Transitions

Transition (noun): the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

Everyone goes through various "transitions" in life.  It’s when you actually sit back and think about your past that you realize how many you have actually gone through.  It is something that I have been thinking about a lot recently and had time to process on an incredibly beautiful day off of work today.

By the time most people are around my age (we will just say close to thirty…), they have gone through many "transitions" in their lives.  Some "transitions" that they have gone through may seem small…from losing their first tooth to conquering their first song on the piano.  Others can be huge…like getting married or starting a family.  Most of my friends have gone through all of these “transitions” and more. 

Except me.

Those who know me well, know the “transitions” I have gone through.  I have seen my fair share…including moving to San Diego after college, finding God on the O.B. pier, moving back to Missouri, becoming engaged, and in the past two years, changing companies and finally finding one that suits me. I have experienced multiple divorces (within the family), many family deaths, a couple major heartbreaks, physical and emotional abuse, eating disorders and attempted suicide. 

I have had a lot of “transitions”. 

Considering all of these, one may find it hard to think that I am thankful for each and every one of them.

But, I am.

I’m 28 years old, and though I am not rich by monetary standards, I consider myself richly blessed in family, friendship and my career.  I have my own car, my own apartment and amazing family and friends that love me.  Eventually, I do want to go through the “transitions” of finding a husband and beginning a family, but I realize that at this moment, I am ok with being single.  God has His own timing for everything…and though that was a tough bullet to bite (especially at my age), I know that the man He has for me will be simply amazing and His plans are far more incredible than I could ever hope for. 

For all the “transitions” I have been through and those yet to come, I am thankful.

Take a moment to be thankful for your “transitions”.  Through the good, the bad, and the ugly…they have made you the amazing person you are today.  

Just Words

So...I am one of those people who may not have the right words to throw into a conversation, but one who expresses them through poetry, song lyrics, or even simple notes.  I write during and through things...for both therapy and a release of some sort.  And for some reason, it works for me.  :-)

While I was moving this past week, I found a few different "beginnings" for either poetry or song lyrics that I had started to write during this crazy past year of my life.  So, I figured, I might as well share one.  :-)  It is not finished yet, and I do not know if it ever will be.  I would like to say I have most definitely moved on from the points in my life where I wrote these and have no desire to return to them...but here one is.  :-)

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"Maybe"

Sometimes I wonder if we're meant to be
If I could be happier with someone new
Maybe I'd ask a fortune teller what they could see
If it involves life and love with you.

Don't get me wrong, you have my heart
You make each day a little brighter
But what if life tore us apart
Could someone else hold me a little tighter?

Maybe we should think about it
What is, what isn't, what could be
Maybe we should pray about it
Who we are, who we aren't
what should be.
Maybe we should.

Funny how life can throw a curve ball
Really make you think things through
Thought I had found my fairy tale, "After All"
That my Prince Charming was you.

Now I'm just thinking about it all
Wondering if I should just let it go
All it would take is one phone call
They say for the true test, let it go.

Heartache.

Have you ever had your heart broken?  I mean, to a point that physically hurts.  It's painful.  It's awful.  It's gut wrenching grossness.

To be honest, I don't remember my heart ever hurting this bad before.  I have been in relationships before, I have been engaged before, yet nothing to my memory has hurt like this.  I have never spent an entire day crying, or broken down at the grocery store when the saleslady unknowingly asked, "How have you been?". I bawled in a grocery store.  First time for everything, I guess.

Funny thing is, through all this pain and heartache, I learned I have the most amazing friends.  I have received countless text messages and calls, all offering everything from coffee, to a wine night, to prayers.  You all know who you are, and please know that I love you all with all my heart.  You are my support system, and for that I am more thankful than words can ever explain.  And thank you for the Bible verses, by the way.  You know who you are.  :-)

These past twenty-four hours have also made me question a lot.  I have questioned myself, my choices in relationships, my insecurities, my ability to be alone, and my life in general.  I have looked back at the past and thought about all of the things I could have done different, that I wish I could go back and change.  However, tonight I realize that without all of this crap I have been through, or the "speed bumps of life" I have encountered, I would not be who I am today.  Though I am not perfect, God has molded me through all of this heartache.  He has never left my side, He has never abandoned me.  Though the man I truly love may be leaving me and moving out, God has and will never do so.  I'm stuck with Him.  :-)

Though this post may have been a rambling affair, it has allowed me to get a lot off of my chest.  I will never speak a bad word about the man who is leaving my life.  I care about him.  It hurts.  I just want him to be happy.  And I want to be happy.  So, if this heartache results in that for both of us, then it is a blessing.  If not, we will both survive...and I will always have my joy in Christ.  :-)

Have a great evening, y'all.  :-)

Five Fresh Summer Fashion Tips

First of all, I'm not saying I am any sort of fashion expert.  However, these past few years in retail have allowed me to develop a short, general list of female-based Summer fashion tips and tricks.  I have always had a huge love of fashion and clothing, and I want to help the average fashion customer on how to better their Summer wardrobe.  The following tidbits are simple ways to enhance your closet on any budget.

So anyways, here are a few tips to prepare yourself and your wardrobe to be "Summer-fabulous".  :-)

1.  White is "Alright".  It is NEVER too early to start wearing this fabulous color-no matter what the season. There are SO many variations of this color.  No matter what, you can wear it year-round.  The "general" rule of "only wear white after Memorial Day and before Labor Day" is fashion BS - you can wear it whenever you want or see fit.  Though wearing white on white is not a huge fashion go-to (only allowed at white parties in L.A. and if you are obviously getting married), this color is not secluded for only one season of the year.

2.  Spanx is the answered prayer to many Summer wardrobe malfunctions.  Because many outfits and dresses during this season are tighter and clingier, Spanx products are HUGE blessings to any wardrobe, no matter what the size.  From tank tops to high-waisted undergarments, Spanx offers a HUGE variety of layering items to go under your beautiful clothing options which will give you a "smoother-than-butter" appearance.  No more muffin tops, ladies!  Spanx can "suck you in" as much as three total inches.  No gym membership needed!  Total craziness.

3.  Wear NUDE undergarments under white clothing (the closest to your skin tone).  White on white is NEVER right.  I am not even kidding when I say that 9 out of 10 women I speak to believe that white or ivory is better to wear under white clothing options.  Seriously?  Put a white tank top under a white t-shirt and look in the mirror.  You can see every outline.  If you are going to wear a white shirt or pants, PLEASE wear nude undergarments. I do not want to see your white/ivory bra under your shirt.  The point is to hide it.  Just saying.  :-)

4.  Do not wear too many accessories.  If you wear big earrings, don't wear a big necklace and tons of ridiculous bracelets.  Balance it out.  If you wear big earrings, don't wear a necklace and wear some bangles.  Don't wear a ring on every finger.  It's just not cool.  As my favorite Marketing professor once said, "Keep it Simple, Stupid."  This applies with jewelry, especially in the Summer.  Don't overdo the "pretties".  

5.  Keep the makeup simple and easy.  It's Summertime.  Don't lather on the foundation, powder, blush, etc.  A little goes a long way.  Do you want to sweat this stuff off after you paid big bucks for it all?  I would hope not.  If you do your eyes, keep the crazy lips and cheeks out of it.  It's hot out during the Summer months.  Relax.  Enjoy the weather...don't waste time piling on the makeup.

There you have it.  Those five simple, yet loaded tips on fashion advice were my five "big" principles to follow for the next few months.  Though the little tricks were personally based, I believe they can be applied to anyone's personal "go-to's" in the world of fashion, especially in Summer.  

I know I will be following them...Will you?  :-)

You know you're at LOTO when...

So, I decided to begin a new blog.  Because I already had this account set up, I'm just staying with it...for now.  At least until I decide which one I want to do.  :-)

I figured I would make a fresh start and new blog since I am in a fresh start at my life...both personally and professionally.  I wanted to do something new.  Something fun.  Something me.

So, here it is.  This "blog" will be about everything.  I encounter some crazy people/things/situations in my everyday life and believe that some of them are worth sharing.  At the least, I hope to put a smile on someone's face.  :-)

For example, today I took the trip to see my Madre at the good old LOTO (for those who do not know what this means, Google it.)  ;-)  It never fails that on one of these trips, I am reminded somehow of how different the culture up here is.  For instance, once I hit Osage Beach, I was passed by a Grandma in a "pimped out" purple and silver GTO...who was jamming out to rap music with her hair done, sunglasses on and flashed me a huge smile on her way past my car.  LOTO.  :-)

And where else can you find a Godfather's Pizza AND a Subway all connected to the same gas station?  LOTO.  :-)

Don't get me wrong.  I love it here and was raised in the area.  However, some of the things around here are just not found anywhere else BUT here.  It just made me laugh and smile a bit.  Especially the really cool Grandma in the GTO.  

Gotta love LOTO.  

-Meg