Self Care Tips for a New Year

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Hey babes!

With this crazy year being almost at a close, it’s spurred me (and a lot of others!) to look at the year we had and see where we could use some room for improvement next year. While you may think that setting resolutions for the upcoming year are cliche and redundant, I find a sense of joy in the possibilities of a new beginning! Better self care is one of my resolutions for 2021 and I’ve thrown together some tips that I’ve learned to have a better self care routine!

Keep Skin Care Masks on Hand!

Face masks are one of my favorite ways to keep my skin in decent shape. I picked up a handful of masks a month ago when Ulta had a sale and I’m glad I did! Since Covid started in the US, the mask-ne (acne caused by wearing face masks) has been real and my skin hates me! Keeping skin care masks in my cabinet has been a great way to have a quick spa night and give my skin some help it needs!

Buy Yourself a Nail Kit for Pedis!

Trying to stay home as much as possible and save money are side effects of Covid for sure, and that also means skipping nail appointments. I tend to wear press on nails from Kiss (find my favorites here) but I love getting pedicures! I picked up some supplies while I was at Ulta and my feet have been happy happy since I started using them regularly! To have an amazing pedicure I start with a foot mask then follow up with a file, scrub, and then finally a pair of socks and heel repair lotion. With winter taking a toll on my skin, the heel repair has definitely helped keep them presentable! After my feet are all moisturized, I paint my toes and call it a day!

Get Some Books To Grow Your Mind!

I can’t tell you how many books I have picked up to help me expand my mind, learn how to manifest my dreams, and help grow a healthy mind place for myself. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is one of my current favorites that I am reading. It helps asks the question “What do I want from life?” and that’s something I ask myself almost every day. The Happiness Project is a fun read that I love to sit down with in coffee shops with. My second read of the moment is Mindfulness: How To Pay Attention The the Present by Wendy Hobson. It presents different ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation. Mindfulness runs the reader through the ABCs of practicing mindfulness.

Find a Good Podcast or Playlist!

One thing that has helped me get through good times and bad is music. There’s a playlist for when I am happy, sad, or need a little boost of confidence. Spotify is my favorite music and podcast app, and it’s free to sign up! I have the Premium membership (ps college students: you can get a discount for Premium!) so I am constantly listening to music while I drive, cook, or take a shower. For podcasts, I love listening to educational shows! Stuff You Missed In History Class, Medical Murders, and TED are my favorite podcasts that I keep in rotation. TED has so many different episodes on topics that range from politics to lifestyle. If you are looking to learn a new language during quarantine, Duolingo has podcasts on Spotify, too!

Binge a New Show!

Sib, find a new show to watch or rewatch a favorite! I was gifted the Sex and the City series so I have been watching that since the holidays. A good chunk of us are still staying home so yes, it is perfectly fine to watch TV! If you are on Netflix, a few of my favorites are The Tudors, Orange Is the New Black, and Big Mouth. There’s a show for everyone and there are plenty of things for your kiddos! I’m trying to use screen time as an additional education source so I have been saving documentary titles as well!

I hope that 2021 brings blessings and joy for you (and me!)! We all could use a little spark in our lives and I wish that we can all start seeing each others smiling faces next year, without masks, but we can only hope. My email is always open if you want to drop a line or reach out!

Featured Image by Orlova Maria on Unsplash

5 Free Phone Wallpapers Just In Time for Christmas!

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Hi, friends!

Christmas is right around the corner and if you are anything like me, that means it is time to set a new and super festive wallpaper for your home screen! 2020 has been a rough year so I think it is perfectly acceptable to get into the Christmas spirit a bit early!

These 5 wallpapers are completely free to take and use for your personal wallpaper!

Neon Christmas

This wallpaper is a simple design but with some pink neon dazzle!

Ho Ho Ho

Here’s a simple pine needle design with a touch of neon flair!

Happy Holidays

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Enjoy the season with a simple glitter design!

Merry Christmas and Mittens

Have yourself a cozy little Christmas with this cozy neon background!

Merry and Bright and Peppermints

Add a little touch of sweetness to your home screen with this merry and bright design!

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season this year! 2020 has definitely thrown all of us for a loop and I hope that 2021 brings us more joy and times with family. Please don’t forget to mask up and try your best to socially distance while you do your holiday shopping this year!

Lots of love and hugs,

The BEST Spooky Movies For All Year

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Happy November, friends!

October is hands down one of my favorite months and there’s nothing more fun than curling up with a blanket and watching fun fall movies! I originally started this in October and thought I had published it a few days before Halloween but life got the better of me and I forgot to schedule this! But, all of these movies are great for watching at any point during the year!

First up is a classic in my house and I watch it all year, but especially in October during spooky season! Beetlejuice is by far my favorite Tim Burton movie and I am obsessed with it! The cast makes this an iconic film and the dinner party scene is everything!

Keeping with the Burton theme, Edward Scissorhands is in my top 5 Burton films! Once again, Wynona Rider is cast and her character is a stark contrast to Lydia from Beetlejuice. She trades her jet black hair for long blonde locks and pink clothing. And you can never go wrong with Johnny Depp!

Another iconic film director who produces spooky themed movies is Guillermo del Toro. Crimson Peak (2015) is by far one of my favorite films to watch at any point during the year but it hits home in the fall! It’s Victorian style and ghastly setting are two of my favorite themes of this movie and it also has a star cast! Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, and Jessica Chastain are only three of the big names in Crimson Peak, and they seamlessly portray characters who intrigue with secrets and mystery.

If you have coulrophobia, or fear of clowns, then IT probably isn’t for you! There are two film versions- one from 1990 and one from 2017- and I actually love both! The original version from 1990 stars Tim Curry and is certainly a classic! I remember being absolutely terrified when I first saw it in my childhood so when the second adaptation was released in 2017, I knew it would knock my socks off! Bill Skarsgard is the new Pennywise the clown and he did an incredible job filling Tim Curry’s shoes. He brought a fresh approach to the infamous clown and in my opinion, he was scarier than Tim Curry!

For a long haul film big, get cozy and watch the Harry Potter series! If you don’t have them on DVD or want to rent them, they are currently FREE on Peacock during the month of October so there’s still time to watch them all before the end of the month! I only started watching Harry Potter and got the books a few years ago, and I am obsessed!

For a quick psychological thriller, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village is a great movie that also scared the crap out of me as a kid! It is one of my favorite movies and I love watching it and feeling like it’s the first time I’m seeing it! It’s such a mind twist!

“Good evening, Clarice”…I didn’t say it but you probably already know what movie I’m talking about! Silence of the Lambs is one of the most famous films that is referenced and quoted! Anthony Hopkins did such an incredible job portraying Hannibal Lecter and he brought goosebumps to arms everywhere with his sinister role in the movie. It’s spooky, slightly gory, and brings a new meaning to stranger danger!

My final go to spooky movie in October is An Americal Werewolf in London! Maybe it’s because they play CCR in it or because it has werewolves, but I truly love this movie! Remember: stay off the moor!

That’s my lineup for spooky movies! If you watch any of these films, let me know in the comments or tag me in your movie posts on social media: @mimiolson08!

Happy movie binging!

Featured image by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

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Hi, friends! I hope you are all doing well and surviving this pandemic. Hopefully there will be a light at the end of the tunnel soon!

Something that has seemed to me to come from this pandemic is the normalization of mental health. People are more open with discussing their anxiety, depression, and other areas of mental health. I personally love this because mental health is so important to talk about and there’s always been a bubble of shame when it comes to talking about it.

During this pandemic, I have come to grips with a lot of different things, my mental health and its importance being one of them. I moved two hours away at the beginning of May, went through a separation, quit my full time job, and left everything I knew behind me. There has been a lot of anxiety, panic, and anger along the way, and all of that is still very much present. I don’t do well with change and to go through all of it during a pandemic is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Healthcare has changed and so has the ability to see a therapist or counselor. I am fortunate enough to have insurance that helps cover those costs and I know many are losing their insurance or have lost it. That brings me to talking about your mental health and what you can do to preserve it while we survive this pandemic.

It’s Okay To Say NO

I get it- saying “no” is scary and sometimes feels impossible. I am a people pleaser so I have gone for a long time saying “yes” to people 24/7. It didn’t do me any good though. At the end of the day it hurt me more than it would to have said “no”. Your time and energy need to be spent on things you want to spend them on. If you don’t want to go to your co-workers farewell party, don’t go. If you were supposed to call your friend but you don’t feel up to it, reschedule it. I promise the world is going to keep turning and you will feel better when you start to limit who and what you say “yes” to! 

The Block Button Is Your Friend!

I’m sure we all have that cousin or uncle who goes off on their social media. Politics, the virus, wearing masks, everyone has an opinion and sometimes it’s all you see. It is okay to block them or “take a break” and limit their posts. If it is extreme, I suggest blocking them. Your mental health is more important than how your Uncle Greg feels about the upcoming election!

Take a Break and Ground Yourself! 

Grounding is a practice that I try to incorporate into my routine at least once a week. To ground myself, I will get outside and into nature and stand barefoot on the earth. While I’m outside, I try to meditate or at the very least, calm my thoughts. It helps with my anxiety and also to get in the sunshine!  If you aren’t a fan of meditation, put on some of your favorite music or music that relaxes you. 

Drink Water and Eat Good Food

I know everyone is saying “Hydrate yourself! Make sure to drink lots of water!” and it’s for a good reason! When you take care of your body, you will feel better. The more water you drink and good food you eat, your skin will glow and you will overall feel healthier. Take my word for it! I am awful at giving my body to nutrition it deserves and needs but when I do, I feel 10x better than if I don’t hydrate! 

Try Journaling 

Journaling is a great way to vent things out and pour your emotions onto paper. A journal is often a safe place to write in because it’s private and only going to seen by you. There’s no judgment in journaling! My personal tip is to find a cute journal or notebook that you like because you will write in it and want to write in it! 

Practice Self Care

Self care means something different for everyone. For me personally, it means closing my door, putting on a facemask, and finding a good music playlist. Sometimes self care is saying no, using the block button, muting someone who isn’t helping your grow. That’s all self care too! What’s your definition of self care?

I hope some of these tips help you stay sane and help you make your mental health a priority! We’re going to make it through this pandemic and I promise we are going to be okay! I love you!

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Featured image by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

The Food Diaries pt. 1

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Hi, friends! I hope you are surviving through all the craziness in our world! Since I’ve moved closer to the city, I’ve been able to have the opportunity to discover new restaurants and coffee shops, and that gives me the adventure of starting a new piece on Mimi In Motion- The Food Diaries! I’m so excited to start this new section and tell you guys about all the new spots and trendy spaces I find!

On a whim Saturday evening, we found a new Irish pub to try out. The Black Raven in Harrah is proud to serve Oklahomans traditional Irish cuisine and crafted drinks, as well as showcase local musicians for live music nights. I love Irish food so needless to say, I was very excited to try out a new pub!

The atmosphere is relaxed and laid back, yet there’s an underlying buzz of merriment and excitement. Our waitress Rachel greeted us with a smile and was so friendly the entire visit. The menu is full of traditional Irish dishes and mouthwatering desserts, which made picking out what to eat rather difficult! I ordered the bangers and mash and let me tell you, it was so good I scraped my plate clean! The mashed potatoes and gravy are such a comfort food and the two sausage links that accompany are absolutely perfect. They are cooked beautifully and not the slightest bit greasy. The bangers and mash is just one reason to go back! I sampled the Shepherd’s Pie as well and it also gets five stars in my book! It’s seasoned superbly and the fluffy potatoes that are baked on top are a dream! If you’re going with a guest, order both dishes and share them!

Now let’s talk about the real showstopper!

We hadn’t planned on getting dessert, to be honest it hadn’t even crossed our minds until I saw the massive piece of cake on someone’s plate from across the dining room! The Guinness Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache is beyond scrumptious. It’s decadent without being too rich, thick but not too heavy. It’s an ethereal experience to say the very least! After talking with Rachel, we found out that they cater weddings and events, and my heart beat a little bit faster! I will most definitely call ahead and order a whole cake to bring home with me!

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If you are anywhere near Harrah, you’ve got to stop by The Black Raven! They have the best food, the friendliest staff, and the world’s best chocolate cake! It’s worth your visit and I will be going back very soon!

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Keep eating good food and don’t forget to laugh,

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*Featured image by Frank Albrecht on Unsplash. Picture not taken at The Black Raven. 
 

My Favorite FREE Resources for Bloggers

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Hey y’all!

If you are just starting out as a blogger or need a little content pick me up, this post is for you! When I started blogging years ago, I remember feeling lost and didn’t know the first place to start. With a few years under my belt and some good advice from others, I have a learned a few great tips for blogging and content creating!

+ Free Stock Photos

There are a lot of great websites to find good quality stock photos that are royalty free, meaning you can use them without paying for them. My go-to websites for free stock photos are Unsplash and Pixabay. I use Pixabay for vector images and illustrations to give posts a little pop of color and something fun. Unsplash has a lot of really good photos and the quality is A+! I have seen some bloggers use images from Unsplash to fill in content gaps on Instagram and while that’s not really my personal style, Unsplash’s high caliber photos look great on all social media.

Tip: make sure you know where you are allowed to use images! Different websites have different rules!

 

+ Editing Websites & Apps

So you are ready to make your own Instagram stories but you aren’t sure where to find free templates that actually look good. Look no further- I gotchu! My top two websites for templates, banners, and a bunch of other projects are Canva and Crello! Canva is what I used from day one and their styles and options have only gotten better. They do have a paid premium subscription option but I still use my free account! I utilize Canva for my Facebook and Instagram stories, post templates, making fun social media quizzes, a a lot more!

Crello also has a paid membership option available but the free account has a lot of access to editing tools and templates. If I can’t find something I like on Canva, I’ll jump on Crello and check out what they have. Their animated post options are really cute and I have used those for a few different posts. If you check out Crello, I recommend looking at their templates for Instagram video stories!

 

+ Photo Editing

Girl, yes throw the filter on that photo! I never used to use filters and sister, let me tell you- filters change the entire game! If you have some dark light, the right filter is going to light everything up and smooth it all over.

VSCO (yes, like the VSCO girl stereotype!) is a wonderful free app for filters that do the job. However, the number of filters is limited for the free version! There are currently 10 filters available for free, but if you want to invest on a paid membership, it is $20 for a full year and that allows complete access to the app and editing tools.

Snapseed is the other app I use! I haven’t played around with it a lot but it is a good resource for editing! I learned most of how it worked by sitting down and trying out all of the options and going by trial and error, but that’s also how I learn best. I’m sure there are other apps out there that are better but Snapped is free so I can’t complain!

 

+ Join Facebook Groups and Instagram Pods!

Facebook groups for bloggers are a fun way to make friends, get some of your blog posts views, and to expand your blog’s followers. It’s completely free to join groups on Facebook and I promise you that you are going to find people you will click with!

Instagram pods/messaging groups are another way to get engagement on your posts, plus you can interact with new and upcoming bloggers or influencers. Supporting fellow bloggers is an awesome way to get out there!

I hope that some of these tips may have helped you and given you some ideas to get started on your blog! Drop your blog links down below! I would love to read some of your posts and support you!

Until next time,

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Featured image by

Nick Morrison on Unsplash

What’s The Big Deal About Dating Apps?

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Hey y’all!

In today’s day and age, there is a dating app for everyone. If you want a sugar daddy/mama, there are plenty of apps to choose from. Like distinguished gentlemen? You’re in luck, there’s apps for that too!

Since I have been single for a hot minute now, I thought it would be a good idea to get back out there and see what’s up. I’m still not sure if it was a mistake or not, but I ended up downloading two of the App Store’s most popular dating apps: Bumble and Tinder. If you don’t know about the two apps, Bumble is a bit different from other apps, as the female has to initiate contact with the man. It’s not a bad idea, because it does save your inbox from being assaulted with invitations for quick hook ups as soon as you make a match. That takes us to Tinder! I have gotten way more interest on Tinder than on Bumble, but only 1 out of the 20 something men I matched with/talked to was sincere about starting a relationship.

A lot of what blows my mind with dating apps (more specifically Tinder) is how easy it makes the hookup culture. Send a few good messages and you may have someone coming over. Coffee and a good conversation to get to know each other feels like it is no longer there. I’m not shaming hooking up, it’s up to everyone to figure out if it is for them! Sometimes no strings attached is the way to go if we are being honest. But sometimes it would be nice to try to be wooed before jumping straight into bed!

So the big question is: what’s the big deal about dating apps?! You have to make an assessment on someone based off of their pictures, bio, and, if you match, a good opener. It’s the window shopping of the dating scene. I’ve always started out as friends with anyone I was going to date, so just sending a quick “hey” and talking completely over a chat is still a bit foreign to me. However, there are pros to the list. If you end up not liking someone, you can unmatch with them and boom, you don’t have to talk to them anymore. Ghosting people is so easy to do and typically neither party gets hurt. We just go back to swiping for more fish in the sea. And speaking of swiping, it gets addicting so you should probably limit how much time you spend on dating apps. I’ll jump on and look up a second later and an hour has already gone by. It’s dangerous!

Dating apps have helped with the boredom that comes from quarantining from the COVID pandemic. It kills a bunch of time throughout the day and you can spark mini conversations with people and stay connected. So while it may be a scary business to talk to random strangers on the internet, it is still a little thrill to be hit up and poured with compliments, even if they are just trying to crack your shell for a good time.

If you decide to download a dating app, just be safe! There are some creepy people but there are way more good guys and girls out there!

Happy dating!

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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.