made it through 2016!!!! One of the most challenging years that I can remember, right? I mean, it wasn't horrible for me-but it wasn't my best. Of course we lost so many amazing artists which are such a sad loss, but it's also been nice for the world to love & appreciate their talents one last time. Yes, tough year for our beloved celebrities. Weird year for so, so, SO many other things. I'm quite the positive person and I have to admit my demeanor, mindset, outlook on life & thoughts have not been as positive as usual. I found this year very challenging. That's the word I'm going to use to describe 2016- challenging, yet enlightening. There's the positive spin! I'm back!

I remember this time last year, I had put SO much work into "what's to come." I had prepped, planned, worked my butt off for all my hard work to fall into place-for it not to. It wasn't 2016 that failed me, it was me that failed myself. But I'm not going to say "failed" actually. This is where the "enlightened" word comes in. 

The beginning of 2016 I was totally hopeful, motivated, scared-yet positive, uncertain-yet calm about all the amazing things that were going to happen. I had a lot of great opportunities. I traveled and worked so much. Got to see some fun areas of the country I have never been to, went on some fun road trips with my husband, and really just went by the seat of my pants for the first 6 months of the year. Freelance is funny. You have all this free time, you get compensated quite well when you work, but nothing is every promised. So it's a really tricky situation. But the truth of the matter was this-I was doing what I loved. The schedule very open, flexible, lots of free time, yet unstable and sporadic worked for me. I got to go for 2 hour walks while listening to music, meditating, enjoying nature (which totally heals me by the way), I got to do yoga & meditation daily-my meditation practice was stronger than ever because my life was uncertain-I needed that break, that time to pray and be guided on where I should go next. My spiritual, physical & mental body was connected. But for some reason I never saw it that way. I only focused on the fact that my job, my foundation was all on the unknown, uncertain, unstable track-I told myself I have to get out of it. I'm crazy to keep doing this job. I completely lost sight of the fact that I was actually doing something I loved, that I am good at, this is what I'm meant to be doing, I know it. But I never reminded myself of that. I was staying busy, in demand, traveling this country all while doing what I loved and getting paid to do it! I was taking care of myself & my yoga practice was the best it's ever been, I had lots of free time to create and things were going well! But I got in my head too much and convinced myself that I was not making wise choices. I was setting myself up for failure and it was a scary uncertain road. I felt like I had to work 5 days a week to be a "real adult," I needed stability. In Freelance, I never knew when I would work again, or if I would even get another job. Yet i always stayed busy for 6 straight months in 2016, hell, i have stayed busy in freelance for over 3 straight years! I just really got in my head by July of 2016. I got in my head, i let the worldly thoughts get in my head, i let fear get in my head, and I lost sight of what I really wanted and the goals and plans that I had for 2016.

I quit it all. I quit makeup, Skincare, education, traveling, freelance, everything. I quit myself, and I lost myself. At first I wasn't too upset. It's hard letting go of what you know you're good at, and I never thought I would quit the beauty world. At first the stability and the newness of a steady paycheck were nice. I loved my job and I cared about it, the people I worked with, and it was fun. But it wasn't me. I appreciated the stability, but I also lost my need for yoga and meditation. I loved the regular hours and always being home on nights and weekends, but I lost making time for my blog and lost inspiration for trying out new products and writing about them. I really just lost a part of me. 

The thing I was running from the most, the thing I needed to change-was the one thing that made me, me. I'm an only child, and the travel that I once dreaded was actually a nice "me time" that I never noticed. I love to walk and look at nature, it's like it's my church. And I used to feel that way driving and seeing all the beautiful scenery. I missed it. The uncertainty of schedule that I desperately wanted to go away, was actually the thing that kept me practicing yoga, meditating & praying. Once stability happened, all the other stuff stopped. My positive mindset, my dreamer mentality, my go-getter, goal digging, dreams-to-reality, driven-mindset, gone. Now I'm not saying that a stable job is a dream killer. I'm saying it wasn't for me. The one thing I thought would "fix everything" didn't. I thought if I knew where my paycheck was coming from every week, I wouldn't have a worry in the world. But that was not true. I let go of me. I let go of myself and my dreams and my passions because I got in my head too much. 

It's hard to let go of your passions to do something safe & stable. But let me tell you, it's harder to let go of the stability and go back for your dreams. But, you have to. I loved my stable job. I loved the friends I had made, I loved everything about it. But it wasn't me. It's hard to swallow that pill. It's hard to realize that stability might not go with your passions, goals, and plans. I'm not saying quit your job and let Jesus take the wheel. No. But what I'm saying is, I looked over all that I had been given, I looked over all that my passions provided, to find that one little detail that I didn't have-stability. I let go of all my passions for that one thing, that I actually had all along. I have been a freelancer for over 3 years & stayed waaaay busier than I always thought I would. Just because I don't know what I'll be doing next month doesn't mean I'm not going to work. I just needed faith & I lost faith & lost sight of my dreams. 

2016 was enlightening to me this way-I got to go on that other side. I had that thought-"if I could only have _______(whatever you think you're missing)then everything would be great" and I actually got what I thought was missing, and realized I left everything else behind. It was enlightening to me because I realized this-some people need stability. They would rather know what their schedule is like every week, they want to know where they're getting that paycheck from every week, and they like that stability (word of the year for me). Then there's the people who would rather do what makes them excited. They want to just go for it and see what happens, follow their passion and have a leap of faith. Things will usually pan out and provide. It's totally scary and to me, I told myself I was childish for wanting that. But it's not. I always thought I was wrong for doing that route and there's no right or wrong. If you're driven by stability-you're not wrong. If you're driven by passion-you're not wrong either! People are wired differently and I don't have to be like everyone else. I can't compare myself to my friends who have a stable job at an office and get paid however much a week. We can't compare ourselves to anyone else. I am not "wrong" for not wanting the stable route & neither is that person who would never do what I do. I am not doing the wrong job because I don't know what I'm working every single week for the next 6 months. I'm doing what I love & I'm meant to do on this earth & that's all I can do is just follow what I know. 

What we can do is take a really deep look into what we do love, What we really do want, what really drives us, and that's something only we can answer-nobody else can answer that for us. That's why for 2017 I'm not doing a resolution-I'm doing a vision board. I'm going to remind myself of what I love, what I want, what excites me, what makes me truly happy & makes me feel good & accomplished. I'm going to be very mindful of what brings me joy & that's it. What brings ME joy-not what's supposed to bring me joy, or what I'm supposed to do, it's what I want & my purpose. Tomorrow I will give you steps on how to make your own vision board to take you into 2017 with guns blazing! 

Take today not to think about how crappy 2016 was or your failures. Think about your growth, what you've learned, your accomplishments and all the positives of 2016. Take that warmth & happiness and put it out there already for 2017, because 2017 is going to be great. 

Numerology believes that 2016 is a 9 year. 9 is a number of endings & completion. So just think that this year is done. You don't have to take any of 2016 with you. It's done, it is completed. 

2017 is a 1 year which means-new beginnings & creations. 

If you want to start over, if you've always wanted to create or do something and you've been scared. If you're still hanging on to something that brings you sadness or negativity or holds you back-let it go because 2016 is done & completed & 2017 is time for a new you. What better time to do it then now???? This is your sign!! Start fresh & renew & do what YOU want because 2017 is the year to do it! 

See ya 2016-it's been weird & enlightening! 

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The Eyes Have It

Hi all!! its October!!!! My favorite month ever!! Here's what I've been up to!

I try to use non toxic Skincare and makeup but I've never been too worried about mascara. I used Covergirl LashBlast forever, then I recently moved to every single Bobbi Brown mascara because I used to do makeup for them and I have so many of their mascaras. So I tried them after my covergirl ran out and I suddenly developed some sort of major irritation towards mascara. Couldn't wear any of the Bobbi mascaras an entire day, went back to covergirl and couldn't even wear that one anymore! So I started researching the harm of mascaras and here we go-read on!

So, I've been trying some natural mascaras. It's been quite a journey. I had no idea that this would be such a nightmare!! I know some of you sit there and think that there are a ton of great mascaras out there, and there are! But-I'm looking for a natural mascara.

Here are some hazards to your every day mascaras you can buy-

They contain parabens- I know y'all have heard about parabens. It's been a buzz word for a while and I still think it's an ingredient to look out for. Parabens are used as a preservative in a lot of cosmetics. A lot of people act like they are just used to hold things together, or as a hygienic preserver but they can also disrupt estrogen in the body. High concentrations of parabens have been found in breast tumors according to research from the University of Reading in the UK. Tons of your department store and drugstore mascaras (and by a ton I mean basically every single brand sold there) contain parabens. A lot of companies are going paraben free which is fantastic, but there's still other ingredients to look out for.
Aluminum Powder-this is rated high in toxicity on my favorite website (www.ewg.com). The Environmental Working Group sites that aluminum powder is a neurotoxin and is considered to be worse than mercury because is interferes with your nervous system. Studies have shown that long
term exposure to this neurotoxin can cause your body to stop excreting mercury so whatever mercury you are exposed to will make it even more toxic to your nervous system. Umm yikes!

Propylene Glycol-Of course the FDA says this ingredient is A-Ok. I do not. Mainly this ingredient can cause major irritations and be a huge issue if you're sensitive to makeup.

Retinyl Acetate (vitamin A Acetate)-once again, this ingredient is ranked high by the EWG. This ingredient can cause biochemical or cellular level changes. Literally this ingredient can mutate genes...wtf?!!?? This ingredient is banned in Canadian cosmetics...so why not here??? It's so bizarre I can't even comprehend it.

Formaldehyde-yes, that ingredient you have heard of from your biology class. Yes, that smelly stuff that preserved your frog you dissected. That's seriously all I can think about when I hear this

 ingredient and it's disgusting. I would never want to associate my experience dissecting frogs to applying eye makeup....just no. Obviously formaldehyde is a carcinogen. Unfortunately it's in tons of mascara and there are many different names used, which makes it even harder to know if it's in your mascara. I think that is so sketchy by the way. Why are there so many secrets in what we use on our faces??

Petrolatum-it's a thick, petroleum jelly that literally suffocates our healthy cells and then over time causes the cells to deteriorate and cause aging! What the heck!!! So using mascara with petrolatum can cause my eyes to age faster, no thanks!

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-literally found in almost every single mainstream beauty, self care, cosmetics, Skincare product. One of the top ingredients that cause some of the worst allergic reactions.

So, as you can see. I don't want to use that stuff on my face!!! I would rather go with no mascara than risk these reactions from these ingredients. So, I've been trying out a few natural mascaras to share my reviews with y'all. Some were good, most were bad lol. It wasn't easy I'm not going to lie.

Ok here's some reviews-

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara-ok first, it isn't deemed all natural, but-it had a lower score on my "think dirty" app and I got it from some beauty box so I gave it a shot. Opened up the pretty little mint green tube, and liked it from the get-go! I loved the clean wand when I went to apply it. The brush wasn't
clumpy and gooey covered in tons of mascara. I put the mascara on and I have to say, it was really hard to see that I had any mascara on. When I went to apply a second coat my lashes had already dried together in weird little triangle clumps, so needless to say, I wasn't too excited about this mascara. By the end of the day I was so ready to get this mascara off!!!! It had clumped my lashes into those weird little triangles that every time I blinked it pulled my lashes. They literally felt like my lashes had been pulled up in a ponytail all day and by the time I got home from work all I could think about was washing off my makeup-which is totally unlike me. It's so rare for me to want to wash off my makeup so quickly. Makeup never bothers me, but this mascara did. Not only did it clump and pull my lashes all day, it smudged so bad!!! Every time I looked in the mirror I would have a shadow of where my mascara had hit. The smudging wasn't horrible, but I don't want to deal with that and neither should you! So-smudgy eyes...not great...when I went to wash off my mascara it wouldn't come off!!!! Like at all! I even used coconut oil, and I busted out my old products that I don't even use anymore (full on toxins lol) just to see if all those chemicals and junk would remove it...nope!! I used face oils, coconut oils, and 3 different eye makeup removers with no luck. What boggles me most is that it smudged under my eyes, but wouldn't wash off for days...such a mystery. So-that's a hard no on this mascara.

Next up was the Physicians Formula Organic Mascara-this little shiny, metallic tube looked promising. I've heard good things about this Brand's organic mascara but when I got to Target I didn't realize there would be multiple options. There was an Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara, a regular Organic Wear mascara-I don't know what the difference is, I got both. I was so excited to try this one. Let me just cut to the chase-I have never had a mascara smear so bad in my life!!!!! Both of them, not so great. Actually, horrible. I'm not lying when I say I never have an issue with smearing and all of a sudden these trials happened and it's smeared. Now the Pixi one smeared but this one like SMEARED!!!! I would wipe under my eyes throughout the day and my entire finger would be black lol. It was bad. So, by this point I was feeling a little defeated.

I tried Josie Maran's mascara and once again, went on nicely but smeared pretty bad on me. With that said-I gave it to my good friend who has serious eye issues when it comes to mascara and she swears by it! It's the only mascara she can use! So-with that being said, I love Josie Maran's products so if you're interested, I say give it a go!
www.josiemarancosmetics.com
Next up-Beauty Counter Mascara-I'm sure you've been hearing about this brand. I have too and I have been so curious! It's not 100% organic, but for me being a total freak about ingredients-I'm really pleased with this company and their "Never list" and the changes they want to see in the cosmetics industry so I'm a huge fan of the brand. So-the mascara. Things haven't looked so good guys. Every single brand I have tried before were not good. So I was a little weary after such bad luck before. But let me tell you-this mascara is awesome! It curls your lashes which I love. My amazing Shu Uemura eyelash curler finally bit the dust after 8 years so I haven't gotten a new one yet and Lordy I need one! But now I don't need one! This mascara curls, lengthens, and doesn't smudge!!!! It's a little tricky to remove but nothing like the Pixi one lol. Just use a little coconut oil or a cleansing balm and you're golden! So happy I actually found a non-toxic mascara that doesn't make me look like I got punched in both eyes by the end of the day!
www.beautycounter.com/andreaturner

Under both reviews of Josie Maran and Beauty Counter mascaras are the links to the website to buy them. Check them out if you're curious! I highly suggest it! It'll be one small step for beauty and one giant leap for your health! (Corny, I know. Not sure if it really works but it's late and it seems clever right now)

www.medicaldaily.com



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www.beautycounter.com/andreaturner

Argan Love

Argan Love

I have been wanting to post a blog about Argan oil for a looooong time! I know Argan oil has been a huge buzz word in the beauty industry (hello Moroccan oil hair products!) but, I've just started to notice this ingredient in Skincare just recently (and by recently i mean a year, I'm just way behind on blogging lol). I have always been a fan of Josie Maran. She was in Maybelline makeup ads back when I was just discovering my love for makeup. Now, she's this badass #girlboss with a hugely successful Argan oil Skincare & makeup line. She has major standards for her products, the ingredients, how their harvested, what her brand gives back, and of course she wants result-driven products that don't harm you or your health. So, the Josie Maran line is a total win in my eyes! Of course I HAD to try her products out!

If you've read this blog at all, you know I don't use toxic ingredients and I use my handy dandy "think dirty" app or the EWG website to check all my beauty & body products before I buy. So of course these babies I'm going to write about have checked out & are truly sitting on my bathroom shelf right now!


Josie Maran Cosmetics standards are:

-they use organic Argan oil
-all products are made with love
-they're vegan (woo hoo!!)
-no synthetic fragrances
-all natural ingredients
-cruelty free (another must for me)
-paraben free
-organic ingredients
-recyclable (gotta take care of Mother Nature people)

I love these standards! Not only do we have a choice to take care of our skin & our bodies & make sure we do not harm ourselves-now we can choose to support brands who also want to take care of our planet and those living in it! These are huge steps to making the world a better place!

Josie Maran Cosmetics main goal is to enhance natural beauty in all of us while enhancing the natural beauty of the world we live in. From harvest to production, Josie Maran makes sure they are consciously protecting & enhancing the beauty of our planet & ourselves. This company is also about empowering women. I mean how could you not want to support this brand!?!

Josie Maran Cosmetics gets all their Argan oil from an all-female co-op in Morocco. This gives women in Morocco an opportunity to get a job with a steady income with a fair wage in a decent working environment all while providing them literacy and other education opportunities to have the freedom to stand up against the traditionally male-dominated society.

Josie Maran Cosmetics also preserve the Argan forests where they harvest their Argan oil. The co-ops they work with provide responsible harvesting of the Argan oil to protect these forests. Josie also works to save the polar bears in a campaign she has with her Bear Naked Wipes. Every pack sold donates a portion to the Natural Resources Defense Council's Polar Bear SOS Initiative. She also donates 10% of sales from a limited edition product to the JMC's Model Citizen Campagin which highlights a different person who is out & about raising awareness. The proceeds will go to whoever that selected person's cause may be.

So as you can see, not only is she giving back to us. We do not need to worry about products we use harming us & potentially causing health issues. But-she also cares about the environment, empowering woman, making woman feel & look amazing, she cares for other causes & animals, and even the easiest act of us supporting this brand will help out too!

Josie Maran became more aware of toxicity of beauty products being a model for over 17 years. She got to work with the best hair & makeup artists around, but she also got exposed to the scary ingredients used in cosmetics. She wondered, did beauty products have to be bad for us? Well, apparently yes. She was told there was no way her products would be affective & have a luxurious feel without chemicals. Well, she didn't quit there. She continued to figure out a way to make this work and while she was in the South of France she was introduced to Argan oil. Josie referred to Argan oil as "liquid gold." And in 2007 Josie started her brand, Josie Maran Cosmetics & used her "liquid gold" as the staple to her products.

Like I said earlier, I had wanted to try her products because I was such a huge fan of her. But, like everyone else, I was worried about oils being too heavy for my skin. Now this was a while ago. These days I'll put plain extra virgin olive oil on my skin if I have to. Oils don't scare me one bit! But, to most people, putting an oil directly on the skin seems pretty scary. But trust me! It's not! It'll be one of the best things you can do!

I finally made the plunge and purchased a couple of Josie Maran argan oil starter kits at sephora while in Miami working last year. I was in Miami, my skin was really not acting right, and I was so over it. I was working for a high end Skincare brand at the time and was there to train & educate the counters and aestheticians. I have to admit, at about this time last year I wasn't eating great, wasn't sleeping enough, traveling like crazy, and my skin was majorly stuffing. I've had breakouts. I've had dry skin. I've had congested, oily skin. I've had redness & irritation. I've had dull skin. Well all of that put into one was basically my skin in miami. It was so dry, but so oily all at the same time. Being an aesthetician it's rare that I feel out of control with my own skin & in Miami, i did. My skin was just, blah. That's the only way I could describe it.

So last day of my Miami trip I'm shopping with my friend Tiffany. I hate to fly so spending lots and lots of money shopping was my coping mechanism. We went into sephora (which I never go to! I tend to avoid cosmetic stores because I am always in them working!) & I decided ok, I'm finally in one of these things-let's go check out Josie Maran's line! Made a straight run for it & immediately started playing. It was November while I was in Miami so all the holiday sets were out & I racked up! I was loving the lightweight consistency of the cheek tints & the foundation. The colors were beautiful, the finish of the makeup was beautiful. It was Like you had an immediate youthful glow. I loved it! Grabbed up one of the color kits immediately. Then I ran over to the Skincare side. I never use testers because I have seen first hand the lack of care & sanitation people use on these. But I couldn't help myself with the Argan milk from her line. I put a drop on the back of my hand (totally ok with that, I do that all the time) and I fell in love. My hand looked amazing! It felt amazing! So then I got the dropper, poured more in my hands & put it all over my face (totally not ok with that, I never do that at a store!). Immediately my face felt like it came to life. My inflammation calmed down, I felt soothed, I felt hydrated, it had a glow, it was soft, it was plump, it just felt amazing! I picked up that Skincare kit as well and the next thing I knew, I had spent $75 at sephora. Bam! That fast!

That was almost a year ago. I still use so much of her line. I'll write blogs in more detail highlighting one product at a time because they're so good. I just wanted to give you an overview of the brand as a whole first. I can't wait to share all my favorites from the line!!

Where to buy-www.josiemarancosmetics.com

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Why Natural Beauty?

Why natural beauty?

Hi guys! It's been a while. I have had so many changes in my life and I just now feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things. A couple of major changes have been my jobs! And yes, I say jobs. If any of you know me, you know I juggle about 7 different jobs. I worked as an aesthetician for about 5 different Skincare lines & a makeup artist for 1 line. I worked for all those lines in high-end department stores & high-end cosmetic boutiques and would travel all around the region to do facials and makeup for beauty events at the shops. It was fun, I loved educating, I loved my co-workers, it was fun seeing new cities but it was time for a change. I hated leaving home, I love being at home and being able to sleep in my own bed & actually see my husband as much as possible! I hated leaving my dogs, my garden, my regular routine. It's hard to take care of yourself on the road too. Eating is tough, traveling is tough on your body & my body especially doesn't handle travel well for some reason. I knew this was a job I loved & I was lucky to do for a long time. But it's a tough job. It can get stressful, it's hard to be away from home, it's unpredictable, and it's wearing on you. I knew this wouldn't be a job I would do long-term and I knew it was coming to and end soon. So, I decided to check out some different options and I was still scared to death to take a leap of faith and try something new. Even though my job as a freelance aesthetician and makeup artist was unstable & crazy & took me away from home, it's what I've done for 4 years now. I was told numerous times that Skincare & beauty is "what I was meant to do." My passion shines through when I talk and educate people. So why was I leaving again? On paper the job sounded great. Ooohhh travel! Oooohhhh makeup and beauty! Oohhh meeting new people! Yeah, all good. But, it was time to step down. I could tell I was done.

But now! Now I can truly write about brands. Any brand I want to! I don't feel torn or like I'm bound to a certain company. Now I can truly write about what I want to! I can focus on the good, the bad, and the ugly! I can actually write about toxins in Skincare and beauty and not feel like while I'm educating you on this knowledge that I'm also going against brands I represent. So now I have more freedom and can really educate y'all on everything!
One main principle I have on Skincare & beauty is toxins. The United States hasn't updated their FDA requirements for cosmetics since 1938....umm you guys. A LOT has changed since then. And I'm not just talking about changes in our country, think about all the new wacky ingredients and chemicals that we have developed since 1938. I think we might want to look back into these regulations folks. Europe has banned over 1400 ingredients. Guess how many we in the US have band?
11

Yes, 11. Guys. This is serious. And I don't want to hear people tell you that Skincare, body care, makeup, hair care, any type of cosmetics don't absorb into the blood stream. Because they do! If I can't perform a chemical peel on you while you're pregnant-then these products penetrate into the bloodstream, period. I have been approached by certain Skincare brands (that shall remain nameless) to represent them & sell their products. But-I do not believe in their chemically created ingredients to force cells regeneration. I've politely declined and told them I like more natural ingredients and I have been answered back to very condescending responses and talked down to because "it might not be linked to cancers" or it is "most likely not able to penetrate into the blood stream" and the response has been loaded down with a bunch of filler to basically trick you into thinking "wow! They used a lot of technical cosmetic words, they must know what they're talking about" nope! Not going to fool me!

I'm sorry. If there's a possibility that a product can cause cancer-I'm out. I don't care if you think I'm an idiot or not. I love my life, I'm not going to risk it to try some product that will thin out my skin and make me look like glass by the time I'm 35. Yeah, I'll pass.

I know this sounds harsh but it's the way I feel and these are just my personal thoughts on Skincare. There's too much false advertisements out there tricking people into thinking that what they're using is natural or good for them. Aveeno is not natural people. Kiehls is not natural. Aveda products (which are owned by Estée Lauder) aren't so great either folks. It's so deceiving and it's so unfair. They know how to package everything to look clean & pure and market it like it's "all natural." I get it, you don't want to look through ingredients and study harmful names to look for. That's why I'm here! I'm here to help. I love this stuff and there's new information everyday coming out. Hell, I just read about 2 brand new ingredients that companies have made up to basically combine tons of toxic ingredients into one super toxic name. What the heck is going on people????!!??? This is pure craziness that companies are literally making up names of things to hide more toxins behind it! It's time to start studying up on what we put on our bodies, face, skin, hair & nails & I'm here to help you!

I've got lots of blogs waiting in the wings here that I've already written giving reviews and info on some of my favorite natural brands! Stay tuned and I'll be sharing these every couple of days!

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All About That Balance

Happy Independence Day weekend everybody!! So this weekend is all about hanging outside, being with friends, grilling, drinking cool crisp cocktails, fireworks, and of course celebrating our great country's birthday & giving thanks and remembering all those who fought for our freedom. To me, I want to eat right and not just blow my healthy habits out the door all in one weekend all the while beating myself up for going crazy. But, it's also a holiday weekend to do all these things I listed above and I don't want to constantly think How clean a food item is, is this bad for me, or does it have gmo's and carbs...blah! Take some time off people!! That's what holidays are for! So that's just what I'll do! Here are a few tips that I follow for holiday weekends and time off!

1-balance! For breakfast I'll have a green juice or a detox juice and some fruit with lots of water. Keep it light and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

2-modify! For a cocktail outside I will lighten up on the sugary options and go for cleaner cocktails that you can make.

This is what I'll be drinking this weekend:

Clean Margarita

1oz good quality tequila
3oz club soda
I like the juice of half a lime, but I like tart! Juice the lime to your taste

3-moderation! I know you hear that word all the time but it really works! Sometimes I just need a bite. If you're one of my friends or Corey all you hear me say when we go out to eat is I just want a bite. It fills that void of desserts or heavier options that weigh you down. A bite will do it! Now I'm not saying only eat a bite of food overall. I'm saying I take a bite of a cupcake, pizza, a burger, whatever. Then, the rest of my meal is more veggie heavy, healthier foods.

4-Have fun! Enjoy your free time and quality time with family and friends. Don't boggle your mind with calorie counting and clean foods lists. Just have some fun. I like to enjoy myself but I also like to remind myself of how I will feel after I binge. I want to make the most of my holiday weekend so sometimes certain foods aren't worth feeling like crap the rest of the day for.

Just be mindful in everything! Be mindful in your time with friends & family. Be mindful for your free time and extra day off if you're lucky enough to have one. Be mindful of the people who do have to work this holiday weekend & be thankful for them. Be thankful for everyone who has risked their all for us to have these celebrations. And just soak up the time you have with friends and family!




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Matcha in the Morning

I'm sure you've heard the word matcha lately. Matcha is seriously having a moment and I'm loving it! It deserves all the attention.

What is matcha you ask? Matcha has been a tradition of the Japanese culture for over a millennium. Matcha has so many benefits, which i will go over soon. Matcha is ground green tea leaves. The leaves are picked young so the leaves are rich & full of nutrients. These leaves are steamed, stemmed, and then ground into a very fine powder. So essentially you are consuming the entire green tea leaf (minus stems and vines of course).

Matcha is high in antioxidants. So it'll help your body fight against free radials, helps with anti-aging, and helps keep your body at the peak of health! Matcha also has very high amounts of EGCg (one of the most powerful catechins) which means it is a fantastic cancer fighter. Studies have shown that matcha has over 100 times more EGCg than any other tea. It's the tea of all teas!

Matcha gives you energy, but also calms you. I don't do well with a lot of caffeine so coffee usually makes me feel jittery and horrible. But, I do need some help perking myself up from time to time and this is where matcha is the perfect option. Matcha gives you energy & alertness but it also keeps you calm all at the same time!

Matcha contains L-Theanine which helps induce relaxation & sharpens your memory! Chinese Daoists & Japanese Zen Buddhist monks drink this amazing tea to help meditate while staying alert & it helps your concentration while giving you energy and endurance. That's why Samurai & my husband drink it, lol. I mean, Corey is close to a Samurai... My husband works outside all day doing landscape & pond installations and coffee is not what he wants to drink outside in the heat of Nashville. It makes him jittery and it's harsh on you. Matcha helps keep his energy and stamina all day while helping him feel calm and relaxed.

Matcha also increases metabolism and helps your body burn fat & helps lower your cholesterol. It also detoxifies the body because matcha contains chlorophyll which helps pull out heavy metals and chemicals from the body. On top of all these other benefits, matcha has antibiotic properties, potassium, vitamins, iron, protein, and calcium.

I used to add a teaspoon of matcha to almond or coconut milk & shake it up and drink. That simple! But, I was reading one my favorite bloggers page "Nutrition Stripped" and she had an blog post about a matcha latte. I have kept it on my phone for months never taking the leap to move into the latte realm and wow, I'm so glad I did! Her recipe is on her blog & it's easy & so delicious. Matcha latte mornings are the way to go! I get my matcha from a local tea place here called High Garden but you can order matcha online as well. Just make sure you get a good quality matcha. Here's to your health! I hope you enjoyed & I hope you try it out!

Naturallivingideas.com
Nutritionstripped.com


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The Blogger's Dilemma

Hi all! Here's a quick blog going over what's been happening in my life. I've been so bad keeping up with this (what's new right?). I have the hardest time keeping up with this thing. Plus, I've been going through so much. I've been traveling like crazy, mercury went into retrograde (...yeesh) that makes me question everything in life, I should never blog during that time it would be filled with me ranting about what should I do with my life, and I'm supposed to be a responsible adult & I just can't do it. I don't think that would be a big hit. Another reason for such a long pause is I'm really trying to perfect the subject of my blog. I want to be a serious blogger. I want to really pinpoint a subject and focus on it.

But I can't. I love too much not to share.

So here's the deal. I really want to write about beauty products but, one issue-I work for many different lines so I don't want to piss anyone off. Second-I don't have enough money to buy all this stuff!! I look at some bloggers and I'm like, "Holy crap! That person just spent $300 at Sephora!" Just no. I can't. I don't do that & I'm a makeup artist! I spend my money on food & clothes. So, I will review products, but it's going to take some time folks. Because if I'm trying it out for a blog, I'm using every last drop until I move on to the next item. So hold tight people. There will be beauty reviews, tips & pointers. But it's going to take some time for me to get through certain items.

Another issue-I am not made of money folks. I know. Sad story. With that being said, I have started to research how to better my blog, sharpen my skills. And yes, some of these skills cost nothing. But-some do. And once again, I spend my money on food & clothing. I just can't throw some cash at a fancy website or blog page. I won't have the fancy photo shoots and my pictures won't look fantastic on a regular basis. I do have a couple things up my sleeve though. So better quality pictures will be here, but not all the time so don't get used to it alright? Selfie sticks and blogspot are here to stay, sorry guys.

Sorry, but it's true! I can't afford a photographer all the time so I'll do the best that I can. What I can offer is this-honesty. I've been boggling my mind on what subject to focus on. Do I focus on fitness? Health? Beauty? Food? Inspirational follow your dreams posts? I don't know!

I did some research and started checking out many other blogs and I realized something. I feel more defeated and down after checking out a lot of blogs rather than feelings super pumped about eating clean, new beauty & fashion trends, or working out. I feel like these people are freakin awesome and perfect and I'll never get to that point. I beat myself up because I'm not investing all this money into new makeup and Skincare constantly to amp up my blog posts. I feel bad and discouraged when I want an outfit from someone and then read to see where it's from and it's $600! I realized this is magical and it's wonderful and there are so many people that will spend that money and get these things but I can't. So I've decided to basically write for myself. I'm not going to suggest things that I wouldn't buy myself, I'm not going to show clothing I can't afford, I'm not going to make it look like I spend hours at the gym or make green juices every day. I'm going to be me and hopefully build a group of strong badass women like me to follow this blog and feel good & empowered after reading.

Now I'm not saying that others bloggers make people feel bad. No. I am just saying I have yet to find a blogger that I fit with. I'm going to share life with you. Sharing the Struggles of doing what you love, but also the rewards. Trying affordable, natural products that I love. Sharing with you the inspirations that cross my path & the fears. Basically this is my online diary and I'm ready to inspire and share. And I hope you like it!


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Angels in the workplace

Hi folks! Summer is officially here in Nashville. Wow, it's hot and sunny & beautiful! Im sure my husband who works outside begs to differ. But, summer is here whether you like it or not.

For me, I love summer. I always look back fondly at summer and miss it so much. But during the summer I feel like I dread it. I dread wearing a swimsuit, showing more skin, I beat myself up over not preparing my body during the winter for my "summer body." I feel like I don't take advantage of all the amazing things that are happening during the summer because I'm so hard on myself and beat myself up over aspect of summer and honestly it sucks. I'm so tired of beating myself up over not being prepared for my summer body, then beating myself up for not appreciating the moment and enjoying the summer. Y'all, this has to stop! And I am making a conscious effort to not do this anymore!

In my previous post I wrote about the new direction I'm going with the blog. Yes, of course I'll write about beauty & products I love. Yes, I'll write about fun, natural health tips and products that I'm trying. This is me, this will not go away. But I also want to really start being real with y'all. The perception of what social media gives is this-all day I sit in my house and make Skincare & green juices and me and my talented husband just build amazing pieces of furniture all day. We have a beautiful garden that we maintain and eat all organic healthy foods. But unfortunately that's not the case. And I want to be honest about that. The truth is I am an aesthetician for a few high-end Skincare lines & a makeup artist who never truly knows what her work schedule will be like. To stay busy and be successful in this beauty world you have to keep your schedule free. But keeping your schedule free means not having a crutch of a job to lean on for security. So when you're working, buckle up, hold on & good luck! It's crazy and it's fun & it all usually happens back-to-back. But when you get free time or "days off" you don't get paid. So those times are rarely spent relaxing. Those "days off" usually consist of me doing the budget for the next month in a panic and sweating profusely.

But, in the end, my workload is always busier than I ever expect it to be and it always works out. That's just the beauty of the job. You never know what you're going to get and that's ok. That's life. When I made a regular paycheck and worked regular hours I felt like a robot. Even though I was working in the beauty industry still doing what I was interested in, it wasn't what I loved. The second I quit that job I started really living. I started really feeling things. Some of those things were stress, uncertainty, worry, anxiety, and a couple of arguments with Corey sprouted from money (damn you money). But, the main feelings I felt were excitement, motivation, determination, happiness, freedom, contentment & love. The ladder definitely outweighs the couple of moments of stress for sure. My life is not a roller coaster of emotions. The fear and more negative feelings come and go very rarely. But I just wanted to put it out there that this life I live is not easy as it may seem when you look at my social media or see others' blogs. I just want to be real.

Really, it isn't easy. It isn't easy to blog. It isn't easy to blog because I feel like I'm writing to nobody or I feel like I'm ridiculous because I'm not expert, do I really think people want to hear what I have to say? I don't know...really, I have no clue. But the truth is, I love putting my feelings out there and writing is my best outlet. So even if people don't read this, that's ok. It's my therapy.

One of the best things that has come from taking this journey that I have chosen is the people I have met along the way. Being a freelance makeup artist is amazing. You get to travel and meet people, tons of people. I have people I can call friends all over this region and that makes me so lucky. This group of girls are amazing! Truly, amazing. They took the same risk I took and we share the same passion and love and they are so uplifting and encouraging and that means so much to me. There are moments of doubt and it can be really hard doing this job sometimes. You have to leave home, once again, the instability of the job is hard enough, it's long days and crazy schedules-but then you have these golden moments of talking to these powerful women who are in the same position as you and reaffirming themselves and others that this is the job we are meant for. Wow, it always comes at the right time & it always stays with me. I also get to meet so many people who sit in the makeup chair or lay on the facial bed and I get to talk to them, and make them feel good. But lately I feel like they're giving me more to take away than I'm giving them. Lately I've had customers send me words of encouragement and positivity that I truly needed. It's amazing what those words can do for someone who works in this field.

This job has led me to some of the best people I have ever met. These people are good people. They have amazing hearts & that same free spirit I have that I cherish in others. They encourage me, they listen to my worries, and they lift me up even if they don't realize it. We get together and share our fears, worries, and dreams and we encourage one another that we're not crazy and just keep on going! It's important to find that support group. The ones that get what you do, support what you do, inspire you, and encourage you. Be that person for someone else. Find friends in your field and be there for one another. I'm so lucky I have found mine.


This is one of the subjects that I will focus on in my blog. This won't just be a facade of my life is perfect and I just travel freely and do makeup & have fun. It'll show the struggle and doubts that we all have. But the main truth is, do what you love. When you do that all things fall into place and everything works out every time. You get to meet amazing people who share those same interests and they will lift you up and change your life.

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Salt Cave Adventures

So, here I go once again. I just wrote out a whole blog about going to a Himalayan salt cave this weekend and poof! It got deleted. So here I go again. I really thought that first draft was really good too. Very education, descriptive & charming all wrapped up in one little blog. So...take 2. Let's hope this one is close to the first...yeesh.

Ok. Here we go.

Hi guys! Happy Monday! (Seriously, already starting out as a Monday for sure!) ok, so this weekend me, my aunt & my mom went to a Himalayan salt cave. I have been interested in the benefits of Himalayan salt for a while. I transitioned my regular salt to pink Himalayan salt and I have a few votive salt candles for my home. There are so many health benefits in this beautiful, pink crystal.

Himalayan salt is a pure, untouched salt that is millions of years old. It is free of toxins & pollutants unlike our traditional sea salt we use. Himalayan salt has been maturing for over 250 million years under tectonic pressure which has led it to be free of toxins and impurities. Besides being pure, Himalayan salt also provides numerous health benefits. Himalayan salt has 84 natural minerals and elements found in the human body which is beneficial for our bodies to be at the peak of our health. The unique cell structure of Himalayan salt is tiny & easy for our bodies to absorb its vibrational energy. Eastern European countries have used Himalayan salt caves to treat people for over 30 years. We are just learning about this in the US.

Consuming Pink Himalayan sea salt is one way to take advantage of its healing properties. It's a very easy switch over from your traditional table salt to pink Himalayan salt. It taste the same & it's prettier! (Not a real benefit there, purely aesthetic) one thing though, when baking I would advise to use the exact salt they suggest, I wouldn't switch to Himalayan salt there because baking is a finicky thing! But for everything else, Himalayan salt does the trick! Health benefits consuming the salt are-

-controls water levels in the body -helps with sinus problems
-stabilizes ph balance in cells & brain -reduces cramps
-encourages blood sugar health -increases bone strength
-aids in reducing aging -healthy libido
-vascular health -circulator support
-promotes kidney & gallbladder health

Like I said, I have been using Himalayan salt in & on my food for a while now and the transition was easy! I also have been adding some Himalayan salt crystal votives to our home. I have been studying Himalayan salt for a while and when we heard that we had a Himalayan salt cave near us in Nashville, my aunt, mom & I were ready to go check it out! I was so curious what it was all about! I had imagined us getting there and having to crawl down to this underground, giant cave and just be hanging out in there but I was definitely wrong!

Our drive to the cave was surprisingly easy! Not as far as I expected and it wasn't out in this desolate location. It's right off Nolensville road people! So our journey began walking into their beautifully smelling entry way. It smelled fresh & light like a day spa would smell like. We were greeted by the sweet girls working the front desk & they gave us a rundown of what to expect and what we need to do. I did a little research on their website before heading over there and the website said to dress comfortable and it could be cold for some. I wore my lululemon wunder unders, a tank top & a kimono. As you walk in the girls hand you paper slippers to cover your feet, and you have the option to grab noise canceling headphones that play calming music, a blanket (which I opted out of & I was completely comfortable in what I was wearing & didn't need a blanket) & an eye mask which I didn't use. The dim glow of the room and the headphones streaming zen music was all I needed to relax.





As you shuffle in the room in your paper shoes you are drawn in by calm music & the beautiful glow of the salt. You walk into the room and it's dark, calming, and very inviting. Before you know it piles of this coarse, multifaceted pink salt crystals are under your feet. So much it looks like rough, pink sand all over the floor. It really felt good on my big 'ol feet. I would have loved to have just walked around on those crystals the whole time, but I also would have been the most hated & annoying patron to ever go into the cave. So, the zero gravity chair would have to do. As you walk in the music encircles you & you slip into these chairs and just lay back. Literally, lay back. I have never been in a zero gravity chair and you truly lay back in those babies. I love them now! So as you relax back in your chair, you & around 10 other people get comfortable. You throw on your headphones and just chill under the twinkle lights and the rose glow of the pink salt. Once the lights dim & you're listening to the calming tunes, it's like you're the only one in the cave.




There are so many benefits to going into a salt cave which I will list in a bit. But also, there's benefits in relaxation & meditation. It's so good for you to just take some time out for yourself & by yourself. So why not do it in a room filled with the amazing Himalayan salt? I'm in! The temperature & humidity controlled (at around 71 degrees) salt cave is made to simulate the salt caves in Ukraine. It is so beautiful in the cave. It is literally covered in Himalayan salt, it's on the walls, the ceilings & of course that awesome sand on the floor. There is over 12 thousand pounds on Himalayan salt in the cave! There is a Halo generator that breaks down the salt into fine particles that is pumped into the air while you lay back and breathe in the benefits. The entire cave is a hypo-bacterial & allergen free environment. Your sinus & respiratory tract will absorb moisture from the salt & will clean & clear mucus & kill bacteria. I kept my makeup minimal as the salt caves offer skin healing benefits as well. Here's a list of other benefits of a Himalayan salt cave-

-acne -circulatory issues
-ADHD -depression
-allergies -ear infections
-arthritis -emphysema
-asthma -fatigue
-bronchial/sinus issues -nervousness
-bronchitis -sinusitis
-COPD -poor concentration
-cystic fibrosis -eczema & psoriasis
-sleep disorders -smokers cough
-stress/anxiety -weakened immune system

It was amazing what a 45 minute session can do for you. After the session you lift up out of your chair and just float right out the door. When you first get to the cave you & the other guests are just kind of hanging out & minding your own business. But who knew after hanging out in a cave together for 45 minutes would make such a difference. When we all got out everyone was quite chatty with one another. Most people we were with purchased a groupon deal for the cave and you could tell it was their first session at the cave, as it was ours. But after the first session most people either bought a package deal for more visits, that's what we did, or they bought some Himalayan salt goodies to prolong their experience at home.


If you want to take these benefits home with you I would suggest to buy a Himalayan salt lamp or votive. These lamps and votives generate negative ions which naturally come from lightning storms, waterfalls, the ocean, rainstorms & sunlight. This is why most people feel refreshed & renewed when they experience these natural occurrences.

Positive ions are created from microwaves, television, & electronics which aggravate allergies, sleep trouble & stress. Negative ions cancel out the positive ions which in turn cleanse the air. These salt lamps are hygroscopic which means the salt attracts water to the surface and the heat evaporates it which produces negative ions in your environment with the lamp. Airborne mold, bacteria & allergens can all be absorbed into the lamp and neutralized by negative ions. Among all the other benefits you've already read about in this blog here are a few more you get from the lamp-

-cleanse & deodorize the air -better sleep
-reduce allergy & asthma symptoms -improve mood & concentration
-ease cough -treat seasonal affect disorder
-increase energy levels -reduce static electricity in the air
-neutralize electromagnetic radiation

I hope you enjoyed reading all the benefits this beautiful pink crystal can give you & I hope you treat yourself with either going to a salt cave or bringing a little salt cave to your home with a lamp or votive. Remember, it is very important to buy a real pink salt crystal from the Himalayas. There are many fake ones that are just generic salt crystals not real Himalayan pink salt. I have seen many at discount stores and I'm a little weary of those. In this case, pay a little more & get a good quality lamp or votive. If you're in Nashville, check out Pony Show. She has quality salt lamps & votives. Do your research & get a good one! Happy Monday!

Serenitysaltcavetn.com
Wellnessmama.com
Globalhealingcenter.com
Naturallivingideas.com


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Leap Day!

Hi guys! Happy leap day! I guess that's what you say on this special day right? I have no idea. All I know is today has been awesome already! Woke up to beautiful weather, sweet pups, my cute, handsome husband, and a crazy positive, determined attitude! This year has been great so far. Been keeping really busy traveling for Skincare and makeup brands, been traveling a lot! Basically 4 weeks straight of travel, and then I had a little break traveling last week but worked in Nashville for beauty events all last week and this week I finish off my travel marathon going to Birmingham for a couple days, and then I'm off from travel for the rest of the month!!!!! Wooooooo!!! I will say, I have been so grateful for all my travel and experiences I get with this job.

What's funny is, all I have done the past few years is complain about it. I love what I do, I just hate to travel so much. But I figured out my problem. It's not the travel, it's that I push myself too far and never give myself any time to breathe. I work a part time job in Nashville while I'm not traveling and then take days off from the part time job to travel for my "real" job and then I end up having no days off, exhausted, and burned out. So, after realizing that I constantly am working and I'm not taking advantage of these awesome opportunities I receive, I decided no filler jobs! I need free time to myself! I need to devote time to myself doing what I love and what recharges me, like yoga, hikes, hanging out with girlfriends, sweating it out whether it be cardio dance, Pound fitness, or biking, drawing, brainstorming ideas, creating whether it be painting, making something or creating something with Corey, and just hanging out with my family. I fill my schedule so tight I don't even have free time to study up on my beauty brands I work for and then I feel I'm uninspired and I don't feel 100% confident in what I'm doing.

I was not going to do that this year. My #1 goal this year was to stop working so much!! Now I devote all my time to my brands I represent and I help out a couple friends at their shops that they own. It still gives me time for me, and I love working at both these places. It's one day a week and it gives me stability to stay calm about my schedule but it still doesn't overwhelm me. I am so thankful for the grounding of these one day a week jobs, but I also am so grateful for the freedom of my real job. I get to basically choose my schedule and I don't have to work all the time. It can get a little scary and I have my moments of freaking out, but the truth is, it works. This job provides everything I need and I have to stop telling myself I need to do more. I don't have to work 5 days a week and have that stable 9-5 shift to "have a job." I do have a job! It's not what most people do, but it works for me and I'm so grateful for that. It always provides and I'm always staying busy which is good.

Now I actually have time to do what I want. This year was the year for that. I had this feeling last year that 2016 was going to be awesome and so far it's been great. My husband was off for the winter which was so great. For 2015 being so busy, I felt like we really didn't get to see much of each other and we really got to hang out and spend quality time together while he was off. I traveled quite a bit & he came along too!! We had a great time and I really enjoyed having him along for the ride! We got to go to towns we had never even heard of and got to see some awesome sites. We took advantage of the journey and stopped and checked out anything & everything that caught our attention while on the way to our destination.




state park we checked out along our way to Jackson, Mississippi

I think these trips with my husband really reflect how I want to live my life. Take advantage of all the opportunities given. Just like my job. I never really grasped how luck I was to be able to go to all these different cities and get to check out the yummy food, sites, and people. I would just show up & do facials or makeup & go. Having Corey with me really got me to stop & smell the roses. Enjoy all the beautiful sites & sounds of the trip and not just focus on point A to Z. Stop and check out every freakin letter as you go along!




state park stop along the way

I think Corey even enjoyed taking advantage of the opportunity he was given. He loves Civil War history so he went to battlefields while i worked. he checked out historic buildings and homes, all by himself! He said he did numerous tours with just himself and the tour guide. Sometimes it's nice to just be by yourself and have these moments alone. (It's the only child in me, I can't help it!) I studied the sites to go see, asked locals about the best places to eat and man, we had a good time!

I mean how often are we going to go to Little Rock, Arkansas? I mean, honestly? It's not on my top vacation destinations. But now going there, we will definitely go back. We had the best fried catfish there and the best cheese dip! I am not kidding! Dizzy Gypsy has the best cheese dip! I will never be the same. I need that cheese dip on a weekly basis! There is tons of hiking and beautiful sites that Arkansas still has to offer. We got to knock off a lot on our sites list for Arkansas, took back roads and more scenic routes. But now we know, it's an easy trip to get there and we can do an easy weekend hiking trip.


We stopped in Memphis on our way to Little Rock and just checked out some of the sites. We swung by Sun Studios which we wanted to just check out and we ended up taking the tour, and it changed our life! I love Elvis, sure, why not? But the main man that I love is good of Johnny Cash. To know he sang and recorded there just moved me and Corey to our core. It's a major historic site we are so glad we checked out.


the same microphone all the greats used while recording at Sun in the same spot & studio at Sun Records

Arkansas is so flat! It's so beautiful! There's tons of open lands and trees and it's not covered in buildings and house after house. It's kind of nice to go somewhere and realize there is still untouched land that hasn't been taken over by us humans. Corey even received a little inspiration while doing touristy things while I worked. He got the check out the numerous museums they had in Little Rock and he's actually branched out to even more types of woodworking that I will share soon!


the mighty Mississippi on a cloudy drive

Mississippi is gorgeous! I love it! The people are sweet & caring, the sites are so pretty. We rode on the Natchez Trace to get to certain towns and it was just beautiful. It's so nice to just see land every once in a while. All the little towns we stayed in were beautiful & sweet. Even the bigger towns in Mississippi were still delightful and not so crazy like a big city. There was very little to no traffic which is just amazing! It's nice to almost "unplug" from what Nashville is turning in to. I love this city that I was born in but man, it's getting big and it's a little bit of an adjustment. So leaving this city to go to small towns I never would have thought about visiting was so refreshing. That is the best way to describe my last month & a half-refreshing & recharging.


on the Natchez Trace



view from the Natchez Trace


Natchez Trace


every couple of miles the view of the Natchez Trace was slightly different from the last mile, it was beautiful

While in Jackson, Mississippi we decided to really take advantage of the trip and stay at the most adorable bed & breakfast on our way home to Nashville. Once again, Corey is a huge Civil War history guy so we stayed in Corinth, Mississippi. Like I said, we went places we had never even heard of. This was one of them! But, it was the most beautiful towns! Literally everyone knew each other! You could walk around the entire town and we stayed right in the "downtown" of Corinth. It was so sweet! You just walked around the town and saw the locals walking from their house to go get dinner at the local restaurant down the road. It was just so different and refreshing. I was so inspired being "unplugged" from our normal routine.


sweet church in Corinth while walking around the town

Some of the best memories of my life will be from these trips. Hanging out with Corey in new towns, trying to figure out where we are going. Taking a risk on local restaurants and meeting new people. Checking out sites off the interstate and going through some major back roads! Listening to music in the car and just talking the whole way. Chilling out in our hotel room reading in bed, we never do that! Walking through downtown Little Rock and checking out new restaurants & bars. Leaving your room late at night to go try the "best cheese dip" at the restaurant 2 blocks from your hotel. Yes, we did get dressed and go back out to eat cheese dip at 9:30 at night. It was the best cheese dip and you'll constantly hear about it from now on! These memories are just so warming to me and I'm so thankful.


our view from our hotel in Little Rock. The Arkansas River was decked out for Valentine's Day

I think these trips have set the precedent for the rest of the year. I need to stop and smell the roses. Really need to be mindful of all the opportunities I am given. Take advantage of everything I have, from my job, to my friends, my awesome husband, my body & utilize it to its fullest, this life! I need to enjoy the free times in between work trips. Take this time to do stuff around the house, hang out with friends, take time for me!! Just like leap day, it's an extra day to just take life by the horns and love the hell out of it!!


some random stop in TN along the way to Little Rock
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Hey 2016!

Hey guys! Happy new year! I hope 2016 has started off great! Honestly, mine has! I had a very good feeling about 2016 in my previous post and it has not disappointed! I have made a list of goals, not resolutions. They're pretty similar to last years goals, I'm just perfecting and diving deeper into these goals. It's like I'm fine-tuning my life.

This quick blog is a broad overview of one of my goals. I really have been working, slowly but surely, at making my life non-toxic. In more ways than one, haha. My main focus was lifestyle. I don't want toxic beauty products, being Skincare and makeup. I am slowly moving from non-toxic household cleaners and all that kind of stuff. I did really well at getting rid of any type of medicinal toxins last year, like aspirin and stuff like that. Basically essential oils knocked that out quick & easy! Add a little herbs, tinctures, & teas and I feel like I'm really on the right track there! But now that I've written this "detoxing my life" it's kind of funny because not only am I detoxing products, I'm detoxing negative of all kinds. Whether it's a tv show, a website (people.com has GOT to go in my life, I get irritated reading about dumb celebrities but I can't stop!!), or as sad as it may seem, people. If someone or something is bringing you down, let it go! I can't have things around me that don't make the best version of me & that's that!

Now I'm really focusing on products. Whether it's beauty products or cleaning/household products, I'm ready to detox these items! My Skincare routine really got kick-started with essential oils as well last year so that one is moving on well. I've found makeup to be harder. I'm still working and trying out products to see what I like and what works. I'll keep you updated on things I'm trying and product reviews as I am fast & furiously ready to detox my makeup bag!

But first I'm just going to show you a few new staples I have in my non-toxic beauty routine! Here are a few of my new favorite gems I have found on this journey.




As you might know, I make a lot of my own Skincare. I make my own eye cream, face moisturizer, scrubs, toner, serums, masks & body butters but I'm always up to try new products as well. Me making a lot of my Skincare has really helped me transition into non-toxic products. If you don't want to make your own, contact me! I'll make them for you! I love doing it! So, i didn't picture my own stuff besides my lemon-peppermint sugar scrub at the bottom right corner. But I'm going to do a brief overview of these products and then write a separate blog on some of the key items up there!

Top items-alba scrub, honest SPF.
Middle row-Swanson biotin shampoo, everyone lotion for hands, face & body, perio brite mouth wash, dr. Bronners coconut oil, Swanson biotin conditioner.
Bottom row-dr. Bronners 18-in-1 wash, everyday coconut face wash, Josie maran milk Argan oil, Josie maran Argan oil, Josie maran Argan cream oil, doterra on guard toothpaste, my own sugar scrub.

I'll break these down into hair, face, body & so forth and highlight each item in the next few blogs! But I just wanted to highlight a few of these items overall first! Next we will dig deep! The only items I'm not 100% sold on is the Swanson biotin shampoo & conditioner. I'm sure it's great for some hair, just not mine haha. I'll discuss more in the blogs to come!

But the last thing I want to share has been the most essential & helpful item in my journey to detox my beauty items. Yes, Instagram and following some of my favorite organic beauty gurus has helped but the easiest, quickest way to figure out how toxic your products are, is this-




Think Dirty app! It's amazing!! It's easy & a great way to see if the products you use are harmful. Super easy while you're at the store trying to judge something just on ingredients alone. Because these tricky cosmetics people change names, make up new names & just freakin confuse you when it comes to toxic ingredients! This app will show you overall toxicity, if it has developmental & reproductive toxicity, & allergy and immunotoxicities.




Plus, you can save all the items you use to your "bathroom shelf" and it'll add up the total of all the products you use and give you an overall rating of the products you use! This is a snapshot of what I have on my bathroom shelf, I have an overall rating of 3 which I'm super happy with! But this isn't all my makeup yet. Right now it's my blush, eye shadow, bronzer & tinted moisturizer and then all the other beauty products I use currently. Still on the hunt for some more beauty items and I'll be here to report back to y'all so you guys don't have to spend all your money and risk your skin on products that don't work so well!

Here's to a clean & beautiful 2016!!

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