If I had to give relationship advice..

I wouldn't say I'm an expert, I would never say my relationship is perfect, but I can say a couple things about it that we are stronger for.

1. Open communication. We don't keep things from each other, we share everything, we speak freely about our feelings and don't question each other in their opinions. 
2. Respecting one another. This is crucial.
3. Quality time and making it a point to do something each and every day for the other person. Whether it's bringing them coffee or simply watching their favorite show with them. Minimal things to show you care.
4. Knowing each others love languages. (you and your s/o can take the quiz here. Be honest! It helps you to be more understanding. http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/ )
5. And lastly, just being considerate. Consideration goes a long way, never think stopping to think about what your s/o would feel towards something is a waste of time, it's not. 9/10 It'll improve the situation.

We are far from perfect, all of these things are a work in progress. But we always work, everyday, we fight for each other. And that's something everyone deserves, someone that will choose them every single day, no matter the circumstance. 

Because you are worth the fight. xo

Product Review: Beauty Blender

What did I do before this product? I really couldn't tell you.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. 

Initial thought? It's a sponge, I have sponges. I do everything with them. Why do I need a pink one?

I was wrong, I do need a pink one and all of you need this pink one too! (Comes in black/white as well. Reviews I've read say that they all work the same. They are also all priced the same.) 

I don't wear foundation, as you know my skin is ridiculous, so anything liquid is just a disaster waiting to happen skin wise. The only thing I use on my face is BB cream (I swear by it) and powder. I think it leaves a fresher looking face and not so caked on - which in my opinion most liquid/powder combinations do. 

I always thought this blender was only for liquids well I went out on a limb just to try it out anyway and I am now questioning whether or not I actually knew what I was doing prior. 

Long story short, I'll never do my make up without this beauty blender again. Truely gives you a flawless look.

Product Review: bite lipstick

This lipstick is my new go to! The shade I bought is Pecan in bite's cream lipstick collection. I bought it at sephora and when I stumbled across the shade, I may or may not have jumped for joy. I have been searching high and low for the perfect pink-nude for my skin tone and ladies and gents, this is it. Not only was this color exactly what I was looking for, but all of their other colors on display were also beautiful. I wanted all. of. them. But I am not only going to rave about the color perfection, but the texture too. Putting this lipstick on was "like getting an A on a math test" (how I described it to my friend) and I don't think I could've had a more fitting description. Smooth, creamy, long lasting, not sticky, almost felt like I wasn't wearing any! Normally I have to apply a Chapstick (burts bees is my favorite) before applying a lipstick because I do have very chapped lips 90% of the time, but putting this on kept my lips moisturized throughout the night. The only thing is, if it hadn't been the shade I've been looking for, I wouldn't have bought it. Reason being? Because 29$ for two centimeters of lipstick just didn't seem reasonable to me. Am I a lipstick fanatic? Yes. Did I buy it anyway? Yes. Do I regret my purchase? Not in the slightest. Next time I'm at sephora am I going to go peruse their other lipsticks to buy another? Probably not. 

Depending on how much you want to spend on your lipsticks, overall it's a great product and I couldn't be happier with the results. Will I buy the same color again once I run out? Absolutely. But it won't be an affordable option I tell people.

The best part of me

I used to 

Think guys that were emotional were weak.

Think guys that needed your undivided attention were clingy.

Think guys that wanted me to consider them in everything I did were asking for too much.

Think that promises rings were for the unfaithful, just reassurance to keep from worry.

Think guys were going to treat you a certain way and you couldn't do anything about it.

Think guys were incapable of being chivalrous.

Think guys ran when you cared too much, so your job was to not care at all.

Think guys were incapable of being completely faithful, being cheated on was inevitable.

Think guys always had an ulterior motive, you were a prize not a person.

Think guys only liked the chase, so you're going to be alone if you stop leading them on.

Think that I wasn't worth anyone's time.

Know you, but I didn't know you. I knew of you. And boy am I lucky to know you now. Because everything I used to believe, you proved me wrong and changed my mind on what happiness truly is. You made me believe in love when I didn't even believe in myself. 

I used to believe all those things, firmly. But now, all I believe in is us.

Not So Natural Blonde

Although I wish my hair was naturally bright, beautiful blonde, it is not.
It's more of a medium brown. I have tried just about every color you could imagine (Even gray before it was big! Mine was an accident though and I almost cried. Luckily, it was fixed. I am not someone that can pull off the gray hair trend.) From dying my hair so much, you can imagine how damaged it is, I practically shed like a dog.
Much like my ULTA find B.F.F. product (see previous post here:)
I picked up this conditioner for the simple fact that it said "For blondes" on it. It came to my surprise that it ended up being a purple conditioner!
I had heard a ton about the effects of purple conditioner, which ones are great (minimal) versus which ones ended up being an awful experience (majority).
I have to say this is my first experience using purple conditioner and I couldn't be happier with the results!
John Freida's Sheer Blonde Tone Correcting Conditioner is on my must haves list for beautiful hair! It's a creamy base and light purple, very similar to the color on the bottle. I got mine at ULTA for $6.99! My hair went from flat, damaged,

 and coarse to having volume I've never had, smooth hair that didn't break as easily and looked healthy in just a week! I never expected to be so impressed with a conditioner before. I used to wake up with hair so frizzy and oddly textured that I had to apply heat to it to make it look even decently okay. But thanks to this conditioner, I've been able to wake up (not even brush my hair) and it's all ready to go! I highly recommend trying this out and for a low price like that, you can't beat it. xo

Eat, Pray, Love.

If you haven't seen Eat, Pray, Love. Drop everything right now and go buy it! I'm kidding, but definitely put it on your list of movies to watch ASAP.
It's so empowering, inspiring and slaps you in the face with the honest truth.

It is one of my favorite movies and I watch it every time I'm feeling in a rut, down, or lost. It reminds me of what's important in life and how to keep everything balanced. Here are a few of my favorite lessons I've learned while watching this movie a million times a year, year after year.

"The only thing permanent in life is family."

"Americans know entertainment, but they do not know pleasure. The sweetness of doing nothing."

"In all the years that you've undressed in front of a man, has he ever asked you to leave? No, he hasn't, because you're a naked woman in front of him. I'm so tired of waking up the next morning and recalling every bite I took of mediocre tasting food. So I'm going to eat this pizza and feel absolutely no guilt, just pleasure. I have no interest in being obese, I'm just going to enjoy good food again."

"People settle of living in misery because we are scared of change and everything turning into ruins. Your life isn't in ruins or chaos, the world is and the only real trap is getting attached to any of it. You must be prepared for endless waves of transformation. Don't be afraid of what change can destroy, but be hopeful in what change can build."

"Believe in love again."

"Balance is learning to love yourself."

Those are just a couple of my favorite lines in the movie, I hope I peaked your interest and you're interested in watching it! I hope you love it as much as I do. xo

Arrogance

The arrogance of young adults is pure bliss. If we weren't all arrogant, we wouldn't fight for a lost cause, chase unlikely dreams or take risks.

Believe in everything, always keep the mindset that anything is possible.

Never stop fighting for someone you  love, don't ever tell yourself love isn't true. It's the only thing in this cruel world that is so innocent yet so in control.

Don't tell yourself that your dreams are too out of reach, always expect disapproving comments, judgement and uncertainty from people. They're too in the box to understand your out of the box thinking.

Believing in yourself is the first step to accomplishing anything.
"Never stop believing in yourself. Remember that those who have succeeded will encourage you. And those that have failed, will not." - Olianna Portnoy

Love will always win.
"Love conquers all things, let us always surrender to love." -Virgil

Because of dreamers, the world is progressing, not standing still.
"I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true." - Walt Disney

You can do what you're telling yourself you can't.
You will find love that goes against all odds.
You can make your dream a reality.

In case you needed to hear that. xo

5 Easy Steps to a Healthy Relationship

1) Don't think everything is perfect, and when it's not, don't think you're with the wrong person.
Just because you're fighting with someone doesn't mean it's all going to ruins, and just because everything is perfect, doesn't mean it's going to last forever. If you are in the honeymoon stage, the world is bright and the stars are aligned. But unfortunately, the honeymoon stage doesn't last forever (which is actually a good thing). I'm guilty of it, every time we have a rough patch, I tend to convince myself of the most ridiculous reasons as to why we aren't meant to be together, but that's nonsense. If two people are trying and truly care for each other, keep trying and be more vocal about caring. If it's meant to work, neither of those things will cause any issues. Really, all they'll do is help.

To anyone reading this and struggling, don't think of the reasons you don't work. Think of what you can do to fix it. Be optimistic, everything good in life takes time and hard work.

2) Comparison
Never, ever compare your relationship or your s/o to someone else's or someone else. Ever. I've been there, you've been there, everyone has been there. You see someone post on Facebook or Instagram how exotic their life is and how they're living the dream. The perfect body, the perfect house, the endless travels and oh look....the perfect boyfriend. They're the PERFECT COUPLE. Right? Right? Wrong. There's no such thing as an easy relationship and there's no such thing as a couple that doesn't fight or is always happy with each other. Don't see pictures of someone else's happy times in their relationship and say how yours is nothing in comparison. 1. It's not fair to your significant other. 2. It's not fair to you.

3) Quality Time
This doesn't have to be spending every waking moment together (nothing against that, if you are lucky enough to have enough time to do that, then do it!) Long distance relationships can work, you just have to have great communication. Don't text your s/o more than you call/video chat. There's nothing more reassuring than laughing with someone you love, miles away and hearing their voice to start or end your day. Without open communication and a full understanding on where you are constantly standing in the relationship, things can go down hill. And you can never say I love you too much.

4)



This post has been sitting on my drafts for months and I haven't been able to finish it. Because quite honestly, I couldn't come up with two more things to write about. There's no such thing as 5 easy steps to a healthy relationship - nor is there 5 easy steps to a happy one. Yes, these things are important but coming from me, I would just be a hypocrite. And I never ever want anyone to think I've got it all together or my relationship is perfect because quite frankly, I'm not and it's not. S0 this post is finally out there, for you all to read. That I'm not perfect and never will be. But I can be happy, and so can you. Regardless of your love situation. Never forget that. And if anyone ever wants personal advice, I'm here. Just email me!

Review of Best Face Forward

Best Face Forward AKA my B.F.F.

I have extremely sensitive skin. I have to be very selective of what I put on my face otherwise I tend to either break out more or I get a chemical burn and my skin will fall off in chunks. I've had numerous very, very bad experiences from about 90% of the products I have tried (i.e. Proactive, Skin ID, etc.) For a while I was discouraged from skin care products and gave up (I would use just a bar of soap and if I broke out, I just accepted it.) 
I have a minor obsession with make up so you can almost always find me at ULTA or Sephora on my days off (typically on pay day.) I am very shopping savvy and never spend more than I have to for products that work equally as well.
I hadn't tried a face wash in quite some time so when I saw this sitting on the shelf at ULTA, I grabbed it and thought "Why not!" (I have to embarrassingly admit I was pulled in by the name. Plus, it was only $5.99!) Well ladies & gents, this is by far my favorite buy from ULTA. My skin is very easily dry and VERY easily greasy. B.F.F. cleans my face, leaves it smooth, moisturized and acne free. It's a light, clear liquid (that you only need a little bit of!) that you can use every day, twice a day! It works fast, over night on most break outs. My point? It's gentle, effective, and uses chamomile, passion fruit and green tea to rejuvenate your skin, and for $5.99, I think everyone should try it.

When the work is worth it

When a relationship requires a lot of "work," there are a lot of people who don't think it's worth it. A friendship or a romance should be easy, they'll tell you. If it isn't, then they figure that perhaps it just wasn't meant to be. That is nonsense. Even the best relationships require some type of work to maintain good communication and a peaceful and symbiotic harmony. Relationships are far from easy, but difficulty should not lead to uncertainty. Passion can overcome everything.

And if the passion isn't mutual, don't you dare let someone use the excuse that it just wasn't meant to be, don't you dare dumb down your feelings to be even with whomever you are receiving them from. 

Be bold, daring, and love with your whole heart. It's an absolute shame that people are embarrassed of being vulnerable, sensitive and living with their heart on their sleeves. I applaud you for your braveness, keep on inspiring.

My Goodbye to Coffee

I've been eating healthier and trying to save money any way I can so I can travel freely and go wherever my heart desires! So, my best friend let me know that my coffee addiction needed to stop.

Well, when I make any life changes (This IS a life change, if you don't rely on coffee every morning, you simply do not understand.) I have to do it abruptly and cold turkey or not at all.

Giving up my ridiculously loaded caffeine boost was rough, here are the documented results:


Day 1: Oh my head ache...I can't do this.

Day 2: Is this what dying feels like? I can't physically stay awake. This is horrible.

Day 3: Starbucks is five minutes away...I can just get a tall...that's not too bad right?

Day 4: Advil. Advil cures head aches...That's an easy fix. Lots of Advil.

Day 5: Advil does not keep you awake, it just tastes good this is the worst decision I've ever had.

Day 6: Coffee makes you fat, 7 shots isn't good for your body, don't forget why you're doing this, only one more week.

Day 9: Okay, head aches aren't so bad anymore..I actually feel like I have more energy, how is that possible?

Day 16: I am so excited I haven't had coffee in a little over two weeks. Thank goodness my little brother wanted Starbucks! Here I come 7 shot venti Caramel macchiato!

.......Later on that day.

Oh good lord this was the worst decision ever I am so sick, coffee is no longer my friend.  I'm sorry coffee, but it's just not working out anymore.

New Journeys

I don't normally write anything personal on here but I think I'm going to start. I think I'm going to start doing a lot of new things actually. 

I've been complaining for almost five months now that I hate my job, im unhappy, feel like I'm in a rut, etc. 

Finally hit me today that if I'm unhappy, I'll change it. (Practice what I preach, right?) 

So from now on, I'll be posting my journey becoming a happier, better person. Still writing inspirational posts of course, but more about things that interest me or inspire me. In the mix, about how I'm doing and what I'm doing to change.

Because too much self improvement just doesn't quite exist.

xo