LLL Spotlight: Southern Beauty

Can you believe that this is the last and final day of January?!?! Dear 2013, please slow your roll!! I want to enjoy every minute of you as I possibly can.

I know I've slacked with my button swapping duties, but part of the initiative to blogging in a different direction is adhering to my responsibilities! So here we are... another shot at the spotlight up in herrrrr! One of my swapping buddies has been so fab as to answer a lil' Q&A I had for her. Meet Chelsee... she blogs at Southern Beauty Guide! She's got some great advice for makeup and anything to do with beauty! Ch-ch-ch-CHECK her out!

Describe your blog in one sentence.

A Sassy yet classy look into the life of a beauty obsessed Southern Belle. 

What motivated you to start blogging?

For years I have done hair & makeup for weddings and events in my hometown as well as in my sorority. I am know as somewhat of a beauty guru by many. I am always having many people contact me for: tips in beauty, makeup tutorials, product reviews, hair care, and much more. One Friday night I was at a girls night when one of my friends approached me about creating a blog. She suggested that it would be a great forum to answer questions and provide others with beauty information.  I thought about it and decided to go for it, I mean it would be a lot easier than dealing with Facebook and text messages. I still do get loads of questions in person and via text, but it has slowed down and many of my friends love having access to my beauty insight online. 

Favorite topic to blog about?

Product Reviews!!! I purchase all of my beauty products myself, and I pride myself on my ability to provide unbiased truthful verdicts on beauty products. I will never lead someone on to believe a product is great, when in fact is is not. I do admit that products work differently for different people, but I have no problem voicing my opinion on what products you should not waste you money on. 

Favorite beauty product you discovered in the last 30 days?

The Elf Eye Refresh! It is a really neat roller ball applicator that brightens and awakens your under eye area. I love it and recent did a review on it that you can find here!

What's your favorite part about living in Georgia?

Besides being close to my family, I love the beautiful scenery, weather, and traditions  Living in Georgia, as well as being in the deep south, it is normal to be called "ma'am" and experience true southern hospitality. These are things that are in my opinion hard to find once you step out of this great state. I know some may believe that all of us are Honey Boo Boo's, but I must say that that is not true of all Georgians. We are easy going, kind heart people that would give a stranger the shirt off our back. Georgia is a place where people wave and say hello regardless of if they know you or not. It is a place that I can truly call home. 

Go on and peep game Southern Beauty Guide... it'll be worth the click!

Interested in swapping buttons for some spotlight action? Hollahhh at me or check out my Button Up page!

Self Portraiting (INside!)

I must find the perfect room and lighting to take my self portraits. It's been pretty cold and wet outside, which makes snapping in nature quite difficult these days. Indoors posing is hard! I can't find the perfect spot that has a solid color background. And the lighting is horrible (granted I edited these to help with the blur)... they came out blurry even using the self timer on my camera. See! Self-portraiting prahhhhhblems! Any suggestions to indoor snapping?? 

On the flip side I did manage to get a whole body shot so I can show off my kicks! And no I didn't cut my head off on purpose... the camera did!

HOME

Settle down. It'll all be clear.

Don't pay no mind to the daemons. They fill you with fear.

Trouble. It might drag you down.

If you get lost, you can always be found.

Just know you're not alone.

Cause I'm gonna make this place your home.

These lyrics are so powerful and inspiring to me. Especially with the place I'm at in my life at the moment. You ever listen to a song over and over and it just clicks??... Welp, those lyrics right there... they CLICK for me!

If you don't know what song this is, you must be hiding under a rock! It's HOME by Phillip Phillips. LOVE him! From the first day I laid eyes on him at the AI auditions as he sang Superstition (just had to blog about him!). And then blogged about him again (here) when he took that victory home and became the 2012 American Idol. Let me tell you... his entire album is the bizz-nazz!! I am soooo thankful for music and the way it speaks to us when nothing else makes sense.

Glitter-fy your Super Bowl Sunday

Can you believe we just had our last weekend of January?? I am so flabbergasted about how time is flying this year already! Good news is next weekend is the first weekend of my fave month of all time... lover's month. Next weekend is also Super Bowl weekend! I must admit... I'm not really a ride or die fan of NFL football (probably because I don't know anyone personally), but I AM a fan of football! So I'll be watching and snacking! And I'll be rootin' on the San Francisco 49'ers only because my family are die hard fans, and so be my Bestie! In honor of their red and gold pride, I decided to craft it up 49'ers (cutsie) style!

Yes... I used old magazine pages for scratch paper!

Don't worry... if you're not a 49'ers fan... you can do all gold... or all red... or all another color! Or show some love for The Patriots and use red and blue glitter. The idea is have fun with it, and add some pizazz to your Super Bowl parlayyy this weekend!

ANDDDDD can't forget my LLL's of the week!

LOVE

I love that I have such a supportive chair through my dissertation madness, and well after. She has helped me so much in preparation of our deadline last week to submit our revisions for the manuscript we are trying to get published (FINGERS CROSSED)!

LEARN

I learned that persistence pays off. Whatever it is that you want in life, don't let yourself think it's impossible. Be persistent and positive, and you can do whatever it is you put your mind to!

LAUGH

I laughed (and felt bad) that we had to put a cone over Marley. We're trying to prevent him from scratching his face and making a scab even worse, so hubs put this lovely cone on him. He's been running into everything this weekend... makes me wonder if he had wine when I wasn't looking?

Five Faves of a Superb Week

High five for friday... hoooooray! Linking up with the lovely Lauren at From My Grey Desk, here's my top five faves of the week....

1. Indulged in some mighty fine sushi with the Hubs, and devoured my fave dish, Pokee!
2. Made my own headbands this week in less than 5 steps.
3. We took the W home against UW in Men's Basketball... our first win! 
4. I brought some new smell good's home from a Scentsy and Stella & Dot Party this week. Just the   names alone make you wanna swoon!
5. I bought the Phillip Phillips CD this week, and friends.. it is BANGIN!

Hope your week was as fun filled as mine sho nuff was! Happy Weekend!

HEAD this way!

See that right therrrrr?!?! Not the stank face I be making, but the pink headband??! YUP! I made that! AND I made a cheetah print one too (at the bottom!).

I've been on the hunt for some comfy-fitting headbands... not ones that pull your eyes so tight they mind as well be shut! I just haven't had any luck finding non-squinty eye'd headbands though. BUT... then I remembered that my bestie (LC) posted a video on a DIY headband tutorial, and I figured it was worth a shot! In 4 easy peasy steps, you'll have one of your own made with your very own two hands!

 

Whaddya' think?? Easy enough, right?!!

Quiet Time

Everyone has a morning ritual... whether it's getting out of bed and headed straight for the shower... or straight to the gym... or straight to the coffee pot!! Whatever it may be, it's something you can't do without every single morning! Am I right??.... (I hope I be!).

Every morning after my cup of joe, morning kiss to my Hubs, and sweaty workout with my fellow bootcampers, I'm headed to get my spiritual uplift. I dedicate about 10 minutes to mute the radio and meditate in my quiet time. I have 2 main go-to sources of inspiration at the moment... a daily email from Joel Osteen, and a book that was a gift from my Aunt, Promises From God's Word for Women.

Today's Word with Joel and Victoria are emails that focus on one scripture from the Bible. What I love about these emails are the breakdown they provide us. They talk about how the scripture is applied in life, and how we can overcome any obstacles we may be facing throughout the day. Totally helps me put things into perspective!

The Promises from God's Word for Women book is uhhh-amazing!! I read a chapter each morning, and it also focuses on a scripture each day. Similarly to the emails, it talks about how you can interpret the scripture through life. Each chapter highlights other scriptures that are similar to the main scripture, and also has inspiring quotes from various authors.

I started writing down these scriptures, quotes, and anything else I came across that was motivational and moving to me. It really sets the tone of my day... and when I feel the lows coming on, I can open my notebook and remind myself of the positive things in life that I have to be thankful for.

Do you take any quiet time to soak in the good? I urge you friends to start your day with positivity... it really starts off your cray cray day with a bang!

Born in the USA

Happy Monday my lovies! Today's a big day in America... not just because it's Monday FUNday. Today marks the 57th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony! My family even flew out to DC (thank you Groupon!) to witness this shin-digg!

When I went to Washington DC (back in 6th grade, but I remember every moment of that trip!), it was so surreal to me to see the historical monuments, especially the White House!

In honor of my citizenship to the best country of the universe, I thought I'd show off my patriotism by sporting some RED (if you can see my red belt), WHITE, and BLUE (if you concentrate, through the yellow tint you can make out my blue skinnies)!

On another note, I totes forgot my LLL's of the week last Monday, but I sho didn't forget em today!

LOVE

I love that I stuck to my blogging schedule and to-do list this past weekend. I actually did what I planned to do, which is hard since weekends are key days I actually see my hubs and spend some QT with the man!

LEARN

I learned this week that I blame my hubs more than I think I blame him. I'm not saying that it's all a bad blame game, but I am saying I'm more conscious of the lil' white blames, thanks to him pointing them out to me! I'm learning to share the blame if WE forgot to lock the door before bed!

LAUGH

My little brother told my sister to video tape his spray dance.... watch as he spray and snakes his life away! This kid makes me chukkle to the 100th power!

What were your LLL's of the week??

Top Five

Yahooo!! It's Friday!!! Hope you all have been having a fantab week, and still pushing through with those 2013 resolutions (if you made em!).

I'm doing what I love to do on Fridays and linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk for a H54F!

:: one ::

Through this freezing weather, Hubs and I have still been able to entertain our doggies!

Yes... Hubs tied the roped ball around Marley, while Moana holds on tight to her tennis ball!

:: two ::

Had some time for R&R with my Hubs on a night he came home at 7 instead of 8! Any kinda free time I get, I TAKE (especially when wine is involved)!

:: three ::

I finally found a solution to charging my phone in the car (this is a big deal people... my phone decides to run out of juice when I step into the car!). Apple hasn't released an official car charger for the iPhone 5 yet, but I found this nifty doo-dad at Office Max! All that's required is the cord from the wall charger... then BOOM! Successfully charing!

:: four ::
American Idol, Season 12 started on Wednesday!! Let the good times roll!!

:: five ::

I celebrated my one year blogiversary yesterday!

There ya have it kiddos! Happy Friday... Happy Weekend!!

Do you know what today is??...

(singing)... it's my blogiversary... blogiversary!

Source: herwhitesunrise.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

H A P P Y * B L O G I V E R S A R Y * T O * M E!!

During my first year of blogging, I shared many triumphs and sad times with you all. My journey through life in 2012 was cray cray to the MAX! As the year was unfolding, so many things were happening that I just needed to vent! So that I did... I blogged about my life as it was in the making! But with the help of your support, I....

* Finished my dissertation and earned my PhD

* Married the man of my dreams

* Was a part of my Bestie's lovely wedding

* Had a great time at our Family Reunion

* Started the LLL series (what I loved, learned, and laughed about throughout each week)

I was also introduced to new things by you lovely bloggettes!! I discovered...

* Link-Up's

* Birchbox

* Blog Awards

* Blog Designs

... and much much more! You were all there to encourage me and give some great advice... and for this... I thank you ALL!

This upcoming year, I plan to head in a different direction. Instead of blogging as a lifestyle journal, I wanna be more of a service to my peeps!! I'm gonna blog about things that can benefit others... crafting, fashion, encouragement... things I had planned to do when I first started blogging! Now is the time for me to pay it forward and help you all just as you have all helped me! So, embrace yourselves (and me!) for year 2!

Crafing Goods

Did you know that if you download the Michaels and Jo-Ann apps on your iPhone, you have immediate access to coupons that you can use at the cashier? AND... Did you know you can use both coupons at either store?!?

Since I discovered this during the wedding rush last year, I've paid many more visits to Michaels more than needed! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think my trips to Michaels have outweighed my trips to Target!!

It doesn't help that they keep adding the most cutest things ever to their dollar bins that is BAM! in front of your face right when you walk into the store! Most of these knick knacks are stationary, mini picture frames, stamps, and everything else you can imagine... things that if you don't see yourself using right away, you can easily store it away in your craft station til the time comes.

In spirit of the new direction I'm heading with this bloggy blog next week (if you missed out, read here about Blogiversary shinnanigans), I snagged some fun cute doo-dads to play around with!

So.... you headed to Michaels?? Because I sho am later on today!

Fun Times

If you've been hangin' out around herrr for awhile, you probably can catch a clue that I've been in school for all of my long glorious life. NO breaks. While in school, my "hobbies" have been reading textbooks and researching and writing and this and that and everythang! If I took a day to partake in a DIY project, I can promise you it made me happy, but not whole heartedly. WHY?? Because I knew that there was still work to be done to finish a paper... to study for an upcoming test... to meet up for a group project...

Welp! Fast forward through all that mumbo jumbo of my life consisting of school school school, and occasional fun times... I'm DONE-zo now... and my life is quiet (for the most part). No rushing. No papers (besides publications, which is in a completely different ball park). No group projects. Q U I E T!! Quiet time can be a great thing, as some of you may know. It can lead to passion, talent, and maybe even creativity.

One of my 2013 resolutions is to spend more time discovering the FUN parts of my life... finding out what soothes my soul and mends my heart.... discovering my hobbies (maybe re-discovering them b/c I just didn't realize they were a hobby at the time!)... implementing what I've learned into my career, while making the time to enjoy other areas of life.

I'm sharing this with you all because you have been through some tough times with me last year, and what I want you to know is that there is light at the end of my tunnel! So let the good times roll!

Later this week marks a new era for this bloggy blog. It's my blogiversary on the 17th, and I am sooo excited to share a new direction with my bloggettes!! Stay tuned for some ch ch ch changes!