Feel beautiful with or without makeup.

Always Feel Beautiful

I first off have to say, that every single woman out there is beautiful, God does not make woman ugly, society chooses what to value and what to diminish. I have now done what many wont, a selfie with no make up on. I know they did this on Facebook, and it was for cancer, but really, all of my friends who did it seemed to look unnaturally beautiful even though they claimed to have no make up. 

Before Makeup. 

I Look Beautiful? 

What I See: I have some blemishes, though I will say that the lighting fooled you, I think my face looks much worse in the mirror. I see wrinkles, eyes that do no pop, lips that look dry and cracked, I see a face with dry spots, discoloration and scars.


In this photo, I am in florescent night, A type of light very common in schools, work places, and other frequently used locations where someone may happen to walk into you.


What do you see?: I would love it if you comment what you see in this photo, feel free to be honesty,

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

With Make Up

I Feel Beautiful!

While I feel better in this picture, it doesn't mean I look better. If I were to be in a magazine, on the runway, or even television, this may or may not be enough make up. 

What am I wearing?: 

• Foundation, 
• Concealer 
• Under eye lightner
• Black Eye Liner, 
• Black Mascara
• Green smokey eye shadow
• Red Lipstick 
• Eyebrow pencil 

That is CRAZY!!!! 

Why does society tell us we need to wear all of that? While I do look the same, I don't need any of that, but I "want" all of it, to feel beautiful. 

Do I Even Look Better??

Photo Edited

This photo is me, using the photo with no make up, and re touching it with editor. 

• Lips
• Eyes
• Eye Brows
• Cheeks
• Complexion 

I may look good in this photo, but it isn't me. I could have gone a lot further, taken some of the edge off my face, smoothed my face even more, added darker eye makeup and re-colored my green eyes to make them...greener. 

If I want to bring out the green in my eyes, I wear my Golden auburn hair down, wear some brown and purple eye shadow and nude lips. But that is still more work than I usually care to do. 

If you look closely at a tree you'll notice it's knots and dead branches, just like our bodies. What we learn is that beauty and imperfection go together wonderfully.

My face all done up costs a Premium. 

Amazon Clay Foundation

 $38.00

Eye Liner Pot

$24.00

Black Mascara

$18.00

Eye Color

$5.99

Eyebrow Color

$25.00

Red Lip Stick

$22.00

Supernatural Powder

Concealer 

$38.00

Beautiful Face = 170.99 + Tax

That is a lot of money for:

1. Anyone
2. College Student on a Budget Like Me

The last few months I have hardly worn any makeup Unless I was 

1. Possibly going to be on TV, or performance of some type
2. Date (I like to think ill wear make up if I ever get a date) 
3. Really really bored and wanted to feel pretty.

none of which I need make up for, But I like to think its saving me money, and another thing, when its below like 20 degrees out, you cannot wear mascara without it freezing to your eyes. 

Let me know in the comments if you think I look better with make up, or nude face. What is your preference. Does society have too much a hand on what we believe to be beautiful?

Easy Quick Bow Bun for Every Hair Type

This is seriously the easiest and cutest thing you can put into your hair. And I have very curly wavy hair, and even if I let it dry naturally out of the shower, or take the time to straighten my hair like in the photos. 

Step 1

This is what I started with, my hair down (straight, but not at all required.) And a hair tie. 

I choose to make a very high pony tale. Or, you can turn in into a low bun. Either way, its adorable and super fun. 

Step 2

Place a half bun, with your extra hair outside and towards your face...this is important so you can make it clean and beautiful bow bun. 

I leave my bangs out, but you can do whatever with what you have, wear them up in a bump, sweep to side, or even up in the bow. Just depends on you. 

Tip #1. Take some hair spray and spray the bump, it will help when you go to split for the bow. 

Step 3

Now for the fun part, turning that random bump into a bow. And its so simple. Split that bun into two even sections. 

Whala, the start of a bow!! Easy so far right?

Step 4

This is a bad photo, but it shows what you need to do, twist the last bit of hair, and pull back into the bun where you split it. To secure it, tuck the hair into the hair band and slightly tug on the sides of the bow (it will help secure the bun more) 

Tip #2 Add more hairspray here to increase volume and hold of the hair. 

Finished Product:

Cute, easy, fun, and playful for those lazy days, or dress it up and add a headband, or jewels and wear out for a night on the town. 

12 things you ACTUALY learn in College

 When it comes to being a stereotypical broke College kid, there is always a short cut to life. I know for me personally, there has been a lot of times in which I found there to be some way to make the impossible possible.

1. The idea washing clothing can be done in the sink or bath tub. 

I have gotten certain problems with quarters and the washing machine's either A. not working, or B. full. So on those days when you are running late, and on your last pair of underwear. Some laundry detergent in the Shower or Sink and hang up to dry can be a life saver in a pinch

Another Tip: 
For those lovely bras we women get to wear, a good and easy way to wash them is to hang them in the shower with you. It's not as harsh as putting them through the washer and the soaps you use in the bathroom I have found do not harm your bras and wash out completely as long as you don't pour extra soap on them.


2. Eating on a Budget 

After living with mum and dad, buying your own food seems like the hardest and most daunting task in the world.

Having to grocery shop for yourself, or you and a roommate is much different than with your family. What WILL you eat is much different than what you SHOULD eat.

Costco, while your best friend, is also your worst enemy, because unless you are good at freezing and cooking, you may waste more of those fresh foods and loose out.

You will become extremely talented with sales, coupons and being inventive with food. I know my favorite thing my roommate and I do is buy salad mix when its on sale, then freeze it until we are ready to eat it.

3. Ironing with a Straightener

When you first move into your own apartment or dorm room, there are the things you remember to bring, and the weird things you would never think to bring. Such as Salt and Pepper, it seems so basic yet you have to remember to buy it.

Having no iron or ironing board is common. I for one know I would hardly use it, but occasionally, I have that one piece of clothing that desperately needs some help.

Thankfully, there is a easy solution (or at least a fix in a pinch) that my roommate introduced me too.

A hair straightener is able to fix so much more than just those pesky fly away's. On a low setting, they are also great for clothing. It works out well when your in a pinch and off in a hurry.

This applies to so much more than college. Any time in life, this can be an easy quick fix for when you need a quick ironing to pants, dresses, shirts, or even socks.

4. No Heat, No Bill, Lots of Blankets

Heat is not cheap, and in our very lovely college apartment, we don't have a good way to set the temperature other than a dial on the baseboard heat.

My roommates and I decided that spending money on heat isn't worth it when we can just bundle up in blankets or sweater.

I even went so far to get footy PJ's, which I have to say are super comfortable and the best $17 investment that I can wear all the time. I even got a bigger size so I can really bundle up into it.

But to be a true college kid, you can handle cold so much better than when you are home with mom and dad.

5. How to Open Alcohol without a bottle or wine opener.

This was one of those situation I never though I would find myself in. But after my roommate decided Pink Mascato sounded good, we realized that we don't own a cork screw or a bottle opener for that matter.

Naturally I decided to look on YouTube for the answer that would open a bottle. It didn't work the way I planned. The video showed someone putting a screw into a bottle and then pulling it out with the back side of a hammer. I ended up puncturing a hole in the cork.

I kept working on weaseling the cork out, only for it to revert inwards and shot into the wine, spraying some all over my face and getting my roommate to laugh hysterically at me. I will admit it must have been super funny to watch, but when your sticky, not so much fun.

6. Crappy sound and entertainment + Free TV = Perfect

We all have horror stories of our cell phone,s being dropped in toilets, dropped on the ground or even in my case, baptized on accident. We always wish for a new and better one, but have you looked at prices lately?

You most likely cannot tell, but this picture is my living room TV. Great looking isn't it?
There is a blue ring encroaching on the center of the screen has a yellow tint, but hey, its free and so far is working *knock on wood*

While this isn't the most perfect system, or the most streamlined TV. It does work and produce sound, so that makes it all the more attractive. I have seen great, big flat screen TVs for about $1000. *That is rent for almost 3 months* so no thanks. I will keep it covered on my own.

This doesn't just apply to TVs though, stereo and other electronics if they are free and work, are great!!

7. Cheap Alcohol is the best Alcohol

Bargain prices are a college kids best friend, even some extremely thrifty people will swear up and down to buying cheap.
While I am not a huge fan of alcohol, I do know that most of my friends in college, like quantity over quality. That's great, but that also means, these guys know how to buy alcohol on a budget. They know whats good and what tastes like something coming out of the wrong end of a dog. (Lets face it, if anything is coming from any end of a dog its wrong)
This talent for finding the best cheap and still tolerable booze is a gift that will help you later in life with other things, and while that may sound corny. Think of the last time you took the time to compare something because of a price difference. You learned that in school, congratulations, school did have a real world applicable skill.


8. Febreze is your best friend

Laundry is expensive. I know that I don't like to keep driving around town to find quarters to do laundry, especially when something looks clean, and wearable. That is where febreze is your friend.
Hang up pants, give it a little fresh scent and away you go with the day and nobody is the wiser, unless of course you wear the same thing for days at a time, then yes, it will be noticeable.
Spray away and the cares of quarters fall away too. 

9. Mouth Wash is sufficient for brushing teeth.

Okay, lets face it, you have done this. If by accident or purpose. When you are in a rush and don't have the time to spend brushing your teeth, a quick rinse of mouth was and away you go, as long as you are not getting too close to anyone. This will be suficent to get you through the day.


10. You know how to wear your hair after not washing hair for 3 days.

Guys, this applies to you too, don't think that being too lazy or tired for a shower is just a girl thing.
I know for me, I don't wash my hair everyday, and sometimes, I forget how many days its been since I removed the shower cap to shower. So having tricks that make you feel confident and carefree are a perfect way to combat the 3 day hair blues.






11. Microwave is your best friend, life line, and soul mate.

Tuesday afternoon between classes, not in the mood to actually cook. No problem, you have a microwave. Live in a dorm with no kitchen, there is probally a microwave. This crazy, nuclear device makes life oh so much easier, and after your first year, you are pro at making full meals in the microwave. Cooked veggies, soup, and even quesadillas, you can do it. 



12. Tacky Furniture is beautiful/  Free craigslist

For me, my apartment has some of the best miss matched furniture and yet, we do not care. We have places to sit, and even better, we have a inflatable couch than folds into a queen size bed, lets just say that gets used a lot more than most would think. :)

Crappy furniture for college kids is great when trying to furnish a apartment on a budget,



Now that you know what you were really learning in school, do you feel bad for spending so much on tuition?? 

Life is Never Fair

Being limited by race, gender, sexual orientation is still a problem in today's society, but then again so is being discriminated against for health issues.

I am healthy, working to become fit again and yet, I am still sick. You cant see it, I try to hide it, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I am indeed, sick.

Diabetic, Edometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. They don't show on the outside, I don't look green, blue, or purple. It means, my insides do not work the way I would have liked them to work. It isn't something I asked for, and its something nobody deserves to have to deal with and suffer through. But yet, I live every single day with this pain.

Its hidden, you wake up and you have stomach pain, feel light headed and occasionally queasy. On good days, you feel strong, on bad days, you feel like the world is caving in around you. But that does not mean I am weak, or my personal favorite, trying to achieve special treatment. If I could wave a magic wand and make it all disappear I would.

Taking medicine, and following a diet, while it helps, there is no cure for anything I have, like so many thousands of people, I am sick without appearing sick. How does this work you ask?

I like to wear dresses because:
1. I feel good wearing them. Getting up in the morning and forcing yourself to feel beautiful and confident is not easy, but my clothing does help with this matter.
2. and most important reason. It doesn't hurt like jeans on my stomach, it feels so nice to wear yoga shorts, and a dress than jeans that sit right on the scars from my surgery.

I get a lot of looks and comments about taking birth control, people always assume I am sleeping my way across the country, ask me why on earth my parents would let me take it so young, make me feel like I am a bad human for taking drugs. But the best reason I can honestly give people is, its none of your business why I take the drugs I take, I take them for me. That should be enough.

However, its not, so here are a few reasons to birth control besides giving me permission to "sleep around".

• I have regular periods with less cramps
• Birth Control is the only real help for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.) 
• Less chance of surgery (again)
• Because I want too. 

I had my first cyst when I was 15. It hurt so bad, and I couldn't even explain the pain. all I knew is it felt like my insides were burning, twisting, and best of all, completely and undeniably painful. I was a sophomore in high school, this was not something they covered in sex ed, its not something I'd even heard of before. 

My mother and sister were so scared because I would just crawl up into a ball and start screaming. But, I had not other outside display of pain. In fact, I could not even explain the feeling I kept having. 

Luckily, my mom took me to a lady doctor and she figured out it was PCOS and that I should be on birth control even though I was only 15. It was an adjustment for me. It was weird to all of a sudden, have these pills I have to take at the same time daily, and if you know me. I am not one for a daily schedule like that. 

I felt like I was the only one in High School with this problem, and as many people know, your high school psyche is more fragile than you lead people to believe. I felt like people would judge me, on overnight band trips when you cannot bring you own medicine, at first, I had to turn that in, thankfully laws changed quickly to allow women to not give that information out. However, I still felt awkward. 

I look normal, I act like my usual spunky funky self, but there are times, when I am in extreme pain, and silent about it. 

The most recent experience, was sitting with my editor for the newspaper I write for, we were editing my latest piece and while I was doing my best to pay attention and help, my brain kept telling me to breath through the pain of my lower abdominal area. I didn't look sick, I didn't act sick, but that doesn't mean I am not feeling it inside. 

Discrimination: 

Comes in the form of being told you cannot participate because you will be sick

• I was always cut from middle school volley ball because I had asthma, not because I wasn't good. 
• Getting solos in band taken away because I wasn't in class enough to "learn" them. 
• Being told to just sit and watch for fear I would break. 
  

I hated being sick, I still do, I don't know anyone who jumps for joy when they get the Flu. I mean, that may make a great meme, but its still not what one wants. 

I am sorry about this, but I just had to post a photo of these memes. 

Both perfectly sum up the flu and why we all just ...

LOVE

Do not waste time discriminating against other people. Every Single day, somebody who is "sick"defy's the odds. and they should be rewarded with access to life, not shut away and told we don't want to see you... That is the worst logic I have ever heard. 

I know some extremely remarkable people who, unfortunately got sick from one thing or another. They don't let that hold them back, and they don't shy away from adversity. There is no cure for so many things, but that doesn't mean you have to live every single day being told that you are a worse human for this reason!. 

Be Strong, Hold yourself high and remember, what weakens you does not define you, it does however, make you grateful for the good days, and even the not so bad days, because you know, it can always get worse. 

Narrow View of Food

First off, this is a very personal story and if you can relate, I would love to hear your story.

Food is the Enemy of me

I feel for every single person out there who is dealing with diet and food restrictions. I understand what its like to be told your favorite food is killing you. I always seem to bounce in and out of different diets (medical reasons) and they do and don't help with the weight loss. 

For example, in my childhood, I was twelve when I was diagnosed with well, every food allergy imaginable. 

Gluten	Corn	Tomato's	Zucchini
Mushrooms	Blueberries	Yeast	Coffee
Tree Nuts	Dairy	Sunflower

Did that list make your head spin? It did for me at the age of 12 when they said, oh Pizza, Spaghetti, and most things you eat are what is making you sick. This list was also longer, I just don't remember everything on the list. 

Just after, my parents were given this huge list of things I couldn't eat and what I actually could. After the doctors appointment, my parents tried to take me out to eat. (Harder than you would think) Subway didn't have any gluten free options or salad options. So They wrapped my veggies and meat without bread in paper. I felt like crying, It felt like my life had stopped. 

The next few days my parents kept me home from school to get all the paperwork in order and help me learn what I can and can't eat. It took a while of sitting on the floor with google learning everything that is on the back of the label and what all is in it.

If you never looked at the back of a label recently, do you know what half of it is?

Here is what a standard label looks like on the back of the package. The nutrition facts are clear easy to read and to most people, they don't know what it all means. I know I didn't.

Then we come to the ingredients list.

White Corn, what is the difference between white and yellow corn?

The we come to vegetable oil, and the have four possible ingredients it may or may not have come from! I couldn't have corn or sunflower, so my parents would nix anything with vegetable oil, That was quite frustrating. Maltodextrin, well nine, ten years ago when I was full of allergies, Maltodextrin didn't come with an explanation. it was just written on a package called maltodextrin.

Lactose, isn't that something in milk?    Whey? What Whey? Monosodium glutamate, If you haven't gotten the point yet I could go on, but for my sake I wont.


I still felt like the world had ended, and my friends didn't understand how I could "all of a sudden" be allergic to everything. But in reality, I just felt so bad all the time I had gotten used to it. Bad Asthma, hives, and stomach pains were just apart of every day life.

I have a few stories that at the time, were horrible, scary and made me love life.

1. First, right after my allergies were properly diagnosed, my doctor had the bright idea to give me these grass drops to try and desensitize me to grass. At first, the goal was to take one drop in 16 ounces of water. thankfully my father though this to be a bit much, and gave me half a drop in 32 ounces of water. 
It took about two minutes for my hives to develop and to start to feel wheezy, light headed and just all around ill. My dad gave me some Zyrtec and made me lie down. Those drops when away quickly after and they switched me to shots. 

This short quick story is one of many experiments by the doctors to try and help me. Unfortunately there was not a lot of research done at the time about such things and nobody really knew where to turn in the case of childhood allergies.

2. My next story is about a year later in 7th grade P.E where my teacher was a huge jerk. I had asthma and allergies, all documented with the school from a doctor, with the note that I had an inhaler with me. (which I did) While doing the two mile during class one day, maintenance was mowing the lawn next to the track, and not to mention it was march, one of my worst months. I began to have an asthma attack where it hurt to breath, my throat felt tight, my chest hurt and I was getting dizzy. My friends noticed and tried to take me to the office so they could call my mom, and the teacher ever so nicely told me to, and I quote. "Stop faking it and continue running." My friends yelled at him and took me to the office anyways. Where they gave me my inhaler and tried to call 911. I made them call my mom first. Mom gets there to receive a lecture on how I should keep my inhaler in my shorts (school issued shorts had no pockets) and that I needed to manage better in the future.  The school told me after I complained about my teachers response that its "not his job to care and I need to be more proactive." First off, I am 12, Its not my job to be so on top of my medical issues that I don't cause a disruption to my teacher. If I need help, I want them to help! But, no, that was not the case. 

This is not the only time a teacher basically tried to punish me for not being healthy. It happened over and over. I think my absolute favorite story was in my freshman year of high school

3. While taking the required 9th grade health class, I was given the assignment of the food journal. To write what and how much you ate for a week. I asked my parents to help with this and my dad and I spent a few hours making the assignment look good before we printed it, and I took it and turned it in. The goal was to get us to reflect on what we were eating and to be aware of the foods we put in our body. I was 14, couldn't have corn syrup (no candy, cookies, anything sweet or processed really) or anything else on the list above. My diet was salads and meat with some fruits, but I cant eat most fruit skins because they contain Latex. (Oh yes, High School was Great!) After a week, our teacher finally gave back the assignments and mine was a D-. D-, that may have been an F. I asked her after class, and so did my friends who would and could attest that my diet really was that strict. She, my teacher told me that "It doesn't seem realistic for a high schooler to eat this healthy and strict." well...teach...It IS POSSIBLE!!! Its called childhood allergies and again, documentation with the school, the lunchroom, and the district. Like all she had to do was open my file and see 'oh yeah, she does have to eat like this' instead, I had to have my parents talk to the principle and teacher to get my grade raised to where it should be. She also wanted me to do another food journal "this time with my parents help." to record what I ate... to her surprise, it was VERY SIMILAR!!! Even better part of this story is that this teacher hated and I mean Loathed my until after I graduated and my sister began to play Tennis for her. Then magically I was one of her great students and she gets excited to see me. This makes sense right? Yeah, no, it didn't to me either. 

I really felt defeated during middle and high school when I had to worry about if my health would effect my grade, and in all honesty, it did. To make things worse or better, depending on how you look at it, I didn't know anyone else with allergies like me, Watching your friends eat pizza, and nachos and basically anything you can think of that is good, I couldn't have it. I did however, get to the point where sugar wasn't even appealing to me anymore. Still isn't.

4. When I was 14 and got pneumonia for the first time in my life. (actually, about a month after story #3) I was so sick, that my doctor was trying to control my asthma to even have a chance at fighting the pneumonia. I couldn't sleep or breath very well. I was coughing all the time which made my asthma worse. My allergist gave me a chest x-ray and told me to stop coughing. After nearly a week of him not calling with results, my parents took me to the pediatrician. (I saw that doctor until I was about 17) and he, a great guy said, its more than just a bad asthma episode, she is ill. He asked to take a chest x-ray and I said I didn't want another, I just had one. Naturally he got curious and had the nurse call the doctor while he talked with my parents about different options to help relieve my pain and cough. When the nurse entered saying my allergist himself was on the phone wanting to speak with the doctor. (Doctors rarely actually get on the phone with each other unless 1. there is great need or 2. the doctor made a mistake) in my case, it was the latter of the offenses. He had my results for over a week and had not looked at them!
Once I was diagnosed with pneumonia my pediatrician gave me some extremely powerful cough syrup meant to knock me out (on top of different allergy and asthma medicines). I hadn't slept in a few days, and needed the sleep. and thankfully, it did the tick. I slept for something like 15 hours and while I wasn't perfect when I work up. I felt so much better! 

One great thing that did come of all my allergy problems. I was able to really learn to cook and eat healthy because I had to. I also kept my weight down by being gluten free, and well, free of most things. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was able to eat more, because gluten free was becoming more popular. Ha, my 16th birthday, we had a big cake from our local grocery store bakery for all my friends, and I had this small little gluten, corn, dairy, and basically life free cake on my own. It was an extremely unique party to say the least.

Because of my allergist not catching my pneumonia, my parents began to search yet again, for an allergist to help me, who wouldn't make a mistake as grand as mine did. They found this great doctor from the turkey who, while her accent was thick. She was extremely smart. She helped me get on new medicine that would control me better and help me overall beat asthma.

Under her care, she also moved me off of steroid asthma medicines, and that helped me loose weight. I was always on the thicker side of kids. It wasn't that I wasn't fit, I was just thick, and strong. A lot like a man. when I was 16 I could bench 100 pounds without even trying, and my legs could press about 400, easily. My friends used to sit on the sleigh where weighs were and I could press all of them.

While I didn't try to worry about my weight, I got told (By lovely P.E teachers and other administrators that I should loose weight) and yes, I was in a great "great" school district. I was always self conscious about how I looked and my weight, I played sports, was in marching band and was generally athletic all around. Just not in body.

Weight is a real struggle for so many people. Its not just you, and if you have different health problems. You are not alone!! Don't feel bad about anything. I was also lucky and that my friend, while they didn't remember all of them, the did know most of my allergies. It was hard to always say no, and to this day, while most of my allergies are gone or so low that I can eat them without feeling problems. I still get asked if I can eat this.

Be Thankful for what you do have, and remember there is always someone worse off than you. 

Becoming Healthy

I try to keep my blog posts about fashion, or food, or anything I feel is more important than me, however I keep finding from my friends and family, that we all go through the same struggles, we just don't know how to talk about it.

Here is my struggle and Achomplishment

As of today when I went to the Doctor, I was weighed and came in at a whopping 191.5 Pounds. Does that seem like a lot? It's still a number that makes me cringe in fear, but I have to say, that its about 50 pounds lower than where I was in January.
Does that seem possible? It doesn't for me either!!

To see about the dress I am wearing, check out KaLib's Look. 

The first picture is of me when I weighed about 246 Pounds, just after surgery and felt not only, unhealthy, but awkward in my own skin. I almost always wore body control tops, or bigger clothing.

Having had surgery and being sick for nearly a year. The weight just packed itself on.  I was beginning to feel better, but still felt horrible about my body and what I had become. I decided to keep working on myself and getting healthy, not thin, but healthy. I cant explain how important the difference is to me. So many women believe they need to become thin to loose weight. NO, Wrong! Please don't feel you have to change yourself. Becoming healthy, eating right, watching what and when you eat and exercise is the best thing you can do to loose weight and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Honestly, not moving that well for years, not playing sports. It was strange to get back into the swing of moving. Infact, after surgery, a flight of stair could wind me. I figured that I was healthy and had always been. Why would it be hard to loose weight and get back to being in shape. (Having good lung capacity and muscles, not being skinny)

Brookelyn and I. WSU vs Rutgers

I started working hard, and doing more this summer. I took my dog Jill on walks around the neighbor hood and down to the beach near our house. The heat helped me sweat a lot and for that matter, shower more. (sometimes twice a day)

As of august. I moved across the state for school and here at Washington State University. The hills are everywhere. We don't have small hills either, to walk from my apartment to my first class of the day. It feels like I have to hike a mountain.

 Every single day I walk up and down campus numerous times. Sometimes 3-5 times. Its about a 15 minute walk, and I feel like I am always out of breath. I will confess that I try and look like the walk is easy, and not breath heavily while walking. Especially when other people make it look so easy.

Marching band has also helped tremendously.
I play Sousaphone, it weighs, oh like 50 Pounds, nothing much. This photo is with my little Sister Brookelyn at the first home game of the season. Game days are certainly long, as my day starts about 6 hours before kick-off and ends after the game ends. Its great exercise!

Sousa Line at WSU vs CAL. 

For those of you who struggle with weight. I completely understand!!! It has taken me 10 months to loose this weight and was no easy roller coaster. I eat healthy and work out but then want to be able to eat pizza and watch a late night movie with my sister and friends.
Being honest, I still did that. I just knew I had to keep up working out and striving to get better.

In July, I went to the doctor because I was getting massive head aches that made me feel like my heart was racing, heat waves, and light hurt so bad I couldn't open my eyes. I was sent to a doctor to treat my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. She tested my blood, and blood sugar and mentioned that I had high blood sugar for fasting, in fact, it I was one point higher on my fasting sugar level. I would be officially type 2 diabetic. I did and didn't freak out. I began taking Metformin and found it to be harsh on my stomach. I switched to Extended release and found that it made life easier, but counting carbohydrates is no fun!

Spending your time looking into what I can eat and couldn't eat was terrible. I spend my childhood not able to have Gluten, Corn, Tomatoes, Tree Nuts, Dairy, Seafood, among other things. It made it difficult to enjoy life as a child.
 I lived on salad and a few meats. It was liberating to be free and clear around my 18th birthday. The first thing I did was go out and eat a Taco Time soft taco. (My favorite food).
*More On my childhood problems in next post*

Having restrictions actually made me cry myself to sleep some nights. I missed making pasta. But I was lucky that my family was helpful and did their best to eat like me. But I did notice that I was loosing weight, so no matter how much I missed my fettuccine alfredo and homemade enchiladas. I couldn't even eat fruit, too much sugar. I love and I mean love raspberries and blackberries.

What has happened after loosing the weight and being pre-diabetic?

1. I am done about 50 pounds, as we noted early
2. I am able to eat more pasta, not a lot, but I can have some pasta now.
3. Being able to move and feel better its such a bonus.
4. I now have more clothes that fit and I feel better wearing them.
5. I am motivated and determined to continue with the progress!

Weight Loss is not easy! Don't let it get you down. Find a support system and motivate yourselves.

Help Washington Stop Burning

So, if you have not looked at a news source recently. There is about 4 wild fires burning in Eastern Washington State and have damaged an estimated 100+ homes, 25,000+ acres and has destroyed farms, and historic sites along the way.

While most of us just see this as a could of smoke from I-90 or even Seattle. I can see this from my house, and I live nearly 100 miles away. Its just something we hear on the news and say, "oh, that will change our travel plans" But its more than that. This is a huge devastation to the area effected and even in outlying areas where air conditions are poor and smoky from the large amounts of burning land.

I am joining efforts by the red cross to help those who have lost their homes because of the Mills Canyon fire. The goal is to raise $2500 to help with food and clothing for those effected.

If every single one of my readers donated $1.00 to the effort, we would be nearly there. Every bit is going to the American Red Cross for help with the fire, and food for those families who have lost everything due to mother nature.

Proverbs 19:17

One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.

There is a link set up in the side bar that will allow you to donate and help support the Mills Canyon Victims. If you have anything you can donate, I and those you help would really appreciate any small gifts. 

Love,

KaLib

Good, Bad, and Ugly of Wedding Planning

A beautiful union of two people shared with friends and family at a wedding are a unique and complicated ritual practiced by millions of people around the world each year. But how much goes into a wedding shocks people!

Never Fear!!!! 

       Working for a place called Kiana Lodge, I have seen a large number of events, good and bad and seen some good and bad things that go into each event. My favorite are weddings, each are so unique and different and express the couple beautifully. Now, seeing so many weddings, I have the added bonus of seeing daily, what not to do for your wedding. How to plan for what suits you best.

      To create your special day, you need to be level headed, calm, and have a plan. That is what every bride who walks through our door and has a successful wedding does.
       Kiana is a great and unique place that hosts weddings two, three even five times a week. We will decorate, set up, tear down, and best of all, we have a great in house catering. But this isn't an advertisement for Kiana. This is my way of showing that I have seen it all when it comes to weddings, good, bad, and unfortunate.

Good

There a so many good things that can come to those who wait. True, but in wedding planning, having a short deadline can put way too much pressure on you and its stress you don't need to add. 

                           What does that mean for wedding planning? 

1. Create a Plan!

Does that seem like advice you here everywhere? I am sure its the first thing your family started to ask after your engagement. The best thing you can do is Plan, Plan Plan is the biggest and most important part of a wedding, but it doesn't have to consume your life,

I suggest a organizational binder, organize your thoughts, and everything you and hubby-to-be need. 

Tabs will be your best friend and keep you organized. Business Cards are great and can be tapped to the front cover of the binder to be easily accessible. A pouch with pen and paper will allow you to write down your thoughts and keep in a safe place, and don't think you have to follow the traditions you see. This is "YOUR" day, so enjoy it for you and your fiance, your guests will find the love you share the most memorable part of the wedding. 

2. Budget, Budget, Budget!

Having a Budget for your wedding is tied with planning for the most important thing you can do with/about your wedding. Though with a budget, some planners will ask you "What can you afford?" this should be phrased "What do you WANT to afford" you may be able to afford a $25,000 wedding, but choose to only spend $13,000. That is great, but stick to it! and don't be afraid of the magic word. "No" say no to what you don't like, don't want. This is "YOUR" Day!

3. Check it

Create a check list of thing you need to do or want to do. There are so many check lists you can get online, I would suggest the knot  where you can customize your checklist to create the wedding perfect for who you are. Back yard wedding? Great, that saves on a venue. Your friend is a minister, mother is a baker. Family friends. 

4. Be Creative

You are allowed to love your pinterest boards and use them to inspire your own wedding. Sometimes, you may see something that inspires you. I want a back yard wedding with an eclectic mix of lanterns and mason jars filled with candles and colored paper to create a soft and romantic glow. 

Pictures are your friend!


5. Find the Perfect Vendors
           I recently read an article on wedding photographers justifying their prices. At first, I though $2000-$3000 for photos of a day, then I thought. No, that makes a lot of sense, and here is why: Professional camera lenses, cameras and travel. The time it takes to edit your photos, some photographers hire a second shooter to help get more angles. All that takes time and money. For the price, its well worth it to have amazing photos of your day. 
          When I get married, I already know who I want as my wedding photographer. Tonie Christine Photography is my favorite wedding photographer, but she doesn't just do weddings, Engagement photo shoots and something I find an brilliant idea for a wedding present for your husband to be, boudoir shoots, and Tonie makes the pictures look tasteful, seductive, and perfect. 

"I am my beloved's and he is mine.." - Bella by Tonie is all about capturing your beauty and confidence for your husband! To book your Bella by Tonie shoot or to host your own Bella Bash, www.toniechristine.com

         This is one of her many brilliant photos that I have seen. Its so cute how she displayed the rings, not in a traditional setting, but it works so well! Knowing this, I already know who I want for my wedding photographer, even if I don't know the groom :)

Wedding planners can also save your life, If you are not creative, or don't want to take the time to be super creative, find that one person who will be. Bixby + Pine who will make your life 1,000 times better. These gals get it done, and they don't just do weddings, food, and treats are also on their radar and their modo "We Get it Done" is so true. They get your wedding set so you don't have to stress. Its worth is to hire planners when you need help. Bonus, My friends and Tonie Christine are Friends with those at Bixby + Pine and the combo is a perfect marriage of glam, style and confidence.
Find the perfect vendor for you by research, ask your friends, they may have secrets like me who they would recommend in a heart beat.

Also, don't hire your best friend to do pictures, they wont get the opportunity to enjoy the wedding with you. 

Bad

1. Drama Drama Drama

  I have seen some pretty dramatic weddings, one where the bride and groom somehow were able to get an ex couple escorting each other down the isle. It didn't blow up thankfully, but there was a shouting match in the brides room before hand. Don't bring it with you, and at the same time. Don't create it. 

Ladies, if you are bridesmaid #7 of 7. Don't think its because she loves you less, its hard to order your friends and put them in a hierarchy. Its an honor to be in the bridal party, so don't make a fuss about your order. Just enjoy your time with the bride. 

2. Timeline

       Having a time table for the days events is a good idea to keep the day or night moving. However, do not freak out when dinner is late, or the ceremony runs long. Everything will smooth over in the end. However, if you are sick from the Bachelorette party the night before, that may derail all your plans. 

Ugly

Working so many weddings, I have seen some true wedding fails. Here are some tips and stories that will help you see, Even when everything falls apart, there is a silver lining. 

1. Miss Communication 

    This award goes to a bride and her family, who didn't plan for desert. Or I should say, they all planned that it wasn't their job to order desert. When it came to setting up the sweets table, the bride asked her father where the deserts were, and he look at his wife who looked at the grooms parents, who looked at the groom, who looked back at his bride. OOPS!!! Luckily, the family was so cool and the bride and groom laughed, took a picture with their empty table, and sent the father of the bride to Costco for cheese cake and cake.  While it wasn't the array of sweets they planned. Their guests were happy and it ended up saving them a few bucks on the food budget. 

2. Sick Baby

      One of the more fun weddings I worked was this large party and fun loving bride and groom who's daughter was about 18 months old. She was an adorable addition to the wedding party, but all the excitement of being in front of 200 people got to her and she (held by a bridesmaid) Threw up and in the background of the wedding, you see this bridesmaid leap from the stage with the sick baby girl. She luckily didn't have any more problems that night, but it will be a ceremony video they will never forget. 

3. Heel Toe, not so dosey doe 

Actual Kiana Wedding Site

      When you tour your venue, check out the ground, grass, gravel, pavement, stone. Each can be different on your feet, shoes and anything else you plan to bring down the isle. I have seen way too many brides, who plan to have their ceremony over looking the water on the grass. 

Beautiful location, and seven bridesmaids with stiletto heels didn't make it down the isle easy, especially after a rainy night. One of the girls got stuck and had to have the groomsmen she walked with pull her foot from the grass. 

The walk down the isle took a bit longer than the party had planned, and magically, after the ceremony, all seven girls became barefoot.