Tybee Sunset

I bet you didn't know my favorite thing in the entire world is watching the sunrise/sunset on a body of water?  Alright, you probably did.  My life has been absolutely cray-cray lately.  But by the overflow of seriousness or lack of posts lately, you probably knew that, too.  It's just one thing after another! I know God is eventually going to throw me a break, I know one day I'll be able to breathe again.  all will be good in the hood for me if you will.

On any given day, I usually don't like to be alone.  I run from my problems and when I'm alone I think.  Thinking means facing your problems and I just don't do that too well.  If you haven't noticed, sarcasm is my defense mechanism.  Ya know...laughing?  Yeah, I'm pretty good at that. It's my thing. If you ain't laughing, you ain't living. And ain't nobody got time for dat.

On this particular day, I couldn't laugh though.  I had a million things going through my head, a to-do list a mile long, time was running out and no matter what I did, I couldn't breathe.  All of the time in the world wouldn't be enough for me to do what needed to be done.  I didn't want to talk to anyone, and I surely didn't want to think about or discus any options (and don't call me Shirley). I just wanted time to stand still for one second so I could breathe. I needed the beach.  I needed to stick my toes in the water, sit my butt in that hot sand, and face the simple fact that I'm alone.

I really just planned on sitting there until I could courage up enough strength to get back up and face my reality.  My intent was to miraculously learn how to turn that emotional switch of mine back on and turn off my ability to not give a crap anymore when I've had enough.  However, someone had other plans for me.  I remembered I had my camera and the sun was starting to lower.  Perfection.  I ate pizza and had a brewsky, I switched up some lenses, and I played around with sunset/twilight settings for a bit as the sun came down over the sand dunes.  I made sure I soaked up the beauty of that sunset without only looking through the lens though.

I didn't leave there with all my of life problems solved.  My to-do list was a mile longer than it was before, I discovered a cavity, and I had the dirtiest feet to accompany the sand in my eyes.  But, I could breathe again.  For two hours, I could take enough deep breaths to get me to the next day.  Tomorrow is always a new day.  For two hours, I was able to put my problems on the back burner and focus my attention on my relationship with God and my purpose in this life he gave me.  It's hard, and at times I just want to scream, to pout, and have a full on Walmart toddler tantrum.  But I know that although this may feel like the end of the world for me, it's not.  I may not be the most religious person to ever walk this earth, and I'll be the first to admit I don't always act as a Christian should...but, I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God that loves me and there's nothing he won't throw at me that I can't handle.  

via

My mother did a remarkable job at raising a strong, independent, and level headed woman.  I may have gave her a hard time and tested every area I could manage growing up.  But my Momma taught me to fight for what I want, fight for what I believe in, fight for what is right.  and I'll be danged if I'm going let her down now.  

via

I will overcome this, it's that simple.  

Coffee Dates with my PA

I'm late to the party, but better late and drunk than never anyways, right? And it's also okay to only post today for the sole purpose of backing that azz up, right? I thought so! Man, I'm 2 for 2 today.  I will also include pictures of the current scenic view that is just within miles of where I've been laying my head down at night these days.  You're welcome.

Indescribable, right?  That makes me 3 for 3. I just want to leave you with some food for thought before we start to #backthatazzup.  I'm a worrying mess these days, duh.  I probably always will be, too. But let's get one thing down.  I went for my 3 month check up this morning and my PA and I have more of a coffee chit chat meeting than an actual follow up.  My PA and I are from the same ole small area back in North Carolina, so it's no surprise we instantly bonded.  We share the same interests in extracurricular actives and obviously, have a love for the practice of medicine.  

Today during our coffee catch up date, she broke the news that she was leaving this practice.  My heart broke, she's been my PCM for all of the 3 years I've been in Savannah.  I'll probably never have another provider that I connect with like that.  But anyways, we talk about my journey with school a lot, and she today told me one thing I will never, ever forget..."You may take a few unintended detours along the way, but you will ultimately end up where you are needed and are meant to be."  If there's one thing she wanted me to remember about this last talk, it was that no matter what, believe in myself as she does me, and above all...finish school, be the best damn DNP I can be, and take care of myself before anyone else.  

Isn't it ironic how God selects the most random people in your life to speak through?  And isn't it crazy how I hear my Grammy, too?  You know your parents believe in you, your friends, loved ones, whatever.  But to hear it from someone who is really just your PCM, who could probably give two hoots about your personal life, that's inspiration.  I'm so thankful to have had the best PA in Savannah to provide me with such encouraging words the past few years.  

So, time to get to it.  I was gonna add a different song to correlate more with those beautiful pictures.  But, it seems more appropriate to just use the song my PA coffee date of mine brought up today.  Basically, us Carolina girls can get hood when the time comes.  We ain't just country.  I suppose I'll keep it clean though :) 

Follow your arrow

I don't always like to put my personal business out there, but sometimes you can't just help but want to vent.  Especially when you run a lifestyle-ish blog.  I'm pretty good at suppressing my feelings these days.  When I was younger, if something was wrong the entire world knew it.  Not because I was out for attention, but because I just didn't know how to act.  I didn't know how to accept life with the ups and downs, I didn't understand  God's reasons when I didn't see them, I didn't know how to be a big girl and deal with anything.  

As a child, I experienced my parents getting a divorce, my sweet Grammy dying too early in her life, and of course my first heart break in high school. In the past couple of years, Robert and I have survived 2 deployments. I moved to an entire new state by myself while he was deployed the first time and I didn't have any family or best friends within 4 hours of me.  I've started a new big girl job, I worked and studied full time to get into the nursing program, and now I'm in the most important program that will get me to the first step of my career.  

I'm not ashamed to admit this, because it's human;

 I care what people think about me.  JUST BECAUSE. 

I've contemplated back and forth on whether or not I should continue after this degree and get my Doctorate.  I've contemplated on whether or not I want to move to a big city or go back home to my roots in the country.  I can't decide on what to wear sometimes because it can look a little too flashy, or maybe a little too grungy.  I can't decide if I want to let my hair go natural on a Monday, or lose a little sleep to straighten it. I watch my tongue around some people, because God forbid my white trashy side come out at the wrong time. I mean the list can go on and on when it comes to the things I think about and actually consider in my head.  

via

I think there comes a point in your life when you just get tough skin.  When you stop letting the small stuff affect your mood and you basically just suck it all up.  You learn to stop caring what people think and you learn to do what the hell you want. I've come to realize that there's not always tomorrow, and the problems you have today aren't going to matter to you in 10 years. At the end of the day, all you have is you.  You're all that matters.

So do what you want to do.  Be who you want to be. 

This song by Kacey Musgraves,  man this song

You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.  

So you might as well just do whatever you want. 

 Every time I hear it, I think of my Grammy.  There's not a day that goes by that I wish I couldn't pick up the phone and hear her voice.  She was a woman of God without a doubt, but when I hear this song I just hear her.  She died when I was 14, so it kills me she isn't around for the hard stuff. Ya know, the "real world" stuff.  I'm thankful for the 14 years she blessed me with her presence.

Today would have been her 71st birthday. 

And today, from this moment on, I'm going to start living the life I know she would be proud of.  I'm done with the bull crap.  I'm done with the people who bring pure negativity into my life.  I'm done with the people who bring me down more than bring me up.  I'm living my life for me. Because if my Grammy had one last birthday wish to make, I know it would be for my happiness.

I know she would wish for me to be content and follow my arrow. 

Happy Birthday, my sweet angel.
I love you more than all of the stars in the sky.

If I could have saved you,
you would have lived forever.

June Ipsy Glambag Review

I didn't upload this months Ipsy Glambag review vlog.  Don't hate me.  That just means next month will be twice as good to accommodate for you missing out on my voice.  Yes Maggie, I'm talking to you :) so let's hope right into it, shall we?

via

This leopard bag is pretty cute, I must admit.  It brings out my sassy, not that I need anymore of that.  The neon highlighter strip and tag adds just a little wild, but not too overbearing. Considering this month's theme is "on the wild side"  Nice touch, Ipsy.  I don't hate it.

Starlooks Lip Pencil in Berry Nude

I've never tried lip liner before.  I'm a lipstick girl, so it's surprising that I haven't.  I was hoping for a pinkier color, but this one fits perfect on a natural day.  So far I've just worn it as an all over color and applied some gloss over it.  It stayed on for at least the first 4 hours of work and I reapplied more gloss after lunch.  The color isn't too noticing to have to reapply it, but I'm sure if it were brighter I would have had to.  It worked for me.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Tickled

NYX is one of my favorite budget minding cosmetics to purchase from Ulta monthly.  They're products are easy to use and don't bother my skin.  I usually don't have anything bad to say, but this blush...not for me.  The color is really pretty, but I don't really like the cream aspect of it. I've never been one for cream blushes anyway. I prefer powder, I feel more in control while applying the product.  With powder, you can start with a little and continue until you achieve your happy place. If you apply too much, you can just blend it with your foundation brush.  With cream however, you obviously don't have that option unless it's a "cream to powder".  I tried blending this brush out and got a brush hair stuck on my cheek.  Even applying my setting powder wasn't so successful after applying this blush.  I'll probably read up on it more and play with it before I totally toss it and give it a big fat negative.  For now, it's just not for me. 

Cailyn Cosmetics Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Black

Hi, my name is Ashley and I'm in love with gel eyeliner.  Boy, do I love a good gel eye liner! This particular eye liner is $21 according to their website, HOLLER BACK! My favorite gel eye liner is Fluidline by MAC Cosmetics, which I always found to be affordable at $16 and lasted me forever.  I've yet to find any brand to come close to the kind of love I have for fluidline.  I recently tried out Maybelline's Eye Studio lasting gel liner. Figured it couldn't be that bad since it was a reliable drug store brand and it was a little less than MAC. Well let's just say it's not my favorite.  But this Line-Fix I received in my glambag damn near hits the spot! I am forever grateful.  It doesn't smear at all on the bottom, can I get an amen?!   It even comes with it's own brush that fits inside the top, so it doesn't get all jacked up in my bag.  Ironically, I find the best brush to apply any gel liner is MAC's 208 angled browed brush.  Yes, I know it's a brow brush. But it's angled and that's what I like, k?  I actually haven't brought it out to use with Line-Fix. Stop impressing me now. And thank heaven I got this in black.  Some subscribers received it in purple. Purple?! Sorry bout ya! 

Chella Highlighter Pencil in Ivory Lace

So this is a highlighter pencil, you say? Funny story. As mentioned before in a previous Ipsy Glambag review vlog, I use Benefit's Perk-Up Artist for concealing, covering, and brightening under my dreadful black bagged eyes.  I've also been mingling with a sample of BareMineral's eye brightener from an Ulta online order.  I'd say eye brightening is my favorite thing I've added recently to my regime.  Anyways, back to my story.  So, I'm chilling on my couch catching up on DVR in the usual PJ's, post breakfast, at noon on my day off.  I got called into work at another store, and well I needed the hours so I didn't say no obviously.  I hopped in the shower, dry shampooed my hair, did a less than 5 min makeup application, and ran out the door.  I realized soon after I hadn't brightened my black eyes, nor did I blend my concealer well.  Luckily, my Ipsy package was still in my car unopened and I saw this sexy white crayon stick.  "A highlighter? hmmmmmm.  Let's see how it brightens!"  And well, bam! A+  I haven't even used it for it's actual intention of highlighting my brown line. I bet it works just lovely, considering it's an $18 brow highlighter.  For now, it's stashed in my bag as a brightener backup for those crazy days! When I do my weekly purse clean out, it will certainly make it's way to my cosmetic bag. 

JCat Sparkling Cream Palette

ummm, didn't you hear? I don't like cream.  And I don't like glitter on my face, either.  Don't get me wrong, I love glitter.  Just Not. On. My. Face.  I didn't get around to opening my bag until later this month, so when Kate from the Small Things Blog mentioned getting eye shadow that was too sparkly and cheap looking, my world kind of paused.  I'm no Gretchen Rossi, nor am I a Snooki. Soo, what am I to do with this glitter stuff exactly?

via

via

I'm pretty sure if I gave my face "a healthy dosage of sparkle" as you suggest here... I will probably end up looking worse than I did at 6 years old when I got some similar face glitter makeup from Santa.   

via

Maybe I should find my old plastic pink high heels and give it the old college try.

I said previously that I had better when it came to this month's glambag. I suppose I didn't necessarily mean that.  I was probably just bitchin'.  Other than that awful glitter arrangment, I really have no complaints.  Definitely worth the $10 I paid for the subscription, I just wish there wasn't a product I actually hated.  I don't use that hate word very often and actually mean it, but come on.  $4 full size sticky glitter crap? I would have rather had a sample or something small I'd actually use.