NON BEAUTY FAVORITES

On my YouTube channel I usually film a monthly favorites video at the end of every month, so for January I decided to switch things up a bit. Instead I filmed a Non Beauty Favorites video. I got so many goodies from Christmas that I've been loving and that have been on my wish list for quite sometime, so a video seemed like just the perfect thing!! YouTube has been so fun for me, I just love the whole aspect of it!! If you have a channel leave your link below, I love finding other beauty guru's channels! Hope you enjoy!

WINTER WARDROBE STAPLES

This has been one of my most exciting videos that I've put together for my Youtube channel, so I wanted to share it here on the blog as well! In Southern California it ended up snowing New Year's Eve day, which was extremely exciting! I've been in the snow before, but it wasn't really snow more like ice that happened to be everywhere! So when it snowed there was enough to build a snowman, have snowball fights, and even go sledding! My sister even made the front page in the online local times newspaper! Super exciting stuff! Anyways I hope you guys like this video, please give it a big thumbs up ( I know you wanna), and be sure to subscribe for even more fashion/style videos!

CLASSIC FUDGE

Classic chocolate fudge is one of my favorite winter dessert, though I hardly ever treat myself to this rich chocolate. I remember making fudge with my Aunt Toni years ago, when I was just a little girl and I loved it but I haven't eaten it since. So I decided to make it for the first time from scratch, and it tastes just as good as I remember! The fudge is so much easier to make than I expected which is something I love about a recipe! You can add nuts, peppermint, cookies, peanut butter, or candy, but I enjoy just the pure original type of fudge. Just know you can mix in anything you wish after the fudge is just about done in the pot before putting into the pan.

CLASSIC FUDGE
(all recipes) 
makes about 12 squares

Ingredients:
3 cups of chocolate chips, mixture of milk and semi sweet
1 1/2 tp vanilla
1 can sweet condensed milk
1/2c nuts, candy, etc.

Directions:
Melt chocolate chips in double boiler. Remove from heat and add milk, vanilla, and nuts. Stir until it's smooth and completely mixed together. To know it's ready to be poured, it should be kinda waxy and folding itself. Spread evenly in a wax paper lined 8x8 pan, and if needed pat down with your fingers so that it will stay in place. Chill for roughly two hours or until firm.

Unplug

 Is there ever a night when you're not on your laptop, or phone? How about wondering about certain emails, or notifications? For the most part, being a blogger or Youtuber makes unplugging very difficult, and a little impossible. But recently I've noticed the toll social media has on me, and the time it takes out of my day. In the blogging community I feel like the number one advice everyone gives, is stay connected and build your social media accounts. It's a lot of work constantly being online and interactive. All I hear is "do more." As helpful social media can be, it also has it's cons.

Don't get me wrong I love social media, and in fact I use it everyday. Rather, I don't want it to be my everything, and main focus in the morning. Rarely do we hear people encourage one another to take a break or choose a day to cleanse from the media.

Instead my goal is to take a day out of my week and disconnect myself from media. Taking a time to reflect and focus on some goals. I want to keep as much inspiration as I can especially for this blog. I believe one way to do that is to look at the little things around you and everything that's in your life. Gathering fresh ideas is what I'm needing and I find that it doesn't happen by checking my Facebook feed or Instagram photos. I encourage you to also take a break and replug from your social media feed! Let's do this challenge together! I think it'll be a great adjustment to the new year! 

| "Get offline, free your mind & go outside. Look up at the sky. Take in the beauty of the real world, exchange a smile. Reclaim free time. Update your state, not just your status. Disconnect to reconnect. |

2015 RESOLUTIONS

The new year is always bittersweet for me - it's a time of letting go, and looking forward to the unknown with the new adventures and challenges that the year may bring. I love making lists of all my goals and ideas, and the moment I'm able to take time to reflect on everything I've been able to accomplish. My favorite thing to do is compare my past lists to see all the unfinished plans and I'm able to remember all that I have done and worked hard for. This new year I have many goals that are on my list to accomplish! Goals that I've never cared about before, simple things I want to work on. In 2014 I was able to cross off many of my goals, but this year my desire is to work even harder! 2014 was a very hard year for me and my family in many ways, in all areas. My dad's two brain tumors, living in LA for three weeks, having to stay with my grandparents for a month, financial difficulties, my gluten allergy, and changes in school. But I also have much to be thankful for - support from friends and family, constant prayers from everyone, a trip I took with my grandparents to Maui, meeting new friends, getting out of my comfort zone a little, and becoming stronger through certain challenges.

I have a lot coming my way in 2015 and sometimes it's overwhelming to think of it all, and keep track of everything I need to do. Rather I'm trying to not approach it all with a negative attitude, and just live in the moment not the future. These past few years I've picked a word or phrase to live by for that particular year like 2014 I chose "be brave", and loved how it helped me through everything. I've been thinking a lot of what word to pick for this new year and I've finally narrowed it down to "persevere." Keep going when things get rough and I feel stuck or scared of new challenges. This year I am going to be driving, turning 18, graduation high school, and starting college, and right now it all seems daunting and scary. What's a better reminder than "persevere"?

No matter what this year may bring me, it's up to me to decide how to respond to it. I choose to make the most in life remembering of what 2014 brought me and carrying that into 2015, never losing sight of perseverance. Because I know that I will become a stronger person in the end, and that It's better to face problems rather than holding on to them.

FAVORITE POSTS FROM 2014

2014 is just about over, and I'll miss it! I had so many amazing opportunities and adventures this year that have made me stronger! I'm looking forward to 2015 with all it's new changes coming my way, but in the meantime I thought I'd share a few of my favorite posts, from 2014 that I've shared here on the blog! Plus please don't forget to head over and  fill out this quick survey, because this blog is about you beautiful readers! Would love to hear your thoughts on A Beautiful Heart.

DIY BROWN SUGAR SCRUB

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

MAUI TRIP

WAYS TO STYLE HEADBANDS

COFFEE TALK: BRAVERY

FAVORITE PHOTO SHOOT: MY 17TH BIRTHDAY

CHRISTMAS LOOT

I put together a quick little video sharing a few of my favorite gifts I received this Christmas! My family celebrations this holiday was so sweet and I loved it all. Hope you had a wonderful holiday as well. Be sure to watch this video and be it a big thumbs up! If your not subscribing I'd love it if you would, that way you can always watch future videos! Building this YouTube channel has been so much fun, and I look forward to it growing in 2015! Leave some video requests for the new year because I'm curious to see what you love watching on my channel!

The BeezeKnee's Giveaway

Today I have a very exciting giveaway for you guys! BeezeKnee's is an adorable little etsy shop I found while searching for some cute decorative mugs for the winter time, and today they are sponsoring two mugs for two lucky readers! Brianna creates the most beautiful mugs, and the best part is that they can be so personalized for whatever occasion! Down below are some of my favorite mugs from her shop, and I know these would make perfect gifts for friends, or just a little enjoyment item for yourself this winter. Be sure to subscribe, follow, and comment below to enter this giveaway! 

Of course I cannot forget to include just a few steps on how to win a mug from this giveaway! This giveaway is open for U.S. readers only. It will last for two weeks, and then I will select two winners, and send an email, but remember that you must respond within 48 hours to receive your gift, otherwise I will have to choose a new winner. Now all that's left is to enter down below in the rafflecopter and go give some love to all the gals who participated in this group giveaway!!

THE GALS
 Jenna - A Beautiful Heart
 Lindsay - Middle of Somewhere
 Nicole - A Dash of Gold 
 Mariah - Fashion by Mariah
 Carly - A Walk in the Park
 Meagan - Hearts of Gold


a Rafflecopter giveaway