Feel The Burn : Gym Social Anxiety...

Ok so we all know that person... the person who LOVES the gym.. they are just ya know gonna do a little work out and sweat through their very expensive workout gear... they've been "feeling the burn" for a while now and it's their zone... well, I am not that person... more or less I'm thrilled to just get in the gym act like I know what I'm doing and try not to make eye contact with anyone... It's the grown up version of the lunch room ya'll....

Here I am, 32.. trying to get back into shape, I started this journey last summer and it got derailed pretty much right when my dad passed away this last fall.. see that post here. But I'm back on the wagon and I mean business, because when there is a twenty something teaching my zumba class, well, it's just a little humiliating to think that she was probably born in the 90's... deep heavy sigh.. but here I'm trying my best, shaking it in front of the mirrors which is a terrible idea.. I mean , it's a gym! We are all there to get into shape! Can you at least make us look a little thinner in that mirror.. I mean do that carnival mirror crap, whatever it takes... I don't care, just please don't make me look short , sweaty and with a few pounds to loose..

You know that moment when your like "oh heck yeah, I'm killing it on the elliptical".. Your in the zone, pumping music and you feel like a rock star... Yeah that was me, I was so in the zone and killing it... then I look up and the stinking machine is displaying my weight! Oh perfect just the motivation needed... whatever.. I've decided that I'm not going to care and eventually I'll figure out how not to look like a fish out water.. which I totally am... a flopping fish out of water.. I think they should make Spanx workout gear... I would totally buy that crap.. true story. Until that day, I'm going to try my hardest... pretend that I know what I'm doing and figure it out along the way... because I'm worth it... and I'm worth feeling good and looking good.. I'm worth all the hard work even when I'm dreaming of doughnuts and eating a banana..

Insta What? Life Lately..

May, wowza.. you've been a trip...between busy schedules, my sister's film festival and holidays... it's been a roller coaster of a month.. May always seems to be that for us and every year we are like "wow, life is crazy"...  Here's a bit on what's been happening on the good ol Instagram....

• Capturing the moment when my hair, makeup and chins are all in the right place... #selfie
• Husband smuggled Jelly Bellies out of his office for me... #reallove
• That's my gorgeous sister on the big screen, yeah she's a pretty big deal... she's also a director in which she entered a short film she made for a school project and it won both of the two awards given! Gosh, I am one proud sis... 
• It wouldn't be summer without a date with Aloe Vera.. we've been good friends since like forever... #redheadproblems #sunburned
• Baseball! Go A's!
• Oprah is now on the sleeves at Starbucks? Who knew...
• My gorgeous sister and I perfecting our duck face... slam dunk if you ask me...
• Nails!
• Us at the film festival.. it was like grownup prom... 
• My girls at the film festival, we have too much fun... #spicy 
• The camera loves me... #tbt
• Practicing my surprised face... how'd I do?

Feel free to follow along on the fun on IG @hopeceleste ... Cheers and happy selfies!

If I Were 22...

This picture was taken when I was 21 1/2.. apparently no pictures of me at 22 exist anymore.. probably for good reason..

If I could go back in time 10 years... I'd tell my little 22 year old self many things....  Here I am, freshly hired as a customer service representative for State Farm Insurance, I don't really have a clue about what a professional work environment looks like and because of stress I weighed under 100lbs.

• Don't show up to an interview wearing a Canadian Tuxedo... seriously jean jacket with jeans is never a good idea... big eye roll...
• You matter, even though you feel like you are just faking your way through life till you figure some things out, it's ok.. You matter and you'll figure it out.
• I know you think emo music is like "your jam" but trust me in a few short years from now even hearing Dashboard Confessional, you will roll your eyes.
• I know that freshly broken heart hurts, it really does.. and I know you thought that he was the one.. but TRUST ME, you will meet the most amazing man and you'll thank God that it didn't work out... 
• I know you doubt really if you are beautiful, you compare your self to many around you.... but let me tell you, you are beautiful... stunning on the inside and out.. 
• Loose the hip hugger jeans... 
• Wash your hands after applying sunless tanning lotion... trust me..
• Take care of your body, it won't always be this easy... 
•  Take your time figuring out who you are, things will change and there will be talents, dreams and hopes you discover along the way... there is no rush to define who you are right here right now... 
• Go easy on the glitter eye shadow..
• Just be honest, you don't really like Radiohead....
• You are kind... you are a great friend, you will make mistakes and when you do, be quick to fix it... 
• It takes a while to find your dream job, but working hard will always pay off... 
• Remember even when people you love hurt you, it's usually not about you.. it's about them.. Forgive them.. forgive them quickly and put people in your life that can remind you of the gift you are.. even if you forget...
• Lastly, I know it feels like this is all your life will be but I promise you... life will be so much bigger and so much better, than you ever dreamed... 

Alot can happen in 10 years, for me when I'm discouraged it's helpful to look back and see all that's changed in 10 years and then start to dream of all that is possible in the next 10... Congrats to all you graduates starting out on your adventures and to the rest of us.. keep going, it only gets better from here....

How Pinteresting!

I'm pretty sure there should be support groups for those *ahem* addicted to Pinterest..  I swear I'm on that site daily.. You know it's become a problem when, now instead of searching Google for a recipe or highly reviewed product.. or even a "how to".. I now search Pinterest.. yup that's right folks, you heard it here first.. Pinterest as replaced Google for me.. now don't get me wrong I still am a die hard Google fan.. I mean hello? My blog is on Blogger. But here's the thing if I am looking for a tutorial on how to on, I don't know.. " how not to kill houseplants".. not saying I've done that but let's just pretend that I've been known to kill a houseplant or two. I search Pinterest.. I find not only the blog post or site but many other useful information that could prevent any future houseplant casualties.. I've learned how to do minor HTML coding, I've learned how to curl my hair proper... I've found countless recipes, ahh-mazing fashion and just honest to goodness dreaming.... Are you looking for the best drugstore eyeliner? Bam! Pinterest. Are you looking for artwork for a baby's room? Pinterest it... yeah that's right, I made it a verb... So really in all honesty it's a practical help not a colossal waist of time.. see what I did there? Basically I'm all for whatever justifies my minor addiction that we call Pinterest.. This is just a few of what I've been finding in the candy land of Pinterest if you would like you can follow along here. 

Beauty On A Budget...

Sephora is so sneaky, kind like Target in that way.. they suck you in with their awesome selection and the amazing return policy.. here I was just loading up my pretend shopping cart with no intention of buying.. I do this sometimes, it helps when I feel like shopping but cant spend the dollaaas.... So anyways here I was minding my own business and they kindly decide to email me and say "hey looks like you forgot a few things in your shopping cart!"... No kidding, that was on purpose.. you are expensive, lovely and I need to just say no, must be strong... However even though my shopping spending spree has been on a diet lately, a girl must still have her mascara... I thought I would share some of my beauty favorites.. which, all of them come from Walmart... hahah.. whatever I'm over it and I'm saving money... totally grownup of you Hope... 

Mascara- Maybelline's The Falsies Volume Express (waterproof) gosh.. love this stuff.. totally provides tons of volume and length and will not come off with tears...  a little tip, if you have regular raccoon eyes like I do.. switch to a waterproof mascara! It stays on much better and then if the spontaneous pool party should happen you are prepared... #winning

Eyeshadow-Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio... I have to admit, I'm a little picky when it comes to eye shadow.. Ever since using brands like Urban Decay & Arbonne, I want my all shadows to stay on and be really pigmented... I heard about this eye shadow trio and for like $3! I'm sold!! So creamy and pigmented! I use this one every single day... I even mix it with my Naked 2 ... You cannot tell which one is $50 bucks & which one is $3... they have many other colors too which I'm thrilled to try! This color is called "Walking On Eggshells", perfect for everyday...

Eyelid Primer- Maybelline's Color Tattoo "Barely Branded"... this guy is the bomb dot com.. I've mentioned before that I have oily eyelids, which is ridiculous since the rest of my face is dry (eye roll).. I use this on top of Urban Decay's Primer Potion,  these two combined really helps my shadow to stay put.. or if I'm busy I skip shadow and just use this! Totally hooked!!

Concealer- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer... LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I've used plenty of concealers in my day... geez, that makes me sound so old... and truly this one is my favorite.. I discovered this by other bloggers & YouTube vloggers.. so I gave it a try, wowza! It's incredible.. doesn't crease.. hallelujah! Covers the dreaded sleepy/baggy eyes perfectly! Since it's a concealer, it's a little more sheer than a foundation but I feel it does that job perfectly and if it's not enough for you, it's buildable.. Try it you won't be sorry!

I'm not sure what it is about drugstore beauty that gets me giddy but I'm lovin what I found.. and I hope you enjoy them too! Do you have any drugstore beauty finds that you would like to share? I'm all ears!

Taking Stock

This was inspired by Sydney of  The Daybook Blog... which she did inspired by Pip's blog and since imitation is the most sincere form of flattery I thought I'd give it a go... 

Making: A mess of my semi clean apartment... coming home from a weekend away means living out of a suitcase for a few more days than necessary... 

Cooking: Not as good as my husband, honestly.. he floors me with his cooking skills...

Drinking: Chamomile Tea... trying to limit the stress in my life... 

Reading: Currently nothing.. gasp! But I'm gonna be in a few days... gonna do a little Amazon Prime shopping... Heavenly!

Wanting: More sleep... after having company & then a weekend of a film festival I'm all tuckered out!

Looking: At my desk... it's a mess... 

Playing: You Make Me Brave album... it's on repeat... 

Wasting: Money on laundry... I don't want to talk about it...

Wishing: for a beach vacation with my amazing husband... that and a new purse..

Enjoying: My Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub... yay for great skin!

Waiting: for my sugar craving to disappear... 

Liking: My freckles... and NYC Lipstick for $.99! 

Wondering: What's on Tv tonight...

Loving:  How my husband makes songs out of practically anything... 

Hoping: That I've finally solved my #houseplantkiller ways...  4 still ALIVE!!!

Marveling: At how fast the years are going by... We are in MAY ya'll!!! What the what??

Needing: A snazzy new office chair, you know that kind that says "I'm the boss"..

Smelling: Chicken soup on my desk...it's all gone.. :(

Wearing: White denim & stripes... aka my uniform...

Following: The Grumpy Cat on Instagram... life is now complete..

Noticing: That I probably need to give up sugar... again, I don't want to talk about it... 

Knowing: That everything happens in it's perfect timing... 

Thinking: about Peace... and chocolate cake... not to be confused with a piece of chocolate cake.. which now I'm thinking about...  

Feeling: tired, happy, loved & tired...

Bookmarking: YouTube tutorials on winged eyeliner & false lashes.. cuz ya know it's important...

Opening: up my overnight bag searching for clean clothes...

Giggling: At my husband.. gosh he makes me laugh... 

Feeling: So grateful... 

How To: Surviving Allergy Season..

Surviving Allergy Season... by hchdesigns featuring Bumble and Bumble

It's the most wonderful time of the year... where all glamour goes out the door and I'm surrounded by tissues & allergy medicine.... If you could hear my voice right now it sounds a bit like Meg Ryan when she was sick in You've Got Mail.... Growing up I never struggled with allergies and honestly had little compassion for those who did... Big mistake HUGE..  now since moving to Northern California where nothing ever really dies in winter.. like clock work I will have a month of seasonal allergies! Ugh... So how's a girl supposed to stay sane in this wretched season, let alone look chic??? Well I'll tell you...

• Stay comfortable but do not live in your PJ's... repeat after me.. I'm adult and only babies wear PJ's all day... Over-sized tees & boyfriend jeans are a fantastic option! 
• Since your not feeling well, skip the stilettos.. I know, I know, we love em but honestly if your drugged up on NyQuil & Allegra you probably shouldn't be driving 5 inch heels... they should put that somewhere on the box... go for an endlessly classic sneaker like these White Converse! Be sure to have the jeans rolled up showing some leg, ooh la la... this will help balance your proportions... 
• Accessorize!! It's the magic dust of any look, nothing fancy just a watch, earrings & sunnies.. this will help make you look like you actually tried to get dressed in the morning.. which isn't that the point? 
• Makeup.. this is naturally the easiest thing to skip when not feeling well, however it is one of the MOST important and will do wonders for your mood! Keep it simple, mascara, lips and a little glow for the cheeks... Just because you feel like you shouldn't see the light of day doesn't mean you should look like a vampire... Think Bella from Twilight and just say NO! I love the Nars Illuminator in the color Orgasm... I wear it everyday! 
• Hair, again very easy to skip but I promise you'll physically feel better if you feel you look good... so wash it, spritz it with a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray... easy peasy...  and you look great! 

Let's be honest, nothing quite says "Ooh la la" like Vapor Rub and a box full of tissues.. it's not a glamorous time but there are some things we can do to help. In my experience if you are just feeling icky, take a little time to give to yourself, you will feel a world of difference! Even if it is just to run to Walmart for more cough drops.... Because if there is anyone who can make cold & allergy season ,chic, it's you!