Beauty Q&A Tag!

I've never really done a tag before so I figured I'd answer some beauty-related questions to share with all of you! Watch the video or click 'read more' to see my answers to these questions. Feel free to answer them too! :)

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Life has gotten in the way of blogging lately, as you can clearly see judging by the lack of recent posts on my page. 

To be honest, I have been struggling to get through a really dark point in my life. To say that these last 12+ months have been difficult is the ultimate understatement. I lost a young family member, struggled immensely to begin my career, dealt with extreme financial set backs, was hurt in a bad car accident, and had significant changes in some of my relationships all while battling depression and anxiety. 

But this isn't meant to be a verbal pity party. It's more of a release, almost a therapy exercise if you will. 

I have let myself cry, I have let myself be angry. I have blamed myself and wondered why I appeared to be the victim of a seemingly never-ending series of unfortunate events. I have mentally and emotionally beat myself up over these things, with the thought that somehow this bad luck is my fault. 

As time has gone on, I have started to feel a little selfish. I closed myself off from the world. I was allowing myself to feel miserable. I was feeling sorry for myself. 

I don't know what changed, but I started to realize...recently...that there are an overwhelming amount of people who deal with extreme adversity yet choose to handle it with optimism and positivity. I started to realize that if I wanted things to change I had to make a change first. 

I can't change the fact that my young cousin lost his battle to cancer. But I can choose to remember him and the wonderful memories all of us cousins made together growing up. I can choose to remember him as a fighter and see him as an inspiration. 

I can't change the fact that I have had a slow start to my career. But I can change how I pursue it now and in the future. I can open myself up to taking risks and relocating in order to land my dream job. 

I can't change the fact that the woman wasn't looking and ended up totaling my car and sending me to the hospital, leaving me without a car and with other issues. I can't change the financial setbacks I've had. I can't change anything from the past. 

But I CAN change how I deal with it now and in the future. I can be grateful for the things I do have. I can be grateful that I have a loving family and friends, a roof over my head, food to eat, and many other things some people may not be able to have. 

We all have our moments where we forget to stop and count our blessings. We all have moments of weakness and moments where we retreat to that dark place. But even in those darkest of moments it's important to remember that you are not alone in how you feel -- that someone out there has gone through something similar, or even worse, before. 

I am queen of giving advice yet not being able to follow my own. I am working on this. I am in repair. But I am striving to make a change and lead a more positive, optimistic, and grateful life. I am realizing that no matter how hard today may seem, tomorrow is always going to be better. I am seeing things differently for the first time in a very, very long time. 

I will be returning to regular blogging and posting of YouTube videos as soon as possible. Thank you, if you read and put up with my ramble. :)

xoxo

Sunday Social

I realize it's been a HOT minute since I've done a blog post or filmed a video for my YouTube channel, but I started a new part-time job and it's been consuming my LIFE lately. Anywho, until I can get a new beauty-related post out there, I'm linking up with Neely for Sunday Social.

1. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone? 

2. What do you keep beside your bed? 

Usually a glass of water, a candle, and my cell phone. Not too much going on there.

3. What is your least favorite chore? 

I hate cleaning the bathroom floor, the toilet and the shower. Especially because I live at home right now and share a bathroom with my two younger brothers. Holy grossness.

4. If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be? 

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE doing my hair and makeup, but some days I wish I could just press a button and magically have my face and hair ready to go.

5. What do you do to vent anger? 

Usually just by expressing it to whomever will listen. I seriously need to invest in a punching bag or a good baseball bat that I can smash things with because I think it would make me feel better.

6. What is your favorite holiday of the year and why?

CHRISTMAS -- no doubt. I simply love this time of year. The decorations, the snow, family parties, the wine, the food. Ugh I just love it all. But no really, I'm obsessed.

Sunday Social

Linking up for Sunday Social hosted by Neely! 

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life.
    Hollister, Panera, Substitute Teacher, and "Lego Lady" aka instructor/birthday party host.

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.
    Couples Retreat, The Proposal, Wedding Crashers & Just Go With It.

3. Name 4 places you have lived.
    New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania...and then moved at least once in each state? That's all I got.

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.
    Stuffed Shells, Mac & Cheese, Lasagna, and Pasta Salad...notice how everything involves noodles!

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.
    Rimmel Pressed Powder in translucent, any lipstick I am currently wearing, Orbit gum, and my cell  
    phone.

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
    Hawaii, Ft. Lauderdale, Disney World, and Hilton Head.

xoxo

Coffe Talk...With Wine. Stress & Persevering Through Tough Times

So I've been thinking for a while now about starting a series on my blog/YouTube channel and I've come up with one called "coffee talk." I figured I could discuss topics that are relevant to my life or might be relevant to some of my readers/viewers. Watch the video below or read on for more information!