RACHEL FOX FRAZIER

30 Before 30

5/11/2020

- Get a puppy

- Research buying a home / buy first house

- Out of the country

- Cruise more

- Pay off student loan

- Pay off car

- Hit specific savings goal

- See Grand Canyon

- Visit Las Vegas

- Buy a better camera

- Keep pursing career goals

- Visit family more

- Kiddos (?)

- Take a trip with friends

- Visit an amusement park we’ve never been to

- Focus on bodies well

- Go on a road trip

- Create Combine YouTube Channel (?)

- Go on more weekend road trips to cities near us

- Explore outdoors more

- Host a LEGIT dinner party (or 10 teehee)

- Become more politically aware

- Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

- Embrace and maintain a healthy lifestyle

- Visit the West coast

- Pay for another couple's (strangers) meal

- Do more for our community

- Plan 30th Birthday Trip or Party

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Skin Care Favorites

5/9/2020

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I've been wanting to share some of my favorite products, but I couldn't only share my own! I enlisted two of my faves to help me (thanks again, Nanc & Jimmy)!

A few products in my latest video that we love include Lancome's Vitamin C Concentrate, Origins overnight moisture mask, Kiehl's facewash and moisturizer, Isle of Paradise (Dark) Tanning Drops, imPress Nails and a cult favorite, Thayers Toner.

Click on the photo to shop all the products that were mentioned!

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20 Drinks When You’re Sick of Ordering Coffee at Starbucks

1/30/2020

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If you know me, you know I don’t really enjoy coffee. So I decided to help you out for the days when you’re not really feeling your usual coffee order...

Iced Green Tea Lemonade
London Fog
Vanilla Chai Latte
S’mores Frappuccino
Matcha Latte
Pink Drink
Strawberry Refresher (with Lemonade)
Cinnamon Bun Hot Chocolate
White Guava Tea Lemonade
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
Soy Milk Smoothie
Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino
Purple Drink
Orange Mango Juice (with vanilla bean powder and a splash of coconut milk)
Iced Passion Tango Tea (with soy milk instead of water, and vanilla syrup)
Citrus Berry Passion Refresher
Blueberry Acai Refresher with Lemonade
Birthday Cake Frappuccino
White Chocolate Cinnamon Chai Latte
Nutella Frappuccino

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Let Me Order for You: Knoxville

1/14/2020

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I’ve decided to continue my series called, “Let Me Order for You”! Consider it my restaurant suggestions to you if you were to ever spend 24-hours in a city. And today we’re talking about the city of Knoxville! I moved to Knoxville approximately 3 years ago & I am beyond thankful for the college-town/small city vibe! With that being said, there are still a lot of places I have yet to eat at, however -- I’m going to point out some city favorites! If I missed any, feel free to comment or tell me which ones I’ve missed.
**Disclaimer… I realize that it is unrealistic for anyone to eat this much food, but I wanted to get my all my two-cents in** Anyways! Let’s begin!
MORNING TEA/COFFEE: Remedy Coffee or KBrew or Honey Bee or Vienna. I truly cannot decide -- the more the merrier!
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH: The Plaid Apron. Maple Street Biscuit Company. OR Ruby Sunshine. These places are so yummy and each have distinct flavor and style to their restaurants! Ruby Sunshine recently opened in Market Square, (which is prime real estate for any shop or restaurant in Knoxville) and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down! This place puts a creol twist on your average breakfast food! I highly recommend getting a side of “Pig Candy Bacon” -- you’re welcome.
LUNCH: Stock and Barrel. Definitely one of the most highly-suggested places to eat in knoxville. S&B are known for their gourmet burgers. Definitely be willing to wait up to 45 minutes for a table, or go during off time, but definitely make it a priority to go! Or hit up Myrtle’s Chicken + Beer. There are actually two locations for this restaurant, one is a drive through and the other is downtown. GO TO THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION (please do not go to the drive-thru location)!! Obviously order chicken there, but also be sure to try their plethora of unique dipping sauces.
AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP: Sweet P’s has great BBQ, but the Banana pudding is life-changing.
DINNER: Connor’s Steak & Seafood is DELICIOUS and bit on the pricier side, but it’s so good! And if you’re not feeling that, I suggest Chesapeake's Seafood House out of this world seafood, Nama for fresh sushi, or Cafe 4 for southern-style comfort food with an eclectic twist.
DESSERT: CRUZE FARM DAIRY. THAT IS ALL. THANK YOU.
LATE NIGHT SNACK: Makers Donuts is returning to Knoxville sometime in 2020 (we were on a break), and everyone is PUMPED. They not only have gourmet donuts, but they’re usually open very late so you can get your late night sweet fix!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some of my fave Knoxville spots (so far)! If you ever have a friend traveling to Knoxville and they’re asking for food recommendations, use this as a friendly, little guide!

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Self Assessment of 2019 & Looking at 2020

1/11/2020

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I usually post twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays (I’ll get back into the swing of things next week), but this year has started off super busy and has been super self reflective. I found this personal, self-assessment on Brighton Keller’s website and thought it might be beneficial to assess myself, privately. I think self reflection is needed and is so important to properly get the most out of the next year. Again, this self assessment is from Brighton Keller, but I’ve trimmed it down and added my own questions, and added a “Spiritual” section as well. On this assessment you’ll see different questions attached to specific categories. If you’re looking for a tool that will help you self-reflect and plan for the future, I highly recommend this list of questions! Let’s get started...
PERSONAL – SUCCESSES

Personal accomplishment that made you feel best in 2019? And what aspect of it made it feel so good?
Did you do it for yourself or others? Was it attached to a moral?
Did you feel completely satisfied with it when it was over? And are you able to replicate that this next year?

PERSONAL – FAILURES

List 3-5 personal experiences that made you feel the worst in 2019? Then consider, what aspect of them made it feel so bad?
Were these experiences/failures things you could have controlled? If so, identify any lessons you can learn from the experiences? If not, what are some boundaries you can set in place that might stop this from happening again?

PERSONAL – GROWTH

What’s a dream of yours that you still want to accomplish? What do you feel is missing from your life?
If you had to imagine your BEST self, what would she/he look like? How would your best self spend their entire day from start to finish? What can you do to implement that in your life this year, or what do you need to eliminate to help you become that person?
What’s on your bucket list? Can you do something to cross one of those things off in 2020? Can you start planning for it right now?
What are your STRENGTHS? (We’re digging into strengths specifically for “career”, so consider your strengths such as: follow through, tenacity, social skills, communication skills, thoughtfulness, compassion, patience, enthusiasm, creativity, trustworthiness, honesty, engaging, dedication, analytical, curious, etc.)
What are my WEAKNESSES? What are my biggest distractions from being my best self? (Consider things like your focus, commitment, fear of missing out, listening skills, follow through, ability to balance multiples pressures, response to pressure, procrastination, articulation, communication and interpersonal skills, confrontation, admitting fault, etc.)

SPIRITUAL

How has God become more real to me this past year? What is one characteristic of God He kept showing me this year?
What am I holding onto from years past that I need to give to God this year? What/who is keeping me from a closer relationship with God? Why is it a struggle to give it/them up? What am I afraid will happen if I surrender and let go?
Are you truly content with where God has you in life? What does true surrender in every part of your life look like?
What would you like to learn more about this upcoming year when it comes to God and the Bible? How are you planning on gaining that knowledge?
How are you actively trying to spread Jesus to others? What good does you being saved do for anyone else if you’re the only one that benefits from it? What’s one way this year you can actively share Jesus with those around you? What’s one way you can step outside of your comfort zone & share Jesus with those around you?

CAREER - if you are still in school, sub out “career” or “job” for “school”, “major”, “class” (or whatever word applies -- think generally).

What aspect of your job do you like? What about your job do you find most satisfying? What excites you about it? What makes you feel productive and like you’re getting a lot done?
What aspect(s) of your job do you dislike the most? Specifically, what tasks do you not like doing? (List 3-5 things you can’t stand doing or that lead to procrastination).
What is the culture, value system, and mission statement of your current company/employer? Does your personality match up with the tasks and culture of the company? Why or why not?
Do you feel empowered in your job? Why or why not? Do you see how the work you do makes a difference to the success of the company? Do you feel passionate about making that difference? Why or why not?
List any specific accomplishments or positive feedback you received over the past year. What makes you different from others on your team or in your office (or in your industry)? How can you better focus on your strengths?
What are your biggest struggles at work? In other words, which tasks to you feel take you longer and feel less productive? Is there a way to delegate or shift responsibility so you can focus on your strengths? It’s much more productive to do what you’re good at (and spend more time doing that) than try to FORCE or FIX something your weaknesses. We all bring something different to the table.

RELATIONSHIPS

Name the people in your life that you enjoy seeing (and rarely cancel on):
Name the people in your life that you don’t feel your best around (or usually want to cancel on):
Why are you still hanging out with people from the above question? It’s likely out of guilt, loyalty, or worries that they’re cool or you think that they give value to some ego part of your life. What would happen if you cut them from your life? Is it so bad? Why aren’t you hanging out with the people from the first question more? How can you prioritize them better into your schedule? Make a commitment to doing so and be specific about when you will do it, ideas for WHAT y’all will do together and how you can spend more time with them.
Who in your life do you respect the most? What aspects do you respect? How can you pick up some of those aspects in your own life?
Do you have a mentor in your life? Who are some older people in your life that you look up to? What do you like about them? Maybe you can ask one of them to start

MONEY

How do you feel about your current financial situation? Overwhelmed? Confident? Consider your overall income and lifestyle expenses in relation to your spending, budgeting, and saving for short and long term.
CONSIDER YOUR INCOME- this will depend on whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, but reflect on how your income affects your lifestyle and/or whether you feel like it’s holding you back.
CONSIDER SHORT & LONG-TERM SAVINGS – Contributing to your short and long term savings is usually closely tied to your commitment to budgeting or consistently setting money aside. List the things you ARE saving for and those you want to START saving for. Consider retirement, home ownership, personal investments, taxes, travel & vacation,gifts for others, accidents and unexpected expenses, etc.
GIVING – I’ve found that I am much better at giving when I PLAN for it. Considering your income and personal expenses, figure out how much you’re willing and wanting to save If it’s important to you, make sure you set up a system to make it happen.
What are you most stressed about? (List 3-5 major financial stresses right now). What can you do each week to make your financial situation more confident?
What’s on your monthly bank statement that you can (should) remove from your life?

Hopefully this has helped you reflect on this past year & plan for 2020 in a new way!

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3 NEW YEARS EVE ALTERNATIVES

12/26/2019

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I'm just going to say it...you don't nee alcohol to have the best time ever on New Year's Eve. In 2017 a study was done that concluded that 40% of deadly crashes involve drunk drivers, and more pedestrians are killed on NYE and NYD than any other day of the year. I'm not trying to scare, but trying to encourage you to be smart & safe during your plans for the New Year. Here are 3 NYE alternatives that ensure you still have a great time with your friends.

HOST A DINNER & GAME NIGHT // Invite your friends over for a late dinner around 7 or 8! Have a full three course meal with a cute NYE theme. Then after you finish dinner, throw on Dick’s NYE Party in the background on the TV, and whip out a stack of your favorite party games!
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY // If you and your friends love to move, grab your friends and go line dancing for the night! OR you can make your own playlist, throw on your colored lights, move the furniture, and dance the night away on your living room floor!
MOVIE MARATHON WITH YOUR PALS // You don’t have to stay at home for this! Instead of opting for a night in, plan a strategic night to movie-hop at the theatre! As soon as one movie ends, have another to pop into! Also, plan to bring snacks (or money for snacks) accordingly. Maybe you’ll get snacks for the first movie, and your friends get snacks for the other movies. This is a great way to stay occupied while also not being bored at home - just make sure to bring your blue light glasses!

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21 Affordable dresses Under $100 That You Can Wear to Winter Weddings

12/24/2019

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I've complied some ~cUtE~ dresses that you might want to snag for this winter wedding season! Click the picture or description for links to the products! (sorry if all the dresses look the same! teehee :] ) ~eNjOy~

- Shift checked ruffle neck // $90
- Yellow corduroy button front // $90
- Tweed button pocket // $90

- Maroon floral // $25
- Mock Turtleneck Knit Mini // $25
- Red jumpsuit // $30

- Cheetah midi // $69
- Plaid long sleeve // $69
- Green velvet maxi // $76

- Tie shoulder lace baby doll // $99
- Flower wrap dress // $69
- Puff sleeve mini dress // $79

- Blossom button-up // $70
- Light pink babydoll // $68
- Red ponte knit midi // $99

- Floral long sleeve minidress // $50
- Elbow sleeve midi rust colored // $59
- Long sleeve button maxi // $98

- Tan turtleneck ribbed midi // $85
- Metallic long-sleeve // $55
- Long sleeve velvet midi dress // $65

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3 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE VACATION THAT YOU’LL THANK YOURSELF FOR

12/19/2019

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CLEAN YOUR HOUSE // I can’t tell you the amount of stress this gives me beforehand. You have to get your itinerary together, pack your family, AND THEN DO THIS?! And my answer is yes, I promise it’s worth it. It doesn’t have to be stressful. If you know you’re going on vacation at the end of the month, plan out what you can clean or pickup every day for 10 minutes. Set your timer and then pick up and work as much as you can -- you’ll be surprised. It’s easier to pack, you’ll have your laundry done, and you’re less likely to forget something if everything is in its proper spot. BUT THE BEST FEELING OF ALL… is when you come home from a wild vacation and a packed day of traveling, and YOUR HOUSE IS CLEAN. It’s the most glorious feeling and I promise that as soon as you do this for one trip, you will want to do it for the rest of them!
PLASTIC BAGS // It sounds weird, but I’ve tried it and it works!! Plan out your outfits, get a gallon bag, put said outfits into gallon bag. Do this for you, your husband, and definitely your kids. It will take extra work beforehand that seems ridiculous, but you’ll be prepared like you’ve never experienced. It’ll be a no brainer to get up and get everyone, including yourself dressed. And as far as dirty clothes go, you can just pop the dirty clothes back into the gallon bag -- it’s fool-proof!
FRIDGE CLEAN OUT // And by this I simply mean to be cognizant of what’s in your fridge like 2 weeks out and leading up to your trip. I’m convinced there are few worse things than wasted groceries. So be smart. Don’t buy a gallon of milk that will expire during your absence. If you have hummus that is going to expire while your gone, eat it for a snack. If you have a couple fresh veggies that still need to be used, chop them up, drizzle olive oil, and pop them in the oven -- don’t waste what you have! I promise this is also a smart idea because you don’t want critters to invade your home. AND you don’t want your house smelling when you come back! *Also a free piece of unnumbered advice: empty all your trash before leaving too!*

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Let Me Order for You: Tampa

12/17/2019

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Being a Florida native has always been one of my pride and joys, but I really didn’t know that about myself until I moved 2 states away. Tampa, specifically was my hometown for 22 years, so needless to say… I’ve seen this city go through it’s foodie highs and lows -- remember when we had 17 fro-yo places? Yeah, me too, still weird to me. ANYWAYS, I’ve decided to start a cute little series called “Let Me Order for You”! Consider it my restaurant suggestions to you if you were to ever spend 24-hours in a city. And today we’re talking about the city of Tampa! **Disclaimer… I realize that it is unrealistic for anyone to eat this much food, but I wanted to get my all my two-cents in** Anyways! Let’s begin!

MORNING TEA/COFFEE: The Lab or Foundation or King State or Buddy Brew. I truly cannot decide, and that is okay with me. Options are our friend.
BREAKFAST: Oxford Exchange. This place is overpriced for sure, but it’s an EXPERIENCE. Everything is so perfectly crafted and the instagram-worthy content you’ll get around every corner is worth it to most. This place is boujee and grand, and I genuinely think you need to eat here, or just walk into the building.
BRUNCH (or what the Hobbits call “second breakfast”): Daily Eats. I literally have never had a bad meal here. If you like tater tots, get the tater hater as an app to share. For my entree, I usually get the buffalo chicken rice bowl and it’s very yummy, but again, I’ve never had anything that I wish I never ordered. *also weird side-note: they have unique milkshakes, so that could be fun.* Or you can go to Datz -- american food done unique, but oh, so right.
LUNCH: Capital Taco. Try a bunch of different tacos & make sure you get the chips and queso, I’m getting physically distraught right now knowing I won’t be able to have them anytime soon. Or hit up Armature Works. This place isn’t actually a place… well it is, but it’s basically a redone train station that now has a bunch of restaurants inside of it and a large open room for seating! This place is super aesthetic, intentional and has a lot of options.
AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP: Blind Tiger Cafe (Ybor location) for coffee & then hop over to Hyppo (Ybor location) right down the street for gourmet popsicles and very friendly service.
DINNER: Berns Steakhouse is quite literally world-renowned, so order whatever you want. Also it’s fancy and very expensive… just letting you know. And if you’re not feeling that, I suggest Roux for a well done french-cajun-southern meal, Ulele for visually appealing, fusion food, or Columbia Restaurant to get authentic Spanish and Cuban dishes, this place is a Tampa tradition.
DESSERT: Literally after you get a steak at Berns, go upstairs to the Berns Dessert Room -- the Bananas Foster is life-changing. And if you don’t want to go to the same place, try Wright’s Gourmet House. I promise you will not be disappointed.
LATE NIGHT SNACK: Jeremiah’s. Some people will say Bahama Bucks is better, but those people are wrong. Cookie butter is my favorite flavor.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some of my fave Tampa spots! If I missed some of your favorite places, let me know in the comments below! & if you ever have a friend traveling to Tampa and asking for food recommendations, use this as a friendly, little guide!

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10 THINGS YOUR HAIRSTYLIST WISHES YOU KNEW

12/12/2019

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I do not get my hair done, like the most I ever get done is a 3-4 inch chop every year, so I am definitely no expert to talk about this! BUT I knew that haircare and going to the salon are things everyone has to do and a topic most people can relate to. SO, I asked my friend Mel, who is a hairstylist, if she could give me at least 3 tips for people to know, and BOY -- she gave me more than that! She dished out tea that you wish you would have known sooner and she literally wrote this whole entire blog & for that, I am thankful!
(Side-note: when I read through these I was like YIKES. I am so low maintenance with my hair and yet I STILL have done some of these things! BUT these things are not said to make anyone feel bad or anything like that, these are just a list of things for you to know that might make life easier on you and your hair gal pal). SO without further adieu, MELODY COKER ON 10 THINGS YOUR HAIRSTYLIST WISHES YOU KNEW….

1. Being late to your appointment is actually a big deal.
More specifically if you show up 15 or more minutes late, we will run behind the rest of the day and we have more people after you to take care of. Hairstylists typically work on 15 minute intervals which is why showing up “late” is actually a big deal. So plan ahead and be on time to your appointment.

2. Texting or scrolling on your phone is totally okay. Taking a phone call…not so much.
When you take a phone call during your service it makes it more challenging for us to do our job. We do not want to work around your phone and it takes time away from us finishing your service, and the last thing we want to do is sound rude and tell you to put it away.

3. Be HONEST about your hair history!
Being honest about what color/chemical services, previous cuts, and past/current products you use is crucial information that hairstylists need to know! We don't care that you boxed dyed your hair at home last month, we need you to tell us so that we can set up realistic expectations and goals for your hair journey with us. False or withheld information about your hair can jeopardize your hair.

4. Not everyone can have the same color transformation as Kim Kardashian.
This meaning that not everyone can be platinum blonde - or some other unrealistic expectation. Sure Kim K manages to rock it, but she also spends well over $3k to get that look, spending half or more of her day to achieve it. We want to make you happy, but a hairstylist’s main concern is not your feelings - it is the integrity of your hair that we care most about in this situation. So it’s not us trying to be mean or tell you false information, because trust me the stylist that told you she can give you that look in one day for less than $250 is lying. Setting realistic expectations for your hair is so important.

5. You truly do get what you pay for!
A good quality hairstyle isn't always cheap. Understand that we as stylists apprehend having a beauty budget, however, going “cheap” is never worth it and you end up paying more for it later to have it ﬁxed by a good quality stylist. If you need to have a set beauty budget, just ask your stylist what options you have - believe me we would be happy to discuss that with you. There is a reason things cost as much as they do. A good stylist puts in the time and continuing education to ensure the greatest quality and results for all guests.

6. No-Showing your appointment actually hurts us financially.
When a stylist doesn't have a guest in their chair, they do not get paid. This is why no-showing or canceling last minute is one of the worst things you can do to your stylist. When this happens there is no way to get that spot filled with something else, and most likely we have already configured how much we were going to make that day to add it to our paycheck. Literally having a person in our chair is our bread and butter. Most salons now send reminders of your appointment by either text, call or email a few says prior giving you plenty of opportunities to reschedule ahead of time if need be. As soon as you know you won’t make it in, call and reschedule - don't just assume we are still getting paid.

7. Why is pre-booking so important?
Pre-booking is imperative and we stylists will stress the issue with you often because you are not guaranteed your next appointment at a time that works best for you! It is always best to schedule your next one to two appointments before you leave to ensure proper care for your hair and so we as stylists can maximize our time together, versus “trying to squeeze you in” and everyone getting stressed out about it.

8. Yes, we are also therapist. No, we do not mind it.
We love to hear about your life and want you to have a safe place to discuss your life events. Or even if you just want some quiet “me” time while getting pampered. We are here for you and want you to know that if you need advice, a sounding board, or for us to be quiet - we love that you want to share those things with us.

9. Should I tip my stylist?
If you were satisﬁed, absolutely you should! Your stylist worked very hard to make sure you look and feel your best. How much you ask? Truthfully the average is anywhere from 15-25% of the total service received. Entirely your call on how you want to deliver that! The real secret to tipping: it pays to take care of your stylist. Honestly, when you tip well and take care of your stylist - you get more perks because we will go above and beyond for you!

10. The dirty secret to good hair products…
Many people wonder why hairstylists try to get you to go home with that fancy shampoo and those styling products. Reason being is NOT because we are trying to make more money off of you. As a matter of fact we make very little from product sales. We want you to leave with those good quality products because we believe in the product and want what is best for you and your hair. Believe it or not, but buying the good quality products from your stylist make your expensive color job last SO MUCH LONGER. Even if you don't get color at all, that shampoo your stylist suggested for you is what she believes will be best for your hair in order for your hair to look its best. (P.S. the drug/grocery store does not know what is best for your hair). After all, why would you not invest in the products that will keep your hair healthy and at its best when you just invested in a luxury service?

We hope you've enjoyed these tips, tricks, secrets, and suggestions about all the things for your next visit to the salon! Hope you have a great & happy hair day :)

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All Things Lifestyle

30 Before 30

Skin Care Favorites

20 Drinks When You’re Sick of Ordering Coffee at Starbucks

Let Me Order for You: Knoxville

Self Assessment of 2019 & Looking at 2020

3 NEW YEARS EVE ALTERNATIVES

21 Affordable dresses Under $100 That You Can Wear to Winter Weddings

I've complied some ~cUtE~ dresses that you might want to snag for this winter wedding season! Click the picture or description for links to the products! (sorry if all the dresses look the same! teehee :] ) ~eNjOy~

3 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE VACATION THAT YOU’LL THANK YOURSELF FOR

Let Me Order for You: Tampa

10 THINGS YOUR HAIRSTYLIST WISHES YOU KNEW

We hope you've enjoyed these tips, tricks, secrets, and suggestions about all the things for your next visit to the salon! Hope you have a great & happy hair day :)

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