Summer Fun

Precious Moments!

Angel Post: Found On Inside Out Style Blog

An Angel Post is one that I think was written for me by another blogger, lol.  Even though of course it was written for anyone who wants to read it.  I have found such wisdom here in putting together a snazzy wardrobe.  Check out this blog...

Found Here - Inside Out Blog E is for Elongation

E is for Elongation

Many women tell me that they'd like to look taller, or slimmer, so today I thought that I'd cover E for Elongation to help you all with this quest.

So let's get back to basics and think about how to use line to create the illusion of length and/or slimness.

• Vertical lines lengthen.
• Horizontal lines shorten and broaden.

Vertical lines by imogenl featuring a long sleeve silk blouse

To elongate you want to ensure you have more vertical lines and  less horizontal lines.

How and where are verticals found in clothes?

• Plackets
• Jacket edges
• Center creases on trousers
• Rows of buttons (up and down)
• Pleats
• Pin stripes
• Vertical seams such as princess seams and darts

Because horizontal lines shorten and widen, you need to be aware of where you will find them in garments:

Horizontal lines by imogenl featuring sheer tops

• Hems of sleeves, tops, pants, skirts etc.
• Yokes
• Pockets
• Horizontal prints
• Seams
• Trims
• Distressing and whiskering
• Straps and high vamps on shoes
• Buttons on double breasted jackets and coats
• Cuffs on trousers
• Boarder prints

So if you want to slim, then you only want to put horizontal lines on:

1. Your narrow points (so this is the – where do I end tops, jackets etc. rule)
2. On the points you want to broaden to create balance

5 Easy Ways to Elongate to Look Taller and Slimmer:

1. Find garments with more verticals (as natural hemlines that garments all have will create lots of horizontals) without adding extra ones.
2. Tone shoes to trousers or tights or legs.
3. Wear heels, if you like them.
4. Wear low vamp shoes.
5. Wear fabrics that skim and drape close to your body.

and a bonus 6th:

The easiest way to look taller is to use the column of colour concept, which I've covered here and here and evenhere.  It's simple, the longer the unbroken vertical line, the taller you will appear.  Just remember, a column of colour doesn't have to mean only wearing black head to toe or only wearing one colour, you can still wear two or three colours, it's just how you put them together.

Column of colour by imogenl featuring a collared dress

So instead of breaking up your body by alternating colours, you can try elongating by creating a flow.

E is for elongation by imogenl featuring tall boots

Related posts:

1. Horizontal Stripes – the rules
2. How to Look Taller Using a Column of Colour
3. Using a Column of Colour to Look Taller and Slimmer

My Blessings!!

I am blessed with a beautiful family, and we love each other dearly.  I have an awesome support system in my parents, and friends.

We had a good weekend, we did nothing special, but we still enjoyed each other's company.  Sometimes I get so busy, that I forget to enjoy life's most simple pleasures.

Hope you all have a great week!!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Happy Friday!!

Going Down with a Sinking Ship

Right now, as I am typing this post, I think the Primary Emotion that I am feeling is anger.  The Secondary Emotions are disappointment, aggravation, and a total lack of faith in the place that I have worked for the last 11 years.  I am sure that I am not the only one currently working in the field of education who feels such emotions.  However, over the last year I have sat by and watched the administration go from bad to worst, I have watched as the bottom of the barrel was continually scraped to find "step and fetch it" leaders.  "Gumby's", as I like to call them who make decisions based on who it makes happy instead of what the RIGHT decision would be.  As usual, the children suffer, the employee's suffer and morale suffers.

I try my best to ride above it, but it gets harder when the flood waters keep getting closer and closer to your neck.  

So today, I am asking God for the ability to walk on water, lest I drown.  I am asking for the ability to remember that we are all flawed, and to remember that these administrators are not in control.  And, that I know who is in control.

So I went searching on the net for proof of what I already know, but need to be reminded of and this what I found:

 Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 I will uphold thee - I will enable you to bear all your trials.

Photo Credit: Holding On to the Most Important Things in Life. Hold On - Donna Hughes

A Consolidation of Trust

I have trust issues!!  I trust very few people.  It is my first instinct to look for the flaw, the ulterior motive or hidden agenda.  This unfortunately spills over into all areas of my life.  And, then I thought how amazing it would be if I could consolidate trust like some people consolidate bills. Take all of the people, situations and things in whom I have to or need to trust and put them under one umbrella and trust that he Lord will protect me from the disappointment, hurt and resentment that comes when the people who I have trusted disappoint me. Or that God could help me  to discern those people, places or things that are worthy of my trust.

For me, I guess it all comes back to one thing, trusting that God will watch over guide and protect me from everything that comes my way.  Whether that means taking me out of the storm, or teaching me to deal with the rain.

Then I remembered one of my favorite Fred Hammond songs and it brought me to this verse. - 

Isaiah 54:17 - "No weapon this is formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against thee in judgement thou shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord"  - King James Bible (Cambridge Edition)

The word that jumped off the page to me when reading this text, is that this is our HERITAGE. (see definition below) It is something that God meant us to pass down from generation to generation, our birth right.  What an amazing heritage that is?  To know that in the face adversity, uncertainty, tumultuous times, uncertain job markets, and downright EVIL all around us.   NO WEAPON THAT IF FORMED AGAINST US SHALL PROSPER.

her·i·tage  (hr-tj)

n.

1. Property that is or can be inherited; an inheritance.

2. Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

3. The status acquired by a person through birth; a birthright

Feeling Like a Modern Day Samuel!!

Often Times When I am Talking, I Ought to be Listening.  God's Words come to me in so many ways, that sometimes I have to chuckle and say, " I hear you Lord, I hear you."  Yesterday, was one of those days.  I came into work and logged in to my Google Reader and these were the two blog posts that he gave me to start my day.

A Lesson in Losing The Weight - JonesDesignCompany.com

    Worried - The Peaceful Mom.com

Then in the break room this morning a coworker said that with all the upheaval at work he was reminded of this verse. - 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And, he said he had to ask are you sure Lord, do you need to tell someone in administration over here that?  And, it made me chuckle because with the major restructuring and layoffs going on here, we are all struggling with things that we have no control of.  My biggest struggle of course is remembering who has control!!

So... I am working on Casting all my Cares Upon Him, because I know he cares for me.  Happy Hump Day!!

Confessions!!

Confession:  The Ebb and Flow of my Moods is Affected Greatly by Other Things and Other People. (Especially things outside my control!)

I know this is not supposed to be the case, but it's the truth.  And, I am working on it.

I read a post one of my girlfriends (Thanks Cei) wrote on Facebook this morning.  It read: "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it."

So today, on a gloomy rainy day, with a sick baby at home, and more housework on the agenda for the weekend than I care to even think about!!  I am going to make a declaration that I will have a good day!! After all it is Friday!! Hope you all have a great one too...

Here is an excerpt from a Devotion I keep posted in my office at work. -- I find it settles my spirit!!

" Press through present chaos into the peace that is greater than your understanding.  Quiet your soul and be done with the anxiety that comes with uncertainty.  There is nothing uncertain or dubious about My Kingdom.  I would have you understand that even though the kingdom is a spiritual one and invisible to natural perception, the reality of its unquestionable.  Its foundation is firm -- solid rock.  When you are a part of that kingdom you, like the chief cornerstone and the foundation of the apostles and prophets, are also solid rock in the realm of the spirit.  Flesh has no power over rock, says the Lord." - Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

Finding My Voice and My Words: My Testimony

For the last year or more, I have struggled with finding my voice, or maybe it was finding my words.  Nevertheless, the thing that I found so much joy in doing, writing, became super difficult for me.  I am still not entirely sure what it was that stopped my flow.  But, I found myself soaking up all the information I could on anything that interested me.  But, I felt unable to share.

This weekend, I felt like I became unblocked, like whatever had been hindering me, was finally being moved out of my way.  And, with it came a barrage of emotions.  If I could explain it, I probably would say that fear had a lot to do with it.

Writing for me, can not have limitations.  It opens up parts of me that other wise would stay closed.  It allows me to share without inhibitions and it makes me see things that I have chosen purposely not to see.

And, as a result of that, I guess I felt like not writing protected me from me.  As in all our lives, I suffered a trauma.  To some people, maybe it wasn't that, but to me, it caused me to sit back, take stock and reevaluate my life and the people in it.  It helped me to see the wheat from the tares, the roses from the thorns.  And, even though the seeding process was painful and tedious.  And, the road back even worse.  I came out on the other end, a better person, a person with less misgivings, and confusion.  A person who has had to learn to believe in exactly what I believe in.  And, be true, first and foremost to me.

While on this journey, I read an amazing book, "When I Lay My Isaac Down" by Carol Kent, and this is in excerpt from it, that I believe has shaped the direction in which I am going.

"There are some tragedies, that are too big for a heart to hold, and they defy any description that makes sense.  Time weaves its way through the shock, the hurt, and the inexpressible feelings and one day you discover that in the process of daily survival, you have instinctively made decisions good or bad that defined your theology, formed an opinion about God, and determined that you will either curl up or die emotionally or you will choose life.

The terrifying but truthful fact is that in choosing life, you realize it will never match the kind of life that was in your carefully thought out plan for your future.  It will force you to view the people around you differently.  The brokenness will challenge you to new levels of personal compassion.  It will melt your pride, diminish the importance of your carefully designed agenda, and it has the potential to develop unshaken faith that defines rationality.

There are the moments when God makes complete sense to us, and then life suddenly changes and he seems a foreign remnant of a childhood force fed faith... "Lord give me eyes to see your coming and going, ears to hear your voice and your silence, hands to hold your presence,and your absence, and faith to trust your unchanging nature in all seasons - Elsa Morgan.

Wish I had a wine cellar

Some days office politics makes me wish... I had a wine cellar!!

Monday Greatist Links Love!! - Have a Great Week!!

Sugar Wise - How Fruits Stack Up!!

60 Healthier Alcoholic Drinks - For Your Enjoyment!!

Unexpected Ways to Add Veggies to a Meal

000

Quote: Success

by The Greatist Team

"Success comes from taking initiative and following up…. persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?" — Tony Robbins 

Great News!!!

I am officially three months into eating better, working out, and taking my supplements.

And...... drum roll please.  My blood sugar has dropped almost 100 pts, without insulin.  

I am soo very proud of me, and I believe this will give me the motivation to keep pushing myself to greater heights...

Get on the bandwagon people!!

So lately, after a work out, when I don't get enough water, I wake up the next day with what I have self diagnosed as a dehydration headache, and even though you would think that it would be be easy to get rid of just by drinking water, for me sometimes it triggers a migraine.

Not sure how many other people have experienced this, but, I wanted to share some info that I found Here:

Dehydration Headaches

The human body is about 70% water. Simply put, a dehydration headache occurs as the result of excessive loss of water from the body, when we lose more water than we take in.

What Causes a Dehydration Headache?

It's a bit more complicated than that since the body loses valuable electrolytes as well. What causes headache a dehydration headache might be the most benign symptom if the root of the problem is not corrected.

Dehydration can be a prime mover, as a headache or Migraine trigger. Many people mistakenly think it occurs only in hot weather and that you're not dehydrated if you're not thirsty. Both of these are misconceptions.

Let's take a look at dehydration, what it does to the body, how to treat it, and more sensibly ... how to prevent it.

Dehydration basics

• Depending on variables (activity/temperature) It takes an average of 60 to 80 ounces to replace the water our bodies lose in 24 hours.
• Under normal circumstances, how much water we need depends a great deal on the volume of our perspiration and urine output.
• Our bodies' need for water increases under circumstances such as:
  • warmer weather or climate
  • living at high altitudes
  • increased physical activity
  • when experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
  • when fevered
  • when you have a cold or the flu
  • if you have a chronic disease such as uncontrolled or untreated diabetes, kidney disease, alcoholism, cystic fibrosis, or adrenal disorders
  • if you are taking some medications. Always check your prescription information.
  • during long air flights
• Losing as little as 1 to 2% of body weight can result in dehydration.

• Losing 3 to 5% can negatively impact reaction time, concentration and judgment.
• Losing 9 - 15% results in severe dehydration and is life-threatening.

Symptoms of dehydration

• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Less frequent need to urinate and decreased output
• Darker colored urine (should be nearly clear to pale yellow)
• Confusion
• Increased heart rate and respiration

Treating dehydration

Dehydration should be confirmed by your doctor. Caught early, after confirming with your doctor, dehydration can usually be treated at home.

Especially with children, your doctor's suggestions for treatment of this temple headache may vary depending on the cause and severity of the dehydration.

"An ounce of Prevention" is the best advice here. Obviously, it's better to prevent dehydration. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in water. Fruit contains the most water, followed by vegetables, meat, then grains with the least.

2. Choose your beverages wisely. Caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating. For some people, too much fruit juice can cause diarrhea, which also can be dehydrating. leading to a temple headache.
3. If you're planning a day with more significantly exercise than usual, begin hydrating the day before.

4. Sports drinks can help maintain electrolyte balance, but be aware of the sugars in them, that may be what causes your headache.
5. Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day.

6. If you're organizing outdoor activities, provide shaded areas.
7. When you're ill, be sure to continue drinking fluids.

You most likely have heard that your body is 70% water. You are either more like a lake or a swamp.

What's the difference? They are both bodies of water. But one has a flow of new refreshed water flowing in, the other is stagnate. You choose.

Photo Credit:

Have it Your Way!!

Did you know that you don't have to go to Burger King to "have it your way!"  On my quest for better eating, and more nutritous choices, I talked myself out of Panera and into Subway.  It's soo easy to forget that Subway now serves breakfast.  Anyway, that being said, the first morning, I got a egg white sandwich with flat bread and veggies.  Which was a ok choice but the flat bread, well my blood sugar was not impressed.  So the next morning, I had only one half, better, but still not impressed.  This week, I choice Egg Whites with Cheese, Chicken, and Veggies.  Score!!  BS*(My Blood Sugar) likes it.  So my new breakfast staples is Subway.. where apparently I CAN HAVE IT MY WAY!!  And, as far as the purse strings go another score its just $3.75

Not the best pic, but using the egg as the wrap, can make it a bit sloppy!!

Website Love --

My Newest Obsession when it comes to Health and Fitness

My Natural Hair Care Guru - My Virtual Assistant on the Way to Natural Relaxed Free Hair

The Hostess Blog - Party Planners I love - Check out this Vintage Airplane Birthday Party!!

I wanted to post my most followed Pinterest Board, but, for some reason I can't get it up... so More Later..

Hope you all are having a phenom week!!

Photo Credit: Found Here

Hub "Boyardee"

Yesterday I got a text from my hubby that he was working on a surprise for me.

I came home to this amazing treat!!

Crab Cakes - My Fave!!

The Elimination Process

Giving up anything is always hard for me. I think it's in my nature to try to hold on to what I've got. Not sure if that's great when it comes to weight, paper, and just junk in general.

So far this year, I've given up drinking my calories(juice). I have given up my diet soda. Next it's gonna be my morning caffeine, a habit I developed after my baby girl was born.

I'm going to be leaning cause I literally thrive on baby steps to a more raw and whole food existence.

Have any recipes you think will make the transition easier...please share!!

Inspiring Words to Start your Weekend Off Right -

Found Here

Everything can move you forward

Failure is a result of what has already been done, not an indication of what you can now move forward and do. Each failure, in fact, can move you closer to success.

Don’t let disappointing results reduce your confidence. It’s more realistic, and much more effective, to let each failure strengthen your confidence.

The more experience you have with what doesn’t work, the more you’ll move in the direction of what does work. With persistence and a clear sense of purpose, failure can lead you steadily toward success.

Failure is not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing that can happen is to do nothing.

Each and every result, whether it’s the intended result or not, means that you’re making an effort. Learn each time, from the desirable results and the undesirable ones, and boost your confidence with each step.

Rather than being ashamed of failure or dismayed by it, make good and positive use of it. Quickly get back up, keep going, and know that everything can move you forward.

— Ralph Marston

Photo Credit:

Update on Me...

Well, the first (almost) two months of January have proven to be quite the learning experience.  I have spent a lot of time getting to know myself, and my body.  Learning what foods have what affects, how much exercise I can cram into one day, and how not to let my circumstances affect my goals.

Being a mom of children ranging from the age of 15 - 1years old, I find my time to rarely be my own.  Trying to fit in trips to the gym, while still maintaining my household, and holding down a full time job, is daunting to say the least.  However, for me a lot of the challenge involves me not letting my need for control/perfection to over shadow my need for sustainable change.  So, with two kids in tow, I manage to do Just Dance and Just Sweat and utilize the Wii Fit.  I may not always have enough room, but I work around them the best I can.  And, you know what its working.  I use to be a former Fly Lady , check her out if you don't know about her.  And, if she taught me one thing it was to realize that doing something, is better than doing nothing at all.  And, guess what the scale and the measuring tape seem to agree with her.

I have more success days, then fail days.  I have started to look at each meal as just that, a meal.  So if I have too much pasta, at one meal.  Then the next meal, I try to do better.  The calendar has more Pink X's where I worked out than blank days.  And, I am hoping that by next month my calendar will look like a tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness with Pink X's all over the place.

I feel better, look better, my clothes fit better.  My energy levels are up, my mood swings are less frequent, and I am starting to feel like the effort I put into all other aspects of my life, can be just as useful here (for my health and personal growth).

Enjoy your Weekend... and find some "me" time.

Photo Credit

Compassion and High Expectations

I found these words Here on the Forbes Network Blog...

And, for some reason they spoke to me, I very rarely have patience for foolishness, in myself, and or others.  It really made me consider another point of view.

What do you think?

"My expectations of everyone, including myself, are counter-productively high.

High expectations can have a positive effect; people need a high bar to stretch towards. But I think many of us take it too far. We slip so easily into criticisms of ourselves and those around us — family, friends, coworkers, public figures — that we no longer expect people to be human beings. And when we shame ourselves and others for failing, we make things worse. We contribute to pain while nurturing impotence.

When we face weakness — ours or someone else's — it doesn't help to blame someone or something, pretend it's not important, or simply decide to change. And it's not sufficient to identify a three-step process to fix the problem. So what does help?

Here's the best I've come up with: compassion.

As far as I can tell, for advice to be useful at all, it needs to be preceded by compassion. Yes my daughter needs support, guidance, instruction, and advice. But she needs compassion first. As the saying goes: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. That certainly includes me. And, I'm betting, you. Being compassionate will probably make us better, more effective people. If not, at least it will reduce the suffering that accompanies weakness. And it will most certainly make us nicer to each other and to ourselves."

More on Baby Stepping...

Lifehack.org - Little Successes do Add Up (A Good Read)

Happy Hump Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I hope you all enjoyed.

Small Changes...

It always amazes me when I put my mind to it, that change is literally just about putting one foot in front of the other and nothing more.  Since the beginning of the year, I have made it a point to make a lot of small changes, hoping to see a big change.  I have added fiber to my diet, started eating a lot more fruits and vegetables, doubled my water intake, and have started adding exercise/movement into my days.  I have seen the numbers start to plummet on my scale, inches being lost, and even my skin looking clearer all from tiny tiny baby steps.

And, these baby steps encourage me to push harder, invest more in myself, and be a better version of me.  Its a good feeling, your body rewards you for your effort, with more pep in your step.  Which rolls over into more energy to take care of projects, at work, at home, more energy to horse around with your kids etc etc.

Which brings me back to my point for today, Little Things Mean a Lot!!

Hope you all have a great week, as I plan to. . 

Happy Monday Y'all.

Here are some links that show just how Small Changes can Pay Off

Six Small Changes to Keep the Pounds Off

7 Small Changes Lead to Big Savings

Small Changes - Big Results

Good Eats...

Over the last 40+ days, I have been trying out some new recipes at our house!!

Here are the ones that were a huge success... Yes, their were a couple that were umm... things I will need to put my own twist on.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crock Pot Roast

Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake - Saved on SpringPad

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Chili - Saved on my SpringPad

Maybe you can throw some of these into your weekly rotations!!  

Happy Friday!!

The Pause -- found on Zen Life

I am quick to anger, I am flip at the mouth, and I often act first and think later.   Hey, I'm a work in progress, and this particular post over at one of my Favorite Sites spoke to me.  I hope it speaks to you as well.

The Pause Upon Which All Else Relies

Change Gone Come...

I woke up feeling a little melancholy today, as with most people in America there is a lot of uncertainty in the work place, and mine is no different.  But, a lot of the changes that the big wigs have been making are leaving everyone a little off kilter.  Up until recently, the changes have not affected me directly.  But, in the last couple of days those changes have struck close to home.  So it leaves me feeling angry, a little bitter and a lot frustrated.  I guess that is the only way you can feel when things happen that make no sense.

But, I press on.   On a more fun topic Valentine's Day will be here soon.  We(Anwar, Jai and I)  always have such a good time making home made cookies for Valentine's Day.  In cute little packaging, etc, etc.  But, since you can only bring in store bought cookies now, we are changing up our flavor a bit.  Via Pinterest, we found a printable valentine template, that we are going to use this year.  Check it out!!