🍂Holiday Season

Happy Sunday lovelies!

🍁Fall is a spectacular season. The colors (especially in Tennessee) are stunning each year. I was thrilled when Nathan and I made a quick trip back up to Knoxville a couple weeks ago, because we were able to see a decent amount of Fall colors in the mountains! The weather was chilly and dreary, but it was still beautiful. 

I stopped by The Consignment Shoppe in Farragut to do some shopping while Nathan worked at his observatory. The entire store was decked out in Christmas decor! I finally felt more excited about the upcoming holidays while looking around! 🎄

I ALWAYS find the most one of a kind, unique items at The Consignment Shoppe. I looked over the store about 6 different times, and kept finding things I didn't see before! The prices are insanely terrific. No matter what you are looking for, I bet you will find it at this shop!


It was a short trip to Knoxville, but I was glad we were able to see some friends and enjoy our quick visit!

Our furbaby sure was happy to see us when we got back home! He did not want to leave my lap!

Thanksgiving was so wonderful! We spent Thanksgiving at my Mother's this year; my brother and his family came up to visit as well. I had a blast spending time with my adorable nephew, but sure missed seeing my niece! There was a plethora of food (naturally), and the leftovers filled us up for days! 😆 My favorite Thanksgiving dish is green bean casserole! It is delicious! Our day was spent with too much food, hanging out with family, and just taking it easy.
I rarely participate in Black Friday shopping (I've worked retail and know how it goes) but Nathan and I did stop at a store to pick up a gift that we got a great deal on. Score!

Snuggles with my nephew!💕

Thankful ❤️

Pumpkin Pie!

Walking off some calories, to make room for more food!

With Thanksgiving officially over, we put up the Christmas decorations! It was quite strange not putting up my own decorations in my own home, but I am incredibly grateful that my Mother let me help her decorate her home! The Christmas music was blasting while we decorated, so now I'm even more excited for Christmas! 🎄

I hope everyone else had a fantastic Thanksgiving as well! 😊

QUESTIONS

* What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

* Do you go Black Friday shopping or shop online?

* Do you put your Christmas decorations up before or after Thanksgiving?

Goodbye TN, Hello SC!

Goodbye Tennessee...Hello South Carolina!

We have MOVED! 

All I can say about moving, is that it is a pain in the ***! 😂 A few months ago, my husband accepted a job offer that required us to move down to Charleston within a two week time span. We didn't hire movers, we did it all ourselves (and with the help of some amazing friends)! Ultimately, Nathan ended up having to go down and start work, while I stayed to finish my last days at work, get new carpet installed in our house, and finish packing/cleaning. The hubby came back up on the weekends to help move our stuff either into a storage unit, or to take items back down to Charleston. Luckily for us, we only moved 6 hours away AND we are staying with my Mother while we look for a new home.

We hired a property management company to help us rent out our home in Tennessee. Within a week of putting a "For Rent" sign up in front of our home, we had a tenant in place to move in!
I've heard plenty of horror stories when it comes to renting out homes. I'm praying that this experience will be a pleasant one, and not turn into a disaster. 🙏🏼

Now we are both officially living in Charleston, trying to get settled in! For those who don't know, Nathan and I met, fell in love, and were married in Charleston, SC ( Magnolia Plantation ). 💕
Charleston has grown tremendously since we left nine years ago. The housing market here is quite tough right now, so we're really taking our time figuring out which area(s) we think would be a good fit for us, as well as a smart investment.

Since we've been back in Charleston for a few months, life has been GO-GO-GO! With the Holidays approaching quickly, life won't slow down for at least a few more months. Who else is freaking out about Thanksgiving NEXT WEEK?? ✋🏽

Of course, we have made some time to revisit old hang outs, as well as check out places we had never been to while we lived here previously.

Searching for seashells on Sullivan's Island (that's quite the tongue twister)!

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site

Hampton Plantation State Historic Site

The Oak tree was saved from being torn down by George Washington. (Hampton Plantation)

George Washington Oak Tree at Hampton Plantation.

Charleston is beautiful city rich in history, art, amazing restaurants, entertainment, and much more! I am looking forward to sharing more of my adventures while living in this gorgeous city!

QUESTIONS

* Have you ever visited/lived in Charleston, South Carolina?

* Have you ever moved to a different state?

* Any recommendations of places to visit, or restaurants to try in the Charleston area?

Non-Scale Victories

☀️Happy Tuesday lovelies!!☀️


It has been a little while since I've written a post! I'm currently drinking my breakfast shake - my go to lately has been 2 scoops of Formula 1 Dutch Chocolate, 1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Drink Mix, Prolessa Duo, Probiotics! So good!! I have been using water instead of cashew/almond milk, and it still tastes just as delicious!

I hope each and every one of you had a spectacular weekend, as well as a good Monday!

I missed out on the gym on this past Friday AND Saturday, and was really feeling it. I made myself go to the gym the past couple days, and I felt so much better after going!! I FINALLY got back up to 3 miles on the elliptical - I honestly can't remember the last time I could (without taking breaks). Oh! And the best part, I was on a higher level (Level 4) for resistance!! YASSS!!! 🙌🏼

Losing weight can certainly be frustrating when you don't "see" results on the scale. I know lately, I have been a bit discouraged because I don't see the number on the scale dropping as quickly as I want it to. If you are working on yourself and living a healthier lifestyle, your body is STILL working behind the scenes. I am still learning a lot, but having patience and being consistent is key. Consistency is extremely difficult, but the more I do it, the easier it gets. I'm trying to form these better habits of having two shakes a day, and getting at least 30 minutes cardio in as often as possible.

Keep going, don't give up! Don't forget to appreciate the non-scale victories!! Non-scale victories should certainly be celebrated!

Right now, my non-scale victories include:

☕️ Energy!

Previous to Herbalife, I would drink an insane amount of coffee in hopes that it would help me "wake up." Constantly feeling exhausted, fatigued, etc., - coffee just would not longer help me out. All that coffee would end up making my stomach (and rest of my body) hurt even more. Since starting the Herbalife shakes and supplements, my energy has increased tremendously! I haven't had a real cup of coffee in over a week! If I crave coffee, I drink decaf!

Waking up earlier, not having to take naps throughout the day, and being able to stay up later at night, are all huge non-scale victories for me!

👗Fitting into the clothes in my closet!

I have been refusing to buy new clothes because I have an enormous closet full of clothes that I can't exactly fit into (yet).
I'm really looking forward to shopping in my own closet! Recently, my "fat" jeans have become really lose, where as a month before, I had a major muffin top while wearing them! I can wear my smaller jeans that I couldn't fit into a month ago!! 🙌🏼

💪🏼 Feeeling/being stronger!

I have fibromyalgia, and it's AWFUL (not to mention, embarrassing) when am too weak to do a lot of activities for long periods of time (even things you would never think of, like knitting)!  Finally being stronger means I can do more of even the simplest activities I enjoy!

Getting up to 3 miles on the elliptical at a higher resistance just under 30 minutes is crazy awesome!!!

🍎 Not being hungry (AKA - hangry) ALL THE TIME.

When my whole world revolves around food, it infuriates me! I am grateful for feeling full, not uncomfortably bloated. My body is especially thankful when I consistently drink my shakes and eat the right foods, so I'm not constantly starving and irritated.
Every morning, I start out with making my breakfast shake! I add in probiotics, I take my supplements, and get the energy I need to conquer my days! I haven't had a real cup of coffee in over a week! Whereas before Herbalife shakes, I could drink an entire pot of coffee before bed and fall fast asleep...

🗻 Exploring!

I can go farther distances because I've been able to increase activity in my routine. I'm not out of breath walking a brisk 3 miles anymore! That means I can do what I enjoy with this incredible weather (not so much today...) - hiking/exploring!!! OR, being able to get out on a beautiful day and have a simple walk around the neighborhood!!

QUESTIONS:

* Do you lack energy?

* How many pounds do you need to lose to reach your goal?

*What is your #1 non-scale victory?