LittleAppellNest: lifestyle

Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

On My JORD

Ah it's so nice to finally have the time to sit down and blog again. Lol kidding! Im sitting in my car while D naps in his car seat because I know he won't stay asleep while I unload him and bring him upstairs. So in the car we stay. But speaking time, I'm hosting a JORD watch giveaway! Guys, I cannot explain how much I love this watch!

Growing up, I always wanted to be a "watch person". I had friends who's fathers would have really nice watches or a beautiful watch collection. I never thought of women wearing watches even though my mom did. But she had (yeah right, has) a tendency for ending up with watches that suddenly don't work anymore, so she never spent much on one. I actually have this on my IG from way back when (before I knew how to use filters, obvs).

So my biggest watch influence growing up was those Hello Kitty or Barbie ones you would get in a Happy Meal and never read the directions for. I recently got a Batman watch for my nephew. He asked me to set it up, and I actually read the directions. Guys, those watches do a lot!

Then I met my husband. He and his father are very into watches. Even though my husband doesn't wear a watch now (it would be destroyed in his line of work), he really appreciates a nice watch. And my father-in-law? Well,his watch collection might make some people jealous. So I wanted a nice watch. But I was still young and uneducated, so I set my eyes on a Betsey Johnson watch. It quickly discolored and broke. I really like watches with big faces but that we're still simple, but the face would be too big or the watch too heavy. And I used my phone so much, I would forget to look at my watch anyway.

Once I had a baby, everything changed. I started needing to tell time more often. And sometimes I would lose or forget my phone somewhere around the house. I started putting up more clocks around the house. But the need was still not met. I knew I needed a watch but I didn't want to spend the time shopping around for one I wouldn't quickly discard and I didn't want to spend the money on a super fancy one. Along came JORD. Their watches are made from wood and they are super lightweight. And they may not be waterproof, but I have definitely treated the line and come across victorious. And of course I wanted the big, round face(The Frankie Series). They recommended that if you have a small wrist to get the smaller version of their round face line (The Frankie 35). They make a line specifically for people like me who want the big face but can't handle it on their tiny wrist! And the color! Oh my sweet goodness, the colors are perfection. I chose the Zebrawood with Champagne (http://www.woodwatches.com/series/frankie-35/zebrawood-and-champagne/#littleappellnest) but all the colors are magical! My second fave is the Zebrawood and Navy. I have gotten so many compliments on it and I've only had it a week and a half! Make sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win $100 toward your own JORD watch. If you don't win, you will still get $25 off! So really, you win no matter what!

Now I wear my watch everyday from when I wake to when I sleep. Hubby had to take it off for me the other day because I almost fell asleep with it on! I find it is the perfect accessory to my minimalist lifestyle. The only bad thing about my JORD is that D finds it as attractive as I do and he always tries to eat it! If Hubby ever has a career change! I will buy him a JORD watch in a heartbeat!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

On Becoming a Size 6

***I wrote this yesterday but was nervous to post it because a lot of people may be offended and disagree with me. I fell asleep shortly after writing. Once I slept on it, I realized this is my opinion and that doesn't make it right or wrong, just an opinion of something I did and wanted to share***

So today is the day I realized I am a size 6. My weight loss journey began when I moved to NC. I knew I was unhappy with my weight and my lifestyle, so I changed it. Upon getting married and moving across the country, I had no job and a new spouse to impress. I began to really get into creative cooking. I had more time to work out and eat proper meals. I was drinking A LOT of water. I became close to a family who changed my life and redirected me down a path of health and wellness. They welcomed me into the "organic" realm and I began to be very conscious about what I ate AND where I got it from. I have always been a runner, and I used that as an outlet for stress, restlessness, anxiety, excitement, etc. My jobs were physically demanding and without setting any goals or making any diet plans, I lost about 25 lbs and 4 dress sizes. All I did was change my lifestyle, and that is ultimately what health and wellness are about. I understand positive body image and feeling good about "the skin you're in", but if you aren't living a healthy lifestyle, that isn't okay. Bad food=bad feeling. I cannot eat fast food anymore (Chick Fil A doesn't count, obvs) because I know how crappy I will feel after (and during). And don't get me wrong, I mess up. I just had half a Coke with dinner because Stephen brought it home for me and I didn't have the willpower to dump it. But I cannot and will not lose this progress I made. It extends beyond my weight. I have found I am able to get a much better hold over my emotions and anxiety, I am happier, I have more motivation to stay active, and knowing I am in shape helps that smile stay on my face a lot longer.

So today, when I received a gift with a pair of pants size 6, I laughed to myself, thinking I would definitely need to exchange them for a bigger size. I tried them on and they were a bit tight so I went to the store to exchange them for a bigger size. The saleswoman asked if I was sure I wanted to exchange for a size 8 (still a stretch in my mind) because I looked like a size 6. I replied I definitely need a bigger size, laughing in my head, not thinking that she sees a hundred different people a day and she might know a thing or two about sizing. She had me try on a different style in a 6 and they fit AMAZING! I got those too because they were SO comfortable! I asked another saleswoman why the other size 6 was so tight and if their sizes weren't consistent. She said it was due to high compression in the first pair versus none in the second. I asked which she thought was more accurate, because the woman up front must still be wrong, and she said she definitely thought I was a size 6 from the start. My mind was blown. I was definitely not expecting that to happen. I left with two size 6 pants wearing a pair of size 10 shorts I realized are too big on me and I subconsciously wash in hot water to shrink them up after each wear. I didn't believe in myself at all. If it wasn't for the salespeople being so helpful and interactive, I wouldn't be feeling so successful now. After 3 years and a 10 lb baby, I am so proud of myself and I am going to use this happiness to push myself to continue my lifestyle; organic and dairy-free. We eat balanced meals and don't buy junk (anymore). I walk/run-have to build back my endurance-with Daxton and we've been swimming a lot. Carrying Daxton alone is a workout! I believe in being healthy and fit, not skinny or thin. It doesn't matter if you're a size 0 or a size 10, as long as you have a healthy lifestyle and prioritize your health and wellness, you definitely should be comfortable in your skin!

July 2012

June 2017

These aren't great comp pictures, but like I said, I didn't set out to lose weight, just live a better lifestyle. I am so comfortable in my skin now and I know it's because I am healthy, fit, and well.

"Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." 3 John 1:2

Sunday, March 20, 2016

On Living Organic

Hands down, becoming a consumer of organic products was one of the top three best choices of my life. Now before I tell you about that, I would like to warn you that I am not in any way a professional or even trust worthy source of scientific information and research on the subject. I want to share my experience and perhaps reference some facts from articles I found on Google. If you disagree with something I write or would like to add to the facts, feel free to leave a comment below. This is a great topic of discussion! And now the story begins...

About one year ago, my husband and I finally comprehended what "being organic" meant and the benefits of living as such. Yes, this is 100% because of a family we are close to and the experiences and expertise they shared with us; we just stole the lifestyle. We slowly began to purchase foods that were organic rather than conventional, instead of doing an all out flip. When we ran out of milk, we would run to Whole Foods (which is more convenient) instead of our local grocery chain. Obviously just being in Whole Foods makes you feel like you're making good life choices, and the attitude stuck. Soon, I found myself at Whole Foods everyday, even just for one item. Being surrounded by healthy options makes it close to impossible to go wrong. The more my husband and I incorporated organic options, the more I felt a difference in my life. I have no idea if there is science behind my experiences or not, but it wasn't until six months ago that I started to credit my increased mental health to being organic. As frequent readers know, I live with anxiety and I have always worked to control it. I have absolutely felt an improvement in that aspect as I have embraced the organic lifestyle. Perhaps this is because I am not worried about GBH's that are "probably carcinogenic" or crazy antibiotics no human should ingest. *Quick fact: sports drinks like Gatorade that we so proudly feed our children are banned in Europe. Why? Hmm...Good question...* If someone tells me that perhaps my health improvements are a placebo effect, I would say it can't be because I began this slowly and with zero expectations. I didn't tell myself that I would feel better, I just knew I would no longer be full of chemicals. That sounded like a wonderful reason, so that maybe I would live long enough to see my great-grandkids.

This past January, I went through my pantry and threw out anything that was left that was not organic and began anew. I refreshed my household cleaning products, laundry products, and even my skincare and haircare products (still working on makeup! If you haven't found out what is in your skincare and makeup products, and don't want to be grossed out, then DON'T!). I've only been 96% organic for two months (I say 96% because 100% would include clothing, bedding, and other things that I just haven't mustered up the courage, loss of fashion, or money for yet), and I feel amazing. The biggest change to my health is definitely my weight loss. When I got married, I was about 165. For my 5'6" frame, it was all concentrated in my back, arms, face, and stomach. I now weigh 145. I have always worked out, and I've always eaten relatively well. I've also struggled with my weight all my life. I was WAY too skinny (I ate a lot, I just had a metabolism that worked faster than I ate) until 10th grade and blew up overnight like a hot air balloon. I'm still working on it, but living organic means cutting certain foods out of your life and having to make your burgers at home (which is obviously the healthier option) than running to your favorite greasy burger place--though there is always a place in my organic heart for In-N-Out. I cannot put into words the pride I feel when I make something as simple as pasta using organic ingredients and grass-fed beef. My favorite thing to do after a grocery store trip is look at the ingredients to my foods; not only do I know all of them, I can pronounce them too! These chemicals aren't harming my body, therefore making it easier to lose and maintain my weight. By far, the absolute best and biggest improvement has been my general outlook on life. I don't know if I can attribute this mood change to my diet change, but I have found myself much happier. That alone is worth it.

As far as experiences, I think it's safe to say that I have seen many improvements. Now for the nitty-gritty. Many people still don't understand or believe in "organic". Before moving to NC, I only knew the term organic in its most basic definition. So many people are uninformed or don't want to be informed (why they would choose to give their kids Doritos, Gatorade, and pesticide-ridden fruit is beyond me). When you look at the facts, an organic products are not much more expensive than those in an average American diet, but what is it you are paying for? Companies can't just throw the USDA Organic label on and say they are healthy and natural, so why do companies go through so much money and trouble to create these products? I promise you, that reading the history on food labeling on the USDA website will answer many questions and prompt you into further research. I don't want to throw too many facts out there, as I am relatively new at this and am still doing my own research, so I am going to include links that I think are interesting and informative. I could write 20 more paragraphs on this subject, but I will save my wit and sarcasm for a later blog on this same subject. Promise, I have so much more to say on this subject, so please comment below! I will say this: so many foods sold in grocery stores are hurting you! You absolutely won't feel it now, because your body is used to it (doesn't make it good), but instead of waiting 20-40 years to see the effects, try living organic for a month, at least in the foods you eat, then resume your normal food habits. You WILL feel sick. Why is that? All the crap in your foods.