Monday, October 31, 2016

Beautycounter for Target: Cleansing Balm


Happy Halloween! I wanted to share with y'all a product that I picked up at Target and have been using for quite some time now. It is the Beautycounter for Target. If you don't know what Beautycounter is, it is a skincare & cosmetic line that uses only safe ingredients in their products.
The United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938. Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 11 to date. -Beautycounter
To put it into perspective, these chemicals that are being put in soaps, cleansers, make up, etc are known to cause problems such as cancers or infertility. REAL STUFF LADIES!!

I will be the first to admit that I have not thrown out all my "bad makeup" or "soaps." But being knowledgeable about what we are putting on our skin & lips (hello lipstick + food = ingestion) is better for future purchases. I think what Beautycounter is doing is very cool.

They recently released a line to Target showcasing some of their skincare & a few beauty products. I have heard that if you do not take off your makeup prior to getting in the shower and washing your face, it's like getting in the shower with your clothes on & suds-ing up.


With that being said, I picked up the Cleansing Balm. It comes with a muslin cloth. Essentially, you take a little bit onto your fingers and rub all over your face. It literally melts off ALL your make up. Once I have loosened everything up, run the cloth under warm water and wipe my face and eyes down. Consider it a "pre-wash" if you will. I then follow up with my cleanser.

I will not lie and say this line isn't pricey; the cleansing balm has definitely won me over. But trying it through Target first has been a nice way to ease into it. You can check it out in your local Target or double check online to see which store may still have it in stock. You can also visit www.beautycounter.com to buy directly from their site & learn a bit more.

xoxo,
Haley


Saturday, October 29, 2016

Working Mamas Vs. Stay at Home Moms

Hi friends! I've seen so many blogs/posts about this in the past. Each highlighting the pros and cons of each.

I was teaching 4th grade when I had our first baby. We had only been married about a year and a half when we were bringing home a tiny little human from the hospital. I had to finish out my school year (gosh I had the cutest class that year and I loved them and I loved my coworkers and principal!) so I was excited to finish out the year. That summer I was waking up all upset, though, after having spent the summer with Whit and thinking of daycare in Rock Hill while I was working in Chester.

Our plan was always for me to be a homemaker but it just happened a LOT sooner! Plus, we wanted our kids close in age and at 7 months old I was pregnant again!!! We also knew we wanted 3 or 4! Here we are 5 years later. Great decision and I never looked back!

(Funny Because it is True)

Lately I've worked a few days a month when I'm needed to help out somewhere and I LOVE it. But, I have to tell you...it is hard to coordinate everything just for me to peace out for a day. That right there concludes...YES what I do is very important and it has to be done and someone has to do it ALL!

This brings me to the working mamas verses the sahms. I can tell you that being a stay at home mom is hands down the BEST! I am SO thankful and blessed to be able to have that option and that we make that work for our family! It makes me appreciate my husband so much more that he wants that for me and he has never said "you need to work" or "what do you do all day" or "well it's my money." I've heard of other husbands saying that and Patrick knows better because he has had to take charge on days when I was feeling sick or at work on a Saturday. Plus, his mom was always a homemaker so he knows better than that HA!


I want to say HATS OFF to the working moms! All us stay at home moms can complain but NOPE. It is harder to work! I've got great girlfriends and I NEED and DESERVE my nights out but day to day...no, I want it to be ALL me! I LOVE IT! I love being a mom and if I were a little less high maintenance then I'd want more kids but that baby stage...it is rough y'all. Give me a 4 year old or older!

Staying home also makes our marriage and life in general so much easier and happier. It is never chaotic. When Patrick gets home the laundry basket is always empty, the dishes are always done, dinner is ready, kids have completed their homework and it is time to hang. Now some days he may have to help out but in general MOST days are like that because I get to only focus on our little fam!

This is just my take on someone who has seen both sides and done both.

Of course I have to throw in memes! I live for memes and it is the only reason I still have an Instagram account. I will be laughing so hard in bed and Patrick and I are such nerds showing each other funny ones we find and texting them to each other. Marry someone who has a weird, dirty sense of humor like you! :)

Hope everyone has a terrific rest of the weekend!

xoxo
Dana

Friday, October 28, 2016

Fail Proof Fall Dinner!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I am loving this cooler weather and fall flavors lately! Is Halloween really this weekend? I tried a recipe last weekend that Kris and I LOVED! It is not only tasty but has a beautiful mixture of fall colors. It was so easy but also looks fancy enough for entertaining. Kris actually found it on tip hero, it's called One-Pan Harvest Chicken.

Ingredients you will need is:
1. 2 honeycrisp or gala apples diced/cubed
2. 1 bag halved brussel sprouts
3. 1lb chicken thighs skin on
4. 1 cubed sweet potato
5. 3 shallots or half a yellow onion diced
6. 5 strips of bacon crumbled
* you will also need some spices and olive oil etc. Check out the full recipe here: http://tiphero.com/one-pan-harvest-chicken/



I lined a pan with foil, diced up the veggies, seasoned and drizzled with EVO and put it in the oven for 30 min with the chicken on top. Be sure not to skip the last step of broiling for a few min at the end to make the chicken crispy. 

Here is the finished product and was it GOOD! The sweet of the apples with the salt of the chicken and bacon was perfection! Not to mention I LOVE rosemary with chicken. Also I prefer my brussel sprouts crispy and not mushy so I left it in a tad longer, just depends on your preference. ENJOY and Happy Halloween! xoxo




Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Our Latest Project

My little business has been so busy trying to get ready for the holidays. I know it seems crazy (since its not even Halloween yet) but in the world of retail, Christmas goes out on Nov 1st. I at least wait until Halloween is over :) We've got tons of inventory in stock and have been working on a few projects here at home too. Here is a sneak peak at our latest project, mini farm shutters. They come in a pair of 3 and the perfect addition to any wall. I like to pair the shutters with wreaths or seasonal decor to make them really pop.




Here are some other recent designs we've come up with....


Stay up to date on our latest designs and check out our website, www.shopmercuryhome.com.  

xoxo,
Rachel 





Monday, October 24, 2016

Austin: One Year Real Talk

Today marks one year that I packed up, scanned my one-way ticket, and moved to Austin to be with my husband on this new adventure in his career. It has been a roller coaster for sure. I feel like everyone (a lot of the time) tries to portray their perfect life. And y'all, I will be the first to compare myself to others.
Comparison is the thief of joy.  -Theodore Roosevelt
"They have their families close."
"They haven't ever had to move."
"Look, they are all getting together to hang out. We're missing out."
"Ugh, they get to experience this cooler weather and it's still flipping 90 degrees here!!"

With moving away from your family & friends, I have found myself bitter & sad sometimes. REAL TALK folks. I am NOT sugar coating it. I have felt bitter that I have had to even move. I have felt bitter that in order to see my family or friends, I have to pay $500 or more just to fly home. By the way...that's only one ticket. Brian and I are always traveling together if we are headed back East so you do the math. I have cried BIG alligator tears when my friends/family had to leave after their visit because the apartment was too quiet. Or when I was leaving them. When your momma cries in front of you because you have to fly back to Texas...oh man. Gosh, I have a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

However, through this first year we have gotten a lot stronger (mentally, emotionally, & physically). I am so thankful for a job that took a chance on me to work from home. I NEVER had to worry about finding a job in the midst of an emotional move. My husband is gaining valuable experience through his job that will set us up so well for the future. We have met AWESOME neighbors who honestly I believe would give us the shirt off their back if we needed it. And their boys...they have been such a light for me and make us laugh when we can't see our friends' babies as much as we'd like. (And yes, Dana, Rachel, Lauren and Kath, no matter their age...they are babies to me.)

And Austin (despite the traffic) isn't all that bad. They have GREAT barbeque. I have learned to LOVE breakfast tacos. Their Tex Mex is the real deal. When you buy something in the grocery store and it says spicy....it IS spicy. Oh and the grocery stores....if you want to make a Mexican dish, you can guarantee that your grocery store has what ever random Mexican ingredient that you need. Oh, and I got to go and see the Silos in Waco which I for sure never would have done if we weren't living here. And most importantly, this little space of the web that we call The Dainty Details, would not have been born.

All in all, at the end of the day, I am thankful. Not everything is easy. Not everything is rainbows and flowers & that goes for anything. For those that get a chance to do something like this, I would say do it. That doesn't mean that I don't want to come back East...I do. It has totally grown Brian and I in our relationship. It has gotten us out of being "comfortable." It has challenged us. It has made us look forward to visits here with family/friends or going back East when we otherwise would have taken it for granted. It is truly a treat. But when we do move back, I will miss parts of Austin/Texas living.

#TexasForever



xoxo,
Haley

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Commitment: Mrs. SC Reflection & A Special Day




Can I just start by saying this song was playing while I pranced across a stage in a tiny bikini after having 3 kids in front of a sold out audience! Yep...I kind of want to dance when I hear it! LOL That took balls with all those lights! I will never forget that OMG!
This morning I knew I wanted to write my weekly blog because last week I got over 400 views so I felt I had a few readers out there in the world!

At church one of the words I heard this morning that caught my attention was "commitment."

I was at work yesterday when someone I did not know asked me "how was the Mrs. South Carolina Pageant?" In my mind I wondered how did you know I did this. What started out as just my innocent little adventure turned out to be a well publicized thing in the paper, tv and radio. I honestly was the last person to jump on board in this and I literally went in blind and just did it for FUN. I have been asked about it constantly. I didn't have much time to think about that whirlwind until this past week.

This week I really analyzed it and tried to make sense of me not winning (besides swimsuit and evening gown). I never put that pressure on myself but felt it from others. I had a friend from church (who was at the pageant supporting me) said she sent the photo of all us girls to her friend who LOVES pageants and she pointed me out that I had it in the bag. She had no idea that I was the one she was there watching. Even my hair dresser's husband was in complete shock when I didn't win that he said that's ridiculous...we are leaving. HA! Made me feel better lol.

But I think it is because like them, I'm new to this. I see what I think is good and on stage but being kind of new to this I didn't realize the importance of your platform and job as Mrs. SC. Not that I wouldn't have taken it seriously but that my platform is more of a local one instead of a country wide platform as you are going on to Mrs. America. So, commitment. That word! The winner has been involved in MANY pageants and her platform is much larger. Others have raised over $10,000 for their charities. The winner in NC was in People Magazine a week before the pageant and is a public figure (literally her facebook is a public figure one!). I think I do great things for the community and I LOVE my platform but I think in interview my newness hurt me. Even one lady on stage said she saved up enough funds to have a nanny for the year to do her job as Mrs. SC (I get sad if I don't see my kids just one day!! ha)

My friends were in shock and said what happened in interview? Like come on Dana...what did you say!? HA HA! Well it went fine and no worries there but I think when they asked, what do you do with the boys and girls club and what do you plan to do after you win was a big obstacle. I love reading and doing fun crafts with children (It was my favorite thing about teaching!!) so that is what I do. Now I can travel throughout the state and continue that at other chapters of the BGC but I think it wasn't LARGE enough for what they wanted.

I'm so glad I did it but I think I just had to reflect on this and that I'm really happy with it all. Mrs. NC from last year asked me if she could please help me to snag this next year. I just said no thank you...I'm a mom of 3. (She doesn't yet have any children). I just think COMMITMENT. It isn't something I can honestly commit that I'm determined to "win." I still serve my community, I still go to the B&GC, I still love working out and inspiring my children. I just don't think I need to invest all that time, money, and effort for a chance at something that really doesn't define anything.

So, my very long answer to this constant question!

Another special day in my life....one of the most DEFINING days in my life.....November 12, 2001!
On that day, Patrick messaged me on good ole Instant Messenger on the big back computer. He and I had world history class together at the humble age of 14 and he was always staring at me. It is all he did...he still kind of does that...LOL! We started dating and here we are..15 years later. COMMITMENT! This year is special because we have been together over half our lives this year. That date will always be our date even though now our wedding anniversary is celebrated and we will be married 7 years in January!

Patrick loves telling the story of Brandon's birth. Brandon's birthday is November 12 and he will be 2 next month. (Don't even ask me about a party...I'm legit thinking we will order pizza, a cake and take this plane obsessed kid to the airport!)

Patrick thinks it is amazing how we completed our family on this date. Brandon was born two weeks early due to an infection and was a NICU baby and had the feeding tubes and all. It was not fun and very hard leaving my baby at the hospital to come home but God had a plan. It was so strange how I never felt scared or worried. My faith was so strong and I think partly due to him being born on November 12th and he was given my brother's name who passed away at age 14.

Commitment. It is hard and we have to each individually decide what we commit our time to doing in this life. I was committed to Patrick because I always knew where I stood with him and I knew his heart. He still tells me one day I will wake up and realize I could have done so much better than him. Crazy man!

So, I think we definitely have to reflect on where our time is spent and what are you truly committed to because that is where your passion and your priorities lie day to day.

Sorry this is so long! I'm waiting on my cupcakes to bake.

Have a great week!

xoxo,
Dana

Friday, October 21, 2016

Evacuation Vacation and an Engagement

As many of you know hurricane Matthew affected much of the south east two weekends ago and many were forced to evacuate from their homes including myself. I'm not going to pretend to be brave or think I could stop the storm damage by riding it out so Kris and I decided to make the most of our departure with an Airbnb in the mountains. As we were packing to leave I remember saying make sure you get everything important ;) knowing he would have to pack the previously designed and purchased engagement ring but I DID NOT expect for it to happen that weekend with everything going on. It all started with me being sick and very stressed about work so Friday when we hit the road for Robbinsville NC near Bryson City I was ready to get away from the news coverage of the storm and relax some! We had friends meeting us up there who got there before us with their two pups so with four people and three dogs we had a house full! We found the cutest cabin with a view that was hard to beat!




We arrived with chili ready on the stove, wine and card games ready followed by enjoying the hot tub on the deck! Needless to say I almost felt guilty having fun while the pending storm was approaching! Our weekend rule was no one could look up what the weather was doing while we were up there plus we had no TV and limited service anyways! After a relaxing night I had no idea it would be a night I'd not forget! The other couple went to bed and Kris and I were enjoying talking on the couch in front of the fireplace. He was recalling many of our mountain trips and how special they were to him and I! He gets up off the couch and in the process spills a LARGE glass of red wine on the cabin's rug. Being nervous he didn't notice on his way to the bedroom to get the ring. In the meantime I'm running to get the resolve carpet cleaner and am dabbing the huge spot on the floor and all I could think about was our security deposit and how bad red wine can stain! spray, blott, spray, blott....
Here he comes back out still talking not noticing I'm on hands and knees cleaning and at that point it's too late! He whips out the ring and omg did it sparkle even in the dark! And my first response was "Oh my god! Really?!? Right now?!?" His response was "what are you doing down here and yes right now!" Once I realize what's going on I forgot about the stain and as he's about to put the ring on my finger our friend in the other room walks out right in the middle of our moment! Once again I could only say "REALLY?!" Ha! I did say yes of course and cannot believe i was in such shock and the hilarious timing of it all that I'm embarrassed to admit that was my first response!



We laughed and cried in front of the fireplace all night and it's one story I will never forget! I later found out he had the ring in his pocket the whole drive up there! He had planned on pulling off at the Fontana Dam to propose but of course weather and traffic had other plans for us. We were very flustered and ready to get out of the car so he scratched that idea. Its funny hearing about it now how he couldn't hide the ring box in his pants pocket so he took the ring out and put it in the gas station receipt! OMG Thank god that didn't get thrown out ha! Sorry for the ring overload! I've waited almost 31 years for this man and this day so just going to soak it up a little more :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE....is it really mine? Question...does anyone wear theirs all the time? when do you take it off...sleeping...cleaning? etc. HELP i'm new! Also what about working out? I've seen those qualo rings and am for sure getting Kris one but what about my ladies?

There he is my fishing fiance! trying to forget a hurricane was coming to pour down on our home.

Of course we needed a pic of the future ring bearer ;)

Kris and I recently went to our friends wedding on King at the William Aiken House and thank goodness the hurricane spared their venue. Had to get a pic of all my matchy matchy rose gold! I had no idea i'd love it so much! When Kris first asked me early on in the design process what I thought about rose gold I was open to the idea of something different and I am so happy with the direction he took it from there. 

So now starts the fun of wedding planning! And I'm happy to say we came home to only minor damages to the yard and our home was safe. Hurricane Matthew and the evacuation vacation is one I will never forget.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Roll Call...I can see you reading!

So I find it very interesting how many hits our little blog is getting...however, not many comments. With that being said, I am doing a roll call!! I have seen this done on other blogs & think it's a neat way to interact with readers. We have 5 ladies who post here so collectively that should be quite a bit of readers. If you will please, leave the following in the comments on this post. This will also help us plan.

{1}
Name

{2}
Where you're from?

{3}
How'd you find us?

{4}
Most Important
What kind of posts would you like to see here?


xoxo,
Haley

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Fall Hair, Skinny Shaming, & My Only Beauty Hack

It's FALL y'all! Well some days and then some days I think it is still summer. So confusing in the South. Thursday I'm going to spice up my hair. I don't know what cut but I know I want lots of low lights.


Working a few days a month at a make-up, skin-care store has taught me tons about beauty and women. Yes I'm a woman so I should know but I have claimed before I think I have the attitude of a man sometimes. HA! Women don't spend enough time caring for themselves.

Your nightly routine is very important. Wendy Williams is my spirit animal...HOW YOU DOIN?!

And like she says, she wants to get home, take her wig off and moisturize. PLEASE MOISTURIZE.

So my beauty hack. My only advice that I give all women is VASELINE. Vaseline it all. Use it to take that difficult waterproof mascara off, put it on your lashes (yes girls are spending $150 every 3 months to make their lashes long), put it on your eye brows, put it on your feet and put some fuzzy socks on before bed. I will take anything that works that comes from the dollar tree. (I saved this from my snapchat today because you could actually see my lashes lol).


I added in the skinny shaming because most people won't read this blog unless they think it might be juicy. lol

I just wanted to share that it's very rude to skinny shame. I bring this up because it is just as offensive to comment that someone needs a donut (I actually ate the donut and it was delicious that the lady offered me! ; ) but not before I overheard her complaining she has no willpower and needs to get on a diet. So, you are insecure and you feel a need to backhandedly insult me. Insecurities are so loud friends and the lady was very kind other than that (in all honesty it didn't offend me much because I know what a healthy lifestyle I live!). I also hear oh you just wait until you have some kids and you won't look like this..gosh I want to punch you (yes these are legit comments I've had said to me). Umm I already have 3 kids. Well it is going to catch up to you....REALLY? I'm almost 30 and it is called lifestyle choices. So, I just want to say that it is not appropriate and it would be a huge insult if I made a comment to lay off the donuts! So lets all stop commenting on weight in general because in the end beauty is inward outward. And, lets get Vaseline because it is cheap and works HA HA!

Love,
Dana

Monday, October 10, 2016

Make Up Brushes - How & When to Clean

Good Morning friends! It is COOL this morning in Texas and I have the sliding glass door open, a hot cup of coffee, and a SWEATSHIRT on. I was being a real pill this weekend and was so over the heat...even though it had cooled off to 80. I told B to ship me to the mountains as soon as possible. He just laughed at me because I am crazy. But really, I'm not. Girl needs her Fall weather. Anyways, I thought today I would share with y'all a little helper when it comes to cleaning your make up brushes.

Who hates it?? RAISE YOUR HAND. I know you do. Like seriously, it's so annoying and takes forever especially when you have oh say, a mess of 15 brushes that ALL need cleaning. Oh and don't forget your beauty blender. That little sponge holds everything. So, below is how I felt before I got my make up brush cleaning helper as I like to call it.


Bottom line, if you aren't cleaning your brushes, they are going to get filled with germs, oil, dead skin, etc etc and guess what ladies, that's what causes breakouts. Also, your brushes can't do the job they're supposed to if they are caked with other make up residue. I received this from my mom last year as a Christmas gift and I loooooove it. It makes cleaning your brushes so easy.

It has a "face" side and an "eye" side. I love that you can slide it on and rub your brushes clean on it. It also comes with a "towel hand" to help you squeeze those bristles & reshape for them to dry.


I use Dawn Ultra Dish washing Liquid to clean my brushes because I think it really helps to remove all the oils that your bristles hold on to. Sephora & Ulta also sell soaps you can use that are "brush cleaners," but I just use Dawn because it's gentle enough & a little goes a long way. Plus, you can't beat like $3 for this.


As far as cleaning my beauty blender, I will take a cup of hot water and the Dawn, and put my blender in it and squeeze a few times so it absorbs the hot soapy water. I will leave it either for a couple hours or overnight depending on when I do it. Y'all it is amazing to me how dirty that water gets with the foundation and concealer it holds. I will squeeze a few times while it's sitting in that soapy water. Once its been in there soaking, I will gently scrub it against the mit to really work out the rest of the makeup. Run it under warm water, squeeze until all the suds are gone, and then let it air dry.

For concealer and foundation brushes, at least once a week to prevent a buildup of product. And because these brushes are used on your face, the cleaner, the better. Brushes that are used around the eyes should be cleaned at least twice a month, while all others can be washed once a month. -Bobbi Brown

Hopefully these tips make cleaning your brushes easier, less stressful, and dreaded a tad less. It is a chore but to keep your brushes (& your face) in tip top shape, you have to clean 'em!!

Happy Monday Y'all!!

xoxo,
Haley

Friday, October 7, 2016

Here, There, Everywhere

The 5 of us (The P-Hams as we refer to ourselves) have been pretty busy being pulled in many directions this week!

Cecilia started gymnastics. Girl is fearless and 4 years old but about the size of a 2 year old. The teacher already said she is going to do very well. She asked for this switch from dance. She has played soccer and was great at that but it wasn't her favorite. Aren't you so happy when you see your child actually having fun at something that is teaching them great skills? That is a good feeling and also a good feeling that you aren't wasting that monthly expense.

We love you red!

Whit is this big kid that I don't quite recognize these days. I think I finally understand when parents say one day they just looked at their child and was like WHERE is my baby? Yep moms, wait until you see your kid walking to the car with a big book bag and working on their homework. He is this kid who goes to friends houses after school and wants friends to spend the night (which meanS I end up responsible for 4 or 5 kids HA HA HA!!) He is busy at t-ball, church choir, and cub scouts right now. He loves all of those things He did not enjoy soccer which is another reason I've been so happy for him because it isn't a fight to get him to tball because he WANTS to play! I love that and this big kid!


My baby has never really been a baby. Brandon was a big boy from day 1. He is so strong and holds me back so tight. I have this feeling he will always take care of me. He and I have this crazy bond and I guess it's because he is my last. He is doing great at school and I told Patrick to be prepared for late night games because he might be the athlete!



I got to do something for me this week that meant the world to me. Having completed our family, I wanted to have the kids going home from the hospital outfits framed in shadow boxes. These outfits have been passed down in my family. LOVE!!


Also this week I treated myself by taking a few days off from the gym and my usual healthy eating habits. To be honest, it made me feel awful and I'm not into it,haha!! I ran 6 miles this morning and worked out yesterday afternoon and I'm SO much happier! My mood is great today! Lauren (who also blogs on here) said at the Mrs. SC Pageant that I should do a body building comp. Patrick isn't much into the buff bods and I don't know if I would ever be that "type" because I'm naturally on the thinner side and not "built". I know someone who does it though and its a whole different animal. Either way new goals are a good thing.



My best friend Laura and I started our new project which is to get involved with the Come See Me event in Rock Hill. We will work together on that and I'm busy with church and taking on new events and programs. I'm glad to have the time to help out wherever I can in that respect.

Monday is my first parent teacher conference! I haven't been to one of these since I was a teacher doing the conferencing to parents. It will be different having the roles reversed!

Life, geez! When did I get to be a grown up!? Y'all know I'm secretly still 19 and immature and just think about boys (Patrick) and love watching trash tv, right? HA HA!

Have a great weekend loves!

xoxo,
Dana


Sunday, October 2, 2016

Pageant World Recap

After my weekend competing at Mrs. South Carolina, I thought I would share my insight and experience behind the scenes! I can tell you a beauty pageant isn't about strictly beauty!!!! I did NOT win yet I won for swimsuit body and evening wear. So, you like my body but not me for the new Mrs. ha ha! Even one judge told me I need to be on tv and missed my calling and needed to chat w/ a judge in entertainment. Confusing ha! The judges said they knew at interviews who they wanted. I would say I have more of a stage presence than interviewing skills. I don't have an over the top, bubbly personality. That's just not who I am...sorry lol! My husband said I need a sad story or travel the world ha! I thought my interviews went smooth and easy but I felt basic!!!! My life is very cookie cutter and I love my life but when you share just about your local platform and being a homemaker married to her boyfriend since age 14 then you really aren't going to wow.
So that's my take on my personal challenge.
Now this pageant world!!!! These girls are all over the top to me hahaha! I don't want Cecilia doing this!!!!!! I'm glad I did because it was a challenge and interest to me and I will help and support Cecilia in anything but I'm not a huge fan! It's a lot of hair and makeup and money!! I couldn't bring myself to be that self centered! Most girls had a team and coach. And most have competed before and the top two winners had already competed in this actual pageant. So you are telling me you spent all this time and money twice!
I did my own makeup, wore the same earrings twice, one pair of shoes for everything, and my girl Tracey did not charge me to come do my hair for the day. Even some girls had their hair and makeup done for Friday events...umm really!? You can't do it yourself?? What happens when you have an appearance as Mrs. SC!???
I felt like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. "I think she just woke up one day and said today I'm going to compete in a beauty pageant!" Basically!!!! Ha ha! The girls had these notebooks and were constantly studying. I would just look around like what are they studying ha!
I'm thankful for the friends and contacts I made and being able to show my love for the Boys & Girls Club!! I get to go see them in a few weeks! Glad to share with them that it's good to challenge yourself because you learn a lot about yourself in the process! I've never viewed myself as basic but now I realize I'm not nearly as over the top as I thought ha!!!! And I'm proud of that!

I'm so thankful for all the love and support! I'm ready to see what I do next but first I'm heading home for family movie night w/ pizza!!! Because I'm so basic HA HA and it makes me happy!!!!

Xoxo,
Queen D