Where in the world have I been?!!

Hello, Beautiful!

Super long time, no talk! I can't believe I haven't made a post since October 26 -- that's almost 2 months of no blogging; yikes! I have kept up with my Instagram though, so if you don't already follow me there please do (ValentineKissesBeauty).

Life has taken me down a more depressing road as of recently, but I am slowly making a come back. If you do follow my Instagram, then you know early in October I found out that my pit bull, Potter, had terminal cancer. This news came only 4 days after taking in a great dane puppy, Dexter. All that really put me in a stressed out state of mind and I did my best to be there for my ill, dying dog while paying all the necessary attention to the new puppy - who at the time was only 8 or 9 weeks old. The vet told me he had hours to just a few days to live. If I was extremely lucky I would have 2, maybe 3 weeks with him. That news shattered my heart. I wasn't ready to hear that or face what would eventually happen.

I dedicated my time and attention to the dogs, especially not knowing when Potter would pass or if he would get better. About a week later Potter magically somehow got better. And he only got better and more like himself from there. He had a bad day here or there, but it was still way more good days than bad. He still enjoyed walks, playing outside, car rides, and eating. Work also picked up and I drive a lot for work. I lost a lot of energy and would fall asleep at random times throughout the day and take naps that lasted several hours. I got behind on everyday things - like cleaning, laundry, and my blog. I had to put the blog on hold because it was something I didn't need to do in order for my life to run properly. But I missed blogging because I'm a makeup girl at heart, which is why I kept up with my Instagram - posting swatches, pics, etc. as often as I could -- which is far less effort and time than blogging.

Just over a week ago, Potter passed away. I was devastated. He would of been 12 years old next month and I had him since he was just a tiny puppy. He was like my child. I am still grieving his loss. I knew it was coming - I just didn't know when - and honestly, it didn't make it any easier. He did live WEEKS beyond what the vet said, and I'm beyond grateful for each extra second with him that I was granted. The last 4 days of his life were hard on me; I didn't have work and hardly left his side. He wasn't doing great on a Sunday morning, and by Monday morning he couldn't walk (would fall over; I had to carry him outside). I thought for sure he was going to pass because the same thing happened to another dog of mine. But he made it through Monday and by Tuesday morning he wanted to eat and could all of a sudden walk again -- even run! It was so confusing, because I didn't know what to do. I couldn't put him down when he all of a sudden had so much life back in him. On Wednesday he also was doing well, but Thursday is when things took a turn for the worse. It was around 7pm. He gave me a look, a look I'll never forget - a sad, "this is it" look. I stayed by his side, petting him and telling him how much I loved him. 2 and a half hours later he passed away, in my arms.

It was so hard to say goodbye to my best friend, but I know I gave that dog the best life possible. He was unlike any dog I've ever had and I don't think I'll ever have a dog like him. Our bond was one in a trillion. Anyone that knew me and Potter, knew that dog and I loved each other like no other human/animal bond that they've seen.

Dexter, who is now going on 5 months old, is a beautiful reminder that my heart has room to love another animal again - even when it was so shattered and broken from losing one. Dexter keeps me going - because I don't have a choice. He's just a puppy, and a large puppy at that! He makes me smile, gives me lots of hugs and kisses, and cute puppy snuggles. It's great therapy.


Sorry if this post is a little depressing. I just wanted to give you all an update on what's mainly been going on. There have been other things - more personal issues that I don't wish to discuss on my blog, but just know that I'm working through some issues.


I'm very much looking forward to getting my blog back on track for 2015. I have a notebook full of ideas, tips & tricks, looks to recreate, dupes I've found, reviews on products, "best & worst" for brands and product categories, etc. that I can't wait to put into action here on my blog.

I hope you all haven't left me, or forgotten about me. I know many of my followers here also follow me on Instagram, so maybe you haven't noticed an absence from me here.

My blog sale - which I haven't done anything with since September - will be re-opening. I have purged a LOT more items that I will be adding to the sale. If you have emailed me about my blog sale and never received a reply - I do apologize. I put those emails in a folder with the intentions of replying and never got around to it. But when I do re-open the blog sale I will only re-open it for 2 weeks at a time from now on. That way I can stay on top of all emails and not miss a random one here and there.

Anyhow, that's my update for now. I miss you all and can't wait to get back on here on a regular basis like I used to!

xoxo with love & beauty,

Crystal Valentine