Pursuing Forgotten Passions

Through out our lives many passions  are birthed and several die away.
When we are young we dream of being mermaids, princesses, first woman president, first woman to land on the moon, a singer, a movie star, someone that impacts the world, leaving their mark behind when they pass.  There is an age when our childhood passions seem to pass away, not for everyone, but for the majority. It's the moment we stop believing in the unimaginable and allow "reality" to sink in, the moment we give in to society, and stop believing in ourselves.
I remember having so many passions and so many dreams!
At the age of 3 I had a passion for singing. Growing up I would spend hours locked away in my room singing along to people like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera (1st album). I would play over and over until I could hit each note.
I lived to sing. Slowly, after college that passion has died away.  I haven't sang for almost a year now, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I'm sad that I've lost many of my passions, it feels as though a part of me has died.

Okay so why am I boring you guys with all this, well I guess it's because I want to tell you that I want to find those passions again! And by telling you guys this, I am held accountable.

What passions have you let go of??

I'm kind of embarrassed to put this up here so try not to be too mean, this is a cover of A Fine Frenzy's Almost Lover I did probably 2 or 3 years ago.



What passions have you let go of??
I ask you guys to join me on this journey of finding  a passion we let go of, and encouraging each other to pursue them.

Thanks for reading,
<3
Lex

The Adventures of a Mysterious Creature

Something you might not know about me is I used to love writing. Secretly, I've always wanted to write children's stories. Oftentimes, I would text a handful of friends some random story at the spur of the moment.  I haven't written one in a while and decided I would write one down for you guys. This one has pictures though for you picture book lovers :D
Warning: This story didn't come out all that great cause it was hard to do to these pictures. Normally, my stories are of the unreal :D

Once upon a time there was a beautiful creature that roamed upon the earth. So beautiful was this creature that one could not stare at it too long or their eyesight would begin to fade. The human eye was not made to withstand such magnificent beauty.

What no one saw when they looked upon this beautiful creature was its pain and loneliness. The creature carried a burden within her that no one else could see, no one else could feel.  She learned to live alone. Her heart grew cold and her hope for companionship diminished.

She had grown numb to all her longing desires. Numb to pain. Numb to kindness. A darkness had swallowed her whole. Where had she gone?

L had heard about this creature. It was a tale passed on from generation to generation. L's

curiosity struck him and he sought out on an adventure to find this mysterious creature.

Could it be, this creature really exists? Oh her beauty, the kindness of her soul, how can one help but not stare?

The creature sniffed L out, could this be the companion I've longed for, a friend who can withstand the sight of me?

No, I've given up on such childish dreams!

This beautiful creature, numb and afraid killed the only human who was willing to go blind just to be near her.

But she didn't mind cause there were always cupcakes! <3

Just a bunch of sillyness, but I had these cute pics, was bored, and wanted to make a little story to it :D

Road trip & Family Gatherings=Lovefilledbakinggoods&crafts.

Friday morning we drove up to my parents ranch for some Thanksgiving celebration weekend birthday festivities.

The ride up was quite interesting due to the fact that I think our kitty, Bangledash, had to pee really bad, so she serenaded us with Meows the whole drive up.

Once we arrived the men escaped into the wilderness while us females stayed in the ranch house. There was not a moment of boredom in that house. My grandmother and her sister would argue back and forth causing my mother and I to laugh at it all, and then we were visited by our ranch neighbors! Yippee!

Hannah, who is 11, helped me bake yummy cupcakes and cakes for Mercedes birthday.

She is definitely a cutie and we had the most fun :D

Then we ended up sewing some cute little crafts! I'll have to wait to show you the finished product although I'm not sure whether to make it a phone cover (case) or my first christmas tree ornament!

After, we all just gathered around the dinner table and enjoyed our yummy cuban food!

by the way, did I tell you it was FREEZING at the ranch! :D (pardon my ADD).

The next day my mommy (yes I still say mommy) and I decorated the cake and cupcakes. It began as a disaster since we did not have enough icing and the fondant kept cracking but here is what we got :D Well, at least we tried!

The good thing is Mercedes didn't notice all our mistakes, but the love behind them all.

Loved seeing her face, when she saw how important she was to us all :D

Don't let life have it's way with you.

If we let it, life can take us for a spin. While we're in the center of that tornado we can't even imagine that we'll ever escape. Tossing us around like a ragdoll.While I found myself lost in that place, this video was one of the many things that gave me courage to rise and fight back. Kandee Johnson reminded me so much of the person I once was and the person I wanted to become again.
There are so many hurting people out there and my heart breaks for you because although no one else may understand, your pain is real. I'm hear to tell you, this moment of pain will make you stronger, wiser, more compassionate, and more importantly, you'll be able to help someone else going through the same thing, how else can someone comfort another without ever being in their shoes? If you're at a point in your life that your joy has flown away from you and deserted you, I ask you to watch this and perhaps a bit of joy, encouragement, and motivation will jump right back in and encourage you to LIVE!

First Makeup Tutorial!

Finally! So anyone who watched the retro hair tutorial knows I had one coming (or should have had it up before) but due to ramblings and searching for the proper brushes and makeup..it would have taken FOREVER! so my smart hubby helped me edit the video and sped it up for me. I hope you guys enjoy :D Please remember it's my first! I'm slowly learning what to do and what not to :D

Hope you guys enjoy! any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated!

Much Love,
Lex

Solotica Hirocor Ice Once More!

Hi guys, I've had several people interested in the Solotica Hidrocor Ice so I attempted another video, don't think the quality is all that grand, and I took some pictures. As well, I'm going to try and make a video focused more on eyes, with one contact in and one without. Perhaps it will make the comparison easier :D

so I've got a theory, if you come out ugly while making a funny face, it's okay cause it was your intention ;) (hence why you probably won't see me with normal faces ).

Here's the video. Warning: not very good quality.

Sending some love your way! Happy Thanksgiving to you guys!!

<3 Lex

Thanksgiving Thankfulness and Danke schön's!

There is so much to be thankful for that my list can go on forever! The one thing I am the most thankful for is for having such a gracious God that hasn't given up on me. After all my mistakes, betrayals, and even anger with him He still calls me His daughter. When I haven't wanted to hear from Him, He's laid out messages before me with all the things I've needed to hear. Us girls love being chased. Why else would there be so many cartoons and romantic movies of the guy pursuing the girl or the prince rescuing his princess. We have a God who chases after us even when our hearts are rebellious, who pursues us when we run away. My mind cannot fathom such a wonderful God. I am thankful that He would want someone like me who's made so many mistakes. Often I tell myself I am  not worthy of His love, which I am not, but He loves me anyways! There are not enough words to say how thankful I am to God for that.
I am thankful that I have such an amazing husband and family. My family has been so supportive of me when I went through a really rough patch of depression. They stood by my side and never looked down on me. By family I mean my husband, parents and in-laws. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a strong support net. I don't want to get too into this right now, perhaps God will lead me to share a bit about it some other time, but I am so so so thankful for my family! I don't know what I would do without them!

I am thankful for blogs and youtube. Sounds kind of weird but it's true. I was able to watch so many inspiring people on youtube such as Kandee who truly helped me get out of the depression as well. That woman has been through so much in her life but you would never know it unless you heard her story. She is a bundle of joy who emanates God's love and strength. She helped me become stronger and she probably has no idea how much she's impacted me. As well reading people's blogs and stories and joys have just helped me see everything in a whole new light again :D Thank you guys so much!! What you write really does matter, probably more than you know!

I'm thankful for so much like life, a roof over my head, food, clothes, the list can go on.
 I'm thankful for Thanksgiving, it makes you really sit down and think of all the things we take for granted throughout the year and open our eyes to how blessed we truly are.

What are you thankful for this year?

Blog Buttoneers!

Hello Darlings!

Here are my buttons! Feel free to add these buttons to your page! I should be coming out with some new ones in the near future but for now here it is :D

Let me know if you added  as well if any of you have that I can add to my site :D

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North Carolina Experience

One thing I must say is that I love mountains, all things old, and cool weather. North Carolina was full of all the above. The people were so friendly I couldn't  help but smile at their kindness and feel all warm inside. We flew into Charlotte, NC and drove to Asheville  which was a super cute artsy town with the prettiest historic looking buildings such as the one below.

Although this building was abandoned and a bit beat up, there was an essence of beauty that called forth.

Even their McDonald's was pretty!! We did not stop to eat here since we have several of these in south Florida. We were curious as to the one's we haven't tried such as Hardee's and Sonic :D

Now the whole point of this trip wasn't about fast food and cute towns but more of a growing experience. We stayed at the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. Which is Billy Grahams Training Center.

This place is absolutely gorgeous!Surrounded by mountains and gorgeous trails, beautiful buildings filled with history but most of all,  I was surrounded with the most joyful people I have ever met in my life. There were so many people who were completely joyful in serving others with kindness and compassionate love that I couldn't help but be moved and inside have an increasing desire to be like that.
As I walked through the halls of Billy Grahams history I was moved by the love that family had for people and what a legacy that family has left behind that so many people around the world have acknowledged that there is a difference in that man, from presidents to queens and ministers all over the world. Truly God had a special plan for this family, but most importantly, I believe it was their obedience to God.
While walking through the library there were pictures and quotes showing how many people the gospel  had reached out to. Reading several quotes especially on Ruth Graham made me start to think.
I believe there is a yearning in every girl to be beautiful, which is completely fine, but then there is an extreme where you begin to lose who you are because you are so focused on fixing the outside. From diets, to clothes, to hairstyles. Please don't get me wrong, all of these in and of themselves are great, but where is the heart behind all this? Do you find yourselves crying in front of a mirror because you don't feel you're good enough? skinny enough? pretty enough? comparing and finding so many others to be better than you? I know this has been my struggle that I don't see what I really look like anymore and along the way in searching for beauty, a part of me inside has faded behind the scenes.
This weekend I found beauty. No, not the girls in the magazines we constantly compare ourselves too. Not some flashy girl leaving nothing to the imagination. I found true beauty and I wanted to share it with you all. Perhaps, maybe, you'll find it too.

The woman who showed me what it means to be truly beautiful?

Ruth Graham.

There are not enough words I can say to describe this woman other than I pray that someday I can have that same heart and passion after God's own heart and His hurting people. And that at the end of my days my husband can say the same thing about me that Billy Graham spoke of his wife Ruth.

How many men say that about their wives now? Usually at an old age you only hear bitter comments.I don't want to be one of those women who make their husbands lives harder, but rather be a place of refuge. This can only be done with Christ's strengthening.

Ruth has a beauty that isn't just merely an outward presence but a beauty you feel at the core of your heart.

Her husband had to travel often so she left this adorable silly picture in his luggage one day and he carried it everywhere :D It was one of his favorites.

I believe it was God's love shining through them that attracted them to so many people such as Muhammed Ali.

What an example of great love for this day and age.

There is a beauty that radiates through her that is not found in magazines or television, no makeup can portray it. This is the beauty I seek after, the beauty of a love for God and His people. An obedient heart, who impacts anyone in contact.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

If you want to know more about them go here:

http://www.billygraham.org/RBG_biography.asp

Fantabulous Giveaway!!!!

So if you head on over to the Dainty Squid's blog (whom by the way she is super adorable! )
you'll see her amazing giveaway. There are 3 winners and of course certain things you have to do to be a winner. Go check it out.
You can either go to her blog through her button link on the right side of my page or copy the link below.

Here are the prizes she's giving away :

They're ALL soooo adorable I have no idea which one I would want more!!!

Go check out The Dainty Squid's Giveaway!

http://daintysquid.blogspot.com/

Stache Sunday

Mmm..I love Sundays! I just get to veg out for the most part and let my creativity run free!!

Today was an eventful day filled with makeup how-to's, retro-ish hair how to's and cupcake deco!!!

I felt somewhat productive.

I got to  think up some new ideas for the Cupcake Bandits. Here's how it went :D

Keypad Love

There's nothing like a yummy cupcake with a tall glass of Milk :D

and here's the quick and easy retro-ish hair style tutorial :D
enjoy, learn & laugh. at me or with me, as long as you're laughing! ;)




I really would love feedback :D tips for improvement are always nice. always something to learn :D


Have a wonderful day/night!!
<3 Lex

Mmm..Old Fashioned Pancakes!

Since today is Saturday I decided to make my hubby some yummy old fashioned homemade pancakes this morning!We both liked it so much I thought I'd share it with you guys. Especially with the holidays coming around these can make for a yummy Christmas breakfast.

Here's what you'll need:

Flour, Milk, Egg, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar, Oil

First mix into a bowl:

1 cup Flour

1 Tablespoon Sugar

3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Then add:

1 egg

3/4 cup milk (you can add more depending on your taste)

2 Tablespoons oil

Mix until you get a smooth consistency.

From there I put the batter into a measuring cup making it easier to transport the batter into a pan.

Make sure the pan is semi-hot but not too hot. I put mine in between low and medium, closer to the medium. Remember each stove is different so play around with yours to see which is best.

If you end up burning some don't worry, play around until you get your perfect pancake :) That's just part of the fun!

When you see it start to bubble on one side it is ready to be FLIPPED!

Grab out your butter and syrup and bite into your yummy pancake!

Remember to be creative. There's so much you can do with a pancake whether you want to top with powdered sugar, whip cream, fruits, or even add some nuts to the mixture with some yummy banana toppings!

Have a yummy breakfast!! ( anytime of day)

<3Lex