You read that title correctly! My husband turns 23 today, and I wanted to commemorate his birthday by sharing with him and with the world 23 things I love about him and what he does for our relationship. Let's get started, because 23 is a lot! I will elaborate on some and leave others with just their title! 1: HE IS MY BEST FRIEND
2: HE IS HANDSOME3: HE SPOILS ME4: HE LETS ME SPOIL HIM5: HE IS KIND
6: HE LOVES MUSIC7: HE IS A MAN OF GOD8: HE HELPS OTHERS9: HE CARES ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH
10: HE IS SO CREATIVE11: HE MAKES ME LAUGH12: HE IS LEVEL-HEADED13: HE BRIGHTENS MY DAY14: HE HAS EMPATHY15: HE LOVES ANIMALS16: HE MAKES CONTENT WITH ME17: HE DOESN'T FOLLOW GENDER ROLES
18: BUT HE KNOWS WHEN TO SPEAK UP FOR ME19: HE CALLS ME EVERY DAY AFTER WORK20: HE ALWAYS TRIES TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER WHEN I AM SICK OR SAD21: HE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING NICE TO SAY
22: HE IS POSITIVE23: HE HAS SPENT 5 YEARS WITH ME
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Coming from an accident-prone family (sorry mom and Trey), I can thank my lack of injury on a lack of doing anything I even thought could result in injury. However, my worst injury ever happened one time at band camp. Well, band practice. WHAT HAPPENED?We were moving along when, all of a sudden, my knee gave out. I had never experienced anything like it before. Come to find out, I had torn my meniscus. Your meniscus is a thin cartilage between some of your joints, like your knee. This caused my knee to pop out of socket. It was painful, but luckily my knee never stayed out of socket. It would kind of pop in and out really quickly. That didn't make it hurt less. HOW I INJURED ITI don't know if it was ever taken care of by the school, but I decided to go to the office to fill out an injury report. After all, this area wasn't near students and it is a school's job to ensure that the conditions are safe for students, fluid on the floor included! MY RECOVERYMost of them involved balance and leg-strengthening exercises. I did have to sit out for the rest of the season, which had mostly consisted of parades at that point. I remember some of my band friends trying to convince me to go on one of our parade trips to Gatlinburg, Tenn., but I decided not to. I was able to get back to the field by the next marching season, and really didn't have issues after that (knock on wood, again)! COMMENT BELOWTell me your worst injury and how you sustained it. Are you doing better now?
Another month has blown by, so I've got another monthly favorites blog post for you. I was fortunate to try a number of things this month. So, let's get into it!
MY NEW CAMERA FROM MY MOM!
RUE 21 FLOWER DRESS | $24.99
RUE 21 YELLOW BODY CON DRESS | $12
L'OREAL INFALLIBLE FOUNDATION | $11.99
TARTE SHAPE TAPE CONCEALER | $27
PHONE TRIPOD | $15
Jonathan (the hubby) and I have an amazing relationship. I always credit this to the fact that we started out as friends before we became boyfriend/girlfriend and husband/wife. I think it is so important to be best friends with your spouse. I had been in two previous relationships and I was so nervous that I would do something embarrassing that would make the guy run the other way. But Jonathan has always been different.
Also in the comments were people saying "don't make her famous so she keeps spoiling her husband!" Joke's on them! I always spoil him. But this got me to thinking about the idea of spoiling someone.
I don't ALWAYS do the laundry and dishes, just like he doesn't ALWAYS take the trash out. We decided together that a marriage is a partnership, not a "you do this, I do this, and everyone is happy," arrangement.
This post isn't terribly long, but I encourage anyone out there to find a partner who you can love deeply, laugh with uncontrollably, cry around freely, and live with happily! Establish a friendship that is forged in fire. Your life will be so enjoyable.
If you are from Tik Tok, or you found me through social media that way, thank you so much for your love and support. I'm so happy to show our love to the world, especially during a time of such hate and division. Love you all, so much! Have a great week! College season is upon us. For many of you, this might be the first time you've lived away from home. No matter if you're an experienced traveler or if you've never stayed away from home a day in your life, I've got some tips to make college move-in and room decor easier for you! 1: DON'T NEGLECT DECOR
2: LEARN DECOR POLICIES FOR YOUR RESIDENCE HALL
3: CONSIDER RENTING ITEMS
4: SOME MOVING TIPS TO FOLLOW
5: COORDINATE WITH YOUR ROOMMATE AND START DIYING |
If you want a coordinated look, most colleges provide you with information to contact your roommate so you can coordinate! Start now on your DIY decor. You can have a decor party as a going-away party! Or, you can spend some time with your family and make stuff together. Either way, you'll love having a few pieces that will remind you of home while you're away at college. |
CHECK OUT MY "THINGS I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFORE STARTING COLLEGE" BLOG POST FOR MORE TIPS!
Regardless, I'm sure we will still run into some hiccups. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram today to see how the move is going. Since it is the summer and many families move around this time of year before the new school year starts, I wanted to share a few moving tips. Keep reading for more:
1: PUT YOUR ESSENTIALS IN ONE BAG
If you're moving offices, this might be the box or bag containing your pens and planner. If you're moving homes, this might contain a bag with your cellphone chargers, a change of clothes, and your toiletries. Knowing where these items are when you've first arrived to your new office or home is essential. It will make moving much less stressful and you will be able to easily find your essentials bag since you put it in a differentiated bag or box! |
2: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY BOXES
Boxes can be rather expensive, especially purchasing enough to transport a house full of stuff! In fact, it will cost you between $60 and $85 to purchase enough cardboard boxes to pack up a one-bedroom apartment. You can use a number of things for packing, including clothes hampers, bags, and suitcases that you already own. You can also ask local stores like Aldi's, Walmart, or Target if they have any cardboard boxes that they are throwing out. Be sure to get clearance for this first! Our place of business was able to offer us milk crates and storage tubs to move our things in! |
3: TRASH BAG YOUR HANGING CLOTHES
I didn't believe that this hack would really save time until I used it when moving into my first apartment! I wish I would have known about this hack before moving in to college. Basically, you simply gather several hanging items, maybe 20 hanging items per bag. Put the ends into the bags and fasten the bag shut at the top of the hanger, leaving the hook of the hanger exposed. |
4: LABEL BY AREA AND PRIORITY
Label your boxes by area, but also by priority. What's the use in getting your toiletries before you have your shower curtain? What good would it do to have access to cookbooks when you can't find any of your pans or utensils. This is why labeling by more than just area is a good idea. If need be, you could always label your boxes with a list of everything in them! |
Please note: I didn't get a special discount, but the entire store was (and still is as of today) having a 25 percent off sale. Visit www.JoahBeauty.com to shop!
Keep reading to see how they worked out:
JOAH BEAUTY TRULY YOURS LIQUID FOUNDATION
When I go to try out a new foundation, I tend to stay away from liquid ones. I don't have oily skin, but I do have really red skin. Usually, liquid foundations seem harder to build for me, so I try to get a creme foundation that mattes down! However, I was pleasantly surprised when I bounced this foundation onto my skin. Yes, the foundation was very liquidy for lack of a better word. However, it effectively covers my redness and is super easy to build. I've also never tried a foundation with a dropper. I really like being able to fill up the dropper and control how much foundation is going on to my face. This keeps me from wasting the product. To make this even better, the foundation was only about $7 for me, because I bought it on sale. Usually, the foundation is about $9.50, which is still a really great deal! |
JOAH BEAUTY GLOW ACTIVATION RADIANCE PRIMER
I've never been a stickler for the "beauty rules," so I'm sure it comes to no surpirse to you readers that I'm not a die-hard primer user. However, my experience with this brand has kind of changed my mind. I tried to get the sparkles in the shot but, in case you can't see them, I'll talk about those for a bit. This primer contains little flecks of what looks to be gold or glitter. I usually use one to two pumps. The little flecks of gold/glitter give your face an extra glow that goes on under your foundation. To me, it feels a bit better than the ELF primer that I've used before. I unfortunately don't have a lot to go on when it comes to primers, as I've only really used drug store products. This primer cost me about $7.88, but is usually $10.50. |
JOAH BEAUTY JELLY BAE MATTE GEL LIPSTICK
I love to wear red colors on my lips, but I realized when doing my shopping for this post that I didn't actually have a darker red. I settled on this shade, which is named "Boothang." I have been pleasantly surprised by the wearability of this product. It does what it says and mattes down pretty quickly. It is the perfect shade for what I was looking for. The only downside is that the component that holds the lipstick can start to look pretty gross after a while. It holds on to finger prints. This cost me $4.88, but usually costs about $6.50. There are so many other shades in the red, pink, and nude family to choose from! |
WHAT I FOUND
Surprise, surprise! I found that beauty brands DON'T have to cost a fortune to do what they promise. In the picture to the right, I am wearing the lipstick, primer, and foundation. I used a little Tarte Shape Tape to help out my under-eye baggage! I want to give a shout out to Katrina from KSLoves on YouTube! She raved about Joah's products in her content, which made me want to try them out for myself. I want to say that I truly appreciate brands that are dupes for other, more expensive brands. I know that some people in the beauty world are upset by this, but those people usually don't have a tight budget to work with. |
This one is about answering 73 questions!!! Apparently this one was inspired by Vogue Magazine and asks you these questions to really get to know you! Then you nominate 12 people!!!! That's a lot of people, so I'll try my best to meet the requirement.
1. What is your usual Starbucks order?
I'm a fan of the lemon poundcake and have been known to order that from time to time!
2. What does your workstation look like?
Probably pizza!
4. Favorite Author?
Edgar Allan Poe
5. What do you think of open relationships?
#NotAFan
6. Favorite video game?
Slushie or Snow Cone
8. Favorite movie?
School of Rock
9. Favorite book?
The Outsiders
10. Twitter or Instagram?
11. Desktop or laptop?
Desktop
12. Best advice I’ve ever received?
What you tolerate is what you worry about
13. What project are you working on right now?
This LONG post! Haha!
14. Favorite color?
Purple
15. Did you get good grades in school?
To make a living off of content creation either on my blog or on YouTube!
17. Play any sports?
No, and I really didn't play many growing up!
18. Do you have a degree?
American
20. What is your favorite kind of blog post?
Lifestyle!
21. What do you like to collect?
Skulls/Sugar Skulls (not real, the decorative kind)!
22. Describe yourself in 3 words…
Motivated, unstoppable, beautiful
23. If you were a rapper what would your stage name be?
I don't know. Maybe I would be a rap duo with my husband, Jonathan. We would be "GJAllison, We Da Best!"
24. Who was the last person you DM?
Jonathan
25. Whats on top of your wish list right now?
Probably a shopping spree!
26. Sorting house?
Sssssslytherin
27. How many tattoos?
None
28. What are you most grateful for this year?
My family, as always!
29. What has been the best thing that happened to you this month?
I got to fellowship with some of my coworkers over coffee and breakfast!
31. What’s the best thing ever?
Taking my bra off at the end of the day!
32. Favorite season?
Fall, y'all!
33. Favorite holiday?
Merida from Brave. I am and always will be very strong willed, and I've been bad in the past about letting what I want get in the way of what is best. However, I feel like I'm much more mature than I used to be and I take people's lives and feelings as it relates to my decisions into account more than I used to.
35. Do you like surprises?
Sure!
36. Whats the biggest surprise you’ve ever had?
My mom threw a bit of a surprise party for me when I was in college. She managed to keep it a secret from me by working with my roommate to coordinate when she could get into our sorority house to set it up. I'm usually not easy to surprise, but that one got me.
37. Which surprise made you cry?
My engagement.
38. What’s the best surprise you’ve given to someone else?
I think it was Jonathan's 21st birthday where I gave him 21 gifts throughout the day. I loved that one and I think that was probably the best thing I've been able to do in the way of surprises.
39. Do you like muffins?
Absolutely!
40. Do you cook often?
Probably Reese's cheesecake
42. Is there a dessert you don’t like?
Pecan pie
43. Cake or pie?
Cake
44. What’s your least favorite food?
Dumplings (even though I'm from the south)!
45. What’s your favorite condiment?
That's a tie between Ketchup and Ranch Dressing
46. It’s 4 am on a random Saturday, what are you eating?
Whatever I'm dreaming about because I ain't awake at 4 a.m. on a Saturday.
47. If you could teach a college class what would it be called?
The Art of Not Being A Terrible Human Being
48. Best Animated Film?
Hercules or Aladdin
49. What has a guy said or done to impress you?
Maybe like a painting class?
51. Worst thing to do on a first date?
Never done this, but I don't think it would be a good idea to go to bars and drink a lot on a first date.
52. Whats the funniest pick up line a guy/girl could use?
Hmmmm...I don't know.
53. Best comic book character?
Iron Man!
54. Name 3 things that can always be found in your purse?
Keys, some form of money, and lipstick
55. Favorite drink?
Pepsi Max Taste
56. If you could play a historical character in a movie who would it be?
I really don't know. Maybe like a knight or something?
57. Kittens or puppies?
I refuse to choose. I have one of each and they're both awesome :)
58. Favorite Sushi roll?
SUSHI?! DiSgUsTaNg!
59. What lipstick do you use?
I've been using the Joah Truly Yours Foundation lately.
61. Blow dry or air dry?
Air Dry
62. Who is your fashion icon?
I don't really have one.
63. Favorite Disney Character?
Hercules
64. What are you doing tomorrow?
Working
65. Movie you laughed the hardest through?
Probably School of Rock, my favorite.
66. Movie that made you cry?
Boy in the Striped Pajamas or My Girl
67. If you could sing a duet with anybody who would you choose?
Dead or Alive? Elvis Presley
68. If your life was a song what would the title be?
Walking on Sunshine!
69. What's your favorite animal?
No idea.
71. The person you want to have coffee with?
Probably Jeremy, my best friend who lives in Georgia. But I can't remember if he likes coffee...
72. What country would you like to visit?
South Korea
73. Best way to decompress?
Face mask, watch a movie, or hang out with my hubby!
Thank you for reading all of my 73 answers!
My Nominees are:
1- Lauren: https://www.laurenyloves.co.uk/
2- Thoughts Parsed: http://www.thoughtsparsed.com/
3- Deandra from https://theblackprincessdiaries.com/
That's it! I don't have many blogger friends! If you want to be friends, add me on social media. Find my links below!
BIOCLARITY ESSENTIALS SKINCARE | $29.95
First on my favorites list is the BioClarity Essentials Skincare Line. This line is vegan and cruelty-free. I was super stoked after receiving this because I do have red skin and several problem areas. I love how gentle, yet hydrating each of the products in this line are! They have a pretty neutral smell and the products actually absorb into your skin, rather than sit on top of it as some products do. If you'd like to check out this brand, or purchase from them, visit the link attached to the picture or in the headline! |
JOAH BEAUTY JELLY BAE LIPSTICK | $6.50
I really thought that I had a lipstick this color, but I only had some bright reds in my lipstick arsenal. So, when I decided to try Joah Beauty, I snatched up a burgundy lip color called "Boothang." For a lipstick that is only $6.50, it mattes down extremely well. I am super happy with the color and I'm really glad I took a chance on this product! If you want to check out the other shades of this lipstick, click the photo or the headline to go to the site! |
JOAH BEAUTY PRIMER AND FOUNDATION | $10.50/$9.50
I ran out of foundation just in time to start using the Joah Truly Yours foundation and primer when they arrived. The primer really sets a great base for the foundation. It has little flakes of gold in it to give you a vibrant, glowly look. The foundation is buildable and actually stays on throughout the day. I was surprised by this company. I tried them because of Katrina from KSLoves on YouTube. Again, links are connected to the photo and in the headline! |
RED AVIATOR SUNGLASSES | $5
Since I finally restocked on contacts, I can wear sunglasses once again! I bought this particular pair of sunglasses for a themed baseball game, but I've been loving the accessory as of late. I got these from Walmart for about $5, but I think it was actually less! The frames are gold and I love the reflective property of the lenses. It makes for some great photos and no one can see me when I'm rolling my eyes (lol, JK). |
NETFLIX MOVIE: MURDER MYSTERY
Usually, Adam Sandler is really hit or miss for me. However, I like him in pretty much every movie that he plays opposite of Jennifer Aniston in. This is an action-packed comedy thriller that places a working-class couple on a vacation where they find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. I loved the comedic relief in this movie, and also loved the action part. It was fun to try to think through who the killer might have been. I recommend this for a girls night or for a date night in. I watched it with Jonathan and we both loved it! |
I want to make it clear that I believe anyone should be able to wear whatever they want! These are just suggestions to make your photos look better and to make your other friends envious of your style. PLEASE also know that I am not an expert, but a plus-size gal with 25 years of experience in a plus-size body!
So, here are a few tips:
1: OPT FOR VERTICAL STRIPES
Photo by Artem Beliaikin @belart84 from Pexels
|
If youâre like me and you are plus size and short, you should opt for vertical stripes on your clothing. Horizontal stripes can make you look wider and can accentuate lumps and bumps that you might want to keep hidden.
However, vertical stripes give a lengthening effect, making you look taller and drawing the eyes to the top and bottom of your body, rather than from side to side. |
2: THINK BIG WITH ACCESSORIES (FOR THE MOST PART)
When it comes to accessories, the experts agree that larger statement jewelry and other accessories look great.
Since I got some contacts, I have been loving accessories like sunglasses. I bought this pair for a special baseball game a few weeks ago. However, I've loved them since. I myself noticed that my face seemed a lot smaller when I wore sunglasses with larger frames. This is because the attention is moved on to your glasses, giving your face the appearance that itâs shapelier. I personally like aviator sunglasses! I've also really loved statement jewelry. Experts say that smaller pieces can sometimes seem super tiny on us larger ladies (no offense intended from these experts). You could also try a head accessory like a bow or ear/head wrap in colder months (like the one below made by my awesome mama)! |
|
3: PLAY WITH PRINTS
Again, if youâre wanting to look slimmer in particular, you should try to play with different patterns. Patterns can distract from lumps and bumps as well. I really love floral patterns as well as tie-dye.
The photo to the left is one of Jonathan and I's engagement photos (we're married now)! This dress has a floral print. I also love skull prints. My college graduation dress was black with neon skulls on it. I loved it and still have it! |
4: DRESS FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE
Within the plus-size community, there are different body types. The key to feeling and looking great in your outfits is dressing for your body type. There are five main body types: hourglass, pear/triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, and oval.
Each body type can style themselves specifically to cater to the curves in a fashionable way. |
I really liked this blog that explains body shape. Scroll down, click the shapes, read the description, and find which shape you believe fits you best: http://www.thechicfashionista.com/body-shapes.html
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