Serene Desert

I'm not one to ruin my chances for success.  I believe in living on the edge.  I've set my goal and I'm working toward it.

 “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.
~
In the fell clutch of Circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance,
my head is bloody, but unbowed.
~
Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
looms but the Horror of the shade,
and yet the menace of the years,
finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
~
It matters not how strait the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Child of the Desert

I’ve put a lot of thought into this blog.  Putting myself into a blog was not an easy decision for me.  I'm opening myself up to the entire world.  It sucks when the words fail me, writer's block, or when the pictures don't come out the way they should, because some days I'm camera shy.  I have to remind myself that life isn't perfect, and neither am I.  It's okay for the world to see the real me.  I've been a ghostwriter for so long, it's hard to attach my writing to me.

I’m not setting a time line, requiring me to update specified amounts of time per week.  I'm working on one goal a time.  I'd rather you see the real me then the girl under pressure to meet a deadline.  I already have enough deadlines with my freelance work, I don't need to create unnecessary anxiety.  It's also been awhile since I've written just for me.

I do plan for this blog to evolve and grow because life is ever-changing, trends are ever-changing, and people evolve and grow as the times change.  This blog is a looking glass into my life.  It's a journal.  It's a journey.

Night Out

Tonight I went out to dinner with some really good friends.  Here I'm pictured with Pam.

I know so many women who are shoe women.  My sister is one.  When it comes to shoes, I can tell you what I think is pretty.  I have a pinboard devoted to shoes.  I can tell you what looks good with an outfit.  I have a pinboard devoted to pairing pretty shoes with pretty clothes.  Scarily enough, I can even name shoe designers.  I thank my sister for that one.  Insanely, I have managed to amass quite the collection of shoes, and I don't wear half of them.  I get the attraction to shoes.  I understand a woman's obsession with shoes.  But, I personally don't have a love affair with them.  I can blame that on my mom, she ran around barefoot or in flip flops the majority of my childhood, until she became a nurse and then it was nurse's shoes.  I grew up loving to be barefoot.  Getting me to put on a pair of shoes was a struggle.  And my shoes never stayed on long, the moment I could take them off they were gone.  Boots are a different story.  I feel sturdy in boots.  I like the support boots provide me.  I feel confident in boots.  That is why boots are going to be a recurring them in this blog, as you will soon come discover.

Black and White

Colorado - taken on my birthday.  This outfit was meant to be the first outfit on my blog.  The skirt was found at Forever 21.  The shirt is Express.  Bronx Boots were found at Shoe Warehouse.  The earrings are from Target.

Myself pictured with my really good friend, Pam.  My 38th birthday was spent as a weekend trip to Denver where I watched the Buccaneers and Broncos play.

It also happened to be the weekend that downtown Denver lite up the area for Christmas.

 The annual Parade of Lights in downtown Denver.

The shirt was found at modnique.com.  The jeans are Express.  The sneakers are Reebok.

Welcome to my blog, French Violet; a fitness, beauty, and fashion blog written from my perspective.  I am Amethyst, the blog owner.  I live in the United States, somewhere in the desert.  A good portion of my life has been devoted to fitness, fashion, diet, and natural remedies that help to beautify the skin.  I am a fashion and fitness addict who takes an interest in reading up on the latest trends, and I am devoted to sharing that knowledge with everyone who reads this blog.  You can find me on Twitter, Lookbook, Chictopia, and Pinterest. 

I started this blog to coincide with the launch of my sister's magazine.  I told myself that this blog was meant to keep me connected with the blogging world.  In reality, this blog is a way for me to keep up with the latest beauty, fashion, and fitness trends.  It is a way to encourage me to stay accountable to my writing, an avenue I love.  It's a way for me to share years of knowledge, especially in the fitness field.  I am a certified Electronics Specialist, Jewelry, Gem, and Diamond Expert, Freelance Writer, Personal Trainer, and Bartender.  I've written freelance for many years in the fields of Fashion, Fitness, and Beauty.  I've also worked with Market Researchers and Research and Development Departments in the test marketing of various different beauty products.  I am always on the lookout, hoping to discover something amazing and hopefully that amazing will turn into something worth sharing.  Everything in this blog will be written by me.

If you are an organization looking to advertise products and services, you may contact me to evaluate products for product reviews and product placement.  I reserve the right to place only those products and services that I stand behind on this blog.  I will only place product on this site that I have personally evaluated. 

seas catch fire: Image from Nevermore

seas catch fire: Image from Nevermore: DeWinter Magazine Editorial Shoot (2012) “Nevermore” Photographer: Lynn Lane Art Director: Carrie Courtney W...