The Mountains Are Calling And I Must Go

   I've liked this quote lately. To me it is a reminder to keep pushing myself towards all of the 'mountains' in my life. Losing my baby has been really hard. And with my son's 3rd birthday coming up, I being the weirdo that I am, am feeling sad because I had envisioned being pregnant for this event. I pictured Grayson blowing out his candles, while I had my little baby inside of me. I know my baby is still with me, but it doesnt make it hurt any less or the hurt go away. 
   I want this month to be a better month than last month. I want to grow from this and not let it destroy me. I know what I need to do to get to a better place, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I know that this season of my life has just been a hard one. And I want to be a good mom for Grayson and really be present and there for him. 
   My weight is at an all time high since my initial weight loss. It's depressing but I also feel like it's just reflecting how hard things have been. I'm going to start waking up early for my runs again, I function better when I do this and get more done through out my day. I want to eat healthier as well, since that hasn't been on par lately... I just want to feel like myself again and not so sad. 
  I realize this post is a downer but it's hard trying to act like i am "okay" all of the time. Because honestly I am not okay sometimes and sometimes I am. And for a while that is just how it's going to be. 
  I am happy we are moving so we can have a new start and make new memories. I am thankful so much for Grayson and my husband. Our relationships have gotten even stronger because of this. I can't imagine a life without them. <3

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell 

IT'S RAINING & Giveaway Winner Announcement!

Hey Y'all! 
It's been a while since I've written on here. Lots of events have taken place since I have last written! To say the least ;-) We were lucky enough to be able to visit family for Christmas this year which was a lot of fun.

lilly presents from my lovely mother! #lillychristmas

I loved seeing Grayson interact with my little brother, it was too sweet. I miss my family a lot and I am happy to at least have my sister out here now!!

All of us, after Church. I love how you can only see my Husband's head! Ha.

We also had it flood in the home we are renting out. It completely flooded in the kitchen and it was quite the ordeal. A huge mess, and a lot of stress. Grayson came running saying "IT'S RAINING" and I was thinking he was just playing or watching a show, and then I see this.... 

I had a melt down (and that's putting it lightly).... luckily nothing *really* got ruined even though some major important things got wet.... vacuum... computer..... and other random kitchen appliances. At least my Blendtec was safe ;-) I think I actually went to get that first thing haha. I feel like our place is still  in shambles a little bit. We had to use every towel we had, plus a lot extra from my husbands family. They were really great in helping us and helping shop vac out all the water. They've had this happen a few times to different homes they've lived in or rented so they knew what to do luckily! I am also glad that we were home when this happened because we were about to go out on a date and let my sister tend Grayson. Which that would have been way worse to have her alone and have that happen! I am thankful for my family and everything that they do for me. I wouldn't have been able to make it through this weekend without them haha. 
I am trying to at least find a silver lining to this in that I can now completely re-organize my kitchen, pantry (it leaked in there too) and linen closet, since we had to use all of the towels and it was pretty much a mess prior to this. [well a "trying to look halfway organized" mess.] So there's that! ;-) 

Sisters<3

I want to also take this time to announce the IdealShape Boost Packets Giveaway Winner, not too many contestants this time! But it's all okay, since the winner is Kendal Ianuzi, my sister... She's pretty pumped to try these out and is thinking of starting a Fashion Blog herself. She is seriously amazing at putting outfits together! She is also one of my biggest supporters when it comes to my blogging and youtubing which means a lot to me :) I love her and I am so happy she is back and that I get to see my son, Grayson spend time with her and see how much he loves his Auntie "Kennel". Thank You to all those who have entered and stayed tuned to my Youtube Channel for some more exciting Giveaways which shall be taking place soon! 

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell 

Have you ever had anything major happen to your home or where you were living?

13 Virtues

So, I am reading this book and it's talking about Benjamin Franklin and a list he made to take control of his life and set a higher standard for himself. He made a list of 13 Virtues that he wanted to follow daily, for the rest of his life. Sort of like a daily self improvement check list. He would write down all twelve states in his journal and made a grid for each day of the month, "Every time I violate any one of these virtues," "I will put a small black dot next to that value for that day. My goal is to have no black dots on my chart. Then I will know I am truly living these virtues." 

I really liked this idea and decided that I wanted to do this myself. 

So here's my list, for myself:

1. Cheerful
2. Passionate
3. Balanced
4. Courageous
5. Active
6. Happy
7. Loving
8. Faithful
9. Dedicated
10. Ambitious
11. Strong
12. Thankful
13. Open-Minded

That list took me a while to come up with hah! I even thought about this while I worked out too. Some of these are going to be harder for me than others. But I know that by doing this, and seeing these through it will help me be able to grow. I think it's very easy to get caught up in life, never stopping to see the good in it; or even really think to focus on self improvement. I think that when we take the time to work on ourself, we help better those around us as well. 

And this is totally un-related to this post but super cute, Grayson's FIRST hot chocolate!! Don't worry it wasn't to hot, it was more like luke-warm-hot-chocolate. But he was so happy, and cute. I love seeing him experience things. 

Xoxo,

Brittany Marie Powell

What is something you would put on your List?
What's your favorite Holiday/Seasonal Treat?

Beehive Bazaar

Today was a fun day because I actually had something fun to do, and not boring (like laundry) hah! I decided to go check out the Beehive Bazaar down in Riverwoods. 
I met up with a friend and we had fun looking at all of the different booths vendors had set up. Everything was set up beautifully, and it was all so crafty and adorable. 
Some things were so simple yet I would never have thought to make it! 
I got a lot of cute decorating/crafting ideas and 
I purchased a couple of cute items that I want to share with y'all.

{i am going to do my best to mention everyone who 
crafted these items, to give credit where credit is due my friends!}

Item #1 is this cute little wooden iron-man, which I believe all the Avenger ones were strategically placed at toddler eye level for a reason ;-) hah but he really wanted it,  I usually don't give in to all the toys he wants, because he always wants toys whenever we are out and about, but this time I did. It was too cute to pass up. I would have liked to get all of the Avengers!

made by littlethingshappy instagram

IRONMAN aka "man man" as Grayson likes to say.

made by unknown, if you the crafter of this beautiful-ness
happens to read this blogpost, let me know! :)

Item #2 is this darling deer antler decoration (by which I can hang jewlery on... and anything else that needs hanging. Maybe my race medals! I am wanting it to be hung with all of my other girly items like my makeup and shoes and nail polish. :) aka #myhappyplace I have actually been wanting to craft something similar to this for a while now, one of my good Youtuber friends did a whole tutorial on something similar she had made, and it was so cute! So when I saw this I had to have it, because I know I probably wouldn't be making it any time soon, since I've been saying I'd make one ever since she put the video out. Which was a while ago....

Going to this shin dig made me realize all of the things I want to craft up, so I making a personal list of crafty projects I want to finish/DO.... feel free to ignore this haha
*paint thrifted bookcase, you bought it in JUNE....
*make a pretty bunting banner with fabric for my Youtube Videos.
*make a cute wooden sign.
*make a christmas tree like this whimisical one by noelledesigns instagram:

the green one with the pink pedestal is my fav <3

#tiredmommyselfie

I am including this lazy selfie of me, because I really liked my outfit today. I'm wearing a Lilly Pulitzer mermaid top and a mermaid necklace to match! Both of which were purchased on ebay and I got a really great deal on both items. #ilovelilly and #iloveebay

I feel very sleep deprived right now, even though last night was the first night in a while that I was able to sleep. Perhaps that's why. Do any of you function better on less sleep than you do with more? Or am I just extremely strange? I still need to work out too... I ran a mile this morning... and then I talked to MY SISTER, which may not seem like a big deal to most but she has been serving a mission for our Church in the Phillipines, and today was the first time i got to talk to her for 18 months. I am so happy she is home and I am so proud of her for serving for our Church. She's a good egg! <3 hah

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell

And The Winner Is....

Kayleigh Thulin!! Congrats, I will be emailing you shortly to give you your prize info! Thank you for all that entered and stay tuned for I will be having more fun give aways for you all! For those of you that didn't win you can go to:

www.idealshape.com

Call 1-800-51-0896 and ask how you can save 10% and FREE Shipping on every order. 

Follow us on Social Media:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IdealShape

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealshape

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdealShape

****And I want to offer you a Special one time 20% discount code for my followers.

Simply put the code BPOWELL20 in the space provided at checkout for 20% off your order.****   

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell

FALL FASHION FAVORITES

HAPPY FRIDAY MY FRIENDS!

So since I am feeling all sorts of autumnal goodness right now I thought I'd share some of my current  Fall Fashion Favorites right now. I love Fall, and really miss upstate new york's Fall leaves.  

1.) SWEATERS! I love sweater weather, and I have been on the hunt for a white one just like this! 

2.) My Sister's Leather Driving Gloves- she's gonna be peeved when she comes back from the Philippines and realizes I've been wearin' these... but I love them. And I might keep them. Hopefully she won't read my blog when she gets back ;-) hehe

3.) Steve Madden Andru Red Zipper Boots- These have been on my wish list for a long time so I was super happy to find them and at a great price too! I really love these boots.

4.) LL Bean Boots- These were a 'spendy' purchase of mine, but I absolutely adore them. They are so comfy and in my mind go with everything. They are my new version of UGGS and I think it's going to take the jaws of life to get me to stop wearing them. I am going crazy for the red and plaid ones they are coming out with soon!! 

5.) Lilly Pulitzer Pull-Over's- I love these and although I only own two of them, I am obsessed. They are so fun and bright and they make me happy. Actually, everything Lilly makes me happy! :-)

So that is it for my Fall Fashion Favorites, what are some Fall pieces that you can't live without? Until next time....

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell

PS-Don't Forget to enter my GIVEAWAY I announce the winner tomorrow! :-D

#MIMM and a GIVEAWAY!!!

    Happy Marvelous Monday Darlings! 

   So for today's Marvelous Monday post I decided it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY!! A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend the Pinners Conference which was so much fun! I attended two classes, both on photography which helped me learn a lot. But one of my favorite parts of the Pinners Conf. is all the fabulous shops and booths you can explore. While I was visiting the booths I came across a booth called IdealShape, right away I was intrigued by their products because of a key ingredient in them called Slendesta. Slendesta is a potato starch which helps curb hunger.

    Just a few tips I have for you my loves:

• I suggest drinking a full glass of water after each bar you consume. This helps to activate the hunger blocker.  
• Any time you cut back your calorie intake it will take a couple of days for your body to adjust.  (complaints of still feeling hungry) so don't give up!
• Be sure to be eating 5 times a day. I suggest 2 healthy snacks. The Idealbar works great for this. 
  
  
  
     I've been trying out these bars for a while now, and I honestly have noticed a change. I have to be careful when I choose to eat a bar because I find it curbs my hunger for 2-3 hours. Once I ate one close to dinner, and wasn't super hungry for dinner. So you do have to plan it out so you can get all your meals in. 
  
  
  So for today's GIVEAWAY I am giving away: 
  
  
  IdealBars Giveaway Retail Value $67
  1 of each flavor which is 4 boxes. 
  
  
  
  

  ****And I want to offer you a Special 20% discount code for my followers.

  Just simply put the code BPOWELL20 in the space provided at checkout for 20% off your order.****

  
  
  If interested about IdealShapes Products and Program you can go to: 

  www.idealshape.com

  Call 1-800-51-0896 and ask how you can save 10% and FREE Shipping on every order. 

  Follow us on Social Media:

  YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IdealShape

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealshape

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdealShape

Hope you all have had a Marvelous Monday, and Good Luck to all those that enter, this giveaway will end on November 22nd! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Three Things Tuesday

I finally was able to go to the doctors today to get anitbiotics, I am not a happy camper when I am sick! I have so many projects I need to get done and now that I am feeling better I can finally tackle them. I went on pinterest and printed out a cleaning schedule courtesy of cleanmama.net  she has a bunch of free printables, I love her blog so much! It is my dream to be even half as organized as she is. 
   

 I don't really have much to say today so I am just going to share a few Pin's on Pinterest, that have caught my eye. I really am Pinterest Obsessed. I've had many sleepless nights due to spending way too much time on Pinterest! haha Anyways, I very much want to try this Ben Nye Banana Powder, I've heard nothing but good reviews about it, and look how flawless of a finish it leaves! 
   I am thinking about applying for a few makeup jobs, I'd love the opportunity to learn more and enhance my skills. And we could also use the extra income right now since we are finally starting our search in House Hunting again! Ahh! IT is sooo nerve wracking, and I wish houses weren't so expensive where we live but such is life! I know that we will find the perfect home for our family and that everything will work out. 

How adorable is this arm party?! I am looooving Tortoise Shell jewelry right now. This Tortoise Shell Michael Kors watch is so chic, and timeless. I love looking at all of the fashion posts on Pinterest. I looove this Lilly pumpkin printed skirt! <3 data-blogger-escaped-font="">

I am going to now try and find the energy to work out. I don't feel well, but I think I can work out today. I've gotten better at listening to my body I think I am even more paranoid now to when my body needs rest or when it doesn't. I've fell off the wagon lately, I feel like, with eating and working out. So I really need to get my right mind set back, and stop letting my stresses affect my food choices....which happens! 

To Do's &amp; Goals For the Week:
-Film and post at least 3 Youtube Videos.
-Stick to my daily meal plan and calorie goals.
-Wake up early for cardio.
-Get back into my lifting program.
-Drink more water.
-Focus on the positives, don't let the little things stress me out.
-Get Grayson Mickey Mouse Flashcards, and practice with him.
-Be better at Potty Training with Grayson. 

XOXO,
Brittany Marie Powell

Me Party Of One!

   Well, Grant went to the movies with a friend so I decided to have a ME party, as the Muppets Movie would say! Which really just consisted of having a sugar free Rita's Italian Ice...watching trashy girly reality TV shows and reading blogs. Livin' it up over here. ;-)

   We are on the bulk phase of Body Beast. I've really enjoyed Body Beast, and even though it is tough it is worth it to me because I can see and feel the changes. I can even see myself doing another round of this! I'm starting to enjoy lifting more. I still don't think I get quite the same endorphins/stress relief as I do with running. 

   

   Lately Grayson just thinks it is hilarious to cover himself (and mommy) in stickers. It's so funny to see what he thinks is funny. He's developed such the little personality. He's my boy<3 

   Tomorrow for dinner I am hoping to make a turkey meatloaf. The body beast nutrition guide came with a recipe book for one. I am also thinking of trying to make a key lime cheesecake or maybe a Carmel one or maybe a cookies and cream one. Or I might just get the church lazy's and not make a dessert haha we shall see. Church wears me out sometimes (my service is 3 hrs).

   

^ I like this quote a lot. For me personally, I think I let fear win when it comes to things I want to do. I think, I think I won't succeed and that scares me. But honestly I have come to the conclusion that I would rather try and fail at something, than to never have tried at all and spend my life wondering. Anyways that's my "deep" thought for the day haha getting sleepy now. Good night everyone! 

Xoxo,

Brittany 

   

   

My Birthday in Pictures.

    Birthday Date with Grant.

On July 16th I turned the big 2-5 I had an awesome time with family and friends. And food :-P haha

    "First Let Me Take A Selfie"

    

    Love my Girls! And Grayson helped me blow out my candles, he's sucha good helper.

   

   PIZZA!!!!

    

   I've waited forever to have this cookie, because I kept telling myself I could have it on my birthday it was delicious! 

Xoxo,

Brittany Marie Powell

I'm SO excited, and I just can't hide it....

B r i g h t  N i g h t  E v e n t TOMORROW !!!! Yippee! I've been so busy today. I had to get my little business cards ready so people will remember me. Haha. I made sure all of my sites were perfect, I did a lot of work on here, although it still has more to be done. I am a little nervous, I hope to make friends at this shin dig and not be a loner. And I still don't know what I'm gonna wear. A fashion blogger I am NOT! Hah. Anyways, I'm going to try and sleep, I can't wait to have a Me Party Day, with no mommy duties to tend to. :)

Xoxo,

Brittany