The Final Update of my 26th Year

It's been a month since my 27th birthday!!!

A must read from last year's birthday: 26 Things I Learned in 26 Years

I love setting goals and accomplishing things on my "to-do" list or things that I have never accomplished before. I think we ALL should do this, in order to better ourselves.

_______________________________________

Last year's goals: 26 before 27.

1. I lived in Kentucky my WHOLE life, and can you believe that I haven't done the Bourbon Trail. The majority of the distilleries  are only 45 minutes from my house. 97%  of ALL bourbon is distilled near Bardstown, Kentucky aka the Bourbon capital of the world. When hubby comes back from deployment, I want to do this.

2. No credit card debt! It is way too much than I would care to admit. Still working on it.

3. Purchase both Birchbox and Stitchfix for a month to see if I like it. The more I thought about it, the more IN MY OPINION that it isn't worth it. Paying $40-75 for one item of clothing? No, thanks. I can get at least 20 items that are Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Gap for that at Goodwill.

4. Make it through this upcoming deployment. Almost over.

5. Reach 1000 followers. I almost made it. I'm at 990.

6. Complete Project 366 and make it into a book. I just decided to make my blog into a book again, instead of a separate book. At least twice a month, I post my Project 365 posts.

7. Do a super sexy photoshoot. I plan on doing this later.

8. Buy the iPhone 5. I had an iPhone for THREE years, and then switched to Droid last August (2011). I'll never switch again. It was such a big mistake. ACCOMPLISHED!

9. Put together outfits in real life that I have pinned on Pinterest. I don't have time for that. Maybe later.

10. Meet a bloggy friend in real life. Who wants to come to Kentucky? Sadly, no, and there are quite a few bloggers in my city. We should get together.

11. I don't want my thighs to touch. Haha. I'm working on being strong and muscular and looking like a badass, instead of a size 00. 

12. Put together a vacation fund, so we can keep up with taking a "big" trip (7 days) every year. We don't have a vacation fund, since usually all our trips are paid outright. So, far, I have five trips coming up, maybe seven! I have two in one month!

13. Go to Beaux Arts AGAIN aka one of the biggest, best, sold-out parties ever, and remember the whole night. (Lexington people, you know exactly what I'm talking about!)  This just occurred at the first of April, but I definitely will go next year again. 

14. Get how to shoot WELL and get my concealed carry permit. Planning on doing this when the husband gets back.

15. Pay off at least $3000 of my student loans (from my master's degree). Student loans? HAHA! I'm not worried about paying them off at the moment.

16. Pick an Angel off the Angel Tree at Christmastime and buy what's on the child's list. This can be a goal for this coming year!

17. Buy a pair of Hunter Wellingtons. I'm sad I missed the Groupon or Living Social deal.

18. Send a care package, while my hubby is deployed. Well, of course!

19. Learn to ride a bicycle. (It was NOT for the lack of trying. I tried growing up, when I was a kid.  Once, I didn't get the hang of it, I quit). Still haven't yet.

20. Try five new foods. Yes.

21. Buy a chambray shirt. Not yet.

22. I used to take dance classes for 15 years (ages 3 to 18). I know this isn't the same thing, but I've always wanted to take Pole Dancing. I've heard it is such a great workout and think about how crazy strong you have to be to hold yourself up like they do. I might if I get more upper body strength.

23. Read 50 Shades of Grey. I've had the books on my husband's kindle (haha) for ONE YEAR, but I just haven't got around to reading them. I can't believe I haven't, especially since I need to be educated on it for work.

24. Take a trip with the girls. YES! I just got back. One trip down, four to six more to go!

25. Go to Keeneland in October and/or April.  I haven't been in THREE years, and I live in the city, where it is held. Sadness. For those who don't know, imagine the Derby but it lasts two months out of the year. Apparently the construction was a mess, but I can always go in October with my husband.

26. Blog more about fashion and beauty, since that is a big part of what makes me who I am. Yes, of course. I've even partnered with some cute clothing shops.

_______________________________________

Next week, I'll have my 28 before 28 list, which I am really excited about!

Linking up with:

Just Because with Northern Belle Diaries . 

I'm Addicted to Bikinis and REVOLT update

It's taking everything in me to write a post today, but I just had to do it. The closer and closer that I have been getting to opening night of Fast and Furious 6 and vacation #1, the lazier and lazier I have been getting. There's so much to do, regarding cleaning the house, but I just want to be on the beach already! Soon enough though!

I bought yet another bathing suit, and sometime today, I plan on buying one or two more. I wanted the UK bikini, but they didn't have my size. Sad. I don't know how many I own, but if I had to guess, it would have to be a minimum of fifteen. It's most likely more. I just can't help it, but I don't want to wear the same bathing suit on vacation. Ha!

Last week or so, I picked up this bikini from Walmart. It was less than $5 for the top and same goes for the bottom. There were tons of different colors, so you could mix and match. A new cute bikini for less than $10? You'd have to be crazy to pass that up!

My husband also bought me another bikini (the one posted above) and had it delivered to me. I love how it is pink, but we decided to return it and have me choose a different one. I do like it, but on closer inspection, it reminds me of a lingerie set I have. I'm planning on exchanging for one of the bikinis below, and choosing the Brazilian cut bottom.

REVOLT is going well, except I slacked off last week. Sad face. I usually like to work out at least six days a week, and I probably only did two or three, maybe four. I much prefer working out at night, and sadly I fell asleep earlier and my schedule was messed up (which I don't really care, because I am a night owl anyways). I wished I had worked out earlier in the day, especially when I knew 100% that I could have accomplished it with no issues. Now, I am going to work out earlier in the day, and then a second time at night.

I'm going to pick it back up with my routine, until I go on vacation. One of my vacations is relatively short in comparison to the others that I am taking. Once I get back, I'm going to kick it back into full gear to get ready for vacation #2.

I also hate when people hear that you are working out, you are automatically trying to lose weight. Doing the program, I have lost weight, but that is expected. What do you know? The weight I lost is still off. I'm not half-assing or doing some bullshit quick fix, I'm doing shit that works, and the correct, healthy way. Here in America, people want instant gratification and want things right away and/or don't want to put the effort into achieving it. That goes for anything really. Nothing in life worth having is easy. It takes work.

I am more working out to be be toned, fit, and strong (which obviously losing weight will be a part of that, and then gaining muscle). You know, looking like that I can kick some ass! Instead of people thinking I am some weakling, because I have a small frame. I'm like, I can carry my own bag of 50 lb. bag of dog food, thank you!

via

My Life Motto: Travel Someplace New Every Year

Some may know my life motto to be, Everything Happens For a Reason, hence the name of my blog. However, I've found a quote that I strive to live by yearly and it is from the Dalai Lama.

I'm 27 now, but for the first 24 years of my life, I hardly ever went anywhere "different." I mean I went places, hence me visiting every state and many different cities surrounding Kentucky. In high school, I went to NYC. However, I never really considered myself really actually going anywhere. You know what I mean? It was so seldom that I went to somewhere completely new. In college, I went to Nashville, which was new for me.

In fact, for the first 24 years of my life, I had only been on two vacations. Well, actually one. I went to Nags Head, North Carolina when I was four years old. I didn't go back to the beach until the year 2007 (I was in college), and that's only because I was a Peer Mentor for the Upward Bound Program. I almost didn't go, because some of the people over the program didn't want me to go. Long story. However, I went, so they could have sucked it. Also, in college, I was supposed to go to Spain for two weeks, but the trip fell through, because not enough people signed up. It wasn't even that expensive (in my opinion, especially with what was included. Everyone didn't see it that way). I was devastated. That was my problem. Traveling is relatively expensive. I could never find anyone to go with that was a) willing to pay, or b) liked to travel or c) both.

So, when I met my husband back in 2009, we made it a point to take a vacation every single year. So far, we have been able to do so. I'm grateful that we have been able to, since many people never get to go on vacation. I love traveling, and would much rather spend money traveling than on a bunch of designer shoes and purses, or brand new car. I've been driving the same car for eleven years, so things like that are not at utter importance to me.

Miami, Florida

Grand Cayman Islands

Isla Roatan, Honduras

El Castillo in at Xuanantunich in Belize (less than a mile from the Guatemalan border)

Cozumel, Mexico

In 2010, we went on a cruise for a week to:
-Miami, Florida
-Grand Cayman Islands
-Isla Roatan, Honduras
-Belize
-Cozumel, Mexico

Washington, D.C.

We also went on another trip to Washington, DC (my husband lived there for the second part of his childhood. He is originally from Los Angeles) for a week.
-On the Road Again...
-Confessions of a Shopaholic: D.C. Style 
-Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh My!
-The Mall
-The Mall: Part II
-The Mall: Part III
-The Mall: Part IV
-The Most Recognizable House
-Entourage
-The Natural History Museum
-Love is in the Air
-Air & Space

On our way back from Washington D.C. to Kentucky, we stopped at Luray Caverns which is west of Luray,Virginia. 

-Cave Dwellers

San Juan, Puerto Rico

St. Thomas, USVI

St. John, USVI

Barbados

St. Lucia, WI

St. Kitts, WI

St. Kitts, WI

St. Maarten, NA

In 2011, we went on another cruise for a week (which was also our honeymoon):
-San Juan, Puerto Rico

-St. Thomas, USVI

-St. John, USVI (see more: here)

-Barbados (see more: here)

-St. Lucia, WI (see more: here)

-St. Kitts, WI (see more: here)

-St. Maarten, NA

Manhattan Beach

In 2012, we went on a week long trip to California. I was able to visit a state that I always wanted to, see where my husband grew up, and able to visit family.
-Orbitz: More Hassle Than What It's Worth (Day 1)

-It's Time For Dodger Baseball! (Day 2)

-On the Pier at Manhattan Beach (Day 2)

-"Let the Memories Begin" (Day 3)

-Visiting Family at 6000 Feet (Day 4)

-HOLLYWOOD OVERLOAD (Day 5)

-Rodeo Drive, Visiting Family in Santa Clarita (Day 6) and The Great View From Griffith Park Observatory (Day 7)

-The Los Angeles Zoo (Day 7)

In 2013, I'm going to Myrtle Beach with friends. It's surprising, because where I am from, everyone and their brother has been there, but I haven't. With my husband, we are going on a week long vacation to Cancun, Mexico to an all inclusive resort. Soon after that, we are going on another week long vacation to Denver to visit more family.

Needless to say, I totally agree with "Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." That's how I intend to live my life. Always.

What's Inside My Bedside Drawer?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bedsider.org

What's inside my bedside drawer? Honestly, I don't have a drawer. I have a small table, think end table that sits on the side of my bed. Usually, I keep nothing on it, or on the bottom shelf. Sometimes before going to sleep, I bring my iPad to bed with me, so I can catch up some last minute blog reading or some random internet search. Lastly, I can't forget about facebook. Once I am finished that automatically goes on top on the table, so it will be out of reach for my dogs that like to cuddle. I can't have them eat my iPad like they did my husband's Kindle. In addition to my iPad, I keep my Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, my iPhone 5, and my glasses and its case.

Simple. That's the way I like it. I don't want to have to be rummaging through a drawer to find what I need.

What I'm getting at is:

Right now, 7 in 10 pregnancies among unmarried women 18-29 are described by women themselves as unplanned. Bedsider.org is a tool for women to learn about their birth control options, better manage their birth control, and in the process avoid getting pregnant until they’re ready. Bedsider provides detailed information and compares over a dozen birth control methods making it easy for every woman to find the right method to fit her lifestyle. Bedsider.org offers women unbiased advice on how and where to find birth control and shares news, views, real stories and even a weekly column based around sex and birth control.

Bedsider.org is wonderful because it helps women find out which method of birth control would be best for them. Each women has a preference of their needs (what type, how often, and the longevity). Bedsider.org gives women the information. This lets the woman research her options and let's her do so privately, especially if she is too embarrassed to ask in fear of not knowing.

Personally, I've always been on the Pill; Orthro Tri-Cyclen Lo to be exact. That always worked best for me, because there wasn't any side effects and it is well-known. That was important to me, when I first took it years and years and years ago. I wanted something that had long-term studies about it rather than the "newer less known" methods. Plus, whether single or married, it is important to prevent pregnancy, especially if it is something that you aren't planning or talked about.

• Follow Bedsider.org on Pinterest.
• Create your own Pinterest board titled, “What’s in My Bedsider Drawer?”
• Repin this rules pin found here and at least one Bedsider’s 15 contest images found here from their board titled, “What’s in My Bedsider Drawer?” Be sure to tag each pin with the hashtag, #BedsideDrawer.
• Pin at least 5 additional images to represent your ideal bedside drawer. Tag each pin with the hashtag, #BedsideDrawer.
• Share your board’s URL on the Bedsider’s Facebook page here. Make sure to enter by 11:59 PM PST on May 29, 2013!

Every girl has that beside drawer that holds the bedroom essentials: their Kindle, a pair of reading glasses, sexy lingerie.---whatever fits their personality. No matter what your drawer says about you, there's birth control that will fit right in. Find the best method for your routine and style at Bedsider.org.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bedsider.org.

Candy Colored Skirts

Purchase skirt: here (nude isn't pictured in my collage)

You may remember that I picked out this skirt from OASAP, due to me being a part of their Fashion Blogger Program. I've been a part of it, since February and each month, I receive x amount of money in credits to be used at their store. How awesome is that? I think so. 

My past OASAP post was pretty popular. In face, it is my #4 most viewed post of all time!

I love this skirt and how versatile it is. It can be easily dressed up or dressed down for a more casual look. Plus, not too mention, it comes in 15+ different colors. FYI: I chose the Royal Blue.

The skirt is made of chiffon and it is also considered a mini skirt. It has an elastic band and is of an a-line style. Just so everyone knows, it comes in one size only. One size fits all.

This skirt is actually #1 on their list for hot sale and on their bestsellers list.

shirt: Blue Chiffon Blouse with Twin Patch Pockets and Ethnic Print c/o Chicnova/skirt: Candy Color Skater Skirt c/o OASAP/shoes:bamboo c/o wayfair (formerly known as CSN stores)

You may have seen these pictures before, when I was modeling the shirt I received from Chicnova. I had so many plans to create a new look, but to no avail that didn't happen. It has been cold a few days, rained a lot, and times were I didn't leave the house to go anywhere. I know. I know. Excuses, right? I'm just keeping it real and being honest. This week it is supposed to be in the mid 80s, so it is the perfect time to take more OOTD pictures and to plan ahead with my blog posts.

I better start now, because there is a lot that I want to accomplish in these next two weeks. That's when things get really exciting!

Linking up with:

Just Because with Northern Belle Diaries . Style Sessions with Style Elixir, What I Wore Wednesday with The Pleated Poppy

How to Lose Weight the Right Way and My REVOLT Week Two Results

I'm sick and tired of the media, magazines, celebrities, tv, facebook, and whatever medium you want to choose telling people "how to lose weight fast." I'm not talking about the healthy way, but I'm talking about the stupid shit. You know what I am talking about... Master Cleanse, liquid diet, the Fasting Diet, or whatever nonsense. There's dozens and dozens out there, so take your pick. Those are not healthy. I shouldn't even have to say it, but I feel like I need to do so. Not only is it extremely unhealthy, it messes with your metabolism, can cause you to lose muscle, etc. Once someone goes off a crazy diet like that, guess what happens? That weight comes back, and sometimes more, because it is literally impossible to keep something like that up for the rest of your life. Those are "short-term" fixes, not ways to reach "long-term" goals. I guess in America, people want to take the easy way out and want instant gratification. 

What really gets me annoyed are the people who jump on the bandwagon and think it is such a good idea. I just hate seeing these "lose weight fast" schemes being an inspiration, instead of the people actually doing it the right way. Plus, do not get me started on the bandwagoners that encourage the behavior. It makes me sick. People wonder why eating disorders are prevalent.

Losing weight and/or working out isn't rocket science. 

Hmmm... what a concept that is.

Sorry, but the celebrities or whoever follows this nonsense isn't an inspiration. I think if you want to lose the weight, do the work. There isn't a quick fix.

I don't know about you guys, but the weight I lose, I want it to stay off.

Before starting the program, I wish I had bought body fat calipers, because we were supposed to, so we would know our body fat percentage. I looked up online and saw GNC had them. I went to the store, and they said that they didn't have them. They told me to try Dick's, and they were completely clueless. Bless their heart. They then told me to go to GNC. Then one of my friends told me she bought them at GNC (you know the one that said they didn't have them). I knew I should've looked myself and not took their word for it. GNC, you should know what they are based on the type of store and products you sell. I was so annoyed, so I just went home.

I've ordered the body fat calipers since then, and hopefully they will come in soon. This will definitely show fat loss and lean mass.

Body fat calipers are crucial. What I am getting at is that you can weigh the same, but look completely different. This is based on body fat percentage, and why the scale doesn't necessarily matter. You can also gain weight, but it not necessarily be fat. It can be muscle, because muscle weighs more.

For example:

The creator of REVOLT, Nichole Huntsman. She is a mother of four, and has even competed in fitness competitions. (Picture on the right was six months after her first fitness show).

Completely different, right?

FYI: You can also gain weight, but it not be fat. You could be gaining lean mass, but still losing fat. This is why it is crucial that you use body fat calipers. FACT.

Now to my REVOLT fitness week two update...

I have been working out 5 to 7 days a week (taking rest days aren't bad and are actually a good thing!) Anyone can do REVOLT, the moves in the videos have level 1, 2, and 3. You can also do an extra set of all the exercises, if you are more advanced. 

In the cardio videos, there are seven moves, and each move is done between 10-20 times. Then you repeat all of it, three, four, or five times, depending on your level. In addition to cardio, we also do upper body sculpt and lower body sculpt. but on different days. On cardio days, you can do sevens instead of the video, which is in the packet under "accelerated results."

Here's how sevens work, and boy, is it a good workout!

12
123
1234
12345
123456
1234567

Rest

76
765
7654
76543
765432
7654321


P.S. That's a total of 650-700 moves!
_______________________________________________

Results:

Start of Week One

Date: April 29, 2013

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 127.4 lbs

Start of Week Two

Date: May 6, 2013

Weight: 123.6 lbs

Loss of Weight: 3.8 lbs

Loss of Inches: 3 inches

End of Week Two (post was written on Friday)

Date: May 10, 2013

Weight: 122.8 lbs.

Loss of Weight: 0.8 lbs

Loss of Inches: 0.5 inches

Total Weight Loss: 4.6 lbs

Total Inches Loss: 3.5 inches

As you can see it works!!!

_______________________________________________


Past REVOLT Posts:

-I'm Starting a REVOLT
-I'm Disappearing...
-Changes Brought to You By the Letter 'F'

Have I convinced you yet? Do you want to be bikini ready? I know, I do!



Linking up with: 
#YOLO Mondays with Lipgloss and Crayons, Monday Morning Gossip with Join the Gossip, Monday Mingling with One Haole Girl

Not Your Average Milspouse Post

This isn't your average 'Milspouse' post. For those who don't know, today is Milspouse Appreciation Day.

A lot of people, especially newer followers, might not now that my husband is in the military or even currently deployed. It just isn't something that I choose to blog about. To me, it doesn't define me, or our lives. I don't really blog about the deployment, because there really isn't much to say. You know what I mean? Plus, if I did, I couldn't give any information that would be in violation of OPSEC.

We talk and message everyday, and even if we didn't, I still don't think I would blog about it. I'm not saying anything about people that do, because if that's what you want to do and how you deal, that's cool! I totally respect that. When I first started blogging on blogger, about 90% of the blogs that I first started following were milspouses. I even still follow them to this day. I'm just saying, I just choose not to blog about it.

This deployment is almost over, and I think it went by pretty fast. Just being honest. I didn't follow any mantra or advice, because I just continued to live my life. I'm a very independent person. I always have been and always will be. Even though, I sometimes spent time at the house, it wasn't because I was sad or depressed, I just liked watching television, spending time with my dogs, blogging, DIY projects from Pinterest. 

I don't believe in throwing a pity party. Again, I totally get everyone has bad days and gets sad and deals with things in whatever way. The beauty of the world is that everyone doesn't deal with situations exactly the same. What I don't like is people that assume that because you aren't crying 24/7 and out living your life, you don't care. Ummm...

I just like to have a positive outlook and attitude in all aspects of my life. I totally understand that people deal with things and handle situations differently. I'm just speaking from my experience.

During this deployment, I:

-Made a "get rid of all credit card" debt plan, and continued to stick to it!

-Finished my gallery wall in the living room.

-Revisited my love of Goodwill.

-Discovered new shows (to me) and went to the movies with friends. 

-Started my own business.

-Became closer with the girls in our businesses.

-Ended my 101 in 1001 list, and started another 101 in 1001 list.

-Invested in a remote for my DSLR, and took more OOTD posts.

-Met a new group of people that would be my best friends that I spend time with every week. 

-Hung out with old friends.

-Partnered with several amazing clothing and beauty companies. 

-Planned several trips and vacations for the year (so far, 5 to 7 are on the books!)

-Got to participate (and still currently doing it) in an AMAZING fitness program. New post coming up later today!

Even if I don't say it, I am still proud of my husband and proud that he is in the military. I also don't think I'm some strong, extraordinary woman. I'm a woman who happens to be married to a guy in the military. Plain and simple.

All I am trying to say is, I don't let the title of "milspouse" define me or our lives. I'm me. Even if for some reason that he decided to get out (which he isn't), I would still be me.

Changes Brought to You By the Letter 'F'

I'm making lots of changes around here. The majority of changes are related to fitness and finances; the two Fs.

1. I use the app, Credit Karma, which you also can access online. It allows you to check your credit score, other information on your credit report, your debt etc. It also has a credit simulator and will estimate your credit score based on scenarios (pay off debt, take out a loan, file bankruptcy, apply for another credit card, etc). I've been using this since I saw the commercial for it back in December 2012. It works with the three major credit reporting bureaus (that's where the information is coming from).

Since February 2013, my credit score has went up 28 points. 

I posted it on my facebook, and people have asked me how to increase their credit score. Basically, the only things you can do to increase your score is pay off your debt (on time or altogether) and time. Time is one of the things that will heal your credit score. I also had three hard inquiries on my report (applying for a loan, credit card, etc). These stay on your report for TWO years. As of March 2013, I have ZERO, which also helped raise my score.

I fully realize, like I said earlier, that time is one of the only things that can help your credit card (It can also hurt you, if you were to not pay your debt or be late), but I have a goal about where I want my credit to be come December 2013. Based on the simulator and setting high goals for myself (paying off debt), I want my credit score to increase at least another 50 points. Since setting that goal, it increased that 8 points. Now, I only have 42 more points to go!

2. Instead of reiterating everything from the past couple of days, you can read my past fitness posts below, and read at your own accord.

-I'm Starting a REVOLT
-I'm Disappearing...

I'm going to try hold off with my stats, until my official post on the week on Fridays. Sometimes I can't help it, because I get excited that I see even more changes after I post about REVOLT on Fridays. Eeek! I'm taking weekly pictures, along with measurements, but I won't be sharing those until the end of the sixth week!

Just so you know... There is only 45 days until summer officially begins. Are you ready?


Linking up with:
{too cute} Tuesday with Kenzie and Megan, Just Because with Northern Belle Diaries, Anything and Everything with My Thrifty Chic and The Sapphire Bee, Random Wednesday with Because Shanna Said So, Wednesday Walkabout with Pursuit of Poppiness, Scattered Shells, G.I. Joe's Wife, Handling with Grace, Wild Card Wednesday with Hooah and Hiccups