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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Seat Belts

 I haven't been writing in this space lately...My life spun out of control for the last few weeks.


Towards the beginning, it was in a bad way, but now it seems to be converting into good.


*NOTE: this is NOT something I wanted plastered all over Facebook. I just want to write in my blog space about my life happenings without attracting people that don't really care about me or just want to know "what happened" vs. actually are genuinely concerned.*

So 3 weeks ago, I was running about 15 minutes behind my already late schedule. So about 30 minutes behind when I needed to leave for work. 

The morning was a blur. 

I was drinking my breakfast protein shake on the way to work. That time of year, when your air isn't on but neither is your heat (in your car).

My shaker cup slipped out of my hand and all over the front of me and onto my center counsel, creating a HUGE mess. That being my only breakfast, I tried to lean over and save what I could. 

As I looked up over my dashboard, cup in hand (I think), I began to slam on my breaks.

Far too late.

I smoked the back end of a semi.

I was in and out of blacking out, but I remember being so confused as to if I was OK. (I was, for the record).

I couldn't open my driver door, but I couldn't see out due to the air bags. I pushed as hard as I could and at the same time a very nice young man was ripping my door open too. I felt around for my phone which was still in front pocket of my purse which somehow stayed upright in my passenger seat. From here, it got really really blurry. I just remember continuously asking, "what do I do? what do I do?" The young man directed me to call someone close...obviously my parents. My right hand had blood all over the place but I couldn't feel it. I remember being able to feel how awful my knee hurt, but nothing else. 

The first person I called was my boss. He was very understanding...I obviously wasn't coming to work today. After that, I was somehow calm enough to take pictures of my car and send them to him, showing proof that I wasn't bluffing (he never thought I was, but I guess it was priority to me). THEN, I called my dad. I don't think my dad blinked and he was out the door on his way. I then called my mom and then my sister. I didn't start to feel the emotions until I called my sister. 

My dad took me to the hospital to get triple checked out. 

A side note: the sheriff, the truck driver (who was totally fine!---probably barely a dent in his truck), the tow truck man, and the two gentleman that stopped to help me / traffic were beyond kind. I don't think I could  have asked for a better coincidental crew to help me and the situation.

I got an x-ray on my knee (which was fine besides the swelling and bruising). But the days to come, were pure hell. And I mean that. My biggest injuries included a 3cm laceration between my fingers (which is where the blood was coming from) ---it was so disgusting >insert puke emoji<, the burns on my hips from the seat belt, the airbag burn on my hand, and the really bad bruising on my knee from hitting the dashboard.
 
Even later that evening, I began to feel almost every muscle and joint in my body ache. The next day was extremely difficult to move. And looking at the bruises and burns on my body sent me in a whirlwind of crying episodes. Then, about 3 days later, my lungs and throat burned like they were legit set on fire. (The air bag has a powder on it that did this to me--which later turned into a hellacious cold).

But in the end, I AM OK. It was extremely hard for me to look at myself for about a week and a half. Now that most of it is going away, it seems like so long ago. The odd thing is, it was on my grandma's birthday...So I'd say I had one heck of a guardian angel looking over me!

The moral of this story, honestly, is that if I didn't have my seat belt on, there's no way I wouldn't have flown right through that windshield. So if you need to use a story of someone you know as an example of WHY you SHOULD wear your seat belts, use mine. I give credit to the airbags as well, but mostly the seat belt. 

!!!!!!!!WARNING: These pics are pretty graphic. :| !!!!!!!!









Monday, September 25, 2017

Happy Seneversary to ME!


Senegence (the mother company to LipSense) has truly changed my life in the last year.
I celebrated my 1 year anniversary with the company a couple weeks ago and celebrated with my online Facebook group by having an awesome sale all week!

I have had the best support system of friends and family since starting and I didn't want to leave them out of the celebration. The sale went amazing and it really broke me out of my shell by doing live demos (Get Ready With Me), posting pics, and just talking to my great group about more than just LipSense!

I've invested in a super cool SPARKLEY backdrop (see pic below) for my live videos & pictures. My mom and I are going to make our own ring lights (I have a small one currently), and I purchased a phone stand to do my live videos so I don't have to put it something random and worry about it falling. Last fall/winter, my mom finished my makeup vanity so now I have that to work on, too!

This company has given me so much more than I could have imagined.
Friendships, connections with new people, reconnecting with old friends, a sisterhood, confidence, better self-esteem...It's just truly amazing.

Last Sunday, my mom and I traveled to Okoboji for a team get together (& training) and it was a total BLAST! The room was just so full of support, positivity, and passion. A panel of ladies shared their Sene Stories and they were REALLY deep. This company does so much for it's team members! 


I'm beyond thrilled I got to see Maleri (my sponsor). She lives a few hours away from me, but talking to her in person, it was like we knew right where to pick up! She's sooooo humble and funny, I am so glad I get to be a part of this with her!


A few of our other team leaders were there, sharing with us and I was super pumped to finally meet them in person, too!



I got home and was so pumped up, I took a selfie with my (2nd) favorite gloss---Bougainvillea gloss. (LOL) Be on the look out on my group page, this photo might have something fun added to it, you won't want to miss! :)




Working with PURE natural light instead of a lamp this last Saturday was so much fun!



Full face Senegence makeup
LipSense color: Napa
Gloss: Bougainvillea Gloss
Scarf: Stella & Dot
Top: TC Boutique (Storm Lake, IA)

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

I-O-W-A

Doesn't it seem like "3 day" weekends always go faster than a normal (2 day) weekend? 


Seems as so to me! This past weekend was, yet another, complete BLUR!

I spent the beginning of the weekend moving my makeup vanity my mom redid for me from her house to ours...I'm planning to get a whole background, light, etc. set up to do live Facebook tutorials on my Facebook page. I'm really excited, and super nervous. I have done my fair share of researching 'How To's' and different ways to do this and that.

Our guest room is quickly turning into my second room. Blake has his "office" which has a bathroom  connected on our main floor, so it only seems reasonable that I get my own (second) room, right?

After I was content with the set up (with what I had), I moved on to my next task I have been putting off...uploading clothes I want to sell to an app my mom introduced me to called Mercari. How you pronounce it, I'm not entirely sure. It's super user-friendly and legit...and I've already found some super good deals on things I just don't want to pay full price for, or buy the expensive brand. (Hoodies, makeup bags, makeup brushes, wall decor, etc.) It took me quite a while too accomplish what I did because I had SO MANY clothes to photograph. And, of course, I wanted to make sure I got pictures of the front, back, size, and material tags...*sigh.* At least I had a ton of coffee energy while doing it, which is what sparked my motivation to get it done!

Saturday, I ventured to Clear Lake to spend the day with friends and family, and watch the Hawkeyes. 

My sister rented a super cute cabin (AirBnB type thing) for the weekend. We did the same thing last year...I think it's officially a tradition! 


One of my best friends from college, Alyssa, came up for a girls day and I couldn't have been happier to see her! She's seriously THE BEST!


Our (now) traditional Hawkeye family photo 2017!


Trying to get a pic with the boys is much easier when the wind from the lake isn't out of control! :) Oh, not to mention, I turned them in to licorice freaks by the end of the weekend...sorry mom & dad! :)


Drake <3


Landon <3

By Sunday, we were all spent! It was such a fun time. I took quite the nap when I got home, and I think I'm still recovering!

Monday, August 28, 2017

Lularoe, LipSense, & Libations


Just wanted to start this post with a recent pic of my fur baby :)
We like to lay down in bed before I head to the gym after work.

Anyways...

My mom & I headed to Coralville to see my sister and the boos (the boys) Saturday for a while. 
I threw on one of my Lularoe tops I had yet to wear and let me tell ya...it was SO comfy! I would recommend this style to anyone (Perfect T).

On top of that, I did my makeup in all Senegence products. Senegence is the parent company that creates LipSense, if you didn't know. The make up is SO awesome. Oil free, smudge free, water proof, and just overall better for your skin. (No harmful ingredients, SPF, SenePlex Complex, etc.) SenePlex mainly means cell renewal of the skin. If you'd like to read more about how awesome this stuff is...here's a great explanation.

http://www.lippygalore.com/files/Skincare_Anti_Aging/SenePlex_Anti_Aging_Complex/SenePlex.pdf


A little while later, we had a Lularoe, LipSense & Libations party!



We all 3 sported some Lula. Andrea is wearing an Irma Tunic top & leggings, and I have on a Cassie skirt (super comfy)!


I did a SeneGence makeup tutorial on my sister (practiced on my mom first, but somehow never got a pic of my work!) and I was super happy with the results--they both looked great! I have played with this makeup on my self plenty of times, but actually getting to do it on someone else was a little scary at first, but it turned out to be super fun for me! 

I am going to start doing more 'Get Ready With Me' videos on my LipSense Facebook page, which you can join here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LipsByMollie/

...and I am SUPER excited about it. I didn't realize how much I actually do LOVE makeup until this weekend after practicing on my mom and doing my sister's live! 

And at the end of the weekend, I did I was usually do on Sunday's...played with SnapChat filters.


Two things...

1. Can we talk about my new sunglasses?! 'Cuz I am IN LOVE!!! 
2. Um the purple hair...really really REALLY debatable [I'm pretty much obsessed with that look on me right now] .... :| 

Thursday, August 24, 2017

A Cubs Sweep!

Day 2:

There wasn't much turnaround time to recover from the Bruno Mars concert to when we had to be up and moving for a day with the Chicago Cubs! But...I wasn't about to argue.

Since the company I work for is 99.9% based around sports, I have really started to love learning about sports, following certain teams, and have a whole new respect for them.

My grandpa McGrath was a huge Chicago Cubs fan, so this one is in my blood. 


Complete side note: I loved this tshirt. I got so warm that I went and bought a tank top & ended up losing this shirt somewhere after the game. I hope it finds a rightful new owner. :P

We got up and moving on our way to the game around 10:30. We took the 'L' to Wrigleyville & the fun began!

I have never been down to Wrigleyville before and let me tell you--it was SO cool!




We headed up to the rooftop that we would watch the game from and got some lunch. I wish I would have snapped more pictures of what this place was like, because it was really cool. It's like an apartment building outside of Wrigley that has a bar/indoor seating floor to watch the game on TVs and then a floor up, you can sit on bleachers and watch the game overlooking the field. 


The Cubs have been doing very well this season so it was really awesome to be able to see them play in person. 

If you listen closely, you can hear the crowd singing Go Cubs Go! after their victory against the Toronto Blue Jays! Of course this was a SnapChat video so it got cut off/saved in my phone weird. 


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Pop Pop, It's Show Time (Show Time)

Guess who's back again?! 

To say this summer got away from me, is an understatement.
While I'd like to elaborate more on that, I won't. :)

So I'll catch you up on my most recent trip to Chicago!

Day 1:
We arrived Friday afternoon, immediately got ready, and headed out for some quick drinks & dinner before...






    
A BRUNO MARS CONCERT!!!



He performed at the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls--Hey, Fred Hoiberg!).
So that is where this completely random pic of the MJ statue came from. :)



Oh my gosh, you guys. I don't think I have the time or blog space to describe how amazing this concert was! I have been to my fair share of amazing concerts (Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris, LMFAO, , Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Macklemore, P!nk to name a few.) And this...THIS one...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! It may or may not take the cake as the BEST show I've ever been to!

Once the concert started, the entire stage (and crowd) did NOT stop moving. Not to mention, we were super close! It was SO much fun!



Bruno (and his entire stage crew) can MOVE! I had a lot of favorite moments of the concert, but I think the two that made my ultimate list were:

1. When gold confetti blasted out of cannons during "Locked Out of Heaven."
2. When Bruno asked the entire crowd to sing the chorus for "Just the Way You Are." (Ugh, serious chills!)

I posted a video of each of these moments on my Facebook & my Instagram--check them out!

If you ever have the chance to see Bruno Mars, GO! Don't question it--JUST GO!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

A Quick 'Get to Know Me'

I saw this floating around Facebook & thought i'd copy & paste it with my answers! I always think these are kinda fun!


❤️
Marriages.......................0
πŸ’”Divorces..........................0
πŸ’Proposals........................0
🍼Children...........................0
🐢Pets right now.................1
πŸš‘Surgeries........................0
Tattoos...........................3
πŸ‘‚πŸ»Piercings........................ 3
πŸ”«Shot a gun....................Yes
Quit a job......................Yes
πŸ“ΊEver been on tv.............Yes---All Iowa Honor Drill Team (haaaay)
🏝Been to an island.........Yes (Hawai'i -- the big island & Cozumel)
✈️Flown on a plane..........No
🌎 Furthest destination......... Cozumel or Hawai'i...not sure which is farther :P
🦌Hit a deer......................no (knock on wood!)
😒Someone cried over you...............yes
πŸ’˜Fallen in love.........................yes
😭Watched someone die......no
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈBeen to America.............. Yes
πŸš‘Ridden in an ambulance...no
πŸ’°Visited Las Vegas.............yes x 5 :)
🎀Sang karaoke.....................yes
Been downhill skiing...........yes (SO fun!)
🎿Been water skiing…….......no
Skating............................yes
πŸ„πŸΌ‍️Been surfing.................... No
🏍Ridden on a motorcycle?.. Yes
🐴Ridden a horse..................no
😡Almost died.................... no
πŸ‘ŠπŸΌBeen punched...................no
🏨Stayed in a hospital..........Yes
πŸš”Ridden in the back of a police car...no