September Favorites

Believe it or not it’s already time for September Favorites

Favorite drink
My favorite fall choice and not at all unique…
Pumpkin spice latte (sometimes with white chocolate & nutmeg added)

Favorite “product”
I’ve been holding back on favorite products because I wanted to share some favorites of the same genre. Here are some of my top beauty picks. 
Some key things in beauty products for me are:

– Price (as in not so much that makes me cry)
– Sensitivity (I have oh so very sensitive skin,so it needs to be safe for me to use without problem)
– Cruelty free (meaning they don’t test on animals)
– Scent (I love me some fruity or coconut scented things)

NYX is always a go to for me to try new things because it checks all the boxes and it is always adding new colors which is fun.
Maui Moisture is fantastic because it smells AMAZING & also proudly states:
No mineral oil
No silicones
No parabens
No gluten
No SLS
No sulfated surfactants
No synthetic dye
YES eco-friendly
YES pure coconut water
YES pure aloe juice

Favorite outing/moment
With a lot of spontaneous change and stress, my favorite moments have been the moments of laughter in the crazy days. Also I recently got to finish filling in my color on my arm tattoo. 

Favorite album(s) & song(s)
Too good at goodbyes by Sam Smith
Glorious by Macklemore
God, your mama & me by Florida Georgia line
Body like a backroad by Sam Hunt
There for you by Troye Sivan & Martin Garrix

Favorite quote/lyrics
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”

“Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention.” – Pink

Favorite bible verse
Needed so yes again….

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created” – Esther 4:14

June Favorites

Favorite drink
All things iced!!
I’ve enjoyed putting some mint in my ice water

Favorite product
I bought my first perfume ever this month. I have had body sprays before but never took the jump to a big kid perfume. Victoria’s Secret “fabulous” is fruity, light, with a touch warmth.

Favorite outing/moment
I was able to get to very meaningful tattoos this month.
Queen Esther’s strength saved her people.. “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.”
– Esther 4:14
“Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need a friend to carry you and when you’re broken on the ground. You will be found.”
– Dear Evan Hansen

Favorite album(s) & song(s)
Something to believe in – Newsies
You don’t own me – Grace
Deja Vu – Lauren Dunski
Fullness – Elevation Worship

Favorite quote/lyrics
“Dont surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn’t true anymore.”
– Cheryl Strayed

Favorite bible verse
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
– Psalm 46:5

May Favorites

Favorite drink(s)
*Iced thai tea with vanilla & a little cream
*Iced dirty chai

Favorite product
I’m loving a hair product this month. Not your mother’s – Beach babe texturizing sea salt spray.
For my naturally wavy yet fine hair this works fantastically and I am able to get away most days without using heat on my hair now:)

Audible pick of the month
I just started listening to
Big magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Favorite app this month
“She reads truth” (thank you Miss Georgia for introducing me to it)
I love this app because it has reading plans and is a great tool in personal growth.

Favorite outing/moment(s)
Seaside, OR.
I went back to my childhood summer safe place. Walking along the beach at dusk with my special someone was perfection. As the salty breeze passed by, the waves crash and feeling the sand between my toes I am always reminded of how big God is. I love it. I adored laughing while playing games in the evening. Getting to just relax, walk, laugh, talk and just unplug for a while was lovely.
My second favorite moment was my new tattoo. Other than just being beautiful it represents honor & compassion,(the peony flower) wholeness & balance.(the mandela) Coloring & shading will be added at a later date. 

Favorite album(s) & song(s)
Times are hard for dreamers & when the booth goes bright – Amelie the musical
The cure – Lady Gaga
Do it again & fullness – Elevation worship
Believer – Imagine Dragons
Slow hands – Niall Horan
The dirty dancing (remake) soundtrack
The new Pentatonix album

Favorite quote/lyrics
“Your promise still stands.
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness.
I’m still in Your hands.
This is my confidence,
You’ve never failed me yet”
Do it again – Elevation Worship

Favorite bible verse
(4) “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. (6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. (7) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & 13:13

Behind my ink

Behind my ink
Stories from a tattoo collector

I always love reading and learning about the meaning behind people’s tattoos so I thought I’d take the time to share mine.

Leg art

Harry Potter quote
Like most people my age Harry Potter made me fall in love with books and reading. Something that all my favorite books have in common is the use of the word “always”.
“Stay with me? Always”, “maybe ‘okay’ will be our ‘always’.”. Since Harry Potter started my love….. “after all this time? Always”. Oh and the three little stars are a different take on the trio of stars at the corner of every page.

Comedy & tragedy
 I am a HUGE theater fan and nerd. I love seeing and being in musicals. The hum of the audience, the tuning in the pit, anticipation waiting in the wings. Musicals touch my heart in a way that nothing else has. This is my theater piece. The clock cogs represent the musical wicked, which if you have seen the show you will know why from the beautiful set design. The words “Next to Normal” curved above is the title of an incredible show that means a great deal to me. These two are my top favorite shows.

Back art

Treble clef/Cross
This was my second tattoo. I call it my Daddy tattoo. It represents my Dad and our bond over our deep love of music. Also to represent my love for God, my Heavenly Father.

Bass clef
It serves as a reminder to always stay true to who I am, that no matter what I walk through that I can come out the other side so much stronger than before and still singing.

Arm art

Lady bugs
“When I was a little girl, I used to run around in the fields all day, trying unsuccessfully to catch ladybugs. Finally I would get tired and lay down for a nap. When I awoke, I’d find ladybugs walking all over me.” – Under the Tuscan Sun
Let happiness come to you. Fun fact my mom and sister have the same tattoo as well. 🐞

He > I
This is a small reminder that God is in control. His plan is bigger and greater than my own. He is greater than I.

Dreams vs fears
This tattoo is a small wink to the non-profit “To write love on her arms”. But to also remind me that my dreams will always be bigger than my fears.
The artist said we should add gray into the white ink due to my pale skin tone, however it didn’t distribute well and was only in a few letters. I didn’t like how it healed so I got it touched up in nude ink and I really enjoy how it turned out.

(To Write Love on Her Arms is an American non-profit organization which aims to present hope for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and thoughts of suicide while also investing directly into treatment and recovery.)

Waterloo
In 2014 I traveled outside of the US for the first time and spent a week in London, England. I fell completely in love with the city, architecture and the general European culture. It took me a year to settle on what tattoo I wanted to represent my new found wanderlust and passion for the gem of the U.K. I found this beautiful font and decided on getting my favorite place specifically. I have to say it is one of my favorites. I completely adore it.

Pink rose
Symbolic of gratitude, appreciation and grace. After this year those words really spoke to me. I not only loved the meaning behind pink roses, I thought it tied very nicely into also wanting to have a classy Disney tattoo. So here’s my little piece of Belle. (This ones still healing and I’m in love with it)