dear sunshine: I am so thankful you are finally out. I hope I can enjoy you at some point this weekend. dear big toe: I am sorry a dumbbell fell on you. I hope you feel better soon since you sure look miserable. (And feel miserable, too!) dear straight hair: I've missed you. You sure do feel nice when I can run my fingers through my hair. dear sister: I'm glad you decided to change your facebook relationship status before telling me first. Not. dear momma: I hope your poor meniscus feels better...soon, too! :( dear friend: please do not constantly complain about your boyfriend and how upset you are at him and expect me not to sugar coat anything...especially when I see you hurting. dear wheatgrass seeds: I wish you would start working for me...I want to start juicing wheatgrass! dear time: Can there please be more of you? I need more hours in the day so I can get things done! dear V's laptop: please never do what you did the other night. You're lucky he backs everything up - or else you would have been in a LOT of trouble. dear pedicure: Oh how I enjoyed you last week...I have missed you! dear day off: I need one...bad. I'm going on over a month now with no days off. It's getting mighty mentally exhausting. dear reader: You are beautiful :) Don't you forget it!
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I am thankful for... being able to randomly have dinner with my parents & sister instead of having to plan it a month in advance and then travel a bunch. Such a blessing that we all live (fairly) close to one another!
that tropical storm Debby wasn't as terrible as originally depicted/imagined. I do feel like a vampire though - no sun for about a week! We did need the rain though :)
being able to have a loving man to confide in, wonderful family & great friends when the time comes for it
that V & his grandfather had an amazing time in Miami over the weekend for a big soccer "all star" game. It was the first soccer game for both of them and the fact that they were able to enjoy it together makes it that much better!
my workouts are going great! Woohoo. I see my muscle again ;) Love that feeling.
planning a vacation for the end of July...woohoo...so excited!
the fact that every night I am excited & happy to be blessed enough to come home to V. <3
that I have friends to share yummy & delicious new recipes with! (along with my bloggy friends of course!)
songs that bring you back to the first moment you heard them!
delicious wine. YUM.
a good friend recently getting engaged...so incredibly excited for her! Can't wait to help her plan. AND she said I was going to be in the bridal party <3
discovering dark chocolate covered pomegranate...(!!)
since I have to be at work on Sunday, I am at least thankful I am able to watch church online! Better than nothing :)
that a lovely member at work brought this delicious sweet treat...SO GOOD!! And makes me so happy that they would think of me to bring :)
Now...what are you thankful for? When I write everything down like this, it makes me feel so incredibly blessed and incredibly happy inside :)
I cannot believe I've been blogging for a YEAR. Yes - a year. My oh my how the time flies!
Thank you to you for always reading & for being such a wonderful part of my life. The relationships I've cultivated through blogging is one reason I will never stop blogging.
I am sorry I am not a blogger that has a huge giveaway for their blogversary - especially their first one! But you're not following my blog because I do a multitude of giveaways...you follow because within this past year, you might have found me while searching for:
diaper stories I can't even find this post...I posted a link to a new website I found ONCE! Believe it or not, this is some type of adult porn...and that's why it's searched for a lot...I hate that they find my site though :(
peppermint hot chocolate I posted this recipe ONCE! I hope everyone who was searching made my peppermint hot chocolate recipe - so tasty :)
William Levy 2012 I LOVE THIS one hahah!! William Levy 2012....William Levy WHENEVER...delicious...yum. ;) Love that people have been searching for him...and finding him on First Day of My Life :D
google pagerank Not sure where this comes from?? Hmm!
fruits I'm happy that I'm useful for people wanting to be healthy! Whether they are looking for why they should juice or spring time fruits - people are finding me when they search for fruits!
thanksgiving This one makes sense. Well, kind of. People are finding me when they look for thanksgiving but I think it more has to do with all of my Thankful Thursdays :) At least I would assume that.
hbl hair care reviews I reviewed hbl hair care in April - I guess many people are wanting to find out information about it before they purchase. Makes sense to me!
seche vite If you've been following me for a while, then you know how horrible my luck is with nail polish - especially seche vite. I wonder if the seche vite people know this.
But, seriously - no matter how you've found me - I am SO thankful for it. Thank you for making blogging enjoyable...for teaching me blogging tricks, for sharing your lives with me, for having fun, for being YOU! I've learned so much from each and every one of you - thank you.
I have changed so much within the past year. I don't want to say it's because of blogging. There's many reasons for it. But I think blogging has helped me to find myself in many senses. To start - my love of learning...continuing to grow each & every day, to share my love of God with many of you, to remind me of the good things in life, to go for my dreams & not look back...so much.
Usually I leave the healthy recipes and healthy tips to Tuesday for Tasty Tuesday but I noticed something very strange when I was at the grocery store last night...
What is with the latest coconut milk craze? Did it come out of no where or have I been living under a rock?? (I hope I haven't been living under a rock!)
First, I noticed some coconut milk from Silk. Instead of soy or almond milk they are offering coconut milk. I grabbed it last week...super delicious!
This product seems pretty normal since they already have coconut milk products (usually in a can form) available.
Someone was mentioned to me at they juice bar that I should make some coconut ice cream. I kind of thought it was a "vegan/health food thing." I didn't realize they were selling it at the stores...until I noticed it last night!
YUM. Sounds like it totally would be "purely decadent" since coconut is truly thicker and creamier.
(Side note: I also noticed greek frozen yogurt! What a great idea!! When it goes on sale, I am totally going to try it.)
The last "oddity" I noticed was coconut milk yogurt. Again, probably delicious since it will be creamier.
Ok, so first - have I been living under a rock?
And second, have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think?? I'd love your opinions before I purchase some! ox
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Also...I would LOVE it if you visit other blogs that have linked up! Spread the Thankful Thursday love!
I am thankful for...
everyone's comfort, support, and love when I wrote about my sweet Buddy...thank you for the words of wisdom when dealing with furbabies leaving our lives...
I know I've said it before but my favorite thing about blogging is new relationships...that can cultivate from randomly finding one another's blogs or from blog swaps :)
dark chocolate covered almonds. Need I say more? YUM.
sharing recipes with friends at the gym...I love trying new ones!
being on a roll with working out...oh how it feels so good
being able to hang out with friends I haven't seen in quite some time! Always so great to catch up with them
being told "I look prettier every day." Thanks, V...you're the best <3
fixing 2 toilets at work! Yup. All by myself.
finding the PERFECT protein bar recipe...sales are going great for them at the juice bar!
having funds to purchase new nail polish...heehee!
making a delicious paleo diet!! (and leftovers for lunch...yay!)
Dove chocolate wisdom...goes with the "Thankful Thursday theme" too :D
cherries! I've blogged about this already...but oh my gosh. Is it bad that I went through one bag...about 2 lbs...within...um...a day? Am I going to turn into a cherry? ;)
How much time do you spend watching television a night...or for some, per week?
It came up with a gentleman at work that we don't have a tv at home...he said we were weird. We have a tv in the bedroom that we rarely watch. V uses it maybe about 20 minutes a night playing video games. We'll watch something we choose to put on (not just to have it on) on the computer.
I watch Dancing with the Stars and Castle on Monday nights with my aunt...but that's more to hang out. If I miss a week or two for one reason or another, I don't usually "catch up" on it.
How often do you watch tv? Do you let it rule your life? Do you not go out on a Tuesday night because you're watching "your show" ??!
Until recently, I had never taken part of a Twitter chat before. I
participated in one last week and it was SO FUN! Not only was it fun – I made
some friends. (Twitter is so neat for that, isn’t it?)
Anyways, the Twitter chat was all about getting “him” to
notice you this summer – tips of dating, tips on how to get noticed, tips as to
where to go to meet some fellas (or not to go!), what to wear, what guys are
looking for, what attracts them and what does not, etc. It was so interesting
to hear other’s points of views.
Right after the Twitter chat, the brilliant Rori Raye hosted
a live chat. She talked about dating, relationships, what to do to get a man's attention, etc.
One of the most interesting aspects of her chat was when she
said it was not important to have similar interests with a potential boyfriend
or husband. What IS important is to have core values that are similar. These
values include honesty, trusting, etc. As long as core values are similar,
everything else will fall into place. If one person likes a particular spot,
the other will learn to like it because they want to spend time with their
significant other. It is all about learning one another’s likes and dislikes
and having a common ground of good “old fashioned” values.
Miss Raye is extremely talented and full of much wisdom. She
has a Relationship Advice Newsletter that is of no charge. Throughout the
newsletter, Miss Rori teaches you how to express your feelings and how to
connect with a man and inspire his love. When reading, you will also learn
about body language – how to use your body language to magnetize a man and how
to gain his attention without putting on a fake front or going after him too
strong. With Miss Rori’s guidance, you will also learn the ingredients to
creating a relationship that satisfies you “in ways you never dreamed possible.”
Start having the love life you deserve - Subscribe Now
Miss Rori did a live ustream chat last Wednesday & taught us so much! If you would like to see what you missed - check it out here:
Isn't she just adorable?
I always think it's so interesting to get other's point of views and advice on relationships. The more point of views and the more opinions - the better. I think it helps you to not have a tantrum when conflict arises, but most importantly - when you are trying to catch the eye of a handsome fella!
Disclaimer: I was asked to blog about Rori Raye's dating tips & relationship advice. I was not asked to write about it in a particular fashion or way. All opinions and everything written is 100% honest and truthful.
Easter of 1996 a scrawny kitty found our home. My dad said we could keep him if he kept coming back...would you believe it that he kept coming back? Probably helped that I was feeding him. ;)
I named him Buddy. My nine year old self thought that was an "Eastery" name.
He soon became my best friend...my comforter...full of lots of hugs & gave me lots of smiles...he was always by my side...he liked to play hide and seek...he even liked to play tag. He always greeted me at the door when I came home and slept with me at night.
My beautiful Buddy found his way to Rainbow Bridge on Thursday night.
I am so incredibly sad...but I am thankful he left the world peacefully. He lived a long, healthy, beautiful, fun life with people who cared for him greatly.
Buddy was "my" baby. He wasn't just an ordinary cat...he cared for me just as much as I cared for him.
Rest in peace my beautiful Buddy. I will always love you & will always miss you terribly.
Thank you for allowing me to be your "mommy" for as long as I was.
I apologize if this doesn't make sense...it was hard for me to write...but I was hoping it would give me some sort of comfort.
I always enjoy them :) What I enjoy the most is getting to know my swap friend!
I was paired up with Miss Nichole! Nichole is just so sweet, beautiful, and fun! Also, she lives in Florida so a blogger meet-up is a must - at least at some point!
What was too funny was the fact that when I got my Swap into Spring package in the mail, I thought I accidentally got the wrong package - we literally pretty much almost got each other the same items! I was laughing when I was opening mine up - I guess we are soul sisters...or something! ;)
She gave me this adorable card...I just love the saying - (and what she wrote inside was just so sweet:)
Look at all of these goodies...I think she spoiled me! ;)
2 shopping list sized note pads
a notebook/journal (on right hand side)
3 adorable pens (I already have the other one in my purse!)
2 nail polishes (pink & pink sparkles)
a Burt's Bees mango chapstick (not only is Burt's my fav, but so is mango!)
a Cliff bar (YUM!)
a Luna bar (double YUM!)
a $5 giftcard to Starbucks
Did she spoil me - or what? THANK YOU, NICHOLE <3
The notebook is already my new "to do" list keeper! And the 2 shopping lists are already on my fridge at home.
You have such a beautiful heart, Nichole. I've enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to getting to know you more :)
If you've never done a blog swap before, I highly recommend it - they are so fun!
has always been there for me and IS always there for me... to a dad that is always there to support me & is there for me... loves me conditionally... isn't afraid to tell me when I'm doing something silly... is there with a shoulder to cry on... protects and guides me... always has my best interest in mind... is fun to just hang out with a laugh with...
to MY Dad - the very best Dad a gal could ask for...I love you!
If you've been living under a box, Birchbox is a fun piece of mail you get once a month! It's a mere $10/month and you get 4-6 beauty products based on your beauty profile you fill out.
The theme of June's Birchbox was "Jet Set" - products that are a "must" when traveling...lets see if if June was 2 thumbs up or not...
My box included:
Does it jet set?
Comodynes - Self-Tanning Intensive Towelettes that provide a natural-looking tan. Pretty cool! A pack of 8 is $15 - not bad! Not sure how many towelettes it takes for the product to work on a body part - but its' a pretty neat concept!! I like this. I'm currently tan so unable to test it out...but I will let you know when I do!
Stila - One Step Bronze
Ok, as much as I love being a "girly girl", I know nothing about being one. I've never used a bronzer before in my life. So...I need help! Any tips? This product is a 3-in-1 bronzer, primer, and serum. Pretty neat! I did a squirt on my hand to see what color it is - it's pretty dark. Darker than my skin. But I guess that's what it's supposed to be like? A full size of this is $36. This sample was pretty large - I was happy with it! I am sure that I got my ten dollars worth in just this.
theBalm Cosmetics - Stainiac in Beauty Queen
This is a 2-in-1 lip and cheek stain. It's a gel so it's supposed to last for quite some time. A full size is $17. I'm not crazy about the color...at all. It looks like Red Koolaid. Unless I'm using it wrong? Look at the hideous color...
Wonderstruck - Taylor Swift
Another perfume sample? Boo. A full size of this is $50-$60...pretty normal for perfume. The smell is pretty decent. I don't think I'd purchase a full size.
Luna Bar
I've loved Luna's - I always have. I was happy I got a peanut butter flavored one! I wish the size was bigger...but, I know it's just supposed to be a sample. ;) I think it's neat they included this (I know many people do not think so) but for people who've never tried a Luna before - I bet now they're hooked!
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I am thankful for...
-staying on top of my workouts & feeling great!
-being told "if I was 25, I'd be asking you out" - a simple, cute yet sincere compliment :)
-people visiting my juice bar from the gym! It makes me so happy that they take time out of their schedule to grab a juice! (Also family members visiting, too!!:)
-being told from my boss "and that's why I love ya!"
-back rubs! oh how they put me to sleep!
-the iPhone ap "Bible Is" - I can listen to the Bible during my beach walks <3 -being a part of my first twitter chat (@firstdayofmylif) - I learned so much!
-being incredibly busy - I love being productive!
-my uncle's girlfriend's healing - she had a stroke on Friday...she had a blood clot in the brain - they said 98% of people do not survive the surgery and she did...amen! Currently she is in coma, but she will beat this.
-soon to be cherry season...yay! Cherries are one of my favorite fruits :)
-having some great ideas for the juice bar for the Fourth of July! The Fourth of July is usually always incredibly busy down by the beach - I'm excited to be able to play a part of it in a business sense
-I wasn't as disappointing in this month's BIrchbox, when compared to other's...some people got Band-Aids...I wasn't particularly thrilled with mine but it wasn't horrible.
-new friendships with my lovely bloggers :)
-finding out you can adopt a sea turtle nest...eeeek!! Can't wait to find out more about it!
-a friend is going to take the Florida Bar Exam soon - I got a letter from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners give my opinion of my friend...is he trusting, etc. Makes me feel good :)
-peanut butter Ben & Jerry's when I was craving some sweets the past couple of days!
It's sea turtle season! A sea turtle made some babies right by our house last night/early this morning. (Check it out, you can see the date it was found on the left post.) I hope we can watch them hatch!
Date night last night - of course, we had some delicious sushi! The one to the left was a "Toasted Almond Roll" and the one to the right was a "Pina Colada Roll." -yum! The other two rolls (not pictured) - "Beauty & the Beast" & "Spicy Tuna"
After delicious sushi, we watched a lightning storm from
our house...so beautiful & kind of romantic, too :) I am happy that I am blessed with a wonderful relationship where we can really enjoy one another's company <3
Happy 300 followers to Sarah...congratulations to you - I am happy for you! :) Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity <3
What are YOU happy for today?
Last minute happy thought: I have Tasty Tuesday going on & there are lots of delicious recipes to try out!