LUSH

 

I am soooooo excited! Just as excited I was when I learned that Love Culture was coming to our area! Guess what I found??? A couple nights ago, I was at Macarthur Mall in downtown Norfolk with my roomie and we came across a new store, called LUSH. It’s actually not a new store for me to see because I used to live in Colorado, and we had those there and I absolutely LOVE this place. So, what is LUSH? I promise you it’s not code for anything crazy, but it’s a cosmetic store. But not just any cosmetic store, its actually an organic, handmade cosmetic store. And they just opened one up here in our neck of the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At first glance, you think it’s a candy store, with bright colors everywhere, but no, its everything you need for your body and to keep it nice and clean from sugar scrubs, exfoliates, lotions, cleansers, toners and sooooooo much more. I just told my hubby that this store is here and he is so excited to go. Hey, trust me, guys love this store too. My husband used to steal my sugar scrubs I used to get from Bath & Body Works, but now that I have discovered this place, I go here for our indulgences.

 

You know how everyone is raving about bath bombs, well, they have a very BIG selection for you! They even carry bubble bombs. They make great gifts for your friends, family and loved ones! The staff there at this location were really nice and helped to answer all my questions.

They are having their Grand Opening Party on January 19th, 2013 from Noon to 5pm at MacArther mall where they will have a dj, food and fun! If you can’t make it there or not in this area, check out their website where they are currently having a Buy One Get One Free on select products!

I hope you will make it to the opening, I am gonna be there with hubby and kids in tow! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

You are a crayon, I am a highlighter. You may color the world, but I make it brighter.

Time for a Spot of Tea

 

I have had a lot of attention from the post I wrote about Coffee & Book Shops and it inspired me to blog about the wonderful world of Tea. I love coffee, but I cant drink it all the time. I like to alternate between coffee and tea. I have to say the past couple of months I have been favoring tea, probably because I have been sick on and off and tea is the only thing I like to drink.  I have to watch my caffeine too because of my anxiety and depression and tea also helps take care of that too. I found out online that the passionflower once made into tea is a flower that can take help with those symptoms along with insomnia, which I seem to be having a lot lately. I haven't drank it yet, but I am going to find it next time I go to the store. But isn't this flower unique?

I think it would be cool if I had a little tea/coffee shop along with my bookstore/studio/everything else I love that I can cram into my shop. haha. Drinking tea is not so big out here in the US as it is overseas in Europe, although I cant say that because we did just get a Teavana store in one of our malls, but that is so expensive.

Personally, I like cute little tea shops with mix matched tea cups and cozy couches. I usually like to go to the Heritage Store, or Trader Joes and the new Whole Foods to get my tea because there’s a variety of flavors. I wish there were cute little tea shops I could go to. Maybe there is somewhere around here, but I know there isn’t any near me.  I found these cute shops that I wish I could visit.

 

My sister, Nique and I are planning on getting each other teapots and sending them to each other. She lives in Denver. So, I have been on the hunt for some cool teapots. I tried looking through antique shops and thrift stores, but I had to turn to the vast wide world of the internet to find some really awesome tea pots. Check em out.

I know the cute above is not a teapot, but I just loved it because it has skulls and bats and bugs on it. And you could drink tea out of it. Does that count? I hope so.

Then, this search led me to cute tea diffuser. You know, its like a tea bag without the bag but you put the leaves in a diffuser and then it brews. Some people have come up with very creative ones. I got a good laugh out of a few, I hope you do too.

With tea, comes the tea desserts. Little cakes and cookies and cupcakes, little foods I should probably stay away from since I am trying to lose weight. But I can look at them from a distance, that wont make me gain weight, will it?

I have been on the search for cute containers to hold my tea in.  I think I may have to make my own. But I really am digging these few.

Doesn’t this make you want to have a tea party now? Let’s pretend we are! You can come over for a spot of tea anytime ol’ chap (inset bad english accent)

I hope you enjoyed your tea and cakes! See ya soon!

Technorati Tags: tea time,tea pots,tea shops,tea containers,tea party,cool tea diffusers,passionflower tea,cool tea pots,tea cakes

 

Love, Cecilia

My 2013 Dream/Goal Boards

Two nights ago, I stayed up until 5am making my dream board. Last time I made one was back when I attended Paul Mitchell Rudy and Kelly Academy in January of 2011. A dream board is a poster where you put images or pictures of things you want or things you want to accomplish. The beauty of it is that you can put whatever you want on it. I wish I knew where my old one went. It disappeared in one of the moves I did last year. I put things like becoming a cosmetologist, being the best mom I could be, have a real wedding ceremony and so much more. Some of those goals are still on my list. 

Last week, I watched “The Secret” on Netflix. I never read the book, only because I thought it was something really religious..(no offense to anyone) but yes I was naive . It has nothing to do with religion, but with positive thinking and speaking things into existence. I love watching it, in fact I recommend it to anyone who is looking to think more positive. Here it is below. Even if you don’t have time to watch it, just let it play in the background while your on the computer, or folding laundry. In fact, that is exactly what I am doing right now as I blog. I have always believed in the saying “you speak things into existence”

Watch this full length movie on youtube!

 

You can also get the book, I mean, I love reading, but I don’t always have time to read. I do love this promise below. Its become my first thought of the day and the last when I go to bed.

Moving on to my dream board, after watching this movie, it motivated me to get off my ass and make a new dream board to motivate me. I can say it all I want that I am going to do something, but its easier for me to look on my wall and see my board and its not something I can ignore.

 

I have so many goals of mine, that it took 2 boards to make. One is mainly for personal and then the other is my professional/artistic side. I put some motivational quotes on there and even of other people on there to represent other successful people.

Some of my goals are:

• Go back to school and finish my graphic design degree
• Get more tattoos/become a tattoo artist
• Design my own clothing line
• Visit London or study abroad
• Get better in airbrushing
• Have my own store
• Get in shape and fit into my favorite jeans

Here’s my challenge to you. Make one. Have fun with it. Put it somewhere that you can look at it everyday so that when you are feeling lazy, this will remind you to get up off your ass and do something. I need this more than anyone because like I said before I can be a bit of procrastinator.

Have you ever made one? What are some of your goals? I wanna hear!

New Years Day with Black Eyed Peas

 

My Aunt Dale always carries on the tradition of making black eyed peas on New Years. I never gave it much thought before until Jermie and I were talking about where it originated from. Of course, I had to research this to find out where it came from. Most research says it originated from the South. 

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates. (Source)

Some say you should only eat 365 peas for each day of the year. Another source said to cook the peas with a new penny or dime and whoever gets the coin in their portion gets the most luck. I dunno about you, but if I found a coin in my food, Im sueing someone. I don’t care if you are family. hahahah Just kidding.

Here is what I looked like today when I got ready, I felt like doing a nice silvery smokey eye and wear one of my favorite accessories that looks more than a weapon than a fashion statement. hahaha

 

Hubby and I headed over to Mom’s where we were making a few snacks. My Aunt Dale came over with her Black Eyes Peas, and I was sent to the store to get more food. Mom and I were craving some fried chicken so what better to eat black eyed peas than with fried chicken. Don’t judge my sour cream and onion chips either.

 

I’m hoping for luck this year! What traditions do you or your family have that you do to bring in the new year???

 

I hope you all had a great New Years Eve yesterday and that you were able to share it with those you love! Here’s to a great start to a wonderful year. For those who have been with me on my blog for a year, thank you for reading! I hope to bring you more inspiration and fun in my posts. Hopefully,  I’ll be more productive this year!

 

It's impossible to go back and start all over, that's why God gives us the privilege of a new day, so we can make amend and start a new life. Happy new year and Happy new you.

Tattoo and Hair Inspiration for the New Year!

It's midnight  it is officially 2013! I have been lounging on my couch the past few hours. I had to go to the ER earlier this evening, everything is ok, Im on some painkillers and antibiotics and just sitting back, surfing the internet while watching the new batman flick from redbox. Hubby is out partying it up with friends....hmmmm still don't know what to think about that...but not gonna get marriage involved in my blog..because this is a happy place. Moving on....

I am looking for inspiration for new hair and new ink. I usually do separate posts on each, but I want to combine it, for I feel tattoos and crazy hair and chicks...they all just go hand and hand, don't you think?

I am def leaning towards doing something like this...mainly because these are just my fav color combinations. I want to create an ombre effect with extensions!

 I stumbled across this blogger above and fell in love with her makeup and hair posts! If you love my blog, youll love hers, check it out here.  I love this look too!

I hope to get more tattoos this year....I didn't get any at all in 2012 ( I don't count the lil one I gave myself on my ring finger) so I plan on getting a lot more! What about you? Are you itchin to change your looks? Change your hair? Your image?

I hope this inspired you to make a change and do something exciting! Happy New Year!