Sunday, December 30, 2012

It's #NewYearsEve! Let's Get Ready to #BeginAgain...





Time flies. At least from my perspective this year has raced past me. I always feel that the days, months, and year as a whole, moves a lot faster when you have a lot going on. It's almost as if it wants you to take everything over into the new year with you. However, that can't be the way to begin a new cycle, right? 

COMING SOON
New Year 13
Photo by ba1969

I've learned so much more about myself in 2012. I've learned:

  • to keep trying even when times get tough and the road less-traveled gets a bit rocky 
  • no New Year's Resolution can compete with the unexpected events that occur throughout the year to set our course of life on an entirely new path. 
  • no matter how much I aim for perfection and the best ways of doing things, I am not perfect  
  • how fortunate I am to meet amazing new people on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and other platforms who inspired me at some point throughout this year with a picture, quote or blog comment
  • it is always up to me to succeed because the answer is inside of me
  • how much more passionate I am about my acting career and the benefits of my goal-setting
  • that I really don't have a clue what's in store for me in 2013, no matter how much I plan, but the best I can do is be available and open to change

We all have learned in 2012 that our world is still here, keeping us alive and well against all odds of its demise with the Mayan calendar news. It all balls down to the fact that we still have work to do. We still have work to do internally on ourselves, externally among our peers, and spiritually, in order to reach people we have no access to or have no recollection of their stories and hardships. We still have work to do...

It's New Years Eve! It's a time to reflect on how far we have come and to set the stage to begin anew tomorrow. No, I cannot sit here and write that everything will be simple and easy because what would life be if it handed us everything we wanted or thought we needed. New Year's Eve is a time to reflect and remember those who have passed on and gone to a better place. They have passed on to make us realize how important we are to each other no matter our race, religion, or economic status. We have seen and heard it all during the political race, then re-election of President Barack Obama, to the endless violence of gunfire on our own soil. We are stronger. We are wiser. Some of us have looked sickness in the eye and said that it will not claim us this year because there is more for us to do before we leave this place. Some of us have conquered fears that we ourselves thought would end us. We are one on this New Year's Eve, standing together in Time Square, on our living room couches in front of the television set, or overseas counting down the time to Begin Again. 

Remember, wherever you are on this day...some may see it earlier, but...

It's New Year's Eve. Let's get ready to begin again.

With love, Selena B.






Saturday, December 29, 2012

16GB #iPad or 32GB Microsoft #SurfaceTablet #Giveaway! Open Worldwide. Ends: 1.20.13, 11:59PM/EST





With the rush of the New Year in the air, Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is happy to bring you this iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet Giveaway Event! We are just one day away from New Year's Eve and what great news it would be to win your very own iPad or Surface just in time to start your "new year" journey. I am loving this and I'm bringing this giveaway to you with special thanks to our hosts below. 

Technology is changing everyday and I want you to have the opportunity, in this New Year, to  add-to or start joining in on all the fun. It is definitely an adventure and there are many new worlds to discover and things to learn using technology. So...make sure your entries are counted by using the Giveaway tool entry form below. Good Luck, Everyone!

Giveaway runs: December 30, 2012 at 12:01AM/EST through January 20, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. 
Open Worldwide. (If winner is outside the US, he/she will receive the cash equivalent, no exceptions. US winner may also opt for cash equivalent. 
Must be 18 years or older.


Welcome to the iPad or Surface giveaway event 
hosted by 

Prizes:
16GB iPad with retina display ($499) OR 32GB Microsoft Surface Tablet ($499)!!! 


Already have a tablet? That's Okay! You can opt for the cash equivalent via Paypal! 

How to Enter:
Please enter all entries for this giveaway on the 

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Disclaimer: Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is not responsible for prize fulfillment. For any questions regarding this giveaway, please contact Bay Area Mommy.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

#StyleMadeEasy with #Nononsense Leggings and Tights Review



This post brought to you by No nonsense. All opinions are 100% mine.

In the industry of  “show business” you have to have some sense of style. Personally, I am all about being myself and enjoying the skin I'm in. Before, I was a lot more conservative and corporate with my style but then the “color bug” bit me when I moved to Los Angeles, CA and brought with it a lot more options. I find myself enjoying the vintage stores and thrift shops, when looking for out-of-the-box looks. They have the most unique-looking blouses, pants and shoes too! However, at times, I do have to go along with the First Lady's sense of style with an 'everyday woman' look. Now, that I have added color, I find that like a good lipstick or eye shadow, incorporating a colorful pair of tights or leggings into my outfits give me a lot more edginess and I feel inspired to take chances!

Recently, I was fortunate to receive one pair of No nonsense tights and leggings to try with two outfits.
In this first pic below, I really liked this red and gold top by designer BlingBling and decided to match it up with the Expresso-colored leggings from No nonsense. What I really loved most about the leggings was how well they fit. I have a slender body and like my jeans or slacks to fit properly. The leggings were not only warm and comfortable on my skin, but the size 'Small' fit like a glove. This is such an ironic thing because I just started experimenting with leggings this season, after a boutique designer told me to try leggings with my tops instead of skinny jeans. Now, I have No nonsense to thank for the Expresso-colored leggings and comfortable wear and support to keep me buying more.


In the second pics below, I bought this black dress with a beautiful, multi-colored pattern, down the center by designers Emma & Michele. The No nonsense Black, patterned tights with control top really gave the outfit a more wintery look and feel. I may not live in my hometown of Washington, DC anymore, but the nights in Los Angeles can get cool and these tights really kept my legs warm but looking fabulous at the same time. I really liked the pattern of these tights because they were not only black but had something else to offer the dress, which had it's own unique colorful design. When some people think of tights they think of little girls with Sunday dresses and how itchy they can be. After wearing them myself, they were comfortable, not itchy, and in my correct size of Small/Medium. Also, I usually don't buy stockings or tights with a control top because sometimes it can be a little too tight for my waist and stomach area, but these were comfortably-positioned around my waist and I could feel the support.




I have my own history of buying No nonsense Off-Black stockings in my local supermarket or drug store, like CVS. They are priced reasonably well and that's a big deal when shopping. It's nothing wrong with saving money when you can. I enjoy an affordable deal that's easily accessible. If you're in a fashion emergency and need leggings or tights to jazz up your outfit, then stop by your local pharmacy or supermarket, either of the two, to get you some.
No nonsense is doing great things for their brand. They have teamed up with Fashion Expert, Jill Martin, who is seen by millions of women and trusted for her last-minute, “fashion crisis” expertise. She is also an Emmy Award-winning TV personality and co-author of the New York Times bestselling style guide “I Have Nothing to Wear!” If you watch Access Hollywood, then you have seen Jill as the New York Correspondent. She will be working with No nonsense on a series of online vignettes to show us ladies how to wear the hot, new line of No nonsense colored tights and essential leggings to jazz up our already fabulous wardrobes. Like myself, Jill Martin, has always been a fan of No nonsense because of how easy they are to wear and find. Go Jill!


With the buzz going on about the new No nonsense colored tights and essential leggings that I had the opportunity to wear for myself, I decided to add them to my social network of brands to keep in touch. If you're on Facebook, Like No nonsense on Facebook and Follow No nonsense on Twitter.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing the online vignettes by Jill Martin and seeing what other colors I can work into my sense of style. Have Fun Ladies!

Visit Sponsor's Site

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

#MerryChristmas 2012 and Thank You! From: Selena B.






Seasons Greetings Readers:
Today is Christmas Day and I am hoping that you are spending time with the one you love and the family and friends and little ones in your life. This year has been something, hasn't it? However, that's how it is when you're working hard towards reaching your goals. Today is a very special day on a spiritual plain since He is the only reason for my continual health and strength. It's His B-Day and the time for us all to give love and to remind others in our lives how important they are. Life is short, but life is full of beautiful places, space, and opportunities to meet and occupy moments with others. 
For those readers who stop by Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose to see what's going on with all the fantastic giveaways or to read my unexpected personal blog posts, product reviews, and little somethings, I thank you for the support. I really enjoy collaborating with other simply amazing bloggers to bring you great giveaways. It makes me feel good to contact the winners of my giveaways and read the excitement and joy in their email responses. You are truly appreciated by me.

Today is Christmas Day...it's time to relax this one day with those who give you joy and make life for this one day seem okay. Enjoy the big feast, football and basketball, going to the movie theater, or just being at home by yourself with your cats and dogs with a cup of hot chocolate and a stack of movies because in the end, you are loved and appreciated. 
Merry Christmas and Thank you Everyone,
Selena B.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Free #Blogger Opportunity Valued at $299! Sign Ups Open...Begins: January 15, 2013



bamboo button

Pink Ninja Media, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, and Happy Home and Family bring you a great FREE blogger opportunity and Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose would like for you to join in too! Are you into nice comfortable sheets and how they are made and stitched? Well, this is the opportunity for your readers and YOU too! Not only  will your readers have the chance to win, but YOU can enter when it goes LIVE!

Bloggers: 
  • Increase your readership
  • Offer your readers a chance to win a Luxurious Bamboo Sheet Set value up to $299
  •  Winner of giveaway will choose sheet size, king sized sheet set is valued at $299
  •  Needless to say these sheets are awesome.

These sheets are valued up to $299 and worth every last cent! 

About the giveaway:
  • Start Date: January 15, 2013 (why the early posting? Jenn's Blah Blah Blog will be out-of-town for a bit, so she wanted to trying to get all her ducks in order)
  • Winner will receive one complete set of these fabulous sheets, valued up to $299 depending on size needed.
  • FREE Facebook Link with announcement post.
  • Additional links are $2 per link
  • Co-host spots available
Hurry over and sign up for this 
(Once the host gets enough bloggers she's closing the Sign Ups!)

Free #Blogger Opportunity! Sign Ups Open...Goes Live Jan 10, 2013






rstgw

Pink Ninja Media, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and Happy Home and Family and Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose would like for all you AMAZING Bloggers to join in this FREE Blogger Opportunity

Get a FREE Facebook link and FREE Twitter link! 

This event will go live on January 10, 2013 so hurry over and join this 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Winner Announced for $30 PayPal Cash #Giveaway in 2012 #Holiday Turkey Hunt at Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose!






Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is happy to announce the WINNER of the $30 PayPal Cash in this 2012 Holiday Turkey Hunt! Thank you to all who participated.


CONGRATULATIONS

(72) Entry #215 - RAYNA M. 


Wins the Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose 
$30 PayPal Cash 




IMPORTANT: The winner will have 48 Hours to respond to email sent by Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose to claim prize. After this time, another winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org

Friday, December 7, 2012

$500 Firmoo #EyeGlasses Gift Codes #Giveaway for 3 Winners! Open Worldwide. Ends: 12/18/12, 11:59PM/EST






Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose would like to invite you to enter this Firmoo Giveaway! If you're not familiar with Firmoo, it is an online shop which specializes in providing high end eyeglasses to its customers. There are new designs and styles created everyday to suit the needs of their consumers. The best thing about Firmoo is that it provides a free pair of eyeglasses to every first time customer! To get your free pair, simply click here. Only the item is free. IMPORTANT: You need to pay shipping and handling when using the Free pair offer, okay?

Hosted by: I Heart Giveaways
Co-hosted by: The Coffee Chic and The Bewitchin' Kitchen
The giveaway: Open worldwide.
Giveaway Runs: December 8 (12am) thru 18, 2012.

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With Firmoo glasses, you can be fashionable in a frugal way. Since it's a season of sharing, Firmoo is giving away gift codes to lucky individuals. 3 winners will receive the following:

  • 1st winner: $200 worth of gift codes
  • 2nd winner: $150 worth of gift codes
  • 3rd winner: $150 worth of gift codes


Prizes are not convertible to cash. Enter the rafflecopter widget below for a chance to win one of the prizes.

Note from the Host: To Activate More Entries, please note: You need to enter the password / code of the day before you can open the other entries in the RC. Thanks and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is not responsible for the distribution of prizes in this event. The host will contact each winner for delivery information. No compensation was received to promote this giveaway event. 

Winter Wonder Week #Giveaway Hop! (Value: $1250) 5 Winners! Open Worldwide. Ends: 12/15/12, 11: 59PM/EST **You Could Win One or All Prizes**






Winter Wonder Week

Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is participating in the Second Annual Winter Wonder Week Hop! You will find my blog in the list of other blogger participants below in the linky. Be sure to Connect with Fasmart on Facebook and Twitter! Read all about the prizes you can win and Good Luck to You!

Sponsored by: The participating bloggers as well as Fasmart/Shore Stop
Giveaway Runs: December 8th - 15, 2012, 11:59PM/EST
Giveaway Open Worldwide.

Winter Wonder Week Prizes with $1,250 in CASH Prizes:
  • Grand Prize of $500 PayPal Cash 
  • 2 Runner Up Prizes of $250 PayPal 
  • 1 $150 Visa Gift Card 
  • $100 Amazon Gift Card 


The good thing IS...You could win one, or ALL of them!
There's No Limits and this giveaway is open worldwide.
How To Enter:

Keeping with the tradition:


1. Follow ALL Blogs listed in the linky by using the Rafflecopter Entry form provided below! Make sure to pace yourself...

2. EXTRA ENTRIES: Hop around the linky to find the hidden elf images. There are between 3 and 5 elves on random blogs each day! Each time you find one you get an extra entry in the giveaway! 

Thank you so much for stopping by on your blog-hopping journey. If you're a winner, I hope these prizes, will make your holiday season even more exciting!


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Disclosure: Selena Thinking Out Loud With Purpose is not responsible for the distribution of prizes in this event. The host will contact each winner for delivery information. No compensation was received to promote this giveaway event.