i am resilient

I was asked this weekend what it means to be a strong woman. My reply was one word: resilient. No one may know your whole story. But if you sit and think about all you've been through, you've got to admit - I am resilient. I am powerful. Say it to yourself. Over and over again until you believe with every part of your being that it is true. You can make it!

resilient (adj): recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyant; springing back; rebounding.

me about two weeks ago :)

Power to the People!

My fave polish right now :)

Avon’s (Breast Cancer Crusade) Nailwear Pro - Pink Power. I’m addicted! :)

from my best friend.. she's a portion of my strength..

Love your Essence!

I must say, although we are not in the same two shoes, nor probably in the same ‘shoe department…’ I truly appreciate your Essence—I love how your stilettos hit the concrete and let off a glorious clank sound…you are one Awesome woman Bestie! Thanks for sharing your words and world.

my I's

I enjoy being myself. There was a time when I didn't like me or the skin I was in. I'm not sure exactly when things changed, but I do know that it's been a long time coming.

I like blogging late at night. It my favorite time of day. When it's quiet, and I can collect my thoughts.

I don't have on any lipgloss in this picture above. UGH.

Sometimes I feel like I'll die if I don't have alone time.

I love my grandmother's name Jewel. It suits her perfectly.

I always feel so proud of myself when I come from the gym. Like I've accomplished something great. I've learned the importance of taking care of my body.

I feel good when I help someone else.

I always apply fresh MAC lipglass before I workout. While the rest of me looks like a bum, my lips always shine like the sun. It makes me feel like a girl.

No, I didn't try to rhyme that...

I wonder if I should go for my doctorate?

I would do anything for my three nieces. I feel a bond so tight, I would kill for them. My nephews are all such amazing young men. I love them so much. I can only imagine what I'll be like when I have children of my own.

I wonder when I'll have children.

I pray that I'll have a long lasting, breathtakingly special marriage like my parents of 47 years.

I would LOVE to work for GAP Headquarters.

I wonder if I should have minored in English. I love editing the writings of others.

I'm really anxious to know if I'll be starting grad school soon. I need them to hurry and let me know!

I have deemed myself DivaPrep.

I often wonder if I've made the right decision in letting him go.

I would love some new wedges right now. I already have a pair from Aldo that I've been stalking.

I can't wait for my braces to come off.

I love having a summer tan. My skin becomes gorgeously golden! :-)

I want to celebrate the end of my twenties in several ways. One of them being surrounded by people I love.

I also want to celebrate my birthday by making someone else feel good about themselves.

I love when people call me "Can". I love nicknames, period.

I would love to have my own practice some day.

I plan to wear dresses all summer.

Short ones.

:)

what's real style?

An excerpt from one of my favorite books:

“As devoted as I may be to my wardrobe, it’s important to acknowledge that true style extends beyond what you look like when you walk out the door. You don’t have to express this through grand gestures, either. It’s the small gestures that will really set you apart, like being gracious to waitstaff and cab drivers, holding open a door for someone who needs help, or bringing a friend flowers on her birthday.

And most importantly, it’s in giving thanks…” - Lauren Conrad

i needed to see this today..

“Toe-drag”, “toe overhang”, “toe spill”, “skrimping”, “too small sandals”, however you choose to reference toes that hang over sandals, is your decision. But we’ve got to put a stop to this plaguing epidemic. It needs to be addressed. My friends (hey @E_Nikki, @MissLaydeee and @MyRoscoe10!!), asked me to write about it.. and they have every right to be concerned. It’s a new season and ladies all over are taking advantage of the breathtakingly sexy open toe shoe. And why shouldn’t we?! They’re daring, sexy, funky and feminine; and for all you exercise freaks, they make the calves looks like a million bucks! Owwww!

“She ain’t got no friends,” is what my sister always says when we see an extra busted chick walking around in too small clothes, excess makeup, extremely ridiculous hair or showing hefty amounts of cleavage whether it’s boobs or booty. If she had real friends, they'd tell her bout herself.

And the same goes for toe-drag. So you’ve taken time out of your busy schedule to read Cardigans and Pearls.. which instantly makes me care DEEPLY for you (thanks so much for reading :)!!), and I have vowed to always tell my friends the truth even when it hurts.

Here it goes: if you can feel the tip of your sandal with your toes, your sandals are too small. If you’re toes touch the ground at any point, your sandals are too small. If your toes ooze out of your sandals looking like a pack of Jimmy Dean sausages (see picture above), your sandals are way too small. If your toes spill out onto the sides or bust out in between the straps (eww), yep, you've guessed it.. they're too small.

I’m not trying to judge or condemn. I’m here to help! :) If you look up and your feet resemble any of these "Oh No She Didn't" pictures, do yourself a favor: trash/give away the shoes and go one size up. I can’t let you go out like that.. I care too much. You can even donate to Salvation Army. If it's too hard to part, allow your girlfriend to come to your place and get them. By any means necessary. Be careful if you have wide feet too. That can produce terrible side spillage. It’s not worth the embarrassment of seeing a twitpic of your big toe spilling out of your shoe all over Twitter. And even if it’s just one toe hanging, it’s still not okay. It may be a great idea to purchase foot pads which help prevent your feet from sliding because that’s often inevitable. They have those at every shoe store and they’re pretty affordable. Also, try taking an honest friend with you while shoe shopping. Someone who you KNOW will be brutally honest.

And let’s not forget heel drag! Same rules apply. Happy Spring and Summer to all of my Shoe Lovers! :)

My new read!

Love me some Cutrone!

for some reason i love this pic of me :)

i've died and gone to heaven!

Can't wait to pull this off!