Life Happens...

Hey peeps!! Let me start by giving a big fat THANK YOU to all of you!! You didn't delete me from your readers because I've been MIA, and for that I'm thankful!! I've been around, reading blogs, looking at pics, reading tweets and "liking" Instagram pics. I just haven't had the time to get back to blogging until now. 

I have so much to say/show!! But, I'm gonna try to keep my first post relatively short as I get back into the swing of things. Please hang in there with me if you follow me in IG and have seen some of these pics. This won't be the norm now that I can get out and do OOTD pics again. 

First thing's first. Hubby and I purchased our very first (and hopefully last) home! We're homeowners y'all!! I love our home! Packing, moving, and unpacking is a monster, but I wake up smiling, feeling blessed, and thanking God every morning. This pic was taken in April... And yes, that's snow in April! O_o

Secondly, I haven't given up on my health/fitness/wellness journey. I must admit that I have stumbled a bit here and there with my eating habits, but slacking on being active is not an option for me. Exercising at least four days a week as helped me to reach my 2nd weight goal. I'm not comfortable with sharing that number just yet. Not sure if I ever will be, but it damn sure felt good to get there. I now have a new goal, and I'm working everyday to get there.

While two great things were happening in my life, I also lost someone very close to me. My Aunt Berda was called Home to the Lord. Her passing was devastating to my family, as she was/is our backbone. She was one of the most kind, loving, passionate and family oriented people that I know. She had a significant role in raising me to be the woman that I am today. I know she's watching over me and I am comforted knowing that she's no longer in pain and can be forever young. Rest in Peace my Angel.

The next thing that I'm going to mention makes me smile every time I catch my reflection. My hair. When I tell you that I love the way my natural hair is shaping up, I mean it! There were times when it was growing out that I wasn't so sure about it. I'm sure now. From braid-outs, to twist-outs, to afros, to this cute little bun that I recently learned how to do, I LOVE IT!!

And last but not least... (I know I said I would keep it short, but I just couldn't. Ha!) An outfit post. Let me just say, I just love this Marilyn Monroe top. 

Thank you guys again for hanging in there, and shout out to those of you who checked up on me to make sure that I was ok. I'm good. BABY I'M BACK! Please stay tuned. Until next time...

Tee- Target

Tank - Old Navy

Striped Pencil Skirt - Old Navy

Leopard Flats - Target

BLMGetFit…Challenge

Hey peeps!! As usual, I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. This is kind of long, so... don't say I didn't warn you :)

I'm sooooo excited about this post! As you all know, I have been workin on my fitness a lil bit lately. Well, I have teamed up with some fabulous ladies from a blogger group (of which I am a member) called Bloggers Like Me in hopes to step my efforts up a notch or two.

If you don't know about Bloggers Like Me, it was started by the fabulous Leslie Hendricks Young of Fashion du Jour Daily. The group includes all kinds of blogging divas from diverse genres of the blogosphere. At this time, it is a closed FaceBook group, so if you have a FB page, feel free to click the link and request to be a member. You won't regret it (tell'em I sent ya!). The support and information that is shared amongst the ladies is priceless. **Side note** Women ONLY =D

Ok, so I went off on a little tangent, but I'm back now. Today kicks off our 3 month long #BLMGetFit challenge (the button below leads to the BLM FB Fan Page, which is open to everyone)!! I'm co-hosting the challenge with Britton of My Big, Beautiful Life, Dee Dee of Miss Foodie Fab & Beatrice Clay of Inspired by Beatrice Clay. Quite a few of us have decided to pay an entry fee of $10, and whoever loses the largest percentage of bodyfat wins the pot!! Isn't that cool!? Our Challenge is sponsored by Michelle at Eat Style Play, who will be offering products and services from Beach Body Coach, to be included in our grand prize package.

Because 3 months is a long time, we've incorporated smaller weekly Instagram & Twitter challenges to keep us motivated. This weeks challenge is #WaterWasted. That means, increase your water intake. We can all benefit from that, right?! If you want to follow along for fun, you can search for #BLMGetFit to see all of the entries. The weekly winners will receive blog promotion from the BLM group on all social media outlets (Pinterest, Twitter, FB, Instagram, etc.) for that week.

While the challenge is open to only the members of the BLM group, I invite all of my lovely readers to join me in my quest for making better/healthier choices. My co-hosts and I will host weekly link ups, on our pages so everyone can participate and link any health inspired posts that you may be writing about. The link up this week is over at Brittons spot My Big, Beautiful Life, so head on over and LINK UP!!! Be on the look out next week for who will be hosting the link up.

On another note, I don't have really have any OOTD pics to show at this time, but all words and no pics is kind of odd for my blog, so here goes nuthin!

Until next time...

At the gym walkin it out

OOTD: Old Navy Blazer, Target Tee, Old Navy Rockstar skinnies, Target Booties

Yup… you guessed it! lol

Not sure where I got this sweater from, but I like it!! Tank from Rue 21

Gym & Food. Making better food choices =D

Rue 21 Jacket, Old Navy Dress, Market Scarf, Target Leggings, Minnetonka Moccsins

Gym & food… again 

Reflections...

Hey peeps!! As usual, I hope you all have been doing well. I've been good. Around as usual.

This is not my usual style/OOTD post. Now that a new year is approaching, I wanted to talk a little about goals. My goals. I also thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane with a few of my earlier pics from the blog. =D I started blogging back in September of 2011. Yes, my baby turned 1 a few months ago. 

When I started, I had no idea what I was getting into. All I knew, was that I had seen a few other blogs written by real women, with real style and I wanted to be involved. I wanted to evolve. I was bored with my "look" and wanted to document any changes and/or or transformations through pictures.

I had no expectations really. I just jumped right in. Since that very first post, I have changed so much, and learned quite a bit about myself. The most fascinating part about this is, you guys have been hanging in there with me all the way. 

Very early on

I have a few goals this year. One of them is to re-do my blog. It needs a serious make-over. I recognize that I put as much thought into the layout as I new to do at the time. I know better now, so I should do better.

My first experiment with COLOR! This dress is/was everything!

Another one of my goals is to participate in the blogging community more. There are bloggers in the Twin Cities area, and I want to connect with them. There are also things like "Link Ups" and "Blog Hops" that I want to get into more, as well as Guest Blogging on one of the homies blogs ;) #BLMGirls

Tried something new with my scarf here. Blogging has provided so much inspiration!

A more personal goal that I had this year, and accomplished was "going natural". I transitioned for almost 11 months, the finally did it!! I was so proud of myself!

BEFORE

AFTER

3 months after

Last but not least, I have a weight loss/health/fitness goal for this year. I have been slowly working up to this for a while. It started in June when I went to a health/wellness fair that my job was holding. I hopped on the scale only to find out that I was at my heaviest weight ever! I left the fair with a sense of determination, and a hint of embarrassment. Thinking to myself, How could I have allowed this to happen??  What's crazy to me is, I had been taking pictures of myself for almost a year, and never really saw a need to change. It wasn't until I saw the number on the scale that my light bulb came on. What I do know is, my second thought was, What am I going to do about it?

My very first OOTD picture

I joined the gym at work, and haven't looked back since! I officially reached 17lbs lost about a week ago, and that means the absolute world to me. In the short term I have around 15lbs to go. As far as the long term, I will figure that out once I reach my next milestone.

Today after my workout

The weight and inches are slowly coming off, and I'm feeling much better than I've felt in a long time. I'm looking better too(in my eyes)! I'm making lifestyle changes that I can keep up with for the rest of my life. It's amazing what being active everyday can do for your confidence! =D

Date Night with Hubby about two weeks ago

**Did you set any goals at the beginning of the year? Did you accomplish them? What are your goals for next year?**

This post is powered by #BLMGirls. You can also check out other posts from our #BLMBlogHop by visiting this linkhttp://curlsandmo.com/ and learn more about #BLMGirls here:http://www.facebook.com/groups/BloggersLikeMe/ 

Harder, better, faster, stronger...

Happy weekend peeps!! I got in an early work-out this morning, so what better time to post about my workout regimen?!

Over the past month or so, I've been sticking to my plan of working out 5-6 times a week. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I post pics here and there while I'm gettin it in. lol! Shout out to my workplace! They are great because employees are offered an on campus gym membership at a sweet price. I was just too lazy to join before.

Monday - Wednesday its 30 - 45 minutes on the elliptical or stationary bike. Thursday is boot-camp class (on the days that I can make it in time). If I know I can't make it, I will just do the elliptical (last week, I did BOTH). Friday is usually a rest day, and Saturday is strength training with a personal trainer. Last week, I worked out on Sunday as well. I took it easy by walking to a nearby lake, around the lake then walked back home. That took me around an hour or so. If it's not too hot out, I plan to do the same thing tomorrow.

I just want to make exercising a lifestyle for me from now on. My plan is to start strong, and taper off a bit as I start to see progress. Eventually, I want to start running with my husband. I have to work my way up to that though. I am soooooo not a runner. I just look & feel awkward. Ha!!

So, here's a few pics of me and the ladies that help keep me motivated at our Saturday session from last week.


                             **WARNING! This is a picture heavy post**

Until next time…

Nick, our beloved trainer showing off his muscles. Ha!

Danielle getting it in under Nicks watchful eye

Me!! Going strong!

Regina, doing the same

Gotta keep breathing!

That is not a smile people… I was grunting! =D

Regina with the weight vest

Danielle. That girl is STRONG!

In true blogger fashion, picture break!

Shontelle! Look at those arms!!

Shontelle with those arms again

And… done.