this is a blog space i created back in 2011. when i had to move back home during college because i lost my drivers license and had nothing else to do with time. i had no idea that a few (well more than just a few) years later id actually be a "blogger" but lately i havent had a blog in a year due to technical issues and i just miss having a creative outlet. so i have decided to reactive this blogspot. (dont judge the past posts lol) this is going to be very personal to me moving forward. i plan to use this as more of a journal, a place to share my thoughts; my journey -not necessarily just links and fashion trends. i hope you will follow along with me!
Mar 22, 2012
Mar 17, 2012
"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty...
my only response is thatI am thankful I have a cup" ;-)
Mar 12, 2012
Inspiration from one of my ultimate favorite websites/blogs regarding wellness, health, spirituality, yoga and all that good stuff! (click here to be totally overwhelmed and extremely inspired!)
I have recently begun, attempting, to gradually make the transformation into a more organic/natural, zen-ful, healthy way of living. Ive stalked plenty of blogs, ordered way too many books from amazon, spent too much money on organic foods for the kitchen, ive even bought a small new yoga wardrobe. My current status is - I have a belly full of some bizarre green drink I just downed, with ingredients like wheat grass, algae, barley, flax seed, and Lord knows what else was in that concoction, also I feel mildly paralyzed in my arms and thighs due to going from 0 to 60 in my Yoga Power Poses the past few days, that my body was clearly NOT properly prepared for, not to mention I have SEVERE cramps in my left hand from trying to read and take notes on a wide variety of books pertaining to this new lifestyle; "Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr" is currently on deck and I am LOVING it. I've tried to limit my use of beauty products, that are not "natural" so last night I went into the kitchen, grabbed some honey and a jug of a milk and proceeded to throw it in the bath and soak my body in milk and honey while having coconut oil in my hair and brown sugar and honey on my face! As you can tell, Im not someone who does ANYTHING in moderation. and making this radical changes is no exception. Im also incorporating daily gratitude lists, positive "mirror affirmations", and daily entries in a prayer journal in hopes to grow spiritually through this process as well as, becomes physically more healthy! I just wanted to share a FEW of my findings!
FOR THE HOME:
Tips for the bedroom: 1) Clear clutter from under your bed for a calmer sleep. 2) Place your bed against a solid wall and use a headboard to create stability. 3) Use the accent colours of pink and peach to attract love, light blue and lavender for relaxation, and red/burgundy for passion. 4) Remove all mementos, photos and furniture from a past relationship for current love to thrive. 5) Pair items together such as two candles, two photos, two figurines to boost the energy of being a “couple.”
Tips for the bathroom: 1) Keep the toilet seat down and bathroom door closed to keep prosperity energy inside the home. 2) Use colours like green and yellow, which symbolize health and wellbeing in feng shui. 3) Place a night light that stays on 24 hours a day to bring energy inside. 4) Place positive quotes or post-it notes near the mirror to start/end your day with gratitude and a smile. 5) Use mirrors in abundance in the bathroom but don’t hang one that reflects the toilet.
Tips for the Living Room: 1) Clear clutter from the floor since it brings the energy down in the space 2) Go through your bookshelves and donate books you will never read or ones that have negative titles/stories. 3) Place your sofa in a welcoming position. You should not see the back of the sofa as you walk in. 4) Clean your windows. Dirty windows represent the idea that you aren’t seeing life clearly. 5) Create a purposeful room that shares your passions, values and interests. Place photos from places you’ve travelled, mementos and artwork that express your uniqueness. 6) Enclose the TV in a cabinet so it doesn’t become the focal point. Communicating, playing, sharing ideas and relaxing in the living room are essential for a happy life.
ESSENTIAL OILS!
Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically, or taken internally.
Home Remedies/First Aid Uses
DIY Vapo-Rub. To make your own Vapo-Rub, just add an essential oil such as eucalyptus to a carrier oil and rub on chest, back and the bottoms of feet to relieve congestion and coughing. Try this recipe. {Eucalyptus}
First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes. Combine Lavender or Melaleuca (tea tree) oil with a carrier oil and apply to cuts and scrapes. {Lavender, Melaleuca}
Insect/Bug Bites (Itching). Add 2-3 drops lavender essential oil to 1 TBSP carrier oil and apply to location. {Lavender}
Cold Sores and Canker Sores. Dilute Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil and apply 1-2 drops directly to cold sore. {Melaleuca}
Sunburn. Fill a 4 oz. glass spray bottle with distilled water and add 10 drops lavender essential oil. Spray on burnt area to relieve pain and promote healing. {Lavender}
Headaches. Apply 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil to temples, forehead, and back of neck. Dilute with carrier oil for sensitive skin. {Peppermint}
Around the House Uses
Linen Spray/Room Spray. Fill a small glass spray bottle with distilled water and add essential oil until the mixture reaches the potency desired. I find that 25-30 drops in a 4 oz. bottle is a good amount. . {Lavender}
Air Freshener. Fill a jar about 1/2 full of baking soda along with 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Using a hammer and nail, poke holes in the lid and place somewhere your air needs freshening. {Lavender, Lemon}
Cleaning/Disinfecting. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar for an all purpose cleaner. {Lemon}
Floor Cleaner. If you’re looking for a simple and fresh citrus floor cleaner, only water, castile soap, and essential oils. {Sweet orange, lemon}
Laundry. If you make your own laundry detergent, you can add essential oil to scent it or you can add 3-5 drops of essential oil to your detergent before each load. {Lavender}
Removing Stickers (replacement for Goo-Be-Gone). Use several drops of lemon essential oil or other citrus based oil to remove sticker gunk, such as when you want to get a label off of a jar. {Lemon}
Clean your mattress. Add several drops of essential oil to a cup of baking soda and sprinkle over mattress. Leave for an hour and then vacuum up. {Lavender}
Personal/Body Care Uses
Sugar Scrub. To make a sugar scrub, mix 1 cup sugar with 1/4-1/2 cup carrier oil (Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, etc.) and add 8-10 drops of the essential oil of your choice.
Salt Scrub. Same concept as a sugar scrub, except using salt. I love using eucalyptus and peppermint.
Body Oils. Mix 1 cup carrier oil with 30-60 drops essential oil. Use as a moisturizer after a shower or add to a bath.
Body Butter. Make your own body butter and scent it using your favorite essential oils.
Lip Balm. Use essential oil to scent your homemade lip balm.
Deodorant. Melaleuca (tea tree) and lavender essential oils. {Melaleuca, Lavender}
Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste using coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint essential oil. You can also add stevia to sweeten it, as in this recipe. {Peppermint}
Mouthwash. make your own mouthwashusing peppermint essential oil. {Peppermint}
Blemish Remover. Put a drop of Melaleuca (tea tree) oil on a blemish and watch it disappear. {Melaleuca}
YOGA!
We all have to have a goal to work towards ,right? This is such a beautiful and inspiring video!
DAILY ROUTINE ACCORDING TO DEEPAK:
This is what the ideal, universal-aligning day would look like:
6am-10am and 6pm-10pm: Your body is hypometabolic, or at its lowest phase of metabolism. Deepak says it’s a good idea to try and spend time in silence around six in the morning and six in the evening. It’s best to meditate in the early part of this phase, and to exercise in the middle of this phase.
10am-2pm: Your body’s metabolic fire is at its highest. Deepak says this is the time to have your biggest meal, because your body will metabolise the food much better.
2pm-6pm: This is a good time to be active, to learn new mental skills, or to engage in physical activities.
6pm: Around this time, preferably before sunset, is a good time to have dinner. Deepak says it’s best to make dinner a lighter meal, and to have at least a two- to three-hour interval between dinner and sleep.
10-10.30pm: Aim to get to bed by this time and you’ll have an ideal sleep and great dreams.
2am-6am: This is a good time to dream.
NATURAL BEAUTY:
I honestly feel like COCONUT OIL (Virgin, Organic) is the HOLY GRAIL of all beauty products. I put it in my hair, on put it on my face, I put it on my body, I put it in the cooking pan. It has increased my hair growth, made it incredibly shiny and smooth and my face always has that dewy glow now form lathering it on in the evenings! There are so many blogs and webpages that talk about the benefits, for your health and for your beauty, of coconut oil! Check them out!
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (once again, organic) is a runner up! It detoxifies your body, promotes weight loss, helps with digestion, helps alleviate skin problems, creates soft and shiny hair. Drink it with water, soak in a bath with it, use it as a salad dressing - get creative! Just like the coconut oil, there are tons of webpages and blog entries on ACV!
HONEY (raw, pure honey) is my next favorite multi-tasker for beauty and health! Its an anti-aging treatment when used in a face mask, a natural cure for sleeplessness, a great weight loss agent, treats a sore throat and a cough as a natural remedy, it cures yeast infections, athlete's foot, bad breathe - you name it! Just like the other products, there are countless websites and blogs dedicated to honey and its benefits. Who knew?
Green Tea, Olive Oil and Brown Sugar are some more POWER HOUSE beauty and health products :)
LIFE INSTRUCTIONS, ACCORDING TO THE DALAI LAMA!
1.Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
- Respect for self,
- Respect for others and
- Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
People, humans, we all seem to forget how POWERFUL our words can be. "Stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" I wish that was true but unfortunately it's not. I am an extremely sensitive and sometimes insecure person; hurtful words have a way of taking up a large permanent residence in my heart and not allowing any positive, uplifting, or encouraging words any to get in. I have decided to turn to the Bible to try and use the verses as a way to evict the hurtful words from my heart. I know that I am guilty of not recognizing the power of my words and gossiping or saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment, it is easily done and we are all guilty of it, but there is something to be learned from these verses...even though it is so easy to just merely read these without fully digesting them and much more difficult to implement them into our thoughts and actions. I believe that reading them with repetition with eventually allow them to change our perspective and reaction. Not only how to forgive people who hurt us with their words but to learn how to control our own tongues.
"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. " Mark 11:25
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” - Romans 12:19
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."-Romans 12:17-21
"If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." -1 Peter 3 9-12
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
I just finished reading "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa TerKeurst and I just thank God I stumbled upon this book! To me, it's one of those books that really resonates with you; allowing you to gain knowledge and change perspectives, it makes you re-evaluate and re-prioritize your life and it such a positive, uplifting book that I will probably be recommending this book for a while to come. When I read books that rock my world, like this one, I tend to take notes/highlight things, which is exactly what I did with this gem of a book, I took notes and I want to share some of the most influential insights and/or profound statements that I was so fortunate to find in this book...
"I must continue to pursue truth that keeps me grounded and God's love that keeps me filled. Then my desperate hollowness is replaced by a desire for holiness."
"If Satan can use our everyday experiences, both big and small, to cripple our true identity, then he renders God's people totally ineffective for the kingdom of Christ."
"God never intended for us to rely on others for our sense of well-being. Only He is equipped to provide that."
"The longer I went without meeting with God, the more desperate, cloudy, and starved my soul become. Running on empty eventually causes things to break down and stall out..."
"The world's offering of joy, hope and love is fleeting, temporary and dangerously unstable"
"The peace that flows despite circumstances can only be found through Jesus being with us"
"Jesus just wants a willing soul to come to Him - to verbalize her desire to seek Him and acknowledge her need for Him"
"The more we make a habit of applying God's Word to our lives, the more it becomes part of our nature, our natural way of acting and reacting".
"The only time-tested, foolproof instruction for how to get our basic soul needs met is found in the Bible. We must not only read and study the Bible but also develop the habit of living out its message in our everyday lives".
"Stop looking at others for validation and learn to truly depend on God".
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" - James 4:8
"When humans forsake their Maker and love other things more, they become like the things they love - small, insignificant, weightless, inconsequential and God diminishing" - John Piper
"May the fixed routine of our life be praise, thanksgiving, and overflowing evidence of the presence of Jesus."
"Instead of letting my thoughts get swept up in the troubles and inconveniences of the here and now, I can choose to focus on how temporary those troubles and inconveniences are in light of eternity"
"As soon as we praise God, Satan flees"
Pretty awesome, stuff huh? I have a LONG way to go to becoming MORE than a good Bible study girl, I dont even know if Im qualified to be a good Bible study girl yet... But that is what is our lives are all about - growth and progress towards Jesus and with Jesus! Get this book and thank me later :)
Feb 22, 2012
Today is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the season of Lent; which is essentially a time for us Christians to repent, to be aware of our sinfulness, and to reflect and to remember what Jesus sacrificed for US, while we were sinners. Most/some Christians choose to participate in Lent, in which we typically give up something, or SACRIFICE something, in honor of what Jesus sacrificed for us! I think that it is absolutely perfect timing, for me to re-commitment to my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have slowly been slipping away from the church and from my dusty bible and from my daily prayers...and being that it is Ash Wednesday - its high-time and perfect timing for me to get closer to God. My spiritual life has always been up and down, on again and off again, extremely close than very distant, very intense and then very dull - but the one constant is that when I am not praying, or going to Church or reading some sort of religious or spiritual literature - I can most definitely notice changes in my day to day life, as a direct result from my lack prayer and faith. I become inpatient, rude, bossy, discontent, anxious, fearful, nervous and my personal relationships along with my sobriety suffer when I don't have God in my life. For lent, I have decided to give up alcohol (duh!), soda and fast food. They may all seem meaningless, and they are in the large scheme of things considering Jesus sacrificed his life for me and I'm saying I will sacrifice an occasional quarter pounder with cheese from McDonalds for him; but Lent is more so about our relationship with God as opposed to what we were sacrifice. Jesus was tempted during his 40 days of fasting in the desert so I'm sure I will have temptations during this 46 day period, but I think I can handle it! I really am hoping to use this time period, before Easter, to grow in my relationship with God, to become more like the woman He intends for me to be, to strengthen my character and soften my heart and maybe i'll even loose a pound or two by not drinking soda or eating fast food?! ;) HAPPY ASH WEDNESDAY!
brock, thank you for always supporting me, and caring for me, and loving me; thanks for being YOU. i feel so blessed to be in a loving relationship with you - i know that what we have is the real deal! i adore and admire you and love you to death! happy anni!
today, i just wanted to remind myself of a few simple truths. to know that comparison is the thief of all joy, and to remember that there is nothing to be gained by comparing myself to others - i will either feel envious or prideful. to remind myself to trust the process, and the timing of my life, to God - to have faith that He knows what He is doing with me, and to remember that my individuality is my greatest assest; and that my past mistakes or failures have given me strength and knowledge for my future. i need to remind myself that i have so much to be thankful for and that gratitude is the key to happiness and hard work is the key to success.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" - Roman 8:28
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21
Feb 1, 2012
"There are four questions of value in life...
What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made?
What is worth living for and what is worth dying for?
The answer to each is the same. Only love."
-Johnny Depp
happy february! make it count and make it a good one!
sipping countless cups of hot green tea with honey
getting bikini ready with jayde and brooke :)
finished reading "the happiness project" by gretchen rubin and have begun reading "the art of happiness" by the Dalai Lama; striving towards being fit and happy :)
"there is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy"
"when a student is ready, the teacher appears"
"it is by studying the little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible"
"what you do everyday matters more than what you do once in a while"
"there is no love, there are only proofs of love"; don't let the sun go down on your anger.
"happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor thing thing nor that, but simply growth. we are happy when we are growing"
"the chief happiness for a man is to be what he is"
"the days are long but the years are short"
"the absence of feeling bad isn't enough to make you happy; you much strive to find sources of feeling good"
"the business of a wise man is to be happy"... whatever condition life happens to offer.
having strong social bonds is probably the most meaningful contributer to happiness.
people who give money to charity end up wealthier than those who don't. money is a good servant but a bad master.
"it is easy to be heavy; hard to be light"
"there are times in our lives, when we would of given all the world to be as we were but yesterday, though that yesterday had passed over us unappreciated and unenjoyed"
"life doesn't get any better than this"
"i take care to appear happy and especially to be so"
if you don't believe you're happy - you're not. if you think you're happy - you are.
"the least strained and most natural ways of the soul are the most beautiful; the best occupations are the least forced"
periods of deprivation sharpen pleasures
only through recognizing your happiness can you really appreciate it.
outer order contributes to inner calm
"nothing can make our life or the lives of other more beautiful than perpetual kindness"
"a man may be young, handsome, wealthy and esteemed; if we wish to judge his happiness we ask whether he is cheerful"
