As you can see, this post is allll about lipstick! I recently received these three shades of L'Oreal's new Rouge Signature lipstick line complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, and I just had to show (and tell) y'all all about it!

As soon as I first put this lipstick on, I knew from the very first moment that I loved it. The application was so smooth with the angled flat brush. It went on evenly in literally less than a minute, with vibrant color and a matte but moisturizing texture. I honestly couldn't even feel it on my lips, like I wasn't even wearing anything at all, it was so comfortable! The only downside to this lipstick is that it wasn't totally transfer-proof, so when I would eat or drink or touch it then it did come off slightly. But despite that, it still lasts for quite a while. If I apply it at the beginning of the day, I can usually make it through the whole day with just a couple touch-ups!

So with that said, I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a new statement color that's comfortable and goes on easy!




One thing that rings true to a trying a new lipstick like this is the concept of a bold move. Many people mistake a bold move as something big and flashy and in your face. But I think most of the time, it's the decisions that we make, knowing it'll be tough but doing it anyway because it's what's best.

It's letting go of someone that wasn't right or even good for you. It's saying 'no' more often, to stop people from taking advantage of you. It's leaving the place that you've begun to feel a bit too comfortable in and going to different adventures. It's moving on from the hurt that has held you back for far too long.

It's trying something new. Not just for the heck of it, but because it's the right thing to do. I think every step we take has the potential to be a bold move. Especially when it's something life-altering. One of the greatest bold moves that we can do is laying down what we once thought were 'our' lives and surrendering to the only One who can come in and make it right. And when that move is made, everything else seems to fall into place. Maybe not in the perfect way you thought, but in the best way.




So go on with your bold moves today. Let go, say no, get up, move on, surrender. And go ahead and try that new lipstick, the one you thought might be a little too bold for you. Because nothing's too bold when it's meant for you. ♡

How has another year already gone by?! It feels like it has been one of the longest and shortest years all in one. Looking back, I see so much good that has come of it, along with some of the hardest times that I have had the opportunities to grow through.

Honestly, I don't even know where to start. When the year began, I was loving being a blogger, but I wanted more. So I searched and finally in February found a job where I could work from home as a personal stylist. It must be true what they say about time flying by when you're doing what you love, because it really doesn't feel like it's been almost a year since starting my journey as a stylist. Every day is something new and different, and every day I have the chance to help and uplift others, which is exactly what I've always wanted to do.

But to say that I have had the most motivated productive year wouldn't really be the truth. After all, things tend to get in the way. This year I made people a rather large priority in my life. Which isn't the worst thing but can sometimes stand between putting in the time to go after my own goals. I love the people in my life and spending time with them, especially when working alone at home can have its lonely times. But this next year I want my focus to be more motivated to really living out this life that God has laid out in front of me.

This next year, while it may sound strange to say, I do want to work more, build experience, and make my way to a business of my own. Along with that, I want to put more effort into this blog that I've really slacked on the past year. My intention is to not just grow it but to create better content that shows who I am as a stylist and post it in a timely manner to prove to myself that I can stay on top of things.

I've learned a lot over the past 365 days. People came and went, no matter what I did, with nothing I could say to make them stay. And I've had to face the fact that those people aren't meant for me, and there's nothing I can do but let them go. It's the total opposite of my nature - I wish I could keep everyone around forever. I wish things could always stay the same, just as they are. But it's not the way of life. Things change, people change - or at least they change their minds - and there's nothing I can do to stop it.



My version of 'normal' has altered so many times I don't even know what to think of as an average way of life anymore. This year has been all about adjusting to the changes, staying content in who I am and where God has me, and believing that no matter what comes, things will be okay.

With all of the emotions that have coursed through me over the year, there's one thing that has stood true, ringing out for each and every day. And that is while situations and people may be unpredictable and let me down, Jesus never has and He never will. Because even though He nudges me the whole time not to fall into what may cause hurt, He still stays to the end and picks up the pieces, reminding me that while other things will fail, He always remains. And that is the very reason for which I place my trust in Him.

This next year I want to move forward in His will for my life, giving Him the reign to speak truth over every area of it. No more will I allow myself or other things to keep me from going towards what it is I really want out of life. This is a year full of change, and while it may be hard, I will stay firm, keep moving, and finally get somewhere. That is what I want for 2019. What about you?

As I planned my outfits, packed bags, and prepared for my first ever cruise and first time out of the states, one thing kept running through my mind: how am I going to survive being completely out of contact with everyone back home for three days? I looked at the internet package available on the cruise ship multiple times, going back and forth between if it was really worth buying and how much I really did need a break from everything.

When there wasn't an option to use the package for just the two days I would be completely away, I figured that it wouldn't be worth it, as we wouldn't even be on the ship most of those days. Fears aside, I decided to just do what everyone else was doing and go without.

What was initially the thing I was most hesitant and dreading, became the thing that I actually appreciated the most from the trip. 

This was definitely a trip that I will always remember. Not only was it such a blast with new experiences that I never would have tried if it had not been for this cruise, but it taught me some of the most valuable lessons that opened my eyes.

 The first day when we set sail and lost connection with the outside world, I was close to terrified. How was I going to live without the daily norm and my people that I had become so dependent on? We learned our way around the ship, went to a club type party on the top level - so not my comfort zone, which made it a bit tough to handle right off the bat - and at the end of the night, I broke. The thought of how much I missed my people and wanted to talk to them stayed present in my mind. More than that, it was the notion that one day soon everything will change; I might have to move and leave everyone and everything behind yet again. I couldn't help but think what will I do without them, without everything I have become so used to?

Day 2 came and the fears began to subside as we stepped off the boat, into a new place. From the glass bottom boat to walking around the Bahamas, eating fresh local food and trying (not too well) to barter at the straw market, there was a sense of excitement to leave behind the familiar and step into something different.

We made our way back to the boat to get ready for formal dinner night. Thoughts of back home became distant far back in my mind, as I had the chance to finally be present in the moment. Every night at dinner, I tried something new. The first night was escargot (actually really good!!), second night was duck, and the final night was lamb! I figured, it was free, and I may not have an opportunity like this again to try it, so I took the leap. Worst that could happen is asking for a plate of something else - which, we were allowed to ask for as much food as we wanted.

After dinner was the dancing under the stars party on the pool deck. I walked into it not as afraid as the night before but still with a hint of hesitancy. My sister and I watched as everyone partied into the night and made our way to the bar (where all the other young people hung out). We met some new friends that weren't creepy, lol, and actually wanted to socialize - which was fun and not something I'm all that accustomed to. The excitement from the 'new' increased, as the attachment to the old faded. Rather than in tears like the night before, I arrived back to the room feeling content.

The next day we headed off to the private island owned by the ship and the cabana that my sister-in-law had booked for our family. All of it was the most fun break away from real life that I had in a while. I didn't even feel the longing to check my phone; the only times I looked at it was to take a snap to capture the moment for fond memories when it passed. We walked around the island, bought an overpriced pineapple drink, chatted with our other new friends - foreigners that made me laugh when they asked what limbo and hula hoop was, lol - and made our way back to the cabana for food and family time.

After boarding one of the last boats back to the ship, we meandered around before getting ready for our final dinner. I walked into dinner confident, at ease, turning heads, feeling good to be admired. We had a nice family dinner, singing happy birthday to my mom and spending time together. After dinner, I felt the night, along with the all-too-short of a trip, coming to its end and wanted to cry just thinking about it. We walked around the ship at least 15 times looking for something to do or the new friends we had made, feeling tired and defeated when nothing was to be found. Finally at the very end of the night, we caught up with our new bachelor friends and chatted for a bit before returning to the cabin to prepare for leaving early the next morning.


I boarded the ship afraid of the unknown, reluctant to leave everything I knew behind. But I walked off of it wishing it didn't have to come to its end so quickly, new memories fresh in my mind, new friends, and a new anticipation for what lies ahead. The break from daily life was something I didn't know I needed. I had to step away to realize that change can be good and exciting and that I could live life just fine without the people and the things I had become dependent on. It's the experiences and the time actually spent with people that matter. Not the texts and mindless conversation from people who seem to care less.

Stepping outside of my comfort zone made way for me to really be myself. I could try new things and talk to people without social anxiety or the expectations of others thinking I'm 'too shy' to hold me back. In my normal life, I wouldn't dare to go up to someone and talk with them or ask for their contact information or start a conversation with a completely random stranger. It was new to me, and it was something I learned that I could do.


As I look ahead to next year, the unknown staring me blankly in the face, I no longer feel so afraid. Whatever change comes my way, I know that I can handle it, because God knows the way and is in the works of leading me right where I need to be. I can live without the things I have now and I can look forward to change as a good thing. New experiences, new people, and new things await me. And I eagerly await what He has in store.