I recently had the opportunity to try out the brand Heavenly Organics. This company has some of the tastiest honey I have ever tried, along with delicious chocolate treats!
The Brand Story
What mostly attracted me to the brand was the story behind it. All of the honey used in Heavenly Organics products were extracted in a sustainable, bee-friendly, and smoke-free way. A way that the founder’s father created, and shared with other local farmers. This ethical company currently supports over 600 family farmers and has been leading the authentic fair trade movement.
The company was “built on the belief that products can create peace, and will continue to expand on their early ideas of respecting the earth, animals, mankind and all who contribute to the circle of life.”
How amazing is that!?
I also found it really interesting to see the difference in benefits between raw honey over processed. If you are interested in seeing this, chart I have attached the link. 🙂
Taste and Packaging
So the next thing that really attracted me to this brand was the packaging! I mean, how cute is it? I love all of the bright colors, and and intricate circular logo design. It just makes you want to smile looking at it!
Now on to the taste! The chocolate patties come in a variety of flavors, and all of the options I tried were delicious. My favorite was the mint chocolate honey option. If you love dark chocolate then this is the candy for you! The cocoa is bitter and delicious, with the hint of sweet honey and peppermint to tie the flavors together creating a decedent sweet treat to please any sweet tooth! I also enjoyed knowing exactly what was in the candy. The ingredients are so minimal; you can count them on one hand! Delicious, and something I don’t feel guilty about putting in my belly.
I was also able to try their three raw honey options. I usually add honey to my tea, or with peanut butter on toast, but this honey is delicious with all sorts of things! I really enjoy pairing it with granola and fruit in the morning, or even with a bowl of yogurt. The natural sweetness is spectacular and so delicious.
If you are looking for a delicious and organic way to add some sweetness into your life, try out this amazing brand!
Since we are coming to the close of Mental Health Awareness month, I figured it would be as good of a time as any to share this with you guys…especially seeing as 1 in 4 people will suffer from some form of mental illness, I know I am not alone here. And maybe my personal experience can help someone else out there, and give them some comfort and even hope.
Not sure where to begin, so I guess I’ll go all the way to the beginning. Since I was little I have always been a nervous person. I would always say I had a stomach ache and wouldn’t want to go out to eat. I had to sit at the end of the row at church, and the movies. I always needed to know where the exits and restrooms were. I would say I was sick, or my stomach hurt, to avoid social situations where I felt I would be overwhelmed, or wouldn’t know anyone. This was all normal to me. This was just who I was, and I lived with it. Now don’t get me wrong, I still did many things that tested my levels of anxiety but I pushed through because traveling, dancing and singing have always been things I greatly enjoyed. So even though it was difficult for me to overcome, I still traveled to Chicago, and New York, participated in state solo and ensemble as well as region choir in grade school and even reached the second in command position of the dance team at my high school. All of this was hard emotionally for me, but worth it…I could manage and internalize my anxiety.
When I Reached My Limit
But on the night of the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Olympic Games, I had my first full blown panic attack. And not just and panic attack, but a rolling panic attack which lasted for hours and through the majority of the night. It came out of no where, and for no reason. I thought I was dying…it was like a nightmare that never ended…that I couldn’t wake up from. And from that day on, and for the next year, I struggled to overcome the condition known as panic disorder without agoraphobia, enduring panic attacks on a daily basis, and had to work to regain the life I once had.
While going through this period of my life, there were times I thought- well this is it. I am never going to be the person I was before, that person is gone. I will never be able to travel anywhere…further pursue my career, there is so much I want to see and do in life, and now I cannot. This negative thinking quickly spiraled me into depression which I suffered from in the early months. I no longer felt I had control of my body, my mind was betraying me. I took a back seat, and something else was running the show…something I felt I had no understanding or control over. Colors lost their luster, smiling felt…off, and I didn’t have true emotions for anything. This path is destructive and dangerous. I thankfully had wonderful support from my physicians and family to help me through this time and surpass it. But staying positive and hopeful is key.
Coming to Terms
So the first step to getting my life back (as it is with most things) was acceptance. For the first few months, I would not accept that I was having panic attacks. I thought something was physically wrong with me, it just had to be! I wouldn’t, and couldn’t rest until whatever it was, was diagnosed. The problem is, that when your mind is creating the symptoms, they are not there when you are at the doctor’s office. I just couldn’t believe that my mind had gotten the better of me- that just couldn’t be possible. But once I had every test under the sun performed and all came back healthy, I finally accepted that the doctor’s knew what the were doing, and that I was having panic attacks. Only now could I start to get better.
I started seeing a therapist who assisted me in understating the reasoning behind the condition, and guided me through how to handle situations with breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and tools to live my life. I also went to a psychiatrist who prescribed medication to assist me to get back on track. Now here’s the thing… I grew up thinking medications that chemically change things in your brain had to be avoided at all costs and must not be taken, to the point where I actually feared these forms of treatment. I had to be tough enough to control my own mind on my own…right? Well, let me just say, sometimes you need a little extra help- I know I did. I don’t mean to be negative or defeatist here but, I needed more help then I felt I could give myself. When you can no longer eat a balanced diet, run your daily errands, or carry on with normal life activities, something has got to give. And although medications aren’t a cure-all miracle, they did vastly improve my quality of life. In saying that, they have a lot of side effects, and one that worked for some, may not work for you…it’s a trial and error game. But for me, it was worth it to have a glimpse at a normal life again. Thankfully the second medication I was prescribed was the right fit for me, and over time the side effects subsided, as did the attacks. I was able to….live again. Yes that sounds pretty dramatic, but it’s the truth. I was able to go an entire day without thinking about anxiety. I was able to say yes to going to lunch with my co-workers, I could answer a question in a meeting, I could go out to dinner. These are all trivial actions to people who do not have anxiety, but to someone with it….it is an inner struggle.
The first time I was able to go an entire day without a panic attack was monumental! Having control again was one of the most liberating and joyous moments of my life.
I will have to say, that you cannot allow yourself to feel discouraged, or pity yourself. Praising yourself for even the smallest steps of progress makes such a difference in the long run, and understanding that anxiety is like a roller coaster. It isn’t straight uphill or down. You are still going to get upset, have an attack, think negatively… and that is okay. That is being human.
Reflecting Back
Now I like to joke around and say I had my quarter life crisis, and that’s all this event in my life was, but in reality, I do not know why this decided to happen to me when it did, and I have to accept that. It happened, I got through it, and it’s okay. Sometimes things just happen. You cannot get better until YOU want to. It is your life and you have to fight for it. Other people can want whats best for you but at the end of the day, it is solely up to you to make the change to live your best life. I have always believed that God never gives us more then we can handle. And even though at the time I felt I wasn’t strong enough, he knew I was. And because of this, I have learned so much about myself and have grown so much as a person.
And in regards to where I am now…I am happy, healthy, and yes I do still take medication to help me along the way. When I was at my worst, I made a promise to myself to not let my anxiety be the reason I missed out on opportunities in life (if and when I got better) and I have held myself to that promise. I have traveled multiple times to Canada, Boston, New York, Rome, Mexico, and even Amsterdam! I say yes to events, give presentations at work, and even started my Instagram and blogging adventure. I shouldn’t have waited for something monumental to happen to me to start pursuing my dreams, but now is better then never, right? I have accepted that anxiety is part of who I am. I am thankful to have surpassed that hurdle in my life, and am gratefully blessed for every panic-free day I have.
If you are currently struggling with anxiety and panic, just know that you are not alone in this. Many other people have been there, or are currently struggling through the same thing, and that isn’t something to be ashamed of.
Last month I had the opportunity to walk in an Anthropologie fashion show at the City Centre location. This was my first time to ever participate in something like this, so I did not know what to expect! Luckily, I was selected with a group of Houston bloggers that I know and love so at least I wasn’t doing this alone for the first time!
My look was selected for me by Victoria, a super sweet stylist at this location. She curated all of our looks based on our personal style and measurements. The ensemble selected for me to model included the following pieces:
Earrings: Albury by Bianca Mavrick
Top: Floral Texture Blouse in Mango
Purse: Londra Crossbody
Jeans: Pilcro High-Rise High-Low Skinny Jeans
When the evening of the show finally arrived I got their early for my hair and makeup application. This was really a treat for me, and was super fun! Getting hair and makeup done professionally for an event really adds to the excitement, and gives that extra touch of glamour.
Once I was all dressed with hair and makeup complete, it was time to take a few pictures with my girls! We were all very excited for the opportunity to walk! The store was set up beautifully with light bites and champagne for the guests. Once it was time for us to line up to walk, I really started to get nervous, but also really excited, and then before I knew it, it was my turn! Once I got out there are started walking, it wasn’t scary at all! It was so much fun!
I truly enjoyed this opportunity, and would love to get the chance to do this again…it was such a rush! 🙂 This was one of those opportunities in life where you just have to say, YES! I often let me nerves get the better of me, and don’t take that step- even if I know it will be amazing, but I have made a point to challenge myself this year to try new things and say yes. Because you never know what you are going to miss out on!
A huge thank you goes out to Anthropologie City Centre for putting the beautiful event together and for inviting me out to participate in your show!
Living in Houston all of my life means that the Rodeo is a yearly go-to event for me. With over 20 live entertainers, massive carnival, and a rodeo performance every night, there is a show for everyone. This year I attended two nights seeing Fifth Harmony, and Chris Young. I will tell you, although the rodeo is the same time of year, every year, the weather sure is not! Some years it is blazing hot, others it has been windy and cold, so planning ahead on your rodeo attire isn’t always optimal. But the one thing I will say you can prepare for yearly is a lot of walking, so comfort is key when it comes to your footwear! This year I decided on dresses and flat boots for both shows, and was comfortable as well as temperature appropriate both nights.
For Fifth Harmony, I decided on a long-sleeve dress from Armoire.Amore. It was very windy that day, and was going to get cooler by nightfall, so I chose my faux suede fringe boots to complete the look. Also I would like to add that if you are attending the rodeo, that means you are going to be eating some amazingly good–bad for you food! I chose the bbq route this year, but there is always the chance that I might sample a deep fried oreo, twinkie, or some other form of sugary goodness! Because of this, I like to wear looser fitting clothing to the rodeo- haha! I’ve got to stay comfortable no matter how much I decide to eat.
For Chris Young it was a much warmer day so I chose a patchwork print chiffon dress and cowboy boots. This also was my first time rocking the top knot, which was a lot of fun! I decided on this ensemble to keep cool, while still fitting the rodeo spirit. Everyone loves to dress up at the rodeo, I have just learned over the years to find a happy medium between rodeo fashion and wearability. Heels and jeans will have you miserable before the night is over, and with it being rodeo season, I want to enjoy every minute of it- not waste it whining!
I hope my styling tips inspire you to think outside of the box in creating your western wear ensembles. There is a look for you, no matter how country or country at heart you are!
A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend the Art Car Parade in downtown Houston. I have lived here all of my life and have to admit, this was the first time I have made it out to see the parade. And what a year it was to have been my first! This event is truly something to see, and has a little something for everyone.
First of all, the food and drink vendors were out of this world! I am a foodie at heart and love the opportunity to snack any chance I can, so to have Raising Canes, Antone’s Famous Po’boys, Lee’s Creamery ice cream sandwiches, Tacodeli tacos, and Natachee’s Supper’n Punch! pulled pork sandwiches, Deep Eddy vodka, and Topo Chico all at my fingertips was a dream come true!
Living in Houston, you see a few of these unique car creations on the road on a regular bases, but do not get to hear about the creators, or backstory of the design. So to see them shine, center stage in a parade, really made an impression with me. Getting to see just how much detail and time went into creating each piece, along with the creators themselves, was really special.
Mayor Sylvester Turner even rode in on a car, starting the parade. It is so amazing to see Houstonians come together in support of the arts, individuality and creativity.
Here are a few of my favorite cars from the parade! The imagination that goes into creating these works of art is so impressive!
This Wizard of Oz masterpiece is actually made entirely out of peeps candy! How amazing is that?! – and just in time for Easter 😉
This car, which is a shark and waves, was actually crochet together by students! How unbelievable, and creative!
Another one of my favorites was this Where the Wild Things Are themed station wagon. The artist really brought the characters to life and reminded me of one of my favorite childhood books.
The weather could not have been better, either! It was a perfect Saturday afternoon for some outdoor fun in the city. If you have never had the chance to make it out to the Art Car Parade, I highly recommend it! You won’t be disappointed.
A special thank you to the Greater Houston Partnership for the invite! I had a lovely time! 🙂
One of the great things about blogging in a large city, is the opportunity to meet other bloggers in your community! Last month I met up with a group of fellow Houstonian bloggers for brunch at B&B Butchers. We shared laughs, discussed opportunities and dined on some truly delicious food! Here is a photo recap of the afternoon!
Perfect weather, amazing company, tasty dishes and spring drinks…what more could a girl as for?
What I wore
For this brunch I decided to wear a dress. This lightweight chambray striped dress has an elastic neckline that provides the option to wear it off-the-shoulder or scoop neck. The material is lightweight and has an intricate lace trim. I paired it with a white laser cut clutch and espadrille wedges. This look screams spring and is perfect for brunch and, of course good ol’ Texas weather.
Meet ups like this provide bloggers the opportunity to share insight, build relationships, recharge, and motivate one another! As a blogger, this part of my life can seem singular, like I’m alone in it…but in reality, that is not true! I left brunch feeling refreshed, and unstoppable. Knowing you have a community of supporters, and friends by your side is such an uplifting thing! Stay tuned for more meet ups and get togethers! I’m sure we will be having more in the near future! 🙂
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Mexico. On this trip, we would be stopping in Mazatlan, Mexico City and Durango. This was my first time to go into the country (aside from border cities) and I was very excited to explore, try local foods, and take in the culture!
Here I will share a brief photo diary of what all I experienced in a nutshell. I honestly had a wonderful time, and cannot wait to go back! There is so much Mexico has to offer! From mountains to beaches, remote locations to major cities–not to mention gorgeous architecture! For me, the flight was only about 2 hours, so this getaway is totally doable for a weekend trip or 3 day holiday.
Mazatlan
Although our trip was in October, it was quite toasty in Mazatlan! Shorts and dresses kept me cool throughout the few days we spent there. We stayed to the Park Royal Hoteles Resort, which had an amazingly breathtaking view of the ocean from their infinity pool. For dinner, we opted for poolside service not to miss a minute of the gorgeous sunset. Exploring Mazatlan was a bit of a task in the heat, but we drove out to the strand and watched cliff divers jump into the clear blue-green water and marveled and their skill of perfectly diving between the rocks.
Durango
Mountains, markets, and museums…Durango has it all! This beautiful city is centrally located, and offers many scenic locations. I enjoyed the variety of museums and local goods the city had to offer. (especially mango chamoy popsicles)
Mexico City
I don’t know about you, but I feel most confident with a pearly white smile. There is something about white teeth that gives off a healthy, vibrant, conquer-all vibe, and who doesn’t want that?!
Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to enter the giveaway!!
Why waste the time whitening at the dentist, or photo shopping your images, when you can get quality whitening at home! With Smile Brilliant you can get custom, professional whitening from the comfort of your own home in as easy as 3 steps!
When your kit arrives, you are provided with everything you need! Instructions, whitening gel, desensitizing gel, and all pieces needed to create your impressions.
Now Let’s Dig In!
The first step is to create the impressions. I was nervous to make mine, but the instructions make it very simple! After completing the impressions, you just stick them in in the pre-paid envelope and pop them in the mailbox. It took about two weeks for me to get my impressions back in the mail, and I must say, the trays are comfortable and fit perfectly!
As for the whitening, I first began with 30 minutes as my leave-in time, and gradually increased. Since everyone’s sensitivity is different, it is best to start off slow. I have sensitive gums and was unable to use my trays daily, but every other day worked out perfectly. By doing, so I still achieved my desired level of whitening, but without any discomfort or damage.
I have found it very easy to implement this whitening treatment into my routine. It is so convenient to pop the trays in while watching a movie, or spending time with my pups! On the weekend I enjoy whitening in the mornings while scrolling my Instagram feed, or reading a magazine on my Kindle.
There are so many benefits in using custom trays for whitening, for more details on why, click here!
As for my results, they are still in the works! The complete kit comes with 3 syringes of whitening gel and to date, have completed 2 and have achieved the following results.
My smile is definitely whiter, but most of all, my teeth and gums are healthy and feel great! I am in love with the results, and natural white shade of white my teeth have achieved. For the price, I couldn’t ask for a better product, but if my results weren’t enough to convince you, please check out one of the links below to see some truly amazing product reviews, and results! 🙂
Fellow Blogger Whitening Results :Click Here Click Here
Now go on and order yourself a glimmering white smile so you can be summer ready! What is holding you back?!
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I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with JORD watches, and have had the privilege to wear, and review one of their timepieces. Seriously guys, this is my new favorite watch! Below I am going to explain to you all of the reasons why I am in love with this watch and, why it is the perfect Christmas gift for you to give, and receive this season. AND at the end of my post, check out the link to get yourself an e-gift card from JORD to go towards your purchase! Sounds pretty awesome, right?
To start things off, I will share with you the watch I selected. I have a pretty dainty wrist so I selected the Frankie 35, which is a smaller faced watch, and with with a bright turquoise face for fun and a pop of color. I felt the metallic sheen really stood out against the dark sandalwood. Every watch JORD creates is downright beautiful, and unique. They offer a variety of faces and woods so that there is something for everyone!
When my package arrived in the mail, I could not wait to open it, and I must say, the JORD watch box is something else! A solid wood construction with magnetic closures, and a bottom pull out trinket drawer for accessory pairings! I was amazed by not only the quality of this product, but also the craftsmanship. Once I opened the box, I unveiled my new glorious watch resting on an embroidered JORD cushion. I quickly slipped off and onto my wrist to get a full take of the watch.
As I mentioned, the watch I selected is made of sandalwood. When I opened the watch box I immediately caught the fragrant aroma of the wood, which to me is greatly appealing! This natural calming scent is yet another bonus to this elegant timepiece. Also, since the amount of metal used is extremely minimal, the watch is very light making bracelet stacking and accessorizing effortless.
For the quality, craftsmanship, uniqueness and durability, I think this watch is offered at an amazing price. Perfect for your boss, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or any watch lover in your life! So skip the lines this Black Friday and hop onto JORD.com to get all of your holiday shopping covered! Don’t forget to check out the link to get your $25 e-gift card gift card!!
Happy Shopping!! <3
Giveaway Link: https://www.woodwatches.com/g/redrhinestone
Giveaway Info: The giveaway will close 12/18/2016 at 11:59 pm. Every person who enters will be instantly emailed a $25 e-gift code to use on the JORD site! Each e-gift code will expire on 02/28/2017.
Check out my Christmas Gift inspiration board of Pinterest!
When it comes to seasonal pieces, I really like to get my use out of them, and what better way to do that than by restyling! Here I will wear a dress two ways, taking it from day to night!
I picked up this 70’s inspired chiffon swiss-dot dress from Stage Stores. I absolutely love the fit and silhouette of this dress, not to mention the color! For my first look, I chose to pair this dress with a cheetah print belt, camel color boots and a small crossbody. This look is perfect for work, church, or shopping with the girls! This lightweight material flows beautifully, and is just the right amount of coverage for this season!
Now to transition this dress to night, I give the look a bit more edge, by pairing it with quilted ankle booties and a scuba skirt. The scuba skirt adds a fun and flirty touch along with the high heel of the bootie! I love how the black against the golden mustard hue really pops! This is the perfect date night ensemble, transforming this sunny daytime dress into the perfect night out look!
This really is a great way to add options to your wardrobe without collecting multiple pieces. Right now I am obsessed with this mustard shade, and since this dress offers such a flattering fit, what better way to get my use out of it this fall than by restyling it different ways?! I have noticed that each season I get really hung up on a few particular shades and buy a lot of pieces in it, only to decide on a new color the next season. Because of this, I have learned to pick and choose the pieces I really like, and get creative with styling those select pieces so that I don’t over do it on a seasonal color that will be short lived.
For accessories I kept the same jewelry to tie the looks together. A simple mixed media watch with some of my favorite Luca-Love bracelets. The gold tones complement the look impeccably!
As seen with this dress, you can easily style up one particular seasonal piece you love in your wardrobe, and give it a fresh look! I hope this short blog has inspired you to take a peek into your own closet and test out your wheel of options when it comes to restyling!
Featured pieces:
- Dress: Stage Stores
- Skirt: H&M
- Boots Hautelook
- Jewelry: Luca-Love Michael Kors