Being The Good + A Giveaway

I want to share a little secret with you. 

I love my blog, movement and Etsy shop that Paulina and I started more than most things. 

At my bridal shower, when they were quizzed on my favorite pastime they were all variations of blogging. I've had this little blog for so many years now - almost 5 - but it didn't really start growing until last year. 

Around this time last year I joined in Wifessional's Carabox Exchange and made some blog friends that are so dear to me. Since then, I've been going full steam ahead with my blog and Etsy. 

Let's be serious, for every person who comments "what a wonderful cause!" "I didn't know about this cause;" "Thank you for sharing;" "Wonderful movement, let me know what I can do to help!" and so on and so forth, tears spring to my eyes. [thank you!!!!!!!!] 

I want to do so much good in this world. That is my one life goal if you get to the roots of it. Do Good. Be Good. 

Do you have something like this in your soul? Where it literally screams out at you and consumes your thoughts and actions? 

Yes, I get mad and do selfish things sometimes, I am human. But whenever I have rational thought, it is pushing me to do good. 

Color Me a Warrior Queen is such a big part of this for me. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to start a clothing company with inspiring messages for girls and women. It always started as "the magazine" and grew into so much more. I want this to be a movement. I want you to feel moved to empower and be gracious. 

Partnering with Paulina was innocent at first. We liked each others blogs' and decided to sponsor each other. We ended up having a lot in common and haven't stopped talking since! 

Both of our blogs focus on being brave and overcoming obstacles, in different ways. Our shop is the epitome of the two of us - I like women strong quotes and she's more into fashion. Thus we have shirts and soon - stickers - and jewelry! It's the perfect combination but all of it stands with the message - we are strong women and we want to empower you! 

So what do you think? Have you checked out the shop? You can get 15% off with code FIRST15 on your first purchase.

________________

Before I go, here's another giveaway I'm taking part in!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens:

The Work-Budget Dilemma

Obviously, I don't write in my blog regularly and this time I cannot blame it on lack of inspiration, motivation organization, or any other -zation that applies. Instead, I can blame it entirely on...drum roll please...the work-budget dilemma that I've faced for the past several years.

I'm just going to put it out there that I have been working for 8 years...and I have worked for Mervyns, Faculty Club, Pottery Barn, Campfire Kids, Columbus Nanny, Fruitti Yogurt, California Terriyaki Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Mi Casa, Lazy Dog Cafe, Victoria's Secret, Planet Bravo, BMW, Kymberly Marciano Photography, Buffalo Wild Wings (again), La Habra Collision, Hollywood Music Magazine, Live Magazine, LA Parent, University Link 15 different companies. This does not include either of my two internships, two freelance magazines, or consistent babysitting jobs that I have had.

I know, that's a lot of work. Usually I am working at least 2 jobs at a time. Everyone calls me the busy bee, and I have lost some friendships because of my busy schedule. I like to be busy, but I also have a lot events in my life that cost money. Some are planned (roadtrips, moving out, concerts, wedding). Many of these events have been unplanned, like my house fire*, luck with Tut-Tut and the saga of driving a 1988 pick up truck*. I wouldn't change any of these events.

Now that I'm planning my life with someone else though, the exhaustion of two jobs is so much heavier than it used to be - or maybe I'm just old. Unfortunately, it is a necessity. Throw in this economy and I'm broke. Not poor or rich, definitely in debt but still not working out a great budget.

It's a vicious cycle. I am literally only home to sleep most days, so there is no time to prepare food or even go shopping. So then I eat at Buffalo Wild Wings at night, or somewhere for lunch; sucking up more of my money, forcing me to work more hours. And then I decide I need a break from all of my work - so I splurge on a vacation to Vegas or a much needed date night.

Something has to give. I cannot work these crazy hours and ruin my relationships, exhaust my body and make no dent on my debt or bank account. I didn't mean for this post to seem a little ranty. Yesterday, I actually wrote about mine and Iman's story, then decided against posting it. For the past week my head has been swimming with a post about friendship and earlier Laura sent me this awesome picture about self-doubt. I really, really want to write about those things.

But I'm going to go drown myself in more coffee, face plant my desk, and prepare myself for my last 14 hour work day until Monday.

P.S. I swear I've written posts on the house fire and Chuck the Truck, but I have not. I will share, because they've made me such a stronger WQ. Yay for exciting upcoming posts!

Embracing Chaos and A Jumble of Everything

Things are chaotic. But when aren't they in my life?

Last week I started a new job - which so far I am absolutely loving!! I will only be at about 32 hours a week there and then my shifts serving too. Last week I worked roughly 63 hours. This week it will probably come in closer to 50-55, which is totally do-able and what I'm used to. But I am going to try to salvage time for wedding planning and blogging and reconnecting with friends (I feel so out of touch).

Iman got a promotion this week too, so the reconnecting with friends part is especially difficult. Add on to that, the fact that a lot of my friends have not been answering my texts or calls (I'm assuming because they are equally busy). So I am going to embark on an easy, rekindle our friendship type of thing.

I need to get back on the wedding planning train...granted it is still 11 months away and we have all of the big money stuff done. But I want to do the fun crafting stuff!

I feel like I am constantly working on bettering myself and getting nowhere. I think I need an attitude adjustment and to celebrate the little things that I am doing. Do you ever feel that way?

This week's celebrations are - a more professional look! (Hair change) and style change! As well as a conscious effort to eat better again and watch my budget. YAY I'm making habits.

New Hair by Amanda at Rockin Locks in Long Beach

First day of work outfit!

Just to show off our Sunday adventures

First day at work!

The next round of habit changes are going to include keeping my room clean and exercising. Maybe if I do it in twos it will stick this time.

I've been using my new planner from Amanda @ Pixies and Periwinkles religiously. I LOVE IT.

Another thing I am completely loving is all of my social media ideas flowing and the canvas of my new job. I really want to focus on building their social media, my social media, and maybe one day even do consulting with social media (like I did for Kymberly Marciano, but more clients!

I've realized that social media is the dream job, along with my beautiful WQ magazine that I still can't seem to narrow down the concept. We will get there some day WQs!

What's been happening in your lives?


Raewyn

Warrior Queens Petitioning the President

Hey Warrior Queens!

I just wanted to alert you to the latest petition I've seen on Change.org that's worth supporting. Here's an excerpt:

When we learned that it's been two decades since a presidential debate was moderated by a woman, we -- three high school students from New Jersey -- decided to take action.

More than 115,000 people have signed our petition calling on the Commission on Presidential Debates to name a woman as a moderator for one of the three U.S. presidential debates to take place this Fall. Now we need to show the Romney and Obama campaigns just how important this campaign is, since both campaigns also have a say in who gets to moderate the debates.

Women and men will never be truly equal in our country until they’re one and the same in positions of power and both visible in politics. There is no reason why a woman shouldn’t have a chance to show what she’s capable of by moderating debates in the upcoming election.

This is important to each of us, for different reasons. Here's what we think, and we hope you'll join the campaign and sign our petition.

------

I would definitely check it out (maybe sign it) and read these girl's reasoning for their petition!! They're definitely warrior queens :)

Teen Girl Protests Seventeen Magazine: SIGN THE PETITION!

Hey guys,

I created this storify about today's protest: The Negative Effect of Teen Magazines

Her petition reads:

Girls want to be accepted, appreciated, and liked. And when they don’t fit the criteria, some girls try to “fix” themselves. This can lead to eating disorders, dieting, depression, and low self esteem.I’m in a ballet class with a bunch of high-school girls. On a daily basis I hear comments like: “It’s a fat day,” and “I ate well today, but I still feel fat.” Ballet dancers do get a lot of flack about their bodies, but it’s not just ballet dancers who feel the pressure to be “pretty”. It’s everyone. To girls today, the word “pretty” means skinny and blemish-free. Why is that, when so few girls actually fit into such a narrow category? It’s because the media tells us that “pretty” girls are impossibly thin with perfect skin.Here’s what lots of girls don’t know. Those “pretty women” that we see in magazines are fake.They’re often photoshopped, air-brushed, edited to look thinner, and to appear like they have perfect skin. A girl you see in a magazine probably looks a lot different in real life.  As part of SPARK Movement, a girl-fueled, national activist movement, I’ve been fighting to stop magazines, toy companies, and other big businesses from creating products, photo spreads and ads that hurt girls’ and break our self-esteem.  With SPARK, I’ve learned that we have the power to fight back.
That’s why I’m asking Seventeen Magazine to commit to printing one unaltered -- real -- photo spread per month. I want to see regular girls that look like me in a magazine that’s supposed to be for me.For the sake of all the struggling girls all over America, who read Seventeen and think these fake images are what they should be, I’m stepping up. I know how hurtful these photoshopped images can be. I’m a teenage girl, and I don’t like what I see. None of us do. Will you join us by signing this petition and asking Seventeen to take a stand as well and commit to one unaltered photo spread a month?

If this is something you're passionate about WQ's...SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

Get Educated and Get Passionate

Vlog I did yesterday about getting educated about the things you’re passionate about! Be the change, WQ <3

What's your daily positive change?

Determined to make positive change.
 Openly gay Newport Harbor High School senior creates presentation that emphasizes how hurtful language, bullying can contribute to teen suicide

One of my dear friends and a WQ for years wrote this for the Daily Pilot. Here's your inspiration for the day - do something to make a change, even if it's just a presentation :)

Your Voice

Have you used your voice lately?
No, I don't mean have you spoken to anyone and literally heard your voice. I mean have you used your VOICE? Have you spoken from the depths of your soul? Have you done something that you believe in?  Have you done something to promote positive CHANGE?

Because let's face it, there's always something that needs to be changed. We were not designed to be content in our lives - we're curious, we're learning every day, and we should constantly be working to make this planet - this gift that we've been given of life - to make it the best it can be.

Change does not have to be something big. As my favorite movie character says: "You can't change the world but you can make a dent." - Sheldon Mopes (Death to Smoochy). 


When's the last time you smiled at a stranger? Do it. Hug someone. Do something positive for yourself - because when you do something positive for yourself -- your positive energy is contagious. 


LOVE with every ounce of your being. SCREAM it at the top of your lungs. 

Use your voice to make a difference.