Let it Go.

Something I've struggled a lot with is forgiveness. 

 I get hurt quite easily and I guess you could say I am a very sensitive person. That's not to say that some of my pain isn't 'real'. I've been through a lot in 19 years. A lot of people have hurt me deeply.  The thing is, I almost never confront the person who has hurt me. I just bury it deep inside and push those emotions away.  I'll never forget how that person hurt me; I'll never just let it go because of fear that it will happen again.

I hold onto that hurt and I feel like I'm a prisoner to my own pain.  

I just need to let it go.

I've heard it plenty of times.

"Come on, it was a simple misunderstanding, just forget about it"

"Amber, Just  GET OVER IT already!"

So I begin to think..."

"That person really hurt me. How can I ever forgive them?"

Then, I'd hear it again. This time it's in my head:

"Just let it go."

"but how? How can I just let something like that go? I get letting the simple things go, but those deep dark emotions of fear and abandonment? How can I ever forget let alone forgive that?"

Then, an email arrived in my mailbox. 

My daily devotional email from Joel Osteen read :

Everyone has been hurt, offended, betrayed and mistreated at some point. Sometimes those wounds are small and easy to move past, but other times, they are deep and take time to heal. The important thing is that we choose to forgive so that we can open the door to God’s forgiveness and healing in our own lives. Forgiveness is such a powerful tool. Forgiveness sets you free and draws you closer to your heavenly Father. One of the first things my mother did when she found out that she had stage four cancer of the liver was to ask the Lord to search her heart for any unforgiveness. She didn’t want anything to block her prayers for God’s healing. And now more than twenty years later, she still has a perfectly clean bill of health.

Whenever you pray, invite the Lord to search your heart. Choose to forgive anyone that has hurt you. As you walk in forgiveness, you’ll experience His hand of blessing in ways you never thought possible, and you will move forward in the abundant life He has in store for you

God can be blunt sometimes, can't he?

That's when it all clicked. 

I was holding to my pain, and I had all of this negativity within me. It was holding me back. In fact, it was stopping me from developing friendships and relationships. It was preventing me from truly moving forward with my life because I was still stuck in the past. 

 I still wanted vengeance, but it wasn't mine.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
-Ephesians 4:31-32

My Favorite Places in the World, Part One

One of the things I love the most about my mom is she always taught us the value of travel. 

She always believed that making memories and traveling the world is worth more than presents and gifts. I love that because it's true. The only thing that will truly make us immortal is our memories. 

Things are just things, but memories last forever.

Cliche, I know, but it's so true. 

Anyways, because of that, I grew up traveling. Even now, as a young adult, I love it. 

As I'm sure you can imagine, I've come across several places I love.

I thought it'd be fun to share a few with you. 

I'll start with my all time favorite place on this planet.

I'm sure you can guess...

Paris, France

I visited this city two years ago, and left my heart there. 

I'm dying for the day I get to go back. 

There is something so enchanting about this city.

 it's the lights, 

 it's the architecture,  

Oh, it's the food, the sweets, 

did I mention the crepes?

It's that feeling of love intertwined within you,  

It's Paris. 

The second I walked down the streets of Paris which were filled with bustling traffic, tiny boutiques and sidewalk cafes,  my heart was irrevocably gone.

I dream of the day when I can get lost in the streets endlessly enjoying the city again.
I daydream about riding my bike across the bridges, wearing a perfectly flowy dress with my bike basket filled with baguettes and pastries, with not a care in the world.

Oh, Paris. 

I never thought I could be in love with a city, 

but it's true.

Madly, deeply, truly. 

In fact, the highlight of my life, thus far, was standing at the top of La Tour Eiffel 

Oh no, I'm not kidding. 

While Paris might not be for everyone, (which I will never fully understand), it's certainly for me.

 That's why it's my favorite place on this planet.

You know, living in Paris would be my ultimate dream come true.

Did I mention how badly I want to go back?

{all photos were taken by my lovely older brother (pictured above to the left) during our school trip 2 years ago}

100% Thrifted Challenge: Week 2

Ahh, week two is amongst us.

I had a vision in my head, but it didn't pan out as well as I thought. 

entire outfit, goodwill.

I wanted a sort of eclectic look, but instead I think it turned out too mismatched. 

What do you think?

How to Depot Makeup to Use in a Magnetic Palette (Zpalette)

 I get really overwhelmed easily. If I feel like I have too much of one thing I start to freak. I get worried that I will never be able to use it all and it will all go to waste. 

I also have a problem with forgetting.

Like the whole "Outta Sight Outta Mind" kinda deal.

Yeah, if it's not right in front of my face, I never end up using it. 

The same goes for my makeup.

I feel like I have nothing but compact after compact that take up so much space and clutter my bathroom.

I also tend to get stuck using the same products over and over again, so I don't have to sort through hundreds of plastic containers. 

Little did I know, many people had this same problem and someone already came up with a solution.

It's called a Z Palette.

Basically, it's a magnetic palette that can store several makeup products at once.

It's a way to save space and also to help you see everything you have.

All you have to do is 'depot' your makeup, and it magnetizes onto the palette. 

There are several different sizes available which is nice. I already knew I wanted the largest size, the pro, but I didn't want to fork over the $25 price tag.

ouch. 

So, instead, I looked into ebay. 

I was so pleased to find that there were factory blemished models on there for only $13.99. 

Did I care that there was a scratch on the outside? No.

Did I want to save over half the price of the original? yes!

So, I ordered it.

Actually, I ordered two.

{Click this link to find the ones I'm talking about.}

and when they came in the mail, I was shocked. They literally looked brand new! I honestly didn't see any 'blemishes'! Score!

So, anyway, I began on my 'depotting rampage'. 

Thus, the tutorial:

 There are several videos online for how to do this, but I think doing it yourself does take some trial and error. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't break any eyeshadow in the process, but now, I've got it down to a tee. 

Here is what you'll need:

- Z palette

-makeup of your choice

-exacto knife

-scissors

-some sort of flat hot tool (I used my flat iron, but you could use a regular old iron)

-Magnetic tape

-wax/parchment paper

-Sticky stuff remover/Goo Gone

-paper towel

 So, the first thing to do is turn on the heat. You're going to want it hot, so I turned my flat iron on to the highest setting. You can also place a piece of the wax/parchment paper on top of it, to prevent the packaging from melting onto your iron. 

 Next, you'll place the makeup you want depotted onto the iron. You are going to have to play around with how long you leave it on there because it will depend on the packaging itself and the heat from your iron. This particular eyeshadow took me about 45 seconds. 

DO NOT LEAVE THE MAKEUP UNATTENDED!!!

It doesn't take long for it to melt completely, and that's a big mess. 

 As soon as you take it off the iron, grab your exacto knife and search for a gap in between the makeup pan and the packaging. This will make it easier to pry out and will help you not destroy your makeup in the process. 

 Once you do, begin prying it out. It should come out fairly easily. If your'e struggling, or starting to see cracks in the makeup, STOP! You need more heat to melt the glue!

If you keep trying to get it out, you will break your makeup, but just place it back on your iron. 

 This is what you should be left with. You can remove the glue with the sticky-stuff remover.

 Then, be sure to write on the back the name of the product, so you don't forget!

After, you can place it in your palette to see if it's magnetic or not. 

This one was, (it's covergirl)

but if it's not, then cut a thin strip of the magnetic tape and place it on the back. Then, you should be good to go!

 Now, you can fill your palette with anything of your choice!

I did my blushes/bronzers and also all my eye shadow.

It's so nice to be able to see everything, instead of having to search through my drawer to find it.

and the best part is that none of this is permanent! Since it's magnetic, I can move everything around if I don't like how I've placed it. 

 My biggest suggestion is to try your first go at this on something you wouldn't be upset if it broke. 

My first try at this was one of my favorite blushes and I was really sad that it broke when I was trying to depot it. Definitely pick something you don't mind losing to try this out on.

But don't worry, you'll figure it out quick, and this will be super easy for you. 

Like I said, just play around with the time on the heat  and wait until your sure the glue is melted completely. 

After you get that down, you'll be on a depotting spree! Trust me, you'll want to depot everything!

May Ipsy Bag

Ok, this is officially my favorite bag to date. 

I was so excited when I opened, I think I literally squealed .

No, really. I did.

See why I squealed!?!?!?!

First of all, the bag is so adorable. I know I've complained in the past that I never use them and they just go to waste, but this time, I am using this bag! It's too cute not too!

The theme this month was

"Spring Fling"

In case you didn't know, Ipsy is a subscription service that sends you a new bag each month so you can sample different products. The best part is that it only costs $10

You can sign up HERE

1. Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment
What they say:
Macadamia Hair's light weight Healing Oil Treatment instantly absorbs into the hair to provides intense nourishment. It contains Omega 7 fatty acids, which is an essential component of skin and hair health. The Healing Oil penetrates the hair and scalp to improve strength, eliminates frizz, reduces blow drying time, and extends the life of color treatments. Instant absorption, light-weight and has a non-greasy feel. Natural UV protection. 

Apply to clean, damp hair or dry hair. Let air dry or blow-dry. Add 1 pump of Healing Oil Treatment to 1.5 oz of any permanent color line to enhance vibrancy,dimension and lock in color. Avoid applying to root area for extra volume. 
What I say: I am so excited about this product. I love the Macadamia Deep conditioner, so I am sure I will love this too. I will be using it while I am at the beach because it has UV protection!

2. Zoya Nail Polish in Jacqueline
What they say:
Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments puts beauty, fashion and style into every bottle with innovative custom color creations and fashion trend adaptation resulting in a truly luxury cosmetic experience. Created with the finest quality pigments and finishes, each bottle of Zoya is as special and unique as the woman who created it and whose name graces every bottle – Zoya herself! The award-winning, ultra long-wearing Zoya formula is also vegan friendly and Big5Free*. 
*Formulation contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or camphor. 


What I say: I love Zoya and I was actually wanting to buy this particular color. I really love this shade because it's the perfect color for my skin. I also love that these polishes are vegan friendly and BIG5Free.

3. Pacifica Bronzing Body Butter

What they say:
Ride the fresh and sensuous look, feel and scents of summer into fall, holiday and beyond with the body-loving brilliance of Pacifica’s Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter and Coconut Crushed Pearl Luminizing Body Butter. Two indulgent products combine the perfect flush of mineral color, luminescence of crushed pearl, sultry fragrance notes of coconut and vanilla and serious skincare benefits of tropical actives like coconut (the ultimate super food) for a healthy, head-to-toe glisten and glow. So, kick back, soak in the skin-quenching and sun-drenched goodness of these color-meets-treatment stunners and experience tropical bliss and beauty any time of year. 

Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter: Treat, enhance and illuminate. This unique Body Butter – bursting, with crushed pearls, mineral color and ultra-nourishing phytonutrients – leaves skin healthy, moisturized, smooth and sun-kissed-sexy. Coconut oil, tropical extracts, antioxidants and sea minerals hydrate and nourish. 


What I say: For years, I've used the L'oreal bronzing cream and I think that this is pretty similar. I never use tanning lotions because I hate the smell, so this is the perfect alternative. All it is is a tinted lotion that comes off in the shower, but provides just enough color to not make me look like a ghost. Plus it smells fantastic!

4. Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss

What they say:
This exclusive, pre-launch of the Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss will give your lips brilliant shine while keeping them healthy and nourished. A combination of antioxidant-rich acai and goji berries, natural minerals and sweet agave nectar that will give your lips radiant color! Made with certified organic ingredients. 

What I say: I have adamantly opposed lip gloss for years now. I hate it. Yuck. So I immediately gave this to my mom. She likes it!

5. Yaby Concealer

What they say:
yaby concealers have a creamy texture and are extremely easy to apply. They are highly pigmented to correct any imperfection on the face and body, are creamy and gentle for around the eyes and are tear proof! Vegan friendly and contains no animal byproducts. 
The heavy duty metal reusable pans are designed to be sturdy and not easily warped - sanitize empty pans with alcohol and keep some for other special beauty mixing needs! 

What I say: I'm kinda indifferent about it. I mean, it's pretty basic. It's a concealer. It conceals zits. It does the job.  End of story?

That's it! I really liked this bag, and once again, I am looking forward to next month's bag!

To sign up for ipsy, click here.

100% Thrifted Outfit Challenge

About a month and half ago, I had an idea. I wanted to challenge myself to wearing an outfit which included shoes, jewelry and clothes, that was 100% totally thrifted. 

Now granted, I normally wear at least one thing everyday that's thrifted, it's just in my blood. But I began to think that it's pretty rare that everything is completely thrifted. 

but then I totally forgot.

So here we are almost 2 months later, and I still haven't blogged about it.

I think it's about time!

Oh, and for any confusion:

(especially since my computer keeps telling me I'm spelling it wrong)

Thrifting

verb.

The act of making a purchase of an item or article of clothing from a thrift store.

It's pretty simple. Everything, and I mean everything down to the shoes on your feet and the earrings hanging on your ear, must come from a secondhand, thrift shop. 

(ok, not literally everything. Please don't thrift your underwear... I gotta draw the line somewhere)

Here is my first outfit:

(note: I took these photos two months ago, when the weather still felt spring-y, now it's just hot!)

Jacket: old navy-via Goodwill

skirt: Ann taylor- Goodwill.

okay, do I need to keep saying that? We all know where this outfit really came from ;)

shoes: orig. Kelly and Katie

necklace, tank, and clutch: origin unknown

So how do you think my first outfit turned out?

Please feel free to join me on this challenge! I can't wait!

My Everyday Makeup

I feel like I need to put a disclaimer on this post, so here it goes:

Trust me, I am a drugstore beauty product kind of girl. In fact, the only time I buy any makeup for myself is if I have a coupon and it's on sale at target.

Now, that's not to say I don't enjoy higher end products. 

In fact, I swear by clinique's Three Step system.

I, personally,  just can't afford to purchase them on a regular basis. And a lot of times, drugstore products are just as good as the more expensive ones. 

So, after staying all this, you may be confused as to why I'm showing my 'everyday' makeup and I am using higher-end products.

I have two answers to that:

1. My mom, up until a week ago, worked for Neiman Marcus. She got a pretty nice discount off makeup products, and I was interested in trying the more 'expensive' brands, seeing that they would be almost half off. I, by no means, can afford to buy these things without that discount.

2. I almost always ask for higher-end products for birthday's and Christmas.

Makeup is a hobby for me. I love it, but like I said, I can't afford on my own to always buy the higher-end products. So, when people ask me what I would like for my birthday etc, I have a running list of things it would be nice to have, but that I can't buy for myself. For example, my brother will ask me what I'd like for my birthday thats under $20. While I may not spend $20 for eyeshadow, I would love to have it as a gift. 

I hope that in saying this I don't sound rude, rich or conceited, because I am neither of those things. I promise. 

Anyways, here is a look into what makeup I'm using day to day. 

1.Too Faced Natural Eye Kit 

2. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in shade 12 beige rose 

3. Elf Eyebrow Kit in shade Medium

4. WetNWIild Blush in shade Heather Silk

5. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara 

6. Benefit Hoola Bronzer (free gift with purchase)

7. Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in shade 10 Fair

8. Physicians Formula Happy Booster in Translucent used as a highlight

9. Revlon Lip Butter in shade Raspberry Pie

10. Urban Decay Primer Potion

11. Revlon Liquid Eyeliner Pen in shade 10 Blackened Brown

1. Real Techniques Expert Face brush  for foundation
2. EcoTools Buffing Concealer Brush for concealer
3. ELF Powder Brush for applying powder
4. ION Beauty Powder Brush (TJmaxx) for bronzer
5. Real Techniques Blush Brush for blush
6. EcoTools Petite Eye Shading Brush for applying eyeshadow on inner corner and brow bone
7. EcoTools Complexion Blending Brush for applying highlight
8 &9. Brand unknown for eyeshadow in the crease
10. Clinique Brush used bare for blending eyeshadow
11. ELF "c" Brush for applying base color all over eye

Weekend Wrap Up

Oh man, this was a weekend for the record books!

{If you didn't know already, I am in Tampa visiting my cousins, aunt and uncle. }

It was non-stop, but relaxing at the same time. 

Today, I'm wrapping it up for ya with my grainy cell phone pics!

Friday:

My cousin's elementary school was taking a field trip out to Busch Gardens (an amusement park) and I decided to tag along.

It was so much fun. I walked around with my youngest cousin who's 7 and didn't want to ride any of the 'big' rides. So instead, we rode the train and bumber cars. It was perfect and low key... just the way I like it!

Saturday:

Satuurday was a whirl wind. 

My aunt and I woke up early and went to wally world to find a swim suit.

Then we went yard saleing (you know I would on vacation!)

After about an hour, it was time to head to the ball field to watch my twin cousins play in the semi-finals!

It was such a close game and kept us all on our toes.

Even though the did great, they lost 10-8.

I was so proud of them! They made third place.

After the game, we ran home and packed the car to head out to Sarasota for the weekend.
We made it just in time for sunset!

It was breathtaking.

I also found out that while I was sitting watching the game, I had gotten the worst tan ever.

No really. It is terrible.

Oh my, It was bad!

Luckily, I was able to fix it by putting on 100spf the next day on the burns and 30spf everywhere else. It's not as bad now. 

Oh, and this is my beautiful aunt above.

aren't my cousins cute!

Sunday:
We woke up and had the best breakfast ever.
Then we went to the beach!
Our hotel was right on the water.

Speaking of, it was crystal clear and the most gorgeous blue color!
It felt like we were in Bora bora or something.

I couldn't get enough!

After a day at the beach, we packed up and headed back home.

On our way, we saw this huge statue:

It was really sweet.

That was our fun-filled, relaxing weekend!

$5 Bubble Gum Machine

 One saturday morning, whilst my mom and I were yard sale-ing, we stumbled upon this guy:

We both looked at it, and walked away. 

As we were getting ready to leave, I quietly said, "did you see that bubble gum machine?'

and my mom stopped dead in her tracks.

"yes, I did. I love it! I just thought you wouldn't like it!"

We giggled because we both thought that the other wouldn't like it so we didn't say anything.

We were hesitant to ask how much it was, thinking it'd be way overpriced.

Get this...

$5!!!

SOLD!

We took it home, gave it a bath and filled it up with gum balls from world market.

 

Originally, it had to have actual quarters to get the gum, but my brother easily converted it so that all you have to do is turn the knob.

Don't ask me how, cause I have no clue! He's pretty handy.

At home, it sits in our entry way (I took these pictures on our porch, the lighting was better)

and everyone who enters almost always grabs a gum ball.

I love it!

I'll Meet You at the Train Station, Baby...

When I saw this dress hanging on the rack at my local goodwill, I daydreamed about who had wore it last.

Maybe a mother baking a cherry pie in her kitchen for her lovely children just home from school...

Maybe a Businesswoman walking into her office, with her heels clicking against the tile floor, ...

Maybe a young woman waiting at a train station for her lover...

Maybe all of that is a big stretch.

But I love it, nevertheless. 

Dress: Goodwill

Hat, Shoes, Clutch: Yard sales 

I love the vintage feel,

the polka dots, 

the buttons. 

It makes me feel happy. 

and I like being happy.