Best of 2012

So here is my list of all the great products I came across in 2012. No this list won't end with me giving it to you as a gift but I will share where to purchase if your interested.  I hope you get a chance to check them out. If so, let me know your thoughts.

IPAD 2

Julep Nail Care and Polish (Oprah's Favorite Things List)

Candy by Prada 

Rain Boots 

Sea Island Cotton Body Butter

Put it Down by Brandy 

Heaven Hear My Heart by Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Spectrum Coconut Oil (get $10.00 off by going to the link)

Napa Valley Naturals Grapeseed Oil (Found in Marshalls)

Saving With Shellie Blog 

Shea Moisture Hair Products 

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Victoria Secret Cotton Undies 

Avon Eye Brightening Pencil 

Cindy Tote by Thirty One Gifts 

Mesh Chignon

Metagrip Ponytail Hooks 

UPDATE: DIY

So I am gradually getting through my list of items that I want to try out.

So far I have been able to work on 2

Oil Pulling 
http://naturalhealth.ph/health-tips/oil-pulling/

I guess I need to try this a little bit longer to see some results.  It does feel like it is taking everything out of my mouth but the freshness is kinda oily so I will keep doing it to see if maybe it is a 30 day kinda thing to see a difference.


Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
http://www.repinly.com/popular-pin/36481/1/repins/30/0/
I am in love with pumpkin.  The smell the taste and everything.  I did just the ingredients that the recipe requested but I found that the taste didn't work for me.  So I had to doctor it up to make it work.  Overall it was a neat idea because I wasn't ready to bake a pie.


Are you trying anything new?

DIY

Pinterest has always been my good friend because it supplies me with so many wonderful DIY (do it yourself) ideas.  I had taken a vacation from the website because I was doing way to much.  It was getting in the way of life.  This past weekend I got back into it and all the love for it came right back.  There were even more great ideas, pics and such for me to PIN.

Some really great styles, recipes for drinks/meals and DIY gift ideas were mostly what I decided to PIN.  I am going a step further though.  As I work on making a better me and getting into things I enjoy I will be actually making some of the pins.  I already went further and checked out the recipes and such.  I am so super excited to see how it looks and taste.

Let me share just some of the great things I will be trying out.

Oil Pulling 
http://naturalhealth.ph/health-tips/oil-pulling/

Sugar Cubes
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2011/06/diy-sugar-cubes.html

Christmas Sangria 
The link doesn't work but the recipe is on the PIN

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
http://www.repinly.com/popular-pin/36481/1/repins/30/0/

Good Things Jar
The link doesn't work but the instructions are on the PIN

These are simple little things but I think I will enjoy them.  It will also create some new wonderful memories.

Do you have a PIN that is calling your name? Share!!!!

Anyway I will report back with the results.  I have the items for mostly everything but the Sangria.

Until next time. Live, Love, and Be Merry.

Language Learning for Children

It has been expressed by most educators that it is best to start teaching your children a different language at a young age because they will grasp it and evolve as they grow.

Thanks to Influenster I have come across a really incredible system for children to not only learn but dance with.  It is known that music is a wonderful technique in learning.

Dino Lingo is the company that produces different language videos for children.  The videos teach how to speak greetings, animals and much more.  If you want to get a quick glimpse of if this is something you want to share with your child visit Dino Lingo on YouTube for just a few clips from the DVD sets.

This might be a wonderful way for you to introduce Japanese, Spanish, and French to your child.

Here is a link just in case: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlBlltNtETtTjhsO8ERGRcYz5uj8IaLaJ

Enjoy!

Brighter Smile!!!!

I have to share the great results I got from this wonderful product Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips.  At first you get a tingle that is nice and refresher then as you leave it on (I did 2 hours) it felt more and more like it wasn't even on my teeth.  After a week of using this product I am more than excited about the results.  If you want to brighten your smile without the dental fee this is the product to get.  

At target it is retailing at $43.99 plus you get a $5.00 Target gift card with purchase.  How's that for a deal?

Get yours for the holiday and gleam in all your pictures with brighter teeth. 

Poem on Purpose: Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown 

Poem copied from http://www.virtuesforlife.com/poem-be-thankful/

Good Book: Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life

Normally in the bible studies I have been in with the women's ministry we focus on our attitudes, being a care giver and other topics like that.  It was refreshing when I came across a women's ministry that focused on something that is sometimes neglected.  I mean we are taught to be giving, loving and sacrifice but it does not mean that we have to give all of ourselves all the time.  Most nice people I know (including me) feel spent from helping others.  It brings us joy to a degree but then some people take advantage of your kindness.  Even more importantly when you need a friend they are nowhere to be found. It isn't their fault though it is our fault because we did not demand to be treated the way we want so we are not getting what we deserve. This book really goes deep into all the ways we allow people to walk all over us and the solution on how to stop it.  There is more but I am just getting started with the class and the book but it is a blessing.  

I recommend it. It is a wonderful spiritual read.

Vote!!!!!!

I voted!

That's all.

Enjoy your Tuesday...

RetailMeNot - Win Big and Shop OctoNovemCember

Pumpkin-Headed Turkey Claus^TM continues to bestow his OctoNovemCember savings upon us as we head into November. What better way to do it than with a special discount on hotels – an extra 15% off existing savings of up to 50% plus a free photo book – so you can bestow all the OctoNovemCember savings to your friends and family during your holiday travels.

Don’t forget, a new Deal of the Day will be revealed throughout the OctoNovemCember holiday season. Simply visit RetailMeNot.com/holiday every day through OctoNovemCember to reveal each new deal. Great deals DO exist at RetailMeNot!

RetailMeNot - Win Big and Shop OctoNovemCember

November Photo Challenge

November is my favorite time of year.  I cam across this photo challenge on instagram and fell in love.  I am thankful to see November and all the blessings it brings me.

If you interested you can share along with me in Thanks through this challenge.  My instagram name is mihappenc.

I am already thinking of what great photo to share today.

Peace and Blessings

Make It Count.

Some of us are fortunate to be home w our families for the past couple of days due to Sandy making her mark. I pray that none of my readers have been negatively impacted. She came w force and left quickly in my area.

I always see the time at home as a blessing whether I am fortunate to share the space w the one I love or be alone. This time had me still unpacking, cleaning, organizing and catching up on some redbox movies. I needed this time for sure. My home is thanking me for the extra love and care.

I hope while you have been home you got to take advantage of something you have been putting off or neglecting due to your busy life. It is no time like the present to get er done. Ha.

Stay safe and at peace.

Wednesday Wonder: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has become one of my favorite products to have all the time.  I have put bottles or containers of the oil everywhere.  It’s amazing that I love it so much because coconuts don’t do it for me but this oil and all of its great benefits made me fall in love.

Did you know? Coconut oil can be used for:

• Hair – take a bit and massage it on your scalp to get rid of dry scalp. Also works well for damaged hair.
• Healing – Put some oil on your cut or womb to protect it from outside bacteria.
• Stress Relief – After a long day, take some oil massage it on your head in a circular motion.
• Fitness – It stimulates your metabolism, improves thyroid function and boost energy.
• Polish – just a little can go a long way to polish your bronze and wood furniture. (test an area first)

So if you don’t already know go to your local Trader Joe (1^st choice), Walmart or Whole Foods to get your own jar and find out how coconut can enhance your life.

Girlfriend Goodie

So I always like to find companies that not only have great products but also do more to support women.  Well I have the perfect company that I stumbled across on my youtube adventure.

Julep is a monthly subscription or beauty company that not only has safe products (they avoid harmful toxins like formaldeyde, DBP, toluene, paraben, and sodium laurel sulfate) but they are awesome.

Also they are Powered by Girlfriends.  They donate a percentage of proceeds from every sale to organizations that support women. 

So as my gift to you I want to share this $.01 code for you to try out this wonderful subscription.  If you don't like it cancel after the first one arrives or skip a month if you don't like the options.  It is all up to you.

So here you go

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/75212/

coupon code penny

invitation code 5791324

Enjoy!

Happiness.

Sunny sky's
Laughs
Treats
Purple
Organization
Adventures
Traveling
Pumpkin
Technology
Cooking
Art
DIY
Deals
Writing.

These things bring me happiness.

Movie Rating 3 day weekend

These chick flicks had me all messed up this weekend but I did enjoy them.

"The Vow" - So sweet and sad to loose your memory and not have any glimpse of being in love with your husband.  I cried.

"One Day" - The meeting once a year at the same date is pretty cool.  I might steal that to do with my girlfriends. Too bad happiness doesn't last forever. I cried

"Steel Magnolia" - I missed the first viewing cause I was sleep but I caught the 1:00 am one.  I kinda like the original better but I enjoyed the laughs this version gave me.  They added new pieces in that were very sweet.  Of course I cried cause who didn't.

The one thing that each of these movies share is that you have to live your life to the fullest.  We do not know our hour so why put off today if you don't know the future.  I hope you are laughing, dancing and enjoying all that this life has to offer. We only live one.

Enjoy!

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee?
Be strong and of a good courage; 
Be not afraid,
Neither be thou dismayed:
For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

KJV

Planner Plan CARLA

Yes I have planned a lot of different events and it would make sense that I would plan the wedding of my dreams. It hasn't happened that way. I just picked out jewelry ha. Right no location, no dress, nothing has been signed and dated. I can say that counseling has been a blessing for us to learn more about ourselves and one another. This whole event has been very depressing though. I have worked on being happy about it but each time I get geared up something else happens. I keep wondering why me and why now but that is life. Right! This will pass. Right! I am still waiting for the pass part.

So today it starts. I have to gear up and get things moving before he gets me. I have to focus on all the good that has and is coming based on this union. One major thing is our growth in God. We are still working it out but we can feel God blessing us each day.

I figure if I post my checklist to you then I will surely be accountable.

• Location by October 25th (I will have some long days and sleepless nights but it will get done) 
• Date!!!!!!!!! (April 2013?) 
• Invitations In the mist of all this DRESS. (don't beat me for being Plain Jane....) 
• The Party (bridal parties are so much fun) 
• Engagement Party (it is possible to happen November 2012 TBD) 
• Showers and Such (so glad that is one thing I can give to others)
• More

If I can knock this out I will feel better, eat better and smile more.

Thanks again to everyone that has given us your love and support. We feel it and appreciate it.

Now Let's Get Married!

New Day, New Dreams

At 30 I thought it would all come together and unfold for me. I thought that I would be in this new place of love and understanding but the devil is so busy. You know he is a liar though.

I am gathering all the love, hurt, pain, joy and much more to continue this journey called life. There is a reason I am still here and able to touch someone. Bare with me. It won't all make sense but I pray that through me you find something that helps you.

I am not perfect because none of us are but we are here. We are real beings working to do what: Please God and be welcomed home.

 That is my theme now "Please God." The world will continue to hurt me but he is always here.

 Are you ready, set, let's go!

MOM

Some people dream about being a mom and cannot wait to have their own children. I don't think I have ever been that person. I enjoy children but I don't daydream about having my own. God on the other hand has had plans for me. Even though I am not a mother that has given birth to my own child I do have children. I have my maternal ways of doing things that keeps me prepared to be here for those I care for. It is weird when I think about it but also a blessing. If the time does not come for me to birth a child I am filled with the love of the children I have in my life. Some of them are under age while others are older than me but no matter what I look after them as if they were my own. I pray that I empower the feeling and embrace the experiences because they make me stronger. The experiences show me that anything is possible. Not everything is as we would define it to be. I am a mom in many different ways. Ashe...

Hi world.

Goal for Life

I don't want to be MAXED OUT!

I watched the great documentary that really puts in perspective what we could be doing differently for ourselves.

Take a moment to check it out. It could change your life.

Go to http://www.maxedoutmovie.com/syn/index.html

All!!!!!

So everyone knows that I am a only child and NO is not a word that I am fond of. I am use to getting my way in many aspects of my life so when a block is formed in front of something I desire it messes with me a bit. So I came up with something that will help me in those moments that NO occurs.

I want it all!

I want the things that I call out because I know I deserve it!

I want it all!

Sometimes it will take time and patience!

I want it all!

Did I mention? I want it all!

What do you think?

So far it calms me down and gets me focused to obtain what I really want.

Growing Pains

As a child my parents always told me that I don't want to rush to become an adult. It is much more than I could ever imagine. Now that I see 30 I want to go back in time and just sleep in bed all day. It isn't the bills, work or decisions but more of relationships (maintaining, grooming, etc).

Everyday is a lesson though and I can only hope that through all I am dealing with I am growing into the woman I always dreamed to be.

Happy New Year!

Claim greatness.

That's all.