Austin

I recently went to Austin for SXSW. Let me tell you all that it was so much fun. There was so much to do that I wish we would have been there for more days. I got to see some really cool bands. I think my favorite part of the trip was going to Congress St. and having myself a Margarita. It felt really nice to just kick back and relax.

I really want to plan a big vacation soon. This time Daniel and I will bring the kiddo. We are thinking of a fun place to go to. I guess we'll see where we end up.

Pop That Sucker!

Santa Monica, CA 2012

I grew up in an area, as most, where people are very family-oriented, deep-rooted and - more than anything - comfortable. For most of my youth, I wanted to go somewhere; Montana: quiet, large, open. After a while, I saw more in Europe, and even neighboring states. Everything interested me, and the history of some cities/countries are beyond me. I love history. Growing up in this neighborhood, it was inevitable to most of us that traveling anywhere was nowhere near possible. Whether it was the money or time, it was just something that wasn't the norm. Or to some people I knew, it was the fear of leaving a place that brings comfort and security.

In my school books I found places that had beautiful history, structures, art, shores, food, and much more. I took my first French class in high school and I loved it. I wanted to go somewhere with that, someday.

After high school is when those seemingly impossible travels were made possible. My first major trip was to Miami Beach, Florida; it was also my first time on a plane (yeowza!). It was fantastic! Beaches? Check! Food? Check! A great experience?? Double check! It was only for a few days but we did so much, even better was that it was all expenses paid!

Since then, I have been to many, many places on a plane or in a vehicle. San Luis Potosi, Mexico?! Done! Memphis?! Done! Vegas?! Done!! SoCal x3?! Done!! Even in this great state of Texas, there have been many-a-travels to its major cities and small towns. I love this state!!

I never thought I would have visited so many places in my life already, but I have and I will continue to do so. I love to travel! I love to "do as the Romans do!" I love to see new places, new people, and new scenes. The world is bigger than just your neighborhood, your comfort zone. The world is out there, waiting to be seen and experienced. Don’t live in a bubble! Pop that sucker and see what else is out there! You’ll be amazed!

come fly with me...

DIY: Coffee & Sugar canister

I recently joined the world of Pinterest, you can find me here, and I fell in love! I saw this post and decided to try my hand at it! It was really easy to do and my counter tops have never looked so pretty! I even created a tutorial on youtube to show you just how easy it is!

What you'll need:

• Round plates (bases)
• candle stick
• glass jar
• cabinet knobs
• hot glue gun
• glue sticks
• paint

I got all of it except the paint at Michaels, the paint I bought at Home Depot but we had this lying around the apartment, gotta love the fella being an artist. Take a peek at Pinterest and pique your interests!

What's Your Love Language?

Ever gotten into one of those drawn out arguments with your boyfriend that left you confused and questioning their sanity? Ugh, haven't we all? It's not because he's crazy. It's not because you're crazy. It's because y'all aren't speaking each other's love language.

Everyone interprets love in different ways. Certain actions make one feel more loved than others. Do you like going anywhere with your boo, even just to the grocery store? Your love language is probably quality time. Do you feel bothered when your boyfriend doesn't greet you with a hug and a kiss? Then your love language is likely physical touch. For the judgmental and simple-minded, this may sound needy. Let's put the cynical and bitter thoughts away. If you're coming from a place of love and understanding, learning to communicate your needs and compromise is the master key to your relationship. It can prevent feelings of neglect, as well as help you make your boo feel loved and happy, which makes you happy. Everybody wins!

So what are the five love languages? And what can you do to make the other feel loved and acknowledged?

Physical Touch - Not just about sex. Hugs, holding hands, and kisses show affection, care, and excitement.

Words of Affirmation - Saying "I love you" goes a long way. Compliments about appearance or talents are good, too. Heart-to-hearts about how good your relationship is going can also make the other person feel valued.

Acts of Service - Make dinner, help out with a presentation, change a tire. Show your partner you want to take care of them and help out with responsibilities/burdens.

Quality Time - Commit to a weekly date night. Think of new ways to spend time together and make reservations! At the end of the day, make time for uninterrupted talking. It's all about listening and being present.

Receiving Gifts - When you're out of town, buy them a souvenir. Surprise them with flowers or a random gadget. Celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays. It doesn't have to be over-the-top or expensive; it's really the thought and effort that counts.

Now discover your love language! Take the quick assessment here! I encourage you to ask your partner to do the same. If you don't have a boo, you can take the Singles version and have a cocktail night with your girlfriends and talk about everyone's results!

My primary love language is quality time. When I don't spend time with the people I love - friends and family included - I feel out of sorts! Once I get that quality time, I feel refreshed and confident! What's your love language? Any dumb/funny fights that came from misunderstandings? Do you think this is a crock of self-help crap or useful information? I love talking about relationships! I'd love to hear!

Lessons My Dad Taught Me

Self-respect!

Now don’t get me twisted; I am not by any means saying that I am Miss Perfection when it comes to this lecture, but I do aim for that title: having self-respect. Because if you don’t find it within yourself then who will? Throughout my life, I have done pretty stupid things that I can look back on and think Wow, now that was not classy... and remember my dad’s words. My dad knew that one of his roles in life was to teach his little girl to respect herself enough so that future men would not even attempt to disrespect her. That is why my dad never let me go out looking like a hot mess. It’s a big, huge difference on having “fashion” or just plainly looking like a Harry Hines girl. And if you still don’t get it… that means looking like a two-cent hooker. It aint cute!

My dear sweethearts, I completely understand the desire to have attention drawn to ourselves. Hell, I was the girl that wore toe socks in high school and ran around the halls screaming, just to have someone look my direction, but….. I have come to find out that we all carry a sense of beauty that we must channel and it shall bring out our shine... and that’s without having to wear that tight-ass dress that [come on now] does NOT fit.

Leave things to the imagination and don’t just put it out there for every man, woman, and child to gawk at. Trust me when I say this: 95% of the damn time that man, woman, and child is thinking, “she looks like a slut” or “that does not fit” or “she really thinks it's cute” or “I wonder how much I must pay.” We can look amazing with just the right amount of skin showing. It is possible!!! But having your boobs and ass popping out all the time just screams “damn it, y'all just look at me already!” Plus, I must add in, if you have not been given the volume to fit it then don’t wear it! Just because they are booty shorts does not mean they give you booty, it just makes it more obvious that you lack it. Just saying.

We are beautiful! We shine without the clothes and glamour. Our character and personality is our key! Not the ass and boobs! Leave it for Halloween or a private time between you and your boo. But don’t welcome the whole world into your bedroom by walking out and having the world to see. We can “work it” without showing it out. If you were blessed with some beautiful boobs then wear a good support bra that will give you coverage and the girls will still scream out “hi!” without having to show them off with a super low cut shirt. The backside can also be embraced by wearing a fitted skirt or some nice skinny jeans that will bring out the curves without having the cheeks come out to cheapen the outfit. And if you have neither, then girl work your beautiful face! Honestly our face is what we should always emphasize on! That’s what they should stare at and see first, if they don’t then its time we talk about what momma has taught them!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T (find out what it means to you)

Love me some Etta James

Thanks Daddy! Love you