Tag: interview

enjoy life interview: becky glaze {part II}

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Today, is Part II of my interview with Becky Glaze.  If you haven’t read Part I, do that and then click back over here to finish up.

Becky Glaze Hat Pick

The hat, Live Large Love Loud from Becky’s dear friend, Kate’s foundation @livelargeloveloud.

I sense that you are very strategic about how you spend your days. And, of course, “how we spend our days is how we spend our lives” (Annie Dilliard).  Tell me how you enjoy life. There’s so many ways I could answer this question. I don’t feel strategic, with two little ones and running a small business and trying to keep up with the needs of my home.  Most days, it just feels like chaos – ha, but I am working on it! Learning how to enjoy every moment is a lifelong discipline. I definitely don’t have that figured out. Some of my favorite ways to reconnect with what matters most would be getting up to the mountains with my family to unplug and disconnect from the bustle, or reading – I LOVE reading, so I find ways to get through a few books each month too – these days it usually means “reading” via listening. “Sit still and quiet” time is rare, but getting through an inspiring or thought provoking book is so lif- giving for me. I also love helping others and sharing all I’m learning and experiencing, with the hopes that it could positively impact one person.

Ooh reading! That’s something we also LOVE here at Shannan Enjoys Life. What’s your top three? Hmmm, that’s a tough one! I have so many that I love! These are three that have stuck with me more than others: The Help by Kathryn Stockett; The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls; and Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. I have an incredible bookclub that has been meeting for almost 10 years! We really love the World War II era and regularly joke about our love affair with that genre (one of our favs was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah), but have challenged each other to get out of our comfort zone and read other genres as well. It has been so fun! If you aren’t part of a bookclub, in person or virtual, find ya one, it’s so worth it!! 

You mention a couple of littles.  So what keeps you sane? Working out. That is the absolute BEST and quickest antidote to deal with the crazies. I used to go to a mommy workout group, but as my littles got bigger, it became harder and harder to make it there, so I adjusted my plan and found an awesome online Barre workout class. Secretly I’ve always wanted to be a ballerina so this is a perfect segue. Also, finding pockets of downtime in my day. My favorite is during naptime. My 2-year-old still naps and my 5-year-old gets quiet time too, so I get a few sacred moments of quiet to refocus, reset and gear up for the witching hour before dinner. When I miss this pocket of time, in the middle of my day, it takes a lot to make it to bedtime.

What’s your favorite quote? I have so many favorite quotes that it’s hard to nail down just one. but this one gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I posted it on my account to be able to go back and reread it always.

 “It’s impossible,” said Pride. “It’s risky,” said Experience. “It’s pointless,” said Reason. “Give it a try,” whispered the Heart.” – Unknown

 This quote speaks to me because I doubt myself, decisions and my purpose, a lot. I have the classic introverted extroverted personality that is terrified by new things or the unknown. I have to give myself pep talks all.the.time and I’ve spent many years talking myself out of things. This quote speaks to me, because some of the best things in life aren’t planned and out of chaos and uncertainty, the most beautiful things of life have grown. Also, it’s really hard to live life without fear holding you back and this quote reminds me that I should never allow my life to be ruled by fear. I have no reason to fear, because I know who holds the future and I’m pretty confident that He’s got my back.

 What are you looking forward to in this new year? Hmm…great question, but so loaded as well. I don’t ascribe to the “new year resolution” checklist, because I hate waiting until a specific date to start living life more intentionally. I’m completed the Rachel Hollis’ Last 90 Days Challenge to wrap up the end of the year to go into the new year without a bunch of baggage to get rid of, but with some powerful habits of self-care, gratitude and intentionality. This year, I’m celebrating some big milestones with my family and some significant birthdays. I have an exciting leadership conference with Beautycounter in March that I’m really looking forward to. My family also LOVES getting up to the mountains- camping, hiking-and this year I hope to climb another 14er (14,000ft mountain) here in Colorado. So far, I’ve been able to climb quite a handful and I make it a goal to climb one every year to every other year. Mostly I hope to grow closer to my family and live life more fully in the present. It’s my natural tendency to get tunnel vision when things get overwhelming and not choose joy in the midst of the chaos. 

You can contact with Becky via her website and Instagram.  She also has a Facebook Group: Clean Beauty with Becky where she shares tips for healthy living. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and double your chances by following me on Instagram to win a small jar of Beauty Counter’s Cleansing Balm in honor of my birthday! I LOVE this product! It’s the only thing I have had to put on my face in the evenings this winter. Drawing will end at midnight CST on February 4. Winner will be announced the week of February 4.  Check your email or direct message on Instagram. I’m so excited to see who wins!

Much thanks to Becky for sharing.

enjoy life…

enjoy life interview: becky glaze {part I}

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Becky Glaze

I am so happy to feature another Enjoy Life Interview (the first in a long time), and this time with a free give-away (keep reading to find out how to enter). Becky and her sister were my sister and my very close friends while we resided in the same neighborhood over thirty years ago and it was through the marvels of social media that we all reconnected (Facebook can be good for some things).  Becky spends her days going on adventures with her two littles (ages 2 and 5) while guiding clients into cleaner living and healthier living habits. I have been noticing her Instagram posts lately and found her content inspiring. I wanted to ask her how she enjoys life.

I love your Instagram (@Becky.Glaze) account.  What inspires your post?  My life, what is happening around me at that moment: books I’m reading, food I’m feeding my family, how I maintain a healthy, clean, toxin free home and all the randomness that comes with that. I also intentionally follow accounts that breathe life into me, so I wanted the same thing with my own account. A place where, when I scrolled my profile, I would smile. I also use Instagram to keep myself accountable. If I share with the world that I’m working out, reading a book, drinking celery juice, using healthy products etc., I’m going to keep doing those things, because I want to always stay true to who I am and always be transparent, honest and authentic- a what you see is what you get type of authenticity. This outlooks seems to just get better and better with age. I love it!

Yes, I’ve noticed that your posts seem to focus on a passion for clean living.  How does that translate in day-to-day life for you? It is TOTALLY my life. I live and breathe finding ways to live a healthy life in this crazy world. I am passionate about simplifying the day-to-day by sharing the simple things I do on a daily basis without even thinking about them to care for myself and my family. I know too many people that just have no clue that the products they’re using every single day could be harmful for them. Most people have made the connection that food and how we fuel our bodies matters, but it’s rare to find someone who actually understands why they should be cautious about the products they clean their home with or what they use ON their skin every.single.day without a second thought. I hope, in some small way, that the content I share opens people’s eyes enough that they start asking questions. Knowledge is power and an empowered consumer can change a marketplace for the better when they understand why the change is needed. I love the Maya Angelou quote, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”.

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Becky is a Senior Director for Beautycounter, a company whose mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone.  They do that by going beyond what is legally required. Over 80% of the ingredients used are organic, natural, and derived from plants. I use the Cleansing Balm and it is amazing.  You only need to use an amount the size of a fingernail and it works wonders. In fact, in honor of my birthday this month, every single one of my subscribers has an opportunity to win a small jar of the Cleansing Balm. Just make sure that you are subscribed to my blog. Double your chances of winning by liking my corresponding post and following me on Instagram as well.  Drawing will end at midnight CST, February 4th. Winners will be announced the week of February 4th.  Watch your email or direct message on Instagram. Check back on Friday for the rest of my interview with Becky. And tell your friends about the give-away.  Then again, maybe not! LOL

an enjoy life interview: shenna “lashay b” townsend

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I enjoyed doing my first Enjoy Life Interview with Jennifer Belthoff so much that I began looking around for more inspiring people to ask questions about their projects, overcoming fear, and how they enjoy life. I am so excited that Shenna “LaShay B” Townsend consented to be interviewed.

Photo. Shenna TownsendShenna  or “LaShay B” is a radio personality on Huntsville, Alabama’s community connected home for Hip-Hop and R&B. “LaShay B” is her personality handle. She received a softball scholarship to Alabama A&M University, where she graduated with a degree in Communications. I met her while helping with Team ML6 for the Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run, three years ago. I heard she was working on a project of her own, LaShay B’s Beauties, and got curious. She currently is in the middle of her 2nd Prom Dress Drive.

Check it out!

Tell me the story behind LaShay B’s Beauties Prom Dress Drive? I know there’s a story.

Photo. LaShay B's BeautiesYes, there is a story; there always is a story, isn’t it? It was about 4 or 5 years ago, I coached Butler High School Softball and while coaching, there were a lot of girls that were growing up differently than I did. I consider it a blessing that I never went hungry, my parents always supported me, and I had a great upbringing. I was enlightened when I saw some of these kids who were struggling with things I never struggled with. After coaching them, I was like, “Something needs to be done.” I thought, “You are in the community; you have a platform. Why not do it?” And that’s how LaShay B’s Beauties came about; I wanted to help teenage girls in our community and use my platform for something good outside of playing Hip Hop and R&B. I started three years ago.

 How has it grown?

The first year was 2013. Girls had to qualify with a certain GPA and had to be in need of a prom dress; I really wanted to reach girls who really needed help.

Last year, I was on Twitter and another radio personality out of DC was talking about doing a prom dress drive and I thought, “We could reach more kids that way.” She had major sponsors donating and I said that while DC is not Huntsville, we have listeners and so I got on the air and told them that if they had a new or gently used prom dress, “we need ‘em.” The goal last year was 26 dresses. And we got 100!

This year, the Prom Dress Drive will be open to any high school senior that is need of a dress. The drive will end on March 25th and our event will be at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Providence on March 26th from 2 – 4 PM. Seniors can come out and select a dress and be entered to win hair, make-up, shoes, etc. from local vendors.

So, you are doing Prom Dress Drive right now. What are the other facets of LaShay B’s Beauties?

Prom Dress DriveWe did LaShay B’s Beauties Christmas of 2014 and we helped 10 DHR (kids that are in the system) girls. We did makeovers (hair, nails, and make-up) and we followed that up with the Prom Dress Drive.

I am inspired by people who have ideas and carry them out and one of the reasons that good ideas never happen is because people are too afraid to move forward. What has been your experiences dealing with fear, not just with LaShay’s B’s Beauties, but with fear in general? How do you deal with it?

I try to approach things with a confident attitude. I believe that “I can do things through Christ who strengthens me”. It is either a yes or a no. You are going to succeed or you are not going to succeed. You are going to learn from it or you are going to be stubborn. That’s how I try to approach everything.

This year, I had a fear of the Prom Dress Drive not working, only because our listeners last year gave everything that they had to give that could work for these kids. So I said that this year, “They don’t have anything else in their closets.” Then one night I prayed and I got up and said, ‘Nah, it’s going to work.” And I believe this year we will get to our goal of 100 dresses and we are going to do it. We have about 20 (at the time of this interview).

So when you started were there any particular challenges that you had to overcome. Were you ever like “woah! I didn’t think about that!”

Yes there were challenges. And there are still challenges. One was I was getting in my own way.

OK, interesting! Explain that a little bit.

Because this project is my baby, I wanted to have my hand in everything and the project had grown bigger than me. Which is awesome but I became overwhelmed! I think last year, we could have done more if I had just let someone help and not tried to have my hand in everything. That is a challenge!

Another challenge is that people think that their donation isn’t needed – that something is too small. Being in radio, I know a lot of other women in media who told me that they didn’t post about it because they felt like I had all the backing that I needed with my platform. I was like, “No! Everything helps!”

I have started earlier this year and I have more help.

At this part of the interview, Shenna said that I didn’t know that she talked so much, which, to be honest I didn’t. I told her that that was OK though. The “more the better; I’ll  just be editing!” We had a good laugh!

What’s your favorite quote and why?

I loved the Bible verse that I quoted earlier (Philippians 4:30) but this is going to be far out there. It’s a in a rap song, I can’t remember which, by Tupac Shakur and I don’t know why it stuck with me:

“Ain’t no killer, but don’t push me.”

Ok! Explain how you apply THAT in your life?

It’s just, don’t tell me no because I am going to figure out a way to do it. Don’t push me in a direction that says I don’t know how to do it or I won’t be successful because I am just going to try to prove you wrong.

My blog is called Shannan Enjoys Life. How do you enjoy life? I love getting ideas from other people.

Humm, I love to travel. I love my friends. I have friends from all over the country and we travel. We are about the same age and into the same things and we meet up every 5 to 6 months. I also like to spend time with my family. Cliché, I know.

A little. LOL. How can individuals get involved with your project?
If you do have a donation of a gently used or new prom dress and are outside of the Huntsville area, you can mail your donation to:

            WEUP, 2609 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL 35816

If in the Huntsville area, drop them off at the above address Monday thru Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM or contact me on Facebook and I will come to you. We will be accepting donations right up to Friday, March 25th.

 Thanks you so much, Shenna!

 Shenna can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.