Healthy Living

1. Never compare your body or progress to someone else. This does not mean not having an accountability partner if you need one. Finding what works for you is the best thing you can do for YOUR journey. Your body is your body and unique, so focus on finding your plan that works for you.

2. PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE I can't say it enough. Keep fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks at all times. If your able prepare lunch for work at home, it helps to limit calories, sodium and toxins. I f you must eat out be prepared with nutrition guides from restaurants(inquire within or online).

3.When you fall off in your eating and or exercise don't stay down get back up and stay on course. Consistency is born by not giving up.

4. Always have a back up plan for your workouts if you can't do your regular workout have something to fall back on. Some exercise is better then none at all. Have a healthy amount of 5-10 minute workouts on deck.

5. Find exercise that is fun for you to keep you interested. Change scenery for you workouts to keep it fun. Do activities that aren't looked at as exercise but gets you moving that you enjoy.

6. Set realistic goals and reward yourself when you reach your goals.

7. Celebrate non scale victories. If you loose inches or build muscle celebrate those things. I've learned to not depend on the scale because for me it varies. When I put on muscle the scale can be disheartening because muscle weighs more than fat, but is healthier. As a woman at my Lady Time I gain weight and boy that use to wear me out, so celebrate non scale victories!

8. Cut the stress in your life. You'd be surprised at how much stress affects your body and food choices.

9. Learn to make clean delicious meals that you love. Learn to make the foods you love in healthier versions and eat proper portions (learn what proper portions are HERE) I don't deprive myself I have things in moderation.

10. Last but not least don't quit because you don't see results fast enough. It will take time to loose weight properly and healthy. My goal to be healthier became more important to me than me being a certain size. Love you before and all the way through your journey.

Fashion

  

As summer approaches I am excited. Summer means days at the park, sunshine, beach, sandals, and so much fun. This outfit is a casual day outfit. Today we honor all our Service Men and Woman for Memorial Day that lost their life that served our Country. 

OOTD

Pastel high low top (find similar HERE and HERE)

Light blue Vera Wang jean capri (find HERE)

Tan wedge sandal  from forever 21(find similar HERE)

Birthday Post 40th

What would you tell your 20 year old self?

Girl live your life, live each day to the fullest. We are going to go on some roller coaster rides but God is there and He got us. You will appreciate all the things we've gone through later on because they will make us the woman God intended so regrets are a NO NO. 

What is your favorite quote to live by?

And when you get a chance to sit it out or dance I hope you dance!

What is your favorite flower and why?

The sunflower is my favorite, because of it's uniqueness and bright color and it just reminds me of living!

My life in 10 songs

Survive by Mary Mary
What is this by Mary Mary
Doubt by Mary J. Blige
Golden by Jill Scott
Happy being me by Anita Wilson
God in me by Mary Mary
Private party by India Arie
Alright by Ledisi
Pieces of me by Ledisi
I hope you dance by Leann Womack  



Nobody told me 40 felt so good. I am more comfortable in my skin then I have ever been flaws and all. My relationship with God has grown over the last couple years. Instead of a large birthday gathering, I enjoy quiet intimate birthdays with close family and friends. I believe in friendships quality is more important than quantity and thank God for my close friends. I decided to celebrate my bday as long as I want not just one day, who says I have to live in the birthday box of one day LOL. I thank God for all the things good and bad that have happened in my life, because they shaped the woman I am today. So in a nutshell I'm joyful in the Lord not because everything is perfect but because I know God has got me in the palm of His hand and loves me UNCONDITIONALLY!

Faith

  When I think about this topic, I think of how God has loved me unconditionally. In the society we live in it's rare to find someone who practices loving without conditions. I am learning to love this way,  I need God and understand that this doesn't mean I accept or like everything a person does, but that in spite of what they have done I will want to see the best in their lives.  I pray God's blessings for them and this can be challenging, I need God to do this. I have learned that the enemy of unconditional love is unforgiveness. For me forgiving has been challenging because I love hard and when I'm hurt I feel every inch of the pain. I have learned to forgive quickly and ask God to heal my heart and then pray for those who have done me wrong. It is really hard to walk in unforgiveness when you are praying for and believing God for the best for someone. I have found consistent prayer for someone who hurt you softens your heart and heals your wounds even if you don't continue in the same relational manner with the person or the wound requires separation. I am grateful to God for teaching me how to forgive and receive healing. I have walked in unforgiveness many times and it is destructive and I see it in operation and despise its ugliness. Have I perfected this in my love walk, NO am I practicing it, YES and wanted to share with you. If you have been abused mentally, physically or emotionally, hurt, rejected, neglected, beat down, talked about, lied on, practice forgiveness and let God heal your heart He is able. I know, I too have been deeply wounded and have had to lean on God for healing and He has not failed me yet. In this my confidence has grown in Him. We are human and we are flawed we hurt each other intentionally and unintentionally no matter how you were hurt God is there to heal. When we learn to accept we are human and make mistakes and will continue to make mistakes it helps to put things in perspective. If you have unforgiveness for any reason forgive and allow God to heal your hurt and allow him to direct your path on how to handle the situation. Understand your part is to forgive and give it God and allow Him to heal your heart, but it is His part is to deal with the person who hurt you and deal with your perspective of the events. When you seek revenge you are doing God's job and therefore are out of your lane and hinder your own healing. I pray that you forgive today and be made free in God.

Fashion

Spring Shoe Picks

I loveeeee shoes and these are the shoes I've picked as my must haves for spring. Spring is when color is so invited after a long winter and dreary days I look forward to color and sunshine. Shoes are a great way to invite that color so these are my shoe picks.

The Nude Pump is such a great shoe to have in your lady arsenal because it is so versatile and very sexy. These are definitely Big Girl shoes and I love them, you can find them HERE and HERE

Loveeee these so much just makes you feel like a grown woman. I think red goes with everything and is a great pop of color. Red has always been a symbol of Love and Romance for me and my husband loves red so of course these are a pair of my favorites and you can find a similar pair HERE

These are so fun and just make you want to have fun. Wore these on a date with my husband and they made me feel like a Gladiator LOL. They are very comfortable and fashionable for a spring day date so I love these too you can find similar sandals HERE

Family

Just thought I'd share with you some great ideas for Mothers day gift ideas to exclude some guess work and pressure. If you've ever been at a lost on what to do for the women in your life at this time of year it can be overwhelming. I decided to compose this list to help you with different ideas and shopping options. Enjoy and happy shopping trails.

10 gift ideas for Mothers Day

 Edible Bouquet Arrangement - Great edible arrangement that varies from fruit to chocolate!       (check HERE and HERE for great deals)

 Manicure/Pedicure - Great way to pamper the ladies in your life that work so hard to care for home and children, we love to be taken care of and pampered and this is a great way to gift us for Mothers Day! (check HERE for great deals)

Massage - As a mom we give out in so many ways and this is not only relaxing but therapeutic as well. (check HERE and HERE)

 Gift card - Give the option of us treating ourselves. You can either purchase a particular card to her favorite place for a Me time date or a MasterCard, Visa or American express to spend on whatever she'd like! (These can be found at Walmart, Kroger, Target and lots of drug store chains)

Fresh Floral Arrangement - Flowers are beautiful and a heartfelt acknowledgment for all the hard work we moms do! (check HERE)

Monetary - Money is great because it gives us the ability to spend it on ourselves however we'd like and even save if we'd like. This is especially great for stay at home moms because we budget the household and take care of the family and we do tend not to budget Me time in so this is a great option.

Dinner and a Movie package - Mjr theatre has a great dinner and movie program or look for this type of deal in your area. (check HERE for Mjr package)

Treat her to a beauty day - Either pay for her salon services or send her on a spa getaway that is paid for. (check your local salons for packages)

Donate to her favorite charity - I love this idea because most moms are always looking to give back and for charitable conscious moms this is a great idea. (check HERE)

Take her to dinner - Great way to keep us from cooking for that day and allow the family to take care of mommy for the day and present her with her mothers day gifts at a restaurant of her choice.

    I hope these were helpful as you plan for Mother's Day!