SPRINTEC REVIEW and Birth Control thoughts :)

I'm sure most of you ladies have heard or are on birth control for various and different reasons, right? Well here is my review of Sprintec after almost 2.5 years of using it!

To be honest, I did not initially want to be on birth control because I thought it was only for girls and women who were sexually active which is probably most young girls' thoughts when their doctor recommends being on birth control. It's perfectly normal to think that; as most girls my age (19-21) thought that too when they were first introduced at around the age of 16. 

A little back story on me and my experiences on birth control, I started it probably around the age of 16 because I was having severe migraines, headaches, body aches, etc. and my physician thought I might of had a hormone imbalance, so I was first put on BeYaz and to be very blunt, I hated it. For about 3-4 months on being on the B.C BeYaz, I literally was having periods that would be two weeks long, I'd stop for a week and then continue with a long and heavy period, let's just say, I've definitely seen brighter days. I mean really, what girl wants to be on her period for two weeks? I can barely stand 5 days! So, due to that incident my doctor had raised the dosage and it didn't help at all, even giving it 3 months to take any kind of effect on my body. I got so fed up with it, I just stopped taking it all together and said "I'm done, I'm not sexually active, I think my body needs a break." Mind you I was just turning 17 and didn't have the "need" for birth control. After a couple months, my period began to be normal and regular, but I noticed my skin was breaking out a ton and my flow was definitely heavier which I would take over having a two week long period with a week long break any day. I just kind of continued to live my life and not make a big deal about it, until the day I became "sexually active" (such a responsible term haha) with someone I truly care about. So, my doctor put me on Sprintec with a hope and a prayer that it wouldn't do the same thing to my body as BeYaz did.

Two and a half years later, I can say that Sprintec has really helped my life when TOM comes around. My periods are lighter, they come at the exact same time on the exact same day every month and it only lasts on average about 5 days which is awesome. I've noticed that my skin has really cleared up over the years partly because of the Sprintec and partly because I have a skin routine that works for me. The only thing I've really noticed is that about three days before my period starts, I break out a little bit in my chin area which is due to hormones and maybe like one little white head on my forehead where I can just use my Clean and Clear Spot Treatment over night and literally kills those alien invasions on my face!

Overall I'd have to give Sprintec a 5 out of 5 simply because it works best for my body!

Thoughts on Birth Control:

Frankly, I am definitely not against birth control AT ALL. I think it's quite a controversial topic but some women go on birth control simply because they want lighter periods. You don't need to be sexually active to be on birth control and if someone asks you why you're taking it, it's really none of their business especially if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Being on the pill because you are sexually active doesn't mean you're a slut or a whore or anything like that, to me that's being responsible especially if you don't want kids right now, but sometimes it might "fail" so just make sure you are using a condom if you really do not want to get pregnant at this time of your life. Just make good choices, ya know what I mean? People around where I live seem to be really quick to judge girls who are on birth control, they feel as if "it's stopping God from creating life" and things like that. Just always keep in mind that it really is not their place to deem you something you're not like let's say a slut. Maybe you have medical conditions and the pills help with what you're going through like a hormone balance. I don't think women/girls should be ashamed of being on Birth Control, like I always say. "You do you." ;)

Most Common Question:

Is Birth Control right for me?

Honestly, if you are struggling with hormonal headaches, acne, heavy flows and irregular cycles I think you should really talk to your doctor about what Birth Control is best for you, especially if you're sexually active. Ask your doctor about different types of birth control and maybe expand on seeing if an IUD is even right for you if you don't want to take a pill every single day at the exact same time!

I hope this post helped give some insight on what you think is best for your body and that this girl on girl chat gave you some things to think about or things to bring up with your doctor for either the present or the future! As always I love you guys!

XOXO,

Katie

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2009 Hyundai Sonata Review

I've had this 2009 Hyundai Sonata for a good two months and I think it's about time for a full review on this car!

Back Story: 

Back in December of 2013, I got into a major accident going back to my apartment in Denver from Colorado Springs, the weather was terrible to say the least and I hit a patch of black ice, a car behind me hit me, pushed me into the right line, made me tap the tire in front of me (no damage to that car whatsoever,) I lost complete control of my car that I knew every aspect of it and knew how to control it, but I just couldn't from the speed I was going, ended up smashing into a guard rail, spinning my car and smashing the car into the guard rail again. At the time I was at a complete loss and distraught about how much that car meant to me and this is what's left of it 

This is a 2005 Hyundai Elantra GT sedan and kind of a rare car, especially from where I'm from. It's quicker than a normal elantra and a lot more sporty and aggressive which is what I loved about it. Not to mention, it was a manual and I knew everything about it and put a lot of time and money just to make it the way I wanted. 

During the week and a half I had a rental car (2013 Kia Optima GDI) I literally fell in love with that car and knew I needed it but it was completely out of my price range so when I went to go buy another car with my father, we test drove a TON of cars, I mean a ton. From a 2010 Volkswagon Beetle to an Audi A4 to a Mitsubishi Lancer, but nothing was just fitting me right and I just wasn't happy with anything. The car dealers knew I have expensive taste, love a driver oriented car and knew I had to have some power and speed behind a car so they had a 2009 Hyundai Sonata in white delivered to me within 20 minutes. As soon as I took it for a drive, I was in love! 

Attractions:

This car to me, is definitely quite the looker. I feel like it looks a lot like a 2006-2007 BMW 325XI and that's what really attracts me to this car appearance wise about this car. The lines are fluidic, not too fluidic and not too boxy, it's just right! I absolutely love the Halo eyed headlights and the DRL reverse LED "eyebrow" it just looks SEXY! For stock, I do love the tinting on it, it's pretty opaque but I'd definitely like my windows to be totally blacked out, but that's my personal opinion. 

Non-Attractions:

Now, I'm not gonna lie, the one thing that I absolutely DO NOT like are these pathetic stock wheels!!

I know this is a temporary fix, but come on this is a little pathetic! If a car is aggressive looking with bigger tires, the wheels need to look just as good in my opinion. It is stock, but I really think Hyundai could have made these way better looking! I can't wait till I can get there ugly things off! 

Pros:

1.) A Great Value- it's important that when you're buying a car, it comes standard with features like XM Radio, USB port, AUX port and Bluetooth Controls, even if it's a base model!! This car had about 70k Miles on it, one owner, clean record, well taken care of, non-smoker, a CLEAN engine and nothing wrong with it which was a great but at approximately $14000. 

2.) The Drive- The ride in this car is very smooth and luxurious.

3.) It's FAST- I'm a girl with a need for speed, that's for sure! My 0-60mph is about 6.5 seconds when I'm really laying it down on the gas pedal. The 2.4L engine runs seamlessly! :) 

4.) The Sound System- For a stock sound system, I can really crank the volume up and that's what I love! I'm that annoying kid who always has their music blaring and rocking out. It's not the absolute best, but it meets my standards at the moment! I might throw some subs in it, I don't know. But, for now I do love it!

5.) Space- This car is definitely roomy and spacious! Whenever I have people in the backseat, they always comment on how comfortable it is compared to some other sedans! The seats are plush and comfortable, who wouldn't like that?!

6.) Gas Mileage: The gas mileage is great compared to my old car! It runs on 87 Octane but is a really great car if you commute to your job like I do!

Cons:

1.) I definitely hate the pathetic hubcaps on the wheels, it ain't cute! 

2.) This is kind of my own problem for owning a white car in Colorado, but it NEVER stays clean and I've noticed some chipping in the paint on the hood. 

3.) The visibility for me isn't the greatest and does have a lot of blind spots, I don't know if it's me or the car, but I wish is had a back up camera and blind spot detectors!

Overall Rating: 

I really do love this car and drives just as smoothly and quickly as the 2013 KIA Optima so I give this car an 7.5/10 :) 

Confidence and Courage

Photo credit: DivineSkye Photography by Megan Lunsford (left)

Outfit: Dress from Macy's (left) 

Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe Beanie from Brandy Melville, Leather Jacket by Obey from Zumiez (right)

Confidence, now let's get real, EVERYONE struggles with being insecure about themselves at one point in their lives AT LEAST. Let me take you back all the way to Elementary School, Middle School and part of High School. From the first day of Kindergarten I had a lot of self esteem issues because well one, I was the odd one out, I grew up in a town where the Asian population is probably about 1% of the entire population. I was the only little Asian girl in my entire class, I didn't look like the rest, I had one of those really bad 90's hair cuts with the short bangs and quite honestly I did not fit in. I was also the youngest out of my classmates by a year and my teacher had told me that, she didn't believe I could excel at the age of four and had no hope for me which made me feel like I wasn't even smart enough or good enough to be among my peers.So, let's jump to first grade after I proved that darn kindergarten teacher wrong, I had started gymnastics! It was the first time I ever felt a sense of confidence in myself because it was something I was good at and all throughout Elementary School and Middle School that was my escape to feel accepted and confident. I mean, I had a few friends but like I said I was really the odd one out. In Middle School, I was that really awkward kid, in band and what not. I wasn't happy with what I saw in the mirror, had braces, teenage acne and I just was not a good looking kid. I looked at all my friends and peers, they were developed pretty, had a ton of friends and then there was me being really awkward. I was honestly not happy with the way I looked one bit and my awkwardness carried on through about my late Junior year. I personally believe it's because I was a gymnast and my body wasn't able to develop till I retired from a knee injury. So, Senior year of High School is when I discovered makeup to enhance what I already had and not cake my face up as I did in previous years. I found my "nitch" that year and started loving who I was. 

A few months later after I graduated, I was hired at Vans and let's just say, Vans honestly changed my world and it took me about a year to fully understand that I was hired for the person on the inside and that's what made me find confidence in myself. Makeup, I believe is a tool to help women feel beautiful don't get me wrong, but knowing you are a good person,with good intentions and dreams is what I think makes someone  start to become confident in themselves and then leads someone beginning to love themselves for who they truly are and embrace their imperfections. It takes courage for one to go out in the world and say "Hey, I'm me, I'm imperfect, I make a shit ton of mistakes, but I learn from them. I'm a good person and persevere through every shitty thing that gets thrown at me and I think I'm a beautiful person, so take me for who I am or don't and if you don't my middle finger truly goes out to you."

The way I look at life now that I'm a little older, is just the things I just quoted above. I know I'm not perfect and I'm okay with it. I'm confident within myself and love the person I see in the mirror, even if I do have a mega breakout on my face, because that's only temporary. I'm beautiful for who I am, not because designer everything makes me way prettier than I really am or because I know how to put on makeup. I'm pretty because I own what I have and make it my own and WORK IT. ;)  Accepting myself is what makes me a confident and a courageous woman. 

All you girls or guys do not need to look at others and go "oh look at what they have, I wish I was them, why can't I have their life." and blah blah blah. You all are all beautiful because of who you are as an individual. I challenge all of you to look in the mirror, pick out one thing about yourself that you like and look at what you have. Do you have a family that loves you, friends, someone who understands you, a house to live in or maybe a significant other? Pick at least two of those things and be thankful for them because the person you might always compare yourself might not have any of those special things that you have. 

I hope you guys really like this heart to heart post! Tell me what you guys love about yourselves and something you're thankful for!

XOXO