Hey peeps!

I hope you have recovered from your Thanksgiving turkey and Black Friday shopping. I'm on a slow recovery process due to the delicious fried turkey a friend did for us. It keeps calling from the fridge.... And I's keep answering lol. As for black Friday, I made a game plan and didn't suffer long in the lines due to planning ahead; which is a small blessing in and of itself.

With all of the talk about gift buying, etc. I began to think back on the gifts I've received in my life. I have been fortunate to be spoiled by my parents as a child and now my hubby. So it's hard for me to  narrow down what I would consider to be my best gift ever. But if I had to pick a recent one, I would say my birthday gift from my husband (circa May 2009). When we had my oldest son in May 2008, my husband began to tease me and give me a hard time about my birthday, because it's also in the month of May; and we all know this month is famous for Mother's Day. He would say something like "We have to skip your birthday if you want a mother's day gift." Of course he never did that. I always received something to celebrate the occasion (dinner, a gift, etc.). He just loves to as I call it, play with my emotions.

This particular year I really wasn't expecting much because we had just come back from a big trip back home and with 3 major events in the month, I was willing to sacrifice for my birthday. My love had other plans. He surprised me with a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas setting sail on the day after my birthday. This gift came as a total surprise and made my heart leap with joy. Coming from a single family with 5 kids my husband isn't big on gifts and gift-giving. So for him to make an effort to plan and execute a gift like this was a big deal. The gift for me was what it took for him to do it more than what he did.

We had so much fun and didn't want to leave the ship... isn't that always the case? A cruise is definitely a fun way to travel. Can't wait until we do it again.


What was your best gift?

In a few years I will be turning 30. Eek! In honor of this grand occasion, I decided to try and complete 30 different things before I reach this milestone. My goal is to accomplish some things I've been working on and to push myself out of my comfort zone. This is by no means a finalized list but here's what I have so far. I will of course update it as I go along by crossing it off and adding the date next to it once it's complete

1. Complete my degree
2. Wear a 2 piece bikini or a monokini
3. Participate as a speaker/seminar presenter
4. Be able to run at least 5 mi a day
5. Go to the Essence Music Festival
6. Record a song as lead
7. Attend a Beyoncé Concert {7/30/13- birthday gift thanks Babe}
8. Complete a volunteer project
9. Run a 5k
10. Take another cruise- 1 week this time
11. Learn to sew
12. Blog everyday for 3 months straight (except maybe on Sun)
13. Lose 45lbs
14. Take a winter vacation to a ski lodge
15. Run the National Mall (in DC) with my husband
16. Learn to snowboard
17. Take a  pole fitness class {Summer 2013}
18. Read 30 new books
19. Start and complete a Project Life Album
20. Do a major home DIY project (like make my own upholstered headboard, or reupholster a chair)
21. Work on my time management. (Be consistently 10-15 mins early)
22. Take a photography class
23. Do something totally out of character {Summer 2014- participated in a radio show 3 times and currently cast in an online web series}
24. Treat myself to a day at the Spa
25. Take a trip with my mom (just the two of us)
26. Stay at a bed and breakfast
27. Start a children's ministry 
28. Own a home
29. Be featured by a blogger I love
30. Guest post at least 3 times

Hey guys!

I'm back with another post of things I'm totally crushing on. Being a stay at home mom and online student I'm always focused on other things. So it's nice to be able to pause and look at pretty things and dream every once in a while. There's no universal theme for this edition of Stuff I Love. It's just all awesome. Enjoy!

1. That Chair

 Here's a picture one of my friend's posted on her Facebook page of her new in home mini studio. She is a christian singer/songwriter and is beginning to focus on her music more. I'm dying for the chair. Just gorgeous! Check out her wonderful music here www.nonajonesmusic.com

2. Nude Sparkle Lips

Don't these lips just scream "holiday goodness"? I definitely want to try this at one of the holiday functions we attend this season.


3. Awesome Dream Bath

via

Don't you just LOVE this bathroom. I absolutely fall head over heels with that shower every time I look at it.

4. Advent Gift Bucket

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Wrap small gifts (ie; Christmas books, games, etc.) and have your child open them each night and do the activity. This is such a great advent activity and I can't wait to do it with my little ones this year.

5. Inspirational Running Shirt

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I've recently gotten back in the gym and I just love this scripture as inspiration to keep going.



Well, that's it for now. I hope you enjoyed checking out the Stuff I Love