We're Moving On Up

Hey loves!  Simplistic Chic is moving on over to www.simplisticchic.com and I would love for you to come too. The past few years here have been great and I thank all of you who have read my posts, commented and subscribed.  I really appreciate the love and support  as I talked (more like vented) about wanting babies, my frustrations with PCOS, my many hair changes, workouts, and my victories and discoveries in this natural total wellness journey.

Don't forget to head over to www.simplisticchic.com for the same great content with a new look and feel.

Thanks so much!

Wednesday Happenings + #NationalLipstickDay

I was ALL in my feelings this morning.  Crying, feeling overwhelmed by my to-do list and trying to fight back all of the 'what if' mental movies that started to play.  I had to listen to some positive Periscopes and read a few scriptures and quotes to get away from the panic attack that was creeping up.

No, not today! I had zero energy to be in that dark place.  It takes so much to feel down and worried, and I just was not going to.

I saw on Twitter that one of my fave bloggers, Mattie from Mattieologie, posted a pic saying that today was dubbed #NationalLipstickDay by Revlon.  I'm not an everyday makeup wearing kind of girl but, a little lipstick can sometimes turn my mood around immediately.

I  was not about to put on any foundation (as you can tell from my pic) but, I did put on some Girl Around Town by MAC .  To join in on the fun, post a pic on Twitter with the hashtags #LOVEISON and #NationalLipstickDay! Follow me on Twitter at @candicess. 

How is your Wednesday going? What is your favorite lipstick color?

Getting Your Hormones and Life In Order with Alisa Vitti

Hey loves!  If you are a woman, chances are you have experienced or been diagnosed with conditions such as PMS, PCOS, fibroids, infertility, mood swings, thyroid conditions or other hormone-related issues.

As a lot of you may already know, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) back in 2006 and I have experienced infertility in the past. This blog was created as a way for me to discuss everything I was learning about PCOS and infertility.  I started doing my own research after simply being prescribed a few meds and told that there was no cure for it.

It was like daggers to the heart at the time because more than anything I wanted a baby.  Here I was newly married and my doctor was telling me that when I was ready to start trying to conceive, I would have to start on fertility drugs.

Not the end of the world but, I was  beyond frustrated by the many unanswered questions I had.  Over the years, I have been coming across so much information about more simple, natural remedies  and how they could help the body become more in balance over time.

This morning I listened to a podcast on The Jess Lively Show at jesslively.com.  Featured on today's episode was Alisa Vitti, author of the book, Woman Code, and integrated nutritionist and hormone specialist.  I've never read the book (I will be picking it up now though!) but, I had heard about Alisa after seeing her on the Dr. Oz Show where she talked about her recommended 4-week plan for getting hormones in check. So....I jumped on the site to check out the podcast and I was ready to take notes!

Podcast on Jess C. Lively's site: http://www.jesslively.com/alisavitti/

Alisa went into detail about her personal experience with PCOS and how she used dietary and lifestyle changes to completely get her body in check.  Mrs. Vitti was even able to get pregnant naturally and gave birth to a baby girl a few months ago!

She started an online women's hormone health center named FloLiving, an online resource for women to go to complete with tips and an online program you can register for that will help you on the road to getting your life back!

I was very inspired after listening to Alisa's podcast.  Some days, living with PCOS can be downright depressing and isolating.  It felt good to get more clarification as to what is going on with my body and hear about effective options I can explore that will work by getting to the root of the issue....finally.

Are you experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance?  How has it affected your life?

Skin 101: Weekend Masking

Weekends are usually my time to revamp, pamper and just provide a little maintenance of my physical self.  My weeks can get pretty cray so, by Thursday/Friday-ish my nails might be chippin' and my hair is a frizzy mess.  Also, having oily skin calls for a mask or facial of some sort every few days .

My current fave skin mask is Aztec Indian Healing Clay mixed with a few teaspoons of Bragg's apple cider vinegar. I have tried other clay masks and this one is still my go-to!  I can really see a difference in how my skin feels and looks when I use it weekly.

I mix both ingredients into a plastic bowl and slather it on not too thick.  I do some cooking, answer some emails or even some laundry (if I'm feeling energetic. Ha!)  After about fifteen minutes, my face is gently pulsating and the clay gets really tight and cracked-looking.  I love that I can feel it working to get the oil and toxins out of my pores!

What are the products that are sure to leave your skin healthy and glowing?

10 Things I Do That Make My Life Easy

By Shanel Cooper-Sykes

www.shanelcoopersykes.com

LIFE is meant to be enjoyed. But you have to intentionally design your life to be able to experience that. Here are 10 things that I do that make my life super easy and enjoyable:

1. I spend the first hour of my day in peace and in prayer. Before I touch the phone or begin my day, I spend time with God, talking planning visualizing and praying for the things I want to manifest in that day. I get in alignment FIRST before anything or anyone has an opportunity to move me.

2. I keep my goals and plans in front of me. Directly next to my bed is a card with the current goals I am working towards and the plans that I have for myself. I read them and pray over them several times a day.

3.  I prepare my meals in advance. To prevent eating out or over indulging, I prep my meals for the week on Sunday. I cook, package and plan out what will go in my body for the week.

4.  I "reset" my mind nightly. I never go to bed with the day on my mind. I let go of my thoughts. I forgive moments that bothered or upset me. I send love and peace to those I love and to those who don't love me. I say to myself "Shanel you did a good job today!" And I rest in peace.

5.  I keep candles lit and fresh flowers all around me all day. Energy and environment shape your ability to be creative and to think on a higher level.

6.  I always look good. I make sure my clothes are well put together, clean and crisp. Even if I'm wearing sweats, I'm well put together. I never leave out disheveled or just thrown together. It speaks volumes to the way you value yourself.

7.  I don't force myself to follow a hard schedule. I let my days flow and let God move me. Because I've already written it and believe it... I trust my plans will manifest. No resistance. I go with the flow.

8. I talk to myself constantly. I am ALWAYS in intentional inner conversation with myself. I tell myself how capable, amazing, valuable and needed I am. If I pass a mirror I say "hey gorgeous" if I need motivation, I go to a mirror and give myself a pep talk. If I am mad, I discuss my feelings with myself. 

The parts of my body I don't like, I tell it "I love you and I'm going to make you better." If I don't get something, I ask the Holy Spirit to teach me. I make sure that I'm rehearsing in my mind what I want to see play out in my day.and I'm always SPEAKING OUT what I desire to see happen.

9.  I give A LOT. I over-give on a daily basis. If I stop to buy a juice or snack, I pay for two and leave the money at the register for the next customer. If I leave a tip at a restaurant I leave the full amount of what the bill is as a tip. If I get gas, I leave $20 extra for the next person. If someone asks me for a $1 on the street I give them $10. I send money to my family for no reason.

 I treat my friends to dinner and send them flowers and gifts. I believe HALF of your earnings should always be shared in someway with others. No matter how much you have. This principal has blessed ME in so many ways financially. I am never without because I give so freely. And it has PUSHED my financial limits and money mindset, so I don't have limits on how much I can RECEIVE. If you go above and beyond to GIVE financially, God will go above and beyond to BLESS you financially.

10. I rest frequently. If my body is tired, I listen to it and rejuvenate myself. When I feel stressed or overworked, I stop without worry. Scripture says REST IN GODS PEACE. The spirit of God is IN ME. So my physical body has to be fueled enough to carry it. If my body needs something I supply it, because it must be my spirit that is calling for something so that I can give something greater. REST!! Rest in Gods peace often. You will have more energy then you can imagine. 

Shanel Cooper-Sykes is a best-selling author, a successful online coach, and entrepreneur who empowers women to live confidently each day.  Also, check out her Facebook page for daily gems of inspiration and wisdom!

A Lil' Workout Switcheroo

My honey and I decided to get outdoors and get some exercise instead of doing our usual indoor gym workout.  We both live near downtown now and we love it! It feels great to have the option of walking to little, quaint shops and restaurants if we want.  The New York City girl in me lives for the city life! It has taken some getting used to again though (my fellow introverts understand what I mean).  Being around crowds and such are a bit unnerving for me now some days.

Our first stop was the Atlanta Beltline where we walked in 85 degree heat (yikes!) but, it was overcast a bit with a little breeze most of the time so it did not feel that bad.  Our next stop was Piedmont Park, which is not that far from the Beltline trail we were on.

We made a little detour on the way back to Mellow Mushroom Pizza. Not exactly something on the 'eat clean' list but, it was SO good especially after all that trekking around outside.  

I plan on switching up my workouts more often and including more outdoor fitness.  Something about being outside, feeling the warm sun on my skin and breathing the fresh air helps take my after workout "high" to the next level.

What do you do to switch up your workout routines?

On the Shelf: The Power Of Now

A few months ago I was STRESSED. Waking up at all hours of the morning with my mind racing and always on the verge of tears throughout the day.

A pretty sucky feeling.

I have always been a planner of sorts.  Wanting to plan every single minute of my life out.  I had a complete timeline:

In the prime of my career by 28. 
Married by 26. 
Two kids by 30. 

The list went on and on. Needless to say, things did not turn out that way and it has been both scary and humbling.

Right after college and a drama-filled divorce, I started to get so burnt out and began to have serious bouts of deep depression.  I was unmotivated to do anything.  I isolated myself from friends and family whenever I could, and I just did not feel good about myself.

I became almost numb to feeling anything after awhile and I just started to go with the flow and try to take life as it came.  I made plans but, quickly learned to work on being resilient. If this person promised me they would do something and then decided at the very last second that they couldn't, I was just like, "Ok, that's fine."

If that dream job I interviewed for decided they would go with "more suitable candidates", I said, "Ok, that's fine.  It wasn't meant for me to be there."

I had began to learn how to just be okay with life as it came.  If I tried my hardest and it did not work out, I would still be fine.

And you know what? I was starting to feel much better!  I wasn't up late at night not being able to sleep or feeling a huge lump in my throat throughout random parts of the day because I was fighting back tears.

 I will admit, it was so hard some days! Over time though my bounce back game became so strong and it felt good not to be so fearful of what could, should, might happen next.

That was until a few months ago when those crazy feelings and emotions came rushing back in.  Life became so overwhelming for me that I entertained the idea of getting in my car and running away from everything and everyone.

I came across CurlyNikki's blog post about the book, "The Power Of Now" by Eckhart Tolle one day and downloaded it right away.  I'm about halfway through and it has proved to be a real game changer for me.

 Seriously.

One of my favorite quotes from the book :

 "As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease.  When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love-even the most simple action."

In layman's terms:

"Just concentrate on what's happening right now.  Only deal with NOW."

I've already started applying some of the principles in this book to my life and it has really opened my eyes up.  Of course, some days all of that goes out the window and I start to stress about wanting to be married by now or what to do about school or figuring out how to get my finances in order.  Then come the made up scenarios.  You know all of the ''woulda-shoulda-coulda's" that roll in one by one.

Just this morning I woke up around 5 am and lay there thinking about all of the above over and over again.  I was able to catch myself though and just breathe it all out. Deal with now. Just the here and now.  What is one thing that I can do right now?

Have you read "The Power of Now"?  What did you think? How has it changed your view on how you handle your everyday life?