Where Are My Virginia Followers???

 

It's time for some fun!! What kind of fun you may ask... well we are having an Artistry Show! This event will include food/drinks, gifts, and a runway show for everyone. You will be able to vote on your favorite model looks and mingle with other guests and Beauty Advisors. I would love to send out an open invitation to you guys. So come on out, bring your family and friends, and enjoy the show! 

In addition I am looking for 3 volunteers to walk the runway!! No experience needed. I will be doing your makeup personally which will show off a Fall/Winter look. All models will receive a door prize from the store for attending as well as a special gift from myself. This will be a contest between all cosmetic counters! If we are the winning team, I will definitely show my appreciation to you guys for being a part of this experience. So if you enjoy makeup, free gifts, and want to try Estee Lauder products, email me if you would like to be a model for this show! 

Details (GUESTS):

Date: October 27th

Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Place: MacArthur Center (300 Monticello Ave, Norfolk Va 23510)

Price: FREE

Details (MODELS):

(Same as above except Time)

Time: Will come in between 12pm and 1pm to allow me time to do your makeup before show begins.

Attire: Must wear all black and have hair in ponytail to properly show the makeup.

Interested in attending? Email me at xosimplyellexo@gmail.com and let me know if you would like to be a guest or model. Gifts are given out to only those who are on the guest list. So be sure to contact me so I can put you on the guest list. 

What A Busy Week!

Yesssss! It has been such a busy week for me. I don't know how in the world I got through it and I still have a head full of hair. If you ask me, I should be bald or grey. But I did it and I can finally kick my feet up!

After a 6 day work week consisting of 10 hour days, I feel so rattled and unorganized. I have videos that I have been meaning to upload to Youtube that will be posted shortly. I also have emails that I need to get to from you guys! I also want to thank all of my new subbies/followers from Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and this Blog. You guys and gals are truly my inspiration.

I just wanted to poke my head out of hiding and let you all know Im doing great and there will be some requested videos posted soon! Thank you all for the support.  :)

~Elle

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

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

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

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

A Job Interview??

Am I the only one that gets nervous right before an interview? Let me tell you, I hear the word INTERVIEW and I am a split second from passing out and hoping someone will catch me! It is such a nerve wrecking situation for me. But nonetheless in this day and time I am happy to have had one. No interview =  no job! I have been working for myself the last year doing freelance modeling and makeup. While this can be a lucrative scenario, I sometimes miss having the stability of an on the clock job. Not to mention paying out of pocket for good health insurance for a family of 4 is reason enough to hop onto an employers health plan! So the hunt begins and I have become one of the crabs in the barrel fighting to the top for that one position to create that stability I long for.

I began to think as I'm getting all "Beautified"... I wonder what others do to keep their nerves down when they are going on an interview? And why is it so dang nerve wrecking! I mean it's not like the interviewer is a part of the CIA and I'm about to be interrogated on top secret information. Why do I fall to pieces at the thought of going on an interview?

So I thought to compile a few tips that will possibly help you like they did for myself yesterday. I found myself repeating a few of these tips to myself to keep me positive and calm before stepping foot into the office with the big round table and penetrating eyes with no hint of a smile. I mean seriously... do interviewers have to stare you down like that?? Creepy!

1. Remind yourself that the interviewer is only HUMAN like yourself. They are not above you and are only doing their job. They once sat on your side of the equation.

2. Give yourself a pep talk. In this case it's ok to actually talk to yourself! Just make sure no one's around to hear. Speak positive affirmations such as, "I am worthy of this job", "I am successful in whatever I do", or "I believe in myself and I will make other's believe in me too".

3. Be personable. No matter how well you may be capable of doing a job, no one wants to hire a sauerkraut who may give issues for the company later. Smile and show genuine emotion.

4. Know the company or brand. I have never been on an interview where they have not asked me, "SOoooo, why do you want to work for this company?" Surprise them by actually giving them background about the company. Take note if they help out in the community or if they sponsor any nonprofit organizations.

5. Practice. Think of some of the common questions asked on an interview and think of how you will answer them. Remember to stay positive and upbeat even if the question may be begging for negativity. For example they may ask, "What is your weakness?".

6. Remember to maintain eye contact. Not being able to look them in the eyes while speaking may tell the interviewer that you are uncertain. Looking them in the eyes as you speak tells them you mean what you say and you are speaking with confidence.

7. Know that after the interview is over you will be ok. You will get up from the table and leave with the same two legs you walked in on. Even if you don't snatch this job up, it was practice for the next opportunity and you tried your best!

So these are a few of the things that helped me. What do you do before or during an interview?

~Elle