Firsts

So I've been asked a few times for more get to know me posts, but I've been putting it off because I wasn't quite sure what you all wanted to know (because, of course, I'm a very complicated individual... ha!) So when I found the post of firsts from Julia from A blonde walked into a blog, and was all over it.

1. First thing you do when you wake up in the morning? 

Usually, no matter how cold, I go outside with Dozer for a little while. It's gotten harder with the weather here in Michigan, but the cold helps wake me up. I've also been trying to follow the tips I found here and they really do make for the perfect morning.

Photo credit goes to Anthony... I was driving the car, and have recently been banned from operating the car and the camera simultaneously. 

Where do you walk?

Earlier today, I was walking Dozer. Pretty average, ordinary activity around here. Of course, that wouldn't make for a very good story, but today we happened to run into a situation that I needed to share. First off, I was wearing yoga pants, a hoodie that said "Aspen" all over it, and had an ipod strapped to my arm while my dirty blonde hair was up in a bouncy pony tail. I looked like a typical white girl from the suburbs, but true to my mismatched nature, I mix it up a bit by walking Dozer, a large breed "dangerous" dog on a chain. (We'll talk more about this later, no animal cruelty here!)

A Look at Family Life

Good Morning! Hope your Monday is absolutely lovely. If not, you can relish in the fact you didn't have to be a part of this family photo. 

Every year, around Thanksgiving, my wonderful family takes a photo to send in our holiday cards. Every year we fail... miserably. 

To paint you a picture: No one is given any sort of advanced warning that the photo will be taken. This year, my dad was wearing the same cloths he did the day before, and Sarah hadn't brushed her hair yet. After threatening, coercing, and forcing us into one room my poor mother has to figure out how to get everyone to sit still. You would think this would be easy, but it couldn't be further from. Between the dogs, my hyperactive sister, and my adhd, we struggle. If, by some divine intervention, we can all sit still, we later have to flip through the shots and find what is often a single photo in which no one is making a funny face. (Which has almost led us to send a photo of my father, cross eyed and sticking his tongue out to his wonderful coworkers) 

This year was even better, as we bypassed the self timer method and had Anthony snap a few for us. By this I mean, we're all sitting on the couch, and in the first minute or so he's taken fifty frames. No one really noticed, and no one was ready, but we were done. We always get a laugh out of the process. It's more of a joke than a family photograph, but looking back, taking the photo means more to me than whatever the result may have been. Looking back I see the moment just after Sarah decided she would sit on my lap, and before my dad reminding us to look normal as my mom tries to get the puppy, who's decided he must sit on someone's head, to behave. So if and when you take a family photo this year, remember: no one's family is normal, you look absolutely beautiful, and it's the memory, not the print that matters most. 

*My mother emailed it to me, which is why it's so blurry- and it will probably say something different... (but knowing my family, probably not). 

So let me ask you this:

Do you take a family photo for the holidays? 

How does your picture day unfold? 

Nod and Smile

Good morning loves! 

(Instagram @kbailey814)

Sometimes... you just have to nod, smile, and accept. For example, this conversation between Anthony and I regarding my stand up comic caliber humor. 

I start, of course: Why don't you laugh at my jokes? 

Because they're not very funny, baby. 

But... you laugh at me sometimes. 

Because you're funny

Just not my jokes? 

No. Just you... when you're not trying to be. 

Oh... So apparently this is a "I'm laughing at you, not with you" type of thing, and you know what? I'm Ok with that... Somebody's got to be the entertainment around here. 

P.s. Anthony's back in town today (because I know you guys missed him around these parts!) 

What are you smiling about today?

The Name Is Product Review

I've always fought with my hair. It's the same old story. I have curly hair, and like most, I hated it, worked with it, and learned to accept it... most of the time. Through this process, I've tried a couple different hair products looking for one that worked for me. And when I say a couple I mean I've tested a disgusting number of products, and have an embarrassing "these don't work" drawer to prove it. Recently, I had the opportunity to try The Name is Product, which is marketed for is versatility and will "defrizz. texturize. soften. condition. glisten.". *This product was sent for review. As always, this does not affect my opinion of the product or the company. You can read my full disclosure here.
*The shampoo I used during the review was Acure Triple Moisture Repairing Shampoo and the conditioner was Broo Citrus. Beyond this, The Name is Product was the only thing I used. 

Wellness Wednesday: Roller coasters

Now this isn't the post I had planned for today, but I have something to say. Today has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride. I know I'm not very personal over here. If you knew me in real life, you'd know that is in fact how I am in person- a sort of pseudo-personal. I'm the girl who listens to others problems, provides a shoulder to cry on, and tries to help out. I don't often share my own problems, or show emotion to anyone but family and Anthony. Even in these cases, the emotion is often times false- I'll show anger toward Anthony for an issue in our relationship, when really I'm upset about something else entirely.

Waxelene: A Petroleum Jelly Alternative

At one point or another, most people have used Vaseline petroleum jelly for one use or another. Well, it contains 45 ingredients. More than half of these took me a minute to pronounce correctly. It also comes in a plastic container, with a plastic lid, and is made from some of the same things plastic is made from. Petroleum, a term encompassing crude oil, natural gas, and asphalt, just doesn't seem like something I want on my face.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to test out Waxelene, a petroleum jelly alternative. Waxelene has only four lovely ingredients: organic soybean oil, natural beeswax, organic rosemary oil, and natural vitamin E oil. 

Motivation Monday: Back to the Blog

Now, you may have noticed I've been a very bad blogger lately. Well, that's all about to change. Today I have a little motivation for myself. All of the craziness that has been my life lately is starting to subside. Which is giving me a nice break before the craziness to come that is the holiday season. I'm taking the opportunity during this time to work on being a better blogger. You'll hear from me every day this week (and I'm hoping that's a good thing)! 

So what have I been up to? Well, You saw our foster puppies. The last one was adopted out and picked up by his new family on friday night. 

Motivation Monday: I'll Drink to That

Good Morning, and happy Monday! This morning my motivation for you is a little different than usual. As you know, it's been busy busy busy around these parts. Some of the healthy ideas, taking care of yourself, and other concepts I try and promote have fallen by the wayside. I'm here to bring you an easy health habit to keep in mind this monday.