Non-Scale Victories

Hello my sweet friends, thanks for stopping in to visit with me today. Today, I have a "weight-loss" update of sorts to share... I know I have not posted on my weight loss journey in a while. And well if you know me, you may have guessed the reason why. Usually when I am not making "progress" in my journey, I tend to feel inadequate to write an inspirational post, or an update post with "nothing" to update you on. Since I have been at a plateau in my weight loss, I just been focusing more on other topics here on the blog... Putting this update to the back-burner.  However, when I realized just how long it has been since my last weight loss update, I figured I better quit feeling sorry for myself and just share...

I've realized before, that just because I am at a plateau, doesn't mean there is nothing inspirational or important for me to share... After all, in the process of ANY weight loss journey it's important to focus on more than just what the scale says.... Ive mentioned before when I was at a previous plateau that I started taking measurements too because even though the scale wasn't budging, I was still losing inches, and that was a positive thing!

Well... What happens when there is plateau in both scale and measuring tape? Should we feel guilty or anger, or disappointment in ourselves and (lack of) progress? HECK NO.

I started thinking about the positive things, rather than wallowing in negative thinking... Sure it can be frustrating when the scale isnt moving, but its in times like this when we need to focus on the POSITIVE little things, that have nothing to do with a scale... We call these Non Scale Victories!

These may seem little, unimportant things to some... But to ME, and to others on a weight loss journey, these are HUGE Victories that we should celebrate and appreciate just as much as a lost pound or inch. So in an effort to change my thinking to a positive note... I made out a list of MY own none-scale victories, and I encourage YOU to do the same.. I dare you even to share them with me here today!

~Being confident enough to workout alone.

~Looking forward to going to the gym instead of dreading it.

~Having a normal bath towel (fit) all the way around me, not a huge over-sized beach towel.

~Maintaining my weight... Its a whole lot better than gaining! And something to count as a Victory!

~Being able to cross my legs – I mean actually crossing them over the knee and not having to rest my ankle on my knee because my legs are so big.

~Being able to buy clothes that are not considered a “plus size" (fitting into a medium!)

~Fitting into my prom dress again.

~Fitting into my WEDDING Dress again.

~Having longer endurance & energy at the gym, or even just playing with my kids

~Not getting winded walking up stairs or hills.

~Being able to lift more/do more reps while training.

~Having more confidence in myself, my abilities, and my self-worth.

~The Fact that I can actually wear boots/zip them over my calves

~Looking forward to going to the gym instead of dreading it.

And lastly/most impressively is being on the WALL OF CHANGE at my gym.....

This is seriously a HUGE victory for BOTH my sister and I. What an honor it was to even be asked to be featured at our gym, and be the inspiration for the start of the Wall of Change. 

(just fyi - these photo of the posters were taken with  my phone, so the quality isn't that great)

Our Shirts are from Strong Confident You!

Even though there are still moments here and there, when I get down and frustrated about the SLOW progress of my weight loss journey... I know I have many VICTORIES to celebrate. I am THANKFUL each and every one of them and for how far I have come. I am determined to keep it up. 

Mostly I feel blessed to be able to walk into my gym, see my picture on the wall as motivation and inspiration... Not just for others... But for myself as well! I see these posters on the wall, and I KNOW just how far I have come, and see how much the hard work has paid off. I see these posters, and I am reminded and determined to keep pushing forward. And even if I never lose another pound, I can be proud of the progress I have made, and happy that I am living a healthier life than the one I was living in the "before" picture.

What about you? What are your non-scale victories?

Much Love & Hugs,

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Get The Look | Summer Glitter Eyes

Hello beauties and thank you for stopping by! Today I am back with another "Get The Look" video tutorial! This look was inspired by a new dress I purchased recently, you can see a clip of it in the video... But it also sort of reminds me of Summer, because the colors are reminiscent of a watermelon! I didn't really, realize that till afterwards but I like it! We are on the verge of Summer - isn't that CRAZY! This year has FLOWN by! - So anyways I thought it was sort of perfect....

 You can watch the video tutorial on how you can get this look,
or scroll down to view the pictures and get the list of details below!

 http://www.agapelovedesigns.com/2014/05/get-look-summer-glitter-eyes.html

Details On this Look: 

Eyes:

MBA Shadow Poxy (Primer)

MBA Eye Shadow LoveSpell

MBA Eye Shadow Kelly

MBA Eye Shadow Black

MBA 'Glitter, Line & Foil Serum'

MBA Cosmetic Glitter Bubble Gum

Esqido (Mink Lashes) Voila Lashes

Find My Beauty Addiction Products here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAdd...
or here:
http://mybeautyaddiction.com/

Necklace: Premier Designs

Much Love & Hugs,

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Makeup Monday #73

Hello Beauty Babes, and happy Makeup Monday to you! Makeup Monday is a fun linky party dedicated to all things makeup & beauty. ♥ If you are a beauty blogger or have a beauty related post, I'd love to invite you to join in and link up below!

I do ask that if you link up to share the love: visit/comment one or two (or more) other links. 
REMEBER: This link up is for makeup/beauty related posts only!
This includes but not limited to beauty reviews, how-to's, hauls, giveaways, mani's, and hair/makeup look inspirations.

If you do not have a blog, but showcase beauty elsewhere like instagram or flicker, or youtube you are still welcome to link up as well, please just link to a specific photo, though, not your whole account! :) 

You can Subscribe to the Makeup Monday newsletter if you want to stay up to date about the link up, features, challenges and giveaways! 

RULES:    
1. There is NO limit to how many posts you can link up! However, I do ask that you link to a specific Blog Post, not your entire blog.
2. Please grab a button to add to your blog/blog post or link back to Makeup Monday 
3.* Follow your hosts Agape Love Designs & Wink for Pink    
4.* Tweet about this linky using hashtag #MakeupMonday and Tag @mariagridley

*Not Mandatory but appreciated

<a href="http://www.agapelovedesigns.com/search/label/Makeup%20Monday%20Linky" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l539/AgapeLoveDesigns/makeupmondayagape_zps4df9972a.png" border="0" alt="Makeup Monday"/></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Much Love & Hugs,

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Get The Look | Urban Decay Electric Palette

Hello beauty babes! Thanks for visiting with me today! I am back again with another Urban Decay Electric Palette look. And this time I am sharing the video (below) tutorial for it. You can see the first look I created with this palette here, if you are looking for more inspiration. 

Today's look is something just a little different. I know that the Electric Palette has been out now for a little while and there are all kinds of looks and tutorials posted everywhere! So I wanted to be sure to bring you something you may not have already seen before. I did a little research... Searched Google, Pinterest AND yes Youtube for looks using the UD Electric Palette. I did this to make sure I was bringing you something "new" and different that what others have already shown. And with all that searching I hardly saw any looks focusing on the Silver shade "Revolt" in this palette. SO, this look centers around that one!

With that being said, I sure hope you enjoy this look and tutorial! And if you do NOT have time to watch this video just yet, I do have SEVERAL photos below for you to check out, and Pin to your pinterest boards for later inspiration! Also, I do mention this in the video, but for your convenience I will mention the details on this look here too...

EYES:

- Electric Palette

- Naked Basics palette 

- Esqido (Mink Lashes) Voila Lashes

LIPS:

- My Beauty Addiction's HD Lip Paint in Grape Crush 

- E.L.F. Lip Liner in Fuscnia.

Watch the video tutorial here:

 If you enjoyed this look and video tutorial, let me know!
I love comments and hearing your feedback.
Also feel free to Pin, Tweet and Share this look with your friends!

Much Love & Hugs,

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NYC Cosmetics Review | Contest + Coupon!

**This post was sponsored by Lunchbox, however all thoughts and opinions are my own! I believe in being honest with you, and wont recommend something I myself would not purchase!

Hello beauty babes, and welcome back to my blog! I am always happy to have you here, and excited to share something new with you each day. Now today I am thrilled to tell you about New York Color Cosmetics! NYC is all about affordable makeup that makes a statement! With NYC Cosmetics its easy to create a full look with under $20! As a momma on a budget, that is music to my ears! So, I was more than happy to try a few of their products, to let you know what I think. Keep reading to see swatches, read about the products I got to try, and enter the WIN an NYC Prize Pack! When you are done, check out this link to see a few $20 makeovers, as well as download a $1 off coupon!

Up first, NYC's Big Bold Curl Mascara $4.99.

Description: No more games, it's time to get noticed!
Skyscraper high, outrageously thick and super sexy. NYC's Big Bold Curl mascara gives your lashes up to 12 times more volume and up to 99% more lift. One stroke multiplies your lashes by up to 147%. There are no clumps , just full-on drama and turned-right-up impact. Lashes get curled from corner to corner.

Benefits:
Up to 12 x more volume
Up to 99% more lift
Up to 147% lash multiplying effect after just one stroke
Oversized mega curved brush
No flaking, no smudging, no clumping
Ophthalmologist tested
Key Ingredients
Volumising formula with hydra keratin

My Thoughts: This wand is MASSIVE! (Be sure to follow me in IG, as I have a video clip of the wand in action). When they say "Over-sized wand" they are not exaggerating. It really doesn't take much to coat and elongate your lashes with this mascara! With the wand being so BIG, literally about the size of my eye, it will take some getting used to. So far, though I am liking it. I DO really like that it has a nice curve, to fit the natural curve of your lashes. It does give nice lift and separation for long and defined lashes. Though, as of right now, I dont think my lashes look much thicker with this mascara, as it claims. But I personally prefer the look of longer defined lashes rather than majorly thick lashes. So that does not bother me at all.

Lastly, this mascara did hold up really well for me throughout the day, without flaking, smudging or clumping as it claims. And for the great price of only $4.99, I definitely worth a try. Especially for those of you looking for a great mascara, that's quick and easy for days you may be in a rush out the door. Since the wand IS so big, it only takes 1 or 2 quick swipes... In the photos below I only did 2 swipes! The only negative I have is that, again with the big wand, it does make getting the lower lashes a little more tricky. I have found that just using the tip of the want to get the lower lash line works best.

Next I got to try NYC City Prood Twistable Intense Lip Color $2.99

Description: Just twist, glide and go! NYC New York Color City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color is here to give your lips a modern and fresh touch. Treat yourself to intense colors for hours with its wide range of amazing shades. With its shiny, stay-put finish, this lip color will become your go-to for an instant twist of color. You will love its beyond-cool pen format for an easy application. Feel the touch of silk on your lips!

My thoughts: These beautiful shades actually come off a little more sheer than I originally thought they would with the word "intense" in the name. Still I think they are absolutely gorgeous colors. I thought I would like Fulton St Fuchsia best, but I actually ended up loving Gramercy Park Plum, which was the most pigmented. 

 Each shade gives a nice, sheer wash of color, that looks glossy and feel lovely on the lips. And the twistable crayon like design makes application easy and precise. Perfect to stick in your bag for easy access on the go! (See more photos below the giveaway widget showing each shade in natural light and with flash)

Lastly I got to try the NYC Expert Last Lipstick $1.99

Description: Time for a COLOR SHOCK THERAPY! The New NYC Expert Last Lipstick is moisturizing, comfortable and longwearing, it stays on up to 6 hours. Discover the wide range of shades developed to match your every mood and style! You’ll find perfect plummy shades standing alongside true reds, next to creamy peaches. There’s one here for every look, outfit and situation you could dream of. The all-new Expert Last Lipstick . Who knew you could feel this way about a lipstick?

My Thoughts: Ok, confession time... I must admit to something here, at first glance of these lipsticks I didn't think they would be any kind of impressive at all! At a glance they look sort of waxy and cheap. And I was a little skeptical of how well these would look or even wear.... However, as you can see from the photos below, these colors really pack a punch! I sort of think these should have INTENSE color in their name, cause WOW. I had to tell you MY confession, cause I would imagine many of you would be like me, and not give these lipsticks a second glance, especially considering they are only $1.99 you might think "cheap price, cheap product", but NO... These lipsticks are VERY impressive!

I mean, just look at this color! They are gorgeous, creamy and long lasting. Just look how shiny and pigmented they are. And no, I am not wearing a lip balm under or gloss over them! This is the lipstick alone. Very stunning, I am SUPER IMPRESSED. And at only $1.99 I HIGHLY recommend! Now, as you can see, of the 3 that I tried, Coralista is the most sheer. Its not as intense as it looks in the tube, which I actually like. Not only that, but it was the only one that seemed to have a glittery shimmer to it. (See more photos below the giveaway widget showing each shade in natural light and with flash)

Alright friends, now for the giveaway! I know this widget is different from the one I typically use,
but its super easy, and I encourage you to enter for your chance to win 1 of 5 awesome Prize pack!
And dont forget to download your $1 off coupon code here!
#NewYorkColorMakeover (Week Two)

And for your convenience, here is a look at each lip swatch in natural light and with a camera flash!

Much Love & Hugs,

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May Beauty Box 5 - Reveal & Reviews (Video)

Hello beauty babes! Today I've got a reveal and review of May's BB5 c/o Beauty Box 5* to share with you.  

If you dont already know, Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling program that delivers a box filled with 5 cosmetic samples (and sometimes full size) to your door every month.

Cost: $12 / month, $30 / Quarterly, $99 / annually

Here is what was in my May Box:

You can watch the "unboxing" as well as my quick thoughts/reviews on the products in the video below!

If you dont have the time to watch the video right now, I will tell you that I did take a couple days to actually try out the products before filming to give you the reviews, rather than just show you what I got. And over all I really enjoyed everything in my box! The mos STAND-OUT item in the box were the Ban Total Refresh Cloths, though, they are AMAZING, and I have already repurchased them! Highly RECOMMEND! Also I really love the water-proof eye liner too.

If you are considering a subscription toBB5, here is a sneak peek of what to expect in the JUNE box! These look gorgeous and I am SO excited to get a FULL size polish! Sign up by May 31st, to get in on the June

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Much Love & Hugs,

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Workout Wednesday #7

Hello Beauties, I am back again with another Workout Wednesday video! If you like these videos, be sure to subscribe to me on Youtube for these zumba videos, beauty reviews, and much much more!

This week I am excited to welcome back my sister, Mona!
She is my Zumba Partner, and has also gone through a dramatic weight loss journey...
You can learn more about her and her weight loss on her Instagram, and she also has a blog!

You can read the condensed version of my weight loss story (before I started Zumba) here.

And you can keep up with my weight loss journey here.

Much Love & Hugs,

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Glasses Reveal | GlassesUSA Review

Hello sweet friends, and thank you so much for visiting with me today. If you are familiar with my blog you know that, of course, I share makeup looks. And have done looks specifically for girls who wear glasses, see those posts here & here. Even though I never actually needed eyeglasses myself, I've always been fond of the look. I have several pair of "fake" glasses, just for the fact that I like the look of them. Which I guess is a really good thing...Within the past couple of months, I noticed that my vision wasn't what it used to be. 

I noticed that I had a little trouble seeing things as clearly as I had always used to. It wasn't anything really bad, however to be sure I decided make myself an appointment with an eye doctor to get them checked. It had been at least 10 years since my last eye checkup! Turns out my eyes and eye-site are actually still really great. My problem is that because I do tend to be in front of a computer screen or behind a camera lens, my eye get tired, in turn making my vision a little fuzzy at times.

The Doctor said prescription glasses were not a MUST for me, however she did recommend them for my own comfort. Especially during computer time, and reading. She also recommended I get glasses with an anti-reflective coating on them, since I do work in front of the computer screen so much. With that, I of course thought it best to go ahead and get myself some glasses.

With all that being said, if you are active on my facebook and instagram accounts you may already know that I had found some really CUTE glasses online, and posted a collage of all the ones I was considering. I asked YOU all to help me choose, since I am so very indecisive. I was overjoyed by the responses and voting! You all love to make your opinions known, and I am SO grateful for your help!
 

Watch the video below to see which glasses were voted most popular and just how accurate these virtual photos compare to how the glasses actually look on me in real life!

Now obviously you know by now, my glasses came from GlassesUSA.com! I cant even express how thrilled I am to have partnered with them. Their site is SO much fun! Seriously, I never thought choosing glasses online could be so much fun, but it really was. Now before I get to all that, let me tell you a few things to know about GlassesUSA... Besides their high quality frames and lenses, they offer 110% lowest price guarantee, a 365 day warranty and free returns! You can also connect with them via Facebook and twitter.

Now let me tell you about my shopping experience! I said it already, but I will say it again... It was FUN! They offer this awesome option to upload your very own photo to their site. Once you do that, every one of the photos on their site change to show YOUR photo wearing each pair of glasses! I love that it automatically changes every photo on the site, so you dont have to worry about re-uploading a bunch of times, unless you want to change the photo out or adjust it a little more...

You can see in the photo below (and this 36 second keek video) how my photo showed up for each pair of glasses on their site. You can also see just how easy it is to search for the type of glasses you want. In the left sidebar you can choose from the frame shape, type, lens type, color, size and more! Super easy and convenient, not to mention the site runs very quickly as well! I believe that is important to note, because some sites where you can upload photos to or what not, can take forever to load (even with my high speed internet).

Obviously as you know, I am new to prescription glasses... Still I found the site very easy to use. And imputing my prescription was a breeze! Notice how they have all kind of "need help" or "Live Help" options? Makes it even more easy!

Lastly, you can choose your lens package, before you check out.  These packages vary in prices and options. I went ahead and choose the "Standard" package for my glasses, since it had the "Anti-Reflective Coating" added, which my eye doctor recommended! I love that there were so many options for you to choose what you need!

So in case you dont have the time to watch the video, you may be curious which glasses I picked right? Well, here they are....

 These ones are: ULTEM F9011 Burgundy w/Magenta

 These ones are: Muse Pumba Black w/Clear Purple

Alright friends, now I do have a 10% OFF discount code for you, which is "BLOG10". So if you are in the market for glasses, then be sure to grab that code... Or you can even check out their Sales & Coupons page for current site-wide deals. :) Of course you can go to the site and upload your photo and all that, but they also have this nifty little Virtual Mirror widget (seen below) for you to be able to virtually try on some glasses right here on my page! Try it out, and let me know what you think!

Much Love & Hugs,

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