Inspire Me Healthy - Link Up!

So I've decided to jump on the Inspire Me Healthy train .. I've been debating for a while about doing this ..

I've finally gotten to the point, where I can't even stand to look at myself .. I don't really have many before pictures of my body, because even then (when i thought i was fat) weighing in at 140lbs, I didn't like having my picture taken in next to nothing .. But below is something I'm totally ashamed of, yet I'm going to share it with you ladies ..

Currently - I am about 155lbs .. give or take .. I became a Mommy in August of 2011 - I gained almost 60lbs of pregnancy weight - had my son - breastfed for 4 months - lost all my baby weight, plus 10lbs and was actually down to 138lbs .. November came around, I went back to work, and the pounds just packed on .. At Christmas time, I was able to still fit in size 8-10 jeans .. I am comfortable with that because I didn't have muffin top and I could fit into them fine .. By May, I was unable to fit into any of my jeans .. I had to buy 2 new pairs of size 12 jeans .. and even those were hard to button .. I'd been using the excuse "I just had a baby" month after month .. I don't want my son to be 16 and I'm still saying that .. To some of you, I might not look too bad, but to myself, I feel disgusted ..

Recently, a friend of mine started selling ItWorks products and offered this body wrap for $25 .. I decided, what they hey, just get it and see what it does .. It honestly, has made me lose 4 inches and some belly fat right off the bat .. I kept it on for only 45 minutes .. Yes, I know this isn't going to be the way to skinny .. But since using the wrap and seeing results, I have opted to eat better and I am now an avid user of the My Fitness Pal app on my IPhone .. It's calculated 1200 calories a day to get me down to where I want to be at 140lbs .. I'd LOVE to get to 130lbs at the VERY least .. I'm comfortable in a size 6-8 .. The summer before I got pregnant was the best shape i've ever been in .. Then WHAM! I get knocked up and it seemed like all of hard work get left in the dust .. Why is it so easy to put on the pounds, yet so hard to get them off?

Anyways, without further adieu - here is Brittany 2 weeks ago, followed by Brittany before & after using the ItWorks body wrap .. Pardon my stretch marks .. I do not have good genes when it comes to stretching skin .. I mean, those are my only ones, but they mean the world to me .. those are there because for 8 months, i kept my son safe and i carried him with me .. some of you may think they are gross, but to me, they are beautiful and they have so much meaning and memories behind them .. they will fade with time!

I feel so much better when I eat better .. I know I will get to my goal .. I don't care about the weight .. I care about how I look and how my clothes fit .. I, of course, would love to see my scale hit 140lbs - but until then I'm going to continue to keep watching what I eat, cut out carbs (bad ones), cut out snacking & no more venti iced coffees for me .. I am allowing myself ONE day a week to eat lunch out .. And when I go out, I will make better and wiser choices ..

Thank you Kristen and Raven for this link up & for making me want to crawl under my desk and hide .. I only have one follower and I really hope no one else sees this! But if you are looking, you are more than welcome to follow me! :)

I promise, you will not be disappointed! I'm a blast in a glass!

How I fix my face!

I am hoping one day, this blog will actually get some followers & get a new design! Maybe that's why no one reads me .. My blog looks boring! I am soooo not boring .. I need to get google "How to make my blog pretty" ASAP ..

Anyways .. I had the bright idea this weekend to show you how a simple girl, like myself, get's her face ready in the mornings, using normal, drug store, make up .. I know, I know .. I wish I could afford the good stuff but I'm poor .. & I'm cheap .. Spending $30 on foundation or $25 on mascara seems a bit overboard .. With coupons, I can buy both for less than $10 .. I am a sucker for E.L.F. Cosmetics, Covergirl and good old Wet N Wild .. yes, they still make that stuff ..

I'm going to show you my step by step on how I get pretty .. Because trust me, after these pictures, you will understand why I go NO WHERE without makeup! Yikes face!

Here is my make up bag, my lovely brush & yes, my broken comb .. I'm telling you, you will judge me and I can see your faces now, making faces of horror .. I need help, yes, I know! Also, my broken mirror and Revlon tweezers .. I tweeze every single day .. I TRY to get my eyebrows waxed as often as possible, but again, I'm poor, so tweezing is my only option!

Next, are the products I use first and foremost ..

I start off - clean face - I use Cetaphil to wash my face and I use Sea Breeze to clean off the residue left behind .. I apply these next 2 items ..

 First - I use my ELF tinted moisturizer, followed by my L'Oreal True Match foundation .. Applying it with a wedge sponge .. Yes, I still use these .. After this picture, I did throw this one away .. I change sponges every week ..

Here is my face before I start & after using my moisturizer and foundation .. I apologize for these in advance! Not my best look!

As you can see, I have terrible red patches on my cheeks & nose, I also have dark circles under my eyes pretty bad ..

After using my moisturizer and foundation, I use these next products .. Covergirl pressed powder, ELF bronzer & ELF Blush .. My blush brush is from like 1999, I promise .. It's terrible .. I just have yet to find one as big and stiff as this one .. I love it .. I hate super soft brushes .. I feel like they don't work as well ..

Here is my lovely face after I apply these 3 .. I promise, I'm a happy person .. I look terrible when I smile & I have no idea why I have one eye bigger than the other!

After my face is finally on, it's time to start my eyes! I very rarely wear eye shadow but when I do, it's usually a darker shade .. and I hardly ever use eye liner unless I'm going out .. Which is not often ..

I am IN LOVE with this mascara .. I've been using it since it came out .. One thing I am not a big fan of, is waterproof mascara .. I never use it .. I'll stick with raccoon eyes when I'm crying .. Makes it look more real .. The eyeshadow is from the Salon where I get my hair done .. It was only $1.00 .. I'm thinking maybe I should change my blog name to Cheap, Easy & Half Man .. I bet I would at least get ONE follower!

So here is my lovely face after adding my eyes .. It amazes me, how different mascara makes you look .. That is my ONE beauty product I could NOT live without, for sure!

Last, but not least, my luscious lips! I use basic lip stain I found at Victoria's secret 3 years ago on sale followed by Wet N Wild lip gloss to give me some shine!

Voila! Here is my finished product ..

As you can see, this is my cry for help .. What products do you use? What are your favorite brushes? Any suggestions on when to throw out makeup/brushes and start fresh? I want to have a flawless face that lasts .. I can never seem to have my AM face stay on for the PM .. HELP!

Friday's Rants

So I was unaware of the fact that pictures I posted yesterday, were already posted .. my apologies .. I don't keep track of what pictures are where because I have SOOO many .. 2,000 pictures in your IPhone is normal, right? Anywaysssss ..

Today I feel like having a rant day .. I want to bitch and complain about things .. I would usually vent to my boyfriend, but I feel like he always hears my rants .. In turn, I will use my lovely blog to voice my opinions .. Maybe it's the crappy rainy stormy weather that has me feeling super out of it and super moody .. Or maybe I'm just having after PMS, PMS ..

I've been dealing with a crazy jealous coworker for a few months here .. She's one of those types to smile in your face, but stab you in the back as you walk away .. Me? I'm not like that at all .. Everyone at my job knows I am a friendly, respectable person .. If I don't like you, you know it .. I'm not shy about it and I surely don't mask my feelings .. Will I still be civil to you? Of course .. I'm at work .. I don't come to work to be buddy buddy .. I don't work to make friends .. I work to earn a paycheck to support my family and my needs .. If I make friends along the way, great .. & not to toot my own horn, but I truly believe 90% of the people I work with, like me .. It's very rare that I run into someone who has something bad to say .. I'm a very friendly and outgoing person .. I speak to everyone and make an effort to wish everyone I pass a good morning, a good afternoon, or ask how they are .. Sometimes a simple "hi" and a smile can make someone's day!

Now that my ADHD has kicked in and & I've gone completely off topic, back to the workplace hater .. About a month ago I was at work, on a friday (summer casual days are Friday's) and I had on a short sleeve long black shirt .. It was form fitting but showed NO cleavage and was of appropriate length as to not show belly or back or crack when bending over (lol) .. I also had on bermuda's which were past my knee caps & cute Target wedges .. Something along the lines of these, maybe a little longer ..

 

I walk into my boss' office to get coffee (we have a coffee club) and said employee says "nice shorts" .. Me, being naive, thinks she's really giving me a compliment & I said "thanks, they are a little big which is a good thing, but I got them on sale at Target for only $9.99 and I love them" .. She in turns, flares her nose up, gives me this quirky little smile & says "Oh honey, I wasn't complimenting you, we aren't allowed to wear shorts in the office" .. Oh No You Didn't .. Immediately, my blood boiled .. Not only for making a mean comment but for making me feel stupid to actually believe you'd be a nice person and give someone a compliment .. I'm not one to usually judge, because I am NOT skinny, but this coworker has CRAZY muffin top, wears shirts that show her muffin top, jeans that are too tight, and commits horrible fashion crimes on a daily basis .. To make a long story short, I said some things and made comments out of anger, she then goes to HR and I get written up for her ignorance!! I could've went to HR the way she just blasted that comment to me, instead of doing things the mature adult way, and speaking to myself in private or to my boss about her issues with my "shorts" .. Not to mention, the day before this happened, I had on a long black maxi dress, strapless, BUT had a sweater with it .. Yes, I did take the sweater off for a few minutes due to the 100+ degree heat and our AC not working in the building .. & she decided to make a comment to a male coworker who said he was tired on a call, her response? "Well Brittany's dress will SURELY wake you up this morning" .. Umm, appropriate? I think not .. Cue in yesterday .. Wore the same dress .. Had the sweater .. Still 90 degrees out .. Sitting in my cubicle, not bothering a soul, minding my business, doing my work & my boss comes over to me and asks me to put my sweater back on .. REALLY?!? Again?? Does this woman have nothing better to do than sit around and complain about my clothing? It's so nice to realize that I make such an impact on someone's life just by what I wear .. She made a comment AGAIN to a male coworker about my "lack" of clothing & "where is my bikini for under my cover up" .. Could I in turn go to HR for harassment?? You're damn right I could .. Will I? Absolutely not .. Because I refuse to let someone IMPACT my life THAT much, that she gets her way .. She wants me to act out, she wants me to make comments and say inappropriate things, so she can run back to HR and try to get me fired .. I know that's her intent .. She's envious for some reason & I'll do what my Mama always taught me .. "Kill her with kindness" .. I will smile in her face, I will speak to her EVERY single time I see her & I will keep my negative comments to myself .. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all .. I know that will really piss her off .. Jealousy is such a terrible disease .. Why can't we just let people be who they want and dress how they want? I looked cute and appropriate .. 

To all my haters! 

I don't think I have any other "rants" .. I know I built it up and made it sound like I was going to bitch and complain the whole time - sorry .. that's all I got .. 

Let's have some Friday's letters, shall we?

Dear Weather : I love how you are BARELY hitting 70 degrees today .. Gives me an excuse to wear LONG leggings and boots .. Fall is right around the corner & it's my favorite because I can cover up my fatness .. 

Dear Body : I don't want to be one of those woman who stays overweight after a baby, until their baby is 26 .. How long can I use the excuse, "It's baby weight?" .. No, seriously .. 

Dear Motivation : Come out, come out, wherever you are .. 

Dear Football : Ahhhh, we meet again .. Can I tell you how excited I am for you this year? Oh you need reason why? Let me just name a few .. 

Yeah, I know what you're thinking .. She's a Redskins fan, and there is a Cowboy in there & a Bear & a Giant & a Panter .. I bleed burgundy & gold - don't get me wrong .. Buttttttttttttttttt -who watches football to actually watch it football? Two words friends, eye candy .. and am I right, or am I right? Oh and the obvious - yes, I love black coffee with creamer .. Story of my life .. :)

Dear Makeup : Are you ever going to stay on my face from 7am to 4pm? Can I please get some extended wear .. Yes, I use primer .. Yes, I use oil blotch papers .. Yes, I use make up spray setter, or whatever .. I just don't get it .. I go to work looking amazing & come home looking as though I just ran a half marathon and was out drinking .. How does my mascara end up on my cheek when I haven't cried? I need Makeup help .. Maybe it's just because I can't afford the good stuff .. aka MAC, Bobby Brown, etc etc .. I do indeed use ELF products and Covergirl .. 

Dear Self : How were you born a girl, but have no girly instincts? I am clean, and I do clean my house on the regular .. I hate baking .. I hate dressing up .. I suck at picking out outfits .. I have no sense in style .. (Thank God for Pinterest and their Polyvore outfit colabs, or I would always have on sweat pants and tshirts) .. I hate my boobs .. I hate wearing bras .. I hate shaving .. I hate blow drying and straightening my hair .. I am terrible when it comes to doing anything BUT straightening my hair .. Funny thing about all of that?? I refuse to leave the house without make up, without looking cute, without my hair done (somewhat) & I can cook my ass off .. I don't have a shoe fetish .. I don't have a purse fetish .. I don't really have a fetish for anything .. I do LOVE to grocery shop .. andddd last but not least, I freaking LOVE being a Mom! :)

Dear ADHD : You've come back into my life full force .. I forget everything .. I lose things .. & I'm so worried about my next move that I forget my own thoughts .. I'm thinking it's time to make that call to the Doc .. I do NOT want to be put on meds, but I need something to help me .. This has gotten out of hand! 

Dear Deep Creek Lake : I am so excited to be heading your way in December with my Boo and our best friends, Jamie and EJ .. This will be my first time there and my first time doing a couple's retreat .. Alsoooo, I will be there celebrating 2 years with my baby daddy!! Perfect location for a ring, don't cha think?? Oh who am I kidding, no reason to get my hopes up yet, I'm sure that will take a few more years! 

Dear age 30 : You are less than 3 years away and according to my plan - I've reached one goal .. I had a child .. I need to start kicking my bucket list's ass & doing things I want .. At least one will be fulfilled next summer - taking my child to Disney!! Thank Goodness for Baby Daddy's grandparents living in Orlando .. Free room & board and GREAT company .. Ugh, i just love them and miss them! :) 

Happy Friday ladies & gentlemen & who ever reads this .. Feel free to comment or follow .. I'll be doing daily updates and getting more involved in the blogging world .. That's another "to do" on my list of 30 before 30 .. I want to actually get followers, interact, meet, talk, send gifts to one another, do giveaways, etc .. I get so envious of the girls I follow and how close they are with their followers and other bloggers .. I want that! :)

Ladies & Gentlemen - We have a walker :)

What a work day it's been! Already 4:15 and I'm getting ready to take this butt of mine to my car, pick up my little Boo & head home to see my big Boo!

I totally had a HUGE post planned about work place jealousy & harassment, but that will have to wait until tomorrow! I think I might cuss and hurt feelings, buttttt it's definitely something I want to get out & off of my chest .. Nothing like feeling bullied at work, and NO ONE likes a bully!

It's official now, we have a walker! Bryce is 11 months and walking all over the place! Here is a little picture of my baby boy taking off through the apartment! He's growing like a weed! :)

Enjoy your Thursday! I know I will enjoy mine .. Tomorrow is Friday -- Woop Woop! Now only if mother nature can answer my prayers and keep the severe storms OUT of Hagerstown, I'll be a-ok! If you know me, you know I am NOT a fan of them!! Let's pray we don't get many tonight, although they are calling for some!

Toodles love bugs! :)

Tuesday -- Shmusedayyyy

Does anyone else feel as though Tuesday's are the most pointless days of the week? Mondays are the start of the week .. Wednesday is hump day .. Thursday is the day before Friday & the night where most people usually stay up/go out and come to work Friday with a hangover .. Friday's need no explanation .. But what is the point of a Tuesday?? None .. Today is a busy day at work, and not only do I have to play catch up from being off yesterday, but I get to travel to the Main building (of our company) for a meeting with our SVP .. I'm now regretting my decision to wear a one shoulder maxi dress .. What do you mean this isn't "work appropriate?" .. It's ASOS & I got it for $40 &&& it's freakin 90 degrees out .. Last but not least, it's freakin cute! Wonder how long I could keep my job for yelling "suck it" in the middle of the meeting, while getting glares from the rest of the women wearing long pants, sweaters and penny loafers .. Hey, it's worth a shot :) kiddinggggg ..

So this weekend was a good one, as always .. Saturday morning I got up bright and early with my Little Boo to get us pampered and cute for our family pictures .. I can't believe we just got our baby's ONE YEAR pictures done .. ONE .. WHOLE .. YEAR .. I know I say it a lot, but it's always so ironic to say .. I truly believe some days, it seems as though it hasn't hit me, that I have a son .. MY son .. ALL mine .. & I'm a Mommy .. his Mommy .. just makes my heart smile and my soul shineeee :) Ok, enough with the girly girl mushy Mom stuff ..

Bryce's pictures are going to turn out fantastic .. I just know it! I don't want to give out the details just yet, because I want the pictures to be a surprise for his party .. All i can say is, there were lots of balloons, cupcakes and MESS!!

Baby Daddy was pooped after the portrait session so we went home and took a 3 hour nap! That sun was beaming and the heat & humidity really took it out of us .. After we all "freshened up" we headed to the mall & picked up some goodies .. Me, I got 2 maxi dresses (of course), we got Bryce his first pair of all white shelly's (adidas shell toes) and Baby Daddy went CRAZY in yankee candle buying air freshners for his car, room spray and tarts for the house .. Oh and I couldn't pass up a $5 tart burner! We called and ordered a pizza for take out, came home, watched the Olympics and I was in bed by 11 .. Little Boo slept through the night and we were up at 8:30 Sunday morning! I can't thank the Lord enough for Bryce FINALLY sleeping through the night .. Only took us 11 months! So Sunday was the usual .. Grocery shopping & dinner out .. We made a pit stop at Brent's Aunt's house to see the decorations for Bryce's party .. I am SO SO SO SO happy with them .. I can't wait to post pictures .. I swear, Brent's Aunt needs to open her own store, her own etsy shop, and have her work pinned all through Pinterest .. She is amazing .. This party is going to be a blast! After all the visiting and laughing and conversating, we ended our night at the ever so classy Cracker Barrel! I was SOOO hungry for a good, home cooked, southern meal .. and boy was my craving fulfilled! Bryce had a grilled cheese and apple sauce with apple juice and ate almost the entire thing! He sure is all boy .. & loves his food!

We called it quits Sunday night around 9:30 & that was our weekend .. Nothing too crazy .. But overall, very enjoyable .. I love getting to spend my weekends with my two favorite guys <3

No big plans coming up this week .. Just a few things to get in order before we move at the end of the month, like a MOVING DATE lol .. I've been waiting and waiting to hear back about our townhouse, and I think today is the day where Brittany makes the first move .. I hate making first moves .. Time to put on my big girl pantiesssss :)

Starting tomorrow - I'm going to see what kind of link ups I can get myself into (to put myself out there lol) and some better topics of some things to talk about .. It gets boring just talking about my weekends and my everyday life .. I need to spice this thing up!!

Here are a few photos from the weekend .. Enjoy your pointless Tuesday! :)