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Friday, September 30, 2016

Friday's Faux Paw


What I wish to discuss today is wearing running/athletic shoes in public. Yes I know they are comfortable, but unless you’re at a gym or out for a run or walk this really looks like you’ve given up on yourself. Quite often a whole outfit is built from your shoes. So if you start out with runners, then you’ll grab jeans and a T-shirt. Now you’re wearing a whole outfit of boring. Why not try a cool pair of Converse street shoes or a chic pair of ballet flats? You could also wear oxfords, loafers, or ankle boots. If you find yourself constantly reaching for your runners – put them in your gym bag where they belong and you won’t be tempted to wear them in public.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Dear Skarlett Boutique's Lady Box

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This is a sponsored post.

I was excited when Krista of Dear Skarlett Boutique sent me an email for me to try out a Lady Box. What is a “Lady Box”? It’s a box of clothing and accessories that comes each month. Her tagline made me laugh, “Once a month has a whole new meaning.” Each box is hand picked by Krista and her adorable little girl Skarlett. You can order monthly or in three month increments to save a bit of money. There’s also two kinds of boxes to choose from, the Mini Lady Box for $75 a month and the Maxi Lady Box for $135 a month. Both will contain 2-6 items and a new pair of panties. To sign up, simply go to the Lady Box section on the Dear Skarlette website and fill out a style quiz. If you want this month’s Lady Box, be sure to order before the 15th. Super simple indeed!

I have a tough time fitting clothes and am also a very picky shopper, so I was a bit worried what the ladies would come up with for me. Krista assured me that if something doesn’t fit or I don’t like it, I could return or exchange it. So I told her to do her thing!

So yesterday this arrived in the mail for me:

img_1515My very own Maxi Lady Box! LOVED the sticky note.

img_1519psEeeeeeee! Everything is so pretty!

I truly cannot believe that Krista and Skarlett came up with all of this on their own. I feel as if they got inside my head. I LOVE everything they picked. So after taking everything out of the box, I had to do a photo shoot. (Cream socks and green lace panties not shown.)

First up is this adorable sweater! The details on this are super cute. I especially love the lace elbow patches and the unique back.

Sunglasses: Amazon.ca (Online Now) // Sweater: c/o Dear Skarlett Boutique // Purse: Smart Set // Jeans: Thrifted // Boots: JustFab

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And finally is this gorgeous pink and black dress that can be worn all year long. In spring and summer wear it with some heels, and in fall team it up with boots and a leather jacket as I’ve done below. In winter add some leggings and a warmer coat. I felt like a 20’s flapper girl wearing it and decided to ham it up up for the camera.

Hat: Thrifted // Sunglasses: Joe Fresh (In Stores Now) // Jacket: Danier // Dress c/o Dear Skarlett Boutique // Boots: Suzy Shier

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For all of Dear Skarlett Boutique’s fashion news, follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Now for the best part! Snap a photo and tag it @dearskarlettboutique and use the hashtag #dearskarlettboutiqueladybox and you could be chosen to win a free Lady Box! And that’s a monthly gift you’d actually want. smile emoticon

This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

And the winner of our Zombomb giveaway is...

Zombomb Flesh Bar And Brain Necklace



Cathy B!!!! She won by tweeting about our giveaway. You will be emailed soon so we can get your address to mail you your prize.

Thanks to everyone for entering and for all the love and support!

Stay tuned because next week’s giveaway is going to be just as wonderful.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Spring And Summer 2016 Outfit Bloopers!

I’m pretty used to getting my photo taken as I used to model a looooong time ago. But sometimes I mess up and that’s okay. After a two year hiatus, I mentioned in my first post back that “our blog is going to have mistkaes and not be purfect”. With that in mind I thought it would be fun to share the photos that sucked didn’t make the final cut to appear on our blog. Tune in next week to see my first fall Outfit Of The Week. In the meanwhile, enjoy!

First off we have the Dance Moves category…

The Ass Spankimg_0013

The Robotimg_6545

The Robot Part IIimg_0395

The Seated Robotimg_9312

The Pointerimg_9531

Next up is the Movies category…

“You talkin’ to me?”img_6813

“To be, or not to be, that is the question…”img_6738

“I see dead people.”img_8674

Next is the Anger Management category…

“Seriously. Is that person FINALLY out of my shot?”img_0161

“WTH?!?!? Is she wearing the same outfit as me?!?”img_7188

And now for the Tired Of Posing category…

“Zzzzzzz…”img_8156

“What do I do with my hands? Zzzzzzz…”img_9633

“I have a huge headache. Zzzzzzz…”img_8075

And finally the No Caption Required category…

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Hope you enjoyed the bloopers. I will do this again at the end of the Fall/Winter season because I’m sure I’ll have many more photos to share.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Friday's Faux Paw

This is a simple faux paw to avoid but if you don’t, I think you will look tacky no matter what age you are. I’m talking about having a bra strap or two showing. Unless you’re a rock star, I think that this faux paw takes your look from a ten to a two. If you’re wearing an off the shoulder shirt, you could wear a tank top underneath and show that off instead. Don’t wear one with spaghetti straps because it will not conceal your bra straps properly. Or you could wear a strapless bra. If you’re wearing a sheer top, then wear a tank top or camisole underneath. If you have thin bra straps, you can get away with a thin strapped camisole under something sheer. If you’re wearing a racerback tank top, then wear a racerback bra or invest in a convertible bra which can be worn in a variety of different ways. One last thing, please for the love of fashion’s sake do not wear a bra with those plastic clear “invisible straps”. You’re not fooling anyone because they are far from invisible and look dreadful.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

ilex . every . day - Beautiful Things Thoughtfully Made

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This is a sponsored post.

Happy first day of fall! Okay, now I’m in fall mode and ready to share my fall outfits with you on my Outfit Of The Week soon. Next Tuesday I have something extra special ready for you so stay tuned!

Her name is Holly, and she simply loves making beautiful knit and crocheted things for people to wear. Everything in her shop is handmade and designed by her, unless specifically noted. She also gives credit to pattern designers whose work she’s borrowed, so if you’re a crocheter yourself and you find something beautiful, you’ll be able to replicate it using their pattern. All of her materials are high-quality and traded fairly. Many are manufactured in the USA or Canada, and those sourced from exotic locations are strictly Fair Trade. With every purchase, you are supporting local, sustainable production practices. Also when you purchase an Ilex product, you’ll receive a complimentary “Story of Me” card, detailing where the materials in your product originated. See something you like, but want it customized? Simply send her a message, and she will work with you to make your vision a reality!

14311430_1381882368492109_2299925199887312467_oThe master at work!

 

Crochet Slouchy Hat: Handspun Chunky Thick & Thin Recycled Wool

il_570xn-1032145232_s7l1Shrug Sweater: Natural Dark Chocolate Wool Cozy Wrap Cardigan Sweater

il_570xn-1034124560_9ulmSuper Bulky Cowl: Shea Collection Merino Scarf

il_570xn-935550373_8wxxThese toy bunnies are adorable! Each one looks as if it has its own personality.

Want to meet Holly in person to check out her creations or discuss something extra special and unique? She will be at Etsy Made In Canada in Edmonton this Saturday September 24th. It looks like it will be a super fun time. I just might load up my two guys and attend.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to do just that and create this gorgeous mustard toque with a faux fur pom-pom. I must say I’m in love! I’m sure to stay nice and toasty warm this winter. Want to make a custom one for yourself? Then just swing on over here. Also Ilex Everday Couture can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Me – Toque: c/o ilex . every . day // Sunglasses: Amazon.ca (Online Now) // Earrings: eBay (Online Now) // Coat: Thrifted From My Grandma // Pants: Reitman’s // Boots: eBay

James – cool hoodies: Thrifted // Jogging Pants: Joe Fresh (In Stores Now) // Socks: Old Navy (Online Now) // Shoes: Thrifted

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This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

This is the last day to enter our giveaway from Zombomb!

It’s the last day to enter to win an awesome Flesh Bar Soap (mmmm… watermelon) and a brain necklace from Zombomb. This giveaway is open to the US and Canada ending tonight at Midnight Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday September 21st, 2016. Head on over to this post to enter. The winner will be announced next Wednesday so make sure you stick around!

Zombomb Flesh Bar And Brain Necklace

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Tuesday's OOTW - On Target

This is officially the last day of summer. 😥 I think it went by super fast this year. My first fall outfit will be in two weeks because I have something extra special for you next Tuesday. In the meantime here’s my last summer outfit of 2016. Yeah you’re gonna have to pull summer out of my cold, dead hands folks! 

It has been over a year since Target left Canada. Am I the only one who misses them? I bought so many cute things there. It’s really too bad that all the stores I visited were poorly stocked. Maybe a huge part of their demise? Oh well. Anyhow, one of the many great things I bought was this deeply discounted Peter Pilotto skirt for $8. I LOVE it still. I mean c’mon it has pockets!

Sunglasses: Joe Fresh (in stores now) // Necklace: eBay // Top: Thrifted // Skirt: Peter Pilotto for Target // Shoes: Reitman’s

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

Friday, September 16, 2016

Friday's Faux Paw

010Even Joelle is guilty of this faux paw and I have to remind her of it quite often. I’m speaking of ugly nails. You know the kind – dirty, broken, different lengths, ragged hang nails, dry cuticles etc. In a recent book I read – How to Look Expensive – A Beauty Editor’s Secrets to Getting Gorgeous Without Breaking the Bank by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, the author talks about how important nails are if you want to look good. I was reminded that I definitely need to get mine clipped again. So here’s the lowdown:

Use cuticle remover once a month to gently push cuticles back.

Use a nail brush to wash the dirt out.

File in one direction (not the the rock group) so nails will not shred.

Paint nails so they will be stronger. I suggest a light colour so when they chip they will not be as noticeable.

Or give nail shellac a try. CND has a great product for about $12 called VINYLUX which is a polish system that lasts a week without a base coat. You don’t need a UV machine because exposure to natural light hardens it. 

Or if you have lots of money, head to a nail salon and get gel nails. Be prepared for some upkeep as you’ll have to go in for fills every three or so weeks.

Still sporting ugly nails? This is my rating:

2-poop-star

 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

My Fall Picks

The first day of fall is September 21st, and I am still shopping to update my wardrobe. Here are some of things that are currently on my radar:

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Tan Hat eBay $5 // Black Lace-Up Top eBay $8 // Wine Boots Shoedazzle $10 // Chunky Turquoise Necklace Amazon.ca $25 // Faux Leather Leggings Ardene $15 // Crossbody Bag Call It Spring $25 // Wine Lace-Up Shoes eBay $18 // Boot Toppers eBay $3 // Scarf eBay $10

What are you going to be adding to your wardrobe this fall?

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

One Week Left To Win Some Amazing Stuff From Zombomb!

One week left to enter to win an awesome Flesh Bar Soap (mmmm… watermelon) and a brain necklace from Zombomb. This giveaway is open to the US and Canada ending at Midnight Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday September 21st, 2016. There are options to get more entries everyday, so swing on over to this post to enter.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Tuesday's OOTW - Pansy Pants

First off I must wish my awesome husband Tim a happy 8th wedding anniversary! Time has flown by so fast and I’m so blessed to be spending it with someone I love. Plus he makes awesome salads!

9325_276023915194_4688356_nSeptember 13th, 2008

Also two years ago today, James was baptized.

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It’s still not fall yet, folks. But if you want to create a fall look with this outfit below, throw on a jean jacket and voilà – instant fall outfit!

Every spring florals show up on runways and stay with us through fall. The challenge is making them look fresh every year. I love it when florals are paired with something edgy like a moto jacket, boots, or like I’ve done here a sheer black top with rivets, studded bracelets, and some pointy capped heels.

Earrings: I Heart Accessories // Top: Reitman’s // Pants: Forever XXI // Clutch: Call It Spring // Bracelets: eBay // Shoes: Reitman’s

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

Clothes But Not Quite

 

Friday, September 09, 2016

Friday's Faux Paw

I love the look of suits on people, but along with them comes a fashion faux paw. When you buy a jacket, skirt, or coat that has a vent/slit on the back or sides, sometimes it has a loose “X” stitch holding the vent together. It’s a temporary tack stitch intended to keep the vent from opening/creasing while the jacket, skirt or coat is hanging in the store. After you buy the item, it is your job to cut and remove this thread IMMEDIATELY! A man in an Armani suit, Ferragamo shoes, wearing a Rolex will look like an idiot when he turns around revealing the tack stitch he didn’t remove. The hobbling lady in the classy pencil skirt will not be able to walk properly until she too removes the “X” stitch. Talk about going from a ten to a two on the style scale instantly.
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Thursday, September 08, 2016

How I Handle My Health Challenges And Still Live A Great Life

Ever since I was born I have had numerous health problems and had to take sonus complete daily. Not sure why. Maybe I’m just lucky! It has taken a lot of learning and using many different techniques to be the best I can be. Even with all of the methods I have implemented and knowledge I have gathered, as I write this I have a bad staph infection. Oops, I just remembered I have to take my medicine, be right back.

ImageIn the meantime here’s the only existing photo of me completely naked. All of us start out so innocent!

Okay, I’m back. Sorry I took so long but I also needed to make some tea – The Spice Is Right from David’s Tea. Yummy.

Before I spill, I want to make it clear that my life is wonderful. I am so incredibly blessed to be married, have an awesome son, great dog, beautiful home, be able to work from home, and just to be alive! But it sure wasn’t easy getting to where I am today and some days are still quite a struggle.

So let’s start from the beginning.

I basically lived on penicillin from the age of two until my thirties. Yes it’s bad to be on it five times a year. But at the time I knew nothing better therefore I had no choice. I always had ear infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, lung infections, mono, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma problems, throat infections, Epstein Barr, staph infections, parasites, cytomegalovirus, or just weird neurological symptoms that made no sense whatsoever. On top of things I struggled with crippling PMS and menstrual cycles with pain so bad morphine only put a dent in it. At least labour and birth were pretty much the same pain so I handled all of that just fine. I also suffered from debilitating migraines. They were so bad I blacked out. I could hear what was going on around me but I couldn’t open my eyes, speak, or move. All of this sounds pretty awful, but for me the absolute worst thing I ever battled with was severe depression. I also have Seasonal Affective Disorder as well.

Being raised in a chaotic household with an alcoholic father from age four until age eleven was really difficult on my development. I had no confidence and didn’t love myself. I was nerdy, shy, and was teased all the time by other kids at school. I remember coming home crying just about every single day. Having very few friends and no one to talk to was very hard.

Joelle High School Clothes But Not QuiteI never thought I was pretty like other girls my age.

As I got older, it seemed that every time I got sick with something, my depression flared up. I missed a lot of school – the worst of it in high school. I missed half of grade nine, and half of grade twelve. I don’t know how I managed to stay on the honour roll. I guess my brain was still functioning somehow! After high school things began to deteriorate further. I was hospitalized for depression six times between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-three. One time I was locked up for six months! Two of the times I had tried to take my own life because living seemed a torturous, pure hell. The first time I tried, I just had my stomach pumped. However the second time was way more serious and my parents were told I wasn’t going to make it. I am so thankful everyday that not only did I make it, I survived with no damage. Praise God indeed.

Image-1Ten years later on this very spot, Tim asked me to be his wife. Even though I don’t look sad, my fiance had just dumped me and a few months later I tried to kill myself twice.

I’m so happy that I can share my story. Many people have no clue how much I struggle because I seem so happy. I moved to Edmonton in 2001 to attend Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts Program. They took only 30 people out of the over 300 that auditioned and I got in! After I graduated in 2004, I was just getting ready to move back home to Saskatoon and that’s when I met Tim online. I took a chance and stayed in Edmonton and I’m sure glad I did. Through Tim’s father I learned about the Catholic faith and in 2007 I became a Catholic. Since then many wonderful things have happened to me. I never envisioned that this always sick gal would have the life that I have. I was never hospitalized again, I got engaged and married to Tim in 2008, moved into our current house in 2010 and got our dog, started my blog in 2013, had my sweet baby James in 2014, and started with dōTERRA in 2016. The sky is the limit for me because I refuse to give up. God is my strength and I lean on Him as much as I can.

Image-3Despite a six month hospital stint I am a university graduate of 2004! My face says it all.

Image-2One of our first dates. Man we were a lot younger!

Mastered Images (2) 300dpiSeptember 13th, 2008

IMG_5575 fixed addressMoved into our new home in 2010 complete with rainbow.

55068_10150331546220195_8257836_oThe first dog I have ever owned, Zeke my future co-blogger.

IMG_0716Fresh outta the oven on June 19, 2014 at 10:30pm – the day of Tim’s Mom’s birthday!

doterra-advertisementTotal game changer indeed!

As I mentioned, there are days I still struggle. It is hard to be cheerful when I’m sick most of the time. One thing that annoys me a lot is my weight fluctuation. Due to my health challenges I can weigh anywhere from 120 pounds to 150 pounds while eating and being active the same. Try having clothes that fit and have them in the right season at the same time! This often doesn’t work out. Thank God for elastic waistbands! Another thing that makes me angry is that I don’t always have the energy to do the things I want with James, my toddler. Toddlers don’t seem to understand when a parent is sick all the time. James has two settings – off when he’s asleep, and on when he’s awake. I am very blessed to have an understanding husband who helps a lot with James and running the house.

So enough about all of this. Let’s talk about what I’m doing to stay the best I can be because maybe I can help someone out there in the same situation. One HUGE game changer for me is regular VEGA testing. For those who don’t know what that is click here. I see someone in Edmonton for testing and if you want her information, head to the Contact Us page and send me an email. If you do your research you will find that there is much debate whether or not VEGA testing is real or works. For me, it has saved my life and continues to do so. In 2008 I was dying and no doctor could figure out what was wrong. My upper respiratory and gastrointestinal systems were shutting down. I couldn’t eat or sleep. Through VEGA testing I found out I had roundworm. Once I treated that, I was back to normal. Funny for something that is proclaimed as “quackery” by many websites.

Homeopathic remedies go hand in hand with the VEGA testing. Once I find out what’s wrong with a VEGA test, then the doctor prescribes homeopathic medicines for me to take. Because of homeopathic medicine I have now been off of penicillin for fours years! I still get sick, but the treatment has changed. I can now detect something way quicker and therefore treat it quicker giving me more bouts of good health. My son has never been on penicillin and I hope to keep it that way. His immune system is strong and he’s WAY healthier than me as a result.

It wasn’t until I threw my neck out when I was working outside the home that I found out I was in phase 3 spinal damage. I never knew that my fall down a flight of stairs as a two year old and my fall off a slide in grade two would have such horrible repercussions. All of this was discovered by a chiropractor. The chiropractor helped me over three years to reverse the damage in my neck and back. Unfortunately I grew crooked due to my injuries and I’ll never be 100%. But now in my fifth year of chiropractic I am at least 90% and I’ll take it! And you know those migraines that I spoke of? They are now gone completely as are a lot of the weird neurological symptoms I used to have.

Massage therapy keeps me going too. It really helps when having a chiropractic adjustment to be relaxed and loose. Massage therapy does that. I’d go all the time but unfortunately my husband’s health care is a joke so it doesn’t cover treatments.

Getting sleep is very important to everyone but I need eight hours a night to function and be healthy. When I get sick often whatever I’m dealing with messes with my GABA (I found that out through VEGA testing) and therefore I get bad insomnia. As a result I still have to take the rare sleeping pill but I have found other ways to deal with insomnia as well such as my Sleepytime Vanilla Tea or Valerian Tea, essential oils, or having a relaxing bath.

Psychotherapy has been a great help for me. How wonderful it is to be able to talk to someone who is objective about my situation and can help me with wonderful advice! I really hope the stigma of seeing someone to talk to goes away for good. Just like the rest of your body, your brain can be sick too!

Light therapy has always helped me a bit once a the days start to get shorter. The problem was I wasn’t doing it early enough in the season. I was starting it at the end of September but by that time I was already having Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms. I was also following the instructions that came with my light device which read to do the light therapy first thing every morning and if you want to at 4pm as well. I was only doing it in the morning. Then after talking to my psychiatrist, he told me to start light therapy as soon as the days start to get noticeably shorter ( for me that’s August) and to do it only at 4pm. Well talk about a difference. As a result of those changes, last year I had the best fall I have ever had in my life! If you struggle with the fall/winter blahs, try light therapy for yourself and see if it makes you feel better.

Essential oils have been the most recent missing piece of the puzzle for me. I used to work for a company that sold them and have used them for years. I just wasn’t seeing the results I expected and thought oils weren’t for me. Then the owner of the massage place I go to gave me some dōTERRA oils to try. Mind blown!! I have never used any essential oils even half as good as these. I now have a diffuser in every room of my house and use oils everyday. I was so darn impressed with the difference these oils made in my health I now work for them! Someday soon I hope to share some of my favourite diffuser recipes on the blog.

In the future, I want to start changing my diet and get more exercise. I think that may be the last things I need to do to stay healthy. But who knows? There are always new things I keep discovering along my journey to better health. And if I find them, I’ll be sure to share them with you.

IMG_58921cropI am soooooo blessed! 😀

In the meantime if you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below or email me. To better health!

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Have You Entered Our Zombomb Giveaway For A Flesh Bar Soap And Brain Necklace?

So… have you? Up for grabs is this awesome Flesh Bar Soap (mmmm… watermelon) and a brain necklace from Zombomb. This giveaway is open to the US and Canada ending at Midnight Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday September 21st, 2016. There are options to get more entries everyday, so swing on over to this post to enter.

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Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Tuesday's OOTW - Think Pink

First off a quick shout out to my sister – Happy birthday, Michelle! Hope you have a great day!

I like finding different, interesting backgrounds to shoot my OOTW. My husband came up with this gem and I must say I love it! And it was close to our home which helps when you have a toddler with you every time you do a shoot. I don’t wear a lot of pink, but years ago I fell in love with this frilly floral blouse from Walmart. Teamed up with a darker pink skirt and some green glads for an unexpected pop of colour and I feel pretty! Now I have to go and recover from all of the mosquito bites I received during this shoot. 

Earrings: Walmart // Blouse: Walmart // Bracelet: eBay // Skirt: Old Navy // Sandals: Call It Spring

pink floral top pink skirt

pink floral top

pink floral top pink skirt

pink floral top pink skirt

pink floral top pink skirt

Monday, September 05, 2016

Friday, September 02, 2016

Friday's Faux Paw

Today’s faux paw is a mistake made by many women. Not only does it age you, it just looks weird and unnatural. I speak of the over-plucked eyebrow. Maybe Pamela Anderson was the reason it became so popular, but on her it looks harsh and fake and it definitely does on you too. The worst is when women decide to draw on the eyebrow with a dark line after over-plucking. Ever notice that babies and young kids have natural brows? If you mimic their bushier eyebrows, you too will look younger. I know it’s hard to stop the plucking. Joelle had the tweezers hidden at our house so she wouldn’t be tempted to over-pluck. Once she got through that horrible regrowth stage and didn’t pluck for several months (as eyebrow hair grows in stages) she was then able to pluck stray hairs without over-plucking. So drop the tweezers or scale way back or you will be dropping big bucks on an eyebrow transplant someday when those hairs are unable to grow back.