YOU Are Beautiful + A Giveaway!

Do y'all remember last summer when the "Don't Try So Hard" linkup was around? No? Well, I loved it. It was fun. I loved seeing so many bloggers posting pictures of themselves without makeup. They were raw, they were in their own skin. They were BEAUTIFUL.

Lauren & Emelia's You are Beautiful linkup reminds me of the "don't try so hard"

Y'all, I'm a newly stay at home mom... In case you didn't already know. The job description doesn't call for me having to dress up or impress anyone. It's really such a relief though! I can literally stay in my PJ's all day if I want to. The kids could too.
I do, however get myself and the kids dressed daily. We do go outside to play and that usually requires real clothes. Especially since it's been so cold lately.

You know what though? Not making an effort doesn't make me feel less beautiful. I don't need makeup or fancy clothes to make me feel pretty. In fact, I prefer to feel that way.
My kids are always watching me. Always. (Let's face it, y'all... I don't even pee in private). TMI? Maybe. But it's the truth.

What does that have to do with anything though? Well, I feel like carrying myself in a way that says "I feel good no matter what" is an important lesson to my kids. Eventually they'll both be in the real world. I want them to know that you don't need to look a certain way to feel beautiful. True beauty comes from the inside.

So, yes... I AM beautiful. I'm beautiful because I say so. I'm beautiful because I have two amazing kids and a supportive husband. I'm beautiful because I have the best blogging tribe, EVER. I don't need fancy makeup, clothes, or hair products. I'm good knowing that I am full of love.
It's taken me many, many years to get to that point. If you had asked me 5 years ago, I most likely wouldn't have been so confident. Sad, yes. True, absolutely. But I'm past that. I grew up.

To you reading this post, you ARE beautiful. You don't need anything to make you look beautiful. You have a beautiful soul. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

And guess what else?
 I'm teaming up with these amazing ladies for
Kathy's Blogiversary giveaway!

Meagan - Kerri - Amanda H - Lora Ashley - Anne - Tabitha - Melissa
Cassie - Becca - Cherie - Emelia - Amanda W.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pretty Little Beauty Swap

Y'all! I'm happy to announce it's finally time to reveal the Pretty Little Beauty Swap. This fun little event is hosted by Sleepy Single Girl and Southern Beauty Guide. How does it work you ask? Well, it's simple... you sign up, fill out a short little "profile", and based on your style they match you with someone similar to you! How cool, right?

I was paired with Megan from Megan's Hobby Corner. Let me tell y'all, I really think Megan and I are beauty soul mates! It was so much fun getting to know her over the last several weeks. She's about to have a baby, and her blog is just so cute!

I really think Megan totally nailed my style when it came to my beauty box. Let's take a look, shall we

She sent such a sweet Note. Seriously, y'all she's a gem!

Assorted perfume samples. 

Y'all, I love perfume. Megan learned this early on and she mentioned she had a ton of samples so I was expecting a few but she's an over achiever!

Lash Domination Mascara!!

Megan explained this particular brand is her favorite. I love eye makeup so I'm really excited to try a new brand. My go-to is usually Cover Girl, so maybe I'll have a new brand

Julep eye pallet

Again! More amazing eye makeup! Natural shades for my eyes are great so I don't look over done at work. (I don't need to look fancy) so this is prefect. A+++, Megan!!

Lip balms!!!

Burt's bees I know and love. Jack Black I had never heard of, but Megan said she's completely obsessed with it, so I have high hopes that I'll love it too.

The Body Shop Honey Soap

Um, yes please! Honey anything I'm all about!

Assorted nail colors

I don't paint my nails often but when I do, I like fun colors. Another win!

Like I said, I cannot wait to try everything here.  Megan hit the nail on the head with absolutely everything, and I'm SO thrilled to have a new blogging friend. Especially one that loves to look pretty as much as I do. Be sure to head over to Megan's page today to see what I got her. 

Happy Friday, y'all!

Don't Try so Hard

Last week, during Meagan's Friday Favorites link up, I was introduced to the "florkens". One post (Don't Try so Hard) in particular was featured on the Friday Favorites, and it really made me stop and read and think. The post featured this amazing song: Colbie Caillat's "Try".

Jackie and Nicole are co-hosting this link up with the "florkens". I love the idea behind it to promote true natural beauty! I'm definitely one of those women that at least does the eye makeup. Admittedly, I do too much eye makeup most likely, but I tend to feel more confident covering the dark circles under my eyes. (Thanks, kids for not letting me sleep ever!) So, without stalling anymore let's let the picture speak for itself! Please excuse the poor lighting and quality, I don't have a fancy camera and I didn't do any editing! I also took my glasses off so you could actually see my eyes.

In following the rules of the link up, one thing I love about myself: my eyes. They're green on the outside with a brown ring on the inside. I guess that's the reason why I usually only do make up on my eyes, haha.

So don't be shy! Join the link up! I want to see just how beautiful you really are!