Perseverance

Starting over. It’s a concept that’s not new to anyone. At some point we all do it. Whether it’s a new job, home, city, relationship or life, we all make changes. Some changes are more drastic than others and some we do on a daily basis. It’s a cyclical thing, this change.

Starting over can be cleansing. Like taking a shower, it can wash away mistakes from the past and bring a new perspective. But often times, when we think of starting over, it’s the scary kind. It’s the unknown. Can I do this? Can I make this work? Can I change? And then there’s all of the “what if’s” after that.

Even through all of the doubts, and questions, we inevitably change. We look back one day and realize it wasn’t such a big leap. And for a moment, we are proud. Proud of accomplishing something that at one point we thought was so far-fetched it haunted us.

But that pride won’t last too long. There will always be another change on the horizon. We don’t stop changing. We’re in a constant state of evolution. Sort of like Madonna. So, since we’re stuck on this cyclical path of change, we might as well enjoy the ride.

Let every doubt and every fear fuel the fire that lights your path. Use every “can I?” and turn it into an “I will” because we already know the outcome. We will get through it. It might not be pretty, and it might not be how we thought it would be at the end, but we will preserve.

It’s a human trait, perseverance. The circumstances are often different but the end product is the same.

I always think of my mother when I think about perseverance. We were talking about what it was like when she was raising my sister and I one day. I’ll never forget when she said, “I don’t know how we were able to afford food and diapers or even the hospital bills after you were born. We just did.”

Perseverance is something I greatly admire about most people. I think it’s what gives you character. You can be knocked down 99 times but it takes true strength to stand on the 100th time.

“I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”

- John D. Rockefeller

Stressed Out About Breaking Out???

It happens to everyone, right? Just in time for a special occasion, a date or any other time when looking your best is imperative, you get a dreaded pimple. Fear not, functional chicklets, I have some tips for you!

First thing is first, DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT. It's a pimple for crying out loud, not the end of the world (although I know it may feel like it). Take a second to remember that you are much, MUCH more than your looks. And confidence is the sexiest thing you can have.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to the nitty gritty, shall we? Applying ice (for several minutes) to a pimple that is above the skin (you can see the white head) will help to take the redness and swelling down. Applying a warm wash cloth (for several minutes) to a pimple that is below the surface of the skin will help to bring moisture to the surface and thereby heal faster.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU POP A PIMPLE. It can cause scarring and possible infections. However, if you do, make sure your hands are clean, you apply ice afterward and then also apply a small amount of acne medication with benzoyl peroxide.

Let's talk a little bit about benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for a quick second. There IS a difference. Both are great for clearing up your skin, however, benzoyl peroxide is a lot safer to use repetitively. I recently learned from a Clinique consultant that salicylic acid can actually cause skin damage if used to often. It's a much harsher chemical on your skin, especially if you have a fair complexion or sensitive skin. So be careful and pay attention to the ingredients of your acne treatments.

Now that we've gone over a game plan for what happens when you get that awful, little swollen, red surprise, let's tackle the root of what's causing them.
The two biggest factors that cause breakouts are dehydration and high levels of caffeine. So, make sure you're staying hydrated throughout the day and that you keep the sodas and multiple cups of coffee to a minimum.

Another thing to remember is to keep yourself happy. My physician once told me that, "when you're happy, your body is happy."

Your Face and Sunscreen

I'll get off my soap box just as soon as possible. But first, I NEED to stress some sunscreen 101 to y'all.

During winter, having SPF in your moisturizer or make-up is great. But when summer comes around (especially in the south) we need to bump it up! Using a sunblock with just SPF and antioxidants is ideal.

I like Neutrogena's sunscreen for faces. It's SPF 80 (or some ridiculously high number) and definitely get's the job done.

Taking care of our faces is important but let's not forget the rest of our skin - don't neglect it! And don't assume that clothes will protect you either. A white shirt has an SPF of about 5.

So if you're stepping outside, step up your skin care regime and SPF :)

Spring Sprang Sprung!

I'm a Texas girl and needless to say absolutely love warm weather.

And with warmer weather, comes picnics, river floating and my favorite, pastel colors!

If you're a little shy or worried about looking like an Easter egg, start with these FABULOUS spring-inspired pastel nail polishes

Also, a quick tip:
Be sure to add a top coat to your newly painted spring nails. I like China Glaze's clear polish best.

Sally's Beauty Supply usually also has a sale on polishes - buy 2 get 1 free

Men Like This Should Just Not Open Their Mouths

There are NO words for how absolutely disgusted I was when I read an article from a men's magazine.

Some of the "knowledge" being written - Why you shouldn't bring her to the gym:

1. She'll catch you checking out other girls.
2. She will ask you how she compares and there's no good answer,
and my favorite, 3. You don't want to see her at her worst.

Well how about a few reasons why I would NEVER date a guy who thinks like this:

1. I WOULD probably catch a sleaze like you checking out girls (which, by the way, girls HATE. There's a reason why there are separate gyms where guys aren't allowed).
2. You'll think you CAN compare me to other girls at the gym. Newsflash: My body is perfect the way it is.
3. SEE ME AT MY WORST?! I'm beautiful even when I'm sweating and without makeup. And the only men I spend the time to date think the same way.

I would love to have a sit down with the idiot who wrote this crap and the rest of the village who believes it. We would have some words.

Oh, and when I go to the gym it's MY time so I don't want to go with YOU!

Inspirational Bobcats

As I walked out of my class yesterday afternoon, I began going through my mental to-do list: go to the bank and grocery store, do laundry, write a paper, research a case study and more.

Imagine my surprise when I came across this inspirational message written in chalk on the Texas State University campus.

"You are beautiful. Just believe in yourself."


I couldn't have been more proud to be a bobcat.

It's nice to know there are other people in this world who believe what I believe in. I hope just one other person read that and realized how beautiful they are. Imagine if everyone had a self-esteem that was unshakable by our peers, the ads we see and products they sell us.

To quote my new favorite Pink song, "Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like your less than, less than perfect!"

You are beautiful and you are worth all the love in the world. But that love must start within first.

You're beautiful. Just believe in yourself. :)

Aging Gracefully

I believe in laugh lines, not wrinkles. I believe in grey hair, not over processed strands. I believe in a peaches and cream complexion, not an orange one. Most importantly, I believe that beauty has no age, no skin or hair color, no height or weight preferences; it's a feeling, and an attitude we have within us.

With that being said, I have just become the biggest Kim Cattrall fan. She recently gave an interview about resisting the societal pressures of having plastic surgery.

"I don't want to look in the mirror and not realize who's looking back," said Cattrall.

I'm over the moon thrilled that there is a woman in Hollywood that is willing to push back against the absurd societal pressures against women. What are we teaching our young girls? You can only have self-esteem if other people say you can?

Bull shit.

In 20 years, I only hope I can look in the mirror and see a woman whose life shows on her face. When I see a wrinkle it will be a reminder of the times I spent laughing, crying, smiling and worrying. That's life and that's what's beautiful.