by Joey | Jul 22, 2015 | Throwback
For the sake of being real, Friday was a really, really tough day. I won’t go into details, but this whole adulting thing was just too much, and before I could convince myself not to, I broke down.
J was out of town, I came home and sobbed all of my makeup off. Sometimes a good cry just does the trick, but it wasn’t working. I couldn’t collect myself. Finally, I waved my white flag and sent out a message to the two girls who live on my floor.
Do either of you happen to be around? I could use some girl time.
That’s all I wrote. They were unaware of what’s been going on. And it was Friday night. They both wrote back immediately but before I could reply, they showed up at my door. With wine. They collected me into a hug and just let me sob without questions.
And though my insides were twisted up and my faith in God was wavering, I couldn’t help but take that moment as a sign. A reminder that He’s on this. He’s in our corner. Everything is happening according to His timing.
Being here is everything we hoped it would be, despite our troubles. And I was reminded that night that while some prayers aren’t answered quite yet, The Big Ones were answered. As I crawled into bed that night, I had a flashback to a night in Buies Creek when I felt so unfulfilled. So purposeless. So Alone. And I cried myself to sleep that night praying for a job and friends. That’s all I wanted.
It’s easy to lose sight of our blessings when we’re blinded by the big question marks. I was so focused on what we don’t have that I forgot about what all this is for.
Sometimes I still can’t believe we actually live here. And when I think about all of the tiny little pieces that had to fall together just right to make this possible, it’s hard not to believe. And I needed that reminder. Everything was such a mess for so many months; I’d forgotten what that felt like. I lost sight of the fact that mostly everything is worked out. I have so many answers that I didn’t have just a few months ago.
Over the weekend, things righted themselves. J and I took one huge collective breath of relief and things were pretty bright and shiny here on Sunday when he got home. And it was yet another reminder that while some things ebb and flow, it’s the people that matter. I am so thankful for the friends God planted here for us. I’m so overwhelmingly thankful for the family He hand picked for me to work for. And most importantly, I’m so thankful that my husband is also my best friend; someone I can always rely on without question. And those, my friends, are the true blessings.
by Joey | Jul 17, 2015 | beauty, Loves
We’ve all been out when the worst happens. A nail chips and you want to curl into a ball and die, praying no one will see you.
Man, I wish there were a sarcasm font.
Okay, so obviously that statement is a little dramatic. I’ll run to the store with chipped nails. I’ll pull through a drive-thru. I’ll run to the bank. But what I mean is I don’t go out with chipped nails. I don’t go to work, dinner, drinks with friends and so on with chips. And the reason why is because it looks sloppy.
Now let me make this clear. I don’t judge you for having chipped nails. But hear me out. You wouldn’t go to work without looking presentable, would you? Now, you might meet friends for drinks or dinner a little more casual, but I assume you probably put in a little effort to your hair and makeup.
Manicures are meant to make you look more polished. Put together. Clean. Chips, in my opinion, give the opposite impression. If your manicure is badly chipped and you don’t have the time to redo it, simply remove it.
I know for a fact people seeing a Joey out in the wild without nail polish is like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs, but I’d much prefer the are you feeling okays to appearing sloppy.
I’m a super casual person. I don’t have to dress professionally for work. I’m not talented in the whole fashion department, either. There are a few things I can do to compensate for my lack of style. I can do my hair. I can throw on a splash of makeup. And I can rock a killer mani.
Chips happen.
But don’t let them ruin your first impression.
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| Julep Lainey |
In other news, I am completely obsessed with this julep polish. It was part of my June Maven Box, and it’s classified as a wonder maven. I wasn’t sold on it at first glance but convinced myself to keep it in the box. And even in the bottle I wasn’t so sure. But ooooooooh baby, I’m in love. That’s what I think I like so much about my maven subscription, it forces me out of my box and it surprises me every time!
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by Joey | Jul 16, 2015 | Throwback
Apparently I only blog on Thursdays these days. That isn’t the plan, I promise. And things will get back to normal soon. But things are just…out of whack right now. And I pride myself on keeping things real in this space, but I also do my best that the real that you all see isn’t making you feel dirty. Like what you’ve read wasn’t something you should have. There’s a difference between real and real dirty laundry. There isn’t anything scandalous going on (I wish, that’d be more interesting) but there is a lot of real life happening right now that’s distracting.
American Journey by Chewy.com got Bailey’s attention. Chewy.com has launched their own brand of all natural treats and chews, providing only the best for your pets. When the box arrived on our doorstep, I thought Bailey was going to knock the door down to get to it. To say she’s 100% satisfied with all the treats they so kindly would be an epic understatement.
I’ve been craving a good hold-in-your-hands book. I admit I haven’t read in forever. And I love my kindle. But lately I’ve been dying to get myself to a library and devour a few real, live books. Any recommendations? I felt so out of the loop during the book linkup the other day (hate missing those, but I’m just not reading these days). I did pen down a bunch of recommendations from your posts! Unfortunately, most of those have a forever waiting list at the library. Any others?
I was at work from Tuesday until Thursday night. You read that correctly.
I’m in a fitness rut. I’d really like to get into the habit of eating better and getting my butt back in the gym. I feel like in a lot of aspects of my life I’m in this “pause” mode, holding my breath waiting for everything to kind of sort itself out. Maybe I just need to hit play and force it all to work out on my own.
That’s it for today, friends. Now it’s your turn!
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by Joey | Jul 9, 2015 | Throwback
Oh, hi. Remember me? I used to be a blogger? I kid, I kid. Everyone needs a break every now and again, right? Except I haven’t exactly taken a break, not really. I just haven’t had much to say. And that’s okay sometimes, right?
In other news, I’ve been cruising through season 4 of Scandal. That’s not a show I can watch when it’s on live TV. I don’t have the patience to wait a week (and sometimes longer) between episodes. It’s not the best season ever (season 1 was, in my opinion) but it’s definitely a bingeable show. And honestly, I’ve needed the distraction and to force myself to stop working every so often.
Speaking of TV. I’m out of The Bachelorette this season. It’s a show that requires such a time investment (and to be honest, I’ve basically just fast forwarded through all of the episodes just to catch the most dramatic parts so far because yawn), but this season is such a freaking @#$% show. I’ve lost respect for Kaitlyn. I don’t think she’s handled herself well on national television. And I kind of think the men are whiney little boys. So, sorry. I’ll catch the spoilers after the show ends. What about you? Have you been invested this season?
Fourth of July weekend was fun. Around these parts, it was more ATA’s 30th birthday bash…but you know. Technicalities. We ended the weekend spent at the pool with a birthday dinner at Fahrenheit in Uptown Charlotte and oh my goodness. I had the salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes and it was unbelievable. Not to mention the view. I mean, c’mon.
Winners are losers who tried one more time. One of the kids asked for my opinion on this quote the other day, and I actually had to stop for a moment because it hit me like a ton of bricks. Life, you guys, is hard. And things don’t always go perfectly. In fact, on the contrary, really. And it’s really easy sometimes to want to just throw in the towel because you’re exhausted, fed up, and you feel like a failure. Well you know what? Winners are losers who tried one more time.
Anyway. I promise not to be a stranger. You know how life goes sometimes, right? Now tell me what’s up with you? Link up below!
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by Joey | Jul 3, 2015 | beauty, Loves
Wet N Wild Echo Dark
Revlon Scented Mon Cherry
Finger Paints Paper Mache
Happy 4th of July weekend, friends! Have fun and stay safe!
