The Best Way + #MyPostMonday Link-Up

I love going out into nature and experiencing the beauty of it all. I've got to be outside at least once a day. If I'm not, I become very despondent.  But it isn't the most important thing that I need to be doing. If I really want to feel happy and content, I need to be out with other people and trying to make their lives a little bit better. I think that is why I love my job in Special Education. Each day I get to see kids that have been removed from their homes, plus have disabilities that qualify them for Special Services. All in all, they are good people. They have been dealt some heavy things though. Some of them don't even realize what bad luck they've had. They try the best they can to make sense of their existence and for the most part, make the best of what they've got. 

Sometimes just giving them an extra piece of candy or gum can really make their day brighter. Today, a kid in my class was in my general area, while I was doing something else. He had been rather glum when he first got to school and who could blame him? It was the first day of Daylight Savings Time and so it was actually 6:00 AM regular time, a very ungodly hour! But as we continued our parallel interaction, he mentioned that he was feeling happy, for some reason. I said I was glad for him, because he hadn't looked so cheery earlier. I wondered what the change was, and how it had happened. Could it be that he was feeling safe and non-threatened in this environment? Whatever it was, I was happy too!

Don't get me wrong, a great bargain at the mall can get me more giddy than I want to admit, but if that was all I had to look forward to, it would become very boring. All I'm saying is that I need to have a variety of things in my life, and it shouldn't all have to do with me, myself and I! 

Image - Bill Eastburn

 Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links OK)

The Boyfriend Watch from Speidel + 15% #DiscountCode!

Classic watches will never go out of style! Yes, I know there are the Fitbits and the Apple Watches that do everything from preheating your oven to starting your car! And you can even make them look almost decent, when you do matchy matchy with the bands!
But there is something about a classically designed watch that is timeless. It can add to your accessories like nothing else can. It's amazing what a watch can do to help accessorize your wardrobe and make you feel awesome! Owning and wearing my new watch made me think about what style is and I came up with my own personal philosophy about it! Style is finding both comfort and a sense of fun simultaneously. Style makes your life better! But you shouldn't be a slave to it!
 (This post was facilitated by Speidel Watches and I was provided product for review purposes! All opinions are my own!)

One of the heavy hitters in the history of U.S. timepieces is Speidel (pronounced Spy-Dell). Founded in 1904 in Rhode Island by German businessman, Frederick Speidel, the company helped to blaze the trail for the American watch industry that flourishes today. That's 124 years! There aren't too many U.S. companies that are that old. It speaks to the staying-power, adaptivity, and business sense that this company has had and continues to have! They practically invented the watchband, and then introduced the interchangeable band later on. Remember the scissor action bands that conformed to your wrist size without having to get it sized? Yep. Speidel.  And of course, the still popular Twist-O-Flex band was introduced back in 1959.
Speidel makes watches and bands for every demographic--from children, to teens and adults! The prices are not outrageously expensive either. If you want a sensible yet attractive, no-nonsense timepiece, you can choose from several from as low as $39.95! Children's watches are a very reasonable $19.95! What a great Easter Gift for a child! Their first watch!

One of their truly charming and exciting pieces is the new 'Boyfriend' Watch.

It comes in 7 different styles. I chose the Silver-Toned Style. It comes with two interchangeable bands--the non-expandable silver band and a stylish blue plaid band. I love the fun playful numbers, with the stone encrusted face! It is water resistant and comes with a 2-year warranty. I love wearing a piece of history on my wrist, but yet feel like it is relevant to today's woman. I am definitely a 21st century gal, and don't like to be wearing ancient feeling pieces. This is not your grandmother's watch for sure!

You can easily find a dealer in your area because Speidel dealers are literally everywhere! Or you can order online! Right now you can receive a 15% sitewide discount when you use the code GALNEEDS15 at checkout! Valid thru April 12th! At any rate, you should definitely do some serious investigation into a truly special piece of Americana!

Follow me on Instagram, where I will be styling the blue plaid watchband which is also included in 'The Boyfriend' Watch package!


You can also follow Speidel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Just Around The Corner + #MyPostMonday Link-Up

Most of us do the same things day in and day out, with a routine that becomes tedious, to say the least. One of the most mind-numbing things I can think of is to sit at a traffic light for 2 minutes. It is 2 minutes of hit-my-head-against-the-dash kind of boring! And this morning was particularly bad. I decided to take the "short-cut" to work. Of course, how often does that work out for you, taking a different route from the proven, albeit boring, navigational path? What it got me was catching not only a light triggered by a pedestrian, but as soon my light turned green, the light rail came through, with its own set of sensors, lowered bars, and flashing lights. By the time all that nonsense was done, it had been almost 5 minutes. Gah!!!!

But seriously, I just had to laugh. What are the odds? And what are the patience gods trying to teach me today? 

When it comes to times like these, there are a couple of things I can recognize and put to work for me to make life more remarkable than I ever thought!

Capture the wonder. First of all, I can take myself back to when I was a child, when everything was so exciting and fresh! If you can't go back that far, think of the cutest child you know and about how they look at everything in life! Re-capture that sense of wonder for yourself! On the route that you take each day, look at the things around you and notice the beauty. What time of day is it? Can you see the sun, or are there clouds? 

Image - Derek Sturman

Notice the details around you. While I was waiting for the light to change, I started breaking everything down into small details, and imagined what might be happening in that small space. I saw the silhouette of a man on the train. I imagined where he was going and what his family was like, before he sped out of sight. I looked at the car in front of me and also wondered where they were heading to. I listened to the words of the song on the radio, I took a concentrated gulp of my lemon water, thinking how good it was for me, as it made its way down my throat, esophagus, and into my belly. 

Envision and Dream. Finally, while I am busy appreciating the here and now, it's still OK to picture the future. I can make plans for my tomorrow, my week and month. It gets me more motivated to enjoy today and make the most of it so I can have a better tomorrow! It will make things like that trip to the grocery store or that load of laundry so much more pleasant if I know that just around the corner is something amazing!

 Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links OK)

Do Your Own Growing + #MyPostMonday Link-Up

I love the whimsical holiday of St. Patrick's Day, the national Irish fest where Americans of all nationalities use it as a reason to party, make merry in the streets, and have a drink and a song together. 

The Irish came into America as poor immigrants, wanting to make better lives for themselves and willing to do back breaking labor to do so. They were treated very badly, but rose to the occasion and overcame prejudice, malnourishment, and segregation. They helped build New York City, the railroads, worked in the coal mines, the power plants, and the automobile factories. 

And with their hard work, they brought their Catholic religion, their love of beer, their love of freedom of expression, and the Irish potato. I am definitely part of this American culture, even though I have no Irish blood that I know of. 

....just like I'm part of every culture that has come to America, struggled to gain their place and contributed hard work to build the country, as well as rich culture. It must be like that with every new culture that comes. It is their way of initiation, their way of making a statement that they are determined to blend into this country as citizens. If it weren't like this, our country would cease to assimilate immigrants and would begin to spew them because it can't support those who can't or won't contribute. There is only so much resource to go around before the system crumbles.

I feel a little sad for newcomers who are coming into the country now. They aren't given the chance to prove who they are. They are given a benefit package and told to go use it. That's not ever how it was, and I feel it is actually a disservice to them. They will never be able to prove what they are made of. They will never have it said of them that they overcame great obstacle in order to assimilate into this land, THEIR land. Will they ever become loyal to the America we know? It is said that you only love what you sacrifice for. If there is no sacrifice, can there be love? 

Maybe this is a different era, maybe the newcomers will contribute in ways that I don't yet understand. Just maybe. But right now, I'm remembering how it used to be, how the Irish came, endured, worked, and conquered. And they say with surety, 'This Is My Country!' 

Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links OK)

Decorate Clear Dinnerware With Paint! #StPatricksDay #Easter

We've been seeing a lot of fun things being done with clear stemware and plates, so with St. Patrick's Day AND Easter coming up, we went to work. 
Old Time Pottery was kind and cooperated with us for this project, providing some of the materials for this DIY Craft!
We found the perfect clear plates and stemware at Old Time Pottery! 
Next I found a cute shamrock online! We wanted to incorporate St. Patrick's Day on one of our clear plates and make it simple and quick. It was fairly easy to transfer the printable onto a piece of cardstock and cut it out, making a simple template.

We found our acrylic, multi-surface paints and went to work! We used simple sponge brushes to fill in the shamrock and we used the back of a regular paintbrush to dip into the paint and make the dots. Alicia's turned out much better than mine, that's for sure, so we won't be showing mine today! I'll save it for my blooper edition! Just make sure you cover the shamrock with an even coat of paint and make sure the template is securely fastened down so the paint won't bleed elsewhere onto the plate.

Polka dots on the glasses and plates, and one with a simple shamrock on the side, made these plates easy yet charming! They make a great way to deliver special goodies during March.  After the painting is done, heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes!

Other fun shades of green around the house and kitchen make celebrating this Irish holiday so much fun!

The tea pot and kettle can also be found at Old Time Pottery!
Mmmmm....I can just taste the Dublin Coddle I'll be makin' in my wee fryin' pan and stew pot, with some lovely tea a-boilin' in the kettle! And I'll be leavin' you with an Irish toast - "May I see you grey and combing your grandchildren's hair!"

Longer Lash And Cash #Giveaway + 40% Discount Code

           Welcome To The Longer Lash And Cash Giveaway!
                                 Open Internationally
 Have you ever thought about using one of the many lash-lengthening methods out there but haven't yet? Now is your perfect chance! Green Esthetics has created a premier lash-lengthening serum that is the best in the industry. It is natural and contains the perfect blend of vitamins, polypeptides, and proteins to foster eyelash growth that is amazing. What it won't contain is propelyne glycole, phenoxyethanol, or parabens! (Yuk!) It encourages lashes to grow longer and thicker within 4 - 6 weeks. Longer Lash is an over-the-counter product, non-prescription, and made in the U.S.
Simply swipe the wand over the base of your eyelashes morning and night after make-up has been removed. Results are shown to occur within 4 - 6 weeks. It lasts about 2 - 3 months. Read the review HERE and make sure to also visit the Green Esthetics Website to find out more! Use the Discount Code below for a 40% discount on all products plus free shipping through March 14th!

Follow Green Esthetics on Facebook and Twitter

And Now For The Giveaway!

1 winner will receive a tube of 'Longer Lash Eyelash Conditioning Growth Serum' (ARV $69.95 US), along with $20 PayPal or Visa Gift Card! Open internationally, age 21+ and one entrant per household. This is a Rafflecopter Giveaway and winner will be selected through random draw! Also, many thanks to the great bloggers participating in this giveaway! For more information about this giveaway, please refer to disclaimer on the Rafflecopter Form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learning From Yesterdays + #MyPostMonday Link-Up

When I think back to my childhood, I can't say that it was fraught with hardships. It wasn't....not really. My mom wasn't well, though. She had a childhood disease that left her unable to handle any kind of stress without totally losing it, starting with tremors. Combine that with her OCD-like perfectionism and the fact that I was the eldest child, the most precocious of the lot of 4, and let's just say she won and I lost. Many times. My dad was gone most of the time. We lived with my grandmother and sometimes I could rely on her to deflect my mom when she went off the reservation. Those times were really traumatic for me because she was mean to me, as she stated in later years. I was left confused, sad, and felt like I was a terrible child for making my mom get so upset that she would completely lose it. After the episodes, she would inevitably come and apologize and I would collapse, sobbing, as she hugged me. I just wanted her to love me.
Other than that, I remember some really great times. Especially when my dad was involved. Summers on my cousins' ranch in Montana, trips to buffet restaurants, riding bikes to the local swimming pool, playing on my girls softball team, playing in piano recitals, violin recitals, and doing dance recitals. 
But I just couldn't handle my junior high years. I would ditch school like my life depended on it. I flunked out of at least 1 full year of Jr. High, starting in the middle of 7th grade and continuing into my 8th grade year. Finally my mom sent me to Lodi Academy, a private school, where I developed my love of music. I couldn't very well ditch school because Lodi was not the town where I lived. I couldn't just leave campus and go hide out at the local library, or go to my piano teacher's house and ask her to let me hang out there, or sneak into my bedroom and hide under my bed while my mom was home in another area of the house. 

It was there that I learned that I could function at school, learn new things, and that I was an awesome person. It was there that I learned to sing in a choir. We actually did a full performance of the 'Messiah', which I love to this day. So, in the end, it was my mom who saved me by sending me to this wonderful private school, run by Seventh-Day Adventists. She sacrificed money that should have been spent on my other siblings, who didn't go to private school. She felt partially to blame for my insecurities, I suppose. Finally, after two years, I decided on my own that I was ready to go to a public high school and said my good-byes to Lodi. My mom and I became very close over the years. She's gone now, her heart was damaged from that early illness, and she left us too soon. I remember all the good she did and her determination to see her children do well and be good people. I think she succeeded in that goal.

I learned a lot from those days. I learned that people aren't perfect but it doesn't mean you can't forgive them and love them anyway. I learned that sometimes we need a chance to heal and it can mean doing hard things that we don't necessarily want to do. I hope that you can look at your yesterdays and learn something from them too!

Image - Robert Vosper

Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! (Affiliate links welcome!)

A Special Group Of Eco-Positive Clothing

When I first experienced clothing made by artisans who use the most natural and eco-positive methods to produce their wares, I was in heaven. The feel of an alpaca wool sweater made in Peru is like nothing else! The art that local Peruvians use to make their alpaca and other kinds of clothing has been handed down for generations and is preserved in families and communities. That is why, in my opinion, we need to have textiles made in a fair-trade environment, supported by a company that ensures fairness for both producer and buyer. In that way, one can experience the luxury of exotic materials without wondering at what sacrifice this indulgence may have been produced.

I was provided product for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own and are not swayed by sponsor affiliation. Affiliate links may be used to support this site!

 Novica is known for its beautiful and unique gifts for everyone! And now they have a new clothing line called Indigenous, a group of supremely comfortable, attractive tops, scarves, and cardigans for men and women that are made for years of comfortable wear. The colors are natural, using no artificial dyes. The fibers are undyed, 100% organic cotton yarn. You know these pieces must be pretty special for Novica to make a special brand for them!

You can find these special wearable pieces showcased in the last minute gifts section, with over 7170 other unique items to choose from as well or you can search 'Indigenous' on the website search bar. 

I received the 'Eco Cognac Luxe' Tunic in a wonderful shade of warm brown. It is such a great shade and feels so soft and natural! I feel like I could be part of a world "covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon*" when I wear it. Nature, as it turns out, is usually the most beautiful and satisfying of elements, whether it be the clothing on your back or the food that you eat, or the roof that you sleep under. I can see myself wearing this top forever, never tiring of its comfort.

I wore it to school, to a conference, and lounged in it around the house. In all 3 of these situations, the top is perfect. It is not tight-fitting, but it is very flattering and comfortable. To keep the integrity of the shape and consistency, wash by hand and let it air dry flat. 

These tops would be a very unique and thoughtful gift for someone special in your life! Likewise, they would make the perfect reward for yourself after you have accomplished a personal goal or have gone through a hard time.What better way to affirm to someone that they're worth it?
*Sarah Addison Allen 

Naturally Beautiful Eyelashes With Green Esthetics Longer Lash Serum + 40% Discount Code

She was in my 5th grade class, far too young to be worrying about mascara or false eyelashes. Every time she looked down, her eyelashes shadowed her cheekbones. When she looked sideways, her lashes were outlined in her silhouette. Her eyelashes were so long and I was immensely fascinated! I wondered how I might get my eyelashes that long! 
(This post was facilitated by Green Esthetics and I was provided product for review purposes! All opinions are my own! This post may contain affiliate links.)
 It wasn't until at least 2 more years that I found out about mascara and the lengthening effects it has on lashes. What in the world would women do without mascara? They would most likely have longer lashes! What a paradox! The thing that magnifies our lash length can ultimately dry them out and cause breakage! I know that is what happened over time to me! My eyelashes started to break off and at one point I barely had any!

Most people don't have naturally long eyelashes (myself included), but there are plenty of ways to get long lashes besides mascara. One popular trick these days is to get extensions. The advantage of extensions is that you can choose the length and thickness you want and you don't need to rely on mascara...until the extensions wear off. If one isn't careful, you might end up with lashes that look like the fringe on a rug! I've seen some really unattractive and unnatural looking extensions! Really not a good look. Why would you want overly long, thick, dark eyelashes that could possibly age you? There is such a thing as too much! A nice, natural look is the best! Another drawback to extensions, for me personally, is that I don't like sitting or laying for 2 hours with someone hovering over me applying individual eyelashes. It seems so tedious! And the cost is pretty steep! Regular maintenance is required---more tediousness! Not to mention the risk of infection or allergic reaction!

What I CAN settle for is an all-natural eyelash growth serum that gets results. I was given the opportunity to try Longer Lash by Green Esthetics. I love it. By putting it on twice daily, once before bed and once before putting on make-up in the morning, you can stimulate the natural growth of your eyelashes. 

Longer Lash contains the most natural ingredients in the most optimal formulation, making lash growth almost inevitable! Some of the more familiar ingredients include emu oil, argon oil, castor oil, and copper peptide. But there are also natural growth stimulants, vitamins, and proteins. These are all designed and proven to stimulate natural lash growth. It doesn't contain potentially harmful ingredients such as propelyne glycol, phenoxyethanol, or parabens.

My husband was my photographer, with only a little arm twisting. I know you want to see all the eye photos we took, but let's just leave it at a few! 

 One of the things I was a bit nervous about was eye color change. I have heard that some eyelash growth serums actually change eye color if it is blue. I asked about it and was told that this is only for the prescription serums, with chemicals. I was very pleased with my results and while I still feel like I need to wear mascara, my lashes look so much fuller and thicker. I used the formula for about 4 weeks (best results are between 2 - 3 months of consistent use) and I still have 3/4 of the tube left, which shows that it goes a long way. Basically the cost is about .40/day, much less than eyelash extensions, which average about $3.50/day and maintenance every 2 - 3 weeks! It all boils down to your patience and your desire to have natural vs. false lashes! What is your personal preference to get longer lashes? Extensions, mascara only, or serums? Any other ways you know of?
 You can read more about specific questions about 'Longer Lash' lengthening serum on their website!

Before and After (At 4 Weeks so far)

Discount Code: If you have made it to this point, you obviously are at least a little bit interested, thank you! Let me make it a little bit more worth your time. You will receive 40% off Longer Lash or any products at Green Esthetics, + free shipping if you use this code at check out: GALNEEDS40 Good thru March 14.

To See All The Possibilities + #MyPostMonday

I don't have even 15 minutes to get this post, My Post, out this evening. But even in this short amount of time, I am seeing that there are so many ways to make obstacles become stepping stones, problems become possibilities, and turn adversity into advantage. Just because I don't understand everything there is to understand about something, doesn't mean that I need to give up. It doesn't mean that just because I missed the Grammy's tonight, I can't find out what happened. I heard that neither Carrie Underwood nor Adele were quite on their A games. That's OK, I love both those ladies and I'm sure that we'll all forgive them for not having a stellar night. Apparently even Taylor Swift came up on the losing end of the fashion police vote. She got a worst dressed award, yet made history for best Album of the Year! Yikes! If they can do it, I certainly as heck can do it too. And I don't need to feel like I have anything to be ashamed of, either. Just buck up, be myself, make some mistakes, and move on! Turn that into fodder for the history books! At least it won't be boring!

Image by Ed Whitmore

Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for original, non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos! Sponsored posts are great and I appreciate the information from well-written and authentic sponsored posts, I write them myself! But this linky is for non-sponsored posts because they are all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. It's not about a specific brand and what it compensates the blogger to promote! If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links OK)