It has been one whirlwind of a week, if you can tell by my lack of posts on here and on Instagram!

This past week I was out of town helping take care of my almost-3-year-old nephew. And if that doesn't keep you busy and take it out of you, I went straight from that right into Thanksgiving/Black Friday then directly into cleaning/decorating for a holiday party that I held on Sunday. All of this running around and keeping busy has kept me away from the blog and my different work responsibilities, but sometimes it is nice to take a little break away, especially when it involves family and friends.

But now I'm back and ready to get into the swing of things again! This post was meant to go up like two weeks ago haha, but now that I have a chance to actually sit down by myself and write, it's going up a little later than I had planned.

I recently ordered this beautiful gold choker necklace from Shop J & G, and it has been an amazing compliment to my fall outfits! If you have taken a look at my outfits, you might notice that I typically buy from known stores because I can find great discounts and clothing options. But, upon discovering Shop J & G, my eyes have been opened to the significance it makes to shop small. Online shops like this are run by actual people who put a whole lot of love and care into each of their pieces and orders. They care about each sale, placing extra attention into what they do and their valuable customers. By shopping small, we support people in what they love to do and actually have the opportunity to help others.

The owner of Shop J & G is sweet as can be and really loves to make people's day through stylish clothing/accessories. Take a look at the site and pick something out to treat yourself! And because I want to help support this company and you as a reader, I have been provided with a code that gives you an extra discount. Use ahappyblur15 for 15% off!


This past week has brought to my attention a few things that I thought I might share with y'all, because if you've read this blog at all you know I like to be open on here. One thing is that I have grown to be content where I am. Which is a scary thing, because growing up I have always been told that once you are content that is when God moves you. The feeling of change on its way has been very evident in the air. The more comfortable I get here, the more I realize that it is all about to change. While I was down south, I actually became homesick. Y'all, I have never had a problem with that until recently when I have gone on trips away from my normal everyday life.

The comfort zone is a tricky thing. In one instance, it is a good stability to have. But in another, it can leave you trapped, no longer reaching for the "more" in life. My personal comfort zone is going to change. I don't know when and I don't know how. But I'm just praying that God holds me steady as things go up in the air and aren't the same anymore.

Another thing is taking leaps of faith. I find that I often dream more than I do. It's just easier that way. There's no risk of failure. No chance of dreams being dashed if it doesn't go the way I wanted it to. But if I never take the leap, there's no way of knowing the good that could've come from it. God has placed people in my life who encourage me to take the chances that have only previously existed in my dreams. I am working more on making decisions based on faith rather than fear. It's not an easy thing to do, trust me, but I'm just hoping it's worth it.

I could go on and on about the things that have been brought to my attention lately, but for this post I'll just keep it at this. Just those couple things in itself have been attention-grabbing and eye-opening. All I know is that at the end of the day, through the changes, through the failure, through the heart-dropping realizations, faith is the only thing that can carry me through. All I can do is have faith that God has a plan and it's all better held in His hands. ♡

Ever have one of those days when you're rushing out the door with only 5 minutes to do your hair, which isn't enough time to straighten/curl it of course, so you have to throw it up and it just turns into a disheveled mess? We've all been there. Especially days when you've just washed your hair and have no time to fix its natural texture.

I've put together 5 quick and easy, no heat hairstyles with just these times in mind. No more mess, just a simple, put-together look that's perfect for fall!

I have teamed up with tea tree shampoo from Maple Holistics to bring you this post. The sweet people with this company sent over one of their special formula natural shampoos for me to try, and I absolutely adore it! The shampoo has a nice scent that comes from a blend of tea tree, rosemary, and lavender, and it works wonders with my hair. I love how natural it is and the healing effects of it!

Maple Holistics offers a free samples program so that you can try their products at no cost, while learning about their company that is all natural, cruelty free, and based in the U.S. 

Upon receiving and trying out the shampoo, I styled some hairstyles that I typically do throughout the fall season and thought y'all could try too. Keep reading and let me know which is your favorite!






This is probably one of the simplest things to do with your hair. Just pull it back in a low pony tail, leaving some loose strands that frame the face, braid a section of the pony tail and wrap it around to cover the hairband, pinning in place. There you have it! Make sure to have a few bobby pins on hand to keep it secure.

Also, I apologize in advance for the grainy photos - didn't realize the camera focused on the garland on the wall instead of me haha.




Another easy-peasy style. Just loosely braid your hair to the side, leaving your natural bangs out, then tug at the braid to give it that full and wispy effect. I love this look when I'm not sure what to do with my hair but want some kind of different style!




While this may look more complicated than the other hairstyles, trust me when I say it's not at all! That side braid in the above style? All you have to do is take that and twist it into a bun, then pin pin pin! Use enough bobby pins to secure it so that it stays in place, and maybe a touch of hairspray as well. Then there you have it, a chic and simple updo!



Can you tell I like braids during the fall? They're seriously the simplest styles to do in a rush! For this one, just split your hair in half, braid each side, then pull apart as usual. Keep some loose wispy strands out again as a frame for your face. Cute, simple, fall look!



As you can tell by the name, this look is definitely Kardashian inspired haha! They all have such full hair, and I've found the trick to mimick that! Pull your hair up in a half-up pony, securing with a hairband. Most people stop at this point, but to really create that full, thick style, you have to take a handful of bobby pins and pin each side around the hairband until the hair around it is lifted and in place. Then you'll be ready to go in no time with flawless hair that's kept out of your face!




I hope that this post has been beneficial and that you will look into Maple Holistics natural tea tree shampoo for this fall season! 

Even in the rush of life and the holidays approaching, I am reminded by the print on my wall that "God is always good and we are always loved." And that's just how I try to live my life. I know how loved I am and definitely feel it and am thankful for it. And I can't possibly express how appreciative I am for God's goodness, as He continues to provide everything I lack and everything I need, even when I didn't know that I needed it. He is truly good, and I just hope that you'll see His goodness and His love today, tomorrow, and every day moving forward. ♡

*I received these Maybelline Matte Metallics products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes!*

Kicking off November with this perfect-for-fall look that you can even get away with wearing to your Thanksgiving get-together and be the best dressed person there! This look wouldn't be complete without Maybelline's Matte Metallics lipstick that just has fall written all over it. In these photos, I was wearing 970 Molten Bronze, which gives off a shimmery dark brown look. The other shade that came in the box is 978 Smoked Silver, which actually has more of a purple tone to it - I'm saving it for some winter looks!

These lipsticks glide on effortlessly, have a heavenly scent, and provide easy application/removal. Unlike other lipsticks that can't be reapplied without looking caked on, these have the capability for re-application throughout the day as they don't stick too heavily to the lips. 

I took these photos a couple weeks ago, and flipping back through them I'm realizing that I was actually wearing a band-aid - on my face - during that shoot. Can't even tell, right?! Pretty much that entire time of having to wear a bandaid - I explained it on an Insta post previously - I just felt insecure about the whole thing and not myself at all. It's funny how something so little can make you feel that way. Just imagine what the big things must do. I couldn't help but think that I could never get a nose job because I wouldn't be able to leave my house or take photos. Not that I wanted one anyways haha!

But still, despite the fact that our appearances are ever-changing, we grow so accustomed to the norm that anything slightly different can throw us all off. Maybe I just think too much and am overly affected by the little things. I'm not sure what it is, but I can just say that I'm happy to feel like myself again. There may be a little scar in the bandaid's place, but it's proof that I've lived and that I am healthy and better.

Something that I always strive to be is real. With this blog and in day to day life, that is my main goal. I am not perfect, no matter how much I like to look my best. There will always be a flaw within my appearance as well as my personality and actions. But that just means I'm human. And I would much rather be honest and open about those kind of things than try to cover it up by being someone I'm not, you know?

So let's quit with the fake, with trying to be liked instead of trying to be real. Let us not be afraid to show others our hearts, with "good conscience and sincere faith."