Prepping for a Fresh Start

I have to say, I am pretty darn excited about the new year. There's something about turning a new page on life that really gets me excited. I've been super motivated, excited, creative & focused on the new year and I wanted to share with y'all some of my fun little things I'm doing to get set for the new year.








I'll admit, I was in a rut for a while. I had some hard things happen and some curve balls thrown, as life does, and I just got out of my routine. I stopped doing things I loved and stopped pushing myself towards goals I had made so clear and worked so hard for. But, I knew I had to go through those hard times and just feel. I put things on pause and just dealt with everything and I needed that. I tried to push forward and no looking back. But soon realized I needed to be down and feel sad for a bit. I stopped doing things I loved to do. I stopped working out, stopped cooking, stopped going for walks, just stopped everything. I took a break to just be. Be sad, be in a lull, and really just be. I knew that phase wouldn't stick. That's not like me to always have a cloud of dread over my head. But after about 2 months of just doing what I needed and just feeling things and really taking a break, I'm back!









I don't know if it was the holidays, or seeing my family, spending quality time with friends, or if time had just ran its course, but I'm back! I truly think it was a combination of all these things. Seeing my friends made me realize how lucky I am to live around such amazing friends who support one another and really love each others company. We are all so different, yet we complete each other. These friends have been in my life for over half my lifetime. We've added new friends and spouses to the mix and they just complete the group even more. My family is just great. They lay it all out for you and there's no b.s. but they also make you bust out in laughter constantly. They're just real, strong, women with very patient husbands, and we just love each other so much. The holidays brought so much joy and excitement to my life. We decorated the house and completely did new Christmas decorations around the house, which was fun and it really pushed me to get out there and do something! We really took advantage of the season. And Christmas really just gives that warm, joyousness in the air too which just added more warmth and excitement to it all.






So now I feel good! I'm excited to get back on track and start making goals for the new year. I don't really do resolutions, I focus on goals. I made a list of goals. Right now my goals are pretty broad but I'll start making more lists that are more specific to aspects of my life. This list I made really is about my overall happiness. These goals aren't, "Be Beachbody ready by May 8th." They're more, "Love myself" or, "Take advantage of this one body I have and utilize it every day." I want to make the most out of this life, appreciate all that I have & just be more simplistic. I don't need things. I need time with family, dogs, friends, being outdoors. I need memories.







Here's the first list of goals I've made so far. I love taking notes so I'll keep making more notes on more specifics but here's the first. I wanted to share with y'all because I feel like once you say your goals out loud, there's nothing you can do about it but try to reach them! It's scary but it's so exciting and freeing and it makes them almost feel that more realistic, or closer to reach. I also like to make a list on how to achieve these goals. It's one thing to write out goals, but the next step is to put them into action. Now, will these plans work first try? No. Will they be easy & smooth sailing? No. Will it be worth it? Yes!







Following what makes YOU happy isn't easy. It sounds like it is. But it's not. There's too much chatter around on what you should do or what you should be. Only you should decide that. You know what truly makes you happy and what you want to do. It's been hard myself, to follow these own words of advice. But once I stopped fighting it and saw it for what it was, I realized how happy I am. This chatter of doubt was from myself stressing me out. But once I dropped the standards of what a "normal" should be. I realized I will never be "normal." I will never have a stable, 9-5 job. I'm a makeup artist and an aesthetician. Nobody said that job was stable. Why was I thinking it was? I don't know. But I was giving myself so much grief and stress because it's not your normal, stable, safe job. But, I enjoy what I do. Yes, my schedule is all over the place and some months I work like a madman and some I barely work at all. But I love what I do and it really makes me happy. And that's that! So just listen to what you really want. Let go of all the other chatter and opinions. Do what you want!







So I challenge you to write out your goals. Goals that you really, really want for yourself and yourself alone. Share them if you want! We are on this journey together and we can do it!

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3 Wise Men

I have been very interested in natural living for a few years now. I get deeper and deeper into this life and I dove deeper recently with this herniated disk situation. I went to my favorite tea place in Nashville (high garden teas) for a good tincture to take for the pain and inflammation. It seemed to help but with all the traveling I do, I needed more. Plus I wanted to workout & practice my Pound class and I couldn't handle sitting still!

I have had some friends use essential oils and I finally decided to go for it. I mean, what other choice do i have? I could go to the doctor and get some kind of prescription medicine, and I don't want that. I don't even use Tylenol! So medicine is out of the picture. But I also didn't want to just use some kind of numb-the-pain quick fix kind of thing that you can buy at a drug store either. So I thought, why not try these oils that I have researched and heard really, really great results about.

I also thought, ok-if I get these oils and I don't like them. I can always use them in my skin care I make! So it's a win-win! I hate wasting money so I was glad to know that these oils would go to some sort of use no matter what happens.

I was headed out to Atlanta and really needed this back pain to ease up for the 4 hour drive. I tried out a few samples and quickly felt relief within a few minutes. I was already sold!

It's been a little over a month and my back feels so much better!!! I'm working out, and driving and doing facials are no longer an issue because my back doesn't hurt. I had constant, excruciating pain and now I feel so much better!!

Now my back is feeling better, I still continually use them but with all my traveling I've done this month. my skin has gone bananas!!! I'm having some serious breakouts from going from hotel to hotel using random beauty samples I've collected over the years and needless to say, my skin isn't doing so Well.

One of my favorite essential oils is frankincense. It has made such a change in my life! I had a cyst in my right knee and I've had it for years and just putting oil alone on my knee has completely healed it! So I decided, if there's all these amazing benefits from frankincense then I should at least try it on this broke out skin!

My skin looked so much better by the next day I couldn't believe it!! I just added a couple of drops into my moisturizer day and night. That's it! It seriously changed my skin completely! This is my new beauty secret and it's simple and Multipurpose!! You can use this oil for so many different situations, for me it's from back pain to breakouts.

Here's the many benefits of this amazing oil! The wise men weren't messing around here!

*antiseptic
*disinfecting qualities
*can be applied on wounds
*great for oral issues (toothache, bad breath, cavities)
*strengthens gums
*regenerating qualities
*smooth fine lines & wrinkles
*firms skin
*helps with PMS
*helps fade stretch marks and scars
*improve digestion
*protects from premature loss of hair and teeth
*anti-aging
*provides relief from bronchitis & congestion
*helps with pain from arthritis
*lowers blood pressure
*good for uterine health
*boosts immune system
*heals wounds
*reduces stress
*helps relieve stomach aches
*heals acne
*diuretic
*boosts health
*helps with stress and anxiety

The list goes on & on!! I hope you enjoyed and hopefully learned something new! Try it, you'll like it!9




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

This Too Shall Pass

Hey! I have been MIA. I feel like I've been MIA in almost more than one aspect of my life to be honest. So much has happened within a short 2 months. I've dealt with deaths, life changes, adjusting to what life throws at you, stress, losing who I am, trying to figure out who I am, and so much in between! It happens to us all, and it sucks. I've tried to make the best of it, but I just can't seem to shake this funk that I've been in. After doing different types of exercises, physically and mentally, doing all types of cleanses, physically and mentally, trying to reassess my life and the situations that have happened, I still don't feel like I'm back to the way I was. Maybe I'll never be that person again. A lot happened in two months, maybe I'm not supposed to be that same person? But I'll tell you one thing-this slump that I'm in can be no more!



Maybe that's why I'm writing about it. As you've read, I've done quite a few techniques and rituals to cleanse and start new but my mind isn't there yet. I know it'll get there, eventually. That's why I thought writing about it would help. I'm not one to really publicly whine or gain attention through sad situations and i don't want to be that girl that's always got a sob story to gain attention, that's just not me. But I really feel like I need to just write it out and move it on. Maybe this will help? Hopefully so.

I'm not going to get in to all the situations that have happened but I'll just say my dog Coco dying was the first of a few more deaths that happened within about a month after Coco leaving us. I was feeling a little better about adjusting to not having her around and then life hits you again. You think you're moving on and then all those wounds open back up, it's really hard. Some deaths are of people I knew well, some were of people I would saw were acquaintances and some were people I knew a long time ago. no matter who they are, when you get that realization of how precious & short life is, it's never easy to adjust and move on quickly. I tried to move on and focus on getting back to normal. But I guess I never really was in the moment in the first place so I don't think I really healed. I think my mind was forcing my heart to get better so I didn't stick in this sad place. But I don't think I even let myself be in a sad place enough to heal. So here I am two months later and I'm still adjusting to it all.


I've learned a lot. I went to my favorite tea spot to get more answers and solutions to help cope with things and I left with more than just tea. Leah told me that I need to feel these feelings that I'm having. I don't need to keep thinking about getting better, I need to think about feeling what's happening in my life. Take it in, learn from it, know you're probably never going to be the same way you were before and grow from there. I didn't leave with a tea blend or tincture that day, I left with a new way of thinking and coping with life. I'm still working on really just being in the moment. If I'm sad, I'm sad. I won't be sad forever and I'm not going to use it as an attention-seeking method, it's just ok to feel and be sad. When you're feeling something, really feel it. Get all those emotions taken care of and the you can really focus on you and what you need. I'm still working on this.



With that going on, I really let my lifestyle that I love slip. I have not really taken care of myself to the fullest. I did a juice cleanse and I'll cook healthy meals from time to time but overall the lifestyle that I have worked so hard to really tweak and make my own has fallen to the side. This affects my attitude and mood and life in every way I handle all life situations. Everything from my workout routines, to work, to my marriage, my attitude, and how I handle not so pleasant situations. Basically, I'm not handling things as good as I used to. I need to get back to it.

I have a herniated disk in my Lower back which has been hard too. I've been trying to focus on natural oils and tinctures and teas to help but I also have had to take time off of working out which has been so hard. So I'm not eating right, I'm not working out and I haven't really tapped in to my feelings with everything life has thrown at me. Not good y'all!


I'm here today to write out a public statement to focus on getting back on track. Yes, my heart will never be the way it was. But now my heart can be more aware and appreciative of life and the people that are in it. I can't force things to heal, I just need to let it be. I know what makes me happy and what works in my life to make things feel balanced.

A couple of things that keep my life balanced-

Working out-at least 30 minutes a day. Just sweating once a day makes me happy. It sets the tone for the day with me and really makes me happy.


Juicing-every morning it makes me so happy and feel so good. You drink this glass of amazing nutrients with fruits and veggies and I feel so wonderful afterwards and the rest of the day is just awesome!


Yoga-this has really has helped my back and it helps awaken my body in the morning and it gets my head in the right mindset for the rest of the day. Plus, doing yoga at night really helps calm me and I sleep like a baby.

Tea time-I love this local tea shop in Nashville, High Garden Tea. They offer custom teas, tinctures and all sorts herbs. Not only do they provide amazing natural living products but Leah (the owner) is like my therapist. She guides me through bumps in the road and never leads me astray. Leah blended me and Corey a little custom blend tea we named "Peace of Mind" and drinking that every night helps me chill out and relax to prepare for a relaxing sleep.



Healthy Eating-when I eat well, I feel well. Plain and simple. It just puts me in a good mood! My body is digesting and working the way it's supposed to, it's not working hard to digest processed, weird foods that aren't good for me, and i just feel at the top of my game when I eat well.

Essential Oils-this natural remedy has really helped me out. Especially with this herniated disk I've had. But oils also help with your overall well-being. I use them for headaches, aches, pains, my back but also mentally. If I'm feeling anxious or kind of in a funk, certain oils will completely turn the situation around.


Skin care regimen-when things in my life that are important to me slack, it shows in my skin. Our skin will show you everything that's going on in your body. I completely believe in Chinese face mapping. Your face will show you where the problems lie in your body. When everything else is balanced in my life, my skin looks wonderful and it's easy to take care of. But when it's bad and unbalanced, so is my skin.

My skin isn't looking so great right now but I've taken steps to get that back on track. One of my secrets is using my Clarisonic every night. I also use toner in the morning and at night. These two steps really make a difference in my skin.

***To go back to essential oils here's a little beauty tip***

Place a drop of frankincense in your moisturizer. I gave myself a facial doing a deep cleanse, microdermabrasion, mango enzyme peel & a moisturizing mask last night and topped it off with my homemade, all-natural moisturizer I made with a drop of frankincense and wow! My face looks drastically better today!!

Here's to you!







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Been there, done that.

Hi everyone! So much has happened the week of my birthday. Another year older (yeesh!) but so excited to be here! I've come to learn that it's a privilege to become old. So I'm so thankful for another year on this beautiful earth. I have been doing a 30 day meditation challenge and I've made it a point to meditate every day even if it's just for 3-5 minutes. That little bit of silence and thought is golden.


With doing this challenge, I've learned that there are so many places and opportunities to meditate and now that I'm aware of meditating, I find little times throughout my day to do so. Usually during my free time of thoughts I run through prayers in my head of people, family & friends, situations or things I see throughout the day. I still find this important and still do it a lot. But now I've also made time to breathe and soak up silence and empty thoughts. I have a couple of these free apps from iTunes I use at night as well. Well, one app is to help me relax or sleep, one is just a guided meditation for a nice break in your day.


While driving this past week to Atlanta for work I also realized mediation can just be sitting in silence in your car looking at what Mother Nature has to offer. Because man, it's good. It's beautiful out there. Take a good look at it on your daily travels and enjoy it.






Another thing that happened this week (and last week) was my two oldest cousins started high school!!!!! Aghhhh!!!! They're supposed to stay tiny, little, cute girls forever!!!! So with that happening I thought I should write a little something us gals learn when we are older and wish we would have known and followed at that young age.

I've always wanted to write a blog of little tips and thoughts for them. But never had time to dedicate an entire blog to just that so I hope this blog is something they will turn to when it comes to beauty, fashion, life, love & happiness.

Here we go young girls of America. Good luck!

1-listen to your mom. If you don't have a mom, listen to some older female in your life. If you don't have that, please find someone to be there for you. If you can't find that, then I'll be there for you. It's so important to have someone in your life who has been there & done that. They will give you little words of wisdom. Trust me, we've been through it too. I know it may seem like you're the only one going through it, but you're not and we are here to help. And please, Listen to our help. We are looking out for you and we love you.

Everything my mom told me was right. I'm not even kidding. All those boys I shouldn't waste my time with, who to move on from, who to not bend over backwards for, how to handle friends, boys, school, life. She was right. Probably didn't listen to all her advice (sorry!!) but I wish I would have because she was seriously right every. single. time.

Also on that note, I would like to thank my mom for putting up with spoiled, prissy, teenage Andrea. I know I wasn't a horrible teen, but I wasn't too easy and probably almost broke you and dad. So, thank you. I love you two so much and I don't know how I won the parent jackpot.







2-be nice. Be nice to others and to yourself. This is so important to me. People will remember how you treated them for a long, long time. So, if you're around people that are mean, or treat others badly, please just be cordial with those people but separate yourself from others who bring people down. I would much rather be known as the nice person than be associated with the cool people. It will take you much further in life and make you a happier, prouder person in who you are. Stay neutral and be nice. That's seriously the best advice I can give. But also be nice to yourself. I wasn't that kind to myself. Never was happy with myself and I should have been. It caused more trouble than good.





With that being said though-don't take crap! If someone is taking advantage of you or treating you poorly just slip away. Don't invest too much time into them because they will suck the life out of you. But don't be mean. Just smile and say, "hi" when you see them and move on. You don't want to be taken advantage of but you also don't want to stoop down to their level. I'm still learning this about people. It's a life lesson that I will continually be reminding myself of. My rule (which I just started putting into play, should have done this years ago!!) is treat others the way they treat you. ONLY after you have been kind to them and given them a few good shots. After that, you can't keep living your life to please other people. Some people will never be happy so, if you keep trying and getting nothing in return, move on.

3-remember, friends are quality, not quantity. The few good, loyal friends I have to this day are mainly ones I had from high school. I still roll up upon some pretty awesome friends but there still few and far between and I would much rather have it that way. Stick with those friends and be loyal to them. That is all you'll need in life.

4-be honest. So much drama happens when you're not honest with someone. If you mess up, you mess up. Say it out front and move on. Trust me, I mess up all the time and I just say what I did wrong, apologize and work my hardest to not do it again. It's that simple y'all. People will appreciate the honesty & the effort and you just go from there.







5-don't do anything you don't feel like doing. If you don't want to go to a party, don't. If you don't want to do something where you feel like you are compromising yourself, don't do it. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT. This is something you're going to have to really listen to for the rest of your life. And I'm telling you, when you're gut is telling you something, you better listen.

6-don't do drugs. Just don't. I never did and I am so happy for that. I don't regret not doing drugs. I don't regret not drinking. I honestly don't know one friend who regrets not drinking or doing drugs. Trust me, I know you've heard it before. But seriously, just don't. I feel in control of myself and my life and my body because I've never had anything in control of me. And i like it that way. I'm proud of that. And trust me, I never missed out on anything because I decided not to do drugs or drink in high school. This will not make you popular or cool. Just be who you are.




7-be who you are! If you're not sure who you are (and honestly, we are always changing so be aware of that and go with the changes and flow of you and your life) then now is the time to figure it out! Hike, paint, draw, study up on things that get you excited! If you don't know what gets you excited, find out! The sooner you find what you love and what makes you happy and the sooner you can find that within yourself, you will live a very happy life. Once you find what makes you happy, don't apologize for it or change who you are for anyone! If people don't like you for it, then don't have those people around. You need people around you who will lift you up, not bring you down. Don't keep people that make you feel bad for being yourself around you.


8-be smart with boys. I know they're the center of your world right now but they don't need to be. There is so much more that you can enjoy in high school and yes, have a boyfriend, whatever. But don't let it consume you. Don't let it take over your personal time, time with your family or time with your friends. Any time I picked a boy over my family or friends I still regret to this day. These boys will come and go and keep a hold of your heart. You've only got one and don't just give it away that easy. Be who you are and if they don't like it or they want to change you-say bye bye!! If you feel in your gut that something's not right or you feel like you need to breakup or say no, DO IT!! Don't waste your time with anyone (boy or girl) that you don't feel ok with. It's not worth wasting your time. Our time on this earth is important and don't waste it on just anybody.

With that-don't just kiss every boy you see. Please. Don't let boys think that you and your kisses are that easily given away. You want to be respected and looked at like a lady who has it together and has a good idea of who she is and who she's going to give her time to. Seriously, I never wished I had kissed more boys. It's better than having lots of regrets on the ones you kissed. So just take it easy ok?



9-be thankful. Geez being a teenager I had stuff just handed to me. Life was pretty darn easy and I was not thankful at all. Just be aware of life and what's been given to you and be thankful for it. Write down all the things you have in your life. We have so much, we need to be aware of that. Be thankful for your teachers, your friends, your life, that rockin body that you have that you think is fat, all the things your parents give you, waking up every day. Just be aware and be thankful. LOVE YOURSELF! Accept your "flaws" and things you regret and situations that make you sad or upset and move on. Don't let these things mold you. Learn from them and become a better person! As Joe Dirt says, "Keep on keepin' on!"







10-take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Pick the college you want to go to. You, not your friends or your boyfriend. You! If opportunities are thrown at you, take them! You're young! Now is the time! I had lots of opportunities thrown at me that I didn't take. I was lazy, I didn't want to leave someone, blah blah...still wish I would have taken them! So, basically just be you and be proud of that and don't let anyone take your shine!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dig Deep & Do!

I just deleted that entire blog post...yeesh. This happens more than it should and every time it gets deleted I feel so good about the post too. I feel like it's the best darn post to date and then I delete it...but then I rewrite and it always turns out even better than the first post. So, here's hoping this happens on this one.

Blog is not going so well...3 days later and I feel like I've lost all that goodness that was in my mind. Ok, I'm trying to write again!

Ok, it's been a while since I have written. I feel like the past few posts I've written have had this as the intro. I apologize for having huge gaps in my posts and that has got to change! And change it will! I keep saying that too, but this time I'm serious!

So much has happened since I the last time i posted. So I will catch you up on some things. I have had so many realizations. I've been working on simplifying my life. I want a simple, good life. I want to look back and not base my self-worth on my career or material items. I want memories with family and friends not clothes and purses in my closet. I really started laying out exactly what was important to me and what I wanted. Once it was all laid out it was simple what I needed to do. (Simple, yet risky. But isn't it always that way?) I needed to follow what I really wanted. Take a risk and do it. With that, I had to let go of my little comfortable parachute job that was consistent money and go for what I really need to do. I was working way too much and wasn't enjoying any free time with my family, friends or for myself.


I did some traveling for my aesthetics job that i have and had a realization that I'm really darn good at that. I'm good at facials, educating people on their Skincare regimen, I love ingredients and helping people, meeting people, making them feel good. Doing that makes me happy and my love for it shines through when I'm talking to people. I realized that yes, I work in a world of materialistic things like high-end Skincare, makeup & beauty but it's not just that. This is what some people love, it's what Some people need to boost themselves up and it's what makes them feel beautiful. And if it makes you feel beautiful then I'm all for it. I just have to just embrace What i love and I can't force a life that is not mine and is not genuine to me. I'm a bad faker.




Now I don't believe that certain labels and products and brands make me beautiful. That's not me, but i do love certain products and I will still write about them and share them with you all. But, my goal on here isn't to just write about products. I want to write about things that make you feel beautiful, not just what you need to look beautiful. I've found different things that make me feel beautiful from a yoga workout to a lipstick to a walk in the park! So that's my new way of being a "beauty blogger."

This is a journey. Beauty is a journey and I'm your tour guide! Yes, your beauty tour guide! I say a journey because we will never reach the destination of completeness and perfection in beauty. That's the beauty of beauty & happiness! It's a continual growth and change! We are constantly growing and changing our paths and goals. A few years ago all I wanted was to be neck-deep in fashion and high-end beauty products, and I was! Then I realized I really don't care for all that. It doesn't define me. I didn't feel fulfilled. Some people do feel fulfilled in that type of lifestyle and that's great! If you have found what drives you and makes you happy, then go for it! But to me, I felt like I was playing a part. Then I go into a world of complete health and fitness and I love that too! But-I wanted to be so far into it that I feel like I let go of a lot of who I am. I was so caught up in it that I lost my excitement and passion for makeup and Skincare. It's not that I didn't care about Skincare and makeup, I didn't make enough time to spread the love around equally to fulfill all my loves. Now, here we are in present day and I feel pretty balanced. For now. Haha. I love working out and trying new things, working out makes me feel good and makes me feel beautiful but so does trying out a new lipstick or makeup look. So it's truly a balance and it's whatever really makes you happy.



You'll have to dig dip down and think about what you really love. What do you like to study up on and read about in your free time? What would you do if money wasn't a factor at all? Just think about your wildest dream and what you always wanted to do. If you had millions of dollars, what would you do? What do you do that makes you feel alive?







That's what I decided to do. I realized if I don't quit all this extra stuff that's safe and that takes up my free time and that gets in the way of what I really want to do, then I'm never going to do it. It's a risk but I'm willing to take it. Doing facials and helping people with their skin is what I love and it's what makes me happy. Helping people love themselves in their skin makes me feel alive and I'm ready to devote that time and energy to it! It's scary and I don't like posting about myself on my beauty page. I'm so much better at promoting others, but it's time to put that energy into my business. So, here I go!! Here's to you to dig down deep and do the same!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My Juicing Experience

I did a 3 day juice cleanse a few weeks ago and I wanted to write about my experience. The first juice cleanse I ever did was a little over a year ago to really kick-start my healthy eating Goals i had. I was working a very time-consuming job, and I was trying so hard to fit healthy eating and exercise into my life. So I decided to go right into a juice cleanse inspired by the documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead." Joe Cross was the man in the film who was sick & tired of living am unhealthy life and decided to do something about it. He did a 90 day juice cleanse where he just drank juices, ate fruits, veggies, nuts & seeds. His health & life completely changed! He was a new person and it changed his life so much he wanted to spread the word and share his new life experience with everyone. It's a great documentary and I definitely recommend it for anyone who is interested in juicing.






I followed that juice cleanse for 7 days and it changed everything about the way I ate. So basically I did fruits, veggies, beans, nuts & seeds for 7 days. I could juice, blend or just eat them all raw. I ate a lot smaller portions after the cleanse and really just wanted to eat fruits, veggies and salads. It made me appreciate food more and it made me realize what foods can make you feel good and feel worse. After doing that cleanse, it really helped me start eating whole, clean foods. Now don't get me wrong, I still would stray from time to time and eat something bad and that's just going to happen on occasion. But it was amazing to see that I was only drinking juice and fruits and veggies and I felt so good! I had tons of energy and it was amazing to realize that you don't have to eat a ton of food to get energy, you have to eat the right food.







I have been on this healthy lifestyle journey for years. I feel like I keep growing & learning & getting into new things and ideas and beliefs and it's so much fun! I feel like we are always changing and I don't think I will ever be 100% content in this journey. It's not that I'm not happy with where I am, I just feel like I'm always wanting to learn more & try new things. So that first juice cleanse really pushed me into a new method of eating. I ate really clean and tried to focus on eating alkaline and acidic foods separate. That did make a big difference in my life. I was more mindful on what I ate and also I could feel a difference when I was more kind and thoughtful to my digestive system.










Clay, owner of Juice Brothers, friend & my juice guru

Since that time last year I've done pretty well. For months After the cleanse i did well and up until some major life changes that happened later in the year, I did quite well on my eating habits and I've learned to not beat myself up when I did eat something not so great. After the holidays and all that craziness that happens, I've picked myself back up and gotten into more cooking and healthy eating. I still try to eat my alkaline and acidic foods separate for ease of digestion. But I also have cut out processed foods and only eat local meat from our local butcher shop. Not only have we cut out processed foods but we try to eat mainly organic, whole foods. But every once in a while your eating habits go a little off track. It happens to everybody and that's ok! Just get back on track and I find that juicing really helps me.











I usually will make a couple of my staple favorites juices in bulk and keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days and drink on those while focusing on getting my eating habits back on track and it usually works. But this time I really wanted to push myself. My friend Meg who teaches awesome yoga in my community drinks tons of juices and always does these cleanses with a company called Juice Brothers. I was intrigued by their juicing combinations and they just looked so beautiful and sounded so yummy.












Now I try to spend my money wisely (usually doesn't happen, but I try!) so me justifying a juice cleanse when I have a juicer at home didn't make much sense. So I went to my friend Meg's yoga class at Yogassage and after class I talked to her about the juice cleanse and she made so much sense about it. She discussed that not only is this a juice cleanse that will give your digestive system a break and help detox your body but it will also give you a great opportunity to cleanse your fridge & cabinets, it also cleanses your mind. You're not sitting around thinking about what you need to buy at the grocery store, when you're going to be able to juice & when you have time to clean that darn juicer! So it's also about giving time to yourself. So all that time you spend cooking, cleaning, planning-give that time to yourself while you're on the cleanse and take a detox bath & just relax.














Once she said that to me I was sold! Signed up for the next juice cleanse and was ready to go! Ordered my juice, met Clay, the owner of Juice Brothers and now my juice guru, and i started it on a Thursday. He was so passionate about juicing and so educational, I knew I was in good hands. The juices were so beautiful and brightly colored and they were huge! The first day I was roaring and ready to go. I went for a lovely hike that morning, drank my morning time juice which was a kale, celery, lemon, apple blend. Took a yoga class and then went to work. I was so full after drinking that first juice that I didn't drink my lunch time juice until I got off work. I was feeling great and had tons of energy. I got to my last juice of the day and was so surprised at how yummy and creamy it was. It was very filling and satisfying which is nice because I'll admit, but around 6:30, I was hungry. But I drank that last juice and took a nice detox bath (I'll write about that soon!) and went to bed.















I slept like a baby, woke up, drank my breakfast juice, did a little yoga and went to work. I'll say I had a little headache. I'm sure it was from the cleanse but I also have horrible allergies and sinuses and I heard so many people complain about it that day. So I had a feeling sinuses and allergies had a factor in it as well. Clay wrote me to see how I was doing which I really appreciated. It's nice to know someone is there cheering for you. I'll say the second day is probably the hardest. But, it was alright. I reminded myself that I did this, I wanted this, and it'll be great and I'll feel accomplished when it's through. What I found quite interesting was what little I really wanted to eat. I didn't want anything bad, I was just craving a banana, some almonds, an apple. It was quite nice to actually just want something so simple and so good for you. The second day I drank the morning juice during work and got off work pretty early so I went home, sat outside to enjoy the beautiful day and drank my second juice. This one is amazing! It's a watermelon, lemon, juice blend. I can't remember all that was in it but man, it's good! It was so refreshing and something about that light watermelon juice for lunch was the perfect pick me up! It was also nice to just sit outside and enjoy the sunlight and the day--highly recommend that daily! I finished off that day with a walk with my husband and had my last juice and went to bed quite early after my detox bath.














On the third day I woke up and felt like a million bucks! People complimented me all day and it was just crazy! It's like they could see this glow from drinking all these nourishing juices and giving my digestive system and organs a break to actually do other things like produce collagen & elastin for my skin, or get the blood flowing more. I couldn't believe how good I felt and it was just an awesome feeling! I drank my first juice while at work. By the way, the girls at work LOVED all my juices!! So, got home from work, drank my yummy, hydrating, bring you back to life watermelon juice and then finished up with that yummy, creamy, super satisfying beet, ginger, apple juice blend. I couldn't believe how rich & creamy a juice could be! But that was the perfect juice to end off the night with!

Next morning I woke up, juice cleanse was done. I was feeling great and i ate a banana and was completely full!! So full, I didn't eat anything for a few hours! Ate a salad later in the day and was completely content!














I loved how the cleanse helped me realize what my body really needed and just what little it really did need to feel content and happy. I loved actually eating these awesome foods that truly do make you feel better as you're consuming them. It's amazing when you eat good foods and how you can feel energized from them. That's what the juice cleanse did for me. Not only did it cleanse me from the built up junk hanging out in my body. And yes, it kick starts a wonderful way to healthy eating. But it also helped me realize what my body really needs and wants rather than I want see and think I want. It made me very thankful for what I was eating and made me enjoy it more. It brought more awareness and gratitude to myself, my body & my food. I would highly recommend it again and I still add juicing into my daily diet. Try it, you'll like it!











Meg, owner of Yogassage, friend & awesome yoga instructor









If you live in the Nashville area and are curious about my yoga friend, Meg, or my juice man, Clay. Come see them at the Donelson Farmers Market every Friday from 4-7! He has his awesome juice there so you can try it out and they are both so educational. Come by and say hello!

Www.yogassageme.com

Www.facebook.com/yogassageme

Www.facebook.com/pages/juicebrothers

Www.facebook.com/andyturnerbeauty


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Yoga Challenge

Hi all! I set off to challenge myself to 14 days straight of yoga 2 weeks ago and I just completed that challenge. I did not skip one day and was diligent about fitting yoga into my daily life. Needless to say, my daily routine will never be the same again. After completing 14 days straight of yoga it actually became even more clear to me how important yoga is.









My first yoga DVD
WWW.GAIAM.COM

I have been a complete yoga lover & believer since around 7th grade. It all started at Target when I picked up my first yoga video. It was Rodney Yee's Yoga for Abs (& i still love Rodney Yee to this day). I was so excited about it! I popped that tape in my tape player and did my first yoga practice on my parent's living room floor and it was awesome!! I have never felt like that before. My body felt so strong yet so relaxed. It was pretty amazing to know that you could feel like that's and after that first practice, I was hooked. Now I wasn't an avid yoga follower right from the start. I would pop that tape in and use it every once in a while, but not consistently. I loved yoga & the way it made me felt, But how many devoted 12-year old yogis do you know? So anywho, I would pop this video in every once in a while and love it and then go back to focusing on my dance classes that I did 3 days a week.






Www.wellandgoodnyc.com
Christy Turlington, a yogi and an amazing woman I admire





Www.vogue.com

When I got into high school I remember My aunt having all these VHS (yeah, remember those??) tapes of yoga practices. I was always intrigued with yoga and I honestly don't know why. It's not something I grew up with, or really knew anything about. I don't even remember the first time I was introduced to yoga, I just remember seeing that VHS at Target and those VHS tapes of my aunts and I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. I was drawn to it for some reason.






My sweet Coco next to me as I document my yoga challenge doing an at-home practice.

I would try all different yoga tapes and practice them at home. I always wanted to grow in my practice and become a "yogi" but I was young and it was just added to my very long list of things I wanted to do. I dabbled in yoga from 1997 until just recently. Not until college Did i have the opportunity to try yoga in a real studio setting which changed everything!! After college and not having a free gym, i didn't do much in-studio yoga, i just stuck with videos here and there. I would pop a video in when I felt tense, or my back hurt, or when something just didn't feel right. I knew yoga helped and it made me feel great, i just wouldn't take it to that deeper level or consistency or pushing myself further. I finally took the leap to a real studio almost 4 years ago & i finally tried a strictly yoga studio. Wow, was that an amazing experience. It was different from what yoga I was used to. It was hard, and I sweat, and I felt stronger, and sore, and calm all at the same time. Once I started at yoga studios I knew I wanted to dive deeper into this amazing practice.








Some snapshots of my yoga challenge

My new job gives me the opportunity & time to workout and try new things which is what I love and appreciate so much. So, with that and the goals I set for myself (which once again, I will post that blog soon on goal setting) I decided I was going to take advantage of where I am with my life and do this yoga challenge. I was practicing yoga maybe once or twice a week but I wanted more!








Documenting my 14 days of yoga

I started at one of my favorite studios that I haven't been to in a while. It was actually my first real yoga studio I ever went to. It felt good to be back in this beautiful studio that I loved so much. The look, the feel, everything about this studio is what I love to my core. The studio actually reflects a room I have in my house, and this is before I even had been into this studio, so it was kind of cool to see myself in this room that I had never even been to before...hopefully that just made sense. It does in my head, but that doesn't mean a thing!









An at-home practice with my yogi helper, Coco

Anyways, I started out my challenge at the studio where it all began. I set my intention for that practice to really start cleaning up the Edges of my practice and diving deeper into this thing that I loved so much. I wanted to feel what I felt at yoga, throughout my day and share that with others. I wanted to be the person I've always wanted to be. And that class set the tone for the rest of my challenge. To me, I've always wanted to be that person that works out, lives a healthy lifestyle. I've always wanted to be that person trotting around with a yoga mat and really understanding the terminology of yoga and health and fitness. I wanted to know what the benefits of yoga are & what they can do for your body and not only know them, but benefit from them because I'm practicing yoga daily. I wanted yoga to be an absolute in my life.









A sweaty mat documented this day

I feel like I have accomplished so much already just practicing 14 days straight of yoga. The first day was a great class to really break down each pose and make sure I was in the correct positions and angles. I thought it was nice to go back to the basics and make sure my form was correct. Then the second day I jumped into an intense, hot yoga practice. The teacher pushed my mind a lot further than I thought I could ever go. I tried poses I never even imagined doing and held poses for waaaaay longer than I ever thought I could have. This teacher pushed your limits, your thoughts, your practice, your poses, your body, your mind, everything! I left so proud of myself for not breaking poses, not quitting when it hurt and really pushing myself to see how far I could go. It was only Day #2 and I had already learned so much about myself.









Another home practice with my helper by my side

Every day the need for yoga grew more & more. Now that I've incorporated it into my life for 2 weeks straight, I will never be able to live without it. Even if it's a quick couple of flows at night, or a couple of sun salutations in the morning, I'm going to have to do yoga in my day, even if it's for just 20 or 30 minutes. After practicing for 2 weeks straight my flexibility has improved drastically, my mental clarity is amazing & I'm so much calmer and happy! I understand the terms better and I can even flow through some moves on my own which makes me pretty proud!









My last day I did a practice outside in our backyard, in this beautiful weather as my sweet Lucy protected me from the deck.

Doing 14 days, I got to try different types and it really helped me see what kinds I really enjoy more. I appreciate them all, but I do feel like there are certain types for you. I've connected with old friends doing my challenge, I've grown my goals more and really become proud of myself. It feels good to have conquered a personal goal and better yourself in the end. I was diligent with this challenge and I'm really proud. I learned so much & I'm so glad I can see the change in my life already and in my daily routine.

What have you always wanted to do? What have you always wanted to push further into? Take that leap. Because guess what? That person you've always wanted to be is there. You have the opportunity to be that person. You just have to do it!

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Beauty Journey

I know it's been a while since I've written a blog. It's not that I haven't wanted to, I just have been trying to transition my blog and I've been thinking & researching & really just sitting on my ideas for a while. So here I am. I'm ready to go!

In my blog, "Changes are a Comin" I talked about my goals of change that I wanted to see in my blog. I have been thinking of new ideas and trying out nee things, so now I feel ready to blog! Instead of writing about the latest products and trends to look pretty, I want to focus on how to feel pretty. Once you're happy with yourself, your true beauty will shine through. I'm working on that with myself. I'm tired of chasing this idea of beauty that is unattainable and not realistic.



There are things that I really want to do & there are things that I want to be and achieve and I find that making these goals & working hard to reach towards them makes me feel prettier than any lipstick would. I actually wrote a post on December 31st that I still haven't published, but I will, about goals. So that will come up next! But I have some goals and things I want to achieve and I'm going to blog about my journey.


This blog is going to transition into different aspects of beauty. Not just makeup and Skincare. I'm going to go over health tips, recipes, workouts, and all sorts of different journeys that will lead you & me towards self-acceptance and happiness, which then will of course lead to beauty within ourselves.


I am right now right in the middle of a 14 day yoga challenge. I've really enjoyed it. I've learned so much about myself. Not only do I feel better, my balance has improved, my focus & breathing has gotten better and my mindset has become stronger and more positive. I've learned a lot about how far I can push myself.



I took a hot yoga class this week that pushed me so much further than I have pushed myself before. The teacher challenged us to focus and not give in when things get uncomfortable. When I don't like something, I don't do it. Plain & simple, I just don't. But it was interesting to see what one does when times get tough, in yoga we tend to wipe sweat, get a sip of water, fidget with our clothing to break from an uncomfortable position. I now know I did. Once it was brought to my attention I was amazed at how often I slip out of something when I don't feel good. That class made me focus on that and really push through the tough times. I was amazed at how far I could go!


I realized the mind is such a powerful thing and it can either push you to quit or it can push you to go further than you ever thought you could! I did poses i i never have attempted to try and held positions longer than I could have imagined because I was so aware of my thoughts, my intentions, my goals & my breathing. There were times when it was tough and it hurt, but you just breath and you know you'll get through it. And guess what? You do! And when you do push through it without breaking a pose or taking the easy route, it feels so darn good! You'll be so proud of yourself and the next time won't be as bad. You can look back and go, "wow! Remember when I first did this and I could barely get through? Now look at me."



That class was such a wonderful lesson of life and a nice eye-opener in myself. When times get tough you just have to breath and push yourself through it with a positive mindset and focus. You'll come out so much stronger than before.


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