Mad Men Contest

I need your help! My best friend, Kinsey, has entered a contest put on by AMC's Mad Men and Banana Republic. As a promotion for Banana Republic's new collection inspired by Mad Men they have created this contest where someone could win a walk-on role on Mad Men. People submitted photos of themselves dressed up in their best "Mad Men Inspired" clothes and now the one with the most votes will be considered for this walk-on role. You can vote every day until September 9th.

Kinsey is a Theater Performance major and a huge fan of that era and it's whole style. She has a closet full of dresses from that 60's era. I couldn't think of a better fit. I know that this opportunity would mean the world to her. We only found out about the contest very recently and so I am trying to help give her a fighting chance to catch up in votes.

So, every single day until September 9th get on your computer and vote for Kinsey!
Click {here} to vote for Kinsey.

Spread the word and get to voting!!!

Mad Men
Banana Republic
Contest

The Big 50...

The Big 50 is just around the corner... and I am pretty excited! I'm not talking about a birthday (I'm only 23 for goodness sakes); I'm talkin' poundage. That's right! I'm just two pounds away from having lost 50 pounds since the beginning of my "life change." I started this journey to gain back control of my health in mid to late January and the time has really flown by. Now the weight definitely hasn't flown off, but slowly and surely it IS dropping off. I knew it would take time because I'm not doing anything radical where everything just melts away; but rather, I really wanted to create a new and healthy lifestyle for myself that I CAN maintain for the rest of my life.

I try not to focus on the "Big" picture with the ultimate goal because then it could all seem a bit too overwhelming and even impossible. But, by confronting this challenge pound by pound, it has been possible. Because, hey! I can lose a pound... and then one more... and then one more... and, heck! why not one more?! ...and it's amazing how the math just works it's way out and adds up and up. I still have a way to go, but I'm halfway there and I'm okay with celebrating the little victories along the way.

Weird... I can't believe I just made "Before & After" photos. But this is a good marking point to share some of the noticeable differences. I did my best to find similar photos to compare. The two top ones were both taken in a car, and I'm on the same side; and the two bottom ones, I'm facing the same direction as well. But what I can't show you is how good I feel. I love doing different activities and keeping my body moving. Also, as I've mentioned before on here, I have a really hard time eating vegetables, but I have been working really hard to reintroduce them into my diet and make them work for me. It's been baby steps, but it's working. For example, just last week... wait for it!...I ate an apple! ...and not a cut-up apple with no skins. I bit right into that apple and made my way around it. I know that sounds totally pathetic, but it was an improvement for me. Also, a couple nights ago, we had corn on the cob... and yes, you guessed it! I bit right in and made my way around that guy cleaning it up... And it was DELISH! I'm making progress and I'm not giving up. This is the new me.

Here's to 50 lbs. gone and to the 50 lb. journey still to go.

Amani ya Juu - Nairobi, Kenya

This past weekend I had the joy and pleasure of visiting some friends in Fort Worth, Texas. One of those lovely friends I had the privilege of seeing was my dear friend Michelle, and it has been nearly two years since I have seen her. Two years ago Michelle was called out to the mission field and joined The World Race for about ten or eleven months traveling to a different country each month. And then she went to the G42 Leadership Academy in Spain. You can read more about her journeys and experiences at either of these places: world race blog and personal blog.

All this to say that while she was out globe trotting and changing the world she picked up this beautiful necklace for me. She knows me well. I love a big statement piece.

This piece was made by Amani ya Juu, African Women's Sewing Project. What is Amani ya Juu? - Amani ya Juu means "higher peace" in Swahili. Amani is a sewing and training program for marginalized women based in East Africa. Women from many African nations and cultures are learning to work together through faith in God who provides a higher peace that transcends cultural and ethnic differences. A great cause and I love this necklace. Check out their website to learn more.

So, now I just have to find the right outfit to where this grand piece with. Do you think I can find something like this by Sunday so I can wear it to church?

Maybe I'll just wear a simple, plain top and let the necklace speak for itself. Needless to say I love it and it just makes it even better that it comes from a good cause.

^Michelle and me this past weekend. I had to keep reminding myself it had been almost two years since we had seen each other last because it was so natural hanging out together that it felt like no time had passed at all. I am so very blessed.