Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Do It For The Feeling








When I was younger, I used to make choices based on how it looked.

Outfit, meal, workout, you name it. That was my driving principal. How will this affect my appearance? What will people think if I make this decision?

If something made me look better, I wasn’t necessarily worried about how it made me feel. Fad diets, crazy workouts, overextending myself with too many commitments. There were too many balls in the air and none of them left me feeling secure.

The summer before my final semester in college, there was a significant shift that ultimately changed the way I viewed everything.

I joined a fitness accountability group. Now, I’m not talking paying for shakes and wraps and other gimmicks. It was a friend of a friend who wanted to have a group of people to hold her accountable on her fitness journey as she prepared for her wedding.

A group of girls who were complete strangers came together to complete BBG by Kayla Itsines. It was tough, life-altering and everything that I never knew I needed. In 20 short weeks, my life completely changed. I was stronger, lost a considerable amount of weight but it also gave me a level of self-confidence I never knew was possible.

I started believing in myself and everything my body was capable of. I felt powerful, confident and started basing my decisions based on how I feel.

Two years later, I still make decisions based on how it makes me feel. Will this outfit make me feel confident? With this workout make me feel stronger? Am I starving and want a whole bag of Trader Joe’s orange chicken?  I can find different ways to treat myself and when I listen to my body. 


Life is all about balance. And the choices you make should leave you feeling strong and confident. When I leave a Barre Code class with sore muscles and sweat dripping from every pore, I leave knowing I’m stronger. When I find a good pair of jeans or work pants that make me comfortable and hug all my curves, I can walk out of a store knowing I feel confident. And valuing relationships in my life that leave me feeling empowered helps embody what I want for myself.

I’m not participating in every trend; I’m not pretending that I don’t leave it all in the studio. Sometimes I want a salad and sometimes I want a cheeseburger, French fries, and cookies. And it’s all okay. It’s all about finding balance and listening to how your body feels. If you’re tired, skip a gym day and let your body rest because that’s just as important for your body as a day at the gym.  

Sometimes it’s as easy as taking a step back and asking why we’re doing something. It’s all about mindset. Sometimes I still go workout and have a negative outlook or I feel like I have nothing in my closet I take a revaluate my attitude, take a deep breath and remember what makes me strong and what makes me confident.


I originally wrote this for She Laughs Collective and felt that it was important to share with not only the beautiful souls over there but your's as well. 

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Are Charm Bracelets a Thing of the Past?






Charm bracelets have always reminded me of the women in my family. I remember growing up I was obsessed with my mom's charm bracelet. She had a charm to commemorate so much of her life. Birthdays, graduations, the things she loved. It was a huge part of her identity from that time.

My grandma Stoney began to make me a Pandora charm bracelet when I was a little girl. Each charm was picked out with care and I could feel the sentiment even back then. It's always something I will keep and cherish and look back on all the memories that I made with her.


Fast forward, I am now a young 20 something embarking on a new chapter of my life. I am independent and embracing city life. With a new chapter, comes new memories. My new bracelet from Pandora Jewelry's ME Collection is going to help me commemorate this new exciting time of my life. They have a beautiful selection of charms that fit every personality. I went with a crescent moon, a horseshoe and two hearts.

I feel like all my new beginnings are starting fresh, just like a crescent moon. If you had asked me a year ago where I would be now, I would've never told you here and it's the best feeling. The horseshoe was an easy decision for me because I feel as though a little bit of luck goes a long way. Choosing to see the events in your life as good fortune and as a path leading to your happiness gets you a lot farther than focusing on the negative when things don't go your way. The two hearts remind me that I'm never alone. My parents, friends and family and are always one call away and are always there when I need someone to talk to.


A charm bracelet is more than a piece of jewelry. It's a personalized reminder of your milestones, triumphs and learning experiences. Having my mom's charm bracelet will remind me of her and how much I love her. My Pandora ME Collection charm bracelet will always make me think back to my first apartment and all of the love that I have in my life in this chapter.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

My October Amazon Picks!






Fall is in full swing and with the cooler weather comes a new wardrobe. Mixing in your style staples with some of these favorites of mine will leave you feeling cozy and snuggly for fall. I have been loving the leopard, which is evident in my Instagram and LIKEtoKNOWit profile lol!




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My fall is going to be full of this versatile neutral, as well as some other fun pieces below. You can click any of the images to learn more. Everything is under $30 and most of them are Prime!






Having go-to mix and match pieces in your closet is essential for someone who is always running late, like myself. Knowing that I have basic pairs of jeans and tops that I can mix and match keeps me confident in my style and myself without breaking the bank.





Happy fall, happy wardrobe, happy shopping!
© Mimosas and Lipstick. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.