Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Given that I haven't really traveled very much, I do have a few places here in my home state that I really think most folks will enjoy. North Carolina has a variety of attractions, but these few spots will always have a special place in my heart. 1) Holden Beach. Ever since I can remember, Holden has been my family's favorite vacation spot. The land is beautiful and the people are friendly. For all you history buffs, there is a Civil War-era shipwreck right off the shore going towards Oak Island. When the tide is low enough, you can actually see most of it. Holden Beach offers tourists an endless amount of stores, food, and recreation. Got kids? There's probably something for them too. 2) Beech Mountain; surrounding areas I visited Beech Mountain years ago with a church group and it was incredible. The view from the cabin was to die for; you could actually see Tennessee from where we were. Just a fair warning though; if you're planning on visiting in the winter, you better pack as many sweaters as you can because the mountains are frigid. If you are not from NC, have you ever been? Where did you go? If you are native to the state, where are you from and do you recommend any places?
0 Comments
I generally try not to post on an unscheduled time but I was so excited to tell my readers about my very first Supernatural convention. It was an incredible experience!!! Here's a short run-down of everything that happened to me personally:
1) The photo op with Rob was the best thing ever. He's my favorite. 2) I nearly bumped into Richard on my way to the water fountain and it freaked me out in a good way. I couldn't make words happen except for a squeaky "hi". Then he tilted his head and smirked with a "hi" back. 3) Misha waved at me. That was awesome. We won't discuss the moment I flipped out when I saw him in Castiel's attire. 4) I saw Ruth during her panel. Good grief she's gorgeous. While we're on the subject, I did actually cosplay as Rowena. I'll post a photo on Instagram for you guys. 5) Mark Pellegrino...can we say sass king? Fan asking question: What's up Mark! Mark: Umm..the ceiling? I cracked up so hard. We would get along so much. 6) The J2 panel was epic. Seeing Jensen and Jared in person was absolutely amazing and I'd give a pretty penny to do it all over again. 7) Jensen walked right past me with the famous intense gaze and my mouth hung wide open. Jared came by the same route moments later and again, I couldn't shut my mouth. Anyways those were the major highlights of August 26th, 2018. Massive thanks to my family and friends for helping me get there, and to my new friends I made at the con, welcome to my world. Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
As a former beauty school student, I wanted to share some of my own advice as well as tips and tricks from professionals of the trade. But I'm not going to share beauty tricks; I'm going to help you decide where you may want to invest your time and money for schooling. The first thing you need to consider is what you want to specialize in. The school I went to offered a cosmetology class which covered everything from hair, skin, and nails. However, cosmetology's main focus was on hair. In my case, I wanted to specialize in skincare so I chose the Esthetics program. If you want to focus on nails, find a nail tech class. It is also important to factor in what kind of training you'd like to have. Many hair stylists want to be trained under a specific brand, while others want general education. There are actually schools out there that educate you based on a brand such as Paul Mitchell or Murad. While that is completely fine, many community colleges offer training that is not brand-specific. Keep in mind that unless you already have a good clientele, the chances of being able to find a solid job in a spa will not come within a week of graduating. With that being said, it is always important to continue practicing on your family and friends because overtime, you may start to forget what you've learned. I find myself continuously educating myself by doing freelance writing for salons, spas, and dermatologists. It's also helpful for me to write blog posts here to educate my readers. Your options are not limited to the spa. Look into interning or working with film sets or a retail beauty shop like Sephora. Many beauticians and skincare professionals have also opted for starting their own YouTube channel, and they eventually made it their own job. I hope these four tips will encourage you to take on a career in the beauty industry. We need more talent every day and you never know, you and I might get to work together one day! Question of the day: Have you been to beauty school? What did you specialize in if anything? Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
This week, I want to share with you my go-to skincare routine. These products can be found at any drugstore or any affordable places like Marshall's or TJ Maxx. Disclaimer: These brands do not know that I am doing this post. I am only doing this for the blog unless otherwise specified. My Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser is one of my holy-grail cleansers. It feels cool, refreshing, and I'm not sure if I'm imagining things but I'm pretty sure my skin feels firm after removing it with a washcloth. I simply lather it on for about 10-20 seconds and if I'm using it in the mornings, I soak my washcloth in cold water before removal. The next step I try to do at least once a week and that is using my Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub. My dry skin appreciates good exfoliation, and while the product is actually aimed at acneic skin, I find that it helps me a lot. If I'm feeling lazy, I actually use it as my cleanser as well. I am head over heels for the slight cucumber scent that it gives off too. Masks and treatments are also something I try to do once a week. Lately I've been obsessed with those $2 sheet masks from Walmart; I think they're made in New Zealand and they are just absolutely mind-blowing. Another sheet mask I've really been into is the Garnier SkinActive MoistureBomb. There's another one that's similar by the same brand that did an excellent job with hydration. Along the same lines of hydration, I have a gel mask that has changed my life. It is the SpaScriptions Hydrating Gel Face Mask. I adore this stuff especially after a shower because I find that my face tends to get really dry and flaky after showers. I don't really have an actual moisturizer but I do use two things that do the same thing. I apply my Measurable Difference Rosehip Oil and then I go in with a rosewater spray that I make myself. I always try to stick with the hydration theme no matter what I use. What kind of routine do you have? Let me know on Facebook or in the comments below. Image above courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Today I am going to give you some of my tried and true tips on how to create the perfect blog post. It looks a little scary, especially when you're first starting out. But it's all worth it once you start reaching your goals. 1) Know what you want to write about. A lot of my inspiration comes from a list of topics on Pinterest, but more than likely, you'll find that the majority of my posts come from the mundane events of every-day life. But regardless of where the inspiration comes from, always have a general idea as to what you want to write about. 2) Determine your process. Are you a risk-taker that posts as soon as you're finished, or are you a perfectionist that wants to woo your audience? Either way, make sure you are spending time figuring out how much writing and editing are going to take. My posts take about fifteen to thirty minutes to write since I am not a photographer or anything else that may require my time. If you are detail-oriented and want to focus your attention on editing, I recommend writing the initial post in one sitting and then come back to it later with a fresh head to edit. If you want to add your own spin to it like photography or affiliate links, organize your tasks as such. 3) Consider your audience. For example, Southern Grace And Beauty is geared towards Christians and beauty enthusiasts. While I originally intended for this blog to be aimed at women, I expanded it so that everyone can enjoy. When you have your audience in mind, writing your post will be a lot easier. 4) Relax. Often we get tense because we question ourselves and our ability to write. There's no need to stress over it. It's important that we take a step back and actually enjoy what we do. Writing is just one of many ways to express our creativity, so just go with the flow. I know it's not easy, especially if you're on a deadline, but don't overwhelm yourself or it will cause bigger problems in the future. What are your favorite blogging tips? If you have a blog, who do you aim it towards? Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Scripture Reference: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 Hellfire and brimstone may conjure up images of angry 18th preachers behind a pulpit or giant flames engulfing a cave full of people. While these interpretations may be half-accurate, we need to be reminded of how real it is and how we can avoid such a place. Hell, in simplest of terms, is eternal separation from God. On the other hand, heaven is eternal communion. Which would you rather have? Personally I'd rather have the latter. Why? Because hell isn't full of little red demons with pitchforks and a pointed tail. Hell isn't going to be a place to party or meet up with your worldly friends. Our Bible gives a pretty explicit definition as to what hell is. An unsaved soul, once departed from their earthly body, will spend forever in a lake of fire. Jesus describes it as wailing and gnashing of teeth. It's a gruesome picture. When Christ comes again, He will condemn those are unsaved to hell. This is why it is so very important that we know that we are prepared for eternity. We have to know how to avoid ending up in hell. Jesus Himself that even those who bore His name only by lip will probably be there, so we need to have the heart knowledge too. It's not enough to be baptized or to tithe. It won't be enough to serve on every church board or be in a pew every Sunday. None of that will matter if you do not know the Lord Jesus. The bad news: Hell is a very real place and we deserve to be there. The good news: We don't have to go because of Christ's sacrifice. I'd like to extend an invitation to my readers. I generally don't do this but seeing as this is a pretty serious topic, it's probably wise to open up an opportunity for you to consider your life. If you took your last breath right now, where would you be? Be honest with yourself. Will the Lord Jesus condemn you or welcome you? Will He smile and say well-done? Or will He turn His face and tell you to depart because He never knew you? Please do not take hell lightly. This is an eternal thing, and I do not wish to see anyone go there. You can make an impact on your destiny by choosing Jesus Christ today.
Today I am going to give you an in-depth look at one of my favorite study tools: The Women's Study Bible (KJV).
This Bible is a treasure trove of study material for the woman after God's own heart. From topic studies to words of wisdom from godly ladies, you are sure to find something that will spark your relationship with God. I personally believe that the WSB was put together in a way to encourage deeper study and further knowledge of God's Word. ​Sometimes it's just not enough to simply sit down and read a few verses; we need something more. Paul says that we should be getting into the meat, and that's what the WSB is all about. It features: - Inspirational articles by Christian women - Character studies, verse studies, and word studies - Topical studies that range from biblical accounts such as Creation to personal issues such as parenting and self-image - Other resources such as maps, an index, and a table of contents to help you find what you're looking for When I am studying for my devotional topics for Southern Grace And Beauty, often I like to skim over the commentary sections for particular verses. It's very helpful when I want to reiterate a point or reveal some context into a situation. The cross-references help the Bible speak for itself and the Spirit that inspired those words will illuminate your mind. This specific Bible is in the KJV and is perfect for those who want to stick to the beautiful language of that time. It is also available in different colors. Disclaimer: I am an affiliate with CBD. I will receive a portion of anything sold through these links! ​
|
Archives
August 2020
Categories |