conquering fear

November 13, 2016

Today I wanted to talk on a more serious note about something that I think we all have experienced at some point in our lives. It comes in many shapes and forms and grows in size as we give in to it. Like many uncomfortable things in life, it can be hard to talk about, especially if we want others to perceive us as confident and unflawed. It’s the big, nasty, f-word. Fear.

I have a love/hate relationship with this word. I hate the stigma that surrounds fear because fear does not look the same to me as it does to you. Likewise, you should know that you do not have to justify the validity of your fears. But what I love about fear is that we ALL live with it, we ALL feel it, and we ALL deal with it. You know that girl on Instagram with the seemingly perfect life? She lives with fear. You know your best friend who you think has it all together? She lives with fear. They all live with fear. The bottom line is… we all have fear.

So now that you know that you are NOT alone when it comes to living with fear, I want to help you cope with it.

1. Name It

Alright, so let’s start by naming the beast. I’ll start:

I’m afraid of being misunderstood. I have a fear of not being liked for who I am. I’m fearful of being judged while I pursue my dreams.

Think of what exactly it is that you are fearful of. Is it caused by insecurities? Is it something you can control? Whatever it is, being able to put your finger on it will help identify the fear when it affects us most. When you have identified it, it’s no longer unknown and illusive. It’s out there in plain sight for us to get a little bit more comfortable with.

2. Own It

This part is really important. By owning your fears, you take away its power to control your life. In theory it sounds simple, but it requires a ton of bravery and courage which I KNOW you have no shortage of. Owning your fears says “Hey, I might be afraid of this, but I’m going to do it anyway.”

In order to fully own your fears, you need to be okay with exposing them. There’s an undeniable power that comes from exposing these raw parts of ourselves and not letting them slow us down. In other words, owning your fears is complete badassery and the world should watch out.

3. Share It

You might be thinking I’m crazy. Why would I want you to share something that makes you vulnerable? That’s just it, because it makes you vulnerable. We are drawn to vulnerability because it’s real and authentic. By sharing your fears with others, a few amazing things happen. First of all, it opens up a meaningful conversation beyond the surface. Believe it or not, people care about how you’re really doing and they will listen.

Secondly, there’s a very good chance that someone else shares the very same, or very similar fears that you have. Starting a conversation with someone who you share a common (or uncommon) fear with is a recipe for deeper connections. In a world fed by automated Instagram comments, like4like, and bots, it’s becoming harder and harder to find deep and meaningful connections.

And lastly, share your fears because in the end, we are more alike than we are different.

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What are your greatest fears? How have you tried to own your fears? Tell me about your experiences in the comments

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Simplified Planner Review

October 2, 2016

Hello everyone! It’s time to share my review of the Simplified Planner after a few months of use. Simplified Planner creator, Emily Ley, truly understands the needs of women on the go and has designed the Simplified Planner with the intentions of building simplicity into every day life. Emily’s products, including the Simplified Planner, reflect her fresh, feminine and functional brand and her philosophy of “grace, not perfection”.

Being organized is one of my top priorities and finding the right agenda to plan out my daily schedule is something really important to me. With so many agenda brands out there like Rifle Paper, Kate Spade, and Band.o (all of which I’ve tried) it can be tough to find one that works for you.

Let me first say that choosing a design for my SP was NOT an easy choice! First of all SP comes in two formats, the Daily Edition (like the one in this post) or the Weekly Edition. Beyond that, The SP Daily Edition comes in four chic designs: Fancy Floral, Happy Stripe, Gold Pineapple, and Fuchsia Dot (pictured above). For the sake of this post, I’ll be referring specifically to the 2017 Calendar – Daily Simplified Planner in Fuchsia Dot.

1. Design

First things first, I absolutely love the design of the SP. Each day gets it’s own page which is organized by time on the left side and a to-do list on the right side. Hour by hour from 6am until 9pm, you can jot down your schedule for the day. This is so handy because even if you work 9-5, there can be so many little things that need to be taken care of in a day. The to-do list is also a great spot to write a short grocery list, appointment reminders and little notes. The bottom section of the page features a box for dinner, because let’s face it; eating is the best part of the day right? This reminds me to think ahead about dinners instead of getting home at 6pm and opting for pizza because there’s no time to cook AND catch Suits on Wednesday nights… am I right? Beside this box there’s another little box for notes – again this really helps categorize your thoughts into organized reminders and keep things simple (which is the whole idea behind the SP)

One of the little deign details I love about the SP is the gold hardware and finishes. The gold binding is wide and durable and the gold-plated edges prevent the edges damage from wear and tear. When you order the SP, it comes in a gorgeous navy & gold keepsake box which is great if you are giving it away as a gift or safely storing it away (not sure why you would do either of these things though!)

2. Functionality

So not only is the Simplified Planner pretty and nice to look at, it’s super functional. With minimal words and lines and just the right amount of space to write, it does really well in keeping you focussed on your priorities without making yourself overwhelmed with distractions and busy-ness. In addition to the daily view (pictured above) the weekends are conveniently grouped together (pictured below) to give you an easy visual for your weekend schedule. The weekends also feature a “Weekend Prep” box that allows you to check off tasks such as meal plans, preparing for the Monday grind, and doing something you enjoy. These small details are not only nice little reminders to get s*** done but also to use your SP to its full potential.

All in all, the daily design is extremely functional because it’s limiting in the right places. I’m totally guilty of writing more lists and notes than are necessary so the SP forces me to focus on what’s important and forget about the distractions. The bright tabs make it super easy to find each month and there’s enough room to write on each page – something that I really struggled with using other agendas.

Weekend View

Each month opens up to a two-page spread to show a monthly view, which is perfect for jotting down bigger events such as birthdays, holidays, travel, meetings and just about anything. I try to keep my notes and scheduling simple, so I only write down whats absolutely necessary in the monthly view – I save details for the daily pages. There’s also a small pocket on the inside front cover which is handy for keeping any loose papers, sticky notes, etc. in one place.

Monthly View

3.Size

Last, but not least, is size and portability. Some people can’t leave the house without their phone or iPad; well I can’t go anywhere without my SP! (True story). I need to write things down to remember, so forgetting my SP at home is not an option.It fits perfectly in my purse (pictured below) and in my work bag that I use every day for the office and weddings. I only have one cross-body purse that it won’t fit into because it’s tiny but other than that I have no problem toting it around. Because it’s 9 inches in length, it’s a whole inch shorter than Band.o agendas, making it a bit easier to transport.

final thoughts:

I love love love my Simplified Planner. As an on-the-go wedding planner (HELLO scheduling is basically my life), full-time 9-5’er, AND blogger, being organized is absolutely crucial. The hourly breakdown from 6am-9pm is one of my favourite features because it gives me the best visual as to what each day will look like and still gives me room to write my to-do’s and dinner plans. Being able to break things down into categories is such a great way to keep mentally organized and keep my productivity levels in-check.

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I hope you enjoyed this post about my love for the Simplified Planner! If you have any questions, like how to decide what cover to get, feel free to let me know! xoxo

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Interview with Laine Dagneau

July 24, 2016

Lets start with the basics. In a nutshell, can you tell us what you do?

I provide quality, high-end hair and makeup services throughout British Columbia and also world wide destinations, since 2006.

How did you get to where you are today?

Hard work, education, persistence and a lot of encouragement around me.

What is your favorite part about being a professional hair/makeup artist?

Helping others feel their best while hearing their stories. I enjoy the creativity, and the constantly evolving industry inspires me to continue to learn and grow as an artist.

What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome as a hair/makeup artist?

Not spending all of my money on products – serious product junkie – it comes with the territory ha ha.

What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

When clients feel comfortable enough to share their story in a safe environment – often crying, but when they leave smiling saying they feel and look their best. When they let me know I have found a solution to an issue in their life – that is the best complement received. Exceptional service is going above and beyond just a skill – when the clients are genuinely cared for, that makes a difference and good changes happen.

If you could give your younger self any advice for going after your dreams, what would it be?

Be efficient without lacking quality- this takes persistence, patience and perseverance (and A LOT of practice). Always keep evolving and learning new techniques – never stop growing in your creativity.

Photo Credit: LINDSAY SKEANS PHOTOGRAPHY

As individuals, we’re defined by so much more than our careers and professions. What kinds of things do you do in your spare time?

Shooting hoops (basketball), working out, growing spiritually, spending time with my niece, family and friends. I eat A LOT and love learning new recipes.

What do you value most about your career as a professional makeup artist/ hairstylist?

Helping others in every way possible- looking at the big picture and overall experience. To be reliable, intuitive, calming and give exceptional quality of service.

Original Image: ROYCE SIHLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

What is your biggest/proudest accomplishment in your career thus far?

My biggest accomplishment would have to be in the whole process of the journey. Obtaining 5 years of education in different trades becoming a “Jane of all trades” but still remaining hungry to learn more. I’m a Licensed Hairstylist, Certified Makeup Artist, Administrative Assistant (bookkeeper), 1 year Counselling and Caregiving, and have my Social Media Strategist Certificate (to name a few). It was a very humbling experience my first year back in Kamloops being nominated for two Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of the community.

Okay and finally, what are your top 3 favorite beauty products?

Skincare is so important for a good makeup foundation. Often with trials I recommend a daily routine to my brides so their skin is prepped for the wedding day. My daily routine always includes Clinique All About Eyes eye cream, Anastasia Dipbrow and NARS tinted moisturizer.

Say hello to Laine:

www.facebook.com/Laine-Dagneau-Hairstylist-Makeup-Artist

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