Lust Have It September

Spring Fling (erm spring clean more like)

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Can't say that I have been too impressed on what has been on offer from any of the beauty boxes this month and LHI are no exception.  In fact I am rarely impressed by LHI these days, if you haven't seen my review for their latest Fashion and Beauty Box please take a look here.  As well as getting rid of all their old boxes I think LHI were having a spring clean of their warehouse and getting rid of old stock. Now on to their latest dismal offering.

1.  Wotnot Natural Organic Facial Wipes - sample - I love these wipes and use them almost exclusively but do I have to KEEP receiving them as samples?  I'm sold already, no more please.

2.  Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup remover - sample - I don't use eye makeup remover as the Wotnots do a great job of removing mascara without irritating my eyes.

3.  L'Oreal Base Magique Primer - teeny tiny sample - received this last month from BB, used it once didn't think much of it to be honest.

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I tried the BB cream on my face, looks like I had a fight with a tanning machine and it won!!  Oompa Loompa and Tang (orange juice) comes to mind.  Left my face patchy and orange.  Comes out of the sachet white and then oxidises on your face.

4.  L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream -  medium - 1ml sachet - note to L'Oreal if you would like me to try your product in the hopes that I might purchase please at least supply LHI with the right shade!!  LHI please start profiling your customers, very pale skin does NOT mean medium.

5.  Bioderma Sebium Foaming Gel & SEbium AKN -  why are you giving me samples of products for oily skin, I have very dry skin?  These samples have been done to death!

6.  RPR Hair Care Range - Leave in Hair Treatment - Where is my Baji?   You know the expensive samples? 

7.  LHI Synthetic Precision Pencil Brush - eye shadow brush

9.  Bonus Tampons - straight into the First Aid Kit with you, I have never worn tampons and no longer need them but they make great sterile swabs for nosebleeds, deep gashes and puncture wounds.

So that's it.  None of this is tailored towards me and my interests,  I have cancelled my subscription.  My Mum hated her boxes so much she gave me back the annual subscription I had gifted her so unfortunately I still have 6 more to go before I can say goodbye to LHI forever. 

Also I have been a VIP member for 6 months and not once have I ever received anything VIP, why is that LHI?

FaB Box by Lust Have It September

Lust Have It have released a new box called FaB which is short for Fashion and Beauty.

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I'm sorry but there is nothing FAB about this box at all unless you like cheap junk being passed off as something expensive and fabulous!  At $35 it's a total rip-off.


1.  FaB Mint Green Watch RRP$29.95 -  you can find these exact same watches on ebay HERE selling for $3.99 and HERE for a $1 which includes free postage, now that's a bargain.  Where did LHI ever get a RRP of $29.95 from??


2.  FaB Aztec Print Scarf RRP$24.95 - thin cheap polyester, this scarf is large enough to be a tablecloth!  It is so huge I can't get it all in the photo.  I actually don't mind this scarf but there is so much of it and the quality is poor.  UPDATE:  The lovely Loz suggested this would make a good sarong, she's right it is large enough and would look great over a bikini.

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3.  LHI Limitied Edition Tote Bag RRP$12.95 - cheap canvas library bag

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4.  FaB Tassel Necklace RRP$19.95, this is a real throw back to the 70's my Mum used to wear ghastly tasteless necklaces like this, I'm going to hang it off my verandah to scare the birds away from nesting in the eves.  You can find cheap and nasty jewellry like this at the local $2 shop.

5.  Duri Nail Enamel RRP$18 - Call Me Maybe - (Neon Pink) & Pie in the Sky Green .  Not impressed with either of these shades and the formula is thick and streaky.  Look great in the bottle turns a garish bright neon matte shade once applied.

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So that's it, the first and last time I will ever purchase a FaB box from Lust Have It. I feel like I have been robbed.  Passing off cheap items as quality with made up RRP, I'm insulted!!  Biggest waste of $35 I have spent!

If this is Lust Have Its idea of "the most exclusive fashion and beauty box", I'll stick to buying it a whole lot cheaper off Ebay.

Hair 2 Go Haul

I thought I would share with you my latest purchases from Hair 2 Go a great aussie company that has some fantastic deals on a wide range of Hair & Beauty Products.

They have some great bargains for the savvy shopper and I took advantage of some of their most recent offerings which are still available. You really can't go past their prices.  They have all the known brands like Redken, Lendan, Hapuna, AlfaParf, Babyliss, DeLorenzo, Joico, Nak, Matrix and many many more, your really need to go over and check out their website for yourself.

I went a little crazy on the Paul Brown Hawaii & Hapuna range of hair care because well the prices were amazing!!  Hair 2 Go are having a sale on Paul Brown Old Packaging Products I picked up the following.

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paul brown HAWAII - clarifying shampoo - 1 litre bottle RRP$49.95 - I paid $14.95.  Gently removes product buildup with Kukui Nut Lipids.

paul brown HAPUNA - Anti Frizz Silky Reconstructor - 1 litre bottle RRP$55.00 - I paid $14.95. Contains natural botanicals, root extracts and sea essences to help lock in moisture, add strength, lock in colour and prevent frizzy hair.

paul brown HAWAII - treat elite - leave in keratin strenthening complex - RRP$49.95 - I paid $14.95. Light detangler and conditioner which protects hair by closing the cuticle layer and eliminating static electricity.  Repels dirt and dust leaving your hair cleaner for longer.  Can be used as a pre-conditioner on dry ends before colouring hair.

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paul brown HAWAII - kukui nut "hot" oil - moisture replacement treatment - 100ml RRP$29.95 - I paid $5.00. Designed to replace moisture to dry and damaged hair without lifting colour.

paul brown HAWAII - Hapuna Spray - medium hold hair spray - 250ml RRP$24.95 - I paid $5.00. Infused with flower & plant extracts this hair spray is designed to hold your hair style while protecting from enviromental damage.

paul brown HAWAII  - passion shine gel - retexturising gel for shine and control - 150ml RRP$26.95 - I paid $5.00.  Controls frizzy unmanageable hair while allowing for flexible hold.  Protects hair from heat or sun exposure, improves hair inside and out, great for adding body & volume.  Gel can be reactivated by spritzing with water.

I also picked up a great deal on brushes, $20 for eight brushes valued at over $186.

Now the best part.... included with my purchases was this huge handful of free samples for me to try.  I think I was more excited about this than anything else.  I love companies that generously hand out free samples, it makes me feel my custom is important to them and they want me to come back.  What I really loved about all the samples I received is they took note of what I had purchased and only sent me samples that were relevant to my specific hair and skin needs.

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Lendan Infinitetime Eye Care Cream - CS Care Series Volume Shampoo & Rich Nutrition Leave in Conditioner, Color Addict Mask & Leave in Conditioner - Lendan HairToGo Water FX Gel & Boomerang Pomade - CS Extra Liss Shampoo, Mask & Leave in Conditioner - Lendan Vitamin Forza C Face Moisturiser - Lendan Inca Oil nourishing serum.

Shipping is reasonable, quick and sometimes FREE.

I am really impressed with their prices and service and I think you will be too.

Jac x0x

All products were purchased by me and I have not been paid for this review.

Violet Box September 2013

My Violet Box arrived today and I am feeling pretty Meh!! about it.  So much so that this will be the last box I review as I am cancelling my subscription.

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There is nothing outstanding in the box this month, it's a real assortment of odds n ends.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers - Very pretty tweezers but I don't use them, so totally wasted on me.

The Vintage Cosmetics Company Emery Board - Very pretty and you can never have enough emery boards, I hoard them everywhere!

NS-5 Cuticle & Nail Complex - Very good cream for your nails, I have already got two tubes of this from a Priceline giveaway so not excited to see it again.  If you have not used this cream before I can thoroughly recommend it.

Sinful Nail Polish - Timbleberry - sigh Sinful Colors must be doing the rounds of the beauty boxes, as excited as I am by nail polish, it would be nice to receive a shade that isn't pink or red!

Eleven Australia's Miracle Hair Treatment - I have received this twice in other boxes and there is nothing miracle about it, did nothing for my hair.

Timeless Truth Q10 Caviar Nourishing Mask - I hate these masks, don't like putting sheets of cold slimy yuk on my face.

So that's it for this month, sorry my review is so negative.  But I have seen this all before in one form or another with other boxes, nothing new here.

This is the most expensive monthly beauty box available in Australia at $22.95 per month so I really do expect more. Violet Box promised us high-end products but this is a real cheap drugstore basement selection.

Jac x0x

LUSH Haul

My LUSH store lives in a land Far Far Away and I don't get to visit very often.  

This is my latest haul and I surprised myself by how little I actually picked up.  It might have something to do with the fact my Hay fever is in full swing because I usually linger and try just about everything on offer but I really couldn't smell a thing! 

I ended up with only four items and I forgot one!  Lemony Flutter  -  I have read some really good reviews about this cream, oh well next time!

Dirty Soap - This is always the first product I ask for when I walk into Lush.  When I first tried this soap as a sample I hated it but the aroma has grown on me.  I think the Dirty range is targeted at male customers but I just love the aroma of Spearmint and Sandalwood on my skin.  Leaves the bathroom smelling yummy too.  I usually purchase 200gm's of soap at a time and cut them into 50g blocks for ease of use, they last longer.

Dirty  ~  Sexy Peel
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Sexy Peel - Marmalade Soap - contains Orange, Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit juices, oils and peel.  Has a lovely mild citrus aroma compared to Lush's Bohemian which is just pure lemon heaven.   Citrus is very good for reviving the senses and citrus essentials oils make you feel happy. A very good soap to use during long cold winters when you are longing for summer, as it lifts your spirits and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean.  My son reckons this soap looks like cheese, I think he's right!

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Sympathy for the Skin - This would have to be my favourite all over body lotion from Lush.  Looks and smells just like a creamy banana smoothie in a tub and once applied develops into a subtly warm sweet vanilla with just a hint of bananas.  A little goes a long way and I am surprised considering this is a light lotion, how rich and moisturising it is for dry skin.  Leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and smelling delish!

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Ro's Argan Body Conditioner - this is another product I first received as a sample and hated.   I still really don't like the smell straight from the tub but I just love what it does for my skin.  It has a very strong, overly sweet fermented aroma and I can make out the Rose, Geranium and Lemon essential oils.  Luckily for me once you rinse it off most of the smell goes too, what's left  is a pleasant floral citrus rose aroma which lasts most the day. Contains an abundance of rich moisturising ingredients such as Capuacu, Shea and Cocoa Butters as well as Argan, Almond and Brazil oils.  I would never have believed that a moisturiser you rinse off could actually leave your skin feeling as soft and hydrated as this one does.  

So that was my Lush haul, hopefully I won't forget the Lemony Flutter next time!!

Do you have any favourite Lush products that you think I would like, please leave a comment below and tell me what your favourites are.

Jac x0x

Sleek True Colour Lipstick & Pout Paint Haul

I just wanted to share some swatches with you of the Sleek lipsticks and lipstains I purchased recently.

Sleek True Colour Lipstick  ~  Peaches & Cream ~  Liqueur  ~  Coral Reef

Peaches & Cream ~  Liqueur  ~  Coral Reef

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These lipsticks are highly pigmented come in a gorgeous range of creamy full-coverage matte & sheen shades.  Has a non-drying formula which contain vitamin E to help keep your lips hydrated and protected.  Applies smoothly and doesn't feather, I am not normally a fan of lipstick but these don't dry my lips out and the lasting power is pretty good.

You can pick these up off the Sleek Website for US$6.49 each or from Lipstick Republic for AU$7.95 each.

Sleek Pout Paint  ~  Milkshake  ~  Minx  ~  Peachy Keen  

  

Milkshake  ~  Minx  ~  Peachy Keen

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Pout Paint comes in a selection of 11 shades, it is a lipstain that can be applied alone or mixed together to create your own unique shade.  Glides on easily, highly pigmented, they give full coverage and are non-sticky.  You only need a tiny amount on your finger and then apply it to your lips.  I find this product goes on best with a lip brush and then give it a few minutes to set.  Sleek recommend you top this paint with a coat of sheer lipstick or lipgloss, my favourite is to mix it with gloss, you can come up with some wonderful colour combinations.  NOTE:  I have found that the tube should be shaken before use as the paint tends to separate. 

I have discovered that Pout Paint make gorgeous cream blushes for your cheeks.   Just apply a teeny tiny amount to the tip of your finger and with a circular motion gently apply to the apples of your cheeks.  The colour is buildable but start with a small amount and work up to the shade you require.  Milkshake turns into a beautiful natural looking English Rose flush on pale skin.

You can purchase these lipstains off the Sleek Website for US$6.49 each or at Lipstick Republic for AU$9.95 each.

I hope you like my swatches.  Have your tried any Sleek Cosmetics?  Please leave a comment and let me know what your favourites are.


Jac x0x

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge-On Foundation

I have been searching for a new foundation because my old ones just don't do it for me anymore, as you get older less is more but I still need good coverage to cover redness caused by my LUPUS.

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I recently purchased this Elizabeth Arden foundation in Vanilla online.  I applied it dry, directly from the sponge included and I didn't like it.  It was thick, went on cakey, collected in my pores and creases and looked patchy and greasy after a while.  I though Sheesh I just wasted 50 bucks!! Shoved it in the TOO HARD basket and forgot about it.

I then received a sample of this foundation in Toasty Beige, which I believe is their most popular shade.  I was mucking around with my Sigma F80 brush and thought I would buff a bit of this on my face to see what it looked like.

Toasty Beige  ~  Vanilla
elizabetharden.com.au

Damn!!  Its Good!!  Toasty Beige is a little dark for me, makes me look tanned.  What I did was evenly buffed a little all over my face and then I got out my Vanilla and added a layer to places I wanted to lighten up, forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.  My skin looked great and I didn't even have to use powder to set it.

Toasty Beige  ~  Vanilla  ~  Mixed 

These swatches were applied dry for photographic reasons but you can see how thick they are, adding some moisture sheers them out but you lose none of the coverage.

The trick is, throw away the sponge and grab your favourite buff brush.  The Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki is perfect because of its short dense bristles.

Spray a little hydrating mist ( I used Kosmea hydrating rosewater mist ) to dampen the brush, swirl it through the foundation (Toasty Beige), and then buff your face.  The mist helps the foundation to blend more sheer with your skin so you don't use as much product.   Give it a few minutes to oxidise and then swirl your brush again through the foundation ( I used Vanilla this time ) and go over the areas that need extra coverage or lightening.

Toasty Beige  ~  Vanilla  ~  Mixed
All three buffed out, sorry bit fuzzy hard to photograph but you can see how sheer they get
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All my redness was gone.  I used a little extra of the Vanilla to conceal under my eyes and around my nose by patting it in with my finger.

Using a damp brush or sponge and less product makes all the difference for a perfect base.

Contains micronised diamond powder to reflect light and diminish flaws.  Very hydrating without being oily and leaves you with a healthy glow and great coverage all day.

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The sturdy Gold and Iconic Red Door Compact with a full sized mirror is just gorgeous.

I don't think I would go and buy these two separate shades again, next time I will look for a better match in-store instead of purchasing sight unseen online, usually the lightest shade is a perfect match for me.  Not this time!  That might be something you need to take into consideration before you purchase this foundation too.

Have you tried this foundation or have a favourite, do you have to mix shades for your perfect colour?   Please share and leave a comment below.

Jac x0x

Hair 2 Go Winners

Congratulations to the FOUR winners of the Hair 2 Go $30 Vouchers;

3.  collegegirldai
1.  TriedandTestedBlogger
7.  thegoldencrystals
8.  foxoduck

If you were one of the eight entrants you can check for yourself to see if you were a winner in the Random.Org Widget above, just copy and paste the line your name & number appears on below and follow the prompts.

1.  TriedandTestedBlogger
2.  mandachic84
3.  collegegirldai
4.  amber.boyce
5.  Lauren Anastasiou
6.  Cherie Montorio
7.  thegoldencrystals
8.  foxoduck

Could the four lucky winners please email me at matillyrose@gmail.com within the next 24 hours with your name and email address so your Voucher Code for an amazing $30 off your first order can be emailed to you directly from the company Hair 2 Go.

Thank you all for entering my competition and supporting my blog.

Jac x0x

Just One Word TAG

I saw this tag on Sanja's blog this week Sparkle with laughter. 

I found this to be very thought provoking and words can be so powerful.

The rule to this is that you have to answer the questions with just one word that pops into your head. 

Where is your cell phone?

Non-existent

Your partner?

Soulmate

Your hair?

Up

Your mother?

Next-door

Your father?

Lost

Your favorite material object?

Wedding-ring

Your dream from last night?

Nightmare

Your favorite drink?

Margarita

Your dream car?

Mustang

The room in which you are right now?

Bedroom.

Your ex?

Dead

Your fear?

Loss

What do you want to be in 10 years?

Here

With whom did you spend last night?

Husband

What are you not?

Two-faced

What did you do last night?

Dream

What's the last thing you did before this?

Coffee

What are you wearing?

Tracksuit

Your favorite book?

All

The last thing you ate?

Apple

Your life?

Routine

Your mood?

Sad

Your friends?

Distant

What are you thinking about right now?

Crying

What are you doing now?

Blogging

Your summer?

Starting

What's on your TV?

DVD's

The last time you laughed?

Friday

The last time you cried?

Now

School?

Work

What are you listening to?

Birds

Your favorite weekend activity?

Sleeping

Dream job?

Shopping

Your computer?

HP

Just outside your window?

Garden

Beer?

English

Mexican food?

Ring-O-Fire.

Winter?

Boots!!

Religion?

Faith

Vacation?

Huh??

On your bed?

Eeyore

Love?

Found 

If you would like to do this TAG please leave a comment below so I can come read your answers.

Jac x0x

Makeup & Hay Fever

When the Wattle blooms Spring is just around the corner.

Spring has Sprung and Hay fever Season is upon us!  Three out of Five members of my family 

suffer from hay fever including Miserable Me.  Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to 

pollen released seasonally from trees, grass, weeds, flowers, fungi and mold spores.  

Common symptoms include, sneezing, itchy watering eyes, blocked/running nose, 

itchy throat and sinus pressure/headaches.

A few tips I would like to pass on to you all to help minimise your symptoms are;

-  speak to your doctor or chemist about treatment, a combination of medication 
   tailored to your symptoms works best ie, anti-histamine tablets, nasal spray 
   and eye drops.
-  start taking hayfever remedies two weeks before the season starts to 
   lessen symptoms.
-  a spoonful of locally produced honey every day helps build immunity 
   (all year round).
-  keep windows and doors closed, switch to recycle on your air-conditioning in 
   the house and car.
-  protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses, keep your hair tied up and wear a hat 
   outside, hair is a great pollen catcher!
-  whilst outside, coat the inside of your nose with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, 
   it helps prevent pollen entering the nasal passages.
-  eliminate fermented foods ie:  alcohol, yeast, cheese, yoghurt, mushrooms, 
   pickles, olives, dried and processed foods.
-  eliminate Histimine releasing food 
   (they release histimine when you eat them causing reactions) ie;
   Chocolate, Bananas, Strawberries, Pineapple, Eggs, Milk, Fish, Shellfish 
   and Alcohol.

Unfortunately for me makeup isn't an option when I am having a really bad day.  Less is best on days like this so I don't end up looking like a Hung-Over Panda.   My red itchy eyes drive me crazy and I just have to rub them making it impossible to wear any kind of mascara.

Clinique all about eyes rich - Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer
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Here are a few tips that work for me, during hayfever season and less is definitely best especially round the eyes.

-  regularly apply cold eye packs to calm red puffy eyes, cold soaked chamomile or 
   green tea bags kept in the fridge work great.
-  apply a good eye cream like Clinique's All About The Eyes to reduce puffiness 
   and dark circles
-  have your lashes dyed so you don't need to wear mascara.
-  reduce exposure to irritations from your skincare and makeup routine by going 
   hypo-allergenic ie;  Almay, Clinique, Covergirl, Maybelline, Neutrogena, Revlon, 
   Clarins, Physician's Formula all have hypo-allergenic lines.
-  apply a good face primer like Clarins Smooth Perfecting Touch, so you can wear 
   less makeup (I use this on my eyelids with no irritation before I apply eye shadow).

Almay intense i-color trio for browns - Almay get up & grow mascara - Almay for green eyes
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-  wear waterproof mascara to lessen chances of it smudging, flaking and 
   falling into your eyes.
-  wear cream eyeshadow, less chance of it falling into your eyes and 
   causing irritation
-  stay clear of loose powders, I prefer to stick to liquid foundation and 
   cream blush, NO face powder!
-  wear less on your eyes while accentuating your lips with a bright lipstick.
-  ALWAYS remember to completely remove ALL your makeup at night.

Dr. Lewinn's Skin Perfect - Revlon Nearly Naked ~ IVORY
VIVO Lipstick ~ TANGTASTIC - VIVO Colour Lip Crayon ~ SWEET DREAMS
VIVO Cheeky Cream Blusher ~ BLOOM
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Well these are little things that help me get through the hay fever season, I would love to hear what tips you have so please leave a comment below I would love to hear from you.

Jac x0x

When Beauty isn't so Important

I have never felt so helpless in my life than watching those I love the most grieve.

My husband's Grandmother passed away in August and left my husband absolutely devastated.   It brought up many deeply buried emotions for him as it was his mother's mother and he lost his mother when he was 17.  At the funeral his mother was mentioned many times and each time I could see my husband crumble and slump to the point that I was having to hold him up, the pain etched a little deeper on his face.

The past two weeks my twin sons have been dealing with Suicide.   At 13 years old this is not an easy topic for me as their mother to discuss but Suicide is something that all parents SHOULD discuss with their children.  One of my boys best friends tried to take his own life due to bullying and ended up in hospital, what makes this even more difficult is that their friends father took his own life 7 years ago.

  

This has had quite an effect on my boys and brought up emotions in them that they have found very difficult to cope with.  Trying to understand why their friend would want to die has been a very difficult subject to discuss with them, it has left them on an emotional rollercoaster alternating between sadness and anger.  We have made many trips to the hospital to visit and I think it has been very healing for them all.  

I lost three male friends to suicide whilst I was growing up and being the mother of four children it is a fear that flickers in the back of my mind at times.  Suicide is a common cause of death in teenagers, especially in men between the ages of 15 and 24.  If you know anyone who you think might be at risk there are professionals you can turn to for help.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

SuicideLine 1300 651 251

You don't have to be a trained professional to be able to help, just being a good listener and a friend by offering emotional and practical support can make all the difference.

Yesterday I received the news that my ex-husband and father of two of my children, had gone to sleep and didn't wake up the next morning.  He was only 51 years young.  Watching my children's grief would have to be the most difficult thing I have ever witnessed and if I could take away their pain, I would do it in a heartbeat.  All I can do is hold them and allow their raw emotions to wash over me and hope that my love is enough to see them through.

I ask all my readers to please pray for my family and send us positive energy, we could really use it right now.

I am sending out LOVE & STRENGTH to all my readers and if there is anything happening in your life and you need to talk please reach out to a friend.

EVERYONE IS WANTED BY SOMEONE

Jac x0x