5 Ways to Unwind

5 Ways to Unwind

The older I get the more I tend to feel stressed about things. Stress over work, stress over paying bills and student loans, stress about my future, etc. We’ve all been there. Stress is nothing foreign to many of us. But over the past month and a half or so, I let the stress build up too much to the point where I constantly felt anxiety beyond what was normal or healthy. I’m talking about the type of stress where you’re hungry but your stomach is in such a knot, you can’t eat. The type of stress where you either can’t fall asleep or wake up much too early freaking out because your mind is racing.

Today’s post is about how to manage that stress, and dare I say it, even combat it and alleviate it. Yes, it is possible to be stress-free, well almost as stress free as possible without being so lackadaisical that you take nothing seriously.

Here are my top five ways that have helped me push past the anxiety that I was struggling with (and still tried to rear it’s ugly head) about a month and a half ago.

1.     Create a Relaxing Environment – When I need to unwind it is imperative that I create an environment that is calm, relaxing and peaceful. When I’m wound up and feeling anxious, I instantly feel less tense when I go to my room, shut the door, put on my comfy clothes, light a candle and just sit in the quiet. Creating a calm environment forces you to slow down and reflect. Start by taking a warm shower or bath first that can also help to ease tension. I know that when I slow down and actually take a breather, I find that many of the thoughts that were troubling me weren’t as imposing as I thought they were when I was caught in a more high-stress environment.

2.      Teatime and Recreational Reading – Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed I’ll often make myself a cup of tea and grab a good book that will allow for me to escape reality. It’s another way to slow down and take my mind off things. There is something about holding a cup of fragrant hot tea and diving into a fictional world that sets my mind at ease. We live in a fast paced world and it’s easy to get swept up into the chaos. Sometimes just tuning out the world is just enough to set your mind at ease.

3.     Talk to Someone – I’m extremely blessed to have a great support system. My family and friends are always there when I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to just lend a listening ear and offer words of encouragement. One key thing I’ve learned about anxiety is that internalizing it is one of the worst things you can do. I’ve gotten into the habit that, whenever I feel overwhelmed and anxious, I’ll tell at least one person. Usually that person is Tonyette or my best friend Marianne. Tonyette maybe three hours away, but one simple text and I know she’s going to send words of encouragement and the perfect bible verse to set my mind at ease. Sharing what’s worrying you and then have someone provide feedback allows you to see a different perspective. You’ll often see that the situation isn’t as bad as you think it is.  WE often blow things out of proportion.

4.     Journaling - I started journaling on a daily basis in December of 2012. I’m the type of person that has to write things down. There is something about writing the thoughts racing through my mind on paper that really eases my anxiety and stress. It allows me to organize my thoughts on paper. I often find that when I start writing, some of the smaller things that I worry about don’t get written down because I realize they aren’t as large and imposing as I thought they seemed. Again, journaling forces me to sit, be still, and be quiet. I’ll put on my big headphones that cancel out noise, put on some peaceful music and write. I also include inspirational quotes and bible verses that stand out to me in my journal entries that inspire positive thinking.

5.     Praying and Reading My Bible – I saved this one for last because it’s the most important one to me. There are some things that the longest bubble bath won’t cure, that the best cup of tea and my favorite novel can’t solve. There are those things in life that just wear you down, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I pray and read my Bible daily. It is a part of my journaling routine. I always address my journal entries to God as letters. It is a form of prayer for me. Nothing eases my mind and gets rid of my stress and anxiety more than giving it all to the Lord. One verse that always comes to mind is Matthew 6:34:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

One thing Tonyette always says is to take it one day at a time. Focus on what can be done today, then focus on tomorrow. When we stress about the future we are stressing about things that we often have no control over and in many cases,  about things that will never come to pass. There is something so soothing about knowing that God has everything under control. It takes the pressure off me to think I have to have it all figured out when all I have to do is trust in God. He already has it all figured out. He knows that I need for the day and He knows what I need for my tomorrow.

Those are my top 5 ways that I unwind! I hope this was helpful! How do you manage stress and anxiety in your own life?

- Alana 

This face wash is AMAAAAZING.

So....It's been a while and I am super sorry. My life has consisted of being very busy and very sick (colds and allergies). I've also been making some huge decisions and taking in my time with my family, community, church family, friends, and students before my next steps in life. I've noticed that time waits for no one and I have to appreciate all moments. Okay....enough with the deep stuff lol. Grateful for the beautiful, God-fearing, and lovely Alana and her awesome posts. 

I came by to do a quick review of something I discovered over the past few weeks. I've been looking for a new face wash and I went back and forth between an all natural product like Burt's Bees or going with the powerhouse brands like Neutrogena or Cetaphil.

I have very sensitive, very oily, and acne-prone skin. I've definitely battled with acne - all my life and it's been challenging to find products that help. Nothing has really impressed me in the face wash realm. nothing. But one thing I've noticed is that my face feels so much better and look cleaner when my oil is at bay. Products have been able to control it for a while but not for long periods of time. Once my face produces oil - my face freaks out. 

No face product I've tried has helped me keep the oil at bay until....

Garnier Clean Plus Shine Control Cleansing Gel

I picked this up on a whim. I honestly was like "okay...let me pick another product that might not work..." LOL. Honestly - super jaded. smh. It promised to "remove excess oil and mattify skin". I had never used a product with charcoal in it - but I was willing to give a try. 

After one try - I definitely noticed my face didn't break out in oil after 10 minutes. When I used it the morning before I went to school - my oil was definitely under control for at least 4 hours. When the oil appeared on my face - it was definitely a lot less visible and made my face appear a lot less shiny. I appreciate that it has helped with oil production.

A few things I like:

- A little goes a long way

- Oil is at bay...yeeees

- Cheeaaap - price is around 6 dollars. I've seen it at Walmart for around 5. 

A few things I don't like:

- The smell is gross

- The product is very hard to apply because it is gel. Definitely slips off my hands very fast when I squeeze the bottle -  A pump applicator would definitely be a lot more efficient

I've been using this a few weeks and it has been helpful. Like I said before - my skin looks cleaner and feels better when my oil is at bay.  But it can be very drying so I am using it at least once a day - not twice. I also use a moisturizer in the morning or a little olive oil at night if my face is super dry.  I also like to use products with some acne fighting ingredient such a Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide. This gel doesn't but the Garnier Clean Plus line has a Blackhead Eliminating Scrub with Salicylic Acid and the scrub is for oily skin . This product also has charcoal as it main ingredient. I want to pick this up soon and try it! 

Check out both products on Target - the site has the entire collection grouped together. Garnier Plus has products for all skin types and needs!

I really hope this post is helpful to anyone who may struggle with oily skin. It is the struggle sometimes. 

Comment below

<3,

Tonyette

Having a Little Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked if I'd be willing to take some photos for his friend, who is building his photographer's portfolio. I agreed and I was instructed to dress modern; "J.Crew." (J.Crew just so happens to be my favorite clothing store. Their pants and jeans fit me like no other! And the sales are so good!).

So I raided my closet, put something together (ironically, in this case, nothing I wore was from J.Crew), and we went to a quaint neighborhood downtown and snapped some photos.

It was really fun and a bit out of my comfort zone. It was really strange having so much attention on me. People driving or walking by would stare like, "What's going on here?" My appreciation for fashion bloggers and YouTube Vloggers just increased.

That being said, I definitely wouldn't mind doing it again! I got to meet new people and discovered a really nice, locally owned café. I need to visit the café again. Their tea selection is calling my name.

Ok, enough chit-chat. Here are my favorite photos. Cesar is a photographer! Make sure to look him up on his Instagram (@cesarcostaphotography). For any inquires, e-mail him at cesarcostaphotography@gmail.com.

Blazer: American Eagle (Thrifted) / Grey Tee: Target / Calf Hair Animal Print Belt: Brand Unknown (TJ Maxx, 3 years ago)/ White destroyed Skinny Jeans: (Aéropostale, 2013), Leopard Skimmer Flats: Steve Madden / Bag: Mulberry Roxanne / Aviators: Ray-Bans / Watch: Gifted / Rhinestone Link Bracelet: Brand Unknown (Dillard's) 

Top 10 Summer Beauty Essentials of 2014

Like most chicks, I’ve got a thing for beauty products. Makeup, skin care, hair care, if it comes in pretty packaging, pretty colors, and claims to work miracles, I’m all over it.

This summer I discovered some great hot weather beauty staples that really made a difference in my skin and makeup routine.

1.     Rimmel Stay Matte Primer – I have oily skin and in the summer my skin can turn into a grease slick. I’m talking, I just face planted a pile of fried chicken, oily. So makeup products that claim to be oil controlling really appeal to me. I’m a big fan of the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent (I’ve gone through at least 3!). Now primers can be pretty pricey, so when Rimmel released their Stay Matte Primer (I think I paid no more than $5 for mine), I jumped on it. This primer really works for me! It doesn’t control oil all day, but it controls it for a few hours before I feel like I need to blot.

2.     Blotting Papers – Speaking of oily skin, I could not have gone through summer without blotting papers! I just buy the Target brand and they work just as well as the Clean & Clear ones. I used to think there was nothing special about blotting papers. Why not just use a tissue? Wrong! I was so wrong! They do make a difference because they really absorbed the oil on the skin and don’t disturb your makeup as much as blotting with a tissue.

3.     Dior Ultra Addict Lip Gloss Glow in #256 “Negligee Pink” – Man, oh man! This is by far, hands down my favorite lip gloss. It’s not sticky, feels luxurious and smooth on the lips, and makes the lips look unreal! And do I even need to mention the packaging!?  I pair this gloss with a lip liner that is almost the exact shade of my lips and it gives such dimension and shine to my lips. The color is in the nude family, with enough pink in it to not make the lips look dead. It also pairs wonderfully over nude lipsticks. For those of you who love a bronzed, glowing makeup look for summer, this gloss is the perfect compliment. I need to buy a back up… 

4.     Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Shine in “Pink Cognito” – The formula of this lipstick is fantastic! It is so light and smooth it feels like a balm. It is not fully opaque, which for a shade like this ,works well. Pink Cognito is Dior’s Ultra Addict Gloss #256 in solid form, just a little deeper in color. It’s perfect for no makeup days, light makeup days, or those days when you want to wear a full face of makeup and a dark smokey eye. The pink undertones keep it from being too nude on the lips. And paired underneath the Dior Gloss? Perfection!

5.     NYC Sunny Bronzer – I actually purchased this bronzer a couple summers ago, but didn’t start wearing it almost everyday until this summer. It’s only a few shades darker than my skin tone. I just use a blush brush to apply it on the perimeters of my face and down the sides of my nose. It’s the perfect shade, not too muddy, not too orange and blends easily. It just makes the skin look healthy.

6.     theBalm “Hot Mama” Blush – This has definitely been my go to blush this summer and I don’t think it gets enough recognition in the beauty community. It tends to get over shadowed by NARS Orgasm and Benefits Coralista. Now, I own NARS Orgasm and Hot Mama is extremely similar, and as much as I love Orgasm, there is something I prefer about Hot Mama. It doesn’t appear as pink on the cheeks as Orgasm and the gold sheen in it is finer. It just gives the most gorgeous, sun kissed look to the cheeks. I get compliments when I wear this blush. These type of compliments: “You’re face looks so good! Like a magazine add! I don’t know what it is, but keep doing it!” It’s the blush! It’s always a good thing when people can’t pinpoint what it is, and your cheekily thinking, “that my friend, is the power of a good blush.”

7.       NARS Illuminator in “Orgasm” (old packaging) – I apply this after my primer and before whatever foundation I’m wearing, if I decide to wear foundation that day. I was worried at first that this would look like I wiped glitter all over my face. Mixed with my oily skin, I also was scared that this would make me look like a disco ball. Again, I was quite wrong. This gives the skin such a healthy glow, that “lit from within” look. It keeps my foundation from looking flat and dull, especially since I gravitate towards products that give the skin a matte finish. Orgasm is the perfect shade for summer because the gold shimmer in it gives the skin a warm glow. 

8.     Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 240 “Golden Beige” – I rarely wore liquid foundation this summer. Living in a climate that has humid summers, liquid foundations can just feel down right gross on the skin. This powder matches my skin tone perfectly. It’s light and gives me just the right amount of coverage (I don’t like full coverage anything). First, I just apply a little bit of concealer where needed and buff this powder all over the face and my skin looks flawless, without looking cakey or heavy. It looks very natural and feels lightweight on the skin. Perfect for hot weather.

9.     The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner – This toner is very nice! It smells clean and feels refreshing on the skin. I don’t have a problem with this toner making my skin feel tight and stripped. I even started applying it down my décolleté, and down my back and it has really helped to keep my skin clean and clear. Definitely a summer staple!

10.  The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil - This stuff right here is just. So. Good. I purchased it on a whim early on in the summer. I thought it was going to be too heavy for my oily skin, especially in the summer. However, my skin drinks this up! This serum has really made all the difference in my skin. It has helped to smooth out the texture and tone, and since using this I have had ZERO breakouts, even during that time of the month. I already had a good skin care routine that kept my skin clear, for the most part. But once I added this into my routine, my skin went to the next level. In the summer I strive to wear less makeup because of the weather. This has made that possible because I don’t want to cover up my skin with a lot of products. It’s just made my skin that good.

Those are all my beauty staples from this summer. We still have a few more weeks of hot weather left before it cools down for autumn. I know I’m going to get a few more miles out of these products before I switch up for the upcoming season.

What were some of your beauty staples this summer?

- Alana  

Fashion and Faith

Hi everyone! I hope you all are well =D TOMORROW is FRIDAY. We made it to the end of a work week. 

I learned about Fashion and Faith  in late December. This amazing initiative is a blog hub for Christian women to manifest that you can be fashionable and not "stuffy". Ruby Girl Blog is an amaaazing initiative to showcase these fashionable women with awesome blogs. On each Thursday - the writer is encouraging the fashion bloggers to post photos of their outfits! I was excited when I found out about the first link on August 7th - I unfortunately was on vacation AND the kiddies went back to school two weeks ago.  After getting back into the swing of advising and getting back to my regular schedule I finally have time to do it. wooooot.

My sister gave me a dress (bless her heart) yesterday and I wore it to school. Let's just say - it was a hit. I definitely try to showcase my style and put effort into presenting myself in the best manner. Dressing well really helps me focus and I feel so great. Alana told me a few months back "Girl...you better look like you are blessed" lol. I totally take that to heart!! If God gives us an such a beautifully complex body which houses HIS spirit on the inside - why not let that beauty and light shine through? I am so grateful that my sister blessed me with it<3

I paired the red dress with a black studded belt that came with  my college graduation dress. I don't know what brand this dress is (I think my sister may have cut out the tag.  The blazer is from Express - I bought it from Marshall's for $15 in Fall 2013. My shoes are from Cole Haan - I bought them for from the Cole Haan outlet in late Winter for about 89. The shoes are definitely a bit pricier BUT they are great quality shoes - I've had them for about 6 months and I am glad I invested in a good working heel.

Photos were taken with Canon Powershot SX700- which I bought at Target and tripod.

Definitely check out the other bloggers on the site =D

<3,

Tonyette

Top 5 Spaces and Places of Summer 2014

Hola

You know - I spent a good amount of time traveling this summer. When I actually sit down and think about it - this summer was hands down the most eventful.  I think the reason being is that I didn't have expectations for it ha. I literally thought I would be studying for the GRE all summer (which reminds me .... I need to start that up again) but I embraced just being in the moment. As a result - I was able to appreciate every space and place I inhabited this summer. 

5.)  Haw River Ballroom - Saxaphaw, NC

photo courtesy of Our State

I had the pleasure of seeing Johnnyswim in concert with a friend. This awesome venue is located in the backwoods lol - you definitely should've seen our faces as we wandered into the woods to find this place. The ballroom is the former historic cotton mill. Reasons why I love this space : it took my breath away, it is a building that is revitalized, and the vibe of this place is super comfy and laid-back. I will be talking about this place for a while.

4.) Dome in Meredith College's Math and Science Building - Raleigh, NC.

Photo taken by me :)

I had the pleasure of visiting THIRTEEN NC private institutions this summer in a span of one week. I had the best time learning about so many new schools, meeting professionals with a passion for students, and seeing how unique each school truly is. One of our stops included Meredith College which is an all-female school that prides itself on preparing its students for careers. I LOVED it's motto - Going Strong! I took a lot of photos throughout this week but this is my favorite. Reason why I love this space: this dome is PERFECT. The lighting and energy just flowed in this building. If I were a student here - this would be my study spot. 

3.)Shenandoah Joe and Paracoffee, Charlottesville, Virginia 

Paracoffee

Shenandoah Joe

I am a HUGE coffee lover and I LOVE coffee shops as well. One thing I love about Charlottesville is that there are so really cute coffee shops. I really truly appreciate that these people serve fair trade and I love supporting local businesses. Reasons why I love these spaces: I LOVE COFFEE...duh...Cool vibes, awesome owners, and unique set ups.

2.) Lover's Leap & Mabry Mills, Patrick County, Virginia

These two places are hidden gems in the mountainous hills of Patrick County. I visited them both with my co-worker. I was so glad that she asked me to go along with her. Lover's Leap is overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains and many lovers have sketched their initials into the stone wall that protects us onlookers from falling. Mabry Mills was at one point a community hub for citizens of Meadows of Dan. It operated as a gristmill and sawmill. The people of this community were self-sustaining and it was so awesome to visit the cabin/ walk inside the mill.  Reasons I love these places: Lover's Leap and Mabry Mills truly represent the beauty of nature. Definitely had zero phone service but I was able to just be in the moment. 

1.) New Orleans, Louisiana

I was given the opportunity to visit New Orleans a few weeks ago and it was soooo awesome I couldn't pick a picture, so I will post all of my favorites lol. Reasons I love this place: I loved the French inspired culture, beignets, the gumbo, jazz, pralines, the colorful French Market, the balconies. This place was incredibly beautiful

I was truly grateful for all of the amazing things I saw this summer. Like I said - I didn't pressure myself into having this ideal and amazing summer. I literally just decided to be in the moment. I truly believe that is why this was one of the best summers yet.

<3,

Tonyette

Book Review: Crash the Chatterbox by, Steven Furtick

I thoroughly enjoy reading. For me, it is an escape from my everyday routine. To be able to pick up a book and be whisked away by mere words is something truly extraordinary.

To be able to express my love for reading on this blog with you all is something that I’m really looking forward to!

For my first installment of book reviews I have Crash the Chatterbox by, Steven Furtick. Tonyette suggested this book to me. Now I’m actually not well aquatinted with Pastor Steven Furtick’s ministry. Tonyette simply suggested the book to me, I thought it sounded interesting so I snagged a copy. God has us both in a season of waiting and in a season of waiting I can guarantee you that doubt and anxiety will come at full force. We can both attest to that (most likely more on our waiting stories to come in the future! I can’t spoil all the good stuff now!).

Crash the Chatterbox couldn’t have been published at a more appropriate time for us! It was published in 2014, so it is still quite new. Tonyette kept sending me picture messages of pages from the book that she knew were extremely relevant for the both of us and I knew I had to read it. The tidbits she sent were just so tantalizing; I had to read more and grasp what the book was about in its entirety.

Image Source

The main purpose of the book is to provide the reader with the necessary, biblical tools to learn how to stop the “chatterbox” in the reader’s mind.

But what exactly is the “chatterbox”? The “chatterbox is the “noise” in your mind that negates God’s promises to you. It worries you, discourages you, and distracts you from God’s truth in your life.

I really enjoyed Steven Furtick’s writing style. He is just so candid, down to earth and easy to understand. It was refreshing to read words from a pastor in which he was open with his own struggles and negative thoughts. Whilst reading the book, I felt as if I was simply having a conversation with Pastor Furtick in a Starbucks, sipping tea and becoming oblivious to the moving world around me. You know, one of those deep, heartfelt conversations that you have with one of your best gal pals, where everything and everyone else around you becomes blurred and irrelevant while you’re in their company.

I think what is so great about this book is that it is so simple. It’s an easy read that is engaging and uplifting. It is intended for a Christian audience, though I do think that almost anyone can glean some useful points from this book. If it’s simply how to recognize how your constant negative thoughts are negatively impacting your life, but yet, you are not alone. We all struggle with negative thoughts and anxieties.

I would definitely recommend this book! It’s not something I typically gravitate towards, I’m a sucker for novels 300 pages and thicker (that being said I’m on the mission to broaden my literary horizons).

I always rate how good a book is on this simple question: Would I re-read it? Yes, yes I would!

Noteworthy Quotes:

•       “The voice you believe will determine the future you experience.”
•       “One of the main reasons we struggle with insecurity: we’re comparing our behind-the-scenes with everybody else’s highlight reel.”
•       “You either kick fear out of your heart or it will keep you out of the places God has prepared for you.”
•       “Sometimes the danger of missing out is greater than the risk that comes with stepping out.”
•       “God speaks in the past tense about battles you’re currently fighting.”
•      “Inner conflict is often a confirmation of your calling. The Enemy only fights those who pose a threat.”
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Have you read Crash the Chatterbox? If so, what did you think?

- Alana