HELLO EVERYONE

Guys, I am back in the blogging world. And it feels great. I cannot wait to be back in the loop with all my lovely ladies and gentlemen. So much has happened since I have been away. That is even an understatement. But, all is well and it feels good to be back on familiar turf. 

+ Tyson and I got a divorce. There really isn't a way to say that that sounds "good" or "happy" so I will just say it how it is. Maybe one day I will talk about it. But as of now, its going to stay with me. 

+ I am now a personal trainer and coach. I recently took my training viral and started up a blog for everyone to follow along with my clients, get free stuff and learn about healthy living. I am so thrilled about it. So you should head on over and follow me there as well.

+ There really isn't much new going on in my life other than those big things. But, I cant wait to be back and keeping up with you all. its been much too long.

my head is a mess

I have skipped multiple days of Jenni's (Story of My Life) Blogtember due to being lazy. Oops. But today's theme got me thinking. "Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn."

I sat staring at my screen for hours thinking, trying to pinpoint the exact moment, the exact feelings where my life turned around. So many experiences, mistakes and emotions have lead me to this point, that it has been hard to focus in on the one that changed the path of my life. After wracking my brain and reliving the past through memories, I separated one moment that stood out from the rest and has been hidden deep in my heart. I don't know if I even realized till now the significance it has had on my life.

I was fifteen, that age where you hate everyone and everything but your friends and your cell phone. I was angry, really angry. The things I had gone through up to that point in life was enough for a grown woman. I was completely broken and trying to fix myself in all the wrong ways, I had never felt so lost. My parents had done everything they could to help me, but I was slipping away from them so fast that I didn't have time to grab on to their hands.

That summer my mom took me away, hoping that I could find some part of myself that still existed inside. We got on an airplane and headed to the Dominican Republic for the last month of summer. I remember feeling so nervous, I didn't know what to expect. We were staying in a Haitian refugee camp in a house that was surrounded by five story gates. The gate to the house was locked at dusk and no one was allowed in or out.

I remember one night I climbed to the roof. It was a clear night and I could see a million stars and hear every sound from the village below me. I laid back with my hands behind my head and just took it all in. It was in that moment I found myself again, that I was finally able to clear some of the darkness that was holding my mind and body captive from feeling happiness. I remember feeling in control of my life again, feeling at peace. A weight was lifted off of me and I could breath again.

It wasn't something big, it was such a small, quiet moment that changed my life.

saturday storms

 Saturdays are the best days. Other than waking up and knowing that the bathroom is waiting to be cleaned and the kitchen floors are ready to be scrubbed, it is my favorite. Cleaning gives me anxiety. So far this Saturday I have: re-vamped our living room (pictures to come), finally did laundry, cleaned the house, like real cleaning, and went to a friends bridal shower. It has been a busy day, but a productive one. 

Tonight my sister is hosting a bachelorette party at my house for one of our friends from college. Naturally, for her 'last fling before the ring" we had to go all out. With a "little black dress theme" and all things girly, tonight will be a success & you are never too old for party favors. 

For some reason, Saturdays are always better when they come with a storm.

BLOGTEMBER : 2 days late : ADVICE

ADVICE

I don't have much advice for the world. I am young with a lot to learn and so much life to live. I make mistakes constantly and I have dreams that I am still aiming for. There is one thing that I live by, that has helped me every day of my life. It isn't much of advice, but I remember this every day and it has changed me for the better. 

"Happiness is a decision. You are as happy as you decide to be"

- Author Unknown

bring it on fall.

I cannot wait for fall to really come so I can bust out my flannel and beanies. Crunchy leaves, pumpkins and chilly nights, what more can I ask for? 

Here are my goals for this fall: 

>Get completely unpacked from the move

>Get organized

>Finally print our wedding pictures

>Send out our Wedding Thank you's ( four months late )

>Make some much needed trips to DI

>& learn a few new recipes

It's not a big list, but it will take me some time. When things like organizing start to happen, that's when my ADD decides it's bored and wants to do other things, a million other things, at once. It's quite lovely.

Floral Skinnies // Ross

Ankle Boots // Forever Young

Gray T// Cotton On

Green Trench Coat // XXI

Shoulder Bag // ALDO

Necklace & Bracelet // Charlotte Russe

Watch // Kohls

What are your fall goals?

cats on cats

I am convinced that one day I will be a cat lady. And I am okay with that, just have to break the news to T. He also gave me permission to be a tiger today, and I could not pass that one up, obviously. 

Today was baby Hayze's baby blessing. His suspenders and bow tie kill me, he had to keep it classy in front of that big crowd. He stole my heart the first time I held him and in the last couple months we have become the best of buds. 

Tomorrow is Monday, Monday.. T goes back to school tomorrow, let real life begin. Its that time of year to get settled into our real routine and say goodbye to summer and hello to textbooks and tests. Thankfully, I am not starting school until spring. I needed more time to convince myself I could work full time and study full time. I am still not convinced.

Jumper // Better B. 

Watch // Kohls

Neon Cat Button Up // Gap

Necklace // XXI 

Wedges // Pac Sun

 

rainy days

here comes fall. plaid shirts and puffy vests are calling my name. and not to mention, that means my birthday is only two months away. I feel like i'm still turning seventeen. but thats okay.

happy Saturday.

I scream, you scream

I am lactose intolerant, and I don't even like ice cream. But, who cares when its cake batter, coconut cookies and free? thanks mom. You can bet my stomach was twerkin it after this lapse of judgement, this delightful lapse of judgement. 

Apparently, wednesday is the day for the movies. Us girls tried to go to Monsters University. Sold out. We watched mud instead at the parents house. Speaking of which, does any one else think that Matthew Mcconaughey should retire? I do.

we all scream for ice cream.

paris, please

Paris should invite me over, we would be the best of friends. Tea by the Eiffel Tower? I could live with that. All I need now is a teacup poodle and a ticket across the pond. "Grandmama its me, Anastasia".

Summer fashion is wonderful, but fall will always have my heart. I've been thinking, fashion blogging has been calling my name. Time to shake up the place, so imma throw in some fashion posts here and there. hopefully you'll love it just as much as I do.

Shoes // xxi

Shirt // pac sun

Dress // sewn by me

Jewelry // charlotte russe

glasses // xxi

A BIT OF WHIMSY

Our backyard is the definition of whimsical. With two big walnut trees shading the whole area and this wooden swing, I could spend my whole day out there. Just give me a good book. The moment I saw how wonderful it was I had to have it. T and I put our minds to it and made it happen. So far this summer, two BBQ's, one croquet game and a couple horseshoe games have been held is the lovely corner of ours. There is something about a swing and a tree to climb that takes me back to my childhood, and that's a wonderful place to be. We will be staying for quite some time. 

come visit.