FEELIN' FESTIVE [12]

DEC. 28

CHEERS TO DAY 12 OF FEELIN' FESTIVE!

Even though today wraps up my feelin' festive posts, I'm only getting started with the good that is to come for balm beauty blog. To all who read my blog, I consider you a friend. Thank you for logging on & staying balm throughout 2015. I can promise you that this incoming year is going to be full of wonderful things for Balm Beauty Blog.

Even though it's only been a year since this blog has been born, I must say that the amount of lovely & kind comments along the way have been felt. I've always wanted to blog about beauty, but am also happy that I can write about lifestyle & a million different other things.

In which is why I gave my blog a whole new look to celebrate & ring in the new year with a fresh face:

I hope some shades of rose quartz & serenity bid you well!

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 11 ]

DEC. 27

The after Christmas blues are too real. It's the time when you've either lost your temporary holiday job, shopped & saw the uglies of humanity with your gift cards in one hand & returns in another or your bank account is in the negative zone. It's around this time you start writing down New Year's resolutions that you know you won't keep. It's today you ask yourself, "What did I accomplish in 2015?" & "Where did the time go?!" I'm feeling all of the above currently & feelin' festive was out of the question.

However, my family decided to extend Christmas this year. We decided that gift giving was to be extended, the Christmas lights were to remain on & the tree was to stand tall. I sat down with a pen & paper & wrote the pro's of 2015. The con's were things I already knew, it's the negative moments that know how to sleethe their way into the forefront of our minds. I'll save the pro's & con's for another day, but making that list let me realize a lot of things- I accomplished a lot. I did everything I truly needed to do.

With that being said, I felt in a more festive mood & decided that Christmas should never really end- & when you work retail during the holidays you don't fully get to appreciate festivities. So, I'll spend today drinking hot chocolate & watch elf- while putting up my purple Christmas tree that I finally found in the garage a couple days ago.

Keep the festive spirit alive-

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 10 ]

DEC. 16

Tea lately has been my jam- I bought my first tea maker the other day for brewing Teavana tea's since they're loose leaf. I know I've raved about it already, but you don't understand. it's changed my life. The reasoning, honestly I was just so impressed by it's quick & strong delivery of tea. It's definitely not overrated.

Sometimes, my late night pick me up is at Starbucks- the Teavana peach tranquility tea. It is the best cure for the most sleepless of nights. My suggestion is walking into your local Starbucks & buying loose leaf tea in the tin. I'm thinking of doing this because the amount of money I pour [ pun intended ] into everyday cups of tea versus a tin of my own is huge difference in math, ya feel? I also bought some tea the other day from Teavana & felt all the feels. I love their holiday blended tea selections on a spiritual level.

Overall, think twice about your morning coffee. I know I'll never detach myself from its grasp, but tea is such a great compromise & tastes lovely. Teavana is definitely my cup of tea.

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 9 ]

DEC. 15

mo·ment [noun]- a brief period of time.

How I love to travel. I don't know if it's just me, but I just love taking long drives to soak in alone time. Lately when life seems super crazy, it's so nice to just find that solitude.

I took this pic above while making a stop on the 99 Sunday as I sipped on a nice black coffee. Traveling to LA is always the best, even when you got to work later in the day. Life has been super fast paced lately, so I deeply appreciate moments I get to spend soaking in life. Especially with good friends.

Overall, I'm hopeful for more moments like that. Although, I come to realize that you have to make a point to make those moments if you truly want to soak in life. Sometimes you have to just close your eyes, clear your mind & live fully in the moment- even if it's just a brief period of time. Soak in life.

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 8 ]

DEC. 13

mem·o·ry [noun]- the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information

I truly believe Stacy London would be proud of me. Why? Because I literally went through all my clothes & got rid of 85% of my wardrobe. Am I crazy? Possibly. Especially considering clothing is so expensive- well, to me at least.

I decided I want 2016 to be filled with new beginnings, new chapters & more simplistic living. Simplistic living meaning not holding on to a sweater just for the memory of it. My personal philosophy that has taken me a long time to understand is when you let an item dictate the memory, the memory has lost it's purest meaning. A memory is best described above. My super harsh question I asked myself was, "If your keeping an item just to remember that memory, then is that memory all that important to you"?

I didn't have as hard of a time with other items & their departure. It was mainly my clothes. I couldn't understand why at first, & then it really dawned on me. Clothes are my security blanket. I mean, they're clothes, c'mon. Yes, they're just clothes, but I had to realize that holding on to clothes I wish I could fit into or wearing clothes because it's baggy & comfortable needed to be nipped into the bud. I've learned that you can't waste time wishing, you have to make it happen. You can waste time talking about something you want to achieve either, you got to just go for it.

I'm not saying keeping a few items that are sentimental are terrible, of course not. It's just when you get to a place where everything you're hoarding in your closet is making you feel unfashionably depressed that you have to reevaluate yourself.

Trust me, It wasn't easy. It was hard. I may have shed a tear or two- but it's so nice to not have to manage so many pointless items that you don't need anymore. If you're feeling nostalgic & can't let go of something, cherish that memory & write it down in a journal. Take a pic of that specific shirt. You think I'm kidding, I'm not boo. Seriously, you do you. We're all different.

Cheers to festivities & the almost new year that is upon us.

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 7 ]

DEC. 12

pur·pose [noun]- the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists

So today we can officially start the 12 days of Christmas countdown with a BANG! I woke up feeling refreshed & stoked to collect some stickers for the Starbucks for life giveaway. If you swipe your gold card everyday or use the app, definitely check out your own personal starbs for life gameboard. I'm crossing my fingers & holding my breath for a chance to win starbucks for life. Yes, my whole family thinks I'm a weirdo for being so into this. Oh well, I seriously love giveaways.

Anywho, the pic above could perfectly describe my life currently. It seems as if I'm always swinging my car door wide open & crammin' it with coffee. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember days that felt unfulfilling though. There's just something about being on a mission, socializing & staying busy that somehow makes you feel like you have worth & purpose.

Today I remember that my worth & purpose is not only to get through my crazy filled coffee-high days alive, but that I serve Jesus as well. Today I remember that He's a good, good Father. Despite all holiday madness, I will look to Him- because friends, He's actually the whole reason for Christ·mas. I know I'm going to sound cliché, but let us not focus on our perf white Christmas tree, gold ornament themed, crazy holiday extravaganza.

Remember the purpose of this season today friends..

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 6 ]

DEC. 8

Today was good. I worked & then worked some more. Generally I enjoy retail. I like seeing new faces & the ability to recognize someone. 

Retail though, it gets crazy. There are moments when you doubt yourself. You keep pressing through though. You don't even stop to process it. You just keep going, keep smiling & keep being kind no matter what. 

Well, today I was in the middle of a huge transaction & had a random person next to them kindly smile at me & say, "You're doing awesome; keep up the good work". In that moment, I can't even begin to explain to you how much that meant to me. To have a customer stop & tell you that means a lot. She didn't have to. In fact, I wasn't even the one who checked her out. She just stopped what she was doing, and made a point to be be kind.

Today I'm feelin' good. I'm feelin' like I got this. I'm also feelin' like Gods got this. So next time you're in line wherever you are, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is valuing an associate. Just keepin' it real yo- spread da love.

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 5 ]

DEC 5

grate·ful- feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful

Hello friends. Today I rushed out the door w/ a coffee mug in my hand sloshing all about as I skittered across the lawn headed for work. I know, run on sentence- those seem to sum up my life as of recent. I wouldn't trade my life for the world though, I love the opportunities & work I get to do each day.

I woke up feeling exhausted, but was reminded to be grateful. As I sit here at the end of my long, rushed, crazy day, I go to bed feeling blessed. A positive attitude reaps more than you could imagine- just hold on tight. Ready, set, go.

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 4 ]

DEC 4

Let me start off by saying I love coffee. I live it & breath it- but I couldn't help but try Teavana's holiday tea blends in passing the other day & fell in love. So, I got a tin of a holiday tea blended white chocolate peppermint & legit realized the only way I could truly enjoy loose leaf tea is if I buy the right teapot to brew it, ya know? Well, today I found myself staring at the perfect tea maker by teavana & had to get it.

I am now in love with tea because of this well thought out contraption of a teapot. A big + as well is the price tag, it's only $20! So yeah. I'm feeling just a little extra merry tonight holding my teavana holiday blended tea by the perfect tea maker.

STAY BALM & FESTIVE

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 3 ]

DEC 3

dar·ling (noun) - used as an affectionate form of address to a beloved person.

My favorite magazine ever would have to be darling magazine. I cannot even begin with how much respect I have for a company that doesn't retouch any photos, embraces artistry & publishes incredible pieces. You could say that this company is beloved by me & that I can't stop & won't stop loving it. It's marvelous, really.

If you haven't checked them out yet, do so! Also, follow darling on Instagram to check out their 12 days of cheer. I know for sure I'll be participating & post my #12daysofdarling.

What do you find darling?

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 2 ]

DEC II 

Currently I am holding my phone typing out this blog post under the softest & warmest blanket ever because it's F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G outside. Some of you fellow bloggers might chuckle at that statement, as I do live in California & it's not like there's a chance of snow or anything. Although I somewhat wish there was... I have a mixed relationship w/ cold weather. 

However, the number one best part of winter time is all the blazers, coats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, beanies & leg warmers you can pile on yourself. Yes, I was fashionably bred for the east coast bone chilling winters due to my excessive amount of layering- & yes, I did just say leg warmers. 

I was STOKED when I saw leg warmers at target the other day. They are officially making another comeback, which makes the fashion world go 'round. Well, to me at least. #bringbacklegwarmers

STAY BALM- or, er, WARM

Hannah Ruth

FEELIN' FESTIVE [ 1 ]

DEC I

Whilst looking over a parking ticket I found slapped on my windshield this morning, I grew a little saddened & thus brewed a full pot of coffee/hot cocoa.

Alas, it didn't keep me in too much of an upset mood for long because CHRISTMAS season is upon us! As I sat with my friend sippin' on hot cocoa this morning stoked about the holidays, I began to feel inspired & full of holiday spirit. Stay tuned everyday this month to see festive posts filled with DIY, recipes & beauty! 

STAY BALM

Hannah Ruth