What a blessing this day has been-a new start and a new beginning to a new life and lifestyle. Stay tuned for the next motivational post to keep you motivated~

Change is Good

Change is good!! Never let anyone tell you different. It is a great idea to let go of things and people who are not doing you well. I did a 3-day challenge and it was very successful. I pulled down the challenge to begin another challenge. I would like to challenge everyone to change. I would like to challenge everyone to release things and people from your life if it is no good for you. Just release it and move forward. When you move forward, you can't look back. You have to continue forward to living a life that is rewarding to you and your state of being and becoming. I love the fact that change is a process of doing new things which allows us all to be who desire to be in our lives. I am passionately moving forward and strengthening relationships with people whom I benefit from in my life. I am letting all those people who used me away from my life. I have a old friend from my past who seems to think that all he can do is contact me when he needs financial help and assistance with his duties he can't handle. I was even restricted from the times I could visit him and talk with him over the phone. He only makes himself available when he needs something from me. At first, I thought that if I helped him that it would strengthen our friendship but, it just made him hardened to my needs. I want a man who is not afraid to go out in public places with me and doesn't mind spending time with me. I think I was blinded for years and I have finally woke up and smelled the fresh air-this guy is a user of all kinds. I was definitely not a rewarding friendship for me and that is why I decline to assist or help this friend with anything anymore. The past is gone and the present is now. If I want to see changes in my life in the future then I need to make some changes now in the present. I want to challenge you to let go of stuff and people who are not in line with your passions and dreams in your life.

Until Next Time,

Carmen

Wasting Time

Time is so valuable and when you waste it, it can not be replaced or restarted. I have wasted so much time on people, things and ideas. I have sat around hoping, wishing and praying that this is my time to marry and have kids or my time to display my bags in Bergdorf Goodman-but never really made a step to making it happen. I am in love at this time with a man I have been best friends with for years. I have waited around on him to see if we are ever going to move forward and seven years later, we haven't. I am not discouraged that my time has come to find the right suitor, I just need to see that I can't waste valuable time. So at this time, I have settled for friendship and looking forward to dating. I have wasted time on deciding on which avenues I want to take with my businesses, so I have decided to stop wasting time. Each day we wake is a new day to do new things and make things happen. Billionaires are not sitting around wasting time, they are using their time to make more money. Single women who want real relationships are not sitting around waiting for the guys to come to them, they are out meeting new people and doing new things that will introduce the man of their dreams into their lives. I have to admit that I have been going about life the wrong way. I have been drowning my issues with a cigarette, an alcoholic beverage or a bitch session with my friends. Instead of sitting around and bitching about the fact that I have not progress to the point in my life where I want to be, I have decided to do something about it. I have decided to date as much as I can until the right guy comes into my life. I also decided to put 100% of myself into my brands and make them more successful. I have decided to get off my lazy ass and do something instead of wasting valuable time. I would like for you to follow my 3-day challenge as I accomplish many tasks, dreams, and desires for my life. Check out my challenge and begin one of your own.

Until Next Time,

Carmen

Dreams Come True if You Believe

There is an Exhibit coming to Fernbank Museum of Natural History called "Mythic Creatures" starting on Feb. 19th. I look forward to seeing the different creature such as unicorns and mermaids. It will be a spectacular Exhibit for everyone of all ages. Please check out their website for more information-

www.fernbankmuseum.org. I believe that all your dreams can come true if you really believe!! I am so excited to say that I have been living out on of my dreams and that is creating beautiful hand-made handbags for my Fortress22 Brand which is launching in June 2011. I look forward to sharing my creations with the world and those who have a love for handbags as I do. I collect handbags and I have a lot of Designer Bags that I own such as several Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags along with a Gucci bag I hardly wear. I love designer bags but, I prefer to create the type of bag I like and wear with my ensembles. I hope that you are inspired to dream today and believe that your dreams will come true!!!

Until Next Time,

Carmen

This is the Day the Lord has Made

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!! This is a new day with new experiences and we should be enjoying each day we have been blessed to have. I am so excited that I am able to see this beautiful day. The weather in Atlanta is absolutely beautiful today and I am so grateful for that. There are so many people out and about, walking the dog or walking with love ones in the many neighborhoods of Virginia-Highlands area. Everyone is outdoors on this beautiful, warm winter day. I am enjoying looking at the different homes and neighborhoods and I drive through them to get to my favorite restaurant in East Atlanta. What a wonderful day-I hope you are rejoicing and being glad in your day.

Until Next Time,

Carmen

A Great Weekend

I am taking so much needed time to plan for a well-needed and well-deserved vacation this Summer with my family. My sister-in-law is checking for different places to visit and she was looking into a few beaches on the Gulf Coast. Here is a photo of our last vacation to Myrtle Beach were we stayed at the Crown Reef resort. What a fantastic place to visit if you have children because there was so much to do and see. My family and I are used to our lazy beach vacations that we take annually to Hilton Head Island which is so laid back. We enjoy the fact that we are close to everything on the island. We also like the fact that it feels familiar and it is great for our family. This is the best time to get with the people in your family or some good friends and plan a vacation somewhere. I believe that if you work hard, you should treat yourself to a vacation at least 4 to 5 times a year. We spend a lot of time working and not enough time relaxing or enjoying life. So it is time to plan a trip somewhere you would like to go and go!!

Until Next Time,
Carmen

A New Lifestyle

It takes about 21 days to change a habit or create a new habit. I am using this rule for changing my lifestyle. For the New Year of 2011, my plans were to simply lose weight but, the more I researched the more I realized that I need a change of lifestyle. I am using the next 21 days to change my lifestyle. I am currently living a lifestyle that I would whole-heartedly like to change for the better this year. I decided to make a lifestyle change as of Valentine's Day this year. I have set myself up for realistic goals and achievements to fulfill. I look forward to the many changes that will come with my lifestyle being changed around a little bit. I am happy that there is good weather in the forecast so that I can workout outside more instead of a indoor gym. I find it much easier to workout outside because of the fresh air and nature scenery. I love the fact that there are so many nature trails in my neighborhood, which give me a different option each time I workout. I am looking forward to eating less fatty foods and more fruits and vegetables. I want to look my best and feel my best and a change of lifestyle is what will do the trick. I encourage anyone who is ready to make changes in their lives to make a start date and set to it. Make sure that you keep in mind that you are making changes to better your life and the ending results will be worth it!! I will definitely look forward to keeping you posted on the changes that I have made within my 21 days of changing my life for the better this year.

Until Next Time,

Carmen

Valentine Day Wishes

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!!! I hope that you are able to spend that special quality time with that special someone in your life this weekend!! I feel love in the air! I am so happy that Valentine's Day is around the corner. I have a special friend whom I have cared for for a very long time and I wish that his Valentine Day is a Special Day for him. I often wonder if he feels for me in the way that I do for him? I guess time will tell!! Anyway, I wish to bring everyone Valentine's Cheer and Happiness from "Your Lifestyle Blog". I hope that this weekend is special for you and your loved ones. I hope that you are taking out the time to express to those who love you dearly that their love is valued by you. I feel that there is not too many people expressing love or even saying how much the love and appreciate the special people in their lives. One of my resolutions for this year was to express more love through words and actions. I hope that you take the time today to tell that special person in your life-whether it be your mother, brother, father or sister-I LOVE YOU!!!

Love you,

Carmen

What the Hell are you Waiting For???

What are you waiting for?? What are your dreams and desires for your life??? God has blessed all of us with special gifts to use to glorify Him. We are a to use these gifts that we have been blessed with to live our lives and help to inspire and motivate others in their lives. I believe that we often get sidetracked in life by doing too much of the wrong stuff which pushes us further away from the desire that we have for our lives. I made a decision to follow my desires and dreams for my life. I having starting living out my dreams daily but making sure that I am allowing myself to do what I feel is my passion. My passion is to feel good and to inspire others to do the same. I have so many desires in life and one of those desires is to be a Motivational Speaker which I am able to do everyday on my blog. I am so blessed to have a chance and opportunity to inspire others and myself to be all that God intended for His people to be. The only person holding you back from your desires is yourself and your mentality. Keep in mind that "stinking thinking" will only keep you limited. When you open up your thoughts to be in line with how you feel, you open the doors to so many blessings and opportunities. Be Inspired!!!

Until next time,

Carmen

Friends

What would the world be like with no friends???? I have a few friends that I can say are my true friends. They can call me anytime of the day and ask for almost anything and I tried to see if I can help them because that is what friends are for. I love this photo of my niece and nephew walking with their friends on Tybee Island last winter. We went to take senior photos of my nephew and we had a great time. Even though they are all teenagers, they will all remain friends for life. We have to take some time out to value our friends and let them know that we care and appreciate having them in our lives. I want to send a special "thank you" to all my friends and know that your friendship mean so much to me and I really and grateful to have you all in my life!!!

Until next time,

Carmen

Spring is in the Air

Spring time is here~ I am so excited that Spring is almost here!! We can shed some of these clothes and boots that we've worn all winter and get ready for fun in the sun. This is the time of year my family begins to plan trips to different beaches on the East Coast but, we are definitely spending some time on the West Coast this year. I encourage everyone to take the time to spend with family and friends as much as possible. We all live lives that are so complicated and busy that we hardly have time to spend with those we love.

Use this time to plan to spend time with your family and friends. Keeping people around you who make you happy, makes life easier and happier to live. I have enjoyed the time I spent with close family and friends over the holidays and I always look forward to spending more time with them as the year progresses. I look forward to fun in the sun with people I love and enjoy being around.

Until next time,

Carmen