New Year, New Me!

I absolutely adore New Years Day! I love the idea of a "clean slate." You can take all the stuff you didn't like from this past year and make a resolution to make it better. This year, I am going to write out my list of resolutions and then, a year from now, see what all I accomplished. Anyone else want to join me? 

• Get rid of the negativity! I am going to have a serious facebook and twitter clean out.  I want to start with weeding all the negative people from my life. I want to surround myself with positive, inspiring and uplifting people! (Some people I follow: Joel & Victoria Osteen, Kimberly Jones-Pothier, Joyce Meyer...etc.) Over the past two years, I have had a lot of people who I thought were friends or love ones really hurt and betray me. I want only people I trust, and positivity in my life. Overall, I want meaningful relationships in my life.
• Read my bible. I don't mean read my bible in a year, I mean study and reflect on the word. I cant tell you how many times I have read it just to quickly read what I needed for the day. I have read the whole bible. Yet, there is so much I don't remember because I didn't take my time reading it. I'd rather take my time and actually get something out of it than to read it just to say I've read it in a year.
• Get healthy! No, I'm not talking about losing weight. I don't care about how much I weigh. I want to be more mindful of what I am putting in my body. I want to transition into a much healthier lifestyle.  My sister has seriously inspired me to be grateful for my healthy body and to take care of it. 
• Be more organized. I used to be more organized when I was in school.  Then, I went a while after graduation with out a job.  I just haven't been organized since. I feel a bunch of anxiety in my life because I am constantly looking for something, or forgetting something because I didn't write it down. Enough is enough and I NEED to pull my crap together!!!
• Make goals. There are some personal things I want to accomplish real bad this year.  I want to write them down and put them out somewhere so it reminds me every day of my goals. I think I will have a much better chance of accomplishing them when I have reminders everywhere.
• Live. I am in such a rush all the time that I miss out on the little things in life.  My sister has put so much in perspective for me. I need to slow down, relax, and live. Life in the moment and simply enjoy life. 

What about you?

What are your resolutions?

I'd love to hear them!!!

Top 5 Of The Week

1. Christmas. As you have read before in Our Christmas Miracle post, we were beyond excited to spend this Christmas with my sister. So blessed God has given her a new life! We spent the majority of the day in the hospital, but hey, we were all together!!! That was all that mattered!!! She has had a few really good days this week. We are so thankful for that! Nothing I love more than seeing that beautiful smile on her face!

2. I am soooo in love with these leggings my bestie got me for Christmas!!!! Super comfy too!

3. Ugh! I saw it. It made the boyfriend very happy so that's all that mattered!

4. I now have Sirius.  I am loving it! I listen to 128-Joel Osteen, 117-HLN on weekends and evenings to listen to Forensic Files, (I know, I am a huge nerd!) And occasionally 184 for current hits and sometimes christian praise music. 

5. We went on a road trip today, and since we missed church today, we listened to Joel Osteen. I just love him! He is so full of inspiration!!! He inspired me and gave me a little hope on a situation that I am at a crossroads at this point in my life. 

Book Review: Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Goodreads Synopsis:

For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers.

My thoughts:

I have always liked elephants, but this book really goes into detail about them.  I learned so much about them, I love them even more than I did before! This book was so good.  It is one of those books that catches you off guard at the end and you shake your head wondering if you've read that right. This has to be by far, my favorite Jodi Picoult novel yet! 

Have you read it? 

What did you think?

I would love to hear from you!!!

Top 5 of the Week

1. I finally finished my book club book for December! Wow, was it good! (Book review to come!)

2. I tried to get a little festive with my nails, but I will paint them again before Christmas! 

3. Had a girl's day and painted this little gem! I love it!!!

4. It's starting to look a lot like Christmas in this household!!!

5. This is an absolute must have!!! I use this every day I don't shampoo my hair. Throughout the day, when I turn my head, I get a faint whiff of it and it smells so good!

What was the top 5 of your week?

Our Christmas Miracle

She wanted to hold pinkies as she slept.

The past week and a half has been one huge emotional roller coaster for me and my family. My sister has a terminal illness. She has had it since birth and it has progressively gotten worse over the years. Last Tuesday evening, we got a call. It was a hospital saying they had a set of lungs for her. By Wednesday, she was in surgery for the transplant. 

My sister and I are incredibly close. Actually, me and my whole family are close! This is by far, the most scariest thing I have ever been though in my whole entire life. Especially, when the surgeon pulled us into a private room and told us there was a complication; They nicked her artery and was having a hard time stopping the blood loss. They were finally able to stop it, and she came though the surgery amazingly! She is on the road to recovery, but she is in immense pain.  

After her surgery was over, they couldn't close her chest up right away. (In case she started bleeding again) Her chest was open for 3 days.  While in recovery, and on a ventilator, my sister knew everything that was going on around her. When I was finally able to see her, she had the nurse take my hand an place it on her heart.  That's right, her heart!!! I could see it and feel it beating in my palm. While her chest was open, they had this stuff that looked like saran wrap, wrapped around her chest cavity.  It the most amazing thing to see and feel that beautiful heart. 

While this has been the scariest week of my life, it was also the most humbling. I am a christian, I go to church, I pray to God, but to put 110% of all your faith in him and still not worry is hard! To say I feel blessed is an understatement! This whole experience has put everything in my life into perspective. It completely changes the way you look at life. Things that seemed so important before, just aren't as important anymore.  I am overwhelmed by all the love and support from my little hometown. 

This is my family's Christmas miracle!

November Favorites

1. One 'N Only Argan Oil I have been trying different oils for my hair this year.  I have come to realize I don't think I will ever like any oil like I love this one.  

2. Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser I used this a couple of times last year. My mom was talking to me a few weeks ago about how she started using it and how much she likes it. Once I ran out of my usual cleanser, I looked in my bathroom closet for this jar of Ponds that I only used a couple of times. I found it, started using it, and now I am loving it!

3. Essie and Nicole Nail Polishes This is my favorite fall duo! I love using Essie Mink Muffs for my nails, and Nicole On A Gilt Trip for my accent nails.

4. Boots Botanics Moisturizer I ran out of my usual moisturizer, so I decided to try this.  I'm impressed! I really like this oil-free moisturizer! 

.5. Lush Sex Bomb I bought a few of these this past summer.  I love, love, LOVE the Sex Bomb!!! I have tried different bath bombs from Lush, but Sex Bomb is by far my favorite. The scent is amazing and I love how silky smooth my skin feels afterwards. 

6. L'Oreal LaLaque Lipstick if you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed I put it on there. (@faithlovelipstick) Its a beautiful natural pinkish-mauve-y color. I used to post a Lip Color of the Week on Instagram and on here. I quit doing it, but what do you think? Do you think I should start it back up again?

Have you tried any of these products?

What did you think??

Have any suggestions??? 

I LOVE hearing from you!

Fall Favorites Tag 2015

I know I am doing this a little late, but I have been super busy lately! I saw this on Delabelle's Beauty Blog, and had to do it! Here it is:

Favorite Candle: Crossroads Butter Maple Syrup 

Favorite Lip Color: 

Favorite Drink: Starbucks Hot Chocolate

Favorite Blush: Sunkissed & Single

Favorite Clothing Item: This vest my mom bought me from Target.

Favorite Fall Movie: The Skeleton Key

Favorite Fall TV Show: Blood & Oil (It's okay, but it's NO Dallas!!! #bringbackdallas)

Favorite Thanksgiving Food: Cranberry Sauce and Stuffing!

Favorite Halloween Costume: That year I MADE mine and my sister's Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader costumes!!! 

Now it's your turn! 

I tag anyone that reads this.

Favorite Candle
Favorite Lip Color
Favorite Drink
Favorite Blush
Favorite Clothing Item
Favorite Fall Movie
Favorite Fall TV Show
Favorite Thanksgiving Food
Favorite Halloween Costume

Top 5 of the week

1. Got my Shape magazine in the mail yesterday!

2. Went out to eat with my bestie this week. We went to one of our favorite local restaurants. I had the seafood platter and it was AMAZING!!! Afterwards, we did our usual: hit up Starbucks and shop at Target.

3. Its that time of year again... I had a scratchy throat and a hot toddy made it feel so much better!

4. New lipgloss I just purchased. So excited to try it out!

5. My newest obsession!!! I can't stop snacking on edamame!!!

Book Review: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

GoodReads Synopsis:

A debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people’s lives.

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Compulsively readable, The Girl on the Train is an emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller and an electrifying debut.

My Thoughts:

This book kept me enthralled from beginning to end! At first, you get annoyed with Rachel. You want to shake her and tell her to get her Sh*t together!!! Then, you start to feel sorry for her. This really reminded me a lot of Gone Girl. I loved how everyone was finally tied together at the end.

Have you read it? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

3 Fall Fashion Styles I'm NOT Looking Forward To.

1. Thigh High Boots- Oh how I loathe thigh high boots! Not only do I feel like Vivian from Pretty Woman, but I am also 5'2". I must say, some ladies can pull this off and look fabulous....I am not one of them! #ShortGirlProblems

2. Plaid- I like plaid. I'm not anti-plaid, but I feel like Target went a little extreme with the plaid this year which has led me to feel like I am completely OVER plaid! I have several cute plaid shirts hanging in my closet, but I now wrinkle my nose when I see them. 

3. Flared Jeans- What is this? 2002??? I feel like I am in high school all over again! This trend was awesome like 10 years ago. This shouldn't be back in style for another 40 years! Am I the only one that feels this way about fall 2015 style? I would love to hear what you have to say!

Adele's newest video!

Y'all, I am so ridiculously excited about Adele's newest video!!!!

My Mom texted me this morning, asking if I had seen it yet. (We both share a passion for her music) I watched it, and oh my goodness... it definitely did NOT disappoint!!! I loved her back when she first made 19, and just started to become popular in the States.  When her album 21 came out, I was super excited!!!! Then, every single radio station in Houston seemed to OVERPLAY her songs!!!! 

No matter how over played she will get, I will still love her voice. In case you haven't seen it yet, here is her newest video from YouTube:

Her album comes out November 20! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!!!
What did you think of it??

Fall Nails!

I love this cute fall combo!

I used Essie's Mink Muffs and Nicole's On A Gilt Trip

What do you think?

Top 5 of the week

#1 Best cookies ever!!!! I found this delish recipe for Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip cookies on Pinterest. These cookies were so amazingly moist.  (Click Here for the recipe)

#2 My newest read from the Library

#3 I have been into Christmas mode ever since Hobby Lobby has put out their Christmas decor. I hate to be that girl , but I am just so darn excited for Christmas this year!!!!

#4 My mom and I went to a Women's Conference this past weekend in Jackson, OH.  Kimberly Jones-Pothier was the speaker.  I absolutely love her!!! So inspiring and uplifting.  Follow her on Facebook and watch her videos!!!!

5. Nothing better than snuggles with a baby, drinking your morning coffee and watching makeup tutorials.  You can never start too early! 

Top 5 of the Week

#1 I made my own pumpkin spice creamer, and it was amazing!!!!

I found the recipe on Pinterest. (Click Here for the recipe) The recipe called for cinnamon Natural Bliss creamer, but I couldn't find it at Giant Eagle, so I bought the spiced latte one instead. This was soooo good!!!! 

#2 I am loving this Sally Hansen nail polish in 280 "Plum's the Word."

#3 I decided to decorate my friend's porch for fall.  

#4 I have been hooked on this show on Netflix all week!!! 

#5 I love getting Shape magazine. It's a great inspiration!

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Recipe

I don't know what has gotten into me lately! I have never been so obsessed with pumpkin. I used to be excited for September. As soon as the pumpkin spice latte was out from Starbucks, I would get one and be done with the season. This year, it's like I've flipped a switch and now I can't get enough!!! 

The other day I made pumpkin spice creamer from a recipe I saw on Pinterest. It turned out to be soooo good! Afterwards, I still had some pumpkin Puree left over. So, for breakfast this morning, I thought I would try to make pumpkin spice oatmeal. It turned out great, but if I would have had raisins, I think it would have been even better! 

Here is the recipe I made:

Ingredients:

-Water 1 3/4 cups

-Oats 1 cup

-Salt 1/8 tsp

-Sugar in the raw 2 TBS (I don't like things too sweet, you may want to add more)

-Ginger 1/8 tsp

-Ground Cloves 1/8 tsp

-Ground Nutmeg 1/8 tsp

-Cinnamon 1/2 tsp

-Puree Pumpkin 2 TBS

(Raisins would be yummy too!)

Directions:

Boil water and add salt. Mix in oats. Stir and cook for a minute.  Next, add sugar, spices and pumpkin. Let cool down for a couple minutes and enjoy! 

Makes 2 servings.

#OOTD

Outfit of the Day

Top: Target

Jeans: Lei

Shoes: generic Tom's 

September Ipsy Bag

So far this year, this has to be my absolute favorite Ipsy bag!!!!! Not only is this bag the prettiest one I have ever received, but I loved everything I got in it!

1. Liquid Freud hand and body lotion.

2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream 

3. Formula X Nail Polish

4. treStique Lip Crayon

5. NYX Eyeshadow

Do you subscribe to Ipsy?

I'd love to hear what you got!

My Top 5 of the Week!

1. I FINALLY got my first PSL of the season!!!! ...And it was FANTASTIC! 

2. I have been knocking things off my Fall Bucket List left and right! After the second foot injury of the year happened two weeks ago, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do that 5k I wanted to check off my fall bucket list. Well, I couldn't do a 5k, but I was able to do the Alzheimer's walk! Nothing better than raising money for such a good cause! I had 3 very special ladies that were near and dear to my heart that I walked in memory of.

3. This week I have been focusing on Proverbs. I think Proverbs has to be one of my favorite books.  Its definitely one of the best books for guidance! I need lots of that!!!

4. One of my best friends had her beautiful baby this week.  I already love this precious little girl. I can't wait to spoil her!

5. The first bon fire of the season! It was such a beautiful peaceful night.