Lipstick & Love Happiness Challenge: Day 1

Well Hello to Day 1 of my #LipstickandLove HAPPINESS Challenge. I created this challenge not even knowing and still not knowing if anyone will even participate or care but it's one that I believe will not only be very beneficial to myself but I want to inspire others as well. 

Happiness is a state of being, it is what we need to practice each and every day so that eventually it can come natural in our life even in discouragement and frustration. Happiness is a fulfilled connection with ourselves and our relationships with others. 

I want to experience true Happiness. At times I'm so overwhelmed with life that I have so many feelings balled up inside and it results in unhappiness. 

Day 1 is dedicated to my son. A talented, amazing, mannerable kid. He's so bright and full of imagination. My child shows unconditional love to me at all times. When I'm down he always lifts me up. He is such a happy camper and I love him. I'm getting happy just thinking about this amazing gift from God. I'm glad to be his parent. 

What are you happy for today? Join me I'm the challenge :) 

Lipstick & Love, 

Xoxo Erica 

Emptiness into Happiness: 7 Day Challenge

    

                   Image:Google 

This is my Sunday thoughts from the bed. Currently I'm trying to catch up on some rest or let's just say relaxation because I've been on the go lately. 

Friday night I attended a birthday dinner and afterwards we went over to a coworkers house for drinks and fun. We were all talking about many different subjects. The one that stuck out the most was about how we as individuals can feel so empty, so powerless, and questionable of ourselves even when we have support of others. 

They talked about how our childhood really affects and shapes us in our Adulthood. You know there are situations that we dwell on and never forget? Isn't it crazy how someone can compliment us and we still never believe it? Why are we so critical of ourselves? 

 

We don't realize that as much effort as it take to feel emptiness we can change it all into happiness. It begans with us and our thoughts. I challenge you all and I challenge myself that this week each day we will find one or many things that make us happy and write it down or share it with a loved one!! READY.... SET.... GO.... Day 1 starts tmrw!! So plan ahead and start smiling now :) 

 

Lipstick & Love, 

Xoxoxo Erica 

Health and Wellness

Sunday is the day that I wind down from the festivities and errands of the weekend  and try to take it easy. I've been wanting to create this post for awhile but I still needed more time for results. So, here we are today. 

Let's talk about health, detox, diets, fads or whatever you would like to name it. 

I've been working on making a change to my lifestyle through better eating habits and exercise since January. I have made progression but nowhere near where I really could be if I stayed consistent. I start and stop and it's usually a continuous never ending cycle. I'm ashamed to say how many pounds I've lost because I'm not past two hands yet. 

 

Let's just talk about this last attempt. So my mom told me about the JJ smoothie cleanse book and I lucked up and found a PDF file on Pinterest that I downloaded.   It's a 10 day detox where you can do a full cleanse or a modified cleanse. Basically you replace two meals a day with smoothies and then the full meal you eat a big healthy salad or something very healthy of your choice. See this is where I went all wrong, I replaced my breakfast and lunch with smoothies but I was not eating a healthy meal of choice but more so what I had a taste for. Talk about discipline, huh. I finished this cleanse Thursday before last and I must say I could see a huge difference in my skin but I managed to only lose 1 pound where if you really work at it you could loose 10-15. I felt so discouraged but I knew it was all my fault. I have to applaud the initial try but I have to criticize myself for not being disciplined. 

Changing your eating habits and incorporating physical activity can be one of the most beneficial things we can ever do for ourself but keeping the motivation and consistency is the hardest. What do you do to maintain your weight or stay healthy? 

One of my favorite smoothie recipes I want to share with you all is called Pineapple Spinach, try it out. I promise you will want to make it over and over :) 

Lipstick & Love, 

Erica. 

Real Talk: Keep Pushing Forward

Sunday is closing and the weekend is coming to an end. We dread knowing Monday will be here and it's back to reality if you're like me and work the 9-5. Can I be honest? I'm absolutely not in the most amazing place when it comes to my job. I transitioned from a medical office to medical insurance call center without realizing how big of a difference it was. It leaves me frustrated, mind boggled and very impatient. I don't want to go back to my old job because I feel like a failure but I also don't want to stay in the current because I feel like it's not for me. 

How we do thrust forward? How do we step away from doubt, fear and frustration and find that happy place in our career? 

Thee Lipstick Canvas has been a passion of mine for many years and yet I feel like I've accomplished nothing in my blog. TLC is here for the woman to create her own art, her own beauty and lifestyle. It's to empower and motivate. 

So what have you all done to change your career that you weren't satisfied with or what have you done to make your dreams come true? 

I know the Best is Yet to Come and even when my faith seems so far off I won't give up or stop believing. I CAN, I WILL. 

Lipstick & Love,

Erica 

Fashion Files: Last Night Chronicles

*cues music* Shine bright like a diamond! 

I had the honor of not slipping into my pjs and balling up under the covers last night. I actually got out of the house with my co workers and attended a concert in my city. The likes of Rick Ross, Yo Gotti and other artists graced the stage to rap everyone's favorite songs. 

I enjoyed myself even though the rain turned my natural hair into a poofy poodle style. I had a few drinks, sang to the top of my lungs, and even shook a little tail feather.  

What I wore: Target Jean Top

Forever 21 Lace Skirt

Shoedazzle Cowboy Boots 

Clutch: Can't remember 

Accessories: Variety of Retail Stores 

Sometimes we have to get out and enjoy ourselves after a long, hard work week. 

Lipstick & Love,

Erica. 

Lippie Thoughts: Dear Diary...

Dear Diary, 

I was just laying here with a mind full of thoughts..... 

THINKING..... 

I've been to the top and I've been at the bottom. I've had a lot, and I've had nothing. I'm not impressed by much because I know that we can have everything, just as well as we can lose everything. We experience losses just as we can experience gain. 

Life is a Maze, a roller coaster ride. We become comfortable and we become frustrated when we are out of the comfort zone and feel change. Sometimes we don't think but we act fully off of emotions. 

But all in all, Life is merely up to us. It's what we make of it! 

Sealed with a Kiss, 

Lipstick & Love. 

Summer Style: Birkenstock Trend Sandal

The Birkenstock style is in full effect ladies. I know that I am not the only person who loves how fashionable they have created the Birkenstock trend to be this season. I can remember way back when it was just the regular pair usually created in one color, and now they are made in a variety of styles and patterns.

Let me just be honest here! Shopping in Target is my ultimate weakness, like I seriously think that I need intervention or a detox from the store. Okay, Okay so listen... I went in there one night for some odd reason, probably just to see what I can buy as always and I ran across the Sam&Libby sandal that resembled the Birkenstock. You see I never really thought about purchasing a pair of these before until watching Youtube Guru Vicky Logan Summer 2014 Lookbook: How to Style Birkenstocks and I fell in love with them, like Love at first sight.

I wear them every chance I get, Judge Me If you like. What are your thoughts on the style?

This is how I wore mine for a day at the Salon and relaxing with family :)

Top, Faux Croc Bag, Birkenstocks: Target
Jeans: Robins Jeans (Miami Boutique)
Polish Color: Ferrari Red

Sealed with Lipstick & Love,

Erica