Tag: Pretty Girls Rock

Middle Me

Middle Me

by Ranada ♥ 10 Comments

I have a confession: I haven’t been to the gym at all in 2011. I know. I know! What the heck right? Not only have I been wasting money, but I haven’t been focused on my health as I should. And what am I doing? I know I gotta get fine for two summertimes–ours and S. America’s in November! (Well, methinks I’m already fine–but I definitely need to maintain my sexy.) So before I get into what I need to do, I’ll share what I have been doing.

I have taken the Dress Challenge seriously–last week I wore a dress every single day (partially to make up for the week when I didn’t wear one at all because it was so cold and rainy). I’m on #3 for this week today, and I’ll likely wear a casual dress tomorrow to the Natural Hair Show (which I’m so excited to attend). So on the very outside, I’ve stepped it up a notch. I’ve taken time to apply makeup most mornings, wear accessories, and just do a little more than look decent.

On the very very inside, I’ve been working on managing my energy–redirecting anger instead of lashing out, praying, making positive reminders about who I am and whose I am. I’ve added to my life a little aromatherapy, scheduling relax time for myself and sticking to it for the most part, stuff like that. And I’ve started an active search for a new church home, so that’s exciting as well.

So just in time for May Day (shout out to the lady who thanks God for slavery because she was saved from being in Africa worshiping a tree, triple side eye and a back hand slap), which really just signifies that the earth is fertile again because of the increasing presence of the sun (I wish I could join in with the folks planting gardens but I don’t have a green thumb. :-/ I’m still thinking of attempting to start a container garden on my deck, but we’ll see what happens. Eek.), I need to work on Middle Me. My physical health. Not the very outside or the very inside. Here are some things I plan to implement.

1. GO TO THE GYM and get my money’s worth, lol. I also am going to do this cross fit training thing. I think I’m going to do that to start me off, really get me going and back in the habit (ain’t it amazing how our habits really define us at the end of the day??). I have at the very least spent longer walking Smokie than I used to, so that counts, right? 🙂

2. Start back doing hot yoga. It ties the inner me to the middle me. While getting centered, I also work on flexibility and balance. Some things that both inner and middle me need to get down pat.

3. Drink more water! I definitely don’t drink enough water, and there’s no excuse. It helps with skin, hair, and overall health. So… I’ll be right back. Lemme go get a glass.

4. Ok, I’m back. (I really did go get a glass of water. 🙂 ) A health guy at this smoothie place my friends and I visited a couple of weeks ago told us that we really should get in the habit of eating breakfast like queens, eating lunch like princesses, and eating dinner like bag ladies. (Ok, he didn’t say it exactly like that, but that’s the NadaJo interpretation.) I’ve done that ONE day since he told us that. LOL But I do need to start. He also said we need to eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up… It’s been almost 2 hours since I woke up, and I still haven’t gotten breakfast. Don’t worry, I’ll go downstairs and grab a bite when I wrap up this post.

5. I’ve been cooking (and grilling) a little more, but I want to amp that up too. I actually want to get back to my 2007 days when I made everything from scratch so that I could be extra vigilant about what was going into my body. You have no idea how much more vibrant I was, and I lost like 2 dress sizes in the process!! I’ve done it before, so I know I can do it again (but I need to ease into it, lol).

Since I haven’t shared any music in awhile, here’s the Beyonce “Move Your Body” video for First Lady Obama’s Let’s Move campaign!

Well, happy Friday, folks. Make it an extra great day!

Pretty Girls Rock

Pretty Girls Rock

by Ranada ♥ 13 Comments

Hi, lovelies,

This morning I came across a Facebook invite that had an immediate impact.
The PRETTY GIRLS ROCK “DRESSES” Challenge will start
Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
Mission:
1. We will rock dresses and cute shoes (flats and heels) like our mothers & grandmothers at least THREE (3) times a week.
2. We will reject the impulse to throw on jeans, jogging suits (even the cute kind), & dress slacks.
3. Exchange our revelations and thoughts throughout this challenge.
4. Invite a Friend(s), Take Pics, & HAVE FUN.
5. Everyone is WELCOMED to participate.
6. Exceptions: Flattering Dress Suits with nice accessories are allowed.
7. If you have a blog share it with your followers. 

Let’s bring back:
*GLAMOUR. *GRACE. *CHARM. *FEMININITY. *PRISSYness (is that a word?) and most of all BEAUTY.

Pretty Girls Rock Dresses Spring/Summer 20-11 Challenge.

So of course, I was (as usual) rummaging through my wide array of garments to figure out how to stay warm at 8 am without getting too hot at 3 pm. Usually, I just look for what I don’t have to iron, but because of this piece of awesome encouragement, I was reminded that it’s never too much to put on a dress.  And of course, wearing a dress requires jewelry and makeup, too things that are usually optional or minimal in the morning. Just needed that one boost to give me the energy and motivation to do more that “throw something on”. I’ve already gotten a couple of compliments.

My grandma and Uncle Lonzo

It’s actually pretty funny, though, because my mom loves to tell me when I’m at home that I need to “show em what I got” — i.e. pamper myself in the mornings and always look my best–even when I’m about to get on the highway. I overlook that last scenario, but I am getting a little better about not just throwing on some jeans and showing up at a meeting without even lip gloss. I still wear my jeans and slacks (I mean I never just look completely busted–but I don’t always look A+), but I may be a little more intentional in my jewelry and a little more concerned about my makeup–never overdoing it, but definitely ensuring that I bring out my natural beauty with a couple of highlights.

It’s also funny because some people think I overdress.  Maybe it’s that extreme thing about me. I generally either do it big or not at all.  I do adore getting dolled up, but it hasn’t been a daily thing for me.

When I think of my grandma Neva (y’all know I always have to get sentimental!), I think of her dresses and ultra yet subtle fabulousness. I literally can’t remember one time where I saw her not looking like a million bucks. From her clothing choices (some of which I wear now) to her hair styles to her jewelry and makeup, it was clear that she was a woman that took pride in herself and took care of herself. In that spirit, I do resolve (as I did last year as a 2011 goal) to wear skirts and dresses a little more often and to make sure I devote time to myself, pampering and primping to make myself feel and look like a million bucks.

Thanks to Dearroka Winfrey for reminding me that being feminine and giving my pretty some shine is never too much. Just in time for the spring!! Happy warm days!