Where is the love?

My heart hurts.

People are mean.

People act entitled.

People think the world owes them something.

People forget compassion.

The meaning of the season is lost.

For real though!

How are we supposed to value family and thankfulness if so many people are pulled away from theirs by their source of income, because too many are choosing to leave to go stand in a line to save a few bucks?

How many people enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner really early because they had to go to work?  How many people weren’t able to spend time with their families because they had to work?  It’s not right.

Let’s take a moment to dissect the picture above, shall we?!

Gal in black t shirt looks happy.

Gal in black long sleeved shirt looks crazy.

Gal in green jacket is in the middle of a battle.

Gal? in blue hat and white jacket HAS HER ARM IN GREEN JACKET and green jacket is boxing out (kind of) while holding on to the door.

MADNESS PEOPLE.

Not worth it. Not ok.

My heart began to hurt when I was in Target yesterday.  It was the first time in almost TWO WEEKS I had been to Target (or really any store), and it was apparent the staff was just exhausted and defeated.  I had to return something I purchased a few weeks ago.  The return line was long.  The amount of returned merchandise was spilling everywhere.

The super patient cashier was explaining the refund amount to the girl who was returning a Black Friday offer.  Return girl was RUDE.  She told the cashier that cashier was wrong and that she deserved more money.  Oh and she was on her phone the entire time.  Also rude. Cashier referred to the computer screen, the amount listed, the receipt.  Return girl continued to become irate.  Return girl was wrong, and did not handle the situation well at all.  I wanted to smack some sense into her…in the name of Jesus… because it was Sunday. 🙂

I just felt so bad.  As I looked around, no one was happy.  The meaning of the season lost among discounted merchandise only available at horrible hours.  I don’t like where the world is headed.  It absolutely breaks my heart.

Maybe this is why I’m choosing to Shop Small this Christmas.  Individual business owners tend to be much nicer!

Small Business Saturday!

I’m so excited for this offer!  Why? Because the Holiday Gift Sets are FANTASTIC and they don’t need to be wrapped!  I am a HORRIBLE gift wrapper.  Also because I purchased a few gifts, a few things I’m almost out of AND was able to restock my shampoo & conditioner for free!  I love a good sale, don’t you?!

Are you participating in Small Business Saturday OR did you participate in Black Friday Madness?  leave a comment and let us know what your best bargain was!

Happy Shopping, friends!

5 On Friday: Thanksgiving Recap

Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Here are 5 of my favorite things that happened yesterday! 🙂

#1 Early Thanksgiving with Family

Ok so this didn’t happen yesterday.  But since it didn’t happen yesterday, it happened 2 weeks ago.  Thanksgiving with the family.  Oh how I adore my grandparents!

#2 The Charlotte Thanksgiving Day Parade

I’m a sucker for traditions, and have enjoyed watching the Charlotte Thanksgiving Day Parade with some friends each year!

We started in 2011 but it rained (and they had an almost 4 month old) so we went to their place and ate breakfast foods and watched the Macy’s parade on TV instead.  In 2012 it was HOT and we watched the parade and quickly shed all of our layers.  2013 was FREEZING and we left early.  It was cold in 2014 and mean people kept standing in front of us blocking our view and disregarding our request for them to sit down or move.  2015 was PERFECTION!

#3 The Aunt Megan & Summer Thanksgiving Day Picture

We were WAY warmer this year!  Last year Loren, Stephen, and I kept passing Summer around for body heat. This year, no one fought over the kiddos! 🙂 It is so much fun to watch a parade through the eyes of a kiddo.  And I LOVED how excited Summer was to see the “Thanksgiving CHICKEN!”

#4 Friendsgiving Fumble

Last year I enjoyed dinner with my neighbors, Melissa & Seve.  It was so fantastic, the gang returned this year!  We ate during halftime of the Panthers game, and realized the Cowboys weren’t the only ones with fumbles! 😉 Someone dropped the Green Bean Casserole.  We all laughed!  I didn’t really care since I despise green beans – I was just happy the stuffing was ok! 🙂

#5 Football!

This season has been SO fun!  I watched Panthers games in college, but didn’t attend a game or purchase merchandise until I moved to CLT in ’09.  The 13-14 season was a lot of fun, and now 15-16 is the greatest!

And since it’s Black Friday, here’s a 5 on Friday BONUS!

#6 Give the gift of Better Beauty

This Christmas season is the perfect time to Give the Gift of #BetterBeauty and #SwitchToSafer.  Even better, if you place an order TODAY (until 2:59am ET Saturday, November 28th) you’ll receive FREE SHIPPING!

Place a $150 order between now and 2:59am ET December 1st and receive a full sized CLEAN shampoo and RINSE conditioner FOR FREE!!!  That’s a $44 savings ($49 if you order FRIDAY – $44 plus $5 shipping!)

http://www.beautycounter.com/meganpastor or MLPastor.Beautycounter@gmail.com if you have questions!

THANK YOU FRIENDS!

 

 

Perspective: 57*

It is currently 57* in my home.  Why?  Not 100% sure – called in the professionals to figure that one out.  But it made me think…

It has been anywhere between 57*-59* inside, which yes, is cold.  BUT I am INSIDE.  I have walls.  I slept in regular socks with fuzzy socks over them, fleece pants, a t-shirt under a long-sleeved shirt under the warmest hoodie ever.  And while that was cozy, the atmosphere is still chilly.  But I’m inside…protected from the elements.  No wind, no rain.

I can’t help but think of all of the people living outside.  The streets of Charlotte are scattered with homeless people and it is sad.  Sure, plenty of organizations are working hard to eradicate homelessness, but it’s just not solved yet.

We’ve all been there – clean out the closets and head to Goodwill.  Well, I now have a stack of sweaters I no longer wear for a variety of reasons as well as a winter coat that is making its way to random bus benches and CLT street corners.  A little surprise if you will.  I mean it is Thanksgiving.

Let’s be compassionate.  Let’s take care of our own people.

 

Hello! (not the Adele song)

HI FRIENDS!

Goodness it has been a long time since I’ve blogged!  I know it doesn’t seem that way, but I was gone for 2 weeks (but scheduled posts for my first week away) and let me tell you, the return home to normal life has been a little sluggish.  I’m talking I showered, put on comfy clothes, and pretty much didn’t leave my couch/home for a solid 24 hours! #TravelHangover

Anyway, let’s recap this past weekend shall we?

Friday I left against my will to swing by TWC for a new remote (and picked up a waffle & latte from Crispy Crepe on my way home) yum!  Saturday I unpacked and did laundry and watched the Carolina vs Virginia Tech game.  I was so torn.  I’m a huge Carolina fan but I love Frank Beamer.  I spent many Saturdays in Lane Stadium (including the coldest game ever) and just adore Beamer.  Happy for him, but happier with a Carolina win.

Sunday, Cassie and I met to redeem our mani pedi coupons! #OhHeyMoneyMailer and she asked me what I was wearing so I sent her this pic from Hallmark.  After 2 days of lazy clothes, I HAD to dry my hair and look presentable!

Sadly we didn’t take a picture together. 😦 But we did enjoy Starbucks, pretty nails, and girl time!!! I did however send Claire a picture of my outfit and declared it my “go to” for the season.

OPI’s How Great Is Your Dane? is on my fingers and Lincoln Park After Dark is on my toes!

We ended up watching the first half of the Panthers game at the nail place and we left at halftime so she could head home and I went uptown to meet some friends!

It certainly didn’t start out all that great, but man, that game ended well!

Once the game was over, Sarah, Brittany, and I decided to go ICE SKATING!  The weather was perfect – not too cold, but cold enough to feel “Christmasy”

#NotAGoodNailColorPicture

For the 8 months (and 1 day) Claire knew she was pregnant, I started drinking for 2.  Well, it became a joke that I had to drink an extra glass of wine or adult beverage since Claire wasn’t drinking.  Now that Ariana made her appearance last Sunday, I’m no longer drinking for 2.  Now I’m ice skating for 2….so I sent Claire this picture:

which captures my “the things I do for you” face quite accurately!  🙂

The picture below may be my absolute favorite picture and it just worked out perfectly!

Since the rink closes at 7:00pm, we decided to head to Amelie’s for Hot Chocolate and Sweet Treats.  Well, since the main room was reserved for a private party, we sat in a rather amusing area.  It was a little chilly, and I just didn’t feel like going back inside for a knife…so this happened

such a fantastic Pecan Sticky Bun!  The warm chocolate wasn’t my favorite (because I’m all about some Not Just Coffee) but it was fun to hang out.

So there ya have it, a weekend recap…on a Tuesday.

And just because, I am totally in love with this song.  I’ve decided Hello is to 2015 what Blank Space was to 2014!

Adele – Hello

SNL – A Thanksgiving Miracle

5 on Friday: #SwitchToSafer Shopping

Thank goodness it is Friday!  #CanIGetAnAmen

About a month ago, I shared 5 Holiday Gift Sets with you which I was really excited about! (you may refer to this post for the list)

It was kind of like the first round of gathering Christmas Gift ideas for friends/family/special people and I placed my order within minutes of receiving that email.

Let me just tell you, I am L-O-V-I-N-G my Travel Body Collection with the amount of time I’ve spent in the airport and in hotels recently!  And the Sheer & Shimmer is just plain fun!

Grab a Hot Chocolate with a shot of Peppermint and lets begin! 😉

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, these 5 additional options were unveiled!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions! (you may leave a comment or email me, MLPastor.Beautycounter@gmail.com)

#1 Peppermint Lip Conditioning Duo

Get a mistletoe-kissable pout with our new Sugar Lip Scrub in Peppermint, which exfoliates and hydrates cold-weather-chapped lips, and Lip Conditioner Peppermint Balm, a moisturizing formula that goes on solo or under your favorite Lip Sheer.

Includes: Sugar Lip Scrub in Peppermint and Peppermint Lip Conditioner

#2 Holiday Hand Collection

Indulge overworked hands with our luxurious new Hand Soap Bar, which contains moisturizing shea butter, and our lightweight, easily absorbed Hand Cream. Both are infused with our sophisticated new Rose Neroli scent, a combination of fresh rose and floral, citrusy neroli.

Includes: Rose Neroli Hand Soap 3 oz. and Hand Cream in Rose Neroli 3 oz.

#3 Winter Clean Soap Collection

Treat yourself from head to toe with our new soaps. Our gently cleansing Body Bar features our classic Citrus Mimosa scent, while our Charcoal Cleansing Bar for the face detoxifies and absorbs impurities in your skin without drying it out, resulting in a smoother, brighter complexion.

Includes: Citrus Mimosa Body Bar 5 oz. and Charcoal Cleansing Bar 3oz.

#4 Butter & Sugar Body Collection

Make the holidays even sweeter with our Enrich Body Butter and Lustro Sugar Scrub—the best pairing for soft, smooth skin. While our brown-sugar scrub gently buffs away dull skin, our rich body butter absorbs easily without feeling greasy.

Includes: Citrus Mimosa Body Butter and Lustro Sugar Scrub

#5 Day to Night Lip Gloss Collection

Our wish-list-worthy Lip Gloss Collection includes two new, festive colors: Ruby, which is a soft, wearable red, and Opal, an opalescent shade with a sheer finish. For a bolder statement, layer either of them over Lip Sheers.

Includes: Lip Gloss in Opal and Lip Gloss in Ruby

I LOVE knowing that when I shop and give gifts, I’m giving something that not only smells great and performs well, but it’s beautifully made, and most importantly- safe!  I’m not gifting a bunch of harmful chemicals and toxins!

Peace on Earth and Peace of Mind this Christmas.  Can’t beat it!

***From today until Wednesday, November 25, 2015, anyone who orders a Holiday Gift Set from my website (found HERE) will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE ITEM FROM ME as my gift to you!  Thank you friends!***

Happy Weekend!

Thankful Thursday: Gratitude

Last week, this article titled The Power of Gratitude And Why Thanksgiving Truly Matters reached my inbox via a monthly newsletter.  I shared it on Instagram and Facebook and just LOVE everything in the article, so I wanted to share it with you as well!

My favorite parts?

Gratitude has the strongest link with mental well-being than any other character trait.

After a 10 week study, those that kept a Gratitude Journal were 25% happier than the control group.

Think about it.  We all have that one friend who complains all.the.time and that person is just miserable and unhealthy.  Boom!  Bet if they were gracious and thankful, their whole world would turn around!

That’s the thing – BE THANKFUL with what you have!  Show GRATITUDE in everything!  Life WILL get better.  It’s all about your attitude and perception.

If you’re interested in the entire Thanksgiving/Gratitude/Healthy Recipe Swap newsletter, leave a comment and I’ll pass it along!

Talk About It Tuesday: Support Small & Shop Local

Last week, a friend of mine from high school put a pretty neat post on social media that I was not only proud of, but it made so much sense and it’s something I think small business owners really struggle with, but shouldn’t have to.

She wasn’t mean with her words, and she wasn’t pushy either, but her post really resonated with me and I wanted to share it.

Here’s the image she used:

And while I don’t want to disclose those that she mentioned, or post exactly what she wrote, here’s a general overview.

She listed about 15 gals who are single/dating/engaged/married/expecting/mothers who through some leap of faith adventure, are supplementing their full time income with a “side” job (and let me just say, sometimes I work harder in a day for my side job than I do for my corporate job!).  She promoted ladies who are following their dreams and starting their own businesses, or ladies who have partnered with already established companies as independent consultants.  I thought her post was genius!  Way to educate others about supporting friends and friends of friends, rather than supporting a huge company.  #TheMoreYouKnow

Sure companies like Swoozies, Paper Source, and Shutterfly are great for cards, invitations, monogrammed items, but you could make the following switches and help a person in your community rather than a CEO. 🙂

As you begin (or finish!) your Christmas shopping this year, consider supporting small, local businesses.  I promise it will mean the world to the business owner, and the quality will most likely be so much better!  Not to mention the personal connection!  #WorthIt

Need a few ideas?  Here you go!

• Gretchen from ?website? to supply you with just about every product you’ve ever thought about monogramming! (Charlotte ladies, she’s local and SUPER reasonable!!!)
• Live anywhere near Rock Hill, SC?  Support Mary Kate and visit Hey Sugar Shop for all of your custom sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and/or cake truffle needs. SO GOOD and SOOOO worth the drive!
• Need someone to design your Christmas cards or party invitations?  Contact Claire from The Studio by Fashion+Feathers.
• Live in Charlotte? Love pizza? Support Pizzeria Omaggio across from Target Metropolitan.
• Have a lover of The Queen City on your list?  Check out Chris, Jerri, and Scott from 704 Shop for all of your Charlotte apparel needs.
• Jewelry lover?  Laura from Laura Cox Designs has tassel necklaces.
• Need that cool gift for a sports fan?  Or fan of Friends?  Honor Roll Designs for all of your super cool t shirt needs.
• Need an ADORABLE baby bonnet or bow for a little girl in your life?  Support April & her Mom over at The Tipsy Bunny
• Have a bagel lover in your life? Send them Bantam Bagels and order 3 dozen for yourself, you will not be disappointed. These things are GOOD!! (yes this is brick & mortar in NYC, and yes they were in Shark Tank and have received serious press, but Nick & Elyse are the owners/founders and this is their life! 1 store = local in my book!)

That’s all I can think of for now.  Have other small businesses you support?  Feel free to leave them in the comments!

Of course if you’re in need of face care, color cosmetics, hand cream, body lotion, etc., let me know!

Friends, shop local!  Support small businesses!

Feel free to email me ThatWasntThePlan@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Weekend Update: The 5 C’s

CHOPT. CHICK FIL A. CAROLINA TAR HEELS. CHECKERS. CAROLINA PANTHERS.

CHOPT

On Friday, I met a friend for lunch at Chopt.  OH MY STARS!  I had heard great things but I had never been and let me tell you, if you are near a Chopt location, go!  You can thank me later!  I was a little overwhelmed by the menu but they offer a few “first timers” suggestions and I loved the one I picked!

CHICK FIL A.  CAROLINA TAR HEELS. CHARLOTTE CHECKERS.

Saturday morning it was still a little rainy, but around lunch time the sun came out.  I had a bunch of things to accomplish but was seriously craving a CFA Sweet Tea.  So this happened:

PURE LAZINESS!  I went thru the Drive Thru for a Sweet Tea.  In my defense, it was still a little rainy AND only 2 cars were in front of me. 🙂

I made it back in time to watch Carolina beat Duke 31-66!

Julie came over and we went to Home Opener of the CHARLOTTE CHECKERS return to Bojangles Coliseum!

*I stole this picture from her Instagram so it’s kind of grainy for some reason 😦

We were two of the first 3,000 people to arrive which means we scored VIEWFINDERS!  Hello childhood!!

We decided to take a little tour of the coliseum and I must say, they did a great job renovating!

…

Crayola!  THE BEST in markers & crayons. #Truth

Check out the “WIN” pucks to the right.  Sadly, the Checkers did not win.

…

Chubby!

Where the large flash is, in front of Chubby, was Braylon Beam.  He also rode to Zamboni, but goodness that kid is adorable and has had one heck of a year. Braylon Honorary Coach … Braylon 1 Day Deal …  Braylon Crew Chief … Braylon Meets Ellen … Braylon Dancing #JustKeepDancing

Sunday, the CAROLINA PANTHERS extended their undefeated record to 8-0!!

and I moved my office downstairs so I could work and watch the game!

#KeepPoundingPresentations  #PanthersAndPoints

Hope you had a fantastic weekend!

Make this week great!

5 on Friday: Movies

It’s another wonderful (although rainy) 5 on Friday with the lovely April!

The last movie I saw in a movie theater was Pitch Perfect 2.

Before that, it was American Sniper. And before that it was When The Game Stands Tall.  All very diferent.  All very good.

So, I thought I’d compile a list of movies that I’d like to watch.  Growing up, Friday was synonymous with movies (and pizza and popcorn and sleepovers). #ChildhoodIsCalling

#1 – The Intern – The previews were funny, yet heartwarming.  I have high hopes for this one!  Oh and it looks like a great group of cast members.

#2 – SPY – Melissa McCarthy.  Bridesmaids & The Heat.  AND Melissa and Rose Byrne in a movie together again, yea, this is going to be funny!  I’m pretty sure Allison Janney also makes an appearance.

#3 – The Martian – I’ve had a few friends see this and they seemed to enjoy it.  Another friend is still reading the book and loves it.

#4 – Burnt – Hello, Bradley Cooper & Sienna Miller together again?  Yes please!  I also watched their (separate) press interviews for the movie and I am really excited about it.

#5 – Our Brand Is Crisis – Sandra Bullock.  Also, watched Sandra & Billy Bob’s interview with Ellen and now I really want to watch the movie!!

Any additional movie suggestions?

I tend to watch some of my favorites on repeat, because if you can’t quote Pitch Perfect, Baby Mama, Bridesmaids, The Proposal, and Christmas Vacation (just to name a few), what’s the point?

Happy Friday, friends!!