Dealing with Mean Girls

Goooood morning!!

I have dealt with many, many mean girls, and I'm sure you have too! They're everywhere, at the gas station, in the store, and maybe they're even your "friends" but fear not, I will help you learn how to deal with the mean girls out there!

Now, it's important to identify what type of mean girl you're dealing with. There's the, behind your back mean girl, the up-in-your-face mean girl (who says stuff so mean that you're literally stunned), and the manipulative, "I'm scared if I say no she's gonna blow up mean girl." There are other different breeds of mean girl out there, but it would take me years to list them all, and some are even weird hybrids, don't get me started on those.

In the past couple of years I have dealt with some meanies that have really scarred me, one so terrible that I have literally had nightmares about her. (If you're reading this, congratulations). She got under my skin so badly that seeing her literally gave me anxiety attacks. She was the worst, y'all.

Unfortunately I'm not the only one who has had to face issues like this. Whether it be walking into a room full of people who just got done making fun of you, or facing the culprit face-to-face, dealing with the hurt and insecurity you feel is down right hard. It truly saddens me to think of how far bullying has gone in the world today.

Here are some things that might help you next time you encounter one of these creatures:

1. Let their harsh words bounce off of you, just like rubber. Now I know this is way easier said than done, but you have to really remind yourself that their attacks are cowardly, and you are strong and beautiful!

2. Realize that they are hurting in some way. I believe that these people behave in the way that they do because of some sort of pain or deficit. To you, you might think that they have everything, but they're probably falling apart on the inside and their harsh demeanor is just an outward expression of their pain.

3. Pray for them. Yes friends, pray for them. Will it work for them? I don't know, but I do know that your heart will be changed drastically. Friends, God will fight for you and protect you, so remember that truth as you go into face them.

4. Hold your head higher than a giraffe's. Sometimes these mean girls just want to bring you down, there's something about sadism that they seem to enjoy, so when you stay strong it only wrecks their attempts. (If you need to run home and cry your eyes out, that's fine, just don't ever let them see you cry).

I hope these little tips will help the next time you have to deal with the meanies! And remember, you are beautiful, strong, and kind!

Xx,

LG

Reading List

Good afternoon beauties!

How are y'all on this fine cold day? The weather has me curling up with a hot cup-a-joe and a great book, which got me thinking about books that I'd like to read in the near future. My husband and I (mainly myself) can be guilty when it comes to vegging out in front of the TV, or in my case, Hulu plus. I just can't help myself sometimes. To combat that bad habit, I have been trying to put my Kindle to good use. Below are some of the books that are on my reading list:

1. A Confederacy of Dunces. This book has been talked about so much in my house that I would be disowned if I never read it!

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma. Kinda terrified to read this one, only because I'm weird enough about food as it is...

3. Pride and Prejudice. Need I say more?

4. Wheat Belly. I've read parts of this, and, being that I'm gluten free it just makes sense!

As you can tell, I am all over the place. I really like reading medical journals and books, but I enjoy fiction as well. What are some good books you've read lately? I'm really looking for some new recommendations!

Xx,

LG

Urban Legends: Dry Shampoo

Happy Thursday beauties!

I seriously hope that everyone is having a great week thus far, if not, email me and I can send you hilarious Youtube videos to perk you up. (I'm not joking, I have a whole list of them).

It seems lately that there are beauty products popping up left and right, and sometimes it's hard to decipher whether or not they're worth it, what to splurge on, etc. Well friends, today I'll tell you all about my journey with dry shampoo!

A few years ago after one of my surgeries, I was beginning to smell a bit like a cheesy dog, since I couldn't wash my hair and I could only take sponge baths (I'm cringing at the thought). My mother dearest bought me some dry shampoo to help make me feel a bit more like a human and less like a stinky swamp creature with a chopped up foot. That was my first real experience with dry shampoo. It was not a pleasant one. My mother covered my head in the stuff and I nearly suffocated (really though, it was hard to breathe through the fumes), and to make matters worse, my hair only got more oily. Things went from gross to grosser.

Since then I have read reviews, asked salons, the whole shebang! I believe that I have some products that are worth giving a try! You should know that my hair is super thin and very oily. I have infant hair, though actual infant probably has more volume than mine does. Moving on.
My hair is oily but I can't wash it every day or the ends will get dried out, it's quite the double-edged sword over here. Dry shampoo is a perfect solution for me, especially now that I have side bangs...

So without further adieu, here's the starting lineup!

1. Tresemme Fresh Start. I can't tell you how much this product did NOT work for my hair. It literally did nothing but make it super oily. Again, I have thin hair, but I wouldn't recommend this product. Also, most dry shampoos will emit a white powdery substance, this one did not...

2. Osis. I really really liked this product, it's probably my favorite dry shampoo because it smells great, does its job, adds volume, and it doesn't leave my hair feeling weird. The only problem? It's almost $25 for a teeny tiny bottle, which didn't last me very long at all. It's definitely worth the splurge if you can swing it!

3. L'Oreal Everstyle. This is a close second for me (Osis being my favorite) but this product smells nice and absorbs the oil well. The only problem I've had with this one is that it occasionally leaves my hair feeling chalky and it becomes difficult to style. With a $6 price tag though, it really can't be beat!

So there you have it! What are some of your favorite (and least favorite) dry shampoos??

Xx,

LG

My, how things have changed.

Happy Wednesday snuggle bunnies!

Can we just take a moment to mourn the loss of summer? Don't get me wrong, I love fall and all, but these freezing cold temperatures are really not fun. Plus with the wind and the static, my hair has become the perfect home for a family of small rodents. Gross.

This time of the year is really special and fun for me and my hubby, over the past few years a lot of precious moments have been held in the fall. This year we are no longer dating or engaged, but married, and that got me thinking about how much we have changed. So buckle down and get ready for a trip down memory lane.

This was one of our first "dates" together and our first picture together as a couple. He was sweet enough to be my date to a semi-formal at my college, even though he hates parties and dancing. (In some ways, we are polar opposites- I love parties and dancing)

One of my first trips to his parent's house, he took me for a ride on the 4-wheeler and made every attempt to get me covered in mud. I guess he needed to give me the "yuppie girl" test, I passed.

Our first Christmas together, please ignore the awkward smiles, but note the reindeer antlers, those are tradition now.

On November 12, 2010 he asked me to be his wife. A week later we celebrated our one year anniversary. 

We've attended quite a few weddings together. (Sexy boot ya got there, Laurel)

We've posed for many pictures.

2 and 1/2 years after getting engaged, I finally became his wife.

He's nursed me through many sick days, and carried me into my house after 3 surgeries. He's slept on my floor so that he could wake up to give me medicine, once while I was sick he even slept outside my door so that he could hear me if I woke up. We've laughed until we cried, cried and then ended up laughing, and loved each other through our ugliest times. He truly is my best friend and I couldn't imagine a moment without him. We might not stay up until 3 am talking (on the phone) anymore, but I prefer our 9:30 bedtime and old married couple routine.

Do you have a special someone? If you do, how have you changed since you first started dating?

(Sorry to get all mushy on you, I'm just so full of love today, must be the coffee)

Xx,

LG

Love, Heal, and Bless

Good morning pretties!

A few months ago my husband got a new job, not the one in Raleigh that we had been hoping for, but one in Lynchburg that was a serious step up from his old job. (I won't even mention some of the horrible things he went through at his old job). This job is a blessing in so many ways, (um, hello, he has a job!) but one of the biggest blessings is the group of people that he works with. Everyone is so nice, it's kind of unreal, I once asked him if he worked in the twilight zone because it just didn't seem possible.

While there are many people I could write a post about, today I'll be talking about a very special lady! I haven't spoken with her about sharing her story in this space yet, so for the meantime I'll just call her Catherine.

Catherine is such a warm and welcoming person to be around, the very first time I met her she made me feel so important and special. My husband works near her and he has told me of plenty of times that she has made him smile, even if his day wasn't going very well. She's kind and genuinely cares for people. Oh, and did I mention that she works full time (often working late), has a husband and two kids (teenage boys), and is going to school?! She definitely has her hands full.

Sadly a about a year ago she was in a car accident and she broke her arm pretty badly. Despite numerous operations and having her arm in a brace for all this time, her poor humerus still hasn't healed. Next week she will be going in for another surgery. As if the thought of going "under the knife" isn't enough stress, her husband has also been having heart attacks recently.

With the worry of all this, my husband and I have decided to make her family a few days worth of meals and deliver them to her home, that way when she gets out of surgery she can focus on healing and not on feeding her family! My husband, being the amazing man that he is has coordinated with the people in his office so that she can have meals for the entire week! I tell ya, I oughta marry that man...

Our secret "meal plan" has been under wraps for almost two weeks now, and today my husband finally shared the secret with Catherine. Right after this I got a call from her thanking me and she was in tears. Ya'll I can't even handle how precious this woman is, add tears and I'm crying on the floor like a baby!

One of the things she said really hit me, she thanked me for letting God use me, and honestly I didn't even know what to say. In that moment I realized that God was using her more than He was using me. God has used her to open my eyes. The circumstances she's under have greatly put stress and burden on their family, being able to speak with her, do little things to make her smile, and hopefully comfort her have changed my hard, calloused heart into one that is more obedient to the Lord and has more love for people than once before.

I'm not writing this post to brag about how awesome and humble I am, I am challenging all of you to serve others in some way, shape, or form. God will put opportunities in your path, listen to His spirit and follow!

Can you be praying for Catherine and her family? Her surgery is next week and I know they'll be needing the prayers as they head into her operation!

Xx,

LG

Black is The New Black

Good morning y'all! Can you believe it's November? Crazy stuff right there.

So a few weeks ago I got a job, just a small one, but it's pretty fun and it has been super easy to catch on! The only downside to working where I do is that I have to wear a.) clothes from the store (which aren't exactly my style and don't really fit, or b.) all black.

I hardly owned ANY black when I got this position, I'm just a very colorful dresser, so black isn't a huge part of my "color wheel." With the help of a very fashionable friend (who also works at the same place) I was able to pick up a few more black pieces to add to my wardrobe.

Not only is wearing all black hard for me, but with a limited number of options, and a need for many work outfits, I have become pretty creative with putting together new outfits. And as much as I may have strayed away from black in the past, it's growing on me! An all black outfit, done well, can be super chic and much easier than you think! So today I'm going to show you a few ways to wear black!

I have a few little "guidelines" for styling black, which I've learned from my experience with dressing for work!

1. Your blacks don't have to match perfectly. Okay, this one is super hard for me because I like things to be as close to perfect as possible, but it really isn't a huge deal! (A funky, super faded sweater, or other item, may be an exception to this rule)
2. Mix fabrics! I can't emphasize this enough, mixing fabrics will break up your outfit a little, it will also help give your outfit a little pop! I love my sheer black blouses because they go very well with all of my black bottoms and they add a little something different!
3. Add prints! All black can be drab, so add a fun printed tight, or spicy top!
4. Black and brown can be worn together. There. I said it. I think that black and brown are acceptable together (when planned). In the 3rd photo, that lovely woman is pulling together her ensemble by adding brown accessories, so when you add brown, do it intentionally! 
5. Accessorize! This is your chance to bust out that funky jewelry or sassy pair of shoes! Whether you go bold, or stay clean and chic, make it your own!

There you have it! I'll be trying to document some of my work outfit choices so you can see how I style my black, in the meantime hashtag #styledallblack on instagram so I can see how you wore it! 

Xx,

LG