Something to Remember this Holiday Season...

Although his flight is delayed, he remains calm. It has been nearly two years since he has been home. He stands proud in his uniform; an ever pressing reminder of the services he provides for his country. His sacrifice; intangible, for the freedom he grants his loving wife and newborn, keep him strong. Nervously, he flips through a magazine gazing incessantly at his watch. Outside, the clouds reveal the whisper of the first snowfall. December 23rd.

She too, watches the snow fall as she warms her tired feet by the fire. In her hand, she holds a letter from her high school sweetheart. His kind words brings a smile to her face but she knows he would not be home for Christmas this year. Although loneliness has set in, she remains hopeful as she places tender kisses on their new born son.

Alas, he hears the echo of his zone number being called through the static of the intercom. Busy strangers rush to the flight deck ticket in hand. A surge of excitement escapes him as he smiles to the flight attendant. "Happy Holidays Soldier", she gushes with a wink of an eye. 

At the stroke of midnight, she is suddenly awoken by a knock on the door. Startled, she wraps her flannel robe around her body and stumbles down the dark hallway. Through the glass, she makes out the slender shadow of her husband. Her somber walk becomes a sprint as she unlocks the dead bolts throwing herself into his arms. "Merry Christmas Baby", he whispers as he kisses her for the first time in two years.

I once read that:

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:
The presence of a happy family all wrapped in each other."
Burton Hills

By nature, we long for the newest technology, the designer handbags in the window, or even the expensive vacation we have been dreaming about. Yes, we are all guilty of becoming engulfed within our extensive wish lists from time to time. But what about the intangible gifts we present to each other throughout the holiday season? What about the thoughtful gestures such as the soldier surprising his wife by coming home for the holidays? Presence alone, can be the greatest gift of all.

As we count down the days until Christmas, I encourage you present a gift you can give a loved one that they will not only cherish, but remember for the rest of their lives.

Letting Go of Negativity

Lately, I have been surrounded by it. It's an all-encompassing aura that infects an entire room within minutes. I myself, have tried to stay immune to it. For others however, negativity has become an accessory they wear day in and day out. 

Life, yes, is hard. There will always be obstacles, things that we cannot handle. But the more I think about negativity, the more I realize how paralyzing it can really be. Why waste precious hours dwelling on it? Is complaining really going to change the situation? Are there ways we can be more positive each day? 

I recently had a conversation with one of my closest friends and I came to this conclusion: We are not granted tomorrow. Each hour we spend dwelling on what weighs us down is another wasted hour; another wasted opportunity. 

So how do you "snap outta it?" How do you "get happy" and live the life you know you deserve? 

Image Credit

1. Believe that everything will turn out just fine in the end, because it usually does

Take a deep breath. 

The storm, darling, will always pass. 

2. Learn the basics of investing, so that you’re able to grow your wealth

Money creates A LOT of stress. But if you can figure out ways to invest your hard-earned money or save it, you will have less stress. Save, save, save. You DON'T need that extra pair of shoes. You want them. 

3. Say exactly what you mean with kindness

Take a second before you speak. Think about the words and how they could come across to the listener. DON'T text. So many things you are trying to say cannot be accurately portrayed within the context of 140 characters or less. Actually engage in conversation. Turn your phone off when you are sharing a cup of coffee with someone. 

4. Believe in something bigger than yourself

This can be hard. But believe with everything you have in you. 

5. Be a peacemaker, not a warmonger
Don't stir the drama, offer to mediate. 

6. Before making any major decision, sleep on it
Never make big decisions on temporary emotions. 

7. Pray, meditate or reflect every day
Enough said.

8. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all
This goes back to middle school ladies and gents, it is better to keep your mouth shut.

9. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you

10. Find a reason to laugh every day
It truly is the best medicine. 

Happy Hour Mixology: Spooky (Low-cal) Cocktails from Skinnygirl

Fright-tini

What you need: 

2 parts Skinnygirl Tangerine Vodka

1 part fresh blood orange juice

Prep:

 Combine blood orange juice and vodka in an ice shaker

Strain and pour into a frosted martini glass to enjoy!

Hocus Pocus Punch

What you need

(For a crowd ladies)

1 Bottle Skinnygirl Sangria

1 blood orange, sliced into wedges 

1 red apple, halved and thinly sliced

Black licorice for garnish

Prep:

Combine all ingredients into a large pitcher

Add ice

Chill for at least 30 minutes to set 

Garnish with licorice wand and enjoy!

Pina Ghoul-ada

What you need:

Skinnygirl Pina Colada

Blood Garnish: 3 tablespoons corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoons red food coloring

Prep:

Pour the corn syrup in a shallow bowl and add a few drops of red food coloring

Stir with a toothpick to combine

Hold glass by the stem, dip rim into the syrup mixture, and turn glass, coating the rim. 

Turn the glass upright, allowing mixture to drip down sides.

Poured chilled Skinnygirl Pina Colada into prepared glasses, serve & enjoy. 

Happy Weekend: Friday Inspiration

You are a work in progress; which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.  The rest of today is a brand new day – a fresh start.  Replace negativity with positivity.  Think happy thoughts.  Exercise your mind and body.  Healthy is happy.  Inspire yourself.  Create.  Laugh.  Run.  Play.  Love.  Learn.  Give someone a compliment.  Perform a random act of kindness.  Take a chance on an idea you believe in.

You have the opportunity to do these things every single day – to make the necessary changes and slowly become the person you want to be.  You just have to decide to do it.  Decide that today is the day.  Say it: “This is going to be my day, starting now!”

{Source}

Happy Hour Mixolgy/Wine Wednesday: Fall Apple Sangria

It's that wonderful time of year where the air gets crisp, the leaves start to change, and the farmer's markets stock up on seasonal favorites such as pumpkins and apples. 

Delight in the ambiance of the season with this Apple Sangria Recipe from Health.com

What you need:

3 medium apples, sliced with skins on

1 1/2 cups apple juice

1 1/2 cups apple-cranberry juice

1 cup seltzer

3 cups dry white wine (Sauvingon Blanc)

What you need to do:

Prep apples, cut into slices 

Place apples in large chilled pitcher

Add juices, seltzer, and wine. 

Cover & refrigerate for two to four hours

Remove from fridge, and enjoy! 

Photo Credit: Howsweeteats.com

Mellow Monday: Relaxin' With Skinnygirl Cabernet

Looking for something sassy and sophisticated? Then this Cabernet is for you.

Blended with an intoxicating melody of dark berries and rich chocolate, this Skinnygirl varietal is sure to impress any red wine lover. 

Perfect for a cool October evening, a great episode of your favorite sitcom, and the company of a loved one. This warm, mature blend most definitely stands behind her label. 

With a 100 calorie serving size, you don't have to worry about wrapping yourself in a huge sweater (unless of course, baby, it's cold outside!) 

For more information on Skinnygirl wines, please visit www.skinnygirlcocktails.com 

15 priceLESS Gifts You Can Give Yourself

Loving this advice from one of my favorite bloggers, bellaMUMMA & needed to reblog! 

1. The freedom to be unapologetically YOU. Faking it is fatiguing. It’s much wiser to just be yourself – faults and all. Remember, imperfection is beauty; madness is genius. It is better to be ridiculously you, than ridiculously boring by trying to be the same as everyone else.

2. An uninhibited imagination. Life is changing faster and faster with every passing day. The world tomorrow looks nothing like the world today. And the people with big imaginations are the ones not just living it, they are creating it.

3. An open mind. Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t; everyone can teach you something new. The purpose of keeping an open mind isn't just to change your mind, it’s to expand your mind to understand the true potential in each moment of your life.

4. The commitment to fail forward. Failing is as certain as sunsets and detours. So why exert energy avoiding the unavoidable? Embrace it. Get real comfortable with that uneasy feeling of going against the grain and trying something new. Doing so will always take you to places you never thought you could go.

5. Using encouraging words. Words are powerful. They can create or they can destroy. The simple words you choose, especially when you speak to yourself or about yourself, can offer encouragement and positive thoughts, or they can send you further into despair.
Choose your words wisely.

6. A ‘glass’ filled with the right things. It’s not just whether your glass is half-empty or half-full that matters. It's what you’re filling your glass with. Be sure to fill it with those things that satisfy your soul: good friends and family to love, passions to pursue, dreams to fulfill, and charity for others. 

7. Enjoying what you have. Don't spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Enjoy your blessings right now. Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Celebrate this. Work on being so appreciative and happy that when others look at you, they become a little happier too.

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8. Lifelong learning. You are simply the product of what you know, so develop a passion for acquiring knowledge. It begins in the heart and home. Read for pleasure, ask questions, analyse, and exploit your curiosities. In other words, learn to actually love the act of learning.

9. Hope. Remember, it’s always darkest just before the dawn. Your troubles may be too dense and dark right now for you to see the light, that doesn't mean there isn't a strong spirit within them, or a beautiful sunrise just beyond the horizon. 

10. Spirituality. Faith elevates your view of the universe, your world, and your life. You are also made of heart, soul, and will. And decisions in your life should be based on more than just what everyone else is doing on the outside. 

11. Stability and love at home. A stable home becomes the foundation on which you build the rest of your success. Subconsciously we all need to know we have a family core who we can trust, and who is going to be there for us through thick and thin.  

12. A positive temper. Take a slow, deep breath, and remind yourself of how much more effective you can be by maintaining a positive approach. Take note of your anger, let it go, redirect your focus on being your best self, and you’ll surely emerge with a smile. 

13. A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles – something life is filled with. So laugh as often as you can with those around you, for your sake and theirs. 

14. Doing the best you are capable of. Don’t complain about something you can actually do something about. Take action. Do the best that you’re capable of. Those who get the most from life are those who give the most. Find something you’re passionate about, and keep  interested in it and focused on it. 

15. Being the change you want to see. Happiness, freedom, and peace of mind are always attained by giving them without expectation. Happiness becomes yours when you live it. Everything you need you are already capable of being. So smile from the heart and fulfill the destiny that is yours.

{Source: Marc and Angel}

& 

bellaMUMMA

Throwback Thursday: DIY Halloween Nails

thebeautydepartment.com

How cute and festive are these Halloween nails?

And believe it or not they are super simple! 

What you need:

1 bottle Orange Nail Polish

1 Bottle White Nail Polish

1 Bottle Yellow Nail Polish

Tape

Scissors

Clear top coat

{HappyHour Tip: Walgreen's carries a brand of nail polish called "Sinful Colors" that is cheap, fun, and comes in a variety of colors, especially around the holidays. It is only 1.99 a bottle!}

What you need to do: 

Apply two coats of orange nail polish on nails. 

According to Lauren Conrad from the Beauty department, you want to make sure that the orange is completely dry. In fact, you may want to rock the orange nails for a day to make sure. 

THEN, 

 1. Cut tape into strips that are 1/3 the length of your nails.

2. Place a strip horizontally on the center of each nail.

3. Apply 2 coats of white to the bottom portion of the exposed nail.

4. Apply two coats of yellow to the top portion of the exposed nail. 

5. Wait 5 minutes before carefully removing the tape from each nail and VOILA! A candy Coated Manicure!

Enjoy!

This fun idea was adapted from: thebeautydepartment.com!

Wine Wednesday: Skinnygirl Chardonnay & Food Pairings

White peach, French oak vanilla, and a whisper of orange blossom. 

What do these three ingredients have in common? 

They comprise the enticing Skinnygirl Chardonnay.

I have to admit, I used to shy away from chardonnay. In college I opted for sweeter varieties such as Moscato. I thought chardonnay was far too bitter and too rich for my liking. However, as I got older, I revisited the flavor and it became my wine of choice. Because of this, I had high expectations for Skinnygirl. 

She did not disappoint. True to her label, this blend had a light finish lingering with a crisp acidity that balanced the rich fruit flavors. A touch of citrus delights the palate and would add a touch of (low-calorie!) elegance to any dinner party. 

But how do you know what to pair it with?

Believe it or not, chardonnay can be quite difficult to pair with food, but these dishes compliment the wine quite nicely. 

Try any of the following: 

Caesar Salad

Salmon with Lemon Sauce

Angel Hair Pasta w/cream sauce

Porkchops

And for dessert: Creme Brulee.

For more information on Skinnygirl, please click HERE. 

Ten Tips for Those Led by Pride

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1. If you're wrong, just accept it. Don't ever be too big to own your mistake. That's weak. 

2. Don't try to win every single battle. Sometimes you just have to let things slide, especially when it will not matter later.

3. Everything can't go your way. "My way or the highway is the lonely way. There is no happiness without compromise. 

4. Listen! Open ears solve problems faster than open mouths!

5. Just becuase you are stuck in your ways doesn't mean your ways are right. Get out of your own way. Bad habits break hearts.

6. Never stop growing. We all have things that we can change about ourselves to become better. Change is a product of growth. 

7. If you care, speak up. Don't let the reason you are unhappy be because you are too proud to say how you feel and what you want. 

8. Don't make things bigger than they are. If it won't matter tomorrow, don't stress it today. 

9. Know how to make it right, apologies require action. If you're always sorry but nothing changes, you're really just selfish. 

10. Most relationships fail because couples fight with pride more than they work with love. Don't let pride break your heart. 

-Rob Hill Sr. 

Ladies Night In: Skinny Girl Pinot Grigio & BBQ Chicken Pizza

It's been awhile since I have had a girls night-in so I was very excited to sit back, relax, drink some wine, and of course, gossip. I was also very excited to try one of the latest wines from the Skinny Girl Wine Collection: Pinot Grigio. 

I am huge Pinot Grigio fan and to be honest, became an even bigger fan when I tried the varietal from Skinnygirl. 

While some variations of Pinot Grigio have a bitter taste, this bottle was the perfect combination of tropical fruit and sweet grapes. It had a crisp, refreshing flavor, and paired perfectly (in my opinion) with a piece of BBQ Chicken Pizza. (Of course, this elegant wine would also pair lovely with more decadent dishes and would be the perfect gift for the white-wine lover)

Recipe for BBQ Chicken Pizza

1

can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated artisan pizza crust with whole grain*

2

cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken breast

3/4

cup barbecue sauce

2

cups shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

1/2

cup thinly sliced red onion

1

tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired

For more information on Skinnygirl Wines, please visit the Skinnygirl website

Happy Hour Mixology: Celebrate National Vodka Day with Marilyn Inspired Cocktails

It's National Vodka Day. 

Subsequently, this wonderful holiday falls on a Friday. 

Cheers to the weekend with these Marilyn Inspired Cocktails from Three Olives:

The Marilyn

Two parts Three Olives Marilyn Monroe Strawberry Vodka

2 parts cranberry juice

Splash of half & half

Strawberry Blonde

Two Parts Three Olives Marilyn Monroe Strawberry Vodka

2 parts cranberry juice

2 parts club soda

The Marilyn Blush

Two parts Three Olives Marilyn Monroe Strawberry Vodka

2 parts club soda

Splash of grenadine

Recipes courtesy of Chilled Magazine

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Frisky Friday: Adulthood, the Irony

As part of my ongoing process to become a "writer", I read other peoples blogs. I realize that I have probably no business in trying, but I do anyway. My favorite bloggers are brilliant. They have personality, a sense of humor, and an overall sense of "having it together." I do not have that luxury. Sometimes after a few glasses of wine, however, I feel like I do. I give myself the pep talk that goes a little something like this:

Me: Kristina, you have an apartment, you pay your bills, and hell, that blog post you wrote today, that was awesome. (Takes a big gulp of wine)

Me (again): You are talking to yourself, clearly you do not have it together. Where is the furniture you were supposed to buy?

Defending Myself: Who needs furniture, this wine is delicious. 

See what I mean? I'm pretty positive that I could have at least bought a chair with the amount of wine I purchase. But then again, after a very hard day, that chair won't comfort me the way a glass of chardonnay will; the (pardon my french) f!cks I give, fly out the window.

Anyways back to my bloggers. One of my favorite is Elizabeth Jayne Liu of Flourish In Progress. She is delightfully humorous and seemingly understands me. She loves rap and references it frequently. In fact, her "About Page" is so epic that I am jealous:

"Sometimes, I write for The Huffington Post. When I'm feeling especially thug, I give satirical advice on love, life, and assholes for Inside the Mind of a Ghetto Genius. My alias is Flo-rich."

Anyone who was lucky enough to know me in college knows that I went through a stage of being a Caucasian rapper. I would battle those who were brave enough and I would secretly PRAY that someone would pull the 9 card in "Kings Cup" so I could showcase my skills and bust an eloquent rhyme. I realize now, that I should only caucasianally rap and give up my dream. Miley seems to be doing a better job at it anyways; my ass is far too big for flesh colored shorts.

Back to my hero. EJL, is an amazing writer. Today in fact, she inspired me. She wrote a post titled "Adulthood: Also known as Shit Just Got Real". For starters, who wouldn't want to read that post. Anyone who has made it past 25 knows that adulthood is bullshit. Responsibilities become abundant and you can no longer get away with a night of drinking and pop into work fresh eyed and motivated. No, after 25, a night of drinking means death come 7 am. (For me at least). But she goes on to provide brilliant advice that I needed to share with my readers:

"Adulthood isn't about being perfect. Just pick one thing that's important to you (e.g. hydration) and dive into it. Make it your passion. Let that motherf!cker blossom and grow." 

-Elizabeth Jayne Liu

So while, I argue that I have no business writing or trying to maintain this blog, I do anyways. It's important to me and gives me meaning. It's undoubtedly my passion. Sorry y'all, you are stuck with me.

Happy Hour Readers: What is your passion? What do you dive into? 

be Happy: 8 Ways to Spread Happiness

At times, it can seem utterly impossible to snap out of a "bad" mood. When things go wrong we dwell. We complain. We cop an attitude and pout. 

Up until about an hour ago, I was that person.

But why? Why  was I wasting a perfectly good day dwelling in melancholy? 

There is always a solution. 

There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

At that instant, I decided to "trick" myself into having a better day and spreading happiness rather than negativity and came across this wonderful blog post from bellaMumma:

inner-outerbeauty.com

1. Be kind toward yourself. You know how on airplanes they advise that in case of a possible accident, parents should put on their oxygen masks before they help their kids? The same thing applies here. Be kind toward yourself. Really. You can’t give what you don’t have, right? So go ahead and do the things you love—dance, sing, or paint all you want. Just enjoy. Then go and spread
 some happiness around you.

2. Smile. This is the best method ever to make your own day and spread happiness around to others. Don’t wait to be happy; think of something good in your life, smile, and see what happens.

3. Surprise! Surprise the people you love with flowers, small presents, kind words, help, a hug, or a genuine compliment.

4. Be a hero. Notice and help someone around you, a perfect stranger. 

5. Say something good about someone or something. Be genuine. This makes you feel good and it’s much better than gossiping, since you’re spreading positive words and thoughts with the people
 around you. Win!

6. Make an effort to have good thoughts. The thing with our thoughts is that they become words and then actions, so it’s important we observe them and choose them wisely. Our thoughts are like flower seeds. They can either spread happiness or sadness. The choice is ours!

7. Listen with all your attention. It sounds so easy, yet really few master it. Give your full attention to the person you’re talking with. It can change your whole view of the person and vice versa. That makes two happy people!

8. Learn a skill. Then teach it for free. It could be anything from languages to cooking. Make it your one-person charity organization. Just don’t tell anyone. Have fun!

{Source}

Thirsty Thursday: Skinny Girl Prosecco

There is a new girl in town and she is absolutely fabulous. 

Others, I imagine will become envious of her beauty, class, and sophistication. 

She is elegant, refreshing, and undeniably delicious. 

Ladies, I insist, you must try the latest from Skinnygirl Wines: Prosecco. 

This limited-time seasonal offering is perfect for your next girls night-in and contains only 100 calories, so you can enjoy a flute of this sweet bubbly without the guilt. 

Available until New Years, Skinny Girl Prosecco is certainly a varietal you need to stock up on. 

I cannot deny that I fell in love upon first sip! 

Perfect alone, but even better together:

Try 

For more information on Skinnygirl Wines 

Visit them on Facebook or check out their Pins! 

Wine Wednesday: Cherry Sangria with Peaches & Mango

Fitness and health blogger Nicole Perry of Pumps and Iron seriously knows how to mix up a great pitcher of sangria! I cannot wait to try this delicious recipe!

What you need:

1 1.5 liter bottle of fruity white wine 

1/2 cup of brandy

2 cups club soda

4 cups pitted, halved cherries

2 mangoes, skin removed and sliced

2 peaches, sliced

6 sprigs of thyme

Method:

Mix wine, brandy and cherries in a bowl and refrigerate for 7 hours. (Those cherries are going to be seriously boozed infused!)

Add the peaches and mango and refrigerate for another hour.

Add thyme and club soda before serving 

And as always, have a very HAPPY WINE WEDNESDAY!

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The Successful Woman: Career Advice from Hillary Kerr

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Want some solid career advice from a woman who has made it to the top? Hilary Kerr, founder of successful magazine shopping sites Who What Wear, dishes her best advice to Glamour Magazine:

1. Say yes to everything.

"I've done things that felt overwhelming at the time--like volunteering to go to Spain for a big story when I was just an assistant--but they turned out to be the most amazing learning experiences." 

2. Even though it's hard, try not to be the office gossip. 

Remember, every industry is small. 

3. Don't act entitled. 

"All that grunt work teaches you what goes into everything else, which will help you handle bigger projects when you move up".

4. Comparison is the death of happiness. 

"People get caught up in who gets what account and what assignment. Just focus on doing the best work that you can."

Read more on Glamour

Why So Serious?

"Life isn't as serious as the mind makes it to be."

-{e}ckhart {t}olle

October Dreaming

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"You create beauty with your attitude, your behaviors, your actions, it's all up to you."

I love the start of a new month. It's almost like a new year, I can tuck away all the things I failed to do the previous month and start over. Generally speaking, that's what I long to do this October, start over. The last couple of years have been chaotic and I've finally found myself in a situation where I can take a deep breath and start moving towards the direction of my dreams. For a long time I was plagued with stress and a weight that prohibited me from having motivation. The start of a new month is the perfect time to start acting on my daydreams and stop pouting! 

-xO Kristina

Something to Think About

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People don't love flowers for their complexity. They love them for their simplified beauty.

-kristina

Something We All Need to Learn How To Do: Accept Reality, Release Expectation

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"Let go of expectation. When you have expectations of something-a person, an experience, a job, a book, you put it in a predetermined box that has little to do with the reality. You set up an idealized version of the thing, (or person) and then try to fit the reality into this ideal, and are often disappointed. 

Instead--try to experience reality as it is. 

Appreciate it for what it is, and be happy that it is."

(Source)

How to Connect With Your Inner Beauty

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1. Self-Respect. Being respectful of others is most definitely an admirable quality, but more importantly, we must always respect ourselves. Once we genuinely respect who we are, the potential we can fulfill, and the dreams we dare to dream, we then gain strength to refuse to be treated disrespectfully by others who may wish to pigeon-hole, stereotype or discriminate against us. 

2. Integrity. The first ingredient necessary to acquire integrity is to know what we value, what we wish to protect, encourage and cultivate. Integrity involves standing up or speaking out when it isn’t the popular thing to do, but rather the right thing to do. It means you are clear about what you can and cannot tolerate, and you in your own way, stand up for your values. Having integrity means staying true to your word, being honest, telling the truth and treating others as you would prefer to be treated. 

3. Compassion. Choose to live in such a way that you are considerate of others feelings and choose to help not to gain something in return, but to simply offer yourself, your time, and your resources when you can. Compassion also involves placing yourself in others’ shoes, doing your best to understand how they might be feeling. While compassion involves tough love, most importantly, it involves love. 

4. Applied Wisdom. Regardless of where we go to school, who are parents are or where we grow up, knowledge is available for us to grab if we choose to look. Inner beauty suggests an inner strength to do what may not be expected, but what we wish for ourselves. When we take knowledge and apply it to improve our lives and the world around us, our inner beauty shines. 

5. Perpetual Curiosity. In order to continually gain wisdom, remain forever curious. Ask questions, listen to those with more wisdom, try new things, travel, read, simply be aware that the world if full of lessons to be learned and experiences to enjoy. 

6. Not a Push-Over or a Pleaser. While being compassionate and kind, it can be quite easy to become someone who is ready to agree to any demand in order to please those we live with or work with. Consciously decide not to be a pleaser or a push-over simply to avoid confrontation, but instead be strong enough to reveal who you are and what you can and cannot do. Set boundaries. Dig deep for your inner strength. 

7. Flawed, Yet Not Frozen. Often the knowledge that we are not perfect stands in the way of treating ourselves with respect and requiring that others do the same. No one is perfect. Every one has made mistakes, and we will continue to make mistakes. Accept the past, be determined to learn the lesson and then respect yourself and your one life to move forward with integrity and determination.

- See more at: http://www.bellamumma.com/2013/01/how-to-connect-with-your-inner-beauty.html#sthash.BQvEUnCd.UAmeDCV6.dpuf

Reblog: The A to Z of Life Lessons

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A: authenticity - be real, be yourself, speak your truth.

B: beauty - is everywhere, we need to open our hearts and our minds to find it!

C: compassion - take the time to care for others, ask how someone is and listen.

D: daring - be brave, take risks and have adventures!

E: extraordinary - think outside of the ordinary, go above and beyond mediocre!

F: funny - be funny, see the funny, laugh at yourself, don't take things too seriously.

G: generosity - be generous with your time, your love and your abilities.

H: happy - keep it simple, tune into what gives you butterflies and you will know happy.

I: intuition - listen closely, sit in silence, don't talk too much and you will truly hear.

J: joy - feel the joy in each and every moment, joy is in everyone, learn to release it.

K: kindness - the simple act of kindness has the power to change lives.

L: love - use the word often, you cannot have too much love, the more the merrier!

M: memories - our most precious gift from one generation to another, share them often.

N: nice - be nice, always, expect nothing in return, feel the inner and outer glow.

O: organised - it really does make life easier, make some lists and 

break goals down into pieces.

P: passion - discover your passion and follow it, don't do anything without your passion.

Q: quiet - meditate, remove yourself from the noise of life for at least a few minutes a day.

R: reflect - don't dwell in the past, simply reflect with an open mind and be gentle on yourself.

S: self care - do at least one thing a day that nurtures YOU.

T: thoughtful - consider others and what you can do to make them feel loved.

U: unique - look for the thing or the person who stands out from the trend.

V: vivid - life is filled with color, and color improves our mood, live in full color!

W: wonder - always look at life through the eyes of a child, see everything as a miracle.

X: xtra - develop a career that is true to your passion and always do that little 

bit xtra every day.

Y: youthful - the feeling of youthfulness need never fade, hold it tightly in your heart and never let go.

Z: zany - be a little silly, don't be afraid to be different.

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The Best Way To Run Into Traffic

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"It does not count if you believe in yourself when it's easy to believe in yourself. It does not count if you believe the world can be a better place when the future looks bright. It does not count if you think you're going to make it when the finish line is right in front of you. 

It counts when it is hard to believe in yourself, when it looks like the world is going to end and you've still got a long way to go. 

That's when in counts. That's when it matters the most."

-pleasefindthis

The Mad Ones

"It's the mad ones...

who love the most, get hurt the most, bleed the most colors, thrive the best, run the fastest, and are the happiest."

(Quote)

Long Read: Train Station

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She was instinctively drawn to the spontaneity of her desires and very much  a stranger to the notion of conformity. Propelled by the longing for a mid-afternoon adventure, she threw on her favorite leather jacket, wrapped her silk scarf around her neck, and found herself skipping down the stairs to the nearest train station. After spending the morning within the midst of Jung and Freud she desperately needed a Yuengling.

The Black Keys echoed in her earphones as she met her stride on the cool concrete. Her insatiable avidity to discover, to travel, left marks upon the same pathway many times before. It was a cool November afternoon and the brisk air pierced her porcelain cheeks. Her thick black hair fell upon her shoulders twisted in loose braid. Those who passed her on her journey often stopped to stare, smiling politely revealing their appreciation.

He had seen her leave her apartment around the same time every afternoon. The gravitation to meet her drove him to follow her. He could not explain his overflowing eagerness to wrap his hands within her hair, to taste the sweetness of her skin. He was not threatened by her beauty, but drawn to it as if he was destined to toss her upon a wall, to make love to her.

Her high heels struck the concrete with force. She was a tantalizing creature, refreshingly aware of her sexuality. He quickened his pace, throwing aside his cigarette. A thick cloud of smoke left his mouth, filtrating the air with the aroma of tobacco. He assessed that the station was about another block away and searched his pockets for a handful of quarters. Unsure of the impending destination, he had decided to pull a few more from the jar on his counter.

“Just one”, she said. Her voice, my god, could serenade a cobra. The accentuation of her words set him into a frenzy, wildly amiss a fantasy. He imagined her cries of pleasure resonating within his ears, the warmth of her breath upon his neck. “Just one for me too”, he managed to summon. At the sound of his voice, she turned around, smiled, and headed for the train.

She opted for a window seat, a row after the emergency exit. She sat elegantly crossing her legs, fetching a pair of black rimmed glasses and a copy of Baudelaire from her bag. Again, she met his gaze. He appeared to be in his late twenties. Thin lines around his hazel eyes revealed experience, perhaps a certain ounce of pain. He was undeniably attractive, strong, masculine.

Little distance separated the strangers; a mere three feet and a candy wrapper, if technicality was to be considered. Yet, neither of them spoke. For the duration of her trip however, she periodically met his eyes exchanging silent subtleties. He was captivating and she found herself tempted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

Bright lights signaled her stop. Normally, she would gather her book and leave, but her thirst for the stranger before her, prompted her to grab his hand. She signaled him to follow her.  He obliged, anticipation burning throughout his veins. Within moments, she reared the corner of the station and led him to the Hilton. A crisp hundred dollar bill fell from her wallet on the receptionist’s desk. “One bed will be fine,” she whispered as she smoothed the falling pieces of her hair from her delicate face. “Here you go miss, have a nice stay.”

His palms were sweaty, and he could feel his heart beating faster and faster as she led him to the elevator. Once the doors closed he lost control. His hands moved fervently, pulling her against him, his tongue meeting hers. She sighed heavily, meeting his fervor; intoxicated by his forwardness. Ding. 

They landed upon the Fifth Floor, Room 222. Struggling to maintain her composure, she slid the key revealing a welcoming green light. The sense of urgency prevailed as they walked through the door. In one swift motion he had her long legs wrapped around him, and her back to the wall.

-KristinaC

5 Steps to Sensational Eyelashes

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I am a certified lash addict. I LOVE falsies. Although I don't wear them everyday, I can't help but apply them on the weekend for a dramatic, flirty look (even if I am sitting around my house drinking wine) I love, love, love them!

But what about work days? Is it possible to achieve the same look without having to glue your fingers to your eyelids? According to one of my favorite beauty blogs, Beauty High, yes, there is! Listed below are 5 Steps to achieve Sensational Eyelashes 

Step 1: Choose the right kind of mascara. Depending on whether you’re going for lengthening, volume boosting, separating, waterproof, etc. you should choose the kind of lashes you want and get a mascara based on that. A favorite at the Beauty High office is CoverGirl Lash Blast because it does pretty much everything in one. Also, don’t be afraid to apply more than one coat.

Step 2: Curl your lashes. A lot of women forgo this incredibly important step because they’re either afraid of the curler or they don’t believe it actually works. Curling your lashes before applying mascara is like moisturizing before putting on foundation – the end result looks much cleaner and more put together.

Step 3: Begin applying mascara with the wand at the root of your eyelash and wiggle the wand at the root before swiping upward. This separates the lashes and cuts down on any clumping that may happen by doing a thorough swipe through.

Step 4: During the application, hold either a plastic spoon, business card or mascara spoon against your eyelid, above the lashes, so that excess mascara gets on the spoon, not your lid. By having less to clean up afterwards, there’s less chance of displacing your carefully applied mascara.

Step 5: Use a good eye makeup remover. Even if your mascara isn't waterproof, we’d suggest using a waterproof remover. The less pulling and scraping you have to do on your eyelashes, the better condition they’ll be in.