MY #BEINYOURSKIN EXPERIENCE + PICTURES

Its soo crazy how the universe will give you want you want if you just show gratitude and trust that what is rightfully yours you will receive ! So let me tell you a little back story about how the universe gave me exactly what I wanted ! CAUTION you may think i'm cray cray after you read this ahhaha !

I was scrolling down instagram one day and I see @TheBword talking about this #BEINYOURSKIN photo shoot experience ! So I slid into her DM's and told her I was interested to work with her aka Brianna ! She then wrote me back and was sooo sweet and she explained the package deals and I realized that I was still broke after allllll my many list of bills ( who can relate? ) so unfortunately I couldn't afford the shoot but I told her that I WILL WORK WITH YOU ONE DAY!( speak that shizzz into existence! )  I was so bummed out that I wasn't going to be able to take part in the shoot ! ( or so I thougggghhtttt) 

Fast forward a couple days go by I'm scrolling again down the gram and I see her little live video story blinking in the corner so I instantly clicked it and she said she was so happy that she sold out all the spots for the shoot ! SO SHE DECIDED TO DO A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!

My heart sank to the bottom of my butt cause I got so excited !! I got out of bed grabbed my laptop and went to Starbucks to start typing ! I at first was just going to blog about what exactly what #Beinyourskin meant to me ! I originally had a whole blog typed up but it just wouldn't flow and I wanted to be different and stand out so then I came up with my poem that surprisingly just spilled out of my soul !

She would then announce the winner 3 days from then ! BUT in these 3 days I was preparing myself as if I had already won ! Not because i'm cocky or conceited but because I wanted this so bad I claimed it as if it was already mine ! I was already following one of the beautiful ladies who I knew was already going and I MESSAGED HER to see what time it started so that way I could get my shift covered for that Saturday ! Mind you it was like Tuesday ahah Yall think i'm playing when I said I claimed this shizzz ! So I got my shift covered for the day of the photo shoot !
 AND THEN.... SHE ANNOUNCED THAT I WON DUDE!! I was at work at the time and started screaming lmao I am still in shock that I WON! Little ol me Aleigha From Upland CA WON SOMETHING LIKE THIS ! Its such a big deal to me because the experience was just unexplainable!!! 

Briana and her whole team! Down to her Assistant, her hair and make-up artist her, photographer literally I felt like we were all BFFS The vibe that was cast off right when I walked thru the door was sooo overwhelmingly pleasant . NOT TO MENTION THE FREAKIN STUDIO it was at was just amazing ! Her assistant greets you with cheese and champagne the other ladies already dressed snapping pictures in the other side of the room then the ones over in the hair and make-up just getting pampered and treated like the queens that we are !! All I can say is that The experience was just amazing! No other words. It was a no judgement zone ! Like I never ever got my make-up professionally done let alone STYLED AND COACHED by the amazingly beautiful Brianna !

Briana + TEAM THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THIS EXPERIENCE . You have changed my life more than you know. You've empowered me to keep being the BOSS ASS BI*$H that I am!!!!
 I appreciate this more than words can even explain so THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!!


OK IM SURE YOU ARE WAITING FOR THIS AFTER ALL MY BLABBING HERE ARE MY PICTURESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#BEINYOURSKIN

Wavy was the ripples in my shirt from the things BEneath .

BEneath the things was flesh and a heart

BEneath the things that covered every inch of my body from the very start.

BEneath the things were the words and fat shame she had fought

BEneath the things were the tears and dread of what others thought.

BEneath the things she aligned her soul.
  & would soon learn to gain some self control.

BEneath the things she diluted with gear to hide the wave of her
selfless shear.

BEneath the things she hated for years
   to only learn they were here to stir.

She forgave herself for the down talks and doubt
   & showed the world her authentic self.

She preaches now and here on out
BE IN YOUR SKIN my dear for its the only shell you'll  ever wear.

Poem By -Aleigha Storm.

Entrance for #BEINYOURSKIN
Founder of #BEINYOURSKIN Check out her blog . Brianna McDonnel

Stormys Portfolio

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spiritually woke

        If you decided to click this title you or someone you know has experienced what you may call crazy coincidences but those my dear are called Synchronictys . It may be that you were thinking about a friend and all of sudden you run into him or her or they randomly call you! You may also  have a crazy idea pop into your head and have no idea where that idea came from or even seeing repetitive numbers such as 11:11 on the clock or 22 more than once you could be driving and the license plate number is also showing you 222 but that is your higher self giving you the answer to something you may be earning to find out or information that you need to  know ! With that being said There are no coincidences in this beautiful universe. Every single thing happens for a reason. Every thought every feeling, every mile stone, every set back ! I mean  EVERYTHING !! Is happening to you for a reason.

     All of these Synchronictys are there to show you that you're either going on the wrong path depending on what the situation may be. All it is the universe or your higher power is giving you the signs and insuring you that you're not alone . It all may not make sense but in order to grow through life you have to hit high and low peeks. Make sure your awknowleding it and letting the universe know that you're open to reciving infinite blessings from the universe

   When the universe comes in to throw some knowledge in your noggin. Your spirte guides are always trying to communicate with us especially when we aren't doing what is you're suppsed to be doing. The whole point of us being human and having minds and souls is to find our soul purpose . What is it that you call successful ? Think about your life and how you want it to be ! * stop and think for a second.* Ok . Now Claime it ! That's it. its yours ! If you are specific with what you want whether it be to be a millionare, a super model, a actress, a Doctor!  What ever it is your heart desires IT'S YOURS Already! You now just have to trust the process, Trust your self and more importantly trust the universe ! I cant stress this enough but you can have ANYTHING in your wildess dreams all you have to do is speak it into exensitance let go and watch the blessings start flowing in. But that's for another blog on manifestations. So stay tuned for that ! always always remember to Show gradiduted
 the universe loves thank you's !

;much love xoxo Aleigha storm
  
    "  Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life, It turns what we have enough, and more. It turns deniel into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." - Melody Beattie

Social Media @OnlyAleigha YOUTUBE: COMING SOON... 

20's are suppose to be your selfish years.

      As I get older I realize that your 20's is all about finding who you really are , leaving "friends" behind. Sometimes even family . Its a growing process, It hurts. The people who you thought was going to be there for the long haul baled on you. It's all apart of life. Its really like a roller coaster. You have Ups and Downs  You have times where you think you just might die. Your marriage may fell, You break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend you thought you were going to marry. You have to remember E V E R Y T H I N G is temporary ! Jobs, friends, relationships, money, heartache, pain, loss . Nothing last forever and that's Ok you are young and have a long life to live.
    I know that I'm only 21 years old, (almost 22 D; ) and at my age College should be my main focus but personally its not at this very second. I'm currently working a full time job trying buy my first car and make sure my bills are paid. Of course eventually I want to focus full time to get my career started. I currently have a couple things in my way due to some personal things that happend when I was 16. I am enrolled in Online classes to get my GED.  Ill share. Just to show you that anything is possible .
   When I younger my mother and I (still until this day) have had a rocky relationship . We had moved to Utah and came back to Cali to visit some friends. When our mini vacation was over we stopped at McDonald's to get some coffee and my little sister and I had got into a fight (like siblings do) My little sister told my mom and my mother flipped out on me and then her and I got into it. Short story short she thru my bags out the car and got on the freeway and left me in the McDonald's parking lot. At that time my family was going through some personal things and it was hard on all of us. I was only 16 years old. I was ready to finish my Senior year of High school and start my life. But she ruined that for me.  My childhood was over. I lived with my closet friends (tell this day I Thank you Chey <3 & Arielle <3 ) I didn't get to experience Prom, graduation, like a regular 16 year old . I got my very first job at Kohl's and worked my butt off just to feed myself. EVERY SINGLE THING I HAD I purchased myself. I was depressed and mean . Mad at the world. I pushed a lot of people away from me cause Anger is all I knew when my mom left me in that parking lost I cried and cried and cried for months . I know I'm getting really personal BUT the reason I shared this is because ANYTHING is possible.
     My sucky situation did not last long. I got my own apartment when I was 18. I made the best out of my situation . I paid for everything on my own which  made me appreciated it more . I didn't have parents or family. I was alone. But of course that is why I am so loyal to my friends . I am forever grateful for them They kept me sane and Never left my side through my Hard times.
    Now that I am almost 22 years old I'm so happy I have gone through that experience . It has taught me so much about myself. Of course at the time I was woe me blaming the world for why I was such a bitch. Going thru that taught me to grind and love myself . I love that I can be selfish with my time now, and focus on my goals I have set for myself. I know I got a late start on finishing my education but I' learned to accept that. Having No kids at my age is a shocker to the world and I'm actually thankful I didn't have any personally. Isn't crazy how your life is now and you never expected to be the way it is ? I think about that all the time .
    So here's my advice for you . If you are in your 20's or 50 and you have someone whether its your husband, sister, uncle, mom or grandma its ok to cut them off if they're are just tearing you down. Toxic is Toxic, I know they may be "blood" to you but when the going gets tuff you need to cut it ! lol Love yourself and remember never push away the people who are there to help you. Your situation is only temporary.  Its OK to be selfish. Enjoy this time cause you will never be 20 again. life is to short to settle. Be positive and passionate with everything you do in your life. You are in control of the outcome . Remain humble and do you ! You don't need to be in college , You don't need to be making 6 figures !!!!!!!!!! Not everyone was raised the same so DO NOT compare yourself to some one else's situation. You have no Idea what that person has gone through to get to where they are today, Remember that .
Lastly......  DO WHAT EVER TF MAKES YOUUUUUUU happy. And whats meant to be will be.
-Xoxoxo Aleigha Storm .

What's in my hair ?

I get soooo many questions about my hair products when i'm out or get asked if " Can i touch your hair?" lol as if i'm some type of freak show in AHS (that was my shit!!) Ha and at first i would get offended at the fact my hair looks like something that you can just " touch. " Now , I don't care, it makes me happy that other races find my hair beautiful or are just simply curious about the process in which it takes to get the perfect volume ! Some ask is that your real hair? Others ask how do you get your hair so curly like that!? As if i used a itty bitty little pencil and wrap each and every strand of my curly hair around it to get it perfect. NO i was simply born this way ! Its hereditary my mother who is White has naturally curly hair, And my Father who is black has naturally cores hair so of course that left me with this !

My hair didn't always look this awesome (; ha ha . Iv went through some terrible terrible times ! Like for instance my perm days ! My mother would perm the shit out of my hair ! To the point my hair wouldn't even curl anymore, But as a kid i didn't care i was just happy my hair MOVED! Yes ! As in it actually blew in the wind or if i turned my hair a sudden way it would flow with the movement lmao! But at the time i didn't know how damaging it became. So then she went to texturizer thos just made my curls lose and lay down instead of growing in a Afro ! I was all over the place with my hair until i became the age of about 8 i started doing my own hair
STORY TIME**
So i was 8 years old and my mom started letting me do my own hair ! RIGHHHHT.... And i HATED getting my hair brushed out i'm so tinder headed ! RIgggghht . So i went about a couple weeks with this pony tail with braids and i would just leave that same pony tail in my head for about 2 weeks  and I would just brush the fuzzy parts back with some water and gel lol. SOOO my mom was like "Aleigha we need to wash your hair" And i was like ok..... Let me tell you something.   When my mom took down my long lasting pony tail and had to cut this big ass knot out the middle of my head that i kept brushing over for weeks because MY ASS STARTED GROWING A FUNGUS UNDER FROM ALL THE MOISTER! Yes girl ! A FUNGUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D; I remember feeling a breeze on my head from the big ass bald spot i was left with ahahaha.  ( no lie ) SO short story short i wasn't able to do my hair anymore lol
So i vowed to my mom that i would brush my hair out everyday  and take care of it !

Im now 21 and have never had that problem ever again! It took about 5 years to get all the heat damage and perm damage out my head. I would cut the pieces off gradually not all at once cause i didn't whana be balder then i was I went through my Straight hair only days with fake synthetic hair extensions *gross* ! Ha Now i try to only straighten my hair on special occasions or when i really want to but no more then 3 times a year . It really is the worse thing you can do to your curls.
So now for the hair products  ! I am not a hair product junky so that means I'm cheap as hell! Iv tried Mixed Chix, The Shea Moisture hair line ect. everything you can imagine  ! & I HATED them! They Either were too heavy on my hair or too light and didn't do a damnn thang!!  So i gave up on trying to be fancy and found these 3 !

And all together these cost me around like 16$! Only because it vary on what type of coconut oil i use and out of all three of these products the coconut oil is the most expensive for obvious reasons ! ( Coconut oil is pricey lol ) You can get the gel at your local sally's beauty supply for about 6$ for the 24oz Or if they have the 5lbs jar ill get that one for about 10$ and it last my girl friend and I about 5 mos ! The conditioner can be found at any store really for about 3$ ! I absolutely LOVE these 3 combined together  in my herrr! I have been using them for almost 6 years now and have not found anything else that i love more !
 I hope you find this helpful ! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions at alllll!
Xoxo - SimplyStormy <3

DIY Branch tassel boho wall hanging decor .

My girl friend and i just moved into our new apartment ! :D YAY!!!! And iv been planning for weeks on what and how i wanted to decorate it !! And iv been obsessed with the whole bohemian home decor .  And Iv seen these cute little Branch tassel wall decor or things similar to this online from 35$-200$ I made mine for just 5$ ! yes that is correct !FIVE FREAKN DOLLARS !  Iv never seen one exactly like mine as i knew exactly what i wanted it to look like in my head ! It was literally the easiest thing ever to make ! If it wasn't for my many breaks it would've taken 1 hour max ! The tassel making was the most tedious ,I took my time on each tassel i'm not usually a perfectionist but on this project i was ! Sooo if you're interested in how this was made keep on reading !!

What you'll  need !

• A large branch, Or birch  ( My parents are over hauling their backyard and my mom kept a whole bunch of these super thick branches so i took one !) * Free* 
• Yarn. Any color ! * I picked mine up at Walmart for just 2.59$ A piece . 
• Sizzors * had at home Free * 
• A book or A cut piece of cardboard ( You will need this to make the tassels and measure out how long you want them to be . I at first started to use a old wallet and i found that it was a little to long so i cut up a old small box and found that to be the easiest . *Free*
• Tape * free had some lying around.  

Step 1 . You're going to lay the branch on a hard surface. Take the yarn and start measuring out the lengths of each piece of yarn, tape the ends to your hard surface so you can get the visual of how its going to look.  like shown below.

Do that all along the piece of birch untilllll... 

Step 2. I took a long piece of the tan yarn and made the part that is going to be holding this bad boy up just to make sure everything was even and hung it up on the wall to get a visual . 

Like sooo! Now its tassel making time !

Step 3 Disclaimer ** I am going to show you how i made these things as best i can through description lol Because if you don't get this via reading. Youtube will be your best friend and i will link the video i used to help me right here for ya ! "Roberts Tassel Tutorial

• I wrapped the yarn around my piece of cardboard about 21 times. Thats just how i thick i wanted my tassels to be !  

Step 3, I Tie a knot at the top of the yarn .

 

Step 4. turn to the other end of the yarn and cut it . 

It should look like the