Be happy!

Even on your worst of days
be happy.
The Lord loves you
He wants you to live life in abundance,
full of love, joy, peace and hope.
Trust in Him
and let your light glow.
He wants you to shine for Him,
shine so bright for all to see.
Let them see that you are free
God has taken your burdens
He tossed then in the sea.
Let them see God can intercede
for them as well..
If they just believe.
Poem By: Mayra Taylor

Just a short little poem to put a smile on your faces!

Lots of love and God bless! ❤

Going through hell?

Everyone has hardship. Life is full of ups and downs and everyone's struggles are different. You might occasionally meet someone that has been through what your going through but even like that its still never the same. We each have our journey. Sometimes out path takes us through beautiful paradise and sometime it's seems like we're walking straight through the pit of hell. Either way, good times or bad, we should always put our faith first. In our thoughts and conversation, it's important to keep God at the center. Our minds and our tongues have so much power over our emotional and spiritual lives. If we are going through a struggle and let if fester in our thoughts and its constantly coming out of our mouths then it will never change. We keep claiming these things in our lives.
(Proverbs 18:20/ From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.)
If you keep saying your struggles, you will keep living in them. You must feed yourself with godly positivity when you are down.
(Proverbs 12:25/ anxiety weighs down the heart but a good word cheers it up.)
Feed your faith and let that be what comes out of your mouth. Keep praise flowing out, praise Him in the storm, so to speak. When you start to praise God in your struggle, it starts to scare the enemy away. As long as you keep feeling sorry for yourself, he still has domain. When you thank God for everything, the good and the bad, its your way of fighting back. Like throwing punches till you knock him out. Have faith and hope in what you speak and pray for. Claim it over your lives and believe it.
(Mark 11:22/ “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.)
So don't focus on the struggle that's around you but on God that surrounds you. Who works all things for the good of those how love Him. Just keep speak in faith and you'll be out of that hell before you know it.

God bless and keep the faith! ⚓

Contour and highlights!

Before I show you how I contour and highlight my own face, I made this so you can understand how to contour and highlight according to your face shape. That way you can change it to match your own. There really is not much difference, but you would be amazed what doing it right for your own shape will do.

There are about nine different shapes of the face, however most of them are just variations of the basic 5... oval, square, round, diamond and heart. You can have mixtures of any two and also any variation with long. I didn't make long because it dosent necessarily have a certain shape, just one of these shapes but longer.
Did you know that an oval face is believed to be most pleasing to the eye? The whole point of contoring your face is to make it seem more oval. You are darkening the out most parts of your face to slim it into seeming oval. The hightlights are for making those parts of your face stand out making the darkened contoured parts seem to fade out. Its a well practiced illusion.

This is the easiest way to distinguish in faces shape..

Heart- usually the forehead is the widest part tapering into a narrow chin
Round- the face is as wide as it is long
Square- the forehead, the cheek bones, and the jaw line are all the same width
Diamond- widest at the cheek bones with a narrow chin and forehead
Oval- the face is fairly narrow but longer then it is wide.




Here are some examples of the 5 basic face shapes...



So did you find what shape you are? Keeping in mind it can be a little of both. I am a diamond and oval mix but mostly a diamond because my cheek bones are the widest part of my face.
So when I do my make up I do it the diamond way because it comers up the wideness of my cheeks

So here it is find your shape and practice...




I hope that I helped you learn something you didn't already know.
Have fun and God bless! ❤

Heels have names too...

So my great friend saw this and passed it on to me..
The proper names for our high heels!
I know my favorite is platform wedge and platform pump...
What about you?

Be blessed! :)

Don't let the mirror lie to you...

Ever look in the mirror and ignore the negative? Try it! It's the best way to stay in love with yourself.. Instead of looking at the bumps and lumps, the this is to big or that is to small's. Look at what's great about you. Your hair, eyes, smile, your great completion, your unique features.. All this and more!

We are supposed to see others through the love of Christ, yes, but more importantly we must see ourselves through His eyes first. When we love ourselves and what God gave us we are freed from our own hurtful thoughts, free from envy. We will be satisfied with what God has given us, not disliking our self or coveting others looks or shape. Enjoy what God gave you. God made you unique, there is no other you in the whole world and all it's history. That is something to feel special about. We are all beautifully made by a wondrous Creator. Let that shine in your smile and confidence. Know that you are second to non when it comes to God. No matter how you are, you were made perfect. When we love ourselves we take better care of ourselves and make all around better choices, better eating habits, working out, feed our minds with more positive things and thoughts. So look at yourself in love and don't let the mirror lie to you anymore. You are so beautiful, tell yourself this, believe it and receive it. It will change your life. ❤

All God's love and blessings!

Hold on to each other...

I thought this was cute.. A quote to live by. :) have a great weekend and spend it with the ones you love. God bless!

Sparkle On!

Zachariah 9:16 The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

The day we were saved was the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All the sins of those who believe this, were washed away by His blood and on that day everything changed. I know I for sure I am so thankful to God for sending His son to die for me. I could not imagine how life would be without His sacrifice. I think the whole world would be different. But He did come and He did resurrect from the dead and it's not just written in the bible but its written in history. Before Jesus was crucified he said that He was the light of the world and after His resurrection He then gave it to us saying ...

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

  Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

So hold your head high, we have a gift. A gift that we must share with those around us. We must show our GOOD deeds for Gods glory. We have to shine, this is still all about saving souls. So be that light, that people may see us in their darkness. We must light to way to the feet of The Lord.

So when your finding it hard to sparkle and life is dimming your glow, just remember who your God is... The making of all things, who can fix all thing. Who sent his Son Jesus to wash away the sins of the world and to bring light into this darkness. Who loves us enough to entrust us to be that light until He returns again. So stand firm, think on these things and be that jewel that sparkles so beautifully no one can resisting it! 

God bless and Sparkle on! 

If you don't already know, I set up a Facebook Page (Crown Jewels 9:16) that is based on this exactly. It's to keep woman like ourselves motivated and inspired! Check it out and Like our page to receive daily verses and up lifting words. ❤

Crown Jewels 9:16 Facebook Page

My time with God.

We always have special time for special people in our lives. Girl time, me time, time with the kids, time with our husbands and family time but what about God? I'm not talking about church either? I live in North Carolina with my husband, far away from Texas where were from. So I don't have my friend time, or family time. I have husband time and when he's at work I have me time. That's when I get to squeeze in my tv shows, clean house, paint my nails and most importantly thats my God time.

This is my favorite time! I put on my Hillsong or Kari Jobe radio and turn up the volume. Seeking his presence daily is my addiction. It's the best feeling in the word! I can read the word, pray, listen to preachings but there's nothing like praise. 

The bible says that God inhabits praise (psalm 22:3) that means that's where he lives. I believe and feel his every time I start to sing. Thats how i know God is real, I feel him. It's very important for our spirit to feel, its part of what keeps our faith strong. When I feel his presence it's peaceful yet overwhelming. I usually cry, laugh or just smile while I sing. It's a kind of release to me. It's freeing. You know that moment everyone desires to feel at some point in there life, where its just you and Him and the whole world fades away, well this is that moment and i get it time and time again through praise. Its beautiful. A form of expression, sometimes I even dance. It's all in how you want to praise him, to lift up his name and just let it comes out. 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Where the spirit of The Lord is there is freedom". I encourage you to take time everyday to enter in his presence, it will change your life! If you have never done it or its just been a long time, find a christian song, sing along if you know the words, lift up your hands and voice and just thank God for his amazing love. Invite him in to where your at, and just be and allow him to move you. God's is waiting for you all the time and he can only get as close to you as you'll let him. 

God bless and I hope this encourages you to seek him more and more. 

This is one of my favorite songs that I use in my God time.. Thought I would share it in case you don't know of any. :) happy worshiping! 

            Hosanna- hillsong united

Positivity!

Now and days it seem like everyone has a chip on there shoulder. So easily angered and annoyed. I to use to be like this. I was always wearing a frown, even now because habit my husband reminds me to smile. I was so angry and so annoyed by the littlest of things. Now that I truly know the Lord, all my anger is gone and past and my patience is getting a whole lot better through prayer and practice. But look at this backward society, people think it's a sign of strength to be angry, hard or have a bad attitude. Constant telling people off or trying to belittle others is a way of showing strength to gain respect, cursing things and people that have crossed them. I see it everywhere. Its almost as if to try to prove something, this is a deeply flawed way of thinking. Anger is a very powerful strength and it is easily triggered, but joy, now that it true power. Have you ever just smiled at someone random, they mostly always smile back. That is all it takes to spread joy, negativity however, takes so much emotion and energy. When you are in a bad situation it's so easy to let it get the best of you. You feel it rising almost as a heat or a fever, but the true strength is in stopping it. Keeping your mindset regardless of your circumstance. Emotions are like waves they come and go, our mindset is a huge rock that shouldn't sway with the crashing of the waves. If we focus on the good, on love, on grace, on how blessed we are, then when these waves hit we will not loose our ground. Being Christian we must be examples of character, not just any character but of godly character. I know that and see that now. We stand on the rock of salvation and no matter the circumstance we should not be shaken. It's killing the fleshly desires to keep Gods desires. It's so easy to snap our tongue and give people an emotional reaction but what good does that do? Then what, back and forth, hurt and hate? It's harder to walk away from these situations then it is to entertain them. Yet knowing what I know now it's makes it all worth it. You see if anyone does me wrong, I know God will make things right for me, I have peace and stand firm on this. I don't waist my energy on a negative attitude. Negativity is a cancerous weight to carry. I choose positivity something that is harder to do but with each time I choose joy, it builds endurance and I am all that stronger for it!

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

God bless!

A powerful reminder of humanity

I just had to share this.. It almost brought tears to my eyes, maybe its because I admire this star or simply because its true. This is a great example and quote of what humanity is about. No matter how rich or accomplishes we may become we were all equally made in God's love. I think sometimes we need to see things like this to remind ourselves of how blessed we truly are and how we must pass our blessings on to those in need.

I hope this touched your heart as it did mine!
God bless you and don't forget to bless others!

Little black dress!

Hi ladies, so I saw this picture of the dresses and I thought to myself everyone has there own style and we would probably all pick different dresses because of our shape, comfort, personal style and maybe even our age plays a factor. So I made up some names that I think suites each dress best. So my question is what kind of dress are you? There's no psychology behind it just fun! I know what I am, what are you?


A. Business or pleasure
B. Curvalicious
C. Girly-girl
D. Marilyn
E. A little off the top
F. Carrie Bradshaw
G. Show some leg
H. Formal traditional
I. Ballerina
J. Flirty
K. Elvira
L. Forget the dress, this slip will do!
M. Fashionista
N. Cinderella


I'm a B. Curvalicious- every time I buy a dress it is always seems to be form fitting. Some times because my curves it's hard to find anything else that fits by body right. Fits the waist but not the hips, fits the hips, to big at the waist and back and forth. So I find it easiest to get a form fitting dress!

I had lots of fun doing this so I hope you enjoy! Let me know what dress you are!
And as always have a blessed and wonderful day! :)

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your day and weekend! God bless!

Make Up 101 - foundation and concealer

So I have seen a handful of make up tutorials but non that give step by step instruction.
The whole point of a tutorial it to give instruction, and while pictures are helpful there's a lot they don't say. So here's what I got! I'm an aesthetician and I love, love, love, make up, so when I see woman struggling in skill, I jump at the opportunity to help. Make up is an art that should be shared, it's really not hard once you know the basics. It's fun and a great way to express yourself daily. So here's the base of it all, foundation and concealer! :)


Step 1. Face prep: Make sure your face is clean. Put on your SPF and moisturizer, If you have a long day ahead you, can choose to use a primer but I just use moisturizer.

2. Foundation: Dab it under your eyes, a little on your nose, chin and forehead.

3. Spread: With a foundation brush, gently spread and blend the foundation make your strokes in a back and forth, almost circular motion. It's not meant to be put all over so don't worry if it doesn't reach all the edges of your face.

4/5. Concealer: Using a concealer brush, dab some concealer under the eyes out to the temple then down to the nostrils and up to the eyes again, like a triangle. Maybe a little on the flat of your chin and anything else that needs a little covering.

6. Spread: You can do it with the brush, but I like the BeautyBlender sponge. Don't drag it but gently dab. Blend over and around where you put concealer till there's no visible lines in difference.

7. Powder: With a powder brush, not the nasty sponge! Brush on the powder in a circular motion all over, don't forget to get up at the hair line.

8. Very Important: Make sure to get your jaw line and neck, blend it all together. Especially for special occasions, otherwise your face looks like its floating in pictures.

9. Check it out: What was once a blotchy canvas should now be a smooth backdrop for everything else.

I hope this is helpful to you! Enjoy!
Also feel free to ask questions or request a certain look that you might want help achieving.

Sideways Switch French Braid!

So I started by parting my hair sideways.
Started the braid to that same side.
As I reach the back of the top of my head I turn to the opposite direction
and follow through with the rest of the braid.
There you go, a new twist to an old do!
It's really easy and fast to do!
Enjoy!

Want to change your icons? Cocoppa how to.

So I had seen this on Pinterest once but when I opened it they didn't say how they had got it only, look how cute! Cute indeed but how do I get it! My search began, to find out how to change the icons on my iPad or the iPhone. As I searched the world, on google lol! a blog came up that explained it perfectly!
So I thought I would share it! It's called Cocoppa Japanese icon changer. I wasn't able to find it in the App Store. So I looked for it online and was able to open it in the App Store from there. It's very self explanatory or it seemed that way to me. There are icons that you can't change however, it's a bummer but I still looks cute! There is a way to change some of the basic icons like safari, movies, music but I have an iPad so it must not work for it. Anyway this is what my iPad looks like now, super cute! You can make your own icons or pick the ones already made, I did a little of both. Hope this was helpful, have fun!

Oh I almost forgot..

http://www.stylefake.com/2013/02/how-to-use-cocoppa-how-to-edit-iphone.html

That's the blog I found it on, if you need more help.

Enjoy and God blessings!

He knitted me together ❤

I'm not skinny, I haven't seen my ribs since I was about 12. And so far all my life I have felt less then perfect. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I work, I have never been satisfied with my physical appearance. Then when I don't try, it just get down right vulgar. The way i see myself that is.

In middle school I thought I was fat. Now when I look at pictures, I see I was so thin. All the popular girls were already developing curves that I didnt have, beats me why I thought I was fat. In high school, is when I lost the size 2 and jump strait into a 7 ,then a 10 then before I knew it I was a 16. Yet I was very active, I was in pep squad, tennis team and the color guard, not to mention everyday after school we would play on the trampoline. So why was I this size? After high school I dropped 5 sizes and its kind of been up and down ever since. Right now I'm on the up. Now that I'm married I wish nothing more then to look and feel great, not only for myself but also for my husband. Yet, since we got married I've only managed to gain weight. I have struggled to look in the mirror sometimes because its not the woman I see in my head. After gaining so much weight I finally went to the doctor. Turns out I "have" subclinical hypothyroidism, that just means its not full blown. While I hear what the doctor is saying and how it's factual because its evident in my blood, I know truth. Truth is God can and is healing me, and of course with me taking action and doing my part to be healthier as well. But it finally hit me, it took me getting diagnosed to realize this is me! I might never wear a 2 or 4, I might always have cellulite and big arms. I have come to realize that I am perfect. Health and physicality always has room for improvement and I will always fight to better my health and stay in shape. But I see now that my biggest problem is not my thighs, its my mind. I must exercise my mind into a more positive driving force.

So, I have accepted this is my shape! I have my moms arms, my grandmas knees, my aunts wide hips, a fluctuating waist line and a big o'booty! Yes this is me and I'm going to love me. I'm turning around all that negative energy and making it positive. I've noticed that the more I fall in love with me, the more I take care of me. So I have now excepted its not about being skinny, being thick or full figured. Its about being in love with how God made me and making sure I take care of the body that he gave me. God loves us all the same no matter our size. He created us each as a masterpiece and now that I think about it, being unhappy with my looks is like telling God his craftsmanship is not good enough for me. and that cant be, after all he did make this beautiful world we live in with those very same hands. Its all just his work of art.

funny thing is my husband likes a thicker woman, so really God planned ahead for me! All this time Ive been hating on my self, when God made me this way to be loved and I am truly blessed to have such a loving man at my side.

So I am learning, to always force myself to be positive when I look in the mirror. To not put down Gods work of art, instead add to it, take what God gave me and make it my own!

Make up, hair styles, working out, eating right, do what you enjoy and what ever makes you feel good, so you can enjoy being you! Don't compare yourself to anyone, just be the best you you can be because your one of a kind! When I finally realized this, it was a great weight off my shoulder.
I hope my story can inspire someone, to take a second look and see your wonderful, God given potential. ❤ God bless!

Psalm 139:13-14
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Slow down...

We all get so tangled up in our daily to do list, we must remember to slow down and enjoy life!

Girl talk!

It's so fun being able to dress up and get ready. I remember playing dress up as a little girl, thinking how I couldn't wait to grow up and do it daily and with real skill. Now that I'm all grown, I realize as much as I enjoy it, it doesn't make me anymore of a woman.

It's important for us to take time out of our crazy lives to spend on ourselves, to me that's my dress up time. Putting on make up, curling my hair, even bubble baths and nail polish. All these thing are precious to me but they don't define me. I don't believe they empower me any, but that the time that I take on myself is actually what lifts me up. It keeps me balanced. When we forget about ourselves we loose track of everything. Giving our selves attention both physically and spiritually is very important. I try to mix the two, when I get dressed I put on my Christian music and sing along. It reminds me that I'm made in Gods image. That I am perfect regardless of what I have on and that's what empowers me.

1 peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

When we look good its often because of how we feel inside. We are loved, cherished, needed but mostly because of how we feel about our self and how we see ourselves. Those feeling reflect on our outward appearance. There's no sense in getting all dolled up with a bad attitude or self loathing. No matter how pretty on the outside, no one will want to be around you. I know this from experience. Like the verse above says we should have a gentle and quiet spirit. That should also be towards ourselves. Yet a lot of the times we tend to judge ourself the hardest. Don't let your mind be your worst enemy, see your self through God's loving eyes. Feel good about being you. Curl your hair and blush your cheeks but know that your beauty comes from with in, its something God painted on your soul. No amount of make up or brand of clothes, no stresses in life or circumstances, should hide your inner beauty. Balance yourself out, give yourself time to shine. Whatever you enjoy, do it, smile, be gentle and kind. Show the love you have inside and have fun doing! Keep growing and bettering your inner self, it will show all over you.

Next time you put on your high heels know that they are not what empower us but they do keep pushing us forward. ;)