Starting A New Chapter

I have some big news, on April 9th I'll be moving back to Houston, TX, and starting a new chapter in my life. I've been presented with an amazing opportunity to learn and grow in my career, and it's been a very bittersweet decision to make. I guess that's what life's all about right? Taking chances, making choices, and learning along the way.
As excited as I am, I have to admit that I'm also a little sad. NASCAR has been all I've known for my professional life, and it's become a huge part of who I am. I went to North Carolina following my dreams, and I'll forever be grateful for the things I've experienced along the way.
An internship at NASCAR in Charlotte in 2006 gave me my first experience working in an office...

and I got to spend the day at "The King's" house while interning at Richard Petty Motorsports...

I got to work with SPEED...

...and Sprint...

and I've made some friends that I'll have for the rest of my life...love you Ale!...

and KB and J Colby G!

I celebrated TWO birthdays at the NASCAR office...My 23rd...

and 22nd...

and I met the boy who holds my heart at a racetrack when we were 17...

I've gotten to work with some AMAZINGLY TALENTED development drivers...Bryan and Jorge...

and Darrell Wallace Jr...

But my FAVORITE part has been watching the increased Latin American influence in the sport. We had Chino y Nacho perform at a race track...

and I watched 7 Latin Americans race a K&N race in Bristol...

and I helped grow the future fans of our sport through the NASCAR Diversity Internship and Mentorship programs...

So, even though I'm starting the next chapter in my life, this sport is something that will be a part of me forever. I'm so thankful for all the friends I've made, experiences I've had, and lessons I've learned along the way. I have a feeling this isn't a "goodbye" but more of a "see you again one day".

For all you Texas bloggers out there like Meg, Alex, Sara, and Michelle, I'm dying to meet you in person so let's make it happen once I get to H-Town!

My Beauty Staples

One day this weekend I was getting ready, and laughed when I looked down and saw the mess of stuff that I had spread out everywhere. I wanted to take a pic and share some of my favorite "staple" beauty products with y'all.

{1} Burberry Brit - my "go to" scent. I love it because it doesn't smell too floral or girly

{2} Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray - It really works just like the name says

{3} Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara - I don't believe you have to spend a fortune for good makeup, and this stuff works!

{4} Studio Gear Dual Identity Wet/Dry Foundation - Can be used as a powder when dry, or as a fuller coverage foundation when wet

{5} Benefit CORALista blush - has just a hint of sparkle that I love

So, there y'all have some of my favorite, go-to, beauty products! What are some of your favorites?

NASCAR Diversity Mentorship Program in Fontana

So I'm finally back from Fontana, and after a red eye flight and about 12 hours of sleep, I feel awake enough to blog!
This weekend we had five amazing students at-track through the NASCAR diversity mentorship program. Here are some pictures of their day...
It was absolutely freezing, which I didn't really expect. I thought it's always supposed to be sunny in Cali?!

One of the Crew Chiefs, Kevin Manion, gave them a tour of the hauler...

...and driver Ryan Newman talked to them about his college years.

and they ended their day in victory lane with race winner Joey Logano.

One of my favorite things about my job is getting to introduce young people to the sport. It's always awesome to see their newfound passion for racing after their experience at track. It makes the redeye flights all worth it!

We're in California This Weekend

I'm so tired and full, so this post will be short and sweet. Plus I'm posting from the iPhone ap again, not sure if I'm a fan just yet.

We're in California this weekend and we hosted students at track today for the NASCAR diversity mentorship program. I'll share pics of that tomorrow.

The past few days have been super long and Ale and I have had a few fights with the GPS and the crazy traffic, BUT she's thrilled cause the rental car place gave us a Mustang, and of course we had to stop for dinner at In-N-Out.

How is y'alls weekend going? I hope it's FANTASTIC!

Are You Like This?

I saw this picture on Pinterest last night, and thought it was so fitting for what I've been thinking lately that life should be all about, adventure.I wish I was more adventurous, and more carefree, but I have this personality that just worries about everything. That's not even an exaggeration, I stress, and I overanalyze things, it's the way that I've always been.
Sometimes I wonder though if this overanalyzing, and worrying, and stressing, is keeping me from living great adventures. I've started to ask myself if I'm missing out on opportunities, because I'm too concerned about everything being perfect.
So, I'm making an effort to change the way I think. Remember how easy it was when we were kids? Decisions were black and white, and we didn't have all the ifs, ands, and buts getting in the way, we simply did what felt right.
No matter how much we worry, there are just some things that are out of our control. So, with that in mind I'm going to start living life a little more carefree. I'm going to be willing to take a few more adventures.
What do you think?

Latinos in NASCAR

This weekend we were in Bristol for the season premier of the NASCAR K&N Pro-Series East. If you're not familiar with the sport, it's kind of the equivalent to the minor league in baseball.
Anyway, Ale had a genius idea. Seven of the drivers racing that night were Latin American so she suggested we get a picture of all of them with their respective flags. Here's how it turned out...

Pretty cool huh?!? I love to see how much the sport is growing.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

A Week in Paradise

I'm writing my first "on-the-go" blog post using the blogger ap on my iPhone. Have y'all used it? I think it's what I'm going to have to start doing to keep up with my little blog.

I'm sitting on the plane headed to Bristol, TN for my next work adventure of the 2012 NASCAR season.

This time it's a little harder though, because I'm leaving my family after spending a week with them in paradise.

We celebrated my 23rd birthday and my dad and granddad sang praises about how proud they are of where I am in life. Now I'm sitting here laughing to myself as I think about what they said. No matter how grown up or put together I may seem, being with them for a week and then having to leave turns me into a 12 year old who "misses her mommy".

We soaked up hours of sun, ate more food than should be allowed, and just enjoyed each others company. It was a great week and reminded me once again that it's not where we are, but who we're with that really matters.

Although, if you have to be somewhere, then paradise isn't too shabby!

Calle Ocho - A Tow Truck Driver's Heaven

Our Calle Ocho experience in Miami on Sunday was so ridiculous, that I don't even think I could make a story like this up. I was literally on the verge of tears, but as I'm sitting down to write it out, I'm beginning to find it all kind of comical.

We had our mobile marketing unit set up, the event was going fantastic, and it was time for me to leave so I could meet up with my family in Fort Meyers.

As Ale and I made it back to the spot where we had parked our cars along the street earlier, we realized that BOTH of our them were missing, they had been towed!

We started to call tow companies in search of our cars, and cab companies to come pick us up. We finally located our cars, they had been towed to two different locations, but we couldn't get any cab company to send a taxi to where we were.

So, Ale and I headed out on a 24 block walk through some sketchy a** neighborhoods in search of a "main road" where we could get a cab. We finally arrived to a super run down grocery store where one of the employees snuck us in the back warehouse and let us use the employee bathroom because we were about to die after the long walk.

We took out cash from an ATM to pay the tow company, and finally found a cab company that would pick us up at the nearest bus stop. At the bus stop we met a man who was CRAZY, who would not stop talking to us. By this point, I was so tired that I could not stop laughing at the things that were coming out of his mouth. He was completely serious when he said things like...

"I'm a piece of meat going to waste, a Tbone steak, look at me"

"You two in town on vacation? I'd be willing to hang out for an hour, you two are hot"

"You know those waitresses, that tie their apron in a bow in the cleavage of their butt? That's so sexy"

and my favorite line from the crazy man...

"I haven't gotten laid in years! I'd just like to meet girls in normal places you know like a gas station or bus stop"

It was the icing on the cake to our crazy day, and I had tears rolling down my eyes because this man was so serious, I about died laughing!

Anyway, we both go our cars back, but it made for a very long day! All I can say is I'm glad I work with someone as awesome as Ale. We're headed to Bristol this weekend, can't wait to see what adventures await us there!



All A Girl Needs, Puppies and Jewelry...Kinda

Have I told y'all that I love my dog? She's kind of funny she's my buddy, and she rocks.

On another note...
I've had a bit of an online shopping problem lately. I just keep stumbling across all these awesome sites and finding cute stuff I want!
I bought this necklace earlier this week from "With Your Heart"

You shop via their facebook page, can you say trouble?! Anyway, check them out, they have some cute stuff!

I'm headed down to Miami for work because we have a mobile marketing unit set up at CalleOcho tomorrow. Then I'm headed on vaycay!
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

Want To Have The Softest Skin Ever?

I'm going on a nice long family vacation next week! I want to soak up the sunshine, and I'm hoping to come back looking like a bronzed beauty! The only problem with all that sun, is that it can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy.
Today I wanted to share with y'all, my favorite anti-dry-skin products. They're what I've found to work best over the years, they don't cost a lot, and I promise they'll have your skin feeling silky smooth!

For my face I use St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub every other night. It's a little bit rough so if you have sensitive skin I would suggest only using it once a week. It's great at removing dirt and dead skin, and leaves your face feeling so refreshed.



Your lips believe it or not, can get sun damage as well. I love the lip scrub by Sara Happ. Scrub a little on, wipe off, top with your favorite lip gloss and you'll have some very kissable lips!





I had to share my ultimate obsession for all over soft skin, It's the Shea Sugar Body Scrub by Tree Hut. This scrub comes in a lot of scents but I have Brazilian Nut and it smells heavenly! The sugar is gently but helps remove dead skin, and the oils retain moisture (and help your tan last longer). It's my number one favorite shower product.




and last but not least to save some time while getting ready I use the Satin Care in shower Moisturizer. If y'all are anything like me, you can't shower and not moisturize. I love this product because you rub it on in the shower, and it works just like lotion, saving you lots of time!
So there you have it, my absolute favorite products to keep your skin feeling silky smooth all summer long! What are some of y'alls favorite products?   

A Best Friend

A friend goes with you to that fraternity party...A best friend sits on the couch with you, laughs at all the dumb drunk girls, and as you sneak out together you realize you've made a friend for life.

A friend lets you wear an idiotic costume to the sorority mixer...A best friend is right there with you, wearing the exact same thing. (Who said the 7 dwarfs weren't sexy?!)

A friend tells you that your new haircut is "super cute!"...A best friend lets you know that you should NEVER chop your long hair off again.

A friend says she's sorry when the latest guy has broken your heart...A best friend lets you cry for 10 minutes, then laughs with you about how awful he really was.

A friend will make sure she looks fabulous in all the pictures you take together...A best friend will squat to be your same height, even though she's almost a foot taller.

A friend will be there when there's something "fun" going on...

A best friend will spend days laying around with you, eating junk food, laughing at jokes, and talking about nothing.

A friend will come and go throughout your life...A best friend will be there through it all.
Thanks Margs, for being such a bada** friend!

Movie Quotes To Make You Swoon

We all know I'm a hopeless romantic. I stay up reading Nicholas Sparks books, with tears in my eyes for hours, because I love the love stories. I'm a sucker for romantic chick flicks, and melt when I see cute old couples holding hands, still so in love.
and now I'm getting all girly on y'all...with some of my favorite quotes from my favorite chick flicks...

I know, too cute right?!?