Let's get real.

A month away from turning 28...

This year I have learned to spend quality time with people who add to the joy bucket,

rather than take away.

I'd like to thank the following people who have REALLY made an insanely bright n' sunny difference this year.  These people deserve to be acknowledged and maybe my list will encourage YOU to reach out to the people who have made a significant, positive impact in your life this year.

I truly thank you for being such beautiful, intentional loving souls.

THANK YOU to these LIFE TALKERS!!!

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for being so wonderfully, authentically you!

Here is my declaration of thanks!

• Jane Mauss (Mama)
• Ashleigh Hairston (Ashboo)
• Selima Berisha (Selbee)
• Shelley Mauss (Winky)
• Debby Smith (Dooby)
• Stephen Mauss (Dad)
• Trevor Mauss (Treever)
• Stefanie Thomas (Steffy)
• Courtney Moore (Kinkle Fairy)
• Heidi Isaacson (Humbug)
• Shannon Caron (Shanny Woo)
• Kim Berly (Miss Fitness America..)
• Steph Yu (Lucy Liu)
• Kevin Graybill (Telly)
• JL Chiemingo (my sunshine)
• Ginger Saunders (Gingy)
• Silvia Mordini (Silvinia Mordinia)
• Leah Zaccaria (lioness)
• Shasta Brewer (Light)
• Audrey Sanderhoff (Cranio Genius)
• Kelly Stovin (Kiwi)
• Molly Johnston (Majew)
• Sarah Smith (SE Poo)
• Laura Mooney (MoonStar)
• Nicole Perry (Co Co)
• Monica Brothers (Monny Babes)
• Georgeanna Wingate (Georgie)
• Midori Llewellyn (Mindalou)
• Sarah Short (Sabesca)
• Stacey Quierpel (twin)
• Michele Plackett (Michelista)
• Tessa Harrington (Tessie)
• Lindsay Moen (Linds)
• Lauren Cross (hilaurbyelaur)
• Makiah Hogan (Makaprecious)
• Jordan Slaymaker (Jordie)
• Justine Jobe (Justy)
• Jess Goldstein (kulasis)
• Ashley Harpel (Marla)
• Nichole Ohlinger (bestcabintrip)
• Erin McDougall (kapha)
• Alysha Greig (Kalysha)
• Laura Nixon (door)
• Lars Sorensen (Larsi!)

I am so lucky.

Allergy Free Mexican Dinner!!!

Yum to the yum to the triplllle threat of YUM!

Each bite was "oooookaaaaaay!"

"Yesssssss!"

"No way homeslice, this ish is CRAY!"

DO THIS:

• 2 corn tortillas GF (gluten free) from Trader Jo's
• 1/4 can of low fat black refried beans
• 1 slice of rice cheddar cheese (GF, VEGAN)
• Spring mix lettuce
• 1/4 avocado
• siracha

*I toasted the tortillas.
*I put the black beans in a small pan and
topped it off with a slice of cheese so it had time to melt.
CALL IT A DAY! So good. So, so veryyyyy good!

LOVE YOUR BODY!

Celebrate what makes you unique.

Are you curvy?

If so, your waist is probably itsy bitsy.  Instead of focusing on your thick American thighs (hell yea), celebrate your hourglass!

Straight up n' down?

Shorts and mini-skirts look FAB on you!

Thick/Beautifully full figured?

You have the opportunity to wear bold patterns/colors so work it with all that yo' Mama gave ya!

Petite up top n’ booty poppin'

on the lower half?

Rock the tight tanks and pair it with a flowy skirt. 

Cross Fit is NO JOKE!

Molly J. (middle) brought me to her

Cross Fit gym.

Upon entering, I immediately liked the vibe

and hip hop/techno music

pumping through the speakers.

The actual workout was less than 10 minutes and I was DRIPPING sweat!

Cross Fit.

I now get the hype.

Thanks for inspiring me to try something new Mols!

STAY with it or WALK Away??

Walk away when...

You are joyless.

You're more forgetful.

You do everything you can think of,

besides what you're supposed to be doing.

Stay with it when...

You look forward to the day!

You find yourself smiling for no reason!

You look around and all you see are happy people!

5 Tips to wake you up!!

5 tips to bring SUNSHINE into your MORNING:

1. Listen to a song that relaxes/pumps you up depending on what kinda vibe you crave in the mornings!
2. Smile big!
3. Repeat a mantra. For example, "I am beautiful, I love myself, I can do this."
4. Take a short walk/stretch/push ups to get your body ready for the day!
5. Create a morning ritual specific to something you LOVE. Maybe it's a cup o' Joe?  Or it could be treating yourself to a breakfast sandwich?

Starting each morning with something uniquely wonderful

and just for you is the best way to start a beautiful day.

Give Yourself Some Time

I'm reaching the one month mark in my new corporate job.  Last August, I was completing a yoga teacher training, working as a Marketing Representative, freelancing as a promotional model and coming back from a family reunion in South Dakota.  Oh and I had just reunited with an on and off boyfriend.

For the past 4 years, I've been self-employed, answering to no one but myself and wearing whatever I choose for most hours of the week.  I dated, worked, dined and exercised in yoga clothes.  Today, I am sitting in front of a lap top in an indigo, silky top tucked into a high waisted skirt.  The yoga side of me insisted on wearing black leggings under my skirt.  My hair is pulled up in a high bun, makeup is graced upon my face and I've been shaking hands with future employees of the restaurant.  I am single, making my own decisions and not letting anyone or anything hold me back.

CARPE DIEM TO ONE AND ALL!

Chin Up Young Lad!

Keep your chin up in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.  Life rarely goes as planned.  We make decisions and sometimes those decisions feel like we're moving away from our dreams.  Our little light inside our soul gets covered up by gray smoke.  GRAY SMOKE: Every time you quiet your true hearts desire by dirtying them up with "jobs for right now" or staying with a guy/gal because you're worried you won't find anybody else.Clean out your heart tunnel and break free of self doubt.

YOU ARE WORTH IT.

Don't let anyone, even yourself, dirty up your beautiful spirit.  Changes don't have to be dramatic.  You don't have to quit your job, get a new boyfriend or go on a cleanse.  Make small changes to ease anxiety.  If you're struggling to get a job, work on your resume, create a website for free, use every connection you have and don't stop until you get what you want.  Do not settle.
Being grounded and settling are two different things.

I am a lover of spirit.  A lover of connections.  Making people laugh.  People making me laugh.  At the end of the day, what is life without friends, love and laughter?

Advice for the young twentysomethings as I advance into my late twenties...Time is precious.  Happy hours were created for you.  Do what you want regardless of what your parents say.  After a workout, congratulate yourself.  Don't beat yourself up for messing up at work, in life or eating an extra piece of pizza.  Life is meant to be celebrated.  Keep your light bright and if it feels like there's too much gray smoke, change what you need to and live for now.