Its Been a While!

It has been so long since I have blogged! I want to start back again! Whats new? Well, I have decided to go back to school, unsure of what for, but I have a pretty good idea. I will going to Lee this fall, just heading back while Jeremiah finishes, haha.

Also, I have to share my latest cosmetic love! Model in a Bottle! It is amazing! It is make-up finisher. It is a misty spray that you put on all over your face after you have all of your make up on. It is great for the summer, it prevents your make-up from 'melting' off your face or smudging.

Check it out here!

A few things I 'can't ' live without.

Today we found out that we are headed up to visit everyone in Pennsylvania a few day earlier! Which makes me happy, but sad all at once. Happy because this means that Jeremiah will be able to be visit a couple more days, sad because its a few more days away from home. But we will be in Pa to visit on Friday April 30th.

I realized today while beginning to think about how and what to pack for my visit to Pennsylvania that there just a couple things that If i forgot them, I would have to buy them immediately! Or I would 'die'. I think making this dramatic is only being true to my attitude about these things. LOL!

First thing ( in no particular order) : OPI's Sweetheart nail polish. My nails are mean to be painted! I like to do colors every now and then. Bust sweetheart is a nude color that is a must for me! I paint my nail twice a week with it!

Coming in next is My face scrub, Up & Up citrus scrub! I use this stuff every morning and night! I love it! A little side note here, its really good to use a face cleanser with a grit or scrub to it to get all those yuckies off your face! Make-up is only flawless on flawless skin!

Lastly, my coffee. I guess coffee maker goes with that? I start my day with a wonderful cup of Starbucks' Pikes Place coffee brewed in the comfort of my own home!

Just wanted to share a few things that I 'cant' live without right now! haha. Of course I could live without them, I just wouldn't be as happy! ;)

Shoes!

Today I went shopping and got my Easter dress! Which all stems from- Growing up my mom would get all of us girls new eater dresses for easter Sunday, every single Easter without fail! Now, since I am all grown up I have to carry on that tradition! And I don't mind one bit! I picked out my dress today from Target, one of the new Liberty of London line. I realized I needed new shoes to go with wonderful new dress! And then...I saw them from across the isle. It was magic, like in a movie when time stops and nothing and no one exists for a brief moment other than you and shoes! I immediately knew they were the ones, they had stolen my heart!

Oh, how shoes can make my day so much better!

The Price of Beauty.

Have you ever thought of what beauty 'costs'? I know I personally buy make-up, hair products, and other various 'beauty' products on a regular basis. I don't believe wanting to look your best is a 'sin' or a 'crime' but I think sometimes we all need to look in the mirror with no make up on and no baggy close to hid what we don't like and see ourselves through Gods eyes and see how beautiful we all are! We too often, especially myself, get caught up in what people think of me and my appearance.

The new Show "The Price of Beauty", produced my Jessica Simpson is wonderful! I am a fan of Jessica Simpson, but even if you aren't I would encourage you watch an episode. It is all about Jessica and two of her closest friends traveling the world and finding the the world considers to be beautiful. But at every stop they make they find people who have been negatively effected by their wants to be beautiful, their desires to make then selves perfect to the worlds standards. It was very eye opening for me. I love that everywhere they go, there is a lesson in what true beauty is.

Here is the link if you are interested in watching : The Price of Beauty

Blog number two!

Check out my new, second blog I have started! it all about being healthy! Eating healthy, having a healthy body image and having a healthy relationship and view of God!

thehealthystateofgrace.blogspot.com

Out with the bad... In with the new.

A lot of changes have happened in my life over the past year- I finished school, got married, moved away from home, to name a couple. Over the past year, I have changed. I wouldn't say for the better, or for the good, just different. I am finding my likes and dislikes have shifted, my attention is now focused on new priorities and I am surrounded by all new faces. I have come to the place where I need only positive things in my life.

I have gotten rid of my Facebook, it no longer exists! It is very freeing! I know people wont understand, but think of it as this.

God created women relational. Facebook is the global epicenter of staying connected and keeping up with the latest news in someone's life. Women need relationships, they crave for friendships and constant 'connect' with another person/people. God also created men to love women and be attracted to and stimulated by their bodies. In the same way then men 'need' and want women, women need and want connection and relationship. Knowing that - in the same way that men and take their needs and want for women out of context, women can take their needs and wants out of context if they are not careful with various social networking things. Now, I am not by any-means saying Facebook is evil, or that women are addicted to social network, or that anyone else has a problem, for that matter, but I know I do. I became addicted to 'connection'. I focused on the wrong things and the 'wrong' relationships. It became more of an obsession and addiction rather than 'a way to stay connected'. So, I got rid of it.

Moving forward, I know that I wont be as 'up to date' on peoples lives, but I am really ok with that. It is also very freeing knowing that the 'whole world' doesn't know what I am doing everyday. I do and will continue to miss the friends I am not always in constant connection with. But I did what was right for me.

You can always email me, or an 'old fashioned' phone call would be nice!

emilynmartin@rocketmail.com

I have a new heart. Or at least I am working on it.

Today was the first Sunday in a month that Jeremiah has been able to make it to Church! It seems like it has just been one thing right after another. As we were all dressed up in hells and neck ties, we get ten feet our of our drive way and have flat tired! Well my fast-thinking hubby, changed the tire in 10 minutes and got to to church only a few minutes late! Today at Westmore COG, Pastor Kelvin Page preached an amazing message out of Judges. He posed this question- How long does it take for a family to lose their Christian heritage? How long does it take for a church to lose its purpose for existing? Now long does it take a Nation to lose its purpose for existing?

Judges 2:10

10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.

That is the answer. It only takes ONE generation.

Check out this video Pastor showed in church this morning, you will be challenged!

What Are You eating?

Lately I haven been working out a lot, and trying so hard to eat healthy foods. I realized that over Christmas this year I was the heaviest I had been in my life. Which, some would say isn't that 'big', but to me, it was bigger than I was ever 'use' to being! I have been doing cardio and strength training for 35 minutes every morning and eating very strict! You don't have to be as strict as I am, but I just want this weight GONE! One thing I have noticed with this new 'diet' phase I am in, is the foods I am eating. Watch out for specifically 'diet' foods! ie. 'lite', 'diet', 'weight watchers', or anything else that is specifically low calorie or low fat. Not all are bad, but you need to read the label of the food you are buying! Just because it is diet doesn't mean it's good for you, sometimes it means all the 'bad' fats and sugars are taken out but replaced with fake chemicals! Ingesting fake processed chemicals is never good! For example, I eat StoneyField organic French vanilla yogurt ( you can get this ANYWHERE, even Wal-mart!) It is all natural and tastes very good, but it so much better for you than any other yogurt out there- ie. Dannon, Yoplait ect. Dannon's Fit & Light Yogurt has just over 10% aspartame in it! ( Aspartame is a cancer causing sugar substitute, it has been clinically proven!) However, most people but it because it is 'only' 100 calories. However, if you eat the same amount of StoneyFeild yogurt with no fillers and no chemicals, its only ... 100 calories! I challenge all of you to take the time and do what my Mama aught me to do, read the labels of you are about to punt into your body!

Try This!

Do you have dry skin?Oily skin? Blemished skin? I have the answer!

So many people have skin issues! Whether it be too dry, too oily, acne of just plain sensitive skin, we all need something for it. The answer? HONEY. Thats it! Any kind any brand organic and home grown, or bought at Wal-Mart. People (men and women) who used home for 15 mins each day for 14 days had 80% clearer skin after the first week! Honey is much more gentle on your skin that harsh acne medications or creams, and believe it or not, is more moisturizing that many lotions! This isn't just for acne, but dry skin and even oily skin, honey will even your skin. Honey is so gentle and mild that in face many baby shampoos have honey in it!

The routine:

1. Place 1 Tbl. spoon of honey in a microwave safe (small) bowl ( I use glass)
2. Microwave for 8-10 seconds
---You're not microwave to heat! The honey should not be hot! You are only making the honey a little bit thin so that it s easy to work with!
3. Use a foundation brush, if you dont have one, you can get 1 cheap one at any dollar store, they will be ELF brand.
4. Spread evenly all over the face. Leave ti on for 10-15 mins ( I do 15)
% Wash off with warm water.

iphone and Tan Skin!

This afternoon my sweet hubby and I became proud new owners of the iphone! We love them dearly, they are our children, well until we have our own! Jeremiah's phone DIED. It was his his third phone in a year, and we needed to get off of our current phone plan/provider. ( We were not happy with anything about T-mobile) We are now with AT&T, so hopefully things will get better!

I realized after looking back over my last post I told you I have '2' sunless tan products for you and had only mentioned one! Here is the second-



SUN- It is a little more expensive but is great! It absolutely will NOT turn you orange! It a foam that goes on evenly over the skin and is made of organic ingredients! One bottle will last a very long time and is safe for the whole body as well as the face!

Did you know?

Did you know that having tan skin gives the illusion of being thinner than you are? I am very fair skinned and cannot tan well at all, but this hope for people like me! There are a lot of self tanners out there for very cheap prices. I know some of you have probably tried some of them in the past and turned orange!---this wont happen again! There are two products that I recommend that I have personally used before and have both worked awesome! Jergen's Natural Glow Lotion- Within the past 6 month Jergen's have come out with a new formula for there now years old self tanning lotion. The old formula was not very good! It had a lot of fillers and animal product in it, and left you streaky and sticky! The new lotion has no animal product in it has tones of vitamins in it, and its number one ingredient is mineral oil with is amazing for your skin! I use it now actually, I mix it with a Jergen's moisturizing lotion just to make it more even when it goes on. DO not use the lotion on your face! If you want to use it on your face, get the face-specific bottle!

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope all of you are feeling the Love today! I know I am! My amazing hubby (so far) has gotten me a GIANT cupcake, from cupcake Divas, of course! We are going to dinner in a little bit, after that he says he has a surprise for me! :) I cannot wait!!! I want all of you to know today how beautiful you are! Today at church (@WestmoreCOG) pastor Kelvin Page preached an awesome message; we need to stop caring about our problems and loving our issues more than the people in this world! How we need to get over ourselves and not everyone is going to fit into our perfect world, no one is the same, and we need to love everyone, Just as Jesus did, and God has commanded us to! I hope everyone is feeling loved today!

I LOVE YOU!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

I am in the process of re-vamping my blog. I have totally rearranged it and reorganized it! I am so excited about this new change. I always say my blog will have a specific purpose or theme, but every time I say that, It doesn't happen. So let's just see where this thing goes...

'All Over Again'

" You dont have to die all over again, to break this power of my sin,
everythings already been said and done,
I'm so senseless, so helpless.
I cant erase what I have already done,
but please just come and make me all over again."

This is a song by Nicole Serrano ( you can listen to it here: http://www.myspace.com/nserranomusic) It is called 'All Over Again" it has become my song of the week. Have you ever felt like you are just tarnished? Unintentionally, you become stale and just filled with everything but what you want and need? " Direction, not intention determines where you'll end up." That quote is from our young couples pastor at the church we are going to (www.westmorecog.org) This week I have realized that it really doesn't matter what my intentions were or are; the only thing that matters is where you are today. Christian life is truly about positioning yourself to where God can effectively use you; no matter what, that is the core of decision making in our lives. It has taken me about two months now to realize this. I have been so caught up in my own thoughts and opinions and ideas about why I am in Cleveland Tennessee. Jeremiah came to me today and asked me to read a couple pages in one of his books he has for one of his classes, I cant even tell you the name. The basis of what he had me read was about the Israelites, and how go had allowed tier lands to be taken, and they prayed to God asking why, and for help to get their lands and homes back, but the book went on to explain that they were missing it. God didn't just 'allow' for them to be driven out, he had specifically placed/positioned then out of that land for a purpose and to prepare them for eventually getting their lands back.

I guess I am finally starting to accept/understand why I am here in Cleveland. And beginning to realize that Gods will is bigger than my own, and my wants are just that, wants. And my needs, they are being me, but I can be so selfish and just see it as, "yeah, you met my need BUT......". I guess this is just my heart tonight.......

The 6 Month Plan.

This week has been a busy one, and It is Wednesday! Not too crazy, but I finally heard back from the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology! Long story short, I was told I had to go back to school to finish I Operator hours to sit for the Tennessee SB (State Board)But through a series of events, I had challenged the Board to accept my hours and license from Pennsylvania, and they did! SO very shortly I will heading 'home' to PA to take my tests then take them in Tn! ....After I get all of my test taking done, I am going to back for my Post Secondary Cosmetology Teachers License (PSCTL). By June hopefully I will be all finished with everything. After that, who knows, I really would love to open a School, but who knows!!!!

Back to what I love... Cosmetics!!!!

I went to Knoxville the other day with a friend (@TylerSmith) to the Apple store, to get his precious iphone fixed up, While on out trek I realized how my brain works, specifically how I relate everyday things or objects to something concerning cosmetics. When I try to make a metaphore or give examples it is with out fail, something like, 'Well if I do this it's like bleaching my hair, I cant get my natural back for awhile'! HA! I was looking at a car and he says " that muffler looks awful.' I say, ' it looks like a curling iron.". See my logic? Just wanted to share that little bit with you! :)


So, today I decided to brighten up my teeth a little, I use 'PlusWhite' Its paste you use with trays. I have used it for forever and I have never had any sensitivity with it ( and I am sensitive to everything!) If you're looking for a whitener I suggest you try it! your best bet is finding it at a local drug store or online. (www.pluswhite.com)

Also, a really great mascara to try is loreal's double extend, it is awesome and love how it doesn't come off during the day, AT ALL! Also, I HATE water proof mascara, it is also very bad for your lashes, but I hate it anyways! So always get the NON-water proof! I also love Urban Decay's BIG FATTY mascara, but it is also around twenty dollars and depending on where you live, it might only be available to you online, so you have to add for shipping, but I highly suggest that! (www.urbandecay.com)

Cookbook update!

Oh my today has been a headache, but not in a terrible way :)! I have been doing loads and loads of research! I am getting so excited! Today I have been researching 'color philosophy', the study hf how the various colors effect emotions and marketing. It seems elementary, but the statics show that the most important things in any book is the title and the cover of the book, because if it doesn't sell, it doesn't matter what is in between the covers.

Also in the research I am doing the majority of the info out there suggest to self-publish your cookbook first them give those copies to close friends and family for feed back... all of you, be expecting a cookbook! Then have the people who receive the book to try various recipes and give you an honest critique of how easy the recipe was and how good. So that is where I am right now... I'll keep you posted!!!

I Hate People Today.

BOOK FEVER! I have been working on my book all day! It is coming a long nicely! A little stressful but I am enjoying it!

Lately I've just been bitter. I realize I am bitter towards select people, and I hate how people say " oh, let go and let God'. Well I will, when I'm ready. And quite frankly, I'm just not ready yet. This also bring up a pet peeve of mine, when 'Christians' try to tell other people, believers or not, what to do. That is how nad where Christians get a bad rap.

I'm feeling a little lonely today, my hubby has classes all day and I'm home, busy, of course but it's still quiet. It's amazing how many friends you have UNTIL you move away. We have been Cleveland now almost a month and Only heard from MY mom, MY dad, MY sister and my best friend. I'm fairly certain Jeremiah's family has forgotten about us, HA! And well our friends, I guess we'll make new ones???

Anyways, I guess I just hate everyone today. Ever have one of those days?

Hummbug!

Today. Today has been full of awesome creativity thanks to Google and my ink pad! I have mad some great progress for my book that I am writing! I have really 'never' finished much of the large projects that I've started in my life, but this I have fully committed myself to, 100%! I am so excited for the possibilities of this book!

Today. Today has also been full of frustrations! I feel upset and a little annoyed. I feel that some people in my life really only care about themselves, and only what things will directly effect them. What is really awful in this situation is that the people closest to them, either don't see it, or just don't care.

Peanut Butter Candy and Chattanooga

Today has been a good one! My hubby and I got to spend the day together, and this evening I am going to Chattanooga with some friends, while Jeremiah's at work.
-Today while Jeremiah and I went shopping and I've been looking for some new cologne for him, the ones that he has aren't great, so if any of you have any suggestions, let me know!!!

Last night I had such a weird dream! I dreamed that I was back in the sixth grade! Back in sixth grade weuse to get this 'stuff' called, peanut butter candy for dessert for lunch almost everyday, it was the best 'stuff' in the world! So today I googled it, and it took me forever, but I found what I think is the recipe for it! It is kinda like peanut butter fudge, but nothing like it at the same time? I guess its the only peanut buttery thing I know if to compare it to! Here is the recipe if you want to try it!

Ingredients

2 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 cup milk
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
Directions

Butter an 8x8x2 inch square pan. Set aside.
In a 2 quart saucepan with a candy thermometer inserted, cook sugar, light corn syrup, milk, and salt, until thermometer reads 234 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter.
Put peanut butter mixture in a large mixing bowl and beat until mixture begins to thicken. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until completely cooled. Cut into squares.

I like it best that after it chills, melt a cup and a half if sweet chcolate and pour it on top, like an icing.YUMMY!

Letting my hair grow.

Lately I have been so touched by a fellow blogger, make-up artist and mom Kandee johnson. (kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com) You can read more on her blog, but though various external circumstances she needs prayer! I am just asking that though out your day today just say a little prayer for Gods will to be worked through her situation!

In other news, I have decided to let my hair grow! It has been about two years now since I have had my hair past these shoulder, and its about time I let it grow! I asked Jeremiah to be my 'hair accountability partner'. Pretty much, when ever I feel the urge to cut my hair well a significant amount, we all know getting the crispys trimmed off periodically is necessary; but he is supposed to say no! And remind me of how I want my hair long!

I would also like to update you all on life in Cleveland. Today is warm, 56 degrees! Which makes me oh so happy, because this mean the mice wont we coming into my house to get warm! My wonderful hubby caught four mice, FOUR! EW! I could barely breathe during the ordeal, but he has assured me that I am mow 'safe'!