Understand Nothing

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A lot of tours I have taken require traveling to a different location to catch up with the tour, but luckily, this tour actually comes to where you are to pick you up, which is really helpful to someone like me who has never been to this city, and has no idea how to speak the language. I normally try and learn a bit of the language, but Arabic is quite the struggle. After about an hours drive out to the desert we arrived at the reserve that Platinum Heritage uses for their tours. There are a couple different types of tours you can go on. The specific one we did involved camels. There are also some 1950s Land Rovers you can ride in, or if you are the more luxurious type, you can find yourself in a 2016 Range Rover. All of the tours that went out our day involved the afterward events as well. On to the camels…

The camels are attached in groups of three, so you aren’t in control of the camel, which is fine with me. Sitting on the camel while it is standing is absolutely shocking, but it gets better in time. After about 15 minutes of climbing over sand dunes, I was really in the groove. They give you a burka (burqa) to keep the sand out of your hair, and also to follow Bedouin tradition. After about an hour, the next parts of the tour begin.

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After a terrifying venture off of my camel, Gleb, we grabbed a glass of a traditional juice, and sat down to learn about falconry. In Bedouin times, falcons were used to as a hunting tool. They were only kept while hunting was difficult, and were released once the hunting was more simple. We then climbed onto the 1950’s Land Rovers for our journey to the Bedouin camp for dinner and some entertainment.

Our tour guide showed us around the campsite, and described some of the things we saw. We were first welcomed with traditional coffee and dates (which I am not a fan of either of those things). There was a lady doing henna, and a hooka lounge within the site which we could visit as we chose. Our meal was also explained to us, then we were led to our seats. After a ceremony to bless the food, we enjoyed an array of camel, lamb, vegetarian options, and various soups. I did feel a little guilty about eating camel after I had just taken an hour journey on Gleb. While our meals were being devoured, they had traditional dancers perform ancient dances. After everyone had completed their meals, we were escorted outside to a fire show, and then hopped back on our Land Rovers for our journey back to the entrance.

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After having a big day, we all tucked into bed (after much needed showers). We are traveling back through Dubai on our way back to America, and we are doing a completely different side of the city. Stay tuned for that post, as well as the multiple ones that will be coming out about our journeys in Japan!

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I have always rescued animals, and really believe that is the way to find a new furry friend. I am a huge advocate of adopt, don’t shop. I adopted him from A Paw and A Prayer here in the Chattanooga area. He is just 9 weeks so far, and turns 10 weeks in just a few days. This is my first puppy that I am raising on my own, but have experienced many puppies in my day, even some my parents did not want me to bring home. I just cannot resist dogs! He is a Great Pyrenees, and is going to get pretty darn big, which means eventually, I will need a bigger living space, but anything for him! I lucked out with this little guy. He is very calm, sweet to humans and other animals, and is pretty quiet.

Being a first time fur baby parent can be pretty daunting. I have a couple of tips that will hopefully help you on your journey to finding your next best friend. Giving them a great life is as important as creating a great life for yourself. I am definitely not a professional, but these are things my family has done throughout my life with all sorts of breeds.

Start crate training early. I promise it is worth it. Dogs enjoy crates because it creates a safe environment for them that they know is theirs. I catch Neyland just hanging out in his crate all the time, and when it is time for him to be in the crate, he usually walks right in! I keep him in the crate when I am going somewhere that he cannot go, when we are sleeping, or random times just to make sure he gets used to being in it.

You need to get your dog out there! If it is pet friendly, you bet your bottom dollar that Neyland is going. His breed especially needs to be socialized at an early age. This really helps with getting to know other dogs which is important for any sort of puppy. It helps with meeting new people which can prevent aggression issues. It also helps with travel and leash training. Socialization can greatly reduce aggressive tendencies, and unwanted behaviors in public too.

I think a lot of people are under the impression that you need to constantly tell your dog no, or punish them when they are doing something they shouldn’t. I was taught that rewarding an animals good behavior is more constructive to their adult life/personality than punishments are. Punishing an animal can lead to a damaged relationship between you and your little friend. Think about the way you would want to learn something. Would you constantly want to be put down? Didn’t think so, and neither does your little pup.

Luckily, my adoption fees included neutering, which is a lifesaver. While you may want your new pup to find a girlfriend and have pups of their own, there are so many dogs in the world without homes and that are abused every day. We need to make sure those animals have loving homes. Not only does this prevent pregnancy, it can help with their behavior, and trust me, a pup on her period is an impossible mess.

Even though we all dream of the perfect puppy who we can raise on our own, don’t disregard other animals. Sometimes the older they are, the easier it is to raise them and become best friends. They may have already learned the difference between right and wrong. This may be ideal for a first time owner. It is easier to get in the swing of things.

Lastly, if you think something is up with your new friend, don’t be afraid to take him or her to the vet. There are a lot of issues that puppies can get, and instead of making your new buddy suffer, go ahead and get them fixed up. Parvo is a real life issue when it comes to puppies. Love them and treat them well!

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Have you adopted any animals? What are your tips to raising your little buddy? Let me know down below!

3 Travel Must Haves

As I write this, I am prepping for my trip to Dubai/Japan, so I think I can pretty much tell you exactly what I am doing…right? I do a lot of travel within the United States, and I also do a lot of international travel. I have pretty much gotten the travel/packing down to a science. I truly rely on three things for all of my packing needs. So while I am in the midst of this packing disaster,…

3 reasons a reality check is exactly what you need

Let me just tell you, growing up is not very fun. In fact, you have to deal with everything that you do…rather you want to or not. I have had some pretty unfavorable events happen in the past couple of months, and I think for once, I have actually learned a lesson. My mother would be so proud. Since a lot of us are going through different situations where we may or may not be at fault, I thought…

My skin suffers from dullness quite often. No matter what I do to prevent it, so I am always interested in anything that is brightening or radiance boosting. This is packed out with Vitamin C, 15% to be exact, which is pretty strong. This product claims to fight dullness, dark spots, and hyper pigmentation. Which are similar claims to the original moisturizer.

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This has a pretty strong citrus scent, so be warned. I am not a huge fan of that scent, but I do love using Vitamin C in my skincare routine. It is one of the few products that makes a difference in my skin, but we will get to that in a minute. This has a milky consistency, which was actually a shock to me. It is extremely lightweight, and coming from someone who uses the moisturizer, it is kind of refreshing. I feel like I can put it on my face and it is being absorbed, not transferring to different surfaces. I have also heard this is great to use with Luna, which I also one, so you can believe that I will be trying that combination out soon.

I have been using this product for a couple of weeks now, and I honestly see a huge impact on  my skin. If I have a long night out and then apply this product, my skin looks like I have been sleeping for days. Not only does it improve how my skin looks, but my skin also feels amazing. It creates a smooth surface on my skin, and keeps my face feeling moisturized and soft.

Although this product is going to cost you a pretty penny, I am such a fan of Sunday Riley products. She has me hooked for life. They do make a lot of smaller sets that feature multiple products for those who are interested, but may not be ready to cough up the money. Trust me, your bank account will thank you for trying before you buy!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit

Long time no see, I know. Sometimes life really gets in the way of things you love, and you just have to endure and keep going. Anyway! I have been a serious fan of the ABH glow kits since they came out. The first one that really caught my eye was Moonchild since I am a Cancer, and the Moon is a big part of my life. I am also a sucker for duo chrome, thanks Youtube circa 2009. So, is this one of…

Hyaluronic acid is essential to healthy looking skin. After all, 50% of the existing acid in our body is found in our skin. Not only does this help keep our natural contours smooth, but it even helps to punch up the volume to really make you look youthful. Aging and different types of damage actually cause our HA levels to decline. While we cannot necessarily replace HA that is existing in our body, it is great to start using topical treatments to help your skin looking great. HA actually helps to hold 6 liters of water per 1 gram, so, sign me up. Hydration is way too important.

This product works in three different ways. There are multiple forms of HA in this product that really help to penetrate and last after application to help continue the hydration. This helps to stimulate the production of HA that is residing in your skin. Finally, the peptides and antioxidants boost collagen and elastin. This is great for reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

I use this product before my moisturizer, and have seen an increase in my skin’s youthful appearance. There is no scent to worry about. which is a common issue when I am choosing skincare to use for myself. It applies and feels like a lightweight serum, so I can wear this under my normal amount of makeup without feeling like I am wearing a mask. I have pretty sensitive skin, and this has not caused any breakouts either, which is always fantastic!

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You can find out more about Jan Marini at the following link if you are interested, and you can purchase the product as well! This will run you $125 for 1 fluid ounce, which is pricey, but if it is really working, then it is always worth it.

https://www.janmarini.com/skin-care-products/rejuvenate/hyla3d-ha-activating-complex

Locate a Spring Renewal National Event and enter for a chance to win weekly prizes! Click the link below to find out more and sign up!

http://apps.janmarini.com/spring-renewal/

*I was sent this product for free through Brandbacker for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift

As most people my age, I am under quite a bit of stress. Stress has been proven to have a significant impact on our skin. I am lucky enough to work with Dermalogica to bring you the newest product launch, the Stress Positive Eye Lift. Our eyes are an area that not only shows age, sun damage, and fatigue, but also stress. While some stress is good for our bodies and minds, no one wants wrinkles,…

This is from a website that focuses on Korean beauty products that are new and unique. Where I live, it is pretty difficult to find Korean beauty products so this is a fantastic website. I have had some really amazing results from the GLAMGLOW masks, and this kind of gave me the same vibes, so I ordered it, duh!

This has a little less than 3 ounces of product in the jar, and it is a pearly white color inside. This does not come with a brush, so be sure to keep that in mind. This brand does have a great silicone brush, but I sadly did not pick it up. The videos using it seem great though! The consistency is pretty thin, but thickens up when applied. It has a pretty interesting smell, and is pretty strong with a rubbing alcohol scent, so if you are triggered by smells, then this may or may not be for you. Personally, the scent does not bother me that much. It honestly kind of smells fresh to me, maybe I am weird.

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This contains diamond and white pearl to help brighten your skin. Since this is a peel off mask, be sure not to get this on your eyebrows or hairline because you can pull out some hair, and no one wants that. This honestly feels like glue on your skin, and does not have the chrome effect until it is dried, but then….holy cow. The thicker you apply this, the longer it takes to dry. It took me about 25 to 30 minutes. This also is not painful to peel off, which is amazing. I have been witnessing horror demos of that devil black mask, but no worries over here!

I definitely think this is worth the price, it cost me about $22, and you can find the mask at memebox only for the time being. Shipment was pretty standard which I can always appreciate for things that I cannot wait to try. It also comes with a super handy lid to keep the product as fresh as possible after you remove the seal!

Original Chrome Mask

What do you think? Is this something you are interested in trying, or maybe have tried? Let me know your thoughts!

Body Positivity & My Tips

For years I have had a very slim body. I would attribute that to my years of being an athlete, but it is most likely genetics. Up until I was in my mid 20’s, I could not gain weight, and it did not matter what I ate, drank, or even did. Once I hit my late twenties, things really changed with my body. Today, I am talking about how I grew to love the body I have, not a memory. (more…)

I have always had an affinity for crystals, mainly because they are absolutely gorgeous, but also because they contain energies that we can actually feel. I wrote a post about my spiritual journey, and I will leave that here in case you want to read that. I have been collecting them for a while, and chose to finally talk about them. It is kind of a trend now, but I keep a variety of crystals in…

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Urban Outfitters Pressed Flower Glasses

Dutch By Design Bathing Girls Tea Set (I actually broke down and bought this!)

Kate Spade Robson Lane Luxe Darcy

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New Balance 247 Running Sneaker

Skinny Dip laters Passport Holder

Anthropologie Moroccan Wedding Pillow

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Bunch Of Carrots is something that I look forward to every year. I love the reusable bubble bars because they really last for a long time. This has lemon, burgamot, and buchu oil which is black currant. Lush says these are good for between 3 to 7 baths, but I still have some of mine from Christmas that are still in perfect shape, and well loved.

Wash Behind Your Ears is a new shower gel that came out with the Easter collection. While I was hoping this would be completely carrot scented, it has jasmine, rose oil, sunflower oil, and neroli oil to help soften your skin. This is a gorgeous orange color, and is pretty uplifting when used.

Flopsy is a wild product. It is a face wash jelly in the shape of a rabbit. It has little eye holes so you can scare everyone and wear it around your house! This has seaweed gel, almond oil which is the key ingredient, glycerin, lemon, and bergamot. The smell is not my favorite, but it is a really fun product, and it feels great on the skin.

Smugglers Soul Solid Perfume is my first fragrance purchase from Lush. I initially picked this up for my travel plans in the future. This is a solid perfume in that it comes in a little tin, and you just warm it up with your fingers and apply it that way. I chose this one because I absolutely love sandalwood, and this features two different types of it.  It also has lemongrass in it to brighten the scent. This is very earthy, so keep that in mind.

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Frozen is one of the bath bombs that is always available, I think? This definitely has some vibes from the Disney movie, so if you’re a fan of the movie, try this out! It has this really amazing plastic-free silver shimmer that comes out once the bomb is placed in your tub. This features neroli, rose oil, and some grapefruit too.

Jungle Solid Conditioner is another new purchase of mine. I have been using their shampoo and conditioner for a few weeks now, and my hair has really been thankful for the natural ingredients, and once again, with traveling coming up, I need something that I can easily transport. This is a great little bar that smells amazing, and feels great on my hair. This is awesome on my curly hair, and it features organic cocoa butter, bananas, avocados, figs, kumquats, and passion fruit. Yum!

Intergalactic is maybe my favorite regular line bath bomb. I have talked about this many times, and it is pretty cool that it is inspired by a character in Guardians of the Galaxy. This is a gorgeous peppermint based bath bomb which is amazing for if you are feeling under the weather. It also features vetivert and cedarwood which gives it an earthy vibe.

Guardian of the Forest was a slightly hesitant purchase for me. I have used this in the past, and I really did not enjoy it as much as I enjoy the rest of the Lush range. I am giving it another chance, and I will definitely update this post once I use it. It features cypress, oakmoss, and rosewood which are all things I typically enjoy. We shall see friends!

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Metamorphosis is one of the newer bath bombs, and one that has intrigued me for quite some time since the Lush Summit. It almost reminds me of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. It is this grey shade that has a surprise shade in the middle of it, but I don’t want to ruin it for you! It honestly smells like the inside of a Whole Foods store, haha. This is an online only product, so you cannot find it in stores. It has black pepper and myrrh to give you this nice spicy scent while you bathe.

Chick n’ Mix is one of their Easter bath bombs. It is actually three different parts which makes it even more fun. You can use all of these pieces separately, so you can actually end up getting three baths out of this one, plus, it is huge! This is a unique citrus bath with some hints of tonka which smell of caramel.

Which Came First comes in two different patterns. One is spots and the other is lines, but they are the same product. Just pick which one you like! This is another one of those products that can actually be made into three baths as well! Just crack open the egg for a surprise in the middle. This is very citrus smell, and features grapefruit.

Blue Skies and Fluffy Clouds is one of those big bubble bars that you just break apart and crumble under running water. I have actually never tried this specific bubble bar, so I decided to venture out and try it. This has frankincense and patchouli which are two of my favorite smells, if you couldn’t tell.

The Experimenter is a really fun bath bomb. When you first drop it into your bath, it creates this really fun rainbow fix, but it does eventually all mesh into one color. This is for the fans of a sweet smell! It has vanilla, tonka, and features some more of that plastic-free glitter.

What are your favorite Lush products? What is your favorite collection they have came out with?

I love this time of year because it allows us to really be adventurous with our makeup. Companies have been packing stores with new fun merchandise in some really amazing shades, and I mean, I am so ready for warm weather to stay! I did a little bit of online window shopping to show you what is on my list this year, just in case you want to add any of these items to yours! (more…)