Recommended Links for the Human Rights Lovers

I'm keeping my link list short this week, because I want what I share to have the emphasis it deserves.  I know a lot of you care about people like I do, so I've collected some great stories and projects that work to make things better for the world.  By the way, I'm thinking about taking this idea and running with it in some direction or another, so let me know what you think!

photo by Josefa Holland-Merten, via Unsplash

Recommenced Resources for Atlanta Dog Owners

Even though I've lived inside the perimeter since September 2013, I feel like I'm just now shedding my Atlanta green-ness.  And that's only in some areas.  Thankfully, I've run into loads of people in the dog area who've been willing to offer help and resources, and I wanted to pass them along to anyone else in the same boat.  Of course there's much, much more to be discovered, so if you have your own recommendations to add, please leave a comment below!

First, I'll say that there are a lot more independently owned pet stores than I would have expected.  In my hometown, we had a PetsMart and a PetCo in the city next door then the feed and seed store where we'd get our chicken feed.  Here in Atlanta, there are more pet stores that I've been able to visit.  So far I've visited two locations of Red Bandana (I like their rewards program), Intown Healthy Hound, and The Clean Dog.  Everyone I've met in each of these stores has been very kind and helpful and completely willing and able to tell me everything I could possibly want to know about their products and what would be best for Mako.

Second, a true godsend for a young couple looking to save money, Atlanta has a pop-up low cost vaccine clinic that travels to different locations throughout the month.  Mako just got his rabies shot Saturday from the vet conducting the clinic, and again I was overwhelmed by how helpful and kindhearted the vet was.  He could tell Mako was our first dog as a couple, so he showered us with important beginner info, just in case.

I've scanned the 2015 shot clinic information.  Here it is below!

Skincare Rescue Plan: Cleansing and Determining your Skin type

Part three!

If I'd been writing this post for my teenage self, I think it would have mostly been filled with information on what not to do.  There are so many ways I messed up this step, and I didn't even know I was making mistakes!  Also, figuring out my skin type always seemed really complicated, for some reason.  Well here we are again to knock out some research!

Recommended!

Here are this week's recommended links!  And I think I should be trying out more new things, because I don't have a real-life recommendation for this week.  Time to test out more recipes, I guess!

#1 Recommendation: This story on Instagram

This is THE cutest puppy on the planet!  (besides mine)  I love this whole Instagram account!

Haha!  These 15th century peasant romantic comic strips!

Put this on my nail art bucket list.  Beautiful.

An encouraging post on blogging when it's not your full-time job  |  I really, really appreciated this post.

Look at these amazing foods from Japan!

I am besotted with this lovely little house.

Woah, these cars up for auction!  Caleb and I watch Top Gear at least once a week, and usually more than one episode at a time, so I've slowly been cultivating a respect and desire for beautiful cars like these.  Mm.

And for anyone job seeking, here's an uplifting story of one man going above and beyond to market himself and getting a job!  Never give up.

More Killer Tips for Job Seekers

I was scanning over some articles in the Job Search section of themuse, and I've collected some of the best to share with you guys.

 

First, check out how to clean up your social media during your job search.  43% of employers (and all the recruiters I work with) check social media to get a better look at candidates.  Even I have looked up a few profiles of candidates, and let me tell you, social media matters.  Putting your best foot forward extends to whatever you make public online, so please do be mindful of this.

This article on how to tailor your resume for the job you're applying for is also excellent.  This is another crucial step to resume writing.  Hiring managers spend so little time glancing over resumes, you need to make sure that every piece of resume real estate displays information that's pertinent to your audience.

Finally, here are some great tips on using LinkedIn while job hunting.  Number 14, including a current job title even if you're not currently employed, is something I learned in my Job Seekers classes.  We were taught to always introduce ourselves with our title and say "in transition" or to say something like "I'm an administrative assistant seeking a desk."  Saying "I'm unemployed," is a conversational turn off, so take the time to think about a way you can draw people to you and even interest them in what you do or what you want to do.

What do you think?  Have you used any of these strategies before, or are there any other hurdles you're struggling with?

P.s. Click here to see my Job Hunt Series from last year.

Skincare Rescue Plan: Removing Your Makeup + Oil Cleansing

Ladies, if you're wearing makeup, you need to be removing it each night before you go to sleep.  I know, I know, it can be a time consuming pain, especially when bedtime is so inviting during these cold and sleepy nights.  That's why we're going to talk about the consequences of leaving your makeup on at night, because I want to scare you into taking better care of your skin.  Stick with me, though, because I promise it can be easier than you think.  Here we go!

Recommended with The Noticer

 One of the mentors from my Bible study challenged all of us to read The Noticer.  He called it a life-changing book, and he said he'd take out to lunch whoever read it.  I finally got around to this quick read last November, and I've been instagramming a few of the great quotes and sections that impacted me.  

The story follows a wise old man Jones as he helps people with their situation by adding perspective.  It's a simple book, really, with a lot of what should be common sense, but reading it all in a book reminded me of some very important truths.  One of my favorite parts was when Jones walked up to a couple on the verge of divorce and asks them about their marital problems.  The husband immediately becomes defensive and says, "How do you know we have marital problems?!"  Jones mildly replies, "Well, you're married, and marital problems are the kinds of problems married people have."  Having recently surmounted the turmoil of my own first year of marriage, it was a surprisingly validating moment when I read that phrase.

While not life changing in the cataclysmic way, this book has impacted how I view my situations.  It's impacted me for the better.  Definitely worth a trip to the library, my friends.

Read below for this week's recommended links!

What Are You Figuring Out?

What are you figuring out these days, friends?

Have new year resolutions made you rethink your lifestyle?  Have current events drawn you down the way of curiosity or even activism?  Have you picked up a new study or philosophy?  Have you recently discovered how awesome hot tea is?

I've been mulling and exploring two pretty big things this winter.

photo by Billy Onjea

Skincare Rescue Plan: Overview

Guys, it's starting!  I'm sharing all I've learned, all my resources, and all my budding passion for skincare!  I'm starting a new series that originally began as a cheat sheet for my sister, but there's so much information about skincare out there, things quickly began to mount into an ever growing Google doc.

In this initial post, I'm going to break the ice on the topic of skincare and give you an overview of what we'll be learning.  There's always more to learn, but I'll be covering the solid basics, offering additional resources, and sharing my own experiences with what I've tried.  Let's start with some super important information.

Argan Oil Hair Mask Review: Sister Edition

This week's real life recommendation!
(Click here for this week's recommended links.)

This thing works, guys.  I'm glad I had the idea to wrangle my sister Taylor into this project, because this product made such a difference in her hair.  We've got a survey, before and after pictures, and great results today, woohoo!  Let's get started!

Recommended

Happy Friday, friends!  I split up my real-life recommendation and my link recommendations this week.  Click here to read about my and my sister's experience with a legit hair mask, and keep reading below for this week's interesting links!

From 7 Cups of Tea (an online community of listeners), 5 ways to welcome self acceptance into your life.  I've been working most on #5.

We all dress exactly alike.

 Do you have any resolutions this year?  Have you considered a digital detox?

Have you see the Dancers Among Us photography series?  This couple did their engagement pictures in that style, and they're great!

How to pay off your student loans fast from Yes and Yes.  Yes!

Proof positivity is better than negativity when it comes to body image!

Why Americans don't travel.  Do you agree?

"I thought I was a feminist until I started dating an MRA" | This is such a good read!

Favorite Free Printable Calendars for 2015

 I tend to go for the simple and minimal, and my calendars are usually no exception.  If there's space to right in special events and dates and a clean feel, I like it.  Sifting through the options for this year's cork board calendar, I've found so many beautiful and free options that I don't know which to pick!  Here's a roundup of my favorites.

Quick Update

Hello, friends!

After an unheralded 2-week break from blogging, I wanted to check in to let you know I'm still here.  I'm very excited to soon be sharing something that's been in the works for a while now, and I've also been pondering more on what direction I want to write in for my blog.  Any input on what you've enjoyed or on what has stirred or inspired you from this blog would be greatly appreciated, but I know what whatever comes, I will be a bit more conscious about what gets published in this space.

Onwards and upwards!  Welcome to the new year!

Photo by Liane Metzler via Unsplash