Tried and True

Wow. It has been quite a while since I last updated my blog. I’m back! Let’s make this short.

I thought I’d start off by asking you guys a question.

What beauty product has been there for you? Your tried and true. You know, the one that you will never give up because you know it works and always will. Mine is BIOSILK by FAROUK Systems. I’ve been using it since I was in the 6th grade and I’ve been using their heat styling tool, CHI, since the 7th grade. My hair is still healthy as ever. Full, shiny and smooth. Never gonna give you up, BIOSILK and CHI!

 

 

 

So what beauty product is your favorite? Your tried and true?

xoxo,

Ari

Ace of Lace

Classic. Feminine. Chic.

Via Pinterest

Lace on a budget.

H&M

Forever 21

Target

Zara

Forever 21

Forever 21

xoxo, Ari

Quickie!

So, it has been a while since I’v updated. I can explain.

First, I MOVED! Yup. Finally moved back to Austin which I thought I’d be excited about, but then I got here and missed everyone in Houston so much. More on that later.

Second, I went on a mini-vacay to New Mexico (I’ll upload photos later).

Third, I’ve just been lazy. So lazy that I created a VLOG to explain everything that’s gone on this past month past month (harassment and spider included. yeah…) But of course I have no idea how to upload it and didn’t want to do the research. SOOOO, I’ll probably post that later too.

Can’t go into much detail now because I’m about to head out, but I did want to share a new recipe I tried from Brown Eyed Baker – Mojito Cupcakes! SOOOO delicious. Check it out below.

xoxo, Ari

not the best quality (taken with camera phone).

You down with JCP? Yeah, you know me!

Have you seen the JCPenney commercials? Ya know, the something new on 2.2.12 one? They made me laugh and yes, they got me interested. I always thought of JCPenney as an old-woman store where I only went to buy linens and towels. Great news, they’ve re-vamped. The new catalog ditches old school style and embraces the new. Here’s a sneak peek in case you didn’t receive one in the mail. You can also check out the full catalog on the JCP Facebook page here.

Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

xoxo, Ari

I am in love with the green pencil skirt, multi-colored stripes dress and look that billowy striped skirt. Hello!

So what are your thoughts? Do you like the new JCP? Any looks you might try? Let me know!

Smile

The past week has been pretty emotional. My emotions have been all over the place in such a short amount of time.

The loss of a friend is difficult and something I have not experienced before. I have lost my grandmother and was just a little girl when my mother’s best friend passed away, but for some reason this loss (Ryan) has had a real affect on me. I spoke with one of his other close friends last night and we were both talking about what we have taken away from this, and that is something positive.

Visiting Ryan in the hospital brought a great influence on me and in a strong and positive way. I realized that I am so blessed and have amazing people in my life. I also realized how important being happy and doing what makes you happiest means. Enjoying life, living it to its fullest, expressing your emotions, and not holding back. I am not really sure how to express this in the right way. It all makes sense in my head. So, I am going to use a picture to express what I feel I have gained from this.

Pure joy is where you find it

When I saw this card again, it reminded me of Ryan. He was always so happy and just a genuinely good person. That smile of his was contagious and now I am looking forward to finding “pure joy” everyday. This card captures what I have learned. There is always joy, you just have to find it. I know Ryan does not want us to be sad, so I am sending this smile to him. Love.

Goodbye dear friend

Yesterday we lost a bright, tremendously kind, and high spirited person, Ryan Gregory. Ryan has been battling with cancer for over a year and a half and has been going through treatments until Sunday, December 26, 2009. He was taken to the hospital and taken off his cancer medication. Many of his friends and family traveled to see him and say their goodbyes and I was one of them.

The last time I had seen Ryan was in Austin, Texas where we had first met. He was undergoing treatment, but he was still the same old Ryan- Laughing, joking around, smiling, and thinking positive. When I walked into his room last Wednesday, I was overwhelmed with sadness. To see him in the state he was in broke my heart. He was only 29.

But he greeted us all with a smile in his hospital room. His face lit up when he saw a new friend walk in. His face lit up when he found all his candies to eat. And he even had the strength to go outside with his friends in the hospital garden. When I went up to say hello he said, “Long time no see!” with a smile. I leaned in for a gentle hug and gave him a kiss on his right cheek. He pulled me in deeper for one of the strongest hugs and placed a kiss on my right cheek. It is a hug I will not forget.

Ryan, you are no longer in pain and you have taught all of us great things. I will never forget your smile and your warmth and I am glad you were a part of my life. You will still be a part of my life and all of those you have touched. Rest in peace, friend.

Ryan

Ryan and Ari ACL 2007

“To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die.” -Thomas Campbell

Ryan, you have touched our hearts. R.I.P.