April 7th: 12:33 AM.

Well, here I am. I have missed blogging beyond explanation. I don't know what it is about it that releases some of my inner demons and inner beauty all at the same time. However, after the last few weeks of hecticness, I have changed my view of what I need to be writing about. I don't really like to write anymore with a pen and paper as much as I enjoy just sitting down and quickly typing up my thoughts on a given topic I feel like expressing. I still do keep a small journal but just I'm not as religious with it, kind of like that of many other aspects in my life. I wish I was able to complete the loose ends that I have in my life. I need to jot these ideas down so that I can pursue them as well as figure out what direction I want to go with them in my life. Which I feel is ultimately one of the most important things.

Anyways, moving on to what is currently going on in my life. I will be leaving for Norfolk in the morning with Maunie, my sister-in-law to be. Maunie has been in town for three weeks helping Mark's Nan with the move to the new house and helping since her heart attack a few Fridays ago. It was a huge scare and it also warranted Pap in the nursing home; however, we all visit him and bring him his favorite treats, so we are hoping this will be a positive change for all parties. We have been boxing, packing, unboxing, unpacking for weeks now. It's time for Maunie to go back home to Norfolk and take a breather but also have some time to just relax and she invited me to come along. I am really excited, because this will a great girls vacation for us. We probably in the future won't have the time or chance to do that because deployments, Navy, Nursing, Mark and I getting married, their marriage as well -- so now seems to be the perfect time. I will be gone for 12 days. I have a little bit of separation anxiety from my baby, but I think we have some really fun things planned and I can't wait to take photos all over the coast of Virginia! We have plans for the beach and some yummy restaurants, possibly a plantation house and seeing all the mermaids in town as well. I can't wait!

I packed. Cleaned up a bit. Cooked a few things for Mark. Still have to write him a list of things to get accomplished while I'm gone, but I hope he gets work, gym time, and game time while I'm gone as well. Like a staycation for him! He got done a little early from work tonight, so I hope we can spend some quality time before I leave at 8 am. We have plans to Skype at least three times, but alls everyday - so it should be alright, especially because I'm taking my Mac. I couldn't survive without it!

Today was my half birthday. 24 and a half. I made it through cancer. I'm living through trigeminal neuralgia. I can do this. 25 is six months away and I want to document every last bit of my 24th year. It is my mission and goal. Each day blog and post a photo from that day. Today I don't have a photo, but I will start tomorrow with my travels. 

Satisfaction Because Rome Wasn't Built in a Day.

Satisfaction comes in many forms. It may present itself in getting a promotion, seeing a child excel at sports, or maybe by eating a luscious chocolate bar. I; however, have achieved satisfaction in my day and for me, that is enough.

It all started with my morning routine. I was proud that I was able to do what I hoped for myself for the day in every day. Brush, whiten, cleanse, moisturize, straighten, make-up, brush - just how I hoped for; I knew I could will myself to. I did my makeup today in my most favorite way. Being a makeup artist, I have so many options, colors, mattes. But my favorite for my eye shape and face shape is a silver and black smokey eye with vintage line and dramatic falsies - I use 105 Black from Walmart. I have bought Snooki lashes, which are BEAUTIFUL! however, when I lose one or overuse them I cry because of their price! But they are awesome to invest in at least one pair! However, for casual use - the Walmart ones are literally less than that fast food meal that you don't need anyways!


The straightener I use is absolutely by far the greatest straightener that I have ever had the privilege of using. My sister even went and bought one just like it, because she has found no greater. It is a Paul Mitchell and I'm seriously in love. I bought it in - get this December of 2008 and it is still here. (knock on wood) I would be so lost without it and I plan to buy Paul Mitchell

for years to come! I highly recommend it!

So this is the end result of my day of beauty. I went like this to my sister, Bobbi's cooking expo at her high school. She did wonderfully; proud mama! Afterwards I took some time and snapped a few landscape photographs. The way that the sky looked was too irresistible!
I did achieve satisfaction today. I had goals and I met most of them. I know something I do need to work on is being able to go to bed before the wee hours of the night. I work at night on the multiple projects I am involved with as well as blogging for you fine people. It is something I love and enjoy. My future hubby is playing games after a very long night at work, why not stay up and enjoy the night owl syndrome as well. I think I do need a day to relax. Do some crafting, hang with my bestie via Skype (since she is 500 miles away), watch some movies, & cook some amazing & healthy recipes.

I believe that is what my day tomorrow will look like after my appointment. I have an appointment with my neurologist and pain management specialist for my Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is the most painful thing in the world and she is the only person I trust to help me with it, so wish me luck!
Just remember to set daily goals for yourself. Nothing to outrageous! Cliche of the night: Rome wasn't built in a day!

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© Photography by Alison

Every Woman Deserves to Feel Beautiful.

I have been so low maintenance lately with my hair, makeup, and just daily up-keep of a high maintenance woman. Ponytails, bangs pinned-up and out of the way, no nails done, no moisturizer on my face, no teeth whitening, lots of sweatpants and zip-up hoodies, four days a week with no makeup; all these an example of my daily life since I was diagnosed, but also since my lazy winter days ensued.
However, I feel spring coming around the bend. It is right on the horizon, whether a month or more, I still need to be ready.

 So today I took a step towards regaining my sense of beauty, because every woman deserves to feel beautiful. For me, I feel beauty most when I am at my most primp and proper. I have decided to be very conscious of my daily beauty routine and to simple stop rushing! Take the time to pluck those extra eyebrow hairs or use the extra whitening mouthwash to get those pearly whites to be...well, pearly.

For my preliminary beauty ritual begin with dying my hair. I don't believe in venturing to a salon with my Rapunzel-length hair and having them charge upwards of $150 to dye my hair. Being that my mother was a hair dresser - in the 80s, but a hairdresser nonetheless - I feel confident in my ability to perform self-dying at home. I have since I was in fifth grade when I thought highlights would make all those little bitches stop making fun of me so I would fit in. So much more fabulous and classy now than most of them could imagine - no harm done. Anyways...I used a new dye this time; Revlon Luxurious ColorSilk, the blue black - two boxes of course! It worked phenomenally, I tell ya. Softer, smells better, burns a bit less than any dye out there and it was only $4 a box, making my hair makeover an $8 debacle. The color turned out near exact to the model on the box; even though they tell you not to go by that - with this color I say exact my friends. So now that my hair is where I want it to be, with the length a beautiful lower back brushing. My hair really is one of my favorite things about myself so I take pride in it. Any techniques, styles, or tips that I can cover to help out please leave it in the comments.

My favorite products

Something I did tonight after taking my makeup off that I haven't done in awhile was use facial moisturizer. I have this amazing moisturizer called Neutrogena Naturals. I purchased this particular moisturizer when I was going through radiation. I needed something that was clean, natural, no perfumes or paraffin, and this really stood out for me.  It smells magnificent, isn't greasy or sticky, and leaves my face soft as can be. I really want to be able to get in the habit of daily use. Something I know must be done first is to wash my makeup off every single night. This is something I am absolutely terrible for. There are times where I only wash it off when I shower at night and I don't always do that at night or every night for that matter. (Oh, come on! You can't say you shower and wash that pretty little head of yours every single night! Don't judge me:) So yet another beauty method in which I can't wait to adapt back into just a simple habit.

My next feat of beauty is to brush my teeth at least three times a day. I know some people would be thinking gross I have adapted that habit since I was three. Well, morning and bedtime were the only times I was trained to brush as a child, so that is what I usually do. Any other times of the day just wasn't impressed upon me from a young age. What I would like to do is to brush my teeth after each meal or snack even. No, I don't mean six times a day, but I think that it will help with my diet too. Who wants to eat something after having a fresh mouth? So oral hygiene is definitely something I want to improve upon in the coming weeks. I thought about photographing my teeth for shade differences. I used to use my Crest 3D White mouthwash, a whitening stick or strips, etc in the past on a regular basis and I hope to get back to that as well. I think seeing the difference actually happening will spark that behavior to become more of a habit than a chore. 

My goal for tomorrow is to wake-up before 11, work out, straighten my hair, do makeup, eat well (small meals throughout the day & only water and milk), brush teeth three times, wash & moisturize my face, paint my nails (another coat because I did only one tonight), and cook for the week. With that being said, I need to go plan my meals for the week so that I can obtain a 1300 calorie max while still feel full and healthy.

Thinspiration with a hearty appetite: Pesto Chicken Alfredo

Today was a day for my man and I to be off together. We saw the movie "Warm Bodies" this afternoon; however adorable, not my favorite. The love story was cute though. Anyways, on the way home we stopped at the store to get ingredients for a dish that I made a few weeks ago in which he was been requesting ever since. It is from his Nan's recipes: Pesto Chicken Alfredo. For how hearty it is, the serving size of 1 1/2 cups is only 475 calories, which really isn't bad because it is so filling and the best pasta I have ever had (if I do say so myself).

I'll make this recipe easy to follow. I'm going to type it in a list today also because I have it cooking and I can't wait to enjoy it!

- Boil 1 lb. penne noodles. (I use wheat)

- Cook (steam) 4 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast. Seasoned with Nature's Seasoning.

- Mix 1/2 C bread crumbs, 2 T EVOO, and 1/2 C shredded parm (set aside for topping)

- When noodles and chicken are finished, mix them in a large mixing bowl with; 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 jar Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce (I made with a packet of pesto, some basil, and EVOO), 1 1/2 C milk (I use skim), 2 C shredded mozzarella, 1 1/2 C shredded parm.

- Once thoroughly mixed, sprinkle bread crumb mixture ontop of dish.

- Cover with foil & bake in the oven on 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Then ENJOY! It really is an amazing dish. Wish I had a photo of it for you all. But trust me when I say this is the best - better than Olive Garden (which used to be my favorite alfredo). This recipe I found from Pinterest, so I'm not sure who to credit but thank you!

Today was also weigh-in Wednesday. I lost a half pound since I started on Monday! Goes to show that each day, each little change really does add up. Those good choices one plus one really do keep surmounting to something we strive for. Although I am far from my goal, I did my hair and makeup today and went out with an amazing man who makes me feel beautiful beyond measure. 

As the next few days come, I hope that our choice for moving or vacationing this summer or staying put really becomes easier. I can't imagine anything changing right now. All I know is that the more snow I see and the cold temperatures here the more I want to head start to the beach like we have thought about for 12-weeks for post cancer finding yourself because you have an amazing man that you want a future with type thing. Well, we shall see!

Photography Tribute.

A moment can be captured in a memory.
But how quickly the shelf life of that thought fades.
It may last a week, a decade, or perhaps only an hour.
A fading begins to occur, whether it be a withering of age or interest,
The haze over facts or feelings take hold.

A memory in time is too precious to be forgotten.
The greatest method to hold steadfast to our fondest memories,
To keep all the days of our lives is photography.
Documenting for future generations, to pass down.

Nothing stirs more emotions intertwined with a memory than an old photograph.
Experiencing an emotion on a loved one's face,
Possibly a shot of someone who isn't with us anymore,
Can only be seen with the eye because of a photograph.
The brain is fantastic with documentation and filing events;
However, the details of a photo can never be replaced.

The color shirt she wore or the tie that he never took off;
These are precious facts that we lose about our loved ones over the years.
Not every memory is of a lost loved one,
but there are other sentiments can be exhibited through only photography.
The only way to remember each smile line on a young groom's face,
As his glowing bride walked down the aisle is by taking a photo of it.

A baby changes exceedingly fast.
Three months, six months, twelve months;
Oh the difference. Lay, sit, stand, then run.
So many new emotions for that child to explore,
all of which can be captured through a lens and a lens only.

The beauty taken in from a bride, a baby, an elderly couple,
A strong man returning from deployment, a senior in high school;
Each of these radiating exquisite beauty and excellence.

If family, love, memories, and happiness are prided in your household,
You will want to contact Photography by Alison
For breathtaking, unique images for your every meaningful occasion.

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Abandoned Memories.

Soft like silk,
A forgotten beauty.
Silky like velet
A true sight to behold.
Shudder remembering the fog.
Velvety and supple,
One touch is all it takes.
Light caress.
Sweet taste.
A phenomenal feeling soaring.
Building inside
A passion
a sense of complete unbridled emorion.
Course through.
Reach every last sense.
Shudder with a smile,
For its all just a memory.