Motivational Help---

Take a moment today to remember or say a prayer for those lives that were lost or affected

by this tragedy and make a promise to never forget.

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Just sharing some quotes I printed out and have around the house this week to keep myself going...continue on this path to get healthy physically & mentally.  Sometimes seeing one at the right moment just gives you that push or lift you need.

The Burgundy & Browns!

Fall means fall colors found in fashion and frankly I love it.  

I love the deeper, darker colors that fall brings...hey they look good on everyone and make you look slimmer...bonus & bonus ;)

Oxblood, grays, dark browns and deep navy seem to be the trend this Fall and I love them all.  So I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds in oxblood burgundy, browns & grays (and a few I've ordered too).  

Sole Society Bag

This bag combines both oxblood and chocolate brown colors.  I love the flared out sides and its not too big...if you go to the site you can see it on the model for sizing. And at under $50 its a pretty sweet deal too. (yes it is coming home to mama here in VA hahaha)

GET 20% off at Sole Society using this link:  http://www.solesociety.com/invite/link/index/id/11722388/type/2/

Lush Roll Tab Shirt
I have a few of these shirts...shhh....Alexa calls them my signature shirts hahaha. But they are so comfy and light and can be dressed down or up depending on what you want.  I just got this floral version and I adore it.  It has some burgundy in it so I'm going to pair it with a dark burgundy tank underneath, jeans and my riding boots.

Clarks Flats

Love the deep color of these flats and they are by Clarks so they are sure to super-comfy too.

And the bow and trim make a nice touch too.

Chocolate Brown Sweater
I have a few of these blousey cardigans and I love them...great material and easy to layer.
At $42 each they are a good buy and quality made...I'm adding this chocolate brown one to my collection.

Burgundy Pearl Earrings
These lovely freshwater pearl earrings would be GORGEOUS with any of the fall color clothes.
Elegant and stylish and a bargain at only $12 on Etsy!

Clarks Women's Mission Zelle Boot

I am a boot girl...my fave part of the cooler weather months is wearing my boots.  I have quite a collection but I wear them all the time and just love them.  I've been looking for some gray boots since last year and found these by Clarks and loved the style...I got them from Amazon and they fit perfectly and were a great price too at $58.

These boots at Sole Society in navy are sweet too!

Clarks Burgundy Boots
These boots are on my Christmas wish list for the hubs...I love the style and mix of leather and suede..and the gorgeous color too.  But at $150 they are pricey, but so purty ;)

Hollister Ponte Jeggings

I like any kind of pant that starts with "PONTE"..its super soft and stretchy..how can you not love that right?  I have a black and gray pair that I love to death..I mean I LURVE them ;)

These are from Hollister and are in that oxblood/burgundy color (they come in navy too)...they will be cute paired with a gray tunic sweater I have and those gray boots.  Or dressed up with heels and a silky black top. Lots of options with these and only $25 online. (and they sit at your normal waist so no bum-crack allowed)

Essie "Skirting The Issue" and "Partners In Crime"

Of course you have to polish your nails and toes for fall too right?  I'm going with my fave Essie polishes and these two are perfect to match up with the fall colors.  The pics above look a little lighter than they actually are..they are much deeper when you actually see them in person.

Skirting the Issue is a deep burgundy...Partners in Crime is a chocolatey brown.

**remember check Amazon for Essie products..usually $3-4 cheaper*

Burgundy Blouse

Beautiful burgundy blouse from Nordstroms that would be great to pair with jeans or dress up with heels and a skirt.  And best part is...its only $38!

Infinity Scarf

This scarf would look great for this fall with the browns and burgundys...love the pretty floral pattern on this.

Gray Cargo Jacket

I have this jacket in the army green color and yup...I love it.  Its not too heavy so its perfect for for fall and those in-between weather days.  It also cinches a bit in the middle so you can make a nice silhouette.  And hey cargo jackets are really in style now...but this one is classically styled so it will be able to be worn for years.

Sam Edelman Riding Boots

Riding boots are always in style no matter what year it is.  I have a pair of boots very similar to these above...had them for over 5 years and they are still beautiful and so comfy. The dark brown color is both flattering and works with everything.  I bought these this year Sam Edelman Penny HERE for my new boot of the season...I wanted a lighter camel color to change things up now and again.  They are an investment but the quality is great as long as you take care of them...brush the suede, use a water-resistant spray on them and clean them off well before putting in closet.  I have 2 pairs of Frye boots that are some of my most fave boots ever...they are very expensive but they will resole them for you and they wear fabulously too.  If you want a boot that will last for many years you have to invest a bit more money for them.  I buy my boots to last and wear the heck out of them during the cold months.

What's on your MUST-HAVE FALL fashion list??

Take It Alllll Off.....

I know...I've heard it many times...you look fine, you don't need to lose weight, why would you think that, you are being silly.  While I appreciate the kind sentiments, I know myself that something has to be done..and soon.  I have to lose 24 lbs and I need to get my health straight and I need to bring down my cholesterol levels (which are higher than they should be) without meds.

It may not be easy to see in pics on Facebook but I've gained a lot of weight since surgery and treatments..the meds I was on didn't help me any either.  And I've been stressed and upset and eating poorly. And because I haven't been well I've not been very active either.  When you are in constant pain and exhausted it kinda puts a hamper on exercising.  So I have to get myself together...I'm 40 and I feel like CRAP!  I don't want to feel like crap anymore, I want to have energy again and I'm sick of not fitting into my pants too...that'll make you real mad every morning.

So this post is to hold me accountable in a way.  I'm not good at dieting or limiting myself so I'm not calling it that or doing that diet mindset...its a GET HEALTHY plan and STAY HEALTHY plan.  I'm allowing myself 2 cheat foods a week in moderation..for me I need them and it adds motivation to get to something good for me each week too. May not work for you but it works for me.  I'm incorporating paleo foods, weight watcher recipes and trying to get rid of all the sugar and processed stuff.  I got lazy this summer with so much going on and it was easy to just grab the "crap" and go...but no more of that stuff. 

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So starting today I'm mapping out each week's meal plans and putting recipes on my Pinterest board.  I am also adding a link in case you want to check out the recipes I add each week...some are tried&true and some are new. I like healthy, good food with lots of flavor..so its just a matter of planning and making it happen. I can be lazy during the day and just not eat...not good for my kind of metabolism..and leads to me sometimes snacking too much late in the evenings. 

 LOSE WEIGHT RECIPES PINTEREST BOARD HERE

I also ordered a Fitbit One Wireless to track my movements...I'm very competitive so I'm hoping this keeps me moving regularly as it tracks me every day. I spent a  lot of time reading reviews of all four fitness bands and this one seemed to be what I needed...it clips on or you can slip it in your bra/pocket. I didn't want a band for myself so that's why I chose this one.  

I'm also using 2 apps to help keep myself organized and accountable for everything....both are free...Map My Fitness and Lose It (both work with the FitBit).

And to help with stress I'm going to be doing Beginner Yoga on YouTube and some Blogilates twice a week as well.  And the usual Jillian Michaels & Tracy Anderson DVDs too...my goal is to do a video 5x a week with regular walks added in.  I have to start out slow...24-35 min workouts because of my health and slowly build stamina. I can't jump right in hilly-nilly...so bare with me.

So at the end of every month I will add screen shots of my progress and what weight has been lost.

I will also share my meal plans if you are interested in trying some new recipes too.

So here I go....anyone going with me??? 

LOL!

Here's this week's meal plan if you want to see it (double click to make larger) and the recipes are on my Pinterest Board Link above.

Don't Fight The Fall....

FUN FALL IDEAS 

I like Fall, I really do....I just wish it didn't lead into Winter...that's why I also hate Fall.  I am not a winter lover as you all know and it just makes me sad when I know its right around the corner.  And given the cooler temps we had in August, I'm kinda scared that winter may be here sooner than I'd like.

But I've started dragging out my fall stuff from storage and will get the house decorated a bit next week.  So I thought I'd share a few new & fabulous ideas I've seen around the web with you all...in case you needed to shake the summer sand out out of your shoes too ;)

Most of these are easy to create and inexpensive...certainly good things with all those fun fall and school activities on the calendar...oh and FOOTBALL!! (and pennant race baseball)

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Love this idea from Better Homes & Gardens...drill some holes in a real or faux pumpkin and fill with fresh fall blooms or silk blooms.  Would be pretty to do this with a bunch of different sized pumpkins and group them on the stoop or on a table.  Think I might try this......

www.thatswhatshesaid.net

Easy, breezy way to incorporate some fall into your home.  Buy some candles in different sizes at the Dollar Store, wrap with some scraps of burlap, faux leaves and twine...then group together on a pretty platter.

{via}

LOVE these floating cheesecloth ghosts.....easily made with some starch and bottles and wire.

Might have to try this too....stay tuned....

via BHG

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Duct Tape a pumpkin in fun patterns

via beadandcord.com

Love fun decorated pumpkins outside AND inside...so many different versions to create!

Via Pinterest

I love me some Christmas trees and I LURVE the idea of this fall tree...would look fab in my dining room. And those owls are too cute....fallish but not creepish..perfect to leave up thru Thanksgiving!

Love this idea using my favorite mason jars....paint 'em up white, distress and then stencil with letters.  Easy & beautiful!

{via}

These would be SUPERcool to make...look a bit more involved but how cute are they??

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Have some extra wood laying around?  These are perfect for scrap pieces of wood and so whimsical to add to your fall decor.  You could even hit up Lowes or Home Depot and ask for some scraps that they have laying around...usually a lot of them are triangular shaped too.  Then paint and distress...easy & inexpensive..nothing better.

A super easy way to decorate your doors....would be cute with FALL as well.  Hobby Lobby & other craft stores have large wooden letters pretty cheap...spray them in fall colors, wrap with twine or other ribbon and add a fun burlap bow.  Or buy it on Etsy and support a local crafter.

tutorial here

And my own DIY Metallic Pumpkins from last fall...in case you missed it!  Easy to create and use every year with faux pumpkins and some metallic spray paints!

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Yup another mason jar project...I couldn't resist...how cute is this??

Perfect for a desktop or gift for a great teacher...I LOVE IT!!

Might make this for my niece who just started her first teaching job!

FYI:  MASON JAR PAINTING tutorial for the OUTSIDE if you need one here.  You can also paint them from the INSIDE, see here.

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And last but not least...fall pallet signs...I love them...the more rough & distressed the better.

Don't have a pallet...attach a few boards together or pickets..distress and paint and ta-da!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!