Lifestyle without Barriers
Love is easy, beautiful, peaceful, and fulfilling. But despite all the lovely adjectives, I fear love. I pull away as a way of protecting my heart. It’s easier that way. The pain of rejection is too much to endure. And be vulnerable? No thanks! But something felt different; I felt different. I don’t know when... Continue Reading →
Where has the desire to dress well gone? It pains me to see the way many women dress themselves. They’ve got curves and hide them, or they’ve got great legs but cover them under long skirts or maxi dresses. And when did it become ok to ditch the jeans for leggings day-after-day? Ladies, please take... Continue Reading →
In real life, the only time I’ve ever been to L.A. was when I got the chance with the marching band to play tuba in the Rose Parade. Online I live in Malibu. I posed for Calvin Klein; I’ve been in GQ. I’m single and rich. And I got a set of six pack abs... Continue Reading →
Strength training is one of the absolute best ways to care for your body. It only takes a two second Google search to produce millions of results on the benefits of having muscle mass. The health benefits of a strong body will carry you throughout your life. To keep it simple though, strength training gives... Continue Reading →
It’s not a color you wear or how you style your hair. It will never be arrogant or rude. Confidence is a feeling you have and develop as a result of a skill set. Confidence is not tied to your self-worth. Self-worth has nothing to do with how well or how poorly you can do... Continue Reading →
All too often these two adjectives are used interchangeably. Your blessings come from the source of all, big or small, good or bad, wanted or unwanted, these are the things that flow to you throughout your life. Luck comes from being dealt the winning hand at the casino on a Friday night or winning the... Continue Reading →
With record setting temperatures spanning across the country this past weekend, the summer heat is indeed upon us. Keeping your body at optimal hydration levels couldn’t be more important. This is healthy living 101, but even more essential in the months of high temperatures. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water. Losing just... Continue Reading →
Self-care is not selfish. There’s a reason they tell us to put our oxygen masks on first. Self-care is a must to be your best self. For years, I thought self-care = self-love. But after years and thousands of dollars later, I realized that not to be true. No amount of self-care will ever lead... Continue Reading →
If I’m being honest, no one has ever asked me this question. But as I browse other blogs and Pinterest, I can’t help but notice everyone detailing the insides of their bags. And likely, the same as you, I clicked to find out more. Not sure if it’s to ensure I too have the same... Continue Reading →
My favorite season is here! These are the three months each year that make all the rest worthwhile. Everything is easy, breezy in the summer months. Everyone takes a relaxed approach to life and slows down to enjoy each moment of the longer, brighter days. To a child, summer is the best time of year.... Continue Reading →
My mind is my worst enemy! And over and over again this is proven to me. As grateful as I am to have an intelligent mind, I wish the section that contains my thoughts had an on/off switch. I over analyze people and situations all too often. I think way too much and build “factual”... Continue Reading →
Do you compromise? I’m not talking about compromising a night out with dinner and drinks for a night in with a movie and popcorn. I’m talking about compromising what you want most in life for what you want now. This type of compromise is an internal battle. A battle that many make without even realizing... Continue Reading →
I’ve always worn a badge of honor when it comes to my emotions. Under no circumstances would I allow anyone to see me cry. Angry or frustrated, yes, but never sad. My tears were always saved for the shower. I’ve always been this way and maybe because I was raised in a household where feelings... Continue Reading →
Bread Ingredients 1 cup granulated sugar2 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1 large egg1 cup milk1/3 cup vegetable oil1 cup blueberries (fresh is better; frozen will cause the bread to have a purple swirl) Glaze Ingredients (optional, but highly recommended) 3 tablespoons butter, melted1 ½ cups powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla1 ½ tablespoons... Continue Reading →
A Phoenix is a fabulous bird associated with the worship of the sun. According to Greek mythology, this long-lived bird cyclically regenerates or otherwise is said to be born again. A Phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Or as some legends say, it dies in a show of flames... Continue Reading →
Why does everyone always ask my age? Is it really that important or is there no other way to break the ice? And trying to guess will get you nowhere. Guessing high will be insulting and guessing low in an attempt to flatter doesn’t work either. Age – it’s only a number; its how you... Continue Reading →
When you eat like crap, you feel like crap. Enough said! I should end this post with just that one sentence because how much simpler can it get? I love a cheat day just as much as everyone, but I often give up before the day is even over. My eyes are always bigger than... Continue Reading →
I get to travel a lot for my career, and I love it! The opportunity for travel is the biggest reason I got into this profession so many years ago. For the past year, my travel has greatly lessened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but over the past two months my travel has resumed to... Continue Reading →
“Ever since I laid eyes on that house, I wanted it.” – Harry The McCallisters home is so dreamy to me! Even after all these years. Each Christmas when I replay the classic over and over, I say to myself that I will one day see that beauty in person. Well nearly 31 years since... Continue Reading →
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you need support. Be it the small things or the big things, the happy times, or the times you just want to hide in a cave, but at some point, you’ve needed and received support. The type of support varies but it’s all needed and beneficial. There’s... Continue Reading →
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But for the past week or so, I have been experiencing mental and emotional fog. And saying I am in a funk would be an understatement. I have been getting very little sleep due to my work schedule, so I know part of the dip in ability to... Continue Reading →
Some boundaries are meant to be broken, but those are not the type of boundaries I am talking about here. I am talking about personal boundaries. Setting personal boundaries can be hard because it means saying no at times. And if often means saying no to those you love. It may feel like you are... Continue Reading →
Ahhh…that relationship you have with the reflection in the mirror. What prompted this post is the recent hot topic of the bikini picture of Khloe Kardashian that was posted without her approval. I love Khloe – I always have! She is my favorite Kardashian sister. There is just something about her energy that I can... Continue Reading →
Dare I go there…I can’t even with this one. Year after year it’s the same. The weather starts to get warmer and the gyms begin to get crowded. The increase in sunshine brings the realization to guys that soon their shirts will have to come off at some point in a place other than their... Continue Reading →
Ingredients 1 pouch sugar cookie mix½ cup butter, softened1 egg1 container whipped vanilla frosting Steps Heat oven to 375°F.In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, and egg until soft dough forms. Shape dough into 1” balls (~ 1 Tbsp. each); place in ungreased mini muffin tins.Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are light, golden... Continue Reading →
“Helium” by Sia The first time I heard this song, I became paralyzed by emotion. Never had the words of a song hit me the way this one did. I remember it clearly. I had just pulled into the office parking lot and sat there listening to it in its entirety. Minutes after it ended... Continue Reading →
I love the beach – it’s my happy place! Could be because I’m an Aquarius or maybe because it’s the place where the outside world disappears. The reason doesn’t matter because I am here and it’s perfect! I am at my best when at the beach. And I have never had a bad beach day.... Continue Reading →
If only these walls could talk – I do wonder what they’d say. They see so much on any given day. All walks of life pass through their doors and occupy their seats. Some arrive bright and early dressed professionally, order a cup and rush away. Others stroll in their cleanest pair of leggings (or... Continue Reading →
Really??? I can’t believe the hundreds of places signs just like this have appeared over the past year. It has gone as far as billboards along highways advertising hand washing to prime-time news anchors devoting entire segments on the do’s and don’ts of hand washing. Was no one washing their hands prior to the pandemic?... Continue Reading →
We’ve sprung forward and the days are getting longer!! Today at 5:37 a.m. officially marked the 1st day of the vernal equinox for 2021. Spring is here (finally)! The snow has melted, the looming gray skies are parting, and the warmer air is upon us. What does all this mean to you? For me it... Continue Reading →
Walking past the TV recently, I caught a portion of a news story of a woman who battled skin cancer during the pandemic. Initially, she did a tele-visit while medical offices were closed for a spot of concern on her face she had concerns of. During this tele-visit, she was told it was of no... Continue Reading →
Enjoy the moment! Ever heard that line before (insert eye roll)? Of course you have, we all have. But what does it really mean? It means to Be Present! The past is just that; it’s passed. It happened; it’s over. The future is yet to occur and unknown. And there is no amount of worry... Continue Reading →
Why is it that we can see our friends perfectly, but when it comes to ourselves no matter how hard we look, we never see ourselves clear? You know exactly what I am referring to. We are our own worse critics over and over again. We are the best of friends and at times unpaid... Continue Reading →
My mind runs like a constant film reel. There are hundreds of thoughts swirling at any given moment (some beneficial, some not). I’ve always loved to write and have been told I’m kind of good at it. I also always have a lot to say! But keeping those thoughts to myself seems selfish in a... Continue Reading →
Real Life Talk 