#2: Everything is Changing

Want the good news or the “omg” news first? Good news? You got it.

I’m going to be starting work again.

That’s all I’m going to say for now since I haven’t had my first day back yet.. I’m still a little nervous about how I’ll react being that I haven’t worked in two years. However, given that I have time to write.. keep an eye out for a post about my first week back at work on August 14th!

Waiting for the “omg” news, right?

For the month of August, I’m thinking about doing a complete blog overhaul. This is where I need your input!

I really want to add more menu tabs and separate my beauty, lifestyle, and personal posts (just to make it more appealing to find what you want to read). I also wanted to maybe try out writing opinion posts? I wrote for a few organizations during the primaries here in the US, but I’ve never integrated my social or political opinions into this blog. Any thoughts?

In terms of my blog, I also have a ton of posts scheduled (but very few drafted, as I’m writing this). But I wanted to know what you’d love to see more of. Since I’ll be working, I’ll have more wiggle room with trying out new products and writing more lifestyle posts (since I can afford to go places now). Along those lines kinda I’d also love to know what changes you’d personally like to see here (like pictures in every post, maybe? that type of thing).

I blog for me, but I also blog for you. I want to make a concerted effort to get to know you (my reader(s)) and what you look for in your reading material. This should be enjoyable for all parties involved, know what I mean?

Let me know your thoughts/feelings/questions/concerns/suggestions,etc. below!

Until next time,

♥Char.

I’d love it if you’d check me out on social media too! You can find me at the following links: FacebookInstagram, BlogLovin, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

Marriage Happenings #5

Hi everyone! If you’re new here and don’t necessarily know what this post is about, please check out my first post of this series here.

Much like the last few months, I don’t think I have much to write this time around. However, I’ll gladly give you what I can. I hope you enjoy! ♥


Him: Come in here; I have something to show you.
Me: Are you gonna surprise me?
Him, slyly: Maybe…
Me: You better not have your dick out.

 

WARNING: GRAPHIC
Me: *opening applesauce for a snack*
Him: So, I discovered that if you sandblast the toilet with shit, it keeps it clean!
-He then goes into detail about his atrocious BM earlier that morning-
Me: I just wanted to eat my applesauce…

 

Me, with a ring pop: Propose to me again.
Him: Booty booty booty rockin everywhere.
Me: Jacob oh my god seriously say something nice.
Him: If you were a dinosaur you’d be an awesome-saurous-rex and its not because your arms are short.
Me: Say something nice that doesn’t have to do with my butt or me being a dinosaur.

 

Me, teaching him French: Qu’est-ce que ce? *points to foot*
Me: Hint..The English turned it into a word that means “a person walking on the street.”
Him: Hooker?
Me, dying laughing at this point: YIELD TO HOOKERS IN THE CROSSWALK OH MY GOD.


That’s all I have for this month, so I hope it’s enough to keep you going for another little while! If you’re staying up to date with me on social, you’d know that there have been quite a lot of changes for me lately (which explains my untimeliness), but I’m working hard to get back on a schedule!

If you want to see more, please check out my other Marriage Happenings posts, which can be found via the search bar on my main page♥

Until next time,
♥Char.

If you’ve stuck around this long, please check me out on social media too! You can find me at the following links: FacebookInstagramTwitter, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

Last Week of Social Media Month

Hi everyone! Onto the last part of #SocialMediaMonth! ♥

Since I’m pretty late with posting this, this last week will be a bit of a  banger. 

For the rest of the week, I’ll be doing comments, likes, and shares on all social media platforms. I’ll also be doing follow for follow on WordPress and BlogLovin’.

As always, I’ll still be super active on Twitter, as well as my Facebook Group (link: U.S. Blogosphere). What does that mean for you? Increased visibility!

Share your links below (or on my blog’s facebook page) for follows/comments/shares/RTs and I’ll gladly oblige! Just let me know which favor you’d like in your comment ♥

Once again, you have no obligation other than just leaving your links for me to interact with. Some reciprocation would be nice (just for you to help me get the word out about #SocialMediaMonth), but it’s not required. ♥

Feel free to tweet @ForgedOpulence any time! 

Until next time,

♥Char.

Keep up to date with my #SocialMediaMonth Challenge here; Never miss what I’m up to next!

I’d love it if you’d check me out on social media too! You can find me at the following links: FacebookInstagram, BlogLovin, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

U. S. Blogosphere

Hi everyone! I’ve seen a lot of twitter pods happening lately, so I created one specifically for US Bloggers. It’s so damn hard to find each other! 

Then I thought, “Why stop there?” So I also created a brand new (active) Facebook group! It’s called U. S. Blogosphere and I’d love for you to join! 

P. S. If you want in on the twitter pod just for some fun conversation, get ahold of me on twitter @ForgedOpulence 🙂 

Until next time,

Char. 

IMPROMPTU POST: Best Steals for Ulta’s Summer Sale 2017

Hi everyone! I woke up to an email this morning that Ulta is hosting a gigantic summer sale, and I could not be more upset that I don’t have money to spend right now haha. To get over my sadness, I figured I’d write up a quick post to tell you what I think the best steals are! I hope you enjoy♥


$10 & UNDER

  • BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette – $9.99 (reg. $14.50)
  • Bare Minerals Meet Gen Nude Mini Lipcolors & Glosses – $10 (reg. $15)
  • Dose of Colors Lip Glosses – $10 (reg. $15)
  • Julep Holographic & Birthstone Nail Polishes – $10 (reg. $14) LIMITED EDITION
  • *L’Oreal Exfoliate & Refine Clay Mask – $9.99 (reg. $12.99)
  • Garnier Micellar Waters – $6.74 (reg. $8.99)
  • *OGX Shampoos, Conditioners, Styling Products, & Treatments – (price varies)

VitaBath, Burt’s Bees, YesTo, 2B, Catrice, J.Cat Beauty, & More!

$20 & UNDER

  • Laura Geller Beach Matter Baked Hydrating Bronzer – $16.50 (reg. $33)
  • Urban Decay Revolution Lip Glosses – $11 (reg. $22)
  • *The Body Shop Body Butters – $14.99 (reg. $21)
  • *Hempz Herbal Body Moisturizers – $16.99 (reg. $23-28)
  • Macadamia Shampoo & Conditioner – $22 (reg. $50)

Ahava, Joico, Matrix, Sun Bum, Redken, Tarte, & More!

$30 & UNDER

  • *Tarte Make Believe In Yourself Palette – $30 (reg. 40) LIMITED EDITION

Also some picks from Stila, Japonesque, La Roche-Posay, Vichy, & More!

Check out all of these amazing products (and the hella good sale) at Ulta.Com

*An asterisk denotes that it’s an absolute personal recommendation from me 🙂


If you’ve stuck around this long, please check out what I’ve been up to here, and find me on social media too! You can find me on FacebookInstagram, Twitter, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

Until next time,

♥Char.

50 Questions You’ve Never Been Asked : TAG

Hi everyone! I was tagged by the amazing Em from outofteabags.com to do the 50 Questions You’ve Never Been Asked tag. This is a super fun tag that I’m glad to be a part of. If you’d like to take part (even if you haven’t been tagged yet), please use this as your invitation and send me your post when you’re done! I hope you enjoy 🙂


1. What is your favourite candle scent?
Yankee Candle’s Christmas Cookie. I could burn this literally every hour of every day and never get tired of the scent. It makes me so sad that it’s seasonal and it’s so hard for me to get my hands on!

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?
Honestly? None, really. I don’t really want to bask in someone else’s limelight.

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?
I’d have to say the same thing as above. Just not my style *shrug*

4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?
I was 22 when I got married 😀

5. Do you know a hoarder?
Myself? Haha. I’m really not that bad; I just have a hard time letting go of things I’ll end up using eventually – especially body care.

6. Can you do the splits?
Absolutely not. My body is not made for strenuous physical activity hahaha.

7. How old were you when you learned to ride a bike?
I would guess around five? I feel like that’s pretty standard. It did take me a while, though.. that much I remember.

8. How many Oceans have you swam in?
Two. Atlantic and Pacific.

9. How many countries have you visited?
Countries? Jeeze. Way to make me feel so inexperienced lol. The farthest I’ve ever been from the contiguous US is Hawaii.

10. Is anyone in your family in the army?
Not currently.

11. What would you name your daughter if you had one?
I think Jacob and I picked out Temperance. I’m partial to Constance, though.. And if I’m doing all the hard work………..

12. What would you name your son if you had one?
We keep going between Leonidas or Augustus. Fingers crossed that I get to use both of those names some day!

13. What’s the worst grade you’ve got in a test?
Hahahaha ohhh mannn. We’re not even going to touch this one.

14. What was your favourite TV show as a kid?
I was like practically in love with the Teletubbies. I mean, come on, they’re so cute!

15. What did you dress up as for Halloween when you were 8?
Probably a bride. I’m pretty sure as soon as I was old enough to pick my own costume, I was a bride almost every single year until I got older and smart-ass-ier.
16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?
I read the entire Twilight series when I was in high school. The movies RUINED IT.

17. Would you rather have an American or a British accent?
I have a New Jersey accent, and I’m perfectly fine with it 🙂
18. Did your Mother go to University?
For a little bit, yeah. DeVry in Ohio, I believe.

19. Are your grandparents still married?
Fifty years next year!

20. Have you ever taken Kerate lessons?
Nope. Like I said in 6, I’m not made for it lol.
21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?
That’s none of my business *sip*

22. What was the first amusement park you went to?
I’m told Dutch Wonderland, but the first park I remember going to would be Knobles in PA.
 
23. What language beside your native language would you like to be fluent in?
I’m fluent in French, but I would love to learn Spanish (for the practicality) and Italian (for the beauty).

24. Do you spell the colour as grey or gray?
Gray.

25. Is your father bald?
Nope! Full head of hair.

26. Do you know any triplets?
Not to my knowledge…??

27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?
I don’t know how someone could possibly choose between these two. Okay, nevermind. I pick the Notebook because it at least has a kind of heart-warming ending. Rose was such a damn door-hog! Like, how could you?!?

28. Have you ever had Indian food?
I think twice? I tend to like really bland food hahaha.

29. What’s the name of your favourite restaurant?
Pino’s Pizzeria in Easton, Pennsylvania ♥

30. Have you ever been to Nandos?
I don’t even know what that is.

31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores? (Costco, Bookers etc)
Nope!

32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?
Anthony Royce.

33. If you have a nickname, what is it?
Char 🙂

34. Who is your favourite person in the world?
My husband ❤ And my cat, but she’s not a person :/ But still!

35. Would you rather live in the countryside or the city?
Suburbs. Halfway between both!

36. Can you whistle?
Yes! It’s one of my most favorite talents.

37. Do you sleep with a night light?
Oh no. I can’t sleep unless it’s pitch black.

38. Do you eat breakfast every morning?
Not every morning 😦 I know I should, but half the time I forget to eat until my sugar crashes haha (it’s not really funny but we’re going with it.. it’s a sad laugh.. you know what I mean).

39. What medical conditions do you have?
That’s a secret.

40. How many times have you been to hospital?
More than I’d like lol.

41. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?
One and a half times. The second time I was drunk and don’t remember more than the first ten minutes of the movie. Shit happens.

42. Where do you buy your jeans?
American Eagle.

43. What was the last compliment you got?
My husband probably grabbed my butt, I’m guessing. I’ll take that as a compliment.

44. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?
Sometimes, if they’re super awful and vivid. Ugh. My brain is RUDE.

45. What flavour tea do you enjoy?
Tangerine!

46. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?
I lost count of that a long time ago, haha.

47. What religion will you raise your children to practice?
I’m not going to try to cross that bridge until I come to it.

48. How old were you when you found out Santa wasn’t real?
I don’t really know, but I know I was really young. I accidentally found my Christmas presents in my closet. Who hides Christmas presents in the person’s closet?!? But I remember for years after that my parents still kept trying to convince me that Santa was real LOL. I wasn’t upset though, so that’s a plus.

49. Why do you have a blog?
I’ve been writing in some capacity on the internet since 2004, so it’s just something that’s always been there and that I’ve always loved doing. It’s just a natural thing for me.

50. Name 5 of your favourite albums ever:

  1. In Love and Death – The Used
  2. + – Ed Sheeran

That’s all I can think of. I’m sure there are more, but the only one that automatically came to me was #1, lol. Whoops!


I’m tagging the people below to participate, as well as anyone else who wants to join in! Like I said, take this as your invitation! Also, please check out the people I have listed below ♥


If you’ve stuck around this long, please check me out on social media too! You can find me on FacebookInstagram, Twitter, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

Until next time,

♥Char

Marriage Happenings #4

As you probably know by now, we’ve been completely tied up with moving for the last while, so I haven’t really thought to write anything down. Instead of this post being the usual “funny things about marriage,” it’ll be more like a small update for you.

Here are some funny things we’ve been up to for the last month:

  • I waited until last minute to pack up the old house, so I was literally packing up the wall decorations as Jacob was loading the truck.
  • We spent an entire three week period at the new house, just trying to get it cleaned enough that we could move in. It took me three days to scrub down the kitchen cabinets, that are now a new color. It took my husband three days to scrub out the oven – which we thought was black – but is actually robin’s egg blue. Now imagine all of that, but all over the entire house. I’m not kidding.
  • Jacob accidentally mixed chlorine bleach and ammonia while cleaning the bathroom and almost gassed us both out. Woo!
  • It took us two trips (and me driving, which I don’t do) to get everything to the new house. Not because we have a bunch of crap, but because we ordered a 15′ truck from UHaul and when I measured the truck, it was about 10′ – they lie. Never trust UHaul.
  • After the truck fiasco, we were then overcharged for it because the drop off attendant didn’t enter our return time correctly. It took a week to get resolved.
  • Right before we got the first load off the truck, I noticed that my cat was nowhere to be found. Of course, she’s the one that isn’t chipped. So I spent an hour running around the house screaming and crying for my damn cat. Mind you, I had already made my laps around our property and the new neighborhood, and I ripped apart everything in the house. Where was she? She somehow got herself wedged inside a recliner. She just felt like she wanted to chill there so she wasn’t moving or making a sound the entire time I was FREAKING OUT.
  • I ripped the bottom lining out of the recliner. No more furniture hidey spots.
  • We decided to refinish some furniture right after we moved in, because who doesn’t love more projects, right? Long story short, my husband thought it was good idea to have me stain furniture that’s bigger than I am so I ended up looking like a Dalmatian. Apparently my body parts are like magnetically pulled toward things that will hurt me or leave ebony wood stain marks for a week.
  • Jacob and I were finally able to get back into our old MySpace accounts. Oh man. Ohhhh mannnnn.

 

That’s about it for the fun. Or at least that’s all that I can remember (maybe for a reason, haha). I’ve already got some things written down for next month, so hopefully that’ll be a little easier and more entertaining to read!

Until next time,

♥Char.

If you’ve stuck around this long, please check me out on social media too! You can find me on FacebookInstagram, Twitter, and Pinterest ♥♥♥

 

Monthly Goals: July 2017

I’m going to apologize in advance if this post is wispy or long-winded. My George (cat, pic in my “About Me”) is getting some dental work done as I’m typing this and I can’t function. I had a nice cry in the car after we dropped her off and will probably continue to have more. I’m all over the place, don’t mind me. 

Oh! I’m also writing this on my phone, so it may not be as “pretty” to read as normal. 

Let’s just get into this:

1. I want to get back into my skincare routine – I’ve already made strides towards this, but I’m not quite there yet, and my skin knows it. It was fine for about a week and now it’s giving me issues because I slacked off. 

2. Read two books – I wanted to read at least a book a month this year, so that means that I’m currently 4 months behind. I need to step it up! 

3. Start paying attention to my planner – I make a concerted effort to plan my weeks with washi tape and pretty stickers, but then forget to actually look at it throughout the week. With July being my #SocialMediaMonth challenge, I really need to be on top of things. 

4. Declutter my virtual life (again) – I made a post a long time ago about Clearing Digital Clutter that I need to revisit. I feel like my laptop and my phone are both just bursting at the seams with media that shouldn’t be taking up space. Same goes for all of my social media accounts. I want everything to be as simple and streamlined as possible. 

5. Find employment – This has literally been on my to-do list for a year and a half. Finding a job in the South is ridiculously hard, which I’ve been learning the hard way. However, my husband and I want to start seriously paying off debt, saving money, and living more comfortably. Two incomes would make that much easier. 

Lastly, I’d really like to have a super successful month of July on all fronts. That being said, I would gladly appreciate it if you would spread the word about my #SocialMediaMonth challenge to all of your friends who could use a little nudge to be more socially active online. I’d also love if you would join in yourself! 
Until next time, 

Char ❤

#SocialMediaMonth Schedule

Welcome to #SocialMediaMonth!

Below, you’ll find my schedule for the entire month of July. You’re more than welcome to join in for the entirety, or just participate in the events that strike your fancy! My one request is that any shares/reposts/etc. get tagged with @ForgedOpulence and #SocialMediaMonth. Good luck, and happy posting!

Extra Info: All master posts (where you leave your links) for each event will be on here and my facebook page. All of my other social media links are at the bottom of this post ♥


*TODAY* 06/28Hosting Twitter Chat for @BBloggersChat on my Twitter

Topic: The Beauty of Social Media            Time: 3 pm EST / 8 pm BST

06/30 – #SocialMediaMonth Begins! 

07/01 – Blog Favors Weekend *Comments, Likes, Shares

07/02 – Blog Favors Weekend *Comments, Likes, Shares

Weekly Theme Announcement on Twitter

07/03-07/07 – Weekly Theme: Twitter – Likes, RTs, & Interaction

General Interaction *Catch me on Twitter or Instagram!

07/07 – Blog Post: #FollowFriday & My Favorite Posts of the Week

07/08 – Twitter & Pinterest Weekend *Twitter Likes & Shares, Pinterest Follow for Follow, Likes & Shares

07/09 – Twitter & Pinterest Weekend *Twitter Likes & Shares, Pinterest Follow for Follow, Likes & Shares

Weekly Theme Announcement on Twitter

07/10-07/14 – Weekly Theme: Random Platforms – Pinterest, SnapChat, Tumblr, Facebook Page – Likes, Comments, Shares, & Other Interactions

General Interaction *Catch me on Twitter or Instagram!

07/14 – Blog Post: #FollowFriday & My Favorite Posts of the Week

07/15 – Blog Post: 2017 Project Pan Update #6

Twitter & Facebook Page Weekend *Twitter Likes & Shares, Facebook Page Comments & Likes

07/16 – Twitter & Facebook Page Weekend *Twitter Likes & Shares, Facebook Page Comments & Likes

Weekly Theme Announcement on Twitter

07/17-07/21 – Weekly Theme: Instagram – Likes & Comments

General Interaction *Catch me on Twitter or Instagram!

07/21 – Blog Post: #FollowFriday & My Favorite Posts of the Week

07/22 – Twitter & Instagram Weekend *Twitter & IG Likes, Comments, & RTs

07/23 –Twitter & Instagram Weekend *Twitter & IG Likes, Comments, & RTs

Weekly Theme Announcement on Twitter

07/24-07/28 – Weekly Theme: Blogs – Blog Likes, Comments, Shares, & BlogLovin Follows.

General Interaction *Catch me on Twitter or Instagram!

07/25 – Blog Post: Marriage Happenings #5

07/28 – Blog Post: #FollowFriday & My Favorite Posts of the Week

07/29-07/30 – This is the only thing I’m keeping a secret. Given how crazy the schedule is for July, I’m sure you realize I plan on going out with a bang. ♥ I’ll be posting the final Weekend Theme across all of my social media on Saturday, as usual.

07/29 – Hosting Twitter Chat for @BloggersTribe on my Twitter

Topic: Social Media            Time: 3 pm EST / 8 pm BST

07/30 – Blog Post: July Goals Progress Report

07/31 – Blog Post: Finale / Thank You

Blog Post: August Goals


If you’ve stuck around this long, please check me out on social media too! You can find me on BlogLovin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest ♥♥♥