Life According to Lara

Thanksgiving treats!

2017-11-22T13:56:00.001-05:00

Its almost thanksgiving! That means Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.

These cupcakes should NOT be an every day thing. I went to CalorieCount.com and entered the ingredients, and for 12 cupcakes, unfrosted, it calculated to about 207 calories a pop. The frosting divided into 12 servings calculated to 110.

So these are definitely not something you should eat often. Having them for special occasions is ideal here.

Now for the recipe.

What You'll Need:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup solid packed, canned pumpkin puree

What To Do:

Preheat oven to 350 F
Prepare cupcake tins
- Either with papers - my personal choice; or with shortening and flour.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
In another bowl, with your electric mixer, or hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, until each is fully incorporated, scraping sides of bowl after each addition.
Then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low, alternate adding flour mixture and pumpkin puree in three additions, beginning and ending with flour.
Scoop your batter into your prepared cupcake tins, should get around 12.
- I like to use an ice cream scoop to spoon the batter into the cups, it makes it easier, less messy, and helps keep the cupcakes the same size.

Bake on middle rack 18-22 minutes, or until tooth pick, inserted into the center, removes clean.
(if your pans dont fit on center rack together, make sure you switch them half way through)
Let cool completely.

Now for the frosting.

What You'll Need:

4 oz. cream cheese - room temperature.
2 tbsp butter - room temperature.
1 tsp vanilla.
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.
splash of milk if needed

What To Do:

Mix cream cheese and butter with electric mixer, until combined.
Add vanilla.
Add the powdered sugar and milk, mixing until fully combined and fluffy.
- You can add a few drop of food coloring to make them more decorative if youd like.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes with piping bag or ziplock bag with end cut to desired size; or spread with knife.
- Add sprinkles, or decorations as desired. I like to sprinkle with a little of the ground spices used earlier. I think it adds a little extra deliciousness.

Voilà! Enjoy!

If you try these cupcakes please feel free to share with me your thoughts, or any twists you put on them. :)

DIY 2 Ingredient Face Scrub

2017-02-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is something I've actually ive actually been doing for a few years now, and I'm surprised I haven't blogged about it once! Possibly the easiest, and cheapest facial scrub you could do yourself, this wonderful scrub only uses 2 ingredients which you (should) already have at home!

Things you'll need:
- your every day face wash.
- baking soda.
(Yes, that's all!)

So, what I like to do is simply wet my face with warm water. I like to use a wet wash cloth and let it sit on my face for a minute to open my pores and soften the skin a bit, making it easier to slough off those dead skin cells!
Then I take a little bit of baking soda, maybe a teaspoon or so. (Start off with a little in case you have sensitive skin, add more if needed.) to that, add your face wash. I use a basic cleanser for this..nothing too strong or anything with a ton of acne fighting ingredients or anything. Also add a little bit of water. Mix it all up right in the palm of your hand.
Now, simply apply it to your face all over and gently scrub in circular motions around your face. Careful not to rub too hard, the small gritty texture of the baking soda does a great job at exfoliating without the need to really scrub. You can let it sit for a few minutes if you want, but I like to wash it off right away. (Baking soda is a chemical, and for some people it could dry out your skin, so try it in a small spot first if you're worried.) you'll notice as you're rinsing it might feel like you're not able to wash all of the baking soda off. It that bothers you just add a drop of cleanser to help get the little residue off. ;)
Your face will look and feel amazingly polished, smooth, and soft afterwards! I always follow up with a good moisturizer after. And my skin feels amazing all week! My skin can totally handle this once a week, but those of you with sensitive skin might want to do it less often.

What is your favorite facial scrub? Do you like to make your own or is store bought more your style? Let me know! I'm always looking to try new scrubs! ;)

Have a beautiful day!
Stay humble & kind.
<3

New Year New Me? HEALTHY RECIPE

2017-01-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

With it still being pretty early on in the new year, Im hoping most people are still sticking to their New Years resolutions. One of the most popular usually being to become healthier. So, with that idea lingering around I thought Id share a recipe today!

This is one of my favorite things to eat, and its SO healthy but doesnt even feel like it! Its also very easy to change and adapt to whatever you want really..

Ingredients:
12 eggs.
1/4 cup lowfat milk.
2 cup baby spinach.
1-2 cloves garlic.
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes or 1 fresh tomato.
1/4 cup feta cheese.
salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and a cast iron skillet* with some olive oil in it.
Once your skillet is up to temp, add your garlic and spinach, seasoned with a little s&p, and sautee until wilted.
Meanwhile, beat your eggs and milk in a large bowl. You can swap out half of the eggs for just egg whites if you prefer, it cuts back on a few more calories and lowers the cholesterol, but is not necessary.
Pour the eggs evenly over the spinach. Top with tomatoes of choice and sprinkle with feta cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until eggs are fully cooked. Remove from oven and serve.

* if you dont have a cast iron, or oven safe skillet, add the cooled, sauteed spinach to egg mixture and bake in an oven safe dish. note that the cook time may be a little longer, since the dish is going in cold.

This delicious and simple frittata feeds 6, or can easily be doubled or halved to fit your needs. (just make sure you adjust the skillet size and bake times accordingly) It also stores and reheats well, and is equally as good cold if youre in a rush. (or if youre feeling lazy :P)

Heres the exciting part. One serving of this is only 155 calories! With a nice 13g protein and only 3g carbs.

This recipe is so versatile, you can add and change things however you want. You can keep it healthy with lots of veggies, or make it a bit more of a guilty pleasure by adding bacon and cheddar. Another fun thing you can do with this recipe is add the cooled sauteed spinach to the egg mixture and divide it into 12 muffins, topping with your cheese and tomato. Viola! now you have the perfect grab and go breakfast! Put one on top of an english muffin for a tasty little breakfast sandwich. Whatever you decide to do, its hard to go wrong with this recipe!

So, to those of you who decided 2017 was a year for "New year, new me" and your year to be a healthier happier you, good luck! And I hope you enjoy this delicious little recipe Ive shared with you today. If you want to see more like this leave me a comment below this post and let me know! :D

New Changes!

2016-10-21T13:55:00.000-04:00

I basically have had the same hair for the last 12 years. Yeah, I've change the color a bit, from blonde and brown to pink or blue, green or purple. But the cut and style has pretty much been the same for soo long. It is time for a change.

But being me, of coarse, a change isn't going to come easily. I have trouble committing to new things especially when it comes to hair. I've loved having the same long hair for such a long time that I'm not quite sure if I'm able to do anything else.

But I'm pretty sure something new is just what I need right now! So I took some of my older clip in extensions and went to work playing around with them in different ways to see what my options were..

Here's a couple that I narrowed it down to.

First, I went for some bangs. I had full bangs once when I was younger and longer side swept bangs off and on a few times over the years. but I'm so scared of the commitment of bangs that I don't know if I could ever go back. So here's sort of how it turned out.

(I felt the bangs deserved a sassy face! Who agrees?)

Surprisingly not too bad. I like that they hide my big forehead hahah. But they looked much better without my glasses on. The glasses I felt sort of clashed with the bangs. I also wasn't sure how I liked them straight down, pulled a bit to the side suited me a little better. But I'm still not sure if they suit me at all!

Another thing I tried out was shorter hair. I haven't had my hair cut short in so long I can't even remember. I've just always loved having long hair!

But I kind of really loved it! The only thing that really sways me is I wear my hair up in a bun a LOT. Mostly because I'm so sick of my hair I never want to do anything with it. But I also just really love a big messy bun!

(Of course Snapchat filters are the ultimate test!)

I'm also torn between growing out my natural color, which I've been doing for the past several months. Or going with a completely new color. I've been going to a darker brown color for a long time. I've also done burgundy a few times over the last couple of years. All of which I love.

I'm so undecided and afraid of change when it comes to my hair! I don't know why, it's just hair. It can always be changed and it will grow back fresh and new. Plus I always have my extensions to help me out.

So now I'm asking for your opinions! Which of the above two do you like best? Anything else you think might look good on me? Any input or suggestions would be so greatly appreciated!!

Heres to changes, whether big or small! Enjoy your weekend no matter where you are. Be safe. Be happy. And always stay humble and kind. <3

Weekly Manicure!

2016-07-30T09:25:00.001-04:00

I've been obsessed with nails again recently. I have a new desire to learn all sorts of nail techniques and trends. For a few years now I would spend every Sunday doing my nails. For a few months that stopped. But now I'm back in it full force. All I can seem to watch is nail videos on YouTube. And in my head I just keep saying that's easy, I can do that! (So don't be surprised if you see a lot more nail related posts!)

This weeks manicure features a brand is never really heard of before as well as a polish that might surprise you!

I went for a more oval shape, rather than my normal square (or squoval) shape. I've really been wanting to try stiletto or almond shaped nails recently, so this is kind of getting me closer to that look, just shorter. 😋

The color in my nails this week is 'Serene' by a brand called LVX. This is the brand that I had never heard of, but I'm loving it so far! The color isn't something I would normally choose for myself, but last week I used a deep red shade by China Glaze that seemed too dark for the summer. So this light, almost pastel, color was a much better fit. And to be honest, I actually really like my nails this week!

LVX uses a 7 free formula, is cruelty free, and vegan. This color is creamy and goes on smooth with a sort of gel like finish. I ended up doing 3 coats, which is the only thing I really didn't like, to make sure it was as even as possible.

Next I added an accenting holographic glitter top coat to a few nails. I've been doing this new thing where instead of just accenting my thumb and ring finger, I do pointer and pinky on one hand and thumb, middle, and ring on the other. I really like it! So this nail polish is a brand called Color Craze by LA Colors. And believe it or not..its from the dolor store.

Flash back to my very first post on this blog 5 years ago.. That post actually featured this brand of nail polishes! Now I admit these aren't the best polishes you'll ever use. But they're really good for what they are..dollar store polishes. ☺️

So I topped it all off with my current favorite top coat, CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat. They say it's to be used only with CND Weekly Polish because the two work together to create a strong bond that lasts. But I've been using this top coat for a few months with other brands and I love how smooth and glossy it is. It has a wide flat brush which I find really helps get a nice even application with as few strokes as possible. It dries pretty quickly and keeps your mani looking great for days!

Hand Made Bohemian Dream Catcher Giveaway!

2016-07-28T16:29:00.001-04:00

Last year me and my sister started making adorable bohemian style dream catchers. As a thank you to my loyal subs I wanted to do a little giveaway for sticking with me through all of the ups and downs recently. So I'm giving away 1 large and 2 small custom made dream catchers! Your choice of colors!

All you have to do to enter is be a subscriber. Must be 18+ or have parental permission. This giveaway is open worldwide. Leave a comment on this post with your name and email address to enter. (Comments are left private!)

I will be choosing and contacting the winners on my birthday, August 12. Winners have 24 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen.

Below are some pictures of ones I've done and some that I'm still in the process of completing. I've done a few different styles and color schemes, the winner can choose their own base dream catcher material as well as color scheme for the fringe, beads/charms, and feathers.

Good luck to all and thanks so much for being such great subs and friends!

Large dream catcher that hangs above my bed!

Small dream catcher measures between 2-4" across and up to 12" long.

Large measures between 7-10" across and over 12" long. Neautral tones with a hint of blue. Not complete yet.

Large with earth tones. I left this one a little on the simpler side with less fringe in the bottom.

Family, near death experience, campfires, and bears!

2016-07-28T10:39:00.001-04:00

View of the Blue Ridge mountains from one of the overlooks. Taken with my iPhone 6 in panoramic mode.

This time last week we were packing up the truck and headed to Virginia for a family reunion. We were all camping at Big Meadows campground, and it was a blast!
Ive never been to Shenandoah National Park, but its on my bucket list to visit every National Park! So I was pretty excited. Camping is one of my favorite things to do and Shenandoah is a beautiful place! So heres a full run down of my weekend:

Thursday morning we left for a 5 hour drive down to Virginia. It was long and boring, but the closer we got, the more beautiful the view! My excitement grew by the minute. We brought the doggos with us, so we made a few pit stops to allow for bathroom breaks and snacks/drinks. My dogs arent the best behaved in the car, so we took them for a walk in the 90-something degree weather to tucker them out, hoping theyd sleep through most of the ride there. (They did!) We finally reached Skyline Drive and I was so anxious I could barely sit still. My motion sickness meds were wearing off and the road was hilly and curvy. Plus the beauty all around was unbelievable. I could not wait to get out of the car! We stopped at a few overlooks before making our way to the campground. Setting up after a long drive is always a stressful time, so among all of the commotion I had a little break down/anxiety attack and wished I had just stayed home by myself. By the end of the weekend I was so glad I didnt! So Thursday evening was basically just us setting up, eating campfire food, and relaxing. Nothing relaxes you quite like hanging around the campfire on a cool summers evening. My happy place.

The dogs all packed up and ready to hit the road to Shenandoah!

Friday was the main day for all of the reunion festivities. We were planning on having food and laughter all day. We did not disappoint. In the morning my family had our usually camp breakfast of eggs and potatoes that always seem to taste better when youre camping.. Then we went out for a little ride around the park to see some sights and get some photos. I was so breath-taken by how unbelievably beautiful the views were up there on that mountain. I mean, I knew it would be beautiful..but it was so beyond anything Id imagined. Im the kind of person who really seeks the beauty in the world, and I dont take things like this for granted. This world always surprises me.. I have such a love and appreciation for mother nature. I could have sat there and stared into her creation for hours. But, it was time to head back to the campground and get the food started. So me and my mom heated up our 300-ish meatballs we had prepared and froze before we left and took them down to the reunion site. Everyone else (mostly) was already down there and hanging out. My mom has 8 brothers and sister, all but 2 were able to show. I have family all around the world, so its s soo great (and rare) to have them all in one place at one time. My uncle from Italy, aunt from Oregon, and uncle from California had all made it. As well as most of the local crew and Marylanders. We were just missing Uncle Larry from Singapore! A few of my moms aunts uncles and cousins made their way out too, which was super cool! I hung around for a bit, had something to eat and chatted with some family before my anxiety couldnt handle anymore and I had to head back up to our site to see what the pups were up to. (In the park you cant leave your food out due to bears, so either me or my dad was always at our site with the dogs, who arent great in large groups, and the coolers. So now it was my turn to babysit) Me and my cousin had a cute t-shirt craft planned for the kids..and any adults who were interested. So later in the evening everyone fled up the hill to our campsite to participate in the cute hand print campfire craft I had prepared. They all turned out so cute, and I couldnt have been happier! My sister and her boyfriend couldnt come until after work on Friday, so they didnt make it until around 9:45 that night, but we hung out and had a great time regardless. There were so many stars, I spent quite some time just laying their looking up. I even got to try out Astrophotography for the first time! I loved it and cant wait to do some more!

Left: "Stanton Clan" campfire hand print t shirt craft I did with the kids! Photo taken with my moms Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.
Right: Photo of the stars that night. Taken with my Canon T1i.
Saturday we kind of planned on everyone doing their own thing, hikes, sightseeing, etc. So we thought me, my sister, and her boyfriend would go off on a falls trail while my parents stayed back with the dogs, then wed switch. The hike we chose said it was moderate, ending at an 81 foot waterfall. I was so excited, because waterfalls are one of my favorite things to photograph! And one of my favorite sights ever! The hike down wasnt too bad, I actually really enjoy getting out into nature and hiking. It helps me relax, clears my head, and reminds me of where I belong. We finally could hear the water, and knew it was close! We finally reached the falls and were..so disappointed. I guess we were at the top of the fall? It must have been a little dry to, because there wasnt much water flowing. And we all felt defeated knowing wed have to hike back up the mountain and all for a waterfall the was totally not worth it. :( Still, I wanted to sit there and relax a bit. I still wanted to try and get some photos and we had to try out my dads new life straw. So I got out there and found some decent views to photograph, my sisters boyfriend got his adrenaline rush by holding himself out over the edge like an idiot, and my sister sat there grumpily because she doesnt like nature as much as she thought..hiking isnt her thing..and shes terrified of heights. (on top of a mountain is not the best place to be when youre afraid of heights, is it?) So we hung out there for a half an hour or so then packed up and headed back up the mountain. We did not expect what came next. The hike back up was so much worse than we had anticipated. The elevation made it more difficult to breathe, it seemed much more steep on the way up, it was hot, and the added weight of my camera bag did not help at all. We had planned on taking our time on the way back, but even then it took us much longer than we thought it would. I had to take a LOT of breaks. Drank a lot of water (I didnt bring nearly enough though :/) And I still felt exhausted and over exerted. Finally, after an hour and a half, we could see the car! We were almost there..until.. I felt an uncontrollable need to puke. I had held it back a few times on the way up, but this time I just couldnt.. So I sat down on a rock 50 feet from the parking lot and let it go. My sister and her boyfriend had made it all the way up, so they brought me back some water and a cold pack to put on my neck. Once I let my body rest, and..release..I could finally walk the last few feet to the car and we were on our way back to the site. Where I layed in the hammock and didnt plan to move for the rest of the day! By the end of it I hated that hike..but I am still proud of myself for completing it. And I still enjoyed being out in nature, so it wasnt all bad after all. That evening everyone gathered around again for some more laughs and good times. My mom hung out with her family while the rest of us stayed back at our site, cooked a delicious dutch oven dinner, and had a good time of our own. I wasnt leaving that hammock for much..but that food was worth it. ;)

Results of a strenuous hike. burned a crazy amount of calories and had a ridiculous number of active minutes. Worth it!

Sunday was time to leave, so we didnt really do anything but pack up and hit the road. I was a little disappointed that we were the only ones all weekend who hadnt seen a bear..that was until the road out! I saw my first ever bear in the wild. It looked young. I didnt get any pictures of it since it ran back into the woods as soon as it saw us/heard the dogs bark. but I saw it, so that was enough for me! My trip was complete! That weekend the ducks turned 18 weeks old, so we were hoping to see our first eggs when we got home! Unfortunately, there were none. But they had been cooped up for 4 days, so I let them out and by the night I had completely forgotten to put them back in..but I was surprised to see OUR FIRST EGG the next morning when I woke up. She must have been saving it for me to come home ;) She layed it right outside her pool. I was so proud of my big girl! All grown up and laying eggs like a pro. Her first few were tiny little things. But they have strong shells and and growing in size every day. She'll be a great layer, and I cant wait to try my first duck egg!

Savannahs first egg, laid July 25.
I think my favorite thing about Shenandoah was how beautiful the nature all around was. There were deer walking right through the campground, through people sites. There were honey bees pollinating the wildflowers. An unpolluted night sky with endless amounts of stars. And breathtakingly beautiful views everywhere you turn. I cant wait for my next trip there.
Here are a few more of my favorite photos from the weekend:

One of the few photos I got from our hike to the Waterfall. Taken with my Canon T1i.

A baby deer that was grazing by our campsite with its mother. Taken with my Canon T1i.

Breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Taken with my Canon T1i.

View from an overlook on our way out. Taken with my iPhone 6.

Honeybee pollinating some wildflowers on our campsite.

Darla keeping guard, taking in all of her surroundings. My beautiful girl. Taken with my Canon T1i.

Dutch oven dinner staying warm over the fire. Taken with my Canon T1i.

Two baby deer grazing on the site across from ours. Taken with my Canon T1i.

Have you been to Shenandoah? What was your favorite thing about it? Id love to hear about your experiences there. Im so excited for my next camping trip and cant wait to get back out into nature! Have a beautiful week wherever your are in the world. And remember to stop and take in the beauty that is all around us in nature.
Stay Humble & Kind. <3

Top 3 week. Day 5: Moisturizers

2016-04-03T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hi stunner,

Today is the conclusion of my week of Top 3's. I invite you to follow my blog so you can stay in tune for all of my upcoming posts! These are my own unbiased opinions based on my personal preference and experience. As always leave me your top 3 down in the comments! Todays top 3 is my

Top 3 Moisturizers

This is another set that was really hard for me to chose the order of. I love all of these products for different reasons, and it wasnt easy for me to say which was better than another. Some of you who have been here a while may know that I have pretty problematic skin. I deal with breakouts and oily skin as well as dry patches in weird spots. Its always been hard for me to find moisturizers that dont leave my face feeling goopy and oily. Its actually really amazing that I have three and that it was even hard for me to pick an order for them! Without further ado, my top three..

3. My third pick for this set is the Lumene Bright Now Visible Repair Night Cream. Lumene is a brand that you can find at drug stores, Target, Ulta, and many places online. I think this product is around $30 for 1.7 oz, which is pretty much on par with some other top brands you might find at ulta, but definitely more expensive than a lot of the stuff youll see at your drug stores. I know this is a night cream, but I use it in the morning as well. It hydrates my dry spots really well, without leaving the rest of my skin feeling oily and gross. It goes on smooth and feels pretty nice. It also smells decent, which is never a bad thing. This product is also supposed to help with wrinkles, which I dont have yet because Im only 24, but it should help prevent them too! Which is always a plus!

2. The second spot goes to Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter Sunscreen and Daily Moisturizer. This moisturizer says that it is a sunscreen, and has SPF 15. (which really isnt that high for a facial sunscreen, id prefer something a bit higher if its supposed to last me all day!) I love how smooth this product goes on. It absorbs really well and doesnt leave my skin greasy at all, which is so important to me! I can put it on under my makeup and it protects my skin from the sun while leaving it smooth and hydrated! This is the cheapest product on my list, around $15 for 2.5 oz. so its affordable for most people! I enjoy the scent of this product, it smells clean and fresh, which matches perfectly how it makes my skin feel when I use it!

1. My final number one pick goes to Malibu C Vital Creme. Malibu C is probably my current favorite skin care brand, and this moisturizer is simply amazing! Malibu C is a company that aims to solve your problems using nature inspired technologies. Their products are 100% vegan, cruelty free, and formulated without gluten, parabens, sulfates, preservatives, fragrences, and all of the nasty things we dont want on our skin! Their products are also made in the US. This is what sets them above the rest for me. This moisturizer is the silkiest and smoothest of the group, and it leaves my skin feeling so soo nice. It will cost you about $40 for 3.4 oz. which I think is completely fair! In the winter the backs of my hands get really dry, so I often find myself using this for that purpose too, and it works amazingly! After just a day or two my dryness is solved and my skin feels soft and smooth again! I love this brand and really suggest that you all go check out their products. They have amazing things for your skin. And soon I plan on checking out their hair products too!

I really hope you enjoyed this Top 3 series and look forward to another in the future! Feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below for future Top 3 series!

XOXO
Always stay humble & kind.

Top 3 Week. Day 4: Drug Store Mascaras

2016-04-02T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hey beauty,

As I hope you know by now, this week I am doing my Top 3's. Feel free to follow my blog so you can see when the next one goes live! These are my own unbiased opinions based on my personal preference and experience. As always leave me know your top 3 down in the comments! Todays top 3 is my

Top 3 Drug Store Mascaras

This has been by far my hardest top 3 this week trying to decide the order. Mascara is one of those things that can be either amazing or a total bust. Its can be very hard to find your perfect mascara, so not everyone is willing to fork out big bucks to try all of the prestige brands. And believe me, I almost prefer using drug store brands sometimes. (And even drug store prices are getting up there!) Ive tried a LOT of different drug store mascaras, and I think Ive finally pinned my top 3 picks.

3. My number three spot is going to have to go to Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition. (Which Im just finding out they no longer make) This was the one with the primer/base on one end and mascara on the other. I loved this one because the base was amazing! I first saw this mascara in a Kandee Johnson video and knew I had to try it..I had never used a mascara primer before and was so into the idea! I will never understand why companies discontinue products that their customers love..I know this had to be one of their top mascaras, so it doesnt make sense to me that theyd stop making it. I contemplated choosing a different product that is still available, but this really was my top 3 :(

2. Second choice is Covergirl Lashblast Clump Crusher. I absolutely love the brush/wand on this mascara. It is curved with the both sides being different. The curved shape, I feel, makes it easier to get in there and coat your lashes without making a mess of your eyelid or misshaping your lashes. The one side loads the mascara onto your lashes, while the other "combs the clumps" so you get voluminous lashes without the clumps and blobs. (Im not one of those girls who likes spidery lashes..I like the full, separated look.)

1. Finally, my top pick is Revlon Grow Luscious. Again, Revlon has discontinued all of their best mascaras and have come out with a whole new line of products.. This has been on my favorites list for years now. This mascara gave the most beautiful voluminous, long, full lashes. The formula was also supposed to help them to grow! I just loved the way it coated and separated my lashes. They always looked so long and full, and I got compliments on my lashes ALL the time! I am beyond mad that they no longer sell this product, and I dont know what Im going to do about the fact that Ill never be able to purchase it again! :'(

So really, with 2 of my products being discontinued, I guess this post doesnt make a whole lot of sense, but these were my top three, Im so disappointed that Revlon has gotten rid of two of my favorite products! Let me know your favorite drug store mascaras! I guess now I need to find some new favorites!

Nonetheless, I hope you are still enjoying this Top 3 series and please leave me suggestions for other Top 3's you would like to see in the future!

XOXO
Always stay humble & kind.

Top 3 Week. Day 3: Dry Shampoos

2016-04-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hey beauty,

This week, as you know, I am doing my Top 3's. Be sure to follow my blog so you can see when the next one goes live! Again, these are my own unbiased opinions based on my personal preference and experience. As always feel free to let me know your top 3 down in the comments! Todays top 3 is my

Top 3 Dry Shampoos

As we all know by now, it is bad to wash your hair every day. Its essential for healthy hair to let it build up its natural oils in between washes. Many girls have taken lots of time and endured plenty of grungy-ness to train their hair to last a week without washing it. I have tried this for so long and my hair still ends up greasy and disgusting looking/feeling by day 2. I definitely can not go any longer than 3 days without washing it.. So dry shampoo has become my best friend. Ive tried a bunch of different ones, so here are my top 3.

3. My Third choice is a little cheaty, becuase this brand will appear again on this list. But I chose the Batiste Dry Shampoo. This brand is very popular, they even claim they are voted #1 favorite. I can definitely believe that, although Im not sure who voted :P They offer a bunch of different kinds of dry shampoo for all of your different needs. And Batiste is one of the more affordable brands you can find. I get mine at TJ Maxx for under $5! But you can also find them at Ulta, Target/Walmart, drug stores, and many other places. (I even just found the original dry shampoo on Amazon for $3!) If youve never used dry shampoo before, basically its an aerosol spray of a powder that absorbs the excess oils in your hair, leaving it looking nice and clean again!

2. My second pick is the TIGI Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo. I had been wanting to try this stuff for a long time, and one day I saw it at our K Mart which was having a store closing sale, so I bought it and gave it a try. I LOVED it so much I had to go back and stock up while they still had them! I have tried a lot of other brands, and many I had tried previously just didnt cut it for me, they still left my hair looking and feeling dirty. But this one was different. I also really liked that it had a more pleasant scent than pretty much every other brand I had tried. The thing about dry shampoo, though, is it is a powder, so it leaves a dusty look to in your hair that you have to massage into the hair to disappear. I do find that this one is a little harder to get to disappear competely in my dark hair, and sometimes Ill notice later in the day that I totally missed a spot and have been walking around like a dusty old fool. :P It is also much more expensive, costing you about $21 regular price at Ulta. (But it often goes on sale for like $10 bucks! Which is when I stock up!) I also find that it seems to run out really quickly! And for the price thats not really a great selling point. Which is why its number 2 and not 1.

1. And lastly.. My number one choice is Batiste Dry Shampoo Hint of Color. As I mentioned earlier, Batiste would be on here twice. I also mentioned that they have different kinds for various needs. One of them being a tinted version! Like I said in my number 2 pick, dry shampoo can leave a white dust in your hair, so batiste has eliminated this problem by offering 3 different shaded options as well. They have a medium & brunette version, which is the one I use most often. And they also have a dark & deep brown, which I want to check out, and a light & blonde option for you. The brunette dry shampoo is ideal for me, having obviously dark hair, so I dont ever get that chalky dusty hair residue left behind. It works exactly the same way of the other dry shampoos, it just has a hint of color to it. Which makes this my number one pick! This one is also available at Walmart/Target, drug stores, Ulta, and many other retailers. I look for it every time I go to TJ Maxx and they usually have it, although when I was there last week they didnt have any! It comes in a decent size bottle and lasts a fair amount of time, but it is super affordable, so theres no fuss if it runs out in 4-6 weeks.

I hope you are still enjoying this Top 3 series and feel free to leave me suggestions for other Top 3's you would like to see in the future!

XOXO
Always stay humble & kind.

Top 3 week. Day 2: Brow Products

2016-03-31T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hey gorgeous,

This week, as you know, I am doing my Top 3's. Be sure to follow my blog so you can see when the next one goes live! Again, these are my own unbiased opinions based on my personal preference and experience. As always feel free to let me know your top 3 down in the comments! Todays top 3 is my

Top 3 Brow Products

Im a firm believer in defining your brows. Even when I dont do a full face of makeup, I like to at least put a little product on my brows and some mascara to wake up my eyes. I definitely think doing your brows can change your whole look, and kind of complete it. If I leave my brows undone, my face just looks..off. Lol. Now dont get me wrong, some people just dont need it, but for me its a must.

3. My third choice might be a little "cheat-y" because I chose just an appropriate shade of eyeshadow and an angled brush. This is what I used when I very first started defining my brows. and what I tend to use quite often. You really cant go wrong, and most of the time..you already have this in your collection. And if you dont, its probably the cheapest of my top 3 for you to purchase. Just find a neutral (matte) shade that matches your hair color, (unless youve got pink hair, then just go with a nice brown :P) take your angled brush and do work. Its very simple, and easy to correct if you happen to mess up. I love using this method when traveling or on vacation, etc. because eyeshadow is something Im bringing anyway, so it allows me to pack a little lighter, because thats one less excessive product I have to bring.

2. My pick for number two is Benefit Brow Zings. This is basically the step in between just a shadow/powder and my number one choice. It does allow you to define your brows a bit more. It comes with a cream and a powder as well as a little brush for each product. (and a little pair of tweezers right in the kit, which is always handy.) So you take your angled brush and define with the cream then fill in and set it with the powder. Ive been using this product for years now and it is still one of my favorite products to use! If youve never really done your brows before this is definitely an easy product to use for your first time, but definitely make sure youre using the right shade! I actually have dark brown hair but use the light or medium one because I found that dark was too harsh on me in my opinion. You can find this at Ulta and online on Benefits site. This is the most expensive product on this top 3 and, honestly, the price is a little off-putting, especially since there are products that are just as good for less money..Youre looking at about $32 for this product. But I must add that it does last me quite a while, but Id still like to see that price drop a tad.

1. And finally.. My pick for number one is Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. This product is a bit more intimidating, and probably not for a first timer. It took me a try or two to get it just right. This is definitely a product youll want to purchase in person the first time so you can get the correct shade. On the website the color Caramel looks like it would be a lighter shade not suitable for my dark brown hair, but in person it was actually a near perfect match. So I suggest checking them out and swatching before buying. Once you find your shade you can obviously repurchase online if you want/need. I chose this as number 1 because it allows me to define my brows so much more than just using a brush. And the super fine tip makes it easy to fill in sparse or over-tweezed spots and its so thin that it mimics natural brow hairs. This product does take a little bit longer for me to use than my second and third choices, I do have to be a bit more precise, but that is also one of the reasons I love it, because it does give me the perfect brow! The only downside I can really say, is the price point. (yet still more affordable than number 2!) This product is around $21, available at Sephora, and Ulta in store or online, or at Anastasia Beverly Hills website.

I hope you all are still enjoying this Top 3 series and please be sure to leave me suggestions for other Top 3's you like to see in the future!

XOXO
Always stay humble & kind.

Top 3 week. Day 1: Makeup Removing Wipes

2016-03-30T10:38:00.002-04:00

Hello beautiful,

This week I decided to give you a run down of my top 3's. I have 5 different categories Im going to cover, from skin care products to hair and makeup. Ill tell you why I love these products and give a sort of mini review. If you want a full in depth review on anything please let me know! Remember, these are my own unbiased opinions based on my personal preference and experience. As always feel free to let me know your top 3 down in the comments! And please follow this blog to stay on top of all of my posts! Todays top 3 is my

Top 3 Makeup Removing Wipes

Ive actually taken a break from doing my makeup daily to kind of improve my skin and let it breathe, so this isnt something I use every single day. But when I do wear makeup, by the end of the day it feels so good to take it all off and relax. Ive always found that if I dont remove my makeup before washing my face, just washing alone doesnt get my skin as clean as Id like. Theres always something left behind. So I like to use a wipe (creams and oils dont work well for me, so my go-to is always going to be the wipes!) to remove my makeup before continuing with washing with a cleanser.

3. My third choice in wipes is the Dickinson's Witch Hazel Cleansing Cloths. These are relatively new, Ive only been using them for a few months. Theyre technically not "makeup removing wipes," but a lot of the time they are just called cleansing cloths anyway..on the package it does say it removes makeup. I love these wipes because they are super soft and gentle on my skin. They do smell a bit strong, but thats witch hazel for you. They come in at number 3 because they dont remove makeup as well as the others. But they are in my top because they are really nice on my skin! They are affordable but might be a little more difficult to find for some of you, but I do know they are available at Walgreens nationwide!

2. My pick for number two is the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipe. These wipes are really nice and it was realllly hard for me to decide between 1 and 2..so I ended up choosing these ones as my second. These are also gentle on my skin, theyre made with no harsh chemicals, perfumes, or dyes. Which is really important to me! No one needs that stuff on their skin. Simple is a brand that focuses on using skin loving ingredients that are kind to your skin and great for those with sensitive skin! These remove makeup better than the Dickinson's and on par with my number 1. Their products are affordable and available everywhere! Pretty much every grocery store, drug store, or Walmart/Target. They have some really great products that are great on your skin, so I definitely suggest checking them out!

1. And finally.. My number one favorite wipe is Pacifica Natural Skincare Essential Makeup Removing Wipe. These wipes are realllly great, theyre made with jasmine and coconut water, theyre gentle on the skin and are 100% vegan and cruelty free! They are made without the nasty stuff like sulfates, sls, parabens, etc. They smell fantastic and remove my makeup very well. Pacifica is another brand that focuses on using all of the good stuff and none of the bad. They also support Clean Water, which is so important to me!! It also doesnt hurt that they have some of the cutest packaging I have ever seen! These made my number one spot because: they are natural, vegan, cruelty free. Portion of proceeds go to support clean water. The products work really well on my skin, and the packaging sets them apart from the rest. These wipes are also pretty affordable, although maybe a dollar or so more than the other brands, I think. And theyre not as easy to find as the Simple brand, but they are available at Target and Ulta and can be purchased online too! They also have lots of other skin care and beauty products you should all check out!

I hope you all are enjoying this little Top 3 series and be sure to leave me suggestions of other Top 3's you want me to do in the future!

XOXO
Always stay humble & kind.

TGIF!

2016-01-29T15:05:00.002-05:00

Phew..what a stressful week. THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY! I am so ready for a pamper filled weekend.

Monday night I barely slept because Tuesday morning my pup went in for surgery. He had an enlarged testicle (which the vet said was most likely cancerous, but almost certainly hadnt/wouldnt spread) that we were having removed, and I was soo nervous. Hes a pretty old doggo. Hes probably around 14 years old.. and I had been told before by another vet, that the older the dog the higher the risk when going under anesthesia. And although the vet who was operating on him told us not to worry, there was less than a 1% chance of anything going wrong, that was still going through my mind all day. He went in at 8 am and by 1 we still hadnt heard anything so we gave them a call. A huge sigh of relief when they told us he was fine and we could pick him up at 3:45. A little added stress when the doctor told us when we picked him up that if he had taken a look at Rascals blood work before he did the surgery he never would have done it at all. His white blood cell count was really low and he was at risk of bleeding out on the operating table. Which is so terrifying, my heart stopped when I heard that. Luckily, he didnt bleed at all and everything went over great. But he is now on special food for his kidney. He has a cone for 2 whole weeks, but he is doing so well. Hes eating pretty good, although yesterday he went most of the day without eating (which is okay, we were told its normal for him to lose his appetite for a day or two) He is getting around really well, it took him a day or so to get used to the cone, and he still has trouble with it when he wants to lay down, but Im here to help him whenever he gets caught up. And on top of all this with my dog, I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I had gotten hit by a truck. I am starting to feel a little better now, but Im definitely still relaxing and getting in plenty of rest to kick this thing in the butt.

So finally, now its Friday, and I think Ill start my pamper weekend with a little shopping. Lane Bryant is having a sale on jeans and its also time to redeem real women dollars. ($70 jeans for $20, why the hell not?!) I also want to get myself a new lens or two for my Florida trip coming up in March. Then I think Ill give myself a little pedicure while I do a facial mask, a hair treatment, and some teeth whitening. I still have a few shows on Netflix and HBO I have to catch up on. (I should have my new book arriving in the mail today too) So while Im sitting there looking like a weird monster, Ill probably sip on some tea and watch some great TV, with my little cone head by my side. Theres nothing better, after a stressful week, than an awesome pamper weekend. And its great to start of your next week (especially after being sick) feeling all new and refreshed!

I hope you all have a stress-free weekend yourself & maybe do a little pampering of your own. Always stay humble and kind. <3

Snowed In!

2016-01-22T23:26:00.000-05:00

This weekend, here in southeast Pennsylvania, we are in the midst of a blizzard! We are right on the line between 12-18" and 18-24", and I am so ready for whatever is to come! We never really got any good snow last winter, so we are definitely due. ;)

So, since well be stuck in the house for a few days.. (state of emergency! :o ) Ive gotten myself fully prepared! Ive got a nice big stack of wood, just outside the back door, to keep the fire going so we will stay cozy and warm! And ive got myself a few projects lined up to keep myself occupied!

I think Ive mentioned on here before that I am working on making myself a blanket for my bed. Ive been working on it for a few months, but had to put it on the back burner to work on some christmas presents, so Im not as far along as I really should be.. :/ but Im totally fine with that because Ive got plenty to work on this weekend now! :)

I also headed over to our local Aldi and picked up this adorable little animal crochet kit I saw in this weeks ad. I just had to have it! The kit was only $10 and it comes with a little book that shows you how to make 12 different animals, and all of the supplies to make 2 of them. :) mine makes a bunny and an adorable little koala that I am so excited to make! (It also has instructions for an alpaca and a sheep, which are soo stinking cute I cant even contain myself)

We are fully stocked up on dough, crescent rolls and cheese, to make a delicious pizza twists and wreaths. And a brand new deck of cards against humanity, which with my family will be a dangerous night! I wouldnt be surprised if we all die of laughter. Oh, and Ive got a few episodes of Younger to catch up on..not to mention an huge list of Netflix shows..and GOT..that I also need to catch up on..so Ive got plenty to watch too!

You know..snow is one of those things that so many people hate and want nothing to do with. But I actually really love it. Its so magical and beautiful. Just the way it makes me feel as I watch it fall and glisten..it just warms me up from the inside. I think more people need to stop and just take in the beauty that is all around us.

Ive been seeing a lot of hate and bitterness around lately, and Ive really been trying so hard to spread love and kindness. To help those people see that life isnt fun with hatred in your heart. Sometimes you need to just let it go and let it be filled with love and light. Yesterday I saw Tim McGraws new video for his song Humble And Kind, and Ive been singing it constantly. Those are truly the greatest words to live by.

So heres to love, happiness, winter storms, hot cocoa, and crocheted alpacas! Enjoy your weekend no matter where you are. Be safe. Be happy. And always stay humble and kind. <3

My Strange Addiction.

2015-11-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

Hi. My name is Lara, and I am an addict.

Okay, so this addiction may not be as dramatic or unhealthy as you would typically associate with the word, but I still recognize it as such. I am addicted to crocheting.

You heard (read) me right. I am addicted to crocheting. I had my first taste of the sweet drug when I was rather young. My mom taught me to crochet when she was on her kick when I was in middle school. But, as you can expect, my middle school self wasnt quite into the whole crochet thing. But now that Im older I have come to appreciate and embrace my inner old lady.

I've been on the search for the perfect throw blanket to go with my bed. (light blue sheets, white down comforter, and light grey-blue throw pillows.) And without luck..I cant seem to find one in the color that I want that isnt that really fuzzy material. So i figured, hey why not just make one myself. And thus my addiction began.

My cousin has been into crocheting for a few years, so I went over her place a few weeks ago and had her re-teach me. I picked it up really quick and remembered a lot of the things I had learned at a young age. I pretty much immediately became super excited with the whole thing. Right away I started practicing stitches non-stop. I practiced and practiced until I was sure I was ready and comfortable to start a project.

My first project, I decided, was going to be a scarf. This super easy one skein scarf. I got myself a beautiful ombre yard and got started right away and couldnt put the thing down. I had the whole thing finished in just 2-2.5 days.

As soon as I finished, I was ready for my next project..my blanket! I looked and looked for days trying to find a pattern I liked that would be easy enough for a beginner, but looked really good! I could not find such a pattern. :( Then I went and hung out with my cousin and saw the beautiful stitch she was doing on a lap blanket she was making and decided that was it! The perfect stitch for my blanket :D I decided on a shell stitch, which is really pretty and looks great for an afghan.

So now Ive gotten the first two rows done, and Im going over my cousins tomorrow to check with her to make sure Im doing it right. (I want to double check before I get ten rows in and realize its completely wrong!) But I cant seem to put it down! I just wanna crochet forever. I can see this quickly becoming a problem. Im on the fast track to become a yarn hoarder like my cousin! :D

The yarn I decided on is by Lion Brand. It is their Wool-Ease yarn in the color Seaspray. I matched it up with my throw pillows and it is almost perfect. The stitch is soo so easy and goes so quickly, which is why I am skeptical that Im doing something wrong! The only downside is I will be using a lot of yarn. I will be spending at least twice as much making this blanket then I would buying a blanket in the store. But lets face it, nothing compares to a beautiful handmade blanket..

Im not sure if I will be sharing my patterns and such on here or if thats even something anyone would be interested in..so if you are please let me know! I will definitely be doing some progress posts as I go though. I would also love to hear about any of your "strange" addictions.

Review: Frankie & Albert

2015-09-07T10:58:00.000-04:00

Frankie & Albert is a unique monthly subscription program that sends you hand curated one of a kind boxes filled with hand picked found items and vintage home decor. You get to select your personal style profile and select the rooms you want your items for, and every month Frankie & Albert will hand pick the perfect items just for you. I gave them a list of some of my interests and they created a special box for me to review for you guys.

My box was focused on kitchen items. The items all went together really well because they all looked to be from the 70's and had similar colors and textures.

The first item in the box was this adorable little vintage mushroom creamer dish. It looks like its straight out of the 70's and I love it! Upon a quick little google search I found that it is part of a Sears (Sears and Roebuck) collection from the 70's. The collection includes all sorts of kitchen items from spoon rests and napkin holders to canisters and sugar/creamer sets. They aren't worth a whole lot. The sugar and creamer set was selling on Ebay for around ten bucks. The creamer alone was selling for $3.50. But I think its cute either way, so the selling value doesn't make a difference whatsoever! A few weeks ago me and my mom were at a yard sale and the woman was selling a 3 piece canister set from the same collection, thinking about it now, I really should have bought them! Dang it..

Next was a bright orange ceramic pepper shaker. Just the pepper. Most of the items in the box don't have a label, description or any sort of marking for me to find out any more info on them, and I couldn't really find a similar style shaker through searching, so I have no idea what the value would be. But since its no known notable maker, I'm sure its worth no more than a buck or two. But nevertheless, the color is bright and beautiful. The style seems very 70's also, so it sticks with the same theme as the creamer. I would have loved to have the salt shaker also, to complete the set. But as a frequent yard saler/flea marketer, I know it can be hard to find complete sets sometimes. And either way, this makes for a cute little decor item regardless.

Next in the box was a tiny little plate that looks like it belongs to a little tea set or something. It has cute little orange and blue flowers on it that look like they were hand painted on. Again, matching with the orange 70's looking theme. I really wish this one had a makers mark on it somewhere, because I would loooove to see what the rest of the set looks like.. But the only marking on there was a "made in japan." This delicate little plate looks like its been broken in half and glued back together. I definitely wouldn't use this for anything other than a decor item because Id be afraid it would break again! (at first I thought it might be cute to use on top of my dresser to put rings or something in, but since it was already broken once Id be afraid it might break easily again..) Again, this piece doesnt look like its worth much either. But it is still super cute!

Next there were these four wooden rings, it would have taken me days to figure out what they were for.. Fortunately my mom informed me that they are napkin rings. We've never been fancy enough to use napkin rings.. hahah. I found a similar set of 8 "vintage 70's wooden napkin rings" selling on Etsy for $20, so I'm valuing my set of 4 at $10. The thing I like about these is they don't scream 70's like the other items. I could use them for a more rustic style dinner party with a burlap table runner and off-white linen table cloth if I wanted, which is much more my style. So they are a little more versatile. Also, this is the first item I really thought I could use. All the others so far I would keep solely for decorative purposes. (I just checked and Frankie & Albert actually state that their items are for decorative purposes only, but I think this is one item that it wouldn't really matter if you used them for their original intended purpose ;) hehe)

The next item was a ceramic trivet with more orange flowers on it..and a wooden border, which ties all of the pieces together beautifully. I couldn't find anything too similar but a few I found ranged from anywhere between $10 and $30. Ill put this one somewhere in the middle at, I'll say maybe $17. This is another that is most likely totally usable. But I could also see this going in a curio cabinet along with the other items.

The last thing in the box is a cute little brown ceramic pot with a metal lid. This is the only one with a makers mark on it. It says Westbend on the bottom. After a very quick search I found that it is in fact a bean pot. One Etsy seller claimed it is from the early 50s. Hers had an electric burner it sat on, and she was selling it for $20. Another seller said 1960s and didn't have the electric burner, hers was priced at $10. A couple Ebay sellers had theirs at $17, $14, and $16 all with no burner. So Ill say somewhere in the middle and go with $13. This guy would look super cute on the counter filled with tea bags or sugar packets or something of that sort. I wouldn't cook anything in it..but maybe if you cleaned it really well you could use it to serve something in?

So adding up all of my items they seem to be valued at around $40-$50 for the whole box. The box costs $50 per month for a month-to-month subscription, $130 for 3 months or $250 for 6 months. If every months box were like this, personally I don't think the value of the items are match the price of the box. I feel like I could do better buying my own stuff at flea markets and yard sales. That way I could get exactly what I want for prices I'd feel more comfortable with. But for others this might be exactly what you want/need with the convenience of it being sent right to your home.

You can cancel your subscription at any time. But Frankie & Albert does not offer a return/exchange policy, so if you don't like your items you're kind of at a loss.. But I suppose you could try reselling them if you really wanted to. Or give them to a friend who would love them! Luckily I did enjoy most items in my box. As did my mom. But I have a feeling my uncle Joe would love them even more. So I might be bringing him a special little gift when I go visit him this winter. ;)

For 10% off your first Frankie & Albert box use code LARALEE10!!

To find out more about Frankie & Albert visit FrankieandAlbert.com.

#SunshineVoxBox

2015-08-06T11:13:00.000-04:00

I have been an Influenster member for a few years now, and every once in a while I'll get a VoxBox that I absolutely love! And my current campaign, the Sunshine Vox Box, is one of those boxes!

The sunshine box came packed with great products, including:

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths - $6.99 - I had pretty good expectations for these cleaning cloths. Witch hazel is super beneficial to your skin in many ways. And the description of this product sounded great for sensitive skin. So I gave them a try right away! If youre at all familiar with witch hazel, you know it doesnt have a very pleasant smell..but that is easy enough to get past. I always wash my face after using a wipe to remove my makeup anyway.. The cloths are super soft, but I dont think theyre much bigger than any standard wipe Ive used in the past. The nice thing, though, was they are very gentle on the skin. They didnt sting or irritate my skin at all.. However, they didnt remove the makeup as well as I would have liked. Especially mascara. But all in all I liked these wipes and will be trying them, as well as some other Dickinsons Witch Hazel products, again in the future.

Blue Diamond Siracha Almonds - $1.59 - I'm really not a fan of spicy, at all! So I cant give an honest opinion on these, so I'll be giving them to my sister or her bf to try out!

barkTHINS - $4.99 - The box came with a coupon to get a free bag of these, and I have yet to use it..but Im super excited to, because these things look delicious!

Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher Leave-In Smoothing Creme Enhanced with Avocado and Olive Oil - $6.99 - I'd heard a lot of things about Infusium 23 but havent tried any of their products until I got this in the box. And I absolutely love it! Right now my hair is super dry and dead and in desperate need of a cut. And this stuff makes it manageable and soft! This will probably be a new must have of mine!

SinfulColors Nail Polish - $1.99 - Ive tried this polish before in the past, and I wasnt impressed. I think I found it at the dollar store..and it took ages to dry. So when I saw this in the box I was like ehh its a pretty color but Ill never use it if its anything like the other ones Ive used.. But I gave it a try anyway, and Im glad I did. It went on beautifully and dried really fast. The shade is called Beverly Hills and its a beautiful light lilac color that would be perfect for spring. 3 coats covered great, but you could probably even get away with 2.

Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray Moisturizer - $6.49 - This is my favorite product in this box. Im not a fan of putting lotion on my body. I usually just put some moisturizer on my face and leave the rest of my body alone. But since its summer and my legs are exposed more often than not, its really nice to be able to keep them moisturized and looking nice. So this product has been a life saver for me. Most lotions and moisturizers are thick and gloopy and feel like they take decades to fully absorb into my skin. But this spray absorbs instantly and doesnt leave my hands or skin feeling greasy and gross. So I am absolutely sold on this product!

To find out more about Influenster and their VoxBoxes click here!

* All products mentioned were provided complimentary from Influenster.

Sometimes I just need to vent..

2015-05-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

Warning: This post contains lots of rambling.
          Today I saw an article my cousin had shared on Facebook. It talked about how your dogs might be getting older, their days growing shorter..and how we might not take the time needed to just sit with them, look them deep in their eyes and let them know how much we love them and how much they mean to us.
          This article touched me, not because it made me realize that I need to spend more time with my dogs, I get down on the floor with my babies every chance I get and just love them. But because it reminded me that there are people out there who forget that our dogs need just as much love and attention as the rest of the family.
          Reading this article, with tears in my eyes, also got me thinking. Thinking about all the dogs in shelters, especially the older doggies who are over looked because people don't want to adopt a dog who's days are numbered..they want a young pup who they can watch grow and learn.
          My heart is breaking for those poor babies stuck in shelters. Who spent their whole lives loving someone or some family.. only to be dropped at some shelter to spend their days confused and alone.
          Visiting local shelters to see the dogs (and donate much needed items, which I highly recommend everyone do from time to time!) is a common occurrence in my family. And I couldn't tell you how many dogs Ive seen cowering in a corner, terrified of everything. Or how many cards I've read that said the family just could no longer take care of them or they moved and can't bring the dog.. Just thinking about that now is getting me a little choked up.. I wish I could save them all and show them the love they deserve.
          I'm not sure the purpose of this post..or where I'm going with it.. I guess I just need somewhere to vent and express my thoughts. Maybe it will touch someone and they'll go adopt a dog in need and give it a forever home and unconditional love.. Most of all I just hope this will open someones eyes.
          If you have a dog, go hug it. Feed it a treat. Tell it you love it, it might not be able to understand the words, but I promise they can feel it. If you have the time and a few spare dollars, call your local shelter and ask what they need most, buy a bag of dog food or cat food, donate old sheets and towels, even a small donation of $20 is much appreciated.. Or if you're looking for a new fur baby, please adopt! And not just the cute little babies. Remember that older dogs need loving homes too. <3

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people. & animals.

Scent Trunk Review

2015-05-09T10:01:00.001-04:00

When it comes to anything beauty related, I'm the kind of person who loves to try new things. Whether it be new blushes and eye shadows, skincare products or nail polishes..I'll try anything once. But the one thing I always feel a little intimidated by is perfumes. I know absolutely nothing about them except that I like this and don't like that. So when I heard about Scent Trunk I was extremely excited!

Scent Trunk is a unique subscription service that allows you to customize your scent profile and have your perfect fragrances sent to you each month. And the coolest thing, I think, is that they don't just send you any old perfume sample, they give you exclusive fragrances from brands you can't find almost anywhere else!
When I first checked out scent trunk, they were only for men. But they recently added an option for women!

Scent Trunk was nice enough to send me a few samples to check out and share with you guys! The box is cute and little, and got to me in just a few days. Inside you'll find 3 sample size spray tubes inside a little velvety bag and information cards on each scent telling you what time of day and which seasons the scents are best in as well as a few other things about the scent.

For the Men's scents I just gave them a spritz & a whiff and will tell you what I think..I'm not brave enough to walk around with men's cologne on all day. The scents in my box included:
Yesterday Haze by Imaginary Authors. - I found this scent to be quite pleasant. Not at all overpowering, which is good since the card tells you to use it liberally during the day and let it linger into the night. It has a good masculine scent but not like "lumberjack-y" so I think it would suit most men pretty well.
Blood Sweat Tears by Aterlier de Geste. - This was my least favorite scent out of the trio. The card describes it as pungent yet sweet and hypnotic. But to me it smells like an old church. I probably wouldn't recommend this scent to anyone I'd have to be around all day. Hahah
Cyber Garden by CoStume National. - This is probably my favorite scent in the box..it reminds me somewhat of a cologne I've smelled before (that i don't know the name of) but is completely its own scent. I wouldn't mind smelling it on a man. :P

The women's scnets (since I'm a woman!) I actually got to try out and wear to get an idea of how I like them. I didn't take the personalization test to find my perfect scents, so these were just random scents. The scents in the women's box included:
Safanad by Parfumes de Marly. - I really like this scent, it's probably my favorite out of the three. It doesn't smell like something I'd typically wear (but thats one of the great things about Scent Trunk, you can try all different things you wouldnt normally wear!) It kind of has a sophisticated, older woman quality about it. Like something a middle aged professional business woman type would wear. (And I mean that in a good way.)
Panda by Zoologist. - I'm not really a fan of this one. The scent reminds me of a Chinese restaurant. Which kind of makes sense because it says it has the scent of bamboo and zisu leaves. It's not bad, but I wouldn't personally wear it.
Pauline by Rance1795. - I'm not sure if I really like this one or not. It has a familiarity to it that I can't quite pinpoint, but theres also something about it that I'm not really that into..

I didn't find any of the scents to be horrible, but there were a few that I wouldn't personally wear. But the good thing about it is you can go on the site and personalize your subscription so you will get the scents you like.

To find out more about Scent Trunk and visit ScentTrunk.com. Also you can use the code NICHE25 for 25% off your first box! Offer expired May 15.

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

DIY Beauty: Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

2015-04-24T11:38:00.000-04:00

It's been quite some time since I've done any DIY Beauty posts on here..so today I decided to share with you one of my all time favorite DIY products. A Brown Sugar Lip Scrub.

I found this lip scrub recipe on Pinterest a few years ago, fell in love, and have been using it ever since. There are literally only 3 ingredients and it's the easiest thing to make. You can even double this recipe and make some for gifts for your friends!

What you'll need:

Pure Coconut Oil
Honey
Brown Sugar
Measuring Spoons
Small Mixing Bowl
Clean Empty Jar

The first thing you want to do is make sure your coconut oil is not too hard and not too runny. If it is too hard place (closed) in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes just until it has softened up. If its too runny pop it in your fridge or freezer for a few minutes until it hardens up a bit.
The benefits of using coconut oil for the skin are almost endless, I found this really cool site that breaks it all down for you, you can check it out here!
Once youve got your oil to the right consistency you're gonna scoop out a tablespoon of the 'solid' in the coconut oil jar, dont be shy..you want a nice big rounded tablespoon.. and put it into your mixing bowl. To that you're going to add a tablespoon of honey.
Honey also has many amazing benefits, so I found a page that explains more about that too!
Take a spoon or even a tiny whisk if you have one and stir until the two are combined and homogenous. You want to make sure you dont have any chunks or clumps of the coconut oil. Once they are mixed thoroughly add 2 teaspoons of packed brown sugar, light or dark it doesnt really matter, and mix that trough. I like the use of brown sugar in this recipe because it not only tastes amazing, but it has a fine texture that isnt too harsh on your skin, unlike a lot of sugar scrubs that use coarse sugar which can be very harsh.
Lastly you want to add one teaspoon of just the oil from your coconut oil jar and stir that into your mixture. You should be left with a smooth mixture you can then transfer into your jar or sealed container.

This scrub tastes great, so you dont have to be worried about it getting in your mouth. It has the perfect texture for the delicate skin on your lips. And it is all natural and organic (if youre sure to use all natural and organic ingredients, which I highly recommend!) and you know exactly what is going into it. The recipe said it can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, but I think it should last quite a bit longer than that..all 3 ingredients last months or even years alone, so I dont see why mixing them together would make any of them spoil quickly.. Just be sure to check it before you use it to make sure it doesnt have any weird smells or mold growing in it..but if youre like me youll use it all up before it would ever even have the chance to spoil!

When you use the scrub its a good idea to leave it at room temperature for a few minutes to soften up a bit before using it. And you just use it the same way you would any lip scrub, scrub it gently in circular motions on your lips for a minute or two and rinse with warm water. Follow up with your favorite DIY lip balm for extra moisturizing power! ;) Enjoy!

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

PetGiftBox.com Review!

2015-04-13T10:16:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows anything about me knows my obsession with dogs. (and goats, but thats another story..) They should also know that I have 2 fur babies, who I love to spoil. So, naturally, when I heard of Pet Gift Box, the subscription box for dogs, I knew I had to check it out!

Pet Gift Box is a monthly subscription service that delivers Eco Friendly gifts for your dog or cat. You get to customize your box by selecting cat or dog, and for dog they have 3 size options to ensure your pet is getting size appropriate toys and treats! When signing up you also enter your pets name instead of yours, so when it arrives its addressed right to them. (I think that is such a cute little touch!)

Each box, no matter what size, is only $17.99. And the great thing is plans automatically renew, but you can cancel at any time. And they say they believe in being unleashed, meaning no long term comittment or huge bills every year. You will be charged monthly and if at any time you wish to cancel your services you're free to do so.

This months box for small dogs was full of great things! The total value of the box was over $45 including shipping, saving me almost $28. You really can't beat it!
Some of the products in this box included:
PetLou Naturally Twisted Critters - an adorable little squeaky toy my Darla loves! made with premium all natural fabrics and fillers, and include multiple squeakers, crinkle sounds, and/or sisal rope tail or legs.
Pet Greens Jerky Style Treats - all natural, grain-free treats made with 90% real meat and organic wheat grass. This stuff smelled almost exactly like the jerky my dad makes, and my dogs love it!
Earth Rated Leash Dispenser w/ 15 bags - the bags are lavender scented, which is nice when your dog is like my Rascal who likes to go as soon as possible on our walks, leaving you to carry a stinky bag for the rest of our 30 min walk!
Bubba Rose Biscuit Company Earth Day Cookie - gourmet, organic treats made from local fresh ingredients. I havent opened this yet to let my dogs try, but it is the cutest little earth shaped treat, and reading more about them on their site, I am in love with this company!
K9Granola Factory Oven Fresh Quacks - these treats are so cute, theyre shaped like little ducks which I love, and theyre blueberry and vanilla flavored, which my dogs love! I've never seen dog treats those flavors, but apparently dogs enjoy it! This is another company with your dogs health in mind, they are also all natural and heart healthy. I also love that they are small, bite-sized treats, making it easy to control how much we give our little Rascal (who is becoming slightly overweight in his elder years)
Absolutely Clean Pet Stain & Odor Remover - this all-natural, plant based cleaner safely and effectively removes stains and odors without any harsh chemicals or toxins. Lets face it, accidents happen, and with dogs..they happen more often than we'd like. So finding a great, pet friendly and chemical free product that works well is a godsend!

All together, I think this box is absolutely perfect. It is full of great products both me and my dogs love! It is super affordable and much cheaper than having to buy all of the products yourself, plus it cuts out the hassle of having to research and find the eco-friendly, all-natural products you want for your pets, And its all sent right to your doorstep!

Even if you don't personally own any dogs or cats, if you know someone else who does this makes a perfect gift! And they make it very easy to gift to a friend!

The one thing I do wish for though is a few more options when ordering, like maybe the option to receive a box every other month or even quarterly. This months box came with 2 decent sized bags of treats, plus one single treat, so that alone could get my 2 small dogs through a couple of months. Other products like toys could also last long enough to wait more than a month for the next box.. So rather than having to cancel after every month and rejoining when youre ready for another box, it would be nice to see more spread out shipping options.

To order your Pet Gift Box or learn more, visit PetGiftBox.com!

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

MunchPak Review

2015-04-10T11:08:00.001-04:00

If you're someone who loves to try new foods or foods from around the world, Munch Pak is the perfect subscription box for you! They offer three different box sizes, all filled with new and popular snacks from around the world. I got to sample to MunchPak Mini, which includes 5-6 snacks. The snacks in my box included:

Eiffel Bon Bons Blue Raspberry - Chewy Fruity and deliciously tasty ball shaped candies in blue raspberry flavor. Country: France

This stuff smells so good! I opened the bag and took a whiff and my head filled with memories of fairs and carnavals as a child as my nose filled with the scent of blue cotton candy. I was kind of expecting these to be hard solid sugar balls, but when I put it in my mouth I was pleasantly surprised. These candies have more of a taffy-like texture. They taste pretty good, pretty much the flavor I expected when the package said blue raspberry. I enjoyed them and would definitely eat them again.

Amsterdam Good Cookies - This incredibly delightful Stroopwafel comes straight from Amsterdam with a delectable and rich caramel center that is sandwiched between to thin and crunchy waffle cookies. Country: The Netherlands

Ive heard a lot about stroopwafels but never knew where I could get one to try it, so when I saw this cookie in my MunchPak I was so excited! I thought the cookie was going to be hard and crunchy, but when I bit into it it was soft and kind of chewy. The cookie tastes a bit like a graham cracker, and the gooey sweet caramel filling made this cookie so perfect. I need to find out how to make these so I can have them at home! This was my favorite item from the box! I will definitely be finding out where to get them again!

Vita-Mix - These incredibly tasty vitamin fortified candies come in all your favorite fruit flavors and filled with exceptionally delicious fruit filling. Country: Poland

This bag comes with a few different flavors: lemon, strawberry, blueberry, green apple and orange. My favorite flavor out of them all is orange, and I was a little sad to see I unluckily only got one orange! But with 4 lemon I might be okay. ;) The picture on the bag shows a hard candy shell with a soft center, so I bit the candy in half to check it out. The middle inst as runny as the picture would make you believe, It was more of just a soft sticky texture like an old lollipop that got hot during summer or something. The flavor is really good though (I only tried the orange), and the fact that these are fortifies with vitamins is really cool! I wouldn't turn them down if offered one again.

Ease Taste Onion Pie Crackers - Ease Taste Onion Pie Crackers are a delicious, crunchy and wholesome onion flavored snack. Country: Taiwan

I was a little scared to try these, just the words "onion pie" make me cringe a little.. But onion crackers sounds great. Maybe there was just some problems with translating the name? I hope. The smell is a bit reminiscent of Funyons, which I loooove..but the flavor is much much sweeter. It was kind of strange to me, because I was not expecting sweet at all. Other than the sweetness, they're not horrible..but I would prefer it if they weren't sweet..I just cant get past it lol. The texture is a little softer than I would have liked too. I like my crackers really crunchy, but these are a little on the softer side, almost as if they'd gone stale. They might be better crushed up in a salad or over soup..but I probably won't be trying that..I'll most likely just toss the rest of the bag.

Pei Tien Corn Roll - Pei Tien Corn Roll (French Thick Corn Soup) - Crunchy and Delicious Snack that tastes like buttered corn. Country: Taiwan

This one sounded most bizzarre to me. A corn roll..what does that even mean? But I am a huge fan of fresh corn in the summer time, so I was very hopeful that this would taste good! When I opened the package the roll part became less confusing to me, Its kind of tube shaped, so I assume thats where they got roll from. It doesnt smell as buttery or corn-y as I expected, but you could see the yellow "buttery"-ness on the outside. The texture is almost just like a cheeto, but a little softer and less of a harsh crunch, if that makes sense.. When I bit into it I was literally so surprised at how much it tasted like corn. I kind of expected it to taste more like popcorn, but it tasted like I was eating corn on the cob. Probably the weirdest thing Ive ever experienced food wise.. It was by no means bad, but I don't see myself seeking them out to get my Corn Roll fix.

Memories Dates Teashop - These treats are made from Dates. Delicious and wholesome. County: Turkey

I wasn't very excited for this one..because dates just seem so unappealing to me. (even though I love Lara Bars, which are date and nut bars) I broke a piece off the see what the filing looked like, and was pretty turned off about the whole thing. The filling looks pretty gross, so I dont suggest you break yours and look at it lol. I took a very small bite. (Ever see the episode of Spongebob when Squidward tries a craby patty for the first time? I took one of those bites..) The cookie part on the outside wasnt bad. It was a kind of dry crumbly cookie, but the inside was not my favorite thing in the world. I probably wont be finishing this cookie..but if you like dates I'm sure you'd love it! Just not my thing.. :P

The Munch Pak Mini, like I said, comes with 5-6 full size snacks and costs $9.95 per month.

They also offer the Munch Pak Original, which comes with 10+ full size snacks for $19.95 per month.

You can also get the Family Sized Munch Pak which comes with 20+ full sized snacks for $39.95 per month.

You can also customize your munch pak by selecting options like nuts, spicy, chewy, meat, seafood, candy, american or foreign snacks & more for an addition $1 each per delivery. Or you can add a coffee or tea addition for another $5 per box. So there are many customizable options for you to choose from to get exactly what you want!

I just think it's really cool to be able to try different snacks from all around the world without having to leave you home (or dorm or office, which they will deliver to!) I will definitely have to give this box another try in the future, even though I didn't like half of my snacks, it is still a really cool thing to enjoy with the family. We had a little tasting "party" at my house when my box arrived, and it was really fun!

You can learn more about MunchPak or order your box here!

Thanks to Mike and everyone at MunchPak for supplying me with the MunchPak Mini to review!

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

Love you Grandpop!

2015-04-04T08:26:00.000-04:00

Due to the passing of my grandfather earlier this week, I will be taking some time off from blogging to spend with family. I will be back Wednesday, April 8.

"Life is good." <3

#SOHOBeautySquad

2015-03-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

A few months ago I got to become part of the SOHO Beauty Squad. As a welcome gift they sent me a couple little goodies!
I'm the kind of person who loves bags. I literally have bags inside bags inside bags. I love using different size bags to help keep my stuff better organized. In my purse I always have at least 2 smaller bags, and that way I always know exactly where what I'm looking for is and I just have to pull out whichever bag I need. So, when they sent me 2 of their cute little makeup bags, I was super excited!

They sent me the Bloom Service Round Top bag, which you can find at Harmon and Bed Bath & Beyond. This bag is super cute and little. But its shape makes it much more spacious than you'd expect. I put it to the test by taking one of my similar sized bags and seeing if I could fit all of its contents into the SOHO bag.

In this bag I keep some of my quick grab, on-the-go makeup, including:

a mirror
primer
liquid foundation
cream foundation
powder foundation
eyeshadow trio
single Mac eyeshadow
small eyeshadow palette
travel eyeliner
mascara
4 full size/travel brushes
5 broken brushes
eyeliner sharpener

This bag did fit all items shown in the photo except for the 2 taller brushes. I probably could have shoved them in, but I didn't want to damage my brushes! It was a snug fit but technically did work. The only problem was it would most likely be a little annoying trying to dig through this bag to find what I need because of its size and how full I had it. So, when I use this I'll be sure to put less items in it! Other than that I really like this bag. It's cute, small and compact..but it holds a lot for its size. Also, the deep zipper and fabric flaps inside allow you to open it nice and wide without (hopefully) anything falling out. The zipper is thick and plastic which makes it easier to zip and much less likely to break!
I will probably use this as my new "female emergency kit" which I keep in my purse at all times and fill it with anything a girl might need in case of an emergency. Pads and tampons, stain remover pens, hand sanitizer, hair ties and bobby pins, makeup remover wipes, blotting papers, moisturizer samples, nail clippers and files, etc. The bag I currently have in my purse is about half the size and is packed full, so this might have to replace it!

I was also sent the Angle Management Organizer with Detachable Brush Holder, which you can find at Target. This bag is a little bit bigger, but it is pretty slim compared to most makeup bags I tend to use. I also put this one to the test, comparing it to a similar sized bags and seeing if I could fit all of its contents into the SOHO bag.

The bag I was using for comparison was only about half full, but the bag looked to be almost twice the size, so I thought it would be an alright comparison.

In this bag I had some of my every day products I put into a bag for a weekend stay at my besties, including:

primer
liquid/foam foundation
concealer
2 powder foundations
bronzer/blush combo
Naked Basics palette
lipgloss
mascara
beauty sponge
3 full size brushes

I didn't realize how little I had in here. I think it was actually less products than I had in the smaller bag, but I kept going with the comparison. The great thing about this bag is its tall enough to stand up my liquid products like the primer and foundation. Then I could stack sideways the round compacts, and squeeze in the rest of the products wherever they fit. This bag also has a pocket on the inside and a detachable brush holder on the front. I'm not really a fan of the detachable brush holder, I think it makes the bag less cute, and it is too small for 98% of my brushes. I only had a couple brushes that weren't too tall.. But I managed to fit the brushes I had into the pocket inside the bag for safe keeping. I was really surprised with how much room was left in the bag after I filled it with the products I had out.. I probably could have put almost twice as much in there. This bag also has deep, thick plastic zippers, so it too opens nice and wide. I did notice, though, if it's too full some products slip out when its open because the little side fabric things (what are they even called?!) only go up about half way, so be careful with how you load it up!

Altogether I love the new additions to my bag collection, and I will get so much use out of them! Huge thanks to SOHO for inviting me to join their Beauty Squad!

Are you a bag lady like me? What are your favorite ways to use makeup/storage bags?

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2015-03-24T22:16:00.000-04:00

From a very young age we are expected to think about our futures. As children we're asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" And although most answers are something generic like a fireman or just silly like a dog or Spiderman, I can't help but think our teachers and parents ask us this to get us prepared as early as possible to start thinking about what we will do with our lives.

When I was younger there were many things I wanted to be. I've been a huge animal lover my whole life, so a majority of my childhood I wanted to be a veterinarian so I could spend my days with cute dogs. That is, until I realized I would have to deal with the bad as well as the good, and I could never be the one to put down a sick or injured animal. So I changed my mind. Next thing I wanted to do was become a hair dresser..but I was quickly reminded that you need to be very charismatic while talking to your clients as you do their hair. And lets face it, my anxiety just wouldn't let that happen! As I got a little older and really started finding my passions, I decided I wanted to be an artist. I loved expressing my creativity in many different ways. But, as always, when you have a dream..there will be doubters. I had so many people tell me there's no work for an art student and it would be a waste of time and money. So there I was..and now here I am..23 years old and not knowing what to do with my life.

But I'm the kind of person who tries not to regret things in life. I try to take everything as a learning experience, the things that happen in our lives and how we handle those things mold us into the people we are..and there's no shame in that. (unless you're a complete jerk) So I don't necessarily regret not going to college or finding my "dream job." It has just made the whole "get your life in order" thing a little more difficult. Sure, I could sit here and dwell on the things I coulda woulda shoulda done..but that won't change anything, will it? So instead, I've been spending a lot of time thinking. Thinking about where I see my life heading, thinking of where I want my life to head, and thinking of what I have to do to get those two on the same path.

Recently it sort of hit me. We live until we die.. I know, morbid. But the truth is, we are born..so we can grow up..so we can get jobs..so we can have families of our own..so we can grow old..so we can die. And all the other stuff in between isn't all that significant. I mean, yeah, to some people their work is their life. And it is very important..but to most of us we just do what we have to so we can get by.

So, what do I want to be when I grow up? Honestly..I don't care what I end up doing. I just want to be happy. I'm not saying I'd be okay working at McDonald's until I'm 50..I'm just saying in the end it doesn't matter if I follow my 6 year old dream or my 16 year old dream. Wherever I end up I'm okay with that. If I love what I do, if it makes me happy, and if it pays the bills and supports me and my family..then I will be living the dream.

I just hope there's goats involved.

So what do you want to be when you grow up?! ;) Let me know in the comments!

Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.