Sometimes You Just Need a Break

The last few weeks of my life have been a blur. I didn't know what day of the week it was and couldn't carry on a normal conversation with anyone if they tried. My brain was consumed with completing the very daunting task of launching Southern Belle Magazine. You may not can tell by looking thru the site exactly how much work and time it takes. It is mentally exhausting. So much so that this week, my brain is still mush, I'm still having trouble keeping up with what day it is and I'm just plain ole tired. So nearing a nervous breakdown/panic attach the past couple of days, I decided it was probably a good idea to take a break.

I have a wonderful new friend who allows me to stay in her townhouse in Panama City Beach anytime I'd like so at the beach is where I am as I write this. Yes, I do know how lucky I am to be able to do that. Not everyone can escape at the drop of a hat. I am truly blessed.

Do you ever feel like you simply MUST take a break or you're just going to go plum crazy? I think as women we try to be all and do all for everyone, often losing ourselves in the process. Sometimes we just need to take some time for "just me". Whether it's 10 minutes to look thru your favorite magazine, 20 minutes to soak in a tub, a 30 minute nap, a 2 hour movie or a day or so at the beach. We need to simply breathe, think thru things, make decisions or plans, perhaps even jot a few notes in a journal about possibly chasing a dream.

Whatever YOUR break is, please take the time to just do it! It will refresh your mind and give you renewed energy to tackle your day to day life. Losing yourself will put you in a downward spiral to unhappiness, or worse, a depression. Here's a little checklist to help you get started!

1) Right when you wake up, before ANYTHING else, read something motivational: a bible scripture, an inspirational quote, etc. Think you won't do it? Then take the time to put a few verses or quotes on post it notes and stick them to your bathroom mirror. Just take that 2 minutes to be thankful for a new day. CHOOSE to be happy.

2) On your lunch break- take a 10 minute walk outside. Sunshine will make a huge difference in your mood!
3) Late afternoon, perhaps on your drive home for work- turn off the radio, TV and any other background noise.... yep- even the cell phone. Just be in silence. Reflect on your day. Talk to God. Relax your mind before your evening starts.
4) Evening- take time to really talk with your partner and your children. Listen to how their day was. Be all you can be in those few moments with them.  They deserve you at your best.

5) When everyone is in bed- catch up on some reading, spend some quiet time with God. END your day. I recently read that the work never ends so we must choose to stop our day. Your body, mind and soul need rest. (and I'm preaching to myself on this one!)
.... and last but not least..... take some time (a Saturday morning, your day off, whatever time you can) and think about your life. What do you want from it? How do you want to impact others? Start making a plan of action to put your dreams in motion. They don't have to be the big dreams like being a millionaire or traveling the world. Just start listing the little things you'd like to do in life that would make you happy. Then start doing them. God wants us to live life abundantly and victoriously. To be so happy ourselves that our "happy light" shines onto others.

BUT, keep it in balance ladies! We sure don't have time for an extended stay in the looney bin! That is something that I am trying to work on myself. B-A-L-A-N-C-E. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Darn, where are those ruby red slippers when you need them? If they can take Dorothy home then surely they can do a little magic for me!

Until next time,
amy
Remember: YOU ARE AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL!

My Obsessions

We all have our little secrets don't we? You know, things like: our real age, our real weight, a little crush on a movie star, etc. Or maybe you secretly eat a whole carton of ice cream at 3 am. Whatever your secret is, it is safe with me! Because I have some too! But, amidst the safety of a blog, since it is just written instead of face to face admission, I'm going to share my obsessive secrets with you! SsssHhhhhh! Don't tell anyone about a few of these, Ok?


First up~ I am ADDICTED to M&M's. Literally. Chocolate, calories and even the commercials! Who doesn't love a red m&m stripper right? Next, I am OBSESSED with the beach. I simply must live there. I mean, obsessed to the point that I'm actually nervous about visiting often as the Spring/Summer "beach season" approaches because I KNOW it's going to depress me when I have to leave. 

I am in AWE of Tori Spelling. I love how she does EVERYTHING! Actress, author, has her own jewelry line, her own children's clothing line, a TV show, a store, an online magazine, mom, wife, crafter and I'm sure the list goes on. She is my workaholic BFF.

I LONG FOR Extra bubble gum! Must chew gum daily! And 3 pieces at a time please! And yes, I have to be reprimanded sometimes for smacking. Yep, it's that good.

I LOVE fried chicken fingers! If ever I order something different at a restaurant, whoever is dining with me gives me a quite surprised look! I could eat chicken every single day.

My fave HOBBY is watching movies. I keep a Netflix list of about 140 movies and can never seem to cut that list shorter. Always a new one to add, and uh-oh, now we have Redbox. A DVD at my fingertips on every corner. 

So what's YOUR secret obsessions? Do you maybe have a closet full of shoes? Do you perhaps wish you could spend a week on a deserted island with Channing Tatum? Do you wish there was invisible spanx to wear with your swimsuit? Are you a wine-a-holic or a whine-a-holic? Do you crave oreos? Come on! Your secret's safe with me remember? Spill the beans! And for all you pinterest pinners..... I dare you to pin your sexy, fantasy guy! (insert giggle here!)


Until next time,
amy

Stress Eating, Sales & Girl's Night

Well I don't know about ya'll but I pretty much blew it this week on the whole weight loss thing. It was a rough week for me and I'm a stress eater! How'd you do? I would say I did about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. But I guess that's better than a zero, right? After all, I did say it would take me baby steps to get it going. I did, however, pay attention to WHY I was doing bad and I intend to work on those areas so hopefully this week I'll be able to rate myself at least a 4. Do you stress eat too? We could be millionaires if we could figure out a solution to that problem! Hmmm, something new to think about!


I'll add some new tips for us to try at the end of this post, but for now I have to tell you about an unusual yard sale I had this week. As most of you know, I have a retail business selling clothes, jewelry, purses, etc. We closed our store Jan.31st and will now be going to an online boutique instead. I had lots of things left from the store that I wanted to sell and just start with fresh, new  inventory in the online store. I wanted to have an actual yard sale, you know, outside on tables with people pulling their cars over and getting out to shop. BUT, it has pretty much been raining for a month here in South Alabama so planning a yard sale just didn't seem to be in the cards.


My solution? Have an online yard sale on facebook! So that's what I did! I posted photos, added yard sale prices and told the 'fans' to comment sold and the first who did got the item! I've done 2 out of 3 rounds so far and it is SO MUCH FUN! I think the fans enjoy it too! Final round will be in a couple of days, then comes the hard part! Having to schedule times to meet folks for pick up of the items they bought! But hey, it's easier than unpacking it all onto tables then packing back up what didn't sell. So think about that next time you want to sell some stuff! Post it on your facebook! Just may work for you too!

So I guess I get to end the week on a fun note too! It's Saturday and tonight there is a girl's only "passion" party. You know, the lingerie and other "stuff" kind of party! Yes, there are samples there. And no boys allowed! It's hilarious to see some of the wilder girls act out and oh, the comments that get said! So much fun. If you've never been and you get a chance to go, please do. Must warn you though, if you get embarrassed easily, the passion party is probably not the best place for you! But it is good fun with friends! Looking forward to some girl time.

So here's some new weight loss tips to try this week:


- Try to cut out all sodas and sweet tea. Maybe start out slow. If you drink 3 cans of soda per day, maybe just cut down to one- 1/2 during the 1st part of the day & the other 1/2 later.

-Keep easy snacks on hand such as: apples, grapes, bananas, a pre-cut veggie tray, 100 calorie pre-packaged snacks and fat free microwave popcorn.

-Eat 6-8 mini meals during the day versus 3 main meals. Throw in those snacks in between meals. See? You can actually eat MORE on the "D" word.


-Implement the RULE of ONE: have 1 cookie, 1 fun size candy bar, etc. each day. Don't deprive yourself completely.


-Want a quick craving deterrent? Try a red hot fireball! Flavorful and lasts a while!

-Adopt your own motto depending on how late at night you stay up. If you go to bed at 9 or 10 then your motto would be "After six you should nix". If you stay up til 11 or 12 then your motto could be "After eight is too late". Whichever motto you choose, stick to it and DON'T eat after your cut off time. That alone will make a big difference. And that alone is going to be hardest for me, I think!

Good Luck this week! We'll check our weights on Monday and see if we lost any despite our cheating! lol. Now off to get ready for my "sexy" date! 


Until next time,
amy