12 Days of Christmas {Part 2}

Well I hate to say it but I lacked on my picture taking for the last 6 days due to being sick and the craziness of Christmas but I still would like to share the final 6 days with all of you.

Day 7: Seven Swans Swimming= 7 Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Day 8: 8 Maids Milking= 8 New Bath Towels

Day 9:  9 Ladies Dancing= 9 Hair Accessories

Nine Ladies Dancing,

But no ladies dancing for you.

Here are 9 new hair accessories,

To help you with your hair do!

Day 10: 10 Lords Leaping= $10 Amazon Gift Card

Day 11: 11 Pipers Piping= Box of 11 See's Bourdeax's

Day 12: 12 Drummers Drumming= Basket of Amazing Goodies

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!! 

I hope you all had a wonderful day of joy, celebration, presents and delicious food!

12 Days of Christmas for My Mom {Part 1}

When I was in High School, my grandmother and I started a Secret Santa tradition. The night of Thanksgiving we would all draw names in our family, and we would each have till Christmas Eve to buy, make and give the gift. I have drawn the name of everyone in my family except my mother. This year it is just my immediate family participating and I have drawn my mother's name. I wanted to make it really special, so I decided to do the 12 days of Christmas! Because it is just the four of us she found out easily that her gifts were coming from me but it is still wonderful that I have been able to do this for her. We have been through so much together this year and she deserves more than I can ever give her but it is a start. 

This is the first 6 days. I created my own poems for each day, most from my own head and a couple from ideas from other blogs who did the same concept. 

Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree= Pajamas

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree,

That bird would be hard to catch.

So instead I got you pajamas,

And the tops and bottoms match.

Day 2: Two Turtle Doves= Guess Purse and Wallet

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

Two Turtle Dove,

Aren't they pretty and white?

But instead a new purse and wallet

On you would be a more gorgeous sight!

Day 3: Three French Hens= Bella Flip Waffle Iron, Black&Decker Blender, Bella Quesadilla Maker

On the 3rd Day of Christmas...

Three French Hens,

Are too far away.

So instead I got you kitchen appliances,

So go and play!

Day 4: Four Calling Bird= Jewelry from Charming Charlies

On the 4th Day of Christmas...

Four Calling Birds,

What's with all these wings?

I got you jewelry instead,

So you can be decked out in bling!

Day 5: Five Golden Rings= 5 Quick Quack Lucky Duck Car Wash Card

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

Five golden rings WOW how they shine,

But buying golden rings is crossing a line.

So instead I got you a priceless gift,

To give your new car a sparkling lift.

Day 6: Six Geese a Laying= 6 Russell Stover Marshmallow Santas

On the 6th Day of Christmas...

Six Geese a Laying,

They sure lay a ton of egg.

Today is a simple gift,

You are so busy you need your favorite Christmas chocolate running through your arms and legs.

So happy with this so far! And I love seeing the smile on my mom's face each day when she opens a new present.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas....

It's Christmas Time Once Again!!!

I have always loved Christmas!!! Not just the gifts but I love this time of year, it is the symbol of hope, joy, peace and charity, these are the keys to life, a quality life. This year I have felt so much gratitude for the ability to hope. To hope for a better tomorrow, to hope for a better life. When I started my blog, I began with the simplicity of hope, the hope in the ability to be the best version of myself. 

One of my all time favorite songs this Christmas time is by a Christian singer, Hilary Weeks and it is called "Christmastime". 

What is Christmas without a Christmas tree!!! Since I was very young it has been tradition for my dad and I to go pick out our family Christmas tree. 

This year our tree is much smaller than normal but it is just perfect.

Every year, my mom gets my brother and I new ornaments. This year I think was her best ornament yet. I love it. It shows our whole family including our 5 dogs and Birdie.

This year I got to go to the Houston Symphony Very Merry Pops Concert for Christmas! It is amazing to see all people of varying age, ethnicity, size, etc. come together as a powerful, unifying group. Watching each person they have their own individual style playing their instrument and practice individually but when brought together their passion for their skill and the music creates magic. It is beautiful, breathtaking, and memorable. Hearing the power, hope and joy through this amazing Christmas music has jump started my Christmas spirit!! 

I have realized this year that the true spirit and feeling of Christmas doesn't come from shopping or even the bright lights, it comes from within and we can spread the Christmas spirit to one another daily. Share with others the hope, joy, peace and charity this season bring. Just like the lack of Christmas cheer can spread the opposite can too and we can each have a huge impact on helping others truly feel that Christmas time is here!!! So an act of charity, buy something priceless for someone special, wish those helping you when you are out and about a Merry Christmas with a big smile, that person that just cut you off let them pass with a smile, every positive thing you do and say will be passed on and that is what Christmas is all about.

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

"If there i love in your heart and your mind,

You will feel like Christmas all the time.

I feel you, Christmas, I know I've found you,

You never fade away.

The joy of Christmas stays here inside us,

fills each and every heart with love."

Have an amazing week leading up to Christmas!!!

Find Christmas, feel the love, and spread it to others!

Climbing the Mount Everest of Stress

Sometimes when from the outside your life looks great to everyone else, you feel like you are caving in on the inside. This week though everything has looked great from the outside, I got ANOTHER part-time job, it's Christmas time and I have practically finished all my shopping and I'm finally getting super close to finishing school. I mean come on even things look great to me! But unfortunately my life has also been filled with many stresses and it feels like I have the Mount Everest in front of me! I am finally taking on all of my finances myself (including loads of college loans to pay off), my personal diet and fitness took a dive when I started having loads of pain in my feet and shins, and with everything my depression side of my mood disorder has creeped up on me.

In times like these when I feel weighed down, overwhelmed and defeated, I have realized it is because I am looking conquering Mount Everest in a day instead of breaking down my journey into a string of victorious and achievable days. I have to break down my stresses into little conquerable to do lists. So I started keeping a planner again and I am focusing not on the whole month, not even on the whole week but one day at a time. For my financial stress I have created a budget sheet and will be sitting down with my mother this next week to refine it and get me headed in the right direction. As far as my health struggles, I feel like these can weigh me down like quick sand, but I think the key like it always has been is making a plan for my meals just like I do with everything else. Plan and Execute. Next with my physical limitations at the moment I have to find ways outside of my comfort zone for getting exercise. I am going to start riding my bike more (Yes I know winter probably isn't the best time to start biking outside, but I will bundle up) I also am going to do as much walking and floor exercises as I can in the mornings and evenings.

On my facebook page this week I made a status on asking for input on how to combat stress. I got some amazing feedback and I have to share it on here. My uncle in law suggested choose your mood, plan and execute, and popcorn and a book (This is matches perfectly with my key points below...he must be a genius). My aunt recommended my favorites Sprinkles, Godiva (I'm adding See's as well), Shopping, Mani/Pedi, massage, and lavender bubble bath. A couple other wonderful people recommended exercise (Zumba, walk, yoga, etc.), prayer (taking your stresses to the Lord, we all need divine help all the time and it is a wonderful thing when we see the Lord's hand in our lives lifting our burdens when we need him most), and focus on one thing at a time.

Can believe that amazing feedback?!? I was shocked. What great input. We all battle daily stress and struggles and we all have ways that help us overcome and conquer our personal Mount Everest's. I am sharing my input with you and I think the perfect plan is a little bit of everything: focus, attitude adjustments where needed, plan, and a little reward and luxury to congratulate yourself on a job well done!

A few key points in overcoming overwhelming Mount Everest are:
1. Don't try to climb Mount Everest in a day, break it down.
2. Make a plan and execute.
3. Reward yourself. (Destress from the stress you acquired trying to destress!)

We can all overcome our stress. One day at a time. Maybe even one task at a time. Set your pace and start the climb!

November Favorites

Wow I can not believe we are already in the last month of the year 2013!!! November was a great month, with a ton of self realizations and epiphanies. Today, I started my new part time job at Crazy 8 so I now currently have 4 part time jobs. I do not know exactly how I will keep up with everything but I love being busy and progressing! I will also be on the lookout for a nice apartment hopefully in the cypress area, so there will be future posts on my hunt for the perfect apartment! For now here are my November Favorites....

Beauty Products:
Like always I have a few beauty product favorites to share. I love working at Ulta and being a Mary Kay Consultant I get to try anything and almost everything and find what I feel is best! That being said I share the products that are my absolute favorites. If you are interested in knowing what I don't think is any good or not as good let me know and I can make blog posts for product failures.

First product is the Mary Kay's Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush. THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!! It only costs 50 dollars, a fourth of the price of a Clarisonic. You use this with your cleanser, it removes 85% more makeup than cleaning by hand and softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles. After even my first use with this cleansing brush my skin felt incredibly soft and my pores were much smaller. I have now been using this product over 2 weeks and my face has never looked or felt better.

Another Mary Kay product I have been in love with for many years now is the Ultimate Mascara. This is my perfect mascara for an everyday, neutral look. It gives definition and volume without looking like you are wearing false eyelashes.

The Benefit They're Real Mascara lengthens, volumizes, and lifts the eyelashes. This mascara is for my glam looks. It defines my eyes and makes them POP. My only complaint is that this mascara is a bit difficult to take off other than that it is a miracle mascara.

My first lip beauty product is the wonderful Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Lip Balm in Coral Crave. This is a medicated balm that soothes and moisturizes the lips and I like that they are in neutral tints which bring out my natural lip color.

Lastly, I had no idea that Victoria Secret had nail polishes but as I was in the check out line I saw a beautiful array of polishes and had to get a couple. I got two nail lacquers the soft pink is called Flirt Away and the shimmering rose gold color is called Steal the Show. Unfortunately I couldn't find anywhere this product is sold but if you happen to see them in a Victoria Secret store I highly highly recommend picking these up!

Hair Care:
One of my absolute favorite things about working at Ulta, getting recommendations for the absolute best hair care products. As many people know I have put my hair through alot with color changing and it has gotten long and dry so I was in search of very conditioning hair products that promote the health of my hair.

Which has led me to It's a 10! Best hair care products I have ever tried. Been using all 3 of these for over 2 weeks and my hair has increased in strength, natural shine and decreased in dryness and fewer split ends. The three products are It's a 10 Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin, It's a 10 Miracle Daily Conditioner, and It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask.

Candles:

My new found love is CANDLES!!! Currently my two favorites are Fresh Apple from Circle E Candles and 'Tis the Season Candle from Bath & Body Works. Fresh Apple truly smells like a field full of fresh apples picked from trees and Tis the Season smells like a crisp Christmas Candle. 

Movie:

Last week I saw the new Disney movie Frozen and holy cow it was AMAZING!!! Not like Disney could make a bad movie but this was just phenomenal. Filled with great music, comedy, triumph and love. But like many Disney movies that are focused on overcoming an evil from another person this movie is very focused on overcoming our own fears and doubts in ourselves. It is truly an uplifting movie and I can not wait till it comes out on DVD I will be one of the first ones to own it. If you haven't seen it....GO SEE IT....you won't regret it!


Music:

Demi Lovato- Let It Go

Eminem- The Monster ft. Rihanna

Zedd- Stay The Night Ft. Hayley Williams

Lady Antebellum- Compass

Emeli Sande- My Kind Of Love

HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYONE!
Enjoy the last month of the year!