Train To Be An Audio Engineer

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Train To Be An Audio Engineer

There are many jobs that people don’t immediately think of when they consider their options in the music industry. While being a musician or a vocal artist can be a high-profile career, there are many other very important jobs that are essential in creating great audio products. One key position is that of an audio engineer. If you are thinking that this may be the path for you, here are the steps you can take to get started.

Find a Qualified Program:

The first step to become an audio engineer is to find a way to learn about the career. There are plenty of programs out there to assist you in learning the skills it takes to work in a professional recording studio. Programs vary from the traditional classroom setting to online courses that allow you to learn at your own pace. No matter which option you choose, you will be learning not only techniques, but also getting the hands-on practice you need to work with all of the equipment.

Invest in Your Equipment:

Having the right equipment to work with is essential to getting a great sound and learning how to achieve specific sounds that your clients may want. It doesn’t matter if you plan to open your own studio or simply want to have something on hand to work with at home, you will need to take your time and invest in equipment that will last. Although this is an upfront investment, it will pay off once you are fully trained to use it.

Learn from the Experts:

Getting experts to teach you the ins and outs of this career is just as important as learning all of the technical basics. It is a good idea to find a career mentor so that you can learn more about the industry overall and how different techniques can be used to get an exciting new sound.

With all things, practice makes perfect and soon you will be creating sounds of your own!

What Even?

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What Even?

Greetings! So I always see posts on Facebook about people finding money in their pockets or unlikely places. Yesterday, I saw someone make a status saying that he found sixty-seven bucks in a VHS tape that he bought at Goodwill! Lol, sadly, none of these happy money finding occasions happened to me. However, the most random thing fell out of my pants (…..) over the weekend and I thought it was funny, so I had to share it with all of you. Check it out:

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For about twenty-four hours, I was going about my day with a tiny crystal somewhere in my sweats. When I took them off when I woke up, I heard the faint metallic clatter as it fell to the ground and when I saw it I freaked out! I thought that one of my tooth gems or body jewelries came off. I inspected my teeth and piercings and everything looked okay, so I just had this random crystal lodged in my pants for god knows how long!

This story is basically my equivalent of finding money somewhere but, obviously, not as cool. It truly was one of those “what even” moments and I still have my little pants crystal sitting on my bathroom counter since it made its appearance. To whomever is reading this, I hope you have a crystal falling out of your pants type of day and lots of good fortune! #passiton lololol

What is the most random or lucky thing that you have found? Do you have any good luck charms? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bling Bling!

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Bling Bling!

Hiii everyone! During my last trip to Pittsburgh, I got the microblading on my eyebrows touched up and finally got some tooth gems on my teeth by my fabulous cousin, Laura, the owner of La Marie Brow Club. I have wanted the adorable bling bling on my teeth for months now and I was so happy to be able to get it done! I love the extra sparkle they give to my smile and I just had to share a pic with all of you:

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The tooth gems that Laura applies are a totally pain free body mod and can last up to six months on your pearly whites. They are such a fun way to treat yourself to something new without going as extreme as a piercing or tattoo. If you are a fan of the bling, the tooth gems are a must – and also microblading. Peep those eyebrows, baby!

It was so nice to be pampered in Laura’s amazing studio and I left feeling like a million bucks. Be on the look out for a post on the microblading touch up soon! 😀

How do you incorporate some bling into your look? What is your favorite way to treat yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mini Zen Garden

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Mini Zen Garden

Howdy! This past Christmas, one of the things that I gifted for my dad was a mini zen garden that I found at Five Below – of all places! My dad loves zen inspired decor and I truly think that he is in his happy place when he tends to his beautiful garden. So, I figured a little zen garden to cultivate would be a perfect add on gift for him. And, because I try to find my inner peace through meditation, I have enjoyed caring for our tiny garden, too. Check it out:

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The zen garden from Five Below came with all of the tokens seen above to create your own scene of peace and I thought that it was an amazing find. I don’t change the layout of the garden too often – maybe once a week. But, I always love when I see the location of the figurines moved because that means my dad has been enjoying it, too. He keeps the zen garden by his Laughing Buddha statue that he got in Thailand and all of it ties in with his super chill personality.

I was so happy with how much my dad liked his gift when he opened it on Christmas and I am even more thrilled that we can both use it and make a little peace together. ❤

What is your favorite discount store find? How do you try and get into a zen state of mind? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bubble Bar Blitz: Lush’s Yog Nog Yule Log Edition

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Bubble Bar Blitz: Lush’s Yog Nog Yule Log Edition

Hiii! A few days ago I finally finished up the Lush products I got for Christmas by using the tongue twister Yog Nog Yule Log bubble bar. I have never used a bubble bar from Lush before so it probably would have helped to read the instructions of how to use it online. Long story short, my bar didn’t bubble. But, I don’t think it would have even if I used it properly and crumbled it under the running water, because this bar was so compact with what I’m assuming was Shea or cocoa butter. At the very least, it might have foamed.

But, the beauty of the bubble bars is that they are reusable so I can try again next time! High five! Take a look at some pics of my first experience and let’s discuss:

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First things first, let’s address the color of my bath water lol. After giving my body a pre-shave rub down with the bubble bar, it straight up turned the water yellow. This is, admittedly, pretty gross. But, the bubble bar was so soothing and moisturizing that I don’t even care. My skin has been so dry lately because it’s been really windy and damp in the 330. It’s the type of weather that just eats right through you and my skin has suffered big time.

The Yog Nog Yule Log bar felt so good on my chapped skin and it gave me an even smoother shave than when I use my go to exfoliaters from The Body Shop. Yes, it would have been nice to have a genuine bubble bath. But, the on the skin contact was just what I needed to get some hydration back so no harm no foul. Here’s to luscious bubbles or foam next time!

What are your thoughts on the Lush bubble bars? What is your favorite Lush product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How Much Is My Face Worth?

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How Much Is My Face Worth?

Hiiii! Makeup is something that I definitely enjoy, but I would never say that I go overboard with my beauty product purchases. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like splurging every now and again! And that begs the question of how much is my face worth. I’m also going to include my hair styling necessities, since that is a major part of my look, as well. Let’s find out together, because now I’m curious!

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A typical MOTD for yours truly looks a lot like the look above plus or minus the lipstick. The products and cost of what I use to achieve that MUG are the following:

Eyes:

Brows: Microbladed by La Marie Brow Club

Mascara: I use a combination of mascaras to get the super bold, fanned out look but the main component is Better Than Sex by Too Faced. This mascara runs for twenty-four dollars per tube.

Eyeshadow: My favorite eyeshadow to use is a gorgeous metallic bronze shade from The Body Shop. When the store that I live by had their half off closing sale, I purchased quite a few of them for six dollars each. Not bad!

Face:

Blush: Like my mascara, I use a combination of blushes to create just the right color. I use Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy blush in Fresh Pink which costs about eight dollars per compact. I also use a warmer baked orange shade from The Body Shop over the Fresh Pink to make a nice, summery glow over the pasty pale, which gives a contrast that I love. That blush is called Macaroon and I got it for close to eight dollars, as well.

Highlighter: The highlighter I’m using right now is Sephora brand from their Golden Hour collection in a shade called Dusk. I like this highlighter a lot and it was the cheapest one in the store, costing me nineteen dollars.

Shimmer: To finish the makeup on my face, I use the Blush On Radiance beads from The Body Shop to tie everything together with a shimmery finish. One jar lasts me such a long time and is twenty dollars.

Lipstick: And, of course, my lipstick! I use a matte shade called Pure Red by NYX and it is six dollars per tube. It is absolutely divine and I have never used a better lipstick in my life.

Hair:

Leave In Conditioner: To keep my hair silky smooth, I use the Mistress Leave In Conditioner by IGK. It’s a bit more pricey at twenty-nine dollars. But, I’ve been using the same tube since September and I literally can’t live without it.

Heat Protecting Spray: I am currently using a heat protecting spray by Tresemme that I’ve had since August. It cost me seven dollars for the bottle, making for an insanely cheap cost per wear!

Hair Dye: Of course, I would be nothing without my signature red hair. Nothing, I say! The Vidal Sassoon Runway Red color from the London Luxe collection is all I will ever use and, at ten dollars per box, I can definitely swing that!

Hair Straightener: My Hot Tools hair straightener from TJMaxx was twenty-five bucks and it had to be included on this list because if I’m doing my makeup, then I’m definitely straightening my hair to complete the look. This flat iron works great and the products that I use definitely work well along with it.

Grand Total: $162

This sounds crazy because one hundred and sixty-two bucks is a pretty big number – BUT, I’m actually really happy with it… I thought it was going to be higher! I make an honest effort to use more budget friendly brands than high end and I think that number shows for it. My makeup lasts me a long time because I try to take good care of it and use it until its completely done and the cost per use of each product makes those purchases well worth it.

How much is your face worth? What is the cheapest and most expensive beauty product you use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

My Favorite Thank You Gift

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My Favorite Thank You Gift

Hiiii! Sending out thank you gifts has become a snap thanks to the almighty Amazon and it is one of my favorite things to do. Of course, it’s always great to verbally tell someone that you appreciate them and I try to do that often. But, when someone goes the extra mile or you just want to thank them for being a wonderful friend, I think that a little extra something something is needed.

I have always loved Willow Tree figurines and have been gifting them for holidays and as thank you’s for years. My dad used to work in a religious gift store and they were sold there and I can remember seeing them for the first time when I was way young and thinking they were beautiful. In fact, we have quite a few at home that I’ve gifted to my mom:

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^^^ Lol, never mind the dust!

What I love about these figurines is that they really invoke whatever feeling that they portray. The item, animal, or even a person being held by the willow figure is usually what’s in color, so it pops against the cool taupe palette. I don’t know about you guys, but nothing makes me think of love more than a big red heart!

There are Willow Tree figures (Or keepsake boxes like the one seen above.) for birthdays, losses, babies being born, marriages, friendship, family, and basically anything that you can think of. I think that these figurines are such a lovely way to show someone that you’re thinking of them. I know that I would love to receive one as a gift and that is why I enjoy giving them so much. And, the fact that Amazon has them available to purchase makes that process so much easier. 😀

What do you love to give as a thank you gift? How do you show appreciation for your friends? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

March 2019 Funky Time Jams

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March 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hiii everyone and welcome to March! My recent drive to Pittsburgh provided me with the most rando playlist, because I definitely listened to Broadway musicals for most of it. Lol, to some this is lame and to others it is totally brilliant! For me, it made the drive so much quicker and it provided me with a lot of entertainment considering I had to be both the male and female lead, supporting characters, AND the chorus! So, trust and believe the Funky Time Jams this month will be peppered with a little Broadway flare. Check it out:

(And, as always, I do not own any of the rights to these songs or videos!)

Okay, so I often get asked why Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are on my iPod because I’m not religious at all. And, I honestly have no idea. But, what I do know, is that the music in those musicals are catchy AF and we also watched them basically every year at my Catholic grade school. So, I guess I got a permanent ear worm from that. I could listen to the soundtrack or watch any filmed version of those shows and enjoy myself, so they were a must on my drive to Pittsburgh. And, how can you not love Sweeney Todd?!

I have also been listening to a buttload of The Cure since they announced an upcoming tour, which I would LOVE to go see. Breathing the same air as Robert Smith would probably make my chronic depression go away, so it needs to happen!

And, finally, I watched Burlesque with one of my clients a few weeks ago for the first time and I thought it was so good! Christina Aguilera is definitely one of my favorite female singers, so it was easy to get down with a movie revolving around her. I also saw the second Lego movie with another one of my clients and anyone who says that Everything Is Awesome isn’t a banger is a stone cold liar.

And, finally finally, Black & Yellow needs no further explanation after a Pittsburgh Partayyyy! Turn up, turn up, turn up!!!!!

What is your favorite Broadway musical? Who do you have on your road trip playlist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pittsburgh Partayyy

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Pittsburgh Partayyy

Hiii! This past weekend, I spent time in Pittsburgh with my cousin Laura and her boyfriend Victor. You might remember Laura from the amazing job that she did microblading my eyebrows in October! During my mini vaca, I got my eyebrows touched up AND I finally got some bling on my teeth, because Laura was able to put some tooth gems on me. They are SO cute! Laura is finishing up the final touches on the pictures that she took but, keep your eyes peeled, because once she’s done I will post them along with the microblading touch up process.

I won’t leave you guys with the details of the rest of my trip, because Laura and I suffered from the most debilitating hangovers ever and it was a really gross time for all parties involved. Despite this, we still had a lot of fun and I wouldn’t want to spend an entire day feeling like ass and binge watching Broad City with anyone but her!

Where is your favorite place to take a weekend trip? What are your go to hangover cures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Introduce These Basic Ideas To Help Your Health

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Introduce These Basic Ideas To Help Your Health

We all want to have better health, but we don’t all have the time to commit to the many programs and plans that come up when we look on Google for help. Another problem with these ideas, is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach out there, because we are all different and experiencing different things.

Someone who has struggled with weight might need to address underlying mental health problems, while another person who has got caught up in drug addiction will need therapies that use things like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to help them get back on track. And that is all important to remember whenever someone promises you a quick fix guide. What we are going to look at is the basics.  Health is a spider web and you could be on any strand. But, every web has to start somewhere and that is what we are going to look at:

Exercise:

The big E-word. It can strike fear into some people while lighting a fire under others. For a basic idea instead of a quick fix, we are going to turn to medical science for help rather than the million YouTube videos of a guy in a gym making false promises. The Mayo Clinic recommends that we should all get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and three days of strength training per week. That means with a little over three hours worth of working out, you can be doing what you need to do for a healthier lifestyle.

What do they mean by these terms? Well, aerobic exercise refers to the type of workout that gets your cardiovascular muscles working such as running, swimming, cycling, and even brisk walking. Strength training looks to use resistance to improve your skeletal muscles with exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. So there is plenty of wiggle room for you to create a routine that suits your needs and nothing that asks you to start lifting weights like an Olympian.

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Photo by geralt from Pixabay

Diet:

Another area of life that we all struggle with is a healthy diet. It can be quite cruel to tell someone who is having difficulties with their weight about a fad that will help them meet all their aims, partly because they are either short term fixes or just not going to work. No, instead you should focus on getting a balanced diet of the six nutritional food groups that your body needs to operate. These are:

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water

There is a good chance that at some point someone has told you to cut out one of these or increase another. But, the truth is, that your body needs them all in a balanced way to ensure that you are getting the energy and immune system support you need. Once again, this should provide you with the base of an idea to build your own diet from so that you are in control of what you are doing.

While it is easy to turn to Google to find all of the answers to your questions, it is always best to speak with a medical professional to get the help that you might need to start improving your health today.

Featured Image By: geralt from Pixabay