Its Beauty Tuesday! My Makeup Basics

Here are my makeup basics for my normal everyday makeup routine.

I use a Sephora brush set, which is perfect for travel and an E.L.F kabuki brush.

I have oily (and currently broken out skin) so using products that are light and powdery are ideal. I use L'oreal True Match concealer, L'oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation, Maybelline Super Stay 24 hour powder foundation, E.L.F Healthy Glow Powder Blush, and Essence Silky Touch Blush. All of these items can purchased at Target, except the Essence Blush. I bought that in Germany, alternatively I use Maybelline Fit Me blush.

And the final product, an easy, bright look for class, a coffee date, or just hanging out with friends!

Monday Morning Motivation!

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, this weeks Monday Morning Motivation is dedicated to his inspiring spirit that still motivates and strengthens people all these years later! 

Monday Morning Motivation!

I am a very fortunate person.  I have an amazing family, roommates who keep me sane, friends that support me, a boyfriend who loves me, and I go to a great univetsity. That all being said, I get stressed and sometimes (okay, maybe more than sometimes) I even complain. But when I step back and remember how fortunate I am and how others can only hope for the things I have I realize I get to to live this life and I do not have to.

So today remember to count your blessings and be greatful for the life you get to live.

Do not fear bad news! Psalms 112:7

Bad news can come in so many forms, too many forms in my opinion.  Bad news could be as simple as a huge reading assignment for a weekend; as disappointing as a job rejection; or as devastating as the death of a loved one. What makes our Lord amazing is that he takes care of us through the bad news.

Psalms 112 tells us to praise the Lord, but also tells us the benefits of praising, loving, and trusting the Lord.  Psalms 112:7 says that if we fear you Lord we should trust him and not be afraid of the bad news. That is much easier said than done.

I am a chronic worrier, a worry wort as it is known in my family. More times than not, I worry about things that are out of my control. This Psalm reminds me, even on my most stressful,  my most worry filled, days that the Lord is taking care of me. I should trust him to take of me because he always has and he always will.
My heart is steadfast in the Lord, I trust him, and I will not fear bad, for I know he is taking care of me.

How I am trying to control my FOMO (fear of missing out)

I am the worst kind of introvert.  I need my alone like I need water. I need to lay in bed and write or read or binge watch Netflix by myself, but I also have a chronic fear of missing out on a fun night with my friends, a party next door, or even just watching a movie with my roomies.

I am 4 days into my January mini semester and last night I broke. I had been staying up late with my roommates and waking up early to have coffee and breakfast with my boyfriend then rushing to do homework before my afternoon class and in the past 2 weeks after moving in with my roommates (who I love!!) I have not had a stress-free moment to myself. I have been a grumpy, caffeine-addled mess, and it's all my fault. Conquering my fear of missing out will be the only way to keep myself sane as my semester and life moves on.

So these are my goals:

• If I am tired, go to bed (even if that means missing out on half price Applebees apps)
• Learning to say, "no". I know a huge part of my FOMO is supported by my other problem of never being able to say "no".  
• Set aside at least a half hour a day to breath, read my SheReadsTruth devotional, watch Netflix, or have chocolate and a coffee.
• Actually use my planner so I know what I have time for.
• Prioritize my tasks/activities so I can choose what is important and focus on those things first then decide what else I have time to do

I will follow up this post in 2 weeks to report on the changes I made and how they affected my stress and happiness.

I hope these goals help you to conquer your fear of missing out as well!

Monday Morning Motivation!

Mondays can be horrible. The weekend can run you dry with late nights and junk food and maybe one too many drinks. I know that I need a little push on Mondays so I hope that this will brighten your, hopefully not so horrible, Monday morning. 

Even on the worst days, chances are you are way more blessed than you should be stressed. Take a moment, breath, have a coffee, and think about all of the reasons why you are blessed.

New Year Motivation

As this new year starts and I have to get back to colleges classes tomorrow, I need a little motivation.

I spent the last 4 months traveling and learning in Europe and the past 3 weeks relaxing with family, my boyfriend, and my roommates, but now it is back to reality. I have to look for summer internships, go to work, go to class, volunteer, and have a social life. As an introvert, these things can be very stressful for me. 

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

This passage from the book of Joshua the Lord appoints Joshua as a leader after Moses had died. God gives Joshua instructions and tells him not fear because God is with him. God has not appointed me to lead a country (at least I don't think so), but I believe that he has commanded me, and all believers, to share his word and live fearlessly through him. 

When I am hesitant about joining in during a group discussion or nervous about a test or interview I know that "the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  This will be the Bible verse that will give a confidence boost throughout this year. 

Weekly Inspiration: SheReadsTruth

I am inspired by so many things lately, the amazing people around me, Minnesota winter sunsets, and simple pinterest quotes that make me smile and think. But, the reason why I want to slowdown an sip my coffee a little longer everyday is SheReadsTruth. This website (and now iphone and android app) is a daily devotional that provides bible verses accompanied by short posts written by real women who have families and friends and struggles. 

SheReadsTruth inspires me for many, many reasons, but 2 reasons in particular. The first being I wake up and read the word of God everyday. I read what he wants from me, how I should act, and reminds me that His word is so beautiful and powerful. That reminder, everyday, keeps my faith strong the the word of God in the forefront of my mind.

Secondly, the writers are real women who are actively discovering and living through the grace of God. The post that sticks out in mind as one that really made me think was from the "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" devotional program. Day 9 was titled 'A Repentant Heart', it discussed the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). For anyone unfamiliar with the story please click the link, it is well worth the short read. I had heard/read this story at least a dozen times before reading that post, until that post I always looked at the story from the position of father and well behaved son, but after reading the SheReadsTruth devotional I saw the passage differently. Maybe I wasn't the father who had to forgive others, but the prodigal son who needed to repent. One single post reminded me that even if I knew all the major stories of Bible (which I probably don't), I am never done learning from them. 

I strongly encourage everyone and anyone to at least check out the SheReadsTruth website, Facebook page, and Instagram, as well as download the smartphone apps! 

 

  

Welcome!

It's 2015!! A new year is ahead of us! A year that we can mold and construct into whatever we want it to look like, so why not take advantage of that? This blog and year is all about finding the best version of myself and striving to be that person. This blog will focus on faith, fun, fitness, and fashion and using these things to be the best version on yourself!