Weight Loss Mondays: Week 2

     So it's that time of week again, and I'm not too happy with myself. I've lost weight, don't get me wrong I have, but I still haven't started exercising again.
     I've also been really stressed but I hope by this time next month some of my worries will be gone.            They'll either be gone or escalate, but I'll work through it like I always do.
      I don't really have much to tell you this week since I haven't been able to exercise. I also haven't been eating much, I've been having really bad headaches and not sleeping so I don't really know what's going on right now with my body.


  Weight Lost This Week:     7 Pounds  
  Total Weight Lost Since April 2012:    61 Pounds

   So not too bad considering I haven't been able to exercise and haven't exactly done the best eating wise. This also leaves me at only needing to lose 32 pounds to be at my goal weight. Once I reach my goal weight I may decide to lose another 10 pounds, but it really just depends on how I feel at the time. Right now I think I'll want to lose more, but I won't know until I reach that point.

    I'll be posting again tomorrow, actually I think I have something lined up for everyday this week, I know Today, Tomorrow, and Wednesday I will definitely post, I already have them finished, I'm still working on Wednesday's post but it WILL be up. Then I may decide to do one more post I haven't quite made my mind up yet though.

     So that's all for today I hope this inspire's you to stick to your diet.Let me know your thoughts in the comment's section. Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very very soon.
                                                                                                 xoxo,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann
      Also contact me:  
                                  E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                                   Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Merry Christmas AND...

Hello everyone so today I just wanted to say Merry Christmas I hope it's a good one for you, and please be safe.
 I also wanted to let you know I won't be blogging this week because none of you will read it anyway because you'll be celebrating.
                                                  AND
I wanted to take the time to share an amazing video with you today. I wanted to share it to remind you to cherish every moment today because it could be the last Christmas with someone you love.
 So the video is a tribute video Demi Lovato released today as a tribute to Newtown, CT. 
And I'm warning you, you WILL need tissues for your eyes withing seconds of beginning the video. Please listen all the way through and please keep all of the victims families, friends, and schoolmates in your heart today.

 So there's the video. Have a Very Merry Christmas, Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very very soon.
                                                                                                 xoxo,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann
      Also contact me:  
                                  E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                                   Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

5 Words: Week 1

 So it's Week 1 of my new series of words, in case you didn't read that post, here's a little explanation.  I decided to start posting 5 words weekly and to post the definition because it's always interesting to learn new words or find out the real meaning of a word, because in this day and age we tend to make  up our own meanings for words. So here we go....

Dilettante- 
      1.) A person who claims an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.
      2.) A person with an amateur interest in the arts.
Raconteur-
      A person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.
 Pudeur-
      A sense of shame, especially in sexual matters; modesty.
Palladium-
     1.) A safeguard.
     2.) A rare, silvery-white metal.
Sybarite-
     A person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
  So there's this week's five words, let me know what you think. Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very very soon.
                                                                                                 xoxo,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann
      Also contact me:  
                                  E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                                   Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Weight Loss Mondays: Week 1

     So last month I said I was going to start either a monthly or weekly series featuring my weight loss series. I did that before I was injured which is why I haven't posted again since, but now I've recovered and will be getting back to my diet and exercise routine this week
     I've never really showed photos of myself on here, but I decided to do so today, I made a collage showing me in October 2011 and a photo taken last week.

(Please excuse the mess in the after picture, and yes that's chocolate you see on the bed.)

     So as you can see my body has changed significantly in the past year, it really is amazing, just thinking about how I still looked like the before picture in April. I guess it just goes to show what hard work and determination can do.
    Okay let's get started with this weeks successes and failures.
    My biggest success would be finally getting the swelling down on my leg, and it's no longer hurting so next week i'm going to start exercising.
    My biggest failures are both my not exercising and not dieting. So as I already mentioned I haven't been able to exercise since the day before Thanksgiving, and due to not being able to do much I've been a bit depressed.
    Since I've been depressed about not being able to do anything and being in constant pain I've ate like a pig. And I would just like to add I have damn well enjoyed every minute of it.
   Until Saturday morning I hadn't weighed myself since being injured over Thanksgiving weekend, and to be honest I thought I had gained about 15 pounds because of my bingeing on chocolate all month. So did I gain or lose weight????
  Weight Lost This Week/Month: 5 pounds       
  Total Weight Lost Since April 2012: 54 pounds
    I honestly was blown away when I saw the number on the scale, I haven't weighed this little in over 2 years. So I'm not expecting much next week, but I'm hoping that I can lose a little weight, and if not maybe I can put into detail the excruciating pain I'll be in since I haven't exercised in a month.
    So that's all for today I hope this inspire's you to stick to your diet.Let me know your thoughts in the comment's section. Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very very soon.
                                                                                                 xoxo,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann
      Also contact me:  
                                  E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                                   Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Good Deals

       So as I mentioned Yesterday I decided to start a new little series where I post about good deals I've found online. So I decided instead of making you wait till next week, I decided to go ahead and start the new series today. Link's will be available in the description line.

1.)The New Google Chromebook from $199-$449  (Link)
        I think this is a good deal because it's through Google  and you can either choose an Acer or one of the two Samsung models. From what I've read they have really good battery life, and they boot up with in seconds. It also has built-in virus protection that stays up to date automatically and it also updates itself automatically. I decided to include this because I'm hoping to buy one next year as a gift to myself for when I graduate because these laptops are smaller than my current laptop (17.3 in.) and I think it would be easier to handle when I go to college
 2.)Topshop Grommet Trim Bodycon Tank Dress    (Link)

          Okay so I'm not gonna lie I'm obsessed with Topshop, and I'm beyond thrilled that they are now available at Nordstrom. I think this is a really good deal because the dress is usually $56.00 and is now available for $30.00. The only bad thing I can say about Topshop is that they only offer sizes up to 12, in reality most women can't wear most of their clothing. Also in the reviews people said it ran small so you need to take that into consideration when ordering.

3.) Adrianna Papell Sequin Sheath Dress     (Link)

          So I didn't really want to include another dress in this post, but I feel like this is just such a great deal that I just couldn't put it off to next week. So the reason it's such an amazing deal is that the original price is $218.00 and it is on sale for..... $98.10, so you are saving over $100.00. And from the reviews it gets 4.6 out of 5 stars.

 4.) Urban Decay's Naked Basics      (Link) 

        So I actually didn't know about this until just a few minutes ago, so I'm really excited about it. So here goes. As you may know Urban Decay has these little palettes call the Naked Palette and the Naked 2 Palette. They have now launched this little palette and it has 6 eye shadows instead of 12, and are available for $27.00. These would make amazing Christmas gifts for any young lady or woman in your life.

5.) Real Techniques Starter Kit           (Link)

       This also would make a great Christmas present for any luck lady on your list. It consists of 5 full-size make-up brushes, and a case. A big plus is that they are 100% cruelty free. They are available for $17.99, and have get 4.7 of 5 stars.

      So there's my 5 Good Deals for this week, I think I'll post again next week. I know I said in my last post that I didn't think I would make this a weekly post but now after doing one I want to do more. What do you think? Do you want weekly posts or random posts??? Let me know in the comment section. Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very very soon.

                                                                                                 xoxo,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann
      Also contact me:  
                                  E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                                   Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

              

New Series....

    So I've decided to introduce a new weekly series to my blog, this means you can expect more blog posts. I've decided to introduce 5 Words to know.

    Basically what I'll do is post 5 words, related or not, and post the definition, then I'll ask you to leave a comment telling me if you knew the word and what it mean't or not. These won't necessarily be words you wouldn't know, they will just be random words I think are interesting. Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very soon.

                                                                                    xoxo,
                                                                                         Lori Ann
Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Hair Care Tips and Advice

     Hello there, so a few weeks ago we talked about Skin Care, and this week we're gonna talk about Hair Care. Hair is the only thing that we Women hate, and despise, but also love, that wont ruin our body's. We love it on our heads and hate it everywhere else.

    The biggest misconception women have about their hair is that they can make it grow longer, faster. You can't, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we just can't. Just like it's in our genes on how tall we're gonna be, it's also in our genes on how fast our hair grows. We can't change it, not yet anyway.

     Our hair isn't living, it's dead. The only part that could even be considered living is what's directly attached to our scalp. But once it leaves the scalp it's dead. 

Today I want to give a little advice on Hair Care, share some of my secrets to getting long hair, tell you what products I use, and also a major don't in my book.

1. Don't Get It Cut every 6-8 Weeks- This is the number one thing I've never understood. But in a way I sort of do, hair stylists know that we want our hair to grow fast, so they say to come every 6-8 weeks to get more business. Get It? They only say that cause they know you'll listen, and it means more money for them.

The reasoning behind this theory of mine. Our hair only grows 1/4 an inch a month, your basically going every month and a half. Most hair stylists nowadays don't now the difference between a trim, and an inch. Therefore, it's going to take you much longer for you to actually grow your hair out. I have hair nearly to my bum, and I use to only go every 6 months, this year I've went every 3-6 months.

2. Use Very Little Heat- Or if you do use heat, use a heat spray. I use either Got 2 B Guardian Angel Flat Iron Balm or the Aussie Heat Spray (Not sure of the name). They're both affordable, and work great, the Got 2 B smells amazing, and leaves your hair really shiny. I have naturally really straight hair, so I usually only use a straightener when i'm having a bad hair day, or want it to be even straighter. I also occasionally use a hair dryer, but not very often, maybe 1-2x a month.

3.Diet/Exercise- While you can't make your hair grow faster, you can make it grow healthier. Diet and exercise are very important in your hairs health. Your diet insures you get the right nutrients for strong healthy hair, and exercise helps your scalp/skin rid itself of toxins.

4.Don't Stress- This ties into number 3, when your stressed you don't eat and exercise right. And when you don't get proper diet nutrients, or exercise, your hormones get out of wack. By controlling your stress, you can help control you hormones.

Some say scalp massages help, whether or not they do I have no idea

5.Time- It takes time, just like it took time for you to grow, it takes your hair time too. It's taken me 3 years, and my hair has just now got close to my bum. You have to give your body a chance to produce the hormones, especially if your stressed or your diet/exercise is poor.

So there you go, my 5 tips and my advice for growing your hair stronger. Let me know what you think, and if there's anything you want me to write about, I'm open to ideas. Well that's all for today, have a productive week and a safe weekend.

 xoxo,

 Lori 

    

What I'm Thankful For

  Today is the day that we here in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving. It is the day of the year everyone speaks of what they're thankful for. But I think we should be thankful everyday, you never know if you will make it to live to the next Thanksgiving.
    There are many  things I have to be thankful for, and many things that have happened this year that I would like to reflect on...

• I've developed a relationship with my uncle who I used to never see.
• I've developed an attachment and special bond to said uncle's  1 year old daughter.
• I got to celebrate another year of being alive.
• I got a clean bill of health after 4 years of worrying.
• I've lost 52 pounds.
• Everyone overseas risking their life to protect our freedoms.
• My family, regardless of how much they may hate me, I still love them.

Well there's that. I know there are plenty of other things I have to be thankful for, but I don't want to waste your time trying to explain my life. But before I go there is a picture I saw on facebook, and I want to share it with you.

   Stay Creative my lovelies, I'll post again very soon.

                                                                                    xoxo,
                                                                                         Lori Ann
Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Did You Ever Notice?

    Did you ever notice how creative people always seem to work in cafes? Hmm,  I had never really thought about it. But then I started thinking about ways to be more creative, and then I thought of cafes.
    Then I thought about how creative people seem to work in cafes a lot. Singers, songwriters,  actors, writers, etc., etc. Why?
   I think it has to do with the fact that there are so many different people who go in and out of cafes everyday that it gives inspiration to them. An idea, an overheard conversation, a certain look, the possibilities are endless.
    Then I came across a blog post about this very same topic, here's the link (Here).  And it gives 20 reasons that I can really relate to, and it just really describes the question why.
   I decided I wanted to post below my favorites from the list, so here we go... (I may add to it)

1. Easy access to coffee 
2. Muffins, cookies, cakes. (In my own opinion anything chocolate)
3. It doesn't feel like work.
4. No office. (You  can move around and not be stuck in the same place either a new cafe or just new seat).
5. Old patterns are interrupted. New patterns emerge.

Well that's all for today, that was just my little observation, I hope you liked it.
                                                           Stay Creative,
                                                                                         Lori Ann

My 10 Guilty Pleasures

     So since I don't have a camera to take pictures so I can do beauty related reviews, for the next month I will be doing blog post that don't require pictures. Some of my posts will have pictures, but they'll be from the internet. Today I decided I would tell you my guilty pleasures.

1. Chocolate. I can not live a day without chocolate. The only time I can go without chocolate is when I'm sick. Granted there have been days I have went without chocolate just because I don't want it. Example the past 2 weeks I've been recovering from being sick, so I haven't wanted chocolate.
2. Pretty Little Liars. I had read all the books before the show ever came out, unfortunately I haven't got to read the four newest she's put out, due to them being only available in hardback and being $15.00.
3. Vanilla. It doesn't matter if it's food, candles's, lotion, or soap. Anything that smells like vanilla I love. I own more candles, than shoes.
4. Demi Lovato. Yep I'm a Lovatic, I've loved her since day one. I'm so very proud of her for everything she's done, I almost cried when she won her first VMA.
5. Music. I can't live without getting on YouTube at least once a day.
6. My Hair. I love my hair, I love playing with it looking at it, getting compliments about it. I just love it.
7. Downton Abbey. I love Downton Abbey, I love that it's so original, and there's nothing like it on TV. I guess I just love the way people use to live, maybe that's why I'm into historical romance novels. Because people actually had manners, they actually lived that way. Life today is just so different, yes I love my freedoms as a woman, but I wish the world we live in wasn't so rude. 
8. Johanna Lindsey Novels. I love historical romance novels, with Johanna Lindsey being my favorite author, I hope to someday own every book she's ever written.
9. The Internet. I love the internet, I don't know anyone who doesn't. I usually have to do a 1 or 2 week detox a few times a year, so I can focus on the important things, and get refocused. My last detox was earlier this month so it'll probably be next year before I have to again.
10. Reading and Writing. I love to read, it's my second most favorite thing to do, first being listening to music. Put the two together and my day is made. I love to write, songs, essays,blogs, anything really. It's what I love to do and plan on doing for a long time, I refuse to say forever because I don't know what will happen in the future.

     Wow, that was so much harder than I expected. When I first decided to write this I thought I was gonna be able to write it in 5 minutes, I was so wrong. You might not think some of these are actual guilty pleasures, but to me, they are. So I hope you liked my 10 Guilty Pleasures. Do we share any of the same? If not, what are some of yours?

                                                                                   Stay Creative,

                                                                                                  Lori Ann

Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

26 Things You Don't Know About Me

    So if you've been following my blog since I first started it on September 3, 2012, then you would know that as my first blog post I did a post telling you about me. It mainly consisted of me telling you about why I was starting this blog, and about my personality and how i'm different than most would expect me to be. But then I figured out how to make pages, so it has it's own page, and is no longer a post. Today I will be telling you more in depth details about myself, from weird stuff to things you won't care about, here we go.

1. I'm allergic to cats.
2. I rarely drink soda.
3. I love anything Vanilla scented. (Especially candles).
4. I love to read.
5. I love history.
6. I hate math.
7. I'm OCD, everything has to be in order. At times I'll go a week w/out cleaning then I freak out.
8. I'm germa-phobic.
9. I can't sleep without a fan, regardless of how cold I am.
10. I love chocolate.
11. My favorite shows are Pretty Little Liars, Secret Life of the American Teenager, Downton Abbey, and Switched at Birth. Also RIP Make it or Break It (Cancelled)and Jane by Design
12. I enjoy living in the present, but am fascinated with history, and how they lived their life.
13. I no longer have toenails on my big toes, and on one little toe. Which leaves me with only 7 toenails. (Ingrown's hurt, take care of your feet kids).
14. I only cook when I'm hormonal.
15. I'm obsessed with Demi Lovato's music.
16. I listen to the Ramones and Motley Crue.
17. I love to travel, but only travel out of the county I live in once a year.
18. I usually only leave my house once or twice a week.
19. I'm a natural blonde, but currently have a deep brunette color going on, that at the moment I'm not rocking cause my roots look horrible.
20. I love to babysit, but refuse to change diapers.
21. I can't dance at all.
22. I'm a picky eater, and OCD about my food touching, I use plates that have dividers in them.
23. I've lived in an apartment for nearly my entire life.
24. I used to help my mom make handmade quilts, and still do from time to time.
25. My bookshelf is overflowing, so I started putting some of mine on my mom's shelf.
26. I do High School Online

    Okay so there are 26 Things You Don't Know About Me. Again some weird, some expected, but that's me, and that's okay. Do we share some of the same? Do you think any of these are weird? Would you admit to any of them like I did?

                                                                           Stay Creative,

                                                                                            Lori Ann

Contact me: 

                     E-mail: loriboyd15@gmail.com

                     Twitter:@LoriAnnBoyd

Skincare Routine

   Hello there, so It's time for my newest post, today it's gonna be about my skincare routine, I'm gonna tell you all about all the products I use and some tips I have. I have a post coming up soon, probably tomorrow where I talk a little about my skincare routine, but I decided I wanted to go a little more into detail.
                                                                Face Skincare
    Okay, So I have really oily skin, mainly on my T-Zone, and over the years I've tried a numerous amount of products trying to find something to help cure my acne. I've had acne since the third grade, so I finally got committed to finding the right product, it was trial and error for a long time, but finally last fall I found the right combination.
     Clinique. Yes I know Clinique products are quite expensive, but they really do work, I use the Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser (Here) and the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Here)
     So now you know what I use for my face, I also want to point out that with the cleanser before I wash it off I have an exfoliating face pad ($2.00) that I use everyday. I use to use a Clinique scrub once a week, it was the 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula (Here) , I just haven't repurchased, cause the one I had was a sample. Also I would just like to point out that their sample's last a really long time, I think all of mine lasted for three months.
    And here comes the unusual part about my skincare routine, I only wash my face once a day (night). But you have oily skin? I know, I have no idea how it's possible, but for me it works. The only time I wash my face of a morning is when I wear foundation, and the last time I wore foundation was in March for my birthday. Sometimes when I wanna wear a moisturizer/sunscreen during the day, I'll wet my face scrubber or just wet my face then dry it, before I apply the moisturizer.
 
                                                          Body Skincare
     Okay for my body I don't really do much, since I have really sensitive skin it's hard to find products to use. For body wash I use Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, and as a lotion I use baby lotion.
      I have eczema on my hands, and I've tried everything to get rid of it, but nothing works, and I've had an allergic reaction to many lotions I've tried. So far I've only found three that I'm not allergic to.

1. Johnson's Baby Lotion
2. Nivea Cream lotion
3. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

   For number one, duh, who hasn't used it, it's amazing, especially for those with very sensitive skin. For number two, I've used for about two years, but since it's really thick I can only use at night, but it's still amazing, and helped relieve my skin. For number three, I'm in love and I've found the most amazing product in the world.
     If they ever discontinue this product I think I just might cry.. The Neutorgena hand cream has been a life saver, and not just for my hands, but also lips, knees, and elbows, the bottle says it can also be used on the face, but I'm a little skeptical about trying that.

      Now that's all I use, other than my makeup, but I'll probably do a post about my most used beauty products eventually. So have you used any of these products? And do you have any product  recommendations for  people with sensitive skin? If so leave a response in the comments or, tweet or email me.
                                                                                    Stay Creative,
                                                                                                 Lori Ann

Contact me: 

                     E-mail: loriboyd15@gmail.com

                     Twitter:@LoriAnnBoyd

Update

   Okay as most of you know Monday I posted my Fall/Winter Favorites, and I wold you how it was going to be a series. Well I decided instead of 3 i'm gonna make it 4.

1. Fall/Winter Favorites
2. Fall/Winter Beauty Favorites and Trends
3. Fall/Winter Fashion Favorites and Trends

          And Finally, the last installment...

      4.Overall Fall/Winter Favorites


So as you know a new post from the series will appear every week. In between each installment I'll make another post. So are you ready? I know I am. I just wish this weather would decide what it wants to do.
                                                                                     Stay Creative,
                                                                                                      Lori Ann

Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Healthy Weight/BMI for Your Height

    So from time to time I browse Yahoo Answers, and most of the time you always see a ton, and I mean literally a ton of women asking if they're at a healthy weight. They give their weight and height, so I usually always answer for them. I decided that for today's post I would post height's and weight's for a healthy BMI. I always use the Self Ideal Weight Calculator , it gives you a range, that you should stay between in order to be considered to have a healthy weight. I'm going to give weight ranges for Women between 5'0 and 5'10....

• 5'0................................... 95-128 Pounds
• 5'1................................... 98-132 Pounds
• 5'2....................................101-136 Pounds
• 5'3....................................104-141 Pounds
• 5'4....................................108-145 Pounds
• 5'5....................................111-150 Pounds
• 5'6....................................115-154 Pounds
• 5'7....................................118-159 Pounds
• 5'8....................................122-164 Pounds
• 5'9....................................125-169 Pounds
• 5'10..................................129-174 Pounds

  So I hope that helps, for anyone wondering what is best for their height. But you also have to remember that not everyone is the same, you could be overweight and look normal, or even severely underweight and still look normal. It's all about how your built, and it's also in your genes. But regardless of what you weigh, or look like your still beautiful.
                                                                                                   Stay Creative,
                                                                                                                      Lori Ann

Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Fall/Winter Favorites

    So Fall is approaching very fast, the weather is starting to cool down, and the leaves are changing and falling. I know some people love Summer, and absolutely dread Fall and Winter, but I'm the complete opposite.
     Actually, pretty much everyone where I live loves the Summer. I get much more social come Fall, mostly due to the fact that I can't stay outside during the Summer for more than an hour.
   Today I decided I wanted to do a post about my favorite things about Fall, and why I love Fall so much......

1. Hot Chocolate-  I love hot chocolate, which is why I'm always excited when the weather starts to change. Since, during the Summer I can't drink it I always start watching the trees at the end of summer, so I know how much longer till colder weather sets in.
2. Boots- Oh boots, there's a million things I could say about how much I absolutely adore boots. I dream all year about finally getting to wear my boots. I swear last Winter that's all I lived in, the only time I wore anything else was when I went to the gym. Unfortunately, Summer weather started here in March, so I didn't get to wear them as much as I would have preferred.
3. Decorations- Decorations are clearly a big part of Fall and Winter. I just think it's amazing the effort that some people exert to please themselves, just knowing that they've given a little piece of happiness to someone who has seen what they've done. The only time during Summer that there are any decorations is the Fourth of July, but the Fall and Winter, people really step up their game. I really appreciate that some people still care, whether they only do it for the children, themselves, or their community, someone appreciates it, I know I do.
4. Family Bonding- I don't know about you, but I have a rather big family. Usually Christmas is the only time I get to see them. So when that first leaf fall's from the trees I get excited knowing that it won't be long till I get to see everyone. Also Halloween and Thanksgiving, even though my family is usually apart we still spend time together. But my favorite time for family bonding isn't an actual holiday, it's when my uncle who's in the army get's his vacation, and they come visit. I always make sure to take lots of pics, I'm anxious waiting for them to tell us when they'll be coming
5. Weather-  Ah the weather, the biggest pleasure of them all. With Fall comes lower temperatures, which I really appreciate. Our Summer here in Kentucky mainly consisted of a maximum of four rain showers, that's it. It has been awful, I don't think until this month it had gotten below 90. I know this may sound weird but I love the sound of rain, I love thunderstorms. Also, snow, I'm really excited to see snow again, it only snowed here once last year and it didn't last very long at all. So to say I'm excited is an understatement.
6. Sweaters- In years past I hadn't really been that big a fan of sweaters, but last year we moved into a house without heat. Since then we've moved and have heat once again, but while there I grew to love the feel of sweaters. I guess it being due to my love of layers. So I'm really excited about the chill being back in the air. I'm actually wearing a sweater right now as I write this, now I want some hot chocolate and my night will be complete.
7. Sweets- Of course, the sweets, they're going to ruin my weight loss success from this year, ugh. I always look forward to the colder months to start baking. Mainly because most of the things we bake in the winter don't taste right during the summer months. My mom and I always make, homemade peanut butter balls, Reese's bars, and chocolate covered pretzels, also pumpkin cream cheese rolls. Yummy, now you can see why I said it's going to kill my weight loss success. 
8. No bugs- I love winter a lot because I can actually go outside and not get eaten alive by bugs. Also I'm not afraid to go in the yard cause I know the snakes are gone, and most spiders too. Yeah I hate spiders and snakes, ugh, I don't even like to think about it.
9. Hair- In the winter it's easier to style my hair. I have naturally straight hair, and it's hard for me to do anything with it. During the summer it's just so hot that the humidity takes it's toll on my hair within minutes of going outside. So winter is my time for my hair and makeup to shine.
10. Blankets- I love to stay cuddled up in a blanket year round, but it's hard to do in the winter unless I'm downstairs in front of the air vent. In the winter I can stay in my room cuddled up in bed, with a book, and hot chocolate.

    Okay so those are my Fall/Winter Favorites. I'll be posting a Fall/Winter Favorites series over the next few weeks, I'll post this one then I'll do a Fall/Winter Beauty Favorites and a Fall/Winter Fashion Favorites, they'll most likely be posted a week apart with a post in between them.
    Well that's all for today, I'm gonna go write the other two posts. So are there any topics, you'd like me to cover? Do you prefer Fall and Winter over Summer? Also, do you have any hot chocolate recipes you'd like to share?
                                                                              Stay Creative,
                                                                                          Lori Ann
Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Update/New Look

       So I've been playing around with the look of the blog, I've made a few changes. Not much, but enough to make a difference, if you've seen my blog before.
       I just wanted to let you know that I might be making a few more changes over the next few days. So don't be surprised if the colors go from black and blue, to white, or pink, or maybe something else. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, I just feel like the current design is boring, and maybe even a little depressing.
      Well that's all for today, I'll be posting again tomorrow. It'll be a part of a series, I'm really excited.
                                                                                       Stay Creative,
                                                                                                     Lori Ann

Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Top 10 Fave Disney Movies

    So I  got the idea for today's post from a question I seen on Yahoo Answers. The person was wanting to know what other's favorite Disney Channel movies were, and they provided a list of their own. I'm going to do something similar, except I'll provide an explanation. So here they are in no particular order.......

• Halloween Town Series- I think anyone who has watched these movies can say that at least one, is one of their all time favorites. I just happen to love them all, my fav, Return to Halloween Town starring Sarah Paxton. I know some don't like it cause it doesn't have the original lead girl in it, but I like it.

             If you wanna watch Halloween Town 2 Kallabars Revenge here's the link to YouTube where you        can watch the whole movie free,( Here. )

• Even Stevens Movie- I actually haven't seen this in years, I use to love watching the show, and of course loved the movie too. I can't believe it came out in 2003, I had no idea till I just looked on wikepedia. 
• Zenon Series- Zenon Girl of the 21st Century (Here) , Zenon The Zequel  (Here) , and of course Zenon Z3 (Here). These movies were amazing, I remember watching the premiere's of the last two, I was only 2 when the first came out, so yeah don't remember that one, but I definitely remember waiting and being so excited for the other two movies to premiere.
• Quints- Ah yes Quints, amazingly hilarious, and yet such an amazing message. I haven't seen this in a few years, but as with some mentioned above I have found the full movie on YouTube. (Here).
• The Cheetah Girls series-  The Cheetah Girl's were a big part of every young girl's life that I knew when they premiered. As with most movies on this list I haven't seen any of them in a while, but I also found the first one on YouTube, (Here).
• The Camp Rock Series- Oh Camp Rock, Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brother's, every girl's dream. NOT. I never really liked the Jonas Brother's, I actually waited a few months before I ever watched the movie. And I only watched it then to see Demi, that's the only reason I ever watch, but I will admit over time I grew from hating the Jonas Brother's to actually tolerating them. 
• Mom's Got A Date With A Vampire- Since Halloween's coming up I decided to include this one. Here's the (Link). I really like this movie, I'm not gonna say it's my all time favorite or anything,but I really do like it.
• The Thirteenth Year-  Mermaid or Merman, maybe Merboy. (Here) . A boy who start's growing scals, and fins when he touches water.
• Sleeping Beauty- Pretty self-explanatory. (Here) .
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs- Another Self-Explanatory movie. (Here).

   So there you go, I know towards the end I kinda slacked off, but my sugar rush has worn off. And it doesn't help any that I haven't watched most of them in quite some time. Well that's all for today, a new post will be up in a few days. If some of the links son't work let me know and I'll be sure to fix them ASAP.

                                                                        Stay Creative,

                                                                                         Lori Ann

Contact me: 

                     E-mail: loriboyd15@gmail.com

                     Twitter:@LoriAnnBoyd

A Teen Girls Bucket List

     Hello there I got the idea for today's post after playing around on pinterest for a while, I seen a photo of a list of things someone wanted to do before they died. And it inspired me to make my own, I never really thought about making a list like this, but I decided today was the day......

1. Go sky diving.
2. Visit London, England.
3. Go to a Demi Lovato concert.
4. Go bungee jumping
5. Write an article for a beauty magazine.
6. Get married.
7. Have at least 3 kids (preferably 5 or 6).
8. Own all the Johanna Lindsey books.
9. Go on a spontaneous road trip without a map with my friends.
10. Visit all 50 U.S. states.
11. Visit Italy, France, and the Dominican Republic.
12. Go to a drive in movie.
13. Attend New Years in Times Square (Kiss that special someone at midnight)
14. Learn how to swim.
15. Learn how to play the guitar, piano, and keyboard.
16. Try dog sledding.
17. Rent an Igloo in Finland under the northern lights.
18. Feel confident in a bikini
19. Go on a world cruise.
20. Move to a different country.
21. Pay a strangers tab at a restaurant.
22. Go to California, visit Santa Barbara and the Santa Monica Pier.
23. Swim with a dolphin.
24. Ride a horse on the beach.
25. Camp on the beach.
26. Start running and be able to run a 5k even if just once.
27. Graduate College with a degree in Journalism.
28. Inspire someone to be who they want to be.
29. Help in a movement to let young girls know it's okay to have curves and be different.
30. Adopt a dog.

Pale Skin

      Pale skin at times can be a pain in the arse, but it can also be quite beautiful. I have always had pale skin, I can't tan, I burn then peel. That's it. I actually use to be quite insecure about it, I wanted to be tan like all the other girls I went to school with, but I just couldn't.

     I think the real reason why women have problem accepting their pale skin is due to the media constantly showing us perfectly bronzed women everyday.  The problem is we never see  pale women modeling clothes that we want to buy so we know it looks good on their tan skin, but what about our pale skin..... it's kinda like the whole overweight vs. underweight ordeal, what looks good on them might not look good on us.

     I think as women we are naturally worriers, we constantly worry about everything, even if you have ten other people who are organizing something for you, you're still going to worry about it. So naturally we are going to worry about how we look, and since our skin is the largest organ we have, we know we have to take care of it. The funny thing is we use all kinds of treatments to try to save our skin to take care of it, but we still abuse it everyday, just because were not happy with it's color, or if we have a blemish or not.

      There are movements for all sorts of things, bullying, obesity, abuse, everything. But not for those of us who have pale skin and feel the need to change it just because. If everyone else is allowed to be happy in their skin, why shouldn't we, it's our natural skin. It's not like we're trying to lose a hundred pounds or prove that curves are sexy. It's our skin it's natural, Why change it? 

      Pale skin does have many challenges, like being washed out, pink cheeks, more defined dark circles, but that also means there are many ways to help enhance our natural beauty. Because pale skin is sexy. Below are some tips to help enhance pale skin, so you can show your true beauty to the world .......  (and also some tips on protecting you skin and make-up application)......

1. Blend foundation into neck so you don't get a line around the face. This will avoid a mask look.
2. If the consistency of your foundation or concealer is too thick and you would like a more natural base, mix a little moisturizer with the foundation.
3. Always use SPF, 365 days a year, even on rainy cloudy days harmful UVA Rays can damage your skin.
4. Skin tones change as you get older. So your skin tone now may be darker or paler than it was 10 years ago. It's always a good idea to get matched for a new shade of foundation at least once a year, preferably twice so you have a summer shade and a winter shade.
5. In the winter you may need a heavier moisturizer due to harsher weather conditions that may dehydrate your skin.
6. Don't feel the need to compare yourself to others just because you have pale skin, while they look like an oompa-loompa. In 10 years you'll still look youthful while they'll have wrinkles and sun damaged skin.
7. When applying make-up know your face structure and where you need color and highlighting at, because even though we promote pale skin, you don't want to look like a ghost. 
8. For special occasions when you do use bronzer, remember less is more.
9. Pale skin, red lips, and a soft cat eye never go out of style.
10. Feel confident in yourself, and your make-up. Self-confidence in yourself will show in the way you carry yourself.

    I don't want anyone to feel like I have something about those with dark skin, because I don't I just feel that us paler ladies should be allowed to be our self's too.

     I hope you enjoyed this post and if you have anything to add to this or you have some tips leave a comment below. I am by no means an expert on pale skin these are just some of the tips and tricks I've picked up over the years. Do you have pale skin? Do you think we are looked down upon for having pale skin? Leave a response and discuss below.

                                                                       Stay Creative,

                                                                                        Lori Ann

Contact me: 

                     E-mail: loriboyd15@gmail.com

                     Twitter:@LoriAnnBoyd

Facebook Apps I Love

   Okay so I decided I would dedicate this post to you guys by giving you an incite into my online life. Today I'm going to tell you about my favorite applications to use on Facebook. So let's get started.

1. Farmville- I've been using Farmville for years, my desire for playing this game has been a bit of a ride. A ride as in i'll play constantly for a few months at a time and then I'll stop all of a sudden and have absolutely no interest in playing the game. At the moment I've just got off one of my Farmville kicks and haven't played for about a month actually, I hadn't even realized it'd  been that long since I'd played.
2. Status Shuffle- Okay I don't know anyone who hasn't used this app. It's amazing, I love being able to go on there and I can choose either to just favorite it or I can actually publish it as my status. I'm obsessed, I probably use status shuffle to update my status about once a month.

                 My latest statuses used from the app.........

• The hardest thing is to fake smiles and say that you're okay when all you want to do is break down..#GettingALilBitStronger
• Sucks when you have a daytime life and a night-time mind
• Best things about being a writer: voices in your head is normal and day dreaming is mandatory.
• Sometimes we keep our heads down too much that we forget what it is like to look up.
• Hey all you people who make fun of depressed people, cutters, and suicidal people, you're the reason they do what they do and feel the way they feel. Think before you speak, you never know how much someone is hurting, and you're words may push them over the edge. (I added the second sentence to this).

  So I'm sure you can tell that from those above that this app has a wide variety of statuses. I thoroughly enjoy using this app and love the feeling I get when I post something and know that the person it's about reads it. Hehehe, I'm just a little bit naughty when it comes to revenge, I just choose to do it in a way that;s unexpected. Hello smart ass Lori. (LOL sorry, that's what my mom calls me sometimes).

3.CSI: Crime City- This is the app/game that i'm currently obsessed with, I don't know what it is I just enjoy solving mysteries.


       To be honest I thought I had more than that, but I guess I don't. I knew I had cleaned out my app's but I didn't realize that there were literally only three apps worth mentioning left, everything else I have is just things I occasionally use to kill time.
      So that's the Facebook applications I love. What are your's? Do we have any in common? Leave a comment below and let me know.
                                                        Stay Creative,
                                                                   Lori Ann

Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd

Book Review: Sarah MacLEAN- Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

    "Lady Calpurina Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried- and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

     But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss- to do those things Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. 

      Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston- charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

      If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all- the one that says that pleasure-seekers should fall hopelessly, desperately in love....."

So What Did I Think?

    Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLEAN is a historical romance novel published in April 2010. The excerpt above is from the back cover of the book. I bought this book at  the Dollar General Store for $7.99.

         I actually genuinely enjoyed reading this book, it was well written and the plot was original. I couldn't wait to finish reading it, I think I finished it in probably about 6 hours. It didn't end the way I thought it would, but it was still very well written. I'm not really gonna go into detail because I don't want to ruin it for you if you decide to read it. Below i'm gonna post the nine rules to break as shown in the book.

             Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

1.) Kiss someone- passionately

2.) Smoke a cheroot and drink scotch

3.) Ride astride

4.)Fence

5.) Attend a duel

6.) Gamble (at a gentleman's club) 

8.) Dance every dance at a ball

9.) Be considered beautiful. Just once.

      I would also like to add that as much as I enjoyed this book I don't think its something I will remember every last detail about. You see when I read a book I usually remember every detail about it, I still remember things about books I read 3 years ago. But unfortunately that wasn't the case with this book for me, but I still recommend you read this if you want to.

     The setting of this book takes place in London, England in April 1823, among the aristocratic society of London. The plot revolves around Callie (Lady Calpurina) a spinster whose decided she wants to have a little fun and makes a list of things lady's weren't suppose to do that she wanted to do. To help her along with her adventures she enlists a handsome marquess famous for his reputation for being a rake, and gets cracking at the list by asking him to kiss her after sneaking out in the middle of the night just so she could mark number one off her list. Jealousy, love, passion, temptation are all a part of this book, as Lady Callie has to decide between following the rules and continue on with her sheltered life or live on the wild side and maybe find love.

      What will she do? Well you'll just have to read to see for yourself.

                                                                  Stay Creative, 

                                                                               Lori Ann                     

       Also contact me:  
                             E-mail:      loriboyd15@gmail.com
                             Twitter:   @LoriAnnBoyd