A Letter to My 16 Year Old Self

Good morning everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday so far. I am so glad to be posting! I have been at work for the past week since we had a huge sale in the parking lot. It's been so incredibly busy. Plus, the summer semester has begun and I am trying to get my associate's like ASAP. So I am trying to get as many classes as I can afford. But with that said, it's been a bit rough these past couple days. My right foot has been swelling up in two areas and it's been causing excrutiating pain. I'm hoping it's temporary and that after I have give it some rest, it'll get better. But, we'll see.
Anyways, this morning I went onto facebook and saw that Lindy (BubzBeauty) had a new post on her blog. It was titled "Advice for My 16 Year Old Self." Something so simple and yet meaningful in a sense. I read hers and it really made me go back 3 years ago when I was probably at the lowest point in my life. So, I decided to do one of my own.

A Letter to My 16 Year Old Self

Dear Taylor Rae,
Right now, you are probably at home sleeping...or out and about with your friends. You are trying to mask the depression and sadness you have. You're starting to lose weight. Be sure not to lose too much. Your back will give out if you do. You're starting to hang out with an older crowd, be sure to stay close to your friends in school. They might not be older than you, but they certainly have your best interests at heart.
Do not get attached to the people you meet. They won't be around long. But you won't be alone. Mommy and daddy are still there. Even though they will argue still and things are going to happen. They are still there. And you will gain new friends. And you will meet your future husband. He may not be what you thought you were looking for, but he is everything you need in a person. And you will love him unconditionally.
You will gain a new perspective on life. And you will grow out of the partying stage. I would advise you to stay away from the hookah bars. You'll get sucked in and the habit will be hard to break. You will find God, though it may seem unlikely now. And he will show you a better way of living. A healthier way. Something to be proud of.
Do not worry about your appearance. The excessive amount of pimples are only temporary. Try sticking to gentle cleansers and exfoliaters. It will do much better than ProActiv, I promise. You may lose the weight now, but you will gain some of it back...and you will have to work to get it off. Start exercising to maintain your healthy weight. Your nose is not too big. It is perfect for you. Everything on your body is perfect JUST FOR YOU. No one else can pull off what you have. You are your own person.
Be strong. Things are going to happen and you will feel helpless and vulnerable. Just know that it won't last long, so stay strong during the most difficult of times. You can do it. Have faith.
Continue to sing. Don't go out to the hookah bars. Don't start smoking cigarettes because everyone else is. Take care of your voice, because it can change the world. Practice. Sing every chance you get. Your voice is can be heard through your singing. That is how you will express yourself. That is your life, your calling, and your comfort. Don't ruin it.
Do not, and I say, do not give up. On life. On your dreams. On your family. Some much is going to happen; good and bad. But every single moment is going to make you stronger, wiser, and more human. You can cry. You can laugh. You can love.
One last thing: Never Forget to Smile.

From,
Your 19 Year Old Self

Is it wierd, that I actually got just a tad bit emotional about this? I invite you all to do this for yourself. I want to thank Lindy from BubzBeauty for inspiring me to do this, because honestly, it does help overcome past obstacles or traumas. With that, I say goodnight everyone. Have a wonderful, amazing, and blessed week!
Thanks for reading~! <3
With love,
Taylor Rae

I am Home from Israel!

I am so glad to be back everyone! I am glad to be home and glad to be sleeping in my own bed. You guys don't understand how home-sick I was. Despite how home-sick I was though, I had an amazing time in Israel. It's taken me a couple days just to even get started on this post simply because of a terrible case of jet lag and well, I have been trying to get back into the swing of things. But I have finally finished a slideshow for you all and it is the first official video for my youtube account: TaylorRae319. But as I was saying, Israel was amazing. I learned so much on this trip, not just about where Jesus walked and where many Biblical stories actually took place...but it helped me learn more about myself as a person. One of the things being that I am a little too soft spoken still and a bit more dependent than I would like. I know this post is a bit short, but I'm going to start working on videos and reviews for you all now that I know how to work my video editor and all that. I wanted to let you all know that I am indeed home safe and so thrilled to be home.
With that said, I leave you with the first official TaylorRae.co video!
I hope you guys enjoy it! It's nothing fancy, but I think it's really good for my first time creating a slideshow...let alone editing.
Thanks for reading~! <3
With love,
Taylor Rae

Leaving for Israel! ~*Israel Bound*~

Hello everyone! I am incredibly sorry for not posting too much this month. My goal was to post at least once a week, but because I am leaving for Israel a week before college finals, I have been completeing the rest of my work for my classes and taking my finals a week early...and trying to catch up on some rest because I have been so stressed out and tired! Why? Because I dread packing for international trips...although I don't think I had quite a hard time when I went to Japan...But that is beside the point.
Anyways, the day is finally here. Well, almost. Tomorrow, me and Anthony will be on our way to Israel. We've been looking forward to this for months now! I have finally finished packing and making sure my luggage meets the weight requirements. I am so exhausted though.

Sorry for my room being a tad messy. I've tried to pick up as much as I could, but my tiredness is making me lazy as well. Anyways...recently, I have been addicted to the new Nickelodeon show "The Legend of Korra"...and it is has turned me into a fool. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it's got me hooked and there's only been 4 episodes. I have bought all of them on iTunes too...so so bad. I liked the original Avatar show, but this one just seems a bit better. Sorry for that random tidbit, but I'm trying to get you up to speed with how things have been going!!Aside from school and work, nothing has really happened lately. Well actually....

The very first TaylorRae.co shirt has been made!!!!! It was made earlier this month, but I haven't really had a chance to share it with you all! Anthony and his friend were able to get the equipment to make t-shirts and TA-DA!! I am so happy about how it came out and it will make its debut in Israel!!! It was so funny though, the letters were a bit small so Anthony had to place them one at a time instead of the whole vinyl. He did such a wonderful job! I am so excited to wear it and spread TaylorRae.co across to the Middle East!
Moving on...
I am having a hard time staying awake. I have to wake up at 2:30am and get ready for the trip...but I don't want to sleep because I have all that time in the car to Washington and the bus to New York and the flight to Israel. But I am so tired from work. I guess I will just start loading up my iPod for the trip.
With that said...I'm going to get some things done before we leave, I just want you all to know..I'm not dead, but I will be gone until May 9th! So please, wish us travling mercies and safety! I will definitely create a video for you all to see everything I saw and the different experiences! I am so excited!!!! >:O I can't hardly contain myself. But thank you all for your understanding! And we are close to 800 page views! Whoot whoot! Another achievement!!! Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Passport & iPod in hand!

Thanks for reading~! <3

With love,

Taylor Rae

My Testimony - A Taste of My Life

Hello everyone. I know this is a health and beauty, but today I want you guys to know a little bit more about me and my life so far as well as how God has impacted my life. It's not a very sad story, but I do think that a lot of you can relate in some way. There are some curse words, so I do apologize in advanced. So...I guess let's start...

I was born into the world with a mother who was doubtful of her religion and an Atheist father. That's not to say my parents were bad, they are amazing parents and I couldn't be more thankful for them. With that said, I went to church when I was little...but not for long. My mom felt that God wasn't necessary and was not real and became an Atheist alongside my father. So, I grew up in a complete Atheist household. I didn't get a chance to know God. While I was still a young child, certain things occured in my life that had a longterm effect on me and my personality. When I was very young, I was sexually molested and it escalated to rape one time. It had haunted me for 12 years. Because of that, I was a very indecisive and insecure child...and it only got worse when I was teenager. In middle school, I was sexually harrassed on almost a daily basis. When I finally told my mom, we had gone to the principal and police about it. They did absolutely nothing. They suspended the boys for 5 days...and sent back into the classroom where they sat next to me. After I reported them, a teacher told me that I should have spoken up sooner and that I made things difficult for them. This made me feel terrible. I felt like it was my fault that they targeted me. That they would continue to make remarks and they even wrote on the walls of the classroom "Taylor is a Bitch." I couldn't walk with my head held high. They would steal things out of my locker. They would still torment me. I blamed God for every bit of it. I blamed him for allowing me to develop the way I did. I blamed him for making me vulnerable and sensitive. I blamed him for making me too nice. But, my lucky break came when I was accepted to go to Japan as an exchange student. Just to get away from everything was enough to make me cry. This was God's way of taking me out of a bad situation, I didn't know it though at the time.

Japan was amazing for me though. It opened me up to something I love to do: travel. It brought me out of my comfort zone and placed me in a brand new experience where I didn't have to worry about what was going on back in California. I was with people so welcoming and they took such good care of me. I was very sad to leave them and very sad to come home. The only thing I wanted to see were my parents. I couldn't remember their voices. Once I came home, I had a new perspective on life, however ALL the insecurities were still there. After I came back from Japan, we ended up moving back to Virginia. The relief of being away from middle school, the people and teachers who tormented me. I was now moving on to high school and it's then that God really started to show himself to me. After middle school, my insecurities became more evident to my family. I remember trying to go shopping with my mom and I would come home crying saying that I hated myself, I hated my body, I don't like who I am. My poor dad had to hear me cry and cry about how much I hated myself. Slowly but surely, the crying, the constant sleeping after school, and loss of appetite at time took it's toll on me. I began smoking and drinking by the time I was 16 and when I turned 17, I was at the hookah bars every day. It sucked and I really hated the way my life was turning out. But the time I was 17 I had lost 50lbs. I looked disproportionate, I had constant back pain, and it just...didn't feel like me. I was still JUST AS insecure as before if not worse. So, the summer of 2010, I took a trip to South Carolina for a college visit. And that's when me and Anthony began talking. He and I went to the same high school together, however he graduated 3 years before me. When he asked me out, our relationship was nothing like it is today. We got so irritated with each other, we didn't have God, we just...weren't in a position to be dating each other. So, we broke up. After that, we decided mutually to really start focusing on ourselves and eventually trying to build a relationship with God. Around August of 2010, a friend of mine and Anthony invited us to a D-Xampl meeting. Me and Anthony felt something different about this group. It was a group that if I had any questions in regards to God and Christianity in general, they had logical answers that were supported in the Bible. It drew me in. God became more evident in my eyes and my heart and I began to feel and see his blessings more and more.

Slowly, I began to realize that I had blamed God for my insecurities, for the torment, for everything that went wrong. I didn't see the good in any situation. God used Anthony to bring me to Him, to introduce me to his friends who knew the Word, to bring me to church for the first time since I was little. He prayed for me, he listened to me, and he was my comfort when I questioned God. Anthony was the first person to know about the time I was raped, about the molestation. I hated my rapist. I was angry, and I had terrible nightmares about what happened. But Anthony reminded me that anger will lead me nowhere. God wanted me to forgive him...but it's not that easy. We both knew that. But God's Word is amazing. It can heal past wounds that have destroyed you. So, Anthony bought me my first Bible which I still have today. All this, while we were broken up. In thanks, I made him breakfast and would drive up to bring it to him, I would do anything for him. I would pray over mine and Anthony's relationship, our future individually and together, and also to show me a sign of what our relationship is supposed to be: friends or couple destined to get married. Every night. And God showed me sign. We went to a Lecrae concert in Virginia Beach with some D-Xampl members. I hadn't eaten the whole day just because I really didn't have an appetite and nothing looked yummy. We ended up getting right up to the stage when we arrived, little did I know that it was going to be HOT and the dude infront of me kept throwing his elbow back and almost hitting me in the face. Mix it all together and BAM. I passed out. I don't know for how long, but all I remember was trying to grab ahold of Anthony's shirt. When I came to, Anthony was kneeling beside me saying "Taylor are you ok?" and helped me up and took me straight outside. He didn't leave my side. The nurse and security took me backstage to get something to eat and some sugar in my system. Anthony was there watching over me. I was told to not go to the front because of the heat and the rapid light movements. I felt terrible, because Anthony was so pumped but he stayed in the back with me. I told him he could go, but he said he won't leave me in the back alone. That was when I knew. This was my future husband. God answered my prayers shortly after. On December 1, 2010, Anthony asked me to be his girlfriend again. Ever since, our relationship has been nothing but a blessing. And after he asked me out, many blessings have arrived. March 15, I got a call for a job interview. April 24th, I started my job with a great paycheck. June 18th, I graduated high school with high honors. October 19th, I bought my first car. This year brings many blessings as well. But God has really shown me so much since 2010.

Now that my relationship with God has grown...my trip to Israel seems so much more than a trip. It is Israel where I am getting baptized for the VERY first time. I will be baptized in the same river that Jesus was baptized in. God has big plans for me and Anthony. With our relationship with Him, our relationship with each other, our business aspirations, and everything else. He has helped me overcome my insecurities, my past, everything that was, that is, and that is yet to come. He has provided me with a man of God, friends of God, and a loving family that accepts me no matter who I believe in. I'm thankful for each day I am alive regardless of how it goes. I know that God is there watching me. I know that God is going to continue blessing me. I hope you guys really felt my heart in this. I don't want to tell you to believe in God. I don't want you to feel pressured. But know that if he can lead me away from torment, the insecurities, the smoking, the drinking...then he can get you through it too. Today, I can proudly say that I have changed my life for the better. I no longer feel tormented. I no longer feel the insecurities. I have forgiven my rapist, those behind the sexual harrassment, and those who have done me wrong. I feel beautiful, because God does not have ugly children. All of his creation is beautiful. I feel happy because God has allowed me to live another day and has given me another chance to see my family and my boyfriend. He has allowed me many opportunities. I am so thankful. And I know God has many more things for me and I am excited for each and every one of them. With that said, (I say that a little too much), I thank you all for taking time to read my blog, to read my reviews and my posts, to read the personal posts, and everything. Each and every view is so meaningful to me. We've reached over 700 views. Thank you all. I hope you guys enjoyed this post and found it as meaningful as I did. I hope you all have an amazing rest of the week.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Thanks for reading~! <3
With love,
Taylor Rae

P.S. - Be sure to follow me on Twitter @TaylorRae319 and Anthony @DJiPray!!!

Review: Simple Brand Exfoliating Facial Wipes

Hello everyone! I finally have a chance to review a product again. Well then...one thing I love about my job is that I get skin care products for a very cheap price (except sunscreen...$6 for a 3oz bottle my butt!) and so once I get back from Israel...expect more reviews!!! >:)
With that said. Today I want to review Simple's Exfoliating Facial Wipes. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and I never really thought I would try wipes for my face. However, one thing I enjoy about Simple is that their products are for people with sensitive skin such as myself. So, I got a coupon at my job, bought the wipes, and now here I am reviewing it...let's move on. I'm talking in circles.

To start off, I would like to emphasize that this is not a paid or sponsored review. This was an item that had purchased on my own time with my own money. Also, my skin type may not be the same as yours therefore you may get a different result then the one I get.

So, how did I come across Simple? They have commercials. One thing that caught my eye...or rather so my ear was that they emphasized sensitive skin and me, having sensitive skin, was intrigued. I've never been a fan of facial wipes. Most felt rather awkward on my skin, so you can imagine the thoughts going through my head when I saw this at my job. But...something told me to buy it. So I did. With a coupon. (No shame! Extreme couponing here I come...)

What are the main details?
One of the main focuses on Simple is to cater to sensitive skin. However, if you have a different skin type...go ahead and try it. I paid around $2.99 with the use of a coupon. The item carries 25 wipes, a little then a month's worth. The packaging is green and rather cute and very simple just like the brand name. It's eye catching and helps maintain the brand as well.

What's in the product?
The wipes are packed with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E. These vitamins helps soften, smooth, and restore to improve your skin's condition. Mix this with some aloe vera, which helps condition your skin and soothe it. There are no artifical dyes or perfumes or any harsh chemicals that may irritate your skin.

Has it been tested?
Both the Simple website and the packaging claim that this item has been dermatologist tested and ophthalmologist tested.

Thoughts on the product?
So like I said before, I was skeptical of this product. I have had awkward experiences with facial wipes with them either leaving my skin so dry that I peel or doing absolutely nothing for my skin except making it sticky. They were gross. However, this has done the exact opposite. I use the wipes at night before I go to bed because it's easy to do when I'm mad tired after a day of running around and/or working. All I do is take out a wipe and wipe my skin until it's close to being dry. After the very first use, I actually saw improvement in my skin. I had a few blemishes on my chin the day I bought the product and I wasn't too thrilled. The next day after using the product, the blemishes had reduced significantly and the redness around my nose had actually reduced as well. That sealed the deal. The wipes do not feel like they are exfoliating. They feel so cool and soothing, but once I'm done my skin is incredibly smooth and firm. It's not sticky and it doesn't dry my face out. It gives me face a nice glow, not shine. There are little to no traces of oil. It's awesome.

Pros:
It's hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.
The vitamins and aloe do wonders.
Skin is left silky smooth without excess oil or dryness.
Easy to find.

Cons:
Only 25 wipes. I need to buy more before Israel. They're coming with me.
Depending on where you go, they can be a tad expensive.

Would I recommend this product?
Most definitely. It is a high quality product that is easy on the skin and worth the price. I would give this product a 5 out of 5. Point blank. Period. They have surpassed my expectations and have helped my skin significantly.

Well everyone, there you have it! My review of Simple's Exfoliating Facial Wipes. Let me know if you have tried this product or any other Simple brand products. What were your thoughts? I hope this review was helpful and I do hope you get a chance to try out the product. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Take care and stay safe! 27 more days until Israel!!!
Thanks for reading~! <3
With love,
Taylor Rae

Pros & Cons: Glasses & Contacts

Hello! Oh my gosh, my second post in a week! IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD. Anyways, right now I am watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC waiting for the season premier of "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding"...I have a problem. I love TLC. I can't help myself. Especially on Friday...I mean Bride Day. I can dream about my own wedding can't I? Moving on! So today, I want to talk about the pros and cons about wearing glasses and contacts. As you all know, I prefer glasses simply because I know I am not the type to keep up with contacts. But there are tons of people who do not like the way they look with glasses on. So, which would you prefer?

So I guess we should start off with glasses! I have been wearing glasses since 5th grade. I remember constantly squinting to see the blackboard and trying to get closer seats to the TV and what not. Ever since 5th grade, my eye sight has weakened significantly. I have thought about lasik eye surgery, but that seems out of the question for a while, haha. Anyways. Let us visit the pros of wearing glasses!

PROS TO WEARING GLASSES:
1. You do not have to clean your glasses on a daily basis.
2. They slip on and off, so there is no wrestling to put them on.
3. They have a certain look that some people like.
4. Low maintainence. Point blank.

CONS TO WEARING GLASSES:
1. They can hurt your nose and your ears.
2. If there is high humidity, your glasses will fog up.
3. They may fall off or slide off easily. (However, if fitted correctly, they shouldn't do this often.)
4. When driving or walking, your peripheral vision is blocked or distorted.
5. They are not ideal for sports...or swimming.
6. Your vision will more than likely be distorted.

PROS TO WEARING CONTACTS:
1. It is great if you want a more natural appearance.
2. They come in more than one color if you would like to temporarily change your eye color.
3. They won't fall out too easily.
4. They won't fog and water will not block or smudge your vision.

CONS TO WEARING CONTACTS:
1. It requires learning and practice just to put them on.
2. Very high maintainence & can be costly.
3. They can get irritated easily especially in a smoky environment.
4. Since they are not as big and bulky as glasses, they can be difficult to find if lost or dropped.
5. Most contacts you CANNOT sleep in.
5. Great for sports.
6. It creates a more natural vision without distortion.

In a sense, it's all a matter of preference. If you know you would not be able to keep up with the up keep of contacts, then glasses maybe your best option. If you'd like a more natural look and are willing to put effort into it, contacts are for you. For me, I don't know how I look without glasses. It's been a 9 to 10 years. But, I know I am way too lazy and low maintainence for contacts. I've made glasses work though. I even have a pair of perscription sunglasses (transition lenses don't work in the car...so be prepared to fork up $300 for a pair of perscription sunglasses that are walmart brand).
Well, I hope this has been helpful for you all! I know it has for me when I had to make my decision and even remake it. Anyways, I hope you all have an amazing weekend! I think it's going to rain all weekend here...ugh. Allergies AHOY. Take care and stay blessed!
Thanks for reading~! <3
With love,
Taylor Rae

Yet another birthday picture...:)

How to Maintain Red Hair

Oh my gosh! I have neglected this blog for too long. My apologies!! March has been beyond a busy month. The final payment for mine and Anthony's trip to Israel was this month, so fundraising was in order and trying to come up with the money some how was necessary. With that said...WE ARE GOING TO ISRAEL!!!! It's official. Bam. But also, yesterday was my birthday. I turned the awkward ol' 19. We didn't do a big party or anything, me and Anthony went shopping for Israel and then met up with my parents at a Japanese restaurant that I love for my birthday dinner. We didn't even do a cake, but then again I've never been a fan of cake although I do bake a mean batch of cupcakes! Anyways...moving on. So, today I decided to dye my hair a dark brown/red color. I wanted to do something different and dark since I went a bit lighter the last time I dyed my hair. And quite honestly, I have no idea how to maintain red hair...and quite frankly, I'm scared. I know I added more brown to it just so it would take less maintainence...but still. So, I did some research and here are some tips on how to maintain red hair.

I am still working with my bangs!

I don't think you can really see the red in this picture seeing as how it's taken in my poorly lit room but it gives you an idea. So let's get started!

Maybe that should've said "Dyed Red Hair"...too late.

So like I've said, I'm kind of a noob when it comes to maintaining red hair. I've always stuck with very neutral colors that requires little to no maintainence. But, I guess this will help me appreciate my hair and take incredible care of it. Moving on...

Tip #1: Cold Water - After watching many videos and reading many articles...ALL I SAW WAS COLD WATER. When you wash your hair in warm water, it opens up the pores and the color can wash out even faster. Red hair tends to fade incredibly fast, so in order to slow this down especially in the shower...go ahead and turn that dial on cold. Cold water helps close porous hair which will help the color stay in and last a tad bit longer.

Tip #2: Dry Shampoo - Whenever you wash your hair, you are washing some of the color out regardless. With red hair, you have to be extremely careful because red fades faster than most hair colors. Try to limit how much you actually wash your hair to every other day or even less than that. And for days where you skip a wash, go ahead and use dry shampoo. This will make your hair look like you've showered and what not, but you're not risking the color.

Tip #3: Moisturize - Anytime you dye your hair, you're already damaging it and stripping it of moisture and all them goodies. So you may want to use moisturing shampoo or conditioner or even just a mask. I prefer to use a mask of course, but the choice is all yours. It's always good to keep your hair healthy and moisturized because it'll give it a beautiful shine!

Tip #4: Limit the Sun - As with most colors, the UV rays from the sun will fade your hair. Red just so happens to fade incredibly easier. Of course. Try to stay away from the sun as much as possible. This is gonna be difficult for me since the trip to Israel is coming up. BUT, there is a way to protect it if you like to go outside...it's called a hat. I just bought one. I'm sure you can too.

Tip #5: Minimize Heat - Using heated tools such as a blow dryer, curling iron, or a straightener will strip your hair of necessary moisture that your hair needs strictly because it is dyed. If you need to use a heated tool, be sure to use a heat protectant spray (I need to buy one...) and if you blow dry, try to stop before your is actually dry so that you can preserve some moisture.

Those are the most common tips out there! If you have any that you'd like to share, please comment! I love to hear reviews and ideas and tips from others. Especially on subjects I have no clue about. I'm so glad to finally post again! Thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday and I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed week. Take care everyone!

Thanks for reading~! <3

With love,

Taylor Rae

A photo from my Birthday...