Good morning, Beautiful People!

I am enjoying one of the last of the somewhat relaxing days my family has before the craziness of our fall schedule gets into full swing.  But that's not a complaint - I like my life full, filled to the brim and running over - just like my coffee cup!  It's also a reminder to keep the less important stuff under control so I can focus on the good stuff and keep my priorities a priority. in the meantime, here are a few ways to stay on trend without going overboard.  What ideas do you have?

Fall Fashion and Style Predictions.  Do you know what you'll be wearing when the fall weather hits?  Here are a few ideas for what's in store this season.  Does anything fit your personal style? (hint, its all about leather).

Create your own great manicures.  Don't have time (or funds) to make it to the nail salon?  That's ok, here are some ideas to give yourself a cool, trendy manicure.  Some are super easy, too!

Is coffee good for you skin?  I vote yes.  Read it and see if you agree!

Beauty Guru:  Feel stylish for fall with a modern pixie and messy black liner. 

Have a beautiful day!
Amanda

Great magazine!
Don't forget to read about how to transform your wardrobe from summer to fall! Enjoy!

Open publication - Free publishing - More allentown

Read about Shelly E. Johnson on Worship Leader Magazine! 

stuff

I love to shop.  It's kind of sad, really, the thrill I get from finding a great bargain, a super-trendy outfit, or an awesome pair of shoes.  Even better if I find a bargain on a super-trendy pair of shoes!  The problem with shopping, though, is that I find all kinds of things I never knew I needed.  $23 for a pair of absolutely ah-mazing purple, studded, $200 heels that I cannot walk three steps in without falling over.  $17 for a waffle maker that I just knew would make my life better-and I think my husband may have actually used it....once.  A pair of uber-trendy sandals for only a couple dollars, but they made my ankles look fat.  The bathing suit that was too big, and the jeans that were way too small.  I've been sorely feeling the errors of my impulse buying ways as I haul more than a few bags of extra stuff to the Good Will store. It's a good reminder to me, as I carry over-weighted bags to the car, that all that extra stuff is just a heavy burden.  It might be good stuff, but its not good stuff for me, because I just don't need it.  The reality is, though, that stuff takes time, money, and energy to buy, sort, organize, store, clean, and eventually, dispose of. So I am intentionally asking myself, what 'stuff' is it that I really need? Every time I walk through Target (my beloved arch-nemesis in the battle against too much stuff!) Honestly, not much.  If I am truly honest, I am embarrassed with all of my stuff.

I am working on decluttering my stuff and decluttering my life in the process, intentionally whittling away at the things that prevent me from doing and being what I really love. I am emptying closets, letting go, and giving my self permission to be free of the stuff.  It's very freeing, and I can't wait to get on to the next round of getting rid of stuff.

In the meantime, check out this book that helped me get started!

Monday Morning Beauty Buzz

Not ready for Monday?  Me either!   So grab a cup of your favorite java, pull up a chair, and browse through the Beauty Buzz.  It feels good to postpone Monday just a few minutes more. 


Repair Damaged Hair.  Tips to fix your hair after it has sustain damaged. 


5 Secrets to Healthy Hair.  How to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and beautiful.


Care for Freshly Colored Hair. Make the most of your new hair color.


8 Eye Liner Tricks for Defined Eyes  Best eye liner tips for great looking eyes. 


Spring Clean Your Beauty Stash  Weed through your makeup so it is clean, safe, and current. 


Easy Steps to Healthy Skin  Simple steps to keeping your skin beautiful. 

Free Piano Music!

A free piano song for you... just click the "Buy Now" button to download it free. :-)

Or check out my book, Clef Hangers.

Morning Rituals

Do you have a morning ritual?  I suppose we all do.  Mine consists of hitting the snooze button a few dozen times, hiding my face from the daylight, and being dragged out of bed by an excited five year old! After a panicked glance at the clock, I limp to the bathroom where I get dressed, attempt to create something beautiful out of the massive bedhead that is my hair, put on a pile of makeup in a vain attempt to look well-rested, and finally put on some jewelry so I look a little bit put together.  It happens in the same order every single day.  Then I hobble down the stairs, still not awake, with my eyes glued open with mascara to make breakfast for my clan.  And then it's a mad dash to get everyone dressed and out the door for their respective activities.  Does this sound like you?  Oh, and there is coffee.  Lots of coffee.  Every step of the way, or I would still be in bed, smacking away at that awful snooze button.

But there is something missing from my morning ritual.  Did you catch it?  Instead of starting my day with the things that are most important, I am barely getting my day started at all.  It is an act of sheer will power just to get out of bed and get going.  Someway, somehow, I need to change that.  Part of what I need is more sleep and a better diet. But what I would really love is to start my day with some quiet time, some Bible reading, and some prayer and meditation.  I need to start my day off right so that I can help my family start their day off right.

I am guilty of spending far more time prepping the outside of me for the days events than I do even thinking about the inside of me.  Both parts of me are important - the inside and the outside.  I need to find the balance of making both the inside and the outside beautiful.  And somehow, someway, I want to make my morning rituals reflect that.  How about you?  What are your morning rituals?  Do they reflect everything you want them to reflect?

 

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