Wednesday Fashion Items: Princess Fashions

Which Princess are you? 

Pick your fashions!

I am definitely a combination of  Belle, Pocahontas & Tiana...fierce princess!

Be Inspired Monday: Find, Do Happy!

Sometimes in life we have to find what makes us happy....

Then we have do what makes us happy...

Then just do more of what makes you happy!

Via

Confess ladies, where are you finding your happiness lately?

Celebrating Our 30s: Monica

Ladies, have a great shopping day this Black Friday ..be safe out there!

I know we have been MIA for some time however we are back in action today celebrating Monica of So Family Online.  Ms. Monica is definitely one busy and inspiring lady and she makes it look easy.  Her blog is filled with great information on children, families and much much more! 

It is such a pleasure to know someone like Monica.

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1.  First Name (including blog name and url)  

Monica J 

So family Website - http://www.sofamilyonline.com

So family Blog & Reviews - http://www.sofamilyonline.blogspot.com

2.   Age 

 33

3.  What Have You Changed Since Turning 30 

Wow, so much has changed since I've turned 30, but I’m still a big kid at heart. 

As far as relationships go, I've had to let some go, that I considered toxic, but I've replaced them with new, meaningful ones that I cherish.  I have learned a great deal about relationships, both romantic and friendships, since turning 30.

  Physically, I've learned that the weight just doesn't drop the way it used to.  I had to make lifestyle changes in that area to maintain my health.  I'm more responsible with my finances now than I was in my 20's.   Wish I knew then what I know now.  Socially, I don't hang out as much as I’d like, but I enjoy dinners with my girlfriends, attending conferences and great events.  What I love the most is a quiet evening in, snuggled up with a good movie and my ipad.

4.  Make a Confession about being 30something?

 Once I hit 30 I felt this new found womanhood that I didn't feel in my 20's. 

I swear I felt more empowered and wise once I hit the big 30.  It may all be mental, but hey, it works for me.

5.  Are you in the career you always wanted to be in?

I have definitely found my calling in blogging about everything family and sharing articles, information and resources with parents.  I enjoy working as a Special Education Preschool Teacher by day, but I'm in love with my blogging career that continues to grow.  I've always loved kids, toys and everything family, so everything I'm doing with Sofamilyonline.com comes so naturally. So family is my baby.  

6.  How are you balancing work, family and friends?

I ask myself every day how I balance it all.  It just happens, but I have created a schedule for myself and I'm trying so hard to stick to it.  Every day is a challenge for me, because my day job requires so much time and paperwork.  I just tell myself to do the best you can do.  My mom and dad always tell me, "take it one day at a time."  I definitely listen to my parents.  I always call them for support when I'm feeling overwhelmed.  

7.   Do you think you will still be using facebook/twitter/blogger/wordpress after your thirties? 

Oh, for sure.  If Facebook, Twitter, Blogger & Wordpress maintain popularity, then of course I'll be using it.  The exciting thing about this on-line world is that it's continuously changing, so I just adapt to the change.  Sometimes it can be difficult to keep up.  I feel as though I can't take a break or else I'll miss something. 

8.  Did you think you would be married with children by 30?

I honestly thought out of all of my friends that I would have kids first. 

I thought we would all get married around the same time, but I just knew I would have kids first.  So, neither has happened for me and soon I'll be the last one.  Growing up I was always the one babysitting someone's child or playing with all the kids at family functions.  Everyone said I would be a great mom, but it hasn't happened yet.  Motherhood and marriage are two things I definitely want and hope for, but it will happen when the times right.  I feel like I'm supposed to be a mother, it's a part of me.  For now I'll continue learning from others, researching new information and preparing for that day.  I'll definitely be ready when it comes. 

  

9.  How do you keep fit?

Well, I wouldn't say I'm as fit as I want to be, but I do maintain my weight and eat healthier. 

 I love to dance, so my two go to fitness routines are Zumba and African Dance Class.  OMG, everyone knows I love to dance.  I dance in the store, in the aisles, while cooking, it doesn't matter if the music comes on I'm moving.  I haven't been taking as many dance classes as I used to, but I will get back on target soon.  Dancing relieves all the stress!

10.  What have you learned the first 3 years of your 30’s?

My favorite quote will sum up the most important thing I've learned the first 3 years of my 30's.

  This quote is so true when it comes to your life.  

Think about it. 

"Put on Your Mask First, then Help Others"

    -From All Airlines

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Thank you Monica for celebrating your 30s with us! 

And i LOVE the quote: Put on Your Mask First, then Help Others!

Because it's so true we have to help ourselves before we can help others!

Ladies, quick click here to check out Monica's blog!

(sidenote: Monica's met Cookie Monster..i mean he is my favorite ever...C is for cookies ladies!)

ThanksGiving!

There are many things to be thankful for this year including:

 our family, friends, blog readers but especially the birth of TOI's daughter!

TC30s would like to wish TOI and her family many blessings!

Celebrating Our 30s: Natalie!

We couldn't wait to interview Natalie because when we initially got in contact with her, she had just turned 30 and pregnant with her first little man and due any moment.  We are happy to annouce she had a beautiful little boy whom she blogs about on her website along with life as a wife to her Dallas Boy (handsome hubby)!  Plus she refers to herself as Miss Bright Side and who wouldn't want to know someone with that disposition?

We are pleased to introduce the new mama to you all, Natalie!

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First Name

Natalie

 http://natalie-missbrightside.blogspot.com

Age
30

1. What have you changed about the following areas since turning 30?

Physical

* I am a new mom to a 6 week old baby boy so my body is definitely different! It is
not as scary as I thought it would be though, I am hoping watching what I eat and exercising (30 Day Shred, woot!) will help me get back to my pre-baby weight.

Social

  Compared to my twenties my social life in my thirties is SO tame. I frequented bars and clubs in my twenties, now I really look forward to a cozy night in with my husband and son.

Money

 I am a stay-at-home mom so my household is a one income family. I do my best to stay on top of our budget and find ways to make our dollars stretch. My son is my number one priority so I focus on making sure his needs are met. That is more important to me now than buying a trendy pair of shoes (although, I do miss my shoe shopping!).

Relationships As I transitioned from my twenties to my thirties I started to evaluate my friendships. I am choosing to only spend my time and energy on people that are positive for me. No more drama!

Children   

 My son, Max, the cutest little baby boy ever!

He was born September 7, 2011, 3 weeks before my due date!

1. Make a Confession about being a 30something?     

I confess that I really enjoy being thirty! I feel like my twenties were such a time of exploration, growth, and drama; I am glad that phase of my life is over. I feel like I am really becoming comfortable in my own skin and don’t need to please everyone. I am truly starting to live for myself!

Go Wild!

2. What would you tell your 20-something self?  
 You will struggle, quite often. You will lose friendships, only to gain lifelong ones. You will end that toxic relationship and lose everything, but you WILL get your life back and it is 100 times better. That list of traits you made in what you were looking for in a man? You will find him and he will exceed all your expectations and will change your life for the better. The career you always thought you wanted? Turns out you truly want to just be happy and that doesn’t include a fancy job title. Becoming a mom will change you forever and you will finally feel like you are doing what you are meant to do. You are the woman you are today because of the decisions you made in your twenties and although they weren’t always the best choices, you are a good person, inside and out.

3. What is the best/fun thing you’ve done since turning 30?
 Hands down, without a doubt, becoming a mom!

4. Any fashion and beauty you've learned since turning 30?   

 Less is more! I actually wear less make-up now than I ever have.

I am trying to let my natural beauty shine through more.

5. Do you have any favourite motto you go by?   

 Heal the past, Live the present, Dream the future!

6. Do you have one advice you would like to tell your children/future children?   

Be true to yourself … Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for being you!

7. Does you husband (family), ever read your blog?

    Yep! Dallas boy is one of my most faithful readers! My mom, sister and sister-in-law are also known to frequent my blog. I have to be careful about what I write though ;)

 

 

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Thank you Natalie for reminding us to "Heal the past, Live the present, Dream the future!"

and i am so glad little ma couldn't wait to come out to meet you.

Ladies, when you get a minute, stop by Natalie's blog and say hello!

Wednesday Fashion Items: Hair Edition

We all love Sanaa Lathan and she seems to like variety in hairstyles...
so we wanted to ask...
Which Sanaa Lathan hairstyle suits her best?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Be Inspired Monday: Mental Fortitude!

Recently i have decided to run a half-marathon..i might be crazy and insane because the last time i ran a 10K was over four years ago.  However recently i started running again and i am committed to challenging my body to do something that it has never done before. 

 I think of TOI and what her body is prepping to go through with child labour and i am in awe of all the amazing things our bodies are capable of.  Child labour i know has NOTHING on running a half-marathon but what i believe are similar is the mental fortitude we need to go through these situations.

A lot of women take classes to prepare themselves mentally to deal with the pain that comes with labour and truth be told, running needs the same kind of mental preparedness.  Whether it's through music, a quote and or Bible verse...whatever method you use...it has to do with what you are thinking to remain strong.  Mental Fortitude.

This Be Inspired Monday, we want to challenge you to maintain your mental fortitude in all you do, whether it's training for a half-marathon and or prepping for child labour!

Practice mental fortitude...Be Inspired!

(excuse where the quote came from...vulgar website but awesome quote!)