Tales of the Tank - Quarantine Essentials

Since the Corona Virus aka Covid-19 has taken over the world about as fast as Love is Blind, the self induced hostage situation has started and half the population has freaked out and the other half, at least in my area, is still like meh which has led to grr. I will even admit that I started out that way too despite being a text book high risk person. I fell for the 'it's basically the flu' hype and once I pulled my head out and started keeping up with the CDC rather than such and such station, I've made my adjustments and continued on the self induced hostage situation for weeks...because days mean nothing anymore.

So anyways, if you're confused about the title, Tales of the Tank. Let me quickly explain, I love my bags and need them sturdy and a bit Marry Poppins-ish so that I'm relatively prepared for whatever the day throws at me. Peeps with quite a commute know what I'm talking about. So now that  you know, I have a few more posts like these and I'll pop them down below.

But any-whoville, I've juggled a few sizes and style and lately for at least the past year or two, I've been a die-hard backpack purse user. On top of that, since we haven't been hit with a full country lockdown, there are some times where I've needed to go out as safely as possible. So here's a few things that should be in your bag if you have to leave home for essential reasons:

1. Wallet- I don't usually carry cash because regardless of global viruses, IT'S DIRTY AF. If you have a debit or credit card, use it. More cards are becoming contactless rather than using the chip that sooo many love (insert sarcasm). Look for this symbol on your card and it should work if the place uses them. OR if you're super fancy or live in a bigger city than me, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay, just use something other than cash please.

2. External battery/ Charging cord - I will never stop carrying at least one of these around. No asking for a cord or looking for an outlet and risking sitting less that 6 feet from some random person.

3. Hand Sanitizer - As an avid and loyal customer to Bath and Body Works, this is the hand sanitizer I have and use because one, I have it and two, it's all gone as far as Purell is concerned. Now, according to the CDC, hand sanitizer is still good if it has 60% ethanol alcohol or 70% isopropanol alcohol so that physicians perform surgery. BBW hand sanitizer has 68% isopropanol...so it's not enough for surgery but maybe enough to pick up some laundry detergent and a swiffer wet mop. Now if you are out or everywhere is, there is a DIY on the Pinterest for 70+% alcohol and aloe vera gel mixture. Use at your discretion. [[If you can also get your hands on clorox or lysol wipes, it becomes very handy to have in your car.]]

4. Medication Pouch - I have this on me anyway. Remember I mentioned that whole high risk thing? Yeah, totally feel like a class A idiot but I've made a call to make sure that my meds are in and on hand. Also thank you Tylenol and Tylenol Sinus because these allergies and sinuses have also been hella bad.

5. Notebook/Pen - Yes I use my phone for notes, but I remember more when I write it down. Like if it's not written, it doesn't exist. So for the times that I've needed to go out, I'll write down where I need to go and what I need to get done. Plan it out, execute, and back to the hidey hole. Also don't need to ask for a pen to sign for receipts. Boom.

6. Extra Mask - Regardless of how you feel about the current times or how much it does or does not affect you, there are millions of people who are at high risk. Some are elderly and some are immunocompromised and those people can be of any age. ANY. AGE. The thing is that we don't walk around with neon signs. So please just be a good person and wear a mask of sorts. Paper, fabric, bandanna, whatever. You aren't required to care but a good person cares for someone else like they do themselves. And now I'll descend off of the soapbox.

And there we go, so wherever you are, I implore you to not pull a me and dismiss the severity of what's going on and stay well. Hopefully you're able to work from home and social distance without hoarding. Check your sources for news or multiple sources and if nothing else, the CDC is easily accessible.


In the meantime, here's some of my other posts that don't have to deal with a global crisis.

Tales of the Tank - The Clutch ~ http://bit.ly/TOTT50Cal

2020 Starting Out - http://bit.ly/2020TCoat

Medical Guide Part 1 - http://bit.ly/DrRxtips1
 and Part 2 - http://bit.ly/Med2appt



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Medical Guide Part 2 - Making the Appointment

If you're new to me, Hi and welcome to the new roaring twenties. Not going to bombard you with new year new you shiz, the algorithm will do that for you. Instead I'm here with another entry into my medical guide to hopefully help someone out there to go to the d@mn doctor be it, medical, eye, teeth, etc. What I do when I go the doctor is in Part 1 but then it also occurred to me that not everyone is comfortable talking to people in phone or in person and by some, I mean a lot.

Social anxiety is a thing for tons of people to varying degrees and if you're like me living in a rural area where you're lucky if you can find your doctor's office online let alone book an appointment. Sometimes it's inevitable that you have to talk to a person and I understand that is uncomfortable, but it must be done so I hope this lays some details out for you in order to get it done in the least amount of time/ slash conversation possible.

1. Preparation is key. Why are you calling? What symptoms do you have or do you recognize a sinus infection that you get every season that you know you'll need antibiotics? This is why part one is up first. The more you know and have written (or typed) the better you can spout it off when you're on the spot.

2. When do you have time to go? Everyone is busy with life and work but strep throat doesn't care if you have a final or a business meeting. So find out how soon you need to make an appointment. If you're already home sick, you want to get in asap. If you're not home yet maybe you need to plan on your lunch break. I know with my general 9 to 5, it was easier to set it for the morning then go to work late and stay if necessary than try to get off at a certain time to not be late. But that depends on your schedule.

3. What insurance are you using and is this office in your network to hopefully get a smaller copay and overall a smaller bill. There's 2 ways for this to go. You can do the research, beforehand, in your prep to talk to your insurance and they will find an office in your network or for lack of better words, someone they prefer to work with. Or you can talk to the doctor's office you're wanting to go to and they will run the info from your insurance card to let you know the details so keep it on hand.


4.This brings us to the moment of truth and the best thing you can do is to be nice to the receptionist and everything will be smooth. They will ask you questions and chances are you'll have the answers because you wrote them down in step 1. If this is your very first appointment to this office or doctor, you can say something like this:

"Hi. My name is ____. I'm needing to set up an appointment as a new patient." or if you already go to that office just drop the "as a new patient" and add " with Dr. _______."

There will be questions they HAVE to ask you and 98% of the time are also handling people in person as well as stuff going on behind the scenes on their end, so be nice and they'll move you right along and get you in a good spot. I've rarely run into a rude receptionist or nurse but it may happen, just get the information you need and be done as quick as possible. And remember to say thank you no matter what.

QUICK NOTE: ALWAYS GET THEIR NAME. It's always good to get a name so if you talked with them and clicked, had chemistry, made a good connection, etc. It means that you have a point of contact to ask for in the future. On the other hand if, they aren't for you or you just don't like them, you know who to avoid. Write It Down! That's the same for the office staff and especially the nurses.


This helped me get into the swing of things when making appointments especially in the beginning of my spoonie journey. Take the new year into a new decade to be your best self and that includes your health so please cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands, and go to the doctor.


In the meantime, here's some other posts that aren't medically related...

Good Reads and the Like - http://bit.ly/Yareads22

Planners Gonna Plan - http://bit.ly/HLPlanner

Adulting Win - http://bit.ly/Adultwin



And follow me if you please...

Instagram...  http://bit.ly/MyIgJazz

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Good Reads and the Like

Is there an age where you’re too old to read Young Adult books? There’s a good part of me that says you’re never too old for Disney so why should books be limited? I had to verify with my BFF this morning with that. He, an author going for his Masters and if he feels feisty possibly a PhD, assured me that reading YA is perfectly fine because obviously the people who wrote them enjoy it too and chances are they aren’t actual young adults either.

I really enjoy fantasy more than anything as I think that every Twilight fan has. Yes, I admit that I am part of that fandom that was created back in high school. It was the first book I read for fun that was unprovoked by a movie and really started my love with books and I fell hard. (I’d quote the part about being “irrevocably” in love but hey copyright – I see you) I did the midnight releases at Hastings (RIP) for Eclipse. Then I was completely Team Edward...down the blanket on my dorm bed to his poster on my dorm ceiling freshman year...of college. Oh yea, I was that person. Don’t get me started on the movies…different can of worms entirely.

But so my whole point of that little confession is that’s where I started. Young adult fantasy stories. And from there, I tried different ones. Eragon, Eon, House of night, Hunger Games, City of Bones, the Grey Wolves Series, Throne of Glass, etc. I did a lot. There was a sprinkling of other, arguably age appropriate, works in there, and one even made it to my favorites a while back here.

But it’s hard sometimes because the girls at work don’t really read, and my friends are teachers and/or parents and not close to my location. The local library has started a book club type deal but the last thing they read was Eleanor Oliphant is completely Fine…I haven’t heard of this book so it’s a sample sitting on my Kindle whereas for next month, the book it To Kill A Mockingbird….I remember reading it in school and absolutely hating it. Could it be different now reading the beloved classic as an adult, quite possible but I have no desire to read it.

So again, here I am totally in a puddle of isolated meh. Maybe I’ll try and branch out and I’ve been trying to with my current reading challenge that I found in a different book club Facebook group for a podcast I listen to and I think it’s going well…Still got a couple to find that fit the criteria but I think that’s part of the fun.

What are you reading? Let me know below!!


Check out some of my other thoughts...


Planning Away - http://bit.ly/HLPlanner

Adulting Win - http://bit.ly/Adultwin

Sick Tips - http://bit.ly/SickTips18



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Streaming FOMO?

Like any other working, I don’t have a lot of time. And like a lot of people in the world, I don’t have cable so my tv watching goes to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. For some of my coworkers, it’s odd because I haven’t watched the latest episode of This Is Us or Empire or how the interwebs are handling the R Kelly docuseries. But online I normally find myself behind on the latest show trends like Riverdale and Sabrina (although I have started them but I’m still within the first few episodes)

Then the internet blew up with Bird Box. The clips, the ever-popular memes, and now the idiots have taken it and turned it into a challenge while simultaneously calling the magnificent Sandra Bullock...that lady. Yea that’s not ok. But all in all, the movie was really good. You do have to pay attention but it’s worth the hype.

Then in the spirit of New Year, new everything-even-though-it-ain’t-gonna-last, the world has now blown up with Tidying Up with Marie Kono. Now everyone is going through the clothes, books, paper, memes, people, etc wondering if they spark joy. Granted, I was doing the entirety of my laundry while binging it so I can’t say it wasn’t helpful and that there’s gonna be some good items for donation or for sale in my near future once I figure out Poshmark. lol

Now the ads have gone off on the new documentaries on Hulu and Netflix about the Fyre Festival. I remember hearing about it all over the twitterverse when it happened and I’m pretty sure Philip DeFranco, on YouTube, did a piece on it as well. I just know and the world knows it was a hot d@mn mess and while I haven’t seen it yet, some of the reactions make me want to see just how much of a hot mess it was.

Since getting in on the action (phrasing – name that reference) I couldn’t help but have a Carrie Bradshaw moment and wonder, is this feeling what causes people to have FOMO?

I’m a bit of a hermit, partly by choice and mostly not really so I’m used to being behind on things. I’m only a few episodes in on Riverdale and Sabrina so I can’t attest to too much in that conversation online and even less in person because most of my coworkers have small children so definitely a no-go a lot of those times. However, The Umbrella Academy is pretty freaking awesome and it just got renewed for season 2 even though A Day At Time was cancelled completely unceremoniously. But it was nice to see the memes, read and watch the reactions online and know what’s going on but I don’t think I’ve gone that far to reach the constant check and watching that I know some people make.

 

Maybe I’m a little more go with the flow and Netflix and chill out rather than having a rat race to the finish line. Guess we’ll find out but for now, I have a lot of things on my watch list that are genuinely sparking my interest and it give me joy and don't get me started on Game of Thrones... it's coming.

What are you watching?

Check out some of my other posts

Hello, I'm Shrill Too ~ http://bit.ly/ShrillToo

Adulting Win ~ http://bit.ly/Adultwin

Sick Tips ~ http://bit.ly/SickTips18


and follow a girl on Blogloving ~ http://bit.ly/MyBloglovinPg
and follow a girl on the Instagram ~ http://bit.ly/MyIgJazz

June Living Goals

Over time I’ve read many a blog and one thing that didn’t make sense to me was posting about their goals. Mostly blog progress goals and while it’s great to have aspirations, for me they didn’t quite work because I’m not a full time blogger and I’m still working on consistency (it's going slower than molasses on Christmas Eve but it's going). So if anything, that’d be my goal in general. But then I came across It Starts With Coffee. It's run by Neely and she had goals that she wanted to do personally to get her through the month and that just clicked with me on so many levels, it wasn't even funny. So Neely if you only read up to this point, keep going girl. I will definitely be reading.

I've started a journey with my health to do better and be better. And now that I’m making progress, I don’t want to lose sight of what I’m working towards. But I’m also afraid of constantly living in survival mode and not actually living life. So to start a few things off with inspiration from Neely, I present my monthly Living Goals.

Me Working on Being Triumphant lol

1.     Read 2 books – I read 2 books the month before last by accident so I wanna see if I can do it intentionally. I’m a bit of a slower reader because either I’m only reading and nothing exists or I’m barely able to get a few pages in. There's no in between....and there should be....unless I'm reading Game of Thrones. (It's just so slow and I've been stuck on book 2 for at least a year) I also need some time away from screens. 

2.     Make a meal plan for at least two weeks – food that is good for you will always go bad faster and it pisses me off as well as my bank account to waste food and money. And honestly, I've been wasting food and money so I need to do this now because I literally have the baaaaaaaaaaaaaare minimum in my fridge. No bueno

3.     Clear out winter clothes – The weather forecast is showing the highs in the upper 90-100s out here in New Mexico. However comma, sometimes the mornings are still a tad chilly and the never ending wind can get cold too. But it's safe to say that the heavy coats and sweaters gotta go and space is needed for alllll the dresses.

4.      Change sheets every week – I'll admit it....I got lazy and now I’m breaking out. Besides who doesn’t love the feeling of fresh sheets? It's leg shaving season and the fresh sheets-fresh shaven leg feeling is so happening and it's going to be glorious!

5.      Get my laundry under control – I have a lot of clothes period. So laundry day is more like laundry week and more so when I have sheets and towels to work out as well. But I have a horrible habit of folding and leaving my piles on top of my washer and dryer…That’s gotta stop.

And we'll start here for the month and see where we go. What progress do you want to have in your life this month?

In the meantime, show a girl some love on the Bloglovin...http://bit.ly/MyBloglovinPg

Or check out some of my other posts....

Living alone - Pros - http://bit.ly/7Perks

Living alone plans - http://bit.ly/7LivingAlone

Succesful Adult Win - http://bit.ly/Adultwin

I've Got That Summertime June Favorites

Well interweb peeps, June is over. Half of the year is already gone and I’ve got some serious whiplash. My bff and I were talking about what we’ve done in the last six months. I won’t get you with the details of the entire past, we are here to see favorites. And for June, there’s a few. Literally because these had been rocking my month. They may be few, but they be awesome.

Kind is the New Pretty – Tarte – If you read my last month’s favorites, which you should here, then you’ll know that I bought this little set on sale during the Ulta megasale of awesomeness. Of course, with my lowered immune system, I was getting sick and wasn’t one for wearing makeup. But now that I’m semi-sane, I’m so glad I bought this mini pallet. It’s easy to get to and has everything great shades that I can literally wear everyday. I’ve made a few trips back home and have had to make super early trips to the doctor so this little pallet plus a couple brushes and some mascara and I’m set.

I had to get rid of a lot of makeup after my stent of being an incubus of plague so between lack of money and the amount of makeup I tend to wear on a normal basis, I've really wanted more of an all-in-one situation and this little pallet has it.

I will admit that I didn't expect it to be this small. It fits in the palm of my hand. The bronzer works really well for my skin tone as it's not too warm. The blush is a bit more on the orange side but I strangely like it. It's buildable for me because I can imagine overdoing it, especially at home where my lighting is terrible thanks to wood panelling, so it's always a bit darker in my house than I like. Now the highlight....It is pretty fabulous. Granted when I put too much so that I look like a unicorn licked my face, it can be a bit much because it's white. The picture doesn't do the sparkle justice and in the words of YouTuber Nicole Guerriero, "Sir, can you see this highlight?" It definitely packs a punch but somedays I wanna be chill and not punch people with my highlight. 

Sally Hansen Instadry Nail Color – Petal Pusher – I hadn’t painted my nails in a hot minute. I haven’t had my nails done in an even hotter minute. Despite everything going on with me, my nails to tend to grow pretty fast so acrylics and gel can get pretty expensive. So instead of a super bold color I grabbed this for a little color and I am loving it. It’s subtle enough to not clash with everything and it doesn’t take forever and a day to dry.

I'm not kidding when I say it's a literal quick drying nail polish. If I have a solid seven minutes, the brush is wide enough to cover most of my nails in one swipe and opaque enough to not be entirely streaky. I can still do two coats, have them dry and pop a quick top coat and dry in roughly that time. So don't be too heavy on the hand and it'll all be well with the world.

Zuchini boats – Pinterest recipe – one of my best girlfriends and I have been working on newer and healthier recipes and once a week we make them and have a chance to catch up on life. Since we both were raised in a way that didn’t always include a lot of veggies like zucchini and squash, I’ve strayed away from them mainly out of ignorance. NOT the case anymore. This recipe she found on Pinterest from thewholesomedish.com called for ground chicken but we used ground turkey and lemme tell you, I’ve made it again and it’s pretty fricken awesome and surprisingly filling. So go check out my Food board onPinterest and test it out yourself.

So yes June be few but I can honestly say these have been consistently happening all month which is not always the case for lots of people, I've noticed. But even though the month is halfway gone, here's what I've been up to, what have you been up too or been loving lately?


In the meantime....


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and check out some of my other posts...

Window Shopping - http://bit.ly/2sG527o
Office Decor - http://bit.ly/OfficeDe
Travelling Can Be Ugly - http://bit.ly/2travelwoe

Didn't Have April Showers, We Had Snow - Monthly Favorites

Spring is in full swing and working on returning to normal-ish routine has me having a few favorites this month. It's been a trip reintroducing myself to the work world all for me to go dufuq!? Because low and behold, out here in New Mexico, it's common for the weather to be weird but when it decides to rain and then snow practically All. Friggin. Day. I gotta say that mother nature might be more messed up than me, and that's saying something. But to the good things that happened this month, just yesss.

Scandal – Cable is no more right now so Netflix and I have rekindled a beautiful relationship and with the help of my epic sister, I discovered Scandal. I’d heard about it, heard it was amazing and saw them winning a lot of awards and now I see why. Totally hooked and have been watching all month. Right now I’m at the end of season 4 and with season 5 on, ohhhh it’s gonna be good. I love Olivia and the team. Honestly Fitz gets on my nerves and I have a love/hate relationship with Cyrus. And even though, I hate Eli with a burning passion, Joe Morton does such a wonderful job with his character I love watching him.

Zia Earrings – My test trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico for my birthday was indeed a test of my health and recovery and I’d like to think that I passed. I’d say a solid C+. My boyfriend bought me a couple pairs of the Zia Earrings and then found where the artists work was being sold in the capital city. So of course I had to track it down and get more. I gotta couple, my sister gotta couple and bought me another set for my birthday. One thing I’ve learned about myself over this time is that there is a lot of rich culture in New Mexico and we have a lot of pride for our state is strong and true. We also like to represent. The artist, Cultura Corazon, who makes these, is awesome and has an awesome Etsy store. So check her out here.

They are real wood zia symbols.

These are mirrored acrylic zia symbols

Find her on Instagram too - She has a ton of cute stuff

Benefit Rollerlash – Going back to work means going and getting rid of expired makeup and just wearing makeup in general. So having fresh mascara was just like the first sip of a cherry coke hitting your soul. Just amazing. This mascara blew my mind when I started using it, you can read about that here because talking about it now would not show the same excitement and love I have for this product.

Clinique Intro Kit – Like I said in my last month’s favorites, I did indeed get this kit. And honestly I was super surprised at this intro size. It’s a 3 step process and using it this month, I can see and feel a difference in my skin. It doesn’t look or feel like sandpaper. Now I do still need a good scrub for the dead skin that’s still trying to stick around but keeping this combo-oily, acne prone skin looking decent has just gotten easier and it makes me feel good too. 

These were the awesome things that got me through this month and this crazy journey back into life.
What are yours?





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Tales of the Tank - My Backpack

Tales of the Tank - My Backpack

Ok so these backpack purses I've been seeing had really made me want one. If you've read the other Tales in this series, you'd know that I basically carry a tank for a purse. Looking at all these teeny tiny backpacks while adorable as all get out, just can't work for me. Instead, I've found this one and it's a life saver. With that's been going on with my health, having a regular purse constantly falling on one hand while using my walker or cane was just not working.

I wanted one that wasn't a huge academic tank but I needed some space for the things I have to carry, like stuff for dr's appointments, so the cute teeny bags are a no go. After Christmas, against some better judgement, I clicked into the depths of Amazon and found this simple little gem.

I'd post pictures of my bag in real life but lighting say noooooope

No regrets at all.

I had to check the measurements to make sure it wasn't too small because I've been using a regular spiral to keep my notes and appointments together as well as my planner so as long as it doesn't fold, we Gucci. It's not very wide which is ok because it forces me to not carry too much. Yes, it'll be on my back but I still have to haul it on my shoulders, which on some mornings is a big friggin' deal.

I didn't want black just because I'm trying really, really, REALLY hard to push out some negative thoughts, and this charcoal gray is just gorgeous and the fabric is stiffer than typical canvas so it's been holding it's shape fairly well and the two front pockets as just big enough for some easy access.

What do I got in bag tho?

It's got an inside pocket for 14 inch laptop so I've been using that for my Dr. Spiral, my planner and a general notebook for little things. My doctor is a couple hundred miles away so I also have my Nintendo 3DS XL for some gaming if I'm not driving. Chargers are a must as well as my trusty external batteries. Thanks to Ulta for this little pill organizer for my afternoon meds and last but not least my wallet.

This is nothing compared to what I would normally carry. Like seriously. But desperate times call for desperate measures but it can still be cute, practical, and save what ever strength I have.



Check out the other Tales of the Tank

My Eye Panda - http://bit.ly/TOTTPanda
The Clutch - http://bit.ly/TOTT50Cal

Or maybe a different avenue for you
Fall Transition - http://bit.ly/FallTFaves16


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Life Said I'm Sick

Ok, I can't say that I've been just spastic with posting or even my social media presence and I've gone back and forth on whether to go into this topic. When it comes to my health, I tend to be a lot more reserved and it tends to make me a bit of a hermit. But with a bit of debating, here I am putting myself out there on the interwebs where nothing is ever really deleted.

Now that my dramatic moment has passed, here's the sitch. My last couple posts were vague about what is going with my health. There's been a lot of pain, a lot of medications, and a two week stay in the hospital to get some answers about what has been going on. My diagnosises: lupus and blood clots. Neither of these run in my family on either side, and definitely can't be cured with my typical remedies, so this was a big surprise but after looking for answers for a couple months with no real path, getting this information was a huge relief.

Sadly these aren't all of my meds

I've still been out of work because I've lost so much strength and the side effects of my meds aren't exactly a walk in the park either. I've got a couple specialists that I'm working with to get me back to as normal as possible but it's a hard pill to swallow (pun intended) knowing that my previous normal will never happen again. I know lupus is more manageable now than it used to be, but it's still a lot that needs to be watched and researched. The blood clots just suck. Thankfully they haven't moved to my lungs or heart, but from what I was told, my legs are "covered" in clots which doesn't help my swelling or pain and was more than likely caused from my birth control that I was taking for my PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) for the last ten years.

To say that my life is changing is understatement. The great thing, and I'm super proud of myself to see this, is that I have an actual diagnosis and something to research. I'm that person that has to know what I'm into and it turns out that I know people who know people who have experience especially since I can't turn to family. And maybe through writing and adding this to my blog life, I can help someone else who is just finding out as well and is starting the journey too. So if anyone has any ideas, or tips, or resources in handling and managing lupus, please please please let me know.






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Check out some of my other posts that are not medically related
Tag! You're It - http://bit.ly/ThisorThat17

Fall Faves - http://bit.ly/FallTFaves16

Tales of the Tank aka my purse - http://bit.ly/TOTT50Cal

Fall Transition Favorites

I'm ALIVE!!!!! It's been well over a month since I posted last. My physical health has taken a bit of a turn down the side of a mountain in an inflatable ball and it's been so much fun finding out that there is something wrong. But of course, I still have to wait for the specialist to find out what that is so that's been super fun. Since I’ve been away for some time does NOT mean I haven’t noticed that the season’s have changed. It’s gotten slightly cooler here and the air has changed. Basically, I know that my face is supposed to be oilier than it is normally. Makeup has to change. Skin care routine needs to be adjusted. Scarves are going to be rotated. I don’t have many sweaters so meh. But the boots are on standby.

Makeup

I have actually not been wearing a lot of foundation because even though more countries have joined the negotiations to the oil on my face, I have been finding my blemishes to be dry and flaky. On top of everything that's been going on, my skin feels like I'm going through puberty. And with that, it’s easy to spot where my foundation tends to slide and gather. But in general, the warmer tones are turning more into cool tones, as they should but on particular sunny days like we tend to have, I don’t mind throwing on a bit of a warmer highlight. Once I find my balance again, then I'll be normal-ish. 

Lip Gook (yes, I’ve tried to call it lippie or just by product but my upbringing called it all lip gook)

As much as I hate to admit, for this transition into fall, I’ve been cheating on my Lancome Juicy shaker.... a lot. It's surprising considering that I’ve been using it all summer. Read up on that here. But still, I’ll occasionally use it but I’ve been going to something a bit more simple. Burt’s Bees. Not as old a brand as Chapstick or Carmex, but it’s nice on the lips and the tinted ones like this one in Sweet Violet do some double duty for me for work since the dry times have already started to attack my lips too.

Skin care

I’ve also noticed that my pores are being more noticeable than needed so I’ve been toying with a few things to help that situation. I have a new moisturizer and face wash that seem to be on the right track. The moisturizer is a simpler one for day or night and made for sensitive skin. I love it because it doesn’t take forever to soak into your skin in the morning before putting on makeup, if I decide to wear it that day, and it’s not slimy like my last one was. On days that I feel like a raisin, I can especially feel the difference in my skin.  It's definitely a start. I won't lie when I say that I've usually tried to avoid brands like Olay because it seems like all they show commercials for is anti-aging made for women twice my age, which is all good, great, and fine however comma, I'm not quite there yet. Now that I'm loving this moisturizer, I'm starting to feel that there is no harm in starting early.

The face wash was purchased on a whim to be honest. When I was getting groceries, I needed some face wipes anyway and saw this. I figure that if the Olay brand has been around as long as it has then I could give it’s $7 face wash a shot. My first look was at the oil control. I always, always, look for oil free but this one also claims to be oil minimizing. I have noticed that I don't get as oily as early, so that's been very nice too. I may have had my reservations about Olay as a brand for twenty something me, but it's safe to say that I am so over it. 

Let me tell you about this charcoal sugar scrub I’ve been using. It’s fun to use and smells wonderful. Even though it’s black from the charcoal, my sensitive skin and I feel a nice exfoliation without my face being super red afterwards. Thank you drug store product and drug store price. Like seriously, it's less than $4. I especially like that it's in a tube rather than a tub. I do love the tubs for the body sugar scrubs, like here, but for just the face, it's less wasted in a tube. 

What changes have you made for the Fall?? Let me know, I know I need all the help I can get.

There's still a lot to be said and done about changing just about everything for the new season all while knowing that you're sick but not having a diagnosis is so much worse. It's been affecting my skin, my hair, etc. But like anyone struggling for control in an uncontrollable situation, I do what I can, where I can and sadly that meant leaving the routine I was working so hard to put in, blogwise. On this last note, if you've been reading my posts, I want to thank you for it. I know it's been a while so I also thank you for the patience. I'm planning on getting back into a groove, it's just been a bit slower than I like. But keep hanging with me and we'll get moving.


In the mean time, catch up on some of my other posts...

The Full Figure Picture - http://bit.ly/HomecomingHelp

How Much is My Face Worth? (tag) - http://bit.ly/MyFaceis

Operation Ducks In A Row - Relationships and Life - http://bit.ly/10GTWODIAR







Follow me on Bloglovin - http://bit.ly/MyBloglovinPg

The Full Figure Picture Still Going Forward

http://weartv.com/news/local/local-boutique-saves-the-day-after-a-teen-is-fat-shamed

I came across ^^^ this article ^^^ on the facebook of a friend. I've never been to Florida or even heard of this store but this story really hit me in the feels.

Mother and daughter go to find a dress for Homecoming and the sales rep gives her the signature up and down look at her daughter and shuts her down. It may not have been a harsh as Regina George getting told to go to Sears after not fitting in a size 5, but trust me when I tell you that it feels like that and about 99 times worse. After getting nowhere with corporate, a boutique was able to find a fabulous solution.

Now Grace Tennyson, the author of the article, mentions that Megan regular wore junior size clothing in that store. In my mind, there really shouldn't have been an issue at a department store but in this case it was and Megan was shut down completely and publicly.

I remember having this moment in high school trying to find a dress for Homecoming my Senior Year. I was nominated for Homecoming Queen and so proper formal attire was required. Nothing made me more nervous because at that time there wasn't a store that carried plus size formal wear that I could afford. I could have tried the prom store but I wasn't about to ask my parents to fork over $400 for a dress that I couldn't try on and that option was more than likely plain black....Hell, I didn't even buy either of my prom dresses at the prom store, and online shopping wasn't an option with dial up.

Forgive the picture - It's the only one I have that's mainly full length and pretty sure it was taken on a 35mm film camera and I needed to hide my cousin for obvious reasons. But you get the point...

I was plus size then, and now, but I was also taller than the average girl so I already knew trying to find something floor length would also be slim to none. After driving 4 hours away to the city, I could only find one dress that was semi appropriate, though my dad hated it, and it required some adjustments on my body's part, the shapewear and the strategies to keep the gorgeous fishtail front from riding up too high when I walked. And I don't recall being helped by an associate at all. Not when I was grabbing the displays off the walls to check at the tags to pray that there was an XL. Not when my mom had multiple dresses thrown over her shoulder while I changed in the dressing room hating life because it was too short off the floor or too short and close to the lady bits or cut just low enough that the school would complain about my chest making a bigger appearance than me.

To be honest, I got lucky. I wasn't the only plus sized nominee that year and we all had the same problem whether we admit it or not. Now did we make it work? Of course because we do that and are used to it. I loved the dress and enjoyed the day. Have I worn it since? absolutely not. Just like my high school graduation dress which was also a bit too short and too low cut for a sundress and my prom dress was about 4 inches off the ground that I was able to buy off of a friend of the family who wore it as a bridesmaid dress. We made due with what we had.

Granted, Tennyson doesn't mention how much the dress was before or after the fitting but the important part is that someone cared enough to make this young lady feel special and beautiful whether she is considered a straight size or plus size. High school is hell enough whether we know it during or realize it years after. So for this owner, I tip my metaphorical hat and give you much applause because there's a lot of us women now, who weren't able to have that option then and those who still don't now. And yet, you made the effort to show that this girl should most definitely feel like a million bucks and the pictures in the article show her believing that she is worth the million bucks.

“I think that everyone is beautiful and should feel that way.” - Deborah West, owner of the boutique

It goes to show that there is progress out there. It still seems slower than molasses on a white Christmas morning most times, but it's still progress. Stories like this are the shining light of hope. We, as curvy or plus or full figured or the B3s, have some more options now that weren't there before and I know that it will grow even more so that less people, girls and boys and everyone in between, don't have moments like so many of us, including Megan, had. I hope that she went to Homecoming and rocked the ever living Hell out of that dress with the gusto that comes with feeling like a rock star.






If you'd like to check out some of my other posts, here's a few topics I cover that you can always find on Bloglovin:

http://bit.ly/MyBloglovinPg


Posts like this:

Operation Ducks in a Row - Relationships and Life - http://bit.ly/10GTWODIAR

Tag! How much is my face worth? - http://bit.ly/MyFaceis

10 Pokewalk Essentials (because I'm a nerd like that :] ) - http://bit.ly/10PokeWalk

Tales of the Tank (aka my Purse) My 50 Cal Clutch - http://bit.ly/TOTT50Cal

It's Gonna Be May! - Monthly Faves

First time of me doing a favorites segments and it's pretty exciting and a little scary because going through the month, some things are instant and some I really had to think about. So here I have a few things that have made life awesome this month.

Makeup -Lancome Juicy Shaker

I could write a whole post on why these are a-freakin-mazing. Granted the $21 price tag is a lil bit of a splurge for me but it is totally worth it. Once I get my words together on this wonderful piece of heaven, I'll link it here.

Book(s) - Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

I don't get to read as much as I would like but Lawd have mercy, when I get going....I get going. One of my best friends recommended this series, hey Kim hey. According to the little tag, it has some feels on Game of Thrones while keeping a 'young adult vibe'. Now lemme be honest with you, I am big into fantasy and the world of magic. I love an easy read and this really started out that way. Typical characters and an interesting little plot and young adult yada yada. But trust me, make it to book 3 and it explodes into amazingness and I couldn't put them down. I even have the new book pre-ordered that comes out in September so my Kindle is waiting with bated inanimate breath.

Shower - Tree Hut Sugar Scrub in Coconut Lime

This was a bit of an impulse buy at the hands of my BFF. He uses the hand cream and I almost got it but looked at this instead. I tried making my own sugar scrub and it definitely did not turn out like I wanted or how my mom's did. I have sensitive skin so I can't exfoliate often but when I do, I just melt. So smooth and if you could smell it through my words, you'd melt too. I have a love/hate relationship with coconut and I've encountered some terrible variations of the lime combo. Just stop by a Walmart or Target, and look it up and smell it for yourself.

Show - Game of Thrones (duh)

Another addiction at the hands of my BFF. He got me in at season 3 and I've watched and rewatched and currently diving into season 6. He's read the books more than once and I am still trying to get through book 2. Great series but it just moves a bit slow whereas the show has you hanging on every second. I'll get through the books....eventually....and maybe he'll finish the next book. Until then, I will continue to endure the winter on Sunday nights/Monday mornings. lol

Technology- Google Opinion Rewards App

To be perfectly honest, I don't quite remember who turned me onto this, but I'm so glad they did. I made the switch from Apple to Android a couple years back and haven't look back. They're just little surveys to do randomly that will give you credit to use in the Google Play Store so hey paid-extensions-for-apps-that-I-don't-want-to-spend-money-on.


Not bad for a first month of faves, and even though I'm a total Backstreet Boys fans, Justin got it this month.

Keep up with my last postings on living alone.
Here's a few perks
and here's a few things to consider

My Pissed AF Playlist

****Reader discretion advised. There may or may not be language that would not be considered lady-like and by that I mean... get over it PDQ before you continue****

My Bff sent me this on FB and I was like RIGHT?!

There are days and then there are days where you are glad that you can't blow things up with your mind. And then even worse when you question if you'd feel bad. I've had my fair share of days where people try to say that it's just one day, not your life. There's times that I can listen to my awesome boyfriend and look at the bigger picture like I did in this post. And then.....then there are times where I just need to be mad as Hell. Call me petty, an Aries, a girl and no I'm not on my damn period either so don't even try to pull that shit. I'm just fucking pissed... for whatever assortment of reasons.

It was Arnold in Terminator 3 who said that anger is more useful than despair. And yes it can be. Look at feelings and plans carried out due to vendettas and plots for revenge and sometimes you can even use it to come out victorious on top of the world when you apply angry to productivity and sh!t....

This was not one of those days. And for days like those, I turn to music, especially. I'm sure everyone does because it, literally, can be the only thing that meshes with what your feeling. So to share this notion, I've found a list of some of my fave mad-at-the-world songs that I have and continue to blast at home, in my car, etc. And yes, a lot of these songs are older but does matter? No bitch it does not but it does tend to make me feel better after a bit.


I'm Not Ok, I Promise - My Chemical Romance.

Crawling - Linkin Park.

So Sick - Flyleaf

Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence

The Sharpest Lives - MCR

Go To Church - Ice Cube/Snoop Dogg (when he was still D-O-Double G)/ Lil Jon

Rollin' in the Deep - Adele

Lil Homies - 2Pac

Knives and Pens - Black Veil Brides

Move - Ludacris

Disturbed - Down with the Sickness

In the End - Linkin Park

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor - Drowning Pool

Everybody's Fool - Evanescence

Nightmare - A7X

Runaway - Linkin Park

The Change - Evanescence

The Unforgiven - Metallica



Now don't get me wrong, I am all for positive thinking and reinforcement. I am on the road to becoming a more positive person. HOWEVER COMMA, I am also a person who has had that tendency to bottle things up until it blows like Mt. St. Helens. I do believe it's important to acknowledge that anger is a feeling to be dealt with. Regardless of the reasons for being super f*ckin pissed, it is not something that has to stay with you. So I am a firm believer in the power of music.

More often than not, in extreme negative emotions, mad-as-sh!t or sad AF, we are isolated and alone. In the back of our minds, we know that it's not true but the feelings suck. So build that playlist and blast it because it's easier to feel better when you hear someone going through that same emotion. Genre doesn't matter and this isn't the end of my playlist either but it helps. So get your YouTube on, or Spotify, whatever your poison is and look some of these up if you haven't heard it.

Now that I have that off my chest, here's what else has been going on in life.

Beauty 
Life Lessons
Finances

And I'm new to Bloglovin' so let's keep in touch

Do What Scares You

There comes a point and time, I think, for a lot of people where you become stuck in your routine, however routine-y that may be. I know it has for me because my routine for a really long time was work, home, boyfriend time occasionally, sleep, and repeat. It’s come to that point where the majority of my friends have moved on to their lives and we’re scattered across the country or even just scattered at work all day in the next town over. Work hours have kept me from keeping in touch with a lot of the groups I was in in college, namely my theatre group. I remember not long after I started my job I auditioned and was in a show and I didn’t have the best memories for that show. I was proud that I was able to do it and I learned a lot about myself but that was the last performance for me on the stage.

I came across this post on the Facebook from a friend who’s become her own little entrepreneur in town and it struck a chord with me.

Talk about a brick wall. A little backstory on me is that I’d been performing since I was five, dancing, singing, and in college acting and backstage work. Then I came into the workforce; everything just stopped. And I’ve wanted to try things but I fall into that category when I get home between 5:30 and 7pm, I don’t want to be out and about or around people for a while. “I’m tired and I don’t have a lot of time.” 

Then I ran into a few friends from a show that changed my life and talked me into doing a show. I can admit that I’m scared about it. My voice lessons have left my voice. My lungs aren’t as strong as they used to be and where I was not usually a person with stage fright, I don’t know what will happen when I get back on there.When I wanted to call and back out of the show, which, trust me, was a lot, I would think back to this pic.

So now I’m still in it. I’m panting in the choreography for our opening number to make sure I’m on time and have enough air to sing and I’ve started walking so that it will lead to jogging to get my cardio because girl….

We all need something to remind us that we are working to live and not living to work. I found that we need something to keep us grounded in who we are. Your work isn’t who you are. At least it isn’t for me. My work is very technical and I miss being creative. So this show may seem small to some but for me, this is as big as Broadway. Don’t be afraid to do what scares you, because life is too short and like this post, you are Strong.





Had you read my last post? 

Operation Ducks In A Row - Savings

The excitement on the “New Year – New Me” has finally begun to lose its shine and it is now tax season. And with me being the person making progress to be the person I want to be, I’m determined to be better about this adulting thing. And in my opinion, adults have a savings. My savings has very much short lived for a variety of reasons/excuses. Short term isn’t completely terrible but the fact is that even though I have a wonderful significant other, we share portions of our life that do not include a home or bills or finances so all of my life falls on me and while my parents are always willing to help, I just can’t do that. So, I’ve punched some numbers and strategies and put into play some tips that can help build a savings when you’re terrible at saving.

*Automatic transfers – I loathe automatic payments but setting up a transfer to go into your savings account every paycheck can take some of the mental stress off. Think about this: $20 a paycheck and if you get paid twice a month, there’s $40 a month that can turn into $480 a year. The trick is to leave it there so it’s harder to spend and has more time to be there when you really need it, like a tax return. (hint hint)

*Nickname your accounts – Most banks, if not all, have an online option and if they don’t, I don’t know how you’re surviving. But think about this: we are very visual so if your bank allows you to nickname your accounts, then name it. Are you saving for vacation or emergencies or Christmas? Have a plan and having that visual will put that more into perspective when you’re tempted to transfer out of it.

*Separate savings account – banks don’t have to be the devil and one does not have to be the be-all-end-all to your finances. Think about this: If you get the option for direct deposit through your employer then consider opening a separate savings account at a completely different bank. You’ll be able to split your paycheck and build a savings because it’s out of site and out of mind, unless you stalk your check stubs. Every paycheck, take out and send $50 of your check to that out-of-the-way account then that’s $100 dollars a month and $1200 a year because it’s not something you have easy access to for that compulsive purchase.

* Cash route – I don’t carry a lot of cash on me because it’s usually gone a lot faster that I like. But I also like having a better idea of how much I can spend for lunch, coffee, etc. So if I take out $40 in cash, once it goes from 20’s to 10’s to 5’s, I will use and spend, but once I get down to 1’s, it’s change that goes into a Jar, a Ziploc bag, box, something where you can just put it in and forget that it’s there. An incognito piggy bank so-to-speak. (And hey, pennies add up so give Abe a break and pick him up off the ground)

Different banks will also have different perks depending on the accounts they offer. Maybe look at interest bearing accounts or other bank specific perks. Bank of America has Save the Change and Wells Fargo has the Save As You Go where it’s linked to your debit card purchases and a little bit will just go to your savings account anytime you use your card. Again, saving without really feeling or realizing that you are saving. So go to your bank or credit union or whomever helps you with your finances and pick their brain. Find out how they can help you save more because that is kind of their job.

Doing this has helped me save for my trip to Vegas last year, save for Christmas, and save for those times that life happens and I’ve needed to compensate for other charges that I didn’t expect or account for. My accounts are still going up and down a bit more than I’d like but each month I’m seeing progress. And progress is good. Progress is fine. Progress is my friend. 




Check out the other ducks that I'm herding into this series
http://bit.ly/OperationDIAR
http://bit.ly/ODIARccards
http://bit.ly/ODIARwomp


Or maybe beauty is more your way - meet my new best lash friend
http://bit.ly/Lashyness

Follow me on Instagram - http://bit.ly/MyIgJazz

AND

Follow me on Bloglovin - http://bit.ly/MyBloglovinPg

This Girl's New Best Lash Friend

If you read my post on 10 Products Every Grown Woman Needs, then consider this a follow up slash extension. I wrote briefly on one product that is my overall go to, mascara. But I didn’t quite elaborate enough on the why and what I use, so here we are.

Now I have a fairly decent amount of lashes and they are a good length as well, thank you Dad. If I could wear only one makeup product, it would be mascara. Now granted I hated it as a kid who was dipped in makeup for dance recitals, but alas I was young and knew not the amazingness that lies in the power of eyes.

I don’t consider myself a beauty guru by far but I’ve tried a lot of products to get what I’m looking for and I know what works for me and my issues. And for mascara they are:

1.       Is it waterproof like my Voluminous mascara from L'Oreal?

2.       Does it do a better job than my favorite Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Royal Blue?

So my thing is that my skin is not just oily but it also gets to my eyelashes in some ways. Like I mentioned, my lashes are decently long on top and bottom. If I’m wearing a black mascara, more often than not it absolutely has to be waterproof because somehow, if it’s not, then it’s instant rabid raccoon eyes. I’ve been wearing the Royal Blue Great Lash since I was allowed to wear makeup and never had that issue. Is it the formula? Who knows, but my blue lashes have been a signature of the women of my family for a while.

My second go-to is the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara. A great friend of mine turned me to it in high school and I’ve never looked back. Besides the fact that the formula that can’t come off without an act of Congress, I love the separation it gives my eye lashes. Call it my Hispanic culture, but no one has time for clumpyness. So yes, I have been that stereotypical chick separating her eye lashes with straight pins, pencil lead, etc. Never have to do that with Voluminous mascara.

With these, I’ve never really had a want to dabble into other brands. I’ve tried a couple drug store brands but not so much on the higher end other than samples from Sephora or Birchbox, that is until now. I can say that I am so hooked on Benefit’s Roller Lash. A couple YouTube peoples I follow have talked about it and I understand that you basically either love it or hate it. I love it! I love it! And did I mention that I absolutely LOVE IT!

Now this is only a mini version that I got at Ulta for maybe ten bucks, I had a coupon and redeemable points so I couldn’t tell you exactly how much it was. But because I didn’t know if I would love it or hate it, I just said to be safe and get the mini and I’ll probably be getting the full size very soon and add it to my go to’s, especially if I'm running late, then it goes here.

I can only describe it as a great mesh between my staple mascaras, because my Maybelline formula lets me wear a cool color mascara without the black eyes later in the day or in the morning. As far as I can tell, the Roller Lash is not waterproof but it does have some epic staying power even for my oily issues. The brush isn’t as ‘brushy’, best I can come up with, like the voluminous but the lift and separating power is phenomenal!

So if you are on the fence about finding your go to mascara, give the mini Roller Lash a try from Ulta and that way, you can try it guiltlessly and if it works, come to the lashy side. I’m sure we’ll have cookies.


Read up on previous posts

Tales of the Tank - External Batteries