fitness. motherhood. life & style.

Lessons Learned in the Last Decade/2020 Goals

Happy New Years Eve! I can't believe that not only is it the end of 2019 but it's the end of a decade! So much has happened in the last decade and I'm sharing a little bit of what I've learned.

1- People will judge regardless of what you're doing so just do you! When I was 17 (ten years ago) I worried way too much about what people thought. I still have my moments but they're few and far between because that kind of worry is just a waste of time! It's your life. Listen to Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves.

2- Time flies, from 2010 till now I have moved 6 times (in the same city), bought two homes, had Miss Mia, graduated with my High School Diploma, Bachelor's degree, and Master's degree and traveled to six countries and countless states. When I listed that out I was like WHOA. Time really flies by. So I want to make sure in this next decade, that I really cherish all of life's moments and don't rush time. I lack patience lol so sometimes I feel like I was so focused on the next step that I didn't cherish all that happened in the last ten years. It's good to relish in your accomplishments and enjoy them before moving on to the next big thing.

3- You have to go get what you want. As you probably realized in item #2, complacency isn't for me. I get restless. 10 years ago I knew I wanted a lot out of life but I also waited for some of it to just come to me. You can't wait, you make your own destiny. This year I knew I wanted to end up in a new job and I decided I wouldn't stop until I got there. I knew that only I had the power to make that happen. In addition to that, don't put up with crummy people or things in your life. If you are being mistreated, you can fix that. You can't fix others who don't want to change but you can decide what you put up with. Get rid of toxic people and things! I did a lot of that in the last decade. Go get the life you want!

4- Life will test you but always have faith. I always look for the silver lining so I will say the last ten years have been awesome! But they've also challenged me. I struggled with an eating disorder, I struggled to find who I was and what I wanted out of life (typical for your 20's, I'm ready to be 30 already lol), and I went through a break up in 2018 that really tested my faith. I've always believed that everything happens for a reason but I've had a few moments that made me question that. And it was hard. But in the end of this decade it has brought me closer to God and my faith that He has a plan for me. I don't talk a ton about religion (like to keep that private) and if you don't believe in God, at least believe that everything happens for a reason. Any time I have gone through something hard, I have come out much stronger and ended up with something better. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

5- LOVE YOURSELF. I shout this one from the rooftops. You are uniquely you and no one else is special like you. I've for sure struggled with this in the last decade and if you've followed me for awhile, you know I've always shared my work towards self love and I hope that's helped someone else find their own self love. Life is too short to critique yourself. My biggest tip here is to always talk to yourself how you would to others. You wouldn't call someone ugly to their face would you? So don't speak to yourself that way. Praise yourself but remain humble. It makes life so much more enjoyable.

6- Lastly, and most important to me is integrity. My dad always reminded me of this. Your reputation will follow you throughout life and you don't want it to be a bad one. I've made mistakes, I've been a crappy friend at times, and people don't forget that stuff. If you lose someones trust, it's hard to get it back. Every decision you make in life will follow you (especially if you never leave your hometown lol). Not only that, but your guilt will follow you. Be a good person, good friend, and do the right thing because then people will remember you for your integrity and being a stand up human. You want people to be able to trust you and rely on you. You want to proudly say, I'm a good person and a good friend. You attract what you give.

As I write this out I can't help but think that these are six very important lessons I also want to teach my daughter. I'm sure she will have to learn some of this on her own as I did but hopefully I am providing a good example for her. As for 2020 and the new decade, here are some of my goals:

1- Saving money. I want to be very fiscally intelligent and explore investing, etc. Saving can be hard when life hits and I know I need to make it more of a priority now that I have a family.

2- Furthering my career is also big on my mind for 2020 and this next decade. I am finally where I want to be and I want to soak up all the learning that I can in regards to my job.

3- Furthering my blog. This will never be a career for me (I like my job) but I do enjoy it as a side hobby and helping others through my blog.

4- Sign up for more fitness challenges. I signed up for a 10k last year and even though it's a short race it was one of the best things I did! I really want to start exploring more fitness challenges and getting out of my comfort zone here.

5- A few small things, I want to prioritize sleep and hydration more, live in the moment, travel to a few new places, and get outside with Mia and Leo more. Also, I hope to get Mia involved in some kind of activity this year!

I hope ya'll had a good 2019 and decade and CHEERS to 2020!!!!


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Last Minute Gift Guide for All

Christmas is just four days away so I've put together an online gift guide for all you last minute shoppers!! Everything is from Nordstrom and if you order before noon on 12/22 then it should arrive for free by Christmas Eve! Win! Also, most of these items are on sale.

FOR HIM
I tried to find items that most men would like- like slippers, who doesn't love slippers. I also love the gloves because they work with touch screens!


FOR HER
These are all items I would love or have. Again, good items for all women. The gloves are cashmere and on sale!!


TODDLERS
Miss Mia would love any of these gifts and I think any of them would be good for girls or boys. Mia is a little over two and she loves cars and kitchen items.


Reminder: no matter what you get for someone it is the thought that counts. Happy Holidays and enjoy this time with your family!!
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Amazon Favorites Gift Guide

I love me some Amazon!! I also think Amazon is a good place for last minute shopping because most of the stuff can still be shipped by Christmas. The items below are some of my favorites!

The Infamous Revlon Blow Dryer
I use this thing after every hair wash and it gives my usually flat hair a TON of volume. It's like an easy at home blow out for your hair. I recommend it to everyone, lol.


Amazon Sheets
For the practical person, these are the softest sheets I've ever had and the King is under $30. They are 1800 thread count.


Clothes Steamer
I hate ironing and I also hate wrinkled clothes when I travel. This steamer is small enough to travel with and it heats up quick for easy use.


Travel Case
To add to the steamer, this travel case holds a lot (I use it for toiletries) and folds up nicely. It also comes in cute patterns.


Apple Watch Cover and Bands
I have ordered plenty of watch bands from Amazon and I have to say I love them more than the Apple ones. They hold up well and stay cleaner than the expensive ones from Apple. The cover is another one of my top favorites because it protects my watch but is not bulky.


Running Water Bottle
I really wanted one of these but the water bottle belts were a little aggressive for the shorter runs I was doing. This thing is magnetic and holds onto my pants or running belt SO well. It's also lightweight so it doesn't drag me down. The water bottle holds just enough water and doesn't leak.


3/4" Curling Iron
I have tried the T3 (expensive curling iron) and didn't love it so instead of spending too much money on a curling iron, I purchased this $24 one and it's the best I've ever used. My hair does not curl well so this is tried and true. It's also cute like the T3 but much less expensive. (UPDATE: This sold out on Amazon so I had to add two more links to shop here and here.)




Echo Dot
This was something that was gifted to us and it's become everything I never knew I always needed (or wanted). It is affordable and I keep it in my kitchen so Alexa can make my grocery list, update me on Amazon packages, and tell me the weather. I love it!

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Beauty Lovers Gift Guide

You have to be careful with this one because you don't want to buy someone acne cream and offend them. (kind off LOL'ing here because if you listen to the Ty Bentli show the 10 minute tune this morning was about offensive gifts) anyhoooo, if you know someone is into beauty items or they may not get offended at good quality products, then this gift guide will help you. I've tried all of these items and LOVE them.

Eye Shadow Palettes
These are my two favorite eye shadow palettes because they are universally flattering and have good day to day colors. I have used and loved both almost daily.


Lip Gloss
These are my two go-to lip glosses. They are almost identical lip plumper's with good color. The Milani one is less expensive but just as good.


Eye Cream
This eye cream is the best I've used, hands down! I do have "crows feet" as they call them but this eye cream has significantly reduced how deep my lines were already getting.


Tula
I have tried a few Tula products and these three are my absolute favorites. The eye balm is cooling which is good for puffiness and it gives my eyes a nice glow under my makeup. You can use it over makeup too. The exfoliating mask is one of my favorite masks of all time! My skin feels so good afterwards. And the gel cream is the perfect hydrator for my skin without being heavy.


Face Oils
If you would have told me a year ago that I would want to put oil on my face I would have argued. But these two oils have so many good skin benefits. The Vitamin C is a major anti-agent and the Vitamin E hydrates my skin like no other. I use the Vitamin C daily and the Vitamin E once a week. They do not break me out.


Highlighter
These can get expensive and this one is inexpensive and has various colors for various skin tones or for eyeshadow. I love it!


NYX Lips
These three lip items are my top favorite lip stick, lip gloss, and lip liner BY FAR. I use the lipstick and liner daily. The color and quality is so good. This is the best matte lip stick EVER. The gloss is good for a hint of color or a shine over the lipstick. The liner stays on all day if I let it. Also, helloooo affordable.

Setting Spray
This is the best setting spray and it was actually a gifted to me. I wouldn't have bought it on my own so I was happy it was a gift because now I'm hooked. I only use a tinted moisturizer and it is still on well at the end of a long work day.


Lastly, the Best Gift-The Derma Roller & Jade Roller
Derma rolling can be really expensive but this item is $20 on Amazon and it leaves my face feeling AMAZING. I recommend it for everyone. It exfoliates and helps with anti-aging. My face was glowing the day after I used it. I'm convinced everyone needs this! The Jade Roller helps with anti-aging and it really just feels nice on my face. It's under $15.


Happy Shopping!
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