Another month has blown by, which means its time for me to tell you some of the things I loved this last month. Let's get right into it: COLOURPOP X DISNEY VILLAINS: HADES | $25
ULTA X AVENGERS SUPERCHARGED - $8
TARTE SUGAR RUSH ITEMS | ~$25
TIKTOK MAKEUP LAPSE VIDEOS | FREEI uploaded one of my timelapses onto YouTube so you could see what I'm talking about. Tik Tok is kind of like Musicly and Vine put together. I like using it to make videos of my "transforming" into my makeup. I think that it gives me confidence, even if I'm still not the best at doing my makeup. I feel like I'm improving, and that's what matters to me! THE INNER WORLD | $8
FRIENDSHIP COLLAR | ~$40
SO, THAT'S IT!Those are all of the products that I've loved from April! I'm looking forward to a few other things in May:
What did you love this month? Let me know in the comments or Tweet it to me! LEGAL: All photos in this post are my own.
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So today, I wanted to share with you the good, bad, and ugly parts of being in a sorority. Keep in mind while reading this that I’m speaking from my own experience at a smaller university. Everyone will have their own experiences. Without further ado, let’s get into this! THE GOODI am absolutely thrilled that I joined a sorority for a number of reasons. However, there are unfortunately more bad and ugly things to consider before you choose Greek life on your campus. The first really good thing about joining a sorority is, if you join the right one, you are surrounded by a number of like-minded individuals who often care about the same things as you do. I loved that about my sorority!
Next, I really appreciated that, at my school, academics and involvement were always highly praised in the Greek system. I was awarded the Greek with the highest GPA award two years in a row. Our Greek system also gave awards for social events and philanthropy.
I learned that leaders have a really stressful job. While in my sorority, I served as both Vice President/Rush Chair and President. These were both extraordinarily difficult positions to hold, but I did the best I could with the life knowledge I had. THE BAD AND THE UGLYI’m just going to combine these two because they both can apply to all the situations I’m going to name here.
And if issues with other organizations aren’t enough, you will likely have situations where there is some sort of disparity in your own organization that causes fighting and issues among your members. This could be because of attendance, academic status, leadership issues, and more. If you’re in any position of leadership during these things, it all falls on you. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying neutral in your opinion.
CLOSING THOUGHTSAll-in-all, I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t gone Greek. Some closing thoughts are that hazing was never an issue for me. My college has a no-tolerance hazing policy, and I believe there are state laws that are sort of against it, too. If you’re worried about that, talk to the Greek life coordinator at your college about that.
As we all know, Spring has arrived. As a native of North Carolina, Spring arrived with a ton of pollen! It is so easy to track pollen and other dirt and dust into the house. It also doesn’t help that Jonathan works in landscaping, so I always feel like I’m trapped in a pile of dirt. But, these 8 Spring cleaning hacks and tips will make things a lot easier this season: 1: BOOT DROP-OFF So, now Jonathan knows to leave his boots in the kitchen or living room. This keeps dirt out of the bedroom easily. I am going to also invest in a mat where he can place his boots by the door. This will keep the dirt concentrated! 2: KEEP THAT KEYBOARD CLEAN
Another thing I do is I use those Lysol wipes on my Mac keyboard. I make sure to do this gently to be careful not to damage the keyboard. Do at your own risk! 3: ADD BORAX TO NEUTRALIZE SMELLS Borax can be used to clean a number of other things like mattresses, outdoor furniture, carpets, and more! 4: USE AN OLD, THICK SOCK TO MOP
This is not only the economical choice, but it is also a great ecological choice! 5: KEEP YOUR SHOWER CLEAN 6: TURN CLEANING INTO A GAME FOR YOUR KIDS
7: CLEAN OFF STUCK-ON FOOD EASILY
Leave it for a few hours and you will find that the food be easier to remove, making the washing process easier! 8: KEEP MAKEUP BRUSHES CLEAN WITH A TRIVET Add baby shampoo or whatever cleaner you want to use to the trivet and then swirl your makeup brush around it. Add water when needed and repeat this until your brushes are clean. Hang them on a coat hanger with some clips to dry and prevent molding. CONCLUSION I hope this few hacks will make Spring cleaning a lot easier, fun, and productive for you. Do you have any tips to keep homes clean this Spring? Drop them down below and lets help each other out!
As a member of a University staff, and as a graduate myself, I think that college is monumentally important. Not only is it important to help you earn a degree that can be used in a career, but it is also important to help you acclimate to living life on your own and to becoming a good citizen within a community. But, there are undoubtedly things that I wish I had known before I enrolled! Since people are starting to get acceptance letters, I thought this would be a great post to make. If you want to learn more, keep reading: 1: YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE A BREAKDOWN
According to the Association for University and College counseling Center directors, 95 percent of college counseling center directors say that psychological problems are a growing concern on their campus. This is why it is so important to never be too prideful or scared to seek out help. Most colleges either have a center for mental health services, or they have outside resources that can help you! 2: IT'S OK TO SAY NOSo, whenever I got in to college, I got really involved. I was in a number of clubs and organizations, including my sorority, and I was also really involved in my major. It took me until my senior year to realize that it is OK to say no. Remember that you are there to get your education. Not to plan social events, work on outside projects, etc. 3: COLLEGE FRIENDS WILL BE YOUR BFFS
I believe that this has to do with the fact that you are friends with these people during one of the most challenging moments of your life. On top of that, you finally understand when you graduate that you don’t have to talk to someone every single day to be their friend. All of my friends and myself have our own lives. But, we make a point to pick up where we left off when we see each other again! 4: PREPARE FOR DRAMA OF SOME SORT
She brought back guys and her cousin to our room most nights. When she came in, she would wake me up and be really noisy and turn the lights on. Sometimes, your RA or RC won’t understand how bad the situation is. When this happened, my mom actually had to come down and confront my RC because she wasn’t doing anything about the situation. But, it all got handled and I didn’t have any more problems. After that, I moved in to my sorority house. Is it even a sorority house without drama? No. 5: YOUR PLANS MIGHT CHANGE, AND THAT’S OK
Your advisors and staff members around your college campus can help you decide what might be the best choice for you. You have time, and it isn’t a reason to panic. 6: MAKE A SCHEDULE AND STICK TO IT
This will help you make time for appointments, trips to the gym, homework and study time, time to call your family and update them on your day, and time with friends. This gives you a great work-home-friend-body-school balance! CONCLUSIONI actually started writing a seventh tip only on work study, but I think that could be an entire post on its own. If you’re going to college, thinking about going back, or in your last years of study, I hope this can help you to improve your time in school!
HE EITHER SAID SOMETHING FUNNY OR WISE HE LOVED ELVIS
HE WAS A PROUD VETERAN
HE WAS A CARING MAN
HE WAS A GIVING MAN
HE WAS A GODLY MAN
HE WAS A SUPPORTIVE MAN
Blood loss accounts for more than 60,000 deaths a year. These deaths might be because of injuries at work, at home, acts of violence, and/or acts of terrorism. These statistics only continue to climb as crime, school shootings, and acts of terrorism plague our nation. The good news is, you can do something to save one of these 60,000 lives.
I HAVE LINKED TO TWO PRODUCTS ON AMAZON. THIS IS JUST TO CONNECT YOU WITH THE PRODUCTS I'M WRITING ABOUT. I DO NOT GET ANY COMPENSATION FOR PROMOTING THESE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS. 1: KNOW YOUR TOOLS
Hemostatic gauze is a type of wound dressing that is treated with a clotting agent. However, the gauze can start to dissolve when it comes in to contact with blood. Work quickly to avoid activation before it gets packed into the wound. Your hands can also be of use! Put pressure on the wound using both of your hands. 2: CONSIDER MAKING A KIT
It might also help to have some sort of pain reliever in your kit. 3: CALL FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
They are able to treat the patient and get them to potentially life-saving treatment and surgery. 4: CONTROL BLEEDING UNTIL MEDICAL SERVICES CAN GET THERE
5: THINGS TO REMEMBER
However, please continue to research this. This should not be your concern. You should try to help whenever you can. Lastly, you likely will not know the victim or if they have any sort of blood-borne disease. Try to protect your hands and skin from their blood as much as possible. If you can’t avoid it, you can follow them to the hospital to be tested following any exposure. FOR MORE INFORMATIONFor more information about this training, head over to BleedingControl.org. You can also grab a bleeding control kit from www.ControlBleedingKits.com. I did not receive compensation of any kind to write about Stop the Bleed or promote any specific products. These are just suggestions!
Welcome to another favorites post! I’m excited to share with you the few things I’ve tried this month that I’ve really enjoyed. I say few because I didn’t get to try much. However, there are a few things I know I love enough to share with you! 12-PACK CELAVI ESSENCE FACIAL SHEET MASKS | $10.95
MORPHE 35M BOSS MOOD ARTISTRY PALETTE | $25 |
I’d be lying if I said I went in to Ulta with the desire for this particular palette. In fact, I was actually hoping I’d find a James Charles palette. Alas, there were none in stock. However, I was so excited to start playing with the palette, and I’m lowkey in love with it. There are plenty of both matte and shimmer shades. Both are super pigmented. I’ve never had a nicer brand eyeshadow palette. Most of the palettes I have are either the Ulta brand, or a drug store brand. I loved that I didn’t have to pack on the color as hard. I’m looking forward to getting the James Charles palette, though. I've already played with the brown and red shades, and I'm pumped to dive in to the purples and greens! Wish me luck! |
LAC MATTE LIPSTICK SHADE: STARLET | $1
Whenever you find that "magical" lip color that you can't live without, it can be hard to give it a break. But, I've recently started wearing this lipstick, which I'm pretty sure Jonathan bought for me as an advent calendar gift when we did our little challenge this past Christmas. I just really like the red shade and the lipstick is truly matte, which I appreciate. It just goes to show that you can find great options anywhere, even at the dollar store! |
“US” MOVIE | TICKET PRICE
I think that some people are giving this movie hate because they don’t understand it. The message is a little more buried than the one that was presented in his movie, “Get Out.” However, I really enjoyed the movie and thought that it had some valuable themes and lessons. If you’re interested, check out Monday’s post where I dissect some of the themes and symbolism I found in the movie. There will be spoilers though, so go get your tickets and check it out quick! |
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN APRIL
- Purchasing ColourPop’s Dr. Facilier Collection. It is a small kit that comes with a lipstick, lip gloss, and a highlighter. They have one for each of the big villains (save a few, of course).
- Purchasing Tarte’s Sugar Rush skincare kit, especially the star factor cleansing brush. I felt the brush when I was in Ulta, but they were out of stock, so I didn’t get to get one this time around.
- Good Friday/Easter because I will have a long weekend to hopefully spend with family or give back to the community.
What did you love from this month? Share your products, services, and entertainment ideas below so we can all check them out!
I also want to show you how we celebrated this past weekend!
1. YOU'RE GOING TO FIGHT, AND THAT'S OK
If there is one thing that I've learned from two years of marriage (and nearly 5 years being in a relationship with the same person), it's that fighting is normal and relatively healthy for the most part. Now, if you're fighting every day or things get abusive, that should be a hint that something is wrong. However, you can't expect to live in close quarters with someone nearly 24/7 and expect everything to be all sunshine and rainbows. One day it might be a fight over leaving boots in the middle of the floor (...ehem...) or it might be over who should take the trash out. |
2. YOUR MAMA DIDN'T RAISE YOUR PARTNER
It is super important to remember that you weren't raised the same way as your partner. This isn't a jab, but it is more of a realization that things that you might find important may not have been instilled in them, and vice versa. It is vital that you talk with one another and work out your differences to that they don't cause you any issue. However, a different perspective can be great and a refreshing change from your own. |
3. GET A HOBBY TO STOP DRIVING EACH OTHER CRAZY
For me, that hobby is blogging and sometimes my freelance work. It gives us each a few hours almost every day to focus on something we want to do without distraction. Jonathan enjoys playing music and video games. I also enjoy games, but we don't always play the same ones. It is nice to not feel pressured to spend every waking moment with your significant other! |
4. SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE
My husband and I each have different things that we need support from one other to accomplish. For me, I struggled (and sometimes continue to struggle) with a personal health issue that can be difficult to work with while maintaining a healthy marriage. My husband (as well as my mom) has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. He's done so much for me on my bad days, and even helps on my good ones. For that, I'm so grateful! |
5. YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM CAN HURT YOUR PARTNER
Your support system that you had before marriage was always looking out for you! Therefore, they may not notice or care that some things that they say can be hurtful and can feel unsupportive to your spouse. It's important that you let your spouse know how this makes you feel. They may address it with their support system, or they may not. Either way, at least your spouse knows your feelings. |
6. BE BEST FRIENDS FIRST
When I met Jonathan, I was dating someone else. That didn't end well, but I had formed a friendship with him and, incidentally, he was my only friend who was available to comfort me when I broke it off with my boyfriend. Because we were friends, I don't feel pressure to look like a model, conceal my crazy, or cry in front of him. He's my rock and I know I can come to him with just about anything, and he'll be the first one there cheering me on and helping me. |
HOW WE CELEBRATED
On Saturday, we had brunch at Metro Diner in Fayetteville, N.C. before heading up to Raleigh for an improv comedy show with ComedyWorks. We also visited our friend Lauren and her husband Aaron for a bit before heading home.
Since tonight is our official anniversary, we have a small chocolate cake to enjoy with one another!
For some people, their beliefs did more than ruin familial relationships. Some paid with their jobs, their freedom, or even their lives. Keep reading to check out a is list of five (or more) people who were punished to the max for their beliefs.
1. NELSON MANDELA
Unfortunately, this generation probably knows Nelson Mandela as the father of the Mandela Effect, but he was much more than an internet phenomena. Mandela was born in 1918 and began his career as a politician and social activist in his 20s. He was jailed in 1962 for 27 years because of political offenses. Along with eight other African National Congress members, he was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government. The only problem was that he was trying to dismantle the apartheid system, which was a racial segregation of the races that forced black Africans to live in reserves and kept them from begin sharecroppers. Luckily, Mandela went on to serve as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999. |
2. AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Aung San Suu Kyi was born in Myanmar, a land between Thailand and Bangladesh. After spending several years abroad, she became a dedicated activist against the dictator regime of U Ne Win. By 1989, she was placed under house arrest. She wasn't released until Nov. 2010. During her imprisonment, she received the 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace. She was a member of the parliament for the National League for Democracy and later became the de facto head of Myanmar as the country's state counsellor. |
3. DALTON TRUMBO
I didn't know much about Trumbo until I attended a production at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville. He was a Hollywood screenwriter who lived his 20s-30s during the Great Depression. Because of the obvious and crippling financial inequality of the time, many people began to turn to communism (an idea that all property is owned and used by the collective public). Members of the film industry, including Gary Cooper, Walt Disney, and John Wayne formed the Motion Picture Alliance of American Ideals to combat "communist" tones in screenplays and movies. |
4. MOST PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
It is undeniable that many people who involved themselves in the American Civil Right's movement faced prison time or even death for speaking in the name of equality. Notably, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated for speaking out against the inequality and mistreatment of African Americans. Other notable people who were mistreated include: |
- Rev. George Lee: One of the first African American to register to vote in Humphreys County. He used his platform at church to encourage his congregation to register to vote. White officials of the time offered him protection if he stopped his campaigning, but he declined the offer and was killed.
- Viola Gregg Liuzzo: A white woman who was transporting marchers from different parts of Alabama to join the now-famous Selma marches. She was shot and killed by a Klansman in a passing car.
5. JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES
- Paul: Beheaded.
- Andrew: Crucified.
- Stephen: Stoned to death.
- Thomas: Speared by four soldiers.
- Matthias: Burned alive.
-Matthew: Stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
- James: Clubbed to death.
3/8/2019
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: MY MOST INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN FROM EACH DECADE IN THE LAST 100 YEARS
Read NowPlease go check out the original post from Hannah Mary! She posted about her most inspirational women television characters. Check it out here: https://hanmwill.com/inspiring-women-tv-edition.
Today, I want to focus on some of the women who inspire me, real or fictional, from the last 100 years.
1910 - WINIFRED BANKS, FICTIONAL CHARACTER
1920 – HELEN KELLER, DISABILITY ACTIVIST
Helen Keller lost both her sight and her hearing in 1882. At such a young age, Keller was instructed on how to live a normal life with a disability. She went on to graduate college in 1904. In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, which has since helped fight for equal rights for both women and for people of color! |
1930 – ZORA NEALE HURSTON, WRITER
In 1937, Zora Neale Hurston wrote one of my favorite books, Their Eyes Were Watching God. She collaborated with Langston Hughes for a play that was never finished. She also served as a faculty member for the now North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., my home state. I have a soft spot in my heart for writers, and Hurston really paved the way for other African-American writers to be recognized for their scholastic and academic achievements! |
1940 – ANNE FRANK & MIEP GIES, WWII ICONS
Image living in a small, cramped attic with your entire family and another family to escape a dictator who was out to kill you for something you couldn’t change. Anne Frank remained extraordinarily child-like in such a hard time. They were hidden by Miep Gies, a non-Jewish woman who helped to hide the Franks from Nazi soldiers. It took so much courage from both of these women, but only one escaped with her life. Miep is featured in one of my favorite movies “The Freedom Writers.” |
1950 - ROSA PARKS, CIVIL RIGHTS ICON
I can’t imagine how scary it was for Mrs. Parks to sit down in the front of a bus surrounded by men and women who were willing to do just about anything against people of color. But, when you've had enough, you've had enough! Parks serves as an inspiration to so many, including myself. It took real guts to do what she did! |
1960 – SKEETER PHELAN, FICTIONAL CHARACTER
Skeeter Phelan, played by Emma Stone, is an aspiring writer who decides to work with African-American house workers to uncover the reality of their every-day lives. While Skeeter isn’t one of my favorites of the movie (I fancy Minny Jackson, myself), I identify with her. I’m a writer and I was a journalist for a while. |
1970 – GLORIA STEINEM, JOURNALIST
As I’ve mentioned, I have a soft spot in my heart for journalists and writers, particularly ones that are motivated to expose wrong in the world. She went undercover as a PlayBoy club bunny in 1963. She is a champion of women’s rights and event helped form the National Women’s Political Caucus. I don’t agree with absolutely everything she stands for, but I love her persistence and opinion! |
1980 – MATILDA, FICTIONAL CHARACTER
I can’t actually imagine a life without watching Matilda make magic while staying positive under the roof of an emotionally-abusive family. I really love how brave Matilda is and I think she taught the children of that generation that it is OK to be brave and speak out. Being little doesn’t discount you! |
1990 - SELENA QUINTANILLA, SINGER/WRITER
I don’t know about you, but Selena captured my heart when I learned about her during a project in my high school Spanish class. Selena was a talented singer/songwriter and fashion designer. Although she couldn’t speak Spanish fluently at first, but she overcame her challenges to become the “Queen of Tejano Music.” She was sadly murdered by the founder of her fan club after questions involving money fraud were addressed. |
2000 – J.K ROWLING, AUTHOR
While Rowling began publishing the Harry Potter book series at the end of the 1990s, I think it is fair to say that much of her work was recognized in the 2000s. She has openly spoken about her struggle to get published and has been an advocate for everyone to follow their dreams, despite any rejection letters they may receive. She gives hope to a ton of young writers and encourages them to pursue their passion! |
PRESENT - SUSAN ISAAC, MOTHER
This is my mom! She is without a doubt one of the most inspirational women in my life. I have a blog collaboration I recently did with my friend from Gratisoul.com! To put it plainly and in simple terms as to not overshadow my collaboration post, my mom raised my brother and I as a single mother, and she always made a point to go the extra mile every holiday to make my brother and I feel so loved. If you’re reading this, I love you mom! |
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