Blogging and Beauty on a Budget.
6 EVERYDAY STRESS RELIEF TIPS 🍃

• The death of a loved one
• Loss of a job / Starting a New job
• Increase in financial obligations
• New Relationship 
• Getting married
• Moving to a new home 
• Chronic illness or injury
• Emotional problems (depression, anxiety, anger, grief, guilt, low self-esteem) regarding many different parts of your life, family, friendships, relationships and careers. 
• The death of a loved one

1. LISTEN TO MUSIC- My music of choice is always Worship music, I have a playlist between Bethel, Hillsong, Planet Shakers, Hillsong Y&F and Kari Jobe just to list some favourites. It genuinely gives me a lot of peace and gives me time to process the stress I am feeling, I lay on my bed for as long as I need to with my Music turned all the way up and I begin to feel calm.So any music that can get you out of your funk and into your peace is best for you, sometimes we just need time to re-group our thoughts with some lovely tunes and we instantly feel revilatized. 
2. WRITING- Writing is my main source of any kind of Outlet. I write stories, poems, songs which ever fits my mood at the time. I am actually most creative when it looks like my mind is Chaos, almost like the right kind of chaos because my stories are so full of life and creative ideas and as soon as I am done with a piece I feel so much more relaxed and towards myself again. Write about even how you feeling just getting it out is what will help you let go. 
3. CLEANING/ ORGANISING- Haha yes this is an usual one, but has anyone ever tried this. When I'm in a bad head space I hate communicating, so find something physical that I can do to lower my stress levels so I clean, I spring clean my room top to bottom and I reorganize my cupboards. I even sometimes with the help of my Dad move around my furniture, If I feel I want my space to look different. Also when my space is clean and reorganized Its such an accomplishing feeling and helps so much with stress. 
4. IN DOOR SPA DAY- This one is my Absolute favourite, I cannot even tell you how much, I will do my nails a Mani and A Pedi, I will do a facial or Scrub of some kind (Depending on my skins needs at the moment in question). I will wash and style my hair, I will do my eyebrows if they need to be done. Its one big pamper party for me, because its a couple hours I get to focus on myself, my appearance and body care is so important. The benefits is my skin looks and feels like a MILLION BUCKS and I smell like i walked out of a lavender farm so i mean, who wont feel better after that? 
5. READ A BOOK- So yes, I not Ashamed I am a book hoarder, re-reader and story junkie. GUYS I mean if you read a book and don't travel with it, did you even read it? I love the stories because I read them either as if 'm living the Story or playing it out in my head like a movie series or movie franchise. Books can add so much sass into your life, teach you new words and sayings, It shows how the writers think and progress if you're reading a book series. I go where the story goes, don't get me wrong it can be one heck of an emotional roller coaster but I'm so inlove with the feeling and I will choose it any day. My favourite Authors are Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis. 
6. MOVIES/SERIES- I'm a sucker for a good crime series, I love anything from Criminal minds to 911 I love watching real stories depicted of people in the service helping others in the most dreadful situations and saving lives, and even the lives that couldn't be saved are always honoured somehow. And yes the action parts of them be my favourite, when I see bomb  actors and actresses in the fighting scenes and I get exhilarated. I love comedy for when I need a good laugh, sad movies when I need to cry and those Sci-fi movies that have the creepiest things in that make your skin crawl but are so worth the watch. Don't even get me started on chick flicks, girly series and Christian films. I basically go where my mood is and how baldy I feel I need to see something good or something exciting, its a few hours where you get out of your own head, sometimes and most of the time even learning some really good lessons in the process. 

Blogging and Beauty on a Budget.
Budget Fashion Post
My Summer Closet- REVEALED 

• My baby blue dress I got from Pick N pay Clothing with flowers if my favourite that I wear atl east once a month, Its got a Lace detail by the front bust area, thing spaghetti straps and is just above my knee, I wear it with a strapless bra and a nude colour bottom. Its so comfortable and is made of full cotton material, it does not irritate my skin and its machine washable. This dress can be dressed up with heels a pair of hoop earrings, a watch or bracelet and a tight low bun with a dramatic eye, it can also be simply dressed down with a beautiful nude or pink sandal, stud earrings and lose hair with a light makeup look that is very luminous. 

• My Black floral dress I got from Pick n Pay as well with white and beige flowers is one I wore a couple of times out, Its long just past my knee with a high low style at the bottom, its got a Tank top/ /vest style front and is almost to the top of my colour bone its got spaghetti straps down the back. Its got adjustable straps which I love so if I would like to wear it a little loose or a little tighter I have the option. I dress it with sandals and a simple choker necklace. You can dress it up with a simple Ankle black boot, with a black leather jacket, a brown or Mustard yellow leather Jacket and even a Denim Jacket. TIP- wear this dress with nude colour underwear because it is see through. 

• The third and final dress the multi coloured, multi floral dress I got from Mr Price  is a perfect dress for going to the beach or spending the day at the pool. Its got a very tacky texture that if it gets wet it will still be comfortable enough to wear because its quick drying and is almost made to be around a lot of water and moisture. I wear this dress with as simple black strap sandal and my curly hair. If you don't wear a swim suit under it I usually wear it with simple black underwear and a boob tube bra. I am obsessed with the colours and flowers and its one of my absolute favourite summer dresses. 

• When putting an outfit together I always think about, where I am going, my comfort level, occasion and if I want it to be simple or over the top, cause I mean Is there any in between, I THINK NOT haha. 
• I wore this outfits to Church and To a best friend date day, I wanted to be as comfortable as possible, and I wanted to be covered up for Church that's why I chose my printed Tee and my over the shoulder body suit for my best friend lunch date. 
• Outfit 1) T-Shirts are so Sheek guys like I cannot even tell you how much, the printed tees (from Pick n pay Clothing for under R120.00) are all about sass and art they make bold statements and I love pairing them with Ripped Jeans in a size 10 (from Mr price for R189.00) and simple sneakers,sandals or heels. This tee was in a medium so it was loose fitting and was long enough to go over my bum so I could be comfortable in church. 
• Outfit 2) Body Suits are also such a game changer for me(from Mr Price for R89.00) these make my tum tum look a bit more flat and not so textured but also make your outfit look so put together and neat. They also have some drama with the off the shoulder detail and straps with make my broad shoulders look a little smaller and my outfit that much more stylish. I got my body Suit in a Medium. 

• Outfit 3) A simple plain white cotton top with Added silk finishes that are riffled and made to tie into a bow. I paired it with a simple nude sandal and rose gold strapped silver guess watch. You can complete this outfit with grey leggings or a pencil skirt, or with a loose pair of printed pants for some Pzazz 
• Outfit 4) this particular outfit I wore to a friends 21st. I Wore it with a blue strapped block heel and ended up in sandals afterward. Its a comfortable loose top with a ribbed back detail (from Mr Price for R89.00)and a navy green pair of jeggings I got as a gift. 

• So I usually never go for heels first, because 1) I suck at walking in them and 2) I suck at walking in them. Technically flats are my friend but now Block heels have changed the game and for the first time I love wearing heels because I can style them up or down and they add Sass to any outfit and can be worn casually and formally. 
• This Specific block heel I got at Pick N Pay Clothing in a size 6 for R200.00 I wear it all the time. I wear it will jumpsuits, jeans, dresses and even leggings and long tops. You can create endless amount of styles with just one simple piece of your outfit. And make it work for you. There are so many different makes, colours and designs to choose from so get a pair and slay a simple casual outfit. 

• Sandals. Oh the Holy Grail of summer wear. I cant tell you how much the perfect sandal can make your outfit work for you. They can add sparkle, simplicity, elegance and comfort to your everyday wear or even special occasions and you are one to wear heels. I got these two pairs at Pick n Pay clothing in a size 6 and I am so inlove with them, they really added more drama to my feet and made any nail polish colour I wear with it stand out because of its nude colours and simple floral details. The baby pink sandal withe the strap along the toe portion of the shoe is suede so becareful not to get it dirty because it is difficult to clean. I got both these sandals at Pick n Pay clothing from R69.00- R120.00

Blogging and Beauty on a Budget.
Simple Everyday Makeup Look. ❣

Blogging and Beauty on a Budget. (Motivation Edition)


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

To all my beautiful readers. Today, we self love. Let me say it again WE SELF LOVE.

So the Last two months of 2017 here I was, mad at the world because I did not look the way I WANTED TO, and decided to be really hard on myself for this particular reason.
We have a lot of things that contribute to us not fully loving ourselves better. Like not being fulfilled in your job, career, relationships, physical appearance, finances or even family and faith. We treat ourselves different, we take less time and effort into our appearance and even physically on a day to day basis. Talking less, more moody than what the people around us are used to, being extremely negative, always complaining about the things you cant change. Its a vicious cycle I tell you, and once you down that rabbit hole, TRUST ME you CAN get back up.



I actually have a few tips and tons of advice because its not my first time in this position, and every time I felt this far away from my happy self it kept taking me longer and longer to find that person I once was, that did not care about any one else's opinion, did not care how much money I had, how much material things that brought me such a, now that I look at it such a shallow sense of satisfaction or pleasure.

FIRST I had to face myself, look deep within and see what the problem really was, being honest with yourself is so important. Cause this is where you see who you are, what are you worth to yourself first and why do you feel the way you do.
Second to that I went to my best friend and I was like "today I feel so ugh, underwhelmed, not myself, not how I want to feel" She asked "why do you feel like this, and I had a grocery list of problems I saw with myself and my life. She said to me "Keesh how you feel on the inside, shows on the outside, you need to be kind to yourself, you need to love yourself more. Take away all the physical, material things and look at your life without it. Look at the love that surrounds you, the amazing Family bond you have, the abundance of Gods grace and Mercy".



Listen to me when I tell you that this is a revolving conversation I have had with her, my mom, my sisters and even my father multiple times. But this time, it was different, cause every time I got over this I would have anxiety about yet another stage of my life, like I was so awkward even in my own skin. And this is where I was stopped in my tracks, like God spoke Directly to my spirit through the people that love me and said ENOUGH! I have made you in MY image, why do you keep putting yourself in this box of ugly, not good enough, not brave enough.

I had to learn that I am loved, to the depths of the sea, by a God that made me, by a family who give me the world, a best friend that literally shines out of my eyes most days. I had to learn, that the only reason I felt this way, was because I ALLOWED MYSELF TO.



NOW I am going to share a few tips, reasons and advice with you on how I learned to be the President of my own SELF LOVE CLUB.

• Journal- write down daily what you are grateful for, whats on your mind. 
• Devotion- I have scriptures I used for devotions for everyday and I mediate on them and work through them for the day. A positive word. 
• Pamper yourself- spend time on your skin and your hair. Once a week have an in home spa day, so your nails, put on a face mask, try put some new products you've been reading up about. 
• Speak good and positive things in your life- "I will get that job, I will get a great love, God will bless my hard work". 
• Study- Do the things you've been passionate about, step into that field. 
• Sleep 
• Eat Well/ Better 
• Work out 
• Work out a budget, start saving money. 
• Create a healthy habit. 
• Change the way you see yourself and think. 
• Set goals, see them through and make notes of your accomplishments. 
• Quit comparing yourself to others. 
• PRAY. Grow stronger in your faith. 
• Love your family more, your friends more. 
• Take more pictures, when you are genuinely happy, done putting on your makeup or doing your hair. 
• Encourage other woman around you to love themselves. 
• Speak your mind. 
• Trust yourself. 

Blogging and Beauty on a Budget. MERRY CHRISTMAS.



Hello my Merry Readers.

So its quarter to Christmas and its my absolute favourite season of the year.
Its ultimate family time, and we come together to celebrate the birth Of Jesus. I cannot even explain to who how much emphasis we have put on this time because its a changing point in any saved persons life. Knowing that the greatest form of love for us was birthed in this season, Gods own son. Wow.

Its not about presents but more so about the spirit of giving, in this season try and remember that sometimes people don't have much, so please be extra kind to people who might even be arrogant and distant in this season, they might need so much more love to cover their feelings of loss, sadness or lack. Pray that those in need are blessed miraculously, God always honours us for loving people even when we do not want to.

Thank you for making this past 6months my blog being live the best experience for a new blogger anyone could ask for, thank you for supporting my voice, ideas, posts, weirdness here and on social media. I appreciate every single person who took out time to read my posts, even commented on them, tried them out, told me what it meant to you and messaging me as soon as they went live. I have grown so much as a writer, a beauty blogger, a friend and so much more. 

I am so grateful for my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and my nephew on the way for supporting my spur of the moment decision when I decided to start a beauty, lifestyle and fashion blog. 
My best friend for spending long days being there for me the times I was not able to be strong alone, for proofing my photos and helping me with soo soo much more. 
To Bella my beautiful friend who helped me create it, I definitely could not have done any of this without you. 
To all the bloggers I look up to and admire who are so open when giving advice and tips, thank you. 


Lastly but most most importantly thank you God for giving me a platform, I'm grateful you love me so much by giving me a creative writing spirit and allowing me to meet and interact with woman who sometimes need a kind word more than anything else. I so look forward to next year, the great things I will learn and achieve. Sharing so much more content and mostly just loving and growing TAKKIESANDTULIPS. 

My gift to you is this card with the scripture God gave me for my blog. 




MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS. MAY THE LOVE OF GOD SURROUND YOU DURING THIS FESTIVE SEASON, AND BE SAFE. 

SEE YOU ALL IN 2018 

@takkiesandtulips
@keeshacamilla_m

All my Love 
Keesha Mcpherson of TakkiesandTulips