Hi guys! I Know I've been MIA for quite some time, but I just had to share my recent trip to Germany with all of you. Evan and I were gone for 10 magical days, and explored the whole country. It was one of the best trips of my life, and definitely made me eager to start traveling the world again! First up, let's talk restrictions. We all know that Covid has halted travel, especially international travel. In order to leave the States, most countries are requiring either proof of full vaccination or a Negative Molecular PCR Test within 78 hours of arrival (if you plan to travel... definitely check your desired destination's website on the DAILY). We are both fully vaccinated which made our process a lot simpler. Germany actually modified their restrictions THE DAY we were traveling, and ultimately required travelers to be fully vaccinated for entry. We flew over on United (We fly for free which is the biggest perk of our jobs) from Chicago to Frankfurt. The crew was so sweet and made sure the Prosecco kept on coming. Once we arrived, we were amazed at how huge the Frankfurt Airport was. We stayed at the Hilton located inside of the airport itself and were very pleased with how accommodating the staff was. Breakfast was included since we are Gold Members, and I quickly became obsessed with how complex their meals are. The rooms were definitely smaller than hotels in the US (We found this at every hotel we stayed at). Once we came back to Frankfurt from Berlin, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt City Centre, and were just as pleased there. All of the details were so chic in both locations. There are both regional and long distance trains located in the airport. I definitely recommend watching a tutorial or at least reading about the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains before visiting Germany. It definitely took us some time to adapt to the routes, but it was the easiest means of transportation there. And now for the good stuff... the BEAUTIFUL German architecture. Frankfurt was one of my favorite cities because of Römerberg and all of its beautiful buildings. I'm going to insert a few photos so you can see how gorgeous it really is. The Fountain of Justice is located in front of the Ostzeile and Haus Wertheim. Evan and I both facetimed our Mommas once we arrived at the plaza, and both of them had tears. It was truly like something out of a movie. We decided to take a River Cruise one day, and absolutely loved it. We chose the 100 minute segment Day Tour (they had a ton of options including themed dinner cruises) and it was the perfect way to break up our day. They offered food and beverages for purchase on board, and gave the tour in both English and German. All in all, we loved Frankfurt. It felt very rich in culture and the locals were very welcoming. If you ever plan to visit Germany, definitely give Frankfurt a slot of your time. Next up, we visited Munich. We flew on Lufthansa for all of our domestic flights while over there. I was so impressed with how immaculate their crew (flight attendants + pilots) were dressed. Every woman's hair was pinned back so tight and sophisticated. I always obsess over foreign airlines uniforms, so it was cool to see them in person. Anywho, it took about 10 minutes upon landing for me to have a pretzel in hand. We stayed at the Hilton Munich City location and were once again impressed. They provided a complimentary Happy Hour for Gold Members and gave us little welcome gifts. We went into the city to see the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz and I was completely blown away. Tears. It was the most incredible building I have ever seen. We decided to have dinner at a spot located directly in front of it, and of course Evan gave me the seat facing the clock so that I could completely soak it up. We had schnitzel (I even tried it.. shocker) and just enjoyed the amazing views. After, we headed to the original Hofbrahaus. WOW! It was absolutely enormous and simply amazing. We looked around for an open table for at least 10 minutes. Once we found one, Evan ordered a huge (liter) Oktoberfest Brew and was in his GLORY. I snacked on a huge pretzel purchased from a girl dressed in the authentic German Dirndl walking around selling them. It was such an awesome experience, and I hope to one day be back for the actual Oktoberfest festival. I will go over the rest of our trip in Part 2 in order to keep this semi-readable. Stay tuned to hear more about Nuremberg and Berlin! Hi guys! I am so excited to share a mini haul of stationary goodies from Graphique with you. I was sent over a PR package handpicked by Graphique's team...and let me just say they KILLED IT! They have a wide variety of products, including : Planners, Notebooks, Tumblers, Journals, Folders, Wall Calendars, Greeting Cards, Passport Covers, Mugs, Totes, etc. Right now, you can save 25% off of planners with the code "PLAN25". Click here to check out their fun merchandise!
Hi everyone! I hope you all are staying safe and healthy during these crazy times. I have been at home for the last month, as I took a voluntary leave for the month of April. I am so thankful that I got to spend time at home with my family, but I'm going stir crazy. During the past month, I've done a lot of online shopping. Like a lot a lot. I've also done a lot of cleaning / organizing my space. Now that I'm back at home, I have an abundance of clothes and not many places to put them. I finally have my room looking decent, which makes me feel so productive. One of my favorite things to do is light a candle and relax in my space. Which is what I want to talk about today! My obsession with Scentworx has only grown over the past few months. I started out with their Fall collection and was instantly obsessed! The candles are 3 wick and burn so beautifully (even though I literally burn them all day). A few months later I received the Winter collection. Once again... obsessed. I knew that I would never have enough time to burn all of the candles, so I shared some with my family. Everyone was so impressed (and now make Scentworx purchases on the regular). I just wanted to share Scentworx with you guys because they are such a great company, and readily available on Kohl's.com (hello... Kohl's Cash!!!). They are always on some variety of promotion which is awesome. I still like Yankee Candle / Bath and Body Works candles, but Scentworx will always be my first choice. They have actually expanded and now carry a personal body care line, which is the first 100% clean line to be carried at Kohl's. Their prices are extremely affordable and make great gifts too! I'm going to insert a few photos below, but definitely check out Kohl's.com to see all of their collections. Now more than ever, it's so important to take care of yourself and relax! Small Disclaimer : This blog post was not part of my collaboration with Scentworx, I just truly love the company so much that I wanted to share them with you!
Hey you! Guess who landed the greatest / most wonderful / amazing / Dream job in the entire world?!?! THIS GIRL! So, I'm sure many of you have already seen but I am officially a flight attendant (yeah..you know... like someone who is paid to travel). I completed the necessary training back in January, and have been flying since late February. The training was super intense, and definitely kept me on my toes. I won't go too far into detail, but I have highlight section on my Instagram where I answer a lot of questions regarding the process (click here to be directed). To sum it up, we had tests almost every other day that we had to receive at least a 90% on to remain in the program. Our classes were 6 days a week, roughly 9 hours a day with several breaks. My instructors were absolutely incredible, and I dedicate my success to them. However, I am thankful that my initial training is behind me (finally breathes). Another great thing is the fact that I received my first choice of a base, close to home in Pittsburgh. The moment they announced that Pittsburgh was an open base to bid for, I screamed. Literally in the middle of class in front of all of my classmates. My heart was SO relieved and excited I couldn't help myself. And then I cried. Like a lot. And played my favorite worship music the rest of the night because God was moving mountains. I plan to create a lot of travel content with this new career opportunity! I truly think I've found my calling, and am forever grateful for this opportunity. See you in the sky!
Hi guys! I just wanted to hop on to share some of my favorite socks of the season - my thigh high "long socks" from Chrissy's socks. I am all about wearing boots throughout the Fall and Winter months. I find that a lot of socks slip down when being paired with higher length boots, so I decided to check out a new style. These bad boys hold their own like no other! I can go all day with them staying up in their place. While browsing their website, I found that the socks would even be perfect for my little siblings for sports uniforms. They have every color combination and print imaginable. I'll link the site here so you can check them out! I recommend these for guys too ( I know all of my hockey playing goof ball friends appreciate crazy socks ! ) The prices are affordable, and the shipping is crazy quick! They would also make the perfect stocking stuffer. Another great perk is that they are made here in the USA, so they support keeping jobs in the country. Disclaimer: I was sent the socks for free by Chrissy's Socks, but as always... I would never recommend a product that I wouldn't purchase myself. Hope you guys check them out and love them as much as I do!
XoXo Hi everyone! I know it's a little early, but I thought I would start creating my Holiday "Gift Guides" for ya'll! Now don't get me wrong.. I believe Thanksgiving deserves to have some time in the spotlight before Christmas takes over completely. However, I feel that Christmas shopping / Holiday prep in general almost has to be started now. In fact, I already feel behind (yikes). I always tell myself that I'm going to finish my shopping in time to have every present wrapped perfectly ( L O L if you know my gift wrapping skills....) and be picture perfect by the middle of December. Once again, L O L. In reality, I'm running around looking for gift bags on Christmas morning to throw last minute gifts in. So, this year I am starting nice and early to give it my best shot. As I get older, I truly care more about spending time with family and cherishing the magic of Christmas for my little siblings as opposed to being caught up in gifts. However, gift giving is my love language. So, I do have a lot of fun searching for the perfect gifts for all of my loved ones. I'm hoping these guides can inspire you (men.. I'm really looking at you!) and spark ideas for everyone on your check list. Today, I'm starting with my ultimate favorite... stocking stuffers. Now, I know that everyone views stocking stuffers differently. Growing up, we stuck to mostly little gifts such as candies , lip glosses , nail polishes, hair ties, cotton balls, etc. Which is super fun! Then, I was introduced to a family that took a completely different stance on stocking stuffers and included things like : gift cards, Sephora make-up sets, perfume, Starbucks mugs / tumblers , and other fun gifts. So, this guide will be a mix of both to cater to anyone. I know some of these items may be no brainers to most, but remember that not everyone has experienced the fun of stocking stuffers. Hope you guys enjoy! As always, click on the individual photos (on the slideshow) to be taken directly to the product! Just a side note: A lot of these items can be found at T.J. Maxx or Marshall's at lower price points. I tried to mix in different price ranges, but know that there are always less expensive options available.
Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing one of my all time favorite organizations, Operation Christmas Child. For as long as I can remember, my mom has made sure that we participate in this exciting opportunity. As I grow older, I love sharing this service with my friends and colleagues and will definitely continue the tradition with my own family. I'm going to link the direct link to Operation Christmas Child (here), so you guys can check out the official page. The main idea of the program is to fill a shoe box with small presents to send to a child who otherwise wouldn't receive a Christmas gift. You can choose the age group and gender of your child, that way the goodies inside match their wants and needs of their stage in life. The website has an in depth list of gift suggestions for each group, but definitely encourages you to add whatever unique surprise you can think of. The only real category they ask that you refrain from adding is food / candy. As I mentioned, click (here) for the detailed list. You can find cardboard boxes at almost any local church (I've even seen them in Hobby Lobby!), which is also where you can drop them off upon completion. If you click (here), you will be directed to a full list of drop off locations. They do ask for a $9 donation with each box to cover the shipping fees (especially since they are being shipped across the world). In total, I would estimate each box to cost roughly $25. To be honest, I haven't had a dry eye since starting to write this post. These images are so powerful and warm my heart like no other. The website features different personal stories and footage of children receiving their boxes and wow.... just wow. I have no words. My problems appear to me as grains of sand in comparison to what most of these children are going through, and yet, they still praise God with smiles on their faces. $25 not only gives these children a Christmas present, but also a glimmer of Hope for what God has in store for them. I don't think we will ever truly know how big of an impact our gifts made on these angels, but Lord the thought of it should make your heart sing. My challenge to each and every one of you is to prepare a box for a child. Even if you get together with 2 or 3 friends, join in and change a child's life. If times are tough but you still want to try to prepare one, reach out to me. I'm willing to help anyone who wants to participate. Also, if anyone has ANY questions regarding : where to get a box / drop-off locations, etc.. please reach out to me! The collection week runs from November 18th - 25th, so you have a few weeks to prep. I hope this post inspires you and reminds you just how blessed you are.
Hi everyone! I know it's been quite some time since I last posted, but life has been nuts. In July, I started my first "big girl job" and moved my life to Philadelphia. And let me tell you, life hit me HARD. I was blessed to have the opportunity to start my career strong as an Assistant Buyer and rock the Corporate World. However, I very quickly learned that it was not at all what I expected. As I mentioned, this job moved me to Philadelphia. Nothing against anyone from Philly, but it was a nightmare. I grew to tolerate the city, but never once felt a connection with it. When I first moved, I was completely overwhelmed. Even with my dad by my side (to start), I was horrified. You name the worst case scenario in every situation, and it happened to me. On the bright side, my apartment was gorgeous. I took great pride in my first little apartment, but it wasn't enough to satisfy me. The job, ohhhhhhhh the job. I'm not going to get into detail, but just know it was not a match for me. I battled every day and pushed through with a clenched jaw. Side note : this is not a cry for sympathy, rather a prime example of life being life. I knew within weeks that the position was not for me. However, I continued to try to give it time and outgrow the complications. Now, if you know me, you know that I am very strong willed and have a hard time going against my gut feeling. So battling through the past few months was an external AND internal battle. Fast forward about 3 months and I had enough. I would be lying if I said it was an easy decision. I sat and listed the pros and cons of leaving (at least 100 times), tried to seek other employment, cried till my nose bleed, made at least 1,000 FaceTime calls to my best friends and family, ate a LOT of candy, and prayed my heart out. My family has always been supportive, but this particular situation was a little different. I truly was on my own for this decision, because no one knew what I was battling with every day. I knew what I had to do. I made the decision to leave my job and Philadelphia. I am so blessed to have a family who welcomed me home with open arms. I will never forget the feeling of walking out of that office knowing I had bossed up and followed my heart. I made great friends there who understood why I had to leave, and I will forever be thankful for their support. I am now home in Wheeling, WV just figuring this whole "life" thing out. Trust me, it's not a pretty situation. After disappointment, a $4,000 fee for breaking a lease (yeah I know what you're thinking.... Chanel Boy bag Mariah!!!!) , and an expensive and exhausting move, I am simply happy to be home with the ones who matter most to me. I know the Good Lord will lead me where I need to be, and I completely trust his plan. Moral of the story : Follow your heart, a huge salary isn't everything, BOSS UP, and most importantly : Don't take anyone's shit.
Hi babes! First off, I want to start this post with the disclaimer that I am in no shape or form saying that you have to have Botox or "work" done in order to be beautiful. However, I am a strong believer that you should do whatever makes you happy in life regardless of what others think. Now the fun stuff. I have always been a "smiley" person and love to laugh as much as possible. One thing I noticed throughout my life was that my upper lip disappeared completely every time I laughed or smiled for a picture. I knew that a minor lip filler procedure could correct this, so I went for it. Now this was not an overnight decision. In fact it took roughly a year and a half before I committed. After doing plenty of research and asking around, I decided that I wanted to have my procedure done at the Skin Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Another disclaimer : I was blessed enough to have the Skin Center sponsor me, so I did not pay for the procedure. The Day of : I was slightly nervous just because the idea of Lip Augmentation was so foreign to me. Once I arrived at the Skin Center, the girls took me back to my room. Debbie was the RN who performed the injections, and Barbie was the receptionist in charge of filming the procedure for content purposes. The Procedure: Debbie applied a numbing cream to my entire mouth area while we discussed my goals for my new pout. I wanted to stay away from my bottom lip if possible, but I knew that a lot of times a small amount of filler is needed to balance out the lips. Lucky for me, my bottom lip was full enough to skip this step. I also wanted the look to be natural and minimal. I wasn't going for a "Kylie Jenner" look, just something to plump them a bit. Once I was numb, Debbie began the procedure. The pain was short but potent. After about 4-5 minutes, I started to feel light headed. Of Course. I thought I was doing great because I hadn't even flinched, but my body had other plans. Debbie laid me back in the chair while Barbie grabbed me a wet rag for my head. How embarrassing!?! I tried to get it together so that Debbie could go back to business. After about 15-20 minutes, my new pout was complete! I was instantly obsessed! Day 1: The girls at the Skin Center sent me on my way and I was able to eat and drink immediately (thank goodness). I was in some pain shortly after the procedure, but nothing unbearable. I used an icepack on my lips throughout the day to calm the swelling. Day 2: My lips were still a little swollen but nothing compared to what I was expecting. I did bruise on my left side, so the bruise was at its peak on day 2 / 3. I was able to eat a little easier, but it still felt weird. I would say the overall feeling was more of a "discomfort" as opposed to a "sting" or "ache". Day 3: Similar to day 2, just less swelling. Also, it started to get easier to talk and press my lips together. Day 4: Felt completely fabulous! I finally lined and glossed the pout for a day in Pittsburgh! Fast forward 3 days and I feel completely back to normal. I can speak / eat / kiss (Gracie of course!) and do everything without feeling like I have fish lips! Conclusion : I am so happy with how my procedure went. Debbie and the girls at the Skin Center were fabulous and I definitely recommend going to them for any Botox needs! I'm going to do a mini portion below where I answer a lot of questions I was asked, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions! FAQ's
Where? As mentioned above, I went to the Skin Center in Pittsburgh and truly don't think I would have had them done elsewhere. How much are Lip Fillers? I know the price depends on a lot of different factors, but the Skin Center starts at $675 + for a half of a syringe. I personally only did a half a syringe because I wanted my look to be natural. How long will they last? The Juvederm Ultra will start to dissolve in 4-6 months. Did it hurt? Yes. Obviously being injected with needles will cause pain, but it's more of a slight pinch. It's nothing to be concerned over, but I recommend eating a light snack beforehand if you're like me and get lightheaded easily. Would I do it again / Was it worth it? 10000000% yes. As I mentioned before, please don't hesitate to reach out with any further questions. I will link the Skin Center HERE for anyone who wants to check out their services! |