White Christmas Blues

How is it that I love the holidays and hate the holidays at the same time? I mean really, how is it?
They tell me that holiday depression isn't uncommon, but if it isn't, why isn't anyone talking about it? I'd rather hear about how to deal with this on TV than how to make Christmas cookies or whatever other nonsense that they saturate us with during the holidays.
My family has experienced a lot of loss during the holidays, which makes me want to curl up under my blanket and wake up in June. But then, my birthday is this month which makes me want to get up and dance.
Confusion.
This is nothing new. Every winter I complain about this. I feel like this every holiday, and short of getting a prescription, I don't know to deal with it. Maybe you don't, maybe holiday sad is just a thing like being happy when the first days of spring come. Here's to being holiday content.

Get Personal with The Stationary Studio

Everyone is doing everything online these days, even for formal occasions and personal situations. Very rarely do people send out hand-written invitations or letters anymore. You have no idea how much this disappoints me. I mean, I am a girl that saved all her birthday cards, that still sends out Christmas cards, and who once upon a time had a pen pal. No matter what the trend is, I still love writing letters to people so you can understand why I was in hog heaven when I found out about The Stationery Studio.

Kate Spade Rose Fold Over Note Cards 

Black and White Floral Stripe Foldover Note Cards

The Stationery Studio has a HUGE selection of cards and stationery to choose from. Because I like writing my own messages in letters and because I still write letters to friends and family ( I know, you may think this is old school), I prefer blank cards. It was hard to choose only a couple of things to order, but I am in love with the above cards. The Kate Spade cards are simple and elegant and perfect for sending out as thank you notes, while the floral stripe note cards can be personalized with your name and can be used for updating family and friends on your life with a personal touch.

Are handwriting thank yous not your style? That's fine, because The Stationary Studio also has a wide selection of invitations for any occasion, notepads and stampers. They even have a selection of party supplies you can personalize, home decor, and supplies for back to school. Check out The Stationary Studio and find products that fit your style. 

Meagan Good is Making a Movie...and Needs Our Help!

Krazy Actress Productions, co-founded by actress Meagan Good  (“Minority Report,” “Think Like a Man”) and actress-writer Tamara Bass (“Baby Boy,” “All That Matters”) has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help finance its next project, “If Not Now, When.” 

The feature film was written by Bass and will star both women. Sway Calloway (VH1, "MTV News”) has signed on as executive producer. 

The Indiegogo campaign launches on the heels of the landmark success of Krazy Actress Productions’ web series, “All That Matters” which debuted on World Star Hip Hop and earned over 25 million views. 

“As young women, we remember watching films that molded and shaped our perspectives on womanhood and friendship,” said Good. “I wanted to be a part of making films that inspire others the way that I was inspired...to make movies that take people on a journey, and tell a story that ultimately makes us love ourselves a little bit more.”

“If Not Now, When?” is reminiscent of popular female bonding movies prevalent in the ‘90s. The film tells the story of Suzanne (Good), Patrice (Bass), Tyra and Deidre, friends since the age of 14. Over the course of their lives, fights, disagreements and love have created distance between them, particularly Suzanne and Patrice who haven’t spoken in almost 15 years. When Tyra experiences a crisis, the women reunite and rediscover the importance of sisterhood, as they band together to look after Tyra's 14-year-old daughter.

"I wrote this movie because we are committed to telling stories that showcase diversity, and to doing our part to create more leading roles for women of color,” said Bass. “Leveraging a crowdfunding campaign to raise capital for our film not only allows us to maintain creative control, but also gives the fans a chance to weigh in on what types of movies they want to see and support."

The Indiegogo campaign goal is $750,000. Donors will receive a variety of perks ranging from autographed scripts to producer credits.

For more information and to contribute to the campaign, visit www.krazyactressproductions.com or the Indiegogo campaign page. 

Rustic Crust Pizza Night

I love baking, but there are certain things that intimidate me to bake. Pizza has always been one of those things because I just knew in my heart that I would mess up the crust. With Rustic Crust, you don't have to worry about this! The crusts come with pizza sauce and in a variety of flavors. Below, see my instructions for a Cheesy Spinach Pizza using the Rustic Crust Cheesy Herb Flatbread. 

Get your Cheesy Herb Old World Pizza Crust here.

                           Spread the sauce                          

  
Get your mozzarella cheese and spinach 

Add cheese  

Add spinach 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Then Eat!

The cool things about Rustic Crust? There is no trans fat or added sugars. There are also no GMOs, and the grains that make the rust crust are not bleached! Eager to have a taste. Visit their website here for more info! 

Yay for Dr. Sharp's Fresh Mint Mouth Wash!

I know that having sensitive skin is common, but is there such thing as having a sensitive mouth? I ask this because a year or so ago I decided to fully commit to using mouthwash (yes, I know it is gross that I already hadn't) and the mouthwash was so strong that is actually burnt my mouth! After that, I decided that brushing was just going to have to surface, and then I came across the Dr. Sharp Dentistry Fluoride- Free Mouthwash.

This mouthwash is all-natural and tastes so good! And it doesn't burn like other mouthwashes. This product is also vegan and paraben, alcohol, and gluten-free. There is also no color added and works just as well as a traditional mouthwash. 

But Dr. Sharp's mouthwash isn't the only tasty, all-natural product he has to offer! Visit his website here.

The Half- Way Point

Last year was such a crazy year for me that I was OVERJOYED that 2016 showed up to put an end to it. I made a list of goals and I was determined to get everything on the list done. And I mean these were life-changing goals ya'll. Now look: July 2016 is here, the year is more than half-way over, and I still have not done everything that I need to do! Not completing my goals depresses me, but today, I find myself awake and alert and motivated to knock some of the goals off of this list. My birthday is in December, and I refuse to turn 32 with the same old unaccomplished goals on my list from when I was 26. I have made lists. I have made plans. I even fell victim to the vision board craze. Now it seems like the only thing to do that I know will bring results is to buckle down and get these things done. I am pretty protective of my goals, but I will share one with you: TO FINALLY LEARN TO DRIVE! I will keep you posted!

Do You Have BraBlems? Third Love Has You Covered!

Do your straps sag after you put on your bra? Is your bra so tight that it makes you look like you have four boobs? Or, my personal favorite, do your girls flop out of the sides of your bra? If you answered yes to any of these questions chances are you have BraBlems. But it's okay. The good people at ThirdLove.com have solutions to all of these pressing brazier conundrums. 

Ready to invest in a bra that won't give you BraBlems? Click here and use the code BRABLEMS to get 15% off!