Fitness Journey: Progress Shot for August 2013

August 2013 - 189 lbs.

This is the two-piece swimsuit that I recently wore on vacation. Here is a look at my body post-Eli. Obviously, I'm in need of a lot of toning, but with time and dedication I will look healthier.

Every month I'm going to take a progress shot of myself in this swimsuit and post it next to this one.

Follow me on my journey to having a healthier body and body image!

Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~

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Surprise Vacation! - Traveling With A Toddler & Without Trouble

In early August my boyfriend surprised me and our son with a trip to Atlantic City the beach. This also happened to be our first vacation as a family. Neither my boyfriend nor I are drivers, so we took mass transit for the entire 75 mile journey, with a toddler, and luggage in tow. This post is the story of how we managed to stay completely sane despite obvious obstacles.

How We Packed

I knew we were going to be gone for at least three days, including the day of departure, so I decided to use three bags for Eli and I.

I decided my best bet for packing everything efficiently in one bag would be to use my massive, black cross-body tote bag from Target. 

For Eli, I packed two bags, his Winnie the Pooh baby bag from Walmart for clothing and baby essentials (now available on Amazon), and a tiny Spider-Man backpack from CW Price as a carry all for snacks, toys, and swim diapers (similar). I found that packing so many bags was a hassle to carry around because there was no place to store them adequately while traveling. Next time, I'm going to purchase either two carry-on bags (Eli's future bag and my future bag) or use my huge duffle (similar) and my cross-body bag from Target.

How We Traveled
Since S and I don't drive, we decided the easiest way to travel to the beach would be to take mass transit. I live fairly close to a rail system called the SEPTA Regional Rail service which travels from suburban areas into and beyond downtown Philadelphia. The train is a 10 minute walk from my home and only a 20 minute ride into the city. After taking the train to Market East Station, we then walked to the Greyhound Terminal which is located across the street. Greyhound Terminal services many bus companies including, but not limited to New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit - New Jersey's Mass Transit System), which is what we caught to the beach. We caught Bus 551, which is a direct route from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. The best part about taking mass transit is that we don't have to worry about gas, tolls, getting lost, or parking fees, and the cost of a roundtrip ticket for an adult is only $20 each. Eli travels for free!

Where We Stayed

For our first night in AC, we stayed at the Howard Johnson. The hotel was two very long, but walkable blocks from the Boardwalk/Beach and the staff was very friendly during check-in and check-out. Our room was located on the third floor, had a king bed, shower/tub combo in the bathroom, and overlooked the pool.

What I loved about the hotel was the cleanliness and closeness to everything and the built-in outlets in the lamps! What I didn't like was that there was no microwave nor a refrigerator in the room, there was a wall unit installed near the front door, but no formal closet, the hotel offered no crib in room, and no complimentary breakfast -  all important things when traveling with a toddler.

The second night we stayed at the Best Western Envoy Inn, which was our prefered hotel because we'd stayed there two years ago. This hotel is also located two blocks from the beach and one block away from the Howard Johnson. Our room was located on the third floor, had a king bed as well, shower/tub combo in the bathroom, a formal closet, and most importantly had a microwave and mini fridge. What I loved about this hotel is its proximity to everything, the friendly staff, the cleanliness of the hotel and our room, the hotel offered a rollaway crib, complimentary breakfast and high-speed internet, and it's located right next to a 7 Eleven. What I didn't like was the lack of a pool. How I Unpacked
In each room, I unpacked our belongings so we could feel more at home and settle in.

I put all toiletries and makeup in the bathroom. Emptied the staples of my purse into the side draw and put food items and medicine up high so Eli couldn't get to it.

We even had our own draws in the armoire to store our clothes. 

What We Enjoyed

What we loved most about going to AC was seeing our son feel the sand under his feet and stand in the ocean for the time. 

S and I even managed to visit the stores at Tanger Outlets and eat at the Hard Rock Cafe before heading home! Overall, we had a blast! I can't wait to go again next year. Maybe Eli will be tall enough to ride the attractions on Steel Pier.
Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3
~ Domo ~ Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter

Sanity Savers - A New Series on Managing Mommyhood & RL (Real Life)

This is an introductory post for a new series that I've named Sanity Savers.

This is a guide for anyone coming to terms with the death of their previous childless lifestyle, because there's a hell of a difference in hanging out in the city until 2 am with your friends to staying up with your baby/toddler until 2 am.

This series will give you tips and tricks to balance out the chaos that is Mommyhood with the life you used to have.


A few topics I plan to cover are:

* Using an Agenda/Planner to Manage Your Time
* Me Time!: Taking Time for Yourself
* Date Night: How to Dine Like You're Childless with Children
* Style Me Sexy: Dressing for Your New Lifestyle Without Sacrificing Sexiness
* Out and About: Activities You Can Enjoy and Bring Your Children To

In the future, I hope to come up with more ideas for posts. Please send me topics you'd like me to discuss!

Until, next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~

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Mini Beauty Haul - July

I am excited to share with you a few items I've purchased this month and have been using regularly. This is my first post of this kind, and I hope to do a post like this each month depending on what I've purchased.

As you know, I live on a strict budget and when I can buy things for myself that aren't out of necessity, I prefer to buy make up. I wear makeup almost every time I leave the house and I feel like it is a good investment, because my aesthetic appearance is the first thing you notice without talking to me. I want to give a good first impression and make up helps me do that.

Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Palettes - Walmart

I Got Good Jeans

I have already worn this palette and I love color number 3. It looks great against my already bronze skin and gives it just a hint of shimmer for summer. I use color number 2 as a crease color and number 1 as an all over color because it looks horrible on my browbone as suggested.

I'm Getting Sunburned

This is my favorite palette! My favorite color is color 1 because I use it was an all-over -the-lid color and it brightens my dark brown eyes up. I look very sleepy, as most Moms of toddlers do, so this palette is perfect for me to put on and look amazing without much effort!

CoverGirl Queen Collection Lasting Matte Pressed Powder in Q405 Light Golden - Target

This pressed powder works so well with my liquid foundation, also from the CoverGirl Queen Collection, by helping my skin look less oily. I sweat so much in summer running around with Eli and this powder is great for keeping me from looking sweaty and oily all over my t-zone. Plus, it matches my complexion perfectly. You can't even tell I'm wearing it!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer + Natural Minerals in 025 Sun Glow - Target

I started using this bronzer because I needed one with less shimmer and this one is amazing for my complexion. It's light and doesn't leave residue on my clothing.

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm - CVS

I have been using this lipstain for about two weeks now and I like it a lot. I do not like the balm, however. It broke within a day of me using it, so I just use the lipstain and apply my EOS Lipbalm with this. I have just begun wearing red lipstains and I don't think I will repurchase this one again, as it doesn't last very long and the color isn't buildable.

e.l.f. Brushes
e.l.f. Small Angled Brush - Target
e.l.f. professional Bronzing Brush - Save-A-Lot

I love e.l.f. brushes! I use the small angled brush to apply my eyeshadow on my waterline and also to fill in my eyebrows. It's perfect. I use the bronzing brush for bronzer and have no complaints about it at all!

That's my mini beauty haul for July. Overall I believe I spent about $35 on beauty products this month, but they are products I will be using for months, so I feel these were great purchases.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~

What I Would Tell My Teenage Self (Years 13 - 19)

I was watching a video on Youtube on BubzBeauty channel and I decided to make a post here on what I would tell my teenage self. I had a rough time as a teenager and I can honestly say my life didn't begin to get better until I was a few months away from turning 20. So, here are the things I'd tell myself, with pictures at each age.

Enjoy!

Age 13 (Grade 8) - Keep your head up. You may have had a tragedy in your life, but if you let the sadness take over 10 years from now you'll still be struggling. Also, don't worry about your first love. He means well, but don't look to him for support. A 13 year-old doesn't know how to respond to an emotional situation like this. Look to people that love you for guidance and support.

Age 14 (Grade 9) - High School is going to be exactly like Middle School. You'll end up with the same people who bullied you last year, but at least you'll make new friends who will stick up for you. You'll also find that your heart has healed a little and you have a new love for all things Military after joining Army JROTC. Don't worry about the grades you received this year. If you focus more on you studies next year, you could possibly make amazing grades. Also, don't let your boyfriend determine your worth. You are an amazing person who just needs to build up your self-esteem.

Age 15 (Grade 10) - Again, stop worrying about dating, this is not the guy for you. In a year, he won't even remember you. Focus more on your studies and finding activities that you love. Also, if you keep pushing your program on people, you will fail. Find a better way to relate to people if you want them to support your cause. If you want, you could leave HS now, take the GED, and begin college. That would be amazing for your self-esteem and academic career now that you know what you want to do and have 10+ years of higher ed ahead of you. You can always visit your friends on weekends.

Age 16 (Grade 11) - What happened this year will break you if you get help. Don't worry about people who don't believe you, those who do will always have your back. This is the year you find out who your friends really are. Keep them close. You should definitely get your GED or begin homeschooling. HS is not the place for you, but self-learning and higher ed are much more flexibile. Your potential is amazing and HS is just beating every ounce of creativity and zest for learning out of you. Get out before you begin to hate school altogether!

Age 17 (Homeschooling/Unschooling) - Homeschooling didn't work for you, but you're smart enough to test out of HS and go to college. Get on that now! Also, keep in touch with your friends so you don't become isolated and depressed. Working will give you a great sense of importance and independence, you should try to get a part-time job. Also, be nicer to your Grandma. She's doing the best she can. And again, stop worrying about dating, you're more than who you're with.

Age 18 - So, you finally got a job? Congrats! Now focus on getting your GED and starting college. Don't drive your Grandma crazy, she's having a tough year and the end of the year will be the worst. She'll need you to grow up. Please don't let her down, you'll never forgive yourself if you do.

Age 19 - Now that you've gotten your GED and started college, don't let you new volunteer position takeover your life. Be faithful, loving, and caring, and always say what you mean and do what you say you'll do. Don't take chances if you aren't willing to deal with the consequences. Live your life freely, without regrets, and be kinder to everyone. This is your last year of being a teenager, enjoy it.

And these are the things I'd tell my teenage self, now.

Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea.

~ Domo ~