To The Girls Who Wear Makeup

"You are beautiful without makeup." 

 How many times have you heard another woman say this? Don't get me wrong, I get the intention behind that statement. It's meant to tell you that you can feel confident without wearing makeup. Yes, I can. However, I love wearing it. I love how I didn't realize how much I loved wearing makeup until I discovered and joined Younique. I love the creativity it brings to my day when I get to play with beautiful colors or decide what I am going to do in my next live video. I love how it makes me feel. Like I didn't have those painful years of acne, trying hundreds of products on my face to clear or cover it up the scars, but the products only made things worse. Somehow we've confused wearing makeup with wanting to hide who we are. A woman who wears makeup is NO less confident then the woman who doesn't. It's how she expresses herself, and I would venture to say, you are actually getting to see more of who she really is when she has her face done.

Makeup is NOT a mask.

Makeup is art.
Makeup is passion.
Makeup is expression.

And frankly, let me see you do a cut crease, blend 3 colors flawlessly, do a winged liner and tell me that doesn't take skill.

Face: Touch Glorious Face Primer, Touch Mineral Liquid Foundation in the color Satin, Touch Mineral Skin Perfecting Concealer in the color Taffeta .

Eyes: Moodstruck Addiction  Shadow Pallette #4 and Moodstruck Precision Pencil Eyeliner in the color Perfect

Lips: Moodstruck Lip Exfoliator and Splash Liquid Lipstick in the color Smashing. 

Don't Call It A Comeback

Hey, Gorgeous Dreamers! Wow, it has been a long time since my last post. Many kind people have asked what I've been up to, so I thought I would give you a quick update on what has been going on in my life.

#1: I became a Stella & Dot Stylist! I ABSOLUTELY adore anything that relates to fashion and accessories, so when I found out about the opportunity to become a Stylist, I jumped on the opportunity! I will do an in-depth post on my journey as a Stylist, why I joined, what's exactly a Stylist, etc. If you can't wait for that post, then I suggest you take a look at my boutique by clicking here.

 

#2: My Hubby and I have been married almost 2 years! It seems like only yesterday I was writing a post on how we planned a debt free wedding in 6 months (click here to take a look). We are both enjoying the married life and I plan on keeping you updated on our fun dates, trips, and also, how we're growing closer to God.

#3: I did not finish Hip Hop Abs :( For those that followed my Hip Hop Abs fitness journey, I apologize for not keeping you updated! Life got in the way and I didn't get to finish the full 30 day fitness plan. #thestruggleisreal However, I do plan on either tying the Hip Hop Abs again or trying a completely different approach to getting fit. Are there any fitness programs that you enjoy? Let me know in the comments!

#4: I am now working with a few awesome clothing and home-ware brands! Stay tuned for some giveaways ;)

#5: I have begun to cook A LOT of shrimp! My hubby and I's primary meat we ate for dinner used to be chicken, but now shrimp is number one! I am the type of person that can eat seafood all day, every day, so this change has been really enjoyable for me. I plan on posting many of the dishes that I have learned for you guys.

#6: I had my wisdom teeth removed! I was super nervous because I never had to get any tooth work done and the thought of a needle going into my gums just got me lightheaded. But, I am proud to say that I had 3 wisdom teeth taken out (I was born with only 3) and was awake during the procedure. My dentist was extremely gentle and I didn't even feel when he gave me the multiple numbing shots in my mouth. The worst part was the crunching sound during the extraction! You know like when you have a jolly rancher or a lollipop and then you bite it? That biting sound in your head is the same sound as removing a tooth. 

#7: I found a way to alleviate my painful migraines that come during a specific time of the month! Stay tuned for an in-depth post about my findings!

Thank you so much for taking the time to catch up with me today! I have to give a shout out to Theresa for making my layout as well as my cover photo on my Facebook page. You can take a look at her Etsy page by clicking here. 

#UnderConstruction

If you haven't already noticed my blog is having a makeover! As soon as it is finished going under some construction I will update you guys on all the awesomeness that has happened since my last post. Trust me, you are going to love what I have to say ;)

Liebster Award Nomination!

I can't believe it! I have been nominated for an award that has to do with my blog! The origin of the word Liebster is German meaning "dearest or kindest". This award is essentially like a letter to other bloggers about yourself. It is a way for bloggers who have less than 200 followers to get to know each other and find other awesome bloggers to follow. I started my blog back in 2013, but recently I have started taking my blog seriously. I have even joined a few blogging communities. 

So who nominated me for this award? Only the awesome Rachel, author of the blog Rachel Lynn. In her blog, Rachel talks about fashion, her weekly Friday favorites, and her love for travel. I also love her bright IG pictures which you can see here. 

On to the questions..

1. If you could teleport to one place, where would it be? Oh gosh let me think..I would have to say Hawaii. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and plus there is now a Disney Resort ( I have never been to Disney) in Hawaii called Aulani. Kill two birds with one stone ;)

2. What is the most important thing you want your readers to get out of your blog? I believe that my blog is a space where readers can come and find out the latest fashion trends, giveaways, fitness advice and everything in between. I want my readers to know that there is someone else out there that they can relate to. If I make someone else's day a little brighter then I'm content.

3. Who is your biggest supporter when it comes to your blog? Even though my mom is the reason why I love to read and write, I would have to say my biggest supporter is my husband. He not only takes the time to edit my blog posts when he has the chance, but he also brainstorms ideas with me and cheers for me whenever I get a new follower on any of my social medias.

4. What is your most embarrassing moment? My husband likes to tell me that things that happen to me only happen in sitcoms so I think my most embarrassing moment happened to me twice. First was when I was a pre-teen at an after school program. I walked out the bathroom to find a trail of tissue stuck to my sneaker. Only a few kids saw before I quickly removed the evidence. This happened to me again years later when my husband and I went on a quadruple date to see the love movie "The Vow". I was the last woman to come out the bathroom while all the other couples were outside waiting for me. I of course came out with tissue stuck to my shoes. I laughed it off this time.

5. What is one thing you would like to accomplish by the fall? I would really like to be a healthier person with a six pack. Or at least the outline of a six pack. I have had my ups and downs with my Hip Hop Abs journey which you can see here, so I would really like to stay consistent and be healthier. 

6. Whats your guilty pleasure snack? Cheesecake. 

7. What is your spirit animal? I would have to say a lioness. My husband calls me Nala sometimes.

8. If you could recommend one book, what would it be? Hands down the book I would recommend is the Bible. I'm a disciple of Christ and I have no shame in sharing my faith with others.

9. Your ideal way to spend the night in. I would be eating some sort of Chinese food with my husband, drinking a pina colada and watching Vampire Diaries. You can check out an IG picture I took here,

10. Why did you start blogging? I remember always reading Fashion magazines or going online to fashion websites and I knew I wanted to be the girl in the pictures posing with some gorgeous outfit on. So I thought, why not make my own platform to do so? I also discovered that even though I love to write, I hate (with a passion) writing essays on a topic that doesn't interest me. If I were to blog, I would be writing about things I love, and connecting with others who feel the same.

11. Favorite flavor ice cream. Butter pecan. Well, actually anything with nuts in it. I'm allergic to chocolate so I can't eat delicious fudge. However, cheesecake ice cream is the bomb. Ahh so many options! 

Whew, you made it through the questions. Now, lets take a look at the lucky bloggers who have been nominated for the Liebster Award:

1. Our Happy Houses

2. Chelsea Shoots

3. Canyon Howls

4.The Paper Heart

5.Chicken Nugget Diaries 

6. Living A Romans Fourteen Life

Nomination Rules:

Questions for my nominees:

1. What is your #1 vacation spot?

2. Why did you start a blog?

3. Who is your favorite author?

4. What are your top 10 movies?

5. What is your favorite summer song?

6. What are your hobbies?

7. What is your favorite adult beverage?

8. Walk at the beach or walk in the park?

9. Tell me a fun fact about yourself.

10. If you went to college, what was your major? What would it be if you plan on going back?

11. Favorite restaurant. 

Don't be afraid to be creative with your answers! Thank you again Rachel for the nomination!

Mango Madness Salad

Eating healthy doesn't mean not enjoying what you eat. If you wonder how to eat fresh, tasty, and healthy food then check back here for some delicious treats!  Some I will personally make and others I will just share with you.

What you will need:
-Mango

-Spinach

-Berries (any of your choice)

-Peas (optional)

-Feta cheese

-Dressing (optional)

What to do:
Chop the mangoes into pieces before adding all of your ingredients together. 

Enjoy!

eShakti: A Flattering Fit

Have you ever bought a dress that fit perfectly on you? In your lifetime, you may come across just a few dresses that fit you perfectly, and that’s following an overwhelming hunt for the correct size. For that reason, I was thrilled to be contacted recently by a retailer name eS​hakti that designs custom clothing. eShakti sells a variety of clothing that can be customized to fit your unique body shape and size for a small fee. 

From their website, I chose a beautiful floral yellow shift dress that I knew I would want to wear to an upcoming graduation party.

Before I talk about the fit of the dress, I want to complement eShakti on their fast turnaround and shipping time. From order to receipt, the process was about a week, and the retailer emailed constantly with updates. Tracking my order was easy, and I felt confident dealing with their company. To customize the dress, eShakti requires multiple measurements, such as bust, waist, chest, and hip, among other requirements. I simply went over to my local tailor and asked to be measured.

The quality of the dress is absolutely perfect and the detail in the stitching is gorgeous. 

I love how the arm part of the dress shows a bit of skin for those warm summer nights.

In order for me to have more of a cinched waist I grabbed a black waist belt with a silver detailing in the front. I also wore black shoes to go with the outfit.

If you are looking for a flattering fit and a unique look then use the code “carnationdreams” when shopping at eShakti to receive 10% off your order. This code is valid until June 23, 2015.

 Happy shopping.

Hip Hop Abs: Day 3 is fun!

I am excited to say that I have finally come across a part of the DVD that does not have my back sore and stiff! Woohoo! According to my workout schedule today is "Ab Sculpt" day and I really like it. I have been wondering when I would get to the part of the DVD that actually has my abs feeling sore and this was definitely the part I was thinking about. As I am writing this blog post my abs are feeling..okay. I know that I did a workout but it doesn't feel like when I was actually in the moment of the workout. 

One of the things I love about the "Ab Sculpt" portion of the workout is that Shaun mixes things up and has a couple of moves that are done almost laying completely on the ground. I honestly felt excited to whip out my yoga mat for this portion. The main goal is to have "absolute engagement" with your abs. This is when you are engaging your core, and essentially the (hiding) abs that you have. Tomorrow is supposed to be a "rest" day, but I may work out again. 

We shall see ;)

Hip Hop Abs: Day 2 Soreness

Oh. My. Gosh.

I can't even begin to explain the stiffness in my back right now. For a brief moment when I woke up everything was fine. Then BAM! Tightness, soreness, and a hint of pain was all I could think of. The hubby says that the workouts that I am doing at the moment are targeting my core, and back, and that is something I have never done before. Here is my basic workout schedule for the moment:

Even though I was feeling extremely sore this morning (I still am), I knew I had to continue with the program. Today I wanted to switch things up a bit and do "Cardio Grove". It was SUPER fun and a bit challenging for a person with a stiff back. There were some funky moves like "Afro Slide," Kriss Kross," and the Smooth Walk. I hope that the more I work out the less sore my body will be. If not, I'm just going to have to work out every other day.

Wish me luck!

$340 Shopping Spree Giveaway

Do you want a shopping spree of $340? If the answer is yes, then head on over to @cuteheadskids on IG so that you can be entered to win some amazing prizes! This giveaway ends on March 2nd at 4PM CST, so hurry while you still have a chance.

Check out their website to get some ideas: http://www.cuteheads.com/