Category Archives: Fab Tips

Finding My Awesome

Posted in Fab Tips, My Style by

Once upon a time, I was totally awesome! I mean, I think I’m still pretty cool; but I’ll admit I hit a rough patch at one point. I was in a roller coaster of a relationship and my job was so stressful, it was stripping me of my happiness.

Now things are turning around and I’m finding my awesome again! I have an amazing new job, I met someone who makes me smile again, I’ve lost a few pounds, and I’m strengthening my relationship with the Lord.
It’s inevitably part of life that we’ll hit those lows when things aren’t as awesome. But with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust you can make it through! Alright, so maybe not actual pixie dust, but having a strong support system certainly helps.
I am enjoying this newfound awesomeness and I am even more happy that I found this shirt in the back of my closet. While getting rid of some things I don’t intend on wearing ever again, you know, because of the weight loss, I came across this H&M crop top and these totally vintage looking wide leg pants that I couldn’t fit all that well a year ago. I paired them together for a look to capture something awesome.
So the moral of the story, if you’re not in the best place, do whatever it is you need to do to find your happiness again. Because you ARE awesome!
**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.
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Zola Wedding Gift Giving Tips

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I’m at that point in life (and I’m sure many of you are too) where everyone is getting married and having babies. Meanwhile I’m just over here like…oh hello new career, pour me a drink! So at this stage when you don’t have a ring on your own finger but many of your friends and family are getting wifed up, what’s a girl to get as a wedding gift? No fear, Zola can help!

Zola is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience with a free suite of wedding planning tools including wedding websites, a checklist, guest list and registry.

I’m always on the fence about what to get, how much to spend, or if I should just  throw some cash in a card and write a sappy note. These wedding gift tips from Zola can hopefully answer some of your questions, as they have answered mine.

Popular questions:

  1. Stick to the registry or get something else?
  2. What to give if you’re in the wedding party?
  3. How much cash is appropriate?

Happy wedding gift shopping! And if you’re planning a wedding, be sure to check out Zola as an awesome wedding registry option!

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

30 Life Lessons

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Holy moly, guys. This girl is the big 3-0!!!

Today I celebrate 30 years of life, lessons, and love. To all of my friends, family, and blog supporters, THANK YOU! 

With that being said, I’d like the share 30 things I’ve learned over the past 30 years that have helped me become the person I am today. I look forward to what this year will bring, and I’m eager to start learning even more life lessons in this new chapter of life!

  1. God has His own plan for you
  2. Don’t drink and drive
  3. Your pet is your true best friend, also, get a pet
  4. You can’t trust everyone
  5. It’s OK to skip class or play hooky from work a few times
  6. It’s inevitable, you’re going to screw up at some point
  7. Constantly update your resume
  8. Network
  9. Be nice to people
  10. You can’t fix everything, but for damn sure try
  11. Save money – hide cash from yourself. It could come in handy in emergencies.
  12. Workout and eat right. The older you get, the harder it gets to drop pounds.
  13. Travel and travel often
  14. Don’t settle
  15. It’s OK to walk away from relationships and negative situations
  16. Boys suck, and girls do too
  17. Find a hobby
  18. Limit yourself to 1 credit card
  19. Live on your own. Roommates are cool, but there comes a time when you need to experience everything on your own.
  20. Learn the difference between claiming 1 and 0 on your tax forms. That’s the kind of stuff they don’t teach you in school!
  21. Keep your legs closed and don’t chase guys
  22. Spend time with your grandparents
  23. Pray
  24. Lunchables, snack packs, and cereal for dinner is totally cool
  25. Try new things – food included
  26. Set goals
  27. Keep a journal
  28. Make sure you’re giving yourself some alone time
  29. Take your vitamins
  30. Unicorns are real

Cheers to 30!

Outfit details:

Crop top – Nordstrom

Disco pants – H&M South Africa (sale rack!)

Lip – Beso by Stila

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous

 

 

Mix & Match Like a Pro

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Are you constantly opening your wardrobe and staring inside in desperation that you can never find anything stylish, flattering or interesting to wear? It can be a daily battle to put together inspiring outfits that are always suitable and comfortable, yet feminine and sexy for every environment.
Today we are looking at discovering your staple wardrobe items and how to mix and match them to create endless outfits.

Find your Foundation Pieces
This is the best place to start. Find your timeless classics and staple pieces that are adaptable and versatile. These are the pieces in your wardrobe that are not fleeting or fashion forward, they are the items that stand the test of time. Think smart blazer, your best pair of jeans, and your favorite summer dress that makes you feel amazing. These pieces are called the foundation pieces as they are the clothes that you will be be building on.

 

Find your Flair

This next section is all about adding variety and flair on top of your foundation pieces. Think tops, cardigans, basically layers that add color and style to your basic wardrobe pieces.

As your foundation pieces may be more classic they will probably be more neutral and or dark in color. So this area of your wardrobe can afford to be more colorful and expressive. Select a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and think about how you can bring them together to bring your foundation pieces to life.

Find your Fabulous

This final section is all about setting your outfits and bringing all your pieces together. We are talking about accessories which tend to be the most difficult and therefore most neglected part of putting together an outfit. Go through your jewelry, scarves, belts, shoes, and bags and organize them so they are easy to visualize when you’ve chosen your outfit. When choosing these final touches you want to match them more with your foundation pieces than with your layered pieces.

The Fun Part

Visualizing your outfits and playing with the endless possibilities of your wardrobe is where the process gets really creative. Spend time organizing your wardrobe into these three areas, then maybe organizing each section again either by color or level of formality.

Then spend time playing and matching. Using the same dress, put it with different scarves, jackets, shoes, bags and jewelry and watch it be transformed with each combination. Take your favorite pair of jeans and play with different t-shirts, blouses, belts, heels, flats, hats, sunglasses and scarves and again watch how all of a sudden your wardrobe explodes into endless possibilities.

There will always be times when a new purchase is necessary, but you don’t need to break the bank to find your perfect pair of jeans, summer dress or beach wedges. There are also more and more express coupons, promo codes & printable coupons in circulation than ever before, so there’s never been a better time to bag yourself a bargain.

Keep an eye out for little bargains and items that you think would fit your wardrobe well, thinking of the three different layered approach. By seeing your wardrobe in this different way you’ll be astounded by the endless outfit possibilities that it opens up.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

**This post has been contributed**

 

 

 

Life Hacks: 8 Ways to De-stress

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How often do you stress about there not being enough hours in the day? Or does your to-do list never seem to end? We’re all very busy people and that’s life. In the midst of the craziness, it’s always important thing is to remember to take time to breathe! Read on for some of my personal life hacks to help make things a little bit easier.

  • Buy yourself some flowers….or something shiny! Flowers bring about peace. And shiny new things are always a fun distraction.
  • Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb. Those text messages and Instagram notifications will be waiting for you when you’re good and ready.
  • Write. Get a notebook and write down your thoughts, goals, a letter to someone who has been on your mind; anything you want!
  • Crack open a good book; even if it’s to learn something new. Right now I’m reading a PHR exam book and it’s refreshing to incorporate some knew knowledge into my life.
  • Listen to classical music. It’s soothing and there are no lyrics – nothing to clog or rot your thoughts.
  • Eat healthy and exercise. Even if it’s a brisk walk a few times a week, moving and eating right can have a positive effect in multiple ways.
  • Start saying NO! This one may be easier said than done, but once you start weeding out the unnecessary things, you’ll immediately start feeling better and finding more time for the things YOU want to do.
  • Pray! Talk to God. He’s always listening. Ask Him to guide you, give you strength, knowledge, and the power to keep up with those lengthy to-do lists.

** Thanks for reading. You’re F.A.Bulous.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

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It’s crazy to think I’m less than 50 days away from turning the big 3-0. It certainly makes me reflect on where I am now vs where I thought it would be. Growing up, I wanted to graduate college and have my dream job directly after, be married by 26, and have my first child at 27/28. Boy life did not happen that way. But you know what? Everything happens for a reason and that’s ok that things didn’t turn out how I planned. You live and you learn!

And thanks to Earnest, personal and student loan refinancer, I’ve gone back and thought about some of the best years of my life – college! Attending and graduating from Central Michigan University helped shape me, helped kickstart my career, and helped form friendships of a lifetime.

But are there some things I wish I had done differently that may have changed where I am today? Of course! If I knew then what I know now, I’d tell myself this…

  • Start paying off loans while you’re in school
  • Save up at least $10 a month
  • You don’t NEED coffee. It may leave you with an ulcer in the end anyway.
  • Apply for as many scholarships as possible
  • Job shadow professionals in your field of interest

And here are a few things I’m happy I did in college that I’d like to share…

  • Take part in internships
  • Take summer classes at a Community College. It’s cheaper, your credits will transfer, and it can help you graduate earlier.
  • If you live close enough to home, go home for the weekend and take your laundry with you!

Preparing to head off to college? Visit Earnest for some great loan advice. Earnest provides a better way for students and grads to refinance student loans.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Live Your Best Life

Posted in Fab Tips, What I Wore by
I was driving to work the other day thinking, geez this is going to be a stressful day. But then Ed Sheeren “Shape of You” came on and my mood instantly changed. It’s a fun song with a catchy beat, so it got me thinking, you know what, I’m living my best life! Work may be stressful, but I’m blessed to have a job that pays the bills and affords me the opportunity to spend my nights and weekends doing what I need to do to be truly happy.
Find out what makes you happy, and you too can live your best life. Travel, find love, do a good deed, buy that thing you’ve been wanting to buy, go to brunch with your friends, take your grandparents out to dinner.
Oh, and also, get your winter white in while you can. Spring will be here before you know it! I went to brunch with my gal pals the other and chose to create a Run DMC/Michael Jackson inspired look. Because why the hell not?!
Life ain’t easy, by any means. But when you look at the bright side, things get a little bit easier. Enjoy living your best lives, friends! 😘
**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.