The Real Love Story

It's still a very surreal feeling that I will be getting married in 4 weeks. The days are flying by and before I know it I will be walking down the aisle to marry the man whom I will share my life with.  I feel very emotional as I reflect on the journey that I've been on, to be where I am today. I want to relish in the blessings that God has given me and for this wonderful season in my life, but I have learned that it's in the suffering that we truly come to realize just how good our God is. 

Last Sunday, my Fiance and I went to church, the church that I have attended for many years. During worship, the altar was open for anyone to come and pray. Jeff took my hand and motioned for the front of the church as he had many times before. But this time, as he got down on his knees and prayed, I heard him say these words. "Lord please help me to be the Godly leader of our family." My eyes immediately welled up with tears and my heart felt so full I thought it might burst. And then, like a ton of bricks, I remembered that I had been here so many times before. And right there, on that same ground, on those same knees, I had prayed all alone many times before. Through my tears, I would pray,

"God, I'm so broken, I'm so sad, and I'm so hurt. I know that you only you can take that away. I don't understand why this has happened to me, but please use me for your glory. Please bring someone into my life on your time, not mine." 

To be honest, sometimes I would add, "but please don't be TOO long from now...." Like God really needed my input of timing suggestions. And yet, here I am, 4 weeks away from marrying the man that I had prayed for. "BLESSED is she who believed that the LORD would fulfill his promises to Her." Luke 1:45

BUT this  is not about my relationship with my soon-to-be Husband, it's about my relationship with The Lord. And right there at that altar, I was reminded of just how badly I needed Him during that time of suffering. I had nothing else. I had no one else. I had Him, and that was all. Looking back now, I realize what a blessing that time was! Oh what a blessing it is to endure suffering for His glory!  James 1:12 tells us,

 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Two years ago, I had no idea what God was going to do with my life. I couldn't see past the tears, the hurt, and the pain. The pain has not gone away because The Lord brought a man into my life, but because The Lord is in my life. The most beautiful love story that I will ever be a part of, is the one in which I fall in love every day with the One who made me. Where I continue to realize and understand little by little that He chose me. He has a purpose for me, and He has a plan for me, and he has one for you too. THIS is true love. 

It doesn't matter who broke your heart or who took you for granted. That person does not define your worth because they do not have power over you. Your worth comes from who you are in Jesus. He is the one who adds value to your story. Because of my story, my life has taken on new meaning. I believe that God assigned me this "mountain" to show others that it can be moved.

In four weeks I will wear the white dress, and I will walk down the aisle to the man God intended for me to spend my life with. But this day will symbolize so much more than just a marriage. This is a marriage of two people, joining as one family, with God as the center.  The bible says, "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." This day will be a day of celebration because the devil has not won.  God has given me a new life and I'm going to live it for his glory.

That's the Real Love Story.

Xoxo,

Brittani 

Just a Nurse

Unless you've been living under a rock lately (which is not a bad idea...) you've seen the uproar that The View has caused, following the 2015 Miss America pageant. For the talent portion of the competition, Miss Colorado did a monologue on her career as an Alzheimer's nurse. The day after the pageant, members from the The View mocked Miss Colorado with comments like, "she practically read an email... that's not a talent" and "Why does she have a doctors stethoscope around her neck?" Like the rest of the nurses around the country, these comments made my blood boil. I am not a fan of The View and never have been, but this really put me over the edge.

As a former "pageant girl", I would like to confess that I have never participated in a pageant with a talent portion.... because I can't  sing, dance or play an instrument. Sure I could have "learned" how to do any of these things to help me win a pageant, but would that have been a true reflection of the talents God gave me? Miss Colorado, I cannot applaud you enough, for walking out on that stage, and rocking the talent that is being a nurse. I'm sure you knew that a monologue might look less impressive to the judges than the opera singer or the dancer, but let me assure you that those girls do not do what you do everyday. I know, because I too am a nurse. 

We made it through nursing school, that was a challenge in itself. We then went on to hold the hand of someone while they take their last breath. We've watched parents lose their children. Children lose their parents. We've had conversations with lonely patient's that have no one else. We've caught doctor's mistakes that could cost someone their lives. We've been yelled at, reprimanded and scolded. We've cried behind closed doors and on our way home.

You see ladies of The View, my talent is not be singing, dancing or playing an instrument. My talent is sitting up all night monitoring a baby's oxygen level while his mom and dad get some sleep. It's waking him up every few hours when he's sick to give him breathing treatments. It's listening to his lungs WITH A STETHOSCOPE to make sure they are clear. Because there is NO doctor around to check them. It's knowing how to comfort him when mom and dad aren't there. It's sitting up at all hours of the night while his parents express their hopes and fears for their child. It's being a shoulder to cry on or a person to vent to when things are hard. It's dropping what I can to be there for him, any night or day. 

A nurse's talent isn't showcased on stage, and that's ok, we don't need it to be. God gave us the gifts of compassion, patience, selflessness and humility. Maybe you ladies from The View should ask God to give you a few of those qualities? Remember that while you sit there and bash others from your chair, we are out changing other's lives with ours. I will be praying for you. 

And to Miss Colorado, from all of us nurses, you rock girl! 

Xoxo, 

Brittani 

Bridal Makeup

For the past few weeks I have been experimenting with different makeup products to use for my wedding, as well as engagement and bridal pictures. On a regular daily basis, I spend about 5-10 minutes on my makeup, using a little "CC cream", blush and mascara. My fiance actually prefers the "less is more" look. But for pictures, and especially for big events like my wedding, I want to create a flawless, yet long-wearing look. If you've got a special photo session coming up, or a big event such as a wedding, here a few products that I am using for my "big day", that you might want to try too!

One- I've been using this Ecotools brush for a few years now to apply blush, and after all this time, it's still going strong. I hate when bristles fall out of brushes and onto my face, and so far I don't think I've seen even one bristle fall out of this brush. Best of all, the hairs on this brush are super soft and this brush is very affordable. You can purchase it here. 

Two- So as I said before, I am not a foundation wearer on a daily basis. I wear a "CC Cream" or concealer and blush on most days. However, I wanted a foundation that would look great in photos and was long-wearing through sweat and tears on my wedding day. I've worn this foundation on a few occasions and I have to say, it does make my skin flawless. After 10 hours of wear, it still looked good at the end of the night. I would call this a "medium" coverage foundation as it is not too thick, which I do not like. I want it look like "my skin" but better. For the price, I really do think it lives up to it's claims. You can purchase it here.

Three- I have been using L'Oreal carbon black telescopic eyeliner for probably 6 months now, and I really really like it. I am a big fan of liquid eye liner and feel that it really stays in place, compared to pencil liner. The carbon black line is truly black and the application wand helps it glide on very smooth. I would recommend this eyeliner to anyone that has problems keeping their eyeliner from transferring to their eyelid. It does come in waterproof, and I will probably be purchasing that, especially for my wedding.

Four- This is my fourth tube of Maybelline Lash Sensational  and I have to say that I obviously really like this mascara. I am usually a covergirl last blast girl, but I love how this mascara separates my lashes and gives great volume, which I think probably has something to do with the curved wand. 

Five and Six- I am very new to contouring my face. The idea has always been very daunting to me as a "minimal makeup" girl. However, I found this NYX contour stick in "universal" at ULTA, and it is great for a beginner like me. I am not sold on the highlighter side of this stick, but the darker side is perfect for hollowing out my cheeks, forehead and nose. To blend it in after I've applied it, I use this Real Techniques sculpting brush. I absolutely LOVE this brush and Real Techniques brushes in general. 

Seven- This blush from MAC is called "Melba". I have had this blush for a few years, and every time I switch to another, I always come back to it. The color is the perfect mixture between a rosy pink and a tan. MAC blushes also seem to last a lot longer than most blushes I've tried, which is great for an outside wedding where I might be sweating....and crying...a lot. 

Eight- I'm not normally a "primer" girl, but I think for a special event, it's important to have a good base for your makeup to adhere to. The Smashbox photofinish primer is probably one of the most popular primers, and I'd have to agree. 

Nine- I have been using this Maybelline Age Rewind under-eye concealer for probably a year now, and I love it. I stopped using it for awhile, but realized my under-eyes were looking a little tired. I put this on under my eyes, over my foundation to help brighten my under-eye area. I've also been known to wear it on a daily basis as a regular concealer.

  Before...... Contouring, or Halloween makeup?

After...... My makeup in natural lighting. I don't even recognize myself...

    Later that day.... Same makeup used for engagement photos 

I hope that this post gives you an idea of some new products that you might want to try or pick up the next time you are out shopping. Most of the products mentioned are very affordable. I am by no means a professional, just sharing what works for me! I always love to hear about products that others are loving too! If you have a product that you are loving, or if you try one of these, please comment below and let me know! 

XOXO, 

Brittani