Everyday, I wake up and the first thing I do, or at least try to do before reaching over to my iPhone (-___-), is to THANK GOD for simply allowing me to open my eyes. As soon as I’m done with prayer, my routine to doll myself up begins. In order to dress up for the day, I always begin from bottom to top. Yes, that implies that my SHOES will determine the rest of my outfit. From there, I work my way up and TA DAAA…I look like the picture above. Okay, minus the face haha Anyway, the other day i came across a quote that really struck me and I must put my two cents. It read:

Before you put on clothes, slide into heels, spray perfume or accessorize to step into the world; there is a wardrobe that every woman must first put on…Bathe in forgiveness, dress in self-esteem, adorn yourself, with praise and slip into joy. When you are full clothed in self-love, you are ALWAYS in Fashion. -Sharon Rainey

Can I get an AMEN?! I could not agree more with Rainey’s beautiful words. You see, behind my love for fashion, trends, clothes, SHOES, and that entire fabulous world, I have an even BIGGER love for God. For Him, I am willing to do and work twice as hard to be an even better person than the day before. I’ve learned that without God, I am only an empty soul in pretty clothes. I mean just picture it, you’re a sales associate at your retail store. You see a very beautiful girl come into the store, you greet her and she is utterly rude. Not even a smile of acknowledgement to your greeting. What do you think your instant reaction would be? I know from experience that I no longer think she’s beautiful. Her exterior? Yes! She has my vote but I’m the kind of person that looks for the heart. Maybe she was just having a bad day…but what if she’s just plain and simple always like that? What is she always had a negative outlook, criticized everyone’s flaws and didn’t care about anyone’s feelings?

You see, you can be the most beautiful person in the world, with the most money, the hottest car, biggest home and the most exclusive parties but if you don’t have a humble, loving soul…you’re pretty much alone. Through God and a daily bible dosage, it has been proven to myself that no amount of clothes or shoes, diamond rings or money will ever make me a beautiful person. Through Him, I have learned to carry patience and forgiveness. I have learned to speak the truth and walk away from situations that will bring out the worst in me. I have learned to be careful with my words, for no matter how much I think I am right, the real truth is that I’m wrong and I could hurt someone with my actions. Through Him, I am a better human being everyday. Grant it, I’ve never really been a person who didn’t care or wished the worst unto others but I know that through all my hardships, I’ve been able to sustain myself even better with God’s love. He’s taught me that no situation is ever too painful to give up on the world and feel like I NOW have a reason to hate. On the contrary, He has taught me that through prayer, hard work, dedication, and patience, all my hearts desires will be granted. That there’s hope to a brighter tomorrow…in everyone and for everyone.

So yes, I own pretty clothes, some of the “hottest” shoes and bold pieces to stand me out from the bunch but TRUST ME when I say this, there’s more to life than a materialistic world. My love for fashion is NOT a facade because I am truly passionate about it and love dressing up. Expressing myself through clothes brings out art within me BUT, there’s more to me than the latest trends. Within me, my true heart lies. I am woman of faith. A woman of love, FORGIVENESS, joy, humility, compassion and wisdom. I am a woman who hopes for the future and is ready to leave a dent in people’s hearts. I am a woman who will strive to make a difference in this world and help those with no voice. I AM A WOMAN CLOTHED IN VALUES AND GUIDED BY THE KING OF SELFLESS LOVE!

xoxo, Maria

Where there is a will, there is ALWAYS a way!

NO ONE…absolutely NO ONE is EVER beyond God’s reach. If you’re seeking for a new life, a new spirit, a new way of living, know that it is NEVER too late for you to change. It won’t be easy but where there’s a will, there is ALWAYS a way. Never give up. Fight for your dreams. Change what you don’t like and find that new heart within you. You may stumble through a few rocks and sometimes cross through storms…but just know, that at the end of that road, the Good Life awaits <3


XOXO, Maria

"A calm, peaceful mind & heart are the life & health of the body…BUT envy, jealousy & anger rot the bones." -Proverbs 14:30 ❤

This is the book I talked to you guys in my previous post. Hope you guys enjoy it! You wont regret it, I PROMISE!! Happy Reading! Message me privately or leave me comments about your thoughts on the book. It’s AMAZING! I guarantee a happier and more freeing life :)

XOXO

R-E-G-R-E-T

When we think of regret, we think negatively. We look at “regret” as something that should have never happened. I don’t blame you because that’s just precisely the definition of it.

REGRET: Verb

• Feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done.

• Express disappointment for something unfortunate or unpleasant.   

HOWEVER, regret isn’t so negative as how standard dictionaries define it. In other words, regret can be good. Being able to regret something can be a lifetime instruction of what NOT to repeat ever again.

ENOUGH SAID! ♥

So remember how I told you guys I found this canvas while out shopping a few days ago? Well I bumped into it again yesterday and knew it was a sign. I HAD TO GET IT. So I bought it and it’s sitting in my room waiting to be hung. I’m a hopeless romantic and when I love, I LOVE DEEP. So this frame is my sign of hope that TRUE LOVE EXISTS. It’s out there somewhere guys…NEVER GIVE UP ON LOVE BECAUSE LOVE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT GOD COULD EVER GIVE YOU!!!

LOVE is… 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

FACT:

I am an HONEST WOMAN and because of that, I FEAR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! If I fall seven times, you know what I do? I STAND UP EIGHT. God is with me. He will never forsake me…or anyone. ♥

There is Always A Time for Everything

Happiness is believing that everything you go through is happening at the right time, for the right reasons because God, whether you believe in Him or not, will ALWAYS have your back. You are never left alone. Seek him. Pray to Him. He put you through this & He will get you through it :)

XOXO, MariaLA

Life doesn't come with Instructions

I’ve been called the “virgin mary”, other days the “religious one” and sometimes even the “goodie two-shoes”…but truth is, I make mistakes too. I’ve lied, I’ve disrespected my parents, I’ve lost my patience, i’ve stolen, I’ve yelled & cursed, I’ve hurt someone, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve done things without thinking and I even have regrets. Yes, it’s true. However, after all the stupidity, I’ve never tried to reach perfection because I’m human. I’m bound to fall. The key to all my low points has been GETTING BACK UP. Every little bad thing in my life, I overcame it, grew from it and learned from it. I don’t strive to be perfect, just a BETTER person than the day before. What I’m trying to say is this: even the most “innocent” looking person is allowed to make mistakes because life doesn’t come with instructions. I have to admit that in the end, some of my greatest pains have been my greatest strengths. Only God knows I speak the truth…So today, give yourself a break. It’s okay to make mistakes! Learn from it & do good. I pinky promise you will see a brighter day :) Happy Sunday <3

Xo-M

Jealousy = NO TIME TO LOVE

Demonstrating jealousy will get you NOWHERE! I see it time and time again with friends vs. friends and family vs. family…what’s the use? Everyone will always have something better than the other, but you must also remember that everyone lacks something in life. Sure, you might not be driving your best friends brand new Lexus but your best friend could easily not have the love & support of a family that you happen to have. BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE. Be genuinely happy for others happiness, for that will only bring happiness & blessings into your life ++++++♥ 

Dear God, as I begin this day, my thoughts turn to you, and I ask for your help and guidance in everything I say and do. Give me the PATIENCE that I need to keep my peace of mind and with lifes’ cares, I hope, dear God some HAPPINESS to find. Let me live, but for today NOT worrying whats ahead for I have TRUST that you will see I get my daily bread. GIVE me the COURAGE to face life’s trials and not from troubles run and let me keep this thought in mind “Thy will, not mine, be done.” And if some wish I do not get, though I have prayed to thee, please help me to believe and understand you know whats best for me. I’ve failed you many times, I know, but tonight when I rest I hope that I can say, “Dear God, I’ve tried my best.” ♥

Lil’ Wayne :)

L♥ve is about trUSt

My Love Letter to God

Tonight as I lay in bed, snuggled up in my PJs, drinking out of a warm mug of tea, I can’t help but drop a few tears and  feel a strong need to ask God to forgive all my mistakes. He knows I was truly blind at one point in my life. He knows I was a fool for putting Him second. LESSON LEARNED. At the same time, I THANK HIM. I thank God for being the best being i could ever rely on. Only he will forever understand my thoughts, my pains, my tears, my struggles, my efforts, my sacrifices & the immense amount of love i have to offer. THANK YOU LORD. Thank you for the many tears i shed at one point. Thank you for the pain because without that, I would have never completely realize how INCREDIBLE YOU ARE. How LUCKY i am to carry FAITH IN YOU. You are forever irreplaceable in my life. You have done nothing but bless me with GOODNESS, tender, love & care in the times absolutely NO ONE did. THANK YOU FOREVER. You are TRULY MY #1. I LOVE YOU.

littlethingsaboutgod:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

How to Make your Dreams Come True (In my eyes)

First, let me just say that I am NOT a dedicated bible reader. What do I mean? In the past, I have found the bible to be very boring and sometimes difficult to understand. Instead, I preferred listening to a homily during mass or reading other books on my religion. Weird huh? However, i decided to change that about myself a few days ago. Why? Simply because if i love God so much as I claim to love him, I should put in effort, time and love in order to strengthen my relationship with him. ANYWAY, point of this is that ever since I made that change and choice to learn more about the big man upstairs (GOD) through the most common and most read book in the world, my life has changed…A LOT. It’s been less than a week and I feel a difference. I LOVE READING THE BIBLE. Maybe i didn’t like it before because, despite still holding a strong faith, I was much younger, 15years old.

  Now at almost 21 years old, reading the bible has made me feel wiser…i know, i know. How the heck is that possible. I DON’T KNOW but i guess that’s why they say that God works in mysterious ways. So after reading the bible this week, it helped me come up with a good method to make your dreams come true and I would love to share it with you. So here it is: