Texas Poppy

Monday, April 27, 2015

Turning 25

Saturday was my 25th birthday, so I thought I would share a few photos.

We started off the birthday week by purchasing a house! We were extremely lucky, and we were able to pick out all the materials that we wanted, without having to pay the larger earnest money amount since they had already chosen which style of house was going on that plot of land. They were going to be choosing the materials on Monday, so we had one day to choose! Ah! Talk about a stressful weekend! This is a picture of the land the house will be on, and a picture of all the materials we chose to go inside the house. Very exciting!

Waiting for the Red Poppy Festival Parade to start!

It wouldn't be Texas without horses.

Some car show humor.

Of course, you have to go find some red poppies!

I finally have a desk! Yay!

I have lately been obsessed with an app on my iPhone. It is called FeaturePoints and it is really awesome! You download this app on your phone, and it gives you points for downloading and trying out new apps for free. You check out the app for a minute, and then you can simply delete the app from your phone. You can redeem your points for a gift card to amazon, paypal, and all kinds of other things! It's an easy way to make some extra money. I definitely plan on using this during the summer to help get some extra money for Christmas!

The cool thing is that if you enter the code down below, you will get 50 points to get you started!

Referral Code: ZXZT86

Referral Link: http://featu.re/ZXZT86

Until next time!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Resilience

According to Marrian-Webster Dictionary, Resilience means:

: the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens

: the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc.

I am a born and raised Oklahoman. I grew up in a suburb of Oklahoma City, called Moore.

On April 19th, 1995, Timothy McVeigh drove up to the Alfred P. Murrah Building in a Ryder truck, parked it in front of the building, and watched as his truck bomb blew up an entire side of the building. 168 people perished due to one man's decision that he did not like the federal government.

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However, I don't think he expected what happened next.

People praying by the survivor tree a year after the bombing. Photo taken by my mom.

Oklahomans banded together. Neighbors helped neighbors. Instead of being angry at him, people who lost their children, their parents, their grandparents, their loved ones forgave him.

And what do you know, Oklahoma City rose from the ashes and became a stronger, resilient place. The city boomed. I watched as my suburb went from a sleepy town to a city full of shopping and entertainment and a population of 50,000 people.

And then I watched as a tornado destroyed my hometown in 1999.

And I watched again as my city rebuilt and grew even stronger. Once again, neighbors showed up out of nowhere and helped find survivors. They helped neighbors look through their things. People helped anyway they could.

And I watched again as another tornado destroyed my hometown in 2013.

And I watched again as my neighbors and I worked together to help people rebuilt, and we grew stronger once again.

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My hometown has shown me how to be resilient. Bad things happen everywhere, but you can learn from the situation, or you can be angry about the situation and not grow. Oklahoma City is a true definition of the saying, "Fall down seven times, stand up eight."

Today, we remember the 168 victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing. We will never forget.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Top 3 Blushes

For a long time, I avoided blush like the plague. Anytime I put blush on, I became a circus clown. Let's just say it was not a cute look. However, after watching some great beauty YouTubers, I learned a few tips on how to apply blush, such as:
1. Use a light hand
2. Don't put a crazy amount of product on your brush, you can always add more if it wasn't enough
3. Where to put blush on your face

Now that I have learned these invaluable tips, here are the three blushes that I use constantly:

1. NYX Powder Blush in Dusty Rose

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I received this blush in an Ipsy bag in 2013, and I have adored it ever since. The color looks great with my skin tone, and it is a fabulously made product. After receiving this product, I have since branched out and bought 3 other blushes in the NYX line. These blushers are perfect for an everyday look.

2. Tarte Amazonion Clay Blush in Fearless

I have discussed this blush on this blog before, and all I can say is that I use it all the time, and it is a fabulous blush. I look forward to adding more to my collection soon.

3. e.l.f. Studio Blush in Tickled Pink

I really enjoy e.l.f.'s products. There are some products that are duds, but they have a lot of products that are really good for the price that you pay. I bought this blush for $3, and I constantly return to it. I love the color payoff of this blush, and it looks great day to day. Definitely an item on my repurchase list, when I finally do run out.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Upcoming projects

Hi guys!

So I wanted to let you all know about some of my upcoming projects I am working on for my blog! Let me know if you want to see any other type of posts down in the comments!

1. Desk Organization
My parents are buying me a desk for my birthday! I haven't had a true desk since I was a Junior in college, so I'm really excited to finally have a place to grade papers, complete blog projects, and to have a small space that is 100% my own! I won't be purchasing the desk until my actual birthday, but I have been stocking up on cute things I want for my desk, so be prepared! I looove desk organization videos and blog posts... organization = life!

2. 10 Spring Outfit Ideas
I am currently working on going through my closet and reworking pieces I already have to create 10 new springtime outfits. I love shopping your own wardrobe and seeing what you have hidden in the back of the closet, and mixing up pieces I normally don't wear together!

3. Work OOTD
I'm planning on snapping a picture of every outfit I wear next week, so I can show you all what I normally wear to work, and how I style my professional attire!

4. Festival vlog:
My city is having a music festival on my birthday, so if you want to read about what a festival is like in TX, then you will just have to hang on tight! I'm planning on completing my very first vlog on this day! Ah!

State Testing Countdown: two school days (gulp!) I will be so happy when testing is over, because then we can stop doing packets and start learning again!! Here's a secret... teachers hate testing... they probably hate it even more than the kids! So many anxiety dreams! So many mistakes that could be made! Ahhhh!

Okay, I'll stop being weird now. If you're still reading, you are the best in the entire world. Seriously.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Sephora + Target Birthday Wish List

Hi Guys!

My air conditioner is out currently, and it was 90 degrees F today (and it's only April...), so I thought I would write a quick post showing you what is on my current Sephora and Target wish lists. Are there any other products you think I should have included on my wish list? What are some of your wish list items?

xxxx, Christie

Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Happiness Project

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I have started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The basic idea behind this story is this: Gretchen wants to find happiness in different aspects of her life, in order to appreciate her life more.

Lately, I have been feeling unhappy. Not depressed, just unhappy. This may sound really selfish, but I said I would always be truthful here, so here I go: I have not been appreciating the things right in front of me. I live in a great house, I have an amazing husband, I have a fantastic job that is my passion, yet my life still felt incomplete. I would see friends post pictures on Facebook or Instagram of their amazing vacations, or new cars that they bought. I watch these YouTubers with these huge Sephora hauls, and here I am, on April 11th, with $32 to make it to Wednesday.

To some, $32 is a lot of money. To others, they are probably wondering how we are going to make it.

I've lived on way worse. I honestly spent most of yesterday crying because of how "broke" we are. We recently had to spend all but one dollar of our savings account because Neill's car was in the shop. I assumed that once we graduated college, and had careers, we wouldn't have to live paycheck to paycheck anymore. We would be able to save money for vacations, for a house, for a new car. Yet it feels like every time we have some money saved up, something comes up, and we have to be responsible.

I want to make it very clear that I realize how ridiculous I sound. There are people who have it way worse than me. I am aware of that. I donate time and money to charities every year.

What I am saying is I am not appreciating the present, and making the best of my current life. I keep thinking about "In the future" or "Next year". What about today?

So I have started reading this book, and I am feeling motivated to appreciate today.

Here's a list of things that happened that I enjoyed, or appreciated.
1. Neill went to a job fair and had a really promising interview. I'm appreciative that his is wanting to use his college degree to do something that he loves.
2. We went and drove around the current city I work in (and the city he had the interview in) looking at the schools he interviewed for. I enjoyed getting to spend time with my husband, and planning our future together.
3. I went for a walk around the neighborhood today. I appreciated the beautiful flowers and horses that were in a nearby field.
4. I appreciated that my husband cooked dinner for me tonight.

I will update on the book and let you all know what sections I think are applicable to my life.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

The Liebster Award

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I have been nominated for the the Leibster award! The Leibster award is for blogs that have under 200 followers, and it's designed to help get the word out about a lot of great blogs! I'd like to thank two great gals for the nomination: Frances at Royally Rouge, and Pinkie at Pinkie Prim! If you don't read their blogs, or follow them on Bloglovin', you definitely should! I love reading their posts, they are both awesome girls!

Here are the rules for the Leibster award:

Thank the person that nominated you and leave a link to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions set by the person that nominated you.
Nominate 11 small blogs that you love to read, they must have under 200 followers (e.g. on Bloglovin' ) and then link their blog.
Set 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
Let the nominees know that they've been nominated for the award. (via comments or social media.)

Let's get to the questions! First up, questions from Frances!

1. What colour do you think describes you and why? I think the color sky blue would describe me- full of hope, promise, and joy! I love when the sky is such a beautiful blue shade, it makes me feel so hopeful of what a beautiful day it will be.

2. If you were an animal what would you be? I would totally be a large cat of some kind (lion, panther, tiger). I think it would be so awesome to roam around the land and run quickly! They are all such beautiful and powerful creatures.

3.What's your favourite social media website? (YouTube and Netflix don't count) My current guilty pleasure is Periscope.

4. List 3 hobbies? Reading, playing with my cat, going hiking

5. What's your fave TV Show/ Series? Friends!

6. Fave types of YouTube video to watch? I really enjoy Things I Regret Buying and Empties videos for some reason!

7.Hair and eye colour? (Is your hair dyed or not?) Naturally dark brown hair, I currently have some blonde highlights that are fading, and brown eyes.

8. Biggest fear? Death

9. Greatest achievement? Graduating from college and becoming 100% independent.

10. 3 words that describe you? Patient, caring, forgiving

11. If you could recommend a book for someone to read, what would it be and why? I would recommend Eleanor and Park because it's just a good read.

Now, Pinkie's questions!

1. How many times have you been abroad & which holiday was your favorite? I'm such an American! I've never been aboard before, but I'm hoping to do so before I turn 27! (That gives me two years!) However, My favorite vacation (right, vacation and holiday are the same thing- like a trip?) is a toss up between Chicago and Myrtle Beach, SC.

2. What are your 3 favourite makeup products? I won't leave the house without foundation, lipgloss/stick/balm, and mascara.

3. What is your favourite clothing shop? Tie between Zara & H&M

4. Do you have any pets? I have a cat named Matilda!

5. Which breed of dogs is your favorite? I grew up with a miniature dachshund, and it was so cute!

6. When did you start blogging & what do you like/dislike about it? I've tried my hand at blogging many times over the course of my life, but this time I am so proud that I have kept sticking with it. I think at first I just didn't have enough ideas to keep a blog going. I actually started this blog in November, but I started really using it in March.

7. What makeup products do you use on an everyday basis?^^^ see above!

8. Do you prefer the countryside or city? Suburb, I need a blend of both worlds.

9. What is your favourite type & brand of chocolate? I love Dove Milk Chocolates!

10. What's your favourite TV programme? Oh, I would have to say I like watching The Walking Dead and Pretty Little Liars on TV in real time. I also tend to keep up with The Bachelor.

11. Who is your celebrity crush? Adam Levine, Ryan Gosling

Here are my 11 questions: