Lifestyle

Focusing on Gratitude

February 11, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

At the beginning of 2018 I mentioned in a previous post that in lieu of a New Year’s resolution, I have claimed the word “gratitude” for the year.

I was recently reading a devotional focusing on Job’s gratitude despite having seemingly lost everything important to him. Having what seemed like nothing left, he still said: “the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:20-21

Blessed be the name of the Lord | lookingjoligood.blog

Having lost everything, Job still thanked and blessed God! I was so convicted by this! How do I personally react when simple things don’t go my way… Never mind losing everything important to me?! Do I still have a grateful heart?! It’s easy to be thankful when the sun is shining…but what about when the sky is gray, there’s icy snow on the roads, the kids are up during the night coughing with fevers, the car won’t start, and the pipes burst?

The difficult circumstances of life can make it hard to be grateful! It is not easy to say “Thank you, Lord.” when it is a terrible horrible no good very bad day! Whether or not we see God’s purpose, we can be thankful to our Heavenly Father? In every situation, God sees an opportunity for us to trust Him and glorify Him.

Both in trials and blessings, a grateful heart returns praise to God. I have been praying for God to give me a grateful heart, not just for the people I love, the things I have, and good times, but also for the hard experiences and people that aren’t always pleasant to be around.

Whether in trials or blessings God is good! With God’s help I need to set my mind and heart towards gratitude during the summery sunshine or wintery gloom.

Gratitude: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

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Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits

Ditch the Diet: But I Never Feel Full…

February 9, 2018February 9, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

~Ditch The Diet~

It has been a while since I have written a ditch the diet post!

Despite the fact that I constantly preach that “ditching the diet” consists of a lifestyle of making healthy choices, I had not been following my own healthy living advice. I got to a point where I needed to give myself a chance to rest and mentally reset. Basically what that means is…I wasn’t exercising and was eating a diet of mostly cookies.

While I used that time to give myself a break, I knew fully well that there was a definite end to the cookie eating spree. I’m now back on track and making healthy choices… with an occasional cookie or two thrown into the mix.

To help myself stay focused (and stave off those tempting cookie cravings), I have been reading daily devotional excerpts from the book Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst I really enjoyed this one and I wanted to share it since I found to be really helpful:

But I Never Feel Full

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19

For years, I walked around with a little heart-shaped cup in my soul, holding it out to people or things trying to find fulfillment. Some of us hold out our heart-shaped cup and expect a husband to love us in ways that rights our wrongs and fills up our insecurities. Sometimes, we expect our kids to be successful so that we look good and feel validated by their accomplishments. Or, we hope that a successful career will confirm that we are a valuable human being.

At times, I have asked the impossible of all of these. But my consistent “friend” of choice over the years has been food. Imagine my little heart-shaped cup as a candy dish, using sweets and snacks to soothe my emotions.

However, if we are going to replace destructive cycles with lasting changes in our lives, then we have to empty ourselves of the lie that other people or things can ever fill our hearts. Instead, we have to deliberately fill up on God’s truths and stand secure in His love. Here are some examples of how we can do that:

Old lie: “I am such a failure when it comes to my diet.”
New truth: “I am not a failure. I am a lavishly loved child of God. Part of my right as a child of God is to operate in a power beyond myself. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to me. So it is possible for me to use the self-control I’ve been given.”

Old lie: “I need these Oreos!”
New truth: “The thought that these Oreos will fill me is a lie. They will taste good for just the few minutes it will take to eat them. Then that hollow feeling of guilt will rush in as soon as the chocolate high dissipates. If I truly need a snack right now, I am capable of choosing a healthier option.”

Old lie: “God seems far away and French fries are right around the corner at the drive-thru.”
New truth: “French fries don’t love me. And the only lasting thing I get from them is the cholesterol and cellulite they inevitably leave behind, which will just compound my frustration. God’s love is here in this moment and in many more to come. His love is true and carries with it only positive residual effects.”

Examine how you can replace the lies and rationalizations in your mind with the truth of God’s love. Experience the power of renewing your mind and learning that food was never meant to fulfill the deepest places of your heart. And, as Ephesians 3:19 reminds, may you understand that the only way to true satisfaction is to be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

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Ephesians 3:19 | lookingjoligood.blog — And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Lifestyle

God Sees You!

January 28, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Do you ever feel overwhelmed or lost? Maybe you may feel invisible or alone?

God sees. He is always there, He always cares about you.

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Lifestyle

The Power Of A Smile

January 24, 2018January 24, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Looking someone in the eyes and giving a simple smile and saying hello can do great things for a person! You never know if they may feel invisible. Acknowledging someone might be a small act, but there is great power in a simple smile.

Take time today to think about those around you and share a smile.

I love the message in this song The Smallest Thing by Frances

I didn’t notice the crying man, too busy with me
I didn’t stop for a moment to help the woman on her knees
I didn’t hear the cry for help behind her polite “hello”
I only saw the gentle smile that hid the scars below

It’s easy when for you the sun is shining

How could I have been so blind?
How could I miss so much?
Just a word from me
The smallest thing
Could have been enough
Why didn’t I give some time?
Why didn’t I spare some love?
Just a smile from me
The smallest thing
Could pick the pieces up
The smallest thing

I didn’t take the time to ask if everything’s okay
When everyone else walked on by, I just did the same
I’ve been counting problems but the truth is I was fine
The people I’ve ignored each day feel pain much worse than mine

It’s easy when for you the sun is shining

How could I have been so blind?
How could I miss so much?
Just a word from me
The smallest thing
Could have been enough
Why didn’t I give some time?
Why didn’t I spare some love?
Just a smile from me
The smallest thing
Could pick the pieces up

Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh

It’s easy when for you the sun is shining

How could I have been so blind?
How could I miss so much?
Just a word from me
The smallest thing
Could have been enough
Why didn’t I give some time?
Why didn’t I spare some love?
Just a smile from me
The smallest thing
Could pick the pieces up

The Smallest Thing…

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Beauty Subscription · Make up

Hello, BoxyCharm! January 2018 Box

January 20, 2018January 19, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

Quite possibly if you love makeup and keep up with the “beauty community” you are already familiar with Boxycharm. But…maybe you have been living under a beauty rock and have no idea what it is 😉

If you don’t already know, Boxycharm is a $21/month/box beauty product subscription that includes 4-5 luxury and indie brand beauty related products. Instead of sample sizes like some other subscription boxes/bags, each month, Boxycharm has full sized products. It ships to both the US and Canada.
Each month the value of the box is usually over $120. This month’s box has $148 worth of products in it. It is a great way to try out different higher priced brands without spending a lot of money. I’ve received products from brands such as MAC, Tarte, Cover Fx, Becca, Dr. Brandt, and Bare Minerals.

January’s theme is Rock and Roll Soul.

I love that they include a card with the product’s info and pricing on it. There are usually a few product variations each month between the boxes that are sent out. This month there were two different possible boxes. I got variation number two, as indicated by the number 2 in the lower right-hand corner of the info card.

Here is what I got in my box this month:

I have to admit that overall I’m not excited about the products in this month’s box…

Dr. Brandt – pores no more LUMINIZER PRIMER $38.00

“LUMINIZER PRIMER delivers a naturally radiant glow while blurring pores and imperfections for a beautifully illuminated flawless complexion.”

I love Dr. Brandt skincare products. I’m excited to be able to use this primer! It has a slight peach tint to the cream when first out of the tube, but smooths onto the skin clear. It has a light lavender scent, but nothing too overpowering.

This is where my excitement ends…

Grande Cosmetics – GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper $27.00

“GrandeLIPS, with active Ingredients Volulip gives you an INSTANT plumping effect within 3-5 minutes that lasts for hours. Results may vary.”

The packaging is super cute, but I have no interest in this product whatsoever. I will be passing it along to someone else so I will not be opening it up and swatching it. I received the shade hot fuschia. Looks like a really bright pink.

“PÜR The Complexion Authority – Bronze and Brighten Cheek Palette $34.00

“An on-the-go highlight, bronzer and blush palette with three skin perfecting powders to create an effortless and sun-kissed glow on every skin tone. Featuring PUR’s fan favorites Afterglow and Mineral Glow along with a new blush shade, Blushing Glow, throw this in your bag and you’re ready to go!

I love that PÜR products are 100% cruelty-free and they do not test on animals. I have a few other favorite products from PÜR. I absolutely love my PÜR Soiree Diaries Eyeshadow Palette. The brand is great, but this cheek palette… what is PÜR thinking with this shimmery bronzer? I would be so excited about this cheek palette if only the bronzer was matte. Oh well, someone else is going to love this!

It Cosmetics – Brow Power™ Universal Eyebrow Pencil $24.00

“Developed with plastic surgeons, IT Cosmetics’ #1 best-selling*, award-winning eyebrow pencil is infused with brow-enhancing biotin, lecithin, saw palmetto, nettle, green tea, antioxidants, grape seed, and vitamins A, B5, C and E, plus proprietary Brow Power™ Technology to give you your most beautiful, natural-looking brows—even if you have none at all. Plus, its universal transforming shade adjusts to all hair colors based on pressure, its exclusive oval tip mimics the look of real hair and it includes a built-in grooming spooley brush for polished perfection! *#1 brow formula for IT Cosmetics brand.”

Ok, so if you don’t like bragging then just skip this section…you have been warned.😉

I’m sure that this is probably a great product especially since it is said to be “IT Cosmetics’ #1 best-selling*, award-winning eyebrow pencil” Here is where the bragging starts… I have been blessed with really great natural brows. If I didn’t want to I wouldn’t have to draw on or fill in my brows at all. I have no need for a pencil like this. I have no interest in this product whatsoever. Once again, I will not be swatching it since I will also be passing this along to someone else that can get some use out of it. (do you see a common theme here…)

Crown Pro – Glam Metals Palette $25.00

“Rock your look with the Crown Pro Glam Metals eyeshadow palette! These highly pigmented, ultra-blendable shadows make smokey eye looks a breeze!”

I love getting eyeshadow palettes from Boxycharm, but I’m not interested in this palette at all.

The packaging is super cute, with its guitar mirror to go along with the rock and roll theme of Heavy Metals. While some of the shades are quite interesting like Punk, Heavy Metal, and Pop Rock, this is another product from this month’s box that I have no interest in whatsoever.

These shadows might be amazing, they might be awesomely pigmented, and super smooth and buttery…but I already have so many similar shimmery shadows that it would be a waste for me to keep this knowing that it will just be added to the pile of palettes that I use a few times and never touch again.

You guessed it, I will not be swatching these shadows because I will be passing this along to someone else. Here are some great swatches from Beauddiction’s Instagram If you are not already following her you really should. She does the most creative swatches I have ever seen! How cute are these guitar swatches to go along with the Heavy Metal theme?!

You win some you lose some…This month was not a winner for me. The box cost $21 USD and the value is $148. While I am not interested in $110 worth of the products, the Dr. Brandt – pores no more LUMINIZER PRIMER has a retail value of $38.00, so at $21 this box is still a winner.

Originally, I was planning to get Boxy Charm for only three months. After loving everything I have received I signed on for another three months. This is my 6th Boxycharm Box, and despite not loving the majority of the things in this month’s box, I don’t plan to cancel anytime soon.

What about you? Do you get BoxyCharm? Did you get something different than I did? Do you get any other monthly subscription bags/boxes that are worth trying out? Let me know in the comments below.

If you are interested in trying out boxy charm I would love for you to use my referral link by clicking HERE or visiting https://boxycharm.com/refer/laura-AJQSTMGQ (I don’t think that I actually get anything if you use my referral link, but hey why not!)

Check out my other recent posts about subscription boxes that I recommend by clicking HERE. I am still thinking about trying out FabFitFun, but so far I haven’t ordered it yet. I’ll keep you posted!

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Lifestyle

The Harsh Reality of Love

January 19, 2018January 19, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood12 Comments

My best friend has been sick recently…

She’ll be 12 soon… Despite my deepest wishes and blatant denial of reality, I do know that she isn’t going to live forever.

I know the reality of the situation, yet still, the thought of losing her makes my heart hurt, real physical pain, the type of pain that grabs your throat and makes it hard to take a breath. The type of pain from wanting to fix something so badly, yet being powerless to change anything.

Some might say “She’s just a dog.” But that is where they are wrong. She is not just a dog. She is my constant companion, my biggest fan, and most loyal friend. She has been by my side for the majority of my adult life. She greets me as if I am the most important person alive and listen to me talk as if everything I say is the most interesting thing she has ever heard.

Yes, she is a dog, but that doesn’t make her any less important to me, she is my best friend, and I love her!

So, while no, I cannot prevent the inevitable, I can enjoy every moment that I still have with her.

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Lifestyle

Do You Have A Cluttered Mind? Are You A Hoarder of Information?

January 17, 2018January 15, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Have you ever watched the show on TLC called Hoarding: Buried Alive? So. Much. Stuff. Just watching that show makes me feel anxious!

I love organization, I love when everything has a place to go! I hate clutter! Clutter actually gives me major angst! Usually, if my house and surroundings are cluttered it is a sure sign that my mind and soul feel cluttered as well.

Quite often, when things in my life get hectic, and I have a lot on my to-do list or there are important decisions to be made, I tend to be a hoarder of information. I look for more and more input and advice, rather than less.

During these times, I often put the cart before the horse and start thinking about the “what ifs” and “but maybes” of potential situations… I basically become filled with clutter in my mind. Instead, I need to take a minimalist approach to my daily decisions and plans for the future! I need to clean out the clutter in my mind.

While I am in no way a minimalist, I love the idea of minimalism. I recently heard minimalism defined as “not owning nothing, but instead that nothing should own you.” What a simple way to put it!

The Bible says in Ps 46:10 says Be still and know that I am God.

Stillness is to the soul as de-cluttering is to the home. By taking some quiet time for reflection with God’s word, I am making space to quiet my mind, to clean out the clutter, to be still, and hear God’s voice.

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Lifestyle

Light in the Darkness

January 15, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood1 Comment

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. -MLK jr

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Lifestyle

2 Corinthians 5:14

January 14, 2018January 10, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood3 Comments

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

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Lifestyle

We Need To Do Better!

January 13, 2018January 13, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

do better! Be better! | lookingjoligod.blog

I am not a political person, I am not looking for a fight, argument, or a big discussion. I am just so tired of unkindness being the normal thing.

Evil prevails when good men stand by and do nothing! I don’t know what to do personally, but something needs to be done!

Just because someone has a different point of view, perspective, or culture does not give us the right to disregard, look down on, or ignore their presence.

Just because we disagree with what someone else believes doesn’t mean we have a right to treat them insensitively or with anything other than love and kindness.

There’s so much anxiety, unrest, and strife in our world! We have made things all about which side we’re on, you against me, us against them. I’m right, so you are automatically wrong.

When it comes right down to it, we are all people, we are all imperfectly flawed. We all make mistakes.

We are all different. These differences are what make us special. These differences are not what makes us weaker or less than.

It often seems hopeless, as if bad people are getting rewarded, and it seems that hate will win. In the end, doing the right thing is still the best thing to do and being kind is still worthwhile.

So while I cannot change a lot of things about the world, I can be kind to those I interact with. I can smile at, and acknowledge those around me. I don’t want to stand by and do nothing!

What can we all do?

Be a friend.

Smile.

Be kind.

Get over your self, get out of your own way!

Choose happiness, choose joy!

We need to do better! Be better! Be kinder!

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Looking Joli Good

Kindness is beautiful!

Tag: Lifestyle