Sandra Hudson

Inspiring Women in Life & Business

Archives for December 2020

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5 Tips for Choosing a Word of the Year

Word of the Year vs. Resolutions

 
I don’t know about you, but each year I like to pick a word of the year instead of making a New Year’s resolution.  I ponder and pray about a word that I want to define my year.
 
It can really help bring clarity and focus to what we want to create in our lives. 
 
 
Are you struggling to pick your word for the year? Have no fear because I am here to help you along the way. Let’s start with these 5 tips:
 
 
 
 
word of the year 2021

1. Reflect

The first thing I like to do is reflect upon the year. 

  • What could I use more or less of?
  • What characteristics could I use more of?
  • How would I like to feel?

 

2. Visualize

I recommend that you sit in prayer or meditate to think of the word you would focus on for the upcoming year. This works best in a relaxed state, so go ahead and light a candle, or burn a diffuser with your favorite essential oil. Maybe even take the time to write it down in your gratitude journal. Take the time to tap into your feelings. 

 

3. Make a List

Spend 10 minutes creating a list of the words that come to mind. No self-editing! Need some help? I created a free Word of the Year Ideas for you that you can download to help. 

 

 

word of the year ideas

 

4. Review & Narrow Down Your Options

 
After you make your list, narrow it down by highlighting or circling your top 3-5 choices. 

Chances are you will see a theme going on between the words you highlighted. Do any of the words jump out at you, make you feel excited, nervous, scared, uncomfortable, or at ease? Sometimes the words that scare us most can mean we’re on the right track because change isn’t always easy. At the same time, I think finding your word can also bring peace and empowerment.

Think about the words, try them on, and see what feels right. No need to over-analyze this process, trust your gut instead.

 

5. Ask Yourself Questions

 

Ask yourself if you are interested in the word or committed to the word!

If you’re merely “interested” then chances are you’ll make excuses as to why you’re not putting forth the effort to actually make changes. But if you’re “Committed” to your word, you’ll do whatever it takes to implement that word and bring more of it into your life.

If necessary, allow yourself a day or two, even a week to really think about this.

 
 
Last year the word was balance. In the year 2020, balance was definitely found, but not in the way I intended it to be. When everything was canceled, closed, or quarantined, I was definitely forced to balance what I had and survive.
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My word of the year for 2021 is: PURPOSE
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It means the reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists.
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My hope is to do everything with purpose. Don’t live life aimlessly, but face every aspect of life with a purpose. I want to be a more loving, resilient, faithful, adaptable, courageous, and giving wife, mom, friend, leader, and daughter.
 
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I’ll remember 2020 as the year when chapters closed and new doors opened. Where pivots and priorities took the place of things that really didn’t matter.
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What if the year 2020 was a year of balance in preparation for the year 2021 – a year of purpose?! Read more about life lessons learned in 2020. 
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I’m declaring it over my life and encouraging you to declare your word over yours.
 
 

Please share your word for the year ideas with us in the comments below! ✨

the sandra hudson blog

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Life Lessons Learned in 2020

life lessons I learned

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission should you purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products and services that I personally use, know, like, and trust. 

 

Life Lessons I Learned in 2020

 

 

This year has certainly brought life lessons learned and I will carry them with me for years to come.  I don’t think that anything has happened according to anyone’s plan this past year. There has been tragedy, loss, sickness, uncertainty, and loneliness to name a few. 

We have all struggled in one way or another in 2020, and some of us have definitely had it harder than others. I think it is important to note that without any bad, we would not be as appreciative of the good. I want so badly to choose joy and look for the important life lessons that this year has given me. 

 

7 Life Lessons I Learned from 2020

 

  • There is absolutely nothing more important than your family. 

We try our hardest to keep our families safe, healthy, and happy. My children can handle much more than I ever thought possible. They have coped beautifully through lockdown and are growing and shining beautifully in their own way. They have really grown this year physically and mentally through a crisis. 

 

  • Find happiness in the small things.

 Look forward to that warm cup of coffee each morning, or watch the sunset at night. In the past, these were simple things that I took for granted, but when everything was canceled or closed in 2020, these small things got me through each day. This is one of the life lessons I learned that I deeply cherish. One thing that has really helped me do this is writing in a gratitude journal. Pick up my favorite one from Amazon here. gratitude journal benefits

 

  • Self-care is a priority, not a privilege.

 

self care quotes

 

 I think it’s more important to note that self-care isn’t always bubble baths and candles. Self-care is literally caring for yourself whether that is physical, mental, or spiritual. There are a million different ways to practice it, and the important thing is to always do something for yourself. It is so important to recharge yourself so that you are able to be the best version of yourself and care for all the other people who you love. I always say, even if you’re not at the top of the list, you should at least be on it! 

If this is something you are really struggling with, grab my free 30-day self-care calendar here.

 

  • Take time to slow down. 

We have been forced to do this in 2020, but if I’m choosing joy, this can be a positive. Life is too short to spend it with your calendar booked with commitments and activities that really don’t matter much in the long run. Enjoy the moments. Put the phone down. Really take time to have conversations with your family and friends. 

 

  • Life Lessons I Have Learned is to Have a backup plan.

 So many people have lost their jobs or had a loss of income in 2020. Make sure to have a backup plan. Every day we hear of brick-and-mortar stores closing. Online business is the future. There are so many options out there such as remote work, social marketing work-from-home opportunities like the brand I represent, or you can even start your own money-making blog.  Look at all the options and see what you can do to have a backup plan if you were to lose your main gig. 

 

life lessons I learned

 

  • Never stop learning. 

I seriously love to learn skills. I love to read self-development books or listen to podcasts. It’s so much fun to cook and try new recipes. When the world stopped around us this past year, diving into these hobbies and working towards a goal kept me motivated and inspired. The life lessons I learned in 2020 is that you can always take these new skills and use them as an opportunity to open new doors in your career or life. 

 

  • Be kind. 

The saying is true: everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always. If people react to you ina negative way, chances are it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. The motto that I try to teach my children is to always be kind. People can disagree with you. They can even say things you don’t agree with. It is always better to treat others with love and respect. We are all humans and we should be kind to one another in spite of our differences. 

 

life lessons learned quotes

 

The life lessons that 2020 brought me might be different than what it taught you. What did you learn in 2020 and how will this year affect you going forward? 

 

I would love to hear more in the comments below.

the sandra hudson blog

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The Best Holiday Bourbon Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

 

‘Tis the season for holiday baking. Today I am sharing a recipe created by my husband, James for orange bourbon vanilla sugar cookies. This is seriously the best cookie I have ever eaten (and I have had my fair share of cookies.)

 

We have tried to bake a lot of things together before that weren’t the best, but he totally nailed it with this batch. So, of course, I had to document and share it here with you. Whether you’re baking holiday cookies for the first time or looking for something different to add to your usual assortment, this recipe is sure to be a winner!

 

Let’s get started with the ingredients for Bourbon Vanilla Sugar Cookies:

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup butter

  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar

  • 1 orange (optional and adds an extra layer of flavor)

  • 2 eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bourbon extract (I used Trader Joe’s brand which can be ordered if you do not have a Trader Joe’s near you here.)

 

Now that you have all of the ingredients you need, let’s get baking these Vanilla Sugar Cookies!

 
 

  • First, you will sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together, and set aside. On low/medium heat, melt the butter in a pan on the stove. Secondly, combine the melted butter and sugar in your mixing bowl. I use an electric stand mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla bourbon extract. Use a micro-plane on the orange and zest the entire outside into the mixture. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Finally, you are ready to cover the dough and chill for 2 hours. I use plastic wrap, don’t handle the dough too much here, just get it in a neat ball and get it in the fridge. If you don’t have plastic wrap, you can dampen a kitchen towel and cover the dough in your bowl.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (200 degrees C). On a cookie sheet, line with parchment paper. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Don’t get these too thin, it will make them crispy. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.

sugar cookies
 
 

  • Firstly, you will want to bake these for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, they won’t look done, but they are, just give the middle of the cookies a touch and if they are solid in that 8-10 minute window take them out.

  • Next, let them sit on the cookie sheets for another minute before moving them to cool on wire racks.

  • Finally, If you want to add decorations like those crunchy glitter things add those to the top of the cookies before baking!

sugar cookies
 
 

The Perfect Royal Icing

Royal Icing is the best icing for cookies. It is not too sweet and really adds a beautiful, classic look to any cookie. Now take into consideration that this is the first time James has made these cookies, and the decorating skills are not quite there yet………LOL! I don’t even care because they tasted amazing. He used Alton Brown’s royal icing recipe to top these cookies. Here is the link to his recipe.

 

orange bourbon vanilla sugar cookie

Homemade Buttercream Frosting 

We have made these cookies with both icing options, and homemade buttercream wins for me! The sweetness combined with the savor of the cookie is a match made in heaven.

Buttercream recipe

  • 1 cup room temp butter
  • 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups confectioners sugar
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Cream butter until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar at a time, once it’s incorporated continue adding until you have added it all. Now add the vanilla extract and let it incorporate. Add milk. Let mixer beat for 2-3 minutes on medium speed.

Vanilla Sugar Cookie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all for now. I hope you set aside time this Christmas season to do a little holiday baking with someone you love. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite Christmas cookie is or if you try this amazing recipe yourself this holiday season.

Happy Baking!

I would love to hear from you if you try this recipe for the vanilla sugar cookies in the comment below and how your family enjoys them. 

 
 

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How to Use an Eyebrow Pencil in 5 Simple Steps

 

How to Use an Eyebrow Pencil in 5 Simple Steps

 

 

How to use an eyebrow pencil is one of the most common questions I get asked. There are so many ways to style and shape your brows. It can be really intimidating. It’s true that no two brows are exactly the same. Your eyebrow shape is uniquely you, and the technique will vary from person to person. With that being said, I am here to break it down and give you 5 easy steps so that you can achieve your perfect eyebrows. 

 

Don’t over-pluck your brows 

The days of pencil-thin brows are long gone. Over-plucking your brows can have long-lasting effects. If you have a random hair out of place, use the tweezers to remove the one. Also, look into using a clear brow mascara to tame your wild hairs into place. 

 

Use an Eyebrow Pencil

I have tried a lot of different brow products, but a brow pencil is the easiest to use and the most widely known brow product out there. When shopping for a formula, look for something that is either lighter or darker than your natural hair. You do not want it to be too matchy. I personally love the brow pencil from Farmasi because it is water-resistant, glides on smoothly with an easy-to-use formula, and is very affordable for all budgets. 

 

Apply Products from the Center of Your Brow

If you feel like you only need to amp up your arches at the beginning of your brow, start at the arch and work toward the bridge of your nose. That way you’re left with the least amount of product when you reach the start of your brow, making the application look more realistic. Then, use that same product at the tail of your brow so it doesn’t end up looking uneven.

 

Use a Soft Touch and Build from There

It is always easier to add product versus take it away, so build your brows slowly. Another key to making your brows look darker yet natural? Not getting the formula you’re using on your skin. If you have a bald spot you’re trying to fill in, that’s one thing, but if you’re just trying to deepen your brow hair color overall, your best bet is a brow mascara that you can lightly swipe on for a more dramatic yet believable effect.

 

Don’t Forget to Blend

This is one of the most important steps to creating natural-looking brows. An easy way to fill in your brows is by drawing an angled line under your eyebrow at its start with a brow pencil and then using a spoolie brush to blend and brush through your brows. The only catch? You have to remember to blend it entirely or else it will look too harsh.

 

If you’re still at a loss, here is a short tutorial I did showing the basics. I hope that you will watch and find value in this tutorial.

 

 

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Lumi Radiance from Farmasi – Brightening Skin Care Line

 

Lumi Radiance Farmasi

 

The Lumi Radiance from Farmasi is a Brightening Skin Care Line that just released in the USA on December 1, 2020, and it is already making waves. It is now possible to improve dark spots and even out your skin tone even with it being super affordable.

I have personally been waiting on this skincare line to come to the US for almost a year now. I mean, what woman doesn’t want her skin to look more radiant and bright?

 

Lumi Radiance Farmasi

Lumi Radiance: What You Need to Know

Lumi Radiance from Farmasi will help to visibly improve the look of dark spots and even your skin tone out. This product is a TOP SELLER in other markets. It is a new release to the US, but not a new product line for Farmasi.
 
The primary ingredient is White Sand Lily. This active ingredient is what helps to lighten age spots and even out your complexion. Here are the steps. You can purchase all products individually or as a set. But hurry, it is sure to sell out fast!!
 
 

Products

Now that I have piqued your interest, you are probably wondering what Lumi Radiance products are available. 

 

Lumi Radiance Farmasi

 
Step 1 – Cleanse with LumiRadiance Exfoliating Cleanser $12.90
 
Deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin, removing dull, dry, and dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion.
 
Step 2 – Tone with LumiRadiance Brightening Tonic $15.90
 
Refreshes moisturizes and tones the skin after cleansing. 
 
Step 3 – Treat with LumiRadiance Brightening Serum 24.90
 
Reduce dark spots and balance uneven skin tone. This formula absorbs quickly into the skin to deliver a perfect level of moisture. 
 
Step 4 – Treat with LumiRadiance Brightening Eye Cream Balm $11.90
Helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circle, and under-eye bags. Open your eyes to a smoother and radiant appearance. 
 
Step 5 – Protect with LumiRadiance Brightening Cream with 22SPF $12.90
 
This is an exquisite Brightening Cream with UV production that helps to maintain skin brightness and balance uneven skin tones. This special cream delivers luminosity and intense hydration. 
 
Bonus Product – LumiRadiance Soap
 
Gently wash away dirt and oil from head to toe (including your face) without drying out your skin. I don’t know about your man, but this sounds like the perfect cleanser for mine. 
 

To learn more or order your products, SHOP HERE!

 

Lumi Radiace Natural Ingredients and Advanced Technology

 

You’re probably wondering how can these products work and still be clean for your skin? The answer is European Standards and these high-powered ingredients like these:

 

White Sand Lily – hello brightness thanks to this powerhouse. This active ingredient lightens age and pigmentation spots while ensuring an even complexion throughout the face. 

 

Algae Extract – formed from seaweed and contains a slew of healthy vitamins. The ingredient is rich in bioactive compounds and provides skin hydration. White Sand Lily and Algae extract work in synergy with each other producing a mutually reinforcing effect for up to a few weeks. 

 

lumi radiance ingredients

 

European standard, amazing plant-derived products will yield you results. What are you waiting for?? Lumi Radiance from Farmasi is for you!!

 

Lumi Radiance results

 

 

 

 

Tavala Trim for Weight Loss

  BOOST YOUR WEIGHT LOSS WITH TAVALA TRIM What if I told you that you could drink a supplement called Tavala Trim only one time per day and lose weight, increase your natural energy and suppress your appetite?   I’m not going to lie……I was very skeptical of this product working. As a busy, tired […]