summer faves.

share time.

with the end of summer quickly approaching...waaa! i found it most appropriate to share some of my favorite things this summer. i love all of these items, so they are listed in no particular order.

1. Advocare Products

I started using Advocare products on a daily basis and have loved all that I have tried. I won't ever give up coffee 100% but i have surely cut down my intake by leaps and bounds. The spark is a great product for energy without the jitter or crashing effect. I started using Catalyst which helps maintain muscle during exercise and weight loss. It goes great with the Spark. I love spark in the Watermelon, Citrus, and Mandarin Orange flavors. Yummmmmyyy and healthy! If you're interested in trying some too, visit my site. https://www.advocare.com/130723839/default.aspx

2. Ulta Bronze Tinted Self Tanning Suncreeen SPF 15

This product has been amazing. It has an SPF 15 and a tint so it can be applied daily or when you're ready for fun in the sun. It is reasonably priced and right now they are running a special BOGO 50% off. I highly recommend this product. However, if you're using it just for the tint...you could be disappointed. It didnt tint as well as I had thought. But I loved the sunscreen part and the fresh fragrance of this product.

3. ESSIE White Bright Pen

Using this pen on dry and clean nails, it brightens up your natural nail look. In just seconds, my nails had immediate shine and brightness to them for the summer natural look. I got mine at Beauty Brands on clearance for $4.50. Quick and Easy must have for a natural manicured look. 

4. Altar'd State at Zona Rosa

This store is amazing. It is what I would call a Christian Boutique filled with almost anything you could think of. Candles, Signs, Jewelry , Clothing, TOMS, absolutely anything. Their prices are very reasonable and their products are amazing. It is a perfect store to find the perfect gift for ANYONE. 

5. Loafers

I can't wait to wear my new loafers this fall. I found mine at Nordstrom Rack for an amazing price and they are definitely something that will stand out amongst the rest. I have my eye on a few other cute pairs from Target & Dillards as well. Best of all, they are so comfortable and sophisticated.

6. Mayeblline Baby Lips

This is the softest product I have found. It is light and shiny! It comes in many different colors and they are all fabulous. 

I know this isn't the most exciting post, but I love sharing great product for great deals. What are some of your favorite things this summer?

never.say.never.

[new adventure.]

i have never been the healthiest person. i won't deny that i don't love hot wings, french fries, and chips and salsa...but it was a day at the end of 2012 where i was exhausted, unmotivated, and just tired all the time. 

yes, diet is important. but i am 27 wishing i was still 24 and shouldn't be drained all the time...shoot, i don't even have kids yet!

i remember a good friend and coworker a couple years ago suggesting i try a product by Advocare called Spark. she said she was able to replace Spark for her daily sodas and it was just what she needed to get through the long days of teaching and also provides healthy vitamins and minerals. 

i never tried it. the sample sat around. 

fast forward to Jan 2013...i had committed myself to a healthier lifestyle. i don't want need to be skinny. i want to be healthy and thats all that mattered. 

i committed myself to hitting the gym 3-4 times a week and watching what i was putting in my body. this included sodas and coffee. in march, i decided i would drop it cold turkey. 

my body his a stage of detox with terrible headaches and it was then, that i realize just what all this fake caffeine was doing to my body.

i called my good friend and ordered a canister of Spark. Spark has replaced my daily sodas and though, i will never give up coffee for good...i can say that i don't drink it everyday...it is more of a treat and i drink smaller portions when i do. 

i have seen a change in my energy and focus levels. i am not drowsy or exhausted. i have the energy i craved to enjoy this beautiful life i've been given.

..which leads me to my next part...after much thought, i decided i wanted to share my love for these Advocare products with others...

last wednesday, we started a new journey. we have officially become Advocare distributors; in hopes, that we can share these wonderful products with others. 

{cheers to new, healthy, and energetic journeys!}

join us!

check out the products and stories here.

https://www.advocare.com/130723839

email me, call, or Facebook if you'd like to try samples of the Spark {in delicious Mango Strawberry} or SLAM. 

{no more m.i.a}

updates...

the thing i absolutely love most about summer  July is that i get to spend everyday the way that i want. no worries about whether today is sunday or thursday or if i need to work the next day. i simply go with the flow and take full advantage of each day ive been given. its crazy but you dont realize how much time is spent planning, doing, going, and being so busy during the school year that you forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. 

so my simple pleasure today...updating my blog. 

because, i dont care there is laundry piled in our closet or there's no groceries...because i have all the time in the world {for july} and i can get to whenever i please. aaahhhh....

its relaxing and comfortable. 

{may}

may was a great month. i finished up wrapping up my 4th year of teaching. one of my friend's introduced their sweet baby boy beckham into the world  on may 23rd and summer was just around the corner. 

{june}

june was crazy busy and i loved every moment of it. 

i started teaching 1st grade summer school. {praise you teachers of the true elementary age. you are truly saints. i was lucky to make it a mere 20 days and i don't know how you do it, but god bless you.}

much of early june was planning final touches for our 2nd annual golf tournament. 

june 12, my dear friend jeni and her husband brandon, welcomed a sweet baby girl named Zoey into this world. 

june 15 in general was a busy day. 

NEDA just so happened to be sponsoring a walk in here KC, and it being my brother's birthday...we truly felt like it was meant to be. it was an amazing and humbling experience being out there with our family and so many other people that have had their lives affected by eating disorders. there were so many emotions that day. excitement, sadness, motivation, worry, fear...it was just a really neat day. 

on brandon's 21st birthday {june 15, 2011} just a few months after he went to be with Jesus, my family and i started the tradition of releasing 4 balloons on his birthday. 3 white and 1 blue. there is something calming and heart wrenching about this tradition, but i love it and will never stop doing it. this year, we released our balloons at the walk site instead at my parent's house. 

after the NEDA walk, ryan and i made the trip to the lake for his family reunion. it was wonderful to get away just for a day. 

june 20 - my teammate of 4 years and close friend caitlin and her husband joe welcomed a handsome baby boy into their world. Calvin is already a ladies man. 

june 22 was our 2nd annual Brandon Jacques Classic. we had a new venue this year and everything turned out fabulous. we had 135 golfers and were surrounded by family and friends who not only love us, but love Brandon too. we are so grateful for each of those people. we look forward to another great event next year. 

{the tournament deserves a post of it's own with pictures..coming soon}

it's not much and it's not exciting to everyone, but thats what i've been doing the last month or so...now that i have a little bit of down time...im hoping to stay caught up a little more. 

what is your favorite thing about summer time?

love,

h