My Scent Addiction...The 5 Bath&Body Works Scents I Am Obsessed With!
At the Beach
I don't know if there has been some type of physiological or hormonal shift in me, but lately I am all about wonderful scents all of the time. Fortunately Bath and Body Works is feeding my addiction. I get my fix in the form of lotions, candles, body washes, and plug ins.
I have no affiliation with B&B, but I love all of their products for the most part. I have some new favorites, and they have brought back some of their retired scents to love as well. There is Juniper Breeze, Cucumber Melon, and White Tea and Ginger, and my all time favorite Freesia, just to name a few of the oldies that are back.
As we head into Spring, some wonderful new scents will emerge. Now, I am a girl who is all about a clean, fresh smell. I love it on a man, and I love it in a candle. No food like smelling candles for me, like pumpkin or marshmallows. Yuck!
My 5 Favorite Scents
- Focus - Blends of eucalyptus essential oils, and tea extract
- Bergamot Waters - The scent blends of bergamot, pristine blue waters, and sugared citrus
- At The Beach - Blends of frangipani, toasted coconut, and bergamot water
- Rose Water and Ivy - The scent of soft rose petals, rain-kissed ivy, and spring musk
- White Tea and Sage - Blends of tea, lemon, and herbs
Bergamot
Last year I fell in love with the scents Sweater Weather (which is seasonal), Bergamot, and Bergamot Waters. The Sweater Weather scent consists of fresh sage, juniper, eucalyptus, aromatics, and fresh woods. Sweater Weather is my favorite candle to burn. I stock up on these in fall. I am also a big fan of Bergamot. Bergamot is a french citrus that smells wonderful. Add to that sandalwood, and a blue water like clean scent, and it is heavenly.
For my body I am loving "at the Beach". I like the body cream and bath soak. It has quite the coconut influence, with some bergamot water added. Is there any wonder I love it? So now you know all about my scent addiction. I am always fully stocked with enough products for myself, and extra for my gift closet for last minute presents. There is always someone's birthday, or teacher appreciation week, and having extra B&B on hand will save the day. And if you are a close female friend or relative in my life, you are likely to receive some Bath & Body Works products as stocking stuffers for sure.
So what scent are you addicted to? I bet you have one. Maybe it's the smell of fresh baked cookies, or the way your love or crush smells. We all experience it at one time or another. That smell that invokes memories and feelings. Think about the smell that makes you smile.
10 Quotes To Live Your Life By...
I think we all can admit there is room for improvement, and growth within ourselves. I always say I am a work in progress. I truly am a work in progress, but I am always striving to grow, and be better.
I find that having a personal mantra is helpful. Inspirational quotes of the day help, and so does becoming more in tuned with yourself, and who you really are as person. Over the years, some very wise people have said some very insightful things. Some of their words have become my mantra.
10 Quotes To Live Your Life By...
"Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me." Carol Burnett
"Everybody does not have have to like you. That is not their job. Liking you is not anyone's purpose in life except yours." - Iyanla Vanzant
"A persons character is shown throughout their actions in life NOT where they sit on Sunday." - Navonne Johns
"My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou
"It's not the years of life, but the life in your years that count." Adlai E. Stevenson
"Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible." Mandy Hale
"Instead of being ashamed of what you have been through, be proud of what you have overcome." - Dr. Phil
"The most important relationship you have is with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself." - Diane Von Furstenberg
"The only person with whom you have to compare yourself is you in the past." - Sigmund Freud
If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place." Nora Roberts
I hope you find these quotes as insightful, and helpful as I do. Now that I have shared my 10 quotes to live by, what are some of your favorites? If you never thought about it, this list should get you started.
He's Not A Good Guy...10 Signs Of A No Good Man
There are many good men in this world, just perhaps not enough to go around. I have been fortunate these past 20 years to see an example of a really good man. I have honed my skills, and can recognize the no good man much more quickly nowadays, but that wasn’t always the case for me.
In my early twenties I fell hard for a no good man. Today I look back on that relationship, and smile because I learned so much from it. I would describe him as a very handsome con artist.
I overlooked red flags far too long, and doubted my inner voice. He was a cheater and a liar, and I was young and naive.
One day I woke up, and it was like a spell had been broken. I saw him for who he really was, and finally was strong enough to be free of him. Fortunately, I was not foolish, or desperate enough to marry him, or have children with him. But we were engaged for a period of time.
That relationship in my early twenties changed me, and I said never again. I learned my lesson, became more guarded, and demanded a certain level of treatment from future partners. I share my PG stories with young women in my life, in hopes of saving them "some" heartache.
Heartbreak is inevitable, but there are some ways to avoid the no good man and not get conned.
Here Are The 10 Signs I Say To Look For In A No Good Man...
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Your Friends and Family Do Not Like Him
Love makes us blind and we tend to overlook, make excuses for, and block out all of our loves’ faults. This one is a huge red flag. If your family and friends do not like your guy, it is because they are seeing the real him that you are choosing not to see. They love you, and want the best for you, and chances are, he is not it.
You catch him in lies, or his stories are inconsistent. He is not a trust worthy individual, and you find yourself questioning everything with him. You cannot trust a liar, and if you cannot trust your man, you cannot have a healthy, happy relationship.
Controlling
A man who tries to control you does not respect you, but wants to own you. He tells you who to be friends with, how to act, and even what to say. Controlling men are very insecure.
Rumors Follow Him
A man who constantly has negative “press” is a man who is likely up to no good. There is some truth to what has been said about him. Do not believe his bogus reasons as to why there is always something bad being said about him.
Question why his reputation is so poor that people so readily believe the worst of him. Trust me, it is not because people are jealous of him or your coupledom.
Something Seems Off
He seems wonderful, nearly perfect for you, but if something feels off about him then there probably is. Trust your gut instinct, which is picking up on some behaviors you are ignoring on a conscious level..
Doesn't Keep His Word
A man with empty promises, or no follow through is no good. He is all talk and frequently lets you down. He has big plans, and big dreams, but no effort to actually do anything.
Unreliable
He doesn’t show up when he says he will, or is not available or there when you need him. He is frequently late, shows signs of laziness, and is never willing to inconvenience himself.
No Friends
Be very wary of a man who cannot make, or keep friends. This guy will be very clingy, and try to keep you all to himself. If he doesn’t have friends, it is because he runs people off with his behavior and attitude. Other men find him unlikeable, although he will try to say it is because they are “jealous”.
He Values Things Over People
This is a man whose value system is really screwed up. He puts importance on labels, expensive things, and he is a braggart. A man who brags about things shows his immaturity, and a lack of social awareness. He might as well be wearing a sign that says ”douchebag” on it.
He Makes You Feel Bad About Yourself
If he makes you feel bad about your clothes, your looks, your intelligence, or your cooking, he is no good. He should lift you up, not bring you down. He plays games, and loves to emotionally manipulate you into doing what he wants.
This list is not all inclusive, and the no good man does not need meet all of these signs. Ultimately, we all have to decide if he is "no good". I think it goes without saying that a man who is physically aggressive, or violent towards you is no good. Violence aside, it is up to the individual to decide what they are willing to accept.
For me, trust is everything. I know that when I really care about someone as a person, I only want to see the good in them. I still have blind spots for people close to me, so I always have to ask myself if I am ignoring red flags.
Do you agree with the signs of a no good man? Are you ignoring red flags with someone? Please share your story or experience!
A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. - Benjamin Franklin
Easy French Oven Pot Roast Recipe...
Pot Roast
Whenever I think of pot roast, I think of family dinners. Pot roasts are comfort food. They warm the home, they warm the soul, and they bring families to the table.
Pot roasts are often cooked as a Sunday dinner in my home, especially during the winter. They take some time in the oven, but they are so worth the wait. The whole house smells so wonderful while the roast cooks. It's hard to resist peeking.
Ingredients:
4-5 lb. Beef Chuck Roast
1 Onion, Big Chopped
2 cup Baby Carrots
1 cup Red Wine
2 cups Beef Broth
2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
3-4 Rosemary Sprigs, Fresh
1 tsp. Thyme
2-3 tbsp. Sea Salt
1-2 tbsp. Pepper
Olive Oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degree fahrenheit. Drizzle olive oil in a French oven or large pot and sauté onions and garlic over medium heat for 2 minutes. Sprinkle half sea salt and pepper on each side of roast and rub into meat. Remove onions and garlic from pot with spoon and sit aside in bowl. Drizzle more olive oil in pot and sear roast on each side for about 4-5 minutes, until browned. Remove meat, and saute carrots in French oven until slight brown.
Remove carrots, reduce heat to low, and add wine to pot to deglaze pot to scape up all those yummy flavor bits. Add onions back into the pot with the roast. Also add carrots, thyme, and wine, and reduce to low heat. Allow meat to cook covered in oven for about 3 1/2 - 4 hours until meat is tender.
Remove roast from oven, and allow to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. I like serve this dish with creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
The 5 Things Women Find Most Attractive In Men...
Just like women, men come in all different shapes and sizes. We all have a type, a personal preference so to speak. That one thing we look for in man after man. It could be dark hair, dark skin, or green eyes, but that's all aesthetics, right?
I am not going to lie, looks do matter, but only so much. I think often times we can meet people, and have that instant physical attraction, which is normal. But based on a guys personality, their visual appeal can go down hill very fast if talking to him is like watching paint dry. Or even worse, he knows he's good looking, and is an arrogant tool.
Ultimately, once you get passed the looks, whether someone is gorgeous, plain, or unattractive, it comes down to other attributes. Suddenly that plain faced or chubby guy, who once didn't warrant a second look is all you can think about.
Here Are The 5 Things Women Find Attractive In Men
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Intelligence
He doesn't need to be Ivy League, but women want a guy that can hold his own intellectually. He must be able to sustain a conversation about various topics and show that he is knowledgeable. Smart men are sexy.
Kindness
Women want a good man, and this starts with kindness. A man that is kind to others, will be kind and respectful to his woman. Kindness can be shown in the simplest ways. A good indicator of kindness, or lack there of, is how a man treats people in the service industry, such as waiters.
Funny
A good sense of humor is a must, and a guy who can make a girl laugh is very attractive. There will be tough days, and tough times, and having a guy who can bring some lightness is a treasure.
Generous
There are many ways for a man to be generous. He can be generous with his time, generous with his money, and generous in bed. Generous men, are men to be appreciated.
Confidence
Guys who are cocky, or arrogant are big turn offs. A man who is sure of himself, knows what he is about, and knows his worth are the things that make a confident man very sexy. He doesn't need to tear down others, or constantly have his ego stroked, but he has a certain air about him that makes a woman believe in him.
No man or woman is perfect, but we all have expectations, and minimum requirements of what is needed in a potential partner. A good personality, and being of strong character are much more important, and valuable than looks or money in the long run.
What are you thoughts? Do you agree with the list? What you believe most attracts women to men? Please share your experience!
“One can love any man that is generous.” - Leigh Hunt
Intuition and Gut Feelings....Do You Trust Your Instincts? Here's Why You Should!
I think there is a common misconception about the term intuition. Intuition is a not about being psychic, or any other phenomenon that makes people skeptical. Your intuition is the same as your gut feeling, and many believe in trusting their gut.
That gut feeling is alarm bells going off in your brain telling you something, or someone is off, or things are just not right.
Intuition is defined as an ability to understand, or know something without needing to think about it, or use reason to discover. It is a feeling. It bridges the gap between the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind.
Decisions based on gut instinct may not always work out, but those decisions will partly be based on past experiences and your own knowledge.
When I was in the military I worked with sexual assault victims. During my training, the local police department's Sexual Assault Victim's unit visited. One of the things they stressed was the importance of trusting your intuition.
Often times, victims sensed they were in danger. Their gut told them it was a bad idea to be alone wth a particular person, or that they were being followed. They didn't listen to those alarms going off in their head, and the outcomes were often not good. The lesson was to listen to your gut. It may save your life.
Over the years, I have learned to trust my intuition over anything that I am being told or seeing. If someone wants to deceive, they will put on an act, and they will lie. A smiling face means nothing in particular to me.
There is a reason for the common saying, "believe half of what you see and none of what you hear". Now don't get me wrong, this is not about seeing and believing the worst in others. I don't have alarms bells going off all the time. But it is about trusting yourself over what someone else is doing or saying, especially when you are sensing a hidden agenda.
The takeaways are to trust your intuition, and know yourself. What is the worse that could happen? If you think someone is in love with you, then they probably are. If you feel someone dislikes you, you are likely right.
The advice to people in relationships is always, if you think he or she is cheating then they probably are or are thinking about it. Lastly, if you feel you are in danger then get out of there.
So I ask you this, do you trust your gut, or do you foolishly ignore it? Have you ever had someone try to convince you your gut was wrong by gaslighting you? I have....
You know the truth, by the way it feels. - Unknown
10 Most Common Phobias...Some Fears We Never Outgrow
We are all afraid of something, but a phobia is an extreme or irrational fear. I guess the question could be asked, "irrational to whom"? As children many of us are afraid of the dark, but we usually outgrow this fear. I used to be afraid of spiders until my best friend introduced me to her pet tarantula. Now my philosophy on spiders is catch and release.
What happens when our childhood fear never go away? For some unspeakable reason you remain afraid of the dark, or spiders, or snakes? Some of our fears we can avoid, such as clowns. Fear of clowns is a somewhat common fear, but most of us do not interact with clowns on a regular basis.
Now what about public speaking? In school did you shrink every time you were called on in class, or had to speak in front of a group of people? Do you still get nervous speaking in front of groups?
Photo from Anxiety Foundation
Unfortunately, not only can we carry our childhood phobias into adulthood, we can also develop these irrational fears later on in life. As we age, and mature, we become more knowledgeable. Sadly, with that knowledge comes the realization that maybe there is a lot to fear in this world. As much as there is to fear, the awareness that we as humans lack the ability to control many things can exacerbate these fears.
Here Are Some Of The Most Common Phobias...
Arachnophobia - Fear of Spiders
Acrophobia - Fear of Heights
Agoraphobia - Fear of Open Spaces, Public Areas, and Crowded Areas
Cynophobia - Fear of Dogs
Mysophobia - Fear of Germs
Ophidiophobia - Fear of Snakes
Aerophobia - Fear of Flying
Claustrophobia - Fear of Small Spaces
Trypanophobia - Fear of Needles or Injections
Thanotophobia - Fear of Dying
Fears are natural, but can become problematic when they impair your ability to function. Fears can paralyze us, stunt growth, and ruin lives. There are many ways to deal with fears, whether it is counseling, medication, or straight up facing your fears head on.
Facing my fear directly was how I got over my fear of shots. I would feel the anxiety creep in with anticipation, but I overcame that fear by not turning away. I believed that seeing the process gave me some control, and took away the anxiety and fear of what was ultimately very little pain.
I am sure that everyone uses their on little tricks to overcome fears. I know some people sing, or talk as a distraction. What do you do to overcome your phobias or fears?
For help dealing with your phobias, visit the Help Guide.
Easy Gluten Free Pizza Dough
Gluten Free Dough
Pizza has always been one of my favorite foods. When I found out I had to give up pizza because of my gluten allergy I was extremely bummed to say the least.
I tried many frozen gluten free pizzas, and some were actually decent, but none came close to what I was used to eating.
Never being one to settle, I decided to try to make my own pizza dough. Making my own pizza dough would mean I could have pizza whenever I wanted, with whatever toppings I chose.
I began looking for recipes first, and then I started experimenting. I finally came up with the perfect recipe that creates a thin, crispy crust that will rival any delivery or restaurant pizza.
GF Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients:
3 1/2 c. All Purpose GF Flour, plus flour for rolling out dough
1 Packets, Active Dry Yeast, or 2 1/4 tsp
1 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Sugar
1/4 c. Olive Oil, plus additional oil for bowl
Directions:
Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into a large bowl, sprinkle with yeast and let stand until it's bubbly, about 7 minutes.
Whisk in sugar, oil, and salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir until dough forms. Form dough into ball, and drizzle olive oil over dough to provide a light coat. Cover bowl with clean dish towel, and set aside in a warm place until dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and gently knead 1 or 2 times before using. Divide dough into 4 sections, for smaller, personal size pizzas.
To cook pizza, preheat oven to 500 F degrees. Lightly oil your baking sheet, place your dough on sheet, and flatten out dough by hand, to desired thinness. Add your toppings, and bake on bottom rack for 10-12 minutes.
Freeze leftover dough for up to 3 months by wrapping dough, by individual sections, in plastic wrap, and sealing in freezer bags. Be sure to include date on bag.
I hope you enjoy my gluten free pizza dough recipe. Please share your thought and pics of your gluten free pizza creation.
Hot Button Issues...What Topics, If Any, Do You Keep Off The Table With Family And Friends?
I have been told many times to never discuss politics and religion because someone is sure to be offended. Pro choice or pro life? I have my opinions, but not particularly interested in going round and round on the topic. How much money people make and social inequalities? Ugh I can get pretty hot discussing this topic real fast. Immigration and War? Nope, not going there.
The crazy thing is I love a good debate, but there are some topics that fall into the realm of “agree to disagree “ Not because I am afraid of confrontation, or getting my feelings hurt. In fact it is nearly the opposite. But do you find that once you know someone’s views on gun rights or control, that you will see them somewhat differently? Yes, you can believe they are good person deep down, but are they really a good person if they feel a certain way about x, y, or z? Or worse yet, you start to view them as a complete idiot, and someone you cannot respect.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and points of view. The purpose of these discussions is to share different points of view, and perhaps offer a different or new perspective. Unfortunately I feel like I have been having these same discussions since my teens, and most people seemed to have drawn their lines in the sand. For those times when you want to not think about the heavy, and avoid the hot button issues, go for the light convo topics.
Here Are Some Less Controversial Topics For Discussion....
Sports
Education
Local News/Events
Travel
Hobbies
Parenting
The Opposite Sex/Dating
Entertainment/Movies/TV
Books/Plays
Don't get me wrong, discuss any and everything that you want with whomever you want. Just be warned that it very well may ruin your lovely dinner party or barbecue. Carefully choose your when, where, and with whom.
I verbally spar all the time with my brother in law about this stuff but I know he can take it, and is not going to get offended. With others I am more cautious, and guarded with my opinions. I may even bite my tongue on the occasion if I sense things could get heated.
So how free are you with your opinions on hot button issues? They call them hot buttons for a reason. Do you push them?
Myers Briggs Personality Types...Which One Are You?
Myers Briggs
I have always believed that everyone is different, and that everyone has their own distinct personality. But how unique are we all really, in regards to personalities? A personality is the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.
Our personalities define us. They dictate how we act, how we love, and even how we respond in times of chaos and danger.
Based on Myers Briggs (MB) analysis and studies, there are 16 types of personalities. The foundation is 4 categories, or dichotomies, which is based on Carl Jung's theories. Each individual has a preference in each category. For example, I am an ENTJ. I am an extrovert, who uses intuition, thinking not feelings, and make decisions and move on, which is judging.
Below is the Myers Briggs breakdown of each of the 16 personality types. Use the 4 categories to find your four letter personality code, and read below for personality description.
Extrovert (E) - Outward world focus or Introvert (I) - Focus more inward
Sensing (S) - You take information as received or Intuition (N) - You add meaning and interpret information
Thinking (T) - You make decision based on logic and consistency or Feeling (F) - You make decisions based on people and circumstances
Judging (J) - You prefer to get things done and make decisions or Perceiving (P) - You prefer to stay open to new information and options
ISTJ - Systematic, Organized, Logical, Detailed oriented, Conservative, Decisive
ISFJ - Warm, Detailed Oriented, Dependable, Realistic, Practical, Helpful
INFJ - Intense, Insightful, Serious, Sensitive, Meaning Oriented, Creative
INTJ - Innovative, Insightful, Independent, Determined, Logical, Critical
ISTP - Analytical, Logical, Adaptable, Realistic, Adventurous, Independent
ISFP - Caring, Compassionate, Idealistic, Loyal, Spontaneous, Patient
INFP - Caring, Compassionate, Creative, Adaptable, Idealistic, Inquisitive
INTP - Intellectual, Logical, Analytical, Questioning, Complex, Critical
ESTP - Pragmatic, Active, Direct, Realistic, Troubleshooter, Adaptable
ESFP - Sociable, Friendly, Caring, Observant, Generous, Open
ENFP - Imaginative, Energetic, Warm, Caring, Insightful, Optimistic
ENTP - Abstract, Energetic, Logical, Analytical, Enthusiastic, Independent
ESTJ - Assertive, Active, Logical, Results Oriented, Analytical, Responsible
ESFJ - Caring, Enthusiastic, Loyal, Appreciated, Empathetic, Cooperative
ENFJ - Enthusiastic, Expressive, Imaginative, Expressive, Idealistic, Insightful
ENTJ - Planner, Decisive, Assertive, Critical, Strategic, Logical
The small description I gave of each personality is just that, a small description. There is so much more to each us. MB shows there are some great aspects to each of our personalities, and some not so great aspects. It is important to remember that this breakdown does not determine traits, ability, or character.
As I read through the different personality types, I realize that they all are wonderful in their own way. I am who I am, and I do not plan on changing. I suppose I could be just as happy as an ISFP, which is my complete opposite, but I can also see how a lot of these personalities would clash with one another.
All of the types have good qualities, and technically no one personality is better than another.
If there are only 16 personality types, then why aren't people more similar? Besides learning about different personalities, I think MB shows us how character, ability, and traits are what really makes people good, great, or bad.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the MB personality test results and descriptions? What’s your personality type? Please share your thoughts!
All of the personality type data from this blog originated, and can be found on the website for The Myers & Briggs Foundation.