Much Needed.

Today- I have officially made it to a goal- 50 pounds lost.

Left- 01.01.10 Right- 09.25.10

Lets just say I have always been a "Bigger" girl. I mean I had boobs in 4th grade haha... Just grew and developed faster. It doesn't help that the curviness also runs in my family. I was just not blessed with a stick figure. To be really honest I never realized how big I had gotten in the first place.

Going from dancing every day of your life/ being active from about 4:00 to 11:00- to moving and going to college- sitting in class/ staying up/ eating Bueno at 2:00AM! I mean obviously your gonna pack it on. And I get it! Life is crazy- and at the time you have more important things to worry about than being healthy.

I have no idea what got into me- but something just clicked and I decided that I needed to change. I think what got me was... after graduating it's like "What the hell am I going to do with all this time?"- and I guess I got to a point where my mind set was "Well- get yo ass to a gym and do something to improve yourself- while your trying to figure out the secret to life" haha

I signed up for the gym mid January- didn't change my eating habits till maybe mid to end of February... and today I set here blown away by my progress. I did a bootcamp for 8 weeks/ 4 days a week... and after that have just been busting my butt alone. Couldn't tell you what kept me motivated. But whatever it was- it was God sent.

I haven't been this happy and satisfied with myself in a long time. Even though I have absolutely no clue on what to do with my life- no clue what tomorrow has in store for me- no clue on my next step... I have accomplished something that seemed so far out of reach to me... I feel like I can conquer the universe. Well- maybe not that far a step, but you get my point. Hah

Sounds silly, but I really want to thank those people in my life you were my constant motivation- I know I probably got so annoying with my "OooOo I lost another 2 pounds!" or "Ahh I get to go shopping- none of my pants fit!"- but without you all there is no way I could have done it.

I still have more progress to go- but as of right now- my motivation is still high, the sky's the limit!

My Mod Monday.

This was my outfit from Monday- Just another Normal work day.

Feeling a tad groovy boho it seems.

Don't mind the band aid I'm sporting on my right thigh... No big deal. Just gave myself a 2nd degree burn with a curling iron while preparing for a photo shoot with the amazing Kristina Gaines. Pictures, and info for her blog will be posted soon, so be looking out for that!

So- about this look. It's hard to tell in this picture- (considering I had to improvise and use self timer), Hah But,

The skirt- A very high waisted fitted black stretchy skirt. Purchased it at Forever 21 for $7.50. The top- Also black- Silk with cutouts around the collar. Purchased at local thrift store for $3.30. I let the shirt hang over the skirt- didn't want a structured look. I wanted it to be comfy chic. Boots- White leather, could be worn folded over- I chose not to. Purchased at the same thrift store $3.30 HALF PRICE- I got them for seriously $1.65. Super Pumped about it! Accessories- Didn't want to go overboard, so I threw on simple gold bangles- gold hoops- and a new antique flower pendant necklace.

I really enjoyed this look- got many compliments on it as well! If you take the time to dig- you can find incredible things- and not break the bank. Honestly- those items are the things people will notice the most- at least in my experience thats the case.

Take a risk- and try your own funky boho look- Take a pic and send it to me! I'd love to see what you put together.

"One love, one heart. Let's get together and feel alright."

Baking. Birthdays. Butterflies.

This is my best friend Jackson- and today is her 24th birthday. I have been in the mood to bake lately, and FINALLY- I had a reason. I don't enjoy baking as much when there is no one to enjoy my hard work.

She just recently got married to the man of her dreams in an incredible destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. While in the midst of planning her wedding I discovered her odd obsession with butterflies. Any time we were talking about wedding ideas and such, she would attempt to throw some butterflies in... Unfortunately none actually made it into any wedding decor. So- I thought there was no better way to celebrate her birthday than something involving butterflies.

BUTTERFLY CUPCAKES- YUUUUUUMMMM! Simple idea- simple steps- beautiful finished product. Here are supplies and 9 steps to creating some delicious treats on your own.

You will need - Cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, Crisco, 1 container of chocolate icing, 1 regular bag of powered sugar, almond-vanilla-butter flavoring, meringue powder, white and regular chocolate (I used almond bark), food coloring, sprinkles, cupcake liners, icing bags, scissors, bowls, utensils, hand mixer, measuring tools, parchment paper, and a cookie sheet.

1. Mix up any flavor of cake mix you enjoy- for this design I picked strawberry since that is Jackson's favorite flavor. I always use a Duncan Hines cake mix- it is more firm, especially if you are wanting to do a cake- add about 1/4 cup of flower, it helps with crumbling. Bake as directed on box.

2. While the mix is cooking- decide how many different color butterflies you want to make. Then take your white chocolate- break up into different bowls for each color. Add another bowl for the regular chocolate. Add about 2 tbs of crisco (more or less- just depends) to each bowl of chocolate- this will make your chocolate thinner, which you want so that it will easily move through your icing bag. Microwave one bowl- along with your regular chocolate for 1 min- stir- for another 30 sec- stir- then about 15 sec more if needed. It should be thin enough to fall easily off your stirring tool- if not add more crisco. Use your best judgement. Then add color to the white.

3. Take two icing bags- fill each with your chocolate... do not cut off the tip of the bag until your about to use them. Take your parchment paper, sprinkles, and bags- place them on a flat workable surface. Take your regular chocolate bag- cut the tip- and begin free handing the outline of each wing of the butterfly. (Look up a picture to guide you if needed) They don't need to be perfect- its your design so just go with it. After- take your colored chocolate bag- cut the tip and fill in your dark outline. These steps need to be done quickly, so you can still move the chocolate before it has the chance to firm up. This is why you want it thinner- but not to thin. After you fill it in- add your sprinkles for a little flair.

4. When the wings have a chance to firm up a little- place them on the cookie sheet- put them in the freezer to harden. Make sure to check on your cupcakes ;))

5. Now- repeat steps 2,3 &4 with each color you have chosen to use for your butterfly wings.

6. I make my own icing- you don't have to. Feel free to by pre-made icing- just add some powdered sugar to it for firmness. If you want to make your own icing- its easy- kinda messy :/

BUTTERCREAM ICING-

Add 2 cups of crisco- about 1/4 or more cup water, 1 1/4 tsp vanilla flavoring, 1/2 tsp butter flavoring, 1/4 tsp almond flavoring, and 2 tbs of meringue powder into a bowl. Start adding your powdered sugar in little by little. Mixing with your hand mixer as you go.... When the whole bag is poured in and its mixed well... there ya go. Easy :)

7. Separate your icing into bowls depending on however many colors you have going on. Color each bowl with food coloring- place each in an icing bag. Also, open your pre-made chocolate icing- add some powdered sugar- place in an icing bag.

8. Take your cupcakes- ice each cupcake with the coordinating colors. Take the wings out o the freezer and take each side and place them at an angle into the icing on the cupcakes. Then take your chocolate icing bag and either place dots down the middle of the butterfly's body or draw a line. Doesn't matter which you choice!

9. Wala!!! You just made a beautiful, delicious treat in a simple 9 steps!! I'm telling ya- your gonna wanna eat them all- they are so tasty :)

Baking is a lot of fun- But really I love the excitement people get from the outcome... Anything to brighten someone's day. It's always worth the time and work.

Happy Birthday Jackson!!!!

Fresh Start

Hello World.

Today I make some changes. I started this blog almost a year ago- and horribly failed at keeping it up. Making it too specific was my down fall. So... Today is a new day, and I've been working hard and revamping life in more ways than one.

I've changed the title of this blog to "matter of instinct"- because I feel like when it comes to creativity, things come easy to me. I don't need to think. It's just instinct. Like breathing.

You are going to see anything from my daily wardrobe, shopping hints, clothing reconstruction, baking adventures, quotes, news in fashion, styling hints, photography, beauty tips, videos, poems, thrift store finds, how and where to find good deals... seriously anything and everything.

This has always been a favorite quote of mine.

"Do what you can, with what you have,

where you are." -Theodore Roosevelt

For now, that's what I am doing. I figured... Why not share all aspects of that creativity in hopes of inspiring someone? I try to break from the norm, push the limits- share my ideas that others my not have thought of themselves. I'm take risks- Because you only live once, so why not CREATE the life you imagine?