I'm An Unapologetic Fashion and Beauty Blogger, It's Nice To Meet You.

"Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French cut jeans; it's an open mind."

This post has been swirling around my brain for days..almost a month. About a month ago, I won Featured Blogger for the month of January on 20sb-due to many, many of you voting. I joined 20sb almost the day I started this blog, and I met so many of you through it. I love that community and am thankful for the honor, and the WONDERFUL people I meet everyday.

But all the visits from people outside the fashion blogging community got me thinking, and I have to admit that this month I've been self conscious. It's nothing anyone said or did, but here I am, afraid, and I hate that. I've tried, but I couldn't seem to shake the yucky feeling that I was quickly becoming the poster child for "are fashion bloggers worthy, talented, etc"...and it kind of left me questioning where I fit in as a fashion blogger in a world of personal bloggers.

In conversations with friends lately about what my true passions in life are, not just the blog, but in REAL LIFE, people, there is no denying it. Fashion. Beauty. And that's not something I want to be uncertain or embarrassed of, no matter what.

Maybe this infamous article in the Guardian reignited my fire. I don't know. What I do know? The day I was hired as a MAC make-up artist was one of the best days of my life, and this is just a little of my story. I had dreamt about being a MAC artist for years, and after working for Lancome and Estee Lauder, I landed the chance to "audition." First, there was a group interview, and then a round of cuts. Then the rest of us left had to do make-up on a model while some of MAC's highest ranked makeup artists looked on, silently, with their elite judgey eyes. Nerve.Racking. Except? I was in the zone. I didn't give a damn who was watching me. My model looked fierce when I was done with her.

And I made it, to the "Pro" team, even. I got the call while I was in the car with my best friend, obsessing over why they hadn't called me because they said they would either way, and maybe I sucked, what if I didn't get it and omg I had to get it, right, and is my phone working?!

I'm not going to defend the fashion or beauty industries in this post. I am not their voice, I am only my own. I don't want this post to be-can you be pretty and a writer? Can you be a make up artist and smart? Can you be interested in fashion and have a blog worth reading? Because I hate to sound harsh, but if you answered NO to any of those questions-you're in the wrong place, and I'm relieving myself of the burden to change your mind.

My experience with MAC and since, freelancing, define my happy place. Doing makeup for a fashion show or photo shoot? I don't think I've ever felt so alive! How fun is doing prom make-up and talking to the giddy and nervous 16 year old in your chair about her dress, her date...and smiling at her mom, trying to communicate with your eyes that you will not have her daughter looking like a streetwalker when she leaves. There is nothing like doing bridal makeup. Nothing. Period. Being a part of someone's wedding day?! A pretty intimate part too, especially if I'm on site. It's an honor. For the rest of her life, that bride will look at her wedding pictures, and she has trusted in me that each time she does, she'll see herself as beautiful as ever. And there is nothing as simple, but as lovely, as spending ten minutes with a young girl who has saved up for a few new lipglosses.

In my experience, beauty and fashion go hand in hand. Sometimes, we'd spend longer debating the make-up when styling out a photo shoot at my previous job than what the model was actually wearing-there were dresses, pieces, looks we HAD to shoot...but makeup and hair?! THAT is where we could get creative, and artistic. Most of my marketing budget went to hiring the best makeup artists in the world. I've stood next to Troy Jensen on a shoot as he transformed Miranda Kerr into a badass sex kitten. She is SO sweet in person...but it was Troy I couldn't keep my eyes off of, the one who I grilled during downtime, the one who, when I was introduced to HIM, and he said, "Marketing manager and make up artist huh?!!" I became a complete stuttering mess-basically my "I carried a WATERMELON" moment- "Um, yeah I mean for MAC, not like you, you're amazing..." With every flick of his wrist, it was magic. He brought our vision to life.

I don't usually talk about things like that, because there is something sacred about them to me. I have had experiences with fashion and makeup that nobody can take away from me, that I haven't wanted to share, but I felt it fitting for this post, my point of which is that the self doubt, the blog doubt and "what will they think" stops here. Covergirl recently sent me a ton of products, and turns out-I LOVE THEM. I know, I was surprised as hell too. I've talked about the products with so many friends, including some of you-but I've been afraid to blog about it. In the back of my mind I worried, what will they think if I do a makeup review? A tutorial? What will the 2.5 dudes reading my blog think? Am I vapid? Shallow? Not "serious" enough? Wait, when did I start taking myself so fucking seriously...especially on my blog?

{There is nothing I don't love about this photo. Just sayin. All images via}

Well, dolls...expect the Covergirl review this week. Expect more "Liz is Loving" , Balmain, and badass shoes. Expect coverage of NYFW. Because if I take away the fashion and the beauty, I take away some of my joy and I stifle a lot of me, of the girl those of you who have been reading for a while know-and I won't do that. This is just a part of me though-that is truly what I want you to understand. I'll still be writing about matters of the heart (my heart is in a really good place, fyi) anxiety, or the dumbass situations I get into (that subsequently cause my anxiety), don't worry.

Your blog is YOURS, and no matter the awards, page rank, number of comments-my blog is still MINE, and I apologize for letting fear get in the way. I'm back, betches.

Thank you's and hugs to Lilu, Kathleen and Kyla for helping me gather my somewhat jumbled thoughts. :)

Winners of last week's giveaways will be announced soon! xx

Evolve, Help for Haiti and Giveaway #5-Ritzy Misfit CLOSED

Thank you all so much for being part of my week long blog birthday party! I have one more giveaway below but first I want to say a few things...I'm happy a new year of blogging is here. I am going into this new year with a lot of the same goals and hopes that I have for 2010. I'm letting go of some things, learned a lot but I'm in a much happier and healthier place, and I know this will be reflected in my upcoming posts. If we don't evolve or grow-as bloggers, as writers, as people...what's the point?

However, I haven't done a fashion or beauty post in forever, and I'm not ok with that! I'm excited to get back to the fun, I'm excited to keep on keeping on, to smile and I'm glad to know you. I have met some of the loveliest, kindest people through this blog-people who remind me what is truly important.

On that note-my friend Lauren took her pants off for Haiti. :) The shirt she's modeling can be purchased here, for only $15-100% of the proceeds go to the Haiti relief effort. It's printed on American Apparel and says "Until we are all free" I'm buying mine now.

I also want to direct you to my girl Tiffany at I am Style-ish-please check out what Tiff and her brother Billy are doing to help Haiti. Incredible.

And last but not least, check out the new website for loveharder! Over $3,000 has been raised in a week.

But now...Giveaway #5-it's a little sentimental for me...tear, tear!

My first giveaway ever was a Ritzy Misfit. Brooke of RM and I instantly bonded and when her pendants were worn on the Bachelorette last season, I freaked out as if it was a friend I'd known forever. Somehow she balances her etsy store with a family including small children. She is a TRUE inspiration to me. Plus, I freaking LOVE my Ritzy Misfit necklaces. I kid you not, I get stopped every single time I wear one. I'm insanely proud-Ritzy Misfit continues to blow up and will be seen on the Style network and celebrities everywhere soon. Yay!!

Brooke is offering a customized Ritzy Misfit necklace with the letter/design and color of your choice...

A for...Ahhhhmazing?!! I dunno. She didn't have a picture of one with an E or an L. So whatev. But that's the fun part, you can get whatever you want! Your man's initial, your dogs, a fleur de lis...and whatever color you want. I love my turquoise, I am just sayin. Although my plum is pretty rad too. Also? A proceed of each Ritzy Misfit sold goes to help Haiti...

Le Rules...As usual...

1.Open to followers of It's Unbeweavable-however, seriously, I don't care. This is a thank you to my readers-so just let me know how you follow in the comments.

2. Visit Ritzy Misfit...what color would you want?

3. Become a follower of ritzymisfit on twitter/re-blog/tweet this giveaway-I'm @misslizzymarie

4. Separate comments if you don't mind, my loves

I'm going to have some fun this weekend that does not include excel or random.org, SO-enter all of the blog birthday giveaways until Sunday at 5pm PST-I'll disable comments after that. Do it, do it.

Faire Frou Frou

Mandizzle

jkldesign

Have a fun weekend!! Thanks again for playing along this week! xoxo

Blog B-Day Giveaway #4-Art I Covet CLOSED

New day, new giveaway!!

This is the second giveaway I've partnered with Leigh of jkldesign on...I adore her and her work blows my mind. Leigh's fashion inspired art has been featured in Dujour Magazine, Skirt Magazine and on both Forever 21's blog the Skinny, as well as inside the premier issue of Forever 21's editorial magazine. Below are a few of my favorites, but if you win you can choose any print from jkldesign.

{Eiffel Blush}

{Bisous}

{Well Read}

{Lanvin 01}

{Greenwich Reflections}

Le Rules...As usual...

1.Open to followers of It's Unbeweavable-however, seriously, I don't care. This is a thank you to my readers-so just let me know how you follow in the comments.

2. Become a follower of Leigh's blog CREATE (if you already are, lemme know)

3. Check out jkldesign...what print would you choose?

4. Become a follower of jkldesign on twitter/re-blog/tweet this giveaway-I'm @misslizzymarie

5. There are tons of ways to enter, and I hate to be a pain but pleasepleaseplease leave a separate comment for each entry, it will just make my hot date with Excel next weekend that much easier.

Faire Frou Frou Giveaway

Mandizzle Giveaway

Happy Thursday!

Blog B-Day Giveaway #3-Glowelle

Happy Wednesday!

Today's giveaway is going to be a lil different...I feel like I've been making you all do so much work commenting/tweeting/posting-thank you, and if you're new to my blog I will be saying hello soon...if you comment on any of my posts until Friday, you're automatically entered for this one. Does that make sense? You look pretty.

Ok...Glowelle. Some of you may remember last week I directed you over to my bff's blog, when he was giving away a 30 Day Supply of Glowelle. Coincidentally, I met Istvan when we were both working for Glowelle and having way too much fun in NYC together eating fried oreos at 3am and listening to Britney Spears. Ahh, memories. He has just left the company but not without stocking up on Glowelle for me...and now for you.

GLOWELLE (retail value $89), is the most potent anti-oxidant beauty supplement on the market. It is clinically proven to even skin tone and protect against the damaging effects caused by the sun. Rich in anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E, combined with goji berries, green and white tea extracts, Glowelle nourishes your skin from within, and is essential in fighting off free radicals (those things that age your skin and destroy collagen).

I'm not joking you guys...this stuff works, and I was very skeptical, plus I hate drinking vitaminey (nice word, Liz) things, I don't even like Gatorade, but I had no problem with it, and there are tons of things you can mix it with, but I usually just threw it in a bottle of water. We used to sit around the office looking at each other and just saying, "your skin...it's glowing, what the hell." I don't think any of us actually expected it to work but it DID. I had way more energy than ever, my insomnia disappeared, I needed less concealer, and my hair was super shiny-so I'm really excited to get it back and have one of you try it too!

So that's it my loves. One of you will have a 30 Day Supply of Raspberry Jasmine (my fav flavor) coming your way.

If you haven't entered these already, get into it, as Istvan would say.

Faire Frou Frou $100 G/C Giveaway and the Mandizzle Giveaway!

Tomm (Thurs) back to our regular scheduled programming of giveaway madness-really excited about this one. :)

Have a beautiful day-comments disabled so I can get caught up with you xoxo

Blog B-Day Giveaway #2-Mandizzle! CLOSED

New day, new giveaway!

My love affair with Mandizzle is a pretty dirty one. I want everything in Mandi's Etsy shop, and I know that if we didn't live so far away, we'd totes be skipping through fields holding hands with fabulous headbands in our unbeweavable hair. Truth.

Seriously though-Mandizzle and the beautiful Mandi have been such a huge support to me, both on the blog and off, and while I appreciate her crafty ways, because lord knows I don't have any, I appreciate her friendship even more.

Ok...and that? Is PMS. I mean, Mandi dude, I love you but I'm near tears. OMG. Anyways! :)

Mandi is generously offering the following from her Etsy Shop to one of YOU-

The Dreamy Headband (we can talk colors if you win)
And either a set of hair pins or a ring. I'm partial to the Wild Rose Ring...
Or the Prettiest Hair Pins-Black Raspberry Blooms (Set of 3)
But that's just me! You can choose whatever ring or hair pin set you want, along with the Dreamy.

Le Rules...

1.Open to followers of It's Unbeweavable-however, seriously, I don't care. This is a thank you to my readers-so just let me know how you follow in the comments.

2. Become a follower of Mandizzle's blog (if you already are, lemme know)

3. Check out her Etsy-what ring or hair pin set would you want?

4. Become a follower of Mandizzle on twitter/re-blog/tweet this giveaway-I'm @misslizzymarie

5. There are tons of ways to enter, and I hate to be a pain but pleasepleaseplease leave a separate comment for each entry, it will just make my date with Excel next weekend that much easier.

Note-I'm keeping all the giveaways open all week, so you can keep entering. I've been planning this week for a while so don't be shy-this is my way of saying thank you. :) Day 1's $100 G/C to Faire Frou Frou is here, if you missed it. See you tomorrow! xoxo

Just found out Mandizzle is nominated in the Poppies-vote for her here! Woot!

Bringin Sexy Back-Faire Frou Frou $100 Gift Cert. Giveaway! CLOSED

So. Hi. I haven't read a blog in umm oh I dunno 4 days? Working on it. In blog friend turned real life friend news-Today, Gabby and I had lunch with Lilu and Amanda swung by for a min! I adore them both and can't wait to see them again, it was just too short (TWSS).

It's almost my blog birthday, which is fitting because I am going through some blog changes-the major being, with Lilu's expertise, moving to Wordpress. Whenever she's done ya know, flying across the country for 30 hours to have brunch with me. :) As a way to thank you for reading/stalking/lurking, I have partnered with some incredible shops and artists to bring you...

Five days, five fabulous giveaways.

With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought this would be a fun and fitting giveaway...

A $100 Gift Certificate to Faire Frou Frou! Get it, girl. (I totally just said that.) Anyways...you might already read their LOVELY blog Frou Frou Fashonista, but if you aren't familiar-Faire Faire Frou is the ultimate celebration of all that is feminine and flirty.

The store provides an intimate setting in which customers can select from must-have sexy, flirtatious dainties from top designers such as Fifi Chachnil, Vannina Vesperini, Myla, Strumpet & Pink, Guia la Bruna, Fleur T, Damaris, Carine Gilson and Nina Ricci. The store also showcases designs from new talents, as well as its own private-label collection of camisoles, tank tops, sweats, boy shorts and panties. And of course you can find favorites such as Hanky Panky, Cosabella, Keep Me, Only Hearts and The Lake & Stars. Faire Frou Frou is the perfect store for anyone who is looking for hard-to-find, luxury brands in intimate apparel; it brings the best of Europe straight to Los Angeles.

Fair Frou Frou has been featured in Lucky, WWD, W, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Modern Bride, FHM and been seen on Daily Candy, E!, MSNBC, among others. Kiiiiinda a big deal.

The darling owners-mother daughter team Gail and Alison (love)-are offering a $100 G/C to one of you, redeemable online, unless you want to come to LA and hang out with me, but picking out lingerie is kind of an intense first date, no?

Le Rules...

1.Open to followers of It's Unbeweavable-however, seriously, I don't care. This is a thank you to my readers-so just let me know how you follow in the comments.

2. Become a follower of the Frou Frou Fashionista blog (if you already are, lemme know)

3. Check out the site! What would you buy if you won? I'm nosey.

4. Become a follower of Faire Frou Frou on Twitter/re-blog/tweet this giveaway-I'm @misslizzymarie

5. There are tons of ways to enter, and I hate to be a pain but pleasepleaseplease leave a separate comment for each entry, it will just make my date with Excel next weekend that much easier.

Thank you so much to Faire Frou Frou! Tuesday a new giveaway!

Thank you to Faire Frou Frou for the verbage and image.

Skype, Dear John, and I'm So Gonna Lick Her Face.

Do you guys realize that as of 10:30 pm PST, BLOGGERS have raised over $2000 for Love Harder? That Love Harder has over 100 FB fans? That today alone over THREE HUNDRED bloggers posted a "Love Harder" post? That the system crashed today because there were so many people trying to donate at once? It's truly amazing what this community of ours can do when used for good.

In other, muchmuchmuch less important internet news...allow me to share a little convo I had this evening with one of the penis variety, and no I do not have permission but I also had no blogspiration, so sorry, Mr. Wonderful. Punish me later.

{Not him. But it's just effing adorable.}

Backstory-texted him "Look up the Dear John trailer"

He texts me back "Not happening"

Went to get a soy skinny cinnamon dolce latte (my new obsession. Also? I'm vegan (for) now.)

Then we got on Skype...my *notes* are in red.

Me: Hmm...I wonder if John is gonna die? You think? (Sarcasm, people, sarcasm)
Him: nope. trick movie. she dies, but he learns what true love is (He's sarcastic too)
Me: Do you know this for a fact?
Him: I don't
Me: It's Nicholas Sparks, he's not that deep
Him: seriously. I will never watch that (Ohhh yes you will)
Me: Never EVER?
Him: not for nothing
Him: do you want to see it? (He's so gonna cave)
Him: why on earth?
Me: Because it's like the notebook! (Not quite sure of my rationale here. Go with it.)
Him: EXACTLY!
Me: EXACTLY!
Him: = avoid like the plague
Me: = awwww it's about love!
Him: no. it isn't. Don't get me started (He's SO hot when I get him started. just sayin)
Me: hahaha I want to hear this (Get started! RAWR)
Him: everything wrong in the world, all I'm gonna say
Me: Hmmmm I think I just like the song in the preview (I'm pmsing emo always lately)
Him: the guy, just in the preview, is awful
Him: oh... oh, he was the guy in GI Joe! he's TERRIBLE
Me: TATUM CHANNING
Me: he's GORGEOUS (But you're cuter. I should have said that.)

Him: he is the worst actor I have seen in a long time
Him: not since Freddie Prinze
Him: I'll give you that
Me: Ohhh I used to love Freddie (Remember She's All That? I Know What You Did...)
Him: but he's the Megan Fox of dudes
Him: ok. he's not her
Him: she's a dumbass (YAY Suck it Megan! Wait, NO)

Me: "you don't scare me Mister" (watch the preview and you'll get it)

Him: hahahaha (I really like making him laugh. le sigh)
Same guy saw 500 Days of Summer with me and is taking me to Leap Year tomm...men. Big talkers.

IN OTHER EFFING AMAZING NEWS- LILU IS COMING LILU IS COMING!! TO ME! THIS WEEKEND! Gonna lick her face! Also? Apparently Thursdays are the new Friday's over here? I dunno. Friday is just a good day for me to catch up with ya'll. So HAPPY WEEKEND...have fun, be safe....Tell someone you love them. :)

Prepare for 5 days of FABULOUS giveaways next week! It's my blog birthday!
Lauren of The Offbeat Report is the winner of the WiNK tee, I'll email you!

Love Harder.

Why do I love blogging? The friendships. The love. Please read, and watch...and LOVE HARDER.

Love harder. Life is short, love is unbending, and no one knows what could happen next. Tell someone you love them today.

Brandy's Story-(Some of you may have read this before.)
My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach, and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds.

Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog-- as personal as the dude that I adore. But I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He's a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He's the guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job.

He's the guy who sent flowers to me at school-- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He's a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred.

He's made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He's listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making-- but this is life. Right now. And I'm throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you.

This isn't a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It's just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next.

Thank you for reading this, and if you haven't already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

Our Plea

Our friend Brandy is a brilliant writer, a wonderful teacher, and a generous friend. And she is in love with a man who has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

We are raising money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund in his name. For the price of a cinnamon dolce latte, half-caf, hold the whip, you can be part of an effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide.

www.loveharder.org

Every dollar brings us a dollar closer to a cure. And every donation brings a sliver of hope to a girl who needs all the hope she can get.

Love Harder,
Liz

My Badass Inspiration-Wendy Brandes

I rarely do interviews on my blog-this might be my second in almost a year-and that's because I only do them with people I secretly want to stalk, so an "interview for my blog" is totally a good cover. :)

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Wendy Brandes...jewelry designer/blogger/entrepreneur/fashion industry rock star...girl crush. Blogging has brought so many wonderful people into my life, and Wendy is one of them. I admire her, covet her jewelry, and appreciate the business and personal advice she has given me lately. She was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions...watch as I go from normal to creepy in about 30 seconds. :)

{Rocking her Swear Rings that were on my Badass Christmas List}

How did you get started in the fashion/design industry?

I couldn't find the type of jewelry I wanted to wear so I made it myself. I like lots of detail and lots of heft. You have to experience my pieces in person to really understand them because pictures can't convey the physical impact of an ounce of gold in a ring or necklace. It's a very sexy feeling.

What are your favorite pieces in your collection and why?

The most recent designs always get a lot of wear. Right now it's my Chicken in Egg locket and my Virginia Woolf Whistle. They're tricky mechanical pieces that are good examples of the type of work I do. When I meet someone new, I can easily show them my signature style. One piece I wear all the time is my onyx skull ring because ... well, look at it!

{Image credit-Jennine Tamm Jacob}

How do you not fall into the dark side of the fashion industry? I avoid the dark side because I'm a Jedi knight!

What 3 things should a girl always have in her bag? A phone, red lipstick and a Saturday night special.

Drink of choice? Champagne.
Red Lipstick of choice? I can't quit MAC's Lasting Lust.

You are the epitome of a badass bitch, in my opinion. And my opinion means EVERYTHING. lol. How do you stay grounded?

My badass parents raised me well.

What article of clothing would you never part with?

Wait, is this a Sophie's Choice question? If I say I'd never part with one item, am I implying that I WOULD part with the rest? I want to keep it all!

Since you're often in the front row...what fashion show has been your favorite? Is that even possible to answer?

I'm friends with some designers and, of course, they all have the Best!Shows!Ever! If you can get me a time machine and an invitation, I'd like to attend John Galliano's Spring 1995 show. Check out Linda Evangelista in the yellow tulle and feather gown about five minutes into the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEQHBF0xvCg

Will you hang out with me in NYC? (That? Would be where I become a stalker)

hahaha Not only will I hang out with you, I will also treat you to peach sangria at Emporio. But that's only available in the summer. Hmmm...what will I treat you to in the winter? A hot toddy?

Told you. Badass. Thanks, woman...a hot toddy will be fabulous, can't wait!

You can check out Wendy's amazing jewelry here, and her blog here.

I miss your blogs...sorry for the lame ass apologies, busy busy, KNOCK KNOCK and all...working on the balance thing. Life is good, though!! I hope you are too. xoxo

On Corn dogs and Balance...

First,

Not sure where to donate to help Haiti? Here is a great list, via FemmeRationale

In other news...

Istvan-real life bestie/beauty guru/Victoria Beckham look alike is doing his first giveaway...a 30 Day Kit of Glowelle-go to his blog and he'll explain it to you, but basically when I found out he had these in his possession I said "Um, you're not doing a giveaway, send that to ME." Haha. Retails for $112...it's awesome. HINT-(Raspberry Jasmine. You're welcome.)

So, I've found my voice again. Maybe it took the slamming closing of some doors, maybe it's actually living life again (KNOCK KNOCK), I don't know. What I do know is that I'm back. I went to the beach the other day with my sister-because where we live, it's sunny and gorgeous and we can do that.

I realized how much I've been taking for granted. Nasomuch the gorgeous scenery...I'm not going down that route here, although are we spoiled geographically? Absolutely.

{Credit-My sis, the photog. I was too busy lurking on hot surfers and putting them on Twitter. So I creep...yeahhhhh}

I don't usually eat corn dogs. I eat maybe one hot dog a year, or when they're forced upon me at sporting events. They just tend to freak me out in general. My sister stumbled upon this little corn dog and lemonade shack one night at 2am once, and she took me there, this time at 2 in the afternoon. We walked on the pier, there were dolphins and I was eating meat on a stick. For the first time in a long time, I felt free. Who knew that's all I needed?

I'm still searching for balance. Between being here but wanting to be there, NOW, between filling voids within myself with things, people I shouldn't rather than taking the time to find out what exactly is making me feel so empty sometimes. I'm stuck in that completely annoying place where the one I want is the one I can't have, and as I sit here typing this, listening to old soul music and quite pleased with the manicure I got today (Essie Mink Muffs ftw), I'm searching for the answer to what the hell am I doing with my life. What really matters? Do we ever really know? Or do we just do the best we can, take the bad along with the good and sometimes, just enjoy a god damn corn dog? It was a REALLY good corn dog. :)

Today, new beginnings...amazing opportunities. I am now an official freelance writer...you know, one who gets paid. My head is spinning, and when my pieces go up-pieces I am working on like crazy right now, you'll be the first to know, and as always, your support means the world.

Have a fabulous weekend!! My Giveaway is extended til Monday-I'm lazy busy. :)

How The Internet Has Single Handedly Ruined Relationships! A Guest Post

I know my regular posting schedule has been way off, and it might stay that way, but rest assured-I am NOT going anywhere. Except to Wordpress, booyah. Anyways, during last week's nonsense, so many of you kindly sent emails that I am still replying to, and one was from one of my favorite bloggers The Novelista Barista, offering to write something for me because she knew I was having a rough time. Plus, the subject she was hoping to write about is something I am A) Dealing with and B) Can't really talk about, ugh dating. But she can, and she did...and I adore this post.

You know it has.
You have seen it happen.
It probably happened to you.
There is no denying that facebook, myspace, linked in, blogs are ruining relationships. You are basically cyber-relationship screwed. Facebook has destroyed serious relationships for many close friends of mine. How you ask? (or this might have already happened to you!)

Well let's start with the stalker wall feed that they have. Everyone, regardless of if you want them to know or not, can see everything that you do on facebook in their wall feed, without even having to blink their eyes, it appears before them. So if you boyfriend is friends with you on facebook and some guy you hooked up with before him hits you up on facebook before you have a chance to delete the wall post, the BOYFRIEND is going to see it because facebook wants you to break up! And now what sort of problems does that bring to your relationship?

guy-"Why is that guy hitting you up on facebook?"
girl- We dont even talk anymore, I dont know!
guy- You must have written something on his wall or sent him a message, show me his wall!
girl- I am not showing you his wall! That is ridiculous, I dont know why he contacted me!

Ending: Big huge fight.

And that goes both ways. It very well happens as women, we tend to get jealous of other girls, especially on someone we are datings facebook or myspace page. If you aren't necessarily friends with them, you wonder why they are writing to your boyfriend "just wanted to say hi!". Although the boyfriend cannot control this, you still get angry and fight it out until he either A)removes her from his facebook and blocks all contact with her B) you send her a message on facebook telling her to stay the F away from him, or C) Break up because you will never move past this point in your relationship again.

The worst part after the wall writing would be the tagging of the photos. This is the danger zone and sometimes when people tag you, they don't even realize that they just planted a bomb right in the middle of your relationship that is just ticking waiting for the other to see this said tagged picture.

This picture, could be you doing absolutely nothing, but if you are in another picture with the opposite sex and it is not your BEST friend, prepare for some sort of jealousy. Granted not everyone is as jealous as others but it is still not the favored topic of conversation.
Now take for instance how the internet has changed dating people you have never met. With the help of Match.com, Eharmony.com, Jdate.com; you can see what people look like and know everything about them even before you meet them!

I mean, blind dating? I don't think so!!! If you don't have a facebook, myspace, twitter, blog or something.. basically you don't exist. Then you check to see if you can see anything on their page, and if not, you try another network. It is a crazy, easily informed era we have going on here. And I am most definitely a huge part of it.

Even when I am looking for employers I facebook the company to see if anyone actually does work there or not. That's usually how I know if I should even bother to consider applying completely for the position. And then LinkedIn? PAH.... Before going on a job interview, you can linkedin & facebook stalk the employees of who you're meeting with and know where they worked, where they graduated from college and what they do at their job even before you meet them! It is sort of crazy if you think about it.

So lastly (because I could go on for hours about how many of my friends relationships have had drama due to facebook!), you take our blogs. This is the place where you can write whatever you want and you can pick and choose who you want to read the material (telling your friends or people you know). I have chosen to tell only a select few due to the fact that I still need to write about things that are happening in my life and I can't write about the people who are READING my blog!!! An example-- my ex-boyfriend, T, (you can read ALL about him HERE) he never knew that I had a blog. Granted we were on the outs and that was the only way that I could write about how I was really feeling, but oh my god, if he ever read how I really felt, he would have had a heart attack.

I love social networking, really. I don't even know how we communicated with people.. I guess beepers were the "text messages" of the 90s and AIM was the google chat of the 90s. But facebook? AOL profiles had NOTHING on facebook!

Even though it has ruined our lives, ruined our friendships, our relationships and ruined our privacy, millions of people still continue to love social networking every single day. And as we love it more and more... the internet is determined to keep ruining our relationships, every wall update at a time.

Thanks love!

How do you guys feel? For me, I'm thinking of unlinking my blog and my FB. I have a mild to moderate panic attack when a guy I'm just starting to get to know finds my blog, and I stress over the things guys write on my FB wall. She's right! There is NO such thing as blind dating anymore! It's like the email I just sent her telling her I was about to post-

"Hey honey, going to post early. Going out with a guy I can't blog about tonight." :)

Also? HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN. I adore you!!

And? The WiNK Tee Giveaway is here til Friday.

I Had a Good Weekend. Now I'm Having a Giveaway.

Well...hello. I am having the HARDEST time with post titles lately! This just may be the worst to date. Apologies.

So, normally, I'd be like, ohhh blog I've missed you.

But I haven't. One of my best friends who used to blog but has since stopped (sad face) and I had the following conversation the other day.

Her-"KNOCK KNOCK"

Me- "Ummm who's there?"

Her-"LIFE. So go live it bitch."

Me- "Hahahahaha...you're right."

I haven't been. I'm not going to go in to the why's and all of that stuff, I just haven't been. This weekend I did-there were family dinners, dates, It's Always Sunny Marathons, a guy who made me the best cookies ever before we watched 500 Days of Summer...a movie that touched me so deeply because I identify with Summer SO much it freaks me out. We also saw Daybreakers...I usually LOVE zombie/ vampire (ones who don't sparkle :)) movies but yeah...not for me. Whatever. He made me cookies at 11 the night before. I can sacrifice Leap Year.

Also? Exposing someone to Jersey Shore for the first time is one of the BEST.THINGS.EVER. I wish I caught his reaction on camera. It was priceless. I think everyone's first introduction to "Snooki" is a sacred thing, no? Amazing.

Along with the 20sb award came exposure to some of the coolest blogs I probably wouldn't have found otherwise. I am working on a post filled with blog love, new and old. I promise this is the last time I will say this...but I am sorry I've been lacking on the comments. On that note, I've had to get my head straight. I'm learning some lessons. I've looked in the mirror and in the eyes of people who actually know me. And sometimes life just trumps the blog.

ANYWAYS. Holy tangent of god. Giveaway time!!! Ladyee Boutique is one of my fabulous sponsors, and the woman behind the shop is a hell of an inspiration to me. One of you will win the Calla Tee by WiNK, which I think is perfect for throwing on with jeans or leggings, or you can def dress it up. I love me some gray. Oh, and since my male audience has doubled, tripled even...I might have almost 10 gentleman reading now :), this would be an amazing gift for any woman in your life. Just. Sayin.

Le Rules...

1. Follow It's Unbeweavable! somehow someway and leave a comment, tell me somethin happy!

2. Follow Ladyee on Twitter and/or subscribe to their newsletter-2 entries respectively

3. I'll announce the winner on Friday.

4. Have a good week, loves.

Recharging...

Wow, what a week, I feel like it's been a roller coaster of sorts, both online and off. Again, I can't thank the 20sb community enough for the award, and on that note, I'm excited that 20sb has reached 10,000 members! (I'm sure more by now!) That's a whole lotta talent right there, and so many positive people.

Last night, I was inspired by this post written by one of my favorite bloggers, Matt of Life Without Pants. Our blogs couldn't be more different, but isn't that the beauty of blogging? He's awesome, check it out. His post was about Why Every Blogger Should Have a Non-Blogger Spouse, and while I don't have a spouse, or someone I can comfortably classify as a significant other (yet ohhh), I do have a guy who says, "Step away. Turn it off. You're intelligent and beautiful and let's have lunch. The sun is shining. The internet will still love you (or hate on you haha) in a day or two."

So that's what I'm going to do! I think a spontaneous road trip to Vegas is in the works this weekend to see Kathleen-blog friend turned real life friend whom I miss. If not, there will be long walks. Ribs are better, so I plan on serving cute boy his ass in tennis. There are movies I want to see, it's Always Sunny marathons with said cute boy...he bought cookies and cream ice cream...if you remember this post. :)

My point is, everyone needs some time to recharge and unplug. I need to look people who know me in real life in the eyes, and hug them, devote 100% of my mind and energy, and honestly not have to explain anything about myself for a few days.

Lovers! I am not sad, down or depressed! Very happy and blessed, actually. I have just recognized that I need a little Liz time to get my badass balance back, and I'll be back on Monday. So don't you dare leave me "feel better" comments! I will be very mad at you!!

Instead...how do you recharge? Do you think it's important to do so? Will you be in Vegas this weekend? :)

The Post She Was Dreading Writing...

I'm struggling with what to say here. Some probably think I shouldn't say anything at all, and they might be right. If you're new-Hello! Welcome!, you should know I don't have a very good track record of not saying anything.

One person out of thousands, tried to bring me down today. And I let him. I let him get the best of me, and take away some of my joy. That's silly. I know.

See, I'm pretty naive. Somehow, after working in the fashion industry for ten years, and now starting my own business while planning a huge move, I am realizing I don't have that thick of a skin after all. So I'm working on it. I realize the more "popular" I get, these things will happen.

I am not going to get into the back and forth, and rehash it. I feel and hope that it has been resolved. I'm sure some of you are like WTF are you talking about Liz, and to you I will say don't worry about it, and consider yourself lucky you missed the drama.

My blog is my baby. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way. I am fiercely protective of it, and you know what, I'm immensely PROUD OF IT, awards, features, sponsors or not. I know that I will never be able to please everyone, and I wouldn't want to. Who can? I am more than a "sexy" profile picture...but ya know what? I like that picture. I don't think I have to tell anyone who's read more than 3 of my posts just how deep my blog can get.

I CAN write posts on SEO and social media, but I do that for a living now, and my blog isn't the place for that. I'm the daughter of a former pastor, so if you want to talk theology, email me. I've traveled to 3rd world countries to try to bring a smile to kids faces-if you want to hear more-yep, email me! I'm happy with the lil place in bloggy land that I've carved out here, and I'm super excited to get to know so many of you who came by today. This blog is my journey, and If I'm not the blogger for you, no hard feelings! There are millions of blogs out there-just handle it with respect.

I never claimed my blog was going to change the world...but I know it's touched some hearts. And that's enough for me.

In closing, to all of YOU...all of you who voted, commented today, twittered, emailed, blogged, texted, sent me a messenger pigeon, Thank You. The friendships I have made are worth a hater or 2.

Also? YES, you can be incredibly intelligent, witty, talented...and care about your physical appearance, and even the dreaded "F" word-fashion. There is NOTHING wrong with that. Be badass. Just sayin.

I'm disabling comments because I have so many to get back to from my previous, happy post!! I am REALLY looking forward to reading your blogs!! Plus, I do not want to fuel a fire I hope has been put out.

As usual...feel free to email me at itsunbeweavable@gmail.com

Tuesday-EH. Wednesday...work with me here. :)

Stop the blog hate, ya'll. It's sad.