So, Life happened...

It has been a ridiculously long time since I've typed anything here.

Since then -

I have closed and reopened and closed my Etsy shop.

I have completed cosmetology school and acquired my temporary license (because the state boards aren't until November).

I have chopped off most of my hair, gone blonde, messed it all up and gotten a sassy short pixie, only to grow it out, go purple, and gradually fade back into "normalcy" and blondey brown hair.

I am still married.

I have a completely different outlook on everything.

And I am unsure of where to go from here...

2014

There are many things I left unsaid for 2013.

Many things I chose to not share here.  And I gradually faded away from my online presence, wrapped into a shell of myself.  

2013 was one of the best years of my life.

I married my best friend.

My sister blessed us with a nephew on the Fourth of July.

I chose to follow my dreams and enroll in cosmetology school in October.

But amidst these moments of bliss, there was a LOT of heartache.

I lost two of my uncles over summer 2013, and I retreated into the black hole of my self that I found in 2007 after the death of my grandfather.

Prior to my grandfather's passing, I hadn't come very close to death.

I had no coping mechanisms.

I still struggle with my grief and reactions in situations like these.  The tears always come later.

In addition to losing my family members, the mother of one of my husband's best friends (and if we're going to be honest, the mother of several of our best friends, because that whole family is a package deal) passed away shortly after Christmas.  It was not an easy thing to deal with, coming so shortly on the heels of losing others I cared so deeply about, and I am struggling with this latest loss as  well.

But a new year brings a chance of hope.

A chance to live to its fullest, and take all opportunity that is thrown my way.

I am already struggling to juggle my new marriage with work, school, and a second "job" (I am now a Tastefully Simple direct sales consultant! YAY!), and I only expect it to get harder before it gets better

But there is always tomorrow...

{via}

PJ Party Swap Reveal!!

Well before I start this, I should say...I suck at taking pictures lately.  Even my instagram feed is alarmingly dull as of late.  So you guys are stuck with a crappy pic from ig. Sorry.

Remember my last post about this awesome swap over at CG Swaps?

Well, here is the big reveal!  My partner was Bethany over at Happily Rambling.  I am so happy to have had the chance to get to know her through her blog and our emails.  We have a lot in common :)

I was SO excited to get my swap package in the mail!  My life has been a bit blue lately (I will be posting more about this to come) and finding it on my porch was the best pick up!  

She included rad PJ's (check out the outer space tank top! perfect for a trekkie like moi), a mini version of Apples to Apples, a fantastic scrub she made herself, face masks I cannot wait to try out, and super yummy chocolate almonds because I told her about how I'm trying to make healthier decisions so she totally rocked it with those! 

And last but not least, she even send me a second package, straight from Amazon...

A copy of the book World War Z!!!  I was so excited, I just saw the movie and I'm fairly obsessed with all zombie things lately and I was so excited.  Yes I said that a few times.  I am still excited. Okay?  Ok.

Thank you so much for everything Bethany!!  I had a blast!

You can check out the package I sent to Bethany here.  I had as much fun putting this together as I did getting things sent to me!