This birthday is going to be one I look back on with the most relevance. I had sort of been dreading today. It’s not that I don’t love birthdays. They are actually my favorite days to celebrate. I think everyday above ground is a good one. But the real reason I was not at all excited is because the first part of my thirties didn’t turn out like they were supposed to. Boo-hoo for me. I had a vision when I turned 30 of how my life was going to progress and it disintegrated. Let me explain…

Grayson was born in August of 2008. That was the time of the stock market crash. My husband is in the financial industry so you can probably guess the stress level in our house. We stabilized. We were hit again. We stabilized. Another set-back. Held steady. Boom. Bust. You get the picture. For the entire year of 2011 I physically felt like someone had their hands around my neck. Squeezing. Fun times, huh? I worried for our future constantly. I was living in fear. Paralyzing fear.  I was waiting for the outcome of others to determine the path of MY life. Big mistake. Huge. (In case you didn’t catch it – that was a Pretty Woman reference).

I don’t feel the fear anymore. My pity party is over. I have control of the direction of my future no matter what goes on around me. Yes, there will always be setbacks but they will no longer paralyze me. I have never felt more love for my family or more confidence in myself than I do now. I am forever changed and I owe that to the difficult experiences over the past few years. So 35 will forever be known as the year of becoming FEARLESS. Happy birthday to me.

 

Written by Lea Barlow • 3 Comments

My absolute must have boot this season is a pair of Hunter rubber boots. I have seen them year after year beautifully displayed on the wall of the Nordstrom shoe department yet have never been compelled to buy a pair. But I am turning 35 next week and figured it was about time I owned some rubber boots. Now I am completely obsessed about what color to buy and which socks to match them with. Take a look at how incredibly sexy, rugged and chic these boots manage to look all at once…

It does rain a lot in Florida PLUS they would be perfect for the soggy football fields.

So adorable with shorty-shorts.

For when I am channeling my inner prepster.

DYING for this look.

Wearing them may finally motivate me to refinish that table I keep putting off, right?

We live on the water now so a pair of Hunter boots is most likely mandatory.

Can you say timeless?

Yep, Tennison will be getting her own pair as well.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Farrior Facial Plastic Surgery Center for today’s awesome giveaway!

I have been using Obagi products for the last two years and couldn’t be happier with the results. The Obagi Condition & Enhance System is the leading skincare program that works at the cellular level for skin that looks and acts younger and healthier. The set contains full size products and comes with a brochure that has explicit details about its ingredients and use. It is important to follow the correct order of use exactly for the best results.

The system includes:
-1 Foaming Gel  (6.7 fluid oz.200 ml)
-1 Toner  (6.7 fluid oz./200 ml)
-2 Clear  (2 oz/60 gram)
-1 Exfoderm Forte  (2 oz/60 gram)
-1 Blender (2 oz/60 gram)
-1 Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35  (3 fluid oz/90 ml)
-Patient Personal Guide to Transformation

This giveaway is valued at $435!

Good Luck! Good Luck! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Written by Lea Barlow • 2 Comments

Portion control is critical when it comes to eating right. On the left side of the picture is a  typical sized dinner plate. To the right is the salad plate. Can you guess which one I use? I guarantee that no matter how little you think your portion is on a dinner plate it is still too large. A simple way to control portions is to use a smaller plate. Just don’t cheat the plate (or yourself) by piling the food high! I also suggest packing the dinner plates away until you need them for a special occasion. An additional benefit from developing the habit of eating from a smaller plate is that you will find yourself easily offended by the ridiculously large portions that restaurants serve. Because of this I know longer order entrees when I am out. I eat something light before I go to ‘dinner’ and order an appetizer instead. Try it!

Written by Lea Barlow • 2 Comments