ME + 1

I was 17 years old, pregnant and terrified. My parents will disown me, my family will hate me. I didn't know which way to turn. It wasn't easy, there were a lot of heartache and tears along the way, but 9 months later.. I did it.. I had a beautiful baby girl. As soon as I looked at her I felt my emotions going haywire. A jolt of fear, anxiety, and joy took over me, and looking back a lot of insecurity.

Being a single mom hasn't been easy. Any decision you make can either help or corrupt your child. I was still a child myself and now I had to grow up FAST. I started out working 2 jobs, going to school and being a full time mom. I worked my butt off and bought my own brand new car. After really recognizing that I was going to be in this alone, I stepped my game up even more and got promoted to assistant manager. I got recruited twice and am now a manager at one of the highest end clothing brands there is. But it wasn't at all easy.. TRUST.

The cost of living is very expensive and you don't always get the help you need. Guys get off easy,and child support is a joke. Being a young mom, usually means being a single mom and you have to be prepared to take on whatever life throws your way. There have been a lot of hard times along the way. Being an adult, and much less a mother, living in your parent's house isn't easy. Your old enough to make your own decisions, and raise a child.. yet still have to follow their rules. However, it is a big help when you need a babysitter while you work late, and cuts your costs down DRASTICALLY. Its a win-lose situation. 

On the contrary, it gets better, and a little easier every day. As long as you stay focused and keep your eye on the prize, you will reach your goal. A child is the best gift you could ask for. It's constant entertainment and you both learn something new about each other every day. To watch her grow and learn has been a blessing for me, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I am still learning and trying to be a good mom.  I make mistakes, then I learn from them. Still not where I want to be in life, but am working  hard every day to get there.

Jump into Spring with Style

     YAYYY! Spring time is officially on its way, time to go SHOPPING! But what to buy?! The 70s are back! Enough with the skinny jeans, they are sooooo-- last year! Time to get some flare! You want to get just the amount of flare to give yourself some flair. The fact that everyone is wearing skinny jeans now, makes them unexciting and normal. The point of dressing up is sticking out.. looking stylish, and different will more than likely get you a compliment.
    
    





Have your leather out yet? THEYYYREEE BACCCKKK!!! Yup, leather jackets are back in style. (not that I think they ever really left) The biker look is definitely in style this year. Your wardrobe should adhere to at least 1 leather jacket this spring. You can find them anywhere, Forever 21 actually has the one that I want, and for an awesome price! The best part of shopping, is the deal! Duh!





   Another classy trend that I've personally fallen in love with this year is Lace. It is so light weight, classy and is so versatile. You can wear lace with a pair of jeans or dress it up with a fancy skirt. I actually just bought a beautiful cream lace shawl from Nordstrom rack that I can't wait to wear. Sheer clothing has always been in.. Wearing a sheer top on top of a colorful camisole or a sheer shawl on top of a sleeveless dress but lace is definitely a step up and brings the "sheer look" to a whole new level.















   Your outfit is basically complete except for the best part of all.. SHOES!! This spring/summer top your outfit off with a woven sandal. The new leather strapped woven sandals are bringing style to your wardrobe. You can either go flat or platform with this new woven leather trend.




Now all you need to do is add some accessories. Maybe a scarf, some dangling earring, a huge obnoxious ring that stands out and you are all set and ready for spring! The trick is to try really hard to make it look like you didn't try at all.  Now to get rid of the snow and bring some warmth and sunshine into our lives. :)

Whats YOUR favorite movie quote?

     We all recite quotes, whether it be "Say hello to my little friend" a popular quote from the movie "Scarface" or "Don't get crazy!" from the ever popular Bon Qui Qui from Mad TV. They make us laugh and help us recall a Movie, TV show, Commercial, Book, or even a great speech. If I say, "I Have A Dream" you all think of the Famous Dr. Martin Luther King. They make an imprint on us. For example you hear someone say... " We love to see you smile" you automatically think of ..... McDonalds, or if you hear the slogan.. "Just Do It" ??? Yup, NIKE... I love quotes, and people that know me, know that I recite them all the time. I wrote down a few of my favorites, and want you to do the same.. Let me know what quotes or slogans you like.. Here are some of mine:


"A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left"
-----Marilyn Monroe

"You can't become old and wise without being young and crazy"

"MA! MEATLOAF!!!!!!" --Wedding Crashers

"Do you have protection?"

"No, I don't believe in guns" ---40 Year Old Virgin

"No, no, no eating here tonight.. Your on a Diet!" ---Finding Nemo

(boy breast feeding)

"Your son is so cute, how old is he?"

"48 months"

"Thats 4!"

"Yeah"----Grown Ups

(While holding her son's dirty hand) "Is this chocolate or poop? Is this chocolate or poop?" 

(Licks her sons hand) "It's chocolate!" 
 "What if that had been poop?"----Baby Mama


"Not you fat Jesus" ---- The Hangover


"Tigers love pepper... they hate cinnamon"----The Hangover 


"Where's the beef" ----Wendys

MUSIC=SEX????

After reading a few articles today, I realized that women do a lot of things not just to torture men, or because we're needy and like to be spoiled. But because we NEED TO HAVE IT! We don't just go to the mall and buy things we don't need because we want to. Our bodies need us to do it. It is a proven fact, that shopping releases endorphins for women and decreases stress. Its a life or death situation. Either we die of stress, or we shop. That's why I shop at least, it keeps me alive. Seriously.. there's nothing like buying a brand new pair of shoes after a long hard day... Its orgasmic.

Which brings me to my next must have.. We don't just ask for chocolates because we want to be spoiled. It actually helps us lose weight and is very healthy. And not that cheap stuff, the real rich dark chocolate, you know, the expensive kind that we always ask for. We need it.  It helps lower our blood pressure when we're having a bad day, which again.. can save our lives. Its life or death people. So during Valentines Day, our birthdays, or even just because you think we're amazing.. We Want Chocolates =)

The last crazy fact I read really threw me for a loop. MUSIC = SEX... Seriously. Music, sex, food, and drugs release the same amount of dopamine in your brain. It is proven that listening to your favorite song, will speed up your heart rate, increase your breathing, and your body temperature goes up similar to having intercourse. In turn dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is vital for reinforcing behavior that we need in order to survive. 


Forget food and water... Shopping, chocolate, and music are all I need to survive. 

Ladies! Ladies! Ladies!

Its so crazy to me that what people say and how they portray us has such an impact on our lifestyle. Its the reason we dress, talk, walk, eat, and even act the way we do. Women take hours getting dressed. Trying on one thing after another in our closet, waiting for something to look "right". We go on diets when people think we're too fat, we get mad if we're portrayed as "too skinny", ( never gotten that one.. just saying). The make up we wear, the way we do our hair, the shoes that we can or can't walk in, all this to fit into society.

When women go out at night to a bar or club, we wear our sexiest dresses, and the hottest (aka most uncomfortable) shoes we own . We work extra long on our hair and make up and for what... To always look better then the woman standing next to us. See men have it mistaken.. Women don't dress up for MEN, women dress up for other WOMEN. Men will most likely compliment you on whatever your wearing. All they care about is your big ta tas and your juicy booty. Half the time, they cant even tell you what color dress you are wearing not to mention what brand of shoes you have on. Women dress for other women. 

Next to being caring, considerate, loving and nurturing, also, women can be the meanest, most jealous, gossiping, most judgmental, creatures to other women. How many times have you heard or have said the words yourself, "What is she wearing?!" Women are so quick to judge and gossip and make others feel bad for their own entertainment and self confidence. Its terrible. Yet, knowing this, we still believe and take anything "our girls" say, to heart. 

I just think us women should stick to our gut more and not allow society mold us into how we should be. Life is tough enough, give each other a break. And most importantly don't believe everything anyone tells you, have confidence in yourself. 

"The Eyes Believe Themselves, But The Ears Believe Other People" 

A Doggy Dog World

I am walking through the mall and I see a woman pushing a stroller. Being a mother myself, I'm excited to see the baby, as I peeked into the stroller I heard a low growl, then a bark. The woman pulls the blanket down and sure enough, this woman is pushing around her dog. I am astonished. The dog was even dressed like a baby, all that was missing was the diaper and pacifier. Either this woman was really confused or people are getting ridiculous with with their pets.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am a dog owner myself, and I love my dog to death but, you will never catch me pushing him in a stroller as long as his legs are intact. People these days spend thousands of dollars on their pets. A top of the line, name brand dog bag, dog portraits, and the real confusing one to me is doggy daycare....Seriously? Why on earth does a dog need to go to daycare. Now I understand if you have to take him to training, but a daycare so the dog doesn't get bored home alone is simply crazy. A dog can entertain itself by chasing its tail for 10 minutes. I'm sure he will find someway to stay occupied until you get home from work.
Another thing... I have witnessed people kissing their dogs on the lips and letting their dog lick their lips. Ummm... Making out with your dog, is not okay. Its gross. Dogs lick everything from their own food to their butts to their own poop. And now all those germs are all over your lips.. How does that taste?

We have dogs in strollers and our kids on leashes, a little backwards if you ask me...

The Wonderful World of Retail

When your shopping and going from store to store, you notice the cute clothes that are neatly folded into a stack. You walk across the tidy hung sweaters in a row. You try on, you pay, and you leave. What you don't think about is the person that refolded the clothes after you pulled out the shirt from the bottom of the stack instead of the top and completely ruined the pile. You don't notice the sales person that rehung the 12,000 items of clothing you tried on in the fitting room and left on the floor except for the one twelve dollar shirt that you  had to buy. You quickly forget the cashier that rang you up with a smile even after you gave her attitude about the price of a shirt that had been misplaced. All this is easily missed and unappreciated.
Working in retail for eight years will really teach you a life lesson about people. You have the nice customers that actually say "hello" when you greet them, that rehang their own mess in the fitting rooms, and appreciate the associates that are ready to help.
On the other hand, it still boggles my mind when you greet a customer and they roll their eyes at you and turn their head  as if a simple "hi" is too much of a task. And when you ask how their day is going they respond not to your question but with an "I'm just looking". It is really unfortunate that there are so many rude unappreciative people in this world.
Throughout the years, I have had customers : throw things at me, poke me, curse and yell at me, and not to mention steal. You will never believe I have witnessed customers pee in the fitting rooms, on TWO different occasion and TWO different stores. And apparently its the associates fault when a customer doesn't read the return policy and tries to return something three or four months after the allowed date. I have had customers down right make me cry.
Fortunately, there are more good customers than bad, which is the only reason I've lasted this long in the retail world. I have created great business relationships and made a lot of good friends along the way. I have customers that visit me, befriend me on facebook, and even some that have bought me and my daughter (whom they've never met) gifts.
I think everyone should work retail at least once in their lives. It will humble them and have them appreciate all the hard work that goes into a long day. Think about that the next time you go shopping.