It's Getting Real

So I'm turning 30 in August of this year. I'm not scared, I'm actually more determined than ever to reach the goals that I want for myself. I have always has this idea in my head of how I've wanted my life to be. Ever since I was a little girl I have had an idea in my head of what I wanted in life and how I wanted to live it. Now over the years my ideas have changed a little bit here and there but overall the idea was this-live a life doing something I love in the creative field. Now what my job would be has changed over the years, i wanted to be a fashion designer, a wedding planner, a makeup artist, a wedding dress designer, an artist. It's all been in the same field, it just took a few years to figure out what direction that it would turn out to be. I at least ended up being one of those things! No matter what my idea of my future would be at whatever age I was, it was always this-live a life doing what I loved creatively, be outside and be one of those nature-loving, zen creatures who hike and do yoga poses on mountain tops, who wear yoga & workout clothing while out on the go because they just got back from a great workout, ate right & cooked really well, had a really cool & funky house with plants and a garden and big backyard with dogs running around, truly happy, did random weird jobs here and there. I never envisioned myself as a teacher, doctor, working in an office of some type. It just never happened. I feel like in my mind my whole life I've known my normal wasn't going to be most people's normal, and that's ok. I envisioned myself with kids some time in my life, but probably a few years down the road. Anyways, my long, rambling point is-I'm turning 30 and I feel like I need to get my sh*t together!












So far everything is just flowing right into place. But once you reach a pivotal age like 30, it makes you reflect and assess how your life is and where you are going.

I am coming to an age where it's like there's no turning back now. You're in your 30's and you better have it together because things are changing with you, in your life & in your body and it's going to only get harder and harder to correct any changes you want. I know 30's the new 20, yeah, whatever. I don't want to relive my 20's. I want to perfect the life I want and to really be this person I've always wanted to be and I feel like 30 is the goal! It's the major life point where I can look back at all I've done and say, "ok, you've done well!" Or say, "oh gosh, what in the world have you done the past 30 years!"












So far looking back at my almost 30 years on this earth, I feel good. I have a wonderful husband who goes on hikes with me and we have 3 awesome dogs who run and play in our great, big backyard with our garden and beautiful plants that we are adding more & more to. I do yoga & love to workout, I have to have it in my life. I'm happy about that. I like that I need it in my life to be happy and feel balanced. I have to eat right and cook well. I really have to. I've taken things out of my life, like eating well & working out and it just doesn't work for me. The later half of last year threw me for a loop and really knocked me down. I let go of a lot of things that I love and I know I need. Mainly it was cooking clean, healthy, whole, foods and working out. I just kind of stopped and chilled for a bit. I kinda needed it and it worked. After a few months I felt refreshed and renewed and all was well. Well, except I had really lived an indulgent life and I had definitely gained some weight.

By July of last year I was actually liking the progress I was seeing. This was a first in a long, long time where I was actually proud & happy of myself and my lifestyle. Then fast forward to a few months later and boom-here I am a little softer than a few months before and really out of shape. And that's ok. I needed to sit back and relax for a while. But now August is creeping up and I'm back on track! All I can say about that is this, life throws a few bumps in the road and all you can do is buckle up, hold on & then get back on track to really listening to you. If you have to change routes, so be it. If you have to pull over and take a break, do it. Whatever your body needs, listen to it & do it.

So my goals for 30 have been floating around in my head for a while. I want to really have my healthy lifestyle down and cook healthy foods and eat clean. I want to have a great fitness routine down, I want to practice yoga daily. I want to run around on the beach in a bikini and look freakin awesome. But really, what it all boils down to is-I want to love myself.











It has taken me a month to write this blog because I have been so busy and what's funny is the first intention of this blog was to hold myself accountable. It was to publicly state that I'm going to be in a bikini on the beach on my 30th birthday looking awesome and since I stated it out loud, it would push me to really do it. But within this month of really thinking, noticing, looking & focusing on health, fitness & wellness my goal has changed. I just want to love myself. I don't have to look awesome in a bikini to do that. I need to accept myself for who I am and make the most out of that. I need to be thankful and appreciative of the body I have and take advantage of that to its utmost ability. I don't need to have washboard abs to look good in a swimsuit and to love myself, and i don't need to meet this unrealistic standard of beauty that's out in the world.

Look around you when you're out in public, watching tv, or on social media even, honestly it's everywhere. Notice how many unrealistic standards of beauty there are out in the world. It's crazy!! There are these 40-something year old mothers of 3 on magazine covers with these amazing abs and these extremely tiny legs and arms. There are all these Kardashians with this crazy amount of contouring going on, tons of makeup, perfect lighting making this stupid pouty lip face, that you would never normally make in public, but it makes your cheekbones look awesome face. It's not real!!!! I'm a makeup artist and I even think makeup is getting out of control. We are contouring and changing the looks of our own features to completely change the look of our face! People are looking crazy scary and unrealistic. Not only is it with the makeup but it's the fitness routines that are unrealistic as well. These celebrities have personal trainers and workout like crazy! I read once how Kate Hudson got her post-baby body back. You know what it was? It was working out 6 hours a day!!! 6 hours!! She was quoted saying she would be crying while running on the treadmill. Umm...guys. This is not normal!!! Gwenyth Paltrow has an awesome body. She does the Tracy Anderson Method. I was like, "ok, cool let's do this." Umm...no. No I can't do this. I don't have 2 hours a day 6 days a week to do her fitness regiment. Who seriously has time to do that? And for me, why would you? Don't you want to spend time with your family or chill outside? We need to start enjoying and appreciating what we have. We can't devote all our time to working out when we are missing out on real life stuff. We can't keep changing things on our face and body to look "beautiful." You ARE beautiful!












Now I'm all for makeup. You have great eyes, play em up! You have awesome lips, throw a beautiful gloss on & go for it. But this whole contouring the nose down and changing the complete look of your face is crazy. Love & accept who you are! You don't need to change a thing!! Once we stop looking at all the outside standards of what's beautiful and popular and you completely let that go, you really start seeing what's important-your health, your life, your family. We have got to stop wasting time hating our bodies!!! I have wasted SO many years of my life hating my body. I hated my body back when I really shouldn't have hated it! I've realized if I keep this certain standard of beauty in my head to reach, I'm going to always hate my body and I'm tired of that. I'm tired of hating my body and wanting something that will never be reached. You know what can be reached? Loving yourself. Make goals that make you happy. Not goals that you think will make you happy. I have decided to stop making number goals. Like, I want to be a size ______ or I want to weigh ______.These goals will not make me happy. You know what goals will make me happy? I will not let the number on the scale or on my pants tag bother me. I'm going to love myself and appreciate one part of me every day. No more bashing myself. Only love and appreciation here.












Start loving yourself and appreciating what you have and who you are. Start complimenting yourself, stop picking yourself apart. When someone compliments you, take the compliment! Give compliments. Until we stop criticizing each other & start uplifting each other as females, none of this is going to get any better. It's time for us all to be on the same team and that team is loving ourselves, loving one another, appreciating our own bodies and what makes us beautiful, appreciating others and reminding one another what makes them beautiful, letting go of worldly views of beauty & those ridiculous standards, accepting your own beauty and reminding yourself daily how blessed, beautiful & lucky you are, and uplifting one another.












Now I'm not saying I'm just throwing all health & wellness out the door and ripping open a bag of Oreos. I'm just saying I'm throwing all negativity and hatred of myself out the door. I know what makes me feel good and what makes me feel beautiful. Working out and eating right just so happen to be two of those things. So I'm going to continue to take care of myself and live the life I want to live. I'm just going to start loving myself, appreciating the body I have, and letting go of all that other garbage that's out there in the media. It's time to stop body shaming ourselves and others! Time for love! #thisis30


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Life is Beautiful

I have been so inspired today to write a blog just by this one simple quote I saw on Pinterest today.

I was doing my normal day off routine, hanging out on the couch, a little Sam Smith Pandora playing on the tv (thanks to my best friend Brittney for introducing me to it, that's all I've listened to lately), drinking a little iced coffee and checking out Pinterest. Yes, it's a pretty awesome way to start the day. Then I stumbled upon this quote and I just felt so compelled to write what's going on in my mind right now.



Why did this quote get to me so much? I don't know, but it did. It made me think about all my amazing aunts, cousins & family I have in my life and how lucky I am to have them. I have been blessed with the strongest, funniest, best grandma ever, Bobo, as I call her. She's tough, and she doesn't let life or anyone knock her down and the older I get, the more I realize she has really helped me become the person I am.



I have an amazing mom and aunts all from Bobo as well, who she has raised to all be strong, amazing individuals as well. All these women have made me who I am too. I feel like I've got a little bit of each aunt & my mother in who I am, and I am so proud of that. I have so many amazing memories that pop into my head of being with them and laughing until we cry and it's seriously the best, and makes me so grateful.



On top of those awesome women, I have 3 amazing cousins who really do make me so happy and smile every single day. From them being some of the cutest darn babies ever, to now being teenagers (agh!!! They're getting so old!!) who really do surprise me every day. They're becoming these strong individuals with these awesome personalities and I am so proud to know them and have them in my life.


This quote really hit me with not only my family, but also the family I have been so lucky to pick up through life, my friends. Of course, my closest and best friend, Brittney. I mean, how many people can truly say they have had a best friend since birth? Because I can. Our parents were neighbors and she was born in September and that next August I came around and we have been best friends ever since. She is my "sissy" and even though I don't have any blood brothers or sisters, she's mine and I know she will always be there for me no matter where life takes me. We have been through so much and no matter what, she's always there and I am so thankful for that. I also have a handful of very, close, best friends that I have had from high school or earlier. We've made it though many, many years of growing and changing and we are all still there for each other. My friends are so supportive and encouraging and caring & wow, I am just so lucky. Laura, Suzanne, Jennifer, Tiffany-you guys mean so much to me. We constantly keep in contact and are always checking on each other and it's so refreshing to have relationships with strong women your own age who encourage and guide you through so much. I am so thankful for all you gals to call me your friend. I love you.


I also have an amazing husband who has let me just fly through life being happy. He's so supportive and has encouraged me to follow what I've worked so hard on. He knows I dance to my own beat and he has never once told me to do differently. Yes, it would be easier for me to find a normal 9-5 job with a steady income, but he has never once mentioned it to me. He knows I have worked too hard to give up now and I appreciate that so much. He has always been there and told me to do what I need to do to be happy. Never once made a comment or suggestion otherwise and that makes me the luckiest girl ever.



We have been changing, growing & progressing into a life that we want. And it's hard. It's actually hard to listen to exactly what you want to do and follow through with it. The outside world has an exact idea of what you should do and when you should do it, and we are ready to get out of that mode. It's not about doing what the world and society thinks you should do. Do what YOU want to do. Listen deep down, and do it! Yes, it's not conventional, but it's what you want.



I tend to juggle about 5 jobs at a time, but guess what? I love every single job I do. I don't want to do the same job every single day. So I do makeup and facials for certain brands, work beauty events at department stores, travel on occasion, I put a day or two of work in for an event, and then I'm done there. I do my own makeup and facials for my own business, but I don't want to completely rely on that. I feel when you solely rely on your passion to make a living, I lost the love and excitement of it. So I now fit it in, along with these other jobs. Not everyone sees it that way, that's just what I noticed in my life. I also work at my good friend's bakery & I stinking love it! They followed their passion and did what they love and have this awesome bakery with loyal customers who love them just as much as they love their awesome baked goods. It's a happy, actually hilarious, environment that has the best, encouraging bosses around. I am starting a new venture on a fantastic fashion boutique that encourages women power and to love yourself and it promotes self love and really is changing the standard of beauty which I am so proud of. Yes , that's lots of jobs but I love each and every one of them. I have found a job that fills every single of my joys. Look into yourself and see what you love and follow it! Do stuff that feeds your soul. It doesn't have to be "normal" and it probably won't be normal. Most people will think you're crazy, but hey you'll be a happy, crazy person.



Another exciting thing I am about to go through is enjoying the art of simplicity. My husband and I have decided life is really about memories, spending time together, and spending time with friends and family who make us happy. We are trying to forget following the normal path of "what we are supposed to do" and do what we want to do. We want to start challenging ourselves of letting go of material items and focus on enjoying the outdoors and the simplicity of doing nothing but enjoying the day. We don't want to spend much money, just to eat, feed our dogs and pay the bills. I'm going to have to let go of spending $150 every grocery trip to make the latest Pinterest recipe. i think that will be my biggest challenge, but I will be just fine haha. We are going to eat what we have and learn to live a life of appreciating what we have and not "needing" things. because guess what? We have everything we truly need. We have amazing friends, awesome family, 3 of the cutest dogs ever, a cute little house with an awesome backyard to lounge in, & each other.



This quote hit me so much because it jut reassures me, I don't need things. I have the most amazing people in my life and that's all I need. I am so lucky.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Affordable Beauty Finds for the Eyes

Ok, as much as I love natural living and a peaceful calm life, which I've noticed has really taken over my blog. I still love makeup. As much as I try to separate myself from sometimes the fickle, crazy, and materialistic world that beauty can be, I can't help it. I love it! I love sharing my tips and helping people out. I love applying makeup. As I like to almost "paint" and the face is my canvas. I love to mix colors and contrast and highlight. I can't help it! I just love it!

As much as I try to think about things that more important in the world & as much as I try to show people true beauty is how you feel about yourself and what you can do in your life to feel beautiful-sometimes a new lipstick or eye shadow can really just make you feel good! There's something so cathartic to me about taking time out of my day for myself and get a facial or try a new beauty product or look. I love to take time at least once a week to give myself a facial. I like to evaluate what's going on with my skin each week, because let's be honest-every week, heck, every day my skin is different. So I like to take time at least once each week to see what's going on with my skin and then do a custom mask to help ease whatever my skin might be going through that week. I love finding beauty looks that I love and trying to achieve them. It just makes you feel good!

So as much as I want to state that true beauty comes from you loving yourself & taking care of yourself, naturally. I also want to reiterate that sometimes it's just nice to find a great beauty product for a great price as well! So now my blog will a balance of the two. Sometimes I'll write about natural beauty & living. Sometimes I'll write about life lessons I've learned to help live a more fulfilling life. And sometimes I'll write about just a really great beauty product!

So I just wanted to share with you one of my favorite, affordable beauty finds!

I have a real bad addiction to Target. I have done well limiting my visits to once a week now but there for a while, I'm surprised they didn't know my name! Anywho, all my affordable beauty finds are usually at Target. I'm sure they're in other drug stores as well but this is where I go to get my affordable beauty products. Here are a few items I've gotten and just love!

Sonia Kashuk Retractable Lip Brush-$6.99



Ok, so I have 2 of these. One I use as a lip brush and one I use as a gel liner brush. Yes, I know it's a lip brush. But I don't care. It has the perfect brush to line gel liner with & I love it! And for that price, you can't go wrong!
Soniakashuk.com

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara-$7.99



I have used this mascara for years! For me, I just love it. I have some people who are not fans, but I really like it. Mascaras are so personal though. Each person has different opinions and needs in a mascara. I like something thicker in consistency but also adds a lot of volume without being too clumpy or tangling my lashes together. I don't have issues with my mascara running so that's not an issue. If running mascara is an issue for you, well hang tight! I have an entire blog on different drug store mascaras I've used!
Www.covergirl.com
Since I've noticed this entire drug store blog has been about eye products why not just add another! Here is my final drug store pick for eyes. To me, it's the best base shadow!

L'Oreal Infallible 24hour Eyeshadow in Endless Pearl-$7.95



This is the perfect base eyeshadow to throw on from lash line to brow. It evens out the lid and it's a great color to layer others on top of. If you use it alone, it's a great all-over color to look even and wake and sometimes I only wear this just as an easy look. If you're into that Marilyn Monroe simple eye with a graphic liner, this is a good option too. Just layer a couple more skin tone shades on lid and crease and voila you're Marilyn Monroe! This shadow is also a great one to really highlight the brow bone. Applying this right below the arch of your brow will enhance those pups and really lift the eyes! I love the shadow!! Also, while looking at the website it says it's waterproof! Haven't tried that out, but that's pretty cool. This is just one color I've tried from this line. I want to get more colors because I'm just so in love with this shadow and I'm so pleased with the pigment and wear.
Www.lorealparisusa.com

Ok folks, there you have it! Three of my favorite, affable pieces from Target for the eyes! Go check them out and enjoy!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Prepping for a Fresh Start

I have to say, I am pretty darn excited about the new year. There's something about turning a new page on life that really gets me excited. I've been super motivated, excited, creative & focused on the new year and I wanted to share with y'all some of my fun little things I'm doing to get set for the new year.








I'll admit, I was in a rut for a while. I had some hard things happen and some curve balls thrown, as life does, and I just got out of my routine. I stopped doing things I loved and stopped pushing myself towards goals I had made so clear and worked so hard for. But, I knew I had to go through those hard times and just feel. I put things on pause and just dealt with everything and I needed that. I tried to push forward and no looking back. But soon realized I needed to be down and feel sad for a bit. I stopped doing things I loved to do. I stopped working out, stopped cooking, stopped going for walks, just stopped everything. I took a break to just be. Be sad, be in a lull, and really just be. I knew that phase wouldn't stick. That's not like me to always have a cloud of dread over my head. But after about 2 months of just doing what I needed and just feeling things and really taking a break, I'm back!









I don't know if it was the holidays, or seeing my family, spending quality time with friends, or if time had just ran its course, but I'm back! I truly think it was a combination of all these things. Seeing my friends made me realize how lucky I am to live around such amazing friends who support one another and really love each others company. We are all so different, yet we complete each other. These friends have been in my life for over half my lifetime. We've added new friends and spouses to the mix and they just complete the group even more. My family is just great. They lay it all out for you and there's no b.s. but they also make you bust out in laughter constantly. They're just real, strong, women with very patient husbands, and we just love each other so much. The holidays brought so much joy and excitement to my life. We decorated the house and completely did new Christmas decorations around the house, which was fun and it really pushed me to get out there and do something! We really took advantage of the season. And Christmas really just gives that warm, joyousness in the air too which just added more warmth and excitement to it all.






So now I feel good! I'm excited to get back on track and start making goals for the new year. I don't really do resolutions, I focus on goals. I made a list of goals. Right now my goals are pretty broad but I'll start making more lists that are more specific to aspects of my life. This list I made really is about my overall happiness. These goals aren't, "Be Beachbody ready by May 8th." They're more, "Love myself" or, "Take advantage of this one body I have and utilize it every day." I want to make the most out of this life, appreciate all that I have & just be more simplistic. I don't need things. I need time with family, dogs, friends, being outdoors. I need memories.







Here's the first list of goals I've made so far. I love taking notes so I'll keep making more notes on more specifics but here's the first. I wanted to share with y'all because I feel like once you say your goals out loud, there's nothing you can do about it but try to reach them! It's scary but it's so exciting and freeing and it makes them almost feel that more realistic, or closer to reach. I also like to make a list on how to achieve these goals. It's one thing to write out goals, but the next step is to put them into action. Now, will these plans work first try? No. Will they be easy & smooth sailing? No. Will it be worth it? Yes!







Following what makes YOU happy isn't easy. It sounds like it is. But it's not. There's too much chatter around on what you should do or what you should be. Only you should decide that. You know what truly makes you happy and what you want to do. It's been hard myself, to follow these own words of advice. But once I stopped fighting it and saw it for what it was, I realized how happy I am. This chatter of doubt was from myself stressing me out. But once I dropped the standards of what a "normal" should be. I realized I will never be "normal." I will never have a stable, 9-5 job. I'm a makeup artist and an aesthetician. Nobody said that job was stable. Why was I thinking it was? I don't know. But I was giving myself so much grief and stress because it's not your normal, stable, safe job. But, I enjoy what I do. Yes, my schedule is all over the place and some months I work like a madman and some I barely work at all. But I love what I do and it really makes me happy. And that's that! So just listen to what you really want. Let go of all the other chatter and opinions. Do what you want!







So I challenge you to write out your goals. Goals that you really, really want for yourself and yourself alone. Share them if you want! We are on this journey together and we can do it!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

3 Wise Men

I have been very interested in natural living for a few years now. I get deeper and deeper into this life and I dove deeper recently with this herniated disk situation. I went to my favorite tea place in Nashville (high garden teas) for a good tincture to take for the pain and inflammation. It seemed to help but with all the traveling I do, I needed more. Plus I wanted to workout & practice my Pound class and I couldn't handle sitting still!

I have had some friends use essential oils and I finally decided to go for it. I mean, what other choice do i have? I could go to the doctor and get some kind of prescription medicine, and I don't want that. I don't even use Tylenol! So medicine is out of the picture. But I also didn't want to just use some kind of numb-the-pain quick fix kind of thing that you can buy at a drug store either. So I thought, why not try these oils that I have researched and heard really, really great results about.

I also thought, ok-if I get these oils and I don't like them. I can always use them in my skin care I make! So it's a win-win! I hate wasting money so I was glad to know that these oils would go to some sort of use no matter what happens.

I was headed out to Atlanta and really needed this back pain to ease up for the 4 hour drive. I tried out a few samples and quickly felt relief within a few minutes. I was already sold!

It's been a little over a month and my back feels so much better!!! I'm working out, and driving and doing facials are no longer an issue because my back doesn't hurt. I had constant, excruciating pain and now I feel so much better!!

Now my back is feeling better, I still continually use them but with all my traveling I've done this month. my skin has gone bananas!!! I'm having some serious breakouts from going from hotel to hotel using random beauty samples I've collected over the years and needless to say, my skin isn't doing so Well.

One of my favorite essential oils is frankincense. It has made such a change in my life! I had a cyst in my right knee and I've had it for years and just putting oil alone on my knee has completely healed it! So I decided, if there's all these amazing benefits from frankincense then I should at least try it on this broke out skin!

My skin looked so much better by the next day I couldn't believe it!! I just added a couple of drops into my moisturizer day and night. That's it! It seriously changed my skin completely! This is my new beauty secret and it's simple and Multipurpose!! You can use this oil for so many different situations, for me it's from back pain to breakouts.

Here's the many benefits of this amazing oil! The wise men weren't messing around here!

*antiseptic
*disinfecting qualities
*can be applied on wounds
*great for oral issues (toothache, bad breath, cavities)
*strengthens gums
*regenerating qualities
*smooth fine lines & wrinkles
*firms skin
*helps with PMS
*helps fade stretch marks and scars
*improve digestion
*protects from premature loss of hair and teeth
*anti-aging
*provides relief from bronchitis & congestion
*helps with pain from arthritis
*lowers blood pressure
*good for uterine health
*boosts immune system
*heals wounds
*reduces stress
*helps relieve stomach aches
*heals acne
*diuretic
*boosts health
*helps with stress and anxiety

The list goes on & on!! I hope you enjoyed and hopefully learned something new! Try it, you'll like it!9




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

This Too Shall Pass

Hey! I have been MIA. I feel like I've been MIA in almost more than one aspect of my life to be honest. So much has happened within a short 2 months. I've dealt with deaths, life changes, adjusting to what life throws at you, stress, losing who I am, trying to figure out who I am, and so much in between! It happens to us all, and it sucks. I've tried to make the best of it, but I just can't seem to shake this funk that I've been in. After doing different types of exercises, physically and mentally, doing all types of cleanses, physically and mentally, trying to reassess my life and the situations that have happened, I still don't feel like I'm back to the way I was. Maybe I'll never be that person again. A lot happened in two months, maybe I'm not supposed to be that same person? But I'll tell you one thing-this slump that I'm in can be no more!



Maybe that's why I'm writing about it. As you've read, I've done quite a few techniques and rituals to cleanse and start new but my mind isn't there yet. I know it'll get there, eventually. That's why I thought writing about it would help. I'm not one to really publicly whine or gain attention through sad situations and i don't want to be that girl that's always got a sob story to gain attention, that's just not me. But I really feel like I need to just write it out and move it on. Maybe this will help? Hopefully so.

I'm not going to get in to all the situations that have happened but I'll just say my dog Coco dying was the first of a few more deaths that happened within about a month after Coco leaving us. I was feeling a little better about adjusting to not having her around and then life hits you again. You think you're moving on and then all those wounds open back up, it's really hard. Some deaths are of people I knew well, some were of people I would saw were acquaintances and some were people I knew a long time ago. no matter who they are, when you get that realization of how precious & short life is, it's never easy to adjust and move on quickly. I tried to move on and focus on getting back to normal. But I guess I never really was in the moment in the first place so I don't think I really healed. I think my mind was forcing my heart to get better so I didn't stick in this sad place. But I don't think I even let myself be in a sad place enough to heal. So here I am two months later and I'm still adjusting to it all.


I've learned a lot. I went to my favorite tea spot to get more answers and solutions to help cope with things and I left with more than just tea. Leah told me that I need to feel these feelings that I'm having. I don't need to keep thinking about getting better, I need to think about feeling what's happening in my life. Take it in, learn from it, know you're probably never going to be the same way you were before and grow from there. I didn't leave with a tea blend or tincture that day, I left with a new way of thinking and coping with life. I'm still working on really just being in the moment. If I'm sad, I'm sad. I won't be sad forever and I'm not going to use it as an attention-seeking method, it's just ok to feel and be sad. When you're feeling something, really feel it. Get all those emotions taken care of and the you can really focus on you and what you need. I'm still working on this.



With that going on, I really let my lifestyle that I love slip. I have not really taken care of myself to the fullest. I did a juice cleanse and I'll cook healthy meals from time to time but overall the lifestyle that I have worked so hard to really tweak and make my own has fallen to the side. This affects my attitude and mood and life in every way I handle all life situations. Everything from my workout routines, to work, to my marriage, my attitude, and how I handle not so pleasant situations. Basically, I'm not handling things as good as I used to. I need to get back to it.

I have a herniated disk in my Lower back which has been hard too. I've been trying to focus on natural oils and tinctures and teas to help but I also have had to take time off of working out which has been so hard. So I'm not eating right, I'm not working out and I haven't really tapped in to my feelings with everything life has thrown at me. Not good y'all!


I'm here today to write out a public statement to focus on getting back on track. Yes, my heart will never be the way it was. But now my heart can be more aware and appreciative of life and the people that are in it. I can't force things to heal, I just need to let it be. I know what makes me happy and what works in my life to make things feel balanced.

A couple of things that keep my life balanced-

Working out-at least 30 minutes a day. Just sweating once a day makes me happy. It sets the tone for the day with me and really makes me happy.


Juicing-every morning it makes me so happy and feel so good. You drink this glass of amazing nutrients with fruits and veggies and I feel so wonderful afterwards and the rest of the day is just awesome!


Yoga-this has really has helped my back and it helps awaken my body in the morning and it gets my head in the right mindset for the rest of the day. Plus, doing yoga at night really helps calm me and I sleep like a baby.

Tea time-I love this local tea shop in Nashville, High Garden Tea. They offer custom teas, tinctures and all sorts herbs. Not only do they provide amazing natural living products but Leah (the owner) is like my therapist. She guides me through bumps in the road and never leads me astray. Leah blended me and Corey a little custom blend tea we named "Peace of Mind" and drinking that every night helps me chill out and relax to prepare for a relaxing sleep.



Healthy Eating-when I eat well, I feel well. Plain and simple. It just puts me in a good mood! My body is digesting and working the way it's supposed to, it's not working hard to digest processed, weird foods that aren't good for me, and i just feel at the top of my game when I eat well.

Essential Oils-this natural remedy has really helped me out. Especially with this herniated disk I've had. But oils also help with your overall well-being. I use them for headaches, aches, pains, my back but also mentally. If I'm feeling anxious or kind of in a funk, certain oils will completely turn the situation around.


Skin care regimen-when things in my life that are important to me slack, it shows in my skin. Our skin will show you everything that's going on in your body. I completely believe in Chinese face mapping. Your face will show you where the problems lie in your body. When everything else is balanced in my life, my skin looks wonderful and it's easy to take care of. But when it's bad and unbalanced, so is my skin.

My skin isn't looking so great right now but I've taken steps to get that back on track. One of my secrets is using my Clarisonic every night. I also use toner in the morning and at night. These two steps really make a difference in my skin.

***To go back to essential oils here's a little beauty tip***

Place a drop of frankincense in your moisturizer. I gave myself a facial doing a deep cleanse, microdermabrasion, mango enzyme peel & a moisturizing mask last night and topped it off with my homemade, all-natural moisturizer I made with a drop of frankincense and wow! My face looks drastically better today!!

Here's to you!







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Been there, done that.

Hi everyone! So much has happened the week of my birthday. Another year older (yeesh!) but so excited to be here! I've come to learn that it's a privilege to become old. So I'm so thankful for another year on this beautiful earth. I have been doing a 30 day meditation challenge and I've made it a point to meditate every day even if it's just for 3-5 minutes. That little bit of silence and thought is golden.


With doing this challenge, I've learned that there are so many places and opportunities to meditate and now that I'm aware of meditating, I find little times throughout my day to do so. Usually during my free time of thoughts I run through prayers in my head of people, family & friends, situations or things I see throughout the day. I still find this important and still do it a lot. But now I've also made time to breathe and soak up silence and empty thoughts. I have a couple of these free apps from iTunes I use at night as well. Well, one app is to help me relax or sleep, one is just a guided meditation for a nice break in your day.


While driving this past week to Atlanta for work I also realized mediation can just be sitting in silence in your car looking at what Mother Nature has to offer. Because man, it's good. It's beautiful out there. Take a good look at it on your daily travels and enjoy it.






Another thing that happened this week (and last week) was my two oldest cousins started high school!!!!! Aghhhh!!!! They're supposed to stay tiny, little, cute girls forever!!!! So with that happening I thought I should write a little something us gals learn when we are older and wish we would have known and followed at that young age.

I've always wanted to write a blog of little tips and thoughts for them. But never had time to dedicate an entire blog to just that so I hope this blog is something they will turn to when it comes to beauty, fashion, life, love & happiness.

Here we go young girls of America. Good luck!

1-listen to your mom. If you don't have a mom, listen to some older female in your life. If you don't have that, please find someone to be there for you. If you can't find that, then I'll be there for you. It's so important to have someone in your life who has been there & done that. They will give you little words of wisdom. Trust me, we've been through it too. I know it may seem like you're the only one going through it, but you're not and we are here to help. And please, Listen to our help. We are looking out for you and we love you.

Everything my mom told me was right. I'm not even kidding. All those boys I shouldn't waste my time with, who to move on from, who to not bend over backwards for, how to handle friends, boys, school, life. She was right. Probably didn't listen to all her advice (sorry!!) but I wish I would have because she was seriously right every. single. time.

Also on that note, I would like to thank my mom for putting up with spoiled, prissy, teenage Andrea. I know I wasn't a horrible teen, but I wasn't too easy and probably almost broke you and dad. So, thank you. I love you two so much and I don't know how I won the parent jackpot.







2-be nice. Be nice to others and to yourself. This is so important to me. People will remember how you treated them for a long, long time. So, if you're around people that are mean, or treat others badly, please just be cordial with those people but separate yourself from others who bring people down. I would much rather be known as the nice person than be associated with the cool people. It will take you much further in life and make you a happier, prouder person in who you are. Stay neutral and be nice. That's seriously the best advice I can give. But also be nice to yourself. I wasn't that kind to myself. Never was happy with myself and I should have been. It caused more trouble than good.





With that being said though-don't take crap! If someone is taking advantage of you or treating you poorly just slip away. Don't invest too much time into them because they will suck the life out of you. But don't be mean. Just smile and say, "hi" when you see them and move on. You don't want to be taken advantage of but you also don't want to stoop down to their level. I'm still learning this about people. It's a life lesson that I will continually be reminding myself of. My rule (which I just started putting into play, should have done this years ago!!) is treat others the way they treat you. ONLY after you have been kind to them and given them a few good shots. After that, you can't keep living your life to please other people. Some people will never be happy so, if you keep trying and getting nothing in return, move on.

3-remember, friends are quality, not quantity. The few good, loyal friends I have to this day are mainly ones I had from high school. I still roll up upon some pretty awesome friends but there still few and far between and I would much rather have it that way. Stick with those friends and be loyal to them. That is all you'll need in life.

4-be honest. So much drama happens when you're not honest with someone. If you mess up, you mess up. Say it out front and move on. Trust me, I mess up all the time and I just say what I did wrong, apologize and work my hardest to not do it again. It's that simple y'all. People will appreciate the honesty & the effort and you just go from there.







5-don't do anything you don't feel like doing. If you don't want to go to a party, don't. If you don't want to do something where you feel like you are compromising yourself, don't do it. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT. This is something you're going to have to really listen to for the rest of your life. And I'm telling you, when you're gut is telling you something, you better listen.

6-don't do drugs. Just don't. I never did and I am so happy for that. I don't regret not doing drugs. I don't regret not drinking. I honestly don't know one friend who regrets not drinking or doing drugs. Trust me, I know you've heard it before. But seriously, just don't. I feel in control of myself and my life and my body because I've never had anything in control of me. And i like it that way. I'm proud of that. And trust me, I never missed out on anything because I decided not to do drugs or drink in high school. This will not make you popular or cool. Just be who you are.




7-be who you are! If you're not sure who you are (and honestly, we are always changing so be aware of that and go with the changes and flow of you and your life) then now is the time to figure it out! Hike, paint, draw, study up on things that get you excited! If you don't know what gets you excited, find out! The sooner you find what you love and what makes you happy and the sooner you can find that within yourself, you will live a very happy life. Once you find what makes you happy, don't apologize for it or change who you are for anyone! If people don't like you for it, then don't have those people around. You need people around you who will lift you up, not bring you down. Don't keep people that make you feel bad for being yourself around you.


8-be smart with boys. I know they're the center of your world right now but they don't need to be. There is so much more that you can enjoy in high school and yes, have a boyfriend, whatever. But don't let it consume you. Don't let it take over your personal time, time with your family or time with your friends. Any time I picked a boy over my family or friends I still regret to this day. These boys will come and go and keep a hold of your heart. You've only got one and don't just give it away that easy. Be who you are and if they don't like it or they want to change you-say bye bye!! If you feel in your gut that something's not right or you feel like you need to breakup or say no, DO IT!! Don't waste your time with anyone (boy or girl) that you don't feel ok with. It's not worth wasting your time. Our time on this earth is important and don't waste it on just anybody.

With that-don't just kiss every boy you see. Please. Don't let boys think that you and your kisses are that easily given away. You want to be respected and looked at like a lady who has it together and has a good idea of who she is and who she's going to give her time to. Seriously, I never wished I had kissed more boys. It's better than having lots of regrets on the ones you kissed. So just take it easy ok?



9-be thankful. Geez being a teenager I had stuff just handed to me. Life was pretty darn easy and I was not thankful at all. Just be aware of life and what's been given to you and be thankful for it. Write down all the things you have in your life. We have so much, we need to be aware of that. Be thankful for your teachers, your friends, your life, that rockin body that you have that you think is fat, all the things your parents give you, waking up every day. Just be aware and be thankful. LOVE YOURSELF! Accept your "flaws" and things you regret and situations that make you sad or upset and move on. Don't let these things mold you. Learn from them and become a better person! As Joe Dirt says, "Keep on keepin' on!"







10-take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Pick the college you want to go to. You, not your friends or your boyfriend. You! If opportunities are thrown at you, take them! You're young! Now is the time! I had lots of opportunities thrown at me that I didn't take. I was lazy, I didn't want to leave someone, blah blah...still wish I would have taken them! So, basically just be you and be proud of that and don't let anyone take your shine!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad