HNY! New Year, New Beginnings ♥♥♥

*photo credits are mine taken in 2010

Lately i've been thinking about starting a cupcake out of home business.  These aren't my cupcakes i've baked, they're from Frostings in Richmond, VA.  The cupcakes were so delicious, I know I am nowhere close to where they are but i'd like to get some rich good melt in your mouth recipes that'd sell.  I'm not looking to make a lot of money out of it, but for hobby and because I enjoy it. 

I'd have to invest time, money, and effort into it.  I'd need a Kitchenaid too!  But I want to learn the science of baking and all the decorating goodness.  This is just something that's sorta been lingering in my mind. 

Only con?  Taste testing and having to work out twice as much!! 

Starting This Year With a Good Outlook

Sunglasses are from K-mart..Selena Gomez collection lol but they fit well.
Scarf from Forever 21. 

ANYWAYS...

This morning I wake up at 11:00am (that's normal for Keenan and I since we stay up late to hang out with Walley to get some family time) and cook me up my favorite lately, a skillet omelet composed of potatoes, onions, peppers, sausage, eggs, and cheese.  Now why is this important for me?  Because I normally don't eat breakfast at all but and I snap at everything, but I've found I am much more patient with Keenan when I do eat and I don't snack as much at night.  that's a good start..

I'm starting Zumba on the Kinect and I am loving it so far!  I needed a new workout routine since I have no motivation to lose weight for our trip to Florida, but Zumba really gets me going.  It's not the usual clubbing music that you listen to over and over on the radio, no sex lyrics or whatever.  Just beats and bumpin. 

Keenan's words are much more clear now and he can tell me how he feels a lot more now.  I know all kids develop at different paces, but as a mother I am proud of him.  I know I should put more effort into teaching him things but he is now just starting to sit still when I read to him.  Love it. 

We have been doing so great with not eating out anywhere lately!  I always bring this up because we seriously used to eat out at least 3 times a week.  That is a lot of money and most of it was because I needed a break.  I have been working so hard on cooking everyday at least once or twice.  It is tiring but well worth the effort, not to add that it's more healthy because I don't use much oil.  Overall i've been proud of myself for making the effort.  There are a lot of restaurants in this town and it's so easy to get carried away, but I don't care much for any of it anymore.  I just want to stay home most of the time. 

Speaking of Florida, I really can't wait to just be in the presence of Florida.  A part of my heart will always be there. 

A few other things I want to try to do this year is get Keenan potty trained and into a school program for a few hours every other day. 

Why is New Years so exciting to people?  Because they can put any of the unwanted past behind them and look forward to starting something new. 

♥♥♥ Dueba Puffy 3 Tone in Brown ♥♥♥

I am loving these!  I will have to try more colors from this line of Dueba.  The colors advertised seem to be true as stated.  These looks more natural and make your eyes stand out because of the color.  It makes my very dark brown eyes this hazel color.  Odd how it's supposed to be brown but looks greenish/hazel to me.

Just some pictures, enjoy. 

Feeling a bit Offended..

just a little rant.  there's a small chance my husband would ever read this blog, but even if he did i don't care. 

we were talking about his online class that he's been taking and he has to write a lot of essays, and i jokingly asked him if he wants me to write a paper for him and he pretty much responds something like NO because i write a lot better than you.  yes i don't capitolize my letters and take time to correct my punctuations on blogger or mostly anywhere else, i haven't been in school for years and the only time i take my time with writing is if i'm taking it seriously. 

seriously though, who does he think i am?  a dumb nut?  ugh, it's not easy having a child period.  i'm the kind of person who likes to concentrate on one important thing at a time and right now it's keenan.

a few things i think about from time to time are the chances i was given to do things with my life.  i know i have let a number of teachers down with my poor decisions i've made, and to think of how they saw great potential in me. 

so why am i offended really?  there are times when i feel like my husband is more in love with the idea of me verses really getting to know me for me.  :/  i said feel, not i know. 

A Better Me - Getting Regular (bathroom wise :P)

Being the clean freak I am and always washing my hands consistently, I know that it's not that easy to get so much bacteria into my body..even the good kind.  As a matter of fact I just read an article talking about how antibiotics makes people fat.  I can believe it truly.  Without good bacteria in the body, we get sick faster and our digestive systems don't work as well because there's not much to help digest the food we eat. 

I researched a few things about probiotics and have tried a few of them.  Key things to look out for our the ones that need to be refrigerated, and acidophilus.  I tried a cheap I mean really cheap acidophilus tablet and I broke out into rashes, then I tried Philips Colon Digestive Health probiotics and those honestly really didn't do much for me. 

With these chewable wafters from American Health, I know that it'll be an instant thing and it tastes good.  I take about 2-3 of these a day before/after meals.  I usually take them before meals especially in the mornings to get things going.  I am really starting to notice that I am going more frequently now verses 3 times a week and having a really hard time. 

Another thing that really helps is that I watch my carb intake because I know that backs me up.  I know a lot of women deal with IBS and probiotics are good for you.

Step 1 to a Better Me - struggling with dark armpits (gross i know)

One thing i've always struggled with are my armpits every since I hit the teen years.  I think I genetically got it though because my sibblings have it too.  I've tried papaya soap and it didn't do anything but dry out my skin.  Then I found this youtube video (i'll share the link at the bottom) and it gave me hope.  I've been trying it out for almost 3 weeks and I have definitely seen an improvement!  If you decide to buy this, use it everyday after you have showered and toweled off, then rub vigorously - not a lot though, just enough. 

I'm starting to feel like I can finally move on with life, especially with the acne going away.  Little by little i'm starting to shine through a lot better. 

here's the link:  http://youtu.be/LpSL8lDHIHg

Trying to get a part of me back.

sigh*  i love being a mommy and wife, i really do.  but i know i've lost a lot of my interests and who i used to be, now that keenan is getting a bit older and more independent, i feel like i can finally "improve" myself.  i have gained some weight back (sucks i know) but i am determined to live a healthier life. 

the hubs and i have barely dined in at any restaurant since we've been back and i am so proud, not to mention how much money we are saving.  we are planning to go to florida in april so i am definitely working on losing the weight, but not only that but because i am sick of having this extra weight on me. 

i'm taking a birth control that is working well for me and it's controlling my acne.  i hardly ever break out and i am ever so joyful for it.  i can finally work on getting rid of the scars and wearing less foundation.  honestly though, i'll always wear some form of powder/foundation on my skin because i hate being shiny.  it does feel good to not have to look into full coverage foundations anymore, i know i prefer that coverage but it feels good to not have to worry about another pimple popping up. 

hubs has been running twice a week or more and it's motivating me to workout.  my hair is growing and keenan is learning so fast.  not to mention not having to be scared of being pregnant all the time. 

i am determined to just make a better future for us even if it means being a slave to the kitchen half the day to prepare meals so we dont have to eat out.  i'm all about preparation when it comes to cooking so it takes a lot of time. 

♫ Baby It's Cold Outside ♫

I've never had apple cider before, but I LOVE it!  I'm going to get the regular kind next time though, the fake sugar in this makes me hungry afterwards..eek!  BUT, i love the smell this makes when it's made with hot steaming water. 

Can't Help It If I Love Being A Girl ‼ ♥

Oh yes he did, a sweet Christmas present!  All of these polishes are pigmented and a good formula.  Two coats give me complete coverage.  The only downside about this is that they aren't named on the bottle, just on the box.  i LOVE! ♥

Pulled Pork 10 Hour Slow Cooker

2lbs of seasoned boneless pork shoulder roast 10 hours later in the slow cooker...

and everything pulled apart so easily..YUM

I ♥ Sigma's Synthetic Kabuki Brushes!

Christmas sorta came early, but never the less I love that my husband thought of me! 

These brushes are awesome, today was my first day using the round kabuki brush to apply my foundation and I actually had extra foundation left on the back of my hand because the brush was so dense it didn't soak up much foundation.  ♥!

Hollister's Yoga Leggings Don't Fail Me

A quick review:  These have a tight folded waistband that keep it in place.  I personally don't find these leggings to be a *ahem* camel toe problem issue, and these do make your butt look good :) 

Cinnamon Apple Muffins, and giving Thanks

Cinnamon Apple Muffins by Duncan Hines :P

I just wanted to bake these to make our home smell yummy! 

ANYWAYS, giving thanks.  Recently I was in a situation where I wasn't living in my own home for about 2 months.  Now that i'm back I am thankful for so much. 

I'm thankful we don't live upstairs on top of another family, because if we did i'd go nuts constantly having to tell Keenan to be quiet. 

I'm thankful for being able to have space!

I'm thankful for netflix streaming, sounds gay I know but we got rid of cable and Keenan absolutely loves that he can choose what he wants to watch.  We're saving a good $60/month and i'm not looking back! 

I'm thankful that my friends understand who I am and that we don't need to call each other everyday just to stay friends.  While everything might not be exactly the same, our love for one another is still the same.

I'm thankful that after what i've overcome these past few months, my body is still in tact.

OF COURSE, i'm thankful for my husband and son.  I don't need to explain much, but that they are a part of me always. 

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

93/7 Ground Turkey

Two cans of Tomato Soup

1 can of Hunts tomatoes for Chili

1 can of black beans

1 can of pinto beans

3 1/2 tbsp of chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

dash of allspice

1 medium onion chopped

3 cloves of garlic chopped

salt for flavoring

*optional: cayenne pepper for spiciness

Directions:  Cook the garlic and onion first, then add turkey.  In the crock pot, add in the rest of ingredients, mix, then add turkey.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours (doesn't matter)

I'm pretty impressed with this recipe, it's super flavorful.  I must admit I was pretty scared at first because I haven't made chili in years and I wasn't sure what the outcome would be.  I think next time i'll add in some chopped green bell peppers and corn in it.  Try it, it's simple and you won't go back to buying canned chili.  I stored some in a tupperware in the fridge, and freezed the rest.  It's great for a warm winter meal.  It puts your spices to good use :)

Where Has Time Gone?

My baby is getting so big :( 

One of the Reasons I Love Forever 21

Scored a cute beret in my favorite color (light beige pink).