Running Behind

Hey everyone!!

I’m so behind. This post was supposed to go up Monday well....it’s Thursday night at 8:00! It has been one of those weeks and I think I am part to blame. I have a few different irons in the fire. Oh well, it is what it is.

I have to go the License Plate Agency tomorrow to get the tags for my SUV and I rather dig a ditch. I do NOT like to go there or to the DMV. They are just in a bad mood. They never smile and they almost grunt rather than speaking. I’m like goodness; smile a little!

I posted a couple outfits I wore this past weekend. Some of my go to casual wear. I wanted to be comfortable because a girlfriend and I went to a women’s conference Friday night and Saturday morning in Goldsboro. I want to be able to move easily in case the Holy Spirit decided to visit; and He did. We went to see Amanda Crabb and man can that woman bring the Word. The conference was named Redeemed and Amanda spoke about being redeemed and we as the family of God should say so. The Bible speaks on it.

 “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You never know what your story will do for someone else. We all have our things and family issues. Teenagers, co-workers, or maybe it’s something you thought you have forgiven. Anyway, your testimony WILL encourage and help someone else. God has done so much for me and continues to do so. By no means have I arrived or I know it all, far from it girlfriend. I do know this with every fiber of my being. God saved me and He is the only good thing in me. I want other women; young, old, single, divorced, all them to know Jesus. He can make you new. Unlike anything you have ever seen. It’s simply amazing.

There I go chasing rabbit trails again, lol. The conference was good though. If you ever get a chance to see Amanda Crabb and her husband, Aaron; I highly recommend you see them. Run. They are awesome.

I didn’t have time to take pictures like I wanted but I did get some screen shots of some the clothes I am wearing. So here goes....

I could not find the exact one online with the navy stripe on the arm like I have but this is the same sweater from AE.com. Absolutely the most comfortable sweater ever. Love love love. 

These Levi Skinny jeans are wonderful as well. Sits at mid waist and the length is regular, which sometimes is a little long on me but these were good. I bought I size 4 and they seem to true to size. Oh and ladies, these stretch. Belk.com

This is top I purchased from JCP. You know I love Penny’s! It’s just a plain a.n.a. top not too tight, comfortable and you can dress it up with some statement jewelry. I wore a size small. They have 4 different colors. jcp.com I believe this was on sale for $12.

P

I do like a puffer vest. I tend to get chilly and this is perfect without having to wear a full jacket. This is from belk.com. Kim Rogers size small. Three different colors, sizes S and M.

I hope you enjoyed the post today/tonight. I really appreciate you taking time to stop by. Please leave a comment and sign up for the email to get your updates when I post. I would love to hear from you

Blessings,

Dawn

Stepping Out in Faith

Hey everyone!

I happe you all have had a wonderful Tuesday. I am actually working on this blog from my hairstylist’s chair! I know, crazy huh?

I wanted to talk to you today about the weekend I just spent with 13 amazing women. I am still in awe of all these women. Still trying to process all of what I seen and heard. Mind you, these are women I do not know on a close personal level. One of the ladies I only met a hand full of times.

Let me explain.....

I am a Beauty Guide for LimeLife by Alcone. So are all the women I was with this weekend. We all are on the same team in one form or the other. Our Senior Director was kind enough to invite us to her beach home for a weekend retreat. You know the kind, workshops, team building; that sort of thing. So I done something I NEVER do. I went to a place where I didn’t know anyone personally. I said this year that I was going to be bold. Bold in my faith, bold in my intentions and bold in my relationships. And that’s what I did.

There were women from all over NC. Different backgrounds, different stages in life, mothers, mothers to be, newly weds, ones going thru hard times, cancer survivors; oh my word. It was amazing! I’m usually pretty vocal when I’m around people I know, but this weekend I was taking it all in. What I saw and heard inspired me and also broke my heart.

We had a 3 day weekend, everyone arrived on Friday. We munched on pizza and stayed up late getting to know one another. Saturday was full of workshops, lunch on the beach and finished it with a wonderful dinner. Sunday was the best. Everyone got up to coffee and donuts (except me I wasn’t feeling well.) All of us gather in the living room for a devotion and worship and let me tell you girlfriend....the Holy Spirit was moving in that room. I heard stories and testimonies of hardship and struggles. Broken marriages and marriages brought back together. Some are still in the thick of it. Oh the stories and the tears. It was just beautiful. That was exactly what our devotional was on; Beautifully Broken. The woman giving the devotional was in the middle of her “mess” also. But she loved us enough to share her story and most importantly share her faith. I won’t  go into detail on any of these testimonies, they are not mine to tell.  I can say this...these women have more courage and more strength and more love and more faith than any I have ever seen before. I am changed!

I have been trying to process all I witness this weekend. I have never seen a group of women come together like this weekend. I’ve seen a lot and done a lot. Some I’m not proud of and others I am. I am so thankful and grateful to God for this opportunity to meet and share life with these women, even if just for a weekend.

I said all that to say this....you never know what or who you will encounter in this life who needs to hear your testimony or just a simple word of encouragement. If we stay around the same group of people all the time what kind of impact are we making? Are we sharing God’s love with just the people we think need just because we know them. God said to love EVERYONE, to me that means to  love those you don’t know. You cannot love them if you do not get out there and find them.

Step out of you comfort zone and trust God to put you in the path of someone who needs it. I

needed this weekend and really didn’t know it.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment and subscribe by email so you don’t miss a post.

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Dawn

Monday Fitness

Good Afternoon!

It's been a long day. Rain, rain and more rain is what we've had today. Some pretty strong storms also. The weather man is calling for more this week. What do except when it is 70+ in January!!! Oh well, welcome to NC.

Today I want to share a workout outfit and also a workout that I do at home. The workout first. Today I worked on my arms. I should probably go to the gym and get a trainer but I'm just not into that. It may work for some people but that is not my thing. It kinda messes with my head space. Anyway...I'm not going to chase that rabbit today.

The workout I do is really simple. The whole thing lasts about 30 mins from warming up  to stretching at the end. Stretching your muscles at the end of any exercise is very important. I do want to put in a this DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A PHYSICAL FITNESS TRAINER OR EXPERT. CONSULT YOU FAMILY PHYSICIAN FOR INFORMATION ON EXERCISES AND OTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. TO SEE IF YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PERFORM ANY AT ALL.
With that being said, this is what I done today.

Warm Up:
2 times
30 second high arm plank
30 seconds of Jumping Jacks
5 walk out with a push up
30 seconds of butt kicks.

1st set performed 3 times

*Standing Hammer Curl 25x (I used 5 lb free weights)
*Tricep Overhead Press 25x (same as above)
*Weighted Squat 25x (10 lb dumb bell, can also you a kettle bell)

2nd Set Performed 3 times

*Dumb bell peck fly 20x (5 lb free)
*Chest Press 20x (5 lb)
*Dumb bell Bicep Curls 20x each arm (5 lb)

Then I usually just finish off the workout with a few minutes of yoga stretching. I hold each pose for four or five breaths. It turns out to be around 10 minutes of stretching. I do know you don't want to hurry your stretching it will cause you to be extra sore and cramp.

My workout gear consists of a lot of brands; from Nike to Under Armour. Although I have not tried the Fabletics yet. I would love to, please let me know what you all think of it that have those pieces.
 The picture below the tank is from Victoria Secret, size small.  I like it because it fits snug, not tight but it doesn't hang and get in my way
 
 I don't think VS has this anymore or at least I could not find it, but this is what i did find. There are two different colors; Heather Grey and Mauve Chalk in sizes XS-XL. You can also get free shipping using code SHIPVS25 on their website link:https://www.victoriassecret.com/vs/apparel-catalog/victoria-s-secret-supersoft-low-cut-tank-top

 The bottoms are from JCP. (You will find I buy quite frequently from there. I have always like JCP. Just my preference.) They are Xersion Fitted and size small. The ones below are on sale now at JCP.com with coupon code SHOPNOW8. They have two different colors. Black and Coral available sizes are S-XXL. XS is out of stock. Link; https://www.jcpenney.com/p/xersion-womens-high-waisted-slim-legging

These pieces are so comfortable to me, that's why I always buy pieces like this. Anyways, I hope this was helpful to you today. And again, I am no way shape or form a professional about fitness and weight loss. I just want to try and help people be the best version of themselves at whatever size or age that may be. We have to love ourselves first and foremost if we want better. I love my self enough to want to stick around for my children grandchildren and future grandchildren. I cannot do all the things the "young kids" can do but I can choose to get to moving. Whether its for a walk, a jog, a 20 minute yoga session, or simply dancing in your kitchen while you are cooking. Please just move. Your family and loved ones will than you for it, plus you will feel better.


Please leave a comment or suggestion on what you would like to read or something you might want to try in fashion, makeup or healthcare. We are all here to share and learn.

Have a good week.

Love,

Dawn