HALLMARK CHRISTMAS HAUL (+giveaway!)

If you're like me, you probably have waiting until now to start Christmas shopping. I actually usually wait until a week before we have Christmas, but I'm trying to learn to adult a little better. I decided I would head to Hallmark to make things a little easier for me. I knew that Hallmark would have a variety of things for me to get for a lot of different people in my life... and I was right. 

They had stuff for my two year old niece. I knew she loved Frozen so when I saw the Elsa ornament, I had to get it for her. This ornament is different than the normal ones because it can't be broken. I thought that was great for her since she is younger. Plus, she is in love with Elsa and I wanted her to have a special ornament for her second Christmas. The other two plushies are just for fun. They were so soft and I thought it would be a great stocking stuffer. These are all from the Itty Bitty's line at Hallmark and I think the line is great for any toddler you may be looking for.

If you know me, you know I love mugs. I thought this mug would be perfect for anyone who loves Star Wars. I thought it was so cute how the outside says "The Force Awakens" and the inside said "Caffeine does, too" I think mugs are a great gift for really anyone because it could be used by everyone. So of course, I had to get this and can't wait to give it as a gift.

and lastly, I got these two cards. They are both so cute and I knew that I wanted to get them as soon as I saw how adorable they were but when I read on the back that each card would donate 10% of the sales towards kids in needs, I knew I wanted to buy them. I think it is so important to give back and how awesome is it that the Life Is Good brand will do that? So not only do you get a super cute card, but you get to help someone out. I love that. Right now, Hallmark is offering buy one get one 50% off all cards until Nov. 15 so if you want to stock up on some cards before the rush hits, now is the time to do so. That is just a small little Hallmark haul of things I picked up for Christmas. If you would like to check out Hallmark, you can do that here. They also have these really cute artisty soaps and candles that I LOVE. You can check those out here.

What will you be picking up from Hallmark this Holiday season?

PS: check out my instagram + twitter for a chance to WIN a Maybelline Lip Gloss palette. (2 chances to win) This ends on Friday Nov. 13th, 2015 This month's advertisement

DONATING TO HOMELESS SHELTERS: WHAT TO GIVE

October is over and now that it is November, we are getting hit hard with the Christmas vibes. In fact, a few nights ago I went to Wal-Mart and they already had the store decorated for Christmas. I could have died right there. Christmas is one of my least favorite holidays but I know that so many of you guys love it and I thought I should get started on the gift guides early this year.

Today I wanted to talk about giving back. That's one of the best parts about Christmas is being able to give to others. My school is currently accepting donations for a local women's shelter and I picked up the flyer so I could see what they will accept as far as donations. These are some of the things listed:


1. Unopened Makeup / Hair Products
- You may want to check with the shelter before you donate these items because some shelters will not accept these but I thought it would be nice to include. I personally love makeup and I know how good it makes me feel, so I would want to share that with others.

2. Toothbrushes / Tooth Paste:
How often do you go through tooth brushes and toothpaste? Pretty often, right? So do the shelters. This is something that won't cost you a lot to donate and if you can coupon, you can often get toothpaste for almost free.

3. Deodorant:
This is something everyone benefits from. You can donate any kind of Deodorant and it will get use by someone in the shelter. This is also something that can really help to boost the confidence of someone who is living in a shelter (think about how great you feel when you smell good).

4. Towels / Wash Cloths:
I never thought of donating towels until I saw it on the list of items needed by a local shelter and it totally makes sense. I'm sure the shelters go through these items fast as well.

5. Feminine Products:
Pads, Liners, Tampons and whatever else you can think of. Make sure, again, to call the shelter before sending these. Often times women in shelters do not get the right products to help with their needs because it is overlooked. U by Kotex is offering coupons for some of their liners right now, so if you want to stock up to donate now is the time.

6. Clothes:
- I just went through some of my old clothes I never wear that are still in great condition and put them in a box to be donated to the free clothing center. This helps me clean out my apartment but also gives to someone who may only have one or two different outfits to wear. As winter comes, it is so important these people have the correct clothing to keep themselves safe and warm. Find out what sizes and types of clothing are needed and donate what you can.

Make sure you call your local shelter and ask what they are in need of specifically before you donate. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

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TIPS TO BECOMING MORE COMFORTABLE / CONFIDENT

This week is midterm week and I honestly can't believe I'm almost halfway down with this semester. Just a few short weeks ago, I was SO nervous about going back to college. I let my worries and fears take hold of me and I spent about 5 of the last 7 weeks completely uncomfortable and not confident in myself, which only makes classes much harder for me. I worried myself sick every day before I left for school. I prayed every day for confidence to make it through the day and I'm finally starting to not feel so awkward heading into class each morning.

Nobody likes to be uncomfortable. Rather it's because you are in an awkward situation or because your clothes don't fit right, it is never a fun experience... and that's why we need to #bringcomfyback. U by Kotex has an amazing campaign going on right now where you can rid yourself of the uncomfortable feeling during THAT time of the month. and of course... my favorite part is that you can save 1$ now by click here. I love coupons and this is a great way to try out the product. I've also found there are 1$ off coupons on some of the U by Kotex packages too, so if you are in a store that would double stack, you could always try to use both, which will give you a great deal!

In order to help you #bringcomfyback I wanted to share 3 tips I use to help me feel more comfortable.

1. Start the day with a positive thought
- Rather it's that I like my hair or the fact that I got out of bed, I always try to think of something positive to start my day. I want to start the day out with a positive note because it will help me stay more positive as the day goes on.

2. Pray
- Now I understand some of you may not be religious and that's totally okay. I am, however, and I find a great deal of comfort in praying. In fact, the first 3 weeks of classes was honestly me praying none stop in class. I tend to have a very anxious mind and I would constantly pray for confidence and comfort to get me through the days.

3. Take a look around
- Make yourself aware of your surrounds. Most of the time, nobody is even paying attention to you. I've learned that kids in college don't care about the fact that I'm in a chair. Everyone has been so kind to me and I'm learning that they don't even think twice about it. Knowing that what makes me feel uncomfortable at times isn't on everyone's mind helps me feel more comfortable

make sure you check out the U By Kotex website so you can be comfortable during your time of the month! 

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MY AWKWARD TINDER EXPERIENCE (+ YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO HAWAII)

Do any of you use dating apps like Tinder? Before I met my current boyfriend, Dustin, I spent some time on dating apps. My whole intention for getting on these apps wasn't to find a new relationship but more so look for friendship. After my previous relationship, I had vowed to spend some time just by myself. It was a pretty toxic relationship and I just wanted to take some time for myself. I had JUST moved back to the area I grew up in but because I had been gone for a year, I felt like I was starting over again. (I moved away to live with my mom while I worked on getting stronger physically after my car accident) Most of the people I hung out with from high school had moved away to college or were starting a family.. so I took to dating apps to hopefully meet new friends.. and I guess I wouldn't turn down a cutie if he came my way.

photo via death to stock

Laugh without the worry (& giveaway #3)

I've talked about Poise and my experience with bladder leakage on this blog a few times and I know a lot of you are in the same boat as me. I recently found out about Poise Impressa and I am seriously amazed at this product- I've never seen anything like it.

Poise Impressa is a new product that is made to stop leaks before they happen. The truth of that matter is the stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a real thing and it happens to a lot of women. Poise Impressa is here to stop the leaks BEFORE they happen, so you're not feeling embarrassed or rushing to get to the bathroom to changed. I truly think this is a total game changer and will really help with my daily life. I worry so much during the day about rather or not I'm going to leak. Sometimes something as simple as pushing up a hill can cause me to leak and it's really frustrating, especially since I'm in school again. I know a lot of my readers struggle with leaks and incontinence and that's why I wanted to tackle talking about this product because I really feel it's going to change the game for a lot of people who worry like I do.

I grabbed the sizing kit, because I was new to the product and wasn't sure my size. It comes with three different sizes (two of each. Size 1, Size 2 and size 3) so you can find a fit that's perfect for you and then each size comes in their own packs that you can also purchase. I think this is a great way to help people find the perfect fit for them. You can also grab a COUPON for the Poise Impressa sizing kits so you can also help determine your perfect fit.

These are very similar to a tampon but they are not tampons and each is disposable but not flush-able. They can be worn for up to 8 hours at a time to help prevent any leaks from happening.

Don't fotget, yu can try Poise Impressa for your save and you can save with this coupon and enter below for your chance to win some prizes for #spinalcordinjuryawareness month! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Nontraditional Ways To Use Your Unused Pads!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you have probably came across some posts where I talk about the fact that my bladder kind of has a mind of it's own. Every since my spinal cord injury in 2012, I've struggled with finding ways help prevent LBL (light bladder leakage). I tend to always wear some sort of protection under my clothes. When I first started looking into wearing pads as a form of protection, I would grab my old period pads and use those. Quickly I learned this was NOT the best use for them and I needed to find something that was made specifically for LBL. Poise pads offers exactly what I was looking for and made protection from LBL a lot easier. (get a FREE sample pack HERE)

So, what can I do with all those unused period pads laying around? Here's a few ideas I came up with. Let me know in the comments below what you'd do to #RecycleYourPeriodPad!

DONATE THEM:

- Donate any unused / unopened boxes to your local woman's shelter or homeless shelter. Make sure to call and see if they will accept these before trying to donate but I know if they do, these would come in handy!

MAKESHIFT COZY:

- If you are out on the lake or away from your home, you can use these as a quick way to keep your hands from being cold while holding drinks. They fit around perfectly!

CLEAN UP MESSES:

- If you're anything like me, you know the struggle that is spilling something. I'm so clumsy and I feel like I'm always making a mess. Using your unused pads to help clean up spills can be an easy way to clean up dirty messes without ruining your good washcloths. 

COMPRESSES:

- Have a cut + you're without a first aid kit? Grab an unused pad to use to compress any wound. I know I tend to carry around old pads more than I do a first aid kit so this one is insanely handy for me!

Don't forget to grab your FREE samples here! 

What are some other fun ways you can use your unused pads? Let me know in the comments. 

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TOP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

I just got back from a week away at camp (more about that a little later) and I spent a while going over my packing list to make sure I had everything that I needed. I don't travel often and when I do, packing seems to be the hardest thing for me. I either end up forgetting so many things or end up over packing to avoid leaving something behind I might need. I wanted to share five things that I need to bring any time I travel to make my life a little easier.


WATER BOTTLE: 
- I recently picked up two for camp and have loved caring these around with me. I need to start drinking more water and having a water bottle around makes that much easier. My friend gave me a clip that I can use to clip the water bottle on to the back so I never have to worry about leaving it behind, either.

LINERS:
- Let's be honest, nothing sucks more than starting your period when you aren't ready for it. Lately my period has been irregular so I have started using liners more. I love the U by Kotex brand because not only are they comfortable (they stay in place really easily), they also offer cute designs that are fun and bold. Carrying them around in my purse is easy because they aren't bulky and since the design is so cute, I'm not embarrassed if they fall out of my purse.

A GOOD LIPSTICK:
- I always try to have one lipstick in my purse at all times. If I wear a lipstick that I know is going to fade as the day goes, I try to carry backup in my purse so I can reapply as the day goes on. Having a back up lipstick in my purse has saved me many times where I've forgot to pack the right shade of lipstick and ended up needing to use the extra I carry with me always.

DEODORANT:
- I ALWAYS carry some sort of deodorant with me wherever I go. I tend to sweat a lot and I need to make sure that I always have something just in case. 

Right now, U by Kotex is hosting a lot of fun contests. If you head over to their website, you can upload your uncomfortable face in a selfie and be entered to win the grand prize. You can even get free samples. (each sample pack includes 2 U by Kotex Curves® Liners and 2 U by Kotex® Lightdays® Liners). Each month, one lucky winner will receive a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and U by Kotex products. 

At the end of the contest, the most creative selfie will win the grand prize, which includes  a trip to L.A. with a girlfriend, an exclusive U by Kotex photo shoot to be their new social star and $2,000 spending cash! To enter the #BringComfyBack Contest, check out their website and upload your selfie now! 

I wanna see your uncomfortable faces so make sure to share them on social media with #BringComfyBack so I can check you all out! 

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#LiveBrighter

Almost a year ago, I decided I wanted to try something new with my hair- I wanted to go bold and bright. Even though I had every color of the rainbow when I was younger, I felt very nervous about going an all over color so bold... but I did it and fell in love. The chance I took to #LifeBrighter has turned into one of my favorite parts about myself and something I'm so glad I was brave enough to try again.

Whenever people tell me they want to color their hair a fun color but are just too scared to do so, I always encourage them to try it. The same thing goes for trying new makeup, wearing an outfit that's a bit bolder or even changing the way you style your hair. The little changes you do sometimes could make a huge difference and actually surprise you. That's exactly what Direct Energy is wanting you to do- make changes in your life to use less energy.

Thanks to Direct Energy for sponsoring this post and encouraging us all to #LiveBrighter. 

Direct Energy wants you to save money on your electric bill and are encouraging you to find ways to use less energy. They have provided you with tons of online tools to make this possible. What's even cooler is that if you sign up now, you will receive a $75 pre-paid gift card. Use promo code LIVEBRIGHTER75 – valid until August 15th!

Another cool bonus is that you can check out their Plenti points Program. Each new person to join will be able to earn 1,000 Plenti points when they sign up. Earning points is easy and you can find out more by visiting Direct Energy Plenti points Program.

With Direct Energy encouraging others to #LiveBrighter, I wanted to encourage you do try something new. Rather this is coloring your hair a bold and bright color, trying out a new makeup look or simply changing your daily habits, you can #LiveBrighter.

What will you do to #LiveBrighter?

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Meet Allie of Sincerely, Bugs (& a giveaway!)

1. Let's start off by introducing yourself to my readers.

My name is Allie and I live in Alaska. I hate starting sentences off with "my name is... and..." because I feel so boring, but really, what other way can you start an introduction? I grew up in a community in Texas that was basically Mennonite, although they'd have multiple cows if they heard me call them that. Hey; I call it like I see it. We wore long dresses and head coverings and homeschooled and were semi-self sustaining. We rarely went out or had social lives, and when we weren't studying, we were taking care of all the animals we had.

See?! Just kidding. This is from a reenactment in Waxahachie, Texas.  But we really did wear tennis shoes with everything. Awwwkiiiiies.

The once-a-week venture that we took off the farm was to a local co-op schooling event where the other homeschoolers looked at me funny and acted like I was infected with something contagious. Kids can be so mean, right?! Whatever; I graduated highschool at 15 and they didn't. 

So then, at 17, I moved to Alaska. What?! Why would I do that?

Well, looking back, I'm like, I DON'T KNOW. I WAS WEIRD, OKAY? But it turned out to be a good thing for me! I learned a bunch of new things. How to run a bank account, work at a REAL LIVE JOB (I was SO excited for my first job that it was really sad), and wear pants. That was a weird one for me. 

Shopping went a bit like this: 

"These are too tight." "THEY'RE PARACHUTE PANTS, ALLIE."

I tried riding a motorcycle once. I looked cool until I tried to move it. (Might've gone down with the ship.)

I was in the University of Alaska Glee Club for a few semesters. It was fun times. I'm pretty much smack in the middle there.

So fast forward seven years, and here I am in Alaska still. STILL. I'm pregnant with my first child and expecting in July. I couldn't be more excited! We are moving to Oregon sometime this year or next, and we're getting our first apartment in July. I'm huge into photography and kittens and all things blogging. 

And there you have it! I'm Allie. It's nice to meet you!

2. When and why did you start your blog? How did you get the name?

I started blogging a few years ago and have honestly gone through many names and domains since then. As a creative, I have a hard time sticking to one design or one name for very long. Silly me finally realized this year that my blog name should be something that describes who I am as a person, and not just a name I like. In March (I think?), I settled on Sincerely, Bugs, because when I was little, my aunt used to call me Bugsy or Bugs. I would forever be in the yard playing with roly poly bugs (raise your hand if you did it too!) and other random bugs like daddy longlegs, which I won't touch anymore, and ladybugs. (Also, do ladybugs smell weird to you?)

3. What are some of your favorite posts you've written? (and their links!)

Hmmm. Most recently, I've loved the Reverse Bucket List I wrote for a linkup called The Circle (hosted by the awesome Kiki over at In Its Time). 

Secondarily, I loved my post "24 Wk Bumpdate" which included a really pretty picture of the household cat, Susan. And lastly, but not leastly, THIS POST about whale watching in Alaska! (Super fun, right?) I also have taken 5 photos that I'm giving away to my readers as pictures to use in your posts, blog graphics, etc. They're high-def 1200xvaried photos. 

4. What is one fun fact about you that you'd like my readers to know!

Hmmm. I HATE getting wet. Even showers suck, but if I'm by the side of the pool and someone splashes me? Oh, you better run. YOU BEST STEP FAST. 

Oh, also, I'm the 2009 Alaska State Fair Fiddling Grand Champion. And I will never stop bragging about it.

5. What got you into photography? What are your favorite things to photograph?

My mom used to have a 35mm when I was little that she took some amazing photos with. I just remember her studying a flower one time and using multiple shots of film up on this one particular pink flower. I thought, dedication like that deserves respect. Also, I wanted to be just like her. I'm fairly creative, even if I'm not "crafty," so thankfully, what started out as something I did to be more like someone else ended up being my own personal hobby that I'm totally head over heels for. And I just ended a sentence with a preposition.

What are you gonna do, call the grammar police?! Bwahahaha.

6. Lastly, a game of this or that.

Ooh! I've never played this before! (Uh oh, another prep.)

a. Mascara or eyeliner.

Mascara. I have really hooded eyes on top so wearing eyeliner just makes my eyes look wittle bitty. It's awkward.

b. Canon or Nikon

Honestly? Nikon. But I totally have a Canon and LOVE it. I couldn't afford the model I wanted in Nikon so I opted for Canon. The two models, even though priced differently, are basically the same thing.

c. Soda or Tea

Ugh. Soda. Always. It's sooo bad and I know it. But really, what is life if we can't have soda every now and then?!

d. Night or Day

I'm a COMPLETE night owl. All my best thoughts and blog posts happen at like, one AM. It's a little bit pathetic, because I have to be up by six AM for work, but I just can't stop. I'm addicted to being miserable, clearly. 

Thanks so much for having me, y'all! And thanks so much for letting me do this interview and take over the blog today, Sabrina! I had SO much fun answering these questions. Feel free to join me over at www.sincerelybugs.com anytime, you guys!

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Ah- how fun is she? I totally understand her struggles with hooded eyes! I hardly ever wear eyeliner anymore because of mine! Make sure you guys go check out her blog and show her some love! 


and you can enter to win a sephora Gift card! Make sure you put "HEY SABRINA FAITH" in as the free entry! <3

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Ways To Honor Those Who Have Served

Thank you to Direct Energy for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to help out the military veterans in my community.

Today's post isn't something I want normally post on my blog- I won't be talking about the newest eyeshadow or great spring lipsticks. I will however be sharing some stories about my cousin, who has served for our country

MUST HAVES FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS.

Today’s post is sponsored by Sakroots, but my love for their colorful art is all my own!

If I could put into words how excited I am for it to start getting warmer, I would right here. Warmer weather means I can have my windows open, get outside the house, go to the pool and of course, it's music festival season! Coachella is right around the corner and I thought it was fitting to share with you my MUST HAVES for the music festival season so that you can be prepared.

Meet Jan of Jan Loves + GIVEAWAY

1. First things first, let's start off with a simple introduction. Tell us about you, your blog and how you started it all.

Hi, I'm Jan and I blog over at Jan Loves. I live in LA with my husband and two dogs and work as a social media marketing manager for an online only fashion retailer. I started Jan Loves as a diary when I moved to the Los Angeles from Manila. I used it to keep people who care updated on what I have been up to, what's been going on in my head and the whatnots. It gradually transitioned to a lifestyle blog where I share recipes, my outfits, resto reviews and the like.

2. You post a lot of cute outfits, where is your favorite place to shop? What inspires your style?

Thank you! Some of my faves are Forever21, Gap, Marshalls, H&M, Target, Cotton On, Urban Outfitters and Old Navy. If you see me at the mall and I have a bag from a store, it means there is a good sale going on at that place. Seriously. I learned to shop sale racks very early on in life. LOL  When I was a kid, my mom would give us a strict budget when we go to the mall and to make the most out of my money, I always go straight to the sale section. I think my mom, other bloggers and menswear inspire my style the most. My mom is a stickler for making sure you look and feel good when you step out of the house so that's one. On weeks I have no drive to dress up, I resort to Pinterest or Tumblr where all the most awesome outfits from bloggers collide! I also love menswear, I love wearing comfy, oversized shirts/sweaters and pairing them with something girly like a little purse, leggings or cute accessories.

3. If you could have a shopping spree to ANY store- what store would you pick?

This is tough but I think I'll go for Marshalls for this one. I love that they have every style you can think of and are pet-friendly. It's also one of our go-to places when Ron and I want shop together. Oh and the furniture and decor is a huge plus! ;)

4. You have the cutest pups! Animals mean the world to me, what are some things yours pets do that are fun and quirky?

I adore them! Having two pups is a handful but their little quirks definitely out-weigh their high-maintenence-ness. Fox is a papillon mix and he knows that his charm is irresistible. His favorite game is digging his toy out of the blankets. That game totally matches his persistence with getting what he wants. He def knows how to get attention too! I caught him making crying sounds while under the bed and when I looked down, I can see his tail (peeking out from under the bed), wagging--such a drama king! ;) Chippy is more laid back than Fox and is a real charmer. He's good at fetching meaning he actually takes the toy back to you unless he's already tired--he just hides under the bed or the dining table. He loves to eat and always sniffs my purse if I have any food that he can steal. One of his favorite things to do is bother Fox as you can see in this video. 

5. What is your best blogging advice?

Be yourself and do not force it. It's one thing to have it as a hobby and another thing to consider it as work. :)

AND YOU CAN WIN SOME CASH! HERE'S HOW: a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Meet Lola: Lola Lane Love + Sephora giveaway

1. Let's start off with introductions- tell us a little about yourself and about your blog. How did you get started blogging? How did you get your blogging name?

Hello! My name is Amanda but you can call me Lola. I am a 25 year old, married woman living in Pittsburgh with my husband and two fur babies. I started blogging honestly.just for an outlet. Also for a community when I was feeling alone and really struggling with my anxiety. I am sliding into my 3rd month of blogging and I just love it. I've already seen such a huge change in myself and I'm so excited for this journey. As far as my blog name goes, the name Lola is a nickname given to me out of the blue by my husbands cousin when she was about three. It just stuck. Then I like the idea of a 'lane' as a route to get somewhere and I'm just all about love. Self love and love for others.

2. You've been married for a few years and you share a lot of your story about being married to a transman. How do you think sharing your story has helped you?  (I personally know sharing my story about my spinal cord injury has helped me cope a lot... those are two different things though but I love hearing how blogging / writing has made someone grow)
I think that sharing that story, although really there is so much to it that it will take many blog chapters for the story to be told, was absolutely empowering. I got a lot of great feeback, ALL of which was supportive. It's something that I'm so incredibly proud of. I'm proud of his strength, I'm proud of our journey and I'm proud of the people that surround us. It is a lot different and also similar in some ways from your injury, Sabrina. A lot of up and downs to say the least but getting back up makes us the heros :)

3. What were the reactions of others? Do you talk about it as openly outside of your blog?
Well, I will honestly tell anyone who wants to know. Kaleb is pretty open about it as well. However, there is a level of safety that needs to be kept in our society unfortunately so it's not something we would go screaming running down the street or tell a new co-worker without feeling it out. However, on my blog, I felt safe. It was also something that I wanted out there, so it didn't have to be the elephant in the room. As far a peoples reactions, we have been lucky enough to never have a horrible reaction. People who don't approve, usually just go about their business and choose not to talk to us. Their loss.

4. What is your BEST marriage advice?
Wow! Well, we will be married for 3 years in August and together 8 years at the end of this month! Although that's not and eternity, I think it's long enough to know that two things ring true. Always, always pick your battles. I learned a long time ago that blowing my top of Kaleb leaving his clothes on the floor is never going to change him. Even though it makes me cringe. On the same coin, him losing it about me putting the cracked eggs back in the carton isn't going to make me stop doing it. Don't spend your time fighting over the little things. Just let those go. Also, I would have to say never stop 'dating' each other. Me and Kaleb have honestly made it this far because we still hold hand, all the time. We still go on movie dates, he still opens the door and I love to get dressed up, even just for him.

5. Besides blogging, what other hobbies do you have?
I really love to cook. I can't wait to get some recipes up on the blog in 2015!  Besides that? I love to scrapbook, drink coffee, watch movies, and take cat naps.

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Together Lola and I will be giving away a 50$ Gift card to Sephora! If you want to enter to win (I know you do), the widget below has all the ways you can! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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MEET LIV | UNBELIEVABLY HUMAN

 

 

1. Okay- Let's start off simple. Tell us a little about yourself + your blog

I started Unbelievably Human because I was really discouraged by the high rates of millennial suicide and I wanted a way to shed light on the feelings that attribute to suicide.

I’ve always expressed my deepest emotions through art and creating. Putting words to my tougher feelings was hard for me. So with Unbelievably Human I wanted others to do the same and to really start to see and know that no matter what you think, we are all struggling and experiencing dark days but we can celebrate our humanity and our stories to make the tough days brighter and better.

I’ll also be honest and say that UH has become my own litmus test of ‘life getting better’. I went through a tough time not too long ago, which I share on my blog, and UH has forced me to hold on tight to Love for [my]self, others, and life! Which is great cause sometimes tough times change us, but we have to be careful not to lose the essence of of what makes us- US!

2. I love your style- where do you gain the most inspiration from?

Thank you Sabrina! That’s always so great to hear! I have to be honest I’m inspired by anything that feels and looks expressive. I’m honestly just always playing with looks! I love magazines like LOVE, NEON, VOGUE, and Street Fashion!

3. Where are some of your favorite places to shop?

I love shopping at boutiques and thrift stores! I like finding pretty things and things that feel special and expressive! I have a rule that I only buy what I “love”. though sometimes I buy things cause the sales price is to good to pass up! 

4.. I see that art plays a huge role in your life and you say you LOVE music- can you share some of your favorite bands / artists?

YES! I have a few!! Adele, I love the way that she tells a story! Dixie Chicks, their boldness! Sucker for soundtracks, REALLY liking Michelle Trainer right now, and so many others! 

5. Can you share some of your most favorite posts you've written?

SURE! so far they have been these 3! 

The Face of Suicide

One of My First post and Heartfelt Letters (This was so scary to write but had such a genuine response from readers!)

Fun post

6. . Looking at your pictures- I LOVE your glitter shadows.. Can you tell us a little bit about your daily beauty routine?

As much makeup as I buy and Sephora being my favorite store I generally am rushing and often opt for Neutrogena makeup wipes, Benefit’s They’re Real mascara, Mac love bug blush, and NYX crayon mascara, and a statement Lip. Always a statement lip with EOS or Rose underneath. I like Sephora’s perfect red, Nyx matte, and Milani! For vibrant colors I use The Lipbar, it’s an indie organic line with really vibrant colors!   

7. How can my readers connect with you?

http://unbelievablyhuman.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnbelievablyHuman

https://twitter.com/unbelievablyU

https://www.youtube.com/user/UnbelievablyHuman

http://instagram.com/unbelievablyhuman

http://www.pinterest.com/uhuman/

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11339485

 holy crap guys- I love this girl. She is so beautiful, so fun and I adore everything about her. If you guys agree with me, make sure to check her out!

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Meet Kate: Hacked by Kate (+ a 100$ giveaway!)

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your blog. How did you come up with your blog's name?

I am a wife stay at home mom. I have 3 kids ages 12, 4 and 2 and they keep my busy! I spend free time (ie. naptime) reading, working on crafts and DIY projects.

I came up with my blog name because I am constantly finding things that I want for my house, or recipes I want to try. If I can find a way to make it myself instead of buying it, I'll do it. Life hacks, DIY project hacks, recipe hacks = Hacked by Kate

2. It looks as if you've been blogging since 2010 on your current blog. Has this been your own blog?

Yes, I started blogging in 2010 under the name "And Baby makes 4". We had one child and another on the way. But not long after I started blogging I decided that name was pretty lame. On a whim I changed it to "Life as I know it". I loved that name but so does a million other people who have used that blog name! I kept it for the next couple of years and just changed to "Hacked by Kate" in August. Even though I share more than just Hacks, I still thought it was a fun name!

3. I read your about me section and really was touched by your story- do you think that blogging about certain life events helped you?

Absolutely! In my About Me I shared how I had my baby 2 months premature and lost my husband in less than a years time. Even years later, writing about something that made a huge impact on my life really helps me mentally. Being able to process such events at different points in life is just part of the grieving process for me.

4. My mouth is watering over some of the recipes you've posted- what is your FAVORITE thing to cook / bake?

That is such a hard question! I've made a lot of things that were amazing but my favorites are Chicken Tortilla Soup and a reader favorite is the Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole.  My favorite dessert is definitely the home made Cheesecake!

5. You also post some of the cutest DIYs- I'd love to see some of your favorite projects. What usually inspires your DIYs?

Well, like a lot of people, Pinterest has made a huge difference in my home décor. I've never been good at decorating and having all the ideas right in front of my face has made it easy for me! And while I'm always looking for something new on Pinterest, I'm trying to actually make some of the things on my idea boards! I have multiple DIY projects that I will be making soon and I am already excited to share them!

I have several favorites!

    

This lady is amazing + her story is super touching. Take some time to check out some of the links she mentioned and show her some love. Thanks for stopping by, Kate!

and now, it's giveaway time! 

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Facebook and any other social media are not affiliated with this posting or giveaway. The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment and shipment. Only one entrant per household, per address may enter. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Failure to respond in a timely manner, a new winner will be chosen and you will forfeit your prize. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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