Love Ciara: July 2012

New Mind Body Cleanse Goodies

Last week I picked up some more healthy goodies for my mind and body cleanse. These items are from Whole foods and just some of the things I picked up. I will be doing a video review shortly!

I did a post about a week ago telling you guys I ordered these shoes and a purse from Shoedazzle.com. I received them in the mail yesterday and I must say they are GORGE! I love the gold detailing on the buckles, especially since I tend to prefer gold accessories. I can't wait to pair the black boots with some red jeans, a white top, and black leather jacket. I'm still debating what would look best with the brown boots. What do you think?

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Make Your Work Wardrobe Fun

Blazer: DailyLook.com
Tank: Forever21
Pants: NYC and Co.
Bag: Love culture
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelet: Juicy Couture

Who says work clothes/accessories have to be boring? You can look fab in work attire but still look professional. I like to jazz up my workday fits by adding a pop of color:) If you do this while not overaccessorizing, you can create a look that's workplace worthy!

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Mind and Body Cleanse Day 4

Daily workouts are a part of my routine

Today marks the fourth day of my mind and body cleanse and I'm already noticing a difference! It's amazing the clarity a detox of the body and mind can do for you. For the past four days I have been giving my body fresh, healthy foods, vitamins, and all natural products. I have been coupling it with daily workouts and I even started a yoga routine that I can do right in my living room on mornings when I don't want to trek to the gym.

I'm trying out new all natural products

I'm also noticing that I have more clarity and more productivity. It may be a placebo effect and more a result of aging and maturation, but I tend to see things more differently now than I ever had. That includes spirituality, work, relationships, friendships, etc. It's just allowed me to pritotize things in my life better. I've also forced myself to get more sleep and to give myself positive affirmations everyday instead of negativity.

Initially I set out to do this cleanse for a few weeks in preparation for photoshoots, appearances, etc. But this is turning out to be far more beneficial to my body and mind than I thought it would. It's not extreme or grueling. Therefore I may find ways to incorporate some of these principles into my life on the regular.

New Fashion Buys

I recently snagged a few new pieces to add to my collection. I got a GREAT deal on these from Shoedazzle.com. I love this purse for the summer and these boots for the fall.

Handbag: "Sebree" in white

Boots: "Dionne" in Cognac (pictured left) and black (pictured right)

I'm Doing A Mind and Body Cleanse

Today I had this weird epiphany...not sure if it comes with my new age or not getting enough sleep:) I decided to do a mind and body cleanse. I want to do a body cleanse because I'm getting older and life is short. I want to live a long and HEALTHY life. I want to treat my body like it is my temple. Although I'm a generally healthy person, with all the traveling and partying I've done recently, my health has taken a back seat. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition decisions, and a hiatus from the gym have left me feeling sluggish and in need of refreshment- THUS the body cleanse.

I picked up a few goodies today to add to my "health collection" as I like to call it. There's really no rhyme or reason to it but just putting things in my body to cleanse, detoxify, and nourish it. That means fresh and healthy foods, cleansing teas, and regular exercise. I'm also thinking of switching up my regular gym routine to do morning yoga sessions.

I decided to do a mind cleanse because I want to treat my mind as well as I treat my body. I want to feed my mind good things also. I focus my life on so many material things (fashion, beauty, hair, makeup, etc.) which is fine because it makes me happy. BUT I don't want to lose focus of the most important things in life: God, family, wholeness, peace, happiness, etc. While cleansing my body, I also want to cleanse my mind and my soul. I'm so busy and consumed with everything on my plate that I forget to take time to myself and just enjoy the simple things in life or thank God for all my blessings.

I picked up this book by Joel Osteen called Every Day a Friday. It touches on happiness, forgiveness, gratitude, perseverance- just everything positive you can think of. I was blown away when I strummed through it in the store. I love Joel Osteen's ministry and I hear awesome things about his books, so I can't wait to read this.

When u begin each day in faith, anticipating something good, God tells the angels to go to work and to arrange things in your favor. He gives you breaks, lines up the right people, and opens the right doors- Joel Osteen

I'm also cleansing my mind by keeping more peace in my heart and home. This means turning my cell phone on vibrate, turning off the music and listening to silence in the car, taking time to read and do devotions, have a cup of tea, and spending less time watching tv and more with myself. I found that if I "declutter" my life a little bit, my mind is clearer and I feel more at peace:)

I'm not sure exactly how long or how often I will do this cleanse. It was kind of a spur of the moment but very much needed idea. If I'm motivated to do so, I will do more mind and body cleanse posts!

I'm 26!!! A Hearfelt Memoir

Yesterday I turned 26 years old. It's so crazy how time flies. If you would have asked me 5 heck even 2 or 1 year ago if I would be where I am today, I would have laughed in your face. What's that saying? If you want to laugh tell God your plans? Ok I totally messed that up, but you get the idea. So many things in my life haven't gone as planned, but I love the person it has made me into- a strong, independent, go-getter. I feel at 26 I have truly come into my womanhood and realize what makes me happy, what I will and won't stand for, and who I am. Every experience, success, trial, and failure has molded me into this individual that will stop at nothing to reach every single dream I can think of, and some. Some people get it twisted and think because they are ____ age they can't go back to school, go after their dream career, get married, go bunjee jumping, whatever! lol Age is obviously a physical and biological characteristic, but it is so much a mindset. If I believed that life was over after the devil knocked me down and told me I couldn't do or have anything I want in life...where would I be? This memoir is for me, but also anyone who thinks its too late to accomplish your dreams in life. Or even anyone who has experienced tragedy in their life but doesn't see the light at the end. My life is a testimony to all that it is never too late to find what makes you happy! I'm still fairly young all things considered, but I feel I have gained a mass of wisdom and knowledge in my twenties that will last me through the years. Life is just beginning for me and the possibilities are endless:)