On Marriage: Guest Blogger

Here at TC30s, we are inspired by every age and would like to inspire every age.

Today we are so happy to present you Elizabeth the twenty-five years old mother of two, the young lady behind YUMMommy.We love her posts on how to a successful marriage and lifestyle. So imagine our joy when she accepted to write something for TC30s on topic dear to our hearts: Marriage.

I personally believe everyone one, married or not, should read this post. Invite your friends to come and read because it is something we might unconsciously experience.

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Today Elizabeth is here to talk about Identity Crisis

There’s nothing like spending quality time with your spouse or significant other. You know...watching movies together on the couch or walks at the park. While doing things with the
love of your life is great, you want to make sure that you still maintain your own identity. As women we tend to make abandon our own identities and adopt our spouse’s. Thus, we end up developing an identity crisis.

This is a subject I can relate to all too well. I met my husband the second semester of my freshman year in college. He was so refreshing and different from any other guy I had hung out with. We immediately starting spending a lot of time together. In fact, the only days we really didn’t spend time together was when I had class.

My best friends began notice that they were seeing less and less of me. Which was true. They would see me on the days we had class. (We were all fashion majors, except one.) On those days, I’d catch up with them over lunch and dinner in the cafe. But I quickly noticed that they started inviting me to hang out less and less. I didn’t take it personal though because I chalked it up to them thinking that I was with my new boyfriend.

The summer came and school was over. I had decided that I didn’t want to spend the summer at home when all of my friends would be here in the city. I thought we’d be hanging out around the pool, shopping and hitting up parties. Instead, I ended up moving in with my boyfriend (now my husband) and barely saw my friends. Again, I convinced myself that it was ok.

Our token male bff had gone back home and the rest were either working full-time or had booed up like I had. We ran into each other once or twice the whole summer but often kept in touch with Facebook or texting. Thank goodness for technology. I spent my summer bonding and getting to know my boyfriend better as I called it. I never ventured out on my own. We were joined at the hip so to speak.

Fast forward to almost 12 months and it hit me that I didn’t know who I was anymore. I knew who my boyfriend was and who we were as a couple. But when it came to myself as an individual I was totally lost. I had started working thanks to my required externship for school. The company liked me so much they kept me on.

My life had some how become just about work, going to class and spending every other moment in between with my boyfriend who had become my fiance at this point. I think the wedding planning made realize that I was still an individual. I had my own hobbies. I used to enjoy spending time by myself. And more importantly, I used to make time for my friends.

I had to change that quick. First, I started back up with my hobbies. I’m big crafter and decided to get back in touch with crafting side. So, I would drag my fiance to the craft stores with me hunting down yarn and other DIY projects. Eventually, I stopped asking him to tag along all the time because to be honest I enjoyed looking for hours without hearing “Can we go yet?”

I was finding me again. I loved it. If I had to give a piece advice to any young girl or woman entering a relationship it would be to remember and continue to be who your are. Keep your identity.

Enjoy the me time. Don’t give up those shopping trips and spa dates with your girlfriends. And develop hobbies that you can do minus your significant other or anyone else for that matter. Join a social group. Being in a relationship or marriage does require some sacrifice but your identity doesn’t have to be one of them.

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Thank you again Elizabeth for this post. Ladies don't forget to say hello to her at YUMMommy!

Question: Have you ever felt like you've lost your identity in a relationship? How do you keep your identity alive in a relationship?

Please share on TC30s.

On Beauty: Body Products

A day doesn’t pass that I don’t use Cocoa Butter(I alternate between two types), E45, vaseline and oil to moisturise my body. I tend to have dry skin and during the winter I have to be more careful than ever. I use the four products above for various purpose.

Cocoa Butter is great to keep any undesirable stretch mark at bay. It works for me and I know it works for some of my friends. Vaseline, I use both lotion and gel when is very dry and cold out.

E45 is an emollient great to treat eczema (dry skin condition). I sub a small amount of the affected areas. I started using E45 two winters ago, because my eczema were appearing on as my chest and stomach. I saw the result, all the dark spots disappeared leaving my skin soft and smooth. I can’t find the exact brand here but I am trying something else , I will let you know how it works. In the meantime I am waiting for some two E45 from London. Body oil, is one of my beauty secret pleasures. I use it when I feel like getting extra pampered. I know one of the bottles read baby oil but it doesn't mean I can't use it, does it?OMG, thinking about it, maybe I am addicted to body products. What do you think?

Which kind of body product/s do you use?

Let's confess on TC30s.

Be Inspired Monday: Never Forget

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Many of us still remember what we were doing the minute the world changed. Yes, the world changed on September 11, 2001. From that moment on we were introduced to strict security checks and war was declared on TERROR. Causing terror in the whole world.

We cannot forget how our lives has changed. How an innocent face can now be mistaken for someone else. How a garment around someone's face or head can be looked upon with suspiscious eyes. How people united together and cried on strangers' shoulders.
In remembering those whose lives changed drastically after the events of 9/11, let's never forget to enjoy and be thankful for each waking moment. To let our beloved ones know how much we appreciate their lives in our lives. Let's never forget to LOVE giving our 100% and WORK 100% to reach our dreams!

Never forget, Be Inspired Monday!

Celebrating Our 30s!: Optimistic Mom!

As part of Celebrating Our 30s feature, we send our guests a questionnaire with a series of 30 questions they have to answer.  The first four are mandatory.  The rest are up to our lovely guests to pick and choose and have fun with the answers!

We are excited once again to introduce you to another lovely lady in her fab 30s!  

Lartosha (Optimistic Mom) of Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway.  

She is one those bloggers you wish you could meet in person! 

 She is an anonymous blogger but the way she writes makes you feel like you know her. 

 Ms. L is relate-able, insightful and fun!  

The ladies of TC30s hopes to meet her someday soon! 

But for now, let's get to know her more below in cyberspace, 

then pay her a visit to her blog, ASAP!  

Take it away Lartosha!

  

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Hi Ladies of TC30S,

I am so happy that you have given me the spotlight opportunity today. 

I am ready, what questions do you have for me and is this G, PG13, or X rated? 

Let me know cause I want to ensure I am content appropriate. 

Kidding! 

Just breaking the ice. 

Let’s start.

1.       Name & blog

Latorsha. I blog at Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway

2.      Age

33 and loving it!

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

Physical – Well, I realized that the boobs don’t stand up as well as they used to, especially after breastfeeding, so I got them some help by investing in a sexy push up from Victoria’s Secret. Needless to say the girls are at attention again.

Social – I have really learned to embrace people who touch my life whether they are online connections or people I have met face to face. If they touch my spirit I welcome them to my world. If not, I am strong enough to move on.

Children – My son turned 1 right around the time I turned 30. Over the last few years I have accepted that sometimes it is okay to let your child win. Save your energy for the stuff that really matters.

4. Make a Confession about being a 30something? 

I confess 30 made me better!!

5. What would you tell your 20-something self?

The BEST is yet to come! Oh and leave that loser dude alone. He is seeing another woman and she’ll have his baby soon! RUN!!

6. What is your favourite body part?

Right now my arms, I don’t like to brag but since you asked I gotta nice set of weapons up top.

7. What have you learned about intimacy?

Having been married 9 years, I have to say keep it fresh. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

8. What would you tell your 40-something self?

Remember how much you loved turning 30, well 40 is just an extensive of it. 

Keep the party going!

9. How do you keep fit?

I work out 4-5 times a week. The routine varies, but it is a combination of weights, cardio, and swim. I wish I could tell you I ate healthy all the time, but I don’t want to lie. 

So let’s keep moving.

10.  Does your husband (family) ever read your blog?

I know he bookmarked it on his laptop but since he never says “I can’t believe you said that about me” I figure he doesn’t read it. That’s okay, gives me more to talk about.

Before I go, I just want to say to all the 20 somethings out there, you ain’t seen nothing yet! 

30 is absolutely fabulous. 

Just wait!

Latorsha, is the blogger of Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway, a place where she tries to remain optimistic by any means necessary, mostly laughter. You can check out her blog Here , follow on twitter @AnOptimisticMom or contact her at AnOptimisticMom@ gmail.com

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Thank you Lartosha.

Doesn't she have a fun and awesome personality!

And we loved the advice she gives to the 20somethings out there.

Confess ladies, what other advice would you give to your 20something self?

Fitness, Food & Fun Friday: Dresser Refurbishment

This is going to be fun for me, because this is my first time attempting to refurbish something.

Do you remember Karate Kid, the 1984 one? The story of Daniel and how he learns martial arts by waxing cars, sanding a wooden floor, refinishing a fence, and painting Miyagi's house.

This is what Fun Friday is about. No, I don't want to learn martial arts. All I want to do is to refurbish this dresser I bought yesterday.
Apart from hoping to to have something nice out of the old dresser, I believe sanding off and painting will be a fun way to keep fit. The hardest part is sanding off the old varnish with a sandpaper, in the end I will have tired arms. I will be thinking about Karate Kid - rub and wax.

Have you ever done something fun that at first sight it doesn't look fitness workout? Have you ever refurbished something before?

Please share and have fun on Friday TC30s!