So I bought a new lipstick and it's the deepest, darkest color these lips have ever worn.

I also dyed my hair...finally.

I'd thought I'd grow out the roots, keep my hair it's strawberry blond but I just couldn't stand it any longer.

Today I decided it would be fun to dress business-casual the Ladee way, of mixing patterns and loading up on the accessories.

But I had a problem.

Of all my necklaces and earrings, I couldn't find anything that was perfect for this outfit. I tried on almost every necklace of mine, from the chunkiest to the smallest, thinnest of chains.

Nothing looked right.

I finally settled on my white pearl earrings...they're my go-to for just about any look.

"I have to wear a necklace," I kept saying to myself, "I have to wear something to fill in the gap between my chin and belt..."

And then I realized the cause of this problem and why I could find no solution.

:::My lipstick:::

My lipstick had become so eye catching, that it turned into an accessory. Anything else I added around my neck, I felt, had become a competition to the statement my lips were. I even changed my belt three times after this one and then came back to it, because I wondered if it too would confuse those looking at me.

But I love this belt, and how it pulled off so crisp of colors underneath my warm-colored floral sweater, as well as gave my waist the definition that these slacks couldn't do if I belted them, that I wore it anyway, letting go the tug-of-war within my mind.

I went through these photos and just gushed over the simple, yet profound look this was...all because of my lipstick. I wonder how different this look would be had I chose a nude lip, or just chapstick.

My eye makeup is incredibly simple as well. I knew I would be wearing this lipstick and knew it would be a bold color, so I kept the eye makeup at a minimum, putting a light grey-brown on the crease and an under-dramatic dark-brown wing that extended just barely out of the corners of my eyes.

Scroll to the end to read all the details to this outfit, my new hair color, and the makeup that I used.

Have any questions on this look or would like to see another look, just ask! Comment down below. :)

The Outfit (all prices are an estimation, but pretty accurate)
Sweater: GEORGE, from Walmart, $14 (which is actually more than I'd spend, but I just fell in love so hard, so fast, and had to have it)
Shirt: White House Black Market, gifted from friend
Slacks: Ann Taylor, also gifted from friend
Belt: Thrift store, turned backwards as it's originally polka-dotted as you can tell by the buckle. $2

Jewelry
Earrings: Walmart, they came in a pack of six, I think, in large and small pearls. Bought years ago. $5ish
Pearl bracelet: it's really a choker that is too big for my neck, bought at a garage sale with other jewery. $5
Watch: Walmart, $7, bought a year ago.
Thick leather band on wrist: bought in Mexico a year ago $5
Thin leather band on wrist: a birthday gift from one incredible friend
Floral bands that are hiding behind the leather bands: hair ties, can't have enough hair ties. From Walmart, came in a huge pack, the floral ones where the bonus, extra ones. $3
Oh, and on my right wrist I have a long, black ribbon tied around it. Because I like it. From off the floor LOL.

Nailpolish
Sinful Colors in the color Get It On. It's a matte finish, dries so fast! $2 at Walmart.

Rings
Left hand thumb: gift from friend
Left hand ring finger: wedding ring, from Mr Hunter, 13 1/2 years ago. $His drum set
Right hand thumb: mood ring bought from our cruise last year $8
Right hand middle finger: ring I bought on eBay for $5.

Shoes
Converse in a dark blue-grey. I wear these 99% of the time. Even at church if I can make it work with my outfit. Bought new a couple years ago for $45??? Can't remember.

Hair Dye
L'Oreal Preferences Intense Red Copper #RR07. One bottle was used, put all over the roots and then pulled the product towards the ends of my hair, creating an ombre look. I did a tutorial of this on my YouTube channel. $9

Makeup (most bought from Walmart)
Primer: Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm (yep, aftershave--I'm serious folks, this is the best primer OUT THERE) $6, go get you some.
Foundation: Revlon Colorstay 24 hr in 110 Ivory (oily/combo skin), $12
Concealer: Maybelline Cover Stick in White, $4
Powder: Physicians Formula in Translucent Light $12
Contouring/Highlighting powders: Wet n Wild Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche, $3 AND NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in 701A Translucent to target my under eye bags, $3
Eyebrows: NYC eyebrow pencil in Rich Girl, $1 AND the warm tan eyeshadow in the Wet n Wild Birthday Suit palette, $6
Eyeshadow: Wet n Wild Comfort Zone 738 palette. I used the top right color, $5
Eyeliner: ELF liquid liner in Coffee, bought at the dollar store but originally is $2.
Blush: ELF Contouring blush and bronzer in Turks Caicos, $3
Maskara: Maybelline's Mega Plush in Brownish Black, $7 (ridiculous price, IMO)
LIPSTICK: Maybelline's Divine Wine, $7, applied with a brush for perfection (bought a pack of craft brushes for $5 at Walmart and used one of those). It goes on matte and stays on all day. It also stains your lips but I found rubbing it with some petroleum jelly helped remove it.

Confession.

Which isn't really much of a confession because I'll tell this to just about anyone. But only when the time is right.

I absolutely love mixing patterns.

I don't have the best eye for it, or so I thought. And then I realized it didn't matter if I had any "eye" for it, as long as I enjoyed wearing it.

I originally was going to wear a stripes-and-floral outfit today because my all-time favorite pattern combo is that. I remember seeing that pattern as a small child and just being enamored by it--black and white stripes with a creamy, soft autumn floral pattern. Who thought up such genius?

I remember too seeing skirts (and shirts) that were black and white striped with bright colored flowers printed on them and thought that was the best marriage that ever happened in the universe.

But at the last minute, I changed my idea. I grabbed the $9 shawl I bought from the store yesterday. It was one of those items I saw sitting on the rack and prayed it would be cheap because it clearly told me it's coming home with me...along with Maybelline's (Red Revival 645) lipstick, which also makes an appearance today.

^^^Whoops, I forgot to hide my camera remote. ;)

I live for Fall. How I love the crisp of Autumn, the excitement it brings as we anticipate the holidays, watching the leaves fall from the trees in a myriad of colors and they crunch under soft boots as we walk to and from the mailbox.

This is the time when we stock up on the hot chocolate, gather those best fudge and cookie recipes for the holidays, and start the first fire of the year in the fireplace and pull out all those thick blankets to snuggle up in.

Oh yes. I've been waiting for this all year.

I found this beautiful, wannabe vintage desk (American Signature) and chair on craigslist this summer and like the wonderful person Mr Hunter is, helped me get it for cheaper than the asking price and said, "Tell the guy we'll be there in 30 minutes."

How I love that my husband can drop everything for a moment to do something for me, when he doesn't have to.

I probably spend most of my free time here. This is where I catch up with friends, edit my videos, write these blog posts and I even snapchat, frequently, from here. The glow from my laptop screen helps with my phone's poor resolution with indoor lighting. ;) That, or I'm lazy and would just prefer to live all day on this chair.

I learn from here, study from here, post about life and the hard times that can happen from here. I've laughed until I cried and I've been frustrated enough to scream and I've been full of tears that were of happiness and sorrow. This little nook knows just about all of my emotions better than any place on Earth.

I'm constantly grateful for the many blessings of the internet and for all that came along with it these years. But of all those things, I'm most grateful for the opportunity I, and many others have, to be able to be a blogger, to write, to share our innermost thoughts, our life, our tips, our laughs and cries in our little nook on the internet.

I met a man a couple weeks ago. I was looking for curtains through WalMart's clearance section. He was close by and came up to talk to me. He was an easy person to talk to; someone who, like me, loves to ask questions, loves to know about the lives of others, loves to know why we're here at this time and what that could possibly make of our destiny. One thing that stood out to me most is how his life was and is completely opposite of mine; his past, the now, and probably his future. And yet, our completely opposite lives brought us to a silly store, at the same time, in a random spot in the middle of WalMart.

After our conversation he asked, "So what are you going to do with all this knowledge you have?"

I wasn't sure the question he was asking. In my mind I'm thinking about how I praise my Lord and God for all the knowledge, blessings, LIFE that I have. So, if anything, I give thanks.

"You need to write it. All of it. And you need to let others know," he answered himself.

"Oh," I said, snapping myself out of my mind, "I already do that!"

He seemed genuinely pleased. "Good. You have a story to tell, an incredible mind, intuitive heart, and you can't live this life without writing it down."

For all those that are considering taking up journaling by writing, blogging, vlogging, a picture a day, voice recording or any form of documentation:

Start now.

There's no wrong way to portray what's on your mind. There's no wrong way to express how you feel. There's no rules in journaling. It's your life's history! It's The Story of You.

Trust Your Story.

...and document it.

I hear this every time I tell someone that I'm choosing to eat clean, be healthier, go "on a diet".

And usually these words are said with a tone of disgust, in which I feel like I'm really hearing, "You skinny minny, you gained five pounds and are crying over it. Give me a break."

They are true. I am "skinny" and I have "gained five pounds" and, in a sense, I am "crying over it". So I grant your "give me a break" by no longer confiding in you during the times I need to make this change.

But before you go thinking that I'm just vain, that I'm high maintenance, or that I'm judging why you're not watching your health as much as I am, let me tell you my side of this story.

I am 5' 3"....which is actually an estimation considering I'm really 5' 2.75"

I live my life based on HOW I FEEL.

Yes, I will weigh myself once or twice a week. If I'm counting calories or am trying to lose a pound or two due to a week of mindless bingeing, I'll check that scale every darn day until I'm back in the black.

I allow myself a five pound range. I can feel when I'm at the lower end of that range and I can feel when I'm at the higher end of that range. And, let's get real, my pants talk too. They know where I'm at on that range as well.

The problem I have is that I love food. Like, I really love food. To which people will look me up and down and think that I'm lying when I say that, like I only love healthy foods or something. I'd love to introduce you to my two girlfriends who have gone out to the Cheesecake Factory with me many times and watched as I've eaten a whole appetizer (fried mac and cheese is my LIFE), entree (mostly a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a side of ranch), AND a whole slice of cheesecake (Adam's PB cup fudge ripple cheesecake, to be exact). Have you been to the Cheesecake Factory? Have you seen their servings?

Should I be ashamed to admit that I've eaten that much, in one sitting, to you?

To which ties into the other problem I have and that is that I lack self control. Especially during social events or times of stress or times when I'm bored out of my mind and I just want something to eat to give me comfort and companionship.

And no, I don't munch on kale chips or carrot sticks or apple slices to bide my time. I munch on cookies, crackers, candy, breads, anything that is made of sugar and carbs.

I also work out. I have oftentimes told people that the only reason I work out is so I can eat as much as I do and, other than working out being my therapy, that statement is absolutely true. Because food too, is my therapy.

I do have to say, that I will have seasons in my life where I will skip out on the junk food, ignore the candy aisle at the store, forget that there's such a thing as chocolate ice cream and the infinity creative toppings that can go with it.

And these seasons happen when I choose to be strict with myself. I love when I'm strict with myself just as much as I love when I allow myself to run amok at the closest frozen yogurt joint.

There is a near war that goes on in my mind before finally surrendering to this strict, lifestyle change. Because why do I want to eat whole foods when unhealthy foods fill my belly with such satisfaction, make me happy, and bring me relief?

But I've found there's so much freedom in the restriction. I know what I can eat and I can trust it won't make me feel like crap come morning.

Crap. Yes, metaphorically, of course. Lately I've been feeling quite a bit like crap in the mornings. Or quite a lot like crap in the mornings.

I get up, take some caffeine and start my day with a work out. I eat really well come about 1pm when my real appetite kicks in and I'm stuffing Keebler's Chocolate Lovers cookies down my throat while chugging chocolate milk as a dessert to my Club Lulu from Jimmy Johns.

While I've been blessed to be able to have an appetite and not gain weight too considerably fast, I do gain and then I have the worst time trying to break through those dreaded plateaus.

But the number one reason I choose to be healthy, to make this strict lifestyle change in hopes that I'll remain strict for a while (while knowing that I'm human, a food addict, and tend to slowly be back to my old way in a year or two) is because I'm hypoglycemic.

I can FEEL when my blood sugar is out of control. I can FEEL when it's low and when it's high.

Unhealthy eating, the way I prefer to eat, upsets my blood sugar. It drops far too often, far too quickly or suddenly a binge on sugar cookies will send it so high I could swear I feel the sugar slugging through my veins.

Whether my blood sugar is too high or too low, one thing is certain: My life comes to a halt. I lay in bed for hours, waiting for my blood sugar to lower, or because my blood sugar took such a nose dive, my body is weak.

"Oh, Ladee," I've been told, "Maybe you should see a doctor and see if you can get some medication for that."

WHY? So I can continue eating garbage?

NO. How about I kick my butt in gear, eat clean, and have that be my medication? Will I lose weight? More than likely. But for some reason, losing weight isn't ok, especially when you're as "skinny" as I am.

People need to understand that your health is never solely based on your size.

Just as one size will never be prettier than the other, one size isn't a guarantee to be healthier than the other.

I am choosing this lifestyle change as a reset to my body. This diet is extremely strict, but only for 4-6 weeks (depending on how I FEEL) and then afterwards it's just maintenance. My blood sugar throughout this diet is perfect. I never have any issues while on it. And once I'm off the diet the issues I have are rare, as long as I keep my intake in check. If I'm eating healthy, I can go a meal or two a week eating pure junk and my blood sugar will level itself out on its own.

But the constant abuse and then my body surrenders and can't function like the well-oiled, God-made machinery like it should.

So to those ladies that gained five pounds and are "crying about it", I'm here for you. Because we understand how those measly five pounds make us feel. If we feel awesome at a certain weight, then it shouldn't matter what any outside source says. And as long as we're going about it in a healthy manner, then it really shouldn't matter what anyone says.

And to those that say, "But you don't need to go on a diet", please understand the reasoning behind the person choosing their diet.

While I know, firsthand, about terrible dieting, and obsessing over weight, unless you are certain someone is leading a very dangerous, eating-disorder lifestyle, please, be supportive. Please do not try to sabotage their diet either. It's better to understand it and see if they have "cheat meals" before delivering a pound cake or taking them to a burger joint where there's nothing on the menu they can order and they're left feeling so stuck they either cave (which is painful) or end up drinking ice water while they watch you eat (which is painful too).

Because we all know that dieting isn't easy. And one day you may find yourself on the flip side and will hope that your friends will be of a support to you.

I tend to get sick twice a year.

Once when it starts getting cold, and again when the weather starts warming up.

Yesterday I awoke with the scratchy, pinching throat and my sinuses felt loose and sloshy. On top of that, for it being a sleep-in Saturday, I was uncommonly tired considering how well and how long I slept.

My health was on the decline. I took medicine, vitamin C, and caffeine and hoped, out of all of those, that something would make me feel better.

I was wrong. My body became tired from being so sick I crashed on the couch come 9pm.

This morning I awoke with my head throbbing, my body weak, my stomach gurgling.

While I committed myself to putting on hair and makeup (as I always feel better after that), I decided I would sport the day in my PJs: an oversized shirt and oversized yoga pants.

That is, until Mr Hunter called. Mr Hunter was about 45 minutes away and was supposed to be home this morning but plans had changed.

"Could you bring me my laptop, charger, and a set of extra clothes?" he asked.

So I changed my pants, put on some shoes, put the kiddos in the car and we road-tripped for almost two hours.

But first, my daughter snapped a couple photos.

And thankfully, I felt pretty good...until coming home where I took a solid, two hour nap.

The look, circa 2009:

Several months ago I decided to try out an Autumn makeup look, using red and orange eyeshadows, colors that I haven't used in years because every time I did, I would end up looking sickly or like my eyes had some serious infection.

How pleased I was when this attempt far exceeded my expectations. I loved it so much I decided to take a few pictures, savoring the probable only time that I will ever be able to pull off red and orange eyeshadow again (as I have incredible beginner's luck).

(And many, many thanks to all my Facebook friends for complimenting this look! It warmed my heart and I felt so much love and support. You all know how much makeup is my art, my form of expression and to be complimented on it means a great deal.)

But, a little while ago, as I was getting ready for the day I remembered an old eyeshadow palette that I bought way back in 2009 for the highly expensive cost of $15.

(Source: Amazon)

One Sunday, in 2009, I had a friend come to me and say that she just became a Mary Kay consultant. She was in training and would like to me attend a special meeting that other woman in training would be attending also.

I reflected for a moment before responding.

I've been to these.

Many times.

I will be sat down, given a mirror and a few makeup samples, a small amount of foundation that is too dark for me, a disposable makeup brush with not nearly enough product on it to enhance these stubs that protrude from my lids, and asked to remove my makeup before applying theirs.

I hesitated my answer because in the past, I've turned out looking the same....

...like slop...

...only to feel pressured to buy products that I know are incredible, but being a mother of three, having just started a business with my husband the year prior, the extra cost on something like makeup could not be justified.

While I may not have all the makeup "know hows" or use the exact colors that are the "right" shade for me, why is it I find that I look better wearing my own style of makeup than I do when I attend these parties, using their high-end products, looking like I had put my makeup on in the dark?

Was it me? It had to be me. With so many people loving and using their products, surely, I was the one with the issues.

I looked over at my friend, wanting to support her new business venture, knowing how much that kind of support means, and told her I'd see her there.

And on that Tuesday night, I did exactly what they told me to do, took off all my makeup and applied theirs.

And after we had all put on our makeup, some looking great while I looked hideous, we had the privilege of going to another room full of consultants and soon-to-be consultants and showed off our  fresh faces. 

I tried my best to hide behind the tallest ladies there, with little success. I could swear that everyone who looked at me, cringed. I was now ready for this evening to be over, to run far from these people, and pray they'll block my image from their mind.

But one thing I did enjoy were the new colors Mary Kay was sporting for 2009 (I could have the year wrong, perhaps 2008). 

And it could very well be because these colors were bright but not too bright and fun but didn't look so much like a little girl's play makeup palette.

Or, it could be that the MK women in this meeting talked up this palette to be incredible. 

"Ladies, I know you're going to be upset hearing this," one consultant said, beaming with excitement, "But the sample colors these women are wearing (referring to my group of ladies) are coming from the Coastal Colors palette! That's right, they are wearing the samples a MONTH BEFORE these are out for purchase!"

The ladies in the room, still staring (cringing) at us, oohed and awed and even groaned at the sound of it.

"There must be something really great about these colors! I need to have this," I remember saying. 

And therefore I decided to put in an order for it. I remember spending far too long of time justifying this purchase. Fifteen dollars for this 2" x 2" pan of shadow that held three colors, one of which I didn't even want, was tough for me considering the last time I paid $15 for makeup was about ten years prior for another Mary Kay product that I never bought again.

I bit my lip and handed over the check, feeling a part of my heart sink, worried that I was being frivolous during a time our funds were limited.

That feeling of doom didn't last long for as soon as my order came in, I gushed over it so much that that was the only shadow I wore until it was gone. And I sure got many compliments on it. I wore it with a blue eyeliner pencil and either blue or black mascara.

On this day, I decided to re-create the look, however many years later. To see if I really do look as great as I thought I did, as others said I did.

(I wish I had a photo available of me from 2009, wearing this look. If I find one, I'll immediately post it here.)

While I don't have the exact shadow palette, I do have colors that are very close to it.

Since 2009 I've learned what colors look best on me and what doesn't. Spring colors certainly don't look the greatest on me. But I had it in my mind that these colors, the colors everyone said looked great on me, would prove that all wrong. This would show that I could indeed wear any color I wanted and be able to pull it off.

While doing this photo shoot I, for the life of me, could not seem to make my pictures turn out well. I realized I didn't feel as comfortable in this look as I did in my Autumn photoshoot. Could that have been why I felt so off? Or could it have been because I was ill? I honestly don't know and won't know until I wear this look again....which may be far from now.

But I definitely worked it and owned it as much as I could. ;)

What do you think? Can I pull off this look now, 6 years later?

What were some makeup trends you followed? Would you recreate that look now if you could?