Category: Lifestyle

T-Town and U-Haul Rentals

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Hey y’all! 

Life update: I am leaving the small town life behind and am headed for the big city! This journey has been sad, happy, exciting, and heartbreaking all rolled into one package, but I am ready for what the future holds. Being able to spend time with my girlfriends has made the transition a lot easier and having the ability to come back and see them is relieving and a blessing! Trying to make new friends is a scary idea and I am grateful that I have my circle from home! 

“After all, seasons change, so do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it’s comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart, and if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.” – Carrie

So with all that going on, going back to my hometown of Tulsa with my best friend and basically other half to spend some girl time has been a savior. If you know me at all, you know I am known to stress out (any meditation tips are welcome, y’all!), and getting away to have some fun time is the best way to kill stress! 

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One of my favorite things about Tulsa is their art! If you go to downtown, there are murals on buildings that pop out and show you the love people have for expression! One of my favorite murals is a Star Wars themed wall with Princess Leia and Boba Fett! The creativity is endless and all of the local artists make Tulsa pop with color! 

After countless moving boxes getting packed up, a few shed tears, and lots of questioning, tomorrow is the day for a new adventure and the power to make the best out of what has felt like a frustrating and brick wall of a situation. To all the friends who have taken a minute to check on me, ask if I am okay, and put up with me while I vent a few things out, thank you! You mean the world to me and I am thankful for you every day that I wake up. 

Once things are settled and I have an office space to work in, Glitz and Glitter is getting a new makeover and touched up. It’s only a little piece of the adventure pie I have in store! Get ready for fun things! 

Until the U-Haul gets returned and the boxes are unpacked,

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Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Happy Life

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Hey y’all!

It’s no secret that I have been in and out in the past few months and a lot of that is because I have been searching. I have felt so lost since I started college way back in August and it only got worse after I left school in October. I’ve had four jobs since college, no idea where I’m going, and lots of flipping and flopping around. Finally, I’ve started having a step to what I have been searching for.

I’m finally in a work environment that I love and where the people love you back, and let me tell you, for me personally, that means so much. If you think about it, you will probably spend more time at work interacting with co-workers than you do at home during the week. That’s a lot of time to be around people and I hope you enjoy their company. Having friends at work is amazing and having ones that support you and make your day better by just being there is the best.

My dream for years has been to join a school where I can eventually work in conservation to help sea turtles and rehabilitate them. I talked with a school for a few months and after talking with my awesome advisor more, I made the jump and applied- and was accepted! Another step to chasing my dream.

I talk a lot about fitness, eating good foods, and trying to be overall healthier to my body and mind. Losing weight is something I would love to be able to do in the blink of an eye but I cannot do that. However, after consistently going to the gym and making better decisions, I have finally started to lose some weight and I feel so much healthier! Something I love to help me keep track of my day is Lifesum (yes, we have been through this before, I know!).

Lifesum is a free app that helps count your calories, keep track of drinking water, find yummy recipes, and so much more. I would love to be a Super Human and be able to drink only water, but I love a good Diet Coke every now and then, too! Lifesum helps me keep track of all of that! A feature that I love is the barcode scanner! When you eat something, all you have to do is scan the barcode on the packaging and it will probably have it in the system already so all you have to do is add it to your daily food log! It’s easy and quick!

I feel so much healthier than I used to and staying with a routine has been one of the best things I have done. My tip: use all the resources you can, drink lots of water, and find a workout buddy to keep you (and them!) accountable. I work out with my lovely boyfriend Caleb at least 3 times a week and we are stronger for it!

Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.” – Bella Bleue

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*This post is not sponsored by Lifesum or their affiliates. I just love the app!
*Feature cover photo Oliver Cole on Unsplash

Let’s Talk Feminine Health!

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Hi, friends!

One of my new favorite brands that I have been trying out over the past two months is Queen V. Queen V is a company that was started by women who wanted the best products to maintain their vaginal health. All Queen V products are ph-balanced, latex free, and made with ingredients that are better for your health! I used a different brand for years and when I made the switch, it was great!

The Queen V Wild Berry V Bar has a ph-balanced formula that helps cleanse your most sensitive bits while not stripping your body of oils. The bar smells amazing and I use it daily to stay fresh! I ended up buying two of them, one for my house and one for my boyfriend’s house!

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I take probiotics daily to help out my digestive system and the Queen V DD Probiotic vegetarian capsules do that plus balance bacteria, yeast, and help your immune system. I’ve taken them for a few weeks and I already have been able to notice a difference in my body’s regularity.

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Last but not least of the Queen V products I have is the Spritzer! It’s a perfect on-the-go ph-balanced rosewater spray that helps refresh your V and control odor. I keep it in my purse and will use it as I need it. Instead of spraying it directly on my bits, I spritz a little on the insides of my thighs and towards my V and it has always helped with any odor. With this Queen V trio, my feminine health has been on point!

Switching over to products that are better for health is something that I have been adding to my daily routine for a year now. Adding a small new product into your routine will make a difference! Try it!

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*This post is not sponsored or paid for by Queen V. All comments and opinions are my own.

Current Favorite Influencers

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Hey, guys! Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you, but I love finding new influencers with amazing content and sometimes I just want to give them the recognition that they deserve! I’m coming at you with a list of amazing women that you should follow!

Jessica Kelley @therealmrskelley

Not only is Jessica a body positive role model in my life, but she is a positively fearless and confident woman who is  unapologetically herself. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it makes to have someone on your feed who is showing that they love themself. I used to hate what I saw in the mirror and I have slowly started to change my view on myself. If I could copy anyone’s style, it would be hers!  Jessica also has a lot of cool content on plants, DIYs, and makeup, so check her out on Instagram and give her a follow!

 

Bekah Martinez @whats_ur_sign

Bekah is another strong woman who shows the world that women are a force to be reckoned with! I first saw Bekah when she was on The Bachelor and she was instantly my favorite! There’s something about her spirit that is so calming and peaceful and I love the presence she has. She recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and watching her entire pregnancy journey was stunning. Bekah has such a positive attitude and all of the products that she endorses are from good brands that I always end up loving. Another fun fact? She and her friend Jess have a really cool podcast called Chatty Broads!

Malori Clark @malorisclark & A Walk Through My Closet

Y’all, I have known Mal for a while now and her sassy spirit and good heart are infectious. She was one of my first blogging friends and it is such a joy to see her grow and get the audience she deserves! It’s so exciting to see a friend get more features and recognition and Malori deserves it! I love her content and fashion style and I love trying to recreate her outfits with items I have in my closet. If you want to follow someone with great style, go follow Mal on Instagram and read her blog A Walk Through My Closet!

These three ladies are some of my favorite influencers and I hope you check them out! Who is your favorite influencer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Fear, Coffee, and the Art of Letting Go

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LET IT GO: three words that I hate! Being told to just “let it go” is frustrating, especially when the “it” that must be let go is driven by my fear. However, I’ve learned that letting it go is necessary for the mind and soul. How can I waste my time and energy on something that isn’t beneficial to me? When bad feelings and bad vibes linger, it only hurts me and the ones around me because I allow those energies to change my attitude- and that isn’t good! By holding onto negativity, I’ve risked pushing the ones I love away. Starting 2019 in a moody mindset when I strive for a fresh start is harmful and it’s time to change that.

A medicine for me is coffee. There is simply nothing like a good breve or vanilla latte to hug your soul. Coffee brought my best friend and I together and it smacked some glue in our lives. Taylor, my best friend, and I used to work at the same coffee shop, slinging coffee and espresso day in and day out. Granted, I am leaving for a different coffee shop, but we started out loving coffee together. I can never look at coffee as just another beverage again. It’s more than grinding beans, making brew, and pulling shots of espresso. How many times have people sat around after a long day and enjoyed time with each other while bonding over a pot of fresh coffee? A lot- the answer is a lot!

Fear wraps into coffee with me. Fear is telling me I won’t make it at my new job, that I am not cut out for it, and they made a mistake hiring me because I will fail. But at the end of the day my confidence is in myself. I have found an art that I love and I am invested in. Coffee is my ministry. I love people through my coffee. My art is what I take confidence and try to squash my fears.

In this new season of life, I’m learning to let it go. What I cannot change must be acknowledged and then released. Today, let’s recognize areas where we can let things go, eliminate our fears, and drink a good breve.

 

What’s New

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Life is a crazy and beautiful trip. Some destinations are hectic and a wild mess, but the next stop is beautiful and breathtaking. I started a new chapter of my life in August when I left for college and I thought I had everything figured out. I was going into art School, I had a stable university job, and my life was playing out how I thought it would. I was going to be successful and my life was great. It’s funny how when I think it is all rainbows and sunshine things change and I am in the middle of a hurricane. I had almost everything I thought I had wanted. But as life goes, things changed. I fell back into my depression, I did not want to be at college, and all I wanted was to be at my escaping place back at home. I hated my life. What I thought my major was going to be changed and I began to do the confused jump of “well maybe I will like this degree” and back and forth on what I wanted to do.

Cut to the end of October and I’m talking to my parents in a mess of tears and uncertainty. The decision I made that day will effect me for a while and it took some time to realize that it would be okay. My decision: I was going to completely withdraw from my university. I let my university know and despite their prompting for me to stay and seek counseling on my situation, I packed up up my room and belongings and moved back home. In a week of being home, I had the job that I had wanted since June lined up and I was making my way.

It took a lot of tears and tough choices, but I am finally in a spot where I am happy, I am at peace, and I love how my life is going. Out of all of this, people have kept telling me to go back to school and not to give up on that, but the truth is, I am living my life and not theirs. I do want to go back to school eventually but right now I am living for today and saving up for my future. College isn’t for everyone and that is okay. You don’t have to be in college and taking exams to know your future will be “good”. I learned that by realizing I hate college right now.

So make decisions for yourself. Make choices that will make you happy. It is your life and it’s okay to ask others on their opinions but you can’t live your life based on them. If I did that, I would still be in college, I would be in a dorm, and I would be on my way to a career where I would not be happy. It is insane for me to tell people that I left college to be a barista back in my hometown but the fact of it is that I am so much happier now than I was. This is the life I have wanted for a long time. I have peace now.

So even in the hard times, just keep in mind that it will be okay and things will play out. There were nights where I silently cried myself to sleep and all I wanted was to be at home with my best friend and our family. I’m sitting here on a Tuesday afternoon in a coffee shop while people drive by and come in for a cup of coffee and I am

“Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.”

-Carol Burnett

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Current Acne Routine & Products

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Hi, babes!

With more time on my hands now, I’m hoping to start up Glitz and Glitter in full force and get back into the swing of things! In the past month, my face has been so confused and I have been getting breakouts like crazy! It is frustrating because I am embarrassed of my acne and I can’t cover them with makeup because it makes my skin break out even more so I have been looking for different solutions to help maintain my skin or at least limit my skin breaking out.

After a lot of looking, I think I have finally found the answer!

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I have three products that I use to help with my acne: Acne Free oil free acne cleanser, Proactiv refining mask, and Neutrogena blackhead eliminating cleanser/mask. These three products have saved my face and they are worth the investment!

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I found the Acne Free cleanser at Walmart a few weeks ago and I am already able to tell the difference in my skin. Right now there are only two pimples on my face and they are there because I wore makeup all day for two consecutive days. My skin hates makeup so there was no stopping the breakout! The cleanser is fragrance free, it treats acne, and helps prevent new acne breakouts. This product contains micronized benzoyl peroxide to treat in fighting acne. My skin feels so refreshed after using the cleanser and it doesn’t leave a residue like other washes I have used. I paid $2 at Walmart for the Acne Free cleanser in the clearance section but it typically retails for under $10, so it is really affordable!

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Once I cleanse my face, I go in with Neutrogena’s blackhead eliminating cleanser on my chin and nose. I also use it as a mask a few times a week and that alone helps get rid of my blackheads rapidly. With the Microclear technology in the cleanser, my blackheads have stayed away and don’t come back for a few days. My skin looks best when I use the cleanser every day, but sometimes I skip this step and just use the Acne Free cleanser. I found the Neutrogena cleanser/mask at Ross for $5.

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The Proactiv refining mask is a bit pricey but well worth it! It’s a sulfur treatment that I pop right onto my zits for 10 minutes and then wash off. My pimples always look better and less “angry” after I use the mask and it has become a routine part of my week when I have breakouts. I used to use the mask overnight on really bad breakouts and that worked fine for me, too. The mask retails for $38 dollars on the Proactiv website.

Makeup, dirt, oils, and hormones all factor into my acne and my skin breaking out but these three products are my life savers! Links for these products are below!

I hope you have a safe and spooky Halloween!

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Shopping:

Proactiv Mask

AcneFree Cleanser

Neutrogena Cleanser/Mask

 

18 Things I’ve Learned In 18 Years

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Hi, friends!

Long time no see! Since I’ve started college and working, I am insanely busy and hardly have time to sleep, so maintaining my blog has been pushed way off to the side. There’s been a lot of change and it has meant I have to roll with the punches. Today, however, is a very happy day. A few weeks ago, I turned 18 and it couldn’t have been here soon enough. I’ve waited for this day for a year!

Being on this planet for 18 years isn’t a lot of time compared to the life of others, but even so, I’ve learned a lot. Here are some things I have learned in the past 18 years.

18 Things I Have Learned In 18 Years

#1. If you know your body can’t process dairy, don’t eat dairy! Yes, cheese is amazing but it isn’t worth it in the end.

#2. Pepto Bismol and Lactaid are amazing (please sponsor this post, Pepto!).

#3. Taking off your makeup before you go to bed is a necessary thing, so just do it.

#4. It’s okay to distance yourself from people, even friends. You gotta do what you gotta do.

#5. Take risks. Whether it’s with love or a job, take risks.

#6. There are things that will scare you and make you want to run away- and that’s okay. But you shouldn’t let the fear rule you.

#7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Be curious.

#8. Do not let your fear rule your life. It’s okay to be scared but you can’t live your life being afraid.

#9. Sometimes you are going to have to make decisions that will be hard to do. They will break your heart and they will hurt, but it’s what helps us learn and grow.

#10. Embracing your flaws is really hard but it is worth it.

#11. Finding a church family that you can trust helps the soul grow and the spirit thrive.

#12. Don’t underestimate your worth and don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got this, honey!

#13. Sometimes a decision that works for everyone else will not work for you and that is okay!! You will find your right place.

#14. Go out and find a coffee shop that you love and that stills your soul, then go there and grab a book and drink a coffee.

#15. Read some Shakespeare and go to the theater because it is so much fun!

#16. Make time for you!

#17. Plan on a good time to splurge on yourself and do it if you can! Treat yo self!

#18. This last one is so easy but so hard. Love one another. There are going to be times when you do not want to love someone and the last thing on your mind will be to speak words of kindness and not just rip into someone with words. I feel that and I get that. It’s difficult but speak words of kindness instead of anger.

In reality, 18 years isn’t a long time but there is so much I have learned in that time that exceed this list. Life throws some curveballs and in the hard times, remember to go with the flow. It’s all going to work out in this big beautiful life.

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Absences & Mind Sets

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Hi, friends!

I hope you are all having a great week and a fabulous summer. Here in Oklahoma we are experiencing another season of uncomfortable heat and it is less than fun to be sure. I’ve been pretty absent here and on my social medias lately. Taking breaks from blogging is never fun and I am the worst at taking them. I always think I stay away for too long and when I do end up coming back to blog, it won’t be worth it. Welcome to the highs and lows of Mimi. So in every aspect, I let myself down when I set goals for the month because I get sidetracked or things happen and my focus goes away.

With college starting up really soon, I know I am not going to be here as much as I used to be or as much as I would like to be. And you know what? That’s okay. It isn’t going to be the end of the world and the universe won’t explode if I don’t have a consistent blogging schedule. I would rather get a degree and work in my passion.

As for mind sets (Because we all could use a super positive mindset where we only build ourselves up!), I am working on mine. I don’t like being confused and right now, I feel majorly confused about everything that is going on in my life. The balance has been knocked out of alignment and that really freaks me out. With major life changes happening, I know that it is normal to feel this way and to want things to be centered again. Going with the flow is not one of my strong suits and I need to work on trusting that everything is going to work out.

One of my favorite songs is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright
Singing’ don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright

It is relaxing and is my go-to song for when I am about to have an anxiety or panic attack. All I have to do is plug in the music and let it flow into my soul.

So in all of the changes going on in my life and through all the confusion, I’m trying to remember that it is going to be okay. Going with the flow is good. My wish for you is that you can go with the flow, too. Let’s all relax and “Rise up this mornin’
Smiled with the risin’ sun.”

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CaseApp Tech Gear

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Happy Friday, friends!

If you love phone cases and laptop skins like I do, you are going to love today’s post! CaseApp was kind enough to collaborate with me and I ordered two laptop skins for my MacBook Pro to spice it up. I also had the honor of hosting a giveaway on my Instagram last month with CaseApp, so if you missed out on that, make sure to follow my Instagram account so you will stay updated on when I post new giveaways!

The ordering process was really simple and if I had any problems, my PR rep Tobias was there to help me. There are a lot of skins to choose from for different laptop sizes that are all stylish and modern. If you have a phone that fits one of their case sizes, you will find a phone case or skin that you love! My phone is an odd model so there weren’t any case sizes that would fit it, thus my choice in ordering two laptop skins.

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YOLO Vivianne MacBook Pro Skin

When I was getting ready to order everything, I had 5 favorites that I couldn’t make my mind up on. A lot of “but this one is so gorgeous, too!” later, I narrowed things down to my top two favorite designs. YOLO Vivianne and Spring Flowers are my two favorite designs and they fit my personal style so well.

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Spring Flowers MacBook Pro Skin

Spring Flowers is so gorgeous and caught my eye immediately! I love the detail the little strawberries add to it and the pastel colors are beautiful.

CaseApp ships worldwide and all of the MacBook Pro skins (US priced) are $29. Since this post is going up so late, the code I had for you guys that was on my Instagram has now expired. There are a lot of bloggers who collaborate with CaseApp though, so if you support and follow fellow bloggers, one of them is sure to have a code you can use for a small discount!

Another fun fact about CaseApp: you can design your own phone case, skin, or laptop skin in their creator studio! Just select the size of your phone or laptop and then begin designing your own personalized tech gear! This feature is great if you want a family photo to be your laptop skin or phone case.

Check out CaseApp here and start browsing their designs!

I hope you had a great holiday weekend if you live in the US and that you celebrated the 4th of July safely!

See you next time,

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