Moving on. . . it is a CHOICE

Someone always has something to say when it comes to moving on past a relationship.

 "You deserve better"     "quit looking back at the past!"     "You'll be better off without them"    "in the end you will see it is a blessing you are not together."    - We probably have heard some version or another of these phrases. 

They are all great advice if given at the right time. However, it is up to the individual to either cling to the past or understand there is a future and life does go on. . . 

When you were younger it seemed like the world was ending if your best friend didn't sit by you at lunch, Or the boy you had a crush on played footsie with a different girl, Or in high school, you thought your world was ending when the person who consistently hurt you was viewed as the coolest person in school. We have all been in some type of situation that we thought that it was the worst thing ever! Following the hurt usually comes something told to us by a loved one to make us feel better.

......what I have learned: You can not force someone to feel better. It is a choice. Each and every day. When you roll out of bed, it is a choice to have a good day or a bad day.

You have a choice to decide who is in your life and who is not.

You have a choice to make a difference.

You have a choice to decide what you are going to do with yourself that day whether it is to be a lazy bum or a work-aholic in school, work or gym. 

You have a choice to acknowledge everyday why you are better off with out that person in your life....

......it is your choice. 

This photo I think pretty much sums it up what I am trying to say:

Amen little photo. Amen. You can not move on, or expect yourself to be ready to move on to the next chapter of your life if you are consistently reminiscing in the past. If you are constantly comparing old to new and never letting anything new completely into your life-you won't ever learn of anything different than what let you down in the first place. It is like picking a scab. You have to decide to stop picking at it so it can heal - or keep picking at it and always have a sore.

The mumbo-jumbo about being "scared" and "having trust issues" is a crazy. We all are scared. We ALL have trust issues. That's the kind of sick world we live in. It is sad, but something we must come to terms with. We have ALL been hurt whether it is because you have never felt good enough about yourself because you have NEVER been in a relationship OR if you have been in twenty relationships and every other person cheated on you OR if you thought someone was "THE ONE" and they turn out not to be....we have all been hurt in different ways. We all have our own story. But guess what! We have a choice who gets to be in the book...who gets a part in our story. We are the director of our play. We choose who is the lead role - we choose who is most important -  we choose the hero, the heroine, the poor, the lost, the found, the needed - we choose it all.

So here is another photo to sum up my last thoughts....

So we have all been hurt.  

We review the past so we do not mess up the future.  

We should not review the past and be scared to live a future. - Yours Truly

However, choose whether to turn the page and keep someone in that story - or completely close the book and start over.

The last year, I have found myself stuck between turing the page and closing the book completely. I have consistently re-read my book/my story over and over and over again. It is as if I am stuck holding the pen mid-air waiting to write something next...to write the next chapter - when I read this silly little photo.  It is not time to write a next chapter. It is time to close the darn book. To mark a BIG fat "THE END" in that book and start a new one. I will never be able to start a new book, if I can't stop re-reading the last chapter in the story that is clearly over.

What chapter do you need to end? Do you have a book you need to close? Why do you keep re-reading the last chapter? Create your story. Choose your characters you want in your book and get rid of the others.  Close the chapter or even better, close the book and allow God to take the pen from your hand. Allow Him to intervene as He see fits and quit pressuring yourself. 

And as always,

Let Go and Let God.

Nana - The Fashionista

As I begin my much harder-than-expected search for a full time job - I find myself constantly comparing myself to my Nana. No, that is not a bad thing. :)

I have been told my whole life that I am just like her.  I dress like her, look at people like her, sometimes (and I mean only sometimes)  ;) do I have the attitude like her.  Mom even noticed I put on my lipstick in the same fashion!  There have been many moments in my life where my mom has told me "oh my gosh, I am living with my mother all over again!" I have never ever taken offense to it either, I love that compliment. If I would be compared to anyone, I do not mind being compared to that fashionista grandmother of mine.

She had coal black hair with a grey streak in it just like Cruella Deville. Nana always was caught wearing the latest Nieman Marcus fashions with her stiletto heels right up until she went to be home with Jesus.  She was the woman that turned everyone's heads when she walked down the street. Vallee Wafer Clinksales sported the latest faux furs, fashionable scarves, heels, fur coats, pendants, costume jewelry and much much more! Somehow, she even made smoking look glamorous!!

I remember her now only through few vivid memories, being told I am just like her, and through pictures.  A few of my favorite memories I have of her was when she would polish my fingernails. We would sit at the nearest table and she would always polish my small fingernails a bright red or pink. Who knew she would have a life-long impact on my life in feminine fashion! One of my favorite things to do was getting to go over to her house (when we were in Texas to visit) and raiding her high heels closet as a young girl. I would always beg for her to give me some "lips" as well (my code word for lipstick). She would let me get all dolled up in her heels, huge clip on earrings, lipstick and nails done. I was a hottie for sure at age 5 when I visited Nana. :)

My fondest moments with her was at the end of the night. We would go to Texas for Thanksgivings and or Christmas and always spent time together. When we did, you'd bet you could find me at her house when it was bed time. Silk sheets! C'mon, who else has silk sheets and a huge bed to cuddle with their Nana in?! Anyway, it was my favorite part of the night because my high-strung/energy filled/go get em/ fashionista Nana stripped all of her glamor off with soap and a wash rag. She would slowly take off her make up and at the same time, it was as if I saw the business/fashionista Nana wash away as the bubbles ran down the drain of the sink. I watched that part of her wash away and watched her turn into a loving woman known as my favorite part of Nana. I even idolized the way she took her make up off (HAHA).  I would climb on a little stool beside her at the his/her sinks and wash my face the same way.
After we washed we would hurry and race into her silk sheeted bed. We would climb in and she would tuck me in all special, kiss my forehead (I always giggled because I did not have to wipe away her ruby red lipstick like I did during the day time), and she would pray with me. We would pray for anything and anyone I wanted to until we fell asleep.  That's the side of Nana that I will carry with me until the day I die. She prayed the best prayers ever. Nana showed me what it was like to pray as if you were talking to your best friend. She showed me that God was just my Daddy who loved me. He already knows everything about me, but praying for other people always helped remind Him and US that we NEED HIM. <3 ;) To this day, when I pray, I sometimes find myself saying "Hi, Nana!" as if she can hear me and see my smile I send to her. I hope she looks on my life from time to time and is darn proud of the woman I have become, the struggles I have overcame, and is proud to call me her fashionista granddaughter :) I think I am picking up just where she beautifully left off!!!

No matter what job I take, no matter how much I get paid, no matter what fancy clothes or make up I wear, no matter what name-brand hand bag I may own someday. . . my heart is like hers. We love the Lord and put family first. People need to be able to be themselves. Nana was a fashionista and one day I hope to be half as glamorous as she was known to be, inside and out!!!

You never know what her life is really like, until you spend a day in her heels.

My Nana taught me how to love viciously, hold on to my precious momma like there is no tomorrow, dress sassy but classy, stay true to my heart, and always put God first.

No Make-up Mondays

No Make-up Monday is simply an idea made up by me. Has a nice ring to it, but has so much more meaning than just what it seems.

True Beauty comes from the inside. Every single girl in this world is beautiful in her own unique way. Every girl is the only girl who can be her. If that makes sense. No one else can be me and I can't be you. So why not

be bold. be you. be undoubtedly you.

As soon as I posted a photo of me without any make up on facebook and twitter - it blew up with comments encouraging me that I looked beautiful/pretty/good with out it. It was so funny because when I post a photo that I think I look good in, no one hits the "like" button or says any sweet nothings on it. However, the second I post a photo that I take of myself without make-up...suddenly the comments flow in. TRY IT!

First photo I ever uploaded to share my No Make-up Monday Movement

 

Best Friend Joanna and I rocking no make up from states apart

The View: A few girls asked me if I saw The View episode where none of them work make up or fancy clothes. Yes, I did. But that is not where nor why I started this. The View was a great way to express that beauty isn't only skin deep. Beauty comes from the inside out. It beams through your eyes regardless of how much make up you might plaster on in the mornings. I love this photo the producers caught mid-action the day they recorded their episode: 

You can also view a few clips from this website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/the-talk-no-makeup_n_1872001.html

I also adore this site: http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/04/30/french-elle-stars-without-makeup/ If you love fashion and the stars you will enjoy the photos from there too.

Dove: Dove also does a magical job at showing true beauty. They focus more on body image than no make up per-say, but I still adore them for their efforts! http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/campaign-for-real-beauty.aspx 





Make up is meant to enhance natural beauty, not cover it up.



Freckles? ROCK EM!

All girls/all ages/all shapes and sizes...beautiful



You say you are too old to do MakeUp Mondays?!?!

What I want girls to realize: Make up does not make you beautiful. We are preached to all the time about beauty is only skin deep. WRONG!

Beauty comes from the inside!! It beams from your eyes,
your actions, your mannerisms, and your beliefs.

 The outside merely covers up what you have to offer the world. It breaks my heart when I see young 12 year old girls with caked on make up. It even upsets me when I see young 20(ish) year olds with caked on makeup. Caked on make up is not beautiful. I will not stay on the soap box for long, but I am trying to start a movement....

NO MAKE UP MONDAYS.  To build awareness that it is not about make up.

 Even if you have to work that day in a professional setting (at a job, school, presentation), nowhere does it state that you have to wear make up.

 - Make up covers up, for one day a week, take it off.

 -  Let your face breathe, see how and if people treat you differently.

 - Record who treats you differently and why.

 - Be an example for all to see and even invite your friends to #jointhemovement.

 - Find your own personal reason to do this so it becomes intimate for you - it becomes something you are passionate about as well.

 - If we get enough interest I would love to see campuses everywhere with shirts that say "No Make up Mondays..." and on the back . . . "Beauty isn't only skin deep."

Thoughts. . . comments . . . .suggestions?!

Let me know if you're going to join the movement.



Mini DIY projects

Bottom photo:
Left: 2" ribbon with all of your flower clip ins and jeweled hair clips. Great idea so you can actually see everything you have. One of my biggest problems is I just forget what I have/too lazy to go digging through my drawer! Easy way to access your items that will jazz up your do!
Top right: little black dress hooks I purchased from hobby lobby. I pinned to on my wall to hold hair elastic/circular head bands. Easy fix for access and viewing purposes!
Bottom right: find a cute cup around your house that has a wide enough brim to hold half of your hardband headbands! Stick half inside and let the other half hang out! You could also cover then easily with a hand towel if you'd like to cover from dusties! It also makes for cute decoration!

Need cute ideas and having a hard time deciding what to pick?! Use the new piccollage app to help you decide. When trying to figure out what fabric to use for dresses I used it to choose my favorite. Check out the photo! :) download the app and start playing!

Tips for Chiks

LADIES!

I am glad you stopped by my blog! I have meant to write numerous times and then I do not publish what I write because sometimes I find my writings to be a little bit too “bare.” = ]

Today I just wanted to write a few little Tips For Chiks!

Here you have them in no special order whatsoever: 

Tips for Chiks!

-          The Smell Goods - Spray your perfume on places with hair. The perfume sticks to the hair follicles longer and you will notice you smell like your choice of spritz longer than you normally do. If you shave your arms like many do, you can always just apply lotion to your arms and then spray it onto the wet lotion. It will help absorb and stay on the skin longer as well!

-          Tights/Leggings – let’s face it….they are see through! I felt bad walking behind two girls on campus earlier this week and saw their matching pink panties as they walked to class side by side. If you are in doubt, have a girlfriend check you before you hit outdoors. Not only have them check indoors, but  go into sunlight and bend over just to make sure. No body wants to see a little crack or your panties – SORRY! = ]

MAINTAIN THE MYSTERY!

     

Rated PG 13 and trashy.

-         Trendy Hair - If you wear the classy sock bun, do it classy. No need to trash it up. It is a sophisticated look that should be worn properly. 

-          White pants/accessories – yes, now a days many people break the rule of “No white after Labor Day” thing. . .I get it. However, the rule still stands. No white pants, shoes or white purses are fashion forward during the fall weather.  Social Primer has a blog all about it: http://www.socialprimer.com/2011/08/no-white-after-labor-day/

-          Colors – colors are in this fall. So bright colors are still okay for the fall just not white pants/shoes. You can keep wearing your lovely little colored denim, non-see-through leggings and bright shoes! The spring trend is here to stay for the fall.

-          Black – black is always classy, unless your blacks do not match. If you have a faded black shirt and new black slacks, when you pair them together.  .  . guess what?! It is obvious! Do not try to make different shades of black work – it won’t! Simple solution: wear black with a nice pair of denim and your black slacks with a dark classic grey, or any other color of the rainbow for that matter! Just not another shade of black – not okay.

-          Black & Brown are officially colors you CAN mix! I get it, some of you still hate it. I have hated it forever, but once I purchased my new boots that have brown and black mixed. . . I think I am going to start the black and brown trend. It is classy and I believe it will stay a classic look. So when you see people on campus with black shoes and a brown belt – do not shun them, they just have not mastered the correct use of the black and brown fashion-forward look.

Black and Brown = Chic

Adorable Fall look that I am sure you already have in your closet!
It is finally legal to pair them all together. I will finally
have to try mixing my dark colors finally!

-          Dresses and tennis shoes – never meant to go together. The other day on campus I saw a pink polo dress sported with big ole clunky orange shocks with black socks. GIRLFRIEND. . . do you own a mirror? It is not about picking someone apart – it is a matter of wanting to fix her in order to make her more confident. It is amazing what the right pair of shoes could have done to totally change her look from drab to fab.

-          Toms VS Vans – I love the adorable new grey and purple low vans. However, I am a TOMS fan all the way. Due to the one for one movement. You buy a shoe and another pair gets given to a child who needs a pair of shoes. If you do not know what I am talking about. . . check it out! http://www.toms.com/our-movement/

I own these two and I love them!

Destination - Christmas present from a friend!

Classic Grey

-          BRA STRAPS – one of my biggest pet peeves. When I see a girl who’s is trying to be fashionable yet her bra straps along with tank top straps are hanging all over the place – not the thing to do. There is a cheap and quick fix: Bra stays. You can find them at Walmart, Walgreens, Target – basically anywhere you can find things from info-commercials. 

They make you look classy and hide the mess! INVEST!  

You can purchase in clear, white, black, grey - I am sure there are more colors.
Those are just the colors I own in my bra drawer!

-          White socks with black pants – Really? Three pairs of socks at Walmart are less than $5. If you are dressed for an interview and you cross your legs…your socks show! Either wear stockings or black socks if you are wearing black pants. Keep it classy ladies!

-          Short shorts – I know that these high-waisted shorts are in-style right now. I am not a fan, however they are adorable on the right people and when they are worn appropriately. Nothing is worse than seeing a girl decked out adorably then have her turn around and the bottom of her booty cheeks are hanging out. YUCK! 

MAINTAIN THE MYSTERY!

Wear them the correct way - and it is classy & sassy!

-          Hair covering eyeballs – isn’t it annoying when you are talking to someone and all they are doing is tossing their head to the side to get their bangs out of their eyeballs? Some girls even purposely place long strands of hair in their face. Some people say it’s a low confidence issue. I say, get your hair out of your face!!! Let people see your beautiful eyes and face structure! Do not hide behind your hair!! = ] You are the only you – so let your face be seen!


I hope you enjoyed your read!  Maybe you got a laugh out of it, loved some pointers/new ideas or completely disagreed with some of the points I made in my Tips for Chiks. . . what ever the case may be - leave comments below! 

Make it a great one!
xoxo

http://www.toms.com/our-movement/

Re-excitement of Dating

The re-excitement of dating is what I am missing. Ever since my last relationship I have had a fear of dating. What fears do I have? Why do I have fears? Why fear anything when Jesus is on my side? Well, here we go. . .a little incite into my heart:
What fears: to fall in love again, to fall not only for that person but to fall in love with that persons family, to know someone can break an engagement so easily, to know that a love can be lost, to fear the unknown of what could come, to allow someone into my life again - completely, to give every part of myself to someone, to allow them to become my husband someday especially when I already pictured someone being him.
Why do I have fears: You see, it's all scary. When a relationship becomes more than just "friends" you have to be honest, open and give yourself wholly to that person. When it's time for engagement you have to be ready to say your vows then and there. If you aren't ready, do not get engaged. When I got engaged it was like saying "I-do" right then and there. So, in a way, I almost feel like I got a divorce or my other half died. I no longer have that man in my life - and I have gotten to a place in my life where I am okay with that. I am okay with letting that relationship go and try to get re-excited about a new relationship that the Lord will lead me into.
Why fear anything when Jesus is on my side? The only way I can respond to that question is with an "AMEN!" Hallelujah that Jesus is on my side. He has taught me what I want and what I need in a relationship. He is molding the man right now - that I am suppose to be with. He did not allow that relationship to turn into a marriage because he was saving me from something I could not see yet. I thank Him for that. We have to be thankful for the trials we go through and for the lessons we learn. We have to look back and say thank you so we can move forward with Jesus. We have to communicate with Him. Tell Him what our fears are, why and lay everything at His feet.

So that's where I am at. Waiting patiently for the right man to find me. Waiting for Jesus' timing through it all. I will not try to force something nor will I go into a relationship when I am not "ready". I believe Jesus will tell and show me when I am ready. There will be no fears, no hesitation, just me being re-excited to date someone and allow them into my life.

The photo above was from pintrest - go figure! I clicked on the link and it took me to this website: http://www.stayathomesusie.com/77-super-fun-date-ideas/ - 77 Super Fun Date Ideas. This was the first thing that I saw and became re-excited to date.

I see the blessings through my last year - but I still am flabbergasted at the way things turned out. However, hindsight is 20/20 right?! Thank you Jesus for keeping my heart protected.

Blessings,
Laura K

To the man I love most. . .

The man I love most. . .
- has never let me down
- is the only man I can trust with my whole heart
- lead me to my main man Jesus
- works harder than any man I have ever met
- loves his family more than anything and does everything he can for them
- woke me up every Sunday morning for church with breakfast on the table
- shows me what unconditional loves means everyday
- tells me how it is, even when it is hard to hear it
- never gives up
- kneels every morning on a step stool in the living room to pray (I am not sure if he ever knew I saw him)
- takes risks and always tries to right the wrongs
- is Jesus to so many alcoholics, drug-addicts, family members and even the random strangers
- was the one who knelt beside me in the bathroom when I thought my life could not get any worse and prayed with me  - seriously a moment in my life I will never EVER forget and will always be eternally grateful for. It was a moment I did not think I was going to make it through.

The man I love most - is my knight in shining armor.

My Dad has been such an amazing man in my life.  I feel so bad for young women who have not had a strong head of the household to look up to and idolize like I have.  For me, I have had an extreme example of what a hard worker looks like. Someone who puts their family above everything and works hard day after day - to support them.  He has allowed for such an amazing up-bringing. My mom has been able to be a stay-at-home mom since day one of their marriage. He worked that much harder to make sure was able to do that once they started having us kids.  Having her home to talk everyday after school was the only way I knew.  Thinking back, I never understood how thankful I would be for those moments until now. He allowed her to bring us up in a loving, welcoming and open relationship - we would always talk for hours. (Actually, I was the one who talked for hours and she listened! Haha) Watching his unspoken love for us as he works hard to provide - it has been an eye opener. He has shown me the kind of man I will always desire to marry.  All I can say to my future husband is. . . .good luck.

My daddy will always have my whole heart - some other man will just come in and get part of it :)
My dad has never let me down, never cheated on our family, always is there with Godly advice, has been Jesus' voice to me through his guidance, has always supported me and encourages me every step of the way to God's plan for my life.

Thank you, Dad.
I love you so much & thank God for you everyday,
Sunshine <3

Why?

What am I doing and why?

I have been through so much this past year! I figured that I would start this blog and write down my feelings, what I am going through, new ideas and maybe someday develop all of this into a book!  I am looking for any feedback, questions about what I write (yes-you can ask the private ones too!) and to just let my story be an open book for all to read.

I gave up facebook in order to not live in the past, get wrapped up in other people's lives and allow the time on facebook to be replaced with time to reflect on my life and the Lord. So this blog named "Barefoot" can be a simple way that you can stay up to date on  my life!

I named this blog Barefoot because the name "Naked and Barefoot" seemed a little much! The "bare" means to be bare for all to see - nothing to hide.
"Foot" comes from where I have walked and where I am heading.
So Barefoot has a lot of symbolism to me for this blog.
I think that it fits perfectly! What do you think? *comment below!*

Hope to post many blogs on things like:
-Future Ideas/Plans after graduation
-Influence from others
-Won't give up on Love

-Money
-Idols
-Dad
-Write a book?
-Why I would like to share my heart with young ladies
-The daily grind!
-Cute little DIY ideas!
-Inspirational Images and quotes

Hope you enjoy and those of you who read - THANKS!