Do we cut our own throats?

"Scientific responses will not work on ethical issues"- Dr Temple Grandin

Last night I had the opportunity to listen to Dr Temple Grandin speak at my Alma mater Michigan State.  I find her to be inspiring and a strait shooter mostly because she says the things everyone is thinking but doesn't want to hear.  She will give you her opinion and they are normally spot on.  I laughed a lil because as we were leaving a woman came up and said I bet she ruffled some feathers in there.  And she was right......many people get comfortable and don't like to hear things that go against their beliefs or actions.  She said many things that night that really hit home with what I see happening in the Ag industry.......such as:

"Ag gag laws killed us, when you get trashed you open your doors"
"What's going to drive change around the world is pressure from buyers"
"Students today are getting further and further removed from Agriculture. 31% of students have never been on a farm"
"If you want to be an activist, and make REAL change, you better get out and see things. The good and the bad. You have to travel. Get out of your office."
"You find your passion by getting exposed to things"

At the end of her speech she opened the floor for questions.  One woman asked her what her thoughts were on the videos that Chipotle was releasing?  She simply said this "I thought the images in the videos were pretty funny and instead of everyone putting out some response article about how they were so wrong we need to be making our own videos and opening the doors to our farms for visits."  She hit the nail on the head!

Are we bringing more attention to issues that may not even be an issue and cutting our own throats?

She made many great points but most all of them came back to showing what is happening instead of just writing about your thoughts on what is happening.  So here bares my question...... Do we as an industry need more videos and pictures than articles?  Are we spending too much time writing about our thoughts on issues instead of opening doors and giving first hand views of what is happening?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

On a side note I thought spring was around the corner until I woke up to blowing snow.....it has to be here soon........right?

Beauty Swap Jackpot

Winter has lasted long enough mostly due to the extremely cold temps not so much the snow...love me some snow.   The only thing that is getting me through this never ending winter and keeping me from slowly falling into a severe depression is the wonderful sights and colors of spring.....and makeup!!  I'm so excited about spring and in its honor I recently picked up an adorable new pink lipstick from MAC in hopes it will entice spring to arrive.

 Crystal Cattle and Cowgirl Crush teamed up to hold another beauty swap and I cannot express how excited I was to be partnered up with Courtney Nolz owner of Cowgirl Crush.  If you haven't been to her online boutique I suggest you stop what you are doing and go there now and browse the amazing clothing and jewelry.  This is one of the top boutiques that I shop from!! 

I was definitely spoiled with what I received and I can't wait for you all to check out what I got and link you up so you can go out and get some yourself!  So without further ado.......

First off I received an amazing peach colored fringe scarf and a peach colored wrap bracelet that were way cute!  You can check them out at Cowgirl Crush

Victoria's Secret Heavenly Perfume-this stuff smells amazing!!  If you're looking for a nice smelling perfume this is a must try!

Fresh SUGAR tinted lip treatment- I received this in the color Berry and it is amazing.  It is like a chapstick that is tinted but leaves your lips feeling smooth.

Benefit They're Real Mascara- this mascara is legit.  It is jet black and does all that stuff like volumize, lifts, lengthens, separates.....etc

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer-a good primer is a must have.  It keeps your makeup vibrant and lasting!

Benefit 15 hour primer- like stated before.....always use a good primer.  I didn't see much of a difference between the 2 and neither felt greasy so either one is a great choice if looking for one!

Revlon Saucy Nailpolish-this is a great color that is a mix of red and orange!

That sums up the contents of my gift box and I hope that you find some of these items to love just as much as I did so go out and gettcha some!!

Enjoy!

Super Bowl Commercials....#AmericasFarmers

The day is upon us......when we get together in large groups and eat an insane amount of wings and other delicious finger foods that we all seem to regret later.....ah yes its the super bowl.  They say its the second biggest day after the new year that people again try to start to diet the day after (ain't that the truth!)

I don't watch professional football.  For some reason I just can't get into it.  College football on the other hand I am obsessed with (Go Spartans!)  I honestly wouldn't even know who was playing in the super bowl if it wasn't for the fact that I was out in Denver the other week when the broncos were playing for the spot in the big game.  I was sitting in the airport waiting for a flight home when the whole airport erupted into cheers.  My sense of elimination told me they must have won.

While i don't watch pro football I do find myself watching the game for the commercials. You all remember last year right?  If not here is a recap of the famous Dodge Ram Commercial.  I'm hoping that this year is just as profound.  I love seeing farmers and ranchers promoted on the big screen!!!!  I have seen early releases of commercials and I have to tell you that you need to be on the look out for the Chevy commercial.  It is amazing!!

Another commercial that will be airing around the country is one from Americas Farmers featuring someone that I have actually had the opportunity to meet and hear speak through some of my social media events and that is Debbie Blythe from Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch.  She was also chosen as Farm Mom of the Year!!

The commercial is pretty amazing in the fact that it shows a split screen of how even if you are from the farm or live in the suburbs everyday begins with a farmer.  Check out the commercial here....

There are a total of 12 farm families that have been recognized so feel free to check out all the commercials and head over to Americas Farmers to meet the other families and learn a little something about them!

I hope you all have a great Super Bowl Sunday and remember......your new years resolution can always begin again tomorrow :)

Enjoy!

This post was created in partnership with Americas Farmers. All opinions are my own

Where the sun actually shines.......

What have I been up to lately you ask.....well here is a hint:

You guessed it!  I was in Denver for the National Western Stock Show.  If you have never been it is a must for your bucket list.  Not only do you get to see the best of the best animals in the show industry you get some pretty amazing shopping as well......stay tuned and you will see some top picks from the trade show.  Denver is a great place to meet many people in the livestock industry and I always get to bump into many friends that I have met over the years and even got to meet a social media friend in person Crystal Cattle!

When I say the best of the best this is one of the top shows that people come to to compete for titles and display bulls and promote what you have worked so hard on, your livestock.  One of the bulls that was a big audience attraction was Matt Lautner's bull General Lee

Isn't he handsome?  And quite a tall bull at that!  Are you distracted by the sun and lack of snow in the picture....yeah we couldn't get over it either.

We couldn't have asked for better weather while we were out there.

Do you guys see that sunshine and that we are not wearing coats!!!  It was sunny and 60 degrees...in January.  It sure beats the negative digits we were experiencing back in Ohio!

Now on to the most important part of the trip.....the shopping!!!  The trade show is awesome for home decor, clothing, boots, everything and anything!  Here are a couple of my favorite things that you all need to have because it will make your life complete and full of happiness:

Don't judge me and yes I bought this shower head.  It is huge and like you are showering in the rain forest (I've never showered in the rain forest but this is what I imagine it to be like)  You will find a new found love for showering.....trust me. You can purchase yourself one at www.showerme.com

Twisted X Bomber Boat Shoe......if you are a Sperry lover these will take you to the next level.  I loved Sperry's, then I bought these!  They are a must have!  I wear mine all the time and they feel like you are walking on clouds....for real!

To end the trip and a huge suggestion for any of you that go out and attend the NWSS you really should check out the concerts going on at the Grizzly Rose.  I love the Grizzly Rose because they bring alot of my favorite Texas country red dirt musicians up to play which just shows they know great music!  The weekend we were there they had Josh Abbott Band and Williams Clark Green playing.  You all need to go to iTunes and download their albums because you won't regret it!  Trust Me!

And that has been my recent travels and what has been consuming my life lately!  Stay tuned because the facebook fan page is about to reach 200 followers which means a GIVEAWAY!!!!

Enjoy!

Christmas in the Country Gift Exchange Reveal

From -30 degrees to -10 degrees truly does feel like a warm up!  Hard to believe I know but trust me.  You are able to at least walk outside without instantly getting a brain freeze.  Score!

On to the real topic at hand.  While not only participating in a beauty swap I also had the great opportunity to participate in a gift swap hosted by Laurie Link from COUNTRY LINKed and Jamie Rhodes from This Uncharted Rhode

I received a gift from Elizabeth Martin from Circle the Wagons and here was what was inside:

It included hand painted ornaments with cattle and boots on them....2 of my favorite things and beef sticks from a local butcher shop! Beef sticks are always a great snack!  They were delicious.

I was paired up with Laurie Link so be sure to check out her blog HERE to see what I sent her!

Enjoy!

Holiday Beauty Swap Reveal!

Better late than never right?.........What better way to spend a day snowed in than to catch up on some much needed blog posts!  This holiday season I had the enjoyment of participating in some great gift swaps.  The amazing Crystal Cattle set up this fun Holiday Beauty Swap

We were set up with other bloggers and I got set up with the lovely Brandi Lang from Lipstick and Tractors.  We shared our likes and dislikes and let each other surprise one another with items.  This is not only fun because it involves makeup but also because it allows me to meet other fellow bloggers.  Here are the items that were included in my package:

 

I received some great sample products such as shampoo and conditioners along with some cleansing creams and face conditioners and lotions.  These are great especially with some of my travels coming up I wont have to pack big bulky bottles.

 I also received some brown mascara and a great new eyeliner from Ulta along with a facial cleanser. I used both the mascara and eyeliner and they are great products!

Last but not least.....the lipstick.  This was my favorite part of the whole package!  I got a pink color and vibrant red!  Both of them look great and I can't wait to wear them out!  The red is MAC Ruby Woo and the pink is Maybelline Color Whisper Berry Ready.  I suggest you all go out and give these a try!!

If you are all sitting there thinking this was a great idea and wishing you could have been involved you are in luck!  Crystal Cattle will be hosting another beauty swap so be sure to check back to her blog often for details!  I hope you all have a great week

Enjoy!

2013 say what?!

So here we are again with a lovely review of the past year which is naturally late and you are reading in 2014.  Procrastination is not something that I overcame in 2013....clearly

2013 was a pretty solid year.  Not many complaints. I put in a solid year at my new job which meant no more being kicked and chased by cows and being covered in cow poop daily (don't get me wrong I still bred some cattle and peddled a lil bull semen on the side). Their are just some things you can't stay away from. Ha!

  I introduced many farmers to some new shades of lipstick.  It appears many people in sales in Ag tend to be men and this past year I found a new love for red and hot pink lipstick so imagine pulling up on a farm wearing red lipstick.  It is the best conversation starter.

I got to attend the amazing Alltech conference in KY as a guest blogger to cover the events of the conference.  Pretty awesome!  Not only did we get to have beer from the amazing Alltech brewery (bourbon barrel ale is the bomb digity) but I also got to hang out with these fine chaps 

And getting this serape was obviously the highlight of the trip!!

I saw some of the best concerts including but not limited to.....

Casey Donahew Band (don't judge the sweaty hair and multiple chins)

The King-George Strait (yes they were nose bleed seats as to why I had to take pics on the jumbotron)

Jason Boland and the Stragglers (he has an AMAZING voice)

I got to meet and hear speak thee TEMPLE GRANDIN.  This is probably the highlight of the year.  So inspiring and humbling and I pretty much just sat there in awe.

I also did some great traveling which landed me in Texas, North Carolina twice, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida, Nebraska, and multiple trips to Chicago.

And last but not least and I'm sure I left out many important events along the way.....I watched my SPARTANS have a kickass football season!

I hope you all had a fabulous 2013 and your 2014 is off to a wonderful start. I wish you all a year of happiness and fulfilled dreams!  And a closet full of good boots.  You can never have too many boots!

Enjoy!