Eight Pee Emm I Hate You

Eight Pee Emm Sucks! 8:00pm is exactly the right amount of time away from supper that you get the muchies, but too close to bed time to eat without feeling guilty. 8:00pm only offers chips, dips, candy, salt, sugar, or empty carbs… or all of these. 8:00pm sucks! I loathe you 8:00pm.

I can usually go the whole day on track and doing what I should be dong (or at least half assing it), but as soon as 8:00pm hits those craving come in full swing. The worst part about it? I’m way too tired to just keep my strength up and not give in. But too proud of my youth or flickering youth to just go to bed. Like I could sleep when those cravings come! So, I eat a dollar’s worth of five cent candies. Okay, okay, it’s more like three dollars’ worth.  Urgh! Not every night, but every night I wanna. Where does this even come from? Once again proof that food, especially sugar in my case, is addictive.

Today is scratched, gotta start clean tomorrow and that’s about all you can do. That and curse 8:00pm and everything you do to me

I Went to the Pool and I Took My Stretch Marks With Me

I did something I never thought I would again, I went to the pool. Why I never thought I wouldn’t go there again has nothing to do with my like or dislike of public water, I know that’s an issue with some. My issue with the pool is my issue with my self-image. The kids have been asking for a while now to go, and I even got Baby Farrah a swim suit which she grew out of before I grew the courage to take her.

I decided on Friday I was no longer going to let how I feel about myself hold me back from doing something. So, for lack of a better and more accurate saying, I said “screw it”. Bought the next size up swim suit for Farrah, and took the kids to the pool. I’m not there to pick up men or to impress other women or to enter Miss Hot Mama Swim Suit Edition. I am there to enjoy the splishing and the splashing and the laughing. Also, to experience Farrah’s first trip to the pool and FYI- she loved it! Not only did she love it, she stayed in for two hours without a peep. I thought that was so impressive the next day I packed up the kids and we went again, for another two hours.

Think of all the things you are missing out on because of fear. I’m not talking about anything dangerous like jumping out of a plane, which I would never-ever-ever-no-way-not-for-a-million-bucks do. Just in general. Have you ever skipped out on an evening of fun because you were having a “fat” day? Or didn’t stand-up and speak your mind when you saw an injustice? Or didn’t return your under-cooked chicken because you didn’t want to upset anyone? Why are you putting the most important person in your life (that’s you) second or third or even last? Don’t you deserve to go to the pool in your bathing suit? And if someone stares and gawks (which they won’t) shouldn’t you then hold your shoulders even higher and show that it doesn’t bother you? You deserve to enjoy everything in life without worrying about what other people are thinking.  I mean really, what are they going do? Excuse me lady, you have far too many stretch marks and cellulite for this pool. Hellz no! Plus, I'm pretty sure stretch marks help you be seen from the bottom of the pool if you are drowning and cellulite makes you float... But don't quote me on that. lol

Mother's Day New Appreciation

Farrah is 6 months old today! I know! where did the time go? It’s hard for a mom to see her little baby grow up and I can only imagine how much harder it gets. Each day she gains more skills and needs me less and less. Don’t get me wrong she is nowhere near independent and she is nowhere near not needing her mommy, but every time she learns a new skill I have mixed feelings. Excitement about how smart she is and how amazing it is to see her eyes light up when she does something so minimal yet so monumental to her. Then there’s sadness that she is getting so big and time is flying by. Makes you realize what your mom went through and gives you a new appreciation for her strength.

I will be reminded of this Sunday, Mother’s Day. I may be celebrating, or hopefully getting super pampered, as a new mom but I will be doing so thinking of my mom and all the emotional struggles she had raising my brother and me. Though you’d never know it by looking at my mom, she keeps a tough shell, I’m sure I broke her a few times. Mind you by the time I finally moved out I think she was pushing me out the door and rolling out the floor plans to turn my room into a sewing oasis. She did make sure I knew there was always a bed and a fluffy pillow for me, which I laid my head down on more than a few times, for more than an extended stay.

Thanks for everything Momma, I understand. (and this big girl will always need her mommy)

So you ask, what's been keeping me so busy?

Keith Urban’s Days Go By has been playing on repeat in my head lately. I didn’t intend to put aside or forget or neglect my blog for the last two months, it just kinda happened. So I apologize to my followers, I will pledge to try a lot harder in the future. When I started this blog my goal was to do at least 2 posts a week plus The 30 Beauty Project. Well, I have definitely missed that goal, by a lot. I will let you in on what’s been occupying my time and keeping me so busy.

A lot of you know I am a new mom to a beautiful-growing-too-fast-six-month-old girl and that is a full time job on its own. Some of you may also know I am a fairly new wife, married just over a year ago, to Chad, and that is also a full time job. Many of you know my husband has three kids from a previous marriage, so I am also a step-mom to a 10, 8, and 6 year old. Two girls and a boy. Just over two months ago the three of them came to live with us, a full time job plus overtime. I am not complaining, not in the least. When you have a relationship with someone with kids there is always the possibility that the kids will live with you. In our case, there was always the hope they will come to live with us. Keeping course with the rate of Chad and my relationship the kids came very suddenly.

One evening Chad received a call no parent ever wants, it was from the police department in the town the kids used to live in. Chad is a speaker phone junkie and always talks on speaker, so I overheard the convo. The police said “Mr. Colbourne? Are you the father of such and such and such?” And that’s when your stomach explodes into the fit of angry butterflies. More like little caterpillars crawling and gnawing your insides. You let out that gasp; you know the one, reserved for only the truly horrific life events. The cop quickly says “the kids are alright” (you should’ve opened with that) and goes on to explain what happened that evening.

I’ve thought about it long and hard and wrestled with my mind and I have decided I will not go into detail on what exactly happened. Since working in the media, I am very aware of the consequences of putting that kind of information on the internet, and I don’t mean for myself, I mean for the kids. I believe everyone should be given a second chance, even if I don’t believe they deserve it. Everyone should be given the chance to apologize and figure out a way to put their life back on track. And publically embarrassing someone, which is what it would also be and although I think they deserve it, really would worsen the situation, not make it better. I hope one day apologies will be made and the kids can forgive, and have a relationship with their mom. I would never want to embarrass the kids in anyway, though they did nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. I also didn’t give out their names, though people who know us can kinda put two and two together. Also, people who know us already know the full story. Sorry to those curious minds that don’t, I just feel this is the right thing. So let me just say the kids were removed from the house by social services and placed in our care. We have since gone to court and have been awarded custody.

So as you can imagine, I have been quite the busy mom. Now that things have settled some and routines have been put in place I can devote time to this blog once again and I intend to. Thanks for sticking it out. If you’re new, thanks for checking it out, I hope you come back. And if you like what you read click the “share” buttons below and share it on your favourite social media sites.

A final, most important note, So many people have helped us over the last two months, we really don’t know how to begin to repay all your love, generosity, and support. Thank you is not enough, though I hope the smiles on the kid faces makes a dent in the repayment.

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 12

I was in the middle

There was no pictures of girls in the middle

Age: 30

Occupation/Passion/What do you do? Stay-at-home Mom

What would you tell your 15 year old self about: (Answer all or as many as you like)

•         Beauty your outer beauty will change over time, as long as you always about to find something true and pure about yourself you will be beautiful.

•         Fashion is not as important as you think, right now it’s all about what you’re wearing to fit in, one day you will learn to fit in because of who you are or that fitting in isn’t as important as it was when you were 15.

•         Boys keep a sense of humour about them and remember they feel just as shy and awkward as you do.

•         Love the first cut is the deepest, you’re right that you never experienced anything like this before, but you’re wrong if you think you never will again or that it will never be better or bigger or stronger or more true and pure

•         Men are just like boys, keep a sense of humour about them and remember they have just as many insecurities as you do.

•         Sex it’s okay to be curious but I cannot stress enough about how you will regret it if you are not ready. You can’t take it back and it will be life changing no matter what.

•         Family learn all you can, they are there to teach you and help you travel through life. They are the one constant in your life that will always be there.

•         Friends will help shape your life and are there for a reason, to help you grow and learn. The good ones will become like family and the bad were there as background players for a reason and a lesson.

•         Body Image you may not be able to see anything positive about yourself at 15 but soon you will grow into yourself. Keep your shoulders high and proud no matter what.

•         Fitness keep playing and having fun and you won’t even notice what you are doing

•         Nutrition help mom in the kitchen and learn a little. You’ll thank me in college when everyone else is eating KD and you’re whipping up a delicious and nutrious meal.

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?

My youth was gone. And it may be. Now I feel like I’m on a new journey and a new chapter. Hopefully with less drama

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

Beauty is so relevant, what’s beautiful to one person can be ugly to another. As long as you believe you are beautiful doesn’t it matters if anyone else does. You are the observer.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?

No matter what I always get ready in the morning. Even if I have no where to go, it makes me feel like I did something and I can take on the world. I can be spontaious if someone drops by or I want to go somewhere. I am prepared.

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

She is the complete opposite. She can lay around in perfect satisfaction in here PJs and she does it without seeming lazy.

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? No I felt my big sister got all the attention and looks

Age 15? Nope, still jealous of the big sis

Age 20? Yes, finally discovered myself and what I was great at and broke out of her shadow, which was never really there and in my head all along.

Do you feel you are beautiful now? Yes

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as?

I’ve always felt I didn’t look like the girls on TV or in magazines. My hair wasn’t perfect, it was curly and messy. My clothes were perfectly pressed, they were hand-me-downs. I wasn’t tall and thin, but I wasn’t big either, I was in the middle and there was no pictures of girls in the middle

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty?

I hope she learns she doesn’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations and she doesn’t have to compete with anyone. She only has to live for herself and what makes her happy.

Click Here to fill yours out

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 11

Believe in yourself

you deserve good things, including being beautiful

Age: 30

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Photographer

What would you tell your 15 year old self about:

•         Beauty believe in yourself and you will believe in your beauty

•         Fashion have fun now because soon enough it’ll be comfort over fashion

•         Love you’re too young to fully understand, but you’ll never believe me if I told you

•         Family as much as you think you hate them now, they are the only ones you can truly trust and the only ones who will be there no matter what

•         Friends come and go, but the good ones stick around

•         Body Image goes hand in hand with self-image. You won’t have a good self-image if you don’t have a good body image. Find something you love about your body and work from there.

•         Fitness won’t be found in front of the TV, go outside a little. Play some sports

•         Nutrition so hard to understand; wish they taught it in school.

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?

That I was now longer young, fresh, and relevant. I still feel young

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

Maintenance and confidence. If you let yourself go, you will. You have to care enough about yourself to take care of yourself. That comes with confidence. Believe in yourself and that you deserve good things, including being beautiful.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself? The family my husband and I created.

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself

Her smile and confidence

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? I was always told I was beautiful and always felt like a princess. I’m not sure I knew what that meant beyond being told that

Age 15? No, I was a late bloomer and all the other girls had had boyfriends and first kisses already. No boys seemed to care about me.

Age 20? Yes, but now I see it was for the wrong reasons, I was very vain then.

Do you feel you are beautiful now? Yes, I’m not as vain as I used to be. I see beauty in different ways now.

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? Probably my late 20’s after things stopped being all about me, when I had my first baby and realized he was what was beautiful about me.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty? I don’t have a daughter but I hope to teach my son how to treat girls and women properly. I don’t ever want him treating girls the way I was treated by boys when I was a teenager and the way I let myself be treated when I was a young adult. I want to teach him respect and equality.

Click Here to share your story

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 10

I started being more fearless

I told myself every morning I was beautiful until I believed it.

Age: 30

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Administrative Assistant  

What would you tell your 15 year old self about: (Answer all or as many as you like)

•         Beauty will fade, define yourself in other ways

•         Fashion have fun and try new things while you can

•         Boys don’t take them too seriously

•         Love will feel so intense the first time because you never felt that way before but try to keep your head level

•         Men should not be any of your concern right now

•         Sex not everyone is doing it and even if they are, that doesn’t mean you should. You’ll know when you’re ready, don’t push it. And trust me you’re not ready at 15

•         Family you can trust, believe that

•         Friends real friends will be there good or bad and you won’t have to work hard to keep them around

•         Body Image your body will always change and never look the same, go with the flow. Don’t stress over changes

•         Fitness is so important, find something you love and is fun and stick with it.

•         Nutrition if your body doesn’t work your life stops. Fuel your body with the best. Treat it like you would a brand new car

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?  I worried that once I hit 30 it meant I was too old to go out to a bar, too old to date, too old to switch careers, too old for school. Basically, too old. But I’m doing all those things. I’m going to school part-time, I go out to the bar, meet men, date. I may be a slow starter but 30 isn’t really that old.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

Believing in yourself and that you’re beautiful is more powerful than any make-up or surgery

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?

Last year I started being more fearless, I signed up for school and started putting myself out there to date. I started trying and got off the couch and out of the funk I was in. I smiled more and tried to meet new people and men. My life isn’t even close to over but I was treating it like it was never going to begin, I had to put the effort in to start my life.

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

She’s got it figured out. She has the family, the house, the dog and the job. She seems so confident and makes it look easy.

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? Yes

Age 15? No

Age 20? No

Do you feel you are beautiful now? Yes

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? I worried about that so much when I was in my early 20’s and I never could find my way. I never looked like anyone in the magazine and I couldn’t relate to any movie stars. I had to stop trying to live up to the old man, who picks the models, expectations or lust. I told myself every morning I was beautiful until I believed it.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty? If I have a daughter I hope she learns beauty isn’t everything and that’s the biggest secret in the world that no one wants you to know.

 C'mon have some fun, here's the questions fill 'em out CLICK HERE

Go On, Treat Yourself Like a Kid

I’ve been making Baby Farrah baby food with The Baby Bullet, which is amazing by the way. The commercials are very accurate, and I would recommend one. Anyways, I’ve been happily making Farrah’s baby food and got to thinking, why don’t we eat as well as we make our kids? And even beyond that, why don’t we treat our bodies as well as we treat our kids?

Ever really think about that? We make sure our kids eat all their veggies, we limit their treat intake, and they don’t get snacks if they don’t eat all their food. We ensure they have well-rounded meals, three times a day and healthy snacks along with some fun ones once and a while too. We make them go to bed early on school nights to make sure they get enough sleep and aren’t grumpy the next day.  We tell them to go outside and get some fresh air and exercise. We limit their TV, gaming, and internet time and we also make sure they read every day.

Maybe us moms should challenge ourselves, try it for a week. If you wouldn’t let your kid do it, you don’t do it. If you feel like eating a bag of nacho chips at 9pm, (did that last night haha) ask yourself, would I let my kids do this? If the answer is no, put the bag away. Make your dinner plates to replicate theirs, and eat all your veggies. When the homework is done after school, join the kids outside at the park (and don’t just sit on the bench) or maybe kick the soccer ball around. Try going to bed early for a week, and read for 30 minutes before bed. Limit you TV, gaming, and internet time to the same amount you allow them.

Phew! This is gonna be tough, think I can do it? I don’t know if I can, but I’m gonna try and I’ll let you know how it goes, that is if I don’t use up all my internet time on creepin’ Facebook.

The 30 Year Beauty Project: Week 9

Believe in yourself, have confidence, and listen to your gut

There’s no way advertisers or shows can capture what is truly beautiful. It’s a feeling, not a look.

Age: 30

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Stay-at-home mom

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?

That I would become irrelevant, I would no longer be part of the “young” crowd and I would become out of touch and out of style.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

Believe in yourself, have confidence, and listen to your gut.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself? I’m not scared in front of a crowd and my eyes

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself? She’s the best host I know, she shines when she’s throwing a party, dinner, family event, etc

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? I don’t think I cared or knew either way

Age 15? No, does anyone? I was so awkward then

Age 20? Yes, I met my husband that year and he had a lot to do with building my confidence

Do you feel you are beautiful now? Most days, sometimes I feel pushed to the side with my kids. But I have to tell myself when they shine or excel it’s because of me and my parenting (and my husband’s lol)

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? When I was pregnant with my 3^rd kid and my body was as resilient. I was never ever to bounce back like the first two and the last one was definitely the one that shook me the most. I wasn’t able to confidently show off my stomach like some pregnant women do and what was the trend the 3^rd time, the bump pics. I haven’t been able to wear a bathingsuit since let alone a bikini. I’m dreading the summer. But this year I’m going to just do it.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty? It’s not about what tv or internet tell you. There’s no way advertisers or shows can capture what is truly beautiful. It’s a feeling, not a look.

 CLICK HERE to join all the fun

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 8

30 is not 'that' old

If I'm as fantastic then as I am now, it's only going to get better from 30 on!!

Age: 29

Occupation: Wife/Mother/Photographer

What would I tell my 15 y/o self about:

Beauty: Don't allow looks to overshadow inner beauty.

Fashion: Who cares what a person wears? I didn't then and don't now and my life is far from over because of it. :)

Boys: Try not to allow your life to revolve around them. This one 'may' be a hard a one, but trust me...there are far more important things in this life then trying to get a boys attention.

Love: Love your family & friends. They're the ones that are there for you throughout your life.

Body Image: Everyone is beautiful no matter what body type they have. It's the attitude they have that allows them to be beautiful or not.

Fitness: Super Important!!! Stay fit!! You only get one shot in this life and the healthier you are, the better your chance at enjoying it is.

What do I dread most about turning 30? You know...the more I think about it, the more I'm warming up to the idea. At first I was terrified and kept thinking, that day I was going to hide in my bed with a gallon of ice cream and cry! The closer it looms though, the more I realize how silly that is! 30 is not 'that' old and if I'm as fantastic then as I am now, it's only going to get better from 30 on!!

Best lesson I've learned about beauty? "Don't judge a book by its cover". I've realized that some of the most beautiful (looks-wise) are the most horrible. Beauty definitely should NOT be defined by looks but instead by actions and attitude.

What do I consider beautiful about myself? I think my most beautiful assets are my compassion, loyalty and drive.

What do I consider beautiful about my best friend? I think my best friend is beautiful because although she falls repeatedly, she gets back up and continues to strive to be a better person.

Did I feel beautiful at: 10? I'm not really sure I fully understood this term, so I'm not sure how true my answer would be.

15? No. Definitely did not because I cared too much what other people thought of me. All those things I would tell my 15 y/o self, I sometimes wish I would've followed my own advice.

20? Maybe not entirely, but I was definitely on my way to discovering my confidence.

Do I feel beautiful now? Absolutely. I feel confident in myself 'most' of the time and I really could care less what people think! I live my life for myself, my husband and my kids and that's all I could really ask for.

What do I hope my daughters learn about beauty? I really hope that my girls learn that they ARE beautiful and to not ever let anyone tell them different. I hope they are confident and honest and true to themselves and that what people look like doesn't define who they are.

Join the FUN! CLICK HERE

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 7

There is absolutely nothing you can see or touch that makes you beautiful.

 The prettiest girl in the world is the one with the most confidence.

Age: 30

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Bank Teller

What would you tell your 15 year old self about

•         Beauty one day you’ll look back and laugh, it’s not what you thought it was. Beauty is a smile and confidence, not the latest trends, makeup and hair

•         Fashion is much easier when you are 15, have fun

•         Love there is no way to confince you that love, everlasting, forever, is not possible at 15 so just go ahead and fall. The heart aches will teach you more than anything class.

•         Sex the consequences are endless and it’s just not worth it.

•         Family will always be there no matter what, even if right now they seem like the enemy. They are secretly your only true ally

•         Friends are something you have to work on but the good ones will always be there

•         Body Image so many things about your appearance will change over the years, work on your soul and you outter image will come

•         Fitness it’s so much easier to lay in front of the tv or computer but so much better to get out and get active. Find something you love and stick with it.

•         Nutrition  is so important, your mom doesn’t force you to eat your vegtables as some kind of weird torture.

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?

That I wouldn’t matter anymore, I give a lot to my family, especially my kids and more and more I feel myself slipping away. My wants are smaller and more insignificant. I feel as I get older I can’t be selfish anymore and some times that part of me needs to come out. I want to matter.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

It’s not about your clothes or your shoes or makeup or hair. There is absolutely nothing you can see or touch that makes you beautiful. The prettiest girl in the world is the one with the most confidence.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?

The family I am raising. My girls are beautiful and every achievement they make I know I had a part in it and it makes me feel accomplished and beautiful.

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

She’s fearless and always says what’s on her mind.

Have you had a moment where you realized beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as?

Probably around the time I had my first daughter, when I was 25. My body changed so much and so did my hormones. Everything I did couldn’t counteract it and I lost a lot of my self-confidence. I put a lot of stock in my appearance and had to learn a very harsh life lesson, that everything wasn’t about me and I had to find a new way to view myself and find a new worth. I realized it wasn’t about outter beauty and found a way to be confident again. A lot of that had to do with raising my daughter and teaching her things and finding things we both enjoyed. When my second daughter came, I was 28, it wasn’t as big as a shock and I hope I can pass on a different way to look at yourself to my girls.

Join the FUN! CLICK HERE

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 6

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman with brains

Never stop learning, keep developing your skills and open your mind and heart to new things.

Age: 31

Occupation/Passion/What do you do? Teacher turned Stay-at-home mom

What would you tell your 15 year old self about: (Answer all or as many as you like)

•         Beauty knowledge is beauty, nothing more beautiful than a smart confident woman so keep studying lol

•         Fashion experiment and have fun while you’re young cause one day you’ll have too little money and too much body to wear whatever you want

•         Boys Danger! Danger! Haha stay away

•         Love first love yourself, then love others

•         Men Again, danger! haha

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30?

Not having what everyone else had. Not having the house, the 2 cars, the dog, the cat, the cabin for summer with the boat. The quad, skidoo and everything else. But it’s not about that, and it took having a child at 30 to realize that.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman with brains. Never stop learning, keep developing your skills and open your mind and heart to new things.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself? Everything, I know I’m beautiful, I believe it and I wouldn’t change a thing about myself.

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself? She has an amazing ability to capture an audience. When she walks into a room everyone wants to talk to her, know her, and be her. She is radiant.

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? Yes

Age 15? Yes

Age 20? Yes

Do you feel you are beautiful now? Yes

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? When woman are asked to be thin and blemish free rather than smart you know there’s something wrong with the media. We push clothes and shoes and hair products on woman when we should be focused on education and building a females confidence through knowledge.

Join the FUN CLICK HERE

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 5

There is only 1 person who’s opinion matters when it comes to beauty, yours.

Age: 32

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Office Manager

What would you tell your 15 year old self about: (Answer all or as many as you like)

•         Beauty isn’t as important as personality

•         Fashion find what fits and works on your body

•         Boys are just boys. And sometimes men are boys.

•         Love you won’t believe it but you are waaayyy too young to understand romantic love

•         Men you should not even be concerned with this at 15

•         Sex you should not even be concerned with this at 15, but you probably are. Learn as much as you can and if you must, be safe and be aware of the realities of the consequences.

•         Family one day will be your best friends, but they are probably your enemies today. Try being nicer, you’ll regret the mean things you say and do one day.

•         Friends the good one or ones will be around forever, the sooner you realize who they are the better

•         Body Image find some way to be happy with the person in the mirror. Body image isn’t as important as public image, be a good person.

•         Fitness stay active, stay active, stay active!

•         Nutrition you’re not told to eat your vegtable to be annoying, there is many good reason for it. And milk, and fruit, and grains, etc etc etc.

What was the one thing you were scared of when you turned 30? That I couldn’t have fun anymore, young party life was over and I had to become a boring mom

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

There is only 1 person who’s opinion matters when it comes to beauty, yours.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?  My imperfections

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

Her imperfections

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? I don’t think I cared

Age 15? I don’t think I understood, I was in a very awkward stage

Age 20? For all the wrong, superficial reasons, yes.

Do you feel you are beautiful now? For being smart, funny, kind, generous

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? When I looked around a waiting room at the women there and not one looked like the woman on the magazine. Trying to live up to that is exhausting. Try looking more like the woman next to you than the woman “above” you.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty? You’ll be exposed to so many different types of beauty, concentrate on the type that makes you feel good and lifts you up.

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Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Aspirational Clothes Bringing You Down?

Anyone else out there have Spring Fever? The weather has been beautiful for the last few days, the snow is melting, +5 feels a whole lot better this side of winter than it does the other. I gotta tell ya, I can sense the re-birth happening all around, the school kids seem happier, the animals seem frisker, the air seems fresher, and the house seems… well the house needs some sprucing. It’s called spring cleaning for a reason. There’s a whole list, about five arm lengths long, on different projects and needs for our house, as I’m sure is the case at yours. Here’s the one that’s bringing me down the most, The Aspirational Clothes. Everyone has at least one item, probably more like 6 items, in their closet that they just cannot get rid of, it’s waaaayyy too small, but someday, yes someday! You will fit into it again… you can do it, right?

See we call these items The Aspirational Clothes, something to motivate you and for you to look forward to. To help you along with your goal.  Can you just imagine the satisfaction the day you finally fit those jeans again?!?! It’ll all be worth it, you tell yourself. Okay, how about this. What if those Aspirational Clothes are doing the opposite? What if they are bringing you down, instead of pulling you up? And did you ever think by the time you fit into those skinny skinny skinny jeans they’ll be out of style.  

I’ve got a new plan, one that’ll help keep your sanity, keep you on track, motivate you, and de-clutter your house. Go ahead and throw away that insy-binsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-poka-dot-bikini that fit you when you were 14 and never again since. Donate that blouse circa 1993 with the huge shoulder pads and ruffled collar, the 90’s are back…. But not that much. Give up all those “one-day” clothes, let ‘em go! It’s truly liberating and if you have to share a closet this will also help keep the “his clothes are touching mine! Stay on your side of the closet!” fights to a minimum. Okay, so now that you have the satisfaction of de-cluttering the closet, you’re feeling a little lost. Your clothes collection went from “look at all my options” to “I really only have 10 tops?”. C’mon, either way you were only wearing 10 of the tops you had, stop looking at it the wrong way. New game plan, for every pound you lose on your diet or workout plan or lifestyle change, put $10 in a jar. For every inch you lose, put another $5. Once you reach your goal weight and goal size- SHOPPING SPREE!!! (If you have less to lose why not up the price per pound and per inch). So instead of trying to fit into outdated clothes, that totally rocked back-in-the-day, get some new digs that totally rock today.

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 4

It's a feeling, not a look

It's not about how I appear to others, but how I appear to myself.

What are you dreading most about turning 30?

A: The fear of being the only woman I know that doesn't have/or isn't building a family life. Kids, a husband, ect. I used to be the girl that wanted to live in a condo that had a beach view with the dogs, that was married to her career... things have changed.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

A: It's a feeling, not a look.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?

A: My acceptance and understanding for those who have suffered. Also, my laugh!! (Which I used to hate.)

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

A: Her ability to change a bad mood to a great one in .2 seconds.

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10?

A: No. I was overweight, in my eyes, and my hair had changed from a golden blonde to a dirt road brown. At that time, I didn't understand that beauty was more than just the way you looked.

Age 15?

A: To a point. I had lost my baby fat, but still had troubles accepting my "flaws."

Age 20?

A: I loved the person I was becoming inside, but continued to battle with the person I was on the outside.

Do you feel you are beautiful now?

A: More than ever. I understand what beauty means to me now. It's not about how I appear to others, but how I appear to myself. And if I love who is looking back at me in mirror, that's all that matters.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty? Don't have a daughter? What about a young niece or cousin? or granddaughter or daughter-to-be?

A: That beauty is not flaw free. No one is perfect and those little things you wish were different about yourself, may just be what someone else loves about you. Beauty is also not a slim box, but one that is all different shapes and sizes. Be her no matter what any magazine tells her.

Be a part of The 30 Beauty Project, CLICK HERE.
See Week 1, Week 2, Or Week 3

The 30 Beauty Project: Week 3

A smile will take you a long way

Every stretch mark from every child carried is beautiful and should be celebrated more. Every age spot says “I’ve made it” and every winkle says “I’ve laughed”

Age: 29

Occupation/Passion/What do you do?

Self-employed/at-home mom

What would you tell your 15 year old self about:

·         Beauty – smiling brings out beauty more than make-up or clothes ever could

·         Fashion- learn what looks good on your body and what you feel comfortable in.

·         Love feels so intense and real the first time, but trust me it is puppy love. Live your life and find out who you are as an individual before committing to anything

·         Men if a guy likes you he will call you. Women hope men play games so they can maintain some self-esteem, but men do not play games. He will shout it from the roof tops if he is into you. Don’t waste your time playing out scenarios in your head on why he isn’t calling.

·         Sex You are too young.

·         Family Are the only ones who will love you unconditionally, remember that when you feel they are a burden or kick, scream, and swear at them.

·         Friends will change, will come, will go. The best one (s) will always be there, picking up the conversation exactly where you left off no matter how long it’s been.

·         Body Image is a lot different than what TV would have you believe

·         Fitness find a sport that is a passion and when you feel like sitting on the couch remember the feeling you had when you were a kid playing that sport, get off your butt, and go play

What are you dreading most about turning 30?                                      

Not having what everyone else has. There’s such a competition to have it all and I see so many people who do. I like to imagine they are just putting on a show and at home they are faced with crippling debt, bratty kids, and a lazy, mean husband. Is that wrong?

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned over the years about beauty?

A smile will take you a long way. Everyone looks more beautiful with a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eye.

What do you consider beautiful about yourself?

My smile

What do you consider beautiful about your best friend, which she may not know about herself?

Her smile and her confidence

Did you feel you were beautiful at age 10? I don’t think I knew or cared about being beautiful

Age 15? No, I felt awkward

Age 20? Yes

Do you feel you are beautiful now?

Yes, but not in the same way I thought I was beautiful when I was 20.

Have you had a moment where you realize beauty may be something other than what the media portrays it as? Describe that moment please.

I realize now that women are not stick figures with the hair perfect and their make-up flawless. Every stretch mark from every child carried is beautiful and should be celebrated more. Every age spot says “I’ve made it” and every winkle says “I’ve laughed”.

What do you hope your daughter learns about beauty?

The key is in you, it’s your confidence. If you are down in the dumps and can’t find anything to love about yourself, call your mom. I’ll have a million and one reasons why you’re beautiful and you only have to believe one to get that smile back.

If you would like to take part in The 30 Beauty Project I'd love to hear your responses to these questions. Copy these questions and email me theothersideofbeauty@gmail.com or CLICK HERE for more info. I'll never use your name and it's a lot of fun!

Week 1 Responses
Week 2 Responses