Here are all 12 pieces from my E! News exclusive illustration series!!!

I’m super happy with how each piece turned out and that each character has managed to stay themselves despite being thrown into new surroundings and costumes. (My inner feminist wouldn’t allow Merida or Mulan to have their weapons taken away lol) Pocahontas still loves animals, Cinderella is still dressing tiny creatures, Tiana is cooking, and Belle fell asleep reading! I hope you enjoy the princesses you know and love, with a twist!

Check out my page for process work and phone backgrounds!

For the longest time, I've always had trouble accepting the way my body looked. Every day, I’m surrounded by the latest news about other people’s weight - who’s gained and who’s lost. Then I started looking at my own body, thinking that I needed to look a certain way. That the number that I read on the scale and the measuring tape actually meant something. That the fact of whether or not I had defined collarbones or an ab line or back dimples really mattered. It reached a point where I believed that once I achieved those things, then I will finally view myself as what society says is “beautiful.” I wanted so bad for people to look at me and say, “Wow, she looks great,” instead of, “Hey, has she gained weight?" I tried to stick with the diet trends, watched more exercise videos, and continuously looked up websites that talked about weight loss. And whenever I failed to make progress, I felt so disappointed. I put so much effort into trying so hard to get the body image I wanted. I looked into the mirror, sucking my stomach in, only to let it out again and see that the dream of having a tiny waist was so far fetched.

Then I started thinking that I will never be “beautiful.”

But I was so wrong.

I came across this video, and there is no doubt in my mind that the next two and a half minutes of my life had completely shifted my perspective about beauty and what it actually means to be beautiful and what we, as women (AND ALSO men), should weigh ourselves as:

Our weight is not determined by the mass of our bones, muscles, or fat. Only we have the power to convince our own selves what we are worth and what we weigh. It starts with us.

It starts with our confidence. Our strength. Our empowerment. And our willingness to confide in, strengthen, and empower others.

I’ve learned so much about myself through this period of body-insecurity and although I still find myself working out, getting more active, and eating clean, I know that I do these things not because I hate my body, but because I absolutely love my body.

Everyone deserves to watch this video, and whether or not you benefit from it or see the potential in it, I feel that those who do not believe they are beautiful should at least know this: Beauty is not defined by a number on a scale. It is not defined by what is advertised in our society. And it is especially not defined by what is seen in the mirror, except that glowing radiant smile that says, “I am beautiful, no matter what."

#WeighThis

God has really been testing me lately.

I’ve been encountering some of the most unfortunate events and have been dealing with a lot of self-conflict and a lack of personal understanding. I feel like I’ve lost sight of my goals and have lost the motivation to even try to get it all back. On top of it all, I’m stuck with no job, which means no money, and lastly a stolen phone.

Trust me, I know. “I could be a lot worse.” Thanks for that. I feel like at this point, I’d just start crying and getting into this episode of panic and frustration, telling myself that I’ve reached rock bottom and that my un-productivity and the series of unfortunate events happen to all be a result of my own doing. It’s my fault. It’s my own fucking fault.

But I don’t know. I don’t feel my eyes watering, nor do I feel the need to punch a wall or scream into a pillow. I’m just in this state of complete shock. Disbelief, even. And honestly, I feel like it’s these kinds of things that I have no control over. Because believe me, I’ve looked and applied for jobs. I’ve tried looking for opportunities to make me productive. I’ve gone out of my way to spend time with people and talk to people who could potentially make me happier.

I’m writing this stupid blog post talking about my feelings, and using this site as a fucking outlet for my emotions, hoping that I could possibly feel better after “letting it all out,” because that’s what we all need to do sometimes, right?

But is it working?  I can’t even answer that question, but I honestly don’t even know. I have no answers. And to say the least, I’m lost.

Only God knows why this all could be happening to me now. Only God knows why I feel this way. And what else can I do but wonder why, why, why? ... God has really been testing me lately. Why? Please, don’t ask.

“I understand you’re happy with your new life and your new friends, but don’t forget where you came from and the people who knew you first.”

I’ve always had a difficult time understanding this statement, and I never really knew why. I was always the type of person who looks back and reminisces about the old times, wanting to reconnect with the past and rekindle the relationships I used to have. I guess that’s why this feeling of being satisfied with my new life was so hard for me to swallow. Because I realize now that if I decide to take this new life in, there is no way for me to regurgitate it. 

But that’s exactly what it means - to let go. Why would I hold on to my past when my future has been waiting for me all along? I’m not going to deny the fact that those were some good times, but that was then, and nothing should hold me back from the now. My perception of home is no longer the same from what it was before. Things change. I’ve created my own definition of home for myself that no one from my past can understand. I know where I come from and I’ll be glad to acknowledge the people that have been there to experience life with me, so please don’t just assume that I forgot. But how could I expect to reach my fullest potential if I keep trying to bring the past back to life? How could I expect to truly grow if I stay close to the ground, without even taking the chances to learn how to fly? I’ve already made the decision to let go of my past and accept it for what it is, and by doing that, I have already made my first steps to living in the present and giving myself the opportunity to create my future. I’m happy with my new life and I’m happy with my new friends. And all that matters is that I’m happy, and I don’t need anyone’s approval or consent to justify my happiness. 

Don’t let yourself be controlled by three things: people, money, or past experiences.

Anonymous   (via pornhbu)

Noche de carnaval en Santa Monica

holy shit look at the people who wrote the spongebob musical songs

I just want to live each day knowing that I've made a difference in someone else's life. And that someone else can be me. I need to stop slacking off and dreaming, and start doing.

#WhereIsTanis? http://patreon.com/tanispodcast

Disney’s name meme: M O N I C A Sixth Letter: Favorite Scene  - All the Cats Join In

I feel like I've gotten so used to taking care of myself that I've forgotten what it felt like to be taken care of by someone else.

Here’s the thing: I’m a lover, but I’m also one hell of a fighter. Please don’t ever mistake my loyalty for clinginess. Of course I want to see you, know how your day was, and I’ll always be there when you need me. But I’m very aware that we’re two separate beings. Never will I try to mesh your entire life with mine. I’ve always had trouble saying ‘no’ to a challenge, but you’ll never find me competing for your affection. Time has become one of my most valuable intangibles. The last thing I’ll do is waste it on mind games. I may have my moments of insecurity, but you will never hear me vocalize the need for you to fix this. My self-doubt comes in waves, but the confidence I’ve taken years to develop is set in stone. If you’re still reading this, and I haven’t scared you away like the rest, I think we’ll be just fine.

Connotativewords | jl | Before You Make Yourself at Home (via connotativewords)

Mad Tea Party ticket booth, 1960