FALLing for Summer Styles

So it is officially October. I would love to be able to tell you about all the cute fall sweaters and boots that I am going to be rocking. Unfortunately, I live in Florida, so it might as well still be summer. But that doesn't mean I still get get a little excited about some fashion prospects. I just discovered that Bombshell has sexy workout leggings, so I am pretty stoked.

I live for leggings. I like being able to move around and feel comfortable, but sometimes sportswear can leave something to be desired in terms of style. Not anymore, though. Not with Bombshell Sportswear, though. The styles are so hot. I love the variety. I especially love high waited leggings, since my tummy is not the most toned. I love that you have contemporary, trend setting, if fact, styles that will make you the envy of anyone stuck with regular pants that are half as stylish and twice as uncomfortable.

I am especially digging these high waisted thigh high print leggings. They have many color options, but I am such a sucker for that school girl sock vibe, and these do it perfectly. If only I had the body to match, but at least I can disguise all my flaws in a super cute pair of leggings. 

 

 

These will transition into autumn perfectly, as well. How cute will they be under a tunic and a cardigan? I am in love.The pink ones are to die for. There are so with pockets. Those camo ones. I don't even normally like camo that much, but they are so hot. I just need then whole collection. Plus there is a collection of solid prints and more. So much fire. They almost make me want to work out. Almost.

Achieving a Natural Look with Makeup

Many people wear makeup on a regular basis to enhance their appearance and give them more confidence. However, these days, a lot of us do not want to wear makeup that is really obvious and looks like it has been troweled on. Instead, we want something that looks natural, and that simply enhances our natural look rather than making us look completely different.

Fortunately, there are lots of great products you can use in order to create a natural but enhanced look with the makeup you wear. You may need to practice with your technique to get it just right. In addition, you may need to try out different shades to find the perfect one for you. If you need to buy new makeup to achieve that natural finish, you can get some great deals on beauty products online with the use of promos such as Kohls coupons, so you won’t have to break the bank. In this article, we will look at some tips that can help you to achieve a natural finish with your makeup.

Tips to Help You Achieve a Natural Finish

There are various tips that can help you to achieve a natural finish when it comes to your makeup. One thing you should aim to do is wear a primer before you apply any more makeup. This will help to smooth out the skin and minimize pores, which in turn will give your complexion a fresher, more natural finish. You can get all sorts of primers including ones that are suitable for sensitive skin, so finding the right one should be easy.

When it comes to foundation, you should aim for a light coverage option. One of the great foundation options available is mousse foundation, which is very light and airy and will not cake on your face like many other foundation types. You only need to pump a small amount out and it will go a long way. Do not make the mistake of getting a darker shade to make yourself look tanned or darker, or a lighter shade than your skin, as this will look very unnatural. Match the foundation as closely as possible to your natural skin shade and tone.

To set your foundation, apply just a very light dusting of loose powder to ensure it does not cake on the skin. Use a large powder brush to apply this, as you can then better control the amount you apply. Again, make sure you choose the right shade of loose powder to match your foundation and your natural skin shade for the best results.

Using a cream blusher rather than a powder one can also help to give you a natural, dewy, and glowing finish. Make sure you do not apply too much blusher, as this will look very obvious. Just a touch of the product on the apples of your cheeks will help to achieve a wonderful natural finish and leave your skin looking healthy and fresh.

These are just a few key tips that can help you to achieve a fresh and natural finish with your makeup.

4 Tips To Look For When Moving

Moving comes with its own challenges and problems but also the excitement of starting over somewhere new. Creating a new opportunity for you, your loved ones, and your career. However, it’s getting you to that location that can also be a headache so why not take the stress away and hire a moving company to assist you in the process? There are millions of moves every year and it’s a minor miracle that many of them go smoothly with zero issues. Hiring a quality moving company is a must however with so many moves, these are scams that can also occur. It’s in your best interest for you and your family to be properly informed about every step in the process once you hire them to help you. Below are a few tips to help make it as easy as possible once the big day arrives.
 

1. Taking Inventory Of Your Belongings -

A company should be taking inventory of all of your belongings to determine the weight and bulk of your move. This can be done either in person or through a virtual survey. The estimator should be extremely thorough and check all of the storage places including your bookcase, garage, cupboards, and drawers. A large component of the price is based on the weight of everything you are moving as well as the space that it will take in the truck. This is a pretty accurate estimate so be aware of the price once it’s presented to you. While walking through your home, an estimator should be asking you questions as to what is staying or being taken with you so help you prepare for the final price. If you plan on giving a few things away, donating or having a yard sale, try to tag those in a specific spot so you don’t become confused.

2. Name Changes-

Some companies avoid being assessed by the Business Bureau by changing their name. Be sure that the company has a local address and the information is insured and licensed. The employees should be able to answer simple questions with a full name of the business. If you have any red flags or suspensions, you’ll want to see if there are any other names in the company as well as their federal license numbers. Check online if there are any testimonies that complain about the company as well before you give them a call.


Image: Infinite Moving Company

3. References Are Key-

Before hiring someone, make sure that you have trusted resources to help make your decision. If nobody in your area has used the company, check for references given to you by the movers themselves. They should be able to provide you some. Tell them at least three customers from the area who have moved in the last few months and call them to ask direct questions about how their experience went to help you make a final decision.
 

4. Refrain From Packing Costs -

If you pack up your belongings on your own, the moving company is generally not responsible for the damage to them. However if you have them pack you might be paying prices for boxes, packing material and their time and labor. Ask them abut packing experience because while most of them are careful and have your best interest at heart, you don’t want to have someone whose very new to the job roses whatever they want into a box with little regard of something breaking! 

Image: Infinite Moving Company

Now that you learned about a few major things to look for when it comes to hiring a moving company, there is a local business that can assist you that comes highly recommended, and truly feels like family. The Infinite Moving Company is a family operated and owned business to offer services such as furniture, appliance and office relocation. They can even opt to move just one large item if you need it. This commercial based moving company in the Polk County area believes in integrity, honesty and quality of service above all else so it’s no surprise that they really treat you as the family they have within their company and do their very best to prioritize you and deliver exceptional services every single time. Why wouldn’t you want to call on these experts to assist you during such a big transition for your family? Have there been any tips or tricks you’d like to share about moving? Have things gone pretty smooth or were there some hiccups along the way?

Inventory Optimization

This year is one of the strangest that I can recall living through. It has simultaneously flown by at lightning speed and dragged on at an excruciatingly slow pace. While that seems contradictory, and it obviously is, I think that comes from the fact that so many things have happened, while at the same time we are "missing" all the normal things we would experience.

One thing is for sure, this year will be one that defines our decade. At least unless the following years have something even worse in mind. Now, I am not saying it will define us in a negative. In fact, I think it can be quite the opposite. Of course this virus is a tragedy, so many lives have been lost, and most or it was preventable with proper precautions from the start.

Still, we as individuals can learn from this. We can take this time of unrest and use it to implement positive changes. We can be more adaptive in our social interactions, taking this example to be conscientious that there are always those with immune deficiencies among us, even when pandemics are not rampant.

We can focus on the fact that the jobs that are considered "unskilled labor" are the same ones deemed "essential" now. And we can make sure we remember that when we vote on things that impact those jobs. We should all care about raising wages for workers that do so much for us all.

In addition to changing our attitude and social behaviors, we can also take this time to refocus our own lives at home and restructure our businesses as well. Now is the perfect time to start on inventory optimization. Not only can optimization help reduce overstocking and reduce materials and costs, if you choose the right tools, it can also help predict future demands.

The harmonization is probably my favorite aspect, though. Things run so much more smoothly when everything is in sync. And the Artificial Intelligence run operating system, plus the use of a Cloud platform, makes the accuracy impeccable (99% reliability). 

Since my own endeavors have been a little slow, as of late, I have been working closely with my cousin in law in my mother-in-law's care and the management of my late father-in-laws business and estate handling. Cloud based services make it so much easier for us to stay connected and well informed.

We have recently brought in a few new people into the fold, so the easy, seamless operation of the cloud is so helpful. I love knowing that we are always on the same page, even though they are across the country. I love the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we have the best support available. Capable hands make all the difference.

Aside from that, I am just trying to remember that perfection is important in some areas (as in, no mistakes with inventory and such) but that having a "perfect" year or life, being the perfect mom, etc, is just not attainable. I am learning to find acceptance in the fact that not only are flaws normal, the uniqueness is what makes life truly special and beautiful. So instead of wishing for perfection, I am just enjoying another day in this beautiful disaster. I hope you are enjoying yours as well. Stay safe, friends.  

Investing In Me

My last post talked quite a bit about self confidence issues and working to build up my self esteem. One way I have been doing that (for well over a year now) is by working on my weight. I have been doing Keto and technically fasting to an extent, but it is mostly only because how how much I choose to eat and what time I prefer to eat at.

I am not a planner, at all! I am very disorganized in all aspects of my life. I hate counting and measuring and tracking. That is what has caused me to fail at other fitness goals in the past. I could probably see faster results with those methods, but my whole goal is not to let my life revolve around my weight, and I think by making things that strict, I would be causing it to be "a thing" that makes it seem suffocating, setting me up to fail.

Lately, I have been considering supplementing my efforts. While I have seen(painfully slow, but still meaningful) results, I can tell that my body shape has been changed by my children, diet, and lifetime lack of fitness. Even if or when I reach my goal on the scale, I can see that my body will not take the shape I want. I have lose skin and lumps and bumps. I never got the "pregnant" fat belly, it was always "busted biscuits".

So, I have been researching plastic surgery. I have actually always considered plastic surgery, even back into my teens. The only real factor that kept me from actively considering it was the cost. However, we are more stable financially than we have been in the past, and I am starting to realize that sometimes you need to make an investment in yourself.

I tend to feel selfish when I consider "wasting" money on myself, especially on something that can be argued is not a need. It is still hard to not feel bad about it, but I have started to realize that mental health can be as important as (or even more important than) physical health. This is something that will help me immensely with my body image and my concept of self worth.

I have even considered how this can be a positive for my family as well. I will look more appealing to my husband. If I possess more self confidence, I will set a much better example for my daughter (and my soon, too, really) on loving yourself. Thankfully, she is extremely confident so far, in spite of my terrible example. But as she gets older, I want to be a help to her, not a hindrance.

So anyway, I have been looking into who might me the best plastic surgeon for me. I was particularly looking into liposuction, but in doing so I found that one of the most reputable facial plastic surgeons around is actually very close to where I live. And the offer cheek reduction. My facial fat is one of the areas I still haven't seen the results I was aiming for.

I still haven't nailed down exactly what I will have done, but I love that I have a solid starting point and I have something to look forward to. I like feeling like I deserve to do things for myself sometimes. I like being excited, and I am. 

Say Cheese!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It is so cheesy and cliche, except that it's true. Photos are meaningful. They are an archive of your life's mot precious moments. The memories that you will cherish when you are old and gray and pass down to your great grandchildren.

So, it's important to actually capture those moments. I know for so many of us, that cam be very hard. It is especially challenging when you don't feel confident in yourself. You'd rather avoid capturing your "flaws". I relate, completely. And I am actually trying my best to work on it myself, since it is a huge struggle for me.

A huge part of self confidence is mental, you have to accept that you look good as you are, and you can even accept that it doesn't matter how you look, because real beauty comes from within and the people that love you will do so no matter how you look. I wish I had the mental stability to do that.

Another thing you can do, is work on your "flaws" in reasonable ways that help boost your confidence (not in ways that are harmful to your health or sanity.) For example, I have been working on my weight, and while I still have many flaws, I feel much better about myself with the pounds I've lost gone.

Similarly, some years ago I had cosmetic dentistry done to fix my broken front teeth. My teeth have always been bad and having broken ones right in the front was a huge blow to my confidence. That made me wary of taking pictures and of smiling in general. If a similar issue is concerning you, I highly recommend looking into smile design. Not only will you likely feel better aesthetically, but it is beneficial physically as well.

Getting my teeth fixed helped me so much when it came to photographs. I still hate photos of myself, which I am working on, but at least I feel like my smile is as good as it's going to get, and I can accept that. I am glad that I can show happiness in my photos without second guessing myself. Who wants to look back on memories where they are frowning or pouting? I sure don't, and I don't want my kids looking back and wondering whether their mother was unhappy spending time with them.

We only get one life, and I intend to make the most of it. I want to remember everything and make sure my kids know they were loved. I want them to show pictures to their great grand kids of when they had the "best day ever" at the beach with their mom. I want them to have proof of every cookie baking mess and frosting face birthday and everything in between.

That's the biggest thing I realized. One day, I'll be gone, and all my kids will have is the memories we made and the physical form of those memories, the photos we take along the way. And I decided "who cares if there are ugly ones?" Life isn't always perfect. Why should the photos we take have to be? Isn't it better to have real memories than no memories? I certainly think so. Even if I still have to work hard to battle my demons every time I reach for the camera.

How to Help a Spouse With a Problem

Relationships have both good and tough times. Unfortunately, many couples don’t know how to relate when one is struggling with an issue. This is mainly because some people choose to hide behind their problems instead of discussing them. It is best to visit couples rehabs before the physical and emotional distance causes irreparable damage to the relationship. You won’t be sorry you put in the extra effort to save your marriage.

If your partner requires space, give it to him or her

This may seem counterproductive, especially since the absence of communication has been the cause of breakdowns in relationships. However, sometimes, when experiencing a tough time, some people need space to think about their options before discussing what they are going through.

People have different reactions to the challenges they are facing. Couples are not any different because each partner has their unique traits. You need to appreciate the kind of person your spouse is and provide support accordingly.

If he or she will resent any forceful attempts from you to make the problems go away, it is best to give it some time. However, don’t allow too much time to go by without addressing the issue.

Sometimes listening is enough

It is natural for couples to stand by each other and help lessen the burden one partner bears. However, sometimes trying to fix things does more harm than good. It is great to have an opinion or even voice it, but there are times when the best you can do is to give a listening ear.

This way, even when you offer your advice or opinion, your partner will be confident that you understand what they are facing. Additionally, allowing your spouse to speak will help them come to terms with the issue.

Seek help from a professional or third party

If your partner has trouble confiding in you out of concern of overburdening you or possibly out of shame, it is best to seek help from someone who can get him or her to open up. Some couples, depending on the foundation of the relationship, have a difficult time communicating during tough times.

During this period, each one suffers quietly, and this often breeds resentment. Instead of allowing things to become worse, it is best to seek a third party’s assistance, preferably someone in whom your spouse can confide.

Use the support system you have at your disposal

As a couple, what has been your support structure? Who are your confidants? It could be your family, friends, or anyone who shares the same beliefs as the both of you.

While some people find it easy to discuss their challenges with strangers, some are more comfortable talking with those in their circle. This is especially important if the problem is too big for you and your spouse to solve. You never know, one of your close confidants may have the solution to your problems.

Read your spouse’s body language

If your spouse has trouble initiating a conversation when they have a problem, you should be the first to bring it up. Quickly identify any changes in behavior so that you can find out what the problem is before your spouse falls into depression.

For example, is he more on edge? Does your spouse indulge in more alcohol than usual? Have their sleeping patterns changed? The responses will give you a glimpse of how troubled your spouse is, so you can raise your observations when you seek to find out what is wrong.

 

Work through the problem as a team

You and your spouse are partners, through the good and the bad. If you have been making important decisions together, then the problems your spouse faces should not be any different. You need to work through this as a team.

Let your spouse know that they are not alone. Whatever challenges they face, you will find a solution together. If the problem is as a result of an addiction where therapy is necessary, take the time to attend some of the sessions. This will encourage your spouse to do everything to overcome their problems.

Be patient and understanding

This is very critical, especially if your spouse’s attitude has strained the relationship. You need to be patient and understanding, especially if they are trying to come to terms with their situation. Keep communication lines open, even when your spouse doesn’t want to talk.

Being patient to someone who is lashing out can be tough, but it will be worth it if you don’t respond with indifference or anger. If your spouse feels your support, he or she will be more positive about confronting the situation. The issue will also be resolved much faster if you both confront it together.