I decided I’m going to start a “BASICS” part of MissBassmaster where I’ll share really simple things that some people might not know how to do or have forgotten about. Last week I shared my 5 Ingredient Turkey Burgers (so good), & this week I’m sharing roasted chickpeas.
Better late then never sharing all my favorite things of 2017. We shall call this a mix up, because why limit ourselves to one category of favorites? These products were not all created in 2017, rather things I used through 2017. Weird but true, I typically don’t like something right when I get it. I put it down. Stare at it. And on one random day pick it up & use it consistently after that… or throw it out.
CHANEL Soleil Tan De Chanel
The obvious. Bronze anything will make my list, just be happy I’m not talking about my at home spray tan. I try not to wear a lot of makeup most days & bronzer is one of the few products I need daily. I ditched powder bronzer most of the year for this cream bronzer. I take a medium sized brush & blend it on my cheekbones to look alive everyday. Because it’s creamy I don’t feel like it drys me out & I like how it blends into my skin. I’ve had this one jar of bronzer for 45 years, used it every single day & am just now at the point where I need to repurchase.
ColourPop Echo Park Satin Lip
I’ve had this lip color for a long time & used it almost every day in 2017. I realized using a natural color on your lips, even without anything else on your face, makes you look like you’re trying. It’s such a cheat to looking ready, that or a nice lip gloss. (My fav: here) This one in particular keeps my lips super moisturized which is hard to do, and doesn’t rub off in 1 mili second. I put the smallest amount on my lips in the morning after I apply chapstick, and then use my finger to smudge it around. Au naturel.
I was in a meeting earlier this month & everyone was asked: What is one thing you learned this year? They asked a lot of hard questions like that… What’s a trait in yourself that you would not want to give someone else?
But, one thing I learned this year… Oddly enough, I feel like I’ve had a pretty comfortable year. The years before 2017 were chaotic & I’d probably respond to this question with answers like: patience, confidence, staying positive, ect. Moving to Dubai, adjusting there, working there, then moving back, my relationship with Wafiq, his immigration process, being broke, moving everywhere again, needing a job – every year contained variables. And in the moment, I often felt frustrated – like I was wasting time. I couldn’t wait to be “normal”. Get my life on track like everyone else.
Then, this year I finally had it! Normal & comfortable. At the very least, it was appearing to be on track.
But, throughout the year, and I think I’ve said this before on my blog, I found myself missing the variables & chaos. Even being broke!
For example, when you have no money, other parts of your life strengthen. Your creativity, your imagination, your hustle, your ideas, your friendships.
For example, when you have big life decisions ahead of you, the opportunity to impress yourself by being brave & making choices presents itself.
For example, when you’re not “on track”, you don’t have pressure or expectations. People are either disappointed & judgemental OR they’re believing in your journey & supportive. Relationships are defined.
There’s so much learning happening in the stages that you can’t wait to get through!
I would argue one of the best things about Dubai, if not the best, is how much you can explore & simply see. Without having to pay anything or work very hard. Not without effort, Dubai sets records & created a visual piece of artwork. You can fill your entire trip just driving around exploring the different landscapes – for FREE. Sometimes paying for the view, isn’t as good as actually searching for it yourself.
I wanted to show you how to make a trip adventurous without spending a ton of money! I feel like I’m a master at going on budget friendly trips, including Dubai. Food & drink is expensive, but there’s SO much to do for free, or nearly free – if you can just get yourself there. You wouldn’t even be able to finish this list in one trip! And if you do, I can add to it 🙂
This is MY checklist when I go back – things to go stare at. And they never get old. Even when I lived there, going to stare at the items on this list was one of my favorite things to do. And a way to ensure I won’t waste my precious money.
1- Burj Khalifa
This twinkly building still takes my breathe away. Because it’s right outside the Dubai Mall there’s plenty of space to go walk around the building & look at it yourself – without paying a dime. Get yourself to the Dubai Mall & walk outside. You can eat near it, shop near it, walk near it, or just sit down & stare at it. The fountain show that plays outside the building at night will also take your breathe away. Go check it out during the day & at night for completely different views. Until Dubai builds their next world record setting building, this is the top spot for me. And you absolutely need a GoPro to fit the whole damn thing in a photo, OR spend $$$$ to have a tourey sales man take one measly photo for you…
For anyone that hasn’t had a chance to read my old posts, below are a few of my favorites from 2017! Enjoy!
Dating A Muslim Immigrant… During The “Muslim Ban”
Tis a sign of the times… I love this post because, Wafiq. What an interesting time it was. We happened to just be finishing our own immigration journey during this time & learned TONS of immigration info we never knew before. Which I think is why we were super comfortable. Even though people were freaking out. I remember we were happy, lucky & together 🙂
There are 3 questions I get asked all the time: how I was treated as a woman in the middle east, did I feel safe AND “did you have to cover up the whole time”.
I hope I’ve done a good job clarifying, go to this post to see my answers to all 3 of those questions if you haven’t already. (We went to the public beach on this trip & there were girls in thong bikinis & topless tanning, so I think people are comfortable doing whatever they please.)
For me, I wanted to fit in. I wanted to act like I’ve been there before & I know what the fuck I’m doing. There’s something powerful in that. Also, for any destination, isn’t it fun to fit in? Wear what they wear. I think it makes you appear well traveled, like you know what you’re doing in you life. So that was my goal this trip. I stuck to coverage. When I was living there, I pushed this boundary w my cut off shorts & dresses all the time, because I was bored of being covered & it was HOT AF. Being that I was just visiting, I had a different approach this time.
The theme: BLACK BLACK BLACK. If this is the color of your wardrobe, you’re in luck! I like bright colors, florals, sparkles, drama – so I had to go shopping. An abaya & burka are black, so that’s the colors you’ll see a lot of when you’re out. I asked someone why black? Why not beautiful colors + design on the abaya? I was told the original purpose of the abaya was to avoid attention. Bright florals & colors will do the opposite, drawing attention to the people wearing them. So black is the theme!
The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is terrible & true isn’t it? I remember miserable days/years in different jobs, & man did time drag. But, of course, when you’re having fun & enjoying all the parts of your life, time goes quick! So, would you rather a boring yet long life or short yet exciting life? Ha! Nothing like that awful question to wake you up on a Thursday morning.
I’m back from Dubai! Long story short, it was fun & it went fast. Which in this case is better than the alternative.
Everyone that followed along on my Instagram Stories, thank you! That was fun to create. If you missed it, I left a lot of the stories in my “highlights” section. Click on my Instagram profile & right below the bio you’ll see the circle for Dubai & Bahrain with the stories while I was there.
If you’ve been reading for awhile you likely know this trip was a big step for me. Last time I was in Dubai I left in a rush & didn’t exactly leave every relationship in it’s best place. And that feeling strengthened even while I was back in the States, especially when Wafiq decided he was going to stay & begin the immigration process. Needless to say my relationships weren’t in tip top shape across the pond.
Last year, I decided to skip the trip Wafiq took home for that very reason, I wasn’t ready to walk back into my past OR the lions den.
This year I was ready. Wafiq & I are both comfortable & confident in the choices we’ve made in the past & knowing we’re in control of the choices were going to make in the future – I felt like there was nothing to fear anymore. No judgment or conversation or threat or whatever was going to hurt me. And I don’t mean to paint the picture as if everyone was going to do just that, but when you’re struggling & feeling weak & not confident with yourself – it’s hard to defend decisions in front of anyone. And we lived in that space for awhile so I had to protect myself. But this time I was ready.
Right when we arrived, I felt like I was living in Dubai yesterday, but better. And more comfortable. Everyone was excited to see us. The first days were filled with food. Family. Friends. Kids. And Food. I definitely did not have a chance to pick up my phone & document anything. But because those first days were easy, I immediately knew the rest of the trip would be too.
My favorite day of the week has turned into Wednesday’s because I’ve somehow managed to get myself addicted to Survivor. I haven’t watched the series since the first season but have come full circle, watching again. I love competition, but that is one show I would never want to be a part of!
I’m not a super fan of country music or even Garth Brooks music so don’t be afraid I’m going to lay out all my country obsessions for you. A few weeks ago I was able to see Garth Brooks in concert during SXSW. I’m not familiar with his music, I realized at all, but that didn’t matter.
I used to be afraid of recipes that had ingredients I didn’t use or have in my kitchen. I thought it took too much energy to find them & the unknown price & flavors… But over time & the use of bravery, I’ve stalked my kitchen with all kinds of interesting ingredients & end up using them more than I expected.
I made the mistake of trying to go shopping recently & immediately regretted my decision to skip shopping online… Ughhhh… is anyone else online only?! It’s so much easier than parking at a mall, going into a crowded store, digging around for your size, (and most recently) dealing with the hottest dressing room of all time!
I used to think makeup was important at work because it helps you look awake, alert, professional, clean, put together, on time – but I’ve had a shift in mentality recently. I don’t want to put shit on my face when my computer screen & a few people are the only ones reaping the benefits. Most of the time I don’t even look in a mirror so I’m not even able to marvel at my artwork.
