Vogue Happiness: February 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Favorite Facial Cleansers!

As usual, my beauty posts can look like a PSA for Aloette, but I truly love all their products!

That being said, today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite facial cleansers. I love washing my face both in the morning and at night. I don't feel clean unless my face is oil and makeup free. I've used a zillion or two cleansers in my life, and I've rounded up my favorites for you today!

Essential Cleansing Oil

This Aloette oil is the absolute best! You can literally see makeup oozing off. It can even take off that hard to remove eye makeup in one swoop as well. If you're looking for just one cleanser, this is it!

Gentle Foaming Cleanser

I love using the Aloette Gentle Foaming Cleanser in the shower when my pores are most open. It's light and rinses off well. A great product if you have sensitive skin.

Pure Radiance Revitalizing Cleanser

I only recently tried Aloette's Platinum Collection because my early 30s skin isn't quite ready for the advanced skin products. But let me tell you...my skin glowed when using this!

Glamglow

Glamglow is also a great option! I would use this on younger skin because it doesn't have as much anti-aging products as some might like. It smells great, too!

Estee Lauder Soft Clean

This Estee Lauder cream is great for gentle, sensitive and advanced skin. It's light and clean, but wasn't the best for my skin type (combination/oily).

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

Clinique's classic facial soap in liquid form is a win-win! I just don't care for the scent as much as others.

Olay Fresh Effects Wipes

And for those nights when you just don't feel like going through with your skincare regimen, this is the BEST wipe out there. I've tried them all, I swear. I used to love the Dove Facial Cleansing Cloths, but I can't find them anymore. Not even online :(. These by Olay are my second favorite!

Clarisonic Mia

I cannot tell you just how much I love my Mia. When I first purchased it I just knew I would use it for a few days and it would just go in the cabinet unused like a lot of other products. I was wrong! I use this daily in the shower with one of my many cleanser favs, and it is the best for cleaning skin, removing makeup and oil, and just making your skin feel good! A JC Must Have!

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Do you have any special cleansers you love? Let me hear about them in the comments!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

What's Up Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm linking up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel for their

"What's Up Wednesdays"!

Here we share a little of "what's up" in our everyday lives...

1. What I'm Eating

In other words...nothing exciting. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism early last year, and no matter how hard I try, I just can't lose this superficial weight that comes with thyroid issues. I've used Nutrisystem before, so I know it works. I just have to stick to it for awhile.

If I'm grumpy you know why!

#hangry

2. What I'm Reminiscing About

Every March 1st since 2000 has been a special day in my life - the day my sweet, beloved Chandler Grace was born! She passed away in 2014, and now March 1st makes me nostalgic for the days with this little girl. I miss her so much!

3. What I'm Loving

Record shopping!

I inherited my Pop's record player and lots of great music over a decade ago. My mom also had great taste in music back in the 60s and 70s and kept all of her old vinyls too. Lately I've been really getting back into vinyl and perusing eBay and thrift stores for those rare gems!

4. What I've Been Up To

Need I say more?

History of Christianity I, Exploring the Old Testament, Counseling in Ministry. Nine hours of classes and ten inches of text books. Whoop.

5. What I'm Dreading

Yep, it's getting close to that time. You'll find me in that pile of 10" texts above.

Please make sure to feed and water me regularly.

Let's be honest here...

While I'm in those 10" of books you also know that I'll be binging on Netflix in the background!

6. What I'm Working On

What am I not working on? It's Work, School and Choir as usual around here!

7. What I'm Excited About

I am so ready to watch Fuller House! Who's with me?!

8. What I'm Watching/Reading

I've seen every episode of One Tree Hill, but I love re-watching it over and over.

I mean - listening to it in the background - while studying.

Not watching.

#yeahright

#naleyforever

And of course I'm loving Pretty Little Liars this season!

9. What I'm Listening To

I am totally loving some Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional lately! My tastes are constantly evolving, so there's no telling what I'll be into next month!

10. What I'm Wearing

Cardigans, leggings, boots and comfies for the win!

11. What I'm Doing This Weekend

Not too sure yet. Any fun suggestions?!

12. What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

Inspiration for springtime fresh celebrations & photo stories #photography #spring #decor:

I love spring time, especially when there's still a cool breeze!

And the biggest news - Peanut James will be celebrating his 8th birthday this month! I love this little guy so much! He's such a good friend and companion. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!

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Well, that's a look at "What's Up" lately!

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Monday, February 22, 2016

Just Me, JC - Life Playlist!

I was trying to come up with a new Just Me, JC post when I realized I haven't really shared anything about my love for music (with the exception of my favorite Christmas Music). One post doesn't even begin to cover my love for all things music, so I'll break it into a few different topics. Right now I thought I would focus on my life playlist. I could even break my life playlist into several categories, but here's the tunes that are the playlist of my life today!

Imagine (soundtrack, 1988) / Vinyl record [Vinyl-LP]

Imagine, John Lennon

Imagine is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. The story John Lennon tells throughout the piece is really the soundtrack to my entire life. It is so well written both lyrically and musically. I imagine so much more for my life and for the world every day. And "Imagine all the people
living for today...". Wow.

How Can it Be, Lauren Daigle

Do you ever just wonder why on earth God loves you? We all do from time to time and Lauren Daigle says it best:

"You plead my cause
You right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave Your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be?"

How Great is Our God, Chris Tomlin

Our God is pretty great, isn't he?! Chris Tomlin sings:

"Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing how great is our God".

I Don't Want to Be, Gavin DeGraw

Gavin is one of my favorite artists, and this song is the playlist to a lot of lives:

"I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and I have a peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms

Wondering what I've got to do

Or who I'm supposed to be,

I don't want to be anything other than me".

One Girl Revolution, Superchick

I like to think I'm a pretty confident gal and have a good head on my shoulders. I love how Superchick sings:

"And I'll be everything that I wanna be

I am confidence in insecurity

I am a voice yet waiting to be heard

I'll shoot the shot bang that you hear round the world

And I'm a one girl revolution".

Overcomer, Mandisa

Now, this song is powerful. If you claim the words of this song a few times, you better be ready for God to do some amazing things in your life!

"You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer".

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Possibility, Lykke Li

If there's ever a song for your down in the dumps/pity party moods this is it. I listen to it on repeat until I feel better. I couldn't find a picture of the actual singer Lykke Li's album with this song, so that's why you're looking at the Twilight New Moon soundtrack. That movie was actually the place I first heard Possibility.

Stronger, Kelly Clarkson

Now this is a pump-you-up fighting song for a gal.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone".

You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me (Original Version) [Bonus Track]

You Haven't Seen the Last of Me, Cher

I love this song. Never count me out!

"I've been brought down to my knees
And I've been pushed way past the point of breaking,
But I can take it.
I'll be back -
Back on my feet
This is far from over
You haven't seen the last of me."

10,000 Reasons, Matt Redman

If you want a powerful reason to just sing His praises, this is the song to sing!

"You're rich in love

And You're slow to anger

Your name is great

And Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness

I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons

For my heart to find

Bless the Lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship His Holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I'll worship Your Holy name

Bless You Lord".

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I'd love to hear what songs you would put on your "life playlist"!

Let me hear from you in the comments!

Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday Favorites!

Happy, Happy Friday!

It's been several weeks since I've linked up with Andrea, Narci and Erika for their weekly Friday Favorites. I've been so busy and crazed with life lately. At least I have some good photos to share with you today. The last two weeks have been fun, fun, fun!

Here's a little look at life lately...

Peanut says no to my History of Christianity homework. He doesn't go for anything that takes the attention off his spoiled self!

I've been wearing a lot of comfy/cozy clothes lately. I got this little sweatshirt at Forever 21!

P likes being comfy cozy too! I love his little sweatshirt!

He was cold when we were out for a ride, so he snuggled up inside my poncho from Old Navy.

This is what my nights are looking like these days. I know, I know. I'm too wild. Trying to get it under control! :)

Mom had a Mardi Gras parade at the nursing home.

Her favorite gift was that stuffed monkey!

Side note - Dad named her monkey Thomas. As in my brother. I guess he does resemble a hairy ape at times!

#sorryT

So Peanut is OBSESSED with green milkbones. They are like a security blanket to him. He carries them everywhere he goes around the house. It's so funny. All other bones he eats, but he saves his green ones!