Oh Christmas Tree...

 Hey Everyone! Just sitting here on this Sunday and decided to take some pictures of our tree with our cute christmas gifts for our loved ones underneath! This is my most favorite time of year and I absolutely adore decorating and bringing new themes to our tree each year! This year I decided to go with a rustic glam theme. 

I always like to make sure that the gifts that I wrap, tie in with the theme of the tree they will be sitting under. I know... it can be quite silly to think that deeply into it but, as I said this is my most favorite time of year and it is reflected in everything I do during this holiday.

Just like the gifts I wanted to bring in some rose gold, sparkles and polka dots with a mixture of greens. 

If when its out of focus, it blends and blends.

I found these gorgeous new rose gold with crystal ornaments at Hobby Lobby during their 50% off sale and I am so happy I snagged ALL of them! 

This year I decided to do two ribbons; one with gold polka dots and the other a rose gold with dark gold trim.

I hope you love this little post showing our first "married" christmas tree. 

Even if decorating for the holidays is one of my favorite parts of the season, we must never forget the reason for the season!

thankful for grace, hope, love and the night that changed everything...

 sweet baby Jesus' birth.

Not My Typical Post

            Lately something has weighed very heavy on my heart & spirit & I needed a place to release my thoughts on whats been keeping my mind up at night. This isn't going to be a typical post that I usually write about beauty products, its more personal & it's something that I feel like I need to write. As many of you know, I am passionate about being a hairstylist but my biggest passion is my Faith in God. Sadly, I must admit for the first two years of my career I battled back and forth with God on whether or not being a hairstylist was my calling.

Embarrassingly I thought,

 God has much, much bigger plans for my life and why would He ever call me into a career that would never fulfill my deepest hopes and desires. 

            I had put MY IDEA of what I THOUGHT God wanted for me on a pedestal and thought that being a hairstylist couldn't hold a candle to what God had in store for my life, but I continued on in my career with the mind set that eventually I would leave and go onto bigger and better things. 

            In the last year, my job has a hairstylist has become much, much more than hair and I now see why I was given the GIFT of becoming a hairstylist. We have all heard the joke that "hairstylist are like psychologist because for some reasons clients will tell you anything and everything," and its true. It's true in the most beautiful way. I don't consider myself a psychologist or think in any way I have the skills or knowledge to treat someone in a way that a doctor would but I do know that I am a daughter of a King who stays with me, day in and day out. I know that the women He puts in my chair are their for a reason and He will give me the knowledge, He will give me the words, He will give me the tools to reach out and love them for exactly who they are. 

            Now as I come to the end of the best year in my career, I can honestly say that there is nothing more fulfilling to me than to speak love, truth, hope and surrender my wants and my needs to be what God needs me to be to the women that are sitting in my chair. Whether my role is a friend, a sister, a secret keeper, a shoulder to cry on, a hug or even a silent nod so they know that someone is there and that someone loves them and someone thinks that they are beautiful. 

            As I take a look back and reflect, I feel stupid for thinking that being a hairstylist wasn't good enough for me and what God had in store for my life. For thinking that one day, God was going to come down and show me my true calling and I was going to leave my life as a hairstylist behind. I now can see that, God doesn't just place us in places by accident and I didn't just fall into being a hairstylist by chance. It was all thought out and planned by God.

When you really think about it, God saw something in me to where He trusted me to spend time with His Daughters, daily. His precious, precious daughters who mean so very much to Him. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?  Now I see, God wants us to trust in Him so wholeheartedly that no matter where we go, where we work, where we live;

that loving others like He loves them...  

is our calling.

            I know this isn't what you expected to read on my blog and I feel extremely vulnerable being that open and honest but I felt like God had placed it on my heart and I needed to let it out. I hope that you enjoyed this little glimpse into my heart and into my life and into my relationship with God. If you have any questions, comments or just want to show some love, please don't hesitate. I would love to hear from you. 

My Skincare Routine & 2016 Favorites

Hey Everyone + Happy December! 

I know its been a minute since I have posted and I apologize for my absence but with the holidays right around the corner the last few months have been "wonderfully crazy." I am so thankful for the growth my business has had over the last year and it is all thanks to you my amazing clients, family and friends. I am so excited for the things I have in store for 2017 and for the surprises I have for all of you! Thank you for your love and support and lets ring in the end of the year 

"My Skincare Routine & 2016 Favorites" from each category! 

Let's get started....

Step One: Remove Makeup

My absolute favorite makeup remover for 2016 is most definitely the 

"Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm" by Clinique. 

I have repurchased this twice over 2016 and I would have to say I have a love affair going on with this balm. It is a lightweight makeup remover that rapidly dissolves stubborn eye and face makeup. When you take the balm and begin to massage it into the skin it transforms from a balm into a silky oil. I will be taking this balm with me into 2017 + beyond...

Price: $29.00 for 3.8 oz.

Step Two: Cleanse

I have tried multiple different cleaners over the last year with the ever changing and unpredictable Michigan season and I have finally come back to my ride or die facial cleanser which is the

 "Daily Facial Cleanser" by Cetaphil. 

It is a dermatologist recommended cleanser that removes excess oil without drying the skin or causing irritation. I can always count on this cleanser to do its job in the morning and in the evening after a long day.

Price: $14.49 for 16 oz.

Step Three: Tone

Toning is such an important step when it comes to your daily skincare routine and with that I couldn't decide between these two toners as my favorite for 2016. First lets start with the toner I have been using the longest;

"Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic" 

The toner gently exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, revealing healthy glowing skin. This toner is paraben free, hypoallergenic and not tested on animals! I have repurchased this toner twice this year and I am so happy I was introduced to it by my good friend Jordan Weber it has truly help transform my skin. The scent it a little different than most toners & it is truly not a bad thing.

Price: $15.00 for 3.4 fl. oz

The other toner that I have fallen in love with is the;

"Clarifying Lotion 2 by Clinique" 

This toner is a dermatologist-developed formula that also reveals fresher looking skin. It gets rid of flakes and excess oil so moisturizer can do its job. I really enjoy this toner and the refreshing and tingling sensation it gives to my face makes me feel like I will have brand new skin in the morning. I do notice that my skin looks quite red after I use it but once you can get passed that, its amazing.

Price: $14.50 for 6.7oz    +   $24.00 for 13.5oz

Step Four: Moisturize

I have to be honest with all of you, this is the step that I didn't really see the point of when I was in middle school and high school but as I have continued to research and observe my skin this step has really made me have a passion for taking care of my skin and this moisturizer is also to blame for my passion/obsession as well.... it is the 

"Renewed Hope In A Jar" by Philosophy.  

This formulation features a triple blend of alpha hydroxy acids, 3 forms of hyaluronate plus an Asian fruit extract, delivering an even longer-lasting glow and continuous hydration benefits. After I have removed makeup, cleansed that skin and toned this moisturizer makes my skin feel refreshed & refreshed. I use this moisturizer in the morning before I put on makeup and at night before I go to bed! 

Price: $47.00 for 2.0 oz.   +   $75.00 for 4.0 oz.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out "My Skincare Routine & 2016 Favorites" and I hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions, comments or just want to send some love please don't hesitate to reach out. If you would like to see a post on my "Pamper Routine" with my high end and drugstore products for the skin & body for nights of pampering please let me know and I would love to do that for you! Until next time...