November 30, 2013

Love & Loyalty

After scrolling through different blog articles earlier today, I came across one that hit home, "Why The Love You Give Is Not Always The Love You Receive". I have had this feeling time and time again over my past relationships. I always have felt that I give so much of myself, I do the best that I know how to do, I remain loyal, through thick and thin, and still somehow end up with the short end of the stick. So we ask, why, why is this happening?


"There are tons of women who pride themselves on sticking with a man through thick and thin. They endure infidelity, heartbreak, and disrespect for the reward of knowing that they stuck by their side.  It becomes more about loyalty than anything else. 
Whenever loyalty rises to the top, something has to sink to the bottom. Unfortunately, happiness is always at the bottom, overshadowed and forgotten. The idea that we stuck by someone through thick and thin trumps everything and everyone.
Loyalty seems to be most important for people who exist on a continuum that can include anything from being ignored as child to abandonment, abuse, feeling unwanted, or being neglected. It stems from a subconscious belief in the boomerang effect: that doling out the type of love and care that we want will mean that it will be returned. What happens is that the people we choose to bestow our love upon don't share that same belief. They feed on our love and loyalty for breakfast, expect even more for dinner, but with out the appreciation or gratitude.
We sometimes learn the hard way not to give our love to someone who feeds on hearts. But some of us never learn and continue to lay our hearts on the table, day after day, year after year.  The real question becomes, what is the void within that enables you to not pay attention to signs? If no one else is there for him, maybe there is a reason."

Man! I definitely have a void within that I have come to acknowledge over the past year. I grew up feeling unworthy and lacking love from those that should have been providing it, which made me seek elsewhere to gain it. Relationships have always been tough for me, this endless sense of loyalty is part of the reason. Letting the relationship far exceed what my boundaries were, remaining silent and going with the flow when that was the complete opposite of what I wanted to be doing. My problem wasn't that I couldn't see the signs, because I always could. My problem was that I never acted on them. 
Life has a funny way of teaching you lessons. 
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November 29, 2013

A Day To Give Thanks

My Turkey Day was amaze-balls. It was filled with family, food, and shopping (Black Friday started early this year). My family doesn't get together often which is why I love when the holidays roll around. That's the only time we can manage to all come together, gossip and laugh.


I dressed comfy so my stomach had somewhere to go after eating all of my grandmother's cooking. Pairing an Abercrombie & Fitch sweater with brown Joe's Jeans and my fav Sam Edelman leopard printed loafers was a success. 

After stuffing my face, I headed to Walmart to do some (early) Black 'Thursday' shopping. I got an AWESOME Fujifilm FinePix S4430 Camera for only $99.00! I have to say, Walmart had the most organized process for the shopping extravaganza. I was in and out of the store in 20 minutes. Crazy, I know! Needless to say, today was everything I could have asked for and more. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Day.




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My Natural Hair Routine

I have been having a natural hair love affair for little over a year now. I haven't been adding any harsh chemicals or color. I have also greatly reduced the amount of heat I apply to my hair. Developing a routine of natural oil applications, deep conditioning treatments, and protective styles has improved and restored my hair back to a healthy state. My curls are back and better than ever!

The LOC Method

On a daily basis, I make sure that my hair is moisturized. Moisture is everything with it comes to natural hair health. I stick to the LOC method as my moisturizing technique: Leave In, Oil, Cream. The layer of moisture is effectively sealed in by two products which are both known to be excellent sealants.


My Routine

I have finally found products that my hair loves; Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Moisture Gro, Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk, and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I start off with damp hair. I then massage my scalp with the Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula as well as applying this products to my ends. After, I mix the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk with the Curl Enhancing Smoothie and sponge the product throughout my hair. That's it!




I will then either style my hair in a protective style or let my curls roam free. My hair remains moisturized all day with these products, which I LOVE!

 

What products do you use to keep your hair moisturized?


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November 28, 2013

Welcome To My World

Hello all and welcome!
I am super excited to be blogging again (this is my second go round at this). My life has been getting pretty interesting and I figured I would start sharing it.

So, who am I?
I am a 23 year old, soon to be college graduate. I am studying Civil Engineering and Mathematics and CAN NOT wait to graduate in April. Just over a year ago, I started an ecommerce store Love Struck. It features affordable and chic women's fashion. I just added virgin hair extensions about a month ago also. To say in the least, the store has been a BLAST to manage and run. It's so exciting knowing that a piece of my style is reaching women's homes all over the world! I also travel all over the country working auto shows as a product specialist for Chrysler. I live a rewarding life.

I have a bit of a shoe obsession. Sam Edelman will be the death to my bank account. I am a ketchup whore; I swear, I put ketchup on pretty much EVERYTHING! I love chocolate cake and spaghetti too. Mmmmm. My mouth is watering as I type this. LAWD.

Okay, enough about me. Look forward to beauty and fashion tips and tricks, a look at my experiences in corporate america, insight on how I run my business, and whatever else I happen to stumble upon along the way. Thanks so much for stopping by, until next time.

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