Marvelous Monday!

I had such a great Monday- I woke up and had omelettes loaded w/vegs, fruit & coffee for breakfast. I did some online researching and found a great Medical Receptionist job at the Orthopedic center that I applied for, hopefully along with the Hospital job I will get a call back from one of them! The hubby & I had an impromptu trip to Tallahassee to exchange some ink cartridges & I also picked up a couple of dresses, 2 sweaters and a fabulous peplum blouse! Can't wait to share in my upcoming fashion posts!

 

Handbag- Nine West, Scarf- Rikka

 

 

 

Venti Soy Espresso Frap. w/whip, double shot espresso- my fave.

 

 



 

One of the first 20,000 on FB to get this FREE offer from GNC!

 

 

 



 



Thanks Mr. GNC guy for throwing in some free samples!

 

Watch- Fossil,  Sweater- Old Navy, Jeans- Mossimo by Target

 

 

Hope ya'll are having a fabulous Day!

 

xoxo-Melinda

 



Sunday Letters to GOD..

Dear GOD, thank you for allowing me the time to update our Resumes & finding some great jobs that we were able to apply for!

Dear GOD, thank you for all of the {online} pageviews on our house!!

Dear GOD, thank you for this beautiful weather so that we are able to enjoy walking every day.

Dear GOD, thank you for such a fabulous work out partner!

Dear GOD, thank you for the 2 wonderful sermons that I listened to this Sunday- they had some encouraging words that I really needed..

Dear GOD, thank you for wonderful Starbucks coffee in this chilly weather!

 

{Dear GOD, thank you that I am humbled enough to post this picture even though

I look a HOT mess!}

 

 



Dear GOD, thank you for my new blogger friends & real life friends that I have made this year!

Dear GOD, thank you for our first bonfire & hot chocolate of the year!!

 

Even though life lately hasn't been the best with the job and the house situations..I know that things will get better and there is always something to be thankful for! Hope all of you lovelies are having a fabulous Sunday!!


xoxo- Melinda

Highlights of the Week!

Hey ya'll, sorry about my lack of posting this week, so much has been going on. We have a big sale coming up & I've been organizing for that and also job hunting, etc. Hopefully, I will have good news on both soon. Things are going great otherwise- hope you enjoy the photos! Happy Friday!!

{My niece Olivia & I}

{Costo Shopping Trip!}

{Chili on a bed of spinach- great way to sneak in the greens!}

 

{Apple Crumble}

 

Our Replacement Keurig Brewer finally came in!!

Simple Sunday...

Went to see the family today & got all dressed up- so why not do a photoshoot, I thought? I had a great time with the family & would have taken more pictures, but my brother's house is cabin-style with all wood interior & it doesn't take the greatest pictures.

{ Necklace- ILY Couture}





{Jeans- Ann Taylor, Handbag- Replica Hermes, Flats- Gap}

 

{Leopard Print Blouse- Ann Taylor, Cardigan- Banana Republic}

Have a fabulous weekend Ya'll!!

xoxo
Melinda

And the Award goes to....

 Thanks Rita for nominating me for the Liebster Award!  I was so excited because I just started this blog and I would love to meet some new blogger friends!

 

 

 

 

The Rules:

* Each Person awarded must post 11 facts about themselves

* Answer the 11 questions the nominator has set for them

* Create 11 more questions for bloggers they will nominate

* Choose 11 bloggers to nominate and link them in your post

* Let the lucky bloggers know

11 Things About Me:

1. I am extremely shy & socially awkward when I first meet someone. I have a fear of speaking in groups of people, especially new people.

2. I am obsessed with cute notebooks & making goal lists, I have them everywhere.

3. I am a serious shopaholic, I don't know how to set a limit..it's bad..

4. I love Starbucks, especially the Espresso Frappucino made with soy milk, but I love just the coffee of the day too.

 

5. I worry & get anxiety over the smallest things..but to me they are a big deal. Some of my anxieties include- afraid of the dark/someone breaking in, large crowds of people, people rejecting me/not liking me, family/dog dying.{I really want to conquer this}

 

6. I am a geek & a nerd- I love to read and learn new things all of the time

7. I am way too nice and tend to get trampled on a little bit, I've been a victim of bullying before. I know that alot of this is my fault, I have to learn to stand up for myself more.

 

8. I am extremely compassionate & get upset when anyone or anything is hurt {I cried over a hurt squirrel once & rescued a hurt opossum} I know, I know...my brothers tease me about it..

9. I love being outdoors & doing things like hiking, biking, sports, etc.

10. I want to travel the whole world, I just can't get enough!

11. I have been a raw vegan, plain vegan, vegetarian & now I am a Flexitarian- I eat chicken sometimes, eggs, etc. I really miss being raw vegan though, my skin & body tone were amazing!

 

 

Rita's Questions:

 

1. How did your blog come about?

 

Well, I had a previous blog Fit and Fabulous Life, and my life changed drastically in the past 2 years, I needed a new blog for my new life, so that's why I started My Life Being Renewed.

2. How do you grow your blog readership?

 

 I don't do well with this, the only thing that helps me to grow my readership is the fact that I love visiting other blogs and leaving comments. Other than that, not too much.

3. Do you have an idol (could be a media figure, family, friend, etc)?

 

I adore Lauren Conrad- she has such class, great style and seems like a well rounded person, oh and she is beautiful!

4. What do you do on your spare time?

 

Reading, shopping, walking, photography, baking

5. What are your favorite movies?

 

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Twilight, Jane Eyre- I love the Master, somehow I found him so hilarious..anything romantic or chick lit. Although I do watch Action movies with the hubby.

6. What is your favorite food?

 

Salad with everything in it!

7. Where do you usually shop?

 

I love vintage/thrift shopping mostly, but I also love shopping at Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, J. Crew, The Gap- I love the classics.

8. What are your top 5 played songs on your iPod?

 

Well, I'm really into contemporary Christian like Newsong, Michael W. Smith, Hillsong, but some of my other favorites include:

 

Kesha- Your Love is my Drug

Hunter Hayes- Wanted

Ellie Goulding- Lights

Carly Rae Jepsen- Call Me Maybe

Lee Brice- Hard to Love

Rihanna- Where have you been? {oops that was 6}

 

9. What is your dream job?

 

I have several- Travel Writer/Blogger, Personal Nutritionist, Anything in Fashion, Celebrity Personal Shopper..who wouldn't want to shop for a living??

10. What is your biggest fear?

 

I have a few but Speaking in front of people is my biggest fear- this has caused me to not be as successful in life as I would have liked. I also have a fear of rejection.

11. What is your favorite quote?

 

I don't think this is a quote, but I saw it on Tumblr somewhere- "When no one celebrates you, Learn to Celebrate yourself. When no one else compliments you, then compliment yourself. It's not up to other people to keep you encouraged. It's up to You. Encouragement should come from the inside." {Although it would be really nice to get these things from others, sometimes it just doesn't happen and that's when we have to be there for ourselves..}

Bloggers I'm Nominating:
 

Megan Ann @ Indie Flower

 

Vett @ Real College Student of Atlanta

 

Madelena B. @ Begins with a M

 

Christina @ Hungry Meets Healthy

Jacqueline @ Skinny Chick Blog

  

Questions For My Nominees:

1. What is your best Beauty Tip?
2. Where is your fave vacay location?
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
4. What blog tip can you share?
5. What is your fave fashion item/accessory?
6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
7. What is on your wish list?
8. What is one thing that you love about yourself?
9. What would be your ideal dream date?
10.What is a great life lesson that you have learned?
11. What inspires/motivates you?

It's the Weekend!

It's the weekend- Yay!! I love Saturdays, right now the neigbors are blowing leaves, working in their yards and the hubby & I have plans of our own as well.

Agenda for Today:

 

Plant Kale {to make Kale chips, of course!}

 

Bake some gluten-free cookies

 

Go walking

 

Bathe dog

 

Organize coupons for shopping

 

Exercise w/SIL

 

Liebster Award Blog Post

 

Dishes

 

More organizing

 

 

Be back later with a fun blog post! Have a fabulous weekend ya'll!

 

 

xoxo

Melinda

Oh, How Pinteresting!

Today was a pretty good day. I was able to get several things accomplished...made an apple pie {that turned into an apple crumble, but still delicious!}, did some organizing, trimmed my bangs & went for a nice walk. My SIL cancelled our workout because she didn't feel well, so tomorrow we will double up!


On the same note, it's kind of been a lazy day as well, I did lots of Pinning..here are my favorites!

 

One downside to Pinterest is that I always want to go shopping!! Oh well, there are worse things..


Hope you all have a fabulous night!!


xoxo
Melinda

And on a Much Lighter Note!

I know that last blog post was a little heavy, so I thought I would go with a more positive note today!


Remember when I did a blog post about getting back in shape? Well, I have been working really hard for almost 2 months, working out 7 days per week & eating healthy. I wanted to post some pictures so you could see, I still have some work to do but I am happy that I stuck with it!! By December, I should be able to fit back into my skinny jeans!!

Love Thy Neighbor...

I was hestitant about doing this blog post, because I didn't want to be negative, but then I thought...maybe someone else has previously or currently dealt with this same thing? So here goes...


People who know me, know that I've always been very compassionate and love helping others, especially the underdogs..It breaks my heart to see people go through hard times or see someone be discouraged with life. I feel like it's our job to reach out and help those who are in need..


So rewinding back to almost 2 years ago, the hubby and I have always done pretty well for ourselves, my husband worked for his father and made good money while I worked for the hospital and did okay myself. When we have had plenty, we always shared with those not doing as well and always been there to help or just be a listening ear in their hard times.


In January 2011, my husband's father passed away from cancer, not only did we have to deal with his passing, but my husband lost his job as well. We ended up leaving and putting our home up for sale and moving to see if we could find better jobs. Long story short, it's been close to 2 years and we still haven't sold our house and we haven't had the best luck on the job front, it's been rough on us but we haven't given up. God has been so good to us and I know that he has good plans for us, plans for a hope and a future..


My point of the story is, the same people that we helped get to a better place & said many prayers for, were not there for us. I watched them go on vacations & invite everyone but us, and have means to help us on the job front, but they did neither. I watched them put us down and make comments that were condescending, when all we ever did was be kind to them. I felt like they were kicking us while we were down.. I couldn't understand this when we were there for them in their time of need..I keep trying to figure out why, but I can't...I think it's because my heart works in a different way than theirs. The funny thing is, even though they have been unkind to us, I still find myself having compassion for them. It's just not in me to be mean to others..sometimes I feel like I'm too nice, if there is such a thing..

{Matthew 22:39 - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself}



Anyone else ever gone through something like this? I would love to hear your stories..

Our Furchild, Roscoe..

         
        Random fact about me- most of you probably don't know that I am married, not with kids, but a Furchild, Roscoe. The hubby and I adopted Roscoe when he was a tiny puppy in August of 1999, the same month that we got married & bought our first house. When he was a baby, he would sleep behind my neck & I remember carrying him around in my purse & taking him with me everywhere we went! So to say he is a big part of our family is an understatement..I pray over him everyday that he is always with us & for God to bless him to be healthy and happy. He has a very funny personality and is beyond spoiled, but we love him to pieces.


Hope everyone is having a beautiful Saturday!


xoxo- Melinda

Be back soon...

I don't know how to even blog this..but I wanted to let ya'll know that my oldest sister, Carla, just recently passed away..I won't be blogging for a few days..the song & the picture reminded me of her. She loved books & yellow was her favorite color...she will be greatly missed...