A Promotion!

This year has been such a blessing for me. If you knew me well you would know exactly what Im talking about. It has been rough and full of twists and turns, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and you should grow from those hard times. My family is together and everyone is happy and healthy... what more could I ask for?

Well as previously posted, I just started my new job as a Beauty Advisor for Estee Lauder. It hasn't even been a full month yet and I have already been offered a promotion! I will now be the Counter Manager for my location. Well nothings set in stone yet until it's down on paper. I have a meeting to go over all details which will help me better decide if I want to go that route. 

Previous associates from the counter, who have been there longer, have already shown a new air about themselves since it has been brought to their attention that I would be filling the position. I'm guessing a feeling of "Why didn't I get the promotion since I've been here longer?". So I may have my hands full, but I love a good challenge. 

Have you ever been promoted into a position where you had to manage individuals who you once held the same position with? Was there conflict? Leave comments below.

~Elle

I Smile

Loads of confusion and despair running through my mind and my veins.

Times when Im lost and running in circles, fighting against your reigns.

But each day I rise and part my lips to show you my shine.

Pearly whites dare you to cause trouble, attempting to force them to hide.

I smile when Im angry and even when my face stings from your constant lashing.

I smile when Im bruised and hurt, even when my heart has been given a bashing.

This grin is not always real but it tries to feed positive energy to you.

Simply contagious, I notice, as you return the favor without a single clue.

There’s a dark storm inside but my eyes read calm flickering candles lights.

Calming you slowly as I listen to your woeful and unfortunate plights.

I smile even when I want to be in a corner and live off that pitiful frown.

Forcing myself to produce happiness and swallow all of my troubles down.

It soon becomes natural and I forget why I was originally so worried.

I float on a cloud and dance in the wind just like light snow flurries.

As the day goes on I no longer have to pretend that all my worries are gone.

It has grown on me, mind has cleared, and I continue to spread the smile along.

A Nice Bottle of Wine

Today was a great day. I got to enjoy the full day of nice weather and one on one time with the hubs! We got to shop, browse the malls and stuff our faces with Chipotle. I was a tad spoiled by the time came around to pick the babies up. I didn't want to share Daddy!

But now it's time to wind down and you already know what that involves! Amongst the ironing of clothes, and packing lunches for the next day comes... yes wine. I thought I would share one of my fave red wines. Usually I love to sip on Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but Menage a Trois has a great red wine that's a mixed blend. It's a combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. Has a sweet taste due to the Zinfandel that also takes off the bite of the Merlot. I highly recommend if you are new to red wines! So on that note, CHEERS!

Ever tried this wine? What wines do you enjoy? Leave your comments below.

~Elle

Healthy Breakfast Options: Meal 2

I'm not a big breakfast person. I am the type of person that I have to force myself to eat. So finding something to fuel my body and isn't too heavy when I don't have an appetite is key. And who doesn't love something that is sweet and healthy at the same time? I know I do.

Smoothie Recipe:

1 cup Plain Yogurt

2 cup Frozen Fruit

1 Whole Banana

1/2 cup Vanilla Soy Milk

1 tbsp Honey

2 tbsp Lemon Juice

1 serving Whey Protein 

Splenda (Optional, eyeball it)

This recipe makes enough for the four of us in my household. You can definitely break the servings down to make a smaller batch.  Swap out ingredients to your liking. My children love smoothies in the morning and I love them because it helps to get their needed servings of fruit for the day. Play around with different recipes and see what inspires your taste buds. You can even add veggies such as kale or spinach. Whatever your preference... smoothies are a great way to start your day!

Do you have a smoothie recipe? Share your recipes or ideas below!

Dear Blog: I Nurture

It seems so long ago that you needed me. But not that long ago. Long enough to miss the connection. But not long enough to forget the emotions. Your bright eyes playing a game with my own. Daring me to blink but forcing me to stare. Fingers tickled my face as you drank until your heart was content. Cheeks moved with purpose as I studied and caught the rhythm. Tracing the features of your face sketching every detail into my brain. Feeding you warmth and memories that I too would hold onto in the passing years. I blister... I shudder in discomfort. But nothing is more important than the in and out... in and out... in and out of your suckle. You needed me. And I needed you more I will admit. The twinkle in your eyes gave me light. The pressure of your grasp drove my motivation. My mind juggled you and my struggles and sometimes something would take me away from our moment. Then the tickle of your tiny fingers brought me back to you. In and out... in and out... in and out again. Our eyes met and they danced together. You took a small piece of my being away but I felt more fulfilled. We would shut the world out and created our own cloud to float on. No one else mattered or existed in that time. Time no longer existed. It was just us... swallowed up in love. If I had nothing else in my being to give you, I gave you my heart and my being. For you I loved... I fought... I shed my selfishness... I surrendered. For you I nurtured. 

~Elle

Breastfeeding is a beautiful connection between mother and child. It holds many benefits for not only the infant, but the mother as well. I was blessed to be able to give my daughter the gift of breastfeeding well over the recommended time frame. I strongly encourage others as well to at least try. My daughter is now 6 and remembers nursing. It's a very special bonding experience that I am happy to have experience. 

Tangle Teezer Review

What it is: Tangle Teezer Original

Size: Fits in palm of hand

Price: $12.99 USD

Material: Handle (Plastic), Teeth (Nylon) 

What it claims: It's a super smooth operator that works the minute hair is lathered and rinsed. Glides through wet or dry hair with no pulling, tugging or yanking. Use to distribute product and provide the scalp with a revitalizing massage. Adds gloss and shine to hair with minimal damage and no pain.

For Hair Types: Any including color treated, weaves, long or short. 

PROS:

Great for travel due to small size

Easy to use

Quick results

Comes in variety of colors

Distributed products well

Painless 

CONS:

Slippery with wet hands because of no handle

When used on dry, coily/curly hair breakage does occur (NOT surprised) 

Final Thoughts: I have been using the Tangle Teezer Original for about a year now. It does exactly what it says with one exception, shine. I do not find that it adds any shine or sheen to my hair when in use compared to other hair utensils. However, it does provide a very easy and painless detangling experience. I also love to use it when doing a ponytail to smooth down any lumps to give a perfect finish. I do limit my use of this brush to prevent hair stress. I only use this brush when my hair is wet, although I have tried it once with dry hair for reviewing purposes only. I love the small teeth on the brush because they move with your hair minimizing breakage. These small teeth eases the strands to untangle rather than forcing as some brushes/combs with stable teeth that do not flex do. 

Side Notes about the Brand: The Tangle Teezer was invented by Shaun P, a color technician from London. The Tangle Teezer line is manufactured solely in the UK, although they have over 40 countries that distribute the products. The teeth on the Tangle Teezer original has been issued a patent, and took about 4 years to perfect. 

Would I recommend/purchase again: Yes/Yes

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Have you used the Tangle Teezer? What are your thoughts?

A World of Pink Toys and Lollipops.

So innocent and pure while they live in their own world of pink toys and lollipops.

I close my eyes and can smell their newborn essence… that scent just won’t escape me.

Beats at me to remember… to hold on to the emotion stirred by the smell.

Can still hear the innocent cries getting louder commanding attention.

Can remember the need and peaceful stare as she suckled at my milky breast and gazed into what felt like my soul.

That stare that says I need you… you amaze me… please protect me.

They will always be my little girls. Always be my sunshine.

They lead me… they teach me… they keep me alive and with purpose.

I smile at them and they smile back and for a split second, I don’t have a care in the world.

Their smiles lead me to want to dance with them in their world of pink toys and lollipops.

To my beautiful daughters Marie and Trinity. You will always be my sunshine.

~Elle

Healthy Breakfast Options: Meal 1

Pictured (2 Scrambled eggs with green peppers, red peppers, and onions. Served on a bed of raw spinach and topped with salsa)

If you're like me, you LOVE cheesy eggs in the morning! Usually I would eat about 3-4 scrambled eggs with 2 slices of cheese. Well now that I have begun my new lifestyle of eating healthier, I had to find ways of enjoying protein filled eggs without the fattening cheese I love. I have also minimized my proportions so I now eat no more than 2 eggs.

So let's compare 1 slice of cheese to 2 tbsp of salsa. Please note: These nutritional values may vary depending on brand.

American Cheese                                                                            Medium Salsa

As you can see there is a big payoff from switching from cheese to salsa. From fat content to calories, you are making a smarter decision. You can even kick it up by using hot salsa instead of medium if you like spicy foods. Also swap out the butter or margarine for an olive oil spray. Try this out and let me know how you like!


~Elle

Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner Review

What it is: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner
Size: 385 ml (13 fl oz)
Price: $6.99 (usd)
Ingredients: Water, Behentrimonium chloride, Cetyl alcohol, Glycol stearate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Oil, Theobroma cacao extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Persea gratissima oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PANTHENOL, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dmdm hydantoin, Methylisothiazolinone, and Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Red 40, Yellow 5, lanalool.

What it claims: This exotic precious blend of Moroccan argan oil penetrates, moisturizes, renews and creates softness and strength while protecting your hair from harmful styling heat and UV damage as it gives you smooth, sexy tresses.
For Hair types: Any/dry hair.

PROS
Thick and creamy consistency 
Lovely smell
Sulfate free
Paraben free
Safe on color treated hair


CONS
Leaves residue
Drying
Shape of bottle
No conditioning or moisturizing benefits
Didn't help with detangling


Final Thoughts: While I love the smell and consistency of this conditioner it really does nothing for my hair. I found that it left my hair very dry and waxy feeling. I did not get any moisturizing benefits from this conditioner. This conditioner may be good for people with finer hair than my own. I was really looking forward to enjoying this product because it gets great reviews, however it was a fail for me.

Side Notes about the Brand: Organix is a very good brand when it comes to the environment. The packaging is eco-friendly and manufactured from materials containing recycled post-consumer resin. All labels are printed using environmental inks and compostable label film made from annually renewable resource corn, not from petrochemicals. They also do not test their products on Animals. Some products do contain animal by-products however if you live a complete animal cruelty free lifestyle.

Will I recommend/purchase again? No/No

Rating:  2 out of 5


Have you used this product before? What are your thoughts?

Beauty Advisor For Estee Lauder? Who ME?

Can we all say together, "I LOVE MAKEUP!". Ahhhhh the sound of music! 

If you read my prior post, then you know I just went on an interview. This particular interview led me to write the post to give tips on how to get your bearings together before and during the process. This was the  FIRST job interview I had been on in approximately 3 years. And guess what... I am now a beauty advisor for Dillard's.

I just received the call today and I feel so happy. It's always a joy when you can do what you love and make money doing it. Makeup has always been a passion for me and something I have become more experienced in on my own. So now that I can now do it on a broader spectrum I can not be happier! 

Dillard's features cosmetic lines such as Lancome, Estee Lauder, Bare Minerals, and Clinique to name a few.  I am excited to be able to get my hands on a few of these brand that I have fought myself not to indulge in. I now have a legitimate reason for feeding my makeup hunger, which I have been doing for so long in a bit of an obsessive manner. 

All things come to those who wait. And I now believe to those who speak it into existence! "This is my job. I deserve it", were the words I spoke to myself before walking into the interview room. I told you guys talking to yourself was a great idea! Now less than a week later it really is my job. What a way to start out the week huh?

Stay Blessed

~Elle

I Am...

I am my mother's child. Strong and determined. Loving and enthusiastic.

I am my father's child. Ever changing and stubborn. Closed and neglected.

I am beyond what you see, beyond the inner me that I allow to be gazed upon.

I am birthed from Indians and Italians, Jamaicans and Britons, a big mixing pot like most.

I am a procrastinator yet impulsive. Addictive and rare.

I am 1 million symbols trying to be deciphered by 1 million men. I am the color black and white, but never grey.

I can be odd yet fit into the circle in which you thrive. I am the opposite of what you’re thinking right now… I am… I am

~Elle

Time to get fit P90X Style!

While I have always been confident about my body for the most part, there are still things that I would love to change about it. I have never been a fanatic on weight loss because I really never wanted to be a "skinny" woman. In no way do I turn my nose up at those with a slimmer build or those wanting to be a size that walks the catwalk. I just have a liking of how I want my body to be. And I have ALWAYS had meat on these bones and I LOVE it!

Most people don't believe how much I weigh when I tell them. Just the way my body carries my weight I guess. But my pants size is in the double digits and I haven't been 145 or below since high school, which is my ideal weight if you ask a medical professional. They also recommend no more than two glasses of wine a day and LAWD knows that's nearly impossible! So I walk the guidelines on a thin line.

So in the name of getting fit, I will be starting my workout regimen up again. Yaaaay me! I will be doing the program we all have heard of and most love, P90X. I have experience with this workout and can attest that it really does works. While I only lasted 30 days, not because it was too hard but due to life, I achieved serious results. Within those 30 days I lost 15lbs and around 2-3 inches off my waist. I wasn't too happy about the 15lbs but I knew it would happen due to the high energy workouts. I wish I had been able to keep going for the full 90 days, but I have another chance now and I will not fail. I also followed my own eating plan which I will go more into detail at a later time.

With that being said, I welcome anyone who would like to join this journey with me. Whether you want to do the P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program with me or a self developed workout regimen, I would love to see and hear about your progress! Working out and getting fit is always more fulfilling when you have someone doing it with you. So if your up for the challenge, then reply down below or shoot me a personal email.

Either way, I will be updating my blog with my progress and I hope it motivates you guys to want to get fit as well. More info will be on my Youtube for those who follow me there. So enough talk... Let's GO!

~Elle