GUESS WHAT!! | Life

I am proud to announce that Zaire will become a big brother, I am with child.

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!! 

We are expecting our second child, and our due date is a few days after Zaire's 6th birthday.

We are so excited!!

Every day Zaire tells me something else that he will be teaching the baby.

(How to brush their teeth, clean their room, but most important how to be a big kid...lol)

I will continue to keep you guys posted with all the details of this pregnancy as well as the birth of our second child.

Be sure to check back for updates.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

REVIEW | A Beautiful Face 101 (Virginia Beach Edition)

On May 31, 2014 I had the pleasure of attending Alexandra Butler's 'A Beautiful Face 101' in Virginia Beach. I have been a fan of Alex's work for some time now; being a new resident of Virginia Beach, it only seemed right that I attend this class.

Why this class was a good fit for me:

Honestly, I wasn't planning on attending a makeup class. I always thought they were for professional working makeup artists or super glam divas. I thought I wouldn't need the information being taught because I only did "my own makeup".
"I didn't need to do a model's makeup at photo shoots so why would I need this class?" I thought. However, Alex's ability to transform everyday women into super models made it an easy decision. I wanted to know how to properly apply a natural daytime makeup look, know how to jazz it up for a night out and how to be "Super Glam" for special events/photo shoots.
 

Purchasing My Ticket:

The idea of attending this class came to me when I was about to hit 'Confirm' on a large makeup purchase. It was spring and I wanted to revamp my look. I went to my favorite online beauty retailer and filled my cart. I had everything from foundation to concealer, powders, eye shadows, brow pencils and brow gels. I watched the price rise into the hundreds but it didn't bother me one bit. Then I thought to myself, "Why am I so comfortable purchasing all of this makeup and I'm not comfortable investing in learning how to use this makeup?"

I immediately canceled my order and made my way to Alex's Facebook Fanpage. There I was able to get the link to her makeup classes. The only tickets left for the VA Beach location were the "late bird" tickets that retailed at $300. I purchase my ticket right away.

Attending A Beautiful Face 101:

The big day had finally come! I was so excited to learn and I couldn't sleep the night before. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. The class was held at Studio CK Salon in Virginia Beach. The doors opened at noon, which allowed us enough time to mingle and network before class. There was delicious food and desserts, as well as juice, sweet tea and water. 
The class started around 12:45pm and went until a little after 4pm. I brought a pen, my clip board and took notes on the syllabus she provided for us.  We received step-by-step instructions and a live makeup application demonstration by Alex. We also received a personalized step-by-step lesson on how to take our makeup to the next level. What I loved most was that she didn't go to the next step in the makeup application until she was sure we ALL understood what she did and, most importantly, why she did it. Alex made sure we all knew what techniques were best for each of our faces and eye shapes; as well as how to update our current makeup techniques and make the most of the products we already own. 

(Our model was Coko (@cokoclemons) from the super talented R&B group SWV, and from WeTV's hit reality show "SWV Reunited".)

GET INSPIRED! | Featured Entrepreneur: Alexandra Butler

 

Alexandra Butler is an entrepreneur, teacher and professional makeup artist.
With her down to earth sense of humor, bubbly personality, and exemplary makeup skills, she excels above the norm in the beauty industry. Alexandra has developed a familiar niche, being known for her blending technique and flawless skin.

 

 

Creating the life you want

I don't spend enough time in the present. 

I'm so worried about what needs to be done, 

I'm not taking the time to realize what I have accomplished. 

I set goals.

I achieve those goals.

Then I dream bigger.

My son is teaching me to slow down. 

To be in the moment.

He's already 5 years old.

(These have been the fastest 5 years of my life.)

He teaches me to notice the small things. 

To look at ants and birds. 

Then clouds and airplanes.

To laugh and smile everyday.

To help, and to teach.

I've learned to create art everyday. 

I teach my son you need Art. 

"You need Art, just like you need toothpaste."

Surround yourself with things that make you smile. 

Your favorite colors, your favorite artists, and people who inspire you. 

Surround yourself with love, eat good food, and exercise.

Help others, stay thankful, and stay humble.

Count your blessings. If you don't know where to start, start with this very breath.

"I am so happy and thankful that I can breathe."

With each breath inhale positive energy, and exhale negative energy.

Continue to name everything you are thankful for until you begin to feel better.

(Remember to smile the entire time.)

DREAM

Think of everything you could ever want in life. 

Every place you want to go. Every food you'd like to eat. Everything you'd like to wear. What kind of car do you want to drive? What kind of home will you live in? Do you have a family? What does your family look like? Where do you work? What do you do? What do you love?

Dream your wildest dreams; then, capture that feeling.

BELIEVE

Believe you already have it. 

Give thanks and appreciate everything you have received and everything you have yet to receive. Have faith.

RECEIVE

Receive your blessings.

Create the life you want.

What steps do you take to live your dream life?

I'd love to know, leave a message in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Trick-or-Treating with friends | Halloween Series Part 3

We had a blast on Halloween night trick or treating with friends in Virginia Beach.

Press play to watch our video below.

(Make video full screen and watch in HD for best results.)

What did you do for Halloween?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

REVIEW | Hunt Club Farm (Halloween Series Part 2)

Zaire was so excited to go trick-or-treating at Hunt Club Farm's Annual Halloween event.

This was our first time visiting the Virginia Beach farm, and it was worth the visit.

It was very inexpensive, and had events for both children and adults.

There were hay rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides, food, vendor tables,

a pumpkin patch, pony rides, and so much more.

They had so many animals we didn't have enough time to visit all of them because Zaire was having so much fun. We saw pigs, goats, bunnies, chickens, turkeys, and a cage with beautiful birds including an albino peacock. 

Zaire had a ball on the playground.

He didn't want to leave. 

I'm looking forward to this becoming a Carter Family Tradition.

Press play to watch our video below.

(Make video full screen and watch in HD for best results.)

  

 

Be ready to have fun and wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting dusty.

What did you do for Halloween?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

(((Did you miss part 1 of the Halloween series. Click HERE)))

Trunk-Or-Treat | Halloween Series Part 1

Zaire was so excited to go trick-or-treating at the Norfolk Community Trunk-or-Treat.

Press play to watch the video below. 

(Make video full screen and watch in HD for best results.)

What did you do for Halloween?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Self Acceptance | Fitness Journey

It's crazy how much could change in one year. I remember this time last year weighing myself and being horrified. I was uncomfortable in my own skin. It was at that time that I decided to make a lifestyle change. I cut my sugar intake and drank lots of green juice. I started running, got a gym membership, and started working out with a personal trainer. The fat melted off. I lost 20lbs in 2 months. I was running about 20-40 miles per month and I felt AMAZING!

Fast forward to January and I moved to Virginia. My family was so excited to be together again. (My husband was away in the Navy.) I cooked 3 meals a day, we went out to dinner, and guess what, I ate cake. Lots and lots of cake.  (Mmmmm)

Slowly the weight came back. Little by little  without me even noticing. One day I tried to put on my favorite shorts and they didn't fit. I got on the scale to find out I had gained 23 lbs over 5 months. I was back at my starting weight plus 3 pounds. I felt horrible.

My first instinct was to go hard, and try to lose the weight, and for some reason it was so much harder this time. I beat myself up, everyday, and felt worse and worse about myself. I was still running, I even met my goal of running 10 miles in less than 2 hours. But since the number on the scale wasn't changing, I didn't celebrate. I told myself I need to do more, I need to do better.

One day I woke up and looked in the mirror and said enough was enough. I made a vow to love me. Exactly how I was. I would learn to love my curves. I got all new clothes so I didn't feel so fat trying to wear clothes that didn't fit. Slowly I began to feel better.

Today, one year into my fitness journey, I weight 3lbs more than I weighed when I started last year but I love myself so much. I love my wide hips, my thick thighs, and my chocolate skin. I believe in myself, and I know what I'm capable of. I run 2-10 miles a day when I feel like it, I eat healthy, I do yoga, and I love me.

I SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY: Love Yourself. Exactly where you are, right now, today! This time last year I hated who I was, and now 3lbs heavier, I love who I've become. 

Thanks for stopping by, until next time...

Stay Positive and Stay Inspired

DREAM | BELIEVE | RECEIVE

Get to know me | 10 facts about Tora Carter

1. I love Halloween 

Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year.

It's one of the only nights of the year where you can be whoever you want to be. 

I always loved Halloween as a child, but once my son was born I loved it even more. 

The first Halloween where Zaire went Trick-or-Treating was he was Mr. T. 

He was 14 months old.

Since then he has been a "Geek" and a "Zombie".

Last year Zaire was a ninja.

This year he'll be Captain America.

2. I love sneakers

...The Carters...

3. I love lipstick

4. I love sunglasses

 

Usually I'm wearing my prescription glasses, but when I have my 

contacts on I love wearing sunglasses. 

 

5. I love tattoos

Zaire with his temporary tattoos.