Encouragement & Motivation

 

Music is truly a wonderful thing. Beyond wonderful, really. I’ve always believed that and then weeks like this come along and that belief is just reaffirmed ten-fold.

It’s been a rough week. I’ve had some serious emotional ups and downs coupled with crazy exhaustion and just general moodiness. The perfect storm right? I have to say though that I am so proud of how I’ve handled this week. I kept moving, kept my pace and tried to hold my head high. It’s a pretty good feeling to know that this week roughed me up a little bit but I definitely kicked it’s ass in the end.* In an effort to give-credit-where-credit-is-due, I have to say I did not muster up the gumption to do said ass-kicking all by myself….

I listened to a lot of Pandora this week, specifically my Switchfoot channel. (You may or may not be familiar with my love affair with Switchfoot so I’ll just say this: I love them. They are one of my absolute favorite bands and that’s saying a lot coming from a music lover like myself. ) I haven’t listened to a ton a Switchfoot recently and I certainly haven’t listened to much non-secular music in ages but I like the upbeat tempo the songs Pandora tends to filter through that channel for me. A couple songs that came up this week in particular really struck a cord with me.

The After- You Light Up the Sky

This song came up on a night when I was feeling especially down and out. Religion is kind of a weird area for me right now but for some reason this song caught my attention. It feels really hopeful and encouraging. It is beautiful symbolism to think of dawn as a promise like that. A reminder. I honestly believe that no matter when I am spiritually, God is there, waiting patiently. That is my belief, regardless of any religion or church teachings, that’s my truth. As a person who has struggled for longer than I can remember with depression, it is easy to forget that. It’s easy to feel alone and forgotten. This song, and the concept behind it, gave me a great reminder that that is never the case.

 

Dark Horses- Switchfoot

Oh, Switchfoot. <3 This song came along on a day when I was trying to muster up the energy/strength/courage to really dig my heals in and get it done. I especially love the bridge and chorus  “ Born for the blue skies, we’ll survive the rain. Born for the sunrise, we’ll survive the pain. We’re singing, Hey, you can’t count us out. We’ve been running up against the crowd. Yeah, we are the dark horses. We’re singing wait it’s not over now. We’ve been down but we’ve never been out. We are the dark horses.” After listening to this song a couple times in a row, I tend to do that with Switchfoot , I definitely found myself with a I-can-do-anything attitude and that felt good. I worked hard that day. Like an 11-hour shift, did-all-the-floors-by-myself** hard. At the end of the day though I felt so good, so accomplished. I’ve been down but I’ll never be out. There was a little bit a defiance in my walk that evening. Kind of an “I told you so” attitude. Which is funny because I’m pretty sure that only person I was really trying to prove anything to was… myself. Can you gloat to yourself about what you’ve done? I don’t know but I think that’s what I did. haha

 

I’ve added both of these songs to my ‘Motivation’ mix on itunes which has proven to be a favorite playlist recently. They made such a huge impact on my week, I thought I’d share them. Maybe they will be just the kick-start you need to power through your week too.

 

 

* I know it’s only Thursday but I have a weird schedule so tonight is kind of my Friday night. Thus kind of being the end of my week.

** Doing the floors at my work consists of moving 8 floor mats that are about 50 lbs each, moving various different fixtures/appliances (including our uber heavy fridges), sweeping and mopping the whole store then putting all the mats back and mopping over them. It’s kind of a race against time because you want to get it done and be out of the way as quickly as possible plus it’s usually done right before someone has to go home. So it’s can kind of end up being a bit of an aerobic exercise. Pretty much everyone I’ve ever seen do them, and not take FOREVER, ends up sweaty and red in the face when they are done.

Skin Care 101

 

As part of my New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve been trying to really stick to my skin care regime. After a friend asked me to share what products I used, I realized I really do have quite the system. haha. It’s really quite simple when it’s put into action. The daily care is less than 5 minutes a day and then maybe 30 minutes once a week for “deep cleaning” so-to-speak. Since it’s part of my resolutions, I figured I should share it here too.

There are five ‘steps,’ three of which I employ daily: 

Step One- Cleanse. I usually do this step in the shower. There are three cleansers that I rotate*:: Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser, Biore Warming Anti-blackhead Cream Cleanser and Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. I primarily use the Aveeno and the Ice cleanser but when I notice my pores are getting especially mucky, I’ll use the Warming cleanser. That stuff really does warm up! Warm skin= open pores= cleaned-out pores. Not only does it work to help stave off blackheads, the warmth is kind of relaxing too! When I use the Aveeno and the Ice cleanser, I apply it with a Basically U Beauty Buff Teardrop Sponge. These little gems are probably my favorite ‘beauty secret.’ I’ve only ever seen them at Ulta, available in packs of 6 or 2 for only a few dollars. I’ll use one sponge for a few days and swap it out for a new one. They are slightly abrasive so it’s a great way to exfoliate while you cleanse (time saver!) and gentle enough to do it every day. Also the foam these little sponges work up is incredible! Velvety and luxurious!

Step Two- Refine. I think that toners/astringents are often a forgotten step with skin care. Until just recently they were always something I neglected, only using on special occasions when I wanted my skin to look and feel especially nice. Since I started using them more regularly though, I’ve noticed a huge difference. The key is consistent use for noticeable affects… probably the case with most skin care products, huh? My favorite is the Biore Triple Action Astringent. It’s got a great cooling affect (cool skin= closed pores= no place for muck to get into your skin) that gives a nice fresh feel without burning my eyes, a problem I’ve had with many skin care products. I’ve tried a couple other astringents and toners and the only other one that doesn’t irritate my eyes is the Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent. The Clean & Clean doesn’t have the same cooling affect as the Biore but other than that, they seem pretty comparable.

Step Three- Moisturize. Oh Moisturizer, moisturizer, moisturizer… what a love-hate relationship we have. Until a few years ago I was hard-set against moisturizing my face. I’ve always had oily skin so the last thing I wanted to do was add more grease. Makes sense… or so I thought. Sometime a few years ago I read an article that explained a few things and really opened my eyes. I wish I had a link or something but the basic idea is this: You want to apply moisturizer in the first few minutes after a shower or your skin will, in an effort to replenish all the oils you stripped from it during the cleansing process, go all haywire and start pumping out those oils trying to replenish it’s natural moisturizer. Using a moisturizer soothes the skin and keeps it from over-producing those oils and leave you greasier in the first 15 minutes after your shower then you are all day long. Does that make any sense to you? I was super skeptical at first but I thought I’d give it a chance. After just a couple days I noticed a big difference. I can feel it. I can see it. Now that I’ve been moisturizing daily, I can notice when I don’t use any lotion. I have been made a facial-moisturizer believer! It took me a little trial and error to find something that didn’t irritate my eyes but I’ve fallen in love with the Aveeno line (Using the moisturizer actually lead me to the cleanser I mentioned above, which I also love! ). My two go-tos are the Clear Complexion and the Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizers. I keep a bottle of each of these on hand at all times. They are some of my priciest skin care products (about $15 a bottle) but I can usually find deals and stock up then. Plus since I alternate the two bottles, they last about two months! I use the Calming lotion when I’ve done extra exfoliation or if my skin seems more irritated then usual (sunburns, etc). It’s got SPF 15 so this one is nice in the summer time especially. I use the Clear Complexion lotion if I notice any problem areas sprouting up. It usually works out that they get used fairly evenly. I can’t talk enough about how much I love these Aveeno Moisturizers. I’ve probably tried a good 15 different kinds and the Aveeno line is by far the best. Check it to it, try it out, you will fall in love! In addition to the Aveeno I also use the Avon ANEW CLINICAL Eye Lift PRO Dual Eye System, can’t be a puffy-eyed barista.

Step Four- Blemish Control. Despite all my efforts to avoid breakouts, they happen. No one can really avoid them completely, right? I’ve been using the Zapzyt acne cream since I was a teenager and it’s always worked fantastically. It’s sometimes leaves a visible residue though so I only use it in the evenings. Recently, I discovered the Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. It claims to clear up blemishes in 8 hours. You’re supposed to apply it every 8 hours which I haven’t actually had the chance to do yet so I’m not sure if the 8-hour claim is true. It does work really well at drying up any problems in an otherwise timely manner though and doesn’t leave any residue so I can use it in the mornings (after my toner, before the moisturizer). In addition to the creams, I use a tool from Tweezerman to help pop any zits that come through. It’s designed to reduce any bruising or irritation that can come from picking and squeezing of the skin. There’s a comparable tool from Revlon that has one end for acne care and one for extracting blackheads. A double threat! I have both tools. The Tweezerman’s little loops tend to be a little more gentle (less damaging) whereas the Revlon tool’s ends have a little more sharpness (perfect for getting into the pores and getting all the muck out). I’ve tried tons of different acne treatments over the years, these are the best ones out there for me. I only use these products as needed but they are still important components of my arsenal.

Step Five- Pampering and Periodic Care. Once a week or so I like to spend a little extra time to give my face a bit of pampering and extra care. Another product I’ve used for years is the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. They never used to work very well for me but I’ve found a good way to prepare my skin for the strips. Before I apply the strip, I wash my face with warm/hot water. The warmth opens the pores, allowing the strip to really grab hold and pull out whatever’s there. I’ve noticed a big difference in results when I prep my skin this way. I also like to do a little extra exfoliation with the Mary Kay Timewise Microdermabrasion set. This set is magic. I love it, swear by it, recommend it to everyone. Once a week is all it takes for a pretty glow and super soft skin. The last couple products that I use regularly are a couple different masques: Chocolate Mud & Pomegranate Peel. I found these while browsing at Fred Meyer one day and decided to try them on a whim. There’s enough in each envelope for one generous application. I have made it a point to keep a couple on hand for whenever I’ve feeling a little extra pampering is needed. There are a few other masques offered from this company that I’m eager to check out but so far these two are winners.

 

And that’s it. All my tricks and gadgets. It seems like a lot but when put in use, it’s really only a matter of a couple extra minutes out of the day. It’s interesting how much those couple minutes can affect the look and feel of my skin though. If you don’t have a skin care regime, I’d suggest finding one that works for you. Decide what your problem areas are (dry skin, acne treatment, etc) and do a little research into some easy solutions. If you’re not into using a bunch of drugstore products, there are tons of different natural beauty care products you can buy or even whip up in your kitchen.

Invest a moment here and there. Put a little extra effort in. You’d be amazed at what an improvement in the way your skin looks and feels can do for your day-to-day life.

 

*It works for me to rotate products but if you have super sensitive skin, I’d suggest finding what works with you and stick with it.

Hello 2012

 

It’s that time of year again. After doing some reflecting on last year’s resolutions,  browsing some inspiring graphics found on Pinterest and a little time spent watching the Disney Channel, I’ve  decided to just keep swimming.

I have to admit, this attitude towards my resolution is largely due to this graphic:

Photo Credit

It’s not a brand new concept. I know it’s heard it before somewhere. For whatever reason though, when I saw this image on Pinterest it made me stop and think. It gave me a little peace and erased a lot of my anxiety about being ‘behind’ or needing to catch up. Even reading it now I am prompted to take a deep breathe (literally) dig my heals in (metaphorically) and get some stuff done.

Reflecting on last year’s resolutions, I see I didn’t make much, or in some cases any, progress. Reading over the first part of that post though, I see where the progress was made. I was right in that there was a lot of growing. Certainly not in the ways I expected but absolutely in the way I needed.

This year is going to be about continuing the movement and growth This year will be less focused on finding answers and more about finding some great experiences, less about finding definition or validation and more about feeling good about myself. It’s going to be about enjoying the ride and celebrating the little milestones along the way.

That said, my resolutions this year are intended to lend themselves to little celebrations and big living.

( Am I making any sense? lol)

 

1. Write more notes. Thank you notes, love notes, thinking of you notes, etc. Just be better about correspondence in general.

  3. USE WHAT I HAVE. This one is a repeat, verbatim, from last year. I still have some stock piles that I should be using. I’m sure some of them will be added to throughout the year, but I want to try to use what I’ve got rather than just saving it all for ‘later.’

4. Organize, Organize, Organize! I’d like to have my virtual (Pinterest, Gmail, Google Reader, etc), electronic (music, photos, files, etc) and everyday life be a little more organized and simple.

5. Take an art class or workshop. Probably from Kal or Elise. I’ve been mooning over their workshops for a while now…

6. Host more dinner parties! I had a few as last year came to an end and I think I’m addicted. There is really not much that compares to how much I love having people I care about in my house having a good time.

7. Make a blanket. Quilt, crochet… something I’ve been mulling over for a while now.

8. Grow a garden. I have a great little porch that would be perfect for a little basil plant… maybe some strawberries? mmm!

9. Put more art on my walls.

10. Complete two DIY projects a month.  I know I have enough DIY ideas on my Pinterest, time to put some of them in action.

Patriot Guard

First off, let me say that I am all for freedom of speech. I believe that everyone should have the right to speak their mind. I also believe that speaking your mind should be done in a manner that is respectful to other people and with the understanding that just because you think one way, they may not agree and that’s ok. You aren’t responsible for the beliefs and convictions of other people. Many people don’t understand or respect that truth.
That seems to be the case in this video. These protesters (I believe they are part of the Westburo Baptists , which is a whole different level of disgustingness that I don’t even want to get into.) are protesting at funeral for fallen soldiers. Just the thought of that turns my stomach sour. How disrespectful can a person possibly be? Regardless of whether or not that man was in the military or not, he is still someone’s son- part of a family- and that family deserves to be able to grieve without being disrespected and harassed in such a despicable way. It makes me sick and breaks my heart that this is happening in the face of the bravery and sacrifice that is being made by the soldiers and their families.

Enter the Patriot Guard. These guys are awesome. I love that they are unexpected. They aren’t the typical “Christians”- rough and tumble veteran bikers. I love it! They use their bodies and bikes to literally shield out the protesters. One of the ‘guard’ members (a pastor, biker and veteran!) explains why the Patriot Guard is coming to these funerals, “Because my faith says we can’t operate in a vacuum, that we have to take action.”  “No family should have to face this type of hatred on the day that they are putting their loved ones to rest.” Those two phrases are it for me. That is what “being a Christian” is about, to me. He goes on to explain why they will keep coming, “Not only from a patriotic stand point but also for the people to know that those in the church care about them, love them and that God is standing here with them.”
I can’t begin to explain how passionate this clip makes me feel. How proud I am that there are good people out there like this and how amazing it is to see Christians coming together to support and protect one another like that. Support and love. That’s all. It’s so refreshing, encouraging and it makes me hopeful.

The Voice

I know, I know. ANOTHER music-star reality tv show. When American Idol first came out I was a freaaaaak about it. I watched every single episode. After a few seasons I lost interest… every couple seasons I’ll get sucked into a couple episodes but it never lasts. The Voice has had my attention from day one. There have been some seriously talented artists on this show so far and the final 8 have given some INCREDIBLE performances. I’m on pins and needles to find out who takes it all!

 

I thought I’d do my duty as a music lover and share some of the incredible talent from this show with you all.

 

Dia Frampton’s rendition of Kanye’s Heartless was so unique! I think it got to the top of the chart on itunes, how crazy! I bet Kanye is pissed, ha! One of the most alluring things about Dia is the way she plays with the melody and the breaks in her voice. She has such a sweet, sweet demeanor and such unexpected fire behind that sweet face when she performs. She has really opened up at the show has progressed so I’m excited to see what happens for her in the future.

I also looooooved Vicci Martinez’ perfomance of Dog Days Are Over originally by Florence and the Machine. Admittedly this song is one of my faves right now; I’ve had it stuck in my head for days now. When I saw that Vicci would be singing it, I was a little apprehensive because her voice is so different from the original singer. She has this roughly-hewn sound that she manages to make sound full and velvety. From day one she reminded me of Brandi Carlile with that “screamy” but not unpleasant voice. I love it. I was pleasantly surprised when Vicci took the song and made it her own. She is such a tiny little powerhouse! The whole performance was electric, I’ve watched it a couple time my jaw is on the floor. Incredible.

From that same show was Javier Colon’s performance of Coldplay’s Fix You. Javier has an incredible voice, no qualms about it. I feel like one of his attributes that makes him so unique but could also be his Achilles heel is his range. In many of his performances he does all these steps and runs and that’s how he makes the song his own but I was afraid that in this case, he’d slaughter this song. I mean it’s Coldplay. They don’t go all diva with the runs. As Adam Levine told Javier in the coaching that I saw on the show, people love this song and they are gonna wanna sing along to it. If there are all these runs and if your range is everywhere they are gonna be like wtf? He was able to pull back the reigns and show a little control and still this was another performance that blew me away. I'd say it’s one of the best performances of the season. He nailed. NAILED it. I got Goosebumps the first time I saw it.

One more contestant that I really loved was Nakia. Unfortunately, he lost out to Vicci in the last round (talk about a tough decision there) but I don’t think this will be the last we’ll hear of him. At least I definitely hope not. I really liked his performance of Sex on Fire but his last performance Whaddya Want From Me was amazing to see. He didn’t want to do the song at first because the original is not his “typical” sound. After reading the lyrics he realized that he really liked the message of the song. The result was a performance that I feel was so personal and so powerful. I can’t wait to see where Nakia will pop up next, he’s amazing.

 

I’m really excited to see what happens over the next few weeks as this season winds to an end. I heard they are doing a tour this summer too with the top two performers from each of the coach’s teams. um… yeah. I’ll be there.

Scenes from the weekend

I was lucky enough to have a much needed break this weekend. Instead of spending the weekend sleeping and doing absolutely nothing (which sounds pretty appealing, actually), I took the opportunity to spend some time with some people I love. The weather was fantastic so it was a great preview of summertime. There was grilling and Saturday Market-ing and plenty of laughing. A well-spent weekend, friends. Wonderful.

How Whitney Does Grilling

 

Start with Kingsford match light briquettes. Employ the use of no less than two dozens matches to get the coals going.

Remember you’re supposed to start briquettes in a pile. Spend 10 minutes pushing partially started briquettes into a ‘pile’ with miscellaneous grilling tools. Finally, FIRE!

Burn briquettes for approximately 10 minutes, spread out with said miscellaneous grilling tools. Add grill rack.

Grill food.

 

Hopefully this brief tutorial can help you and your friends this grilling season.